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It's been another rough season for the Chelsea faithful this year, as their summer spending hasn't translated to any improvements on the pitch.

After their win over Newcastle United, Mauricio Pochettino's side are still in 11th place in the Premier League and look miles off European qualification.

However, while several of the team's stars have seen their stock fall over the campaign, Conor Gallagher's has risen.

The talented midfielder is one of the few players at the club who has given his everything to the team this year, although a former Blues star is currently outscoring him away from West London.

Conor Gallagher's transfer valuation in 2024

A boyhood Chelsea fan, Gallagher has taken on a lot of responsibility under Pochettino this season despite it being just his second campaign of regular football at Stamford Bridge.

The Epsom-born gem has made 37 appearances for the first team this year, scoring four goals and providing seven assists, including the winner against bitter rivals Leeds United in the FA Cup last month.

However, with Reece James and Ben Chilwell missing large chunks of the campaign through injury – again – the 24-year-old has captained the team on 17 occasions.

Gallagher's recent form and growing importance to the Blues has seen his valuation significantly increase over the last few months.

According to Football Transfers' Expected Value model, the 6-foot ace was worth just €27m – about £23m – in October but is now worth around €39m, which is about £33m.

However, a player the club let go in the summer is now worth even more and has outscored the Englishman this year.

Christian Pulisic's transfer valuation after leaving Chelsea

American international Christian Pulisic signed for Chelsea in January 2019 for around £58m, although he spent the rest of that season in Germany with Borussia Dortmund.

The Hereshey-born superstar made a promising start to life in the capital in the 2020/21 season, ending the campaign with six goals and four assists before improving the following season with eight goals and five assists.

However, for as good as he looked when on the pitch, the 5 foot 10 maestro couldn't remain fit, and over his four years in England, he missed 65 games for club and country before he was eventually sold to AC Milan last summer for just £20m, a staggering £38m loss.

Now, moving from one of the biggest clubs in England to arguably the biggest club in Italy was a move that could have quickly gone wrong for the USMNT star, but so far, it hasn't.

In the eight months since his move, the natural "leader", as Jurgen Klinsmann dubbed him, has made 37 appearances, scored ten goals, and provided seven assists, even though he's missed six games through injury. That's a great deal better than Gallagher, even if Pulisic is playing in a more advanced role on the field.

The resurgence of the 25-year-old "magician", as described by sports writer Al Butler, has unsurprisingly sent his value soaring as well.

According to Football Transfers' Expected Value model, the 64-capped international was worth just €29m – £25m – in October but is now worth a whopping €52m, which is about £44m and £11m more than the aforementioned Gallagher.

A striker who Chelsea released is now worth even more than Nkunku

The former academy gem has been making a name for himself away from Stamford Bridge.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Mar 14, 2024

Ultimately, it made sense for Chelsea to sell Pulisic when they did due to his injuries and deteriorating form. Still, with how well he's since played in Italy, it would have been interesting to see what Pochettino might've been able to get out of him over the course of a season. After all, one of the men tasked with replacing him in Mykhailo Mudryk has also scored fewer this term (6).

It's been a real topsy-turvey sort of season for Manchester United this year, with some massive wins, such as the one against Liverpool over the weekend, and some shocking defeats as well.

However, one of the bright spots in an otherwise forgetful campaign has been newboy Rasmus Højlund, who has looked electric at points and like a striker who could fire the club to glory in a few years.

That said, while the Dane is the club's top goalscorer, a former flop who left almost a decade ago is presently outscoring him and looks as impressive as ever.

Rasmus Højlund's performances this season

The young Dane arrived at the club off the back of a high profile £72m move from Serie A side Atalanta despite only joining the Bergamo-based outfit the summer before for €17m, which is about £15m.

To put it diplomatically, the first half of the season was interesting for the then-20-year-old. In the Champions League, he was lethal and, at one point, the competition's top scorer, but in the Premier League, he hadn't scored a single goal.

However, on Boxing Day, he finally broke his duct and scored an 89th-minute winner against Aston Villa before scoring another six goals in his next five league games.

In all, the Copenhagen-born dynamo has scored 13 goals and provided two assists in 31 games for United this season and is starting to look at home in the Premier League, which should worry opposing sides.

However, for as brilliant as the young Dane has been, he is still being outscored by a former United flop.

Ángel Di María's season with Manchester United

Yes, the man in question is World Cup and Champions League winner Ángel Di María.

