All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Jurgen Klopp's departure from Anfield's dugout was always going to be a watershed moment for Liverpool, but the Reds deserve praise for the seamless transition to life under Arne Slot, who is very much off to a flyer in the Premier League.

Many early questions have been answered, but there's a conundrum yet to be solved in the mould of Darwin Nunez, who joined Liverpool in a deal rising to a club-record £85m in 2022.

The 25-year-old is one of the most influential and electric strikers in the world, but he's also an enigma, raising questions for his employers as a lack of temperament in pivotal moments. To put it another way, he's pretty wasteful, routinely missing from a glorious opening, having expertly woven his way into a promising position.

It's annoying, a blemish on an otherwise intoxicating skillset that has left him waiting for his first start under Slot's leadership. Nunez was actually an unused substitute during the opening-day victory over Ipswich Town, before earning cameos against Brentford and Manchester United.

Premier League

67

20

11

Europa League

10

5

1

Champions League

8

4

0

Carabao Cup

7

1

4

FA Cup

5

2

1

He's been kept out by Diogo Jota at number nine. On the flank, Mohamed Salah has been as undroppable as ever on the right, posting three goals and three assists across three matches, while Luis Diaz looks like a man reborn on the left.

Luis Diaz is reborn under Arne Slot

Diaz being here at this stage, playing for Slot, was not a certainty as Liverpool's transfer window trundled on through. Barcelona have been interested in the Colombian menace but were put off by FSG's transfer demands, putting a €75m (£63m) price tag on the winger.

He notched 13 goals and five assists across all competitions which wasn't the greatest return, but Diaz is a tireless performer with crackling dribbling and intelligence and ease in his movements, economical yet effusive in his expression.

Slot's arrival has taken Diaz to another level. It's early days yet but he's fast and furious and, importantly, prolific. Three goals and an assist across the opening three matches of the season bear testament to his energy and newfound clinical edge.

Could Diaz finally rise to a position that was envisaged upon his arrival, back in January 2022? He was welcomed before the sale of Sadio Mane but welcomed with the expectation that he would succeed the Senegal international.

Sadio Mane's record at Liverpool

Mane is one of the most iconic forwards in modern Premier League history. He might be gone now, but his legacy lives on.

Liverpool signed the wide forward from Southampton in June 2016, in a deal worth £34m. It was Klopp's first summer at the helm and it was one of the Reds' most transformative signings across the duration of the German's tenure, for Mane proved to be one of the deadliest forwards in all of Europe in the years that followed.

Across 269 fixtures, Mane clinched 120 goals and supplied 42 assists for Liverpool, notably starring during victorious campaigns in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, among further major honours.

The 32-year-old's electric movements and deadly finishing saw him form a crucial part of Klopp's historic frontline: partnering Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.

Klopp had called the winger a "world-class" player, but then that's quite the understatement. Diaz is seeking to emulate his predecessor, and though he's an excellent player, he has a way to go before surpassing him.

But at the start of the 2021/22 season, Liverpool had a problem. Mane and his strikeforce partners had all entered the penultimate years of their contracts, and it was tacitly acknowledged that extending all three deals was implausible.

Firmino would see how the duration of his deal, leaving in 2023, whereas Salah extended and could extend once again – though let's leave that one for another day, eh?

The "machine" that was Mane – as said Klopp – was sold, and so ended his Premier League career.

Sadio Mane's career since leaving Liverpool

Bayern Munich snapped the ace up for a £35m fee, though it was an initial £27m figure for the Merseysiders' bank. This meant that Liverpool cashed for around the same figure as was once paid, having reaped all the rewards in the vast interim.

Mane's Bundesliga experience was not an auspicious thing. He scored 12 times for the German giants but was at the epicentre of a high-profile bust-up with teammate Leroy Sane. It wasn't a surprise when he left after his one and only year in Germany, joining Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Since joining Al Nassr, Mane has scored 19 goals and 13 assists across 50 fixtures, meaning he has netted 31 strikes since leaving Liverpool two years ago.

That 19-goal haul last year means that he outscored both Diaz and Nunez. Heck, you could chuck Jota in there as well, although the Portuguese striker was knocked by injuries and still managed to bag 15 goals from 19 starting appearances.

