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Celtic could be set to lose one of their rising stars, with a new report revealing that he’s already been watched by scouts from a huge club in Germany.

How have Celtic started the season?

In the Scottish Premiership, Brendan Rodgers’ side have made a fantastic start to the new campaign where they find themselves top of the table on ten points having won three and drawn one of their opening four games, as per Sky Sports, though a lot of the players have recently been away on international duty.

The Hoops had a total of 11 squad members representing their country over the past fortnight, including the likes of Callum McGregor, Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi, but there was another less well-known youngster from the academy who also received a call-up for his nation.

Parkhead’s attacking midfielder, Rocco Vata, who currently plies his trade for the B side, has been in action for the Republic of Ireland’s U21s, and with his contract set to expire in less than a year, he has emerged as a target for several teams outside of Glasgow.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph previously confirmed that Serie A side Torino were interested in the 18-year-old alongside other unnamed clubs across Europe, and with the teenager having changed agents to CAA Base Ltd, there’s a possibility he’s done this to try and force a move to a new club in 2024.

Is Rocco Vata leaving Celtic?

According to The Daily Record, Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig “ran the rule” over Vata during Ireland’s 3-0 victory over San Marino on Tuesday night.

Marco Rose’s side sent a scout to watch the talented prospect in action, but they weren’t alone with representatives from the Premier League’s Brentford and Brighton and Hove Albion also in attendance.

Due to his contract situation, it’s stated that the youngster could leave for just £350k in training compensation next summer.

How good is Rocco Vata?

According to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Vata is an “exciting” up-and-coming player and one who has an extremely bright future ahead of him, and he’s already shown the bags of potential that he has to offer for the second team at Celtic.

The Hamilton-born talent has posted a remarkable 18 contributions (17 goals and one assist) in 24 B side outings, and with his high standard of performances having impressed members of staff, he made four senior league appearances off the bench last season.

Sponsored by Adidas, he also has the ability to operate in five various positions over the pitch, including everywhere across the frontline alongside two roles in the midfield, so with the excellent versatility that he provides, it would be a real blow to lose him next year.

Whilst Rodgers won't want to sanction the sale of someone like Vata, he will understand that he will want to move onto new pastures in the not too distant future should he not receive the regular game time he's craving, so his fate is currently hanging in the balance.

Crystal Palace have been the home to a host of fine talent over the years, with the club making valuable purchases in the transfer window throughout their time in the Premier League.

Roy Hodgson continued the fashion of bringing in young talent this summer, welcoming 19-year-old Matheus Franca for a fee of £26m, making him the Eagles’ fifth most expensive addition of all time.

Selhurst Park has seen some great success stories and disappointing transfer playouts in new signings, with the club showing the rest of the Premier League that cost doesn’t always define the quality of the talent that comes with the price tag.

A prime example of such is arguably the current poster boy of the club, Eberechi Eze, who cost just £20m in 2020 after making the move from Queens Park Rangers.

The winger was quoted to be valued around £70m this summer by Palace by Manchester Evening News, who suggested that treble winners Manchester City were interested in signing the 25-year-old.

Eze wasn’t the only talent that was eyed by other Premier League sides in the window, with the south Londoner’s potential for future profit an interesting topic of conversation with reference to the quality they have in their squad at present.

How much did Crystal Palace sign Michael Olise for?

Last month, Palace were worried by the news that Chelsea had activated the £35m release clause of Michael Olise, a move that the 21-year-old snubbed in favour of staying at Selhurst.

The Frenchman penned a new four-year deal with the Eagles in response to the Blues’ attempt to capture his signature, prompting the club to reconsider the value of his current release clause.

As reported by the Evening Standard this week, Olise’s release clause is now ‘significantly higher’ than it was at the point of Chelsea’s activation.

Signed for just £8m from Reading in 2021, the youngster’s value has rocketed thanks to his strong performances in red and blue, leaving Palace in an inevitably profitable situation should another side come knocking in the future.

What is Michael Olise worth now?

