All posts by z3u9t.icu

West Ham manager David Moyes could now hand more opportunities for a player to revive his career at the London Stadium, according to reports.

Frustrating international break for Moyes

Following a torrid run of internationals for members of the Hammers squad, Moyes is now having to cope with a few injury problems to key players. Star winger Jarrod Bowen pulled out of England duty with a knee problem and is a small doubt to face Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, though Moyes is hopeful to have him, while striker Michail Antonio is a certain absentee after limping off for Jamaica (pre-Burnley press conference).

West Ham "set sights" on club's "massive" striker after Antonio injury

Moyes has been handed a big striker problem.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 22, 2023

Mohammed Kudus was absent for Ghana at points but played the second half of their final international game of the break, with the summer signing apparently suffering from back problems these past few weeks. Antonio, though, will come as a big miss for Moyes and West Ham are now very short of natural striker options as a result.

Kudus can play in a more central attacking role when required, as can Bowen, with the Hammers boss not exactly showing much faith in back up forward Danny Ings this season.

Indeed, Kudus in particular has been tipped to become more and more of an Antonio rotation option this season than the former Saints star.

"I think it makes most sense that he goes in to alternate the forward role for a little bit," said journalist Dean Jones to GiveMeSport last month.

"We know that West Ham are going to start looking towards signing a No.9 in the January market. We know that they're looking for somebody to alternate with Antonio a bit.

"Before he came in, I was told that's a role they had earmarked for him. It wouldn't be just that position that he would play, but the two things I was told was to look out for him as a striker rotator and also don't expect him to come in all guns blazing."

Fellow option Ings has featured over just 68 minutes in the Premier League so far, indicating that he just isn't quite fancied, but Antonio's injury problem could hand him a brief opportunity.

Ings tipped for "late, last" West Ham chance

Signed from Aston Villa in January earlier this year, Ings just hasn't quite managed to justify his transfer over the minutes he has played. Scoring just three goals throughout his entire West Ham career, time is running out for the 31-year-old to showcase his true ability, but reporter Jones believes Ings may be handed a "late, last" opportunity to do so amid Moyes' injury crisis.

"I don't think that there are that many West Ham fans right now who have got much faith in Danny Ings being the answer to this solution based on what they've seen so far," said Jones this week to GMS.

"I think that Danny Ings was heading for a January transfer. Maybe this is a late, last opportunity for him to prove that he can make this work out at West Ham.

Indirect set-piece threat

Plays the ball off the ground often

Likes to tackle

"Certainly, he is going to get more opportunities now than he would have had before. But it'll be interesting to see if that's definitely the route that West Ham want to go down and how much they even trust Danny Ings."

Sunderland are aiming for a return to the Premier League, the Black Cats hopeful of completing this mission after a positive start in the Championship this season after 16 games played.

Winning eight of their 16 contests so far, Tony Mowbray's youthful side have the ability in their ranks to brush aside opponents with relative ease – beating Birmingham City 3-1 in their last match at home, 18-year-old midfield sensation Jobe Bellingham leading from the front with a goal against his former boyhood club.

In that same win at the weekend just gone, a cameo appearance from another exciting young talent off the bench helped the Black Cats get over the line and secure a convincing three points at the expense of Wayne Rooney's dire Blues.

Adil Aouchiche wowed home supporters with his electric 16-minute spell on the Stadium of Light turf when introduced into the contest, the young French midfielder now pushing for more immediate first-team opportunities subsequently.

Adil Aouchiche's game vs Birmingham in numbers

Substituted onto the pitch by Mowbray to replace the flagging midfield presence of Bellingham who was exhausted after running himself into the ground for the Black Cats, Aouchiche was just the injection of freshness Sunderland needed to ensure Birmingham didn't get back into the contest and instead romped home to a 3-1 victory.

With just 14 touches on the ball as per Sofascore, Aouchiche was levels above the hapless Birmingham defenders trying to contain him – the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder taking the Blues backline by surprise, especially when he scored just two minutes after being afforded a chance to positively impact the game with the clock ticking down.

Getting on the end of a Jack Clarke driven pass into the area after Sunderland's star-man had got the better of the opposing full-back, the ex-PSG midfielder tapped home into an empty net to consolidate the three points for his new employers and excite the home supporters with his short but sweet cameo appearance.

