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Benjamin Sesko has perhaps surprised a few with his decision to sign a new contract with RB Leipzig, containing a gentleman's agreement for a smooth departure in a year or two, but realistically the 21-year-old striker has chosen wisely to reject Arsenal and other suitors.

For Mikel Arteta and his Gunners, it's a blow after missing out on one of Europe's foremost attacking talents and a profile that would have dovetailed into the system and culture at the Emirates. But Arsenal have not risen to a position as one of Europe's true elite without weathering adversity, showcasing their fluidness and wherewithal in the market.

Take Douglas Luiz, for example. In 2022, Arsenal's failed trilogy of bids for the Aston Villa star proved to be a blow but the club did not throw hail mary at a subpar alternative, instead biding their time, adding some depth with Jorginho five months down the line before signing Declan Rice from West Ham United for £105m one year later. How's that gone?

Arsenal hold talks for Premier League midfielder

Defensive midfield has also been a priority position, landing a partner to allow Rice to perform in a more free-roaming central role. Thomas Partey is set to depart. In January 2023 Arsenal saw an offer of £70m rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion for Moises Caicedo, who now plays for struggling Chelsea.

Arsenal have waited patiently for the right No. 6 to come along, and indeed, if reports are to be believed, Arteta is finally moving to complete his midfield, with Everton's Amadou Onana now of a vested interest.

According to Everton correspondent Joe Thomas, Arsenal have made contact with the Merseyside club to discuss Onana's transfer on the day of the summer window's official opening.

Clearly, the €60m (£51m)-valued midfielder is at the top of Arteta and Edu Gaspar's shopping list…

Amadou Onana's Everton career in numbers

Arsenal's much-vaunted progress under Arteta has been something short of remarkable. The north London outfit have become the exemplar of resurgence that fellow Premier League heavyweights are seeking to emulate.

And for all of Arsenal's slick, suffocating style of football, the ability to hit the mark with near-unerring accuracy in the transfer market is the true marker of their success.

Onana, while not always enjoying the highest of highs with Everton, has been identified because of his distinctive skill set. He has been weighed, measured and analysed. Tough-tackling, tenacious and deceptively dynamic, the 22-year-old could be the perfect balancing force to settle the engine room.

Described as a "powerhouse" by journalist Antonio Mango, Onana signed for Everton from Lille in a £33.5m deal back in August 2022, opting for Goodison Park despite West Ham previously agreeing a fee.

The Belgium international completed 37 appearances across all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign, scoring three goals, and while he only started 23 times in the top flight, his robust, action-packed style of play would undoubtedly give Arsenal that missing piece.

When comparing his seasonal statistics to those of Partey's – who is 31 – it immediately becomes clear that the Toffees player would bring more life and energy to the team – with more accurate and commanding defensive qualities to boot.

Moreover, it's important to remember that Onana plays in a counter-attacking system that does not emphasise high percentiles in possession. It's likely that Onana would actually have recorded greater passing crispness if the shoe were on the other foot.

All this would allow Rice to remain unshackled in his more diversified role above the basal layer of midfield. After all, analyst and Gunners fan Ben Mattinson has already started dreaming of the partnership, saying "imagine this monster next to Rice".

But the benefit to crafting that duo has already been covered ad nauseum; why are we forgetting the other linchpin in the Arsenal centre? It might be that Onana would make him virtually unplayable.

Imagine Amadou Onana & Martin Odegaard

No, not Mohamed Elneny. We're of course talking about captain fantastic Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian maestro has made a staggering impact on Arsenal's pursuit of prominence in recent years, scoring 26 goals and supplying 18 assists across the past two campaigns alone.

But that's only one element of Odegaard's skill set. As per FBref, the 25-year-old ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for progressive passes, the top 11% for progressive carries and the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90.

He's no joke defensively either, averaging 1.4 tackles per game and completing 4.5 ball recoveries per match across his 35 Premier League matches last season, as per Sofascore.

