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For the past two seasons, Liverpool have spent big in the January transfer window to address a key area of concern and boost the chances of success, but that probably won't be the case this month.

Last season, Jurgen Klopp signed 2022 World Cup star Cody Gakpo in a £35m transfer to combat the looming departure of Anfield legend Roberto Firmino, strengthening a frontline that had one year prior combated Sadio Mane's sale to Bayern Munich by swooping for mercurial FC Porto winger Luis Diaz, who joined for an initial fee of £37m.

While there are concerns around Liverpool's defensive depth and rumours still persist regarding the Reds' midfield (namely the signing of a specialist No. 6) after a summer of much change, high-flying Liverpool are not expected to spend big and instead will continue to rely on their existing options to maintain the four-front charge for silverware.

The Premier League table toppers will address their issues in the summer, however, and it would be safe to assume that the backline is Klopp's priority, with Joel Matip out of contract at the end of the campaign and sidelined for the remainder of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament last month.

Liverpool's search for a defender

Multiple names have entered transfer circulation on Merseyside of late and two top targets both ply their trade in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon, with Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande on the radar.

The dynamic duo are not the only players earning Klopp's attention, however, with CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs recently revealing on The Football Terrace that Chelsea's Levi Colwill is of long-standing interest to Liverpool.

That said, the Stamford Bridge side are said to be determined to reject any advances that come their way, having rejected an offer from Liverpool last summer.

How Levi Colwill would fit in at Liverpool

Colwill rose to prominence in the Premier League last season on loan with Brighton & Hove Albion, playing 22 times across all competitions, completing 89% of his passes and winning 71% of his aerial duels in the Premier League, as per Sofascore.

The Seagulls sought to add him to the ranks permanently in the summer but, like Liverpool, they were turned away by Chelsea, with the 20-year-old now a mainstay in Mauricio Pochettino's Blues squad.

The 6 foot 1 defender has largely been fielded at left-back this season to combat injuries to Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella and while he will yearn for a return to the centre of defence, Colwill has started 18 times in the Premier League this season, praised as "absolutely different class" by Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips.

As per FBref, Colwill ranks among the top 3% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 19% for passes attempted and the top 11% for progressive carries per 90, showcasing his creativity and ball-playing aptitude.

Player

Club

Pau Torres

Aston Villa

Ezri Konsa

Aston Villa

Gabriel Magalhaes

Arsenal

Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool

Manuel Akanji

Manchester City

*Sourced via Football Transfers

The £100k-per-week ace is a player of immense technical quality and would be a credit to Liverpool's system, especially given that the table above highlights his similarities to Reds captain Virgil van Dijk.

How Levi Colwill compares to Virgil van Dijk

Like Colwill, 32-year-old Van Dijk is one of European football's most technically proficient defenders of the modern age, having won the whole gamut of silverware under Klopp's guidance since signing for Liverpool from Southampton in a £75m transfer six years ago.

Arguably the world's finest centre-half right now, the Netherlands skipper has been imperious this season as Liverpool fight for major honours and blends leadership with defensive superiority to provide his side with iron-clad protection in the rearguard.

Stat

#

Matches played

18

Goals

1

Assists

2

Clean sheets

6

Pass completion

91%

Tackles per game

1.4

Interceptions per game

1.3

Clearances per game

4.5

Ball recoveries per game

5.0

Duel success rate

78%

*Sourced via Sofascore

The £220k-per-week titan ranks among the top 6% of central defenders for assists, the top 13% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for passes attempted, the top 9% for pass completion and the top 3% for aerial battles won per 90.

As shown through Colwill's metrics earlier, the young Chelsea gem is aerially dominant, sublime with his passing skills and active in his defensive duties, having been hailed for his "special" abilities recently by journalist Tom Overend.

Van Dijk will hope to play a prominent role for Liverpool over the coming years but his influence will not last perpetually, and by signing Colwill, Klopp could land an even bigger talent than Jarell Quansah to boost his team.

Quansah has been praised for his "absolutely phenomenal" start to life at Anfield this season by Trent Alexander-Arnold after graduating from the academy and enjoying a successful loan spell with Bristol Rovers in League One last season.

