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Often when it comes to Leeds United and promotion races, the Whites let their nerves get the better of them.

However, with only one game remaining of the current Championship season, the West Yorkshire outfit are already Premier League bound away from any worries seeping in.

Daniel Farke’s side looked every bit ready for the challenge ahead when brushing aside playoff-chasing Bristol City effortlessly in a huge 4-0 win on Monday night.

There was a carnival-like atmosphere in the air at Elland Road throughout, with no hangovers in sight from the home side’s perspective after sealing promotion.

Leeds' best performers vs Bristol City

Leeds might have been anticipating a trickier tie in truth, considering Liam Manning’s Robins aren’t mathematically safe inside the top six positions.

But, from the get-go, the clash felt like a walk in the park for the hosts, with Ao Tanaka’s calm and collected finish from a floating Manor Solomon ball opening the scoring in the 21st minute.

Solomon – away from assisting Tanaka to break the deadlock – really stood out himself during the one-sided contest, with the electric Tottenham Hotspur loanee amassing two successful dribbles and four shots of his own to try and catch out the sheepish visitors from Bristol even more.

Both Wilfried Gnonto and Largie Ramazani would shine too as the other goal scorers on the night, with Ramazani only needing nine minutes of action to bag a brace, whilst both Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu would accumulate a ridiculous 291 accurate passes between them in the heart of the Leeds defence.

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Of course, alongside the aforementioned Welsh pairing, there was also the influential figure of Junior Firpo pulling the strings once more from defence, with his assist for Ramazani’s first of the clash taking his assist haul to the season up to a mighty ten.

Regardless of his standout showings this season, according to reports, it looks unlikely that the ex-Barcelona man will be kept around for the forthcoming challenge of the Premier League.

However, there is another face in Farke’s starting XI who may succumb to the same fate as the left-back over the summer.

7/10 Leeds star needs an upgrade

Tough conversations will have to take place at Leeds this coming off-season involving who is cut out for the intense jump up to the top-flight, with Farke’s neck already allegedly on the line in this regard.

Brenden Aaronson will also be worrying slightly about his long-term future in West Yorkshire, considering the American has previously floundered at the elite level.

Indeed, last time he was plunged into the choppy waters of the Premier League, Aaronson would only manage to pick up one goal and three assists from 36 outings, culminating in the Whites falling back into the reaches of the Championship.

Now, the ex-Red Salzburg attacker will have a point to prove. But, based on his somewhat wasteful approach against the leaky Robins and his topsy-turvy form this season, he might not be Farke’s preferred choice of number 10 in the far tougher division.

Aaronson’s performance in numbers

Stat

Aaronson

Minutes played

86

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

50

Accurate passes

28/33 (85%)

Key passes

2

Shots

3

Big chances missed

1

Stats by Sofascore

It must be said, this was not Aaronson’s worst night of the campaign, far from it. The £45k-per-week attacking midfielder did manage to link up nicely with Solomon and Co at points as another vibrant option up top, but another goal or assist to add to his season collection of 11 from 45-second tier clashes annoyingly evaded him.

Whilst the likes of Solomon and Tanaka wouldn’t look out of place in the top-flight, Aaronson could well find he’s pushed back into the deep-end once more, with Yorkshire Post journalist Tom Coates even labelling his night as “frustrating” despite his 7/10 rating. It was a night of mixed reviews for the American, which rather sums up his time at Leeds, with the Athletic’s Larry Henry suggesting it was a “really positive display”.

Evidently, an upgrade will be required in the Premier League and it might well be that the likes of Firpo, Farke and Aaronson have all just enjoyed their last nights under the Elland Road lights.

Before any more talk centres on whether the inconsistent 24-year-old could be let go of, Leeds still have the chance to clinch the Championship title on the final day of the season, with Plymouth the location for the Whites’ potential triumph.

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Posts ByDan Emery Apr 27, 2025

Arsenal’s season now rests on 90 minutes in Paris next week.

Mikel Arteta’s side have failed to win the Premier League for a third campaign on the bounce, but as things stand, they still have a genuine chance of overturning Paris Saint-Germain’s one-nil lead at the Parc des Princes and making it to their first Champions League final in 19 years.

However, to do that, they’ll have to play substantially better than they did on Tuesday night, and more specifically, club captain Martin Odegaard will have to step up in a big way following his dismal showing at home.

