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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has decided to sell a £100,000-per-week player alongside left-back Ben Chilwell, with both men “firmly” out of the Italian’s plans and could depart in the January transfer window.

Chilwell expected to leave Chelsea in January

The biggest name who’s most heavily linked with the Stamford Bridge exit door right now, and has been ever since the summer, is Chilwell.

"Dream" Chelsea player out until "November or December" through injury

He’ll have to wait until winter.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 8, 2024

Maresca axed Chilwell from the squad for a period but recalled the Englishman for their EFL Cup win over Barrow last month – opting to hand him much-needed minutes as the club look to attract suitors mid-season.

“I think so. Hopefully, we can give him some minutes tomorrow,” said Maresca on Chilwell’s return to the first team on September 24.

Liverpool (away)

October 20

Newcastle (home)

October 27

Man United (away)

November 3

Arsenal (home)

November 10

Leicester City (home)

November 23

“The idea for him was to leave. In the moment that he’s here, he’s one of the squad, he’s training. He will be in the squad tomorrow, and hopefully we can give him some minutes.”

Chilwell did get minutes in Chelsea’s victory against Barrow, playing 45 during a dominant 5-0 win at Stamford Bridge, but that did little to sway Maresca in terms of the 27-year-old’s long-term future.

Chilwell has been deemed surplus to requirements by Maresca ahead of January, with widespread reports indicating that the defender’s future is far away from west London.

It is believed that Chilwell was even offered to Man United during the summer window, and the player himself was very keen on a move to Old Trafford. However, Erik ten Hag’s side ultimately didn’t take the bait, despite their need for a new left-back at the time.

It’s been quite a fall from grace for the £200,000-per-week ex-captain, who spent the vast majority of last campaign sidelined with both hamstring and knee problems. Mauricio Pochettino even called Chilwell one of the best left-backs in the world, but Maresca clearly doesn’t share that verdict.

Maresca ready to sell Carney Chukwuemeka alongside Chilwell

According to CaughtOffside, £100,000-per-week midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is also facing the axe in January.

Carney Chukwuemeka

Maresca has apparently decided to sell Chukwuemeka, with both the England Under-21 international and Chilwell “firmly” out of his plans. Both players are also said to be the “most likely” exits to happen mid-season.

AC Milan and clubs in Saudi Arabia are taking a real interest in signing the 20-year-old, so Chukwuemeka has suitors for the winter period. The Rossoneri in particular are looking for bargain additions to bolster their midfield, and it is believed that Chelsea’s outcast could depart for the San Siro on loan.

Interestingly, ex-Chelsea superstar Marcel Desailly has expressed how he’s a real fan of him.

“I like Carney Chukwuemeka because he is like an artist who comes onto the stage,” said Desailly (via Chelsea News).

“He has got the ball. Now is my moment. Shine. You see the dribbling. He is sure about what he is going to do and he is clinical. I love it.”

Newcastle United need a right winger. Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron are industrious sorts, but neither offer the kind of prolificness that Eddie Howe covets.

Much was made about the failure to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, but equally, landing a new winger would have been a real plus for a talented Magpies side that does have its flaws.

Anthony Gordon, typically a left-flanking winger, has played on the right against Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham this season, though he’s clearly at his best on the alternate side.

Indeed, Newcastle have been solid but definitely unspectacular across their three victories thus far, showing togetherness and a high-level understanding of their manager’s plan, but not dominating and wreaking chaos on their opponents.

Last season, despite their issues, Newcastle finished the campaign joint-second with Manchester City for big chances created (97), however, so far this year they are joint-ninth (alongside five other teams) with nine.

The frontline isn’t clicking together right now, with Gordon – who has reportedly signed a new long-term deal – and striker Alexander Isak yet to hit their stride.

How Isak & Gordon are performing in 24/25

Last season, Gordon was crowned Newastle’s Player of the Season after an emphatic campaign that saw him plunder 12 goals and 11 assists across all competitions. Isak was also in fine fettle, bagging 25 goals across 40 appearances and being praised as “world-class” and a “nightmare” by pundit Harry Redknapp.

