On the pitch, Everton have enjoyed a solid season so far under Sean Dyche with results enough to leave them in mid-table and away from the relegation zone. Consequences of actions off the pitch have dragged them back into the bottom three, however, and five points adrift of Premier League safety after their point deduction for breaching financial fair play rules.

Dyche and everyone involved at Goodison Park may be incredibly frustrated after the form they found themselves in. Nonetheless, the Toffees have been forced to save themselves once again and after transfers put them in this mess, Everton could look to the winter window and one particular target to get them out of it.

Everton transfer news

Welcoming the likes of Ashley Young, Arnuat Danjuma and Jack Harrison during the summer transfer window, Everton's reinforcements were beginning to pay dividends. And if it wasn't for their point deduction, the Toffees would be sitting on 14 points right now, five points clear of the dropzone and sitting comfortably in 15th. Now, with a busy festive period of fixtures approaching, Everton must rally and ensure that the deduction doesn't result in a change of form on the pitch. To ensure that, the Toffees could reportedly turn to the January transfer window to welcome one particular player.

Related Everton could sign "terrific" striker with more goals this season than DCL

This “terrific” centre-forward being linked to Everton has scored more goals than DCL this season.

Posts ByAdam Scully Nov 29, 2023

According to Wayne Veysey of Football Insider, Everton are keeping tabs on Leander Dendoncker ahead of a potential January move. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man has fallen out-of-favour under Unai Emery and the Villans are now reportedly willing to listen to offers for their midfielder. Dendoncker very nearly completed a move away from the Midlands in the summer, only for a proposed move to Fenerbahce to collapse on deadline day.

With Everton in the market for a defensive midfielder, they could turn to Dendoncker when the winter window opens.

"Brilliant" Dendoncker needs move

Dendoncker's stats at Aston Villa so far this season don't exactly paint a pretty picture. The Belgian is yet to start a Premier League game and has managed just seven minutes in England's top flight. His only two starts have come in the Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup, as Villa defeated Zrinjski Mosar 1-0 and, ironically, lost against Everton 2-1 to exit the League Cup in frustrating fashion.

Dendoncker could get the minutes that he needs at Everton, however. As things stand, Dyche has the likes of James Garner partnering Idrissa Gueye, opting to push Abdoulaye Doucoure further forward. In Dendoncker, the former Burnley boss could have an ideal and certainly more experienced partner for Gueye than Garner; a partner that could make the difference between survival and relegation.

Dendoncker's former teammate, Max Kilman, knows all about his quality despite his current role at Villa, telling The Express & Star via Molinuex News: “Leander’s performances always go under the radar. He does the job and gives you a good performance every time. I’m delighted for him to get his goal and glad that people realise how good he has played. He’s brilliant, nothing phases him. He knows his task and he doesn’t feel the pressure.”

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O São Paulo joga contra o Internacional, às 21h30, no Morumbi, nesta quarta-feira (20), buscando mais do que continuar na liderança do Campeonato Brasileiro. Uma vitória deixa o Tricolor com mais folga na ponta da competição e dá outras alegrias ao torcedor e elenco são-paulino.

Jogo pela liderança! Relembre 9 duelos marcantes entre Internacional e São Paulo

Começando pelo retrospecto nesse ano. Desde que 2021 começou, o São Paulo não sabe o que é vencer. Foram três jogos, com duas derrotas (Red Bull Bragantino e Santos), e um empate (Athletico). Essa sequência ruim deixou um ar de dúvidas sobre o momento da equipe na reta final da temporada.

SIMULE OS PRÓXIMOS JOGOS DO SÃO PAULO NO BRASILEIRÃO

RelacionadasBrasileirão‘Triangular’ do G6 esquenta a rodada do Brasileirão; veja o que está em jogoBrasileirão19/01/2021BrasileirãoSão Paulo x Internacional: prováveis escalações, desfalques e onde assistirBrasileirão19/01/2021São PauloEscalação do São Paulo: Luciano treina e deve voltar contra o InterSão Paulo18/01/2021

Com isso, cresceu a pressão no trabalho do técnico Fernando Diniz. Contestado por não mudar o esquema de jogo e algumas substituições equivocadas, ele vem encontrando dificuldades nos últimos jogos, como aconteceu no primeiro turno.Com a pressão de tirar o Tricolor da fila, que já dura oito anos, Diniz comentou sobre o duelo contra o Inter e tratou de tirar o peso do jogo.