Now that a clause higher than £35m has been added to his contract, as well as additional years on his new deal, the Eagles can heavily increase their asking price for the exciting young talent, perhaps more in line with the £50m asking price that was set when PSG were interested.

That is quite the price hike, one that represents a staggering 525% increase on their initial investment.

When Brighton learned of the interest in Moises Caicedo in January, the Seagulls agreed an extended deal with the Ecuadorian in the bid to bolster his value in the summer, a move that paid off as the south coast side earned a record £115m for his services.

Considering this, imagining just how much Olise is worth to his club is near impossible, with the versatile attacker being at the heart of most things impressive in the current side.

Last term, the £100k-per-week France U21 international scored two goals and registered an impressive 11 assists in 37 Premier League appearances for Palace, showcasing his talents to those admiring his work in the side.

What makes Olise so attractive to other clubs is his versatility in the front line, with the ability to play central as a striker or attacking midfielder, as well on either flank as a direct winger, with his style identified as “dangerous” by scout Antonio Mango.

Mango also hailed as a “wonderful technician” for his creative ability, telling of the calibre of player Palace have on their hands and the levels he is yet to hit in the Premier League.

The Eagles struck gold in bringing the Frenchman to south London, in an £8m dip that will almost certainly equate to far more in the future.

Lionel Messi's advert for the upcoming Super Bowl LVIII has been released, which also features NFL legend Dan Marino and Ted Lasso's Jason Sudeikis.

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Messi already a hit in the U.S.Stars in first Super Bowl advertFeatures alongside Marino and SudeikisWHAT HAPPENED?

It was announced late last month that the Inter Miami superstar would be making his bow on American TV screens in an advertisement for Michelob ULTRA Beer. A snippet released earlier this week showed that Ted Lasso himself Sudeikis would be joining Messi, with the full-length video also showing Marino's cameo on a glitzy yacht.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Messi's inclusion in arguably America's showcase sporting event of the year demonstrates his seamless transition to life in the States. Since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, fans up and down the country have gone crazy for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. 'Messi mania' even led to Inter Miami shooting up the MLS rankings in terms of club value, which will no doubt take another boost after this latest ad appearance.

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WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Away from the big screen, a friendly date awaits the mercurial Argentina against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr later on Thursday – but the Portuguese won't be in attendance due to injury. Football fans far and wide have been deprived of the opportunity to see the eternal rivals face off one last time following Ronaldo's late withdrawal. Messi, who has played Miami's last three games, could still feature.

Kylian Mbappe, the prodigious French football sensation, embarked on his remarkable journey to stardom at a remarkably young age.

Born in Bondy, France, on December 20, 1998, he quickly captured the attention of football enthusiasts with his exceptional talents.

Mbappe's rise to prominence began with AS Monaco's youth academy, where his lightening speed, technical prowess and innate footballing intelligence caught the eye of scouts. In December 2015, he became the youngest first-team player for Monaco, making his debut at just 16-years-old. His breakthrough season came in 2016-2017, during which he spearheaded Monaco's charge to the Ligue 1 title and reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.

His rapid acceleration and clinical finishing led to his inclusion in the French national team, and he played an instrumental role in France's 2018 World Cup triumph, becoming only the second teenager after Pelé to score in a World Cup final.

Mbappe's early career statistics and records are nothing short of impressive. He set a slew of records, becoming the youngest player to score for Monaco and the youngest French player to score in the Champions League. His prolific goal-scoring ability, coupled with his versatility to play across the frontline, made him a sought-after asset.

With a slew of accolades, including multiple Ligue 1 titles, domestic cups and individual awards, Mbappe's early career accomplishments have solidified his status as one of football's most promising talents.

Kylian Mbappe at Monaco

Kylian Mbappe's formative years in football were marked by his exceptional stint at AS Monaco. Arriving at the club's youth academy, he swiftly showcased a footballing maturity beyond his years and rapidly climbed through the ranks to the first-team.

