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Everton suffered their first defeat in their Premier League opener against Fulham at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon, and Sean Dyche will surely be feeling frustrated with the 1-0 loss.

The Toffees are looking to improve upon their poor form in the top-flight last season which saw them only saved from relegation on the final day, but it looks like lessons haven't been learned and there is still much more room for improvement.

How did Everton get on vs Fulham?

Despite having less possession (41%) than their visitors, Everton had more shots in total (19), big chances created (4), counter-attacks (5), tackles won (13) and interceptions completed (13), however it wasn't enough to take any points from the clash.

In the first half, Everton started strong without seeing much of the ball, however, when they did manage to win the ball they were progressive in parts but just couldn't finish any of their chances before the half-time whistle was blown.

Everton's 2023/24 fixtures & Premier League prediction…

In the second half, Arnaut Danjuma made his debut on the blue side of Merseyside when he replaced Neal Maupay in the 72nd minute, but the jubilance of seeing a new attacking threat unleashed at Goodison Park was short-lived when Bobby Decorvoda-Reid found the back of the net just one minute later, giving Fulham the lead away from home.

Dyche's side were unable to deliver a much-needed comeback to take a point from their opening game and at the full-time whistle found themselves suffering a fate all too familiar for the home support.

How did Neal Maupay play vs Fulham?

Whilst Dyche has a lot to work on in building important and effective connections between the players on the pitch, the Everton boss is not the only person to point the blame at as Maupay failed once again to deliver any quality or threat in front of goal.

Over his 72 minute disasterclass, the 26-year-old Frenchman lost 100% of his air and ground duels combined (0/5), had just 21 touches of the ball (fewer than the 36 of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and the 68 of Bernd Leno) and completed just eight passes all game.

To rub further salt into the wounds for the striker, he also missed two big chances and was dribbled past once, before being hooked and replaced by loanee Danjuma.

Maupay has scored just one goal over the last 12 months in all competitions, so patience is understandably wearing thin for the supporters on his presence in the starting line-up and his uninspiring performance today will only further frustrations.

There is no doubt that Dyche needs to re-evaluate the attacking threat he is currently deploying, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin was unavailable for selection again due to fitness issues and Dwight McNeil is set to be out of action for several weeks due to an ankle injury.

New signing Youssef Chermiti must replace Maupay in the centre-forward role as soon as he is available to start, after securing a move to Merseyside and penning a four-year deal at the back end of the week.

Whilst today's result may put pressure on the Everton hierarchy to add even more new additions to bolster the quality in the final third, as it could be a long and challenging campaign for Dyche and his squad if things don't improve imminently.

Crystal Palace are looking to bolster their squad before the summer transfer window slams shut in just a couple of weeks.

Roy Hodgson saw his side get off to the perfect start in the Premier League, securing a 1-0 victory against Sheffield United, but it could have been more.

They recorded 24 shots in total yet had just one goal to show for it, and the Eagles are now showing interest in a former Premier League striker…

Who could Crystal Palace sign?

The Sun journalist Alan Nixon has provided an update regarding interest in Southampton striker Che Adams.

Everton are currently in the lead to sign the player amid interest from three other clubs, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace, and AFC Bournemouth are also keen on the player.

Hodgson will be hoping to convince the £30k-per-week hitman to move to London despite the interest from other top flight clubs and with the Scottish international having just a year left on his current contract, they could land him for a knockdown price.

How good is Che Adams?

Palace netted just 40 league goals throughout the entirety of the 2022/23 season, a total higher than just six teams, and it’s evident if Hodgson wants to take the club to the next level, improving his firepower is vital.

Only one player across the whole squad hit ten goals last term, Eberechi Eze, with no strikers scoring more than seven.

Odsonne Edouard has started the campaign strongly, netting the winner against the Blades last weekend, and he could be vital should he return to the form that saw him score 87 goals for Celtic in just 179 appearances.

