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The end of the January transfer window may be looming large, yet there is still work to be done as far as Leeds United are concerned, with key positions in need of strengthening to help bolster their hopes of automatic promotion.

As The Athletic's Phil Hay reported last week, a particular priority for the Yorkshire side is the full-back positions, with the club having allowed both Djed Spence and Luke Ayling to depart Elland Road this month.

That has left 17-year-old Archie Gray – who can also operate in midfield – as the only real standout option at right-back for manager Daniel Farke, while on the opposite side, the German coach has Junior Firpo and Sam Byram to call upon, two players who have endured their fair share of injuries woes of late.

With the Whites also still competing in the FA Cup, having increased strength in depth will seemingly be crucial, with it likely to be unsustainable to rely on the teenage Gray, in particular, until the end of the season.

27 games (25 starts)

1 assist

2 'big chances' created

0.5 key passes per game

84% pass accuracy rate

2.8 tackles & interceptions per game

5.2 balls recovered per game

1 successful dribble per game

Stats via Sofascore

In need of competition and cover for the reported Liverpool target – who only recently signed a new deal at the club – the Championship side are, ironically, believed to be looking toward Anfield in their hopes of snapping up a suitable target.

Leeds leading the race for Liverpool starlet

Football Insider reported earlier this month that Leeds are looking at signing Mateusz Musialowski from the Merseyside outfit, although the Polish playmaker is not the only youngster who has come onto Farke's radar.

As per a more recent update from the Daily Mail, are believed to be frontrunners in the battle to pluck Calvin Ramsay from the Reds, with the Scottish full-back having returned to his parent club following an injury-hit loan spell at Preston North End in the first half of the season.

According to the piece, Leeds' promotion rivals Southampton – who tried to sign the 20-year-old from Aberdeen before his move to Liverpool in 2022 – are also in the mix for signature, although it is the Whites who are said to be 'leading the way'.

Striking that deal could allow Farke to work with and nurture another exciting young right-back, having previously reaped the rewards of his faith in Max Aarons during his time in charge at Norwich City.

Ramsay could be Farke's next Aarons

Aarons – who was close to sealing a move to Elland Road over the summer prior to joining AFC Bournemouth – was handed his debut by Farke back in 2018, with the then-teenager thrown in at the deep end as he made that senior bow in an East Anglian derby clash with Ipswich Town.

As the Leeds boss has shown in the case of Gray – who has made 30 appearances this season – he is not afraid to put his trust in young talent, with Aarons building on his "fantastic performance" on debut to grow into a key figure at Carrow Road, as lauded by Farke himself.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach coach also sang the praises of the diminutive defender amid interest from top-flight clubs back in 2020, describing him as "just a special player" with "an unbelievable future", while also lauding the full-back as "one of the best players" in the Championship.

All in all, Aarons made 141 appearances under Farke for the Canaries, showcasing his impressive attacking threat by chipping in five goals and 13 assists down the right flank.

Such was his level of productivity and creativity from his right-back berth, Farke even noted at the time that opponents would go "man for man on him" to try and hamper his influence, with Aarons clearly a real weapon even at such a young age.

The hope would be that the attack-minded Ramsay can take on a similar role, with the young Scotsman having previously spoken of his desire to get forward and impact proceedings at the top end of the pitch:

"Obviously I'm a right-back, pretty attacking, I like to attack. I'm OK defensively as well but my main attribute is attacking – I can put good crosses in, I like to get shots away, both feet, cutting inside, going down the line, linking up with my winger."

Having made just two appearances for the Anfield side to date – as well as just two outings on loan at Deepdale this season – the 5 foot 10 menace is in need of a chance to shine on a regular basis, something which Leeds could help to provide.

Calvin Ramsay's career record

Ever since arriving from north of the border 18 months ago, the story of Ramsay's time in England has been one of injury woe, although, as per the Daily Mail, he appears to now be fit once again and likely raring to go.

The hope will be that the one-cap Scotland international can emulate the success that he enjoyed after breaking into the first-team as a teenager at Aberdeen, having scored once and chipped in with nine assists in just 39 games for the Premiership side at senior level.

That "absolutely exceptional" form at Pittodrie – in the words of Klopp – is an indication of just why Ramsay was poached by Liverpool in the first place, with Leeds now needing to do all they can to get their hands on a player who is "so special", as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

With Farke having missed out on a reunion with the aforementioned Aarons over the summer, the 47-year-old could land the next best thing with the addition of Ramsay, even if the move represents something of a gamble.