Making his professional debut in December 2015 at the tender age of 16, Mbappé's breakthrough season came during 2016-2017. He became a linchpin in Monaco's dynamic attacking unit, contributing significantly to their Ligue 1 triumph in the same season. His partnership with Radamel Falcao and his ability to combine electrifying speed with clinical finishing earned him rave reviews across the continent.

But the 2016-2017 campaign saw Mbappe not only guide Monaco to the domestic league title but also propel them to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Statistically, Mbappe's time at Monaco showcased his incredible promise. He amassed 26 goals across all competitions in the 2016-2017 season, demonstrating his potency in front of goal. His lethal combination of pace and precision led to him being recognized as one of Europe's most exciting young talents.

Mbappe's records and milestones during his Monaco days are truly extraordinary. He became the youngest player to score for the club, and his performances earned him the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award. Additionally, he became the youngest French player to score in the Champions League, marking his growing influence on the international stage.

His success with Monaco culminated in a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, where he continued to flourish and solidify his status as a global footballing superstar.

Mbappe's time at Monaco remains a pivotal chapter in his career, showcasing the early signs of his unbelievable talent and foreshadowing the meteoric rise that was to come.

Mbappe's Honours at Monaco

Ligue 1 (1)

2016/2017

Kylian Mbappe at PSG

Joining the club in 2017, initially on loan before making it permanent a year later, he quickly cemented his status as one of the world's most prodigious talents, propelling PSG to both domestic and international success.

Mbappe's €180m arrival at PSG was a record-breaking transfer, underscoring the immense potential the club saw in him. He was part of a formidable attacking trio alongside Neymar and Edinson Cavani, forming a trio that came to be known as "MCN."

During his time at PSG, Mbappe's statistics and records have been nothing short of extraordinary. He has consistently registered impressive goal-scoring figures in Ligue 1, contributing significantly to the club's multiple domestic title wins. His searing pace, technical flair and ability to score from various positions on the field made him a nightmare for defenders.

Mbappe's records include becoming the youngest player in PSG's history to score a hat-trick in Ligue 1 and being the youngest player to reach 50 league goals for the club. His exploits also extended to the Champions League, where he showcased his prowess on the grandest stage. He became the youngest player to score 25 goals in the Champions League, surpassing the previous record set by none other than Lionel Messi.

Milestones have abounded throughout Mbappe's PSG career. He has secured numerous individual accolades, including multiple Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards, further cementing his position as one of the league's dominant forces. His role in PSG's 2019-2020 run to the Champions League final also highlighted his capability to perform at the highest echelons of the sport.

Mbappe's tenure at PSG has not only been marked by his on-field exploits but also by his growing stature as a global football icon. He is renowned for his philanthropic endeavours and his charismatic personality off the pitch.

To date, the France international's PSG record stands at 212 goals in 260 first-team appearances, but over the last 12 months there has been a level of controversy surrounding his future in France.

In June 2023, Mbappe announced his intentions not to renew his contract in the French capital, which runs until June 2024. It was widely reported that he was eyeing up a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer of 2023. Mbappe refuted those claims, saying publically that he was happy at PSG in response, but the club's president Nasser Al-Khelaifi's stance was that he would not play for PSG again if he refused to sign a new deal.

The stand-off led to Mbappe being excluded from PSG's pre-season tour to Japan, but it was announced in August 2023 that he would be reintegrated back into Luis Enrique's first team plans following productive discussions being the player and the French giants.

Mbappe's Honours at PSG

Ligue 1 (5)

2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2021/2022, 2022/2023

Coupe de France (3)

2017/2018, 2019/2020, 2020/2021

Coupe de Ligue (2)

2017/2018, 2019/2020

Trophee des Champions (2)

2019, 2020

Kylian Mbappe with France

Kylian Mbappe's international career with the French national team has mirrored his remarkable success at the club level. Bursting onto the scene as a prodigious talent, he quickly became a vital component of the national setup.

His journey with Les Bleus reached a pinnacle during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Playing a pivotal role, he showcased his electrifying pace, exceptional dribbling and clinical finishing. Mbappe's standout performance in the tournament earned him the prestigious FIFA World Cup Young Player Award. His crowning moment came in the final when he scored to become only the second teenager in history to score in a World Cup final, after the legendary Pelé.

