Wolverhampton Wanderers could be handed a second chance to sign one of their summer transfer targets 12 months on, with a Bundesliga star thought to be available for just £8m.
Wolves revival under Gary O'Neil
It has been a Premier League campaign of highs and lows for Wolves, with the Midlands side finally having found their feet under new boss Gary O'Neil. Arriving just days before the new campaign began following the departure of Julen Lopetegui, O'Neil has seen his side on the wrong end of several big VAR calls and threateningly close to the drop zone, only for luck to finally swing their way and their performances to begin getting the results that they deserved.
Wolves battling Euro giants to land summer deal for £22m "diamond"
The Old Gold are reportedly interested in a swoop to sign the Serie A star at the end of the season.
ByDan Emery Mar 6, 2024
Many people's tip to be relegated before a ball was kicked, they currently sit in 10th and two points ahead of Chelsea, while European football is still a possibility come the end of the campaign.
The Premier League run in for Wolves
Matchday
Opponents
28
Fulham (H)
29
Aston Villa (A)
30
Burnley (A)
31
West Ham (H)
32
Nottingham Forest (A)
33
Arsenal (H)
34
Luton Town (H)
35
Manchester City (A)
36
Crystal Palace (H)
37
Liverpool (A)
TBC
Bournemouth (H)
Having been hamstrung by financial fair play over the summer, they could be more liberal with their spending this time around, and may well head back for a player they missed out on 12 months ago.
Elvedi an option after "failed" summer transfer
That comes in the form of Borussia Monchengladbach defender Nico Elvedi, with the 27-year-old having reportedly been put up for sale this summer.
The centre-back, who can also play at right back, has appeared over 250 times for the German side, as well as turning out for Switzerland on 50 occasions. He was on Wolves' radar last summer, but a move "ultimately failed" and he remained in the Bundesliga. However, he could be one that Wolves return to as his current employers try to raise funds through player sales, according to Sport Witness.
nico-elvedi-wolves-borussia-monchengladbach
Elvedi reportedly wanted to join Wolves the last time but was let down by the two clubs failing to agree a fee. He admitted afterwards that it had been a 'very intense' summer, but put pen to paper on a new contract at 'Gladbach which ties him to the Bundesliga outfit until 2027. However, said contract is thought to contain a release clause, and Sport Witness add that 'the belief is he would be allowed to leave for around €10m' (£8m).
Speaking to Birmingham Live last summer, German football expert Chris Williams explained why Elvedi could be an excellent addition at Molineux.
Though Craig Dawson has been an excellent servant for the Molineux side, he is now 33-years-old and likely to be past his best. Beyond the veteran, O'Neil can boast just Max Kilman, Toti Gomes and Santiago Bueno as options in the heart of the Old Gold backline, suggesting that reinforcements could well be necessary.
In Elvedi, the club could find a ready-made replacement with plenty of experience to continue their upwards trajectory into next season.
Cristiano Ronaldo repeated his tried and trusted "reality" message after his Portugal sided inched past Slovenia on penalties at the Euros.
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Ronaldo misses penalty against SloveniaPortugal reach Euros last eight after shootoutVeteran sends out 'reality' messageWHAT HAPPENED?
Ronaldo's blushes were saved by Portugal after they beat Slovenia in a penalty shootout after his spotkick in normal time was saved. The 39-year-old scored when it came to penalties after the game ended goalless after 120 minutes, and after breathing a huge sigh of relief, the Al-Nassr ace has taken to social media to try and get his feelings across.
AdvertisementWHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO SAID
The former Real Madrid star posted a photo of therapist Phil Stutz' 'Three Aspects of Reality'. They are: pain, uncertainty, and constant work. Ronaldo has repeatedly posted this message on Instagram in recent years, including after Portugal's World Cup exit in 2022 and their trophyless season with Al-Nassr this term.
InstagramTHE BIGGER PICTURE
After two impressive wins in the Euros, Portugal have struggled in most recent games. First, they lost 2-0 to Georgia in the final game of the group stages and then squeezed past Slovenia in the last-16. He and his team-mates will have to improve if they want to beat France in the last eight.
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GettyWHAT NEXT?
