A defiant Harry Maguire insists that he is part of Manchester United's future and is ready to win silverware in 2024/25.
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A Leeds United star in the making has been hailed by one of his teammates as a man with the potential to be a fan favourite thanks to his incredible work ethic.
Daniel Farke's side have enjoyed an excellent season in their bid to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, but could yet be forced into the play-offs after an excellent Championship season.
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By
Mark Marston
May 10, 2024
Though they are on an excellent run of form, a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town allowed Ipswich Town to leapfrog them and the Tractor Boys are currently sitting in the Championship's second automatic promotion spot, two points clear of the Elland Road outfit.
|
Championship table as it stands |
||||||
|
Played |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
GD |
Points |
|
|
Leicester City |
36 |
26 |
3 |
7 |
41 |
81 |
|
Ipswich Town |
36 |
23 |
9 |
4 |
26 |
78 |
|
Leeds United |
36 |
23 |
7 |
6 |
38 |
76 |
|
Southampton |
35 |
21 |
7 |
7 |
24 |
70 |
With ten games left of the season, Leeds will definitely have a chance to go up come the end of the campaign, with a massive 19 point gap between them and 6th placed Hull City. But automatic promotion is not so certain.
Fortunately for Farke and company, this season has not just been about results.
Like all fanbases, Leeds adore their young talents and have already taken a special liking to Archie Gray this season following a string of excellent performances.
They now have another potential star in the form of young Mateo Joseph. The 20-year-old Spaniard arrived in Yorkshire in 2022 as part of the Leeds United youth setup, but made his first forays into the first team as a substitute in the final games of their Premier League season.
Still confined largely to the bench, Joseph nonetheless has shown plenty of promise in his short outings, and was particularly impressive when handed the chance to start against Chelsea in the 4th round of the FA Cup.
He is yet to be handed a start in the Championship this season, but with his current form it cannot be far away.
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Though he ended up on the losing side, he was still able to grab two goals for his side in their 3-2 defeat and took plenty of plaudits for his performance leading the line. Now his credentials have been backed up even further by Bulgarian teammate Gruev, who has revealed that Joseph is always in the gym working hard to try and improve.
"He's a great guy," he revealed to the Yorkshire Evening Post. "I see him every time in the gym, he's working so hard for us. I think when you when you work so hard and you have this type of quality which he has, you will deserve your right to get more minutes. I think everybody saw how good he was when he played against Chelsea, great game from him and two goals."
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Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed a promising campaign in the Premier League but supporters will now hope for a convincing run of form across the final two months, with Champions League qualification on the line.
"I don't see fourth as the prize. This club has finished fourth before. It's finished second before. I don't want to finish fourth if we haven't grown as a team and developed as a team. If nobody believes me then that's fine."
These are the words of Ange Postecoglou, who views growth as a unit as his side's real success during his maiden term at the club.
While Champions League football is not the be-all and end-all, fifth-placed Spurs would find retaining their most coveted assets far easier.
Trailing Aston Villa in the top four by just three points – while holding a game in hand – highlights the significance of succeeding in this endeavour, lest failure allow top talents like Pedro Porro to search for pastures new.
Porro joined Tottenham from Sporting Lisbon on loan in January 2023 and made the move permanent for £40m last summer, having now cemented himself as one of the squad's most important and influential players.
As per Sofacore, the Spaniard has racked up seven assists from 25 top-flight appearances this season, creating ten big chances and averaging 1.7 key passes, 2.8 tackles, 5.8 ball recoveries and 4.9 successful duels per game.
Naturally, Manchester City are eager to snap the 24-year-old up, with the Premier League champions looking to re-sign the player after allowing him to leave during his younger years.
However, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy isn't willing to play ball and has touted Porro at a staggering £100m, with the "bulldog" – as he has been described by teammate Dejan Kulusevski – one of English football's standout stars this year.
