Manchester United are now readying a £70m bid for a “world-class” midfielder, who could join as part of a Kobbie Mainoo swap deal.
Mainoo fails to force his way into Amorim's plans
It is clear that Ruben Amorim isn’t the biggest fan of Kobbie Mainoo, who is still yet to start a Premier League game this season, despite Man United making an awful start, with their most recent setback coming in a 3-1 defeat against Brentford.
With Casemiro suspended, Manuel Ugarte came into central midfield, alongside Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo once again had to settle for being a substitute, with the 20-year-old being brought on for the final 25 minutes of the game.
Having been unable to force his way into Amorim’s plans, there have been suggestions the Englishman could be ready to move to a new club this winter, and rivals Manchester City have even been named as surprise potential suitors.
That said, with Amorim now under significant pressure, receiving criticism from club legend Wayne Rooney, the midfielder may soon have a new manager, who is more willing to give him consistent game time.
For now, however, INEOS are persisting with the 40-year-old, and Mainoo’s future remains up in the air, with a report from Spain revealing the youngster could be used as part of a swap deal for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.
Man United are said to be preparing an offer of around €80m (£70m) for Valverde, but they may be willing to use their youth product as a makeweight in negotiations, in order to reduce the cost of the operation.
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He’s previously won a top-flight title and enjoyed a distinguished playing career.
BySean Markus Clifford Sep 29, 2025
However, Real Madrid are currently showing little interest in sanctioning a departure, with the midfielder emerging as one of their most ‘trusted’ players, so it remains to be seen whether a deal will be possible.
"World-class" Valverde could take Man Utd's midfield to next level
Let’s make it clear — Man United definitely shouldn’t consider letting Mainoo leave, given that the England international has previously shown he has what it takes to perform at the top level, excelling in the 2024 FA Cup Final.
That said, signing the Real Madrid star for straight cash should still be a very attractive proposition, having proven himself over a number of years in La Liga and the Champions League, with Jurgen Klopp once dubbing the maestro “world-class”.
Casemiro has made it clear he is unreliable, with the Brazilian naively getting himself sent off in the 2-1 victory over Chelsea, and at 33-years-old, United are in need of a long-term replacement in the middle of the park.
Statistic
Average per 90 (past year)
Pass completion %
89.5% (89th percentile)
Assists
0.20 (89th percentile)
Interceptions
1.48 (86th percentile)
Over the past year, Valverde has shown that he is a well-rounded midfielder, capable of making an impact at both ends of the pitch, and the Uruguayan would undoubtedly be an exciting signing for the Red Devils.
It feels like it’s a bit late to say the wheels have come off for West Ham United.
The Hammers were knocked out of the League Cup in the second round and have lost four of their five Premier League games, by a combined score of 5-13.
It felt like it was more a matter of when, rather than if, Graham Potter was replaced in the London Stadium dugout.
Lo and behold, despite being put in front of the press on Friday afternoon ahead of their clash with Everton on Monday, he was given the boot on Saturday morning.
Nuno Santo was quickly announced as his replacement but with only a couple of days of training before the clash with the Toffees, it will be interesting to see if the Portuguese makes many widespread changes.
James Ward-Prowse could be one player who drops out as Nuno chases a debut win.
Why Ward-Prowse has to be dropped
West Ham spent around £30m to bring Ward-Prowse to the London Stadium in the summer of 2023, and considering he was sent on an unsuccessful short-term loan to Nottingham Forest last year, it’s been a failure of a move.
However, while the fans were desperate for Potter to drop the former Southampton star from the lineup, he continued to persist with the Englishman, something that arguably played a hand in his sacking.
The 11-capped Englishman has had a brilliant career in the top-flight, and there was a point at which his deadball abilities made him a genuine threat for the Saints, but those days are long gone.
Instead, the 30-year-old is now more of a hindrance in the middle of the park than anything else, unable to offer much in attack and not being anywhere near mobile enough to help out in defence.
We saw this duel problem on full display against Crystal Palace, as even though he took 61 touches and completed 41 passes, he amassed a combined expected goal and assists figure of just 0.25.
