All posts by z3u9t.icu

Everton could be afforded the luxury to give some of their fringe players a chance to play the first team this mid-week in the Carabao Cup.

Indeed, two positive wins in October versus AFC Bournemouth and West Ham in the Premier League opened up a five-point gap between the Toffees and Luton Town in 18th with the first team putting in performances that could see some faces given a well-deserved rest.

Sean Dyche has stayed loyal to his first-teamers so far in the Cup however, fielding the likes of Jordan Pickford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Garner in the last round of the competition which saw his travelling side win 2-1 away at Villa Park a mere month after losing at the same ground 4-0 in league action.

Regardless of Dyche persisting with his tried and tested group of players, one or two positions could be up for grabs still with young Toffees talent Lewis Dobbin knocking on the door for more first-team chances.

It will be very intriguing to see who is fielded for the clash against the Clarets, with summer signing Beto also keen for a reintroduction into the first-team fold after scoring versus Doncaster Rovers in the first round of the Cup.

Everton team news vs Burnley

Players such as Seamus Coleman, Dele Alli and Andre Gomes all remain sidelined for this clash at Goodison Park, all still carrying long-term fitness issues, with Coleman out since March courtesy of a troubling knee injury.

Dyche's men haven't really felt the impact of Coleman's lengthy absence, with young right-back Nathan Patterson stepping up to the mark to adequately fill in for the Irishman.

This insertion of young and hungry players into the first team – which has also seen James Garner excel through the centre of the park at only 22 in place of an ageing Idrissa Gueye – has been key in the Blues winning matches of late.

Dobbin – who is only 20 years of age himself – will hope that Dyche will want to tinker and experiment slightly for the Burnley game and give another impressive young talent a start.

Dobbin's numbers this season

Scoring a clinical 14 goals from 36 starts in the Everton U18s age bracket during his career, the 5 foot 9 attacker is yet to translate this devastating form into senior men's football with the Toffees.

In truth, Dobbin has also struggled away from Goodison Park when he was loaned out to Derby County during the 2022-23 season.

Whilst on loan with the Rams, the 19-year-old would only net an underwhelming five goals from 54 starts in total.

Dyche has afforded Everton's number 61 some first-team opportunities here and there this season, but never really enough time for him to make a lasting impact – playing only 117 minutes so far this season in the league, with Dobbin staying put on the substitute bench in Everton's last six Premier League encounters after starting against Wolves.

He did also start from the get-go against Doncaster in the first round of the Carabao Cup, which could point in the direction of Dobbin being included in the starting line-up versus Burnley.

Dobbin was hauled off the pitch at half-time in South Yorkshire to make away for Gueye interestingly, a shake-up in personnel needed after the Toffees found themselves 1-0 down to their League Two opponents at the break.

Attempting zero shots in that 45-minute spell per Sofascore, Dobbin will have to be more adventurous and daring if he's selected again, particularly against Premier League opposition.

A sensation at academy level for the Merseyside outfit, only time will tell if Dobbin can break into the first team over the next few years with matches such as the clash against the Clarets one that the youngster must grab with both hands.

Chelsea head into their biggest match of the season so far against Manchester City buoyed with confidence.

Mauricio Pochettino ended Tottenham Hotspur’s unbeaten start to the Premier League with a 4-1 victory earlier this week and while Spurs did have two players sent off, the result gives the Blues a big lift.

If they are to break into the European spots, securing positive results against teams like City is a must and over the previous few weeks, they have drawn with Arsenal and defeated Spurs, indicating that the team is gelling together well.

Pochettino’s side have also lost to Brentford and Nottingham Forest, however, and he must find a way to iron out more consistency in his team.

There could be a few changes to his starting XI this afternoon following on from the win over their London rivals.

Chelsea team news vs Manchester City

With the international break nearly upon us, the Argentinian may not risk a few players who are battling back from injury.

Armando Broja will be available after spending time out with a knee injury, yet Christopher Nkunku will have to wait until after the break to make his debut.

Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka will all miss the game and the former Paris Saint-Germain boss will be hoping his injury issues are alleviated soon.