Matches (started)

5 (5)

5 (5)

Goals

1

1

Assists

0

0

Shots (on target)*

1.2 (0.4)

2.2 (0.4)

Pass completion

77%

74%

Key passes*

2.4

0.8

Dribbles (completed)*

1.8

0.6

Ball recoveries*

3.2

1.4

Total duels (won)*

6.2 (57%)

2.0 (29%)

As you can see from the table above, neither United forward is enjoying the most productive of starts to the season. Their seven goals scored is the lowest of any side in the Premier League’s top seven, and though the campaign is still in its fledgling phase, it’s clear that the attackers need to raise their game.

Isak, for example, is flattering to deceive as his team’s centre-forward, scoring one goal that was served to him on a silver platter against Spurs. He did good work to get in the position though, insofar as running forward is good work.

Were a shiny new right winger to complete Newcastle’s frontline welcomed this summer, there might be more optimism. Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga was the subject of a £50m bid at the end of the transfer window, but the Toon’s interest was rejected.

This talk of a right winger makes us think of the time when Raphinha nearly moved to St. James’ Park – now one of Europe’s most in-form forwards, it’s a shame it didn’t come together.

When Newcastle missed out on Raphinha

Tell you what, Raphinha would be perfect in this Newcastle side. The missing piece. The answer to the problems that sit just beneath the surface.

Newcastle have claimed ten points from 15 to start their season off, which is an improvement on last year: in 2023/24, United had six points at the same stage, with three losses from five.

But there’s an incompleteness about Howe’s squad, and the aforesaid failure to land a winger like Elanga could prove detrimental in the scramble for ascendancy in the Premier League – there are plenty of teams with their eyes on continental competition.

None of that would matter had Raphinha been welcomed to Tyneside in 2019. According to the Shields Gazette, Raphinha was offered to Newcastle in the January transfer window in 2018/19 when he plied his art for Rennes, with the report suggesting that a shrewd fee of £12.5m could have been enough to get the deal done.

It didn’t materialise, and Raphinha – 23 at the time – signed for the Elland Road side in a move worth £17m plus add-ons. The rest was history, with the dynamic forward proving to be a key attacking instrument in the Whites’ Premier League exploits and even being hailed as a “magician” by former teammate Dan James.

The Brazilian’s recent exploits have seen him rise to some lofty heights as far as his metrics are concerned. Indeed, as per FBref, Raphinha ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 3% for shots taken, the top 4% for assists and the top 19% for shot-creating actions per 90, speaking of a clinical nature that would improve any team across the continent.

Let’s take a look at the £201k-per-week star’s improvements made in La Liga this season – disclaimer, it’s been pretty significant.

Matches (started)

36 (25)

28 (17)

7 (7)

Goals

7

6

5

Assists

7

9

2

Touches*

47.5

34.1

62.3

Shots (on target)*

2.2 (0.7)

2.1 (0.8)

3.7 (1.9)

Pass completion

80%

81%

78%

Key passes*

1.6

1.5

3.1

Dribbles (completed)*

1.3

0.9

1.4

Ball recoveries*

4.3

2.6

4.3

Total duels (won)*

3.5

2.6

3.9

Five goals and two assists from seven matches is excellent going, and under Hansi Flick’s leadership, the 27-year-old appears to have found a manager who entrusts him with a starring role, placing him in the starting seat for each of his side’s contests so far. Moreover, he captained La Blaugrana during their most recent win against Getafe.

It’s quite clear that he’s comprehensively outperforming both Gordon and Isak at the moment. Not only is the South American outscoring both, he’s been more energetic and combative, more creative and influential.

Newcastle must rue the day that they failed to bring him in – he might just be the dream piece to finish the frontline. He might have made all the difference.

Howe must finally ditch Newcastle star earning as much as Gordon

He’s reached the end of the line…

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 27, 2024

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has dropped a key update regarding Leeds United’s pursuit of a new striker, as they look to get an important piece of business over the line.

Leeds Championship form & transfer news

The Whites suffered a hugely disappointing day at the office on Saturday lunchtime, as their first game back after the international break ended in defeat. Daniel Farke’s side were beaten 1-0 at home to Burnley, in a match that pitted two of the Championship’s most highly-rated teams, acting as an early blow to their promotion hopes.

It means Leeds are outside the playoffs after five matches, only winning twice to date this season, so there is an element of pressure on Farke, even though results have been more positive than negative.

In terms of the futures of current players, it has been rumoured that left-back Junior Firpo is now open to signing a new deal at Elland Road, joining Wilfried Gnonto after he did the same recently, acting as a huge boost for the club.

