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Arsenal have made a stellar start to the 2023/24 campaign, although Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar will be wishing time away to get to the January transfer window.

The Gunners sit just one point from the summit after 12 games played in the Premier League, however, injury has plagued the squad in the early moments of the campaign to resurface the issues relating to depth that cancelled the north Londoner’s plans of winning the league last term.

With key members of the XI absent, the upcoming January transfer window could shed some light on where Arsenal see their need for recruitment being, with the midfield said to be one of the primary areas to be assessed at the start of 2024.

Aside from the midfield, a recurring theme of the Gunners’ shortcomings in the side is the lack of potency in leading the line, with Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus the only two recognisable centre-forwards in the first team.

The January window could come at a perfect time for Arteta to strengthen his options going forward, with a few names already linked with a move to the Emirates.

Arsenal's January transfer targets

According to Football Transfers, Juventus talisman Dusan Vlahovic is the manager’s ‘preferred’ number nine target, with the 23-year-old renowned for his impact in the final third in Italy.

The report touches upon Arsenal’s past interest in the Serbian, who was linked with the Premier League outfit prior to his move to Juve in January 2022.

With a market value of €80m (£70m), the Serie A dynamo could be an expensive forward to acquire, particularly following his dip in form since his move to Turin, in which he has only netted 21 league goals for the Bianconeri in almost two years.

Closer to home, a more trusted figure could be an option for the Gunners to select to lead their line in the future, with links to Brentford’s Ivan Toney resurfacing.

After speaking highly of the north London club during the Diary of a CEO podcast, the Englishman has emerged as a potential talent for Arteta to eye, with several news outlets reporting Arsenal’s apparent interest.

A report from journalist John Cross, via The Mirror, back in September claimed that both Arsenal and Chelsea are eyeing the 27-year-old’s services in January, when his ban from football for betting infringements will expire.

Adding to the initial report, The Mirror relayed earlier this month that the Bees were to slap a £100m price tag on their star man to ward off interest from Arteta and Edu, however, things could take another twist.

This week, 90min reported that Toney is ‘demanding’ a release clause in his current contract that could allow interested parties to swipe him from Brentford’s grasp if the agreed fee is met.

The report also mentioned that both Arsenal and Chelsea have ‘held talks’ with the striker’s representatives, making his movements in the future an interesting narrative to follow.

Ivan Toney’s career in numbers

Once lauded as “remarkable” by manager Thomas Frank, it’s no surprise that Brentford want to keep hold of their forward, who has contributed heavily to the west London club since his arrival in 2020.

From League Two, to League One, to the Championship, to the Premier League, Toney has passed the tests of the top-four tiers of English football, scoring 165 career goals while representing a handful of clubs.

Appearances

Goals

Assists

53

11

5

165

65

21

45

31

10

68

32

9

Often, players are unable to replicate their form shown in the leagues below the top-flight, however, the Northampton-born star defies such woes having emerged as one of the most deadly forwards in the Premier League since the Bees’ promotion.

In his debut season at Brentford, the forward fired his new club to the top-flight, contributing to 41 goals in 45 appearances, scoring 31 and assisting ten to introduce himself to west London in stylish fashion.

Across his two campaigns in the Premier League at the Gtech Community Stadium, Toney has netted 32 goals, claiming 12 in his first term and 20 last season, ending the 2022/23 calendar as the league’s third-highest scorer behind Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.

With pace, power, strong finishing ability and most importantly, a proven spark in the top flight, the £100m price tag on the England international could prove to be priceless for Arsenal.

Why Ivan Toney would be a strong signing for Arsenal

It’s obvious that Toney would be a firm upgrade on the Gunners’ current strike options based on his scoring record alone, with his 32 Premier League goals in two seasons far beyond the capacity of Jesus and Nketiah.

The former Manchester City gem has netted 28 goals in his previous three full seasons in the league, while the 24-year-old is yet to hit 20 goals in his 101 appearances, reinforcing the added firepower that the Brentford man would provide.

Arsenal haven’t had an established striker since Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, who is the first Gunners centre-forward to hit over 20 league goals since Robin van Persie in 2011/12, with winger Alexis Sanchez the only other player to overcome the 20 goal hurdle, via Transfermarkt.

While the north Londoners were in transition with managers, players and outside of the top four during the Gabon international’s time at the Emirates, his goalscoring streak provided the squad with a reliable outlet to show for the creativity within the side.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Ivan Toney

22

20

124 min

148 min

1.1

1.3

23

16

23%

21%

In signing Toney, Arteta could replicate the clinical streak of the former Borussia Dortmund talisman to his current squad, who are already making waves in the Premier League without the assistance of a prolific number nine.