His partnership with Rice worked wonders, with the England international working with unrelenting energy and combative might to create an immense level of synergy and zap. But, as stated, Rice is probably better placed in the centre of the park, as opposed to a more cemented holding midfield role, with Sofascore displaying the astounding amount of ground covered in the Premier League during his first year at the Emirates.

By deploying Onana at the bottom of the engine room, Arsenal would indeed offer one of the game's most balanced and effective midfield units.

The £100k-per-week Evertonian, after all, ranks among the top 8% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for tackles and the top 6% for aerial duels won per 90.

Arteta and Edu simply have to make it happen. Patience is a virtue and the Gunners have embodied as such over recent years. But now is the time for incisive action to consolidate their position at the forefront of the Premier League and make steps toward reaching the pinnacle of Europe.

Arteta driving move for £200,000-per-week gem as Arsenal hope for June deal

The Spaniard is personally pushing for him.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 15, 2024

Derby County look to have made bolstering their central midfield spots a main priority for the upcoming transfer window, and it's an understandable area that needs improving in, considering Max Bird's exit to Bristol City significantly weakens Paul Warne's men here.

That's before you even take into account the likes of Korey Smith and Conor Hourihane – who did a job last season in their promotion success when needed – have been shoved out of the door too at Pride Park, on top of the fact Ebou Adams – who quickly became a fan's favourite on loan – has also returned back to his parent employers in Cardiff City.

Therefore, it's no great shock to see Warne and Co scrambling about to sign a new midfield star, with this EFL veteran being eyed up reportedly.

Derby's search for a midfielder

According to a report from The Sun late last week, the newly promoted outfit are keen on adding the seasoned head of Ben Osborn to their ranks this summer, with the midfielder now a free-agent steal.

Controversially formerly of Nottingham Forest fame, where he made 230 appearances, the 29-year-old was actually born in Derby funnily enough, and even had a brief stint as a child in the Rams youth set-up, before defecting over to their arch-rivals.

Last on the books with the Blades, having actually featured 24 times in the Premier League last campaign as Chris Wilder's men crashed and burned in the top flight, The Sun have also stated that Watford are another interested party, with Derby waiting to see if he picks his hometown club over the Hornets.

Getting this signing done and dusted could mean Derby don't feel as pressured into re-signing former loan gem Adams, who has been rumoured for a return to Pride Park, knowing that Osborn is a steely and determined midfielder who will give the Rams a cool head when making the step-up, away from going back in for the former Forest Green man.

What Osborn would offer Derby

Described as being an "invaluable" player for his side last season by Wilder, after putting in a top-drawer effort in a 2-2 draw versus Chelsea with six ground duels successfully won, Derby will be able to still have the grit Adams displayed in abundance with Osborn joining.

Osborn's experience also makes him more of a worthwhile pursuit than the former Rams loanee, having accumulated 268 EFL games across his varied career to date, all whilst still only being 29 years of age.

Known for being a big-game player too whilst still playing for Derby's main nemesis in Forest, seen in this last-gasp winner versus the Rams being lashed in back in 2015, any hatred of Osborn for this solo strike will need to be put to one side if he shines under Warne in the here and now, after haunting those at Pride Park in the past.

Away from just being purchased to add strength in depth to the central midfield ranks, Osborn has also proven across his career to be a dependable and versatile utility figure capable of plugging gaps, often lining up down the left wing and even at left-back on occasion in South Yorkshire among other positions.

Looking at how adaptable he can be when glancing at the table above, it feels like a no-brainer for Derby to swoop in for the free agent, who could also offer pearls of wisdom to the rest of the Rams camp on how to stay afloat in the Championship and excel after promotion.

Derby could land an "exceptional" Bird replacement in PL starlet

Derby County will look to replace Max Bird with this target they have long admired.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 9, 2024

German media have brutally mocked England for appointing ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel as their new national team boss.

