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It is fair to say that Celtic need to improve their options at the top end of the pitch before the summer transfer window officially comes to a close this evening.

The Hoops have failed to score a goal in three of their last four matches in all competitions, including in both legs of their Champions League play-off loss to Kairat on penalties.

TEAMtalk reports that Celtic are closing in on a deal to sign Anderlecht centre-forward Kasper Dolberg in an attempt to improve the options at Brendan Rodgers’ disposal in the final third.

Celtic confident of deal for winger

The Denmark international may not be the only attacking addition to come through the door before the end of the summer transfer window tonight, though.

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According to TEAMtalk’s report, Celtic are confident that they will win the race to seal a deadline day deal for Crystal Palace forward Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

The outlet claims that the Scottish Premiership giants are in a battle with Rangers and Leicester City to sign the left-footed star on loan for the season.

It adds that Celtic feel they are well-positioned to win the race because of the regular first-team football and European matches that they can offer the 22-year-old starlet, who has been described as “devastating” by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

What Rak-Sakyi would bring to Celtic

The English winger would provide a real goal threat from the right flank to finally replace what they lost when Nicolas Kuhn completed a move to Como earlier this summer.

Celtic have struggled for goals in the early parts of the season and the signings of Dolberg and Rak-Sakyi, if they can get them over the line, would go a long way to solving their issues in that department.

Rak-Sakyi spent last season on loan at Sheffield United in the Championship, and previously impressed on loan at Charlton in League One in England.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s two full senior seasons

Stats

22/23 League One (Charlton)

24/25 Championship (Sheffield United)

Appearances

43

34

Starts

40

22

Goals

15

7

Minutes per goal

233

248

Big chances created

5

3

Key passes per game

1.3

0.9

Assists

8

2

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Palace youngster has scored 22 goals in his last 62 league starts in the Championship and League One combined, which shows that he can provide a regular source of goals when picked week-in-week-out.

Dolberg, meanwhile, has scored three goals in six matches this season and plundered 19 goals in 40 games in the 2024/25 campaign for Anderlecht, per Sofascore, as the main number nine for the Belgian side, showing that he is in-form and could hit the ground running in Glasgow.

This means that, in Dolberg and Rak-Sakyi, Celtic appear to be closing in on two new signings who could add a spark to what has been a dull attacking set-up at Parkhead so far this season.

Of course, it is now down to the club to ensure that they can get these deals done before the deadline to avoid missing out on the huge boost to their attack that this duo could provide them with.

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Arsenal are currently trying to offload some noteworthy players behind-the-scenes, with a few Gunners squad members up for grabs as we slowly approach the summer transfer deadline on September 1.

Mikel Arteta is gearing up for his side’s first Premier League game of the season, away to Man United on Sunday, but sporting director Andrea Berta’s transfer tasks aren’t done yet.

Berta has enjoyed a statement first summer window in his new role as Edu’s replacement, splashing over £200 million on Kepa, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres.

However, amid their links with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, or potentially even another left-winger if Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli leave, Arsenal are also open to offers for the likes of Fabio Vieira, Karl Hein, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The same can be said of defender Jakub Kiwior, who Arteta views as an important player in the squad after he filled in well for the injured Gabriel during periods of last season.

However, Kiwior isn’t guaranteed consistent game time at the Emirates if both Gabriel and William Saliba are consistently fit next term, so the Poland international could well decide to take an opportunity elsewhere amid interest from AC Milan.

Going back to Zinchenko, though, it is believed the Ukraine international is firmly on Arsenal’s ‘for sale’ list after falling down Arteta’s pecking order.

The 28-year-old is even reported to have held a meeting with José Mourinho recently about a move to Fenerbahçe (Sabah), but Jose isn’t the only big-name manager to register a serious interest in him.

Oleksandr Zinchenko expresses desire to leave Arsenal

According to Italian newspaper Il Mattino, Zinchenko is being offered around to various clubs as Berta looks to trim his £150,000-per-week wages off the books.

One of the sides who could take the left-back off Arteta’s hands are Italian champions Napoli, led by Antonio Conte, who is personally keen on signing Zinchenko and believes he’d be a solid signing.