His statistics and records for France are equally impressive. He has consistently been one of the team's top goalscorers, contributing vital goals in crucial matches. Mbappe's versatility and ability to thrive in different attacking roles have made him an indispensable asset for the national team.

In March 2023, France manager Didier Deschamps named Mbappe the new captain of France following the international retirement of long-standing captain Hugo Lloris.

To-date, Mbappe's record for France stands at 70 caps and 40 goals, with his most recent goal coming in a 1-0 victory over Greece in a UEFA European Championships qualifier, in June 2023.

Mbappe's Honours with France

FIFA World Cup (1)

2018

UEFA Nations League

2020/2021

Kylian Mbappe's Personal Accolades & Records

Kylian Mbappe's burgeoning career has been punctuated by an array of personal records and prestigious awards.

His rapid ascent began with AS Monaco, where he became the youngest player to debut for the club in December 2015. Then, his breakthrough season in 2016-2017 yielded the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and his position as the youngest French player to score in the Champions League.

However, it was on the global stage that Mbappe truly made history. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he became the second teenager ever to score in a World Cup final, helping France secure their second world title. His electrifying performances earned him the FIFA World Cup Young Player Award.

At PSG, Mbappe has maintained his record-breaking momentum. He became the youngest player to reach 50 Ligue 1 goals for the club and the youngest to score a hat-trick in the league.

Accolades such as multiple Ligue 1 Player of the Year awards and his remarkable feats in domestic and international competitions underscore Mbappe's status as a generational talent and an individual who continues to rewrite the record books while amassing a trove of footballing honours.

It surely is only a matter of time before he collects his first Ballon d'Or.

Mbappe's Personal Honours

Ligue 1 Player of the Year (4)

2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023

Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year (3)

2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019

Ligue 1 Team of the Year (6)

2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023

UEFA Champions League Team of the Season (4)

2016/2017, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022

FIFA FIFPRO World XI (3)

2018, 2019, 2022

Golden Boy (1)

2017

FIFA World Cup Golden Boot (1)

2022

FIFA World Cup Silver Ball (1)

2022

FIFA World Cup Young Player Award (1)

2018

Kopa Trophy (1)

2018

French Player of the Year (3)

2018, 2019, 2022

UEFA Team of the Year (1)

2018

Ligue 1 Top Scorer (5)

2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023

Ligue 1 Top Assist Provider (1)

2021/2022

UEFA Nations League Finals Golden Boot (1)

2021

Pep Guardiola has said he would have no problem with Manchester City selling players to Manchester United for the right price.

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• Guardiola has no problem selling players to United
• Berrada crossed divide to become Red Devils' CEO
• 'Nothing wrong with that'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  City director Omar Berrada made a shock switch to become United's CEO last week in a major coup for the Red Devils' new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe. And Guardiola sees no reason why some of his players could not also cross the divide to Old Trafford.

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• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  "Why not? If a person is unhappy here and wants to go to United and there’s a deal for the right price then why not? No problem," Guardiola told a press conference. "If Omar is not happy here and wants to go there he has to go. What can we do? There is nothing wrong with that. In the clubs this situation happens. If we want a player from them, United have to agree to sell, and he wants to come and they agree a transfer, why should we not do it? Winning and losing doesn’t depends on these specific things. It depends on many things."

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Carlos Tevez is the last major player to switch from United to City although he did so as a free agent as he was only on loan with the Red Devils when he made his infamous move to the Blues in 2009. Ryan Giggs went the other way when he left City's youth academy to join United as a teenager while legendary United manager Sir Matt Busby played for City as well as Liverpool.

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• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CITY & UNITED?

  Guardiola's side return to action after a two-week break when they visit Tottenham in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday. United, who City beat in last year's final, visit League Two side Newport County on Sunday.

Wolves players held up their team-mate Mario Lemina's shirt after Max Kilman put the side 1-0 up at home to Everton.