Aubameyang arrived when the squad was in re-build and scored goals, whereas the 27-year-old could arrive at a time where he would be the missing piece to the manager’s puzzle, in a move that could transform Arsenal’s hopes of re-establishing themselves within Europe's elite.

A hefty price tag and a club that aren’t willing to give up hopes of keeping hold of their forward easily are what stands in the way of the Gunners securing Toney’s signature, leaving the Gunners with a lot to consider when weighing up the strength of their pursuit for the Englishman.

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a blow after learning that another one of their players could be facing a spell on the sidelines alongside Rodrigo Bentancur, according to a fresh report that has emerged.

Spurs injury news

The Lilywhites have James Maddison, Micky Van De Ven, Ashley Phillips, Richarlison, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon and Ivan Perisic out of action with their own problems as it stands, but they were recently joined in the treatment room by another squad member.

During Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Aston Villa, Bentancur was forced off the pitch on 32 minutes after being on the receiving end of a dangerous challenge from Matty Cash, so there will be concerns surrounding his fitness, having only just returned from a long-term knee injury.

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ByMark Marston May 4, 2024

So far this season, Pape Matar Sarr has started 11 out of the 13 games in the top-flight showing how much of an integral feature he’s become under Ange Postecoglou (WhoScored – Sarr statistics), but the central midfielder might also have to wait a while before he makes his next appearance.

The Senegal international didn’t train with the first team on Friday due to sustaining a hamstring injury over the past fortnight, meaning that he didn’t feature in Sunday's encounter in the capital, and an update has now emerged regarding the 21-year-old’s situation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Pape Matar Sarr injury update

Taking to X, Paul O Keefe confirmed that Saar has picked up an injury, but at this stage, the extent of his problem is unknown, just like the exact amount of time he’ll be facing on the sidelines for Spurs.

“Don’t know how bad it is yet. He came back from international duty complaining he felt a problem.”

Despite being a central midfielder, Sarr has been strong in the offensive aspect of his game this season having provided two assists and scored one goal in 12 appearances in the Premier League (Transfermarkt – Sarr statistics), and the fact that he could be facing a spell on the sidelines will be a blow for Spurs.

The Thiaroye native has also been extremely calm and composed in possession, where he’s recording a 90% pass success rate at this moment in time, highlighting his ability to dictate and control the game from his natural position when on the ball.

Postecoglou’s £10k-per-week earner (Tottenham salaries), even has the versatility to operate in defensive, central and attacking midfield, making him a wonderful option to have in the building because he is able to easily adapt to the manager‘s demands should he need cover for any other injuries.

According to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Sarr has shown what “delicious” chances he can create for his fellow teammates in the final third, so there’s no doubt that everyone associated with the club will be hoping that he won't be away from the action for too long and that he can stage his comeback to the pitch sooner rather than later.

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly have their eyes on a "special" centre-back alongside the heavily linked Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

Postecoglou makes defender admission ahead of January

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has brought attention to the club's lack of centre-back depth on more than one occasion over the last month. The Australian's currently bereft of star options behind favoured pairing Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, with the former still out injured due to a hamstring problem.

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Makeshift centre-back Ben Davies has partnered Romero to great effect at the heart of Postecoglou's defence in recent weeks, as Spurs win three of their last three Premier League games.

However, just one or two more defensive injuries could put Tottenham in a very precarious situation. Postecoglou expressed his desire to sign a centre-back at Spurs earlier this month, but also explained to Sky that whoever comes in must be the perfect fit.

"When you think about it, we let Davinson Sanchez go after the [summer] window closed," said Postecoglou on Tottenham signing a new defender.

"We kind of knew we were taking a bit of a risk; we couldn't get the extra centre-back that we were trying to get in, and for the early part of the year that was fine.

"But once we lost Micky [van de Ven], and Eric Dier's had some issues as well, we don't have another centre-back. Young Ash Phillips had just joined the club, so it's fair to say that we can't run the risk of that happening again, so that's obviously a priority for us in January.

"But again, we've got to get the right person. It's not just about bringing another body in, it's about getting the right one in and hopefully that'll happen."

In terms of named targets, one player they're already moving for is Todibo. The 23-year-old, according to reliable media sources, has held talks over joining Tottenham with the January window just days away from opening.

Tottenham eyeing Tosin move ahead of January

However, while Spurs are seriously pushing ahead for Todibo, the Frenchman is by no means the only option on Postecoglou's radar Indeed, Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo is another defender very much liked by Spurs.

Journalist Rudy Galetti, taking to X, says Tottenham are "working" and have eyes on Tosin alongside Todibo. The Englishman has started to feature more under Marco Silva recently whilst also impressing, and his contract is set to expire in the summer as things stand.

