Leeds United have reportedly added ex-Tottenham man Troy Parrott to their list of striker options after sealing promotion to the Premier League.
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Leeds seek strikers after PL promotionEx-Tottenham man Parrott linkedTwo other top-flight strikers consideredFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
TEAMtalk claims that AZ Alkmaar attacker Parrott is being 'watched closely' by Leeds but they are yet to make any formal enquiries. The report adds that the Whites are also keeping West Ham loanee Evan Ferguson and Southampton striker Cameron Archer – who was a January target – on their radar.
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Leeds secured their return to the Premier League in impressive style last month but the task ahead of them is a huge one. For two seasons in a row, the three promoted Championship sides have gone straight back down as the gulf between the two divisions continues to grow. The Yorkshire outfit will need to spend heavily if they want to stay in the top-flight and even if they do, there is no guarantee it will pay off.
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Parrott joined Tottenham in 2017 but in his seven years at the club he made just four appearances for them in all competitions. Since moving to AZ last summer, though, he has scored 20 goals in 45 matches.
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Before Leeds can think about signing any of these players, or any others, Daniel Farke's side will hope to win the Championship title when they face Plymouth Argyle on Saturday in their final game of the season.
India and South Africa appear best placed at the moment, but there’s still room for all that to change
S Rajesh02-Nov-2022India If India beat Zimbabwe, or if the game is washed out, then they will be in the semi-finals, as neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh can get to seven points. However, if India lose their last game, and Pakistan win both their remaining games, and South Africa lose to Pakistan but beat Netherlands, South Africa (on points) and Pakistan (on net run-rate) can finish ahead of India.South Africa With five points in their kitty from three games, a superb NRR of 2.772, and two games still to come, South Africa are in an excellent position to seal a semi-final slot. If they win one of those two games and get up to seven points, they will finish among the top two. However, if they lose both matches, they will be in contention only if the Bangladesh vs Pakistan match is washed out, in which case both those teams will also finish on five points.Bangladesh Bangladesh need to win their last match, and then hope that South Africa get no more than one point from their two remaining games. In that case, both Bangladesh and South Africa will be level on six points, but Bangladesh will finish ahead despite a poorer NRR because they will have three wins compared to South Africa’s two. (In case teams are level on points, the number of wins is the first tie-breaker, followed by NRR.)If South Africa move to seven points, then Bangladesh will almost certainly be knocked out as their NRR is too far behind India’s. For Bangladesh’s NRR to go past India’s, the sum of the margin of those two results – Bangladesh beating Pakistan and Zimbabwe beating India – will have to exceed 150 runs.Pakistan For Pakistan to make it through with six points, they will have to finish ahead of at least one of India and South Africa. They can finish ahead of South Africa if South Africa get no more than one point from their game against Netherlands, as Pakistan will have more wins.Pakistan’s superior NRR, which is currently 0.765, means they can also move past India if India lose to Zimbabwe. For instance, even if Pakistan score 160 and win by just one run in each of their last two matches, they will finish ahead of India if Zimbabwe beat them by eight or more runs (after scoring 160). However, if India manage even one point from their last game, they will obviously move beyond Pakistan’s reach.Zimbabwe Zimbabwe can get to five points, which means they can be tied on points with Pakistan, Bangladesh (if their game is washed out), and South Africa (if they lose both games), but Zimbabwe’s NRR is too low to make them serious contenders. Even if they beat India by 50 runs, they will need South Africa to lose their two remaining matches by a combined total of 80 runs to overhaul their NRR.
Amad Diallo followed Harry Maguire's lead by attending Sunderland's Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Coventry on Tuesday.
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Amad attends Sunderland's play-off semi-finalPlayed for Mackems in 2022-23 seasonTeam-mate Maguire was at Sheffield United on MondayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Amad played for the Mackems on loan from Manchester United in the 2022-23 season and was present to watch his old side progress to Wembley in dramatic fashion. His attendance came 24 hours after Maguire was spotted watching his old Sheffield United side also book their place at Wembley for the play-off final.
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Amad featured for Sunderland in the play-offs two years ago when they were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by Luton Town at the semi-final stage. He remains a hugely popular figure at the Stadium of Light, hence his return this week.
