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The season is well settled at this point, but Newcastle United are still without the kind of fluency that has come to be expected across the past few years under Eddie Howe’s management.

In fact, 14th in the Premier League after 11 matches, there is concern over the club’s direction after an eventful summer of ups and downs.

While it feels absurd, unthinkable, to imagine Howe’s job is at risk, there’s no question that PIF expect an upswing in performances and results, and should that not occur, the Tynesiders may be forced into a tough decision down the line.

Howe is a club legend, the harbinger of all that has been good at St. James’ Park in recent years. But improvements are needed, nonetheless; the form on the road has been shocking this season.

10

Games

7

7

Wins

1

0

Draws

3

3

Losses

3

20

Goals scored

7

9

Goals conceded

8

2.1

PPG

1.16

Howe needs his players to step up, especially in attack. At the nadir would be Anthony Elanga, whose £55m summer transfer from Nottingham Forest has so far not gone to plan.

Why Elanga is struggling at Newcastle

It has been over a year since Newcastle first lodged an offer for Elanga. They failed to convince Evangelos Marinakis to part ways with the fleet-footed winger at the end of the 2024 summer transfer window, though they secured their quarry one year later.

It was a move laced with excitement, and Elanga could still prove a thrilling addition to Howe’s squad, but the right-sided forward has yet to register a goal or an assist for the Toon, and analyst Raj Chohan said the £100k-per-week talent has been “a massive overpay” on PIF’s part.

Certainly, Elanga and Anthony Gordon would appear perfect for Nick Woltemade at number nine, whose wide-ranging attacking skillset has proved unable to service either winger in the Premier League. Despite this, the German has been in fine form this season.

Howe has shown his tactical and coaching acumen over the past few years, but if he has run out of steam, there’s a manager waiting in the wings who could be the perfect successor.

The manager who could revive Elanga at Newcastle

According to The Mirror earlier in November, Newcastle have compiled a shortlist of managers who would be suitable for the job, should a managerial vacancy emerge in the not-too-distant future.

On this list is Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, whose performance on the south coast over the past several years has established him as “one of the best in the league”, in the eyes of Como scout Ben Mattinson.

Bournemouth caused a stir when they sacked Gary O’Neil after keeping them up in 2023, opting to replace him with the fresh and innovative ideas of Spaniard Iraola, who had impressed in his homeland with Rayo Vallecano over three campaigns.

But the Cherries haven’t looked back, posting a record-breaking Premier League return of 56 points last season, having implemented an attractive and progressive style of football.

Indeed, Iraola’s message of intensity underscores his potential to succeed at Newcastle, and it is this methodology that could see him prove the perfect coach to oversee Elanga’s resurgence.

Semenyo is the frontal part of a durable and exciting team. A key part of the attraction toward Iraola’s managerial skill is his ability to withstand upheaval. Many Cherries left during the summer, and Bournemouth have still impressed this season, five wins from 11 in the Premier League this year.

We have seen how Iraola has moulded Semenyo into one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League. The Ghanaian is the talk of the town and is expected to earn a big-money transfer in 2026.

Newcastle are likely to miss out, but if Iraola did end up at Newcastle, he might be the perfect manager to fashion Elanga into a star of a similar standing, taking his pace and power and weaving it into something deadly.

After all, even against the backdrop of a testing start to life in Newcastle, Elanga still ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 5% for crosses per 90, as well as the top 1% for percentage of shots on target (all data via FBref).

That latter metric is curious. It speaks of real potential as a goalscorer for Newcastle. Iraola’s adept wing play could see such success come to fruition, with Semenyo well known as a frequent pepperer of the goal.

This is all, obviously, hypothetical. Iraola is the manager of a high-flying Premier League outfit in Bournemouth, and the Magpies hierarchy continues to display a show of faith in Howe’s ability to turn things around.