One player who could be ready to go is winger Mykhailo Mudryk, as he made a cameo against Spurs from the bench and should be unleashed from the first whistle against City.

Mykhailo Mudryk’s season in numbers

The £100k-per-week winger has taken time to settle in to life at the Bridge, but under Pochettino, he can finally deliver on his immense talent.

Hailed as “frightening” by journalist Josh Bunting in 2022, the Ukrainian made one key pass and succeeded with two of his three dribble attempts against Spurs during his brief cameo, showing glimpses of his ability.

This season, he has netted twice in the top flight, averaged 0.7 key passes per game and averaged 0.9 successful dribbles per match – a success rate of 57% – indicating that he is slowly but surely adapting to the rigours of the Premier League.

Pochettino could unleash him on the left wing this afternoon against the champions, moving Raheem Sterling onto the right wing and deploying Cole Palmer in a more central role.

This attacking trio have scored nine goals and registered six assists combined across all competitions this season and, on paper, it certainly looks like the best option available to Pochettino.

With Nicolas Jackson likely to lead the line, Mudryk can use his pace and creativity to generate plenty of chances for the Senegal international, who will be filled with confidence following his hattrick against Spurs.

The 22-year-old has yet to hit the heights that have been expected of him following his blockbuster move to London back in January, but it looks as though Pochettino knows how to bring the best out of him.

Unleashing him to terrorise City could give him the platform to shine and prove why the left-wing slot should be his to lose.

Liverpool continued their impressive start to the 2023/24 season after sinking Brentford 3-0 at Anfield in the Premier League before the third international break of the year.

With Tottenham Hotspur falling to defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City drawing 4-4 with Chelsea in a pulsating fixture at Stamford Bridge, Jurgen Klopp's side have now advanced to second place in the table, just one point off top spot.

However, the victory over the Bees was not as straightforward as it might have appeared, with Liverpool's bench bereft of senior leadership in the outfield positions – Luis Diaz was the only player over the age of 20 to sit among Klopp's substitutes.

The midfield in particular was looking rather light, and it does beg the question whether the Reds might have been wise to hold on to Tyler Morton this summer, with the talented midfielder joining Championship side Hull City on loan in September.

Tyler Morton's academy statistics with Liverpool

Despite having only played nine times for Liverpool's senior side, Morton, aged 21, is a distinguished veteran of the development game and has chalked up 75 appearances for the various youth outfits, scoring 13 goals and supplying 16 assists.

A defensive midfielder by trade, he evidently boasts an eagerness to get forward and influence the play in offensive phases, and this is possibly something that has developed through his club's innate forward-thinking philosophy with Klopp at the helm.

Last season, he was loaned out to Blackburn Rovers in the second tier and played 40 times in the league, supplying four assists; now, he has been shipped out on loan once again.

Tyler Morton's season by numbers

Joining the Tigers might be a move that Morton has taken in his stride, but there's an argument that Klopp could have found a use for his abilities on Merseyside.

Described as an "incredible talent" by media man Matthew Stanger, Morton has made ten appearances in the Championship this season, starting eight successive matches after being used from the bench across his first two outings.

Impressing so far, Morton has completed 91% of his passes, earned two assists, averaged one key pass and 3.5 ball recoveries per game, and remarkably succeeded with 83% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.

An industrious presence in the centre, Morton could have indeed played a role this term in the absence of a starring specialist No. 6 – barring Wataru Endo – and given that he is matching Dominik Szoboszlai for assists too, could have opened up a new dimension of creativity when called upon.

Arriving from RB Leipzig on a £60m deal in the summer, Hungarian dynamo Szoboszlai has been a revelation under Klopp's guidance, bringing life and energy back to the midfield and providing an all-action approach to bring the club back into contention for the Premier League title after last year's issues.

Having been hailed as an "artist" for his creativity by talent scout Jacek Kulig, it's intriguing that Morton is actually matching the 22-year-old's seasonal assist tally, perhaps highlighting the underrated side of the Liverpool loanee's game. That said, it's still rather obvious who boasts the higher level of playmaking ability.

Nonetheless, Morton's supplementation is but an element of his broad-sweeping midfield skill set, and while he wouldn't be earning regular appearances from the outset, his utility presence may well have paid dividends as Klopp's side fight for success across multiple fronts.

