There was a point last season when Liverpool had established a commanding lead at the top of the Premier League yet still failed to earn the respect and, perhaps, fear, of their closest title rivals.

You might have traced it back further. Before a ball had been kicked, BBC Sport’s 30 experts had a go at naming their pick for the league champion. Each of the pundits failed to choose Liverpool, who won the Premier League at a canter, ten points ahead of Arsenal at the finish despite loosening standards across the final four fixtures.

In fact, Stephen Warnock and Fara Williams were the only BBC Sport pundits to declare Liverpool would finish in the top two. Make no mistake, the Reds were hardly expected to challenge for the title after losing Jurgen Klopp, but Klopp left an incredible, dynamic team behind, and FSG bagged Slot gold, having barely dipped into the transfer market.

Is it any wonder Liverpool have attacked the market with such vicious intent? The Merseysiders have spent around £200m this summer and more is yet to come, with striker Hugo Ekitike and Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi both fixed at the top of the shopping list.

In Guehi’s case, Eagles chairman Steve Parish might prove to be too tricky a negotiator, pricing his captain at £50m despite their being just one year remaining on his contract.

But should Liverpool push ahead all the same?

Why Liverpool want Marc Guehi

Liverpool could wrap up their transfer window right now and be content. Who wouldn’t after signing Florian Wirtz for a British-record £116m fee? The German talent, plucked from his heralded position in the Bundesliga, could revolutionise the Anfield side.

But Liverpool would like to pack more quality across other positions. Sporting director Richard Hughes tried and failed to convince Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen to join from Bournemouth in May, but in Guehi, Liverpool might find the perfect alternative.

His leadership and composure, technical qualities and combativeness all see him align with Slot’s vision, especially if a breakthrough cannot be found with Ibrahima Konate, who has 12 months left on his own deal as Los Blancos look to pilfer more talent from Liverpool’s chest.

Jarell Quansah has also been sold to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £35m.

Liverpool want Guehi, and they want him bad. However, they are open to a variety of options and could hit the jackpot with a certain alternative hailing from the German scene.

Liverpool in race for Bundesliga star

Liverpool have registered their interest in RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba, who, according to Foot Mercato, is being chased by the Reds, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich.

With a €90m (£77m) release clause, Lukeba wouldn’t come cheap – although it’s unlikely that the suitors would pay such a figure.

However, with the France international open to leaving, Leipzig would be willing to cash in for a more modest sum, for they finished sixth in the Bundesliga last term and thus have no European football to look forward to in 2025/26.

Transfer Focus

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

What Castello Lukeba would bring to Liverpool

When previously discussing Lukeba’s potential transfer to Liverpool, analyst Ben Mattinson said that Anfield would represent the “perfect move” for the defender.

Indeed, Lukeba’s “freak profile”, positively spoken in regard to his athleticism and versatility, bespeaks his suitability in Slot’s system.

And have Liverpool not hit the jackpot many times when raiding the Bundesliga for exciting young prospects?

Wirtz, indeed, is a fine example of this; he might not have kicked a ball on Merseyside yet, but the 22-year-old is destined for greatness.

Lukeba is only 22 and has already demonstrated his qualities superbly across the 2024/25 campaign, ranked among the top 13% of central defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for passes attempted, the top 20% for progressive passes, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90, as well as the top 15% for aerial duel success rate, as per FBref.

His energy and hunger to win duels and fend off opposing forwards blends with a sharp technicality that Slot would use to instil calm through Liverpool’s backline. The progressiveness that we can observe through his attacking metrics only emphasises his wide-ranging skill set further.

Matches (starts)

23 (18)

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches*

65.4

Pass completion

87%

Key passes*

0.2

Dribbles*

0.9

Ball recoveries*

3.2

Tackles + interceptions*

2.0

Clearances*

3.0

Duels (won)*

4.0 (65%)

This “leader”, as he’s been described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, would follow Wirtz in being a young Bundesliga talent stepping into Slot’s squad to plug a gap and potentially rise toward the uppermost level of the game.

He has the potential, to be sure. Having already completed 72 appearances for Leipzig after transferring from French side Lyon, where he played 68 times after cutting his teeth in the club’s academy, there’s a wealth of experience which Liverpool could build upon.