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• Tuchel takes over as England boss
• First German to take on the role
• Three Lions blasted for appointment by German media

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Thomas Tuchel has signed an 18-month contract as England manager and will take charge of the team at the start of 2025. The decision has already made plenty of waves, as England appoint a German coach for the first time. There has been criticism of the decision from fans on social media, while former West Ham boss Harry Redknapp has claimed the Three Lions should have looked for an English manager. Even former striker Gary Lineker has claimed Tuchel was not his choice to succeed Gareth Southgate.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  England's move for Tuchel has not gone unnoticed in the 51-year-old's homeland either. The editor of German newspaper Bild, Matthias Brugelmann, has mocked the appointment and claims England's long search for a trophy will not end anytime soon.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  Brugelmann wrote: "Let's talk about Thomas Tuchel and the English. The motherland of football is getting a German dad. Crazy! Since 1966 – since 1966!!!! – the proud football nation has been waiting for a title (and sorry, even the World Cup victory was only possible because the referee made a mistake on the Wembley goal). So it will soon be 60 years without a title. In that time we have become world champions three times and European champions three times. Oops. The desperation on the island must be enormous if they admit that only a German can help now. What a tribute to Tuchel and German football that the English are overcoming their fears despite the huge rivalry."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND

  England have famously failed to win a trophy since lifting the World Cup in 1966. Under previous manager Southgate, the team did reach the last four of World Cup 2018 and the finals of both Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. The hope will now be that Tuchel can take a talented squad one step further and finally deliver some glory for the Three Lions.

Everton boss Sean Dyche says Dele Alli is 'back on the grass' as the ex-Tottenham midfielder looks to finally make his return to the pitch.

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• Dele on his way back from long-term injury
• Currently a free agent training with Everton
• Hoping to earn new contract on Merseyside

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Tottenham man has been struggling for over a year with injury but looks set to finally return in the 2024-25 season. Dele is currently a free agent but is believed to be in contention to renew his stay at Everton. Head coach Sean Dyche has given an update on the 28-year-old, and the news is positive.

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  WHAT DYCHE SAID

  Speaking to reporters about Dele's progress, Dyche said: "Yeah he’s just getting back on the grass again, so building up again from another minor sort of injury. But unfortunately it cost him a bit more time and he’s just getting on with trying to get fit."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Dele's last competitive appearance came in February 2023 for Besiktas. The ex-England man has always had the quality and potential to thrive, which he showed at Spurs. But issues on and off the pitch have set his career back massively and it remains a long road back for the man from Milton Keynes.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DELE?

  There is still no official return date for Dele but there is no doubt Everton will consider keeping him around if he can get back up to the required level. If he does sign a new contract, it may only be short-term as a trial of sorts for the former Spurs star, who has expressed his ambition to earn an England recall in time for the 2026 World Cup.

Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell has suggested that Tottenham could use defender Joe Rodon and midfielder Oliver Skipp as makeweights in a transfer for an exciting £50 million player.

Tottenham targeting new midfielder this summer

Amid uncertainty surrounding the futures of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Giovani Lo Celso and even Yves Bissouma (The Times), there are suggestions that Ange Postecoglou could look to the transfer market in search of a new number six.

Levy ready to back Ange with £100m as forward says yes to joining Tottenham

The Lilywhites chairman is prepared to spend.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 18, 2024

Chelsea star Conor Gallagher remains on Spurs' radar as an option for the role, while there have been reports linking Tottenham with Atalanta star Ederson as an alternative to the England international.

Postecoglou could benefit from the arrival of a dynamic, young and exciting new midfied engine man, with the Australian set to oversee numerous more games next season as well – due to Tottenham's involvement in the Europa League.

The right-back position could also see some changes ahead of next season, as both Djed Spence and Emerson Royal could quit Tottenham by the start of next campaign. Genoa are attempting to sign Spence on a permanent deal, while AC Milan are actively pursuing a move for Royal.

A new full-back and midfielder may well be needed, but one player who can actually fill both roles is Leeds United starlet Archie Gray. The teenage sensation was an ever-present under Daniel Farke as the Whites narrowly missed out on promotion, and he's been linked with a move to Spurs in the last month.

Tottenham could use Skipp and Rodon in swap deal for Gray

Speaking to Tottenham News, Sky journalist Bardell has suggested that Spurs could use Skipp and Rodon as makeweights in a potential deal for Gray – who Leeds are said to value at around £50 million.