Proven in the Premier League and a potentially cheaper option, the 26-year-old has also been called a "special player" by his manager.

Carlos Corberan's bare bones West Brom team lost at the weekend to Sunderland, the Baggies putting in a valiant effort regardless at the Stadium of Light to only lose 2-1 with a number of first-teamers missing.

Matt Phillips and Jed Wallace were both ruled out prior to the Sunderland clash, whilst the injury issues just kept piling up during the game itself with Josh Maja coming off with a knock in the first 45 minutes.

It's a seriously worrying situation at the Hawthorns, particularly in attack with injury-prone striker Daryl Dike also still out which leaves Brandon Thomas-Asante as the only striker option fit for the game at Rotherham United tomorrow evening.

Therefore, Corberan could be forced into thinking outside the box this January as to who he can rely on up top to fix this ever-increasing list of cuts and bruises.

The Spanish boss could even recall Karlan Grant from his loan spell at Cardiff City in the upcoming transfer window if needs be, the current Bluebirds man has been prolific and reliable in attack at the Hawthorns but fell down the Baggies' pecking order after losing his way.

Karlan Grant's statistics at West Brom

Grant has been a talismanic figure for the Baggies in the past, notably during the 2021-22 Championship season where the 26-year-old was key.

The former Huddersfield Town attacker scored 18 times in that campaign for West Brom, switching between playing as a right winger and as a centre forward depending on the game.

22-23 season

35

5

1

21-22 season

44

18

6

20-21 season

21

1

0

That was a one-off for Grant, however, who has found it hard ever since to replicate that free-flowing vein of form.

From that golden season onwards, the out-of-form forward has only managed to find the back of the net another five times for the Baggies.

This resulted in Corberan loaning out his underwhelming attacker in the summer, preferring to start the likes of Thomas-Asante over the stuttering 26-year-old.

Yet, Grant could be now be a perfect temporary fix for the issues troubling West Brom if recalled from his loan.

Former Sheffield Wednesday player and current football pundit Carlton Palmer was confused by the decision to offload Grant in the summer, stating that the ex Terriers man's "versatility" was a major plus for the Baggies and letting him leave temporarily could "come back to bite them."

Corberan would have to put his arm around Grant's shoulder on his potential return however, the 26-year-old is still yet to rediscover his lethal edge in front of goal even when featuring for Cardiff.

Karlan Grant's statistics at Cardiff

Grant has been an important figure for Erol Bulut's Bluebirds, but his goal output hasn't been frequent enough to be a star man in attack.

The 26-year-old has two goals and three assists from 20 appearances out in Wales, scoring a vital late equaliser last month away at Preston North End for his short-term employers.

Predominantly playing as a left winger under Bulut, the Turkish head coach has praised his new recruit for "working hard" even when the goals aren't naturally flowing.

This glowing assessment by the Cardiff manager could be enough for Corberan to recall his versatile reserve forward, who needs individuals at West Brom to possess similar levels of grit and determination in order to sustain a promotion push.

West Brom's lineup for their game versus Rotherham United tomorrow night will be an interesting one to attempt a prediction for, Corberan scrambling to see who he can rely on for the trip to the Millers as his squad becomes more and more threadbare.

Birmingham City now want to sign an “outstanding” midfielder with experience at the highest level on a free transfer this summer, according to a recent report.

In preparation for their season back in the Championship, the Blues have been busy in the transfer market, adding nine new players to Chris Davies’ squad, with Kyogo Furuhashi their most expensive capture to date.

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However, their business appears to be far from finished as they remain interested in signing Kieran Dowell from Rangers. The attacking midfielder spent last season on loan at St Andrews, and the Blues are said to be keen on striking a permanent transfer. However, they face a fresh problem, and that is Rangers boss Russell Martin has been using Dowell in pre-season, after it was expected that he would be surplus to requirements on his return to Ibrox.

As they continue to look into a deal for Dowell, Birmingham are also interested in signing attacker Hwang Hee-Chan from Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers. It is reported that Hwang is considered a top target, given his experience in the Premier League.

However, the £14 million fee Wolves would want plus the player’s wages mean a deal may be hard, and the Championship side are now turning their attention to alternative targets.

Champions League winner could join Blues in free signing

According to EFL Analysis, Birmingham City are among the teams from the EFL who are interested in signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old, who has been capped 35 times by England, is leaving Turkish giants Besiktas, as they have decided to agree to a settlement on the final year of his contract. Oxlade-Chamberlain is now expected to head back to the UK, as he is in talks with a number of clubs over a possible transfer.

As well as Birmingham, Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Sheffield United, Coventry City, Stoke City and former club Southampton have been made aware of his situation. North of the border, Rangers are also interested in a deal and are considering making an approach.

