Author: Anthony Onifade

10 Talents to Watch in the UEFA Champions League Knockouts 2022

10 Talents to Watch in the UEFA Champions League Knockouts 2022

The UEFA Champions League is back on screens this week.

How we’ve missed that awe-inspiring, harmonious and breathtaking Handel-inspired Champions League anthem on our speakers, but we’re so glad its back as we look forward to another year of juicy European ties.

It might have taken two attempts to complete the draw in December but the round of 16 has certainly pulled out some exciting fixtures, with some of Europe’s heavyweights and a few of the most decorated up and coming clubs on the continent go head-to-head.

Other than the usual suspects like Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski, who are some of under-the-radar players to look out for?

#AnthonyScouts picks out nine exciting footballers enjoying stellar campaigns, who could make their name on the grandest European stage…

Karim Adeyemi, Red Bull Salzburg

This will be RB Salzburg’s first-ever Champions League knockout tie after negotiating a tricky and exciting group containing Wolfsburg, Sevilla, and Lille.

The Austrians possess a decorated history in bringing through bright, young talent, including Takumi Minamino, Patson Daka, Dominik Szoboszlai, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane and Erling Haaland in recent years. 

Though, the current jewel in their crown and arguably Europe’s most exciting young striker is 20-year-old Karim Adeyemi, who has lit up the Austrian Bundesliga so far this season and looks well equipped to become one of Europe’s biggest stars.

Adeyemi is reportedly on the radar of a number of clubs on the continent including Barcelona, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, and he could well be on his way the latter with the German giants reportedly close to securing Adeyemi’s signature for next season.

The Germany international has consummately sharpened his attacking output with an incredible 14 league goals in 18 games for RB Salzburg in 2021-22, eclipsing his return of eight goals and seven assists in his first full season last year. In eight UEFA Champions League games this season, including the early qualifying rounds, Adeyemi has notched 4 goals.

Besides possessing a unique eye for goal, Adeyemi is a stunning player to watch, a flawless young forward, blessed with such searing pace and acceleration, incredible close control and amazing trickery making him an absolute nightmare for opposition defenders. He regularly looks to pull wide and attack the penalty area with his low centre of gravity to make space for a shot.

Two of his three goals in the Champions League have come from the penalty spot and Adeyemi will be eager to add to his tally in Europe. Salzburg have been handed a very tough draw against Bayern Munich but Adeyemi’s incentive to impress on the grandest stage will be heightened by the fact he was released from Bayern’s academy at the age of 10. They are also one of the clubs that have been most heavily linked with a move for him in the summer.

This could well set up to be one of the most captivating headlines of the campaign.

Pedro Gonçalves, Sporting Lisbon

One of Portugal’s hottest prospects and a player certainly on a mission to force his name in the European headlines is Sporting Lisbon’s incredibly gifted forward, Pedro Gonçalves.

The former heir to Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes’ throne at the José Alvalade Stadium, has, incredibly, proven even more prolific for the Portuguese champions than the Manchester United ace.

Gonçalves was an integral figure in helping Sporting win their first Primeira Liga title for 19 years last season, finishing as the league’s top goalscorer with 23 goals from a scarcely believable xG total of 11.6. 

Fernandes had a stupendous season in 2018-19 for Sporting, scoring 20 league goals, but Pedro Goncalves outdid him last season.

In doing so, he became the Primeira Liga’s first Portuguese top scorer since Domingos back in 1996.

This goalscoring feat is made all the more impressive given the 23-year-old’s position. Sporting operate in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Goncalves as a hybrid attacking midfielder/forward between the lines — often drifting to the right-hand side. His ability to locate spaces in between the lines and in the half-space is incredible and highlights his wealth of tactical knowledge and super versatility.

His finishing isn’t too bad either, as his phenomenal stats show.

Naturally right-footed, Gonçalves is capable of clinical strikes with his left foot as well, and his great form has continued into this season.

Pedro Gonçalves, nicknamed “Pote” has netted six times in the league so far and added two braces versus Besiktas and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League as Sporting survived defeats in their opening fixtures to qualify for the last 16. He’s also recorded five assists in the league highlighting his wonderful gifts in not only scoring goals, but creating them too.

Gonçalves was previously on the books at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and his impressive performances in the Champions League will no doubt have caught the eye of more Premier League sides with a view to bringing him back to England in the very near future. 

It could be the perfect audition, given that Sporting play Manchester City in what could potentially be a tasty tie in the round of 16. Pep Guardiola’s men are likely to be strong favourites, but Pote could make life difficult — and maybe make Pep take notice too.

Arnaut Danjuma, Villarreal

When Arnaut Danjuma joined Villarreal from AFC Bournemouth last summer for €25m, little did we know he’d make such a telling impact in Unai Emery’s progressive side so soon.

A few months into his Spanish top-flight career and the recently-made Netherlands international has become one of La Liga’s blossoming individuals so far this season.

After hitting 17 goals and 7 assists in the Sky Bet Championship last season, the former Club Brugge forward was always destined for bigger and better things but many thought he’d make that step up in the Barclays Premier League rather than beyond borders.

With several clubs interested in his services last summer, it was Villarreal who took a punt on his flawless abilities, and its safe to say the 24-year-old hasn’t looked back.

20 appearances, 9 goals (5 in La Liga, 4 in the Champions League), and 3 assists, Danjuma has certainly showed he is good enough and ready to cut it amongst the most elite footballers in Europe. The slippery Dutchman has gone from the Championship to the Champions League without batting an eyelid at the transition.

Danjuma’s trajectory over the past year has been nothing short of sensational, and already he is showing his talents on the most prestigious of footballing stages in the UEFA Champions League.

If you need any pieces of evidence as to how good he is, not only that, but how invaluable he’s become to Unai Emery’s side in short space of time, check out his performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the group stages.

It was simply jaw-dropping, giving full-back Diogo Dalot a torrid evening.

Danjuma may have been one of La Liga’s most expensive transfers this summer, but is currently proving he’s worth every penny spent. The Europa League winners were looking for a player who could help them jump forward to the next level tactically and in attack and Danjuma is keeping his part of the bargain.

Unai Emery’s men are clearly more efficient, potent and exciting on the attack and much of that is down to Danjuma’s unpredictable nature on the left-flank.

Villarreal have a tough fixture against Juventus in the knockout stages, and they will need Danjuma firing on all cylinders after his return from injury to have any chance of causing yet another Emery-European-upset.

Jonathan David, LOSC Lille

Since his move to Lille from Belgium outfit Gent in the summer of 2020, Canadian Jonathan David has come on leaps and bounds, although he did endure a difficult start – going on a run of seven games without a goal.

However, in the second half of last season, his form picked up.

Eleven of his 13 league goals in 2020-21 came after the turn of the year, as Lille done the unthinkable, finishing the campaign as French Ligue 1 champions.

This season, Lille have struggled to maintain their form as they currently sit in mid-table in Ligue 1. However, Jonathan David has continued his tremendous development. He is Ligue 1’s second top scorer with 12 goals from 19 appearances, just two goals behind AS Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder.

In a league including Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi, that is a superb feat.

An extraordinary unique forward, blessed with great pace, skill, tenaciousness, trickery and acceleration. The Canadian is tremendously versatile too, capable of playing anywhere in attack; as a no.9, right-winger, left-winger, and a no.10. If fast and speedy players are your type, then Jonathan David is your man.

A player whose game is based on an exciting blend of technique, mental sharpness and tremendous physical attributes.

The Canadian has excelled in his work-rate and off-the-ball attributes. So far this campaign, he is recording 5.39 successful pressures per 90minutes. He is in the top 10 percent of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues when it comes to pressures off the ball owing to his tremendous energy, enthusiasm and work rate. David has traded off some of that defensive work, and remodeled himself as a poacher in front of goal. A record of 0.48 non-penalty goals per 90 is brilliant and is simply going to get better.

David’s scoring form in Ligue 1 over the past two seasons, and for Canada where he’s been the top CONCACAF scorer in World Cup Qualifying, suggests he could score more goals for any of Europe’s top clubs, and with his name reportedly in the headlines for a number of top European outfits this summer, he could well be on the move.

First he’d have to help Lille navigate through a tough fixture against last season’s European champions Chelsea, and there is no doubt that the young Canadian forward will be central to any potential upset.

Jurrien Timber, Ajax

Ajax’s youth academy has been providing Europe’s biggest clubs with elite talent for decades now and with the likes of Jurrien Timber emerging the trend is not slowing.

There’s been no change in the Ajax philosophy ever since: they invest tremendously in youth, making sure that the players receive the best physical and mental development, and even more importantly, that they are granted the earliest possible trust at the highest level.

Timber is the latest of those entrusted with significant responsibility in the first team, and is thriving as a result.

The youngster earned Erik ten Hag’s trust with his composure and vision as he reads the game well and fits Ajax’s strategy perfectly. His displays granted him a regular starting spot which he hasn’t taken for granted and has used to prove his qualities while becoming one of the team’s key players.

While they have always been successful in attack, this term their defensive performance has been exceptional. At the time of writing, Ajax have only conceded FIVE league goals in 22 games, which is a remarkable record and underlines the importance of their defensive players.

Ten Hag’s side also made history in the Champions League by winning all their games in the group stage, outplaying Sporting CP, Borussia Dortmund and Beşiktas.

Ajax are currently the best performing team in Eredivisie, displaying high awareness, composure and consistency. The team’s well-measured actions and anticipation skills result in a high success rate in almost every aspect. 

The Ajax players are proficient in winning their challenges clearly, despite actually having the highest challenge intensity (duels, tackles and interceptions per minute of opponent possession) in the league. They are first in the league in terms of successful actions with 66.9% of won defensive duels on average.

Despite the lack of experience, Jurrien Timber has successfully contributed to Ajax’s unbreachable defence possessing impressive composure in defence which puts him ahead despite his lack of physicality and height. His technique and confidence on the ball allow him to dive into challenges and escape pressure through dribbling which helps the team in retaining possession.

His composure results in winning 76.2% of his defensive duels, which is a better percentile compared to his centre-back partner, Lisandro Martínez (73.5%).

What makes him successful defensively, though, is his positional sense. Timber’s ability to read the game helps him in anticipating the oppositions’ movement and move into spaces so he can pressurise his opponents and block their attacking efforts. He contributes with 13.35 recoveries per game and roughly four of them are in the opposition half.

This underlines his strong positioning and anticipation skills, although it also indicates the whole team strategy, which has the defensive line positioned high in possession.

The key qualities that have led to his valuable contribution are his concentration and work ethic. The 20-year-old is constantly aware of his surroundings and it is difficult to catch him out of position and unprepared. If their opponents Benfica are to triumph in this tie, they will have to do incredibly well to bypass Jurrien Timber and his resilient defensive counterparts.

Ridle Baku, Wolfsburg

Ridle Baku has enjoyed a seismic rise over the past 18 months, swapping relegation-threatened Mainz 05 for Champions League football at the Volkswagen Arena. 

At an age where many of his peers are just beginning to take their first steps in the Bundesliga, Baku has already started over 100 topflight Bundesliga matches, won a U21 European Championship, and narrowly missed out on Germany’s Euro 2020 squad.

With summer interest from PSG & Bayern, and Tottenham Hotspur it won’t be long before Baku is tearing up the pitch for Hansi Flick’s national team and competing for silverware at one of Europe’s elite outfits.

The right-sided midfielder, come right-back is an incredibly astute, tactically aware and all-round footballer.

The young right-back was an influential piece in the Germany U21 side that won the European Championship in June and as a result, is already attracting significant interest from clubs around Europe. Baku was named Player of the Match in the U21 final against Portugal and even concluded the tournament with the highest assists (3).

In the 38 appearances Baku made for German side Wolfsburg last term, he recorded an impressive 16 goal involvements, recording 6 goals and 6 assists in the German Bundesliga.

This season, he has continued his fine contribution to Wolfsburg’s goal threat, with two goals and two assist whilst also scoring in the Champions League group stages against RB Salzburg in November.

The 1.76m-tall defender, who can even be deployed as a midfielder, lead the ranking for the Bundesliga with 1,061 sprints last season. This season’s tally may have decreased, but he’s still within the top 10 sprinters in the division with 598 sprints. Few players covered a greater distance last season than him. He was the 10th-best runner with 351 km run on the field.

The 23-year old is always more than willing to make lung-busting runs forward as well as make the hard yards back to rescue a situation defensively.

Baku is highly versatile too having already played in all possible positions on the right-flank for the team. He’d prove a valuable asset for any top outfit in Europe owing to his incredible versatility but also providing his side with the opportunity to be tactically flexible. Wherever he is deployed, Ridle Baku will give his utmost.

With quick changes of direction, a glue-like control, and fluid movement, Ridle Baku is able to wriggle free from any lunging challenges and create the attacking impulses which have made him such a resounding success at the Volkswagen Arena.

The 23-year-old has brought lofty comparisons to Germany and Bayern Munich icon Philipp Lahm, showing what a generational talent Wolfsburg have on their books.

Though Ridle Baku has a long way to go before winning 113 national team caps, and 17 major titles, the intelligence in his positional play is right in line with FC Bayern’s former captain. Whereas Lahm made the switch from rightback to defensive midfield in the latter stages of his career, Baku has undergone the opposite transition, playing primarily as a midfielder for Mainz before operating almost exclusively on the right flank at Wolfsburg.

Just as Lahm was adept at moving inside from right-back or dropping into the wide channels from a midfield role, Baku’s ability to drift into the half-spaces have made him an absolute nightmare for opposition fullbacks. The Under-21 European Championship were perhaps the best example of this. Baku, operating primarily at right midfield in a classic 4-2-3-1, was electric from start to finish, ending the competition with the most goal contributions as Germany lifted the title with a 1-0 victory over Portugal.

Baku completed the 5th most crosses of any Bundesliga fullback last season, routinely searching for the head of new Burnley striker Wout Weghorst or providing a driven ball into the run of an advancing midfielder. Whilst he may not be as prolific as either Borna Sosa of Stuttgart or Filip Kostić of Frankfurt, the variety of ways Baku can hurt an opposition defense makes up for his somewhat inconsistent crossing.

