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Despite excelling defensively under boss Sean Dyche during the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, Everton have struggled within the attacking third to produce quality on a regular basis.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure both notched up seven goals in the league, but endured droughts throughout the campaign, with the latter failing to score for over four months – a period that saw the club pick up just one win in 15 outings.

The Toffees only managed a tally of 40 goals in their 38 Premier League matches, with only bottom club Sheffield United producing a total fewer than Dyche’s side.

Outgoings will undoubtedly be the focus this summer to boost their PSR standing, but the club should also target a forward, with the Toffees already eyeing up one player to improve the goalscoring situation at Goodison Park.

Everton interested in signing £20m talent this summer

According to reports in France, Everton have entered the race to sign Marseille forward Iliman Ndiaye this summer, in an attempt to improve their lack of goals in recent months.

The 24-year-old only joined the French side for £20m from Sheffield United last summer after their promotion back to the Premier League, but he could be set for a return to England just one year after leaving.

He scored three goals and registered three assists in Ligue 1 last season, a respectable return, but it may not be enough to secure his future at the club.

The journalist claims that Dyche’s side have already tabled an offer for the Senegalese forward, with the club potentially able to land their target who they’ve eyed for many years.

Ndiaye’s potential move could allow the club to move one forward on, following recent interest from fellow Premier League sides for his signature despite his poor recent form.

Why Ndiaye could allow Dyche to forget about Calvert-Lewin

The Englishman has been a great servant for the Toffees after signing for the Blues for £1.5m back in the summer of 2016, scoring 68 times in 247 appearances for the club.

However, given their recent troubles with PSR, they may be forced to offload him, with Newcastle United now looking likely to acquire his services.

Ndiaye would be a completely different option than the 27-year-old, but one that can take the Toffees to the next level, with his excellent ability with the ball at his feet.

Although the Everton man has contributed with more goals and assists in 2023/24, Ndiaye has dominated with his all-round play, adding a new dimension to the Toffees’ attack.

The youngster has performed much better with the ball at his feet, completing two times the amount of progressive passes to his teammates, whilst also achieving a 27% better pass completion rate.

He’s also completed nearly double the amount of successful take-ons than Calvert-Lewin, an example of the quality the “ridiculously talented” forward, as dubbed by the Second Tier Podcast, possesses in the final third.

Whilst Calvert-Lewin has been an excellent servant for the club, should they receive a bid in the region of their asking price, they must allow him to depart with Ndiaye potentially the perfect replacement.

He’s undoubtedly a different style of centre-forward to the Toffees’ number nine, but he would flourish with the current crop of attacking players at Goodison, allowing the club to pull clear of the drop zone next season.

Real Madrid's La Liga match against Valencia, which was slated to be held on Saturday, has been postponed as flash floods claimed at least 95 lives.

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• RFEF has postponed all matches in Valencia province
• The clubs had requested to postpone the games
• Copa del Rey & Liga F fixtures have also been affected

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) made the decision after flash floods ravished the Valencia province, killing close to 100 and leaving dozens more unaccounted for. Torrential downpours that began earlier this week have unleashed unprecedented devastation across the region, leading to widespread property damage and disrupting normal life in multiple cities and towns.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Following a formal request from La Liga, Liga F, and various clubs, the RFEF announced that all professional matches in the affected area would be temporarily suspended to prioritize public safety. In addition to the Real Madrid-Valencia fixture, Villarreal’s game against Rayo Vallecano has also been cancelled. The postponement extends to several matches in the Segunda Division, including Castellon versus RC Ferrol, CD Eldense against SD Huesca, and Malaga’s scheduled visit to Levante. In Liga F, the women’s premier league, Valencia’s match against Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid’s clash with Levante have likewise been called off.

• WHAT DID THE CLUBS SAY

  Valencia released a statement on Thursday that read: "Valencia has received confirmation of the postponement of the La Liga Matchday 12 match, initially scheduled for this Saturday, November 2, due to the severity of the DANA that has left numerous fatalities and affected people in the province of Valencia.

  "At this difficult time we wish to express our deepest condolences and our love to the families and friends of the deceased and those affected by this catastrophe that has left us devastated and has put football in the background."

  Real Madrid also sent out a statement: "In view of the devastating situation caused by the DANA in many areas of our country, especially in the Comunidad Valenciana, the Real Madrid Foundation and the Cruz Roja have joined forces in a fundraising campaign aimed at supporting those affected.