Clocking up 15 displays, the 20-year-old has scored once and provided two assists, belying his lack of experience on the major stage with some commanding efforts, also ranking among the top 2% of centre-backs for goals scored, the top 1% for passes attempted, the top 9% for pass completion and the top 7% for aerial wins per 90.

A remarkable start to life in Liverpool's senior set-up, and while he is a brilliant prospect, Colwill is demonstrably first-class as a rising defensive star and really could prove to be the perfect player to assume Van Dijk's role in the years to come.

Of course, it would be hasty to claim that Colwill is capable of performing at Van Dijk's level at this stage of his career, but his expansive skill set and left-footedness are two standout attributes that would make him a ready-made heir for the esteemed Dutchman.

Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate make for a formidable defensive axis and Quansah will be eager to continue his rise to the fore over the coming years and edge closer toward a prominent position in Klopp's team.

But further quality is needed and Colwill would be the Prem-proven talent capable of providing the presence to preserve Liverpool's defensive strength for years to come, and if Chelsea's stance on their player shows the slightest hint of weakening, a bid must be lodged.

No time for Lancashire reply before rain halts play for the day

ECB Reporters Network10-Jun-2019Lancashire new ball duo James Anderson and Graham Onions inflicted more misery on Worcestershire, who were bowled out for 98 on a rain-hit opening day in the Specsavers County Championship match at Blackfinch New Road.Anderson and Onions had been the destroyer in chiefs last month in reducing Worcestershire to 38 for 7 on the opening day of the match at Emirates Old Trafford, which Lancashire won by six wickets.It was the same story on Monday as Anderson, who took 4 for 24 off 14.1 overs, and Onions, who contributed 4 for 55 off 14, were largely responsible for the home side being skittled in just 38.1 overs with some top-class bowling.Saqib Mahmood, taking 2 for 8 off his eight overs, ensured there was no let-up in the current Division Two leaders’ dominance of proceedings after they had opted to bowl under leaden skies.Ed Barnard, who was promoted to No. 6, offered the most resistance with a defiant 32 as Worcestershire were dismissed for the second-lowest total in the Championship this summer. Only Nottinghamshire, with 97 against Warwickshire at Edgbaston last week, had been bowled out for a lower total during 2019.Worcestershire had rejigged their batting line-up with Tom Fell and George Rhodes left out of the side and Josh Dell brought back to open the innings. But they were unable to combat England star Anderson and Onions before the heavens opened once the players had players left the field shortly after 2.30pm local time.Lancashire unsurprisingly opted to bowl and Onions and Anderson were soon among the wickets on the same pitch used for the ODI match between England Women and West Indies Women the previous day.Onions was first to strike as opener Daryl Mitchell nicked an away swinger through to keeper and skipper Dane Vilas and then Callum Ferguson was trapped lbw for just one.Riki Wessels also went leg before to Anderson and it became 24 for 4 when Ross Whiteley tried to work him through mid-wicket and was caught off a leading edge by Haseeb Hameed at cover point.Dell, who hit 61 on his Championship debut against Durham, battled away to make 18 in 18 overs in the opening role but shouldered arms to Mahmood and was bowled.Barnard brought up the Worcestershire fifty with a cover drive for four of Onions in the 20th over. But it became 57 for 6 when red ball vice-captain Ben Cox went for a drive and was caught behind off Mahmood.The procession of wickets continued in the afternoon session. Fit-again Wayne Parnell drove at Onions and was bowled and club captain Joe Leach aimed to work the ball on the leg side and suffered the same fate.Anderson wrapped up proceedings as Charlie Morris and Barnard were both safely pouched by Vilas – the latter after attempting a ramp shot.There was no chance for Lancashire to launch their reply before rain intervened and play was called off for the day at 4.35pm.Meanwhile, no play was possible on the first day of the Division Two match between Leicestershire and Middlesex at Grace Road. Heavy rain falling began shortly before the toss was scheduled to take place and persisted throughout the day, forcing play to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Winners & Losers from USMNT's chaotic Brazil draw in Copa America warmup

How do you like that? Gregg Berhalter might not be a disaster after all. It's unclear how much can really be taken from this, the most chaotic of 1-1 draws, but it's clear that the USMNT manager can piece together a tactical plan against a bit team when needed.