But if things do not improve, and change is needed, it is clear that the 43-year-old Iraola will rank highly on the club’s list, having hit his stride and then some at the Vitality. Surely he would be tempted by a move to Tyneside, with Newcastle demonstrating over the past several years an ability to exceed expectations and win silverware.

This is all down to Howe, but he will not be in the dugout forever, and in Iraola, Newcastle could score themselves new teachings to inculcate into an outfit that has developed something of a knack for success, and is now ready to take that next step forward.

Newcastle already have the new Anderson & he's "England's next superstar"

Eddie Howe could unearth Newcastle United’s next Elliot Anderson by starting this promising star more often.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 18, 2025

Liverpool have now reportedly made an enquiry to sign Serge Gnabry, who is on course to become a free agent when his current Bayern Munich contract comes to an end next summer.

Those at Anfield have an eye on the transfer market following a woeful start to their Premier League title defence. Arne Slot’s side sit as low as eighth and were shoved aside by Manchester City last time out.

Real Madrid target shock Szoboszlai deal as Fabrizio Romano shares Liverpool contract update

The Spanish giants are targeting yet another Liverpool star.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 13, 2025

The international break simply must centre around solving their current problems, whether it means reverting to last season’s side entirely or discovering fresh combinations across the pitch.

Whilst Liverpool’s slump may seem like a shock, it has been coming all year. The Reds have lost more games in all competitions than Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United side in 2025 and Slot admitted earlier in the campaign that their struggles began in the second-half of last season.

Major questions will be asked about Liverpool’s transfer business if their new signings continue to struggle after the international break. Although Slot and others have simply suggested that record signings such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz need time to settle in, patience around Anfield won’t last forever.

Neither will the patience of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, who have already reportedly turned back towards the transfer market for potential solutions. They spent over £400m of FSG’s money in the summer, but could yet welcome further additions in 2026 to fix Liverpool’s problems.

Liverpool launch Serge Gnabry enquiry

As reported by Bayern Insider’s Christian Falk, Liverpool have now enquired about signing Gnabry from Bayern Munich when his contract comes to an end. The winger is reportedly relaxed about his current deal, but those in Germany are keen to get an answer sooner rather than later with the Reds and Juventus sniffing around.

At 30 years old, Liverpool could offer Gnabry the chance to end some unfinished business in the Premier League after he became a transfer flop at West Bromwich Albion and ditched academy star at Arsenal. He’s already made the Gunners regret their decision at Bayern, but still has time to come back to haunt them courtesy of those at Anfield.

Minutes

505

802

Goals

4

6

Assists

3

4

Successful Take-ons

8

17

By signing Gnabry, Liverpool could also replace Luis Diaz, who ironically left for Bayern Munich in the summer. The Reds have struggled without his direct take-on success, which their new target is more than capable of replicating whilst also finding the back of the net.

Described as “world-class” by Rio Ferdinand, the Champions League winner is undoubtedly one to watch in the next six months.

Liverpool exploring Jarrod Bowen move as West Ham share sale conditions

MatériaMais Notícias

O  Botafogo voltou ao trabalho na tarde desta quarta-feira (11). Sob o comando de Lúcio Flávio, o elenco iniciou sua preparação de olho no confronto com o América-MG. A partida é válida pela 27ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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O treinador interino terá a semana livre para ajustar a equipe de olho no jogo do Independência.

+ A sua carreira no futebol pode começar hoje. Garanta a sua vaga no curso Gestor de Futebol e capacite-se!

Apenas o lateral-direito Rafael e o meio-campista Patrick de Paula, que estão lesionados, e o goleiro Lucas Perri, convocado para a Seleção Brasileira, se ausentaram da reapresentação. O técnico Lúcio Flávio começa a definir quem atuará diante do Coelho.

O Alvinegro não terá o meio-campista Tchê Tchê, que vai ter que cumprir suspensão na próxima rodada por ter recebido cartão amarelo no clássico diante do Fluminense. Gabriel Pires é o mais cotado para ser titular.

