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It would be fair to say that this season hasn’t exactly gone to plan for Arsenal so far.

In the games leading up to the last international break, Mikel Arteta’s side looked bereft of ideas and suffered because of it.

However, in the last couple of weeks, the North Londoners have looked back to somewhere near their best, and thanks to some impressive wins against West Ham United and Manchester United, they are well and truly back in the Premier League title race.

With that said, according to reports, the club are looking to strengthen their frontline in a bid to ensure they aren’t struggling for goals next year, and the latest player touted for a move to the Emirates has been compared to Erling Haaland and Victor Osimhen and would be an ideal Kai Havertz upgrade.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are keen to add a new striker to their ranks in 2025, and one of the names on their list of targets is Juventus ace Dušan Vlahović.

However, the Gunners may have to contend with stiff competition, as the report has revealed that Chelsea are also interested in the Serbian superstar.

On top of the competition, it won’t be a cheap transfer to get over the line either, as the report claims that only offers in and around €75m – £62m – will tempt the Old Lady into selling.

That said, considering his comparisons to Haaland and Osimhen, alongside his raw ability, that may be value for money, especially as he could be an ideal upgrade on Havertz.

How Vlahović compares to Haaland, Osimhen and Havertz

Okay, so before we look at how Vlahović would be an upgrade on Havertz, let’s examine these comparisons to Haaland and Osimhen and where they come from.

They primarily stem from FBref, which compares players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and in this instance, has concluded that the Norwegian is the fifth most similar forward to the Serbian over the last 365 days, while the Nigerian is the seventh most similar based on his form from last season.

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the trio ranks closely, metrics including, but not limited to, expected goals, expected assists, goals per shot on target, passing accuracy, live passes, interceptions and aerial duel win percentage, all per 90.

Expected Goals

0.75

0.87

0.70

Expected Assists

0.04

0.06

0.04

Goals per Shot on Target

0.23

0.32

0.33

Passing Accuracy

68.8%

69.0%

66.9%

Live Passes

12.6

10.0

12.2

Interceptions

0.09

0.14

0.09

Aerial Duel Win %

46.9

42.1

44.0

On top of these statistical similarities, all three are also physically imposing forwards who have no problem using their stature to gain an advantage over their opponents, which is a characteristic Arteta clearly appreciates these days.

However, how does the Juve “machine”, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, compare to Havertz?

Well, from a pure output perspective, which is what matters most for a striker, it’s a clear win for the Serbian international, as, since the start of last season, he has scored 27 goals and provided four assists in just 54 appearances, which equates to a goal involvement on average every 1.74 games.

In contrast, the Gunners’ number 29 has scored 23 goals and provided eight assists in 71 games, leaving him with a still decent but notably less impressive tally average of a goal involvement every 2.29 games.

Ultimately, while Havertz has been a useful player since making the move to North London, it’s clear that he’s not as natural of a goalscorer as Vlahović, and therefore, Arteta and Co should do what they can to bring the Juve ace to N5 before someone else beats them to it.

Arsenal targeting "world-class" £62m poacher who'd supercharge Odegaard

The exceptional forward would be a game-changing signing for Arsenal.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 6, 2024

Leicester City have joined the race to sign one of Spain’s most exciting talents as the Foxes look to hand incoming boss Ruud van Nistelrooy additional firepower.

Leicester appoint Van Nistelrooy

Less than a week after the departure of Steve Cooper in the wake of Leicester’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, the Midlands outfit announced that Ruud van Nistelrooy would take charge at the King Power Stadium.

The Dutchman, whose only experience of the Premier League came in a four-game interim spell with Manchester United earlier in the month, has been deemed the right man to steer the Foxes away from the relegation zone this season, as five losses in their last six games threaten to derail a promising start to the campaign.

West Ham United (Home)

Brighton (Home)

Newcastle United (Away)

Wolves (Home)

Liverpool (Away)

“I’m proud, I’m excited,” he told the Leicester City website after his arrival was announced.

“Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic, has great stories about the quality of the people working at the Club, the supporters, also of course, the recent history of the Club is impressive. I’m dead excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the Football Club.”

Van Nistelrooy has penned a contract until June 2027 at the King Power Stadium, and will take charge for the first time in their midweek clash with West Ham United, having beaten the Foxes twice during his time with Manchester United.