The Frenchman hasn’t quite hit the same sort of heights in England, finding the step up from the Scottish Premiership more difficult than anticipated, yet once he clicks into gear, the 25-year-old is an excellent striker.

Indeed, during the victory last week, he registered seven shots in total, made two key passes, succeeded with two of his three dribble attempts, and even missed a big chance, indicating that he could have scored more than once.

Adams could give the Palace frontline that added boost they clearly require to finish teams off, while he is also statistically similar to Edouard.

According to FBref, the “clever” striker – as lauded by pundit Ally McCoist – is the sixth-most comparable player to the former Celtic frontman and this could suggest he would be a fine signing.

Indeed, last season, the duo registered similar statistics with regard to goal contributions (13 v nine), shots on target per 90 (0.88 v 0.79), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.57 v 2.2) and successful take-ons (both 16), proving that they offer a solid attacking threat.

Having scored 25 Premier League goals during his career so far, Adams knows what it takes to find the net at the highest level and having ranked first across the Saints squad last term for shots per game (1.7) and second for goals and assists (eight), he could give Palace something extra up top.

Combine this with the fact he has shone on international level for Scotland, netting five times while grabbing three assists, so Hodgson could find himself with a player who is already perfectly suited to the rigours of the top flight.

As far as starts go, Manchester United have had quite a frustrating opening three weeks in the Premier League, with unconvincing wins against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest sandwiched between a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.

With his side's defensive weaknesses arguably exposed, Erik ten Hag has a matter of days left to welcome further reinforcements in the hope of building a squad at least capable of a comfortable top-four finish and more this season.

Luke Shaw's injury has especially given the Dutchman plenty to think about, reportedly turning his attention towards another Premier League left-back.

What's the latest Manchester United transfer news?

When it comes to reinforcements so far this summer, Manchester United, on paper, solved a fair few problems within their squad. They signed Andre Onana following the departure of David de Gea, whilst also adding a midfielder in the form of Mason Mount, and an out-and-out striker by welcoming Rasmus Hojlund.

Three weeks into the season, however, and it looks as though the Red Devils still have plenty of issues to overcome if they want to become a side capable of challenging on all fronts this season.

Among those issues, a new dilemma has come to the fore, adding to United's woes. And that issue comes, of course, at left-back, with the news of Shaw's injury leaving Ten Hag short on the left-hand side of his back four.

With that said, according to Fabrizio Romano, United have made "contact" with Chelsea over a potential loan deal for out-of-favour left-back Marc Cucurella before the transfer window slams shut.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion man, who cost Chelsea a reported £60m last summer, is reportedly one of three options on United's current shortlist.

Should Manchester United sign Marc Cucurella?

Cucurella featured just 24 times in the Premier League during his first season at Stamford Bridge as the Blues fell to a surprise bottom-half finish. After costing Chelsea a reported £60m, he was the club's 10th best performer, as per SofaScore, and appears to need a move, having failed to make a single appearance under Mauricio Pochettino so far in the current campaign.

His game-time is unlikely to improve, too, given the fact that Pochettino has both Ben Chilwell and Ian Maatsen at his disposal, potentially opening the door for a move to Manchester United.

The Red Devils could do with a left-back after Shaw's injury, and would be getting themselves a relatively risk-free deal if they did land Cucurella on loan. The Spaniard's wages, which currently sit at a reported £175k a week, may put Ten Hag and co off a move, but with no transfer fee involved, it could still be one worth pursuing, especially if Cucurella rediscovered his best form.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

At his best, the former Brighton man has earned plenty of deserved praise, including from ex-teammate Leandro Trossard, who said, via the official Brighton website:

“I am really pleased for Moises and Cucu. They have been brilliant for us. Cucu is so good. I play close to him on the pitch and he has such a drive, he wins duels and is good on the ball. He’s been a really good signing for us.”

Leeds United endured a tumultuous summer of vast change, but amidst all the turmoil, Daniel Farke could actually have pulled off a true masterclass…

Why did Luis Sinisterra leave Leeds United?