 Rafael, Matías Segovia, Philipe Sampaio, Hugo, Janderson, Adryelson, Victor Sá e Marlon Freitas estão pendurados. Líder do Brasileirão, o Botafogo está com 55 pontos, nove a mais que o RB Bragantino.

Shafali’s 75 went in vain but India still won the T20I series 3-2

Valkerie Baynes12-Jul-2025

Danni Wyatt-Hodge recorded a fifty in her 300th appearance for England•Getty Images

England 168 for 5 (Wyatt-Hodge 56, Dunkley 46, Deepti 2-31, Arundhati 2-47) beat India 167 for 7 (Shafali 75, Dean 3-23, Ecclestone 2-28) by five wicketsThree wickets for Charlie Dean and Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s half-century in her 300th match for England set up a consolation victory for the hosts, who then held their nerve to pull off the highest successful run-chase in women’s T20Is on their home turf in another last-ball thriller against India, who won the series 3-2.Wyatt-Hodge and Sophia Dunkley put on a 101-run opening stand, which allowed England to reel in a target of 168, set largely by Shafali Verma’s 75. Once they fell, however, England’s pursuit grew tougher and they needed six off the final over, which yielded two wickets for Arundhati Reddy but Sophie Ecclestone held her cool to take England over the line.Shafali wrapped up her comeback in T20Is with her best innings of the series at Edgbaston, a 41-ball knock which rescued India from 19 for 2 in the third over and helped them to a respectable total of 167 for 7 despite none of her team-mates reaching 25 and only three joining her in double figures.England put on an improved performance in the field, an area that has had them under fire since the T20 World Cup, and managed to keep India’s batters under some pressure, thanks to a regular stream of wickets. Em Arlott and Linsey Smith struck early before Charlie Dean claimed 3 for 23 with an economy rate of 5.75 and Ecclestone took 2 for 28.Em Arlott struck in her first over to remove Smriti Mandhana•Getty Images

England on top earlyArlott and Smith returned to the England attack for the first time since the second match in Bristol as the hosts rested seamers Lauren Bell and Lauren Filer ahead of the ODIs.Smriti Mandhana, the leading run-scorer for the series, struck back-to-back fours off Arlott in the opening stanza, over mid-off and pulled in front of deep backward square leg, but her cut off the final ball of the over sailed into the hands of Smith at point.Smith entered the fray in the third over and struck with her third delivery, a pinpoint-accurate ball which kept low as Jemimah Rodrigues stepped back to cut, missed and heard the stumps rattle.Shafali Verma struck 75 off just 41 balls•Getty Images

Shafali shines brightAfter being dropped following India’s group-stage exit from the World Cup last October, Shafali was recalled for this series and had been making progress with scores of 20, 3, 47 and 31. She played a big part in lifting India to 47 for 2 at the end of the powerplay and shifted into another gear thereafter.Issy Wong conceded 20 off her second over, the seventh of the match, which Shafali opened with a four and finished with a thunderous six down the ground. She then pulled wide of midwicket and struck through a desperately diving Wong on her follow-through.Shafali dug out a full Ecclestone delivery and advanced, then retreated when she realised wicketkeeper Amy Jones was in a position to gather, an umpire review confirming the batter had recovered her ground before the bails were removed. She lofted Ecclestone’s next ball over extra cover to bring up her fifty off just 23 balls, drawing level with Mandhana as the second-fastest Indian woman to the milestone behind Richa Ghosh’s 18 balls against West Indies last year.Charlie Dean returned 3 for 23•Getty Images

