This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Former Everton assistant Joao Pedro Sousa has backed Andre Gomes to come back stronger after his terrible injury against Tottenham Hotspur.
What did he say?
Gomes is set for many months on the sidelines following the events that unfolded last week. The initial tackle from Son Heung-min and the collision that followed from Serge Aurier caused the nasty ankle fracture.
Sousa has praised Gomes for his “unique” ability and believes the Portugal international will indeed come back stronger.
“I have already spoken to André Gomes and take the opportunity to send him a hug,” he told Record (cited by Sport Witness).
“We exchanged a few messages. Fortunately, he is well. He is a champion, a unique player, a fantastic person. I am sure he will recover quickly and will be a better player than he was, if at all possible.”
Come back stronger
Gomes was one of Everton’s standout players prior to his injury. The former Barcelona man played in the club’s last two Premier League wins, and his importance was shown in between those games as Everton lost four in a row without him. In those two wins against Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United, the 26-year-old put in a 7.07 rating on both occasions, as he controlled the midfield.
Now, he must keep a strong mind and push himself through rehabilitation with his best years perhaps still yet to come.
Marco Silva did, however, state that Gomes could come back into the side this season. He told reporters (as quoted by BBC Sport): “Everything went really well and we hope we can see him playing again this season,” said the Everton boss.
Gomes certainly is a unique player, who at the age of 26 can still come back much stronger before his peak years.
He is an incredibly elegant and creative player on his day, and everybody will certainly be hoping his ankle makes a full recovery.
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Aston Villa’s Chief Executive Officer Christian Purslow has played an influential role in the club’s current direction under new owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, but the 55-year-old has been speaking out regarding the latest updates to VAR in the 2019/20 Premier League campaign.
What did he say?
Following the news that Villa, Everton and two other clubs raised concerns over the way VAR was being used, Purslow said the following after a meeting on Thursday:
“They’ve [Premier League clubs] got grave concerns but so has everyone in the room. We’ve had a very robust discussion and the message has got through to the league and to the referees association that fans are unhappy and many other stakeholders in the game think we’ve got to do a whole lot better.
“I expect to see real improvements in the speed of decisions [VAR], the consistency, which is what everybody craves. I think above else for all else for those of us in-stadia we want much better communication for what’s going on before, during and after.”
Can VAR be enhanced for the benefit of the top-flight?
Despite VAR chief Neil Swarbrick rating the latest technology in the Premier League as a “seven out of ten”, there can be no doubting that fundamental flaws remain in the overall operation.
The issues that Purslow cites including “consistency” stand out as one of VAR’s biggest flaws, yet if collaboration can occur between the “stakeholders” that the Villa CEO refers to, it is unlikely that the current situation is beyond a state of repair.
Although Villa have been on the receiving end of a number of refereeing decisions relating to VAR, including Kevin Friend disallowing a Jack Grealish equaliser at Crystal Palace as well as Conor Hourihane’s strike against Brighton being ruled out despite no evident infringement, Purslow’s comments reflect a wider perspective on the shortcomings of the technology so far this season.
It will be vital for VAR to progress and the rating that Swarbrick alludes to should move higher, but taking on board the feedback that the likes of Purslow have provided on behalf of their clubs will be vital if the system is to improve in the current campaign.
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s attacking linchpin, having risen from the lower levels of Hale End to establish himself as one of football’s biggest talents.
Mikel Arteta deserves so much praise for resurrecting the Emirates Stadium and putting Arsenal back in contention for the biggest prizes in the game, though you can’t help but feel that had Saka not emerged, things wouldn’t have fallen into place just so.
Hailed as “one of the best players in the Premier League” by Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney, the England star has already scored a goal and posted four assists from as many matches in the Premier League this season as the Gunners aim to topple Manchester City on the throne.
Saka, aged 23, is one of the finest players to emerge from Arsenal’s academy, but he’s not the only one to make his mark under Arteta’s wing.
Premier League
174
48
39
Europa League
25
5
9
FA Cup
11
1
1
Champions League
10
4
4
Carabao Cup
9
1
2
Community Shield
2
0
2
Indeed, there was a fellow north Londoner who, not too long ago, carried the same prodigious potential as his friend, but Emile Smith Rowe no longer plays for Arsenal and dreams of becoming a superstar under Arteta’s guidance have faded away.
