Tag Futebol

Leeds United have had their first taste of Championship football in over three years, and despite dominating, one glaring issue stands out that they must fix before the summer window slams shut…

Is Emmanuel Dennis leaving Nottingham Forest?

Despite starting brightly in what was Daniel Farke's first official game in charge of his new club, Cardiff City proved that they were not around to simply be pushed to the wayside by such a giant of English football. They grew into the clash, and found themselves 2-0 up at the break.

A battling second half culminated in Crysencio Summerville's late equaliser, but in the end the points were frustratingly shared as it finished 2-2.

For all their domination of the ball and chance creation, the absence of a true striker was glaring, as Wilfried Gnonto offered all he could, but seriously lacked the physicality required.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Fortunately, reports have persisted linking them with a swoop for Emmanuel Dennis, as they seek to salvage the out-of-favour Nottingham Forest man and make him the focal point he deserves to be. Football Transfers value the Nigerian marksman at just €10.7m (£9m).

How good is Emmanuel Dennis?

To add someone so lethal to a squad who was so clearly the dominant force in yesterday's clash would be imperative in ensuring they are not regularly dropping points against sides they should be defeating, as they seek an instant promotion.

After all, they did enjoy 72% of the possession, taking 25 shots and forging three big chances, via Sofascore.

They pushed and pushed, but the front four of Gnonto, Summerville, Luis Sinisterra and Daniel James were certainly profligate, given all would typically brand themselves as an out-and-out winger.

To replace one of these with Dennis, who is far more experienced in leading the line, they would retain that same fluidity that saw them consistently trouble the Bluebirds, but add a proficiency that was clearly missing as Farke fought for his first point in charge.

Even though last campaign marked a tumultuous one for the 25-year-old, his exploits with Watford during the 2021/22 season remain impressive, and worthy of interest in gaining his services.

After all, he would notch ten goals and assist a further six in the Premier League that year, for a Hornets side that fell to the drop with ease. It is also worth noting that he did so whilst maintaining a 17% goal conversion rate in the league, a figure which only Sinisterra (18%) of the aforementioned wide men could emulate in their respective seasons (9%, 14%, 12%).

Such imperious form that year led to widespread praise, led by journalist Josh Bunting: "Emmanuel Dennis has been one of the most underrated players outside of Watford fans this season , he’s been a very good addition. 4 goals and 5 assists in 11 Premier League games should be being spoken about much more. Today he was absolutely electric from the start to finish."

Farke has spoken of the injury crisis that has impacted the number nine position, remaining coy on potential transfer targets: "I have to be creative to find a solution. We've trained with 16 players today which isn't perfect if you want to be ambitious. We all knew we'd need to strengthen in more or less all areas. We have many, many wishes but we also have to stay financially disciplined."

Perhaps this clash with Cardiff, and the subsequent dropped points, could spur him and his new hierarchy to finally act in the market and add Dennis as another striking option to solve their glaring issue.

Amid Tottenham Hotspur's search for a new centre-back, reports in Italy have claimed that the Lilywhites are currently leading the race for Juventus star, Gleison Bremer…

What's the latest on Bremer to Tottenham?

According to Il Bianconero, the north London outfit are said to be 'ahead' in the battle to land the Brazilian defender, with the 26-year-old ready to say 'goodbye' to the Serie A side if he is to receive the 'right proposal'.

The former Torino man only joined the Old Lady on a £34.8m deal last summer, although it looks as if the 6 foot 2 ace – who still has four years left on his current contract – could be open to a swift exit from the Allianz Stadium.

If Spurs are get their man, however, there have been previous reports that the three-cap international could command a fee of around €80m (£69m), proving a potentially expensive option as far as manager Ange Postecoglou is concerned.

How good is Gleison Bremer?

While too much can often be made of pre-season performances, Tottenham's recent 3-2 defeat to rivals West Ham United has laid bare just why Postecoglou is need of defensive reinforcement, with the Greek-Aussie inheriting a side that shipped 63 Premier League goals last season – the sixth-worst record in the division.

The 57-year-old will no doubt be hoping to emulate the defensive strength that his former club Celtic showed over the past two seasons, having notably conceded just 34 goals en route to Scottish Premiership glory in the 2022/23 campaign.

A major factor in that solidity was the displays of ex-Spurs man, Cameron Carter-Vickers, with the United States international having cemented his place as arguably the "best defender in the league", according to Postecoglou.

