Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke watched on as his side held Spanish side Valencia to a 1-1 draw at Elland Road in their latest pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The Whites are continuing to prepare for their Premier League opener against Everton later this month, as they return to the top-flight after a two-year absence.

Dutch centre-forward Joel Piroe smashed the ball in from close range to equalise against Valencia on Saturday, and it remains to be seen what kind of role he will play next season.

The former Swansea star scored 19 goals in the Championship in the 2024/25 campaign, but Football Insider claimed that the club have doubts over his ability to make the step up to the Premier League.

Whilst there are doubts over Piroe’s suitability to play at that level, it is also worth adding that Farke will need to find goals across the pitch from his players, not just from his centre-forward.

When Leeds were promoted under Marcelo Bielsa back in 2020, the Argentine head coach had a host of stars who carried a threat in the final third, including Mateusz Klich.

Why Leeds need the next Mateusz Klich

Farke needs to find his own version of the Poland international, because the central midfielder was a crucial part of the club’s success when they returned to the Premier League five years ago.

Klich produced five goals and seven assists in his first two years in the English top-flight with the Whites, which shows that he offered a decent threat from a midfield position.

The right-footed dynamo was particularly important to the team in the 2020/21 campaign, immediately after promotion, with a return of four goals and five assists for Bielsa.

Klich handled the step up to the Premier League, after a haul of six goals and five assists in the Championship in the season before that, to make himself a valuable player for the West Yorkshire outfit.

xG

3.02

Bottom 48%

Goals

4

Top 45%

xA

3.13

Top 30%

Chances created

44

Top 20%

Assists

5

Top 27%

Possession won in the final third

19

Top 18%

As you can see in the table above, the Polish star ended up with an above-average goal tally for his position, despite having a below-average xG created for him.

The former FC Twente star also ranked highly among his positional peers in a host of creative statistics, which shows that he helped to create goals for his teammates as well as offering a goal threat himself.

Providing attacking contributions from midfield helped to take the weight off the likes of Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford, which is why Leeds need to find their own version of Klich to ease the pressure on Piroe.

Leeds in the race to sign Championship star

According to A Bola, as relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds United are one of a number of teams in the race to sign Southampton central midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer.

The report claims that Leeds, Aston Villa, and Atletico Madrid are all interested in a deal to snap up the Portugal U21 international before the end of the transfer window.

Transfer Focus

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

It reveals that the 21-year-old talent, who only signed for the Saints from Sporting last year, is open to making a return to the Premier League after being relegated earlier this year.

Sport Witness adds that A Bola previously reported that Southampton are looking for a fee in excess of €35m (£30m) for the midfield talent this summer.

It now remains to be seen whether or not Leeds, or either of the other two interested clubs, are prepared to spend that much on Fernandes to bolster their squad.

Why Leeds should sign Mateus Fernandes

The Whites should push to win this race with Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid for the Southampton central midfielder because he could be Farke’s own version of Klich at Elland Road in the coming season.

Like the former Leeds star, Fernandes is a central or attacking midfield player who provides dynamic and energetic performances in the middle of the park, adding a threat at the top end of the pitch.

Southampton finished rock bottom of the Premier League with just 16 points and two wins on the board, which means that the midfielder did not get to showcase the very best of his abilities, as he was in a team that struggled badly week-in-week-out.

However, the 21-year-old talent, who was once praised for his “exceptional” passing quality by analyst Ben Mattinson, was still able to end the season with a solid return of three goals and six assists in all competitions for the Saints, which is not dissimilar to Klich’s haul from the 2020/21 campaign for Leeds.

Fernandes created six ‘big chances’ and 3.64 xA in the Premier League in a dismal Southampton side, which suggests that he could offer a very decent threat in the final third in a team that is better equipped for a shot at avoiding relegation from the division.

The Leeds target, who ranked within the top 11% of midfielders in the division for successful take-ons (1.52) per 90, was able to shine and showcase some of his qualities on the pitch in spite of the team that he was playing for.