Diaz, as documented earlier, only scored 13 goals across his 53 outings, whereas Nunez was more potent with 18 goals but he still missed a thick catalogue of chances.

Klopp once described Mane as "one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players", and he wasn't wide of the mark. The Senegalese might not reclaim the lofty heights of his Redman days, but he will take solace in the fact that he's one of the Premier League's finest-ever forwards.

His weekly earnings of about £650k per week can't hurt either, to be fair. He'll take solace in that. And anyway, given that he's still outscoring the likes of Diaz and Nunez, he's enjoying his football too.

Liverpool struck gold selling Anfield sensation for stunning 1570% profit

He’s never quite recaptured his Merseyside magic…

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 10, 2024

Chelsea chiefs are keen on selling an "interesting" name in their squad after already seeing rid of Angelo Gabriel, who has just officially completed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

Chelsea announce Angelo Gabriel sale after £19 million offer

Just before the Saudi transfer window closed on Monday evening, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr swooped in with a £19 million bid to sign Angelo, who spent last season on loan at Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg in Ligue 1.

£19m Chelsea man injured in training, set to be sidelined until November

He has picked up yet another injury.

ByBen Browning Sep 3, 2024

The Brazilian, signed by Chelsea from Santos just last summer, bagged four assists over 25 appearances in all competitions for Strasbourg, but this wasn't enough to convince either Todd Boehly or Enzo Maresca that he had a long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

Reports over the summer claimed Chelsea were ready to offload Gabriel as one of the many players not in Maresca's plans, with Al-Nassr handing the west Londoners a transfer opportunity after the UK window closed last Friday.

Cole Palmer

7.48

Conor Gallagher

7.13

Nicolas Jackson

7.07

Moises Caicedo

6.85

Noni Madueke

6.84

Just before the Saudi Pro League's own deadline, which passed on Monday evening, Al-Nassr opened talks to sign the 19-year-old forward starlet and submitted the near-£20 million offer for his services.

The deal, accepted by Chelsea and announced this morning, apparently includes a sell-on clause which was demanded by the hierarchy as a condition to sell Gabriel.

Chelsea originally signed Gabriel for around £13 million last July, with this £19m deal allowing Boehly and Clearlake Capital to register a £6 million profit on a player who didn't play a single minute.

The sell-on clause means Chelsea could yet make more money off this exit, coming as a pretty smart piece of business by BlueCo. Gabriel is by no means the only player who could still leave either, with uncertainty still surrounding the future of Ben Chilwell at Chelsea.

Striker David Datro Fofana is also expected to leave Chelsea with a succession of windows still open, including the Greek.

Chelsea want to sell David Datro Fofana after Angelo Gabriel

According to Greek journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos of Sporttime, Chelsea want to sell Fofana on a permanent deal, with AEK Athens interested but desiring a loan move.

Much like with Gabriel, it is believed Maresca's side are aiming to include a "big sell-on clause" in any proposed permanent transfer.

This could be one to watch over the coming days, as the Greek window doesn't close until September 11, and an opportunity could potentially arise in Turkey as well, with their window open till September 13.

Fofana, called a "highly interesting" player by Union Berlin official Oliver Ruhnert, impressed on loan at Burnley last season with four Premier League goals in 15 appearances.

Manchester United have strengthened across the board this summer, but there's one prominent transfer thread yet to have been conclusively wrapped up.

Manuel Ugarte did not enjoy the most auspicious of debut campaigns, signing for Paris Saint-Germain from Sporting Lisbon in a £51m deal last summer, but the 23-year-old has attracted Old Trafford's attention due to his steely skillset and wide expanse of growth still ahead.

He no doubt has a tough journey ahead, but then Ugarte has all the properties to establish himself as a leading player in the Premier League.

Why Manuel Ugarte could succeed at Man United

As per Fabrizio Romano, United are closing in on signing Ugarte; at this stage, it would be a surprise to all parties if a deal were to fall through.

Transfer talks between the two outfits have been protracted but a resolution is indeed close, with a loan move with an obligation to buy suggested as one possible solution. Ugarte, for his part, is desperate to journey to the Theatre of Dreams.