What was once said about Emile Smith Rowe
Smith Rowe, 24, made his senior debut for Arsenal at home in the Europa League against Vorskla Poltava in September 2018, scarcely one month into his 18th year. Incidentally, Saka also made his debut against the Ukrainian side, though his debut arrived two months later in the away fixture of the group phase.
kalvin-phillips-emile-smith-rowe-west-ham-opinion
A versatile, creative and cultured attacking midfielder, Smith Rowe has featured across a range of roles but is at his multi-talented best when deployed as a roaming number ten.
Blessed with crisp technical qualities and sharp intelligence, the Englishman was regarded as a playmaker who could have bloomed into the focal creative role in north London, even being praised by pundit Jamie Carragher in the past as the “best player in the league running with the ball at his feet”.
Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe.
Arsenal’s resurgence of the past several years was swept forward by a tide of improvements. The transfer strategy was streamlined and the Spanish manager’s tactics dovetailed into the overarching vision. Now, Arsenal have finished second across the past two Premier League campaigns and pushed Pep Guardiola’s City to the brink on both occasions.
Smith Rowe, sadly, played nothing more than a bit-part role, with his glittering beginnings dulled by injuries and Arteta’s stylistic preferences, this latter issue had arisen from his fitness struggles, in fairness, precluding him from building the form and fluency to play a starring part.
23/24
13 (3)
0
2
22/23
12 (0)
0
2
21/22
33 (21)
10
2
20/21
20 (18)
2
4
19/20*
2 (1)
0
0
18/19*
0 (0)
0
0
The 2021/22 campaign was a year of significant strides for Arsenal. It ended in misery as a late-season slump pulled the club away from a top-four finish and handed Champions League football to arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, but it was clear that something was being built.
Smith Rowe was instrumental, scoring ten top-flight goals and leading Danny Cowley, who coached him while on loan at Huddersfield Town, to remark that he “has potential to be world-class” and is “like Dennis Bergkamp but with pace”.
Having earned the nickname ‘the Croydon [Kevin] De Bruyne’ in his home borough, you’d have a decent understanding of the player’s quality without actually watching him play. But you must. It’s an artistic pleasure.
He plays with a sort of footballing poetic license, not stuck in one role but performing with unfettered freedom, gliding past defenders and wreaking chaos with sharp shooting and silky passing.
He carried the No. 10 embossed on the back of his shirt, like Bergkamp, one of his heroes. The retired Dutch maestro is one of the Premier League’s finest-ever forwards. A dignified and elegant player, Bergkamp’s close control and dribbling were truly first-class, capable of conjuring magical things at Highbury.
Smith Rowe will probably watch back at these past two years ruefully. He’s an immense talent and beloved by the Arsenal faithful, but he’s gained little from staying on the periphery of Arteta’s high-flying squad.
As hard as it was, selling him this summer was probably the right decision.
Smith Rowe is reborn at Fulham
The best things in life are the most difficult to let go. But Fulham paid Arsenal an initial fee of £27m, rising to £34m with add-ons, for the one-cap England international. The Gunners’ club-record sale – ever – is the £35m transfer of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2017.
And now he’s flying. Smith Rowe has only played five matches for the Cottagers in the Premier League so far but he’s scored twice and assisted another.
As per Sofascore, he’s completed 91% of his passes in the Premier League this term, also averaging 0.8 interceptions and 1.8 tackles per game, emphasising that technical skill and tenacity.
Will Arsenal ever see their former prospect playing at the Emirates in red once again? Who knows, but he has been promising throughout the opening weeks of the 2024/25 campaign and will only improve as the matches go by, building form and fluidness under Marco Silva.
Given that the club recouped some £27m for his sale despite having scarcely enjoyed his ability over the past few years, it can only be regarded as a successful move.
But Bergkamp 2.0 once promised so much, looked to be the future superstar at the nucleus of Arteta’s project. Given the regard Arsenal fans hold him in, there will be plenty of hope from north London that he reaches that lofty level, even if it’s not on the grass that the outfit had hoped for.
Arteta must axe 4/10 Arsenal ace earning as much as Raya & Gabriel combined
Manchester United have set their sights on adding a player who is set to become a free agent to their squad in 2025, according to a new report.
The Red Devils are back in action this weekend as they travel to St. Mary’s Stadium to face Southampton in what is arguably a must-win game for Erik ten Hag.
Man Utd now planning new contract talks to double £1.5m-a-year star's wages
United are planning to extend the stay of one of their star talents.
ByBrett Worthington Sep 11, 2024 Man Utd already eyeing Erik ten Hag replacement
It has been a slow start to the campaign for Man United, despite the fact the club had quite a successful transfer window, given they added five players to their squad and moved out a lot of deadwood in the process.
