Chelsea take on Liverpool in the Premier League on Tuesday evening, just two days after Graham Potter was sacked at Stamford Bridge.
The former Brighton boss struggled throughout his tenure with the Blues and his fate was sealed by the 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa last weekend, with interim manager Bruno Saltor in charge for the visit of Liverpool tonight.
If the Spaniard wants to avoid following in the footsteps of his predecessor, then he must consider dropping Mykhailo Mudryk after the January signing produced another shocking performance against Unai Emery's side last time out.
Should Chelsea drop Mudryk vs Liverpool?
Mudryk was perhaps always going to be a risky signing for the Blues given he was untested in England and had made just 44 senior appearances for Shakhtar Donetsk, contributing 12 goals and 17 assists.
However, Todd Boehly still invested £88.5m to bring the 22-year-old to the Premier League and for that sort of money, you would expect the winger to have an instant impact and help fire Chelsea up the table.
The £97k-per-week winger made just eight appearances under Potter before his sacking late last week, in which he contributed no goals and just one assist, averaging a woeful 6.21 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the top flight, which ranks him as the 30th-best performer in Chelsea's squad.
Despite his poor start to life at Stamford Bridge, Potter opted to start the young winger against Villa but the Ukraine international arguably played a big part in his sacking, as he first failed to square the ball to Kai Havertz for a tap-in, before hitting a tame effort straight at Emiliano Martinez when through on goal.
Former Premier League striker Tony Cascarino was less than impressed with Mudryk's performance against Villa and criticised him on talkSPORT.
He said: "Ok he had a couple of chances and didn't take them. That happens. But since he's come, he's looked like he hasn't got a clue what is happening around him."
In the Champions League with Shakhtar earlier in the season, Mudryk was averaging 1.5 shots, 0.8 key passes and 1.7 dribbles per game but in the Premier League thus far he has mustered just 0.9 shots, 0.3 key passes and 0.3 dribbles per game, which emphasises that he hasn't lived up to his potential.
While a number of Boehly's signings have also flopped, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completely ostracised under Potter, at least the Gabon striker had Premier League pedigree and didn't arrive for an eye-watering amount of money.
Aubameyang has at least found the net too, albeit on just three occasions, while averaging a fractionally better WhoScored match rating of 6.39. That is still woeful, but not quite as bad as Mudryk.
The early signs from the flanker are that Chelsea could be stuck with a player that isn't cut out for the Premier League until his contract expires in 2031, so if Bruno wants to get off to a good start at Stamford Bridge, he must drop the Ukrainian against Liverpool tonight.
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui has been handed a boost in his pursuit of Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott, who has reportedly expressed his desire to join the ranks at Molineux.
What's the latest on Alex Scott to Wolves?
The Telegraph's John Percy reported in January that the Old Gold were indeed interested in the flourishing starlet, but a move did not materialise due to The Robins' £25m asking price, a figure Lopetegui and co were reluctant to pay for an untested Championship commodity.
And now, according to the Express & Star's Lewis Keen, Scott favours a move to Wolves above all else, reigniting the hopes of the Old Gold that a deal could be struck this summer.
Keen said: “I think Spurs and Everton have been mentioned. There’s a few other rumours as well. But as far as I understand it, the player likes Wolves. He would be keen on the move to Wolves. It’s whether they can make it happen, and whether another club turns his head."
A dream partner for Ruben Neves?
Wolves have clearly completed their homework on City's most coveted asset, and should the cogs fall into place over the coming months, a move might indeed be forthcoming.
The revelations that Scott's interest has been piqued over a move to the Premier League outfit is will be sweet music to Lopetegui's ears, but whether his stance, or indeed Bristol City's, will change as the summer transfer window opens remains to be seen.
But in the "fearless" prodigy, as dubbed by Henry Winter, Wolves could nurture one of English football's brightest talents into a devastating phenom, with Scott having started 35 of his outfit's 36 league matches all term, scoring one goal and supplying four assists.