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Kilman scored to put Wolves 1-0 upLemina not involved in gameWolves looking to move away from relegation fightWHAT HAPPENED?

A dangerous cross from Nelson Semedo was not cleared by the Everton defence, leading to a scramble in the six-yard area before the Wolves captain stabbed home. Following his goal, Kilman and his team-mates headed towards their own dugout before holding aloft Mario Lemina's shirt.

AdvertisementGettyTHE EXPLANATION

Lemina was absent from the Wolves squad for the game following the death of his father, with the players paying tribute by holding up his shirt and wearing black armbands for the match. Lemina had scored on his last outing for Wolves against Chelsea and had dedicated his goal to his father.

WHAT WOLVES SAID:

Wolves offered their condolences to Lamina and his father ahead of the match with a statement on social media: "Our hearts go out to Mario Lemina after the passing of his father yesterday morning. The whole pack send their love and sympathy to Mario and his family. Mario’s teammates will wear black armbands today in honour of his father’s memory."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR WOLVES?

The team's next fixture is against Brentford in an all-Premier League FA Cup third round tie on Friday, January 5.

Following his impressive form in T20s this year, Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has signed with the Adelaide Strikers for the 2017-18 Big Bash League.The 18-year old legspinner ended his first IPL earlier this year as Sunrisers Hyderabad’s second-highest wicket-taker, with 17 from 14 matches. In the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League, he claimed the tournament’s first-ever hat-trick and finished with the best economy-rate of 5.82 for Guyana Amazon Warriors.”I am very happy to have signed with the Strikers for the BBL,” Rashid said. “It is a huge honour to be a part of such a great tournament and even more of an honour to be the first Afghanistan player to participate on the BBL stage. I look forward to linking up with my Strikers team-mates and backroom staff.”Strikers coach Jason Gillespie said: “Rashid has set the world alight in T20 cricket with his energy, enthusiasm, and great control for a young guy. He has some great variations, can bowl stump-to-stump and can be very hard to pick. We’re delighted to be able to offer him the opportunity to play for the Adelaide Strikers.”Rashid joins former South Africa batsman Colin Ingram as the franchise’s two overseas signings.Strikers, who had finished sixth out of eight in the last season, will open their campaign this year against Sydney Thunder on December 22.Adelaide Strikers squad: Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Jono Dean, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Colin Ingram, Rashid Khan

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing for the potential exit of free-scoring talisman, Harry Kane, with the Lilywhites believed to be showing an interest in Lille striker, Jonathan David.

What are the latest Tottenham transfer rumours?

With Kane now into the final year of his contract, the likes of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be eyeing up a possible summer move, with it yet to be seen if the Englishman will be leading the line for Ange Postecoglou's side next term.

As a result, French outlet L'Equipe (via Sport Witness), are reporting that the north London outfit are eyeing a possible successor to the 29-year-old in the form of David, with the Premier League side said to be 'observing' the Canadian international.

If Spurs are to strike a deal for the former Gent starlet, the belief is that the Ligue 1 side have slapped a €60m (£51m) asking price on the 23-year-old, with the likes of Newcastle United, Chelsea and PSG all showing an interest at present.

How good is Jonathan David?

Lauded as a "phenom" by journalist Tony Marinaro, the Brooklyn-born marksman has undoubtedly sparked some real excitement due to his displays in France of late, having netted 58 goals in just 136 games for his current side.

The 5 foot 9 ace – who also boasts 25 goals in just 42 outings for his country at senior level – had also previously sparkled during his time in Belgium after bagging 37 goals in only 83 appearances in all competitions, proving that he can offer a clinical presence in attack.

That being said, however, transfer insider Dean Jones recently suggested that top-flight rivals Manchester United had been left rather unimpressed after watching David in action, having not been "wowed" by the in-demand hitman.

That may be a cause for concern for Postecoglou and co, as should the fact that the Lille man is also said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with former Chelsea flop, Timo Werner, according to FBref.

