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With the first month of the transfer window now in the rearview mirror, Premier League clubs will have to step up their business if they don't want to be left behind when the season comes around again next month.

Among those teams needing to do more business is Tottenham Hotspur.

They may have signed Archie Gray and extended Timo Werner's contract, but if Ange Postecoglou is going to lead the club back into the Champions League, he's going to need more than that.

The good news is that, based on recent reports, Daniel Levy and Co appear to be hard at work looking for the right additions. However, the latest player touted for a move to the club, who has been compared to Son Heung-min, could spell trouble for Werner's prospects in North London next season.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Tottenham are one of several clubs interested in signing Juventus ace Federico Chiesa this summer.

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report claims that Chelsea and Newcastle United have held talks with the player's representatives. At the same time, Atlético Madrid, Marseille, Roma and Napoli have shown interest from the continent.

While the level of interest in his services is far from ideal for the North Londoners', the good news is that Juventus are looking to sell him this summer and, due to his contract expiring next season, are only looking for around £25m, per reports earlier this week.

It could be challenging to secure Chiesa's signature ahead of so many interested clubs, but given his reputation and affordable price, Levy and Co must do what they can to bring him to N17, as he'd be the ideal Werner upgrade, and the comparison to Son is just a nice bonus.

How Chiesa compares to Son and Werner

So, the first thing to look at is Chiesa's comparison to Son, which stems from FBref concluding that the South Korean is the seventh most similar forward to the Italian across Europe's top five leagues.

Shots on Target

1.02

1.17

Key Passes

2.21

2.09

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.84

1.99

Interceptions

0.25

0.25

Successful Take-Ons

1.43

1.20

Carries

26.4

28.4

Ball Recoveries

2.54

2.45

They arrive at this conclusion by examining how closely the pair ranks in certain underlying metrics. For example, the two wingers produce similar numbers for metrics such as shots on target, key passes, passes into the penalty area, interceptions, successful take-ons, carries, and ball recoveries, all per 90.

That said, with the former Bayer Leverkusen ace being the club captain and one of the best players for Postecoglou last season, it seems more likely that the Juve winger would be battling it out with Werner for a place as back-up to the 32-year-old next season – a battle the former Fiorentina man would win.

For example, in 37 appearances last season, he scored ten goals and provided three assists for the Old Lady, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 2.84 games.

In contrast, across his time with RB Leipzig and Tottenham, the former Chelsea forward could only muster four goals and four assists, equating to a goal involvement on average every 3.5 games.

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Ultimately, the Italian "galactico," as data analyst Ben Mattinson dubbed him, may not be at his highest point at the moment, but last season proved he can still be productive when given a chance, and while Werner isn't a terrible player, he's not quite on the level of Chiesa anymore. Therefore, Levy and Co should be doing what they can to bring the Juve ace to N17 this summer.

At the beginning of last season, Tottenham Hotspur were electric, with James Maddison’s quality being a huge part of their early success – notably winning August's Player of the Month award as a result.

Unfortunately, his injuries prevented him from being able to remain quite at that level, with boss Ange Postecoglou missing his creativity at times throughout the campaign.

During his first campaign in north London, the former Leicester City star managed a tally of four goals and nine assists, but it wasn’t enough to secure a Champions League place for Spurs, as they registered a fifth-placed finish.

Maddison has cemented himself as a valuable member of Postecoglou’s squad, registering the third-most assists last term, with the 27-year-old hoping for an injury-free season in 2024/25.

He could further be boosted by the addition of one talented youngster, with Spurs plotting a move to sign another English prospect who enjoyed a brilliant campaign in the Premier League last time around.

Tottenham set to make offer for Premier League star

According to Argentinian outlet TyC Sports, Spurs are in negotiations with Aston Villa over a potential deal to sign forward Jacob Ramsey this summer.

The 23-year-old suffered terribly with injuries last season, restricting him to just 16 appearances, registering one goal and one assist for Unai Emery’s side.

The report claims that Postecoglou’s side are preparing a £19m bid with midfielder Giovani Lo Celso also included in a move that would take him to Villa Park.

The Argentine was rumoured with a move to the West Midlands last summer, but could yet move to Villa this time around, securing a reunion with Emery after their time together at Villarreal.

Despite his injury issues in recent times, Ramsey would be a phenomenal addition, potentially forming an excellent partnership with Maddison at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Why Ramsey & Maddison could form a dream partnership

The current Spurs midfielder has excelled in possession, gaining a reputation for his excellent ball-striking ability alongside his eye for an assist – as demonstrated by his tally of nine in the Premier League last season.

