In the 2024/25 summer transfer window, Chelsea were active once more in the transfer window, bringing in ten players on permanent deals, and making one loan signing, that of English winger Jadon Sancho.

The most expensive move of the summer was Pedro Neto, who joined from Wolves for around £51.4m upfront, with £2.6m in add-ons.

The 24-year-old has already made 15 appearances for Chelsea this season in all competitions, scoring three goals, providing three assists, and totalling 817 minutes played.

Player

Fee (£)

Pedro Neto

£51.4m

João Félix

£43.3m

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

£29.5m

Filip Jorgensen

£20.4m

Mike Penders

£16.6m

Aaron Anselmino

£13.7m

Renato Veiga

£11.6m

Caleb Wiley

£8.4m

Marc Guiu

£5m

Tosin Adarabioyo

£0

The Blues heavily invested in youth signings yet again, with the likes of Renato Veiga, Mike Penders, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley and Marc Guiu all joining the club.

But there is one more talented youngster Chelsea signed this summer, who will join the club next season, and he could become their very own Lamine Yamal.

Lamine Yamal's career so far

Yamal made his debut for the Barcelona senior team on the 29th April 2023, coming from the bench in the 83rd minute, at just 15 years old. Since then, the hotshot has made 67 appearances for the club, scoring an impressive 13 goals in his 4,274 minutes.

The 17-year-old is now already seen as one of the best wingers in the world, having earned a La Liga title in the 2022/23 season, playing a big part in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, and then going on to win the Golden Boy award in 2024, becoming the youngest winner of the award.

As it happens, Chelsea could already have their own 17-year-old sensation, who is breaking records and could have a similar impact for the Blues as Yamal has for Barcelona since emerging from La Masia.

Chelsea's very own Yamal

Brazilian winger Estevao has had a “crazy” start to his career, as stated by scout Jacek Kulig, already bettering the stats of both Vinícius Júnior and Neymar, in their first 28 Campionato Brasilero games.

In Vinícius Júnior’s first 28 games, he scored five goals and provided three assists. Meanwhile, Neymar netted four goals and provided six assists in his opening 28 match.

In contrast, Estevao has managed 12 goals and eight assists in his opening 28 Campionato Brasilero games, registering more goals and assists than Neymar and Vinicius combined. This saw the youngster become the most productive U17 player in Brazil.

Going from strength to strength, Estevao has already made two appearances for the Brazil senior national team, receiving his first call-up in August this year. His pure qualities on the ball have seen him nicknamed “Messinho” in Brazil, which means “Little Messi” in English.

Estevao is currently valued at £33m according to Transfermarkt, but when we compare his metrics to those of Yamal, who is valued at £125m, everything points towards the Brazilian wonderkid also becoming a £100m player in the near future.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

How Estevao compares to Yamal & Madueke

Yamal saw his value spike from £21m in August 2023, all the way to £125m in October 2024 according to Transfermarkt, showing how quickly this meteoric rise can happen.

With the praise and hype around Estevao already, if he manages to hit the ground running at Chelsea, his value will be set to soar, and this could see a similar rise into the £100m territory, with the Londoners only paying an initial £29m for the Brazilian.

When you compare the Brazilian teen with Yamal this season, and his eventual Chelsea competition for his right-wing spot, Noni Madueke, you can see he already comes out on top in four of the ten metrics analysed.

Now this is, of course, in the Brazilian top-flight, as opposed to the Premier League and LaLiga, but his talent is clearly shining through.

Goals

0.54

0.35

0.41

Assists

0.33

0.53

0.10

xG

0.44

0.26

0.33

xAG

0.28

0.41

0.19

Progressive Carries

5.50

5.31

6.31

Progressive Passes

3.58

5.45

3.21

Shots Total

3.54

3.53

3.92

Key Passes

1.92

2.07

1.19

Shot-Creating Actions

5.67

5.10

2.86

Successful Take-Ons

3.42

3.10

1.90

Madueke is currently the starting right-winger for Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, offering high levels of 1v1 threat out wide, the ability to carry the ball (shown by his 6.31 progressive carries per 90), and do his bit on the defensive end, something which is important for Maresca’s side.

That said, Estevao offers an even higher 1v1 threat, managing the most successful take-ons per 90 with 3.42, and also having a higher efficiency to create chances, shown by his shot-creating actions per 90, his key passes per 90, and his xAG (all of which are higher than Madueke), something the English winger is often ridiculed for.

The young Brazilian would have to increase his defensive work, averaging fewer tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90 than the former PSV ace, whilst also not having the same athletic and powerful frame as Madueke yet, with his body still developing at such a young age.

