Tottenham Hotspur are now “in the running” to sign a “freak of nature” midfielder this summer, having conducted scouting missions this season, according to former scout Mick Brown.
Spurs eyeing move for midfielder
Tottenham’s midfield has looked solid at times when everyone is fully-fit, with the trio of James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall performing well in the recent 1-0 victory against Manchester United in the Premier League.
Maddison bagged the winner in the narrow victory over the Red Devils, which saw the Lilywhites rise to 12th place.
However, Ange Postecoglou clearly feels some additional depth is required, given that the manager has been left short on midfield options at times this season due to the injury crisis he has had to deal with.
Several targets have been identified by Spurs, with the likes of Palmeiras’ Richard Rios and Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso on the shortlist, and there is now a feeling they are also keen on signing one of the Championship’s stars.
Manager stalls new contract after Tottenham express interest in hiring him
Ange Postecoglou has been under serious pressure in recent weeks.
ByEmilio Galantini Feb 15, 2025
In a recent interview with Football Insider, ex-scout Mick Brown stated Tottenham are one of the clubs keeping a close eye on Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham, who could leave this summer if the Black Cats receive a big offer.
“Crystal Palace and Tottenham have had scouts watching him this season so they’ll be two of the teams in the running if he is going to leave. So it’ll be up to them to assess whether he’s ready to make that jump.
“From a Sunderland point of view, knowing the way the owners want to operate, I think if they get a huge bid for him then they’ll let him go.“
Sunderland'sJobeBellingham
Amid links to Arsenal last month, the Sunderland star was thought to have a price tag of £20m, but the asking price could theoretically rise if he continues to impress over the course of the next few months.
Bellingham emerging as key player for Sunderland
The Black Cats are pushing for promotion to the Premier League this season, and the 19-year-old has established himself as a key player, making 28 appearances in the Championship, during which time he has picked up four goals and three assists.
Not only is the teenager a threat going forward, but he has also done a stellar job defensively over the past year, ranking in the 90th percentile for aerials won and the 87th percentile for clearances, when compared to his positional peers playing at a similar level.
Fellow Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil has lauded his teammate in the past, saying: “He’s an absolute freak of nature, physically. I have never seen a 17-year-old that size. Technically, he is a top, top, player as well.”
As such, it is exciting news that Tottenham could be in the race to sign Bellingham in the summer, and they should continue to monitor his performances between now and the end of the season.
With just over two months of the Premier League season left, the Tottenham Hotspur board should and likely will be thinking ahead to next season.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have endured a rough campaign this year, and while they could still end with a bang in the Europa League, the club will be hoping and expecting more next year.
To ensure that happens, Daniel Levy and Co. will need to make some major adjustments to the squad regarding incomings, outgoings and loans.
For example, Timo Werner must not be signed on a permanent deal, and while the club should probably spend big on another winger, they also have another player who is out on loan who could come in as the German’s replacement, a player who’s been compared to Nico Williams.
Why Werner shouldn't be re-signed
When Spurs announced that Werner was going to be coming back to the club for a season-long loan last May, there was a mixed reaction from fans and pundits alike.
On the one hand, it was a relatively cheap way to bring in another attacking option who had shown some signs of promise here and there, but those on the other side pointed to his middling return of five goal involvements in 14 games last term and his £165k-per-week wages.
Unfortunately, ten months after that decision, it would be fair to say that those in the second camp have been proven correct.
Appearances
14
27
Goals
2
1
Assists
3
3
Goal Involvements per Match
0.35
0.14
For example, in 27 first-team appearances, the former Chelsea ace has scored one goal and provided just three assists, meaning he’s averaged a goal involvement every 6.75 games for the Lilywhites.
On top of that, he’s also missed 11 games through injury this season, and while that is not his fault, it is a problem for a loan player to miss that many games in one campaign.
In all, while there have been moments here and there when Werner has looked impressive, he’s not been anywhere near consistent or impactful enough to justify his stay being extended or made permanent by Spurs.
Moreover, while the club will likely look to bring in a big-name replacement, one of their players out on loan this season has been turning heads and has even been compared to Williams.