Aouchiche could be an effective calling card from off the bench by Mowbray in these crunch contests when the opposition are tiring, Sunderland's new number 22 an instant hero with this game-clinching contribution which saw the Durham-based club enter the playoff picture as a result – climbing up to sixth spot on goal difference off the back of the win, with West Brom and Hull City lingering just below.

This wasn't just a promising performance in isolation however for Aouchiche, with the 21-year-old equally as impressive off the bench this campaign in other Championship encounters for his promotion-chasing side.

Adil Aouchiche's season in numbers

Only averaging 22 minutes per game according to Sofascore this campaign having not started a single game, Aouchiche is the very definition of an impact player for Sunderland and has even been labelled as a "special talent" by football journalist Josh Bunting despite not cementing himself into the first team fold just yet.

Up against Stoke City before the victory at the Stadium of Light against Birmingham, the Frenchman nearly played the role of saviour again for his team but to no avail.

The Black Cats would lose out to the Potters 2-1, but Aouchiche would attempt three shots on Mark Travers' goal from just 15 minutes on the pitch via Sofascore – amassing an overall 7.3 Sofascore rating as a result, the new Black Cats recruit then bettering this display with a goal versus the Blues.

His midfield teammates in Alex Pritchard and Pierre Ekwah will be sweating about their first-team futures if the 21-year-old keeps this up with Sunderland striking gold by signing this 21-year-old brimming full of swagger and confidence.

The Carabao Cup was never going to be the main priority for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal this season.

Indeed, the Gunners have bigger fish to fry, namely the Premier League and, of course, their first entry into the Champions League for several years.

The north Londoners are currently unbeaten in league action but on the continental stage and now in the League Cup, they have been below par, excusing the thrashing of PSV.

In Lens, Arsenal dominated the ball in the early exchanges but conceded in front of a raucous home crowd, eventually losing the game after the going got tough. The same occurred at the London Stadium on Wednesday evening.

In the early phases of the game Arteta's side had over 60% of the ball but couldn't turn that into anything of note in the final third. An own goal from Ben White set the tone and from that moment onwards, Arsenal looked rather spooked. Apt on Halloween week.

A delightful second from Mohammed Kudus, coincidentally a man linked with Arsenal in the summer, put the tie out of reach before Jarrod Bowen's deflected effort sprawled past Aaron Ramsdale, a man visibly lacking confidence in east London.

A 3-1 defeat means Arsenal aren't in the hat for the quarter-finals and with it could go Ramsdale's career at the Emirates Stadium. Since David Raya displaced him between the sticks the EFL Cup is the only competition the England stopper has gained any minutes in.

Aaron Ramsdale's stats vs West Ham

This was a tremendous night for Ramsdale to prove himself to everyone. Arteta has clearly doubted his abilities, as too have several pundits. That said, the fans have stuck by a player who has provided the club with some memorable moments since signing.

There is a reason he was among the nominees for the best goalkeeper in the world at the recent Ballon d'Or awards. Think of that sprawling save to deny Mo Salah at Anfield last term, and then that point-blank stop to deny Ibrahima Konate from the resulting set-play. It was Ramsdale at his brilliant and mesmerising best.

That said, on the ball he leaves something to be desired, as does his ability to come and claim crosses. Both of those flaws were in evidence against the Hammers in midweek.

Saves

1

Accurate Passes

19/26 (73%)

Long Ball Success

1/8

Aerial Duels Won

100%

High Claims

0

Stats via Sofascore.

Ramsdale may well have won his one and only registered aerial battle in the game, but had he been stronger, the former Sheffield United no.1 may well have been able to do something about White's own goal.

That sounds harsh, however, particularly when you consider that had VAR been in play it may have been ruled out. Tomas Soucek had a hold of the Englishman's shirt which prevented him from getting to the near post to punch away.

Beyond that, he ended the game with a dismal long pass success, picking out just 1/8, a nice clipped ball into Kai Havertz. There is a feeling as well that Ramsdale may have done better for Bowen's strike.

A quick deflection off Jakub Kiwior didn't help the ex-Bournemouth star but his attempts to save the shot were bizarre to say the least.

In fairness, any 'keeper would have struggled to keep out all three of the goals on Wednesday but on a night where Ramsdale simply needed an easy night and a confidence-boosting win, he was the biggest loser from the club's Carabao nightmare.

The stats that show why Raya is better than Ramsdale

Much has been made about just how good Raya is in comparison to Ramsdale. With the naked eye, it is perhaps difficult to tell where the differences lie.

After all, the Brentford loanee hasn't been error or incident-free since arriving through the doors in the summer.