While seven goals in five games is far from a bad return for Leeds, it looks as though a new striker is being looked at in the coming months, especially after Georginio Rutter completed a move to Brighton during the summer transfer window.

Journalist gives update on Leeds striker search

According to an exciting new update from Football Insider‘s O’Rourke, Leeds will look to sign a striker in January, with owners 49ers Enterprises set to make the money available to bring in a new marksman.

Sunderland attacker Eliezer Mayenda has been touted as a possible option for the Whites, having already scored and assisted twice apiece in five appearances for the Black Cats this season, but others are also likely to be looked at.

While O’Rourke has stated that it is “unlikely” that Mayenda will complete a move to Elland Road, he is someone who Leeds should continue to track, possibly looking to entice him to the club eventually.

At just 19 years of age, the Sunderland starlet is also impressing in the Championship, as highlighted by his aforementioned goals and assists this season, so he could be both a long-term acquisition and a squad player from the off. His current manager, Regis Le Bris, is believed to admire “his willingness to learn and how quickly he was able to understand the demands being placed on him in terms of his out-of-possession work”.

Admittedly, Mayenda’s age does mean that he is still a raw footballer, however, and not necessarily someone who could come in and lead the line consistently from the off, which Farke could arguably do with in the promotion battle.

Leeds forward who made 0 key passes was worse than Solomon

The Whites attacker endured a difficult afternoon at Elland Road against Burnley.

3 ByDan Emery Sep 14, 2024

For that reason, looking elsewhere for an older option who is in and around his prime arguably makes more sense, giving Leeds a proven option midway through the season, injecting additional firepower in the final third alongside Mateo Joseph, Joe Piroe and Patrick Bamford.

Arsenal have a whole host of stars away on international duty this week as fans watch from behind the sofa in the hopes their squad returns to north London free of injuries, and one fan favourite will be coming away from national team duty with a spring in his step.

Arsenal players away on international duty

Mikel Arteta is already without Mikel Merino and Declan Rice in midfield for the north London derby against Tottenham, so will be praying his midfielders in particular return to London Colney in one piece.

On that note, Bukayo Saka featured for England as the Three Lions cruised past the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Dublin on Saturday, and the winger was on the recieiving end of a couple of nasty tackles from Robbie Brady, but came away unscathed.

Martin Odegaard’s Norway meanwhile face off against Kazakstan and Austria, the former of which resulted in a disappointing 0-0 draw in which the skipper played the full 90 minutes.

Thomas Partey’s Ghana are in 2025 AFCON qualifiying action, as the 31 year-old played the full game in a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Angola last Thursday, with a chance to redeem themselves on Monday against Niger.

The standout result from this international break from a Gunners perspective is undoubtedly what Kai Havertz and Germany produced this weekend, crushing Dominik Szoboszlai's Hungary 5-0 in a Nations League group match, as Arsenal's 25 year-old found himself in a new role and shone.

German media praise Havertz in new number ten role

While his finishing left a little to be desired – the former Chelsea star missed two "big chances" and hit the woodwork twice – he did get on the scoresheet from the penalty spot, and it was his general play as a number ten that earned him praise from the press in his homeland.

As shared by TBR Football, Frankfurter Rundschau said Havertz's general performance was "world class" outside of his inability to finish his chances, while Sky Germany praised his "good movement" and "good ideas".

Pass accuracy

92 per cent

Shots total

Four

Big chances missed

Two

Penalties won

One

Duels won

Seven

Fouls drawn

Five

Havertz, of course, has been forced to make the striker role his own in north London after they neglected to sign an out and out centre-forward, and has also shone for Arteta in a left centre-mid role, but featured here as a true number playmaker, sitting just behind West Ham target man Niclas Füllkrug.

Arsenal dealt injury blow with potential fourth star set to miss Tottenham

The Gunners could be without a quartet of senior players for their trip across north London.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Sep 3, 2024

Whether Arteta ever chooses to adopt a slightly different system than his usual 4-3-3 in order to fit Havertz into this playmaker role remains to be seen, but having a player so full of confidence thriving in a variety of positions can only be a good thing for the manager ahead of such a huge clash against rivals Spurs.

Liverpool may try and include players in exchange or additional add-ons in their bid to try and sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest transfer news surrounding Romeo Lavia and Liverpool?