Despite his lowly goal and assist tally from 2023/24, Ramsey is a brilliant talent who could thrive in north London with Maddison’s talents alongside him.

The “sensational” Villa youngster, as described by journalist Seb Stafford-Bloor, averaged two shots and 3.1 shot-creating actions per 90 in 2023/24, showcasing his ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates.

He likes to run forward with the ball at any given opportunity, averaging three progressive passes per 90 and 3.5 progressive carries, potentially allowing Maddison to be presented with more frequent opportunities to potentially increase his already impressive tally of goals and assists.

Ramsey’s best campaign in a Villa shirt came in the 2022/23 campaign, where the youngster contributed with six goals and eight assists – an example of his quality when not plagued with injury issues.

Postecoglou has already demonstrated he is capable of taking young prospects to the next level, with Brennan Johnson and Micky van de Ven thriving under his guidance last season.

He has the opportunity to replicate his successes with Ramsey this summer, with the rumoured £19m deal plus Lo Celso going in the opposite direction a great deal for all parties.

It would allow Ramsey to reach the next level in his already promising career, with Lo Celso able to reignite his professional career under a manager that he’s previously enjoyed a successful stint under.

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Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli took to Instagram to share a clip of one of his finest career moments.

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• Dele Alli hints at nearing fitness
• Free agent left Everton in June
• Revels in sharing memory of career highlight

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Dele reposted a video on his Instagram stories originally uploaded by Spurs, showcasing a famous goal he scored against Crystal Palace in the Premier League back in January 2016. It was his whirlwind first season in the top flight, lifting the ball over his head to avoid the attentions of a Palace defender and volleying in from the edge of the box on the spin as it dropped back onto his feet. It even conjured his cult wave celebration.

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  Dele, who has opened up on his mental health struggles in the past, is currently a free agent after leaving Everton when his contract expired in June. He didn't play for the Toffeess at all during the 2023-24 season because of a long-term groin injury but was invited to continue his rehab work at the club's facilities. His Instagram story implied that recovering his fitness is not far away.

• WHAT DELE ALLI SAID

  Alongside the clip he shared, Dele posted three emojis: "🧱 ⏳ 💆🏽‍♂️", implying he is building towards a return that should only be a matter of time.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DELE ALLI?

  Dele is still only 28 years of age, which means he potentially has plenty of football left in him if the right club comes forward. As a free agent, he isn't bound the restrictions of transfer windows and so could theoretically sign for a new team at any time should he be able to prove his fitness. Everton have even previously shown interest in offering a new contract if he can get up to speed.

Liverpool's summer transfer window is shaping up to be something of a puzzle. Where, exactly, do Liverpool need to strengthen? What, precisely, is Arne Slot's primary concern heading into his first term as Anfield's head coach?

The lion's share of the Reds supporters would cry for reinforcements in defence; Joel Matip's contract expired last month and Ibrahima Konate suffered a landslide in form at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Leny Yoro continues to present himself as a jewel waiting to be whipped from LOSC Lille but Liverpool, interested though they are, are resigned to Real Madrid winning that race.

Klopp redesigned Liverpool's midfield last summer but there remains a feeling that a long-term star needs to be signed at No. 6. Whether such a player is welcomed by September comes down to options and the right opportunity.

But, of course, there's been a more notable kernel of the Merseyside outfit's focus over recent days. Indeed, recent reports have suggested that the Reds have been in the market for Anthony Gordon, but it wasn't to be.

Liverpool's interest in Anthony Gordon

It's been known for several months that Liverpool are interested in strengthening their flanks, though the right-hand side seems to be the more pressing concern, with Mohamed Salah entering the final year of his contract and little in the way of alternatives.

However, that hasn't stopped rumours surfacing regarding Newcastle United's Gordon, who was actually offered to the Anfield side last weekend as Eddie Howe's outfit scrambled to stay in line with the Premier League's profit and sustainability (PSR) rules.

Reports suggested that Newcastle had canvassed an interesting proposal Liverpool's way, asking for cash plus centre-back Jarell Quansah for the England international's sale. Liverpool turned the offer down, never making an actual move for his signing.

The Magpies will probably now save their prized slices of silver, having placated PSR after selling Yankuba Minteh to Brighton & Hove Albion for £30m and cashing in on homegrown talent Eliott Anderson, who signed for Nottingham Forest for £35m.