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Maguire was born in Sheffield and is a Blades academy product, eventually leaving for Hull City in 2014. He went on to play for Wigan Athletic and Leicester City before joining Manchester United.
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WHAT NEXT FOR DIALLO AND MAGUIRE?
Both players are set to feature in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur next Wednesday as they aim to win silverware for the club for the third consecutive season.
Former England allrounder crashes during episode of BBC show, Top Gear
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Dec-2022Andrew Flintoff, the former England allrounder, has been airlifted to hospital following a car crash during the filming of an episode of the BBC show, Top Gear.The accident occurred on Monday, when Flintoff, 45, was filming in icy conditions at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey.”Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morning – with crew medics attending the scene immediately,” the BBC said in a statement.”He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course.”Flintoff’s injuries are “not life-threatening”, according to The Sun, which added that he had been “driving on the track as normal” and was not going at high speeds.”All the usual health and safety measures were in place for filming too,” a source told The Sun. “Freddie was taken to hospital by air ambulance shortly afterwards.”Filming has been postponed for now and all anyone cares about is Freddie recovering.”Flintoff’s co-star Chris Harris, who presents the show along with Paddy McGuiness, was also present at the test track.In 2019, Flintoff survived a 125mph crash during the filming of another episode of Top Gear, declaring himself “absolutely fine” as he walked away from the accident.He said at the time: “I go to great lengths to make sure I do well in drag races but, on this occasion, I went a few lengths too far. It will look more ridiculous than dangerous when you see it on TV.”
Leeds United took another step towards their ultimate goal of automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking when they were held to a 1-1 draw by West Bromwich Albion.
Daniel Farke’s side played host to the Baggies at Elland Road on Saturday and failed to claim all three points, despite taking the lead through Junior Firpo.
The Whites are now three points ahead of Sheffield United in second place in the Championship and eight points clear of Burnley in third, with 11 matches left to be played.
This means that Farke and his team are in a fantastic position to ensure that they miss out on the lottery of the play-offs, going straight up to the top-flight instead of heading into the post-season matches.
Leeds are competing to land automatic promotion despite a disruptive summer that saw many key stars, including Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter, and Glen Kamara, move on from Elland Road.
Impressive recruitment has been at the heart of the team’s success and one summer signing, in particular, who has caught the eye this season has been Ao Tanaka.
Ao Tanaka's form for Leeds
The Whites reportedly paid a modest fee of £3.4m to sign the Japan international from German side Fortuna Dusseldorf in the summer transfer window to bolster their options in the middle of the park.
However, Tanaka was not brought in to immediately start in midfield for Farke. He was a substitute in his first four Championship appearances, as Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu started together, and an injury to Ampadu against Coventry provided him with a chance to nail down a place as a regular starter.
The 26-year-old star has gone on to start 27 matches in the second tier to date and has established himself as the go-to option for Leeds in front of the back four.
Tanaka, who recently scored a big goal against Sheffield United in a promotion six-pointer, has offered an incredibly reliable presence in possession for the Whites.
Leeds are a dominant team, averaging 60.9% possession per game in the Championship, and this means that their midfielders have to be comfortable with taking plenty of touches.
Passes attempted
74.87
Top 5%
Pass accuracy
89.8%
Top 2%
Progressive passes
7.40
Top 5%
Passes into the final third
7.03
Top 5%
Passes into the penalty area
1.38
Top 10%
As you can see in the table above, Tanaka ranks incredibly highly among midfielders in the division when it comes to completing passes and progressing play into the final third.
He is the midfield maestro for Farke and has been a joy to watch in the Championship this season, but he is not the first of his kind to play in a (potentially) promotion-winning side at this level for the Whites.
Marcelo Bielsa had his own Ao Tanaka
Former Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa, who won the second tier title in the 2019/20 campaign, had his own version of Ao Tanaka in the form of English metronome Adam Forshaw.
The ex-Whites man struggled with injuries throughout his time with the club and was restricted to seven appearances and six starts in the league that term, but he was exceptional in the games that he did play.