Now, the owners seem keen to back their man, and are readying a move for a new forward in the new year.

Leicester City in race to sign Olympic winner

Reports in Spain claim that Leicester City are one of three Premier League sides chasing Valencia forward Diego Lopez, with the Foxes considering the young talent “a fundamental pillar of their sporting project”.

An Olympic gold medallist with Spain over the summer, Lopez has impressed for Los Ches. Playing across the frontline, he has grabbed two goals and an assist so far this season as he battles to keep the Spanish stalwart in the top flight.

Leicester City eyeing move for "exciting" £17m Abdul Fatawu replacement

The winger is set to miss the rest of the season.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 22, 2024

With financial issues at the club, the report claims they are keen to raise money in any way possible and will sanction the sale of one of their key men midway through the season.

Wolves and Bournemouth are also credited with an interest in the striker, and Valencia could “be willing to negotiate the departure of López for a figure close to 35 million euros”, though the aforementioned financial issues could force the southern Spanish side into a compromise.

Able to play on either side of the attack or through the middle, Lopez has drawn attention after an “excellent” performance against Cadiz, with Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig dubbing him a talent “shining for Valencia”.

With Abdul Fatawu now sidelined for the remainder of the season and Jamie Vardy well beyond his electric peak, a new attacker could be just what is needed at the King Power to help fire them clear of relegation, and they appear to have their eyes set on Lopez.

Roy Keane has been backed for a sensational Manchester United return to help fix a major "problem" in Ruben Amorim's dressing room.

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• Man Utd players under scrutiny once again
• Silvestre took aim at Amorim's men
• Believes Keane could build character in dressing room

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Just a few days ago, former United coach Erik ten Hag, in his first public interview since his Old Trafford sacking in October last year, claimed that he had to go soft with the players at Carrington since they were pretty sensitive to criticism. He blamed social media for the change in mental fortitude over the years and even admitted that a direct and confrontational approach would "demotivate them".

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Adding to the debate, former United defender Mikael Silvestre echoed Ten Hag’s concerns, arguing that many players in today’s game lack the thick skin that was once a staple of professional football. He suggested that bringing back a character like Keane, who is known for his no-nonsense approach, could help the United softies to toughen up.

• WHAT SILVESTRE SAID

  Speaking to, former United defender Silvestre stated: "I think it would be great for Roy Keane to play a role at Manchester United. Because, the thing is with Roy, he always treated everybody exactly the same way. It didn’t matter if you were a new signing, an old guy, the manager, everybody. That's how he got respect. That's how Sir Alex got respect. If you treat everybody the same, no problem. Now, it's true you have players, and as soon as you say something to them, they don't collapse, but it affects them much more. We used to have thicker skin."

  The Frenchman further criticised the current generation of footballers, pointing out how players today tend to dwell on mistakes and seek validation online and went on to refer to Joshua Zirkzee, who apologised on social media after missing a penalty in United's FA Cup shootout loss to Fulham, despite putting in a solid performance overall.

  "Zirkzee apologising on social media about missing his penalty against Fulham. So you missed a penalty – you didn't kill anybody!" he said. "There is no need for that. Plus, he had a good game, so don't blame yourself. It happens. I can remember when Paul Scholes missed a penalty in the FA Cup final (2005) and we lost to Arsenal, he was one of the best players of his generation, but he didn’t apologise because that can happen in professional sport. You have to accept it and bounce back. I think it’s a bit of a problem with this generation of players. They find criticism harder to take."

  Silvestre wants club legend Keane to be present in the United dressing room in some capacity as he has a reputation for talking straight and keeping everything in house.

  "If Roy Keane was involved at Manchester United, if he was on the inside with the group, he would have to protect and work for the group, you wouldn’t see him criticising players in public, so there wouldn't be any issue," he added.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  Ruben Amorim has struggled to turn things around since replacing Ten Hag. United have won just five of their last 16 Premier League matches, sitting in a disappointing 14th place after suffering eight defeats and three draws. The pressure on Amorim has only increased following Sunday’s FA Cup elimination, leaving him with little room for error as he prepares for a high-stakes clash against Arsenal on Sunday in the English top flight.