Ridle Baku may have only registered 2 assists from the wide right channel this season, but when afforded time and space he is more than capable of finding his target.

Nuno Mendes, Paris Saint-Germain

Nuno Mendes has been getting rave reviews since making the move from Lisbon to Paris last summer as PSG’s new left-back.

At just 19 years old, Mendes has adapted well from a wing-back role in a 4-3-2-1 at Sporting Lisbon to a full-back role within PSG’s 4-3-3, but his skill set remains unchanged.

The Portugal international has made 15 appearances for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in Ligue 1 this season, alongside his six appearances in the UEFA Champions League. Touted as one of the finest talents of his position on the continent, Nuno Mendes is certainly on his way to world-wide stardom.

Last season at Sporting, Mendes cemented his status as the finest left-back in Portugal thanks to a deadly combination of speed, explosive movement, and close control which allows him to create danger either from a standing start or whilst on the counter-attack.

Apart from his dribbling, Mendes boasts an excellent crossing ability whether tightly marked or open in space, and his physical prowess allows him to beat out opponents to the ball either with his speed or strength.

Despite boasting such incredible speed and strength through his lambasting runs, he’s only successfully completed 0.88 dribbles per90 so far this season, but that will only increase with more playing time and development. However, he is relatively still creative with his contributions in attack, averaging 0.98 key passes, and 3.43 final third passes per90 whilst also possessing 2.64 shot-creating actions per90. He’s al an adept defender, boasting a SmarterScout defending intensity rating of 95 out of 99.

Given his speed and imposing size, he is able to recover well whenever he might be slightly out of position, frequently nicking the ball away from the opponent and often blocking crosses into the box. He averages a very good 4.12 tackles + interceptions reading per 90 minutes. For ball recoveries and interceptions, he is rated by SmarterScout 97 out of 99.

His 3.3 dribbles attempted per 90 put him in the top 10 per cent for full-backs in Ligue 1 this season, and he can be crucial in opening up space for his team-mates to exploit.

Mendes is still in the category of a raw and unpolished talent but he has all the materials and skills required to be one of the leading left-backs in world football. The pace of Mendes and Kylian Mbappe down PSG’s left-hand side is enough to give any opponent nightmares, even their knockout opponents Real Madrid. Be prepared for an enthralling tie.

Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid

It’s completely safe to say, Vinicius Jr is enjoying his best season in a Real Madrid shirt.

His 12 league goals are bettered only by team-mate Karim Benzema, with the pair contributing to a high proportion of his team’s attacking output this season as Los Blancos lead the way in La Liga, by four points.

Vinicius’ turnaround and maturity in his decision-making and all-round game over the past year or so has been nothing short of phenomenal. In 2020/21, he underperformed xG by a remarkable 3.82. For context, that’s twice as bad as anyone else in the Real Madrid squad. In 2021/22, he’s overperforming by 3.1 xG, a figure more than twice as good as anyone else, excluding Karim Benzema.

Benzema-dependencia, as the Spanish media like to call Real Madrid’s reliance on Karim Benzema for goals, well that phrase has been thrown out the window as a result of Vinicius Jr’s sudden purple patch. Now, Karim Benzema who didn’t approve of the Brazilian over a year ago, simply cannot perform without him.

While its a testament and credit to the 21-year-old, the credit must also be given to Carlo Ancelotti who has totally unleashed the Brazilian with undying belief and faith in his abilities.

He is a double threat from the left wing, scoring goals as well as creating them (8 assists so far this campaign) — largely owing to his direct play when the ball is at his feet. No player in La Liga can top his rate of 7.3 attempted dribbles per 90 this season, and goes to show how often he looks to commit defenders which can open up space for others, such as Benzema.

In this season’s Champions League, Vinicius’s 18 chances created in open play is more than any other player in the competition, as he frequently drives into dangerous areas to pull a pass back for an oncoming team-mate.

Vinicius is no longer that naïve, overconfident and inexperienced raw talent that arrived through the Real Madrid doors in 2018. He’s now more an assured, mature and decorated performer, still possessing bags of potential to become even greater and that spells such great news for Real Madrid, a healthy return on their risky investment.

Vinicius has shown this season whatever the situation, he can and will create – whether it be scoring or assisting, he is quickly becoming a central protagonist within Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Real Madrid’s upcoming blockbuster clash with PSG is arguably the pick of the last-16 matches. Having won the competition in three successive seasons from 2016-2018, Real have gone out of the Champions League at this stage twice in the last three seasons.

If they are to correct that slide, they will need Vinicius Jr at his flawless best as he’ll be coming up against the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Di Maria and Messi. Pick your poison.

Antony, Ajax

Already an Olympic gold medalist, Antony has enjoyed a spectacularly successful rookie season at Ajax. The Brazilian right-winger is known for his rapid dribbling, amazing ball-trickery as well as his unique eye for goal.

The fact that Ajax have two talents on this list once again highlights their incredibly bright youthful roster, and a potential prediction that they could yet again take the UEFA Champions League by storm like they did in the 2018/19 campaign.

Whilst Sebastien Haller has been the pick of a talented bunch, Brazilian wing-wizard has arguably stolen the spotlight through his showstopping performances for Ajax in this year’s Champions League.

The 21-year-old has recorded 2 goals and 5 assists in 5 games, possessing a phenomenal xA average of 2.0 placing him the top 6 of players throughout the competition. The Brazilian also ranks first in the Champions League for goal-creating actions (9) and goal-creating actions per90 (2.06). He also ranks sixth for progressive carries (52).

The Brazilian is an inventive and intelligent player. With nine goals and eight assists in his first 1,200 Eredivisie minutes, there is unlikely to be a better rookie in the Dutch top-flight this season. Antony has taken to life excellently at Ajax, and has his gifted and mastery left foot to thank.

Much of the time, Antony enjoys hanging wide on the right so he can gain momentum after picking up the ball by driving inwards. His acceleration from a standing start is explosive; his elite balance and lower body strength allows him to remain on his feet even under heavy pressure – he is a worker with great endeavour, the type of player to clean up his own mess.

In Brazil, Antony relied more on ingenuity to create his moments, and there is still an element of that to his game. Now though, after just a matter of nearly a couple years in Europe, he plays with a calculating maturity and sensibility, while retaining that endearing unpredictable streak.

As with most Ajax players under the age of 25, the Johan Cruijff Arena will not be the last stop on the Antony Express. Slotting into elite European competition without skipping a beat is a sure-fire way of alerting Europe’s financially well-endowed sporting directors.

Who knows, some more scintilating performances in the knockout rounds will certainly push him closer to one of Europe’s elite clubs, probably this coming summer. The continent is certainly Antony’s oyster.

Alessandro Bastoni, Inter Milan

Italy is without doubt the home of defending. The list of renowned defenders from Bel Paese is endless. Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Gaetano Scirea, Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta are just some of the legendary names that have represented Gli Azzurri. 

As a new generation approaches for Italian football, their next great defender seems to already be turning heads across the continent.

Alessandro Bastoni was born in the small town of Casalmaggiore, Lombardy. At the age of seven, he joined Atalanta’s renowned youth sides. The young defender made waves at the Bergamo club, eventually earning himself a €31million move to one of Italy’s biggest clubs; Inter Milan.

After spending spells on loan to both Atalanta & Parma, Bastoni has now finally secured his place in the starting XI for the Nerazzurri. Currently touted as one of best defensive talents of this generation, Bastoni has immersed himself as one of Inter Milan’s most prominent figures for Antonio Conte in the title winning side last season, and for current manager Simone Inzaghi.

Bastoni’s defensive statistics aren’t spectacular, but they are exactly what you’d expect and want from a CB at a top club. He ranked 6th overall amongst Serie A defenders when defending vs. the dribble.

This season, he continues to impress within a well-rounded, cohesive and organised system in Simone Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 shape, a continuation of Conte’s title-winning formula last season. Batoni averages 3.10 tackles + interceptions per90, an improvement from last season (2.49), 2.93 clearances per90, 1.30 blocks per90 and wins an outstanding 67.8% of his aerial duels owing to relatively tall, lean and imposing frame.

Alessandro Bastoni’s defensive ability is incredible for his age. Inter Milan have kept the 2nd most clean sheets (10) and have conceded the second least goals (20) in Serie A this season. Bastoni has been a key part of that defence, playing in 21 of their 25 of league games.

One of the areas that the Italian thrives is on the ball. Bastoni has long been regarded as one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the division. He completes 4.62 passes into the final third per 90 – amongst the best for defenders in the league. He is not only progressive on the ball, he’s very secure with it too. He has completed 93.6% of passes this season so far. Bastoni is not someone who shies away from the ball either, averaging the third most touches of Inter’s starting XI per 90 (79.7).

The Italian is clearly an incredible young defender, anybody who has watched Inter Milan this season will know this. With a tough fixture against Liverpool to come, Inter will need their stunning young centre-back in his best form if they are to stop the likes of Diogo Jota, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane from wrecking havoc.

Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson is a future Premier League star

Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson is a future Premier League star

Nottingham Forest fans are daring to dream.

Sunday’s extraordinary 4-1 FA Cup fourth round win over Leicester City in a raucous City ground certainly wasn’t just about progress to the next round but about endless possibilities, and a marker as to where Steve Cooper can take this impressively-built and talented group of players.

It was an afternoon packed full of emotion, celebration and no little drama — and one that only delivered another bucket-full of encouragement for the Forest faithful.

This kind of game, against a club that have enjoyed their own fair share of fairytales in recent years, fans may feel should not be a rarity, but a regular event.

No club currently in the Championship can say they’ve battled and fought for a place in the Premier League as much as Nottingham Forest have in recent memory.

Steve Cooper is the 21st permanent manager to take on the task of leading Forest back into the top flight since they dropped out in 1999. The stats tell an accurate story of frustration, failure and a habit of chop and change.

But after knocking out both of the last two FA Cup winners in Arsenal and now Leicester, Forest continue to suggest that this side — one assembled with a blend of homegrown talent, astute additions and loan signings who somehow feel at home — just might be capable of achieving something.

This is indeed a Forest side packed full of youthful enthusiasm, togetherness, determination and, most importantly, no little ability.

It is really hard not to get carried away if you’re a Forest fan, especially seeing the likes of their very own homegrown talents stealing the show under the lights of the City ground, and one player in particular who is allowing the Forest faithful a chance at hope is the ridiculously flawless young Welsh forward Brennan Johnson.

While all the talk in the Sky Bet Championship surrounding young fledgling young talents have been about Fulham’s very own Fabio Carvalho, and rightly so, Forest fans are constantly pushing their own young maestro into the conversation, and you’d be hard-pressed to disagree with them.

In fact, Brennan Johnson may well be topping Fabio Carvalho to becoming the young face of the Championship. The 20-year-old holds more goals and assists to his name than Carvalho, but its also evidently clear that Carvalho isn’t the only one who could well be impressing in the English top-flight any time soon.

Whilst Carvalho garnered much interest from Liverpool during the January window, Brennan Johnson’s abilities and talents was also emphasised by his very own transfer saga last month.

Forest have not tasted Premier League football since 1999, yet still rejected a £18 million bid (with further add-ons) from Brentford for the 20 year old prodigy, in the final week of the window. Forest turned down a huge profit for a player who joined the club’s academy at the age of eight, in the hope of him helping to propel the club back into the top-flight under Steve Cooper.

Once the season draws to its conclusion come May, Brennan Johnson will be plying his trade in the big one way or another, and Forest will be hoping its with them when the new season kicks off in August.

The 20-year-old is indeed a flawless young talent. A player who has on many occasion this season, gotten the Forest faithful up off their seats with his admirable bravery, courage, youthful exuberance and raw attacking qualities. In his first season as a Championship regular, Johnson has now notched up seven goals and six assists, in 29 starts.

Lining up in the front three of Steve Cooper’s well-balanced and fluid 3-4-3 system, Johnson has not only developed tactically on a personal level but has provided Forest with the attacking potency, cutting edge and swiftness they need to be effective under Steve Cooper.

Since his appointment in September, no team in the Championship has garnered more points (39) than Cooper’s men. Under his stewardship, Forest have risen from the relegation places into eighth in the Championship, two points off the play-off places, an impressive feat.

Under Cooper, Forest have played with more confidence, purpose, intention and vigour and much of that has been down to the excellence of Brennan Johnson, along with Philip Zinckernagel, Djed Spence, loan signings Keinan Davis and James Garner from Aston Villa and Manchester United respectively, and Joe Worrall.

Though, Johnson has been the pick of the bunch. The 20-year-old is currently playing like a footballer plying his trade in the Premier League, and his performances against two of the English top-flight’s elite clubs in Leicester City and Arsenal have evidently shown that he is not out of place playing against elite footballers.

Brennan Johnson is well on his way to becoming a future Premier League star. A throwback forward, one who loves to drive down the wing and pick out telling crosses for his teammates, it may seem pretty ordinary, but the Forest academy product does with such panache and graceful wizardry. He’s quick, agile, tactically intelligent, a livewire when he gets going and almost impossible to stop.

His six assists in the Championship so far this season highlights how creative he is for Nottingham Forest. In the Championship, he averages 1.2 key passes, 1.7 shots per game, 1.2 dribbles per game showcasing just how crucial he is to Forest’s attacking play. What Steve Cooper has instilled in his side, is the freedom to express themselves, even personally telling Johnson ‘don’t be boring, be positive’ and the forward has taken on such advice with spirited excellence.

His goal against Leicester City on Sunday once again highlighted the freedom of confidence he is currently performing at, possessing the quickness of though, anticipation and hunger to latch onto a mistake from a Leicester City player before coolly slotting the ball through the legs on his fellow countryman Danny Ward to put Forest 2-0 up.

It is a mindset and the sort of performance levels that has elevated Johnson and seen him become one of the most coveted young players outside the Premier League.

Steve Cooper has a proven track record with young talent, leading England’s under-17s to World Cup glory in 2017, and Johnson’s progress over the last six months is clear to see.

