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Leeds United's start to the Championship season, when taken in isolation, marks a torrid start towards earning their goal of an instant Premier League return.

They have won just once in five attempts, and the summer window just gone saw them lose plenty of their star men, including Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra and Rodrigo.

However, when delving deeper, it is worth noting that not only have the Whites actually played well in those fixtures, but they also recruited shrewdly in the market to plug those holes created. Amidst all the turmoil, Daniel Farke has actually come out the other side relatively unscathed and is now surely ready to truly kickstart their league campaign.

He has a wealth of talent at his fingertips, both young and old, and should the German find the perfect blend whilst mixing around his starting side, it could prove devastating for the rest of the division.

It is likely that the former will uphold his side though, with the likes of Archie Gray, Wilfried Gnonto, Crysenco Summerville and Jamie Shackleton all growing into mainstays despite their inexperience.

A truly bright future is on the horizon once again at Elland Road, with this newfound hope sure to spur on a year of excitement rather than the gloomy period they endured in the English top flight.

Who are Leeds United's best young players?

With such a starring cast of thrilling youngsters, it marks a very difficult task to choose just one as the outstanding player.

Wilfried Gnonto was the recipient of plenty of interest over the summer, with a £25m bid having even been turned away such was his value to the club. Meanwhile, Gray has been ever-present in the midfield, with the 17-year-old general providing the foundation for Summerville to have enjoyed a frightening start to the new term.

Even Shackleton, who was perhaps a forgotten man after his quiet loan spell last season, has announced himself as a creative utility man capable of deputising in a number of roles.

However, perhaps one of their brightest talents is one which has already performed in the Premier League, and should he be given a chance, would surely be able to lead them back to that level. Joe Gelhardt is the young finisher Farke is craving.

Having joined under Marcelo Bielsa's leadership, the 21-year-old marksman has remained throughout numerous different managers now, having featured for most as a clinical youngster with an exciting future.

The forward was instrumental during the 2021/22 campaign where they narrowly avoided the drop, as his two goals and four assists in the league game at crucial moments to earn them survival.

Then, having been sent out on loan the year following as his chances dwindled, he scored three and assisted three across just 16 Championship starts with Sunderland.

Such persistent proficiency was always bound to draw praise, with journalist Phil Hay even branding him a "goal machine".

This kind of acknowledgement from such a well-respected writer should go a long way towards painting the picture of Gelhardt's talent, which has been well-documented given his meteoric rise to the top of the game.

How much was Joe Gelhardt worth at Wigan Athletic?

However, the Liverpool-born finisher was not a true product of the Whites' infamous academy, with Thorp Arch not quite able to take the plaudits for his production.

It was instead Wigan Athletic who handed the youngster the platform to shine, as his five goals in as many U18s games earned him 21 first-team appearances before his eventual sale.

To emphasise just how far Gelhardt has come, it is worth outlining that Football Transfers valued Leeds' number 30 at just €70k (£60k) in 2019, the year before he moved. Unsurprisingly, his exposure and instant adaptation to top-level football with the Yorkshire outfit has seen that figure skyrocket.

How much did Leeds United sign Joe Gelhardt for?

As the Latics were plagued by crippling financial issues, the likes of which saw them earn points deductions that would send them spiralling out of the Championship, Leeds were one of the beneficiaries who swooped in to acquire their talent for a cut price.

It was impossible for a club in administration to turn down the £1m that Bielsa had offered, and so the young striker moved in the hope that the fee he attained would aid his former employers in their survival bid.

Although the DW Stadium outfit have bounced between the second tier and League One for the past few years, at the very least Shaun Maloney seems set to offer some stability to an institution that has been sorely lacking it in recent memory.

What is Joe Gelhardt's market value now?

To gauge the growth of Gelhardt, it is worth viewing the change in his value, which can be affected by a number of different factors.

His age, the level which he has and currently plays at, nationality and skill level all come into play, but given how lowly Football Transfers once valued him, it is certain that a profit can be guaranteed.

2023

€14.7m (£12.6m)

58% increase

2022

€9.8m (£8.4m)

65% increase

2021

€4.9m (£4.2m)

136% increase

2020

€1m (£860k)

N/A

That is certainly the case when viewing Football Transfer's expected Transfer Value (xTV) for the starlet, which seeks to estimate an accurate fee that might be paid in the current market for a player's services.

The €14.7m (£12.6m) figure they have handed him is a fair representation of his current level and the potential he holds to star in the near future.

