Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘confident’ that they can sign Hugo Ekitike in the summer.
The Lowdown: January bid
A reported £33m deal for the 19-year-old to move to Tyneside from Reims fell through on deadline day in the January transfer window, so Chris Wood from Burnley ended up being the only attacker to come through the doors at St James’ Park.
However, journalist Ryan Taylor has claimed that the Magpies have been ‘told’ that they can sign Ekitike this summer instead, but it is not clear whether the same kind of fee will be required to seal a deal.
The Latest: Newcastle confident on Ekitike
Taking to Twitter, transfer insider Graeme Bailey has revealed that Newcastle are now ‘confident’ of signing Ekitike.
Expanding in his latest article for 90min, the journalist added that they hope to wrap up a deal ‘soon’ after Eddie Howe ‘pinpointed’ him as a target back in the winter.
Sources close to the player have revealed that he is ‘keen’ to move to St James’ Park as the Magpies target another striker to bolster their ranks.
The Verdict: Get it done
After failing to sign him in January, the St James’ Park board simply must now get a deal for Ekitike over the line.
Described as a ‘very special‘ player earlier this season by his manager Oscar Garcia, the teenager has a big future ahead of him, and some in France even go as far as to believe that he could be the ‘next Mbappe‘.
With 10 goals and four assists in 25 matches across all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), Ekitike has burst onto the scene in his home country, so this would be an exciting deal for the Tyneside club if they can finally go through with it.
In other news, find out what exciting NUFC transfer update Keith Downie has now revealed
After playing out an impressive draw away at Anfield and spending Christmas Day atop the Premier League table, Arsenal have been seriously out of sorts over the last few weeks.
Mikel Arteta's men followed up their impressive draw with back-to-back league losses to West Ham United and Fulham before they crashed out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 home loss to Liverpool.
With the side's main problem of late being the frontline's inability to finish their chances, the club have unsurprisingly been linked to several strikers this month, including Getafe's in-form Borja Mayoral.
The Spaniard has been impressive for the Deep Blues, but the Gunners would be better served signing the latest forward touted for a move to N5: Ajax's Brian Brobbey.
Arsenal transfer news – Brian Brobbey
According to the Mirror, Arsenal are in the market for a new striker and have 'cast an eye' over Ajax's 21-year-old goalscorer.
There has not been a reliable report as to how much a move for the young forward might cost the Gunners, but Football Transfers' Expected Value model has placed the Dutchman's worth at around €17.9m, which is about £15m.
While the price – if accurate – shouldn't be a problem for the Gunners, the other interested party might be.
According to the Mirror, alongside Arsenal, Manchester United are also fans of Brobbey, with Erik ten Hag personally 'keeping tabs' on his situation in Amsterdam.
While the interest of the Red Devils could complicate matters for Arsenal and even lead to a bidding war, Brobbey's form this season suggests that it might just be a war worth fighting.
Arsenal can forget about Borja Mayoral with Brian Brobbey
Now, with the north Londoners managing just one goal from their 63 shots since Christmas, either of these in-form frontmen would likely come into the side and have an immediate impact.
Still, with Mayoral being five years the Dutchman's senior and set to cost potentially over £20m more than him – with a fee of £39m suggested – a move for the "insane" Ajax man, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, just makes more sense.
The argument for the 5 foot 11 forward is further strengthened when comparing the pair's underlying numbers, as despite still being quite impressive, Mayoral's numbers pale in comparison in most relevant statistics.
For example, in his 15 matches, Brobbey has scored eight non-penalty goals and provided four assists from a non-penalty expected goals and assists figure of 13.5. In contrast, Getafe's talisman has played 19 games and scored eight non-penalty goals while providing just one assist from a non-penalty expected goals and assists figure of 6.7.
So, while the numbers might suggest that the Spaniard is a better finisher, they also heavily indicate that his current hot streak is unsustainable, something borne out in his season-by-season goal tally – having only once previously reached double figures for league goals in his senior career.
Stats per 90
Brobbey
Mayoral
Matches Played
15
19
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.99
0.40
Goals
0.58
0.71
Non-Penalty Goals
0.58
0.47
Progressive Passes
1.09
2.78
Progressive Carries
2.34
1.30
Shots on Target
1.61
1.01
Passing Accuracy
77.7%
74.8%
Shot-Creating Actions
3.95
2.20
Goal-Creating Actions
0.51
0.36
Successful Take-Ons
1.09
0.83
Aerial Duels Won
2.77
2.43
All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Domestic Season
Other areas in which the Amsterdam-born "goal machine", as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, outshines his competition include progressive carries, shots on target, aerial duels, shot and goal-creating actions, and he is a more accomplished dribbler as well.
