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Brendan Rodgers is now in his second stint in charge of Celtic after the club confirmed his arrival on a three-year deal to replace Ange Postecoglou this week.

The Northern Irishman won seven trophies in less than three years, between 2016 and 2019, during his first spell in Glasgow and will now be hoping to replicate that success this time around.

He will be able to use the current summer transfer window to bolster his squad and ensure that the team is capable of playing in his 4-2-3-1 system but the experienced coach will also be able to enjoy some of the extremely talented players who are already at his disposal.

Could Jota thrive under Brendan Rodgers?

Rodgers has a player at Celtic who could be his next James Maddison in the form of Jota, whose quality was described as "scary" by former Hibernian forward Tam McManus, with the Portuguese talent potentially set to thrive next term.

The Hoops boss worked with the England international during his time at Leicester City and enjoyed great success in deploying the ex-Norwich ace as an attacking midfielder or out wide on the left.

Maddison racked up 49 goals and 33 assists in 166 matches for the 50-year-old gaffer. He also averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.32 across 35 Premier League outings in 21/22, which was their last full season together, and contributed with 12 goals and 11 'big chances' created.

Jota primarily plays off the left flank and is able to cut inside onto his favoured right foot, in the same way that Maddison did when he was asked to play there by Rodgers.

The £17k-per-week hotshot, who pundit Alex McLeish once dubbed a "revelation", could be the figurehead of the Celtic manager's attack, akin to how the English maestro was for him at the King Power, based on his form for Postecoglou in 22/23.

Scottish Premiership defenders should be scared of the 24-year-old dynamo after his incredible performances in the season just gone as the number 17 produced 11 goals and 11 assists from 13 'big chances created' across 33 league outings.

The exciting ace, who averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.45, also caught the eye during the 21/22 Premiership campaign as the forward scored ten and assisted ten in 25 starts, proving that his 22/23 contributions were not a flash in the pan.

These statistics show that the ex-Benfica prodigy has the quality required to carry the attacking load in terms of both goalscoring and creating in the final third, which is exactly what Maddison did – as shown by his form under Rodgers at Leicester.

Indeed, it is clear that the 50-year-old head coach may already possess his next version of the mercurial Foxes star.

Chelsea could be plotting a sensational summer transfer swoop for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.

What’s the latest on Dusan Vlahvoic to Chelsea?

According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, the Blues are long-term admirers of the 23-year-old star and a move to Stamford Bridge is definitely possible.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said:

“I think Chelsea want a traditional number nine and they urgently need goals. Dusan Vlahovic is one player they've tracked for quite some time.

"The possibility that Vlahovic will leave Juventus hasn't become apparent after the points deduction. It's really been the case for all of 2023, and many suitors feel that there is a real possibility to get Vlahovic at value because he's just not as happy as he was at Fiorentina playing under Max Allegri. Vlahovic could definitely move somewhere this summer."

As per ESPN, the 2021 Champions League winners have already offered €80m (£70m) for the Serbian, who is also attracting attention from Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.

Who can Dusan Vlahovic emulate at Chelsea?

The ‘striker curse’ has engulfed many Chelsea players over recent years. Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain, Romelu Lukaku, and Timo Werner have all failed to excel in a blue shirt.

Truthfully, the club hasn’t replaced the loveable yet erratic, and potent physical presence of Diego Costa, who departed the capital back in 2017.

Across three seasons with the west London outfit, the Spaniard netted 59 goals in 120 appearances in all competitions, winning two Premier League titles.

His goals and tenacity endeared to the Stamford Bridge faithful and Vlahovic’s profile as a dominant focal point could be a repeat of Costa.

In what has been his least productive season since 2020, the £215k-per-week man has still netted 14 times in 42 outings, which is still more than Chelsea’s highest scorers as Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz share nine goals each.

A lack of a number nine has killed the Blues this year, none of the current crop of attackers are a striker that can hold up play or have a killer goal-scoring instinct.

