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Chelsea are doing well under Enzo Maresca. Sunday’s draw against Manchester United in the Premier League was an unspectacular affair, though Moises Caicedo’s stunning volley to salvage a point was a thing to be witnessed.

Things are starting to come together for the fourth-placed Blues, who are making headway and firmly in the battle for a top-four finish – fans will also be hopeful of a trophy push in either the FA Cup or Conference League.

The squad is improving, and that’s largely down to a fresh concerted approach to transfer dealings. Undeniably, the Blues have spent handsomely on first-team additions, but formerly exorbitant wage packets have been whittled down.

Chelsea's streamlined salaries

Chelsea have kept their new players’ salaries under wraps of late – at least, more so than before. Take this summer’s influx, for example.

Pedro Neto joined for a £54m fee, hefty. However, the Portugal winger earns £160k per week. Moreover, Joao Felix’s £170k-per-week contract feels like a sufficient amount for a player of pedigree and, still, potential.

A better example would be that of Cole Palmer’s contract. Declared to be “the best player in the Premier League” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, the 22-year-old has scored 32 goals and added 20 assists across 52 matches for Chelsea, joining from Manchester City as a prospect of the relative unknown last summer.

He might have signed in a deal worth £42.5m, a reflection of the sparsely-used Manchester City starlet’s potential, but he was hardly offered a salary to align with that of Chelsea’s top earners – and rightly so.

Even now, after his incredible maiden campaign, Palmer is still taking home comparatively modest earnings. Last year, the England international earned £70k per week. Now, a bumper new deal has lifted this to £130k per week.

He won’t be complaining, but this is still some way below some of the older members of the west London squad. Look at it this way: Chelsea bosses are starting to bring the wages down; had Palmer’s rise occurred two years earlier, you can bet your bottom dollar that the club would have paid through the nose to entice the attacking midfielder to renew his terms.

Chelsea’s Highest-paid Players

Rank

Player

Salary

1.

Raheem Sterling

£325k-per-week

2.

Reece James

£250k-per-week

2=

Jadon Sancho

£250k-per-week

4.

Ben Chilwell

£200k-per-week

4=

Wesley Fofana

£200k-per-week

Sourced via Capology

The table above illuminates the errors of past ways. Reece James’ pay is expected, deserved, with injuries the only thing keeping the captain from world-class recognition across the globe. Ben Chilwell, conversely, plays a bit part in Maresca’s team, though Wesley Fofana is at least starting to prove his worth after a few frustrating, injury-affected seasons.

Chelsea have Jadon Sancho on loan from Manchester United with an obligation to buy him next year but are only covering a proportion of his gargantuan wages. If the deal goes through permanently, he will perform on a lower base salary.

Chelsea must permanently axe high-earner

The same can be said for Raheem Sterling, who is on loan at Arsenal after being ousted from Maresca’s squad. Even with the Gunners covering a sum of the England star’s wages, less than 50%, he must be sold for good in 2025.

Sterling was part of the Clearlake wave of incomings, with Chelsea signing the Manchester City winger in a deal worth £47.5m in 2022. Thomas Tuchel revealed that he was the club’s number one transfer priority.

Sterling has led an illustrious career in the Premier League, having posted 123 goals and 62 assists across 383 appearances in the top flight, winning the thing four times.

Chelsea struggled throughout his first year, and so too did Sterling fail to reach the heights he hit under Pep Guardiola. Albeit, the 29-year-old hit nine goals and four assists across 38 matches, a modest return.

Notching 18 goal contributions from 43 games under Mauricio Pochettino, Sterling is clearly still a player of high quality, but he’s not what Maresca wants and he was shooed out for the good of the project. It’s a tough business but the game, to be sure, is the game.

With the likes of Neto, Felix and Sancho brought in to complement a rich and varied attacking line, his leave was the right thing. But now, Sterling must be sold, even if Arsenal do not move to sign him on a permanent deal at the end of the season.

Sterling has only scored against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup this term, having started just twice in the Premier League and sat on the bench, unused, over the past two weeks.

When he returns to Chelsea, Todd Boehly will absorb the whole of his pay packet once more, and he will drain the club of more financial resources than any other player. Come on, he’s taking home a significantly higher wage than Palmer, and that simply can’t be justified.