Minutes
90′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
61
Accurate Passes
41/48 (85%)
Crosses (Accurate)
5 (1)
Shots on Target
0
Ground Duels (Won)
6 (1)
Aerial Duels (Won)
3 (0)
Lost Possession
14
Fouls
3
Dribbled Past
2
On top of that, he lost five out of six ground duels, all three aerial duels, was dribbled past twice, lost possession 14 times and gave away three fouls.
It was a horror show, and one that should see him nowhere near the starting lineup for quite some time, especially as West Ham have a new midfielder who could come in and surely do a better job.
West Ham's ideal Ward-Prowse replacement
While there are a few options Nuno could go with on Monday evening, he has to start Soungoutou Magassa in place of Ward-Prowse.
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The former AS Monaco ace is certainly still young and somewhat inexperienced compared to the Englishman, but he deserves a chance to show the fans what he can do tonight.
More importantly, though, he offers something the former Saints star no longer can: dynamism and quality.
According to respected analyst Ben Mattinson, the 21-year-old is blessed with a combination of “pure athleticism” and an ability to “spray passes wide out to the wings” because his “passing range is top.”
Moreover, Mattinson has claimed that “defensively there’s a high potential” in the youngster, which is borne out in his underlying numbers.
According to FBref, he ranked in the top 1% of midfielders in Ligue 1 last season for dribblers tackled, tackles plus interceptions, and ball recoveries, as well as the top 5% for tackles won and more, all per 90 minutes.
He also put up some promising attacking numbers as well, ranking in the top 9% for successful take-on percentage and the top 17% for passes into the final third, also per 90.
Tackles (Mid 3rd)
2.37
Top 1%
Dribblers Tackled
2.20
Top 1%
Dribbles Challenged
4.04
Top 1%
Tkl+Int
5.97
Top 1%
Ball Recoveries
7.90
Top 1%
Tackles
4.13
Top 2%
Interceptions
1.84
Top 4%
Tackles Won
2.20
Top 5%
Successful Take-On %
65.2%
Top 9%
Touches (Mid 3rd)
45.57
Top 12%
Tackles (Att 3rd)
0.53
Top 16%
Passes into Final Third
5.88
Top 17%
Switches
0.61
Top 17%
Aerials Won
1.14
Top 12%
In short, while he is nowhere near the finished product, the “elegant” Frenchman, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, already appears to be a better player than Ward-Prowse.
Therefore, for Nuno to elevate the chances of claiming all three points, he should drop the 30-year-old and start Magassa.
Transfer deadline day has come and gone, and thankfully, Kobbie Mainoo remains a Manchester United player, having been heavily linked with an exit in the last knockings of the window.
An unused substitute in the opening two Premier League games of the season – having also been afforded just mere minutes off the bench in the Europa League final back in May – the 20-year-old appeared to have his heart set on a loan exit from Old Trafford, amid the search for increased game time.
This is a World Cup year after all, with the United academy graduate firmly out of the England picture at present, despite playing a starring role in the knockout stage run at Euro 2024 just last year.
Having seen Thomas Tuchel elect to recall forgotten man Ruben Loftus-Cheek after a six-year absence this week, Mainoo’s place in the midfield pecking order is evident. He needs to get back playing regularly again.
Once the shining light under Erik ten Hag, the local hero is yet to win over Ruben Amorim. Something needs to change.
Mainoo's rise – and 'fall' – at Man Utd
This writer was there the day that a 16-year-old Mainoo truly announced himself to the Old Trafford faithful with a fine FA Youth Cup final display in May 2022, producing a composed, eye-catching performance at the base of midfield that has since become his trademark.
Kobbie Mainoo
Fleeting first-team opportunities for the then-teenager followed in 2022/23 – just three to be precise – before he was belatedly unleashed the following campaign, having gradually been introduced after being struck down by injury during pre-season.
From his Man of the Match display away at Everton on just his first Premier League start, Mainoo simply didn’t look back over the next six months, with notable highlights including that late winner at Molinuex, alongside his stunning curler at home to Liverpool.
