All posts by n8rngtd.top

Chelsea are heading towards another trophyless season as Mauricio Pochettino has failed to lead the team to silverware in his first year with the club.

The Argentine boss did take his men to the final of the League Cup, only to lose to Liverpool on penalties, but failed to make the final of the FA Cup and his side are currently ninth in the Premier League table.

They still have an opportunity to ensure that they have European football for the 2024/25 campaign, though, if they have a strong end to the season to climb the division, with five matches left to play.

Attention will then fully turn to the summer transfer window and what the club can do to bolster their playing squad to compete on all fronts next term.

Worth is reportedly already underway on that front, though, as the Blues are looking to sign a new centre-forward to lead the line for Pochettino.

Chelsea's interest in Bundesliga marksman

According to journalist Simon Phillips' Substack column, via Chelsea News, Chelsea have five strikers they are looking at ahead of the next transfer window.

The player who looks likely to be the club's top target in that position is RB Leipzig centre-forward Benjamin Sesko, who has a £42m release clause in his current contract.

Phillips claims that the Slovenia international has already been approached by the Blues, via his representatives, ahead of a possible move to Stamford Bridge in the coming months.

However, the reporter does not reveal whether or not the 20-year-old starlet is prepared to ditch the German club to make a move to England this summer.

He also does not state whether or not the London-based outfit are willing to pay his £42m release clause in full or if they will try to negotiate a lower fee.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Brentford's Ivan Toney are also mentioned by Phillips, who adds that Roma ace and ex-Chelsea man Tammy Abraham and Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic are also options for them if they fail to land their top targets.

This latest update suggests that plenty of work is going on behind the scenes to ensure that they have a long list of options to pursue this summer to secure a new number nine to lead the line at Stamford Bridge next season.

Sesko is possibly the priority at this moment in time, given that the club have approached him over a possible deal to bring him to England, and he could be a dream signing to partner with Cole Palmer moving forward.

Cole Palmer's form for Chelsea this season

Signed from Manchester City on a permanent move last summer, the left-footed magician has enjoyed a sensational first season with the Blues this term.

The 21-year-old wizard has showcased his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals from an attacking midfield or wide position in the Premier League this season.

He had racked up six goals and two assists in 41 first-team matches for Pep Guardiola before his switch to London last year, which did not suggest that the young gem was guaranteed to hit the ground running with Chelsea this term.

That is exactly what the talented star has done, though, with his almost constant stream of goals and assists for Pochettino's side throughout the campaign.

As you can see in the table above, Palmer has averaged a direct goal contribution every match on average in the Premier League with a return of 29 goals and assists in 29 matches.

His goalscoring exploits, with 20 strikes from just 15.56 xG, have caught the eye but his creativity for his teammates has also been sensational in the top-flight.

The England international currently ranks within the top 6% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.34), the top 7% for assists per 90 (0.37), and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90 (5.38).

These statistics show that Palmer is one of the best players in his position in the division at creating high-quality opportunities for his fellow attackers.

This is why Chelsea signing a high-quality striker would be a dream for the English phenom, as he would have a teammate who can make the most of his outstanding chance creation.

Why Chelsea should sign Benjamin Sesko

The Blues should complete a deal to sign Sesko this summer as he has the potential to be the dream signing to partner with Palmer next season, and beyond.

Once dubbed a "machine" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 20-year-old sensation joined RB Leipzig from RB Salzburg in the summer of 2023 after a sublime return of 29 goals and 11 assists in 79 matches for the Austrian side as a teenager.

He initially arrived as a back-up option for the German outfit but has earned himself a place in the starting XI and has showcased his lethal nature in front of goal.

As you can see in the table above, Sesko has been clinical in the final third with 11 goals from 7.23 xG, whilst current Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has fewer goals from more than double the Slovenian star's xG.

This suggests that the Leipzig ace is a significantly better finisher than the Senegal international, as he has overperformed his xG and missed less than half as many 'big chances' as the Blues forward.

In fact, Sesko ranks within the top 10% of strikers in the Men's Big 5 Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.67), which speaks to how impressive the centre-forward has been as a goalscorer in Germany.