Spurs' internal Werner replacement
So, there are a few Spurs players enjoying great campaigns out on loan this season, from Jamie Donely at Leyton Orient to Manor Solomon at Leeds United.
However, away from English football, in La Liga, Bryan Gil has also been stepping up for Girona and looks far more impressive than he has in recent years.
For example, in 31 appearances, the “electric” winger, as dubbed by former Eibar assistant coach Iñaki Bea, has scored four goals and provided three assists, which comes to an average of a goal involvement every 4.42 games.
Now, it’s true that the Spaniard has never been able to cement a place for himself in the Lilywhites’ first team and may well move to Girona on a permanent deal in the summer – they have an option after all – but with Werner likely to leave as well, it might make economic sense to keep him as an option off the bench.
Moreover, the 23-year-old has been so good this season that he has been compared to one of the most exciting wingers in Spain: Williams.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.28
0.34
Shots on Target
0.82
0.73
Expected Assists
0.17
0.20
Crosses into the Penalty Area
0.33
0.45
Clearances
0.49
0.39
The comparison stems from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in La Liga, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and in this instance, has concluded that the Athletic Bilbao star is the seventh most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Tottenham man.
The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shots on target, expected assists, crosses into the penalty area and more, all per 90.
Tottenham winger Bryan Gil
Ultimately, Spurs will need a replacement for Werner next season, and while he has failed to deliver in campaigns prior, Gil has surely done enough on loan this year to warrant another chance to be that replacement, especially if he’s being compared to such an exciting talent.
Ange can forget about Kulusevski by unleashing "incredible" Spurs star
Dejan Kulusveski has been ruled out for Spurs with an injury.
Arsenal’s injury crisis in recent weeks has highlighted the need for reinforcements in the summer to prevent such an issue from plaguing Mikel Arteta in the future.
The forward line has been the area most greatly affected in the past few matches, resulting in players such as Mikel Merino having to operate in an unnatural centre-forward role.
Gabriel Martinelli returned during the draw with Manchester United last weekend, potentially easing the blow endured by the boss in the last few months.
Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli
However, the setbacks have come at a cost, all but ending the club’s Premier League title ambitions, with the 15-point gap more than likely too large to close in the last 10 matches.
As a result, it’s pivotal that the board back the manager in the summer, handing him the funds to land his targets, with one player potentially moving to the Emirates at the end of the campaign.
Martin Zubimendi's move to join Arsenal in the summer
Back in the January transfer window, it was confirmed that Arsenal were plotting a summer move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
The Spaniard was on the radar of fellow Premier League side Liverpool last summer, but the 26-year-old decided to stay put in LaLiga for another season.
However, journalist David Ornstein confirmed that the Gunners have been in long-term talks to sign the midfielder this summer, following in the footsteps of Merino, who also moved from Sociedad at the start of the campaign.
The likes of Jorginho and Thomas Partey are both out of contract this summer, highlighting the need for added reinforcements in the midfield department, with Zubimendi still appearing to be the number one option.
Despite the rumours over recent months, the club may regret allowing one player to depart North London, especially considering his form elsewhere after he left a couple of years ago.
The former Arsenal star who’s outperforming Zubimendi in LaLiga
Countless Arsenal players have moved to Spain after plying their trade in England, with the likes of Thierry Henry moving to Barcelona after his successful spell as a Gunner.
Another player who followed in the same vein is midfielder Dani Ceballos, who spent multiple years on loan in North London before returning to parent club Real Madrid.
dani-ceballos-arsenal
The Spaniard spent two years at the Emirates between 2019 and 2021, but they decided against a permanent move after he featured 77 times during his temporary stint.
He’s since been a regular under Carlo Ancelotti’s side, featuring 122 times since he returned to the LaLiag giants ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
This year alone, the 28-year-old has made 31 appearances for Madrid as they sit second in the league behind Barcelona, producing various key stats along the way.
Ceballos, who’s previously been dubbed “incredible” by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, has outperformed Zubimendi in various key areas – highlighting the mistake Arsenal made in not signing him permanently.