As per Sofascore, the dynamic ace has recorded an average match rating of 6.9 this season, completing 80% of his passes, making one key pass per match and exhibiting the combative nature of his game by forging 2.1 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per outing.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United – Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain – December 31, 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player p
And having taken to the field in an arresting display during Bristol City's recent 3-0 FA Cup defeat at the hand of Manchester City, earning a match rating of 7.0 after succeeding with four of his five attempted dribbles and winning 11 of his 15 attempted duels, he was even hailed a "top talent" by City's £100m man Jack Grealish after his impressively stoic performance.
With a transfer, he could be the perfect partner for the established Ruben Neves, who has been the centrepiece of Wolves' engine over the past five years following his £15m transfer from Porto in 2017.
Neves is an assiduous and tenacious midfielder, having scored five goals in the Premier League this term – a joint high in the squad – completed 85% of his total passes and made 2.4 tackles per game, as per Sofascore.
This level of rock-solid assurance to provide Scott license to roam and instigate promising openings will only enhance the collective fluidity and energy of Lopetegui's outfit, and despite concerns over the price, Wolves must swoop.
Indeed, the thought of the young Championship ace battling alongside Neves is truly mouthwatering one.
West Ham United are eyeing a move for Norwich City star Gabriel Sara as David Moyes looks to bolster his squad.
What’s the latest on Gabriel Sara to West Ham?
According to a report from the Sunday Mirror (March 12th, page 71), West Ham are reportedly keeping an eye on Sara and Moyes wants to sign the Championship star during the summer transfer window.
The Brazilian signed for the Canaries for a £11.5m fee last summer, and he has clearly impressed during his spell at the club, generating interest from the Premier League as a result.
No potential transfer fee has been mentioned, yet with the 23-year-old still having three years left on his deal, Norwich will certainly want much more than the £11.5m they paid for him just a few months ago.
Will Declan Rice leave West Ham this summer?
It is looking increasingly likely that Declan Rice will depart the club this summer, especially following his comments late last year, when he admitted that he wants to play in the Champions League, something he is unlikely to achieve with the Hammers.
The midfielder has appeared over 200 times for the club and with just over a year left on his current deal, this summer represents the best chance of Moves racking in a massive transfer fee for the player.
Moyes has set a price tag of around £70m for Rice and if he wants to go, there is no doubt he should ditch him and launch a bid for Sara as a replacement.
The Brazilian has settled into life at Norwich extremely well, already scoring five goals and grabbing four assists for good measure, which from a central midfield role is excellent, and he certainly has the potential to succeed Rice.
Indeed, this season, the Championship sensation not only has more goals and assists than the Englishman, but he has also registered more shots (42 to 26), crosses (132 to 38), goal-creating actions (nine to four) and touches in the attacking penalty area (44 to 14), proving that he would be a significant upgrade, especially in an attacking sense.
Presenter Rob Butler recently stated that Sara “has officially reached hero status” following his recent performances and if Norwich don’t get promoted to the Premier League this term, they may find it hard to turn down a bid for the player.
With Rice’s future lying away from West Ham, Moyes will be working hard behind the scenes to secure someone who could adequately replace him.
Sara’s performances this season undoubtedly prove he could make the step-up with ease.
Manchester United are a club that have seemingly tried everything in an attempt to return to the top, having been so absent from the pinnacle of English football ever since Sir Alex Ferguson's 2013 retirement.
First employing David Moyes on his recommendation, his short-lived tenure gave birth to a decade of managerial upheaval, employing club heroes like Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, legends of the game like Jose Mourinho, and more recently a progress manager in Erik ten Hag with whom they are expected to trust to oversee the creation of a long-term sustainable project.
However, their start to the new Premier League season has thrown doubt over his credentials, with fans quick to forget the good work he engineered the year previously that returned them to the Champions League.
He will be keen to turn things around, but it must be noted that this is a process not to be completed overnight. Along with implementing a system which he hopes to yield unbridled success once again, he is also battling with regard to personnel, and ensuring that the right characters remain within the dressing room.
Louis Van Gaal
After all, there have been years of misfires in the market that have left them far from the level they will hope to be at.
When looking back on that plethora of deals that once promised the world, few disappointed so severely like Memphis Depay.
Why did Man United sign Memphis Depay?