The Red Devils signed the Argentine great for a British record £60m in the summer of 2014 in the aftermath of his European triumph with Real Madrid, and to say the expectations were high would be an understatement.

Everything started perfectly for the former Real man, as in his first six league games, he scored three goals and provided seven assists, but following his goal against Everton on the 5th October, he'd only score once more in 27 appearances.

In fairness to the Rosario-born superstar, he was tasked with playing six different positions in that season, suffered from three injuries that saw him miss a number of games and had his house attacked, which must have made it hard for him to settle at the club.

In all, the 5 foot 10 magician scored just four goals and provided 12 assists in his 32 appearances for the club and earned £250k-per-week for the 49 weeks he was a United player.

This means that with his £60m transfer fee and the £44m fee they received for selling him in 2015 taken into consideration, the World Cup winner cost the Red Devils £28.2m for one season of dismal performances.

That comes to about £7m-per-goal, £2.3m-per-assist, £1.7m-per-goal-involvement, or £882k-per-appearance.

Wage Burners

Football FanCast's Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.

Ángel Di María's performances this season

There is no getting away from the fact that the "outstanding talent," as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, was terrible for United in the year he spent at the club.

Still, after leaving, he rebuilt his reputation at Paris Saint Germain and Juventus, going on to produce 212 goal involvements in 295 games for the former and 15 goal involvements in 40 games for the latter.

Last summer, at 35 years old, the United flop elected to rejoin his old team, Benfica, on a one-year contract. While some might have expected him to slowly wind down, given his age, he's done the complete opposite.

So far, the tricky winger has scored 15 goals and provided 11 assists in 39 appearances for As Águias, outscoring Hojlund by two goals while providing nine more assists to boot.

Ultimately, United probably did the right thing in selling Di Maria when they did, but there will always be slight doubt whether he would have been able to acclimatise to the Premier League with one more season, and if he had, maybe United would be in a better place than they are today.

Barcelona have reportedly agreed personal terms with Dani Olmo and have submitted a new bid to RB Leipzig as they eye a summer move.

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• Barcelona and Olmo agree terms
• La Liga club make new bid to Leipzig
• Offer €55m with €7m add-ons

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Following Olmo's brilliant performances at Euro 2024 as Spain cruised to the title, it has been reported that Barcelona are interested in signing the midfielder. The Catalan side had kept Olmo's signing as the second priority as they looked to sign Athletic Club's Nico Williams first. However, with the winger reportedly looking to stay with the Basque club for another year, Barcelona have shifted their focus back to Olmo.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona and Olmo have already agreed to personal terms on a six-year contract until the summer of 2030. Romano also stated that Olmo is only interested in a move to Barcelona, but the Catalan side are yet to find an agreement with Leipzig over a transfer fee. They have submitted a new bid that they hope will be accepted.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  As per the report by Romano, Barcelona have also submitted a new bid to the Bundesliga side worth €55 million (£46.3m/$59.3m) along with €7 million (£5.9m/$7.5m) in add-ons.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR OLMO?

  The Spanish international has not been introduced to Leipzig's pre-season team dynamics as a move seems imminent this summer but remains to be seen whether the Bundesliga side accepts Barcelona's new offer.

Everton could be on the end of a third points deduction after more financial breaches were reportedly discovered.

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• Premier League potentially found financial breaches
• Everton could be on the end of a point deduction
• Toffees already punished on two occasions last year

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Premier League could hand Everton a worrying start to the season after uncovering more financial issues surrounding Sean Dyche's team. According to , there was additional overspending linked to the points deduction they were hit with in April that could get Everton in hot water.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Everton were docked two points by an independent commission for overspending in the 2022-23 season. They had already been hit with a 10-point deduction for breaches in the 2021-22 campaign, but it was reduced it to six on appeal, which helped them avoid relegation to the Championship. The independent regulator has found more issues with the Toffees' finances after another £6.5 million ($8m) payment had been discovered and left them in a sticky situation.

• DID YOU KNOW

  Everton are the only team to have been deducted points on two occasions and were the third team in history to get one with Portsmouth and Middlesborough being the other two. Since then Nottingham Forest have also received a points deduction.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR EVERTON?

  The Merseyside team haven't had a third points deduction announced, but will be anxiously waiting on the result. There could be positive news to come still, as there are rumours of a new owner coming through, although no concrete offer has been made.