It was the Spaniard's stray pass that led to Lens' equaliser in the Champions League. It was his nervy playing out from the back that nearly sparked Gary Neville to pass out on commentary during Arsenal's win over Manchester City, and it was Raya's peculiar punch that nearly landed in his own net in Seville a week prior.

Goals Conceded

4 (0.7 per game)

4 (1 per game)

Saves per game

1.3

1.3

Saves made

8

5

Successful run-outs

100%

100%

Goals prevented (xG)

1.30

-1.84

Pass Success

79%

77%

Accurate long balls

44%

33%

Clean sheets

4

1

Stats via Sofascore.

However, when you look at the numbers, it's clear why Arteta has been hellbent on picking the loanee ahead of Ramsdale.

Despite that rough opening 45 minutes against City, Raya has been superb with the ball at his feet, completing 79% of his passes and 93% of his passes inside Arsenal's half. His competition, meanwhile, has completed a worrying 60% of his passes throughout his two EFL Cup outings, and 90% of his passes inside their own half.

More stark has been the Spanish 'keeper's ability in the air, winning ten high claims and 100% of his aerial duels to Ramsdale's two in the Premier League.

This didn't particularly feel like a defining moment for the club's season, but it may well do for Ramsdale.

A move towards the exit door looms for the £24m man, whose chances of any minutes now are surely over. It's a sad end for one of the most likeable and bubbly personalities Arsenal have had in recent memory.

It is quite remarkable how quickly things can change in football, and those affiliated with Tottenham Hotspur will only be too happy to delineate the club's emphatic turnaround.

Manager Ange Postecoglou is the architect of the revolution, having transformed a suffering outfit that finished eighth in the Premier League last season but now look set for an exciting campaign fighting against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table.

Tottenham are perched in first-place in the English top flight after eight games, and while there is a very long road ahead, the signs of newfound, lasting positivity are there for all to see.

The results on the pitch have been emphatic but are simply a product of the astute transfer work plied over the summer, and while the likes of James Maddison and Micky van de Ven have captured the awe, prospects such as Alejo Veliz hold potential enough to cement a starring role on English shores in the near future.

How is Alejo Veliz getting on at Tottenham?

Signed from Argentinian side Rosario Central for around £13m in August, Veliz is a 20-year-old centre-forward with a natural inclination for aerial dominance.

Last year, the sharpshooter posted 11 goals and two assists from just 23 games, with talent scout Jacek Kulig touting him as the "complete" striker.

And while he has only made two fleeting substitute displays for the Lilywhites thus far,the youngster is acclimatising to life in Europe and will see a rise in importance as the season progresses.

His former coach, Adrian Dezotti, said this of his faculties: “Alejo is really intelligent but also very cunning, mischievous. He has a lot of tricks up his sleeve, a lot of street smarts. He’s a strategist, a quick thinker."

The 6 foot 1, physical forward offers a range of tools but has earned early acclaim for his "incredible" and "fearsome" prowess in the air, drifting above the clouds to latch onto balls out of reach for the lion's share – winning 4.95 aerial duels per game over the past year (FBref).

He is a distinctive, focal frontman, the kind of striker that gets the footballing traditionalists all starry-eyed and wobbly-kneed. A man of prodigious potential and a dream for creative peers.

He might not even be the biggest talent at Spurs' disposal though, with Jude Soonsup-Bell dazzling at youth level this season and looking to rival his South American counterpart for a place in his senior manager's plans.

Who is Jude Soonsup-Bell?

Despite impressing within the prestigious Cobham Academy, Soonsup-Bell joined Tottenham on a free transfer in January as he approached the culmination of his contract with Chelsea and had not been offered fresh terms.

The Blues have instated a sell-on clause but deemed the precocious hopeful unlikely to wedge his way into the first team with such congested youth ranks.

Now, however, the 19-year-old is comfortably ensconced in Tottenham's U21 team, having started the 2023/24 campaign in stunning form, very much knocking on Postecoglou's door should his early-season feats be sustained.

Spurs fought off competition from the likes of Manchester City to secure his services, and now look to be reaping the rewards, boasting a prodigy to partner someone of Veliz's ilk up front.

The pairing are not the only offensive aces with high ceilings but illustrate the incredible development across the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the outfit very much on the up and improving from the pitch to the training ground to the very air of the dressing room.

