Chelsea: "Incredible" first-team star may be tempted to leave

da apostaganha: Chelsea have a first-team player who may be tempted to leave if the right offer comes in, amid interest from one of Europe's top clubs, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest Chelsea transfer news?

da casino: Although the summer transfer window has not long ended, rumours continue to swirl about the future of a number of Chelsea players, with it now being revealed the club plan to sell Trevoh Chalobah in January, in order to balance their Financial Fair Play books.

Both Chalobah and Conor Gallagher could depart in the next transfer window, and the funds raised could be used to sign a new striker, with Mauricio Pochettino identifying a number of targets, including Brentford's Ivan Toney, who could cost up to £80m.

In the same article, Jones details that Napoli's Victor Osimhen is the Blues' number one target in attack, but the Nigerian is likely to be more expensive, as Napoli were holding out for a fee of £172m in the summer, and it is unlikely their stance has changed.

In order to fund a move for a top-level striker, Chelsea may be forced to cash-in on one of their key players, with Football Insider reporting they would be willing to accept a "ridiculous" offer for club captain Reece James, amid interest from Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants have long been interested in the 23-year-old, but he is currently tied down to a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge, having signed a £250k-per-week deal which is not due to expire until 2028.

James appears to be committed to Chelsea for the long-term future, but Jones has now suggested the right-back may be tempted by a move to Real Madrid if an offer came in.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, the journalist said: “The Madrid interest in Reece James is nothing new. I know this has been there for a while now, and the player has been aware of it. But currently, his complete focus has been on Chelsea, getting fit and emerging as a leader in this squad.

"The only thing Chelsea should worry about is if this season goes badly. The player is committed, but if they have anything like a repeat of last term, and Madrid make the offer for James, he’s got a decision to make. Turning that down would not be easy.”

Will Reece James stay at Chelsea?

There is nothing to suggest the England international is unhappy at Stamford Bridge, having previously made it clear he would be happy to spend his whole career with his boyhood club.

Chelsea'sReece James

It has not been the easiest of years for the defender, having suffered with repeated injury issues, most recently being ruled out with another hamstring problem, which is set to keep him sidelined for a minimum of a few more weeks.

However, if James is able to put his injury problems behind him, his return could be a real boost for Pochettino, having been lauded as an "incredible footballer" by members of the media when he received more regular game time.

Rangers eyeing move for "superb" 3-4-2-1 manager to replace Beale

Already sitting four points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic, having recently lost against the Hoops at Ibrox, Rangers haven't exactly hit the ground running in the Scottish Premiership. And, with that said, Michael Beale's job looks to be in real jeapordy.

According to Football Transfers, the former Queens Park Rangers boss is on the verge of the sack in Glasgow, not even a year after his initial appointment. Truth be told, some may have felt the writing could have been on the wall, given that Rangers were also dumped out of the Champions League in humiliating fashion, losing 7-3 on aggregate against PSV Eindhoven.

If the reports are to be believed, then the Scottish giants may already be on the search for a replacement for Beale, reportedly leading them to a certain manager who has been without a club since losing his previous job.

What's the latest Rangers news?

The international break has seemingly been decision time for those at Ibrox, who reportedly could pull the plug on Beale's stint in charge. Should it come to an end, then he will end his time at the club with a record of 26 wins, four draws, and seven losses from 37 games, in total, with zero trophies won during that time.

Should Beale's potential short stint in Scotland come to an end, it is believed that Rangers have now reportedly turned their attention to other candidates, in a bid to end Celtic's recent dominance and stop the Hoops from making it three consecutive Scottish Premiership wins.

According to Football Transfers, the Gers are eyeing a move for former Chelsea manager Graham Potter, as well as former Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder.

Potter has been without a job since a spell at Chelsea, but previously impressed many during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion. Rangers will hope that, if he is to be the next man for the job, Potter will return to his managerial best in Scotland.

Should Rangers hire Graham Potter?

Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter.

Securing Potter could be a significant coup for those at Rangers, given the work that he has done in the Premier League, taking Brighton from relegation battles to top-half finishes. Of course, he failed to replicate that success at Chelsea, but has since shown by Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino, the job at Stamford Bridge is no easy task.

Operating in a 3-4-2-1 formation, those at Rangers will have to get used to Potter's style of play if he does take the job, having played in Beale's 4-3-3 for just under a year. If they can adjust to the former Brighton manager's tactics, however, then the Gers could enjoy significant improvement. At his best, Potter has earned plenty of deserved praise, including from journalist Melissa Reddy, who once said:

"Brighton are getting the results a lot of their past performances have merited, born out of consistency in their ideals and intentions under Graham Potter. Always happy to see smart processes, patience, good recruitment, spirited players and a superb manager rewarded."

It's clear that Potter, especially at the right club, is a manager capable of achieving solid results, and by the looks of things, a move to Rangers could be one to watch.