Ronaldo's Portugal team take on the country they beat in the 2016 Euros final, France, on Friday night at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. The winner will play either Spain or tournament hosts Germany in the semi-finals.
In a rarity for Chelsea these days, the Blues have endured a silent transfer window on the incoming front, with Mauricio Pochettino so far forced to stick with what he's already got. The same can more or less be said when it comes to departures, given that Ian Maatsen and David Datro Fofana are the only players to have left Stamford Bridge in the transfer window this month, neither of whom had a big impact on the squad this term.
With a matter of hours remaining before the deadline, however, things could yet change on both fronts, with the Blues reportedly offered to sign a Bundesliga forward who could replace and even become an upgrade on Armando Broja.
Chelsea make Broja U-turn
Despite seemingly being set on their decision to keep hold of Broja unless someone paid a permanent fee, fresh reports suggest that Chelsea have agreed a loan deal for their young forward with Fulham in a late move in the winter window. If Broja does leave, then the London giants will be left potentially scrambling for a replacement in the final hours of the window. And that's when they could turn to the Bundesliga.
According to Simon Phillips' Substack, Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Donyell Malen by his agent before the end of the transfer window. Phillips confirmed the news, saying: “I’ve been told tonight that Donyell Malen from Dortmund has been offered to Chelsea by his agent."
The Dortmund star could even be an upgrade on Broja, but it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be in a position to pursue such a deal in the last few hours of the window. The Blues' need for attacking reinforcements remains a prominent problem for Pochettino, however, and Malen could more than play his part in that issue finally reaching a resolution.
"Unstoppable" Malen is better than Broja
If Broja does complete his move away from Chelsea before the end of the window, then they'd be wise to turn to Malen. Not only would the Dutchman replace the young forward, but he'd also be an instant upgrade, as Malen's stats show.
Domestic Leagues 2023/24
Donyell Malen
Armando Broja
Goals
7
1
Assists
0
0
Expected Goals
5.9
2.4
Key Passes
10
3
Take-ons Completed
33
13
A player who showed great potential in the early stages of his career, Malen received praise from Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who called the forward "unstoppable".
The fact that the Dutchman has reportedly been offered to Chelsea by his agent suggests that a move could be on the cards in the near future, whether that be today or in the summer transfer window. So, Malen is certainly one to keep an eye on in the coming months.
Tottenham could make a summer window signing in a "similar manner" to James Maddison, with a transfer discount for the player also possible.
Spurs identifying future transfer targets after January
The north Londoners, amid their chase for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, have wasted no time at all in identifying summer targets after a successful January window.
Spurs make contract offer to sign star who nearly joined Pochettino in 2018
He publicly admitted to considering a Tottenham move.
ByEmilio Galantini Feb 15, 2024
Last month saw manager Ange Postecoglou backed with the arrivals of defender Radu Dragusin, who joined in a £25 million deal from Genoa, and forward Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig. Spurs also beat Barcelona in the race to sign teenage Swede sensation Lucas Bergvall, with the north Londoners sealing a buy-to-loan back deal for the Djurgardens IF starlet who's set to link up with Postecoglou later this year.
Having shifted plenty of Tottenham deadwood as well, it was quite the debut window for technical director Johan Lange, but it is believed the Dane and Spurs' wider recruitment team have wasted little time in preparing for the summer.
Barcelona star Raphinha features on a list of targets for Postecoglou's side, according to reliable club insider Paul O'Keefe, while rumours continue to surround Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.
The 23-year-old is now a star player under Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, but with his contract expiring in 2025 as things stand, the west Londoners are faced with a tricky business decision as Spurs lurk in the background.
Postecoglou is a widely reported admirer of Gallagher, and as Chelsea fail to move forward in negotiations over a fresh deal, the prospect of him making a move across London becomes more concrete.
"I’m not sold on the idea that it would be impossible for him to come to Spurs and here’s why," said journalist Darren Lewis last month.
Conor Gallagher
"I didn’t think Chelsea would sell Mason Mount to a rival, and they sold him to Man Utd for £60m. He was a poster boy for the academy, I just think as far as Gallagher is concerned there is that problem with PSR with Chelsea. I think he would be an excellent fit for Spurs, and working for a manager like Postecoglou who puts his arm around a player, I think Gallagher could really settle down.