Chelsea now front of queue to sign £205k-a-week starlet loved by Ancelotti

He could be another new young addition at Stamford Bridge this summer.

By
Ben Browning

Apr 29, 2024

Therefore, the 20-year-old Chelsea target could be a dream for Palmer as his statistics suggest that he is far more likely to make the most of the Englishman's creativity than Jackson, whose finishing has left a lot to be desired.

Pep Guardiola said he agrees with Javier Tebas for the first time ever over Premier League clubs' views on Manchester City's imminent hearing.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• City boss agrees with La Liga chief
• He believes PL rivals want his club punished
• 'Wait for the independent panel'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  La Liga president Tebas said that several club chiefs have told him they want to see City punished for allegedly breaking the Premier League's financial rules. City's hearing on the 115 charges begins on Monday in a case being billed as 'the trial of century'.

Advertisement

• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  "For the fact that all the Premier League teams want us to be sanctioned, that is for sure. I agree with Tebas for the first time, and hopefully the last," Guardiola told a press conference. "I am pretty sure I agree with that. That's why I say to Mr Tebas and the Premier League teams, wait for the independent panel. Justice is there in a modern democracy so yeah, wait for the decision, it's not more complicated than that."

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Guardiola referenced the fact that City won their appeal against UEFA in 2020 for allegedly breaking its rules after being provisionally thrown out of the Champions League. He added: "Wait, it happened with UEFA. We believe that we have not done anything wrong so we go to an independent panel and we are going to wait."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Tebas has been a long-running critic of City's ownership model, stemming from when he accused the Manchester club and Paris Saint-Germain of financial doping back in 2017. He also has polar opposite views to Guardiola on Catalonia's right to independence from Spain.

Journalist Dean Jones has been reacting to Leeds United’s interest in Club Brugge attacking midfielder Charles de Ketelaere.

The Lowdown: Leeds links

The Whites have been heavily linked with a move for De Ketelaere over the last seven days after Fabrizio Romano broke the news last week.

Described as ‘complete’ by legendary Club Brugge midfielder Gert Verheyen, the 21-year-old is primarily an attacking midfielder who can also play further forward if required.

A journalist in Belgium believes Leeds will make an opening €30m (£25.8m) proposal for De Ketelaere, with Club Brugge holding out for a figure closing to €40m.

The Latest: Jones reacts

Jones, talking to GiveMeSport, said that De Ketelaere is ‘definitely’ on Leeds’ radar and would be a ‘massive coup’ and an ‘unbelievable signing’, should a move go through.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-5/” title=”Latest Leeds United updates!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

“De Ketelaere would be an unbelievable signing and he is definitely a player of interest.

“I’m personally not sure that Leeds can lure him in because this is a player with a big future ahead of him and I know he is hugely ambitious.

“Honestly, he could probably arrive at any Premier League club and look to make an impact, so it would be a massive coup if Leeds could get him.”

The Verdict: Fingers crossed

De Ketelaere has just come off the back of a stellar campaign with 28 goal contributions.

He’ll be able to play as an attacking midfielder, out wide or as a centre-forward, something which could come in extremely handy for Jesse Marsch.

It looks as if Leeds may need to pay a club-record fee for De Ketelaere, so it would certainly be an eye-catching move and show some serious intent as both Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha move closer to the exit door.

Former Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has been reacting to the club’s interest in Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as per Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Villa linked with Oxlade-Chamberlain

Villa have already made four summer signings and appear to be closing in on a fifth in Rangers forward Rory Wilson. However, Steven Gerrard isn’t planning on stopping there and has reportedly made Oxlade-Chamberlain a ‘top priority’ for the remainder of the summer.

Liverpool are reportedly willing to cash in on the 28-year-old as he enters the final 12 months of his Anfield contract and could be available for around £11m.

The Latest: Hutton’s comments on Oxlade-Chamberlain

Hutton, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding Villa’s interest in the Anfield ace.

The Scot believes that Villa’s current midfielders will be ‘worried’ at the possibility of ‘someone with the quality of Oxlade-Chamberlain’ coming in.

Hutton said:

“They’re well-stocked in that area.