Odegaard’s 24/25

Appearances

40

Minutes

3072′

Goals

5

Assists

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.37

Minutes per Goal Involvement

204.8′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

With just 15 goal improvements in 40 appearances, the Norwegian international has been a massive disappointment this season, so it’s excellent news that recent reports have linked the club with a striker who should be able to revive his fortunes next year.

Arsenal's striker search

Ask any Arsenal fan what they desperately need in the summer, and we’d hazard a guess that almost all of them will say a striker. After all, despite being just one place ahead of them in the Premier League, Liverpool have scored 17 more goals this season.

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Fortunately, the board clearly agrees with this sentiment, as there have been a whole host of centre-forwards touted for moves to the Emirates in recent weeks, one of the more recent being Jonathan David.

Thanks to his contract expiring at the end of next month, the Canadian international will be available for nothing in the summer, and as he’s already scored 25 goals and provided 11 assists in 46 games this year, he’d undoubtedly be an incredible addition to Arteta’s squad.

A little closer to home, the Gunners have once again been linked with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins in recent weeks.

The Englishman was the subject of a failed £45m bid from the North Londoners in the winter window, and while it’s unclear just how much he’d cost in the summer, it’s clear that with 29 goal involvements in 50 games this season, he’d be a brilliant signing.

However, to really propel the club to the title next year and get the likes of Odegaard firing again, Arteta and Co need to sign a goalscoring machine, which is where Viktor Gyokeres comes in.

According to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, as relayed by GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal remain incredibly keen on bringing the Swedish international to N5 this summer.

A potential price tag is not mentioned in the story, but other reports from this week claim that the striker could be available for up to £70m.

It’s certainly a lot to spend on one player, but given his immense ability and the effect he could have on the likes of Odegaard, it’s a transfer worth doing for Arsenal.

How Gyokeres would revive Odegaard

While there might be several small reasons here and there why Gyokeres would be able to get more out of Odegaard, like his application in training sessions and his attitude during games, his raw output is what matters more than anything.

After all, it doesn’t matter how hard he works if he can’t finish the chances the Norwegian creates for him.

Fortunately, when it comes to being a pure out-and-out goalscorer, it’s hard to think of anyone better than the former Coventry City star in Europe at the moment.

Gyokeres’ 24/25

Appearances

48

Minutes

3858′

Goals

52

Assists

12

Goal Involvements per Match

1.33

Minutes per Goal Involvement

60.28′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, in 48 appearances for Sporting CP, totalling 3858 minutes, the 6 foot 2 “powerhouse,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored a simply staggering 52 goals and provided 12 assists for good measure.

In other words, the 26-capped monster is currently averaging 1.33 goal involvements every game, or one every 60.28 minutes, which is undoubtedly a world-class rate of return.

Just imagine a striker as unrelentingly efficient as that in front of the Gunners’ captain – he’d almost instantly see his assist tally skyrocket.

Moreover, if opposition defenders had to spend more time worrying about the North Londoners’ new monstrous forward as well as Bukayo Saka off the right, there would be more room for the former Real Madrid prospect to operate in, and as a result, his own goal tally would likely increase as well.

Ultimately, while it’s a lot of money, Arsenal should be doing all they can to bring Gyokeres to the Emirates this summer, as not only could he fire them to the title next year, but he could be just the man to get Odegaard back to his mercurial best as well.

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Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes May 1, 2025

Leeds United are currently preparing for a huge summer transfer window as they look ahead to trying to avoid instant relegation from the Premier League.

The Whites won the Championship title, with a staggering 100 points, with their win over Plymouth Argyle on the final day, and now have a top-flight season to look forward to.

Daniel Farke and his staff must recruit players who they feel can bolster the squad to improve their chances of survival, and the West Yorkshire outfit are reportedly looking to bring a former star back to Elland Road.

Leeds considering move for Premier League midfielder

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Leeds United are “considering” a deal to sign Manchester City defensive midfielder Kalvin Phillips in the upcoming summer transfer window.

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The reporter claims that the England international would be “ready” to return to West Yorkshire ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, having left the club to join the Cityzens in the summer of 2022.

Bailey’s report on The Boot Room adds that a permanent deal would be difficult for the Whites to do, because the midfielder has three years left on his contract at The Etihad, and that they are currently eyeing up a loan move for their former academy graduate.

Phillips has spent the current season on loan with Ipswich Town, who have already been relegated from the Premier League, but his previous form for Leeds in the top-flight suggests that he could star alongside Ao Tanaka at Elland Road.