Tottenham and sporting director Johan Lange could move for a "massive" £60 million defender after behind-the-scenes talks over January transfers this week.

Lange drawing up Spurs January shortlist

Reports by media sources over the last few days indicate that Lange, after arriving from Aston Villa earlier this month, is now fully at work on plans for the winter window. Spurs' new transfer chief, who'll be working under Tottenham football officer Scott Munn, is tasked with backing manager Ange Postecoglou with a new left-sided centre-back above all after Micky van de Ven's hamstring injury.

Player "free to leave" after Tottenham board green-light exit

A decision has been made.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 23, 2023

The Dutchman is ruled out of action until 2024, and while van de Ven should be back partnering Cristian Romero by the time January comes around, the absences of both men highlight Spurs' severe lack of squad depth.

Postecoglou has been forced to play the previously out-of-favour Eric Dier in defeats to both Chelsea and Wolves prior to the international break, while makeshift option Ben Davies has been put next to him. It's safe to say this defensive axis is a real downgrade on both van de Ven and Romero, with Spurs now looking to the transfer market for a solution.

According to reports this week, Uruguay defender Sebastian Caceres, Everton's Ben Godfrey, Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, Genoa star Radu Dragusin, Union Saint-Gilloise's Koki Machida, Benfica starlet Morato, English starlet Jarrad Branthwaite and Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio have all made their way on Tottenham's transfer shortlist.

Spurs could move for Guehi

Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi has also been linked with a move to Spurs in 2024. The 23-year-old, who is a key player for Palace and Roy Hodgson at the heart of their defence, is subject to interest from Tottenham who could even make a move in January.

According to The Daily Mail, Spurs could swoop for Guehi after a meeting over transfers this week. The Lilywhites apparently held recent internal talks over whom to try and sign when the window opens, with Guehi coming as one of the options.

It is unclear whether the Eagles would be willing to part company with their star centre-back mid-season, but other reports claim he'll cost around £60 million in any case (Football Insider).

The homegrown ace could not only shore up Postecoglou's defence, but also provide a young, promising alternative to van de Ven with great top-flight experience. Guehi has been called a "massive" player and "absolute tank" by Josef Bursik, a former teammate of his at England Under-21 level.

Likes to play long balls

Likes to dribble

Plays the ball off the ground often

Meanwhile, Hodgson has previously expressed his admiration for the Three Lions, calling him a "very useful" asset to Palace alongside central defensive partner Joachim Andersen.

“Marc Guehi and (Joachim) Andersen are very good players," Hodgson explained.

“They’re good defenders and good on the ball, which is very useful because it helps you start attacks, switch play and develop the composure you need to build attacks up. They’re both very useful to the club and would be to any club because they’re good players.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers could sanction the sale of a senior squad member next month, with a reliable journalist revealing that he will be available for transfer in January.

Gary O'Neil's summer departures

The Old Gold got rid of 20 players in total during the previous transfer window, with 11 of those leaving on a permanent basis, while the remaining nine were sent out on loan for the rest of the season in order to increase their experience and game time.

The Molineux outfit might also decide to let go of Bruno Jordao in the coming weeks because he's on course to reach the expiration of his deal at the end of the season, meaning that the new year could present club chiefs with their final opportunity to cash in should they not want to lose him for free (Wolves contracts).

Wolves facing battle to hold onto versatile £10k-p/w star at Molineux

Fosun and Gary O’Neil could be forced to cash in on one of their first-team stars in January.

ByChloe Chadwick Nov 28, 2023

In the Midlands, Jonny is another player who looks to be heading for the exit door, with the left-back having fallen significantly out of favour having made zero starts and one substitute appearance, playing just four minutes of football altogether in the Premier League (WhoScored – Jonny statistics).

The Spaniard has recently been unavailable for selection after Gary O’Neil confirmed that there is a disciplinary procedure ongoing following an incident involving the 29-year-old at the training ground, and the chances of him leaving the club now seem relatively high.