Moreover, Lukeba has rebounded from injury setbacks throughout his youthful career in a similar vein to Wirtz, whose ACL injury as a teenager preceded his invincible domestic campaign of 2023/24 with Bayer Leverkusen, when he was crowned the Bundesliga Player of the Year.

Lukeba might not carry quite the same stock, but he’s an immensely talented defender targeted by one of the best clubs in the world.

Following Konate, Joel Matip, Bobby Firmino and more from making his way from Germany to Anfield, this young centre-half could define the coming era on Merseyside, along with Wirtz.

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ByAngus Sinclair Jul 1, 2025

Aston Villa fans will be concerned about the amount of outgoings currently being talked about at Villa Park.

Indeed, every passing day seems to throw up another rumoured casualty from the West Midlands giants, with Ollie Watkins the next high-profile name to be linked with an exit as Arsenal show an interest in the lethal Premier League goal machine again.

Emiliano Martinez’s name is also in this constant conversation, with a move to Manchester United reportedly lined up.

But why is this all happening? Well, Unai Emery’s men are trying to balance the books by whatever means necessary to comply with stringent PSR rules.

Aston Villa chasing £30m signing

Martinez and Watkins aren’t the only key members of the Villa squad who could depart the Midlands this summer with Arsenal also allegedly eyeing Morgan Rogers.

If the England international does exit, presumably for a colossal fee, they would need a replacement.

Well, according to reports from Spain, via Sport Witness, Villa are continuing to hunt the signature of Real Betis starlet Jesus Rodriguez this summer.

It is stated that several clubs are looking at the teenage sensation, with Cesc Fabregas’ Como said to be accelerating their efforts to tempt the Spanish hotshot to Italy, alongside Monchi also powering ahead with Villa’s own advances.

Betis are reportedly willing to sanction a move for Rodriguez to leave when he returns from international action with Spain U21s at the ongoing Euros tournament, with a £30m price-tag also above his head if he does seek out a new home shortly.

Villa could well have that amount in the bank if a major sale is signed off on, with this going down as a worthwhile investment if Rodriguez can instantly acclimatise to his new environment.

Already, the Seville-born attacker has made waves in the senior picture at Betis, as seen in this coolly tucked away chance in European action.

How Rodriguez could become Emery's next Rogers

Much like Emery managed with a once wide-eyed Rogers, Rodriguez could soon be transformed into a far more impressive forward player under the ex-Arsenal manager’s expert guidance.

After all, Rogers was only two years older than Rodriguez is now when he was first handed a senior shot at Villa, having cost £15m to obtain from Middlesbrough.

Now, Rogers is spoken about as a player worth around £100m, and for good reason too when you consider his whirlwind rise at Villa Park from promising youngster plucked out of the EFL, to one of the key first names on Emery’s teamsheet.

Rogers wasn’t an overnight success, however, with only four goal contributions coming his way from his first 16 Villa first-team outings. But, the rest is history now for the “unstoppable” attacker, as Jamie Carragher glowingly labelled him last season, with a spellbinding 29 goal contributions next to his name during his second campaign at Emery’s men.

Rodriguez will hope he can be turned into a similar superstar under the Spaniard’s tutelage, with the 19-year-old already being described as “explosive” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, even as he’s still navigating the fledgling stages of his career.

Rodriguez’s G/A numbers for Betis
Age bracket	Games played	Goals scored	Assists
First team	32	3	2
Betis B	36	9	3
Sourced by Transfermarkt

Everything is pointing in the direction of the Betis number 36 going on to live up to his hype, with Rodriguez ahead of Rogers’ development already by showing immense flashes of his quality at the very peak of Spanish football.

To add context, when Rogers was only 19 years of age himself, he was attempting to cut his teeth in the Championship with AFC Bournemouth, while Rodriguez is already confidently scoring in the Conference League.

Patience will need to be exercised on the ends of the Villans like they offered up to a growing Rogers, but with their depleted numbers down the left wing clear for all to see, Rodriguez might be immediately chucked into the deep-end, with a hope he doesn’t sink under all the pressure and instead excels.

Amazing Watkins replacement: Aston Villa ready move for "special" £32m CF

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1

By
Ben Gray

Jun 20, 2025

After seeing their team fall short of the Championship playoff picture last season, West Bromwich Albion fans will be desperate for new manager Ryan Mason to be a success from the Hawthorns dugout.

It’s a very risky appointment, considering the 33-year-old has little to no experience as a manager outside of the comforts of Tottenham Hotspur. Still, it’s a bold and adventurous appointment that might well pay off, especially if promotion is reached.

He will surely want plenty of new signings to join him at the Baggies to try and put the West Midlands club back on the map, with a potent EFL goal-machine now reportedly on his shopping list.

West Brom ready to move for EFL ace

As per journalist Darren Witcoop via his X account, West Brom are among several clubs pursuing the services of Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Kelman this summer transfer window.

It’s even stated that the Baggies are ready to make a move for the recent winner of the League One Golden Boot, with his transfer valuation coming in at around the £850k mark, as per Football Transfers.

Witcoop hasn’t named the other clubs allegedly chasing after the former Leyton Orient loanee, so it will be interesting to see if West Brom do go on to land their desired target, with Sheffield United once looking at Kelman, according to other reports.

Ruben Selles’ Blades will no doubt be in the promotion race alongside Mason’s men, with a hope that West Brom come out on top to secure a deadly marksman for their new manager, winning him his own Josh Maja-style figure in the process.

How Kelman could be Mason's own Maja

Much like the lethal Nigerian, Kelman hasn’t had everything his way across his varied career to date, away from his goalscoring heroics last season for the O’s.

Indeed, before his majestic 27-goal heroics during the 2024/25 campaign, the 23-year-old unfortunately blew hot and cold for many of his other loan sides, with a paltry five strikes coming his way on the books of both Gillingham and Wigan Athletic, prior to everything clicking at Orient.

Maja endured similar barren patches of form himself before finding a location that suited him well at the Hawthorns, with the injury-prone 26-year-old only finding the back of the net a matter of five times as well when lining up for both Stoke City and Fulham.

Now, however, the on-fire duo will have discarded any bad memories they have with those past clubs, knowing they have found their goalscoring mojo as strikers now that very rarely need a second invitation to hammer a glorious effort home.

Games played

46

26

Goals scored

21

12

Scoring frequency

162 mins

173 mins

Assists

5

2

Touches*

22.0

27.7

Accurate passes*

6.9 (67%)

13.5 (76%)

Shots*

2.4

1.8

Big chances missed

20

10

It’s clear when studying the table above that both centre-forwards in question are more content with peppering opposition ‘keepers with regular shots rather than getting involved with play outside of their fox-in-the-box approach, with Kelman only averaging a mere 6.9 accurate passes per League One clash last season, alongside Maja only making 13.5 of his own.

Therefore, Kelman could be well suited to the way West Brom feed their potent strikers, with assist king Tom Fellows perhaps tallying up even more than the 14 assists he managed all across the 2024/25 campaign if the 23-year-old were to don Baggies blue and white shortly.

He was even hailed as an “intelligent” forward player by journalist Josh Bunting last season, with Kelman just praying now that he can show off his goalscoring prowess up a division in the EFL.

He has never actually scored at the intimidating level, but West Brom took a gamble on Maja coming good with only three second-tier strikes next to his name on his arrival, meaning Kelman might just explode into life too as Mason’s very own version of the clinical 26-year-old.

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1 ByKelan Sarson Jun 29, 2025

Nicholas Pooran was at it again, making his second big-hitting half-century in a row to secure back-to-back victories for Andrew Flintoff’s Northern Superchargers in the Hundred.In front of 24,160 expectant fans at the Kia Oval, Pooran ensured the theme of the day was Superchargers teams crashing the party – and clearing the boundary – after the women’s team won in an equally comprehensive manner earlier in the day.The two wins signalled the end of both Oval Invincibles sides’ 100% records, and left both men’s and women’s competitions wide open.Pooran’s 65 came from just 41 balls, with four mammoth sixes, and navigated a difficult start for his side to see Superchargers to 145 from their 100 balls. Pooran found it easier than most to find or clear the boundary, but Ollie Robinson’s 20 from 10 added some late impetus and gave the visitors a competitive total at the break.The Superchargers bowlers never let Invincibles get away in their chase, with Jordan Clark, Dillon Pennington and Matthew Potts all miserly up top. They received good support from their team-mates in the field, with Adam Hose and Mitchell Santner himself taking tidy catches in the deep.Santner was one of a trio of spinners, alongside Adil Rashid and Matt Short, who backed up the good work their seamers had started to give Invincibles nowhere to go in the middle of their innings.As the home team’s hopes began to fade, there was still time for Donovan Ferreira to pepper the spectators with five sixes in a 24-ball 49. The South African’s enterprising and entertaining knock briefly threatened to turn the game on its head before he was dismissed by Potts, but his was a lone hand – the only player to pass 20 in a chase that never really got into sixth gear.Meerkat Match Hero Pooran said: “For me it’s about being consistent with my mindset, and playing the situation of the game. In the past I’ve been in similar situations and just got out, but today I just felt like I had to respect the situation and just be there at the end.”Oval Invincibles bowled really well with the new ball; Spencer Johnson bowled really well. For me it was all about being there. As the innings prolonged for me, it felt like it got better, but in saying that it felt like if we could get anything over 130 then it was game on. And I just felt like we could only get there if we constructed the partnership or if I could stay till the end.”It’s brilliant. Getting back to back wins in a format like this is really important. Coming outside of our home venue too, coming here to the defending champions and getting a win is really important for us to continue growing as a group as well. We’re heading back to Headingley on Sunday and hopefully we can continue ticking the boxes and getting the right result.”

Hosts finish day three 207 ahead, after Joshua Da Silva’s 82* gave visitors a 41-run first-innings lead

Valkerie Baynes20-Jul-2024

Harry Brook finished day three on 71*•Getty Images

Half-centuries to three of their top five allowed England to wrest back control of the second Test after West Indies’ spirited lower-order resistance had given the tourists a narrow first-innings lead on an enthralling third day at Trent Bridge.Twin fifties from Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope – the biggest contributors in England’s first innings – steadied the hosts after the loss of Zak Crawley just ten balls into their second innings, a 119-run partnership for the second wicket overhauling West Indies’ 41-run lead and pulling them 86 ahead.Then fifty to Harry Brook during another century stand for England – worth 108 so far with Joe Root – left West Indies frustrated. At stumps on day three, Brook was unbeaten on 71 and Root was 37 not out.Crawley, dismissed for a duck in the first innings, managed 3 in the second before his freak run-out at the non-striker’s end. Duckett drove heartily back towards the bowler Jayden Seales, who thrust out a hand on his follow through and the ball deflected off his fingers as Crawley was backing up, his bat still in the air when the stumps were broken.Duckett raised his second fifty of the match in 55 balls with a trio of sweeps off consecutive deliveries in front of square off Kevin Sinclair, top-edged through fine leg and then behind square to add to his quick-fire 71 in the first innings.Ben Duckett hit his second fifty of the match•Getty Images

The day’s overcast conditions grew heavier at tea with a very light rain shower sweeping through around the scheduled resumption. Pope, England’s top-scorer in the first innings with 121, brought up his fifty soon after the interval with a single off Alzarri Joseph, but immediately after the misshapen ball was replaced, the same bowler lured Pope into a drive, the outside edge sailing to Sinclair at gully.Alzarri Joseph then pinned Duckett lbw with a toe-crusher of an inswinging yorker, the batter failing to overturn a straightforward dismissal on DRS, and England went from 127 for 1 to 140 for 3.Brook and Root steadied things again, though. Brook was hit in the midriff by one that nipped back from Alzarri Joseph, but pulled the next for four through midwicket to move within one boundary of his half-century; and he got there punching the first ball of Alzarri Joseph’s next over to the boundary through wide long-off.Brook raised the century partnership with back-to-back fours through the cordon off Seales, who was clearly fuming at the end of the over. When Brook and Root strode off the field after the next over, they had every reason to look pleased.Earlier, Joshua Da Silva’s resolute half-century, and Shamar Joseph’s big-hitting cameo from No. 11 took West Indies into the lead. Da Silva remained unbeaten on 82, having added fifty runs to his overnight score, when Shamar Joseph fell on the final ball of an extended first session for 33 off 27 balls, the pair putting on 71 runs off 78 for the tenth wicket.Joshua Da Silva and Shamar Joseph added 71 off 78 balls for the tenth wicket•AFP/Getty Images

Chris Woakes found plenty of swing to lead the bowling for England with three wickets for the day, including two in as many balls, to finish with 4 for 84.West Indies would have been thrilled with an improved batting performance, led by a century for Kavem Hodge, and Alick Athanaze’s 82 on the second day, which gave them some hope of levelling the series after an innings defeat at Lord’s. But after further encouragement with Crawley’s dismissal, they may be disappointed with their failure to capitalise.England bowled just one over with the second new ball on Friday evening, but under far cloudier skies, it took just 15 deliveries on Saturday morning for Woakes to break through, Jason Holder prodding at one outside off stump and getting caught behind. Sinclair survived a run-out chance when Pope’s shy at the stumps from short cover went wide, but he was gone soon after, thanks to Brook’s lightning reflexes at gully, off Gus Atkinson.Alzarri Joseph was put down by Ben Stokes, running in from cover, on 7, off the bowling of Atkinson, but Woakes claimed two wickets in as many balls when he had Alzarri Joseph chasing a wide one outside off stump and feathering behind to Jamie Smith, and then bowled Seales for a first-ball duck.Joshua Da Silva smashed Joe Root for 4, 4, 4, 6 in one over•PA Images via Getty Images

Shamar Joseph survived the hat-trick ball to support Da Silva, who had taken it slowly through the first 90 minutes of the day but brought up his fifty in emphatic style, using Mark Wood’s pace to guide the ball over the fence at deep extra cover.Da Silva took another six off Wood over deep third to move West Indies past the 400-mark, then Shamar Joseph drew his side level with England’s first-innings 416 by thrashing Atkinson for six in front of square. He sent broken roof tiles raining on to spectators sitting in the stands below at backward square leg next, and threaded four through fine leg to take 16 off the over.Da Silva amassed 18 runs off one Joe Root over with three consecutive fours followed by a heave over long-on for six, his third maximum of the innings.Wood, who had left the field late on day two suffering cramp after a lightning fast four-over spell in the morning followed by ten more overs of hard, fast graft, snared the wicket that had eluded him when Shamar Joseph sent a leading edge high to mid-on, Atkinson snaffling the catch.

Chelsea are through to the quarter-final of the Club World Cup, but they have also been keeping up on the transfer front while progressing in the tournament.

Chelsea see off Benfica to reach Club World Cup quarter-final

While their Premier League rivals are preparing for pre-season, Chelsea are in action over in the States, and they progressed to the Club World Cup quarter-final in dramatic fashion against Benfica despite having to endure extra time and a two-hour delay due to thunderstorms.

Speaking after seeing off the Primeira Liga giants, Enzo Maresca hit out at the lengthy stoppages the Blues had to navigate in their 4-1 victory despite eventually claiming the outcome they wanted.

“It’s a joke. That’s why I said it. if they’re already suspended six games, probably there is something that is not working. I’m not here to decide the rule. I’m no one to decide the rule. I’m the last one. I’m talking as a manager. As a manager, it’s difficult to manage two hours suspended.

“There is some problem for me personally. But I’m not talking – I’m talking as a manager. Because when you are two hours inside and you try to keep them in the game, but for two hours, they are speaking with the family outside for safety reasons.”

Nevertheless, Chelsea could face Manchester City in the semi-final if both sides progress that far.

The Blues have also encountered some alternative good news off the pitch as Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens has agreed a move to Stamford Bridge and they have also agreed a deal for Brighton star Joao Pedro. The Brazilian is said to be ready to pen a seven-year contract and join the Blues in a deal in excess of £50m.

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Posts ByCharlie Smith Jun 13, 2025

Imaginably, Chelsea are set for an exciting summer as they prepare to re-enter the Champions League for the first time since 2021/22, and they could now be set to ramp up their interest in their next target.

Phillips: Chelsea add Antonio Silva to defender shortlist

According to Simon Phillips on Substack, Chelsea have added Benfica defender Antonio Silva to their shortlist after scouting him for the duration of the season.

Of course, they got an additional opportunity to watch him up close in their 4-1 victory over the Portuguese giants in the Club World Cup last 16, while his teammate Tomas Araujo is another potential recruit now on their radar.

Chelsea’s two new defensive targets in 2024/25 – all competitions

Antonio Silva

Appearances – 46 Goals – 2 Assists – 3

Tomas Araujo

Appearances – 44 Goals – 1 Assists – 3

Araujo primarily features as a right-back, which has somewhat deterred the Blues from making a move in their pursuit of an ‘out-and-out central defender’ at Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, Silva, who has been labelled “incredible” by former Manchester City assistant coach Lillo, is said to have heavily impressed scouts while competing against Chelsea and is now under consideration by the club’s hierarchy.

With Maresca claiming Conference League glory alongside a top five finish last term, Silva could be the man to take Chelsea to the next level in their hunt for further silverware.

Yet to start their summer business, Aston Villa are now reportedly preparing an official approach to sign a midfield target worth £25m as Monchi intensifies his pursuit.

Kieran Maguire: Aston Villa "most concerned" about PSR

Like Newcastle United in the last two windows, Aston Villa’s spending is seemingly catching up to them even as they continue to enjoy impressive success on the pitch. And that could see them forced into a quiet summer window unless they sell at least one key player.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire had his say on the Villans’ PSR concerns, recently saying on Sky Sports: “I think of the 20 Premier League clubs, Villa are the ones who we’re most concerned about.

Aston Villa now in the conversation for shock deal to sign £85m striker

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1

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 19, 2025

“Last season, when they did qualify for the Champions League, for every £100 of revenue that Aston Villa brought in, they spent £91 on wages. Those players will have had contract step-ups for qualifying for the Champions League.

“And remember, Villa have done very well in that competition. So that will be a plus. And they have sold some players as well, in both the last summer market and the January one. But I think there is still a perception that Villa will have to box clever.

“And of all of the clubs under pressure to sell players by June 30, I guess they’re the ones who are the club that gives the most attention because their spending in the last couple of years before getting into Europe was so extensive.”

One sale that could be on the cards as a result of their concerns this summer is Emiliano Martinez. The goalkeeper has already been linked with moves to Atletico Madrid and, more concerningly, Manchester United. But as frustrating as his departure to join the latter would be, it would at least open the door for Villa to secure incomings of their own this summer.

Aston Villa preparing Raskin approach

According to TeamTalk, Monchi is now preparing an approach to sign Nicolas Raskin from Rangers with Aston Villa and their sporting director now set to intensify their pursuit of the talented midfielder.

As Rangers struggled for much of last season, Raskin was often among the few standouts and has since made an impressive start to life in the Belgium squad. Now, for just £25m, he could be on his way to the Premier League this summer.

In regards to Aston Villa’s financial problems, Raskin would also be a wise move given that he’s reportedly available for such a low fee this summer. What’s more, at just 24 years old, the Belgian is destined for bigger and better things which means that the £25m fee could rapidly turn into the ultimate bargain for all involved in the Midlands.

All signs point towards an excellent signing, but Aston Villa must first convince Rangers to sell one of their best players as they enter a new era under Russell Martin in Scotland.

Glasgow Rangers manager Russell Martin and sporting director Kevin Thelwell are hard at work behind the scenes at Ibrox as they look to cultivate a winning squad for next season.

The Light Blues have failed to win the Scottish Premiership title in each of the last four seasons, and the new boss has been brought in to turn their fortunes around.

Steven Gerrard was the last Rangers manager to lift the Premiership trophy after the Liverpool legend led the team to an incredible unbeaten season in the 2020/21 campaign.

Of course, that season was behind closed doors, though, and this meant that supporters did not get to enjoy that amazing success in the stands each week.

Martin will now be hoping to replicate that success with supporters able to enjoy it in the flesh, and he could draw inspiration from how Gerrard’s team was built.

One of the stars of that side was electric left winger Ryan Kent, who provided quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Scottish giants that season.

Why Ryan Kent was so influential for Rangers

The former Liverpool forward was an influential figure for Gerrard at the top end of the pitch, and was trusted by the manager, as shown by his 36 starts in 38 league matches.

Kent came off the bench just once in the Premiership season, making 37 appearances in total, which shows that he was a consistent starter and reliable option for the Gers on the left flank.

The English speedster rewarded Gerrard for his faith in him by delivering terrific performances out wide for the Light Blues, leading them to the title with his haul of goals and assists.

Kent ended the campaign with a return of ten goals and nine assists to his name in the Premiership, which earned himself a place in the Premiership Team of the Season, illustrating just how impressive he was in the division.

xG

8.28

Top 11%

Goals

10

Top 9%

xA

8.17

Top 6%

Assists

9

Top 9%

Chances created

68

Top 6%

Successful dribbles

70

Top 1%

Touches in the opposition box

162

Top 1%

As you can see in the table above, the Rangers star was an incredibly influential forward for the team because he finished his chances efficiently, created high-quality opportunities at an impressive rate, and was a constant threat in the opposition box.

Rangers could do with another electric winger in the same mould as Kent to propel them back to the top of the Premiership next season, and they may be on the verge of finding one.

Rangers closing in on new winger

According to The Star journalist Joe Crann, Rangers are closing in on a deal to bring Sheffield Wednesday winger Djeidi Gassama to Ibrox this summer.

The reporter claims that a move to Glasgow is “imminent” after the 21-year-old dynamo agreed terms on a four-year contract with the Scottish giants.

Transfer Focus

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

Crann claims that a fee has been agreed with the Championship side to snap up the left-sided attackers, and that they have already agreed personal terms with the French speedster.

Meanwhile, The Scottish Sun reports that the Owls sensation is valued at around £2.5m and back up Crann’s claim that the winger is closing in on a transfer to Rangers to bolster Martin’s options on the flanks.

At this moment in time, though, it remains to be known exactly how much money the Light Blues have agreed to pay for the exciting young forward, who appears to be on course to be the club’s latest addition.

Why Gassama could be the new Kent for Rangers

Martin could unearth his own version of Ryan Kent at Ibrox next season by helping the Sheffield Wednesday star to unlock his true potential on the left flank.

The 21-year-old gem is still in the early stages of his career and has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve over the years to come, which means that he should not only be judged on the numbers behind his Championship season last term.

Although, that is not to say that there were no promising signs from the French star last season, because the Owls whiz did catch the eye at times with his blistering displays.

Gassama was described as an “exciting” player by teammate Barry Bannan, and that comment is backed up by some of the data behind his performances for the Championship side.

xG

5.92

Top 16%

Goals

7

Top 14%

Shots on target

23

Top 14%

Chances created

38

Top 23%

xA

2.54

Top 32%

Assists

1

Bottom 27%

Touches in the opposition box

153

Top 6%

As you can see in the table above, the potential Rangers signing ranked highly as a goalscorer and constantly got into the opposition’s box, just as Kent did in the 2020/21 Premiership term, but the creative side of his game could be worked on at Ibrox.

Whilst these are not mind-blowing statistics, as he was only directly involved in eight goals at league level last term, Gassama’s form for PSG at youth level suggests that he has another gear to find in the future.

The impressive youngster produced a staggering 22 goals and seven assists in 27 matches for PSG’s U17 team in the 2021/22 season, along with five goals and two assists in eight games for their Youth League side.

This means that Gassama ended that season with a haul of 27 goals and nine assists in 35 games for the French giants at academy level, which is a sensational record and suggests that he has the potential to be as influential as Kent for Rangers if he can get anywhere close to those numbers at first-team level.

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It will now be down to Martin to work with him on the training pitches to help him to fulfill his potential and finally fill the hole that has been left on the wing since Kent’s departure in 2023.

Brutal century and rapid five-for power Glamorgan to 120-run win

ECB Reporters Network19-Jul-2024Kiran Carlson’s magnificent century ended Glamorgan’s 2024 Vitality Blast campaign in record-breaking fashion with a convincing 120-run win over Somerset.The Glamorgan captain’s hard hitting 135 from just 64 balls after winning the toss and opting to bat got the hosts to the highest total of the 2024 blast with 243 for four before Somerset fell to 123 all out.Marnus Labuschagne collapsed the Somerset tail with the final seven wickets falling for just 35 runs thanks to a 15-ball spell taking figures of five for 11 including a triple-wicket maiden.Glamorgan’s win was in vain as they finished the Blast in sixth in the South Group while Somerset have qualified for the quarter final, although they await a result from Sussex for who their opposition will be.Glamorgan’s record-breaking innings started with no sense of abnormality with Craig Overton’s first over of the match going for seven runs. However, 16 and 15 coming from the second and fifth over respectively helped Glamorgan to 66 without loss from the first six overs.Carlson’s blistering start, in particular, didn’t look like coming to an end as he brought up his fifty after 28 deliveries.England international Jack Leach showed his experience as he allowed just four singles from the eighth over but the Glamorgan captain and Will Smale’s destructive opening partnership of 169 demonstrated no change in fortune for Somerset.Carlson and Smale then brought up their personal milestones in successive overs. Carlson’s first ever century in T20 cricket followed by Smale’s first ever half-century in professional cricket, the latter including a ramp for six off Somerset seamer Riley Merideth despite two fielders behind the wicketkeeper placed on the boundary.The partnership eventually came to an end when Smale holed out to Sean Dickson at deep midwicket off Ben Green.Colin Ingram’s partnership of 44 with the centurion kept the run rate flying towards the highest total in Glamorgan’s blast history.Carlson’s knock came to an end in the 18th over when he played Merideth up to Tom Abell at mid off, walking off with the highest score by an individual in a T20 for Glamorgan.It became 234 for three as Chris Cooke’s 10-ball cameo of 16 was ended by an impressive boundary catch by a hopping Overton off Green’s bowling.Jake Ball ended his spell with the best economical figures (zero for 38) with some smart right-arm-around-the-wicket wide yorkers to restrict the final over to nine; Ingram run out off the final ball for 21.Somerset’s unlikely pursuit began strongly with 25 coming from Douthwaite in the second over. 36 for no loss from two overs quickly became 40 for two just five balls later with Timm van der Gugten picking up the wickets of Tom Banton and Tom Kohler-Cadmore in consecutive deliveries.Kellaway picked up his first ever Blast wicket when George Thomas miscued the 20-year-old off-spinner to cover for 16, leaving the total identical to Glamorgan’s 66 from the powerplay.Runs continued to flow for the west countrymen, however it didn’t stop continuous wickets. Dickson (12) and Abell (29) both getting starts before the introduction of Marnus Labuschagne into the bowling attack in his final Glamorgan match of 2024 brought a collapse.

