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Everton appear to be plotting a triple swoop early on in this summer’s transfer window that will delight Frank Lampard.

What’s the word?

That’s according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown, who spoke to GIVEMESPORT regarding Everton’s potential swoop for Chelsea trio Armando Broja, Conor Gallagher, and Levi Colwill this summer.

Speaking about their transfer activity, he said:

“All three are 100% on the radar, but Gallagher might be out of reach because I’m pretty sure he’s going to get a chance at Chelsea next season.”

Lampard will be buzzing

This news will certainly please the 44-year-old, as he aims to utilise his Chelsea connections in order to improve his squad which struggled majorly last season, just avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

Broja (£19.8m rated), Gallagher (£22.5m rated) and Colwill (£4.5m rated) would cost the club a pretty penny if they moved to Goodison during the transfer window, with their combined value totalling £46.8m, the money that Chelsea will expect is a lot higher.

Although it seems as though the move for Gallagher might be the least likely of the trio if Lampard manages to land both Broja and Colwill, it will be excellent business.

The 20-year-old striker has scored nine times last season, proving his worth in the Premier League with Southampton, and could be a great addition to an attack that clearly stagnated, with Richarlison the only Everton player to hit double figures all campaign (11).

The defence is also a massive issue for the Toffees, with the club conceding 66 goals in the league alone last season, the fifth-worst total. Colwill could be a cost-effective solution to the problem.

The 19-year-old shone at Huddersfield on loan last season as they lost the Championship playoff final to Nottingham Forest. He ranked fourth in the squad with a SofaScore rating of 6.97, while also winning 2.9 aerials per match, which would rank him second in the Everton squad.

Sealing a triple deal from Chelsea might be unrealistic despite their interest, but two out of three wouldn’t be bad.

AND in other news, Moshiri plots Everton bid for “dangerous” £72k-p/w “real talent”, he’s another Anthony Gordon…

A transfer update has emerged that may help Rangers to bring back one of their Ibrox loanees from the 2021/22 campaign… 

What’s the talk?

Journalist Fredrik A. Filtvedt has revealed that Amad Diallo may go back out on loan next season.

The attacker is not going to settle for a reserve role and would be willing to seal another temporary move away from Old Trafford, like the one he just had at Ibrox.

Filtvedt Tweeted: “Amad Diallo naturally wants playing time and is open for another loan. Has been in dialogue with Ten Hag, but nothing decided yet.”

Rangers’ own Riyad Mahrez

Ross Wilson can now land Rangers their own version of the Manchester City wizard by bringing the Ivorian back for a second spell, now that they know he would be interested in another loan spell away from his parent club.

England international Luke Shaw once compared him to the Algeria international – who scored 11 goals in 15 Premier League starts last term – as he hailed Amad’s talents, saying:

“He’s a wonderful talent and already a wonderful player so I’m sure fans are looking forward to seeing him on the pitch.

“It was interesting because Harry (Maguire) said to me the other day that he reminds him of Mahrez when he was at Leicester. Really quick, skilful, agility, can turn really quick, got great skills and I would agree with Harry – he does remind me of Mahrez.”

However, he was unable to showcase these qualities to the best of his abilities as he was trying to adapt to the rigours of Scottish football after joining midway through the campaign.

The £28k-per-week magician, who is a left-footed right-winger like Mahrez, managed three goals and zero assists in ten Premiership outings, with two of his strikes coming in his last three matches.

He only produced one goal contribution in his first seven league games but his end to the campaign suggests that he was starting to get to grips with the division. Along with his two goals in the last three matches, he created five chances and completed eight dribbles.

This shows that he was offering a threat in transition and was able to provide quality in both his finishing and his passing in the final third.

Now, imagine what he could do next season with this experience and a full pre-season behind him.

He can develop into Rangers’ own version of Mahrez – scoring and creating goals on his left foot from out wide – as Shaw and Maguire hinted at and that is why Wilson must pursue another loan move for the youngster.

AND in other news, Offer made: Major Rangers transfer development emerges that’ll leave Gvb buzzing…

Sky Sports injury expert Ben Dinnery has now given his reaction to some news that has now emerged on Everton right-back Nathan Patterson.

The Lowdown: Scotland return

Patterson made his return from injury on Wednesday night as Scotland beat Armenia 2-0 at home in their UEFA Nations League group.

He has only managed to play once for the Goodison Park outfit since his January move from Glasgow Rangers, in a second half of a season that was plagued by injuries.