However, Vlahovic is notoriously prolific, having scored 61 goals in 140 Serie A appearances – a commendable record for a player still yet to reach his prime.

The forward stands at 6 foot 3 and is unquestionably a traditional frontman, who would seamlessly fill a humongous gap in the squad.

The former Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi once described the 21-cap international as “extraordinary” and it is impossible for Chelsea fans not to be intrigued by this possibility.

If new manager Mauricio Pocehttino can secure the signing of the Serbian machine, then it would be an incredible first step to revamping and improving a hideously disjointed frontline that is desperately craving a consistent goalscorer.

To replicate Costa’s status as a blue-blooded god would be a monumental challenge, but Vlahovic surely has the chance to become a Chelsea legend.

AB de Villiers is clinging on to a slim hope of making a comeback from an elbow injury sooner than expected, in South Africa’s first day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide

Firdose Moonda07-Oct-2016

AB de Villiers is clinging on to a slim hope of making a comeback sooner than expected, in South Africa’s first day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide. Even though de Villiers has been ruled out for the entire tour with an elbow injury, the man himself believes he could still be part of the series, albeit only for that final Test.”I am holding on to that. According to the surgeons and the doctors, there’s no chance. They gave me six weeks before rehab starts but I always feel the rehab phase can be sped up a bit,” de Villiers told Five AA radio in Adelaide. “Maybe after the six weeks if I do fly over straight away, I will be there for the second Test match, have the opportunity to prepare during that game, not play in it and then be ready for the Adelaide Test which would be a dream come to true to play in a day-night Test match against Australia at the Adelaide Oval.”When de Villiers was initially sidelined on September 27, South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee said he would require eight to ten weeks of recovery, which would make him available between November 22 and December 6. As a result, Moosajee said, de Villiers would target the home series against Sri Lanka, that begins with a Boxing Day Test, to make a comeback. De Villiers had surgery on his elbow on October 3. The Adelaide Test starts on November 24, which would put de Villiers’ recovery time at just over seven weeks.The injury, which causes pain to de Villiers when he plays certain shots, was sustained earlier this year and was being treated conservatively with physiotherapy and cortisone. Because de Villiers continued to experience discomfort when batting, he had to undergo surgery, even though the timing was not ideal. “I’ve had to sort this out,” de Villiers explained. “It came at a really bad time. There’s one Test series you don’t want to miss out on and that’s playing Australia in Australia so I am really sad about it, but I had to get it sorted out.”The exact cause of the injury is not isolated but rather due to general overuse and overload that comes with the packed cricketing calendar. De Villiers had played without a break since last October, when South Africa toured India. That was followed by a home series against England, the World T20 in India, the IPL and the CPL. De Villiers admitted that was too much while carrying various niggles.”In the last couple of seasons I did push it too much. I was driven to go and win the 2015 World Cup, so an injury was never going to keep me off the park. I was always going to just work through it,” he said. “After the 2015 World Cup, there was a big dip in my fitness, both physically and mentally. I was a little bit drained. I only realised after the World Cup, I had been pushing it a bit hard. For the last two seasons, playing all three formats with the hectic schedule from the ICC, I didn’t manage it as well as I could have and I am paying the price now.”The price began when de Villiers was ruled out of the home Tests against New Zealand in August, which would have been his first in charge since he was appointed permanent Test captain in February. He has also sat out the ODIs against Australia but his absence has not affected South Africa’s performances. Under Faf du Plessis, they have won both series and no one is happier than de Villiers.”They are doing well without me, It’s great to see that without guys like myself, Hashim, Morne Morkel, the depth is still there and the talent is coming through nicely,” he said. “We are a very inexperienced team, playing the No. 1 team in the world. Yes, Australia are also lacking in the bowling department a little with a few injuries but still to beat the No. 1 team in the world, a few games in a row, speaks volumes of our depth and is great for the country’s cricket.”With a smooth transition to another leader and de Villiers’ recent history of hinting that he will need to address workload issues, the topic of an early international retirement is likely to come up again. But de Villiers continues to insist that is not on his mind, at least for the next three years while he targets the only unticked box on his cricketing CV. “The biggest dream for me is 2019 World Cup but I will have to manage myself to get there,” he said. “I am still in good shape, I am a fit guy and I am not too heavy on my feet, so I can definitely move around maybe even further than 2019, but to me the World Cup dream is the main one. I would love to be around for that 2019 World Cup.”