Johnson’s loan spell at Lincoln City last season also reaped good rewards, notching 11 goals and 5 assists in League One.

Last season his technical ability allowed for tactical flexibility as he was deployed on the left, centre and right of an attacking midfield three within Lincoln’s 4-2-3-1 setup. Based on his time at Lincoln it’s visible that he operates well in an attacking three that all posses similar attributes, such as the ability to operate as an inside forward and combine via the use of halfspaces up and down the pitch.

One of Johnson’s many key attributes is the ability to identify off the ball space in which set himself up for goal scoring opportunities.

Johnson has the mercurial ability to produce a chance out of very little when things fall into place for him. Be that with a sharp dynamic movement that wins his side a penalty, dangerous set-piece situations or an effective progressive carry into space which is enabled through his athleticism and gazelle-like strides when hitting top speeds. His gracious movement accompanies his close control ability well which allows for fast turns of pace as well as avoiding oncoming challenges through an acute change of direction.

Johnson is certainly a jack-of-all-trades type winger, not only does he back his own talent in certain attacking scenarios, he also has the salient ability to make split-second decisions which are often the correct idea when faced with tough decisions to make, especially on the counter or through patient attacking build-ups. It’s because of these impressive traits, Johnson will look at right at home with a number of Premier League clubs in future.

One things for sure, it won’t only be Brentford in the picture for his signature this summer, but several of the top clubs in the country.

There is a long list of young fledgling talents who have stepped up from the Championship and made their mark amongst the elite in the Premier League and Brennan Johnson looks certainly on his way to becoming the latest of those who will go on to become an English top-flight star.

Luis Diaz: Liverpool’s new Colombian showstopper

Luis Diaz: Liverpool’s new Colombian showstopper

With the immediate futures of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah up in the air, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool were always gonna have at the back of their minds, players who could come in immediately and potentially replace them in the long-term.

In such a whirlwind month of transfers, Liverpool were going to sit tight until the summer before adding to their attacking roster. Several players were on their radar, such as Jonathan David from Lille, Leeds United’s Raphinha and RB Salzburg’s high-flying wonderkid Karim Adeyemi.

Though, one player who has long been on their list of targets was FC Porto’s Luis Diaz, but the Columbia international’s release clause of €80million (£66.6million) was viewed as excessive.

However, when Tottenham Hotspur were scouring around their target, opening talks with his agents and attempting to secure his signature, Liverpool immediately thought now was the time to pounce – an opportunity they could not afford to miss.

It was now or never for the club, and the owners Fenway Sports Group funded and sanctioned the move. Liverpool will reportedly pay around €45 million (£37.5million) initially with a further €15 million (£12.5 million) to follow in add-ons.

The 25-year-old winger is enjoying an outstandingly productive season in the Portuguese top-flight, scoring 14 goals and providing four assists in 18 league appearances. In all competitions this term, he has netted 16 in 28 appearances.

Jurgen Klopp has long been an admirer of the live-wire forward but Diaz further enhanced his reputation as one of Europe’s most devastating wingers through his performances against Klopp’s Liverpool and AC Milan during this season’s UEFA Champions League group stage.

Many of the Liverpool faithful will have a rough idea of who Luis Diaz is and how he plays through trawling the internet for compilation videos of his best work. Fans desiring to see how good he is, will certainly have been satisfied with what they have seen.

Born in the town of Barrancas in the north of Colombia, Diaz caught the eye of scouts with his performances in the Indigenous Copa America in Chile in 2015. He grew up as part of the Wayuu, an ethnic group of the Guajira Peninsula, which juts out into the southern Caribbean. Diaz was coached at the tournament by former Colombia international Carlos Valderrama.

A successful trial with Atletico Junior in the nearby city of Barranquilla followed and after signing he was sent to their feeder club, Barranquilla FC, in the country’s second tier.

Those who knew him well then recall a boy who was “ridiculously skinny”. Suffering from malnutrition, he was put on a special plan to help him gain 10 kilos. Slowly he bulked up and was handed his senior debut against Deportivo Pereira in April 2016. 

After two seasons with Barranquilla, things really took off when Diaz became a permanent fixture in the senior squad at parent club Junior in 2017.

A fearless winger blessed with tremendous pace, he handled the step up seamlessly, scoring 20 goals in 80 games for the top-flight outfit in the next three campaigns.

After shining for Colombia at under-20s level, Diaz earned his first senior cap against Argentina in September 2018.

He now boasts a record of seven goals in 31 games for his country and was the joint top scorer with Lionel Messi, with four goals, in last summer’s Copa America when Colombia finished third.

Capable of producing moments of breathtaking brilliance, Diaz has taken over the mantle from former Everton star James Rodriguez as the main man his nation looks to for attacking inspiration and creativity.

FC Porto paid €7 million to sign him from Junior in July 2019 on a five-year contract. He was also pursued by Russian giants Zenit Saint Petersburg but countrymen Radamel Falcao and Rodriguez, both former Porto stars, helped convince him to pick the Estadio do Dragao over the Russian club. In total, he has scored 41 goals in 125 games in Portugal.

Luis Diaz is a true live-wire, a player blessed with unstoppable pace, acceleration, trickery, dazzling feet and tremendous power. Technically adept, tactically wise and a pure nightmare for opposing defenders. Just when Liverpool fans had though they’d had enough of that through Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, Diaz will add a little sprinkle of South American dust to an enthralling potential forward line.

The 25-year-old’s ability to beat opposition players, to cut inside and finish on either foot or assist his teammates are the hallmarks of his exceptional game making him an exciting talent.

Part of Diaz’s brilliance is that he can play off either foot, so he is extremely hard for defenders to shackle off the ball. Once he sets off with the ball at his feet, he is simply unplayable, attacking open spaces and leaving defenders in his wake.

His favourite move is cutting in off the left and scoring with his right foot, as he has done to such consummate effect for Porto and Colombia. What’s so unique about his game is that he can go either way when taking on his markers, if the defenders feel they can halt his progress coming inside, he is just as devastating going on to his weaker foot. Throughout his career, Diaz has mastered the art of becoming effective on both feet.

Take the two following images for example:

He receives the ball on his right foot, shaping up to cut in and shoot with the same foot, which the defender also expects him to do…

…however, he does the complete opposite, shifting the ball onto his left foot netting Porto’s equaliser to such devastating and consummate effect.

This example proves just how good he is at taking on his man, and being able to perform many various actions with the ball. He isn’t a one-trick pony, but a player blessed with such fine balance, quickness of feet, technique and ball control to fool his marker 9 times out of 10.

His ability off the ball is just as impressive, capable of playing on the last man and timing his runs to perfection. This season, Diaz has managed to mix up his game meaning there are many facets to how he scores and creates. His versatility is also demonstrated in the way he is able to get into the box and score with headers — a knack that his new Anfield teammates Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane all possess.

Diaz has also shown he is capable of playing in a number of systems but that’s mainly because of the tactical and creative freedom he is afforded. He is regularly deployed on the left in Porto’s 4-4-2 shape, but can also play in Klopp’s 4-3-3 system too, one used by his nation Columbia.

With Klopp providing Mane, Jota and Salah the freedom and responsibility to provide his team with the attacking prowess, Diaz will also be given such liberty in the German’s high-intensity style which suits his game to a tee.

Diaz is enjoying his most prolific season — 0.85 non-penalty goals per 90 is up from 0.32 per 90 on average in the previous two seasons. He’s getting into better areas more consistently. In fact, he compares well to Mo Salah (0.81) and tops Diogo Jota (0.58) – Liverpool’s top two scorers – in such statistics.

The Colombian has scored 29 per cent of Porto’s league goals, underlining his importance to the team. Opta stats shows that his 14 league goals have come from an impressive 12.3 xG.

His shot selection has evidently improved, with far more inside the box this season compared to 2020-21. His xG per shot has nearly doubled from 0.12 last season to 0.20. Simply put, the average probability of his shots resulting in a goal has gone from 12 per cent to 20 per cent. This all shows how much of a potent force Liverpool will be adding to their weaponry, providing Luis Diaz quickly gets up to speed in the Premier League, which under Klopp, will be sure to occur.

Also, a particular component Liverpool fans will surely be excited by is Diaz’ incredible propensity to nutmeg his opponents when taking them on. In the past year across Europe’s top five leagues, as per StatsBomb via FBref, Diaz is listed in the top seven per cent of wingers and attacking midfielders for the number of nutmegs completed.

A skill that sums up the Columbian’s devastating pool of individual abilities. His speed combined with such unerring close control, balance, power and technique all helps make him the master of dribbling. Mo Salah will certainly have a strong competitor in the art of the dribble. He is difficult to read for defenders as shown above.

So how will he fit in at Anfield?

It’s evidently clear he will be lining up amongst any of the three attacking positions, most likely on the left but more importantly, Diaz will provide greater depth as he competes with Mohamed Salah, Mane, Jota, Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for a starting spot in the front three.

It is the long-term implications of the Luis Diaz move that seems intriguing, and that’s due to the uncertainty in the contract situations of both Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah. Liverpool knew they had to act fast in case the worst did happen in terms of losing either of their trio of stars this summer. Purchasing Diaz seemed the perfect plausible decision.

If no extension is agreed with them then Liverpool will either have to cash in or run the risk of losing them for nothing in 2023, and that is a scenario Klopp will not be looking to entertain.

Liverpool have been tracking Diaz’s progress since his time with Junior in his homeland. That interest went up a level last summer after his eye-catching displays at the Copa America.

Through an array of scouting reports and character references, they built up an extensive analysis of his technical and tactical ability, as well as his strong mentality. Like Salah and Mane, he has scored at the rate of a centre-forward despite operating out wide and there’s a belief he’s the perfect fit for Liverpool, style-wise.

Luis Diaz is a showstopper, a player you’d be desperate to buy tickets for. In the event of either Salah or Mane leaving, Liverpool fans could rest well knowing they have the perfect replacement.

Having only turned 25 on January, Diaz is also in keeping with the club’s strategy of investing in players with a high ceiling who are yet to enter their peak years.

Klopp has often talked about wanting to unearth the next star of world football rather than buying the finished article. Liverpool believe Diaz has huge potential, and there is no reason why the Columbian can’t become one of the world stars under Klopp’s tutelage like his new teammates Salah and Mane.

For now though, the Anfield faithful will be welcoming their new South American star on the block with open arms.

What will the incredibly gifted Bruno Guimarães bring to St James’ Park?

What will the incredibly gifted Bruno Guimarães bring to St James’ Park?

Newcastle United have officially signed Brazilian international midfielder Bruno Guimarães from Lyon for £40million. Guimarães, 24, completed a medical in Brazil on Friday ahead of signing a contract at St James’ Park until 2026.

The Geordie club agreed a package of £33.3m plus around £6.5m in add-ons with French club Lyon to make the midfielder their third signing this January, following the arrivals of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood.

The midfielder will play for Brazil on Wednesday and will not be able to travel to the UK to meet his new team-mates and head coach Eddie Howe until Thursday at the earliest.

A player blessed with incredible footballing artistry, tactical understanding, and a tenacious edge that has recently had him lauded as one of the most complete central midfielders on the continent.

Bruno Guimarães holds all the attributes needed to spearhead Newcastle’s exciting era under their new Saudi ownership and their push for Premier League survival.

Guimarães moved to Lyon from Brazilian outfit Club Athletico Paranaense in January 2020 and went on to play 295 minutes in their run to the Champions League semi-finals, as the French club famously beat Italian champions Juventus and then English champions Man City before being knocked out by eventual winners Bayern Munich in the last four.

Since then, the 24-year-old midfielder has proven key figure for the French outfit producing some stunning individual displays in midfield, and alerting top clubs around Europe to his incredible gifts and abilities.

Clubs like Arsenal, Juventus and Manchester United have all been reportedly interested in the Brazilian services in recent years, but its Newcastle United who have swamped in and claimed arguably their most impressive signing over the last decade.

The Brazilian has recently been described as an “all-court midfielder, giving Newcastle a bit of everything they lack in the middle… almost a ‘No.6-plus'”. Guimarães’ heatmap during his time in France illustrates he is a defensive midfielder by trade, one tasked in recycling possession, breaking up opposition attacks and screening in front of his back four, but his abilities transcend all of those traits. He’s also a footballer blessed with the attributes, skill and uniqueness to venture forward whenever the opportunities arises with such unerring grace.

As evidenced in the stat below, Guimarães utilizes possession of the ball adeptly, finding his teammates in more dangerous areas as well as passing the ball smartly out of tight positions, so Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe will hope he has found the perfect solution to Newcastle’s ball-retention problems.

Bruno Guimarães is not solely seen as a player who can aid Newcastle’s push for survival – although that is of course, the pressing concern – but the club have also the aim of making the Brazilian central and pivotal to their long-term project in making Newcastle United one of the most feared teams in the Premier League once again. Guimarães is the midfielder around whom the club want to build their ambitious plans.

No doubt about it, Newcastle’s starting XI will be considerably improved by the addition of a box-to-box type player who can break up play, link up with teammates, carry possession and, crucially when the going gets tough, help maintain it to relieve pressure. Newcastle’s ball retention issues have been evident all season, but Guimarães’ composure, craft and vision will begin to address that in abundance.

This season for Lyon, Guimarães has primarily operated as a double-pivot midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 alongside Maxence Caqueret which allows fluidity, control of possession through two players blessed in the art of keeping Lyon’s play flowing from deep areas. Guimarães suits various setups including Howe’s 4-3-3 preference, either as the deep-lying player in the no.6 role, or a free-roaming box-to-box player. As shown throughout this campaign, Guimarães has a versatile skill set on the ball.

Per FBref, his 87.2 touches per 90 puts him in the top 10 percent of midfielders in Ligue 1. Lyon favour a possession-heavy style as seen through their average possession 58.3% compared to Newcastle’s 38.5% – the Premier League’s lowest possession tally. However, possessing a player who likes to have the ball at his feet, Newcastle’s possession stats should grow considerably which means they won’t have to rely on just counter-attacks to score but also through fluid possession-style football.