Conte and Napoli are in the market for new full-back options and believe Zinchenko could fit the bill, with the former Man City star also expressing a desire to leave N5 behind-closed-doors as he pursues more game time.

As Napoli are handed the chance to sign Zinchenko, Arsenal supporters will remember him as a reliable servant when he does finally secure a move away, and Arteta will have even fonder memories of him.

“First of all, his mentality. He’s used to winning – winning is the only thing and winning in the right way,” said Arteta about Zinchenko in the summer of 2022.

“He’s a perfectionist and a really demanding boy, I know him so well, and after that he brings qualities that we didn’t have in the squad. He gives us a different option to play within the role in different spaces, and I’m really happy to have him.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s summer transfer window could’ve been massively impacted by their failure to land Morgan Gibbs-White, with the Nottingham Forest star staying at the City Ground.

A deal had been all agreed, leading to the player even being set to have a medical with the Lilywhites, but Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis intervened, resulting in the midfielder signing a new contract.

However, such disappointment has fuelled Thomas Frank’s desire to land new additions, subsequently making a huge effort to land Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich this summer.

Huge progress has been made for his signature over recent days, leading to a deal being agreed, with the player in the process of completing his medical ahead of a loan move to North London.

Such a move also includes an option to buy next summer, but it appears as though their activity looks set to continue before the September 1st transfer deadline.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer

In recent days, a move has been made by the Spurs hierarchy to try and secure the services of highly-rated Stade Rennais forward Arnaud Kalimuendo.

The Lilywhites have even entered talks with the Ligue 1 outfit over a potential deal, leading to a £30m transfer being mooted, with Nottingham Forest, another side, currently in the running.

However, he’s not the only player currently in their sights, with Barcelona star Ronald Araujo another top-level star they’re pursuing, according to one Spanish outlet.

The report claims that Frank’s side have already made contact with the LaLiga outfit over a potential move for the Uruguayan centre-back before the end of the window.

It also states he could be open to a move to North London, potentially being attracted to the new project being undertaken at the club, which could see Barça open to negotiations at around the £50m mark.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be a bigger coup than Palhinha

A holding midfielder has been massively needed at Spurs this summer, leading to a hunt for a proven ball-winner at the base of Frank’s side if they are to build on the recent success.

Whilst Palhinha may not have been the supporters’ first choice for the role, a move is seemingly edging ever closer, potentially proving to be an excellent pick-up if he can replicate his form from his last stint in England’s top-flight.

He spent a couple of years at Fulham before moving to Germany, averaging a tally of 2.5 tackles per 90, whilst winning 8.6 duels per 90, with both figures ranking him within the top 5% of all players in the division that year.

Numbers like that are nothing short of sensational and prove why Bayern splashed £47m on his signature last summer – highlighting the talent the Lilywhites will be getting their hands on.

However, a move for Araujo would be a huge coup for the club, especially considering his sustained spell of featuring at the top level of European football for the Spanish giants.

The 26-year-old has racked up 175 appearances since making his debut in the summer of 2019, having Champions League experience, which will be vital for Spurs next campaign.

Whilst he was injured at times throughout 2024/25, he managed to rack up 25 appearances across all competitions, producing numerous incredible figures that would add the needed depth and quality to Spurs’ backline.

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

12

Goals & assists

2

Pass accuracy

92%

Progressive passes per 90

4.2

Tackles won

1.7

Blocks made

1.4

Clearances made

4.3

Aerials won

3.9

Araujo, who’s been labelled “incredible” by Dr Rajpal Brar, completed 92% of the passes he attempted, handing the Lilywhites a composed presence at the back, whilst allowing Frank’s side to play out from the back when needed.

Without the ball, the Uruguayan also starred in LaLiga, winning 1.7 tackles per 90 and making 1.4 blocks per 90 – having the tools to provide the side with a needed commanding presence at the back.

At just 26, Araujo has plenty of time to reach his full potential, with the £50m fee being mooted, undoubtedly a great price for a player entering his prime years as a professional.

Should he hit the ground running in North London, it would be a tremendous pick-up and one that would be a bigger coup than Palhinha, especially when taking his experience at the top level of European football into account.