“Oxlade-Chamberlain will have to prove himself. But Steven Gerrard has got the best out of the likes of Philippe Coutinho before when he’s been out of form, and this is a similar situation.

“You’d be worried if you’re a midfielder at Villa right now. I’m just saying how I would feel if I was in that position and someone with the quality of Oxlade-Chamberlain came in.

“They’ve got to embrace it and see it as an opportunity to show what you’re worth.

“It’s competition for places, and you need that if you’re going to be going for those European spots. That’s where Aston Villa see themselves.”

The Verdict: Shrewd signing?

Oxlade-Chamberlain has played in 10 different positions throughout his career, with the majority of his appearances coming as a central midfielder or on the right. [Transfermarkt]

He would therefore add plenty of versatility to Gerrard’s midfield ranks, with the Villa boss tinkering with narrow and wide formations last season.

An £11m move for Oxlade-Chamberlain could also be deemed a cut-price one due to his £14.4m Transfermarkt valuation, so this could be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.

In other news: Villa and Gerrard now want ‘unbelievable’ ace on free transfer alongside Suarez. 

A big Rangers transfer twist has emerged that will leave supporters at Ibrox unhappy amid uncertainty over who will be the club’s number 1 next season.

What’s the news?

That’s according to the Glasgow Evening Times, who reveals that Rangers have dropped their interest in Bosnian goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic despite having him scouted him on numerous occasions.

The player has two years left on his current contract and the Ibrox side would have had to pay a fee to secure his services, but it appears the club are moving on to other targets in a fresh twist to the tale.

Supporters will be gutted

One area that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will need to strengthen ahead of next season is between the posts, with the future of Allan McGregor still uncertain, there will likely be a new keeper arriving in Glasgow to provide competition for Jon McLaughlin and Robbie McCrorie.

The club have earmarked a host of players who could arrive in the position over the previous few weeks, with names such as Jack Butland, Sam Johnstone, and Martin Fraisl all being linked with the jersey.

But it is the news regarding Kovacevic that will leave the supporters gutted, as the 24-year-old appeared to be an excellent fit.

He kept 11 league clean sheets in 27 appearances this term, conceding 0.9 goals per match, similar stats to McGregor (12 clean sheets, 0.9 goals conceded per 90).

This area is a priority for the Dutchman and even though competition between McLaughlin and McCrorie would be beneficial for both, a new ‘keeper really needs to be brought in.

Despite the Europa League run boosting the Ibrox coffers substantially, it appears that the club doesn’t want to be spending big fees on players, that’s unless there is an outgoing or two.

It will be tough to replace McGregor, who made his Gers debut in 2002, but life moves on and the manager will have a big ask to fill a position that the club has been well versed in over the years.

AND in other news, “Rangers will…”: Jordan Campbell drops big transfer update, supporters will be livid…

Leeds United are among the clubs credited with an interest in Paris Saint-Germain full-back Colin Dagba, according to Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown: Trophy haul

Having joined the French giants in 2016, the 23-year-old has lifted three Ligue 1 titles, two Coupes de France, one Coupe de la Ligue and three Trophees des Champions in what is already an illustrious career.

Despite the impressive trophy haul, the marauding right-back has hardly played a key role in any of the aforementioned successes, only making 77 first-team appearances for the Parisiens in six years at the club and never starting more than 15 league games in a single season.

With regular first-team football still at a premium in the French capital, the former France youth starlet is now hoping to move on, and Leeds could be in the mix…

The latest: Leeds interested in Dagba

As per Foot Mercato (translated by Sport Witness), Leeds, Villarreal, Eintracht Frankfurt and Mainz are all keen on signing Dagba from the French champions. However, it’s fellow Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg who currently lead the race to sign the 23-year-old after making ‘first contacts’ with PSG.

The report did state that all the clubs interested in the man who was hailed by Presnel Kimpembe for a ‘hyper-focused’ Champions League showing against Bayern Munich last year have the means to satisfy both the player and the club.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-4/” title=”Latest Leeds United updates!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The verdict: Too many cooks?

Following the capture of Red Bull Salzburg defender Rasmus Kristensen last week, Jesse Marsch has seemingly addressed a major area of weakness from last season in the Elland Road squad, having been ravaged by injuries, suspensions and loss of form in the right-back department throughout.

