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Newcastle United have been given a potential boost following a piece of off-field news that has emerged regarding a "superb" player.

Newcastle transfer news

This summer promises to be a busy one at St James' Park, with new signings hopefully coming in to boost the squad while certain key players move on to pastures new.

In terms of possible additions, Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has emerged as an option to come in, having stood out as one of his side's best players this season. Tottenham are also believed to be providing stiff competition, and the north Londoners could have the edge if they qualify for the Champions League.

Newcastle are also reportedly leading the race to sign highly rated Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande in the summer transfer window as Eddie Howe aims to strengthen his defence following long-term injuries to Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles.

Meanwhile, Juventus youngster Matias Soule is another possible target for the Magpies. Currently playing on loan at Frosinone this season, scoring 10 goals in 30 Serie A appearances, he has been compared to Lionel Messi in the past.

In terms of those who could leave Newcastle at the end of the season, the likes of Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson have all been linked with moves away in recent months, with the club no doubt desperate to keep hold of certain stars.

Newcastle boosted over "superb" player's future

According to a fresh update from The Telegraph, Bruno Guimaraes has bought a new £4m home in Northumberland, hinting that he could be staying put at Newcastle this summer.

The report states that the Brazilian "has given the strongest indication yet that he intends to remain" at St James' moving forward, in what would act as a significant boost for the Magpies.

Bruno has to be seen as one of the most important figures for Newcastle to keep hold of, considering he is entering his peak years, unlike Trippier and Wilson, for example.

Granted, the 26-year-old hasn't necessarily had his best season in 2023/24, with Howe's side finding things tough in general, but he has still chipped in with four goals and six assists in the Premier League. Alan Shearer has lauded him, too, with the Magpies legend saying of him on Match of the Day last season:

“He was superb. The way he handles that ball under pressure and is able to ping that ball into the forward players, he’s so comfortable on the ball, particularly if you give him this amount of space. His weight of pass was superb and the way he controlled that midfield. They got into so many good areas because of his ability, he never looks flustered and [always] looks in control of the ball – he never panics."
Retaining Bruno's services could feel as important as any new signing this summer, and the hope is that he sees his future at Newcastle for as many years as possible.

"Genius" manager considering Newcastle move after offer presented by agent

He recently left his last position.

By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 20, 2024

Glasgow Rangers saw their Premiership title ambitions take a damaging hit on Wednesday evening at Dens Park.

The 0-0 draw against Dundee was the third attempt of the game finally being played following two prior postponements, but the Light Blues lacked any sort of intensity or hunger to make up for their woeful defeat to Ross County last weekend.

Philippe Clement’s men have come unstuck at the worst possible time as they now trail Celtic by three points after failing to win their game in hand against Dundee.

League duty takes a back seat for the Light Blues as a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts awaits on Sunday. Lose that, however, and the campaign will be all but over.

There must be some sweeping changes ahead of the clash against Hearts, especially with some of the performances by the senior players in midweek, who let both the club and the manager down when it mattered most.

James Tavernier and John Lundstram were poor, yet it was Connor Goldson who endured yet another dismal performance at the heart of the defence.

Connor Goldson’s game in numbers vs Dundee

The centre-back had featured in the previous two games which saw the Gers concede six goals and fail to win against both Celtic and Ross County, with his influence continuing to deteriorate.

Leon Balogun was ill for the clash against the Dens Park side, so Goldson was once again chosen in the starting XI by Clement. While a clean sheet was kept for the first time in the top flight since a 5-0 win over Hearts at the end of February, Goldson’s lack of intensity or desire was worrying.

The Englishman may have won 13 of his 15 total contested duels during the match, but his distribution was poor yet again.

Not only did he complete just six of his 11 long ball attempts, but throughout the game, Goldson completed just 53 of his 69 passes – a success rate of just 77% – as he looked sloppy on the ball.

Indeed, the defender managed to lose possession 16 times and considering he took 77 touches in the 90 minutes, this works out as him losing the ball once every 4.8 touches, further evidence of another poor showing.