Joining from PSV Eindhoven for £31m in 2015, the Dutch winger had been terrorising his homeland for years before the Red Devils came calling, with Louis van Gaal keen to bring in his compatriot in order to revolutionise his frontline.
After all, having scored 28 goals across all competitions in his final year before departing whilst also taking home the division's Golden Boot award, it seemed a foolproof signing especially given the rich history they share with forwards from that nation.
Robin van Persie and Ruud van Nistelrooy had both joined and spearheaded title charges in the past with their goalscoring exploits, and given the 29-year-old had recorded 79 goal contributions in 124 appearances for his club as a youngster, there was every reason to believe that the same might occur, especially under the experienced manager at the helm.
How good was Depay?
It would not pan out as expected, with the trickster scoring just two Premier League goals across a torrid debut year.
Such a titanic club suffering such aggressive upheaval were not to wait about for him to fulfil his potential, and just two years after his 2015 move he had left with just seven goals in 53 outings to his name, seeking to reignite his career with Lyon.
It is clear now that French football suited the dynamic forward far more, and there he would enjoy arguably the pinnacle of a career that later saw him join Barcelona before moving to their La Liga rivals for whom he now plays. Across four years in France, the £145k-per-week earner would score 76 and assist a further 55, typifying the perfect false nine, able to both drop deep to create and spearhead an attacking unit.
Such form then allowed him to become a mainstay for the national side too, with Ronald Koeman noting back in 2018: "He's great, he's turning into a top player. That's great, we need that, especially in attacking positions. He's showing that at Lyon, and at Oranje now as well.
"He has freedom here, that's what he needs to be the best Memphis. He can do that in this team. When he's a lone striker he tends to drift back too much, so we have a hole up front. But when he plays between the lines, like in the last part, he was so strong. He's turning, attacking, he's a joy to watch."
Whilst many might argue that Depay has fulfilled his potential away from Old Trafford, given the huge expectations placed upon his shoulders, this remains a notion still somewhat uncertain.
What was said about Depay when he first signed for Man United?
Given the money expended, it marked a hugely significant outlay for the time, but one which provoked huge interest from the masses.
Van Gaal would seek to talk up his new acquisition just after that 2015 capture, claiming: "I think he is one of the biggest, highly talented boys of his age because he is full of confidence."
However, that confidence would perhaps spill over into arrogance, with Dutch legend Ruud Gullit questioning his attitude during that torrid debut season: "I’m a fan of Memphis and have faith in him, but he has to do something to live up to expectations — and that is to perform.
Memphis Depay's clubs
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Lyon
178
76
55
PSV Eindhoven
124
50
29
Manchester United
53
7
6
Barcelona
42
14
2
Atletico Madrid
13
6
0
Data via Transfermarkt.
"If you’re not performing you should not turn up for training in a new Rolls-Royce or Hummer. He’s got to focus entirely on football and that is where his advisors and so-called friends have a key role. He has been regarded as the biggest waste of money this season."
What makes his underperformance and subsequent speedy exit even more frustrating is the calibre of player he was compared to, with ESPN even penning a 2015 article suggesting he could be the club's new Cristiano Ronaldo.
"He is the type of player whom the United faithful have been dying to see since Ronaldo left in 2009 — a player who will make Old Trafford stand up each time he has the ball at his feet, like George Best, Eric Cantona and Ronaldo," writer Paul Parker noted.
An arrogant left winger with all the skill and bravado to terrorise full-backs, the comparisons were admittedly there to be made. However, with one quote reading "He is probably a better footballer than Cristiano Ronaldo was at 21," it feels like this is a report that has certainly not aged well.
How many goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored?
Having first made his move to Old Trafford in 2003, as a little-known 18-year-old from Portugal, there were next to no expectations on the shoulders of the trickster.
Few could possibly have predicted that this gangly speedster would turn into one of the greatest goalscorers of all time, having currently notched 726 career goals and won countless trophies, including five Champions Leagues.
However, to refute that earlier claim, at 21 the 202-cap superstar had just spearheaded another Premier League triumph for Ferguson, scoring 17 and assisting eight in the process. In fact, just three years later he would make his legendary move to Real Madrid too, where he would become their leading all-time goalscorer and La Liga's second all-time top scorer, only bettered by his long-time rival Lionel Messi.