However, should regular right-back Luke Ayling continue as a makeshift centre-back, and given Stuart Dallas’ lengthy rehabilitation timescale, adding another option to the ranks may well be a worthwhile venture for Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta.

The Frenchman can also play on the left-hand side and in more advanced positions. Indeed, he could be viewed as somewhat of a utility man in the mould of Elland Road fans’ favourite Dallas and could fill that void in the absence of the Northern Irishman for the first half of the upcoming season.

Valued at £6.3m and under contract until 2024 (Transfermarkt), Dagba certainly fits the profile of an attainable target and should represent a wholly affordable candidate for Leeds, particularly after only making six fleeting appearances during 2021/22.

In other news: Leeds now won’t sign ‘superb’ midfielder despite Phil Hay revealing talks

Luke Edwards has now dropped a big Newcastle United claim regarding Hugo Ekitike, also sharing some transfer news involving Nathan Ake and Sven Botman.

The Lowdown: Ashworth in at Newcastle

As per the club’s official website, Dan Ashworth has now started his role as Sporting Director at St James’ Park after they received formal approval from the Premier League for him to move from Brighton and Hove Albion.

It means that he can work on transfers ahead of the start of the summer window, with the mega-rich Magpies expected to be busy in the market.

The Latest: Edwards’ transfer update

Taking to Twitter, Daily Telegraph journalist Edwards has revealed that Ashworth’s arrival at Newcastle ‘should speed up’ a deal for Ekitike, while Ake and Botman are at the ‘top of the list’ for centre-back targets.

He stated: “The arrival of Dan Ashworth should speed up the completion of the Ekitike deal. #nufc will then focus their attention and money on landing one of their centre-back targets with Ake and Botman at top of the list.”

The Verdict: Exciting

The reports that Newcastle are now seemingly closer to signing Ekitike following Ashworth’s arrival is very exciting for the Toon Army.

Dubbed the “next Mbappe” by some in France, the Reims striker – just like the Paris Saint-Germain superstar – has burst onto the scene in French football with 11 goals and four assists in 26 matches across all competitions this season (Transfermarkt), and he is a hot prospect at just 19 years of age.

As for Ake and Botman, the former worked with Eddie Howe before at Bournemouth, while the latter – hailed as a “golden boy” by his agent Francesco Miniero – is one of the most promising centre-backs in the game at just 22.

Signing one of them on top of landing Ekitike would be a great start to the transfer window for the Magpies.

In other news, find out which ‘superb’ colossus Ashworth is now eyeing here!

West Ham United could pounce on Bologna defender Arthur Theate, according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness). 

The lowdown

Bologna brought in Theate from homeland club KV Oostende last summer on an initial loan with an obligation to buy.

The 22-year-old Belgian, who’s been capped twice by his country, played 31 Serie A matches in his first season at the club.

A report from The Evening Standard has already revealed that David Moyes wants to buy ‘at least one’ new centre-back during the summer transfer window.

The latest

The report states that Theate ‘could be sacrificed’ if manager Sinisa Mihajlovic opts to play with four at the back next season.

He would be made available for a fee of around €10million, the equivalent of £8.5million.

David Moyes and West Ham ‘like’ the Belgian and they could be in position to take advantage.

The verdict

What attributes does Theate offer as a centre-back?

Well, he makes a high number of progressive passes, ranking in the 74th percentile in Europe, and his 2.64 interceptions per 90 minutes (85th percentile) suggest he reads the game well too.

But perhaps his standout asset is his ball carrying, with Theate in the 85th percentile for progressive carries and as high as the 94th for dribbles completed.

In terms of a stylistic profile, he’s a close match for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig has hailed him as ‘one of Serie A’s biggest revelations’ and suggested in December that he could be worth up to €18million (£15.3million). West Ham could end up signing him for nearly half what some would consider his true worth.

Theate, then, looks like a potential bargain that would help to address one of Moyes’ transfer priorities.

In other news, David Moyes has stepped up this transfer pursuit.

