All posts by z3u9t.icu

Sunderland will go into tonight's clash against Leeds United at Elland Road very much as the underdogs, even with Daniel Farke's Whites losing on the road to Coventry City 2-1 last time out.

The Black Cats are in far more rocky form than the promotion-chasing hosts, with the Wearside outfit only picking up just one win from their last ten Championship encounters. Of those ten underwhelming matches, seven have ended in the all-too-familiar feeling of defeat for Sunderland.

Yet, they could still pull off a shock result in West Yorkshire if they play on Leeds' nerves near the top end of the division and go for the game without any fear of their own creeping in.

Leo Hjelde could find himself out of Dodds' XI for the trip up to play Leeds regardless of his added motivation to beat the hosts having played for them up until January, with the new recruit wobbling last time out against Bristol City.

Leo Hjelde's performance vs Bristol City in numbers

Although Sunderland would manage to pick up a clean sheet and a share of the points against the Robins, which was much-needed after the humiliating 5-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers prior, the Norwegian defender still struggled for large patches of the 0-0 contest.

Hjelde would fail to win a single duel in the stalemate versus Liam Manning's men, on top of losing possession a total of 11 times that could have been costly on another day if the away side had their shooting boots on.

In contrast, Trai Hume – playing on the opposite flank at right-back – would win seven duels and amass 95 touches of the ball as a constant threat from out wide.

Minutes played

66

Touches

44

Duels won

0/3

Accurate passes

25/32

Possession lost

11x

Managing just 44 touches when compared to Hume's impressive numbers, Hjelde's poor performance saw him receive a 5/10 rating from Roker Report journalist Andy Tomlinson who stated that the ex-Leeds man 'switched off' a couple of times in the game.

Dodds will need all of his players focused and ready for the mammoth task of upsetting Leeds on their own patch, with Aji Alese pushing for just his fourth Championship appearance of the season after impressing off the bench when replacing Hjelde last time out.

Aji Alese as Hjelde's replacement

Troubled with significant injury issues for the majority of this season, the former West Ham United youth product is very much in the reckoning for a start tonight after a standout cameo against the Robins.

From just 24 minutes of action, the injury-prone 23-year-old would win four duels and put in two tackles as a far more lively and energetic presence than Hjelde.

Putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract at the Stadium of Light recently too, Alese will just pray that his extensive layoffs in the Sunderland treatment room are over and done with and he can impress again in the first-team fold regularly.

Making 20 appearances in the second tier last season – with ex-Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray singling out the ex-Hammers defender as "amazing" when battling to be fit for a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at the start of last year – Alese will feel he can make that left-back spot his own again in the weeks to come if he can play a big role in Sunderland shocking Leeds at Elland Road tonight.

Sunderland will be very much expected to roll over for Leeds to return to winning ways, but with the twists and turns the Championship can offer up, the Black Cats could fancy unsettling the hosts further.

Sunderland star who made 6 key passes was better than Bellingham v Bristol

Sunderland were desperately unlucky to only draw versus Bristol City, with this star standing out.

ByKelan Sarson Apr 7, 2024

Leeds United have the opportunity to move into the top two in the Championship when they take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Monday night.

Ipswich Town were not in action over the weekend, as their clash with Coventry City was postponed due to their involvement in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and this means that the Whites have the chance to leapfrog the Tractor Boys for now.

A win against Boro would put them on 90 points, one point ahead of Kieran McKenna's side, and pile the pressure on their rivals to make the most of their game in hand.

The Whites head into this clash with Michael Carrick's men off the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road last time out in the league, with Sammie Szmodics scoring the only goal of the game in the second half.

Daniel Farke may now look to make some alterations to his starting XI from that loss in order to freshen his team up and attempt to return to winning ways.

With that in mind, here is FFC's predicted Leeds lineup to take to the field on Teeside against Middlesbrough in the Monday night Championship clash…

1 Illan Meslier

Starting off in goal, Illan Meslier should keep his place between the sticks as he has been the manager's first-choice option throughout the season.

There was little the French shot-stopper could have done to stop Szmodics' clinical finish from inside the box against Blackburn last time out, and should start against Boro.

2 Archie Gray

Archie Gray, who started in central midfield against Rovers, could be moved back to right-back for this match in order to make room for another player to return to the XI in the middle of the park.

The 18-year-old starlet was crowned Championship Young Player of the Year last weekend and could play in the position that he has nailed down the majority of the campaign.