Player Profile: Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford's early career is a remarkable tale of a young football prodigy rising through the ranks of Manchester United and making an indelible mark on English football. Born on October 31, 1997, in Wythenshawe, England, Rashford joined Man United's youth academy at the tender age of seven. His exceptional talent quickly became evident as he progressed through the ranks.

Rashford made his senior debut for the Red Devils in February 2016, just days before his 18th birthday, when he was called up due to an injury crisis at the club. In that debut, he scored twice against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, instantly announcing himself on the big stage.

The young striker's impressive performances continued, and he quickly became a key player for Manchester United. In his debut Premier League season (2015/2016), Rashford scored eight goals in 18 appearances in all competitions. He continued to flourish, setting numerous records along the way, including becoming the youngest player to score in his first Premier League Manchester Derby.

Rashford's early career also saw him break into the England national team, making his senior debut in May 2016. He has since become an integral part of the national squad, playing a crucial role in the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups and Euro 2020.

With his explosive pace, technical prowess and ability to score crucial goals, Rashford's journey from a young academy prospect to a household name in English football is a testament to his immense talent and dedication to the sport.

Marcus Rashford at Manchester United

Rashford's career at Man United has been nothing short of a fairy tale, characterized by his meteoric rise from the club's youth academy to becoming one of the brightest stars in English football. Since his debut in 2016, Rashford has etched his name into the annals of the club's history with his skill, speed and knack for scoring crucial goals.

His journey at Manchester United began when he joined the club's youth academy at the age of seven. His exceptional talent soon caught the eye of the coaching staff, and he progressed rapidly through the ranks. His big moment arrived in February 2016 when an injury crisis forced then-manager Louis van Gaal to promote Rashford to the senior squad.

Rashford's debut was nothing short of sensational. He scored a brace against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, and in his Premier League debut a few days later, he repeated the feat with two more goals against Arsenal. The striker's blistering start endeared him to the fans, and he went on to score crucial goals in the league, helping Manchester United secure a top-four finish.

Rashford's early success was no fluke. In his first full season (2016/2017), he scored 11 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions. His versatility allowed him to play across the front line, and his pace and dribbling skills made him a constant threat to opposition defenders.

As a result of his early success Rashford's career at Man United is studded with records and milestones, including being the youngest player to score for the club in a European competition and the youngest player to score for Man United in a Manchester Derby.

At the age of just 23, in his fourth full season for Man United, Rashford scored his 100th goal for the club.

Beyond his on-field exploits, Marcus Rashford has become a symbol of social responsibility. His advocacy for child poverty and food insecurity issues in the UK has made him a beloved figure both within and outside the football world. Rashford's successful campaign to extend free school meals for disadvantaged children during the COVID-19 pandemic earned him widespread praise and recognition.

Despite his remarkable career, Rashford has faced his share of setbacks, including injuries that sidelined him at various points. However, he has always shown resilience and determination, returning stronger each time to continue making an impact for the Red Devils.

By the end of the 2022/2023 season, Rashford record for Man United stood at 124 goals in 363 first-team appearances. It is the 2022/2023 season that is so far the most successful of Rashford's career, having scored 30 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions.

Rashford's Honours at Manchester United

Title

Year(s)

FA Cup (1)

2015/2016

EFL Cup (2)

2016/2017, 2022/2023

FA Community Shield (1)

2016

UEFA Europa League (1)

2016/2017

Marcus Rashford with England

Marcus Rashford's career with England has been marked by his electrifying pace, clinical finishing and his ability to deliver on the biggest international stages. Since making his senior debut in 2016, Rashford has become an integral part of the Three Lions' setup, contributing significantly to England's campaigns in various tournaments.

His senior international debut for England arrived on May 27, 2016, in a friendly match against Australia. His impressive club performances had earned him a call-up to the national team, making him the youngest English player to debut at the age of 18 years and 209 days.

Rashford has represented England in major international tournaments, including the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2020. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he played a key role in England's run to the semi-finals, scoring a vital goal against Tunisia in the group stage. His pace and dynamism added a new dimension to England's attack.

During Euro 2020, Rashford continued to be a valuable asset. Although England narrowly missed out on winning the tournament, Rashford played a crucial role, helping the team reach the final, where they were runners-up to Italy.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Rashford scored three goals but also set a handful of records in the process. His goal after just 49 seconds of coming on as a substitute against Iran became the fastest-ever goal by a substitute in World Cup history, while he was also the scorer of England's 100th goal in all World Cups. Additionally, he became only the second-ever Man United player to score three or more goals at a single World Cup, after Bobby Charlton.

To date, Rashford's England record stands at 16 goals in 53 appearances.

Marcus Rashford's Personal Accolades & Records

Marcus Rashford's remarkable career has been adorned with numerous personal records and prestigious awards.

Key milestones include his debut in February 2016, where he scored twice against FC Midtjylland, becoming the youngest Englishman to score in his first European competition appearance. His first Premier League goals against Arsenal a few days later further cemented his rising star status.

Rashford's consistency led to the prestigious Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award for Manchester United in 2016. He continued to shine, setting records like being the youngest player to score in a Manchester Derby.

