All posts by z3u9t.icu

Glasgow Rangers return from the international break straight back into domestic proceedings with a clash against Aberdeen this afternoon.

Between now and January 2, the Light Blues face 12 vital matches which could arguably make or break their season.

Included in this run is a League Cup final against the Dons, two crucial European matches and a trip to Parkhead to face Celtic in the Premiership.

If Philippe Clement can emerge from this busy run with a trophy, a place in the Europa League knockout stages and having closed the gap on Celtic in the league, it will be a job well done.

The signs have been positive over the previous few weeks as the Gers have won six and drawn one of the last seven matches and the Belgian has brought some confidence back into a squad which had stagnated under Michael Beale.

The main thing now is to build on these performances while also managing the first team with regard to workload, as there have been far too many injuries this season.

Slowly but surely, certain players are returning and Tom Lawrence was one of the many who had missed large chunks of the season before making just his third start of 2023/24 and the first since Real Betis in the tie against Livingston a couple of weeks ago.

Tom Lawrence’s game in numbers vs Livingston

The Welshman had proven during his maiden season in Glasgow that, when fit, he could be a valuable asset to the club.

Before suffering a season-ending injury in August 2022, Lawrence had scored three goals and registered two assists, and it was clear that the Light Blues missed his creativity during a dismal campaign.

He had managed only one assist before starting against Livi, yet his performance on the plastic turf was excellent, and he could certainly throw a spanner in the works regarding Clement’s future plans.

The 29-year-old was deployed just behind Cyriel Dessers in an attacking midfield slot and ran the show, making five key passes while also grabbing an assist.

The midfielder also created a big chance, succeeded with his only dribble attempt, and won two of his three duels, demonstrating his strength in one-on-one battles.

It was a display which showcased Lawrence’s talents from the number ten role and one that surely pleased the manager.

With that in mind, however, Clement faces a selection headache ahead of the tie against Aberdeen, especially when Todd Cantwell is performing well in the same role.

With plenty of games to come in the next few weeks, keeping players fresh and healthy will be his main concern and this could see the Welshman return to the bench against the Dons today.

Todd Cantwell’s season in numbers

The Englishman endured a difficult start to the season under Beale as he was played out of position several times and while he grabbed an assist against Servette in the Champions League qualifiers back in August, that was his last goal contribution until Clement arrived.

Cantwell suffered a knee injury against Celtic at the start of September and this meant he missed the next seven matches, disrupting the progress he had built since joining the club in January.

Since returning to the first-team fold, however, he has been in solid form and even scored his first goal of the season against Sparta Prague last month.

The Belgian has deployed him on the right side of the attack, yet the playmaker is more effective from the attacking midfield slot.

During the second half of last season following his £1.5m move from Norwich City in January, he scored four goals and grabbed four assists from the number ten role in just 11 games in that position.

Following the end of last season, journalist Josh Bunting lavished praise on the former Norwich gem, saying:

“Really interested in seeing how Todd Cantwell goes next season. Has proved to be an excellent bit of business and I don’t think it’s unfair to say he’s probably a level above this league. With the momentum he has he’s going to be the catalyst in that Rangers side. Has that desire.”

Due to his injury, his performances have taken a while to get back to that sort of level, but with more game time under the Belgian plus some added confidence following his goal against Sparta, he should be raring to go now.

He was given a 12-minute cameo against Livi a couple of weeks ago and during his time on the pitch, he completed 100% of his passes (10/10) along with succeeding with his only dribble attempt, and he should be fresh to start against the Dons.

Todd Cantwell’s market value

Since joining the Glasgow side less than 12 months ago, the 25-year-old has shown a significant improvement on the pitch and this has led to his market value increasing slightly.

According to Football Transfers, Cantwell is now currently worth €3.6m (£3.1m) and this is a decent rise on the £1.5m that the club signed him for at the start of the year.

Jack benched & £26k-p/w machine unleashed in Rangers predicted lineup vs Aberdeen

The Gers return to league action against Aberdeen on Sunday

ByRoss Kilvington Nov 25, 2023

It means that the Ibrox side could potentially cash in on him if they received an offer too good to turn down, or if the player failed to adapt to Clement’s tactical system and style of play.

