Celtic have already wrapped up the Scottish Premiership title for this season and their main focus between now and the end of the campaign will be winning the SFA Cup.

The Hoops, who beat Dundee United 5-0 last time out in the league, can secure the domestic treble by beating Aberdeen in the final at Hampden Park later this month.

It has been a fantastic season for Brendan Rodgers and his men, and Daizen Maeda, in particular, has played a pivotal role in the club’s success on the pitch.

Daizen Maeda's season in numbers

The Japan international, whether he has started out on the left or through the middle as a centre-forward, has enjoyed an incredibly productive campaign in front of goal.

As you can see in the graphic above, Maeda has racked up a staggering return of 44 goals and assists in 47 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, which shows that he has provided a consistent threat at the top end of the pitch for the Scottish giants.

At the time of writing (03/05/2025), the Japanese forward is valued at £9.3m by Transfermarkt, which makes him one of the most valuable players in the Celtic squad.

However, the Hoops have struck gold with another player who is currently worth even more than the 33-goal sensation, and that is Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic have hit the jackpot with Cameron Carter-Vickers

The Scottish giants swooped to sign the USA international on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2022 for a fee of £6m, after he had spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Parkhead.

Market Movers

Since joining the club on a permanent basis, the English-born colossus has been a key figure at the back for the Hoops and his value has soared well above £6m.

At the time of writing, the 27-year-old titan is valued at a whopping £11.9m by Transfermarkt. This means that his value has soared by millions, £100k short of twice as much as the £6m that the club paid for him, and that he is worth even more than Maeda.

Appearances

28

Pass accuracy

95%

Clean sheets

15

Ground duel success rate

63%

Aerial duel success rate

74%

As you can see in the table above, the American defender – whom club legend Chris Sutton has lauded as “immense” in the past – has been dominant in his physical duels and supremely reliable in his use of the ball, contributing to yet another league title for the club.

Celtic have, therefore, struck gold with the central defender because he is a brilliant performer on the pitch who is now worth millions more than the fee they paid for him, and worth more than a forward who has scored 33 goals this season.

Carter-Vickers, whose passing was dubbed “fantastic” by The Athletic’s Alex Barker, was linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen in the January transfer window, and the Hoops may have a fight on their hands to keep hold of him in the summer if interest in his services carries over.

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It is right back to business for Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou after their heroics in the Europa League on Thursday, with Champions League qualification chasers Nottingham Forest awaiting them on Easter Monday as Nuno Espírito Santo looks to upset his former club.

Tottenham enter first Europa League semi-final since 1984

Spurs edged past Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals, courtesy of Dominic Solanke’s vital spot-kick, and Postecoglou’s side were forced to display some last-gasp pieces of defending to keep hold of their precious advantage on hostile away turf.

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Bodies were on the line over a dogged, mature display which we’ve scarcely witnessed at Spurs all season long, and Postecoglou was thrilled by the effort from his players, as Tottenham set up their first Europa semi-final since 1984.

“They’ve been so united in believing in what we’re trying to achieve here and that is what gave me heart all along that if we got our own slice of luck in terms of getting some players back that I really believed this team could achieve,” said Postecoglou on Spurs’ win over Eintracht.

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 21st

Liverpool (away)

April 27th

West Ham (away)

May 3rd

Crystal Palace (home)

May 10th

Aston Villa (away)

May 18th

“That is what keeps driving me. It isn’t so much my belief in them, it’s their belief in what we’re doing and both players and staff have been outstanding. I am the front man for it but they take responsibility for it as well and all my decisions and everything I do, but not at any stage have I felt they lost any belief in me or what we’re doing.”

Postecoglou has been repeatedly tipped for the Tottenham axe following a dismal Premier League season, having already lost 17 top-flight matches, but their Europa League campaign represents a golden opportunity for the Lilywhites to make history and fulfill the Australian’s goal of winning silverware during his second term in charge.

All eyes are on the next round, where they will face off against fairy-tale semi-finalists Bodo/Glimt, but they must first take on both Forest and travel to Anfield for a clash against Liverpool.

Tottenham could be without James Maddison against Nottingham Forest

As Spurs prepare to host the former at home, Postecoglou has shared a pre-match update on star £170,000-per-week midfielder James Maddison.

Maddison was forced off against Eintracht after his nasty collision with goalkeeper Kaua Santos, which resulted in the away side being awarded Solanke’s decisive penalty.