Depay realistically stood no chance of ever living up to such an impossible comparison, as it is unlikely that football will ever produce someone as talented as the Portuguese ace who won five Ballon d'Or's.
However, what is especially frustrating is that he never even came close, and even though he has enjoyed a solid career in his own right, it marked a lofty comparison that forced far too much weight onto such young shoulders.
Leeds United have made a fine start to life back in the Championship this season as they have made themselves play-off contenders so far.
The Whites are currently sitting in fifth-place and have only lost two league matches in 11 outings under German head coach Daniel Farke, who was brought in to replace Sam Allardyce over the summer.
A number of players were snapped up in order to bolster the ex-Norwich City boss' squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, following their relegation from the Premier League.
Jaidon Anthony, Joel Piroe, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, Sam Byram, Djed Spence, Glen Kamara, Ilia Gruev, and Ethan Ampadu were all signed either on loan or on permanent deals.
Leeds forward Joel Piroe.
Despite the side's strong start to the season, the upcoming January transfer window will provide Farke with an opportunity to improve his team again.
One player whom he must look to reignite his interest in is Genk ace Joseph Paintsil, who would thrive alongside Georgino Rutter if the talented whiz can adapt to English football.
Were Leeds interested in Joseph Paintsil?
The Athletic reported that Leeds made an offer of €10m (£8.7m) to sign the Ghana international during the summer transfer window.
It was stated at the time that the player's preference was a move to Elland Road after a transfer to Championship rivals Southampton had fallen through, due to Paintsil and Paul Onuachu – who was set to go the other way – opting against the switch.
However, the Whites were unable to get a deal over the line for the exciting forward and it has since been revealed, by the player, that it was due to reasons out of their control.
Paintsil claimed that he was not interested in a move to Southampton or Leeds as his dream is to play in the Premier League, or in one of the other major European leagues.
Ghana international Joseph Paintsil.
The £8.7m-rated whiz added that it was not about Farke's side being a 'bad' team but he could not be convinced to make the drop down to the Championship at that moment in time.
However, the German head coach could make a more convincing case to persuade the Genk star to join the Yorkshire-based outfit in January if his team are well in the race for promotion to the top-flight.
The player has confirmed that his dream is to play at the top level in England and Leeds could offer him a good chance to join a side that could be promoted to that level if they are in the play-off, or automatic, mix by the time that January comes around.
Why were Leeds interested in Paintsil?
Farke and the club may have been interested in a deal to sign the Ghana international due to his phenomenal form for Genk throughout the 2022/23 campaign.
The 25-year-old winger showcased his ability to score and create goals at an impressive rate in the Belgian top-flight and his statistics suggest that he could have been a superb addition to Leeds' squad.
Paintsil was a regular for his side over the course of the campaign as he made 36 league appearances and started 36 times, with an average of 81 minutes per outing, as per Sofascore.
Ghana international Joseph Paintsil.
The right-footed whiz was lethal in front of goal and proved himself to be a reliable option to chip in with goals at the top end of the pitch from a wide position.
He ended the Pro League season with a stunning 17 goals from out wide, with only six 'big chances' missed in total. Meanwhile, no Leeds player managed more than 13 league goals last term and no Whites ace has scored more than 17 in a season since Chris Wood in the 2016/17 term.
Paintsil also caught the eye with his ability to carve open the opposition's defence to create opportunities for his teammates. Farke's target created 12 'big chances' and assisted 11 goals in total throughout those 36 outings.
Whereas, no Leeds player produced more than seven assists over the course of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign and no Whites star has hit double figures for assists since Pablo Hernandez did (12) during the 2018/19 Championship season.
These statistics, which were described as "sensational" by Scott Coyne of the Belgian Football Podcast, suggest that the Genk magician has the quality to be a terrific forward for the club and he could thrive alongside Rutter if Farke can snap him up in January.
How has Rutter performed this season?
The French wizard has enjoyed a fantastic start to the campaign and has proven himself to be a big threat at the top end of the pitch at Championship level.
Rutter has contributed with two goals and three assists in nine league starts for the Whites so far this season and has been an exceptional creator for Farke.
