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Ipswich Town have not been in England’s top flight since 2002, with the Tractor Boys becoming Championship regulars over the last two decades.

Things hit a new low in 2019 when they sank to the third tier for the first time in nearly 30 years. Paul Lambert’s side finished rock bottom of the Championship and spent four years in League One before Kieran McKenna took them up in his first full season at the helm.

And rather than focus on consolidating their second-tier status like Plymouth Argyle, who beat them to the League One title last year, Ipswich sought even bigger dreams, with the team securing a return to the Premier League after defeating Huddersfield Town on the final day of the Championship season.

It has been a remarkable campaign from all those involved at Portman Road. But who are the players that have taken the Tractor Boys this far, and who could shine for them in the Premier League next season?

Football FanCast takes a look at their current squad to have featured in at least one game, ranked by their Championship goal involvement during the 2023/24 season, with the help of stats from WhoScored.

Ipswich Town players: 2023/24 Championship
Player	Joined club	Apps	Goals	Assists
Conor Chaplin	Jul 2021	44	13	8
Leif Davis	Jul 2022	43	2	18
Nathan Broadhead	Jan 2023	38	13	3
Omari Hutchinson	Jul 2023	44	10	5
George Hirst	Jul 2023	26	7	6
Wes Burns	Jul 2021	35	6	4
Sam Morsy	Aug 2021	42	3	6
Kieffer Moore	Feb 2024	18	7	1
Kayden Jackson	Aug 2018	29	3	3
Marcus Harness	Jul 2022	34	4	1
Jeremy Sarmiento	Jan 2024	20	3	1
Ali Al-Hamadi	Jan 2024	14	4	0
Massimo Luongo	Jan 2023	43	3	0
Jack Taylor	Jul 2023	33	2	1
Cameron Burgess	Aug 2021	39	2	1
Luke Woolfenden	Jul 2017	41	1	1
Harry Clarke	Jan 2023	35	1	1
George Edmundson	Jul 2021	10	0	2
Brandon Williams	Aug 2023	15	2	0
Axel Tuanzebe	Sep 2023	18	0	1
Cameron Humphreys	Jul 2022	3	0	1
Vaclav Hladky	Jul 2021	46	0	0
Lewis Travis	Jan 2024	9	0	0
Janoi Donacien	Jan 2019	3	0	0
Dominic Ball	Jul 2022	10	0	0
Gerrard Buabo	Jul 2021	1	0	0
Sone Aluko	Aug 2021	1	0	0
Christian Walton	Jan 2022	1	0	0

All data correct as of 5th May 2024.

Christian Walton

Goalkeeper

Christian Walton was gifted the last few moments of Ipswich's promotion campaign, having spent the league season looking on from the subs' bench after recovering from injury early on. He can now say he played his part on the pitch, though whether he can truly claim to have gone the whole year without conceding might take some convincing.

Sone Aluko

Forward

Sone Aluko is one of Ipswich’s more experienced players, and although he played a minimal part in their promotion push with just one league appearance off the bench, he remains an important figure for the team off the pitch.

He also scored in the Tractor Boys’ EFL Cup victory over Bristol Rovers back in August.

Gerrard Buabo

Forward

With just three Championship minutes to his name this term, Gerrard Buabo has been firmly on the fringes of the first team in recent months. But given he was also handed runouts in Ipswich’s FA Cup run, the 18-year-old could yet be in McKenna’s long-term plans.

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Dominic Ball

Midfielder

Dominic Ball found minutes hard to come by this season, but remains a trusted member of the squad after helping the club to promotion from League One.

Ball has struggled with injuries which have restricted his time in Ipswich colours, though he is an experienced player at this level, having previously turned out for QPR and Rotherham United, as well as Rangers when the Scottish giants were in the Championship.

Janoi Donacien

Defender

St Lucia international Janoi Donacien is another who has been unlucky with injury, as a groin problem has severely derailed his campaign, having been a mainstay as Ipswich won promotion from League One. He started each of Ipswich’s opening three games but has not featured for the first team since November.

Lewis Travis

Midfielder

Lewis Travis became a useful option for McKenna’s side since joining on loan in January from Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers.

Yet to lose in Ipswich colours, Travis’ highlight arguably came on his debut when his defence-splitting pass helped Kayden Jackson to score a vital equaliser in their comeback win over Sunderland.

Vaclav Hladky

Goalkeeper

Vaclav Hladky clocked up more minutes under his belt than any other Ipswich player, with the Czech shot-stopper playing all bar the final seconds of their final-day victory.