This would see Connor Roberts, who made one tackle and created one chance in 67 minutes against Blackburn, drop down to the bench for this clash, as he has been ruled out of the game – and the upcoming clash with QPR – through injury.

3 Joe Rodon

To the left of Gray, Joe Rodon should retain his place at the heart of the back four for Leeds, as the Tottenham Hotspur loanee has been superb throughout the season.

The Wales international has dominated opposition attackers on a regular basis in the Championship for the Whites, with a duel success rate of 66%.

4 Ethan Ampadu

Pascal Struijk has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with a groin injury and this means that defensive midfielder Ethan Ampadu looks set to continue at centre-back.

The Welsh battler has made more Championship interceptions per game (1.4) than any other player in the squad this season, which speaks to how well the former Chelsea man reads the game and breaks up opposition attacks.

5 Junior Firpo

Junior Firpo is the manager's only natural option at left-back and should lineup once again. Sam Byram, who is naturally right-footed, could be deployed in this role, but the ex-Barcelona man offers a creative outlet down the flank.

He has registered five assists and created an eye-catching 11 'big chances' in 23 appearances and 16 starts in the Championship for Leeds so far this season.

6 Glen Kamara

At the base of the midfield, Gray could move to right-back to make space for Glen Kamara to return to the starting XI after being an unused substitute against Blackburn.

The Finland international, who was described as being made of "iron" by ex-boss Neil McCann, could have extra motivation to put in a strong performance after being dropped for the clash with Blackburn.

In the Championship this season, the summer signing from Scottish giants Rangers has completed 93% of his attempted passes and won 58% of his duels across 34 appearances.

7 Ilia Gruev

Ilia Gruev could start alongside the former Arsenal academy graduate in the middle of the park after he won 100% (3/3) of his duels in the defeat to Blackburn.

The Bulgaria international has completed 92% of his attempted passes in the Championship this season, which shows that he has the quality to be a reliable operator in possession for Leeds.

8 Wilfried Gnonto

On the right of the attack, Wilfried Gnonto should keep his place in the starting XI ahead of Dan James after his fantastic performance last time out.

The Italy U21 international made five key passes and created two 'big chances' against Rovers, only for his teammates to fail to make the most of the those high-quality opportunities in front of goal.

9 Georginio Rutter

In the attacking midfield position, Georginio Rutter could be selected once again by Farke despite a recent dip in form in terms of goals and assists.

The 22-year-old magician has failed to register a single goal or assist in the last five league matches but has created 22 'big chances' in 41 league starts this season, and the head coach may hope that the Frenchman bounces back to form on Monday night.

10 Crysencio Summerville

The Championship Player of the Season should be selected to play on the left wing in the hope that he extends his impressive record in the division.

Crysencio Summerville has plundered 17 goals and eight assists in 40 league matches for Leeds, and his attacking quality could be key during the last few games of the campaign as the Whites look to fire themselves back to the Premier League.

The wheels may be coming off ever so slightly for Tottenham Hotspur at the moment, with four defeats on the bounce, but the overall feeling around the club is far more positive than it was just a year ago, thanks to Ange Postecoglou's progressive management.

The Australian manager has harkened back to the aesthetically pleasing style of football played under Mauricio Pochettino in N17 but pushed his players to be even more forward-thinking on the pitch.

The results haven't necessarily come, but considering how negative the team were under Antonio Conte just last season, it's impressive to see how much the 58-year-old has already changed them.

That said, the transition to a more dynamic style of football was made easier thanks to the club finally getting rid of several players, such as Davinson Sanchez, who had clearly been around too long.

Davinson Sánchez's time at Spurs

Sanchez joined Pochettino's Lilywhites in the summer of 2017 after an impressive year playing for Dutch giants Ajax, where he made 47 appearances, scored seven goals, provided two assists and made it to the Europa League final.

Upon arriving in the capital, there was an understandable level of excitement considering his previous displays in Amsterdam, so he made his full debut for the club in just the fourth Premier League game of the season – a 3-0 away win against Everton.

In his first year at the club, the Caloto-born centre-back would make 41 appearances across all competitions, but unlike his time in the Netherlands, he failed to score a goal or provide an assist.

Unfortunately for all involved, the following five seasons would get progressively worse for the 58-capped international as the club would go from genuinely challenging for major honours to languishing in midtable and conceding a whopping 63 goals in his final campaign.