“This is a Spurs podcast so we won’t dwell too much on Chelsea, but I think there is a possibility that Gallagher could come, yes.”
Now, sharing an update on their interest in Gallagher, 90min have made an interesting claim.
Tottenham could strike Gallagher deal in "similar manner" to Maddison
Indeed, it is believed Spurs are expected to make a fresh move for the Englishman, and it could be done in a "similar manner" to that of star playmaker James Maddison.
Crystal Palace 1-3 Chelsea
8.78
Tottenham 1-4 Chelsea
8.22
Chelsea 3-0 Luton
7.90
Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United
7.80
Burnley 1-4 Chelsea
7.72
The latter was signed early in the window last year with a swoop for Gallagher in that fashion possible. As his contract winds down, 90min claim Chelsea could also drop Gallagher's asking price from £60 million to £50 million.
They back that Postecoglou is a big fan of the former Crystal Palace star, so it will be interesting to see if they test the waters with an early summer bid.
O Sertãozinho Futebol Clube, em parceria com o Banco de Sangue da cidade de Sertãozinho, promoverá com o elenco grená uma doação de sangue, no próximo sábado (27). A ação intensifica a importância de recuperar e até mesmo aumentar o número de doadores para os hemocentros.
Veja os 100 melhores escudos de clubes da história do futebol segundo revista
Recentemente, a equipeacertou a volta do técnico Thiago Oliveira e do centroavante Magrão para a sequência da Série A2 do Paulistão.
VEJA CLASSIFICAÇÃO DA SÉRIE A2 DO PAULISTÃO
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Neste momento de pandemia devido ao Covid-19, o número de doadores diminuiu gradativamente, pelo receio das pessoas em sair de casa. Por isso, aDrª Cássia Pacca,diretora do Banco de Sangue da cidade, ressaltou a importância da campanha.
– Com o endurecimento das medidas restritivas, as pessoas ficam mais receosas em sair de casa para doar sangue. Com toda a certeza, é hora de ficarmos o máximo possível em casa. Porém, quem é doador potencial não pode deixar de doar sangue, especialmente neste momento, que é o mais crítico – explicou.
Horário de atendimento do Banco de Sangue de Sertãozinho
– Segunda a sexta – 7h às 13h e 14h às 17h – Sábados – 7h às 13h
It was easy to give one’s attention solely to the fluxions of this fine match today. Many Yorkshire spectators at Headingley did so and were rewarded for their quiet devotion by their favourites’ determined attempt to win a game hitherto cursed by rain. After challenging Hampshire to score 279 runs in 48 overs, Steve Patterson’s bowlers took three early wickets before tea and came in to a warm ovation at the Kirkstall Lane End.The Yorkshire bowlers’ efforts were then frustrated by a fine fourth-wicket stand between Joe Weatherley and Rilee Rossouw which was worth 102 runs and used up 23 overs. Weatherley was eventually dismissed for 66 by Dom Bess, who also bowled Ian Holland for 14 and those late successes justified Steve Patterson’s decision to keep Hampshire’s batsmen under his yoke until only two overs remained. But a little of the zip had gone out of Yorkshire’s effort by then and a draw was a fair result after a game to which Hampshire had contributed a great deal.But it was also permissible, as we watched the day unfold, to have another stage in one’s mind and the roads two cricketers had not travelled.For example at 1.53 there was the rather poignant sight of David Willey going out to bat. Around 198 miles away at The Oval England were 283 for 6 and one pondered the thoughts going through the mind of an all-rounder who had hoped to be playing World Cup cricket on this day. His thoughts were probably very professional; sportsmen must apply themselves to the task at hand. All the same, while some paths are less travelled by choice, others are suddenly barred. In the event Willey was soon crashing Fidel Edwards through the covers and his brisk 26 not out helped Yorkshire post 322 for 5 declared, thereby asking Hampshire to score at 5.8 runs per over, a gauntlet they scorned.And Duanne Olivier also played a part in this game’s final narratives. As his South African countrymen were going out to bat at The Oval, Olivier was accepting a return catch from Oli Soames whose top-edged pull gave Yorkshire’s cricketers their first hint that they might accomplish something remarkable. Late in February Olivier decided to throw in his lot with English cricket and signed a contract at Headingley. Had he not done so, he, too, might have been at The Oval.Instead he was in Leeds and a few moments later was celebrating with his colleagues after Ajinkya Rahane attempted a rather flowery drive to a delivery slanting in