All posts by z3u9t.icu

This wasn’t how it was meant to be for Newcastle United. When the Prince Investment Fund brought their war chest of cash to the northeast of England, there were remarkable rumours that Kylian Mbappe would soon be joining the project.

Fast forward a few years and the Magpies are facing up to the reality of financial fair play and the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

They have been unable to spend a penny in the January transfer window having been hamstrung by those legislations, forced to consider if they need to sell their star players.

Football is a funny old game but in this instance, it’s all the more incredible.

The January transfer window at Newcastle

Given the sheer financial backing Eddie Howe’s team have courtesy of their Saudi owners, each transfer window is seen as an exciting period for those at St James’ Park.

However, the January of 2024 has been a low-key affair as far as incomings are concerned.

Take a look at the outgoings, however, and there are some worries. That’s even if Newcastle are refusing to budge on their stance of Kieran Trippier.

The right-back has been targeted by Bayern Munich this month but Howe and Co aren’t willing to sell. Remarkably Callum Wilson has also been touted with an exit. Chelsea have been in the race but again, his status in the dressing room commands an extended stay at Newcastle.

The most likely of exits is Miguel Almiron. The diminutive Paraguayan has been targeted by clubs in the Saudi Pro League, with Al Shabab reportedly thought to have agreed terms with the player.

If Newcastle are able to bring in some cash in the remaining days of the window, where could they spend it?

One answer is Conor Gallagher with the Toon still reeling from Sandro Tonali’s betting offences. Gallagher hasn’t explicitly been linked this winter but the Chelsea man was a notorious target for the St James’ Park outfit last summer.

Touted at £50m, though, a move is unlikely to occur for a man similar in style to Yohan Cabaye.

How Conor Gallagher compares to Yohan Cabaye

The days of Mike Ashley didn’t bring many prosperous days but there were a few success stories in the transfer market. Not many, admittedly, but Cabaye certainly fits into the category of positivity.

Speaking about the Frenchman in 2013, Alan Pardew said: “The bottom line is that the player is a true character and has that X-factor.”

Those box office characteristics quickly made him a well-loved figure in the northeast, tallying up 18 goals and 14 assists in 93 outings for the Toon.

Those statistics might not sound amazing but his consistent displays were worth more than numbers could portray after a measly £4.5m move.

Whether it was that goal after three minutes against Sunderland in 2012 or a winning strike to end 41 years of hurt at Old Trafford, the central midfielder was certainly the man for the big occasion.

He was an orchestrator of play, a metronomic figure who kept things tidy but was also capable of sheer genius. He wasn’t particularly flashy, but he never needed to be.

The same could well be said of the aforementioned Gallagher. Indeed, he’s the shiniest car in the garage but he delivers most of the times he steps onto the field.

Like Cabaye, he’ll work hard for the team and provide immense balance in the middle of the park. Though, as Crystal Palace will tell you, he’s got that x-factor.

During a loan spell with the Eagles he really was a “monster” midfielder, as described by one analyst, outlining his attacking qualities by scoring eight and supplying five goals during a breakout campaign at Selhurst Park.

Cabaye perhaps was never a man to provide regular contributions in the final third but since heading back to Chelsea Gallagher has operated fewer times as that direct no.10. So, how do the two compare?

Expected Goals (xG)

0.09

0.09

Expected Assists (xA)

0.12

0.14

Shots

1.34

1.44

Key Passes

1.44

1.59

Passes into final third

4.71

4.70

Progressive Passes

5.78

5.23

Shot-creating Actions

3.32

3.18

Tackles Won

2.89

2.65

Blocks

1.60

1.78

Touches

73.7

67.0

Carries

44.7

34.9

Well, they’re almost identical statistically if we compare the numbers, racking up very similar numbers across a range of metrics, notably passing, shot-creating actions and even their defensive contributions.

It’s highly unlikely a deal will be done for Gallagher in the remaining days of the winter window but with Mauricio Pochettino’s men still under pressure to make a profit, who knows where the England international will be come the end of next summer. Time will tell.

Derby County will go into Saturday's home clash with Shrewsbury hoping that it's a straightforward victory come full-time, Paul Warne's Rams potentially clinching three wins on the trot in League One if the three points are secured.

Picking up a win at the expense of the Shrews would see Derby strengthen their grip on second spot in the division, the Rams already dreaming of a return to the Championship.

Despite everything going swimmingly at Pride Park now – after a dip in form saw Derby lose away at Reading in mid-January – this £8k per week homegrown Rams talent could well be dropped for his side's game on Saturday.

Louie Sibley is arguably now a victim of Derby's late business in the transfer window if he is dropped for the return to home soil for Warne's men, with the 50-year-old boss opting to put his faith in Corey Blackett-Taylor over Sibley if the new recruit is back fit in time.