Farke eyeing late Leeds swoop for "monster" Rodon partner

The promotion hopefuls are believed to be looking to bolster their backline before the close of the window.

ByRobbie Walls Jan 25, 2024

With Spence and Ayling out the door, a new recruit at right-back is now a necessity and the Aberdeen native could be just the solution to help apply some healthy pressure on the dazzling Gray.

A significant update has emerged regarding the future of a "fantastic" Newcastle United player, with a big twist taking place over him staying or leaving this summer.

Newcastle contract news

In many ways, Magpies supporters may be relieved when this season eventually comes to an end, with the campaign proving to be a taxing one for Eddie Howe and his players. There is still time to end on a positive note, however, looking to finish in the European places in the Premier League, as well as go all the way in the FA Cup.

Injuries have hurt Newcastle badly throughout the season, and new faces could be required during the summer transfer window – exciting Turkish teenager Can Uzun has been linked with a move – but it is also important that the club address the contract situation of a number of players.

The likes of Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth, Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett are all out of contract at St James' Park at the end of the season, and it remains to be seen how many of those individuals will be offered extensions.

Meanwhile, key figures such as Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff will all see their Newcastle deals run out in the summer of 2025, meaning time is ticking away with regard to retaining their services. Now, a key update has dropped regarding the future of one of the Magpies heroes in question.

Emil Krafth set to sign Newcastle deal

According to an update from Fotboll Direkt [via Sport Witness], Krafth is set to sign a new deal at Newcastle, coming as an undoubted surprise.

An extension is expected to be agreed "shortly", with his stance "changing dramatically". It had been widely expected that he would leave in the summer, with a January move away even "seriously considered".

This is good news for Newcastle, in terms of squad depth, with Krafth someone who has been a reliable player since arriving from Amiens back in 2019. Sadly, injuries have hampered him of late, limiting him to just five Premier League appearances totalling 83 minutes this season, but he is back fit again, and Howe has lauded him recently, saying:

"Emil has never let me down. He has come back from a long-term injury and it was a very tough one. It was that type of injury that caused him to be isolated a lot. He's worked with the medical team, but he's the type to always do his job. He is very diligent, and is now back. He has looked really good physically.

"After a tough injury there are always question marks. His strength and speed are obvious, and I have been very happy with his efforts, he has been fantastic."

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The Magpies have already made their first move.

ByTom Cunningham Feb 8, 2024

This all suggests that Newcastle and Howe see Krafth as apart of their plans moving forward, albeit not necessarily a key starter in the defence, and he may still have enough in the tank to warrant a new deal that lasts multiple years.

Leeds United are back in Championship action once again this afternoon as they take on Plymouth Argyle at Home Park for the second time this month.

The Whites ran out 4-1 winners in Devon in the FA Cup as they needed extra time to secure the win, which earned them a clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the next round.

Daniel Farke's side are now going there in search of three points as they look to continue their march towards automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

Every match and point is important as the Whites compete with Southampton and Ipswich to secure second place, whilst Leicester City appear to be uncatchable with a 12-point lead over the Yorkshire-based outfit.

Leeds head into this match off the back of an emphatic 4-0 win away at Swansea in Wales on Tuesday night, as they demolished Luke William's side.

With games coming thick and fast, and a huge game against Leicester on the horizon, Farke could make some changes to his team to keep players fresh.

With that in mind, the German head coach should move Georginio Rutter aside, after an underwhelming – by his standards – display on Tuesday, to unleash Daniel James alongside Wilfried Gnonto in the attack.

Georgino Rutter's performance against Swansea

The French gem has been one of the best creative talents in the Championship this season with his ability to consistently unlock opposition defences.

However, that was not on display in Wales earlier this week as the 21-year-old maestro failed to create a single opportunity for his teammates on the night.

The former Hoffenheim whiz also had four shots, totalling 0.32 xG, and did not find the back of the net, which meant that he ended the match without a goal contribution in the 4-0 drubbing.

Rutter, who did complete five of his nine attempted dribbles, is capable of far more than that when he is at his best as a number ten in the Championship.

The Leeds star currently ranks within the top 2% of forwards in the division for shot-creating actions (4.34) and Expected Assisted Goals (0.34) per 90 respectively, which shows that not many other players in his position create high-quality chances for their teammates as frequently as he does.

In 31 league appearances, Rutter has contributed with five goals and ten assists for his side, whilst the talented ace has also created a whopping 19 'big chances' for his fellow attackers.