The Englishman ultimately playing a crucial role in helping Tottenham to the semis, but as a result, Postecoglou has now confirmed that Maddison is a Tottenham injury doubt for Forest.

“It’s fair to say he’ll probably be a bit sore, so he’s probably a doubt for Monday,” said Postecoglou on Maddison’s condition.

“The rest of the group, again, they all worked hard, so they’ll be sore, but they should all be okay for Monday night. Sonny will still be out. He’s been dealing with a foot problem for a while, so now is as good a time as any to give him the right time to to get over it. He’ll definitely miss Monday. Everyone else should be okay.”

The 28-year-old has bagged 10 goals and 11 assists throughout all competitions, and he’ll likely be a sore miss against Forest, but with nothing to play for domestically, it is far more imperative that he’s fresh and ready for their European tie.

The mood at Liverpool right now is pretty good. Arne Slot’s side have been crowned Premier League champions, after all.

However, now that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave his boyhood club has been confirmed, that same mood has unquestionably soured, with the vice-captain expected to join European rivals Real Madrid when his contract expires in less than two months.

Monday morning’s announcement took the wind out of the fanbase’s sails; even the most optimistic of supporters will have known deep down that the 26-year-old was likely to join the Spanish giants, but FSG have the chance to make it all better in the coming weeks.

Yes, Liverpool are gearing up for a summer of significant spending, bolstering Slot’s squad ahead of next season’s title defence. The Reds are hoping to challenge for silverware across other fronts too.

The best way to help fans forget about the heartbreak of losing Trent to Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid? Bringing in some top-brass signings.

Sadly, Alexander Isak isn’t likely to be among such arrivals.

Liverpool's interest in Alexander Isak

With Darwin Nunez reportedly expected to be sold this summer, Liverpool are in need of a new striker. Newcastle United’s Isak is right at the top of the shopping list, but if financial plates fail to shift, FSG simply aren’t going to lodge a formal offer.

Mohamed Salah is the only player in the Premier League to have outperformed Isak in front of goal this season, so you can imagine how good Liverpool would be with both players combining for the same cause.

However, Liverpool’s interest is unlikely to advance to something more concrete, with reports suggesting that the Magpies will look for a payment in the £150m ballpark.

1

Mohamed Salah

28

18

46

2

Alexander Isak

23

6

29

3

Bryan Mbeumo

18

7

25

4

Erling Haaland

21

3

24

4=

Cole Palmer

15

9

24

Liverpool need to strengthen across a range of areas, and signing Isak would be to the detriment of the greater vision. Jurgen Klopp’s decision to drop out of the race for Jude Bellingham and instead target multiple midfield additions would be something to recall at this point.

And anyway, it’s not like Isak’s the only exciting striker on the market.

Liverpool scouting new striker

According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are among the clubs interested in signing RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko this summer, though Arsenal and Chelsea are also keeping close tabs on him.

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It’s understood that Liverpool had scouts present during Leipzig’s recent draw against Bayern Munich, in which Sesko scored, and though the Gunners have conducted extensive groundwork into the potential signing, a move to Merseyside definitely can’t be ruled out.

Indeed, it’s alleged that Liverpool and Arsenal have held talks with the player’s camp ahead of a possible summer switch.

Valued at £70m, Sesko – labelled “the new Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig – might be a raw talent but he’s one who could be willed into a world-class shape under the wing of Slot.

Why Benjamin Sesko is perfect for Liverpool

Sesko is only 21 but has already been making waves in the Bundesliga, hitting 27 goals and seven assists across his first 62 appearances.

In fact, Sesko has clinched 39 goals and eight assists across just two campaigns for Leipzig, hitting 21 goals in all competitions this year.

He’s got the trappings of something special, and it’s hardly surprising that FSG should want to pursue his signature instead of that of Isak, who would cost around £80m more than the Slovenia international.

Harking back to that earlier point concerning Bellingham: Liverpool pulled out of the race for Borussia Dortmund’s prodigious midfielder in April 2023, a decision met with dismay from many of a Reds persuasion.

Where was the ambition? How were Liverpool so resigned to their slumped position? After all, the 2022/23 campaign was one of endurance for a Liverpool side falling apart, ultimately failing to qualify for the Champions League.