While it certainly wasn't all Sanchez's fault, he received a lot of criticism for his less-than-stellar performances. At the start of last season, pundit and former professional Jamie O'Hara labelled him "one of the worst players I've ever seen", and by the end of the campaign, he was describing him as "deadwood" – tell us how you really feel, Jamie.

Appearances

207

Goals

5

Assists

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.02

Overall, it was a move that failed on all accounts, and after making 207 appearances for the club, in which he scored five goals and provided one assist, he was finally sold to Galatasaray last summer after draining Spurs of millions of pounds.

The finances of Sanchez's Tottenham career

Due to his impressive displays for Ajax and the hype building around him at the time, Tottenham paid a staggering £42m to bring him to North London in 2017, making him the club's new record signing. To make matters worse, the then-21-year-old was handed a rather sizable wage of £65k-per-week.

What makes it all the more remarkable is the fact that recent centre-back signing Micky van de Ven, who has been winning plaudits all over thanks to his breakneck speed and defensive acumen, is currently earning £50k-per-week, or £15k less than the Colombian did, despite clearly being the better defender.

So, when adding his wages and transfer fee together, Sanchez ended up costing Spurs a whopping £62.4m, which breaks down to around £301k-per-appaearance, £12.4m-per-goal, or £62.4m-per-assist.

Transfer Fee

£42m

Wages (Total)

£65k (£20.4m)

Appearances

207

Cost per Appearance

£301k

Goals

5

Cost per Goal

£12.4m

Assists

1

Cost per Assist

£62.4m

Goal Involvements

6

Cost per Goal Involvement

£10.4m

At the end of the day, while he isn't the worst player to have played for Tottenham in recent years, Sanchez has to be considered among some of the worst transfers in the club's history due to the sheer amount of money that went to waste.

Ange must ruthlessly ditch Spurs ace who earns more than Kulu & Van de Ven

Tottenham need to use the summer transfer window wisely to overcome present difficulties.

ByAngus Sinclair May 3, 2024

Glasgow Rangers face a busy summer at Ibrox which will be filled with plenty of incomings and outgoings as Philippe Clement aims to assert his own influence on the side.

The Belgian inherited a mixed bad of a squad from Michael Beale and while he has worked wonders with this group of players, recent weeks have begun to expose the Glasgow side's fragilities.

This means a clear-out is required, especially as several of the senior players have failed to really cover themselves in glory since returning from the international break at the end of March.

John Lundstram hasn’t exactly been at his best as it appears he has eyes on a move away from Ibrox when his contract expires this summer, while James Tavernier hasn’t been the leader that Rangers have needed when the going got tough against Ross County and Dundee.

Tavernier will likely still be the captain next season, with Lundstram moving on to pastures new, but is it perhaps the future of Connor Goldson which is most debatable?

Why it could be the right time to sell Connor Goldson

The Englishman has been a rock at the heart of the Ibrox defence for over five years now, being reliable even among the worst injury crisis at the club.

This season, however, his form hasn’t quite been as good as in previous seasons. Could this be the beginning of his decline as a footballer?

He remained the first-choice centre-back during the early stages of the season under Beale, but the Light Blues suffered three Premiership defeats in their opening seven fixtures, making a title challenge seemingly impossible after just a few months.

Things began to turn under Clement as the 50-year-old coach steadied the ship, which saw the Gers grind out some vital results.

Goldson was still arguably the first name on the team sheet for the new boss, but his performances, particularly in recent weeks, have lacked some degree of leadership, with the odd mistake or two cropping into his game.

The defender has two years left on his contract, suggesting that this summer could be the ideal chance to move him on for a decent transfer fee.

Not only would this allow Clement to sell when it is clear he is approaching the final few years of his career, but it could also give him the licence to bring in someone much younger with a higher resale value. This, in turn, establishes a proper player trading programme at the club.

Additionally, the manager would also be freeing up a large chunk of the wage bill, as Goldson is currently the highest earner in the first team squad, earning £7k more per week than the next highest earner.

Connor Goldson's wage at Rangers

The 31-year-old defender is currently earning £37k-per-week at Rangers, with Tavernier trailing him in second place, earning £30k-per-week.

Of course, these salaries are the two highest in the squad, but one player has constantly delivered throughout the 2023/24 campaign, while the other one has not.

Metric

2022/23

2023/24

Accurate passes per game

69.4 (89%)

60.1 (86%)

Total duels won per game

5.4

6.1

Possession lost per game

9.5

10.8

Accurate long balls per game

5.5

5.6

Interceptions per game

0.8

0.3

Tavernier has enjoyed the greatest goalscoring season of his career to date, finding the back of the net on 24 occasions across all competitions. With four matches remaining, all he needs is six goals to hit 30 goals in a single campaign.

