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After two disappointing defeats in a row, Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to bounce back with a win against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Ange Postecoglou’s side suffered back-to-back defeats against London rivals, losing 3-2 against Arsenal in the North London Derby last Sunday, before suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea on Thursday evening.

Their tough run continues this weekend at Anfield, as they try to put the final nail in the coffin of Liverpool’s failed title challenge. Indeed, the Reds have been in patchy form too, having picked up just four points from their last four Premier League games.

Spurs are currently hunting down Aston Villa who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification place. They are currently seven points behind Unai Emery’s side, although they have a game in hand.

It could well be the case that Postecoglou decides to rotate the Spurs side ahead of the trip to Liverpool this Sunday. There are three potential changes the Lilywhites manager could make ahead of the crunch clash…

1 GK – Guglielmo Vicario

There are fair arguments to say that the signing of Guglielmo Vicario has been the best piece of transfer business Spurs conducted last summer. They signed him from Empoli for an initial fee of £17.2m, and he is so far proving his worth.

The 27-year-old has made some fantastic saves and has kept six clean sheets in the Premier League so far this season, as well as one in the FA Cup.

2 RB – Pedro Porro

Since joining Spurs last January on a loan-to-buy deal from Sporting, Pedro Porro has impressed, but under Postecoglou, he has taken his game to a whole new level.

The Spaniard has one goal and seven assists this season for Spurs, which, as per SofaScore, is the second-most assists for Spurs this season, bettered only by captain Son Heung-min, who has nine. He has also created the third-most big chances, with only Son with 17 and Dejan Kulusevski with 13 having more than Porro’s 12.

3 CB – Cristian Romero

Postecoglou showed great faith in Romero at the start of the season by making him one of the two Spurs vice-captains. He has played a big role this season, featuring 29 times and scoring an impressive five goals.

The Argentine is a tough defender and is very dominant in duels. According to SofaScore, he wins an average of 2.9 ground duels and 2.7 aerial duels per 90 minutes this season.

4 CB – Radu Dragusin

The first of the three Spurs changes could see January signing Radu Dragusin get the nod at centre-back. The Lilywhites paid Genoa £26.7m to acquire his services five months ago, although his opportunities have been few and far between.

The Romanian has made just six appearances in a Spurs shirt so far, making two starts, in back-to-back games against Fulham and Luton. He could be in line to start this week due to a tactical tweak from Postecoglou.

5 LB – Mickey van de Ven

The reason Dragusin could start is because Mickey van de Ven could fill in at left-back. Since Destiny Udogie’s injury, Spurs have played both Ben Davies and Emerson in his place, but both have struggled. Thus, Postecoglou might well turn to Van de Ven.

Indeed, Van de Ven has played at left-back 15 times in his career, although never for Spurs. His pace and excellent ability on the ball will stand him in good stead for that role.

6 CM – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

The second change Postecoglou could make is to start Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the centre of midfield, ahead of Yves Bissouma.

The Dane, who has played 33 times in the Premier League this season for Spurs, will bring lots of experience to their midfield. As per SofaScore, he averages 3.5 ball recoveries and wins an average of 1.7 ground duels per 90 minutes this season.

7 CM – Pape Matar Sarr

Likely keeping his place in midfield from the defeat against Chelsea is Pape Matar Sarr. The young midfielder has left a great impression in his first full season of Premier League football.

Sarr has contributed to six goals this season, scoring three and registering three assists. Off the ball, he works very hard, winning an average of 4.4 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, according to SofaScore. He will no doubt continue to be a key player under Postecoglou.

8 AM – James Maddison

Since returning from injury, James Maddison’s early season form has taken a bit of a nosedive, leading to Postecoglou dropping him against Chelsea last season. However, against Liverpool, he could well come back into the side instead of Richarlison – who had just 19 touches before being booked on the hour mark during the midweek defeat.

With that being said, Maddison’s quality is obvious, and he was described as a “magician” by pundit Jamie O’Hara. This season, he has four goals and seven assists, which is still the fourth-most combined goal involvements for Spurs this season.

9 RW – Dejan Kulusevski

Swedish international Dejan Kulusevski played as a number 10 against Chelsea, in behind his captain Son. However, he could well shift back out to the right wing against Liverpool, to accommodate Maddison.

The 24-year-old is a silky dribbler, who averages a competition of 1.6 dribbles per game as per SofaScore. Not only that, the 13 big chances he has created for Spurs this season are bettered only by Son.