Hopefully this is not the case, however, as the Gers currently have a player who was valued at around £40m just a few short years ago, and he appears to be shining north of the border.

Although Lawrence made an impressive return to the starting XI against Livingston before the break, his game time should be managed in order to ensure he will be fit once the fixtures start rolling in thick and fast leading up to the festive season.

This should give Clement the licence to unleash Cantwell from the first whistle and if he performs like he has done since joining the Gers, he could certainly cause the Aberdeen defence plenty of problems, that’s for sure.

A win today would exact revenge for the 3-1 defeat suffered against the same opposition in what turned out to be Beale’s last game at the end of September.

It's fair to say, the Light Blues have come a long way since then.

Liverpool have made a surprising decision over an "unbelievable" Reds player who Jurgen Klopp admires, with a January update emerging over the weekend.

Liverpool held by Man Utd

While much focus has been on the Reds' potential incoming business during the January transfer window, there are also players who could move on to pastures new in 2024. Both Joel Matip and Thiago are out of contract at the end of the season and are 32 years of age.

Mohamed Salah's Liverpool future is also set to become a big talking point once again, with rumours of a huge bid from Saudi Pro League Al-Ittihad emerging over the weekend. With the 31-year-old's current deal running until 2025, he will surely either leave or sign a new deal next year.

There are also players who could head out on loan, with young right-back Conor Bradley wanted by a host of English clubs on a temporary basis, and a significant update has emerged regarding a player already at another club this season.

The Reds were held by Manchester United on Sunday afternoon in a frustrating encounter that saw them rack up over 30 shots and hold nearly 70 per cent of the possession, so their latest decision on a player who could add a bit of creative spark in those sorts of games is a surprising one.

Fabio Carvalho transfer update

According to a fresh transfer update from The Mirror, FSG are planning talks to recall Fabio Carvalho in the winter market, but not to unleash him into Klopp's team. Indeed, Liverpool youngster Carvalho could make a "shock" return to former club Fulham next month instead.

"Fabio Carvalho is open to a shock return to Fulham – if Liverpool are able to recall him from his loan spell at RB Leipzig. The Reds have opened formal dialogue with the Bundesliga club as they're currently unhappy with Carvalho's lack of minutes in Germany so far this season.

Sources close to the player have allegedly confirmed there is interest from both Fulham and the player's side in making a deal happen.

Liverpool's success rate with signings has been so high under Klopp, with an endless number of players proving to be outstanding acquisitions – Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson stand out as arguably the best of this era – but Carvalho increasingly feels as though he could be a rare failure.

The 21-year-old couldn't make a proper impact in his first season at Anfield, barring a memorable late winner at home to Newcastle United in the Premier League, and the fact that Klopp was willing to loan him out says a lot about his squad status.

The attacking midfielder's time on loan at RB Leipzig has been similarly underwhelming to date, with Carvalho only making one start in the Bundesliga this season, and it could be best for him to end his spell there early and go back to Fulham – even though many may like to see what he could produce in front of the rebranded Reds midfield.

“Charismatic” Liverpool target is now open to leaving his club in January

This could be a big boost for the Reds.

ByHenry Jackson Dec 17, 2023

Given his age, all hope is not lost for Carvalho with the Reds, and Klopp has described him as "unbelievable" in the past, but big improvements are needed if he is to make the grade at Anfield, or a permanent exit could end up happening in the relatively near future.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to make an approach for a defender who they have admired for a while in January, according to a fresh report.

Micky Van De Ven's injury a blow for Ange

During the Premier League 4-1 defeat to Chelsea last week, Micky Van De Ven was forced off the pitch just before half-time after sustaining a hamstring injury, with James Maddison also being removed with an ankle problem that has since seen him withdraw from international duty for England.

Ange Postecoglou soon confirmed that the centre-back’s problem was significant and that he would be out for a couple of months, so the manager will have to enter the market to find a suitable replacement at the start of next year until his existing player stages his return.