  "This catastrophe has placed many families in a critical situation and it is essential to act quickly and in solidarity. Every contribution can go a long way to helping those who have lost everything."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  In solidarity with those affected by the tragedy, La Liga announced that a moment of silence would be observed before every game this weekend. The league aims to honour the victims and their families during this difficult time and to express its condolences to the communities devastated by the floods. Real Madrid will now get more time to prepare for their UEFA Champions League clash against AC Milan on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

West Ham United have begun contact to sign a Premier League star for Julen Lopetegui, according to Fabrizio Romano.

West Ham transfer plans after Guilherme

The Hammers have already been active in the summer transfer window, securing the services of Luis Guilherme, who officially arrived from Palmeiras last week.

The Brazilian is unlikely to be the only signing of the summer ahead of Lopetegui’s first season at the London Stadium, with more attacking names linked with moves to the Irons.

For example, a bid has reportedly been made for Colombian Jhon Arias, and an approach to Celta Vigo attacker Jorgen Strand Larsen, whereas there have also been rumours about Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling and links to Juventus’ Matias Soule.

West Ham leading race to sign £30m player compared to Angel Di Maria

There have been talks in London.

By
Charlie Smith

Jun 18, 2024

Additions at the back are also wanted by Lopetegui, Tim Steidten and co, with contact being made for left-back Ryan Sessegnon after his departure from Tottenham. Now, a player who Lopetegui knows well is firmly in West Ham’s sights.

West Ham in Max Kilman contact

According to transfer expert Romano, the Hammers are showing a concrete interest in Kilman, with Lopetegui a big fan from his time at Molineux. It won’t be an easy deal to complete, says Romano, although contacts have started.

Reports elsewhere have stated that Wolves will want around £45m for the centre-back’s services.

The 27-year-old, described as a “big” player for Wolves by The Times' Charlotte Duncker, has been a regular for the Old Gold in recent years, making 151 appearances for the club, 24 of which came under Lopetegui.

Ironically, Kilman, who has also been linked with a move to Manchester United in recent months, was full of praise for Lopetegui following Wolves’ 1-0 win over West Ham at the beginning of 2023.

"We've put our heads down and worked really hard in training. And it has paid off today [against West Ham]. We're defending better and we're more solid – this is the real Wolves. We're just delighted to get the win and go from there. We've bonded a lot over the break and have gelled together, and you can see that on the pitch.

"Every game in the Premier League is so tough, and West Ham are a great side, so to get the clean sheet means everyone is delighted."

Fast forward to the 204/25 season, and Kilman and Lopetegui could be working together at the London Stadium, making this one to watch over the coming months.

Manchester United players saw Erik ten Hag's treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo as 'unnecessary humiliation', as more details of his methods emerge.

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• Ronaldo punished after Spurs incident
• Portuguese refused to come on as a sub
• Ten Hag sacked by Man Utd this week

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ten Hag was dismissed from his position as head coach at Old Trafford in the wake of the Red Devils' 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday. It was hardly a shock, with United sitting 14th in the Premier League, and it wasn't just on the pitch where the Dutchman struggled. A new report by ESPN details the 54-year-old's struggles connecting with his players as they highlight an incident with Ronaldo that several senior players considered an 'unnecessary humiliation'.

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  Ronaldo was punished after refusing to come on as a substitute for United against Spurs in October 2022. Initially dropped from the squad for United's next match and instructed to train separately from the first team, Ten Hag took things a step further when Ronaldo was told by staff that he wasn't allowed in the dressing room as he tried to retrieve a pair or trainers. The forward had to get an academy player to enter the dressing room for him – a humbling moment for any first team player, let alone one of Ronaldo's stature, and senior players weren't on board with the blanket ban.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  There were concerns over Ten Hag's ability to communicate with his players very early on in his tenure. After beginning with defeats to Brighton and Brentford, some players complained that his instructions were being lost in translation, sparking confusion on the pitch. The 4-0 defeat to Brentford left one player feeling that Ten Hag didn't know how to motivate his squad.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  Ruben Amorim is wanted at Old Trafford to succeed Ten Hag, although the Sporting CP boss remained coy when quizzed on his future on Tuesday. In the meantime, interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the Red Devils in their League Cup tie against Leicester on Wednesday evening.

The Spaniard's exciting side lost just once last season, but the German double-winners are finding things a little more difficult this term

Jonathan Tah was in no mood for holding back. "This feels like crap," the Bayer Leverkusen defender fumed after his side had twice failed to hold onto a lead in last month's 2-2 draw with Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen. "It's like a defeat.

