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Gus Poyet has told a crucial Chelsea star that he might need to join Real Madrid or Barcelona for one key reason, with the former Stamford Bridge star sending a clear message.

Chelsea prepare for Liverpool as Enzo Maresca without up to eight stars

Enzo Maresca is without up to eight first-team players for their visit of Premier League title rivals Liverpool on Saturday.

The Italian won’t be able to count on star forward Cole Palmer, who remains absent with a niggling groin injury, but seven other men could also miss their face-off against Arne Slot’s side.

Alongside Palmer and Chalobah, while Maresca was cryptic in his update, it is likely the other players he’s referring to are Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap and Andrey Santos.

Maresca has been left absolutely bereft of central defensive options ahead of Liverpool, meaning he’ll most likely choose to play Benoit Badiashile and Jorrel Hato at the heart of Chelsea’s defence ahead of youngster Josh Acheampong.

Chelsea are now paying the price for not signing a centre-back in the last transfer window, despite Maresca’s wishes and spending the second-most money of any Premier League side behind this weekend’s opponents.

However, BlueCo are reportedly working on a potential defender deal for January as their priority (Pete O’Rourke).

Liverpool

£415,000,000

£187,000,000

£228,000,000

Chelsea

£285,000,000

£288,000,000

-£3,000,000

Arsenal

£255,000,000

£9,000,000

£246,000,000

Newcastle

£250,000,000

£152,000,000

£98,000,000

Man Utd

£216,000,000

£68,000,000

£148,000,000

Nottm Forest

£205,000,000

£107,000,000

£98,000,000

Tottenham

£181,000,000

£36,000,000

£145,000,000

Sunderland

£162,000,000

£44,000,000

£118,000,000

Man City

£152,000,000

£53,000,000

£99,000,000

West Ham

£124,000,000

£55,000,000

£69,000,000

via BBC

Marc Guehi’s camp have received contact from Chelsea this week ahead of a potential winter swoop, according to Simon Phillips, but the England international also has Liverpool, Man City, Real Madrid and Barça hot on his trail with the Englishman’s contract expiring next year.

While the addition of a new defender is vital, so is keeping Palmer out of the clutches of Europe’s biggest sides.

Gus Poyet tells Cole Palmer to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid or Barcelona

The England star has been a revelation since joining from Man City in 2023, spearheading the team as their main attacking vocal point, which is widely seen as over-reliance on Palmer at times.

The £130,000-per-week superstar is arguably nailed on to win the coveted Balon d’Or in future if he stays on this trajectory, but according to Poyet, he needs to quit Stamford Bridge for that to happen.

Speaking to GOAL, Poyet urged Palmer to leave Chelsea for Real or Barça, in order to give himself the best chance of claiming the award.

Only two players have won the Ballon d’Or in the last 17 years — Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 and Rodri in 2024 — so Poyet could have a point.

The City midfielder’s prize shows it is not impossible for Premier League stars to clinch the award in this day and age, so Palmer could still have a real shot if he remains in West London, but he’ll have to play out of his skin.

Rodri was cut and above the best defensive midfield player in Europe when he was awarded the honour, starting nearly all of City’s most crucial games in 23/24, and this came right after his winning goal against Inter Milan in the 2023 Champions League final to gift the Sky Blues a treble.

The bar is set rather high for Palmer, and he’ll arguably need to achieve similar feats at Chelsea to stand any chance.

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O Flamengo inicia a semana com uma sensação de alento. A vitória por 2 a 1 sobre o Botafogo no Estádio Nilton Santos afastou o momento conturbado que incluía os rumores sobre uma possibilidade de Jorge Sampaoli deixar o comando da equipe. Com isso, o técnico terá tempo para, durante o período de Data Fifa, tentar ajustar da melhor forma o Rubro-Negro.

Por mais que o Rubro-Negro volte a campo no dia 13, para medir forças com o Athletico-PR, no Estádio Kleber Andrade, em Cariacica, o elenco tem seu olhar direcionado em especial para outro horizonte. No dia 17, o Flamengo disputa o primeiro jogo da final da Copa do Brasil, contra o São Paulo, no Maracanã. No dia 24, os rubro-negros fazem o duelo decisivo pelo troféu do torneio com o Tricolor paulista no Morumbi.