A vital component of the team’s success this year, Hladky is also no stranger to a yellow card – he picked up three in Ipswich’s opening six games. However, he has also been impressive in penalty shootouts at his previous clubs, so could be worth considering as a budget goalkeeper in next season’s Fantasy League.

Cameron Humphreys

Midfielder

Cameron Humphreys became a key player in last year’s promotion run, but had to be patient for opportunities this term, having mainly featured in Ipswich’s cup fixtures.

Humphreys’ best moment in his limited Championship minutes this year came in the dramatic 2-2 draw at Birmingham City in November, when he kept Omari Hutchinson’s cross alive before Marcus Harness superbly volleyed home.

Axel Tuanzebe

Defender

Axel Tuanzebe made his name at Manchester United, and via loan spells in the Championship and Italy’s Serie A, the DR Congo defender joined Ipswich’s promotion push after finding himself without a club in the summer.

His versatility has come to the fore in more recent months, with the defender filling in at right-back in 12 of Ipswich’s last 14 games, of which they lost just one.

Brandon Williams

Defender

Another talent from Man Utd’s production line is Brandon Williams, who has spent the current season on loan at Portman Road. Unfortunately for the 23-year-old, he has suffered multiple injury setbacks this term.

He had started the season in impressive fashion, too, having grabbed an important equaliser at Huddersfield Town before scoring again in Ipswich’s win over Preston in October, all while ending on the winning side in eight of his first ten matches.

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has explained how he plans to get Jadon Sancho back to his best following a forgettable stint at Manchester United.

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Sancho impresses on Chelsea debutMaresca takes dig at Ten HagSays Sancho 'needs love' to return to formGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca showered Jadon Sancho with plaudits following his match-winning debut against Bournemouth. The England winger has joined Chelsea on loan from Manchester United, where he had fallen out of favour with boss Erik ten Hag. The Italian has now disclosed his strategy for getting Sancho to perform at his peak, something the Dutch manager failed to do.

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Speaking about Sancho’s performance, the Chelsea boss said: "Very happy, very happy for him. He was very good, I think Joao [Felix] was very good and Christopher [Nkunku] scored but was also very good.

“I said already when we brought in Jadon that the reason why is because we were looking for another winger like Noni [Madueke]. Noni is doing that on the right side, winning one-on-one, creating chances, scoring goals and we were looking for the same on our left side with Jadon."

When asked how important it could be for Sancho to have a good rapport with the staff and fans, Maresca replied: “It's very important. I have a feeling that Jadon is a guy that needs love.

“This is what I think when I spoke with him before he joined us. Also, I know he has the desire to show the player he is, but for me, it is just to enjoy football. This is the reason why they play. They are happy and want to play football, they want to enjoy football and then because they are good, they are going to do good things.”

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Sancho moved to Manchester United in the summer of 2021 from Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of €85m (£71.7m/$94.2m). However, it never seemed to work out for the winger, who left on loan to Borussia Dortmund last season. He has now joined Chelsea, with the Blues holding an obligation to buy next summer.

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WHAT NEXT FOR SANCHO?

The 24-year-old will now be in line to get his first start for Chelsea next weekend when they take on West Ham on Saturday, September 21.

Manchester United are ready to part ways with Erik ten Hag this summer, and have already found their no.1 target ahead of the new season, according to a fresh report.

Ten Hag fighting a losing battle

Marooned in eighth, conceding record numbers of goals and having slim prospects of European football next season. You'd be forgiven for assuming that this sentence was about West Ham, Newcastle or Tottenham, but it is Premier League giants Manchester United that find themselves in this predicament, with a coach in Ten Hag who appears to blame everyone but himself.

It could have been worse too, with Manchester United's near-18 shots faced per game the fourth highest in the division and the club outperforming both its expected goals and expected goals against. Were they both to form, United would be 15th rather than 8th.

Ten Hag's dreadful season

Losses

13

Goals conceded per game

1.57

Goal difference

-3

Shots faced per game

17.7

There are undoubtedly mitigating circumstances surrounding the performances, but the general trend is not a good one at Old Trafford, and it seems increasingly likely that new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will look for change this summer, despite Ten Hag insisting he is the right man for the job.

Time is running out for the Dutchman though, and change seems inevitable. Now, it appears United have identified their top target to replace Ten Hag.