The USMNT turned in a much-improved showing from their 5-1 loss to Colombia just four days before. They defended well, attacked with real intent, and caused problems for the Selecao. They relied on Matt Tuner at times – excellent in goal. But also could have easily won it with some cleaner finishing.

They were the aggressors early. Yunus Musah rattled the bar from 30 yards. Christian Pulisic forced a smart save out of Alisson.

But another defensive breakdown saw Brazil take the lead. Turner played a ball into pressure, and the Selecao took advantage, forcing a turnover that ended with a fine finish into the bottom corner from Rodrygo. The USMNT responded, though, Pulisic smashing a free kick into the bottom corner from the top of the box.

What transpired after was something resembling chaos. Notions of control and composure often vanished, as two teams ran at each other without lacking the kind of clarity in key areas to ever look like doing anything. Pulisic will feel he should have scored at one end – putting a shot too close to the keeper while wide open. But Turner did his bit at the other, finishing the game with 10 saves.

At the end of it all, though, it is Berhalter who comes out looking good here, the USMNT slightly redeemed not long removed after one of his worst days at the helm.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Camping World Stadium…

WINNER: Gregg Berhalter

No one needed this more than Berhalter.

The critics were growing louder and louder, justifiably so. They'll remain loud until the USMNT proves them wrong at the Copa America. This performance, though, will help as both Berhalter and the USMNT proved they can compete at this level.

Berhalter won the tactics battle, setting his side up to succeed against the mighty Brazil. He didn't do it by bunkering or changing this team's identity, either. No, the U.S. looked to play, and play they did, nearly earning a win in the process. So much has been made of Berhalter's record against non-CONCACAF opponents and, while this wasn't a win, it certainly felt like one.

"We challenged them," Berhalter said. "We spoke to them both collectively and individually and challenged them for better performances. We never want to make excuses for a performance, so when you have conversations with the players, you don't want to give them an out. When you represent the national team, with the pressure and the standard, against Colombia, we didn't reach that standard, so we did have a challenge for the group. We want to focus on those two things and let everything else take care of itself."

The haters will remain, and that certainly won't change with one friendly draw. After the Colombia mess, though, Berhalter proved that he can get this team back on track.

AdvertisementLOSER: Dorival Junior

If one manager got it right, the other was certainly lacking in his decision-making. It is pretty obvious at this point: Dorival simply has to start Endrick for Brazil. They have two-thirds of a terrific forward line here, both Rodrygo and Vinicius are consistently world-class (even if the latter wasn't at his best against the USMNT).

And Endrick, when he's on the pitch, seems like the perfect third element. Unlike Raphinha or Savio, he is ferociously direct, a willing runner towards goal who lives within the width of the box. That's what Brazil miss more than anything – a razor-sharp roaring edge to this attack that otherwise buzzes and hums.

Dorival made some other questionable calls here, too. He still hasn't quite figured out who his holding midfielder should be – Bruno Guimaraes is best used in a roaming role. Meanwhile, the decision to start the out-of-touch Lucas Paqueta made little sense. The pressure on Brazil is immense. Dorival simply has to deliver, and he got it slightly wrong here.

GettyWINNER: Christian Pulisic

Facing off with Brazil's attacking superstars, Pulisic proved that he deserves a spot among the very best with yet another big-game performance. Rodrygo got Brazil's goal and Vinicius Jr may get the Ballon d'Or, but don't underestimate Pulisic.

He is a player that routinely makes his mark on the biggest of games. This was a friendly, of course, but it was a key one, particularly for the USMNT. After going behind early, the doubts from that 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Colombia could have set in. Pulisic didn't let them.

"Christian has been a leader of this team since day one," Berhalter said, "and I think he relishes that role … guys look to him for inspiration and I think the most important thing about Christian is, in moments like this, he's going to step up because that's what he does. He's always focused on the team. He's always focused on helping out and I think he had a great game overall, both offensively and defensively."