– Decisão tem sido todos os jogos, que você vai somando pontos para ser campeão. Os 38 jogos são decisivos. Assim que a gente tem encarado desde quando começo. Vamos encarar como decisão, como hoje, mas não vai terminar o campeonato na quarta-feira, independentemente do resultado – afirmou em entrevista coletiva após o empate contra o Furacão.

Elenco e diretoria podem retomar confiança na reta final da temporada

Com Luciano de volta, o São Paulo pode retomar a confiança com um triunfo sobre o Colorado. Desde que o ano começou a equipe vem oscilando, com apenas três gols marcados e seis sofridos em três partidas.

A última vitória foi justamente com o camisa 11 no ataque, quando o Tricolor venceu o Fluminense por 2 a 1, no Maracanã, no dia 26 de dezembro do ano passado. Desde então, o time viu a gordura na liderança do Brasileirão cair de sete para apenas um ponto.

Caso triunfe diante do Colorado, a pressão sobre a nova diretoria do São Paulo também terá um alívio. Julio Casares assumiu a presidência do Tricolor e trouxe Muricy Ramalho como coordenador. Após a derrota no San-São, Muricy se reuniu com o elenco para uma conversa motivacional.

No último treinamento antes do jogo contra o Inter, houve nova reunião entre a diretoria, comissão técnica e jogadores.

– Para ganhar tem que querer mais que os caras. Não pode ser igual a eles, não pode ser. O próximo jogo agora é decisão, são nove decisões. E decisão é diferente, tem que se tratar de forma diferente. É sempre um pouco a mais a todo momento – discursou o técnico tricampeão brasileiro com o São Paulo.

No último treinamento antes do jogo contra o Inter, houve nova reunião entre a diretoria, comissão técnica e jogadores.

É justamente com esse pensamento que o São Paulo encara ‘o jogo do ano’ contra o Internacional. Uma coisa é certa: esse duelo pode ser encarado como um ‘divisor de águas’ para o Tricolor na temporada.

Dele Alli has revealed the daily “reminder” that helps him to chase a 2026 World Cup dream, while also looking for another Premier League transfer.

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• Midfielder hasn't played since February 2023
• Suffered a number of injury setbacks
• Likely to require a new club this summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 28-year-old midfielder, who is on the books at Everton, has not played a competitive game of any kind since February 26, 2023 – during a forgettable loan spell at Turkish side Besiktas. He has become stuck in an injury nightmare since then, and will hit free agency at the end of the current campaign when his contract at Goodison Park expires.

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  WHAT DELE SAID

  Dele does, however, have over 50 Premier League goals and 37 England caps to his name and is refusing to give up on playing his way into 2026 World Cup plans. He has told : “I know my level as a player and what I can get to. I know how good I can be when my head is in the right place and I'm feeling good. Obviously I'm disappointed with the injury right now but I'm excited to get playing. It's hard for me to even watch football. It's been tough for me, I'd say, this past eight months has been hard to watch. You know you can set reminders on your phone, I have a reminder at 11 o'clock every day that says, ‘World Cup 2026’. That's my aim for now. I think that people will be like, ‘he hasn't played in a year’ but I don't care, I know my level. The only target I have is the World Cup right now. Obviously I'm injured and contracted to Everton and so my mind is just about taking it day by day and making sure my injury is healed and that I'm in the best possible condition after the summer. It's annoying because I'll be just fully training as the season ends so it means that I won't have to rush it.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Dele has been out of sight and mind of late, he is hoping to land another Premier League opportunity when hitting free agency. He added on his future: “I'm signed to Everton so I think it'd be disrespectful to say anything else while I'm here. They've been so amazing with me and I don't know if it's off the cards being there next season so I won't talk about any of that because they've been amazing and I don't know the details of the situation but I want to stay in the Premier League and be at the highest level and playing against the best players. It's exciting. Some players might panic and think, ‘I'm out of contract in the summer’ but this is a great opportunity to show myself and show what an amazing story it has been and what it's going to continue to be.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DELE?

