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With the beginning of the new Premier League campaign now just one week away, Kevin Thelwell and Everton have the chance to hijack an already agreed deal to sign his top striker target.

Everton transfer news

The Toffees have done well to improve Sean Dyche's side this summer even without a solution to their ownership problems. They've managed to sign the likes of Iliman Ndiaye, Jake O'Brien and Jesper Lindstrom, who scored a stunning free kick on his unofficial debut in a recent friendly against Preston North End.

Whilst welcoming the impressive trio too, those at Goodison Park have so far managed to keep hold of Jarrad Branthwaite, losing Amadou Onana to Aston Villa but standing firm when it comes to their rising star.

Their transfer window may not be done there, either. Recent reports have linked the Merseyside club to more attacking reinforcements. The likes of Armando Broja have been mentioned, with his future likely to be away from Chelsea, but is may be another option in London who emerges to hand Sean Dyche an offensive boost this month.

According to Sebastien Vidal, director of football Thelwell has expressed his admiration for Eddie Nketiah and is the one pushing Everton's pursuit of the Englishman. The Arsenal forward, who earns a reported £100,000-a-week in North London, has agreed to join Marseille in a loan-to-buy deal that would eventually cost €30m (£26m), as per David Ornstein.

However, despite both Arsenal and Nketiah himself agreeing to the move, the Ligue 1 club have yet to go ahead with it, with the "ball now in Marseille's court" according to Ornstein.

Everton swap deal to get rid of Beto for "lethal" forward may take off soon

The Toffees could finally get their man…

ByTom Cunningham Aug 7, 2024

It must be said that, given their financial concerns, it remains to be seen whether Everton are even in a position to seal such a deal this month. Splashing out £26m in itself could be a stumbling block and that's before even mentioning Nketiah's hefty wages. But with Marseille stalling, the opportunity to hijack is there if Thelwell pushes the club to go after his top target, who is currently waiting in limbo after Arsenal sanctioned his exit.

"Terrific" Nketiah needs Everton move

Even throughout Gabriel Jesus' injury struggles and disappointing form last season, Nketiah never quite looked like the out-and-out number nine at Arsenal. He never seemed to be viewed as the solution to the Gunners' striker problems and, with that, should head for the exit door and Everton this summer. At 25 years old, he should be at the top of his game too, making weekly starts crucial.

Nketiah is no longer the fresh-faced forward in the Premier League, either. This is a player with a fair amount of experience, who has shown glimpses of his ability in front of goal, scoring five goals in 10 league starts last season.

Earning the praise of Mikel Arteta as a result, the Arsenal boss said via Football London: "When you see Eddie training the way he trains, he doesn’t even need to play. You know you have a player there who is going to help you and he’s done that – look at his numbers with the amount of games he’s played. It’s terrific."

A consistent opportunity at Everton should only increase his output, but first Nketiah must hope that those at Goodison Park decide to match his price tag and potential wage demands.

حقق فريق الاتحاد السكندري فوزًا صعبًا على الإسماعيلي، في المباراة التي جمعتهما اليوم الأحد، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، بهدف نظيف.

والتقى الاتحاد مع الاسماعيلي، ضمن منافسات الجولة العاشرة من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، على ملعب برج العرب بالأسكندرية.

طالع.. رسميًا | بتروجيت يعلن رحيل أحمد رضا

وسجل شكري نجيب لاعب الاتحاد الهدف الوحيد في اللقاء بالدقيقة 30 ليقود زعيم الثفر لفوز هام على الدروايش.

ورفع الاتحاد رصيده إلى 13 نقطة في المركز التاسع من جدول ترتيب مسابقة الدوري، بينما الإسماعيلي تجمد رصيده عند 12 نقطة في المركز العاشر.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي فريق الاتحاد السكندري مع نظيره بتروجيت في المباراة المقبلة، بينما سيواجه الإسماعيلي نظيره طلائع الجيش. هدف الاتحاد أمام الإسماعيلي في الدوري المصري

Manchester United are keen to re-sign Angel Gomes from Lille, per a new report, with the attacking midfielder considered a key transfer target.

