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Now that the summer's international tournaments have wrapped up, focus on the transfer window will be accentuated, though, much to the frustration of the fanbase, all remains quiet at Liverpool.

Arne Slot is assessing his newly inherited squad and still awaits the returns of multiple first-team stars following international commitments, with sporting director Richard Hughes revealing that business is more likely to be conducted later down the line.

However, FSG are always willing to move for a shrewd deal, and there's one such market opportunity that might just prove to be too good to turn down.

Liverpool transfer news

According to Calcio Mercato, Juventus are struggling to meet Atalanta's demands in the pursuit of centre-midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, which could see Liverpool steal ahead.

The Merseysiders are long-time admirers of the Netherlands international, who played under Slot at AZ Alkmaar, and while Juventus are hoping to seal the deal, finances are proving to be a sticking point.

Liverpool are understood to hold the funds to complete a deal, however, and given that Atalanta are holding for €60m (£50m), the Reds may yet find themselves in the driving seat, having already moved ahead to learn conditions of a possible transfer.

What Teun Koopmeiners would bring to Liverpool

A multi-functioning midfielder, Koopmeiners is creative in possession and crisp and combative out of it, with a wide range of technical strengths that could see him excel in the Premier League.

The 26-year-old was forced to watch his nation's Euro 2024 campaign from the sidelines after picking up an injury on the cusp of the tournament, though there's no question that he earned his stripes last season, instrumental in Atalanta's Europa League triumph – ending Bayer Leverkusen's record unbeaten streak to lift the trophy and defeating Liverpool on the way to the final.

He was described as "very versatile" by his Serie A manager, Piero Gian Gasperini, though he spent much of the 2023/24 campaign in a forward-driving midfield position, scoring 15 goals across 51 appearances and adding seven assists.

Matches played

34

12

Matches started

29

10

Goals

12

0

Assists

5

2

Pass completion

82%

79%

Big chances created

9

4

Touches per game

54.0

55.5

Key passes per game

1.8

1.1

Ball recoveries per game

4.4

4.0

Dribbles per game

0.6

0.8

Tackles per game

1.1

1.8

Duels won per game

3.2

3.8

Marvelling at the player's ability, his former coach Pascal Jansen has said: "His stamina is amazing. His pressing and chasing abilities when out of possession, I would almost say they are inhuman."

It's almost like he's tailor-made for Slot's high-octane, control-focused system, even ranking among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Italian top flight last term for passes attempted and the top 2% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

Why Liverpool need Teun Koopmeiners

Liverpool are well-stocked in the centre of the park, though if Slot and Co opt against signing a specialist No. 6 it is highly likely that Alexis Mac Allister will operate in a deeper-lying role, as he did on many occasions under Jurgen Klopp last year. Wataru Endo enjoyed a solid campaign last term too but the 31-year-old has his limitations.

Despite the wealth of talent at Slot's disposal in the middle of the field, Koopmeiners could make a marked impact on the squad, not least because he embodies many of Thiago Alcantara's standout attributes.

Thiago has recently retired from football after his Liverpool contract expired last month. The 33-year-old is one of the game's superlative technicians, distinguished across the globe, though his final professional term was wrecked by injuries that limited him to just five minutes of action, coming in a defeat against Arsenal in February.

Still, while his Liverpool career didn't reach the heights dreamily envisaged, Thiago still excelled across his 98 appearances, with talkSPORT host Tony Cascarino even remarking that he's "up there with the very best".

Statistical data from the 2023/24 campaign is negligible, but the previous term illustrates quite clearly how good the maestro was, despite suffering significant injury issues again. He ranked among the top 2% of Premier League midfielders in 2022/23 for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 11% for successful take-ons and the top 10% for tackles per 90, showcasing how he was one of the most complete midfielders around.

Once praised as the "complete" midfielder by Dutch legend Ruud Krol, Koopmeiners could prove to be a brilliant Thiago replacement, not quite stylistically identical but carrying some of the Spaniard's principal ball-playing characteristics – and a sharp intelligence besides.

It would be unjust to say that the Anfield side need a Thiago replacement: he didn't play last season. That said, one can only imagine the heights that could have been reached with the midfield magician pulling strings from the heart of the field, perhaps instilling the perfect chemistry and coherence through his passing prowess to have seen Liverpool swerve the late-season slump that unravelled Klopp's swansong.

Slot is working hard to drill his philosophy into the Red Merseysiders, and while he's lost one of the Premier League's brightest midfield talents in Thiago, he could swiftly replace him with a player he knows well: Koopmeiners. The Dutchman is tenacious and supremely talented, willing to chip in defensively and boasting the motor requisite for success in the fast-paced Slot system.