Gordon alternatives

With the ex-Everton player unlikely to be moving back to Merseyside this summer, he does want to move to the club he grew up supporting, though Newcastle's £100m asking price is a steely deterrent.

Luckily, Liverpool have mapped out a list of alternatives, with Spain's Euro 2024 sensation Nico Williams on the shortlist. According to Caught Offside, Slot's side could turn to the Athletic Bilbao star this summer.

Williams is one of the hottest names on the block right now given his influential role in his nation's international campaign, and with a £49m release clause, it's no wonder so many top European teams have taken note.

Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the rival suitors for the fleet-footed winger, so Liverpool will need to act with dispatch to get this one over the line.

What Nico Williams could bring to Liverpool

Pace, and lots of it. Williams is only 21 but he's enjoyed an emphatic introduction to his professional career, starring alongside his brother (Inaki, 30) in the Basque Country and ending Bilbao's 40-year wait for a trophy after defeating Mallorca in the Copa del Rey final in April.

Last season, the "mind-blowing" – as remarked by scout Antonio Mango – Spaniard scored eight goals across 37 matches in all competitions, though his haul of 19 assists highlights his staggering playmaking ability that derives from his blistering, ballsy style of play, barrelling forwards and splitting backlines asunder, stretching and dragging defenders out of position.

As per FBref – to underscore this point – Williams ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90.

Gordon, while we're on the topic, ranks only among the top 33% for progressive carries and the top 50% for successful take-ons per 90. He's fast, yes, but not with the same unceasing volume as his Basque-born counterpart.

It's no surprise that he has been described as a "pace demon" by podcaster Adam Keys, offering skills that would provide Liverpool with Gordon's package and more.

The Newcastle man has been hailed for his "unbelievable" 2023/24 campaign by his Tyneside teammate Bruno Guimaraes, who was gobsmacked by his attacking abilities, posting 12 goals and 11 assists last year and winning the club's Player of the Season award for his daring and dynamic performances.

Nico Williams: Euro 2024 Stats

Statistic

#

Matches played

3

Matches started

3

Goals

1

Assists

1

Pass completion

93%

Shots per game

2.3

Key passes per game

3.0

Ball recoveries per game

3.0

Dribbles per game

3.0

Duels won per game

4.0

Stats via Sofascore

As the table above shows, Williams is producing a rather almighty campaign with Spain at the ongoing Euros, proving to be a deadly wide attacking option with boxes of pace and a load of creative quality besides.

Is this isolated? A case of international tournament syndrome, where players eclipse expectations and play like prime Diego Maradona, garbed in their country's colours?

Perhaps not. Williams averaged 1.5 dribbles, 2.8 dribbles, 4.2 ball recoveries and 5.2 successful duels per game in La Liga last season.

He's shaping into quite the talented player, and given that he's available for a slice of the price that would be required to bring in Gordon, it's surely a no-brainer. Liverpool just need to beat off some of Europe's most illustrious outfits for his signature.

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Enzo Maresca reportedly wants to make a £75,000-per-week Chelsea player the focal point of his team, as the former Pep Guardiola understudy begins plotting his Stamford Bridge vision.

Why Chelsea decided to appoint Enzo Maresca as new manager

The Italian, who guided Leicester City to the Championship title and Premier League promotion at the first time of asking last season, has now made the move to Stamford Bridge and will replace Mauricio Pochettino – who parted company around this time last week.

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Maresca has put pen to paper on a long-term five-year deal, much longer than the contract Pochettino was handed last year, which is a clear indicator of the Chelsea board's faith in their new manager.

Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley lead the charge for Pochettino's successor, with Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and the higher powers presumably green-lighting their decision to hire Maresca as the favoured candidate.

Chelsea talks were held with Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna, and it is believed Brentford boss Thomas Frank was another standout name in the managerial recruitment process. However, certain things worked in Maresca's favour, as Fabrizio Romano explained this week.

“Never had any doubts despite some reports suggesting that maybe he wants to stay at Leicester," said Romano to CaughtOffside.

"Although he loves and respects Leicester, it’s been very clear ever since Chelsea entered this story that Maresca wants to be the next Chelsea manager. Maresca believes in the Chelsea project around young players with a big future, he thinks it is a really exciting project. Meanwhile, Chelsea are convinced he’s a super talented coach and that’s why he’s a name appreciated by both directors and owners, all convinced he can be the man for present and future.