It will be interesting to see how Maresca and Chelsea handle the integration period for Estevao. They could look to slowly integrate him into the team, getting minutes from the bench and cup matches or they could throw him straight into the limelight, with this big expectation to deliver from the start.

His motivation is absolutely to take the league by storm, stating “I want to make history, I want to become the most successful Brazilian in Chelsea’s history”.

The £100m superstar in the making’s mission is clear, win titles, show his potential, and lead Chelsea to glory.

Enzo could drop Madueke for "elite” teen who's never played for Chelsea

Chelsea have a talent with zero appearances who could permanently displace Madueke in the future.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 2, 2024

There is no such thing as a dead rubber in Test cricket. Australia, 3-0 up, having dominated the game, had their dreams of a whitewash shattered as England finally salvaged something from the wreck of this Ashes tour with Jack Leach, Stuart Broad and James Anderson surviving 64 balls under floodlights to secure a thrilling draw at the SCG.Leach and Broad faced 52 of them, most of which were against Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc before bad light forced Australia to turn to Steve Smith and he almost became a hero with the ball. He prized out Leach, his first Test scalp since 2016, caught at slip after England’s spinner had battled manfully for 34 balls without error.It left Broad and Anderson to survive six balls each from Nathan Lyon and Smith respectively and England’s veterans held on. It was only the second time in Ashes history a team had saved a game nine-down in the fourth innings, the first being the famous 2005 draw at Manchester.Related

• Wounded England stop the rot, but relief could be temporary

• Jos Buttler to return home with broken finger

High-quality half-centuries from Zak Crawley and Ben Stokes and a brave 105-ball 41 from Jonny Bairstow had earlier put England in a position to save the Test. However, Australia will rue a raft of errors that have seen a chance at an Ashes whitewash literally slip through their fingers. They dropped three catches and missed a run out on the final day. Scott Boland bowled magnificently to take 3 for 30 while Cummins almost turned the game with two wickets in three balls. But questions will be asked of the delayed declaration yesterday, as Australia failed for the second year in a row to bowl a side out on the final day the SCG wiith Lyon and Starc taking just two wickets between them.Thanks largely to the excellent work of Crawley and Stokes, England were just three down at lunch, four down at tea and 5 for 218 with just 16 overs remaining and Bairstow and Jos Buttler at the crease facing the second new ball before the game took a thrilling twist.Cummins delivered two huge blows in three balls with two extraordinary inswingers to put Australia on the brink of victory. Buttler, batting bravely with a broken finger that will force him out of the final Test, copped a vicious inswinger from Cummins. He over-balanced and hit his boot with his bat. The bat swivelled as a result at the precise moment the ball sneaked through and thundered into the back pad. Umpire Paul Reiffel gave it not out but Cummins reviewed and it was smashing middle and leg. Two balls later, Cummins delivered a searing inswinging yorker that hit Mark Wood flush on the front foot. Reiffel gave it out immediately and Wood knew his fate as he hobbled to his feet after crumpling over when he was struck. He reviewed but it was fruitless.Bairstow then nicked Starc to second slip but the normally reliable Smith grassed the chance low to his right. Smith redeemed himself not long after, insisting Cummins place a silly mid-off for Boland in addition to the short leg. Boland’s belligerent length produced some nip off the seam, caught Bairstow’s inside edge and ricocheted onto pad before ballooning up to Labuschagne leaving Australia just two scalps to take in more than 10 overs.But Leach and Broad were magnificent. As Australia failed to extract any real venom from the pitch, they defended their off stump with their lives. Broad was literally put on his backside by a cracking Cummins bouncer. But he kept his wits about him and his gloves out of the way. Lyon too couldn’t break through having earlier bowled two beauties to dismiss Dawid Malan and Stokes.Smith conjured one final piece of magic to give Australia hope. He pitched in the footmarks outside Leach’s off stump, but it didn’t turn as much as anticipated, the nick brushed Alex Carey’s thigh and David Warner held well at slip.James Anderson and Stuart Broad walk off after the match ended in a draw•Getty Images