The forward looked set to be a world-beating player when he broke through two years ago, but his career is threatening to stagnate

The last time Manchester United played away to Real Sociedad in November 2022 was a very special occasion for Alejandro Garnacho. The winger's extended family had travelled up from Madrid to San Sebastian to see him make only his second competitive start for the Red Devils, and it was already a dream come true for him before the game kicked-off as Garnacho found himself partnering his childhood hero, Cristiano Ronaldo, in attack in the final game of United's Europa League group-stage campaign.

The dream got even better when Ronaldo played a through ball which the then-18-year-old Garnacho ran onto and smashed into the roof of the net to score his first senior goal. His father, Alex, couldn't keep himself from crying in the main stand out of happiness. The goal began a thrilling few weeks for Garnacho, who went on to spark United's comeback victory over Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup and then struck a last-minute winner against Fulham.

Fast-forward two-and-a-half years later, Garnacho and United are heading back to San Sebastian to face Real Sociedad in the Europa League, just after playing Fulham. But things could hardly be more different for player and club.

Garnacho looked like being United's future flagbearer after his breakthrough season and he consolidated his progress last season, as his outrageous bicycle kick against Everton and his opener in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City lighting up an otherwise dismal campaign for the club. But United have got even worse in this season, and Garnacho hasn't just stagnated; he has gone backwards…

Getty Images SportGoal drought

Garnacho has not scored for United in any competition since netting against Bodo/Glimt on November 28. It is his longest goal drought since breaking into the senior team, even longer than when he was sidelined for two months in his debut campaign with an ankle injury. His tally of three league goals matches his breakthrough season, and that is despite him starting triple the amount of games and having two extra years of experience.

What is strange about the Argentina international's plight is that he is still causing plenty of danger, and United look a far better team when he is on the pitch than when he is not. Take the recent FA Cup tie against Fulham, when Ruben Amorim's side looked flat and shy in attack until Garnacho was introduced early in the second half.

It was he who played the through ball which led to Diogo Dalot setting up Bruno Fernandes to equalise, and Garnacho had four attempts on goal himself, more than any player on the pitch. Two of those efforts were classified as 'big chances' and both were ones that the free-spirited Garnacho of the previous two seasons would have gleefully buried. It was also telling that he did not step up to take a penalty in the shootout.

Those wasted opportunities on Sunday are part of a broader pattern of a player who seems to have lost his confidence in front of goal. There are further statistics to prove that claim: Garnacho has the lowest conversion rate of any Premier League player to have had 10 or more 'big chances', and since Amorim's first game in charge in November, Garnacho has attempted more shots without scoring than any other player in the league.

His failed attempts to score against Fulham can be filed alongside his glaring miss from close range against Tottenham and his over-hit finish against West Ham that ended up rattling the bar in a 2-1 defeat that proved to be Erik ten Hag's last game in charge.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportNot creating chances either

Garnacho is ranked eighth in the Premier League when it comes to 'big chances' missed, having squandered 12 such opportunities. He is in esteemed company in that sense, level with Cole Palmer and Raul Jimenez while below Ollie Watkins, Erling Haaland, Kai Havertz and Mohamez Salah, among others. But the majority of the players on that list miss so many chances because they also score so many. Garnacho, however, has the joint-fewest goals of the players on the list, tied with Dominic Calvert-Lewin on three. Palmer, who looked to be on a similar trajectory to him in 2023, has 14 strikes. Jimenez has nine.

Garnacho is not compensating for his lack of goals with assists either. He has six in all competitions, while in the Premier League it is just one. That is one third of the assists provided by Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson.

He cannot blame his team-mates' poor finishing for his low assist count either. The forward has created just three 'big chances' himself, as many as Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. That tally looks even worse when you consider Eriksen has started just seven league games all season, having last appeared in a starting line-up against Newcastle in late December, or that Casemiro has started only five league games since Amorim took charge.

GettyLoved by fans

Garnacho is a fascinating figure in this United team. He has an incredibly high ceiling in terms of what he could go on to achieve, and it should not be forgotten that he is still only 20. That is why many United fans were anxious about the prospect of him leaving in the January transfer window, particularly as Chelsea looked like being his most likely destination.

The fact that he came through the club's academy – albeit having only arrived at the age of 16 from Atletico Madrid – and was the talisman of the 2022 FA Youth Cup-winning side has furthered strengthened fans' feelings towards him. Garnacho is many ways a pure Manchester United player, someone who gets fans off their seats and generates excitement. Even when he missing chances, he keeps his head up and keeps trying. United fans value that. Coaches, however, have had a tougher relationship with him.