The 25-year-old – who initially left north London to join the Hoops on loan back in 2021 – notably helped to keep 13 clean sheets in just 29 league outings last term, as per Sofascore, showcasing his class both in and out of possession after averaging 1.6 tackles and interceptions per game, while enjoying a pass accuracy rate of 92%.

With the signing of Bremer, therefore, Postecoglou could potentially be set to find his new Carter-Vickers to lead Tottenham's defensive unit, with the £153k-per-week "animal" – as hailed by his former teammate Mergim Vojvoda – having enjoyed a similar record in Italy last season.

The Juve ace notably helped to keep 12 clean sheets from 30 Serie A appearances for Max Allegri's side, while also averaging an impressive 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game, as well as recording a 90% pass accuracy rate.

With Carter-Vickers having been something of a leader of late at Parkhead – having even been handed the captain's armband by his former boss on occasion last term – it is fair to say that he was firm favourite of Postecoglou, hence why it would make sense to snap up a dream alternative to the Southend-born ace in the form of Bremer.

For all the excitement that is building over the "fast, attacking style of play" that the experienced coach is set to try and implement on north London – in the words of chairman Daniel Levy – it will be just as important to have figures who can dominate at the other end of the pitch.

At Celtic, Carter-Vickers was Postecoglou's go-to man in that regard – perhaps Bremer can be the next…

Tim Wigmore at Hove23-May-2017
ScorecardDurham’s hopes of escape rest largely on Paul Collingwood•Getty ImagesSussex consider themselves a Division One county temporarily marooned in Division Two. Yet memories of the glories of the mid-2000s, and their three titles in five years, are receding. The £10 million bequeathed by Spen Cama in 2001 has almost been exhausted, even if the improvements to the ground will ensure a lasting legacy. While finishing fourth in Division Two last season, and losing their opening two Championship games in 2017, Sussex’s cricket has borne less resemblance to their triumphs earlier this century than the barren times that came before.But to be at Hove in the last few days has been to be transported back to the age of all conquering Sussex-by-the-sea, the image undermined only by the sea mist that wafted across the ground on the third afternoon. Until the sepulchral skies compelled Sussex to bowl spin in the last portion of the day, their performance had been utterly ruthless.First, there were the runs: so greedy that they felt almost sadistic, more in the spirit of Steve Waugh’s Australia than the old caricature of jovial Sussex. With an overnight lead of 165, Sussex more than doubled it in spite of losing two early wickets.Michael Burgess, playing on trial during Ben Brown’s injury, was resourceful and energetic in his 76, seldom playing in the batsman’s V but placing the ball astutely and scampering between the wickets. Admirably as he played, altogether more memorable was the contribution of another 22-year-old, Jofra Archer.Archer’s reward for 153 runs in Sussex’s first two Championship games, second only to the absent Brown, was a double demotion down to No. 10. If he was affronted by the decision – and Archer doesn’t give the impression of being bothered by much – his ire was reserved for Durham’s attack.Arriving at the crease at 566 for 8 was not a situation that called for restraint, and Archer did not show it. In a little over an hour, he struck five sixes – all against spin, and all into the leg side – that gave notice of his power. Yet it was Archer’s other shots, most notably a dreamy leg-side flick off Paul Coughlin, taking a stride forward to clatter the ball through midwicket, that gave notice of the full scope of his batting talent. Regardless of his position this game, Archer is much more than a big-hitting tailender: if he is not a genuine allrounder, the sort not remotely flattered by batting at No. 7, just yet, he surely soon will be.When Archer was caught attempting his sixth six, it was the prelude to him bowling again, a sight that Durham can have enjoyed scarcely more than his batting. His early burst did not bring wickets, but it brought almost everything else: venomous bouncers, which whizzed through at head height, persistent away swing, and nous. Archer set up Cameron Steel, Durham’s No. 3, with a series of deliveries that moved away; only an inside edge saved Steel when Archer brought the ball back in.It mattered not. Vernon Philander, wicketless in his opening game for Sussex and then injured, bowled with the zest expected of a man ranked the world’s 11th best Test bowler, which has not always been true during his stints in county cricket. He needed only a single delivery to win his tussle with compatriot Stephen Cook, who was squared up by a ball that curved awa. Four overs later, Keaton Jennings’ off stump was dislodged by a delivery that went through his gate.When Philander was replaced, it brought Durham no relief. Now it was Chris Jordan’s chance to move the ball both ways down the slope, doing so with vim. Outswing accounted for Steel, brilliantly snaffled by Chris Nash at second slip, who had shelled two far simpler chances off Jordan in the first innings; Graham Clark was then lbw, cut open by a ball that angled in.If Sussex like to imagine their stop in Division Two is only fleeting, the same is emphatically true of Durham, only in Division Two because of administrative failings rather than performance on the pitch.But, on this evidence, even promotion in 2018 may prove onerous. At Hove, Durham have had the look of a patched-up side, betraying the impact of being ravaged by departures, England commitments and ill-fortune, compounded by a mid-match injury to Graham Onions.The qualities of their opening batsmen and bowlers are without question, notwithstanding Cook’s underwhelming start; so is the spirit, embodied in an excellent fielding performance impervious to Durham’s bleak position in the game. Whether, besides Paul Collingwood, three days short of his 41st birthday, there is enough high-calibre support is altogether more doubtful.Redoubtable as ever, Collingwood and Ryan Pringle withstood over 200 balls together unbroken, though the spin they faced was altogether less threatening than Sussex’s pace attack, with which they will be reacquainted in the morning. On hopes of Collingwood reprising the adhesiveness of England days past lie Durham’s slim chances of leaving England’s southernmost ground without a second Championship defeat of 2017.