One of the big frustrations of the window was overseeing the late exit of Luis Sinisterra, who despite having been reintegrated back into the first-team squad still seemingly was pushing for a move.

Eventually, the Colombian got his wish, and AFC Bournemouth returned to Elland Road just weeks after snagging Tyler Adams to steal another of their key assets. Their relegation to the Championship just continued to plague their summer.

It was cited that earlier in the window there had been complications regarding the release clause of the winger, with his frustrations well-known given a bid was reportedly rejected despite his willingness to move.

So, when the Cherries came at the eleventh hour, Farke had lost his bargaining position.

Despite that, there was a slight positive to emerge from the move, as amongst the misery came Jaidon Anthony as a last-minute addition to sweeten the deal.

His arrival has gone hugely under the radar, and against all the odds it seems like the Whites could have secured a true star to help spearhead their promotion push, replacing the former Feyenoord flyer.

How good is Jaidon Anthony?

With experience already tackling the Championship once before, Farke has worked wonders to tempt the 23-year-old to drop down a level once again in order to help their promotion cause.

He noted, upon signing: “The year before last I got promoted from this division, I played a lot of games in it and I know it’s a really tough league, it’s really physical and very demanding. It’s exciting to come back now and try and push for another promotion."

That marked an outstanding year for the youngster, as he maintained a 7.16 average rating in the league, featuring 45 times and recording 15 goal contributions. On top of that, he remained a consistent creative threat as well as a tireless worker, also posting 1.3 tackles and 1.6 key passes per game, via Sofascore.

To outline just how sensational he was when it came to forging opportunities for teammates who often let him down, he only managed to conjure seven assists despite creating an unbelievable 18 big chances.

Such form had to draw praise, with his boss Scott Parker leading it: “Jaidon Anthony’s a player that goes under the radar massively, what he does for this team is nothing short of incredible at times.

“In possession, we see his qualities, his calmness, his silkiness when he makes good decisions but the stuff that goes unnoticed is his defensive side, what he brings to this team.”

Whilst Sinisterra boasts immeasurable qualities on the left flank, with pace, dynamism and tricks in abundance, it seems that Anthony has more than enough to make up for his absence.

Especially given the bar has hardly been set impossibly high, given the 24-year-old scored just five league goals all season last term, enduring a year regularly marred by injuries.

Farke would be replacing the somewhat unreliable brilliance of one winger for a proven star set to reignite his form of old in the Championship.

Given how this swoop has truly gone under the radar, the £11m-rated dynamo could prove to be Leeds’ secret weapon this campaign.

It no doubt proved a summer of notable change as far as Tottenham Hotspur are concerned, with new boss Ange Postecoglou having overseen something of a mass squad overhaul after completing nine summer signings, with a raft of first-team assets also heading out the door at N17.

The former Celtic boss appeared particularly intent on altering his centre-back ranks during the recent window after acquiring Dutch giant, Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg, while also sanctioning the exits of Japhet Tanganga, Joe Rodon and Davinson Sanchez – the latter of whom sealed a £12.8m move to Galatasaray earlier this week.

With Eric Dier having also been deemed somewhat surplus to requirements of late, it has left Postecoglou with arguably just Van de Ven and Cristian Romero to call upon in the heart of the backline, with such limited options likely to be of concern if injuries are to strike.

One potential solution to that concerning depth could have already emerged, however, in the form of teenage summer signing, Ashley Phillips, with the 18-year-old potentially set to represent a perfect understudy in the centre of defence this season.

How much did Tottenham pay for Ashley Phillips?

After having enjoyed something of a breakout season for former club Blackburn Rovers last term – as he made 14 appearances in all competitions – the England U19 international was snapped up in early August by the north London outfit, having initially joined the Championship side at the age of 12 back in 2017.

Acquired by Spurs for a minimal fee of just £2m, the expectation was that the promising youngster would not immediately be involved in the senior set-up, with the club having also been showing an interest in the likes of Edmond Tapsoba and Clement Lenglet.