Season

Apps

Goals

Assists

23/24

6

6

2

22/23

21

4

2

21/22

36

8

5

20/21

27

19

0

19/20

1

0

0

It's worth noting that the teenage talent most prolific spell to date, during the 2020/21 season, was played at U18 level, with the subsequent campaigns underscoring the improvements made to date – indeed crescendoing in his thunderous present purple patch.

And while Tottenham boast one of the richest youth ranks across all of Europe, Soonsup-Bell's multi-faceted qualities put him right at the top of the pecking order, with a senior debut under Postecoglou surely not too far away.

What is Jude Soonsup-Bell's style of play?

Soonsup-Bell is a talented forward and one who has successfully been shifted across positions during the maiden phase of his career, and while this vortex of instability could derail the progress of some, he has used it to impressively develop different aspects of his game.

Such is corroborated by his older brother, who sang the rising phenom's praises in 2021, highlighting his best attributes that set him in such good stead for a starring role in the Premier League in the future.

He said: "Chelsea saw that he could score goals but contribute more to mould him quickly into a centre forward.

"He is athletic, as a No.9 should be, and he is quite tall and quick. But, for me, his best attribute is his intelligence both on and off the ball. He has the brain for the sport, with composure on the ball.

Chelsea's loss is Tottenham's gain, and while the Blues appear to have failed to learn from past mistakes – letting the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah depart as prospects before they bloomed – Postecoglou would love nothing more than to use Soonsup-Bell as a reminder of what could have been.

Salah, in particular, is a relevant case, with the Egpytian among the most clinical forwards in the world and boasting a technical prowess unrivalled aside from the select few in the pantheon of modern greats.

This season alone, the 31-year-old has already plundered six goals and four assists from ten outings, heralded as world-class" by pundit and colour commentator Gary Neville.

The Liverpool star's electric pace, adroit mobility and intellect in decisive passages blend to create a special threat, and one that Soonsup-Bell is showing signs of emulating.

This season, having scored six times and provided two assists, he's boasting the kind of balance that truly can entrap opponents, having fluctuated between a central striking role and a position on the right wing.

A real “handful” for defenders, as was said by football.london's Alasdair Gold, the Spurs starlet is not a carbon copy of Salah but definitely offers similar characteristics, and the evidence is there that he could be moulded into a phenom with a razor-sharp cutting edge.

If Veliz and Soonsup-Bell are provided with the license to build a strike partnership over the coming months and years, the Premier League might be in line for a new force to be reckoned.

With the Argentine's 'fearsome' aerial ability and the former Chelsea youngster's destructive, dynamic threat, the eager Spurs support could rest assured with the knowledge that the future is in safe hands – a future that will sustain this new position of strength.

On Saturday evening it felt like an irremovable force was sent down from upon high to plague Liverpool's chances of moving top of the Premier League.

Such an eventuality would have capped off nicely this rejuvenation of Jurgen Klopp's, who has remoulded his midfield and once again crafted a Reds side that looks capable of challenging for elite honours.

However, when you're forced to play with nine men and then be subjected to one of the most mind-boggling VAR calls you will ever see, you are unlikely to win games of football.

Curtis Jones' aggressive challenge early doors saw red and then Diogo Jota was also sent for an early bath after twice fouling Destiny Udogie in the space of a few minutes.

However, the real injustice was at the hands of the officials. Luis Diaz raced through in the first half before firing home a lovely finish from inside the penalty area.

Everyone could see it was onside, yet in remarkable circumstances, it was chalked off. The PGMOL, for what felt like the 1000th time in the last year were forced to apologise for a major human error. The circumstances surrounding why it was given are incomprehensible.

To make matters worse, they will now be without two of their forward's services. Jota, of course, will be suspended, but Cody Gakpo was also forced off with an injury immediately after finding the net with a powerful close-range drive. According to his manager, he is now in a brace and limping.

Who could replace Gakpo and Jota?

The obvious replacement in the number 9 role will likely be that of Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan has started just twice in the Premier League this term but will likely now get his chance to do his thing.

An effervescent character in the forward line, the 24-year-old has already found the net three times this season and is simply bursting at the thought of being given an extended run in the side. Fortunately, that could well be forthcoming.

However, another player who could get a rare opportunity is that of Ben Doak.

The teenager has regularly been seen in the first-team picture this term, earning a start in the Europa League against LASK.

How good is Ben Doak?

That centre-forward berth is unlikely to be his, but a vacancy could well open up on the wings. Moving Salah would be foolish but Diaz's place isn't certain and with games coming up thick and fast, rotation will be needed. Without Gakpo and Jota, that is tricky.