Apps

18

Starts

14

Goals

1

Touches per game

34.7

Passes per game (accuracy)

23.2 (85%)

Key passes per game

0.1

Interceptions per game

0.3

Tackles per game

0.9

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who won the Champions League back in 2019 with Liverpool, has been with Besiktas for two seasons, during which he has struggled for regular game time in the Süper Lig. He has played 38 games in total across the two league seasons and has scored a combined five goals.

His time in England was more successful, as he scored 20 goals in 235 Premier League games, and while he wasn’t always a regular at Liverpool, former boss Jürgen Klopp labelled the England international an “outstanding” player.

Klopp said: “Ox is an outstanding player, an outstanding player, was always and will always be.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans will be praying that a change in manager will inspire the Old Gold players to leap out of those dreaded relegation spaces in the Premier League.

At the moment, the top-flight standings are hard to digest from a Wolves fan’s perspective, with just nine points next to their stuttering club’s name, as Gary O’Neil bowed out with just two wins

picked up from his last 16 league contests.

Now, it’s time for a fresh approach at the Wolves helm to try and save their dying season, with one name edging closer to taking over from O’Neil.

The latest on Vitor Pereira to Wolves

Various outlets are reporting the fact Al-Shabab manager Vitor Pereira is set to be the former AFC Bournemouth manager’s successor, with GIVEMESPORT stating that a deal could already be wrapped up.

Wolves certainly haven’t messed about in finding a quick replacement for the 44-year-old, with Pereira’s appointment one that will no doubt come with intrigue attached to it, considering the Portuguese manager has never graced the English game from the sidelines.

But, he could be just what the Old Gold need in attempting to resurrect their campaign, with the in-demand 56-year-old boasting seven victories from 12 this season in the Saudi Pro League.

Of course, the demands of the Premier League are a different kettle of fish altogether, but his new methods could also mean certain frozen-out individuals at Molineux gain more opportunities moving forward, including notable Wolves dud Goncalo Guedes.

He could even become the club’s next iteration of Pedro Neto if everything slots into place under Pereira, particularly when you consider his previous excellent numbers from the wings.

Pereira's very own Pedro Neto at Wolves

Away from picking up those wins for Al-Shabab this season, Pereira has also made his current employers very easy on the eye to watch, with 49 strikes flooding in from his 30 games in charge of the Middle East outfit.

Often utilising the 3-4-3 formation there – something Wolves have experience of – Guedes could be in for a shout of more first-team chances if Pereira uses this same set-up at Molineux, having once starred all across the attacking positions at Valencia before making a major £27.5m switch to England a reality.

LW

102

16

17

SS

27

13

7

CF

18

4

6

RW

14

1

0

AM

4

0

0

RW

2

0

0

But, it’s obvious his best position when at the Mestalla was down the left flank, with a stunning 16 goals and 17 assists amassed from 102 games.

Unfortunately, since his move to Wolves, Guedes hasn’t been able to dazzle in a similar way on the left, with zero goals and assists coming his way from that spot.

But, he will be gifted a clean slate in the West Midlands under the fresh reign of Pereira, as the 56-year-old is tasked with getting the best out of the “lightning” quick attacker having been labelled that by European football expert Andy Brassell. That trait is certainly one he shares with the former Old Gold winger.

Dazzling wide play isn’t the only similarity between Guedes and Neto in their approach down the wings, with the ability to score an audacious effort like the one above also linking the pair together.

Scoring twice in the EFL Cup this season, it wouldn’t be a stretch to state that the former Valencia man was just a background figure under O’Neil.

Now, however, his importance could increase as Pereira prepares to walk into the building to leave his mark on proceedings.

Perhaps he could unleash a new Neto-like figure in the much-maligned Guedes.

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ByConnor Holden Dec 15, 2024

The term ‘shot-stopper’ almost becomes more null and void with every passing year, for a goalkeeper is far more than that these days. They are the beginning of every manager’s system, the first pass to break a press, they get their side up the pitch, they sweep their area.

What began with Manuel Neuer has progressed into what is the expectancy of every modern-day ‘shot-stopper’. And that has seen a fresh batch of stars emerge to create history and spark the endless debate as to who takes the crown as the world’s best. Using stats such as saves per 90, save percentage, clean sheets and pass accuracy, we’ve determined our number one.

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Note: All stats correct as of 15th November 2024.