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Manchester City have held talks over a deal to sign an “exceptional” £100m star, with personal terms agreed, but he could now join Tottenham Hotspur.

Man City eyeing midfielder amid doubts over Gonzalez's future

Despite only signing Nico Gonzalez last winter, Man City are already thinking about sanctioning the midfielder’s departure this summer, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey saying: “I am told that City would be open to Gonzalez leaving this summer.

“Gonzalez is one to watch, we have been anticipating the likes of Ilkay Gundogan going, maybe even Mateo Kovacic – but Gonzalez could very well be looking at a quick-fire City exit.”

“It has been played down in some quarters, but his name has come up in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, intermediaries are working and have been told to look at it.”

Bailey also suggests that Gundogan and Kovacic’s futures are in doubt, which means Pep Guardiola may need to bring in at least one new midfielder this summer, and progress was made in the pursuit of a Premier League star.

That is according to a report from Football Insider, who stated Man City have agreed personal terms with Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, having been working on a deal behind the scenes.

The attacking midfielder has decided the Etihad Stadium is his preferred destination, but City are yet to reach an agreement with Forest, and it could be difficult to prise the midfielder away from the Tricky Trees.

Since then, it has been revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are also in the race for Gibbs-White, with new Spurs boss Thomas Frank keen on a deal and a £60m move appears to be progressing.

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Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are reluctant to lose both Anthony Elanga and Gibbs-White in the same transfer window, and the former is now set to sign for Newcastle United in a £55m deal, but it looks as if it could happen.

Gibbs-White could be "exceptional" signing for Man City

Some previous reports suggested his current employers could hold out for £100m, but there are plenty of signs that he could be a good acquisition for Guardiola or Spurs.

Unlike Gonzalez, who has failed to kick on at the Etihad Stadium, the England international is already Premier League proven, which makes the deal less risky, having performed very well for Forest over the past three seasons.

Season

PL appearances

Goals

Assists

2022-23

35

5

8

2023-24

37

5

10

2024-25

34

7

10

Forest flirted with relegation in their first two seasons back in the Premier League, yet the maestro still managed to record very impressive attacking numbers, which indicates he could kick on considerably in a better side.

Gibbs-White is clearly held in very high regard by Guardiola, with the City boss lauding him as “exceptional” last season, so it is little wonder that City are pursuing a deal, however, they may miss out to Tottenham.

The airport has been shut down indefinitely with the hurricane expected to pass by Barbados on Sunday night local time

Edited PTI copy01-Jul-2024A hurricane warning has left the T20 World Cup-winning India team stranded in Barbados.Hurricane Beryl (Category 4) is expected to pass by Barbados on Sunday night local time with the centre of the storm approximately 80 miles off the south coast. India are currently staying at the Hilton Hotel. They were initially planning a charter straight home but the airport has been closed since Sunday evening. South Africa had left earlier on Sunday.BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that board is planning a felicitation for the victorious team after they reach India.”Like you we are also stuck here. After the travel plans are clear, we will think about the felicitation,” Shah told reporters in Barbados.Related

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Shah: New India coach to take charge from SL seriesShah has said that the Indian team will have a new head coach from the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka starting later this month, but did not reveal who has been finalised to succeed the outgoing Rahul Dravid.Former India opener Gautam Gambhir is the frontrunner to take up the position of the head coach. The Cricket Advisory Committee [CAC] has conducted the interviews for the post and shortlisted Gambhir and former India women’s coach WV Raman.”Both coach and selector appointments will be made shortly,” Shah who is in the Caribbean with the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup 2024, said. “CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai whatever they have decided we will go by that. VVS Laxman is going to Zimbabwe but a new coach will join from the Sri Lanka series.”The Indian team is due to tour Sri Lanka for three T20Is and three ODIs starting July 27.2:46

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‘Seniors will be there for CT and WTC’Shah has also said that “seniors will be there” in next year’s Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship final, if India qualify for it, while a decision on whether Hardik Pandya succeeds Rohit Sharma as the next T20I captain will be taken solely by the selectors.”The transition has already happened with three greats retiring,” Shah said when asked about the team’s next phase following the T20I retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit and [Ravindra] Jadeja.”The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there.”This means that the senior players, fitness permitting, are likely to be available for the nine ODI matches that India will play before the Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March 2025 in Pakistan.India’s ODI assignments before that include three games each against Sri Lanka (away), New Zealand (home) and England (home).8:43