Dean directs trafficShafali brought up India’s 100 with an emphatic four back over Arlott’s head and it took a brilliant catch from Maia Bouchier to remove her – and dim the memory of Bouchier sitting on her haunches with her head bowed as one of the many culprits in England’s poor fielding display against West Indies that saw them exit the T20 World Cup before the knockouts. Shafali skied a Dean delivery towards cow corner and Bouchier ran round to her right, timing her dive to perfection to take the ball cleanly just inside the rope.Dean had already bowled Harmanpreet Kaur for 15 and she picked up her third when she trapped Deepti Sharma lbw. Bouchier took another calm catch in the deep to remove Richa and give Ecclestone a second wicket after she had pinned Harleen Deol’s back leg directly in front, attempting to sweep. It was a welcome return for Bouchier, who was dropped after the Ashes in January and only recalled partway through India’s visit as injury cover for captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.Wyatt-Hodge celebrates 300 in styleWyatt-Hodge’s 66 at The Oval in England’s only other win of this series – also secured off the last ball – had broken a run drought going back to the Ashes in January.Opening partner Dunkley smoked a six over long-on off Arundhati, followed immediately by four down the ground. Their partnership passed fifty at the start of the sixth over and at the end of the powerplay, they were 57 without loss. Wyatt-Hodge accessed all areas with a quartet of fours off Arundhati’s second over. That put her on the cusp of her half-century, which she brought up off 30 balls with a pull through the deep midwicket region for two.Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Sophia Dunkley added 101 runs for the opening wicket•Getty Images

Down to the wireDunkley and Wyatt-Hodge fell to spin within eight balls of each other, Dunkley within one strike of her half-century when she was bowled by Radha Yadav and Wyatt-Hodge advancing to Deepti, sending a leading edge to Rodrigues at mid-on.Charani put down a sitter at short third off Amy Jones at the end of the 18th over, bowled by Arundhati, who had been expensive, conceding 41 off three overs. England needed six off the final over and when Arundhati sensationally claimed two wickets in the first three balls, they needed five off three. She took the pace off to bowl Beaumont with her first delivery of the 20th and Radha took a screamer off Jones at deep midwicket.Ecclestone and Paige Scholfield scampered three after Ecclestone sliced through backward point and a single to Scholfield meant they needed one off the last. With the pressure high, Ecclestone pushed to mid-on, where Mandhana pounced but her throw to the non-striker’s end missed and Ecclestone was home.

Miane Smit struck a 38-ball 59 not out, but it ended up in a losing cause

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jun-2025If West Indies need to do well in a game these days, Hayley Matthews must have a big say in it. That’s almost a given. And the latest T20I series, which West Indies have now won 2-1 over South Africa, is a classic example. She failed in the first game, South Africa won. She came good in the second and third, West Indies won. In the series decider on Monday, West Indies had to chase 148 for victory, and it was Matthews’ 65, with good support in the form of Shemaine Campbelle’s 42, that took them over the line with nine balls in hand.Wickets fell early in the chase. Qiana Joseph and Realeanna Grimmond were gone by the end of the powerplay for a combined score of 11 from 13 balls. The good thing for West Indies was that Matthews had faced most of the balls in that period, which ended with the scoreboard reading 36 for 2, Matthews on a-run-a-ball 20.That was the platform, and she took flight against Ayabonga Khaka in the eighth, with two fours and a six, and suddenly she was 38 off 27. The half-century came up off 39 balls, and by the time she was dismissed, in the 16th, by Sune Luus, Matthews had scored 65 in 50, and West Indies needed 34 from 28 balls. It still needed work, which Campbelle (42 in 38) and Chinelle Henry (20* in 11) did, and the series was West Indies’.Miane Smit gave the South Africa innings the finishing touches•CWISouth Africa might have expected a different outcome after putting up 147 for 6, which they got thanks mainly to Miane Smit, the 20-year-old playing only her third T20I.If anything, South Africa had a start superior to what West Indies would have later in the game. Their powerplay was 40 for 1, after a 29-run opening stand between Luus and Tazmin Brits, the star of South Africa’s win in the first T20I. And by the time Laura Wolvaardt became the third batter out, in the 12th over, South Africa had 75 on the board. Not for the first time in the series, the bowlers doing the damage were spinners Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack.Not spectacular, and there was a chance South Africa would fall well short. Enter Smit, and she made sure South Africa didn’t collapse, dominating partnerships with the rest of the batters, all of whom registered single-digit scores, with the one with Chloe Tryon – of 44 in 26 balls, of which Smit scored 32 in 17 – standing out.In the end, though, her efforts were not enough, and West Indies exacted some sort of revenge after conceding the preceding ODI series 2-1.