When Glasgow Rangers signed defender Connor Goldson back in 2018 during the embryonic stages of Steven Gerrard’s tenure, it was looked upon as a solid signing and one that could significantly improve their defence ahead of a Premiership title tilt.

Fast-forward five years later and Goldson has become a mainstay at the heart of the Ibrox defence, making 261 appearances for the Light Blues, missing only 14 games during that time through injury, proving just how reliable he has been for the club.

The Englishman played a major role in the Rangers side that secured league title number 55 during the 2020/21 campaign, being part of a defence which conceded just 13 goals across 38 matches – and his importance to the side hasn't waned.

Michael Beale will be hoping to secure another defender from England who could potentially have a similar impact that Goldson has had and with the Gers linked with Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo ahead of the summer transfer window, he could perhaps be that player.

Could Rangers sign Jonathan Panzo this summer?

Having joined Forest for £1.5m in 2022 from French side Dijon, it remains to be seen just how much he could cost the Gers, but if he is available for around a similar sort of fee, it could be a solid investment from Beale.

The 42-year-old could certainly repeat Rangers’ Goldson masterclass by making a move for the young defender, especially following his impressive performances for Coventry City this term during his loan spell.

Being able to play as a centre-back or at left-back is an added bonus for the Light Blues, and Panzo has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.99/10 across 29 league appearances while making 1.7 interceptions and 1.6 tackles per game along with winning 58% of his total duels, indicating that he is strong in the tackle and these stats are fairly similar to Goldson’s, with the Rangers' defender winning 67% of his total duels while making 1.5 tackles per game, although he has made only 0.8 interceptions in the Premiership.

The 6 foot 2 Panzo was praised by Dave Rogers, his former U21 coach at Forest, who said: "He is a great professional. He's enthusiastic and has got good experience and energy too. He brings a great vibe to the dressing room too.

"It's great to see Panzo getting more game time because he seems to be getting better and better each time he plays. It's been fantastic to have him with us and the boys have really enjoyed having him around. He's been great to coach."

Nearly five years on from signing an English defender who has gone on to become a reliable performer in the first team, could Beale repeat that masterclass this summer? Only time will tell.

Arsenal are hoping to announce Bukayo Saka's new contract before the end of this Premier League season with an agreement "all-but" reached.

What's the latest Arsenal contract news?

The north Londoners could be set for a serious summer of change beyond this campaign as a number of squad members approach the final seasons of their respective deals.

Youngster Reiss Nelson looks set to leave the Emirates Stadium as a free agent this summer, with more players out of contract next year.

Indeed, Saka, William Saliba, Jorginho, Granit Xhaka, Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny could all depart Mikel Arteta's side on Bosmans in 2024 as things stand, though Arsenal have been making concerted efforts to tie down their key men.

Saliba, much like Saka, has been at the centre of prospective new contract talks – but the negotiations surrounding the latter player have been ongoing for quite some time.

Discussions over an extension for Saka have stretched as far back as last summer with the winger saying he held confidence over an agreement last August.

Luckily for supporters, it appears their prized asset is set to pen fresh terms, with The Independent and PA News Agency sharing an update on the 21-year-old's future.

It is believed an "agreement has all-but been reached" over a new deal for Saka with promotional footage and an announcement video already done behind-the-scenes.

The finer details are still to be sorted, but Arsenal are hoping to officially announce his new contract before the end of the campaign.

The importance of Saka for Arsenal

The Three Lions star has missed just one hour of league football this season, hitting 13 goals and 11 assists in the process to keep Arsenal well in contention for their first title in nearly 20 years.