10 LW – Brennan Johnson

It has been a successful first season for Brennan Johnson in a Spurs shirt, following his £47.5m move from Nottingham Forest on deadline day last summer.

The Welsh international has 12 combined goal involvements in the Premier League, which is more than any other player side from Son with 25 and Richarlison with 13. This is already Johnson’s best return in the Premier League, beating his tally from the 2022/23 season.

As a new era awaits, Liverpool have shifted their focus towards planning for the future, which could reportedly include landing a left-back to eventually succeed Andrew Robertson at Anfield.

Liverpool transfer news

Robertson, now 30 years old, isn't quite ready to be winding down just yet and is unlikely to be at that stage for a few years yet, but there's no harm in planning ahead from Liverpool's point of view. When Arne Slot arrives, Michael Edwards and Liverpool will want to ensure that it signals the beginning of a new era rather than any short-term, disappointing stint. And thinking ahead should go a long way towards achieving that.

Whilst question marks remain over Kostas Tsimikas' ability to eventually step into Robertson's role too, the Reds have turned their attention towards Ligue 1 and a player who may excel where the Greek international has struggled for consistency.

According to Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Liverpool are keen on signing Bradley Locko from Ligue 1 side Brest this summer, but face competition from fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa and West Ham United.

Part of a Brest side who are on course to secure shock qualification for the Champions League, Locko is seen as a player with huge potential and, therefore, meets the criteria of the calibre needed to replace Robertson in Merseyside.

Liverpool keen on signing "electric" Salah-like star this summer

He has 28 goal contributions this season.

ByHenry Jackson May 8, 2024

Full backs and how they were evolved has played a large part in the success that Jurgen Klopp has enjoyed at Liverpool, and now Slot could continue that trend by setting Locko along the path of taking the responsibility from one of the most important players of the Klopp era.

Locko has the potential to succeed Robertson

Still just 22 years old, now would be the perfect time for Locko to get his big move, especially whilst Robertson is still close to his best and able to benefit from the healthy competition himself. All of a sudden, Liverpool would have four incredibly solid full-back options. On the right-hand side would stand Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley, who needs little introduction these days, and on the opposite flank would stand Robertson and Locko to hand Slot some real strength in depth.

Assists

3

2

Tackles Won

55

24

Key Passes

23

55

Ball Recoveries

207

96

The most positive stat of the lot is Locko's ball recovery numbers. If Slot's system is anywhere near as intense as Klopp's then this will see the Frenchman thrive when counter-pressing. It's the type of stat that makes Robertson such an asset under the German and the type that should see Locko emerge if he decides to complete an Anfield switch this summer.

It remains to be seen just how much Brest will demand when it comes to a transfer fee, but with reports indicating that Locko's current salary is just £9,500-a-week, the Reds should have no issue when it comes to agreeing personal terms.

Chelsea travel away from Stamford Bridge to take on Brighton & Hove Albion in their penultimate Premier League match of the season on Wednesday night.

The Blues are fighting to secure a top six finish in the division as they currently sit behind Newcastle United, who are sixth as it stands, on goal difference.

Mauricio Pochettino and his side are battling it out to secure Europa League football for the club for the 2024/25 campaign, having gone through the current term with no European matches.

Landing a place in either the Europa League or the Europa Conference League next season, though, will mean that there are more games to contend with throughout the year.

This means that Pochettino will need more depth in his squad to cope with the schedule, and one area that the club are reportedly looking to strengthen in is the centre-forward position.

The Blues are reportedly looking at a Premier League striker who could come in to compete with Nicolas Jackson for a place in the starting XI at Stamford Bridge next term.

Chelsea's interest in Premier League marksman

According to journalist Simon Phillips' Substack column, as relayed by the Chelsea Chronicle, the club are exploring the possibility of adding a new centre-forward to the group for the 2024/25 campaign.

The reporter adds that Brentford marksman Ivan Toney, who was once dubbed a "monster" by manager Thomas Frank, is one of the number nines on Chelsea's wishlist ahead of the summer transfer window.

He also reports that a fee of around £40m is set to be enough to secure his services at the end of the season, although the Bees could look to push that higher if they can – possibly depending on the volume of interest from elsewhere.

Todd Boehly and his team are seemingly lining him up as one of a group of striker options who could come in to add further firepower to Pochettino's frontline.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen and RB Salzburg's Benjamin Sesko are also named among the club's targets in the report, which shows that Toney is not the only player being eyed up by the London giants ahead of the summer.

