All posts by z3u9t.icu

Manchester United have not enjoyed a successful season so far as they have struggled domestically and in Europe under Erik ten Hag's leadership.

The Red Devils were dumped out of their Champions League group – finishing bottom – and they are currently seventh in the Premier League table, with six games left to play.

They do, however, have a chance to reach the FA Cup final as they face Coventry City at Wembley in the semi-finals on Sunday, and could end the campaign with a piece of silverware.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, though, reportedly already has one eye on his plans for the upcoming summer transfer window, as United look set to make changes to their playing squad.

Man Utd open to selling academy graduate

According to TEAMtalk, the Red Devils are open to cashing in on several players ahead of the 2024/25 campaign in order to free up space for new signings to come through the door.

The report claims that Ratcliffe has earmarked academy graduate Scott McTominay as one of those who could be sold to raise funds for fresh additions. It states that the fact any money they make from him would be counted as 'pure profit', due to being a former youth team player, makes him a sellable asset.

TEAMtalk also claims that United's hierarchy, and by extension Ratcliffe, do not see McTominay as being a good enough footballer to carry the club into the new era that they want to enter.

The outlet adds that there is strong interest from unnamed clubs in the Premier League and the Bundesliga, with recent links to Everton, but does state that West Ham United would not be willing to meet the £40m valuation of the Scotland international. However, the report does say that McTominay could put a stop to a potential exit as the central midfielder is keen to remain at Old Trafford as it stands.

Why Man Utd should sell Scott McTominay

The towering Scottish gem has provided a goal threat from the middle of the park for United this season in the Premier League, but his all-round midfield play has left a lot to be desired.

McTominay has scored nine goals in all competitions for the club this season, which is more than attackers Marcus Rashford (eight), Antony (two), and Anthony Martial (two) have managed.

Seven of those goals have come in the English top flight, with only Bruno Fernandes (eight) ahead of him, and this illustrates the goalscoring quality he can provide.

Passes attempted (30.78)

Bottom 9%

Pass accuracy (80.2%)

Bottom 43%

Progressive passes (3.08)

Bottom 16%

Shot-creating actions (1.20)

Bottom 7%

Successful take-ons (0.46)

Bottom 26%

Stats via FBref

However, as you can see in the table above, the 27-year-old midfielder is significantly below average among his positional peers in several key in-possession metrics in the Premier League this season.

Whilst he offers a threat as a goalscorer, his general play in the middle of the park has been underwhelming and Ratcliffe may not see him as a key part of a team that could want to dominate the ball and be progressive moving forward, which is why he wants to cash in on the Scotsman.

Glasgow Rangers could still end the 2023/24 season with three trophies having reached the Scottish Cup final on Sunday afternoon.

Of course, the Ibrox side's biggest rivals stand in their way and the climax to the season could be enthralling as both teams go head-to-head for the Premiership crown.

In what was a marked improvement at Hampden following two dismal performances on the trot from his team, Philippe Clement now knows his team have to win their remaining five league games to stand a chance of claiming top-flight glory.

With the end of the season in sight, the Belgian is also focusing on his plans for his squad, including which players to keep at the club and who to move on.

There are six players out of contract at the end of the season: Ryan Jack, Leon Balogun, Jon McLaughlin, Kemar Roofe, Borna Barisic, and John Lundstram.

It looks as though all but one of their futures has been decided, as Lundstram could be set to sign an extended contract, despite interest from elsewhere.

The latest on John Lundstram's future

The former Sheffield United midfielder approaches the final few weeks of his spell at Rangers unsure whether he will still be at Ibrox next season.

According to the Daily Record, Lundstram had been heavily linked with a move to Turkey to join Trabzonspor, yet it appears his wage demands of £2m-per-year have stalled any potential deal from taking place.

Now it appears there is interest from England. That’s according to Turkish outlet Gunebakis, who claim that Ipswich Town are reportedly leading the line with regard to securing the signature of Lundstram.

The Tractor Boys are currently battling it out at the top of the Championship with Leicester City and Leeds United to see who will secure promotion to the Premier League.

If Ipswich return to the top flight for the first time since the 2001/02 campaign, it could perhaps tempt Lundstram back down south for a second stab at things.

In truth, getting his £22k-per-week wages off the wage bill could free up some funds for Clement to perhaps bring in someone much younger who could be sold for a profit further down the line.

John Lundstram’s statistics this season

While it looked like the Englishman was emerging as a key player under Clement, it soon became apparent that this was just a purple patch.