  Dele became a 20-goal-a-season star while at Tottenham, and graced the 2018 World Cup with his country, but issues on and off the field have contributed to him losing a professional spark that needs to be reignited if he is to chase down a new set of targets.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's second-half strike against Manchester City last weekend confirmed Liverpool's credentials as genuine Premier League title challengers this season.

While the dropped points allowed Arsenal to leapfrog both sides into pole position after 13 matches, Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with the fight and fervour at the core of their efforts.

The focus now shifts to the Europa League, where a victory against LASK at Anfield tonight would secure qualification to the knockout phase.

The hosts will be expected to rotate with a league match against Fulham on Sunday preceding two away fixtures in the top-flight next week.

Joel Matip returns to the bench

Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota join Spanish midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic on the sidelines after the duo sustained injuries at the Etihad Stadium.

Neither player would probably have started later, with Joel Matip likely to be another star returning to the bench despite being handed an 8/10 match rating against Manchester City – courtesy of GOAL.

The 32-year-old made five clearances, blocked four shots and made a tackle against Pep Guardiola's side as he started his second Premier League fixture in succession, and it now might be time for rotation.

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Liverpool can confirm their passage into the Europa League knockout stages if they beat LASK and other results go their way.

ByTom Griffin Nov 29, 2023

The Cameroonian giant is out of contract at the end of the season, having established himself as a stalwart of the Klopp era after joining on a free transfer in 2016.

Why Jarell Quansah must start vs LASK

Qualification to the knockout phase is not yet secured and defeat at Anfield could even allow Toulouse – who beat the Reds last time out – to leapfrog them into first place.

Such a scenario should not materialise but it does stress the importance of returning to winning ways on Thursday, and despite the cruciality of a positive outcome, young and exciting defender Jarell Quansah must receive a starting berth.

Liverpool revamped their midfield this summer and have since restored their rank among England's finest outfits, and while some residual hints of lethargy still linger, silverware does look to be on the horizon, though it's uncertain at this stage actually how close Klopp's side will get to titles.

But this came at the cost of defensive neglect in the summer transfer window, with Quansah rising from the academy fold to impress in the first-team.

Having now chalked up nine appearances and been lauded for his "phenomenal" performances by Alexander-Arnold, the 20-year-old is on his way to cementing his stature as one of English football's most exciting defensive talents.

The 6 foot 5 titan is commanding and quick, tough and tenacious; his aerial superiority is reminiscent of Virgil van Dijk – winning 62% of his aerial duels in the Europa League, as per Sofascore.

Joe Gomez will also hope to be in line for a role from the outset but the Englishman has been utilised as a full-back just as often as centrally and will probably be unleashed in the stead of Alexander-Arnold, moved over to the right flank.

With Quansah and his formative defensive partner Billy Koumetio described as "man-mountains" by manager Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Quansah's titanic presence has long been known, but given that it is he who has ascended to the fore suggests that Klopp views him as a star in the making.

LASK beat Union Saint-Gilloise 3-0 last time out and will be hungry to spoil the Reds' pursuit of qualification, and while Van Dijk, Matip, Gomez and co are on the books, Quansah must be unleashed to continue his journey toward stardom.

The Argentine is preparing his side for their second cup semi-final of the season, but his future as Blues boss should already be secure

There will be a sense of deja vu for Mauricio Pochettino on Saturday afternoon; walking out under the Wembley arch for the second time in as many months, he will once again face a defining match in his Chelsea tenure as the major underdog.

But while there were calls for his head after the extra-time defeat to an under-strength Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, the Argentine tactician is unlikely to face the same level of scrutiny if his side are unable to overcome Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals after overseeing something of a turnaround.

Although progress has been gruellingly slow, as he prepares his team for a second semi-final of the season, Pochettino has arguably done enough to keep his job when the Chelsea ownership come to review his position next month.