He's also a high-class distributor, ranking among the top 6% of central midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, as per FBref. Sure, he's not the most expansive with his passing, but a crisp and secure body in the centre is exactly what the Red Devils need.

Matches (starts)

25 (21)

Goals

0

Assists

2

Touches*

67.6

Pass completion

91%

Key passes*

0.6

Ball recoveries

7.2

Tackles*

3.9

Interceptions*

1.6

Total duels won*

6.4 (53%)

By adding him to the mix and providing an upgrade on Casemiro, the likes of Kobbie Mainoo could operate with greater freedom, while Bruno Fernandes could be more secure in his all-encompassing creative dominance.

All this, in turn, would spill over to Ten Hag's frontline, where centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund might finally receive the service that his prolific quality deserves.

Despite a testing debut campaign in Greater Manchester, the young Dane has actually seen his market value shoot up after United paid £72m to Atalanta for his signature, and one can only imagine how far he might rise if Ugarte's arrival issues the desired chain reaction.

Rasmus Hojlund's market value in 2024

According to CIES Football Observatory's player valuation model, Hojlund currently boasts a maximum market price of £103m, bearing testament to his prodigious potential and indeed just how well-regarded he is.

This would place him some £52m above Ugarte, who might end up joining on an initial loan but would later cost a €60m (£51m) figure.

Last year, he scored ten goals from 30 matches in the Premier League despite blanking until Boxing Day, also proving to be a shining light from United's bleak Champions League campaign, bagging five goals from six outings.

To back up that point about an absence of service, Man United ranked joint-12th in the Premier League last season for big chances created, alongside Bournemouth, so Hojlund really did struggle to find the kind of support he needed to perform at his apex.

Once predicted to become a "monster" of a striker by Reading head coach Ruben Selles, Hojlund proved that he could score goals despite his young years and lack of playmaking support.

Now, United are moving up a gear or three, and he could now grow into one of the continent's star strikers.

Surprise move: Man Utd target "extraordinary" UCL winner who's like De Ligt

The experienced international could be a clever addition to the team.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 23, 2024

It’s a scary thought to imagine where Chelsea would’ve finished in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign had Cole Palmer not been producing the magic he did in front of goal last season.

After joining from Manchester City for £40m, it was unclear how much of an effect he would have on the first team at Stamford Bridge during his first campaign in West London.

However, it rapidly became apparent how crucial he would be under former boss Mauricio Pochettino, as he registered 22 goals and 11 assists in his 34 appearances – helping the Blues finish in a European spot.

He ended the campaign as the division’s second-highest scorer behind Erling Haaland, but managed the most combined goals and assists of any player, with his £40m fee looking an absolute bargain 12 months on.

Palmer could further bolster his tally in 2024/25 and may be helped by one potential addition that could see him link up with one of his former teammates.

Chelsea interested in attacking talent this summer

According to journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea are set to make an approach to sign Manchester City forward Oscar Bobb before the conclusion of the transfer window.

The 21-year-old Norwegian forward made his breakthrough into Pep Guardiola’s side last season, making 26 appearances in all competitions – scoring in the Premier League and Champions League.

Phillips’ report states that the Blues could lure Bobb to Stamford Bridge after seeing the impact of Palmer in 2023/24, but that no official bid has been made for the youngster.

Like Palmer, Bobb is a product of City’s impressive academy setup but has found himself in the same situation of only getting opportunities off the substitutes bench.

He needs consistent game time to reach the levels he’s capable of, with the Norwegian attacker potentially able to hit the heights of one player who the Blues let slip through their grasp.

Why Bobb could be like Musiala for Chelsea

Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala has cemented himself as one of the best young talents in world football after his displays at Euro 2024, which saw the German score three times in his five appearances at the tournament.

However, he could’ve been starring in the Blue of Chelsea, but he will remain one of many talents who have slipped through the net, after he left the Blues to join the Bundesliga outfit at the age of 16.

