Manchester City have completed the signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for £100m in the biggest deal in English football history.
The 25-year-old midfielder joins on a six-year deal after the Premier League champions activated the £100m release clause in his Villa contract on Friday.
The transfer fee also breaks the previous record in English football held by Paul Pogba when he re-joined Manchester United for £93.25m from Juventus in 2016.
It’s a deal which also makes Jack Grealish the most expensive British footballer in football history, surpassing Gareth Bale when he joined Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2013 for £85million.
The deal marks a stunning statement of intent from Pep Guardiola and Manchester City as the Premier League champions embark on retaining their crown next season.
Jack Grealish has proved one of the most creative players in the Premier League since Aston Villa’s promotion three years ago, whether through his passing, his unerring dribbling with the ball, and his sheer will and bravery to take opponents on, its no surprise Pep Guardiola feels he is the right man to refresh his star-studded squad.
The Aston Villa faithful will of course, be gutted and disheartened at this move, after all Grealish has achieved with the club, not least his remarkable gifts and talents that have rescued them out of various difficult situations since his emergence in the first team.
….£100million for a player with fewer than 100 Premier League appearances, who has never played in Europe, never scored an international goal and who has missed chunks from two of the last three seasons with injury, is in many respects a truly remarkable deal… #avfc
Grealish has indeed become an iconic figure at his boyhood club, but certainly now feels the move to Manchester City, one of the best clubs in Europe and the best in England is one he cannot turn down, especially the lure of playing in Europe’s most prestigious competitions, the UEFA Champions League.
Also, playing under one of football’s most decorated coaches ever in Pep Guardiola is an opportunity many footballers right now would certainly kill for.
At 25 years of age, its an opportunity that doesn’t come around too often, so you’d almost forgive Grealish for making such a huge career decision.
While Aston Villa lick their wounds at the sight of Grealish’s departure, Manchester City and Guardiola will be licking their lips at the sight of possessing one of the best creators in the country and one of the most talented players this great nation has had to offer.
Now, Guardiola will be contemplating with both joy and anguish at how Grealish will fit in at such a talented and world class squad. How do you fit in both Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish in the same XI? How will Guardiola look to improve Jack Grealish? What qualities will Grealish bring, and how will it complement Guardiola’s style?
First and foremost, the 25-year-old will add more of a cutting edge to Manchester City’s play. Guardiola’s side scored 83 goals last season, the most of any team in the division, and possessing someone of Grealish’s ilk will only increase that figure even further.
They do say in a title winning team, that adding more quality to it and improving the following year means even more greatness and sustained success, than just sticking with the same batch of players. The whole squad becomes hungrier, competitive and more vibrant and Guardiola is doing just that with the capture of Jack Grealish.
Aston Villa’s great loss, is Manchester City’s great gain.
Without Jack Grealish last year, Villa only won three of the 12 games he sat out injured. He is a player of great reward, incision, precision, dynamism, cutting thrust and a skill set that proves so unique and masterful in comparison to his fellow English counterparts.
Grealish’s talent is obvious.
In terms of total chances created, chances created from open play and assists, Grealish is right in the midst of the Premier League’s most devastating creators.
81 – @JackGrealish has created 81 chances following ball carries in the Premier League in the last two seasons; this is more than any other player in the competition in this period, as well as the most across the top five European leagues. Game-changer. pic.twitter.com/m76HUmWJx2
Grealish created 70 chances from open play last season, second only to Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (77). He also formed 81 opportunities following ball carries in the last two Premier League seasons as shown above. This is all from just 26 Premier League games last year, even. 6 goals and 10 assists from 26 games is mightily impressive.
3.42 key passes, 3.46 final third passes, 6.91 progressive passes, 6.18 shot-creating actions (the two offensive actions leading directly to a shot, through passes, dribbles or drawing fouls) and 12.6 progressive carries per 90minutes all highlight how effective and influential Jack Grealish was to the Aston Villa cause.
All of those stats may increase at Manchester City, which poses such a scary thought for City’s rivals this coming season.
Many of the chances Grealish creates come after he’s dribbled with the ball, and he led the Premier League standings for 2020/21 in that particular field. Only Harry Kane, Hueng-Min Son and Bruno Fernandes had more assists following a carry and only Son, Marcus Rashford and Harvey Barnes scored more following a carry.
Grealish played far fewer minutes than any of those players, apart from Harvey Barnes, which only goes to show how dangerous Grealish is and just how much he runs with the ball. Progressive carries usually occur in the opposition half, are greater than five metres and move the ball at least five metres towards the opposition’s goal.
Grealish is absolutely devastating at performing such roles. Only three players – Adama Traore, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Pablo Hernandez – completed more per 90 than Grealish last season, but none of them were as devastating and as decisive with their carries as Grealish was.
Last season, Grealish carried the ball into the opposition penalty area a staggering 80 times, 3.29 times per 90mins. 18 more than Raheem Sterling, 32 more than Riyad Mahrez and 48 more than Bernardo Silva, already highlighting how much he offers more than Manchester City’s current options. Again, all of these staggering statistics despite Grealish only playing 26 games. He also ranks third in terms of passes into the box per 90 (2.96), behind his future teammate Kevin De Bruyne (3.56).
Grealish compared to City attackers (2020/21)
Grealish
Sterling
Foden
Mahrez
Silva
De Bruyne
Games played
26
31
28
27
26
25
Goals
6
10
9
9
2
6
Assists
10
7
5
6
6
12
Chances created
81
39
36
44
27
80
Dribbles completed
65
66
38
45
41
48
Fouls won
110
41
34
30
18
31
Provided by BBC Sport
Interestingly, Manchester City were the team who performed the most carries into the penalty area last season with 68, more than second-placed Chelsea. When City players get into the box, they are expected to make things happen, effect the game and Grealish, Foden, Sterling, Silva and Mahrez are all in the top 10 for passes attempted and completed inside the opposition’s penalty area last season.
The ability to carry the ball at long distances, evade pressure, beat opponents at will as well as drawing so many fouls is a trait that appeals so much to Guardiola and the City faithful. Manchester City will be getting a player who will vastly improve their football next season. However, there is a caveat to Grealish’s game that Guardiola may look to alter.
Maybe most interesting thing from that perspective is that Grealish is probably the most individualistic player in the league – which makes him so exciting – and he's going into one of the most structured attacks.
As journalist Miguel Delaney so correctly points out, Grealish is allowed so much freedom and warranty at Villa, in that his game is expressed individually, being able to perform so many actions on his own which drives his team and gets them out of difficult situations. That won’t be the case at City, Guardiola calls on a more structured approach to his attacking play, its all about the collective rather than the individual, and that’s something Grealish will have to adapt to.
He may not be able to just get the ball and dribble all he likes – as he did at Villa – he’ll be asked to keep up the tempo in City’s passing, with breaking opposition lines and carving out opportunities in the penalty area. It will certainly be interesting to see how Guardiola may adapt to Grealish’s style or teaching the Villa talisman to adapt and adhere to his own.
Grealish will need to release the ball quicker than he does, and to be more attentive when working with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling. A major part of City’s superb approach was their ability to slow the game down with their subtle, intricate and decisive passing only to then speed it up at particular moments, taking advantages of spaces when they open up.
Defenders will be drawn to Grealish like he was at Villa, which means him winning free-kicks across the park could frustrate City’s build-up, with opposition teams reverting quickly back into a defensive shape. What’s so devastating about Grealish is his huge decisiveness once dribbling with the ball, which means City will only benefit, but they’d benefit even greater if he works on his game releasing the ball much more efficiently and more sooner.
The question on everybody’s lips will certainly be where Jack Grealish could line-up next season. Sources close to Guardiola say that Grealish could be deployed as a creative no.8 alongside Kevin De Bruyne in their customary and fluid 4-3-3 shape. With Raheem Sterling regularly deployed on the left, Grealish’s regular spot will be occupied, but there’s always a chance for rotation and flexibility.
Grealish in more central areas, as we’ve seen before is of course a devastating sight to behold. As soon as he picks up the ball, its incredibly difficult to get him off it – unless fouling him. At City, he may well be given more space to roam, with opposition midfielders occupied with Kevin De Bruyne’s ability to dissect opposition defences at will. If this is the case, Guardiola will be capable of breaching the most combative of defences from not just one area in the half-space, but two.
Both Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne are both destructive in those areas which gives the opposition much more danger than they bargained for.
Of course, Grealish could also expected to be deployed on the left side of City’s attack, his most common position, although with Sterling and Foden already on that side (and given the left-footed Foden finished last campaign on that flank) it is a very competitive area of the pitch for City.
The prospect of a Grealish and Foden partnership will be mouthwatering for any Manchester City fan, and there’s certainly been flashes of the pair when the two are on duty for England. Their superb ability to combine through delicious first touch passes and swift interchanging of movement could really aid City in cutting through opponent’s steep defences.
They would have no problems switching roles temporarily too.
How about Grealish and Sterling together? Southgate has tried that partnership with ruthless aplomb before, if you need any evidence just ask the Czech Republic.
If City don’t get in Harry Kane this summer, and Guardiola opts for a false nine setup, then Grealish could be unleashed in midfield alongside Gundogan with Kevin De Bruyne coming off the front-line. Why not Grealish operating in those false-nine areas too?
The imperious quality at Guardiola’s disposal leaves a lot of room for rotation and flexibility certainly, which means Jack Grealish will be thrust into a much more competitive and much testing dynamic than at Aston Villa.
Some will argue that the grass isn’t always greener, but its a move and challenge that Grealish will relish and be excited by. It will be incredibly intriguing how Guardiola mixes and meshes his various attacking options, especially if they do manage to get in both Jack Grealish and Harry Kane this summer.
Jack Grealish’s move certainly raises as much questions as answers as to how City could line-up next season and how his game could complement the team’s and vice-versa. It’s an exciting headache for Pep Guardiola to have. However, what’s certain is that Jack Grealish will improve City considerably, and on a more personal measure, Grealish’s game may well be taken to a whole new level under Guardiola’s tutelage.
This is a call to Manchester City’s Premier League rivals (not just the red half of Manchester)… be very afraid.
How City could line-up next season with both Kane and Grealish
Tottenham have agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign highly-rated defender Cristian Romero.
Spurs increased their offer to £42.7m (€50m) plus bonuses, making a total package worth £47m (€55m) for the Argentina centre-back.
The Argentinian international and Copa America winner, 23, is Spurs’ primary target to strengthen the heart of new coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s defence for the start of the season in mid-August.
Romero, 23, will fly to London to complete his move, before agreeing personal terms on a five-year deal.
Club sporting director Fabio Paratici, who’s already making his mark in his new role, knows the player from his time at Juventus and sees him as a player who would suit the Premier League.
Cristian Romero is already being touted as one of the most prestigious young centre-backs on the continent, and rightly so. The 23-year-old enjoyed a superb campaign for Atalanta, being named the Serie A defender of the year last season.
In fact, he’s been an outstanding performer in the last three years after starting in Serie A with Genoa and getting loaned back there for a second season after Juventus bought him, which was a deal on Paratici’s watch.
The defender enjoyed a promising maiden Champions League campaign while on loan at Atalanta, also while helping them to a stunning third placed finish as a regular and commendable presence at the heart of Gian Piero Gasperini’s defence.
Spurs are in desperate need of a fresh input in their back-line, with the ageing Toby Alderweireld’s Spurs future uncertain, Eric Dier’s game declining, and Davinson Sanchez struggling to make a name for himself so far during his time in North London.
Cristian Romero provides the perfect solution to address the stark decline and underperformance in defence.
A tremendous breakthrough year, becoming a key figure for Argentina in their Copa America this summer, at the heart of their defence alongside veteran and former Manchester City defender Nicolás Otamendi.
Despite featuring in three of Argentina’s six games during the tournament, he played and dominated in the most important game of them all, in the final against fierce international rivals Brazil. The 23-year-old was fearless against Neymar and co. not giving any of them a sniff as Argentina performed one of their most impressive shut out against fellow South American giants.
Cristiano Romero was simply unstoppable, standing guard against the likes of Richarlison, Neymar and Lucas Paqueta, and showcasing why he is indeed one of Europe’s most impressive young centre-backs.
So what will Tottenham be getting?
First of all, Nuno Espirito Santo will be recruiting a defender who simply loves to defend. A no-nonsense type.
Cristian Romero holds an intriguing skillset. Elements of his game are true relics of a bygone era: he looks impressive as a sweeper, mopping up loose passes and breaking up attacks that threaten to get behind his defensive line.
He is no-nonsense, combative, aggressive tackles hard, picks up too many yellow cards (36 and three reds in three Serie A seasons) however, an element of his game which will be tested heavily in the Premier League.
However, with some quality coaching adding to maturity and high levels of exposure and experience, that part of his game will be more refined as he gets older.
As a sweeper, the 22-year-old is extremely alert to the play developing in front of him. In fact, he is so good at reading play that he made the third-most interceptions (81) of any player in Serie A last season, whilst also recording 5.51 tackles + interceptions per90 making him the best around performing such defensive actions.
He is happy to sit back, waiting to clean up loose balls or cover runs behind the defensive line, but he plays on the front foot too, stepping up to pressure attackers that take a loose touch, highlighted by the above per 90 tackles and interceptions figure.
The Argentinian centre-back also averaged 6.11 successful pressures per 90, meaning he isn’t afraid to step out of his defensive line to engage on-rushing attackers. He is quick, strong and agile but more importantly confident enough to win the duel. Already, he reads a much better upgrade on Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld, who aren’t as forthcoming and proactive in their approach.
(Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
Romero is aided by a superb athletic profile – he is 6’1”, incredibly agile, has an enormous leap (won 67% of his aerial duels last season), and covers the ground quickly.
The Argentine defender typically plays either in the centre or on the right of a three-man defence. It’s unclear as of yet to predict how Santo will set up his Spurs back four, but Romero will prove a valuable and unique addition no matter the defensive setup.
He thrived in a two-man back four at the Copa America against some of the world’s best attackers, so he’d be right at home in the Premier League.
Though, the creativity of the central defender in a three-man defence is often integral in kick-starting attacks, but Romero sometimes lacks the willingness to take on such a burden, often playing too safe – slowing down potential attacks in the process and allowing teams to set up their defensive structure.
He completed 90% of his short passes, whilst also averaging 2.40 progressive passes. As shown through Conor Coady under Nuno Santo, the England international regularly took the responsibility in instigating attacks with his swift long-raking passes for Wolves.
That’s not to say Romero can’t perform them, but to do it at an increased regularity will take some quick learning and maturity in his game if he is to perform Nuno Espirito’s Santo’s instructions to the letter. Who knows, Eric Dier may be asked to fulfil that role in the middle of the back three instead.
It is an element Romero can gradually learn.
In terms of his build-up play, Romero has been known to be very simple, safe but astute. In fact, last season his final third passing average and progressive passes shown some considerable improvement. 1.77 final third passes per90, and 2.40 progressive passes, from 1.57 and 2.10 the following campaign at Genoa.
Whether that’s because of the step up in quality between Genoa and Atalanta could well be a strong factor, though it shows that Romero is capable of stepping up his game when playing with much more quality players around him, as he did at the Copa America.
At Tottenham, that quality will only increase which also means the quality of his performances will increase too. At 23 years of age, Cristian Romero has so much room to improve and grow.
Assuming Tottenham get their man it could well prove to be one of the most astute pieces of business Spurs complete in a long while.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Brighton’s highly-rated centre back Ben White has caused a bit of a stir amongst the Arsenal faithful.
