O confronto do Botafogo com o Goiás, pela vigésima-quinta rodada do Brasileirão, foi precedido por um momento de reverência. Nesta segunda-feira (2), jogadores campeões da Copa Conmebol de 1993 pelo Alvinegro subiram ao gramado do Estádio Nilton Santos e participaram de uma homenagem pelos 30 anos da principal conquista internacional do clube.
Os atletas de 1993 chegaram pela pista de atletismo do Niltão e, próximos da torcida, comemoraram a conquista. Após dar uma volta olímpica pelo estádio, o grupo recebeu uma reverência. Todos ergueram uma répica da taça.
+ 30 anos da Copa Conmebol: campeões recordam força do Botafogo para conquistar principal título internacional do clube
Atual vice-presisdente associativo do Botafogo, Vinícius Assumpção entregou uma placa comemorativa a cada atleta que esteve no Nilton Santos.
Enquanto os campeões alvinegros passavam, jogadores de Botafogo e Goiás faziam aquecimento para a partida.
Leeds United have been hit with an injury blow ahead of their clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road in the Premier League on Saturday.
Wales international Daniel James has suffered an ankle injury that is currently being assessed by the club, although they are hopeful that it will not be a long-term issue.
Journalist Graham Smyth claims that the forward is set for “weeks” on the sidelines, debunking some speculation on social media that he was due to be out for months with an ACL injury.
If James misses several weeks and games through injury with this ankle issue, Daniel Farke should avoid relying on Jack Harrison as an alternative to Brenden Aaronson on the right flank.
Why Jack Harrison should not replace Dan James
The left-footed attacker returned to Elland Road this summer after spending the previous two seasons on loan with Everton in the Premier League, and he has yet to fully win the fans back over.
Harrison has produced no goals, no key passes, no ‘big chances’ created, and no assists in five appearances in the top-flight for Leeds so far this term, per Sofascore, which shows that he has offered virtually nothing at the top end of the pitch.
That should not come as a surprise to many, though, because the former Manchester City academy prospect struggled badly in the final third for Everton in the 2024/25 campaign.
24/25 Premier League
Jack Harrison
Appearances
34
Starts
24
Minutes
2088
xG
3.52
Goals
1
Key passes
34
Assists
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Harrison managed one direct goal contribution in 2,088 minutes of football in the Premier League for the Toffees before his return to West Yorkshire.
This is why Farke should turn to U21 talent Connor Douglas to replace James in the squad whilst the Wales international is missing through injury.
Why Leeds should unleash Connor Douglas
The 19-year-old attacker is a versatile star who can play through the middle as a number ten or out on the right flank, which suggests that he could be a suitable alternative to Aaronson in the short-term, given that the American is a similarly versatile wide option.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
Douglas’ form for Leeds at academy level suggests that he is an exciting young player who has the potential to make an impact at the top end of the pitch, after he scored in a 1-0 win over Norwich City’s U21s on Monday night.
The English winger has scored six goals and provided six assists in 36 appearances for the club at U21 level, as well as six goals and three assists in 27 matches for the U18 side, per Transfermarkt.
These statistics show that he can contribute with goals and assists from a wide position, something that Harrison has struggled to do, and that is why he should be given a chance to see what he can do at first-team level whilst James is out with an ankle injury.
Douglas was described as an “electric” forward who is a “joy to watch” by PureFootball writer Trent Gaffney, which also suggests that he could get supporters off their feet with his front-footed and direct play.
Fans may prefer to see a talented young forward given an opportunity to shine and showcase his exciting potential in James’ absence, instead of Harrison being given yet another chance after failing to impress in the last 13 months or so.
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That is why Farke must unleash Douglas as the replacement for James in the Premier League, for however many matches he misses, instead of just using Harrison.
