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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke was brought in to lead the team back to the Premier League at the first time of asking last summer.

The Whites boss snapped up several new signings to bolster his squad during the summer transfer window, and they have contributed to the team currently sitting top of the Championship table.

Ethan Ampadu, who was signed from Chelsea for a reported fee of £7m, has been one of the standout performers for the team in the second tier this season, as both a defensive midfielder and a centre-back.

He has been in fantastic form for the Yorkshire-based side and Farke may have his next version of the Wales international in the form of 16-year-old academy sensation Ollie Pickles.

Ethan Ampadu's Leeds season in numbers

Ampadu has already made 43 appearances in all competitions for Leeds since his permanent move from Stamford Bridge last summer, with a return of two goals and two assists.

29 of those outings have been as a defensive midfielder, with the other 14 coming as a central defender, and he has showcased his quality in and out of possession.

Appearances

38

Pass accuracy

88%

Big chances created

6

Ground duel success rate

56%

Aerial duel success rate

63%

As you can see in the table above, the Welsh battler has won the majority of his physical duels, both on the deck and in the air, and has been composed and reliable in possession with his passes.

The 23-year-old star has been a calming presence in the heart of the Leeds midfield, and in the heart of the defence in 2024, and Farke may already have a homegrown, long-term, heir to Ampadu in Pickles, who is seven years younger than the ex-Chelsea prospect.

Ollie Pickes' Leeds potential

The 16-year-old talent's form for Leeds at U18 level has attracted interest from multiple Premier League clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.

TalkSPORT recently reported that both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, who are competing to secure European football for next season, are looking at the impressive youngster.

They also stated that Pickles has been likened to former Leeds star Kalvin Phillips due to his composed play in possession and superb range of passing, and added that club insiders at Thorp Arch see him as the next star to be fast-tracked into the first-team set-up.

The teenage whiz has a long way to go before he can boast the same career as Phillips, who made 234 appearances for the Whites and has been capped 31 times by England, but those behind the scenes – at Leeds as well as Newcastle and Spurs – clearly see him as a player with huge potential.

Pickles, who does not turn 17 until October, made his breakthrough at U18 level at the age of just 15 with six appearances, and one assist, in the U18 Premier League last season.

This term, the defensive midfielder has played in 13 games for the U18s across the FA Youth Cup and the U18 Premier League, and could now be seen as the long-term successor to Ampadu in the number six role.

It is now down to Pickles to fulfill the potential that the aforementioned clubs and Leeds appear to see in him to emerge as a future first-team option for Farke.

Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed plenty of top talents over the years, but it's not been enough to glean silverware for quite some time, with the wait for a major honour stretching 16 interminable years.

Since triumphing against Chelsea in the 2008 League Cup final, Tottenham have gone through eight permanent managers, qualified for six Champions League campaigns and reached four cup competition finals, but alas…

Still, Spurs have had some scintillating players on the books and are at the beginning of what looks like an exciting resurgence under Ange Postecoglou, who has picked the club up after a dreadful 2022/23 campaign and charted a course for success in the Premier League, battling for top four.

Postecoglou boasts a team of myriad qualities, but we wondered what the perfect Tottenham player might actually look like, harnessing the finest attributes of the finest players of the 21st Century.

Interestingly, this superhuman Spurs sensation would not actually call upon skills from phenoms such as Dele Alli or current club captain Heung-min Son.

Here they are…

1 Brain: Mousa Dembele

Spurs have had some brainy boys in their ranks over the years, and there are a couple lower down this list that would be in with a shout for the most erudite Lilywhites over the years, but Mousa Dembele might just be the cream of the crop in this regard.

Described as a "genius" by Mauricio Pochettino, Dembele read the game like a scholar perusing a library, with his distribution, marking, pressing, counter-pressing, vision, command, understanding, spatial awareness… need I go on? Maybe not, the picture's clear.

The former Belgium international might not have been the most goal-efficient midfielder in the Premier League but he was the engine to charge a Tottenham team under Pochettino's wing that boasted flair, firepower and steel, but none wove the threads of the team together and held it in unity like Dembele. The very embodiment of the all-encompassing, all-seeing midfield machine.