Games played
15
26
Minutes played
832
2149
Shot-on-target accuracy
40%
29%
Pass accuracy
95%
83%
Shot-creating actions
4
1.5
Tackles won
2
1.3
Interceptions
1.5
1.3
The former loanee has registered a higher shot-on-target rate along with more shot-creating actions per 90 – showcasing his impressive ability in the final third.
However, the Gunners are crying out for a deep-lying option to regain possession, with Ceballos winning more tackles per 90 than Zubimendi, along with more interceptions, having the defensive quality to operate in the desired role.
Given his form since leaving North London, the club may regret not keeping hold of the 28-year-old, with the Spaniard having numerous key qualities that would bolster the current side.
He will remain as a case of what could’ve been, starring at the top level of European football for Madrid, with Arteta needing to put such a mistake behind him and focus on the future as he aims to end the club’s two-decade wait for a league triumph.
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The incredible record-breaker was a force of nature for a time at Arsenal.
As Steve Clarke announced his latest Scotland squad earlier this week, there was a notable omission from a Celtic point of view – Luke McCowan.
The £1m summer signing from Dundee was not included for the upcoming March internationals, with Clarke opting to continue with the likes of Ryan Christie, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn et al in what is an undoubtedly strong area for the national side.
While the competition in the midfield ranks is fierce, a few eyebrows have been raised by McCowan’s exclusion, with the 27-year-old Hoops star still waiting for that elusive first call-up.
One-time Celtic man Simon Donnelly was among those to suggest that the playmaker was “unfortunate” to miss out, albeit with the player himself having stated that earning a place in Clarke’s squad was “maybe not a target this season”.
It would be fair to say that the former Ayr United man hasn’t exactly set the world alight since moving to Parkhead, although he has shown flickers that he can be a key figure moving forward, both for his country and for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Why Luke McCowan hasn't been called up by Scotland
As stated, with Rodgers settling on a starting midfield trio of Arne Engels, Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor, McCowan has had to bid his time this season.
That said, when he has been given the nod, the midfield maestro has showcased what he’s all about, chalking up six goals and six assists in 31 games in all competitions in his new surroundings – only 12 of which have come from the start.
To put that into context, among those selected ahead of McCowan by Clarke is Motherwell’s teen sensation, Lennon Miller, albeit with the 18-year-old only chipping in with four goals and six assists at Fir Park.
Miller, due to his youth, will be viewed as the greater long-term investment for the Tartan Army, yet when factoring in that McCowan has 21 goals and assists in total this term, including his early season form for Dundee, the Celtic man may have reason to be frustrated.
Described as the “missing link” in the Hoops side by writer Ryan McGinlay, the task for the tricky left-footer now will be to oust the likes of Hatate and Engels from Rodgers’ go-to side, not just to improve his standing at club level, but also on the international scene.
Indeed, the playmaker may be fearful of going the same way of another homegrown star signed by Celtic in recent times, with David Turnbull’s career having stuttered of late.
Celtic already sold the original Luke McCowan
Prising talents from within Scottish football has long been a route to success for the Old Firm side, be it landing Stuart Armstrong from Dundee United, or the aforementioned Christie from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Where Are They Now
That trend looked set to continue with the capture of Turnbull from Motherwell back in August 2020, with the promising midfielder joining 14 months on from seeing the move collapse after requiring knee surgery.
Much like McCowan – who racked up 47 goals and assists in 125 games for his former employers – the £3.25m man had proven himself in Scottish football prior to making the switch, after contributing to 23 goals in just 41 games for Well.
Stat (*per game)
McCowan (Dundee)
Turnbull (Celtic)
Games (starts)
37 (37)
16 (9)
Goals
10
7
Assists
5
0
Big chances created
9
5
Pass accuracy*
71%
88%
Key passes*
1.6
1.3
Tackles*
1.0
0.5
Interceptions*
1.5
0.2
Total duels won*
45%
36%
Successful dribbles*
0.9
0.1
Possession lost*
17.3x
6.6x
At times looking “phenomenal”, in the words of pundit Alan Hutton, the five-cap Scotland international did rack up over ten goals and assists in the Premiership in each of his three full seasons in Glasgow.