Wolves highly likely to sell Jonny

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Dean Jones claimed that Wolves are expected to sell Jonny next month, and O'Neil's side shouldn't be short of potential suitors queueing up considering what he can bring to the table.

“He’s barely played all season anyway, in about four minutes of Premier League action. That is the sign of a player that will be available in January.

"How many clubs will be in for him? I'm not sure to be honest. But he’s 29, and he’s versatile. You've got loads of Premier League and La Liga experience as well. So, someone from one of those two divisions will come and take a chance on him.”

Fosun need to forget about "all over the place" Jonny

As it stands, Jonny currently ranks as O’Neil’s 22nd overall best-performing player out of 23 squad members which shows how little of a positive impact he’s been able to make, so sanctioning his sale seems to be a no-brainer in January (WhoScored – Wolves statistics).

The Vito native has also failed to record a single goal or assist across all competitions since the start of the season (Transfermarkt – Jonny statistics), and having previously been described as a player who is “all over the place” by The Express and Star’s Liam Keen, there really is no point in him staying.

Furthermore, Jonny currently pockets £35k-per-week which is more than the likes of Hwang Hee-Chan and Rayan Ait-Nouri who are regular features (Wolves salaries), so chiefs could use the extra cash to generate funds to put towards new signings who would be an upgrade on the defender.

Chelsea are enduring one of their most tumultuous Premier League seasons to date under Mauricio Pochettino this year.

While they currently sit in 12th place – exactly where they finished last season – the Blues feel like a club in crisis, a crisis only made all the more acute following back-to-back losses against Manchester United and Everton.

The two-time European champions have a team stacked with promising young talent, but it just hasn't clicked yet. Yet, perhaps with the addition of a seasoned topflight performer, it could.

Luckily enough, the west Londoners have recently been linked to Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, who has recently been playing a deeper role akin to where Cesc Fàbregas played the last time the club lifted the Premier League trophy.

Chelsea transfer news – Hakan Calhanoglu

According to Italian publication Tuttosport, Calhanoglu could be on his way out of the San Siro in 2024, and Chelsea and Liverpool look to be the most interested parties.

The 29-year-old has been a vital part of the Nerazzurri's midfield since he joined the club from local rivals AC Milan as a free agent in 2021.

The Turkish international signed a contract extension until 2027 this summer, meaning the Blues won't be able to pick him up on the cheap. He is valued at €40m by the CIES Football Observatory, which works out to about £34m.

While it's not a cheap deal by any stretch of the imagination, it would pale in comparison to some of Chelsea's recent midfield purchases, and if they pulled the trigger on the Inter man, he could even threaten the place of their £115m man, Moises Caicedo.

However, if the "exceptional" midfielder, as Milan manager Stefan Pioli described, can improve Pochettino's midfield, it might be worth it.

Hakan Calhanoglu could replicate Cesc Fàbregas at Stamford Bridge

The last time Chelsea won the league was in the 2016/17 season, under the management of Antonio Conte and with an experienced professional at the base of their midfield – Fàbregas.

The Spanish international also played in more central and attacking roles at points throughout the campaign, but his primary role was defensive midfield.

This mirrors Calhanoglu's time at the San Siro, as when he first joined Inter, he was used as a central midfielder before being used in both central and defensive areas last season, to being used exclusively as a number six this campaign.

His introduction into Chelsea's youthful and inexperienced side could have the same effect that Fabregas had all those years ago.

Hakan Calhanoglu could replace Moises Caicedo at Chelsea

One player who could lose out following the potential arrival of the Turkish midfielder is Caicedo, who has been used in a defensive midfield role 14 times this season.

Despite joining the club off the back of a massive transfer saga and brilliant campaign last season, it would be fair to say that the Ecuadorian has had a "tough start" in west London; at least, that's how former Chelsea player Craig Burley described it to ESPN FC.

Chelsea open to selling "nervy" player for huge loss at end of this season

The Blues are happy to sanction the sale of a player who is currently out on loan

ByChloe Chadwick Dec 11, 2023

In his first game for the club, he gave away a penalty, and since then, it's been hard to describe any of his performances as impressive.

When comparing the underlying numbers of Caicedo and Calhanoglu, it becomes evident that, at least in the short term, the former Milan man would be a massive upgrade.

