Former India Under-19 World Cup-winning captain now in a bid to qualify for USA
Shashank Kishore23-Nov-2022After becoming the first Indian to play in the BBL, India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Unmukt Chand is set to add another chapter to his journeyman career when he lines up for Chattogram Challengers in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) early next year.Chand, now 29, was picked up at the draft in Dhaka on Wednesday, with the franchise keen on having an Indian player to tap into the fan base in the country, according to franchise owner Rifatuzzaman.Chand’s eligibility comes from having retired from all forms of cricket under the BCCI’s ambit in September last year. He currently plays league cricket in the USA in a bid to qualify for the national team, which could happen at some stage in 2024. Chand lives in San Francisco, and has also signed a multi-year deal with the USA’s Major League Cricket that is set to kick off next year.Related
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His maiden BBL stint last year was far from memorable: he managed to feature in just two matches, scoring 35 runs with a best of 29. As things stand, Chand won’t be returning to Melbourne Renegades this year after making his BBL debut during the 2021-22 season.Chand’s USA eligibility pathway rests on him being in the country for ten months in a year for three years, and featuring in the BPL is unlikely to jeopardise his chances of qualifying to play for USA in 2024, as the tournament is set to run only for six weeks from January 5 to February 15. However, taking on a subsequent T20 gigs outside the USA could prove challenging.After his heroics at the Under-19 level – he scored 111 not out in the 2012 final against Australia to win the Player-of-the-Match award – Chand was marked for success at the higher level too, but couldn’t make the grade, never getting selected for India’s senior side.Chand, who represented Delhi in India’s domestic circuit, played 67 first-class games while scoring 3379 runs at an average of 31.57. He fared better in List A cricket, where he scored 4505 runs at an average of 41.33 in 120 matches. And before leaving Indian cricket, he had 1565 runs at an average of 22.35 and a strike rate of 116.09 in 77 T20s.In the IPL, he represented the erstwhile Delhi Daredevils – now Delhi Capitals – before also playing for Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. He featured in 21 matches in all, scoring 300 runs in 20 innings with a highest of 58.
Chelsea are now showing a strong interest in a “skilful” winger, but they will have to do battle for his signature with their Premier League rivals, according to a report.
Blues eyeing summer move for winger
Enzo Maresca had previously predicted that his side weren’t ready to be involved in a Premier League title race, and it seems like the manager was correct, with the Blues falling down to sixth place after their 3-0 defeat away at Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday night.
The west Londoners have spent big on new signings ever since the arrival of Todd Boehly, but Maresca may feel some new additions are necessary at the end of the season if his side are to catch up with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.
Maresca seems particularly keen on bringing in a new winger this summer, with FC Copenhagen’s Roony Bardghji believed to be of interest, while they have also been linked with moves for the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Luis Diaz.
Manchester United's AlejandroGarnachocelebrates after the match
During the January transfer window, Chelsea tabled a £12.6m bid for Deportivo La Coruna winger Yeremay Hernandez, which was knocked back by the Spanish side – but there has now been a new update on their pursuit.
According to reports from Spain, the Blues are showing strong interest in Hernandez ahead of the summer transfer window, but there is now increased competition for his signature, with Arsenal also keen on getting a deal done.
A deal would be relatively inexpensive for either of the Premier League sides, as there is a €20m (£17m) release clause in his Deportivo contract.
The report states the 22-year-old would fit perfectly into Maresca’s system given his versatility, and Chelsea view him as a key part of their long-term project.
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The Blues could look to raid Hansi Flick’s side.
ByEmilio Galantini Feb 16, 2025 "Skilful" Hernandez performing well in Spain
Freelance scout Ben Mattinson has praised the winger for his performances in Spain’s second tier this season, and while providing an overview of the other skills he has at his disposal, also claimed that Hernandez has “excellent vision”.
The Deportivo star is his side’s top scorer in La Liga 2 this season, finding the back of the net on nine occasions and scoring at an average of 0.39 goals per game.
While performing well in La Liga 2 is not necessarily an indication a player would be capable of making the step up to one of the Premier League’s top clubs, the Spaniard is clearly talented, and it could be worth taking a punt.
At just £17m, signing Hernandez would be a low-risk move for Chelsea, but they will need to hope his head is not turned by Arsenal.