Doak already has plenty of senior football under his belt. He made his first-team debut for Celtic at 16 before moving to Anfield and is now gaining semi-regular opportunities in Jurgen Klopp's first team.

Now 17, he has appeared as a substitute once in the Premier League this term but wasn't even in the matchday squad for the trip to Spurs. Damning indeed, but his chance is surely now just around the corner.

A "special" talent, as dubbed by Klopp, he is yet to earn a start in the league for Liverpool, but his radiant qualities prove he deserves a go.

A wonderful ball-carrier, Virgil van Dijk perhaps sums up his qualities best: "He’s very exciting, very direct, one-on-one. I call him a Tasmanian Devil with the way he is buzzing around, he’s just so quick. If his decision-making gets better – and he has all the time in the world for that – then he could definitely be one for the future."

One for the future? Yes. But one for the here and now? Blows to both the availabilities of Jota and Gakpo means we could well be about to find out.

Manchester United will be hoping their season can finally get off the ground following the international break as they welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to Old Trafford this afternoon.

Erik ten Hag isn’t under pressure yet, but if his team carry on in the same fashion which has seen them secure just two wins from four Premier League matches, the Dutchman will soon start to feel the heat.

Summer signing Rasmus Hojlund made his first appearance for the club against Arsenal two weeks ago, and he could well be in line for his first start today.

Will Rasmus Hojlund start for Manchester United vs Brighton?

Having joined the Red Devils for a fee of £72m from Atalanta, the Danish striker took a few weeks to make his debut due to a back injury, but the United faithful will be hoping he is ready to hit the ground running from now on.

The 20-year-old netted 16 goals throughout the 2022/23 campaign and emerged as one of the most highly-rated young talents on the continent.

He did play just 23 minutes against the Gunners, yet the club clearly need a change up front and there is no doubt he could offer more than Anthony Martial – who has scored just 11 league goals across the last three seasons combined.

The key question for Ten Hag is, who will he deploy on the right wing alongside him, especially with Antony missing the tie.

Could Alejandro Garnacho replace Antony?

The talented Argentinian first began to make an impression for the Old Trafford side last season, enjoying a breakthrough campaign in which he made 34 appearances across all competitions, registering ten goal contributions – five goals and five assists – all before he turned 19 years of age.

The youngster primarily operates on the left wing yet is capable of performing on the opposite flank when required, and it’s clear that Ten Hag may need him to step in for Antony for the foreseeable future.

Hailed as a “game-changer” by Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst back in January, the 19-year-old could give the United attack something different and a partnership of him and Hojlund could be the catalyst that kick-starts their season.

The winger has started two out of their four games this term and has averaged 51 minutes per game, impressing in flashes, particularly against Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s men, Garnacho attempted three shots at goal, made one key pass and succeeded with 50% of his dribble attempts as he sought to create something for United during the tie.

He started on the bench against the Gunners, yet after coming on with just six minutes left, it looked as though he had netted the winner, running onto a Marcus Rashford pass and slotting the ball past Aaron Ramsdale.

The £50k-per-week teenager had strayed just offside however and the effort was ruled out, with Arsenal subsequently going on to score two late goals of their own, but it’s evident that the youngster offers a major attacking threat.

Ten Hag has no choice but to deploy him today and if he performs well, he could very well prove the long-term solution in that right-wing berth.

Whilst recent results may have restored some of the good feeling at Old Trafford, it is clear that Erik ten Hag is still on thin ice at Manchester United with Sir Jim Ratcliffe already looking at other options.

Ten Hag facing uncertain future at Man Utd

Amad Diallo's last grasp winner at the weekend saw Man Utd progress to the FA Cup semi-finals at the expense of rivals Liverpool. Whilst the added time victory was celebrated on the red side of Manchester, many in the fanbase may still feel that the Red Devils need a new manager if they are to return to the top of the Premier League.

Man United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe planning to move for “important player”

The update comes courtesy of journalist Fabrizio Romano.

ByHenry Jackson Mar 10, 2024

Currently sitting sixth in the table, United are nine points away from the Champions League places and look unlikely to make up the gap in the remaining 10 games of the season.

Brentford

Away

Chelsea

Away

Liverpool

Home

Bournemouth

Away

Burnley

Home

Crystal Palace

Away

Arsenal

Home

Brighton

Away

Sheffield United

Home

Newcastle United

Home

In his first season in charge, Ten Hag managed to guide the Red Devils to a third-placed finish as well as a League Cup victory over Newcastle. This season has not gone as well with United struggling in the league and bowing out of Europe in embarrassing fashion, finishing at the bottom of their Champions League group.