GettyCup consolation

However challenging the Premier League campaign might have been, Pochettino has used the cup competitions to his advantage and made Chelsea challengers again.

They are back at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday having reached the Carabao Cup final two months ago – two competitions they exited in the third rounds under Graham Potter last season, albeit both of those ties came against Man City.

The Blues fell short against Liverpool in February, despite taking the high-flying Reds all the way to the dying embers of extra time, and they will once again be massive underdogs when they walk out against City in north-west London.

If – and it's a big if – they can somehow overcome Pep Guardiola's men, a more favourable final lies ahead with Championship side Coventry City and fellow transition toilers Manchester United contesting the other semi.

Regardless of the result, though, Pochettino's feat of taking what was a rudderless Chelsea side back to within touching distance of the silverware the club craves and, indeed, expects should not be understated.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesEuropean chance

Relative cup success aside, there is no doubt that Chelsea are still nowhere near where they want to be in the league, with any hope that last season's nightmare was merely a blip brutally extinguished a matter of weeks into the new campaign.

It's evident that this is going to be a gruelling transition as the club tries to claw its way back to the top, and we are witnessing Pochettino oversee those baby steps – even if he is fighting a near-impossible battle against the impatience of a demanding fanbase.

Despite producing another catalogue of disappointing results in 2023-24, Chelsea are eight points better off than at the same stage last season, and since Christmas only the top three, Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool, have collected more amid an eight-game league unbeaten run.

Quite remarkably, a return to European football next season is not out of the question. The Blues have two games in hand on eighth-placed West Ham, who are one point ahead of them, and one in hand on Newcastle and Man Utd, who are just three points ahead and occupy sixth and seventh respectively.

Crucially, Chelsea have a far superior goal difference to Erik ten Hag's side, although that game in hand will be a tricky one at home to fierce rivals Tottenham and there is the small matter of Arsenal away to follow the cup semi-final.

GettyWhere there's Palmer, there's hope

The late push for European football has been spearheaded almost singlehandedly by revelatory summer signing Cole Palmer, and Pochettino deserves huge credit for overseeing his meteoric rise and giving him the freedom to succeed, despite the fact he didn't necessarily want to sign him in the first place.

"I think the sporting director and the owner of course, but the sporting director it was his idea to add him to the squad," the Argentine said when Palmer's arrival was confirmed in September. "I think he’s fit for the project. Talented player, of course."

Just six months on, as we approach the season's climax, Palmer has an outrageous 36 goal contributions in all competitions – without which Chelsea would be in serious trouble. The player himself is a staunch believer in Pochettino's project, and if there's anyone we should sit up and listen to at present, it's probably him.

"There is so much talent at Chelsea," he said recently. "The fans don’t see it, but the way the manager works us on the pitch, the things he does with us, it is only going to get better. I am sure, if not next season, then the season after. It is a project, everyone is young, you will see it sooner or later."

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GettySigns of change

It is notable, too, that Palmer's individual displays have been emblematic of an overall change in style that seems to have unshackled certain members of the squad.

Although they have become agents of chaos and concede goals for fun, Chelsea's own goal-shyness is a thing of the past, and while they are still inconsistent, they generally play a cohesive, possession-based, attractive brand of football. There appears to be a newfound togetherness too, with the off-field issues of last season potentially behind them.

Players like Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson are finding their feet and emerging as important figures, while the likes of Conor Gallagher and Raheem Sterling have made some crucial contributions, too.

The 6-0 demolition of Everton on Monday gave a glimpse of what could be possible if this project is allowed to gather steam. Indeed, this is still a team that is far, far, far from full strength.