But it is just one win in their opening three games of the Premier League season, and that form is already seeing Ten Hag come under significant pressure. It has now emerged that the Dutchman’s performances as manager are starting to be questioned by the hierarchy, and he needs to turn the club’s form around, or he could be replaced.
Games
118
Won
69
Drawn
15
Lost
34
That is because Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to have set his sights on appointing Zinedine Zidane as the club’s new manager. This report stated that Ratcliffe is starting to weigh up making a change in the dugout, and he dreams of bringing Zidane to Old Trafford.
The Frenchman has been unemployed since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 and has been waiting to take over as the France national team manager, but with Didier Deschamps firmly in the role, a move to the Premier League is looking more and more likely. But while uncertainty over Ten Hag’s future emerges, Man United have their eye on a bargain 2025 deal.
Man Utd looking at free 2025 move to sign “battleship” player
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, relayed by Caught Offside, Manchester United are keen on signing defender Jonathan Tah. The Bayer Leverkusen defender was heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich during the summer, but a move never materialised, and he has remained with the Bundesliga champions.
The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract with Leverkusen, and he doesn’t wish to extend his stay beyond that, meaning he will become a free agent next summer. That has alerted Man United, who are said to be keen on signing him on a free transfer unless Leverkusen decides to sell him in January.
But while the Red Devils are keen on signing the centre-back, they also face competition from Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea. The German international has been with Leverkusen since July 2015, and during that time, he has played 357 times for the Bundesliga side, scoring 14 goals and recording 12 assists.
Tah, who has been described as a "defensive battleship" by former teammate Christoph Kramer, played a significant role in Leverkusen’s success last season, playing 31 times in the Bundesliga, as they were crowned champions, as well as playing six times in the DFB-Pokal, as they claimed a domestic double. The centre-back was also key in Europe, but his side fell short in the final as they were beaten by Atalanta.
West Ham United have claimed four points from as many fixtures in the Premier League this season, starting off the Julen Lopetegui era somewhat indifferently.
Key facets such as character, resolve, and Jarrod Bowen were prominent as Danny Ings scored a last-gasp equaliser at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon, clinching only his fifth goal from 54 appearances as an Iron.
He was introduced in the 82nd minute, and it’s important to remember that the 32-year-old striker would probably not have featured had Niclas Fullkrug not picked up a calf injury on international duty with Germany.
But should he start the next fixture, a challenging home clash against Chelsea on Saturday? Perhaps not.
What's going on at number nine
The focal striking area has long presented something of a conundrum for West Ham. From Sebastien Haller to Simeone Zaza, Gianluca Scamacca to… Ings, it’s something that the club has failed to shake, and Fullkrug’s layoff has raised fears once again.
Michail Antonio, West Ham’s record goalscorer in the Premier League, has been an exception, though perhaps he sort of cheated the system by moonlighting as a right-back, way back when. The Jamaica international is 34 now though and surely can’t start for the fifth time in the top flight against Chelsea.
Antonio has not been at the races under Lopetegui’s wing, blanking across every match thus far and yielding some miserable underlying numbers. As per Sofascore, the veteran has yet to hit the target or complete a single key pass, while winning 21% of his ground duels.
Michail Antonio for West Ham
Ings scored, let’s chuck him up top, right? Right? Wrong. The three-cap England international, last donning Three Lions garb in 2020, is demonstrably clinical even if he hasn’t really shown as much in east London, but it would be a mistake to deploy him as the line leader against Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.
Instead, Crysencio Summerville should earn his first starting berth as an Iron, but not as the centre-forward…
Time for a tactical tweak
Summerville signed for West Ham this summer, with the 2023/24 Championship MVP pulled away from Leeds United and placed in the capital to help build the attacking success of Lopetegui’s United team.
Crysencio Summerville for West Ham
He’s yet to earn a starting berth in the Premier League, though has featured three times and enjoyed his most productive performance yet against Fulham, replacing the beleaguered Antonio at half-time and bringing newfound electricity and energy to the team.
He faded as the largely uninspiring affair dragged into the later stages, but Summerville clearly has plenty to offer, having once been described as “unstoppable” by Statman Dave.
Goals
0.39
Top 5%
Assists
0.23
Top 15%
Shot-creating actions
6.10
Top 1%
Progressive carries
5.04
Top 7%
Successful take-ons
2.52
Top 9%
Summerville, aged 22, brings youthful avidity and a hunger to impress in the Premier League. The left winger must be unleashed from the outset against Chelsea, especially if Axel Disasi is tasked with sitting as a makeshift right-back again due to Blues injuries.
