Despite slumping to an innings defeat before lunch on the third day of the first Test in St Lucia, West Indies had one undoubted silver lining in the form of their debutant fast bowler, Jayden Seales, whose fiery performance in a losing cause hinted at a hugely promising future in the sport.Seales, 19, had played just one first-class game before he was thrust into the Test team against South Africa – and that came last winter on West Indies’ tour of New Zealand – but Kraigg Brathwaite, the captain, said he saw enough in that display to know he was ready for higher honours.”The first time I saw him was in New Zealand, and I just knew he had a natural length,” Brathwaite said. “Not all bowlers have that natural length, and he obviously swings the ball. So I was not surprised by his performance in this game, or for the future.”Seales finished South Africa’s only innings of the first Test with figures of 3 for 75 in 21 overs, having bagged his maiden wicket in his first over of the game, as Keegan Petersen spliced an edge to Jason Holder at second slip. He followed up with two more in consecutive overs at the end of the first day, before Quinton de Kock took the match away with a superb 141 not out.”I think he’s something special and obviously he’s quite young, he’s only played one first-class game,” Brathwaite said. “That says a lot. Even at practice, there are different little things that he does with the ball, and what he says to back it up, is quite phenomenal. For sure, he’s one for the future, big time.Related

• Stats: West Indies' 200th Test defeat, South Africa's first away win since 2017

• Fast-tracked into 13-man shortlist, Jayden Seales hopes to build on 'dream come true'

• Kagiso Rabada takes five as South Africa clinch innings win

• 'It's like scoring a hundred' after a lean patch – Kagiso Rabada on his five-for

“Fast bowling is hard work. In this game, he bowled over 20 overs and he never once complained. Obviously he’s young, but he was strong, his pace was up throughout, and I really think he’s something special for sure.”With his strong approach to the crease and powerful shoulders though his action, Seales drew some mid-match comparison with West Indies’ star of the second innings, Kagiso Rabada, who mopped up the resistance with figures of 5 for 34, his first five-wicket haul since March 2018.”He is a great prospect for West Indies,” Rabada said. “They have always produced those who can bowl really well, right from the 1980s. They are continuing the prestigious lineage of producing fast bowlers.”He has come to the fore,” he added. “I don’t know how much he tried to copy me. I think he is just natural. I don’t see a huge similarity, maybe a small similarity between our bowling. He is a good bowler and he showed that. I wish him all the best.”Reflecting on West Indies’ failings in the first Test, Brathwaite rued their collapse to 97 all out on the first day of the match, after which their defeat was only ever a matter of time. However, he denied he had erred in choosing to bat first.”We saw today some variable bounce, the pitch was a little dry, but we didn’t bat well in the first innings so we were under pressure from the start.,” he said. “We were always on the back foot.””[South Africa] are quality bowlers but even batting second we thought they would be quality. In the second Test, we’ve got to bat better. As a group we bowled well, and Seales in his first Test was magnificent. [Roston] Chase showed fight today, but that first innings hampered us a lot.””We’ll take a little break and come back stronger,” he added. “For me it’s about getting your mind in the right place. It’s more mental than technical.”

Ex-Liverpool defender Neil Ruddock has explained why Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold may consider leaving Anfield in 2025.

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• Egyptian star seeing deal run down
• Home-grown defender in similar situation
• Both could leave as free agents in 2025

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Salah and Alexander-Arnold are reportedly considering leaving Liverpool in 2025 following the expiration of their respective contracts with the Reds. Arne Slot’s side are attempting to renew the terms of both club legends, but slow progress has been made in extension talks.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Salah has been linked with Paris Saint-German and teams in Saudi Arabia, while England international Alexander-Arnold is said to be interesting Real Madrid. Ruddock has now talked about the departure of both next summer.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT RUDDOCK SAID

  Speaking to , Ruddock said: “Players come to the end of their contracts but I’m sure they’ve been talking, you don’t leave it until after Christmas, I’m sure there’s a lot going on.

  “I’m sure Liverpool are trying their hardest to keep the three of them there, but as a footballer, you can’t blame them if they want to taste playing abroad, playing for Real Madrid – for a young player like Trent, you can’t really blame him.

  “For the older lads like Salah, I can also understand. Why would you stay a couple more years if you don’t think you’re going to be the player you were and you lose that hero status?