The Lilywhites boss appears to have set his sights on Torino’s Perr Schuurs, who has firmly established himself as Ivan Juric’s second best-performing defensive player so far this season (WhoScored – Torino statistics), but it’s not the first time he’s been highlighted as a potential target in N17.

The Dutchman was internally discussed by chiefs in the capital as a possible candidate over the summer, but with a deal having failed to come to fruition before the previous transfer deadline, the hierarchy are preparing to take a second bite of the cherry to secure the services of the 23-year-old in the near future.

Spurs plotting swoop for Perr Schuurs

According to Spanish reports (via CaughtOffside), Tottenham are likely to swoop for Schuurs in January. Spurs are “expected to make a move” for the 6 foot 3 colossus and have been “closely monitoring” him for a long period of time.

However, Atletico Madrid have also been credited with an interest due to Diego Simeone’s personal admiration for the player, so it’s likely that the club are set to face stiff competition for their target.

Schuurs could be a "mountain" for Postecoglou

Due to his height, Schuurs provides a real physical presence at the heart of a backline which he’s proven so far this season, currently averaging 2.3 clearances, 2.2 tackles and 1.7 aerial wins per game in the Serie A (WhoScored – Schuurs statistics).

Sponsored by Nike, the defender is also capable of making a positive impact at the opposite end of the pitch having posted 38 contributions, 22 goals and 16 assists, since the start of his career (Transfermarkt – Schuurs statistics), highlighting the aerial threat he can pose to an opposition's defence in the final third.

Furthermore, Juric’s £29k-per-week earner (Torino salaries), already knows what it takes to compete and be successful at a high level having secured six trophies during his previous spell at Ajax, so he will possess the same winning mentality as the current squad under Postecoglou.

Finally, Schuurs, who has been dubbed a “mountain” by journalist Josh Bunting, has the versatility to operate higher up as a defensive midfielder, so his ability to easily adapt to demands is another attribute that could make him a fantastic recruit for the long-term future of Tottenham, meaning he will have a role in the squad even once van de Ven is back.

Manchester City are tussling with a number of Premier League clubs for the signing of a "superb" midfielder, a fresh transfer rumour has claimed.

Man City transfer news

Pep Guardiola's side were in imperious form on Sunday afternoon, heading to Manchester United and comprehensively outplaying their rivals in the derby. In the end, City cruised to a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford, with Erling Haaland scoring twice and Phil Foden also finding the net, further suggesting that they are again very much the team to beat in the Premier League title race.

Guardiola did plenty of transfer business during the summer window, bringing in the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes and Jeremy Doku, among others, while players such as Ilkay Gundogan and Aymeric Laporte left the club for pastures new. City always look willing to do some interesting transfer business at any opportunity, and January isn't too far away, giving them another chance to bolster their squad.

With Kevin De Bruyne still absent through injury, and Kalvin Phillips potentially leaving the club at that point, it looks as though they are eyeing up one impressive midfielder to come in.

Man City want Exequiel Palacios

According to an update from TNT Sports [via Sport Witness], Manchester City are keen on signing Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacio in January, but they face competition for his signature. Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also in the conversation to snap up the Argentine, in what is described as a "tantalising opportunity" for the player to head to the Premier League. It is also stated that all three English sides are "seriously considering the possibility" of signing Palacios.

While some may feel that City already have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal in midfield, Palacios could be an outstanding signing if their interest proves to be genuine. The 25-year-old is now a World Cup winner, having tasted glory with Argentina last year, and Palacios' stats show that he featured three times in the tournament, doing his bit for his country. He appears to be a key man for a Leverkusen side currently who are top of the Bundesliga ahead of German giants Bayern Munich, featuring in all nine league games this season and starting eight of them.

Journalist Zach Lowy once heaped praise on Palacios back in 2019, at a point when he was a big young talent, saying of him:

"Hard to believe Exequiel Palacios is only 20. Kid's got it all – a superb weight on his final ball, pausa, nonstop running from box to box, great decision-making – and he's learning from one of the best managers in the world in Marcelo Gallardo. Florentino missed out on a gem."