to him from Ben Coad and merely inside-edged the ball onto his middle stump. Like Soames, he departed for nought and the visitors were 7 for 2. As if to reward Patterson’s cricketers, the sun came out at Headingley and there was a further prize for them just before tea when Sam Northeast clipped Coad low to Willey at short midwicket.The cricket after tea became a gentle adagio as Rossouw and Weatherley exhibited technical skill and sound temperaments to blunt Yorkshire’s attack. Eventually, even the true believers at the Kirkstall Lane End became reconciled to the draw. Then Bess had Weatherley caught at short midwicket by Willey and they believed again, though only for a few overs. Thoughts drifted back to the cricket they had seen and the possibility that had not rain intervened on all four days of this game, the match would have been decided by Wednesday evening. And perhaps they also thought about Gary Ballance.Neither gentle shower nor savage tempest is sufficient to curb Ballance at the moment. The former Yorkshire skipper’s hunger for runs appears almost unlimited and yesterday he brought up his fourth century in six innings this season when he eased Mason Crane through the covers for a couple of runs. Ballance had already levied leg-side boundaries off Crane and Holland but was dismissed for exactly 100 six balls after reaching three figures when a full length ball from Crane hit him low on the pad and Rob Bailey sent him on his wayNevertheless, Ballance has now scored 538 runs in the 2019 Championship at an average of 89.66. Moreover, it is believed he is the first Yorkshire cricketer to score centuries in five successive matches. This, in a county that has produced Louis Hall, Percy Holmes, Herbert Sutcliffe, Len Hutton, Geoffrey Boycott. The England selectors are currently preoccupied with other matters, but having knocked politely on their door, Ballance is now thumping very loudly upon it. A couple more centuries over the next fortnight would lift the thing off its hinges and what the selectors do then is up to them.What they did to David Willey, no doubt with appropriate compassion, was clear this evening. Cricket is a beautiful but very tough game and Willey would have it no other way. Just after half-past five England completed their victory at The Oval. They did so amid the cheers of thousands and the salutes of sharp-suited pundits. Just over half an hour later, Willey walked off the field at Headingley after another day as a professional cricketer.
Newcastle United take on Liverpool on New Year's Day at Anfield and another defeat would mean the Magpies will have suffered seven defeats in their last eight matches.
Pressure is certainly building on head coach Eddie Howe as the Geordie outfit sit seven points behind fourth-place in the Premier League, although Manchester City have two games in hand, meaning this gap could become even wider over the coming days.
Several players underperformed during Newcastle's 3-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day and Howe will need to change something quickly to ease some pressure off his back.
Newcastle's game in numbers vs Forest
Creating chances wasn't an issue for the Magpies on Tuesday afternoon. The northeast side had 19 shots on goal which recorded an expected goals total of 2.43, although the data was slightly skewed as a result of Alexander Isak's penalty. Nevertheless, this averages out at roughly 0.13 xG per 90, meaning that each opportunity had a 13% chance of finding the net on average which isn't too bad.
According to FotMob, Newcastle also missed three big chances, showing that Howe's men simply didn't have their shooting boots on and should have scored more than once throughout the game.
However, the biggest worry for the manager will be how many opportunities his side let the visitors have. Nottingham Forest had fewer shots, boasting 15 in total, but had five big chances and ended the game with an xG of 3.46 and had more than double Newcastle's xG total from open play as Chris Wood ran riot at his old stomping ground, scoring a hattrick.
The away team were more than happy to cede possession and hit Newcastle on the break and it was in transition that the Tricky Trees did the most damage, with one player in particular struggling to deal with the visitors' pace on the counterattack.
Dan Burn's game in numbers vs Forest
The player who struggled the most for Newcastle United on Boxing Day was Dan Burn. The 31-year-old was exposed by Forest's pace in behind time and time again by Anthony Elanga on that side and was even skinned for Wood's second goal as Nuno's men took the lead before he was replaced by Tino Livramento in the 55th minute.
