All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Aston Villa will surely be feeling the after-effects of a congested fixture list right about now, as Unai Emery’s men prepare for an EFL Cup tie with Crystal Palace this mid-week, away from their duties in the Premier League and Champions League.

The much-maligned competition won’t be their main priority, with Villa eyeing up another top-four finish in the top-flight alongside keeping their 100% record going on Europe’s biggest stage for as long as possible, over beating Oliver Glasner’s Eagles tomorrow night.

The Champions League will also see Villa face off against one of their former stars in Douglas Luiz when his new employers Juventus come to town right at the end of November, with the Brazilian finding life in Turin to be tricky after loving his playing days in England.

Douglas Luiz's time at Villa

Luiz was a firm fan’s favourite when on the books of Emery’s men, with his departure earlier this year hurting the Premier League club in the short term.

Villa have since licked their wounds and recovered, with Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans forming a promising partnership in the holding midfield positions in the absence of the South American, but Luiz was still a big hit with the Villa Park faithful all the same.

Luiz would notch up 204 appearances for the West Midlands club before he would up and leave for pastures new in Juventus, amassing 22 goals and 24 assists along the way as a midfield option who could roll his sleeves up and play dirty, whilst also popping up with crucial contributions going forward.

It has been a bumpy ride for the 26-year-old since his arrival to Serie A, however, with no goals or assists coming his way from nine appearances to date, as Juve boss Thiago Motta has also only given Luiz one full 90-minute run-out.

Reuters/Daniele Mascolo

Villa will feel vindicated in selling on their star man for £42m now, away from any initial heartbreak the move caused, with one player out on loan away from Villa Park currently on course to be even better than Luiz if given a chance on his return to England.

The player with a higher ceiling than Douglas Luiz

According to football analyst Ben Mattinson, Enzo Barrenechea – who is out on loan at Valencia for the season away from Emery’s group – has a potentially “higher ceiling” than Luiz, which is high praise considering how key the Brazilian was to many Villa teams when he was still at the club.

Barrenechea will hope he can live up to this bold praise down the line, with the Argentinian midfielder impressing those at Valencia already with some top performances away from any outside hype, which included him netting his team’s opener last time out in La Liga action versus Getafe.

The brand new Valencia number five shone in that contest away from just poking home this goal, however, with six duels successfully won as a battling midfield presence.

Away from this current loan stint in Spain, Barrenechea has also proven himself in Italy – whilst Luiz currently falters in this location – hence Villa’s reasoning to splash out £6.7m to land the South American gem this summer from Juve, while Luiz headed in the opposite direction in a separate deal.

Stat – per 90 mins*

Barrenechea

Games played

36

Goals scored

1

Assists

1

Touches*

63.9

Accurate passes*

45.0 (86%)

Ball recoveries*

6.4

Total duels won*

4.9 (56%)

Looking at his numbers above when playing for Frosinone last campaign in Serie A, it’s clear that Barrenechea could go on to be a top talent for Emery’s side in the years to come, averaging an impressive 6.4 ball recoveries per game last season in league action.

To add context, Luiz playing for Motta’s men now is averaging a far lesser 2.0.

Emery will be keeping a close eye on the 23-year-old’s development in his native country, therefore, in the hope he can develop into a first-team star for his side, offering them a new Luiz in the process.

Aston Villa thought they had their next Grealish, then he left for nothing

The Aston Villa academy starlet once appeared to be the next Jack Grealish in the making.

ByDan Emery Oct 29, 2024

Arne Slot’s Liverpool are flying. Top of the Premier League, two wins from two in the Champions League, through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after thrashing West Ham United 5-1 last month.

Most rival supporters tittered at the claim that Liverpool would present themselves as title challengers in this strange Jurgen Klopp-less world, but here we are, thriving.

Of course, the Reds have not faced any of the Premier League’s foremost outfits so far, aside from Manchester United, who are struggling and were brushed aside at Old Trafford in what was admittedly an almighty performance.