At 25, Palacios is seemingly at a great point in his career, having enough experience under his belt was also still being a relatively young player, and he is someone who could be a great understudy for Rodri, also earning plenty of playing time because Guardiola likes to shuffle his lack so often. As mentioned, Phillips could head out somewhere else on loan, having struggled to make the grade at the Etihad, and the Leverkusen ace could even prove to be an upgrade on the England international.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has an issue of trust with one first-team player who could now exit the club in January, according to a report.

Manchester City updates: Liverpool clash twist, Kroos on radar, Vermeeren latest

As per The Daily Mail, Manchester City's upcoming Premier League clash against Liverpool on November 25th has been moved from a 5:30 pm start to a 12:30 pm kick-off due to potential fan trouble at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal were originally scheduled to face Brentford at 12:30 pm; however, both fixtures will now effectively swap times and prevent the chances of trouble in and around the ground between rival supporters.

In a shock Manchester City transfer update emerging out of Spain, Real Madrid veteran Toni Kroos is believed to be a target for the Citizens once his contract expires at the Santiago Bernabeu next summer.

The report states that the Germany international could receive around double his wages at Manchester City if he was to move to England in 2024. During the summer transfer window, Kroos rejected advances from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer to pen a 12-month extension to his deal at La Liga giants Real Madrid. Nevertheless, Guardiola and his recruitment team are now said to be leading the chase for the former Bayern Munich star.

Royal Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermeeren is claimed to be attracting attention from Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur alongside a host of clubs in mainland Europe as he continues to make waves in his homeland this campaign.

Manchester City top scorers 2023/24

Player

Appearances

Goals

Erling Haaland

12

8

Julian Alvarez

13

6

Rodri

10

3

Jeremy Doku

8

2

Phil Foden

8

2

Manchester City transfer news – Kalvin Phillips potential exit

According to a Manchester City transfer update on Kalvin Phillips from Football Insider, it is believed that the England international is likely to leave the Etihad Stadium in 2024 after falling out of favour under Citizens boss Guardiola this term. The report states that Phillips now finds himself essentially frozen out at Manchester City due to the summer arrivals of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes.

Guardiola left Phillips out of his side's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend at the Emirates Stadium, instead opting to utilise Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva in a double pivot, which the outlet indicates is a sign that the former Barcelona boss doesn't trust Phillips to perform and could now pave the way for his eventual departure.

Since joining Manchester City from Leeds United for a fee in the region of £43 million in 2022, Phillips has gone on to make just 26 appearances in total for his current employers and is yet to register a single goal or assist (Phillips statistics – Transfermarkt).

Despite being hailed as "superb" by Barcelona manager Xavi back in 2021, it is hard to see a way back for Phillips at the Etihad and he may now have to seek a new challenge in the near future to avoid a prolonged career stagnation.

Since securing promotion back to the Championship last season, to say that Sheffield Wednesday have failed to hit the ground running would be an incredible understatement. The Owls sit on just two points in 10 games, resulting in the dismissal of manager Xisco Munoz, who failed to win a single league game in charge in the club's worst ever start.

After doing so well to earn promotion through the play-offs last season, the last thing that Sheffield Wednesday will want is to plummet straight back down to League One, where instant promotion is hardly a guarantee. With that said, they must get their next appointment right, which could come in the form of a certain manager who has recently been linked.

What's the latest on Sheffield Wednesday's manager search?

Following the sacking of Munoz, Sheffield Wednesday's managerial search is on. Given that we're in the middle of a busy stage of the season, it may not be a long search, either, with those at Hillsborough likely keen to fill their vacancy over the coming weeks, and watch on in the hope that their new appointment can turn what is currently a sinking ship around. And that's where Steve Evans could come in.

According to TeamTalk, the Owls are eyeing a move for the Stevenage boss, who is now in the frame for the job due to his previous experience in relegation fights. Evans currently has Stevenage in fifth in League One, and firmly in the early race to achieve a play-off place come the end of the campaign. It remains to be seen whether Wednesday push on and entice Evans away from his post at Stevenage, but what is certain is that it would be a major blow for those at the League One club if they lost their manager.