“It’s a deal that would make sense," said Bardell. "I think we’re going to see these sorts of untraditional swaps this window with clubs looking to manipulate the market.

"Archie Gray feels like a player that would suit Tottenham and suit Ange Postecoglou. That would leave Skipp surplus to requirements, he’s not first choice anyway and Gray coming in would put him further down the pecking order.

“He’s a player that needs a fresh start. Obviously, Rodon was there last season and they would take him back. If they helped get Tottenham closer to a move for Archie Gray then that would be a superb piece of business.“

The Englishman is a rising star at Elland Road, with some members of the media even tipping him to cost upwards of £70 million after his fine campaign, a fee Spurs could obviously bring down with the sales of the aforementioned duo.

"Archie's had a fantastic season for Leeds," said pundit Carlton Palmer to Football League World last campaign.

"Gray has been outstanding, with 36 league appearances so far this season, proving both his versatility and his ability. The 18-year-old's current deal has him with the club until 2028, but the club are looking to extend that even further. This makes sense, to tie the player down, with speculation surrounding him from top Premier League clubs and European teams.

"Gray's only 18, but he's doing well under Daniel Farke by playing regularly, so shouldn't be in any rush to leave. But Leeds want to protect themselves, for sure, by tying him down to a longer-term contract, and I'm sure there would be a massive release clause in there. Leeds would probably be looking for £70-80 million for him."

Manchester United icon Antonio Valencia was key in helping Chelsea sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton in a British-record £115m deal.

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• Valencia aware of Caicedo's qualities
• Urged Brighton to scout midfielder in Ecuador
• Was finally signed by Seagulls in 2021

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to the journey that led Caicedo to Chelsea began years ago with Brighton’s scouting work in Ecuador. At the heart of this discovery were Paul Winstanley and Sam Jewell, who were working at Brighton at the time as key figures in talent identification. It was Valencia who first reached out to Winstanley to recommend a promising 15-year-old midfielder named Caicedo. Winstanley, having a history with Valencia from their shared time at Wigan, took the suggestion seriously and followed up on it, accompanied by Jewell, to see the young player in action.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Their visits to Ecuador were not limited to a one-time observation; rather, they consistently evaluated Caicedo, tracking his development and assessing his fit within the Premier League. It was this persistence and Brighton’s keen eye for emerging South American talent that led to Caicedo’s signing in February 2021.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  However, Chelsea’s acquisition of both Winstanley and Jewell from Brighton marked a shift in the Premier League talent pool. The two recruitment experts joined Chelsea, bringing along their deep understanding of Caicedo’s potential. When a transfer bidding war erupted between Chelsea and Liverpool, the Blues had the last laugh as they agreed to shell out £115 million to bring the Ecuadorian to Stamford Bridge.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CAICEDO?

  After enduring a challenging first season, Caicedo is proving his worth and making significant contributions in Chelsea’s midfield. His recent highlight came in a high-stakes match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, where he scored a stunning equalizer, firing a precise volley past United goalkeeper Andre Onana from outside the penalty area, that secured a crucial point for Chelsea. He is preparing for another challenging fixture as Chelsea face Arsenal in a London derby this Sunday.

Enzo Maresca's first challenge at Chelsea will be assessing his squad, completing pre-season and preparing his side for the 2024/25 Premier League season that is ahead of them, with the aim of regaining a Champions League place.

Part of that will be strengthening his side through signings, deciding who is surplus to requirements, and possibly promoting those who have been out on loan or in the academy to add to his squad from within.

One player that has already joined this summer is a player Maresca is familiar with, as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made the switch from the Foxes to South West London.

However, more faces could well be on the way…

Chelsea keen on signing new winger

According to reports from Football.London, Chelsea are interested in PSV Eindhoven winger, Johan Bakayoko this summer. Chelsea are understood to be 'massive admirers' of the 21-year-old winger, who is also a target for Liverpool and Arsenal. The Blues 'believe' they will be able to strike a deal for the player this summer.

