One of Everton’s busiest transfer windows in recent seasons came in the summer of 2022, when Frank Lampard was manager. The Toffees signed six players on permanent deals, and two players on loan, as they looked to boost Premier League survival hopes for the 2022/23 campaign.

The headline signing from that season was Amadou Onana, who joined from Lille for £33m, although he has since left for fellow Premier League side Aston Villa. The Toffees signed four first-teamers who are still at the club today; Dwight McNeil, James Garner and Idrissa Gueye cost them a combined £26m, and James Tarkowski joined on a free.

Their sixth and final permanent deal that summer was a player who has also now departed the club. That man is striker Neal Maupay.

Maupay’s Everton record

It is fair to say that Maupay’s move to Goodison Park did not work out for any party involved. The Toffees signed him from Brighton and Hove Albion for £15m in 2022, and he never really found his best form in front of goal.

Life as an Everton player started superbly for the striker, who scored in just his second game for the club, a strike at Goodison Park against West Ham United.

However, the Frenchman failed to find the back of the net again and ended his time at Everton with one goal in 31 appearances.

Last term, the former Brighton striker left on loan to return to his former club Brentford. The 28-year-old had a far more successful time of things for the Bees than he did as an Everton player. His second spell in West London saw him score eight goals and grab three assists in 31 appearances for Thomas Frank’s side.

Following the expiration of his loan at Brentford last July, the striker departed Everton permanently. He made the move back to France, signing for Olympique Marseille, where former Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi is now manager. The French outfit signed him on loan with an obligation to buy him in 2025.

Things did not go according to plan for Maupay at Goodison Park. Then manager Lampard was very close to bringing in a different striker, who is now one of the deadliest players in the Premier League.

Who Everton nearly signed instead of Maupay

The player in question here is Aston Villa and England international Ollie Watkins. The striker has been a revelation under Unai Emery over the past 18 months and scored the Three Lions’ winner in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands.

According to an exclusive report from Football Insider back in 2022, the Toffees ‘registered their interest in signing’ Watkins during the final days of the summer transfer window. Incredible though it may seem, the report does state Villa were ‘open to letting Watkins go’, as they searched for a quality centre-forward.

Well, as it turned out, Watkins proved to be that very player for the Villans. He has now played 177 times in that famous claret and blue shirt, scoring 74 times and grabbing 29 assists. That included a superb 2023/24 campaign, in which his 32 goals and assists in 37 Premier League games helped the club qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1983.

Watkins Premier League record by season
Season	Games	Minutes	Goals	Assists
2020/21	37	3328	14	5
2021/22	35	2955	11	2
2022/23	37	3136	15	6
2023/24	37	3226	19	13
2024/25	6	446	4	2
Stats from Statmuse

Watkins, who was described as “elite” by football statistician Statman Dave, has quickly become one of the most valuable players in the Premier League. According to a report from The Mirror in July, he is valued at an eye-watering £85.7m, far more than what the Toffees could have expected to pay back in 2022.

Everton fans can only dream about how things might have turned out for them had they managed to sign the Villa striker instead of Maupay.

Perhaps Lampard, who was sacked in January 2023, would have kept his job, with the Toffees were reaching the pinnacle of European football thanks to Watkins.

Everton wanted to sign "special" £30m star but are stuck with Lindstrom

Sean Dyche could have signed a talented Championship sensation this summer…

By
Ross Kilvington

Oct 1, 2024

Sunderland’s rollercoaster ride of a Championship season reached new highs this mid-week, with the Black Cats now three points clear at the top of the league after a determined win away at Luton Town.

It wasn’t a vintage performance from Regis Le Bris’ men by any stretch of the imagination – with the Hatters registering 19 shots to the away side’s lesser nine – but the Wearside outfit managed to dig deep in the end to clinch another three points in a dogged 2-1 victory.

Of course, there was some magic in the attacking areas for the away masses to hang onto at Kenilworth Road, as Romaine Mundle and Chris Rigg dazzled down the wings for the league leaders all night long.