Such a remarkable rise was capped by his Wembley heroics in May 2024, a year on from the midfield maestro having been singled out by Ten Hag as the senior set-up celebrated their Carabao Cup triumph.
For all the negativity that surrounds the Dutchman, his faith in Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho was more than admirable. Amorim, take note.
Indeed, had it not been for Mainoo’s inclusion in the squad at Burnley last weekend, United would have been at risk of abandoning an 85-year tradition. Since 1937, an academy player has featured in every matchday squad.
That may seem trivial, but this is the essence of Manchester United. Amorim can’t lose that.
In the Portuguese’s defence, however, it isn’t as if he won’t put faith in young talents when suitable. He appears to have settled on his own boy wonder during his Red Devils tenure thus far.
Leny Yoro is the new boy wonder at Man Utd
Question marks remain over the new INEOS regime at Man United, with notable low points including the protracted pursuit – and subsequent dismissal – of Dan Ashworth, alongside the indecision regarding Ten Hag’s future following the FA Cup final.
Throw into the mix the ongoing off-field issues which have clouded the club in recent times, namely a string of redundancies under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s watch, and the new-look hierarchy still have a way to go to win over an expectant and committed fanbase.
That being said, an optimist could look to the odd success story on the transfer front thus far, with the capture of Leny Yoro an obvious case in point.
Poached from Lille on a £52m deal last summer, amid rival interest from the mighty Real Madrid, the ability to entice the teenage Frenchman appeared to be a real coup at the time. Just over 12 months on, and that remains the case even more so.
While an injury sustained against Arsenal last summer halted his introduction to Premier League football, in a similar vein to Mainoo a year earlier, the 19-year-old grew into the campaign in impressive fashion, following his competitive debut in December.
The doubters will look to his performance against Southampton, and more specifically against Kamaldeen Sulemana, as a reason for concern, but that was a rare blot on the copybook for a player yet to realise his full potential.
That night at the Theatre of Dreams aside, Yoro has looked simply sublime under Amorim, seemingly relishing his role at right centre-back or left centre-back in this much-discussed 3-4-2-1 system.
From his last-ditch challenge on Darwin Nunez away at Anfield, to his vital header out in Lyon, 2025 has proven to be the year of Yoro thus far, none more so than amid that Europa League run.
While others of more seniority and authority faltered around him, the £115-per-week talent – as per Capology – was a real driving force during that surge to Bilbao. Indeed, he quite literally drove Amorim’s men up the pitch from deep at any available occasion, namely against Athletic Club to tee up Mason Mount’s crucial curler.
Described as a “generational” talent by Statman Dave, Yoro ranked in the top 3% of centre-backs in the competition for progressive carries per 90 last term, as per FBref, as well as in the top 7% for pass completion.
Tipped to be ‘the new Rio Ferdinand’ by Amorim, he also started the new campaign in fine fettle, averaging 3.4 tackles and interceptions per game in the top-flight, as per Sofascore, while winning 82% of his aerial duels thus far.
Most appearances under Amorim
Player
Games
Bruno Fernandes
44
Noussair Mazraoui
41
Rasmus Hojlund
40
Alejandro Garnacho
40
Diogo Dalot
39
Manuel Ugarte
37
Leny Yoro
36
Andre Onana
35
Harry Maguire
34
Joshua Zirkzee
34
via Transfermarkt
Positions are up for grabs across the park, but Yoro’s starting berth appears almost nailed on. Was it any coincidence that when afforded a rare rest for the trip to Grimsby, the team simply fell apart defensively?
Only six players have made more United appearances since Amorim walked in the door, with the youngster’s importance to both his manager and his team only looking set to grow and grow.
Every manager appears to have their favoured rising star when in the United dugout, and while Yoro may not be a product of the academy like Mainoo, he represents everything that this new regime should be looking for to build around.
Ten Hag sold him for £9m: Man Utd had the original Mainoo who Bruno loved
Manchester United must regret offloading one top-level talent whom Bruno Fernandes adored.