It might not have been the perfect start to life as the West Ham United boss on Monday night for Nuno Espírito Santo, but it wasn’t far off.

The Hammers went behind away to Everton, but fought back to claim a point and put in their best 45 minutes of football this season in the second half.

However, it’s going to be an altogether more challenging affair this afternoon, with Premier League title-chasing Arsenal hosting the East Londoners.

Nuno will be hoping former Iron Declan Rice has a game to forget, and he can help make that more likely by unleashing a talented prospect who could be his own version of the Englishman, and no, it’s not Soungoutou Magassa.

Comparing Rice for West Ham and Arsenal

While his move to a fellow London club stung supporters somewhat, it’s impossible to deny the fact that Rice was one of the best players to represent West Ham in the modern era.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, has he improved since moving to Arsenal, or are there just more eyes on him now that he plays for a ‘big six’ side?

One way to explore this is to examine his final season in claret and blue and compare it to last year.

Now, while doing this, it’s essential to recognise that in North London, the Englishman has been moved into the left eight role. Therefore, he has far more license to roam forward and influence the attacking side of the game, whereas at the London Stadium, he spent far more time playing in the six.

With that said, then, what does it look like when his underlying numbers from the 22/23 season are compared to those from last season?

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.13

0.32

Progressive Passes

6.59

6.11

Progressive Carries

2.45

2.87

Shots

0.96

1.53

Shots on Target

0.22

0.45

Passing Accuracy

86.5%

83.4%

Key Passes

1.02

1.88

Passes into the Final Third

6.40

4.36

Shot-Creating Actions

2.75

3.54

Goal-Creating Actions

0.16

0.32

Tackles Won

1.04

0.80

Blocks

1.24

0.86

Interceptions

1.73

0.80

Clearances

1.59

1.62

Successful Take-ons

1.02

0.45

Carries

40.0

32.8

Carries into the Penalty Area

0.16

0.51

Ball Recoveries

9.18

4.97

Aerial Duels Won

1.02

1.18

Well, as you’d expect, the Rice of last season was, generally speaking, far more of an attacking threat. He posted far better numbers in things like non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shots, goal and shot-creating actions, carries into the penalty area and key passes.

However, the player who helped the East Londoners win the Conference League was a monster when it came to the less glamorous side of the game.

He produced far more impressive numbers for metrics such as tackles won, blocks, interceptions, and ball recoveries. However, given his deeper starting position, he also performed better in metrics like carries, passes into the final third, progressive passes, and overall passing accuracy, all per 90.

In other words, West Ham fans are correct in saying Rice has always been this good; it’s just that he wasn’t used in the same way he is now at the London Stadium.

With that said, Nuno should look to start someone who could be his own younger version of Rice in this afternoon’s game to get the better of Arsenal.

The gem who could be West Ham's new Rice

Now, you could make the argument that Magassa could one day become West Ham’s new Rice, but in this instance, the player in question is Freddie Potts.

There are several reasons why the 22-year-old could emulate the former Hammers star, and the first is that he, too, has come up through the club’s renowned academy.

He joined the club at just six years old, and aside from a couple of loan moves to Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth, has grown up with the East Londoners.

Second, while he has the ability to play in central midfield and has even played at centre-back before, he is an out-and-out six and will undoubtedly play most of his football for the club there.

Finally, like the England international, the Barking-born ace is regarded as someone with immense potential.

For example, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described the academy gem as someone who is “so smooth on the half-turn and composed under pressure.”

More than that, he also claims that his “ball-security, passing range and powerful carrying could see a real breakout season,” which, as a package, sounds an awful lot like Rice.