For a side who surprisingly finished as the Premier League’s third best defence despite their lowly conclusion in eighth place, many are discussing whether the reported £50mfee would be better spent in other areas of the squad.
That is indeed true, but for a player of Ben White’s qualities, potential impact on Arteta’s team and current market value, its an opportunity the club could not afford to pass up on.
For Arteta, like many of the top coaches in the modern era – especially his managerial mentor at his former club Manchester City – a centre-back’s job description isn’t just to defend their own goal, but to be as effective and influential in distributing the ball upfield, and in doing so become the starting point of team’s attacking play.
Arteta regards playing out from the back as a key tenet of his philosophy, but progressing the ball from one end of the pitch to the other has been a persistent problem during his tenure as coach – particularly when without David Luiz, whose departure this summer has left a ball-playing void in the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
Brazilian and former Lille defender Gabriel does indeed have the qualities to perform the role, averaging 2.39 progressive passes per 90, and 3.69 final third passes with a 91% short pass accuracy, which is impressive data from his first campaign in English football, but he will need someone alongside him to add to that dynamic and provide Arsenal with various modes of building from the back.
Many supporters have wanted to see the returning William Saliba given a chance to fill that void, only for the defender to join Marseille on a season-long loan, his third during his spell as an Arsenal player.
Brighton’s Ben White fits the mould perfectly, and is just the player Mikel Arteta needs to provide an added dimension to his possession-based style.
There can be no disputing Ben White’s calibre and propensity to perform such a key role.
Throughout his time at Leeds United and Brighton, and even during his first international cap for England, Ben White has shown he isn’t afraid in taking on new challenges, and a move to the Emirates represents the perfect step up for him.
The 23-year-old took in the demands and rigours of the Sky Bet Championship with much assuredness and maturity under the tutelage Marcelo Bielsa, he acclimatized brilliantly during his first full campaign in the Barclays Premier League, so who’s to say he wouldn’t immediately capture Arsenal hearts this coming season?
Ben White is a tremendous footballer and defender.
He showed it at Brighton last season, starting all but two of their Premier League games under Graham Potter having made a similarly positive impression on Marcelo Bielsa a year earlier.
The Argentinian was desperate to sign him permanently after he played every minute of their promotion-winning Championship campaign, but the club’s offers – worth as much as £25m – were knocked back. White’s value has swiftly doubled ever since.
Potter and Bielsa, like Arteta, are committed to building from the back and the same is true of Gareth Southgate, who fast-tracked White into the England squad ahead of Euro 2020 and is said to regard him as a key figure in the future of the national side, and rightly so.
White’s burgeoning reputation has a lot to do with his outstanding technical ability and versatility.
He is excellent on the ball and boasts a fine range of passing. His composure and confidence in possession are such that Potter and Bielsa have even used him in central midfield. He is also capable of playing at right-back or at wing-back.
Most of all, he is an excellent and efficient ball-progressor, and distributor – elements of which Mikel Arteta value so highly. Last season, he averaged 3.13 final third passes, 3.27 progressive passes from 41 passes per game with a 90% accuracy.
Arsenal previously looked to David Luiz to initiate their attacks from that position, playing through opposition lines and picking out attacking players in dangerous areas. But it will now fall to White to take on that responsibility and he is well equipped for the task.
Ben White is the composite, modern day centre-back. His smooth transition from League Two level football to the Championship and the Premier League has seen him maintain his unique trait of performing so coolly in possession, and its further helped by the fact that Bielsa, Potter and Southgate’s philosophies are hell-bent on progressive play from the centre-backs. He is steadfast in style, which is perhaps why he is such a good fit for such tactics; he is fast-paced and fearless at times, stepping out to open passing lanes, but equally considered and meticulously calculated.
In fact, despite averaging fewer passes per game than his Arsenal counterparts last season, White played a notably higher percentage of his passes forward reflecting his willingness to send his team on to the attack rather than simply recycle possession.
White contributed handsomely to Brighton’s attacking play not just through his passing but his dribbling too. At times last season, you’d find him running with the ball at full throttle trying to disrupt organised midfield shapes in the opposition or to carry his team up the pitch when there are no options in front of him.
He recorded 0.68 successful dribbles for Brighton last season, better than any of Arsenal’s current options with Pablo Mari coming a distant second with just 0.30. He averaged 3.08 progressive carries per 90 (carries that move the ball towards the opposing goal at least 5yards or into the penalty area) and also recorded 1.04 carries into the final third of the pitch.
White’s dribbling is one of his most unique qualities, recording the most dribbles (24) by a central defender in the Premier League last season, and completed the most carries with take-ons (18) than any other centre back.
Ridiculously impressive.
It’s a testament to his admirable bravery, maturity and ball-playing abilities. It doesn’t stop there, Ben White boasted considerable numbers defensively in comparison to his future Arsenal teammates. More interceptions per90 (1.75), and coming a close second in terms of tackles (1.38) to Rob Holding who recording 1.51 tackles per 90.
White’s dribbling is facilitated by his athletic profile as well as his technical skill. The defender is strong in the duel and boasts impressive pace and acceleration. Together with his close control, those attributes help him glide past opponents with ease and assuredness.
The ideal modern day centre-back. Quick, agile, a fantastic reader of the game and hugely adaptable, was superb for Leeds & first Prem campaign at Brighton.
A future England 1st teamer too, he’s combative, assured on the ball and a silent leader. It’s a superb #AFC purchase.
— #AnthonyScouts 🕵🏾♂️⚽️🗣 (@antzhumbleent) July 25, 2021
As well as being an astute and capable passer of the ball, he’s a warrior and a rugged defender when he needs to be.
Arteta favours a high line, much like his mentor Pep Guardiola, but a lack of pace among his existing centre-back options leaves Arsenal vulnerable in behind. White’s recovery speed will dramatically improve that.
So too could his ability to read the game. White is relatively inexperienced at 23, but he is always alert to danger – he averaged more interceptions per 90 minutes than any of Arsenal centre-backs last season – and always aware of what’s going on around him. White is also decent aerially, winning 53% of his aerial duels last season.
Ben White may not look the most physically dominant player, but his image is not the whole picture. He is consummate when shepherding out the most physically built players, and standing up to them. His match intelligence is there for all to see when facing up to his opponents, allowing him to position himself well to coax forwards away from threatening positions and make blocks. He times his tackles very well too and a very fine and adept reader of the game.
White’s been dribbled past on average only 0.9 times per game meaning he is so difficult to get past due to his brilliant positional sense and understanding of the differing defensive phases of play.
Brighton finished 16th in the Premier League but defensively they were one of the best sides in the division, keeping 12 clean sheets – the same number as Liverpool and Arsenal – and conceding 46 goals – only two more than second-placed Manchester United. All with White playing more minutes than any other player.
His potential partnership with Gabriel next season looks very enticing as Arteta will possess two capable possession-based, imposing, quick and efficient centre-backs who could potentially be Arsenal’s long-term defensive pairing for a whole number of years to come, and a solid base that Arteta could build for future.
He is ever-so reliable, a silent leader and a consummate professional. At 23-years of age, White already looks somewhere close to the full defensive package. Mikel Arteta will hope his thrilling development continues along the same trajectory at the Emirates Stadium.
£50m in the next few years will look a very worthy investment.
How I Would Like to See Arsenal Line-Up Next Season?
According to TheTelegraph, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signalled his intention shift to a more forward-thinking and attack-minded approach for his team in the forthcoming season. A move which could disband the McTominay and Fred midfield pivot that has served the Norwegian well during his time as United boss.
Solskjaer has told those players who have returned to pre-season training that he is eager to implement a more adventurous 4-3-3 formation next term as he bids to end the club’s eight-year title drought.
Solskjaer favoured a double defensive midfield pivot of Fred and McTominay last season and invited criticism at times for being too cautious and defensive. Despite the success of such a setup, United fans will of course be expecting a change of formula next season, hence Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reported shift in formation and mentality.
The Norwegian’s thinking of a more mobile, dynamic and energetic duo of ‘McFred’ could well have been influenced in part by United’s 6-1 hammering by Tottenham in early October, when a midfield trio of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic were easily bypassed as Spurs ran riot at Old Trafford, and a desire to afford his central defenders more protection against pace.
However, Solskjaer and his staff are understood to have discussed playing two more forward-thinking midfielders ahead of a single defensive midfielder next season and have raised that possibility with the players this summer.
With the arrival of Jadon Sancho, and hopeful signing of Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane adds pedigree, and additions which are of high quality and perfectionists in their individual roles. For too long United have been made to fill round pegs in square holes, which has hampered their pursuit of the Premier League title, a trophy that has eluded them since 2013.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been excellent in fixing those issues, but there is indeed more work to be done on a squad that is progressively improving and is also steadily on its way to ideally fitting the Manchester United DNA.
It remains to be seen how adventurous Solskjaer proves to be but he is eager for United to play on the front foot more at home especially, with Old Trafford expected to welcome back capacity crowds next season.
To do that, United do of course need a quality, assured, dynamic and dominant defensive midfielder who is also very good on the ball – similar in the mould of Michael Carrick or Paul Scholes – and is able to progress the ball expertly too, whilst also perfectly fulfilling his screening and shielding duties in front of the back four.
The club have been linked with West Ham captain and England international Declan Rice, however, West Ham continually insist he is not for sale, even a potential swap deal for Jesse Lingard will not be entertained. United also retain an interest in Rennes’ exciting teenage wonderkid Eduardo Camavinga, though his preference is to remain in France, or play in Spain for Real Madrid.
Nemanja Matic, Fred and Scott McTominay have indeed served the club well, but its time for United to go out an address a serious need in that defensive midfield role. All three unfortunately don’t possess the ability or nous to fulfil such a role.
Whether Manchester United have the funds to sign a quality defensive midfielder is unclear, but there is no doubt Solskjaer realizes that in order for his team to progress further this coming season, they must acquire an elite one.
So which players could potentially fit the mould at Old Trafford?
Teun Koopmeiners, AZ Alkmaar
Unquestionably, one of the most exciting and talented young midfielders in Europe right now, Teun Koopmeiners has been one of the hot topic of transfer rumours over the past few months.
Linked with a whole host of top clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, AS Roma, Atalanta, Leeds United, Inter Milan, Everton and AS Monaco, the man who joined AZ Alkmaar at 11 appears destined to leave his beloved club. AZ are reportedly resigned to losing him this summer, even for a relatively low fee of around £20million which is pretty much a snip for a player of his stunning qualities.
Having gained so much experience in Europe and domestically over his 150 appearances, there’s no doubting he’s now ready to make the step up to one of the top five European leagues.
First and foremost, Koopmeiners is a leader, a talker and an impressive authoritative figure on the pitch for AZ, and those are the type of players Manchester United need, especially where they are in their evolution under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 23-year-ol will bring an assured and dominant presence in front of the back, giving Solskjaer a very very strong spine in his starting line-up. As well as his measured and sturdy characteristics on the pitch, its his qualities on the pitch that makes him the complete package.
Adaptable and familiar with a range of systems, the 23-year-old’s primarily deployed as a central midfielder, but is perfectly capable of dropping back to act as a central defender, where his quality on the ball helps massively during AZ Alkmaar’s build up play.
United require a player who can effortlessly progress the ball and break the lines of play, and Koopmeiners is amongst the best midfielders in Europe in doing just that.
Koopmeiners is a true metronome on the ball, controlling possession, dictating the tempo of games and providing his team with the rhythm they need to breach opposing defences. He also hit an impeccable 17 goals and 7 assists last season with 7 of them from the penalty spot owing to his admirable versatility, technical excellence and a cool head when needed.
So comfortable and composed in possession, his exceptional distribution ensures he’s proficient at dictating passing passages and breathing life into attacks. Such an expert at helping his team beat the press with his penetrative line breaking passing, this means he can remove multiple opponents with a single pass. Not only is he a superb passer of the ball and is hugely reliable off it too.
Combative in the tackle, and a really strong presence when standing up to attackers, averaging 2.7 tackles per game.
How Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes would love to play with such a player behind them.
Koopmeiners is a low-risk, low-fee acquisition and is a perfect candidate to fulfil that gaping hole in defensive midfield. He provides security, composure, assuredness and a self-belief that few players in his age bracket could match. He’ll be a very sensible addition for Manchester United, a no-brainer.
Aurelien Tchouameni, AS Monaco
Arguably Ligue 1’s breakout star of the 2020/21 campaign, Monaco’s French under-21 international Aurelien Tchouameni is on his way to worldwide acclaim. He’s been recently talked up by club teammate and Arsenal legend Cesc Fabregas, who said on Twitter that Tchouameni: “has the potential to become the complete midfielder.”
Indeed he is, Tchouameni is an unstoppable force both on and off the ball, and proved a key figure in Monaco’s tremendous first campaign under Niko Kovac where they finished third five points off new champions LOSC Lille.
Tchouameni ranked second in Ligue 1 last season for successful tackles (142), and ranked fourth for interceptions (64). Per 90 minutes, the French wonderkid registered an astonishing 6.06 tackles + interceptions highlighting his dominant and combative defensive contributions. He is an elegant but also a sturdy midfield destroyer, also averaging a tremendous 7.06 successful pressures per 90.
Manchester United need a destroyer, Fred and McTominay have succeeded as a pair performing that demanding role, but none of them can fulfil that role on their own. Tchouameni holds the ability, energy, defensive positioning, and understanding required for the role, despite his tender age of just 21. He would be incredibly much cheaper than main target Declan Rice and will provide Solskjaer with the reliable solid base needed in front of United’s back four.
Not only is he a imposing figure defensively, he’s also a fine progressor of the ball both in his dribbling and in his passing. Capable of breaking lines, to evade pressure and drive his team up the pitch. He averaged 4.06 progressive passes, 4.44 progressive carries, 1.38 carries into the final third and 4.53 final third passes. His key passes is relatively low in comparison to his counterparts (0.50) but that is not a weakness, but is a result of the position he takes up on the pitch, sitting deep and dictating play as well as breaking it up. He does however, contribute much in the attacking sense, recording two goals and 4 assists in Ligue 1 last season.
He would likely cost around £40 million and at the age of 21 he is a prospect worth pursuing, seeing as he’s also reportedly a target for Chelsea. Tchouameni is a future world star, and would represent a quality addition, especially if Manchester United don’t acquire his international teammate Eduardo Camavinga.
Ruben Neves, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Ruben Neves, has reportedly attracted interest from Arsenal over the past few weeks of the window, but now according to TalksSPORT, Manchester United have reportedly stolen a march on the Portuguese midfielder, with international teammate Bruno Fernandes pushing for the club to sign him this summer.
The Portuguese midfielder is Premier League proven, and sometimes doesn’t get the credit he deserves. A few United fans could well state their reservations over signing Neves, which doesn’t make sense. The midfielder is simply good enough to be playing for a top six Premier League club.
Ruben Neves has become a serial leader and a key figure since his move to Wolves in 2017 and he’d be a tremendous capture for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Superb long-raking passes, vision, technical qualities, good positional awareness, tactical understanding and a desire that so few midfielders can match.
Rúben Neves p90 since making his PL debut:
61.13 attempted passes 50.08 successful passes 18.07 attempted long passes 13.66 successful long passes 10.06 passes into the final third 8.35 ball recoveries 2.29 tackles 2.00 interceptions
Rather than signing a player with no Premier League experience, Neves will provide a ready-made Premier League quality acquisition and a reliable presence in the face of the demands of the English top-flight.
The 25-year-old ranked fifth across the Premier League for tackles won (66) in 2020/21 and also averaged a stunning 6.84 passes into the final third. He would be a welcome upgrade in central midfield for Solskjaer. A player capable of the unimaginative long-raking and eye of the needle passes as well as his scorching efforts from outside the box.