Calhanoglu

Caicedo

0.27

0.09

1.78

0.41

6.52

4.59

1.26

0.49

77.2 (88.8%)

61.0 (91.1%)

3.85

1.72

0.52

0.25

1.48

1.15

6.96

5.41

Ultimately, if Chelsea can sign the "sensational" Calhanoglu, as described by journalist Josh Bunting, they absolutely should, as with him at the base of their midfield, they might just be able to drag themselves out of the abyss they currently find themselves in.

However, any such move could spell the end of Caicedo's starting role, at least in the short term.

Liverpool decided to overhaul their midfield options over the course of the summer transfer window as a host of players moved in and out of Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp allowed the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, Naby Keita, Fabinho, and Jordan Henderson to all depart, either on free transfers or permanent deals.

This opened up space for the Reds to revamp their squad in that area of the pitch and they moved to sign Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Wataru Endo.

Their work in the transfer market has paid off so far as Klopp's side are second in the Premier League after 17 games and are set to play Fulham in the semi-finals of the League Cup next month.

However, this does not appear to be the end of their midfield changes as the Reds are reportedly eyeing up a number of players in that position to bolster their squad in 2024.

Latest Liverpool transfer news

A report from CaughtOffside has revealed that Liverpool have held internal discussions over their plans for next year and that the defence and midfield are their priorities at this moment in time.

The outlet has claimed that they are interested in a deal for Portugal international Joao Palhinha, from Premier League rivals Fulham, and that it would cost the club a fee within the region of £40m to secure his services, whilst Bayern Munich are also in the race for his signature.

Liverpool chiefs monitoring "monster" £70m defensive midfielder for Klopp

The Anfield side could be set to revisit a deal for one of their summer targets.

ByChloe Chadwick Oct 11, 2023

It has also been stated that OGC Nice star Khephren Thuram and Borussia Monchengladbach prospect Manu Kone are also on the club's shortlist of midfield targets.

However, it does not specify whether Liverpool are looking to bring in another midfielder during the upcoming January transfer window or if they are prepared to wait until the end of the season to swoop in on their targets.

Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claimed in October that Kone will be allowed to move on from Gladbach next month if the right offer comes in.

His current valuation is said to be up to €45m (£39m) and this means that he would be ever so slightly cheaper than Palhinha in January.

Plettenberg stated that the central midfielder would like to take the next step in his career by next summer at the latest and Bayern Munich were named as one of the clubs eyeing him up.

The German journalist reported at the time that there were no talks or discussions over a possible move to Liverpool but this latest article from CaughtOffside suggests that they could be in the race to land the young gem's services.

If Klopp can secure a deal to sign Kone from Gladbach in January then it could go a long way to finally unlocking the best of Szoboszlai in a Liverpool shirt.

The Reds would have a fantastic combative number six who can constantly cut out opposition attacks whilst also being able to progress the ball forward to his teammates.

Manu Kone's style of play

The 21-year-old battler is a ball-winning midfielder who likes to get stuck in to win possession back for his side on a regular basis in the middle of the park.

However, that does not mean that he is not talented on the ball as the French whiz also has the ability to drive his team up the pitch through carries and passes.

Defensively, Kone is an outstanding number six who currently ranks within the top 13% of midfielders in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for tackles (2.80) and the top 24% for blocks (1.44) per 90.

The £39m-rated ace also ranks within the top 35% of his positional peers for interceptions (1.17) per 90 and these statistics show that he is an above-average performer in several key defensive metrics.

Kone is also able to make an impact on the ball as he is within the top 12% of midfielders for both progressive carries (2.53) and successful take-ons (2.43) per 90. He also ranks within the top 22% with his pass success rate of 87.1% over the last 365 days.

The former Toulouse whiz, who has made 5.3 ball recoveries per match in the Bundesliga this season, has the quality to make an impression at both ends of the pitch.

The statistics that show there is more to come from Szoboszlai

Kone's attributes in midfield could help Klopp to finally get the best out of Szoboszlai from an attacking perspective as it would provide Liverpool with a strong defensive midfielder who can also progress the ball to the talented attacking players.