West Ham United are approaching the business end of the campaign with much to fight for, sat in the lowest European spot in the Premier League – seventh – and preparing for a Europa League quarter-finals clash in April against high-flying German side Bayer Leverkusen.

David Moyes cannot seem to shake the polarity from his position in the dugout but he really has done so much for this club, clinching the Europa Conference League last season and bringing the squad to a fresh level of quality despite Declan Rice's £105m sale to Arsenal.

Whatever happens, it's clear that the Hammers will need to sign a striker in the off-season. Michail Antonio is ageing and persistently hampered by injury, Danny Ings has flattered to deceive at the London Stadium and Divin Mubama, aged 19, is clearly not trusted with a starring role, yet to start in the Premier League.

West Ham eyeing statement signing

According to Football Insider, West Ham are plotting an audacious swoop for Brentford centre-forward Ivan Toney, emboldened by suggestions that Arsenal have cooled their interest in the England international.

It's claimed that the Hammers want to make a 'statement signing' during the summer, and with suitors Chelsea also facing issues relating to financial regulations, the prospect of him moving to east London is becoming more palpable.

The Bees hope to cash in on their talisman in a deal approaching £100m. Candidly, it's hard to envisage a world where West Ham meet such staggering demands, but Toney wants to leave and the cogs might fall into place.

Why Ivan Toney would be perfect for West Ham

Toney is a proven marksman in the Premier League, scoring 20 goals from 33 top-flight fixtures last season before his lengthy suspension for breaching FA betting rules.

Having returned from his suspension in January, the 28-year-old bagged four goals from his first five Premier League matches of the current campaign, though he has plateaued across recent weeks as Thomas Frank's side nosedive, out of form and sinking closer toward the relegation zone.

Quite simply, he would be the dream acquisition for West Ham, an exceptional goalscorer with a combative attitude, deceptive link-up play and phase-building qualities. His tally of 12 big chances created in the Premier League last season was bettered only by Harry Kane's 14.

Moreover, he ranks among the top 1% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for interceptions, the top 9% for clearances and the top 16% for aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref.

If West Ham were to succeed with this unlikely 'statement signing' it would be a portent of further riches in east London, perhaps even convincing current club-record £51m signing Lucas Paqueta to remain with the squad.

Paqueta is a maestro, multi-faceted and not shy to get stuck in and contribute defensively. West Ham have missed the mark on many occasions with high-cost acquisitions but they certainly didn't misfire with this one.

The Brazil international has been brilliant in the Premier League this season, scoring three goals and supplying five assists across 22 matches, creating nine big chances and averaging 1.5 key passes, 2.4 tackles, 6.8 ball recoveries and 8.1 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.

He's elite, and as such, some of the big boys have noted his performances, with Manchester City prepared to pay £80m for his services last summer before a move was scuppered by an FA investigation into betting breaches.

It wouldn't be a surprise if the 26-year-old was at the centre of intense transfer speculation again in several months, with Pep Guardiola's side reported to be 'ready' to return for the midfielder, as per reports from this month.

With a star striker like Toney chucked into the mix, a real "monster" as described by his Brentford manager, West Ham would underscore their desire to thrive at the forefront of the European game and it might just be the perfect move to convince Paqueta to stay.

Wrexham duo Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee have been beaten to the 2023-24 League Two PFA Players’ Player of the Year award by Notts County’s Jodi Jones.

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• Red Dragons won another promotion
• Mullin & Lee were in running for top award
• Magpies winger Jones takes top prize

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The pair helped the Red Dragons to promotion out of the fourth tier, with Phil Parkinson’s side claiming a runners-up finish a year on from landing the National League title. They gave Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney plenty of drama for the club’s popular documentary series.

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  Mullin passed the 100-goal mark for Wrexham during the 2023-24 campaign, hitting 24 in League Two to finish behind old adversary Macaulay Langstaff of Notts County in the Golden Boot stakes. Lee, meanwhile, found the target on 16 occasions – a career-best return for him – while also weighing in with a number of important assists.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  County star Jodi Jones was, however, the most creative player in League Two over the course of the campaign – as he broke a record held by Manchester City talisman Kevin De Bruyne and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry when it comes to most assists in a single English season.

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• WHAT JONES SAID

  Malta international Jones teed up 24 efforts for his team-mates, with that return seeing him to the PFA League Two Player of the Year award. He said of making history: “You hear people talk about strikers getting 24 or 25 goals, but with assists you hear more about 12 or 13, so when I do sit back and sometimes think I have 24 you do think it's some achievement. Getting 24 is amazing and if I'm being really honest, I don't think I'd get that many again.”