Rank

Player

Club

Alisson

Liverpool

Thibaut Courtois

Real Madrid

Mike Maignan

Milan

Ederson

Man City

David Raya

Arsenal

Jan Oblak

Atletico Madrid

Unai Simon

Athletic Bilbao

Emiliano Martinez

Aston Villa

Giorgi Mamardashvili

Valencia

Diogo Costa

Porto

10 Diogo Costa Porto & Portugal

An underrated name on this list, Diogo Costa has become more reliable than most at Porto and represents a true modern-day No 1. Rising through the ranks at the Portuguese club, Costa has more than earned his place and has even been linked with moves to the likes of Chelsea along the way.

For now, however, his main goal remains taking his boyhood club back to the top of Liga Portugal ahead of Sporting CP.

Ranked eighth in the 2024 Yashin Trophy, Costa has been forced to settle for a place in 10th in our rankings, but should hold no shame in that given the plethora of names still to come.

Saves per 90

1.77

Save percentage

70.5%

Clean sheets

20

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

42%

9 Giorgi Mamardashvili Valencia & Georgia

Ranked one place ahead of Costa in the Yashin Trophy standings, Giorgi Mamardashvili has emerged as one of the hottest prospects around between the sticks. The Valencia goalkeeper has starred even as the rest of his side continue to struggle at the bottom of La Liga and particularly stood at at Euro 2024 with Georgia.

Attracting the interest of Liverpool as a result, Mamardashvili sealed a move worth a reported £29m to Anfield in the summer before heading back out on loan to Valencia for the current campaign.

On course to become the heir to Alisson Becker’s throne, 6ft 6in Mamardashvili is one of the best shot-stoppers around, who will have a higher place on such a list once he improves with the ball at his feet at a side of Liverpool’s quality.

Saves per 90

2.5

Save percentage

67.9%

Clean sheets

16

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

28.4%

8 Emiliano Martinez Aston Villa & Argentina

Whilst some, including FIFA, may have Emiliano Martinez top on the list of the world’s best goalkeepers, he’ll have to settle for a lower place in our rankings.

The Argentinian’s place in the history books should never come into question. He proved to be one of the biggest difference-makers between glory and the ultimate heartbreak on the biggest stage for Lionel Messi when Argentina defeated France in the 2022 World Cup final.

Ask any of his international teammates – and perhaps the entirety of his home country – and Martinez may well be considered among the best in history, but outside of those international heroics, it would be harsh on others to consider the Aston Villa man far and away the best that European football has to offer, especially when considering the numbers.

Saves per 90

2.56

Save percentage

65.9%

Clean sheets

9

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

38.5%

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ByCharlie Smith Oct 29, 2024 7 Unai Simon Athletic Bilbao & Spain

Speaking of international heroics, Unai Simon more than played his part as Spain battled to victory at Euro 2024 in Berlin, eventually overcoming England in dramatic fashion late on.

Finishing second in the Yashin Trophy as a result, the Athletic Bilbao man kept a total of three clean sheets at the tournament – only second to France’s Mike Maignan.

Now battling for a place in Europe with Athletic Bilbao alongside fellow Spain star Nico Williams, Simon should be on the radar of several top clubs when the January transfer window arrives next summer.

He proved that he can perform on the biggest stage last summer and is only likely to prove it once again with a big move.

Saves per 90

2.54

Save percentage

73.8%

Clean sheets

16

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

32.4%

6 Jan Oblak Atletico Madrid & Slovenia

Jan Oblak may not be at the peak of his powers as consistently now that he’s 31 years old, but he remains one of the world’s best and Diego Simeone’s undisputed No 1. When he decides to hang his gloves up, La Liga will be left with a sensational highlight reel of incredible saves. At his best, the Slovenian has been almost impenetrable at times in Madrid.

With a few years to go yet, there’s no doubt that Oblak will continue to produce the impossible when Atletico Madrid and Simeone need him most, having already kept seven clean sheets in La Liga by mid-November.

Saves per 90

2.75

Save percentage

73.8%

Clean sheets

19

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

34.6%

5 David Raya Arsenal & Spain

Ahead of his Spanish counterpart Simon for once, David Raya’s recent rise has helped to form one of the Premier League’s most impressive backlines at Arsenal.

Behind William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, last season’s Golden Glove winner remains a crucial figure on and off the ball as a classic example of the modern goalkeeper that Mikel Arteta wanted ahead of Aaron Ramsdale.

Of course, it remains a mystery as to why Simon is often preferred to Raya on international duty, but credit deserves to go to both shot-stoppers for creating such competition.

At 29 years old, however, Raya should be desperate to move Simon aside in a similar fashion to how he dislodged Ramsdale at Arsenal in order to become the undisputed No 1 for Spain ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Saves per 90

2.25

Save percentage

68.7%

Clean sheets

19

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

37.1%

4 Ederson Manchester City & Brazil

Into the top four, this ranking could quite easily be Manchester City’s penalty order, which in many ways sums up just how unique Ederson is. The pure definition of a modern goalkeeper, the Citizens’ No 1 has the flair of a Brazilian forward and the passing range of an NFL quarterback, all whilst maintaining his shot-stopping standards.