Internationally, Rashford has been an England regular, representing the Three Lions in major tournaments like the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2020.

Beyond the field, Rashford's advocacy for child poverty issues earned him the Pride of Britain Award and an MBE. These accolades not only showcase his footballing prowess but also his impact on society, making him a true role model and inspirational figure.

Rashford's Personal Honours

Award

Year(s)

Manchester United Young Player of the Year (1)

2015/2016

PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Year (1)

2022/2023

PFA Community Champion Award (1)

2019/2020

Premier League Academy Graduate of the Year (1)

2019/2020

UEFA Europa League Team of the Season (2)

2019/2020, 2022/2023

UEFA Europa League Top Scorer (1)

2022/2023

Manchester United Goal of the Season (1)

2019/2020

Manchester United Players' Player of the Year (1)

2022/2023

Manchester United Player of the Year (1)

2022/2023

Celtic played Parkhead masterclass with sale of "talented" flop

da betcris: Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon enjoyed two largely excellent spells in charge of the Scottish giants as he won ten pieces of silverware for the club.

Which trophies did Lennon win with Celtic?

da imperador bet: The Northern Irish head coach dominated football in Scotland and won five Scottish Premiership titles in total, with the latest one coming in the 2019/20 campaign.

Competition

Season won

Premiership

2011/12

Premiership

2012/13

Premiership

2013/14

Premiership

2018/19

Premiership

2019/20

Scottish Cup

2010/11

Scottish Cup

2012/13

Scottish Cup

2018/19

Scottish Cup

2019/20

League Cup

2019/20

Via Transfermarkt.

However, Lennon did not get everything right throughout his two stints in the dugout at Parkhead and some of his dealings in the transfer market were questionable, including the signing of striker Patryk Klimala from Jagiellonia Bialystok.

The Poland youth international flopped at Paradise and it took the club securing a phenomenal piece of business after the Northern Irish head coach moved on to make up for the signing's failure.

How much did Celtic pay for Klimala?

The Hoops reportedly agreed a £3.5m deal to sign the young centre-forward despite having yet to prove himself as a regular scorer at first-team level by that point in his career.

At the time of the move, in January 2020, FootballTransfers placed his Expected Transfer Value (xTV) at €600k (£514k), which is considerably less than the £3.5m Lennon and Celtic sanctioned to sign him.

This suggests that the Scottish giants massively overpaid for the 6 foot marksman as they lavished a big transfer fee on an unproven player whose market value was less than £1m.

Klimala was coming off the back of seven goals in 17 Ekstraklasa matches during the first half of the 2019/20 campaign and that came after the attacker struggled throughout the previous season.

He produced one goal and one assist in 22 games in the Polish top-flight during the 2018/19 term, and arrived at Parkhead with 11 goals and four assists in 50 senior appearances for Bialystok in all competitions.

Former Celtic striker Patryk Klimala.

The Poland U21 international had, however, shown promise at youth level with a stunning 17 goals in nine U19 clashes for Bialystok, whilst he also scored 13 goals in 27 outings in the second division of Polish football on loan with Wigry Suwalki during the 2017/18 campaign.

How many goals did Klimala score for Celtic?

Klimala endured a rough 18 months with the Scottish side as he only found the back of the net three times in 28 competitive appearances in all competitions for the club.

Lennon snapped him up in January of the 2019/20 campaign and slowly bedded him in with four outings during the second half of the season.

He produced one assist in two SFA Cup clashes and did not contribute to any goals in his two Scottish Premiership games, although the young forward only played 15 minutes of football in those matches.

Klimala then played 17 times in the Premiership throughout the following season but was unable to prove his worth to Lennon as he managed three goals and zero assists in that time.

The Polish attacker averaged an unimpressive Sofascore rating of 6.65 in those games and missed five 'big chances', which shows that he was not clinical with the opportunities that did come his way at the top end of the pitch.

Former Celtic striker Patryk Klimala.

27 other players averaged a higher Sofascore rating within the Celtic squad and this highlights how disappointing his displays were when he was given a chance to showcase his skills.

His lack of physicality was also evident as the £3.5m signing lost 68% of his aerial battles and 57% of his duels in total in the top-flight, as per Sofascore, which shows that opposition defenders found it far too easy to get the better of him in physical contests.

He also made seven appearances in the cup competitions, domestically and in Europe, throughout the 2020/21 campaign and failed to deliver a single goal or assist.

How much did Celtic sell Klimala for?

Celtic decided to cash in on the Polish centre-forward in April 2021, which came two months after Lennon was relieved of his duties in February, and played a masterclass in doing so as they were able to rake in a reported fee of €6m (£5m).

The Hoops sold him to MLS outfit New York Red Bulls and made a £1.5m profit, despite his struggles on the pitch throughout his time in Glasgow.

Red Bulls chief Kevin Thelwell hailed him as a "talented" ace and Klimala showcased his quality in front of goal with eight strikes and six assists in 26 MLS starts throughout the 2021 campaign.