Palmeiras e Vasco se enfrentam neste domingo no Allianz Parque, pelo Brasileirão 2023 e em todo duelo entre os dois clubes, é preciso exaltar a irmandade entre as duas torcidas e como a história dos dois clubes possuem alguns personagens em comum.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras pode contar com retorno de Dudu ao Brasileirão para manter vivo sonho de títuloPalmeiras27/08/2023PalmeirasLuan e Gómez podem reeditar dupla diante de adversário que marcou estreia do paraguaio no PalmeirasPalmeiras27/08/2023PalmeirasMarcos Rocha celebra os 109 anos do Palmeiras: ‘É uma honra fazer parte da história’Palmeiras26/08/2023
+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
Engana-se quem pensa que essa relação é apenas de torcida organizada, uma vez que a amizade começou ainda nos anos 40, muito por conta do Capitão Adalberto Mendes.
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!
Em suas histórias mais do que centenárias, Vasco e Palmeiras também contaram com jogadores que possuem grande identificação e história com os dois clubes.
continua após a publicidade
O Lance! decidiu relembrar alguns deles pra você:
Fernando Prass
Ídolo e símbolo da reconstrução do Palmeiras, o goleiro Fernando Prass também fez história no Vasco ao conquistar a Copa do Brasil de 1998!
Luizão
Campeão Paulista naquele histórico time de 1996, Luizão também está na história do Vasco muito pela Libertadores de 1998 e o ataque histórico que formou com Donizete!
+ Palmeiras x Vasco: onde assistir, desfalques e prováveis escalações do jogo pelo Brasileirão
Pedrinho
Cria da Colina e um gênio com a sua perna canhota, Pedrinho infelizmente sofreu muito com as lesões durante a sua carreira, mas também deixou sua marca e guarda com muito carinho a sua passagem de mais de três anos pelo Palmeiras!
continua após a publicidade
Edmundo
Talvez o sinônimo do que é a relação entre Palmeiras e Vasco. Edmundo e o seu coração se dividem entre o cruzmaltino e o alviverde imponente. Ídolo máximo das duas torcidas!
Luan Garcia
Cria da Colina, Luan Garcia se formou como homem no Vasco e após ganhar o ouro olímpico, acabou se transferindo para fazer história no Palmeiras!
Diego Souza
Campeão e destaque da Copa do Brasil de 2011, vencida pelo Vasco, o meia Diego Souza teve uma passagem marcante pelo Palmeiras, entre 2008 e 2010!
Amaral
Formado nas categorias de base do Palmeiras e bicampeão brasileiro pelo Verdão, o volante Amaral passou pelo Vasco entre 1999 e 2000 e acabou conquistando uma Taça Guanabara pelo cruzmaltino.
Felipe
Felipe Maestro é outro craque canhoto que surgiu no Vasco e também acabou vestindo a camisa do Palmeiras, em 2001. Apesar da curta passagem no Verdão, Felipe fez uma ótima Libertadores naquele ano,
Jair Rosa Pinto
Campeão Mundial de 1951 com a camisa do Palmeiras, Jair Rosa Pinto iniciou os seus passos no futebol no Madureira e logo foi para o Vasco da Gama, e foi em São Januário que ele se tornou o primeiro grande camisa 10 do futebol brasileiro, fazendo parte do histórico time cruzmaltino que ficou conhecido como o ‘expresso da vitória’.
A bola rola para Palmeiras x Vasco a partir das 18h30 (horário de Brasília), deste domingo (27), no Allianz Parque e o jogo só será transmitido pelo Premiere FC.
ذكرت تقارير صحفية سعودية، عن المدرب الأقرب لتولي القيادة الفنية لفريق الزمالك، خلال الفترة المقبلة، بعد اقتراب رحيل يانيك فيريرا عن الأبيض.
واستقر الزمالك برئاسة حسين لبيب، عن توجيه الشكر إلى يانيك فيريرا المدير الفني، عقب تراجع النتائج في الدوري الممتاز.