In total, across a senior career that has largely spanned across the two valuations mentioned, the 5 foot 9 poacher has seen an 1160% increase in value. Bielsa certainly worked wonders with this deal.

Why is Joe Gelhardt worth that much?

To outline why Gelhardt has seen his valuation soar in such a manner is just to hear the glowing commendation sent his way by former employers and current ones.

Paul Cook, who managed over him at Wigan, was one of the first to issue such glowing praise: "He's got that unique talent to find space in a telephone box. He's such a natural, good footballer. To get a goal like that in front of his own fans was a special moment.

"A lot of young footballers coming into the game are not very nice people. We're just lucky to have a boy with his humility playing for us – the game is easy for him. He'll be starting soon if he carries on like that. He's a young boy that needs minding though. It's a very special goal from a very special player."

Given his growth since then, which is well laid out by these aforementioned shifts in valuation, it remains to be seen just how high Gelhardt could go under Leeds' new leadership.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, born on October 7, 1998, in Liverpool, England, embarked on his football journey at an early age. He joined Liverpool's youth academy when he was just six years old, showcasing remarkable potential as a versatile player. His incredible work ethic and innate footballing intelligence quickly propelled him through the Anfield ranks.

In 2016, at the age of 18, Alexander-Arnold made his first-team debut for Liverpool, marking the beginning of a meteoric rise. His breakout season came in 2017/2018, where he played a pivotal role in Liverpool's run to the Champions League final. Known for his exceptional crossing ability and vision, he notched up 12 Premier League assists that season.

Trent's records continued to pile up as he became the youngest Liverpool player to start in a Champions League final. His unique skill set and consistency earned him a spot in the PFA Team of the Year and the Premier League's Young Player of the Season award in 2018/2019. His vision and passing range set him apart, with an astonishing 28 assists in the league over the course of two seasons, making him one of the most prolific defenders in the modern game.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's early career serves as a testament to his unwavering dedication and immense talent, solidifying his status as one of the brightest stars in world football.

Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold's career at Liverpool has been nothing short of extraordinary. Rising through the club's youth ranks, he has become one of the world's best right-backs, contributing significantly to Liverpool's successes.

Alexander-Arnold made his Liverpool debut on October 25, 2016, in an EFL Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur. At the tender age of 18, he demonstrated his versatility, playing as a right-back and showcasing his potential. However, his breakthrough season came in the 2017/2018 campaign under Jurgen Klopp.

Alexander-Arnold's standout performances in 17/18 came in the Champions League. He played a pivotal role in Liverpool's journey to the final, where they ultimately fell short against Real Madrid. His composure, accurate crossing and defensive contributions were vital throughout the campaign. In the quarter-final against Manchester City, his precise free-kick assist to set up a goal highlighted his unique skill set.

The 2018/2019 season marked Alexander-Arnold's ascent to stardom. He recorded 12 assists in the Premier League, the most by any defender, showcasing his remarkable vision and crossing ability. His partnership with fellow full-back Andy Robertson on the opposite flank became iconic, as they provided an unprecedented attacking threat from the back.

He received numerous accolades that season, including a spot in the PFA Team of the Year and the Premier League's Young Player of the Season award. Trent was instrumental in Liverpool's title challenge, narrowly finishing as runners-up to Manchester City.

Liverpool finally ended a 30-year wait for a Premier League title in 2019/2020. Alexander-Arnold's contributions were once again pivotal. He registered 13 assists in the league, breaking his own record for assists by a defender in a single Premier League season. His ability to pick out precise passes and deliver pinpoint crosses was unrivaled.

The 2020/2021 season posed challenges for Alexander-Arnold. He faced injury setbacks, which limited his game time. Despite this, his impact when on the pitch remained significant. He contributed with key assists, including a memorable late winner for Diogo Jota against West Ham United.

Trent Alexander-Arnold played a pivotal role in Liverpool's remarkable journey to win the 2018-2019 Champions League. His performances in the knockout stages were exceptional, including standout displays against Barcelona in the semi-finals. In the second leg at Anfield, his quick-thinking corner caught Barcelona off guard, setting up Divock Origi's crucial goal, a moment that is now permanently etched into Liverpool history.

In the final against Tottenham Hotspur, Alexander-Arnold provided a composed and assured defensive display, helping secure a clean sheet and Liverpool's sixth European Cup/Champions League title.