However, his form did not last as the former Bhoys lightweight then struggled during the 2022 season and ended the term with five goals and three assists in 29 league outings.

Where is Klimala now?

The 25-year-old finisher is currently playing for Hapoel Beer Sheva in Israel after moving to the club from New York Red Bulls in January of this year.

Klimala has failed to deliver consistent quality at the top end of the pitch since his latest switch as he has scored three goals in 20 appearances in all competitions to date, which includes zero strikes in five matches this term.

At the time of writing (15/09/2023), FootballTransfers has his xTV at €1m (£857k) and this shows that Celtic played a masterclass with their deal to sell him to Red Bulls for a staggering £5m.

The Scottish giants were able to make a £1.5m profit on the Polish flop, in spite of his poor performances on the pitch, and have now watched on as he has struggled to kick on his career beyond life in Glasgow.

Klimala is not playing in a major European league and his market value is nowhere near the fee that they raked in for his services in 2021, which shows that the club made the right decision by selling him when they did.

Whilst the signing was a flop for Lennon on the pitch, the Hoops board made sure that a positive came out of Klimala's time at Parkhead with a fantastic piece of trading that they can look back on as a huge success given his lack of consistency in the final third since his exit.

Big Nygren upgrade: Celtic want to sign “dangerous” £6.7m star for Nancy

da pinup bet: The curious case of Benjamin Nygren. On paper, the Sweden international has been one of Celtic’s most impressive performers, with seven goals in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

da esport bet: Yet, he has failed to fully convince in a Hoops jersey because of his all-round performances. In the Europa League, for example, he has scored two goals and missed a whopping five ‘big chances’ in five starts, per Sofascore.

In the Scottish Premiership, meanwhile, Nygren has only completed 35% of his attempted dribbles, completing 0.5 per game on average, which speaks to how awkward he can sometimes look when attempting to carry the ball forward in midfield.

Celtic want to sign new attacking midfielder

Whilst the left-footed star will continue to be a useful player for Wilfried Nancy, given his goal output this season, the Hoops could replace him as a starter amid interest in a new signing in his position.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to the Daily Record, Celtic have an interest in signing Cruz Azul attacking midfielder Mateusz Bogusz ahead of the January transfer window.

The report claims that the Scottish giants wanted to sign the Poland international from LAFC in 2024 before his move to Mexico at the start of this year, and they remain keen on a deal for the 24-year-old star.

It adds that Bogusz wants to move away from Cruz Azul, 11 months into his time at the club, and that suggests that Celtic could have an opportunity to sign him next month.

However, it remains to be seen how much the Mexican side would want for the former Leeds star, who joined them from LAFC for a fee of roughly £6.7m last January.

Why Celtic should sign Mateusz Bogusz

The Hoops should push to get a deal done for Bogusz, who wants a move away from his club next month, because he could come in as an upgrade on Nygren.

It would be a bit of a risk for the Scottish giants, though, as the attacking midfielder has had a tough time in Mexico, scoring three goals and providing seven assists in 39 appearances, per Sofascore.

He has been an unused substitute in three of Cruz Azul’s last four matches, hence why he is keen to leave next month, but his form for LAFC prior to moving to Mexico suggests that there is a hidden gem in there for Celtic to unearth.

As aforementioned, Celtic wanted to sign Bogusz during his time at LAFC, and if he can get back to the form that he showed in the MLS last year, the 24-year-old star would be an upgrade on what Nygren has shown on the pitch in the Premiership this season.

In the 2024 MLS campaign, the Polish attacking midfielder delivered 16 goals and eight assists in 36 appearances, per Sofascore, which earned him his big-money move to Cruz Azul.

Stat

Bogusz (2024 MLS)

Nygren (25/26 Premiership)

Appearances

36

15

Goals

16

5

Minutes per goal

187

168

Key passes per game

2.2

1.6

Big chances created

9

3

Assists

8

2

Dribbles completed per game

1.1

0.5

Dribble success rate

53%

35%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the ex-Leeds youngster’s MLS form suggests that he has the potential to offer more as a creator and as a dribbler in comparison to Nygren, whilst scoring goals at a similar rate.

Bogusz was described as a “dangerous” player by journalist Greg Beacham, which is backed up by these statistics, and he could be a dangerous player for the Hoops if they can help him recapture that form after a difficult year with Cruz Azul.

At the age of 24, the Poland international should not be written off after one poor season in Mexico, particularly when you look at just how impressive his form in the MLS was.

Bogusz is a more dynamic attacking midfielder than Nygren, whose dribbling skills leave a lot to be desired, and could excite supporters at Parkhead more than the Swedish star does, whilst scoring goals almost as frequently.

Mooy 2.0: Nancy can forget Nygren by unleashing "outstanding" Celtic star

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy can ruthlessly drop Benjamin Nygren by unleashing this star against St Mirren.