Earlier, Crawley played with a freedom that has not been seen on this Ashes tour from any of England’s openers. He struck 13 boundaries and scored at an incredibly brisk rate. His 77 from 100 balls was the fastest Test innings by an Englishman in terms of strike-rate in 17 years. He also had 77 of England’s first 91 runs.Crawley moved his guard almost outside off stump and profited by picking off anything straight from Australia’s quicks. He was also savage on the short ball, pounding several pull shots forward of square. It took a peach to dismiss him. Cameron Green delivered a searing yorker that hit Crawley flush on the toe. He was one of three wickets to fall in the opening session.Haseeb Hameed’s horror tour continued. He registered his sixth single-figure score and nicked off twice in his 9. He survived the first off Cummins when Carey put him down in a similar fashion to the first innings, diving late to his right with one hand. He didn’t survive the second off Boland.Lyon removed Malan for the fifth time in Test cricket eight overs later. Malan paid dearly for his penchant for trying to cut Lyon off the back foot, as a quicker 95kph arm-ball skidded on and crashed into off stump.Australia could have had four before lunch. Marcus Harris dropped a very tough chance at short leg off Cummins. Stokes was only 16 at the time. It proved very costly. Stokes battled through the pain of a side strain to make 60 from 123 balls, his second half-century of the match.He lost skipper Joe Root who was undone by Boland for the third time in three innings and was caught behind the wicket for the eighth time in the series. Boland’s immaculate length and hint of nip away scratched the outside edge as Root tried to defend.Bairstow should have been run out next over trying for a suicidal two to fine leg. Lyon’s throw was a missile that barely missed at the keeper’s end but Carey failed to glove it cleanly thinking it would hit the stumps direct. It took Australia 22 overs to break through again with Lyon producing his best ball of the match. Sharp bounce and turn undid Stokes as he fended to slip. But that was the last wicket Lyon would take on the final day.

Retirement hasn’t quite sunk in with the New Zealand batter focused on bouncing back from the Mount Maunganui defeat against Bangladesh

Alagappan Muthu07-Jan-2022

“Much love, Ross”•Getty Images

Ross Taylor will soon be spending a lot less time on the cricket field and there’s at least one person who’s going to be fairly happy about that.”My daughter still hasn’t grasped the concept of five-day cricket yet. When I got out the other day she said, ‘Come on, Dad, let’s go home’.”Come Sunday, Taylor will be playing his final Test match of a career that began in 2007. He has seen great highs – hitting the runs that made New Zealand the first-ever Test world champions – and great lows, especially during a captaincy stint that went horribly wrong.”It doesn’t feel like it, my last game,” he said. “It hasn’t really dawned on me just yet. I suppose when you’ve still got one-dayers to go… if it was my last game full stop, then definitely it might feel a little bit different.”Related

'Do the basics well and for a long period' – the plan that worked for New Zealand

New Zealand look to bounce back against joyous Bangladesh

Latham admits Bangladesh 'certainly outplayed us'

Bangladesh 'crossed all barriers to bring a wonderful win'

New Zealand will play Australia across three ODIs and three T20Is later this year. Perhaps that might be the time Taylor really figures out what it means to hang up those well-worn boots. For now, his focus is on bouncing back from 1-0 down against a fighting Bangladesh in Christchurch.”It’s all to play for here at a ground that we know well. I still think we’re learning how to play in the Mount,” he said. “But we know what to expect a lot more here than we did in the Mount (Maunganui), I think. It’s going to have bounce and carry the whole time. There’s going to be a lot of grass on it. It’s conditions that us batters are used to and I’m sure our bowlers are as well.”So, if we win the toss, we’re more often than not going to bowl and if you’re batting first, you’ve got to scrap through. Sometimes our lower order has got us out of trouble. So just trying to scrap to 200 can be well above par. We’ll just have to wait and see.”New Zealand have played eight Test matches at Hagley Oval. And they have lost only one of them. Mount Maunganui is a relatively newer ground which has hosted only three Test matches so far, and Ebadot Hossain, in particular, used it to throw up a challenge that, in Taylor’s estimation, they weren’t ready for.”They were patient, they brought the stumps into play, they made us hit straight down the ground and a lot of our players probably haven’t faced reverse swing for a majority of their careers,” he said. “It’s probably only been sporadic in the domestic circuit. And they bowled very well with it. Got it going both ways. But here, in Christchurch, the conditions will suit us a lot more than they probably did in the Mount.”So are things falling in place for a memorable Taylor farewell?”As a team, we definitely want to try and turn things around and send him off in a nice, positive way,” team-mate Devon Conway said. “It’s been a real honour to play alongside him even though it’s been sort of five Test matches for me personally but just to be in and around Ross in that change-room, it is an honour.”We spoke about it as the game ended in the Mount last week. We said we needed to try and bounce back and send him off on a positive note and try and remind him as to what he’s done throughout Test cricket.”The last New Zealand player who retired at Hagley Oval went off with a proper bang. Brendon McCullum exited the stage having struck the fastest hundred in all of Test cricket. What’s it like having to be his follow-up act?”Aw, jeepers – he’s set the bar very high,” Taylor said. “Jeepers! As I said, it’d just be good to have a win, I think. Get our first win of the summer under our belt. But in terms of being Bazesque, yeah, I don’t think there’s going to be many people who are going to be able to do what he did in his last match.”If there was one thing that Taylor did want from his final Test, it was to do well for his friends and family. “They’ve been a big part of my career today,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of the young kids that are in the side and I’ve been fortunate now that my kids are a bit older that they’ve been able to see me play, watch Dad go through the ups and downs and they’ve experienced a lot of things that I’m sure if it wasn’t for cricket they wouldn’t have been able to see. So yeah, it’s cool to have them here and hopefully we can turn up and play cool.”And will he miss the grind? “Oh 100%. But there’s aspects that I won’t miss as well,” Taylor said. “But, you know, all good things have to come to an end. I’m just looking forward to this Test match, then hopefully a few more one-dayers, and then on to the next chapter.”