Should Sheffield Wednesday hire Steve Evans?

If it's experience that Sheffield Wednesday want, then turning to Evans wouldn't exactly be a bad thing. The 60-year-old, who often uses a 5-3-2 formation, has seen it all in the EFL, having managed the likes of Leeds United and Gillingham, whilst also enjoying spells at Boston United in the early stages of his career, which you can see in full below, via TransferMarkt.

Steve Evans' Clubs

Points Per Game

Boston United

1.15

Crawley Town

1.99

Rotherham United

1.51

Leeds United

1.42

Mansfield Town

1.66

Peterborough

1.50

Gillingham

1.28

Stevenage

1.80

With that said, it's fair to say that Evans has remained consistent throughout his career, and has got even better with age, given just how successful his Stevenage stint has been so far, making Sheffield Wednesday's reported interest little surprise. He has earned plenty of praise during a lengthy career, too, including from West Ham United manager David Moyes, who previously said:

"Steve Evans and I were players at Celtic Boys’ Club – he was in a slightly older group to me, so we go back to that time. We played against each other at different times. He’s had a great record at the level he manages at, he’s done a brilliant job wherever he’s been, and he’s got Gillingham playing well in League One."

Chelsea are willing to splash the cash to secure the signature of another one of their teenage transfer targets, according to a new report.

Chelsea transfer news

Under the stewardship of Todd Boehly, the Blues have evidently been focussing on strengthening their squad with younger players, given that all of their summer acquisitions were 25 or under, and they continue to be linked with up-and-coming talents.

Enzo Maresca is said to be personally driving a deal for Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, with the manager trying to pip Juventus to his signature, while they have also set their sights on another Bundesliga star.

Reports suggest that Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz is another option being considered, with talks already being opened ahead of the January transfer window. Both Adeyemi and Wirtz are capable of playing on either wing, although the latter specialises through the middle. As such, it is evident that Maresca is looking to bolster his attacking options in the near future.

Chelsea eyeing Geovany Quenda

With that in mind, it is clear to see why the Blues are now being linked with a move for Geovany Quenda, as reported by Spanish sources. The 17-year-old winger is said to have attracted the attention of a number of the Premier League’s top clubs, including Liverpool and Manchester United, and the report details that he is now one of the most sought-after players in Europe.

At the moment, however, it is Arsenal that appear to have taken the most concrete steps towards securing the Sporting CP man’s signature, having already opened talks with his representatives. Although there is a £84m release clause in Quenda’s contract, the clubs in question are willing to spend big to secure his signature, as they are all well aware of the enormous talent that he possesses.

It will clearly be very difficult for Chelsea to win the race for the Portuguese winger’s signature, given the level of interest, however if they are able to get a deal over the line he could prove to be a fantastic acquistion.

The starlet was recently hailed as an “unreal talent” by Statman Dave for his performance in Sporting’s emphatic 4-1 victory against Manchester City, during which he provided an assist for Viktor Gyokeres’ opening goal and achieved a 7.3 SofaScore match rating.

Chelsea v Arsenal: The top 7 goalscorers in Premier League matches

Some iconic names are at the top.

ByCharlie Smith Nov 7, 2024

This season, the Sporting academy graduate has very much burst onto the scene, having already chalked up 10 league appearances, and he has particularly impressed with his dribbling ability. Over the past year, the Bissau-born youngster has averaged 5.14 progressive carries per 90, which places him in the 99th percentile compared to his positional peers, while he is also in the 97th percentile for successful take-ons.

If Quenda continues to develop at his current rate, it seems likely he will attract even more attention from Europe’s top clubs, so if Chelsea are able to get a deal over the line then it would be a huge signal of intent as they look to start competing for major honours once again.

Manchester United look set for yet another new manager after the departure of Erik ten Hag, who spent two-and-a-half years in the post at Old Trafford.

The final straw was the Red Devils’ 2-1 loss against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, a result that condemned his side to a fourth defeat in just nine Premier League outings.