There is also no mention of whether or not Chelsea are prepared to pay the £40m that he is said to be available for, or if they will look to drive the price down even further if they decide to make a formal approach for his signature.

If they can get a deal over the line for the former Peterborough star, though, then he would be a dream partner for Nicolas Jackson on and off the pitch next term.

Nicolas Jackson's form this season

Chelsea signed the Senegal international from Villarreal during last summer's transfer window and he has had mixed success in the Premier League so far.

For a 22-year-old striker in his first season in England, a return of 14 goals and five assists in 29 starts for the Blues is hardly a dreadful debut campaign from him.

He has produced 19 direct goal contributions in 29 starts, more than one every other start on average, and this shows that he has made a big impact in the final third at times.

However, the former LaLiga star has also let himself down at times with his underwhelming finishing, which shows that he is far from the finished article at this moment in time.

The young attacker has missed a staggering 23 'big chances' to go along with his 14 goals in the Premier League, and this illustrates how wasteful he has been with the high-quality openings that his teammates have created for him.

Nicolas Jackson

17.86

14

-3.86

Enzo Fernandez

6.33

3

-3.3

Raheem Sterling

9.23

7

-2.23

Malo Gusto

1.34

0

-1.34

Marc Cucurella

1.15

0

-1.15

As you can see in the table above, Jackson has been the worst finisher in the squad as no other player has underperformed against their xG as badly as he has.

This suggests that Pochettino and Chelsea cannot rely upon him to be the only natural number nine option in the squad as they head into a season with potentially the League Cup, the FA Cup, the Premier League, and the Europa League to contend with.

Why Chelsea should sign Ivan Toney

The Blues should, therefore, sign Toney as a dream partner for Jackson within the squad as the duo could share the load throughout the campaign.

Instead of the Senegal international being relied upon across all competitions, Pochettino could rotate the two – and possibly play them alongside each other at times – in order to avoid fatigue and to keep the competition for places high.

At the age of 28, Toney could also act as a mentor to Jackson, given that he is six years older than the current Chelsea frontman, and impart his experience in English football on to the young striker.

The Brentford star is an experienced centre-forward who has played in England for many years and now has almost three seasons of Premier League football under his belt.

He has racked up 36 goals and ten assists in 84 top-flight matches in his career to date, along with 31 goals and ten assists in 35 Championship games.

2020/21 (Championship)

22.97

32

+9.03

2021/22 (Premier League)

6.89

12

+5.11

2022/23 (Premier League)

15.42

20

+4.58

2023/24 (Premier League)

6.09

4

-2.09

As you can see in the table above, Toney has, largely, been a terrific finisher over the last four seasons for Brentford – scoring roughly between 16 and 17 more goals than expected based on the quality of chances that have been created for him.

Whereas, Jackson has underperformed his xG by more than three goals in the Premier League this season, which suggests that he needs to work on that side of his game.

Chelsea signing Toney would provide the Senegal international with a lethal marksman who knows how to be ruthless in front of goal, as evidenced by the aforementioned statistics, to learn from.

The Blues would then have a proven, experienced, Premier League striker who knows how to finish chances, in Toney, and a talented young ace who can compete and develop alongside him, in Jackson, which would make them a dream partnership for Pochettino moving forward.

Chelsea eyeing "dangerous" signing who could replace Madueke

The Blues have been linked with an interest in the attacker ahead of the summer.

ByDan Emery May 14, 2024

They could compete and help each other to develop and grow on the training pitch, by fighting for the starting spot, whilst the former Villarreal man could take notes on Toney's performances, on the pitch and off it in training, to better his own displays.

This means that the English star would not only be a dream partner for Jackson when they on the pitch together, with his lethal centre-forward play, but also a fantastic mentor for him to watch and learn from.

Even though Erik ten Hag led Manchester United to FA Cup success, his status as manager is still unknown.

The former Ajax manager wasn’t exactly phased when questioned about his future, as he believes there’s no reason for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to move him on.

However, the Red Devils will naturally be preparing ahead in the event that Ten Hag does depart, with a decision reportedly set to be made in the next week.

That said, one option for the Red Devils could actually be a downgrade for INEOS and Co.

Man Utd’s search for a new manager

According to journalist Christian Falk, Man United have put Thomas Frank on their list of Ten Hag successors.