Mesmo não sendo atacante de ofício, Matías Rojas vem impressionando na atual temporada com o número de gols marcados para a função que exerce. Meia pela direita, o novo reforço do Corinthians já marcou dez gols em 20 jogos na temporada, tanto pelo Racing quanto na seleção paraguaia.
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Com 1424 minutos disputados em 2023, Rojas demora 142 minutos para marcar um gol, e sua média de gols por minutos em campo é acima de Róger Guedes, artilheiro do Corinthians na temporada com 19 gols em 3303 minutos disputados. O camisa 10 do Timão demora 173 minutos para marcar um gol.
Rojas não está tão atrás de Tiquinho Soares, artilheiro do Brasileirão. A média de gols por minuto do centroavante botafoguense é de um gol a cada 127,5 minutos.
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No gráfico abaixo, você confere a média de gols por minuto em campo de Rojas e os principais artilheiros do Brasileirão.
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O torcedor corintiano terá a oportunidade de ver Matías Rojas estreando pelo Corinthians neste sábado (15). O paraguaio deve ser titular no meio-campo do Timão contra o América-MG, ao lado de Renato Augusto. O Coelho venceu o primeiro jogo das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil por 1 a 0.
Nuno Espirito Santo has held talks with West Ham as head coach Graham Potter could be sacked following a series of poor results. Nuno, who parted ways with Nottingham Forest this month due to a breakdown in his working relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis, could return to the Premier League soon after he was replaced at the City Ground by Ange Postecoglou.
Potter nearing West Ham exit
Potter could be relieved of his duties soon after West Ham suffered their fourth Premier League defeat in five matches against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Hammers are struggling in the relegation zone and have also exited the Carabao Cup at the second round stage after losing to Wolves.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportNuno in line to become new West Ham boss
Following their home defeat to Palace, the West Ham hierarchy has started to consider their options to replace Potter and have spoken to ex-Forest boss Nuno, according to . The report adds that former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil and Slaven Bilic, who managed the Hammers between 2015 and 2017, are also on their shortlist of potential head coaches.
Mourinho was backed to take charge of the Hammers
Former West Ham scout Mick Brown had earlier recommended Jose Mourinho as Potter's replacement, however, the legendary coach has since taken charge of Portuguese giants Benfica.
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AFPEverton clash could be Potter's final game at West Ham
West Ham next face Everton away in a Premier League fixture on September 29. A loss could see Potter relieved of his duties.
GOAL US unpacks the main weekend storylines from the Premier League, La Liga and other top competitions in The Euro XI
Can we jump to conclusions? Are the pieces just perfectly in place for most of Europe's top leagues?
Liverpool played Everton – the definition of a trap game. But they saw them off, late pressure notwithstanding. Man City and Arsenal then did the Reds an almighty favor by playing out a 1-1 draw in which either manager could have set up a team to win, but neither looked like they really wanted to.
Liverpool are five points clear and not playing well (yet). Further down the table – yes, down – Man United won their game against Chelsea and then tried really hard to lose it. In Germany, Bayern Munich are scoring for fun. And even if PSG-Marseille is postponed until Monday because of heavy rain, there's no doubt that the Parisians will walk it.
Of course, much can change here. Liverpool could start losing. Arsenal could decide they want to win. City could win 20 in a row and no one would bat an eyelid. Until then, though, we're left admiring from afar. But that might not be such a bad thing.
GOAL US presents The Euro XI, with 11 key observations from the weekend.
AFP
1Mikel Arteta never changes
Why, Mikel, would you go out and spend big on Victor Gyokeres, Ebere Eze and Noni Madueke, if you aren't going to make the most of them? Arsenal's summer transfer business, from the outside, seemed a state of attacking intent. Here was a manager who loved his defensive structure, taking the handbrake off a little.
The Gunners could be expansive, maybe even just a little bit fun. But when it came to the big game, Arteta went right back into his shell. The Spaniard deployed seven (!) defensive players against a weakened Man City at home, and relied on a late moment of magic from Gabriel Martinelli to salvage a 1-1 draw.