In 2021/2022, Alexander-Anrold played a crucial role in Liverpool's FA Cup triumph, which made the defender the youngest ever player to win six major trophies for an English club, aged just 22 years and 219 days. Earlier that season, Liverpool also lifted the EFL Cup.

The 2022/2023 campaign saw Alexander-Arnold's form drop off slightly, but he still reached some huge career records and milestones. In April 2023 he provided his 50th Premier League assist and later that month, he became the first player to assist a goal in five consecutive Premier League matches on more than one occasion. However, those feats weren't enough to help Liverpool finish in the top four, and they ultimately failed to qualify for the 2023/2024 Champions League.

By the end of the 2022/2023 campaign, Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool record stood at an impressive 16 goals and 72 assists in 273 first-team appearances.

Alexander-Arnold's Honours at Liverpool

Premier League (1)

2019/2020

FA Cup (1)

2021/2022

EFL Cup (1)

2021/2022

FA Community Shield (1)

2022

UEFA Champions League (1)

2018/2019

UEFA Super Cup (1)

2019

FIFA Club World Cup (1)

2019

Trent Alexander-Arnold with England

Trent Alexander-Arnold's international career with the England national team has mirrored his success at the club level, marking him as one of the most promising talents in world football. Since making his senior debut, he has become an integral part of England's squad

Alexander-Arnold earned his first senior cap for England in June 2017, and his impressive performances with Liverpool soon translated onto the international stage. His versatility and ability to deliver precise crosses from wide areas made him a valuable asset for the national team.

One of his notable milestones came during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he was part of England's run to the semi-finals, their best performance in the tournament in 28 years.

Alexander-Arnold continued to be a regular in the England setup and played a key role in the UEFA Euro 2020 campaign, where England reached the final. His contribution from right-back, both defensively and in attack, was vital as the Three Lions eventually lost in the final on penalties to Italy.

While statistics and records can fluctuate, his consistent presence and impact on the England national team have cemented his status as one of the country's most promising and talented young players.

To date, his England record stands at two goals and five assists in 20 appearances.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's Personal Accolades & Records

Trent Alexander-Arnold has accumulated a remarkable list of personal records and awards that underline his exceptional talent and contributions to both Liverpool and England.

These records and awards serve as a testament to the right-back's exceptional skill, versatility and consistency at both club and international levels, establishing him as one of the brightest talents in modern football.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's Personal Honours

Liverpool Young Player of the Season (2)

2016/2017, 2017/2018

PFA Premier League Team of the Year (3)

2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2021/2022

PFA Premier League Young Player of the Year (1)

2019/2020

UEFA Champions League Team of the Season (2)

2018/2019, 2021/2022

FIFA FIFPro World XI (1)

2020

UEFA Team of the Year (1)

2019

Premier League Young Player of the Season (1)

2019/2020

Sunderland were dealt a blow in their pursuit of a new centre-forward option this week as one of their reported transfer targets moved to another Championship club.

What's the latest Sunderland transfer news?

The Sunderland Echo had claimed that the Black Cats held talks with Premier League outfit Fulham over a possible loan deal for 20-year-old marksman Jay Stansfield, who spent last season on loan at Exeter.

However, Tony Mowbray and Kristjaan Speakman were unable to get a deal over the line for the talented youngster as Birmingham City officially announced his arrival on loan on Thursday.

The club could quickly get over that disappointment, though, as they are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Ukrainian striker Nazariy Rusyn from Zorya Lugansk, who is said to be set to put pen to paper on a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

How good is Nazariy Rusyn?

Mowbray could be on the verge of securing a dream alternative to Stansfield by bringing the 24-year-old marksman to Wearside after his impressive performances throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

Rusyn enjoyed a terrific season with Zorya and proved himself to be capable of scoring and assisting goals from a number nine position, which could make him a fantastic addition to the squad for Sunderland.

The exciting whiz, who is reportedly valued at £2.5m by the Black Cats, racked up 13 goals and six assists in 30 Premier Liga outings last term, which means that he was directly involved in a goal every 1.88 matches on average.

Stansfield, on the other hand, produced nine goals and seven assists in 38 League One games for Exeter last season, which is an average of one goal contribution every 2.36 clashes.

These statistics show that Rusyn provided more quality at the top end of the pitch for his respective club due to his ability to score and assist goals more frequently than the 20-year-old talent.

Neither player is a proven Championship performer and this means that there would have been a risk, in terms of their adaptation to playing at this level.

Still, the Ukraine U21 international's record suggests that the potential is there for him to be an excellent player for Mowbray if he can adapt to life in England.