According to Sky Sports, Southampton are confident of being able to sell Lavia for the £50 million price tag they are demanding for the Belgium international to leave the South Coast.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have all held conversations with the 19-year-old's entourage over the possibility of signing Lavia; however, his suitors have concerns over the fee quoted for the youngster.

As per The Telegraph, Liverpool may be willing to offload veteran midfielder Thiago Alcantara this window, as he has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia in his services.

In turn, the Reds could turn to Lavia as a potential replacement; nevertheless, his £50 million price is said to be 'too prohibitive' for Jurgen Klopp to consider bidding for the enforcer at present.

Manchester City retain a buyback clause for Lavia that stands at £40 million, which they inserted when he joined Southampton back in 2022; however, it doesn't activate until 2024, enabling rival clubs to steal a march on the Citizens this summer, as per Football Insider.

Of course, the German coach has already made moves in the transfer window to shore up his midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai joining from Brighton & Hove Albion and RB Leipzig, respectively.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Romano reckons that Liverpool may be cute in negotiations and either include additional add-ons or offer players in exchange to try and seal a deal to sign Lavia.

Romano said: "For Romeo Lavia, the price tag is around £50million.

"But sources believe that maybe, with some add-ons or with a creative formula such as including some players, they can find a way with Southampton to reach an agreement."

Why is Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia so highly regarded?

Shortly after moving to Southampton from Manchester City, Lavia earned high praise from Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, who was speaking on BT Sport quoted by The Daily Mail before the Red Devils took on Southampton at St Mary's last year, as the pundit stated: "He has got a pass in his locker and he is big and strong and likes to defend. He does not want to get forward too much and sits in front of the back four and sets the play in motion from there."

Scholes' summary of Lavia's attributes is a high testament to the 19-year-old's qualities and potential to develop. Unsurprisingly, several elite sides are keen on offering him a return to the English top flight.

Last term, Lavia made 34 appearances in all competitions for Southampton and registered one goal alongside a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.

His capacity to efficiently recycle possession will have attracted interest from top clubs. According to WhoScored, Lavia maintained a pass success rate of 86.4% in the Premier League, showing commendable maturity for his age.

Getting stuck in, Lavia also managed to win 93 tackles and interceptions combined, displaying courage and tenacity in the Saints' engine room, as per FBRef.

Lavia looks set for an intriguing next few weeks, where we will find out more about his potential next destination, as an exit from Southampton looks to be nailed on before the end of the window.

Tottenham Hotspur could be set to secure the first true Ange Postecoglou signing this summer, if reports are to be believed…

What's the latest on Edmond Tapsoba to Tottenham Hotspur?

The latest comes from the Daily Star, who suggest that Spurs are on the verge of signing Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen.

Despite welcoming Dujan Kulusevski to north London on a permanent move, this was a deal that had been a year and a half in the making, and crucially forged by Antonio Conte when the Swede was first loaned.

The Australian seems to still be scoping out where his squad needs boosting, and who the right men to fill those spots are.

In this hulking central defender, for whom a £25m bid is reportedly on the table, they could immediately bolster their back line with a cut-price swoop.

Considering the German club had demanded a fee of around €70m (£61m) back in 2021, this would mark a sensational transfer masterclass, as they are noted as 'very close' to sealing the deal.

How good is Edmond Tapsoba?

Whilst the price alone would make this a phenomenal deal, the player they would acquire is also arguably the perfect man to step into Postecoglou's side with ease.

His ability on the ball is arguably preferred to his outright defensive qualities, and for a side that will seek to dominate possession, a centre-back with a quality akin to his will be imperative.

After all, when compared to others in his position across Europe, he ranks in the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 8% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90, via FBref.

This paints the picture of a defender so supremely confident with the ball at his feet, yet standing at 6 foot 4, he has the physical qualities to remain a staunch defender. Journalist Antonio Mango sought to outline this, branding him a "monster" back in 2020.

To compare him to others within the Spurs squad, it is clear that he would walk in as the shining light for what their Australian boss will crave.

His 86% pass accuracy and 89% dribble success rate in the Bundesliga last term would have had him ranked joint-third and first respectively among Spurs' centre-backs, had he been a part of last year's disaster in north London.

He added a further 1.5 tackles and three clearances per game too, not to discredit his solidity.

