Tag Futebol

Everton, over the years, have garnered a reputation as a club that produces high-quality youngsters spanning all the way back to when a wide-eyed Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene as a Toffees teenager before stardom at Manchester United materialised.

In the current Everton set-up, Jarrad Branthwaite is benefiting from the Toffees' insistence on giving youngsters time to develop and grow before being given a first-team berth – the 21-year-old a regular first-teamer under Sean Dyche this season at the back, learning the ropes of the Premier League quickly and excelling alongside experienced centre-back partner James Tarkowski.

Everton will be hoping that a current teenage phenomenon in their ranks can become a key player in the senior side further down the line, striker George Morgan appearing in the Guardian's Next Generation 2023 recently – the newspaper in question compiling the very best young talents emerging from all twenty Premier League clubs currently, 17-year-old Morgan tipped for greatness on this list.

The Blues will hope the 17-year-old follows a similar trajectory to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a young striker able to stamp his authority onto proceedings from the get-go and become a seasoned regular to rely on at Goodison Park.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's numbers for Everton this season

Joining in 2016 from hometown club Sheffield United for £1.5m, the then-teenage Blades sensation has developed into a mature 26-year-old and become a goalscoring hero.

Calvert-Lewin's biggest obstacle always standing in his way has been question marks around his fitness and his injury record, sidelined frequently to leave the Toffees without a dangerous striker up top – only making 17 top-flight appearances last campaign, as Everton struggled against the drop.

Still, the 6 foot 2 striker has managed to make 220 appearances in total for the Merseyside club now – scoring 64 goals along the way, with four of those strikes coming this campaign.

His last goal for the Blues came in their recent slender 1-0 win away at West Ham, turning his Hammers marker effortlessly after being found by Jack Harrison before firing into the net.

Morgan will aspire to replicate what Calvert-Lewin has managed to achieve, another teenage talent expected to make waves in the first team for Everton in the not-so-distant future.

George Morgan's numbers for Everton

Playing in the Everton U18 ranks at this moment in time, managed by ex-Toffees great Leighton Baines, Morgan is being tipped to have a big future at Goodison Park.

Labelled as a "powerful, fast centre-forward" by the Guardian, Morgan has two goals from seven appearances in the U18 Premier League to date.

Both of those strikes came versus Sunderland at the end of September, Morgan's youthful Toffees team beating the Black Cats U18s 3-0.

This has led to Morgan winning International recognition for Wales, winning four U18 caps in total and even assisting versus Scotland when pulling on the red jersey in a convincing 4-2 win over the Scots.

The 17-year-old, who models his game on Polish sharp shooter Robert Lewandowski according to the Guardian article, will continue working hard and hoping he can add to his current two goals soon for the U18s in a bid to push further on to a different age bracket.

If he can become a potent goalscorer on a regular basis in the youth ranks at Everton, Dyche could have an exciting homegrown talent on his hands ready to compete with Calvert-Lewin for a starting spot in the first team very soon.

New Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl is looking to make his mark at the club, and he wants a new addition to boost his backroom team, according to an update from reliable journalist Joe Crann.

Watford 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday

The Owls have come crashing back down to reality this season after their memorable League One campaign last time around, which saw them promoted to the Championship after a dramatic win over Barnsley in the playoff final.

Xisco Munoz came in as manager during the summer, following the surprise exit of Darren Moore after overseeing a great season, but his time in charge proved to be disastrous, failing to pick up a single win.

He was recently sacked and replaced by Danny Rohl, who is an exciting young manager most well-known for being assistant manager for Germany and Bayern Munich in the past. The 34-year-old's first game in charge of Wednesday came away to Watford on Saturday afternoon, but despite battling bravely at Vicarage Road, they were beaten 1-0 late in the day, meaning they continue to be rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.

It is clear that Rohl will need to be able to bring in the players he wants, in order to do the best possible job, and exactly the same applies to his backroom team away from the playing squad.