Journalist Lewis Anderson from Glasgow World gave him a rating of 5/10 for his display while stating that he looked ‘a tad shaky early on under pressure’ before claiming that Goldson ‘just doesn’t seem to be the player he was a few seasons ago at the moment’ – and it is hard to argue with any of that.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t just the 31-year-old who underperformed in Dundee on Wednesday evening, and it looks like Clement has a major job on his hands during the summer transfer window.

Thankfully, a few players are out of contract at the end of the season, which will see the club save around £90k-per-week on wages should all six depart Ibrox.

Kemar Roofe is one of the six and after his woeful showing against Dundee, he shouldn’t be near the starting XI again between now and the end of the campaign.

Kemar Roofe's performance against Dundee

The striker has endured his fair share of injury issues at Rangers, not just this season, but across his entire four-year stint, which has limited his impact.

Prior to the Dundee match, Roofe had played just 22 times for the first team in 2023/24, with only eight of them starts, scoring twice in the process.

The 31-year-old has missed 25 matches due to recurring injuries, yet he is taking home a staggering £26k-per-week for his efforts.

Deployed from the first whistle in midweek, Roofe completed just eight passes, lost possession eight times and managed just one shot, which was off target.

He did succeed with 100% of his dribble attempts and ground duels, but in terms of trying to make things happen in the final third, he lacked any sort of urgency.

Hooked after 56 minutes, the centre-forward was given a dismal 2/10 rating by Glasgow World, with Anderson stating that he was ‘dreadful’ having managed just one touch in the opposition box during his spell on the pitch.

Any hopes of a late burst of inspiration to steer the Gers to another league title have certainly been dashed after his latest display, and he will be a free agent in a matter of weeks.

Kemar Roofe’s Rangers statistics

His four-season spell in Glasgow has seen the player make just 100 appearances, missing a grand total of 96 games through a succession of injury issues.

Roofe has scored 38 goals and grabbed seven assists since arriving at Ibrox in the summer of 2020, managing to impress when it mattered most.

Who could forget his extra-time winner against Braga during the Europa League quarter-final clash in 2022? Or his stunning goal from the halfway line against Standard Liege in the midst of a monsoon during his first season.

Even last term, when suffering from countless knocks, he still netted an extra-time winner to knock Aberdeen out of the League Cup and secure a final spot for the Gers.

These moments have been fleeting, however, with his impact in his final couple of seasons being hampered by a body that has just accumulated too much scar tissue.

On his day, Roofe was arguably the finest centre-forward Rangers could call upon. He was smart, could drop deep and play out wide if required, whilst also having the knack for scoring incredible goals.

With his contract expiring this summer, it is time for both Roofe and Rangers to part ways and, if he can get himself fit, there is no doubt he will find himself another club sooner rather than later.

Off the back of his showing against Dundee, however, Clement must avoid unleashing him again during the remaining matches, as he was non-existent at Dens Park.

It would be a shame if this is how things ended, but the Belgian coach must be ruthless if he wants to drag the Light Blues back into a title battle.

Clement must now ditch 5/10 man who may have cost Rangers the title

Rangers dropped more points in the Premiership title race

By
Ross Kilvington

Apr 18, 2024

Eddie Howe admitted it is "difficult" at Newcastle but assured the Magpies that he is looking forward to a "long reign" amid England job links.

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• Newcastle were subdued in the market
• Howe has had his "hands off" from transfer dealings
• Yet he has no qualms about continuing at St. James'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Howe has been a subject of speculation regarding the England's national team manager position after Gareth Southgate stepped down following an agonising defeat in the European Championship final. However, Howe has always been quick to dismiss these rumours, emphasising that his commitment lies solely with Newcastle United.

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  However, Newcastle have undergone notable changes at the boardroom level that might have impacted Howe's role at the club. Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, who had a strong working relationship with Howe, left after selling their stake. Their departure saw the arrival of Paul Mitchell as the new sporting director, with Darren Eales stepping in as CEO to take the lead in the club's operations. These changes have brought about a shift in how the club operates and Howe admitted that this summer's transfer window was the most "hands-off" experience he has had since taking charge of Newcastle in November 2021.

• WHAT HOWE SAID

  “You have to understand that in the majority of the other windows the whole structure of the club has been different so that is not necessarily a criticism of the structure we have now,” Howe said.