The journalist took to X to state that contact has been made between the Manchester club and the Danish manager.

Frank is currently the manager of Brentford, and he has other potential destinations in the pipeline, which suggests he could be on the move this summer.

One of those is Chelsea, who have had meetings with the Bees boss, but their move for the 50-year-old is now unlikely with Enzo Maresca likely to take charge.

Why Man Utd must avoid hiring Frank

Having earned promotion and cemented Brentford as a Premier League club on a small budget, Frank is widely respected as a manager, with pundit Troy Deeney even calling him “outstanding.”

To support just how fantastic of a job he’s done at the Bees, last season they were just two points off achieving European football, finishing in ninth place.

However, without Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo for most of the season, his side – which tends to operate in a 4-3-3 – and style of play have suffered, as they ultimately finished 16th.

This is eight places below where United finished under Ten Hag, but as you can see, the overall statistics prove that he would be a downgrade on the Dutch manager, even despite the Red Devils' torrid campaign.

Wins

18

10

Goals scored

57

56

Goals conceded

58

65

Clean sheets

9

7

Shots (per game)

14.5

12.4

Possession

50.5%

45%

As displayed above, there isn’t a statistic in the table that suggests that Ratcliffe should ditch Ten Hag and appoint Frank, even if the Red Devils have been completely underwhelming.

Hiring Frank comes with plenty of risks, given that he’s a manager who’s not accustomed to the amount of criticism that he’d receive if he were the boss at Old Trafford.

It’s one of the most scrutinised jobs in world football, where quality, attacking football, and trophies simply have to be delivered each year.

Although the football under Ten Hag this season has been poor, there’s no debating that he knows how to win trophies, a feat that Frank has yet to prove. The only success he has tasted yet as a manager is winning promotion from the Championship.

The current United boss has continuously mentioned that he’s undertaking a project, so to rip up his hard work and start again for Frank, who’s inexperienced at the top of the game, has plenty of risks attached.

In no way whatsoever is Frank a poor manager; in fact, he’s done a simply sublime job, but is he really the man to take United to the next level? Arguably not.

Man Utd in talks to sign "magic" star who could be their answer to Foden

The Man Utd target has 16 goal contributions in just 14 starts.

ByTom Lever May 26, 2024

After a deal to sign Jose Cordoba collapsed, Rangers have turned their attention towards another South American defender, who already reportedly has an offer on the table from Ibrox.

Rangers transfer news

The Gers looked destined to sign Cordoba, before a deal ultimately collapsed with Norwich City now the leading candidates to land the young defender's signature. He would have followed Jefte through the door to complete Rangers' second signing in a matter of weeks to start their summer transfer window with a bang, but Philippe Clement has now been forced to find another option.

That's not to say that Rangers have given up on the South American market following their Cordoba failure, however. In fact, it's quite the opposite. According to Chilean outlet Despliegue Fútbol, Rangers have presented an offer to Thomas Galdames, who has reportedly played his final game for Godoy Cruz in Argentina, winning 4-0 against El Porvenir this week.

Clement already personally eyeing new Rangers moves after Cordoba collapse

The Gers aren’t wasting any time…

ByTom Cunningham May 29, 2024

The 25-year-old left-back, who can also play as a centre-back, also reportedly has offers from Belgium and must now make his decision. With Rangers looking to fill the role that many believed Cordoba would, Galdames could emerge as the perfect option at Ibrox this summer.

Having already filled their left-back role with the arrival of Jefte, it will be interesting to see whether Clement would opt to turn Galdames into a central defender on a permanent basis if he completes a move to Scotland this summer. On paper, it's a risk, but it could be one worth taking if the Chilean finds his feet quickly and becomes the defender that the Gers are clearly after.

"Confident" Galdames can make up for Cordoba collapse

The Gers certainly aren't wasting any time feeling sorry for themselves after missing out on Cordoba, turning their attention straight to Galdames. And if Nathan Joyes' praise is anything to go by, dubbing the defender as "confident in the final third" among other positives, then those at Ibrox should be hoping to see Rangers get this one over the line.

If the aim isn't for Galdames to arrive and step into the centre-back role, then he will be left competing with Jefte and question marks will naturally begin to rise regarding the future of Ridvan Yilmaz, who has been linked with an Ibrox exit in the past.

It's certainly solid planning from Rangers, either way. On the one hand, they'll have a left-back ready to compete if Yilmaz leaves, and on the other, Clement could mould a top centre-back.