Yasin Ayari

1

Elliot Anderson

2

Daichi Kamada

3

Mikkel Damsgaard

4

Sandro Tonali

5

Tyler Dibling

6

Joao Gomes

7

Joelinton

8

Bruno Guimaraes

9

Ryan Christie

10

As you can see in the table above, his statistics in the Premier League last season earned him comparisons to some top players in the division, including the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joao Gomes.

The dynamic midfield star, who averaged 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game, could come in as Farke’s own Klich because he is a Premier League proven midfielder who can provide quality in front of goal and out of possession by winning tackles and interceptions for his side.

That is why the Whites should be pushing to bring Fernandes to the club to alleviate some of the pressure from their attacking players, by signing a midfielder who can offer a threat at the top end of the pitch.

Australia will have another debutant in their XI, while India will make at least one change in their bid to draw the series

Alagappan Muthu02-Jan-20254:27

Is Rohit in Manjrekar’s India XI for Sydney?

Big picture: SCG showdown to decide Border-Gavaskar TrophyFrom that first day, when 17 wickets fell in Perth, there has been intrigue in this Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Even the game ruined by rain in Brisbane threw up something unexpected – a sudden retirement. Now as a hard fought, highly entertaining series comes to an end, Australia have the chance to cement their legacy – the reigning ODI and Test world champions have one hand on a trophy that has eluded them for 10 years – and India still have the chance to deny them.There were reports of friction inside India’s ranks. The captain Rohit Sharma is so short of runs his place in the team isn’t looking so good. The coach Gautam Gambhir did not confirm if the captain would be in the XI, which created a very different feel to India’s build-up. Shubman Gill, who was left out at the MCG Test, was one of the first in the nets and Dhruv Jurel, who hasn’t played since Perth, was the last to leave. If that’s any indication of a change in India’s batting line-up, is Rohit going out?India have been struggling to score first-innings runs – their average of 22.40 is their seventh lowest in a season where they’ve played at least five Tests – and have had to play catch-up constantly in Australia. Sydney is a place they might enjoy though. The SCG isn’t quite the batting paradise it used to be, like when India declared on 705 here in 2003, but it is still offering 34.85 per wicket which is better than any other ground in Australia over the last three years. That could be one of the reasons Australia are bringing in bowling reinforcements. The short turnaround between the Boxing Day and the New Year’s Tests is another. Beau Webster will be making his Test debut in place of Mitchell Marsh.For a while it looked like India might be able to escape the MCG with a draw. Yashasvi Jaiswal once again proved to be India’s best batter. At the end of that game, Rohit said the juniors still had a bit to learn about Test cricket, but it seems like they’re doing alright. Jaiswal is India’s highest scorer of the series. Nitish Kumar Reddy produced their best moment. Akash Deep has won Steven Smith’s admiration, but he’s out of the Sydney Test with a bad back. India’s vulnerabilities lie elsewhere.Related

'He'll push through' – Carey confident Starc won't let back issue keep him out of SCG Test

Virat Kohli gears up for the final reckoning of a tour defined by misjudgments

Mitchell Marsh dropped, Beau Webster to debut in Sydney

Form GuideAustralia: WDWLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
India: LDLWLIn the spotlight: Rohit Sharma and Pat CumminsWill Sydney be the last of Rohit Sharma in Test cricket or is he already done? India’s win in Perth came without him. He tried not to upset their momentum by moving himself down to the middle order but then felt that wasn’t working well enough. With not enough runs behind him, his on-field decisions backfiring, and India’s next Test not until June 2025, by which time Rohit will be 38, it feels like the end of something. He did bat in the nets on Thursday, facing only throwdowns, which is what he did ahead of the Melbourne Test as well.If this series didn’t have Jasprit Bumrah in it, Pat Cummins would be its best bowler. After a wayward start in Perth, he looked pumped in Adelaide, keeping the rich tradition of fast bowlers and their nerve-popping celebrations alive. He was Player of the Match in Melbourne for contributing with the bat as well. A win at his home ground in front of what is expected to be record crowds again to seal a place in the World Test Championship final would be the perfect way to end the season for Cummins.Akash Deep won’t play the SCG Test because of a back niggle•Associated Press