These statistics show that the young magician has the quality to unpick defences with his fabulous passing, which is why his performance against Swansea was underwhelming.

This long trip to Plymouth could be the perfect opportunity for Farke to rest the Whites gem, ahead of next Friday's clash with Leicester at Elland Road.

That would open up the door for James to make his return on the right side of the attack, as Gnonto could be moved into a central position behind Joel Piroe at the top end of the pitch.

Wilfried Gnonto's recent form

The Italy international has been in sublime form for Leeds in recent weeks and is finally showcasing his quality in the final third on a regular basis.

He had only managed one goal and one assist in his first 21 appearances in the Championship, which included seven starts for the former Zurich whiz.

Gnonto has started the club's last three matches in the division and chipped in with three goals and one assist, to take his total to four goals and two assists in 24 games.

The 20-year-old ace also found the back of the net against Plymouth at Home Park in the FA Cup in the middle of that run of fixtures, which means that he has already made an impact on this ground this month.

Interestingly, that goal also came from Gnonto moving into a central position to receive the ball from Glen Kamara on the edge of the box, which allowed him to take a touch and fire the ball into the bottom corner.

His goal against Bristol City and his second against Swansea also came from him drifting into the middle to run onto a pass before unleashing a fine shot to find the back of the net, which is why moving him into Rutter's position today could be a good move by Farke.

Why Leeds should unleash Dan James

The German head coach should unleash James alongside Gnonto, and Crysencio Summerville, in the attacking three behind Piroe as the Welsh gem has the quality to be a difference-maker in the final third.

He came off the bench in the 4-0 win over Swansea for his first appearance since the 1-0 win over Norwich in January and could make his return to the starting line-up today.

Norwich City

Assist

Preston North End

Goal

Cardiff

Goal

Peterborough United

Assist

Birmingham

Goal and assist

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the former Manchester United winger was in fantastic form before his recent injury with at least one goal or assist in each of his last five appearances in all competitions.

James, who was hailed as "electric" by journalist Sanny Rudravajhala earlier this term, has been impressive throughout the 2023/24 campaign with his exciting play in the Championship.

The 26-year-old whiz has racked up ten goals, from 7.45 xG, and six assists, from 5.49 xA, in 23 league starts for Farke's side so far this term.

Only Piroe (11) and Summerville (15) have scored more goals than James in the second tier for Leeds this season, which speaks to how important his contributions have been at the top end of the pitch.

Ten goals to his name from 7.45 xG also shows that the Welsh dynamo has been ruthless in front of goal and more than made the most of the chances that his teammates have provided him with.

This suggests that Farke would not significantly weaken his team by ditching Rutter to unleash James alongside Gnonto and Summerville for this clash, which is why he can afford to rest the French whiz to hand important minutes to the 5 foot 7 winger to get him back up to full match fitness.

Last month, it emerged that Erik ten Hag and Manchester United are keeping an eye on Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who's just returned from an eight-month ban for breaking gambling rules.

Brentford want £100m to sell Toney, and aren't prepared to drop much lower in negotiations, so it remains to be seen whether United are priced out of a deal or whether they launch a blockbuster move at the start of the Jim Ratcliffe era. The Red Devils also have alternatives in mind, including, as it turns out, the player Brentford view as their ideal replacement for Toney.

United in touch over Jonathan David

According to Football Transfers, Manchester United have made contact over a deal for Jonathan David, registering their interest in the Canadian striker. Alongside Brentford, fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa, Chelsea and Newcastle are all keen too.

The Bees are firm admirers of David, with Thomas Frank impressed by what he saw when Lille visited Brentford for a pre-season friendly last summer. The German apparently believes that he has what it takes to be Toney's successor at the Gtech Community Stadium.

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ByDavid Comerford Feb 14, 2024

Lille have set out an asking price of around €50m (which is equivalent to about £43m) for David's suitors, and while they're "reluctant" to let him go, he's thought to be "desperate" to play in the Premier League.

United fans will love David's Liverpool comments

David, who has scored 13 goals and provided six assists in his 30 appearances this season, has made no secret of his aforementioned desire to move to the English top-flight.

Speaking during Canada's World Cup campaign in 2022, he said: "The Premier League is the best league in the world and I think every player would want to play there some day."

Player

Goals

Assists

Rasmus Hojlund

11

2

Alejandro Garnacho

7

2

Marcus Rashford

5

5

Anthony Martial

2

1

Antony

1

1

He actually gave that answer when asked directly about supposed interest from United, and while he wouldn't comment on the club directly, he has already ticked one important box for the Old Trafford faithful. During his time with previous club Gent in Belgium, he singled out Liverpool, who are of course United's arch-rivals, as the one Premier League side he doesn't particularly like.