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United believe Gomes can be key under AmorimPlaymaker sold to Ligue 1 outfit Lille in 2020Has since become an England internationalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per , United are keen on bringing Gomes back to Old Trafford, having sold him to Lille in 2020. The club's recruitment staff are said to believe that the playmaker can become integral to new manager Ruben Amorim, who is a long-term admirer of the 24-year-old, although they may face competition from Tottenham.

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Gomes' contract expires at the end of the season, meaning that he can discuss pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs from January, and United believe they can lure him back with the promise of becoming Casemiro's long-term replacement in midfield. That he would cost nothing is, of course, likely to be a motivating factor, and Gomes has previously admitted he would find it "difficult" to say no to a return.

DID YOU KNOW?

Gomes only made 10 first-team appearances for United prior to his move to Lille, but he has gone on to become a star in France, making 129 appearances and becoming an England international under interim head coach Lee Carsley.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Gomes will next be in action when Lille face Rennes on Sunday. The club are currently fourth in Ligue 1.

Soon-to-be Chelsea wonderkid 'Messinho' reached yet another landmark in Brazil with his latest goal for Palmeiras.

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Estevao Willian reaches another landmark Scored in Palmeiras' draw against FortalezaBecame Brazilian Serie A's joint-highest goalscorerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Estevao Willian was on target for Palmeiras in their 2-2 draw with Fortaleza in a Brazilian Serie A clash on Sunday. The youngster converted a spot-kick that eventually earned his team an important point as he reached yet another landmark in Brazil football. With his 11th goal of the season, the 18-year-old equalled Flamengo's Pedro's tally to become the league's joint-highest goalscorer. The youngster is also the league's highest assist provider with eight to his name in the 2024-25 campaign.

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Premier League giants Chelsea have an agreement in place that will see the teenage sensation move to west London in July 2025 – shortly after his 18th birthday. The transfer is likely to be worth as much as £56 million ($73m). Earlier this month, he eclipsed Neymar to become the most prolific 17-year-old in the league's history as he reached 17 goal contributions. Until then, the Al-Hilal star held the record of 16 goals and assists which he posted for Santos in 2009.

DID YOU KNOW?

Messinho's brilliant start to the new season has already earned him two national team caps for the Selecao as he made his international debut in September against Ecuador in a 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying game.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ESTEVAO WILLIAN?

The player will be next seen in action for Palmeiras on November 5 as the Brazilian giants take on Corinthians in a crucial Serie A clash. He has an opportunity to become the highest scorer in the league as Pedro is currently out injured and is likely to miss the remainder of the season.

West Bromwich Albion fans won't be counting down the days remaining in June with any joy, knowing that Cedric Kipre is heading out of the exit door for nothing unless something major happens.

Reports even suggest that Ipswich Town are looking at the forceful Baggies centre-back now, with supporters anxious about the futures of various other first-teamers away from just Kipre, with Alex Mowatt and Kyle Bartley also potential departees as well.

This worry about losing a load of Baggies personnel for free isn't just reserved for those who played week in week out under Carlos Corberan last campaign, however, with concerns beginning to mount over the future of this young gem at the Hawthorns too.

Ethan Ingram's future at West Brom

Recent reports seem to suggest that promising West Brom defender Ethan Ingram could be following Kipre out of the building soon, having been offered a new deal in similar circumstances to the ex-Wigan Athletic man, but could now be contemplating his other options.

The 21-year-old has been attracting interest from various suitors trying to tempt him away from staying in the West Midlands, as per football journalist Lewis Cox, with options in League One and even in Scotland reportedly on the table.

Fresh off a promising loan stint with Salford City in League Two last campaign, the former England U20 international could now be weighing up where he will get the most first-team minutes this season to come, having only made three senior appearances for West Brom to date.