طالع.. خاص | الزمالك يستقر على المدير الفني المؤقت بعد رحيل فيريرا
وكان الزمالك قد تعادل مع البنك الأهلي، بالأمس بهدف لكل فريق، ضمن مباريات الجولة 12 من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وذكرت صحيفة “الميدان السعودية”، أن المدرب الجزائري نور الدين بن ذكري المدير الفني السابق لنادي الخلود، اقترب من تولي القيادة الفنية للزمالك، وذلك بعد الاستقرار على رحيل البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا من منصبه بصورة رسمية.
وأضافت: “بعد قرار الزمالك بإقالة المدرب البلجيكي يانيك فريرا، المدرب بن زكري يقترب كثيرًا من قيادة الفريق حتى نهاية الموسم، بدءًا من الأسبوع المقبل في نصف نهائي كاس السوبر المصري المقام في دولة الإمارات”.
ويستعد الزمالك لمواجهة طلائع الجيش، في الجولة الـ13 من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز يوم الأحد المقبل، في الساعة الخامسة على ملعب القاهرة الدولي.
“The way I look at this innings, I think it’s an outstanding innings,” Tom Moody says about KL Rahul’s century
ESPNcricinfo staff19-May-20251:07
Moody: ‘Rahul has managed to adjust again to a different role’
It’s tough to be KL Rahul sometimes.Over the years, he has faced criticism for his strike rate in T20 cricket and it was once again a talking point when he scored an unbeaten 112 off 65 balls in a losing cause against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Sunday. Despite a slow start from Delhi Capitals (DC), where they scored just 28 for 1 in the first five overs, Rahul ensured the team almost had 200. But it wasn’t enough as B Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill chased down the target with ease and took GT to the playoffs.Rahul scored his century in 60 balls on Sunday, and his 112 not out came at a strike rate of 172.30. He has been striking at 148.04 in IPL 2025, having accumulated 493 runs in 12 innings. In terms of his strike rate, he hasn’t done better since IPL 2018, when he went at 158.41 in scoring 659 in 14 matches.The criticism hasn’t gone down well with Tom Moody.Related
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“I always find the criticism around KL Rahul quite extraordinary,” Moody said on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out. “I think he’s a lot better player than a lot of people give him credit for. And the way I look at this innings, I think it’s an outstanding innings. And yeah, look, it’ll depend who wins the game to whether he’s, you know, the Player of the Match or not. But the way I look at this and I look at the batting card, what’s let them down and not reaching that 220 is the other batters that were in only struck at 150. On a [batting-friendly] surface, you want impact.”When you’ve got someone in there that’s anchoring, that’s building the total, your role when you come in is to impact the game – 30 off ten balls, those types of innings, that suddenly take you to that 220. Instead of pointing the finger at the same person, I think it’s the other way around.”At the end of ten overs, DC were 81 for 1 with Rahul on 56 off 38 balls. However, between 15 and 18, Rahul faced a total of only six balls with Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs at the other end facing more of the bowling. This, Moody felt, made him lose a bit of momentum.”The team had the opportunity to get it to 220. The team didn’t do that,” Moody said. “This is not an individual sport. This is a team sport. And that’s where the communication around who’s coming in and the communication when you’re out there: ‘okay, we need to target two boundaries at the beginning of this over; let’s make this a big over’, that type of conversations.”To me, they just lay idle a little bit in that middle [period]. And also, we’ve got to recognise KL Rahul, I believe, only faced four [six] balls in a period of four overs in the middle of that. So therefore, you know, he lost a bit of his rhythm as well.”
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is attempting to have his say on the club’s summer recruitment plans, and the Italian has his eyes on one player in particular to reinforce a key area of the squad.
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Maresca’s side want to strengthen a number of areas before their manager’s second full season in charge at Stamford Bridge. Over the last week, Chelsea have been holding talks with Borussia Dortmund officials over Jamie Gittens, and it is believed by some that a deal could soon be done.
Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season
Average match rating
Cole Palmer
7.33
Moises Caicedo
7.02
Enzo Fernández
6.95
Nicolas Jackson
6.88
Noni Madueke
6.82
via WhoScored
Alongside Gittens, Chelsea are reported to still be in the market for another centre-back, which perhaps indicates that at least one of Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Trevoh Chalobah, Renato Veiga or Tosin Adarabioyo could be sold.