Why Kalvin Phillips could thrive with Ao Tanaka

The Japanese midfielder enjoyed a fantastic season in the Championship with the Whites and showed potential to make the step up to the Premier League, with his passing and defensive qualities.

Tanaka ended the 2024/25 campaign with a pass completion rate of 90% and a duel success rate of 55% across 43 appearances, which shows that he was efficient in and out of possession in the middle of the park.

Leeds will need their midfielders to be reliable on the ball and strong off it in the top-flight, as they will be battling against relegation, and that is also why Tanaka could thrive alongside a physical operator like Phillips, who was once dubbed “exceptional” by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Stats

Phillips (20/21 Premier League)

Tanaka (24/25 Championship)

Appearances

29

43

Pass accuracy

85%

90%

Tackles per game

2.6

2.2

Interceptions per game

1.6

1.3

Duels won per game

5.3

4.5

Duel success rate

52%

55%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the English maestro’s defensive form for Marcelo Bielsa in the Premier League during the 2020/21 campaign was even more impressive than the current Leeds star’s in the second tier this term.

This suggests that the potential is there for them to be a robust midfield pairing who can provide protection in front of the back four, whilst also being reliable with their passing into the front players, which could be needed as they battle it out for vital points.

Of course, there are question marks over whether or not Phillips can get back to that level, having struggled of late in loans with Ipswich and West Ham, losing 57% of his duels in the top-flight for the former and 52% of his battles for the latter.

Perhaps a return to familiar surroundings at Elland Road, where he has been successful at the top level in the past, could help him to return to form.

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Signing him on loan, therefore, could be a worthwhile gamble and one that could pay off for Leeds and Farke as it could result in him and Tanaka forming an impressive midfield partnership.

Irrespective of what happens in the FA Cup final on Saturday, it has been an incredibly disappointing season for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.

The Cityzens are currently scrapping it out to secure a place in the top five to land Champions League football for next season, whilst they have already missed out on the Premier League title.

They were also knocked out of the Champions League in the play-off round and lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the League Cup, which illustrates how disappointing this campaign has been for the club.

Despite having Erling Haaland back in the side, City’s struggles continued against already-relegated Southampton, who had 11 points heading into the game, last weekend in a 0-0 draw.

Manchester City did not create a single ‘big chance’ in the game, and one area in which they could look to improve their creativity is in the full-back positions, because Rico Lewis did not create any chances in 76 minutes on the pitch at right-back.

Why Manchester City should replace Rico Lewis

The Cityzens academy graduate is tidy and reliable in possession, having completed 91% of his attempted passes in the Premier League this season, but he does not offer much of a threat at the top end of the pitch.

Guardiola cannot look to Lewis to create something out of nothing by bombing down the flank to put a great delivery in, or to come in at the back post to score a goal to change or win a game.

The 20-year-old defender has gone 28 matches without creating a ‘big chance’ in the Premier League this season, which shows that he is not a player who can make a big impact at the top end of the pitch.

Lewis has also scored one goal and missed two ‘big chances’ in those 28 outings in the top-flight, which shows that he does not offer much of a goalscoring threat either.

24/25 Premier League

Rico Lewis

Appearances

28

xG

1.38

Goals

1

Key passes per game

0.3

Big chances created

0

Assists

2

Dribbles completed per game

0.3

Dribble success rate

45%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the England international does not excel when it comes to making things happen in the final third, as he rarely scores, creates, or dribbles from a right or left-back position for the Cityzens.

That is why Manchester City should look to replace him as a regular starter in the upcoming summer transfer window, which is what they may be doing with their reported interest in a defender from Italy.

Manchester City closing in on Serie A defender

According to reports in France, Manchester City are eyeing up a deal to sign Nicolo Savona from Italian giants Juventus ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The reporter claims that the Premier League giants have verbally agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old full-back, as they look to bolster their options at the back this summer.

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Aouna adds that contract terms have already been discussed between the club and the player, with personal terms now agreed, and that Savona is keen on a move to The Etihad.

However, the journalist does not reveal how much Juventus are set to demand for the defender, or how much City are willing to pay for him to get a deal over the line in the coming weeks or months.

He does state, though, that Flamengo defender Wesley Franca and Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento, formerly of Chelsea, are also options to come in at right-back for City in the summer transfer window.

