ScorecardGary Wilson made his highest score in the County Championship for 14 months as Derbyshire fought back against Northamptonshire on the opening day of the Division Two match at Chesterfield.Wilson made 66 after Harvey Hosein with 58 started a recovery that lifted Derbyshire to 250 after Ben Sanderson had blown away the top order to finish with 5 for 53 from 20 overs.Tony Palladino then took two wickets as Northants slipped to 74 for 3 on a day to remember for Derbyshire’s cricket and commercial operations manager Dan Wheeldon who marked his debut at the age of 29 with an unbeaten 33.Derbyshire’s decision to bat first looked questionable when Sanderson reduced them to 21 for 3 in the first five overs of a cloudy morning.Sanderson struck with only the second ball by trapping Ben Slater on the crease before some late away movement removed Wayne Madsen’s off stump in his next over.Billy Godleman was caught behind pushing at one that kept low and when Alex Hughes played on to Nathan Buck, Northants would have fancied their chances of denying Derbyshire a single batting point.But Chesterfield-born Hosein was composed from the start and with Matt Critchley, added 58 before Northants broke through in the first over after lunch when Critchley was lbw playing across the line to Nathan Buck.Hosein reached 50 with his sixth four but then chipped Sanderson to wide mid on where Alex Wakely plunged to his right to take an outstanding catch.Another fine catch, by wicketkeeper Ricardo Vasconcelos, accounted for Hardus Viljoen to give Sanderson his fifth wicket and plunge Derbyshire back into trouble but Wilson and Wheeldon restored respectability with a ninth wicket stand of 52.Wilson drove Seekkuge into the pavilion while Wheeldon made the most of a reprieve on five when Richard Levi spilled a low chance at second slip to play with impressive judgement in his first innings.When Wilson was bowled by Buck, Wheeldon opened up and drove Sanderson for two fours before launching Prasanna into the crowd over long off as Derbyshire achieved the bonus of a second point.Wheeldon’s impact with the ball was more low key as his opening three over spell cost 15 and Luke Proctor and Ben Duckett cruised along at five an over until Palladino struck twice in three balls.Duckett was caught behind trying to cut a ball that was too close to him and after Vasconcelos was beaten by a good length ball, Proctor inexplicably left a straight ball from Viljoen as Northants closed 186 behind.
The Australia spinner did not contest the charge and is believed to have contacted AB de Villiers to apologise for his conduct
Daniel Brettig in Durban05-Mar-2018Nathan Lyon has been fined 15% of his match fee by the ICC for dropping the ball near AB de Villiers after the South Africa batsman was run out on day four of the Durban Test.After the incident was reviewed by the match referee Jeff Crowe, Lyon was charged with conduct contrary to the spirit of cricket, a level one offence.He was found to have breached Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game”.In addition, Lyon has had one demerit point added to his disciplinary record, a first offence for the player since the introduction of the revised Code in September 2016. If a player accrues four demerit points within 24 months, he receives a one-Test or two-limited-over game ban.Lyon is believed to have contacted de Villiers overnight to apologise. He had also accepted the charge and no hearing was required.The ICC decided, however, that no action would be taken following a confrontation between David Warner and Quinton de Kock during the tea break on day four.Adam Gilchrist, the former Australian wicketkeeper and captain, said the team would need to reassess how they reacted to such incidents.”As an outside observer, I think you would find that a little bit off-putting at times, a little bit bad taste at times,” Gilchrist told . “And the question may even come over all those eras as a general statement. Australian teams have generally been at the top of the pile, not every minute of those times, but generally they’re a very competitive, world class team,and some would say they don’t need to do that.”Why do you need to present that somewhat ugly look if you’re playing such good cricket? And they’re not good images and it’s hard to know, to comment specificially about this incident overnight, and any other time, unless you’re there and know the ins and outs of what was said and what sparked it and the verbal volleys that would have been thrown around.”Very hard to comment on the detail of it but no denying that some of the parts of the celebration of the run-out of de Villiers and then obviously this incident that I’m sure you’re getting to, of this leaked dressing room footage, it’s not a very good look. I think it needs to be considered how to react in certain scenarios and learn from the scenarios.”Speaking about Warner, Gilchrist said the Australian vice-captain was not projecting the image of a leader. “I think with Davey…there is no one denying his capabilities with the bat in hand. It’s funny…he came into cricket and had his natural aggression mindset both with bat in hand and in the field,” Gilchrist said. “He used to pride himself being the guy that got into the verbal stoushes and was a leader of the aggressive mindset. But he then went the other way and he was very, very outright in saying ‘I’ve put that away, that’s not me any more’.”It was really extreme the opposite way, and now he’s come back again saying ‘old Davey’s back’ and all his team-mates are saying ‘the Reverend’s gone, Bull’s back’. It’s always a worry in any situation when someone is so extreme on one direction or the other. I think Davey’s got to find somewhere in between that. He does pride himself in being a leader of the team, he did that very well in the T20s [against New Zealand and England recently] as captain but what we’ve seen in the last 24 hours probably isn’t the images that you want your captain projecting.”