Whether FSG decide to make such a move this summer remains to be seen, but there's no doubting Koopmeiners' quality, and there's no question that he would be a credit to Slot's outfit.

Liverpool favourites to sign "insane" £50m Guehi alternative

This dynamic defender could even be the perfect Van Dijk successor.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 16, 2024

The return of the Premier League is less than three weeks away, and while they still had a good campaign last season, Arsenal will be desperate to go one better in 2024/25.

Last year, Mikel Arteta's side produced the best defence in the league but scored five goals fewer than Manchester City, which saw them miss out on the title by just two points on the final day.

With the defence already strengthened following the signing of Riccardo Calafiori, Edu Gaspar and Co can now switch their focus to the attack.

Based on recent reports, that appears to be happening, as the latest name touted for a move to the club is an incredible goalscorer and someone who'd help make Martin Odegaard unplayable.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Football Transfers, Arsenal have rekindled their interest in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

In recent weeks, it had been widely reported that the Nigerian superstar was set to join French giants Paris Saint-Germain once negotiations between the two clubs were completed. However, according to this report, that deal is now dead and very much off the table following the Parisians' refusal to pay the striker's €130m release clause, which is about £109m.

As a result, other clubs, including Arsenal, have re-entered the frame, with Football Transfers claiming that the Gunners have returned to Napoli to reopen talks over a potential move.

If the North Londoners were to pay his full release clause, it would be a record-breaking transfer, but based on his performances over the last couple of seasons, he's likely worth it – he could also make Odegaard one of the best midfielders in the world.

Why Osimhen would make Odegaard unplayable

So, while there may be several reasons why Osimhen would help Odegaard truly assert himself as one of the best midfielders in the world, there is one leading and overriding reason: his incredible output.

The Arsenal captain has proven he's a brilliant leader, technician and even goalscorer over the last few seasons. However, had he been playing alongside a genuinely clinical striker since joining the club, his tally of 25 assists in 153 appearances would be significantly higher.

According to Understat, the Norwegian international has consistently fallen short of his expected assists in the league by at least 1.50 every year for the past three seasons. This underscores the fact that his teammates are not converting the chances he creates as frequently as they should.

This is where the "world-class" Nigerian, as dubbed by managerial icon José Mourinho, would come into play, as in his 133 appearances for Napoli, he has scored 76 goals, equating to a goal every 1.75 games.

Moreover, over the last season, he has comfortably outperformed Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, racking up 57 goal involvements to the German's 31 and the Brazilian's 34.

Appearances

39

47

33

Goals

31

9

11

Assists

5

1

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.92

0.21

0.54

Appearances

32

51

36

Goals

17

14

8

Assists

4

7

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.65

0.38

0.44

Ultimately, while he's likely going to cost a king's ransom, Osimhen has proven himself to be one of the best goalscorers in world football, and with him playing in front of the mercurial Odegaard next season, the Gunners could end up outscoring everyone in the league, with the Norwegian racking up the most assists.

Therefore, Edu and Co should do whatever they can to ensure the Napoli star makes his way to N5 in the coming weeks.

Arsenal target £147kp/w "artist" who's the perfect Smith Rowe upgrade

The experiences international would be an excellent addition to the Gunners’ squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 29, 2024

West Ham United have made an offer to another free agent alongside Guido Rodriguez, according to a new report.

West Ham’s summer signings so far

The Hammers and technical director Tim Steidten have been busy so far this summer in the transfer market, bringing in a number of new players ahead of Julen Lopetegui’s first season in charge.

Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme was the first signing of the Lopetegui era, arriving from Palmeiras. He was then joined by experienced goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, who left Sheffield United upon his contract expiry.

Max Kilman then put pen to paper at the London Stadium to reunite with Lopetegui following their time at Wolves, and the centre-back remains the club’s most expensive addition of the window. Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug became the club’s fourth and fifth signings, joining from Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund respectively.

Jose Mourinho wants £90k-p/w West Ham star after Hammers hijack Rodriguez

It comes as a domino effect from the events of the last week.

ByBen Browning Aug 6, 2024

Rodriguez will join the quintet in London for the upcoming Premier League season, arriving on a free transfer after leaving Real Betis in the summer. After the Argentine, though, another free agent appears to be of interest to the Irons.

West Ham have made offer to Mats Hummels

According to Hammers News, West Ham have made an offer to free agent Mats Hummels after he left Borussia Dortmund earlier in the summer, with the player set to make a decision on his future this week.

A top agent source close to the West Ham board told Hammers News: “A contract offer was made and it has been made clear it remains on the table. He will be making a decision at some point this week.”