Was this tragedy? No. But one point could have been three, if Arteta had just been a little more brave.
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2Pep Guardiola bunkers in
Man City are in a precarious spot. They are still rebuilding and tweaking, Pep Guardiola fiddling with a team rather than fine-tuning it. And you could see a side still a little uncertain of itself Sunday afternoon.
City went up 1-0 early thanks to a lovely goal from Erling Haaland. Guardiola's side of old would twist the knife, make it four or five. Instead, Guardiola shrunk and bunkered in. To be fair, it almost worked, but City were frighteningly conservative.
And even if Arsenal weren't exactly full of attacking inspiration, they could have few complaints about the draw. But something weird is happening: Pep is playing scared.
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3Erling Haaland is keeping Man City alive
It is a good thing, then, that Guardiola has a super Norwegian space robot demon to play up front. Haaland wasn't exactly last year, but he was miles off the player that smashed the Premier League goalscoring record in his debut season. Now, it seems, he is determined to restructure his game a little.
Haaland's whole vibe for a long time is that he was very good at one thing: sticking the ball in the net. Everything else was low priority. But this year, he's changed it up. Haaland is carrying Man City not only by scoring – he has six in five games – but also by affecting the game everywhere else.
Haaland passes. Haaland defends. Haaland now does a bit of everything. And without him, City would be in a far worse place.
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4Liverpool keep playing with fire
It's rather funny that the most likely team to win the Premier League are doing it while looking reasonably poor for long stretches. Liverpool were excellent for 30 minutes in the Merseyside derby. They scored two very nicely crafted goals, and might have had a third if Mo Salah's whipped shot not gone inches wide of the top corner.
After that, though, they closed into their shell, and let Everton play. They were, in the end, outrun, outworked and perhaps slightly fortunate to come away with three points against their rivals. It's an odd situation, all said.
Liverpool probably have too much attacking talent to lose in a shootout. But they do a pretty poor job of controlling games from ahead. At some point someone is going to punish them. The question is, who?
After the appointment of Thomas Frank earlier this summer, it’s become apparent that Tottenham Hotspur are desperately trying to improve one area of the pitch this window.
Mohammed Kudus has already completed his £55m transfer from West Ham United to join the Lilywhites this summer, but their business appears far from done within the final third.
The Ghanaian will add key goals and assists to the side throughout 2025/26, that’s if his Premier League tally from last year is anything to go by, after he notched eight combined goals and assists for the Hammers.
However, despite Spurs’ tally of 64 league goals last year, it’s evident that further improvement is desired by the hierarchy during the off-season in an attempt to rise up the table.
Numerous names have been mentioned with moves, highlighting the ambition shown by Daniel Levy to avoid a repeat of their dismal league finish in 2024/25.
The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new attackers this summer
Yoane Wissa is a player who has been firmly on their radar this window, potentially following Frank in joining Spurs from Brentford during the off-season.
The DR Congo international has stated his desire to leave the Bees this summer, opening the door to a move across the capital, but they could face competition from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest for his signature.
Brentford's YoaneWissacelebrates scoring their first goal
However, he’s not the only forward currently in their sights, with Roma star Mathias Soule also on their radar, according to Italian outlet Radio Radio via Tutto Juve.
They claim that the Lilywhites are preparing a £28m bid for the Argentinian winger, but they’re not alone, with Aston Villa also lurking for the 22-year-old’s signature.
The report also states that the Serie A side may have to raise funds this window, opening the door to a potential move to North London, but fails to mention whether the player would want the move.
Why Spurs’ latest target would be their answer to Rodrygo
Rodrygo has emerged as one of Europe’s leading talents over the last couple of years, starring on countless occasions for European giants Real Madrid.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
The Brazilian has registered 270 appearances for the LaLiga outfit, managing to score 68 times, including an infamous double against Manchester City in the Champions League.