This comes after Chelsea pulled out of the race to sign Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who is now set to join Bayern Munich, meaning the Blues remain on the lookout for the tricky, dynamic winger to add to their ranks.

Bakayoko is valued at €45m on Transfermarkt, which equates to around £38m, and this would be nearly half the fee it would've cost to acquire Olise from Palace, potentially making this a savvy deal for the Blues to get involved with.

Bakayoko vs Olise

Bakayoko made 48 appearances in all competitions for PSV Eindhoven last season, scoring 14 goals, providing 14 assists, and playing 3,716 minutes in total, all from the right wing.

Like Olise, the Belgian is a left-footed right-winger, giving him that option to cut inside on his stronger foot and get a shot off on goal, or provide an in-swinging cross from the half-spaces, which is quickly becoming one of the deadliest weapons in the modern game.

Olise only made 19 appearances for Palace last season, scoring ten goals, providing six assists, and totaling 1,278 minutes for the Eagles. He missed the start of the campaign due to a hamstring injury, and then missed a further eight games (60 days) with a recurrence of that hamstring injury in February 2024.

Both players excel in wide areas, progressing the ball through the elite level carrying. Olise averages 4.8 progressive carries per 90, and 2.82 successful take-ons per 90. Meanwhile, Bakayoko averages a whopping 7.11 progressive carries per 90, and 3.32 successful take-ons per 90, beating Olise in these metrics.

However, both are slightly different in their carrying style and technique, Bakayoko being more of a maverick dribbler, more direct with his carries, compared to Olise who is more controlled and precise, taking smaller touches and changing direction.

Where Olise is exceeding most wingers in his position currently is with his creative toolset and decision-making for his final ball. The Frenchman averages 5.51 progressive passes per 90, 2.54 key passes per 90, and 2.4 passes into the penalty area per 90.

Whilst being an excellent carrier and 1v1 specialist already, Bakauyoko has also shown his final ball and creative output level too, as he averages 3.5 progressive passes per 90, 2.45 key passes per 90, and 2.71 passes into the penalty area. Those final two statistics are certainly very similar to Olise.

The big challenge would be converting that output to one of, if not the most difficult leagues in the world, but the "insane" talent is certainly there, as quoted by Ben Mattinson, and his Eredivisie numbers sure back it up.

Chelsea want to sign exciting PL star who could be their next Hazard

He is a dribbling master like the Belgian.

By
Joe Nuttall

Jul 6, 2024

Next season, Everton will be hoping to build on what ended up being a good campaign during the 2023/24 season. The Toffees finished 15th in the Premier League, after a relegation battle the previous term.

Their eventual tally of 40 points was enough to keep them clear of Luton in 18th place, who finished on just 26 points. Not only that, Sean Dyche’s side survived the drop having had eight points deducted for two separate breaches of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules. Had they not had those eight points taken away, they would have finished in 12th.

It has already been a busy summer for the Toffees, with two permanent deals through the door. The first was Aston Villa youngster Tim Iroegbunam, who signed for a fee of £9m. They then signed Iliman Ndiaye from French side Marseille, paying the former Champions League winners £15m to acquire his services.

With many more deals still to complete at Goodison Park, the Toffees have recently been linked with another Premier League player to add quality depth to their squad.

Everton target Premier League midfielder

The player in question here is Chelsea and French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu. The 20-year-old has only been at Stamford Bridge for a year but did not feature much, and has now been linked with a move away from the club.

According to a report from French outlet Foot Mercato, Everton are one of the sides who are 'among this list of suitors' for Ugochukwu this summer.

However, they are not alone in their interest of the youngster, with an unspecified amount of unnamed clubs from around Europe, including one from Ligue 1, are also interested in acquiring his services.

At this stage, a loan deal seems like the most likely outcome for the young midfielder. However, if Everton or another club were to have a buy clause inserted into the deal, it could be anywhere from £12m upwards, given that is his value according to Football Transfers.