Since then, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has said that West Ham's top flight rivals Brighton are also keen on the 35-year-old centre-back.

Hummels and Fullkrug helped Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last season, and who knows, the pair could be turning out alongside each other again fairly soon.

Should West Ham win the race to secure Hummels’ services, then they would be getting a defender with plenty of experience at the highest level.

World Cup

2014

Bundesliga

2008, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019

German Cup

2012, 2019, 2021

German Super Cup

2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

German League Cup

2008

As can be seen, the German has won plenty of major honours throughout his career, while making 442 appearances in the Bundesliga, 90 in the Champions League and winning 78 caps for his country. With no fee required, he could be a shrewd addition alongside Kilman at the back, making this one to watch over the coming days.

West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui has certainly taken full advantage of the club’s financial flexibility, making a total of seven signings this summer, splashing out big on the likes of Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Füllkrug in a bid to strengthen his team.

They could be one of the most exciting sides in the Premier League if the Spaniard can get them performing to their potential, especially judging by the quality of their new additions – including the latest signing in the form of Jean-Clair Todibo.

West Ham seal Jean-Clair Todibo signing

The centre-back has sealed a move across the channel as Lopetegui has successfully fended off interest from Serie A to secure a deal for Todibo.

An initial loan deal has been agreed with Nice which includes an option to buy next summer for a fee in the region of £35m.

Manchester United were also keen on signing Todibo, yet the Irons have now won the race, representing a stunning transfer coup which could be the catalyst for them to shine next season.

He might not be the final defender the club sign this summer either, as Lopetegui is showing some interest in a Premier League star who has impressed in recent years.

West Ham's search for a full-back

It was reported earlier this week that West Ham are keen on signing Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier before the summer transfer window closes at the end of the month.

It was revealed that Trippier is one of the possible options being looked at for the troublesome right-back spot in the squad, depending on whether he will be available.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks to be closing in on a move to the capital himself, although it may not be out of the question that Trippier could also arrive to bolster the right flank.

With Todibo now confirmed as a West Ham player, Lopetegui could land a wonderful signing for the Frenchman by securing a deal to bring Trippier to London.

If so, West Ham’s backline would improve significantly and this could see them push for a European spot next term.

Kieran Tripper’s season in numbers

The 33-year-old enjoyed a solid campaign last year which culminated in him securing a spot in the England squad for Euro 2024. He played in every match aside from the final as England lost their second consecutive Euro final.

For Newcastle, he played 39 club matches, including six in the Champions League, as the Magpies failed to replicate their success from the 2022/23 season.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2023/24 (Newcastle)

28

1

10

2022/23 (Newcastle)

38

1

7

2021/22 (Newcastle)

6

2

0

2018/19 (Spurs)

27

1

3

2017/18 (Spurs)

24

0

5

2016/17 (Spurs)

12

0

5

2015/16 (Spurs)

6

1

1

2014/15 (Burnley)

38

0

4

He has one year left on his contract and this could potentially see Eddie Howe cash in on the defender, especially if Trippier has no desire to renew his current deal.

Howe lavished the Englishman with praise last December, saying: “After giving us so much, it’s now our turn to support Kieran. He's taken the group to a different level and been a transformative signing for us. He's been the heartbeat of our performances.”

Among his teammates, the England international ranked fourth in the squad for goals and assists (11), while also ranking second for big chances created (13), first for key passes per game (2.3) and second for tackles per game (2), clearly demonstrating his wide range of skills.

It is clear West Ham need a much more dynamic full-back in terms of getting forward and creating chances from the back, as Vladimir Coufal created just six big chances and averaged only 0.6 key passes per game in the top flight last term.

Trippier – who has been dubbed a "warrior" by ex-England boss Gareth Southgate – could form a wonderful duo with Jarrod Bowen down the right flank that would surely terrorise defences in the Premier League throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

Why Kieran Trippier would be a good signing for West Ham

As established, the right-back has clearly demonstrated his attacking qualities during his spell with Newcastle since arriving in 2022, but how good is he going forwards?

When he is compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, Tripper has shone over the previous 365 days.

Indeed, he currently ranks in the top 1% for assists (0.36), the top 5% for shot-creating actions (3.8) and in the top 4% for progressive passes per 90 (6.52), which is yet more evidence of how attacking minded the defender is.

Last season, Bowen was the top scorer for West Ham with 20 goals in all competitions, with the majority of these coming from the right flank.

The winger also chipped in with ten assists for the Irons, showing his willingness to generate plenty of opportunities for his teammates.