Rigg & Mundle's performances vs Luton

With Wilson Isidor having a quiet time of things versus the Hatters as the lone striker, it was time for both Mundle and Rigg to come to the fore for their side to ensure another three points was forthcoming, and they very much delivered.

Rigg would open the scoring with a calm finish under pressure, with the 17-year-old only registering one shot all game but coming up trumps when it mattered, alongside his equally clinical teammate scoring this sublime winner past a helpless Thomas Kaminski to seal the hard-fought win.

Demonstrating their no-nonsense approach defensively with a fierce Trai Hume tackle kickstarting the move, Le Bris’ men also showed off their quality in attack with the finish, after Mundle left various Luton shirts in the dust before hammering home the goal.

Now sharing seven goals between them in the Championship this season, both on-fire forwards will be crucial as matches come thick and fast, with Sunderland aspiring to stay at the top of the second-tier pile for as long as possible.

Away from both the teenage starlet and the former Tottenham Hotspur youngster picking up those all-important strikes, it was also very much a night for the defenders to shine, as Chris Mepham in particular stood firm to whatever Luton threw at him in an imperious showing.

Mepham's performance in numbers

To win promotion out of the unforgiving league that the Championship can be, Sunderland know that the entertaining attacking performances have to meet in the middle with some resolute displays at the back, with the decision to pick up the Welshman on loan from AFC Bournemouth helping them to enhance that staunchness in their game.

Starring alongside another experienced EFL head in Luke O’Nien in the centre-back spots, Sunderland could well have the makeup of a back four that knows how to shut up shop when needed, with the new Black Cats number 26 almost faultless at points at Kenilworth Road in thwarting the likes of Carlton Morris and Co.

Mepham’s numbers vs Luton

Stat

Mepham

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

57

Accurate passes

32/41 (78%)

Clearances

11

Blocked shots

1

Interceptions

1

Total tackles

2

Total duels won

10/12

Stats by Sofascore

Mepham definitely wasn’t the flashiest performer on the ball, but he more than made up for an odd wayward pass here or there with a combative display that shut out the Hatters over and over again in the second 45 minutes, winning ten of the duels that fell his way.

Moreover, the Welshman would clear the ball away from danger 11 times in total as the clock nervously ticked down, with his partner in the heart of defence in O’Nien also tremendous in that respect with six of his own clearances managed.

His manager would wax lyrical after the 2-1 win about his side’s battling spirit, with Le Bris ensuring that Mepham is picked week in week out if he keeps up these stellar displays, knowing he has a promotion up to the Premier League on his CV with the Cherries.

Winning himself an 8/10 match rating after the contest by Sunderland Echo journalist Phil Smith, who labelled his presence as key as Luton ‘bombarded’ the Black Cats, the ingredients look to be there in Le Bris’ XI to give promotion a real go.

Three points clear now at the top of the league, confidence will be sky high at the Stadium of Light, as another league win is eyed up when Oxford United come to Wearside on Saturday.

Related Sunderland wasted £10m on Black Cats dud who earned more than Ballard

Sunderland fell victim to lot of a transfer blunders around this time.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Oct 18, 2024

Appointment set to be followed by process to confirm new head coach

Matt Roller27-Oct-2021

Steve Snell was previously Somerset’s academy director•Getty Images

Gloucestershire have appointed Steve Snell, their former wicketkeeper, as the club’s first-ever performance director.Richard Dawson, the club’s long-standing head coach, was appointed as the ECB’s elite performance pathway coach in March, with his assistant Ian Harvey promoted to interim head coach for the 2021 season. The club announced in early August that they would recruit a performance director before appointing a full-time replacement for Dawson, inviting applications from candidates involved in other sports and with backgrounds in talent identification and development. The club captaincy is also vacant after Chris Dent stood down late in the 2021 season.Will Brown, Gloucestershire’s chief executive, said that the calibre of candidates had been “incredibly strong” and revealed the involvement of Michael Klinger, the former club captain, and Mo Bobat, the ECB’s performance director, in the recruitment process, as well as several senior figures at the club.Related