The 21-year-old is now valued at £111m by Transfermarkt – an indication as to how much he’s developed in such a short space of time – but Enzo Maresca’s side now have the opportunity to sign a player like the midfielder in City’s Bobb.

The pair are very similar players according to FBref and when delving into their stats per 90 in 2023/24, the comparison is understandable with Chelsea potentially signing another hugely promising youngster.

Games played

14

24

Progressive passes

7.4

5.1

Pass accuracy

88%

80%

Shot-creating actions

6.5

5.4

Shots per goal

0.3

0.2

Take-on success

61%

51%

He may have featured in ten fewer league matches last season, but the City youngster registered a higher pass accuracy and completed more progressive passes per 90 – potentially aiding Palmer as he looks to build on his excellent opening season at Stamford Bridge.

Bobb, who’s previously been dubbed “electric” by boss Guardiola, was more of a threat in the final third than the German, averaging a higher goal-per-shot rate, whilst completing more of the take-ons that he attempted.

Whilst it’s still unknown if a deal could be completed or how much it would set the Blues back, the youngster would be a hugely impressive addition who has the potential to develop into a superstar in west London.

The deal that saw Palmer move to the club last summer could be used as motivation for Maresca to repeat a similar transfer this summer, with the Blues benefitting from the youngster’s talents in the present and the future.

Personal terms done: Chelsea on the verge of signing the next Vinicius Jr

Chelsea could land themselves their very own Vini Jr

ByConnor Holden Aug 9, 2024

Transfer season is always a strange time. With no football to talk about, fans resort to tracking flights, watching YouTube compilations are creating their dream starting line-ups.It’s also an interesting period for pundits, who are left to analyse transfer business across various leagues, leading some to occasionally blurt out some interesting theories.The latest to come out with a bizarre claim is former Chelsea player Eni Aluko, who spoke on TalkSport about Manchester City and Arsenal’s battle to sign West Ham United’s captain Declan Rice.

What did Eni Aluko say about Rice?

Aluko said that she believes Mikel Arteta could have prompted Pep Guardiola’s move for the midfielder, so that Arsenal’s owners are forced to place a higher bid and get the deal done.

Guardiola helping last season’s closest challengers to sign one of the best midfielders in the league would certainly be an interesting move, to say the least. And it’s not even clear how much the Gunners would be helped by City making Rice’s transfer fee higher.

The claim comes out of nowhere, and remains a controversial one, given the fact that the former Chelsea star has claimed that Arteta and Guardiola are secretly working together to strengthen Arsenal.

Speaking on TalkSport (via HLTCO), Aluko came out with an astonishing claim, referencing her time spent as the sporting director of Los Angeles side Angel City FC.

She said: “I think there’s a lot of cat and mouse going on here. As a sporting director, I used to do this a lot.

“So I used to call up a big club and say, can you put a bid in, and that would get my owner to basically put a higher bid in. It’s a bit like an auction, isn’t it?

“I don’t think Manchester City actually want to sign Declan Rice, I think what’s going on here is Arteta’s picked up the phone to Pep and said, listen, Arsenal are going to do the incremental bid approach, if you put a bid in, it will push my owner.

“I think there’s a bit of that going on here.”

What’s the latest on Declan Rice?

As of right now, West Ham are holding firm for the right price. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Hammers have rejected Arsenal’s offer of £75m plus £15m in add-ons as well as Man City’s offer of £80m and £10m in add-ons.

The battle is certainly on for the England international’s signature, it just remains to be seen who provides the most suitable offer, and which destination Rice ultimately chooses this summer.

With the treble winners and a side on the up to choose from, Rice is spoilt for choice, that’s for sure.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have got their eye on a Premier League ace ahead of the transfer window, as Julen Lopetegui prepares for his first summer in charge at Molineux.

While the break is set to be busy for the Spaniard, it’s also projected to be far from easy considering the recent revelations of Wolves’ FFP woes.

The former Real Madrid boss may not be able to spend lavishly this summer, however, with a number of departures forecast, players are still expected to arrive at Molineux, with the latest link being one of ‘the best’.

What’s the latest on James Ward-Prowse to Wolves?

As reported by SunSport at the start of the month, Wolves have been linked with Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.