Ratcliffe had initially shown faith in Ten Hag, however, the new part owner now looks set to explore other options to fill the dugout at the Theatre of Dreams.

Ratcliffe wants Southgate at Man Utd

As reported by The Daily Star, the new part-owner has identified Gareth Southgate as his number one target to be Ten Hag's successor at Man United.

The outlet states that "Ratcliffe and INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford have consulted some of United’s former greats about who should replace Ten Hag. And the overwhelming choice was Southgate". The former Middlesbrough manager was also the favourite of incoming director of football Dan Ashworth who had previously worked with Southgate during his time at the FA.

Despite the club's interest in the coach, the report claims that Southgate, who plays an attacking 4-3-3 system, is not interested in discussing his future at the moment with the 53-year-old focused on the upcoming European Championships in Germany.

The England boss's contract is set to expire in December 2024 with a compensation fee of around £800,000 necessary to lure Southgate away from the national team once the Euros conclude in July. Ratcliffe reportedly wants a decision from the 53-year-old soon so that he can start planning for next season.

Whilst often maligned for his style of play, Southgate has overseen vast improvements to the national team. The last three major tournaments have seen the Three Lions reach the semi-finals, final and quarter-finals respectively, with just a penalty shootout keeping them away from European Championship glory back in 2021.

With a major rebuild at Old Trafford planned for the summer, the Red Devils could do a lot worse than a manager known in England and with a proven track record in turning around struggling sides.

Southampton, after finishing bottom of the Premier League last season in a disastrous campaign overall, have a real chance of an immediate return back to the top flight this season.

Although their chances at finishing in the top two look rather far-fetched now, with Leeds United pulling away from the Saints amidst a poor run of form for Southampton, Russell Martin won't be fazed by his side potentially entering into the lottery of the playoffs with the immense quality at his disposal on the South Coast.

The likes of Adam Armstrong, Flynn Downes and many others for Martin's men have stood out in the drop-down to the second tier, with the ex-Newcastle United striker in particular taking the Championship by storm with 18 goals fired in from 36 appearances.

Despite so many of the current Saints camp excelling and getting supporters at St. Mary's out of their seats with enthralling displays, there is no doubt still some lingering regret from a Southampton perspective about how things ended up with this dud when he was sold on nearly three years ago in 2021.

Mario Lemina's time at Southampton

Southampton would break the bank to land Mario Lemina in 2017, going above and beyond to sign the ex-Juventus central midfielder by forking out a club-record fee that rose to £18m.

The deal at the time was viewed as a coup from the Saints, with then Southampton vice-chairman Les Reed labelling their new Gabonese recruit as "outstanding."

However, much like other bodies through the door in that summer transfer window and later in January – with Wesley Hoedt and Guido Carillo never really settling at St. Mary's in other major flops – Lemina would struggle to ever really show why the Saints splashed significant amounts of money to land him.

1. GK – Fraser Forster

2. RB – Cedric Soares

3. CB – Maya Yoshida

4. CB – Jack Stephens

5. LB – Ryan Bertrand

6. CM – Mario Lemina

7. CM – Oriol Romeu

8. RW – Dusan Tadic

9. CAM – Steven Davis

10. LW – Nathan Redmond

11. ST – Manolo Gabbiadini

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Even on his Premier League debut, Lemina would last just 65 minutes before James Ward-Prowse would come on in his place – the ex-Southampton midfield icon coincidentally joining the Hammers last year after stealing Lemina's thunder against them.

The former Juventus man would go on to make 52 appearances for Southampton over two forgettable seasons, before leaving the South Coast outfit behind for the luxuries of France in OGC Nice.

Southampton would make a disastrous loss on their one-time record-breaking signing, but would have probably been thankful just to have him off their books after two loan spells out at Galatasaray and Fulham illustrated Lemina's lack of desire to stay put with the Saints and fight it out for his spot.

According to Football Transfers, the Ligue 1 side would manage to swoop in and sign the Saints dud for a reduced fee of €5.5m (£4.7m) which was a far cry away from the extortionate £18m once needed to acquire the Gabonese midfielder from a Southampton point of view.

To the 6-foot holding midfielder's credit, he has managed to turn around his stuttering career since which started when relocating to France after waving goodbye to St. Mary's.