Bruno Guimarães simply does not give the ball away. He’s completed 92.6% of his short passes for Lyon this season highlighting his incredible knack of setting the tempo for Lyon through quick neat and decisive passes.

He tops the ranking in Ligue 1 for passes completed in the opposition half and sits joint-top with Marseille’s Dimitri Payet for passes completed in the final third. The ability to find defence-splitting passes is illustrated by his high number of completed passes and chances created, while Guimaraes’ fouls won, and touches statistics show there are few more effective carriers of the ball than the Brazilian currently playing in France.

If you need any evidence of his metronomic abilities on the ball, you only need to check out his assist for Lucas Paqueta in the game against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month. Receiving possession, playing through PSG’s press, then advancing with the ball at his feet before caressing a delightful through over-the-top pass for his fellow Brazilian Paqueta to put Lyon in front.

Players like Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser will be delighted at the rate and quality in which Guimarães finds his teammates with similar passes.

This season for Lyon he sits in the top percentile of midfielders in Europe’s top-five leagues for his abilities on the ball alone. For progressive passes (7.91 per90 mins) he ranks in the top two percent of midfielders on the content, and for progressive carries (8.7 per90 mins) he ranks in the top 3 percent which is simply incredible, but a strong proof that Newcastle have not only signed a player who could help them gain survival this season, but a player who could quite simply transform their whole game under Eddie Howe.

Also, Guimarães averages 1.81 key passes and 8.23 final third passes per 90 this season meaning he is incredibly adept at unlocking opposition defences with such fine regularity, something Newcastle have desperately lacked for a number of years since they possessed the qualities of French midfielder Yohan Cabaye under Alan Pardew. Remember him?

Given Guimarães’ excellent range of passing, he could complement or replace Jonjo Shelvey, Newcastle’s deep-lying playmaker who holds exquisite distribution like his new teammate but lacks the mobility, and tenaciousness when carrying possession. This season, no player in Ligue 1 has completed more progressive passes than Guimarães or passes into the final third.

Whilst also possessing the knack of playing key passes, the Brazilian also enjoys carrying the ball in order to evade opposition pressure or carry his team up the pitch. As evidenced above, his 8.7 progressive carries per 90 – carries that move the ball towards the opponent’s goal at least five yards or into the penalty area – place him among the top five per cent for midfielders in Ligue 1 and in Europe. He successfully completes 1.21 dribbles per 90, which is impressive for a defensive midfield player, he also averages 1.54 dribbles past an opposition player, and 2.53 carries into the final third proving he’d fit right at home in the Premier League due to his all-action and creative style.

Defensively, Guimarães is also extremely active and effective. His combative qualities have been right up there with the best in Ligue 1 this season, where he ranks fourth for duels won, seventh for tackles, and is joint-sixth for possession won in the middle third. His tackles + interceptions value per 90 reads at 5.11 which is again, an incredible reading. Guimarães ranks 25th for possession won back in the attacking third, an impressive additional quality for a defence-minded midfielder which speaks volumes for his ability to press all over the pitch.

As per FBref, his 423 pressures in Ligue 1 this season is the third-best in the league highlighting his all-encompassing style. Guimarães isn’t just a samba-style creator on the ball, but he’s warrior and a combative player off it too justifying his tag as one of the most complete midfield players on the continent. The stats highlighted throughout this piece tells its own story.

When you combine Guimaraes’ attacking and defensive qualities it’s clear Newcastle have identified a midfielder with genuine box-to-box qualities, a rare find at the best of times, let alone during a notoriously difficult January window which could be the difference between Premier League safety and relegation.

When you possess a footballer as good as Bruno Guimarães, beating relegation is a sure bet but its what comes after that the Newcastle owners will be hoping this particular investment will lead them through in not only building for the future but also attracting footballers with similar qualities and standing as Bruno Guimarães.

The exciting future the Brazilian has been promised on Tyneside may yet become a reality.

How Newcastle could line-up against Everton on February 8

Barclays Premier League Gameweek 23: Previews & Predictions

Barclays Premier League Gameweek 23: Previews & Predictions

Welcome to yet another promising weekend of the Barclays Premier League.

There are huge fixtures at both ends of the division this weekend, with Tottenham travelling to Chelsea and Manchester United facing West Ham as the race for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification heats up.

Down at the bottom, Watford host Norwich in what could be a very tasty relegation six-pointer, whilst Newcastle will be searching for a much-needed win when they travel to face a Leeds side who have pulled clear of danger. Pivotal encounters which could provide us with a intriguing relegation sub-plots as the second half of the campaign heats up.

So without further ado, here are the previews and predictions ahead of this weekend’s Premier League action:

Watford v Norwich City, Friday 8:00PM

Norwich City will be aiming to make it back-to-back Premier League wins when they travel to Vicarage Road on Friday night to take on fellow strugglers Watford.

The Canaries will enter the contest off the back of an hard-fought 2-1 win over Everton, while Watford came from behind to claim a point away to Newcastle United last time out.

Watford will enter the match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Newcastle on Saturday; the Hornets were losing 1-0 until the 87th minute of the clash at St James’ Park, when Brazilian Joao Pedro came up with a vital equaliser to spare Ranieri’s blushes.

Claudio Ranieri’s side were due to return to action away to Burnley on Tuesday evening, but the match had to be postponed due to a lack of available players for the home side.

The draw with Newcastle actually ended a run of seven straight defeats in all competitions, but the Hornets have not managed to triumph in the Premier League since thrashing Manchester United 4-1 on November 20, and a total of 14 points from 19 matches has left them in 17th position in the table.

Ranieri’s team have the worst home record in the Premier League this term, picking up just seven points from their 10 matches, but Norwich have the third-worst away record in England’s top flight this season, losing seven of their 10 matches, collecting only five points in the process, making this game a very watchable battle.

Norwich, meanwhile, will enter the contest off the back of a huge 2-1 win over Everton on Saturday, with an own goal from Michael Keane and an effort from Adam Idah enough to overcome the Toffees at Carrow Road.

The Canaries have managed to move off the bottom of the table into 18th, but they have played three more games than Burnley and one more than Newcastle in 19th, which means Dean Smith’s men need to get points on the board. A lot could well change at the bottom once teams have managed to perform their outstanding fixtures.

Nevertheless, Dean Smith’s side have given themselves a fighting chance to stay in England’s top flight, and they have actually now won two of their last three matches in all competitions, having also overcome Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup on January 9.

Norwich have lost each of their last five league matches against Watford, though, including a 3-1 defeat when the two teams locked horns at Carrow Road in the Premier League back in September.

The Canaries last overcame Watford in England’s top flight back in May 2016, while they have not beaten the Hornets on their travels in the league since February 2015.

FUN FACT: Dean Smith can become the first Norwich City boss to win back-to-back Premier League games since Alex Neil in April 2016.

LEAGUE FORM:

Watford: LLLLLD

Norwich City: LLLLLW

KEY MEN: Emmanuel Dennis (Watford) & Teemu Pukki (Norwich)

LIKELY LINE-UPS:

Watford: Foster (GK); Femenia, Cathcart, Samir, Kamara; Kayembe; Dennis, Sissoko, Cleverley, Pedro; King

Norwich City: Gunn (GK); Aarons, Hanley, Gibson, Williams; Sargent, Sorensen, Lees-Melou, Rashica; Pukki, Idah

SCORE PREDICTION: Watford 0-2 Norwich City

Everton v Aston Villa, Saturday 12:30pm

Everton, fresh from the sacking of Rafael Benitez prepare to welcome Aston Villa to Goodison Park for Saturday’s early kick-off.

The Toffees went down 2-1 to Norwich City in an embarrassing defeat last weekend, while Steven Gerrard’s side came from two goals down to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw versus Manchester United.

Many will argue the writing was always on the wall for Rafael Benitez since his first day at Everton, with the fans making their discontent known up to and during the Spaniard’s final game in charge, which ended in humiliation at Carrow Road.

Duncan Ferguson prepares to take on the challenge for the second time, amid links with Jose Mourinho, Frank Lampard, Graham Potter and former teenage protégé Wayne Rooney taking the reins, but for now, Ferguson’s job will simply be to temper the incredible slide and improve a terrible tally of just one win from their last 13 in the Premier League.

The club can forget about any European ambitions this season, as Ferguson takes temporary charge with his side down in 16th in the table – six points clear of 18th-placed Norwich City with two games in hand – and relegation is simply unthinkable for the Toffees.

The hosts can also boast a measly one win from their last six Premier League encounters at Goodison Park, so the new manager bounce cannot come soon enough for Everton, as their upcoming opponents sure are enjoying life under their recent appointment.

Aston Villa sent shockwaves in the January window with the captures of Philippe Coutinho – the Brazilian once again teaming up with former teammate Steven Gerrard – and Lucas Digne from Saturday’s opponents. Villa were indebted to their new magician as they impressively came back from two goals down to share the spoils with Manchester United on an electric occasion at Villa Park.

Aston Villa playing out a Premier League draw is certainly a collector’s item – the Lions had not shared the points in a top-flight fixture since August before the visit of Man United – and Gerrard’s side now find themselves 13th in the standings ahead of the weekend.

Villa’s draw with the Red Devils was quite the way to end their three-game losing streak across all tournaments, but five defeats from their last seven away from home in the Premier League is an alarming statistic, which the travelling fans will certainly hope to see rectified given their winter arrivals.

Everton fell to a humbling 3-0 defeat at Villa Park when the sides first met back in September and also suffered a 2-1 loss on home soil last term, but not since the 2000-01 season have Aston Villa secured a top-flight double over the Merseyside club.

FUN FACT: Everton could lose back-to-back home league games against Aston Villa for the first time since March 1998.

LEAGUE FORM:

Everton: LWLDLL

Aston Villa: WLWLLD

KEY MEN: Demarai Gray (Everton) & Jacob Ramsey (Villa)

LIKELY LINE-UPS:

Everton: Pickford (GK); Godfrey, Mina, Keane, Mykolenko; Townsend, Doucoure, Gomes, Gray; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin

Aston Villa: Martinez (GK); Cash, Hause, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey; Buendia, Watkins, Coutinho

SCORE PREDICTION: Everton 2-2 Aston Villa

Brentford vs Wolverhampton Wanderers, 3:00PM

Wolverhampton Wanderers will seek to maintain their charge for a coveted top-four place when they travel to Brentford for Saturday afternoon’s Premier League contest.

The Bees suffered a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United in midweek, while Bruno Lage’s resurgent side came up trumps by the same scoreline against Southampton last weekend.

If the first half at the Brentford Community Stadium was anything to go by, Thomas Frank’s side may have felt quietly confident of securing a famous win over Man United, with David de Gea called into action on a couple of occasions before Ralf Rangnick’s men came out all guns blazing in the second 45.

Despite posting some eye-catching results during their first-ever Premier League campaign, Brentford still have plenty of work to do to cement their status as a top-flight club, with the Bees now 14th in the table and 10 points clear of 18th-placed Norwich City having played a game more.

As a testament to Thomas Frank’s newcomers, it would be a genuine surprise to see the Bees dragged into a relegation dogfight at this stage of the season, but Frank has now overseen three successive defeats in the English top-flight, with his side shipping 10 goals in the process.

The Bees have also recorded just one clean sheet in their last 10 Premier League games at the Brentford Community Stadium, and now is certainly not the time to face a side with a knack for defensive discipline.

James Ward-Prowse may have put his name in the hat for the Goal of the Season award with his incredibly taken free kick, but the joy ended there for Southampton’s dead-ball specialist, as Wolves took the spoils at Molineux with three goals from three different goalscorers last weekend.

Raul Jimenez’s penalty, Conor Coady’s header and Adama Traore’s first goal of the season at the 19th time of asking propelled Bruno Lage’s side to a precious three points after an enthralling contest, one which has seen them keep pace with the European-challenging pack.

The visitors prepare for Saturday’s contest sitting eighth in the table – now just six points behind fourth-placed West Ham United with two games in hand – but the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have their own games in hand which they will endeavour to take advantage of.

However, Wolves have now taken 10 points from the last 12 on offer in the Premier League and have won their last three in a row across all competitions – conceding just once in that time – and only Manchester City can boast a better defensive record than Lage’s side in the current top-flight season, an impressive feat.

Brentford did manage to secure a 2-0 win at Molineux earlier in the season, but Wolves have gone up a notch or two defensively since the autumn, even if their attacking capabilities do still leave a lot to be desired on some occasions.

FUN FACT: Brentford have suffered a league-high 10 defeats in 15 games since mid-October, conceding 30 goals during that period.

LEAGUE FORM:

Brentford: LLWLLL

Wolves: LLWDWW

KEY MEN: Ivan Toney (Brentford) & Raul Jimenez (Wolves)

LIKELY LINE-UPS:

Brentford: Fernandez (GK); Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock; Canos, Norgaard, Janelt, Jensen, Henry; Toney, Mbeumo

Wolves: Sa (GK); Kilman, Coady, Gomes; Semedo, Neves, Moutinho, Ait-Nouri; Traore, Jimenez, Podence

SCORE PREDICTION: Brentford 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Leeds United v Newcastle United, 3:00PM

With discontent growing around the club especially during this month’s transfer window, Newcastle United continue their battle for Premier League safety with Saturday’s trip to Leeds United.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side edged a thrilling contest with West Ham United 3-2 last time out, while the Magpies were forced to settle for a point against Watford.

Jack Harrison took centre stage during Leeds’ battle with West Ham at the London Stadium last time out, as the former Manchester City man took home the match ball after propelling the Whites to a crucial and impressive win over the top-four challengers.

Having gained an immediate measure of revenge after being dumped out of the FA Cup by the Hammers, Leeds and their 100% start to the Premier League in 2022 have risen to 15th in the standings – nine points above the relegation zone with a game in hand on 18th-placed Norwich City.

Bielsa’s side endured a wholly forgettable first half of the campaign, but they could now win as many games in the first month of 2022 as they did throughout the entire second half of 2021, although their long-standing defensive issues are still coming to the fore.