Rusyn, who has scored one goal in two league games this season, could be an outstanding performer for the English head coach if he can replicate his Zorya performances for Sunderland.

Last term, no current Black Cats player managed more than ten Championship goals and no striker produced more than three league assists.

This suggests that Rusyn, with his 13 goals and six assists during the 2022/23 campaign, has the scope to be a superb option for the ex-Blackburn Rovers manager at the top end of the pitch. His ability to score and assist goals could improve Sunderland's attack and help them to push up the table this season.

Therefore, the £2.5m-rated finisher could be a dream alternative to Stansfield due to his superior record in front of goal last term and the fact that he would come in on a permanent deal rather than a loan, which means that the talented marksman has room to grow over the course of several years.

Will Luke talks to the West Indian fast bowler, Daren Powell

Will Luke in Dublin12-Jul-2007

Daren Powell: putting a spring back into West Indies’ step © Getty Images
Watching West Indies celebrate their win over England in the one-day series was special, and marked a remarkable transformation in fortunes for such a brittle side. And for Daren Powell, their fast bowler who suffered during the preceding Tests, the win was a relief as much as anything else. For once, his team could walk tall on this tour.”It was a big relief because we’d been losing, and we didn’t want to be going home with our heads down,” Powell told Cricinfo after West Indies’ thumping win over Netherlands in Dublin on Monday, “For the past year or so, I’ve been saying that I really want to come home from a series with my head up, smiling – and it’s so good that we beat England, you know, it was a real good one.”When we travelled down on the bus to London, I spent some time looking at everyone on the bus…and it was just completely changed, a different bunch of players. Happy, joking, laughing and having a nice time. It’s good to see everyone smiling, happy about what we did, and how we felt.”For a team whose decline in the past 10 years has been as stark as it has been depressing, the victory was a timely fillip, especially as they now have to pit their wits against some of the lesser teams of the world. The squad has decamped to Ireland for a Quadrangular tournament that also involves Netherlands and Scotland, and the onus is on them to maintain the same intensity they showed against England.”It’s pretty hard when you’re playing a team that’s less competitive,” said Powell. “But we haven’t been winning much cricket, and then had a really good series in the one-dayers against England. And after those one-dayers, we just forget everything that happened in the [preceding] Tests.”It just showed that it’s good to win,” he said. “And whatever happens here, we just have to remember how good it is to win. Winning gives you confidence, and then you know how to carry on in other games, when you reach tougher opposition. [In the past] West Indies haven’t pulled off the victory when we should.”Why has it been a tour of two halves, though? West Indies were so dismal during the Test series that few gave them much hope of even challenging England in the one-dayers. Yet they lifted themselves to a new, thrilling level – and, crucially for them, they were clearly enjoying it all so much. Powell, too, was a man reborn, consistently bowling in excess of 90mph and showing excellent control, picking up six wickets at 21.83. Could it have had anything to do with the identity of his captain, Chris Gayle?

Chris Gayle: ‘The whole team has changed since the day he took over’ © Getty Images
“Chris really is tremendous you know,” Powell, a good friend of Gayle’s, said. “Maybe people will take this the wrong way, because we’re from the same country [Jamaica], but really, I’ve played under so many other captains in the past. He doesn’t say much, but he knows how to gel the team together – to spark off your plugs and stuff – and it’s very pleasing to see someone like him generating this team spirit.”He’s a funny guy – always jovial around the team, not like what you see on TV when he probably has a serious face. He’s a jovial kind of guy and often in team meetings, he’ll just say ‘believe in yourself’. He just has a way with people. To me, the whole team has changed since the day he took over.”That’s quite some statement. Who, honestly, would have thought Gayle – as laid back as a flattened deckchair – could inspire so much from his troops? Gayle himself has been very quick to maintain that he’s keeping the seat warm for Ramnaresh Sarwan, who left their tour of England through injury. But inspiration, fortune and success can manifest themselves from the most unlikely of sources and people.Gayle to captain the Test side, then? A broad smile and a revealingly guffawing laugh from Powell suggests he’s already given it some thought. But why the laugh? “Well, because of the name Sarwan! [cue even more laughter].”Sarwan is also good, but it’s up to what the selectors want to do now,” said Powell. “To me, if they want to have different captains for the one-day side and the Test side, that would be nice. And if they pick Sarwan again, that too would be tremendous, you know, as long as the guys can keep up the same momentum as with Chris.”And the impression you get from Powell – a character almost as hynotically relaxed as Gayle – is that West Indies are in no mood to let up the pressure on Ireland, Scotland – or anyone else. Maybe Gayle is the man for the job, after all.