20/10/24

Premier League

Chelsea (H)

23/10/24

Champions League

RB Leipzig (A)

27/10/24

Premier League

Arsenal (A)

30/10/24

Carabao Cup

Brighton (A)

02/11/24

Premier League

Brighton (H)

05/10/24

Champions League

Bayer Leverkusen (H)

09/10/24

Premier League

Aston Villa (H)

As you can see, there’s plenty of opposition hoping to trip the Merseysiders up over the coming months, but Liverpool have what it takes to succeed, especially with Virgil van Dijk back to his stunning best.

Virgil van Dijk's brilliance

Van Dijk is widely regarded as one of the greatest centre-backs of his generation, with Paolo Maldini even claiming that the Netherlands captain “will be the best defender in history of football soon”, quite the remark from one of the game’s finest.

His £75m move to Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 had a transcendental effect on Klopp’s team, for he added a new-found level of security and stability at the rear and was instrumental in winning the Premier League, Champions League and a wealth of further major honours.

Liverpool’s defensive quality perhaps waned over the later years of Klopp’s reign but Slot’s newly-implemented system has worked wonders, with the 33-year-old back to his best, head and shoulders above the rest of the defensive talent in England’s top flight.

Statistics will only tell you so much, though the 6 foot 4 colossus’ metrics from the previous term hold up against his current, having completed 92% of his passes and won 68% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

He’s irreplaceable, but Liverpool need to prepare for his departure in any case. It’s well-known that Van Dijk’s £220k-per-week contract is soon to expire, and while it would be hoped that he remains on Merseyside, a long-term plan needs to be put forth.

Liverpool looking at Van Dijk heir

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are doing due diligence on Palmeiras centre-back Vitor Reis as they weigh up launching a bid in 2025.

The Brazilian defender has earned acclaim for his early performances in his homeland and has what it takes to become a leading player in a division such as the Premier League, with a number of top European outfits, such as Arsenal and Real Madrid, also tracking him.

The 18-year-old has a staggering €100m (£84m) release clause in his contract but FSG will hope to agree to a deal far below that exorbitant tag, should Liverpool’s interest indeed solidify.

What type of defender Vitor Reis is

Standing at 6 foot 1, Reis isn’t the most towering of titans but he is composed and assured in his performances in defence, belying his age to step confidently into life as a professional.

Palmeiras are second in the Brasileiro Serie A this season and boast the meanest defence in the country, with just 20 goals conceded across 29 matches.

Reis’ maiden year as a senior has been hampered by injuries but he’s still exhibited his talent through some excellent performances. While he’s only chalked up 15 professional appearances, Reis has scored two goals and showcased his quality excellently.

Brazilian football expert Marcus Watts has issued a glowing endorsement on his ability, saying: “Despite not being a very physical player, he’s very good in the air and has shown great awareness for an 18yo.

“He’s also very good on the ball, both for setting up the play from the back and for attacking – which has already been translated into two goals so early in his career.

“Another good mental attribute he’s already shown is his decision making – he knows where the spaces are and knows when to move forward or when to make a tackle, something that is quite remarkable for a player so young.”

His mental capacity and innate quality in reading the game is something that could see him emulate Van Dijk, with journalist Alan Gouveia picking Reis out as the best from a bad bunch during one defeat back in July, criticising the “shameful” performance but praising the teenager, who “doesn’t feel the weight of the shirt”.

As per FBref, the young star ranks among the top 15% of centre-backs across divisions similar to the Brazilian first division for goals scored, the top 12% for pass completion, the top 13% for tackles and the top 8% for aerial battles won per 90, highlighting the wide spread of skills that further suggest that he has what it takes to succeed Van Dijk.

It was mentioned earlier that Reis isn’t exactly the most physically imposing of players, but even so, he has won 70% of his aerial battles in the league this season while completing 92% of his passes and averaging 3.4 ball recoveries and 3.4 clearances per game.