Quite clearly, Everton need to improve in attack. Looking at their recent form from one side of the road, it could be surmised that Sean Dyche’s side aren’t doing all that badly, with just one defeat from eight Premier League matches.

But an alternative viewpoint reveals that the Toffees’ colourless performances have left plenty to be desired. On Saturday, Everton drew 0-0 against Brentford at Goodison Park, having stumbled to a goalless draw at West Ham United before the November international break.

01/12/24

Man United

Old Trafford

04/12/243

Wolves

Molineux

07/12/24

Liverpool

Goodison Park

14/12/24

Arsenal

Emirates Stadium

22/12/24

Chelsea

Goodison Park

26/12/24

Man City

Etihad Stadium

29/12/24

Nott’m Forest

Goodison Park

With such a daunting run of fixtures coming up over the next month, something needs to change. Attacking success starts from the front, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin is still letting his side down.

Why Everton need to ditch Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton need to get rid of Calvert-Lewin, and luckily, it’s not going to be too strenuous an ordeal, with the striker out of contract in the summer.

There’s even a chance that TFG could be walking into the ownership and claiming some cash for the 27-year-old, with Fiorentina keen on strengthening their frontline, fronted by Moise Kean, this winter.

The drab draw against ten-man Brentford has done little to reduce the concerns around Dyche’s system and its long-term suitability. Calvert-Lewin perhaps had a more lively outing than usual this year, but it was still not enough to see him break duck.

As you can see above, tensions are beginning to boil over.

Writing in their post-match player ratings, The Liverpool Echo handed him a 6/10 score: ‘Was denied from close range on a couple of occasions before the break, firstly when he redirected an Idrissa Gueye drive and then when his near post effort was turned around the post by Mark Flekken, but for all his labours, he couldn’t find a breakthrough.’

What Everton need is a new striker.

Everton keen on new striker

As per a report from GIVEMESPORT earlier this month, Everton are among the clubs interested in signing LOSC Lille’s Jonathan David, though it’s understood that the Canadian striker might have reservations about moving to the Merseyside outfit.

His French employers are also reluctant to let him leave for a transfer fee this winter despite his contract expiring at the end of the season – like Calvert-Lewin.

He would relish the chance to move to the Premier League and given that Newcastle United might turn elsewhere, there could be a real opportunity to snap him up and finally restore some integrity to the attacking point of the Blues squad.

Why Jonathan David would be a significant signing

Only 24 years old, David has been hailed as “one of the best strikers in the world” by reporter Tony Marinaro, with his goalscoring performances over the past several years corroborating such a point.

2024/25

20

13

2

0.75

2023/24

47

26

9

0.74

2022/23

40

26

4

0.75

2021/22

48

19

0

0.40

2020/21

48

13

5

0.37

As you can see above, he’s invariably produced noteworthy goalscoring numbers across his five campaigns in France, though his maturity is discernible through increased playmaking numbers that denote impressive technicality.

Indeed, as per FBref, David ranks among the top 1% of centre-forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored (0.90) per 90 and the top 2% for pass completion (82.2%), further emphasising that very point.

It’s quite the stark difference to the striking fortunes of Calvert-Lewin, who ranks among the bottom 14% of centre-forwards for goals scored (0.22) per 90.

Whether Everton would succeed in bringing David to the club is another question entirely, but as long as efforts are exhausted in attempting what would be a marquee deal, at least supporters would see a statement of intent from the prospective new owners.

Who knows, it might reinvigorate Everton’s entire frontline. Of course, not all of the Blues membership require an injection of impetus, with Iliman Ndiaye dazzling since joining from Marseille in a £15m transfer this summer.

Hailed by the earlier-mentioned Boyland as “Everton’s new hope,” the Senegalese winger proved once again to be his outfit’s shining light in the recent draw against Brentford, handed an 8/10 match rating by The Liverpool Echo as he starred as the club’s ‘most potent force.’