As you can see in the chart above, Forshaw’s use of the ball that season was incredibly similar to Tanaka’s this term, in terms of his progressive passing and his efficiency with the ball at his feet, whilst offering more than the Japanese star as a creative threat.
Forshaw, who averaged 1.23 passes into the penalty area per 90, provided Bielsa with a metronomic figure in the engine room, as he had the technical quality to constantly get on the ball and make things tick in a dominant side chasing promotion.
Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw.
Unfortunately, his fitness issues ultimately hampered his time at Elland Road, as the midfielder, who was described as “valuable” by the Argentine tactician, went on to play just 34 Premier League games in the following three seasons.
He did show signs of promise in the top-flight, however, ranking in the top 15% of midfielders for passes into the final third per 90 (5.64) and in the top 16% for key passes per 90 (1.5), which shows that he offered quality as a progressive and creative passer in the Premier League.
This shows that he was Bielsa’s own version of Tanaka because he was another diminutive metronome who could be a terrier in midfield, buzzing around the pitch to dictate the tempo of games whilst also having the ability to progress play and find teammates in dangerous areas.
What happened to Adam Forshaw
His contract at Elland Road expired in the summer of 2023 and it was an awkward time for the out of contract players because Leeds had just been relegated and they did not appoint a permanent head coach until Farke arrived in July, after deals had expired.
CEO Angus Kinnear did not opt to extend Forshaw’s contract before appointing a new manager and that meant that he allowed the midfield star to walk away on a free transfer that summer.
Where Are They Now
That has turned out to be an excellent decision by Kinnear as Forshaw, despite the quality he displayed during his time under Bielsa at Elland Road, has bounced around the Championship in recent years.
He joined Norwich on a free transfer after his exit from Leeds and only made nine appearances in the first half of the season, before being allowed to join Plymouth Argyle on a free transfer.
The 33-year-old lasted a year with the Pilgrims, playing 30 times in all competitions, before he secured another free transfer to a Championship team in January of this season – joining Blackburn Rovers.
Forshaw has scored one goal in ten matches for Blackburn in the second tier so far, since his move at the start of the year, and may be hoping to finally settle down after three free transfers in the space of 18 months.
He's now more prolific than Piroe: Leeds must rue selling magnificent star
The former Leeds United star is now a free-scoring £8.3m-rated centre-forward.
ByDan Emery Mar 3, 2025
The fact that the English central midfielder has bounced around the Championship, without commanding any transfer fees, suggests that Leeds allowed him to move on at the right time and that they were right to not award him a new contract in the summer of 2023, despite his quality when available in the past for the Whites.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot stood in front of the advertising panel and maintained his cool demeanour: “There are lots of challenges ahead.”
Indeed, Arne. However, you said something similar in November, and the Red players have maintained startling consistency to break away from the title-chasing pack.
Arsenal have been Liverpool’s biggest challenger this season with Manchester City, who have now succumbed to Slot’s blade twice, fallen by the wayside. The Gunners’ injury woes have effectively neutralised their attacking threat.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Thus, creating a wider gap at Pep Guardiola’s den was essential after the Emirates hosted West Ham United and lost on Saturday, especially after recent draws on the road in the Merseyside derby and against Aston Villa.
Liverpool put Man City to the sword, with Mohamed Salah’s absurd campaign taking another leap forward.
That’s 11 Premier League games with a goal and an assist claimed in 2024/25 – he’s in a different stratosphere to his rivals, both domestically and across the continent.
However, Liverpool are a team of many parts, and there’s another man who stepped up to the plate, putting in a performance for the ages.
Premier League
27 (27)
25
16
Champions League
7 (7)
3
4
Carabao Cup
4 (2)
2
1
Slot's turned Liverpool man into an "absolute monster"
Dominik Szoboszlai was uncontainable on Sunday evening, the Hungarian machine thrashing against the City defence with matchless energy and drive.
The contrast with the ageing Kevin De Bruyne was stark. The Belgian, 33, is one of the greatest players in Premier League history, but clearly past his best.
Slot’s tactical precepts have seen Jurgen Klopp’s midfield signing dovetail into a new system that enjoys his unrelenting engine – but has also streamlined his technical production.