Southgate you're the one

That comes in the form of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate. The England coach is widely expected to leave his post following the 2024 European Championships, having taken England to the past three tournaments and having reached a semi-final and a final.

Now, it has been reported by Foot Mercato's Santi Aouna that the Red Devils have made Southgate their "top target" as they hunt for a new coach this summer.

Though it is added that nothing is agreed yet, he reveals that the situation is "expected to develop soon" and that ideally Sir Jim Ratcliffe and United would like to do a deal quickly so they can complete the announcement after the European Championships, which end in the middle of July.

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Despite having been out of club management for several years, it is added that the Manchester United bosses are "convinced Southgate is the right coach for the overhaul", something that is likely to go down well with some of the players.

He already has the support of one of the Manchester United camp in the form of Harry Maguire, with the defender dubbing him a "brilliant" coach over the most recent international break.

"Listen, being the England manager is so tough, it’s one of the most scrutinised jobs in the world. Every time he picks a squad there is a massive debate – he’s done something wrong every time. But all you can look at is where we were before he took over and where we are now.

"Everyone will say, 'Yeah, but we’ve got great talent coming through, better players now'. But in previous years we have also had great talent and we haven’t been successful.

"So, I think he does deserve a lot of credit. He has taken us a long way and he fully gets the respect from all the players. If you speak to anyone they will speak highly of Gareth and his management tactically, but also his man-management as well. He’s brilliant."

With the links around Southgate refusing to go away, could he be the man to rescue United from their awful spot?

The Premier League title might still be out of their hands, but Arsenal put in a performance to be proud of on Sunday afternoon as they ran out 3-2 winners away to Tottenham Hotspur.

Mikel Arteta's men, seemingly intent on giving their fans heart attacks, came dangerously close to letting their three-goal lead slip in the second half, but a steely backs-to-the-wall performance saw them through. While things looked a little ropey in the end, their team deserves all the praise they are getting, especially Kai Havertz.

The German, once mocked by rival fans, is now one of the Gunners' most dangerous stars, and he showed that again on Sunday, putting in a performance that could spell trouble for another Arsenal ace.

Kai Havertz's performance vs Tottenham Hotspur

The yardstick often used to gauge how successful big-money signings are is how they perform in the biggest games, and after a week in which Havertz scored two goals against Chelsea and scored and assisted against Tottenham, it would be hard to describe his summer move as anything other than a success.

There is no more sure way of winning over the fans than putting in big performances against rivals, and it feels as if the former Bayer Leverkusen star has now firmly established himself as a fan favourite among the Arsenal faithful.

His display on Sunday impressed more than just his travelling support, though, as the Standard's Simon Collings gave the 24-year-old a 9/10 on the day, writing that he put in 'one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt', an opinion that's hard to disagree with.

Minutes

96'

Goals

1

Assists

1

Shots on Target

1

Touches

46

Key Passes

2

Big Chances Created

1

Aerial Duels (Won)

10 (8)

Fouls Won

2

Clearances

4

Tackles

1

That said, if anyone needed any more convincing, they'd just have to take a look at the striker's numbers from the game. In his 96 minutes of action, the Aachen-born ace scored one goal, provided one assist, took 46 touches, made two key passes, created one big chance, eight out of ten aerial duels, won two fouls and made one tackle.

In all, it was a genuinely impressive showing from a player who had, up until this week, split opinion, and while he's likely cemented his place in the starting lineup for the season's remaining games, his brilliant form might just have signalled the beginning of the end for one of his teammates.

Havertz's excellent form is bad news for Gabriel Jesus

Yes, while Leandro Trossard was comfortably Arsenal's worst attacker on the day – picking up a 4/10 from Football FanCast for his efforts – the player who could be at risk of losing his spot in the team thanks to Havertz's form is Gabriel Jesus.

Now, the former Manchester City ace is an incredibly talented player and one who should be playing for a Champions League side – his record of 32 goals in 46 games in the competition is evidence enough of that – but his time as an Arsenal player may well be coming to a close, at least if the Gunners bring in another quality number nine in the summer, that is.

The North Londoners have been linked to a plethora of frontmen already this year, such as Ivan Toney, Viktor Gyokeres, Joshua Zirkzee, and Victor Osimhen. If they do bring any of them through the door in the summer, it seems incredibly unlikely that they would also keep both Jesus and Havertz.

So, with that in mind, how do the pair stack up with one another? Well, when it comes to pure output, it's the recent arrival who comes out ahead, with 13 goals and six assists in 48 appearances – 32 of which were in midfield – to the Brazilian's eight goals and seven assists in 33 appearances.