The Latest: Dinnery reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, Dinnery has now given his reaction to the news of Patterson’s return, claiming that him playing games again is ‘massive’ ahead of the new campaign with the Merseyside club:

“Absolutely, it’ll be huge.

“Quite often, and especially at this sort of year, being in the gym and doing rehab – it can be a very lonely part of the job.

“Mentally and psychologically, it’s tough. The physical demands – you come to expect those, although it is Patterson’s first major injury and surgical intervention.

“Just to be back in that competitive environment and part of the squad gearing up for games will be massive.

“Even when you come across other squad members in the gym or getting your lunch – you never quite feel a part of it. You’re looking from the outside in.

“Returning at this point gets him in a really positive mindset.

“Being part of this Scotland squad will allow him to attack pre-season with a renewed confidence.”

The Verdict: Big boost

Of course, having Patterson out on the pitch again is not only a big boost for the Toffees, but for the player himself as well.

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The supporters will certainly want to see more of their new signing next term, and Frank Lampard could definitely give him more opportunities if he can stay fit.

Jonjoe Kenny has decided to move on from the Blues despite being offered fresh terms on his contract, while Seamus Coleman will be 34 in October, so Patterson should be able to get a consistent run of matches at right-back, which will help with his development.

In other news, find out which EFC ace David Moyes is now eyeing here!

Newcastle United chief Dan Ashworth is immediately plotting a bid to sign right-back Djed Spence…

What’s the talk?

According to Football.London, the Magpies are one of a number of teams interested in signing the Middlesbrough defender ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Ashworth joined Newcastle as sporting director earlier this week and this fresh claim suggests that Spence has emerged as one of his first targets.

The report claims that Borussia Dortmund, Nottingham Forest – with whom he spent the season just gone on loan – and Tottenham are among the other teams keen on a deal for the youngster.

It has previously been reported that the Championship club will demand a fee in the region of £20m for the full-back, although it remains to be seen if that is still the case.

Kieran Trippier 2.0

PIF brought in a quality English right-back in the previous transfer window as they signed Trippier from Atletico Madrid and Ashworth can now repeat that trick by landing Spence.

The 21-year-old is at the opposite end of his career to the former Spurs man but has the potential to get to the very top.

In the Championship, Spence played 42 matches as he helped Forest return to the Premier League via the play-offs, winning the final 1-0 last weekend. He showcased his attacking talent from right-back as he produced two goals and four assists, creating six ‘big chances’ in total.

His impressive performances caught the eye of former Premier League striker Ian Wright. He showered the gem with praise earlier this year, saying:

“If we are talking about right-backs performing at an unbelievable level, we’re talking about Reece James and Trent, but I have not seen a combative, technical, swashbuckling performance like that for a very long time. I said to him, in all seriousness, ‘That level we saw there? You should be in the Premier League.’ Simple as that.”

These quotes and his aforementioned attacking statistics suggest that he can provide a threat from full-back for the Magpies, much like Trippier did upon his arrival in January.

The ex-Atletico enforcer scored two goals and created 1.2 chances per game in five top-flight starts for the Toon, after registering six assists and creating seven ‘big chances’ in La Liga during the 2020/21 campaign.

He can contribute a great deal in the final third and Ashworth can land Newcastle the next Trippier by signing Spence.

At the age of 21, the Boro gem still has plenty to learn and he can develop by working with the current Magpies gem and taking in all of his experience, to ensure that he fulfils his potential and makes it at the top level.

AND in other news, NUFC plotting swoop for “hungry” £34m gem with a “bright future”, Howe would love him…

Journalist Xavi Jorquera Márquez of Cadena SER is adamant that Tottenham Hotspur have reached an ‘agreement’ over the permanent departure of midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.

The Lowdown: Lo Celso on the way?

As backed by reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano, Villarreal are interested in re-signing the Argentine on a permanent deal from the Premier League club after his brilliant spell on loan at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

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Lo Celso spent the second half of 2021/2022 on a temporary spell in La Liga under former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, thriving in their Champions League campaign in particular. Indeed, the South American averaged their second-most key passes and completed dribbles per 90 over six starts on their run to the semi-finals before being knocked out by Liverpool (WhoScored).

As such, the La Liga side are keen to snap him up indefinitely, with Marquez adamant that they have already agreed a fee with Tottenham.

The Latest: Marquez makes Lo Celso claim…

The reporter has said that, despite claims to the contrary, an ‘agreement’ between Spurs and Villarreal ‘exists’, with the fee ‘already’ discussed and specified.