Whereas, Wataru Endo currently ranks below average for progressive carries (0.99), tackles (1.92), and interceptions (0.85) per 90 in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for the Reds and Stuttgart combined.

This suggests that the Gladbach star would offer more in and out of possession to allow the Hungary international to focus more on what he can do in the final third.

Szoboszlai has racked up two goals and two assists in 17 Premier League games – one goal contribution every 4.2 matches – for the Reds this season but his form for Leipzig suggests that there is more to come from him.

In two seasons with the German outfit, the 23-year-old wizard produced 12 goals and 16 assists in 62 Bundesliga outings – one every 2.2 clashes on average.

These statistics show that the impressive midfielder has the quality to produce goals and assists almost twice as frequently as he currently is at Premier League level.

Appearances

31

17

Goals

Six

Two

Assists

Eight

Two

Key passes per game

2.3

1.9

Dribbles completed per game

1.7

0.9

As you can see from the table above, his form in several key attacking metrics has dropped since his move to Anfield from Leipzig over the summer.

Klopp could be looking for ways to unlock the talented gem's goalscoring and creative talents and the signing of Kone could do just that, by taking on the bulk of the defensive work to free up the Hungarian dynamo to do damage in the final third.

Chelsea don't quite have their past luxuries anymore when it comes to the striker options at Stamford Bridge, long gone are the days of Didier Drogba and Diego Costa being talismanic figures for the Blues.

Now, Mauricio Pochettino's men rely on a patchy Nicolas Jackson to lead the line effectively for the stumbling Premier League club whilst Armando Broja waits in reserve for a rare moment to shine.

The Blues could well prioritise a new striker addition in this upcoming transfer window to bolster the squad therefore, with Pochettino's side rumoured to be in for this attacker from the Bundesliga.

Chelsea transfers latest – Striker search for the Blues

Recent reports from 90min suggest that a number of Premier League clubs are interested in RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko this January, Chelsea just one notable admirer among many for the young Slovenian's services.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle United are all tempted by the former RB Salzburg sharp-shooter alongside the Blues and could all reignite their previous interest.

Sesko's troubled time at Leipzig to date – which has seen him start just three games in total this season for the German club – could open up the possibility of the 20-year-old seeking out pastures new soon with 90min further reporting that Sesko himself is keen on a potential move away.

Chelsea could well look to replicate Newcastle's success by swooping in for Sesko, the Magpies purchasing Isak from Real Sociedad after previously enduring a barren spell with German giants Borussia Dortmund before exploding into life on his arrival to Tyneside.

The Blues will hope a similar story unfolds in their pursuit of the promising 20-year-old if they manage to land him, with a fee in the region of £40m expected to be enough to see Sesko relocate to west London next month.

How Benjamin Sesko compares to Alexandar Isak

Both Sesko and Isak were strikers thrust into the limelight from a very young age, both emerging onto the scene at their respective first clubs in Salzburg and AIK whilst still being wide-eyed teenagers learning the ropes.

Away from this connection, the two strikers operate in a similar fashion on the pitch too – both attackers using their towering 6 foot 4 frames to their advantage.

Yet, the players in question are anything but traditional target-men and are deceptively quick and agile.

Likewise, both forwards are clinical in approach – Sesko amassing seven shots on target this season from just 13 registered in total as per FBRef, and Isak managing an equally impressive 11 shots on target from 24 registered.

Sesko has managed three goals in the league too despite a lack of game time, rekindling some of his previous Salzburg potency in the process which saw him net 16 goals in his final season in Austria from just 30 games played.

#1 Habib Diallo (Al Shabab)

#2 Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal)

#3 Beto (Everton)

#4 Alvaro Morata (Atletico)

#5 Akor Adams (Montpellier)

#6 Odsonne Edouard (Palace)

#7 Jorgen Strand Larsen (Celta Vigo)

#8 Alex Lacazette (Lyon)

#9 Alex Isak (Newcastle)

#10 Valentin Castellanos (Lazio)

Data via FBRef.

The 6 foot 4 attacker has even been referred to as a "machine" by football journalist Antonio Mango for his coolness in front of goal, one part of Sesko's varied skillset that will have impressed Chelsea and other parties interested in him.