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Ultimately, with the Gunners said to be slightly hamstrung by FFP concerns, it would have made sense to target Brobbey over Mayoral even if he was ever so slightly less talented than the Spaniard, so the fact that he appears to be a more well-rounded and impressive forward on top of costing potentially £20m or so less makes this deal a no-brainer.
It looks as though chairman Andrew Cavenagh was fully invested in hiring Danny Rohl as Rangers’ next manager when everyone thought Kevin Muscat would take charge at Ibrox.
Rangers make Rohl their new manager
Things have moved quickly over the past 24 hours or so, with Muscat’s talks with the Gers falling through when it looked as though he was the front-runner to come in as Russell Martin’s successor at Ibrox.
Rohl has been confirmed as Rangers’ next boss instead, with the German most recently in charge at Sheffield Wednesday, and once enjoying a coaching spell at Bayern Munich, working under legendary boss Hansi Flick.
The 36-year-old has constantly been mentioned as one of the favourites to take charge of the Gers, alongside Muscat and Steven Gerrard, with the latter another who decided not to take the job and enjoy a second stint at Ibrox.
After a dire start to the Scottish Premiership season, Rangers fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that Rohl is the right choice, and it looks as though he may have been the leading option for the Scottish giants all along, following a fresh claim.
Cavenagh held secret talks with Rohl during Muscat saga
According to reports, Cavenagh held talks with Rohl last week about becoming Rangers’ next manager, amid constant claims suggesting Muscat would be the man to come in. They did then back away from the discussions when the Australian became the leading target again, prior to his move collapsing.
Only time will tell whether the former Wednesday boss is the right choice for the Gers, but there is plenty to like about him from the off, as he likely prepares to take charge of his first game away to Brann in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
At just 36 years of age, he represents a young and long-term option for Rangers, rather than going with the safer bet of an older manager who knows about getting teams out of trouble rather than adopting an attractive playing style.
As mentioned, Rohl excelled at Wednesday, coming in when the Owls looked destined for relegation from the Championship in October 2023, only to turn their fortunes around and finish the 2023/24 campaign in 20th place.
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Interestingly, it does look as though Muscat’s arrival at Rangers was never as concrete as reported by some, hence Cavenagh’s talks with Rohl last week, and hopefully, the German ends up being an inspired choice who gradually brings the glory days back to Ibrox as the months and years pass.
When Daniel Farke walked into Leeds United, they had just been relegated from the Premier League to the Championship, so it was natural that they lost a number of big names. A few players were snapped up by sides who remained in the top-flight, with Tyler Adams joining Bournemouth and Luis Sinisterra following him to the south coast on an initial loan that has just been made permanent. Jack Harrison may also end up signing for Everton long-term at the end of the campaign if a release clause is activated.
Everton's loan forward Jack Harrison.
Elsewhere, Robin Koch left to join Frankfurt (and has agreed pre-contract terms ahead of the end of his Leeds deal), while there were loans for Max Wober (Borussia Monchengladbach), Marc Roca (Real Betis) Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin) and Rasmus Kristensen (Roma).
Leeds are fighting for an immediate return to the Premier League and are just a point shy of the automatic places right now after a six-game winning streak (albeit having played a game more than Southampton), but there's still a prospect of them losing one of their top talents this summer.
Ex Summerville team-mate hints at exit
In a recent Instagram post, Crysencio Summerville celebrated Leeds' 3-0 win over Rotherham at the weekend, sharing a photo of he and his team-mates celebrating one of his two second-half goals.
Underneath the post, Feyenoord right-back Lutsharel Geertruida commented "yes, leaving very quickly in the summer!", and this could be significant because of the pair's prior relationship. They were team-mates for the Netherlands' Under-21 side during qualification for last year's European Championships as well as playing together at Feyenoord's academy.
Summerville is too good for the Championship
As you can see in the table below, Summerville has by far the strongest case to be named the best player at Leeds this season. He leads the way for goals scored, overall goal involvements, chance creation and accurate crosses, terrorising Championship defences in a number of different ways.