He said: "I love all teams in the Premier League: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, but also Southampton, Crystal Palace, Everton … I like nice teams. I’m just not a big fan of Liverpool."

United and Brentford are entangled in something of a transfer web at the moment as they plan to make striker signings in the summer. There could be a scenario where the London club reject an offer from Ten Hag's side for Toney, and then find themselves battling with the 20-time champions for the signature of David.

Reliable journalist Miguel Delaney of The Independent has revealed what Tottenham Hotspur stuff are all now really thinking about Timo Werner behind-the-scenes, after his loan move from RB Leipzig in January.

Spurs settle on Werner loan deal with option to buy

The Germany international's career has taken somewhat of a downward turn since his flopped marquee move to Chelsea.

"Definitely" – Sky pundit thinks Spurs could strike "easy" move for star

The deal could be there to be done this summer.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 28, 2024

Werner couldn't exactly become the 25-plus goal-per-season striker they were yearning for at the time of his move, eventually resulting in his return to Leipzig, where he hasn't managed to replicate his sensational 2019/2020 campaign.

He scored 28 goals and bagged eight assists in the league alone that year, with Werner attracting serious interest from Liverpool at the time before Chelsea beat Jurgen Klopp's side to the punch.

Tottenham 3-2 Brentford

7.36

Tottenham 2-1 Brighton

6.66

Man United 2-2 Tottenham

6.64

Everton 2-2 Tottenham

6.33

Who knows what would've become of Werner, had he managed to seal a switch to Anfield, but after numerous campaigns failing to hit double figures for both Chelsea and Leipzig since, the 27-year-old is now attempting to resurrect his career in north London.

There have been reports that Werner's contract contains a £17 million buy-option for Spurs, so this temporary spell could be seen as somewhat of a trial spell before Ange Postecoglou's side make the decision over whether to seal his signing permanently.

"I thought he was great. First half we probably didn’t support him enough in that left channel, he was a little bit isolated. Second half we got some better service to him," said Postecoglou on Werner after Spurs' 3-2 win over Brentford recently.

“He’s a quality player, I think he’s proven at this level, and as he gets stronger and fitter and understands our game a little bit better, I think he’ll become even more effective and I know there’s goals in him as well that will come for Tottenham, so I thought he was good.”

So far, Werner has chalked up two assists in five league games for Spurs, with four of those appearances being fully-fledged starts and one having come off the bench.

What Tottenham staff are really thinking about Werner

Sharing some inside information on the forward since his arrival from Leipzig, reliable reporter Delaney has a rather interesting line for The Independent this week.

Indeed, it is believed Tottenham staff are "pleased" with Werner for his "willingness" behind-the-scenes, something which could bode well for the player as he attempts to impress enough to warrant an indefinite return to England.

“I think Timo [Werner] is an offensive player who has a massive experience from top level football," said Spurs chief Johan Lange recently.

"The Bundesliga, the Premier League, the Champions League and of course with the German national team. He’s also a player who, for most of his career, has played in a style not too dissimilar to ours which means his level of adaptation period could be relatively short and it has been good to see him already effecting games quite early on.”

After surviving last weekend's scare, courtesy of Celtic's slip, Rangers remain on course to complete their title comeback and secure the Scottish Premiership in stunning fashion under Philippe Clement. It is the type of scare that they'll want to avoid in the future, however, with a move to sign a Championship star now lined up to strengthen the squad further over the summer.

Rangers transfer news

If Rangers come out on top and win the Scottish Premiership this season, then they will be perfectly placed to welcome vital additions ahead of Clement's first full campaign in charge. It is the type of pull that Celtic have used so often in recent years to commence eras of dominance in Scottish football and one that the Gers will now be hoping to benefit from.

That said, the majority of the headlines regarding Rangers transfer news have been stolen by potential departures in recent weeks, rather than incomings. As things stand, Kemar Roofe, Ryan Jack, Leon Balogun and Borna Barisic are all among the players set to leave Ibrox upon the expiry of their contracts this summer. Meanwhile, a new deal for John Lundstram has reportedly been made a priority at Rangers, as they look to avoid the midfielder's exit.

Among talks of potential exits though, the rumour mill has still already started regarding incomings. According to Carlton Palmer, Rangers are eyeing a move to sign Callum O'Hare from Coventry City, who will become a free agent at the end of the season.