Louie Sibley's season in numbers

In and around the furniture at Derby since joining as a schoolboy back in 2010, the now 22-year-old Sibley is an important presence in the Rams first-team.

The versatile midfielder can play down the wing and centrally as he has showcased this season, picked by Warne to start down the left-hand side versus Charlton last time out.

It was a forgettable display in truth from Sibley up against the then managerless hosts, only coming away from the contest with a weak 56% passing accuracy on top of managing to complete only one successful dribble attempt.

The decision to axe Sibley for Blackett-Taylor could look harsh from the outside in – the loyal Rams servant does have four goals and three assists next to his name from 28 appearances this season – but Warne will want to test out his new January recruit and see what havoc he can cause against a lowly Shrewsbury outfit.

Corey Blackett Taylor's season in numbers

Battling to be back to full sharpness for this Saturday's match, after missing a reunion at the Valley owing to an adductor injury, Blackett-Taylor will hope he gets the nod over an uninspiring Sibley if deemed to be at the races.

The 26-year-old attacker – who was formerly on the books at Aston Villa as a youngster – shone for another of his ex-clubs in Charlton this season before moving on to sign for Warne's Derby in the transfer window.

Blackett-Taylor's decorated time with Charlton even saw former Addicks boss Johnnie Jackson describe him as a "great" talent, who is "very difficult to defend against" due to his sublime trickery on the ball and eye for goal.

Amassing eight goals and seven assists this campaign for the underperforming Addicks, with 20 goals and 14 assists managed overall at the Valley from 97 games played, it was only a matter of time before a team higher up the league standings took a punt on the dynamic winger.

Derby did just that, landing the exciting attacker for £300k on an initial loan deal, but are yet to really see their new purchase sparkle wearing his new Rams strip.

Excelling playing in the lower depths of the EFL with Tranmere Rovers also, scoring eight times from 62 games in a short-lived stint at Prenton Park, the time could well be right to chuck Blackett-Taylor into the lineup again versus the Shrews to boost his confidence after such a major move.

Sibley will unfortunately be the casualty from the starting lineup, Warne wanting the strongest possible XI he can have at his disposal to pick up more victories with the Rams craving a return to the Championship.

Glasgow Rangers have had mixed success in the transfer market in recent years as they have pulled off a few blinders and been stung by a few big flops.

Sam Lammers and Jose Cifuentes were both signed on permanent deals by former Light Blues boss Michael Beale last summer, and they were both sent out on loan by Philippe Clement in the recent January transfer window.

Meanwhile, the likes of Todd Cantwell, Jack Butland, and Abdallah Sima have all emerged as key players for the Scottish giants, having joined over the last 13 months or so.

Beale was not the first Rangers boss to make mistakes in the transfer market, though, and will not be the last. In fact, the man he replaced – Giovanni van Bronckhorst – had his fair share of blunders.

The Dutch head coach decided to part ways with talented maestro Juninho Bacuna at the start of 2022, and that has turned out to be a howler as the midfielder is an upgrade on Nicolas Raskin, who was signed by Beale a year later to fill that gap in midfield.

Juninho Bacuna's time with Rangers

Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson swooped to sign the young talent from English side Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2021 on a two-year deal.

The ex-Liverpool midfielder described him as a "powerful" gem and "big talent", and urged the need for patience with Bacuna to make sure that he could fulfill his development at Ibrox.

Unfortunately, Gerrard opted to leave Scotland to join Aston Villa in the Premier League shortly after that and van Bronckhorst was brought in to replace him in November 2021.

The former Feyenoord head coach was seemingly not prepared to have the patience that the man he replaced felt was needed to get the best out of the exciting midfielder as Bacuna was sold to Birmingham in January 2022.

That came after the Curacao international made six appearances in the Scottish Premiership and started one match for the Scottish giants during the first half of the 2021/22 campaign.

He produced one goal and one assist in those six outings and completed 86% of his attempted passes, which suggests that there were positive signs from his performances in spite of the limited minutes he had on the pitch.

Van Bronckhorst did not give him many chances to showcase his quality on a consistent basis and opted to part ways with the talented gem just two months into their working relationship.

Birmingham swooped in to secure his services midway through the 2021/22 season and Bacuna revealed upon joining the English side that the "opportunity" to play matches was a factor in his decision to move on from the Scottish outfit.

Beale's swoop to sign Nicolas Raskin

A year on from the club's decision to sell the midfielder, Beale decided that the Gers lacked a dynamic number eight who can hold his own defensively and contribute with quality at the top end of the pitch.

This led to a move for Standard Liege whiz Nicolas Raskin on a permanent deal, for a reported fee of around £1.75m, in January of last year.