However, he looks set to depart this window, seemingly not part of Xabi Alonso’s plans after the Spaniard took the reins from Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Spurs have been named as one of the interested parties in the 24-year-old’s signature this summer, but it appears he’s rejected any move to join the Lilywhites in favour of a bigger move.
Such a decision appears to be a big disappointment given his stature in the professional game, but the supporters shouldn’t be worried if they miss out on his signature.
Fellow target Soule, who’s been dubbed “Messi-esque” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has also been labelled a similar player to the Brazilian by FBref, subsequently showing the talent he possesses.
When delving into their respective stats from the recent campaign, the Roma star managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, offering Frank’s side a cheaper alternative this window.
Games played
27
30
Goals & assists
10
11
Goal per shot on target
0.4
0.3
Key passes made
2.6
2.2
Passes into opposition box
1.7
1.2
Crosses completed
4.4
3.8
Fouls won
1.8
1.7
Aerials won
37%
30%
The Argentine may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but posted a higher goal per shot on target rate, showcasing the added threat he carries in front of goal.
He also managed to complete more key passes and more passes into the opposition’s box per 90, highlighting the creativity he possesses over the Real Madrid star.
Soule’s dominance is further reflected in his higher tally of crosses completed and aerials won, having the tools to provide Frank’s side with a more all-rounded talent within the final third during his quest for success.
£28m for a player of his talents could prove to be a huge bargain, especially given the chance he has to develop further in North London, given his tender age.
If he can continue on his current trajectory, he could surpass the levels achieved by Rodrygo, allowing them to forget about a move for his signature and be the club’s own version of the superstar.
A better deal than Gibbs-White: Spurs open talks to sign £87m superstar
Tottenham still need to make a few more signings in the summer transfer market.
Mohammed Kudus became Thomas Frank’s first major signing since taking the reins at Tottenham Hotspur, joining in a £55m deal from West Ham United last week.
The Ghanaian will offer key quality and depth in numerous key areas within the Lilywhites squad next season, having the versatility to star in numerous positions.
He can operate in any of the wide areas, whilst also being able to operate in the number ten role, leaving Frank to determine which role the 24-year-old is best suited to.
However, it’s likely that the new boss will want further additions to help bolster his side to aid any chances of immediate success in the Premier League.
Countless names have been touted with a move to North London in recent days, with multiple players appearing to be subject to more than just interest from the Lilywhites.
The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer
Over recent days, reports have emerged linking Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton with a move to join Spurs, but they could be priced out of a move for his signature.
Claims were made that the 21-year-old could be available for a fee in the region of £100m this summer, a figure undoubtedly way beyond what he’s worth after registering just 36 Premier League appearances in his career.
However, another name has entered the mix over the last couple of days, with Club Brugge star Ardon Jashari a key target for the club, according to TBR Football.
Their latest report claims that the Lilywhites have made an enquiry to sign the 22-year-old central midfielder this window, with the Swiss star currently valued at £32m.
It also states that numerous other Premier League sides, such as Nottingham Forest and Everton, remain in the race for his signature after he failed to agree a move to AC Milan earlier this window.
Why Spurs’ £32m target is a better signing than Wharton
Given his rapid rise to stardom over the last couple of months, it’s no surprise to see Eagles star Wharton touted with big-money moves away from Selhurst Park this window.
Despite his tender age, he was named in the Euro 2024 squad 12 months ago, having the ability to be a monster hit in North London should he make any move to join Frank’s squad.
However, the £100m fee that’s been touted for his signature is nothing short of extortionate, with the Lilywhites paying for the potential he holds given his youthful years.
Other players will need to be considered if the side are to improve within the middle of the park, which could see cheaper alternatives put forward by the hierarchy.
It’s safe to say Jashari could be the perfect star in such a department, that’s if his figures in Belgium last season are anything to go by – hopefully transferring such tallies across to England with him.
Club Brugge's ArdonJasharireacts
The midfielder, who’s been labelled “seriously talented” by analyst Ben Mattinson, managed to register a 61% take-on success, along with 2.2 carries into the final third – showcasing his ability to get the ball into attacking areas.