ByDan Emery 2 days ago

In conclusion, the Cruz Azul flop would be a risky signing, due to his form this year, but the upside is that he could be a big upgrade on Nygren if they can get him back to his best.

Crystal Palace: Academy star could be a ‘wonderful’ Zaha replacement

Crystal Palace have unearthed some gems over the years, with not many academy graduates as prolific in the Premier League era as Wilfried Zaha.

The Eagles have a host of top names that have succeeded from the academy set-up at Selhurst Park, with England manager Gareth Southgate being one that has enjoyed a successful playing and managerial career from his foundations in south London.

Other stars from the Premier League era who were notable members of the academy include Nathaniel Clyne and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was sold to Manchester United for a club-record fee of £50m in 2019.

Crystal Palace's most expensive departures

Rank

Player

Club

Year

Fee

1

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Manchester United

2019

£50m

2

Yannick Bolasie

Everton

2016

£25m

3

Alexander Sorloth

RB Leipzig

2020

£18.9m

4

Wilfried Zaha

Manchester United

2013

£15m

5

Dwight Gayle

Newcastle United

2016

£10m

Following the departure of Zaha this summer, who ended his 18-year association with Palace to join Galatasaray for a new challenge, club chairman Steve Parish dubbed the 30-year-old as the Eagles’ “best and most influential player."

Parish also touched on the influence that the former winger will have on the academy considering his journey to stardom, with him lauding the 30-year-old as being the driving force behind the new wave of players that “dream of being the next Zaha."

One player in the club’s academy is tipped to have a bright future, with winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi having all the tools to one day be the true heir to the Ivorian.

Who is Jesurun Rak-Sakyi?

In 2019, Rak-Sakyi switched his alliances from west London to south, as he joined Palace’s academy from Chelsea as part of a free transfer.

The 20-year-old has adapted to life at Selhurst exceptionally well, giving the club a taste of his ability at both youth and senior level over the years following his move.

In his debut season at Palace in 2020/21, the winger made a statement by netting nine goals in 26 appearances for the youth team, as well as contributing eight assists alongside scoring himself.

Despite recording impressive numbers in his first year with the Eagles, his form seemed to turn up a notch the campaign after, contributing to 25 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions of 2021/22.

The dynamic forward scored 19 times that season, and recorded six assists, making a statement in Premier League 2 by scoring 18 of his goals in the competition.

Such form earned him the prize of the club’s U23 Player of the Season, with everything set up for him to develop and move closer to the first team.

How much does Rak-Sakyi earn?

The youngster’s talents are highly thought of at Selhurst Park, as reflected by his five-year contract signed last summer, taking his stay at the club to at least 2027.

Speaking after Rak-Sakyi penned a new deal, chairman Parish waxed lyrical about the forward, tipping him to have a “bright future” and adding that his “long-term contract is indicative of that”, via the club’s official site.

Upon committing his future to the south Londoners, the 2002-born star received an updated salary of £390k-per-year, amounting to a weekly wage of £7.5k.

What is Rak-Sakyi's style of play?

The 20-year-old is a left-footed forward best deployed on the right flank to be exploited as a menace in the final third.

Lauded as “wonderful” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the Englishman is a skilful and direct player with electric pace and agility described to make him “glide past players” by Mango.

While performing at youth level is integral for any academy star who dreams of succeeding in the first team, having senior experience can make all the difference when the time comes to leave the comforts of the academy.

Last season after signing his new deal, Rak-Sakyi endeavoured on a loan spell to Charlton Athletic in order to gain valuable minutes at senior level in League One.

From the moment the winger was given a chance to showcase his ability for the Addicks, it became apparent just how much of a star the youngster could one day become for Palace.

In his League One debut, the forward scored during a 5-1 win over Plymouth Argyle, marking just the start of what he would achieve come the end of his loan spell with the club.

After 43 league appearances, the Eagles whiz ended the campaign as Charlton’s top scorer with 15 goals in League One, as well as registering an impressive eight assists, seeing him named the club's Player of the Season.

Former Addicks boss Dean Holden was bursting with praise for his loan player’s achievements, suggesting that he is one of the best young players he has worked with in his managerial career.

“His individual brilliance in terms of one-v-one ability is there for all to see. I’ve worked with some wonderful young players over the years but he is right up there. He is a joy to work with. He is not a minute’s hassle – he is low-maintenance but he is high output.”

In terms of his playing style, Palace’s official website noted that the 20-year-old is ‘modelling his game on Eberechi Eze’, who has been an explosive addition to the squad at Selhurst following his arrival in 2020.

The Eagles are renowned for their strengths in wide areas, with the trait stemming from the pace and power of Zaha, who was a handful for defenders during his years in the Premier League.

While the youngster has a long way to go to reach the levels of the Ivorian, there are signs that he could one day follow in the club legend’s footsteps.

How much is Rak-Sakyi worth?

At the point of signing for Palace as an under-the-radar academy talent, the former Chelsea man’s expected transfer value (xTV) was determined by Football Transfers to be in the region of €0.2m (£171k).