This suggests that Savona is just one of a number of targets and that there is no guarantee that they decide to go with him over the others, despite seemingly closing in on a deal to sign the right-back after agreeing personal terms with him.

Why Manchester City should sign Nicolo Savona

The Italian dynamo could be an excellent addition to the squad if they do decide to go ahead with a swoop for his services, though, because he could be a big upgrade on Rico Lewis.

Firstly, Savona has the technical quality and reliability with the ball at his feet to suit playing in a Guardiola team, hence why they are eyeing him up as a target. This is evidenced by his pass completion rate of 91% in the Serie A for Juventus this season.

The 22-year-old star, who can play as a centre-back in a back three or as a right-back or right wing-back in a four or three-back system, rarely gives the ball away with his passes, which is why he could suit a ball-dominant Manchester City side.

However, Savona provides more quality as an attacking threat than Lewis, who is also technically proficient and reliable with the ball, currently does at right-back for Manchester City.

24/25 season

Lewis (Premier League)

Savona (Serie A)

Starts

21

18

xG

1.38

0.45

Goals

1

2

Touches per game

55.7

44.7

Key passes

8

16

Big chances created

0

2

Dribble success rate

45%

55%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Juventus defender has been more effective as a goalscorer, a creator, and a dribbler at league level this season, despite taking 11 fewer touches per game, in comparison to the English full-back.

These statistics suggest that Savona, dubbed an “interesting” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, could improve his output even further as part of a Manchester City team that would allow him to take more touches of the ball, giving him more opportunities to move into the final third to provide quality as a scorer and a creator of goals.

Savona, who stepped into an advanced position to score against Udinese in the clip above, also provided six assists in 41 games for Juventus at U19 level and five assists in 61 matches for their Next Gen side.

Therefore, his form for the Old Lady at youth and senior level suggests that the potential is there for him to arrive at The Etihad as an upgrade on Rico Lewis, who has not offered enough quality on the ball in the Premier League this season.

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It is now down to the club to strike a deal with Juventus to bring the Italian talent to England this summer, having already agreed personal terms with the exciting youngster.

The Premier League is the most popular league in the world and has seen some of the best players of all time since its inception in 1992, but Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard once claimed there is only one Premier League ‘GOAT’.

The right wing spot in a Premier League all time XI is firmly up for debate – Mohamed Salah has cemented himself as one of the greatest players in English football history after winning a second title with Liverpool.

Salah is now in the top ten goalscorers in top flight history and could potentially even surpass Alan Shearer’s record of 260 goals in the division.

Premier League's top 10 goalscorers in pictures

However, many still believe the sheer talent of Cristiano Ronaldo takes the cake. Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed the Portugal superstar is “up with the best” players he had coached, while Jose Mourinho even placed him in the same category as Diego Maradona and Pele.

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Indeed, Ronaldo won three league titles in England, one Golden Boot and two Player of the Season awards, and is considered by many to be one of the greatest two players in football history alongside Lionel Messi.

When it comes to crowning the best of the best in England however, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard revealed one man stands above the rest.

Gerrard: Thierry Henry is the Premier League 'GOAT'

Speaking in an interview during his time as Aston Villa manager, Gerrard was fast and firm with his reponse when asked who the greatest of all time is – Arsenal and France forward Thierry Henry.

The former Anfield skipper picked Messi as the greatest in football history and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe as the next up for the crown, but had no hesitation when pointing to Henry as English football’s best.

Gerrard was no stranger to Henry’s talents, as the Frenchman scored nine times in 18 career appearances against Liverpool, including a brace in a famous 2-0 win at Highbury in the 2005/26 season, in which Gerrard accidentally set up the winner.

France legend Zinedine Zidane called his compatriot “technically the most gifted footballer ever to play the beautiful game”, and his list of accomplishments is extremely impressive.

Thierry Henry Trophies Won

Year

Monaco

Ligue 1

1996-97

Arsenal

Premier League

2001-02, 2003-04

FA Cup

2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05

Barcelona

La Liga

2008-09, 2009-10

Copa del Rey

2008-09

UEFA Champions League

2008-09

UEFA Super Cup

2009

FIFA Club World Cup

2009

France

FIFA World Cup

1998

UEFA European Championship

2000

Since retiring from playing, Henry has coached at club level with Monaco and at international level as an assistant for Belgium. He also managed the French team at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games, winning the silver medal as France were beaten in the final by Spain.