  “There will be a lot of conversations going on between the players, the people who look after them and the club, there’s a lot to weigh up. For all three of them, I hope they stay, but you can also understand it if they go.”

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• WHAT NEXT?

  The Reds will continue with their efforts to get Salah and Alexander-Arnold to remain at Anfield. Liverpool will be in action next when they take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, December 22.

Erik ten Hag has never been one to make wholesale changes, even after a defeat, but it would be safe to assume that the Manchester United boss will at least make one tweak to his side ahead of Liverpool's visit this weekend, by recalling Alejandro Garnacho to the starting lineup.

The Argentine is yet to start a game this season but has looked electric in each of his three substitute appearances to date, notably scoring the opener in the eventual Community Shield defeat, prior to teeing up Joshua Zirkzee on the opening day to help see off Fulham.

Were it not for a shock miss against the Cottagers – and the presence of a sliding Zirkzee against Brighton and Hove Albion last time out – the 20-year-old would also have two league goals to his name, illustrating just what a pivotal asset he has become under the Dutchman in recent seasons.

With 15 goal involvements across all fronts last term, Garnacho was the shining light of the attacking unit in 2023/24, with it looking as if United could still do with further firepower to help try and replicate the youngster's impact.

Latest Man Utd transfer news

According to Football Insider, the Red Devils could agree to a 'sensational swap deal' that would see Jadon Sancho join rivals Chelsea, with compatriot Raheem Sterling thus moving in the opposite direction.

As per the report, both players are 'surplus to requirements' at their respective clubs and could well move on before the window slams shut, albeit with any deal likely to be 'difficult to negotiate'.

This comes amid parallel claims that Sterling – who joined the Blues on a £47.5m deal back in 2022 – would be open to joining the Old Trafford side this summer, having been cast aside by new boss Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.

This is echoed by The Telegraph who have suggested that United have even opened talks with the west Londoners over a swap deal involving the pair, with Dan Ashworth having been in contact with his Chelsea counterparts on Tuesday.

Why Man Utd should sign Raheem Sterling

There will no doubt be large sections of the United support who would turn their nose up at such a deal, not least due to Sterling's prior Liverpool and Manchester City connections, with the 29-year-old also boasting a grim record against the Red Devils, having failed to score in 26 career meetings.

But hey, if you can't beat them, join them.

It is hard to deny that it has been an underwhelming stint in west London for the wideman after registering just 31 goals and assists in 81 games in all competitions over the last two seasons, albeit with that return far exceeding many of United's current crop of forwards in their time at the club to date.

Equally, this is a player of proven Premier League quality having scored 123 goals in the competition in his career so far, ranking him 19th on the all-time list. This is a man with more league goals than the likes of Marcus Rashford (83), Ryan Giggs (109) and Paul Scholes (107) no less.

Arguably "unplayable" when truly at his best – according to pundit Paul Merson – Sterling also boasts 44 goal involvements in just 82 games in the Champions League, while also scoring 20 times in 82 games for his country, including netting three times en route to the final at Euro 2020.

What should also excite those of United persuasion is the Kingston-born winger's likeness to the aforementioned Garnacho, with the youngster deemed to be his most comparable player in Europe's top five leagues, as per FBref.

As indicated below, the pair come close in a string of attacking metrics, proving that Sterling could perhaps be a perfect fit on the flanks in Ten Hag's system.

With Sancho potentially on his way and the likes of Rashford and Antony – who scored just 11 goals between them last season – failing to fire, the addition of a fresh option out wide could be just what is needed to get this goal-shy side clicking into gear.

On the face of it, Sterling would not be a popular arrival at the Theatre of Dreams, but if his affiliation to Anfield and the Etihad can be overlooked, then United could well pull off an astute, last-gasp deal.

Alongside Maguire: Ten Hag must drop 13-pass Man Utd man after 4/10 display

It was a disappointing day out for the Red Devils on Saturday afternoon…

By
Joe Nuttall

Aug 24, 2024

Leeds United have come out the other side of a turbulent summer with a bit between their teeth still, eager to kick on and return back to the Premier League under Daniel Farke.