Saka has quite simply dazzled under Arteta – standing out as the only top flight player to hit double figures for both goals and assists this season.

He also played a pivotal role for England in Qatar, scoring three World Cup goals on their run to the Quarter-Final stage.

Arteta has also praised Saka for his consistency, claiming it is "rare" for a player to perform at such a high level so regularly, explaining to the press:

"First of all, I think you have to recognise what he's been doing. The consistency he's shown at his age and at this level is something rare to see. He's taken it with normality."

Mention Robin van Persie's name around the Emirates Stadium and you're likely to be greeted with several insults from Arsenal fans.

The flying Dutchman was an imperious figure for the Gunners down the years, notably scoring 132 times for the Londoners, 37 of which came in one scintillating season.

Unfortunately, trophies were few and far between for the striker who was eventually signed by Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United where typically, he won the Premier League in his debut campaign.

Why did Van Persie leave Arsenal?

The now-retired attacker was loved by Arsenal fans but found his reputation and legacy in tatters after joining Ferguson at Old Trafford.

Indeed, Van Persie is now deeply hated by those at the Emirates and when you consider the manner in which he left, you can hardly blame them.

Strangely, the former Netherlands international issued the club with several demands in order to keep him in north London. Ultimately, they weren't met as the 39-year-old continues to blame the Gunners for his departure several years on.

Speaking of disagreements with then-CEO Ivan Gazidis, the striker once said: "After many conversations, it became clear that we had different ideas about the club.

"I had seven points where I thought Arsenal could improve and, in my opinion, those seven points, they should start dealing with those straightaway to compete with the best teams."

You could argue that Van Persie had a point. At that period in Arsenal's history, their ambition was being questioned and rightly so considering a nine-year trophy drought.

However, that probably wasn't the best way of going about negotiating a contract renewal.

Either way, Arsenal have now moved on. There is a renewed vibrancy about the north Londoners whose culture shift in the last 18 months or so has been stark.

Very few can question their ambition now, not even Van Persie. In fact, every member of this squad are now likely to leave with a greater legacy than the Dutchman, even including those who often sit on the sidelines.

Who has a better Arsenal legacy than Van Persie?

The fact of the matter is that several Arsenal players do. Yet, if we're looking for those in a similar position, it's safe to say the hard-working Eddie Nketiah could depart the club with a better status than Van Persie will ever have back at N5.

That will, of course, depend on the outcome of this season, but if the forward helps fire Mikel Arteta's men to a first Premier League title since the Invincibles, he will be celebrated as a hero.

The England U21 international has had to play second fiddle for much of the campaign, despite being handed the number 14 shirt and rewarded with a bumper £100k-per-week contract.

Gabriel Jesus was signed and as such, the Brazilian was ahead of Nketiah in the pecking order. Rightly so too, with the former Manchester City star scoring five times and registering six assists prior to the World Cup.

Unfortunately, the 5 foot 9 hotshot picked up an injury during that tournament in Qatar, meaning that Nketiah was the man of the moment in the new year.

There was notable concern that thhe Hale End graduate would not be able to fill the boots of Jesus but he was superb in the opening few months of the year, notably scoring twice, including the late winner, in the 3-2 triumph over Manchester United.

That moment could still prove decisive in the title race with his four Premier League goals this term pivotal while his Brazilian colleague was on the sidelines.

His numbers aren't extraordinary this season but at a crucial moment in the campaign, Nketiah came up trumps and could prove to be a key reason behind Arsenal's title success, should they go on to be crowned champions.

Since that win over United, a lack of form and injury has dampened the attacker's campaign. Following on from that January win over United, the 23-year-old has even been dubbed "terrible" by writer Kyle Bonn due to his finishing.

In truth, the young striker still lacks that real cutting edge to take him to the next level. The mere presence of Jesus has clearly already made Arsenal a better team but few should forget just how big an asset Arsenal's number 14 was at the beginning of the year.

Once all is said and done, he will likely leave London behind with a bigger legacy than some of the superstars before him. After all, he may well have a Premier League winner's medal to boast about.