“Maresca’s obsession with ball possession, quality football, dominating the game, his knowledge of elite football despite being a young manager – all of this made the difference for Chelsea to pick him."

Chelsea are rumoured to be in talks with Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo as they target Maresca'a first signing as head coach, while it is also claimed that Boehly is willing to pay around £19.5 million for Burnley keeper James Trafford.

Maresca wants to make Cole Palmer the focal point of his Chelsea team

Now, The Telegraph suggests he is a real fan of Cole Palmer – with the pair previously working together at Man City. The £75,000-per-week ace played a pivotal role last season, and it is believed Palmer will be the focal point of Maresca's 4-3-3 formation at Chelsea.

"He is a proper player, he will go anywhere on the pitch and take the ball, he backs himself," said pundit Joe Cole.

"Sometimes people can look at that with disdain, saying it's arrogance. It's not arrogance. We need it and we need more players like that."

Batsman enters self-isolation after agreeing to have photo taken with fans

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Aug-2020

Kent have dropped 19-year-old batsman Jordan Cox from the squad for their next Bob Willis Trophy match, after he broke social-distancing protocols by agreeing to a request for a photo with some young fans.Cox became the first player born in the 21st century to hit a first-class hundred on English soil in Kent’s innings win against Sussex this week, racking up 238 not out in an unbroken 423-run partnership with Jack Leaning.But he will now enter a mandatory period of self-isolation after breaking guidelines, which will rule him out of Kent’s next match against Middlesex on Saturday, August 15. He will have to test negative for Covid-19 before he is allowed to join the squad again.”I am very sorry that this has happened,” Cox said in a statement. “I fully understand the consequences, and I want to apologise to everyone. I’m gutted to be missing the next match and feel like I have let the team down.”Paul Downton, Kent’s director of cricket, said: “It is unfortunate for Jordan that on the back of an outstanding performance, our team medical protocols were breached.”We take these protocols very seriously and Jordan has no choice but to go into self-isolation.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Verdão manteve a série invicta após empatar com o São Paulo em 0 a 0 na noite deste sábado (31), em um jogo marcado pela disputa física e polêmicas com a arbitragem. Apesar dos dois gols anulados do rival, o Palmeiras chegou aos cinco jogos consecutivos sem ser vazado, recorde desde a chegada de Abel Ferreira ao clube.

ATUAÇÕES: Em empate no clássico, defesa do Palmeiras volta a se sobressair

Contratado no fim de outubro do ano passado, Abel alcançou uma série defensiva inédita com o Palmeiras e bateu o antigo recorde de quatro partidas. Tido como ponto forte do Alviverde nesta temporada, a defesa não sabe o que é ser vazada desde a vitória por 3 a 2 diante do Santos, quando tomou ambos os gols de pênalti.

Veja a tabela completa do Brasileirão

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasAbel Ferreira sabia que objetivo do Palmeiras era negociar Borja antes mesmo do retorno do atacantePalmeiras01/08/2021PalmeirasAbel celebra chegada de Piquerez ao Palmeiras e projeta: ‘Se entender que todos somos um, vai jogar’Palmeiras01/08/2021PalmeirasPalmeiras anuncia contratação de Piquerez até fim de 2025Palmeiras01/08/2021

Desde então, o Palmeiras enfrentou a Universidad Católica (duas vezes), Atlético-GO, Fluminense e São Paulo, saindo em branco na defesa em todas as oportunidades. Em quatro das cinco partidas, Gustavo Gómez e Felipe Melo formaram a dupla de zaga. Nas laterais, Marcos Rocha, Renan, Viña e Mayke foram parte da sequência, que ainda contou com Weverton no gol.

Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada

Buscando bater mais de 500 minutos sem ser vazado, o Verdão volta a campo no próximo sábado, contra o Fortaleza, no Allianz Parque, às 21h, pela 15ª rodada do Brasileirão. O Maior Campeão Nacional lidera o certame de forma isolada, com 32 pontos somados.

