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Chelsea started their Club World campaign with a 2-0 victory over LAFC, but it was far from the most entertaining watch from a Blues perspective.

The limited numbers inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium likely didn’t help the drab pre-season feel of the fixture, yet certain performances would have still worried the select few Chelsea supporters watching on regardless, with Noni Madueke noticeably struggling down the left wing.

Enzo Maresca desperately needs more reinforcements down the left channel, therefore, and transfer rumours constantly coming out from Stamford Bridge seem to indicate that fresh blood will soon be purchased.

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ByCharlie Smith Jun 13, 2025 Chelsea still have "world-class" star as top priority

As per an update by Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg on social media, Chelsea still holds winning the services of Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens as a major priority this summer, but they will have to pay £55m.

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An agreement has been sealed on the player side, according to Fabrizio Romano, but the more time goes on, the more Blues supporters will be anxious that a deal to win Gittens could unfortunately fall flat.

Indeed, other targets are now being sought after on the left, with an enquiry lodged to snap up rising Lyon star Malick Fofana as a way to bolster even more.

However, whilst Fofana is no doubt being looked at as one for the future, Chelsea will be overwhelmed with excitement as to what the Dortmund attacker could be capable of on his expected arrival in West London, with Gittens having already been dubbed “world-class” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley.

How Gittens can be Chelsea's next Hazard

Bursting with energy and an electric dribbler, the young Englishman might well become Chelsea’s next Eden Hazard if everything goes to plan.

Hazard was only a year older than Gittens when making his Blues debut back in 2012, having also been hotly tipped for greatness on the books of Lille. Now, the much-loved Belgian is viewed as a modern-day icon at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca will be aiming to restore Chelsea to their past glories when Hazard was routinely galloping down the left channel, with two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy heading the Blues’ way when the slick 5-foot-9 attacker was performing at his peak.

Adding Gittens could well be a big step forward in allowing Chelsea to compete for top-flight honours once more, with his overall numbers in the Bundesliga lagging behind Hazard’s were when he was about to leave France behind for a new challenge in England.

Games played

194

107

Goals scored

50

17

Assists

53

12

Goals per game

0.25

0.15

Assists per game

0.27

0.11

Hazard was somewhat in a league of his own towards the end of his Lille stay, with a remarkable 38 goals and assists picked up during his final season in France.

But, Gittens has shown flashes of his obvious excellence at Dortmund to be viewed as a potential next iteration of the celebrated Belgian, notably ranking within the top 1% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90 minutes, showcasing he’s one of the best dribblers around, just like Hazard.

12 of his 17 Black and Yellow strikes came in 2024/25, and it included four being hammered home in the esteemed Champions League.

Hazard was equally a dependable performer on the big occasion for Chelsea, with ten strikes next to his name in Europe’s elite competition.

The similarities don’t end there, however, with the former Manchester City youth product also capable of performing as an attacking midfielder or a right winger if needed.

Hazard’s main explosiveness for the Blues did primarily come down the left, but a surprisingly large portion of his goals in London did actually come from the number ten spot, as seen in 21 of his 110 goals for Chelsea coming from this more central position.

With so much hype next to his name – with Critchley further lauding the 20-year-old as “England’s best LW” currently – the worry might well be that Gittens flounders under the intensity of his new spotlight.

Yet, Hazard had even more fanfare surrounding his name when he took the jump from Ligue 1 to the Premier League, with Dortmund’s standout star now desperate to follow in his revered footsteps.

Better than Gittens: BlueCo make approach to sign £50m star for Chelsea

Chelsea love signing a highly-rated winger don’t they, with the Blues seeking to sign a “magnificent prospect” as Jamie Gittens alternative.

1 Jun 17, 2025

The South Korea international has officially joined the Black and Gold, becoming the latest star in Los Angeles

LAFC officially sign Spurs icon SonForward signs through 2027, options through 2029Sets MLS transfer record at reported $26.5MFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Tottenham Hotspur forward and South Korea star Son Heung-Min has joined Los Angeles FC on a permanent transfer through 2027 with club options through June 2029. The club officially introduced him at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Son will occupy an international roster slot and will be eligible to play upon receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The 33-year-old reportedly becomes the most expensive transfer in MLS history, surpassing Atlanta United's deal of Emmanuel Latte Lath earlier this season. 

reported that the fee is approximately $26.5 million.