But, FSG stuck by their guns and their decision proved the right one. Liverpool welcomed Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo instead, four stars who have each played instrumental roles in winning the Premier League this season.

Back to the present, moving for Isak would leave to similarly anticipated financial ramifications, limiting Liverpool’s scope for improvement this year. And change is needed.

Not only is Alexander-Arnold’s departure going to raise questions about right-back depth, but Liverpool need a left-back, maybe a central defender too.

Moreover, with Diogo Jota joining Nunez in falling by the wayside this season, it wouldn’t be remiss for FSG to consider more than one attacking addition.

Sesko, have no doubt, would be Liverpool’s main man if he signed, though. The 21-year-old has already been remarked to be “rewriting the laws of physics” by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his extraordinary power and precision with both feet.

Sesko, as per FBref, ranks among the top 8% and 4% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-on and aerial duel success rates, his “elite athleticism,” as has been praised by analyst Ben Mattinson, and tenacity lending itself to such metrics.

Not just a sharpshooter, and further evidence as to why he could be the perfect Isak alternative, who has been described as “the complete striker” by Newcastle legend Alan Shearer.

The Sweden star’s pace and link-up play is second to none, also ranking among the top 7% of strikers for progressive carries and the top 15% for shot-creating actions per 90.

While moving for Sesko would be something of a risk, he’s scored 13 Bundesliga goals this season having missed just ten big chances. He’s powerful and purposeful and intelligent besides, the perfect Isak alternative and for less than half the cost.

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Desperately hoping to turn things around at the London Stadium, Graham Potter has reportedly set his sights on signing a defensive addition for West Ham United this summer.

Potter turnaround must start against Tottenham

Whilst neither Tottenham Hotspur or West Ham have anything to play for in the Premier League with four games remaining, there’s no taking away from the importance of a London derby and Potter should use that to his advantage.

So far, Potter’s West Ham tenure has been full of moments to forget. In an instant, his side stagnated without any true new manager bounce, but the visit of the Lilywhites could change that.

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Speaking to reporters in his pre-match press conference, the former Chelsea boss said: “Spurs have had a tough season in the Premier League, because of injuries and other reasons. That just shows that in this league, nothing’s forgiven.

“But, they’ve done well in Europe, and hopefully they can get the job done and get to the final. This is the most important game for us, because it’s the next game. And then you add on the fact it’s a London derby, and the added importance for our supporters.

“I feel for our supporters because they’ve had a tough year. That’s the reality. They’re frustrated, understandably so, and we want to try and give them something back.”

Likely doing himself no favours by wishing his rivals well in their pursuit of European glory, Potter must ensure that all the talk is around an excellent West Ham performance rather than his pre-match words and another afternoon to forget on Sunday.

Meanwhile, with little to play for, the Hammers have already turned their attention towards the transfer market and some much-needed upgrades in Potter’s first summer in charge. And that could yet see an impressive defender arrive.

West Ham pushing to sign CJ Egan-Riley

According to GiveMeSport, Potter is now determined to revive his West Ham spell by signing CJ Egan-Riley this summer. The Burnley defender is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, presenting the London club with an ideal opportunity to swoop in and land a bargain deal. At just 22 years old, there’s no doubt that he would be an impressive signing too.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

CJ Egan-Riley

Max Kilman

Starts

39

34

Progressive Carries

26

29

Progressive Passes

127

106

Ball Recoveries

180

135

The stats paint quite the picture for the Burnley man, who has played a vital part in his side’s sensational defensive record in the Championship this season. Next to Max Kilman at West Ham – a defender who has also done well in possession – Egan-Riley could form quite the partnership.

Earning plenty of praise from Scott Parker as a result of his performances, the Burnley boss told reporters after Egan-Riley scored his first goal for the club: “I’m pleased for CJ. CJ’s been immense since he’s come in – a young boy that’s probably not had a lot of opportunities since he’s been at the football club. And he deserved that goal tonight.

“He’s been the backbone, and a driving force with this back four, back five. In terms of the clean sheets, and the defensive work of this team, CJ has brought a lot of quality. He deserves his opportunity, and he’s taking it with both hands. I’m really, really pleased for him.”

Celtic are already building towards next season and could see plenty of movement in both directions once the summer window comes around at Parkhead.