He explained (via Twitter, translated from Spanish):

“Despite some, I still keep the same info.

The agreement between Villarreal and Tottenham exists and the amount has already been discussed and specified.

And I respect and always will respect the information of other journalists. that will never fail.”

The Verdict: Interesting…

Reiterating Marquez’s previous claim, Spurs have apparently agreed a deal in principle to sell Lo Celso for around €15m-€18m (£13m-£15m) plus bonuses.

Villarreal have also allegedly decided on the date of the announcement ‘if all goes well’, and as the Lilywhites seek to back Conte in the transfer market summer, it is also imperative that they make money through sales.

Paratici must balance the books, and managing to offload Lo Celso this early would come as a boost. This development may well be one to keep an eye upon over the coming weeks.

In other news: Paratici eyeing Spurs move for ‘sensational’ £75m man who Pep called ‘quality’…find out more here.

Manchester United have held internal discussions over a move for Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow, according to Samuel Luckhurst.

The Lowdown: Henderson to depart?

New United manager Erik ten Hag is set to be extremely busy over the coming months, and he could now be on the hunt for a new back-up goalkeeper to David de Gea.

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That’s because Dean Henderson may well be on the move to Newcastle, with reports in the week suggesting a transfer to St James’ Park was close.

Should Henderson depart, Ten Hag would be left with De Gea and Tom Heaton after Lee Grant announced his retirement on Thursday.

The Latest: Darlow links

Chief writer Luckhurst shared a story for the Manchester Evening News on Friday morning regarding United’s back-up ‘keeper targets.

He revealed that United are considering a move for Darlow after Newcastle suggested including the 31-year-old as part of a deal for Henderson.

Darlow, described as ‘terrific’ by Steve Bruce, is aware of discussions, with Watford’s Daniel Bachmann another player of interest to United chiefs.

The Verdict: Good move?

As back-up targets go, Darlow could be the ideal man to arrive at Old Trafford. He’s made 33 appearances across the past two Premier League campaigns, taking his tally in the top-flight to 52.

Older than De Gea by just one month, the 31-year-old stood in for Martin Dubravka during the early stages of the 2021/22 season. He was on the bench after Eddie Howe took over, so he could well be open to serving as second choice under Ten Hag.

Bringing him to the club as part of a transfer for Henderson would also give the United boss one less transfer headache as he looks to make some marquee additions.

In other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals Man Utd & Ten Hag eyeing another Dutch gem along with De Jong and Timber. 

Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has provided an update on the fitness of Patrick Bamford ahead of the final Premier League game of the season. 

The lowdown: Final day showdown

The Whites head into the last day of the 2021/22 campaign with their top-flight status on the line at Brentford.

As things stand Jesse Marsch’s side sit within the relegation zone in 18th position and must pick up a positive result in London and hope Burnley cannot match their outcome to avoid the drop.

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Ahead of the match and after what has been a gruelling season with injuries to key players, there has been some positive news…

The latest: Last-minute meeting

Having been present at Thorp Arch for Marsch’s final press conference of the campaign, Hay relayed the important pre-match fitness news surrounding Bamford on Twitter, as the player is set to hold a meeting on Saturday to make a last-minute decision.

He shared the manager’s comments: “In training he’s looked quite good. He feels very different to how he did six weeks ago.”

The Athletic journalist added: “At the moment, Marsch feels like using Bamford wouldn’t be a risk to him. But they’ll have another meeting about it tomorrow (Saturday).”

The verdict: Welcome boost

Adding Bamford – who was praised in 2020 for his ‘superb’ form by talkSPORT pundit Darren Bent – to the match-day squad for this crucial match is an undoubted and much needed positive for Leeds as the Yorkshire giants attempt to get out of their plight at the last possible opportunity.

Last term, the 28-year-old netted 17 goals and provided eight assists whilst appearing in all 38 Premier League games. Compare that to this season, where the England striker has only managed five direct goal contributions in ten senior appearances across all competitions, and it’s not hard to understand the side’s struggles in front of goal.

After missing the last seven fixtures through a foot injury it seems unlikely Bamford will be called upon from the outset by Marsch, however, having the option to bring a once-capped England international from the bench is a luxury Leeds cannot afford to pass up in their current predicament.

In other news: Orta now eyeing transfer move for exciting winger even if Leeds are in the Championship. 