Danny Rohl wants Sheff Wed signing

Taking to X on Monday morning, Crann dropped a new Sheffield Wednesday update, claiming that Rohl is keen on bringing in a goalkeeping coach of his choice, even though Nicky Weaver is impressing in the role:

"Danny Rohl is very happy with the work done by Nicky Weaver with SWFC's goalkeepers, but has confirmed that he is looking to bring in his own man for the role."

Rohl has clearly hinted at a new Sheffield Wednesday signing as well, saying:

“I’m trying, but we’ll speak about this position also in the next few days. At the moment we have Nicky and he is doing very well. But I have to decide in the next few days about this position.”

While this may sound harsh on Weaver, football is a ruthless business and Rohl will have his own ideas on exactly who he wants in a department that has caused plenty of fuss at Middlewood Road – let's not forget the club had just one 'keeper on the books in Cameron Dawson earlier this year.

In order for the Owls to battle their way out of the Championship relegation zone, they need everyone at the club to be pulling in the same direction, which is why Rohl being trusted to make the right appointments is the only way forward.

Danny Rohl

2023-

Xisco Munoz

2023-2023

Darren Moore

2021-2023

Tony Pulis

2020-2020

Garry Monk

2019-2020

Steve Bruce

2019-2019

Jos Luhukay

2018-2018

Carlos Carvalhal

2015-2017

Stuart Gray

2013-2015

Dave Jones

2012-2013

Wednesday have a huge battle on their hands to avoid a quickfire return to League One – they are already nine points adrift of Plymouth Argyle in 21st place – but Rohl does feel like an exciting appointment who will bring fresh ideas to the team.

Even if results aren't good to begin with, patience is required with him, and that may even still apply if the Owls are relegated at the end of this season.

BBL stint gives England Test captain chance to expand T20 game

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Aug-2018Joe Root, England’s Test captain, and Jos Buttler have signed to play for Sydney Thunder in the 2018-19 Big Bash League. Both players will be available for seven games before heading to the West Indies with England in January.The move is particularly significant for Root, who was overlooked when entering the IPL auction earlier in the year. He has previously spoken about his desire to improve in the shortest format but has had few opportunities to develop his game since taking on the Test captaincy, and was dropped from England’s T20 XI last month.Root will link up again with Shane Bond, the former New Zealand bowler who is Thunder’s head coach. Bond worked with England’s Test squad as bowling coach during last winter’s Ashes.”Everyone you speak to that has played in the Big Bash finds it a really interesting tournament and watching it you can see that,” Root said. “You want to be involved in it and I’m really excited to get that opportunity with Sydney Thunder.”I’ve had some really good experiences with Shane Bond in the past when I’ve worked with him and I’m really looking forward to doing that again.”Buttler, by contrast, is one of most sought-after players in T20, having enjoyed a stellar 2018 IPL with Rajasthan Royals. He returns to Sydney Thunder after scoring 202 runs in six innings during last year’s BBL.”I loved my time there, there’s a great atmosphere in the group,” Buttler said. “There’s a lot of young guys but some experience in there as well, including Shane Watson who I really enjoyed getting to know and playing under his captaincy. It’s a great part of the world and a really fun dressing room.”England’s winter shedule allows centrally contracted players such as Root and Buttler a rare window to play in the BBL. Their tour of Sri Lanka concludes on November 27, and they do not leave for the Caribbean until January 11.

Who is Pritam Gandhe? To people who follow domestic cricket – especially the Plate League – through scorecards (there’s no other way really), he is a Vidarbha offspinner who is one of only three bowlers to have taken more than one hat-trick in the Ranji T

Sidharth Monga06-Jan-2009

	Pritam Gandhe is one of only three bowlers to have taken more than one hat-trick in the Ranji Trophy, apart from playing 100 first-class games © Cricinfo Ltd.