Liverpool are reportedly seriously considering making a summer move for Stuttgart star Angelo Stiller as the Reds look to improve their midfield.
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Liverpool interested in Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller Slot puts Stiller on his list of summer prioritiesStuttgart set to demand close to €60 millionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch have all contributed significantly to Liverpool's midfield, which has been the team's backbone in their resounding Premier League title win. However, the latter part of the season has seen the Reds getting overrun through the middle, with fatigue playing a major part.
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German publication Stuttgarter-Nachrichten has now revealed that Liverpool are planning to go hard in for a move for Stiller this summer, as they have been interested in the Stuttgart star. Additionally, Fichajes has claimed that Stiller's 'tactical maturity and his ability to organise the game from the base [of midfield]' has impressed Arne Slot, who has placed him on the list of priorities.
DID YOU KNOW?
As per Stuttgarter-Nachrichten, Stuttgart are set to demand a fee of €60 million ($68m/£51m) for the 24-year-old, with other reports suggesting that Liverpool could be open to paying that fee this summer for Stiller.
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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR STILLER?
Stuttgart are trying to fight an uphill battle to qualify for the Europa Conference League, and Stiller will likely be working to try and focus on that before he decides on what to do with his future this summer.
One of Asif Ali’s late sixes against Sydney Sixers came off what appeared to be a no-ball
ESPNcricinfo staff23-Dec-2022Adam Zampa has called for the third umpire to be used to adjudicate on all waist-high full tosses rather than just those that take wickets.Zampa was in the commentary box on Thursday when Asif Ali nearly conjured a remarkable win for Hobart Hurricanes. With 45 needed off 10 balls, Ali struck three sixes and a four to leave Hurricanes needing 23 off the last.However, the last of the sixes in the penultimate over against Hayden Kerr came from a high full toss which replays showed was marginally above waist height. However, under the current protocols unless the ball takes a wicket the on-field decision stands.Although Ali fell in the final over, Hurricanes got to within six of victory so a no-ball call, and a subsequent free hit, could have changed the game.”You’ve got the technology…just check it,” Zampa said, before adding having seen the replay. “It’s a no-ball…just use the technology, it’s there.”That no-ball would have made a bit of a difference. Should we be using the technology? It takes two seconds.”If that was hit and caught, they would have checked it. So I don’t see the difference. Next ball goes for six, it makes just as much difference as a wicket.”
Should teams be allowed to use their review on a waist-high full toss?
Ricky Ponting and Ian Bishop discuss… #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/384R59vSEj
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 21, 2022
Zampa conceded the pace of the game was important, but added that such crucial decisions were vital to get right.”Once the games slows down and you lose a bit of momentum is when it gets annoying, but just got to get the call right,” he said.Another option put forward, and discussed earlier in the week by Ricky Ponting, has been for teams to be allowed to use a review, should they have it left, in the same way they can challenge a dismissal.”Going back to that point I was making about being able to use your review on that waist high ball…that is such a big error in the game, a free hit, how often do you see those go for a boundary? A lot,” Ponting said on during Adelaide Strikers’ game against Sydney Thunder. “Quite often games are decided by less than four or six runs.”However, alongside Ponting, Ian Bishop raised the concern about the game being slowed down.”Here’s the challenge, and I’m not against it if it’s fairly obvious,” he said. “But if it’s not an obvious one, how much time do we spend, and does the television umpire have a ruler where he’s trying to measure if that’s going to reach him…so it could be a tricky one if it’s not an obvious one above the waist.”
Manchester United could honour Erik ten Hag with a Europa League medal should they lift the trophy in Bilbao later this month.
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Man Utd could receive surplus Europa League medalsWould consider Ten Hag for an honourDutchman begun campaign in chargeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
United must progress through Thursday's semi-final second leg against Athletic Club, a tie they lead 3-0 after the first leg, to reach the final. If they win that, they would receive 50 medals and could choose to hand them to staff no longer at the club.
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Ten Hag was in charge of United at the beginning of their campaign, overseeing three draws in the league stage of the competition before being replaced by Ruben Amorim. The club could choose to recognise his contribution by handing him one of their spares.
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Ten Hag could soon be back in management. He has emerged as a "serious candidate" to replace Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.
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United's eggs are very much in the Europa League basket on Thursday, before they take on West Ham in a less significant Premier League match on Sunday.