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Getty But a headache for managers

Ten Hag carefully oversaw Garnacho's rise into the team, and his management of the player, as well as the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo, was one of the Dutchman's greatest achievements during his time in the Old Trafford dugout. But he had to handle a whole load of problems when it came to the tempestuous youngster.

Garnacho was late for breakfast while the team were staying in Thailand for their pre-season tour of 2022, and Ten Hag punished him by leaving him out for the remainder of the games. The Argentine was also among a number of players who joined Ronaldo in leaving a pre-season match against Rayo Vallecano before full-time

Garnacho eventually gained Ten Hag's confidence and became one of the best players in the team, but that did not prevent further infractions, such as liking critical posts of the Dutchman's management on social media. He also risked a ban from the Football Association for a social media post he made about Andre Onana, though he eventually escaped punishment.

Ten Hag and Garnacho's relationship was a bit like that of a father and son, and while there were moments of tension, there was clearly a lot of shared affection. When the Dutchman was sacked, Garnacho penned him a heartfelt message, writing on Instagram:"Thank you for everything, boss. I will always be grateful to you for giving me the opportunity and the confidence to play for this club. It hasn’t gone as well as we wanted, but I will remember the good times we had together and I wish you all the best in the future."

So then. Liverpool have started the 2024/25 campaign with all the vim and vigour that Jurgen Klopp will have hoped that his side could muster, with this immensely talented squad, sculpted over nearly nine years, inherited by the perfect new gaffer in Arne Slot.

The Reds, as you’ll need no reminder, are perched atop the Premier League table, tall and proud and regal as a Liverbird. Early days, early days. We all know that the road ahead is circuitous and fraught with obstacles, but there are signs that Liverpool are a better version than they were last year.

First sign: Liverpool’s sometimes-porous defence from last season is a thing of the past; Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are proving themselves as the division’s best, with two goals shipped from seven fixtures.

Second sign: Liverpool’s new style, more controlled and patient in their attacking approach, has stepped away from the thrash-metal football that Klopp patented over his years of illustrious service. Liverpool are anew, with trademark qualities borne from the previous era but welcomed by a new system that is more… fresh, with the outfit’s opponents needing new ways to defeat the Anfield side.

Third sign: Rodri is injured, out for the season, or thereabouts. It’s unbecoming to revel over the injury of one of the world’s finest, and Rodri is “the best midfielder in the world by far”, as claimed by his Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and echoed by many. That said, he’s the champions’ lifeblood, and his absence could hand Liverpool a route toward that glinted trophy.

With Rodri out, there’s space for a new centre-midfielder to stake their claim as the Premier League’s best, and Ryan Gravenberch is doing exactly that.

Ryan Gravenberch's performances under Arne Slot

Gravenberch’s rise and rise could be a fourth sign that Liverpool are genuine contenders for the biggest prizes, to be honest.

The Netherlands international, only 22, joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich in a deal worth £34m last summer in what proved to be Klopp’s final senior signing before stepping down.

He only started 12 Premier League matches last season and ebbed and flowed but has bloomed into an incredible player under Slot’s tutelage, sat deeper in a pivoting, all-influencing central role.

It’s been something to behold, and it’s reflected through his stats across nearly every metric from the top flight this term, far outperforming his former self in a refashioned role.

There’s a long road ahead, sure, but Gravenberch has the skill to pilot Liverpool toward success, and the gas tank too, with the Dutchman playing every single minute across his side’s Premier League and Champions League campaigns so far.

He’s a big talent, but perhaps not Liverpool’s biggest. Indeed, the club’s finest young talent might just be one who isn’t actually plying their trade on Merseyside right now.

Liverpool have a bigger talent than Ryan Gravenberch

Stefan Bajcetic has faded into obscurity over the past year, having suffered from injuries and growth-related setbacks that limited him to just three appearances across the duration of the previous season.

The young Spaniard spent the summer months regaining full fitness, but after Slot replaced Klopp, it was quickly felt that the 19-year-old Spaniard’s game time would be limited, and thus a loan move away would be beneficial.