Farke nearly steered the Whites to an instant return to the top-flight last season, but his unlucky side ultimately came unstuck in the Championship playoffs to Southampton, as an Adam Armstrong strike at Wembley was enough for the Saints to taste promotion over the West Yorkshire outfit in what was a nail-biting final.

Leeds did wave goodbye to many of their stars from the season off the back of this crushing loss, who all moved up to the Premier League, with Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter notable departees.

Archie Gray also left the building, having been given his first big shot in the Whites first-team under the German manager, when he was once just a wide-eyed youngster keen to learn the first-team ropes someday under previous regimes.

Gray's rise at Leeds

Gray would end up becoming a very key part of the Leeds team that so nearly got over the line and returned to the promised land of the top-flight last campaign, as the much talked about teenage talent went on to make 47 league appearances.

He would pick up two assists from those games too, helping to fix a selection headache that bothered Farke towards the start of the season in the process, with Gray more often than not filling in at right-back instead of playing in a more naturally suited central midfield spot.

Gray's importance to the Leeds cause rising rapidly also resulted in his transfer value rocketing up, with the homegrown Whites product worth just £1.3m up until Farke's arrival in the summer of 2023, when his minutes were restricted to just playing for the U21s.

After announcing himself onto the Championship as a cool performer under pressure though, even when regularly playing in an unorthodox position in the Leeds defence, Gray's value would soar all the way up to a ridiculous £16.7m by May 2024, according to Football Transfers.

It did feel like only a matter of time, therefore, before Gray was snapped up by a bigger club in the wake of Leeds failing to clinch promotion, with Tottenham Hotspur eventually winning his coveted services ahead of other interested parties such as Bayern Munich.

Any deal to snap up the wonderkid was going to cost a bomb, however, as Spurs ultimately splurged the necessary cash on Gray to make him a statement summer buy.

Gray's value in 2024

Gray would cost Ange Postecoglou's Spurs an eye-watering £30m to get in through the door during the busy transfer window, a remarkable rise in price from when the 18-year-old ace was worth just a paltry £1.3m.

That means his price tag had shot up by a staggering 2207%, in just a short two-year span, as Postecoglou and Co continue to pray that their new mega-money buy acclimatises to the Premier League well.

He did shine in pre-season for his brand new North London outfit against the likes of Bayern Munich, with Gray lining up at both full-back and in a holding midfield role in these games, whilst the former Leeds star has also featured in two Premier League games so far.

If he does go on to find a starting spot in the Spurs XI week in and week out, his value will shoot up even more undoubtedly, with Leeds left wondering if they could have got more out of the top-flight side as a result.

Leeds have managed to adjust to life without Gray rather well, however, as Junior Firpo continues to breathe life back into his once rocky Whites career at left-back, with an assist coming his way last time out versus Hull City sealing a second league win on the spin.

Farke's job will be on thin ice if he doesn't deliver promotion this time around for the Whites, even with all of the high-profile departures his side have had to contend with in the bumpy window.

Related Leeds forward was sold for mega £20m, now he's being outscored by Struijk

The Whites raked in a huge fee for the player who struggled to produce in front of goal.

Posts ByDan Emery Sep 12, 2024

With tougher tests ahead – Pakistan are up next – England will likely take the opportunity to test out fringe players