Peter Siddle’s three-wicket haul, and half-centuries from Alex Carey and Colin Ingram gave Adelaide Strikers their second win of the Big Bash League 2018-19, as they defeated Sydney Thunder by 20 runs on New Year’s Eve.Carey and Ingram laid a solid platform for the Strikers by adding 75 off 51 deliveries for the second wicket, after Strikers had opted to bat. Carey mostly dealt in boundaries, hitting nine fours and a six in his 40-ball 59. Ingram, who was slow to start off, made it up with six hits over the boundary, to go with his three fours. Strikers were 143 for 2 after the 15th over, but the middle-order failed to capitalise and could manage only 4 for 175 after threatening 200 at one stage.In response, Thunder started positively before Siddle’s strikes at crucial junctures pegged them back. Despite a 39-ball 47 from Callum Ferguson, they could manage only 6 for 155 from their 20 overs. Rashid Khan, who played this game in honour of his late father, picked up 2 for 34 from his four overs.Carey breezes awayCarey gave Strikers a breezy start, starting by lofting the third ball of the innings, by Jonathan Cook, over mid-off. He and Jake Weatherald pocketed three more boundaries in the next over before Carey really cut loose. The first three balls of Cook’s next over were looted for three more boundaries. The bowler, though, struck back in the same over, having Weatherald caught-and-bowled.Fawad Ahmed took some time to get into his rhythm, and that was enough for Carey to hit two more fours in the legspinner’s opening over. Later, he brought up his half-century, off just 28 balls, by lofting the same bowler over long-on for a six. He, along with Ingram, took the side past 100 in the tenth over. Fawad, though, came back strongly in his third over, bowling four successive dots at Carey, and conceding just two in the 11th over.Having scored just four runs off the last nine balls faced, Carey tried to go over the infield once again, but ended up mistiming a Daniel Sams delivery to Shane Watson at extra cover.An Ingram storm and lull afterwardsIngram struggled initially and seemed content to be playing second fiddle to Carey till he found his timing. He was on 10 off 12 balls before pulling a short one from Fawad over square leg for six. Sam Rainbird was next on the receiving end, as Ingram took full advantage of the short square boundary, pulling the bowler for two sixes in three balls.That was followed by a 27-ball period in which Strikers didn’t manage a single boundary and lost Carey as well. Ingram ended that drought by smashing three sixes in one Cook over. But once he was dismissed, Green and Sams turned off the taps and Strikers could manage only 32 from the last five overs.Siddle pulls it backWith momentum on their side after restricting Strikers in the death overs, Shane Watson and Jos Buttler started solidly for the Thunder. Watson hit Jake Lehmann for a four and a six to kickstart the chase. Buttler supported his captain by smashing Michael Neser for two fours in the next, before dispatching Billy Stanlake over square leg for a six, as the Thunder raced away to 30 in three overs.It was then Siddle, released from the Test squad, who brought Strikers back by forcing a top edge from Buttler. Watson, too, slipped away after a quick start and was caught off Neser for a 25-ball 28.Callum Ferguson and Joe Root, though, kept chipping away and brought down the equation to 67 off 42 balls. Ingram once again turned to Siddle for a breakthrough, and was duly obliged when Siddle dismissed Joe Root and conceded only six from the over.Ferguson’s lone battleWith Root’s wicket, the onus was on Ferguson to steer his side home, but Jason Sangha and Sams found it difficult to score off Rashid. The wily spinner got Sangha caught at first slip with a leg break. Sams lofted Rashid over sweeper cover for a six, but fell on the very next ball trying to slog one over deep midwicket.Ferguson had earlier hit Stanlake for two fours and a six in one over before settling into the anchor’s role. But with the required rate increasing steeply, he was left with no option but to look for boundaries. One such shot off Siddle towards deep midwicket resulted in his wicket and ended the chase for all practical purposes.

أعرب أيمن الرمادي، المدير الفني لفريق سيراميكا كليوباترا، على سعادته بالتتويج ببطولة كأس الرابطة على حساب طلائع الجيش.

وقال أيمن الرمادي، في تصريحات لقناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “اللاعبون قدموا أداءً بطوليًا بعد موسم طويل، افتقدنا الظهيرين هاني وشكري، لكن اللاعبين الذين شاركوا قدموا مباراة كبيرة، ولعبوا أجزاء من اللقاء بشكل ممتاز”.

طالع..فيديو | سيراميكا كليوباترا يتوج بكأس الرابطة للمرة الثانية على حساب طلائع الجيش

وتابع: “بالتأكيد طرد لاعب من الطلائع أثر على المباراة، لكن أنا سعيد ولا بد أن أهنئ محمد أبو العينين”.