The most composed player on the pitch even as several hearts skip a beat, Ederson is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers to ever step foot in the Premier League and arguably the best in Manchester City’s history with countless honours to his name.

Saves per 90

2

Save percentage

67.8%

Clean sheets

12

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

46.5%

3 Mike Maignan Milan & France

Spearheading Milan’s return to the top of Italian football in the 2021/22 campaign before becoming France’s No 1 and winning the Golden Glove at Euro 2024, Maignan’s place among the world’s best goalkeepers is no longer a debate. In fact, it could even be argued that he should be higher on the list. For now, however, the Frenchman sits third here – and respectably behind some elite shot-stoppers.

He simply ticks every box for a modern goalkeeper and has shown that on the biggest stage. There’s not many sides in Europe’s top five leagues who wouldn’t take the 29-year-old as their No 1, including those at the very top.

Saves per 90

2.67

Save percentage

70%

Clean sheets

14

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

40.3%

2 Thibaut Courtois Real Madrid & Belgium

From his Atletico Madrid days to winning the Premier League at Chelsea and now starring at Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois has been around for the last decade and has probably never dipped outside the top 10 goalkeepers in world football. He’s simply been that consistent and that much of a standout.

On the big stage, he’s among the players that most clubs would pick between the sticks on the shot-stopping front. It’s no surprise that even Real Madrid, with all the stars that they have, are struggling in the Belgian’s recent absence as of late.

What summed up his quality more than ever last season, however, was how he slotted straight into the Champions League final on his return from a long-term injury and didn’t miss a beat.

Saves per 90

2.96

Save percentage

77.1%

Clean sheets

16

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

37.7%

1 Alisson Liverpool & Brazil

Whilst Real Madrid were quick to suggest that Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win over Vinicius Junior was the most controversial moment of the ceremony, Alisson has quite the case for himself after failing to even make the rankings for the Yashin Trophy.

Top of our rankings nonetheless (in what is of course the ultimate consolation), the Liverpool star has arguably been the world’s best goalkeeper for a number of years.

One of the all-time Premier League greats, what makes Alisson stand out is how he simply does not perform for the cameras. The Brazilian excels at making even the most ferocious strikes seem routine, and perhaps those who decide the Yashin Trophy were simply looking for picture-perfect rather than efficient.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will ignore any such award and settle for a goalkeeper who has been at the centre of some of their most historic moments in recent memory.

Saves per 90

2.7

Save percentage

75.4%

Clean sheets

11

Passing accuracy (40+ yds)

31.8%

Glasgow Rangers finally confirmed the appointment of their new chief executive officer with the arrival of Patrick Stewart, who will officially arrive next month.

James Bisgrove left the role six months ago and it has taken half a year for the Scottish giants to find his successor, with this appointment of the former Manchester United chief.

He worked with the Premier League side for almost 20 years and, therefore, arrives at Ibrox with knowledge of how a big club operates and makes ruthless decisions.

Nils Koppen was recently confirmed as the club’s new technical director and Stewart will work with him, alongside the rest of the board, to make key decisions on the club’s future.

The former Manchester United chief does not come in at the easiest of times at Ibrox, however, as the team have been struggling on the pitch in recent weeks.

Rangers dropped points in the Scottish Premiership at the weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee United in Glasgow, and it has led to more speculation over the future of manager Philippe Clement.

The case for Philippe Clement to be sacked

RangersReview recently reported that Stewart will have the biggest say on day-to-day operations at Rangers and that his first decision upon his arrival, in the middle of next month, will be whether or not the manager will keep his job.

Football Insider have also claimed that the Light Blues will not make an immediate decision on the head coach’s future, after the draw with Dundee United, and that could be because they are waiting for the new CEO to start.

The issue is that the Gers play six times before Stewart’s start date, including a Europa League clash with Tottenham Hotspur and a League Cup final against Celtic.

So far this season, Clement’s side have lost three times and drawn twice in their 12 Premiership games and find themselves a whopping 11 points adrift in the title race, which has led to speculation around the head coach’s position.

Motherwell

5th

2-1 win

Celtic

1st

3-0 loss

Dundee United

4th

1-0 win

Aberdeen

2nd

2-1 loss

Dundee United

4th

1-1 draw

As you can see in the table above, Rangers have only won two of their five games against the other teams inside the current top five in the Premiership, losing two and drawing one.