In fairness, Maresca has planted seeds that could take several years to grow, but he surely won’t be dislodged from the manager’s seat unless something shockingly unforeseen occurs. As such, it’s hard to conceive of a Stamford Bridge future that features Sterling in Chelsea blue.

Unfortunately for the experienced winger, his early-stage efforts at the Emirates have indeed done little to suggest that he will find a permanent place in Mikel Arteta’s project.

Nonetheless, there’s a suitor out there that would snap the Three Lions stalwart up in a heartbeat, and whatever the outcome, he mustn’t be plying his trade at Chelsea next season.

Related Enzo could drop Madueke for "elite” teen who's never played for Chelsea

Chelsea have a talent with zero appearances who could permanently displace Madueke in the future.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Nov 2, 2024

Everton Football Club had a busy summer in 2024. The Blues had several notable outgoings, including midfielder Amadou Onana who joined Aston Villa for £50m. They spent that money on three permanent players and also managed to bring Jesper Lindstrom, Armando Broja and Orel Mangala in on loan.

Their permanent incomings this summer included another man from Lyon, centre-back Jake O’Brien. However, their business from Ligue 1 was not done there, and the Toffees also signed Iliman Ndiaye from Olympique Marseille. Villa midfielder Tim Iroebunam also joined, as did Asmir Begovic on a free.

After a hectic summer window, the Merseysiders are already looking to get a headstart for when the market re-opens in January, and have been linked with an exciting move.

Everton target Bundesliga winger

The player in question here is DR Congo and Stuttgart winger Silas, who is currently on loan at Serbian outfit Red Star Belgrade. There are reports he may not finish his loan and instead move permanently this winter.

At least, that is according to a report from journalist Florian Plettenberg. His report states Everton are one of the sides “interested” in signing the dynamic winger in January, as they look to push for survival in the Premier League.

There is a release clause in the player’s contract which can be activated during the next transfer window and would allow him to move clubs. That clause is reportedly around £8m, a fee Red Star would receive in its entirety.

It is certainly an enticing deal for Everton, given the low fee, and, naturally, that means other sides are interested in signing Silas in a few months’ time. Plettenberg explains there are several clubs interested, and does name Villarreal as one of those clubs.

Why Silas would be a good signing

It has been a strong start to his loan spell in Belgrade for the 25-year-old winger. He has played six games, scoring two goals, both of which have come in the Serbian top flight, a competition in which he has played just 140 minutes.

The winger, who has been capped 16 times and has one goal to his name for DR Congo, has also got an impressive record for Stuttgart. He has represented the club 132 times, scoring 35 goals and grabbing 21 assists. He got ten goal involvements in the Bundesliga last term, which were crucial as Die Roten qualified for the Champions League.

In terms of his profile, the 25-year-old is a quick and dynamic winger, who loves to take players on in one-vs-one situations. Football scout Antonio Mango described him as an “absolute beast”, also calling him a “special talent”.

Should the Toffees bring Silas to Goodison Park over the winter, he could be their own version of a rival player, Liverpool’s explosive winger Luis Diaz. The 27-year-old Columbian is also a tricky winger and has been on fire this term for the Reds, scoring five goals and registering one assist in seven Premier League games.

Indeed, as the stats from last season on FBref show, the duo are deemed to be quite similar players. In particular, their dribbling numbers are remarkably similar, with Silas averaging 3.8 successful take-ons and completing 4.9 progressive carries per 90.

Comparatively, Liverpool’s number seven averages 2.29 successful take-ons and 4.69 progressive carries.

Silas vs. Diaz dribbling numbers

Stat (per 90)

Silas

Diaz

Take-ons completed

3.8

2.29

Take-on success rate

50%

47.9%

Progressive carries

4.9

4.69

Carries into final third

2.9

2.64

Carries into penalty box

2.1

2.4

Stats from FBref

Should the Toffees manage to sign the Congolese winger this summer, he could add a unique dynamic to their side. He is a superb dribbler, as the stats show, and could have a Diaz-esque impact at Goodison.

For just £9m, it could be a superb piece of business from the Toffees, as they look to survive relegation this season.