It is for all these reasons, plus the huge coup they are set to claim, that make Tapsoba sure to be the first of many masterclasses Postecoglou will hope to perform in N17.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Michael Beale has been a busy man in the summer transfer window as he has wasted no time in attempting to bolster his squad at Ibrox ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling, and Jack Butland have all been snapped up on free transfers from Norwich, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace respectively and will officially arrive on the 1st of July.

The club have also completed the permanent signing of Dutch centre-forward Sam Lammers for an undisclosed fee from Serie A side Atalanta to improve their options at the top end of the pitch.

However, one number nine from the Italian top flight who will not be joining the Light Blues this summer is Cremonese ace Cyriel Dessers.

The Gers were reportedly closing in on an initial €4.2m (£3.6m) deal for the Nigerian but the 28-year-old has opted to turn down a move to Ibrox as he would prefer to remain in Italy, despite his team's relegation to Serie B.

Rangers transfer news – Lyndon Dykes interest

Beale could move on from Dessers this month by completing a deal to sign reported transfer target Lyndon Dykes, who is currently playing in the Championship with Queens Park Rangers.

The Scotland international has the potential to be a shrewd addition to the squad as he has already worked with the Light Blues boss in the past and is a proven performer in the Scottish Premiership.

Dykes played under Beale at the start of 22/23 before the Englishman made the switch to Ibrox and plundered six goals in 21 league outings before he went on to score two in the 18 games after the coach's departure.

The 27-year-old, who registered a goal and an assist in Scotland's recent 2-1 win over Norway, clearly thrived under the Rangers chief and this is backed up by the 42-year-old saying "he is giving me everything he can give me" during their time together.

Adapting to football in the Premiership could also be easy for the Australian-born marksman, who ex-boss Mark Warburton hailed as "outstanding", as the powerhouse racked up 11 goals and eight assists in 28 top-flight outings for Livingston before his move to England.

Dykes could be an ideal option to bolster the club's number nine options due to his pre-existing relationship with the manager and his knowledge of Scottish football.

Therefore, Beale could forget about Dessers and move on from the forward, who scored six Serie A goals in 22/23 and has no experience in Scotland, by reuniting with the £8k-per-week QPR ace this summer.

With the lure of more European football at the London Stadium next season, plus plenty of money to play with should Declan Rice's expected £100m transfer go through, West Ham United supporters have every right to be excited for what the summer transfer window holds.

While some big names have been linked with the Hammers – Manchester United's Harry Maguire among them – others with a little less stature are also reported to be on David Moyes' radar.

Who is West Ham target Valentin Castellanos?

One of those who West Ham fans are perhaps not all that familiar with is Valentin Castellanos, often referred to as "Taty" Castellanos, who is back at parent club New York City FC after spending last season on loan with Girona in LaLiga.

According to TYC Sports reporter Cesar Luis Merlo, Girona are not in a financial position to purchase Castellanos permanently, and that has alerted the likes of West Ham and Sevilla.

That said, reports in Spain – via Sport Witness – have suggested that it is Benfica who leads the race for his signature, with the Irons now needing a last-ditch bid to get a move over the line.

It is claimed that an offer of around £13m will be enough to land the 24-year-old, who had never previously played in European football prior to last season.

Should West Ham move for Castellanos?

Castellanos made headlines in April when scoring all four goals for Girona in their 4-2 win against Real Madrid, making him the first player to score four times against Los Blancos in a LaLiga game since Oviedo's Esteban Echevarria in 1947.

Those were four of an impressive 13 goals scored by the former Argentina U23 international in the Spanish top flight last season – only seven players netted more.

Girona were very reliant on Castellanos for their top-half finish, with the striker scoring 22% of their 58 goals. To give that some context, it is a similar rate as Antoine Griezmann at Atletico Madrid (21%) and Karim Benzema at Real Madrid (25%).

Castellanos has very much proved he is capable of playing in a top European league, then, and Girona's loss could well be West Ham's gain as they seek out a player they thought Gianluca Scamacca would be when splashing out £35.5m last year.

There are obvious comparisons to be made between Castellanos and another former West Ham striker in Carlos Tevez, who also hailed from Argentina and quickly won the hearts of supporters.

Like Tevez, Castellanos is pacey and powerful, while also not afraid to get stuck in, as reflected by the 1.2 fouls committed per game in LaLiga last season. As per WhoScored, that translated to 11 yellow cards, only further highlighting his edgy side.