+ Confira a classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro

+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Mengão!

O período da Data Fifa foi planejado pela comissão técnica em diversas frentes. De acordo com o “GE”, o elenco só retornará às atividades na quarta-feira (6). A preparação acontecerá entre quarta e sábado e, posteriormente, tende a ter um novo descanso no domingo (10).

A busca por aparar as arestas incluirá a tentativa de recuperar jogadores que estão no departamento médico. Arrascaeta e Luiz Araújo estão se recuperando de lesão no bíceps femoral. Varela, que sofreu uma lesão no ligamento colateral medial e cápsula articular do joelho direito, deve voltar apenas em outubro.

O técnico Jorge Sampaoli também deve aprofundar suas ideias ao elenco rubro-negro após a vitória por 2 a 1 do Flamengo sobre o Botafogo. O treinador, que reforçou que sabe o que busca no seu time, vem tendo respaldo do mandatário Rodolfo Landim.

O Flamengo tenta manter seu entusiasmo e, de maneira cautelosa, engrenar em busca da conquista da Copa do Brasil.

أعلن الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم، عن حكم مباراة “الكلاسيكو” بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

ويحل برشلونة ضيفًا على ريال مدريد مساء غدٍ الأحد، ضمن منافسات الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”، على ملعب “ساسنتياجو برنابيو”.

طالع | معلقين مباراة الكلاسيكو اليوم بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة

ويواجه ريال مدريد نظيره برشلونة في الكلاسيكو الأول بالموسم مساء غدٍ الأحد، في تمام الساعة السادسة والربع مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.

ويتصدر ريال مدريد جدول ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 24 نقطة، فيما يأتي برشلونة في الوصافة برصيد 22 نقطة.

ويعتبر هذا أول لقاء كلاسيكو لريال مدريد تحت قيادة تشابي ألونسو الذي جاء خلفًا للإيطالي المخضرم كارلو أنشيلوتي.

أما هانز فليك، والذي سيغيب من على دكة البدلاء غدًا بسبب الإيقاف بعد حصوله على بطاقة حمراء أمام جيرونا، لم يخسر أي مباراة كلاسيكو إذ فاز بالـ 4 مواجهات جميعًا الموسم الماضي.

ويدخل ريال مدريد المباراة بعد فوز مهم وشاق على نظيره يوفنتوس في الجولة الثالثة من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا بهدف نظيف، وبنفس النتيجة أمام خيتافي في الدوري الإسباني. حكم مباراة ريال مدريد وبرشلونة في الدوري الإسباني

وأعلن الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم عبر حسابه الرسمي على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إكس” إسناد المباراة تحكيميًا إلى الحكم سيزار سوتو جرادو ويعاونه في تقنية الفيديو الحكم خافيير جلاسيا.

وسبق أن أدار جرادو مباراة القمة الأخيرة بين الأهلي والزمالك في الدوري المصري، في سبتمبر الماضي، حيث فاز المارد الأحمر بهدفين لهدف.

After exiting the Champions League in shock fashion at the hands of Kairat, one Celtic player is now reportedly in advanced talks to leave the club in a last-ditch move.

Rodgers: Celtic manufactured "own stress"

Not only did Celtic qualify for the league phase of the Champions League last season, but they managed to find a route out of it into the last 16 for just the first time since 2013.

The Bhoys showed their best progress in over a decade and only exited at that stage thanks to Alphonso Davies’ late winner to send Bayern Munich through. Yet, one season later, Brendan Rodgers’ side won’t even be in the league phase and have been knocked out by a Kairat side who had never advanced beyond this stage in their entire history before the Scottish Premiership champions came to town.

Worse than Idah: Rodgers must drop Celtic star who lost the ball 20 times

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers must drop this flop who was even worse than Adam Idah against Kairat.