Team news: Webster in; Akash outMitchell Starc will play in Sydney while managing a side/rib complaint. Webster, who bats right-handed and bowls both medium pace and offspin, will be the third debutant for Australia in this series after Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas. He was the highest scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season with 938 runs at 58.62 and took 30 wickets at 29.30.Australia: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Sam Konstas, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Beau Webster, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Scott Boland, 11 Nathan LyonWith Akash ruled out with a stiff back, India will have to rejig their bowling attack, with either Prasidh Krishna or Harshit Rana set to replace him. There appear to be changes in batting line-up as well with Gill receiving direct attention from Gambhir, who gave him throwdowns. Jurel also seems like a chance to make the XI with Washington Sundar possibly sitting out.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt)/Shubman Gill, 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 KL Rahul, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rishabh Pant, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Dhruv Jurel, 8 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 9 Prasidh Krishna/Harshit Rana, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed SirajPitch and conditions: A good cricket wicket A day out from the Test match, there was a bit of grass on the SCG pitch. The feedback Cummins has received about it from the two Shield games that took place here this season is that it’s been a “good cricket wicket”, with enough in it for the bowlers, particularly that there’s a bit more pace in it. The weather for the start of the Test is expected to be clear, although there is some rain forecast on the final two days.Stats and trivia Steven Smith is 38 short of 10,000 Test runs. He will join Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting as the only Australians to have got to the mark. He’ll be the second fastest among them, behind Ponting in 196 innings, if he gets there in Sydney. Sydney might be his home ground but Starc’s record here is under par: he has 24 wickets in nine Tests at an average of 44.16. History isn’t on India’s side as they look to draw the series. They have won only one out of 13 Tests at the SCG.Quotes”If someone had said 40-45 days ago that we would be in this situation, that we can come to Sydney and draw this series, it’s a good position to be in.”
“You go into every Test trying to win so no different this week. Really happy with the last three Tests, how the boys have played. We’ve shown for most that we’ve been the frontrunner, that’s the aim again this week, keep it up.”

Nathan McSweeney’s second call in three weeks from chair of selectors George Bailey was much better than the first one.After being ruthlessly cut from the Test side against India following the Brisbane match, paving for the way for Sam Konstas’ momentum-shifting debut, McSweeney is back in the fold for the Sri Lanka series having been selected in a squad that has a youthful flavour.”Obviously [it was] nice news after a bit of a chaotic couple of months,” McSweeney told reporters at Brisbane airport. “It was a bit of nicer call than the last one. I will take heaps of learning from my experiences in my first three Tests and hopefully learn from that if I get the opportunity to play over there I play really well.”It would need a reshuffle of the batting order for McSweeney to return to the side in Sri Lanka, which is not out of the question with Travis Head an option to open although there will also been a keenness to get subcontinent cricket into Konstas, but even if he doesn’t play it is notable that he has been recalled swiftly.Related

• Ankle problem makes Cummins a doubt for Champions Trophy

• Australia 'very hopeful' Green could play World Test Championship final as a batter

• Connolly, McSweeney, Kuhnemann included for Sri Lanka tour

“I think it shows the character that we’ve seen and the sort of person he is, the way he responded and spoke so well about it publicly pretty soon after it happened and jumped straight back into performing for the Heat,” Bailey said.McSweeney has previously traveled to the MRF Academy in India to further his education against spin and expects to have to use a different set of skills than works for him in Australia should he get an opportunity.”It’s a great challenge no doubt, but one I have planned for and will be ready for no doubt,” he said. “Playing spin in Australia has to be very different to playing spin over in Sri Lanka. I’ve worked out a method in Australia that has worked for me in my Shield career but will definitely have to work out a new one to be a good player over there.”In the official release, Bailey had talked of the tour as a chance for players to “grow their games in the subcontinent” with a view on the years ahead, although later insisted that qualification for the World Test Championship final, with the 3-1 series margin over India, had not changed the selectors’ thinking over who went on this trip.Nathan McSweeney had a tough initiation to Test cricket•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