Even after their £30 million deal for Liam Delap, there are many suggestions that Chelsea could look to sign a second new striker as well, following widely reported talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over a deal for Hugo Ekitiké.
As well as this, Chelsea could still bring in another goalkeeper. As per journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea are looking to sell both Djordje Petrovic and Robert Sanchez this summer, with a move for AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan not completely off the table despite failing to reach an agreement before the Club World Cup.
Barcelona keeper Marc-André ter Stegen has been linked in the past week too, so their hunt for a shot-stopper could still be one to keep an eye on.
Enzo Maresca asks Chelsea to sign Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa
According to journalist Christian Martin, speaking to DSports, £150,000-per-week Aston Villa number one Emiliano Martínez is now said to have major admirers at Chelsea, including Maresca.
Best Young Player winner Argentina's Enzo Fernandez,GoldenBall winner Argentina's Lionel Messi,GoldenGlovewinner Argentina's EmilianoMartinezandGoldenBoot winner France's Kylian Mbappe pose
Maresca is “asking” Chelsea to make a move for Martinez, and goalkeeping coach Willy Caballero has also given his seal of approval to the potential transfer.
“They want him as their starting goalkeeper,” said Martin.
“Enzo Maresca is asking for him, Willy Caballero, who is part of the coaching staff and trains the goalkeepers, has already given his approval. For now, Chelsea is a very reliable and precise option.”
The Argentine World Cup winner boasts both top-level quality and proven experience on the biggest stages. After becoming a leader at Villa, there is every reason to believe the 32-year-old could be tempted by the prospect of Champions League football next season and becoming Chelsea’s new number one.
Unai Emery’s side are also under pressure from PSR to sell big-name players before the start of the next football financial year, which begins on July 1, so a deal could well be had here.
After agonising rain delay, defending champions overcome early stumble against Namibia
Valkerie Baynes15-Jun-20241:46
Do England have the bowling attack to win the World Cup?
Watching rain fall doesn’t sound like a nail-biting pastime but for England the hours waiting to start their final group match of this T20 World Cup, against Namibia, were gripping. England’s eventual victory, by 41 runs in a match reduced to 10 overs per side in Antigua on Saturday, was pure relief for the defending champions.No result other than a win would have kept England in contention for the Super Eight phase but they had to get on the park for that. After the toss was delayed by three hours – won by Namibia, who chose to bowl first – they finally had the chance to control their own destiny, to a point. The equation was simple. England had to beat Namibia and then wait to see whether Australia defeated Scotland – which they duly did, though not without a struggle – to ensure England joined the Australians in progressing from Group B.Showers before the scheduled start returned to Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in the form of a torrential downpour just as it looked like the covers would be lifted. England had to hold onto hope of a reduced-overs match despite the rain appearing to have set in. Eventually, play began at 4pm local time, reduced to 11 overs per side, which became 10 when rain intervened once more, albeit briefly, with England 82 for 3 after eight overs.Harry Brook’s unbeaten 47 off 20 balls and Jonny Bairstow’s 31 off 18 steadied them from a perilous 13 for 2, the pair sharing a 56-run stand for the third wicket to help lift their side to 122 for 5. With Namibia chasing a DLS-adjusted target of 126, England’s bowlers didn’t allow them to score fast enough and secured a comfortable victory, after a torturous wait.Namibia’s dream, England’s nightmareDavid Wiese conceded just a solitary run from the first over on an understandably tacky wicket, testing England openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt by varying his lines and lengths. Then Ruben Trumpelmann removed Buttler for a four-ball duck with a wonderful inswinger that crashed into leg stump with the second ball of the next over in a dream start for Namibia. It wasn’t until 10 balls into the match that England scored their first boundary, which became two when Salt lofted wider deliveries from Trumpelmann