  “There are different personalities and there’s a different way of working now. Yes, it probably has been the most hands off I’ve been, but that’s not necessarily a negative. It’s just a different way of working.”

  When asked about his future at Newcastle, Howe provided a candid response.

  “It’s difficult to ever – and this isn’t a loaded answer, by the way – give any reassurance on anything in football, but I absolutely love being Newcastle manager," he said. "I’m very, very proud to do it. “No part of me is thinking anything other than trying to beat Tottenham and looking, hopefully, to a long reign here.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Newcastle experienced a relatively quiet summer transfer window, with only a few additions to the squad. The Magpies secured Lewis Hall on a permanent deal from Chelsea, marking the most significant acquisition of the summer. Additionally, the club signed two outfield players: Lloyd Kelly, who joined on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth, and Will Osula, who was signed for £15 million ($20m) from Sheffield United. The other recruits included goalkeepers John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos.

A trophy-winning manager has been given an "important incentive" to join West Ham United and replace David Moyes, coming after "recurring conversations" behind-the-scenes.

Moyes contract expiring as West Ham work on finding successor

The 60-year-old's time in east London appears to be coming to an end, despite no official announcement being made yet.

West Ham prepare contract offer for league-winning boss as they ready talks

The Hammers are seeking a replacement for David Moyes.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 2, 2024

Widespread reports from reliable media sources in the last two weeks have claimed that Moyes is set to depart West Ham when his contract expires on June 30, with technical director Tim Steidten doing legwork on finding a successor for the tactician.

Thomas Tuchel is one of the big name managers attracting West Ham interest, alongside the likes of Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui, Lille's Paulo Fonseca and World Cup-winning coach Hansi Flick.

During Moyes' second stint at West Ham, the Scotsman has guided them to a Europa Conference League triumph and sealed European qualification in each of his full campaigns in charge before this season.

However, supporters have grown concerned with West Ham's style of play under Moyes, and the club flirted with relegation for much of 2022/2023 despite their successes in Europe. Moyes has come close to the West Ham sack on a couple of occasions, but now might be the time he departs in what will be a very mixed farewell for a few fans – though he should be remembered as one of their most successful coaches in recent history and a legend in his own right.

The task for Steidten and chairman David Sullivan is following Moyes' up with the right man, which is no easy task. West Ham have been in talks with Lopetegui recently, with Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness) sharing an update on the situation.

Lopetegui given "important incentive" to join West Ham after talks

The 57-year-old has won a Europa League with Sevilla, and even briefly managed Real Madrid after quitting the Spain national team. He's taken up some prestigious posts, alongside having Premier League experience with Wolves, which makes him quite an enticing candidate.

This week, Mundo share that Lopetegui has been given an "important incentive" to join West Ham, coming after "recurring conversations" between the club and tactician.

His desire to manage in the Premier League comes as this crucial draw, and it could put West Ham above the likes of AC Milan, who've already showed an interest in hiring him. It's added that the Hammers have been working on Lopetegui's potential appointment "for months".

Lopetegui has his plus points, and he's highly rated by Man City boss Pep Guardiola, who called him "exceptional".

Arsenal and Liverpool-linked Viktor Gyokeres admits his €100 million release clause is a “bit too much”, but he may end up in the Premier League.

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• Swede starred in England for Coventry
• Enjoyed stunning debut season in Portugal
• Wants to test himself at the highest level

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The prolific Sweden international spent three seasons in England with Swansea and Coventry before heading to Portuguese giants Sporting in the summer of 2023. He hit 43 goals through 50 appearances during his debut campaign in Lisbon.

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  Those exploits are said to have seen the 26-year-old frontman register on recruitment radars at Emirates Stadium, Anfield and Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea another of his many suitors. No deal was done in the last window, but Gyokeres is looking forward to seeing what happens in the next.