Pep Lijnders, Klopp’s long-time assistant, had been appointed Red Bull Salzburg boss after leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season, and so it seemed apt that Bajcetic would move to grow into his skin within the system of the man who had a big say in Liverpool’s tactics across their golden era.

Though Salzburg, imperious Austrian champions, have struggled to perform across the opening months of the campaign, Bajcetic has impressed at the heart of Lijnders’ team, hailed for his “special” ability by journalist Zubin Daver.

As per Sofascore, he’s averaged five tackles and interceptions per game in the Austrian Bundesliga, also completing one dribble per match and winning 58% of his duels, of which he is averaging 5.8 per outing. There’s a level of aggression and commitment in his approach that makes a comment on where he’s going to end up for the Reds.

No doubt, Slot has already taken note. Given that he’s showcasing the kind of progressive and potent midfield game that has seen Gravenberch thrive, there’s every chance that he could actually grow into Liverpool’s star midfielder down the line – especially since he’s already proved himself as merely an 18-year-old, injecting some youthful exuberance into Klopp’s sapped side in 2022/23.

Boyish avidity blended with age-belying maturity, Bajcetic has what it takes to become a star player for a top European outfit such as Liverpool, scoring and featuring 11 times in the Premier League that year and being praised for his “special” qualities in the centre of the park.

Writer Leanne Prescott even said: “Staggering that Liverpool look most in control this season when 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic is playing.”

Taking all this into account, Bajcetic might just prove to be the perfect competition for Gravenberch in the seasons to come. He’s more aggressive in his defending and is proving himself to be a crucial part of a Salzburg side that is flattering to deceive under Lijnders.

Even so, Bajcetic is keeping them together – just like he did for Liverpool during those dark days. Having battled through so much adversity at such a young age, there’s just cause for optimism – this guy might turn out to be a world-beater in Slot’s squad.

Lost the ball 22x: Liverpool star drops suspect 4/10 international display

It wasn’t the best of nights away from Anfield…

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 11, 2024

GOAL breaks down the best strikers available to Mauricio Pochettino on the USMNT's road to the World Cup

In the months leading up to the 2022 World Cup, the U.S. men's national team striker debate took center stage. In truth, it was due to a lack of real options. The position was a notable weakness for the U.S. under then-manager Gregg Berhalter, playing a role in their World Cup campaign in Qatar.

There's no such problem now. As Mauricio Pochettino prepares this USMNT for the 2026 World Cup, there is no shortage of striker options scoring goals all over the world. There are different profiles spread across different leagues, and several players will feel they have a realistic argument to be the starter by the time the 2026 World Cup rolls around.

Right now, though, the focus is on the CONCACAF Nations League and, unfortunately, the USMNT's top options likely won't be available for that tournament. Of the nine players on this list, six have missed or will miss significant time due to injury. Several of the USMNT's best No. 9s will be unavailable for that tournament but, for every setback one player faces, an opportunity opens for another.

So, as we march into the final year and change leading up to the World Cup, the race is very much on, and it'll continue in March. Ahead of the CONCACAF Nations League, GOAL breaks down the USMNT striker pool to rank the best options heading towards 2026.

• Getty Images
  

  9Daryl Dike, West Brom

  Who knows where Dike would be if injuries hadn't taken over these last few years?

  It's been two years since we've seen a healthy version of Dike, who came back early in 2024 just to rupture his Achilles a few weeks later. It's been a nightmare for the former Orlando City striker who, when healthy, is a real handful that has the potential to compete at the top of this list.

  "Daryl Dike, in terms of what he can give you, he's so different from all of them, that he's special in that sense," U.S. legend Jozy Altidore told GOAL in December. "This guy is the biggest wildcard because if they are all different, he's the most different, in terms of his ceiling."

  It's just been too long since we saw that version of him. Hopefully someday soon we'll see him again and he can claim a spot that many thought he'd have by now if everything had gone to plan.

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  8Duncan McGuire, Orlando City SC

  The last year or so has been frustrating for McGuire, who began 2024 by seeing his big move overseas fall apart due to an administration error. He was still good for Orlando City, although not quite as good as he was in 2023. He went on to start for the U.S. at the Olympics, too, as the coaching staff put a bunch of faith in him to lead the line in France, although it didn't result in goals.