for four down the ground and over deep third. When Wiese returned for a second over on the trot, he had Salt caught behind off an excellent knuckle ball, delivered slow outside off stump and finding a thick edge to put England in trouble at 13 for 2 inside three overs.Bairstow unleashedLeft-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz came into the attack in the fourth over and in for some Bairstow treatment, reverse-swept for four and muscled over long-on for six next ball. Bairstow skied Gerhard Erasmus’s third ball back over his head and, to England’s relief, the ball plugged in a gap between an advancing long-off, long-on and the bowler running back. He crashed the next through the leg side for four. Brook chimed in with a powerful six over deep midwicket off Jack Brassell and sent the next through point for four to bring up England’s fifty off 34 balls. When Erasmus returned, Bairstow immediately nailed a six over midwicket.Bairstow survived a run-out chance on 31 and hadn’t added to his score when he top-edged an attempted cut off Scholtz towards short cover, where keeper Zane Green collected. Bairstow’s 18-ball knock was his first foray into double figures in three innings at this tournament and his highest score at a T20 World Cup, setting a solid platform after England’s shaky start before more rain arrived to halt play.Brook in on the actAfter such a long wait to learn whether they would get to play again, England’s innings was further reduced to 10 overs when rain caused another 10-minute stoppage, by which time Brook and Moeen Ali were left with twelve balls to set an imposing target. They took 19 runs off Brassell in the penultimate over, 18 of them to Brook, who finished with 4,6,4 to take England past the 100 mark. Moeen fell for 16 off six balls but Liam Livingstone blasted the first two balls he faced from Trumpelmann for six before he was run out on the last ball of the innings and left the field clutching his side in some discomfort. Ben Duckett’s appearance as substitute fielder in his place raised further concerns over Livingstone’s fitness.Davin makes way for WieseReece Topley conceded only two runs off the opening over of Namibia’s pursuit, one of them a front-foot no-ball on the first delivery of the innings. England’s bowlers were keeping a lid on Namibia’s scoring and, needing 83 more off the last four overs, Nikolaas Davin retired out on 18 off 16, the first player to do so at an ICC event, making way for the vastly experienced Wiese. He clubbed the first ball he faced – off Sam Curran, making his first appearance at this World Cup – for four through backward point. Wiese proceeded to smash back-to-back sixes off Adil Rashid over long-off and deep midwicket then pierced the covers for four.But they needed 55 off the last two overs and Michael van Lingen holed out to Brook off Chris Jordan, brought into the side for Mark Wood on the strength of his death bowling, on the final ball of the ninth. When Jofra Archer removed Wiese, again via a Brook catch in the deep in the final over, the 39-year-old walked off amid handshakes from several England players, a fitting international farewell in his last game for Namibia, the nation he transferred his allegiance to in 2021 after 26 matches for South Africa.
The countdown to the start of Aston Villa’s pre-season schedule is very much on.
The Villans’ will commence pre-season against neighbours Walsall at the Bescot on 16 July, taking on Hansa Rostock in Germany three days later, before a trio of friendlies stateside, meeting Eintracht Frankfurt in Louisville and then a pair of MLS outfits, namely St. Louis City and Nashville.
The Claret and Blue Army’s campaign begins for real on 16 August, welcoming Newcastle United to Villa Park on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, with supporters also eagerly awaiting the Europa League draw, coming up at the end of that month.
However, before Villa are back in action, will fans have a new signing to be excited about?
Aston Villa looking to bolster their forward line
According to widespread reports, including by Jacob Tanswell of the Athletic, it is widely expected that Monchi and Co will need to sell a key player before Monday 30 June to avoid breaching the Premier League’s Profitability & Sustainability Rules.
This was a key reason why Jhon Durán was sold to Al-Nassr for a reported £71m in January, but, as documented by Chris Weatherspoon of the Athletic, Villa’s finances remain precarious, given that they have the highest wages-to-revenue ratio in the division.