Another season over, and another step forward for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta's side weren't able to end their two-decade title drought, but by pushing Manchester City to the final day, they made it clear that they weren't going away anytime soon.

So, it's going to be a big summer for the Gunners as they look to bridge that ever-decreasing gap to the champions.

While incoming transfers are sure to dominate the headlines, like the failed move for Benjamin Šeško, Edu Gaspar and Co look set to shift several players, one of whom earns more than the Slovenian – even after his new deal.

Arsenal transfer news

According to journalist Ben Jacobs via GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal are looking to sell several squad players this summer, and English striker Eddie Nketiah is near the top of that list.

Jacobs has revealed that the 25-year-old is still on Crystal Palace's radar and that the Gunners expect to receive around £30m to £35m for the player.

However, depending on how the striker market shapes up this summer and how much players like Armando Broja go for, the North Londoners could ask for even more, safe in the knowledge that the 25-year-old is contracted until 2027 and unlikely to see his price come down.

If Edu and Co can shift the Lewisham-born forward for a fee that high, then they will have done a fantastic job. Despite flashes of brilliance here and there, he hasn't justified his place at Arsenal, and he certainly hasn't justified his hefty wage.

Eddie Nketiah's wage

Nketiah joined Arsenal as a youngster following his release from Chelsea for being too small, and since his first team debut against Bate Borisov in a 2017 Europa League clash, he has made 168 total appearances for the Gunners.

In those appearances, he's returned a somewhat underwhelming tally of 38 goals and seven assists, meaning he has averaged a goal involvement every 3.73 games, which just isn't good enough for a striker in a title-chasing side, even as a substitute.

However, after enjoying a particularly impressive run of games at the back end of the 2021/22 campaign, in which he scored five goals in seven league games, he was rewarded with a new £100k-per-week deal in a move which was likely more about protecting his value over anything else.

However, this contract means he is earning more than the club's most recent striker target, Šeško, who, even after just agreeing to a new deal, is on less than the Englishman – £94k-per-week, to be exact.

This means that when combining his £11.2m career earnings at the start of this season with the 52 weeks of wages he's received since he's cost the club a whopping £16.4m to date.

Wages (Total)

£100k (£16.4m)

Appearances

168

Cost per Appearance

£97k

Goals

38

Cost per Goal

£431k

Assists

7

Cost per Assist

£2.3m

Goal Involvements

45

Cost per Goal Involvement

£364k

That breaks down to around £97k-per-appearance, £431k-per-goal, or £2.3m-per-assist – talk about value for money.

Ultimately, Nketiah has had plenty of opportunities to prove himself by now, and while he's shown glimpses of brilliance here and there, he's not of the standard required to take Arsenal forward next season. Therefore, if Edu can get his £100k-per-week wages off the books this summer, he should do so, especially for £35m.

Arsenal make contact to sign "world-class" £113m star who's like Haaland

The Gunners could end their striker search in emphatic fashion.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 13, 2024

Bruno Fernandes is the heartbeat of Manchester United, the catalyst for almost everything positive in the final third.

However, last season proved that he simply can’t do it all on his own, with attacking reinforcements viewed as a priority this summer.

Therefore, it’s no surprise to see that the Red Devils have been linked with Joshua Zirkzee recently, who can not only score but also create, as shown by his 11 goals and four assists in Serie A.

The Dutchman’s arrival would strengthen the squad massively and even increase its value, but there’s a current United star who’s become worth even more than the aforementioned duo.

Diogo Dalot’s revival under Erik ten Hag

Since the appointment of Erik ten Hag, Diogo Dalot has developed into an incredibly important player in the squad.

Prior to the arrival of the Dutchman, the Portuguese full-back wasn’t exactly a staple in the United first eleven, making just 32 Premier League starts following his £19m arrival in 2018.

However, during the 2022/23 season, Dalot featured rather heavily, making 24 league starts while operating at both right back and left back.

Over these starts, the defender showcased defensive security and an attacking threat, picking up nine clean sheets and registering two goal contributions.

But his development last season has truly cemented himself as one of the first names on the team sheet for the 2024/25 campaign.

Diogo Dalot’s transfer value in 2024

Although the 25-year-old didn’t start on the opening weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers, he quickly worked his way into Ten Hag’s best side.