• WHAT GYOKERES SAID

  He has told when asked about his present and future, with suitors needing to find €100m (£84m/$111m) in order to get a deal done: “They (Sporting) wanted most of the starting players to stay and held us tight. That’s how it turned out, but I enjoy Sporting very much, so for me it was no problem to stay. Of course you want to play at the highest level. It (release clause) was probably a bit too much because nothing came of it. Of course, it’s a lot of money. But we’ll see what happens next window… I enjoy myself very much in Sporting and can’t complain about anything, so it’s absolutely no problem for me to stay. Of course, you aim to test other leagues and a higher level, but I have no stress.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Gyokeres is under contract until 2028, so Sporting are under no pressure to sell and his asking price will not be dropping any time soon. He has already registered a further seven goals through five appearances in the 2024-25 campaign, as stunning individual standards are maintained.

As the summer transfer window approaches, Newcastle United have turned their attention towards reinforcements for Eddie Howe, even if it means looking past their manager's reported preference.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies look set to get off to a strong start this summer, with a deal to sign Lloyd Kelly reportedly agreed and a similar deal for fellow free agent Tosin Adarabioyo hopefully lined up. The defensive duo would help put an end to Newcastle's depth problems within their backline, with both Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman out injured.

Their injuries aren't the only ones that Howe has been left to deal with, however, with Nick Pope missing the majority of the season. Forced to fall back on 35-year-old Martin Dubravka, there has been an undeniable drop off in quality despite the goalkeeper's best efforts at times. It is a drop-off that those at St James' Park must put an end to, especially now that Pope is now 32 years old himself.

Howe could ease striker woes by relocating Newcastle's "phenomenal" ace

The club travel to Old Trafford looking to pounce on the hosts’ poor form.

By
Ethan Lamb

May 15, 2024

In need of a long-term solution, reports suggest that Howe wants to bring Aaron Ramsdale to the club to put an end to his Arsenal nightmare and eventually replace Pope. But PIF have another idea.

According to Nacho Sanchis via Sport Witness, PIF and Newcastle have made contact to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia this summer, having sent scouts to watch the goalkeeper as he kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano last weekend.

Whilst going over Howe's head is an interesting decision, Mamardashvili has shown more than enough potential to eventually prove Newcastle chiefs right and hand their manager the long-term solution he needs.

"Fantastic" Mamardashvili is a better option than Ramsdale

Not only is Mamardashvili three years younger than Ramsdale, but after spending the season as Valencia's number one, he is far more primed to step into the starting role at Newcastle. Ramsdale, meanwhile, finds himself at a crossroads that the Magpies may be best served avoiding in this summer's transfer window.

The Valencia shot-stopper has certainly earned plenty of fans this season too, including Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who described Mamardashvili's season as "fantastic" on X.

Now it is Newcastle who could benefit, as PIF look to ignore Howe's Ramsdale preference in favour of the La Liga star this summer.

Sophie Ingle has become the third Chelsea player to sustain an ACL injury this year, after both Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel.

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• Kerr injured in January, Fishel in February
• Now Ingle is out
• Chelsea start season in four days

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ingle sustained an ACL injury during a friendly against Feyenoord on September 7th. She came off the bench at half-time and was forced off in the 74th minute. She follows Kerr and Fishel in sustaining the same injury.

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  Ingle has been asssessed by Chelsea's medical staff and now faces surgery and an extended period on the sidelines. It is a major blow for the Blues, who kick off their season in just four days against Aston Villa.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Ingle is the Women's Super League's all-time record appearance holder, with 192 to her name. She is also a Wales international with 139 caps but now faces a significant race against time to be fit for Euro 2025, which Wales could still qualify for.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Chelsea play Villa in just four days and must find a way to account for Ingle's absence. They are the defending WSL champions.

West Ham United have yet to announce Julen Lopetegui as David Moyes' successor but the Spanish manager's arrival is a formality at this stage, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the deal.

It is likely that West Ham have refrained from releasing an official announcement in the build-up to Sunday's culminating Premier League fixture away to Manchester City, which will see Moyes wave goodbye to the Irons following his trophy-winning tenure.

For his part, Lopetegui has already discussed summer transfer plans and the like with Hammers directors Tim Steidten and Mark Noble, and while several outgoings are to be expected, the pursuit of new players is well and truly underway.

West Ham eyeing new striker

Signing a striker was always going to be a priority at the London Stadium this summer. Danny Ings has failed to impress and has been transfer-listed for just £6.5m, while veteran Michail Antonio is out of contract in one month.