He has missed only one match since the Belgian took over in mid-October and, due to injuries, Lundstram has kept his place in the starting XI ever since.

The previous two league matches against Ross County and Dundee saw the midfielder deliver two poor performances.

Goals

0

Assists

4

Total duels won per game

3.8

Tackles per game

1.7

Accurate passes per game

64.9

Via Sofascore

In both games, he lost possession 12 times and during the defeat in the Highlands, the Englishman failed to track the opposition left back who ended up scoring the second goal.

Among his teammates, he ranks second for accurate passes (64.9), while also ranking fifth for key passes (1.4) and fourth for tackles per game (1.7) all per game, which showcases his talents across a range of metrics.

In some matches, however, his lack of dynamism from the heart of the pitch has cost the Light Blues and this is something which Clement will be looking to improve on next season.

If he does allow Lundstram to leave, there might not be a need to splash millions on a potential replacement, especially considering there is a young talent hopefully ready to make the step-up next term.

The young player to replace Lundstram at Ibrox

Despite playing the majority of his matches for the club at centre-back, Leon King could potentially be an option as a number 6 for Clement going forward.

During his breakthrough campaign last year, the youngster averaged a pass success rate of 88% across his 15 Premiership appearances, while also winning 1.7 ground duels per game – a success rate of 67% – making 1.3 tackles per match and being dribbled past only 0.3 times per outing, showing how strong he is during one on one battles, while displaying an excellent passing range which allowed the Gers to build attacks from the heart of the defence.

These attributes could see him shine as a defensive midfielder as it is a position that he has been utilised in when on international duty for Scotland U21s during their recent European Championship qualifying campaign.

Indeed, the four games that King operated at the heart of the midfield, Scotland secured wins over Hungary, Belgium, and Malta at U21 level, while slipping to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain.

Across those four matches, the 20-year-old was part of a side which conceded just three goals while scoring seven and it certainly looks as though his future – at international level anyway – lies in a more advanced role.

King hasn’t quite had the opportunities this season that he received throughout 2022/23, but this could all change heading into next term.

Former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton, who knows all about emerging through the academy to become a regular at Rangers, praised the defender in the summer of 2022, saying:

“I think when I did watch him last season, he was like a big Rolls Royce, very elegant on the ball. He came out, kept possession and looked very comfortable for someone of such a young age.”

Again, these types of attributes could see him make inroads into receiving more minutes in the midfield under Clement, rather than as a centre-back.

Much will depend on the transfer business which occurs this summer, as there will likely be a large volume of players both leaving and coming into the club.

The academy graduate should definitely be given an opportunity in midfield next season to fully showcase his talents and there is no doubt Clement will be keeping an eye on his displays for the academy and for the Scotland U21 side.

Developing youth talents could see the Gers make plenty of profit in the future, with King one of the players who could lead the team into a new era.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

There hasn't been much to cheer about for Manchester United fans this season, as their Premier League, Champions League, and League Cup campaigns have all gone disastrously.

Erik ten Hag still has an FA Cup Final to look forward to and a chance to end his second year at Old Trafford with a second trophy, but with Manchester City being the opponent, that seems like a bit of a pipe dream at present.

That said, there are some things that fans can cling to, one of which is the development of Alejandro Garnacho, his impressive performance, and his ballooning value.

Alejandro Garnacho's rise

Garnacho was born and raised in Madrid, Spain, where he participated in Getafe and Atlético Madrid's youth systems. At just 16 years old, he joined United in September 2020 and signed his first professional contract with the club in July of the following year.

The talented winger made his first couple of appearances for the first team off the bench in the 2021/22 season but made his full first-team debut against FC Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League the following season – a game the club won 3-0.

GK – David de Gea

RB – Diogo Dalot

CB – Victor Lindelof

CB – Lisandro Martínez

LB – Tyrell Malacia

CM – Christian Eriksen

CM – Casemiro

RM – Antony

CAM – Bruno Fernandes

LM – Alejandro Garnacho

ST – Cristiano Ronaldo

By the end of last season, the dynamic attacker had five goals and four assists in 34 appearances and had firmly established himself as one of the most exciting young talents around.

The club clearly recognized this, as they quickly agreed to a brand-new contract that runs until June 2028.

Appearances

82

Goals

14

Assists

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.28

This season has seen the five-capped Argentinian pick up where he left off, as with three league games and the final to go, he has racked up nine goals and five assists in 46 appearances.