Non-Penalty Goals + Assists

0.51

0.61

Non-Penalty Goals

0.42

0.25

Assists

0.23

0.25

Progressive Carries

1.79

2.24

Progressive Passes

3.65

2.48

Goals per Shot on Target

0.46

0.21

Passing Accuracy

81.1%

78.4%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.43

3.47

Goal-Creating Actions

0.72

0.43

Miscontrols

1.83

3.66

Dispossessed

1.22

2.24

Ball Recoveries

4.22

3.48

Aerial Duels Won

3.35

0.93

What about their underlying numbers, then? Does the São Paulo-born ace come out on top there? Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, while he comes out better in certain metrics such as non-penalty expected goals and assists, progressive carries and assists all per 90, he is once again second-best overall, per FBref.

For example, while the "magnificent" German, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, registers a lower non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, he scores more often, produces more progressive passes, has a far better goal-to-shots-on-target ratio, maintains a better passing accuracy, produces more goal-creating actions, recovers more balls and wins far more aerial duels, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Jesus is an undeniably gifted forward, if Arsenal can get anywhere near his €80m – £68m – valuation from the CIES Football Observatory this summer, they should consider selling him as if another striker is signed, it seems unlikely that he would be able to displace them and Havertz as well.

Arteta could instantly drop Arsenal ace who won just 1/10 duels v Spurs

It wasn’t the best day at the office for the experienced international.

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Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal made a generous gesture to a young fan after figuring in the annual Gamper Trophy clash in Catalunya.

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Blaugrana suffered defeat to Ligue 1 outfitEuro 2024 winner stepped off the benchGave his shirt away to fan in the crowdWHAT HAPPENED?

The 17-year-old winger is back in club action after helping Spain to continental glory at Euro 2024. The record books were rewritten at that tournament, with Yamal cementing his standing as a superstar of the present and future.

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His stock continues to soar, with a global fan base having built steadily since making a senior breakthrough. Yamal is now considered to be one of the hottest prospects on the planet, with Barca benefiting from his considerable talent.

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GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Yamal was unable to prevent them from slipping to a 3-0 defeat against Ligue 1 side Monaco in the Gamper Trophy, as he stepped off the bench in that contest, but he did make happy memories for one supporter that made a plea for the teenager’s shirt – with his home-made sign working after being spotted in the crowd.

كشفت تقارير صحفية بريطانية عن موقف نادي ليفربول من تمديد عقد جناح وهداف الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، محمد صلاح، مع اقترابه على الانتهاء.

وينتهي عقد محمد صلاح مع ليفربول بنهاية الموسم الحالي في 30 يونيو 2025، وحتى الآن، ليست هناك مفاوضات بين الطرفين.

لذلك هناك إمكانية لخسارة ليفربول خدمات الفرعون المصري بعد مرور أكثر من 7 سنوات على وجوده في قلعة “أنفيلد” وتحقيقه العديد من الأرقام القياسية.

اقرأ أيضًا.. صحفي إنجليزي يداعب آمال جمهور ليفربول بشأن مستقبل محمد صلاح

وبحسب موقع “Football Insider” البريطاني فإن ليفربول ليس قلقًا على الإطلاق بشأن التكهنات حول رحيل محمد صلاح مع إغراء الدوري السعودي.

وزعم التقرير أن ليفربول يعتقد أنه يمكنه الموافقة على عقد جديد مع مهاجمه المصري، لأن الجميع في النادي يعرف جيدًا مدى أهمية محمد صلاح في العهد الحالي مع المدرب الجديد، آرني سلوت.

في الموسم الحالي، سجل محمد صلاح 9 أهداف وصنع 9 أخرى في 16 مباراة رسمية مع سلوت، لتؤكد على أهمية دور اللاعب مع ليفربول.