Without Champions League football, Porro's signature is coated with a slippery layer that City will use to wrestle him out of the north London club's clutches.
|
Tottenham: Most Valuable Players |
||
|---|---|---|
|
# |
Player |
Market Value |
|
1. |
Dejan Kulusevski |
£68m |
|
1. |
Destiny Udogie |
£68m |
|
3. |
Pedro Porro |
£51m |
|
3. |
Micky van de Ven |
£51m |
|
3. |
Cristian Romero |
£51m |
|
3. |
Brennan Johnson |
£51m |
|
Sourced via CIES Football Observatory |
||
It wouldn't be the first time Pep Guardiola's outfit have raided Tottenham for a right-back, with Kyle Walker completing a £53m transfer back in 2017 (a world-record fee for a defender at the time).
Should the unthinkable materialise, it just so happens that Postecoglou might already have the perfect replacement out on loan in Djed Spence.
Spence signed for Tottenham from Middlesbrough in a £20m package back in 2022 and there was much excitement after Brian Laws gushed over the young wing-back following his promotion-winning loan spell with Nottingham Forest in 2021/22.
The former Forest star said: "He has been the standout player in the Forest side and we are talking about a full-back. Full-backs do not tend to get many headlines. He grabs them by the handful. In every single game, he has a positive impact.
"He has power going forward, he has electric pace, he has an abundance of skill, he can drop his shoulder, step over, go inside or outside — he is a major threat. I’ve been impressed with his one-to-one defending. He is decent on the back post, he is strong in the air. There is nothing I have seen that you could call a weakness.”
However, since making the move to Tottenham Spence has fallen by the wayside, only completing three minutes in the Premier League under Antonio Conte (41 in total) – who admitted he did not want to sign the 23-year-old – before being shipped out on loan to French club Rennes for the latter half of the 2022/23 campaign, only featuring eight times in Ligue 1 but catching the eye after completing 89% of his passes, winning 61% of his duels and succeeding with 63% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.
There's a player in there but disciplinary issues are hindering Spence's chances of success, having seen his loan move with Leeds United this season ended prematurely in January after falling out of favour with head coach Daniel Farke, since moving out to Italy to complete the remainder of the year with Genoa, who Radu Dragusin arrived from.
Genoa supposedly have the option to sign Spence for around €10m (£8m), but after impressing in Serie A perhaps Postecoglou should consider giving the dynamo another shot.
Indeed, Il Grifone held Juventus to a goalless draw in Turin at the weekend and Spence starred, completing 92% of his passes, making one key pass, winning five of his ten contested duels, making three tackles and two clearances and interceptions apiece.
Under Postecoglou, in a stable and progressive Spurs environment, Spence could finally find the stability he needs to make a successful career in the Premier League, potentially saving the club millions if Porro departed for a team such as Manchester City.
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Moreover, given that he's actually been compared to the erstwhile Lilywhite right-back Walker, he might just have the skills to succeed down N17.
Analyst EBL was one of the first to draw the comparison, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to pen his thoughts: "Djed Spence is special. He's a ridiculous athlete who could be used like Kyle Walker in defensive transition or as a powerful runner from deep. Only question is his dedication to the sport after his run in with Neil Warnock. If that's in check, he'll be an elite right back."
Spence's versatility and fleet-footed pace do make for qualities that few right-backs can emulate, but Walker is arguably the cream of the crop in this regard, having recorded the fastest speed in the 2022/23 Premier League at 37.31 km/h – despite being 33 years old. To put that into some context, fellow speedster Micky van de Ven has been clocked at 37.38 km/h this season.
Whether Spence – who is yet to play a single minute for Postecoglou – will forge the career that was once touted for him is anybody's guess, but he has the natural ability to succeed and he may yet find a regular starting berth at Tottenham.
Wolverhampton Wanderers may have come unstuck against Coventry City in the FA Cup quarter-final on the weekend, but they are well on track for a top-half finish in the Premier League.