Gloucs to recruit performance director, eye first Championship title

Snell joins Somerset coaching team

Harvey named interim head coach after Dawson departure

Snell, who made 73 first-team appearances for Gloucestershire between 2006 and 2010, has been on Somerset’s coaching staff since 2014, most recently working as the head of their talent pathway. He has played a role in the development of several young players, including recent academy graduates like Tom Banton, Lewis Goldsworthy and Will Smeed.Gloucestershire said that Snell would be “responsible for delivering success on the field by developing a vision and strategy that puts the team in a position to win titles” and reiterated their ambition to win a white-ball trophy within the next two years, as well as a first-ever County Championship by 2025. Gloucestershire will play in Division One next season, belatedly reaping the rewards of their 2019 promotion.”I delighted to be joining a club with ambitious plans and an extremely talented playing squad and staff,” Snell said. “We have an experienced core group of players which will be looking to build on the 2021 season. Will Brown and the board have made some exciting additions to the squad that I’m confident will help to push the club further forward, and that the supporters will continue to enjoy watching and cheering on.”Gloucestershire is a club that’s rich in tradition but is also an organisation that has exciting points of difference. It’s imperative that we respect the tradition and culture of the club but we also develop our ability to innovate, prepare and develop a cricket team that can achieve sustained success on the field.”Brown said: “We want to win trophies and I’m confident that Steve, working alongside our talented playing and coaching squad, will help us to achieve sustainable success. This is an incredibly exciting time to be a part of Gloucestershire Cricket: we’re a club on the up and we’re looking forward to the challenge of playing in Division One of the County Championship next season.”

Former India captain will take over from the New Zealand series starting November 17

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Nov-20214:23

Moody: Dravid’s challenge will be to manage the schedule

Rahul Dravid will succeed Ravi Shastri as head coach of the national men’s team after the ongoing T20 World Cup in the UAE. Dravid’s two-year term will begin with the upcoming home series against New Zealand, starting November 17.”It is an absolute honour to be appointed as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team, I am really looking forward to this role,” Dravid was quoted as saying in a BCCI statement. “Under Mr (Ravi) Shastri, the team has done very well, and I hope to work with the team to take this forward.”Having worked closely with most of the boys either at NCA [National Cricket Academy], U19 and India A setup, I know they have the passion and desire to improve every day. There are some marquee multi-team events in the next two years, and I look forward to working with the players and the support staff to achieve our potential.”

“Rahul’s effort at the NCA has nurtured several young cricketing talents who have gone on to represent the country at the international stage. I am hopeful that his new stint will take Indian cricket to new heights”Sourav Ganguly