وواصل: “شيء جيد في رصيدي، أنا أول مرة أعمل في مصر، قرابة الـ 18 شهرًا، والحمد لله عندما أحصد بطولتين هذا أمر جيد، وأهدي البطولة لوالدتي المريضة وزوجتي وأبنائي”.

وأصبح سيراميكا كليوباترا أكثر فريق فائز ببطولة كأس الرابطة، بواقع مرتين حيث حقق اللقب في النسخة الماضية، بينما فاز في النسخة الأولى فريق مودرن سبورت.

Coventry City have failed to get going this season after falling at the final promotion hurdle last campaign, Luton Town clinching an unbelievable promotion at the expense of the Sky Blues at Wembley in the second-tier playoff final – Mark Robins' men cruelly losing out on the lottery of penalties.

Losing key individuals in the form of Victor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer was always going to impact Robins' side, Coventry only winning three wins of their first 16 second-tier matches this campaign since the ex-star duo departed the west Midlands outfit.

Robins could well look to the January transfer window as an opportunity to significantly strengthen his faltering side, with this predicted Sky Blues lineup not out of the realms of possibility if everything goes to plan…

1 GK – Ben Wilson

Wilson has had a tricky last few matches in goal for the underperforming Sky Blues, dropped from Robins' first-team plans altogether last time out in a goalless draw versus Stoke City.

The experienced shot-stopper will hope he's picked by his manager again for Championship contests to come, responding to recent poor performances to become a reliable figure again in between the sticks.

2 RB – Joel Latibeaudiere

Plying his trade more commonly as a centre-back throughout his career, the 23-year-old since relocating to the CBS Arena has been switched to a right-back position frequently for his new employers.

Making an appearance in all 16 Coventry games so far this season in the second tier, Latibeaudiere will stick in this right-back spot for his side for the immediate future especially if Robins decides to add more bodies in central defence.

3 CB – Cameron Humphreys

Previously in the running for the current Rotherham United defender before he relocated to the Millers last year, Coventry could reignite interest in the 25-year-old defender to take advantage of the South Yorkshire's side current predicament.

The Sky Blues do ideally need fresh legs in defence – shipping 21 goals in 16 second-tier games to date – so a deal for Humphreys could be back on the table.

Rotherham could, however, seek some comfort in the fact that their former Manchester City man is currently sidelined with a hamstring knock, meaning Robins might not risk pursuing the 25-year-old again this January.

4 CB – Bobby Thomas

Purchased this summer alongside regular centre-back partner Liam Kitching who drops out of his predicted eleven, Thomas has performed adequately for the Sky Blues to date since leaving Burnley behind.

Last time out versus Stoke, Thomas was resolute and brave from the back to shore up his side to pick up a rare clean sheet – winning four of his five aerial duels on the day per Sofascore.

5 LB – Jake Bidwell

Going into his third straight season at Coventry, Bidwell should be retained in the starting eleven in January even with the allure of the transfer window tempting Robins to bolster his full-back personnel.

Bidwell hasn't started very many games for the Sky Blues this season, but he could see his minutes increase after an impactful display versus the Potters last time out – accurate with five of his 12 crosses in the match per Sofascore, the expansive full-back attempting to help his side break the deadlock in the 0-0 stalemate.

6 CDM – Josh Eccles

Eccles' importance for the Sky Blues has significantly increased ever since the exit of Hamer, the west Midlanders needing a new hero centrally after Hamer departed for the Blades.

Coventry's number 28 has been remarkably consistent for Robins' men this season in a campaign where the Sky Blues haven't hit the heights expected of them collectively.

Eccles has managed an average 7.28 Sofascore rating from all Championship encounters so far, a standout display coming against Rotherham United recently with Eccles winning four tackles at the New York Stadium.

7 CDM – Ben Sheaf

Similar to holding midfield partner Eccles in his overall game on the pitch, Sheaf will also retain his spot even if Robins is on the hunt for a new midfield face in January.

Amassing a staggering 100 touches at Deepdale versus Preston as per Sofascore, Sheaf was also excellent in forays forward for his team with five of his seven dribble attempts paying off.