Over 10 years with Tottenham, the South Korea international scored 173 goals across all competitions, registered 101 assists, and became the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot in 2021-22. 

"Just because I had a successful career in Europe doesn't mean I will here," Son said in Los Angeles. "So I want to see this as a new challenge and do my best and all that. I want to give back to the ownership and the team and the club, and do the best I can and leave when the time comes as a legend of the club.

"I'm here to win, and I will perform, and I will definitely show you something exciting. I will definitely show some exciting football, and we definitely will have success."

LAFC management praised Son's track record, and noted the impact he can have for the team and in the community.

“Sonny is a global icon and one of the most dynamic and accomplished players in world football,” said LAFC co-president and GM John Thorrington. “His ambition, ability, and character align perfectly with our values at LAFC. We are proud that he has chosen Los Angeles for the next chapter of his extraordinary career. Sonny is a proven winner and a world-class individual, and we are confident he will elevate our club and inspire our community – both on and off the pitch.”

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Son becomes the latest global superstar to sign for LAFC, following in the footsteps of former Tottenham teammates Gareth Bale and Hugo Lloris, the latter of whom he is reuniting in Los Angeles.

“I’m incredibly proud to be joining LAFC, a club with big ambitions in one of the most iconic sports cities in the world,” Son said. “Los Angeles has such a rich history of champions, and I am here to help write the next chapter. I’m excited for this new challenge in MLS. I have come to L.A. to lift trophies and give everything for this club, this city, and its fans. I cannot wait to get started.”

Son will undoubtedly pull in viewers given his popularity as captain of the Korean national team, especially given the fact that nearly 30 percent of the nation’s Korean population of 1.8 million live in California.

"I've obviously played with former teammates like Hugo Lloris, Gareth Bale, and national team player Kim Moon-Hwan also played for LAFC," Son said. "And the conversations that I've had with them were great because also Hugo was helping and advising about how great Los Angeles is.

"And as a Korean, to know that Koreatown here in Los Angeles has so many Koreans here in this country, I'm very proud to be part of the club and the city here. We'll make them proud with my performance and do the best I can to represent the Koreans in Koreatown and here in LA."

Internationally, Son has scored 51 goals and represented South Korea in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 FIFA World Cups and four AFC Asian Cups. In 2018, he led South Korea to a gold medal at the Asian Games.

“Bringing Sonny to LAFC and to our city has been a dream of ours for several years,” LAFC lead managing owner Bennett Rosenthal said. “My partners and I are huge admirers of Sonny the player and Sonny the person. His signing is a statement of our commitment to excellence on the pitch and our ambition to continue to build our reputation as a world class club on the global football stage. Sonny as a player and person will inspire not only our fans in LA and the incredible community in Southern California, but millions of fans around the world.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Son recently lifted the 2025 UEFA Europa League title with Tottenham earlier this season.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LAFC?

The take to the pitch on Saturday against the Chicago Fire in their return to MLS action after the opening stage of the Leagues Cup. The game could serve as a potential debut for Son.

تحدث البولندي فويتشيك تشيزني، حارس مرمى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة عن زميله خوان جارسيا، وعلاقته به ومدى الترابط بينهما ونصيحة بوفون الذي تعلمها منه من خلال حواره عبر صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية.

وقال تشيزني عن زميله خوان جارسيا: “إنه حارس مرمى رائع، وبالنسبة لي هو بالفعل من بين الأفضل في العالم من حيث القوة البدنية”.

وعن خوض لقاء الكلاسيكو: “لا أعلم، أتمنى ألا يضطروا لرؤيتي فأنا أريد أن يتعافى خوان سريعًا من إصابته، أعرف دوري هذا الموسم وبالنسبة لي، سيكون أعظم إنجاز لي أن يقدم خوان جارسيا موسمًا رائعًا وناجحًا، لذلك من جهتي لا توجد منافسة أو تنافس بيننا، أحاول فقط دعمه بأفضل طريقة ممكنة، أستطيع لكنني آمل أن يعود في أقرب وقت ممكن، هذا لا يعني أنني كسول ولا أريد اللعب، أحب اللعب لكنني أتمنى فقط أن يعود قريبًا”.