As expected, his value has begun to rise, with it hitting an estimated high of €4.7m (£4m) during his time at Charlton, communicating the rise in his performance.

The numbers are considerably low considering the inflation that has become normalised in today’s market, however, the increase in value after one season of senior football makes for encouraging reading for Palace.

What does the future hold for Rak-Sakyi?

Now that Zaha has departed, the door is open for the next crop of talent to attempt to fill the void left by the tricky Ivorian, who became a staple of what to expect from Palace.

The 20-year-old has already gained some Premier League experience, securing his debut in 2022 against Chelsea, and making his full debut against Manchester United in May that year.

This season has started exactly as hoped for the winger, who has already secured one appearance in the Premier League, coming on as a late substitute against Arsenal.

Roy Hodgson has named the winger in his squad for all four of Palace’s fixtures so far this campaign, telling of what direction he hopes this season will take him.

The Palace manager lauded his player’s “remarkable maturity” during his time with the club, claiming that he will only get “better and better” as he continues to grow with the first team.

Zaha has left big shoes to fill, however, if one name can one day succeed at the task of filling them, pointers are identifying Rak-Sakyi as that individual.

Exit news: "Brilliant" Celtic player wants to quit Parkhead permanently

One Celtic player has decided he wants to leave the club in the near future, according to a fresh update.

Which Celtic players could leave next year?

The Hoops continued their strong start to their Scottish Premiership campaign on Saturday, picking a 2-1 win away to Motherwell, thanks to goals from Luis Palma and Matt O'Riley. The first goal came late in the day, prior to the hosts equalising in stoppage time, before Brendan Rodgers' men won it at the death.

It means that Celtic are still top of the table after only dropping two points in their opening seven league games this season, with another title looking highly likely, as Rodgers looks to make a triumphant return to the club.

There are endless important players at Parkhead at the moment, and some figures will see their contracts expire next summer, including David Turnbull, Joe Hart and Scott Bain. Meanwhile, players such as James Forrest, Greg Taylor and James McCarthy will see their deals run out in 2025.

Now, an important update has emerged over the future of another Celtic player.

Celtic's Sead Haksabanovic

Which Celtic player wants to leave?

According to Football Insider, Sead Haksabanovic wants to quit Celtic permanently next year – he is currently on loan at Stoke City – bringing an end to his time at the club:

"Sead Haksabanovic wants to agree a permanent Celtic exit next year, sources have told Football Insider. Haksabanovic pushed for a loan move to Stoke City that was completed on deadline day after talks with club chiefs, where he felt he was getting mixed messages.

"The 24-year-old is now keen to secure a move away permanently either in January or next summer. Haksabanovic’s current contract at Parkhead runs until 2027 after joining from Rubin Kazan last summer but he has struggled for game time. Football Insider revealed on 24th August that the winger was seeking a move away from the club before the close of the transfer window. A week later, he secured a last-gasp temporary transfer to Stoke.

"The Montenegro international had been surprised by his lack of game time earlier this season, particularly following the exit of fellow winger Jota, and was unhappy that he was continuing to be overlooked for selection."

It would arguably be a shame to see Haksabanovic leave Celtic next year, considering he has done well across 42 appearances, scoring five goals and registering four assists from his attacking midfield role, also being described as both "brilliant" and "excellent" by former Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou.

That being said, the 24-year-old's importance to the cause has arguably diminished in recent times, considering he only made one appearance in the Scottish Premiership this season before joining Stoke on a temporary basis.

If Haksabanovic is unhappy about his lack of playing time and feels that a full-time move away is best for his development, Rodgers is unlikely to stand in his way, and it could be that an exit is the best outcome for all parties.

His current deal expires in the summer of 2027, putting Celtic in a strong bargaining position, so they could get good money for him next year, making this one to watch.

Sheffield Wednesday: Chansiri could hire manager with 100% win rate v Owls

In the summer, Sheffield Wednesday got it horribly wrong with the appointment of Xisco Munoz and are now looking to rectify the damage done by the Spaniard before it's too late.

Dejphon Chansiri relieved him of his duties after he oversaw a winless first 11 matches – the worst start in the club's history – and now the Owls are now seven points from safety at the bottom of the Championship.

One individual has seemingly emerged as the favourite to replace Munoz and that is Danny Rohl, even though the 34-year-old has never been a first-team manager before, enjoying fruitful spells as a coach at Bayern Munich and Southampton, not to mention his recent spell as assistant manager of Germany's national side.

What's the latest on Sheffield Wednesday's managerial pursuit?

A disastrous start to the campaign has left Wednesday supporters feeling deeply frustrated about their situation and it is understandable that they don't want the negotiations for a new manager to be drawn out.

Although it appears that Rohl is their number one target, journalist Joe Crann has urged fans to be patient in his latest update on social media:

"With regards to SWFC and the new manager, these things can take a bit of time and there are lots of moving parts, also plenty of discussions to be had. I know there’s been talk of it being done, but as of this morning, Danny Rohl to S6 isn’t finalised. Patience needed."