For a right-back, these numbers are simply incredible. While many will debate that many of his goals come from penalties and free kicks, the fact that he keeps getting into scoring positions while bursting up and down the right flank makes him one of the most dangerous attacking players in the starting XI.

Tavernier’s numbers are certainly irreplaceable. Could Goldson say the same, especially with his performances recently?

Connor Goldson’s statistics this season

Since the start of the campaign, Goldson has earned nearly £2m in wages. Judging by his experience, his presence in the heart of the defence was supposed to give Clement peace of mind, yet the opposite was true.

It was a far cry from the days under Steven Gerrard, with the former Liverpool icon praising Goldson during his first few months at Ibrox, saying:

"He is a leader and a huge player for us," said Gerrard. "He has been superb on and off the pitch, ever since the day he rolled in.”

With over 300 competitive appearances under his belt, his ability to command the backline should have been crucial in Rangers securing wins over Ross County and Dundee last month, yet the Gers took just one point from six.

Goldson and John Souttar were poor throughout as the Highland side scored three goals without reply in what was a display of schoolboy defending.

He completed just 73% of his attempted passes during the 3-2 defeat, along with delivering just four of his ten long ball attempts, proving that his distribution was extremely poor.

If this was a poor display, then his showing against Celtic the week prior was even worse. Again, his distribution from the heart of defence was dismal, finishing the game with an 80% pass success rate while succeeding with just five accurate long balls from 15 attempts, along with losing the ball 14 times.

He should have been in a better position to prevent Adam Idah from scoring Celtic’s third goal and was spared his blushes as Rabbi Matondo scored a sensational equaliser with minutes to go.

These are not isolated incidents. Goldson has been caught out with balls over the top in matches against Aberdeen, most notably the 1-1 draw in November, and the 2-1 win at Ibrox a few months later, with both of the Dons’ goals coming via his mistakes.

The defender will be 32 in December and while centre-backs tend to have a slightly longer playing career, after six years, it could very well be his final season at Ibrox – with rumours rife that Gerrard is seeking a reunion with the experienced figure in Saudi Arabia.

Philippe Clement confirms major Rangers injury setback in title race

The Gers boss admits that it is a “big blow”.

ByHenry Jackson May 4, 2024

Goldson will miss the remaining few matches due to injury, but if Clement receives a decent offer for the Englishman this summer, he should grab it with both hands.

West Ham United have yet to announce Julen Lopetegui as David Moyes' successor but the Spanish manager's arrival is a formality at this stage, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the deal.

It is likely that West Ham have refrained from releasing an official announcement in the build-up to Sunday's culminating Premier League fixture away to Manchester City, which will see Moyes wave goodbye to the Irons following his trophy-winning tenure.

For his part, Lopetegui has already discussed summer transfer plans and the like with Hammers directors Tim Steidten and Mark Noble, and while several outgoings are to be expected, the pursuit of new players is well and truly underway.

West Ham eyeing new striker

Signing a striker was always going to be a priority at the London Stadium this summer. Danny Ings has failed to impress and has been transfer-listed for just £6.5m, while veteran Michail Antonio is out of contract in one month.

As such, a host of potentials have been linked, with Brentford's Ivan Toney the highest-profile name. However, there's a remote chance of that one happening with no European football next year and Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also known suitors.

As such, there might be weight to rumours that West Ham are interested in signing S.C. Brage centre-forward Simon Banza, who – according to Calciomercato – is on the club's radar heading into the off-season.

Banza's Portuguese outfit have placed a €40m (£34m) price tag on his signature, which is steep, but he's proving himself to be a menacing striker with a deadly eye for goal.

Why Simon Banza is perfect for West Ham

Antonio is a singular threat in that he's not the most clinical of goalscorers but his brutish bearing on the pitch provides West Ham with an imposing and effective focal point. He has been described as a "monster" by journalist Paul Brown.

A ferocious vessel, he ranks among the top 14% of centre-forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 13% for successful take-ons per 90 – as per FBref – despite approaching his professional twilight at 34 years old.

Why is this being discussed? Well, Banza's skill set would make him a suitable replacement for a forward such as Antonio while bringing a sharpened finishing ability too.