Celtic begin to make inroads in the transfer market

While Brendan Rodgers has enjoyed another remarkably successful season at Parkhead, the Irishman still has the small factor of focusing on winning a domestic treble before fully looking ahead to 2025/26.

After claiming the Scottish Premiership title, Premier Sports Cup and putting on a brave showing in the Champions League, he will hope his side have demonstrated more than enough appeal to prospective summer recruits.

Recently, Celtic have been linked with a move for Heart of Midlothian forward James Wilson. The Scotland international has enjoyed a breakout campaign at Tynecastle, though it remains to be seen whether he would be given first-team guarantees in Glasgow.

Sarpsborg star Sondre Ørjasæter has been on the Hoops’ radar since January, suggesting that bolstering the ranks from middle to front could be a key priority for Rodgers. Nevertheless, there will also be a number of departures to clear the decks for fresh blood to enter the fold, even if Celtic are likely to fight hard to hold on to key stars.

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Daizen Maeda is attracting reported interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, signifying that high-profile sides may be casting an eye over a number of Hoops men ahead of next season. Now, further information has emerged regarding who could become Celtic’s early casualties and four players are now set to head through the exit door once their contracts expire.

Celtic set to part ways with four starlets this summer

According to The Daily Record, Celtic are set to part ways with Daniel Cummings, Joe Morrison, Alasdair Davidson and Lewis Dobbie, with the latter three not being retained by the Scottish champions.

Notably, Cummings has previously been offered a new contract by the Bhoys, but the Scotland Under-21 international has been frequently linked with a move to West Ham United after the Hammers saw a £500,000 bid turned down for the striker in January.

Celtic’s four departing youngsters in 2024/25
Daniel Cummings	Appearances: 37	Goals: 29	Assists: 0
Lewis Dobbie	Appearances: 26	Goals: 13	Assists: 0
Alasdair Davidson	Appearances: 10	Goals: 0	Assists: 0
Joe Morrison	Appearances: 12	Clean sheets: 6	Goals conceded: 10

Seemingly, any efforts from Celtic to try and retain the prolific forward have fallen on deaf ears, and it remains to be seen whether a move to the London Stadium becomes a likely prospect in the summer months.

While there is an appetite from supporters to witness their academy system produce more talent for the first-team, it appears that none of the quartet mentioned will be household names at Parkhead.

Instead, they will focus on finding a steady path to senior involvement elsewhere, leaving Lennoxtown bosses to work with their existing pool of options.

The fans and players might have a Europa League final to look forward to next week, but the powers that be at Tottenham Hotspur will be looking past that and at the upcoming transfer window.

Daniel Levy and Co have to ensure it’s a massive window this year; otherwise, Ange Postecoglou – or whoever replaces him – could just find themselves in the same place this time next season.

Fortunately, there has been an increasing number of reports linking the North Londoners to a host of incredibly exciting players in recent weeks.

However, while the talented attackers touted for moves to N17 should excite the fans, they could also spell trouble for some of the club’s current stars, such as Bayern Munich loanee Mathys Tel.

Tottenham transfer news

Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth examining some of the other exciting attackers linked with Spurs in recent weeks, like Eberechi Eze and Liam Delap.

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The former could reportedly cost the North Londoners a cool £68m, but given his ability to play in a number of positions and the fact he’s racked up 12 goals and 11 assists in 40 games this season, it would be hard to argue with that valuation.

Likewise, while Delap is still young and relatively inexperienced, his £30m release clause seems more than fair for a striker who has scored 12 goals and provided two assists in 35 Premier League games this season.

However, if a player is going to come in and send Tel packing back to Bayern, they’re going to have to be someone seriously special, someone like Rayan Cherki.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Spurs are one of several sides incredibly interested in the Lyon gem.

The report has revealed that the player’s agent has approached a number of ‘top Premier League clubs’ over a potential transfer, and according to reports from earlier this week, the North Londoners have already inquired about the player, who could be available for just £19m.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Cherki’s immense ability, it’s one worth fighting for, even if it could be bad news for Tel.

How Cherki compares to Tel

So, the first thing to say is that Cherki is capable of playing off the right of a front three and in attacking midfield, but with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski locking down the former and Brennan Johnson scoring bags of goals from the latter, we reckon the Frenchman would play off the left at Spurs.

Therefore, his arrival in the summer could see the club thank Tel for his service and send him back to Bayern in the summer, as when we compare the two players, it’s abundantly clear that the Lyon ace is the far more dangerous and effective attacker.