ESPNcricinfo is set to start the County Championship Cricket season with a bang as it sets off on a cross-country road trip which aims to take in action from every match on the opening day of the season

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Apr-2017ESPNcricinfo is set to start the County Championship Cricket season with a bang as it sets off on a cross-country road trip which aims to take in action from every match on the opening day of the season.Dan Norcross and Ebony Rainford-Brent will be taking on the ESPN #CountyCricketLive Road Trip as they try to see a ball of cricket at each match on Friday, April 7. The pair will attempt to visit six grounds, witnessing cricket in three Division One matches and three Division Two contests on the day.To mark their arrival at each venue, the pair will reprise their familiar roles as radio broadcasters by attempting to commentate on at least one delivery of the BBC’s local radio coverage.The challenge starts at 11am in Leeds at Headingley with Yorkshire v Hampshire, then Norcross and Rainford-Brent will travel down the M1 to Grace Road for Leicestershire v Nottinghamshire, followed by Northampton where Northamptonshire host Glamorgan at the County Ground.After navigating the M25, Chelmsford will be their next stop, for Essex v Lancashire at the County Ground, before they head down the M2 to visit the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury as Kent face Gloucestershire. The final leg of the journey will see the duo race down to London and The Oval, where Surrey are playing Warwickshire, trying to catch some action before play ends at around 6pm.The journey will see the pair competing against traffic as well as the clock, and they will keep cricket fans up to date using ESPNcricinfo’s #CountyCricketLive, sharing live updates, pictures and video throughout the day. The hashtag is an extension of the site’s comprehensive county coverage and live county cricket blog, which in October 2016 won “Online Publication of the Year” for the fifth year running in the ECB’s County Journalism Awards.”The first day of the county cricket season is one of the great days in the British sporting calendar,” said Andrew Miller, ESPNcricinfo’s UK editor. “We’re very excited to start the campaign with this celebration of the game. Dan and Ebony are a great pairing and they are looking forward to the challenge. It’s the perfect complement to ESPNcricinfo’s in-depth coverage of the day, which includes writers covering the matches at all three of the Division One venues.”You can track our progress throughout the day on ESPNcricinfo’s social media channels across Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

Manchester United have made initial contacts over a move for midfielder Moises Caicedo and are now set to approach Brighton, Sky Sports report.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

The Red Devils are yet to bolster Erik ten Hag’s senior squad this summer, with an ongoing takeover saga continuing in the background at Old Trafford.

However, the off-field process on a takeover won’t impact United’s transfer business, with money available to Ten Hag regardless of the outcome, and it looks as if a new marquee midfielder is high up on the club’s wishlist.

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester, with personal terms already agreed ahead of a transfer. Agreeing on a fee with those at Stamford Bridge has been an issue, though, and a £55m offer is still live.