South African cricket is searching for a silver lining after the dark clouds of a disappointing World Cup, a humbling tour of India, and, back home, an administration facing multiple legal battles and millions of rands of debt. Dale Steyn and JP Duminy might have spotted one such bright spot: next month’s Mzansi Super League (MSL), which, they believe, could prompt a revival for the flagging domestic game and mine the depths of what looks like a shallow talent pool to prop up the national side.”It’s huge for domestic cricket in South Africa. If you look back two, three or maybe even five years, domestic cricket was on a downward spiral,” Duminy, who will play for Paarl Rocks, said at a launch event for the second edition of the MSL in Cape Town. “The revival of the T20 game and the model of the MSL is something I am quite excited about. You have international cricketers moulded with young talent and that’s going only going to leave us in good stead.”While Cape Town Blitz’s Steyn acknowledged that the MSL cannot be compared to its bigger and more established brothers, especially the IPL, he said it is gaining ground. “The IPL is one of those untouchable leagues because it seems like in every IPL team, they have got at least five international Indian players as well as four overseas (stars), so there’s a lot of high-quality international experience in the IPL teams. In the MSL, you maybe get three or four (internationals), but it’s still good. From last year when we played, it didn’t feel easy so that means there is some quality,” he said.Steyn looked at the MSL as a way for franchise hopefuls to force their way into the national reckoning. He singled out Rassie van der Dussen, the top scorer in the inaugural event and one of the brightest sparks in an otherwise dismal World Cup, as a player who used the tournament to make a case for selection.”I don’t think many people knew who Rassie van der Dussen was before the MSL last year and he ended up becoming player of the tournament,” Steyn said. “He is putting up his hand for Test selection now. Dreams do come true if you take the opportunities. Whoever is young and up and coming, there is a great opportunity.”The tournament is also a chance for some of South Africa’s more established players to rediscover their form and confidence in an environment, which Steyn said didn’t present “as much pressure as international cricket”, but still demanded a high standard. “Some of the senior players are also going to be enjoyable to watch and it’s an opportunity for those guys to show that we are international players and this is why we belong here,” he said.Rassie Van Der Dussen was one of South Africa’s few bright spots at the World Cup•Getty Images

Steyn put himself firmly in that category of players. Though he retired from red-ball cricket in August and has not played a competitive fixture since May, he remains available for white-ball selection and has his sights set on next year’s T20 World Cup. Steyn was ruled out of the World Cup with a shoulder injury and was not considered for South Africa’s T20s in India after CSA’s medical team deemed him unfit, but after spending the winter working on his fitness, he said he was ready to go.”Everyone looks at you and thinks that the last time they saw you was a certain injury but I’m fine. I’m excited to get back on the park and play cricket again,” he said. “I haven’t played much since the World Cup because there hasn’t been much happening. But there’s no rest. It’s been Monday to Friday training and trying to stay fit. If you get off that wheel, you lose your fitness, you lose your competitive edge and it’s something that I’ve tried to hold on to.”For Steyn, the quality of the quicks are the biggest drawcard the MSL will offer, not just in his squad, which includes recent Test debutant Anrich Nortje and Pakistan international Wahab Riaz, but across the board. Kyle Abbott will play for Durban Heat, Kagiso Rabada for Jozi Stars, Beuran Hendricks for Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, Hardus Viljoen for the Rocks, and Lungi Ngidi and Lutho Sipamla for Tshwane Spartans.”I love fast bowlers. They get me excited. Anrich, last year, bowled rapid and set the tone for how I wanted to play the tournament. You want to outdo your team-mate in some sense. If you’ve got all these quicks in one team, one guy is trying to bowl 140, the next guy is trying to bowl 145, the next guy is trying to bowl 150, it’s good for the team,” Steyn remarked.

Bayern Munich are set to sell centre-back Matthijs de Ligt if their price demands are met, amid contact from Manchester United.

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• Bayern ready to sell De Ligt
• Man Utd in contact already
• Agent working for best solution

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bayern are seeking a guaranteed €50 million (£42m/$54m) for De Ligt, as reported by . That figure would then be further inflated by various add-ons. Agent Rafaela Pimenta is already described as "working on a top solution" and Bayern are claimed to be contact with United.

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  A move to Old Trafford would see De Ligt reunite with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, under whom he flourished while still a teenager. That past bond, on top of the player's availability, appears to be a motivating factor as De Ligt is "willing" to move to United and Ten Hag "really wants him". But there has been no formal offer from Manchester just yet, although a report suggests a contract proposal has been put to De Ligt.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Depending on the size of the add-ons, De Ligt could become the third most expensive centre-back in United history behind Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez. A new central defender is high on the list of transfer priorities this summer following Raphael Varane's exit, uncertainty over Victor Lindelof's long-term future and Jonny Evans not yet re-signed.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DE LIGT?

  While his club future remains the subject of discussion behind the scenes, De Ligt is currently with Netherlands ahead of Tuesday night's Euro 2024 last 16 clash with Romania. He didn't get on the pitch during the group stage, with coach Ronald Koeman preferring to start Stefan de Vrij alongside Virgil van Dijk.