His free-kick was a stunner, but it was one of several big moments from Pulisic, who was a menace all night. If he's in this sort of form for the Copa, the USMNT will feel they have a chance against just about anyone in their path.

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Getty ImagesWINNER: Rodrygo

Rodrygo continues to insist that he is not a centre forward or a right winger. And he might be right. In brief glimpses, the Brazilian has been excellent as a second striker or No.10. But those are only small glances.

Here, he played as a roaming striker – and was absolutely electric doing so. He toyed with the US backline, finding gaps and sneaking in the spaces between defenders. His goal was a wonderfully taken thing – a clinical touch and finish across a sprawling keeper. He could've had one or two more, with the edge of the post and then a sharp Matt Turner denying him the chance of putting the game beyond reach.

In the end, he was harshly removed for Gabriel Martinelli. Make no mistake, though, Rodrygo simply has to start for the Selecao at Copa America.

Hosts win by five wickets on back of Godleman’s unbeaten on 70 and Watt’s 4-19 at Chesterfield

Paul Edwards20-Jul-2019
Yorkshire’s David Willey runs in to bowl to Billy Godleman. The ball is speared down leg side and races away for five wides. On the instant a deep-throated cheer comes up from most of the supporters who ring Queen’s Park. Chesterfield’s festival, once threatened, always cherished, has ended in a five-wicket victory for the home side over one of their traditional rivals.The atmosphere is festal; the air, almost tropical earlier in the day, has freshened towards evening. A jazz band will play in the beer tent later and you can be assured plenty of ale will be supped to celebrate Derbyshire beginning their Vitality Blast campaign with a win. Godleman, whose unbeaten 70 has anchored his side’s innings, is applauded back to the pavilion. Home supporters are grateful their side had five balls to spare. English cricket has had enough of ties.Visiting supporters rightly bemoan the absence of Matthew Fisher who has had to leave the field in the third over of Derbyshire’s innings with a dislocated right shoulder. Fisher’s left-arm pace bowling might have made 164 an even more competitive total. As it is, Yorkshire have had to bowl 11 overs of spin, not necessarily a problem on a used pitch, but a limitation on Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s options. None of which worries the children who are playing games on other used wickets or the supporters enjoying the sun and wondering if Dominic Cork’s arrival as T20 coach will help their side reach their first T20 Finals Day.Yet Cork is not the first man to be interviewed when the players emerge from the pavilion and nor does Godleman win the man of the match award. That honour falls to Mark Watt, a 22-year-old slow left-armer from Edinburgh, whose four wickets for 19 runs ensured Yorkshire’s array of T20 hitters never launched an uninhibited assault on the shorter boundaries around the tree-lined ground.”Meet George Stephenson” suggested one flyer outside the restaurant at Queen’s Park this lunchtime. “Meet a medieval surgeon,” urged another as the custodians of Chesterfield’s museum placed even greater faith in the power of time travel or the credulousness of the town’s tourists. We will never know how many of the five-and-a-half thousand souls who crammed into one of England most famous outgrounds took the tourist board up on their offers. But to judge from the folk queueing up for the post-match signing session quite a few people were interested in meeting Watt.One could see their point. Victories over Yorkshire are treasured occasions in these parts and Watt’s wickets on his Derbyshire debut did more than anything to set up his side’s triumph. Nor were Watt’s victims death-over donations. Brought into the attack in the sixth over from the Pavilion End, he removed Willey, Harry Brook, Gary Ballance and Nicholas Pooran to leave Yorkshire on 77 for 6 after 11.3 overs of their innings.At that point Watt’s accuracy and subtle changes of length and pace looked to have done enough to ensure his team would be chasing a low total. Ballance, bowled when reverse-sweeping, and Pooran, hitting the seventh ball of his Yorkshire career straight to long-off, had given him all the assistance he needed.But the visitors were rescued by Jordan Thompson, whose maiden first-team fifty included five crowd-scattering sixes. Thompson put on 66 in less than seven overs with Jonny Tattersall before he skied Logan van Beek to wicketkeeper Daryn Smit in the penultimate over. Tattersall’s canny 39 off 31 balls and Fisher’s big six in the final over saw Yorkshire to 164, a plainly defendable total on a used pitch. Fisher’s day, however, was about to get very much worse when he dived to prevent a boundary and stood up clutching his shoulder.In time, of course, so did Yorkshire’s, although Dom Bess’s removal of Luis Reece and Wayne Madsen, both leg before wicket, kept the result in doubt. Yet at no point in Derbyshire’s innings did they lose control of their pursuit and scoring eight runs an over is a familiar task for batsmen as experienced as Godleman. Leus du Plooy helped when he got inside the line of Bess’s final over and whacked two sixes to the right of the Norway maple. Du Plooy was caught at short third man off Thompson for 30 but Matthew Critchley maintained the momentum towards what is Derbyshire’s fifth successive T20 win over Yorkshire.And maybe visiting supporters sporting their Leeds and Sheffield United shirts should not have been too surprised. Yorkshire have not won a T20 game at Chesterfield since 2014 and home fans clearly arrived ready to drink deeply whatever the outcome. Even the school bus was a bar. Well, it is the end of term.

