All posts by n8rngtd.top

The Premier League fixtures have been released, and we'll see Vincent Kompany's newly promoted Burnley take on league champions Manchester City to kick off the campaign.

The fixture will see the former City captain return to his former club for the second time as the Clarets' manager, offering what will likely be the club's toughest test right off the bat.

To get you ready for the start of the new Premier League season, here is Football FanCast's official preview for the game, answering several key questions below.

When is the match and is it on UK TV?

The match between the two sides will kick off the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, taking place on Friday, 11 August at 8pm BST.

The meeting will be televised in the UK, airing on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR, giving fans plenty of options to choose from.

Premier League: Every Opening Day Fixture

Who is Burnley's key player?

If Kompany's side are to avoid relegation this season, it's likely that Josh Brownhill plays a crucial role in the campaign.

In the middle of the park, the Englishman had an impressive season at Turf Moor as Burnley dominated the Championship last year, with his WhoScored rating of 7.27 outshining everyone else in the side.

Brownhill also managed 15 goal contributions from midfield and an average of 2.2 tackles a game in the league, so the 27-year-old demonstrated his ability to impact the game on both sides of the pitch.

Who is Manchester City's key player?

While Erling Haaland's ridiculous goal-scoring output is what makes the headlines, Kevin De Bruyne's contributions all over the park make him the most integral member of Man City's team.

With an average match rating of 7.58 on WhoScored, not only was the Belgian the highest-rated player at City, but he was also the highest-rated player in the entire Premier League as Pep Guardiola's side completed a historic treble.

With 34 goal contributions in all competitions last season, the 31-year-old continues to be the best midfielder in the world and will be key to City's success once again next season.

How will Burnley line up?

Having regularly lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, expect to see Burnley continue to deploy the tactic in the Premier League, with Kompany keen to keep hold of the club's new, more progressive style of play.

With long-term servant Ashley Barnes departing the club in the summer, Burnley have a fairly sizeable hole to fill, with the striker featuring in 39 league games last season, and it's being reported that the Lancashire side are interested in Metz striker Georges Mikautadze, so the side could lineup next season with the forward leading the lines.

With Michael Obafemi and Louis Beyer joining the club on permanent deals following successful loan spells in the Championship, Burnley have yet to sign anyone else, so as things stand the side's starting lineup will look very similar to the one that gained promotion to the Premier League.

Predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Muric; Vitinho, Harwood-Bellis, Beyer, Maatsen; Cullen, Cork; Tella, Brownhill, Zaroury; Mikautadze

How will Man City line up?

Having won the treble last season, City have wasted no time exploring options to continue improving. Several key players are rumoured to be departing the Etihad, and with captain Ilkay Gundogan and defender Kyle Walker both linked with moves away, the club has several roles to fill.

Guardiola's side regularly mixed things up tactically, but their most reliable formation was a 3-2-4-1, so expect them to return to that as they look to retain the Premier League for the fourth straight season. As reports suggest the club are preparing to make a move for Chelsea midfielder Matteo Kovacic, don't be surprised if he lines up for City on the starting day.

Predicted lineup (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Dias, Ake, Akanji; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Kovacic, Grealish; Haaland

What were the last five league meetings between the two teams?

Burnley haven't fared too well against City recently, with the Citizens dominating the Lancashire side over the last five league meetings.

Kompany's side will have their work cut out for them if they're to get a decent result, with Burnley failing to score against City in any of their previous five league meetings. While Burnley are a completely different side to the one that last played in the Premier League, they still face an uphill battle if these past meetings are anything to go by.

• April 2022: Burnley 0-2 Man City
• October 2021: Man City 2-0 Burnley
• February 2021: Burnley 0-2 Man City
• November 2020: Man City 5-0 Burnley
• June 2020: Man City 5-0 Burnley

Who is going to win?

While Burnley looked fantastic in the Championship last season, facing City in their first game back in the Premier League will prove too tough a task for Kompany's side.

The treble-winning City have looked unbeatable recently, and don't expect that to change against the newly-promoted Burnley. Having had a year of English football already in the books, expect Haaland to once again be in scintillating form as he builds on what was an incredible debut season at the Etihad.