He's playing at an inferior level than that of England's top flight but Banza has been hailed for his "magnificent" performances by Braga official Alexandre Carvalho, having been surpassed only by Sporting Lisbon's red-hot sensation Viktor Gyokeres in the scoring charts.

1.

Viktor Gyökeres

32

27

105

2.

Simon Banza

27

21

95

3.

Rafa Mújica

30

20

127

4.

Jhonder Cádiz

29

15

149

4.

Samuel Essende

31

15

178

Boasting the best minute-per-goal rate of any player in Portugal's top flight this season, Banza, 27 years old, has showcased his predatory ability wonderfully, taking 3.3 shots per game and only missing 13 big chances, as per Sofascore.

Antonio, in comparison, has scored six Premier League goals from 25 league fixtures in 2023/24, missing as many big chances. This is not a bad return but highlights the improvement that could be made by welcoming Banza to the fold.

The eight-cap Democratic Republic of Congo international failed to score during his outfit's Champions League campaign this season but he did provide an assist against Real Madrid during a 2-1 group phase defeat at the Braga Municipal Stadium, then scoring in both legs of his side's Europa League final 32 loss against Qarabag.

Banza's return of 23 goals from only 30 starting appearances in all competitions this season suggests that he has what it takes to succeed at an ambitious club such as West Ham, especially given that he would be supplied with creative support by the likes of Jarrod Bowen, James Ward-Prowse and the replacement for Lucas Paqueta, who is expected to leave the club this summer.

Further supporting his case, the towering 6 foot 2 striker has actually outfired West Ham's top scorer – Bowen – this season. The Three Lions ace has bagged 20 goals from 44 fixtures and has been dubbed "unplayable" by Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

Banza too offers skills that would be hard to repel for defenders on Premier League soil, with one scout report stating: 'Banza is one of the most difficult strikers to defend in Portugal due to his tall frame, movement, and strength – he always looks to target opposition defenders and wreak havoc – and despite his 6 ft 2 frame, he is surprisingly mobile in his style of play, acting often as a brilliant facilitator.'

But, of course, it is his stunning rate of scoring that may yet win Lopetegui and co over, ranking among the top 1% of forwards across divisions similar to the Portuguese Primeira Liga for goals scored and the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.

The tough, tenacious forward might just prove himself to be the perfect successor to Antonio's place in the West Ham squad, and while it would be something of a risk for Lopetegui's early-stage project, Banza has demonstrated himself to be a natural finisher and he would raise his game, surrounded by high-level peers such as Bowen.

£50k-p/w West Ham man to follow Moyes out exit door after losing his place

He could be on his way out alongside the manager who signed him.

ByBen Browning May 13, 2024

Despite being in a clear rush to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea seem to be conducting the recruitment process at a leisurely pace.

The Blues finished the season sixth in the Premier League, but instead of playing in the Europa League, they’ve dropped down into the Conference League after Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph.

Therefore, the new manager may have a slightly better chance of discovering his full squad next season, but who’ll be in charge remains to be heard.

Enzo Maresca, Roberto De Zerbi, and even Thomas Frank have been linked, but it’s Kieran McKenna who could just be the best option for Todd Boehly’s rebuild.

So, how could a McKenna Chelsea side look, and are there any particular signings who would prove to be useful under the Ipswich boss?

Chelsea looking to sign creative midfielder

According to reports from the Express, Chelsea are interested in signing Georgiy Sudakov.

The midfielder currently plays for Shakhtar Donetsk, where he’s regarded as one of their most important players.

It’s reported that Chelsea have held talks regarding the prospect of signing the Ukrainian; however, a huge fee is expected to be demanded by his club.

Furthermore, the Blues will face competition from a handful of Premier League teams, including Tottenham Hotspur, which may make any potential deal slightly more difficult.

Why Sudakov would thrive under McKenna

Despite starring for Shakhtar all season, Sudakov’s attention will now turn towards the European Championship this summer, where he will look to lead Ukraine to glory.

At just 21 years old, the talented midfielder has already taken on plenty of responsibility at the Ukrainian champions, even without wearing the armband.

Across all competitions this season, the number ten has made 34 appearances, scoring ten goals and providing six assists, operating as an attacking midfielder in 31 of those outings.

This means that if Chelsea do decide to sign Sudakov, their long-term plan is to either deploy Cole Palmer on the right wing or make the target backup to their top goalscorer and assist maker in a central role.