That said, his face never seemingly fit under Ange Postecoglou, enduring what teammate Matt O’Riley described as a “rough year” in 2022/23, in which he started only six league games.
Celtic midfielder David Turnbull.
That was followed by just nine league starts at the start of the 2023/24 campaign, yielding seven goals, before Turnbull – who was approaching the end of his contract at the time – was sold on by Rodgers and co for just £2m to Cardiff City in January 2024.
The now 25-year-old said at the time of the move that his “aim” was to get back into the Scotland frame, although a year one from making that switch, he appears no closer to a recall, having scored only once and provided only one assist in 29 games for the Bluebirds.
Sadly, Turnbull has been out since December after enduring what looks to be a ‘long-term’ injury blow, with the move to South Wales having thus far failed to pan out.
As for his time at Celtic, the former Motherwell man did showcase a real goalscoring instinct, although simply found himself overtaken by the likes of Hatate and Matt O’Riley in the midfield pecking order.
McCowan, therefore, must ensure he doesn’t also remain shackled to the periphery…
Celtic star is already proving to Rodgers he's their next Kieran Tierney
Celtic are going to overhaul of their left-backs in the summer, with Kieran Tierney set to return, but does Rodgers already have a better option?
Ask an Arsenal fan what part of the team needs reinforcing in the summer, and we’re sure they’d say centre-forward.
Go a step further and ask them the striker they want to come in, and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak will almost certainly be one of the first names mentioned.
However, while the Swede would be an incredible addition to Mikel Arteta’s side, he’s not the only player the North Londoners should and could sign from the Magpies.
Bruno Guimaraes celebrates for Newcastle
According to reports from earlier this month, the Gunners are once again interested in the immensely talented Bruno Guimarães, although, as incredible as the Brazilian is, he’s still worth millions less than one of Arsenal’s leading stars.
Why Arsenal would want to sign Guimarães
So, there are a few reasons why Arsenal would want to splash the cash on Guimarães in the summer, with the first being that he can play in two positions to a brilliant standard.
For example, while he has played in four positions across his career, he has spent the majority of his time playing either as a defensive midfielder or a central midfielder, making 181 appearances as the former and 76 as the latter.
On top of his positional versatility – a trait we know Arteta values – the Brazilian international is a genuine threat on the attack, as in just 37 appearances this season, totalling 3006 minutes, he has scored three goals and provided eight assists.
That means the former Lyon star is averaging a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or every 273.27 minutes, despite making most of his appearances at the base of midfield this year.
Finally, the “world-class” 27-year-old, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has bags and bags of experience under his belt, winning 32 caps for the Seleção and captaining the Toon to their first trophy in 70 years, which might be the sort of thing to help the Gunners get over the line next year.
In all, Guimarães is one of the most exciting midfielders in the Premier League and more than deserving of his €65.2m valuation – £55m – from the CIES Football Observatory, although that is substantially lower than one of Arsenal’s midfield stars.
The Arsenal star worth millions more than Guimarães
While this season hasn’t entirely gone according to plan, Arsenal are blessed with several top-class midfielders, from club captain Martin Odegaard to Thomas Partey and the vastly experienced Jorginho.
However, in this instance, we are talking about Declan Rice, who, according to the CIES Football Observatory, is worth €108.3m, which is about £91m, or £36m more than Guimarães.
Now, that might seem like a lot considering the Brazilian’s sensational ability, but Rice is no slouch himself, and based on his performances for the Gunners, is more than worth his valuation.
Arsenal's DeclanRicecelebrates after the match
For example, the former West Ham United captain has proven to be a versatile midfielder, making 48 appearances as the left-eight and 42 as the team’s six, doing brilliantly in both roles.
Moreover, he’s also become a more reliable attacking outlet as well, racking up an impressive tally of 12 goals and 18 assists in 91 appearances for the North Londoners, totalling 7380 minutes.
Appearances
91
Starts
84
Minutes
7380′
Goals
12
Assists
18
Goal Involvements per Match
0.32
Minutes per Goal Involvement
246′
That means the “world-class” Englishman, as dubbed by journalist Tom Marshall-Bailey, has averaged a goal involvement every 3.03 games, or every 246 minutes, since moving to the Emirates.