  There's a reason he nearly got that move to Blackburn, though, and the 23-year-old striker will get another chance to prove it here in 2025.

  A late-season injury knocked him out of January camp contention, but he is expected to be back in the first few months of the MLS season. McGuire has plenty to prove when he does get back as he looks to take a leap for club and country this season.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  7Jesus Ferreira, Seattle Sounders

  Ferreira draws criticism, but the guy gets goals on the international level. He's got 15 in just 23 appearances and people have downplayed where the goals have come from, which is how he got his "Pirate of the Caribbean" moniker.

  Even so, if it was so easy, everyone would do it, right?

  Ferreira took a step back last season but has now moved on from FC Dallas into a new situation in Seattle. With the Sounders, Ferreira is a big piece of the puzzle, one that, from the outside, seems to fit together nicely with a lead by Jordan Morris. That, in theory, should lead to a return to form. If Ferreira can be in that 15-20 goal range in this MLS season, he'll remain in the hunt.

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  6Patrick Agyemang, Charlotte FC

  It's almost unfathomable that Agyemang is even on this list. Six months ago, he wouldn't have been close. A few years ago, he was playing Division 3 soccer. Now, he's right there and could realistically be in the squad for the CONCACAF Nations League.

  That comes after a breakout January camp. Agyemang scored two goals in just under 90 minutes, showing the movement and finishing required of a true international-level forward. He is still new to all of this, though, and still has so much to prove. This will be his first full season as a starter in MLS, and he'll have to prove himself at that level first if he wants to become a consistent member of the USMNT.

  For Agyemang, it will all be about starting hot. If he can get some goals early in the MLS season, he'll be in a good spot.

Aston Villa will look to make it three wins from three in Europe’s most esteemed competition tonight, as Champions League football returns to Villa Park.

Of course, the last time such an occasion happened under the lights of Villa’s noisy home ground, Unai Emery’s men managed to topple the might of Bayern Munich, as super-sub himself Jhon Duran won the game late on with a smart finish past Manuel Neuer.

It’s a different task for the Premier League side tonight, however, as they’re very much not the underdogs for a clash with Bologna, as Emery also ponders some changes in personnel for the mid-week affair with the Serie A side.

One change could see Leon Bailey drop out of the lineup, who struggled to get going as Villa convincingly beat Fulham 3-1 last time out in the league.

Bailey's performance vs Fulham

The Jamaican winger could find he has to settle for a place amongst the substitutes for the clash with the Italian outfit tonight, having failed to spark into life for his side even as Villa picked up a comfortable 3-1 win.

From his low-key 61 minutes on the Craven Cottage turf, Bailey would only muster up a meagre 38 touches of the ball and register 13 accurate passes, as the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man continually struggled to create openings for his full-throttle side.

In contrast, Youri Tielemans controlled the game from the centre of the park – away from Bailey fading in and out of the game – with the Belgian managing a far heftier 94 touches.

Only managing one shot on Bernd Leno’s busy goal too, it could be a night for a different option down the right flank, not just with Bailey being axed, but also with Matty Cash being sacrificed for a fresher face in the full-back spot.

Cash's performance vs Fulham

It was a torrid afternoon in truth down Villa’s right channel, with the Poland international at fault for the Fulham penalty – which was thankfully saved by Emiliano Martinez to spare Cash’s blushes – alongside other shaky moments in defence.

He wasn’t directly responsible for Raul Jimenez’s opener, however, as Pau Torres was brushed aside far too easily for the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers man to fire home, but his general numbers still make for some uninspiring reading.

Cash’s numbers vs Fulham

Stat

Cash

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

68

Accurate passes

35/38 (92%)

Possession lost

13x

Clearances

4

Interceptions

1

Tackles

1

Total duels won

5/7

Stats by Sofascore

Squandering possession 13 times across the 3-1 win at Craven Cottage, it certainly wasn’t Cash’s most polished display, with the 27-year-old only managing to put in just one tackle when faced with stopping the likes of Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith-Rowe for the hosts.

With Cash just back from a long-term layoff owing to injury too, it could be for the best if Emery does shuffle his pack and drops the defender, who was handed out a low 5/10 match rating by Birmingham World journalist Charlie Haffenden after the game.

He could revert to a similar lineup that managed to pull off an unthinkable win versus Vincent Kompany’s men, with Cash absent from that famous win, which could see Ezri Konsa take his place for the test of Bologna.