That likeness is notably seen by the pair's inability to offer a real physical focal point in attack, with the RB Leipzig asset ranking in just the bottom 2% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for aerial duels won, while his Canadian counterpart ranks in just the bottom 4% in that regard.

The two men are also alike due to their desire to run in behind at any given opportunity, rather than dropping deep to link play, with David ranking in the top 10% for progressive passes received, while Werner is only just ahead as he ranks in the top 5% in that regard.

In the case of the latter man, that desire to rely on his speed and ability to stretch a defence ultimately failed to prove fruitful during his time at Stamford Bridge, with the German hotshot scoring just ten goals in 56 Premier League games after signing from Leipzig on a £45m deal in 2020.

Despite being a player who can "devastate with his pace" – according to talkSPORT's Tony Cascarino – Werner was unable to match his prior goalscoring exploits in the Bundesliga, having scored 28 league goals during the 2019/20 campaign, prior to moving west London.

Much like the "erratic" 27-year-old – as described by pundit Gabby Agbonlahor – David has also blossomed outside of England thus far, although his reliance on utilising his speed may not pay off in the Premier League, having been noted for his "directness" by ex-Arsenal man, Thierry Henry (CBS Sports, 22/02/2022, 19:45) – who also suggested not to "ask him to come to play or assist", as that doesn't appear to be his game.

For the £51m fee that has been suggested, Spurs may wish to acquire a more proven, all-round option to lead the line next term, with it yet to be seen if David could truly be a worthy successor to Kane at N17.

West Ham United can be forgiven for being distracted by negotiations with Arsenal over a payment structure for £105m midfielder Declan Rice, but David Moyes' side are at risk of being left short come the start of the new Premier League season.

What new players have West Ham bought?

With five weeks to go until their trip to Bournemouth to kick off the 2023-24 season, West Ham have yet to make any signings this window.

That will surely frustrate manager Moyes, who will be fully aware that his squad is in need of freshening up, with May's Europa Conference League triumph papering over the cracks of a poor Premier League season.

A new central midfielder is top of Moyes' list of targets – or indeed a couple if a like-for-like Rice replacement cannot be found – with Ajax's Edson Alvarez, Manchester United's Scott McTominay and Everton's Amadou Onana all rumoured targets.

According to The Guardian, West Ham also hold an interest in Bristol City's Alex Scott, who is on the radar of fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

How much is Bristol City's Alex Scott worth?

Scott may have spent his senior career to date in the Championship, yet he is reportedly worth at least £20m to Bristol City due to the fact he has two years to run on his Ashton Gate contract.

Despite being just 19 years old, Scott already has 81 Championship appearances under his belt, having been a regular for the Robins over the past two campaigns.

The teenage midfielder rose to prominence earlier this year after impressing Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola in an FA Cup tie, with the Catalan describing him as an "unbelievable player".

As pointed out by football talent scout Jacek Kulig after Scott was named the Championship's Young Player of the Year, he has a "big future ahead" of him.

Scott cannot be expected to slot straight in and take over the role of Rice, of course. Then again, who could?

Instead, the Guernsey native can provide some versatility for Moyes, given he featured in defensive midfield, central midfield, attacking midfield and on both flanks last season, as per WhoScored.

Versatile he may be, but it is as a pure central midfielder that Scott thrives. The Englishman ranks in the top 11% of all midfielders in the eight competitions most similar to the Championship for progressive carries (2.34 per 90 minutes), as per FBref, and in the top 16% for successful take-ons (1.22).

In that aforementioned FA Cup tie with Man City last season, which Bristol City lost 3-0, Scott's five dribbles were the joint-most of any player on the field, level with opponent Phil Foden – quite the company.

As per WhoScored, Scott's pass accuracy of 83.3% that day was also the third-most of any Robins player to attempt 10 passes or more, which is made all the more impressive when you factor in he was playing as an attacking midfielder.