This impressive form from a player so young has understandably impacted his valuation, and as of today, he is worth more than one of the most talked-about wingers in England.

Alejandro Garnacho's valuation in 2024

According to the CIES Football Observatory, the 19-year-old "game-changer", as described by journalist Samuel Luckhurst, is now worth a staggering €100m, which converts to around £86m and makes him the joint most valuable player at Manchester United alongside Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund, which is probably music to the ears of the Glazers.

1

Marcus Rashford

€100m (£86m)

1

Rasmus Hojlund

€100m (£86m)

1

Alejandro Garnacho

€100m (£86m)

2

Antony

€60m (£52m)

3

Anthony Martial

€15m (£13m)

3

Amad Diallo

€15m (£13m)

This recent valuation means he's considered to be worth more than the incredibly talented Michael Olise, who just put in a brilliant performance against the Red Devils earlier this week and has been consistently linked with the club in recent months.

These reports claim that the Frenchman is valued at and has a release clause worth around £60m, which seems entirely reasonable for a player who has scored nine goals and provided four assists in 17 games this season.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe certainly has a lot on his plate to turn United back into the relentless winning machine of old, but with a youngster like Garnacho in the side, he has something to be happy about, and if he can, he really should think about signing Olise as his valuation won't be that low forever. Just imagine the pair together in United red. It's a salivating thought.

Man Utd were rinsed by Van Gaal flop who earned as much as Fernandes

The experienced professional had a nightmare in Manchester.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 5, 2024

Over the last couple of years, Everton have conducted excellent business in the transfer market, turning their attention to younger talents and allowing them to develop at Goodison Park rather than signing big-money players who are past their best.

Jarrad Branthwaite arrived on Merseyside a couple of years ago for just £1m from Carlisle United and has bided his time and eventually made a huge impact on the Toffees' first-team so far this campaign.

He's started 33 times in the Premier League under boss Sean Dyche, forming an integral partnership with James Tarkowski at the heart of the club's defence – a huge key in the club's Premier League survival this season.

However, his performances have attracted interest from fellow Premier League side Manchester United, who are rumoured to be targeting a big-money move for the 21-year-old this summer.

Whilst the club wouldn't want to lose their young talent this summer, it is a reflection of the excellent dealings in the market, with the club needing to focus more on youngsters in the years ahead.

Along with Branthwaite, the club also invested in a promising youngster a couple of seasons ago, with the Toffees really starting to reap the rewards of their brilliant scouting network.

Vitaliy Mykolenko's stats at Everton in 2023/24

Left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko joined the club in a £17m deal from Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv back in January 2022, with the then 22-year-old seen as the perfect, long-term replacement for Lucas Digne, who subsequently joined Aston Villa just a few days later.

After a slow start at Goodison – having notably been described as a "weak link" by journalist Richard Buxton last year – the 2023/24 season has arguably been his best to date at the club, with Mykokenko showing signs that he's fully settled into life in the Premier League.

Whilst he's managed two goals in the league this term, Mykolenko has established himself as a reliable defensive full-back, dominating in many areas throughout the campaign.

The Ukrainian has averaged 1.4 successful tackles per 90 in the Premier League this season, as well as 1.3 interceptions and three clearances – with the latter in the top three of all Toffees players.

Just over two years on from his arrival in England, Mykolenko has proved to be worth every penny of his £17m transfer fee, with his market value taking a sharp rise as a result of his performances.

Vitaliy Mykolenko's market value in 2024

The "sensational" defender, as described by writer Peter Guy, now boasts a market value of £24m, as per Transfermarkt, with his value now higher than goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who's reportedly now only worth £18.8m, despite signing on a £25m deal in 2017.

His rapid rise has also seen him overtake the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto, who are valued at the same as Pickford, with the latter suffering a huge drop since his £26m move less than a year ago.

Jordan Pickford

£18.8m

James Garner

£18.8m

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

£18.8m

Beto

£18.8m

Abdoulaye Doucoure

£10.3m

His transformation under Dyche in recent months has been nothing short of sensational, with the Ukrainian having the potential to be the club's starting left-back for many years to come.

His transfer is proof you can recruit players outside of Europe's top five leagues that make a huge impact on the club whilst also making a tidy profit, with the full-back undoubtedly set to make the Toffees a huge profit should he ever depart Goodison Park.

Everton were rinsed by Silva flop who earned more than Calvert-Lewin

Goodison Park witnessed a bitter howler with this “unlucky” signing.