Newcastle United are "likely" made a late approach to sign a "superb" Premier League player, according to a new update from journalist Joel Bland.

Newcastle chasing new midfielders before deadline

Time is running out for the Magpies to get some important business over the line in the January transfer window, during a season that has seen injuries often decimate Eddie Howe's squad. Many players have been backed to complete moves to Newcastle before the end of deadline day on Thursday, although they have missed out on previous target Kalvin Phillips, and FFP restrictions are seemingly taking their toll.

Midfield looks like the key area of the pitch that Howe is looking to strengthen in, with Everton ace Amadou Onana emerging as a potential addition in recent times. He could like the idea of a new challenge at a better team, although the Blues will likely do all they can to keep hold of him.

Similarly, Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing is also seen as someone who could come in and bolster Newcastle's options in the middle of the park, considering Joelinton is injured for the foreseeable future and Sandro Tonali is suspended until next season.

Chelsea's Conor Gallagher has been linked with a move to St James' Park, too, with the Magpies also tipped to hijack Crystal Palace's switch for Blackburn Rovers star Adam Wharton.

Amadou Onana approach update

Writing on X on Monday, Bland claimed that Newcastle are likely to make an approach for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana in a late attempt to force the deal through this month.

"Approach likely to be made for Onana, although EFC very keen to keep him until summer and deal could be difficult due to limited timescale.

"Philip Billing has been identified as an affordable replacement to cover Joelinton, while Morgan Gibbs-White has also been discussed and scouted. Club very much desire a 'young versatile forward' – an ongoing target from last summer – but prioritising a box-to-box midfielder this window."

It really does feel as though Newcastle are pushing hard to acquire Onana's signature this month, and he could be exactly what they are looking for in the absence of Joelinton, in particular.

Appearances

17

Starts

16

Goal contributions

1

Tackles per game

2.6

Aerial duel wins per game

2.2

Clearances per game

1.1

Pass completion rate

84.2%

The 22-year-old may be playing in a struggling Everton side at times, but he has arguably consistently stood out as one of their better players, with journalist Richard Buxton describing him as "superb" and Connor O'Neill hailing him as "outstanding".

Onana may feel that the Blues' 10-point deduction in the Premier League is threatening to see them get relegated this season, making now the right time to move on, helping Newcastle turn their season around for the better.

Club worried Newcastle could hijack transfer to sign highly-rated player

He possesses one “super strength” in his game.

ByHenry Jackson Jan 28, 2024

Everton's stance is ultimately likely to prove key, with the Merseysiders having to weigh up whether to accept a huge offer in the midst of their own financial issues.

Arsenal are eyeing an astonishing move for Sporting CP and Sweden striker Victor Gyokeres this summer, according to reports.

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Arsenal eye Gyokeres€120m deal reportedGyokeres comments on linksWHAT HAPPENED?

According to Portuguese outlet Leonino, Arsenal are 'close' to completing the signing of Sporting CP striker Gyokeres. Previous reports had claimed financial issues had been preventing the deal but the latest development claims the Gunners are on the 'verge' of securing the signing.