Completing all four of his attempted dribbles, as per Sofascore, it’s clear to see why he’s held in such a positive light by the Toffees supporters, and it could be the partnership-to-be that sees David take to the Premier League without seam – maybe even lifting Everton away from the bottom layer of the division for good.

With David providing such crisp and accurate passing and boasting an elite-level scoring record besides, it could be the combination that Everton chiefs have craved for so long.

One thing’s for certain: Calvert-Lewin is not cutting it as he plods into the final months of his Everton career. The English forward has now gone eight top-flight fixtures without a paltry goal or assist, and TFG must surely move to secure a massive upgrade as soon as possible.

Signed by Dyche: Everton's "new hope" could be a £100m star in the making

Everton’s £15m man could be their own £100m star in the making.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 22, 2024

يستعد فريق مانشستر سيتي لخوض مباراة اليوم الأربعاء ضد خصمه فريق ليستر سيتي، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2024/25.

ويستضيف ملعب “الاتحاد” مباراة الفريقين والتي تأتي في خضم لقاءات الجولة الثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي.

وفاز مانشستر سيتي على ليستر سيتي، في مباراتهما في الدور الأول من هذا الموسم على ملعب “كينج باور” بهدفين دون رد.

ويمتلك مانشستر سيتي حاليًا 48 نقطة في المركز الخامس، في حين أن ليستر سيتي لديه 17 نقطة في المركز التاسع عشر.

ويفتقد مانشستر سيتي خدمات النجم إيرلينج هالاند بعدما عانى من إصابة على مستوى الكاحل، في مباراة الأحد ضد بورنموث في كأس الاتحاد. موعد مباراة مانشستر سيتي وليستر سيتي اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 8:45 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 9:45 بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة مانشستر سيتي وليستر سيتي اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN Sports HD 2. معلق مباراة مانشستر سيتي وليستر سيتي اليوم في الدوري الإنجليزي

سيعلق محمد بركات على أحداث مباراة اليوم.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

Four members of Afghanistan’s Under-19 touring party which participated in the recent World Cup in the Caribbean have stayed on in the UK and not returned to Afghanistan with their team-mates.Their transit visas are set to expire on February 8 and ESPNcricinfo has confirmed the four are currently in London. It could not be confirmed whether the quartet, which includes one player, is seeking asylum in the UK.The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has made no official comment on the development.Afghanistan enjoyed a successful World Cup, finishing fourth, three places higher than in 2020. The touring party boarded a flight in Antigua over the weekend and landed in London at Heathrow airport on Sunday morning. The squad then took a flight to Kabul via the UAE, eventually landing back home on Monday morning, to felicitations from the ACB.While the rest of the Afghanistan squad including the coaching and support staff boarded that flight, four decided to stay at Heathrow.UK government rules state that a person can stay in the country for no more than 48 hours on a transit visa. That means the four members’ transit visa will expire on Tuesday morning. It was the issuance of the same visas in January that had delayed Afghanistan’s arrival in the Caribbean and nearly made them miss the World Cup.

‘Afghanistan needs them’

Former Afghanistan player Raees Ahmadzai, who was the head coach during the World Cup, said he hoped the four would “rethink” and return back to their home country. Ahmadzai said he had messaged all four. “They received my messages. But they have not responded yet,” Ahmadzai told ESPNcricnfo on Monday.”I told them Afghanistan needs them. Sports and cricket has done a lot for Afghanistan. The support we got during the World Cup was amazing, unbelievable. Sometimes when you do things for your country, it will mean a lot for you in your whole life.”Related

• U-19 WC: Wyllie, Dhull, Brevis headline ESPNcricinfo's Team of the Tournament

• India win fifth U-19 WC title after Bawa, Kumar prove too hot for England

• U-19 WC: Radhakrishnan's all-round show helps Australia clinch third

• England hold nerve, break Afghanistan's hearts

• Afghanistan suffer visa glitches ahead of Under-19 World Cup

More than 100,000 Afghans including at least one former president, bureaucrats, sportspersons and civilians left the country immediately after Taliban assumed power last August. Ahmadzai said that while he understood it was a “personal” choice, he did not know if the four people had a plan.”Sometimes you can get emotional and can decide in the spur of the moment, but once you re-think about what you did I think it will hurt you. I believe they will go back. It is a personal choice. Sometimes you don’t have a plan. I know these people. They were very good to work for Afghanistan cricket.”In case the four decide not to return, Ahmadzai said it would not affect Afghanistan cricket. “It will not create any problem for our cricket. But they will feel forever guilty. As a sportsperson you can travel anywhere. When I started playing cricket it was my dream to go to see UK, Europe, America, Australia and it is because of cricket I have travelled more than 50 countries. These guys are professionals, and I am still hoping they will go back to Afghanistan.”Ahmadzai said that cricket had sustained its popularity despite the country’s uncertainty and instability. “Cricket will be alive in Afghanistan. The future of the game remains bright. We finished fourth this time compared to seventh in the last edition.”We had very strong support in the Caribbean. The opposition teams praised us including Mahela Jayawardene [who] said it is amazing to see such good players at the Under-19 level and you guys will be on top one day. That means a lot for our youngsters.”

Everton need to step up their game. As most Toffees supporters are likely aware, there’s a gruelling run of winter fixtures coming up in the Premier League for Sean Dyche’s men.

They don’t quite teeter on the precipice of the drop zone, but 16th-placed Everton will know that a poor run of results over the next few weeks could be damning – for Dyche, at least.

01/12/24

Man United

Old Trafford

04/12/243

Wolves

Molineux

07/12/24

Liverpool

Goodison Park

14/12/24

Arsenal

Emirates Stadium

22/12/24

Chelsea

Goodison Park

26/12/24

Man City

Etihad Stadium

29/12/24

Nott’m Forest

Goodison Park

The fact is, there’s a long stretch of football still ahead in 2024/25, but Dyche will not last the duration if he does not enforce drastic changes quickly.

Everton's search for a new manager

The fact is, Dyche is skating on thin ice, and the cracks are raking across the sheet. Everton’s drab football is frustrating supporters, with successive goalless draws in the Premier League preceded by a 1-0 defeat against bottom-placed Southampton.

Dyche triumphed in lifting the Toffees away from the relegation zone in 2022/23, but the club have now regressed and there is a growing portion of the fanbase seemingly yearning for change. It’s understandable, and fans might get their wish.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast's Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

With The Friedkin Group set to purchase Farhad Moshiri’s 94% stake in Everton, change is going to arrive at Goodison Park, which is going to undergo change in any case since the Blues are leaving their iconic stadium at the end of the term.

This proud and prestigious outfit wants a more attractive and expansive style to lift the squad back to the upper end of the table and perhaps into Europe.

According to TEAMtalk, former Porto manager Sergio Conceicao could be the man to herald the new era, with Everton believed to be closely monitoring the 50-year-old ahead of a potential swoop this winter, if Dyche is indeed dismissed, having been earmarked as the ‘number one target’ for TFG.

Why Sergio Conceicao would be "incredible"

Hailed in the past for his “incredible” managerial quality by journalist Jerry Mancini, Conceicao would be a significant coup for Everton, should they pull it off. Before Enzo Maresca was appointed at Stamford Bridge, the Portuguese boss was linked with a move to Chelsea.

Given his Portuguese roots, Conceicao could prove to be Everton’s own version of Ruben Amorim, with his possession-based and attack-minded approach sure to revolutionise Everton’s tactical genetics in the same way that Amorim is tipped to transform Manchester United.

His 4-2-3-1 formation would see Evertonians at least assimilate his teachings in a framework not too dissimilar to Dyche’s but the actual tactical philosophy would differ wildly.

With three Liga Portugal titles and eight more across domestic fronts with Porto, Conceicao – like former Sporting boss Amorim – has the winning mentality that Everton need to begin a new journey and move toward the limelight once again. Moreover, he has a superior head-to-head record against the Red Devils’ new boss.

Ruben Amorim

16

7

5

4

1.63

Marco Silva

6

1

1

4

0.67

Jurgen Klopp

6

0

1

5

0.17

Nuno Espirito Santo

4

1

1

2

1.00

Mikel Arteta

2

1

0

1

1.50

Pep Guardiola

2

0

1

1

0.75

Unai Emery

1

0

0

1

0.00

Fluid in his approach, Conceicao is adaptable depending on the opponent and willing to tweak his set-up should the situation demand it. This bodes well for a prospective role with Everton, for he could ensure that the English outfit are dynamic and capable of keeping teams guessing.

Such qualities could even see him enhance the qualities of players such as Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye, perhaps Everton’s most exciting attacking players in a colourless landscape this term.

McNeil has principally been a winger throughout his Everton career but has been utilised in a central attacking midfield role this term to great effect, notching three goals and three assists in the Premier League while averaging 2.7 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.

Ndiaye has taken his place on the left channel, ranking among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers across the Premier League this season for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, suggesting that there is just reasoning behind the decision.

It’s all just a little rigid is the problem. However, that could change with a more expansive and attack-minded manager in Conceicao. With Dyche at the helm, it’s hard to envisage Everton rising to the level that they so desire.