ByAngus Sinclair May 6, 2024

Ipswich Town will be thankful for the fact they don't have to worry about the stresses of the Championship playoffs, focusing instead on drafting up a list of new recruits for their Premier League maiden season ahead.

The rumour mill has churned out some interesting targets, including both Armando Broja and Eddie Nketiah potentially leaving the glamour of London behind for Portman Road, but the Tractor Boys might well opt to shop in the division they've just exited from as well.

This target, in particular, could soften the blow of Omari Hutchinson potentially not sticking around in Suffolk having dazzled Championship defences in a similar manner to the standout Chelsea loanee over a number of campaigns now.

Omari Hutchinson's future at Ipswich

Developing into an "exceptional" talent last season under McKenna, as was stated by Ipswich chief executive Mark Ashton right after promotion had been sealed, it's no secret that the Tractor Boys would love to keep Hutchinson around as they traverse the tricky step-up to the top-flight.

Accumulating 11 goals and six assists from 50 appearances, including scoring the crucial second goal on the final day to beat Huddersfield Town 2-0, Hutchinson has come on leaps and bounds during this formative switch after only really tasting youth football for the Blues beforehand.

Penning an emotional message on social media recently about his transformative time in Suffolk, with one line even reading that the club will "always have a place in my heart", it looks likely that Ipswich will be planning for a future without Hutchinson coming back regardless of Ashton's praise.

This doesn't have to be all doom and gloom from an Ipswich perspective, however, with a report from the South London Press suggesting that the newly promoted outfit are looking at securing a deal for Millwall star Zian Flemming this summer.

Flemming could fill the gap left behind by Hutchinson, potentially as an option that can play down the wings and as an attacking midfielder, giving Ipswich the necessary strength in depth to tackle the Premier League head-on.

Zian Flemming's numbers at Millwall

Flemming has been a revelation for the Lions ever since joining from Fortuna Sittard in the summer of 2022, firing in 15 goals during his debut season and not relenting this campaign either with his important output.

In total, the Dutch attacker has amassed an impressive 31 goal contributions from 92 Millwall games, with his eyes now on the reward of a Premier League move off the back of his Lions heroics.

Player

Games played

Goals scored

Flemming

47

8

Hutchinson

50

11

Chaplin

47

13

Hirst

29

7

Broadhead

41

13

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Not far off the goal tallies of the main Ipswich attackers this season, even in a far lower-down Millwall side who battled against the relegation zone for large patches of the campaign, McKenna could do far worse than recruiting Flemming as another attacking body if Hutchinson just returns to Stamford Bridge for good.

Described as being a "top quality" talent by ex-Millwall boss Gary Rowett before the main action got underway this campaign, with Burnley allegedly interested in the Dutchman at one point before they embarked on their leap to the top flight, Ipswich might well take a punt on the Lions man hopeful he can adjust to the demands the division above requires.

It will, no doubt, be tinged in sadness going after new bodies with Hutchinson not returning, but the exciting 25-year-old from the Den could well soften that blow.

Ipswich could sign perfect Morsy replacement who's "Rice-esque"

Ipswich Town are already looking at ways to improve their squad to tackle the Premier League.

ByKelan Sarson May 7, 2024

New West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui's appointment is now official, following the club's announcement on Thursday, and he's said to have already given the green-light for a new signing this summer.

Lopetegui arrives at West Ham to replace David Moyes

David Moyes' second tenure with the Irons is now over, after four successful years, with the Scotsman even guiding the club to a Europa Conference League title in Prague last year and ending the club's four-decade-long wait for a trophy.

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

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

ByBen Browning May 13, 2024

The Lopetegui era has now begun, though, with the Hammers electing not to hand Moyes an extension given a mixed end to his tenure at the London Stadium. His successor, a former Spain and Real Madrid manager, comes with an illustrious CV and Premier League experience at ex-club Wolves.

He appears to tick many boxes for chairman David Sullivan and technical director Tim Steidten, with their next task being the acquisition of summer signings to upgrade Lopetegui's squad and ensure West Ham keep growing after Moyes' departure.

“I feel very happy, first of all, to be able to be part of the future of this big Club,” said Lopetegui on joining West Ham.

Career wins

233

Career draws

85

Career losses

79

Points averaged per game

1.97

Major trophies won

Europa League (Sevilla)

“We will try to put our stamp on the Club. I feel that we have a fantastic platform. I think the last few years have been very good years to have this base, of course, but my ambition as a coach is always to be better and better, to achieve more and bigger aims and to encourage and improve the players, the team, and to compete because football is about this – to compete. We are very ambitious about this.