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ByTom Coates Mar 7, 2024

Palmer told Football League World: "One player who has been attracting a lot of attention is Callum O'Hare. Three La Liga clubs are looking at him. Celtic and Rangers are also said to be keen on the 25-year-old too.

"He's yet to sign a new contract at Coventry and his current deal is set to expire in the summer. He's had an outstanding season, and it's very unlikely now, with so few games left, that he'll sign a new deal."

Palmer then went on to say: "He was offered a new contract and a good contract at that, but he wants to keep his option open at the end of the season. Unless they are promoted to the Premier League, I feel that it's more than likely that Callum O'Hare will play his football in pastures new come next season."

"Outstanding" O'Hare can follow Cantwell path

As his Coventry contract runs down, O'Hare has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Todd Cantwell, who swapped the Championship for Scotland in January of last year when completing a move from Norwich City to Rangers. Now, it is O'Hare that the Gers are seemingly eyeing a move for this summer, as they turn to the Championship for reinforcements once again. After the season that the Coventry man has had too, interest from Ibrox comes as no surprise.

Starts

14

Goals

6

Assists

3

Progressive Passes

102

Now 25-years-old, O'Hare is entering his prime years as an attacking midfielder, meaning that Rangers would be getting a bargain deal if they managed to secure the Coventry man on a free this summer.

Newcastle United's torrid luck with injuries so far this season has taken another turn for the worse after defender Sven Botman was ruled out for up to nine months.

The 24-year-old originally injured his knee in the game against Brentford back in September, with the Dutchman and the club deciding against surgery with the defender sitting out until mid-December in the hope the injury would heal itself.

However, it was unsuccessful, with his latest scan confirming he'd torn his ACL, and it would require surgery, with the former Lille defender potentially missing the remainder of 2024.

His injury leaves Eddie Howe's side light in the centre-back department, with Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles the only three senior central defenders at his disposal.

The extent of the injury means the Magpies may have to look for reinforcements in the summer window, with the club needing to target one player to fill the void left by Botman.

The man Newcastle need to sign this summer

Despite the club's huge investment of over £450m in the last couple of years, the club have always struggled for depth at centre-back.

Howe and the hierarchy should look to combat this by signing Juventus' Brazilian centre-back Gleison Bremer. The 27-year-old has excelled in Italy since his move from fellow Serie A side Torino back in 2022 and has been linked with a move to the Toon in recent days via reports in Italy.

He initially joined Juve for £35m, with his performances for the Old Lady catching the eye of multiple sides all over Europe, with the likes of Manchester United and Inter Milan previously interested in signing him.

Bremer has been brilliant at the heart of Massimiliano Allegri's defence, with the Brazilian featuring for 90 minutes in every game he's been available for – barring one game where he was suspended.

His good form in Italy this season has seen the former Torino defender receive a call-up to the Brazilian national setup for the friendlies against England and Spain over the next couple of weeks.

He certainly wouldn't be a cheap addition, with the "incredible" defender, as dubbed by Italian football expert Conor Clancy, potentially set to cost in the region of £43m. That said, he would certainly improve the Magpies' defence tenfold.

Botman v Bremer this season

When comparing the stats between the two central defenders during the 2023/24 campaign, it's clear that Bremer is a great talent and one that Newcastle should go all out for in the summer.

The Brazilian is dominant in all areas, with the 27-year-old's tally of 2.9 aerials won per game clear of that of Botman, who can only manage 2.2.

Defensively, the Juventus defender is much more well-rounded than the Dutchman, with Bremer averaging more tackles than the Magpies' number four.

Aerials won

2.2

2.9

Tackles

1.3

1.8

Interceptions

0.6

1.3

Successful take-ons

0

0.3

Progressive passes

2.3

3.2

Given the stats in the table, it's clear that the Brazilian is able to read the game more, with his tally of 1.3 interceptions per game more than double Botman's, with the 24-year-old trailing with only 0.6.

Despite averaging a better pass percentage, Bremer's tally of 3.2 progressive passes reflects that the Juve centre-back likes to play forward more than Botman, with the Magpies defender unable to get close to his tally.

Bremer certainly possesses a lot of qualities that would be of use to Newcastle boss Howe, with the 46-year-old needing to make the 27-year-old his top target this summer to cover for Botman and eventually partner the Dutchman when he returns from his long-term injury layoff.