He had produced four assists in 16 Pro League appearances during the first half of the 2022/23 campaign, to go along with a duel success rate of 58%, which showed that the Belgian gem could make an impact on and off the ball.

Appearances

12

11

Goals

Zero

One

Assists

One

One

Duel success rate

52%

57%

Tackles per game

1.8

2.5

Interceptions per game

0.5

0.6

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 22-year-old midfielder struggled to make an instant impact in Glasgow with his lack of attacking contributions and average defensive work in physical battles.

He, as you can also see, has improved slightly during the current campaign, with one more goal contribution and 0.8 more tackles and interceptions combined per match for the side, along with a higher success rate in his duels.

Raskin is yet to set the world alight at Ibrox but there is still plenty of time left for him, at the age of 22, to develop and improve under Clement over the years to come.

However, Bacuna's performances for Birmingham, particularly this season, make it seem like van Bronckhorst fumbled the club's own, better version of, Raskin a year before Beale swooped to sign him.

Juninho Bacuna's form for Birmingham

The 26-year-old midfielder enjoyed his first full season with the Championship side during the 2022/23 campaign and caught the eye with his creativity in the middle of the park.

Bacuna started 33 matches for the club and chipped in with two goals, six assists, and nine 'big chances' created, which shows that he liked to step forward to be a difference maker at the top end of the pitch.

He also made 2.5 tackles and interceptions per match for his side – 0.2 more per game than Raskin managed in the Premiership during that time.

Appearances

31

Goals

Five

Assists

Five

Big chances created

Four

Tackles per game

1.8

Interceptions per game

0.8

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the £10k-per-week star has been a huge threat for his team in the final third with his quality as a scorer and a creator from midfield.

Meanwhile, no Rangers central midfielder has produced more than five goals or three assists, with Todd Cantwell topping the charts for both, which illustrates how impressive Bacuna's return for Birmingham is.

Raskin, as aforementioned, has managed one goal and two assists in 23 Premiership appearances for the Gers, which is one goal contribution every 7.67 games on average. Meanwhile, Bacuna has averaged a goal or an assist every 3.1 outings on average so far this season in the Championship.

When you consider that they have both made tackles and interceptions at a similar rate over the past 18 months or so, the Curacao international could have offered far more to Rangers in the middle of the park.

Bacuna could have provided a big threat in possession when it comes to scoring and creating goals to go along with his similar defensive work, which is why he would be an upgrade on Raskin.

Therefore, van Bronckhorst fumbled a quality player when he decided to sell the midfielder at the start of 2022 and should, instead, have used the patience that Gerrard urged previously.

Birmingham have been rewarded for taking their time with him and Rangers ended up wasting money on, at this moment in time, a seemingly inferior player – in Raskin.

Glasgow Rangers perhaps delivered their finest victory of the season over the weekend as they dismantled an in-form Hearts side who had taken 28 points across their previous ten matches.

Not only did the Light Blues register another confidence-boosting win, but they scored five against the Gorgie outfit without reply, and it piled the pressure on Celtic ahead of their clash against Motherwell on Sunday.

They ended up securing a late win, but the Parkhead side were far from their best and Rangers now have the momentum for the first time in a while.

Much has been said about the recruitment of both teams over the previous few years, but Philippe Clement’s three January signings all scored against Hearts and this injection of freshness might just prove to be the difference in the chase for the Premiership crown.

One incoming in particular has already made such a positive impact that there is no doubt he could become one of the finest players in the squad over the next few years; Mohamed Diomande.

How much Mohamed Diomande cost Rangers

Prior to Christmas, Clement had to endure an injury crisis that deep at the club that he was forced to play Dujon Sterling – a natural full-back – in the heart of the midfield in a major domestic cup final, and it gave him an idea of just how much the squad needed to be bolstered.

Having added Fabio Silva to his side in the winter window, it looked as though the Belgian manager was going to focus on further strengthening his attacking options, but he pulled off a major surprise with a move for Diomande.

The Ivorian midfielder had starred for Danish side FC Nordsjaelland during the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, ranking in the top five among his teammates for big chances created and interceptions per game in the Superliga, and it looked as though Clement had secured a talented young maestro.

The 22-year-old was signed on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy for a fee in excess of £4.3m, and it looked like a wise move for the Gers.

"I am really pleased to have been able to add Mohamed to our squad, and I am excited to see what he can bring to our team," beamed Clement after the announcement that he had signed.

"In our conversations and what I have seen of him as a player, I believe he will be a real asset to us, not only in what remains of this season, but in the seasons to come also.”

After just five matches, this statement from the manager is already coming true.