Amongst the chaos of the defensive injury crisis, there was one reliable player in the backline, and that was Dalot, which made him truly priceless.

Across the campaign, the versatile defender started 35 Premier League games, and towards the end of the season, he played out of position to help ease United’s left-back woes.

There’s no better reflection as to how important he was than the fact that he picked up the Players’ Player of the Season award, with his contribution being recognised, but what is Dalot worth after such an impressive 12 months?

1. Alejandro Garnacho

£84m

1= Rasmus Hojlund

£84m

2. Marcus Rashford

£68m

3. Diogo Dalot

£51m

4. Kobbie Mainoo

£51m

As you can see, Dalot is now estimated to be worth around £51m by CIES’ Football Observatory, with his performances seeing his value skyrocket.

The former Porto ace is now one of the most valuable players at the Red Devils, with only Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Hojlund estimated to be worth more.

This means that he’s even worth more than the Portuguese Magnifico, Fernandes, £43m, who ended the campaign as United’s highest scorer and assister in the English top flight.

Furthermore, Dalot is also valued even more than Zirkzee, who reportedly has a £34m release clause in his current contract at Bologna.

Considering United have had plenty of misses in the transfer market over the years, signing Dalot for just £19m will go down as one of the club’s best deals over the past decade.

If he continues to perform for Man United and for his country, Portugal, at the European Championships, then it’s fair to predict that his value is only going to go in one direction.

Therefore, it’s clear that Man United truly hit the jackpot on their “phenomenal” superstar, as dubbed by football creator Liam Canning, and he will without doubt be one of the key players in the new era of the Red Devils.

What Man Utd's dream XI could look like after £230m spending spree

Marcus Rashford doesn’t make the best eleven.

1 ByTom Lever Jun 7, 2024

Aston Villa's summer transfer window is starting to click into gear, with the deal to sell Douglas Luiz to Juventus – crucial to adhere to PSR rules – moving along and sights now being turned toward bringing in fresh faces.

While the Midlands club aren't out of the woods yet in relation to PSR, the cogs are indeed starting to shift, with Unai Emery set to welcome Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen to the fold.

It's been reported that a deal worth in excess of £35m has been put in place and a six-year contract presented, addressing a key area of concern.

Ross Barkley is also headed for Villa Park but more, excitingly, is still to come.

Aston Villa transfer news

According to French journalist Sebastien Denis, Aston Villa are "extremely interested" in signing OGC Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, albeit competing with outfits like Bayern Munich and Juventus for his signature.

The Frenchman had been closing on a transfer to Manchester United but shared ownership between the Premier League club and Les Aiglons precludes completion under UEFA rules, opening the door for Villa.

Valued at £40m by other reports, Todibo would be a relatively affordable signing with qualities that make him tailor-made for success at the upper end of the Premier League – and indeed in the Champions League.

Why Villa are interested in Jean-Clair Todibo

Todibo fell by the wayside at Barcelona, signed on a free transfer aged 19 in 2019, but he has been rejuvenated since returning to his homeland, with once teammate Aaron Ramsey claiming in 20234 that he "can go all the way to the top."

The 24-year-old is technically sound, athletic and imposing (standing at 6 foot 3), but his ball-playing ability and creative spark make for the true locus of his power, ranking among the top 12% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 15% for progressive passes and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

His distinctive skill set would slot into the purposeful progression system sculpted under Emery. Ranking 16th in the Premier League for long passes last year, moves are made with sharp direction and flow, shaped by the high defensive line that congests central midfield space and often overpowers opponents.

Todibo would flourish in that regard, especially given that he's such an impressive physical performer, remarkably averaging 7.1 ball recoveries per game in Ligue 1 last season.

To put that in perspective, Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven, widely regarded as one of the most robust defenders in the Premier League, averaged 5.3 per game. Arsenal's William Saliba? 5.6 per outing.

The Ligue 1 star, furthermore, kept 14 clean sheets from 30 league matches last term, with his 90% pass completion rate, 1.9 tackles per game and 59% duel success playing a big part in the success.

He's even been described as a "Rolls Royce" of a defender who "likes to begin phases of play" by journalist Antonio Mango, and with such an exciting playing style, he could be the perfect defensive partner for Maatsen.

Why Jean-Clair Todibo would be perfect for Maatsen

Maatsen enjoyed a tremendous loan spell with Borussia Dortmund during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, starting 16 Bundesliga matches and completing 89% of his passes, also posting two goals and two assists.