“I know there’s been a lot of speculation around that [WTC qualification], but we view every Test tour and Test match as being really important,” Bailey said. “So for us, it was more around structuring up two or three different ways of what we thought the first XI may look like.”But there is certainly evidence of the next generation being unfurled with McSweeney (25) joined by Konstas (19) and the uncapped Cooper Connolly (21). Todd Murphy, who has six Tests under his belt, is also just 24. Call-ups for Glenn Maxwell (36) and Peter Handscomb (33) would not have brought a sense of forward planning, although Handscomb was very close and remains on standby.While it is not rubberstamped that Konstas retains his spot as an opener, it would be a way to help fast-track his education at Test level in what are likely to be spin-friendly conditions with an eye on the 2027 Test tour of India.”What we have seen is he’s a quick learner, absorbs a lot of information,” Bailey said. “So [we are] expecting him to get a lot out of it. From his spin play in Australia and the opportunities he has played in different parts of the world, we think he’s got a game that’s well suited and a technique that can stand up. That’s one of the exciting things about this tour. We’ll learn a bit more about his game in different conditions to what he’s just faced in Australia.”Connolly, meanwhile, has been selected after just four first-class matches which have brought three half-centuries, including 90 on debut in last year’s Sheffield Shield final, and he has yet to take a wicket in the format with his left-arm spin. However, the selectors have been encouraged by his big-temperament which has already earned him four white-ball appearances.”Technically, we like it. Temperament, we like. Character, we like. Clearly, skill set, there’s a lot to like there as well,” Bailey said. “On the first-class front, there’s not a great deal of games behind him, but he is one that’s been around that one-day group. We have in the past used that as a stepping stone at different times to see a player a bit more, find out a bit more about the way they play. He was obviously the beneficiary of that. He’s someone that we’ve had our eye on for a period of time.”

Tottenham Hotspur are in for a season of change throughout 2025/26, after Thomas Frank was appointed following Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal earlier this summer.

The Aussie was brutally dismissed during the off-season after winning the Europa League, subsequently ending their 17-year drought without any form of silverware.

However, it was the club’s 17th-placed Premier League finish that saw his time in North London come to an end, with Daniel Levy wanting the club to become serial winners in the near future.

The new manager will want to put his own stamp on the first-team squad, as demonstrated by the additions of Mohammed Kudus and João Palhinha already this summer.

Despite the work already being conducted in the window, the Dane evidently wants further reinforcements to make his first year at the helm a positive one.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer

Eberechi Eze has once again emerged on Spurs’ radar over recent days, after previously being a target before their failed move for Morgan Gibbs-White.

The Lilywhites have entered talks with the player’s representatives over a move to North London, but face competition from rivals Arsenal to complete a deal for his signature.

However, he’s not the only attacking midfielder in their sights this window, with Como star Nico Paz a player who could join the Lilywhites, according to The Athletic.

Their report claims that Frank’s side are huge admirers of the 20-year-old, who registered 14 combined goals and assists across all competitions last campaign.

It also states that Real Madrid could yet trigger a buy-back option after selling him last summer, with a £60m asking price being mooted for the Argentine’s signature.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be a better signing than Savinho

Alongside Spurs’ hunt for a new number ten, they’ve also made moves to land a new left-winger after Heung-min Son’s £20m move to join LAFC in recent weeks.

Manchester City star Savinho has been mentioned as a potential option for the Lilywhites, even entering direct talks with Pep Guardiola’s side over a deal for the Brazilian.

Whilst they’re currently holding out for £60m to part ways with the 21-year-old, it’s been reported that the player himself has already given the green light over a move to North London.

However, Frank already has numerous options at his disposal in such an area, with Richarlison, Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert all capable of filling the void left by the South Korean.