  PFA

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has showered praise on a player who chairman Daniel Levy sold at Tottenham, calling him "one of the best" around.

Spurs race for top four as Ange plays down Champions League importance

Spurs are in the thick of a top four race as they go toe-to-toe with Aston Villa for the last Champions League qualification place.

Ange hands Tottenham employees transfer mission now star could leave

Postecoglou has gave clear instructions ahead of the summer window.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 11, 2024

The riches of European football, and pull that would have for star players in the transfer market, cannot be understated. Sealing a place in next season's Champions League group stage pot would be the cherry on top of a positive debut campaign for manager Ange Postecoglou, but that isn't the view of the man himself.

“I don’t think top four is the ambition," said Postecoglou on Spurs' European hopes.

I get that top four means Champions League football, so there is a reward there, and that’s a significant reward and something you should strive for. My position on it is not so much, particularly this year, where we finish, it’s what kind of team we are, because if we finish fourth and we’re 25 points off the top, I’m not sure that’s the kind of trajectory we want to be on.

“It’s part of making sure that we’re all focussed on what the ultimate ambition is. If we finish fourth this year, what it does show is that we’re progressing and we’ve made improvements, but that’s not the end goal. That’s why, for me, it’s much more important how we play between now and the end of the year, and how we finish. Then, we assess things. If we finish fourth and I feel we’ve made some progress and we’re set up for next year, then I’ll be pleased with that.”

Nevertheless, the fact they're contending is very impressive when factoring in the loss of club-record goalscorer and all-round legend Harry Kane. Tottenham are planning to sign an A-list Kane replacement, but it's arguable nobody will ever truly replicate his influence.

The England star made a multi-million pound move to Bayern Munich last summer after Levy opted to sell, with Kane entering the final stages of his contract at the time. The 30-year-old has gone on to bag 39 goals and 12 assists in all competitions, but is unfortunate to be missing out on a Bundesliga title as Bayer Leverkusen take pole position by miles.

Gabriel Jesus praises Kane after Tottenham sale

Speaking to the press (via BBC), Arsenal striker Jesus says Kane is "one of the best" around after Tottenham opted to part company.

"Everyone here knows the quality of Harry Kane – for me, personally, he is the best finisher in the world," said Jesus.

"He can finish with head, left foot, right foot – the guy, since I arrived in Europe, is one of the best. It's great to play against this kind of player. Obviously we want to keep him quiet and then we try to win the game.

"But it is not just Harry Kane – they have players like my old friend Sane, Musiala, Coman, Muller, Gnabry. They have quality players there."

Aston Villa may not have played particularly well against Lille in midweek, but they secured progress into the semifinals of the Europa Conference League courtesy of a penalty shootout win.

They return to Premier League duty this weekend, facing a tough clash against Bournemouth as they look to keep up momentum in the chase for a fourth-placed finish.

Unai Emery will be without the services of Douglas Luiz however, as the Brazilian is set to serve the second match of his two-game suspension, meaning the manager will have to rejig his midfield.

Douglas Luiz’s Statistics this season

The former Manchester City gem has arguably been one of Villa’s standout performers this season, registering 20 goal contributions – ten goals and ten assists – across 47 appearances in all competitions, offering a dangerous threat going forward.

From a defensive viewpoint, Luiz has won 4.5 total duels per game, along with making 1.8 tackles and recovering 5.5 balls per game in the top flight.

His presence will of course be missed, but Villa did cope fairly well without him against Arsenal. Emery deployed John McGinn and Youri Tielemans at the base of the midfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Having gone the full 120 minutes in midweek against Lille, perhaps some rotation will be required, especially in the centre of the park

This could see a change or two and the Spaniard may call upon the services of a young talent who has shown plenty of potential recently…

Why Tim Iroegbunam should start against Bournemouth

The 20-year-old has played 11 times for the senior side this season as he looks to emerge as a regular member of Emery’s first-team squad.

Across his seven appearances in the Premier League, Iroegbunam has completed 90% of his passes, succeeded with 60% of his dribble attempts and won 1.9 total duels per game – a success rate of 50% – which proves he has the required attributes to be a success in the top flight for Villa.