Let's cast our minds back to the conclusion of the summer transfer window last year. Arsenal had just spent a seismic sum of money, notably to bring Declan Rice to the Emirates Stadium.

For a brief moment, Rice became a British record transfer, signing on for a grand total of £105m. Also welcomed with open arms to north London was £65m Kai Havertz and David Raya on loan. Jurrien Timber arrived too, captured for £38m.

However, besides the ever-impressive Rice, Arsenal's summer signings suddenly looked like poor business after the opening months of the campaign.

Timber sustained a devastating ACL injury on the opening weekend of the Premier League season and hasn't been seen since. Raya's first few weeks after replacing Aaron Ramsdale looked nervy and it took until November for Havertz to find a goal from open play.

Yet, as has often been the case since he became Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta got it right.

Raya has stood out the more he plays and was the penalty hero in the Champions League against Porto while Havertz's fortunes have changed considerably.

Kai Havertz's season in numbers

£65m on Havertz, you say? Yeah, it's a pretty outrageous sum of money for a player who struggled to stand out for the right reasons at Chelsea.

There was that famous night when he scored the winning goal in the Champions League final but beyond that the German never really got going, scoring just 32 goals across 139 appearances for the Blues.

A move was required and Arsenal came calling. However, the opening few months were riddled with criticism. His only goal for the Gunners across the first 12 league outings was a penalty against Bournemouth.

Fortunately, he's now revived his fortunes and become one of the most important members of Arteta's side.

2024 has been the year of Havertz who has scored in each of his last four league matches, also providing two assists in that time. The £280k-per-week man – who takes home the highest salary of any Arsenal player – is emphatically proving his doubters wrong.

He's impressed many, including former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon who has been delighted with his recent appearances in the red and white.

What Lee Dixon has said about Kai Havertz

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast on behalf of BetVictor Casino Dixon swooned over the 24-year-old's displays in recent times, admitting that while he always believed there was a player in there at Chelsea, he was initially on the fence about his move across London.

"Firstly, yeah, he's done really well," Dixon began. "I was one of those – and it's easy to say after the event – but I was one of those who sat on the fence and said, ‘look let's give him a little chance’. You know, people will go ’why have you spent that money on him? He's rubbish.’

"Some of the commentators and people were set on their opinion and that's absolutely what they should do if that's what they believe, but I just thought, we've all seen stuff in him when he was at Chelsea and there is a player in there, it's just a case of finding a home and it looks like he's really comfortable now."

"I think when you've got a player who seems to be a confidence player – not everybody is – but we all like to play with confidence in the place where we think nothing's going to go wrong. Some players can play through that and he looks like that player."

Havertz has played in a number of roles since signing for Arsenal. Arteta initially thought the German could act as a replacement for Granit Xhaka in the no.8 role but his best displays have actually come as a false 9.

With Gabriel Jesus injured and Eddie Nketiah not preferred, the former Chelsea man has been entrusted as the focal point of the attack and delivered some truly impressive displays.

That's thanks to what Dixon thinks is an incredibly 'unique' profile. Discussing Havertz's best qualities and play style, the former England international commented: "He's showing that he feels at home and the positions that he's taken up and his ability to be dangerous around the box gives Arsenal just a little bit of an extra dynamic."

"So, instead of players looking at him going ‘oh, Kai Havertz? He's not going to cause much trouble’, now all of a sudden he is a problem. He changes how teams play against you. He’s got a very unique style to his play in that he is quite languid at times. And then other times he’s really athletic. So he's quite different to a lot of players that Arsenal have which is a good thing."

So, the mega-money signing has turned his career around at just the right time. Arsenal face a massive test in the title race when they face Manchester City on Sunday. They then have to take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League. If they are to come through those ties with victories in hand, they will need Havertz at his best.

Lee Dixon delivers verdict on Ben White's England snub

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Lee Dixon delivered his verdict on Ben White.

ByMatt Dawson Mar 26, 2024

Leeds United are currently sat at the top of the Championship table during the international break as they aim to win automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

German head coach Daniel Farke was brought in last summer to lead the team back to the big time and has done a fantastic job so far, with the Whites ahead of Leicester City on goal difference – albeit having played one game more.

The former Norwich boss won the second tier title on two occasions with the Canaries and is now looking to lift the trophy for a third time in five years.

If Leeds do win promotion back to the Premier League, Farke and the club will need to get recruitment spot on to give themselves a strong chance to survive in the top-flight.

Work already appears to be going on behind the scenes, as they have been linked with Karamoko Dembele and Sean Longstaff, and they are now reportedly interested in a star from Scottish football.