Clement’s team were also knocked out by Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League play-off in August, adding further fuel to the fire, and that coupled with the dismal form in the league is why Stewart must ditch the manager when he arrives next month.

It is not just the manager who should be ditched by the incoming CEO, however, as striker Cyriel Dessers is one player who must be moved on when the January transfer window opens for business in just over a month.

Cyriel Dessers' form for Rangers last season

In the summer of 2023, former Rangers head coach Michael Beale swooped to sign the Nigeria international from Cremonese for a reported fee of £4.5m.

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He ended the 2023/24 campaign with a return of 22 goals and nine assists in all competitions, which sounds like a very solid return on paper. However, the underlying numbers behind his performances suggested that it was a difficult season for the former Serie A marksman.

In the Europa League, Dessers scored one goal in seven games and struggled badly out of possession. He lost a whopping 74% of his duels in those seven outings, which shows that opposition defenders found it far too easy to get the better of him in physical contests.

Appearances

35

Goals

16

Big chances missed

27

Conversion rate

16%

Pass accuracy

70%

Duel success rate

33%

As you can see in the table above, the 29-year-old forward was incredibly wasteful in front of goal with a staggering 27 ‘big chances’ missed in the Premiership.

He was also, as was the case in Europe, dominated by opposition defenders on a regular basis, which meant that Rangers did not have a reliable outlet to hit in the number nine position.

Why Cyriel Dessers should be sold

Stewart could seal an instant masterclass at Ibrox by parting ways with the manager and then cashing in on Dessers when the January transfer window opens, as his struggles have continued into the current season.

The £27k-per-week striker has not kicked on and improved in his second campaign with the Light Blues. He is still struggling with the same issues that he had in the 2023/24 campaign, as his finishing has been wasteful and his play out of possession has left a lot to be desired.

In the Europa League, Dessers has scored one goal from 2.57 xG and missed five ‘big chances’ in just four outings, whilst losing 68% of his duels with opposition defenders. This means that he has scored two goals in 11 games in the competition since the start of last term.

Unfortunately, the experienced marksman has also failed to provide consistent quality on the pitch in the Premiership, with one goal in five games against the other teams inside the top five.

Appearances

12

Goals

4

Big chances missed

6

Pass accuracy

72%

Duel success rate

34%

As you can see in the table above, Dessers has only scored one goal in every three matches on average and, again, missed more ‘big chances’ than he has scored goals, whilst also being dominated out of possession.

The Nigerian centre-forward has scored 20 goals and missed a whopping 33 ‘big chances’ in the Premiership since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, which illustrates how wasteful he has been in front of goal.

With this, and his £27k-per-week wage, in mind, one of Stewart’s first tasks must be to work with Koppen to find a suitor for the striker in January, as Rangers must find an upgrade on him in the number nine position to improve their form domestically and in Europe.

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It would be an instant masterclass from the new CEO if he can brutally ditch Dessers, alongside Clement, and land a more reliable centre-forward for the Ibrox giants.

West Ham United's journey under David Moyes' tutelage may draw to a close at the end of the campaign, with the Scottish manager's contract up for expiry.

It's been quite the ride, and there's no certainty surrounding Moyes' situation, but if he is to depart he will exit with European silverware, having lifted the Hammers to repeated campaigns on the continent.

It's clear that improvements are needed this summer, however, and whether Moyes stays or not, the defence needs a fresh face or two.

Captain Kurt Zouma and his partner Nayef Aguerd have been regularly criticised this season, but Thilo Kehrer might be the biggest flop of the lot, despite not having played in a West Ham shirt for much of this season.

Why West Ham signed Thilo Kehrer

West Ham completed the signing of Kehrer from PSG for £10m plus add-ons in August 2022 after the dynamic defender had fallen out of favour in the French capital, starting only 16 Ligue 1 matches in 2021/22.

It was regarded as a major coup and The Athletic's Roshane Thomas said that his "speed and eagerness to occupy advanced positions should add an extra dimension", with tactical flexibility also allowing him to feature across a range of roles.

But one year on, Kehrer has returned back across the Channel – in all likelihood, he will not return to east London.

Thilo Kehrer's 22/23 season in numbers

Alternating between central defence and full-back, Kehrer completed 85% of his passes in the Premier League last season, winning 51% of his duels and averaging 1.6 tackles and 2.7 clearances per fixture, as per Sofascore.

The Germany international was by no means great but he arguably had a tougher time out competing with his nation, lambasted for one particularly "horrendous" performance with Germany by journalist Stefan Bienkowski.

Kehrer returned to France after signing for Monaco on loan in January, with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the campaign.

He's certainly not a bad player and enjoyed some good moments in an Irons shirt, starting 25 Premier League fixtures and a frequent presence in the Europa Conference League, which West Ham of course won.

