Everton are interested in signing a player hailed as a "superhero" in the summer transfer window, but would need to table an "extraordinary" offer to sign him.
Everton transfer news
The Blues continue to be linked with new signings ahead of the summer, with Sunderland centre-back Daniel Ballard seen as a possible replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite at the heart of the defence, should the latter leave Goodison Park at the end of the season.
Juventus ace Filip Kostic is also seen as a target for Everton – he is capable of thriving in a defensive or attack-minded left-sided role – while Marseille attacker Iliman Ndiaye is also believed to be of interest, having shone in English football with Sheffield United in the past.
Leicester City defender Harry Souttar.
Meanwhile, Leicester City defender Harry Souttar has been linked with a move to Goodison, too, as he struggles for playing time at the Championship leaders this season.
There are also players who could leave Everton once the current campaign reaches its conclusion, however, and James Garner has been backed to join Tottenham, potentially eyeing a step up to a better team. Amadou Onana has also been the subject of interest, with Newcastle United one of those who are thought to be in the mix to snap him up in the coming months.
Everton want Mile Svilar
According to a new update from Calciomercato [via Goodison News], Everton are keen on signing Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar this summer.
The report states that an "extraordinary" bid would be needed to acquire his signature, however, so it may not be easy for the Blues to get their man. He is likely going to want a change of club, though, considering he has started just twice in Serie A this season.
Svilar could be a shrewd signing by Everton, coming in as a player who could provide good competition for Jordan Pickford, or even replace him if the Englishman moves onto pastures new in the summer. At 24, he is still a young player, especially for a goalkeeper, and Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on him in the past.
Svilar is a one-cap Slovenia international, and will no doubt look to add to that tally in the coming years, and he has racked up 53 appearances for Roma, Benfica and Anderlecht combined.
The fact that he isn't a regular at his current club surely increases the chance of him moving on, even though his current deal doesn't expire until the summer of 2027, and he could be an effective figure for the Blues, improving the squad depth at Sean Dyche's disposal.
Everton eyeing move to sign new "warrior" to replace Branthwaite
The Toffees have a plan in place for Branthwaite’s exit.
ByTom Cunningham Feb 24, 2024
That being said, if the money required to sign him is too much, Everton would be wise to look elsewhere, particularly if their summer transfer budget isn't too big.
Hasan Mahmud is the new man in the line-up, which has changed significantly since the tour of India last year
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jan-2020Hasan Mahmud, the 20-year-old medium pacer, is the only new face in Bangladesh’s 15-man squad – which doesn’t include veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, who opted out citing security concerns – for the three-match T20I series in Pakistan later this month.Mahmudullah will continue to lead the side, which has a few other changes from the one that lost 2-1 on the tour of India late last year. Abu Hider, Arafat Sunny, Mosaddek Hossain and Taijul Islam have been left out, while Tamim Iqbal makes a comeback after last playing for Bangladesh in an ODI in Sri Lanka in July 2019.Bangladesh T20I squad
Mahmudullah (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Das (wk), Mohammad Mithun (wk), Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Aminul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Hasan Mahmud
Offspinning allrounder Mahedi Hasan, batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto and Rubel Hossain have also been brought in.Following a mediocre World Cup campaign, in which he scored just 235 runs at an average of 29.37, Tamim had taken some time off to work on his game and his fitness. He subsequently skipped the tour of India to be with his pregnant wife, and, more recently, had a decent time in the Bangladesh Premier League, where he scored 396 runs in 12 innings, but his runs came at a poor strike rate of 109.39.His team-mate at Dhaka Platoon, Mahedi, was one of the side’s better performers, hitting 253 runs at a strike rate of 136.02 after being promoted in the batting order, and also picking up 12 wickets at an economy rate lower than seven. Shanto also did well, the 115 not out against Dhaka one of the innings of the tournament, while senior quick Rubel was one of four bowlers – all pacers – at the top of the wicket-takers’ pile for the tournament with 20 strikes apiece.The three matches will take place in Lahore, on January 24, 25 and 27 – Bangladesh will reach Pakistan a day before the first game and leave the day after the last fixture.Bangladesh’s tour was confirmed only on January 14 after much negotiating between the two boards. While the BCB had initially said it would only tour Pakistan for T20Is but not for the scheduled Tests due to security reasons, the two boards eventually drew up a plan according to which Bangladesh will visit Pakistan over three legs – first, for three T20Is, then for the first Test from February 7 to 11, and finally for one ODI and one more Test between April 3 and 9.Along with Mushfiqur, the touring party will also miss a number of their support staffers. White-ball batting coach Neil McKenzie and fielding coach Ryan Cook both withdrew from the tour, while Daniel Vettori, the spin consultant, was not asked to travel because it’s a short tour. Mario Villavarayan, the strength and conditioning coach, is out of action with a fractured arm, while team analyst Shrinivas Chandrasekaran, being Indian, was allowed to skip touring as well.