Ruben Neves is certainly ready for that next step in his impressive career.
Yves Bissouma, Brighton
Yves Bissouma has quickly transformed into one of the Premier League’s most destructive midfielders, and any of the top six clubs would do incredibly well in recruiting his services in the near future.
If Solskjaer wasn’t impressed by Bissouma’s performance against his side at Old Trafford earlier this year, then what did he take from that game in April? Yves Bissouma was absolutely tremendous despite Brighton’s close-run defeat, completing six interceptions and winning three tackles.
However, that performance is a reflection of his growth, maturity and dominance all throughout last season. Bissouma is unquestionably one of the best defensive midfielders in the English top-flight. The Malian international made the 2nd most tackles (114), won the 2nd most tackles (74), the seventh most interceptions (60) and committed the fourth most fouls (54) in the Premier League.
You don’t need to read into that too much to understand his important and decisive defensive contributions. He is simply outstanding. He is, like the other players on this list, so good on the ball as well as he is off it. Bissouma averaged 3.55 final third passes, 3.29 progressive passes, completing 88.7% of his distributions. Bissouma is also a unstoppable freight train when moving with the ball at his feet, evading opposition pressure and providing a much needed outlet for Brighton’s build-up play, averaging 4.54 progressive carries, whilst also recording 1.45 successful dribbles.
Bissouma has swiftly morphed into the complete midfield package in the Premier League, and its equally impressive considering how he started out in the English game. How Manchester United could do with his destructive presence in midfield. The 24-year-old looks primed for a big move and passing up on him could be a mistake.
Boubacar Kamara, Olympique de Marseille
The Red Devils’ search for a quality number six has been well documented, and Marseille’s talented 21-year-old defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara could provide the ideal solution to the McFred pivot problem. He betters both this season in terms of goal-creating actions (seven), press success rate (35%), progressive dribbles (128) and aerial duel win rate (63%).
Of course, team style and its influence on player outputs must be accounted for, but given he is younger than both and currently statistically outperforming them, the potential long-term value in this signing is huge. It also is valuable that he clocked considerably more minutes than both, as player availability is key currently, and avoiding injuries/burnout in a congested season speaks volumes about the resilience of a player.
United’s problem this season just gone was certainly keeping goals out – Spurs (45) were the only of the super league clubs to conceded more than Solskjaer’s side (44), and they ranked in the bottom six Premier League sides for tackles and pressures in the midfield third, an area where Kamara thrives. StatsBomb data also has United as the third most dispossessed side in the league last season, so the Frenchman could offer some much needed security in-possession.
A superb ball-winner in multiple forms – a presser, dueler and interceptor – but also as comfortable against the press as he is when pressing himself. The 21-year-old is typically Marseille’s deepest midfielder in-possession, comfortable in drawing opponents in through ball retention, then bypassing them through silky footwork or combinations with teammates.
He’s certainly the most risky, outside bet on this list of potential solutions for Manchester United’s lack of a capable defensive midfielder, but he’s a player worth looking at to fill the void. He’d be very cost-effective too, considering his remarkable potential and room to become one of the best in Europe in his position.
Wimar Barrios, Zenit St Petersburg
Every top club in Europe needs a defensive midfielder who just loves to screen and protect, to do the dirty work, to be destructible. Manchester United have not possessed a player of that ilk since the legendary Paul Scholes or even Roy Keane.
It was the hallmark of Sir Alex Ferguson’s teams, to have that perfect balance between defence and attack, someone who can destroy in the middle of the park, and then allow his more forward thinking teammates to run amok in attack. What was it that Sir Alex famously said back then? “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is indeed looking to address that lack in his squad for next season, with the pursuit of Raphael Varane, and a quality, elite defensive midfielder will do to, and that brings us to Zenit St Petersburg’s tremendous Columbian destroyer Wilmar Barrios. The 27-year-old is the archetypal midfield destroyer and more.
Barrios has arguably been Columbia’s most important player since his international debut in 2017 and has been a dominant and destructive presence in Zenit’s team, one which has triumphed in the Russian division for three seasons in a row. Much of that has been down to Barrios’ consistency, leadership, and complete performances in front of his back four. It’s a shame, his high levels of consistency has somewhat gone under the radar for too long, and its only right he is placed on this list as a man who could solve United’s deficiencies in the middle of the park.
Barrios is a player with such unerring, wiry strength, great recovery pace and a pure destroyer in midfield. He is indeed a modern day Roy Keane. According to Wyscout, Barrios averages an astonishing 13.4 successful defensive actions per90, whether its a tackle (2.3 per game), an interception (1.8 per game), a pressure or an aerial duel, also he only gets dribbled past 0.6 times per game meaning he is incredibly difficult to get past when attacking. He is a defensive machine.
He also wins 66% of his defensive duels, which is second amongst any defensive midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues. Barrios, as well as his defensive contributions, is also a good ball-progressor too either with his passing or his line-breaking runs evading pressure and operating in tight areas, he is unstoppable when performing these actions making him a perfect Premier League defensive midfielder.
At 27, he’s entering his prime years but also has such prestige experience and history in his career already, winning titles with Boca Juniors and Zenit St Petersburg throughout his impressive career. He’s the perfect candidate, at the perfect age to drive United forward once again.
Everton confirmed the appointment of Rafael Benitez as their new manager on a three-year deal last month.
The former Newcastle & Liverpool boss, 61, becomes Carlo Ancelotti’s successor at Goodison after the Italian’s shock move back to the Real Madrid post on June 1st.
Everton said in a club statement the Spaniard’s appointment followed “a robust and wide-reaching recruitment process” over the last three weeks, which saw “multiple interviews with several candidates”.
“I am delighted to be joining Everton,” Benitez told Everton’s official website. “Throughout this process I have been greatly impressed by the ambition shown by the senior representatives at the club and their desire to bring success to this historic club.
“I believe this is a club that is going places. I’m determined to play a big part in helping this great club achieve its ambitions.”
Rafael Benitez has received a mixed reaction from the Everton fanbase after news emerged earlier in June he had become the club’s leading target.
Everton also reportedly held talks with former Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo – who is now the new Tottenham Hotspur boss – and also had an interest in their former manager David Moyes.
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez – another ex-Toffees manager, Lille’s Ligue 1 title-winning coach Christophe Galtier and Eddie Howe were all also understood to be on their shortlist.
Having been handed the keys to Everton’s future, Benitez will be expected to create a clear identity that has been somewhat neglected in place of short-termism. In the midst of much supporter unrest, Rafael Benitez will have to navigate his way through it and stamp his authority on a club that has been through much turbulence in recent years.
The sudden departure of Carlo Ancelotti came as a huge blow to the Everton faithful. A decision pulled the rug from underneath Everton’s lofty ambitions and came as a major blow to Moshiri, who had viewed the Italian as the perfect figurehead to lead the club and the ‘Hollywood’ manager he craved.
But Real Madrid came calling again, and Ancelotti couldn’t say no. Now, though Moshiri will be tasked in giving Rafael Benitez what he needs this summer in order to take the club out of the uncertainty and into a new and approved era.
There are a number of gaps in Everton’s current squad that needs swift approval and addressing. Judging by Benitez’ past philosophies and ideas in the Premier League, he’ll be aiming to strike a fine balance between defence and attack for Everton whilst maintaining a pragmatic, organised and rigid structure.
Benitez is, in Moshiri’s eyes, the tried and trusted Premier League operator who can bring years of experience and an analytical, tactical mind to Everton.
In defence, a new right-back will be a priority for the club, a player who can be a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman who is out of contract next year. Whilst Mason Holgate has filled in at RB, there’s certainly a case for him fighting for a permanent centre-back spot after impressing there in the latter stages of last season. The same can be said for highly-rated, and new England international Ben Godfrey.
There may be also be a strong need for a creative midfielder, a no.10, with James Rodriguez’ immediate future at Goodison Park under question after Carlo Ancelotti’s departure. Sigurdsson may be relied upon again, but it would not hurt for the club to search for a more hungrier, vibrant and fresher alternative, a signing for the future.
What does the future hold for James Rodriguez at Goodison Park?
Also, fast, direct and pacey wide options will certainly be a priority for the club, preferably one or two – as they were before Ancelotti’s departure.
Richarlison is one option, having featured on the left under previous managers – his work rate and quality will likely appeal to Benitez but lack of more quality options needs to be addressed. Iwobi has been a failure since his move from Arsenal, as has Bernard – two players who could be made surplus to requirements this summer, and eventually moved on.
The need for at least two wide players is arguably Benitez’ greatest need in order for Everton to have more variation, fluidity and flexibility in attack.
Up-front, Benitez will have Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Moise Kean – providing he doesn’t secure a permanent move to PSG – to call upon whilst Richarlison can also fill in when needed.
So in each position of need, who could Everton be targeting this summer?
Seamus Coleman long-term replacement?
Max Aarons, Norwich City
Despite Norwich’s promotion to the Barclays Premier League once again, its about time their wonderfully gifted full-back Max Aarons tests himself at a much bigger club. According to Sky Sources, Tottenham, Manchester United and Everton have all expressed an interest in signing the right-back and the 21-year-old represents the perfect candidate to replace Seamus Coleman for the long-term.
Whether Everton will be willing to pay the £30m fee required to secure Aarons signature from Norwich is another matter entirely. However, Everton must think about the now and the future. This is a player that will excite fans, breathe new life into a depleted squad and transform them tactically in the long-haul.
Despite his small frame and build, Aarons is a superb athlete, a real force of nature when he drives forward down the right-flank. A tremendous ball-carrier, pacey, and a player blessed with excellent vision. Aarons has proven a key outlet for Norwich in attack, evidently shown in registering 2 goals and 2 assists last season, and 2 goals and 6 assists during the 2018/19 campaign. The full-back averaged 1.4 key passes, 1.4 dribbles and 2.3 long balls per game owing to his admirable qualities and bravery in the final third.
If he can keep up his superb upward trajectory while in the colours of Everton football club, we could be looking at one of the finest right-backs in the country. Remember, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus all held an interest in him last summer so Everton will be perfectly justified in pay such a large sum for Max Aarons. He will end up being worth every penny.
Denzel Dumfries, PSV Eindhoven
Despite Holland’s disappointing early exit from EURO 2020 this summer, their full-back Denzel Dumfries proved one of its stunning break-out stars. Two goals in four games, producing two man-of-the-match displays as Frank de Boer’s side stormed through Group C in top spot with three wins from three.
Dumfries was central to the Netherland’s blistering start and his agent will almost certainly be fielding a few phone calls from top clubs looking to secure his signature.
PSV are reportedly resigned to losing him before their campaign restarts in August and Everton MUST throw their hat in the ring and force a move for him – providing they cannot get the above Max Aarons, of course. He’ll potentially cost much less than Aarons and has valuable top-level European experience to his belt having just wowed fans at this summers tournament.
Ridiculously quick, agile, strong, forceful and combative, Dumfries is your all-action, all-round full-back. He’s just so relentless in his play so you’re not surprised to see him popping up at the back post for an attack before making a vital clearance at the other end when the opposition break, while his energy means he can do the job of two players.
Still only 25, there’s plenty more room for him to develop and improve, while playing in the Dutch league may take something off of his price tag which means he may cost around £15m – £20m. Dumfries will be worth every snip of that price tag, and also will address a serious need of real width and penetration on the flanks for Everton. They’d be mad not to consider him.
Wilfried Singo, Torino
Touted as one of the brightest young defenders in Serie A last season, Torino’s 20-year-old full-back Wilfried Singo is already being earmarked for great things. AC Milan and Liverpool have been linked with the Ivory Coast defender over the past couple months, a true reflection of the improvements and maturity he has enjoyed in his game throughout the whole campaign.
Singo, played in 28 matches last season, recording one goal and two assists, and has long been a key component of La Granata’s attack. The Ivorian plays almost exclusively at right-back, where he uses his pace and dribbling ability to push the ball up the pitch and create chances. Right-footed, Singo exploits space on the right wing and looks to play the ball into the box, averaging an outstanding 3.29 crosses per 90 minutes.
The defender excels at moving the ball up the pitch, ranking at the 86th and 91st percentiles for progressive carries and progressive carries into the penalty box among all “Big Five” European league fullbacks. He finds time and space as he advances, often looking for hitman Andrea Belotti to make a run toward goal.
Singo also averages 1.12 key passes and 1.65 final third passes per 90 again highlighting his terrific propensity to be on the front foot and create chances for his teammates. To thrive at a much higher level, he would need to improve his contributions towards his own goal but with more game time and belief in himself, that will come. He averaged 2.96 tackles + interceptions last season meaning he’s already so effective defending as he is playing on the front foot.
Though the young defender certainly has his share of weaknesses, signing Singo should be one of Everton’s shortlisted full-backs given his age, offensive ability and potential to develop. He shouldn’t be too expensive, despite Torino just beating relegation last season, but whatever the outlay, Singo represents an astute acquisition for any club looking to recruit any promising youngsters around Europe.
Creative no.10
Matheus Pereira, West Brom
How Matheus Pereira is still a West Brom player right now is absolutely criminal. It’ll be even more absurd if he isn’t snapped up by a Premier League club come the start of the new Sky Bet Championship season.
To put it simply, West Brom’s Brazilian maestro is simply too good to be playing Championship football right now, which means Rafael Benitez should be placing Pereira at the top of his recruitment list this summer.
Despite West Brom’s demise last season suffering yet another relegation from the English top-flight, it was a remarkable breakthrough season for their star man, Pereira. The midfielder notched an astonishing 11 goals, and 6 assists from 33 Premier League outings last season.
If there’s one thing the club could shout about over the past year, its the emergence of such a wonderfully gifted midfielder. The previous campaign – his first in English football – he hit 8 goals and laid on 16 assists which is simply extraordinary. The 25-year-old Brazilian is a creative machine, a serial goal contributor.
Matheus Pereira will add panache, quality and strong personality to Everton’s attacking football. Blessed with such superb vision, awesome technique, silky passing and a wand of a left boot. He won’t come cheap with West Brom stating that they will do everything they can to keep Pereira at the club, but that would be a disservice to the Brazilian, seeing as he is simply too good to be playing Championship football again.
Pereira is a Premier League player, a proven quality and Everton will certainly be stronger providing they secure his services.
Carlos Soler, Valencia
Rafael Benitez raiding one of his old clubs for inspired signings certainly won’t be a surprise this summer. One player who he could work wonders with in transforming Everton’s fortunes is Valencia’s key man and playmaker Carlos Soler. A player who’s been due a big move for a long while, Soler is a player ready for the big leagues.
Valencia are in a bit of a free-fall right now both on the pitch and off it, and are reportedly willing to listen to offers for some of their big names.
If that is indeed the case, Everton should roll the dice and prioritize the signing of Carlos Soler. A tremendously consistent performer, even if his club isn’t registering the points they need. It’s clear Soler deserves a club who matches his qualities and ambitions. He’s simply too good a player to not be performing on the biggest stages in Europe, whether that is Europa League or the UEFA Champions League.
If he was to go to Everton, he won’t be playing in either of those competitions but he’d be playing under a coach who knows what it takes to get there and deliver. Despite Valencia’s struggles last season, Soler still managed an astonishing 11 goals and 8 assists in La Liga highlighting his significance to the team, but also his extraordinary abilities.
A wonderfully gifted midfielder who always gives his all in every match he’s involved in. Soler is incredibly versatile too, capable of playing at no.10, no.8 on the flanks and a deep-lying orchestrator, he’d offer so much variation and a tactical flexibility when needed. Top clubs in Europe would be mad not to consider his services.