Having posted 21 goals and ten assists across all competitions last year, the Dutchman can bring a prolific tint to West Ham’s flank, and though he’d have to jockey with Mohammed Kudus for a regular starting berth, the Ghanaian could shift out to the alternate flank in a tweak that would send Bowen to the spearhead.
1.
Jarrod Bowen
44
20
2.
Mohammed Kudus
45
14
3.
Tomas Soucek
52
10
4.
Lucas Paqueta
53
8
5.
Michail Antonio
32
7
5.
James Ward-Prowse
51
7
Why? Bowen is hardly untested at number nine. The Hammers’ top scorer last season, he split his time between his natural right-flanking position and a role at centre-forward, scoring nine goals and adding four assists across 22 total matches as a striker.
He’s also started the current campaign on strong footing, scoring twice and assisting Ings’ parity-restoring strike at the weekend. His dynamic tactical quality and keen-edged footballing mind make him a tricky customer indeed, and this is something that Lopetegui simply has to consider going forward, with Fullkrug sidelined for the immediate future.
Bowen will need support, and Summerville has creative quality in abundance. As per Sofascore, he complemented his direct haul in the second tier last year with 17 big chances created and an average of 2.6 key passes, 2.3 dribbles and 5.8 successful duels per game.
He will need consistency of action though, and a regular starting role in the team to build on his skillset and its integration into the Lopetegui way of things.
Long had West Ham been considered to accept their natural order in the way of things in the Premier League: midtable. But this is wrong, has always been wrong, and the club has enjoyed the opportunity to spread its wings and showcase its skills in recent years, enjoying several campaigns on the continent and actually winning the Conference League in June 2023 – but then that needs no reminder.
In order to prove that they deserve a place back in European competition, West Ham must now build on a solid but unspectacular start and make headway in the divisional rankings.
West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen
Should Antonio reprise his role up top, this will become rather difficult; Bowen is tried-and-tested as a makeshift striker and he has a wealth of talent to sit behind him and aid him in his exploits.
After all, Brentford manager Thomas Frank admitted that the England star was “unplayable” after smacking a hat-trick past the Bees earlier in 2024, and now, with Summerville, the Londoners can return to such lofty attacking heights.
Sold by Moyes in 2021: West Ham dud has been outscoring Bowen since leaving
The talent has found his goalscoring touch again in recent years.
Leeds United are still awaiting the confirmation of the 49ers complete takeover from Andrea Radrizzani, but with the deal a formality, the focus is shifting to the transfer market.
The Whites have been relegated from the Premier League in their third season since ending 16 miserable years away from the top flight, and are now fraught with worry that lightning will strike twice and Championship obscurity will seep into Elland Road for the club's next chapter.
To ensure this does not happen, the moves made on the transfer front will be paramount, and with reports linking Leeds to Fenerbache winger Bright Osayi-Samuel, it appears the club are indeed acting with conviction to mount an immediate title challenge.
According to one Turkish journalist (via MOT Leeds News), the Whites were preparing to table an offer for the dynamic wideman earlier this month, with the player wanting to return to England after a lacklustre 18 months in Turkey.
Valued at around €10m (£8m), the Nigeria international would be a worthy addition for a club looking to ensure their return to the second tier is nothing more than a sojourn.
Should Leeds sign Bright Osayi-Samuel?
Leeds managed to stave off the threat of relegation in the 21/22 campaign after leaving onlookers waxing lyrical the season prior as they waltzed into the Premier League under the stewardship of Marcelo Bielsa and earned a ninth-placed finish.
However, the falling fortunes were evident and the jubilation of preserving their status quickly felt like a stay of execution, with the recently-concluded campaign highlighting the woes that had led to the club's bitter demise.
Leeds must now look ahead, and by signing Osayi-Samuel, who has Championship experience with Queens Park Rangers and Blackpool, the right flank could be secured once again.
A versatile player capable of playing at right back and on both offensive flanks, the 25-year-old has been hailed for his "blistering pace" by Mark Warburton, who also called him "outstanding".
He's played 100 times for Fenerbahce but after only mustering a 6.57 average Sofascore rating in the Super Lig this term, it might be time for new pastures.
The three-cap dynamo did score eight goals and supplied 12 assists across his final two Championship terms with QPR, however, and he could emulate his past feats with Leeds.