Advertisement(C)GettyImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The report went on to state that the Portuguese club were demanding a figure upwards of €100million ($106m/£84m) for the player, although fresh terms have now been negotiated. Arsenal will reportedly pay a fee of €90m (£76m/$96m) which could rise to €120m ($128m/£101m) with add-ons.

WHAT GYOKERES SAID

Speaking on his future, the former Coventry City forward commented on links to other clubs, with Manchester United also touted as a possible landing destination. "It’s a sign that I’ve performed well. But it’s not something I take too seriously, since it’s just speculation. But of course it’s fun," he said.

“We’ll see this summer. It’s not something I know about myself, what will happen. I enjoy Sporting extremely well and feel no stress about the summer coming quickly.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

The transfer window is now open, as of June 14, and Arsenal will now look to recruit reinforcements ahead of the 2024/25 season. Whether or not this includes Gyokeres, only time will tell.

One thing is for sure, Arsenal have been lacking a lethal goalscorer for some time now – and the 29 Gyokeres netted last season would certainly solve that.

One week into December, Tottenham Hotspur let their lead slip on home soil to hand West Ham United victory in the Premier League; it was Ange Postecoglou's side's fourth defeat in five matches.

Several months back, the 2022/23 season whirred into life and Postecoglou's project took off with unfettered fluency, eight victories and two draws placing Spurs at the top of the table and pleasingly ahead of schedule in the early days of a new era.

The ebb and flow of results and performance this season is not new at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but the big difference is the singular vision under Postecoglou's management, each acquisition made in the transfer market providing a boost to the overall strength of the squad.

That's not to say that many existing players were not up to standard, with the likes of Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-min Son revived after last year's struggle.

Much deadwood has been moved on but one sale before Postecoglou's arrival in Jack Clarke might be viewed with a certain ruefulness, with the Sunderland winger certainly capable of earning praise down the N17.

Why Tottenham signed Jack Clarke

Way back in 2019, Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham completed the signing of teenage prospect Clarke for around £10m, joining from Leeds United and remaining at Elland Road on loan for the 2019/20 term.

Only 18 years old, Clarke had made his Whites debut under Marcelo Bielsa in 2018 and impressed with some precocious displays, posting two goals and two assists apiece across just four starting appearances in the Championship.

Pundit Noel Whelan had certainly noticed the teen's talent, waxing over his traits and saying: “He has got a great ability to glide past players. I don’t think I’ve seen a winger really as talented as that, where it looks effortless, just to take somebody on and he really does get you on the edge of your seat, he’s one of those exciting players.

“He’s only going to get better but once again a player we can only enjoy if we go into the Premier League because there’s teams sniffing around him.”

It certainly wasn't a mistake for Tottenham to make their move for Clarke, blessed with many attractive natural qualities and showing signs of productivity through both his direct threat and playmaking.

But Clarke's signing was just one of many youth prospects making the jump to a team at the forefront of English football too soon; might he have been better placed in a stable environment for a few more years, instead of itinerantly jumping from loan stint to loan stint?

Antonio Conte appears to have made a mistake in allowing Clarke to drift away in 2022, with the wide man now shining and proving his worth as a winger studded with natural talent and self-belief.

Once praised for his "undoubtable talent" by QPR's former director of football Les Ferdinand, during one of his several loan spells while on Tottenham's books, Clarke only made four senior appearances for Spurs before completing a final loan move to Sunderland midway through the 2021/22 campaign, impressing during the Black Cats' promotion push in League One and earning a permanent transfer the following summer.

Jack Clarke's Sunderland career

Now aged 23, Clarke has found his feet at the Stadium of Light and cemented a starring spot in a side pushing for a return to the Premier League.

Last season, his first full year in Tyne and Wear, the 23-year-old scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists across 50 appearances in all competitions as Sunderland reached the play-off semi-finals, losing to Luton Town.

As per FBref, the 6 foot 1 attacker ranks among the top 15% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and tackles, the top 1% for progressive carries, the top 5% for successful take-ons and the top 2% for touches in the attacking box per 90.