Why Ugochukwu would be a good signing

The young Frenchman’s involvement under Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge last season was sparse. This is partly due to a lack of game time, but also a hamstring injury that kept him out for 30 games. In total, the youngster only played 12 matches in the Premier League.

Should they sign Ugochukwu this summer, Everton could view him as the replacement for Amadou Onana, who is set to depart the club and join Aston Villa for £50m, as confirmed by David Ornstein. The young midfielder is certainly talented; football talent scout Jacek Kulig compared him to Patrick Vieira, as well as calling him an “absolute monster in the making”.

The young Frenchman, who will be at the Olympic Games under the tutelage of Thierry Henry, is a wonderful ball winner. He stands at 6 foot 2, just slightly smaller than the 6 foot 3 Onana, and like the Belgian, is able to use his frame to his advantage, overpowering players on the ball to dispossess them.

This is also reflected in his FBref stats, for which Ugochukwu’s 2022/23 seasonal numbers have been used. That tern, the youngster made 3.85 combined tackles and interceptions, compared to Onana’s 3.97 per 90 minutes. He is not afraid to put his body on the line, and this shows in his 1.62 blocks made each game, with Onana averaging slightly fewer, specifically 1.08.

However, the soon-to-be Villa midfielder also brings great quality on the ball as well as being a superb ball-winner. Last season, Belgium international averaged 4.61 progressive passes and 4.40 passes into the final third per 90. Luckily for Everton, the Frenchman also possesses quality on the ball. He averaged 3.38 progressive passes and 2.91 passes into the final third per 90 minutes.

One area Ugochukwu trumps Onana is his take-ons. The 20-year-old averages 0.95 successful take-ons, with a 63.6% success rate, whereas Onana averages a great deal fewer, completing 0.52 each game with a 44.4% success rate.

In terms of an Onana replacement, Everton might not have to look any further than Ugochukwu this summer. He has a similar frame to the Belgian, and is just as capable of a ball-winner without losing much, if any, quality on the ball. Whilst it is a blow losing their main destroyer in midfield, replacing him with the 20-year-old Frenchman would be a superb piece of business.

Dream Broja alternative: Everton ready to move for "remarkable" £33m star

The club are still trying to bolster their forward line this summer.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 12, 2024

The new Red Devils coach has a wealth of options up front as he considers the best starting XI for his famous 3-4-3 shape

Sunday night was a good one for Ruben Amorim. He enjoyed a sensational farewell with Sporting CP as his side produced a whirlwind comeback against Braga to win 4-2, giving him the perfect send off before beginning work as Manchester United boss. A couple of hours earlier, his new team showed that they are not quite the basket case he might have imagined as United beat Leicester City 3-0, recording their joint-best league win of the season and their biggest league win at Old Trafford for eight months.

And when Amorim came to watch the United highlights, the 39-year-old would have witnessed some brilliant play from the forwards who struggled so much under his predecessor Erik ten Hag. Bruno Fernandes scored his first league goal of the season from open play and made the second, while Amad Diallo, who barely got a look in under Ten Hag, produced another thrilling performance after inspiring a largely uninspired team to victory over PAOK.

A hugely satisfying win was made even better by a stupendous goal from Alejandro Garnacho, who was so disappointed with his own previous performances and fan criticism that he didn't want to celebrate it. Amad's brilliant displays in the last two games have catapulted him to the front of the queue of United's wingers, while Garnacho's show-stopping strike means he should also be starting on the other flank in Amorim's first match. And that leaves Marcus Rashford on the backfoot, trying to keep up with the two explosive wingers in a race to impress the new coach…

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  Electric Amad

  Amad has a curious status at United in that he looks and feels like a young emerging talent, when he is actually one of the longest-serving players at the club. Only five players in the current squad were already there when he joined United from Atalanta in January 2021. Amorim will be the sixth coach (including interims) he has worked under. And yet Sunday was just his 10th Premier League start, his 13th in a competitive game.