Savinho’s tally of 14 combined goals and assists last season would undoubtedly provide an added threat to the side in attacking areas, but a move for Paz would be a much better addition this summer.

James Maddison’s injury has left a huge hole in the middle of the side, but any move for the Como youngster would offer an immediate and long-term option to Frank’s first-team squad.

When comparing his stats to those of the Brazilian from the recent season, Paz managed to outperform the attacker, further showcasing why he’d be a better addition this summer.

How Paz & Savinho compare throughout 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)	Paz	Savinho
Games played	35	29
Goals & assists	14	9
Progressive passes	5.5	3.4
Pass accuracy	81%	80%
Passes into final third	3.9	0.9
Take-on success	51%	46%
Goals per shot on target	0.2	0.1
Aerials won	57%	33%
Stats via FBref

Paz, who’s been labelled a “magician” by one analyst, posted a higher tally of goals and assists last campaign, whilst also registering a better goal per shot on target rate – offering the Lilywhites a more potent threat in front of goal.

He also achieved a higher pass accuracy, whilst completing more passes into the final third, with such tools making him a more creative option – subsequently producing another threat with the ball at his feet in the attacking third.

Such all-round dominance over the City star is further highlighted in the take-on success and aerial ability, subsequently being the perfect all-round option in and out of possession.

Whilst £60m may be a steep fee for a young talent with one year’s experience in senior football under his belt, it could prove to be an excellent piece of business if he can build on his early success.

Whilst Savinho would also be a great addition, the hierarchy should be prioritising a move for the former Real Madrid youngster between now and the end of the summer window.

Better signing than Rodrygo: £60m star is ready to join Spurs alongside Eze

Tottenham Hotspur have received the green light over a deal to land a top-level talent this summer.

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 12, 2025

أعلن الكروتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش، المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز، عن التشكيل الذي سيخوض به مباراة الجيش الرواندي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا. 

ويلتقي بيراميدز نظيره فريق الجيش الرواندي، في الثامنة مساء، في  إياب الدور الأول من دوري الأبطال الإفريقي، على ملعب الدفاع الجوي. 

وكان فريق بيراميدز قد حقق الفوز في مباراة الذهاب على الجيش الرواندي التي أقيمت في كيجالي بثنائية نظيفة أحرزها مهاجم الفريق فيستون ماييلي. 

طالع.. موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة بيراميدز والجيش الرواندي اليوم في دوري أبطال إفريقيا تشكيل بيراميدز أمام الجيش الرواندي

حراسة المرمى: أحمد الشناوي.

خط الدفاع: علي جبر – محمد الشيبي – محمد حمدي – أحمد سامي.

خط الوسط: مهند لاشين – أحمد عاطف قطة – مصطفى زيكو – بلاتي توريه – مصطفى فتحي.

خط الهجوم: فيستون ماييلي.

ويتواجد على دكة الدبلاء كلا من:

محمود جاد – كريم حافظ – أحمد توفيق – وليد الكرتي – عبد الرحمن مجدي – إيفرتون داسيلفا – محمد رضا بوبو – دودو الجباس – مروان حمدي.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nove jogos, cinco vitórias, quatro empates. Além disso, são 14 gols marcados e quatro sofridos. Algo é notável: o São Paulo de Dorival Júnior faz uma chama que há muito tempo não era acesa voltar. A vitória por 4 a 2 contra o Vasco, neste sábado (20), deu mais uma visão do trabalho que o treinador está consolidando no clube. Hoje, é uma equipe muito mais madura e organizada.

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Foi um jogo emocionante, é fato. Um show entre os meninos de Cotia, Nestor buscando sua redenção com a torcida, uma vitória que quase escapa… De tudo um pouco. E embora tenha sido um time mais alternativo, com Arboleda poupado, Pablo Maia entre os reservas, era possível compreender bem a organização da equipe em campo.