Such metrics speak of blistering pace and a wily and progressive ability that allows him to surge into promising positions down the left flank and unleash his creativity.

As per Sofascore, Clarke has been in incredible form this term and currently stands with 13 goals and four assists in the second tier, ​​​​​​averaging 2.5 key passes, 1.7 tackles, 4.6 ball recoveries, 3.7 dribbles and 8.2 successful duels per game.

It's a stunning level of performance and one that suggests he is ready for a second shot at the big time; indeed, West Ham and Serie A side Lazio had pushed for a transfer in January but were rebuffed.

Destined for the top, Clarke might actually be performing at a higher standard than Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson, who signed for the club from Nottingham Forest in a £47.5m package last summer.

Better than Brennan Johnson

Johnson has only clinched two goals and four assists across 19 outings for Spurs so far but was crucial to the Tricky Trees' Premier League survival last season and scored ten times.

Of course, Clarke currently plies his trade below England's top-flight and Johnson hardly struggled during his last season in the Championship, scoring 16 goals and supplying nine assists as Nottingham Forest secured promotion, but the Sunderland star is demonstrating newfound maturity and, theoretically, if he could transfer his form to Tottenham right now he would be poised for success.

Dribbling

Passing

Counter-attack threat

Aerial duels

Source: WhoScored

While Johnson is a crisp dribbler and has been lauded for his "frightening" speed by compatriot Joe Allen, there's a case that Clarke offers all Johnson, aged 22, does and more.

Averaging just 0.7 dribbles, 1.1 key passes and 2.8 key passes per game in the top flight highlights this point.

Johnson is young and will hopefully continue to take strides under Postecoglou's wing, but had Spurs managed Clarke's time at the club better then there is every possibility that a large sum could have been saved on Johnson and a truly dynamic and effective phenom could now be coming into their own in the capital.

John Campbell, Roston Chase and Keemo Paul have been recalled for the three-match series

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jul-2019Chris Gayle has found a place in West Indies’ squad for their ODI series against India. Gayle, who had announced in February that he would retire from ODIs after the World Cup, made a U-turn during the tournament, stating that he would “definitely” play the ODI series against India. The selectors have granted him his wish.Gayle is 12 runs short of Brian Lara’s tally of 10,405 ODI runs, the most by a West Indian batsman, and will get the chance to break the record.Opening batsman John Campbell and allrounders Roston Chase and Keemo Paul, meanwhile, have returned to the 14-member ODI squad. Campbell, Chase and Paul were part of West Indies’ squad for the tri-series in Ireland that preceded the World Cup, but did not make the cut for the big event.Campbell was particularly unlucky to miss out, having scored 179 in a world-record opening partnership with Shai Hope in Dublin before sitting out the rest of the tri-series injured.From the squad that was at the World Cup, the selectors have left out batsmen Sunil Ambris and Darren Bravo, offspinner Ashley Nurse, and fast bowler Shannon Gabriel.Allrounder Andre Russell, whose World Cup ended prematurely with a knee injury, doesn’t find a place either – though he is part of the T20I squad for the India series.The ODI series will begin in Providence, Guyana, on August 8, and move to Port-of-Spain in Trinidad for the second and third ODIs on August 11 and 14.West Indies ODI squad: Jason Holder (capt), Chris Gayle, John Campbell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Fabian Allen, Carlos Brathwaite, Keemo Paul, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Kemar Roach

Elliot Lee is making the most of relaxed summer rules before Wrexham return to pre-season training, with a pub and pint trip enjoyed with father Rob.

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Red Dragons up into League OneMidfielder star determined to shineAble to enjoy life off the pitch for nowGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The all-action midfielder was a talismanic presence for the Red Dragons in 2023-24 as they secured a runners-up finish in League Two. The 29-year-old registered 16 goals through 53 appearances in all competitions, earning him a place in the fourth-tier Team of the Season.

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Lee has played in League One before, with the likes of Luton and Charlton, and is expected to lead from the front again as Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Phil Parkinson look to piece together another promotion push and third trip to Las Vegas.