8 RM – Ellis Simms

Deployed as an unorthodox winger option versus Alex Neil's men in Championship action last time out, Simms could be a regular option down the channels in the weeks to come for his pace and forward-thinking attitude on the ball.

The ex-Everton man has only netted twice since making the move to the CBS Arena official in the summer, but the 22-year-old will stay and has aspirations that he can morph into a reliable goalscorer for the Sky Blues soon even from down the wing.

9 CAM – Callum Styles

Callum Styles is a man the Sky Blues should consider signing to potentially replace the aforementioned Hamer. Indeed, he could well be the man for Coventry in central attacking midfield if Robins utilises the 4-2-3-1 formation consistently, the Hungary international itching for second-tier football after finding himself stuck in Barnsley quarters.

Styles' ceiling is arguably above League One, and with Jamie Allen failing to impress this campaign for Robins' performers, the current Tykes number 20 could be a like-for-like swap if a potential move is back on the cards.

10 LM – Haji Wright

Wright has needed time to bed himself into the Coventry squad, the American attacker showing signs of promise in recent matches with two goals scored up against Preston in a 3-2 defeat when played up top.

However, Wright was also equally effective down the left-hand side up against Stoke – unlucky not to break the deadlock, skewing two opportunities wide as per Sofascore.

Burnley have interested in a deal to sign an exciting new player, but a report has revealed that they aren’t the only club keen in securing his services.

Burnley's season so far

The Clarets have made a hugely disappointing start to the new campaign having won just one, drawn one and lost ten of their opening 12 Premier League games, meaning that they currently find themselves at rock bottom of the top-flight table.

The Turf Moor outfit are only five points away from safety so they are more than capable of surviving relegation between now and the end of the season, but with the poor run of form and results on their return to the highest division, they may need to strengthen their squad at the start of next year should they want to give themselves a chance.

Vincent Kompany has seemingly set his sights on Barnsley’s central midfielder Callum Styles who has plied his trade at the Oakwell Stadium since 2018 having joined from Bury where he’s since gone on to make a total of 142 appearances to date.

The Hungary international still has another just under two years remaining on his deal (Barnsley contracts), but having impressed during his displays since the beginning of the new term, the 23-year-old has caught the eye of the hierarchy in Lancashire ahead of January.

Burnley considering move for Callum Styles

According to TEAMtalk, Burnley are contemplating a swoop for Styles, but there are six other admirers who are also keen to strike a deal for the talisman at Barnsley.

“TEAMtalk has been informed that recently promoted Premier League pair Burnley and Sheffield United, as well as Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion, have all shown an interest in the versatile 23-year-old, who is set to go to the Euros with Hungary next summer. We can also reveal that European sides such as Union Berlin, Anderlecht, Braga and Lens have shown an interest in Styles.”

Burnley could land "creative spark" in Styles

During his time at Barnsley, Styles has posted 21 involvements (13 goals and eight assists) in 142 outings, so he’s proven that he’s capable of contributing to efforts in the final third, and it’s no surprise considering that he has the versatility to operate in nine different positions over the grass. (Callum Styles stats- Transfermarkt)

Since the start of his career, the left-footed ace has been deployed at left-back, everywhere across the midfield and in three roles across the attacking frontline which has seen him described as a “creative spark” by journalist Josh Bunting.

Furthermore, Styles shares the same representative, Wasserman, as Jack Cork and Hannes Delcroix (Burnley agents), so this existing connection that his management already have to the club could give the board a small advantage over their fellow competitors should they try to get a deal over the line in January.

Arsenal have been enjoying something of a resurgence over the last couple of years under the management of Mikel Arteta. They have once again come to be defined by free-flowing, entertaining and, above all, effective football.

They have reaffirmed their place near the top of the Premier League as regular title challengers alongside the Manchester City and Liverpools of the world, and perhaps most importantly, the club have once again joined the European elite in the Champions League.

However, it wasn't that long ago that the club were well and truly in the trenches – well, as much as a 'big six' side can be in the trenches anyway – and were relying on their youth products to bail them out of an ever-increasing spiral of footballing despair.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith-Rowe and even Eddie Nketiah, to an extent, all stepped up when it looked like Arteta was heading to the nearest job centre.