The former Hoffenheim prospect has produced ten 'big chances' for his teammates and only been rewarded with three assists for his efforts.
As per FBRef, the 21-year-old maestro ranks within the top 6% of his positional peers at Championship level for xAG (0.49) and shot-creating actions (4.27) per 90.
This essentially means that there are not many players in his position who are able to create high-quality chances as frequently as Rutter.
However, there is work to do with his own finishing as the talented youngster has missed five 'big chances' to go along with his two goals, which suggests that he could be more ruthless in front of goal.
Should Leeds sign Paintsil?
Leeds should, therefore, reignite their interest in Paintsil during the January transfer window as his goalscoring record for Genk suggests that he would thrive alongside Rutter.
The 5 foot 7 talent has proven himself to be a prolific scorer from a wide position and rarely misses presentable opportunities at the top end of the pitch, as shown by his aforementioned statistics from last season.
Starts
Eight
Goals
Two
Assists
Three
Big chances created
Four
Paintsil's form this season (via Sofascore)
This suggests that the Whites target would be able to make the most of the chances that the French wizard is putting on a plate for his teammates week-in-week-out.
Paintsil's creative number also indicate that he could provide Rutter with the ammunition he needs to find the back of the net on a regular basis, if the ex-Bundesliga man can find his feet and form in front of goal during the second half of the season.
Barcelona boss Xavi made a bizarre claim that his side would be top of the league if 'big data' was to be believed.
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Barcelona steal late winBeat Celta Vigo 2-1 with stoppage-time penaltyBarca sit seven points off MadridGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Xavi spoke after the game and was critical of his side's wasted chances as they stole a narrow 2-1 victory over strugglers Celta Vigo. A resurgent Robert Lewandowski scored a brace, including a 97th minute penalty, to secure the three points. However, perhaps a little frustrated the Polish striker hasn't been able to be at his best all this season, Xavi bemoaned the number of opportunities to score they pass up.
AdvertisementWHAT XAVI SAID
Speaking after their victory, Xavi said: "We dominated. But we struggled to create in the final third. [Celta] worked so hard defensively. It's an agonising triumph, but it's welcome.
"They passed me a stat saying that, according to Big Data, we would be leaders [going] by chances created."
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
Xavi's side have a number of players capable of producing special moments out of nothing. No more so than Ilkay Gundogan who has created 67 chances for his team-mates this season, second only to Real Betis' Isco (68). Maybe the Spanish boss has a point.
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WHAT NEXT FOR XAVI AND BARCELONA?
Xavi has made the decision to leave Barcelona at the end of the season so will be dreaming of ending his spell in charge on a positive note. They sit seven points off league leaders Madrid, who have a game in hand, and begin their Champions League knockout stage run on Wednesday against Napoli.
After Arsenal’s win over Liverpool, Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Jorginho who he revealed has been playing through pain for some time.
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Arteta praises Jorginho for performance
Reveals midfielder playing through pain
Arsenal win 3-1 over Liverpool
Getty Images
WHAT HAPPENED?
After the Gunners' 3-1 win over league leaders Liverpool, Arteta praised the Italian, whose performance on the night was crucial for Arsenal leaving the Emirates with three points. The 32-year-old had not started a league game since November, and the Arsenal manager claimed that he had played through agony to aid the club while suffering from a persistent physical issue that has not been revealed by the Spaniard.
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WHAT ARTETA SAID
Talking to the media after the game, Arteta said [via The Athletic]: "(He was) Unbelievable. I always say that he’s an example, a role model. He’s been in a lot of pain because he’s had an issue he’s been carrying for months. He didn’t want to stop, he’s been playing with that. He’s been training, always the first one in and the last one out.
"For all the kids at the club, if you want to look at somebody, just look at him. He’s won everything but if you ask him not to play or play one minute last week he’s happy to go there. Ask him to play 90 minutes at that rhythm and he’s able to do that. I’m really lucky to have players like this.
"It’s a game that I had in my mind. I was imagining how much we were going to need him. He’s a really intelligent player, his biggest quality is that he makes the people around him better. He connects everybody. I think he was man of the match."