Nevertheless, despite the need for cost-cutting, Unai Emery still wants to bolster his attacking options, hence why TEAMtalk documents Villa’s interest in Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze, facing competition for his signature from Tottenham, Manchester United, Newcastle, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and others.
They claim that Eze’s entourage are ‘working hard and are talking to numerous suitors’, with Spurs currently leading the race to sign him, as new manager Thomas Frank targets a statement signing, following his recent appointment.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
David Hytner of the Guardian notes that Eze’s contract contains a £68m release clause, suggesting he is unlikely to remain at Selhurst beyond this summer, with Adam Keys describing the England international as “phenomenal” and data analyst Ben Mattinson hailing him as a “superstar”.
So, could Villa convince the 26 year old to move to the Midlands?
Why Eberechi Eze would be an upgrade on Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, very much reinvigorating his career, scoring four goals and registering six assists in 17 appearances.
He also started both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, underlining that he certainly got into Emery’s good books.
However, Rashford’s reported £40m price tag is putting off a lot of potential suitors, with Jamie Jackson of the Guardian claiming that Barcelona would only be open to a loan deal, something Manchester United certainly are not keen on.
Either way, it appears very unlikely that Rashford will be donning a claret and blue shirt at Villa Park next season, so would Eze be a significant upgrade?
Rashford vs Eze 2024/25 comparison
Statistics
Rashford
Eze
Appearances
41
45
Minutes
2,428
3,322
Goals
11
15
Assists
8
11
Shots per 90
2.63
3.25
Chances created per 90
1.2
2
Take-on success %
31.58%
51.94%
Shot-creating actions per 90
3.63
4.69
Touches per 90
45
55
Touches in the box per 90
4.5
3.6
Statistics courtesy of FBref.com and Squawka
As the table outlines, Eze comes out on top for pretty much every attacking metric last season, namely when it comes to goals, assists, chances created, dribbling and touches.
Sam Tabuteau of Breaking the Lines believes Eze is ‘thriving as the talisman’ at Crystal Palace, a mantle he could take up at Villa, while Daryl Gouilard of Total Football Analysis asserts that he is ready to take his game to the next level.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
Thus, as outlined earlier, Aston Villa face plenty of competition for Eze’s signature this summer but, if they are able to sign him, it would certainly be a statement addition.
He pocketed Rogers: Aston Villa keen to sign "talented" £8.5m midfielder
He could be on his way back to the Premier League.
It’s all change at Tottenham Hotspur at the moment.
Despite leading the club to their third European title in the Europa League last month and ending their almost two-decade trophy drought, Ange Postecoglou was officially given the boot on Friday afternoon.
While this is undoubtedly a divisive decision among the fanbase, it’s not hard to see why it was made, as the Australian oversaw just 11 wins out of a possible 38 in the Premier League this term.
Interestingly, while no announcement has been made just yet, it is looking increasingly likely that the man to replace Ange will be Brentford boss Thomas Frank, and that could be very good news indeed for a certain youngster in the squad.
Spurs' winners and losers under Frank
Before getting to the player in question, let’s take a look at some of the potential winners and losers at Spurs under a possible Frank tenure, starting with those who might not be so lucky, like Brennan Johnson.
Brentford managerThomasFrankbefore the matc
Now, it might sound mad to suggest that the club’s top scorer this season could be in trouble next year, but if Frank is able to convince the board to sign Bryan Mbeumo, as reports suggest he’s trying to, then there is every chance the Welshman’s game time would dramatically decrease.
Likewise, it could be the end of the road for Yves Bissouma, becuase as well as he played in the club’s Europa League run, he’s shown himself to be a liability in the league time and time again.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
You only need to look at games like Fulham away, when he was hooked at halftime and given a 3/10 match rating by Alasdair Gold, or at home against Chelsea when he lost his head and gave away a needless penalty.
However, it’s most certainly not all doom and gloom, as there are more than a few players we think could flourish under the Danish manager, such as Lucas Bergvall.
The 19-year-old was incredible for much of this season and even won the club’s Player of the Year award.