2 Head: Michael Dawson

Something of a stalwart, Michael Dawson was an absolute rock for Tottenham throughout the 2010/11 season, handed opportunities following injuries to players such as Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King, amassing 324 fixtures before joining Hull City in 2014.

Since WhoScored started recording statistics in 2009/10, Dawson won an average of 3.5 aerial duels per game throughout the duration of his professional career – for reference, Cristian Romero averages 2.5 per fixture throughout his career.

3 Pace: Kyle Walker

Last season, Kyle Walker clocked up the fastest speed in the Premier League at 37.31km/h, despite spending the lion's share of the campaign as a 32-year-old.

The Manchester City right-back departed Spurs back in 2017, joining Pep Guardiola's side in a world-record (for a defender) £53m deal.

He might have left the London club way back when but he chalked up 229 appearances for the Lilywhites and has some of the most blistering pace the Premier League has seen.

4 Vision: Luka Modric

Luka Modric could probably stake a claim for a number of facets to sculpt the finest footballer in the land, such is the complete brilliance of his skill set.

The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner is one of the finest midfielders of his generation and while he's now 38 years old, remains an important member of a hungry Real Madrid team.

He joined Los Blancos from Tottenham for £30m way back in 2012, but not before cementing himself as one of the finest passers in the Premier League, with his technical quality leading iconic Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to claim that he "could play in any team."

5 Strength: Sandro

When Tottenham plucked Sandro away from his Brazilian homeland back in 2010, manager Harry Redknapp described him as a "strong and aggressive" player, and while he didn't live up to the hype – largely due to an unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament rupture when he was 23 – this was certainly an apt remark.

Lean, mean and a scythe-kicking martial artist, Sandro was a tough nut and you wouldn't mess with him when he was in his groove.

6 Right foot: Harry Kane

Obviously, it's Harry Kane for this one. The Three Lions captain is one of the best centre-forwards that England has ever seen, and he left Tottenham as the club's record scorer with 280 strikes from 435 appearances.

Goals

213

Goals per game

0.67

Goals with right foot

130

Goals with left foot

41

Headed goals

40

Penalties scored

33

Free-kicks scored

2

After a career of service down at N17, the 30-year-old completed an initial £82m transfer to the German giants following Spurs' dismal 2022/23 campaign, where he scored 30 Premier League goals.

He's a brilliant goalscorer, but he's an even better footballer.

7 Left foot: Gareth Bale

The perfect player to complete the perfect Tottenham footballer. Gareth Bale started his Lilywhites journey as a left-back after signing from Southampton as an 18-year-old in 2007, joining for a £7m fee, but he would go on to cement a legacy as one of the game's greatest ballers of modern times.

Deserved? Absolutely. And while Bale's got pace for days and underrated power to rival most strongmen in the Premier League, it's his left foot that has fired him into an iconic position, scoring from right wing during 2012/13 and thus earning a world record £85m transfer to Real Madrid.

Gary Neville said that that goal against Liverpool in the Champions League final "may be the best goal I've ever seen", and it really was that good.

Despite enjoying the entirety of his silver-laden success after leaving Tottenham, the now-retired Welshman is one of the greatest to pull on that white shirt.

Leeds United quietly went about their business during the recent January transfer window as they only made one addition to their first-team squad.

The Whites are battling to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League – fighting it out with Leicester City, Southampton, and Ipswich Town – and bolstered their side with the signing of Connor Roberts on loan from Burnley.

They also allowed a number of players to move on as Leo Hjelde was sold to Championship rivals Sunderland, whilst Darko Gyabi, Ian Poveda, and Luke Ayling were sent out on loan to Plymouth Argyle, Sheffield Wednesday, and Middlesbrough respectively.

Daniel Farke decided to send Djed Spence back to Tottenham Hotspur at the start of January, amid reported concerns over the player's attitude, and that opened up a vacancy to compete with Archie Gray for the right-back position, which Roberts has now filled.

However, the Welsh international is only on loan until the end of the season and the club may need to dip into the market to find a permanent solution in the summer.

Farke, though, may already have his long-term replacement for Roberts in the rarely-seen Jamie Shackleton, who has struggled with injuries this season.