30 goal contributions are certainly impressive, but Trippier managed to register more assists than Bowen, grabbing 11 throughout the season across all fronts

Imagine the English duo marauding down the right wing, causing unbridled chaos among defences up and down the country. It could make for a dream partnership.

According to WhoScored, Trippier’s main strengths are crossing, key passes and direct free kicks, which could see Lopetegui have a player in his squad who could add a goal or two from a dead ball situation.

Much will depend on whether Howe is ready to cash in on the 33-year-old this summer, but if there is any hint of restlessness on Trippier's part, then West Ham should be ready to make a concrete offer.

After Todibo: West Ham make contact over a bigger talent than Wan-Bissaka

Julen Lopetegui is eyeing up a move for a Spanish defender…

ByRoss Kilvington Aug 10, 2024

He may be heading towards the Indian summer of his career, but even for a season or two, the former Atlético Madrid star could give West Ham something they have missed over the previous few years – a dynamic right-sided defender.

Bowen would excel if he had someone like Trippier playing directly behind him. It would signal another wonderful statement of intent if Lopetegui could bring in the Newcastle defender in the next few weeks, that’s for sure.

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke is hoping to successfully mastermind a promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

The Whites were relegated from the top-flight at the end of the 2022/23 campaign and brought in the German boss to plot a route back to the big time last season.

He led them to a third-place finish in the Championship, just behind Ipswich Town and Leicester City in the automatic promotion places, and then lost to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley.

Farke won two Championship titles during his time with Norwich City and will now be hoping that he can secure a third trophy in the division this season.

His squad has been damaged by the departures of Archie Gray, Glen Kamara, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter this summer, but he has been able to bring in Joe Rothwell, Largie Ramazani, Manor Solomon, Joe Rodon, Jayden Bogle, and Alex Cairns.

The summer transfer window is still open until Friday night and the German boss could want to make further additions to his squad, with a Championship attacking midfielder said to be on his wishlist.

Leeds interested in Championship playmaker

According to the Daily Mail, Leeds are interested in signing Sheffield United playmaker Gustavo Hamer before the deadline passes later this week.

The report claims that the Whites submitted an offer of £13m to snap the Dutch maestro up from Bramall Lane and were rebuffed by the Championship side.

It states that the Blades are not looking to cash in on the 27-year-old magician in the final few days of the window, despite the 49ers' efforts to tempt them into selling.

An offer of £13m was not enough to convince Sheffield United to part ways with a player they paid £15m to sign from Coventry City last summer, following their promotion to the Premier League.

It now remains to be seen whether or not the Whites will go back in with an improved offer for the talented attacking midfielder, as the report does not reveal what their plan is with the £30k-per-week gem going forward.

Dutch outlet TransferWatch claims, though, that personal terms have already been agreed between Farke's team and the ex-Coventry star, with it now being down to the two clubs to agree a fee.

Leeds and the Blades look set to compete with each other in the battle to secure promotion to the Premier League this season and Chris Wilder's side may not want to strengthen one of their potential rivals, whilst weakening their own team, with a few days to go before the deadline.

Farke, however, could unearth his own version of former promotion hero Pablo Hernandez at Elland Road by securing a deal for Hamer this week.

Pablo Hernandez's Leeds magic

The Spanish maestro was a versatile midfield player who could operate out wide on the flank or through the middle as an attacking midfielder for the club.

He thrived under Marcelo Bielsa in the Championship and provided immense quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the West Yorkshire outfit, particularly in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 campaigns.

The right-footed wizard was a superstar for the Argentine head coach in the 2018/19 season, after Bielsa was appointed in the summer of 2018.

Appearances

39

Goals

12

Assists

12

Big chances created

16

Key passes per game

3.0

Dribbles completed per game

1.1

As you can see in the table above, Hernandez was directly involved in 24 goals in 39 appearances for the Whites as they missed out on promotion via the play-offs.

He provided consistent quality as a scorer and a creator from a midfield position and followed that up with another impressive season as Leeds won the title in the 2019/20 campaign.

The Spanish ace produced nine goals and nine assists, with another season of a symmetrical spread of goal contributions, in 37 Championship games for the club.

These statistics, along with his overall stats as shown in the graphic above, show that Hernandez was a constant threat to opposition defences during his spell at Elland Road.

He was a mercurial talent who could win matches with his quality at the top end of the pitch and Farke could now land his own version of the talented ace.

Why Gustavo Hamer could be Pablo Hernandez 2.0

The Dutch magician is a proven Championship performer who could provide a similar presence to Hernandez in the final third with his ability as a scorer and a creator of goals from a number ten or wide position.