Having deployed a progressive, attractive style of football in the Championship last season, Kompany's side will likely want to continue to play their brand of football, and it will play right into City's advantage, with Burnley suffering a rude awakening as they return to England's top flight.

FFC predicts: Manchester City win

Jose Mourinho has quit his position on the UEFA football board following his spat with referee Anthony Taylor after AS Roma's Europa League final loss.

What happened between Jose Mourinho and Anthony Taylor?

The Portuguese manager was incensed with the referee after his side lost on penalties in the final to Sevilla, and he quickly let him know about it.

The situation led to Taylor receiving abuse from numerous Roma fans shortly afterwards – with his family harassed at an airport – and an Italian man was even arrested for his role in the abuse.

For his role in inciting the incident, Mourinho – who was spotted waiting for the referee in a car park after the final – has been punished with a four-match ban which will come into effect at the start of next season.

Clearly unhappy with the decision, the former Chelsea manager has let the UEFA football board know he was immediately stepping down from his role with the group, reports The Athletic.

How did Jose Mourinho quit the board?

After finding out about his four-match ban, Mourinho immediately quit the board, informing UEFA Chief of Football Zvonimir Boban in the form of a letter.

The letter read: "In thanking you for the invitation you extended to me to be a member of the UEFA football board, I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will be renouncing my participation in this group.

“I kindly ask that you also communicate my decision to the President Mr. Aleksander Ceferin.”

Roma are expected to launch an appeal to overturn Mourinho's ban but will hold off until they receive UEFA's written reasons for the ban, before moving forward with it.

Has Jose Mourinho been involved in any other controversy in the past?

The incident is far from the first controversial moment of Mourinho's career, though, with the former Chelsea boss prone to some pretty wild moments.

One example of the Portuguese coach making headlines for the wrong reasons was his incredible seven-minute rant following Chelsea's 3-1 loss to Southampton in October 2015.

Enraged by the result, he went crazy in his post-match interview, calling out match officials, even saying the following: "I think it’s time to be a little bit honest and to say clearly that referees are afraid to give decisions for Chelsea."

Another controversial moment in his career was calling former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger a "specialist in failure" followings a war of the words between the two coaches in 2014.

Love him or hate him, there's no denying that Mourinho is one of football's biggest characters, and it's almost certain that this latest episode of controversy won't be the last in his career.

Sunderland may have been handed a boost in their efforts to sign Ellis Simms this summer, with Phil Smith of The Sunderland Echo reporting that the player himself could be keen on a switch back to the Stadium of Light.

What is the latest Sunderland transfer news?

The Championship side appear to have a few irons in the fire when it comes to transfer dealings, as they look to try and push on and seal a potential promotion into the Premier League next season.

The Black Cats are clearly keen to bring in attacking reinforcements, with the side revealed as one of the teams wanting to bring in Sonny Perkins on loan this summer. The Leeds man could be available on a short-term basis and the Black Cats have thrown their hat into the ring over a potential deal to sign him for the duration of the campaign.

In turn though, they lose some of their key players to those higher up the pyramid. Jack Clarke put himself on the map with his displays on Wearside last season and Burnley are now trying to snap up the winger.

One big striking target for Sunderland though has been former loanee Simms, with the Black Cats keen to get him back through the door at the Stadium of Light. It seems that a decision will be made soon over where the striker's future lies after a bid was made last week.

Are Sunderland signing Ellis Simms?

Now, according to a report from Phil Smith for The Sunderland Echo, there has been a fresh update over a potential deal. That's because the player himself is open to a return to the Championship side and "keen" to link back up with his old teammates.

That means that if the previously reported bid is accepted he will surely choose Sunderland. Other clubs are also interested, but it looks as though the Black Cats' previous association with the youngster has handed them a huge leg up in the race.

He's received high praise in the game already for his efforts up front, with Karen Carney calling him "unbelievable" in terms of his finishing ability. The Toffees starlet already possesses an excellent ability to find the back of the net despite being just 22-years-old and a transfer back to Sunderland could see him get more minutes and allow him to really hone that ability in front of goal.

It seems as if the player himself could fancy bagging goals again for the Black Cats too, so that will be positive news for fans of the club.

Aston Villa are thought to be eyeing up the signing of a speedy attacking player in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update.

Will this be a huge summer at Villa?