The batsman and offspinner played 14 Tests between 1953 and 1956

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jun-2020Matt Poore, the New Zealand right-hand batsman and offspinner from the 1950s, died in Auckland on Thursday, ten days after completing his 90th birthday.A batsman who bowled a bit, Poore played most of his cricket in Christchurch in a first-class career that ran from 1950-51 to 1961-62. He played 14 Tests in a three-year span from 1953 to 1956 but never ended on a winning side. New Zealand lost nine of those 14 Tests and the remaining five were draws.He made his Test debut against South Africa at Eden Park in Auckland, scoring 45 and 8 not out, while also picking up two wickets in each innings. That was to remain his best performance at the highest level as he never scored more in an innings and picked up just five more wickets overall in the format. His Test career ended with 355 runs at an average of 15.43 and nine wickets at 40.77. Among non-wicketkeepers, Poore’s 14 Tests remain the most for anyone who never scored a half-century or took a three-wicket haul.Writing in ESPNcricinfo, Martin Williamson noted: “His best returns came on the 1953-54 tour of South Africa where he scored 170 runs in the five Tests, and 550 at 22.91 on the tour as a whole. On his only other trip overseas – to India and Pakistan in 1955-56 – he was less successful, amassing only 132 runs in seven Tests. He was a better player than the figures suggest – his first-class best was 142 for Central Districts. He retired after a wretched season in 1956-57 when he scored 90 runs at 12.85, although his form with the ball improved and he enjoyed his best year with 16 wickets at 17.50. He made a brief comeback four seasons later where in three matches his performances were distinctly mediocre.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Vasco encerrou a primeira fase do Campeonato Brasileiro sub-17 com uma vitória diante do Santos por 1 a 0, em São Bernardo do Campo (SP). O gol da partida foi marcado por Erick Marcus, de pênalti, e a equipe terminou na terceira colocação do grupo. Até o momento, os Meninos da Colina têm seis vitórias, dois empates e apenas uma derrota na competição (com 20 pontos).

+ Confira e simule a tabela da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro

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De acordo com o regulamento, o terceiro colocado do Grupo B enfrentará o segundo do Grupo A. Com isso, o adversário do Vasco na próxima fase será o Palmeiras. As datas e os horários ainda serão definidos pela Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF). Quem se classificar terá pela frente, nas semifinais, Cruzeiro ou Athletico-PR.

+Veja momentos em que o Vasco defendeu as causas sociais
​
No duelo contra o Santos, o Cruz-Maltino se impôs mesmo estando fora de casa e aos 4, Paixão teve a chance de abrir o placar, mas cabeceou por cima do gol. Logo depois, Paixão reapareceu e chutou cruzado para boa defesa do arqueiro santista.

+ATUAÇÕES: MT marca o gol do Vasco e faz a melhor atuação

Na etapa final, Erick Marcus abriu o placar de pênalti aos 8 ao cobrar com categoria. Em outra boa jogada, Paixão recebeu na área, e bateu cruzado, mas o goleiro fez boa defesa. O Vasco ainda teve mais uma chance com Erick Marcus, que recebeu em profundidade e tentou por cima do goleiro, que mandou para escanteio.

Ainda pela categoria, o Vasco entrou em campo pela Copa Rio e derrotou o Flamengo por 2 a 0.Os gols vascaínos foram marcados por André e Rodrigo. Com o triunfo, os Meninos da Colina se classificaram em primeiro lugar na primeira fase e garantiram vaga nas semifinais do Estadual.

Confira os confrontos das quartas de finais

Atlético-MG x Flamengo
São Paulo x Fluminense
Cruzeiro x Athletico-PR
Vasco x Palmeiras

Leicester City are trying to sign Galatasaray's Wilfried Zaha, shortly after it emerged that a return to Crystal Palace was on the cards.

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• Leicester working on Zaha deal
• Palace enquired about signing winger
• Started just 13 league games in 23-24

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Leicester appear to be in pole position to sign Zaha, with reporting that the Foxes are negotiating a deal to bring the Ivory Coast international back to the Premier League on loan. Crystal Palace have also held talks with Galatasaray about signing Zaha for a third time, but claims a reunion is currently off.

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  Zaha endured a pretty miserable season with Galatasaray after joining the Turkish giants on a free transfer. The Ivory Coast international started just 13 Super Lig games and was used sparingly in the second half of the campaign after falling down the pecking order. A return to Palace appeared to make sense given the departure of Michael Olise, but Steve Cooper's side have also entered the race.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  If he signs for Leicester, Zaha will become the club's fifth signing off the summer following the arrivals of Bobby De Cordova Reid, Michael Golding, Caleb Okoli, and Abdul Fatawu.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ZAHA?

  It remains to be seen whether Zaha will return to the Premier League or not, but the fact that he was left out of Galatasaray's squad for the season opener against Hatayspor on Friday evening suggests his future lies away from Istanbul.