So, when he recovers from his injury, it’s not inconceivable to imagine him taking yet more steps forward under Frank.
Likewise, while Dominic Solanke wasn’t exactly prolific, he’s been one of the club’s hardest-working attackers this season and an integral part of the frontline.
Therefore, under a manager who helped turn Brentford into a lean, mean goalscoring machine, we could see him turn the former Bournemouth man into a seriously dangerous striker.
There is another Spurs ace who could become something really quite special under the incoming boss, someone he wanted to sign in West London.
The Spurs gem Frank could transform
If you were following Tottenham’s transfer dealings last summer, then you’ll have probably worked out that the player in question is none other than Archie Gray.
Before making his way to North London, the former Leeds United gem looked destined to join Brentford, with reports in late June claiming that the player had agreed personal terms with the Bees and was set to have a medical.
However, the Lilywhites swooped in and picked up the incredibly talented youngster for around £30m just a few days later.
While he missed out on him last summer, we can only imagine that Frank is just as excited, if not more, about the teenager’s potential now and the chance to finally work with him.
There are a few reasons why we think the Dane could help turn the 19-year-old ace into the “future £100m” superstar that data analyst Ben Mattinson claimed he could be.
The first is that after spending this season being moved around here, there, and everywhere, there is a real chance for the Durham-born midfielder to actually play in, well, midfield.
Moreover, while he didn’t spend a whole lot of time there in 24/25, he was still able to produce some fairly impressive underlying numbers for someone so young.
Gray’s Midfield Scout Report
Statistics
Per 90
Percentile
Shots on Target %
100.0%
Top 1%
Shots Blocked
0.73
Top 4%
Clearances
2.81
Top 5%
Passes Completed (Medium)
28.09
Top 7%
Pass Completion % (Medium)
92.8%
Top 10%
Progressive Passing Distance
285.69
Top 13%
Dead-ball Passes
4.86
Top 13%
Carries
45.28
Top 13%
All Stats via FBref
For example, according to FBref, he sits in the 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for percentage of shots on target, the top 4% for shots blocked, the top 5% for clearances, the top 7% for medium passes completed, the top 13% for progressive passing distance, carries and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, while it’ll take some time for the “sensational” prospect, as dubbed by one analyst, to reach his full potential, we have no doubt that Frank will be a brilliant manager for Gray to do it under.
He's another Bergvall: Spurs enter race to sign "extraordinary" wonderkid
Leeds United are set for an incredibly busy summer of transfer business, after the first window opened on Sunday, as they look to recruit for a season in the Premier League.
The last six teams to have won promotion to the top-flight from the Championship have all been relegated at the first time of asking, including Burnley, Luton, Sheffield United, Leicester, Southampton, and Ipswich.
Daniel Farke, who was relegated from the Premier League with Norwich City in 2020, knows how difficult it will be for the Whites to avoid the drop, which is why the summer transfer window is so important.
Leeds have to recruit well if they want to have a shot at avoiding relegation back down to the Championship, which is what Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa did in the summer of 2020.
Former Leeds forward Raphinha.
Orta splashed the cash to bring an exciting talent to Elland Road in the form of Raphinha ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, following the club’s promotion from the second tier, and it was a signing that helped them to avoid relegation for two seasons.
Why Raphinha was a big signing for Leeds
The Brazilian winger was a big signing for Leeds in a multitude of ways. Firstly, they reportedly paid Rennes a fee of £17m, plus add-ons, to bring him to West Yorkshire, which shows that they were willing to spend a significant sum of money on his services.
Secondly, Raphinha was a big addition for the Whites and Bielsa because he made an instant and huge impact at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League, providing quality in the final third on a regular basis to secure vital points for his side.
The Brazil international, as shown in the highlights above, was an exciting player for supporters to watch with plenty of goals, assists, and skills in his debut year in English football with the club.
Raphinha ended that first season with a return of six goals and nine assists in 30 appearances in the Premier League, which shows that he hit the ground running and did not need much time to adapt to the country and division.