As per FBref, Szoboszlai ranks among the top 6% of positional peers in England’s top flight this season for pass completion, the top 8% for passes attempted and the top 18% for progressive passes per 90, illustrating his ball-playing aptitude.
An attacking midfielder with plenty of dynamism, Szoboszlai thrived in a tweaked role, operating in flux with Curtis Jones as a makeshift false nine. Reporter Lewis Steele hailed the 23-year-old’s energy, saying he “never stops running” and is “silky in possession.”
He assisted Salah with a skimmed pass from an expert corner routine, arcing away from goal and flicking Alexis Mac Allister’s grounded delivery into space.
It was an all-encompassing performance and a marker of Szoboszlai’s protean technical ability, with Liverpool operating without a centre-forward. The home side claimed 66% of the match possession, but it mattered not for Slot’s side, who showed their ability to mix things up and play against the flow of the control. Although that said, Liverpool always looked in charge regardless.
Matches (starts)
90′
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots (on target)
3 (1)
Accurate passes
19/24 (79%)
Key passes
1
Dribbles
1/1
Recoveries
3
Tackles
2
Ground duels
3/7
It was a breathtaking performance and a reminder to the rest of the division that Slot’s Liverpool unit are so much more than the output of one man. Liverpool content creator Asim Mahmood was in awe at full-time, remarking: “What an absolute monster of a shift he put in today.”
Unfortunately, one man’s gain is another’s deflation. There was one part of the visitors’ bench that cut a dejected figure on a momentous occasion.
Big-money Liverpool star is now staring at the exit
Swaddled in overlayers at the Etihad as the rain lashed down, Darwin Nunez hardly looked a face of optimism as he sat and stayed on the bench, Slot not bringing Liverpool’s £85m striker into the equation following his poor form this season.
Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota converse on the bench
Nunez had every right to be upset. He is Liverpool’s club-record man and this is the so-called toughest fixture on the calendar. He wants to succeed. But he can have no complaints, with erratic and disjointed performances limiting him to off-the-bench roles here and there.
The 2-2 draw at Villa Park last week summed up his struggle, with the in-form Szoboszlai breaking free on the right and guiding a spinning cross-box pass into Nunez’s path. The goalmouth gaped, but the ball flew wide.
Slot seemed able to forgive the miss, for this is the life of a striker. However, he rebuked Nunez’s “behaviour” in the period after, suggesting that the Uruguayan lacked work ethic and commitment.
For a number nine who has scored six goals and added five assists across 35 matches this season, it’s clear to see why Slot isn’t impressed; Nunez doesn’t exactly produce the slickest of all-round play, completing just 70% of his passes in the Premier League this term, averaging at 5.5 per game, as per Sofascore.
With Luis Diaz and now Szoboszlai filling in at number nine to circumvent Liverpool’s lack of a true central striker, Slot appears happy to keep Nunez on the sidelines. It’s damning, and suggestive that he’s off in the summer.
To say that Nunez is poor is reductive. He’s immensely talented but is also hot-headed, lacking the clinical edge that the finest goalscorers need in the Premier League. Moreover, his overall output has actually regressed under Slot’s wing, whose tactics have limited him and confirmed his ultimate departure. It’s for this more nuanced reason that Slot will cash in.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez
In January, Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr were ready to sign the £140k-per-week Liverpool forward and had even presented a package in excess of €75m (roughly £62m) plus add-ons, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Nunez is affable and popular with the Liverpool fanbase. He has a certain indefinable quality, able to reel you back in when returning to a more positive light.
His quick-fire brace to turn the tide against Brentford in January restored hopes that he would play an increased part in the title charge over the business months, but his efforts since have lacked clarity and conviction.
Liverpool need a new striker this summer, to be sure, but Szoboszlai appears to have been the latest man to shift ahead of Nunez in the pecking order this season.
It could be a long and peripheral period over the coming months for the £85m man.
Liverpool star who dropped a 3/10 at the Etihad could now be axed by Slot
Liverpool are on the verge of a precious league title but it’s not all positive at Anfield.