Ruben Amorim has defiantly refused to abandon his 3-4-3 formation at Manchester United, despite overseeing the club’s worst win percentage since the Second World War. The Portuguese coach has won just eight of his 31 Premier League games in charge, and his system has come under heavy fire. But Amorim insists even the Pope could not persuade him to change his ways.
Man Utd's horror start to the 2025-26 season
Manchester United’s latest crisis deepened after a humiliating 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City left them with only four points from their first four league games. The loss followed an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town. Sir Jim Ratcliffe summoned Amorim for talks at Carrington, but the 40-year-old remains determined to stick to his tactical principles.
AdvertisementAFPAmorim says the Pope won't make him change
“No, no, no. No one, not even the Pope will change [me]," Amorim said when asked about changing his tactics. "This is my job, this is my responsibility, this is my life. So, I will not change that. There will be an evolution, but we need to make all the good steps. If I’m a player and I have a coach that, with a lot of pressure and all around the world they are saying ‘you need to change the system’ – if I change in this moment, the players will look at me in a different way.
"When you think about the impact that any decision is going to have on the team, everything is important. So, I will say the same thing: this will have to be an evolution. I’m doing things my way. Some guys do it in a different way, but it [results] will change. I hope to have the time to change, but they will change. I’m just trying to win games, trying to see what is the best option to win the next game.
"I’m trying to get the best connections to play better and, in the end, to win points. It’s about belief, confidence, aggression – it’s everything. And sometimes, what we call luck means we will play the game with more belief. Sometimes, with us, I feel the opposite. We are playing well, but something is going to go wrong in some moments. We need to change that, but it’s just with wins. I can do whatever, but if you look at the goals against City and Fulham, all these moments can be stopped. In all these moments, I think we can do better. It’s our fault. So we work on that during the week to improve.”
Amorim at risk of losing his Man Utd job
Amorim’s refusal to shift formation leaves him under huge pressure heading into another crunch week. Manchester United are languishing near the bottom of the table despite Ratcliffe and INEOS's £240 million summer spend, while unsettled high-profile players like Rashford, Sancho and Antony were offloaded. Unless results turn around quickly, the Portuguese coach risks losing both the dressing room and his job at Old Trafford.
AFPMan Utd face Chelsea in crunch PL clash
Manchester United host Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday in what already feels like a must-win clash. Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha are available again, but Diogo Dalot remains sidelined. Another setback could push Amorim closer to the brink, with Ratcliffe’s patience running thin.
Tottenham Hotspur maintained their bid for Champions League qualification with a last-gasp win at home to Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend, with summer signing Brennan Johnson lashing home at the back post in the sixth minute of stoppage time to grab all three points.
That crucial victory also marked the welcome return of influential captain, Heung-min Son off the bench, the South Korean star making his return to action after enduring Asian Cup disappointment in Qatar.
While Spurs have performed admirably in the 31-year-old's absence, the north Londoners are undoubtedly a better team with him in it, showcased by the fact that it was Son who teed up Johnson for the game's decisive goal.
Now firmly out of Harry Kane's shadow, the former Bayer Leverkusen man leads the way for his side this season with 12 Premier League goals, while his latest contribution also ensures that he now has six assists to boot in the top-flight.
Such devastating form has once again illustrated just how lucky the club are to have the wing wizard on their books, with it likely to be a case of when and not if the forward pens a new deal, with just over a year left on his existing contract.
Although there is currently no need to think about replacing the £190k-per-week marksman due to his continued heroics, it may be wise for Ange Postecoglou and co to have a succession plan in place, if and when Son does eventually depart or see his form begin to dwindle.