ATUAÇÕES: “Crias de Cotia”, Beraldo e Juan garantem vitória do São Paulo diante do Vasco pelo Brasileirão

Rafinha, que segura sua maior sequência nesta temporada pela lateral-direita, ficou um pouco mais preso com os zagueiros. Rodrigo Nestor aparecia bastante pelo lado direito, Caio estava mais livre como um ala, dialogando bastante do lado esquerdo com Luciano e Marcos Paulo, e este sistema pareceu funcionar bem.

+ Clique aqui e veja como apostar no Brasileirão

+ Confira os jogos e classificação resultados do Brasileirão-23 na tabela do LANCE!

Um dos principais pontos da partida deste sábado (20) foram os contra-ataques do São Paulo. Inclusive, dois gols partiram assim: Rodrigo Nestor e Juan.

Entretanto, não é possível afirmar que o Vasco tenha ido tão mal assim. Pelo contrário, a equipe de Barbieri começou a partida de forma muito intensa, pressionando bastante o São Paulo. Mas precisou de apenas uma jogada mais perigosa e Calleri conseguiu abrir o placar, o que mudou todo o rumo da partida. E vale ressaltar: nem quando o Cruzmaltino buscou o empate, o Tricolor desanimou. No caso, Beraldo e Juan se destacaram e deram a vitória para a equipe.

Inclusive, um dos grandes destaques foi justamente o setor ofensivo. O último gol de Calleri tinha sido contra América-MG, e agora voltou a marcar. Juan também entrou bem e se mostrou como um jogador que se destaca ‘na cara do gol’, o que não era muito visto com Rogério Ceni, que preferia utilizar o jovem atacante mais como um ponta. Luciano fez uma das suas melhores partidas do ano. Além disso, o meio de campo pareceu muito mais organizado do que estava sendo visto nos últimos jogos.

A única questão que poderia ter sido melhor é quanto ao setor defensivo, que muito sentiu a ausência de Arboleda – inclusive, isso refletiu nos dois gols marcados pelo Vasco. O primeiro gol surgiu de uma bola aérea – um dos pontos fortes do equatoriano. O segundo foi em um cruzamento na área em que a zaga estava exposta.

Entretanto, em dia de recorde de público no Morumbi em 2023, a diferença do São Paulo é notável, para além dos resultados. Um time que agora deixa o gramado sob aplausos que antes, ainda neste ano, foram vaias. Uma equipe que subiu de nível e por isso é reconhecida pelo seu torcedor.

Ollie Watkins suffered from a rare off-day in front of goal on the opening day of the brand new Premier League season.

The usually lethal Aston Villa marksman could only muster up one meagre effort on Nick Pope’s goal, yet Unai Emery kept his faith in the ex-Brentford striker by keeping him on the pitch throughout, despite such a lifeless display.

Watkins will want to just jot this down as a rusty display as he attempts to get back up to speed with what is expected of him, having bagged 16 goals last season in the Premier League.

Evann Guessand surprisingly failed to get a run-out against the Toon, despite costing the Villans £30m this summer, with an instant upgrade on the former OGC Nice striker now perhaps in the offing.

Aston Villa holds talks to sign £60m attacker

The West Midlands giants haven’t had the most action-packed transfer window to date, away from splashing out £30m on their new number 29.

Transfer Focus

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

Indeed, Marco Bizot is arguably their most notable signing other than Guessand arriving through the door, with a clean sheet already picked up by the fresh Villa stopper on a memorable debut.

More concerningly, the main talk this off-season has centred on players leaving Villa Park behind.

Homegrown Villa gem Jacob Ramsey is now officially a Magpies player, having sealed a £43m move to St James’ Park right after his now former employers clashed against his new side.

Any worry in the air about this sale could soon dissipate if Villa were to add Nicolas Jackson to their attacking personnel.

Indeed, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Jackson is now on Emery’s short-list, having already held talks with the hit-and-miss Chelsea attacker previously.

While the £60m-rated forward has frustrated the Stamford Bridge masses consistently, there is certainly a player in there if Villa remain patient, especially when you consider what Emery managed to achieve with Marcus Rashford last season, as he waved goodbye to Manchester United temporarily to find his mojo again.