Scott is not exactly a hidden gem, which explains his price tag, but he could be a very smart option for West Ham to kick off their transfer business in the post-Declan Rice era.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Rising Pune Supergiant are both enjoying strong runs of form and have their sights set on finishing the league stage in the top two

The Preview by Karthik Krishnaswamy02-May-2017

Match facts

Kolkata Knight Riders v Rising Pune Supergiant
Kolkata, May 3, 2017
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)4:20

Bangar: Pune’s improved bowling effort showing on the points table

Form guide

• Kolkata Knight Riders (second): lost to Sunrisers by 48 runs, defeated Daredevils by seven wickets, defeated Rising Pune by seven wickets.

• Rising Pune Supergiant (fourth): defeated Lions by five wickets, defeated Royal Challengers by 61 runs, lost to Knight Riders by seven wickets.

Head-to-head

This season: Robin Uthappa’s 47-ball 87 helped Knight Riders hunt down a target of 183 with 11 balls remaining at the MCA Stadium in Pune.Overall: Knight Riders have chased and won in each of their three matches against Rising Pune.

In the news

Lynn, who has been out of action since dislocating his left shoulder while fielding against Mumbai Indians on April 9, trained with the Knight Riders squad on Tuesday. He hopes to return before the playoffs, Lynn told , possibly against Kings XI Punjab on May 9 or against Mumbai on May 13.Shakib Al Hasan has only played once for Knight Riders this season, and the match against Rising Pune is likely to be his last chance for game-time: he is set to leave the tournament on Thursday to join Bangladesh’s training camp in Sussex ahead of a triangular ODI series in Ireland, which also involves New Zealand.Knight Riders are on 14 points and Rising Pune on 12. The team that wins this clash will fancy a top-two finish, and two shots at a spot in the final.

The likely XIs

Kolkata Knight Riders: 1 Sunil Narine, 2 Gautam Gambhir (capt), 3 Robin Uthappa (wk), 4 Manish Pandey, 5 Yusuf Pathan, 6 Sheldon Jackson, 7 Colin de Grandhomme/Shakib Al Hasan, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Nathan Coulter-Nile, 10 Umesh Yadav, 11 Kuldeep Yadav.Rising Pune Supergiant: 1 Ajinkya Rahane, 2 Rahul Tripathi, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 MS Dhoni (wk), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Manoj Tiwary, 7 Daniel Christian, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Jaydev Unadkat, 10 Shardul Thakur, 11 Imran Tahir.

Strategy punt

Rising Pune have scored quicker against pace (8.97 per over) than spin (7.32) this season, and the gap is particularly exaggerated in the case of MS Dhoni, who has scored at 8.15 against pace and 5.28 against spin. Knight Riders have tended to go with pace-dominated attacks this season, especially at Eden Gardens, which has provided an unusual amount of seam movement and bounce. But given their opposition, and Dhoni in particular, they might think of a spin-for-seam swap in the allrounder department, with Shakib Al Hasan coming in for Colin de Grandhomme.

Stats that matter

• Rising Pune lost three of their first four matches of the tournament, and have won five out of six since then. Their rise has coincided with a marked improvement in their bowling. In their first four games, their bowlers averaged 38.15, gave away 9.41 an over, and conceded a boundary every 4.76 balls. In the period since then, they have topped the tournament in terms of average (21.61) and economy rate (7.69), while only conceding a boundary every 6.68 balls.
• They have become better both in the first six overs – their economy rate has dropped from 10.00 to 7.50 – and in the last five – 13.00 to 8.03.
• The inclusion of Jaydev Unadkat has made a difference to their bowling in both these critical phases. In Pune’s last six matches, the left-arm quick has a Powerplay economy rate of 7.80 and an economy rate of 7.92 in the last five overs. He has been helped by Washington Sundar in the first six overs (6.37) and Daniel Christian in the last five (6.66)
• MS Dhoni has had a difficult time against Sunil Narine in T20s, scoring only 29 off 58 balls, while being dismissed once.
• Chris Woakes has been Knight Riders’ joint-highest wicket-taker this season with 11, but his wickets have come at a price. His economy rate of 9.65 is the second worst among all bowlers who have bowled 20 or more overs this season, with only Lasith Malinga proving more expensive.