The Glasgow Rangers board opted to make the decision to part ways with Philippe Clement after more than a year in charge at Ibrox for the Belgian tactician.
A 2-0 defeat to St Mirren at the weekend was the final straw for the Ibrox bosses and the ex-Monaco and Club Brugge chief was removed from his position in the dugout.
Clement made a perfect start to life in Glasgow when he replaced Michael Beale during the 2023/24 campaign, as his side beat Aberdeen to win the League Cup.
However, the Belgian tactician went through the rest of his career with Rangers without winning any trophies as he failed to get the better of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
The Light Blues were embarrassingly dropped out of the SFA Cup by second-tier outfit Queen’s Park and the loss to St. Mirren shortly after left Clement with a win percentage outside of the top ten in the club’s history.
Barry Ferguson has been confirmed as the interim manager until the end of the 2025/26 campaign, so it still remains to be seen who will take charge of the club next season.
Rangers already eyeing Ferguson's replacement
Rangers already know that the former central midfielder and Scotland international will not be in the dugout in July and that means that work will be underway to identify a long-term replacement for Clement.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Light Blues are ‘likely’ to be under new ownership, as a takeover involving the San Francisco 49ers’ investment wing is expected to be completed by June.
Jacobs claims that current Aberdeen head coach Derek McInnes is one of the names on the club’s radar, despite the fact his team have lost 12 of their 27 matches in the Premiership this season.
Manager Focus
The 53-year-old manager has never won a top-flight title in his career and may not be a particularly inspiring appointment, given his lack of tangible success managing a top team.
Jacobs, however, also claims that David Wagner, who is currently out of work, is another name under consideration by the Rangers board with a view to him potentially replacing Ferguson in the summer.
David Wagner Huddersfield Town
Said to be one of Jurgen Klopp’s “best friends” by the former Liverpool boss, the German tactician was sacked by English Championship side Norwich City at the end of last season after his side were beaten 4-0 by Leeds United in the play-offs.
This means that he could be a cheap option for the Gers as they would not have to negotiate a compensation fee with another club.
David Wagner's managerial career so far
The 53-year-old boss, who favours a 4-2-3-1 formation, is best known in the United Kingdom for leading Huddersfield Town to an unlikely promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in the 2016/17 campaign.
Wagner then led them to survival with a 16th-placed finish in the top-flight the following season, only to move on from the Yorkshire-based outfit in the 2018/19 campaign after a dismal run of 15 defeats in 22 Premier League games.
Norwich City
75
1.47
Young Boys
40
1.73
Schalke
40
1.20
Huddersfield
154
1.23
As you can see in the table above, he has had an inconsistent coaching career, and he has yet to manage a team that wins consistently, never averaging more than two points per game at any point.
Wagner, who has not won any major trophies in his career, has also not been one to shy away from controversy with his supporters in his career.
Last season, he told some Norwich supporters to “stay at home” after a negative reaction, that he deemed “unacceptable”, to him substituting Onel Hernandez and Josh Sargent in a match his side went on to win 4-2 against Watford.
Wagner is a fiery character who is not afraid to speak his mind, as shown by that incident, and his record may not be exceptional, but his style of play could make him perfect for club captain James Tavernier.
Why Wagner would be perfect for Tavernier
As aforementioned, 4-2-3-1 is his favoured formation and that is the system that he started with in matches at Norwich but it looked very different at times in possession.
The holding midfielder, ex-Rangers target Kenny McLean or Marcelino Nunez, would drop between the two centre-backs and operate as a quarterback, always looking for runs from deep from the full-backs or the centre-forward.
Norwich City'sKennyMcLean
Wagner would task his wingers, often Borja Sainz and Jonathan Rowe, with dragging opposition full-backs infield to create space for his own defenders to make runs beyond the last line to create chances in the final third.
As you can hear in the clip above, former Norwich forward Christian Fassnacht explained to TalkNorwichCity that he, as a right winger, felt like a holding midfielder at times because of the right-back – Jack Stacey – being ahead of him most of the time.
Stacey ended the 2023/24 campaign with nine ‘big chances’ created and six assists, compared to Rowe’s return of one ‘big chance’ created and two assists, and this shows how productive the manager’s full-backs can be.
This could mean that Wagner would be a dream for Tavernier, who has racked up 139 assists for Rangers, because the English veteran would be in a system that is designed to create openings for him at the top end of the pitch.