Former Bayern Munich assistant Danny Rohl.

While the appointment of the German coach would be seen as ambitious given he was highly thought of during his time at Bayern and Saints, it isn't the most attractive proposition for a young manager, entering the firing line of a club in dire straits and needing a miracle to save them.

Ultimately, Rohl would bring fresh ideas to the Owls but he also comes with a huge risk attached to him having never held a managerial position of his own.

If negotiations to prise the German to S6 break down, there's another youthful manager that Wednesday should be looking at after working miracles at Birmingham City: John Eustace.

What would John Eustace bring to Sheffield Wednesday?

During his time at Birmingham, Eustace stabilised and strengthened a side that was struggling off the field amid concerns surrounding the ownership of the club.

The 42-year-old arrived at the club in July 2022, succeeding Lee Bowyer as manager and helping them finish nine points above the relegation zone, working miracles with a cash-strapped squad.

Birmingham City manager John Eustace.

Despite showcasing his managerial expertise at the start of this campaign, Birmingham did the unthinkable by sacking Eustace with the club in sixth position. He departed the job having been the first City manager since Alex McLeish in 2008/09 to win ten points out of 12 at the start of a season

Following his sacking, the club released a statement which said they were close to hiring someone who will accomodate an attractive style of football, with that now being confirmed as England legend Wayne Rooney.

The sacking of Eustace was harsh to say the least but he gave neutrals the flavour of his capabilities in the managerial hot seat at Birmingham, the sort that Wednesday desire.

After doing an excellent job of revitalising a club that have spent the majority of the past decade scrapping towards the bottom of the Championship, the young manager has shown he can work miracles and while he isn't currently linked to the vacancy, he would be the perfect appointment for the Owls. After all, he does have a 100% win record against them…

Still a free agent: West Brom explored deal to sign "quality” new player

da blaze casino: West Bromwich Albion expressed their interest in recruiting a new defensive midfielder over the summer, but a fresh report has revealed that they weren't the only club looking to bring him to the Championship.

Who has signed for West Brom?

da wazamba: At The Hawthorns, Carlos Corberan secured the permanent services of Josh Maja during the previous transfer window, whilst signing both Jeremy Sarmiento and Pipa on loan for the remainder of the season from Brighton and Hove Albion and Ludogorets respectively.

With regards to outgoings, Dara O’Shea, Jake Livermore and David Button were the three senior squad members to leave the club for good, alongside Karlan Grant, Taylor Gardner-Hickman, Zac Ashworth and Ethan Ingram who headed for the exit door temporarily in search of more regular game time elsewhere.

The Baggies are now likely to be assessing their options in the market ahead of January and they could decide to revisit a deal for Yann M’Vila who is now a free agent having left Olympiacos upon the expiration of his contract at the start of July. The Frenchman made a total of 140 appearances for Diego Martinez’s side during his time over in Greece (Transfermarkt – M'Vila stats), but having made the decision to start afresh and begin a new adventure elsewhere, the 33-year-old was almost believed to be making his way to the Midlands.

Yann M'Vila transfer update

As per French outlet RMC Sport (via The 72) who have shared a transfer update on Yann M’Vila, West Brom and Sunderland both “showed interest” in the central talisman over the summer. The Baggies and the Black Cats individually “looked into a deal” for their out of work target, but despite their research, a move failed to come to fruition before the start of the season.

Atletico Madrid, Le Havre and Istanbul Basaksehir are also admirers overseas, but which club he will choose to be his next destination remains to be seen.

Olympiacos' former midfielder Yann M'Vila.

How good is Yann M'Vila?

According to Sunderland's former professional Ola Toivonen, M’Vila is a “quality” player and he’s gained a vast amount of experience throughout his career, so considering the positive impact he could have on the side, West Brom should definitely consider another bargain move for this free agent.

Yann M'Vila's Style Of Play

Likes to play long balls

Likes to shoot from distance

Does not dive into tackles (Data via WhoScored)

The Amiens native was averaging 3.3 clearances and 2.3 interceptions per game in the Europa League for Olympiacos last season prior to his departure which highlights his ability to get rid of the danger and protect his backline whilst sitting just in front of the defence (WhoScored – M'Vila stats).

M’Vila, who also has the versatility to operate as a centre-back and higher up in central midfield, is a fantastic calibre of veteran having previously competed in the Champions League and as mentioned the Europa League, so for a star who knows what it takes to be successful, his winning mentality would be more than welcomed at the Hawthorns.

Celtic: Postecoglou had howler with 2023 sale who’s better than Oh

Former Celtic head coach Ange Postecoglou enjoyed a fantastic time in charge of the Scottish giants over the course of his two years at the helm.

The Australian tactician, who arrived during the summer of 2021, asserted his dominance in Scotland with five domestic trophies, out of a possible six, in two seasons.

He won the domestic treble in the 2022/23 campaign and that led to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur swooping in to secure his services earlier this year.

Former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou.