Ultimately, there is a long way to go in his career, but Potts has looked good in the academy and on loan, and with what people are saying about him, he could be West Ham’s new Rice.

Harry Redknapp predicts major David Sullivan decision that will transform West Ham

The former West Ham and Tottenham boss is convinced.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 3, 2025

The home advantage debate: “You just have to play smarter and score one run more from the opponent,” Samson says

Shashank Kishore04-Apr-20251:23

Does Jaiswal have a two-over problem?

Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson isn’t worried about Yashasvi Jaiswal’s current form – he has 1, 29 and 4 in IPL 2025 so far – and is confident the opener will soon return to his dominant best.”He has been working really hard,” Samson said ahead of RR’s match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur. “I think he has been attending all the practice sessions. He does tick each and every box, which he has been ticking from last six years.”Jaiswal’s ten dismissals in the powerplay are the joint-fourth-highest in the IPL since 2024. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), he was caught superbly at point by Abhinav Manohar. Then against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), he was dismissed looking to hit Moeen Ali out of the ground, while against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he chipped one to mid-off.Related

Samson to return as RR captain after being cleared to keep wicket

High-flying Punjab Kings hope to set home record straight

“You can see he is batting the most hours in the nets,” Samson said. “We’ve had to wait for many hours for him to get out from the nets. So, he is doing everything possible from his side to score those runs, to win those matches. As we all know, IPL is a very challenging format. As an opener, his game is also attacking. He wants to give us a positive start. He is looking for those boundaries. He is looking for those sixes. In that process, you tend to lose the wickets also.”I think I would like to see him perform and come up the ranks at the right moment when the team requires him the most. I think I am happy that he is yet to perform. But I know when he performs, he will be winning the games for us as a team. So, he is doing everything fine.”RR currently have one win in three games. Saturday’s outing will be Samson’s first as captain following a full recovery from a finger injury that limited his participation in the first two weeks of the season as an Impact Player.When asked about the experience of sitting out and seeing someone else – Riyan Parag – captain while only playing as a batter, Samson admitted he had to “hold myself back”.Sanju Samson wants Yashasvi Jaiswal to find his form when the team needs it the most•BCCI”Missing out in three games, I was just holding myself back and seeing the games from a different perspective,” he said. “So, it was a different experience for me to sit at the dugout and see my friends, my young brothers, playing out there, fighting out there.”To be honest, I am very happy and excited to be back and to be fully fit, to keep wickets, to play as a normal player. I think I have been really looking forward to it and it feels very exciting.”‘No complaints’ – Samson on home-advantage debateOver the past week, a number of players and coaches have touched upon the lack of home advantage this season.Ajinkya Rahane, the KKR captain, spoke of wanting more turn from the pitches at Eden Gardens, while CSK coach Stephen Fleming has been vocal about not getting any advantage for a few years now. On Thursday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coach Andy Flower said it wasn’t a “typical Chinnaswamy surface” after they lost to Gujarat Titans (GT).It’s with this background that Samson was asked about the importance of home advantage. RR have played two of their three “home” games in Guwahati, and are yet to play in Jaipur, their designated home venue.

“Definitely both teams get to play on the same wicket. Both teams get to play in the same conditions. I think it’s a game of cricket. Sometimes you score 280, sometimes you score 150. You just have to play smarter and score one run more from the opponent”Sanju Samson on the home-advantage debate

“Definitely the home games play a huge role in the conditions we all know, which can be favourable if the toss goes your way,” he said. “The morale and the energy of the stadium will definitely help the home team.”So, yeah, I think Punjab [Kings] is coming back to their home after a long time and they will be also having all their fans supporting them. We really enjoy that challenge and are looking forward to it.”When asked specifically about the comments made by Rahane and others, Samson chose to steer clear of the debate.”To be very honest, before the IPL, like one month of IPL, I have cut out all my social media,” he said. “I have switched off my phone. So I am not aware of things happening in the newspaper or in the media. To be very honest, I think I personally don’t have any comments on that.”Definitely both teams get to play on the same wicket. Both teams get to play in the same conditions. I think it’s a game of cricket. Sometimes you score 280, sometimes you score 150. You just have to play smarter and score one run more from the opponent. So, I think that’s how I would like to look at this. So, as of now, I don’t have any complaints.”