Another midfielder the Red Devils appear to be firming up their interest in is Caicedo, with Sky Sports stating on Wednesday that initial contacts have been made and an approach to Brighton is expected.

“We know that Manchester United are in the market for a midfielder. Our understanding is that not only is Mason Mount potentially one of those targets – we know that there has been several offers and that final offer of £55m remains on the table.

“But Manchester United are expected to formally approach Brighton with regards to midfielder Moises Caicedo after making initial contacts this week.”

Who else wants to sign Moises Caicedo?

Caicedo, described as a "physical monster" by Sports Scientist Dr Rajpal Brar, is a wanted man this summer, with United not the only side keen on his services.

Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday that Chelsea were set to open talks to sign the Brighton star in the coming days, adding that personal terms won’t be an issue.

Caicedo and Mount are fairly different midfielders, with the Brighton man naturally a holding midfielder and the Chelsea ace more of an attacking midfielder. Therefore, United may, in an ideal world, want both players to come in and bolster Ten Hag’s midfield options, especially with the club preparing for life back in the Champion League next season.

However, that could prove tricky, but who knows, Chelsea’s pursuit of Caicedo could help United in a potential move for Mount, and by the looks of it, there could be movement from Old Trafford soon as the Red Devils look to kickstart their summer business.

Everton are in desperate need of reinforcements in their attacking threat following a difficult relegation scrap last season and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of a top transfer target.

What's the latest on Everton's interest in Viktor Gyokeres?

According to the Daily Mail, the Toffees could use Ellis Simms as a bargaining chip to get a deal done to sign Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres.

As per the report, the Merseyside outfit remain keen on making Gyokeres their frontman next season, with huge interest in Simms from a number of Championship clubs including the Sky Blues, as well as Ipswich Town and Swansea City.

It's thought that Everton are looking to offer their young goalscorer plus cash to secure the Sweden international's signature this summer, but are facing competition from a whole host of rivals, ranging from Sporting Lisbon to the likes of Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United.

Should Everton swap Simms for Gyokeres?

There is no doubt that Sean Dyche will be making it his priority to strengthen the forward line during the summer transfer window after Everton struggled to cause little threat in front of goal last season.

Only Wolves scored fewer goals (31) than the Merseysiders (34) over the 38-game campaign which was a massive contributor to their struggle to maintain their Premier League status and left them teetering on the edge just two points clear of the drop on the final day.

Even the three relegated sides found the net more regularly, which is damning.

As a result, the signing of a prolific and trustworthy striker will be the bare minimum for Everton to secure ahead of next season and if Gyokeres could continue his incredible goal-scoring form with a step up to the top flight it would certainly improve performances.

Coventry's goalscoring machine has a reported £25m price tag and was the second top goalscorer in the Championship last season scoring a whopping 21 goals, as well as registering 10 assists with a goal contribution every 129 minutes over his 48 league appearances, an output that would be highly valued at Goodison Park.

In comparison, his positional peers at Everton did not even come close to his output with Neal Maupay and Ellis Simms only scoring one goal each in the Premier League, whilst Dominic Calvert-Lewin found the back of the net only twice as numerous injuries plagued his ability to get into form.

Gyokeres has earned huge praise for his stand-out performances in the second tier, with Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray even comparing the target man to Erling Haaland:

"He looks a yard more powerful and a yard quicker than everyone else, he’s a really confident boy.

"I don’t want to say he should test himself in the Premier League but who is like him in the Premier League at the moment?

"Who is too fast, too strong and too big, you would suggest Haaland is like that and Gyokeres in this league looks a yard faster and stronger than the players he plays against in the Championship.

"The way he buys himself space to shoot is pretty impressive and Coventry did well to hold onto him, he looks a really talented boy."

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Everton to offer Simms as part of a deal to sign Gyokeres this summer as the striker could make an immediate impact in the final third to ensure the team can compete comfortably and kill games next season.

With new boss Ange Postecoglou now at the helm to end the club's managerial search, the main focus for Tottenham Hotspur will likely have shifted towards acquiring quality additions in the summer window.

According to 90min, one area that the 57-year-old is keen to strengthen is the centre-back ranks, with the Lilywhites having drawn up a list of targets amid doubts surrounding the futures of the likes of Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Clement Lenglet.

Among those who are reportedly being considered by the north London outfit is Manchester United skipper, Harry Maguire, with the Red Devils said to have offered the 30-year-old to potential suitors in order to get him off the books ahead of next season.