For example, in terms of pure output, the “insane” 21-year-old, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has scored 12 goals and provided 19 assists in 43 games, totalling 3009 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.38 games, or every 97.06 minutes.

In contrast, since moving to North London, the Sarcelles-born gem has scored three goals and provided one assist in 18 appearances, totalling 1083 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 4.5 games, or every 270.75 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Bayern loanee, the incredibly one-sided nature of this comparison only continues when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.69

0.37

Non-Penalty G+As

0.83

0.27

Progressive Passes

9.03

2.52

Progressive Carries

4.47

2.52

Passing Accuracy

78.6%

75.0%

Key Passes

3.23

1.17

Passes into the Final Third

4.38

1.35

Passes into the Penalty Area

3.27

1.62

Live Passes

53.1

29.8

Shot-Creating Actions

6.09

2.54

Goal-Creating Actions

0.88

0.27

Successful Take-Ons

2.03

1.62

For example, in practically every relevant metric, Lyon’s “future ballon d’Or winner,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Alex Barker, comes out on top.

These metrics include things like expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, passing accuracy, key passes, passes into the final third and penalty area, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, it’s clear that Cherki is a far superior player to Tel, and while it would be handy for Spurs to have both next season, we wouldn’t be surprised that signing the former will force the latter to move on.

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Manchester United are thought to be eyeing a “fantastic” Premier League player as a replacement for Bruno Fernandes, should the captain leave this summer.

Man Utd desperate to keep hold of Bruno

There hasn’t been much to admire about the Red Devils’ season, with Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at home to West Ham embarrassingly leaving them languishing in 16th place in the Premier League table.

Fernandes has been a shining light for United, however, especially as the campaign has gone on, scoring 19 goals and registering 16 assists in all competitions. He has dragged his side through some games, especially in Europe, with his leadership arguably coming to the fore more impressively than it has in the past.

The Portuguese has worryingly been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, however, which would be a massive blow for Ruben Amorim, who lauded him recently, saying: “When we need him, he’s always there. He can change position. He can bring the ball forward. He can score goals. He can make transitions like he showed today.”

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have been mentioned as potential suitors for the 30-year-old, but it would surely be a surprise if he was willing to play at such a lower standard at this peak moment in his career. Still, United will know that they need to keep an eye on possible replacements, should the worst-case scenario happen.

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According to a report from Spain, Manchester United have identified Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans as an option to come in for Fernandes this summer. The £150,000-a-week Belgian has stood out as one of Villa’s best players this season, helping them reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

He isn’t the only player mentioned in the update, however, with Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes also mentioned as a possible addition for the Red Devils, and an alternative to the Villans ace.

In an ideal world, Fernandes will remain at United for the foreseeable future, ignoring any interest in him, but the Red Devils should still contemplate the signing of Tielemans to make their midfield more formidable.

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The 28-year-old has now proven himself as a top player in the Premier League, making 218 appearances in the competition and also scoring the winning goal for Leicester City in the 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea, while Unai Emery has lauded his abilities as a footballer.

Tielemans would add box-to-box quality to United’s midfield, having the ability to supply end product and also strong defensive work, having bagged 10 goal contributions in the league this season and also averaged 2.4 tackles per game.

Tottenham Hotspur travel to face Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon, with Arne Slot’s side needing just a single point to secure the Premier League title.

Ange Postecoglou’s men will be looking to put a dent in their title ambitions, looking to pick up some momentum ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo Glimt.

Given the lowly league standing in 2024/25, there’s no denying that all the attention will be on European football, with the competition giving the side a great chance to end the year with a trophy.

Such dismal form has led to questions being asked about the future of the Aussie in North London, with a triumph in Europe certainly bolstering his chances of remaining in charge next season.

However, if he wants to claim an unlikely win over Slot’s men this afternoon, he desperately needs to drop one player from his starting eleven after his showing against Nottingham Forest on Monday.

Why Ange needs to drop Sarr against Liverpool

Midfielder Pape Matar Sarr was recalled to the starting eleven against Forest, but failed to take advantage of the opportunity handed his way by Postecoglou.

The Senegalese international featured for 81 minutes of the defeat in North London before being replaced by youngster Lucas Bergvall – deservedly so after his own showing.