Newcastle United’s winless run continued on Saturday as Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Eddie Howe’s side made it five matches without a win for the Magpies.

A number of issues have been a factor in their poor run of form but left-back Dan Burn’s disappointing performances have undoubtedly been one of the biggest reasons.

The former Brighton defender has recorded a Sofascore rating of 7.0 or higher in one of his last eight appearances in all competitions, including a woeful score of 5.7 in the EFL Cup final.

He was subbed off for now-fit left-back Matt Targett late on in the match at the weekend and Howe now has a big decision to make on who to go with in that position moving forward.

One player who does not appear in contention to fill that spot, though, is ex-Norwich full-back Jamal Lewis as the Northern Ireland international has not even made the bench since the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in February.

How has Jamal Lewis performed at Newcastle?

The 25-year-old has featured once in 2023 and played 11 minutes of Premier League football so far this season, which suggests that the left-back is not in Howe’s plans as a frontline option.

Newcastle signed Lewis for an initial fee of £15m from Norwich in the summer of 2020 and he has only played 35 matches in all competitions in almost three years at the club.

The defender, who journalist Craig Hope described as “rusty” earlier this year, endured a difficult debut campaign with Steve Bruce at the helm with the 5 foot 10 flop averaging a dismal Sofascore rating of 6.48 across 24 appearances – ranking him 26th (bottom) in the squad that season.

He then averaged a score of 6.46 in five Premier League matches, losing 80% of his aerial duels, in the 2021/22 campaign before his struggles in the current term.

How much is Jamal Lewis worth now?

His lacklustre performances on the pitch have been reflected in his market value during his time at the club. Shortly after signing from Norwich in January 2021, Lewis’ expected transfer value (xTV) was £19.6m (€22.2m) via Football Transfers but that has now plummeted to just £3.2m (€3.6m) at the time of writing.

This means that his xTV has dropped by a staggering 84% in less than three full seasons at St. James’ Park and as such, Howe must finally ditch the defender this summer, despite his contract expiring in 2025.

Lewis is behind Burn and Targett in the pecking order and his dismal performances in the top-flight for the club in recent seasons do not suggest that he has the quality to work his way back into the starting XI, meaning his time should be up on Tyneside.

Therefore, Howe and Dan Ashworth must finally cash in on the ex-Canary and recoup as much of the £15m the club paid for him before his value drops further.

Ahead of the January transfer window, it was reported that the Magpies received enquiries about the defender’s availability with that indicating there could be suitors waiting in the wings to sign him.

Newcastle United are interested in signing Wolves centre-back Max Kilman this summer although they are set to face ‘stiff competition’ for the defender.

The Lowdown: Kilman a key player for Wolves

The Englishman has continued to be an influential figure at Molineux this season, starting all 24 of his side’s Premier League matches to date.

While Wolves are struggling towards the wrong end of the table, it has been difficult to criticise Kilman’s displays. As per WhoScored, he is their second-highest rated player to have started more than four league games for them in 2022/23.

The 25-year-old isn’t out of contract at Molineux until 2026, but the club could face a challenge in trying to keep hold of him this summer.

The Latest: Newcastle eyeing up Kilman

According to Football Insider, Newcastle are ‘plotting a move’ for Kilman at the end of the season as they look to bolster their defensive options at St James’ Park.

The Magpies are set to face ‘stiff competition’ from other clubs, highlighting the impressive level that the Wolves defender has reached.

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The Verdict: He’d be a big loss

There is no denying that Kilman leaving during the summer would be an almighty blow for Wolves, considering that he has recently been hailed as ‘absolutely unbelievable’ by journalist Liam Keen.

The centre-back has averaged a hugely impressive 4.6 clearances per game in the league this season, which is more than any other player in Julen Lopetegui’s squad.

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At 25, the £15,000-per-week Kilman is also someone whose best years will likely still be ahead of him, so Wolves would be losing him at the worst possible time in his career.