“I am where I want to be. I am here because I want to be here and for us it was a fantastic day when we closed our agreement here because our commitment is 100 per cent to be here. We had other opportunities but I am very happy that West Ham chose me because I chose West Ham too, so we are really happy about this."

Lopetegui is already thought to be on the verge of signing Arsenal youngster Luis Brown for the Hammers academy, but according to The Boot Room and other media sources, he's also now about to benefit from his first senior arrival.

Lopetegui green-lights Fabricio Bruno signing for West Ham

According to TBR, Lopetegui has personally approved West Ham signing Fabricio Bruno – with the Brazil international defender close to joining.

It is believed a deal, which could rise to £15 million with add-ons, is close to being agreed with Flamengo and the 28-year-old is ready to put pen to paper on a long-term London Stadium move. Bruno, who TBR highlight for his top pass completion and progressive passes record, as per FBref, made his Brazil debut earlier this year and could be the ideal man to reinforce Lopetegui's ageing defence.

Sunderland will be apprehensive heading into the nitty gritty of the transfer window that awaits them, knowing a number of their top talents could be poached, as a consequence of such a dreadful Championship season that has just passed.

The Stadium of Light wasn't exactly the most upbeat environment for a player to thrive in last campaign, with a number of managerial switches not exactly helping the Black Cats whatsoever in trying to leap into the top half of the table, but the likes of Jobe Bellingham, Jack Clarke and even 16-year-old Chris Rigg managed to lift the sour mood with top displays when needed.

Even as his brother lifts the Champions League with Real Madrid, and a spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad looks set in stone for the world-class talent, Sunderland's very own Bellingham is making strides of his own, with the likes of Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur battling it out for his signature now, despite only being situated in Wearside for one season.

The underwhelming Black Cats might be powerless to the situation unfolding in-front of their eyes, especially if significant wads of cash are thrown about for the teenage sensation soon.

The latest on Bellingham's future

TEAMTalk revealed recently that interest was coming in the form of Ange Postecoglou's Spurs and that contact had even been made, who have been noted as wanting a new midfielder for some time, with Bellingham potentially ticking all the correct boxes for them.

The report also further confirms Crystal Palace's interest, alongside throwing another London-based club from the top-flight into the mix in the form of Brentford, with journalist Ed Aarons further speculating that a fee in the region of £20m+ would be enough for Sunderland to part ways.

After tearing the Championship apart last season in patches by scoring seven goals, with inconsistent displays commonplace for a player still learning the ropes as 18 years of age, Sunderland will just be thankful that they would be able to make some hefty profit on the teenager if sold on in the off-season, having paid what looks now like a measly £3m to land him last year.

Sunderland will know that their in-demand youngster leaving won't be the be-all and end-all of their chances to have a positive season when a ball is kicked to start the 2024-25 campaign, however, worrying more so about losing another focal point in Clarke, after Bellingham starred but also faded into the background at points as his side slumped to a 16th overall placed finish.

Bellingham's numbers this season

Bellingham will also know that he was afforded the best possible platform to make errors and not be completely chucked to one side at the Stadium of Light, with the club's reputation for nurturing youngsters a selling point as to why he jumped ship from Birmingham to join his current employers in 2023.

Only missing one league game all season long, Bellingham's seven goals was a promising return for a starlet only playing his second proper full campaign in men's football, with a slightly lacklustre one assist mustered up showing there's room for improvement.

Shots total

1.39

Assists

0.02

Shot-creating actions

2.33

Passes completed

34.70

Pass completion %

85.9%

Progressive passes

3.60

Progressive carries

1.59

Progressive passes received

4.49

Struggling as well when isolated up top last season when picked as a lone centre-forward, seen in his poor passes completed number above, Bellingham bowed out of the campaign with no goals managed from his last seven second-tier clashes too.

Who could replace Bellingham

The gigantic leap up to the Premier League might come too soon for the 18-year-old, therefore, but if he is to move away this approaching transfer window, Sunderland will have plenty of replacements in mind, with current FC Basel man Liam Millar reportedly on their radar yet again after previously being on their agenda during his Liverpool youth days.