Mario Lemina's redemption after Southampton

Lemina would slot straight into the Nice set-up seamlessly after a stop-start time in England, making 32 appearances in his first season in Ligue 1 and bagging two goals along the way.

One of those efforts would be a sweetly struck first-time shot finding the back of the net against RC Lens to help his new employers win 2-1, Lemina loving his football again in an eclectic Nice set-up that saw him line up alongside faces such as Kasper Dolberg and Justin Kluivert to name but a few.

That would catch the eye of Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, who would be successful in their approach for the ex-Saints flop in January last year with a bid of €11m (£9.4m) enough to tempt Nice into parting ways with their redeemed star-man.

Lemina would join the Wolves ranks mid-way through the 2022/23 campaign, with his importance to the cause at Molineux only elevated at the end of this season when the likes of Ruben Neves in holding midfield exited amidst widespread change at the club.

Now, Lemina is a true midfield machine in the West Midlands under Gary O'Neil with any demons from his Southampton move not working out very much now just an after-thought.

Mario Lemina's time at Wolves

Described as being an "unbelievable" footballer by football scout Umir early into his Wolves career, Lemina is arguably one of the first names on O'Neil's teamsheet now when he ponders his Old Gold starting lineups.

The former Saints midfielder has made an appearance in 25 of Wolves' 28 games this campaign in the league, with Lemina's team punching above their weight in the Premier League sitting pretty in ninth spot.

The imposing presence of Lemina in the middle of the park has enabled Wolves to dream big, the Old Gold number five maturing into a resilient defensive option for his West Midlands employers on top of being a reliable source of goals.

This campaign alone, in all competitions, Lemina has more than doubled his paltry Southampton goal tally of two with five next to his name.

The midfielder ended up netting in back-to-back games last December as Wolves picked up two wins in a row against Chelsea and Brentford, heading home against the Blues to make it 1-0 on Christmas Eve during that mini purple patch.

Lemina will just be grateful that he has managed to find his stride in English football with Wolves, after a rocky time of it on the South Coast had left many doubting his star quality.

The vital cog in the Wolves machine could well be reminded of his past Southampton connections head on next season though, if Martin's men end up jumping back up into the promised land of the Premier League at the first try.

Newcastle United have become big spenders in the transfer market since they were bought by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in October 2021.

Although the 2024 summer window was quieter for the Magpies, they have not been afraid to splash the cash on new signings since the takeover.

Four of their five most expensive signings, as per Transfermarkt, have come with the new owners at the helm. That includes Alexander Isak, who cost £63m, a club record deal, and Sandro Tonali, with the Italian midfielder costing £55m.

Prior to the takeover, however, the Magpies did not spend money nearly as much and were a selling club rather than a side that spent millions of pounds on new stars.

Newcastle’s record sales

The North Eastern outfit have certainly sold players on for hefty profit during the Premier League era. Within their top eight most expensive sales of all time, just three of them came in the past two summer windows.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

That includes Elliot Anderson, who moved to Nottingham Forest for a fee which is reportedly worth upwards of £35m. Yankubah Minteh also left the club this summer to join Brighton, and Allan Saint-Maximin left in 2023 for Saudi Arabain outfit Al-Ahli, although he now plies his trade at Fenerbahce.

The other expensive departures from St James’ Park date further back than that. It includes the likes of Yohan Cabaye, who made the move to PSG for a fee of £20m, and Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who moved to Liverpool for around £25m.

Player

Joined

Fee

Year

Elliot Anderson

Nottingham Forest

£35m

2024

Andy Carroll

Liverpool

£35m

2011

Yankubah Minteh

Brighton

£30

2024

Moussa Sissoko

Spurs

£30m

2016

Ayoze Perez

Leicester

£30m

2019

Georginio Wijnaldum

Liverpool

£25m

2016

Allan Saint-Maximin

Al-Ahli

£23m

2023

Yohan Cabaye

PSG

£20m

2013

There is one name on that list in particular whose sale proved to be a stroke of genius from the Magpies, given the money they got and the fact he is worth so little nowadays. That player is Andy Carroll.

Carroll’s Newcastle career

A graduate of the Newcastle academy, striker Carroll had a successful time of things across two spells at St James’ Park. He made 134 appearances for the North Eastern side, scoring 34 goals and grabbing 26 assists.