Aston Villa have been limited by the Premier League’s ill-famed Profit and Sustainability rules this summer, but Unai Emery remains in charge and the club have spent wisely to ensure they have the tools to tackle the season ahead.

And while roadblocks have been swerved over the past few months, with the recent £40m sale of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United an example of how the Midlands outfit have been hamstrung this term, one or two further additions may yet be made before the September 1st deadline.

That sale, poignant as it is, could lead to the signing of Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, with Emery personally driving the potential deal. He’s full of untapped potential, but the Spanish tactician might just be the perfect man to lift him toward that high ceiling.

But it’s not just the frontline Emery is mulling over, with a deal in the works for a new defensive player too.

Aston Villa eyeing new defender

Aston Villa welcomed 19-year-old centre-back Yasin Ozcan to their fold this summer after a pre-contract agreement, but the former Kasimpasa star has headed straight out on loan to Anderlecht.

However, a right-sided and versatile player remains of interest to the Villans, with Emery interested in signing an up-and-comer skilled across defence and in a number six berth.

Indeed, according to Foot Mercato, Villa have been buoyed in their summer-long bid to sign teenager Jaydee Canvot after the Toulouse star rejected a proposal from Saudi Arabia, and may be preparing a new offer for him in the final days of the window.

The £17m-rated youngster has already been the subject of one Aston Villa bid this summer, and it would appear Emery is persisting in his chase, and maybe that will pay off.

Why Villa want Jaydee Canvot

Canvot only broke into Toulouse’s senior set-up last season, starting 12 Ligue 1 matches in total, having featured for only five minutes across the opening 15 fixtures of the term.

Shifting between central defence and an anchoring midfield role, Canvot showed why there’s such excitement around him, assuredly completing 87% of his passes and also completing 70% of his dribbles, denoting control and purpose when carrying the ball forward.

His precision and adeptness in reading the game suggest he would be perfect for life in the Premier League, already framed at 6 foot 2 besides.

This versatile defensive style even suggests that Canvot could emulate his countryman Boubacar Kamara and play a similar role at Villa Park. Data-driven platform FBref has actually recorded Kamara to be one of Canvot’s most statistically similar players, ranking among the top 7% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for through balls and the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90.

His passing and natural predilection for forward play further underscore his potential in Emery’s system, and that also substantiates the claim that he could be the next version of Kamara, who has been described by the boss in the past as being “very important” to the side’s build-up and link-up play.

However, the 25-year-old has suffered his share of injury problems since joining Aston Villa from Marseille in 2022, and so while Canvot would replicate him in jumping to England over the Channel and settling in Aston, Birmingham, he would also ease the worries around another setback to Kamara, providing a similar presence and absorbing the fruits of his more experienced peer’s teachings.

25/26

1

0

24/25

42

14

23/24

30

20

22/23

26

8

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has noted that Canvot is “viewed as a [sic] top prospect,” and Villa would provide him with the perfect nurturing ground to grow into his skin and reach the level of first-team stars such as Kamara.

Ahead of Monday’s deadline, Aston Villa have now reportedly set their sights on a late move to sign a defensive reinforcement who even towers above midfield enforcer Amadou Onana.

Emery admits Aston Villa still have "work to do"

The latest team to be left frustrated by PSR rules, Aston Villa have endured a tough summer and have struggled to get out the blocks in the Premier League as a result. Having so far welcomed just Evann Guessand, Yasin Ozcan and Marco Bizot, to say that it’s been an underwhelming transfer window would be an understatement.