Rajapaksa and Thushara included in T20I squad, while Vandersay and Nuwanidu will take part in just the ODI leg of the tour
Madushka Balasuriya28-Dec-2022Sri Lanka have announced a 20-man squad for their limited-overs tour of India next month, where they will square off in three T20Is and three ODIs. Of those players, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Nuwan Thushara will play only in the T20Is, while Jeffrey Vandersay and Nuwanidu Fernando – in line to make his debut – will take part in just the ODI leg of the series. Dasun Shanaka will captain both sides, with Wanindu Hasaranga and Kusal Mendis his deputies in the T20Is and ODIs respectively.Three players – Dhananjaya Lakshan, Asitha Fernando and Dinesh Chandimal – have been excluded from the squad that hosted Afghanistan last month. Chandimal, though, may count himself unlucky, having been one of the better performers in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League; he was the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament averaging 31.88 at a strike rate of 126.99, and had played a key role in the Colombo Stars’ run to the final.By contrast, Rajapaksa can file his inclusion under fortunate, following a series of uninspiring displays. His retention in the T20I squad follows an LPL in which he scored just 95 runs across seven innings at a strike rate of 105.55 – far below his career strike rate of 135.09 – while his T20 World Cup form was only slightly better, hitting 125 runs across seven innings at 119.04.Related
'Everything came to a standstill for a split second' – Shivam Mavi on his maiden India call-up
Bumrah fit but selectors cautious, Pant sent to NCA before Australia Tests
Hardik to lead India in T20I series against Sri Lanka; Rohit returns for ODIs; Pant not in either squad
The rest of the inclusions, however, have earned their keep. Chamika Karunaratne, who was dropped for the Afghanistan series following a lean stretch both on and off the field, rediscovered his groove in the LPL; the 26-year-old allrounder picked up seven wickets in the tournament, and while he scored just 109 runs, he struck them at an impressive strike rate of 162.68 – a significant uptick from his career strike rate of 104.27 – providing glimpses of a finisher many envision he could be.Avishka Fernando, who returned to action this month following nearly a year out with a knee injury, hasn’t skipped a beat it seems, top scoring in the LPL with 339 runs, and spearheading yet another Jaffna Kings title charge.The same could be said for his Jaffna team-mate Sadeera Samarawickrama, who was named player of the tournament for his 294 runs – second only to Fernando – and was a lynchpin of their middle order.Like Samarawickrama, Nuwanidu was another batter that caught the eye in the LPL – even if he is a little rough around the edges. While his Galle Gladiators side struggled for inconsistency, the 23-year-old managed to stand out, striking 211 runs at a 131.05 strike rate – and most importantly showing an ability to clear the ropes, especially against spinners.Nuwan Thushara was another standout Galle star hamstrung by his side’s erraticism, picking up 14 wickets – the second-highest in this year’s LPL – at an economy rate of 7.44. His low-slinging action has unsurprisingly brought about comparisons to Lasith Malinga, but while Thushara lacks the latter’s pace, he has now begun incorporating an impressive amount of control and variety to his repertoire.With Kasun Rajitha, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara the other seamers in the squad, Thushara will undoubtedly face stern competition for the starting XI, though his unique skillset could bode in his favour. In the ODIs, Madushanka’s left-arm swing provides a key differential.ESPNcricinfo LtdIn the spin department, it’ll be Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana as the first-choice pairing, though in Vandersay lies an able 50-over deputy. Dunith Wellalage, meanwhile, showcased during the LPL his ability to hold down one end with his slow left-arm spin.Where most of Sri Lanka’s decision making will therefore boil down to, is in the batting. Shanaka, who hasn’t had the most encouraging time with the bat lately, will lead a unit brimming with potential.In Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Avishka, Sri Lanka have three form players vying for two spots at the top of the order. If Avishka is pushed down to No.3 to accommodate the former two, a pair that has built a good understanding over the past few months, then that would bring about a middle-order headache.Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ashen Bandara, Samarawickrama, Shanaka and Rajapaksa/Nuwanidu will all be fighting for three to four positions, with allrounders such as Karunaratne, Wellalage and Hasaranga filling out the lower-middle order slots. With planning for the 2023 World Cup starting now, selectors will no doubt see this India tour as marker for how the team will look come October.Sri Lanka will kickstart their tour of India in the first T20I at the Wankhede Stadium on January 3.T20I Squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama. Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga (Vice Captain), Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan ThusharaODI Squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama. Kusal Mendis (Vice Captain), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara
Arsenal have reportedly submitted an opening bid for Sporting CP goal machine Viktor Gyokeres amid fears Chelsea could target the striker.