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‘From Rohit to Virat, all excelled’Shah also praised the efforts of Rohit and Kohli, who played a match-winning knock in the final against South Africa which India won by seven runs in Barbados. Both Kohli and Rohit announced their retirement from T20Is after the triumph and were joined by allrounder Jadeja in saying goodbye to the format a day later.”It was the same captain last year and same here in Barbados. We won all games except the final in 2023 [ODI World Cup] as Australia played better. This time we worked even harder and played better to win the title,” Shah said. “If you look at other teams, experience counts. From Rohit to Virat, all excelled. Experience makes a lot of difference. In World Cups, you can’t experiment much also. A good player knows when to say goodbye to the game, we saw that yesterday. You look at Rohit’s strike rate, it is better than a lot of young players.”India, who had lost big finals in the past decade, finally ended their title drought after losing two ICC finals – World Test Championship and ODI World Cup final – over the last 12 months and Shah hoped the winning run would continue.”I would want India to win all the titles. We have the biggest bench strength, only three players from this team are going to Zimbabwe. We can field three teams if the need arises,” he said. “The way this team is progressing, our target is to win World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there.”On Hardik’s all-round performance in the T20 World Cup and chances of him taking over the captaincy from Rohit, Shah said: “Captaincy will be decided by the selectors and we will announce it after discussing with them. You asked about Hardik, there were lot of questions over his form but the selectors showed faith in him and he proved himself.”India will next travel to Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series which begins on July 6 in Harare. Shubman Gill will lead the Indian side there with plenty of seniors being rested. Shah also confirmed that an India A team will be travelling to Australia later in the year ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Tottenham Hotspur’s long-awaited trophy finally came at the end of this season, but attention has quickly turned to the 2025/26 campaign, with work needing to be done to sustain the success.

Ange Postecoglou led the Lilywhites to a Europa League triumph, but it wasn’t enough to save his job in North London, as Daniel Levy relieved the Aussie of his duties.

He subsequently appointed Thomas Frank, handing the Dane the responsibility of building on the European victory and making the side a competitive Premier League outfit.

He will need to make a quick start to life at the club to prove the owner made the right decision in opting for a change, potentially coming under huge pressure should he fail to deliver.

However, if he is to be a success in the role, he will need backing within the current transfer window, handing him the platform for success during his first season at the helm.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Over the last couple of days, Lyon star Georges Mikautadze has emerged as a key target for Spurs, with the club expected to make an offer for the Georgian forward after their relegation to Ligue 2.

Rodrigo Muniz is another player on their radar this window, but will cost a pretty penny during the off-season, as Fulham are demanding £50m for the Brazilian forward.

However, if either of the players are to move to North London, they will need to be provided with opportunities in the final third, with Xavi Simons a player in their sights, according to GIVEMESPORT.

Their report claims that the RB Leipzig star is keen on a move to the Premier League this window, but the German outfit are demanding a fee in the region of £60m to part with their star man.

It also states that the Lilywhites have registered a keen interest in the 22-year-old, who managed to register 10 goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga this campaign, with contact already taking place as the north Londoners have been ‘updated on Simons’ situation by his representatives’.

Why Spurs’ £60m target would be a better signing than Eze

Over the last couple of years, Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has been constantly on Spurs’ radar, but they’ve never been able to complete a deal for his signature.

This window remains no different, with Frank already targeting the England international and considering making a move to take the star to North London.

His stock is undoubtedly higher this time around, after netting the winner in the FA Cup final this campaign, securing the Eagles’ first major trophy against Manchester City at Wembley.

However, he does currently have a £68m release clause in his contract, but could face huge pressure to land his services, as North London rivals Arsenal have also entered the race.

As a result, the Lilywhites hierarchy should shift their attention to a move for Simons, with the Dutch international a better option for Frank’s outfit this window.

He would provide the side with a younger and cheaper option, but when comparing the pair’s respective figures from 2024/25, he’s also managed to outperform him in key areas – subsequently making him a higher-quality addition.