He failed to complete any of the three crosses he attempted against Nuno Espírito Santo’s side, whilst failing to win a single tackle – failing to have the desired impact at either end of the pitch.

Along with the aforementioned stats, Sarr also lost 100% of the aerial duels he entered, unable to stop the visitors from claiming all three points at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

After such a showing, Postecoglou simply must drop him ahead of today’s clash, handing a rare start to one player in his preferred position after featuring elsewhere in 2024/25.

The player who Ange needs to start against Liverpool today

With the Europa League game certainly Spurs’ main focus for the remainder of the campaign, Ange needs to rotate his side to maintain fresh legs throughout the squad.

Injuries have already hampered the side in key moments of the season, especially in defence with the likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven both spending extended spells on the sidelines.

Such spells have undoubtedly contributed to their lowly league standing in 2024/25, with various players having to stand in at the back temporarily throughout the season.

Archie Gray is just one player to operate at the heart of the defence, doing so excellently given his tender age of 19 – deserving of an opportunity to operate in his familiar position.

The youngster, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, has started 14 games in the league since his move in the summer, the vast majority of which have been at the back.

When delving into his stats from the league, he’s managed to star despite the unfamiliar role, with Ange needing to rotate his pack and offering the teenager needed minutes in his natural position to continue his development.

Gray has completed 91% of the passes he’s attempted to date, completing an average of 59 passes per 90 – having the tools to succeed in such a role based upon those figures.

Games played

23

Games started

14

Passes completed

91%

Passes per game

59

Tackles won

50%

Dribbles completed

50%

Recoveries made

3.8

He’s also completed 50% of the dribbles he’s attempted, whilst also winning 50% of the tackles he’s entered – potentially being the perfect box-to-box option in the Aussie’s system in North London.

Even though today’s clash is one of little importance to Spurs given their league position, they will want to gain some momentum ahead of the crunch Europa League meeting.

If they are to stand any chance of doing that, Gray needs to be handed a rare start, handing him the opportunity to showcase his talents ahead of the vital clash for the Aussie’s future at the club.

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Everton beat Fulham at Craven Cottage at the weekend to consolidate their position in mid-table. When David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche in January, the fear of relegation was a palpable thing indeed.

Trailing 1-0 when the fourth official displayed four minutes of stoppage time before the interval, Vitalii Mykolenko struck from outside the box and saw a wicked deflection get the better of Bernd Leno. Michael Keane and Beto struck in the second half to seal a fantastic win on the road.

Keane and Abdoulaye Doucoure (who assisted Mykolenko) are both out of contract next month but produced excellent performances to perhaps suggest they deserve a place at Bramley Moore next season.

However, not everyone facing an exit will have impressed the gaffer.

Everton's worst performers vs Fulham

Moyes knew when taking on the Everton job that he would face a deluge of contractual issues. The arrival of Angus Kinnear, Kevin Thelwell’s replacement in the directors box, makes that task less daunting, but it’s a big one nonetheless.

Keane and Doucoure might be getting on, taking a considerable portion of the wage bill besides, but they are still capable of adding depth and experience to a Blues side fighting for higher ground. However, Ashley Young, 39, is a spring chicken no more and proved that much on Saturday.

The right-back languished against the fleet feet of Alex Iwobi and Ryan Sessegnon, still showing off some creativity but being branded with a 5/10 match rating by The Liverpool ECHO, who echoed that sentiment.

Jack Harrison might be a decade younger, but he’s no less expendable. The loanee is about to complete his second year on Merseyside but has ebbed back on multiple occasions this season, with just one goal and one assist across 36 matches in 2024/25.

He too received a 5/10 score from the ECHO, struggling against a Fulham side that limited him to an houer on the field, hooked so that Moyes’ side could achieve more fluency and security in their game.

At least these players earned starting roles. There’s another whose afternoon was spent on the bench. Armando Broja has been unfortunate with injuries this year, but there’s no way Everton should be looking to turn his loan move into a permanent deal this summer.

Moyes must instantly ditch Armando Broja

Everton have been a day late and a dollar short too many times in the transfer market in recent years, with Broja’s signing reminiscent of the frustrating deals that never live up to the hype.

Admittedly, injuries have formed the crux of the 23-year-old’s struggles at Goodison Park this season, for he has only started four times in the Premier League and has failed to score across any competition.