Potentially in a position to spend again at long last this summer, Newcastle United have now reportedly joined the race to sign a £51m striker who’s already received high praise from Alan Shearer.
Newcastle preparing for crucial Arsenal clash
There were stages in the first half of the season in which it seemed like Newcastle could miss out on Champions League football, as though their transfer failure was going to catch up to them. Now, however, with the Carabao Cup under their belt, the Magpies could finish as high as second in the Premier League. In fact, if they beat Arsenal this weekend, then Eddie Howe’s side will go above the Gunners and into the top two.
Newcastle battle Arsenal to sign star for less than £50m after scouts sent
What a signing he could be for the Magpies.
ByHenry Jackson May 17, 2025
Howe is well aware of the importance of his side’s trip to The Emirates this Sunday, too, as they look to take a major step towards Champions League qualification. He told reporters in his pre-match press conference: “It’s not done yet. The picture can change game to game and I think we’ve got to be really focused on our next game and trying to win it.
“We have been, our preparation has been good and the focus is there from the players. Nothing is achieved until it’s achieved. We have to be single minded in that and not get distracted.”
Liverpool (C)
83
36
Arsenal
68
36
Newcastle United
66
36
Chelsea
66
37
Aston Villa
66
37
Manchester City
65
36
Nottingham Forest
62
36
Those at St James’ Park need no reminder about the impact that Champions League football could have on their summer transfer window, either. A place among Europe’s elite could help convince Alexander Isak to stay put amid interest from the likes of Arsenal, whilst also helping to attract key upgrades for Howe in the coming months.
Newcastle join race to sign "superb" Pedro
The Magpies could even attract a Premier League rival with Champions League football to offer. According to Caught Offside, Newcastle have now joined the race to sign Joao Pedro, who Brighton & Hove Albion have valued at a hefty €60m (£51m) amid interest from Tyneside as well as Liverpool, Aston Villa and others.
Whilst a deal to sign the forward won’t come cheap, Pedro would provide Newcastle with an instant fail-safe in the event that Isak departs. The Brazilian, who has scored 10 goals and set up another six this season, has the potential and quality to replace the Swede in the long-term. What’s more, he’s also already got a fan in the form of Newcastle legend Shearer.
The iconic goalscorer sung Pedro’s praises on Match of the Day after he scored in Brighton’s 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in November, saying: “He was superb today and they just edged it in those forward positions. They are really strong with him, Rutter, Mitoma and Welbeck. Their understanding and they linked really well today in Rutter and Joao Pedro.”
The approval of Shearer certainly goes a long way in Newcastle, but whether it’s enough for PIF to make their move for Pedro remains to be seen this summer.
Newcastle United are reportedly in a strong position to bring in an "excellent" defender during the January transfer window, but Real Madrid are also in the mix.