Touches

61.7

55.7

Successful dribbles

1

1.5

Key passes

1.7

2.1

Shots

1.7

3.2

Balls recovered

4.2

3.1

Duels won

3.7

3

Fouls won

1.8

0.8

Nevertheless, as you can see from Sudakov’s average statistics in the Champions League this season, he can hold his own against the very best in an average side.

It’s instantly clear that he’s a technical genius who has the ability to create, notably making 1.7 key passes a match, but he also has the work rate off the ball to make a difference, recovering a high number of balls.

The above profile is arguably very similar to Conor Chaplin of Ipswich Town, who starred in the number-ten role under McKenna, scoring 13 goals and providing eight assists in the Championship.

The 38-year-old coach likes to give his attacking midfielder the positional freedom to impact the game via instinct, and given the Ukraine international has “superb vision” and is “highly technical and creative," as per football scout Jacek Kulig, he’d thrive in a McKenna 4-2-3-1 setup.

Sudakov has also proven that he’s extremely dangerous when operating in tight spaces, boasting 3.6 dribbles per game in the Ukrainian top flight – far more than Palmer's 1.5 – and given that he would operate in central zones within McKenna’s back three in-possession system, all of his strengths would flourish.

Analyst Ben Mattinson once suggested that should the Shakhtar star be surrounded by more outlets around him – something he'd no doubt find at Chelsea and with McKenna – his "output will skyrocket."

As a result, this is a signing that makes a lot of sense for all parties.

Chelsea in talks for “incredible” Poch heir who’d make Enzo world-class

The Chelsea manager target went unbeaten against Kieran McKenna this season.

ByTom Lever May 24, 2024

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is personally eyeing a £90 million Barcelona duo, with his transfer plans starting to take shape ahead of the summer.

Signings Chelsea could make for Maresca this summer

The window's opening on June 14 is fast approaching, and reports suggest that Maresca is set to be backed by Chelsea chiefs, following his appointment to replace Mauricio Pochettino before next season.

Maresca wants to make £75,000-per-week ace the heartbeat of Chelsea's team

The Italian has already got his preferred players in mind.

ByEmilio Galantini May 29, 2024

Chelsea have made an offer to Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo as one potential option to bolster Maresca's backline, with the Englishman out of contract at the end of next month and able to sign for the Blues on a free deal.

Meanwhile, it remains the case that co-Chelsea sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are targeting a prolific new striker as well. Indeed, reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea could make five signings for Maresca when the window reopens.

"They like his ideas and believe he’s a very positive coach – a dynamic, modern, young manager obsessed with possession football to control a game," said Romano on Chelsea's appointment of Maresca (via his Dailybriefing).

Games managed

53

Wins

36

Draws

4

Losses

13

Points per match on average

2.11

"I said last week when Chelsea were considering firing Mauricio Pochettino that this was the kind of manager they wanted, and here he is. And remember – it will be a busy summer for Chelsea, with around five signings, maybe less, maybe more, but for sure they are looking at goalkeepers, maybe or one or two centre-backs, and they’re also looking at central strikers and wingers. Chelsea will be busy, and Maresca will be involved.

"Of course, one signing is already agreed and that’s for talented Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian – everything is being reviewed and signed for this big signing for the future, who will join in 2025 from Palmeiras."

Some reports have claimed that La Liga could be a fruitful talent pool for Stamford Bridge chiefs, and specifically Barcelona. Chelsea are targeting centre-back Ronald Araujo as one example, with the likes of Jules Kounde and Raphinha also linked.

Kounde is thought to command a £43 million price tag, while Raphinha could leave Barcelona for around £47 million. The £90 million duo, as per reports in Spain, are now on Maresca's personal radar.

Maresca personally wants Kounde and Raphinha at Chelsea

A Spanish report this week claims Maresca wants both Kounde and Raphinha at Chelsea, as he identifies his summer targets behind the scenes. The former Man City backroom staff member is apparently set to make "significant" demands, with Maresca looking to reshape Pochettino's squad in his own image.

Raphinha bagged nine goals and 11 assists across his appearances in La Liga and the Champions League last season, with 25-year-old France international Kounde starting 32 Spanish top-flight matches as a mainstay under Xavi.

Ipswich Town won't just be targeting flashy additions ahead of their voyage into the Premier League, with a focus on adding in future talents also on the agenda at Portman Road.

Kieran McKenna will be content with the main components of his squad currently, knowing that the back-to-back promotions that were achieved was due to having a tight-knit group moving up to League One and then the Championship, but that doesn't mean the Tractor Boys won't seal some incomings soon.