In possession, the 6 foot 7 defender also struggled, playing just one ball into the final third throughout the game and completing merely 74% of his total passes, losing possession seven times. Furthermore, Burn boasted only 33 touches of the ball during the match which was even less than goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who had 35 touches, as per FotMob.
Defensively, Burn lost 50% of his ground duels and 50% of his tackles, making just three ball recoveries and one interception before being given the curly finger by the manager before the hour mark.
After the game, Chronicle Live handed the ex-Fulham star a 4/10 match rating. Having come on as his replacement, Livramento won 100% of his ground duels, recorded the same number of interceptions as Burn and even made more ball recoveries.
Minutes Played
55
Shots
1
Expected Goals
0.06
Expected Assists
0
Passing Accuracy %
74%
Touches
33
Dispossessed
1
Tackles Won
1
Interceptions
1
Clearances
2
Defensive Actions
5
Ball Recoveries
3
Dribbled Past
1
Stats via FotMob
With Liverpool on the horizon, and Mohamed Salah being in fine goalscoring form once again this season, Howe should consider whether he wants Burn going up against one of the most potent attackers in world football on the right-hand side.
It has been a rough first half of the season for Chelsea this year, as they find themselves down in tenth place in the Premier League, closer to 18th than 1st, and miles away from securing Champions League football.
New boss Mauricio Pochettino oversaw a nervy victory over Luton Town last time out, but poor performances have made his position look increasingly perilous.
The Argentine has seen some promising displays from certain players in his side, but one area of the team that has been consistently underwhelming this year is attack, and one player in particular has been underperforming week in and week out, Nicolas Jackson.
Chelsea now working on deal to sign “elite” £70m player ahead of Arsenal
The Blues could hijack the Gunners’ move…
ByTom Cunningham Jan 4, 2024
Therefore, fans and Pochettino, for that matter, should be thrilled to hear that the latest player touted for a move to Stamford Bridge is Sporting CP's free-scoring Swede, Viktor Gyökeres.
Chelsea transfer news – Viktor Gyökeres
According to a report from TEAMtalk at the end of last month, the Blues have been monitoring Gyökeres for some time, but the Swede's brilliant goal-scoring form this season and their own struggles in front of goal have led them to seriously consider a move for him this winter.
However, any move for the former Coventry City star will likely cost the Pensioners an arm and a leg as Sporting are said to have a €100m release clause in Gyökeres' contract, which comes out to about £86m.
Sporting CP strikerViktor Gyokeres.
That said, the most significant barrier to Chelsea completing this deal could be the other interested parties, as, according to the report, London rivals Arsenal have maintained their interest in the 25-year-old.
Ultimately, Todd Boehly and co should be pushing ahead with this deal if they want to salvage their season, as the Sporting man is "a lot more refined than Jackson", according to journalist Zach Lowey.
Viktor Gyökeres could replace Nicolas Jackson
A number of things have gone wrong at Chelsea this season, and to lump them all at the feet of Jackson would be unfair, yet absolving the young striker of all blame would also be wrong.
The Senegalese striker arrived at the club from Villarreal in the summer off the back of a hot streak towards the end of last year, and while he looked good during preseason, he has failed to deliver during the season.
The 22-year-old has scored eight goals in 23 appearances across all competitions this campaign, and while that doesn't sound too bad on the surface, three of those goals came against a nine-man Tottenham side, and he really should have scored more in that game.
The inexperienced forward – who scored 12 LaLiga goals last term – often finds himself in the right place at the right time, but unlike his potential replacement, he cannot find the back of the net.
On the other hand, the "one of a kind" Gyökeres, as described by his former manager Mark Robins, can't stop scoring. In all competitions this season, he has found the back of the net 14 times and provided six assists to boot.
Who comes out on top when comparing their underlying numbers, then?
Well, it should be no surprise that the "unplayable" Swede, as described by former teammate Maxime Biamou, comes out leaps and bounds ahead of the Chelsea man. In fact, one of the few areas that Jackson outshines the Sporting star is in non-penalty expected goals and assists, which, if anything, only further proves how profligate he is.
When it comes to goals scored, assists, shots, goal-creating actions and successful take-ons, the former Coventry star has the Chelsea youngster beaten.