Dravid’s appointment – made official by the cricket advisory committee comprising Sulakshana Naik and RP Singh on Wednesday – was always on the cards after he sent in a formal application for the position. This was after he was convinced to do so by Sourav Ganguly, Dravid’s former team-mate who is now the BCCI president, along with the board’s top brass following meetings during the IPL playoffs last month.”Rahul’s effort at the NCA has nurtured several young cricketing talents who have gone on to represent the country at the international stage,” Ganguly said. “I am hopeful that his new stint will take Indian cricket to new heights. Rahul has had an illustrious playing career and is one of the greats of the game. He has also served Indian cricket as Head of National Cricket Academy (NCA) with distinction.”Dravid has been director of the NCA in Bengaluru following four years as coach of India A and India Under-19. Under him, India reached two Under-19 World Cup finals, losing one (to West Indies in 2016) and winning one (against Australia in 2018). At the NCA, Dravid helped set up a process for injury management and rehabilitation, as well as training programmes for coaches across the country, and developed roadmaps for age-group, men’s and women’s cricket.The Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri combine has taken India to some great achievements•ICC/Getty ImagesIn July, Dravid stepped in as interim head coach for the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka. The series was held concurrently with the men’s Test tour of England, which was helmed by Shastri. Since then, speculation has been rife about Dravid taking over full time after Shastri’s tenure ended.Shastri, who replaced Anil Kumble in July 2017, will end his stint as head coach with many accomplishments. Under him, India became the first Asian team to beat Australia in Australia (2018-19) in a Test series. They went on to repeat that feat earlier this year. India also made a run to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship, which they lost to New Zealand. Soon after that, they took a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series in England before the series was postponed – the final Test will take place next year – because of a Covid-19-related concern in the Indian camp.Dravid’s support staff is set to be announced in due course. Paras Mhambrey, Dravid’s colleague at the NCA, is the front-runner to replace Bharat Arun as bowling coach, while Abhay Sharma and Ajay Ratra are among those who have applied for the position of fielding coach. On Wednesday, current batting coach Vikram Rathour confirmed his re-application for the position.Dravid takes over at a busy time, with India set to host New Zealand for three T20Is and two Tests. In December, India are scheduled to tour South Africa for three Tests, three ODIs and four T20Is. Upon their return, India will host West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa as part of the 2021-22 home season.Among Dravid’s immediate challenge is to oversee the captaincy transition in the T20I format with Virat Kohli set to give up captaincy after the T20I World Cup.

GOAL grades every USMNT player who moved during the winter transfer window and, just as important, those who stayed

And … exhale. The transfer window is closed. The bulk of the business is concluded, and there was no shortage of transfer speculation, and some important consummation, involving current and future U.S. men's national team stars. For most USMNT players, the January window was just as much about the transfers that didn't happen as the ones that did.

For the majority of the month, discussion centered around the likes of Ricardo Pepi, Antonee Robinson and Gio Reyna. Ultimately, none were on the move. Pepi got a new deal to stay at PSV despite massive offers. Robinson continues to, and will continue to, light up the Premier League with Fulham, as he pursues assist records. Reyna, meanwhile, is nowhere near as comfortable as those two, as he now faces another fight – and, surprise, surprise – another new coach at Borussia Dortmund.

Still, there were some key transfers. Several MLS youngsters made big moves, whether to Europe or across MLS, while some USMNT rising stars relocated overseas. The pressure of the 2026 World Cup is clearly starting to hit players' shoulders and, with that in mind, every transfer decision is vital. The right move could make all the difference. The wrong one can, too.

What should we make of some of the big swings USMNT stars took this winter? What about the players who made leaps within MLS or to Europe? And what about those who stayed, opting to turn down opportunities to leave their current clubs to fight for a place?

GOAL answers those questions, grades every USMNT player who moved this winter and – just as important – those didn't.

• Getty
  

  Antonee Robinson: Fulham

  There were rumblings early in the month but, by mid-January, it became pretty clear that Fulham did not want to sell. They had good reason, too. At the moment, Fulham sits ninth in the Premier League with very real hopes of pushing for a European spot. The player most important to those hopes? Robinson.

  He has 11 assists, trailing only Mohammed Salah in the Premier League in that category. No amount of money could have made up for losing Robinson, who is arguably the Premier League's best at the position, halfway through the season. Maybe that changes in the summer. Big clubs will no doubt want to sign Robinson, who plays a position of need for several of the Premier League's best.

  Maybe Fulham can be convinced to cash out in the summer. Perhaps Robinson will be open to a new challenge but, also, maybe not. There's something to be said for comfort and, with the 2026 World Cup looming, Robinson is already playing an elite level where he is.

  Either way, this discussion will get revisited in the summer, and you can't blame anyone involved for pushing it forward a window, given how well this season is going.

  GRADE: A-

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Luca de la Torre: San Diego FC

  On a personal level, this has to feel like a dream come true for the midfielder – and you have to take that into account here.

  De la Torre was born and raised in San Diego, and he'll now return home to be a key player for his hometown team's first season in MLS. That has be cool, a feeling that can't be replicated anywhere else other than MLS. Was it worth trading a European career for? Some would certainly say yes. There's no place like home, as they say.