وحول المنافسة على المشاركة أساسيًا: “أنا سعيد جدًا بما حققته في مسيرتي، ولذلك أتقبل بكل سرور أن أكون عونًا أكبر لحارس مرمى في بداياته، ثم أحاول إثبات جدارتي لعام آخر، عندما تتاح لي الفرصة أو في حالة طوارئ كهذه، يكون الجميع مصابًا، ألعب، وأكون سعيدًا باللعب، وأقدم أفضل ما لدي، ولكن كما قلت نضع أهدافًا في بداية الموسم”.

وأكمل: “الآن أريد أن أفعل هذا، أريد الفوز بهذه الكأس، أو تلك، هدفي الأكبر هو مساعدة خوان وأحاول القيام بذلك بأفضل طريقة ممكنة، مع كل الضغوط التي تصاحب اللعب لنادي مثل برشلونة، لا أعتقد أنه يحتاج إلى ضغط لاعب كبير يحاول المنافسة على مقعده”.

وعن الأشياء التي يريدها أن تتواجد بـ جارسيا: “لديه كل شيء تقريبًا، لا أريد أن أبالغ في الحديث عنه لأنه لا يزال أمامه الكثير من العمل ولكن من الناحية البدنية، فهو بالفعل من بين الأفضل في العالم، بالطبع يجب أن تكون في المكان المناسب ذهنيًا للتركيز في كل مباراة، كل ثلاثة أيام، هذه تجربة جديدة له لأنه من الأسهل بكثير اللعب يوم السبت”.

اقرأ أيضًا | ماستانتونو يوضح الفارق بين ريال مدريد والأرجنتين ويؤكد: ميسي أفضل مدرب

واستطرد: “العقلية مهارة مختلفة للتركيز كل ثلاثة أيام ولعب 60 مباراة على أعلى مستوى لكن خوان ذكي وهادئ للغاية، لذلك أنا متأكد من أنه سيحقق ذلك وسيقدم موسمًا رائعًا وسأحرص على أن يكون أكثر هدوءً لأنني أعتقد أنه في هذا الدور تحت الضغط العالي، فإن الهدوء هو أحد أهم صفات حارس المرمى”.

وأوضح: “بدنيًا لا أستطيع تعليمه الكثير لأنه حارس مرمى أفضل مني مع ذلك، أحيانًا أثناء التدريب، تكون هناك تفاصيل حول التمركز أو أمور أخرى لكن لا يمكنني تعليمه الكثير إنه حارس مرمى رائع، ما أملكه ويفتقده هو الخبرة وأريد أن أنقلها إليه، إذا قرر النادي تجديد عقدي مع علمه بقدومي فربما لهذا السبب يعتقدون أنني أستطيع مساعدته ليصبح حارس مرمى أفضل، لذلك سأحاول فعل ذلك”.

وعما فعله بوفون معه: “أنا لا أتنافس أبدًا معه، جميعهم أصدقائي المقربون وعندما كنت ألعب، كانوا يدعمونني، وعندما كانوا يلعبون كنت أسعد لأجلهم، وجود بوفون معي كان قدوتي في صغري، ومشاهدته وهو يتدرب يوميًا وكيف كان يتصرف داخل الملعب وخارجه وكيف كان يتحدث مع زملائه كانت تجربة تعليمية عظيمة بالنسبة لي وربما كان هو من تعلمت منه أكثر من غيره، معه لم تكن هناك منافسة وكنا ندعم بعضنا البعض”.

وعن تكرار ما فعله بوفون معه تجاه خوان جارسيا: “قليلًا أعتقد، بعد تجربة وجود شخص كان الأفضل لي أنني أشعر بواجب رد الجميل لـ خوان، ربما لا تستطيع أن تتعلم مني بقدر ما أستطيع من جيجي لكن الأمر مشابه تمامًا”.

Glasgow Rangers manager Russell Martin has a massive task ahead of him, there is no doubt.

His first few interviews since being unveiled as the new Ibrox boss have been positive, and it is clear the former Southampton manager has a distinct style of play.

This is something that the club have lacked under previous managers, including Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Philippe Clement. Those two set up teams well in Europe, but domestically was a different story.