Players who could replace Son at Spurs
In his absence while on international duty, the one-time Hamburg man saw his left-wing berth taken up by January arrival, Timo Werner, with the former Chelsea flop making a solid start with two assists from his first four league outings for the club.
With Spurs having the option to make the German's loan deal permanent for just £15m this summer, it looks as if the 27-year-old will be part of Postecoglou's plans over the next few years – unless something goes drastically wrong over the next few months.
Timo Werner applauding Tottenham supporters.
Whether the RB Leipzig man is of the desired quality to eventually fill Sons shoes on a long-term basis is another matter, however, with the Lilywhites likely to be wary of his dismal stint at Stamford Bridge, in which he scored just ten league goals in two seasons.
With alternatives such as Manor Solomon having been hampered by injury – and with both Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson typically featuring off the right flank – Postecoglou may have to search elsewhere to find a suitable successor to Son.
Spurs could unleash Udogie 2.0 in "outstanding" teenager
This teenage talent is at the front of an exciting array of youth talent at Tottenham Hotspur.
ByAngus Sinclair Feb 13, 2024
Of course, future transfer windows could aid in that pursuit, although there is perhaps a chance to look closer to home, with academy sensation Yago Santiago seemingly deserving an opportunity to impress at first-team level before too long.
Yago Santiago's style of play
The former Celta Vigo youth star – who arrived in England from his hometown club back in 2019 – has operated in a variety of attacking roles during his time in north London, albeit while typically thriving off the left flank this season.
The 20-year-old has been dubbed the 'total footballer' by reports in Spain of late, with the Galicia Press suggesting that he is getting 'closer and closer' to making his senior bow under Postecoglou, having been named on the bench in the Premier League and FA Cup this season.
With academy colleague Jamie Donley having already been handed a handful of brief cameos in recent times in the senior set-up, Santiago could well follow the England youth star, having become hard to ignore with 15 goals and eight assists in 63 games for the club's U23 side.
A talent with a "really bright future" at the club – in the words of Tottenham presenter Matt Tarr – the silky Spaniard has received glowing reports over recent seasons, with superhotspur hailing him as looking 'effortless with the ball at his feet' as he is 'so composed'.
As per the same source, the promising wideman – who previously trained with the first-team during Antonio Conte's stint in charge – has particularly impressed due to 'his pace and running in behind the defence', ensuring he could fit in smoothly to Postecoglou's approach.
Yago Santiago's season in numbers
Now on the cusp of the first-team, Santiago is doing all he can to catch the eye of the former Celtic boss amid his dazzling displays at youth level, having chipped in with six goals and four assists in just nine Premier League 2 appearances in 2023/24.
A right-footer like Son who seeks to cut in from the left, the Vigo native also caught the eye against senior opposition in this season's EFL Trophy, playing the full 90 minutes against both Colchester United and Peterborough.
Despite not scoring in those two outings, the future Spurs star did still impress having averaged three key passes per game as a marker of his creative prowess, with Son, for instance, averaging just 1.8 in that regard in the top-flight – albeit across 21 games.
Equally, what also sets Santiago apart is his 'excellent' work rate – as noted by superhotspur – having averaged 2.5 interceptions and two tackles per game in the competition, while also averaging seven balls recovered per game.
2 games (2 starts)
3 key passes per game
87% pass accuracy rate
2.5 interceptions per game
2 tackles per game
7 balls recovered per game
2 successful dribbles per game
Stats via Sofascore
With two successful dribbles per game also under his belt, the emerging sensation appears to have it all in his locker, with it hopefully just a matter of time before this young diamond can sparkle in the senior ranks.
There may be a long way to go before he is rivalling the likes of Werner and Son, but all the signs point to a player who supporters can fall in love as the South Korean's dream successor.