Indeed, a tally of 39 goals conceded is the most outside the bottom three, and they have shipped 19 of those strikes in their last seven top-flight games, so Newcastle would choose no better time to take advantage of such woes and improve the mood at St James’ Park.

Allan Saint-Maximin may have been up to his old tricks once again, but a priceless three points against a relegation rival passed Newcastle United by against Watford, who rallied to take a point back down to Vicarage Road last weekend.

It’s a recurring theme for Eddie Howe’s men, just when you’ve think they’ve grabbed a priceless win, it get snatched away from them at the last moment due to lapses in concentration in defence.

The boos rang out around St James’ Park following the final whistle, with the home crowd also witnessing their side become the victim of an FA Cup giant killing to Cambridge United seven days before, and Howe’s men remain 19th in the standings and two points adrift of safety.

The signings of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood cannot come good soon enough for the Magpies, who have seen their hopes of landing Diego Carlos from Sevilla take a hit in recent days, and Howe is fighting an uphill battle to finally secure Newcastle’s first away win of the Premier League season.

Newcastle have conceded nine goals across their three most recent Premier League defeats away from home and shared the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate with Leeds earlier this season, but last season’s trip to Elland Road ended in a comprehensive 5-2 defeat for the Magpies, surely no repeat this time round?

FUN FACT: This will be Eddie Howe’s 200th match as a Premier League manager: W57, D47, L95.

LEAGUE FORM:

Leeds United: DLLLWW

Newcastle United: WLLLDD

KEY MEN: Raphinha (Leeds United) & Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle)

LIKELY LINE-UPS:

Leeds: Meslier (GK); Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Dallas; Koch; Raphinha, Bate, Klich, Harrison; Rodrigo

Newcastle: Dubravka (GK); Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Lewis; Longstaff, Shelvey, Joelinton; Fraser, Wood, Saint-Maximin

SCORE PREDICTION: Leeds United 2-2 Newcastle United

Manchester United vs West Ham United, 3:00PM

In a potentially pivotal game for both sides’ top-four hopes, Manchester United and West Ham United prepare for battle at Old Trafford in Saturday’s Premier League clash.

The Red Devils prevailed 3-1 at Brentford in midweek, while David Moyes’s men went down 3-2 at home to Leeds United.

It would not be a Manchester United match without David de Gea being forced to bail his side out on one or two occasions, but Ralf Rangnick’s side found their clinical goalscoring touch in the second half to ultimately see off Brentford with ease.

Such a result was a convincing way for Man United to end their two-game winless streak in the top flight, but the Red Devils are still rank outsiders when it comes to the top-four battle, as Rangnick’s side lie seventh in the rankings before this weekend’s crunch battle.

The Hammers sit just two points above Man United having played a game more, so the hosts could certainly blow the Champions League race wide open with victory here, and not since 1985 have the Red Devils opened the calendar year with back-to-back top-flight defeats at home.

A tally of just one clean sheet from their last 15 Premier League games at Old Trafford will be of some concern to Rangnick, though, and the attacking talent in the visitors’ ranks are primed to make their manager’s return to the Theatre of Dreams a memorable one.

The visit of Leeds to the London Stadium was never going to be an encounter where defences would take centre stage, but unfortunately for the home faithful, West Ham were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller in the capital.

The Hammers’ four-game winning streak across all competitions came to a bitter end on their own turf at the weekend, but Moyes’s side are clinging onto that fourth and final Champions League spot by the thinnest of threads, as Man United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal all apply the pressure.

West Ham’s 3-2 defeat to Leeds represented the fifth Premier League game in a row that Moyes had witnessed his side chalk up at least two goals, and bagging seven goals in their previous two away wins versus Watford and Crystal Palace stands them in good stead before a daunting trip north.

Moyes’s side have already got the better of Man United at Old Trafford in this season’s EFL Cup, but the Red Devils edged a tightly-fought contest 2-1 in the capital back in September, as former Hammer Jesse Lingard sunk the London club.

FUN FACT: West Ham will be aiming to become only the fourth side ever to win to away twice against Manchester United in the same season.

LEAGUE FORM:

Man Utd: WDWLDW

West Ham: LLWWWL

KEY MEN: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) & Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)

LIKELY LINE-UPS:

Man Utd: De Gea (GK); Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Telles; Fred, McTominay; Greenwood, Fernandes, Elanga; Rashford

West Ham: Fabianski (GK); Coufal, Diop, Dawson, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Lanzini, Fornals; Antonio

SCORE PREDICTION: Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United

Southampton v Manchester City, 5:30PM

Premier League leaders Manchester City will be looking to claim their 13th successive league victory when they face Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday evening.

The Saints, meanwhile, who played out a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season, could move into the top 10 if they were to secure all three points on home soil.

Southampton’s five-game unbeaten run across all competitions came to an end last weekend when they were beaten 3-1 away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That result has seen Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men slip to 12th in the table, 11 points clear of the relegation zone and the same number of points behind the top seven.

Hasenhuttl’s side also suffered defeat against Wolves on home soil earlier this season, but that has been their only league loss in 10 games at St Mary’s this campaign – drawing six and winning three of the other nine – a record which will give them confidence ahead of Saturday’s clash with the champions and current run-away leaders.

The Saints will also take note of their resilient display at the Etihad Stadium in September last year when they played out a goalless draw, though many would argue that Hasenhuttl’s men were unlucky not to come away with all three points on that occasion.

Another impressive defensive masterclass will be required on Saturday if they are to avoid defeat in both league meetings with City for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign.

However, since keeping a clean sheet against the Citizens, Southampton have only recorded three shutouts in their last 16 league matches, shipping 27 goals in the process.

While Pep Guardiola insists that the title race is not over just yet, Manchester City fans are sure to feel confident of clinching their fourth top-flight crown in five years following their slender 1-0 win over title rivals Chelsea last weekend.

Kevin De Bruyne haunted his former club with the decisive strike in the 70th minute to seal all three points for the Citizens, who now sit 11 points clear of Liverpool in second place, having played a game more.

City are unstoppable at present, and without a recognised striker, Guardiola’s men continue to excel in front of goal, netting 34 times during their 12-game winning streak in the Premier League.

However, the Sky Blues were unable to breach Southampton’s backline on home soil earlier this season, taking 16 shots on goal but registering only one on target. City have in fact failed to score in two of their last four league meetings against the Saints despite finding the net in each of their previous 16 against them.

Guardiola’s buoyant bunch will be anything but concerned about such a statistic, and having opened the scoring in more different Premier League fixtures than any other side this season, going on to win all 17 matches in the process, another potential opener on Saturday should give them the platform to secure yet another top-flight victory.

City are six points better off than at this stage last season, and another win on Saturday would see them move 14 points clear at the summit before Liverpool face Crystal Palace on Sunday.

FUN FACT: Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has kept a clean sheet in exactly 50% of his Premier League games (83 in 166 matches).

LEAGUE FORM:

Southampton: LDWDWL

Man City: WWWWWW

KEY MEN: James Ward-Prowse (Saints) & Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)

LIKELY LINE-UPS:

Southampton: Forster (GK); Bednarek, Lyanco, Salisu; Walker-Peters, Diallo, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Perraud; Adams, Broja

Manchester City: Ederson (GK); Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, B. Silva; Jesus, Foden, Sterling

SCORE PREDICTION: Southampton 1-3 Manchester City

Arsenal vs Burnley, Sunday 2:00PM

Seeking to put the disappointment of Thursday’s EFL Cup exit behind them, Arsenal return to Premier League action with the visit of Burnley to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners currently find themselves sixth in the table – two worse points off fourth-placed West Ham United – while Sean Dyche’s men remain rooted to the bottom of the pile.

Another day, another Arsenal red card – this time to a player who had barely become accustomed to life back in England again before being made to take the walk of shame, as Thomas Partey’s sending off rounded off a miserable Thursday evening for Mikel Arteta’s side.

It is now top four or bust for Arsenal after Thursday’s EFL Cup defeat – whose request to postpone last weekend’s North London derby was granted amid widespread condemnation from rival fans and pundits – and they have now been leapfrogged by their bitter rivals following their dramatic late comeback versus Leicester City.

January has been a truly forgettable month for the Gunners with three defeats and a draw from four games in all competitions – failing to score in each of their last three – but Premier League games at the Emirates is where Arteta’s men have typically excelled.

Arsenal’s tally of 22 points from 10 home games this term is the third best in the league, and they even gave Manchester City a good run for their money on New Year’s Day, so the Premier League’s basement side have their work cut out to make one of their several games in hand count for something.

Many Arsenal fans were quick to point out that Burnley’s wave of postponed matches did not lead to similar uproar which we saw for the North London derby cancellation, as Dyche’s side saw their relegation six-pointer with Watford called off due to a long list of absentees.

Amid calls for rule changes from the under-fire Premier League bosses regarding the criteria for postponements, Burnley – who have now played six games fewer than Chelsea, the busiest team in the league with 23 – travel to the Emirates with a glimmer of hope of clambering to safety.

The Clarets have not taken to the pitch since being dumped out of the FA Cup by Huddersfield Town on January 8 – their third loss on the bounce in all tournaments – but they are only three points adrift of 17th-placed Watford with two games in hand on the Hornets.

Many eyes will be on how Burnley plan to replace Chris Wood after somewhat inexplicably allowing their top Premier League goalscorer to leave for a direct relegation rival, but it is also desperate times on the turf for this week’s visitors, who are one of only two teams – along with Newcastle United – still winless away from home in the 2021-22 top-flight season.

It will take something of a miracle for Sean Dyche’s men to get something away to Arsenal, and how the Burnley boss needs many of those during the latter half of the season.

FUN FACT: Burnley have dropped 14 points from winning positions, compared to five at the same stage last season.

LEAGUE FORM:

Arsenal: LWWWWL

Burnley: DDLDLL

KEY MEN: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) & Josh Brownhill (Burnley)

LIKELY LINE-UPS:

Arsenal: Ramsdale (GK); Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Lokonga, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette

Burnley: Pope (GK); Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, Brownhill; Lennon, Rodriguez

SCORE PREDICTION: Arsenal 3-0 Burnley

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool, 2:00PM

Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: Premier League preview, team news, stats, predictions, kick-off time, live on Sky | Football News | Sky Sports

Fresh from booking their place in the EFL Cup final, Liverpool return to Premier League action seeking another Selhurst Park spectacular against Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, the hosts are returning to action nine days after playing out an enthralling 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in the M23 derby.

A missed penalty, a woodwork hit and plenty of VAR controversy – Palace’s showdown with Brighton typified a proper Premier League derby. However, Patrick Vieira may be counting his lucky stars that his side travelled back from the Amex with a point to their name, with Brighton missing a whole host of chances including Jack Butland saving a Pascal Gross penalty.

Palace’s search for a first Premier League win of 2022 goes on, but Vieira’s side are sitting comfortably in 11th position before the weekend’s fixtures kick off, with 10th-placed Leicester City one point clear having played two games fewer.

For all of the attacking talent at Vieira’s disposal, a paltry tally of two wins from their last 10 in the Premier League represents that of a side still with great strides to make if they are to establish themselves as a top-half outfit, but home is where the heart is for the Eagles.

Vieira’s side have only lost two of their 11 top-flight games at Selhurst Park this season and have scored at least two goals in each of their last four on home soil, but Liverpool certainly have fond memories of playing at this ground.

Any fears of Liverpool producing an equally woeful attacking performance without Sadio Mane and Mo Salah in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final with Arsenal were quickly extinguished on Thursday, as Diogo Jota lit up the Emirates to propel the Reds into next month’s final, taking his tally against Arsenal to six goals in his last six, and also his 14th of a stunning season.

The Portuguese spun Takehiro Tomiyasu before seeing his scuffed effort put Liverpool in the ascendancy before the half-time whistle, and he proceeded to double his side’s tally with a delightful dink over the onrushing Aaron Ramsdale – initially chalked off for offside before a VAR review – with Jurgen Klopp’s men now preparing for a shot at glory versus Chelsea.

The Anfield faithful will certainly welcome that opportunity for silverware as the Premier League title slips further and further away from them, with Klopp’s side currently 11 points behind Manchester City with a game in hand after putting three unanswered goals past Brentford last Sunday.

Three consecutive clean sheets across all competitions certainly serves as reason for optimism for this Liverpool side, who will be determined to end their three-game winless run away from home in the Premier League at a stadium which was certainly kind to them last year.

Ex-Palace boss Roy Hodgson was forced to witness his Crystal Palace side succumb to a humiliating 7-0 defeat in this fixture last season, which marked Liverpool’s ninth Premier League win on the bounce versus the Eagles, and their sixth in succession away from home.

FUN FACT: 11 competitive wins for Jurgen Klopp against Crystal Palace – his highest tally versus a single club as Liverpool manager.

LEAGUE FORM:

Crystal Palace: WDLWLD

Liverpool: LDWDWW

KEY MEN: Conor Gallagher (Palace) & Diogo Jota (Liverpool)

LIKELY LINE-UPS:

Crystal Palace: Butland (GK); Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Schlupp, Hughes, Gallagher; Olise, Edouard, Eze

Liverpool: Alisson (GK); Alexander-Arnold; Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Jota, Firmino, Minamino

SCORE PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool

Leicester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion, 2:00PM

Brighton & Hove Albion will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six matches when they travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.

The Seagulls are currently ninth in the table, picking up 29 points from their 21 league games this term, while Leicester are 10th, four points behind their opponents here with two matches in hand.

Leicester have not been able to launch a top-four challenge thus far this season, with a total of 25 points from 19 matches leaving them in 10th spot in the table, some 12 points behind fourth-placed West Ham United.

The Foxes were on the verge of securing what would have been a huge three points against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, leading Antonio Conte’s side 2-1 entering the final exchanges, but Steven Bergwijn scored in the 95th and 97th minute to hand Spurs a 3-2 victory at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester have now lost three of their last five in the league, but they have been victorious in three of their last four Premier League fixtures at the King Power Stadium, beating Watford, Newcastle United and Liverpool.