Connor Roberts' Leeds stats this season

Since arriving on loan from the Clarets on deadline day, the Wales international has been a solid operator for the Whites down the right flank.

He has made seven Championship appearances for the Yorkshire-based outfit – including one start – and chipped in with one goal and one assist for the side.

The 28-year-old full-back has created two 'big chances' and made 0.6 key passes per game, despite only starting one of his seven outings, which highlights how much of an attacking threat he provides.

Roberts has also won 50% of his duels but has only made 0.4 tackles per match and has yet to make a single interception. This suggests that there is still room for him to improve at the defensive end.

The Welsh ace played in the Championship for Burnley during the 2022/23 campaign, as they romped their way to the title, and showcased his quality in possession.

He ranked within the top 1% of full-backs in the division for progressive passes (7.37) per 90, and the top 57% for progressive carries (1.81) per 90. The talented gem also ranked within the top 16% for assists (0.15) per 90 for Vincent Kompany's side.

These statistics show that Roberts is a progressive, forward-thinking, right-back who can make things happen at the top end of the pitch for his team at an impressive rate.

However, it is worth noting that the experienced enforcer is not the current first-choice as Gray has been a regular starter in that role, despite it not being his natural position.

The 18-year-old talent is a central midfielder by trade but has been filling in at right-back throughout the campaign, and could be moved back into the middle further down the line.

Archie Gray's midfield potential

Gray has played the majority of his matches in the number two position for the first-team this season under Farke and has been a solid option for the Whites.

He has started 32 of the club's Championship games and, like Roberts, has offered quality in possession as a progressive player at right-back.

The teenage ace ranks within the top 35% of full-backs in the league for progressive passes (4.09) per 90, and the top 46% for progressive carries (1.92) per 90.

However, the academy graduate only ranks within the bottom 49% for assists (0.06) per 90, with two assists in 35 matches in the second tier to date.

Key passes

One

0.4

Pass accuracy

93%

84%

Dribbles completed

4

1.0

Duels won

6

4.3

Tackles won

2

2.3

Long pass accuracy

100%

37%

As you can see in the table above, Gray's performance against Premier League side Chelsea in central midfield in the FA Cup was more impressive than his average performance level at right-back in the Championship in several key statistics.

He appeared to offer more in and out of possession for his side in the middle of the park than he usually does at right-back in the league, which is why his future should be as a midfielder.

Why Jamie Shackleton could replace Connor Roberts

Moving Gray into midfield would create a short-term need for Roberts to start at right-back but the Burnley loanee's replacement could already be in the building in the form of Shackleton.

The versatile academy graduate previously played as a midfielder for Marcelo Bielsa but has been utilised as a full-back by Farke – who professed his "love" for the talented gem earlier this season as he dubbed the dynamic whiz an "underrated" player in his squad.

In nine Championship appearances this season, the 24-year-old dynamo has showcased his superb attacking output as a right-back for the Whites.

Shackleton currently ranks within the top 42% of full-backs in the division for progressive passes (3.87) per 90, and the top 8% for progressive carries (3.61) per 90, which shows that – like Gray and Roberts – he excels at progressing the ball forward for his team.

The English whiz, who has made 0.7 key passes per game and created one 'big chance' in those nine outings, has also made 2.2 tackles and interceptions per match – 1.8 more than Roberts.

Minutes played

82

Sofascore rating

7.00

Duels contested

8

Duels won

6

Tackles won

3

Pass accuracy

89%

Shackleton's most recent appearance for Leeds came in the FA Cup against Plymouth Argyle in January and, as you can see in the table above, he showcased his dominant defending along with his reliability in possession.

The versatile star, who has been described as an "unbelievable" piece of the squad by Farke, has, unfortunately, missed out on 17 matchday squads in the Championship through various issues.

His contract at Elland Road is due to expire this summer but the club must give him time to prove his fitness as his quality is there for all to see when he can get on the pitch to perform at right-back.

If Shackleton can get a run of games under his belt, then his ability to progress play, as a passer and carrier, and his strong tackling could make him the dream replacement for Roberts moving beyond this season, which is why it would be worth extending his deal.