Madushka Balasuriya03-Jul-2021Big PictureIt’s hard to remember a time when Sri Lanka went into a match with so little expected of them (well apart from the previous two games of course). This, even in the likely event of considerable rotation on the part of their opponents. The discourse back home is hardly helping; every misstep, every bad result now seemingly leading to a cascade of ridicule by the public and former players alike. The need for fearless cricket might have been captain Kusal Perera’s clarion call, but that is proving to be much easier said than done.The challenge for Sri Lanka and its coaching staff is eking out whatever positives, and tuning out the rest. In the last game, Dhananjaya de Silva’s impactful return to the side paired with Dasun Shanaka – once a player touted by former coach Chandika Hathurusingha as being a potential long-term No. 5 – hitting form was promising. These two, along with the increasingly reliable Wanindu Hasaranga, might even look like a workable middle order.The bowling unit, too, is a hard-working one and Hasaranga and the excellent Dushmantha Chameera give it wicket-taking threat.Where concern is rife is in the top order, which once again struggled against the moving ball. All of the top three were out either lbw or bowled – not a good look for an international cricket team – while the rest failed to negotiate the shorter stuff – again, not good.Wanindu Hasaranga continues to be a bright spot for a beleaguered Sri Lankan outfit•Getty ImagesBut you have to imagine these are eminently fixable technical issues. Just that they kinda need to be fixed right now.For England, the series has gone as well as they could have imagined. The batting stalwarts have come into runs, the bowlers have been impressive, and right throughout the intensity levels have scarcely dropped.Joe Root in particular has been imperious, ever ready to snuff out even faint specks of hope that may have cropped up for Sri Lanka in the first two games. Then there’s been the England seamers, Chris Woakes and David Willey in the first game, then Sam Curran and Willey in the second, who have offered the Sri Lankan batters little to no respite.But with tougher tests ahead – Pakistan are up next in England’s calendar – this will very likely be an opportunity to test out fringe players.While Bristol hasn’t been the happiest of ODI hunting grounds for England (six wins, five losses), the way the rest of the series has gone it’s hard to imagine anything but a home win, especially with Super League points on the line.It’s been smooth sailing for England in this series•AFP/Getty ImagesForm GuideEngland WWLWL
Sri Lanka LLWLL
In the spotlightAvishka Fernando was a surprise inclusion in the last game after he had seemingly been ruled out of the tour with a torn quadricep. While he failed to make an impact on his return, it’s hard to forget the excitement that surrounded the youngster following his debut in 2019 and subsequent coming out to the wider cricketing fraternity at that year’s World Cup, where he impressed with cameos against England and South Africa before notching his maiden ODI ton against West Indies. He carried that form through to 2020, but an injury left him sidelined until this England tour. With Sri Lanka’s top order misfiring, Fernando rekindling the form that painted him out as a future star will go a long way towards helping his side not leave the tour empty handed.Chris Woakes has been in rare form this series•Getty ImagesChris Woakes’ 4 for 18 in the first ODI took out the spine of the Sri Lankan batting, but in line with England’s workload management policy, he was promptly rested in the second game. With five days off, Woakes will be raring to go again and keen to keep himself at the forefront of the selectors’ thoughts. On a ground where the average score hovers around 240, Woakes’ lower-order batting could also come in handy.Pitch and conditionsThe Bristol surface usually has something in it for both the batters and the bowlers, but with rain very much on the cards it’s quite likely the game won’t see its full allotment of overs.Team newsWith the series wrapped up, England’s attention will likely turn to the fringe players. Tom Banton, who was called up for the injured David Malan, Liam Livingstone and Liam Dawson are probably all in with a shout of making the XI while there could also be a debut for the Sussex left-arm seamer George Garton.England (possible): 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3 Joe Root/Tom Banton, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Sam Billings/Liam Livingstone, 6 Moeen Ali, 7 Sam Curran, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 David Willey, 10 Adil Rashid/Liam Dawson, 11 Mark Wood/George GartonThe Sri Lankan team management has gone on the record stating their desire to get players used to certain roles within the side. As such it’s unlikely there’ll be too many changes, if any, to the batting line-up from the last game. On the bowling front, it could go either way; with overcast conditions expected they may choose to stick with a four-pronged seam attack, but with Bristol known to help spinners on occasion, there could be spot open for one of Lakshan Sandakan or Praveen Jayawickrama.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Kusal Perera (capt, wk), 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Avishka Fernando 4 Dhananjaya de Silva, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Chamika Karunaratne, 9 Binura Fernando, 10 Dushmantha Chameera 11 Asitha Fernando/Lakshan SandakanStats and trivia With their defeat on Thursday, Sri Lanka have now lost 428 ODIs, surpassing India for the most ODI losses in world cricket Joe Root’s 187 runs across four innings is the most by an English batter at the Bristol County Ground Of the five ODIs Sri Lanka have played in Bristol, only one has been against England – that game was abandoned due to rain

Southampton only have a few days left of the frantic transfer window to get their last bits of business in through the door, knowing that more new recruits would very much help in their long haul mission of staving off the Premier League drop zone.

A new option in goal feels like a top priority, with the unsettling news of Justin Bijlow's move falling through understandably irking those at St. Mary's, whilst a new striker could also be on the cards in the form of Brazilian attacker Yuri Alberto.