Getty Images
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal won convincingly at Emirates Stadium thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Bukayo Saka. Arsenal now sit just two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool as a result of the outcome. With two games in hand, Manchester City trail Liverpool by five points and are the clear favourite to take the lead in the Premier League until the number of games equalises.
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WHAT NEXT FOR JORGINHO?
The Italian has been touted by Arteta earlier as a key part of his system at Arsenal and will likely be in action against West Ham on Sunday, February 11.
Sheffield United captain Anel Ahmedhodzic has criticised Rio Ferdinand for his "clearly biased" coverage of the penalty incident against West Ham.
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Ahmedhodzic calls Ferdinand 'biased'Ferdinand believes West Ham should have had a penaltyClaims Ahmedhodzic pulls Bowen to the groundWHAT HAPPENED?
Oli McBurnie's late penalty in the 103rd minute gave the Blades a 2-2 draw with the Hammers at Bramall Lane on Sunday, and West Ham manager David Moyes was incensed with several refereeing and video assistant rulings. Essentially, it was a potential foul on Jarrod Bowen as Ahmedhodzic and the West Ham attacker grappled inside Sheffield's box. The 24-year-old Bosnian lost sight of the ball as he wrapped two hands around the England international, which caused the pair to go down. The West Ham players immediately called for a penalty, but referee Michael Salisbury decided that there was not enough in the incident to warrant a spot-kick.
TNT Sports pundits Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand both stated that West Ham ought to have received a penalty after the game. However, Ahmedhodzic retaliated against the two last night, calling the former West Ham academy graduates "clearly biased."
AdvertisementWHAT AHMEDHODZIC SAID
In a video shared by TNT Sports on , the Blades captain said: "Clearly biased. You can see in the unedited footage where he pulls me down with him which makes me lose sight of the ball. Obviously, it’s been edited to make it look like a pen to West Ham."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Moyes was also left bemused when McBurnie was found to have been fouled by Alphonse Areola, even though the Hammers keeper was helped off the pitch as he sustained cuts on his nose and mouth, which allowed the Blades to equalise in the 103rd minute. For the Blades, the draw meant they breached the double-digit point-tally, becoming the last team to do so this season. West Ham, meanwhile, have fallen further behind Spurs in the battle for fifth and now sit within striking distance of Manchester United.
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DID YOU KNOW?
The goal by McBurnie was the latest on-record goal scored in the Premier League, overtaking Dirk Kuyt's penalty for Liverpool against Arsenal in April 2011 scored at 101:48 as per OptaJoe.
As part of Tottenham Hotspur's summer spending thus far, new boss Ange Postecoglou notably sanctioned the permanent capture of Sweden international, Dejan Kulusveski, with the 23-year-old signing on a £25m deal after spending the last 18 months in north London.
The wing wizard was originally snapped up by former boss Antonio Conte on loan from Juventus back in January 2022, with the Lilywhites having opted to bring the forward to England alongside teammate, Rodrigo Bentancur.
While Conte – and ex-sporting director Fabio Paratici – are no longer at the helm at N17, it looks as if the Premier League side are still scouring the Serie A market in order to find possible recruits, having already sealed a deal for Empoli goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario earlier in the window.
Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…
Postecoglou and co could again look to Italy to try and secure a repeat of their Kulusevski masterclass, amid reports that the club are interested in Juve full-back, Andrea Cambiaso.
Who is Andrea Cambiaso?
According to a report from Italian outlet, Tuttosport last week, Tottenham have been named alongside Nottingham Forest as the clubs who are interested in signing the 23-year-old this summer, with the former Italy U21 international having spent last season on loan at Bologna.
As per the piece, the Old Lady are looking for a fee in the region of €20m (£17m) if they are to part ways with the former Genoa ace over the coming weeks, with the emerging talent having yet to make a first-team appearance for his parent club since making the move to Turin last year.
andrea cambiaso
While Cambiaso is yet to try his hand outside of Serie A – much like Kulusveski prior to joining Spurs – the promising defender could prove to be another wise investment as far as Daniel Levy is concerned.
How good is Andrea Cambiaso?