Celtic won the Scottish Premiership title and the League Cup trophy during the 2025/26 campaign, but missed out on the treble with a loss to Aberdeen on penalties in the SFA Cup final.

It was a successful season for Brendan Rodgers and his men, despite the final loss at Hampden Park in the final game of the campaign, and that was owed, in part, to the quality of the squad.

Nicolas Kuhn was one of the stars who propelled Celtic to two trophies with his contributions at the top end of the pitch, with 21 goals and 15 assists in all competitions this term.

His form was particularly impressive when you consider that his reported wage of £12k-per-week does not make him one of the top earners in the squad.

Noteworthy Celtic players who earn more than Nicolas Kuhn

As per Capology, James McCarthy (£14k), Anthony Ralston (£14k), Luis Palma (£16k), and James Forrest (£19k) earn, or earned in McCarthy’s case, more than Kuhn.

Chalkboard

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They combined for 12 league starts between them, whilst Palma was sent out on loan to Olympiacos for the second half of the season, and the German winger managed 21 starts on his own.

Meanwhile, Maik Nawrocki, who played three times in the Premiership in the 2024/25 campaign, is also on a weekly wage of £12k at Parkhead, which suggests that Celtic are not getting value for money on their wages with several members of the squad.

Another centre-back who reportedly earns more than Kuhn is Gustaf Lagerbielke, who Lecce chief Pantaleo Corvino claimed is on £13k-per-week, and Rodgers must finally axe the flop this summer.

Why Celtic must sell Gustaf Lagerbielke this summer

The Hoops swooped to sign the Swedish central defender from Elfsborg for a reported fee of £3m in the summer of 2023, and it is fair to say that things have not gone to plan for him so far.

He only made ten appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants in all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign, as Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales established themselves as the first-choice pairing.

Speaking about Nawrocki and Lagerbielke’s lack of game time last season, pundit Ewan Cameron claimed that they were not Rodgers’ signings, saying: “He (Rodgers) doesn’t fancy them. He doesn’t rate them.”

23/24 Premiership

Gustaf Lagerbielke

Appearances

7

Starts

4

Pass accuracy

85%

Clean sheets

3

Error led to goal

0

Duel success rate

72%

Stats via Sofascore

The Swedish defender’s lack of game time in the Premiership that season, as evidenced in the table above, backs up that claim from Cameron, as Rodgers very rarely relied on him.

Celtic’s manager then opted to allow the 25-year-old flop to join FC Twente on loan for the 2024/25 campaign, and it has been another fairly frustrating year for the centre-back.

Lagerbielke did start 15 Eredivisie matches, playing more than he did for the Hoops, but was also an unused substitute in five of the club’s last six regular season games.

This shows that he has failed to nail down a regular spot as a starter in the Dutch top-flight out on loan, which does not suggest that the £3m dud is coming back to Parkhead this summer in a position to push on and fight for a place in Rodgers’ starting line-up.

The Northern Irish boss decided to go with Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Scales, and Nawrocki ahead of him in the squad this season, and Lagerbielke’s struggles abroad indicate that the manager made the right call.

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Therefore, Rodgers must, now, finally ditch the defender on a permanent basis, if there is sufficient interest from elsewhere to facilitate a deal, because he does not appear to have a bright future in Glasgow and earns more than one of the team’s biggest stars in Kuhn.

This summer presents a fresh start for Tottenham Hotspur, with Thomas Frank being appointed as the club’s new manager ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Decisions in recent weeks have led to questions being asked of the hierarchy, after Ange Postecoglou was sacked despite winning the Europa League and ending their 17-year wait for a trophy.

Such an achievement was a remarkable one, but their Premier League form, which saw them lose 22 times and finish 17th, ultimately led to the Aussie’s dismissal in North London.

However, the arrival of the former Bees boss offers a new opportunity for fresh impetus within the first-team squad, as they look to build on their recent European triumph.

Frank will undoubtedly want to make the signings he desires to make a positive impact at the club, with numerous players already touted with moves away to free up potential funds this window.

The latest on players who could depart Spurs this summer

Despite starting in the Europa League final back in May, Brazilian forward Richarlison has been touted with multiple moves away from Spurs this summer, looking to recapture his best form, which saw the club fork out £60m for his signature.

The 28-year-old has since been linked with a move to rejoin former side Everton, with Frank potentially wanting to cash in on the attacker to raise money for any future additions.