Minutes played
2,249
6th
Goals
14
1st
Assists
7
2nd
Goal involvements
21
1st
Chances created per game
3
1st
Accurate crosses per game
1.7
1st
Dribbles per game
2.4
2nd
Where could he go if he does leave? Well, it's previously emerged that title-chasers Liverpool are showing an interest, while Champions League contenders Aston Villa regard him as a "long-term target" and Europa League outfit Brighton are keen too.
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All of those clubs, especially Liverpool, could carry a real allure for Summerville regardless of whether Leeds are promoted, but it still seems like they need to go up to have any chance of keeping him. The 22-year-old has shown this season that he's quite frankly too good for the Championship, and he surely won't fancy spending another year playing second-tier football when he has the opportunity to launch his career elsewhere.
Summerville remains under contract until the summer of 2026, and Leeds may push for an extension to try and ward off his circling suitors.
Michael Beale hasn't quite been able to stamp his authority on Sunderland just yet, the ex-Rangers manager picking up just one win from his opening three games in charge of the Black Cats.
It's not as if the second-tier side have been humiliated in any match under their divisive new manager however, Beale only coming up short with one defeat so far from his opening trio of Championship contests.
He could well tinker with the lineup for Sunderland's lunchtime game on New Year's Day against Ryan Lowe's Preston North End in a bid to find the golden starting eleven that clicks everything into place, a team worthy of competing for promotion and going the distance instead of narrowly missing out on the playoffs.
Here's the Sunderland predicted XI for their showdown with the Lilywhites, with three potential changes from the 1-1 draw with Rotherham United last game present…
1 GK – Anthony Patterson
Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.
Anthony Patterson will continue being Beale's first-choice goalkeeper, the Sunderland shot-stopper making three saves last game – as per Sofascore – to ensure the Black Cats came away from Rotherham with at least a point.
2 RB – Jenson Seelt
Playing in an unorthodox right-back position last match, Jenson Seelt still put in a competent display against the Millers.
Seelt's composure on the ball stood out in the game under the New York Stadium floodlights, misplacing just three of his 41 passes before being hauled off by Beale in the second half.
Timothee Pembele will give Seelt competition now however, the former Paris St.Germain defender fit enough for a cameo off the bench in place of Seelt against Rotherham.
Still, Beale should keep faith in his young Dutch defender who has barely put a foot wrong playing as a stand-in full-back to date.
3 CB – Daniel Ballard
Dom Ballard
Daniel Ballard makes up the next part of an unchanged back four, the ex-Arsenal centre-back resolute versus the Millers with 12 aerial duels won in total over the course of the 90 minutes.
Clearing the ball away seven times too, Ballard will hope his efforts against Preston are rewarded with a clean sheet.
4 CB – Luke O'Nien
Sunderland's captain was the standout performer from a resilient defence against Leam Richardson's hosts last game, winning an astounding 16 duels in total.
Luke O'Nien was also measured on the ball playing out from the back, misplacing just six passes as a calm but authoritative presence in the 1-1 draw.
5 LB – Trai Hume
Trai Hume
Trai Hume will also be retained at left-back for the test of the Lilywhites on Monday – switching over to the left-hand side to make up for Niall Huggins being sidelined – with the Northern Ireland international constantly involved in passages of play at the New York Stadium.
Hume would accumulate a staggering 120 touches in the draw, showing off his dominance in the air with four out of five aerial duels won.
6 CM – Pierre Ekwah
Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah.
Pierre Ekwah will also start against Lowe's Lilywhites, the central midfielder focusing on his football still despite interest from Premier League suitors which is predicted to heat up this January.
Ekwah wasn't at his best in South Yorkshire last match however, only winning a solitary duel in the competitive clash.
7 CM – Dan Neil
Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil.
Dan Neil and Ekwah have formed a formidable partnership in recent weeks from holding midfield, with Neil the more creative and forward-thinking of the fixed duo.
That was apparent in the Rotherham game, with Neil attempting to test Victor Johanssen in the opposing goal with one off-target effort whilst notching up five accurate long balls in the clash to push his timid team further up the pitch.
8 RM – Abdoullah Ba
The first change Beale could make to his starting eleven would be dropping Patrick Roberts for Abdoullah Ba, gifting the 20-year-old a rare start owing to Roberts hobbling off the pitch last game.