Simons, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by OptaJohan, has completed more of the passes he’s attempted, and posted more progressive passes per 90 – handing other attackers at the club the chance to bolster their own tallies.

Games played

25

34

Goals scored

10

8

Progressive carries

3.6

2.4

Progressive passes

5.9

3.3

Shot-on-target accuracy

46%

27%

Pass accuracy

79%

74%

Passes into final third

3.3

1.7

Carries into final third

3

1.6

The youngster has also starred with his ball-carrying, registering nearly two times more carries into the final third per 90, showcasing his desire to get forward at any given moment.

Given his age, price tag and difference in figures produced, a deal for Simons should be a no-brainer this window, offering Frank the elite-level talent he craves within the final third.

It would be an expensive addition for the hierarchy, but ultimately, it’s one that’s needed if the club are to reach the next level during the Dane’s tenure at the club.

There’s no denying that Eze is a hugely talented player, but it’s evident that there is a tendency for more expensive fees to be touted for English stars, subsequently making Simons the better option this window.

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Birmingham City are now set to sign a “fantastic” £5,000-a-week Premier League player on loan, according to a new report.

Birmingham stepping up transfer plans in preparation for Championship season

As expected, the Blues walked the League One season with relative comfort and are now heading back to the Championship, where they will be hoping to continue their fine form and be a side competing in the top half of the table at the bare minimum.

To do just that, Chris Davies will want to improve areas of his team, and already the club have confirmed three arrivals in the shape of Phil Neumann, who was announced in January, and the permanent captures of loan stars Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Alfons Sampsted.

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It’s also been reported by Give Me Sport that Birmingham have submitted a contract offer to sign Kwame Poku on a free transfer from Peterborough United. Poku is wanted by several teams, and the Blues have made their intentions clear over a possible deal and hope it is enough to convince him to move to St Andrews.

As well as looking at Poku to improve their attacking options, the Blues are also interested in reuniting with Che Adams this summer. Birmingham are looking to tempt Adams into leaving Torino and moving back to England, where he has had some memorable moments during his career.

But the most surprising transfer story to come out of Birmingham is the fact that Tom Wagner and the Blues have held internal talks over signing Louie Barry from rivals Aston Villa. Barry may be allowed to leave the Villans on loan once again this summer, and Birmingham could be a surprise destination after seeing what he did during his time at Stockport County.

Birmingham now set to sign Beadle on loan from Brighton

While the Blues line up several attacking targets, they are also looking at ways of improving their spine, and according to TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, Birmingham are closing in on the signing of James Beadle from Brighton.

Beadle, who has been with the Seagulls since January 2022, has spent the last few seasons on loan at various clubs throughout the EFL. The 20-year-old has spent the last 18 months at Sheffield Wednesday, where he’s played a key role in a damaged club remaining in the Championship.

During his time with the Owls, Beadle, who earns £5,000 a week at Brighton, really impressed manager Danny Rohl, who labelled the goalkeeper “fantastic”.

Appearances

57

Goals conceded

83

Clean sheets

17

Given Brighton are agreeing to loan Beadle to Birmingham in search of development, it is expected that the Englishman will be the Blues’ number one next season in the Championship.

Often, the playoff semi-finals in the Championship can be a nervy and tense occasion as four sides desperately battle it out to try and reach the promised land of the Premier League.

Sheffield United obviously didn’t feel like playing to this script when they demolished Bristol City 6-0 over two legs to clinch a spot at Wembley, with just one more pressurised game now standing in their way of an immediate top-flight return.

It was a joyous night to take in at Bramall Lane during the second leg, with a whole host of standout performers showing Chris Wilder across the two legs that they’re ready for the strain of the top-flight.

How Sheffield United reached Wembley

Wilder’s men would ultimately blow away Liam Manning’s Robins over the two contests, with the 22-point gap between the two sides during the regular season clear for all to see.

Across both contests, Callum O’Hare stuck it out as a stylish impact substitute option when scoring twice from off the bench, while Kieffer Moore from the start made sure the second leg wasn’t going to be a nervy affair when heading home to make it 4-0 on aggregate.