Finally, his underlying numbers are stellar, as, according to FBref, he sits in the top 4% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for carries into the penalty area, the top 5% for progressive carries, the top 6% for assists, the top 12% for passes blocked and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, signing Guimarães would undoubtedly make Arsenal a far stronger team, but he would have to hit the ground running to see his valuation catch up with Rice’s.
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The incredible goalscorer would be a game-changing addition to Arsenal’s team.
Arsenal have done “more work” than any other suitors on a popular striker target, who new sporting director Andrea Berta is keen to sign, according to a new report.
Berta ready to put his imprint on Arsenal
Edu’s unexpected departure as Arsenal’s sporting director late last year sent shockwaves through the club, with many fans wondering how the club would move forward without the man partly responsible for the club’s resurgence in recent years.
Well, now they have the answer. On Sunday, Andrea Berta was confirmed as Arsenal’s new sporting director, ushering in an exciting new era at the Emirates Stadium.
Berta arrives in North London with a wealth of experience, having worked in technical roles for Italian sides Carpenedolo, Parma and Genoa and, most recently, Atlético Madrid, where he spent almost 12 years and played a major role in building the teams which won La Liga in both 2013/14 and 2020/21.
In his first interview following his appointing, Berta said that he can’t wait to help shape Arsenal’s future.
“I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone into re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world,” he said.
“The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team. I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters.”
Berta wants Cunha as Gunners begin work on signing
Having signed the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Rodri and Jan Oblak for Atleti over the years, Berta is now looking to get to work quickly at Arsenal, and reportedly already has his eye on a summer signing in the form of Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha.
Described as “absolutely sensational” by former Manchester City star turned pundit Micah Richards, Cunha, who has been Wolves’ standout player this season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions, has been a target for Arsenal for some time, with the Gunners wanting him in January but being put off by Wolves’ £80 million asking price.
Ex-Arsenal star who's watched Cunha for years reveals trait Arteta loves
The Gunners could target the Wolves star…
ByTom Cunningham Mar 28, 2025
According to a new report from TEAMtalk, however, the Brazil international will be available for a much lower price in the summer, and Arsenal have done “more work” on signing Cunha than his other suitors. He is now “under serious consideration” by Berta.
The publication reports that the Gunners will face competition from Liverpool for the £90k per week star, with the Merseyside club having already been in contact to ask about the conditions of a deal for Cunha and whether he would be interested in a switch to Anfield.
Nottingham Forest are also reported to be plotting a bold move for the talented forward, and believe securing a Champions League spot would significantly boost their chances of sealing the deal.
Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship last night with a huge 1-0 win over play-off-chasing Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
Dan James’ goal after just two minutes secured all three points for Daniel Farke’s side, moving back to the summit after Sheffield United and Burnley both dropped points.
The scoreline could’ve been a lot better for the Whites, with Ao Tanaka and Patrick Bamford both having legitimate goals chalked off for wrongful offside calls.
Nevertheless, their chances of securing promotion back to the Premier League is back in their own hands, potentially ending their two-year absence from the top flight.
However, despite the victory in the North East, numerous players failed to live up to their high standards, putting their starting roles at risk over the next few weeks.
Leeds’ poor performers against Middlesbrough
Midfielder Brenden Aaronson was handed a recall to the starting eleven by Farke for the clash with Michael Carrick’s side but was unable to take advantage of the opportunity.
The American international featured for the vast majority of the contest but lost 10 duels – the most of any player from either side – whilst also only completing 60% of the passes he attempted.
He wasn’t the only one to disappoint, with Manor Solomon struggling to live up to his high standards despite registering the assist for James’ strike early on.
The Spurs loanee only managed to complete 40% of the crosses he attempted, whilst losing possession eight times, often looking wasteful – something which was rarely said a couple of months ago.
However, despite the showings of the aforementioned pair, one other player failed to deliver once again, with Farke desperately needing to drop him at the weekend.