  As for the USMNT picture, that's trickier. The midfield is more crowded than ever with performing well all over the world. De la Torre hasn't played nearly enough over the last year or so, this move to MLS may get him back on the field. Either way, national team or no national team, this has to feel good for De la Torre on a human level, and that's important.

  GRADE: A-

• Getty Images Sport
  

  James Sands: St. Pauli

  We already have some significant data on this one, since Sands moved so early, and that data is positive. Sands has immediately become a key player for the Bundesliga side. He's already featured five times with three starts, with St. Pauli going unbeaten in those three starts. You can't begin your tenure with a new team much better than that, can you?

  St. Pauli has Sands playing in midfield, but he could also play centerback in their back three if the need arises. Because of that, this feels like a perfect fit. This is just a loan, and St. Pauli still aren't totally clear of the relegation zone. Still, after not quite making it at Rangers during his first stay in Europe, Sands is already showing that he's a new player who can play at a higher level than before.

  GRADE: A –

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Taylor Booth: FC Twente

  In some ways, this is a lateral move from one decent Eredivisie team to another. It is also exactly the type of move Booth needs right now. Just two years ago, the American winger was being linked with Manchester United but this season, in particular, hasn't gone to plan. He hasn't been used enough by Utrecht, featuring just nine times for 254 minutes.

  At 23, these are key years and Booth has to play games. He's seemingly found a club that will let him do that without really taking a step down. Utrecht sit third in the Eredivisie. Twente sit sixth, seven points behind with a game in hand. Realistically, these two teams are in the same tier.

  By joining Twente, Booth will now get a chance to play more in a league he knows well and has proven himself in. Because of that, this all makes sense.

  GRADE: A-

Teenage allrounder Alice Capsey, winner of the PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year award, has received her first professional contract in the expanded list announced by the ECB for 2021-22.The expected increase means the eight regional teams now all have six contracted players, with extra funding at Northern Diamonds and Thunder bringing the total number of women on domestic deals to 51 – in addition to the 16 centrally contracted by England Women.Alongside Capsey, who starred for Oval Invincibles as they won the inaugural Women’s Hundred while still studying for her A Levels, the other players on their first full-time contracts are: Ami Campbell, Katie Levick, Bess Heath, Charlie Dean, Danielle Gregory, Grace Scrivens and Laura Jackson.Related

• School's out for summer as Alice Capsey hits the road

• New women's contracts in pipeline as ECB expands professional reach

• Sophia Dunkley replaces Kirstie Gordon in England Women's central contracts list

Yorkshire have provided funding for two further contracts at Diamonds, awarded to Netherlands batter Sterre Kalis and Rachel Slater; while Lancashire will also support an additional pro player, with Phoebe Graham moving across the Pennines from Diamonds.Sophia Dunkley moved on to an England contract in the summer, with Kirstie Gordon now on a domestic deal. Marie Kelly has switched from Central Sparks to Lightning, with Abbey Freeborne going in the opposite direction.”It’s absolutely fundamental to the future of women’s and girls’ cricket in England and Wales that we’re able to continue increasing the depth of our regional game by offering more professional contracts to our players,” Clare Connor, the ECB’s managing director of women’s cricket, said.”We cannot overstate the impact that a new professional structure is having on our game. We’ve already seen the positive impact it has had on players’ performances in a relatively short space of time. The players are thriving, raising standards across the game and deepening the potential talent pool for England Women.”Just as important is the visibility of these players, showing young girls that cricket is a game that can offer them a professional future.”Professionalising the women’s game is a significant chapter for our sport and I’m thrilled that we’re able to continue that momentum by increasing the number of professional contracts on offer.”