"We simply have to keep defending until the last second. The goals we let in were frustrating. But we will get the chance to silence those talking about us now."

Leverkusen's erratic form has certainly become a major talking point in Germany over the past few weeks. Last season's double-winners have still only lost one game in all competitions and, ahead of Tuesday's trip to Liverpool, are well on course to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League.

However, the German champions will arrive at Anfield having drawn four of their last five Bundesliga games, a frustrating run that has left them seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich after just nine rounds of action. Consequently, some supporters and pundits are wondering if opponents have finally figured out how to nullify Xabi Alonso's previously unstoppable side…

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  'The feeling that we are not going to lose'

  Leverkusen's 2023-24 campaign was truly extraordinary. They played 53 games in total – and lost only one, in the Europa League final to Atalanta. They also became the first team in the history of German football to win a domestic double without suffering a single defeat.

  Bayer went from 'Neverkusen' to 'Neverlusen' thanks to the club's wonderful recruitment and the genius of Alonso, who put together a team that was as exciting as it was resilient, as underlined by the fact that they scored 42 times in the 80th minute or later between the start of their Spanish coach's tenure in October 2022 and the end of last season.

  As winger Amine Adli put it at one point, "We always have the feeling that we are not going to lose."

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  'This is the right place'

  Hardly surprising, then, that Liverpool, Bayern and Real Madrid all reportedly attempted to hire Alonso during the summer – only for the 42-year-old to surprisingly stay at the Bay Arena.

  "I am a young coach, but I have to feel it, and right now I feel that this is the right place," he explained after confirming his intention to stay with Leverkusen until at least 2025. "It's a process, the development of the team is parallel with my development as a manager.

  "This is my first complete season as a manager. I still have a lot of things to prove myself, to experience, and right now I have a situation in the club where I feel really stable, really happy with the team and the club."

  Despite the huge boost of holding onto the most coveted coach in world football, Leverkusen have surprisingly lacked stability this season, as Alonso has been the first to admit.

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  'Wake-up call'

  Leverkusen's unbeaten run in the Bundesliga came to an end on matchday two, with Alonso's men blowing a 2-0 lead in a 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig. Three weeks later, it was they who came out on top in another dramatic encounter, beating Wolfsburg 4-3 at home.

  However, the coach was just as perturbed by his team's inability to control the flow of the game as he had been after the Leipzig defeat. "Everything was too hectic, too crazy, both in defence and in attack – that's just not what we want," he admitted.

  Granit Xhaka agreed, arguing that the game had to serve as "a wake-up call" for every single member of the squad. "Our defence was our strength last season," the Swiss midfielder pointed out, "so we can’t keep conceding as many goals as we have been." Unfortunately for Leverkusen, it remains a major issue.

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  'All in our heads'

  Alonso's brilliant backline was breached just 24 times in the Bundesliga last season; this time around, they've already shipped 15 goals, resulting in the loss of 11 points, having dropped just 12 during their title triumph. Clearly something is going wrong – but the question is what?

  Some have suggested that sides have simply worked out how to expose the space in behind the buccaneering wing-backs in Alonso's favoured 3-4-2-1 formation. But Xhaka is having none of it.

  "It’s nothing to do with the system we're playing, believe me,” the former Arsenal ace said. "It's about whether we want to go the extra yard or not. It's all in our heads. It's not as if the opposition are tearing us apart, playing nice link-up play and then scoring. We're just not making our runs well enough. We're not aggressive enough and we're giving the opposition too much space. The goals we're conceding are too easy."

There have been some legendary players to have played for both Manchester United and Newcastle United, two giants of English football, over the years. Perhaps the most famous of them all was striker Andy Cole, who lit up the Premier League for the Magpies before moving to Old Trafford and promptly winning the treble. He scored 121 goals in 275 appearances for the Red Devils.

Another treble-winner to have played for both clubs is Nicky Butt. The Class of ‘92 member played 385 times for United, winning eight Premier League titles along the way, before switching to St James’ Park in 2005 where he played 171 times for the club.

One of the more controversial players to have played for both clubs is Michael Owen. Given his history with Liverpool, it seemed outlandish for him to ever call Old Trafford home, but he switched the North East for the North West in 2009, where he proceeded to play 52 times in red, scoring 17 times.

Other notable names on the list had fleeting spells at one of the clubs, including another treble winner in Ronny Johnsen and French striker Louis Saha. However, with the transfer window open once more, there could be another player set to join United from the Magpies.

Man Utd target Newcastle winger

The player in question here is Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, who is currently at Euro 2024 with England. The 23-year-old was impressive during the 2023/24 season and has now been linked with a move away from St James’ Park this summer.

According to a report from news outlet CaughtOffside, Gordon is a player who is 'wanted' by United, and the Red Devils would 'do well to push' for the player during the summer transfer window.

However, Erik ten Hag’s side are not the only club that want to sign Gordon this summer. West Londoners Chelsea, who almost signed Gordon in 2022, are interested, but it is United’s big rivals Liverpool who are currently 'showing the strongest interest' in the 23-year-old. That said, Gordon is not the only player on Liverpool’s list, which could open the door for United and Chelsea.

It's suggested that the Toon star would cost between £70m and £75m, a fair amount given the player’s quality and the fact he has two years left on his deal. It would also see Newcastle make a healthy profit, given they spent £40m upfront on the winger.

Why Gordon would be a good signing

Gordon was one of Newcastle’s best players last season, scoring 11 goals and registering ten assists in 35 Premier League games.

His 21 combined goals and assists were the second-best amongst his teammates, bettered only by Alexander Isak who registered 23 goal involvements, as per Sofascore. Football analyst Umir called the winger “high level” on X, and it is easy to see why, given his goalscoring numbers.

Euro 2024 has been a frustrating time for Gordon. He has barely had the opportunity to play any football so far, registering just one minute of normal time, in the third group stage game against Slovenia which England drew 0-0.

In terms of his profile, Gordon is a rapid, direct winger who excels when running in behind, and in one-vs-one situations. It's hardly a surprise that writer Henry Winter suggested that he "scares defenders."

Those aforementioned qualities are very similar to United’s key man on the wing, Marcus Rashford, who had a tough season in 2023/24. The Englishman scored just eight goals and registered five assists from 43 games, which followed a season of 30 goals and ten assists in 56 games, a campaign which showed his quality.

Should United bring Gordon to the club, he could prove to be the perfect player to provide Rashford with competition on the left wing. Last season, United struggled for depth out there, given Alejandro Garnacho found a home on the right wing. With Rashford’s form patchy at times, having Gordon at his disposal could be a great option for Ten Hag.

The 23-year-old would certainly bring something similar to Rashford to the United squad. They are both exemplary ball-carriers, especially from wide areas, driving inside towards the penalty box and running at defenders, before looking to get a shot off or find a pass.

Last season, as per Fbref, Gordon averaged 2.27 carries into the final third per 90 minutes, compared to Rashford’s 2.02. However, the United number 10 averaged far more carries into the penalty box, with 2.54 compared to Gordon’s 1.84 per 90.

Last season, Gordon’s creative numbers were slightly higher than Rashford’s, who averaged 0.91 key passes per game, compared to the Newcastle winger’s 1.78 key passes. Gordon also averages more passes into the final third with 1.68 per 90, and passes into the penalty box with 1.21, compared to Rashford’s 1.35 final third passes and 1.19 penalty box passes.

Both wingers expected goals tally are pretty neck and neck, too. The 23-year-old Newcastle winger averages 0.32xG per 90, with the United academy graduate slightly less, averaging 0.29xG per 90 minutes.

Should the Red Devils bring Gordon to the club, he could be an excellent alternative to Rashford. It gives their number 10 excellent competition, with the Magpies star being one of the best wingers in the Premier League last season. It also means you have a top-quality replacement should Rashford need time out of the side or picks up an injury.

If Ten Hag sees Garnacho’s long-term future on the right wing, then signing Gordon certainly makes sense. Despite the fact he will cost a fair amount of money, upwards of £75m, it would be a smart investment for United to make.

Man Utd in talks to sign 51m "monster" who'd star with De Ligt

Manchester United are starting to make moves in the summer transfer window.

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By
Matt Dawson

Jul 1, 2024

Fabio Coentrao, a Champions League winner with Real Madrid, hailed new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim as "the best manager in the world".

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• Coentrao backs Amorim to succeed at Man Utd
• Sporting legend began work on Monday
• First match to come against Ipswich on Nov. 24

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United officially confirmed Amorim as their new head coach following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag after a rocky start to the season. The Dutchman's departure came amid growing discontent over the team’s performance, with only four wins in 14 matches across competitions, leaving them 14th in the Premier League standings.

  The recruitment of Amorim has brought a wave of optimism among United fans and insiders, who are eager to see how his expertise could rejuvenate the squad and reignite their season. Upon Amorim's arrival at Carrington on Monday, United’s CEO Omar Berrada and sporting director Dan Ashworth personally greeted him, offering a warm welcome to his new home.

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• WHAT COENTRAO SAID

  In wake of Amorim’s appointment, former Real Madrid and Portugal star Coentrao expressed admiration for United officials for zeroing in on his compatriot for the Old Trafford hot seat.

  The former left-back, speaking during a tour at the Matosinhos docks in Portugal, where he owns a boat, said: "Sporting have lost a very important figure, but I am thrilled for Ruben. Manchester United have gained the best coach in the world… by far."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  In response to Amorim’s departure, Sporting moved quickly to find a new leader for their senior squad. They announced Joao Pereira, a former Portugal international, as his successor. Pereira has a longstanding association with Sporting, having concluded his playing career at the club in 2021 before joining their coaching staff. And after proving his skills with Sporting’s Under-23 team and the reserves, he will look to build on the momentum set by Amorim.

  However, Coentrao refrained from making a comparison between the two and said: "Ruben is Ruben, Joao is Joao. Ruben has already proven himself and now he will make us proud in another country. Ruben cared about Sporting until the last second and left the team very well prepared. The team is ready and whoever goes there has to be intelligent and finish the work that Ruben did. With this team, without a doubt, Sporting has to be champion."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR AMORIM?

  Amorim's first match as United head coach is scheduled for November 24 – an away game against Ipswich Town at Portman Road in the Premier League.

Chelsea are believed to be in constant talks with the representatives of a £25 million winger as they push to bring in an alternative to Raheem Sterling.

Chelsea targeting new forwards after busy early summer window

So far, co-Chelsea sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley have orchestrated one of the busiest summer windows of any Premier League side, with the club officially announcing deals for Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Omari Kellyman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Brazilian starlet Estevao Willian.

Chelsea submit bid for £70 million striker after green light from Maresca

The Italian has welcomed a move.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 7, 2024

These transfers have set Todd Boehly back around £81 million, not including the add-ons in Estevao's contract, and the pending arrival of Basel defender Renato Veiga appears set to increase their expenditure to around £93 million.

To abide by PSR, Chelsea have actually operated pretty cleverly – registering a net spend of just £4 million when taking into account their total of £89 million through player sales made this summer.

The west Londoners, in an effort to back new manager Enzo Maresca ahead of his debut campaign in the dugout, are also believed to be after new senior forwards. Chelsea remain in the market for a new striker, after relying heavily on Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson for their output under Mauricio Pochettino, and also want a new star wide player.

Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams is a player of real interest to Chelsea, according to reports in Spain, and they're also targeting a very highly-rated young forward in Rennes starlet Desire Doue.

It is now also rumoured that a new priority for Maresca is bringing in a left-winger who can provide serious competition for the likes of Sterling. The Englishman, who lost out on a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024, scored 10 goals and assisted eight others across 43 appearances in all competitions last season.

However, he was relegated to the bench more often than not torward the end of 2023/2024, and some reports have even claimed that Sterling could leave Chelsea this summer.

Chelsea in talks with Adeyemi as they push for Sterling alternative

According to TEAMtalk and journalist Rudy Galetti, Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi is a serious target for Chelsea as they push for another left-winger.

The German, who racked up seven goal contributions for Dortmund last term, could depart the club for offers of around £25 million. Chelsea are believed to be in talks with Adeyemi and his entourage ahead of a potential move, and Galetti even writes that the 22-year-old is considered their main attacking target.

Discussions with Adeyemi and his camp are apparently set to continue this week, and Chelsea see him as an alternative to Doue as well given the growing competition for his signature.

Didier Drogba is one of the modern-day icons of Chelsea football club, scoring 147 times in his 344 appearances for the Blues.

The Ivorian joined the club from Marseille back in 2004, as an unknown quantity, but departed Stamford Bridge as one of the Premier League’s best-ever strikers.

He enjoyed many memorable moments at the club, but undoubtedly, his best was in the Champions League triumph back in 2012, where he scored the crucial goal before slotting home the winning goal in the shootout.

However, the club have struggled to find a similar out-and-out centre forward since his departure back in 2015, with new boss Enzo Maresca the next manager to be tasked with the job of finding a new talisman.

Endless players have been linked with a move to the club this summer, but one stands out with Todd Boehly potentially needing to invest big money once more ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Chelsea could sign £100m talent this summer

During the off-season, Chelsea have been linked with a move to sign Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, but the Magpies are desperately wanting to keep hold of their star man.

The interest is hardly a surprise given his record of 21 Premier League goals in 27 outings, but any deal would set Maresca’s side back at least £100m this summer.

His goals have massively helped the Magpies in recent seasons, helping them secure Champions League football for the first time in 20 years, giving Eddie Howe’s side the added goal threat they’ve been craving.

The Blues now found themselves in the same situation, needing a proven goalcscorer to take them back to where they once were, with Isak’s ability to find the back of the net undoubtedly improving the forward line.

Although it would cost a huge sum to prise him away from Newcastle, it would be a worthwhile investment, especially when considering his stats from 2023/24 alongside Chelsea’s current centre-forward.

How Isak compares to Chelsea’s current centre-forwards

Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson joined the Blues in a deal worth up to £30m last summer, scoring 14 goals in his debut Premier League campaign at Stamford Bridge.

It was certainly an impressive first season for the former Villarreal ace, but he was unable to match Isak in multiple key aspects for a centre-forward.

The “world-class” Swede, as described by one scout and Eddie Howe, contributed with more goal contributions and also a higher shot-on-target accuracy than the Chelsea forward.

Isak also completed more take-ons and averaged more shots per 90, giving him more frequent opportunities in the final third – helping him register his higher goal tally in 2023/24.

The Newcastle man is a very similar style of player to Drogba, with his ability to create a goal out of nothing with his brilliant ball-striking ability and close control to ghost past defenders.

As previously mentioned, the lack of a focal point at Stamford Bridge has been evident in recent times, with no one able to fill the boots of fan-favourite Drogba.

However, in a game where goalscorers are worth their weight in gold, a player of Drogba’s quality won’t come cheaply in today’s market – with the Blues needing to spend big on a new striker.

Isak is the perfect player to finally fill the void, with his ability in front of goal potentially handing Maresca the opportunity to catapult the club back towards the top end of the division, which is why they must spend £100m to land their new 'world-class' centre-forward.

Ange Postecoglou has warned against burning Rodrigo Bentancur 'at the stake' after Tottenham appealed against his ban for racist comments.

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• Bentancur was punished by FA
• Made comments about team-mate Son
• Spurs appealed against seven-game ban

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bentancur was banned by the FA for seven games after making a racist comment towards his team-mate, Son Heung-min, as he suggested South Korean people are indistinguishable from each other. The Uruguay international apologised for his comments but the Football Association has handed him a suspension, and Spurs have appealed the severity of the ban.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  A minimum six-game ban is applied for racist comments, but because Bentancur's comment was deemed an "aggravated breach", an extra game has been added. That fixture will take place against Liverpool, and a perhaps cynical read would be to suggest that Spurs are merely trying to ensure he is available for the big game. Postecoglou has insisted that he stands behind Spurs' decision to take issue with the severity of the suspension and maintains the opposition in game number seven has had no impact on the decision.

• WHAT POSTECOGLOU SAID

  Asked if Spurs were sending a mixed message by appealing the sanction, Postecoglou said: "I'm not interested in looks or what people want to make… He's said he's made a mistake. We'll accept whatever penalty comes our way. We believe that the first one was a little bit harsh so we've appealed that which I think is our right. That's the whole process. Even if you look at the punishment, it's at the lower end of the scale so even the people who have all of the information have adjudicated that way.

  "I get that people want to burn people at the stake nowadays, but as I keep saying part of this process if you want real education and progress is to understand that when somebody makes a mistake and they pay the penalty, part of that is education and hopefully treating them in the way that people see that's a way forward, whether it's Rodrigo or anyone else. I'm old enough in life that I've made bigger mistakes than that mate, but I was allowed to learn from them and hopefully I'm a better human being because of that."

  Asked about the prospect of having Bentancur available against Liverpool, the Spurs boss added: "I couldn't care less who it's against but yes it's worth it because that's what we feel. We still have a judicial process. That's why appeals are there. We're not going outside the jurisdiction, we're not trying to create something that's not available to us.

  "We think it was harsh, we think it shoulder have been the minimum and we'll go through that process. If it's deemed not then we'll accept that. We're not going to just accept to something if we feel that it's not the right thing in terms of our process. So I'm fully supportive and we'll abide by any decision but that's why there's an appeal process."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Spurs face Manchester City this weekend. They will not have Bentancur available, but it remains to be seen when their appeal will be ruled upon.