Newcastle eyeing January signings
Next month's window could come at a perfect time for the Magpies, who have started to look increasingly jaded in recent months, with Eddie Howe's squad depth tested to the max.
It was always going to be tricky to juggle the addition of Champions League football this season, but unfortunately for Newcastle, life has been made even harder by the constant injury problems they have faced. Howe's options have become limited and rotation has become so difficult, with key figures such as Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Alexander Isak all out at different times, among many others.
It has shown in the performances, with a lack of consistent results, and for that reason, it is no surprise to have seen Newcastle linked with a number of different players in recent times as the club prepare to potentially spend in January.
The Magpies have been looking at defensive options, with Sporting CP's Goncalo Inacio a target who is thought to be wanted by a number of Europe's top clubs, while Bayer Leverkusen ace Piero Hincapie is another who could move to St James' Park.
Newcastle have also been backed to seal the signing of Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips next month as they look to make up for the loss of the suspended Sandro Tonali, who won't return to the setup until the early part of next season.
Key Goncalo Inacio to Newcastle update
According to Portuguese outlet Record (via Sport Witness), Newcastle are well-placed to complete the signing of Inacio, with the report describing them as "best positioned" amid apparent interest from the likes of Real Madrid. The Toon have made "frequent" observations regarding a move for him.
Sporting will only allow the 22-year-old to move on to pastures new if his €60m (£52.1m) release clause is triggered, though, so the Magpies know that he won't be available on the cheap.
Inacio is clearly a defender with the world at his feet, considering the level of interest in him at the moment and the fact that he is already making a big impression at such a young age. He is a key man for one of Portugal's biggest clubs, making 144 appearances already, not to mention chipping in with 14 goals and eight assists along the way.
The youngster has been hailed as an "excellent central defender" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig as recently as this month, and while at his best in a centre-back role, he is also adept at filling in at left-back, meaning that Howe could see him as someone who can cover for Dan Burn from time to time.
Newcastle now ready to make offer to sign "extraordinary" player
The PIF would guarantee him a big salary.
ByHenry Jackson Dec 23, 2023
Granted, having to spend over £50m for any player is asking a lot, but given the long-term potential that Inacio has in his boots, Newcastle would be wise to sign him in January, snapping him up before another European powerhouse swoops in instead.
Liverpool are much-improved this season after toiling last year, but still seek improvements over the next few years to return to the very top of the game.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch were all signed to combat the summer exodus, but this well-wrought midfield could be bolstered further.
Who are Liverpool interested in signing?
According to Sky Sport Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Schalke 04's teenage sensation Assan Ouédraogo is attracting Jurgen Klopp's attention after bursting onto the scene in prodigious fashion, with Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton also interested.
Any deal would not materialise until the end of the 2023/24 campaign, when the 17-year-old's €20m (£17m) release clause would no longer be dormant.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Plettenberg does also claim that AC Milan currently hold the most "concrete" interest in the youngster's services, with the Serie A side's officials set to meet Schalke bosses for negotiations this week.
Who is Assan Ouédraogo?
The versatile midfielder is playing with age-belying confidence and swagger in Bundesliga 2, very much integral in Die Knappen's travails.
Also pursued by Bayern Munich, the rising star is robust and positive in possession, completing 81% of his passes this season, succeeding with 61% of his dribbles and winning 55% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.
Given that he also ranks among the top 6% of midfielders across similar divisions over the past year for goals, the top 14% for shot-creating actions, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, his aptitude in surging forward and providing a creative threat is clear.
Such qualities could put him in good stead to become Liverpool's starring member of a burgeoning youth fold, surpassing even the talent of 18-year-old Spaniard Stefan Bajcetic, who was so important for the struggling Reds last season.
Having made 19 appearances last term, scoring against Aston Villa in the Premier League, the dynamic midfielder saw his season curtailed in March due to injury, though he is wedging his way back into the team at present and earned a start in the Europa League against LASK.