Mohamed Diomande's season in numbers

The midfielder was given just 16 minutes of action in his first two league matches, but between those games, he started in the 2-0 Scottish Cup win over Ayr United at Ibrox and gave the supporters a demonstration of his talents.

This earned him a first Premiership start against St Johnstone last weekend, and he certainly delivered a wonderful display when it was needed most.

Against the Saints, he opened the scoring with a fantastic low drive just before the interval, along with making two key passes, succeeding with 100% of his dribble attempts and winning every single one of the ground duels he contested.

Games

4

Goals

2

Key passes per game

1

Successful dribbles per game

0.8 (100% success rate)

Balls recovered per game

2.8

This showed that not only can he be a threat going forward, but he also won't be bullied off the ball easily and can chip in from a defensive viewpoint, which could be crucial in tight matches between now and the end of the season.

Diomande was given another start against Hearts on Saturday, and he scored his second goal in a week to open the scoring once again, and it set the tone for a dominant display from Rangers.

Furthermore, he also won all of his ground duels while completing 86% of his passes, and it was another solid showing from the new boy.

His performances may certainly keep Nicolas Raskin out of the team, but could he even be better than the Belgian gem?

How Diomande compares to Nicolas Raskin

Following the win over Hearts, Rangers Review journalist Chris Jack hailed the signing and said that the call from Clement has certainly “paid off so far” with regard to bringing him to Ibrox last month.

Raskin has plenty of talent, yet fitness has disrupted his campaign so far during 2023/24. He has missed 18 games due to a couple of injury problems and failed to really build any momentum.

The midfielder has scored just one goal in 20 appearances, while Diomande has two in just five games, demonstrating his positive instant impact.

The Ivorian has also registered more key passes per game (1 vs 0.8) than Raskin and succeeded with more successful dribbles per game (0.8 vs 0.6), showing that he certainly possesses a greater attacking threat than his fellow teammate.

Clement needed a player to come in last month and make an immediate impact, and Diomande has done just that, which could be the boost the Gers need to get over the finishing line.

The onus is now on the manager and his side to continue winning and putting in solid performances to fend off Celtic, while also potentially going far in the Europa League, although this would be a bonus.

Signing Diomande for just over £4.3m is already beginning to look like a major steal and if he continues to maintain his impressive start to life at the club, then he will become one of the first names in the starting XI as the season reaches its crescendo.

Could he be the driving force which sees the Light Blues end a three-year wait for the league title? Only time will tell.

In the high-octane world of football, where youth and vitality are often seen as the most coveted assets, a group of remarkable athletes defy the norms, captivating fans with their enduring talent and unwavering passion for the game.

These players, the venerable statesmen of the pitch, have not only surpassed expectations, but have also set a benchmark for longevity in a sport that demands the utmost physical and mental fitness.

To celebrate their incredible journeys, Football FanCast compiled a list of the top 10 oldest active football players in the world in 2024…

The 10 oldest players in the Premier League

A look at some of the oldest players currently in the top flight.

ByMark Marston May 27, 2025

1

Kazuyoshi Miura

UD Oliveirense

Centre-forward

57

2

Georgi Petkov

Slavia Sofia

Goalkeeper

47

3

Dragan Jolovic

FK Alfa Modrica

Centre-back

47

4

Ahmad Korhani

AC Tripoli

Goalkeeper

45

5

Nasir Chowdhury

Chittagong Abahani

Centre-back

44

6

Ferreira Pinto

AC Ponte San Pietro

Right-winger

44

7

Rhys Griffiths

Penybont FC

Centre-forward

44

8

Cesar Medina

Alianza FC Panama

Centre-forward

43

9

Ilion Lika

KF Tirana

Goalkeeper

43

10

Joel Pinto

Sport Huancayo

Goalkeeper

43

10 Joel Pinto (Sport Huancayo) 43 years old

Joel Pinto still finds himself between the sticks at the ripe old age of 43 in the Peruvian first division.

He's started the last three games for current side Sport Huancayo, with one of these appearances coming in the Copa Sudamericana against Cesar Vallejo recently.

The goalkeeper has taken his career tally to a whopping 412 games, with 130 clean sheets over this time.

9 Ilion Lika (KF Tirana) 43 years old

If you don't feel old yet, you definitely will now, as Ilion Lika appeared for the Albanian national side all the way back in 2002 and still plays his football for Albanian outfit KF Tirana today.

He's appeared seven times this season, including in a Europa Conference League qualifier, but is yet to keep a clean sheet.

Despite being active since the early 2000s, he's only on 342 appearances for his career.

8 Cesar Medina (Alianza FC Panama) 43 years old

Cesar Medina is a striker who plays his football in his home country, Panama, for Alianza FC.

He's made just four appearances this season, with one goal to show. However, Medina is the most loyal player on this list, having stayed at Alianza throughout his career and racked up 147 appearances for them. He even appeared once for the Panama national side.