However, another deal could soon be completed to see centre-back Cristian Romero depart and move to Atlético Madrid, that’s according to one report in Spain.

They claim that the Argentine, who earns £165k-per-week, is pushing for a move to join Diego Simeone’s side, that’s despite Daniel Levy’s desire to keep the defender.

It also states that he sees the LaLiga side as a stepping stone in his career to win titles and compete at the top level on a consistent basis – following in the footsteps of another fan-favourite.

Why Romero could see a repeat of Kane’s departure

Striker Harry Kane was adored by the fanbase during his time at Spurs, rising through the ranks and cementing his place in the first-team, reaching unthinkable levels in the process.

The English international became an important back in 2014/15, a season that would set him up for huge success in North London, being a key threat in the final third for nearly a decade.

He managed to register a total of 280 goals for the Lilywhites, breaking the record for the most goals scored by a player in the club’s history, sitting second in the all-time Premier League top scorer charts.

However, after failing to win a trophy during his stint, he would move to Bayern Munich in an £82m deal back in the summer of 2023, looking to further his career and cement himself as an elite forward.

After winning the Bundesliga back in 2024/25, it’s safe to say he’s made the right call, something which may be a harsh reality for the fanbase, but such a move allowed them to bank a huge profit in the process.

However, such a situation could reoccur this summer, with Romero the latest player who could depart the club to reach the next level and compete for league titles.

The 27-year-old has been a tremendous addition for the club, featuring 124 times since making the move from Atalanta back in August 2021 – often being the spearhead at the heart of the defence.

Cristian Romero’s stats for Spurs in the Europa League final

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

90

Touches

30

Passes completed

12/13 (92%)

Tackles won

1/1 (100%)

Clearances made

10

Headed clearances

5

Defensive actions

13

Duels won

6

Stats via FotMob

Undoubtedly, losing the World Cup winner would be a huge blow for new manager Frank, but the subsequent funds raised from such a deal could allow him to make the additions he desires.

Whilst he’s only featured 26 times across all competitions this season, he’s still managed to star, keeping a clean sheet and winning the Man of the Match award in the Europa League final.

No supporter would want to lose such a talent, but ultimately the club shouldn’t stand in the way of a player who wants to depart North London, needing talents who are willing to play a part in the revival.

The next couple of weeks will be interesting for the club and Romero, with the hierarchy needing to negotiate the best deal possible if he is to depart during the off-season.

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It wasn’t the most thrilling spectacle to take in for the scattered array of Chelsea supporters watching on, but the Blues did start their Club World Cup campaign with a relatively straightforward 2-0 victory over LAFC on Monday evening.

Enzo Maresca named a very strong lineup for the clash with Steve Cherundolo’s challengers, and, for the most part, it was a smooth match for the likes of Cole Palmer – who was donning the no.10 for the first time – and Moises Caicedo, among many other strong first-team personnel.

There would have been some worries in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium that the game could peter out into a dire clash with no goals scored within the first 30 minutes. Thankfully, Pedro Neto managed to raise the excitement levels when he broke the deadlock in the 34th minute.

The game was then tied up in the second half by Enzo Fernandez popping up with a goal of his own, but away from the goalscorers stealing the limelight, there were several top performers on the night, alongside others putting in slightly more subdued displays.

Chelsea's best performers vs LAFC

The most logical place to start is with Neto’s standout showing, with his blistering solo run and tricky feet resulting in the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers winger getting Chelsea’s account underway in the competition.

Away from this sublime effort beating former Spurs captain, Hugo Lloris, Neto also fired another shot off the woodwork, with his constant livewire presence clear for all to see even more when completing a hefty five successful dribbles.

Neto wasn’t the only bright spark from Chelsea’s perspective, however, with Fernandez also sticking out in the second half when winning two duels alongside his goal. Involved in that second strike was debutant Liam Delap, who scampered down the right and delivered an inch-perfect cross for the Argentine to bury.

Starring alongside Fernandez was the ever-reliable Moises Caicedo.

He was also persistently involved in play when notching up 101 touches, but not every blue shirt trudged off at the end delighted with their efforts.

Chelsea's worst performers against LAFC

Romeo Lavia struggled to get going before Maresca hooked him off at the half-time interval, yet there was one underperformer throughout that will be worried for his Club World Cup starting spot now and his future as a regular starter at Stamford Bridge after offering very little in the Atlanta heat.