Where Valencia would be without Carlos Soler is a matter for another day, but it is about time he moves on from the Mestalla and embarks on a new challenge elsewhere. Everton under Rafael Benitez may just be the perfect new home for him…
Daichi Kamada, Eintracht Frankfurt
Arguably the best performing Asian footballer in Europe over the past year. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Japanese magician Daichi Kamada is a stunning footballer, an efficient workhorse and a creative maestro. Have a look at Frankfurt’s attacks and you’ll see how pivotal Kamada is, he is at the centre of almost everything. His movement, the positions he picks up, the space he occupies and the passes he delivers is simply sublime and a testament to his extraordinary understanding and nous when it comes to creating chances for his teammates.
5 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga last season, as Frankfurt only just missed out on an unprecedented Champions League place on the last day of the season. However, it was a stunning campaign for the club and for Kamada personally, and the Japanese is sure to be on a number of top club’s list of targets this summer. Rafael Benitez is in need of a creative maestro and Kamada fits the bill.
He is a joy to watch. Kamada is one of those players who manages to be technically impressive without even being flamboyant. Carries the ball neatly, with some sumptuous little touches and swift shifts in direction, and he exploits passing angles and lanes in the attacking third in a way that’s so clever, intricate but unusual.
He’s a unique player, and another one who deserves to test himself at the highest level. 2.90 final third passes, 1.8 key passes and an astonishing 4.05 shot-creating actions per 90 highlights his incredible efficiency and effectiveness in the final third. Kamada has so much to offer, not only in his skill, tenaciousness and technical qualities but in his application and willingness to learn and improve.
Everton would be incredibly smart in recruiting him. With Kamada in the fold, players like Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will only benefit even further.
Finally address their lack of width
Everton have lacked a decent wide player for a long while now, and it was an area of Carlo Ancelotti’s team that was in dire and desperate need of addressing. At times, Richarlison proved his only outlet in the wide areas, even though he held the tendency to come inside which meant his team often lacked with, direction, directness and cutting edge when breaking down teams, especially at Goodison Park.
Rafael Benitez loves his wide-forwards, because they are so essential to his philosophy because of their pace on the transition, and also trouble teams that are expected to power his. That means Benitez will certainly be looking for pacey and direct left-footers to play on the left flank and vice-versa on the right flank.
So who should Everton be scouting?
Leon Bailey, Bayer Leverkusen
(Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
An addition of consistent goals and assists from especially the right flank is seen as a key aspect for the side to grow next term, and that brings us neatly to Leon Bailey. The Jamaican is a ridiculous speed merchant.
The Toffees were certainly missing an injection of pace and creativity out wide all throughout last term. Not only do they need a pacey wide-player but a smart and creative one, and Leon Bailey is a top-tier candidate.
In 30 Bundesliga appearances for Bayer Leverkusen in 2020/21, the Jamaica international bagged an impressive nine goals and eight assists.
Add that to a further five strikes and two assists from eight matches in the Europa League and it’s clear to see why a large number of Everton fans have already suggested the club should be looking in the direction of the 23-year-old.
Bailey has been on the radar of a number of top clubs in the past, not least: both the Manchester giants, Bayern Munich and Juventus which should be a stark indicator of the level and hype surrounding Leon Bailey.
When he is on-song, he is a frightening player for opposing defenders but a joy to watch for his own team. At times, his over-confidence gets the best of him, which means he flatters to decieve when the going gets tough. However, working under a shrewd and detailed manager like Rafael Benitez will only develop Bailey’s mentality and performance levels.
Borussia Dortmund are the most recent side to be linked with a potential swoop for Bailey, with some reports suggesting he could be a replacement for Jadon Sancho who is on the verge of joining Manchester United, so Everton will need to move swiftly.
The Jamaica international would certainly be an exciting transfer both on the pitch and off it if Everton were to look his way.
Arnaut Danjuma, AFC Bournemouth
One of the major challenges Scott Parker will face heading into his new club as manager is trying to keep stunning winger and Bournemouth’s key man Arnaut Danjuma in the Sky Bet Championship for another season.
The question posed to Danjuma will be, does he want a move to the Premier League right now or is he willing to wait it out for another year, aiding the club and Scott Parker for another automatic promotion push next season?
If the way last season ended for him is any indication, then Danjuma may already have his heart set on testing himself at a higher level this coming season, and if there is one Championship forward who deserves such an opportunity to make the grade then its him.
The Dutch winger has been superb for Bournemouth since his move from Club Brugges two years ago. He notched an outstanding 17 goals and 7 assists from 35 outings last season, and has already stated he has ‘outgrown’ the Championship. Spanish Europa League winners Villareal have reportedly had a bid rejected by Bournemouth, and may well return with an improved offer.
An immediate Premier League move is certainly on the horizon for the forward too, and there may not be a better place for him to develop even further than at Everton under Rafa Benitez. Pacey, direct, blessed with stunning trickery, vision, and capable of playing on the left-flank or on the right, Arnaut Danjuma is already arguably a top-tier Premier League player.
Danjuma brings variety, flexibility and decisiveness in the final third; three characteristics Everton desperately need to improve next season.
Arnaut Danjuma deserves his chance at the top level, and that opportunity to finally make the grade is certainly now.
Luis Diaz, FC Porto
4 goals in 5 games in the Copa America for Luis Diaz as Colombia finished third in the South American tournament. This is a player who deserves much acclaim and attention right now, a player full of highlight reels because of his impeccable audaciousness, trickery, courage, skill, technique and electrifying pace. If you need any indication of his raw abilities, just check his goal against Brazil during the competition. An extraordinary overhead kick which flew past Weverton in the Brazilian goal.
FC Porto will be attempting everything in their power to keep Diaz at the Estádio do Dragão next season, but the 24-year-old’s peerless qualities certainly deserves a bigger stage, and after the summer he’s had, he certainly won’t be short of a few calls for his talented services this summer.
Everton should take a huge punt on the winger, because they need a player like him, desperately. Goodison Park needs to be wowed again, fans will want to be excited in travelling to home matches and adding Luis Diaz to their roster will go a long way in addressing that desire.
Diaz certainly won’t come cheap, he’s simply that good a player. As well as his 4 goals for Colombia this summer, he hit 9 goals and 5 assists for FC Porto last season which shows he’s got substance as much as his immense trickery and speed. A decisive player who will certainly provide more highlight reels in the Premier League, assuming he arrives in future. It’s an exciting option Everton must consider.
Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace
Another player who will not come cheap if he is to be prized away, but its an option Everton will surely be considering as they have been in the past.
It feels like Wilfried Zaha has been trying to engineer an exit from Crystal Palace for at least five years, yet he still remains with the south London club.
At 28, Zaha is now in his prime years and his long-held desire of playing Champions League football is looking increasingly unlikely of occurring, with no top club currently scouring for his services.
So he may have to just settle for the next best thing, and that is at Everton who have been rumoured to be one of his potential destinations in the past, and they are sure to be linked with the Ivorian again. News has broken recently that Palace are prepared to allow him to leave for a relatively low fee.
According to The Times, “the club are willing to listen to offers above £35 million as they must pay 25 per cent of the profit on the deal to Manchester United.”
The risks are clear, why will Everton pay for a player who will probably not have any resale value in future? They’ll be weighing up the positives too: Zaha is Premier League proven, has the pedigree and will settle right in at Goodison Park offering Benitez and the club what they’ve needed for a long while, and that is pace, quality, directness and flair on the right-flank.
However, while the Ivory Coast international might not initially seem like a good fit for the new Everton manager, there are facets of his game which look likely to appeal. It’s fair to wonder if he has the discipline to perform within Benitez’ all-important tactical structure though.
Roy Hodgson once said: “Wilf Zaha is a player who doesn’t have roles,” but he absolutely would have one designated to him under the meticulous and shrewd Benitez and would unquestionably be expected to stick to it.
The player’s versatility would appeal to the Spaniard, with Zaha capable of playing either centrally or in wide areas, and his willingness to defend from the front is certain to be a point in his favour too.
It is time Zaha tested himself elsewhere, he isn’t getting any younger.
The West Ham faithful will be waiting in much anticipation this summer for the club to sound out the arrival of fresh blood arriving at the London Stadium and is they go in pursuit of further progress under David Moyes next season.
And for a long while, the club’s recent transfer track record in the market will inspire much optimism rather than pessimism. Ever since David Moyes returned for a second spell in December 2019, West Ham have somewhat tasted improvement in all areas of the club as well as a major transformation on the pitch.
Last season was one of great success, qualifying for the Europa League finishing in an astonishing sixth place, playing some great football, wowing the fans and finally delivering what the Hammers fans have been praying about for a very long while.
David Moyes has successfully moulded this team into his image, like the Everton side he built to destroy the order of the ‘top six’ and maintain that positioning on a regular basis. He has started off the same formula in East London, and is now on course to achieve the same feat for West Ham, and much of that has been down to their shrewd recruitment and ethos behind the scenes.
Little was known of Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal when they arrived from the waters of Czech Republic and the individual reputations and values in just about a year have rocketed since. There were initial reservations about the signing of Craig Dawson but he shone through. Jarrod Bowen proved a promising recruit also, adding a much needed directness and dynamism in West Ham’s attacking play – while you get the impression the best is yet to come from Said Benrahma, who joined from Brentford.
Moyes has expressed extensively that he wishes to spend carefully this summer as he aims to navigate West Ham’s progress and balance between both domestic football and in Europe. In order for that to happen, the Hammers are going to need strength in numbers, most notably at centre back, attacking midfield or central midfield and up-front.
So who could David Moyes be targeting this summer?
Centre-back the priority?
Fabian Balbuena’s three-year spell at the club ends at the end of June when his contract expires, which will leave Issa Diop, Angela Ogbonna and the now-permanently-signed Craig Dawson as Moyes’ only recognised defenders. Frederik Alves, 21, was signed in January from Danish side Silkeborg, but it seen as a player for the future and will most likely go out on loan, so a summer centre-back recruit is hugely key for David Moyes:
Axel Tuanzebe,Manchester United (on-loan)
(Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
West Ham desperately need options in the centre of defence, and Manchester United are willing to allow Axel Tuanzebe a loan move away from his hometown club this summer. It’s a potential move which makes a lot of sense which means the Hammers must be front and centre to secure his temporary signature before the season restarts.
It’s clear Axel Tuanzebe needs opportunities to showcase his undeniable abilities and David Moyes’ side would provide him with the perfect opportunity to make a name for himself. This isn’t just any Championship loan-move for Tuanzebe, its a Premier League loan move at an established, ever-progressive club in West Ham.
The 23-year-old will be given the freedom and room to develop even further, get the necessary game time but more importantly prove that he has what it takes to make the grade at Old Trafford on a permanent basis. Solskjaer is reportedly on the market for another high-calibre centre-back which means a loan-move for Tuanzebe will be much more helpful for his own development. A move to East London would be perfect as it means Moyes can loan in a centre-back but also go on to purchase one too.
Tuanzebe has been spoken about in extremely high regard since coming through the Man United academy, but it feels like the best is yet to come from him.
He’s a centre-back by trade with unbelievable pace, decent aerial prowess, great reading of the game and a composure in his build-up play that can see him match even the best defenders in the league if provided with the opportunity. Additionally, he can slot in at right-back if needed.
West Ham boss David Moyes should try all he can to call in a favour at former employers Man United to bring Tuanzebe to the London Stadium.
It could turn out to be a brilliant deal for whoever gets him.
He’s got some European experience under his belt and will get even more next season if this move materialises, and there is every chance he could improve the Hammers XI.
James Tarkowski, Burnley
Burnley’s James Tarkowski has long been a key target of West Ham’s and Leicester City too. With his contract coming to an end at the end of next season, a long-awaited departure from Turf Moor seems all the more likely.
West Ham had a £30million bid for the defender turned down last summer, and will almost certainly get him for much cheaper than that figure providing they maintain a strong interest in him.
Tarkowski has been a consistent performer for Burnley in his five seasons since arriving from Brentford.
It’s about time Tarkowski is rewarded with the move he deserves, with no disrespect to Burnley, he’s simply too good to be a relegation-battling defender every year and a move to East London may represent the perfect step-up for him.
Tarkowski absolutely fits the bill as a vastly experienced and consistent performer in the big time. The 6 foot 1 colossus has made over 150 appearances in the Premier League since joining the Clarets in February 2016.
This season, he displayed his solid attributes once again, rating out as Sean Dyche’s highest-rated player (7.02) with 25 or more starts, as per WhoScored ratings. That eclipses all of the Hammers’ current central defensive options, with Angelo Ogbonna sitting top on 6.73.
The Burnley beast is also clear for aerials won (4.6) and tackles (1.8) per game during the 2020/21 campaign, only further suggesting that his ability at the back is better than what Moyes has at his disposal and provides further reasoning to why he might be the very man to build around.
James Tarkowski is a remarkably astute defender, regularly standing out amongst Burnley’s defenders alongside Ben Mee. Strong, combative, a true leader, a fantastic reader of the game, dominant in the air and also a threat from attacking corners too.
West Ham should be all over him again this summer, they may not get another opportunity to secure one of the most underrated centre-backs in the English top-flight.
Nikola Milenkovic, Fiorentina
Another centre-back who should and will be on David Moyes’ list of priorities this summer is Fiorentina’s giant centre-back and Serbian international Nikola Milenkovic.
The talented centre-back is into the final season of his contract with the Viola, which expires in June 2022, and seems to have no intention of signing an extension at the Stadio Franchi, which means he may come conveniently cheap for West Ham but yet another potential shrewd piece of business.
Milenkovic is a huge defender at 6ft 5in tall, possessing great size and strength, but also the ability on the ball to play as a right back when needed.
Aerially, Milenkovic is incredibly strong. On average per 90 minutes last season, he won 3.1 aerial duels highlighting his imposing and intimidating figure.
In Serie A, he managed 3.6 clearances per game and his physical strength would likely be an upgrade on any of the options David Moyes has at his disposal.
Milenkovic has been highly regarded over the past couple seasons as one of the most talented young centre-backs across the continent and it is thought that Premier League may just provide him with the perfect opportunity to finally deliver on that promise.
More Options in Centre-Midfield?
A central midfielder and an attacking midfielder are near the top of Moyes’ wanted list.
Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are almost certainly going to need back-up. Mark Noble is in his final season and will almost certainly play a bit-part role this season. Manuel Lanzini has shown he’s more than capable of performing in a much deeper role for West Ham, but neither of them offer any real competition for Soucek and Rice.
The Central-midfield role is certainly an area David Moyes will need to look at, especially due to their Europa League commitments, more bodies are needed:
Sander Berge, Sheffield United
(Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Sheffield United paid a then-club record £22million in January 2020 to bring Norwegian international Sander Berge to Bramall Lane, and for the first few months, that record deal looked a snip as Berge established himself as a future star, putting some stunning performances in what was a tremendous first campaign back in the Premier League for the club and then-manager Chris Wilder.
Fast forward just over a year though and Berge is now a Championship player, having missed half of the 2020/21 campaign due to injury and in that time the Blades faltered, ultimately leading to their relegation. Arguably, they missed his immeasurable and assured presence in midfield as Sheffield United’s fate was ultimately sealed just after the new year.
With the amount of money he cost the club and being a Norwegian international, Berge was always going to attract interest this summer and West Ham should certainly throw their name in the hat to secure his signature. Of course, Berge will not come cheap but in all fairness he is simply too good to be playing Championship football. West Ham must save him from that plight.