Related Dyche could soon unleash Everton's very own Jude Bellingham

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Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Oct 9, 2024

With the likes of Lauren Hemp and Bunny Shaw still sidelined, the Cityzens risk lacking depth and match-winners in the second half of the season

New Year, new signing. Just 12 hours of the January transfer window had passed when Manchester City kickstarted their business for the month, announcing the arrival of defender Rebecca Knaak. It was a timely transfer, following Alex Greenwood's knee surgery in December, but it's not the only position that the club needs to address in the winter market due to injuries.

As the Women's Super League returns this weekend, Chelsea have a comfortable six-point cushion over City at the top of the table and find themselves in quite the opposite position to their nearest rivals, boasting plenty of depth while knowing that some big stars, such as Sam Kerr and Lauren James, are returning from spells on the sidelines in the second half of this season.

"We're really happy with that signing," City head coach Gareth Taylor told reporters this month, "and we'll see if there's some more to come." Fans will hope that is a hint that there is indeed more business on the horizon as this team gets ready to compete for trophies on four fronts, against some absolute juggernauts of the game.

To opt to power through and wait patiently for big names to return would be a conservative move, one unlikely to pay dividends as City chase a first WSL title since 2016.

Getty ImagesInjuries galore

Heading into the winter break, City's list of absentees was fairly extensive. Greenwood's knee injury in mid-December made her the latest addition to a group that already included Vivianne Miedema, Lauren Hemp, Bunny Shaw, Risa Shimizu and Sandy MacIver. It's not the longest injury list by any means, but City don't have a big squad as it is, and it's the significance of some of those names, the likes of Hemp and Shaw especially, that is also concerning.

City were able to welcome Miedema back last weekend, as they beat Ipswich in the FA Cup fourth round, but she's still very much in the process of being built back up after playing 30 minutes on her return from a third knee surgery in two years. "Some other players," Taylor explained, "will be slightly longer."

"Obviously Lauren and Alex, as we're aware of. Bunny was with us [on our winter training camp], which was good. She was out training separately but from what I saw, she looked really good. She feels really good, so we'll see what that looks like for her. Whether we can get her back in this next period or not, we'll see, but hopefully we can, because, again, similar to what we're saying about Viv and Alex, they're really influential players."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesOpportunities emerge

Of course, there are silver linings to this issue, that being that there are several young players getting opportunities as a result. Lily Murphy, in particular, has been a revelation this season, the lightning fast 18-year-old helping to bolster an attack that has been left especially light because of injuries. Naomi Layzell, the young defender who signed from Bristol City in the summer, got to play a starring role in victory over Barcelona due to the lack of depth at full-back; Laura Blindkilde Brown, who joined from Aston Villa last January, has emerged as a more regular starter; and there are several academy graduates getting more of a look-in, such as Gracie Prior, Codie Thomas and Eve O'Carroll.

"I think that's one of the positives," Taylor said last week. "The big change, I think for me, was in the summer, being able to have those guys with us training on a regular basis. To be able to come away with us to Perth was great, because it's really difficult for young players, I think, when they're only potentially training with the first-team group one or two occasions a week. So to be with us full time has been really good and it was a big effort to be able to achieve that, and the likes of Lily have really stepped up."

Getty Images SportCompeting with a juggernaut

There's nothing wrong with giving the young players a chance, and the aforementioned names have put in some really good performances for City this season to help them get some big results. But it would be wildly unfair, for example, to assume that Murphy can simply come in and deliver the consistently top-class quality of a Hemp when battling for the WSL title – and the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the Champions League.

Let's take a look at what Chelsea, the team City are chasing down, did in this situation 12 months ago. Dealt a major setback when Kerr suffered a devastating ACL injury, the Blues did not hesitate to go out and replace her with another top-quality centre forward, despite already having Mia Fishel, a United States international, in the squad as her back-up. Chelsea set a British-record fee for a transfer in the women's game when they signed Mayra Ramirez from Levante, and that aggressive, front-footed approach paid dividends when she produced a blistering performance on the final day of the WSL campaign to deliver the Blues' fifth-successive title. It also looked like an even greater move just a few weeks after the contract was signed, as Fishel was struck down with her own ACL injury.

Title-winning teams don't sit back and hope things will be alright. They go out and make sure they are in the best possible position to compete for trophies, no matter what is thrown at them. City might not be dealing with two ACL injuries, but their squad also isn't as deep and, crucially, they are the chaser here. That's not to say they have to splash out a record-breaking fee for new recruits, but they are at risk of only having the bare bones in crucial positions as the business end of the season rolls around, especially in attack.