You might think West Indies are no match for India in their upcoming Test series, but that might not be the case at all

Alagappan Muthu09-Jul-2023West Indies may be back-sliding in limited-overs cricket, but their Test-match game is still on point. Especially at home. Since the last time India came for a visit in August 2019, West Indies have played five series and lost only one of them.They have been pushed to the limit, such as in the one-wicket win over Pakistan, and have pushed others to their limit, like against Bangladesh when they made 408 in the first innings and needed just 13 more to complete victory.India’s tour is likely to be defined by how well West Indies’ bowlers are able to hold India’s batters in check and with that in mind, here are five of their best – bowlers, batters, allrounders – who will be keen to step up and lift the gloom that has fallen over this once-great empire.Related

• Jayden Seales: 'I want to build my name, I want to build a legacy, I want to be No. 1 in Test cricket'

• WI recall Cornwall, Warrican for first India Test; McKenzie called-up

• Brathwaite on India Tests: 'It will all come down to execution'

Kemar Roach

He just turned 35. And yet, over a quarter of the wickets he has ever taken at home have come over these past four years: 47 out of 180 at an average of 21.3 and strike rate of 45.4. There’s fine wine and then there’s the leader of this West Indies bowling attack. Roach’s ability to still find ways to be useful despite injuries taking his pace away is an inspiration to fast bowlers worldwide, and his bit – going wide of the crease to get the outside edge – never gets old.

Jason Holder

The old-ball specialist. Everybody else gets a go when there’s better chance of taking wickets. But once that’s done and there’s no more help on offer, it’s time to bring in big Jase because he can maintain a line and length and keep the runs down. Holder has clocked 282.5 overs for West Indies in home Tests since September 2019, second only to Roach, and 252 of them have been as a change bowler. Even though he is at his most threatening when he gets movement off the pitch, and that typically happens when that red cherry is still nice and shiny. The only other people who make a living by getting put in such unpleasant situations so often are mothers, teachers and magician’s assistants.Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood: one old-school, the other quick-scoring•Getty Images

Alzarri Joseph

Since the world is yet to catch up with the science in and human male footwear only lifts a person some two inches off the ground, when this guy goes for the bouncer, you better be wary. Joseph is the enforcer of this bowling attack. Since September 2019, he has bowled 1500 balls in home Tests, and almost half of them (739) of them have been short of a good length or just plain short. They’ve secured 14 of his 28 wickets in this period, and also enable the other strength he has: when he goes fuller, he gets movement off the pitch, and once he has softened his opponent up, the chances of getting an outside edge increase.

Jermaine Blackwood

Back in 2016, he was averaging 40-plus while striking at 60-plus. It was as if his penchant for driving on the up did not come with any consequences. And then it did. His high-risk method led to some low-value shots, and he was left out of the team. “Being dropped helped me to go back and work on my game and my mental space,” he said in 2020 before adding he had found a new way forward. “To bat as long as possible.” Virat Kohli helped him out there apparently. “He just said, ‘What will you do when you score a century? How many deliveries did you face?’ I said I faced 212 balls. He said, ‘That’s it, once you can bat some balls, you’re going to score runs’. So I took a big thing from that.” Blackwood still scores pretty quickly – a career strike rate of nearly 55 – but it’s just one of his strengths now as opposed to being his only strength.

Kraigg Brathwaite

He is West Indies’ batting. He is the reason they work in Test cricket. Without his runs, without the time he spends in the middle, allowing others to do their thing, without his stubbornness, there is nothing. Brathwaite is quirky. He gets squared up. A lot. He gets beaten. A lot. He would sooner bite the cricket ball than drive it on the up. His best shot is the most unobtrusive one in the entire game. The flick. And yet, this hard-nosed, old-school opener stands on the shoulders of giants. He is No. 4 on the list of West Indians to have faced the most balls in Test cricket, well above Sir Viv Richards and Gordon Greenidge and Chris Gayle. That batting crease out there, that’s his home.

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke was fairly ruthless in the summer transfer window when he told Patrick Bamford that he would not be a part of the squad for the 2025/26 campaign.

It may not have come as a huge shock, given that the striker did not start a single game in the Championship last season, but it was still a ruthless move by the manager.

In July, Daniel Farke revealed that he had an “honest” conversation with Bamford and how he felt that the forward needed to go somewhere else to be the main man at a new club.

Later in the summer, Leeds and the former England international agreed a mutual termination of his contract to part ways, allowing him to be a free agent to find a new team.