Erik ten Hag has admitted that Antony "hasn't shown his big potential" for Manchester United while opening the door for Amad Diallo to take his spot.

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Ten Hag claimed Antony needs to prove himselfHas scored just once this seasonWill face competition from youngstersGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The Dutch manager, who also worked with Antony at Ajax, has acknowledged the face the Brazilian is struggling to live up to expectations at Old Trafford. Antony, who cost United £85 million ($108m) when he joined the club in 2022, has also been warned that he could now fall behind Amad Diallo and 19-year-old Omari Forson in United's attacking pecking order.

AdvertisementWHAT ERIK TEN HAG SAID

Speaking to reporters, Ten Hag said of Antony's current position in the squad: "He has to prove a point, that he will do. And he has big potential. He hasn’t shown it lately, but I know what his talent is, and it’s about proving his talent, and it’s about him. And, yeah, he will probably get his opportunities, right? But, yeah, I think that was always the idea.

"You have competition, and now he has to show himself on the training pitch, but also others because we have opportunities there. With [Amad] Diallo returning from an injury, he’s doing well in the training. Omari Forson is doing well. So we have options to fill in those positions. And it’s not set that Marcus Rashford has to play as a centre forward."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Both Amad and Forson have made just one Premier League appearance each in the current season. While the former Sunderland player appeared against Norwich City in December, Forson made his league debut against Wolves earlier this month.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ANTONY?

Brazil international Antony, who has experienced a poor run of form in the ongoing campaign having scored just once in 25 appearances across all competitions, could be next seen in action on Saturday as the Red Devils take on Fulham in a league clash.

After Arsenal well and truly demolished PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday evening it looked as though the Gunners were back in the silky groove that had seen them dominate so much last season.

Indeed, that looked true during the opening half an hour of the north London derby on Sunday afternoon too.

Mikel Arteta's men came flying at Spurs who were forced to play through a rampant pressing unit. To their credit, Ange Postecoglou's men did well to navigate proceedings in that regard.

It wasn't enough to prevent them from going a goal down, however, with Bukayo Saka finding the net via wicket deflection off Cristian Romero.

That went down as an own goal before Saka would score in his own right from the penalty spot in the second half. That, however, wasn't enough for a win as Heung-min Son scored twice to ensure proceedings ended 2-2.

Arsenal were far from their free-flowing best. Skipper Martin Odegaard, fresh from a majestic performance in the Champions League a few days ago only recorded 18 passes at a woeful 64% success rate, while Jorginho, a half-time substitute for the injured Declan Rice, was robbed of possession in shambolic circumstances by James Maddison for Tottenham's second.

That said, the usually tireless Eddie Nketiah was perhaps one of the biggest party poopers on Sunday.

How did Nketiah play against Spurs?

The young striker has been an astute deputy for Gabriel Jesus throughout 2023.

The Brazilian sustained an injury at the World Cup last winter, a problem that ultimately saw him miss a few months. At the time, it was a worry for the Gunners, but upstepped Nketiah who scored against West Ham and Brighton immediately after the break before bagging twice, including a late winner against Manchester United in late January.

He started the new campaign vibrantly too, netting versus Nottingham Forest and Fulham, but with Jesus now fit and firing again, his performances have dwindled.

Against Everton eight days ago he was hauled off just after the hour mark and probably shouldn't have been given much more time than that yesterday.

Whether he'd have played but for Leandro Trossard's training injury is an interesting trail of thought, as Jesus was moved to the left-hand side after his European exploits, with Nketiah leading the line again.

However, after a timid showing, it was Jesus who was taken off in the second half, with the academy graduate somehow lasting the whole 100 minutes that were played.

Perhaps the most frustrating moment of Nketiah's afternoon was in the first half. Destiny Udogie's backpass flew past Micky van de Ven which left the Arsenal number 14 with a tight chance to score from.

He ignored Fabio Vieira who was racing towards the penalty spot and instead stuck an effort straight at Guglielmo Vicaro in the Tottenham net.

The £100k-per-week earner is usually accustomed to doing the dirty work but was largely anonymous throughout, making a mere six passes in 100 minutes on the field, and also registering just 23 touches of the ball. For context, even the Gunners' stopper, David Raya, had more say with the ball at his feet, taking 42 touches in total.