He’s managed to add the final product to his mazy runs, completing 7.3 passes into the final third per 90, 1.3 of which were defined as key passes, with both of his tallies higher than those of Wharton during the 2024/25 campaign.
Games played
35
20
Goals & assists
7
2
Pass accuracy
87%
75%
Progressive passes
7.2
6.3
Passes into final third
7.3
5.3
Key passes made
1.3
0.7
Take-on success
61%
20%
Carries into final third
2.4
1.5
Progressive carries
1.4
0.9
Jashari’s excellent numbers don’t stop there, completing 87% of the passes he attempted, helping him post a tally of seven combined goals and assists last year – handing Frank’s side a superb talent that’s arguably a better addition than the Palace star.
£32m may appear to be a hefty sum splashed out on a player who may not be proven in England’s top-flight, but from the aforementioned stats produced, it’s evident he’s a player with huge potential.
If he can carry such form over to the Premier League, it could allow the hierarchy to forget about a move for Wharton, subsequently avoiding the added tax around English players and landing another huge talent for Frank’s side in the Dane’s hunt for success in North London.
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Celtic’s generally positive results in pre-season continue.
On Wednesday night, Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Primeira Liga champions Sporting CP 2-0 at Estádio Algarve, with Reo Hatate breaking the deadlock from the penalty spot, before substitute Luke McCowan came off the bench to secure victory.
That makes it three wins out of four in pre-season, after the Hoops enjoyed victories over both Queen’s Park and then Cork City, the sole blot on their copybook so far a 3-2 defeat to Estrela da Amadora last weekend, albeit that was played behind-closed-doors.
Now, ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Newcastle United at Parkhead, the 10,000 Geordies who are making the 139-mile journey north to Glasgow will ensure there is a great atmosphere at that one, but will Celtic have made an exciting new signing by then?
Celtic seeking to add attacking talent
Following the aforementioned mid-week victory over Sporting, Rodgers confirmed that adding attacking reinforcements to his squad is the priority in this window, stating “we’ve lost a lot of goals, so we need to replace that”.
This comes after Nicolas Kühn joined Como for a reported fee of £16.5m earlier this month, while the Celts are also still searching for a Kyōgo Furuhashi replacement, after he was sold in January.
While the Hoops have already snapped up Swedish talent, Benjamin Nygren, they are now set to complete the signing of striker Shin Yamada for £1.2m, as noted by Graeme Young of the Daily Record,
The 25-year-old, who helped Japan win the EAFF E-1 Football Championship earlier this week, said goodbye to supporters of his current club Kawasaki Frontale, with the Sky Blue and Black confirming he will now finalise a move to a ‘foreign club’.
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So, will he prove to be Celtic’s next Japanese sensation?
How Shin Yamada will improve Celtic
Upon his arrival, following the prior capture of Nygren, Yamada will become the ninth Japanese player in Celtic’s history.
Shunsuke Nakamura
2005-09
159
Kōki Mizuno
2008-09
12
Tomoki Iwata
2022-24
42
Yūki Kobayashi
2023
7
Yosuke Ideguchi
2022
6
Kyōgo Furuhashi
2021-2025
165
Reo Hatate
2022-present
142
Daizen Maeda
2022-present
158
As the table outlines, he will be following in the footsteps of a few modern-day Celtic greats, linking up with new teammates Hatate and Daizen Maeda.
Yamada began his senior football career at college side Toin University of Yokohama, before moving to J League side Kawasaki Frontale three years ago, bagging 32 goals in 121 appearances for the club, most notably helping them reach a first-ever AFC Champions League Final back in April.
Daizen Maeda
Data scientist Ryo Nakagawara labels Yamada a “fantastic” talent, as well as describing him as a ‘natural finisher’, praising his ‘excellent movement’ and ‘quick acceleration’, assertions that are supported by his statistics in the J League last season.