Latest Leeds transfer news

According to GIVEMESPORT, Leeds are one of a number of clubs interested in a possible summer swoop to sign Celtic wizard Matt O'Riley.

The report claims that the Whites are 'tempted' to make an offer to sign the talented magician from the Scottish giants, if they win promotion back to the Premier League this season.

This is not the first time the club have been interested in the Denmark international. Sky Sports reported that they had a £10m offer rejected by the Hoops during the 2023 summer transfer window.

Last month, Tipsbladet claimed that the Bhoys value O'Riley at a staggering £25m, and that they turned down an £18m offer from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, who attempted to sign him on loan with an obligation to make it permanent in the summer during the January transfer window.

This means that Leeds will have to pay significantly more than the £10m they previously offered for him to land his services ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

GIVEMESPORT add that Premier League sides Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford are also interested in the attacking midfielder, with the former having watched him closely this season.

They also state that Celtic could be tempted to cash in on the former MK Dons star if the right money is offered, and that a 'big' summer is ahead for O'Riley.

Leeds must now push to get a deal over the line for the Danish star if they win promotion from the Championship, as he is a mix of both Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter and could be a fantastic addition to the squad.

Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter's Championship form

The Whites pair have been in fantastic form at the top end of the pitch with their respective ability to cause havoc for opposition defences on a regular basis.

Summerville has offered a clinical edge in the final third with a superb return of 15 goals from an xG (Expected Goals) of 13.63 in 35 Championship appearances so far.

The Dutch dynamo has averaged a goal every 188 minutes in the division, and has scored at least three more goals than any of his teammates.

This shows that the right-footed left winger offers a huge goal threat with his efficient and consistent finishing when presented with high-quality opportunities in the second tier.

Rutter, on the other hand, lacks that finishing touch as the French whiz has only scored six goals from 11.37 xG across 37 Championship outings, which shows that the ex-Hoffenheim prodigy has been incredibly wasteful in front of goal.

The talented ace has not showcased the best of his abilities as a finisher, unlike Summerville, as he has missed a whopping 15 'big chances' to go along with his six goals.

Assists

15

1st

Expected Assists

10.06

1st

Big chances created

22

1st

Dribbles completed per game

2.8

1st

Key passes per game

2.2

2nd

However, as you can see in the table above, the left-footed magician has been an outstanding creator for his teammates with a consistent supply of chances created to assist goals in the league.

This has led to Rutter having at least seven more assists than any other player within the squad, which speaks to how impressive his creativity has been from an attacking midfield position.

Why Leeds should sign Matt O'Riley

Leeds should sign O'Riley to complement Summerville and Rutter in the Premier League as the Celtic star is a mix of both of them in the final third.

The 23-year-old maestro combines the silky left-footed creativity and dribbling of the French whiz with the clinical and regular goalscoring of the former Feyenoord youngster.

In the Scottish Premiership this season, the Denmark international has plundered 11 goals from an xG of 10.83 across 29 matches for the Hoops. He has only missed nine 'big chances' in the league this term, and these statistics show that the Leeds target has been effective in front of goal.

Appearances

38

Goals

3

Assists

12

Big chances created

16

Key passes per game

2.2

Like Summerville, O'Riley has the quality to offer a big goal threat from midfield with his ability to finish chances efficiently, without underperforming his xG.

Meanwhile, the former Fulham academy prospect is also a creative midfielder who can drive past opposition players and make defence-splitting passes.

The Celtic star, who was hailed as "complete" by journalist Josh Bunting, has assisted ten goals and created ten 'big chances', to go along with 2.4 key passes and 1.1 completed dribbles per match, across his 29 Premiership appearances this season.

This comes after he assisted 12 goals and created 16 'big chances' for his teammates in 38 league games under Ange Postecoglou during the 2022/23 campaign.

He has, therefore, racked up 22 assists and 27 'big chances' created for the Scottish giants since the start of last season, which shows that the £25m-rated star has a Rutter-like ability to create for others from midfield.

This is why Leeds must win the race to land his signature at the end of the season, if they win promotion to the Premier League, as he is a mix of both Summerville and Rutter with his qualities in possession.

Central midfield is the hub of a football team, central – literally and figuratively – to a side's chances of success, controlling matches, dominating them.

This is the case for almost every team but especially so for Tottenham Hotspur, with the high-energy, hard-running brand of football implemented following Ange Postecoglou's appointment last summer transforming the mood and mentality.