Christian Pulisic says he is "ready to give everything" when the United States take on Uruguay after their shock Panama loss in the Copa America.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• USA lose to Panama in Copa America
• Tournament hosts face in-form Uruguay next
• Pulisic to 'give everything' in that game

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Panama upset the apple cart on Thursday when they came from behind to beat 10-man USA, as goals from Cesar Blackman and Jose Fajardo cancelled out Folarin Balogun's opener. AC Milan star Pulisic admitted Timothy Weah's 18th-minute red card proved costly – but now he wants to right the wrongs against Uruguay on Monday.

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• WHAT CHRISTIAN PULISIC SAID

  The former Chelsea winger wrote in an Instagram story on Friday: "Tough game to take for us. But we are not done just yet. Ready to give everything on Monday," followed by an American flag emoji.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Spirits were high in the US camp after their 2-0 win over Bolivia in their Copa America opener but now they face an uphill task to get out of the group after the Panama setback. Uruguay are arguably the most in-form team in the competition after scoring eight goals in two games against Panama and Bolivia. Now, Gregg Berhalter's side could be making an early exit from the tournament they are hosting.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The United States – who sit second in their group – host Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay on Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, hoping to come away with a result in their bid to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.

Three points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic with a game in hand in the Scottish Premiership, Rangers will hope to see their January arrivals continue to pay dividends, before potentially turning one arrival permanent this summer.

Rangers transfer news

The Gers enjoyed a busy January transfer window, welcoming Fabio Silva on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mohamed Diomande on loan from Nordsjaelland and Oscar Cortes on loan from Lens to boost Philippe Clement's attacking options. The Scottish giants were, of course, handed a blow in the form of Abdallah Sima's lengthy injury, creating the need for a player of Cortes' calibre.

After putting pen to paper on the loan move, Cortes told the club's official website: “I am very honoured and privileged to be signing for Rangers. I have heard a lot about the history and tradition of Rangers, and I have had positive conversations with the manager who said I can help the team reach their goals this season.

"I am really excited to join up with my teammates and hopefully exciting the fans with my style of play.”

The winger has certainly impressed so far and could yet stay put at Ibrox. Jonny McFarlane has claimed that Rangers will sign Cortes on a permanent deal this summer.

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The journalist described the Colombian as someone he feels can become a "right good player", telling the Rangers Review Morning Briefing: "Cortes I thought was terrific the other night, he’s been really good since he signed.

"I know he’s only had about 120 minutes, it’s not an awful lot to make a full judgement but I really like his work-rate. I really like his determination to hit the byline. I think he’s going to be a right good player. I think Rangers will sign him.”

"Terrific" Cortes can replace the injured Sima

Whilst Sima's stats show that his injury will be a major blow for Rangers in the comings weeks, it has at least handed Cortes the chance to become the star of the show. Sima managed an impressive 15 goals and two assists in all competitions before his injury left a gaping hole in Clement's attack.

Cortes' seven goal involvements prior to his Ibrox arrival showed plenty of promise and now he can kick on in Scotland. As McFarlane stated, the winger's work rate has one of his standout traits and that should start to be rewarded with an increasing output before he potentially earns a deserved permanent switch from Lens.

The Scottish Premiership title race could be tighter than ever as the games come thick and fast. From silverware being nothing more than a pipe dream under Michael Beale, Rangers have mounted the ultimate comeback since the arrival of Clement – a comeback that could be completed by lifting the ultimate prize come May.