Roberts came off with a suspected muscle issue, but Ba deserves to start regardless of the ex-Celtic man's ailment potentially ruling him out.
Ba impressed throughout the 75 minutes he was on the field versus Rotherham when replacing Roberts, 100% successful with all of his dribble attempts in the contest with the French winger regularly twisting and turning Millers defenders for fun.
The young French attacker will see this as the perfect opportunity to kickstart his faltering campaign again, proving to his manager that he's a useful weapon within the Black Cats ranks to rely upon.
9 CAM – Alex Pritchard
Alex Pritchard
The second change could well see Jobe Bellingham drop out of the starting lineup for the more experienced Alex Pritchard, Bellingham nowhere near his electric best against Rotherham.
Bellingham could well be experiencing lethargy, the teenager rarely given a breather this campaign in an unforgiving league – the 18-year-old midfielder failing to register a single shot on the Rotherham goal, whilst successfully completing just two of his six dribbles on the night.
Pritchard deserves another run-out in Bellingham's place, the former Huddersfield Town man still able to conjure up moments of magic for the Tyne and Wear side despite reaching the twilight of his career now at 30 years of age.
The ex-Terriers man has received glowing praise throughout his Black Cats career for his obvious pedigree and ability on the ball, described in the past as having "incredible technique" by Not the Top 20 Podcast host Ali Maxwell in set-piece situations.
10 LM – Jack Clarke
Jack Clarke
Jack Clarke also possesses dazzling ability at this moment in time for Sunderland, showcased throughout this second-tier season to date.
Clarke's equalising goal against Rotherham was his 12th strike of the season already, the Tyne and Wear outfit heavily reliant on the former Leeds United man to lead from the front and secure results off his own back.
Not fazed by this pressure on his shoulders whatsoever, Clarke will no doubt want to be the hero again versus Preston tomorrow lunchtime.
Chelsea have claimed back-to-back Premier League wins over Luton Town and Crystal Palace recently, and it looks as though their campaign is finally on the up after a mixed start to the 2023/24 season.
Mauricio Pochettino was expected to return the club to the top four following his arrival in the summer and while that may be out of their reach, a solid second half of the campaign could give them a solid base to work with ahead of 2024/25.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Although the Blues have spent more than £1b since Todd Boehly took over the club in 2022, this lavish spending doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon, especially with the January transfer window in full swing.
While the spending this month likely wont reach the levels of January 2023, it is clear that Pochettino is looking to add a player or two, especially to his attacking department.
With Nicolas Jackson currently on Africa Cup of Nations duty for his country, a striker will be an urgent requirement for the Stamford Bridge side, and they have identified a target from La Liga…
Chelsea transfer news – Artem Dovbyk
According to a report from The Sun late last month, the Blues have shown interest in Girona striker Artem Dovbyk, and they could pounce in the next few weeks.
Chelsea could sign their next Morata in "lovely" £39m sensation
Mauricio Pochettino wants to add a true finisher to his side this January.
ByTom Lever Dec 31, 2023
The report states that the former Paris Saint-Germain manager has sent scouts to watch his performances for the Spanish side – who are taking La Liga by storm this season – and it looks as though he is clearly impressed with what has been relayed back to him.
Girona currently values the attacker at £39m and while this is a lavish fee, it isn’t as high as what Pochettino could spend.
Claudio Echeverri
19th December
Santiago Gimenez
18th December
Dusan Vlahovic
15th December
Victor Osimhen
15th December
Viktor Gyokeres
12th December
The former Paris Saint-Germain coach wants to add a more physical centre-forward to his side and, standing at 6 foot 2, Dovbyk certainly fits this profile.
Chelsea has had plenty of success in recruiting players from the Spanish top flight in the past, with the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Pedro and Cesc Fàbregas all thriving at Stamford Bridge in one way or another.
One of their best signings in recent years, especially with regard to the centre-forward position, was that of Diego Costa during the summer of 2014 as he arrived from Atlético Madrid.
The hulking striker enjoyed plenty of success in Spain and Chelsea could sign Costa 2.0 if they manage to secure the signature of Dovbyk this month.
Diego Costa’s Chelsea statistics
The burly Brazilian-born frontman took a while to hit his stride in Europe, and it wasn’t until he joined Atlético Madrid in 2010 that his talent began to shine through.