Described by journalist Zubin Daver as a "special" talent, Bajcetic is impressive but might see his ability surpassed by such a precocious talent as Ouédraogo, who is attracting the attention of some of Europe's goliaths.
He's even been touted as the next Xabi Alonso by the German Bundesliga's official website, with the former Liverpool star and current Bayer Leverkusen manager among the crispest, most refined midfielders of his generation.
Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic.
Lauded as a "proper champion" by Steven Gerrard, who revealed that he misses playing alongside the Spanish maestro at Anfield, Alonso was renowned for his all-encompassing midfield game, elegance and defensive application, which are attributes both Bajcetica and Ouédraogo would do well to absorb.
It would be a fantastic prospect to see the second coming of one of the most beloved stars in Liverpool's modern history back in the centre.
Dubbed the "stand-out” by reporter Ben Bocsak, Ouédraogo is very young and remains in the embryonic stage of his development, but he boasts all of the skills to cement his stature as one of Europe's foremost prodigies and could do so over the coming years. Just hopefully at Liverpool.
Jordan Henderson admitted that he is hurt to see Liverpool finding success without him but has no regrets over leaving Anfield for Al-Ettifaq.
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Henderson chose to move to Saudi Arabia last summer Struggled to adapt and was forced to return to Europe Liverpool flourishing after his exit Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
After 12 years with Liverpool, Henderson bid farewell to the club in the summer transfer window to move to the Middle East. However, his days in Saudi Arabia were numbered as he eventually headed back to Europe to join Ajax in January.
Despite leaving Anfield, Henderson has been closely monitoring Liverpool's progress this season, as they vie for a quadruple. Reflecting on his departure, Henderson acknowledges the emotional difficulty of leaving a club he cherished but believes it was the right decision for both parties and wished Jurgen Klopp all the luck in his farewell season.
AdvertisementWHAT HENDERSON SAID
“It was the best thing for the club and the team, and you can see that in the performances and how they’ve done, as much as that hurts me," he told
“It’s football and you move on. I’m so happy it’s worked out for them so far and I’ve just got my fingers crossed it can be a fairytale end for Jürgen because he deserves it."
However, Henderson insisted that he has no regrets and added: "Looking back, I think it was the right time for me as a player [to leave] but also for them as a team and for them as a club, as much as that hurt at the time.
"I was very emotional. Looking back in that period of time, looking back now, it is easy to see that it was the right decision made by the manager and the club. It was the best decision to freshen things up. If you look at Virgil [van Dijk] becoming captain, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] becoming vice-captain, and how they’ve stepped up again this season, I think it has given them another lift."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Despite his departure from elite level of football, Henderson remains focused on his international career with England. With Gareth Southgate travelling to watch his debut in the Netherlands, Henderson remains assured that the manager is keeping an eye on his performances. And boosted Southgate's gesture, the midfielder backs him to secure a spot in the squad for the upcoming European Championship.
“It was good for him to come and watch, to see that he’s keeping an eye on me,” Henderson said. “It is always a privilege to play for my country and I want to do that for as long as possible, but ultimately I’ve got to focus on my job here. If I’m doing that well and performing well, then that gives me the best possible opportunity to get in the England squad.
“I definitely feel I can offer something to the national team, but I have got to be playing and doing my job here. That is my main focus. But of course, I feel I can help the squad and the team going forward in the next camp and hopefully in the summer.”
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Looking ahead, Henderson is gearing up to face familiar opponents as Ajax takes on Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League round-of-16 tie on Thursday.