Russell Martin's men could even roll the dice and get this bold new recruit in before Friday, who might well become Southampton's next Dusan Tadic if a move comes to fruition.

Latest Southampton transfer news

As per reports in Italy, Southampton could land versatile Juventus figure Filip Kostic ahead of deadline day, with a proposal already made by the South Coast outfit.

Kostic is also wanted by Al-Ain out in Saudi Arabia, according to the report, but the 31-year-old is said to be willing to 'evaluate' the offer from the Saints, potentially trading the glamour of Turin for England's south coast.

Kostic, over time, has the potential to be viewed as Southampton's second coming of Tadic if a move is sealed, with the Serbian a real threat down the left, much like the former Saints great was on the South Coast, before leaving for Dutch giants Ajax in 2018.

What Kostic could offer Southampton

Tadic would bow out from his exceptional playing days at St. Mary's with 24 goals and 32 assists tallied up from 162 clashes, constantly offering creativity and standing out as a reliable source of important strikes before departing for the Netherlands.

His compatriot in Kostic has also been a nuisance wherever he's been across his varied career to date, in terms of setting up chances for his teammates when playing down the left and coming up trumps with goals of his own, with a mightily impressive 117 assists notched up from 518 career games to date.

Position played

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

LM

241

31

69

LW

189

31

38

RW

18

2

2

CF

6

2

1

CM

2

0

0

RM

1

0

0

Looking at the table above too, much like Tadic who was drafted out to the right on occasion for the Saints, Kostic can also line up and play in different positions when needed, with the experienced 31-year-old even playing up top when needed in the past.

Even with his game-time somewhat drying up at Juventus of late, Kostic has still managed to deliver on the big stage when required, with four assists coming his way last campaign in Serie A from 29 total appearances.

It will be his time with Eintracht Frankfurt that most will be familiar with how devastating Kostic can be, however, with outrageous strikes like this one managed versus Arminia Bielefeld in 2021 piquing the interest of Juventus, who paid £13.4m to land his services.

Southampton, equally, forked out some big bucks to snap up Tadic in 2014, as Ronald Koeman and Co at the time splashed out £10.9m, and ended up never looking back.

Going on to become a cult sensation in his new surroundings, after once plying his trade in Europe with FC Twente before making the leap, Saints fans will hope the "extraordinary" Kostic – as he has been labelled by former Frankfurt sporting director Fredi Bobic in the past – can become their next hero in the mould of their former star man.

Once touted for a move to Crystal Palace to link up with another ex-Frankfurt face in Oliver Glasner, Southampton might well now land the veteran's services last minute as a very late statement buy.

Bid lodged: Southampton make move for star who'd shine with Brereton

Southampton could well add this new striker to their ranks before transfer deadline day.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 27, 2024

Manchester United are reportedly inviting offers for out-of-favour winger Antony, with clubs in Greece and Spain said to be interested.

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Antony been a big Man Utd flopUnited try to offload £86m signingTeams in Greece & Spain interestedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth, teams from La Liga and the Greek Super League have made contact with United about a loan for Antony. He adds the Red Devils will also consider offers for the winger.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Antony may prove to be one of United's worst-ever signings at £86 million ($107m). The Red Devils are keen to cut ties with the Brazilian but they will likely have to take a big loss on their 2022 purchase.

DID YOU KNOW?

Former Ajax star Antony has scored just 12 goals and bagged five assists in 94 appearances for United to date. He is yet to make a start in the Premier League this season.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Amid all this transfer speculation, Antony will hope to get game time for United this weekend when they travel to Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup.

Despite Everton struggling under Sean Dyche at the moment, is it as bad as when Frank Lampard was in charge?

Yes, the Toffees have lost all four of their Premier League games, but with a bit more ruthlessness, they may have won at least two, letting slip two-goal advantages over both Bournemouth and Aston Villa recently.

The signs are there, even if the points total doesn’t prove it, but Dyche will be determined to claim that first league win of the season sooner rather than later.

Under Lampard, things were totally different as the former Chelsea midfielder couldn’t get a tune out of his team throughout a torrid 12-month spell in charge between January 2022 and January 2023.

Frank Lampard’s Everton statistics

Following Rafa Benitez’s sacking, Lampard was appointed midway through the 2021/22 campaign.