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These players have now either become a core part of the starting XI or play an important squad role for the side and yet, there is another Hale End graduate who could come in and make a name for himself in the coming seasons.

One that could ultimately save the Gunners the tens of millions it would take to sign Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz: Charlie Patino.

Charlie Patino's youth Statistics

Patino has firmly established himself as a senior, fully-fledged professional footballer these days thanks to his recent and relatively successful loan spell away from north London, but when he was regularly turning out for the Arsenal youth sides, he was making quite a name for himself.

Across the U18 Premier League and Premier League 2, for example, the "special talent", as described by journalist Phil Smith, scored two goals and provided five assists, but he hasn't just been putting in the work at club level.

From the U15 level to U21, Patino has earned 22 England caps, with his debut for the U21 side coming against Luxembourg in September of this year.

Overall, his time as a club-level youth player was incredibly impressive, and the midfield "maestro", as labelled by football scout Jacek Kulig, certainly justified the hype with his performances.

Charlie Patino last season

After impressing at youth level and making two senior appearances for the Gunners, Patino made his first loan move away from the Emirates and joined Championship side Blackpool for the 2022/23 season.

The 6 foot midfielder made 37 appearances in all competitions for the Seasiders, scoring three goals and providing four assists.

It was a fantastic platform for the former Luton Town youngster to show his quality, and when the club were drawn against Premier League side Southampton in the FA Cup, he took his chance and scored a brilliant goal that caught a lot of attention.

However, it was a rather bleak campaign for the club as a whole, and they ended up getting relegated after finishing in 23rd place.

That said, while the surrounding team struggled to deal with the demands of England's second tier, Patino looked more than comfortable, as if he was destined to patrol Premier League midfields one day; at least, that was how his manager, Michael Appleton, certainly seemed to feel about him when he said:

"We've used him as a six, an eight, even as a number 10 at times. He deals with it, he copes with it, he's got an understanding of the game beyond his years.

"He can deal with the ball and move it, he's got a big future ahead of him."

And there's only one way if Appleton was right.

Charlie Patino vs Douglas Luiz this season

So we have seen the steady progression of Arsenal's promising youngster from youth team gem to Championship star, but how is he faring this season?

Well, he was sent to Swansea City on loan for the 2023/24 campaign, and while the Swans aren't necessarily where they want to be in the table, they are significantly better off than Blackpool were, and Patino has a large part to play in that.

So far, the 20-year-old dynamo has made 14 appearances for the club this season, in which he has scored two goals and provided four assists, which, when broken down, gives him a goal involvement every 135 minutes – not bad from a central midfielder.

In comparison, Luiz has also made 14 appearances, but he has scored five goals and provided two assists, which, when broken down, gives him a goal involvement every 172 minutes of football.

While this difference could certainly be chalked down to the oppositional quality, it still suggests that the Arsenal youngster has the ability to influence his side's attacking threat, starting from a deeper position.

Okay, how about their underlying numbers, then?

Well, perhaps unsurprisingly, Luiz is the more complete player, and his statistics show it. The Brazilian produces more progressive carries and passes per 90, more shot-creating actions per 90 and wins significantly more tackles per 90 than his younger competition.

Stat

Luiz

Patino

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists per 90

0.16

0.31

Progressive Carries per 90

2.39

1.33

Progressive Passes per 90

5.52

4.44

Shots on target percentage

23.8%

25%

Shot Creating Actions per 90

4.04

3.91

Tackles won per 90

1.72

0.67

Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Premier League & Championship Season

However, Patino produces almost twice the non-penalty expected goals and expected assists as the Villa man and is more accurate when he is in front of goal. Furthermore, aside from tackles, the Hale End graduate isn't too far off his competition, especially given the age gap.

Ultimately, the question Arteta and Edu Gasper have to ask themselves is whether they think it's worth spending the £60m plus required to sign the Villa star, who Paul Merson regards as "the most underrated player in the Premier League", or save that money and promote Patino into the first team.