The Canadian attacking midfielder, who can be utilised as a second striker, a striker or down the wings much like Bellingham can be deployed, bettered his Sunderland counterpart's numbers in the Championship on loan at Preston North End, despite all the fanfare surrounding his name, with 10 goal contributions amassed for the Lilywhites in all competitions.

Ryan Lowe's men will want to keep him around permanently at Deepdale, but with Sunderland in need of a new tricky attacking midfielder if Bellingham ups and leave, the Stadium of Light could be a perfect next destination for Millar with his Basel contract running out next year and interest heating back up in his services.

Liam Millar's numbers this season for Preston

Not only could Millar fill the void left behind by Bellingham's exit, but he could also be a new star in attack the Black Cats need even more if the squad is depleted further by 15-goal star Clarke also leaving.

Millar blows Bellingham's FBRef numbers out of the water, when comparing the two, with the Canadian midfielder managing more shots totalled on average over the last year per 90 minutes at 2.12, more progressive passes received at 7.49 and much more to show to the Wearside outfit that losing their much-talked about starlet wouldn't be the end of the world, particularly if he can be replaced by someone as electric as Millar.

1. Jack Clarke

42

15

4

2. Jobe Bellingham

47

7

1

3. Pierre Ekwah

42

5

2

4. Daniel Neil

44

4

5

5. Abdoullah Ba

41

3

4

Liam Millar

36

5

5

Stats by BBC Sport

Millar would come in just below Clarke, and above Bellingham by two, if it was just based on Championship numbers during the regular season alone in Sunderland's top five scorers and assist-makers, and so getting in the 24-year-old – who was worth just £1.3m when Basel purchased him off Liverpool in 2021 – could be a smart and shrewd buy, having proven himself to be a nuisance in the second-tier with Preston.

This signing could also give Sunderland the upper hand over potential promotion rivals if the Black Cats are striving to be towards the spots at the top of the division, knowing that Millar absolutely terrorised Archie Gray when Preston played Leeds on Boxing Day in 2023, with the young defender dribbled past three times, as the Canadian attacker continually slalomed forward.

Sunderland will feel like they'll never truly see Bellingham at his best if he does move on, having only really been the club to set him on his way to stardom rather than actualising it.

But, bringing in Millar – who was once described as possessing the "X-Factor" by ex-Canada manager John Herdman – would be more than a satisfactory replacement if everything comes together smoothly.

Sunderland could sign £0 Clarke replacement who scored in the playoffs

Sunderland could sign this absolute bargain to replace Jack Clarke.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 3, 2024

Liverpool manager Arne Slot no doubt paid close attention to Trent Alexander-Arnold's performance in midfield for England on Sunday evening at Euro 2024, with the Reds' vice-captain producing a solid if unspectacular kind of display.

Alexander-Arnold, who has spent the vast majority of his professional career at right back, has long been regarded as one of football's finest ball-plying specialists, with his depth of distribution described as "world-class" by pundit Gary Neville.

It was a stodgy, disjointed collective display from the Three Lions but Alexander-Arnold with several lapses that swirled an inevitable pool of detractors into garbling on about defensive deficiencies.

Minutes played

69'

Touches

60

Accurate passes

37/42 (88%)

Shots taken

3

Key passes

0

Long balls

4/6

Dribble attempts

0/2

Tackles

1

Interceptions

1

Clearances

2

Duels won

2/5

Dribbled past

0x

Error leading to shot

1

This was not the case. The 25-year-old played a decent games and was simply part of a team effort that failed to capture the best of this abundantly talented England team.

Slot will have taken note. Will Alexander-Arnold feature regularly in the middle of the park for the Dutchman, at Anfield? Will Liverpool need to sign a new holding midfielder, an upgrade on Wataru Endo, to slot the Scouse-born superstar into the fray?

Pertinent questions no doubt. But Liverpool might actually find that the crux of the matter lies with the rearguard. Liverpool need to strengthen at the back, and there's a target with a specific type of profile that could see Alexander-Arnold flourish as the oil in the engine room.

Liverpool lining up exciting defender

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool have seen a €50m (£42m) bid rejected for Lille centre-back Leny Yoro. Real Madrid are also preparing to launch an offensive for the teenager and there is an air of inevitability that he will move to the Spanish capital.

Last week, The Athletic's David Ornstein revealed that Liverpool and Manchester United hold a vested interest in the Frenchman, so the rumours clearly have substance.

Yoro is out of contract in 12 months so Lille will likely be hoping to cash in while they can. If Real opt against paying for him this summer, Liverpool may be in with a real shot for a prodigious talent.