Who is Pritam Gandhe? To people who follow domestic cricket – especially the Plate League – through scorecards (there’s no other way really), he is a Vidarbha offspinner and one of only three bowlers to have taken more than one hat-trick in the Ranji Trophy. The others are Anil Kumble, who took two, and Services’ Joginder Rao, who took three in the 60s, including two in the same innings against Northern Punjab.Gandhe is also the only Vidarbha player to have played 100 first-class games, a milestone he reached against Assam this season.To those who have never seen him bowl, the veteran of 20 seasons is a faceless trier, playing for a backwater team since 1987-88 without any bigger incentives to look forward to.However, to his peers Gandhe is a respected opponent who fell just short of playing for India in the mid-90s. Ask Narendra Hirwani, his Central Zone opponent and Air India team-mate and now a national selector. “Forget the wickets, his action was a beauty. He had everything right as an offspinner: the run-up, the head position, the arm coming down, the follow-through.”Hirwani’s fellow selector Surendra Bhave, who played a lot against Gandhe as a prolific Maharashtra batsman, concurs. “He is one of the most skillful offspinners I have seen. His bowling is an art form.”A local journalist recalls an incident from 2006, when India played England in Nagpur. Gandhe had gone to meet Anil Kumble and was introduced by him to a friend as the man who was unlucky to have missed out on an India cap. After the day’s play, Praveen Kumar went up to wish Gandhe.Gandhe is an unassuming man with no bitterness over a career that didn’t go beyond a couple of India A games. He remembers his hat-tricks – 15 years apart – well. The first one came in Alwar, in 1993-94 against Rajasthan. The first victim was Gagan Khoda, followed by Pravin Amre, both bowled; the third, Sanjiv Mudkavi, was lbw. The second occasion, against Services this season,included two lbws and one caught-behind. “So all have been close-in dismissals,” he noted.His other big moment came in the semi-final of the 1992-93 Duleep Trophy, against West Zone, when he took the wickets of Sanjay Manjrekar, Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri, Kiran More, Bhavin Radia and Salil Ankola in an eight-over spell in the second innings to seal the game for Central Zone.In the first innings, though, Rajesh Chauhan too had taken six and a definitive moment followed at the awards ceremony. “When the prize distribution was done, Chauhan got the Man-of-the-Match award,” he says. “Ravi Shastri came up to me and said in front of everybody, ‘Bad luck, you should have got it.’ That was good motivation.” That was also the time when Gandhe could have pushed for higher things, but Chauhan got the nod.Is he sour about not getting more chances? “Had I got a chance, I would have tried hard. I was confident, but no problems,” he says.How, then, has he kept himself motivated for 20 years, knowing all along that there is no higher goal for him? “If you can perform well, and get wickets, if I know I can take wickets whenever I bowl, that is the biggest motivation. I know there might be no bigger goals for me, but the team needs me. Anyway what will I do if I don’t play cricket?” he says.Doing well for the team is one big reason why he is still continuing at the age of 37. “We have been missing the knockout stages by one or two points for the last four-five years,” he said. “If we push more, you never know when we might make it to Super League.”From 2002-03 on, when the teams were divided into Elite and Plate leagues, whatever chances he used to get to play against big opposition, went away.So who is Pritam Gandhe? An offspinner who plays in a territory with no cricketing history, no local role-models, no one to guide him, no success to feed off. An offspinner who has gone out to play lots of club cricket in Mumbai, learned a lot there, and come back and tried to take Vidarbha to a higher level of competition. Whether he deserved to play at a higher level is immaterial.

West Ham United are in the market for additions in the mid-season window and could now move for a talented star after being impressed with his performances during a scouting mission.

West Ham United see off Burnley…

Last weekend, West Ham United produced a late show at Turf Moor to overcome Burnley, with an own goal from Dara O'Shea and a last-minute strike from Tomas Soucek giving David Moyes' men three points in Lancashire. Despite looking down and out against Vincent Kompany's men, the Irons rallied and secured a victory to place them ninth in the Premier League standings, with 20 points taken from their 13 fixtures played so far in the English top flight.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Scottish boss Moyes praised his players' resilience on the day to grind out a result at a difficult away venue, stating via the official club website: "It didn’t look like we were going to get one. We had about three or four corners and the ball was not going in, then we had a couple that were headed out and we shot wide or had it blocked, and I thought it looked like we weren’t going to get it."