It would be hard to begrudge him a move to a club like Newcastle, though, especially if they qualify for the Champions League. If the defender is intent on leaving Molineux, then Wolves must get as much money as possible for him, given his importance to the current squad.

Fabrizio Romano has claimedFabrizio Romano has claimed that discussions over image rights are what’s stalling Alejandro Garnacho from signing a new Manchester United deal.

The Lowdown: A new deal is deserved

Garnacho has certainly burst onto the scene this season with the young winger being handed 27 appearances across all competitions by Erik ten Hag and he’s rewarded the Dutch boss for his faith by registering nine goal involvements.

The young winger is certainly not anywhere near being a first-team starter on a regular basis with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho likely ahead of him given their experience at this level.

However, it’s very exciting that Garnacho is able to perform when called upon – as shown by his midweek goal in the FA Cup – because he’s still not out of his teens and is clearly good enough for the Red Devils.

The Latest: Garnacho edging closer to a new contract

Romano has revealed that both parties are now ever close to agreeing on a new contract for Garnacho, although the player’s image rights and who will own them is seemingly the only stumbling block in these discussions.

He said: (3:15) “One of the decisions for Man United is now to accelerate on the new deal for Alejandro Garnacho.

“Man United and Garnacho’s representatives are really in advanced talks to extend the contract, the part missing is about the image rights but everything is almost ready.

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“It’s a five-year deal and it’s an important salary for Alejandro Garnacho who is a fantastic talent born in July 2004 and he’s already performing at an incredible level.”

The Verdict: New contract works for everyone involved

Given that Garnacho is still seemingly on a low wage because he’d never started a first-team game prior to this season, a bump to reportedly around £50,000 per week will be good for the player and not disrupt Man United’s wage bill too much.

As it stands, Garnacho has a contract that runs until the summer of 2024, so getting one thrashed out as soon as possible is one less thing for Man United and Ten Hag to worry about because allowing a talent such as Garnacho to run down his deal would be a nightmare.

Also, for Garnacho to be getting a decent amount of first-team minutes at such a tender age and with a club that’s clearly on the up is pretty much everything he needed to be convinced why he should stay at Old Trafford.

Tottenham are already ‘set’ for a ‘bargain’ summer transfer tussle over France striker Marcus Thuram, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Kane future uncertain…

Spurs star Harry Kane’s future at the club is uncertain as things stand with the England international now well into the final 18 months of his contract.

The 29-year-old’s deal expires in 2024, and while there has been noise of a potential renewal, nothing has been signed as things stand.

Tottenham may need to ponder replacements for Kane, or at the very least a back-up if they wish to keep chase with Premier League football’s most elite sides.

The Latest: Spurs ‘set’ for ‘bargain’ Thuram tussle…

According to a report by AS, via Sport Witness, the Lilywhites are ‘set’ for transfer tussle to sign Borussia Monchengladbach star Thuram this summer.

Alongside Spurs, Liverpool, Atletico and Arsenal are displaying an interest in the 25-year-old who is available on a free deal as things stand.

Thuram’s contract expires later this year, making him ‘one of the bargains of the summer’, as per this update.

The Verdict: Fantastic player…

The 6 foot 4 powerhouse forward has been exceptional for Gladbach over 2022/2023, prompting his inclusion in France’s 2022 World Cup squad for Qatar.

Thuram has already hit double figures for goals in the Bundesliga, scoring 10 with a further three assists domestically.

As per WhoScored, the Frenchman has also averaged Gladbach’s highest rate of attempts at goal per 90 and sits just behind teammate Manu Kone in terms of completed dribbles.

Not only is he a physical presence going by his towering height, but it’s clear by the numbers that Thuram is a constant and ever-present threat for the German side.

Vfl Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schafer heaped praise on Thuram, even after his season-long injury ruled him out for the majority of 2021/2022 – calling him ‘world class’.

The attacker has proved that tag and we believe Spurs would indeed secure a bargain by signing him for free – if they can beat the competition.