A move for the former Leicester City man – who is set to be worth in the region of £40m – may come as something of a surprise amid his recent woes at Old Trafford, with the 6 foot 4 asset having slipped down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag after starting just eight Premier League games in the most recent campaign.

Having also previously been labelled as a "walking disaster" by journalist Samuel Luckhurst amid his dismal form in the previous campaign, the £190k-per-week brute appears to be in need of a fresh start in order to spark a career revival.

Signing for Postecoglou could then be a dream arrangement for Maguire, with the Greek-Aussie having already proven himself capable of rejuvenating the career of a struggling Three Lions star – Joe Hart.

How is Joe Hart getting on at Celtic?

Much like his compatriot, Hart was in something of a rut prior to linking up with Postecoglou at Celtic back in the summer of 2021, having endured a nomadic spell after being cast aside by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in 2016.

Formerly the number one option for his country and a two-time Premier League winner at the Etihad, the 75-cap goalkeeper ultimately ended up at the likes of Torino, West Ham United and Burnley following his time in Manchester, before being snapped up by Spurs on a free transfer in 2020.

Having ultimately featured just ten times for the north London outfit during the 2020/21 campaign, the Shrewsbury native was informed by new boss Nuno Espirito Santo that he would be surplus to requirements for the following season, having been brutally notified by the Portuguese that he would "not kick a ball" that year.

At arguably the nadir of his career at that stage, Hart has since gone on to flourish in Glasgow in recent seasons, proving a "really great signing" for the Hoops having "transformed himself" under Postecoglou's watch, according to pundit Alex McLeish.

Also lauded as an "unsung hero" for the Old Firm outfit, the veteran stopper has now racked up 104 appearances in all competitions for his current side, playing a vital role in winning five domestic honours over the last two seasons.

The 36-year-old clearly has Postecoglou to thank for his recent resurgence having described the experienced tactician as an "awesome force" and an "unbelievable coach", with that boding well for the impact that the new Tottenham boss could make on changing Maguire's fortunes if a deal was to be made.

For all the latter man's woes, the central defender has still shown glimpses of his quality of late after being hailed as "dominant" by Ten Hag earlier this year, having also been described as a "big player" for his country by international colleague, Kieran Trippier.

That praise would suggest that there is a talented asset in there somewhere, with Postecoglou potentially able to replicate his Hart masterclass by getting Maguire back to his best in a Spurs jersey.

علق مصطفى يونس، لاعب الأهلي الأسبق، على تولي حسام حسن مهمة تدريب منتخب مصر الأول لكرة القدم، خلفًا للبرتغالي روي فيتوريا.

وقال يونس في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب”، على قناة “mbc msr”: “أنا تشرفت بتدريبه هو وإبراهيم حسن، حسام من الناس التي تعشق عملها وهو تربية الراحل محمود الجوهري”.

وتابع: “هذه الخطوة تأخرت كثيرًا عليه، كلنا داعمون لـ حسام حسن، لأنه ابننا، عندما نلعب باسم مصر والمدرب مصري، هذا يزيد شعور الوطنية عند الشعب”.

طالع أيضًا | محمد يوسف: فيتوريا رفضني بسبب سيرتي الذاتية.. ويروي كواليس اعتذاره عن منصب مدرب منتخب مصر

وأضاف: “لكن المهمة صعبة وليست سهلة، لا نريد أن نختذل أننا نقوم بإجراء تعديلات بأننا أتينا بـ حسام حسن، نحن نريد تطوير الكرة المصرية، نعطيه الفرصة، لكن هل سيتم السماح له بأن يسير على نهج محمود الجوهري ويؤجل الدوري بالأسبوع والاثنين والثلاثة؟ إذا لم يحدث ذلك لن نفعل أي شيء بالنسبة للكرة”.

وكان الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم أعلن، تعيين حسام حسن مديراً فنياً لـ منتخب مصر، بعد إقالة البرتغالي روي فيتوريا عقب الخروج من كأس أمم إفريقيا.

وتقرر أن يتم تعيين كل من طارق سليمان مدربًا عامًا، ومحمد عبد الواحد مدربًا، وسعفان الصغير مدربًا للحراس.

وتقرر تعيين البرازيلي مانويل باريونوفو مدربًا للأحمال، ووليد بدر مدير إداري، كما تقرر استمرار الجهاز الطبي والإداري.