During a loan spell at QPR last season, the youngster played 32 times in the second tier, gaining significant first-team action, which has clearly worked in his favour this term.

His manager during his spell in the Championship, Gareth Ainsworth, praised the loanee for his performances, saying: "He is a player to keep your eye on. There are certain things that, I believe, if he can add them to his game he will be a top-class player – he glides past people and can finish with both feet."

There is no doubt he has a tremendous future ahead, but it already looks as though Emery is gradually weaning him into senior action at Villa.

A start against Bournemouth could give him the opportunity to showcase his talents yet again, proving to the former Arsenal boss that he could be a key member of the side during the final few weeks of the campaign.

All that matters on Sunday is a win and securing three points.

Emery must bench 5/10 Aston Villa man who was worse than Tielemans vs Lille

Aston Villa sealed progression into the semi finals for the Conference League on Thursday evening

By
Ross Kilvington

Apr 19, 2024

Inter Miami teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have made more Major League Soccer history – despite the former not even kicking a ball for weeks.

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• Suarez earns MLS Player of the Matchday award
• Joins Messi as three-time honourees this season
• Miami achieve unique record

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After Suarez's double helped Miami beat Cincinnati on Sunday in MLS action, the Uruguayan earned his third MLS Player of the Matchday award. The 37-year-old joins team-mate Messi – who has been out with an ankle injury since July – and Real Salt Lake's Cristian Arango as three-time honourees this season. Miami are the first team in MLS history to have two players win this accolade at least three times in a campaign.

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  While Messi is still out injured with an ankle issue, Suarez is racking up the goals for Miami. The effort against Cincinnati was his 14th of the season and those goals have secured the Herons a spot in the MLS Cup Play-offs as they chase the ultimate prize in U.S. club soccer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Former Barcelona and Liverpool star Suarez is just two goals behind the club's single season MLS record, held by ex-Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain. He netted on 16 occasions in 2022 and Suarez may have his sights on breaking that record.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Miami, who are eight points clear at the top of MLS' Eastern Conference, next fact Chicago on September 1. It remains to be seen when Messi will be back from injury and can link up with fellow attacker Suarez.

After a debut season that looks destined to end in top four failure, Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur have turned their attention towards the summer transfer window, in which they could get one over on North London rivals Arsenal.

Tottenham transfer news

The Lilywhites haven't been afraid to back Postecoglou, with the likes of Micky van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario and James Maddison among the players to have arrived last summer, whilst Harry Kane headed out the exit door in North London. But that backing, although resulting in some impressive glimpses, is yet to result in a Champions League return barring a late turnaround.

Tottenham now in talks to sign “remarkable player” for Ange

He could cost £30m.

By
Ben Browning

Apr 26, 2024

Their lack of depth has come at a cost in the current campaign, arguably making the summer transfer window a vital one in Postecoglou's reign, which has seen the rumour mill already get underway. The likes of Ivan Toney and Eberechi Eze have already been linked with moves from across London in deals that would go a long way in bridging the gap on the Premier League's top four, but it's outside of England where Spurs could land a key improvement.

According to Caught Offside via TeamTalk, Tottenham are eyeing a move to sign Javi Guerra ahead of Arsenal, Manchester United and Real Madrid this summer. The Valencia midfielder is a man in-demand and could leave the La Liga side for around €50-60m (£42-51m), despite his release clause sitting at a hefty €100million (£85m) this summer.

As Spurs look to bridge the gap on the Champions League places, splashing the cash to welcome a player of Guerra's calibre and potential would be the perfect way for Postecoglou and the Lilywhites to start their summer business. What's more, the 20-year-old would only help unlock Maddison even further to hand those in North London a boost elsewhere on the pitch.

"Intelligent" Guerra would unleash Maddison

As impressive as Maddison has been in his debut season at Spurs, he has lacked a midfield partner to truly unlock his best talents. It's a job that Yves Bissouma and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg have struggled to consistently perform, but one that Guerra could step into for years to come, improving along the way.

Without the lure of Champions League football, however, Spurs will be left in a difficult position to negotiate ahead of the likes of Arsenal this summer. Instead, Postecoglou must pitch the project that he is currently building – a project which we've seen promising glimpses of this season.

At just over £50m though, Guerra is a player that Spurs should do everything to chase this summer in a move that would replace the likely outgoing Hojbjerg, unlock Maddison and hand Postecogou a player who is expected to only get even better. The Valencia man is certainly one to watch in the coming months.