The club had struggled throughout the opening half of the campaign under the former Liverpool manager, indicating the need for change. Lampard had been out of work since leaving Chelsea a year prior.

Still in the embryonic stages of his managerial career, it looked like a progressive appointment by the Merseyside club, one that could see them return to the top half of the table.

A 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace during the dying embers of the season saved Everton from relegation, giving Lampard a clean slate during that summer to build a side capable of avoiding another relegation scrap.

It wasn’t to be. Across the opening 21 Premier League matches of the 2022/23 season, Everton won only three times, making Lampard’s position untenable.

It was no surprise when he was sacked on January 23 following this dismal run, replaced by Dyche, who managed to keep Everton in the top flight with yet another escape act.

Despite the former England international clearly struggling to get the club to tick during his 12-month spell in charge, he did make some excellent signings during his one summer transfer window in charge.

Amadou Onana

Lille

€39.87m

Dwight McNeil

Burnley

€17.00m

Neal Maupay

Brighton

€11.80m

James Garner

Manchester United

€10.40m

Idrissa Gueye

PSG

€4.00m

James Tarkowski

Burnley

Free transfer

Ruben Vingare

Sporting Club

Loan move

Conor Coady

Wolves

Loan move

Indeed, the likes of Amadou Onana, Dwight McNeil, James Garner and Idrissa Gueye joined the Toffees ahead of the 2022/23 season.

One of his finest signings, however, was one in which the club didn’t need to pay a single penny, as James Tarkowski arrived on a free transfer following the expiration of his Burnley contract.

Considering he had plenty of Premier League experience, the move has turned out fairly well for both player and club, while his market value proves the Toffees hit gold on the defender.

James Tarkowski’s statistics at Everton

“The statistics show that James has consistently been one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders in recent years,” said Kevin Thelwell, Everton’s director of football, upon Tarkowski’s arrival on Merseyside.“Added to his playing attributes, his excellent leadership skills and experience will be a huge benefit, too.”

During his debut campaign, the former Burnley titan played in every single league match for his new club, becoming the first-choice centre-back for both Lampard and then Dyche when he took over.

Despite the team enduring a poor season, Tarkowski ranked third among his teammates for accurate passes (34.6), second for accurate long balls (3.2), first for clearances (5.2) and third for interceptions (1.3) per game, underlining his importance to the team.

Last season saw the defender improve further, ranking second for accurate passes (31.2), first for accurate long balls (4.2), interceptions (1.5) and clearances (4.9) per game, proving that he was their finest defender.

The £100k-per-week star has played every minute of the club’s league matches this season so far. While the Toffees have conceded 13 goals, Tarkowski has won 59% of his total duels per game, along with recovering four balls per game and making 1.8 tackles each match.

While Dyche’s men have failed to ignite on the pitch, keeping Tarkowski fit and healthy could be crucial for their survival hopes, no doubt about that.

His valuation has also risen during his spell at the club since joining back in 2022, proving Lampard did well by signing him in the first place.

James Tarkowski’s market valuation at Everton

While his current valuation may not be as high as what it was when he was leading Burnley in the Premier League, he is currently worth £17m according to Football Transfers’ expected transfer value (xTV) model.

This value may still rise if he continues to deliver solid performances on the field, evidenced by his statistics over the previous 12 months.

When compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, Tarkowski currently ranks in the top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (2.21), while also ranking in the top 1% for blocks (2.16), the top 5% for aerials won (3.71) and the top 15% for clearances (4.95) per 90 according to FBref.

These statistics clearly prove just how good the defender has been when comparing him to his peers and Dyche will be praying he can maintain this type of form during the current season.

Following a win over Liverpool at the tail end of last season, Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas heaped praise on the defender, saying: “Absolute monstrous performance from James Tarkowski last night in the derby. How is he not in the England mix?”

Despite his standing as one of the most dependable centre-backs in the Premier League over the previous few years, Tarkowski has won just two caps for England and was never really in the conversation for a place at the Euros, as his partner in crime, Jarrad Branthwaite, was.

He now hasn’t been in the England squad since 2019 and Dyche will arguably be hoping that this stays the same way, as although the defender may be deserving of another chance for the national team, keeping Everton in the top flight is perhaps his main priority at this very moment in time.