How Jackson is an instant upgrade on Guessand

Getting Jackson back to his confident, free-flowing best could well be a masterstroke in the long run, as Villa win themselves an immediate upgrade on Guessand, who can also keep a hot-and-cold Watkins on his toes at the peak of his powers.

This isn’t to say Guessand won’t be a hit on English shores, though.

After all, the Ivorian can line up as a blistering performer down either wing if needed – as much as he can line up as an out-and-out centre-forward like the Chelsea number 15 – with this quick burst of pace on the flanks even seeing him be dubbed as “electric” by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Yet, he isn’t without his faults in front of goal, much like a heavily criticised Jackson. Guessand is definitely a work in progress, therefore, with the Villa number 29 only firing home 21 goals in total for Nice from 109 appearances.

12 of those amazingly came about just last season, with Guessand only managing to pick one paltry goal all campaign long during a forgettable 2021/22 offering for Nice.

Chelsea

81

30 + 12

Villarreal

48

13 + 6

Villarreal B

27

7 + 8

CD Mirandes

17

1 + 1

Jackson has also experienced similar barren patches of form in West London – as seen in him squandering a colossal 19 big chances in the Premier League last season – but he will feel he’s more well-equipped for the pressures of being one of Villa’s main choices up top when he’s performing to his red-hot best, over spurning chances galore.

Indeed, despite missing all those chances, the Senegalese striker trumped Guessand’s Ligue 1 output last season by firing home 13 Premier League efforts, with a further, clinical 17 efforts also next to his name for Enzo Maresca’s men.

Chelsea great John Obi Mikel has even heralded Jackson as a “monster” in front of goal when he isn’t experiencing a crisis in confidence, with a change of scenery perhaps what is needed for the 24-year-old to become a stable goalscoring presence.

After all, Villa managed to turn Watkins into a goal machine at the taxing level, with a hope now that the £60m attacker can provide the 29-year-old with some needed competition, alongside a rawer Guessand waiting in the wings.

New Rogers: Aston Villa open first talks to sign "exceptional" £30m PL star

Unai Emery could land his next Morgan Rogers by picking up this exceptional £30m star at Aston Villa.

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An “exciting” attacker now wants to join Crystal Palace, despite interest from rival Premier League clubs, as he is keen to play under Oliver Glasner, according to a report.

Palace looking to sign Eze replacement

Despite featuring in Palace’s Premier League opener against Chelsea on Sunday, it appears as though Eberechi Eze’s time at Selhurst Park is coming to an end, having made it clear he wants to join Tottenham Hotspur.

As such, the Eagles are now looking to sign a replacement for their talisman, who controversially had a free-kick ruled out by VAR in what could be his final appearance for the club.

Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss, who is valued at £20m+, has emerged as one of the main targets to replace Eze, but there is set to be competition for his signature, with West Ham United and Newcastle United also named as potential suitors.

However, there has now been a positive update on Crystal Palace’s pursuit of El Khannouss, with it being revealed the attacking midfielder wants to move to Selhurst Park, despite interest from elsewhere.

The Belgium-born attacker is attracted by the prospect of playing under Glasner, and positive talks have now been held over a deal.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey also added: “I am told that El Khannouss has been considering his options and they are plentiful – varying from England, Europe and Saudi Arabia. However, Palace sources are very happy with how talks have gone, and they like the player.”

El Khannouss could be "exciting" Eze replacement

Prior to his move to Leicester, the Moroccan received very high praise from scout Jacek Kulig, who described the youngster as “one of the most exciting young advanced playmakers in world football”.

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Despite his talent, the starlet was unable to lead the Foxes to safety last season, but he is still very young at 21-years-old, and some of the Leicester ace’s performances last season indicate he could flourish in a better side.

Perhaps most notably, the maestro impressed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola last December, saying: “He (Guardiola) said he was impressed by my play today. I am not. I know myself and this is the player I can be. I have to show that every week now.”