The 22-year-old has been credited for his work rate out of possession, tirelessly working toward helping his team and progressing the play down the left flank. Consider Villa's naturally high line and how Maatsen could find success in this regard, pushing forward and supplemented by the threaded deliveries of Todibo.

The Lions often shift into a lopsided positional structure when in possession that sees the right-sided full-back tuck in, something that makes Ezri Konsa such an interesting option out wide, and the left-back pushed further forward, mimicking the duties of a winger.

Maatsen ranks among the top 9% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90, so there's an obvious reason why he'd be such an effective outlet in this set-up, but his aforementioned athleticism would be the more suitable yardstick for analysis.

Whatever the point of discussion, there are plenty of reasons why Maatsen will make a positive impression at an Aston Villa side that has convinced him to sign given the offer of Champions League football.

This, too, could be crucial in tempting Todibo – who has been hailed as the "complete package" by Kulig too – to link up in the English Midlands. Emery will need to convince such players that his team are not to be a 'one-season wonder', a frustrating and blinkered term but one that would surface in different formats were Villa to suffer a regression next season.

Juggling PSR, effectively replacing Luiz and bolstering various shelves in the first-team squad is no small feat for Monchi and Co, but Aston Villa look set to succeed if their recent transfer activity is anything to go by.

It is an exciting time indeed to be a Villan.

Aston Villa win race to sign teenage gem with links to Haaland

He’s following a similar path to the Man City superstar.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 19, 2024

Like every Premier League club, Chelsea found out their fate ahead of the new Premier League season last Tuesday, with the fixtures being announced for the 2024/25 campaign. It is a season in which the Blues will have a new manager, Enzo Maresca, who replaces Mauricio Pochettino after just one year in charge.

The new campaign will begin with an almighty clash for the Blues. They host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge to open the new season, in a game where they could really make a statement. Last season, this fixture turned out to be one of the best games in the Premier League in recent years, ending in a 4-4 draw in chaotic fashion.

Next up, Chelsea travel up to the Midlands, to face Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, looking to get their first win on the road under Maresca. To round off August, the Blues host London rivals Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.

To help get themselves off to a fast start in the league, Chelsea will no doubt need to turn to the transfer window to add to their squad. They have already confirmed two signings; Tosin Adarabayo on a free from Fulham and Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa. This week, they have been linked with one Premier League player who could become the striker they have missed recently.

Chelsea target Premier League striker

The player in question here is Newcastle United and Sweden international striker Alexander Isak. The former Borussia Dortmund man has been linked with a move away from St James’ to help solve financial fair play issues for Newcastle, and Chelsea could pounce.

According to a report from Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie, Chelsea “made a tentative enquiry for the Swede earlier this week” and have since followed that up with “further contact” with the Magpies.

Downie explains that Eddie Howe’s side “do not want to sell” Isak, or any other of their big-name players. However, due to the profit and sustainability rules deadline approaching, they may have to part ways with the likes of Isak to raise the funds required of them next week.

Should the Magpies decide to sell Isak to Chelsea, they will need a sizeable sum to help them meet the PSR threshold. According to the report from Downie, Newcastle could charge the Blues anywhere up to £100m, a figure they believe matches his performances in the 2023/24 season, and helps with their financial issues.

Why Isak would be a good signing

Should the Blues get a deal across the line for Isak this summer, they would be adding a genuine goalscorer to their squad. The 24-year-old had a sublime record last season, scoring 21 goals in just 30 Premier League games, as well as registering two assists. With those numbers in mind, it is clear to see why ESPN journalist David Cartlidge called Isak “unstoppable”.

He is similar in many ways to Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson – as has been noted by FBref. Both are excellent runners in behind, who can hold the ball up effectively and are threatening when running at defenders. In fact, according to FBref, Isak averages 2.71 progressive carries per 90 minutes and 1.51 carries into the penalty box, with Jackson posting similar numbers, 2.25 progressive carries and 1.03 carries into the penalty area.

Another potential Chelsea incoming who Isak could link up with well is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. According to The Standard, the Blues have made a bid for the Leicester City midfielder, who could soon reunite with former manager Maresca.

Last season, Dewsbury-Hall had a phenomenal impact for the Foxes as they won the Championship. His 26 combined goals and assists were bettered by only four players, all of whom are wingers or strikers.