With those latter moves failing to pan out, however, the onus may well be on Phillips to be fast-tracked in the first-team, with recent reports indicating that he is already training with Postecoglou's squad "week in, week out", as per football.london's Alasdair Gold, having been named on the bench for the win over Burnley last time out.

How good is Ashley Phillips?

Despite his relative inexperience at senior level, Phillips has already earned rave reviews due to his exciting potential in recent times, with former Rovers boss Tony Mowbray having previously said of his talents back in 2021:

"He’s an amazing footballer and he is going to be a mega footballer I’m pretty sure, but he’s a very young boy. He’s a 6’3, 6’4 magnificent cut of a guy, fast as lightning, composed with the ball, aggressive."

Those latter traits could well make the Salford-born gem a perfect backup to the aforementioned Van de Ven, with the Dutchman also a towering presence at 6 foot 4, while boasting the benefit – like Phillips – of his "extreme speed", as hailed by Wolfsburg director Marcel Shafer.

Such strengths have already been put to good use during the 22-year-old's time in England to date, having been hailed as "really impressive" by talkSPORT pundit Danny Murphy after starting every game so far this term.

While Postecoglou will likely be hoping to rely upon the former Volendam ace on a regular basis, it will be necessary to have figures in reserve who can come into the side and take on a similar role when needed, hence why young Phillips could be a dream option in that regard.

Although it remains difficult to judge the qualities of the former Rovers gem as he is somewhat untested at first-team level, his physical capabilities and immense recovery speed appear to suggest that the Lilywhites have a perfect Van de Ven understudy on their hands.

Arsenal are now "very optimistic" a key first-team player will sign a new contract, with talks set to continue now the international break is over, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Which Arsenal players are signing new contracts?

Mikel Arteta has been able to protect the core of his squad by securing new contracts for a number of first-team players in recent months, including the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka.

However, the manager does not want to stop there, and a few more key members of the squad are in line for new deals, with The Daily Mail reporting Ben White is set to enter formal talks over extending his contract, which is set to expire in the summer of 2026.

Not only that, but club captain Martin Odegaard has been touted for a new deal for quite some time, with transfer insider Dean Jones revealing the Norwegian is set for a "significant pay rise" if he does choose to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium.

Journalist Graeme Bailey even hinted Odegaard could be set to treble his wages, meaning he would earn over £300k-per-week, and there has now been an update on the progress that has been made towards agreeing an extension.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, Ben Jacobs has now suggested that talks are set to continue in the coming days, with Arsenal becoming increasingly hopeful their captain will agree a new contract to remain in north London

When discussing the pay rise the 24-year-old could receive, the journalist said: "If you've brought in someone like Declan Rice, you might have broken your wage structure a little bit. Someone like Odegaard, on £115,000-a-week, might be wanting up to £250,000-a-week – you just don't know because a lot can change when your project grows very fast.

"But there's optimism. and there is no reason to think that Odegaard won't sign. I would expect, now the international break is over, for talks to continue and move relatively fast towards some kind of agreement in principle.

Jacobs later added: "Arsenal are very optimistic that Odegaard will be another key member of the club to renew."

How many goals has Martin Odegaard scored for Arsenal?

The attacking midfielder has scored 26 goals in 110 appearances for the Gunners, during which time he has registered 15 assists, and there were clear signs he is starting to come into his prime in the 2022-23 campaign.

Last season, the Norway international amassed a remarkable 23 goal contributions in 37 Premier League games, solidifying his place as a key player for Arsenal, so it is exciting news that he is now close to agreeing a contract extension.

Former Gunner Alan Smith has lauded the maestro as "superb" in the past, and Arteta is well aware of the calibre of player he has on his hands, having described him as "exceptional" when discussing the progress he's made.

At 24-years-old, Odegaard should now be entering his prime years, and it will be a real boost for Arsenal if he signs a new deal.

Leeds United journalist Conor McGilligan has now taken to X to react to Daniel Farke's latest comments about Georginio Rutter.