Unai Emery's side enjoyed a fantastic 2022/23 season, with the Spaniard transforming the club's after he replaced the disappointing Steven Gerrard. In the end, Villa finish seventh in the Premier League, qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League in the process.

This summer looks set to be an exciting one in the summer market, with owners NSWE making funds available for new signings. Pau Torres an extremely likely centre-back addition from Villarreal, and that will hopefully only be the start of their summer business, with Youri Tielemans also arriving from Leicester City in what looks like a strong piece of business.

Emery will likely be keen to add attacking reinforcements to his squad, too, in order to ensure that he has the firepower to excel across several different competitions, which is where a new update comes into play.

Are Villa eyeing up attacking signings?

According to Football Insider, sources have informed them that Villa, and by extension Emery and new sporting director Monchi, have "turned their attention to signing a forward as they put the finishing touches to the signing of Pau Torres from Villarreal."

It is claimed that "Emery wants to recruit a top-level attacker capable of providing cutting edge and slotting straight into the starting XI for next season", and that he is looking to sign someone with "blistering pace and mobility, ability to carry the ball forward as well as a track record of supplying goals and assists."

This is another encouraging update from a Villa perspective, with the club clearly identifying key targets and looking to make this one of their most formidable squads of the Premier League era, if not the best of the lot.

Having attacking players with pace and directness can be such a weapon in the modern game, especially if Emery adopts a counter-attacking style in certain matches. Ollie Watkins is an excellent player who remains a key man, so another top attacker like him could take the club to the next level.

If Villa were able to bring in one or two players with those weapons in their armoury – perhaps one wide player and another central option – it could make Emery's team an even greater force, especially if they are sizeable upgrades on the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Bertrand Traore and Leon Bailey.

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in Bayer Leverkusen gem Moussa Diaby, as Unai Emery and Monchi get to work this transfer window.

The Spanish duo is due to have a busy summer as they bid to get the squad up to par to compete in the Premier League and Europe next season.

Monchi could provide his second masterclass in signing Diaby, with Pau Torres set to become the first big signing of his reign.

Could Aston Villa sign Moussa Diaby?

As reported by the Daily Mail earlier this week, Villa were named as one of the clubs interested in the Bayer Leverkusen winger.

The report claimed that the Villans had joined the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle in the race for the 24-year-old.

Contracted to the German club until 2025, Leverkusen would expect an offer in the region of £50m for the Frenchman.

Where could Moussa Diaby play at Aston Villa?

Making a name for himself in Paris Saint Germain’s academy, the Paris-born gem has sparkled in Germany, cementing himself as a favourite in Leverkusen.

In 172 total appearances for the Bundesliga side, the 24-year-old has contributed to 97 goals, scoring 49 and assisting 48 from the wing, seeing him described as “electrifying” by journalist Aaron Stokes.

With the ability to play on either side of the pitch, Diaby has proved to be a constant threat from the flanks, as highlighted by his 24 goal contributions in all competitions last season.

While many know of the wide players’ talents, not many are aware of his expertise on the level of former teammate Leon Bailey, who caused havoc playing alongside the Frenchman at Leverkusen.

The once frightening duo could be an incentive for Emery to hire Diaby, with the possibility that he could uncover the Jamaican’s form prior to his move to the Premier League along with the potential addition.

Across 119 Bundesliga appearances, Bailey contributed to 49 goals, scoring 28 and assisting 21 to highlight the threat he can pose on the flanks.

His skills have not yet been transferred to Villa Park, with him scoring just five Premier League goals in 51 appearances so far for the Villans.

Hailed as having “deadly wings” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Leverkusen were once spoiled by the riches of Bailey and Diaby, who as highlighted by the scout contributed collectively to 51 goals in 2020/21.

Emery could reignite where the duo left off, bringing a once-threatening combination back to life in the Midlands in the bid to improve the form of their winger as well as the overall form of the club.

Averaging 1.70 successful take-ons and 4.17 progressive carries per 90 in the Bundesliga last season, Diaby could be the perfect outlet on the flank to liven up the play in the wide areas at Villa Park.

The French "demon" – as lauded by The Athletic's Alex Barker – is also a strong figure in his playmaking efforts, averaging 1.93 key passes per 90, being a prominent presence in the final third for those around him.