But he earned a sizeable salary and often struggled at the heart of a backline that suffered a regression on the domestic front following several years of high flying.

Thilo Kehrer's earnings at West Ham

The potential transfer fee for Monaco's permanent acquisition of Kehrer is uncertain but it's unlikely to surpass the £10m figure parted with nearly two years ago.

And considering Kehrer's salary, earning a healthy wage at £80k-per-week, it can be observed that the 27-year-old actually outearned teammates such as Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen.

Thilo Kehrer

£80k-per-week

Tomas Soucek

£65k-per-week

Declan Rice

£60k-per-week

Jarrod Bowen

£60k-per-week

Said Benrahma

£55k-per-week

Nayef Aguerd

£50k-per-week

Of course, both Rice and Bowen have eclipsed last season's salaries having risen to the forefront of European football, Bowen going from strength to strength at West Ham and signing a lucrative new contract at the start of the season following interest from outfits such as Liverpool and Rice joining Arsenal in a £100m deal, with a wage of £240k per week.

With Kehrer struggling to get a game in the Premier League across the opening half of the 2023/24 campaign, making just four substitute appearances, it's clear that he was right to move away, but it's hard to justify such a big salary. He certainly wasn't on the level of stars such as Rice and Bowen.

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Sunderland's philosophy of bedding in youngsters to the first-team and giving them chances to succeed won't change at all next season, having seen the fruits of their labour come to fruition at points even during a topsy-turvy Championship campaign.

Jobe Bellingham, who is still only 18 years of age, managed to pick up eight goal contributions from 48 games during his debut season at the Stadium of Light, whilst 16-year-old Chris Rigg is being touted for a major move up to the Premier League after showing flashes of his excellence this season with two goals in the senior ranks.

Yet, there could be an argument that the Black Cats need a blend of this raw youth to go alongside a mix of seasoned professionals in the side, with the underperforming Wearside club reportedly targetting a serial promotion winner to add more nous to their inexperienced team.

Sunderland targeting Corry Evans upgrade

With the injury-prone figure of Corry Evans released on Sunderland's recent retained list, this target could fill the gap left behind by the 33-year-old walking away from Wearside.

According to Football Insider, Sunderland, alongside fellow Championship sides Hull City and Watford, have registered interest in signing Oliver Norwood, with his current deal at Sheffield United being ripped up at the start of June to make him a free agent.

Unlike Evans who saw his Black Cats career fizzle out as a result of recurring injury troubles, which saw him make just three Championship appearances this season, Norwood had managed to maintain a level of authority at Bramall Lane by wearing the captain's armband on occasion in the Premier League with 30 games next to his name.

Bruised by his side's basement finish in the top-flight, the 33-year-old would relish the opportunity to play in the league below again with the Northern Irishman having a ridiculous promotion track record in the division.

Team

Season

Final position

Sheffield United

2022/23

2nd

Sheffield United

2018/19

2nd

Fulham

2017/18

3rd (playoffs)

Brighton and Hove Albion

2016/17

2nd

Norwood will strive to add a staggering fifth promotion up to the Premier League to his CV if he relocates to Sunderland, with the powers that be at the Wearside outfit wanting the experienced midfielder to act as a steady head for the young group to thrive off of.

Bellingham could well take it up a notch by slotting into the Sunderland XI next season alongside the soon-to-be free agent, with the teenage talent only getting started at the Stadium of Light with his promising numbers this campaign.

How Norwood would complement Bellingham

Norwood acted as a dependable body under Paul Heckingbottom in the centre of the park during his last promotion from the division, everpresent under the former Blades boss in the league with two goals and five assists tallied up.

The unflashy nature of the Northern Irishman allowed the likes of lliman Ndiaye to excel in a more attacking role up the pitch that season, with the ex-Blades number 29 helping himself to an impressive 25 goal contributions from the same amount of games as Norwood in the league, and so Bellingham will hope a similar relationship can be formed in the present day between himself and the reliable 33-year-old.

Sunderland do need numbers in the central midfield ranks to compete with the likes of Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah, especially with the news of Evans' departure, and Norwood would no doubt push them all the way with his expertise at the level.

Whatever manager does end up coming in will want some experience here and there scattered amongst the first-team like Norwood, with Sunderland boasting the youngest average XI for the division two seasons running now.

Season

Average age

Club

2023/24

21.0

Sunderland

2022/23

22.5

Sunderland

2021/22

22.1

Barnsley

2020/21

22.8

Blackburn Rovers

2019/20

22.1

Barnsley

Needing to up their average age slightly to compete, Norwood could be the perfect first addition to begin bolstering Sunderland ahead of a more sustained promotion push.

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