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Getty ImagesHectic schedule

It's not just because of the players Chelsea have at their disposal that January transfers should be a priority; it's because City find themselves in a fantastic position, still competing on four fronts, which is also a demanding one.

On Sunday, they take on Manchester United in a big WSL clash. Three days later, they visit their city rivals for a League Cup quarter-final. Three days later, they're on the road again, travelling to Aston Villa. "After that, it's not like the schedule kind of lightens up," Taylor conceded last week. "If you are successful in those competitions and you move forward, then the games come thick and fast."

There is a massive home game against Arsenal just two days after the January transfer window closes, with any potential League Cup semi-final to follow in midweek, while FA Cup fifth round action will then bookend another potentially huge week. This is the kind of schedule you cannot get through without depth and an array of options, not if you want to win these competitions.

Former Barcelona winger Ludovic Giuly pointed out one thing that Ousmane Dembele is missing that could make him a Ballon d'Or contender.

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Dembele scored the winner against MonacoEx-Barca star praised the PSG wingerOne thing Dembele needs to become Ballon d'Or contenderFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The France international scored a late winner to guide Paris Saint-Germain to their first trophy of the 2024-25 campaign as they beat AS Monaco 1-0 in the final of the Trophee des Champions. Since Kylian Mbappe's departure in the summer, Dembele has been the key player up front for the Ligue 1 champions. In the current season, he has scored nine goals across all competitions and has provided six assists.

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After Dembele's incredible performance against Monaco, former France international and ex-Barca star Ludovic Giuly praised the winger while pointing out one aspect the 27-year-old is missing that could transform him into a Ballon d'Or contender.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Speaking to , Giuly said: "We are happy to have him in Ligue 1, he is an incredible dribbler who has both feet and speed. If he had that finishing, he would be one of the great players in Ligue 1 and above all could claim the Ballon d'Or."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR PSG?

Luis Enrique's side will be back in action next Sunday in the Ligue 1 as they take on St-Etienne at Parc des Princes.

With two games, two clean sheets, and two wins in the bag already, it would be fair to say that Arsenal have kicked off their Premier League campaign in brilliant fashion this season.

However, while the focus on the weekend was firmly on happenings at Villa Park, the next four days will see that focus shift almost entirely toward the closing days of the transfer window.

As things stand, the only new addition to Mikel Arteta's squad this summer has been Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, although it does appear that Mikel Merino's transfer is practically complete, bar the announcement.

However, the good news is that with mere days to go, recent reports have seen the Gunners linked with several talented attackers, including one who would be the ideal solution to the club's Bukayo Saka problem.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal have maintained their interest in Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.

Plettenberg has revealed that while the former Everton ace wants to move to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain this summer, the French team are unwilling to meet the demands of the Serie A side, meaning that a deal between the clubs is currently unlikely.

According to reports earlier this month, the Bergamo-based outfit value their talented attacker at between €65m to €70m, which converts to between £55m and £59m.

Overall, the fact that the Nigerian's proposed move to PSG has seemingly fallen through is undoubtedly good news for Arsenal, and while they may be unwilling to match Atalanta's valuation, perhaps a deal could still be struck, as Lookman would be a brilliant signing and a perfect solution to their Saka problem.

Why Lookman solves Arsenal's Saka problem

Okay, so the first thing to do is point out that Arsenal's 'Saka problem' is not a problem with the winger himself. Instead, it is that, at present, the club do not have an adequate backup to the incredible England international in the squad.

For as talented as Reiss Nelson is, it's become crystal clear over the last couple of seasons that Arteta does not see him as a viable alternative or backup to the Gunners' number seven, and in light of the 22-year-old's world-class numbers in recent seasons, that is not entirely surprising.

What the North Londoners need is a genuinely high-quality attacker who can act as the Hale End superstar's backup – or competition – on the right while also being talented enough to fill in across the frontline to pick up enough minutes to remain happy with their role, and in Lookman, they'll get exactly that.

For example, in his career to date, the Wandsworth-born sensation has made 98 appearances as a left-winger, 62 as a right-winger, 54 as a second striker, 32 as a centre-forward, 14 as an attacking midfielder and even two as a left-sided midfielder, showing that he can start and star anywhere in attack.