Moreover, the Blades defenders should be commended for picking up two clean sheets on the spin, with Michael Cooper having to stay alert during the second clash by making six saves, on top of Hamza Choudhury succeeding in a somewhat makeshift right-back spot across both matches by winning 14 duels.

But, there is one defender who hasn’t been named yet and he certainly stole the show across both the 3-0 victories.

Sheffield United star is seeing his value soar

Harrison Burrows hasn’t just left all of his blistering displays for the lottery of the playoffs, however, with the exciting 23-year-old also making up a spot in the Championship team of the season.

A lively presence and constantly creative full-back, he bowed out from his two clashes against Manning’s men with a sublime one goal and three assists tallied up.

If you throw in these crucial goal contributions to his overall numbers for the regular season, Burrows finds himself on a sizeable six goals and six assists from 47 games, with this sterling output more than justifying the £6m splahed out on his services last summer.

Now, it remains to be seen whether the expansive 23-year-old can conjure up some more moments of magic on the intimidating stage of Wembley, with a spell in the Premier League to come no doubt boosting his ever-growing transfer value even more.

Games played

47

Goals scored

6

Assists

6

Clean sheets

17

Big chances created

10

Transfer value when joining

£6m

Transfer value now

£11m

Value increase

£5m

His value has already shot up by a steep £5m off the back of his confident showings in South Yorkshire, with Football Transfers now estimating the “unbelievable” defender – as he was previously lauded by ex-manager Darren Ferguson – to have a heftier valuation of £11m.

The electric number 14 has arguably turned into his Blades’ new Jayden Bogle – offering pace and creativity from the full-back spot – with Burrows hopeful his next onward destination is the Premier League too, so he can continue to follow in the now Leeds United man’s footsteps.

Before anyone gets too carried away, however, Wilder’s side have never won promotion through the treacherous playoff route.

But, if the two excellent wins against the Robins are anything to go by, such a hoodoo could soon be put to bed.

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Everton picked up an important point at home against Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime, drawing 1-1 with Mikel Arteta’s side. In the final clash between the two English heavyweights at Goodison Park, the Gunners took a first-half lead thanks to a goal from Leandro Trossard.

However, a second-half penalty from attacking midfielder Iliman Ndiaye equalised for the Toffees. It was a controversial decision, too. Myles Lewis-Skelly tumbled into Jack Harrison and brought him down in the box, which was deemed a foul. Ndiaye stepped up and coolly slotted home into the bottom right corner.

It was not a game in which centre-forwards thrived, with Beto not registering a shot and Trossard just three, as per Sofascore. Indeed, a former striker of both clubs, Francis Jeffers, might not have fared better.

Jeffers’ time at Everton

Everton manager David Moyes is now into his second spell as Everton manager, after an 11-year stint between 2002 and 2013. In that time, he worked with some talented attacking players, including the likes of Wayne Rooney, to whom he gave his first team debut.

However, none may be as polarising as Jeffers. The Liverpool-born striker turned into something of a journeyman throughout his career after breaking through at Goodison Park. He impressed in his first few seasons for the club, scoring 18 goals, prompting Arsenal to buy him in 2001 for £10m, including add-ons.

However, for an Arsenal side looking to compete on all fronts, Jeffers struggled, scoring eight times in 39 appearances across two full seasons. Everton brought him back to the club on loan in 2003/04 under Moyes, but it didn’t quite work out.

The former England international played 22 times under the legendary Scottish boss but only managed to score twice, neither of which came in the Premier League. In fact, Jeffers’ two goals both came against Fulham, in the FA Cup fourth round and the resulting replay, which the Toffees lost.

Sadly, Jeffers’ move back to Goodison Park did not go to plan, and he never regained the form he showed in his early career. There is certainly an argument to be made that Moyes is seeing a repeat of that loan move in his current Everton side.

The Everton star who is Moyes’ new Jeffers

Everton signed Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea on deadline day last summer. It was a last-gasp deal for the Albanian striker, who seemed destined to join Ipswich Town before the Toffees snapped him up. However, just as Jeffers struggled on loan at Everton from a ‘big six’ club, Broja has also not had an easy time of things.