United will be demanding at least £35 million for their prized asset despite them being a Championship club now but it would still represent smart business. As stated previously, Rice and Soucek need back-up, and Berge would immediately strengthen Moyes’ midfield adding power, size, steel and an impressive pedigree.
Berge combines a mix of good tackling abilities with the attacking awareness to carry the ball upfield, and even though he’s incredibly tall and powerful he’s not slow when he’s dribbling up the pitch. The Norwegian is a superb outlet on the ball, graced with such good footballing feet, a smart footballing brain and prowess that fellow midfielders cannot live with.
Moyes loves those type of players, and Sander Berge physique-wise is a throw-back to a certain footballer called Maourane Fellaini, remember him?
Granting Berge returns to full fitness pretty quickly, West Ham should not be the only Premier League club looking to bring the talented Sander Berge back into the big time.
Ruben Neves, Wolverhampton Wanderers
This may seem a far-fetched move seeing as Ruben Neves has been in talks with Arsenal over the past few weeks. But West Ham can offer Ruben Neves something Arsenal can’t, European football.
The Portuguese midfielder is Premier League proven, and sometimes doesn’t get the credit he deserves. A few Arsenal fans have stated their reservations over signing Neves, which doesn’t make sense. The midfielder is simply good enough to be playing for a top six Premier League club, and that’s West Ham.
Ruben Neves has become a serial leader and a key figure since his move to Wolves in 2017 and he’d be a tremendous capture for David Moyes. Superb long-raking passes, vision, technical qualities, good positional awareness, tactical understanding and a desire that so few midfielders can match.
He’d be a welcome addition to the Hammers cause, seeing as they require options in the middle of the pitch. The Portuguese midfielder would add yet another dimension to West Ham, the ability to find more forward thinking players with pinpoint passes from deep, a valuable string to David Moyes’ bow.
The 25-year-old ranked fifth across the Premier League for tackles won in 2020/21 and could be the upgrade in central midfield that the Hammers need in order to reach that coveted next level.
Teun Koopmeiners, AZ Alkmaar
Unquestionably, one of the most exciting and talented young midfielders in Europe right now, Teun Koopmeiners has been one of the hot topic of transfer rumours over the past few months.
Linked with a whole host of top clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, AS Roma, Atalanta, Leeds United, Inter Milan, Everton and AS Monaco, the man who joined AZ Alkmaar at 11 appears destined to leave his beloved club. If David Moyes holds any ambitions of propelling West Ham in competing with the elite, then signing a player of Koopmeiners’ mould and abilities is just the ingredient they need.
Having gained so much experience in Europe and domestically over his 150 appearances, there’s no doubting he’s now ready to make the step up to one of the top five European leagues.
Adaptable and familiar with a range of systems, the 23-year-old’s primarily deployed as a central midfielder, but is perfectly capable of dropping back to act as a central defender, where his quality on the ball helps massively during AZ Alkmaar’s build up play.
Koopmeiners is a true metronome on the ball, controlling possession, dictating the tempo of games and providing his team with the rhythm they need to breach opposing defences.
So comfortable and composed in possession, his exceptional distribution ensures he’s proficient at dictating passing passages and breathing life into attacks. Such an expert at helping his team beat the press with his penetrative line breaking passing, this means he can remove multiple opponents with a single pass.
It’s clear, West Ham need options in the midfield and possessing the qualities of Koopmeiners means West Ham can also mix up their play. Rather than beating teams on the counter, they can also triumph against rigid defences. Players of Koopmeiners abilities commonly have the propensity to tip the scales in their team’s favour, how West Ham could possess a player like that in their squad?
Attacking Midfielder
Jesse Lingard, Manchester United
Getting Jesse Lingard back in East London should be the top priority for David Moyes.
After a stunning 5 months at the London Stadium, scoring 9 goals in 16 appearances, Jesse Lingard left West Ham craving and desiring more of his exhilarating performances on a more permanent basis for next season and David Moyes is desperate to make that happen this summer.
That ambition will depend on how much Manchester United may demand in terms of his expected fee which is believed to be around £30million.
Lingard wants regular football and it is thought his first choice would be to remain at the London Stadium permanently. Lingard has one year left on his current deal at Old Trafford, and West Ham will hope that will lower United’s asking price for the midfielder.
Manchester United signing Jadon Sancho could quicken a deal for Lingard to move on and West Ham will expect that to be pretty soon.
David Moyes knows the qualities Lingard brings and he proved just that, towards the end of the last campaign bringing such a dynamic and ruthless cutting edge to West Ham’s attacking play helping the club seal an unprecedented spot in the Europa League for next season.
There’s no doubt he’d bring a lot more to West Ham if a more permanent move does materialise this summer, and he’d get the appreciation and game time his talents deserve.
Matheus Pereira, West Bromwich Albion
(Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
How Matheus Pereira is still a West Brom player right now is absolutely criminal. It’ll be even more absurd if he isn’t snapped up by a Premier League club come the start of the new Sky Bet Championship season.
To put it simply, West Brom’s Brazilian maestro is simply too good to be playing Championship football right now, which means David Moyes should be all over signing him this summer – if he can’t get in Jesse Lingard.
Despite West Brom’s demise last season suffering yet another relegation from the English top-flight, it was a remarkable breakthrough season for their star man, Pereira. The midfielder notched an astonishing 11 goals, and 6 assists from 33 Premier League outings last term.
If there’s one thing the club could shout about over the past year, its the emergence of such a wonderfully gifted midfielder. The previous campaign – his first in English football – he hit 8 goals and laid on 16 assists which is simply extraordinary. The 25-year-old Brazilian is a creative machine, a serial goal contributor.
If West Ham harbour any serious ambitions for next season, they must acquire the services of Matheus Pereira.
Blessed with such superb vision, awesome technique, silky passing and a wand of a left boot. The midfielder basically carried West Brom on his back last season, even if they suffered relegation. It’s clear, Pereira deserves another shot at the top-level, and even the luxury of playing European football may do his development the world of good. There’s probably no environment better to express himself again than at West Ham.
West Brom have recently made it clear that the Brazilian will not come cheap, but any Premier League club who invests in Pereira’s future will get more than what they paid for, in return. A superb footballer.
Julian Brandt, Borussia Dortmund
West Ham will be playing European football for the first time in a while next season, so they’ll need players with European pedigree and know-how.
There probably isn’t a better player available for transfer that can provide that than Borussia Dortmund’s midfield maestro Julian Brandt. The German outfit are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Brandt, after his game time last season decreased, making 14 of his 31 appearances from the substitutes bench and as a result hampering his place in the German squad for this summer’s Euros.
Brandt still managed to hit 4 goals and 2 assists from his 22 starts, but its clear he needs a new lease life playing regular football and getting back to his best. The German international at his best is a welcome sight even for the Dortmund faithful. The 25-year-old is blessed with extraordinary technical acumen, superb vision, creativity, the ability to operate in tight areas and qualities on the ball that makes him so difficult to mark.
Despite his decreased time on the pitch, Julian Brandt is still ridiculously creative, averaging 1.81 key passes, 3.61 final third passes and impressive 4.03 shot-creating actions (the two offensive directly leading to a shot such as passes, dribbles and drawing fouls) per 90 minutes. Brandt is hugely versatile, possessing the ability to operate smartly and efficiently wherever he is tasked in playing.
Either from the left-wing, right-wing, at no.10, or as a creative no. eight, Julian Brandt could give a lot of teams the opportunity to be tactically flexible and its one David Moyes would be significantly smart in pursuing.
STRIKER
The Hammers are in desperate need of a goalscorer with only Michail Antonio on their roster. At times last season, they were forced to play Jesse Lingard as a false-9 due to Antonio’s recurring injuries. Still, Moyes managed the situation right to the end of the campaign, however, there is a case to argue that if West Ham possessed a true number 9, they will have finished much higher in the Premier League table.
This lack of a consistent goalscorer is a continuous theme for West Ham over the years and has got to be addressed quickly so who could David Moyes be looking at?
Patrick Schick, Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrick Schick underwent a tremendous campaign at Euro 2020, with 5 goals in as many games, putting Scotland and Holland to the sword on Czech Republic’s way to an unprecedented quarter-final appearance in the competition. The 25-year-old has significantly provided a strong reminder this summer of what he’s all about, becoming a brute force in the Czech’s attack while also showcasing his potency in front of goal.
Coming off the back of a 13-goal season for Bayer Leverkusen, the forward’s representatives will certainly be fielding a few calls for his signature this summer and he’d be the perfect candidate to lead the West Ham line next season. After a failed move to Roma from Sampdoria in 2017, the forward has picked himself up again enjoying tremendous seasons on-loan at RB Leipzig from Roma last season (hitting 10 league goals in 22 outings) and at Bayer Leverkusen scoring 13 in 36 in all appearances.
5 goals in 5 games at the Euros, making him the joint top-scorer in the tournament so far despite Czech Republic’s defeat to Denmark in the quarter-finals.
Schick could be a superb focal point for West Ham, giving them a strong and bullish outlet, also improving on his goal return with creative forces behind him as he’s showing this summer. He’s got international teammates in Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal at West Ham, and they will surely be persuading David Moyes to recruit Schick’s services.
Tammy Abraham, Chelsea
According to various reports, Chelsea are willing to listen for offers for striker Tammy Abraham in the region of £40million which seems such a hefty for a player they want to quickly offload. However, whoever manages to get in the striker will reap much of the benefits.
No matter what Thomas Tuchel thinks about him, Tammy Abraham is a tremendously gifted young striker, and a player who will deliver if he is given the opportunity and the belief to thrive.
David Moyes is a manager who gives his players the confidence to express themselves, especially those who have undergone difficulties at previous clubs. If you need any examples just ask Jesse Lingard. Abraham needs a new lease of life and he’ll get the perfect environment and opportunity at West Ham. He’ll be playing Europa League football which will be decent for him to showcase his qualities once again.
Abraham has proven himself at the top level, having been Chelsea’s top scorer during the 2019/20 campaign, scoring 15 goals in 34 Premier League games and despite his reduced game time, he was still amongst the top scorers at Stamford Bridge. He has Champions League experience and has played for England six times, scoring one goal, and was on course to be part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the European Championships before Tuchel succeeded Frank Lampard in January.
Chelsea are reportedly on the look out for a top quality striker this summer, and Abraham clearly doesn’t fit into Tuchel’s plans in the near future. He needs game time to develop further and get back to his best form, Abraham will get just that at the London Stadium. With the opportunity and room to succeed, Abraham may deliver 20+ goals, how West Ham have needed a goal scorer like that for a long while.
Borja Mayoral, Real Madrid
Real Madrid are in a state of flux this summer, and clearly need to offload a number of their players to raise funds for potential transfers this summer. Borja Mayoral is certainly a name on that list, but there’s no doubt he could be a stunning recruit for any club of West Ham’s standing.
AS Roma reportedly won’t exercise their option to purchase him permanently, even though he enjoyed an impressive spell at the Stadio Olimpico last season, scoring 17 goals in 45 appearances. That’s a decent record for a player who spent most of the campaign making appearances from the bench, playing second fiddle to the evergreen Edin Dzeko.
Like Tammy Abraham above, Mayoral is a player who needs the confidence and belief of his manager to thrive as he showed last year under Paulo Fonseca. Real Madrid don’t believe in his abilities right now, but there’s clubs out there who will appreciate him. West Ham are short of cheap striking options out there and Mayoral represents the ideal acquisition currently.
A neat and swift forward, Mayoral showed how potent he can be at Roma, provided the perfect foil and alternative to Edin Dzeko, imagine what he could do playing week-in, week-out with quality creators and astute operators around him.
Roman Yaremchuk, Gent
If David Moyes can take any solace from this summers Euros, despite Scotland’s early exit, is that he now has more striking options he can consider to recruit to the London Stadium. Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick is one of them, as suggested above, but another impressive candidate is Ukraine’s hitman Roman Yaremchuk, who certainly lifted a few eyebrows during Ukraine’s route to the quarter-finals.
As well as his two goals during the tournament, he enjoyed a thrilling campaign for Belgian outfit Gent last season, scoring 23 goals, and recording seven assists. West Ham are reportedly interested in his services, and are in desperate need of a real focal point in attack. Roman Yaremchuk looks the ideal candidate alongside Schick.
A tall, powerful and surprisingly quick forward despite his lean frame, the Ukrainian hitman is still only 25, and as he’s proven this summer, he has what it takes to challenge the best defences in Europe. West Ham’s record of acquiring strikers in recent years isn’t good enough, and would need to scour long and hard for the right fit, but Yaremchuk is a striker worth taking a big risk on. He seems ready for the next level in Europe, and the Premier League may just prove the perfect test for a striker of his admirable qualities.
Leicester City have confirmed the signing of striker Patson Daka from Red Bull Salzburg, with the fee thought to be around £23m.
The Zambian forward, who scored 34 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions last season, signed a five-year contract at the King Power Stadium.
A striker had been high on Brendan Rodgers’ priority list this summer, and 22-year-old Daka emerged as Leicester’s number one target despite Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard also being linked to the club.
▪️Austrian Bundesliga winner 20/21 ▪️Austrian Bundesliga POTS 20/21 ▪️34 goals in all competitions in 20/21
Leicester City have signed a special player in Patson Daka. 👏🇿🇲
“I’m so, so excited to join this great, historic club. It has been my dream and I’m so happy and looking forward to what’s coming next,” Daka told LCFC TV.
“I have followed Leicester from the time they won the league. I feel it is the perfect place for me, because it’s a team that fights for titles. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I feel ready to face this new challenge.
“I will give my best for the club each and every day, and I look forward to seeing the Leicester City fans inside the stadium soon.”
Leicester City have yet again undergone another astute piece of business, more importantly the club have also secured their future post-Jamie Vardy with Patson Daka’s capture.
The club had been monitoring Daka for a significant period of time and feel this is the perfect period for them to sign the striker, after his tremendous goalscoring feats last season in Austria, scoring 34 goals in 42 games (27 goals in 28 games in the Austrian Bundesliga).
The Zambian joined Salzburg as a teenager in 2017 and signed a five-year contract. He broke into the first team in 2019 and has been an absolute revelation since then, becoming one of Europe’s most devastating strikers. Daka was named Austrian Bundesliga player of the season this year after his extraordinary scoring record as well as providing seven assists for his teammates, finishing the season with 34 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.
Brendan Rodgers have been searching for an eventual successor to Jamie Vardy for a long while, searching for players with the potential to be honed and developed and one they can ease into a first-team role gradually, Daka represented the perfect addition.
Rodgers had always stated he wanted a striker who is incredibly mobile, pacey, energetic, can stretch defences by running in-behind at speed and fits the profile of his emerging side. All of those characteristics are all similarities to Jamie Vardy’s game, and Daka is built in the same mould, but a more fresh, young and vibrant alternative.
Standing at 6ft 1in, Daka also offers a physicality that is rarely seen in Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho, and a focal point that will allow Leicester City to become more flexible and devastating in the attacking third.
Patson Daka was seen as the replacement for Erling Haaland when the Norwegian left Salzburg for Dortmund in January 2020, and the Zambian has repaid that faith to such incredible effect, bagging 61 goals in 87 appearances in the last two seasons alone.
Daka is of course in a similar mould to Jamie Vardy, and that will have been plainly in the thoughts of Leicester’s recruitment team. Of course, expectations of him will be managed carefully, given that he is arriving from a league that is not as robust and competitive as the Premier League.
Once Daka is in full flow, eventually, he’d be almost unstoppable. His profile is of a player who has fantastic raw pace and great movement, one who is also of a ‘fox in the box’ ilk. He comes alive in the penalty area and like Vardy, enjoys playing on the shoulder of the last defender.