Fewer touches than Pickford: Dyche must drop 5/10 Everton problem

The experienced star is costing his side.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 15, 2024

West Ham United’s academy has developed numerous star talents over the years, many of which have had a huge impact on the club’s first team.

Mark Noble, who’s arguably one of the club’s greatest modern-day icons, spent many years in the youth setup before making the step up into the senior ranks.

He spent 18 years as a player with the Hammers, making 472 appearances for the club, before retiring in 2022 and taking up a role behind the scenes as a Sporting Director.

Declan Rice is another talent who made a huge impact, featuring 245 times over a seven-year spell – helping the club win the Europa Conference League back in 2022/23.

However, he left in a £105m deal last summer, joining Premier League rivals Arsenal – in an all-round excellent deal for the club, despite the disappointment from the fanbase over his departure.

One other player also came through the academy but was sold way before he could make his own mark at the London Stadium.

The player who West Ham may have sold too soon

As previously mentioned, the club have enjoyed success with midfielders coming through within the youth setup before making the jump into the professional game.

However, the Hammers offloaded Irish international Josh Cullen prematurely back in October 2020, selling him to Belgian side Anderlecht – allowing him to gain valuable game time away from the London Stadium.

The now 28-year-old only made ten appearances for West Ham before departing the club on a permanent basis – unable to fulfil his potential at the club after coming through the ranks.

He’s since moved to Burnley, featuring over 80 times for the Clarets since his transfer in the summer of 2022, playing a crucial role in the Premier League despite their relegation at the end of last season.

Josh Cullen’s Premier League stats for Burnley (2023/24)

Statistics

Tally

Games played

25

Minutes played

2059

Goals + assists

5

Pass accuracy

87%

Chances created

26

Tackles won

69%

Duels won

113

Stats via FotMob

Cullen made 25 appearances, with his market value soaring as a result of his consistent performances under Vincent Kompany during the 2023/24 campaign.

Josh Cullen’s market value in 2024

Despite the drop back into the Championship, the Irishman has maintained his market value – making three appearances under new boss Scott Parker so far this season.

Four years on from his departure from the Hammers, the midfielder has seen a huge jump in value after his £500k transfer away from his boyhood club.

Cullen is now valued at £8.5m as per Transfermarkt, an increase of 1600% – demonstrating that the club may have offloaded the talent way too cheaply.

Although he may not have the talent to be a regular starter under new boss Julen Lopetegui, his time in the Premier League in recent years could’ve made him a solid squad player for the Spaniard as he aims to endure an impressive first campaign at the helm.

On the other hand, Cullen may have benefitted from a loan spell before his permanent move to Anderlecht – which could’ve allowed the club to have made a greater profit margin than they did when they sold him a handful of years ago.

However, that being said, West Ham must use this deal as a reminder to avoid offloading youngsters on the cheap, potentially losing themselves a bunch of talented players in the process.

Related West Ham are on the verge of unearthing their next Rice & Lampard

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Posts ByConnor Holden Sep 19, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

A briga contra o rebaixamento ganhou contornos dramáticos na noite da última sexta-feira (3) e complicou as vidas de Bahia e Grêmio, os últimos sobreviventes do Z4 do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada

Na Arena Baixada, o Athletico venceu o Cuiabá e chegou aos 45 pontos, desempenho que alivia um pouco a situação do Furacão. Por outro lado, o Dourado fica como primeiro time fora da zona de perigo, com 43 pontos.

Bahia e Grêmio

Para os dois times que estão no Z4 e ainda podem sobreviver na luta contra a queda, a distância ficou maior. Pelo lado do Bahia, a distância ficou em três pontos. Já para o Imortal, o caminho é um pouco maior: quatro pontos. Neste domingo, o Tricolor de Aço recebe o Fluminense, às 16h, na Arena Fonte Nova. Já o Tricolor gaúcho irá visitar o Corithians, na Neo Química Arena. Uma derrota irá decretar o rebaixamento da equipe do sul.

Veja os dois últimos jogos do Cuiabá: Fortaleza (C) e Santos (F)

Veja os dois últimos jogos do Bahia: Fluminense (C) e Fortaleza (F)

Veja os dois últimos jogos do Grêmio: Corinthians (F) e Atlético-MG (C)