More recently, journalist Dean Jones told GIVEMESPORT that the Midlands club are ‘interested’ in the Englishman, who he believes would be a “really good fit” for Lopetegui’s side.

SunSport claimed that the newly relegated side are expected to demand a fee in the region of £40m for their captain.

What could James Ward-Prowse offer Wolves?

Hailed as “phenomenal” by former teammate Charlie Austin via talkSPORT, the 28-year-old has enjoyed a fruitful career in the Premier League at St Mary’s.

Following Southampton’s relegation, rumours have sparked regarding their captain’s future at the club, and with Wolves a potential suitor, Lopetegui could build a devilish midfield around the Englishman.

With an average Sofascore match rating of 7.23, the Portsmouth-born ace has been the Saints’ shining light in a dreary campaign, registering himself as the club’s top performer this term.

Despite ending the season rock-bottom of the table, Ward-Prowse was influential in the final third as he was the year prior, scoring nine goals and assisting four starring in every Premier League game.

The £100k-per-week ace could add an additional threat in the goal department, which is essential for Lopetegui with his side ending the campaign as the league’s lowest scorers.

Playing in central-midfield, the Spaniard could inject his side with added talent going forward from the engine room, in a partnership with Mario Lemina who has been an anchor for Wolves.

The duo played together previously at St Mary’s, making the possible transition from the south coast to the Midlands easier for the Saints captain, with a familiar face beside him in the middle of the park.

Having a pivot in midfield between a creative spark and a defensive-minded ace is the recipe for unlocking oppositions, as well as maintaining a strong ability to transition from defence to attack.

As per FBref, the Gabon international provides defensively for Wolves in the heart of the pitch, averaging a monstrous 2.95 tackles per 90, as well as 1.64 blocks and 1.85 clearances, winning 59% of his total duels per game.

Having such defensive assurance could allow Ward-Prowse freedom in midfield to exercise his strengths offensively, where he averages 5.05 progressive passes and 3.39 shot-creating actions per 90, via FBref.

The Englishman fairs better than Lopetegui’s current midfield set-up with Ruben Neves contributing 2.38 shot-creating actions, suggesting he could be more useful in the final third than the departing Portuguese.

With Lemina acting as a sweeper protecting the defence, and having Ward-Prowse as an option to unleash going forward, Molineux could see an exciting duo reconnect next season.

Leeds United manager candidate Daniel Farke is starting 'to have a bit more prominence' in the Whites' hunt for a new boss to replace Sam Allardyce, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Leeds United and Daniel Farke?

According to Phil Hay on Twitter, who is a journalist for The Athletic, Farke is in the running for the Leeds United managerial vacancy and 'impressed' during 'initial discussions' with the Whites' hierarchy.

Hay also detailed that former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers another contender and is a figure that they 'really want' at the helm at Elland Road heading into next term.

Nevertheless, Rodgers looks to be on his way to his former club Celtic, who are in 'advanced talks' with the Irishman over a potential return to the Scottish giants, as per Sky Sports.

Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg also detailed on Twitter that Farke was another name in the frame to take over at Celtic from Ange Postecoglou last week; nevertheless, it looks like Rodgers will head north of the border, potentially paving the way for Farke to assume control at Leeds United.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones has signified that the notion of Farke ending up at Leeds United is gaining momentum, though he questions the differing profiles of managers that the Yorkshire outfit have been linked with.

Jones said: "It's a bit strange at the moment. The type of managers that they are going for seem to be a bit all over the place in terms of profile.

"So, it's not totally clear what we're getting. Farke, at the moment, has also been linked with Celtic, but the Leeds rumours do seem to have a bit more prominence to them right now."

Would Daniel Farke be a good appointment for Leeds United?

Farke definitely operates with a high-octane style that would suit Leeds United's style of play and has experience of success at Sky Bet Championship level.

In his previous spell as manager of Norwich City, the 46-year-old led the Canaries to the English second-tier title on two occasions, in 2018/19 and 2020/21, as per Transfermarkt.

Most recently, Farke was head coach at Borussia Monchengladbach and was dismissed at the end of the 2022/23 campaign following a tenth-placed finish in the Bundesliga.