Brendan Rodgers’s side have struggled badly with injuries this season, and they are entering a difficult run of games, facing Liverpool and West Ham in their next two league matches after this one, in addition to travelling to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup at the start of February.

The FA Cup holders suffered a 2-1 loss to Brighton in the Premier League at the Amex back in September but were 3-0 winners in the corresponding match at the King Power Stadium last term.

Brighton, meanwhile, will enter the contest off the back of a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Tuesday evening, with Adam Webster cancelling out a first-half goal from Hakim Ziyech at the Amex.

The Seagulls are unbeaten in their last five matches in England’s top flight, beating Brentford and Everton, in addition to drawing with Chelsea (home and away) and Crystal Palace.

The visitors will be without head coach Graham Potter this weekend, as the Englishman has tested positive for coronavirus, so assistant manager Billy Reid will lead the team.

Brighton have won six, drawn 11 and lost four of their 21 Premier League matches this season to collect 29 points, which has left them in ninth position in the table, just two points behind eighth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, so it has been a brilliant campaign for the club to date.

The Seagulls have also lost just one of their 10 away top-flight matches this season, holding West Ham, Southampton and Chelsea, in addition to beating Everton, in their last four on their travels.

FUN FACT: Brighton earned their first Premier League victory against Leicester at the ninth attempt in September this season (D2, L6). Albion could do the league double against them for only the third time.

LEAGUE FORM:

Leicester City: DLWLWL

Brighton: LWDWDD

KEY MEN: James Maddison (Leicester City) & Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton)

LIKELY LINE-UPS:

Leicester City: Schmeichel (GK); Justin, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas; Dewsbury-Hall, Tielemans; Lookman, Maddison, Barnes; Daka

Brighton: Sanchez (GK); Veltman, Webster, Burn, Cucurella; Moder, Gross; Lamptey, Mac Allister, Trossard; Maupay

SCORE PREDICTION: Leicester City 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur, Sunday 4:30PM

One of the standout fixtures on the Premier League calendar will take place at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon, as Chelsea welcome London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues are currently third in the table, eight points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, but Antonio Conte’s side have four games in hand on the hosts, having seen a number of recent matches postponed.

Chelsea’s hopes of maintaining a title challenge this season have evaporated in recent weeks, with the Blues winning just one of their last seven in the Premier League, picking up just three points from their last four matches during a disappointing run.

The Blues fought back to claim a point in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at the start of the month but suffered a damaging 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the league last weekend before being held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex on Tuesday night.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are now third in the table, 12 points behind leaders Man City, who have a game in hand, while the European Cup holders are eight points clear of fifth-placed Spurs, who have four matches in hand, so their position in the Champions League spots is far from secure.

Chelsea have already beaten Tottenham twice this month, though, recording a 2-0 victory in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge before winning the reverse match in North London 1-0.

The Blues have also won their last four games against Spurs in all competitions, including a 3-0 success at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in September, while they are unbeaten against the North London club in England’s top flight since November 2018.

Tottenham were involved in an incredible match against Leicester City on Wednesday; Conte’s side were losing 2-1 until the 95th minute, when Steven Bergwijn levelled the scores, before the Netherlands international came up with a winner for the capital side in the 97th minute.

The 3-2 success made it three wins in their last four Premier League matches, while Spurs are still unbeaten in England’s top flight since Conte’s arrival as head coach, with the Italian winning six and drawing three of his nine league fixtures at the helm.

Tottenham’s position in the table is even more impressive considering that they have a number of games to make up due to COVID-19-related postponements, and the North London side could end the weekend in fourth depending on what happens between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Conte will certainly know what to expect at Stamford Bridge, with the 52-year-old managing the Blues between 2016 and 2018, delivering one Premier League title and one FA Cup, and there is no question that he will be determined to get one over on his old club this weekend.

Spurs have certainly had their problems this season but securing a top-four spot would have to go down as a positive campaign, while they can still secure cup success this season, with Brighton their opponents in the next round of the FA Cup at the start of February.

FUN FACT: Spurs have failed to score in their last five games against Chelsea in all competitions. The club have never gone six without a goal against an opponent.

LEAGUE FORM:

Chelsea: DWDDLD

Tottenham: WDWDWW

KEY BATTLES:

Romelu Lukaku v Eric Dier; Sergio Reguillon v Cesar Azpilicueta

LIKELY-LINE-UPS:

Chelsea: Kepa (GK); Sarr, Silva, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Lukaku, Werner

Tottenham: Lloris (GK); Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Skipp, Winks, Hojbjerg, Reguilon; Kane, Lucas

SCORE PREDICTION: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Leeds United must enjoy and appreciate Raphinha while they can

Leeds United must enjoy and appreciate Raphinha while they can

Say what you want about Leeds United’s struggles and inconsistencies this season, but their main man and Brazilian wing-wizard Raphinha is continuing to fire on all cylinders.

Jack Harrison may have walked off the London Stadium with the match-ball after his first career hat-trick in Leeds’ impressive 3-2 away triumph at West Ham United, but it was Raphinha who stole the show in East London.

The 25-year-old former Stade Rennais man quite simply put in a show-stopping performance, dampening West Ham and David Moyes’ strong pursuit of Champions League football. It was indeed an attacking masterclass. Raphinha only finished the encounter with one assist, but that doesn’t quantify the standard and quality of his mesmerizing performance.

The Brazilian international had a second assist chalked off due to an extremely marginal offside call and also saw a stunning free-kick crash off the woodwork. Jack Harrison may have given Leeds the cutting edge in front of goal, scoring all three for the visitors, but it was Raphinha who gave David Moyes’ men a torrid nightmare from that right-flank.

No player on the pitch created more chances than the Brazilian forward (seven) – the highest number of chances created by a Leeds United player in a single Premier League match since they were promoted – and he also formed seven key passes. For context, Leeds’ second-most prolific key pass-maker was Adam Forshaw with just two.

Raphinha is making quite a habit of knocking opponents for six with his wing wizardry and sumptuous levels of creativity. In fact, Only Mohamed Salah has recorded more shots and key passes combined (121) than Raphinha (93) in the Premier League this season. Every time the Brazilian is on the ball in the attacking third, for Leeds, something is bound to happen and that was certainly the case against West Ham United on Sunday.

His through-ball for Jack Harrison’s hat-trick was simply astonishing, the vision, the perfectly weighted execution of pass right on the money for Harrison to bury was a true sight to behold.

It is now 10 goal involvements for Raphinha so far this season (8 goals and 2 assists). So out of Leeds United’s 24 goals in the Premier League so far, the Brazilian has been involved in just under a half of their goals.

Raphinha is recording quite incredible numbers of Leeds United this season. Looking at the Brazilian’s His expected assists xA total per90 minutes – measuring the expected goals value of the shot that is assisted – of 0.28 pits him in the top 10% of attacking midfielders/wingers in Europe’s top-five leagues highlighting his incredible consistency in becoming Leeds United’s main source of creativity.

The Brazilian ranks first amongst his club peers for shots (3.12), key passes (2.12), successful dribbles (2.18), progressive passes (5.41) and final third passes per 90 minutes (2.88) meaning Leeds United aren’t quite the dangerous and potent force without him, and that’s of no surprise at all considering the 25-year-old’s creative genius.

There’s no doubt about it, 2022 is a massive year for Raphinha.

Twelve months from now he could be a World Cup winner looking to add a Champions League crown with one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs – if reports are to be believed. He is enjoying the best season of his career to date and looks sure to feature in Brazil’s World Cup campaign in December –don’t be surprised to even see him start start for the Selecao in Qatar.

Alongside Vinicius Jr, he is Brazil’s best performing attacker right now

While boasting such a world-class talent is something for Leeds to be certainly proud about, it also marks an inconvenient truth for a club that knows all too well the pain of being somewhere in the middle of football’s cut-throat food chain.

Almost 20 years ago, if some can remember, their record signing and club captain Rio Ferdinand departed for rivals Manchester United, while their 16-year spell out of the Premier League was marked by seeing their best and brightest go on to bigger and better things.

The fans at Elland Road have become so accustomed to waving goodbye to their heroes, that seeing Raphinha shine so regularly comes with a glum sense of inevitability – he may well be the latest of those decorated departed darlings.

This is without a shadow of a doubt, a Champions League level footballer. Raphinha should and will be one of those players blossoming under the lights on a Tuesday and Wednesday night in Europe’s flagship club competition. The Brazilian is tailor-made for it. The Champions League theme tune is a blissful representation of the sort of qualities Raphinha possesses – it’s only right.

So how can Leeds expect to keep him when they’re slumming it near the foot of the table?

Club chairman Andrea Radrizzani has spoken of ambitions of European football, while a stadium expansion and full takeover by the San Francisco 49ers appears imminent. But those lofty ambitions may be a long while yet, and Raphinha can’t afford to wait that long.

It is incredibly likely that the Brazilian magician will be slumming it amongst Europe’s elite by the time the new season comes knocking on our television screens again. Yet noises out of Elland Road currently suggest that Leeds will fight tooth and nail to keep their star asset, or at least protect his value as much as possible.

“It’s a great decision,” Marcelo Bielsa said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the weekend’s game against West Ham, when asked about reports that the club are currently working on extending the Brazilian’s contract, which expires in 2024.

“Raphinha’s the best player in the team in all the senses. Physically he’s the best, technically he’s at the level of the best and his interpretation of the game is very wise.

“He’s within the group of such a powerful nation as Brazil, he shines in the Premier League and he has the attention of all the big clubs in the world.

“All of those things are something you guys know as well. Nothing I’m saying is new. As a result, the decision of the club can only be valued.”

It’s strong words from Bielsa that are indicative of where the club and player are at.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a brilliant debut season in Yorkshire, but he was one of several players that shone in a collective context for a newly-promoted club that punched above their weight to finish in an unprecedented ninth place in the league table.

Stuart Dallas was named Player of the Season, Patrick Bamford finished top scorer with 17 Premier League goals, Kalvin Phillips ended his first top-flight campaign by starring for England as they made their first major final in over 50 years, while Jack Harrison ended up with more goals and assists in the Premier League than any other English midfielder.

This season, however, Leeds have struggled with consistency in results, been ravaged with injuries and absences to key players such as Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips with the club now flirting with the drop zone, despite currently climbing nine points above it with their win at West Ham.

While Leeds’ form has curtailed this campaign, Raphinha’s performances have continued on a steady ascent, culminating in his explosion onto the international scene for Brazil in October 2021. Raphinha was directly involved in four goals (two goals, two assists) in 145 minutes of play for Tite’s side, including a brace against South American rivals Uruguay in his first start for the national team.

Bielsa calling Raphinha Leeds’ best player was the plain and simple truth, which was reinforced early on in Sunday’s clash at West Ham, with a graphic appearing on Sky Sports flashing up during the match that showed the Brazilian ranking first in basically every attacking metric for Leeds this season – goals, shots, chances created, key passes, passes into the penalty area… indeed, the stats do not lie.

A tricky Brazilian winger who makes his way onto highlight reels with nutmegs and long-distance strikes is a social media manager’s delight especially those in Leeds United’s eventful social media staff, and it’s what makes Raphinha one of the most ‘fun’ and ‘entertaining’ players to watch outside of the top-flight’s established forces. What is both a boon and a curse for the future of the club, however, is that Raphinha is not just spectacle – he’s already playing as if he’s among the elite.

Blessed with unerring trickery, speed, acceleration, vision and a wand of a left-foot, the Brazilian is every top manager’s dream, but also the archetypal representation of a modern-day winger.

While he’s become devastatingly effective on the ball with his mazy runs into the opposition penalty area, coupled with his silky footwork and ball-control, he’s become quite simply a demon without it.

He is averaging more sprints per 90 minutes played than any other player in the Premier League this season (29.6), and by quite a margin to any other winger. At the same time, he leads the league in runs into the final third per 90 that are targeted with passes from a teammate.

While he’s a gifted creator against defensive units that are designed to be broken down, his physical attributes and willingness to run without the ball make him an ideal weapon for transitioning from defence to attack, as well as attacking after recovering the ball through pressing, a facet of Bielsa’s philosophy at Elland Road.

Raphinha is the man Leeds look to when trying to break down the opposition, or to finish off attacking moves whether through that telling final pass or the goalscoring prowess. It’s like the Brazilian is afforded much more freedom tactically than say Jack Harrison, or Dan James simply because of his unerring consistency to create goalscoring opportunities.

In carrying out his duties as the primary spark of this unpredictable Leeds United team, Raphinha’s time at the club so far has also simultaneously been a demonstration of the talents that are heavily desired by the clubs at the top of the European football food chain.

If he does move on this summer, which clubs would be strongly pursuing his services: Liverpool? With Mane, and Salah’s immediate futures uncertain, capturing Raphinha could well be a welcome distraction and the perfect moving-on signing for the Anfield faithful. How about Manchester United? With Cavani, Lingard, Martial set to move on this summer, they could well do with a sumptuous quality in the wide areas, Raphinha would be perfect for them. What about Manchester City? Fresh from losing Ferran Torres in January, they could well do with another direct and gifted right-winger with Riyad Mahrez not getting any younger. Bayern Munich and Chelsea are other names on the illustrious list currently scouring for the Brazilian’s services.

Put simply, there just aren’t many wingers of Raphinha’s age that have the aforementioned attributes and levels of performance in stats – and have shown them over an extended period – who haven’t yet been plucked by Champions League-level clubs.

As things stand, the inevitable may arise this summer with this unique and peerless talents departing Elland Road for much bigger pastures, but for now its incredibly vital that the Leeds United faithful appreciate and enjoy Raphinha’s remarkable gifts while they can.

Talents like his don’t come around very often, especially at Elland Road.

How good is Lucas Digne and what will he bring to Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa?

How good is Lucas Digne and what will he bring to Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa?

Aston Villa have completed their second signing of the January transfer window securing the signature of Everton’s French international left-back Lucas Digne for a fee of around £25m, following the signing of former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho on-loan from Barcelona.

It is understood Digne travelled to Birmingham for a medical on Wednesday before signing a four-and-a-half year deal.