A central or attacking midfielder usually, Hamer has started the current campaign as a winger for Sheffield United and this shows that Farke could use him in a wide role or in behind Mateo Joseph.

The 27-year-old, who was described as a "beautiful" player by journalist Josh Bunting, has been on fire in the first three games, with a return of two goals, one assist, and two 'big chances' created in three appearances, and that comes after his tally of four goals and six assists in the Premier League last term.

Prior to his move to Bramall Lane in the summer of 2023, Hamer showcased his attacking quality in the Championship during his time with Coventry.

Appearances

41

Goals

9

Assists

10

Big chances created

16

Key passes per game

1.8

Dribbles completed per game

1.1

As you can see in the table above, the talented playmaker provided a huge threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals for Mark Robins in the 2022/23 season.

His return of ten assists from 16 'big chances' created also suggests that his teammates let him down at times with their wasteful finishing in front of goal.

Including an outing against Leicester at the start of last season, Hamer has produced 11 goals, 12 assists, and 21 'big chances' created in 45 Championship games since the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Leeds could land “exciting” signing for Joseph in late move for EFL star

The Whites are reportedly interested in signing the attacking midfielder this week.

ByDan Emery Aug 26, 2024

These statistics suggest that Farke could unearth his own Pablo Hernandez by signing the Blades star, due to his ability to be a difference-maker on a regular basis from a midfield position at Championship level.

Two games down and two wins in the bag; the performances haven't been perfect, but Arsenal have started their Premier League campaign in the best way possible.

Mikel Arteta's side were made to fight for them, but they left Villa Park on Saturday evening with all three points in hand, in no small part thanks to the incredible display of David Raya in goal and the decisive decisions of Leandro Trossard off the left.

The Belgian started on the bench for the second game running, although based on his performance and that of Gabriel Martinelli, it seems almost certain that against his old side on Saturday, the 29-year-old will make his first start of the campaign.

However, this development begs the question. Does Trossard need a new rival on the wing? The answer may well be yes, and fortunately, recent reports have touted a brilliant international with a move to the Emirates this summer.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, Arsenal are still in the race for Federico Chiesa's signature this summer.

The report claims that while the winger is leaning towards a move to Barcelona at present, the Gunners are still interested in his services, and should something prevent his move to Spain, his agent will consider the North Londoners as an option once more.

Now, while the report claims that cross-city rivals Chelsea are in the same boat as the Premier League runners-up, the good news is that signing the Italian international shouldn't cost very much. A recent report from The Athletic claims that Juventus value him at just €15m, which converts to about £13m, due to his contract expiring next summer.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given the bargain price and Chiesa's undeniable ability, it's one well worth pursuing, especially as he could be the dream rival for Trossard this season.

How Chiesa compares to Trossard

Okay, so one of the first things to point out, and one of the main benefits to signing Chiesa as well, is that while right-wing is his most played position, he's made plenty of appearances all over the pitch, including 69 as a second striker, 61 at left-wing, 37 in right midfield, 17 at centre-forward, 11 in left midfield and even two in attacking midfield.

However, while this ability to play in plenty of areas of the pitch is undoubtedly something Arteta will appreciate, it's on the left where he'd probably have his best chance of playing more regular football, as we aren't sure there is a player on earth that the manager would start over Saka now.

With that said, if his best chance at first-team football is off the left, how does he stack up against Trossard, as it appears the Belgian would be his main rival at the moment?

Well, when it comes to their raw output from last season, the Arsenal man comes out ahead, but it is perhaps closer than some may have imagined.

For example, the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace scored 17 goals and provided two assists in 46 appearances, equating to an impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.42 games.

In contrast, the Juventus ace scored ten goals and provided three assists in 37 matches, meaning he maintained a slightly worse but nonetheless impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.84 games.

Okay, what about their underlying numbers, then? Is it another slim victory for the 29-year-old when we examine what's happening under the hood?

Interestingly, the tables turn with their underlying numbers, and while it's still a closely fought thing, it's the "world-class" Italian, as described by journalist Zach Lowy, who just about comes out on top.

For example, the 26-year-old dynamo comes out ahead in several relevant metrics, including, but not limited to progressive carries, key passes, passes and crosses into the penalty area, passes into the final third, shot and goal-creating actions and successful take-ons, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.49

0.58

Progressive Passes

2.87

4.15

Progressive Carries

4.55

3.61

Shots

3.03

3.27

Shots on Target

1.02

1.20

Passing Accuracy

69.9%

73.4%

Key Passes

2.21

1.31

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.84

1.58

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.74

0.22

Passes into the Final Third

1.72

1.53

Shot-Creating Actions

4.79

3.55

Goal-Creating Actions

0.37

0.33

Successful Take-Ons

1.43

1.37

Carries

26.4

32.3

Ultimately, while it might take some real effort to displace Trossard from the Gunners' starting lineup going forward, it looks like Chiesa could give him a run for his money while also providing cover in other positions across the pitch.