Having been an unused substitute across the past two fixtures now that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit again, it’s clear Moyes does not value the Chelsea man all that highly.

Everton – 24/25

10

0

0

Fulham – 23/24

8

0

1

Chelsea – 23/24

13

1

1

Chelsea – 22/23

12

1

1

Southampton – 21/22

32

6

1

Broja left Stamford Bridge for Merseyside last summer on a one-year loan deal, with the option to make the move permanent for a £30m figure.

Given that the Albania international has scored just two Premier League goals across the past three seasons, Moyes would be unwise to authorise the transfer, especially when considering he hasn’t even hit the target across his 13 appearances as a Toffee, as per Sofascore, only yet to miss a big chance because he hasn’t been presented with one.

He might have been hailed as an “animal” by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell during his time with Southampton, that was a long time ago and he needs to do much more to restore that predatory instinct.

Ultimately, for £30m, Chelsea would be laughing after a third successive Premier League campaign with little success for the centre-forward.

Broja has the talent to make it work at the highest level, but Everton should turn their heads elsewhere.

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Over the last couple of years, Chelsea have been known to splash the cash in the transfer market, with Enzo Maresca the beneficiary of the investment from the hierarchy.

Since the takeover in May 2022, the board has invested over £1.3b into players to improve the first-team squad, whilst also keeping one eye on the future with the funds spent on youngsters.

Given the previous history in the window, it would be no surprise to anyone if the Blues spent heavily once again this summer as they look to provide the manager with added reinforcements.

With Champions League football potentially on the cards in 2025/26, added squad depth is also needed to compete, opening the door to further summer arrivals.

One position in particular is in serious need of investment this summer, with Maresca still yet to land any targets he desires after taking the reins last year.

The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for a new striker

Ever since the Italian took over from Mauricio Pochettino, he’s been demanding a new talisman at the top end of the pitch to help him in his quest to fight at the top end of the Premier League table.

Benjamin Sesko is one player who’s been largely touted with a move to Stamford Bridge over the last 12 months, with his name emerging on the list once again ahead of this summer.

The RB Leipzig star was named on a shortlist of strikers who the club are targeting in the coming months, a decision which is understandable given his record of 20 goals in 41 appearances this season.

However, he’s not alone on that list, with Ipswich Town centre forward Liam Delap also a name mentioned with a big-money transfer to West London.

According to Graeme Bailey, the Blues are leading the race for the 22-year-old’s signature, with the hierarchy willing to trigger his £30m release clause to reunite the pair after their time together at Manchester City.

Why a £30m PL star would be better than Sesko for Chelsea

Senegalese international Nicolas Jackson has been Chelsea’s number one striker over the last couple of seasons, but injuries have massively restricted him throughout 2024/25.

He’s only made 27 league appearances, scoring just nine goals, with Maresca desperately needing a new talisman in forward areas to catapult them to success in the near future.

Such form has led to links to Sesko, but if they are to complete any deal for the 21-year-old sensation, it would set them back at least £60m given his tender age and goalscoring record.

However, the recent emergence of a move for Delap could provide a cheaper alternative for the hierarchy, but it would also hand Maresca a better option in forward areas.

The fact the pair have previously worked together is a huge advantage in their pursuit, but when also comparing his figures to those of Sesko, he’s managed to outperform him in numerous key areas – showcasing how much of a superb addition he would be for the Blues.

The Ipswich ace, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has matched the Slovenian for goals scored, showcasing the attacking threat he possesses – offering that clinical edge the side have lacked.

He’s also managed to achieve a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate, whilst registering more shot-creating actions, further offering Maresca an added threat should he move to the Bridge.

Games played

32

29

Goals scored

12

12

Shot-on-target accuracy

46%

42%

Shot-creating actions

2.3

1.9

Take-ons attempted

3

2.9

Carries into final third

1.6

1.1

Fouls won

1.8

0.6

Delap has proven his all-round nature in the Premier League this season, attempting more take-ons and also completing more carries into the final third than Sesko – with the Englishman undoubtedly a better option.

There’s no denying that both players would improve the current centre-forward department in West London, further bolstering the ranks ahead of a potential title charge in 2025/26.

However, if they are to have the greatest chance of edging closer to such a feat, it’s evident from the figures produced that the Tractor Boys star is the man whom the hierarchy need to pursue a move in the coming months.

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