He added: "But we’re resilient and we stick at it and the players don’t give in. They’ve got great commitment, all of them, so there was always a chance we were going to do that and thankfully we did it today."

Europa League duty now beckons for West Ham United, who will travel to Serbian outfit Backa Topola on Thursday, knowing that they stand on the brink of securing progression to the knockout rounds of the competition.

West Ham United's next five fixtures – all competitions

Competition

Opponent

Venue

Europa League

Backa Topola (A)

FK TSC Stadium

Premier League

Crystal Palace (H)

London Stadium

Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur (A)

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Premier League

Fulham (A)

Craven Cottage

Europa League

SC Freiburg (H)

London Stadium

Looking ahead to January, Moyes looks to have identified a new target who could help to address a key position at the London Stadium with the help of his scouting team.

West Ham United eye Zaidu Sanusi

According to TEAMtalk, Porto full-back Zaidu Sanusi has been scouted by West Ham United and has emerged as a target for the Irons as they look to add quality on the left-hand side of defence.

Technical director Tim Steidten is personally a huge fan of the player and the east Londoners have sent a delegation to watch the 26-year-old in his last two matches. Former England international Aaron Cresswell is believed to be in the firing line should a new left-back arrive in January, and could be let go mid-season as he continues to be out-of-favour under Moyes.

This term, Sanusi has made six appearances in all competitions for Portuguese giants Porto, registering one goal in the process (Sanusi statistics – Transfermarkt). Now in the sights of the Irons, Sanusi could help to offer some added athleticism and quality in the left-back berth; however, we will need to wait and see on that front.

West Ham could lose "brilliant" star, new agent has Saudi connections

David Moyes could be set to lose a key man…

ByTom Cunningham Nov 26, 2023

Groundsman Harry Brind on how curators can bring spinners back into the game

Stephen Chalke04-Jun-2008

	Devon Malcolm gets Hansie Cronje in 1994 at The Oval: the best pitch Brind ever prepared, by his own reckoning © Getty Images

Fifty years ago the spinners took half the wickets in the County Championship. Now they take little more than a quarter. Bats are more powerful, boundaries shorter, outfield grass lusher; balls keep their hardness and shine for longer and pitches are covered when it rains. For the traditional finger spinner the changes have all made life harder.For Harry Brind, former groundsman at Chelmsford and The Oval, the way forward lies in the preparation of pitches. “The ideal cricket pitch gives both batsmen and bowlers a chance,” he says. “It will have pace and bounce on the first day. Then by the third and fourth days it will be deteriorating a bit and the spinners will get some turn.”Nobody speaks with greater authority than Brind. In 1965 a near-bankrupt Essex appointed him when they purchased the Chelmsford ground. With no assistant and only rudimentary equipment, he created a square that was among
the best in the country. “We had no proper covers,” he recalls. “We had trestles with no gutters and we had to put sheets over them. It was a major effort.”Then in 1975 he moved to The Oval, where he found the square tired and slow. “If you drop a ball from a 16-foot pole, it should bounce two or three feet. When I arrived at The Oval, it was bouncing three inches.” He persuaded the
committee that the whole square had to be relaid and after some teething problems it became the best in the land. For his last Test in 1994, when Devon Malcolm bowled England to a dramatic victory over South Africa, “the surface shone; it was the best pitch I ever prepared”.Many aspects of preparation have changed since Brind started with Essex. The first-class game in England underwent repeated changes in the regulations for covering. Back in the early 1950s only the creases could be covered once a game had started. Then covers could be applied to the whole pitch once play had been called off for the day. Then the bowlers’ run-ups were protected during rain. Finally, after the debacle of the 1980 Centenary Test at Lord’s, when MCC members jostled the umpires in their angry frustration, full covering was applied at every rain break.”I like to see a pitch that’s open and natural,” Brind says. “That’s the best pitch for cricket. Now the pitches are not natural because they’re covered when it rains. Rain water is much better. It falls evenly, the grass grows better than when you use tap water, and if the covers are down too long, you can get fusarium disease.”Secondly there was the work of the Sports Turf Research Institute. Up and down the country they took samples of soil, and “the results were unbelievable. Loams had been added and they weren’t binding properly with the original soils. So you had layers like liquorice allsorts, all separate from each other.” Worse, the loams in fashion tended not to disintegrate, so spinners first missed out on wet wickets, which then did not become as dry and dusty as before.Other factors have complicated the producing of pitches that deteriorate by the final day. “In the old days cricketers’ boots had proper studs and the batsmen’s feet would disturb the surface a little. But now they wear these pimpled things and it doesn’t happen.”Brind was renowned for being his own man. “You do your job, I’ll do mine,” he would say if a chairman tried to influence his pitch preparation. Not all were as strong-minded. “A lot would be living on the ground, and if they didn’t do what the club wanted, they could have been sacked.”A groundsman needs to enjoy his own company, and Brind did. “I used to love to sit on the roller at six in the morning, going up and down. Once eight o’clock comes, everyone wants to talk to you. At six you’re on your own. Nobody interferes with what you’re doing.” Now 78, he enjoys a quiet retirement in Chelmsford with his wife, Pat. “Never in 35 years,” she says, “did I hear him complain when he got up in the morning.”Brind believes the pitches now are better than they have ever been – and that if the groundsman does his job well, spin bowling can be encouraged. “It takes seven to ten days to produce a good pitch. You’ve got to roll, cut, scarify, all at the right times and in the right amounts. The pitch has to be truly dry at the start of the match, you mustn’t leave any thickness of grass and you mustn’t over-roll, otherwise it can become flat and bland. It’s bloody hard work but I loved it. It’s the best job in the world.”