What was the Leeds vs Watford score?

Leeds picked up another important victory in the Championship this weekend, defeating Watford 3-0 at Elland Road, courtesy of goals from Joel Piroe, Sam Byram and Jaidon Anthony, in what was a very impressive performance from the whole team.

The Whites undoubtedly deserved to pick up the three points, dominating possession and recording more expected goals than their opponents, and there were a few players who stood out, with Daniel James receiving the highest SofaScore match rating of any player (8.1).

Although Rutter was unable to find the back of the net, he also impressed on Saturday afternoon, setting up Anthony for the third goal in the second half, with just one minute of normal time remaining, and he will certainly be pleased with his display.

Farke was clearly very happy with the striker, hailing him for a "top-class performance" in his post-match interview, while also claiming that his work ethic was "outstanding", but there was one aspect of his game the manager was not overly pleased with.

As relayed by Phil Hay on X, the manager has confirmed he's spoken to the 21-year-old about what he perceived to be unnecessary showboating during yesterday's game, which may have bordered on being "embarrassing for the opponent." Hay said:

"Farke says he's spoken to Rutter about making sure that when he plays, he doesn't try to embarrass or disrespect opposition players. Can show his magic but needs to keep it under control. But very happy with his display."

However, when reacting to the manager's approach on X, McGilligan has now suggested he thinks it is a non-issue, while querying the manager's approach to the forward expressing himself.

McGilligan said: "Relax Farke, let Georgio cook, crazy take."

How did Georginio Rutter play against Watford?

It is probably a little harsh to be too critical of the 21-year-old, as he is in exceptional form at the moment, and the fact he is showing his "magic" highlights that he is full of confidence, which can only serve Leeds well going forward.

The starlet completed seven of the nine dribbles he attempted at the weekend, by far the highest amount of any player on the pitch, while he also created one big chance, and won all three of the aerial duels he contested.

The only thing missing from the Frenchman's performance, which would have topped it off, was a goal, and he may be slightly be disappointed he spurned one big chance, although it ultimately had no bearing on the result of the match.

The Plescop-born forward is now on two goals and one assist in six Championship outings this season, having put in a remarkable performance against Millwall earlier this month, receiving the highest Sofascore match rating of any player (8.6).

Farke will be hoping Rutter can put in a similar display next weekend, when his side face a tough test away at fellow recently relegated side Southampton, who have suffered four defeats on the spin.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a tough start to their 2023/24 campaign, as issues from last season and the summer break have tarnished Gary O’Neil’s plans with his squad.

The Englishman took charge of the Old Gold just four days before their Premier League opener, following Julen Lopetegui’s departure due to worries about the size of his squad due to the club’s financial restrictions.

After making sufficient sales without room for replacements, O’Neil admitted that his side is “£80m short” of players this term, which is unfortunately reflected in the level of performance so far.

Losing star names such as Ruben Neves, Raul Jimenez, Joao Moutinho and Matheus Nunes got Wolves off to a difficult start, resulting in the need for other players in the squad to step up and attempt to contend in the league.

What does Gary O’Neil have to improve at Wolves?

In their opening six Premier League fixtures, the Midlands side have recorded one win, one draw and four losses, where they have conceded 12 goals which stands at the third-highest number of goals conceded so far.

Only newly promoted Sheffield United and Burnley have let in more goals from the opposition than Wolves, hinting that O’Neil may have to go back to basics to ensure his side can improve.

Speaking of the basics, the Molineux outfit have scored the joint-fourth lowest number of goals so far, with six in six games, with the common narrative of their games being that they didn’t take their chances.

The 2022/23 campaign saw Wolves end the season as the Premier League’s lowest-scorers with just 31 in 38, and with no fresh firepower in their arsenal, history could repeat itself if changes aren’t made.

O’Neil may not need to look far to seek a goalscorer, with one academy player showing just how clinical he can be in the final third during his time at the club, as Nathan Fraser has shown signs that he could be nearing a breakthrough.