West Brom could live to regret not attempting to tie down Ingram with more ferocity if he does end up leaving, with Ingram even described as being "outstanding" by former Salford manager Neil Wood when playing in League Two, with this decision potentially stinging them as much as Kipre's exit down the line.

Ingram's numbers at Salford

It does feel like a missed opportunity on the Championship club's end to not try and convince Ingram to stay by giving him more minutes in the senior mix soon, with the 21-year-old accumulating 82 appearances for both the U18s and U21s, picking up an impressive ten assists along the way.

Ingram's short but sweet stint with the Ammies also saw him explode into life in certain games dropping down a few divisions, scoring his first-ever professional goal for the Greater Manchester outfit as a lively, attack-minded full-back.

Bombing forward unchallenged to then slot home coolly, as can be seen watching the highlights above, the ex-Salford number two must have been dreaming about more opportunities at West Brom off-the-back of this formative loan experience, but has clearly realised – upon arriving back to the Hawthorns – that he isn't going to immediately dethrone the likes of Darnell Furlong soon.

But, with recent speculative talk that Furlong could even be sold on this summer, it feels a shame that Ingram looks unlikely to stay anchored at West Brom, as the squad depth begins to look thinner and thinner for Corberan.

The above table will make for very worrying reading from a West Brom perspective, as Corberan looks to have his work cut out to try and spearhead another promotion push from the dug-out.

Ingram could come back to haunt his current employers if he does leave, as the unsettling feeling in the air at the Hawthorns shows no signs of being sorted out soon, with as many as ten major players now leaving for nothing.

West Brom hit gold signing gem who's worth more than both Mowatt & Kipre

West Bromwich Albion will be more hopeful that this gem will line up for the Baggies next season.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 23, 2024

There’s no two ways about it; if Cole Palmer can continue to perform like he did last season, he will go down as one of the best buys in Chelsea’s recent history.

The former Manchester City ace arrived for just £40m, and his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge was simply sensational.

Across just 29 Premier League starts, the versatile forward scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists, the most goal contributions in the entire division.

However, there’s the potential for him to go to the next level during the 2024/25 campaign, especially if the Blues are able to sign one particular target.

Chelsea want to sign a new striker

According to a report from Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Chelsea are ‘seriously interested’ in signing Jonathan David.

It’s said that in the past few days, the Blues have made their first move towards signing the player, having enquired about the Canadian centre forward from Lille.

The 24-year-old has just one year left on his current deal at the French side, and as of right now, he can be snapped up for a bargain price of £17m-£21m.

However, due to him being great value for money, Chelsea will face competition from other Premier League clubs, such as West Ham United and Manchester United.

Why Cole Palmer would love Jonathan David

In all honesty, David is a player who doesn’t seem to get the plaudits he deserves, as his record over the past few seasons has been incredible.

The Canadian striker was the star of Lille once again last term, leading the line in a side that likes to dominate possession – averaging 57% of the ball in Ligue 1.

His record in the French top division was particularly impressive, scoring 19 goals and providing four assists in 30 starts, which is a remarkable record.

Only Kylian Mbappe netted more than him in the league, which just highlights the calibre of player he’s putting up similar numbers to.

Goals

0.65

0.45

xG

0.60

0.60

Shots

2.60

2.57

Shots/goal

0.22

0.18

Key passes

1.10

1.22

Progressive passes

2.70

2.15

As you can see, David is the definition of a true number nine: a player whose only interest and main goal is to put the ball in the back of the net.

When compared to current first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson, for example, the former KAA Gent prospect is much more dangerous in front of goal, as simply displayed via his goals per 90 minutes.

Last season, the Senegal striker proved to be rather wasteful in front of goal at times, squandering plenty of golden opportunities, hence his poor xG-to-goal ratio.

However, that will no longer be the case for David, as he overperformed his xG last season, which is just one reason why Palmer will love him.

Having a clinical striker in the side can truly take a team to the next level, and David could have a similar influence on Chelsea’s number 20, who created 17 big chances but only registered 11 assists.