Monchi could deliver Emery a masterclass in giving the Spaniard a chance at re-coupling the two wingers, in the hope to re-spark the chemistry once loved in Germany.

To ensure that Everton enjoys a more comfortable season, whereby they’re further distanced from relegation, Sean Dyche will need to add more attacking impetus to his side.

Last term, the Merseyside outfit netted just a miserable 35 goals in the Premier, which was the second-lowest in the division. They only scored two or more times in a single game on six occasions to underline their lack of forward threat.

Due to their current predicament, they don’t have time to allow players for periods of adaptation – they need proven top-flight players to hit the ground running.

One man who has recently suffered relegation from the Premier League but will be on the lookout for an instant return is Wilfried Gnonto, who has been linked with a move to Goodison Park.

What’s the latest on Wilfried Gnonto to Everton?

According to Sport Italia, Gnonto is 'very close' to completing a move to Everton, with the fee for the Italian understood to be around €22m (£19m).

The report also states that Aston Villa are interested in the 19-year-old, but are yet to Leeds’ valuation.

In a previous article, Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor said Everton had been showing “interest” and named Gnonto in a group alongside Jack Harrison and Crysencio Summerville who were being courted by the Toffees, saying:

“I think these are the players that probably need to be moved on. They're probably not going to be there next season and once they go, there'll be a clearer sort of transfer budget. So I think departures should be the priority at this moment in time [for Leeds]."

This signing would finally see Everton begin to reinvest the £45m they accrued from the controversial sale of Anthony Gordon with Gnonto being an extremely shrewd acquisition.

Would Wilfried Gnonto be a good signing for Everton?

The former Inter Milan academy graduate joined Leeds last summer and in what was an extremely difficult season for the Yorkshire Giant, he emerged with a commendable reputation.

In just 14 top-flight starts, the winger recorded six goal involvements. The reluctance of Javi Gracia to give the winger regular minutes, only awarding him with three starts in 11 games, was a particularly baffling situation.

Back in January, after Leeds suffered a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was full of praise for the £20k-per-week dynamo, saying:

“I've seen a special young talent. He was absolutely exceptional. Honestly, sometimes you see potential and talent and you are excited but I watched him so closely, and his understanding of where to be, his choice of pass, his choice of when to run with it, his awareness if his teammates, really, really good.”

A player of this direct and effervescent profile could be the man to reignite the stuttering career of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Last campaign, the Englishman was restricted to just 17 domestic appearances due to persistent injury problems but has previously indicated that he has the devastating potential the lead the Everton line.

During the 2020/21 campaign, the frontman bagged 16 goals and formed a solid attacking partnership with Richarlison, who found the net on ten occasions.

This type of prolific link-up is what the Toffees have desperately lacked and Gnonto would be an ideal candidate to get Calvert-Lewin firing again.

Manchester United could indeed sign Sofyan Amrabat this summer – but only if they dispose of Fred or Donny van de Beek first, as reported by Fabrizio Romano for The Guardian.

What is the latest Manchester United transfer news?

With the Red Devils looking to kick on and keep fighting at the top end of the Premier League next season, more business is being done in the transfer market to ensure they have a squad capable of fighting on all fronts. Having secured Champions League football next term and with plenty of cups to be won, the side will need to make sure they have enough depth and ability to bring home some silverware.

The current transfer priority for United appears to be in attack, with Rasmus Hojlund the big name linked with a switch to Old Trafford. With the English outfit wanting to add goals to their ranks, it appears they have turned their attention to the Atalanta youngster and are determined to bring him in this summer. A recent report states that they plan to move swiftly for the youngster after wrapping up a deal for Andre Onana in goal, and will launch a fresh bid to try and secure him amongst competition for his signature this summer.

Are Man United signing Sofyan Amrabat?

Another name that has been regularly mentioned in regards to a United move has been Sofyan Amrabat. The Fiorentina midfielder has been on the club's transfer radar for most of the summer it seems and a recent report suggests that a deal could happen. That's because he is no longer in the plans of the Serie A club it seems – and if that is the case, they could be prepared to listen to offers for the 26-year-old this window.