He may feel that a return to England will give him the best chance of re-establishing success; however, he may have to compete with West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan to land the position, as per The Yorkshire Evening Post.

Moving forward, Leeds United will hope that they can appoint a new manager swiftly as they get their preparations underway for 2023/24.

Aston Villa have even more games to factor in next season after qualifying for the Europa Conference League, meaning squad depth will take on more importance than ever.

Unai Emery has worked wonders during his short spell in charge of the Villans, and now he has a chance to shape the squad in his own right by bringing in players to not so much as act as back-up options, but to improve on what he already has in his favoured line-up.

That could spell bad news for some first-team regulars, especially those in central midfield should Villa push ahead with plans to sign Youri Tielemans following his exit from Leicester City.

Tielemans confirmed the news everyone was expecting last week when announcing his departure from Leicester following their relegation from the Premier League.

The Belgium international will go down in club folklore at the King Power Stadium for his stunning winning strike against Chelsea in the 2021 FA Cup final, though he was never expected to stay on once his contract expires later this month.

After four years' service for Leicester, during which time he racked up just short of 200 appearances, the 26-year-old is now set to embark on a new challenge elsewhere, widely expected to be with another Premier League club.

The Express & Star recently claimed Villa are in the mix for the midfielder, while The Athletic's David Ornstein has since revealed that the one-time Anderlecht man is "set to join" Emery's side on a free transfer.

Where would Youri Tielemans fit in at Aston Villa?

Tielemans hardly had the finest of campaigns last time out – which Leicester City player did? – but he has more than shown what he is capable of during his time in English football, as well as on the international stage with Belgium.

Indeed, much has been expected of the Anderlecht youth product ever since he first caught the eye as a 20-year-old, with Eden Hazard describing him as "a major player" after scoring his first international goal in 2019.

Even accounting for Leicester's relegation, three goals and two assists in 31 Premier League appearances for a struggling side last season is not a terrible return, especially considering he plays in a deep-lying midfield role.

Tielemans is a creative player, highlighted by his expected assisted goals (xAG) return of 0.18 over the past year, which ranks him in the top 11% of his positional peers, as per FBref.

The Belgian also ranks highly for progressive passes (6.95 per 90) and passes attempted (82 per 90), while also remaining strong defensively with 2.53 tackles per 90 on average.

To put that into some context, Douglas Luiz – the man Tielemans is expected to challenge for a place at Villa should he join – averages 4.55 progressive passes, 55.72 passes and 2.24 tackles, meaning the latter is stronger in each of those key areas.

Tielemans is also stronger aerially, winning an average of one duel per game (68.4%), compared to 0.77 per game (53.2%) for Luiz, as well as leading the way for tackles won – 1.50 compared to 1.29.

Leicester's relegation may cloud somewhat just how good a player Tielemans has been – and indeed still is – with Pep Guardiola among the talented midfielder's fans.

"Tielemans is a top, top class player," Guardiola said in 2021, adding that he was told all about Tielemans' qualities by Vincent Kompany long before the defender's compatriot had arrived in the Premier League.

Add in the fact Tielemans is available for free, with weekly wages of £35,000 a week, according to Capology, Villa must ensure they do all they can to bring in a player who can help them both domestically and in Europe next season.

Leeds United saw their three-year stint in the Premier League cut ruthlessly short on Sunday, as their 4-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur confirmed their relegation.

Wins elsewhere for Everton and Leicester City only exacerbated such failures, as they finished 19th to return to the Championship.

Having spent 16 years in the second division the last time they were demoted, the hope around Elland Road will be that they can avoid another lengthy absence and bounce back at the first time of asking.

To do that, it will require an almighty effort from the hierarchy to secure a new long-term manager and a host of new players to propel them there, amidst a potential takeover.

However, they might have some key assets who could spearhead such a charge, who are already in their squad and unlikely to leave this summer.

One such example is Darko Gyabi, who joined as a top-quality youngster from Manchester City just last summer. Despite the £5m expended, he was forced into the U21s for the majority of the campaign.

Having surely acclimatised to life at Elland Road now, next term could truly be his breakthrough one to announce himself as a star in Yorkshire.