In stark contrast, Jackson at Stamford Bridge has notched up 41 shots in total and has only scored four more than his Leipzig counterpart over the top-flight season to date.

The young Slovenian prospect manages to go the distance with Jackson in other aspects of the Chelsea striker's game, offering friendly competition if he was signed.

The 20-year-old does better Jackson when it comes to successful take-ons over the last year per 90 minutes, averaging 1.81 to Jackson's slightly lesser 1.74.

The current Leipzig man also goes toe-to-toe with the ex-Villarreal man in terms of his progressive play on the ball – Sesko just narrowly falling flat with 1.81 progressive carries to Jackson's impressive 2.54.

Chelsea will weigh up whether gambling on Sesko this January is a risk worth taking, looking at Newcastle's decision to spend big on Isak and hoping Sesko can be a similar figure up top for the Blues who can only get better in England.

Liverpool enjoyed a successful first leg of the League Cup semi-finals as they came from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Fulham at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Willian's first-half goal gave the visitors the advantage at half time but substitutes Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo changed the game with key contributions off the bench.

The former set up Curtis Jones for the goal to make it 1-1 and then provided the assist for Gakpo to put the Reds 2-1 in front and in charge of the tie ahead of their trip to Craven Cottage later this month.

Despite the win, Jurgen Klopp may not be too impressed with some of the individual performances on display from players who were supposed to be fighting to show the boss that they deserve more game time in the Premier League.

Harvey Elliott did not fully grasp his opportunity on the right wing in the absence of Mohamed Salah but it was Ryan Gravenberch who truly flopped with a poor performance.

Harvey Elliott's performance against Fulham in numbers

The England U21 international started out on the right and did not influence the game at the top end of the pitch, with Liverpool losing 1-0 when he was substituted in the 56th minute.

Elliott failed to register a single shot on or off target throughout his time on the pitch, with one blocked effort, and did not create any 'big chances' for his teammates.

The young whiz did, however, complete two of his three attempted dribbles and 85% (46/54) of his attempted passes, which suggests that he was solid but unspectacular on the wing.

Whereas, Gravenberch was noticeably poor in the middle of the park and Klopp may have second thoughts about naming him in the starting line up moving forward.

Gravenberch's performance against Fulham in numbers

The summer signing from Bayern Munich left a lot to be desired with his display in midfield as he failed to impress alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Jones.

Gravenberch recorded a Sofascore rating of 6.3, which was the lowest rating in the Liverpool squad, and that was because of his struggles in and out of possession.

Minutes played

56

Duels contested

12

Duels won

Two

Tackles won

One

Interceptions

Zero

Blocks

Zero

Clearances

Zero

As you can see in the table above, Klopp's lightweight did not do enough in his physical contests to assert control in the middle of the park.

Fulham players found it far too easy to get the better of him in 50/50 duels and the Dutch midfielder must do far better in the future to retain the ball and provide a strong defensive presence.

Klopp hooked him, alongside Elliott, in the 56th minute but he still lost possession a whopping 16 times in less than an hour on the pitch. For a point of reference, Jones only lost possession 11 times in 90 minutes on the pitch, which illustrates how poor Gravenberch was on the ball.

Overall, the 21-year-old dud failed to take his opportunity to impress and flopped badly against Fulham, and this could hinder and limit his opportunities moving forward until he is able to prove himself as a reliable option for the boss.

Having reached the halfway point of the January transfer window, there's little indication that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will make any drastic changes to his high-flying squad.

In the summer, the Reds completed transfers for four new midfielders to restore some energy and verve to the engine room, and with this moving to be such a success, the need for reinforcements at the 2023/24 campaign's midpoint has been made less so.

First-placed in the Premier League, holding the advantage over Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-final and also advanced in both the FA Cup and Europa League, silverware is attainable from numerous angles this season and the possibility of a momentous crescendo in May is very much a possibility.

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The signings made in the summer, all arriving from abroad, have been impactful but this time Klopp appears to have his eye on a Premier League star, and if the chance arises then a formal approach could materialise in the summer.