The Gers skipper, who has 268 goal contributions in his Rangers career, could, then, utilise his quality on the ball to be an outstanding attacking force for the German tactician.
Wagner’s Norwich side also ranked third in the Championship for set-piece goals (18) and this suggests that he and his coaches could draw up enough plays to help Tavernier add even more assists to his name from his free-kicks and corners.
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This would be great news for the Gers.
1 ByHenry Jackson Feb 25, 2025
Overall, the out-of-work head coach could be perfect for the right-back, due to his system, but his overall record as a manager suggests that it would be a gamble by Rangers to appoint him as Clement and Ferguson’s long-term successor in the summer.
Abdoulaye Toure scored a 99th-minute Panenka penalty as Le Havre beat Strasbourg to survive relegation in Ligue 1.
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Toure scored a 99th-minute Panenka penaltyLe Havre beat Strasbourg to avoid relegationFinished 15th on the points tableFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
In a must-win Ligue 1 encounter on Saturday, Le Havre came from behind on two occasions to beat Strasbourg 3-2. The win helped them finish 15th in the French top division and narrowly avoid relegation. In the dying moments of the match, the visitors got a penalty and Toure stepped up to take the spot-kick. In a situation where a goal was absolutely necessary, the Guinea international attempted a Panenka kick and calmly found the back of the net.
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This was Le Havre's 10th win of the season as they finished the 2024-25 campaign with 34 points from as many matches. Reims, who lost to Lille on the same day, ended the season with 33 points and suffered relegation along with St-Etienne and Montpellier.
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The French domestic football season will formally end on May 24 when league champions Paris Saint-Germain take on Reims in the French Cup final. PSG will then face Inter in the Champions League final on May 31.
Newcastle United are thought to be interested in completing the signing of an exciting young attacker in the summer, according to a new transfer rumour that has emerged.
Newcastle begin huge week in their history
The Magpies have one of the biggest matches in their history to look forward to at the end of the week, after Monday’s trip to West Ham, as they take on Liverpool in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
For Newcastle, it has been 70 long years without a major domestic trophy, so if Eddie Howe and his players can get over the line against the current Premier League leaders, it would make them heroes forever at St James’ Park. That is clearly a tough ask, given the quality of the Reds, but they have already drawn with them in the league this season.
Regardless of what happens at Wembley, the summer transfer window needs to be far more productive than it was last year for the Magpies, and they are being linked with fresh faces already. One report has claimed that they are in talks with Tammy Abraham over a return to English football, with the striker currently on loan at AC Milan from Roma.
Meanwhile, James Trafford has emerged as a leading option to increase the competition for places in goal at Newcastle this summer, especially with Nick Pope not getting any younger and seemingly losing his form in 2024/25 too.
The Englishman has excelled for Burnley throughout the current campaign, playing a key role in a team who have conceded just 10 times in the Championship.
James Trafford
Newcastle eyeing move for prolific South American youngster
Now, according to a fresh update from Sport [via Sport Witness], Newcastle and Paul Mitchell are battling to sign young Millonarios FC striker Neiser Villarreal in the summer.
Barcelona and Watford are also believed to be in the mix to snap up the young Colombian, so the Magpies won’t find it easy to acquire his services. They are described as “very attentive” to the 19-year-old’s situation, though, and his current deal expires this December.
Villarreal is far from a household name, so Newcastle fans may not be as excited compared to a high-profile star being mentioned as a target, but he is a player with so much potential.
Newcastle now in talks with "amazing" in-demand UCL winner over summer move
He could complete a Premier League return…
ByTom Cunningham Mar 10, 2025
He has proven to be prolific at international youth level for Colombia, scoring 10 goals in just 14 caps for his country’s Under-20s, and he has also been hailed as “excellent” by analyst Ben Mattison.
Newcastle should always be looking at developing exciting young talent, as well as signing elite-level footballers, and if they could pip a club of Barca’s size to Villarreal’s signature, it may prove to be a major coup over time.