Sixers’ purposeful pace bowling scythed through a slumping Scorchers to notch a crushing 48-run victory
Tristan Lavalette26-Dec-2019Sydney Sixers’ purposeful pace bowling scythed through a slumping Perth Scorchers to notch a crushing 48-run victory at Perth Stadium.After posting a seemingly modest 7 for 174, the Sixers ripped through the Scorchers’ top-order in favourable batting conditions with Jackson Bird capturing three early wickets in his return. The Scorchers capitulated for just 126 with only two recognised batsmen notching double-figures.It was an impressive turnaround by the Sixers, who struggled to hit boundaries after being sent in to bat until Tom Curran came to the rescue with a 21-ball unbeaten 43 to change the momentum.Jackson Bird is a force with the new ball•Getty ImagesChris Jordan continued to perform well with the ball in front of the home fans, who had little to cheer about once the Scorchers batted.The Sixers ended a two-match losing streak with both their wins coming against the Scorchers, who have only one win from four games.Sixers’ top-order struggleThe Sixers’ batting is reliant on hard-hitting opener Josh Philippe, who thrashed the Scorchers’ attack in Sydney. He promptly smacked returning quick Matt Kelly through extra cover for an attractive early boundary but fell in the third over after an ungainly swipe against Jordan, who is quickly becoming a cult favourite for the Scorchers faithful.The wicket exposed the Sixers’ lack of firepower with a rusty James Vince struggling for timing against accurate bowling, as the visitors struck a middling 1 for 45 in the Powerplay.Needing to make a move, Daniel Hughes targeted spinner Fawad Ahmed in the eighth over and smoked a slog sweep into the crowd. But he could not replicate that success against Ashton Agar, who smartly bowled shorter and wider to lure Hughes out of his crease for a stumping.Vince’s painstaking 22 ended when he was stumped off Ahmed to leave the Sixers at a middling 3 for 75 after 10 overs.Curran finishes with a bang Agar and Ahmed bowled seven overs on the trot to stymie the Sixers, who were unable to counterattack the spin. Moises Henriques, wearing a cap, finally broke the shackles and clubbed three straight boundaries off Agar in the 13th over.The now helmeted Henriques also took a liking to pace, smacking a pull shot to the boundary off Jhye Richardson as he raced to a whirlwind 35. But Richardson had the last laugh when a slower, wider delivery deceived Henriques who dragged onto his stumps.Tom Curran has a few unorthodox shots in his bag•Getty ImagesWith death bowling specialist Andrew Tye out injured, Jordan has helped soften the blow as he and Richardson bowled with precision to keep the Sixers frustrated.The Sixers went four overs in the backend without a boundary, before extraordinary hitting in the final over from Curran lifted the total from 150 for to 174.Bird stars in returnAfter their fireworks in Adelaide, anticipation was palpable when big hitters Liam Livingstone and Josh Inglis came to the crease. It was an anti-climax, however, with Livingstone falling in the second over off Bird, who tasted success with his first delivery of the BBL season.Bird struck again in his next over when he bowled Cameron Bancroft, who unsuccessfully skipped down the track. The fast bowler had remarkable figures of 2 for 3 after two overs to put the Sixers firmly in control.The Sixers’ stranglehold tightened when an anxious Inglis hit straight to mid-on as the Scorchers crashed to 3 for 16 in the fifth over. Bird’s party continued when he claimed Cameron Green caught behind down the legside although replays were inconclusive whether the ball struck the glove.The Scorchers’ hopes completely sank when skipper Mitchell Marsh chopped on to Sean Abbott to leave them teetering at 5 for 34 – a horror show reminiscent of their wooden spoon campaign last season.Sixers complete convincing victoryAshton Turner attempted to launch an audacious counterattack as he dented Bird’s figures with some power hitting in the 10th over. However, he too fell, for 28, chasing a rank Abbott delivery to summarise Scorchers’ pitiful batting performance.The Scorchers managed to avoid their worst ever defeat in terms of runs but it was little solace for the former BBL powerhouse whose season is quickly slipping away.
Arsenal's focus is fully on the Premier League title race in this current moment, as they look to leapfrog both Manchester City and Liverpool to secure the silverware. Off the pitch, however, they could be ready to splash the cash again after a quiet January transfer window. And that could see them take full advantage of a dilemma facing another top flight side.
Arsenal transfer news
Whilst signing a replacement for the potentially departing Thomas Partey and finally finding a solution to their striker problems seem to be Arsenal's two priorities when it comes to future incomings, Mikel Arteta could yet look to improve other aspects of his squad. In a long summer window, those in North London will likely be linked with moves for Martin Zubimendi, Amadou Onana and Ivan Toney once more in a repeat of previous windows. This time, however, they could yet step up their chase.
dominic-solanke-ivan-toney-tottenham-opinion
The Gunners could be in their best position to land the world's best players since the glory days of Arsene Wenger if they secure the Premier League title this season – something their recent victory over Liverpool could go a long way towards.
On top of targets such as Toney and Zubimendi, the Gunners could also finally move for another long-term target in Pedro Neto. According to TeamTalk, Arsenal are ready to pounce should Wolves need to sell Neto this summer.
As per Football Insider, via TeamTalk's report, the Midlands club must sell before they can buy again in the summer window, with their price to sell the Portugal winger likely to be around the £60m mark as they face a desperate situation to recoup some spending power in the face of Financial Fair Play problems.
Arsenal star who cost nothing is now worth more than Phil Foden
Arsenal are a club on the rise, and much of that is thanks to this gem and his exploits on the pitch.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 9, 2024
Arteta reportedly wants to add more competition to his wide players and Neto could be the perfect player to do exactly that, given how he's starred for Wolves this season.
"Special" Neto can compete with Martinelli
Finally back to his best after some frustrating spells on the sidelines, Neto has been a key part of a Wolves side taking the fight to the Premier League's top six this season – beating Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. By welcoming Neto, Arteta will get competition for wide places, and specifically for Gabriel Martinelli, who the winger can go stride for stride with.
Goals
2
5
Assists
8
2
Take-on Success
42.6%
36.6%
Ball Recoveries
63
62
Progressive Carries
67
96
Arsenal legend David Seaman is certainly a fan of Neto too, saying via TeamTalk: “He’s special. He’s a special player. He seems to have that low centre of gravity where he can move both ways. That makes him harder to read, because you don’t know which way he’s going to go.”
When the summer arrives, The 23-year-old could be one to watch, with his form so far this season that of a player who is on course to reach the very top of European football.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has paid tribute to "fantastic" Erling Haaland, revealing he has already built a strong relationship with his new Manchester City team-mate. The goalkeeper moved to City from Paris Saint-Germain in a £26 million (€30m/$35m) deal on transfer deadline day, replacing long-term No. 1 Ederson after the Brazil international joined Fenerbahce.
Donnarumma's dream debut with clean sheet against Man Utd
Donnarumma made the perfect start at City after keeping a clean sheet on his Premier League debut in the 3-0 win over rivals Manchester United on Sunday. The Italy international made an excellent save to deny Bryan Mbeumo in the second half and was immediately embraced by Haaland, whose second-half double helped seal the victory for Pep Guardiola's side.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportNew signing thanks Haaland for helping him adapt to life at City
And now Donnarumma has opened up about the close relationship he and Haaland have been quick to forge, hailing the Norway international for playing a huge role in making him feel like he has been part of the City squad for "many years".
A new bromance: What Donnarumma had to say about Haaland
Speaking ahead of City's Champions League opener against Napoli on Thursday, Donnarumma said of Haaland: “Aside from being a fantastic player, one of the best in the world if not the best, he’s a fantastic person as well. That’s what makes him even better in a way, and I have an incredible relationship with him, he immediately welcomed me."
Surplus to requirements at PSG but adored at Man City
The instant bond between Donnarumma and his new City team-mates completes a major turnaround in fortunes after the shot-stopper was frozen out at PSG this summer. After helping the French giants claim their first Champions League crown in the 5-0 victory over Inter in May, the former Milan shot-stopper was replaced between the sticks by Lucas Chevalier following his move from Lille.
Logan van Beek, Ben Green share seven wickets to give hosts 113-run lead on first innings
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay03-May-2025Leicestershire will take a lead of 209 into day three of their Rothesay County Championship match with neighbours Northamptonshire after 16 wickets fell on a dramatic second day.The Division Two leaders bowled out Northamptonshire for 191 to lead by 113 on first innings, after Logan van Beek had taken 4 for 47 and Ben Green an excellent 3 for 17 in an impressive display of seam bowling. Allrounder Justin Broad’s 36 represented a modest top score for the visitors, who at one point were 87 for 6.Northamptonshire’s Ben Sanderson then single-handedly reduced Leicestershire to 52 for 5 in their second innings before they closed on 96 for 6.The day’s drama began in the second half of the morning as Northamptonshire’s response to Leicestershire’s first-innings efforts unravelled at pace, five wickets falling for 14 runs in the 30 minutes before lunch.Until then, batting had looked less hazardous than on Friday as the first 21 overs of the day rewarded the home attack with only the wicket of Luke Procter, trapped on the crease by Josh Hull.But then, with a relatively sunny start giving way to cloud, 73 for 1 became 87 for 6 in the space of 41 balls with the bowlers again finding movement through the air and off the pitch.Green, the seamer from Somerset in his fourth loan spell in two seasons at Grace Road, began the collapse via a catch behind the stumps as a swinging, bouncing delivery glanced off the bat of Ricardo Vasconcelos as he tried to leave.Tom Scriven dismissed George Bartlett leg before in the next over before Green’s movement deceived James Sales, who was bowled shouldering arms. Netherlands international van Beek then took two wickets in two overs immediately before lunch, pinning Rob Keogh and then Lewis McManus leg before.Northamptonshire were thus in disarray at 87 for 6 at the break, after which 191 all out at tea was better than they might have feared, Broad showing some fight to make what might be valuable runs before a good ball from Scriven found the edge.Sanderson and Harry Conway then frustrated Leicestershire by adding a plucky 34 for the last wicket before Sanderson was caught at first slip for 18. He had two escapes – on nought, when Rehan Ahmed wasted a run-out chance by missing the stumps from two yards, and 1, when he was dropped at first slip.Green was the culpable fielder, although he more than made amends with a masterclass in seam bowling, picking up his third wicket when extra bounce had Calvin Harrison caught at third slip. Green conceded only one boundary, bowling 71 dot balls from 84 deliveries in total.Van Beek, who had earlier had Saif Zaib caught at third slip with a superb delivery, dismissed Sanderson to raise his tally for the season to 14.Northamptonshire’s 10 wickets had fallen in the space of less than 50 overs but there were no immediate signs of conditions becoming easier as Sanderson then proceeded to rip through Leicestershire’s second innings, their lead suddenly looking slim as they floundered at 52 for 5.Rishi Patel, compiler of a brilliant first-innings hundred, was tamely caught behind on the leg side without scoring, while Budinger, after a typically explosive 39 from 24 deliveries – including five fours and a six off Sanderson – followed four consecutive boundaries by chopping on to his stumps.Sanderson then had Lewis Hill edging to third slip and Rehan to second, either side of a second-ball duck for skipper Peter Handscomb, trapped squarely in front. Sanderson’s last four wickets had come in 10 deliveries, the only runs conceded for a no-ball.The second of Sanderson’s five took him to the milestone of 400 wickets in first-class matches for Northamptonshire, having earlier passed 1000 first-class runs for the county.Ben Cox was sixth out at 75, gloving Conway down the leg side, before van Beek and Ian Holland, the latter hit on the helmet by Procter, survived a tough 12 overs to the close.
Arsenal have not exactly enjoyed the most frenzied of transfer windows in memory but Mikel Arteta will be content with his squad, maintaining the belief that prudence will pay off.
Calls for a prolific centre-forward have become commonplace at the Emirates Stadium but with the likes of Ivan Toney on the radar, a summer bid is more likely and playing the long game prevents any rash purchases.
Arsenal plotting deadline day bid for Martinelli 2.0
The 19-year-old has more than a few shades of Martinelli about him.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 1, 2024
On that note, Arsenal are also believed to be preparing a sensational approach for another Premier League star…
Arsenal monitoring Premier League star
According to a report from Football Insider, Arsenal a plotting an audacious summer transfer for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford, who has fallen by the wayside this season after a stunning 2022/23 campaign.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.
Rated at £65m by Football Transfers, doubts have crept in surrounding Rashford's future at the Theatre of Dreams and while he is contracted until 2028, there is renewed optimism that a deal could be struck.
Marcus Rahford has "attributes like" Thierry Henry
Rashford is enduring a most inauspicious year with the Red Devils but lest we forget the England international plundered 30 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last term.
#
Player
Club
1.
Donyell Malen
Borussia Dortmund
2.
Arnaud Nordin
Montpellier
3.
Joao Felix
Barcelona
4.
Alejandro Garnacho
Manchester United
5.
Diogo Jota
Liverpool
Source: FBref
As per FBref, Rashford still ranks among the top 12% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored and the top 4% for shots taken per 90, and provided a new lease of life in the capital, he could be "unstoppable" once more – as he has been dubbed by his manager Erik ten Hag.
A left-sided, in-cutting winger with an innate eye for goal and an ease in his defender-beating surges, Rashford could even be of the same mould as Thierry Henry, with Stuart Pearce remarking that the 26-year-old has "attributes" like that of the France legend.
That was previously echoed by ex-Gunners hero, Paul Merson, who stated that Rashford "uses his pace in exactly the same way as Thierry Henry did".
Pearce did stress that the Englishman needs to better harness his gifted ability and influence matches with greater consistency, but a change of scenery could be the key to unlocking the full scope of his skill set, providing Arsenal with a phenomenal source of goals.
Indeed, with Henry clinching 331 direct goal contributions from 376 appearances for the Gunners, he's comfortably one of the greatest players in the club's history, occupying the same inswinging role from the left, dispatching backlines with effortless devastation.
Rashford would do incredibly well to emulate similar numbers but while he has been derided for his lacklustre performances this season, hark back to season's past and recall the extraordinary numbers that led The Times' Henry Winter to pronounce him an "elite" talent.
And, furthermore, given that Bukayo Saka has praised Rashford as a "top, top player" in the past and plays on the alternate wing, a deadly partnership could be born at club level, with Saka's creativity and dynamism marrying well with Rashford's instinctive eye for goal.
raphinha-bukayo-saka-liverpool-opinion
This season alone, the Arsenal star has posted ten goals and 13 assists in all competitions and would be able to supplement Rashford with unwavering precision to replenish his form and then some.
Whether Arteta succeeds in securing Rashford's signature remains to be seen at this stage but there is no question that the latent ability is there, it just needs tapping into now and Arsenal could be the perfect move to revive his career.
Xabi Alonso used his post-match press conference to mount a defence of Dean Huijsen, after the young centre back was sent off on the 30-minute mark in Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Real Sociedad. The ex-Bournemouth starlet was shown a straight red after pulling down Mikel Oyarzabal, with the referee judging the Sociedad striker had a clear route to goal.
Alonso says Huijsen 'relieved' Real Madrid's 2-1 win
Huijsen was given his marching orders with Los Blancos nursing a 1-0 lead. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring after ten minutes. Following Huijsen's dismissal, Arda Guler added a second just before the stroke of halftime, and ground out a big win despite Oyarzabal converting a penalty. Alonso said the 22-year-old was "relieved" his mistake did not cost his side the game.
AdvertisementAFPAlonso questions Huijsen's red card
Alonso questioned the referee's decision, suggesting Oyarzabal did not have the ball under control and Eder Militao was providing cover for the attack. The decision saw an intervention from VAR, which Alonso also questioned. Despite his protestations with the officiating, was quick to put the focus back on his side's performance, praising their ability to find the second goal despite the adversity.
What Xabi Alonso said
On Huijsen's red card Alonso said: "For me, it was a yellow card. Mili was close by and the ball wasn’t under control. After watching the replay, I haven’t changed my mind. I asked, he gave me his explanation, and I wasn’t convinced. And I’ll leave it at that. It changed the context of the match, and we played with 10 men for 60 minutes. We had chances and scored the second goal to give ourselves some breathing room. The team knew how to sacrifice themselves and put in a generous effort. Winning at Anoeta is always very difficult, and today, if anything, it was even more difficult.”
On the VAR intervention, he added: "When there are obvious mistakes, I like VAR to intervene, but when there aren’t, I understand that it shouldn’t get involved. I don’t want to make the referee a recurring theme. It’s time to move on.”
On Huijsen's emotions after the game, Alonso said: "He was relieved. Obviously angry, but relieved with the victory. These are avoidable actions, there was a lot of space and Oyarzabal didn’t have the ball under control. The gesture could be improved.”
Getty Images SportWhat next for Huijsen and Real Madrid?
Huijsen will look to improve on his mistake — GOAL gave the young defender a 2/10 for his performance against Sociedad — in his Champions League debut against Marseille on Tuesday night.