In truth, things have not really worked out for the exciting youngster at Goodison Park. He has unfortunately struggled with injuries as an Everton player, suffering from an Achilles tendon issue and an ankle problem.

During his time at the club so far, the 23-year-old has managed just nine appearances, with just two of those coming from the start. He has also played just three games under Moyes so far, but with his return to fitness, he could well be in line for his first start under the Scot before too long.

In top-flight football, Broja has shown that he can be clinical in front of goal. Described as a “complete forward” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Albania international has scored eight goals in the Premier League and ten strikes for Vitesse in the Eredivisie during a loan spell four years ago.

Chelsea

Premier League (2019/20)

1

0

4

Vitesse

Eredivise (2020/21)

30

10

1875

Southampton

Premier League (2021/22)

32

6

1981

Chelsea

Premier League (2022/23)

12

1

287

Chelsea

Premier League (2023/24)

13

1

453

Fulham

Premier League (2023/24)

8

0

81

Everton

Premier League (2024/25)

8

0

205

As the video below from his time at Southampton shows, the 23-year-old is a composed finisher in the penalty box, capable of scoring from all different angles. He is also a true goal-poacher and is able to sniff out chances from nowhere.

It has not worked out for Broja at Everton yet due to the injuries from which he has suffered. However, if he can rediscover his best form towards the end of the season, they could have a deadly striker on their hands.

Saved by Ndiaye: Everton's 6-pass star proved he must be axed this summer

Everton fought back to earn a draw against Arsenal at Goodison Park.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 5, 2025

Somerset’s quarter-final hero hoping to sign off with more silverware despite impending departure

Matt Roller12-Sep-2025Sean Dickson is a sports psychologist in training and does not have to look far to find a compelling case study for his second career.On Saturday night, Dickson walked out to play his final innings for Somerset at Taunton’s County Ground determined to prove the club’s management had made a mistake in not offering him a new contract; 43 minutes later, he walked off having dragged them to T20 Blast Finals Day almost single-handedly.”I was very clear on what I wanted to do: I wanted to sign off, and I wanted to sign off properly,” Dickson says. “It was a fire within me to go and prove that they’ve made the wrong decision, and I wanted to show them that… Normally, nerves are flowing, but I just took a deep breath, looked around, and just took it in for a bit. I set out to go and prove a point.”He proved it emphatically, hitting 71 not out off 26 balls. Somerset needed 33 off the last two overs, then 19 off the final five balls; Dickson took them across the line in four. “That was my best T20 innings,” he says. “Everyone wants to be in that position where they need to score 20 off the last over and hit sixes to win the end of the game… It’s quite nice to say I’ve done it.”Related

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Few would have seen it coming when Dickson, once a first-class triple-centurion with Kent, first signed for Somerset three years ago, ostensibly to strengthen their red-ball batting. He has struggled in the Championship, averaging 20.41, but his T20 record for Somerset is phenomenal: he averages 38.32 for them while maintaining a strike rate of 155.51.Somerset’s decision to let him go is not without logic, and Dickson acknowledges there is plenty of talent in the club’s “remarkable” academy. They have several promising young batters – including Tom Lammonby, Archie Vaughan, and James and Thomas Rew – and know that they need to offer them first-team cricket across formats to keep hold of them in the longer term.But he was clearly hurt by it nonetheless, describing the realisation that he would not be offered a deal as “heart-breaking”. He will instead spend the next two seasons at Glamorgan, who have effectively signed him as a replacement for Sam Northeast; the proximity will enable his young family to stay put in the south-west, where his eldest daughter recently started school.Dickson turned 34 last week and could have several years left ahead of him: during his time at London Spirit in the Hundred, he sought advice from coach Justin Langer on how he could become a “permanent player within the franchise system”. But he is already setting himself up for life after cricket, launching a sports psychology business early last year.His interest in the field started over a decade ago when he was diagnosed with generalised anxiety: “I just thought it was normal to have these situations where there was almost a dissociation from me being able to be in the present moment. It wasn’t.” He has since completed a masters in it, and is working towards his full accreditation.!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[“datawrapper-height”][t]+”px”;r.style.height=d}}})}();