Such numbers from the wing-back could even prove to be the catalyst for young forward Crysencio Summerville's fortunes to improve, with Leeds signing the exciting talent for just £1m from Feyenoord in 2020.
The 21-year-old demonstrated flashes of brilliance this year and posted four goals and two assists from just 12 top-flight starts this season, but with an average of just one shot per game it's clear he could use some support.
Once described as "unplayable" by Beren Cross, Summerville could well live up to that mantra again should he link up with a devastating offensive wing-back, unlike someone of Luke Ayling's calibre.
This move could be particularly astute when you consider the former has also been linked with a move away this summer. Yet, this move could well convince the Dutchman to continue his development with a progressive force behind him.
Leeds must sign Osayi-Samuel, his inclusion at the club could have a knock-on effect and assure the stars at the side that the requisite moves for a return to prominence are being made.
Arsenal are expected to make a "very important" bid to sign Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella "in the next few days", according to reports out of Italy.
Who will join Arsenal this summer?
The north Londoners are aiming to challenge for another Premier League title after falling just short in their attempts to thwart treble-winners Man City last season.
Mikel Arteta and co have reportedly been very busy behind-the-scenes, with some reports even claiming they could be set to spend around £200 million on new arrivals this summer.
West Ham United star Declan Rice has already been subject to two rejected bids from Arsenal, with rumours of a third now circulating, but he certainly isn't their only transfer target.
Southampton's Romeo Lavia is a player wanted in north London as talks progress and personal terms edge closer to completion, while Ajax defender Jurrien Timber is being targeted as well.
Kai Havertz is reliably believed to be coming through the door after Arsenal agreed a £65 million deal with Chelsea for his signing.
The aforementioned quartet have all been heavily linked these past few weeks, though according to a report from Europe, it appears the north Londoners have also set their sights on Barella.
The Italy international will be seen in next season's Champions League and recently helped Inter to their first final of the competition since 2010.
According to FC Inter News.it, Arsenal and Man United are now expected to lodge "very important offers" for Barella and this could happen "in the next few days".
Arteta's side have apparently made contact with Inter and Barella's agent, Alessandro Beltrami, to make their intentions known in this regard.
However, to stand a chance of reaching an agreement, this report states that Arsenal may need to go "much further" than Newcastle United's recent £60 million offer for the 26-year-old.
Who is Nicolo Barella?
Barella was a crucial player and mainstay under Simone Inzaghi domestically last season, playing more Serie A minutes than any other player in the Nerazzurri squad (WhoScored).
During that time, he registered 12 goal contributions (six goals, six assists), with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp previously expressing his admiration for the midfielder.
Speaking before a European tie against Inter last year, the German called Barella a "top-class" player.
"That Barella is not able to play is not bad for us," said Klopp.
"He's a really good player, a really good player and I like him a lot.
“He has all the things you want from a midfield player: he is aggressive, he is technical, he can run for ages and all these kinds of things. That's a top-class player.”
A deadline has been set for the completion of Mason Mount's transfer to Manchester United from Chelsea.
Will Mount join Manchester United?
The Red Devils have already seen two bids rejected by Chelsea for Mount, the latter of which was worth somewhere between £50m-£55m when add-ons are taken into account. However, the Blues have stood firm and, while initially wanting £75m for the midfielder, would now accept a figure around the £60-65m mark.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, however, time could be running out for a move, with a short deadline set for the finalisation of the deal.
"The conversation between Man United and Chelsea for Mason Mount continues," stated the journalist. "Man United will bid again, as I told you. Mason Mount has an agreement with Man United, wants to go to Man United, but timing will be crucial."
"Sources believe that this deal has to be completed by the end of next week. So this is why for Chelsea this is another crucial point."
If Romano's sources are correct then a deal for Mount would need to be done by July 2nd, putting a potentially difficult deadline on an already tricky deal.
As Romano states, United are expected to bid again for the 24-year-old, who only managed 24 appearances in the Premier League last season for a chaotic Chelsea side who had three separate managers during the campaign.
New Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was reportedly eager to hold contract talks with Mason Mount as his current deal expires in the summer of 2024. However, his time at Chelsea seems all but over now, with the club not wanting to lose him for free.
For United, signing Mount from a rival would be an astute piece of business. The attacking midfielder managed a combined 70 goals and assists in 195 appearances for the Blues and has thoroughly impressed every manager he has played under.
Who else will Man United sign?
Naturally, Man United are not only interested in signing Mount and are expected to bring in several players during the transfer window. However, even Erik ten Hag himself has admitted to being unsure over available funds given the club's current ownership situation.