Gabby Agbonlahor has suggested that Liverpool forward Sadio Mane might not sign a new contract at the club unless particular demands are met.

The Lowdown: Huge update from Liverpool source

The 30-year-old has been part of the furniture at Anfield since arriving in a £34m move from fellow Premier League club Southampton six years ago, with an outstanding return of 168 goal contributions in just 268 appearances for the Reds, as per Transfermarkt.

Despite still having just over one year remaining on his current contract on Merseyside, the Senegal star has been the centre of attention recently amid rumours that Bayern Munich have registered interest in his services.

However, in a new update just last week, it was revealed that a Liverpool source told Football Insider that Mane was keen to remain a Reds player. However, whilst FSG want to do everything within their power to keep him, they are not willing to offer him a ‘huge’ pay rise.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-34/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Agbonlahor full of praise for Mane

Speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor admitted that he can’t see Mane committing his future to Liverpool unless he receives what he’s asking for, but the 35-year-old’s was full of praise for the African’s ‘phenomenal’ displays in red.

The talkSPORT pundit said: “I don’t think Mane signs unless he gets exactly what he feels he deserves. If Liverpool doesn’t pay that, I don’t feel he will sign. He knows he will not be short of options.

“He’s been phenomenal this season and since he’s joined Liverpool. I’m sure he will demand what he’s worth.

“If he sees Salah is getting £300,000-a-week, he’ll want £250,000-a-week and he deserves it. With the numbers he’s getting, it’s huge but he deserves it.

“These players will know what other players in the league are getting and they will make Liverpool pay the same.”

The Verdict: Seventh piece of silverware?

The 86-cap Senegal international is such an integral member of Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI and is one of the main reasons why Liverpool have enjoyed so much success over the past few years.

This season alone, Mane has found the back of the net 23 times in all competitions and has provided five assists, showing just how much of a threat he poses in attack for the Reds.

Therefore, while FSG may be looking at the logic of handing big wages to a player who is now in his 30s, Agbonlahor makes a fair point about Mane’s enormous contribution to Liverpool over the years, and indeed during the last few weeks of what has been a hectic and memorable season.

In other news… Liverpool appeared to have suffered a huge blow in the hunt for one of their ‘top’ summer transfer targets

Everton were unable to see out their disastrous season with a win on the final day at the Emirates and will be thankful that their tight relegation battle didn’t go down to the last day after today’s performance.

Frank Lampard secured safety in the Premier League with the Toffees earlier in the week at Goodison Park against Crystal Palace, so going into today’s game there was no pressure on the side to take all three points from the game in North London against Arsenal.

Everton were completely dominated by the Gunners throughout with only 29% possession, 20 fewer shots on goal and over 400 fewer accurate passes than Mikel Arteta’s side who went out to win to compete with Tottenham Hotspur for the fourth spot but failed at the final hurdle despite their overwhelming 5-1 win.

It was a free for all in terms of scoring goals, Alex Iwobi gifted Arsenal their first opportunity with a handball inside the box leading to Gabriel Martinelli opening up the score-line 27th minute of the game.

After the hosts got their first goal they found their way to kill the game with Eddie Nketiah, Cedric Soares, Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Odegaard all finding the back of the net to take their victory.

However, one returning player did make his mark on the game with Manchester United loanee Donny van de Beek finding the back of the net in the final moments of the first half, but it wasn’t enough for Everton to bow out with a positive result.

One player who failed to take his opportunity to prove his worth today was Dele Alli, who has already been linked with a move away from the club following a disappointing five months since signing on Deadline Day in a deal believed to be worth £40m.

According to SofaScore, Alli who was dubbed a “waste of space” by Simon Jordan made just six passes, losing 100% of his aerials duels and losing 80% of his ground duels. He also lost the ball every 2.7 touches before being brought back to the bench by the Toffees boss in the 67th minute.

With that being said, Farhad Moshiri must let Alli go this summer and invest in players that can be effective when they are called upon as major improvement is needed next season to ensure Everton doesn’t find themselves in a similar situation they have been in during the current campaign.

AND in other news: Lampard plotting Everton bid for £158k-p/w dynamo, he’d be a “joy to watch”