Reliable journalist Joe Crann has revealed some key details that have emerged regarding Bailey Cadamarteri’s new Sheffield Wednesday deal.

Cadamarteri signs new Sheff Wed deal

There has been something of a resurgence from the Owls in recent times, with Danny Rohl not necessarily always getting positive results, but bringing more of a feel-good factor back to Hillsborough after Xisco Munoz's disappointing reign.

There have also been important wins at home to Blackburn Rovers and away to Stoke City, however, while a late 1-1 with Leicester City was an impressive point, too, and a feeling for the first time that this season is not over yet.

Rohl deserves real credit for the impact that he has made, and one player who has arguably benefited more than most is Cadamarteri, who has been handed his debut by the 34-year-old, making a real impact in the process. The teenage striker has already scored twice in his first seven appearances for Wednesday, and he is performing with real maturity, considering what a young player he is.

The 18-year-old has been rewarded for his good recent form with a new contract at Hillsborough, with the Englishman seen as a big young prospect for the future – one who will hopefully remain with the Owls for as long as possible. The length of Cadamarteri's contract wasn't confirmed, however, but a new update has now shed light on the situation.

Journalist makes exciting Cadamarteri claim

Taking to X on Saturday morning, Crann claimed that Cadamarteri has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Sheffield Wednesday.

"Understand that Bailey Cadamarteri was handed a 4.5 year deal as he committed his future to SWFC – should take him through until 2028."

Meanwhile, in Crann's report for The Sheffield Star, he states that the news is "music to the ears of Owls fans everywhere", given the impact that the youngster has made in recent times.

This is indeed fantastic news for Wednesday, who aren't exactly a club renowned for producing top young talents who go on to shine for the Owls for a sustained period of time. While it is still early days with Cadamarteri, the early signs are promising, with the striker possessing a physicality beyond his years, as well as a natural striker's instinct in front of goal. He also netted twice in five appearances for the Under-18s, and the hope is that he keeps progressing under Rohl, becoming a regular starter over time and a key feature of the boss' rebuild.

This is an Owls squad with ageing attacking players in it, from Lee Gregory to Michael Smith – even Josh Windass turns 30 in January – and it would be so exciting to see a homegrown star lead the line effectively.

Sheffield Wednesday could sign Fletcher upgrade who's outscoring Cadamarteri

This £11.5k-per-week striker could be Sheffield Wednesday’s perfect replacement for Ashley Fletcher.