It may well be the opposite in Martin’s case. But given how poor the Gers have been in the Premiership since winning the title in 2021, this could well be a sacrifice many of the supporters are willing to make.

Martin will need every department to click at the start of next season, as a good start is imperative.

He needs his defence to be solid and reliable. A midfield full of players simultaneously able to win the ball back and move it forwards into the final third, and a front three able to get the better of a low block and take their chances.

In that regard, having someone of Alfredo Morelos’ ability would work wonders next season, especially as he would shine in Martin’s system.

Alfredo Morelos’ Rangers statistics

The Colombian talisman was a scourge for defenders, both domestically and in Europe, across his five years at Ibrox.

Between 2018 and 2023, he played 269 matches for the Light Blues, scoring an impressive tally of 124 goals for the club. Add in another 57 assists, and it is clear that Morelos was not only a clinical finisher, but he was also able to link play with those alongside and behind him.

Not since he departed have Rangers been able to call on a player with these abilities. Sure, Cyriel Dessers may have scored 51 times in just over 100 games, but the Nigerian striker often takes two or three chances to get on the scoresheet.

Morelos refined his game after a productive opening few seasons at Ibrox. Indeed, when the club won the domestic title during 2020/21, Morelos ‘only’ scored 11 league goals.

He played slightly deeper than in previous seasons, linking up with the likes of Ianis Hagi, Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent in order to create chances for them too.

Danilo has shown glimpses of his deep-lying abilities when given a chance, but the Brazilian hasn’t enjoyed a consistent run in the team to make a proper difference.

In Morelos, Rangers had a striker who established himself as a cult icon during his spell at Ibrox.

If Martin wishes to get the fans onside quickly, signing a player who is similar in style and stature to Morelos might be a good start.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2022/23

45

12

7

2021/22

42

18

8

2020/21

44

17

13

2019/20

47

29

9

2018/19

48

30

12

2017/18

43

18

8

He could well have some money to spend this summer thanks to the 49ers investment. This should allow the new manager to bring in several transfer targets, which will bolster the squad.

Could his first signing be a young striker who is ready to take the next step in his career?

Rangers search for a new striker

While Dessers, Danilo and Hamza Igamane are all options for Martin, it is likely one is sold this summer.

Now, according to the Daily Record, Rangers have made Maccabi Tel Aviv centre-forward Dor Turgeman their number one target this summer.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The youngster could be available for a fee in the region of £4m, and reports from Israel claim that the Glasgow side have already opened talks with the player regarding a move to Scotland.

Getting deals done over the line quickly will be key for Martin, especially as the Gers face a Champions League qualifier in six weeks.

Could Turgeman be a dream first signing? He certainly has all the tools required to succeed in Europe.

Why Rangers must sign Dor Turgeman

Last season, the highest scorer for the club was Dessers with 29 goals across all competitions. The next best tally from a striker was 16 by Igamane. While Danilo could only muster six goals through another injury-ravaged campaign.

Adding in another player who has the ability to score 20 or more goals next season is vital, especially if Martin wishes to challenge for the league title.

On that note, Turgeman would be an ideal signing this summer. The 2024/25 campaign was arguably his breakout for the Israeli side. Across 44 matches, the 21-year-old netted 20 goals and grabbed six assists for his club side.

He was praised by analyst Kai Watson as far back as February 2024, who said: “He’s played mostly as a striker but can definitely do a job on the wing. He’s quick, agile and has brilliant balance when driving with the ball.

“A very exciting player to watch and one that would have fans off of their seats.”

Last season certainly proved exactly what he can do and now is the chance for him to make a move and perform at a club like Rangers.

The club needs players who are willing to fight for every ball and win every duel. His manager, Zarko Lazetić, claimed that Turgeman was a “beast on the pitch”, and this sort of profile fits in with Martin’s style.

Like Morelos, the Israeli striker is capable of dropping deeper and generating chances for his team. Indeed, in the top flight last term, Turgeman created ten big chances for Maccabi, while he also recorded three assists and averaged 0.7 key passes per game.

For a fee of £4m, it is evident that Rangers would be getting a striker who closely resembles Morelos, perhaps without the disciplinary issues.