For comparison, Tevez was booked 24 times across 2019 Premier League appearances for West Ham, Manchester United and Manchester City, so Castellanos still has some way to go on that front.

As pointed out by former MLS reporter Chris Smith, Castellanos has a "clinical" nature to his game, which was also something Tevez prided himself on. The comparisons continue on that front, as Tevez averaged 0.37 goals per 90 minutes in the 2006-07 season at West Ham; Castellanos averaged 0.45 at Girona last season.

Tevez hit the target from 1.06 of his shots that campaign, while his compatriot did so an average of 1.11 times last season – very alike, indeed.

The early signs are certainly positive in terms of the Mendoza native's attacking game, which could hugely benefit West Ham as they look to once again compete on European and domestic fronts next season.

There has never been a better time to be a Newcastle fan.

Within the last 18 months, the club has escaped the clutches of Mike Ashley, avoided relegation, ditched Steve Bruce, found new ownership, hired Eddie Howe, and has just secured Champions League football for the first time since 2002.

It is a wondrously exciting dawn for the Magpies, but they must not rest on their laurels, and begin shaping their squad for their European excursion.

They need to add more depth and quality to juggle the increased amount of fixtures and James Maddison would be a magnificent addition.

What’s the latest on James Maddison to Newcastle?

According to the Guardian, the Magpies and Tottenham are set to be part of a hotly-contested tug-of-war for the 26-year-old’s signature.

The Magpies have been reportedly working on a deal for Maddison since last summer and can offer the playmaker the chance to compete in Europe’s most elite competition.

The Foxes have accepted that Maddison 'can leave for the right offer' and only has a year left on his contract.

It is understood that an offer of around £40m could be enough for the 2016 Premier League winners to sanction his sale.

How would James Maddison fit in at Newcastle?

Despite his side’s torrid season, the £110k-per-week maestro has emerged from the rubble of Leicester’s relegation with his formidable reputation still intact.

In 30 Premier League appearances, the attacking midfielder registered 19 goal involvements and the highest average rating (7.24) in the whole squad, as per WhoScored.

The two-cap international has been a fountain of creativity and end-product as he ranks in the top 11% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for assists per 90, as well as within the best 15% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90.

A player of this stunning effervescence propped behind the irrepressible Alexander Isak is a frightening prospect.

In his debut season in England, the forward scored ten top-flight goals, despite only making 22 appearances in an injury-ravaged start.

In this short period, the 23-year-old has already displaced his dazzling quick feet, his clinical finishing, and intoxicating directness as he ranks within the highest 7% for successful take-ons per 90 and 16% for progressive carries per 90.

Hailed as someone who possesses “all the attributes”, a combination of Maddison’s mesmeric creativity and the flourishing potential of Isak could be a potent force in domestic and European competition.

Described as “fantastic” by Frank Lampard, Maddison should deservedly be playing top-flight football come August and St James Park would be a mouth-watering destination.

Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has rolled back the years after scoring a superb solo goal during Joaquin’s testimonial match.

Why was Santi Cazorla back in Spain?

Real Betis legend Joaquin has just retired and so a game was played last night in his honour. Indeed, his now former side took on a Spain Legends team which included the likes of Raul, Guit, Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas.

In the end, Betis actually won the game 6-4 but this didn’t stop magician Cazorla from delivering one sublime moment of skill to open the scoring in the 27th minute.

As shown in this footage shared on Twitter, the 38-year-old controls an awkward clearance on the edge of the box, beats two men with a sharp touch, before sitting down the goalkeeper with a clever dummy, allowing him to roll the ball into an empty net.

Cazorla won two FA Cups with Arsenal while also scoring 29 goals and providing 45 assists in 180 appearances in all competitions, securing his status as a fan favourite.

Injuries sadly curtailed his time in England and he left in 2018, heading back to Villarreal for two seasons before moving to Qatari outfit Al-Sadd SC.

Despite now being in his late 30s, this recent display of skill shows that he’s still not lost that ability to sprinkle stardust on any game he’s involved in.

The Arsenal fans certainly seemed to enjoy seeing their former midfielder doing his thing back in Europe once again. Indeed, they quickly flocked to Twitter to reminisce about the player.

Here are some of the best reactions…

It seems everyone is in agreement about just how good Santi was and still is.