The opener was in sight of a century on a day reduced to 44 overs by rain and bad light
Andrew McGlashan01-Apr-2023Matt Renshaw made a bid for a place in Australia’s Ashes squad as he dominated a shortened opening day of the first four-day match against New Zealand A in Lincoln with an unbeaten 92.Renshaw, the most experienced batter in the Australia A squad, does not have a county deal like others vying for a tour spot so these two matches are valuable to him after a difficult tour of India where he missed out three times batting in the middle order, albeit in conditions a world away from what will be on offer in England.”Really strange times at the moment for me,” he said. “I feel like I haven’t had much of a bat since the end of the Shield season. I had BBL, which was quite successful at the end. It feels really strange saying four months was four bats, but that’s the way cricket can be. It was nice to be back in the middle and enjoying batting.”Though he batted in the middle order in India, where he was preferred to Travis Head in the first Test before being David Warner’s concussion sub in the second, he is viewed as an opening option when a vacancy arrives, which could be sooner rather than later depending on Warner’s form. The first phase of Renshaw’s Test career came as an opener and this season he returned to that role for Queensland after a period in the middle order.Renshaw, who survived a big appeal for a catch down the leg side on 17, became increasingly dominant as his innings developed. He hurried into the 80s as he took on a short-pitched attack from Scott Kuggeleijn, which brought 18 off an over including a top-edged six, then collected consecutive boundaries off left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel.Related
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Renshaw's chance to push Ashes claims, eyes also on Hardie in New Zealand
The South Island of New Zealand in early autumn could also hardly be more removed from Nagpur and Delhi. With a further eye on conditions which are likely to prevail in the UK for the World Test Championship final against India then the Ashes these two matches are being played with the Dukes ball.The New Zealand A bowlers did not find much joy with it on an opening day truncated to 44 overs after the first session was washed out then lengthening shadows took the players off for bad light.”The pitch is really similar to what you would expect over in England, so it’s a really nice challenge for us over here,” Renshaw said. “Losing the toss and batting is a really good opportunity to test yourself on these wickets.”After being in India for six weeks facing an SG [ball] on wickets that don’t bounce, it was a nice change and challenge coming over here.”Should Renshaw reach three figures on the second day it will mean he has effectively made consecutive centuries for Australia A after the one he scored for the Prime Minister’s XI against West Indies in Canberra last November. He returned to the Test side at the SCG in January only to be positive for Covid-19 on the opening day then see his chances of a proper innings hit by the weather.The only wicket to fall was that of 18-year-old Teague Wyllie, the Western Australia batter, who opened for the first time in his first-class career. He did not entirely settle against the new ball before cutting Kuggeleijn into backward point.Tim Ward accompanied Renshaw in what became a second-wicket stand worth 113 during the rest of the day. He, too, was tested by the short delivery but more often than not opted to avoid rather than take the ball on.
There is no escaping from it: this season has been a complete disaster for Tottenham Hotspur.
Ange Postecoglou’s side are 14th in the Premier League, out of the FA Cup, and while they have a chance of winning the Europa League, it feels incredibly slim.
Moreover, while the Australian has had to deal with a mountain of injuries this year, he had what was almost a full-strength team on Sunday and still lost away to Fulham.
So, following their 19th loss in all competitions over the weekend, it wasn’t a massive surprise to see a whole host of managers linked with the Lilywhites’ job, including Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
The Spaniard has done a marvellous job on the south coast, but what would his dream Spurs lineup look like if he was appointed in the summer and allowed to bring in some new signings?
Games (All Comps)
33
46
Wins
15
21
Draws
8
6
Losses
10
19
Points per Game
1.61
1.50
1 GK – Guglielmo Vicario
Perhaps a couple of months ago, just after Antonín Kinský’s impressive debut against Liverpool, this spot would have at least been up for debate.
However, as time went on, the young Czech shot-stopper made the sort of mistakes you’d expect a young goalkeeper to make, and since he returned from injury, Guglielmo Vicario has reminded everyone just how good he can be.
The Italian is a brilliant shot-stopper, and while he can sometimes make the odd mistake, he’s undoubtedly going to remain Spurs’ number one next season, regardless of who is in the dugout.
2 RB – Djed Spence
The first outfield player in the lineup is one of the few who can come out of this season with his head held high: Djed Spence.
Since he was given a proper chance to prove his worth in December, the “swashbuckling” right-back, as dubbed by Ian Wright, has been one of the Lilywhites’ best players.
Like Pedro Porro, the Englishman can be lethal in attack, but unlike the Spaniard, he can also be trusted to do the defensive side of the role and do it to a high standard as well.