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It’s clear from the rampant transfer rumours coming out of West London that Chelsea are in the market for a new left winger figure, with Jamie Gittens one of the main targets being lined up to replace the recently departed Jadon Sancho.

After the 2-0 win over LAFC, it’s even more abundantly clear that the Blues need urgent reinforcements down the left flank, with Noni Madueke having a torrid time of things when chucked out to this unfamiliar position on the pitch.

A large portion of Chelsea supporters took to social media to voice their frustrations at Madueke’s dire showing, with the 23-year-old largely ineffective throughout when powering just one paltry on-target effort at Lloris’ goal.

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Moreover, Neto’s eye-catching trickery on the ball down the right just didn’t rub off on the out-of-sorts number 11 on the left, culminating in just one unmemorable successful dribble being registered.

Madueke’s performance in numbers

Minutes played

64

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

43

Accurate passes

25/27 (93%)

Shots

2

Possession lost

10x

Total duels won

3/7

Stats by Sofascore

On top of those already grim statistics, Madueke also gave away possession ten times, alongside only winning a disappointing 42% of his duels.

Therefore, going forward, Maresca must not continue playing Madueke down the left, with a low 5/10 match rating handed to him by Football.London’s Bobby Vincent after the match adding insult to injury.

Tyrique George is the only other option the former Leicester City boss can rely upon on the left channel, with Chelsea needing to act fast now to add someone like Gittens to their squad.

If this were in a far more pressurised contest, Madueke could have ended up costing his side dear.

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The former India opener met the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee on Tuesday

Nagraj Gollapudi18-Jun-20241:52

Is Gambhir the right fit to be India head coach?

Gautam Gambhir, the frontrunner to replace Rahul Dravid as India men’s head coach, has formally applied for the position and attended an interview on Tuesday, ESPNcricinfo has learned. Gambhir interacted with the BCCI’s cricket advisory committee (CAC), which is the panel entrusted by the BCCI to shortlist applicants.The CAC comprises former India cricketers Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape and Sulakshana Naik.It could not be confirmed how many applications the BCCI has received, but it has been learnt that WV Raman, the former India batter who was India women’s head coach from December 2018 to May 2021, has also been interviewed*.The BCCI, which had set May 27 as the deadline for applications for the post, had held informal discussions with Gambhir during IPL 2024, when he helped Kolkata Knight Riders to their third title after returning to the franchise as mentor in November 2023.The KKR job was Gambhir’s second such stint; he had been a mentor at Lucknow Super Giants during the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons, helping the team qualify for the playoffs both times.Gambhir had sought time to take a final call during the IPL, but speaking at an event in Abu Dhabi on June 1, he expressed his desire to coach India. “Look, I would love to coach the Indian team,” Gambhir said. “There is no bigger honour. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians. And more across the globe as well. And when you represent India, how can it get bigger than that?”Gautam Gambhir mentored Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title•CAB

He had been answering a question on whether he saw himself helping India win a World Cup.”How can I help India win the World Cup – I think it’s not me that will help India win the World Cup, it is 140 crore Indians that will help India win the World Cup,” Gambhir said. “If everyone starts praying for us, and we start playing and representing them, India will win the World Cup. The most important thing is to be fearless and yes, I would love to coach India.”Gambhir became the frontrunner for the job once his former India team-mate VVS Laxman told the BCCI last year that he was not interested in the head coach job. Laxman is currently the director of cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.Dravid had taken over from Ravi Shastri after the T20 World Cup in November 2021, initially signing on for two years until the 2023 ODI World Cup. He then accepted the BCCI’s request to extend his tenure until the ongoing T20 World Cup.The BCCI had said the new head coach would be appointed for for three-and-a-half years, from July 2024 to December 2027, and would helm the team in all three formats.

Having secured Champions League qualification by the skin of their teeth last season, Newcastle United are under no pressure to sell players this summer.

Of course, Eddie Howe will still have to comply with Profit and Sustainability (PSR) regulations in order to make sure the club are balancing the books this summer.

The last time Newcastle played in Europe’s premier club competition, they failed to make it out of the group stages.

Howe will be expecting a much better showing this time around, although this means simultaneously keeping his star players while adding in much-needed squad depth.

Alexander Isak has been the subject of links to Liverpool recently, following on from another wonderful campaign on Tyneside.

The Toon are not willing to let their star striker leave, never mind selling to a Premier League rival. As such, they have placed a valuation of around £150m on his head.