أوضح الإعلامي أحمد شوبير، تطورات موقف النادي الأهلي في التعاقد مع مدير فني جديد، خلفًا لـ خوسيه ريبيرو، والذي تم توجيه الشكر له، والاستعانة بالكابتن عماد النحاس كمدرب مؤقتًا للفريق، لحين التعاقد مع مدرب أجنبي جديد.

وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الأحد: “هناك اجتماعات كثيرة جارية داخل الأهلي لاختيار خليفة ريبيرو، وسأوضح بالضبط كيف تسير الأمور”.

وتابع: “الاتجاه الغالب والمسيطر هو تعيين مدرب أجنبي، وكان من المقرر أن يبدأ هذا المدرب التدريبات مع نهاية الإجازة يوم الخميس، لكن بعض الأصوات تدخلت وقالت: لا نتعجل في اختيار المدرب، دعونا نهدأ قليلاً خطوة خطوة حتى نرى كيف ستتضح الأمور”.

وأشار: “النادي شكل جهازًا كاملًا يضم كابتن عماد النحاس، كابتن عادل مصطفى، كابتن محمد نجيب، وكابتن أمير عبد الحميد، وهم الجهاز الفني، ومعهم اثنان للأحمال: عبد الرحمن عيسى والشيحي، ومعهم بالطبع النجم الكبير وليد صلاح الدين مدير الكرة”.

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واستمر: “كما استمر كابتن محمد يوسف مديرًا رياضيًا للفريق، وأسامة هلال رئيس إدارة السكوتنج وهو القائم بأعمال مدير التعاقدات، وقد نصح الجميع بالهدوء.. معنى هذا الهدوء أنهم سيصبرون على كابتن عماد النحاس قليلًا لأنه لديه تجربة ناجحة سابقة”.

وأوضح شوبير: “هل هذا يعني أن الأهلي لن يجلب مدربًا أجنبيًا؟ لا، التفاوض جاري، لكن بروية، وعند قدوم المدرب الأجنبي الجديد، سيكون هو المدير الفني الثاني عشر الذي يتولى تدريب الفريق في عهد كابتن محمود الخطيب، بعد تسلسل بدأ بحسام البدري، باترس كارتيرون، محمد يوسف مؤقتًا، مارتن لاسارتي، رينيه فايلر، موسيماني، سامي قمصان مؤقت، سواريش، مارسيل كولر، عماد النحاس مؤقت، وخوسيه ريبيرو”.

واختتم: “التفكير في المدرب الأجنبي مستمر، ولجنة الاسكوتنج والتعاقدات تعمل على ترشيح الأسماء يوميًا، ويصلك كل يوم العديد من السير الذاتية، صراحة، تعبت من كثرة السير الذاتية المرسلة لي، وأؤكد لأي شخص يرسل لي (سي في) لاعب أو مدرب أنني لا أنظر إليها ولا أرسلها لأي جهة، لأنها ليست ضمن دوري أو مسؤوليتي، وهناك بعض الأشخاص يظنون أنهم يعرفون القصة أكثر من الواقع، لكن الحقيقة غير ذلك”.