How good is Darko Gyabi?

With all the physical assets to compete in such a taxing division, it is wholly possible that the 19-year-old could be the Championship's next top product.

After all, he has already shown himself to be at a level above his youth category, with journalist Joe Donnohue offering massive praise after one performance in particular back in March: "Darko Gyabi's performance tonight is the most complete midfield display by any LUFC player, at any level, (I've seen) this season. Passing, strength, presence, awareness, use of his body – class."

He continued by noting that he "plays with an attitude, dynamism & real vitality"; attributes that will be key to dominating midfield battles.

As such, he may already be ahead of a certain Weston McKennie, the American who endured a torrid time in Yorkshire after his half a season loan from Juventus back in January.

The midfielder did little to weave his way into the hearts of those at Elland Road during his six-month stint, as he travelled home to Turin this week with zero goals and just one assist to show for his efforts.

On the flip side, with Gyabi amassing five goal contributions from 17 Premier League 2 games, his offensive input cannot be understated alongside his other impressive attributes. This has culminated in just three senior appearances, which should be vastly expanded upon next season with more game time likely forthcoming.

Gyabi's work in the U20 World Cup serves to offer further proof as to just how remarkable he is for his age, as the teenage sensation has recorded a 7.07 average rating thus far, maintaining an 88% pass accuracy alongside, one interception, 2.7 tackles and 2.7 successful dribbles per game, via Sofascore.

This tough-tackling mindset blended with elegance on the ball makes him a technical marvel, who already stands at a whopping 6 foot 5 to only emphasise his stature as someone capable of making the step up.

He has everything needed to shine at senior level, and it could be argued that a run of games in the Premier League might have even been merited. But with huge changes set to occur this summer once McKennie and co depart, Gyabi should offer some clarity for the new boss, as a nailed-on starter for their new adventure in the Championship.

Celtic head coach Ange Postecoglou has been heavily linked with a move away from the Scottish Premiership with several English top flight clubs on the search for new managers.

The 57-year-old was asked by Sky Sports whether any of the speculation, particularly amid interest from Spurs, had come across his radar. To which he defiantly said: "And yet, I'm still here."

Adding more to his reply, Postecoglou said:

"Listen, it doesn't,""I think anyone that knows me knows that what is important for me is the here and now. I've never planned anything in my football career."My ambitions right now are to enjoy tomorrow and have a good game and try to win a cup final to have a special year. It's not every year that you get the chance to win a Treble. If anyone thinks that I am thinking anything other than that then they don't know me."

Celtic face Iverness in the Scottish Cup final and the manager appears focused on bringing the treble home for Celtic fans.

What's the latest on Ange Postecoglou's Celtic future?

In the last 48 hours, the Daily Mail's Rob Draper reported on behind the scenes news he's heard on Spurs' interest in Postecoglou in a promising boost for Celtic fans.

With Tottenham set to part ways with acting manager Ryan Mason following the end of the Premier League season, It's reported that Xabi Alonso, their initial no.1 candidate, had ruled himself out of contention while Postecoglou looks quite likely to commit to another year at Celtic.

For Spurs there wouldn't be an exorbitant exit clause due to the 57-year-old's one-year rolling contract with Celtic. Yet, the manager's desire is to remain at the club with his "ultimate ambition" said to be to guide Celtic through to the Champions League knockout stages.

Additionally, the current Celtic side has been "largely recruited by him" and so Postecoglou wants to yield returns on that faith shown in him by the club.

What is Ange Postecoglou's contract situation at Celtic?

As reported by the Daily Mail, Postecoglou is on a one-year rolling contract. This means that unless terminated by either the club or the manager, it will renew again and "roll" into another season.

For Celtic, it's a precarious situation as they can do little to prevent Postecoglou from leaving if he decided to due to the lack of a prohibitive exit clause.

For instance, another former Spurs managerial candidate, Feyenoord manager Arne Slot has a £17m release clause, while the Daily Mail claims Postecoglou's contract does not contain an "expensive" clause.

That said, Postecoclgou seems set for another year at the club with a European adventure in sight.