Now, according to a new report from Fabrizio Romano, writing in The Guardian, Amrabat is certainly on the wanted list of the Red Devils this summer – but there is a caveat to a deal happening. That is because the journalist states that he is "under consideration" by the Premier League outfit but that a deal may only happen if Fred or Donny van de Beek can be offloaded. It adds that building on their midfield is not high up on the list for the club and it means that only if a gap opens up in the centre of the field could a deal happen for the Moroccan.

Amrabat really stood out on the international stage for his country Morocco in the World Cup last year. His performances in helping lead the side to fourth place in the tournament – their best ever finish – led to high praise from those who did manage to see him in action.

Former professional and now pundit Joe Cole lavished it on the midfielder, stating that he was "outstanding" and one of the best holding midfielders he'd seen at that tournament after they defeated Spain.

It shows that the 26-year-old can indeed cut it on the biggest stage – and adding him to the Man United squad would therefore boost the middle of the field for the Red Devils. If they sign him then, it could be a shrewd piece of transfer business.

Newcastle United's deal to sign Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes is now "edging closer", and it could even be done this week, according to journalist Tom Collomosse.

What's the latest Newcastle transfer news?

Allan Saint-Maximin is looking like he will be on the move this summer, as the PIF are now orchestrating a deal with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, as reported by journalist Ryan Taylor:

"Allan Saint-Maximin poised to become first high-profile transfer negotiated by two clubs under majority ownership of PIF. Understand talks started between Newcastle & Al-Ahli last week. Deal has since advanced as Eddie Howe confirms. Numbers involved currently undisclosed."

As such, Eddie Howe will need to find a replacement for the winger, and Barnes has emerged as a key target, with it recently emerging that the Leicester winger would be open to a move to St. James' Park this summer.

There has been interest in other wide options, with the Magpies lodging a surprise bid for Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskheila, however the Serie A club have no pressing need to sell the Georgian, given that he is contracted until 2027.

Following Leicester's relegation from the Premier League, Barnes is expected to leave this summer, and there has now been an update on Newcastle's pursuit of the Englishman.

Taking to Twitter, Collomosse has now dropped an exciting update which hints the move is not far off being completed, saying: "Harvey Barnes edging closer to sealing move to Newcastle. Not there yet but if all proceeds smoothly from here, deal could be sorted this week. Fee expected to be £35-40m."

How good is Harvey Barnes?

Journalist Ryan Taylor is skeptical about whether the 25-year-old would be a real improvement on Saint-Maximin, who is close to leaving the club, saying: "Would find it strange if he is simply replaced by Harvey Barnes. Barnes more effective but not a game-changing upgrade, although Newcastle may view it differently.

The Leicester star has certainly had a better eye for goal in recent times, having found the back of the net 13 times in the Premier League last season, while Saint-Maximin has never scored more than five league goals across a season in the top flight.

Newcastle's current winger is perhaps more exciting to watch, given his fantastic dribbling ability, ranking in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons per 90 over the past year, and he is better at setting up chances for his teammates.

The 26-year-old has averaged 0.40 assists per 90 in the past year, while Barnes has averaged just 0.03, but he has previously demonstrated he is capable of being a playmaker, recording ten assists in the top flight during the 2021-22 campaign.

It is not evident that the England international would be a major upgrade on Saint-Maximin, but it is clear that he is a very good player, with a range of qualities, having also been hailed as "superb" by journalist Matt Law.

A fee of around £35m would be reasonable for Barnes, and Howe will be hoping the deal will be done by the end of this week.

Chelsea are stepping up their efforts to bulk out their squad before the Premier League season begins in just under three weeks as Mauricio Pochettino is eyeing a move for Crystal Palace starlet Michael Olise.

Have Chelsea made a bid for Michael Olise?

RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins has stated that the Stamford Bridge outfit have made an offer to sign Olise, tweeting: “Chelsea made a first offer to Crystal Palace to recruit Michael Olise.

“Offer less than 45 million euros including bonus. The player is seduced by the Blues project. In principle he agrees to go to Chelsea even if there are always negotiations.”

A fee of €45 (£39m) sounds like it could be a bargain, especially considering the winger has another three years left on his current contract at Palace.

With a grand total of £219m raised from selling players this summer, Pochettino has some money to play with, and it looks as though his next move could perhaps come from closer to home, having signed Christopher Nkunku from the Bundesliga and Nicolas Jackson from La Liga.

Should Chelsea sign Michael Olise?