There’s so much to like about this young defender, and while he might not be ready to start for Liverpool week in and week out, efforts must be made to sign him and nurture his ability over the coming years.

It would be amazing if Van Dijk penned a new deal and continued his Liverpool journey over the next several campaigns, but irrespective of the outcome, a success plan is needed, and Reis could be the perfect heir.

Liverpool could unearth a bigger talent than Gravenberch in "special" teen

The Anfield star may well have another superstar on their hands.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 12, 2024

Leeds United look set to receive an injury boost when they return to action against Sheffield United after the international break.

The Whites go into this break with a lot of frustration, as they looked on course to seal all three points away at Sunderland on Friday night, but a howler from Illan Meslier snatched a point for the home side in the 97th minute of added time.

Leeds messed up by selling a goalkeeper who's now worth more than Meslier

The Whites allowed the youngster to move on before he could fulfill his potential.

ByDan Emery Oct 7, 2024 Leeds United news and updates

It has been a difficult couple of weeks for the Yorkshire side, as while results have improved slightly, unbeaten in their last four games, injury problems have continued to mount up for Daniel Farke, putting a strain on their current squad.

Leeds look set to be without Max Wober, Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev for a sustained period of time, as all three players have picked up significant injuries. These issues have led to speculation that Farke could turn to the free agent market to bolster his options.

The German revealed that he isn’t a big fan of signing players who are still out of contract in October, but it might be something they have to do if there is something out there that fits with them. The Whites have been linked with a move for free agent Christoph Kramer recently, but it appears that a move is unlikely. It has been claimed that Kramer would reject a move to Elland Road as he wants to remain in Germany, given his recent commitments as a TV pundit.

But the urge to sign a free agent might not be needed as much when the Championship action returns after the international break, as Leeds are about to receive an injury boost.

Leeds receive injury boost as £50k-p/w ace to return for Sheff Utd game

According to Leeds Live, Daniel Farke has revealed that Daniel James will likely return from injury for Leeds’ game against Sheffield United after the international break. James, who was described as being “electric” earlier this season by football pundit Sanny Rudravajhala, has been out with a hamstring injury since the end of August.

The Welsh international picked up the injury against Hull City, and now, after a period on the sidelines, he looks set to return to action for their mouth-watering tie against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United. Farke said on James’ possible return: “Solomon and James will hopefully come back for the Sheffield United game.”

Apps

89

Goals

18

Assists

12

James, who is said to be on a weekly wage of £50,000 at Elland Road, has got one goal in three Championship appearances this season, that goal coming in the 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in August. Leeds have won three of their six league games during James’ absence, and given he started the first three league games, his return will be a welcome boost to Farke, who is suffering with several injury problems. The 26-year-old now has two weeks to get up to speed in training, and he will hope that can help him be in the matchday squad for the game against the Blades.

Having just conceded their Championship top spot to Sunderland following defeat against Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion may now be forced to avoid a third-consecutive loss without one of their star men when they play host to Millwall this weekend.

West Brom injury news

The Baggies were flying high at the top of the Championship after an excellent start, before Sheffield Wednesday brought them back down to earth and Middlesbrough brought them back down from that top spot, courtesy of Hayden Hackney’s second-half effort. Suddenly, Carlos Corberan’s side find themselves desperately searching for three points against Millwall this weekend to ensure that a recent blip doesn’t escalate into a frustrating struggle for form.

Those at the Hawthorns will be well aware of just how quickly things can change in the Championship, but their clash against Millwall represents an ideal opportunity for West Brom to regain some vital composure in the early race for promotion.

West Brom star just had his worst game of the season vs Boro

West Bromwich Albion have now worryingly lost two games on the trot in the Championship.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 2, 2024

If they are to return to winning ways, however, then they’ll likely have to do so without a key man up against the London side this weekend. As confirmed by Corberan, Grady Diangana is already an injury doubt for the Millwall game with a new shoulder problem, having missed the defeat against Boro.