On top of his positional versatility, he is currently in red-hot form. In 45 appearances last season, the "blistering" attacker, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, scored 17 goals and provided ten assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement once every 1.66 games – talk about effective.

Lookman vs Arsenal's most productive attackers in 23/24
Player	Lookman	Saka	Odegaard	Havertz
Appearances	45	47	48	51
Goals	17	20	11	14
Games	10	14	11	7
Goal Involvements per Match	0.60	0.72	0.45	0.41
All Stats via Transfermarkt

This incredible form would have made him the second most productive player in the Gunners' squad last season, behind only the player he would hopefully deputise for next season, Saka.

Ultimately, Lookman is an effective attacking talent in the peak years of his career who can play on the right as well as across the frontline, and if he were to join Arsenal this summer, he would be the dream solution to Arteta's Saka problem.

Therefore, Edu Gaspar and Co must do what they can to get this transfer over the line, as he'd dramatically improve the squad.

Arsenal struck gold on "sensational" ace worth more than Merino & Williams

The special attacker has a massive season ahead of him this year.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 25, 2024

Cricket West Indies has announced a packed home schedule for the 2021 season, which includes visits from South Africa, Australia and Pakistan. In all, West Indies will play four Tests, three ODIs and 15 T20Is from June 10 to August 24.The T20I-centric nature of the summer will help the teams prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is currently scheduled to be held in India in October-November 2021. The series against Pakistan was originally scheduled to include three Tests and three T20Is, but CWI and the PCB have mutually agreed to replace one Test with two additional T20Is.The first part of the home summer will see West Indies face South Africa in two Tests in St Lucia (June 10-22) followed by five T20Is in Grenada (June 26 to July 5). This will be South Africa’s first bilateral tour of the West Indies since 2010.West Indies will play 15 T20Is at home in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

This will be followed by a white-ball-only visit from Australia, who are scheduled to play five T20Is in St Lucia (July 9-16) followed by three ODIs in Barbados (July 20-24).Pakistan will play their T20I series over two legs – the first two matches in Barbados on July 27 and 28 followed by the last three in Guyana from July 31 to August 3. They will then move to Jamaica where they will complete their tour with a two-match Test series (August 12-24).”Following the successful hosting of the all-format series against Sri Lanka earlier this year, we are delighted to announce that we are set to welcome South Africa, Australia and Pakistan to the West Indies,” CWI CEO Johnny Grave said. “To host three international teams back-to-back in five territories is unprecedented, and putting these fixtures together was an enormous Covid-related logistical challenge.”We must thank the visiting teams for agreeing to travel at this challenging period for world cricket and we are especially grateful to our regional Governments who are playing such a vital role in partnering with CWI to ensure that International cricket can be hosted safely, while providing entertainment for our loyal fans and income for our cricketers and cricket communities.”The entire summer will follow biosecure safety protocols, with players and team officials undergoing regular tests for Covid-19. A CWI release said it is yet to be decided whether fans will be allowed at the stadiums.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been warned off an ambitious Wrexham raid for Cristiano Ronaldo, with the deal making no sense to all concerned.

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CR7 into final year of Al-Nassr contractBeginning to think about post-career plansUnlikely to make his way to North WalesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?

There have been suggestions that the Red Dragons, with Hollywood co-owners calling the shots, could explore the option of bringing CR7 to North Wales. Portuguese superstar Ronaldo is now 39 years of age and beginning to piece together plans for when the day comes to hang up his boots.

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He has made no secret of the fact that he intends to reach 1,000 career goals before heading into retirement, with a productive spell in the Saudi Pro League at Al-Nassr allowing him to edge ever closer to hitting that target. Ronaldo has, however, always been the kind of character to embrace a new challenge.

GettyWHAT FOOTBALL FINANCE EXPERT SAID

Working with Reynolds and Co could offer him a route into the movie business, or club investment when acquiring a stake in Wrexham, but football finance expert Dr Rob Wilson has told of why Ronaldo and the Red Dragons need to steer clear of one another. He has said: “The reality is that even if Wrexham wanted to do a deal like that, it's not something that is affordable, nor is it something that I really think fits any discernible strategy at their end.