What could Nathan Fraser offer to Wolves?

A product of Wolves’ academy, Fraser worked his way through the ranks at his boyhood club over the years to make his senior debut earlier this campaign in the Carabao Cup.

It didn’t take long for the Wolverhampton-born starlet to showcase what he’s capable of, as he scored and assisted in the 28 minutes that he featured in the 5-0 win over Blackpool.

The 18-year-old was handed another senior appearance earlier this week during Wolves’ defeat to Ipswich Town in the cup, suggesting that O’Neil may be tempted to hand him a sporadic role in the first team as time passes.

Previously lauded as “dangerous” by analyst Mark Broomy, Fraser has what his club desires, which is the ability to score goals.

Last season, the youngster played in the Premier League 2 as an integral part of the U21 side, where he scored seven goals and recorded two assists in 23 appearances in the level above his age group.

This term has started swimmingly for the striker, who has already scored five from seven appearances in all competitions, including his senior goal that had people gushing over his talent.

If O’Neil can integrate the academy star into his plans going forward, the manager could significantly improve Wolves’ fortunes in the final third, in a player that is both well-equipped and hungry to succeed for the club.

Ryan Gauld, who was once dubbed ‘Mini Messi’, is looking forward to facing Lionel Messi when the Vancouver Whitecaps take on Inter Miami.

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• Argentine superstar now in Florida
• Will be passing through Canada in 2024
• Another tricky playmaker feeling settled

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Messi travelling circus, which has set up camp in Florida, will be passing through Canada on a couple of occasions this season. Inter Miami are due in Montreal on May 11, before heading to Vancouver on the 26th of that month. That trip will – fitness permitting – see Gauld line up against an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

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  WHAT GAULD SAID

  The former Dundee United star, who was likened to Messi after moving to Sporting as a teenager, has told of facing the real thing – with Inter Miami also having the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba on their books: “They obviously get a lot more attention but that allows us to work in the background and do our bit without too much attention on us. It's going to be really good to play against them this year. You can only really say positive stuff about the fact he [Messi] came to MLS and helped to raise the standard of the league.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Gauld has been in MLS since joining the Whitecaps in 2021. He is now club captain and recently committed to a new contract. There has been talk of the former Scotland U21 international earning Canadian citizenship and switching allegiance, but he is happy to have domestic stability for now. He added on the immediate future: “I'm excited to know that I'm going to be in one place for the next four years. Since leaving United I've kind of been jumping around year after year after year not knowing where I'm going to be living. So I'm happy just to have the continuity ahead of me of being in Vancouver and being in familiar surroundings. That's what I'm focusing on for the next few years and then you never know what's happening in the future.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The Whitecaps are unbeaten through two MLS fixtures this season, picking up four points, and know that they will need to be at their best when Messi and Co roll into town – with Inter Miami being tipped to compete for major honours on multiple fronts in 2024.

One topic is dominating the news surrounding Glasgow Rangers at the moment and that is the rumours of a potential takeover by Paraag Marathe – the man behind NFL team the San Francisco 49ers.

Investment is desperately needed at Ibrox, even more so after the events of the current season, with Philippe Clement overseeing a dismal campaign that has most recently delivered a shock Scottish Cup defeat to Championship side Queen’s Park.

While any potential takeover won’t occur for a while yet, according to journalist Chris Jack of the Rangers Review, discussions between 49ers Enterprises and key shareholders have been ongoing for several months, which is promising indeed.

Dave King is the major shareholder at Rangers, owning a stake of 12.96%, followed by Douglas Park and George Taylor, who both have stakes of over 10%.

What Rangers can expect from 49ers takeover

The 49ers are one of the best-run franchises in the NFL. The 49ers Enterprise is currently valued at a staggering $5.97b, ranking them as the 11th most valuable sports empire in the world.

The 49ers are arguably one of the best-run NFL teams in America. Over the previous ten years, they have won three Divisional Championships (2019, 2022, and 2023) while also reaching the Superbowl on two occasions (2019 and 2023).