This proves that poor finishing on the end of his creativity prevented him from increasing his output, and having a “world-class” finisher – as dubbed by journalist Manuel Veth – to aim for in the box would see him become even more dangerous.

Overall, David is an elite centre-forward who has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League, and given his cheap fee, Chelsea simply have to move for him this summer.

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

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

ByTom Lever May 29, 2024

When the first ball is kicked to start Ipswich Town's mission to stay up in the Premier League next season, this will be the first time the Tractor Boys have tasted football in the elite division since the close of the 2001/02 campaign.

George Burley was the iconic manager in the dug-out at the time, managing to steer the Suffolk-based side to fifth in the Premier League standings before relegation occured, and the new top-flight outfit will hope Kieran McKenna can be their next legendary boss in the top league akin to the Scotsman if he doesn't walk away in the off-season unexpectedly.

Ipswich won't go through a whole host of players in the summer you imagine, having stuck by their successful model in League One moving up to the Championship, with Luke Woolfenden raring to go and succeed again having been in and around the Portman Road ranks since 2017.

The 25-year-old, who would have been just three years of age when Ipswich were last positioned in the top-flight, has been there through all the recent ups and downs in Suffolk before the surreal success story got underway and continues to go from strength to strength with two promotions in his back pocket now under McKenna's guidance.

Luke Woolfenden's rise at Ipswich

Given his first-team debut by divisive ex-Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy back in 2017, Woolfenden's rise has been a slow and gruelling one from his perspective.

The homegrown centre-back would only make five first-team appearances during his first two full campaigns pulling on a Tractor Boys jersey, before starting to leave an impression on the men's team during Ipswich's collapse all the way down to League One.

Woolfenden is the only surviving member of the XI from his debut clash now, going on to become a main first-team presence during Ipswich's stint in the third tier.

It wouldn't be until McKenna's emergence onto the scene that his spot would become set in stone for good however, with 87 league appearances managed three seasons on the trot in the league before the ex-Manchester United man arrived, which has resulted in his transfer value skyrocketing – according to Football Transfers.

Now, the 25-year-old has only missed ten league games over the last two campaigns and will want to remain as important to the Ipswich cause for the foreseeable, even whilst the underdogs make the colossal leap up to the Premier League.

Woolfenden's season in numbers

The defenders at Portman Road have, arguably, not been given their moment in the spotlight this season with the full-throttle nature of McKenna's men going forward meaning the attackers will always steal the plaudits – with 92 goals scored in total across 46 games.

Still, the likes of Woolfenden and his frequent partner in the heart of defence, Cameron Burgess, have been equally as important, with the 25-year-old living up to his label as a "leader" by his manager which was given to him just this February before promotion was officially sealed.

Complementing each other well at the back, with Woolfenden the more measured operator on the ball – when looking at the table above – compared to the brute strength of his ex-Accrington Stanley teammate, the Ipswich Academy graduate will hope he can hack the step-up to the top-flight after excelling in the two divisions below.

The dependable Tractor Boys number six demonstrated his calmness under pressure on the final day against Huddersfield Town, picking up his 14th clean sheet of the season in the 2-0 win, whilst also only misplacing five of his 64 passes as his boyhood club pulled off the unthinkable to finally return to the Premier League.

He won't want to stop here though, eager to keep progressing at a club very much on the rise, after not feeling that secure about his future in Suffolk before McKenna's arrival onto the scene.

The 6 foot 4 warrior's transformative arc in becoming one of the first names on the Ipswich team sheet has coincided in his transfer value also going through the roof, with his valuation – at this current moment in time – making him worth three times more than Wes Burns, who has shone for the promotion-winners in his own right this season alongside Woolfenden.

Woolfenden's transfer value in 2024

Woolfenden actually boasts the tag of being the most valued asset in the jubilant Ipswich camp at the moment, according to Football Transfers, with his valuation sitting pretty at a handsome £7.2m.

To add further context to his hefty price tag, Woolfenden's defensive teammate in Leif Davis – despite picking up a monumental 21 assists from left-back – is worth nearly £3m less at £4.8m.