As such, a host of potentials have been linked, with Brentford's Ivan Toney the highest-profile name. However, there's a remote chance of that one happening with no European football next year and Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also known suitors.

As such, there might be weight to rumours that West Ham are interested in signing S.C. Brage centre-forward Simon Banza, who – according to Calciomercato – is on the club's radar heading into the off-season.

Banza's Portuguese outfit have placed a €40m (£34m) price tag on his signature, which is steep, but he's proving himself to be a menacing striker with a deadly eye for goal.

Why Simon Banza is perfect for West Ham

Antonio is a singular threat in that he's not the most clinical of goalscorers but his brutish bearing on the pitch provides West Ham with an imposing and effective focal point. He has been described as a "monster" by journalist Paul Brown.

A ferocious vessel, he ranks among the top 14% of centre-forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 13% for successful take-ons per 90 – as per FBref – despite approaching his professional twilight at 34 years old.

Why is this being discussed? Well, Banza's skill set would make him a suitable replacement for a forward such as Antonio while bringing a sharpened finishing ability too.

He's playing at an inferior level than that of England's top flight but Banza has been hailed for his "magnificent" performances by Braga official Alexandre Carvalho, having been surpassed only by Sporting Lisbon's red-hot sensation Viktor Gyokeres in the scoring charts.

Boasting the best minute-per-goal rate of any player in Portugal's top flight this season, Banza, 27 years old, has showcased his predatory ability wonderfully, taking 3.3 shots per game and only missing 13 big chances, as per Sofascore.

Antonio, in comparison, has scored six Premier League goals from 25 league fixtures in 2023/24, missing as many big chances. This is not a bad return but highlights the improvement that could be made by welcoming Banza to the fold.

The eight-cap Democratic Republic of Congo international failed to score during his outfit's Champions League campaign this season but he did provide an assist against Real Madrid during a 2-1 group phase defeat at the Braga Municipal Stadium, then scoring in both legs of his side's Europa League final 32 loss against Qarabag.

Banza's return of 23 goals from only 30 starting appearances in all competitions this season suggests that he has what it takes to succeed at an ambitious club such as West Ham, especially given that he would be supplied with creative support by the likes of Jarrod Bowen, James Ward-Prowse and the replacement for Lucas Paqueta, who is expected to leave the club this summer.

Further supporting his case, the towering 6 foot 2 striker has actually outfired West Ham's top scorer – Bowen – this season. The Three Lions ace has bagged 20 goals from 44 fixtures and has been dubbed "unplayable" by Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

Banza too offers skills that would be hard to repel for defenders on Premier League soil, with one scout report stating: 'Banza is one of the most difficult strikers to defend in Portugal due to his tall frame, movement, and strength – he always looks to target opposition defenders and wreak havoc – and despite his 6 ft 2 frame, he is surprisingly mobile in his style of play, acting often as a brilliant facilitator.'

But, of course, it is his stunning rate of scoring that may yet win Lopetegui and co over, ranking among the top 1% of forwards across divisions similar to the Portuguese Primeira Liga for goals scored and the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.

The tough, tenacious forward might just prove himself to be the perfect successor to Antonio's place in the West Ham squad, and while it would be something of a risk for Lopetegui's early-stage project, Banza has demonstrated himself to be a natural finisher and he would raise his game, surrounded by high-level peers such as Bowen.

£50k-p/w West Ham man to follow Moyes out exit door after losing his place

He could be on his way out alongside the manager who signed him.

By
Ben Browning

May 13, 2024

Former U.S. men's national team coach Gregg Berhalter is reportedly a finalist for a job with the Chicago Fire

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• Berhalter candidate for Fire role
• Also linked with San Jose
• Chicago second-to-last in East

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Gregg Berhalter departed the USMNT this summer following an early Copa America exit, ending his stint in charge of the national team on a low note. It doesn't appear he'll be out of a job for long, though, as several MLS clubs seem interested in bringing him into the fold.

  After reports linked Berhalter to the San Jose Earthquakes job earlier this week, GiveMeSport reported on Thursday that Berhalter is a finalist for the Chicago Fire's sporting director vacancy. The club is reportedly considering the prospect of also naming Berhalter as head coach, although current boss Frank Klopas would be expected to remain at the club in that scenario.