The 49ers bought a 15% stake in Leeds United back in 2018, which rose to 44% by 2021. Although they were relegated at the end of the 2022/23 season, Leeds look set to make a return to the Premier League this term.

There is talk of expansion at Elland Road. Should Marathe secure the takeover of Rangers, this could benefit the club in the long run.

One area that will be on everyone’s minds at the club, from supporters to those on the current board, is finances. While a financial war chest may not be available straight away, will there be funds for the manager to bolster his side this summer and beyond?

If so, there are a few players that should be brought to Ibrox. Notably, Lennon Miller.

Rangers were linked with Lennon Miller

It is no secret that Rangers have shown interest in Miller over the previous few months. According to the Glasgow Times during the winter transfer window, both the Gers and Celtic were showing plenty of interest in the Motherwell youngster.

The teenager has made waves at the club since making his debut in 2022, aged just 16 years and 6 days in the League Cup. Miller has enjoyed a meteoric rise ever since.

It isn’t just the Old Firm who are keen on securing his services either. Last month, Serie A side Udinese had a bid of around £2.5m rejected by the Steelmen, who are in no mood to let their prized asset depart on the cheap.

Indeed, the Premiership club value Miller at £4m, which could well be in range for the Light Blues this summer, especially if the potential takeover is done and dusted by then.

Clement – if he is still in a job by then – should be doing everything he can to land the midfielder ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Once he leaves Motherwell for new pastures, if it is not for Rangers, then the club will have no chance of signing him in the future.

Lennon Miller’s season in numbers

Watching Miller play and dominate games, it is hard to believe he is still only 18 years old. The midfielder has featured 27 times for Motherwell this season, scoring four goals while registering six assists in all competitions.

Transfer Focus

Capable of playing either in a more advanced role behind the striker, or slightly defensive in front of the back four, Miller has all the tools to be a regular for Rangers or Celtic, no doubt about that.

In the top flight, the youngster averages 1.5 shots per game, along with creating eight big chances, averaging 2.1 key passes per game and succeeding with 52% of his dribble attempts, proving just how effective he can be when bursting into the final third.

Defensively, Miller has also sparkled for the Steelmen. He has averaged 1.9 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game in the Premiership. Furthermore, the Scot wins an impressive 5.9 total duels per game – a success rate of 53% – while recovering 6.6 balls per game.

James McFadden, himself one a teenage prodigy at Motherwell, lauded plenty of praise for Miller during an interview he gave with Open Goal late last year, dubbing the youngster as “ridiculous” due to his ability and future potential.

He could be a dream first signing for the 49ers should a move materialise in the summer. That is almost a certainty.

Where Lennon Miller would fit in at Rangers

One of the strongest areas in the current Rangers side is midfield. Clement can call upon Nicolas Raskin, Mohamed Diomande, Connor Barron, and Bailey Rice, while Dundee starlet Lyall Cameron will join the Gers at the end of the season.

As you can see, this area is fairly stacked with talent, but Miller’s ability to play in a few different positions could give Clement a massive boost.

This could see him slot into a number ten role should the opportunity arise, or perhaps a more defensive depending on the opposition.

If Miller keeps performing the way he has been over the previous 12 months, he could become a star at Rangers.

Of course, this might just be a stepping stone for a move elsewhere, either abroad or to the Premier League, but the Ibrox side would surely rake in a significant profit on their initial investment.

The rumours of a reported takeover by the 49ers look to have given the majority of the fanbase a temporary boost, but until the deal is signed, sealed, and delivered, nothing can be assumed.

If they approach it in the right way, this could see Rangers enter a new era beginning the 2025/26 campaign.

Let us just hope it is more successful than the current one.

49ers could land Rangers dream Clement replacement with "kamikaze" coach

As Rangers, potentially, begin their search for Philippe Clement’s successor, could the new 49ers ownership appoint “incredible” new manager?

By
Ben Gray

Feb 20, 2025