Ten Hag was also unable to secure any wins in the first three Europa League matches of the season, drawing all three matches against FC Twente, Porto and Fenerbahçe.

However, it appears that the hierarchy have already acted quickly in moving for a replacement, with journalist Fabrizio Romano confirming that they have triggered Ruben Amorim’s exit clause in his contract at Sporting Lisbon.

The 39-year-old is already said to have accepted the club’s proposal, with a deal rapidly advancing in the hope he can be appointed in time for Sunday’s clash at home to top-four hopefuls Chelsea.

Games managed

227

Games won

161

Games drawn

33

Games lost

33

Win percentage

71%

Points per game

2.27

His potential appointment will undoubtedly bring about excitement amongst the fanbase given his record in Portugal, which has seen him achieve a 71% win percentage over the last three years.

Amorim will likely deploy his 3-4-3 system, a tactic in which he’s enjoyed the majority of his success, as we look at what his dream United starting XI could look like…

1 GK – Andre Onana

Goalkeeper Andre Onana has been a key member of the United squad so far this season, producing some crucial saves to prevent Ten Hag’s side from dropping further points.

Arguably, his best moment came in the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, with the 28-year-old making a miraculous double save which was awarded with the September Save of the Month award.

2 RWB – Diogo Dalot

Whilst he’s yet to reach the performance levels of last season, the Portuguese full-back could be about to reach the next level under the guidance of his compatriot.

He produced a moment to forget in the defeat to West Ham last weekend, missing an unguarded net, but Amorim’s potential appointment could allow him to surpass the levels demonstrated during 2023/24.

3 CB – Leny Yoro

After joining in a £52m deal from Lille last summer, the United fanbase are yet to get a glimpse of the French wonderkid after suffering an ankle issue towards the back end of pre-season.

However, the 18-year-old arrived with huge potential to be a success after beating off the likes of Real Madrid for his services.

Many will be hoping that the 39-year-old will be able to aid his development and showcase why the hierarchy were so keen to splash out such a fee on a young talent.

4 CB – Matthijs de Ligt

Like many of the new summer additions, Matthijs de Ligt is yet to provide value for money, struggling to make an immediate impact in the Premier League.

However, the former Juventus and Bayern Munich man has featured at the very top of European football throughout his career, with a new manager injecting a new philosophy potentially allowing him to reach the heights many expected him to upon his arrival.

5 CB – Lisandro Martínez

The Argentine has been one of few Ten Hag signings who have caught the eye since their respective moves to Old Trafford, making 71 appearances since his transfer in 2022.

Amorim’s back-three system could allow the 26-year-old to thrive even further, offering more defensive cover around him, with the Portuguese boss’ possession-based approach falling perfectly into his hands.

6 LWB – Luke Shaw

It’s been a couple of years to forget for full-back Luke Shaw, with the 29-year-old constantly plagued with fitness and injury issues during Ten Hag’s tenure.

He only made 15 appearances in all competitions last season, whilst also failing to appear as of yet in 2024/25, but he will be hoping that he can put his issues behind him and become a regular under the potential new boss.

7 CM – Kobbie Mainoo

The youngster’s rise into the first-team in Manchester has been nothing short of sensational, breaking through last season before securing a regular starting role in recent months.

He may only be 19, but it hasn’t stopped the midfielder from breaking into the England side and becoming a key member of the Premier League squad this campaign.

Given his age, ability to find pockets of space and be comfortable in possession, he could prove to be a real key player throughout United’s new era.

8 CM – Manuel Ugarte

New summer signing Manuel Ugarte hasn’t hit the ground as many expected him to, only managing to start one Premier League meeting so far in 2024/25.

However, Amorim previously managed the Uruguayan, helping him achieve the best form of his career before his transfer to PSG in the summer of 2023.

Given his successes under the potential new boss, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 23-year-old become a key player in the heart of United’s midfield in the coming months.

9 RAM – Bruno Fernandes

It would only be a slight change in role for Bruno Fernandes, but any appointment could see him in a more permanent attacking berth alongside another forward behind the central striker.