The Australian was tasked with rebuilding an outfit that had suffered its lowest Premier League finish in 15 years, lost its talisman in club record scorer Harry Kane and its identity in the managerial misfire that saw Antonio Conte's tenure come to a screeching halt.

Postecoglou is threading together a structured and exciting squad that may well surpass that of his predecessors and the locus of these improvements lies with the shrewd and sharp recruitment that has lifted Tottenham's team and strengthened it with influential players such as Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson.

One area that's been largely untouched thus far is central midfield, albeit with 21-year-old Pape Sarr fast-rising as one of the biggest talents in English football and Maddison acquired to sit in the No. 10 spot.

Bolstering the likes of Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur, it's shaping up to be quite the formidable engine room, with up-and-comers like Sarr proving to hold far greater quality than the likes of Oliver Skipp, Harry Winks and… Nabil Bentaleb.

Nabil Bentaleb's time at Spurs

Bentaleb starred in the Tottenham Hotspur Academy and made 27 appearances for the U21s in a standout midfield role before making his Premier League debut under Tim Sherwood in the 2013/14 season, against Southampton in a 3-2 victory. He started 11 games across the latter half of the campaign, a testament to the regard Sherwood held for the dynamic midfielder.

And so the now-29-year-old established himself as something of a first-team regular and retained this position at the start of Mauricio Pochettino's reign, featuring 35 times in all competitions throughout the 2014/15 campaign.

He fell out of favour as the Lilywhites improved under their Argentine manager, however, and after heading out on loan with Schalke for the 2016/17 campaign, the German side were enamoured with his qualities and forged ahead with a permanent deal.

15/16

7

2

0

0

14/15

31

29

0

3

13/14

19

13

0

1

With Bentaleb playing such a bit-part role in this third full season as a pro, it was only natural that he would be headed for the exit.

Now, as per FBref, Bentaleb ranks among the top 19% of central midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 16% for successful take-ons, the top 6% for interceptions and the top 11% for blocks per 90.

With Chelsea's Premier League record signing Moises Caicedo considered Bentaleb's most comparable player, it's clear to see that he offers many attributes that would appear suited for life in the English top-flight – indeed he has chalked up 58 Premier League appearances, and four assists.

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He's an eager distributor and an active defensive outlet in the centre of the park, holding the team together and earning praise as "the best footballer in the whole team" by former Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel in the past, with the German executive also claiming that the French-born star has a skill set that allows him to "do things on the pitch that many can't."

But Tottenham had a flourishing centre consisting of Mousa Dembele, Dele Alli, Victor Wanyama and Christian Eriksen and Bentaleb simply couldn't receive assurances via-a-vis match action, and when Bundesliga club Schalke came calling with a €22.5m (£19m) package for his services, it was something of a no-brainer.

In fact, the fee received for Bentaleb's signature actually surpasses the £16m figure Inter Milan paid for Eriksen in January 2022, with the Dane nearing the end of his contract but leaving Spurs as one of the club's greatest modern midfielders, posting 69 goals and 90 assists across 305 outings.

It was a very good deal in hindsight, with Bentaleb's career punctuated with inconsistency and various issues that would surely have precluded his chances of building a top-class career at Tottenham.

Nabil Bentaleb's market valuation in 2024

The £16k-per-week ace joined his boyhood club Lille in the summer after leaving as a ten-year-old, having spent the past two campaigns with fellow Ligue 1 outfit Angers.

According to Football Transfers' player valuation model, Bentaleb is currently worth just £3m, and while he's performing with comparative success in France, he's certainly suffered quite the depreciation.

He did return to the Premier League in 2019/20 on loan at Newcastle but started just eight league matches after starting his short-term deal in January, completing 86% of his passes and 80% of his dribbles but winning only 48% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.

This season, to illustrate the point, Bissouma has completed 92% of his passes in the Premier League and won 61% of his ground duels.

Pensively reflecting on his decision to leave the club, Bentaleb said it was his principally his choice in 2023: “No, it was me. It was me. Like I’ve already said, I was young, and stupid. I rushed, I did everything to force an exit when they were really counting on me at Tottenham, but when I had an idea in mind, I wanted to see it through. That made me leave. It did help me to leave, but, if you ask me now, looking back, I would have stayed.”

How easy it is to hark back. But unfortunately for Bentaleb, his career since has not exactly proved the decision to ship him on incorrect, and Tottenham most certainly will not rue collecting a sizeable sum for a player now worth just £3m before his 30th birthday.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?