By selling Dessers in the coming weeks, Martin will be able to clear room for the youngster, who will be hoping to make his mark on Scottish football.

If the new owners and manager are serious about taking Rangers back to the summit of Scottish football, signing Turgeman should be a priority. That’s a certainty.

Rangers' top 15 goalscorers of all time

Rangers have had plenty of natural goalscorers at Ibrox over the last 150 years.

ByRoss Kilvington Dec 26, 2024

Visitors lead by 165 overnight, with hopes of pushing for third consecutive win

ECB Reporters Network31-Aug-2024Fifties by Jake Libby, Brett D’Oliveira and Adam Hose ensured Worcestershire would make Essex bat again in their rollercoaster match at Chelmsford.When bad light took the players off the field with 20 over remaining on day three of the Vitality County Championship match, Worcestershire had turned a 138-run first-innings deficit into a 165-run lead.Libby laid the foundations for the recovery with a 112-ball 65 at the top of the order. But it was an 80-run stand for the sixth wicket between D’Oliveira (51 from 71 balls) and Hose (64 off 91) – the pair coming together with two runs still required to erase the arrears – that gave Worcestershire hope of securing a third successive victory to move clear of the relegation area.Simon Harmer spearheaded the mercurial Essex attack, sending down 26 overs in the foreshortened day and taking 3 for 110, including the wicket of Hose to an extraordinary delivery. Essex will be looking for a first victory in four games on the final day to maintain their fading interest in the title race.Nightwatchman Joe Leach lasted just four balls on a grey, overcast morning before Sam Cook ended his 21-ball nought by inducing a thick edge through to the wicketkeeper. Gareth Roderick narrowly avoided a pair before he was turned around by Jamie Porter on six and nicked to second slip.Libby found good support from Kashif Ali in a 51-run third-wicket stand until Paul Walter was introduced and with his fourth ball had Ali following the ball across him through to slip.Libby survived a couple of scares but reached his fifty from the 90th ball faced, his eighth four helped on its way high over the wicketkeeper’s head. His latest partner Rob Jones took a liking to Harmer, hitting four successive boundaries, two of them identical shots on the sweep.However, the 55-run fourth-wicket stand was broken soon after lunch when Libby drove loosely at Cook and was caught low down at backward point. And six runs later, Jones went for another sweep against Harmer, this time more uppishly, and Dean Elgar completed the dismissal when running back from square leg.That left Worcestershire five down and still two runs short of making Essex bat again. That landmark was duly achieved and built on as Hose and D’Oliveira dug in obdurately initially to the extent that Porter came on for three overs and went off again without conceding a run. The first fifty of their partnership took 16 overs.The run-rate rose steeply with 31 runs added by the pair in the next four overs before Matt Critchley switched ends to give Harmer a rest and first ball had D’Oliveira fencing to second slip. Harmer’s rest spanned the tea break but his first ball after the interval brought the downfall of Hose, who padded up outside off-stump to a ball that turned prodigiously as it hit the crease to leave him bewildered to see the bails lying on the ground behind him.Harmer had a third wicket to his name when Ethan Brookes went to reverse-sweep, as he had successfully on several occasions in the first innings This time, however, the ball popped up off an edge to Robin Das diving full-length at short leg to cling on one-handed.With the floodlights on and the light deteriorating appreciably, Essex declined the option of taking the new-ball when it was due after 80 over, sticking with their spinners. The gesture proved in vain as the umpires deemed it too dark to continue an over later.

Darwin Nunez appears to be edging closer to a move away from Liverpool, with Napoli leading the chase to secure the forward’s services. TalkSPORT have revealed that the Uruguayan international is actively pushing for a transfer to the newly crowned Serie A champions with Napoli boss Antonio Conte also making the 26-year-old his primary target this summer.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Liverpool eager to offload Nunez
• Napoli are eager to get his services
• Reds have set a £59 million price tag

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Liverpool, fresh off their 2024/25 Premier League triumph, are understood to be open to offloading Nunez in order to reinvest in a new frontman. While no formal bid has been received from Napoli as of yet, Anfield officials expect an official offer to arrive in the coming days.