“I think he is still hugely marketable as a player. He's a massive following and I think he's made an incredibly smart decision moving to the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr. It is in the same way that Lionel Messi is having an impact in the MLS, Ronaldo is having a massive impact in the exposure of the Saudi Pro League, which I've witnessed myself. For him and his brand, he's better off staying where he is.”

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WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

While former Manchester United star Ronaldo my not be returning to the United Kingdom with Wrexham any time soon – as they continue on a promotion path towards the Premier League – he does have a big decision to make on his future in 2025 as his lucrative contract in the Middle East runs down.

There might be some discontent concerning Liverpool's business this summer – or, more precisely, lack thereof – but surely the contractual situations of several star members press greater concern on FSG.

Captain Virgil van Dijk, vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold and prized forward Mohamed Salah are all stepping into the final years of their contracts, and the fact that it has reached this point is understandably alarming.

Van Dijk, 33, is expected to stay on another year (at least), but Real Madrid are interested in Anfield's cityborn superstar. Salah, 32, is also expected to perform under Arne Slot this season, but Liverpool are lacking in options on the right flank and would be wise to bolster their fold.

While a breakthrough in negotiations with such players would be music to the fanbase's ears, let's also hope there's something in rumours that FSG are finally going to kick Liverpool's transfer window into gear.

Liverpool looking at LaLiga sensation

According to Japanese publication Sponichi, Liverpool are honing in on the signing of Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, who has been touted at £55m by the La Liga outfit.

It's reported that negotiations are already in the final stages with both the transfer fee and annual salary expected to be the 'biggest contracts in Japanese history'.

Kubo's agents have allegedly already arrived in England and an 'agreement may be reached soon'.

The Japan international, 23, has enjoyed a terrific season in Spain and could be the missing ingredient on the right flank, and while he's not the free-scoring winger that Salah is, his skillset could add an invaluable dimension to Slot's attack.

What Takefusa Kubo would bring to Liverpool

Pace, and lots of it. As per FBref, Kubo ranked among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers in La Liga last season for progressive carries, the top 20% for successful take-ons and the top 16% for shot-creating actions per 90.

He might not be the most clinical winger on the block but Kubo boasts the complete skillset, with immense playmaking skills and unceasing wheels that allow him to drive into dangerous positions and contribute defensively – moreover, he drifts back, chips in with the defensive efforts.

The table below shows how he compared (in La Liga) last season to the performances of Salah (in the Premier League) – but let's drift away from the Egyptian kind and look at how Kubo, in this way, could be the perfect partner for Alexander-Arnold.

2023/24: Takefusa Kubo vs Mohamed Salah
Statistics	Kubo (La Liga)	Salah (Premier League)
Matches played	30	32
Matches started	24	28
Goals	7	18
Assists	4	10
Pass completion	81%	76%
Big chances missed	4	17
Big chances created	10	22
Shots per game	1.5	3.6
Key passes per game	2.0	2.1
Ball recoveries per game	3.3	2.6
Tackles per game	0.9	0.5
Dribbles per game	1.8 (56%)	0.8 (36%)
Duels won per game	4.8 (55%)	2.4 (34%)
Stats via Sofascore

Liverpool's homegrown sensation has been one of the linchpins of Jurgen Klopp's success over the past nineish years, with his vast repertoire of ball-playing options placing him among the finest technicians in the game – pundit Jamie Carragher even said that "it's like having Kevin De Bruyne playing at right-back".

Birthed under Klopp's wing, the 25-year-old won the gamut of silverware at Liverpool and fans will now await his starring role in a new era with bated breath. He is irreplaceable.

Last season, in the Premier League, Alexander-Arnold only completed 25 starts due to injuries, but he was utterly mesmerising when performing, ranking among the top 11% of positional peers in the division for goals, the top 20% for assists, the top 1% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions and the top 2% for progressive passes per 90.

The bond that could be forged with Kubo is right there in the metrics: Alexander-Arnold's skillset is replete with creative quality, and there is little question that a fleet-footed player such as Kubo would not thrive with such support behind him.

Moreover, the Sociedad star is – as mentioned – a committed and multi-thinking player, eager to contribute during defensive phases. His 2023/24 La Liga heatmap highlights his vast ground-covering movements on the field, drifting deep to help his full-back.