The player who Farke needs to drop after Middlesbrough
Over the course of the season, Leeds have impressed in the final third, as seen by their tally of 80 goals in their 41 outings – albeit two fewer than they should have after the wrongful offside calls.
The likes of Solomon and James have both been responsible for such a tally, popping up in key moments, as seen by the latter’s 12th league of the campaign last night.
Joel Piroe has been the Whites’ starting striker for the majority of 2024/25 but has struggled as of late, with his failure to find the net against Boro extending his goalless run to seven matches.
His showing at the Riverside was one to forget, unable to make the desired impact, leading to his withdrawal in the 73rd minute, subsequently being replaced by Bamford – who certainly outperformed the Dutchman in his brief cameo.
The 25-year-old only managed a total of 26 touches during his display, also only completing 10 passes – leading to journalist Beren Cross dubbing his showing as “careless”.
He also only registered a single effort on goal, whilst missing a big chance and losing 64% of the duels he entered, being largely ineffective at the top end of the pitch.
Minutes played
73
Touches
26
Passes completed
10/16 (63%)
Duels lost
7/11 (64%)
Shots taken
1
Big chances missed
1
Possession lost
8x
His misery would’ve been compounded had substitute Bamford’s effort stood, with the Englishman putting pressure on the manager to hand him a rare start at the weekend.
As a result of his performance, Piroe was handed a measly 2/10 match rating by Football Insider’s Harri Burton – the lowest of any Whites player during the triumph.
After extending his goalless streak, it would be a surprise to see the former Swansea City man start against Preston on Saturday afternoon, with no mistakes expected given their promotion hopes are once again in their own hands.
Whilst Bamford has been a player largely touted with an exit, the upcoming clash provides him with an opportunity to stake his claim for a first-team role next season, pushing Piroe back down the pecking order.
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Leeds United could be about to land an attacking star to improve their ranks next season.
Manchester City first visited Goodison Park on 28 April 1900, beaten 4-0 that day, and Saturday’s visit will be the Sky Blues’ 101st and final outing at the stadium.
Supporters of a sky-blue persuasion will be sad to see the stadium close, considering Man City have won each of their last eight visits there, despite winning only one of the first 21.
Everton's Mason Holgate competing with Manchester City's Erling Haaland.
Come three o’clock, there will be no room for sentiment, given that Pep Guardiola’s team need the points in their quest for Champions League qualification, currently fifth, but with both Chelsea and Aston Villa breathing down their necks.
If Guardiola is going to lead his team to victory on Merseyside, we believe he should unleash his “incredible” star at number ten.
İlkay Gündoğan's difficult Manchester City return
Last summer, after just one season at Barcelona, İlkay Gündoğan rejoined Manchester City on a free transfer.
This was widely considered to be a shrewd piece of business, with former Chelsea and Aston Villa midfielder Andy Townsend labelling this a “smart” move.
Meantime, Elias Burke and Anantaajith Raghuraman of the Athletic described the German international as one of Guardiola’s ‘most reliable servants’, forecasting he would continue to be ‘influential’ and that the signing was a complete ‘no-brainer’.
However, things have not transpired this way, with Guardiola himself describing Gündoğan’s performance against Newcastle in September as “one of the worst” he has seen from him.
Meanwhile, speaking during Sky Sports’ coverage, Jamie Redknapp slammed the German for not doing the basics during Man City’s 4-0 mauling at the hands of Spurs, stating “I think Gündoğan has really struggled… to deal with the intensity of this match.”
So, let’s assess how Gündoğan’s statistics compare this season to his most recent campaign at the club, prior to his move to Barça.
Appearances
51
43
Minutes
3,856
2,711
Starts
45
31
Matches missed due to injury
Zero
Zero
Goals
11
2
Assists
6
4
Goals – xG
+1.3
-2.7
Expected goals
7.5
2.7
Expected assists
3.3
2.6
Shots per 90
2.03
1.16
Shots on target %
37.7%
17.4%
Pass completion %
87.1%
89.4%
Shot-creating actions
90
66
Goal-creating actions
17
9
Tackles
30
22
Interceptions
20
12
Ball recoveries
155
92
Touches per 90
69
80
As the table outlines, Gündoğan’s statistics this season are almost comprehensively down across the board, with pass completion percentage and touches per 90 the only two that have increased.