Player

Games

G/A

Adam Armstrong

46

34

Sammie Szmodics

44

31

Crycensio Summerville

43

28

Morgan Whittaker

46

27

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

44

26

The uncapped Englishman is a player who Maresca clearly rates highly. He explained last November that Dewsbury-Hall “has the quality to score or assist from anywhere”, before praising the fact that he is “always giving the pass, getting assists”.

Considering this, a partnership between Isak and Dewsbury-Hall is not impossible to imagine. With the Sweden international such a clinical force in front of goal, and the Leicester midfielder a superb creative outlet, we could see the pair develop an understanding at Stamford Bridge which makes them a force to be reckoned with.

It could well be the case that the Leicester midfielder makes box-crashing runs, as Isak drops deeper to vacate space. Their combination play in the final third would also be deadly, given Dewsbury-Hall’s impressive assist record and Isak’s ability to finish from tight angles.

The rumoured fee of £100m is a lot for Isak, especially given he is on £120k-per-week, as per Capology. However, if they sign Dewsbury-Hall to go along with him, perhaps it is a deal for Chelsea to consider.

They could have a partnership to rival that of Hazard and Costa or Drogba and Lampard from years gone by, and it could be a duo that is the catalyst for success returning to Stamford Bridge.

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ByTom Lever Jun 28, 2024

Leeds United fans will be worried by the real lack of business at Elland Road so far this summer, as talk surrounding the West Yorkshire club's transfer activity centres in on more and more outgoings.

Glen Kamara leaving has weakened the Whites in their holding midfield spots, with Joe Rothwell joining on loan in an attempt to plug some gaps, whilst Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville are still being routinely linked with moves away in the non-stop transfer rumour mill.

Junior Firpo is yet another name also being tipped to ditch his West Yorkshire location soon, but Leeds could have his replacement in mind already with the capture of this versatile gem, who could also soften the blow of Archie Gray no longer being around.

Leeds looking to sign 21 y/o sensation

According to reports in Spain, Firpo could soon be on the move back to one of his former employers in Real Betis, despite turning around his faltering Whites career in the Championship last season.

As a result of the former Barcelona man returning back to Betis potentially, the outlet has also speculated that Leeds are eyeing up a swoop of PEC Zwolle gem Anselmo Garcia MacNulty to strengthen in the left-back spot, which will be very sparse without Firpo's quality being present.

What MacNulty can offer Leeds

Capable of also playing at centre-back if needed, Daniel Farke and Co have been admirers of MacNulty's work for some time, having previously been linked with a switch for the 6 foot 2 defender.

This versatility could see Leeds win their next Gray in the process, hopeful that the 21-year-old can step up and fill in when needed across a gruelling Championship season to come, potentially even striking up a formidable relationship with new permanent recruit Joe Rodon along the way.

With 72 of his 104 professional career appearances coming from the centre-back spot, Farke will know he can rely on MacNulty to fill in at the heart of defence when needed next season, even if his most recent promising exploits for his Dutch employers have seen him dazzle from a left-back spot. Gray might not have experience on the left side but that ability to shuffle out into a wider full-back berth is certainly familiar here.

The ex-Wolfsburg youngster would play in this new position 30 out of 32 games last season in the Eredivisie, contributing to two goals and two assists across the span of those games, which included netting against FC Twente on the final day of the campaign.

Games played

31

44

Age

21

18

Goals scored

2

0

Assists

2

2

Touches*

61.7

54.4

Big chances created

4

2

Interceptions*

1.2

0.7

Tackles*

2.4

2.1

Ball recoveries*

3.6

4.5

Total duels won*

4.6

4.2

As can be seen glancing at the table above, MacNulty's numbers from the last Eredivisie campaign will make for encouraging reading for Leeds fans, who might well not be too clued up on the relative unknown entity away from all the speculation.

When donning a Zwolle strip last season in league action, the 21-year-old bettered Gray in many different areas of their respective games, with more big chances created as a threat down the left than the Tottenham Hotspur teenager, alongside eclipsing his counterpart's total duels won count per match.

MacNulty still has plenty of room to grow and develop into a better player over time too, with a switch to Leeds potentially the best move for him at this moment in time, so he can bounce off the likes of Rodon and Ethan Ampadu and hone in on his strengths even more.

Leeds have certainly reaped their rewards when shopping from the Netherlands in the past for talents who were previously unknown, just look at Summerville for example, and so they could gamble on MacNulty very shortly to try and add more numbers to a depleted Whites group.

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