7 Rhys Griffiths (Penybont FC) 44 years old

Rhys Griffiths is a centre-forward who currently plays his football for Welsh Cymru Premier side Penybont FC.

Although he is still an active player, he's yet to appear for the Welsh club this season, despite being on the substitutes' bench in 11 games.

The 44-year-old's career has spanned over 313 games, in which he has netted 199 goals. He appeared for English side Plymouth Argyle 17 times and also had a stint at Newport County.

6 Ferreira Pinto (AC Ponte San Pietro) 44 years old

Winger Ferreira Pinto is now 44 years of age, and has still managed to make 23 appearances so far this season in the fourth tier of Italian football.

He's actually enjoyed a pretty respectable career, which has spanned 686 games, including stints at Atalanta and Lecce.

5 Nasir Chowdhury (Chittagong Abahani) 44 years old

Nasir Chowdhury is still fighting fit over in the Bangladesh Premier League for Chittagong Abahani, where he has made five appearances and scored one goal so far this season.

He's only ever played in his home country and has racked up 132 appearances over the years, as well as 14 goals from centre-back.

4 Ahmad Korhani (AC Tripoli) 45 years old

Now, moving higher up the list with Ahmad Korhani at 45 years of age.

The goalkeeper currently plays his football at Lebanese side AC Tripoli and has made seven appearances this season. He's managed to keep three clean sheets in this time and has conceded just five goals.

3 Dragan Jolovic (FK Alfa Modrica) 47 years old

Dragan Jolovic is still going strong in the second division in Bosnia and Herzegovina at FK Alfa Modrica.

He's appeared 18 times at the heart of the defence and has one goal to show for himself. He's now appeared in over 300 games in his football career, including in Champions League qualifiers, and doesn't look like slowing down anytime soon.

2 Georgi Petkov (Slavia Sofia) 47 years old

Georgi Petkov is a highly decorated goalkeeper whose career began all the way back in the late 1990s. He's amassed an impressive 400 appearances, which includes performances in the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.

He made his debut for the Bulgarian national side all the way back in 1998, and went on to make 19 appearances for his country.

Nowadays, the 47-year-old plays his football for Slavia Sofia, a side in the Bulgarian top flight.

1 Kazuyoshi Miura (UD Oliveirense) 57 years old

At number one, we have a player who has become a bit of a legendary figure, known for his determination to keep playing the game we love.

Kazuyoshi Miura is currently 57 years of age, playing his football at Portuguese second-division side Oliveirense. Though, this season isn't exactly going great for the striker as he's yet to score in five appearances, but who can knock him at his age?

The crazy thing is, he's been playing since the early 1980s with other stints in Brazil, Japan, Italy and Australia. In this time, he's managed to amass 709 appearances and scored 193 goals. But arguably the most impressive stat is his goalscoring record on the international stage for Japan, as he netted a whopping 55 goals in 89 games.

The 10 Tallest Football Players in the World in 2024 (Ranked)

Football FanCast has compiled a list of the 10 tallest football players in the world.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 11, 2024

West Ham United might have salvaged a draw against Burnley last weekend but there is a feeling of discontent around the London Stadium, with the results over the coming weeks likely to shape the club's future.

The Hammers will host Freiburg on Thursday night in a Europa League last-16 tie that they trail by a goal after losing in Germany last week before welcoming Aston Villa to east London at the weekend.

Seventh in the top-flight, West Ham are four points behind Manchester United and just ahead of a wealth of European hopefuls, but David Moyes will be most displeased with his team's lack of defensive solidity against struggling Burnley, sliced open with ease during a dreadful first-half on Sunday that, albeit, saw Moyes' half-time tweaks bring the game level.

West Ham must axe 3/10 star who was as bad as Phillips vs Burnley

David Moyes is under scrutiny once again after a poor performance in the Premier League.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 11, 2024

Brought in last summer, centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos suffered a nightmare of a game after diverting a cross into his own net to double the Clarets' advantage before the break.

Konstantinos Mavropanos' season in numbers

In fairness, the Greece international has not been a bad signing since arriving from Bundesliga club Stuttgart for £19m, making good on past praise in his "gladiator"-like presence in defence, as said by former boss Pellegrino Matarazzo.

But while he's a tough-tackling, combative titan, winning 69% of his duels in the Premier League this season, as per Sofascore, the former Arsenal player is far too wasteful in possession and this contributes to a lack of control for Moyes' team.

Against Burnley, Mavropanos compounded his own goal with a shocking 58% pass success rate, missing the mark with all eight of his long passes and losing possession 22 times.