Viktor Gyökeres vs Nicolas Jackson
Stats per 90
Gyökeres
Jackson
Goals
0.79
0.43
Assists
0.36
0.12
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.54
0.81
Progressive Carries
3.74
2.05
Progressive Passes
1.94
2.17
Goals per Shot on Target
0.53
0.35
Shot-Creating Actions
3.94
2.98
Goal-Creating Actions
0.57
0.37
Successful Take-Ons
2.52
1.55
Aerial Duels Won
1.58
0.93
All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Domestic Season
At the end of the day, Jackson could well turn things around and start delivering on his significant potential, but at the moment, that looks like nothing more than a dream, so if Chelsea can sign the 25-year-old "game changer", as described by football analyst Statman Dave, they certainly should.
It's safe to say Sunderland have experienced a whirlwind year, making it to the Championship playoff semi-finals under Tony Mowbray last season and then sacking him this campaign in an attempt to acquire fresh blood in the dug-out to take the Black Cats to the next level.
It will be intriguing to see how 2024 pans out for new boss Michael Beale, hoping to add a promotion to his managerial CV with the Tyne and Wear side from the second tier up to the Premier League.
He could well have his work cut out for him based on Sunderland's display in his debut match in charge however, the Black Cats were hopeless at the Stadium of Light in a shocking 3-0 loss.
A number of players have sparkled this season for Sunderland, the Black Cats aiming to secure a comfortable playoff spot without any nerves attached and not leave their fate in the playoffs hanging in the balance until the very end of the 46-game season slog.
We at Football FanCast have decided to rank every player (out of 10) currently in the Sunderland camp as we reach the midpoint of this enthralling Championship season already – albeit only those who have at least started five games in the league.
Goalkeeper
Anthony Patterson
Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.
7 – Patterson has started every game in the second tier this season, putting in consistent competent displays in goal for the Black Cats with six clean sheets accumulated.
The 23-year-old has struggled in some games this season however, meaning he's behind the likes of rival shot-stoppers Alex Palmer and Mads Hermansen in the league when it comes to total of clean sheets.
Full-backs
Trai Hume
8 – Subject to transfer interest this January from the likes of promotion rivals Leeds United, Trai Hume has enhanced his game even more this season after bursting onto the scene at the Stadium of Light relocating from his native Northern Ireland in 2021.
Dennis Cirkin
6 – Cirkin's time as Sunderland's main left-back this season has been derailed by two serious hamstring injury setbacks, not featuring for the Tyne and Wear outfit since the start of November.
Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin.
The 21-year-old had picked up one assist from the eight games he played when fully fit, but his absence hasn't necessarily been felt owing to other players stepping up to fill in for him adequately.
Niall Huggins
7 – Huggins is the player in question who has managed to fill the Cirkin void effectively, played slightly out of position in defence as a natural winger pushed back to a left-back.
Cirkin will find it hard to displace the Welshman when he does finally make his return, a settled member of the Black Cats' defence now.
Centre-backs
Daniel Ballard
9 – The ex-Arsenal centre-back has been a star at the back for Sunderland this campaign, looking more and more like a leader in defence even with partner Luke O'Nien wearing the captain's armband.
Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard.
Ballard has been invaluable scoring goals coming up from the back too, chipping in with crucial strikes when his team need him to step up to the mark in finely balanced contests.
It's why Mowbray was so complimentary of the former Gunners man when he was boss, labelling Ballard as a "diamond" and a "warrior" for his relentless energy and determination.
Luke O'Nien
8 – O'Nien has been equally solid in the heart of defence this campaign, forming an intimidating centre-back duo with Ballard in the process.
The 29-year-old is a loyal Black Cats servant and will want to give everything and more in the remainder of the campaign to the cause, hopefully securing promotion to the promised land of the top-flight as captain.
Jenson Seelt
6 – The summer signing from PSV Eindhoven has been used sparingly here and there this season when O'Nien and Ballard have missed out, Jenson Seelt starting a handful of games this season and performing admirably under pressure at just 20 years of age.
Midfielders
Jobe Bellingham
8 – The Bellingham family have another starboy in the making with this Black Cats teenage sensation, Jobe Bellingham showing no signs of immaturity or nerves when selected with accomplished displays.