Described as "average" by Man United personality Mark Goldbridge, this was certainly a game to forget for Nketiah who was decidedly toothless and inept in the final third.

Usually such a vibrant poacher, he lacked the instinct to be in the right place at the right time, with his small influence on the game summed up by Arsenal's apparent lack of desire to put the ball into the area throughout injury time.

To make matters worse, the 24-year-old was perhaps lucky not to be sent off for a late challenge on Vicario as he flew through the Spurs 'keeper when the ball had already gone.

It's not often in the last 12 months that you could say Arsenal need to sign a new striker. Jesus was so promising in the early stages of term but if they are to persist with Nketiah, trouble will only brew in the final third.

Whether or not Trossard and Martinelli are fit for this week's fixtures, Nketiah must be ditched from the starting XI. His position is surely now Jesus' for the taking.

West Ham United have invested the £105m recouped from the mammoth sale of Declan Rice in an intelligent manner.

James Ward-Prowse, who joined from Southampton for £30m, registered two assists on his debut in a 3-1 win against Chelsea at the London Stadium.

Whilst the £35.4m signing of Edson Alvarez looks to be another shrewd acquisition due to his strong defensive capabilities.

However, the Irons are yet to add any attackers to the squad, despite Gianluca Scamacca returning to Italy after an underwhelming season in England.

Rumours are now viciously circulating around potential forward options…

What’s the latest West Ham transfer news?

According to Sacha Tavolieri, West Ham are interested in Genk’s Mike Tresor.

But, before any deal advances, the Hammers must first settle and finalise Lucas Paqueta’s uncertain future.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Nevertheless, the east Londoners are keen to make progress from next week and be will in touch with Genk in due course.

Other reports have suggested that the Belgian whiz could be available for around €20m (£17m).

Would Mike Tresor be a good signing for West Ham?

Last season, the 24-year-old dynamo was thrown into European prominence thanks to a scintillating term with Genk – across 42 appearances, he scored eight times and crafted 24 assists.

This astonishing form meant that Tresor was named Belgian Pro League Player of the Season, whilst also breaking the assist record.

As a result, it was announced that the left-winger was in his nation’s squad for upcoming European qualifiers against Austria and Estiona back in June 2023.

Following his incredible numbers and achievements, talent scout Jacek Kulig described the joyous technician as “sensational” and he looks ready to make the next step in his career.

The jump from Belgian football to the Premier League is insurmountable, but a player of Tresor’s productivity, technique, and flair could provide some healthy and much-needed competition for Said Benrahma.

In a short space of time, the Algerian winger can dazzle and infuriate, but he is undoubtedly one of the club’s most important players.

Last season, Benrahma made 52 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers, the second-highest in the squad, to underline his valuable nature under David Moyes.

However, the tricky winger continues to massively divide opinion.

On one hand, Joe Cole has described him as “unplayable” and someone he has “always been a fan of” due to his natural “ability” – this is mainly down to wonderful dribbling as he ranks within the best 22% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90.

But, he is equally frustrating, with the Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg labelling the former Brentford livewire as “underwhelming” who suffers from a “constant lack of discipline and focus.”

Although Benrahma ended last campaign as the club’s joint-top scorer with six goals, Steinberg felt this was misleading as the majority were penalties and his assists were just simple passes for stunning, long-range efforts from his teammates.

Therefore, the arrival of Tresor could be the perfect antidote to eradicate Benrahma’s inconsistencies, whilst also proving to be a pivotal piece of squad depth.

This will be vital for West Ham, who face a third-consecutive season of European football, whilst also trying to build upon a disappointing 14th-place finish in the Premier League last term.

On the day of a heroic draw, the big number that loomed was that New Zealand have played only four Tests this season, a reality that captain Williamson said was frustrating