Moreover, another seamless alteration could see John McGinn come into the XI down the right flank to replace an out-of-sorts Bailey, with the Scotsman already captaining his side in Europe’s biggest competition this season to date as he picked up an assist away at Young Boys in Switzerland.

Whatever lineup does take to the field, Emery will be hoping his side don’t buckle under the pressure of another big occasion in the Champions League, with his team taking any pressures that have come their way in their stride this season so far.

Related 2 changes expected: Aston Villa predicted lineup & team news vs Bologna

Unai Emery could tweak with his Aston Villa side slightly for their next Champions League showdown.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Oct 22, 2024

Batter was released from Hampshire contract earlier in the summer and had short stint at Yorkshire

Matt Roller23-Aug-2021Sam Northeast will make Nottinghamshire his third county of the summer after signing a short-term deal to play for them in the divisional rounds of the County Championship.Northeast started the season with scores of 63 and 118 in Hampshire’s second match against Middlesex but his form tailed off and he was dropped from their T20 Blast side after making 6 off 12 balls against Kent in their opening game.He was left out of matchday squads over the next few weeks before the county put out a short statement confirming he had been released from the last 18 months of his contract by mutual consent.Related

Azhar Ali returns to Somerset, Zafar Gohar joins Gloucestershire

Stoneman joins Middlesex on three-year deal from Surrey

Northeast: 'England has almost been and gone – and that's fine'

Gubbins set for Hampshire move as Northeast heads north

He briefly joined Yorkshire in July after their squad was decimated by England call-ups, making 3 and 1 in the Championship fixture against Northamptonshire and not facing a ball between the Blast fixture at Trent Bridge and the abandoned four-day game at Headingley.He has not played in the last six weeks during the Hundred and will play for Notts’ seconds against Derbyshire this week to prepare for the final stages of the Championship season.Notts were looking for a top-order batter after Haseeb Hameed’s Test recall, and Mick Newell, their director of cricket described him as “a proven run-scorer” who “will bolster our chances in red-ball cricket during the coming weeks.”Northeast, 31, is expected to attract a number of counties this winter despite his lean season. He was widely regarded as England’s best uncapped batter for several years towards the end of his Kent career and while his T20 returns have dried up, he is an excellent 50-over player.

Chelsea spent around £200m this summer, acquiring a host of players such as Pedro Neto, João Félix, Kiernan-Dewsbury Hall, Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Aaron Anselmino, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Marc Guiu, and Tosin Adarabioyo.

But there was another surprise addition on deadline day, with Jadon Sancho joining the club on an initial loan, with an obligation to buy. The fee will be £20m fixed plus £5m of add-ons, confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.

Sancho made 24 appearances last season for Manchester United and Dortmund, scoring three goals, providing three assists, and totalling 1,593 minutes played.

As you can see, his form has taken a nosedive since those dizzy days at Borussia Dortmund. He was a trailblazer, pathing the way for English talent to move abroad in the modern era and thrive.

Fikayo Tomori is one to follow in his footsteps, trading the Premier League for a top-five European league.

Fikayo Tomori's breakthrough at Chelsea

Tomori broke into the Chelsea first team under Frank Lampard after making 33 appearances for the Chelsea U21 side and spending time on loan with Derby County (also under Frank Lampard).

He eventually made 27 appearances for the Chelsea first team, scoring two goals and providing one assist in that time, totalling 2,133 minutes played at senior level for the club.

However, after falling out of favour under club legend Lampard, eventually Chelsea cashed in on the English defender, who made the move to AC Milan in 2021 for around £25m which was an option after his successful loan spell with the club.

How Tomori has played at AC Milan

Tomori has made 145 appearances for Milan since joining the club, scoring seven goals, providing one assist, and totalling an impressive 12,168 minutes played for the Rossoneri.

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Described as a "fantastic" transfer by scout Jacek Kulig, the 26-year-old is now valued at around £34m by Tranfermarkt, gaining value since joining from the Blues back in 2021.

To put that into context, he is rated more highly than the aforementioned Sancho and to offer more perspective, he is valued higher by Transfermarkt than the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Romeo Lavia and fellow defender Benoit Badiashile.

Speaking of which, how does the English centre-back compare to Chelsea's current options?