ByAdam Scully Dec 12, 2023

Cadamarteri's new deal also means that Wednesday can now demand good money for his services, should interest in him emerge over the coming years, rather than make the error of not protecting his value and seeing him leave on the cheap.

This news is just another positive to add to the list at Hillsborough right now, even though Rohl's side remain rooted near the bottom of the Championship table.

Leeds United were left frustrated as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Rotherham United away from Elland Road in the Championship last Friday night.

Crysencio Summerville provided the Whites with the opening goal as the Dutch winger curled the ball into the far corner after being played in by Georginio Rutter.

However, an equaliser before half time after some sloppy defending inside the box allowed the hosts to level the scores and Daniel Farke's side were unable to find a second goal to secure all three points.

Wilfried Gnonto was one of the players brought on to make an impact and failed to contribute to a winning performance with his cameo off the bench.

The Italy international managed zero shots on target, zero dribbles completed, and zero key passes in 20 minutes on the pitch in the 1-1 draw.

It has been a difficult start to the season for the former Zurich forward and it remains to be seen whether or not he will still be a Leeds player by the end of the upcoming January transfer window.

Leeds transfer news – Wilfried Gnonto and Ryan Kent

It was reported by Football Insider earlier this month that the Yorkshire-based outfit are prepared to cash in on the winger at the start of next year.

However, they will only opt to part ways with the 20-year-old prospect if their valuation is met and they are willing to keep hold of him beyond January if no acceptable offers arrive at their doorstep.

Last month, TEAMtalk claimed that Everton, Roma, and Lazio are all eyeing up a potential swoop to sign the Italian youngster in 2024.

The outlet claimed that there is a £25m price tag on his head and that sources close to the player view a transfer in January as being possible.

This comes after the attacker handed in a transfer request and failed to secure a switch to Goodison Park to join the Toffees during the summer transfer window, as the top-flight team had offers rejected for him and were unable to convince the recently-relegated club to do a deal.

If Leeds do move him on, Farke could land a dream replacement for Gnonto in a move to sign Fenerbahce winger Ryan Kent, who is a reported target for the club.

TEAMtalk have stated that the Whites, along with Premier League side Bournemouth and Scottish giants Rangers, are monitoring his situation ahead of January.

The Turkish outfit are prepared to send him out on loan for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign after a poor start to life in the Super Lig. He has not adjusted to his new surroundings and teammates and all parties appear ready to resolve the situation with an exit.

It was also stated that Fenerbahce would be open to including an option-to-buy at the end of any loan deal for a fee within the region of £6m. This means that Leeds could bring him in on loan with a view to signing him permanently if they are promoted to the Premier League.

Gnonto's season in numbers

Kent could come in as a dream replacement for Gnonto as the winger could provide more quality in the immediate future than the young ace, who has struggled to deliver so far.

The former Inter prospect has been given plenty of opportunities to impress by Farke in the Championship this season but has been unable to make an impact at the top end of the pitch on a regular basis.

His cameo against Rotherham was not a flash in the pan for the talented forward as it was a familiar showing from him – with a distinct lack of involvement in front of goal.

So far this season, Gnonto has played 11 league matches – including six starts – and contributed with one goal and one assist in total.

He has averaged 0.3 shots on target and 0.5 key passes per game across those 11 appearances, which shows that the £25m-rated gem rarely troubles the goalkeeper or provides his teammates with an opportunity to find the back of the net.

Therefore, the 20-year-old dynamo does not offer a regular goal threat or a source of consistent creativity, despite playing in a wide or central attacking position.

Three dream replacements if Leeds sell Gnonto for £25m in January

The Italy international has been linked with a possible move away from Elland Road this year.

ByDan Emery Nov 16, 2023

Whereas, Kent's form for Rangers in recent seasons suggests that the potential is there for him to come in and provide goals and assists as a winger.

The statistics that show why Kent could be a dream Gnonto replacement

The English wizard has not produced a single goal or assist in the Super Lig for Fenerbahce this season but he has only started one match.