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• GOAL/Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Reds have set their valuation of the striker at approximately £59 million (€70 million). Should the Italian side meet that asking price, Liverpool are prepared to part ways with Nunez before the close of the transfer window, as they are lining up a move for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Nunez arrived on Merseyside in 2022 from Benfica for a club-record fee that could rise to £85 million. Since then, he has registered 40 goals and 26 assists in 143 appearances across all competitions. While many Liverpool fans have admired Nunez for his physicality, work rate, and ability to trouble defenders, frustration has grown over his erratic finishing. During the most recent campaign under new manager Arne Slot, he started only eight league matches and managed just seven goals, hardly the return expected from a marquee centre-forward.

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR NUNEZ?

  With Napoli ready to offer him a fresh start under a proven manager, all signs now point toward an imminent exit for the Uruguayan. Though clubs from the Saudi Pro League have reportedly shown interest in luring Nunez away from Anfield, the striker is said to prefer continuing his career in Europe.

Tottenham Hotspur were beaten for the 17th time in the Premier League this season when they lost 4-2 to relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Despite Wolves having battled against the drop throughout the 2024/25 campaign, Vitor Pereira’s side are now just two points behind Spurs, who are sat in 15th place in the division.

Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore

There is no escape from the fact that it has been a failure of a season for Ange Postecoglou in the Premier League, as his team are 17 points adrift of the top seven and European qualification, whilst they are only 16 points ahead of Ipswich Town in the last relegation spot.

Spurs are still in the Europa League, and face Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, but there will be no domestic success for Tottenham before the end of the campaign.

Tottenham do have a clutch of very young players who are learning on the job, and Postecoglou may point to that as one of the factors behind their underperformance, but there is no guarantee that they will fulfill their potential.

There have been talented young prospects in North London in the past who have not gone on to live up to the hype, including electric winger Jack Clarke.

Why Jack Clarke failed at Spurs

Back in the summer of 2019, Tottenham swooped to sign the 18-year-old forward from Championship side Leeds United for a reported fee of £10m.

He had just made 25 appearances in the first-team for Marcelo Bielsa as the Whites reached the play-off semi-finals, only to lose to Derby County, and Spurs clearly saw him as a high-potential talent who could be a future star for the club, hence why they were willing to spend £10m on his services.

Clarke, as you can see in the graphic above, went on to make a further three appearances for Leeds on loan in the 2019/20 campaign, before playing six times in the Championship for QPR in the second half of that season.

At the start of the 2020/21 season, the English whiz was given a few opportunities to showcase his quality in the first-team for Spurs, with two appearances in the Europa League and one in the FA Cup, but did not muster up any goals or assists.

Appearances

2

Shots

1

Shots on target

0

Goals

0

Key passes

2

Assists

0

Big chances created

0

Dribbles completed

0

Duel success rate

25%

The £10m signing showed promise at youth level with a return of four goals and four assists in 18 academy matches in the first half of the 2021/22 campaign, before being sent out on loan to League One side Sunderland in January 2022.

After one goal in 20 League One outings – including the play-offs – Tottenham decided to cash in on Clarke, who had yet to prove himself on a consistent basis at senior level three years on from his £10m move, by selling him to the Black Cats.

Ultimately, Clarke, who now plays for Ipswich in the Premier League, failed to realise his potential at White Hart Lane, and Archie Gray is in danger of following in his footsteps after a dismal showing last time out.

Archie Gray's performance against Wolves

The 19-year-old defender started at right-back, the position he made his breakthrough in at Leeds last season, against Wolves on Sunday and put in a dismal showing.

Gray was far from the only poor performer on the pitch, as Vicario flapped the ball back out for two of the goals, Djed Spence scored an own goal, Cristian Romero lost the ball for the third goal, and Ben Davies completely mistimed his challenge on Matheus Cunha for the fourth.

However, it was still a disappointing 90 minutes of football from the England U21 international, whose play in and out of possession left far too much to be desired.

Minutes

90

90

Pass accuracy

85%

87%

Key passes

0

0

Successful crosses

0/4

1/4

Possession lost

19x

17x

Interceptions

2

1

Tackles

0

3

Duels won

0/3

8/11

As you can see in the table above, Spence delivered an even better performance than him – despite playing as a right-footer at left-back – even with an unfortunate own goal to go with it.