DID YOU KNOW?

Parkinson’s side are enjoying a well-earned break for now, with Lee among those looking to let his hair down before the demands of professional football resume. He has taken the opportunity to get the beers in alongside his former England international dad.

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WHAT NEXT?

Wrexham returned to pre-season towards the end of June in 2023, with a similar plan set to be followed 12 months on. The likes of Paul Mullin and James McClean have been hitting the gym hard, with it imperative that the Red Dragons avoid any untimely stumbles out of the blocks in a division that will be fiercely competitive.

Football FanCast brings you the latest Wolverhampton Wanderers transfer round-up.

In typical Wolves fashion, the club left any transfer dealings until the last minute in the January transfer window, which meant they failed on their main aim to get a striker in before the deadline. However, things weren't made easy though, as FFP concerns heavily weighed on the shoulder of Gary O'Neil with Premier League giving Nottingham Forest and Everton a slap on the wrist.

Despite the lack of signings, Wolves have been in superb form under O'Neil of late, and even stand a chance of pushing for an unlikely European place from here on in.

Latest Wolves transfer rumours

According to former Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers, the Midlands club could look to sell Pedro Neto in the summer transfer window for around £60 million.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Wolves are showing an interest in signing Arsenal youngster Amario Cozier-Duberry.

Also, Fotbol Direkt claim that Wolves were ready to launch a late bid for Lucas Bergvall in the winter transfer window, but he had already given his word to Spurs so joined them.

Wolves 2023/24 transfers

This summer just gone was a bit of a nightmare if you're a Wolves fan or Julien Lopetegui, as the threat of FFP and balancing out the books took the limelight.

The Midlands club did manage to sign Matheus Cunha after his loan spell last season, but they had to make plenty of sacrifices, as the likes of Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes and Nathan Collins all secured exits.

Player

From

Fee

Matheus Cunha

Bayer Leverkusen

£44m

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde

Villarreal

£12.8m

Santiago Bueno

Middlesbrough

£8.5m

Enso Gonzalez

Red Star Belgrade

£5m

Matt Doherty

Galatasaray

Free

Tom King

Adelaide United

Free

Tommy Doyle

Leicester

Loan with option to buy

Noha Lemina

Arsenal

Loan with option to buy

Wolves 2023/24 sales

Wolves managed to raise around £144 million in the last two transfer windows, which massively helped in their bid to escape any kind of punishment from the Premier League for FFP rules.

The most notable exits were the likes of Ruben Neves and Matheus Nunes, who had both grown to be important players at Molineux.

One other big departure was Conor Coady finally leaving after captaining the side to a number of successful seasons.

Player

From

Fee

Matheus Nunes

Manchester City

£53m

Ruben Neves

Al Hilal

£47m

Nathan Collins

Brentford

£23m

Conor Coady

Leicester City

£7.5m

Raul Jimenez

Fulham

£5m

Ryan Giles

Luton Town

£5m

Hayao Kawabe

Standard Liege

£1.3m

Matija Sarkic

Millwall

£1.2m

Adama Traore

Fulham

Free

Jonny Otto

PAOK Salonika

Free

Diego Costa

Botafogo

Free

Joao Moutinho

SC Braga

Free

Bruno Jordao

Radomiak

Free

Daniel Podence

Olympiacos

Loan

Goncalo Guedes

Benfica

Loan

Goncalo Guedes

Villarreal

Loan

Fabio Silva

Rangers

Loan

Sasa Kalajdzic

Stuttgart

Loan

Luke Cundle

Plymouth

Loan

Luke Cundle

Stoke City

Loan

Yerson Mosquera

Villarreal

Loan

Ki-Jana Hoever

Stoke City

Loan

Bendeguz Bolla

Servette FC

Loan

Chiquinho

Famalicao

Loan

Chiquinho

Stoke City

Loan

Joe Hodge

Queens Park Rangers

Loan

Chem Campbell

Charlton Athletic

Loan

Chem Campbell

Wycombe Wanderers

Loan

Louie Moulden

Northampton Town

Loan

Louie Moulden

Rochdale

Loan