His previous performances for Rangers, having left the Scottish side over the summer, suggest that he can score and assist goals more frequently than Gnonto has this term.

Kent produced three goals and eight assists in 29 Premiership matches for the Light Blues throughout the 2022/23 campaign. He also created nine 'big chances' and made 2.2 key passes per game to provide his teammates with a host of presentable opportunities in front of goal.

That came after the 27-year-old whiz plundered two goals and eight assists in 27 league outings for the Gers during the 2021/22 season. In that time, the former Liverpool prospect created ten 'big chances' and made 1.7 key passes per clash.

Former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard once described him as being "very dangerous" and his statistics over his last two seasons with the Scottish side back that up.

The £33k-per-week magician produced five goals and 17 assists in 56 league matches during that time, which is an average of one goal contribution every 2.43 outings.

Whereas, Gnonto has averaged a goal or an assist every 5.5 Championship appearances for Leeds during the current campaign, which is a considerably worse return in front of goal.

These statistics suggest that the English gem, if he can replicate his form at Rangers, could be a dream addition to Farke's squad to replace the Italy international if he moves on in January.

Even if he does not arrive as a regular starter out wide, their respective statistics indicate that Kent is more likely to come off the bench against Rotherham – or any other side in a similar situation – to make an impact in the final third.

Raheem Sterling and Liverpool. It was a brilliant marriage of talent and institution that ended on such jarring terms. With a difficult relationship with Brendan Rodgers, the club missing out on the Premier League title in 2014, and rival clubs circling – the Reds had to loosen their grasp on Sterling in July 2015.

The star winger had turned down a lucrative contract. Following that, he had an unsanctioned BBC interview. Then, he withdrew from preseason which drew criticism from legends Steven Gerrard and Graeme Souness. It was truly time to go.

The £44m five-year-deal, with £5m worth of add-ons, was one of few positives in selling a great player to a rival in Manchester City. Yet despite the then-British transfer record being smashed; Liverpool seemed to hold out hope for one youngster that could relight the metaphorical torch that Sterling had thrown (rather than passed) down on his semi-disgraced departure.

Step forward a certain Jordon Ibe…

Where did Jordon Ibe start his career?

Ibe had been at Liverpool at the same time as Sterling. Arriving at the same time too, Ibe showed his EFL credentials like Sterling had with QPR. Ibe turned out for Wycombe Wanderers in the 2011/12 season – and a goal on his debut made himself the then-youngest Football League scorer ever just ten days shy of his 16th birthday.

This sole goal in 11 games placed a big 'buy me' sticker on his back too and amidst interest from Manchester United, Liverpool eventually signed Ibe for just over £500k (€600k).

How good was Jordon Ibe at Liverpool?

Fast forward from 2012 to 2015. Sterling of course left for the Etihad, and whilst much was demanded of Rodgers to get a replacement – many at the club believed the natural successor was Ibe. Liverpool icon John Aldridge once even went as far as saying:

"Raheem is obviously a hugely talented player but Liverpool have a top replacement in Jordan Ibe. I’ve been watching Jordan play since he was 15. He’s a terrific player and has bags of potential. In fact, I think he’s got as much if not more potential than Raheem and will go on to be a better player." (John Aldridge via Kicca and BT Sport, 2015)

Unfortunately for Aldridge, the Anfield faithful, and Ibe himself – the 19-year-old couldn't quite live up to Sterling's standards.

He started with loans after youth involvement, effectively breaking into Brendan Rodgers' first team plan after a successful 2014-15 loan to Derby County. A MOTM performance in February 2015's Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park looked like the start of something brilliant.

However, Ibe's Anfield move was perhaps premature. Competing with top-class players in attack like Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suárez, and Philippe Coutinho saw limited runs of consistency. When he was given a chance, there seemed no real improvement in terms of goal contributions.

After 58 all competition appearances, four goals, and seven assists – Jordon Ibe moved on to Bournemouth for £15m. There he found a solid spell from 2016-20 – scoring five times and assisting nine in 92 outings – before moving to Derby County but at the latter, personal struggles would find the winger reevaluating his path.