Fascinated to see how this works out for Daka. Was a case of where he'd end up, as opposed to if he'd end up somewhere really. Leicester the ideal club for his progression. His movement, with and without the ball, plus the general energy/intensity he plays with is excellent. https://t.co/6CxliEoZcA
Unlike Iheanacho, Daka rarely gets involved in the build-up – again, similar to Vardy – but once the ball comes to him, he’s either finishing moves or assisting someone else. Players like James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes would absolutely thrive playing off Patson Daka because of his energy, constant movement and ability to find the perfect pockets of space in order to get an effort on goal.
There are several key components to Daka’s style. His speed and agility over short distances stand out.
His acceleration can be devastating, tearing past seemingly flat-footed defenders with an aura of grace in his long strides. He is a tremendous athlete, incredibly energetic and a non-stop runner which is a nightmare for even the most elite of defenders.
The Zambian is so smart in how he uses his athleticism to his advantage. It makes him a very adept poacher, pouncing on loose balls in the box, reacting quicker than anyone in congested areas. In that act, he is very well capable of creating something for himself out of nothing. It’s clear, Jamie Vardy isn’t getting any quicker, so Daka represents the perfect and swift solution to fill that void.
When Daka has time on his hands – particularly when through on goal – he is at his most clinical. He possesses such a unique knowledge of when to time his runs across defenders and latch onto through balls. Once Daka takes a pass in his stride, it is simply game over for his opponent; he is simply no slouch when the opportunity arises to go in one-on-one with a goalkeeper.
Once he picks his spot, there’s no stopping him. Daka holds an assured aura about him when finishing chances, like a throwback to the great Samuel Eto’o. His finishes itself are a foregone conclusion; he is a good striker of the ball, crucially with both feet which makes him so dangerous when an opportunity arises.
Last season, he contributed 1.4 non penalty goals or assists per90 mins, the best of any player in the Austrian top-flight. Daka can also be described by casual observers as a player who relies on scoring tap-ins, but that isn’t to say most of his goals comes as a tremendous amount of luck for him. In fact, it all owes to his predatory movement and instincts in the penalty box. He knows where to be in order to score goals and that’ll be a valuable trait at Leicester City.
Patson Daka to Leicester City is smart. A ready-made Jamie Vardy succession plan for the club, while Daka joins a young, ambitious squad under a manager whose style complements his natural attributes.
Explosive athleticism, one-touch finishing, welcome to the Premier League.
At times last season, Brendan Rodgers lacked the potency to finish off chances, ultimately sacrificing a priceless Champions League spot for next season. Once Patson Daka beds himself in, he could provide that missing ingredient in front of goal, that incredible potency when needed.
In Salzburg’s customary 4-2-2-2 system, Daka usually lined up with a strike partner in Mergim Berisha or Karim Adeyemi offering such exhilarating pace, movement and the ability to stretch opposition defences. Rodgers usually favours a lone-frontman, but showed his superb flexibility tactically when proposing a twin attack of Vardy and Iheanacho towards the end of last season. Daka isn’t foreign to that, and will certainly fit in perfectly whatever formation Rodgers utilises.
Patson Daka is set to be Brendan Rodgers’ long-awaited man. While Jamie Vardy is unfortunately on the wane, Leicester City and their fans can move forward knowing that their future in attack is in safe hands.
Despite Liverpool’s resurgence at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, securing a Champions League place and winning eight of their last 10 games after a disappointing home defeat to Fulham at the start of March, its safe to conclude that Jurgen Klopp’s side fell well short of their lofty expectations.
They still managed to finish third in the table 17 points behind champions Manchester City, but after winning the title the previous campaign, Liverpool underwent arguably the worst Premier League title defence of any champion of the past. There’s a whole host of excuses for Liverpool’s sudden demise: the amount of injuries suffered especially to key figures such as Virgil Van Dijk & Joe Gomez for much of the campaign. Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Joel Matip also spent spells on the sidelines which didn’t help Klopp’s cause.
Also, the absence of fans at Anfield due to the never-ending coronavirus pandemic causing unnecessary panic towards Liverpool’s ambitions undergoing eight home games without a win between January and April, losing six of in a row – three of them to some of the so called ‘smaller clubs’. Burnley, Brighton and Fulham all tasted unprecedented victories at Anfield further plummeting Liverpool’s season to a sure state of undeniable failure.
Liverpool’s tremendous away form towards the latter part of the campaign certainly got them reaching towards that coveted Champions League spot but while Manchester City comfortably soared towards a third Premier League title in four years, Jurgen Klopp and his side were left licking their salty wounds. By their lofty standards, it was a poor campaign in truth with many of their stars underperforming and faltering at the sheer weight of expectation.
Sadio Mane, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino to name a few, but Jurgen Klopp will certainly be working extra hard this summer in making sure that his side right those wrongs, aiming to get back to the same levels of consistency, intensity and siege mentality that brought them to unparalleled greatness during the 2019/20 campaign.
Now these question will be ringing in Jurgen Klopp’s ears; how will he get his side to those peerless levels again? What does his squad need to match Manchester City for next season? How will he rebuild this squad to reclaim their Premier League crown?
These questions will need addressing, and there’s no doubt that Jurgen Klopp’s squad needs a major overhaul if they are to match Manchester City but also more importantly trump the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester City who will also be looking to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season.
So which areas of the squad do Liverpool need to address?
In goal, Adrian has recently signed a new deal so Klopp will have no worries about his options in goal with number one Alisson in talks to extend his contract at Anfield. Highly-rated young goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher will be sent out on loan to further his development according to various reports.
At centre-back, Liverpool are well stocked after the summer signing of Ibrahima Kounate from RB Leipzig. Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez will be back from the long injury spells, also Joel Matip. Klopp also has Nathaniel Phillips and January signing Ben Davies to call up on too.
So what areas of the squad do Liverpool need to address this summer heading into the forthcoming season?
Adequate cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold?
According to the BBC, Liverpool would reluctantly be willing to sell highly-rated right-back Neco Williams, with a minimum asking price of around £10m which seems a strange decision. Williams is highly thought of at Anfield, and has been earmarked for a big future in the future, and more importantly seems a fair candidate to challenge Trent Alexander-Arnold for a starting spot at right-back.
If this is the case, then Klopp can’t arrive into next season with no cover for Trent AA. So who could he look to?
Max Aarons, Norwich
Despite Norwich’s promotion to the Barclays Premier League once again, its about time their wonderfully gifted full-back Max Aarons tests himself at a much bigger club. According to Sky Sources, Tottenham, Manchester United and Everton have all expressed an interest in signing the right-back and if Liverpool are looking for quality to add to their squad, then they can look no further than putting their name in the ring for the 21-year-old.
Max Aarons is amongst the most gifted young full-backs in the country and an England Under-21 international star. Not only will he boost Liverpool’s homegrown quota, but he’d provide serious competition to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Any sort of dip in form from the England international will allow Aarons to slot right in.
Despite his small frame and build, Aarons is a superb athlete, a real force of nature when he drives forward down the right-flank. A tremendous ball-carrier, pacey, and a player blessed with excellent vision. Aarons has proven a key outlet for Norwich in attack, evidently shown in registering 2 goals and 2 assists last season, and 2 goals and 6 assists during the 2018/19 campaign. It certainly isn’t Trent Alexander-Arnold type statistics but Aarons still offers plenty going forward. His understanding with the now departed Emiliano Buendia was a key weapon in Daniel Farke’s system, and there’s no reason why Aarons can’t have the same impact at a higher level.
Norwich are believed to be holding out for around £30m for the full-back which Liverpool may be unwilling to pay but the potential and abilities Aarons holds means he’ll be worth every single penny. It’s a move that many of the top six clubs would be silly to ignore.
Noussair Mazraoui, Ajax
Ajax full-back Noussair Mazraoui is certainly on his way to becoming a top-level right-back if he isn’t one currently. The 23-year-old is already attracting a lot of interest from a whole host of top clubs around Europe, especially Arsenal.
Mazraoui, 23, has been in excellent form for Ajax ever since he broke into the first team. Still largely young, the Morocco international surpassed 100 appearances for Erik Ten Hag’s side towards the end of the 20-21 campaign. But now, he has entered the last 12 months of his contract. The Moroccan international could represent smart business for any side lacking capable right-backs.
Ajax value Mazraoui at £14.5million, and there is belief that the club could settle for less than that figure which constitutes are bargain for a tremendously gifted footballer.
Mazraoui is an excellent defender, first and foremost. He is quick, switched on and defensively sound. Rather than being an attacking right-back that gets goals and assists, he focuses more on protecting his own goal. But he is still more than adept at getting forward and contributing in the final third. His relatively lean frame means he’s perfectly capable of imposing himself both defensively and offensively and especially in the air defending crosses.
The Moroccan doesn’t record as much goal contributions as Trent AA does but playing with top level forwards like Mo Salah and Sadio Mane will only increase his output. Though, what stands out in his game is his defensive contribution. He’s a very good defender. In the Champions League last season, he recorded 3.2 tackles per game, 2.3 interceptions and 2.5 clearances meaning he is capable of aiding his team to become defensively sound. In the Dutch Eredivisie, he’s averaged 1.8 tackles, and 1.5 interceptions highlighting his ability to triumph in his ground duels.
These are areas in which Trent Alexander-Arnold can improve on. He only averaged 1.4 tackles, and 1.3 interceptions which is still impressive, however, Liverpool suffered greatly in defence last season and Trent’s deficiencies towards his own goal also played a role in their demise. It’s clear Mazroaui will improve Liverpool’s defensive problems, but he’d also look much better sitting alongside Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
Ridle Baku, Wolfsburg
Ever since his move from Mainz last summer, Ridle Baku has progressed superbly under the tutelage of Oliver Glasner at Wolfsburg. 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 final against Portugal and even concluded the tournament with the highest assists (3). In the 38 appearances Baku made for German side Wolfsburg, he recorded an impressive 16 goal involvements, recording 6 goals and 6 assists in the German Bundesliga.
The 1.76m-tall defender, who can even be deployed as a midfielder, leads the ranking for the Bundesliga with 1,061 sprints. Few players have covered a greater distance in the ongoing season than him. He is currently the 10th-best runner with 351 km run on the field.
He’s shifted between right back and right midfield all season, but Ridle Baku looks at home as a fullback.
He’s so dynamic in both directions: difficult to beat 1v1, but a real attacking threat – capable of exploiting open space on the dribble or executing clever forward passes.
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 Jurgen Klopp 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 all.
In the 2020/21 campaign, Baku recorded a Goals/Assists ratio of 0.19/0.22 per 90 minutes. Compared to other Premier League full backs, it was pretty impressive.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson’s G/A ratio was 0.06/0.21 and 0.03/0.19. The Wolfsburg full back also recorded superior figures to Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney and Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell. It’s important to remember that Baku is far from the finished article and that’s a good thing.
He still has four years remaining on his current contract so Wolfsburg will command an astronomical fee to release him, however there’s no reason why Liverpool cannot express there interest.
Liverpool sadly waved goodbye to Dutch midfield maestro Gini Wijnaldum who completed to his move to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month. The 30-year-old midfielder will be tough to replace at Anfield after his enthralling, consistent and dominant performances throughout his career for Liverpool.
All good things must come to end though, as did Wijnaldum’s time at Anfield, and it was time he moved onto pastures new, which means Jurgen Klopp may already be scouting the marker for potential replacements if needed. Liverpool are quite stocked in midfield with Fabinho, Thiago, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and highly-rated wonderkid Curtis Jones.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita’s futures are uncertain as well as the evergreen James Milner who will turn 36 in January, it certainly wouldn’t hurt for Jurgen Klopp to be sounding out potential additions to replace Wijnaldum, but who could they be looking at?
Florian Neuhaus, Borussia Monchengladbach
Liverpool have reportedly scouted German international Florian Neuhaus extensively over the past few months, and rightly so. The midfielder could represent the perfect replacement for Wijnaldum, seeing as he offers the same amount of effort, energy and style as the Dutch captain. Technically excellent, Neuhaus has been a mainstay in the Gladbach side putting in some impressive and consistent performances throughout his time at Borussia Park.
The 24-year-old will certainly need time to adapt to the physical demands of English football, but he’s a very smart and brainy footballer, one who commonly uses his head just as much as his feet. Neuhaus has been commonly referred to as a Klopp-type midfielder because of his tremendous stamina, all-action style, technical excellence and the ability to break into the final third and create chances as well as score goals.
Over the past three seasons, Neuhaus hasn’t missed a single game to injury. During that period he’s made a total of 95 Bundesliga appearances, contributing 13 goals and 19 assists. He’s also got Champions League experience meaning he wouldn’t need too much bedding in especially when playing in Europe.
Neuhaus’ statistics underlines his penchant for progressive carrying of the ball and passing from deep. In Europe’s top-five leagues, only Aston Villa’s John McGinn and Valencia’s Carlos Soler did so more often over the course of last season. Per90, Neuhaus averaged 6.44 progressive carries of the ball driving his team up the pitch in search of goals and 5.81 progressive passes. He’s got tremendous vision, superb range of passing and an outstanding awareness of where his teammates are across the final third. He averaged 4.85 passes into the final third, indicative of his creative abilities.
6 goals and 5 assists from 33 Bundesliga is impressive numbers considering where he is deployed in the team, and could offer the same amount of goal threat at Anfield. He’s a proficient player, rarely loses the ball, ever-reliable and a tough tackler and dueler when he needs to be, averaging 3.30 tackles + interceptions per90. He’s a player built in the Klopp-mould.
Renato Sanches, LOSC Lille
If ever a top-tier side needs an all-action midfielder then they should look no further than Portugal and Lille midfielder Renato Sanches. A superb all-round performer who has risen from the rubble with such tremendous grace and determination.
After a difficult spell at Swansea in the Premier League on-loan from Bayern Munich, Sanches has placed his career on an upward trajectory once again after his move to France in 2019, helping the club to their first French title in 10 years. Renato Sanches was central to Lille’s success last season, showcasing his tactical flexibility and astuteness as well as his superb understanding of the positions he’s been given the responsibility to perform in. Sanches has lined up in central midfield, right-midfield, on the left and as a defensive midfielder owing much to his incredible versatility.
The Portuguese international is very much in the mould of Wijnaldum without the penchant to score goals – he only scored once in Ligue 1 last season but his contributions go beyond his abilities in front of goal. He’s still ridiculously creative, averaging 7.23 final third passes, 6.81 progressive passes and 1.28 key passes. He holds incredible vision, ball control, tenacity, tactical nous and a strength belying his small frame. Sanches thrives under pressure, or in tight areas using his superb technical qualities and swift change of movement to evade markers with such consummate ease.
Renato Sanches’ first half vs. France by numbers:
96% pass accuracy 70% duels won 4 passes into the final third 4 attempted tackles 3 successful tackles 2 attempted take-ons 2 successful take-ons 2 fouls won 1 interception
His performance against France at Euro 2020 is a fine example. He deserves another shot in the English-top flight, and Liverpool need another all-action Klopp-type midfielder and Renato Sanches fits the bill perfectly.
Wildcard: Houssem Aouar, Lyon
(Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Liverpool are gonna need an injection of creativity in midfield due to the loss of Gini Wijnaldum, and there’s potentially no better option out there in Europe than Lyon’s creative maestro Houssem Aouar.
The Frenchman is indeed a wildcard seeing as Liverpool haven’t been interested in his services in the past, but a player of Aouar’s ability and pedigree means any of England’s top clubs cannot afford to pass on the opportunity of recruiting this extremely talented young midfielder. At times last season – even with Gini Wijnaldum in the team, Klopp’s men lacked imagination and that injection of magic needed when breaking down low blocks, especially in their home defeats to Fulham, Brighton and Burnley.