ECB women’s professional contracts 2021-22

Central Sparks: Emily Arlott, Ami Campbell, Gwenan Davies, Abbey Freeborn, Eve Jones, Issy WongLightning: Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Bethan Ellis, Kirstie Gordon, Lucy Higham, Marie KellyNorthern Diamonds: Hollie Armitage, Jenny Gunn, Bess Heath, Beth Langston, Katie Levick, Linsey Smith, *Sterre Kalis, *Rachel SlaterSouthern Vipers: Georgia Adams, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Charlie Dean, Tara Norris, Paige ScholfieldSouth East Stars: Alice Capsey, Aylish Cranstone, Alice Davidson-Richards, Danielle Gregory, Tash Farrant, Bryony SmithSunrisers: Amara Carr, Kelly Castle, Naomi Dattani, Jo Gardner, Cordelia Griffith, Grace ScrivensThunder: Georgie Boyce, Alex Hartley, Laura Jackson, Hannah Jones, Emma Lamb, Ellie Threlkeld, ** Phoebe GrahamWestern Storm: Dani Gibson, Alex Griffiths, Georgia Hennessey, Sophie Luff, Fi Morris, Nat Wraith*Funded by Northern Diamonds regional host, Yorkshire CCC
**Funded by Thunder regional host, Lancashire CCC

The Dynamo are set to pay straight cash for the U.S. international, with Philly retaining a sell-on clause for the midfielder

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Jack McGlynn reportedly traded from Philadelphia to Houston21-year-old made USMNT debut in JanuaryPhilly retains large sell-on clauseGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?

The Houston Dynamo have reportedly acquired U.S. international Jack McGlynn from the Philadelphia Union, with the Western Conference side paying a straight cash fee of $2M for his services. No allocation money is set to be involved, according tothe same report.

McGlynn made his USMNT debut this past January under Mauricio Pochettino, with the 21-year-old having a breakout camp on the international stage, bagging a goal and an assist in a 3-2 victory over Venezuela.

The report adds teams from Italy and the English Championship approached the Union, but Houston's fee was a higher valuation.

was the first to report the trade.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

McGlynn is one of the U.S.' brightest midfield products at the moment and is being touted to have a big future for both club and country on the world's biggest stage. A move within MLS comes as a shock to many, but there is still an expectation that he moves to Europe sooner rather than later, considering the sell-on clause that the Union put on to the deal.

With the Union, McGlynn made 135 appearances across four seasons. He was signed to a professional deal at age 17, becoming one of many young Union Homegrown players.

If the deal is announced before Sporting Kansas City's reported transfer agreement for LA Galaxy striker Dejan Joveljic, it will be the first deal under MLS' new rule.

DID YOU KNOW?

McGlynn was nominated for the 2024 MLS Goal of the Year, after he scored against rivals D.C. United with a long-range effort that went into the top corner of the net.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MCGLYNN?

The 21-year-old looks set to travel to Texas to seal the deal with the Dynamo, just weeks before the 2024 MLS season kicks off.

The Dynamo's campaign begins on Feb. 22 against cross-state rivals, FC Dallas. McGlynn will face his former club Philadelphia on Saturday, July 19.

A fresh report has outlined a potential successor for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, and they have a major demand to make of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co.

Manchester United in a "terrible position"

A 1-1 draw with Turkish side Fenerbahce left Ten Hag’s side without a win in Europe this season after three attempts, throwing away another lead to draw 1-1. It takes the Red Devils to 12 months without a win in Europe, and their predicament was slammed by Paul Scholes in the wake of their draw in Turkey.

“I thought the last half an hour from both teams was really poor. A draw, you’d probably take it before the game”, the Manchester United legend explained on TNT Sports. “They’re in a terrible position in that Europa League, they’ve got to start winning games soon”.

The result leaves Ten Hag’s side 21st in the Europa League with five games left to play, with the teams that finish between 9th and 24th set to go into a knockout round for a spot in the last 16.