  Berhalter is reportedly considering his options as he decides whether to return to MLS or go for a job in Europe.

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  The move would be a logical one for Berhalter, whose family is already based in Chicago due to his time with U.S. Soccer. The Fire are also a sleeping giant that, for years, has struggled to be awakened, and Berhalter could be the guy to try and change that.

  He could also hold out for Europe. Following the 2022 World Cup, there was reported interest from overseas, particularly due to the USMNT's tactical success against England. Much has changed in the two years since, obviously, but Berhalter could very well have his suitors overseas.

  Either way, Berhalter is a man in demand as he looks set to start his post-USMNT career in the future.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Prior to taking over as USMNT coach, Berhalter found success in charge of the Columbus Crew. Under Berhalter, the Crew went to the playoffs four times in five seasons, reaching the MLS Cup final in 2015, where they fell to the Portland Timbers. He also previously managed Swedish club Hammarby, becoming the first American-born manager to coach a team in Europe.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR THE CHICAGO FIRE?

  Currently second-to-last in the East, the Fire are technically still alive in the MLS playoff race with three games remaining, but will need to win all three with lots of help. Up first is Saturday's match at home against Toronto before clashes with Charlotte FC and Nashville SC to close the season.

Despite showing clear signs of progress and improvement towards the latter end of the campaign, Mauricio Pochettino was no longer deemed the right man to take charge of Chelsea.

Todd Boehly’s decision was somewhat of a shock considering the form shown by the Blues as of late, but ultimately he thought change was needed.

That change is in the form of Enzo Maresca, who’s set to become Chelsea boss until 2029, after helping Leicester City win the Championship title.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a defensive target who could come in as a replacement for Thiago Silva.

Chelsea eyeing Thiago Silva replacement

After spending nearly four years at Stamford Bridge, Silva’s time as a Blue will come to an end this summer.

The Brazilian’s contract will expire, and he’s already secured himself a move back to his own country, joining Fluminense on a free transfer.

Because of this, a spot has opened up in the Chelsea backline that they could look to fill with Jules Kounde, according to a report from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.

It’s mentioned that the French defender is being looked at as an alternative to Barcelona teammate, Ronald Araujo.

Although a fee isn’t stated, it’s said that the Spanish side will have no choice but to sell some individuals this summer, which could give Chelsea an advantage over Kounde’s signature.

Why Kounde would be perfect for Maresca

It’s no surprise to see that plenty of top right-sided centre-halves have been linked to Chelsea recently, including Tosin Adarabioyo, given the arrival of Maresca.

This particular position in the 44-year-old’s side must have a certain profile for his system to work, due to the right-back coming into midfield during the build-up phase, as shown by Ricardo Pereira's positioning in the clip below.

Therefore, if the opposition does steal the ball and launch a transition, the right-centre back must be able to defend with a dynamic approach, as they’ll often find themselves in 1v1 scenarios.

For this reason alone, Kounde would be the perfect fit for Maresca, with the statistics below serving as evidence for that.

As you can see, Kounde is exactly the type of player that would thrive in the Italian’s setup, due to his ability to impact the game in possession and also add defensive security, while also being a like-for-like swap for Silva.

The 25-year-old is a solid defender who wins the majority of his duels, is rarely dribbled past, and can read the game brilliantly, as shown by his balls recovered stat. It's not a surprise, therefore, to see him described by former Barcelona manager Xavi as "one of the best defenders in the world."

Yet, it’s what he brings from an on-the-ball standpoint that makes him such a fantastic player, making 65.3 passes with an accuracy of 91% and taking 89 touches.

This would be absolutely perfect in a possession-based approach like Maresca’s, who will need his backline to be comfortable on the ball, even inside their own box.

On top of that, the former Sevilla ace can operate as a right-back and a centre-back, meaning that he already has the experience of playing in similar zones to what he’d be in at Chelsea.

Overall, there are so many benefits to signing a player like Kounde, and his profile makes him almost tailor-made to thrive under Maresca.

No Jackson, £226m trio sign: Enzo Maresca's dream lineup at Chelsea

Chelsea are set for a busy summer with plenty of signings expected.

By
Tom Lever

May 29, 2024