  He quickly showed that he should have played far more often. Within a couple of minutes, the Ivorian had embarrassed the Leicester defence, dragging Boubakary Soumare all over the place on the right wing before winning a free-kick. Later, his tenacity saw him chase a long ball over the top and race downfield to win a throw in the final third. It led to him setting up the opening goal for Fernandes with a delightful backheel.

  Amad produced another thrilling moment before half-time, ripping through the middle of the pitch and taking on four players before hammering the ball at goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

  Every time he got on the ball, the crowd got excited. They had just seen him drag the team to victory against PAOK, which was his first start for more than a month. He had come off injured in the Europa League game and there were doubts about whether he would be ready in time to face Leicester. But Ruud van Nistelrooy rewarded the forward for his recent displays and Amad repaid his faith.

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  Making his own luck

  "He [Amad] is a great character, a hard worker, he shows it in every training session,” the interim boss said after Amad’s double against PAOK. "He also puts in extra work every day in training. He comes to me and wants to do extra finishing, crossing, one versus one, how he can improve his shooting, heading. He is constantly focused on learning, getting better, very motivated to get the most from his career."

  Amad had looked livid on his previous outing in the Europa League after being left out of the starting line-up by Ten Hag against Fenerbahce, while he was then overlooked as the coach instead brought on Antony when chasing a winner in Turkey. When Amad was eventually brought on for the final few minutes after Antony suffered an injury, he had to be calmed down by assistants Rene Hake and Van Nistelrooy.

  Ten Hag had justified that call by saying Antony had been performing well in training. That might have been the case, but the Brazilian consistently performs terribly on the pitch, so it was little wonder that Amad was exasperated to find himself behind the flop forward, having already fallen behind Rashford and Garnacho in the pecking order. Amad remarked "This season I have been unlucky," but it looks like his luck is turning.

  "It was a great night for him as someone who is in and out. He needs to cement a place and I think tonight has gone a long way to doing that," Paul Scholes said on after the PAOK win. "He was excellent, the first 20 minutes he looked the sharpest player on the pitch and went on to prove that in the second half. He has come in and made a real stake for that position."

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  Suffering for his art

  Amad began the Leicester game on the right wing after winning the battle with Garnacho, who has had a strange season, looking talismanic one minute and clumsy the next. He had been experiencing a mini-crisis of confidence, missing several glaring chances in the defeat at West Ham – which proved to be Ten Hag's final game – and in the draw against Chelsea.

  He looked to be having another frustrating afternoon on Sunday when he dashed into the area and got behind a Leicester player only to fumble the ball out of play. The Foxes fans delighted in Garnacho's gaffe, but just a few minutes later he shut them up with his exquisite strike, a reminder of his capacity to make the difference with one swing of his boot.

  As he demonstrated with his Goal-of-the-Season-winning bicycle kick against Everton, Garnacho is capable of pulling off magical things on the pitch. He often steps it up in the biggest games, having scored in the FA Cup final and Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley. He still needs to produce on a regular basis and clearly wants to do so, which is why he looked sad when he scored his magnificent goal. His travails are reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo's first three seasons at United, and it is no secret that he idolises the Portuguese. Garnacho at times looks like a tortured genius, agonising over his art.

  "Garnacho scored a banger but didn’t celebrate like he should because he thinks he has lost faith from some fans," explained Fernandes. "I told him people will always moan but lots of people like you and enjoy what you do. I told him to celebrate, it was something special. He is a special player, we have difference-makers."

  Van Nistelrooy revealed he had given an explanation to Garnacho for his decision to start him on the bench, saying: "He has played a lot of minutes and I wanted him to make an impact off the bench." Amorim might also want to tread carefully with Garnacho. He is arguably the player in the squad with the highest ceiling, but his talent and ego must be managed carefully.

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  Ground to make up

  While Garnacho had a happy ending to the game, Rashford's day ended in the 57th minute when he was replaced by the Argentine. And for the fifth start in a row, he left the pitch without contributing to a goal, having rarely looked like creating any danger. He had no shots, while his crosses kept on hitting the first line of defence.