3 ByDan Emery Aug 27, 2025

It was the ultimate evening to forget for Celtic, who could not find a breakthrough across two legs – drawing 0-0 twice – before heading out on penalties in the most frustrating fashion possible. The makers of their own downfall, according to Rodgers, the Bhoys must now settle for a Europa League place.

It could be argued that not one Celtic player had a particularly good game across the two legs, but one substitute particularly had an evening to forget in midweek and is now heading for the exit door.

Idah now in advanced talks to leave Celtic

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Adam Idah is now in advanced talks to leave Celtic just days after coming from the bench and enduring quite the horror show in the Champions League. The forward, who only arrived in a deal worth £9.5m last summer, now looks set to join Championship side Swansea City in a return to English football.

Playing 50 minutes in the second leg against Kairat, Idah failed to register a single shot as Celtic pushed for a goal and completed just one pass in the final third before missing his penalty in the shootout. Nothing went right for the former Norwich City man in a performance that sums up what has been a slow start to his season, having so far failed to score once across four games.

With a matter of days remaining until the transfer window slams shut, Celtic have seemingly shown the 24-year-old the door in ruthless fashion with his Champions League display likely to be his last for the Scottish champions.

There is less than a week until the transfer window closes, and West Ham United still have plenty of work to do.

Graham Potter’s side have made a few exciting signings this summer, like El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters, but as the last few games have shown, they need plenty more.

Moreover, while he ultimately underwhelmed during his time at the club, Edson Alvarez is now in Turkey, which has only made the Hammers’ need for midfield reinforcements that much more acute.

Luckily, they appear to be closing in on a deal for Soungoutou Magassa and, if reports are to be believed, they’re also making moves to bring in someone who’d be an even better signing.

West Ham United target better signing than Magassa

While their interest in Magassa likely stretches back further, reports of West Ham’s desire to sign the Frenchman started to emerge late last week.

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Impressively, the Hammers have moved unusually quickly to secure the services of the AS Monaco ace, as he underwent his medical with the club yesterday and could be announced before the end of this week.

The 21-year-old looks like he’ll be a great addition to Potter’s squad, but it now looks like the East Londoners are already moving on to new targets, including someone who is even better than Magassa.

At least that is according to Graeme Bailey, who has claimed that West Ham are interested in Exequiel Palacios.

In fact, the journalist has revealed that the Irons have already made contact with Bayer Leverkusen to discuss a deal for the incredible Argentine.

Interestingly, while it is not clear how much the £83k-per-week ace would cost the club, the report states he could be available on loan, which makes him an even more enticing prospect.

It could still be a complicated deal to get over the line, but Palacios would be more than worth it, especially as he’s better than Magassa.

How Palacios compares to Magassa

It should be made clear that both Magassa and Palacios would be excellent signings for West Ham this summer, but there are a few reasons the latter would be that little bit better.

The first is his impressive experience, as, at 26 years old, he has spent far more time playing at the highest level and exceeding there.

For example, the Famaillá-born maestro has made 160 appearances for Leverkusen, 87 for River Plate and won 36 senior caps for Argentina.

Moreover, he has a genuinely spectacular trophy cabinet that includes a Bundesliga, a DFB-Pokal, two Argentine Cups, the Copa Libertadores, two Copa América titles, and a World Cup.

In contrast, the 21-year-old Monaco star has just an Olympic silver medal to his name, and while that may well change in time, he won’t be able to bring the same winning experience to the London Stadium.

The second, and arguably the most meaningful, reason the Leverkusen star would be the better signing this summer is that, when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers, he comes out on top in most relevant statistics.

These metrics include things like expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, key passes, shots, shot and goal-creating actions, passing accuracy, and so many more, all per 90.