Nayef Aguerd is failing to produce the requisite defensive strength either, with The Athletic's Roshane Thomas stating that "defensive errors are holding him back" earlier in the campaign.

It's a shame that the club cashed in on Fulham's Issa Diop, who would surely secure a starting berth for West Ham right now.

Why West Ham sold Issa Diop

Diop decided to leave West Ham in August 2022 after being told he would be the club's fifth-choice central defender for the 2022/23 campaign, with Aguerd arriving from Rennes for £30m.

Fulham, fresh from the Championship, were only too happy to oblige and snapped him up for £15m on a five-year deal as they looked to fortify their ranks and secure top-flight survival.

The 6 foot 4 Frenchman had been described as a “monster” by then-Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho during his first term for West Ham but his career at the club was punctuated with poor performances and he was sold.

Issa Diop's season in numbers

Last year, Diop played a key part in the Cottagers' preservation of top-flight status and started 21 Premier League matches, with The Athletic's Peter Rutzler heralding his "excellent" displays, continuing to impress into the current campaign.

Matches played

15

Clean sheets

3

Pass completion

89%

Tackles per game

1.5

Clearances per game

4.2

Ball recoveries per game

3.7

Duels won per game

3.1 (56%)

Possession lost per game

7.5

As per FBref, the 27-year-old ranks among the top 17% of central defenders in Europe's top five leagues for passes attempted per 90, with an average pass completion rate of 89%.

Mavropanos, by comparison, ranks among the top 42% of centre-backs for passes attempted per 90 with a pass success rate of just 82%, putting him in the lower echelon.

Of course, the 25-year-old's strengths lie in other areas but one can't help but pin down Mavropanos' passing profligacy as his main hindrance.

Diop might have been worth keeping, with his stable displays at Craven Cottage suggesting that he could have offered the composure to allow the more creative players ahead to strut their stuff with a solid foundation behind them.

Coventry City couldn't have dreamed of a better away day at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup, dramatically scoring twice in injury time to win 3-2 to seal a Wembley semi-final showdown with Manchester United.

Mark Robins' Sky Blues could find themselves playing against the Red Devils twice more next campaign if they can also break out of the Championship, with the West Midlands outfit just four points shy of the playoff spots.

Regardless of what happens, Coventry will keep their fingers crossed that they can keep a firm grip on this attacking midfield hero who didn't cost the club a single penny in transfer costs when he entered the building back in 2020.

Callum O'Hare's time at Coventry

Callum O'Hare would join the Sky Blues as a hot prospect eager to make a name for himself, unfortunately let go of by his boyhood club Aston Villa in the process.

Still, that wouldn't play on the 5 foot 9 creator's mind too much who has been a consistent hero for Coventry since making the move permanent four years ago after an initially fruitful loan.

Joining on a free transfer when the Sky Blues had just made it up to the second tier, O'Hare's rise and continued excellence has coincided with his side knocking on the door of the Premier League after once being viewed as a sleeping giant.

O'Hare has amassed an impressive 51 goals and assists from 173 Coventry appearances to date, with 13 of those coming just this season for Robins' men.

Although the 25-year-old might have taken a relative back-seat compared to the likes of Haji Wright and Ellis Simms in Coventry's Cup upset at Molineux – with the number ten only given a 20-minute run-out – O'Hare was still key late on to that dramatic 3-2 victory being achieved.

He wouldn't pick up another goal or assist to add to his sparkling Sky Blues back catalogue, but O'Hare would give his side the necessary grit and fight required to shock the Premier League hosts – the ex-Aston Villa man would win five ground duels, alongside attempting four dribbles to unlock the scared Wolves defence.

He also teed up Simms to play Wright in for the winning strike against Gary O'Neil's flustered men, an adventurous foray forward justly rewarded.

Callum O'Hare's transfer value in 2024

Obviously, O'Hare's transfer value has now been bumped up from the £0 he was once purchased for with the 25-year-old now worth €1.0m (£855k) according to Football Transfers.

No doubt Coventry would want any potential suitor to cough up more than that, knowing how vital he is to the Championship side's cause currently.

However, they could be powerless to lose O'Hare on a cheap deal – the 25-year-old attacking midfielder's contract is up at the end of this season, alerting suitors to his services consequently.

Battling to be back in Robins' first-team plans this season after a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury, O'Hare has more than proven his worth back in his team with "outstanding" performances as his manager has previously described.

1. Josh Eccles

€7.7m (£6.5m)

2. Haji Wright

€6.5m (£5.5m)

3. Milan Van Ewijk

€4.7m (£4m)

4. Liam Kitching

€3.7m (£3.1m)

5. Jake Bidwell

€3.4m (£2.9m)

The 25-year-old is still some way off being at the top of the list involving the most valuable players at the CBS Arena, but it would still be a monumental sucker punch for Robins and Co if they were to lose their much-loved servant.