Gray offered no threat at the top end of the pitch, with no key passes or successful crosses, and was a lightweight off the ball, losing 100% of his duels.

Why Archie Gray is in danger of being the next Jack Clarke

The versatile youngster is now in danger of following in the footsteps of another Leeds academy graduate, as it remains to be seen if he can realise his potential at Spurs.

Tottenham reportedly splashed out a fee of £30m to sign the defender from the Whites last summer, and he has yet to prove his worth on a consistent basis in the Premier League.

Gray has made 40 appearances in all competitions for Spurs, far more than the three outings that Clarke had at the start of his Tottenham career, but there has not been too much quality in those outings.

The England youth international has started nine of his ten appearances in the Europa League, resulting in zero goals, zero assists, and a duel success rate of 47%.

Appearances

23

Goals + assists

0

Key passes per game

0.1

Tackles + interceptions per game

0.9

Error led to shot

1

Error led to goal

1

Duel success rate

47%

As you can see in the table above, Gray has also failed to deliver much in the way of quality in the Premier League, with one chance created every ten games and less than one tackle and interception combined per game on average.

The 19-year-old, who has the lowest Sofascore rating (6.58) in the squad, does not offer a threat in possession or quality off the ball as a defender, rarely making interventions and losing the majority of his duels.

You could argue that he is being played out of position at right-back, as central midfield was the role he came up through the academy in, but 30 of his 49 starts for Leeds came in that area of the pitch.

At this moment in time, Gray is on his way to following in Clarke’s footsteps by failing to live up to his potential at Spurs after joining the club for big money.

Of course, there is plenty of time for the teenage talent to improve and develop if Postecoglou is willing to trust him in the long term, but he will need to show far more than what he is doing right now to become a success and avoid being Clarke 2.0.

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Spurs’ miserable run of form continued with a 4-2 defeat to Wolves on Sunday.

ByMatt Dawson Apr 13, 2025

Islamabad United scored the lowest first-innings total of PSL 2024 and went down for their second loss in three games

Associated Press23-Feb-2024Quetta Gladiators overcame a late batting collapse to beat Islamabad United by three wickets on Thursday for their third straight win in the Pakistan Super League.Quetta dismantled United’s batting through spinners and restricted them to this season’s lowest total of 138 of 9.United pushed for an unlikely win when they grabbed three late wickets off eight balls. Naseem Shah (2-34) knocked back the off stump of Sherfane Rutherford (29), Akeal Hosein was run-out when he went for a needless third run, and Mohammad Wasim (1) was clean bowled by Shadab Khan (2-24) while attempting a reckless swipe at the Islamabad skipper.Mohammad Amir showed plenty of courage to smash two boundaries with captain Rilee Rossouw scoring an unbeaten 34 as Quetta reached 139-7 with 10 balls to spare.Quetta joined Multan Sultans at the top of the leaderboard with six points from three games. Islamabad has lost back-to-back games and has two points.Jason Roy had provided Gladiators a brisk start of 51 in the powerplay when the Englishman smashed 37 off 18 balls before he played fast bowler Hunain Shah’s PSL debut ball back onto his stumps. Hunain is one of the three brothers picked by Islamabad this season along with Naseem and Ubaid.Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was relieved from the Gladiators captaincy after leading the franchise for eight seasons in a row, could make only one before he was trapped leg before wicket by Shadab before Rutherford and Rossouw combined in a 62-run stand.Earlier, after being sent in to bat, United faltered after cruising along at 69-1 in the first seven overs. Salman Ali Agha (33), who was dropped by Amir early in his knock, Alex Hales (21) and Colin Munro (20) all couldn’t convert good starts and threw away their wickets.Abrar Ahmed (3-18) and Hosein (2-32) dismantled Islamabad’s batting power-house on a slow and dry wicket while Wasim ran through the lower order with 3-20 that included wickets of Faheem Ashraf and Rumman Raees off the last two balls of the innings.Hales smashed Hosein for back-to-back sixes before he went for a needless third big hit against the left-arm spinner and was caught at covers. Munro and Agha both miscued big shots and were caught in the deep as Islamabad lost eight wickets for 69 runs in the last 13 overs.