Liverpool's transfer plans for the summer

According to Spanish outlet AS, Liverpool could be preparing to complete a stunning swoop for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, with the Brazilian's future at St. James' Park in doubt.

Guimaraes has a £100m release clause in his contract – which is payable over three instalments – with Liverpool, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona all interested in securing his services.

Newcastle are one of the richest football clubs worldwide after being purchased by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund but are hindered by the Premier League's Profit & Sustainability regulations and may need to cash in on one of their standout stars, with Guimaraes sure to fetch a pretty penny indeed.

How Bruno Guimaraes compares to Liverpool's midfielders

Guimaraes signed for Newcastle from French side Lyon for £40m back in January 2022, near the genesis of the club's transformative takeover, and he has been the fulcrum of the midfield ever since, utterly magnificent in guiding his team up the table and qualifying for the Champions League with a top-four finish last season.

Praised as a "world-class" player by Magpies teammate Dan Burn, Guimaraes truly is special and plays his role as a modern hybrid midfielder deployed deep in the centre of the pitch to perfection, blending defensive application with his innate technical abilities.

The titan has played 87 times for Eddie Howe's side and racked up 11 goals and ten assists in the process, and while his injury-ravaged team have endured a tumultuous term thus far, he has largely been imperious in the centre.

As per Sofascore, the 26-year-old has completed 87% of his passes across 20 Premier League appearances this season, averaging 1.4 key passes, 2.2 tackles and 6.1 ball recoveries, while also succeeding with 69% of his dribbles and winning 57% of his 7.2 contested duels per fixture.

He also ranks among the top 15% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 11% for progressive passes and the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, showcasing his ball-carrying ability and creative influence from the centre of the park.

20

15

15

1

1

1

3

1

0

86%

88%

86%

7.55

6.72

4.87

1.58

0.51

1.23

3.01

2.30

2.69

1.79

0.74

0.13

2.24

2.62

2.05

1.28

2.38

1.15

0.87

1.39

1.15

0.61

0.66

2.05

When looking at the table above, it's pretty conclusive that Guimaraes would bring a kaleidoscope of creative abilities to the centre of the park, effectively performing the anchoring role that Alexis Mac Allister has been shoehorned into this season to greater effect, being more naturally suited.

That said, the Argentine is more active in defensive play but this does not mean that Guimaraes is inadequate in such efforts, rather, he covers far more ground and seeks to get onto the ball and wreak havoc with his intelligent distribution, all the while maintaining his vice on the engine room and Newcastle's control.

In signing the £160k-per-week phenom, Mac Allister would be able to serve in his natural No. 8 position and Dominik Szoboszlai could reach new heights, secure and spurred on by Guimaraes orchestrating efficacy behind him.

Imagine Bruno Guimaraes & Dominik Szoboszlai

Szoboszlai posted ten goals and 13 assists across all competitions for RB Leipzig last season but it doesn't look likely that he will match this tally this term, having signed for Liverpool for £60m in July and clinched four goals and three assists thus far.

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There is a good reason for this, however, with the Hungary international playing deeper than his attacking midfield role in Germany, instead moulded into an all-encompassing star in the centre, charging Klopp's system with electric triumph.

Still, the 22-year-old has completed 88% of his passes in the English top flight and averaged 1.8 key passes, 1.4 tackles and 6.4 ball recoveries per outing, mirroring Guimaraes in many regards.

He also ranks among the top 5% of midfielders for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for successful take-ons and the top 7% for progressive carries and blocks made per 90.

Clearly, the creativity and dynamism that would form the core of Liverpool's team would be frightening, and if a deal is feasible Guimaraes simply has to be signed to complete the pack.

With Mac Allister providing his rounded scope of skills in a more naturally suited midfield role and Guimaraes providing Szoboszlai with an undying stream of supplementation to drift into the danger area and wreak havoc, there is no question that Liverpool would be on their way to cementing a midfield capable of realising Klopp's lofty ambitions.

£100m is a tall order and would actually break Liverpool's transfer record if they were to seal the deal, but given Guimaraes' pedigree and proven mettle on English shores, his could be the name to ensure that Liverpool's future is adorned with silverware in its hordes.