Andrew McGlashan in Christchurch 03-Apr-2018Kane Williamson had never bagged a golden duck in Test cricket. When he edged his first ball from Stuart Broad on the final day in Christchurch, it meant New Zealand had lost two wickets off the first two balls of the day – just the fourth time that had happened in Test cricket.By the end of the first hour they had lost four wickets, including Ross Taylor, and the prospect of preserving their 1-0 lead was rapidly slipping away. Yet six hours later, as the setting autumn sun illuminated Hagley Oval until the dying moments of a gripping contest, they were celebrating just a fourth series win over England.Though, officially, the umpires ended things because of the light, there was no assistance in this escape. New Zealand did it all themselves, from a position few would have given them a chance. It was a shame that Neil Wagner was given out – eventually caught off an inside edge on the DRS – because there was no time for the match to continue, but Wagner had left the field so could not walk off triumphant alongside Ish Sodhi.Instead, there was the somewhat odd scene of Sodhi the lone batsman in the middle, Tim Southee having not yet reached the centre, being embraced by the 12th man as the umpires removed the bails and the England players sagged in disappointment. Sodhi, unbeaten on 56 off 168 balls, had played the innings of his life and so, too, had Wagner as he blocked for 103 balls in making 7 when every ounce of him was probably wanting to try and deposit the spinners out of the ground.At times, the pair even managed who would take which type of bowling with Sodhi reckoning Jack Leach’s spin was more of a danger to Wagner out of the footmarks but easier for him to defended as a right hander.”He kept me going, there were some demons out there for sure,” Sodhi said. “The ball started turning from rough a little and found it quite to pick up the bowlers from around the wicket. He’s a bit of mongrel with the ball and he’s got that same mentality with the bat. He was trying to keep fighting against his instinct. Was probably tough but he did it so well. The way he played the bumpers was amazing and showed his character…we got a bit of luck along the way but you have to ride it.”New Zealand’s tail had looked a little longer in this Test without the injured Todd Astle, but in the first innings Tim Southee made an important half-century to narrow the deficit then Sodhi and Wagner defied England during the final session. The pitch, by and large, continued its history of not deteriorating massively but for the eighth-wicket pair to soak up 31 overs was a magnificent effort along with the previous stand between Sodhi and Colin de Grandhomme which lasted 25 overs. The efforts of Tom Latham, in stemming the early trouble, were also very impressive.Sodhi was given a life at silly point before he had scored – at that time it did not appear a major moment – then after tea, when England found the second new ball didn’t swing, he was handed a peppering by the short stuff from Mark Wood and Broad (as was Wagner in a taste of his own medicine) taking a blow on the arm which required treatment and a hastily delivered arm guard.”I was trying to figure out which balls to play and which to get under,” he said. “It started becoming quite difficult when the odd one would jump and another would keep a bit low. But you can’t really nick it, you can’t really get bowled or lbw so if you can get out of the road it’s a bit of a win.”The result meant Williamson joined the small group of New Zealand captains to secure series wins over England: Stephen Fleming, Geoff Howarth and Jeremy Coney. His attempts to control the final day ended with the first-ball lifter from Broad, so all he could do was watch nervously through 100 overs.”We thought there were all three results still possible at the start,” he said. “The first two balls today changed that, but credit to the way the guys batted – de Grandhomme curbed his instincts, Neil and Ish were heroic really. If it wasn’t for them, putting their hand up and weathering the storm, bumps and bruises and all, this series result could have been so different. Fantastic to see that, credit to their character. Just so satisfying to come away with the series win.”Emotions are running high, guys are pretty stoked in the sheds so it’s a great way to finish the season which had a lot of white-ball cricket. The way the Test team performed was superb in a number of different situations.”That Test team is now ranked No. 3 in the world after leap-frogging Australia on the back of their hammering in Johannesburg. There can be no sweeter feeling for a New Zealander than to be above the Australians in a sporting table. But this home season has consisted of just four Tests and the 2018-19 summer is likely to be same with visits from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. When the team faces Pakistan later this year, it will be their first Test cricket overseas in two years.”We’ve played four Tests this year, I think there’s a little bit of frustration, guys want to play more Test cricket,” Williamson said. “But it is what it is, a year without much Test cricket. We know the coming years have a lot more so it’s about being patient. We’ve had so many great games against England. The team love playing Test cricket. As a Test team we are growing, and I think we’ve seen that in this series.”This team consists of some of New Zealand’s finest ever Test players and some new heroes. For now they can bask in the glory of a significant series win, but they deserve not to be undersold.