On Wednesday night, Digne posted on Instagram: “Sometimes it only takes one person from outside to destroy a beautiful love affair” ahead of his move to Villa Park. Digne, 28, was the top target for manager Steven Gerrard who looked to increase Villa’s full-back options this month.

He was linked with Newcastle but the Frenchman did not want to move to a club who was threatened with relegation. Digne was also reportedly of interest to Chelsea with Ben Chilwell out for the season with a knee ligament injury. The Champions League winners wanted a loan move only, though, which was not something Everton were interested in.

Digne’s fallout with Rafael Benitez ended up clouding what were his final weeks, with a club he joined in 2018 from Barcelona but over the past three and a half seasons he has been a key player for Everton.

Since he joined in 2018, he has recorded more assists (18) than any other Everton player and led the way for his team in assists and chances created (46) last season.

Everton signed 22-year-old Vitaliy Mykolenko earlier this month as a replacement and while the Ukraine international has experience playing in the Champions League and at the Euros last summer, he clearly cannot match Digne’s quality. So many will of course argue, that Aston Villa have got the better of the two deals considering the Frenchman’s abilities and influence in attack.

Digne, after all, has over 40 caps for France and has experienced title wins with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. However, it will be his attacking numbers from left-back which will excite the Villa faithful.

At 28, Digne is in his prime and at a level where his attacking output ranks among the best by full-backs in the Premier League. In fact, Digne’s tally of 18 assists in the last three and a half seasons puts him behind only Andrew Robertson (35) as the second-highest goal provider among his positional counterparts — and well ahead of nearest rivals Ben Chilwell (13), Aaron Cresswell and Luke Shaw (both 10).

Also, since the start of last season only Liverpool pair Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have created more clear-cut chances among Premier League defenders.

Looking at his expected assists (xA) per 90 minutes – measuring the expected goals value of the shot that is assisted – it provides a more useful understanding of how creative Digne really is.

When considering minutes played at left-back and left wing-back since 2018-19, Digne’s 0.18 expected assists per 90 is also the second-highest rate within his positional group, which means for Everton he has been creating chances worthy of an assist once every five games since he arrived at Goodison Park in 2018.

Image provided by Sky Sports

As seen in the image above, off-the-ball, Digne isn’t quite as effective – ranking 46th among Premier League defenders since the start of last season for winning possession, well behind his more creative counterparts Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Shaw and Chilwell. One of the facets of Gerrard’s game is his demand on his full-backs to be as effective and influential in defence as they are in attack, and its certainly an area where Digne will need to improve.

However, with the ball at his feet, whether high-and-wide in the attacking areas, or from dead-ball situations, Digne is at his masterful best delivering crosses that most full-backs can only dream of, and his record of 18 assists since his introduction in the English top-flight in 2018 tells its own story.

Aston Villa currently rank fourth in the Premier League this season for goals created from crosses, and Digne will further strengthen them in this department. That’s not to say Matt Targett hasn’t been effective so far under Gerrard. In fact, Targett has two goal involvements this season (1 goal, 1 assist) compared to Digne’s 0 involvements.

The Frenchman will need to reach top levels again if he is to surpass his new teammate at Villa Park. Targett has rapidly improved in his creativity this season, he’s recorded more passes into the opposition penalty area (1.45 to 0.92), more final third passes (4.21 to Digne’s 2.23) and more progressive passes (5.85 to 3.77) per 90 minutes.

This season, Digne has not been able to showcase his strengths to quite the same degree.

One reason for this is that the team dynamic has been sorely affected by key injuries to Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin. The latter the key focal point in their attack — and build-up play — in recent seasons, the England international was out of action from late August until early this month. Richarlison, Digne’s partner on the left flank has also suffered various injuries this season meaning Digne could perform at his consistent best due to constant chopping and changing. Also, Everton have largely been playing as a counter-attacking unit under Rafael Benitez meaning Digne isn’t as effective as he should be.

The Everton players are asked to stay compact in a deeper block before springing forward at pace, with less focus on considered build-up play towards the attack. Given the technical qualities Digne possesses, you can understand why Digne feels that his skill set is not being maximized by such a strategy, hence the difference in opinion with Benitez.

Having a relationship with a team-mate ahead of him down the left-hand side has been crucial in getting the best out of Digne and that could be with any of Ollie Watkins, Philippe Coutinho or Emi Buendia at Aston Villa. Gerrard deploys a much more expansive and fluid system than his former tutor Rafa Benitez, where the full-backs sit high-and-wide provide width and quality on the flanks while the two no.10s – flanking the mobile striker – tuck into the half-space to disrupt opposition lines and their organisational shape, but also to become the creative force that Gerrard requires of them.

How Villa could line-up and operate under Gerrard

So not only will Villa have resources for goals in their duo of number 10s but also in the wide areas where both full-backs from opposite flanks can provide the telling crosses and passes into the box.

As a result of this difference in tactics, Digne will of course be looking to improve on his exploits this season under Gerrard. The only key creative area Digne performs more than Targett this season is his chances created, (1.69) to Targett’s (1.32), and his key passes in which the Frenchman averages 1.54 key passes per 90 while Targett averages just 1.38.

Targett is a couple of years younger than Digne and has been a reliable and ever-present performer for Villa, playing every game in the Premier League for them last season and picked up the players’ player of the season prize, underlining how well regarded he is at Villa Park.

Digne does edge him in some key stats for full-backs this season as evidenced above and including tackles per 90 minutes, but Villa’s move for the Frenchman isn’t because there is any kind of crisis at left-back but instead part of Gerrard’s plan to create competition for places right across the pitch.

Digne represents the perfect acquisition for Gerrard to boost levels of performance in his squad but also to add piercing quality to a squad that growing increasingly during his tenure.

Villa spent significant money in the summer to add to their options and the moves for Philippe Coutinho and Digne at the start of this transfer window are further signs of the club’s intent to kick on and move up the table. The signs are really promising for Gerrard and his new and improved team.

5 strikers Arsenal could sign this summer to spearhead their promising attack

5 strikers Arsenal could sign this summer to spearhead their promising attack

With so much uncertainty surrounding Arsenal’s striker trio, Mikel Arteta’s search for a long-term target has arguably become more urgent in recent weeks.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has not played for the club since he returned late from a trip to France in early December, and as a result being stripped of the club captaincy. He is currently away representing Gabon at the African Cup of Nations.

It remains to be seen whether he’ll be included in a Arsenal matchday squad again.

Even if there is some sort of making up between player and manager, he is still a 32-year-old with 18 months on his current contract. Arteta admitted recently that there was a “cloud” over the striking situation at the club, and that is true.

Alexandre Lacazette is in fine form, and Arteta’s current leading man up front, but is already 30 and has six months remaining on his current deal. Eddie Nketiah is another whose deal expires in six months. If an offer arrives for him in this months transfer window, it will be considered.

Gabriel Martinelli is thriving on the left-wing – an area Arsenal were intending to strengthen long-term – while Folarin Balogun appears to be on the brink of a loan move to Middlesborough in the Sky Bet Championship.

It is evident that Arsenal will need a striker in the summer. The Aubameyang and Lacazette situation could act as catalysts to accelerate the pursuit of a forward for the long-term.

So, who might Arteta and his recruitment staff be looking to fill the potential void at the Emirates?

In the last summer transfer window, the club made six signings aged 23 or under. A clear plan and identity in attempting to shape and rejuvenate an ailing squad.

So that will probably be the same route Arsenal take in their striker search. A player who is young, with a high-ceiling in terms of potential, one who could be moulded to be the club’s main-man for years to come:

Dusan Vlahovic, Fiorentina

Arguably one of Europe’s most potent goalscorers right now.

21-year-old Dusan Vlahovic is currently being touted around with some of the continent’s biggest clubs linked with a move for the Serbian hotshot.

It’s easy to see why: his record in front of goal this season is simply astonishing, with 17 Serie A goals from 20 appearances. Only Robert Lewandowski has scored more goals in Europe’s top five leagues.

One of the first striking elements of Dušan Vlahović’s characteristics is his striking size. At 6’3”, he stands quite literally, head and shoulders above others, especially some defenders who are tasked with taming him during a game. This has all the makings of a familiar fairytale story when it comes to young prodigy’s especially strikers, that their size immediately strikes fear into their opponents.

Like Erling Braut Haaland, Dušan Vlahović is built of a similar ilk.

Vlahović is a potent and clinical penalty box presence, a devastating finisher and his 16 goals in Serie A this season showing that at the tender age of just 21, he’s got so much to give in goal scoring situations. It’s also worth noting that this figure is backed up by four penalty goals.

He is a very deadly penalty taker, with 17 goals from 17 career attempts to date.

While Vlahović possesses the frame and tenacity to impose himself, he is certainly not short of pace, in fact, the quickness at which he reaches top speed is superb, and that element coupled with a fire in his belly is a frightening sight for even the best defenders in Serie A.

He offers such a dynamic threat in behind. For a striker of his stature and presence, his movement is surprisingly very effective. Intelligent and varied, and it is certainly possible that he learns to adapt his movement to suit the demand that derives from Fiorentina’s attacking play. He is so skilled at timing his runs beyond the defensive line to keep himself onside. He is a real danger when he is through on goal too, and is very content to shoot once the opportunity presents itself – his xG per 90 (0.59) is truly indicative of a forward who gets into dangerous areas, as one would expect from a player with such incisive movement.

Good movement, clinical finishing – Vlahović already looks the complete young package. As a bonus, he works hard off the ball too, he is tenacious, and plays the game like his life depends on it. He is not the type of player to be around when you have the ball, he will hustle and bustle until he regains possession, a real terrier-like performer.

All things considered, Vlahović has quickly morphed into a well-rounded forward, one well suited to the demands of the modern game. He holds a lot of rawness in his game for managers to work with, whether at Fiorentina or elsewhere. While there is a lot of hype surrounding his future at the top-level, one should in fact wonder how well he would transition at this stage to a more stringent and methodical tactical framework.

Vlahovic’s contract with Fiorentina is due to expire in 2023, and the indications are that he will not be signing a new one. That means the Italian side know they need to sell in the next two transfer windows if they are to maximise their return. 

With his potential to get even better, its a proposition that Arsenal simply cannot afford to ignore.

Jonathan David, LOSC Lille

The 21-year-old Lille forward has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time, but the North London club aren’t the only ones with Liverpool, West Ham and Paris Saint-Germain also scouring for his services.

Since his move to Lille from Belgium outfit Gent in the summer of 2020, the Canadian has never looked back, although he did endure a difficult start – going on a run of seven games without a goal. However, in the second half of last season, his form picked up. Eleven of his 13 league goals in 2020-21 came after the turn of the year, as Lille done the unthinkable, finishing the campaign as French Ligue 1 champions.

This season, Lille have struggled to maintain their form as they currently sit in mid-table in Ligue 1. However, Jonathan David has continued his tremendous development. He is Ligue 1’s current top scorer with 12 goals from 19 appearances. In a league including Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi, that is a superb feat.

An extraordinary forward, blessed with great pace, skill, tenaciousness, trickery and acceleration. The Canadian is tremendously versatile too, capable of playing anywhere in attack; as a no.9, right-winger, left-winger, and a no.10. If fast and speedy players are your type, then Jonathan David is your man. A player whose game is based on an exciting blend of technique, mental sharpness and tremendous physical attributes.

The Canadian has excelled in his work-rate and off-the-ball attributes. So far this campaign, he is recording 5.39 successful pressures per 90minutes. He is in the top 10 percent of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues when it comes to pressures off the ball owing to his tremendous energy, enthusiasm and work rate. David has traded off some of that defensive work, and remodeled himself as a poacher in front of goal. A record of 0.48 non-penalty goals per 90 is brilliant and is simply going to get better.

He possess the mobility, intensity, and defensive know-how in both positioning and angling to excel for a club like Arsenal, and only grow in his pressing ability.

In possession, David is more than capable of dropping deep in the build up and linking up with speedy runners sprinting in behind. Even if he’s not as creative as Lacazette, he could easily grow into that type of player under the influence of a possession based coach like Arteta. Further, his desire to play with an open body shape rather than with his back to goal would serve Arsenal in their quest to score more goals.

David’s scoring form in Ligue 1 over the past two seasons, and for Canada where he’s been the top CONCACAF scorer in World Cup Qualifying, suggests he could score more goals for Arsenal than their current forwards. David’s movement in the box is superb, particularly in finding little pockets of space in which he can finish off chances created by speedy, dribbling wingers, which Arsenal possess to an even greater degree than Lille. 

Jonathan David’s attacking stats this season compare well to Lacazette and far surpass Aubameyang. 

Notably, David hasn’t scored from outside of the box this season, and the vast majority of his goals (9) have been scored in the eighteen yard box. This suits Arsenal’s current attacking abilities, where they look to build up play from back-to-front, looking to score a high number of their chances in the penalty box through incisive and intricate passing moves, including their counter attacking prowess, which he would flourish in due to having a very direct, vertical style of play with his raw dribbling and running power.

At 21-years-old, the potential is clear. It is unbelievably exciting to imagine what the Canadian forward might achieve in the coming years. Arsenal paid Lille big money for Nicolas Pepe in 2019 – so could they return to the Stade Pierre Mauroy in search of another new hitman?

Alexander Isak, Real Sociedad

(Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

Another one of Europe’s most exciting forwards, and a player Arsenal will of course be closely monitoring in the coming months.

Sweden international Alexander Isak signed a new contract in July that not only removed Borussia Dortmund’s €35 million buy-back option, but extended his commitment with Real Sociedad until 2026.

Which means any club looking to prize him away from the Reale Arena, would need to pay big bucks for Sociedad to consider selling. However, Arsenal showed in the summer that they are able and willing to flex some financial muscle in transfer fees to get their targets, and Isak will be no different.

The 22-year-old caught the eye at the European Championships last summer – but those who watch the Spanish La Liga closely will be familiar with his extraordinary abilities long before that. Last season, he hit 17 league goals in 34 games as Real Sociedad finished in a Europa League place.