Raphinha (Premier League)
20/21
21/22
Appearances
30
35
Goals
6
11
Big chances missed
4
6
Big chances created
12
10
Key passes per game
2.1
1.9
Assists
9
3
Dribbles completed per game
1.9
1.8
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the left-footed wizard followed that up with a haul of 21 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 35 outings in the top-flight to lead them to survival under Jesse Marsch.
That form, finally, led to another reason why he was a big signing for Leeds, because it earned him a mega £55m transfer to Barcelona in the summer of 2022, which represented a huge profit on the £17m that they paid Rennes for his services two years prior.
The Whites were, of course, relegated the season after he left, illustrating how important he was to their survival, and Leeds could land their biggest and most influential signing since Raphinha by landing a reported Premier League target.
Leeds eyeing move for Premier League midfielder
Journalist Ben Jacobs has suggested that Leeds United could be eyeing up a deal to sign central £35m midfielder Yves Bissouma from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window.
The Mali international just won the Europa League with Spurs, starting in the final against Manchester United, but he could be on his way out of North London in the coming weeks, with the Whites said to be a team to watch in the race for his services.
Transfer Focus
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Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT: “He wants to stay in the Premier League. I’m told Leeds are another one to watch. They’re looking to add another midfielder. It will all come down to finances and wages for them too.”
As the reporter said, wages could come into play as Bissouma earns £55k-per-week, per Capology. Patrick Bamford is reportedly on £70k-per-week, per Capology, which does not suggest that the club would have to break their wage structure to bring the Spurs midfielder in.
It now remains to be seen whether or not Leeds will be able to get a deal over the line for the ex-Brighton star, but he could be their biggest signing since Raphinha if they can bring him to Elland Road.
Why Bissouma would be Leeds' biggest signing since Raphinha
As aforementioned, Raphinha was a huge addition for Leeds because the quality that he provided at the top end of the pitch played a pivotal role in the team avoiding relegation from the Premier League in both of his seasons at the club.
The Whites have not achieved top-flight survival in a season since the Brazilian star moved on from Elland Road, but Bissouma is a player who has the potential to lead them to survival in the 2025/26 campaign.
Whilst the Mali international did not have the best season with Spurs, starting just 16 of his 28 outings in the top-flight, his form for Brighton before his move to Spurs shows that the potential is there for him to be an excellent player at that level.
U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed that Bissouma was “the best DM in the Premier League” in February 2021, and that was not an outrageous claim to make between the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns.
Last two seasons at Brighton
Yves Bissouma (Premier League)
20/21
21/22
Appearances
36
26
Pass accuracy
87%
89%
Tackles per game
2.9
2.9
Interceptions per game
1.8
1.9
Error led to shot/goal
0
0
Duel success rate
59%
59%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the then-Brighton star caught the eye with 4.7 and 4.8 tackles and interceptions per game in those two seasons, which shows that he was constantly winning the ball back for his side by breaking up opposition attacks.
For context, no Leeds player managed more than 3.5 tackles and interceptions combined per game in the Championship this season, illustrating just how impressive Bissouma’s form for Brighton was from a defensive perspective.
The Spurs midfielder has shown signs of that quality during his time in London, averaging 4.2 tackles and interceptions per match in the Premier League for the club in the 2023/24 term, but he peaked with the Seagulls.
Tottenham Hotspur's YvesBissoumaarrives before the match
At the age of 28, Bissouma still has plenty of time to get back to his best, though, and that is why he could be a transformational signing for Leeds as a proven top-flight performer who could be the ‘best DM in the Premier League’ at his best, making him their best and biggest signing since Raphinha as no one else has kept the team in the top tier since the Brazilian left in 2022.
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He would arrive at Elland Road with pedigree and quality and could provide a strong foundation for Farke’s side in the middle of the park with his ability to consistently break up attacks, which would be particularly vital in a relegation battle where they may have their backs against the wall at times.