Sri Lankan to stand in second World Cup final alongside Marais Erasmus

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jul-2019Kumar Dharmasena will umpire Sunday’s World Cup final between England and New Zealand, despite his incorrect decision to give Jason Roy out in yesterday’s semi-final.Dharmasena gave Roy out caught behind on 85 off Pat Cummins, despite replays showing that he had made no contact with the ball.The umpire appeared to suggest Roy should refer the decision if he didn’t think he was out, apparently failing to realise that Jonny Bairstow had already used up England’s review after he was trapped in front by Mitchell Starc.Roy’s remonstrations on the field – he was picked up calling the decision “f**king embarrassing” by stump microphones – earned him two demerit points and a fine worth 30 per cent of his match fee, which he accepted at a post-match hearing.Roy escaped a ban for the final, falling one short of the four-point threshold, but will face a one-Test or two-ODI suspension if he receives another demerit point within the next two years.Dharmasena has won the ICC’s Umpire of the Year award twice – in 2012 and 2018 – but also holds an unwanted record involving England. In 2016, during a Test in Chittagong, eight of his on-field calls were overturned, notably including a streak in which he gave Moeen Ali out three times in six balls, only for the batsman to successfully review each decision.He will be standing in his second consecutive World Cup final, and also umpired the 2016 World T20 final.Dharmasena will be joined in the middle by Marais Erasmus, who stood alongside him in Thursday’s semi-final.Rod Tucker will be the sole Australian representative at Lord’s in his capacity as third umpire, while Aleem Dar, of Pakistan, will be fourth official. Sri Lankan Ranjan Madugalle will be the match referee.

Recalled paceman expects his experience and ability to reverse swing the ball to stand him in good stead in the UK

Umar Farooq21-May-20193:01

‘Was disheartening to be sidelined for two years’ – Wahab Riaz

A visibly excited Wahab Riaz said he was raring to go and “prove Mickey Arthur wrong”, after being picked against all odds in Pakistan’s World Cup squad.Wahab last played an ODI in June 2017 during Pakistan’s Champions Trophy title run, and was not among the 23 World Cup probables selected last month or the 17 men who were in England recently for the ODI series. Back in April 2018, Arthur, the Pakistan coach, had criticised the paceman’s “work ethic” and brought up the fact that he had not “won us a game in two years”.He did, however, do well in the Pakistan Cup 50-over tournament this year, picking up ten wickets in five games at an average of 20.70 and an economy of 4.60, as his team Khyber Pakhtunkhwa won the title.”I can’t explain in words the pain I have gone through, but I don’t want to live in the past. That’s history now,” Wahab said at a press conference before leaving for England. “Now it’s about what we are going to do in the World Cup. Obviously it’s the coach’s duty to get the best results from the players, and he wants players that can win matches for the team. I also wanted to be in the team, the only difference is I missed two years of [international] cricket. Now I am in and want to prove him [Arthur] wrong and justify my opportunity.

I even had dreams I was meeting Mickey Arthur and Sarfaraz Ahmad, and sometimes they would pick me, and reject me at other times

“You can’t say it was unfair [that I was selected]. I kept on hearing that I might be chosen for the Australia series or the one against England, but it didn’t work out. It was Allah’s will that my selection was meant for the World Cup directly, but I have been praying that whatever happens should happen for good. Being named in the squad and then not being able to perform will be another unfortunate thing as there is a lot of expectation. I hope for the best and want to take this opportunity to move on and perform.”The last two years have seen Pakistan bank on the likes of Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hassan Ali, Faheem Ashraf and Junaid Khan for their fast-bowling needs, with Wahab overlooked. He even signed with Derbyshire in a bid to reboot his international career, but to no avail. Till now.”I was extremely disheartened as I was performing for the past two years,” he said. “But since I couldn’t perform in the Champions Trophy, I had to sit out because you need to do well continuously to be a part of the team. I was trying to push my case for selection by performing wherever I could. I was very disappointed and frustrated too. I felt that I was hard done by, but at the same time the team was doing well. But I never lost hope. Now, I feel I have been rewarded.”I kept myself fully prepared for this World Cup even knowing that I am nowhere near the team. I even had dreams I was meeting Mickey Arthur and Sarfaraz Ahmad, and sometimes they would pick me, and reject me at other times. Around ten days ago, I had a dream that Inzi bhai [Inzamam-ul-Haq, the chief selector] gave me a call and told me that I have been selected and this is my last chance. It was exactly how it happened when I was called and told about the decision. It is nothing less than make or break for a player who gets an opportunity to play in the World Cup.”Can’t catch me: Wahab Riaz was too good for Zimbabwe’s tail•ICCOne of his direct competitors for a slot in the 15, Junaid Khan, was dropped after being part of the preliminary squad. His made his frustration and anger plain after the event, posting a photograph on social media, later deleted, that depicted him with tape over his mouth.”Every player wishes to play for Pakistan and the World Cup is the biggest challenge in your career,” said Wahab. “Obviously, he will be saddened and very frustrated, and must be thinking he had been treated unfairly. But when I was out for two years, I was thinking the same. At the end, this is the Pakistan team and its selectors, coaches and captains make the decision. I am sure this wasn’t meant to hurt someone but it’s for the country, and whatever they think is good for Pakistan.”Wahab’s selection is mainly based on his ability to generate reverse swing in what everyone expects will be batting-friendly conditions. Pakistan had not expected the pitches in the UK to be as flat as they were in the ODI series, as Inzamam pointed out, but on the evidence of those games, they realised the importance of an experienced hand like Wahab.”Obviously, there’s a lot of pressure since Inzi bhai has said that I have been brought back on the basis of my experience,” Wahab said. “I have worked hard and matured as a bowler in the last two years. I have learnt a lot and the results are visible to everyone. You can’t judge anyone on the basis of one match. I am a bowler and there are chances that I may concede 60, 70 or 80 runs, and it has happened in the past as well. But that’s doesn’t mean that I lost my skills and ability.”It is important to keep things simple on batting wickets. Variations and reverse swing are key in the death overs. With the conditions dry and wickets hard in England, there will be reverse swing and the team that does it better will have the advantage. I have expertise in reverse swing so I will try to restrict the flow of runs in the final few overs.”