Trent Alexander-Arnold won't start for England against Switzerland despite Gareth Southgate switching to a back three.

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England's XI vs Switzerland namedNo Trent, Konsa in for GuehiSaka starts at left wing-backGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

With reports filtering through that Southgate was ready to switch to a back three against Switzerland, many assumed that the Liverpool star would start at right wing-back. However, The Sun expect Kieran Trippier, who has played on the left throughout the tournament, to move to a more natural position on the right instead.

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Elsewhere in England's expected line-up, Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa fills in for the suspended Marc Guehi, and will make his tournament debut if he is selected, Bukayo Saka starts opposite Trippier on the left, Kobbie Mainoo retains his place next to Declan Rice and Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham fill in as dual No.10s.

The full XI reads: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa; Trippier, Mainoo, Rice, Saka; Bellingham, Foden; Kane.

(C)Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Bellingham's availability serves as a relief to Southgate. The midfielder, who netted a stunning equaliser in England's last-16 win over Slovakia, avoided a suspension for his goal celebration. But that hasn't prevented the 21-year-old being labelled 'cocky' and 'arrogant' ahead of the Switzerland encounter.

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WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

England haven't played their best football so far in Germany but they're just two wins away from a second straight European Championship final. Still, Murat Yakin's Switzerland showed in their 2-0 win over Italy that they aren't pushovers, and their goalkeepers are going to extreme lengths to get ready for Harry Kane and co.

Aston Villa have been immense this campaign, as highlighted by their current fourth-place spot in the Premier League.

However, this week they suffered a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea, which dumped them out of the FA Cup.

The midfield arguably lost them the tie, but there was a glimmer of quality towards the end of the game via one substitute, whom Unai Emery could look to fully unleash soon.

The rise of Jack Grealish

Having been at his boyhood club since the age of six, Jack Grealish made his Premier League debut for Villa away to Manchester City on 7 May, 2014, in what was just the start of him becoming a Villans legend.

The winger would go on to mainly take on the role of a substitute in the next two seasons, during a time when the club struggled on the field and eventually succumbed to relegation.

However, this is where Grealish developed into the player he is today, taking on the captain's armband and leading the club he supports to the Premier League in 2019.

Grealish contributed to 65 goals over 213 games for Villa, with his best campaign coming in the 2020/21 Premier League season, when he scored six times and registered ten assists. This earned him a move to Man City for £100m, which is the second-most expensive signing in Premier League history.

The 28-year-old has gone on to become a key player for Pep Guardiola's side, helping them win the treble last season while also becoming a regular for England.

Perhaps, Emery could have the biggest prospect since Grealish waiting in the wings…

Tim Iroegbunam's future at Villa

Despite being handed his first Premier League start in the 2021/22 season by Steven Gerrard and impressing, Tim Iroegbunam was sent on loan to QPR last season, where he took on a key role, playing 32 games and helping the side avoid relegation to League One.

This season, he has played 41 minutes under Emery, which has occurred in Villa's last two matches. The 6 foot midfielder can play as a number eight or as a defensive midfielder, and his stats from his time at the Hoops show what type of player he is.

Goals

0.08

Top 47%

Assists

0.00

Bottom 86%

Tackles won

1.74

Top 10%

Passes blocked

1.54

Top 6%

Carries into final third

1.62

Top 20%

The England gem played a handful of roles in the Championship, for a side that often spent long spells without the ball, which prevented most of his on-the-ball qualities from shining, but he still showed his ability to carry the ball with ease.

However, that did allow him to show his ability to hold his own, especially out of possession, as he ranked highly for tackles won and passes blocked, showing his reading of the game is superb.

It is no surprise that analyst and writer PGR described Iroengbunam as the "real deal," and his profile would be the perfect replacement for Douglas Luiz, who has been tipped with a move away from the club, with Arsenal being a potential destination.

Emery can unearth an ideal Mings heir in Aston Villa's teen sensation

Aston Villa may have an ideal heir to Tyrone Mings in their academy

ByRoss Kilvington Feb 5, 2024

The likeness between the pair can be seen in their shared defensive prowess, with Luiz averaging 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game this season in the Premier League, while his young teammate averaged 2.8 for that same metric in the second tier in 2022/23.

Whether the Brazilian leaves in the summer or not, the youngster deserves a chance to shine.