Goals
19
3rd
Goals per 90
0.85
1st
Goals + assists per 90
0.98
1st
Shots
80
12th
Shots on target
37
5th
Shots on target %
46.3%
10th
Big chances missed
14
8th
As outlined, Yamada was prolific in the J League last season, made all the more impressive by the fact that his team finished eighth, closer to relegation than champions Vissel Kōbe.
Meantime, according to Global Football Rankings, the J League is the 23rd strongest division in the world, a whopping 20 places above the Scottish Premiership.
Now though, the question remains, will he be a better starting centre-forward option than the current occupant of this position, Adam Idah?
The Republic of Ireland international’s performance against Sporting on Wednesday night was widely criticised, with Rodgers himself stating that the striker “needs to come alive”, calling for him to “have authority in the box”, intimating he is open to an alternative solution.
Minutes
2,012
2,168
Goals
19
16
Assists
3
0
Shots
80
88
Shots on target %
46.3%
48.9%
Big chances missed
14
19
Big chances created
6
6
Average Sofascore rating
7.06
6.93
As the table outlines, during the timeframes included, Yamada comes out on top for the majority of metrics.
The Japanese striker scored more goals, registered more assists and missed fewer big chances than the Irishman, while doing so for a side who are exponentially less dominant relative to their competition.
Thus, if Idah continues to flatter to deceive, all available evidence suggests the incoming Yamada deserves the opportunity to stake a claim for the starting nine number spot.
Celtic open talks to sign "outstanding" £15m striker, he's open to the move
The Hoops have approached the agents of a centre-forward.
Tom Bailey, Will Williams take two wickets apiece with Kent still well adrift in second innings
ECB Reporters Network25-Jun-2024Lancashire were closing in on a huge victory in their Vitality County Championship with Kent at Canterbury, having reduced the hosts to 143 for 6 at stumps on day three. Kent still trail by 162 with just four second innings wickets remaining, Charlie Stobo and Beyers Swanepoel the not out batters on 25 and 18 respectively.Lancashire declared on 549 for 9, a lead of 305, with Josh Bohannon making 205 and Matty Hurst 50, while George Garrett took 3 for 89.Will Williams and Tom Bailey then both took two wickets apiece to leave Kent six down at stumps. Ben Compton was their highest scorer with just 37 and the chances of them escaping with anything other than a heavy defeat to their relegation rivals are bleak.The only question at the start of day three was how long Lancashire were going to bat for, with a lead of 158 already in the bank, although for a side who’d been pummelled for four straight sessions Kent at least managed to stop Lancashire from scoring too freely.Bohannon reached his double-hundred with a pushed single off Matt Parkinson, before his former team-mate finally got him out lbw with a ball that might have been going down the leg side.Hurst eased to fifty with a single off Joey Evison but he was then stumped by Harry Finch when he tried to charge at Parkinson. It was 499 for 6 at lunch, during which a band called the “Useless Pluckers” performed, prompting one Lancastrian observer to remark: “They’re not Goons’N’Roses.”Garrett took all three of his wickets after the interval, which at least prevented an onslaught. Jack Blatherwick tried to hit him out of the ground and went for 18, caught by sub fielder Jaydn Denly. Garrett then had George Balderson caught behind for 42 and when Bailey skied him to Parkinson, Lancashire declared.They didn’t have to wait long for a wicket: Williams had Marcus O’Riordan caught at first slip by George Bell for 4 in the fourth over.Nathan Lyon came on after 12 overs but it was George Balderson who struck next, pinning Daniel Bell-Drummond lbw for 9 to leave Kent on 59 for 2 at tea.Compton always looked like being the key wicket but he inexplicably tried to slog Bailey and the ball flew in the air off his bottom edge. He spread his arms wide in despair well before Bell took the catch when the ball finally fell to earth.Williams sent Evison’s off stump flying for 10, Bailey had Tawanda Muyeye caught behind for a six-ball duck and Finch lasted for 56 balls for 23 until Lyon had him caught by Bohannon at mid-on.Swanepoel, who’d been unable to bowl, came out with O’Riordan as a runner and caused confusion by running anyway, but he and Stobo at least managed to drop anchor for the final 11.4 overs to take the game to a final day.