Whether this deters potential suitors or not remains to be seen, but the Swedish centre-forward does appear happy at the club.

He isn’t the only player attracting interest of late. Indeed, winger Anthony Gordon is another who enjoyed a productive season in 2024/25.

While Isak appears indispensable to the club’s success next term, could Gordon be allowed to leave if the right offer comes in?

The latest on Anthony Gordon's future at Newcastle

The English starlet has emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in the Premier League after a few impressive seasons at Newcastle.

Liverpool showed interest last summer, but nothing materialised. Could Arne Slot return this year and finally secure his signature?

Any move may cost around £75m as both Chelsea and Arsenal have joined the Anfield side in declaring their interest in the former Everton sensation.

Last season, Gordon registered 16 goal contributions – nine goals and seven assists – in all competitions for the Magpies.

While he didn’t play in the League Cup final, the winger scored twice on the club’s road to the trophy, and his efforts in the Premier League sealed a top-five finish for the Toon.

Anthony Gordon’s Newcastle stats in 2024/25 (PL only)

Goals

6

Assists

5

Big chances created

6

Key passes per game

1.5

Successful dribbles per game

1.1

Shots per game

1.7

Via Sofascore

When compared to his positional peers in the top flight last season, Gordon ranked in the top 7% for crosses into the penalty area (0.63) per 90 and in the top 5% for fouls drawn (2.63) per 90, proving how much of a menace he is down the flanks.

It is perhaps no wonder that so many clubs are keen on signing the Englishman, especially as he isn’t even the finished article yet.

Will Howe be prepared to accept an offer worth around £75m for the player? Especially as it could fund a few potential signings this summer?

That much remains to be seen, but if so, the club will need to spend in order to sign an able replacement. That’s for sure.

It appears as though Howe has already targeted a youngster who could potentially fill the void left by Gordon. Should he depart Newcastle, that is.

Newcastle eye move for French sensation

Howe has been working hard on trying to make something happen this summer in terms of incoming signings.

Players such as Jadon Sancho, Marc Guehi, and even Marc-Andre Ter Stegen have all been linked with moves to Newcastle in recent weeks.

All three would be excellent signings, without a shadow of a doubt, but the lack of progress is slightly worrying.

Now, according to ESPN, Newcastle are one of the clubs lining up a deal for Lyon starlet Malick Fofana this summer, although they face some stiff competition from the likes of Chelsea, Everton, Brighton, and Fulham for his signature.

As per the report, Fofana could cost around £45m, which, for a player of his age and lack of experience, is an astronomical amount. His ceiling for development is massive, however, which could entice Howe into making a swoop for the 20-year-old, especially if Gordon goes.

Fofana is a right-footed winger who likes to play on the left, and he would be the perfect replacement for the Englishman.

Why Newcastle must sign Malick Fofana

The youngster has already made his senior debut for Belgium after what was a breakthrough season with Lyon in 2024/25.

Indeed, across 41 games in all competitions for the French side, he scored 11 goals and grabbed a further six assists, showcasing his ‘explosive’ skillset, as it was labelled by Astorre Cerebróne of Breaking the Lines.

It was in the Europa League where the talented winger really demonstrated his talents. Not only did he record an impressive eight goal contributions in the competition, but he shone in a range of metrics.

When compared to his positional peers, he ranked in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (1.05) per 90, while also ranking in the top 1% for touches in the opposition penalty area (8.23) and for progressive carries (7.88) per 90 in the tournament.

This certainly proves that he loves taking on defenders regularly, while taking the ball into dangerous zones during matches.

His eye for goal could also be advantageous for Howe, who would look for a goalscoring winger to replace Gordon. Fofana is only going to get better, too, that’s for sure.

Fofana was hailed by U23 scout Antonio Mango for his “game-changing potential” late last year and certainly showcased his talents for Lyon throughout 2024/25.

He even starred in Ligue 1 for the French side. The youngster created six big chances and succeeded with 0.8 dribbles per game.

There is no doubt that he is ready to take the next step. After shining in the Europa League, could the Champions League be the platform for him to continue his development?

Howe must think so, and while a fee of £45m is big, especially given his lack of experience on the biggest stage, he must think of the long-term future.

Fofana could be a player who eventually brings the club a major profit a few years down the line, which will go a long way in his thinking, given his impressive form for Lyon, which suggests that he could be a brilliant replacement for Gordon.

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