Claims that Alexander-Arnold is a 'bad' defender might be unjust but he's definitely not a naturally sound defensive player, not lacking in pace and mobility per se but simply not adept as such an operative in the same way that he excels in attacking sequences.

Indeed, in the Premier League last season, the Liverpool linchpin won 44% of his contested ground duels at a rate of 2.7 per game – flick your gaze back to the Kubo and Salah comparison table and you will see that the Egyptian, for all his quality, isn't the best winger in the world to aid in that regard, certainly not like Kubo.

Slot will be working tooth and nail toward successfully crafting Liverpool 2.0 as a unit that can win trophies with constancy, and Kubo – dubbed a "special talent" by journalist John Bunting – would be a brilliant addition to strengthen the Dutchman's accord.

It's important to note that Liverpool are not expecting to make any significant progress in the transfer market over the next fortnight, as Slot's pre-season tour begins in earnest over the pond. This, while somewhat disappointing, is pragmatic and understandable.

With a host of first-team mainstays absent following international commitments, Slot and Co simply want to work with their existing options – many peripheral and of a younger ilk – before FSG grant a major outlay on a new signing.

Perhaps then, such revelations fly in the face of Kubo-centred transfer rumours, but that is not really the case. Liverpool, if reports are to be believed, do have an interest in the player.

Give it some time. When August comes around, Liverpool will seek to accelerate some of their interest. Kubo could be the one to wind up on Merseyside, serving as Salah's foil on the right flank and forming a deadly and dynamic partnership with Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool targeting £30m ace who'd be their most creative CM since Coutinho

He’d be an interesting addition to Arne Slot’s budding project.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 21, 2024

Hasan Ali’s ten-wicket match haul topped stubborn resistance from two of South Africa’s Test captaincy candidates, Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma, to secure Pakistan’s first series win over South Africa since 2003. Hasan triggered a collapse with the second new ball that saw South Africa lose seven wickets for 33 runs and fall 96 runs short of what would have been the highest successful chase in Pakistan. They had lost the first Test, in Karachi, by seven wickets.Related

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Despite the defeat, South Africa would be especially pleased with Markram’s performance. He scored his fifth Test century – his first since March 2018 as well as the first in the subcontinent – to keep hopes of an unlikely upset win alive. Markram and Bavuma, who scored 61, shared a fourth-wicket stand of 106 runs and looked comfortable at the crease against the old ball. But neither could negotiate the fresh ball on a surface that was keeping low, and their dismissals opened up the lower order and allowed Pakistan to seal the series 41 minutes before tea on the final day.South Africa have now lost four of their last five series and ten of their last 13 Tests and are going to have an extended break from the longest format with no games scheduled for the rest of the summer following Australia’s decision to postpone indefinitely a proposed series in March. South Africa had hoped to use this season’s Tests to identify a suitable long-term Test captain after Faf du Plessis stepped down last year. Quinton de Kock, who took over in a temporary capacity, is expected to be relieved from the role after managing just 74 runs in four Tests as captain.Things could hardly have been worse for de Kock, who was dismissed for a first-ball duck chasing a full, wide Hasan delivery that he should have left. De Kock’s dismissal came the ball after Markram was caught at second slip, prodding at a Hasan delivery that kept low. That was in Hasan’s first over with the second new ball, and the second over with it overall, and Pakistan needed just ten more overs to finish South Africa off.The speed of, and shot selection that led to, South Africa’s collapse remains a concern – they had lost five for 37 in the first innings and seven for 87 and nine for 70 in Karachi. While the Rawalpindi pitch got better for batting as the match progressed, it kept low throughout and only Markram and Bavuma were able to adapt to the bounce on the fifth day.Rassie van der Dussen applied himself well on the penultimate day of the match and was on 48 overnight but fell to the third ball of the day. Hasan beat his inside edge with late swing to end a 94-run second-wicket stand with Markram and give Pakistan the breakthrough early on the final morning. Two overs later, Hasan had du Plessis trapped lbw with an incoming delivery that stayed low. Du Plessis reviewed but ball-tracking showed middle and leg stump would have been disturbed.The celebrations were muted as Aiden Markram brought up his first Test century since March 2018•AFP via Getty Images