Taking the second tier by storm, it's no surprise to see the 18-year-old already being lined up for a big move away from the Stadium of Light in the not-so-distant future to follow in his esteemed brother's footsteps at Real Madrid.
Dan Neil
8 – Bellingham's midfield counterpart in Dan Neil has also been crucial at points this season, providing the Black Cats with a goalscoring presence from further back when the advanced attackers are off the pace.
Rising through the youth ranks to be a cemented first-team option, the 24-year-old will hope he can reach even loftier heights in 2024 by becoming a Premier League player for his boyhood club.
Pierre Ekwah
7 – Pierre Ekwah's performances this season have alerted Premier League clubs to his services if rumours are true, the former West Ham United midfielder impressive for the Black Cats in the Championship to date.
Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah.
Scoring two goals this season – both strikes coming in an emphatic 5-0 win over Southampton in August – Ekwah has been used both as a holding option and as a more free central midfielder when necessary.
Adil Aouchiche
6 – The former Paris St. Germain man has shown in flashes that he can be a top talent when utilised effectively – scoring in a 3-1 win against Birmingham City in November a matter of minutes after being introduced into the game off the bench.
Yet, his impactful performances to date haven't demanded that he's regular on the teamsheet from the start and so the 21-year-old midfielder has been reduced to just making the most of his limited time on the pitch when thrown on late into matches instead of being truly valued.
Chris Rigg
6 – Much like Aouchiche, Chris Rigg has come into the side and done a job when called upon to do so. The 16-year-old has plenty to work on as a raw talent still learning the ropes, however, not featuring in the Championship since October. Can Beale get more out of the sprightly Black Cats teenager given time in the job?
Alex Pritchard
7 – If it wasn't for his mini rejuvenation under interim boss Mike Dodds recently, Alex Pritchard would be staring at a far lower rating next to his name. However, the former Huddersfield Town man has revived his stuttering Sunderland career by picking up three assists under Dodds in as many games before Beale came in.
It remains to be seen however whether he continues to thrive or fades away into the background under Beale, the 30-year-old a hard-to-contain creative force on his day from midfield when firing on all cylinders.
Bradley Dack
6 – Signed by Mowbray – who managed Bradley Dack at previous club Blackburn Rovers – in the summer, it's a transfer reunion that hasn't worked out for either party involved especially with Mowbray now gone.
Recurring injury problems that saw his time with the Riversiders become tainted have reared their ugly head again in his new surroundings, killing any momentum Dack was beginning to create to really make his mark on the first team.
Forwards
Patrick Roberts
6 – Patrick Roberts has also failed to string together consistent displays for Sunderland this season, only amassing one assist from 21 appearances to date.
Beale will hope his new presence in the dugout can breathe life back into Roberts, who has been passive this campaign down the right-hand side.
Beale could work Kent magic again with Sunderland star once compared to Messi
Michael Beale’s arrival at Sunderland could see this Black Cats star get his season up and running.
ByKelan Sarson Dec 18, 2023
Jack Clarke
9 – Whilst Roberts has let games pass him by this season, Jack Clarke has given his all in every game this season with devastatingly effective displays becoming second nature for the left winger.
Hitting double figures for goals already this campaign, the 23-year-old attacker will hope he can continue being the star man Sunderland craves as their pursuit of promotion becomes trickier next year.
Abdoullah Ba
6 – Starting the season at a breakneck pace with two goals and an assist from his first nine games, Abdoullah Ba has since fizzled out and has found his game time cut recently.
Nazariy Rusyn
5 – Nazariy Rusyn comes in with the lowest rating of the camp so far, still goalless this season after joining the Black Cats from his native Ukraine this summer.
Beale could well unearth a potent striker in Rusyn – helping himself to an assist at least for his troubles – but he's been largely underwhelming meaning players such as Clarke have had to be as impactful as they have been to make up for other misfiring teammates.
Mason Burstow
Former Charlton loanee Mason Burstow.
5 – Mason Burstow has been as ineffective as Rusyn up top, the former Charlton man wanting to forget about his stint at the Stadium of Light so far on loan from Chelsea with zero goals notched up.