Burns also finds that his valuation pales into insignificance when glanced at side-by-side with the centre-back's, worth just £2.3m despite opening the scoring on the final day to calm any nerves that Ipswich might slip up against the Terriers.

The Welshman's ten goal contributions from 38 games overall this campaign shows off his importance in Ipswich moving up to the top-flight regardless of this low estimated value, but with his 30th birthday coming towards the end of the calendar year, he doesn't arguably have the same time on his side that Woolfenden has to blossom into an even better talent.

Once only valued in the £800k region back in 2020, Woolfenden will hope he doesn't crash back to reality when lining up to face the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City next season, and he can just continue riding this wave of success for as long as he possibly can.

Ipswich could hire "intense" 3-4-2-1 manager if McKenna leaves

Ipswich Town have manager targets in mind in case Kieran McKenna does surprisingly exit.

By
Kelan Sarson

May 21, 2024

With Raphael Varane set to leave Manchester United this summer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly turned his attention to landing a replacement for the Frenchman in a cut-price deal.

Man Utd transfer news

Varane confirmed the news that he would be leaving Manchester United at the end of the season following two years at Old Trafford. The Frenchman at least ended on a high, having started in the Red Devils' shock FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. Running out 2-1 winners, Varane bowed out in the best way possible.

Now, however, those at Old Trafford have turned their attention towards finding a replacement for the former Real Madrid star, with the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Antonio Silva already mentioned. Branthwaite, in particular, would be an interesting option given the season that he has just enjoyed at Everton as a clear standout. As the Toffees look to ease financial concerns too, United could swoop in.

Alas, Everton aren't the only club in need of funds. According to Charlie Gordon of the Daily Express, Sporting CP in Portugal need to raise money and Manchester United are considering a move for Ousmane Diomande in a deal that could be worth as little as £35m. What's more, with interest reportedly cooling elsewhere in the Premier League, Ratcliffe should be perfectly placed to land his Varane replacement.

Still just 20 years old and coming off the back of an excellent season in Portugal, Diomande could quickly prove to be the bargain of the summer if United make their move.

"Elite" Diomande can fill Varane void

Whilst Varane's time at Manchester United may go down as what might have been at some points after injury troubles, replacing a World Cup and Champions League winner is still no easy task, but signing Diomande would do exactly that. Described as "elite" by Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, the central defender can step into the Frenchman's role and more with a move to Old Trafford.

League stats per 90 23/24 (via FBref)

Ousmane Diomande

Raphael Varane

Starts

25

16

Progressive Carries

0.94

1.05

Progressive Passes

5.15

3.86

Tackles Won

1.02

0.72

Ball Recoveries

5.62

4.38

As Ratcliffe looks to finally transform Manchester United into a club capable of competing among the Premier League's very best, signings such as Diomande would go a long way.

The Sporting man ticks the box for his age, potential and current ability, which is particularly important when rebuilding Erik ten Hag's backline, given that Jonny Evans is 36 years old and Harry Maguire is 31. Only time will tell whether Diomande is the man that Ratcliffe turns toward, however, with a number of options linked with a summer move.

Manchester City being docked points 'across multiple seasons' has been proposed as a potential punishment in their 115 FFP charges case.

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• Man City hit with 115 FFP charges
• Rival teams want big punishment if found guilty
• Points deductions floated 'across multiple seasons'

• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ahead of Manchester City's court battle with the Premier League for allegedly breaching financial rules beginning on Monday, The Telegraph claims top-flight sides feel a single points deduction would be insufficient punishment if they are found guilty. Even if that points deduction were to lead to relegation to the Championship it would reportedly be deemed as not enough, with one 'senior figure' in football proposing points being docked across multiple campaigns to stop them from challenging for trophies and rising straight back into the top-flight.