Instead of sending in de Kock, South Africa opted to stick to the same batting order they had used in the first innings with Bavuma coming in at No. 5. Bavuma batted with more intent than he has come to be known for, and was especially strong on the back foot and the sweep. He played a strong supporting role for Markram, whose confidence grew as his innings developed.Markam was comfortable enough to play the ball late, kept out yorkers from Shaheen Shah Afridi – who took 4 for 51 for the innings – and took on Yasir Shah, cutting him for four and dancing down the track to loft him over long-off for six. His hundred came up the ball before lunch with a single to midwicket to break a century drought that has stretched 26 innings. But his celebrations were subdued, with the knowledge there was still work to do.He only added eight runs to his total after lunch before Hasan had the second new ball in hand and lured Markram into playing a stroke. De Kock’s dismissal off the next ball meant that Bavuma and the lower-order batsmen were left with 129 runs to get. That became far too much when Bavuma played at Afridi outside off and was caught behind.Afridi reaped rewards for his disciplined bowling in the off-stump channel and got the wickets of Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada later on, to go with the scalp of Dean Elgar on the fourth evening. But the day belonged to Hasan, whose five-for came when he had George Linde caught at point and he celebrated his usual bomb-explosion celebration to a baby-cradle one in a nod to his impending fatherhood. The entire squad did the same once victory had been completed, with Babar Azam joining Fazal Mahmood (vs West Indies, 1959), Mushtaq Mohammad (vs New Zealand, 1976), Javed Miandad (vs Australia, 1980) and Saleem Malik (vs New Zealand, 1994) in the list of Pakistan captains to win their maiden Test series at the helm.Shah, who had gone wicketless as the pacers did the damage, finished the game when he beat Wiaan Mulder’s slog to hit timber in the 92nd over. The win, Pakistan’s first against South Africa in over 17 years, means they have recorded series wins over every Test side in the last 15 years. As for South Africa, it was their 21st successive failure to boss a 200-plus (they had been set 370) chase; the last time they managed one was back in 2011 against Australia. They have lost 18 of those matches.

Amid the arrivals of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee, Manchester United are now reportedly ready to send a particular transfer flop out on loan this summer in a repeat of Jadon Sancho's move last season.

Man Utd transfer news

It's been a solid summer at Old Trafford so far, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's reign already impressing. The Red Devils welcomed Zirkzee to kickstart their transfer business after the Dutchman impressed at Champions League-qualifying Bologna in Serie A last season. United then turned their attention to reinforcing their backline with arguably one of the best young centre-backs in European football – signing Yoro for a reported £52m.

After officially signing for the club, Yoro told Manchester United's website: "Signing for a club with the stature and ambition of Manchester United so early in my career is an incredible honour. Since my first conversations with the club, they set out a clear plan for how I can develop in Manchester as part of this exciting project, and showed a lot of care for me and my family."

However, as one star emerges, one flop could be set to leave. According to Mark Ogden of ESPN, Manchester United are now willing to let Antony leave on loan this summer if clubs are willing to pay his £70k-a-week wage. The winger arrived in 2023 for a reported £81m, but may now go down as one the Premier League's most expensive flops following a spell to forget at Old Trafford.

The winger may be hoping to enjoy a similar loan spell just as Jadon Sancho did last season at Borussia Dortmund, where he showed glimpses of his best form and helped the German club reach the Champions League final, where they lost to Real Madrid.

"Fighter" Antony needs summer move

A player who showed plenty of potential at Ajax, Antony simply hasn't been good enough at Manchester United and looks destined to follow in the footsteps of previous transfer flops such as Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku. The Brazilian is far from the first young player to struggle at Old Trafford and he may not be the last player to leave before enjoying the success that many believed was set to come in the Premier League.

Appearances

82

Goals

11

Assists

5

Even throughout his poor form, Erik ten Hag has continuously backed Antony, saying via Metro last season: "There is also the team, first, the team is not playing well, when they don’t bring him the balls, again, I’m also responsible for that.

"But, obviously, also, there’s a lot of noise and that dropped his levels. He can do better, but all the players can do better. Antony is also a fighter, he has the confidence, he is brave, I am confident he will bring the performance that [shows] he is the right player for us."

Selling Antony this summer would show a ruthless side to Ten Hag amid the Dutchman's recent contract renewal off the back of a disappointing campaign last time out, while the emergence of the likes of Alejandro Garnacho perhaps allows room for United to make do without the Brazilian.