Leny Yoro's 23/24 season in numbers

Yoro broke into the Lille first team during the 2022/23 campaign, starting eight games in Ligue 1. Journalist Zach Lowy declared him to be the latest in a "treasure trove of ballers" derived from Les Dogues' academy – he was right on the money.

His performances have led talent scout Jacek Kulig to describe him as "world-class material", with such command and poise and purpose about him.

Imposing yet limber, the 6 foot 1 talent started the 2023/24 campaign aged 17 but has cemented himself as an indispensable, irrepressible member, starting 30 league matches last term, scoring two goals, keeping 13 clean sheets, completing 92% of his passes, averaging 3.9 ball recoveries and 3.0 clearances per game and succeeding in 63% of his contested duels, as per Sofascore.

Liverpool would make a statement move in bringing him to Anfield, where he would be the linchpin of Slot's backline for years to come, perhaps even being the catalyst for Alexander-Arnold's ceiling-raising success in midfield.

Why Yoro would be perfect for Alexander-Arnold

Yoro would be perfect for Alexander-Arnold. He is an immense talent but he is earning his reputation by provide cover and disengaging from high-octane situations. Somewhat languid but deceptively alert, Yoro is unmatchedly on point with his positioning and spatial awareness, and he's an excellent passer too.

As per FBref, Yoro ranks among the top 7% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion. Now, why is this important vis-a-vis Alexander-Arnold?

Well, for the Three Lions star to silence the doubters and prove himself capable of maintaining a level of supreme technical quality ten or twenty metres away from his usual placement, he will need a rock-solid defence.

Liverpool, despite yielding some of the most athletic and impressive defenders in the Premier League – namely, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate – could benefit from a more traditional, basics-to-perfection type titan. Yoro could be that guy.

Yoro does not rank highly for creative metrics. In Ligue 1 last term, the 18-year-old made just 0.1 key passes and 0.3 dribbles on average per game. But that's okay. Promising, even, for the France U21 international would counterbalance the creativity and 'modern' styles of his Liverpool positional peers and ensure that Alexander-Arnold is fed with crisp and unerring support from deep.

Alexander-Arnold's denigrators latch onto a wayward pass, or an errant long ball, and gather such things into a pile to use as the grist of their argument. For such an expressive and unfettered playmaking genius, is it really so perplexing, such a mark of inferiority in the centre of the park, that he should cede possession every once in a while?

Still, for all this, Alexander-Arnold does not have a seat in the pantheon of defensive greats; as per Sofascore, he only won 45% of his contested duels in the Premier League last season.

Also called an "11/10 talent" by Kulig, Yoro would provide a base, a steely, unflappable foundation that would bolster Anfield's rearguard, steel-enforce the hindmost part of Slot's squad.

Journalist and U23 scout Antonio Mango might have said that he sees "Van Dijk in him", but Yoro's skill set is of his own, crafted from within and now developing at a staggering rate.

It goes without saying that Liverpool will make their move if Yoro indeed becomes available. Real Madrid hold most of the cards but the game is certainly not up.

Diaz sold, £216m spent: What Arne Slot's dream Liverpool XI could be

Anfield could boast quite the team come the end of the transfer window.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 16, 2024

Crystal Palace enjoyed a spectacular end to the Premier League season under new boss Oliver Glasner, winning seven of their last 14 games and beating sides like Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester United.

This incredible uptick in form and excitement around the manager means that this summer's transfer window could be one of the most important ones for the club for a very long time as they look to build on the positive momentum.

Luckily for fans, Steve Parish and Co have been proactive in this regard, and based on recent reports, the latest player touted for a move to Selhurst Park could help make winter signing Adam Wharton even better.

Crystal Palace transfer news

According to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, Japanese international Daichi Kamada has completed the first part of his medical at Crystal Palace and will sign a two-year deal very "soon."

Romano has revealed that the Eagles agreed to sign the experienced midfielder on a free after his short-term deal with Italian side Lazio was completed and that Glasner "strongly wanted" the player.

The 27-year-old was a vital part of the Austrian's Europa League-winning Eintracht Frankfurt side in 2022.

Kamada's experience and longstanding relationship with the manager can only benefit Palace and, in particular, the club's impressive midfield prospect, Wharton.

How Kamada could improve Wharton

Since his arrival in February, Wharton quickly established himself as one of the most important players in Glasner's team, starting 94% of Premier League games and playing 91% of league minutes.