One potential incoming won't instantly break into the first-team, considering Ipswich are entering into an almighty tough season ahead as underdogs in the elite division, but he could end up being a Wes Burns repeat, who joined from lowly Fleetwood Town in 2021 and is now a key first-team performer.

Ipswich looking at exciting non-league starlet

According to a report by football journalist Graeme Bailey, Ipswich, alongside a whole host of other clubs up and down the English leagues, are eyeing up 18-year-old centre-back George Nevett from Rochdale this summer.

Crystal Palace and Southampton have allegedly been looking at Nevitt since January, according to Bailey, whilst the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall and Peterborough United are also keeping tabs on the Dale youngster.

Calm on the ball when playing out from the back for the National League side this season just gone, as can be seen in the video above, Nevett would go on to amass 34 league appearances.

It would still be a gigantic leap up for Nevett if Ipswich were successful in winning his services, however, considering this was his first full senior campaign.

Yet, Burns was playing at the same level for Forest Green once upon a time, with the Welsh winger now immortalised into the Ipswich hall-of-fame after bagging versus Huddersfield Town on the final day of the campaign, in a match that saw automatic promotion be clinched.

His compatriot in Nevett would be some way off becoming a hero in the first-team ranks if he does join, but he will take inspiration from Burns' ascent, as well as looking at Luke Woolfenden's rise, who was once a youngster learning the ropes at Portman Road himself before becoming a promotion-winner.

Why Nevett can look at Woolfenden for inspiration

Woolfenden is a story of perseverance paying off, with the 25-year-old very much contemplating an exit from his hometown club before McKenna's arrival on the scene, having found his first team opportunities limited.

It was a breakneck start to his senior career, making his Championship debut when just one year older than Nevett for the Tractor Boys back in 2018, before opportunities began to dry up in the first-team mix.

Season

Games played

Goals

Assists

23/24

42

1

1

22/23

47

2

1

21/22

38

0

0

20/21

28

1

0

19/20

36

1

2

18/19

1

0

0

17/18

4

0

0

Making a combined 89 appearances over the last two campaigns in all competitions, with McKenna at the helm, Woolfenden will hope he's still a vital name on the team sheet for the move up to the Premier League, having worked hard to get to this point.

Nevett will strive to be as patient if he ends up leaving the comforts of Dale behind for Suffolk soon, having been tipped to go "right to the top" by football analyst Tom Williams, when being linked with a switch to Oliver Glasner's Eagles back in January – having also been lauded as a "highly-rated" by journalist Pete O'Rourke.

This could end up being a major transfer battle, as Nevett weighs up whether a move to the Premier League early into his fledging career would be beneficial, or a switch that could be detrimental to the teenager.

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Leeds United failed to earn promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking last season and will now have to prepare for a second year in the Championship.

The Whites lost 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley last month and their failure to return to the top-flight could result in some of their top talents moving on from Elland Road this summer.

Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion have reportedly been in contact over a deal to sign Daniel Farke's star forward Crysencio Summerville and it has been claimed that Italian winger Wilfried Gnonto is pushing for a move back to Italy ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Leeds could dip into the summer transfer window to source replacements for any key players who depart and they are reportedly keen on a forward who could be developed into Summerville 2.0.

Leeds eyeing swoop for teen sensation

According to GhanaSoccerNet, the West Yorkshire side are one of a number of teams interested in a deal to sign Sodndal winger Edmund Baidoo.

The report claims that the Whites are in the mix to land the 18-year-old starlet's signature as they are pursuing a swoop for the talented youngster.

It states that Brighton, who are also interested in Summerville, have made contact with the player and his agents ahead of a potential move to England.

Alongside Leeds and the Seagulls, Scottish giants Celtic and Belgian outfit Club Brugge are also keen on the right-sided attacker, which shows that there is plenty of competition for his signature.

Why Edmund Baidoo could be Crysencio Summerville 2.0

Farke could unearth Summerville 2.0 with Baidoo as the young winger appears to be an impressive prospect with the potential to offer a big threat as a scorer and a creator of goals.

Leeds signed the Dutchman when he was 18, the same age the Ghana-born star is now, in the summer of 2020 and it took him until the 2023/24 campaign to fully showcase his powers in the final third.

Appearances

43

Goals

19

Assists

9

Big chances created

17

Dribbles completed per game

2.3

As you can see in the table above, the former Feyenoord starlet was directly involved in 28 goals in 43 league games – one goal involvement every 1.54 matches on average.