Coventry will have their eyes on replacements already if that circumstance does arise, however, knowing that they have a reputation for being able to operate shrewdly and effectively.

Nottingham Forest are looking to sign a £15m-rated player this summer, despite their recent Premier League points deduction.

Nottingham Forest appeal points deduction

It has been an eventful month at The City Ground, with Forest learning last week of their four-point deduction due to breaches of the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

That has put Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the bottom three with nine games remaining, however, Forest have now lodged an appeal. Sky Sports have claimed that the Reds are unlikely to be punished further if their appeal, which will take place in the next three weeks, is unsuccessful.

Despite the off-field saga and the uncertainty of Premier League football in 2024/25, Forest appear to be planning ahead for the summer in the transfer market.

Recent rumours have suggested that Forest are set to enter the race to sign Mainz 05 midfielder Leandro Barreiro on a free transfer when his deal expires in the summer.

Alongside a new midfielder, though, another goalkeeper could be on the cards, despite the Reds bringing in Matt Turner, Matz Sels and Odysseas Vlachodimos this season from Arsenal, Strasbourg and Benfica.

Nottingham Forest eyeing Jack Butland move

According to Football Insider, Rangers rejected an offer from Forest for Jack Butland in the January transfer window, but the Reds still have their eye on the 31-year-old, who is valued at £15m.

Butland is thought to be plotting an Ibrox exit and a return to the Premier League this summer, but Forest will face competition from two other unnamed Premier League sides.

He has been in fine form for Rangers this season as they look to pip Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title, and his performances were mooted to reward him with a fresh England call-up.

That failed to materialise, but the nine-cap England international, on £25,000-a-week, appears to be back to his best, with Barry Ferguson shocked that Gareth Southgate didn’t select Butland for the recent internationals.

“I was watching the announcement and I couldn’t believe it – and I’m not just saying this because he’s the Rangers goalkeeper. I honestly don’t know what to say. The keepers that were picked in front of him, yes, they’re good keepers. But are they better than Jack Butland? I don’t think so.

“If I was him I would be disappointed. I would be angry. But if he’s angry, frustrated or disillusioned then he’ll use the remaining games of the season to go out and show just how good a goalkeeper he is.

Appearances

47

Clean sheets

23

Goals conceded

36

Minutes played

4,230

“There is still a slight opportunity for him to go to Germany but not making it into this squad suggests that’s not going to be the case – and that’s the wrong choice. But all Jack can do now is continue to play the way he has since he came up here. He can’t influence anything else. And since he’s come up here he’s been an absolute man mountain at the back for Rangers.”

Whether that means Butland is ready to become Forest’s number one is another question, though, as a ‘keeper has been a problem area for the Reds since their return to the top-light.

Dean Henderson, Keylor Navas, Turner, Vlachodimos and Sels have all had a go in recent years, with the latter currently first choice, so it will be interesting to see if Forest make their move for Butland.

Leeds United will hope any murmurs that the wheels are coming off their promotion push are silenced when Daniel Farke's men visit Middlesbrough in the next intense round of Championship games.

Winless in their last three second tier clashes, it is vital that the Whites respond to their critics by confidently beating Michael Carrick's Boro on their own patch to stake a claim again that they deserve to win the league.

Whether Farke's men do end up returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking or have to make do with another season in the Championship, the summer transfer window looks set to be a busy one for outgoings and incomings at Elland Road.

Leeds will look to cut ties permanently with at least one forgotten face in the off-season, the £90k-per-week outcast struggling with his current club Everton as they fight against being relegated from the top flight.

Jack Harrison's time at Everton

Jack Harrison must be cursing his luck at why he relocated to Goodison Park, having been in a dogfight at the bottom of the division with Leeds before moving on to the Toffees in a now similar predicament.

The 27-year-old has four goals and three assists next to his name this season for Sean Dyche's downtrodden men, but the former Leeds star turned villain has only managed to fire in one league strike this year to try and help his loan club stave off the drop.

Harrison's dire display when Everton were humiliated 6-0 away at Chelsea last time out showcases a man bereft of confidence, failing to fire a single effort on the Blues goal from an unmemorable 45-minute spell at Stamford Bridge.

It remains to be seen whether or not the Merseyside club even keep Harrison around on a permanent deal, but from a Leeds perspective, the West Yorkshire side will be more than content with getting the out-of-sorts 27-year-old off their books when this season is over and done with.

Jack Harrison's future at Leeds

Whilst Harrison leaving the club would have been seen as an initial blow to Farke and Co at the start of the campaign, with the once-adored Whites winger bagging six goals in his last full season at Elland Road, other wingers at the club have more than stepped up now in his absence.