Much of last season, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were below-par and instead they relied on the brilliance of Mohammed Salah to recue them out of trouble. In order to match Manchester City, Liverpool are gonna need creativity from midfield again and Houssem Aouar provides that much needed impetus. A footballer blessed with the ability to work his magic in tight areas and create opportunities in an instant, Aouar is simply stunning to watch when he’s full flow.
Aouar may not be the all-action, Klopp-type midfielder but he’s a luxury player all top clubs should have in their squad. As soon as he’s got the ball in dangerous areas – imagine him picking up a Thiago pass breaking the lines of play – he’ll make something happen, whether its a sublime through ball, a swift change movement to evade pressure or a pearl of a shot into the back of the net, he is a player built to excite and offer highlight reels. Anfield needs that wow-factor again after such a difficult campaign last season.
Seven goals, three assist in what was a bright campaign for Lyon, Aouar certainly holds the capabilities in front of goal. He averaged 1.87 key passes, 4.39 final third passes and 5.10 shot-creating actions per 90 highlighting his ruthless nous in the final third. After a failed move to the Premier League last year, and Lyon’s financial strains this time round, the club would be more than willing to allow Aouar to finally depart the club. Liverpool should throw their name in the ring.
Another Attacker Alongside Mane, Salah and Jota?
Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi, Takumi Minamino & Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all likely to be moved on this summer to free-up funds to improve their attacking options. It’s abundantly clear, Liverpool can no longer solely rely on Roberto Firmino to be their only ‘striker’ in the squad. The Brazilian’s influence is on the wane, and hasn’t hit double figures for goals since he notched 12 Premier League goals during the 2018/19 campaign.
While Mane and Jota will be expected to improve their own goal returns next season, Jurgen Klopp won’t be criticized for scouring the market to find another potent goalscorer, who can share the load with Mo Salah. The club haven’t possessed a devastating number 9 for quite a while now, in fact, they haven’t needed one but if Klopp is to take Liverpool’s game to the next level, a out-an-out striker may well be required…
Donyell Malen, PSV Eindhoven
According to various reports, Liverpool have opened talks with PSV Eindhoven over a potential transfer for Dutch international striker Donyell Malen.
A former Arsenal academy player, Malen has forged a super career back in his homeland, swiftly becoming one of the most potent strikers in Europe. PSV signed him back in 2017, and after a year spent developing in the B team, he has richly blossomed in the Eredivisie.
Since his first team debut in 2018, Malen has hit 55 goals in 116 games for the Dutch giants, also providing 24 assists. He regularly features as a centre forward for PSV but can also play on the left-wing in required. Liverpool aren’t the only club on his radar with Borussia Dortmund and ex-club Arsenal also believed to be interested in his talented services.
Malen has proven he has what it takes to perform at the top level, and its probably about time he’s move on to pastures new. The 22-year-old is ruthlessly quick, but more importantly a devastating finishing and fine creator. He hit 19 goals and 8 assists in the Dutch Eredivisie last campaign, and 27 in all competitions.
He’s a very direct, pacey and agile forward mixed with an excellent blend of nimble, electric footwork. He’s a nightmare for most centre-backs because of his almost terrier-like bravery in running at defenders and beating them for pace.
The striker would fit right in in Jurgen Klopp’s because of his searing pace and ruthless ability to play on the counter. A clever player who thrives off playing on the shoulder of the last defender, once he is through goal, goalkeepers have no chance of reading what he’s going to do. The confidence, assuredness and potent edge in front of goal makes him an attractive option for any top club in Europe.
Dusan Vlahovic, Fiorentina
In more ways than some, Dusan Vlahovic’s trajectory over the past year has been the polar opposite of Fiorentina’s. While the club have flat-lined into a complete demise both on the pitch and on the managerial front, the 21-year-old’s credibility and standing amongst the some of the elite young forwards in Europe has risen considerably.
21 goals and 3 assists from 34 Serie A starts for Fiorentina, Vlahović is among the leading marksmen in Serie A for goals, but not only that, his sheer desire and passion when performing is certainly of a unique and hugely promising style.
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.
For most of the campaign, Fiorentina have opted for a 3-5-2 system, with Vlahović and Ribery as the two forwards. It’s a pairing which offers dynamism, flair, creativity and a real clinical edge. Most of Vlahović’s goals this season have stemmed from the Serbian’s superb movement in the box, and finding himself in the right spaces at the right time.
Vlahović is a potent and clinical penalty box presence, a devastating finisher and his 21 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. 6 of those 21 goals have come from the penalty spot, scoring 6 from 6 in fact, meaning that he is ever-so reliable from the penalty spot.
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. He averages 2.44 successful pressures per 90 while also recording 0.62 tackles + interceptions which highlights his abilities without the ball.
All these characteristics make him the perfect Jurgen Klopp-striker. Klopp was the mastermind behind Robert Lewandowski and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang’s learning and development in the early years, imagine what he could do with Vlahovic.
A future leading striker for many years to come, Liverpool would be incredibly smart to invest in it.
The delayed European Championship 2020 finally kicks off this Friday, and there’s no better time for it to be on our screens after an eventful and thrilling campaign came to an end in each of Europe’s top five leagues. Many will be glad for more live football this summer, and that’s where the Euros comes in to deliver.
24 exciting nations battle it out for the prestigious trophy, and only one can come out victorious come the finale in July. Who will it be? Will holders Portugal retain their crown? What about the other favourites; Germany, Spain, France, England and Italy? Which nation will become the surprise package?
It will be a tournament that will surely bring much entertainment as well as many thrills and spills as we journey on in one of football’s most grandest international stages.
One aspect we’ll certainly be sure to look out for, is which footballer will be the defining performer for their nation this summer? Who will rise up and place their name in the headlines.? There will be some exciting and extremely talented players on show for each nation, and I pick out a player we should all be keeping our eyes on this summer from each of the 24 nations.
So, without further ado…
AUSTRIA
Xaver Schlager (Wolfsburg)
Austria will be one of the surprise packages to watch this summer, and could well be a nation wreaks havoc throughout the tournament. Filled with an array talent and experience in their camp, and a group of bright, young and exciting weapons in their arsenal. David Alaba is the headline name for Austria as well as Premier League alumni forward, Marko Arnautovic (Shanghai Port), Marcel Sabitzer & Konrad Laimer (Leipzig), wonderkid Christoph Baumgartner (Hoffenheim), though one name expected to grab the spotlight if provided the opportunity and has undergone a tremendous Bundesliga campaign is Wolfsburg’s midfield engine Xaver Schlager.
Wolfsburg have been one of the revelations of an extraordinary Bundesliga campaign, finishing in the Champions League places for the first time in a number of years, and a team rapidly undergoing a superb transition and Austrian midfielder Schlager has been a huge part of the progression, a steady and reliable performer for club coach and Austrian, Oliver Glasner. Every team this summer needs a workhorse, a player who will run through brick walls, and Austria have that in abundance in Schlager.
A hard-working, energetic but also a technically proficient performer, the 23-year-old is ready to take that next step in his career and making his mark in such a prestigious competition this summer is a perfect way to start.
BELGIUM
Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
Need we say more on the talents and abilities of arguably Leicester’s most talented footballer, Youri Tielemans? Leicester can thank the Belgian maestro for capturing their first ever domestic cup triumph. His superb rafting drive that left Kepa in the Chelsea goal helpless, securing Leicester their first trophy under Brendan Rodgers and first ever FA Cup win. Tielemans has been an ever-present in the Leicester City camp this season, and is surely going to go on and make waves for Belgium too, this summer.
Belgium are one of the favourites to lift the coveted trophy come July, and if they are to have any chances of fulfilling those expectations, they’d need Tielemans fit and firing in midfield. The 24-year-old has rapidly morphed into the complete midfielder this season under Brendan Rodgers, not just fulfilling the roles of a deep-lying orchestrator but a supreme box-to-box player, a consummate midfield destroyer and a chief creator whenever James Maddison is absent. All of those roles he performs in one. 6 goals and 4 assists in the English top-flight season highlights his stark contribution and importance to Leicester City’s cause.
Tielemans has already put his name on the map in recent years, but can he now place himself amongst the best midfielders in Europe this summer?
CROATIA
Josip Brekalo, Wolfsburg
Like Xaver Schlager, Croatia’s wing wizard Josip Brekalo has played a huge part in Wolfsburg’s success domestically this season. Croatia are a team filled with a number of talented footballers but Brekalo is sure to be the one that stands out. 7 goals and 3 assists for Wolfsburg this season, shows that the 22-year-old has a lot to offer. He turns 23 during the tournament and its about time people stand up and notice his abilities, and there’s no better platform for him to write his name in the headlines than at a European Championship.
Croatia’s first game is against England on June 13, and providing Brekalo is in the starting line-up, Southgate and his team will be in for a tough ride. Pacey, direct, tricky and a player built for the big occasion. Brekalo’s highlight reels display a number of key attribute which he possesses, he is excellent at retaining possession in tight situations and can resist opposition pressing as the stats bear out. Registering 3.62 shot-creating actions per 90, according to FBref goes to show how vital he will be to Croatia’s potency in the final third. Brekalo is a footballer who makes things happen.
Who knows, some notable performances this summer may well have him fielding a few calls from bigger clubs come the end of the tournament. Josip Brekalo is the future of Croatia, watch out for him.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Adam Hložek, Sparta Prague
Czech Republic will certainly be no pushovers this summer, if you need any assurances just ask Gareth Southgate’s England. They are an unpleasant side to deal with, rugged, efficient filled with non-stop workhorses. We’ve seen two of their best performers throughout the Premier League season in West Ham’s Vladimír Coufal and Tomas Soucek, and those two are the perfect embodiment of how Czech Republic are as a unit. Not the flashiest, but they’ll do a number on some of Europe’s best sides.
Though one player filled with such hope, optimism and excitement within the Czech camp and a player they’ll be looking to lead them in future is Sparta Prague’s 18-year-old hitman Adam Hložek who has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season in the Czech Republic top-flight with 11 goals in 18 games for the club. The Czech starlet has been described as an ‘amazing talent’ and one of Europe’s brightest young forwards, and providing he is called upon to the side for this summer’s tournament. Fans will have to keep a watchful eye on this supreme talent.
Standing at 6ft 2in Hložek is tall, rangy, quick, and a real handy work for defenders for a player at just 18 years of age, but most importantly he’s got a real eye for goal shown in his 11 goals in just 18 outings this season. He’s already on the radar of West Ham, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund and if he impresses this summer, he attract many more top-tier suitors.
DENMARK
Mikkel Damsgaard, Sampdoria
A wonderful talent, and the future of Danish football. Mikkel Damsgaard is certainly one to keep your eyes on this summer. Touted as ‘the next Christian Eriksen’, Damsagaard has wowed many in Serie A this season, enjoying a remarkable breakthrough campaign for Claudio Ranieri at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Damsgaard is thought to be one of Serie A’s brightest young footballers, and rightly so. The 20-year-old has only 2 goals and 4 assists to his name this season, but his numbers will surely increase with age and maturity, but this is player already performing beyond his years. If you ever need evidence of a footballer who is referred to as an artist then Damsgaard is your man.
Across his four seasons of competitive football (one youth and three senior), Damsgaard has played in central midfield, on the left wing, as a number ten, and even up front, logging over 1,500 minutes in each position, owing to his incredible versatility, tactical proficiency and positional understanding. 2.34 final third passes, 1.37 key passes and 2.94 shot-creating actions per 90 highlights his ability to create chances for his teammates. He’s a unique forward/midfielder and if there’s ever a platform for him to make his name, the Euros this summer provides him with the ample opportunity. Let’s hope Denmark take risks and grant him that, because he is a very exciting player to watch.
ENGLAND
Phil Foden, Manchester City
England may well have one of the finest players of this generation on their hands, yes its Manchester City’s irresistible young 20-year-old midfielder, Phil Foden. 14 goals and 10 assists this campaign is simply unreal. Though, Foden should not be measured by his statistics alone.
This is a remarkable young talent, a player whose efforts, versatility, application, never-say-die attitude and willingness to learn and improve stands him out amongst the best footballers in the country. Certainly, this country loves to hype up its young stars but Phil Foden is worth all the supposed “unnecessary” praise. Whatever role Guardiola has asked of him this season, he’s performed with such fine composure, consummate ease and assuredness that players his age would kill for.
The Euros is the perfect spotlight for him, and Gareth Southgate will be a mad man to not utilise him from the off against Croatia. Foden can unlock defences with such pleasant ease. He’s skillful, technically excellent and a player with so many highlight reels. Yes, we talk about the likes of Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford or Mason Mount but England’s chances rest on whether Gareth Southgate can unlock the remarkable gifts and potential of Phil Foden. For your eyes only.
FINLAND
Teemu Pukki, Norwich
No doubt about it, Teemu Pukki will be central to any slim hopes Finland have of causing an upset in this summer’s tournament. The Norwich City hitman is a real penalty box predator, with 26 goals in the Championship this season. If given the opportunity and chances to score, he will deliver.
He an outside bet to finish amongst the top scorers in the competition, even if its during the group stages at least. 30 goals in 90 international caps for his country, Pukki will be hoping he reminds everyone just how good he can be in front of goal.
Don’t count Finland out too easily.
FRANCE
Jules Koundé, Sevilla
One of the most talked about young centre-backs in Europe right now. Jules Koundé has enjoyed a remarkable campaign in Seville, helping them to an impressive 4th placed finish in La Liga. His partnership with Diego Carlos has been unstoppable forming one of the best defences in Spain and in Europe. It’s unclear what Koundé’s positioning is in the French setup come their first game, whether he’s amongst the front runners to start or a back-up centre back, one thing he can take on board is he is the future of French football. Koundé’s been called up ahead of other prestigious young French centre-backs which goes to show how highly thought of he is within the French camp.
Not only a superb centre-back, but a tremendous footballer. Simply the complete package when it comes to defending. Quick, strong, agile, defensively sound with great defensive positioning and a recovery pace that so few on the continent can match. Also, a fantastic outlet with the ball at his feet, perfectly capable of bringing the ball out from the back and distributing play to his more attack-minded teammates. Koundé is amongst the top young centre-backs in Europe, if you’ve seen Sevilla this season, you’d know why.
GERMANY
Jamal Musiala, Bayern Munich
Its unclear what Jamal Musiala’s role will be in the German set up at the Euros, however like Koundé, Jamal Musiala has been one of the most talked about young prodigies in the game right now. The 18-year-old is a superb talent, and England will certainly feel disappointed he decided to represent Germany – the origin of his family – rather than the place he was born.
Despite being just 18, Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala has earned a spot as the youngest player in Joachim Löw’s Germany squad for UEFA Euro 2020.
U23 midfielders that are champions of their respective top 5 league (2020/2021):
Despite boasting a svelte physique tailor-made to slither through opposition defences, Musiala admits he wants to add some more muscle to his rangy 6′-tall frame. The Germany-born attacking midfielder prefers playing as a No.10 in behind the striker, but he can also play as a No.9. Predominantly right footed, but more than capable of using his left when needed, he also prides himself on his powerful shot.
Musiala is excellent technically, using his rangy frame to get by his markers through his excellent footwork, sharp turn of pace and a youthful exuberance that is real joy to watch. 7 goals and 2 assists is an impressive return for a player who is still finding his feel amongst some of the best players in the world.
If there is any teenager in the competition who you must keep an eye on, it is Bayern Munich’s stunning 18-year-old wonderkid.