Meanwhile, Baidoo has racked up an eye-catching eight goals and six assists in 17 appearances in all competitions for the Norwegian second-tier outfit in 2024.

The 18-year-old ace, who was hailed as "in-form" by GhanaSoccerNet founder Sannie Daara, has averaged a direct goal contribution every 1.21 outings on average with 14 in 17.

In the Norwegian 1st Division (second-tier) this year, Baidoo has also averaged a staggering 4.9 completed dribbles per game with a success rate of 68%, which speaks to how direct and front-footed he is.

These statistics suggest that the potential is there for him to be Summerville-esque for Leeds if he can translate that form, or at least some of it, over to English football over the years to come due to his ability to score and assist goals consistently, albeit there is no guarantee that will happen.

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Therefore, the young sensation could come in as a long-term replacement for the Dutch whiz and be an exciting talent for Farke to work with at Thorp Arch.

While Newcastle United have already shored up their defence with the shrewd signing of Lloyd Kelly this summer, welcomed on a free transfer after his contract expired with Bournemouth, Eddie Howe is hoping to bolster further at the back.

The Magpies were flying high during the 2022/23 campaign, incredibly recording a fourth-place finish in the Premier League before a deluge of injuries battered the squad last term. Newcastle fought valiantly but failed to make it out of their Champions League group, finishing eighth in the top flight moreover.

Howe will be confident that his team will reach loftier heights once again after a summer of purposeful, impactful spending, with an exciting name being considered after Kelly's arrival.

Newcastle eyeing another defender

Last week, Corriere di Bologna – via Sport Witness – revealed that Chelsea and Newcastle had joined Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Riccardo Calafiori, currently starring at Euro 2024 with Italy.

Bologna qualified for the Champions League last season but have lost manager Thiago Motta to Juventus, and now Calafiori could follow suit but head toward the Premier League.

Valued at €40m (£34m) by the Serie A outfit, the versatile defender would be the ideal addition to complete Newcastle's backline.

Why Riccardo Calafiori would be perfect for Newcastle

Newcastle might have welcomed Kelly to the fold but their defensive issues run a bit deeper. Veteran Paul Dummett's contract has expired and, most importantly, Sven Botman's rotten luck continues.

The Dutchman, signed from Lille for around £35m in July 2022, enjoyed an imperious debut campaign in England but started only 15 times in the Premier League as he spent much of last autumn recuperating from a knee injury before rupturing his ACL in March, set for nine months on the sidelines that may well see him return after the new year.

Calafiori, like Botman and like Kelly, is left-footed. The Bologna star is comfortable at left-back but plays the lion's share of his football at centre-back, having been described as an "aerial monster" by analyst Ben Mattinson.

In Serie A last season, as per Sofascore, the 22-year-old featured 30 times and kept ten clean sheets, completing 90% of his passes and averaging 1.7 tackles, 2.5 clearances and 0.6 key passes per game.

The complete package? It certainly looks that way. As per FBref, Calafiori ranks among the top 1% of central defenders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 3% for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for successful take-ons and the top 4% for interceptions per 90.

His first performance at the Euros, against Albania, and then his third versus Croatia where he popped up with a vital assist (video above), also serves to show why the Italian is such a sought-after player right now, producing some all-encompassing, seat-raising performances from the back.

Taking an obscene amount of touches and driving forward whenever he could in that clash with Albania, the 6 foot 1 titan offers so much to the fluency and fizz of his team.

Minutes played

90'

Touches

117

Accurate passes

99/106 (93%)

Key passes

1

Long balls

2/4

Dribble attempts

2/2

Tackles

1

Clearances

3

Front-footed and assured in his style and its success, Calafiori would make a real difference to Howe's team, influencing the progressive play from deep and perhaps even providing Bruno Guimaraes with the perfect partner from the rearguard.

Guimaraes needs no introduction, having cemented himself as one of the Premier League's finest midfielders since his advent in 2022. Utterly mesmeric in his all-including style of play, the Brazilian would benefit greatly from such a creative, front-thinking central defender.

Calafiori's willingness to drive the ball forward would play right into Guimaraes' hands. The 26-year-old Toon ace covers immense stretches of ground in the middle of the field, averaged 1.9 dribbles, 7.7 successful duels and 6.4 ball recoveries per Premier League game last term.

He also notched 15 goal contributions across his 37 appearances, so he'd definitely be a grateful recipient of Calafiori's uniquely creative passing, borne from a ball-carrying proclivity.

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