It appears United are interested in signing a central striker this summer, with Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Rasmus Hojlund all having been linked. It would take a whopping transfer fee to lure any of them to Old Trafford this summer and United have already pulled out of a potential deal for Kane as a result.
The Red Devils were strongly linked with Napoli sensation Kim Min-jae as a centre-back option considering his €50m release clause, but it seems Bayern Munich have jumped ahead of the English club in the queue.
Ten Hag may have to wait for clarification on the takeover process before being able to make significant moves into the transfer market this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur are in pole position to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya amid reports they're closing in, according to Sky Sports.
Who could join Spurs this summer?
After over a decade of serving as Spurs' number one shot-stopper, Hugo Lloris could be nearing a north London departure.
By his own admission, this summer could be the end of an era for Lloris, who has made nearly 450 appearances for Tottenham in all competitions since signing from Lyon in 2012.
Speaking to Nice-Matin recently, the 36-year-old admitted that he is seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere.
"We are coming to an important moment, whether for the club or for me. It's the end of an era," said Lloris.
"I have desires for other things, I will ask myself quietly to study what will be possible. But I don't forget that I still have a year of contract with Tottenham and that in football it is always difficult to predict what will happen."
As a result, the Lilywhites and chairman Daniel Levy are scouring the market for his replacement, leading to links with Everton's Jordan Pickford, Croatia number one Dominik Lovakovic and Raya.
David Raya for Brentford
This comes amid their search for a new centre-back, with Man City's Aymeric Laporte and Wolves defender Max Kilman being targeted, as well as Leicester City star James Maddison.
In terms of their goalkeeper hunt, there has been an update from Sky Sports on Tottenham's pursuit of Raya, coming amid reports that personal terms have already been agreed.
According to the broadcast giant, Spurs are currently "leading the chase" for Brentford's number one, with Man United and Chelsea also in the mix for his signing. However, it is Tottenham seemingly in pole position, though it is believed neither of the interested trio are willing to match Brentford's £40 million valuation.
Who is David Raya?
Standing out as one of Thoma Frank's top five best players last season, at least according to WhoScored, Raya also played more league minutes than any of his teammates.
Called "exceptional" by members of the media, like The Telegraph's Sam Dean, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is also a big fan of the Spaniard.
Speaking back in 2021 after an encounter with Brentford, Klopp raved over Raya's distribution, even proclaiming he could wear the number 10 shirt.
“The goalkeeper could have the shirt with No 10,” Klopp said.
“He played a few incredible balls but it was the right thing to do against us today.”
Everton have joined the race to sign Hamilton Academical striker Ryan One this summer, according to reports.
Who is Ryan One?
One is an academy graduate at the Fountain of Youth Stadium having worked his way up through the various youth ranks to get promoted to the first-team last summer, where he’s made a total of 28 appearances to date.
However, the 16-year-old was out of contract at the end of last month and he’s not yet been offered the chance to extend his stay with John Rankin’s side, meaning that as it stands, he’s set to depart as a free agent and will be available on the market for absolutely nothing.
The Scottish Championship outfit have also recently been relegated to the third-tier north of the border so the teenager could be hoping to find a new club at a higher level to test himself and progress his career, and it’s fair to say that he’s got plenty of admirers queuing up to secure his services.
Are Everton signing One?
According to TEAMtalk, Everton, Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Brentford and Bournemouth are all keen to bring One to the Premier League. The Toffees and Sean Dyche are “checking” on the forward and have been “watching” him for “most of the season”.
Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic and Glasgow Rangers were also “keeping tabs” on the talented prospect, but it’s believed that a move to the top-flight in England would be “hard for him to turn down”.
Everton manager Sean Dyche.
Could One be a good addition for Dyche?
Everton will know that One – having only ever made 28 appearances (855 minutes) throughout his career – is certainly not a player ready to be considered for the first-team, but with the promising signs that he’s showing, he would be an exciting recruit for the long-term future of the club.
The Scotland U17 international, who earns £100-per-week, has scored two goals since being introduced to the senior fold and has already had a taste of success having won the Scottish Challenge Cup during his debut professional campaign in 2022/23, so he will continue to have an eye on securing silverware as he moves into the next stage of his development.
One also has the versatility to operate everywhere across the frontline, including in his natural position as a centre-forward but also out wide on both the left and right flanks, which will no doubt be an attractive attribute to the hierarchy and is a quality that is useful to have in the building if he ever did become a regular under Dyche.