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Arsenal submit opening bid for GyokeresGunners fear Chelsea can outbid them in the transfer raceArsenal want to sign a new striker in the summerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After going trophyless in yet another disappointing campaign this year, Arsenal are in desperate need of a new centre-forward ahead of the 2025-26 season. According to , the Gunners have submitted an offer worth €75 million (£63m/$84m) for Sporting talisman Gyokeres. However, the report adds that the Portuguese side's president Frederico Varandas sees this as an opening bid as he aims to get more money for the prolific hitman.
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While the north London club are desperate to win the transfer battle for the Swedish striker, they are fearful of fellow Premier League side Chelsea as they believe the Blues could place an offer close to the player's release clause of €100m (£85m/$112m).
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Mikel Arteta's side are on the verge of completing their first signing of the new season as they have reportedly agreed personal terms with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
Arsenal will play their penultimate match of the season on Sunday as they visit Anfield to take on newly-crowned English champions Liverpool. They will hope their potential reinforcements can help them close the gap in 2025-26.
Sean Dyche’s house was derelict and tired at the end of his Everton tenure, but in David Moyes, it’s been renovated, refurnished.
The point of that metaphor is Moyes isn’t starkly different to his predecessor. Indeed, his philosophy is built on defensive – some may say pragmatic – foundations, but it’s deeper and richer.
At West Ham United, the Scotsman enjoyed three successive European campaigns, the middle of which saw him lift the Conference League trophy.
And having built a seven-match league unbeaten run since taking the head seat at Goodison Park in January, Moyes has rekindled the feel-good factor and belief that the Toffees have turned a page and taken the first steps toward recently unimaginable heights.
Everton’s ongoing purple patch has ended fears of relegation, but Moyes will need fresh troops ahead of next season’s debut at Bramley Moore. With that in mind, there just might be something in rumours of a return to Merseyside for none other than Richarlison.
Everton's interest in Richarlison
Injuries and struggles for form have laid waste to Richarlison’s big-career move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2022. After years of menacing forward success on Merseyside, the Brazilian jumped ship in a deal worth £60m, but it hasn’t worked out.
Richarlison injured for Tottenham
Former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti said shortly after Richy’s move to the capital that he’s “among the best forwards” football has to offer.
But that hasn’t been backed up under Ange Postecoglou. With Richarlison firmly on the fringe of a struggling Spurs squad, rumours have surfaced of late concerning a potential return to Everton.
GIVEMESPORT report Moyes is keen on bringing the 27-year-old back to the club, though Tottenham value him at £40m and this would take a sizeable chunk from the coffers.
24/25
Tottenham
9 (2)
2
1
23/24
Tottenham
28 (18)
11
4
22/23
Tottenham
27 (12)
1
4
21/22
Everton
30 (28)
10
5
20/21
Everton
34 (33)
7
3
19/20
Everton
36 (36)
13
3
18/19
Everton
35 (32)
13
1
17/18
Watford
38 (32)
5
4
Injuries have ravaged the consistency that characterised his Merseyside career. While nostalgic longing makes his return feel like an attractive thing, it may not prove the most prudent long-term planning.
Especially when other, sold-for-less former stars are significantly outperforming him.
Former Everton star is now better than Richarlison
Richarlison is remembered fondly on the blue half of Merseyside but new stars such as Iliman Ndiaye and Beto highlight the success that could be found in investing in fresh talent.
While Beto is the talk of the town at Everton right now, having led Moyes’ early charge on the Premier League with a five-goal return from six matches, there’s actually a former Blues man who’s outscoring him in the top flight this season.
When Everton sold Alex Iwobi to Fulham in a deal rising to £22m in 2023, it was poignant but necessary with financial issues spreading like creeper up the Goodison Park walls.