3 CB – Marc Guéhi
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehiin action
Fans might not want to hear this, but based on recent reports, it looks like there is a real chance that Cristian Romero could be on his way to Real Madrid in the summer.
However, while the Argentine would certainly be a loss, Iraola could potentially replace him with the incredible Marc Guéhi, who was the subject of a £70m bid from Spurs in the winter window.
The Englishman might not quite have the pedigree of the World Cup winner, but despite being just 24 years old, the 6 foot titan has already amassed 206 first-team appearances across his career, with 145 of those coming for Palace, 59 with Swansea City and two with Chelsea.
Moreover, he was an integral part of the England side that reached the final of the European Championships in the summer, so he is clearly someone who thrives in high-pressure situations, which could be just what the Lilywhites need.
4 CB – Micky van de Ven
Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven
Alongside Guéhi will be the sensational Micky van de Ven, who, when fit, is undoubtedly one of Tottenham’s most important players.
The Dutch international, who respected talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “complete & dominant”, is the perfect defender for a team that want to play aggressive and expressive football, as his record-setting speed means he can get back to stop counter-attacks when other centre-backs simply can’t.
Now, there are still serious question marks over his ability to remain fit, but you’ve got to live in hope, right?
5 LB – Destiny Udogie
Destiny Udogie for Tottenham
Rounding out the defence is another player who has battled with injuries, Destiny Udogie.
It would be fair to say that the Italian international has not had the best of campaigns this season, but it should not be forgotten just how good he was in his first year at the club.
Appearances
58
Starts
55
Minutes
4691′
Goals
2
Assists
4
Points per Game
1.77
In 23/24, the Verona-born “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Travis Levison, made 30 appearances, in which he scored two goals, provided three assists and became the first Tottenham player ever to be nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award.
Therefore, it would make sense for Iraola to give him another season to see how he fares in a new system, as the talent there is undeniable.
6 DM – Angel Gomes
Moving into the midfield, the second new face in the lineup is that of LOSC Lille star Angel Gomes.
The Englishman’s contract with the French side expires this summer, meaning he’ll be available for free, and Spurs have made no secret of their admiration for him.
It’s easy to understand why the North Londoners would want to sign the “special” 24-year-old, as dubbed by former manager Jocelyn Gourvennec, as not only can he help mop up opposition attacks at the base of midfield, but he can start his own thanks to his brilliant passing range and impressive ball control.
For example, FBref has placed him in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assisted goals and penalty kicks won, the top 3% for goal-creating actions from take-ons, the top 5% for passes into the penalty area and the top 8% for key passes, all per 90.
7 CM – James Maddison
Slotting in just ahead of Gomes will be fellow Englishman James Maddison.
The former Leicester City star can be an incredibly frustrating player at times, someone who can fade out of games, but when he’s on song, the midfielder is undoubtedly one of the most creative and dangerous in the Premier League.
For example, in just 38 appearances this season, the Coventry-born star has scored 11 goals and provided seven assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.11 games.
8 CM – Dejan Kulusevski
Rounding out the midfield will be arguably Tottenham’s best player, Dejan Kulusevski.
Initially signed as a winger, the “world-class” Swede, as dubbed by Kulig, has been in scintillating form this season, much of which he has spent in the middle of the park.
Appearances
42
Minutes
3054′
Goals
10
Assists
10
Goal Involvements per Match
0.47
Minutes per Goal Involvement
152.7′
In all, the former Juventus star has scored ten goals and provided ten assists in 42 appearances for the Lilywhites this year, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 2.1 games.
9 RW – Antoine Semenyo
Starting at right-wing, it could be one of Iraola’s star men this season: Antoine Semenyo.
The “unplayable” Bournemouth winger, as dubbed by journalist Ed Aarons, has been in incredible form this season, racking up a tally of nine goals and five assists in just 32 appearances for the Cherries.
That means the 25-year-old, whom analyst Ben Mattinson described as possessing “powerful ambipedal ball striking,” is averaging a goal involvement every 2.28 games for a team outside the traditional ‘big six.’
10 ST – Dominic Solanke
Starting up top will be the club’s current record signing: Dominic Solanke.
While the former Bournemouth man has had to endure some time out due to injury this season, he’s looked great when he’s been on the pitch.
For example, in 33 appearances, the Basingstoke-born monster has scored 11 goals and provided eight assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games and demonstrates that he’s more than just a goal threat.