Therefore, Edu and Co must do what they can to bring the Juve ace to the Emirates this summer, as he could be the perfect winger to rival the Belgian this summer, and at the reported price, this feels like a no-brainer.

He'd solve their Saka problem: Arsenal want to secure late £59m signing

The incredible attacker would add so much quality to the Gunners’ squad.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 27, 2024

An "incredible" Rangers ace has been withdrawn from international training through injury, suggesting he could be a doubt for the visit of Dundee United later this month.

Rangers stinging after Celtic defeat

It hasn't been a fun few days for anyone of a Gers persuasion, following Sunday's 3-0 defeat away to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. The result has given Philippe Clement's side a huge amount of work to do in the title race, even at this early stage of the season, with a five-point deficit to claw back already.

There is no need for a huge overreaction to the result, especially as Rangers actually started the game well, but there was so much hope for an even stronger title charge this time around, which currently feels unlikely.

That being said, it is still extremely early days and the Scottish giants should only improve as the new signings grow accustomed to one another. There have also been a few injury concerns for Clement to contend with in recent times, with Nicolas Raskin and Ridvan Yilmaz both sidelined currently. Now, a fresh worry has arisen regarding a key Rangers player.

"Incredible" Rangers ace suffers injury blow

According to The Daily Record, Rangers attacker Rabbi Matondo has been withdrawn from international training with Wales, having picked up a hamstring injury against Celtic.

The 23-year-old "missed training for his country ahead of their Nations League clashes with Turkey and Montenegro", with the report adding that he "sat out the Tuesday morning session and it's unclear if he'll be able to play any part in their games". Not only that, but Matondo's involvement in the Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee United on September 15th is now believed to be "looking tight".

Not having Matondo available for the Dundee United game would be an undoubted blow, considering what an important squad player he has become since arriving from Schalke back in 2022. The Welshman already has two goals and assists apiece to his name in the league this season, coming in only two starts, while Micah Richards lavished him with praise last season, following his stunning strike at home to Celtic.

"I am coming back from London, watching it on SkyGo, and I am thinking, ‘The game is done here’. I was thinking, ‘What are you doing? You are showing him the wrong way’. When he hit it, I just knew it was going in. It was an incredible finish, it really was."

The hope is that Matondo's withdrawal from training is nothing more than precautionary, ensuring that the attacker doesn't aggravate the issue further down the line, and that he will be in the mix to face Dundee United later this month.

Rangers could forget Ezodie by signing "unbelievable" free agent at Ibrox

The Light Blues missed out on the Premier League attacker on deadline day.

ByDan Emery Sep 3, 2024

The game will feel like a must-win for Clement and his players, and having the 12-cap Wales ace in contention will only aid their chances of sealing three precious points.

Glasgow Rangers saw a glimpse of the future during their 1-0 Premiership win on Sunday lunchtime, as Hamza Igamane demonstrated why Philippe Clement spent money on bringing him to Ibrox during the summer.

Cyriel Dessers may have started the game, even grabbing an assist during the opening ten minutes, yet his performance was underwhelming once again.

Igamane replaced the Nigerian forward with 25 minutes to go, injecting a much-needed spark into the Rangers attack.

He demonstrated some neat touches and flicks while coming close to grabbing an assist. Despite not making his first appearance for the Light Blues until the Old Firm defeat at the start of the month, there are certainly plenty of claims for the young Moroccan to start against Dundee this weekend.

This area has been one of concern since Alfredo Morelos departed in the summer of 2023, as the likes of Dessers and Danilo have failed to show that they can be trusted to lead the line.

Yes, Dessers may have scored 27 goals for Rangers, but he lacks a certain ruthlessness in the penalty area. Danilo has been unlucky with injuries, which have hampered his Gers career so far.

Igamane and Dessers’ market valuation in 2024

The two strikers are at opposite ends of their careers, with Dessers about to turn 30, while Igamane is still in the embryonic stage.

This is, of course, represented in their current market valuations. The 29-year-old cost the Light Blues £4.5m last summer, but he is now worth £4m according to Transfermarkt, which is a slight drop from what the club paid for him.

As he gets older, this value will continue to deteriorate, especially if he continues to deliver subpar performances for the club.

Igamane joined from AS FAR this summer, as Clement sought to attract youth talent to the squad, although he has only been seen twice during his spell at the club.

The 21-year-old is currently valued at just £840k by Transfermarkt, but unlike Dessers, this should increase exponentially as time goes on.

Once he builds up some match fitness, the centre-forward will be in the mood to score plenty of goals for the Light Blues. If he lives up to expectations, there is no doubt Igamane can become a vital player in the coming months.

Clement will surely make a profit on the striker should he deliver on his early promise, but he isn’t the first striker that joined the club with plenty of promise, yet ultimately failed to shine…

One name that stands out is Tore Andre Flo, who joined the Gers way back in November 2000 for a club-record transfer fee.

How much Rangers paid for Tore Andre Flo

Dick Advocaat returned the club to the summit of Scottish football during his first two seasons in charge, winning five of the six trophies available to him.

When Martin O’Neil was appointed as Celtic manager in the summer of 2000, the Dutchman finally met his match. The 6-2 Old Firm defeat during the early weeks of the new season saw the Parkhead side take advantage in the title race, and they wouldn’t relinquish it.

Needing to do something to stop the charge, Advocaat spent £12m on signing Flo from Chelsea to Scotland, a truly lavish amount at the time, with the fee still standing as the transfer record for the Ibrox side.

A debut goal against none other than Celtic certainly helped endear the Norwegian to the supporters, especially as it was during a 5-1 victory for the Gers, yet they failed to win a trophy that season.

Tore Andre Flo

Chelsea

£12m

Ryan Kent

Liverpool

£7m

Michael Ball

Everton

£6.5m

Mikel Arteta

Barcelona

£6m

Danilo

Feyenoord

£6m

Tore Andre Flo's statistics at Rangers

This maiden strike helped build confidence early for the former Chelsea hitman, who went on to score a further 12 goals.

The 2001/02 season saw Flo emerge as a key player for the club, especially under Alex McLeish, who took over from Advocaat in December 2001.

Indeed, Flo managed to find the back of the net 25 times in 46 games for the Light Blues across all competitions, which included two goals in the League Cup final win over Ayr United – Rangers’ first trophy since the 2000 Scottish Cup.

Hopes were high that the following campaign would see a similar return. Surprisingly, however, McLeish offloaded him to Sunderland in August 2002.

Despite making a loss on the player, judging by inflation, McLeish certainly hit the jackpot on the striker.

How much Rangers sold Tore Andre Flo for in 2024 money

Despite spending less than two years in Scotland, when Sunderland came in with a bid of around £8m after just a few games of the 2002/03 season, it was evident McLeish was going to cash in.

In 2024, however – with Totally Money having adjusted for inflation over the years – this £8m transfer fee would now be colossal.

Indeed, the Norwegian would be worth a staggering £38m if he made the same move just now.

Considering he went on to struggle during his spell back in the Premier League, the decision to sell him began to look like a wise one from the manager.

The Light Blues went on to win the treble that campaign too, yet more evidence that Flo’s departure was a good idea, especially considering how much the club relied on his goals the previous season.

This hefty valuation when accounting for inflation means Flo is worth nearly ten times as much as both Igamane and Dessers combined, showcasing how good a player he was during his peak years.

While Dessers won’t be sold for a profit, Igamane will be hoping to secure a move to a top five league if he lives up to the vast hype that has been generated, not only on his arrival, but also due to his impressive cameos in the previous two games.

Flo may not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but his tally of 38 goals across only 70 games proves he was certainly effective in front of goal.

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Mikel Arteta could now drop a big-name member of his Arsenal team for their looming blockbuster clash against Premier League title rivals Man City.

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The Gunners have come through a tough week unbeaten, clinching a North London Derby win away to Tottenham last weekend before holding Europa League champions Atalanta to a 0-0 draw in Bergamo on Thursday.

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Arsenal did well to cope without star midfielder and club captain Martin Odegaard against Tottenham, but his absence was a bit more noticeable in the Champions League, as Arteta’s side struggled to impose their usual attacking flair.

It took an absolutely outstanding double-save from goalkeeper David Raya to ensure that they did not leave Italy empty-handed, and it is likely to be one of the best pieces of shot-stopping you’ll ever see.

During the encounter, Arteta fielded striker Gabriel Jesus up front in place of usual option Kai Havertz, despite the German thriving in that role for the best part of 12 months.

Odegaard will be sidelined for weeks after sustaining ankle ligament damage during the international break, and Arteta can’t call upon Mikel Merino to fill the numbers in midfield either, with the Spaniard also set to be absent for a while after fracturing his shoulder in training.