Manchester United’s remaining Europa League ties

Opponent (Home/Away)

Date

PAOK Thessaloniki (Home)

7th November 2024

Bodo/Glimt (Home)

28th November 2024

Viktoria Plzen (Away)

12th December 2024

Rangers (Home)

23rd January 2025

FCSB (Away)

30th January 2025

It also leaves Ten Hag under pressure, with the Red Devils offering little show of encouragement and in the bottom half of both the Europa League and the Premier League after a significant chunk of games, and a trip to West Ham on Sunday could be pivotal for the Dutchman’s future. And they are already lining up potential replacements.

Xavi contacted by Manchester United

According to previous reports, Manchester United have already held talks with former Barcelona coach Xavi over the potential role at Old Trafford, with reports from Spain suggesting that club CEO Omar Berrada has led a delegation to Spain to hold talks with the 44-year-old coach.

Man Utd recruitment team identify new target to partner Kobbie Mainoo

Man Utd’s hierarchy have identified a new target to improve a key area of the squad.

ByBrett Worthington Oct 24, 2024

Now, another report in Spain has claimed that Xavi has “made it clear” that he has one “key request” to take over at Old Trafford; the signing of Barcelona forward Raphinha.

Could Man Utd really sign Raphinha?

Of course, Manchester United do have issues on the right side of attack, with both Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho preferring to play on the left side, while Antony’s £86m has been disastrous to the point where the club are reportedly already ready to get rid of the Brazilian should the opportunity arise, with the forward having been handed just 30 minutes of Premier League action this season.

That leaves just Amad Diallo, who is undoubtedly talented but remains a raw gem who cannot be relied upon week in, week out. However, signing Raphinha would be almost impossible. Reports in the summer linked the Red Devils with a move to sign the Brazilian winger, but he has gone on to become one of Hansi Flick’s most important players at Barcelona this season.

The former Leeds United man has registered five goals and seven assists in 10 La Liga games, and grabbed a hat-trick in their most recent Champions League game as his side thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1, taking him to 17 goal contributions in just 13 games this season.

The report adds that “Barça would be willing to let him go, but only if they receive an offer close to 100 million euros” (£86m), a fee that is within Manchester United’s reach but may be one that they baulk at under their new ownership.

If his addition really is a dealbreaker for Xavi, then United and Berrada may be forced to look elsewhere for a successor to their current under-pressure charge.

TalkSPORT pundit Jeff Stelling has ripped into a Leeds United player after some footage emerged following Illan Meslier’s howler that saw Sunderland secure a 2-2 draw in the dying moments on Friday evening.

The Yorkshire side looked on course to go into this October international break on the back of a win against high-flying Sunderland, but Meslier failing to catch the ball resulted in Leeds settling for a point, which stretches their unbeaten run to four games.

Archie Gray thinks he's "really good": Leeds teen could solve Gruev blow

The Whites head coach must unleash the talented youngster from the academy.

1 ByDan Emery Oct 6, 2024 Leeds United news and updates

The Whites will hope this international break allows them the chance to see some of their injured stars return to training. Daniel Farke has been without several key players in recent weeks through different injuries, something that has resulted in the squad being stretched and them potentially looking to the free agent market to bolster their options.

One player who may have been an option for Farke was Christoph Kramer, but Kramer would reject a move to Elland Road, according to a recent report, as he wants to remain in Germany.

Leeds look to be without Max Wober, Ethan Ampadu, and Ilia Gruev for a sustained period of time, as all three players have picked up recent injuries. But one player who could soon be available is winger Daniel James, as Farke hopes to have the Welshman back for their game against Sheffield United after this international break. James has been missing since the end of August, but his return could be a timely boost as Farke looks to have more options in attack.

Leeds will be disappointed with how Friday’s game against Sunderland went, but they will be keen to support Meslier through this time, something that one player didn’t do on the pitch on Friday.

Jeff Stelling rips into £60k-p/w Leeds star after Sunderland draw

TalkSPORT pundit Jeff Stelling has ripped into Leeds United’s Junior Firpo for walking straight down the tunnel after the final whistle went at the Stadium of Light. The left-back went straight down the tunnel after playing a part in the mistake that led to the Black Cats’ equaliser.