With a rate of 0.65 non-penalty goals per 90 — the fourth-highest in La Liga and level with Atletico Madrid’s Luis Suarez — it’s no wonder Arsenal’s scouts have been following his progress. This season, however, his goals have dried up somewhat, with only four goals from 16 appearances so far, though considerations will need to be taken given his age and development.

He still offers his team much more than his goals, and that has shown in La Liga this season. Isak’s technical ability is largely fantastic. Despite often receiving possession with his body too square to the ball, his ability to spin and open his posture up is great, as is his awareness to make first-time layoffs and combine with close-by team-mates.

Although his first touch lacks consistency, as do some of his short passes, he showcases consistently excellent close control in tight spaces and an ability to shift the ball and his body in alternate directions very sharply – a skill made all the more impressive when you appreciate his tall, rangy frame. This can also be seen in some of his one-on-one attempts, where he is comfortable shifting possession onto either side of his body.

His positioning and movement for the ball are exemplary too. His sense of how and when to drop closer to the ball are great for linking play from side to side and creating overloads from the flank. Equally impressive is his use of this technique in executing double movements to make sharp runs into the drawn-open channels, putting to use his blistering levels of acceleration.

One intriguing aspect of Arsenal’s interest in the forward is his good on-field relationship with Martin Odegaard during the Norwegian’s spell at Sociedad in 2019/20. They both combined effectively on several occasions, with Odegaard often the provided and a source of Sociedad’s goals with his tremendous creative abilities.

Isak has also proven himself to be a formidable counter-attacking threat. He is comfortable offering and operating down both the left and right sides of the pitch, a testament to his mobility and technical quality; his link play and speed with and without the ball add up to him being a clinical target up front.

A bigger team prying him away almost feels like an inevitability for the 21-year-old, and there is no doubt many clubs would benefit from his presence up front, including Arsenal and Mikel Arteta.

Patrik Schick, Bayer Leverkusen

One of the stars of last summer’s European Championships and one of the leading lights in the German Bundesliga this season, Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick is a player who deserves rapturous acclaim these past six or seven months.

The Czech hitman has scored an astonishing 18 goals in 15 Bundesliga matches this season, with an expected goals rate at 0.82 goals per 90, and his non-penalty xG sitting at an 0.77 pitting him in the top 3 strikers in Europe’s top-five leagues. A goalscorer Arsenal could do well in possessing next season.

Many will remember Schick’s name in relation to his stunning goal from just over the half-way line against Scotland in the Euros.

In fact, his performance at the Euros where he hit 5 goals in as many games finishing as the tournament’s joint top-scorer with Cristiano Ronaldo, many argued Schick should have been in the team of the tournament rather than Romelu Lukaku, and rightly so. The 25-year-old was a true attacking force to be reckoned with at the Euros, as Scotland sadly found out. Schick is already on the list of several clubs around Europe, and yet another flawless Leverkusen talent who could be on the move in the near future.

Given Schick’s large frame, he naturally fits the bill of a traditional target man. Not since Olivier Giroud, have Arsenal possessed a true target-man, and Schick certainly has the assets to back this statement up too. Statistically, he performs respectably winning 46.3% of his 3.63 aerial duels per 90 in all competitions this season.

If players are willing to run off of Schick’s shoulder, then he will oblige by winning headers and helping the ball on. However, he shows excellent awareness of where his teammates are as the ball is in the air, as well as the positioning of the defenders and specifically the proximity of his marker.

Schick can adjust accordingly and can bring the ball down and hold up play when many forwards would simply look to head the ball on. The Czech forward is a tremendous outlet when using his as a focal point in attack, holding the ball up whilst bringing his fellow attackers into play.

Schick is able with the ball on the floor too. Whilst he provides a viable option to hit the ball too aerially, he has a good first touch and can play first time with either foot. He doesn’t panic in possession which will of course be useful in Arteta’s possession-based philosophy and he can receive, hold play up, and find a nearby teammate whilst under pressure. 

Schick is far from being some kind of uber-physical and immobile centre-forward. He has a lean frame, and a deft touch in possession. He can receive line-breaking passes and play first time, as already mentioned, but he can also unlock defences with innovative passes and good vision. It’s why his partnerships with the likes of Florian Wirtz and Moussa Diaby has proven so devastating for Leverkusen this season.

Schick has quality holding the ball up with dribbling ability as well. He keeps the ball close as he dribbles, and is better at navigating tighter areas than he is driving forward on the ball.

Under Gerardo Seoane, Bayer Leverkusen have opted for 4-2-3-1, and in that set up he’s looked to take advantage of the strength of his wide players and the emergence of Florian Wirtz. Spearheading that attack is Patrik Schick. At 6’3” with a lean but strong frame, you’d be forgiven for assuming that Schick operates as a traditional target man. That would be a disservice to him as he is far more well-rounded, and more complete.

With Arsenal trying to play a fluid style, the movement of the forwards is essential to pulling that off. A striker in this system must be able to perform single or double movements to either become part of the build-up play centrally or create space for others to run in to.

One of the first things you notice about Schick is that despite his frame, he’s not just living by sitting up on the back line. He will, if needed drop into space and make himself available to receive the ball, and bounce it either to Wirtz or a wide player and then advance into space to become an option further up field, and its in the penalty box where he comes to life, scoring all types of goals but more importantly showcasing why he has got to be considered as one of the best strikers on the continent.

With any forward coming into the Premier League you do worry about the physical attributes of the player and that should be no concern for the Patrick Schick. He is a player Arteta should consider signing this summer to boost their quota in attack, Schick is a player ready for the next step in his career and Arsenal who are progressively improving under Arteta’s stewardship may prove to be the perfect move for the incredibly promising forward.

Ivan Toney, Brentford

A big wildcard pick in comparison to the players on this list, but Brentford’s Ivan Toney is certainly a player Arsenal should seriously be watching. The 25-year-old certainly proved himself last season, scoring a record 31 goals in the Championship.

With more eyes on him this year, he set the tone for what he would bring to the Premier League on the opening day against Arsenal.

Despite not scoring on the day, he was arguably the most influential player on the pitch — as highlighted at the time. Prepared to play with his back to goal, he bullied and dominated Ben White and Pablo Mari to build a platform for Brentford to attack from.

Toney has grown considerably since then, and continues to be a true worthy opponent for the Premier League’s best defenders, just ask Virgil Van Dijk, Raphael Varane and Ruben Dias.

Although Toney has six goals to Mbeumo’s three in the Premier League, the latter has hit the woodwork seven times to Toney’s zero. (Brentford have hit the woodwork 10 times as a team. Only Arsenal, 12, have done it more often in the division this season).

Toney had also made the most open-play passes leading to shots (25) for the club this season, showing that he is an incredibly creative forward. Whether it be winning aerial duels, retaining the ball himself or winning fouls from long balls up to him, he is laying the groundwork for Brentford to be such a competitive force so far this campaign. For progressive passing, he’s given a 98 out of 99 rating by smarterscout.

His defensive contributions also display he is a well-rounded striker who could lead the line in many respects, Certainly a player Arsenal could do with. He is in the top percentile amongst strikers in Europe’s top five leagues for Aerial duels won per 90 (4.65), clearances per 90 (1.24) and interceptions per 90 (0.71).

Certainly the next step is for him to get more goals in the big time, but that can’t be considered as a fault of his, but more so a problem of Brentford’s in terms of the quality of their attacking play. If Toney was at Arsenal, he’d be guaranteed goals with the likes of Saka, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe and Martinelli creating goal opportunities for him.

Though in fairness, he quality of chances the 25-year-old has had this season have not been great, as he only had an xG of 4.4 (2.8 when excluding penalties) after Brentford’s first 19 matches. In short respect, with four goals scored, he had as many goals as the quality of his chances determine he should at this point in the season – a tally he would need to improve if he does harbour any ambitions of playing for one of the big teams in the country.

According to many reports, Toney is being strongly considered by Gareth Southgate for England. If the striker wants to break into squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup in November and December, he may consider whether a move to a bigger club will help his progress.

Toney being a very good profile for what Arsenal could need post-Lacazette-and-Aubameyang and Brentford being willing to sell are two different conversations altogether, however. Though, Brentford do hold a model in which they develop their talents and sell them for big money and Toney is no different, considering his vital importance to Thomas Frank and Brentford.

#AnthonyScouts🕵🏾‍♂️ pick: Dusan Vlahovic

Newcastle’s January plans: What do they need to boost survival bid?

Newcastle’s January plans: What do they need to boost survival bid?

Since Newcastle United’s exciting new takeover was completed in early October, the club’s supporters have been eagerly anticipating and awaiting the January transfer window and debating who the club might look to bring in to fully strengthen their squad but more importantly, improve their plight in the Barclays Premier League table.

Newcastle are currently in a perilous position in the table. Sitting in 19th place, with 11 points from their first 19 Premier League games this season, which equates to their worst-ever start to a league season. Of the 15 teams to record this many points or fewer at this stage in a season, 14 have tasted the drop.

This makes January a crucial period for the club and the hierarchy. An opportunity to address their weaknesses and try to find some quality and inspiration to kickstart the survival bid.

So which pressing areas do Newcastle need to address?

Defence

Bolstering their backline will surely be a priority for Howe, and they’ve already go stuck in, agreeing a £12m deal for Atletico Madrid and England full-back Kieran Trippier who will add a lot of quality, experience and winning mentality to Eddie Howe’s squad.

The England right-back will undergo a medical and is set to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with the option of a further year.

Newcastle have conceded 42 goals in their 19 games this season – only eight teams have ever let in more after as many games in a campaign. And the 80 they conceded in 2021 was an unwanted record for a Premier League team in a calendar year.

Full-backs are crucial to Howe’s game plan and, having worked with Trippier at Burnley, he believes the England international can bolster Newcastle down the right, primarily in attack with his crossing ability, but also in defence.

Newcastle have lost 19 points from winning positions this season. So Howe will need more, hence their heavy interest in a quality left-sided centre-back.

One of the names emerging is Sven Botman, the Lille centre-half. One of the most highly-coveted defenders in Europe right-now and on the radar of a host top clubs on the continent, the 21-year-old could prove a stunning acquisition not just for the here and now but for the future. Botman is assured on the ball, a powerful presence aerially and on the ground, fitting the profile of defender Howe is looking at.

Other similar profiles are reportedly in Newcastle’s thinking: Manchester City’s Nathan Ake, Sevilla’s Diego Carlos, Burnley’s James Tarkowski, Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly (previously worked with Eddie Howe). and Tottenham Hotspur’s Joe Rodon.

The club could also be looking to add to their roster at left-back, and are strongly interested in Everton’s Lucas Digne who are reportedly willing to listen to offers of around £25m for his services.

Midfield

Midfield is another of concern for Eddie Howe as he seeks for his team to take more control of games if they are to get out of their current rot. His former club Bournemouth ranked 10th for possession during his time there, and Newcastle are currently weak in this area recording the lowest possession stats in the top flight, having a knock-on effect in their creation of goalscoring chances.

Matt Ritchie – who was at Bournemouth with Howe – is their top chance creator from open play. He has played at left-back at times this season and it can be debated whether Allan Saint-Maximin should be classified as a midfielder or a forward, and Joelinton’s performance in a deeper role against Manchester United during the festive period was encouraging. But the point remains: Newcastle are not producing enough with the ball from the centre of the park.

According to Opta’s progress stats, measuring how well a team advance up the pitch in a spell of possession, Newcastle rank the third-worst in the league.

So who could Eddie Howe be looking at in this area of the pitch?

Boubacar Kamara, Marseille’s defender-come-midfielder, remains on Newcastle’s wanted list, although the 22-year-old appears set to leave on a free transfer in the summer instead. Lens’ Seko Fofana is among the others who have been watched, enjoying a remarkable breakthrough campaign in the French Ligue 1. Interestingly, Idrissa Gueye, who Newcastle made a loan bid for last January, has featured in conversations again, while Georginio Wijnaldum’s situation at Paris Saint-Germain is also being observed from afar, even if a Tyneside return appears unlikely

Other names being thrown in the ring, Manchester United’s fringe players Jesse Lingard and Donny Van de Beek have both been earmarked for moves on Tyneside, with both players looking to get much needed game time ahead of a crucial year with the World Cup coming up in December 2022.

While permanent moves may be unlikely at this stage, loan deals could be plausible which could represent excellent short-term business in getting in quality who could aid Newcastle’s quest for Premier League safety.

Other names being thrown into the ring are Chelsea’s Ross Barkley, and could Juventus and former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey be making a return to the Premier League, what about Phillipe Coutinho? All three of these names will certainly add experience, quality and cutting-edge to a lackluster Newcastle midfield.

Attack

Until last week, Newcastle’s area of strength was Callum Wilson and Saint-Maximin in attack. However, their injuries sustained against Manchester United will almost certainly force Howe to add to his squad in this department too.

Wilson, in particular, will be a major miss with his calf injury set to keep him out for some time. Of the 20 Premier League games Wilson has missed since he joined the club in the summer of 2020, Newcastle have failed to win 18.

So, another forward is desperately needed.

Some intriguing names are being thrown into the hat with Arsenal outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reportedly looking to move away from North London. Will Newcastle be looking to pay his astronomical wages, what about Manchester United’s Anthony Martial who is also on the lookout for a permanent move away. Could he really be the man to fire in the goals Newcastle need, considering his inconsistencies at Old Trafford?

(Photo by Maria Jose Segovia/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Another intriguing name reportedly on Newcastle’s radar is Blackburn’s Chilean hotshot Ben Brereton Diaz who has hit 20 goals in 25 Championship games so far this season. Blackburn are indeed unwilling to sell their starman, but they won’t say no to a reasonably sizeable bid for the 22-year-old. Brereton Diaz could be an outstanding outside bet to strengthen the club’s cause.

Newcastle’s season will be defined by their results on and off the pitch in January — they need wins against their relegation rivals and they need reinforcements to arrive. The window will be busy, it will be frantic and it will ultimately determine whether Newcastle can complete their great escape in 2022.

How Newcastle United could line-up with new additions