Goals

0.13

0.07

0.05

Progressive Carries

0.63

1.05

0.20

Progressive Passes

2.91

3.90

3.09

Pass Completion %

90.7%

90.0%

90.8%

Tackles

1.99

1.15

1.41

Blocks

1.55

0.91

1.41

Interceptions

1.17

0.59

1.01

Aerials Won

1.27

2.51

1.88

So, when comparing Tomori to some of Chelsea's current central defenders, the English defender clearly excels in defensive actions over the French pair, completing more tackles, more blocks, and more interceptions per 90. Considering the sheer volume of defending the Blues had to do last term, that's rather impressive.

Being the smallest of the three, standing at 6 foot 1, Tomori does win fewer aerial duels compared to Disasi, who stands at 6 foot 3, and Badiashile, who stands at 6 foot 4.

All three of the defenders average similar pass completions, all within the 90% spectrum, with Disasi averaging 90% on the dot, Tomori averaging 90.7% and Badiashile averaging 90.8%. In this regard, clearly they are similar.

Like their pass completion, the trios' progressive passing metrics are also fairly similar, Tomori averaging the least with 2.91 progressive passes per 90, Disasi averaging 3.90, and Badiashile averaging 3.09.

The Milan star does bring more goal threat, which has to be said is impressive considering he is the smallest of the trio, and winning the fewest aerials per 90.

That said, the main thing Chelsea could do with, that Tomori brings in abundance, is recovery speed, especially with the way Maresca likes to play, being aggressive out of possession, and dealing with balls in behind the backline at times.

It's fair to say there may be a tinge of regret in how this sale panned out.

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Everton have begun the 2024/25 campaign – their final one at Goodison Park – in dreadful fashion. Not only have they lost their opening two games of the Premier League season, but the Toffees have conceded seven goals without reply.

Hardly the start Sean Dyche was aiming for. This may force his hand to make a couple of signings before the summer transfer window closes on Friday evening.

Could this see the manager turn towards La Liga, as he eyes a move for a World Cup winner…

Everton chasing swoop for World Cup winner

According to reports in Spain (via Sport Witness), the Goodison Park side have joined the chase to sign Sevilla defender Gonzalo Montiel.

Another update has come from Argentine journalist Uriel Lugt, who said via X: "Everton and Borussia Dortmund add to the interest in Gonzalo Montiel. There are already talks underway for the full-back to leave Sevilla definitively. Nottingham Forest is also in the bidding."

It certainly looks as though the 27-year-old is keen on leaving Spain. Will it be a temporary deal? Or will the Toffees make a solid proposal to fend off other interest and bring him back to the Premier League?

Player

Club signed from

Jake O'Brien

Lyon

Tim Iroegbunam

Aston Villa

Asmir Begovic

QPR

Jesper Lindstrom

Napoli

Iliman Ndiaye

Marseille

Gonzalo Montiel’s 2023/24 season in numbers

The Argentinian made just one appearance for Sevilla last term before joining Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal.

Overall, he made 19 appearances for the club, grabbing three assists, as he eventually worked his way into the Argentinean side for the Copa América, held this summer.

The 5 foot 11 defender, who was hailed as an “animal” by former coach Julen Lopetegui, started just eight times in the top flight, but he did show glimpses of his attacking qualities.

Indeed, the right-back created four chances, averaged 0.6 key passes per game and succeeded with 100% of his dribble attempts, not bad for a player who averaged only 58 minutes per game.

These forward-thinking capabilities could make him a dream signing for Jack Harrison, who has operated on the right wing in Everton’s opening two matches of the season.

The Englishman scored four times and grabbed three assists last season, but this could increase if he has someone like Montiel playing Harrison into better positions, rather than the ageing Ashley Young or Seamus Coleman.

Indeed, when compared to his positional peers in the Premier League last season, Montiel ranked in the top 12% for assists per 90 (0.22), while ranking in the top 7% for tackles, underlining how effective he was bursting forward up and down the right flank.

This could allow Dyche the chance to partner him with Harrison on the right wing, which should ensure plenty of goalscoring chances come from out wide, especially if the duo click together.

The next few days will be mightily important for Dyche, even more so considering the poor start to the season Everton have had.

Another signing or two may just boost the morale at the club heading into September.

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