Despite the fairly impressive record in the graphic above, Bamford often found himself as the scapegoat among the fanbase in tough times at Elland Road, which is understandable as a striker who is always going to miss chances and attract criticism.

Another player who could have been described as a scapegoat at points in the last 13 months or so is Brenden Aaronson, but he seems to slowly be winning the supporters over.

Why Brenden Aaronson is winning Leeds fans over

The USA international is unlikely to develop into a regular Premier League starter who can contribute with ten goals or assists from an attacking midfield or wide position. His statistics up to this point in his top-flight career illustrate that.

Aaronson has scored one goal and provided three assists in 42 outings in the division, in the 2022/23 and 2025/26 campaigns combined, which shows that he has failed to deliver consistent quality.

The former RB Salzburg star’s form against the better sides in the Championship last season, despite the Whites picking up 100 points in the league, also did not do much to change the perception of him among the fanbase.

Aaronson failed to deliver a single goal or assist for his team in his ten appearances against the other five teams that finished in the top six in the second tier in the 2024/25 campaign.

However, some of the American attacker’s performances in the Premier League this season have earned him some credit among the fanbase, as he has worked his socks off for the side out of possession.

As you can see in the table above, Aaronson ranks highly among his positional peers in a host of defensive metrics, whilst he also has not had the assist that his xA deserves.

His performance against Bournemouth on Saturday led to Leeds supporter and TEAMtalk editor James Marshment questioning whether it was his best display for the club in the top-flight, which shows that he is starting to earn some respect from the fans.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Whilst Aaronson is slowly moving away from being a scapegoat, another Leeds player who played on Saturday is quickly on his way to becoming the new Patrick Bamford.

Central defender Pascal Struijk is in danger of becoming this season’s scapegoat and the new Bamford after the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at the weekend.

Why Struijk may become the new Bamford

As is the case with strikers and missing chances, it can be easy for centre-backs to become scapegoats because they are typically the players fans and pundits look straight to when a goal goes in.

Some fingers were pointed in Struijk’s direction for Eli Kroupi’s last-gasp equaliser because Marcos Senesi beat him too easily in the air to knock the ball in the direction of the striker who scored to make it 2-2.

That was not the only time that the Dutch defender, who was given a 5/10 player rating by MOT Leeds News, was questioned by fans or media during the match, though.

The Athletic’s Beren Cross noted that there were “murmurs of anxiety” in the ground when Struijk or Karl Darlow had the ball at their feet, whilst Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth stated that the centre-back “had a couple of nervy moments” in the first half.

Senesi beating him to the header for the equaliser in stoppage time did not do much to silence any doubters, with some on social media questioning why Jaka Bijol, who won 67% of his aerial duels in the Serie A last season, has not played a minute in the Premier League this term.

As you can see in the table above, it is fair to question Struijk’s proficiency in duels because he has lost the majority of his battles on the ground and in the air this season in the Premier League.

However, a pass accuracy of 93% without a single error that has led to a shot or a goal for the opposition in six matches suggests that supporters do not need to feel nervous when the left-footed star is passing the ball out from the back under pressure.

Struijk, like any player, has strengths and weaknesses to his game. Given the nature of Bournemouth’s second goal and his statistics in aerial duels, it is fair for supporters to be unhappy with his performances in that particular aspect of the game.

However, the Dutchman also brings quality and composure to the team on the ball and has only been dribbled past once, which shows that opposition attackers have struggled to beat him for pace.

Not just Longstaff: 7/10 Leeds star is now completely undroppable for Farke

Leeds drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth on Saturday and this star made himself undroppable.

By
Joe Nuttall

Sep 28, 2025

Therefore, Struijk should not be this season’s scapegoat because he brings a lot to the team in spite of some weak points in his performances, but some of the concerns emerging from Saturday’s match suggest that he may be on his way to becoming this year’s Bamford.

The Braves are odds-on favorites to repeat as NL East champs in 2024.

Atlanta Braves -240
Philadelphia Phillies +310
New York Mets +1100
Miami Marlins +1600
Washington Nationals +10000

No team scored more runs (947), hit more home runs (307) or hit for a better average (.276) than the Braves in 2023. They also led the league in OBP, SLG, OPS, ISO and extra-base hits. Atlanta’s 104 wins were the most in MLB, as they skated to the division title, finishing 14 games ahead of the Phillies.

Most of the team is the same for 2024, including NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Marcel Ozuna and Michael Harris II. The Braves also added outfielder Jarred Kelenic and veteran starting pitcher Chris Sale in the offseason.