The Sussex openers added an unbeaten 86 in the 21 overs possible on the opening day

ECB Reporters Network27-Apr-2018
ScorecardSussex openers Phil Salt and Luke Wells made an impressive start to their Specsavers County Championship game against Gloucestershire before rain swept in to ruin the first day at Hove.Salt, 21, was unbeaten on 54 and Wells had contributed 25 to a stand of 86 for the first wicket before rain arrived at 12.30pm. Umpires Martin Saggers and Russell Warren abandoned play at 4pm with no sign of an improvement in conditions after taking an early tea.After losing Chris Nash to Nottinghamshire during the winter Sussex are giving Salt, who is making only his tenth first-class appearance, a run as opener and although he played some false shots there was a lot to admire in his aggressive approach after Sussex had batted first following an uncontested toss.Australian Dan Worrall troubled both batsmen during a lively nine-over burst with the new ball up the slope. Salt came down the pitch to try and smear him through the off side and was then struck on the helmet by the next delivery when he misjudged a bouncer and needed to make repairs to his headgear.But in the last over before the rain arrived, Salt drove Matt Taylor for four then pulled his next ball over square leg for six. A single off the next delivery took him to his second Championship half-century from 59 balls which has included nine boundaries. Earlier, in the tenth over, he had taken three fours off Taylor with two drives through the off side and a pull to the midwicket rope.Wells, fresh from an unbeaten 102 on Monday in Sussex’s last match against Leicestershire, batted with more reserve but looked solid enough. His innings, from 66 balls so far, has included four boundaries.Gloucestershire, who won their opening Division Two game against Kent before losing to Glamorgan last week, used just Worrall, Taylor and Craig Miles and although Worrall in particular beat the bat on several occasions their trio of seamers could not make a breakthrough.Sussex made one change with left-arm spinner Danny Briggs making his first appearance of the season with legspinner Will Beer dropping out. Gloucestershire were without last year’s leading wicket-taker Liam Norwell and David Payne because of injury.

If it wasn't for a ten-point deduction, Sean Dyche's Everton would be flying high in the Premier League at this moment in time.

The Toffees would be competing with the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle United higher up the division than looking over their shoulders at the bottom three in the top flight if the points deduction never happened, winning four of their last five matches with four consecutive clean sheets tallied up along the way.

However, as much as Dyche's men are defensively solid, the Blues do arguably lack firepower going forward with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin only helping himself to three goals this season in the league.

January could come at the best possible time therefore to recruit a new exciting forward player, with rumours indicating that the buoyed-on Blues are interested in former Sheffield United man Iliman Ndiaye who could fill the boots of Richarlison finally.

Everton transfer latest – interest in Ndiaye

TEAMtalk are reporting, via journalist Alan Nixon, that the Merseyside outfit are interested in bringing Ndiaye to Goodison Park this January, Dyche wanting positive reinforcements up top.

The deal could well only be a loan switch however, Ndiaye's current club Marseille wanting the Senegal international to get back to his explosive Sheffield United best after an underwhelming stay in France to date before returning back to Ligue 1 revitalised.

Everton could well be the next destination that ends up re-energising the faltering forward, the 23-year-old attacker previously vital to the Blades as a creative force.

The Blues could do with a vibrant attacker coming in and shaking things up, lacking a second exciting striker option in their ranks ever since former Everton great Richarlison upped and left for Tottenham.

How Ndiaye compares to Richarlison

Ndiaye could come in and play a similar starring role for the club that the Brazilian forward provided for Dyche, a skilful and exuberant attacker who also has the goals to back up the audacious flicks.

Last season under recently sacked Paul Heckingbottom at Bramall Lane, Ndiaye was paramount to the Blades winning automatic promotion from the Championship – scoring 14 goals and assisting a further 11, switching between playing as an out-and-out centre forward, competently playing down the channels or filling in as an attacking midfielder. That's certainly similar to Richarlison.

This blistering form saw former Blades striker Brian Deane wax lyrical about the Senegalese forward to the Sheffield Star, stating that the thrilling attacker is "worth the entrance fee alone."

Richarlison similarly was vital last season to the Toffees in their escape from relegation with electric performances, netting four less than his counterpart with ten goals but proving to be equally critical for his side.

The 26-year-old was also subject to glowing praise, heralded as "world-class" by former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson when speaking to Football Insider in the direct aftermath of his move to north London.

Ndiaye was also rewarded with a major move, although his time with Marseille has been anything but smooth sailing.

Sheffield United's former number 29 has found the adjustment to French football tricky, only managing one strike so far donning his new Marseille colours.

Ndiaye could seek some comfort relocating to England in January in a bid to recapture his form, the Toffees desperate to land the flashy forward even with his former relegation-threatened employers also reportedly sniffing around to clinch a South Yorkshire homecoming.

The out-of-sorts 23-year-old would also offer Dyche another presence who can potentially play down the flanks, Ndiaye pushing the likes of Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil potentially to new heights by offering friendly competition.

It has all the makings of being a fascinating transfer saga, Everton leading the race so far for the hot property.