يستضيف فريق ليفربول، عصر يوم السبت 14 سبتمبر 2024، خصمه نوتينجهام فورست في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

تأتي تلك المباراة في إطار منافسات الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي، موسم 2024/25، على ملعب “الأنفيلد”.

ويمتلك ليفربول العلامة الكاملة، 9 نقاط، بعدما حقق فوزًا في كافة المباريات السابقة تحت قيادة المدرب الهولندي آرني سلوت.

ونجح النجم المصري محمد صلاح في تسجيل 3 أهداف وصناعة مثلها، في الموسم الحالي من الدوري الإنجليزي.

طالع | تشكيل ليفربول أمام نوتينجهام فورست في الدوري الإنجليزي.. موقف محمد صلاح تشكيل ليفربول المتوقع أمام نوتينجهام فورست في الدوري الإنجليزي

حراسة المرمى: أليسون بيكر.

خط الدفاع: ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، كوناتي، فان دايك، روبرتسون.

خط الوسط: ماك أليستر، جرافنبرج.

خط الوسط الهجومي: محمد صلاح، سوبوسلاي، لويس دياز.

خط الهجوم: ديوجو جوتا.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

With the January transfer window now open, Chelsea once again have the chance to splash the cash in another attempt to solve their problems. The Blues attempted to do exactly that in the summer, of course, but as the Premier League table shows, they failed to find the right reinforcements in the previous window, at least for the short term. At the halfway mark and with a season to turn around, Mauricio Pochettino and co must get things right this time around.

With that said, the London giants have reportedly put together a transfer plan to land a player that Todd Boehly dreams of signing this month and one who could really solve Chelsea's biggest problem.

Chelsea transfer news

Whilst Nicolas Jackson has hardly set the world alight at Stamford Bridge this season, his AFCON departure will still frustrate Pochettino, who could be forced to turn to the likes of Armando Broja as the fixtures continue to come thick and fast in England's top flight.

Claudio Echeverri

19th December

Santiago Gimenez

18th December

Dusan Vlahovic

15th December

Lautaro Martinez

1st January

Artem Dovbyk

31st December

If not Broja, then the Blues could yet find a new option to lead the line in both Jackson's absence and the long-term to finally put an end to their striker woes. That new option is unlikely to be the striker Boehly dreams of signing though, as per reports.

Simon Phillips describes on his Substack that is is impossible for Chelsea to sign Napoli star Victor Osimhen this month to put an end to Boehly's dream.

The Blues were at least given hope, however, with the London club hatching a plan to go back in for the Nigerian during the summer window. Then, they could activate his hefty release clause of around £120m ahead of fellow admirers Real Madrid, having had time to manouvre around FFP with a few sales by that point.

Osimhen, who has just signed a new contract in Italy, could be set to make a Premier League switch and perhaps become Chelsea's ultimate solution under Pochettino, but not until the end of the campaign.