Unai Emery is well aware that there’s still work to be done, however – telling reporters last weekend: “The club are working hard to get our structure as strong as possible with the players in the squad, trying to get two players for each position. There is still work to do, maybe even some players leaving more and we will have to sign and complete the squad with some players.

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“The first reason now why we are missing something other in our structure and in our squad with our players because some players left one week or two weeks ago when we were expecting to a deal before.

“We are working and we have some solutions to try to fix it. But we have to be alert, keep going and the players we have now is enough to compete but thinking all season, thinking hopefully we will face more than 50 matches, we will have to get balanced players in the squad and add more players to it.”

On that front, the Villans have been linked with moves for the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Adrien Rabiot, but could instead turn their focus towards welcoming a towering central defender before the deadline.

Aston Villa targeting late Kristensen move

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Aston Villa are now eyeing a late move to sign Thomas Kristensen from Udinese. Even taller than Onana at a staggering 6’5, Kristensen would offer Emery quite the threat from set pieces whilst also handing the Spaniard the defensive cover that he’s been searching for this summer.

Minutes

1,754

1,120

Tackles Won

21

6

Ball Recoveries

63

38

Successful Aerial Duels

61

27

Compared to Tyrone Mings last season, it’s clear that Kristensen would be an instant upgrade for those at Villa Park. The 23-year-old naturally impressed in the air, but also proved that he’s capable elsewhere after winning 21 tackles.

Described as a “superb” defender by scout Jacek Kulig back in February, Kristensen still has levels to reach at a relatively young age and Emery could help pave the way towards reaching that potential.

That said, if those in the Midlands want to secure his signature, then they will have to turn their interest into a concrete move fairly quickly with the deadline approaching.

The Villans have until midnight on Tuesday to turn what has been a difficult transfer window into one good enough to help Emery secure European football once again.

Despite already reinforcing their midfield with arrivals such as Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff, reports are now claiming that Leeds United have submitted an opening offer to sign an ex-Barcelona star.

Farke "happy" to welcome Perri at Leeds

Several problem areas have already been addressed at Elland Road this summer as Leeds prepare for their Premier League return. But welcoming a new goalkeeper remained on the list until the 49ers completed yet another impressive move to sign Lucas Perri from Lyon. And Daniel Farke has instantly welcomed the shot-stopper’s arrival.

The Brazilian represents a replacement for Ilan Meslier, who was relieved of his duties at the end of last season following one mistake too many. Just where his future lies is now the big question, with Leeds seemingly moving on to bigger and better things.

When compared, it’s Perri who instantly stands out. The 27-year-old has Europa League experience to his name and already squared off against rivals Manchester United last season. Having lost out against the Red Devils last season, though, he will have his sights set on getting one over on those at Old Trafford.

With their goalkeeper problem now solved, however, the 49ers have now reportedly made their first move to sign yet another impressive midfield reinforcement.

Leeds submit opening offer to sign Kessie

According to Saudi Arabian newspaper Al Riyadhiah, relayed by there are claims the 49ers and Leeds have submitted an opening offer to sign Franck Kessie from Al-Ahli this summer. The 28-year-old midfielder captains the Saudi Pro League club and is entering his third season at the heart of their midfield, but could now be on his way out.

Having starred for both Barcelona and particularly AC Milan, Kessie’s arrival would be an incredibly impressive coup by all involved at Elland Road. But it’s unlikely to come without plenty of negotiating on the salary side of things.

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As things stand, Kessie earns a staggering £12m-a-year in Saudi Arabia and unless he takes a significant pay-cut, he will be out of Leeds’ price range given that their current highest-earner is Patrick Bamford at around £4m-a-year.

That said, if the midfielder is willing to lower his salary then Leeds should go all out to secure his signature this summer. His experience would prove to be invaluable and at 28, he is more than capable of returning to the top level with a flourish.

A player who was previously dubbed a “complete player” by former AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli, Kessie could now be one to watch.