The “sensational” Portuguese international, as dubbed by former Red Devil Paul Scholes, has registered 70 assists since his move to Manchester back in 2020, having all the tools to improve his tally under his compatriot.

Out of possession, he could tuck inside centrally to create a three-man midfield, therefore making United more compact and harder to break down – something which has been way too easy as of late.

10 LAM – Alejandro Garnacho

The academy graduate has often featured off the left-hand side since his emergence into the first team, catching the eye with his ability to get past the opposition and cut inside onto his stronger right foot.

Amorim’s appointment wouldn’t take that role away from him, but could see the Argentine operate in an ever so slightly more central role out of possession.

That would then see the 20-year-old – who boasts eight goals and assists this season – given the nod over Marcus Rashford, with Garnacho having cemented that left-sided berth in recent times.

Glasgow Rangers return to domestic action this afternoon as Dundee are the opposition in the final match before the international break.

Philippe Clement saw his side crash to a 1-0 defeat against Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday evening and there could be a few changes to the starting XI today.

One positive thing about the end of the European run is that fixture congestion won't be a problem and this could help an injury-ravaged squad during the final few weeks of the season.

Several players were below par against Benfica, but the one encouraging sign was seeing Todd Cantwell secure some minutes after recovering from his hamstring injury.

Todd Cantwell's performance in numbers vs Dundee

Tom Lawrence started as the number ten against the Portuguese side in midweek, but he was replaced by Cantwell with less than 20 minutes to go, much to the delight of the Ibrox faithful.

Although Cantwell couldn’t quite get into the game that was slipping away from Rangers, seeing him back in action would have been a big relief for Clement.

Accurate passes

22/24 (92% success)

Key passes

2

Shots on target

1

Possession lost

2

Touches

25

Against Dundee, he could be given a start in order to test his fitness and there is no doubt that the midfielder can terrorise their backline.

Todd Cantwell’s season in numbers

The £1.5m signing from Norwich in January 2023 has impressed under Clement, especially since being moved to his favoured attacking midfield role.

Throughout the 2023/24 campaign, the 26-year-old has registered ten goal contributions – six goals and four assists – yet injury issues have meant he has started only 27 games.

Although initially struggling under Michael Beale, the Belgian moved Cantwell into a more central position and has been rewarded with five Premiership goals since Christmas Eve, indicating that it was an inspired move.

Among his teammates, the Englishman currently ranks fourth for goals and assists (eight) in the top flight, along with ranking fifth for big chances created (four), fourth for key passes per game (1.6) and fifth for successful dribbles per game (1.1).

If he had been totally injury-free, there is no doubt these statistics would be more impressive, but it shows how influential he can be when deployed as a number ten.

At the end of last season, journalist Josh Bunting lavished praise on Cantwell, saying: “With the momentum he has he’s going to be the catalyst in that Rangers side. Has that desire.”

It may have taken him a few months and a change of manager for him to finally hit the heights he reached between January and May last year; but it looks as though Cantwell is at the peak of his powers.

Hopefully, the £22k-per-week midfielder is fully recovered from his hamstring injury and is ready to be unleashed against Dundee, as his creative talents can certainly unlock their defence.

Chalkboard

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

A win against the Tayside outfit will mean Clement’s side head into the break maintaining their two-point lead at the summit of the table.

Could Cantwell and co help lead the Gers to their first league crown since 2021? Only time will tell.

Leeds United had their fair share of struggles in the transfer market last summer following on from their relegation down from the Premier League.

The Whites had a bloated squad that needed to be gutted to make way for Daniel Farke to bolster his side with new signings, which meant that several first-team players were ditched.

However, the Yorkshire-based outfit failed to find permanent buyers for a number of stars and were forced to loan out the likes of Robin Koch, Max Wober, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, and Jack Harrison, among others.

Leeds may face a different problem if they fail to earn promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, as they had to fend off suitors for Crysencio Summerville earlier this term.

Whilst the Dutch whiz is reportedly worth a hefty sum of money at the moment, if you adjust for inflation in football over the years then the Whites once had a winger who was sold for even more in the form of Harry Kewell.