MatériaMais Notícias

da marjack bet： Raí Ramos foi titular nos dois últimos jogos do São Paulo. Após a vitória contra o América-MG, o lateral falou sobre a sequência que tem tido na equipe e destacou os primeiros trabalhos de Dorival Júnior. Para o atleta, mesmo com pouco tempo de contato com o treinador, a equipe ‘conseguiu entender as ideias do técnico’.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSão PauloApós escalar como titular, Dorival Júnior diz que Luan será aproveitado no São Paulo mesmo com imbróglio de renovaçãoSão Paulo23/04/2023São PauloTorcida organizada do São Paulo homenageia Rogério Ceni: ‘Você vai entender’São Paulo23/04/2023São PauloSão Paulo se reapresenta após vitória, e Dorival trabalha com Belletti e Sub-20São Paulo23/04/2023

da bet7k： – Quero dizer que estou feliz de ter essa oportunidade, quero aproveitar sempre que tiver essa chance. Mesmo com pouco tempo de trabalho com Dorival, a equipe conseguiu entender as ideias dele, é claro que a gente precisa de alguns ajustes, mas estou feliz pela oportunidade. Acho que a torcida sempre está nos apoiando, empurrando a gente, essa energia foi fundamental, ver o Morumbi lotado. Estamos felizes com isso – disse.

ATUAÇÕES: Rafael tem noite de “paredão” e salva São Paulo na estreia de Dorival

Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

Agora, o São Paulo volta a campo nesta terça-feira (25), contra o Ituano. A partida será essencial para garantir o futuro da equipe na Copa do Brasil e acontecerá no Novelli Júnior. Raí Ramos é desfalque certo por ter disputado a competição por outra equipe, que no caso, foi justamente o Ituano.

continua após a publicidade

Rangers are still on the lookout for their next permanent manager and a new update from journalist Keith Jackson has shed further light on the matter.

Rangers continue search for permanent manager

A host of names continue to be mentioned as options to take charge at Ibrox at the end of the season, assuming Barry Ferguson only remains in an interim role until then.

Rafa Benitez is perhaps the most high profile name linked with the gig, with the former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager thought to be keen on taking the role, having not had a club since being at Celta Vigo last season. He is a proven winner, having won the Champions League during his time at Anfield, and would represent a high-profile appointment.

Meanwhile, Gers legend Ally McCoist has had his say on the potential of Steven Gerrard returning to the Scottish giants, saying: “The other one I’ve heard is Steven Gerrard coming back. He’s out of work, but I’m not sure what his current situation is. I think one of the slight problems might be would be him having to stay out of the country for tax reasons.”

There have also been some faint whispers regarding Jose Mourinho and the possibility that Ferguson could be given the job, depending on how he fares in the coming weeks, having recently come in as Philippe Clement’s replacement. Now, a new update has dropped regarding the former Rangers captain.

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By
Stephan Georgiou

Mar 6, 2025

Cavenagh impressed by what he's seen from Ferguson at Rangers

According to The Daily Record‘s Jackson, takeover partner Andrew Cavenagh may see Ferguson as the future permanent Rangers manager, with the 47-year-old said to be “absolutely bursting” to take the job full-time. The health insurance tycoon was present for last week’s 3-1 win away to Fenerbahce in the Europa League, with the report saying that him watching on may have “given the incoming consortium a serious curve ball on which to ponder”.

Jackson also states that “over the course of the next six days”, the Scot “will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity” to earn the chance to show that he is the right man to continue in charge, as the Gers prepare to take on Fenerbahce in Europa and Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Ferguson has certainly improved the feel-good factor at Rangers, with his knowledge of the club and connection with the fans allowing things to feel more united than they were under Clement, particularly towards the end of his reign.

If Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises end up taking over the Gers and have a major say on who the long-term choice should be at Ibrox, it looks like Ferguson could have a chance of getting the job.

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He has outscored every Blues player this season.

By
Henry Jackson

Mar 10, 2025

As Jackson alludes to, if the Gers get past Fenerbahce and reach the Europa League quarter-finals, then pick up a memorable win away to Celtic on Saturday lunchtime, it will do his chances plenty of good.

That said, Ferguson is less experienced than the likes of Benitez and Gerrard, among others, so there would be a risk element if the 49ers took a punt on him. They must not allow sentimentality to override their decision making process.