His fiery response to alleged comments made by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta – whom he claimed “insulted” him when Porto met the Gunners back in March – aligns with the fiercely candid demeanour of Amorim and suggests that he would slot right into Premier League football on Merseyside.

Not that the Toffees are ready to go toe-toe with the likes of Arteta and Guardiola at the Premier League summit, yet the appointment of Conceicao could certainly nudge them a fair bit closer.

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Rangers, desperate to close the gap on Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, are now reportedly keen to beat the Bhoys to the signature of an in-demand player in January.

Rangers transfer news

Although the Gers have stopped the rot in recent weeks, avoiding defeat in their last four games in all competitions, a 1-1 draw against Dundee United last time out would have felt like a loss given that they sit a staggering 11 points behind leaders Celtic and nine behind second-place Aberdeen. Simply put, Philippe Clement’s side have endured a disastrous season so far and arguably desperately need January reinforcements.

The rumours are already underway on that front too. The likes of Joe Gelhardt have been linked with a move to Ibrox in recent weeks in what would only be a loan move away from Leeds United.

With that said, according to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Rangers are now keen on beating Celtic to sign Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in the January transfer window. The Irishman will be allowed to leave the Seagulls this winter amid his struggle to break into Fabian Hurzeler’s side ahead of Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro.

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Still just 20 years old, Ferguson would be an impressive coup for Rangers, especially ahead of Celtic, with both clubs seemingly making approaches by expressing their interest. He could even be the signing that turns their season around, however, with West Ham United and Fulham also reportedly interested, the Gers may have to put together quite the pitch to convince the forward.

"Amazing" Ferguson would transform Rangers attack

When looking for a reason why Rangers currently sit so far adrift of both Celtic and Aberdeen, their blunt attack should instantly stand out. The Gers have scored just 17 goals in 12 games, which is 11 fewer than Aberdeen and 18 fewer than the champions. It’s a clear point of weakness and one that Ferguson could instantly solve in the January transfer window.

An out-an-out goalscorer, the 20-year-old scored six Premier League goals from 4.6 expected last season – as per FBref – highlighting just how clinical he can be when given the opportunity. Amid a frustrating spell at The Amex, a loan move away would be perfectly timed in January and Rangers could be in a position to offer the Irishman a much-needed starting place.

Despite recent frustrations, Ferguson remains a player who has been at the centre of praise over the years, with former teammate Alexis Mac Allister saying via BBC Sport in the 2022/23 campaign: “Evan is an amazing player. He was not having his best evening, but he showed his quality. We are really happy for him, we know how important he is.”

It’s a deal that Rangers could be able to afford since it would be on loan and one they should pursue in the hope of welcoming the solution to their attacking problems throughout the current campaign.

Ipswich Town have endured a mixed start to life in the Premier League this season.

For example, Kieran McKenna’s side have had a horrible run of fixtures so far, but have managed to pick up four points anyway.

Moreover, the Suffolk side have played some brilliant attacking football here and there, but have been let down by some suspect form their defence.

It’s still far too early to say with any certainty if the newly promoted side will stay up this year or not, but one thing is certain, securing the services of a former loanee, who has seen his valuation explode since leaving Portman Road, would have seriously helped.

Ipswich's defensive form this season

So, before we get to the defender in question, let’s look at Ipswich’s defensive statistics so far this season, as they don’t make for pretty reading.

As things stand, McKenna’s side have conceded the second-highest number of goals in the league at 20, with Gary O’Neil’s Wolverhampton Wanderers somehow doing even worse in this department and conceding a staggering 25.

However, things get even worse when we examine the underlying statistics from the campaign so far.

For example, according to Understat, the Tractor Boys are actually the worst team in the league for expected goals against at the moment, as their data suggests the club should have conceded 24.09 goals so far, while the Old Gold should have only let in 18.06.

This concerning metric is one that the manager cannot afford to ignore as it ultimately suggests that the team’s current defensive form is unsustainable and could cost them come May.

The worst defences in the Premier League by xGa
Position	Team	Expected Goals Against	Actual Goals Against
1	Ipswich Town	24.09	20
2	Leicester City	23.22	17
3	Southampton	22.53	19
4	West Ham United	18.14	16
5	Wolverhampton Wanderers	18.06	25
All Stats via Understat

However, it could also be argued that Ipswich’s xGa figure is so bad because they have already played some of their toughest fixtures of the campaign, so there is a chance that come the end of the season, it could look better than their rivals who are yet to play City away or Liverpool at home.

That said, fans would probably have felt more confident with a former loanee whose valuation has ballooned since leaving the club in defence.