"Complete" Osimhen would put an end to Chelsea's striker problems

Chelsea fans are often left holding their breath when it comes to big-money signings these days, waiting to see whether they rise to stardom or join a growing list of transfer flops. And whilst they'd naturally have similar nerves over Osimhen due to his price tag, they needn't. The Napoli forward has such a price tag for a good reason and would be a major upgrade on Jackson, be it this month or during the summer. Osimhen's stats this season more than back up his more clinical nature too.

Player

Starts

Goals

Expected Goals

Shots on Target

Victor Osimhen

11

7

6.7

12

Nicolas Jackson

16

7

10.6

17

Osimhen has already earned the approval of Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola too, who told Sky Sports when comparing the Nigerian to Didier Drogba: "But Didier didn’t dive. That’s because Didier was too strong to dive! I see a lot of similarities but it’s unfair to compare players from different eras. They both play with a lot of physicality and they are both very good with scoring, taking their opportunities. He’s a very complete player. He’s got a good reference going forward, he can link up play and he’s devastating in the air. He’s a pest to defenders."

As the 2023/24 campaign draws closer to the January transfer window, it's becoming increasingly clear that Tottenham Hotspur are going to launch a transfer bid in January to strengthen the ranks.

Ange Postecoglou deserves all the plaudits for the work forged down the N17 following his summer appointment, taking a beleaguered Premier League outfit and steering it back into the ascendancy.

"Absolutely need" – BBC pundit says Spurs could push star by signing 21 y/o

Tottenham are gearing up for January as Ange Postecoglou aims to strengthen his squad…

BySean Markus Clifford Dec 1, 2023

The results spoke for themself, with eight victories and two draws across the opening ten matches of the term taking Spurs above the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal, into pole position.

Tottenham transfer news – Jarrad Branthwaite

According to a report from the Evening Standard earlier this week, Tottenham have included Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in their list of options.

While OGC Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo is highlighted as the prime target, Branthwaite could represent a Premier League-experienced acquisition to provide Spurs' starring defensive options with fierce competition.

Manchester United had been interested in the summer but were quoted at £25m, but with the 21-year-old making such a stellar start to the Premier League season, such a valuation may well skyrocket.

Jarrad Branthwaite's style of play

Branthwaite has been in fine fettle since arriving back on Merseyside in the summer, having completed a loan move with PSV Eindhoven, and has swiftly become a mainstay in Sean Dyche's much-improved Toffees team.

The caveat, however, comes in the form of a ten-point deduction following an investigation into a breach of FFP, with the ruling now plunging the club back into the relegation zone and five points adrift from 17th-placed Luton Town.

Regardless, Branthwaite has been first-class and has started 11 league matches in succession after sitting the first two games (both losses) on the bench.

In awe of the English titan's blooming performances, writer Ell Brettland recently said this: "Branthwaite just always makes the right decision. And if he doesn’t he has the ability, pace and skill to rectify it.

He's so composed on the ball and in the tackle and his timing is perfect. He reads the game so well. What an unbelievable natural talent. Pure football brain."

As per FBref, the Carlisle native ranks among the top 9% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for blocks, the top 16% for tackles and the top 21% for interceptions per 90, highlighting a pure skill in his defensive craft, energetic and tenacious in closing down and dispossessing opposition.

The 6 foot 5 defender looks a genuine star in the making, and if Daniel Levy swoops then he would avenge the club's misfire on Richarlison last summer, the Brazilian forward flattering to deceive since joining the fold.

Richarlison completed a £60m transfer from Everton in 2022 after posting 67 direct goal contributions from 153 outings, but he only scored once in the English top-flight last year and was rebuked for his ineffective displays.

While he has shown signs of improving this season, under Postecoglou's wing, there's still a distance to travel before he starts living up to that price tag.

The £35k-per-week Branthwaite is only young but he offers all the attributes to succeed for a long time in the Premier League, incredibly averaging two tackles, five clearances and 7.2 ball recoveries per game this term, as per Sofascore.

In truth Levy simply has to swoop – not least to atone for his prior Richarlison blunder – with the player's age and profile the perfect mix to nurture to prominence over the coming years, aiding Tottenham in their ascent.