He did score eight times during his maiden season at the club, but spent the following campaign on loan at Rayo Vallecano, albeit with this giving him a wonderful platform to showcase his skills without the pressure of performing for Atlético on a weekly basis.
216
83
120
59
36
9
36
9
30
6
25
1
19
5
16
10
15
3
13
5
9
1
Ten goals and four assists in just 16 La Liga matches was enough to convince Diego Simeone of his abilities and, over the next two seasons, Costa found the back of the net on 56 occasions as he led the club to Copa del Rey and La Liga glory along with a showdown against Real Madrid in the 2014 Champions League final.
José Mourinho was impressed and brought the striker to Chelsea that summer, and it proved to be a stroke of genius, with Costa spearheading their charge to a first league crown since 2010 under the enigmatic Portuguese coach.
A further 38 goals were scored in the next two seasons, but by the start of the 2017/18 campaign, he had rejoined Atlético and his Chelsea love affair was over.
Diego Costa
Dovbyk has also taken the long road to achieving success in a major European league and his form this season for Girona could lead him to becoming another Costa for Chelsea should he move to England this month.
Artem Dovbyk’s season in numbers
The Ukrainian striker finally began delivering on his vast promise during a spell at SK Dnipro-1 in his homeland, scoring 54 goals in just 86 appearances and this convinced Girona to lure him to Spain ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
It has since proven to be a masterstroke, with the 26-year-old already netting 11 goals and registering six assists in just 18 league matches as the club currently occupy the heady heights of second in the table, level on points with Real Madrid.
Michel, the Girona manager, had plenty of praise for his centre-forward following a game against Barcelona, saying:
Artem Dovbyk
“I haven’t seen the statistics, but I saw a dominant Barca, and they had many shots on goal, but Girona was as always, and I like it. Last year we had no chance of winning and lost 0:1. On a tactical level, Xavi wanted to press us, but we managed to overcome the high press. We used the space, Dovbyk and Tsygankov played a sensational game in the first half."
Dovbyk is not just starring for his club, but also impressing across the continent. Indeed, when compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, the Ukrainian is currently ranked in the top 1% for assists per 90 (0.41), the top 10% for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.65) and the top 4% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (7.41) and these statistics clearly demonstrate he would be an ideal signing for Pochettino.
With Jackson unavailable for potentially the next four weeks and Armando Broja looking like he will depart the club, the manager is desperate to recruit another forward in the next week or so.
In Dovbyk, the Blues could sign a player who is ready for the Premier League, especially considering his performances in the Spanish top flight of late.
The move is a no-brainer for Pochettino and, at a fee of £39m, he isn’t going to find someone who can find the back of the net on a more regular basis for cheaper.
The next seven days could be crucial for the club as they seek reinforcements, but if the Girona striker makes his way to London, the Blues will be significantly boosted ahead of the second half of the season.
West Brom are reportedly showing an interest in signing an exciting talent who has "got everything", with Newcastle United and Brighton also in the mix to snap him up.
West Brom transfer news
The Baggies are unlikely to be busy in the January transfer window, but at the same time, it would be a surprise if no new faces arrived to strengthen their Championship promotion hopes. One player who has emerged as a strong transfer target is Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt, with the Hawthorns seen as a good destination for the young Englishman. He is struggling for minutes under Daniel Farke this season, although it remains to be seen if the Whites would want to send him to a direct rival.
Hertha Berlin's Derry Scherhant is another option for West Brom, with the 21-year-old primarily playing in the 2.Bundesliga this season, and Bournemouth and Wales striker Kieffer Moore could also be brought in, giving him a chance to enjoy more regular minutes than he is getting at the Vitality Stadium.
While the Baggies need to be looking at players who can make an impact from the off, planning for the future is also hugely important, and it looks as though they are eyeing the signing of someone with a massive ceiling.
West Brom want Jordan James
According to Corriere Della Sera [via Sport Witness], West Brom are interested in signing Birmingham City youngster Jordan James, with the 19-year-old a highly-rated prospect.
Wales international Jordan James.
The midfielder is wanted by a host of top clubs, however, with Premier League sides Newcastle, Brighton and Brentford all mentioned as potential suitors, as well as Serie A team Fiorentina. The list of clubs keen on acquiring his signature is thought to be getting "longer by the hour", with Birmingham demanding a €10m (£8.5m) fee.