So, after starting the last five matches, we believe Guardiola should leave the German on the bench at Goodison and start a more creative attacking force in his place.
A Man City star is looking to rediscover his best form
Earlier this month, Jack Grealish ended his 473-day wait for a Premier League goal, on target during Manchester City’s routine 2-0 home win over Leicester.
That night, the England international was deployed in a more central number ten role, with Guardiola describing his performance as “incredible”, adding “this is a guy who used to play free, between the lines, he’s got the ability to control the ball and play an extra pass”.
Meantime, as outlined by Jamie Jackson of the Guardian, Grealish performed much better in a central number ten role during that game, having been handed a first start in the Premier League since just before Christmas.
Last weekend against Crystal Palace, Guardiola deployed a rather stodgy midfield trio of Nico González, Mateo Kovačić and the aforementioned Gündoğan.
This Saturday, against David Moyes’ Everton, who will defend deep in a low block, Man City will require an extra spark of attacking creativity, and Grealish could be the man to provide exactly this.
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Liverpool are believed to be keeping tabs on a Vinicius Junior-esque starlet with a massive future in the game, according to a new transfer update.
Liverpool close in on title as transfer rumours ramp up
The Reds need just one more win to seal the Premier League title, following Sunday’s 1-0 triumph away to relegated Leicester City. They could even be crowned champions on Wednesday evening, should Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace, which feels unlikely.
Away from the on-pitch action, Liverpool continue to be linked with new signings, ahead of what promises to be a busy summer at Anfield. Nottingham Forest right-back Ola Aina has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, should he depart for Real Madrid.
Ola Aina with Chris Wood for Nottingham Forest.
Bryan Mbeumo has also been mentioned as an option for the Reds for many months now and the Brentford ace is still being discussed as a summer target. A £50m bid for the Cameroonian is reportedly likely to be accepted by the Bees at the end of the season.
Liverpool are thought to have made contact with RB Leipzig ace Xavi Simons over a switch to Anfield, too, even though he only joined permanently from Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window.
Liverpool keeping tabs on Leicester teenager Monga
According to a report from Spain, Liverpool are eyeing a summer move for Leicester City teenager Jeremy Monga, who is considered one of the brightest young prospects in English football.
Chelsea and Manchester City are also thought to be interested in signing the winger, who recently became the first-ever player born in 2009 to play in the Premier League, and the second-youngest appearance-maker in the competition’s history.
Monga is a player who is being talked about as a special prospect, with scout/writer Jacek Kulig heaping praise on him and even comparing him to Madrid superstar Vinicius.
“Very positive on the ball, unpredictable, and confident of his skills. Doesn’t hesitate to use his weaker left foot and is capable of dribbling, passing, and scoring comfortably with it. Player has the potential to become a key player in a top European club.”
Liverpool should always be looking to sign the biggest young talent around and Monga could be an exceptional signing, maturing into a sensational player over time.
To have already played in the Premier League at the age of just 15 is an incredible achievement, and he was even introduced as a late substitute against the Reds on Sunday, making his second senior appearance in the process.
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Monga has already made a combined 23 appearances for Leicester at Under-21 and Under-18 level, shining way above his own age group, so Liverpool pipping rivals to his signature could look like a masterstroke over time.
Glasgow Rangers will be on the lookout for a new manager this summer after Barry Ferguson’s time as the interim head coach comes to an end.
The Scottish boss came in to replace Philippe Clement on a short-term basis and has the job until the end of the 2025/26 campaign, when a decision will be made on the holder of the position on a long-term basis.
Ferguson has not done too much to further his claim to take the job on permanently after a fairly unimpressive collection of results in the Europa League and the Scottish Premiership so far.
His side failed to score in three of their four Europa League outings, eventually getting knocked out by Athletic Bilbao, and the Scottish manager has only won three of his seven top-flight games in charge, most recently drawing 2-2 with St Mirren.