Eliezer Mayenda
4 – Sunderland's recruitment in the striker positions this summer has proven to be misstep after misstep, Eliezer Mayenda another dud purchased in the off-season.
Injured for the first three months of his Sunderland career, Mayenda's time on the pitch for the Championship side when fully fit has been unmemorable to date with the 18-year-old also yet to break his goalscoring duck.
Luis Semedo
4 – Sunderland must be experiencing heavy deja vu currently when it comes to their conveyor belt of poor strikers, Luis Semedo also failing to find the back of the net from 13 games in the league to date.
This striker crisis could see Beale go in for a new forward this January, a position that clearly needs strengthening.
Manager
Tony Mowbray
7 – The recently departed Black Cats boss will have felt harshly treated by the club when news transpired of his sacking, Mowbray steering an inexperienced Sunderland squad to within touching distance of a playoff spot before his surprise axing.
Sunderland's former manager Tony Mowbray.
Those with connections to the Championship club will just hope the gamble of getting rid of Mowbray pays off, entering the unknown somewhat with Beale who has been uninspiring recently notably with Rangers in Scotland.
It has been an interesting season for Arsenal so far this year as despite looking far from their best for large parts of it, they are currently just a single point behind Liverpool in first place, and were it not for a challenging game away to Aston Villa over the weekend, they would be top of the Premier League – as they were for most of last year.
Mikel Arteta's men have been far more mature in their approach to games, and where their success was built upon frenetic attacks designed to overwhelm opponents last year, they boast the joint-best defence in the league this season.
The team's attacking threat, while not bad, has been somewhat stunted this campaign, and what has made this problem even more pronounced is the lack of a clinical finisher in the side.
Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus have notched up goals in the league, but neither one is prolific, so news that the club are interested in the far more lethal Viktor Gyokeres should excite fans.
Arsenal transfer news – Viktor Gyokeres
According to reports from Portugal (via Sports Witness), Arsenal are one of several top European clubs interested in Sporting Lisbon's new star striker, Viktor Gyokeres, and the Gunners have been scouting the player 'extensively' in recent months.
However, should the north Londoners wish to sign the Swedish striker, they will have to pay his release clause, at least that is what manager Ruben Amorim has said: “I can’t guarantee anything, what I can say is what they tell me and that is any player only leaves through the clause.”
The former Coventry City star joined the Portuguese giants in the summer for a fee in the region of £20m, and his current release clause is said to be €100m, or about £86m, which would represent the second most expensive purchase in Arsenal's history were they to press on.
A move such as this would be a massive sign of intent from the ownership. Still, with the "unplayable" goalscorer, as described by former teammate Maxime Biamou, already netting 11 times in 16 Sporting starts this season, it might well be worth it.
Why Viktor Gyokeres could fire Arsenal to the title
Now, the arrival of an £86m striker would certainly ring alarm bells in the minds of Arsenal's current crop of forwards, but realistically, Jesus has already proven his worth as more than just an out-and-out goalscorer for the Gunners, and so, if a player was going to lose out due to Gyokeres, it's going to be Nketiah.
The former Chelsea youth product has been a useful player for Arteta in recent years and cemented himself as the club's backup striker towards the end of the 2021/22 season.
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However, towards the backend of last season and the first third of this campaign, it has become increasingly apparent that he isn't a good enough finisher to help the Gunners end their two-decade title drought.
When comparing their respective numbers for this season, it becomes evident that Gyokeres would be a significant upgrade on the Gunners' current number 14.
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.46
0.42
Progressive Carries
3.61
1.63
Progressive Passes
2.02
1.20
Shots on Target
1.17
0.87
Shot-Creating Actions
3.77
2.61
Goal-Creating Actions
0.50
0.65
Successful Take-Ons
2.44
0.87
The "Premier League ready" forward, as described by Adrian Clarke on talkSPORT, comes out on top in almost every critical attacking metric and produces far superior numbers in areas such as successful take-ons and progressive carries, which could prove vital in helping Arteta's side breakdown frustrating low blocks.
Ultimately, the "one of a kind" striker, as described by his former manager Mark Robins, would make Arsenal a far more potent attacking threat and could genuinely be the difference between a first and second-place finish come May.