He's not a goal threat, with no goals and three assists in those 16 matches, but he has shown himself to be an imposing central and defensive midfielder for the South Londoners.

In fact, according to FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe's top five leagues, the Englishman sits in the top 5% of central midfielders for tackles, which could help explain his surprise inclusion in England's Euro 2024 squad.

So, with it evident that the Blackburn-born gem thrives best in a slightly more defensive role, Kamada can help make him even more effective due to his attacking ability.

The Japanese veteran would be the central midfielder looking to advance up the pitch in games, allowing his young partner to focus on and further develop his strengths.

For example, FBref ranks him in the top 4% of midfielders for touches in the opposition's penalty area, and when looking at his career overall, he's started far more games as an attacking midfielder than any other position – 212, to be exact.

Moreover, he was a consistent attacking threat during his time in Germany, registering 40 goals and 33 assists in 179 games for Frankfurt. However, he reached another level in his final campaign with the club, in which he scored 16 goals and provided seven assists in 47 games.

Appearances

179

Goals

40

Assists

33

Goal Involvements per Match

0.40

Lastly, while his ability to shoulder the attacking burden would certainly help Wharton develop, Kamada would also be a brilliant role model for the youngster, as when talking about him prior, Glasner couldn't have been more complimentary: "I've only rarely encountered such an intelligent player out on the pitch. Daichi's sense of anticipation for where dangerous spaces will open up is excellent."

Ultimately, while he might not be a name overly familiar to fans in England, Palace might be about to sign the perfect player to help their up-and-coming youngster develop further.

£34m trio sign, Eze gone: What Crystal Palace's XI could look like in 24/25

The Eagles might be without one of their star men next year.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 9, 2024

Following a disappointing 8th placed finish in the Premier League last season, Manchester United now look set to bolster Erik ten Hag's squad going into the next campaign.

Man Utd eye big moves this summer

With this summer window being the first under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, there was always the assumption that the Red Devils would be set to open their chequebook and spend big.

Ratcliffe now set to sell £90k-p/w Manchester United regular for just £20m

It is the latest in a long line of brutal decisions being taken upstairs at the club.

ByBen Browning May 15, 2024

One area that United appear desperate to improve on is in defence. The latest rumours have linked the Red Devils with a move for Lille star Leny Yoro, who also has interest from rivals Liverpool. This recent news follows the ongoing saga surrounding Jarrad Branthwaite, who has been the Red Devils' top target for some time.

Ratcliffe also seems desperate to bring a new number nine to Old Trafford this summer. Joshua Zirkzee appears to be at the top of United's shopping list with the club leading the race to exercise the Bologna talisman's £34million release clause.

With this in mind, the Red Devils are reportedly interested in bringing in another well regarded striker to the Theatre of Dreams during the transfer window.

Red Devils eye surprise swoop for Morata

As first reported by Sport Witness, the Turkish media are suggesting that Man Utd are one of a number of sides interested in a deal for Atlético Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. The outlet reports that the Red Devils are joined by AS Roma, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and lastly Fenerbahce in pursuit of the 31-year-old forward, hence the interest from the Turkish rumour mill.

It is said that Morata's agent is in talks with almost all of these clubs, including United, who appear to be in the market for a back-up striker to support Rasmus Hojlund going into next season. The Spaniard's current deal has a release clause of a little over £10million, a figure that the Red Devils should have no issue matching.

Whilst boasting a CV consisting of spells in Spain, Italy and England, Morata has often struggled for consistency in front of goal, particularly during his time with Chelsea back in 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Real Madrid

95

31

11

Juventus

185

59

39

Chelsea

72

24

6

Atlético Madrid

154

58

14

Despite his previous struggles, Morata has carved out a decent career for himself at current side Atlético Madrid. Since returning to the Spanish capital in 2022, the striker has become a fan favourite at the Metropolitano Stadium, scoring 15 and 21 league goals in each of his full seasons at the club.

Morata's recent displays have seen him star as Spain's first choice striker at Euro 2024, even captaining his nation during the early passages of the tournament.

It was his exploits last season that saw Morata earn praise from Atletico manager Diego Simeone, who made a bold claim about the striker to the press: "Alvaro Morata is on par with Erling Haaland. In terms of goals and his numbers, he can certainly be compared to him."

Whilst a comparison to the seemingly unstoppable Haaland may be a bit of a stretch, there is no doubt that Morata would be a great addition to the Red Devils' squad if they are determined to let Hojlund flourish as the number one option.