Stelling, along with Ally McCoist, discussed the incident on talkSPORT on Monday morning, after Stelling posted on X over the weekend about the incident. The former Sky Sports host said of Firpo, who is believed to earn £60,000 a week at Elland Road: “It’s fair to say that Leeds United fans – they absolutely battered me for trying to defend the goalkeeper.”

McCoist replied: “Can I ask you in which way, shape, or form are you trying to defend him?”

Apps

94

Goals

3

Assists

14

Stelling answered: “What I felt was that afterwards – and Leeds fans are going to tell me this is not the case – Junior Firpo had scored; he went straight down the tunnel at the end, no attempt to console the goalkeeper.

“I’m going to get battered for this again now, but that’s what he needs, and when he next plays for Leeds, I hope every single Leeds United fan gets behind him.”

It’s been an interesting start to the campaign for Tottenham Hotspur this season.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have been flawless in the League Cup and Europa League, but have looked a little disjointed in the Premier League.

However, given that it’s only the Australian’s second year in charge, these issues shouldn’t come as a surprise, and with a few more transfer windows under his belt, he could have the personnel to match his game plans.

In fact, based on recent reports, the club look set to sign a dream midfield addition next year, although that could be bad news for Yves Bissouma.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Spain, Tottenham are expected to sign Real Betis star Johnny Cardoso in 2025.

The report claims that the Lilywhites had a €25m – £21m – option to buy the American included in the deal that saw Giovani Lo Celso return to Betis in the summer.

However, Daniel Levy and Co will have to act fast if they want to bring the midfielder to N17, as the story also claims that the option expires in either late June or early July and, after that, the La Liga side will be able to demand whatever price they want.

With that said, by all accounts, this looks like a transfer that will happen, so the Spurs faithful likely have nothing to worry about, although given how well he’s played in Spain, Bissouma should be a little concerned, as the American could be his upgrade.

How Cardoso compares to Bissouma

Okay, so if Spurs act on their option to sign Cardoso, as expected, the fact that he primarily plays as a defensive and central midfielder means he’d likely compete with Bissouma for a place in the starting lineup.

So, with that in mind, how do the pair stack up against one another? Well, when it comes down to the pair’s raw output this season, the Mali international comes out on top with two goals to the American’s zero, but at the end of the day, goals aren’t what make a good holding midfielder, and when we look at their underlying numbers, it’s a very different story.

For example, while the Spurs ace has better passing numbers, the Betis star comes out miles ahead in the majority of relevant defensive metrics, including tackles, shots and passes blocked, clearances, interceptions, ball recoveries and aerial duels, all per 90, which is what you want from your six.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.24

0.11

Progressive Passes

4.04

7.00

Progressive Passes Received

1.49

0.00

Passing Accuracy

82.0%

90.7%

Tackles

2.77

2.75

Shots Blocked

0.64

0.25

Passes Blocked

1.28

0.75

Interceptions

2.13

1.00

Clearances

2.98

2.75

Ball Recoveries

6.17

3.25

Aerial Duels Won

1.06

0.25

Moreover, something that the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace was guilty of last season was picking up unnecessary red cards, and when we compare the pair’s disciplinary record, the 23-year-old “ball winner”, as he was dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, once again comes out on top.

For example, in his 10281 minutes of football across his career to date, the former Internacional gem has picked up 22 yellow cards, averaging one every 467 minutes, and zero red cards or second yellows.

In contrast, the Issia-born Lilywhites man has picked up 58 yellow cards in his 16799 minutes of football, equating to an average of one every 289 minutes, and four red cards – including one-second yellow – which works out as one every 4199 minutes.

Ultimately, Bissouma is a talented footballer, and one who should be playing in the Premier League, but his defensive numbers are notably worse than Cardoso’s, and when we take into account the disciplinary side of things as well, the American looks like he’d be an ideal upgrade.

Ange's "frightening" Spurs star is now worth millions more than Maddison

The talented international has been electric for Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 30, 2024