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  This case has been branded as City's 'Trial of the Century', with the hearing expected to last 10 weeks. The Cityzens were initially charged by the Premier League back in February 2023 but their alleged offences cover a period between 2009-18. In that time they won a host of Premier League crowns and other domestic trophies; so this case may throw their legacy into question. If they were relegated, stripped of titles, or not punished at all, it would send shockwaves around the footballing world.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The Telegraph claims the independent commission that is sitting in judgement on the case has no power to relegate City from the Premier League because it has no jurisdiction over the English Football League or National League. If City were found guilty and subsequently expelled from the Premier League, they would have to apply to enter the EFL – who would be under no obligation to make them a member.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While proceedings over this mammoth case will get underway this week, Pep Guardiola's men – who are trying to focus on footballing matters at present – are preparing for their Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Wednesday night.

Sunderland bowed out of the Championship season in typically flat fashion when casting an eye over how dismal their campaign had been, losing 2-0 to Sheffield Wednesday who celebrated survival whilst the Black Cats looked dejected.

Mike Dodds will exit knowing he couldn't turn around the sinking ship in the Sunderland hot seat in the end, with a new face now coming in the summer to try and pick up the pieces and lift up the Wearside outfit from off the floor to push for promotion next season.

Many names are being linked with the second-tier club's vacancy now, including this manager who has just left his ex-employers to further open up the possibility he could finally come in as the new Sunderland boss.

Sunderland looking at newly sacked boss

Away from rumours circulating that Sunderland are looking at the likes of Rene Maric and Danny Rohl to replace Dodds – with the latter name inflicting that disappointing final-day defeat onto the Wearside outfit – the Black Cats are now actively going after another face who was in the running for the job back in December.

Departing Stade De Reims at the start of this month after things started to go sour, with three defeats on the spin in Ligue 1 closing out his time in France, Will Still is now the obvious frontrunner for the vacancy having been heavily linked before on top of now being conveniently unemployed.

TalkSPORT presenters David Kelly and Andy Brassell added fuel to the fire by stating that Still had been house-hunting in the Wearside era, so it feels like a matter of time now before the much-talked-about 31-year-old lands the Black Cats gig.

For players such as Adil Aouchiche, this potential appointment could prove to be a lifeline with the French midfielder excelling in the same division Still made a name for himself in before exiting abruptly.

It does, however, remain to be seen whether Still can get a tune out of the ex-Paris St. Germain man in the tough demands of the second tier, but the former Reims boss will fancy his chances at succeeding in England having overperformed in France to be in the running for the Sunderland job.

Why Still could benefit Aouchiche at Sunderland

Before a major move to the Stadium of Light, Aouchiche was a promising young prospect in Ligue 1 having performed excellently at Saint Etienne after leaving the Parc Des Princes behind.

Picking up two goals and ten assists from 77 games in the top French division for his former employers, Sunderland gambled on Aouchiche in a risky move that hasn't really paid off looking at his numbers this season.

Aouchiche only managed to pick up an unsatisfactory two goals and two assists from 28 Championship contests, with Still potentially the consistent presence the French attacking midfielder needs in the dug-out to come good and thrive in English football.

The 31-year-old could well be the breath of fresh air the entire stale Sunderland squad need to kick on and forget their dismal 16th-placed finish under Dodds, with the eccentric manager securing two 11th and 12th-place finishes for Reims in his two full campaigns as minnows for the division.

His standout time at Reims even saw football journalist Julien Laurens describe the Belgian as a "genius", with Sunderland now wanting a slice to see how he fares in the EFL.

Overseeing that positive 11th spot in the 2022/23 season with a squad coming in at an average age of just 23.4, switching between using attacking formations of a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3, Aouchiche could excel in this new set-up as an attacking midfielder if given time to gel and flourish alongside his equally exciting and young teammates.

Indeed, Still has proven he can get the most out of young players before, notably Folarin Balogun, who scored 16 in 29 under his wing at Reims. There is no certainty Aouchiche would rack up similar numbers, of course there isn't, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that the Sunderland managerial target knows how to extract top performances from young forwards.

Sunderland will know something bold is needed after the boring football served up by Dodds, with Still potentially the innovative face needed to start a new era afresh.