Palacios vs Magassa

Statistics per 90

Palacios

Magassa

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.30

0.12

Non-Penalty G+As

0.55

0.09

Progressive Carries

1.17

0.53

Progressive Passes

7.58

5.53

Shots

1.01

0.70

Shots on Target

0.62

0.26

Passing Accuracy

90.1%

84.6%

Key Passes

2.19

0.61

Passes into the Final Third

7.58

5.88

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.48

0.88

Shot-Creating Actions

3.67

1.67

Goal-Creating Actions

0.70

0.09

Tackles Won

1.17

2.19

Interceptions

1.02

1.84

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

In other words, while he might not be quite as defensively solid as the Frenchman, the “box-crashing” Leverkusen star, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is an all-action midfielder who is as much of a goalscoring threat as a creative one.

Ultimately, West Ham should sign both Magassa and Palacios to give themselves the best chance of making this season a success; however, for our money, the latter would be the better addition of the two.

Related Diouf will love him: West Ham target boards plane to sign in "next 24 hrs"

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 27, 2025

Williams and Ervine ended the prospects of an Afghanisttan win by batting solidly after a rain break

Himanshu Agrawal30-Dec-2024

Hashmatullah Shahidi and Afsar Zazai added 211 for the fourth wicket•Zimbabwe Cricket

There were three Boxing Day Tests going on simultaneously. The one in Bulawayo, between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, didn’t have the appeal of Melbourne. But for a brief while on the final evening, it did have some of the thrill from Centurion. Zimbabwe suffered a collapse of 4 for 15 in the second innings, and were still 25 runs behind Afghanistan, who had gone 113 ahead in the first.However, the prospect of any dramatic finish quickly vanished as Sean Williams and Craig Ervine not only wiped the deficit out, but also ensured no further damage. The game inevitably ended in a draw, but provided plenty of opportunities for players to fill their boots. Hashmatullah Shahidi scored a career-best 246, while Afsar Zazai hit his maiden Test hundred as Afghanistan piled up 699, their highest total in the format.Related

Ervine urges Zimbabwe to improve their fielding: 'The outcome could've been different had we taken our chances'

Stats – Zimbabwe (586), Afghanistan (699) reach record highs in Bulawayo run-fest

Afghanistan had themselves lost 6 for 20 to close their innings in search of quick runs. But on what was otherwise a lifeless pitch, Zimbabwe’s spinners Brian Bennett and Williams did get some turn. Bennett bagged five of the six wickets to fall – that followed a knock of 110* – and the fun began when he had Shahidi lbw.On the fifth ball of the 193rd over, Shahid went across the stumps to try and lap sweep, but was struck in front. Next ball, Azmatullah Omarzai skied one back to Bennett, who was left on a hat-trick. Bennett bowled the hat-trick ball to Shahidullah to start the 195th over, but the batter drove it to deep point.But Williams had Zia-ur-Rehman caught for 5 next over, as substitute fielder Tadiwanashe Marumani took a great catch while running forward from long-on. AM Ghazanfar then bashed Bennett for six, only for Bennett to be on a hat-trick again. Ghazanfar swung one to long-on, while Naveed Zadran bottom-edged on to the stumps. But Bennett was denied again, as Zahir Khan blocked one safely. Next ball, though, Bennett completed his five-for when he trapped Zahir to wrap the Afghanistan innings up.Zimbabwe’s second innings began in the afternoon session, when enough time was left for a surprise result. Perhaps seeing the Zimbabwe spinners get help from the surface, Afghanistan asked Ghazanfar to share the new ball with Naveed Zadran. But Ben Curran led Zimbabwe’s counterpunch, as they smashed 32 runs in the first five overs.That included four boundaries, including three off Ghazanfar. Curran slashed, swept and swung the offspinner for four each, even as Joylord Gumbie also hit a boundary in a much more patient start. Naveen, Zia-ur-Rehman, Omarzai and Zahir Khan checked Zimbabwe’s momentum thereafter, although Zimbabwe still went wicketless to tea.Zia and Zahir did find turn, though, and after multiple lbw appeals against Gumbie were turned down, Zahir finally had Gumbie edge one to slip. A length ball around sixth stump hinted to turn in, and Gumbie pushed forward only to get an outside edge. The opening partnership of 73 was broken, but just one ball later, the players were off due to rain.The break lasted nearly 40 minutes, but that didn’t affect Afghanistan. Third ball into the resumption, Curran was run out for 41 when he tapped Zia towards midwicket and set for a single. But his partner Takudzwanashe Kaitano seemed to have refused the single a little too late, and the throw from Shahidullah found Curran well short at the wicketkeeper’s end.Next over, Kaitano looked to paddle sweep Zahir, who was bowling from around the wicket. The ball landed on a full length on middle, and didn’t seem to turn, as Kaitano missed his attempted sweep, for which the length seemed a bit too full. But the most aesthetically pleasing dismissal came when Ghazanfar cleaned Dion Myers up in the 25th over.He drifted one in, and pitched it full on middle and off to draw the batter forward. Myers looked to defend the line of the ball, but it turned away to uproot the off stump. Zimbabwe were 88 for 4 at that stage, and still behind Afghanistan, who smelled a miracle. But the experienced Williams and Ervine took their side to safety by adding 54 in less than ten overs.They took Zimbabwe past Afghanistan at the start of the 30th over, as Ervine drilled Zahir through the covers, and the batters ran four. There were plenty of footmarks for the Afghanistan spinners to work with, but they couldn’t strike any further, as the game ended in a draw, and the two-match series remained locked at 0-0.

Paul Pogba has revealed what he got up to while serving a doping ban, with the World Cup winner moving his family to Dubai for six months. The France international, who was cleared to resume his career in March 2025, is still waiting on his return to competitive action after heading back to his homeland and signing a two-year contract with Ligue 1 outfit Monaco.

• When was Pogba's last competitive appearance?

  Ex-Manchester United midfielder Pogba has not made an appearance of any kind since September 2023. It was at that point that he was stung with an initial four-year suspension for breaching doping regulations.

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• Getty
  

  Linked with teams in MLS & Saudi Pro League

  That ban was eventually reduced to 18 months on appeal, with Pogba expected to make an immediate return to the professional ranks. He did, however, spend several weeks without a club – despite being linked with teams across Europe, in MLS and the Saudi Pro League.

• Why have Monaco delayed Pogba's debut?

  Monaco put a deal in place during the summer of 2025, but Pogba is yet to make his debut for them. That is because he is still working his way towards full match sharpness after spending so long out of action.

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• Pogba relocated family to the Middle East

  In a bid to fill time and escape the spotlight, Pogba has revealed that he briefly relocated to Dubai alongside wife Zulay and their children. He told A-Star Barbers: “Yeah, I was there six months. Amazing for family. Seriously, I was happy there. The kids were happy. Seriously, I enjoyed it.”

أبدى مدرب نادي كيرات ألماني، تحمسه الكبير لمواجهة نادي ريال مدريد الأسبوع المقبل في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، موجهًا إشادة خاصة إلى المدرب تشابي ألونسو.

كيرات النادي الكازاخستاني سوف يستضيف ريال مدريد يوم الثلاثاء المقبل، ضمن الجولة الثانية من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا وفي مرحلة الدوري.

ويسعى كيرات إلى خلق المفاجأة وتحقيق انتصار مدوي على ريال مدريد ، والذي يعتبر ملك دوري أبطال أوروبا وأكثر من توج بالبطولة برصيد 15 لقبًا.

أقرأ أيضًا .. ماركا: ريال مدريد رفض التعاقد مع لاعبين من أجل كاريراس

وأشار مدرب كيرات، رافائيل أورازباختين، إلى أن ألونسو يعتبر من المدربين الملهمين بالنسبة له، موضحًا أنه سيكون شرفًا عظيمًا أن يلعب ضد المدرب الإسباني في مباراة.

ألونسو أثبت نفسه بقوة مع ريال مدريد هذا الموسم ويتصدر الفريق الملكي معه ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 18 نقطة وبالعلامة الكاملة من ست انتصارات متتالية.

وقال أورازباختين في تصريحات عبر ”EFEdeportes” : “تابعت باير ليفركوزن عندما كان تشابي ألونسو مدربًا لهم، تعلمت الكثير من مشاهدة مبارياته وحتى أنني شاهدت التدريبات كلما سنحت لي الفرصة”.

وأضاف أورازباختين في حديثه عن ألونسو: ”إن ألونسو مدرب من الطراز الرفيع وتعلمت منه الكثير كمدرب، وسوف يكون شرفًا عظيمًا لي أن ألعب ضده”.

وعن مستوى ريال مدريد مع ألونسو هذا الموسم اختتم: ”التغييرات مع ريال مدريد واضحة بالفعل مع ألونسو، لكن أفكاره لم تنضج تمامًا بعد”.

Liverpool are the champions of the Premier League once again. And what’s more, Arne Slot has been backed by FSG this summer as they prepare to do it all over again.

While the bulk of transfer activity has been dealt with already on Merseyside, there’s more to come, with Darwin Nunez the centre of ongoing talks between Liverpool and Napoli after an opening €55m (£48m) bid was rejected.

Many would hope that FSG are gearing up to splash out the cash on Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but the “world-class” goalscorer, as he has been described by pundit Alan Shearer, will likely prove too expensive.

And anyway, Slot has proven his ability to grow exciting talents into superstars. See the 22-year-old Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.

Now, the Dutch coach is hoping to sign his next version of the former, whose meteoric rise last season led to him being crowned the Premier League Young Player of the Season.

Liverpool's next top transfer targets

After missing out on Dean Huijsen, who swapped Bournemouth for Real Madrid after his £50m release clause was met, it was clear from the early stages of the transfer window that Liverpool are interested in signing a centre-back.

Marc Guehi is the man at the top of the shopping list, and while developments appear to be minimal at the moment, expect FSG to try their luck before the summer window slams shut.

Liverpool need a new central defender, to be sure, but Slot knows that the 33-year-old Mohamed Salah will need greater attacking support than he received last term, practically engineering the incredible Premier League success of 2023/24.

And indeed, Nunez’s forthcoming sale will demand that sporting director Richard Hughes signs a successor, one who is fit to serve as Liverpool’s out-and-out frontman over the coming years.

Well, the Reds have just the player in mind, and their interest is beginning to get stronger and stronger.

Liverpool with growing interest in new striker

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool’s interest in Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike is indeed getting more intense as Nunez edges closer to a transfer to Napoli.

The Premier League champions have been among the frontrunners for the 23-year-old in recent months, with Chelsea and Manchester United also keen on bagging his signature.

However, the sticking point is that Frankfurt are happy to play hardball, seemingly unwilling to budge on their €100m (£85m) valuation.

What Hugo Ekitike would bring to Liverpool

In 2022, Paris Saint-Germain signed a teenage Ekitike from Ligue 1 rivals Reims for a fee in the region of £30m. Newcastle had come close to a deal but failed to close it.

The Frenchman might not have brought it all together for PSG, only scoring four times across 33 senior matches, but he’s certainly built himself back up in Germany, with analyst Ben Mattinson hailing him as “one of the best strikers out there” after his 2024/25 term with Frankfurt.

Notching 36 goal involvements across all competitions for Frankfurt last season, Ekitike is clearly a “special talent”, as has been noted by journalist Bence Bocsak.

But it’s his dynamism and fluency that makes him such an attractive option for a club like Liverpool, finishing the 2024/25 season ranked among the top 6% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons, and the top 20% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

The fact that he’s more complete than Gravenberch was when he joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich in August 2023 bodes well for his potential at the highest level of the European game.

As you will see in the table below, Gravenberch bloomed into a midfielder of remarkable quality and confidence last term, sitting deep in the centre of the park in spite of early career criticisms that he lacked the temperament and composure for such a role.

Looking at the Dutchman’s gains under Slot’s wing last season, as opposed to his less defined role when a part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, it’s very easy to see that Slot’s tactical grasp brought out the best in his young compatriot.

Matches (starts)

26 (12)

37 (37)

Goals

1

0

Assists

0

4

Touches*

28.8

66.5

Pass completion

83%

89%

Key passes*

0.6

0.9

Dribbles*

0.9

1.0

Ball recoveries*

2.8

5.2

Tackles + interceptions*

1.5

3.5

Total duels (won)*

2.8 (47%)

5.0 (57%)

The same could be said for Gakpo, of course, but given that Ekitike is an exciting young player from the Bundesliga who has previously struggled to bring it together after a big-money move to a European superpower, he could emulate the silky holding midfielder.

And without a doubt, Ekitike has the technical ability to become the kind of all-encompassing centre-forward that Slot wants to connect his frontline.

Given the high regard Ekitike is held in already, it’s frightening to consider what Slot might manage to achieve in elevating the weaker points of his game and polishing any blemishes which a rising talent is naturally going to bear.

Gravenberch, certainly, has improved, having been branded a “passenger out of possession” by journalist Danny Corcoran during his maiden term in English football.

He’s now a player of smooth ability, one of the finest in Europe. Slot has earned his flowers, all right, and he’ll receive a whole bouquet if allowed to tinker away at Ekitike’s mechanics, shaping him into a world-beater.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed that the Die Adler star “could reach world-class striker levels” after his excellent campaign, and if he moves to Liverpool, his chances of this happening will increase tenfold.

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Things are finally starting to fall into place for Arsenal this summer.

After watching their Premier League rivals sign talent after talent, the Gunners have sprung into life in the last couple of weeks.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is through the door, Christian Norgaard looks set to follow him, and reports indicate the North Londoners are making good progress in their pursuit of goalscoring extraordinaire Viktor Gyokeres.

That’s not all, though, as after months of waiting, Martin Zubimendi looks set to be announced any day now, although his signing could be overshadowed by another in no time at all.

Arsenal target more exciting signing than Zubimendi

Arsenal were linked with Zubimendi as far back as January 2023, but in reality, the most significant story regarding his move to the club emerged this January, courtesy of Sami Mokbel.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Since then, there has been a near-constant trickle of updates about the move, but finally, it looks like the Spaniard will be officially announced any day now, and for a fee of around £51m.

It’s easy to see why the Gunners were so keen to land the “world-class” ace, as dubbed by journalist Alexandra Jonson, as not only does he have an abundance of experience under his belt, but he’ll provide Arteta with far more options to adjust his midfield setup when needed.

However, while the Real Sociedad star could well be a transformational addition, the North Londoners now appear to be closing in on someone who’d be an even more exciting signing: Eberechi Eze.

At least that is according to journalist Ben Jacobs, who, speaking on the latest episode of the Highbury Squad podcast, revealed that the Gunners were still very much interested in the Crystal Palace star.

In fact, Jacobs said he is “expecting a bid” from the North Londoners “within the next two weeks” that will be slightly below the Englishman’s £68m release clause.

In more good news, the player himself is “keen” to join Arteta’s outfit, and therefore, this does feel like a deal which will happen, and for our money, it’ll be a more exciting one than Zubimendi’s.

Why Eze would be a more exciting signing than Zubimendi

The first thing to say is that Zubimendi is undoubtedly an excellent and very important signing.

However, when it comes to pure excitement, we have to side with the addition of Eze.

After all, what is it that actually gets fans on their feet? In most cases, it’s goals and thrilling attacking phases of play, which are things the Palace star can and likely will provide in spades at the Emirates.

Appearances

43

Minutes

3303′

Goals

14

Assists

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

132.12′

For example, despite playing for a mid-table side, he was able to amass a brilliant tally of 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances, totalling 3,303 minutes.

That means the former QPR ace averaged a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes.

Moreover, he isn’t someone who statpads by scoring meaningless goals, as he opened the scoring in the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa, and then scored the winner in the final.

Additionally, while the 27-year-old “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, spent much of last season playing in an attacking midfield role, he is also more than capable of playing on the left wing and could therefore help solve multiple problems in the Gunners’ squad.

Ultimately, Zubimendi will likely be an incredible signing for Arsenal, but for our money, Eze will be the more exciting addition, should this transfer happen.

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