Trevoh Chalobah's valuation in 2024

Yes, the defender in question is Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah, who joined Ipswich on a season-long loan in June 2018.

The then 18-year-old went on to make his professional debut for the club at the start of that season, in a Championship draw against Blackburn Rovers on August 4th and went on to make 44 appearances for the Blues and finished third in the fans’ Player of the Year vote in April.

The promising youngster, whom Paul Hurst described as “hungry to succeed” when he joined the club, then went on to spend 19/20 on loan with Huddersfield Town and the following campaign on loan with Ligue 1 side FC Lorient before getting his chance to impress at Stamford Bridge under Frank Lampard.

In all, the 25-year-old has made 80 appearances for the West Londoners and hasn’t looked out of place in their side, but following the arrival of Enzo Maresca in the summer, the Englishman was sent out on yet another loan, this time to Crystal Palace, where following his recovery from a muscle strain, he’s made three appearances.

Unsurprisingly, the Freetown-born defender’s valuation has grown dramatically over the years, with Transfermarkt pricing him at just €1m, or £830k when he joined the Tractor Boys and €13m today, which is about £10.8m, or a staggering 1201% increase.

Ultimately, Ipswich have taken plenty of talented youngsters on loan over the years, but given their current defensive woes, McKenna would have loved the club to bring Chalobah back for another year in the summer.

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Former captain says “it seems like a very strange time for a coach to be departing”

Alex Malcolm05-Feb-2022

Ricky Ponting: ‘What’s happened today I’ve felt was coming for quite a while’•Getty Images

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has described Justin Langer’s resignation as “a sad day for Australian cricket” and called Cricket Australia’s handling of it as “embarrassing”.Langer’s resignation was announced by his management company, DSEG, on Saturday morning following a meeting with Cricket Australia on Friday night.Ponting, who describes his relationship with Langer as “like brothers”, is also managed by DSEG, as is former Australia captain Tim Paine. He spoke at length on ABC radio shortly after the resignation was announced and criticised CA for their handling of the saga.”It is a really sad day as far as Australian cricket is concerned and if you look back it has been a really poor six months on the whole in the way that Cricket Australia has handled some of the better people in the Australian cricket – Justin Langer and Tim Paine – and I think it’s been almost embarrassing the way they have handled those two cases,” Ponting said.”He mustn’t have had the full backing of the board. Me knowing Justin the way that I do, he was very keen to continue in the role, as he should have been after what’s been the best coaching period of his international career having just won the T20 World Cup and then the 4-0 result in the Ashes.”It seems like a very strange time for a coach to be departing. Reading the tea leaves it sounds like a few – and as he [Langer] says to me a small group in the playing group and a couple of other staff around the team – haven’t entirely loved the way he has gone about it.”That’s been enough to force a man who has put his life and heart and soul into Australian cricket and done a sensational job at turning around the culture and the way the Australian team has been looked at in the last few years to push him out of the job.”Ponting, who was a coaching consultant under Langer within the Australian team for the 2019 World Cup, has longstanding relationships with a number of current players having also played with some of them and coached some of them in the IPL.Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting coaching together at the 2019 World Cup•Getty Images

Ponting was asked about whether Test captain Pat Cummins was part of that group of players that had raised concerns about Langer, given Cummins had failed to endorse Langer to continue, and whether he was disappointed by that.”Justin is a great mate of mine and I know how passionate he is about the Australian coaching job and that he wanted to continue on and be the best coach and have the best cricket team in the world,” Ponting said.”I think Pat also has been put in a difficult situation as captain, if it’s not just him and it is other players coming to him and letting him know that maybe they think Justin is not the right man then I think that puts Pat in a difficult position as well.”If he had got on the front foot and endorsed Justin they would not have been in a position to move him on.”I am close to Justin, we are like brothers but I have not got too heavily involved in this, as much as giving him a pat on the back and put an arm around him here and there, there was no way I could change the way this was heading.”What’s happened today I’ve felt was coming for quite a while, even looking back before the T20 World Cup there was a lot of speculation there.”Langer’s resignation has opened the possibility for Australia to split the head coaching roles, something that Langer had warned was fine in theory but impractical. Ponting held the same view believing that one head coach was the ideal solution.”If you can find the right person that’s willing to give up 10 or 11 months of their year to be the full-time Australian cricket coach then, in an ideal world, that’s the person you would go for,” Ponting said.”[As a player] I’d want the same coach. I’d want to be hearing similar messages day in and day out. The most important thing is the relationship between the player and the coach and, if you start putting two or three people in those roles, I think there can be a lot more confusion there than there needs to be.”