El Khannouss has gotten off to a fantastic start to the Championship campaign, picking up two assists in two games, but given his potential, the 22-time Morocco international belongs in the Premier League, and he could be a fantastic long-term replacement for Eze.

In a late flurry of arrivals, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly “exploring” a deal to sign another Premier League rival before the end of the transfer window.

James McAtee "ready" for Forest challenge

One of three names to arrive in the last week, James McAtee joined Omari Hutchinson and Arnaud Kalimuendo on Nottingham Forest’s list of recent signings after sealing his move from Manchester City. The young midfielder is full of potential and, in his own words, “ready” for the challenge that awaits at the City Ground.

Of course, the last gem to leave the Etihad went on to become one of the best players in the Premier League and if McAtee reaches anywhere near the levels that Cole Palmer has at Chelsea then Nottingham Forest will have themselves a game-changer.

Evangelos Marinakis’ transfer business isn’t done there, however. Nottingham Forest are now reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Douglas Luiz from Juventus to add a midfield reinforcement to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

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In a frustrating blow for their Midlands rivals, Aston Villa, Forest look destined to welcome their former star and help bring an end to the Brazilian’s nightmare spell at Juventus.

It may not be the last time they get one over on their rivals, either. Alongside Luiz, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly “exploring” a deal to sign a player that the City Ground should already be very familiar with.

Nottingham Forest "exploring" Matty Cash deal

According to The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, Nottingham Forest are now “exploring” a deal to sign Matty Cash from Aston Villa this summer. The move would see the right-back complete a return to the City Ground five years on from swapping Forest for the chance to join Villa.

Having graduated from the Forest academy, Cash should be a welcomed return at the City Ground if he completes a move this month. There’s no denying that he would add plenty of experience, depth and quality to Espirito Santo’s backline too.

Minutes

2,070

2,995

Assists

1

1

Ball Recoveries

81

190

Tackles Won

32

42

When compared with Ola Aina, who enjoyed an excellent campaign last time out, it’s clear that Cash would push the Nigerian all the way for a starting place by returning to Nottingham Forest.

What’s more, with European football to contend with on top of domestic duties this season, Espirito Santo should welcome the idea of competition for places in every position. And adding a player who was described as “versatile” by Unai Emery to the Portuguese manager’s squad would certainly do exactly that this month.

Wayne Rooney has revealed how playing a "brilliant" game on PlayStation played a "massive part" in Manchester United's success under Sir Alex Ferguson. Rooney helped United win 10 trophies in the latter stages of the glorious Ferguson era, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League.

Man Utd players loved SOCOM game

Rooney was an integral part of the dominant Manchester United side under Ferguson, which established themselves as one of the greatest teams in Premier League history. The legendary forward, who finished his career at Old Trafford as United's record goalscorer, has revealed how playing five-versus-five on the PlayStation Portable (PSP) army game SOCOM contributed to the Red Devils' success. 

AdvertisementAFP'Big part of our success was playing on the PSP'

Speaking on his BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, the former England international said: "I really believe a big part of our success was playing on the PSP. It got us communicating more – we used to play it on the plane, on the team bus. It would be me, Rio [Ferdinand], Michael Carrick, John O'Shea, Wes Brown. You have to talk, you have to tactically be right, go and revive people when they get killed and it was a massive part of our success – ask any of those players, it was brilliant."

One United star was left 'annoyed'

Rooney, however, did admit that one United player was not a fan of the game, as he added: "How you played that game reflected that player, how they play the game. Michael Carrick was a little sneaky calm one, you would be lying down hiding and you'd hear a little grenade bouncing by where he'd thrown it. I was just all in, straight in, frontline of the trenches, get in there.

"Edwin van der Sar used to get annoyed, because we're on the team bus and there's just shouting on the team bus all over the place where you are telling people where you are. Sometimes if they have got one player left, you communicate, so you flank them, go and get them. Van der Sar used to get annoyed and move, he used to try and get as far away from us as possible!"

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