HUNGARY
Willi Orbán, RB Leipzig
Hungary will be without their star man Dominik Szoboszlai for this summer’s tournament so they will be reliant on their next big star man, RB Leipzig’s ever-reliable centre back Willi Orbán who will surely be in for a hugely busy at the Euros considering his country is up against 3 of the tournament’s favourites in Portugal, Germany and France.
Hungary aren’t expected to pull up any trees in such a difficult and testing group but like North Macedonia they are certainly capable of the odd result here and there, if there is any chance of that happening they’d need to be a solid, attentive and organised unit in each of their three fixtures. Willi Orbán will be significantly key to Hungary’s defensive work this summer.
ITALY
Nicolò Barella, Inter Milan
Nicolò Barella over the past year, has been transformed into the complete midfielder under the departing Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte and proved a key figure alongside the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez and Marcelo Brozovic in the club’s impressive Serie A title triumph – their first in 11 years.
Many years later, people will look back at Conte's 2020/21 Serie A campaign to chart the huge strides that Nicolo Barella and Alessandro Bastoni made under him.
Elite players that became key to the system and the vice versa.
Nicolò Barella may not be the perennial goalscoring midfielder people expect of him, but what he offers is so unique and priceless to both Inter and Italy. He’s a non-stop box-to-box player, offering much in terms of his energy, passing, driving runs to initiate attacks and his bulldog approach to hustling and harrying his opponents. Barella is a gegen-pressing machine, a player who does not know his limits and is sure to be a key part in Italy’s pursuit of an unprecedented European Championship triumph. If he can lead Inter to a Serie A trophy this season, why can’t he do the same for his country.
Italy have been rejuvenated since Roberto Mancini’s appointment, and Nicolò Barella has been a massive part of that. Yet another priceless midfielder you cannot afford to take your eyes off in this summer’s tournament.
NETHERLANDS
Ryan Gravenberch, Ajax
The Netherlands like France, Germany, England and Italy have a plethora of superb young footballers to watch in their squads this summer, and there’s arguably none more so than Ajax’s prized asset Ryan Gravenberch.
Mark these words… Ryan Gravenberch is on course to be a star player in the future, one of the best in his position if everything goes to plan for him and that means steering clear of injuries.
Standing at 6ft tall with a relatively slight frame, its easy to see why many would consider Gravenberch to become the ‘next Paul Pogba’. If you ever see him in full flow, then you’d know why such comparisons exist.
With his massive presence in the heart of midfield, he aids his team tremendously in controlling the game and switching from defence to attack within an instant. Gravenberch’s youthful exuberance and elegance on the ball makes him a joy to behold in full flow, hustling and bustling his opponents as well as dribbling with the ball to get out of pressure. His nimble footwork and quick change of feet means he’s more than capable of dribbling his way out of trouble, even if its deep in his own half.
With his supreme uniqueness and abilities, Gravenberch has got to be a shoe-in for the Netherlands starting line-up this summer and if that it the case, you cannot afford to take your eyes off him for a second. A remarkable young product.
NORTH MACEDONIA
Eljif Elmas, Napoli
There’ll be no prizes for guessing that North Macedonia are arguably the smallest nation heading into this summer’s tournament and that some will argue that they are just there to make up the numbers. However, what most neutral fans hope for in these kind of tournaments is surprise packages and North Macedonia are certainly capable of providing that. They beat Germany in Berlin in March in their World Cup Qualifier, so they are capable of grinding out surprise results.
They have a handful of talents in their squad, though none more so than Napoli’s exciting 21-year-old attacking midfielder Eljif Elmas. He is need of a career rejuvenation after falling under the radar somewhat in Naples, and there’s no better for way for him to provide a telling reminder of his unique abilities than at a major international tournament. A ridiculously talented performer on his day blessed with excellent technical qualities and a composure that is very much needed in this North Macedonia squad. Elmas will certainly head into this tournament as arguably his nation’s most gifted performer.
POLAND
Jakub Moder, Brighton
You don’t score and perform well against England at Wembley as a young emerging player and not go on to have a big future in the game. Brighton’s latest addition Jakub Moder if he carries on this impressive upward trajectory is on course to fulfilling his massive potential.
Whenever the midfielder has been called upon by Graham Potter this season at the Amex Stadium, he has brought much cause for optimism and excitement as to how his future as a professional footballer is going to turn out. What’s impressive about the 22-year-old is, he isn’t fazed in playing out of position as has been the case for Brighton since his arrival, at times playing at left wing-back to cover for Brighton’s injury woes and he has duly delivered on every opportunity.
A fantastic technical player, and one who always looks to apply and express himself no matter the opposition. His performance against England at Wembley in March is a strong indication of that. He may be one of the less pleasing on the eye on this list, but that does not mean he doesn’t deserve some attention when Poland kick off their Euro campaign.
PORTUGAL
Pedro Gonçalves, Sporting Lisbon
One to watch from a star-studded Portugal squad isn’t Joao Felix, it isn’t even Cristiano Ronaldo. No, its Sporting Lisbon’s goal machine and wizard Pedro Gonçalves. 23 goals and 3 assists from 32 Primeira Liga outings is absolutely outstanding, and he isn’t even a striker.
Pedro Gonçalves holds that Frank Lampard nous and understanding about him, in that he doesn’t need to be a number 9 to get goals, to grab all of the headlines. He can do all of that from midfield and that has been exactly the case during the 2020/21 campaign, becoming a key figure in Sporting’s first Portuguese top-flight title triumph since 2002. Extraordinary accomplishments and Pedro Gonçalves has been a man to thank for all of that.
Pedro Goncalves has been one of the biggest breakout stars in Europe this season. He stepped up and filled Bruno Fernandes' void at Sporting, lead the club to its first league title in 19 years and won the golden boot after scoring 23 goals in 32 apps as an attacking midfielder.
Pedro Gonçalves has established himself as a technically proficient performer. An attacking midfielder who is well-versed in becoming the sole-creative force in the team, as well as a consistent goal machine from midfield. He’s already drawn such stark comparisons to former player, Bruno Fernandes because of his influence and leadership in attack.
While his scoring statistics are alarming and will wow any reader or viewer, Gonçalves’ game transcends beyond his ability to score goals. It’s his understanding and intelligence of where to be not only in the box, but within the final third.
Gonçalves deserves much recognition right now, and there is no perfect way to put his name on the map than performing in one of the most grandest international stages of them all. A terrific player enjoying a terrific campaign. The future is certainly radiant for Pedro Gonçalves.
POLAND
Igor Diveev, CSKA Moskva
At just 21 years of age, Russia see Igor Diveev as a man to lead their back-line for many years to come and rightly so. The young centre-back has grown into an inspirational figure for CSKA Moskva this season, registering two goals and two assists; a record that most midfielders will be most impressed with. Not only that, his leadership skills, maturity levels and tactical defensive understanding is simply imperious. Don’t be surprised if a move to a top-level club in Europe materialises in future.
He’s yet to make a name for himself on the international stage, only featuring in two caps for Russia. However, he’s been thrust amongst the preliminary squad for the Euros this summer which means he’s got a huge role to play. Russia’s back-line has been in need of some fresh young legs for a while now, and Igor Diveev represents the perfect candidate to make that step up. His game deserves some rich acclaim, and this summer’s competition provides the perfect platform for him to make the grade.
SCOTLAND
John McGinn, Aston Villa
A leader amongst warriors. It’s about time John McGinn gathers the worldwide acclaim that his efforts, maturity, leadership and work-rate deserves. McGinn is an imperious midfielder, one who has rapidly morphed over the past year, into one of the most efficient midfielders in the Premier League.
Any slim chances Scotland have of getting out of their group this summer, McGinn will be vital and central to those hopes. He’s also picked up an unlikely reputation for scoring when it matters most for his country, and there’ll be no better platform for him to do that than at the Euros this summer, even as Scotland aim to not just be another number at the tournament. A central figure for both Aston Villa and Scotland, and finally people will see that this summer.
What a player.
SLOVAKIA
Martin Dúbravka, Newcastle
The only goalkeeper on this list, and a worthy candidate to go on and further make a name for himself on one of the biggest international platforms. Martin Dúbravka is certainly one of the most underrated keepers in the Premier League and a reliable figure in between the sticks for Newcastle this season.
Slovakia will have to rely on him heavily this summer, but surely that pressure will not hamper Dúbravka’s performances. It’s about time people saw how good a goalkeeper he really is.
SPAIN
Pedri, Barcelona
One of the most impressive teenage footballers in Europe right now. What a player Barcelona and Spain have on their roster. The 18-year-old is such a fine footballer, an elegant and a precise young footballer built in the same mould as the legendary Andres Iniesta. His nimble footwork, quick acceleration, ball carrying qualities, vision and tactical awareness for a player as young as he is, is simply out of this world.
🇪🇸 At 18 years, 6 months and 20 days, Pedri would be the youngest Spanish player to debut in a European Championship. The previous record was held by Miguel Tendillo in 1980 at19 years and 132 days #EURO2020 (via @telecincoes) pic.twitter.com/uECeg8Kf2c
Whenever, he is on the ball for Barcelona, his teammates are extremely confident in his abilities to create something out of nothing. 1.49 key passes, 4.40 final third passes, 2.94 shot-creating actions per 90 in La Liga is a testament to his unique skill-sets.
Pedri is one of the finest footballing teenagers in the world, a measured player, one who so cutely scans his surroundings, a player who has also built up an immeasurable understanding with Barcelona great Lionel Messi. The Argentinian has even expressed his delight and joy at playing alongside Pedri. His off-the-ball work is also a valuable commodity in his game, registering 7.05 successful pressures, and 3.10 interceptions + tackles per 90. Absolutely brilliant.
Ladies and gentleman, Pedri deserves every bit of your undivided attention this summer.
SWEDEN
Alexander Isak, Real Sociedad
You’ve got to wonder how Swedish bosses felt when a romantic return to the Swedish fold for Zlatan Ibrahimovic at this summers Euros was immediately halted because of injury. Their hopes of a potential dark-horse run dashed because their star man, and footballing showpiece was unfortunately ruled out of action for the immediate future.
However, Sweden needn’t worry, they’ve arguably got the next best thing in 21-year-old Alexander Isak. The Real Sociedad hitman has enjoyed a remarkable season in front of goal, becoming the first Swedish player since Zlatan to hit double figures for a Spanish club and also he has now scored more than Zlatan in a single La Liga season, hitting 17 goals.
A tremendous return, and a stat indicative of the fact that Sweden can now rest their hopes on a new hope. Isak is rapidly growing into the complete package. His game has tremendously matured over the past year under the tutelage of Imanul Alguacil. He’s not only a superb goalscorer, but a man who can now link play perfectly and hold up the ball for the likes of Oyarzabal and Portu.
Though, the most devastating weaponry in his arsenal, is his blistering speed, something we really hope to see at the Euros this summer. On so many occasions, we’ve seen Isak utilise his rapid quick legs to his advantage, easily ghosting past his markers to then go an score confidently. It isn’t all about Haaland, Alexander Isak is also performing at an unstoppable rate. His non-penalty goals per 90 of 0.52 is amongst the best strikers in Europe.
We now want to see that on one of the biggest international stages. It’s time Alexander Isak places his name in lights alongside the likes of Erling Haaland.
SWITZERLAND
Denis Zakaria, Gladbach
Remember when Denis Zakaria was one of the hot topics of conversation surrounding a big move to the Premier League? It seems a long time ago now. Injuries haven’t helped his progress so far, meaning he’s only started 15 games for Borussia Mochengladbach this season which doesn’t inspire any confidence. But if there’s a chance Zakaria can push through that big move he craves, then finding fitness and form at this summers Euros presents the perfect platform and opportunity for him.
No doubt about it, Zakaria still remains a big game player. When he is in full flow, he is simply unstoppable with his striking size, pace, power and sheer strength when shielding the ball. Also, his marauding runs from midfield has been a vital part of Marco Rose’s Gladbach tactics but they’ve massively struggled without it this season. Switzerland need that energy and dynamism now more than ever and its time Zakaria shows the whole Europe how good he is.
It’s time he shows those clubs who were once interested in his talented services how wrong they could be in turning away from him. It’s his future at the top top level on the line, its now time he delivers when his country need him most.
TURKEY
Hakan Çalhanoğlu, AC Milan
One of Europe’s most devastating creators. It’s a shame that Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s talents are only realised in some quarters around Europe rather than worldwide. He’s a prominent midfielder, a reliable and consistent performer for both AC Milan and Turkey where most of their play runs through him.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu created more chances than any other player in Europe's top five leagues during the 2020/21 season. 🎯pic.twitter.com/vLCnjduuzD
He is the orchestrator and chief creator. Any success Turkey have this summer as one of the competition’s underdogs will be centred around the abilities of Hakan Çalhanoğlu. Competently aiding AC Milan’s rise to an unprecedented second place in Serie A this season, Turkey will be relying on him in the same vein this summer.
The 27-year-old ended the league campaign with nine assists to show for his creativity and was a key contributor to Milan securing Champions League qualification for the first time in eight years.
A set-piece specialist, Calhanoglu was in great form for Turkey in the recent World Cup qualifiers, scoring twice and providing three assists in 213 minutes of action.
At 27 years of age, its about time Hakan Çalhanoğlu shows the whole world what he’s about. If you are indeed the best chance creator in Europe, you’ve got to show it in Europe’s most prestigious international competition right?
UKRAINE
Viktor Tsygankov, Dynamo Kyiv
Arguably the most talented prospect to emerge from Ukraine since Andriy Shevchenko. Viktor Tsygankov is a player beginning to turn a lot of scouting heads around Europe. 12 goals and 4 assists from 20 league games for Dynamo Kiev this season and two goals in their Champions League campaign has propelled Tsygankov to become arguably Ukraine’s brightest hope since the AC Milan legend.
This incredibly gifted young forward will certainly be grabbing much headlines in the coming future, not just at club level but also at international level with the delayed Euro 2020 taking place this summer. A number of scouts will certainly be on notice, and Viktor Tysgankov will certainly be trying to put the feelers out on a big move in the near future, what better way to do just that than at this summers prestigious competition.
Very few players from Eastern Europe has or can excite fans like Viktor Tsygankov, that’s why he is arguably one of the most coveted players to emerge from that side of the continent.
An incredibly agile, skillful and technically gifted winger, Tsygankov has quickly demanded the attention and respect of his peers through his show-stopping abilities and eye-catching match winning performances. The old saying of letting your feet and performances on the pitch do the talking can be applied to the Ukrainian wonderkid.
He will be a key player for Ukraine this summer, and its time he shows why the whole nation places such huge trust in him. Tysgankov will be expected to repay that faith.
WALES
David Brooks, Bournemouth
It would be hugely surprising if David Brooks remains a Bournemouth player come the start of the 2021/22 campaign. To put it simply, Brooks is simply too good to be playing Championship football. However, the injuries have not helped his progress. His maiden Premier League campaign was simply brilliant until he suffered a terrible knee injury that kept him out for over a year.
Presently, Wales will be relying on him to deliver along with the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Harry Wilson, Dan James and Gareth Bale which means the pressure doesn’t rest solely on him. We know David Brooks is a uniquely gifted performer but can he translate that on a more consistent basis. The 23-year-old is certainly good enough to be playing in a top 10 Premier League club. His talent is wasted in the Championship, but he’s got to show that. David Brooks now has the chance to make a name for himself, to provide his detractors proof that he can make it at the top grade.
Hopefully, he’ll be provided with the platform and opportunity to thrive.
anthonyscouts.co.uk 