The 58-year-old manager, however, was not a miracle worker and, therefore, did not go through his entire tenure at Parkhead without any regrettable moments.

One decision that he, or rather the club now that Postecoglou has moved on, look back on and regret is the sale of Giorgos Giakoumakis earlier this year.

The Greek international left the Hoops in January and Celtic moved to sign Hyeon-gyu Oh as his replacement. However, the current evidence suggests that the Scottish giants would have been better off if they had kept hold of the former Bhoys star.

How many goals did Giakoumakis score for Celtic?

After his move from VVV-Venlo in the summer of 2021, the 6 foot 1 marksman went on to score 26 goals in 57 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Statistic

Giakoumakis at VVV-Venlo (Via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

33

Goals

29

Assists

Two

As you can see in the table above, Celtic swooped to sign the talented finisher after his incredible campaign in Dutch football with his former club.

Postecoglou brought him in to bolster his attacking options and it proved to be a shrewd move by the former Hoops boss as Giakoumakis enjoyed an excellent debut season in Scotland.

The Greek attacker plundered 13 goals and one assist in 11 Scottish Premiership starts, alongside a further ten appearances off the bench, during the 2021/22 campaign.

He finished the term as the club's top goalscorer in the league, with one more strike than Kyogo Furuhashi (12), and could have had more assists if his teammates made the most of his creativity as he managed one assist from four 'big chances' created.

Giakoumakis followed that up with an impressive return of six goals and one assist in four Premiership starts during the first half of the 2022/23 season.

Former Celtic forward Giorgos Giakoumakis.

This means that the 28-year-old gem, who scored six goals in six domestic cup outings for the club, produced an eye-catching 19 goals and two assists in 15 league starts for Celtic in 18 months at Parkhead.

He proved himself to be a consistent and reliable performer in front of goal in spite of his lack of starts and minutes on the pitch at Premiership level under Postecoglou.

Kyogo's stunning return of 27 goals in 31 starts last season, however, meant that the manager already had a prolific centre-forward performing week-in-week-out and the club and player ultimately decided to part ways in January of this year.

Celtic reportedly splashed out a fee of £2.5m to sign Oh from Suwon Bluewings and then sold Giakoumakis to Atlanta United for a reported £4.3m a couple of weeks later.

How many goals has Oh scored for Celtic?

The 22-year-old striker has scored seven goals in 28 matches in all competitions for the Scottish giants since his move to the club at the start of the year.

He arrived in Scotland after a return of 14 goals in 53 games for Bluewings and all 14 of those strikes came across 38 K League 1 appearances during the 2022 campaign.

His form for his last club came after his record of five goals and four assists in 33 K League 2 outings on loan to Gimcheon Sangmu in 2021.

Celtic striker Hyeon-gyu Oh.

Oh had a solid, if unspectacular, first five months at Celtic with six goals and zero assists in 16 Premiership appearances throughout the second half of the 2022/23 season.

The young marksman has followed that up with zero goals and zero assists in seven Scottish top-flight and Champions League games combined so far this season.

His overall return of seven goals in 28 clashes means that Oh has averaged one goal every four matches for Celtic throughout 2023 so far. Whereas, Giakoumakis' 26 goals in 57 appearances means that he averaged one strike every 2.19 outings.

How many goals has Giakoumakis scored for Atlanta?

The Greek international has hit the ground running in America with 15 goals for Atlanta since his £4.3m switch to the MLS earlier this year.

He has produced 15 goals and created three 'big chances' for his teammates in 26 MLS appearances, which has included 20 starts, in 2023, from an xG of 11.47.

These statistics show that Giakoumakis has been lethal in front of goal for the American outfit and has proven himself to be a reliable and consistent performer at the top end of the pitch in yet another league.

The 28-year-old ace scored regularly for VVV-Venlo and Celtic before his move to Atlanta, and is now showcasing his quality week-in-week-out at a third club.

Statistic

Giakoumakis vs Ireland (13/10/2023)

Shots

One

Goals

One

Pass completion rate

100%

Big chances created

One

Giakoumakis' most recent performance for Greece (via Sofascore)

Whereas, Oh is yet to prove himself to be an outstanding scorer who can be relied upon for a significant period of time. If Kyogo picked up an injury or moved on in January, the evidence does not suggest that the South Korea international would be able to step up and be a regular scorer for the Scottish giants.

Whereas, Giakoumakis could be relied on to step in and score goals at an impressive rate for Celtic and provided Kyogo with big competition for his place in the side.

The former Hoops star, who was once hailed as a "phenomenon" by ex-Dutch international Ronald de Boer, knows how to find the back of the net frequently and the Hoops did not replace him with a player of similar quality.

Therefore, Postecoglou and Celtic had a howler with the sale of Giakoumakis, who is an upgrade on Oh based on current and previous form, at the start of this year.

They should have convinced him to stay and utilised him and Kyogo as two superb centre-forward options, or at least brought in a number nine with the requisite quality to replace the Greek titan.

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