He made 140 appearances for Everton, scoring nine goals and supplying 15 assists. This is a modest return to be sure, but Iwobi grew in confidence after feeling the weight of an inflated price tag upon arrival.
Alex Iwobi playing for Everton
The Merseysiders welcomed Iwobi, now 27, from Arsenal in 2019, paying a brow-raising £35m fee for the up-and-coming talent, whose game time at the Emirates was limited. Pundit Rio Ferdinand had dubbed him a “menace” of a winger, something that rings true to this day.
Iwobi might not have enjoyed much shooting success in Liverpool, but he did bow out confidently. Across the 2022/23 season, he hit eight assists from 41 matches, repurposed as a robust central midfielder.
But now, at Fulham, he’s proved that he can score goals at a productive rate.
With seven goals (and three assists) from 27 Premier League appearances this season – principally fielded on either attacking flank – Iwobi is indeed outscoring Beto this season.
He’s not just a marksman though. As per FBref, the Nigeria international ranks among the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League this season for passes attempted, the top 4% for progressive passes and the top 20% for shot-creating actions per 90.
A man of many parts. Iwobi’s multi-dimensional approach to his football could really be perfect for Moyes’ Everton project. He was even described as an “exceptional” player during his time at Everton by Statman Dave.
Conversely, Richarlison’s woes on the fitness front have reduced him to a lesser state than what was on show during his time at Everton. He might be more of an out-and-out scorer than his former teammate, but that doesn’t detract from the polarity in performances and success over the past few years.
Though Iwobi isn’t for sale, his goalscoring return at Craven Cottage does emphasise the fact Everton might be best steering away from re-signing their former talisman.
Moyes is back after more than a decade away, and with him a sense of excitement that could bloom into something special.
Iwobi and Richarlison
Iwobi has been deployed in myriad tactical roles during his time in the Premier League, and while Everton banked a pretty sum in selling him to Fulham, Farhad Moshiri didn’t exactly redirect the funds effectively.
They might just regret letting him go in the first place. Sure, it helped balance the books but Iwobi is proving himself to be a valuable asset – one who could have thrived under Moyes’ wily wing.
He’d be a major player in Moyes’ current squad, capable across a range of duties.
He might be a playmaker, energetic and versatile, but he’s got an eye for goal too – outscoring both Richarlison and Beto in the Premier League this season merely illustrates that point.
Moyes can axe Calvert-Lewin by unleashing his new James Vaughan at Everton
Everton could save millions by promoting this talented 18-year-old striker.
The Italian head coach wants to link up with former player Kaka, whom he managed at AC Milan, and recruit him in the assistant coach role for Brazil.
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Ancelotti to leave Madrid and join Brazil this month Italian boss on the lookout for additions to his coaching staff Wants to reunite with Kaka, whom he coached at Milan Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
reports that Ancelotti wants to make Milan and Madrid legend Kaka one of his assistant coaches. The Italian coach, who is still with Real Madrid, once coached the 2002 World Cup winner at AC Milan and hopes that he will be able to communicate better with his new set of players.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ancelotti will take up his post in Brazil after this season. The big goal is to win the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The 65-year-old worked successfully with Kaka at Milan from 2003 to 2009. Among other things, they won the Champions League and the Scudetto in Serie A. In 2007, the attacking midfielder was awarded the Ballon d'Or.
Kaka responded to the announcement of Ancelotti's appointment by the CBF with a post on X, in which he wrote: "Welcome, Coach Ancelotti. May God bless you."
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2017, Kaka ended his playing career after a spell with Orlando City in the MLS. He then obtained his coaching license.
Ancelotti's previous assistant, his son Davide, will not be accompanying the successful coach to Brazil. Instead, he is expected to take up his first head coach position in the near future. Rumour has it that Bundesliga club RB Leipzig are interested in him, but Scottish side Rangers are said to have the best chance at the moment. However, he's expected to assist his father for next month's qualifying games.
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AFPWHAT'S NEXT?
Ancelotti will manage his last game for Real Madrid on May 25 in LaLiga against Real Sociedad. He will then head straight to Brazil to take charge of his new team for the first time on June 6 in a World Cup qualifier in Ecuador.