How much Crysencio Summerville is worth

Earlier this season, Football Insider reported that Leeds valued Summerville at a fee of at least £25m, which came amid interest from two unnamed Premier League teams.

Meanwhile, FootballTransfers place his current Expected Transfer Value at €15.2m (£13m) at the time of the writing (21/03/2024), off the back of his impressive campaign in the Championship so far this term.

The 22-year-old gem scored four goals and provided two assists in 28 Premier League appearances for the Whites as they were relegated down to the second tier last season.

Playing in the Championship has allowed the former Feyenoord youngster to emerge as a regular starter for Farke on the left flank, which has given him a platform to shine in the final third.

The right-footed magician has proven his ability to score and assist goals on a consistent basis with a return of 15 goals and eight assists in 35 league appearances for the club.

Sofascore rating

7.79

1st

Goals

15

1st

Assists

8

2nd

Big chances created

16

2nd

Key passes per game

2.8

1st

As you can see in the table above, he has been one of the club's outstanding performers at the top end of the pitch in the Championship this season.

Summerville has the quality to provide goals and assists at an impressive rate, which is why the Whites value him around £25m, and why Premier League sides have shown an interest in securing his services this year.

He is not the first, and will not be the last, talented left winger to thrive in the final third at Elland Road, though, as Kewell dominated that wing during his time in Yorkshire.

How much Leeds paid for Harry Kewell

The Whites did not have to pay a penny in transfer fees to land the Australian forward as he joined the academy after a successful trial in England, having left his home country in 1993 as a 14-year-old.

After seemingly catching the eye through his performances for the various youth teams at Thorp Arch, Kewell made his first-team debut in the Premier League against Middlesbrough in March 1996.

The young whiz had to bide his time and wait patiently for his chance to impress as Howard Wilkinson and George Graham only handed him three first-team appearances throughout the 1995/96 and 1996/97 campaigns combined.

His emergence as a regular came the following season as Kewell scored five goals and assisted one in 29 Premier League matches during the 1997/98 term.

The Australia international's real breakthrough campaign came during the 1999/00 season, however, as the forward won the PFA Young Player of the Year award – ahead of Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard – for his performances on the wing.

Premier League

36

10

2

UEFA Cup

12

5

2

League Cup

2

0

1

FA Cup

3

2

0

As you can see in the table above, Kewell produced 17 goals and five assists in all competitions to convince his peers that he was the best young player in England's top-flight that term.

Unfortunately, the magical dynamo suffered an Achilles tendon injury and only racked up two goals and seven assists in 26 matches during the 2000/01 campaign.

Impressively, the Leeds star recovered to score 22 goals and assist six in 58 Premier League appearances across the following two seasons at Elland Road.

How much Leeds sold Harry Kewell for

The Australian wizard's fantastic form for Leeds convinced Liverpool to swoop in – per Totally Money – with a fee of £9m to sign him in the summer of 2003.

When you adjust for the inflation of football transfer fees over the years, per Totally Money's index, the talented forward's £9m fee would be worth a staggering £37.8m in 2024 money.

This suggests that Kewell's sale would be worth almost £13m more than what Summerville is currently worth if the club had sold him to the Reds in the current day.

Leeds, therefore, struck gold with the exciting gem as they brought him through their youth academy and developed him into a huge asset to the club, financially and on the pitch.

They may now hope to do the same with the likes of Archie Gray and Mateo Joseph, who have both emerged as first-team players this season, as they could grow into key senior figures who could be worth multi-millions in the future if their respective careers continue to progress.

Kewell went on to play 139 times for Liverpool and produced 16 goals and 17 assists for the Premier League before his free transfer to Galatasaray in the summer of 2008.

The move to Turkey was criticised by some due to the passing away of Leeds fans Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight ahead of their UEFA Cup semi-final with Galatasaray back in 2000.

Kewell released a statement defending his decision, and emphasising his love for Leeds and sympathy for the families of both men, and claimed that rejecting the Turkish giants because of that incident would have been discriminatory, in his view.