The likes of Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto have been terrifying to watch down the right channel for Leeds this season, with James making Harrison's once solid spot his own by firing in 13 goals in all competitions to become a much-loved figure.

In contrast, Harrison's best-ever total donning Leeds white for a full campaign was a lesser ten.

Even when he was performing at his best for Leeds with Newcastle United once interested, football journalist James Marshment would still describe the former Manchester City man as "frustrating" to watch.

Moreover, the £90k-per-week Harrison raked in during Leeds' poor 2022-23 season must also have been a sticking point as to why the Whites insisted on the 27-year-old moving onto Merseyside despite his impressive numbers.

1. Georginio Rutter

£70k per week

2. Patrick Bamford

£70k per week

3. Junior Firpo

£60k per week

4. Daniel James

£50k per week

5. Pascal Struijk

£50k per week

That excessive pay packet would make Harrison the highest earner in the Leeds camp currently if a loan move never happened, with the promotion-chasing Whites more at ease with dishing out a hefty £70k-per-week wage to Georginio Rutter based on his stunning season to date.

Harrison will find on his return to Elland Road, if Everton don't want to pay up to win him permanently, that there's no longer a real space for him in the new-look starting eleven crafted by Farke.

Leeds will hold out hope that they can offload Harrison – who looks set to leave this summer – for a fee close to the £11m they forked out in 2021 soon, bringing his up-and-down time in West Yorkshire finally to a subdued end.

Leeds preparing to sell player who Daniel Farke doesn't want

The Whites are planning for a future without the player.

ByDan Emery Apr 17, 2024

Tottenham Hotspur face an anxious few weeks of action as Ange Postecoglou's side fight to secure Champions League qualification, fifth in the Premier League and six points behind Aston Villa ahead of the final stretch of the campaign.

Of course, Postecoglou will take solace in the knowledge that his team hold two games in hand on Unai Emery's side, but with fixtures against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City awaiting in this culminating cluster of games, something special is needed to clinch top four.

Regardless of the forthcoming results, Spurs are resolved to land some exciting additions during this summer's transfer window, with plans already being mapped out…

Spurs transfer news

According to Tuttosport – via Sport Witness – Tottenham are interested in signing Lecce defender Patrick Dorgu and have already established contact with a bid to ask for information about the young gun, with the defender reportedly available for €20m (£17m).

However, with AC Milan, Juventus and Atletico Madrid also in the mix, Tottenham will need to present an attractive offer to secure the Dane's signature and bring him to London.

How Patrick Dorgu would fit in at Spurs

Dorgu is only 19 years old but he has been riding the crest of a wave with Lecce in Serie A, developing a tidy and even array of abilities to cement himself as one of the division's most promising prospects.

To evidence this: as per FBref, Dorgu ranks among the top 4% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 15% for tackles and the top 11% for aerial duels won per 90.

Moreover, having completed 27 league matches this season – starting 12 times – the teenage talent has scored twice, completing 86% of his passes and averaged 4.0 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.

Left-back

17

1

0

Left midfield

4

1

0

Right-back

1

0

0

Right winger

1

0

0

Left winger

1

0

0

With an innate goalscoring prowess and blossoming versatility suggesting that Dorgu might not spend the duration of his career on the edge of the backline, the 6 foot 2 star may find himself utilised in a more offensive role if signed by Tottenham, repeating the past success with Gareth Bale.

Bale is one of the greatest footballers in Lilywhite history, scoring 106 goals and supplying 67 assists over 258 games before joining Real Madrid in a world-record £85m transfer in 2013, going on to forge one of the most illustrious careers of his generation.

He was signed as a youngster for just £5m though, arriving from Southampton as a talented left-back, though it was his fearsome pace and power that urged the metamorphosis into a role as a forward – a tactical tweak that led Arsene Wenger to note how "exceptionally well" he adjusted.

That's probably an understatement and a half, with journalist Zach Lowy appositely heralding him as a "legend of the game", and Tottenham would possibly be wise to seek an emulation in the shape of Dorgu.

Especially as analyst Ben Mattinson has dubbed the Denmark U21 international as "technically & physically developed for his age" and "tactically versatile" – also remarking on his attacking quality: "Dorgu offers so much going forward. Great delivery & his pace allows him to drive down the touch line and cross the ball into the middle."

His unique blend of attributes has also led journalist Antonio Mango to note the unique player's "explosive movements, supreme athleticism and engine to last." That certainly sounds like Bale, doesn't it?

Tottenham might just be wise to take a punt and bring this starlet to the club. Dorgu has all the skills to forge a career of the highest distinction.

Spurs can ease Udogie blow by unleashing their “best academy defender”

This would be a shrewd move from Ange Postecoglou.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 23, 2024