Where is Jordon Ibe now?

Ibe played just one league game for County before he found his contract terminated with mutual consent.

After this, a Turkish move to Adanaspor failed to really take flight and with the pandemic – mental health issues that he'd tried to combat at Bournemouth with rehabilitation, resurfaced. In 2021, the brave 25-year-old offered a statement on his Instagram:

After some time away, where Ibe admitted he "lost passion" for the game he loves, Ibe – now 27 years old – looks to restart his career in the fifth tier of English Football with National League Ebbsfleet United.

Upon signing, he said: “I feel like the time out was to humble myself and get my mind right. I was speaking to my missus on the way to the game on Saturday and I said I feel like a kid again, going to football, because it’s been a while since I’ve put on club attire and gone to a matchday.

"It feels new but it’s not new because I’ve done it in the Premier League, so it’s refreshing. Not everyone gets a second chance but I’m lucky and grateful. This could have never happened and I’d be waiting for another club.”

The hope is that he finds that raw love for the game again at Ebbsfleet. Everyone's behind him.

With the new appointment of Mauricio Pochettino to Stamford Bridge as manager, Chelsea were meant to be entering a new era with a world-class manager steering them back to their previous best.

The Blues hadn't messed around in the transfer window either, breaking the bank to add the likes of Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo, and more to their squad – notably paying £115m for the Brighton and Hove Albion central midfielder.

Yet, Pochettino's side find themselves in an unsatisfactory mid-table position at this current point in time with three defeats from their opening eight matches which included two narrow 1-0 home losses to Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

An injury to young Blues talent Cole Palmer – who signed for the club in the recent transfer window from Manchester City – sustained on England U21 duty won't fill Pochettino up with much confidence either ahead of Arsenal hopping over to west London next Saturday.

How is Cole Palmer playing?

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder relocated from his place of birth in Manchester to Chelsea in order to get more first-team minutes, with Palmer frustrated by being on the periphery at at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola – making 41 first-team appearances under Pep over a number of seasons, contributing six goals and two assists.

He's made six appearances for Pochettino this campaign so far, scoring his first goal in his new colours versus Burnley in the Blues' last outing before the international break from the penalty spot.

He also assisted Chelsea's fourth goal of the afternoon at Turf Moor, linking up with another new signing in Nicholas Jackson who scored late on to clinch an impressive 4-1 victory.

Fans of the west London outfit will hope Palmer's injury isn't a serious knock, with manager Lee Carsley having commented on the injury situation directly after his young Three Lions side emphatically beat Serbia 9-1 in Nottingham, stating: “There are a few bumps and bruises and we will monitor Cole, but we will not be taking any chances”.

If he isn't fit, this could leave Pochettino with a selection dilemma.

But, this dilemma could be solved by starting a "forgotten" transfer buy at Stamford Bridge – as described by journalist Felix Johnston – who also featured for his country in that 9-1 demolition, in the form of Noni Madueke.

How is Noni Madueke playing?

The 21-year-old will be desperate to break into his Argentine head coach's first-team plans, especially if his fellow countryman, Palmer, is to be sidelined.

Madueke scored two goals in the win versus Serbia, the ex-PSV Eindhoven winger starring at the City Ground despite a lack of first-team opportunities afforded to him recently at Chelsea.

Speaking whilst with the England camp, the young attacker – who has only made 16 appearances for the Blues since signing from the Netherlands in January – is still confident he can break into the Chelsea starting line-up after signing for £29m in January this year.

He said: "I love coming over here and showing everyone what I can do. It's a great squad, just as good as the last one. I've got a lot of belief in my ability and I'm sure things will click sooner rather than later. I think I've got it in me."

Despite having been cast out of late – after being an unused substitute against Burnley last time out – Madueke does appear to have the tools to be a real weapon for Pochettino, after previously recording 34 goal involvements in just 80 games for PSV.

As much as Palmer's thigh knock is a blow for the Blues, Madeuke could well benefit from his teammate's potential absence and seek to put himself back into Pochettino's good books when the international break is at an end.