Old footage of Ange Postecoglou has emerged online amid links to the Tottenham Hotspur job and it looks as though he could be the right man to motivate their underperforming squad.

What’s the latest on Spurs and Ange Postecoglou?

At last, a dreadful season has come to an end as Spurs finish eighth in the Premier League, without a head coach or a director of football with both Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici departing months ago.

Since then, a number of new names have been touted to become the club’s next boss but so far Daniel Levy has been unable or unwilling to pull the trigger and appoint a new manager.

However, at the moment it does look as though Celtic boss Postecoglou is the current favourite. Indeed, Sky Sports News have recently claimed that he is “emerging as the preferred candidate for the vacant Tottenham job”.

If he does arrive in North London, he’ll have a tough time getting the best out of the squad who were accused by Conte of being “selfish” shortly before he was sacked.

Indeed, after conceding two late goals to draw with Southampton, he told The Guardian: “I think it’s better to go into the problem, we are not a team.

“We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart [into it]. This season compared to last, now we are worse in this aspect. When you are not a team you cannot improve.”

Well, if Postecoglou is appointed, he’ll still be dealing with most of those players but it seems as though he might be the sort of manager who knows how to get his message across.

Indeed, in footage which recently emerged on Twitter, the 57-year-old can be seen tearing into the Australian national team after they conceded a soft goal.

He screamed: “That’s just careless. And not only that, stop it there for a second. There’s one, two, three [players]. We cannot f**king concede a goal there.”

He then proceeds to punch the wall behind the projected image, shouting: “There’s f**king got to be a reaction there. Someone! F**cks sake!”

His shouts are so loud they actually echo around the room and there’s little doubt he got his message across to the players.

He was in charge of the Socceroos between 2013 and 2017 and helped lead them to a World Cup as well as winning the Asian Cup, so it seems as though his methods work. While he’s also had plenty of success with Celtic, winning the Scottish League Cup and the SPFL title in each of his two seasons with the club so far.

Plenty of fans seemed hyped about the idea of him laying into the Tottenham squad too. Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter.

Liverpool have placed a noticeable emphasis on bolstering the ranks with promising youth prospects over the past several years, and could enrich their midfield with a move for Rennes midfielder Andy Diouf, who has recently been linked with a transfer to Anfield after impressing on loan with Basel this season.

What's the latest on Andy Diouf to Liverpool?

According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is enamoured by the 20-year-old's performances this year, with the club now 'moving in a decisive way' to secure his signature.

The report also states that Italian Serie A side Bologna are also eyeing the French midfielder, and may well have been in attendance for Basel's away leg against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

It is believed that Diouf's Swiss loan outfit hold the option to make his move permanent this summer, though whether this will happen remains to be seen.

Should Liverpool sign Andy Diouf?

There is set to be a score of changes on Merseyside after a largely dismal campaign that has left Klopp's men outside the top four and requiring a collapse at the final hurdle by either Newcastle or Manchester United to secure a place in next year's Champions League.

While signing Diouf, who is at the maiden stage of his career at the top level, may not be an instant answer to the woes, his arrival could go a long way towards ensuring Liverpool remain at the forefront of domestic and European football over the next decade or so.

Hailed as "incredible" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Diouf has been at the centre of a mammoth season this year, playing 54 matches across all competitions and scoring three goals in Basel's UEFA Conference League campaign, including the first-leg equaliser against La Viola in the semis.

As per FBref, the rising star ranks among the top 5% of midfielders playing at a similar level of competition over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, as well as the top 1% for progressive carries, the top 9% for successful take-ons and the top 15% for progressive passes per 90.

Essentially, what this suggests is Diouf possesses something of an intrinsic ability to effectively surge into dangerous areas and inflict damage on opposition defences with transitional, driving runs into the final third if not from his direct threat.

Should Liverpool complete the signing of the 6 foot 2 "gem", as he was described by journalist Antonio Mango, it could jeopardise the Merseyside career of in-form phenom Curtis Jones, who has been heralded as the "complete #8".

The 22-year-old ranks among the top 3% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals and the top 8% for progressive carries per 90, and with two young stars vying for Klopp's attention, it could indeed spell danger for Jones' newfound hope of cementing a starting berth in Liverpool's system with regularity.