New Zealand wrapped up the series 4-0 against the visitors in Hamilton
ESPNcricinfo staff25-Mar-2018A disciplined bowling performance from New Zealand’s bowlers set up their seven-wicket win over West Indies with 3.4 overs to spare. The win helped New Zealand stay unbeaten and wrap up the series 4-0. Chasing 140, New Zealand lost openers Natalie Dodd and Sophie Devine, and Maddy Green inside the first three overs to slump to 27 for 3. Katey Martin and Amy Satterthwaite then put on an unbeaten 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket to take the hosts home. Martin finished with a 41-ball 54, while Satterthwaite finished a run-a-ball 43.West Indies had had a much better start after being put in to bat by New Zealand. Openers Hayley Matthews and captain StafanieTaylor put on 60 runs for the opening wicket in 7.2 overs before Leigh Kasperek struck to remove Matthews. Chedean Nation departed soon after when she was caught behind by Martin off Lea Tahuhu. Then, Taylor and Deandra Dottin added a 33-run stand before Taylor was removed by Devine. Dottin was the third-highest scorer for the team with a 31-ball 33, but even she couldn’t ensure an end-over acceleration.Thereafter, West Indies began their end-overs crawl as they managed only 35 runs in their last 33 balls despite losing only five wickets in all. Three of New Zealand’s bowlers finished with an economy rate of less than seven. Kasperek finished with 2 for 19 from her four overs, while Tahuhu claimed 2 for 27 in her quota. Devine picked up 1 for 23 from three overs.Seamer Shamilia Connell provided early hope for West Indies with three strikes, but that was the only high point for their bowlers as Martin and Satterthwaite took the game away from the visitors.
Manchester City could put their pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on ice as they look to land an alternative target at the Etihad Stadium, according to a report.
Manchester City transfer updates…
With the January window approaching, Manchester City are likely to enter the market for reinforcements as Pep Guardiola continues to add to his well-oiled machine to make sure they are in a competitive position to battle for glory on both domestic and European fronts.
Largely, summer signings Jeremy Doku, Matheus Nunes, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic have complemented their new teammates in a fairly seamless fashion, leaving the Cityzens just a point off the top of the Premier League table with 13 games played.
Nevertheless, further arrivals are always likely on the blue half of Manchester and the Sky Blues are now embroiled in a battle with Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid for the signature of Palmeiras wonderkid Estevao Willian, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk.
The youngster has a £47 million release clause inserted into his current deal at the Brazilian giants; however, it is unlikely that his interested suitors will have to activate the full amount to enter negotiations over a potentially life-changing move for the 16-year-old.
AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao is also reported target for Manchester City and they would be willing to pay a fee in the region of £129 million to tempt the Portugal international to the North West. If Leao were to join, questions would start to circulate regarding the future of Jack Grealish at the Etihad Stadium, though we will need to wait and see on that front.
In other news, the Blues could ditch their pursuit of another well-known target amid problems in negotiations, as per a fresh report.
Manchester City could now abandon Paqueta pursuit
According to FootballTransfers, Manchester City could pull out of their pursuit of West Ham United playmaker Lucas Paqueta and instead swoop for Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry.
Serge Gnabry in 2023/24 – all competitions (Transfermarkt)
Appearances
10
Goals
1
Assists
0
Brazil international Paqueta is still a player whom the Sky Blues admire; however, they remain non-committal over a deal to bring him to the Etihad Stadium while gambling issues surrounding the 26-year-old remain unresolved. Gnabry has emerged as another serious candidate to add some extra verve in attack for Guardiola's men despite personal terms being agreed between Manchester City and the former.
Serge Gnabry
Labelled "phenomenal" by Rio Ferdinand on BT Sport, cited via The Daily Mail in 2020, Gnabry, who earns around £247,000 per week at Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, has offered plenty of innovation in attack this term for his current employers, averaging around 2.5 shots and 1.3 key passes per fixture in the German top-flight (Gnabry statistics – WhoScored).
Despite this, the Germany international may feel a new challenge is in the offing as he enters the prime of his career and Manchester City would be an exciting destination to prove his worth in England following previous spells in the Premier League with Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion.
Man City willing to submit £129m offer for "difference-maker" in January
The Blues are considering tabling a huge bid to bring the attacker to the Etihad.
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).
Alejo Veliz
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.
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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.