It took a while for the England international to score his first goal in that famous Black and White striped shirt. First breaking into the first team in 2006/07, it took the striker until January 2009 to find the back of the net, coming against West Ham in the Premier League.

Sadly for the Magpies, they suffered relegation that same season. This arguably benefited the 6’4 striker, however, and he really found his shooting boots. Carroll was prolific in the Championship, scoring 17 goals and grabbing 12 assists in 39 league games, helping the Magpies to promotion at the first time of asking.

That season was not a fluke, and the centre-forward continued his efforts in the top flight. In 2010/11 for the Magpies, he scored 11 goals and grabbed eight assists in just 19 games, which included a hattrick against Aston Villa. His form was so good that Newcastle legend Alan Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day: Top 10 podcast, described him as “unbelievable” when reflecting on Carroll at his best.

His outstanding form earned Carroll a January move to Liverpool, who paid £35m for his services, at the same time as they signed Luis Suarez. That happened to be Newcastle’s record sale, which has since been equalled by Anderson’s move to the City Ground.

Sadly, it did not work out for Carroll on Merseyside. The centre-forward managed just 11 goals in 58 games for the club and ended up back at St James’ Park a few seasons later via West Ham. He managed just one goal on his second spell in the North East.

Nowadays, the former England international plays for Girondins Bordeaux in the fourth tier of French football, after the legendary club were declared bankrupt and relegated. He has five goals in three games for the six-time French champions.

Unsurprisingly, Carroll’s value has dropped considerably. Most recently, Transfermarkt valued the former Magpies man at just £200k. There is certainly an argument that Newcastle made the right choice to sell him for a club-record fee all those years ago.

Not only has his value decreased a lot since the sale, but he was simply never the same prolific goalscorer he was as a Newcastle player for those 18 months in the Championship and Premier League.

Looking back on it, the Magpies may well be relieved they sold the striker for such profit. It has certainly proven to be a smart choice in the long term.

Cost the club £35m: Newcastle star is now worth millions less after leaving

Newcastle made the right call selling star who’s value has plummeted

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 25, 2024

Newcastle United are believed to have stepped up their interest in completing the signing of an “astonishing” player with a huge release clause in his contract.

Newcastle transfer news

Magpies supporters will want to see plenty of transfer business conducted in the next couple of transfer windows, following a relatively quiet time of things during the summer. One report has claimed that Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is being lined up as a replacement for Martin Dubravka between the sticks, potentially pushing Nick Pope to be the future No.1 at St James’ Park in the process.

Another intriguing rumour that has emerged has seen Newcastle linked with a move for Paul Pogba, whose career has fallen apart in recent years, following drugs charges that ended up leading to an 18-month ban, reduced from four years. He is available to play again from next March, however, and the Magpies are apparently eyeing a move in January, though take that one with a pinch of salt.

More realistically, Las Palmas winger Alberto Moleiro is also seen as a transfer target for Eddie Howe’s side, with sporting director Paul Mitchell sending scouts to watch him in action. Arsenal are also in the mix to snap up the 21-year-old, though, so competition for his signature could be strong.

Newcastle step up interest in "astonishing" ace

According to a new report from Caught Offside, Newcastle and Mitchell are pushing to sign Sporting CP forward Geovany Quenda, stepping up their interest in him. He has an £84m release clause in his current deal, highlighting his ability. That said, the Magpies are far from alone in showing an interest, however, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Juventus and Chelsea all mentioned as suitors in the update.

Quenda is a player with an immense amount of potential, so it is no surprise to see many huge European clubs competing to acquire his signature. If Newcastle were able to pip others to the signing of the 17-year-old, it would feel like a major statement of intent, with Portugal manager Roberto Martinez saying of him: “A player who loves to create imbalances. Technical quality, but a quality that is not normal for someone at 17 years old.

“He had an excellent European Championship with the U17s. He has stepped into the first team of Sporting and demonstrated an astonishing personality. And now he has shown that he is ready for the national team. Great news for Portuguese football.”

Despite still only being 17 years of age, Quenda has already made 18 senior appearances for Sporting, scoring and assisting twice apiece, and he has been capped by Portugal at both Under-21 and Under-17 level, scoring six times for the latter.

Newcastle have already lined up "brilliant" £20m Dubravka replacement

The Magpies have a plan in place…

ByTom Cunningham Nov 18, 2024

The Portuguese clearly wouldn’t be signed by Newcastle as a polished player who can immediately be a star man, but his long-term potential is vast, and he should be seen as a primary target who could grow into a future hero at St James’.