Appearances

156

Goals

35

Assists

25

Yellow cards

12

Red cards

0

Minutes played

12,108

Against Tottenham, Arteta opted to play a 4-4-2 formation with both Leandro Trossard and Havertz leading the line, so that could be an option for the Arsenal boss as he ponders how best to set up his Premier League title chasers.

“We’ve been preparing for this since pre-season,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s hectic fixture schedule lately.

“Obviously, we knew the schedule and we knew that it’s extremely rare to play in these conditions with three massive away games in six days, but it was what it was so we have prepared for that, both physically, mentally and tactically. We’re making sure that everyone is ready for it, because we’re going to need them, especially with the injuries that we had from the international break.”

Arteta likely to drop Arsenal star Gabriel Jesus for Man City

According to GiveMeSport, Arteta has already made a decision on Jesus, and whether the Brazilian will start right from the off against his former club.

It is believed Jesus is likely to be dropped against Man City, with his carelessness in retaining possession against Atalanta set to be a crucial factor in this, as Arsenal look to go toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola’s Tika-Taka masters at the Etihad.

The £265,000-per-week striker was given the captain’s armband against Atalanta, but was hauled off early in the second half after proving ineffective against Gian Piero Gasperini’s men.

Arteta is apparently poised to name Jesus on the substitute’s bench tomorrow, so it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard will play Raheem Sterling up front or return Havertz to his preferred forward role.

Sheffield Wednesday picked up their first win in the Championship since the opening day last time out, surprisingly beating West Bromwich Albion 3-2 in an action-packed affair at Hillsborough.

The Baggies remain at the top of the table despite this blow to their ego in South Yorkshire, as both Josh Windass and Anthony Musaba found the back of the net, alongside a slice of fortune from Darnell Furlong, to gift Danny Rohl’s men a much-needed three points.

The victory would have obviously pleased the German in the dug-out, but he could make a couple of tweaks to his lineup anyway when Wednesday face off against Bristol City later on, with Ike Ugbo in danger of being potentially axed.

Ugbo's performance vs West Brom

It has arguably been an underwhelming start back at Wednesday for Ugbo, who was a firm fan’s favourite last season as an exciting loanee, with the ex-Chelsea youngster helping himself to an impressive seven goals from 18 second tier games as the Owls beat the drop.

Now, however, the Canada international only has one goal and one assist from eight appearances on his return, with his showing against Carlos Corberan’s Baggies somewhat forgettable.

The below-par Wednesday number 12 was barely involved throughout, as other attacking stars such as the aforementioned Windass and Barry Bannan took centre stage over the quiet 26-year-old.

Ugbo would only muster up 12 touches of the ball throughout his flat 71 minutes on the pitch, with James Beadle in the Owls net even beating this amount of touches himself at 31.

Thankfully for Rohl’s side, Musaba would pop up with a crucial goal at the death away from Ugbo’s off-day, with the lacklustre 26-year-old also failing to even register a single shot at Alex Palmer’s net.

Ugbo was handed out a low 6/10 rating by Sheffield Star journalist Alex Miller after the game subsequently, with the potential now for the Owls boss to freshen things up top away from relying on their number 12 to come good.

The players who could replace Ugbo

The first shout that could replace Ugbo this Wednesday night is Michael Smith, who was substituted on in place of the Canada international late on versus West Brom.

Smith couldn’t really leave his mark on the contest, as Musaba ended up being the late goalscoring hero, but the experienced centre-forward did manage to throw himself about as a lively presence with all four of the aerial duels he went in for successfully won.

Player

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

Smith

9

1

3

Ugbo

8

1

1

Sourced by Transfermarkt

The 32-year-old – who has been dubbed a “game-changer” by former boss Darren Moore – has actually bettered Ugbo’s numbers this season so far too, with two more goal contributions in all competitions, and could feel he’s worthy of a starting spot away at Ashton Gate consequently.

Smith also has three goals from nine games across his career when facing off against Bristol City, with the hope of adding another to his Wednesday goal tally this evening if he is selected over an underperforming Ugbo.

Jamal Lowe will also feel he’s in for a credible shout to start over the ex-Troyes attacker too, having impressed in spurts since joining the Owls in the summer, with a debut goal against a hapless Plymouth Argyle on the opening day sticking out.

Yet, he has had to make do with a spot just on the substitutes bench in the last two clashes, with a need perhaps for Rohl to freshen his side up in attack away from Ugbo.

The Owls manager will want his team to press on now and pick up another three points – away from who does end up leading the line – and with the Robins’ form this campaign so far very up-and-down, Wednesday will hope they can catch the hosts on a bad day.

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