The Light Blues may, therefore, have to look further afield to find their manager for next season and beyond, because Ferguson does not look up to the task of returning Rangers to their former glory on the evidence of his interim period in charge.
In fact, a fresh report on the club’s search for a new head coach suggests that the club are looking at other options to come in and replace the former Scotland international in the Ibrox dugout.
Rangers considering moves for two managerial candidates
According to TEAMtalk, the Scottish giants have whittled their shortlist of managerial candidates down to two in their search for a new tactician.
The report claims that former RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose has emerged as a contender for the job, as the Gers hierarchy are said to be thinking about him for the job.
It states that the pending takeover will put the club in a better financial situation, and that they are looking for an exciting managerial appointment to take the team in the right direction.
Rose is said to have been sounded out about the job and that he is open to taking on a new role next season, having left his position at RB Leipzig in March.
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The German head coach, however, is not the only manager on the shortlist. TEAMtalk adds that the Light Blues are seriously considering a swoop for former Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard.
It states that the English manager, who left Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq in January, would be interested in a return to Glasgow to manage the team for a second time.
Steven Gerrard
In fact, TEAMtalk reports that many managers see the job as an attractive prospect because of the potential to win domestic trophies, as well as the prospect of Champions League or Europa League football, which Gerrard has not had since his first spell in Scotland.
With all of this in mind, the 49ers and Kevin Thelwell, who is set to take up the position of sporting director this summer, must move to bring the Liverpool legend back to Ibrox ahead of a swoop for Rose.
Why Steven Gerrard would be better for Rangers than Marco Rose
The German boss is, certainly, a strong candidate for the job because he has achieved relative success in both Austria with RB Salzburg and Germany with RB Leipzig.
Rose won two titles in two seasons in the Austrian Bundesliga before making his way to his home country with Borussia Monchengladbach, with whom he finished fourth and eighth before joining Borussia Dortmund and finishing second in the 2021/22 campaign.
The 48-year-old boss then joined Leipzig and finished third and fourth in his first two seasons, before leaving the club in sixth place in the division this season.
This suggests that Rose, despite winning the German Cup in the 2022/23 campaign, regressed during his time at Monchengladbach and Leipzig, as their respective league positions dropped the longer he stayed.
Nathan Patterson, Steven Gerrard
Rangers must, now, swoop for Gerrard instead because he would be an even better appointment than the German head coach, as he is a proven quantity at Ibrox and in Scottish football.
The 4-3-3 boss joined the Light Blues in the summer of 2018 and led the club to second-placed finishes in the Premiership in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, before winning the league title in his third year in Glasgow.
Gerrard’s team, incredibly, went unbeaten in the 2020/21 campaign in the top-flight, winning 32 matches and drawing six, to beat Celtic to the title.
It was a remarkable accomplishment by the manager, whose reputation was described as “amazing” by former England defender Glen Johnson, who won the league title for Rangers for the first time in ten years.
Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, and Philippe Clement have all attempted to replicate the success that Gerrard had at Ibrox, but failed and were all relieved of their duties without winning the league title.
The former Liverpool midfielder’s experience and success at Ibrox are exactly why he would be an even better appointment than Rose, because he knows what it takes to win the Premiership and has proven that he can put together a team to do exactly that.
Matches
38
12
Wins
32
8
Draws
6
3
Defeats
0
1
Points
102
27
Points per game
2.68
2.25
League position
1st
1st
As you can see in the table above, Gerrard only lost one of his last 50 Premiership matches in charge of Rangers, leaving the club at the top of the table after 12 matches in the 2021/22 campaign when he left to join Aston Villa.
The Gers have lost seven of their 34 games in the league in the current season, which illustrates just how impressive that record across 50 outings was, and they clearly need a manager who can bring a winning mentality back to Glasgow.
Steven Gerrard
Therefore, bringing Gerrard back to Ibrox in the hope that he can recapture the spark that he had in his first spell at the club could be a brilliant move for the 49ers and Thelwell to make.
The out-of-work tactician could bring the feel-good factor back to Ibrox, more so than Rose, who has no experience in Scotland or prior connection with the fanbase, and it is a move that seems to make a lot of sense on paper.
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