Admittedly, it does look as though West Brom are the outsiders to get their man, but it is encouraging to see them showing such ambition in targeting a player of enormous long-term potential. Wales manager Rob Page has heaped praise on James, saying:
"He reads the game well, he’s athletic, he likes a tackle, he can pass the ball, he can head it. He ticks a lot of boxes; he has got everything. He is a great lad and he wants to work hard. He has got potential and we’re going to help him achieve that."
At 19, James already has 79 appearances to his name in the Championship, showing that is more than capable of being a reliable squad immediately for West Brom, while eight caps for Wales while still in his teens is arguably even more impressive.
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It feels more likely that the teenage midfielder will head to the Premier League if Birmingham sanction his exit, but if he sees the Baggies as a team that could go up this season, as well as give him regular playing time, there is still a chance that they could sign him.
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
Leny Yoro for Man Utd.
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.
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
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.
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.
Geovany Quenda for Sporting vs Manchester City.
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.
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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.
Ruben Amorim will be travelling to Suffolk for his first taste of Premier League action confident that he can pick up a debut win as new Manchester United boss, with Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town his first opponent.
However, there will also be a lingering anxiety deep within the Portuguese manager that his first game in charge could also end in an unexpected defeat, considering the Tractor Boys are just fresh off a surprise away victory at Tottenham Hotspur.
McKenna will also want to get one over on his former employers, with the Northern Irishman hopeful that his top performers in North London can turn on the style again back at Portman Road.
Key players for Ipswich vs Man United
Liam Delap will be raring to go this weekend when the Red Devils come to town, with the striker’s previous Manchester City connections perhaps working in his favour in wanting to rain on the Amorim parade.
He is also Ipswich’s most potent attacker by some distance, with six strikes registered from 11 league games, which included a tap-in finish versus Ange Postecoglou’s shellshocked hosts to make it 2-0.
Moreover, the likes of Sammie Szmodics and Leif Davis will want to terrorise Man United from minute one of the contest tomorrow, with Szmodics scoring an acrobatic bicycle kick last match, on top of providing his team with some much-needed energy down the left flank.
Likewise, Davis could be key in trying to unlock Amorim’s new side on Sunday, with the attack-oriented full-back averaging an impressive 2.5 key passes per league game this season as an option that is more than comfortable playing out from defence.
He’s also more than adept at firing home first-time strikes, with the former Leeds United product hopeful that his team can pick up their first home win of the season versus Man United, despite being underdogs.
McKenna also potentially has his very own Bruno Fernandes that he could rely on versus the Red Devils to try and cause an upset, with this attacking midfielder in question at the very top of his game versus Spurs.
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Ipswich's very own Bruno Fernandes
Whilst McKenna attempts to field all of the attacking players he knows could cause the away side’s defence trouble, he will also need to ensure his defenders are ready for the task of keeping Fernandes at bay.
bruno-fernandes-man-united
Under Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim reign, the experienced United head sparked back into life after struggling under Erik ten Hag this season, with two goals and one assist registered in his last two Premier League outings.
Still, the Ipswich boss won’t want his side to be overwhelmed by the quality of their opponents and simply just give in, with Omari Hutchinson acting as the Tractor Boys’ very own Fernandes in their bid to pull off an unexpected win.
Much like Fernandes, Hutchinson has also been a goal and assist machine for his side in recent times, having helped himself to 11 strikes and six assists just last season as automatic promotion was clinched.
Minutes played
90
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
Touches
56
Accurate passes
23/26 (88%)
Key passes
1
Successful dribbles
5/8
Total duels won
12/23
Whilst the Jamaica international didn’t quite offer the same polished performance that Fernandes managed against Leicester – with a goal tallied up versus the Foxes – the Ipswich number 20 was still lively in the attacking midfield spot for his side versus Spurs, with a stunning five successful dribbles registered across the span of the 2-1 win.
Having played all of last season down the flanks, he has been pushed into the number ten spot that Fernandes stars in after promotion, and McKenna’s experiment with the 21-year-old looked to have finally worked in North London.
The Ipswich boss will just hope this wasn’t a one-off positive display, however, with Hutchinson perhaps acting as a crucial player – like Delap and Szmodics – in the Suffolk side collecting another Premier League scalp this weekend.
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