Having splashed the cash on Kulusevski of late, the Lilywhites seemingly liked what they saw from the wide man over the last year-and-a-half, with the one-time Parma ace having warranted that strong show of faith.
Despite enduring a difficult 2022/23 campaign, the 6 foot 1 dynamo was still able to contribute a respectable haul of two goals and seven assists in 30 Premier League games, having previously registered 13 goal involvements in just 18 appearances in the competition in the tail-end of the previous season.
Lauded as "a real player" by pundit Paul Robinson, the hope will be that Kulusevski can kick on again next term now that his future is secure, with the Stockholm native having clearly shown more than just glimpses of his quality in a Tottenham shirt to date.
Dejan Kulusevski
While making the transition to life in the Premier League from Serie A may not be easy, Kulusevski has shown the benefits of looking to the Italian market, hence why snapping up Cambiaso – who has been "on fire" of late according to talent scout Jacek Kulig – could prove a wise move.
The Juve ace notably registered three assists in the league last season during his spell at Bologna as a marker of his creative threat, having also chipped in defensively after averaging 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game – a greater record than Ben Davies achieved, for instance, for Spurs (1.5 tackles and interceptions per game).
A player who is comfortable on the ball and can easily beat a man down the flanks, the £31k-per-week machine notably ranks in the top 15% among his European peers for pass completion, as well as in the top 14% for successful take-ons.
Such traits could well help the Genoa native slot in nicely into Postecoglou's attack-minded, 4-3-3 formation, with the hope being that he can replicate Kulusevski's impact at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Everton will need to further supplement their attacking ranks this summer to hit the ground running this season, with Sean Dyche setting his sights on Southampton striker Che Adams.
Who are Everton signing this summer?
According to multiple sources – including BBC Sport – the Toffees are closing on a deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Youssef Chermiti, aged 19, who broke into first-team contention last term.
Ashley Young has already been signed on a free transfer while Arnaut Danjuma arrives on a one-year loan transfer, but a recognised and established centre-forward would also be well-received as Everton strive to avoid another season mired in relegation troubles.
Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…
And so, Adams – who was relegated with Saints last season – is also being considered for transfer, with Football Insider revealing the Merseyside outfit have a genuine interest in the Scotland international, with Premier League rivals Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers also in pursuit.
Should Everton sign Che Adams?
Adams penned a deal with the south coast club for £15m from Birmingham City in 2019, and has scored 31 goals and supplied 15 assists from 145 outings across all competitions.
Once quirkily likened to "the ketchup bottle phenomenon" by former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl for maintaining his hunger for goals despite a concerning goal drought, Adams is the tenacious and multi-skilled striker Everton could benefit from.
He suffered an injury-disrupted campaign as Southampton fell into the second tier, but still plundered five goals and three assists from 23 starts, as per Sofascore, forging 1.7 shots and 0.9 key passes per match.
To compare this to Dyche's attacking options last term, Maupay scored once, averaging 1.2 shots and 0.3 key passes per match, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin only scored twice as he fought his own fight against injury, though did average 1.8 shots and 0.5 key passes per outing.
AS Roma'sTammyAbrahamduring the warm up before the match.
As per FBref, Adams is interestingly considered the most comparable player to Roma striker Tammy Abraham, and given the former Chelsea ace's dynamism and variety in attacking approach, Dyche could certainly benefit from adding a similar player to the ranks.
Abraham was once described as "incredible" by former manager Frank Lampard, and has impressed during his time in Italy, scoring 36 goals and supplying 12 assists from 107 appearances, winning the Conference League in the 21/22 campaign.
The 11-cap England international averaged 1.6 shots and 0.9 key passes per game last season and as such boasts a similar profile to Adams, which would only play in Everton's favour.
There is a cautious optimism that Calvert-Lewin will play a major role in the forthcoming campaign, and has been partaking in a new summer fitness regime to build his resilience.
The 6 foot 2 focal point will be the team's main goal-grabber if he can indeed put his medical issues behind him, and Adams could prove to be the perfect partner, offering a more dynamic, multi-faceted threat.
Abrahams once claimed that Jose Mourinho's tutelage in Rome was turning him into a "monster", and perhaps Dyche can play to Adams' strengths to a similar effect.