  In the first half, Rashford tried to take on Soumare and ran the ball out of play. In the second, he ran on to a pass from Manuel Ugarte and miscontrolled it out of play, to the frustration of the Uruguayan. Rashford normally makes fast starts in games before fading, but he never got going on Sunday. Of United's four wingers, he looks to be firmly third in terms of form, below Amad and Garnacho but comfortably ahead of Antony.

  Rashford enjoyed a shield of protection under Ten Hag, as he had enjoyed his best-ever season in the Dutchman's first campaign, which led to him signing his bumper new contract in July 2023. Amorim will have no motivation to show him the same loyalty, and Rashford will have to earn his place on merit. The only hope is that the injection of new energy around the club which Amorim will bring will benefit the homegrown forward, as it did when Ten Hag arrived.

Manchester City will be hoping to repeat their treble heroics of the 2022/23 campaign, after what was ultimately a disappointing last term for Pep Guardiola’s men. They won just the one trophy on this occasion and failed to defend their crowns in either of the other competitions they won two seasons prior.

The Citizens were once again victorious in the Premier League and sealed their fourth consecutive league title on the final day. That is the first time in the competition’s history that any side has managed to achieve such a feat.

However, the defence of their FA Cup crown failed at the hands of their biggest rivals, Manchester United. Guardiola's side also struggled in the Champions League. The Blues were eliminated at the hands of Real Madrid on penalties, who went on to lift the trophy once again.

Next season, City will be hoping to bounce back and reclaim all three of their titles. They will no doubt need to strengthen their squad over the summer and have already been linked with one player who could add excellent depth to their side.

Man City target Premier League attacker

The player in question here is Crystal Palace and England international attacker Eberechi Eze. It was once again another very impressive season for the 26-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Palk this summer.

At least, that is according to a report from journalist Ben Jacobs, who claimed earlier this week that Guardiola and his staff “like this player”, and could decide to make an offer over the course of the summer transfer window.

However, there are other sides aiming to bring Eze to their club this summer. Jacobs believes that North London duo Tottenham and Arsenal are also interested in the player. However, he does note that Spurs are slightly ahead in the race when it comes to agreeing a deal with Palace.

In terms of price, City will have to pay a fairly hefty fee in order to bring Eze to the club. The 26-year-old has a £60m release clause, and it seems unlikely Palace will negotiate any less, given they have already sold Michael Olise to Bayern Munich this summer.

How Eze could benefit Erling Haaland

Eze has been one of the most important players for the Eagles. The attacker, who can play in a multitude of positions across the frontline, played some of his best football under Oliver Glasner.

He scored 11 goals and grabbed four assists in the Premier League in 27 games last season, with six goals and three assists coming in just 11 games under the Austrian.

The England international’s teammate at Palace, Joel Ward described him as “mesmerising”, and when watching him, it is easy to see why. He glides with the ball at his feet, slaloming in and out of opposition defenders with ease. Eze loves to operate in the half-spaces, getting on the ball between the lines and driving forward.

When in full flow, the 26-year-old is electric, and this is also highlighted in his stats courtesy of FBRef. He attempts an average of 6.13 take-ons per 90 minutes and completes 3.02 of those. He ranks in the top 10% and 9% of positionally similar players in Europe or those metrics.

Should he join Guardiola’s side, the attacker could form a dream partnership with City’s talismanic striker, Erling Haaland. The Norwegian has taken to life in the Premier League like a duck to water, having already scored 63 goals in just 66 games in the competition.

Eze is a wonderful creator, averaging 2.37 key passes which ranks him in the top 17%, and 1.97 passes into the penalty box, placing him in the top 19%. Of course, given Haaland is deadly in the area, the amount of balls he could get on the end of from the Palace sensation could see them form a deadly partnership.

Football analyst Ben Mattinson called the 26-year-old an "entertainer", and adding Eze to the abundance of creative players City already have would be outrageous depth for Guardiola. Not only that, the partnership he could form with Haaland could take the Norway international’s goalscoring record to new heights, and help bring City back to the top of Europe.

The reported £60m fee is expensive, but for the quality of the player the Citizens would be adding it could be an excellent piece of business this summer.

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