The West Brom boss told reporters via the Express and Star: “[Gianluca] Frabotta has been my decision to put [Callum] Styles in the squad today, and Grady unfortunately suffered a foul where he had a problem with the shoulder.

“It is in the other shoulder. Unfortunately in the beginning he had the problem with the calf, then one shoulder and now the other one and he couldn’t get his normal rhythm. It looks like it is less serious than the serious one but he is still a doubt for Saturday.

“Exactly [Diangana’s been unlucky], the fact he didn’t make a pre-season and after he has come back and suffered a couple of injuries mean he hasn’t been ready to help the team in the level we want him to. We know he’s an important player, without any doubt, we need everyone fit and in the best level.”

"Important" Diangana facing frustrating spell

Missing three of West Brom’s opening eight Championship games so far this season and struggling to earn a starting spot as a result, another injury blow is the last thing that Diangana needed amid such a frustrating spell. For Corberan too, it will undoubtedly be frustrating to see one of his star men struggle to gain any foothold on the campaign, given just how crucial the £20,000-a-week star can be at his best.

Last season, the former West Ham man proved his impact once and for all with seven goals and eight assists in the Championship, as the Baggies flirted with promotion. Now, as his side set their sights on an automatic place, Diangana will prove to be a huge miss if he continues to struggle for fitness at the Hawthorns. With Millwall up next, meanwhile, West Brom have a golden opportunity to return to winning ways.

Leeds United are in desperate need of reinforcements following their relegation back to Championship last season and now a fresh update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Leeds' interest in Glen Kamara?

According to The Yorkshire Evening Post's senior reporter Graham Smyth, Leeds have "looked at" signing Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara.

Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast, Smyth revealed:

"Kamara is one that Leeds have looked at, and it looks very doable and feels very sensible. I don't absolutely love Glen Kamara; I don't think he's always been 100% consistent and dominant in games. I think he could be – it's an area of his game he could improve.

"You want a midfielder to completely run the show, sometimes he does it and sometimes he doesn't. He's more than good enough [for Leeds]. Financially as well, if you cross Rangers' palms with £4.5-5m, but they will say 'thank you very much' and 'thank you very much Leeds, pleasure doing business with you'."

How good is Glen Kamara?

Newly appointed head coach Daniel Farke will be working hard with his recruitment team at Elland Road to identify the right players who can not only bolster key positions that need improvement or have been weakened, but also possess the quality to compete in the Championship next season.

In terms of midfield personnel, the Whites have already parted ways with former loanee Weston McKennie, Adam Forshaw and Marc Roca this summer, so there is definitely room for improvement in the centre of the pitch.

As a result, there could be a great opportunity to bring in a hard-working midfielder like Kamara for a low fee and provide Tyler Adams with a partner to work alongside over the 46-game campaign.

Over 22 Scottish Premiership appearances, the 27-year-old – hailed "terrific" and a "monster" by former Gers boss Steven Gerrard – scored one goal and tallied up an 89% pass completion rate, as well as averaging one key pass, 43.2 touches and 2.2 successful duels per game, as per SofaScore.

According to WhoScored, Kamara boasts strengths in dribbling and a very strong passing range, with not a single player in the Leeds squad who started more than one game recording a better pass completion rate (89.4%) than the Finland ace, whilst also outperforming McKennie in key passes (1 v 0.7) and accurate passes per 90 (37.6 v 31.1).

Whilst Kamara is an accurate distributor and slightly more progressive on the ball, Adams ranked in the top 18% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for tackles, interceptions and blocks over the last 12 months, demonstrating that the USMNT star is much more prolific in winning the ball.

Combining the two midfielders' differing strengths could help Farke form an unstoppable force in the deep-lying roles of midfield and ultimately improve Leeds' performances compared to last season.

With that being said, owing to his £5m price tag, Kamara is definitely worth the risk, and if he could emulate his output for Rangers at Elland Road, he would make an ideal signing to bolster the midfield presence ahead of next term.

Crystal Palace’s pre-season needs to start taking shape. At the moment, the club finds itself in a slightly precarious position, particularly in attacking positions.

Wilfried Zaha looks increasingly likely to depart Selhurst Park this summer, while Michael Olise is facing up to three months out and is set to miss start the start of the season as he picked up a hamstring injury in the recent U21 UEFA European Championship.

If Eberechi Eze suffered a similar injury to Olise, then it would be the Eagles criminally lacking depth and quality in forward.

The underwhelming trio of Jordan Ayew, Odsonne Edouard, and Jean-Philippe Mateta only managed 11 Premier League goals between them, so Steve Parish will need to identify reinforcements to eradicate any chance of relegation.

In the past, the Eagles have been linked with Charles De Ketelaere, a player who was once again mooted with a switch to southeast London this month.

What’s the latest on Charles De Ketelaere to Crystal Palace?

According to Italian journalist Daniel Speranza, Palace, as well as West Ham and Everton are chasing the 22-year-old gem, who could cost around €30m (£26m).

"After West Ham and Crystal Palace, Everton have also conducted a poll for Charles De Ketelaere in the last few hours," he tweeted. "The #Milan is firm on its requests: about 30 million are needed. Reflections in progress by the English clubs."

Would Charles De Ketelaere be a good signing for Crystal Palace?

When De Ketelaere joined AC Milan in the summer of 2022, he looked on course to continue his wondrous, meteoric rise to international stardom.

The 6 foot 3 prodigy began his career in his homeland at Club Brugge in 2008, before making his senior debut for the squad in 2019.

In 90 appearances in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League and Champions League play-offs, De Ketelaere recorded 33 goal contributions. As a result, he became the first player born this century to score at least 15 times and provide at least 15 assists in the division.

During this time he forged a formidable reputation for his positional versatility and his limitless potential, with Scouted Football summing up his style of play like this: “De Ketelaere's developed from a supporting wide attacker into a forward that strains defences from most angles and situations. He runs into depth, slips off blindsides, shoots off dribbles, gets onto crosses – flexible and effective. He's going to go a long way.”

However, his move to Italy has unravelled into disaster, making 40 appearances in all competitions and registering just one assist. It is a damning reflection upon a player unable to adapt to his new surroundings and may look for a different experience.

It would be harsh to discard his talent as he still remains in the infancy of his career, and if he can replicate the form he displayed at Belgium, he could provide the attacking impetus to possibly deputise for Zaha.

The Ivorian has been the heartbeat of Selhurst Park for many years, with 111 goal involvements in 305 top-flight outings.

As well as this frightening productivity, the Eagles winger ranks within the top 20% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for successful take-ons per 90.

Similarly to De Ketelaere, Zaha has been shuffled across the frontline, with both players demonstrating high-level competence and adaptability.

Palace has never been blessed with an especially deep squad so this trait to play in various positions is vital.

De Ketelaere, who has been described as “so, so promising” by scout Jacek Kulig, is in need of revival and he could be tempted by the prospect of becoming Palace’s new talisman.

Manchester United appear to be interested in a summer swoop for Atlanta United attacker Thiago Almada.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news involving Thiago Almada?

The Red Devils are making a start on their transfer business ahead of Erik ten Hag’s second season in charge at Old Trafford despite the ongoing takeover saga.

Sky Sports have claimed that summer recruitment won’t be affected by the results of a takeover, with enough cash available to enable United to invest in the team.

England international Mason Mount is on course to complete a £60m transfer to Man United, with the player undergoing a medical at Carrington earlier in the week.

After Mount, a new goalkeeper and forward could be on the agenda in Manchester, with Inter Milan’s Andre Onana a target. Reports have claimed that personal terms have been agreed with Inter Milan shot-stopper Andre Onana.

Meanwhile, Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund appears to be keen on making the move to Old Trafford, although a bid hasn’t been made despite reports.

Another player of interest to the Red Devils now appears to be Almada, although they may face competition from their Manchester neighbours.

According to Argentine reporter Bruno Gonzalez Garcia, Old Trafford officials and rivals Manchester City have seemingly made contact with Atlanta for Almada. Taking to Twitter on Monday he said:

“Manchester United and Manchester City consulted Atlanta United for Thiago Almada.”

Who is Thiago Almada?

Almada is 22 years of age and is primarily an attacking midfielder who can also play on the wing if required and was named as one of five rising stars to watch in the MLS in 2023.

The Argentina international was a part of the World Cup winning squad in Qatar last year and only made the move to the MLS last year. Since then, he has gone on to make 49 senior appearances for Atlanta, scoring 15 times and registering 16 assists.

Now valued at a career-high €20m by Transfermarkt, the attacker has come in for praise from legendary international teammate Lionel Messi, who labelled Almada as a “very fast” player just last year.

“Thiago is very fresh. He’s a very fast player who can play 1v1. He's clever and isn’t afraid of anything.”

Almada looks like an extremely promising and versatile player who could be a shrewd addition to Ten Hag’s side. As per FBref, Almada ranks in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers for touches, carries, shot-creating actions, passes attempted and progressive passes.

He also ranks extremely high for total amount of shots per 90, key passes and through balls, which shows how he could have a real impact in the final third at Old Trafford, potentially serving as an alternative to Bruno Fernandes in attacking midfield or cover for the likes of Marcus Rashford and Antony out wide.

It could well be one to keep an eye on over the coming months, but by the looks of things, there could be some real competition from those at the Etihad.

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers' efforts to add another number nine to their squad ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign…

What's the latest on Danilo to Rangers?

According to Dutch outlet 1908, the Light Blues have made an undisclosed bid in an attempt to sign Danilo from Eredivisie side Feyenoord this summer.

The report claims that the Scottish giants are now in talks with the centre-forward's club as they look to make him their fifth signing of the window, following the arrivals of Sam Lammers, Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling and Jack Butland.

Following this, The Scottish Sun have added that Feyenoord have rejected the offer from the Gers and that the two sides are currently far apart in their respective valuations of the attacker.

It now remains to be seen whether Michael Beale's team will be able to reach an agreement with the Dutch club during the ongoing negotiations or not.

What is Danilo's style of play?

The prolific 5 foot 9 striker has the quality to set up his teammates on a semi-regular basis, which could make him the dream heir to Alfredo Morelos at Ibrox.

Rangers parted ways with the Colombian international at the end of his contract last month and they could replace him by convincing Feyenoord to part ways with their Brazilian marksman in the coming weeks.

Morelos averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.98 across 32 Premiership appearances in 22/23. He scored 11 goals and provided five assists in that time, despite being named in the starting XI 15 times, while the attacker also missed 12 'big chances'.

The 27-year-old, who stands at 5 foot 10, proved himself to be capable of making a big impact in the final third without being a regular starter, which is a quality that Danilo could also bring to the Light Blues.

Feyenoord's 24-year-old ace only started 14 Eredivisie matches in 2022/23 but was able to plunder ten goals and three assists, while he only missed seven 'big chances'.

These statistics show that, like Morelos, Danilo is able to contribute with goals and assists without needing to start week-in-week-out, which could make him a valuable addition to Beale's squad as the 42-year-old coach could rotate his team without needing to worry about the player's form dropping without regular minutes.

The £5.5m-rated Brazilian, who ex-boss Erik ten Hag once hailed as his best "finisher", also showcased his ability in front of goal as a consistent starter with 17 goals and five assists in 31 Eredivisie starts on loan at FC Twente from Ajax in 20/21.

His form in that campaign suggests that Danilo also has the potential to be the club's number one goalscoring option as no Rangers striker has managed more than 16 league goals in the last three seasons.

Aston Villa forward Keinan Davis has told chiefs that he wants to leave the club this summer, according to reports.

Where is Keinan Davis now?

Davis is a striker and academy graduate in the Midlands who worked his way up through the various youth ranks to get promoted to the first-team back in 2017, where he’s since gone on to register a total of 86 senior appearances to date.

However, the 25-year-old is yet to make his debut under Unai Emery as a result of being out on the road having carried out two back-to-back loan spells, the first with Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest and the most recent being with Watford in the Championship.

The Stevenage-born talent is now back at Villa but his contract is set to expire at the end of next season, meaning that the ongoing window will be the boss’ final big opportunity to cash in should he not want to lose him on a free transfer in 12 months, and it sounds like an exit is now the most likely outcome.

Is Davis leaving Aston Villa?

According to German outlet Fussball Transfers (via Sport Witness), Davis "wants to leave" Aston Villa and has made it clear that he "intends" to find a new permanent home this summer.

NSWE and Monchi are "getting prepared" for his departure having already placed a €5-7.5m (£4.2-6.4m) price tag on his head. All roads are "pointing to a farewell" with "numerous clubs" both in the second-tier and overseas all queuing up to secure his services.

Aston Villa have Ollie Watkins as their only senior option at centre-forward with Jhon Duran just 19 years of age and Cameron Archer 21, so Emery could do with some more experience in the final third. And whilst the boss won’t know what Davis is capable of having not yet utilised him, he should definitely give him a chance to prove himself in pre-season.

The Tier One client, who’s naturally left-footed, posted nine goal contributions (seven goals and two assists) in 34 Watford outings last term and recorded 56 shots over the course of the campaign, which was the third-highest throughout the squad at Vicarage Road.

Standing at 6 foot 2, the £45k-per-week earner would also be the ideal target man having averaged 1.2 aerial wins per second-tier game, with his physical stature having previously seen him hailed “powerful” by journalist Josh Bunting, so he is still a great asset to have in the building.

Tottenham Hotspur and manager Ange Postecoglou are thought to have "major question marks" over Richarlison as they seek new forward options, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Who could leave Spurs this summer?

As Spurs become linked with making summer signings for Postecoglou, as they seek to fight their way back into European qualification, the north Londoners must also shift deadwood.

There are many squad members, both already there and coming back from loans, who could depart N17 by the beginning of the 2022/2023 Premier League season.

Chairman Daniel Levy has it all to do in terms of balancing the books, with Hugo Lloris, Ivan Perisic, Davinson Sanchez, Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon, Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Winks facing uncertain futures (The Telegraph).

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, despite being a Spurs mainstay since joining from Southampton in 2020, could also leave as Postecoglou reportedly holds certain reservations over the Dane.

Richarlison, after a disappointing debut season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, has now been linked with a possible exit as well.

O'Rourke, writing for Football Insider, claims Postecoglou has "major question marks" over the Brazil international – specifically his goal output and general fitness.

This has prompted Spurs to look at options in the summer transfer market as Postecoglou seeks to add more potency to his forward line.

While they won't be signing Nicolas Jackson from Villarreal, with the forward apparently joining Chelsea, it is believed Tottenham are chasing alternatives.

How many goals has Richarlison scored for Spurs?

The former Everton star, after signing from Goodison Park in a £60 million deal in 2022, he arguably hasn't quite lived up to that price tag yet despite being called "very underrated" by journalist Josh Bunting.

He has starred for Brazil at international level, but for his club, he could do slightly more.

Richarlison enjoyed a few brilliant years on Merseyside, having managed at least 10 goal league contributions each campaign he was at Everton (WhoScored).

However, for Spurs, he hit just three goals and four assists across 35 outings in all competitions for the entire 2022-23 campaign.

Speaking to Football Insider last season, former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor hit out at Richarlison and his form.

"Richarlison has got to wake up," said the pundit.

“He wasn’t great against West Ham or Chelsea – and that’s been a theme of his season.

“When you watch him, you struggle to see what he’s good at. He’s got no standout attributes.

“He’s not quick, he’s not a great finisher, he can’t hold the ball up, he can’t pass that well.

“I feel that he could be someone that Spurs look to move on. He’s not showing himself to be good enough for where they want to go.”