Following a campaign of discontent during 2022/23 where the Old Gold sacked a manager and flirted with the relegation zone, Gary O’Neil has transformed the club.
A solid back three has conceded 44 goals, the ninth-best defensive record in the top flight. But it is O’Neil’s attacking options which have been a pleasant surprise this season, with the Old Gold scoring 42 goals in 29 matches.
This is 11 more than they achieved throughout the whole of the 2022/23 season, and it proves just how important it is to have attacking players on form.
It isn’t just one player who has grabbed the headlines, however. Pedro Neto has scored three goals and grabbed 11 assists, while Pablo Sarabia (12 goal contributions) and Matheus Cunha (18 goal contributions) have also contributed effectively throughout 2023/24, leading the Molineux outfit to ninth spot in the table at the time of writing.
Alongside Cunha, Hwang Hee-Chan is their top scorer with 11 goals this term and his resurgence under O’Neil has been a big bonus as they chase another top half top-flight finish.
The South Korean forward was signed on an initial loan deal by former manager Bruno Lage in August 2021 and was widely praised by Wolves technical director Scott Sellars.
“He’s got a good pedigree, having played Champions League football and at a World Cup,” said Sellars.
“He’s got a lot of pace, power and strength – he’s probably a little bit different to what we’ve got, and we think he’s a strong acquisition for the squad.”
|
Hwang Hee-Chan's Premier League statistics |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Metric |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
|
Goals |
3 |
10 |
|
Assists |
1 |
3 |
|
Big chances created |
1 |
4 |
|
Shots on target per game |
0.3 |
0.6 |
|
Successful dribbles per game |
0.5 |
1.5 |
|
Via Sofascore |
||
It didn’t take long for his presence to impress the hierarchy as the club paid RB Leipzig £14m to make the loan deal a permanent one in January 2022, and he finished the season with five goals in the top flight.
The 2022/23 proved to be a bit of a damp squib, however, as the forward managed to score just four goals for the Molineux side during the whole season, although it appeared like everyone suffered, as this total ranked him as their third highest scorer, just two goals behind Ruben Neves and Daniel Podence.
This season, however, Hwang has enjoyed a rejuvenation under O’Neil. The 11 goals have been supplemented with three assists and his contributions have been key to the Old Gold currently occupying a top-half spot.
The attacker ranks second among the squad for goals and assists (13) in the Premier League, while also ranking second for shots on target per game (0.6), fourth for big chances created (four) and for successful dribbles per game (1.5), showcasing his importance to the cause.
According to Football Transfers, these displays mean Hwang is currently valued at €19m (£16.2m). This may not sound that impressive, but considering how poor a campaign he had last year, his valuation is currently back on the rise and more wonderful displays between now and May will see this break through the £20m mark.
There are a few players who are valued more than Hwang, however, with one being a former Wolves striker who played for the club between 2010 and 2012 – Steven Fletcher.
Of course, the Scottish striker is not currently valued higher than Hwang, as he is plying his trade for Wrexham in League Two at the age of 36.
But thanks to Totally Money, who have adjusted previous transfers for football inflation over the previous 30 years, it proves that Fletcher’s transfer fee is higher than Hwang’s current value.
Indeed, Wolves managed to secure his signature for a fee of £6.5m, which looked like a wise investment considering his performances during his maiden season in the top flight. Totally Money, however, states that this fee, now adjusted for inflation, would be worth around £17.8m today.
That is ahead of Hwang’s current market valuation of £16.2m and proves just how much of a blinder Wolves made when they snapped Fletcher up over a decade ago.
The centre-forward had built his reputation north of the border, scoring 45 goals for Hibs in 163 appearances, leading to a move to Burnley in 2009.
They had just been promoted to the Premier League and were looking for someone to spearhead their attack. 12 goals in 38 games during his only season at Turf Moor was a solid if unspectacular record, and it led to him being on the move again in 2010.
It got even better at Molineux for the former Hibs starlet, as he scored 12 goals in 34 matches during his debut season and his goals meant the club avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth, finishing in 17th spot, just one point ahead of Birmingham City.
Another 12-goal campaign followed as Fletcher continued to terrorise defences in the Premier League, although this time, his goals could not prevent the Old Gold from slipping back into the second tier at the end of the season.
With that, his two-season spell at the Old Gold ended, staying in the top flight courtesy of his move to Sunderland.
There is no doubt the club played a blinder by moving him on for more than double what they signed him for just two years earlier, with the 6 foot 1 hitman enjoying his stint in the Midlands.
Since then, he has played for six clubs and is still going strong for Wrexham at the time of writing, netting eight goals in the League during the current season.
The fact that his sale in 2012 eclipses the current market value of Hwang proves just how much Wolves hit the jackpot on the former Scotland international.
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Arsenal are hoping to hijack a move for a big Barcelona target in the summer transfer window, as Edu looks to work his magic in the market once again.
The Gunners will be buoyant after earning an impressive 0-0 draw away to Manchester City on Sunday, keeping them right in the hunt for the Premier League title. Regardless of what happens in the coming weeks, however, it is clear that further signings will be needed in the summer, in order for Mikel Arteta's side to find yet another gear in 2024/25.
Long-term planning is essential at the Emirates, rather than gradually allowing the squad to age together, and teenage prospect Joachim Kayi Sanda has been linked with a move to north London. The France Under-18 international is also believed to be wanted by Manchester United.
The two Premier League rivals are reportedly locking horns for the signing of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, too, with the attacking ace enjoying a fantastic season for the Portuguese giants, scoring 22 goals and registering 10 assists in the Primeira Liga. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both offer plenty leading the line, but the Swede could be considered a more regular supplier of end product.
Then there's Athletic Bilbao youngster Nico Williams, who is seen as someone who could provide excellent competition for Bukayo Saka out on the right wing. At 21, he is a long-term prospect but also a player capable of being an instant hit, having already made 114 appearances for his club side and also won 13 caps for Spain.
According to a new update from Sport [via Sport Witness], Arsenal remain keen on signing Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, as Edu looks to snap him up from under the noses of Barcelona. That being said, the Portuguese is believed to be swaying towards the idea of staying put at the Camp Nou, having joined them on loan from City last summer, and would reject a move back to England if Barca come to terms with City.
The £205,000-a-week-earning Cancelo remains a strong option for Arsenal, having proven himself as arguably one of Europe's leading full-backs in recent years, winning three Premier League titles and one Champions League crown with City. Granted, his time at the Etihad has become more strained, hence Pep Guardiola being willing to send him out on loan, but the Spaniard has also lauded him in the past.
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Cancelo does admittedly turn 30 in May, so he may only be a relatively short-term option for Arsenal, but his vast experience and winning mentality could add another edge to Arteta's squad, and his ability to play at right-back, left-back or even in midfield would add so much versatility.
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Former Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard says some of Andre Onana's preseason remarks "utterly shocked" him.
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Glasgow Rangers head coach Philippe Clement will have the chance to shape his squad in his first summer transfer window at the club at the end of the season.
The Belgian boss and head of recruitment Nils Koppen have only had the January transfer window, in which they made three additions, to make alterations to the side so far.
Fabio Silva, Mohammed Diomande, and Oscar Cortes were all brought in on loan at the start of this season, and the Gers duo could look to make further changes this summer.
Whilst Rangers still have plenty to play for between now and the end of the season, including the Scottish Premiership title and the SFA Cup, they already reportedly have their eye on targets to bolster the team ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The Light Blues are said to be interested in a talented playmaker who could arrive at Ibrox as Clement's own version of compatriot Kevin de Bruyne.
According to a recent report from Graeme Bailey, Rangers are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Krasnodar attacking midfielder Eduard Spertsyan this summer.
The outlet claimed that the Gers and Celtic have both been made aware of his potential availability and like what they see from the impressive Armenia international.
However, HITC also reported that Dutch sides Ajax, PSV, and Feyenoord are also keen on the 23-year-old wizard, and that a move to mainland Europe, rather than to Glasgow to join the Hoops or Rangers, is more likely for the talented gem at this moment in time.
Earlier this season, Spertsyan claimed that Krasnodar value him at €15m (£13m) and it remains to be seen whether or not the Russian side are willing to lower that between now and the summer.
HITC added that Celtic have money to spend, after they sold Jota for 'big money' to Saudi Arabia last year, but it did not reveal whether or not Rangers have the transfer funds required to swoop in for the Armenian magician.
Overall, it appears as though there is plenty of work left to do for Koppen and Clement if they want to get a deal over line for the Krasnodar star, due to his significant transfer value and the interest from Ajax, PSV, and Feyenoord – who appear to be leading the race for his signature.
Rangers could, however, land their own de Bruyne for the manager if they do win the race for his services, which is why he could be a fantastic signing for the Glasgow-based outfit.
Ajax director Sven Mislintat, who wanted to snap the impressive whiz up last year, once hailed Spertsyan as a "special" player who would have been the Dutch side's own version of the Belgian superstar.
The former Arsenal chief claimed that the role and impact he would have had at Ajax would have been similar to the one de Bruyne has for Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.
On top of that, CSKA Moscow head coach Mkhitar Davidyan described the Armenia international as a "creative" talent who would thrive in a Guardiola team, and added that his style of play and "intellect" would make him a good match for the progressive and impressive Cityzens team.
This is all incredibly high praise for Spertsyan given how special de Bruyne is, as the Manchester City star is one of the best players in the Premier League.
The Belgian wizard, who has won the PFA Player of the Year in the Premier League on two occasions, has racked up a staggering 100 goals and 166 assists in 373 matches for City in all competitions, which includes 67 goals and 110 assists in 254 league outings.
Only Ryan Giggs (162) and Cesc Fabregas (111) have registered more assists in the history of the division, and de Bruyne, at 32, still has time to add to his tally.
The experienced star has proven, throughout his career in England, that he has the quality to both score and assist goals on a consistent basis from a midfield or attacking position for Guardiola.
Clement could now land his own magical playmaker, like de Bruyne, by securing a deal to sign Spertsyan from Krasnodar during the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old maestro has been in impressive form for the Russian side over the last two seasons with his ability to make an impact as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
This season, Spertsyan has contributed with nine goals and six assists in 22 league matches for the club, which is a return of one goal contribution every 1.47 outings on average.
His superb attacking displays, from a number ten position, have come after he enjoyed a phenomenal 2022/23 campaign in the Premier League for Krasnodar.
|
22/23 Premier Liga |
Eduard Spertsyan |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
28 |
|
Sofascore rating |
7.39 |
|
Goals |
10 |
|
Assists |
11 |
|
Big chances created |
8 |
|
Key passes per game |
2.2 |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
|
As you can see in the table above, the £13m-rated star provided a constant threat at the top end of the pitch with a return of 22 direct goal contributions in just 28 appearances.
This means that Spertsyan has chipped in with 19 goals and 17 assists in 50 league games for the Russian side since the start of last season, which is a goal or an assist every 1.39 matches on average.
Whilst there is no guarantee that those numbers would translate over to the Premiership, the right-footed talent appears to be a fantastic option for Rangers on paper if they can agree a deal with Krasnodar.
He has the attacking quality, both as a scorer and a creator, to be Clement's own version of de Bruyne in the number ten position, which could help the Gers to punish teams who sit deep in a low block to frustrate the Light Blues.
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Spertsyan has the goalscoring quality and creative nous to break down stubborn opposition defences and unlock the door for his teammates on a regular basis, which is why the Light Blues must do all they can to bring him to Ibrox at the end of the season.