The signing of the Palace man could be just what is needed to help oust Hakim Ziyech from Stamford Bridge this summer. The Moroccan international looked set for a move away from Chelsea, yet he failed his medical at Al-Nassr and Pochettino will need to find another potential suitor for the right-winger.

The former Ajax man endured a woeful season during 2022/23, registering just three assists and scoring zero goals in 24 games across all competitions whilst also ranking in a lowly 11th position for successful dribbles (0.8) and 12th for key passes (0.8) per game in the league last term. This clearly indicates that he struggled to assert any sort of positive influence on the side.

Olise in comparison, ranked fourth for successful dribbles (1.5) and first for key passes (1.9) per game during the league season, showcasing his creative talents and there is no doubt that he would be a major upgrade on the 30-year-old for Pochettino to have at his disposal next term.

Not only did Olise register more domestic goal contributions than the Chelsea winger (13 to three), but also more shots on target per 90 (0.45 to 0.34) and more shot-creating actions per 90 (4.68 to 4.36) which clearly suggests just how effective he has been over the previous 365 days.

The English-born youngster also ranked in the top 7% across Europe’s big five leagues for assists per 90 (0.36) and demonstrated that creativity isn’t his only strength, ranking in the top 15% for tackles (1.9), blocks (1.51) and interceptions (0.85) per 90, expressing his ability to win the ball back on a constant basis and helping his team out when they are out of possession.

Lauded as “outstanding” alongside teammate Eberechi Eze back in April by former professional Clinton Morrison, it’s clear that the French U21 international has been a far more consistent performer over the previous 12 months than Ziyech.

There might not be another right-winger on the market for that sort of value who offers as much as Olise, both from an attacking and defensive point of view and Pochettino should be wrapping a potential move up as soon as possible.

Fulham are chasing both Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and Everton forward Demarai Gray, according to reports.

Who will Fulham sign?

The Whites, having already signed centre-back Calvin Bassey and Mexico international striker Raul Jimenez this summer, are attempting to strengthen their ranks further before deadline day.

Fulham enjoyed a solid first full campaign back in the top flight under Marco Silva, finishing in mid-table and even above arch west London rivals Chelsea, who endured a nightmare season.

They even contested for Europe, but if they're to build upon that success, more new signing are needed after the captures of Bassey and Jimenez.

Last season's star striker, Aleksandar Mitrovic, is reliably believed to be pushing for a Fulham exit with Silva even commenting on the saga amid his links to Saudi Arabia.

"It's not the ideal situation, I have to tell you. Not because he received an offer, it's the situation about himself," Silva told reporters last month.

"As you know, he's not going to play tomorrow, he didn't play last Wednesday. He's not working properly with his team mates and when I say this is not the ideal scenario, this is the situation.

"When it's out of my control as a manager, this is not something that concerns me, but I would like to have a different scenario in that situation … Sometimes you have individual decisions that is for them to take care of."

Meanwhile, another Fulham star who could move to the Middle East is Willian, despite him signing a new contract recently, as Al Shabab push hard for his signature.

The need for a new winger may have intensified as a result, with both Hudson-Odoi and Gray linked to Craven Cottage moves in recent weeks.

The BBC have backed Fulham talks to sign the latter player, while Hudson-Odoi is believed to be a firm transfer target as well.

According to The Daily Mail and journalist Simon Jones, it appears Silva's side are targeting both players simultaneously. Indeed, according to their information, Fulham are "chasing" Hudson-Odoi and Gray this summer, but with deadline day in just over three weeks, they may need to hurry.

Not much else is said beyond that, but it looks as if Fulham supporters could expect more activity before the window closes.

How good is Callum Hudson-Odoi?

While Hudson-Odoi struggled to make his impact on loan at Leverkusen, we believe he has more potential to thrive at Fulham than Gray, namely due to his younger age.

The £180,000-per-week Chelsea forward, 22, has far more years ahead of him than Everton's attacker (27), with legends of the game having also tipped him to be huge.

“I know what a player he is," said former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard to the media in 2019.

"He can be an incredible player and he has improvement to make and I want to work with him to do it. But for that he needs to stay longer at the club and of course that then goes to a decision between him and the club itself. I can see him being a huge player for us.”

Meanwhile Gray, for his part, has been called "unbelievable" by former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand.