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Chelsea transfer chiefs appear set to be thwarted by European champions PSG in their pursuit of a top target, with Enzo Maresca dealt his first summer blow as he looks to reshape the squad in his image.

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Despite possessing a squad rich with youthful quality, their 3-1 Club World Cup defeat to Brazilian side Flamengo indicates there is still plenty of work to be done on the squad, with Maresca also looking to transform Chelsea into genuine title challengers.

The Italian, speaking in a press conference after Chelsea’s damaging loss – which now makes their next game against ES Tunis an absolute must-win – admitted that he’s currently experimenting with his system and tactics in preparation for 2025/2026.

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season

Average match rating

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

“Unfortunately, we conceded two goals in a very short period, a very short moment — and then the red card,” Maresca said.

“Then it’s very complicated to come back into the game. We tried, but congratulations to them. I think we tried to do something different during the game, also for next season, but congratulations to them. Now we have one more game, and we are going to try to win the next one.”

Off the field, one of many items on Chelsea’s to-do list when it comes to summer recruitment is the addition of a new central defender – which has long been rumoured as a priority.

Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana face uncertain futures, according to some reports, with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande among the names on Chelsea’s centre-back shortlist this summer.

However, Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi won’t be moving to west London.

Chelsea target Illia Zabarnyi agrees to join PSG

Zabarnyi was called the Premier League’s most “underrated” defender recently by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, and Chelsea recently knocked on the Ukraine international’s door in their pursuit of another option for the heart of Maresca’s defence.

“He is probably the most underrated player,” said Redknapp.

“I also spoke with Ukrainian legend Andriy Shevchenko, and he mentioned that Illia has everything it takes to reach the next level. Everyone is talking about Dean Huijsen. Yes, he is a fantastic young player, but Zabarnyi plays very aggressively in defense as well. I was genuinely impressed by him. He shows remarkable calmness on the pitch.”

Bournemouth are demanding around £51 million to let the 22-year-old leave, but according to journalist Graeme Bailey, Zabarnyi has agreed terms to join PSG despite Chelsea’s attempts to sign him.

“He really is only focused on PSG,” Bailey told TBR Football.

“I am told that he has agreed personal terms in principle, but there is still some way to go in terms between Bournemouth and PSG. Bournemouth are not too happy with how this is going, but they know the player wants the move and has made that clear.

“When a team like PSG comes calling, even when there is no release clause – it is tough. I can confirm even in the last few weeks since it emerged about PSG, that Chelsea and Newcastle again asked the question, but were also told that he only wants PSG.”

India, Afghanistan and most likely Bangladesh will be their opponents in the next stage

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jun-20242:48

Wade: ‘I would’ve been sacked if we didn’t win the 2021 T20 World Cup’

A trial by spin awaits Australia in the T20 World Cup 2024, with them looming as the odd team out in an otherwise all-Asian Super Eight group.Having won their first three games, Mitchell Marsh’s side will progress to the next stage of the tournament whatever happens in Sunday’s clash with Scotland in St Lucia.The main talking point of that match will be the impact it has on England – with an Australia loss enough to knock out the defending champions. But that aside, Australia’s path to a second T20 World Cup and the capture of all three current men’s ICC global titles is becoming much clearer.Related

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Based on pre-tournament seedings, Australia will meet India and Afghanistan in their Super Eight group. Bangladesh are in the box seat to join them, after Nepal fell one run short of shocking South Africa on Saturday.That trio will make for a significant challenge against an Australia team who have traditionally had difficulties on spinning wickets.”A lot of us have prepared for plenty of spin depending on what venue you get to,” Australia’s vice-captain Matthew Wade said. “Guys have been preparing for that through the world, through IPL into the start of this World Cup.”We expect nothing different, and on their day they’re all going to be very very hard teams to beat. We’re expecting them to hit us with a fair bit of spin over the next little bit.”India have so far relied more on their quicks for their matches in the USA, but have Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav at their disposal for the slower Caribbean pitches.Afghanistan can call on Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed and Mohammad Nabi, although have lost Mujeeb Ur Rahman to injury, while Bangladesh will also fancy their spinners as the wickets grow tired. Legspinner Rishad Hossain, who Australia have not faced before, has impressed with seven wickets in three matches.There was significant help for the spinners in the South Africa-Nepal match in St Vincent where Australia will meet Afghanistan.Meanwhile, Wade added he hoped this tournament would not signal his farewell for Australia. He was expected to retire after the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, but at 36 has continued to be a threat for Australia batting at No. 7.”I’m at my best when it’s the last opportunity,” Wade said. “Hopefully I can pull some good stuff out in the next little bit, but it will be the same conversation at the end of this one. There are going to be players go out of this team. I’m more than comfortable if I’m one of them to get the next cycle of players coming in to play for Australia.”

Winner goes through to the final four, loser goes out

Firdose Moonda22-Jun-20241:26

Bishop: WI batters have to play freely against South Africa

Match detailsWest Indies vs South Africa
North Sound, Antigua, 8.30pm localBig picture – Semi-final spots up for grabsIt isn’t actually called a quarter-final, but for all intents and purposes, it is. West Indies and South Africa meet in the T20 World Cup 2024 with the winner set to go through to the final four and the loser set to go out.Tickets still available for crunch game

Additional tickets have been made available for the T20 World Cup game between West Indies and South Africa. They are priced at US$ 45 and can be purchased online at tickets.t20worldcup.com or at the counter at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

What may be lurking in the back of South Africa’s mind is how close five of their six games so far have been. They have snatched victories from the unlikeliest of scenarios and seem to be riding a wave of good fortune that they have failed to catch in tournaments past. They will be the first to admit that they are yet to put together the perfect game, but they boast a perfect record. Six out of six wins means they are once again being spoken of as champion material. Could this be the year South Africa finally win a T20 World Cup? West Indies might have something to say about that.The co-hosts were unbeaten through the group stage too. Though they lost to defending champions England in the Super Eight after that, they are still on track to achieving what they set out to: re-establish West Indies as a powerhouse by competing strongly and (hopefully, for them) winning a third T20 World Cup. If they score 160 and win by 52 runs, they could even go past England and top Group 2. For now, it all hinges on how they do in this match and though West Indies may take heart from sweeping South Africa 3-0 before the tournament, it’s worth remembering that that was a second-string South Africa side. The real test is now.Form guideWest Indies WLWWW
South Africa WWWWW1:44

How can West Indies contain Quinton de Kock?

In the spotlight – Alzarri Joseph and Marco JansenAlzarri Joseph has the same number of tournament wickets as Anrich Nortje – 11 – at a slightly higher average (13.81 compared to 12.90) but a slightly better strike rate. Joseph has taken a wicket once every 11 balls at the tournament – and Nortje once every 13 balls – and is rightly seen as West Indies’ biggest threat with the ball.Joseph has only played two T20Is against South Africa, and in the last one took a series-winning 5 for 40 to seal a seven-run win. Four of the five batters Joseph dismissed in that match – Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen – have been part of South Africa’s XI in every game at the World Cup thus far. On his home ground, Antigua, he will have even more motivation to attempt to repeat the feat.Related

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With Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Ottneil Baartman all shining at different stages of the competition, Marco Jansen has flown under the radar despite being an important part of South Africa’s progress. The economy rate of 5.90 includes bowling mostly in the powerplay and is South Africa’s second-lowest after Baartman (though Jansen has played one more game). Though he has gone wicketless in all but one match, Jansen has been match-winning in other ways. Against England, he was tasked with the game’s penultimate over and conceded just seven runs, leaving Nortje 13 to defend. Crucially, he has adapted to conditions when some of his team-mates have not, and he is yet to be given a chance to show what he can do with the bat.Team news – West Indies have choices to makeShai Hope’s unbeaten 39-ball 82 opening the batting against USA may mean West Indies do not have immediate cause to bring in Kyle Mayers, who has replaced the injured Brandon King in their squad. It’s an interesting call to make because Mayers has the advantage of knowing the South African players well, from his time at the SA20, and of being West Indies’ second-leading run-scorer in the pre-World Cup series played against South Africa last month. Their other decision will be in the make-up of the bowling unit – whether to include an extra seamer in Romario Shepherd or stick to the offspin of Roston Chase.West Indies (probable): 1 Shai Hope/Kyle Mayers, 2 Johnson Charles, 3 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 4 Rovman Powell (capt), 5 Andre Russell, 6 Sherfane Rutherford, 7 Romario Shepherd/Roston Chase, 8 Obed McCoy, 9 Akeal Hosein, 10 Alzarri Joseph, 11 Gudakesh MotieThe last time South Africa played in Antigua, they opted for two spinners and left Baartman out, and may consider that combination again. However, Tabraiz Shamsi was expensive against USA, which could open the door for the other left-arm spinner in the squad: Bjorn Fortuin, who has not had a game thus far. It’s more likely South Africa will stick to what they like best, with an unchanged batting line-up and one of Shamsi or Baartman.South Africa (probable): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Aiden Markram (capt), 4 Tristan Stubbs, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Tabraiz Shamsi/Ottneil Baartman, 11 Anrich Nortje1:43

Will Kyle Mayers open against SA?

Pitch and conditionsFrom South Africa’s match against USA earlier in the week, North Sound seemed good for run-scoring. That was a day game and this is a night fixture, though, so there may be a slight difference. There have been two night games played at this venue in the tournament: Australia chased down 73 against Namibia inside six overs and scored 100 runs inside 12 overs when they beat Bangladesh in a rain-affected game on Friday. Rain, in fact, may be the biggest concern for the teams with the forecast not great during the day on Sunday, but the precipitation probability decreases to 17% in the evening.Stats and trivia The head-to-head record between these two teams is equal: Played 22; West Indies won 11; South Africa won 11. In T20 World Cups, they have met four times, and South Africa have won three. West Indies’ only victory came in 2016 There have only been three totals of over 200 at the T20 World Cup so far and West Indies have one of them. They scored the highest total of the tournament with their 218 against Afghanistan in the group stage. South Africa have batted first four times in six matches and average 146 Nicholas Pooran is the tournament’s top run-scorer at the moment with 227 runs; Quinton de Kock is in third place, 40 runs behindQuotes”It’s important for us to continue in this vein because we see what’s at stake now.”
“This team believes that we can be really great as a unit. Obviously, with the last World Cup [in India] bowing out in the semi-finals… it’s both the character and there’s a lot of hurt. So, we just take it one game at a time and focus on trying to get the results to go our way and not looking at the negatives, just trying to highlight the positives as much as possible.”

Still on the hunt for incomings even with Bryan Mbeumo seemingly on the way, Manchester United are now reportedly battling against clubs in the Saudi Pro League to sign a midfield ace.

Mbeumo waiting to undergo Man Utd medical

After going back and forth in negotiations with Brentford, it looks as though Manchester United have finally taken a step closer to signing Mbeumo this summer. The Red Devils are now reportedly finalising any add-ons in an offer that will exceed the £60m mark, while Mbeumo is now waiting for approval to undergo a medical at the club.

The forward is on course to become United’s second arrival of the window, but he’s unlikely to be the last. If recent reports are anything to go by then INEOS are still on the hunt for a goalkeeper and a striker this summer.

The big question on that front has been just who will arrive to fill that quota. The likes of Emiliano Martinez have been among the headlines on the goalkeeper front, but whether Aston Villa sell one of their star men to a rival even in the face of PSR troubles remains to be seen.

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Meanwhile, when it comes to strikers, it did look as though Ruben Amorim could get a shock reunion with Viktor Gyokeres. United were certainly in the race, reportedly making the Swede their No.1 target, but ultimately he set his sights on Arsenal with negotiations still ongoing.

That may not be the last time that the Red Devils interact with his representatives, however. Reports are now suggesting that another one of their clients are on United’s radar this summer.

Man Utd now battling to sign Ndidi

According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Manchester United are now battling to sign Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City this summer. The experienced midfielder is attracting plenty of interest following the Foxes’ relegation, including from the Saudi Pro League, and is now free to leave the King Power Stadium if his £9m release clause is triggered this summer.

Represented by the same agent as Gyokeres, United shouldn’t find it too complicated to open discussions for a midfielder who could provide Amorim with a bargain solution to his Casemiro problem.

Premier League stats 24/25 P90 (via FBref)

Ndidi

Casemiro

Starts

28

18

Progressive Carries

0.70

0.24

Interceptions

1.20

0.84

Ball Recoveries

4.92

6.20

While Ndidi’s arrival wouldn’t steal the same headlines as Cunha or Mbeumo, it would have importance in its own right. Carrying the ball at a far better standard while proving more effective off the ball, Ndidi is more athletic than the ageing Casemiro and could crucially offer the quality in depth that Amorim requires.

Earning around £75,000-a-week at Leicester, Ndidi wouldn’t exactly disrupt United’s wage bill either. That, alongside his £9m release clause, makes him a viable option for INEOS and the Red Devils in the coming months.

Whilst England are lucky to have the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Phil Foden to choose from at the heart of their midfield these days, it wasn’t so long ago that Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes were all available in the engine room.

The current generation is special, but England’s last ‘golden generation’ still arguably had the most talent at their disposal in pursuit of a first honour since the 1966 World Cup.

It wasn’t just in midfield that the Three Lions were spoilt for talent. It’s a squad which also featured Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. And the list could go on.

Many have had their say as to why England were dumped out of the 2002 World Cup and then on penalties against Portugal at Euro 2004, including Lampard. The former England and Chelsea midfielder told reporters: “I think at times, we [the Golden Generation] were too rigid. I talk from my own personal experience of playing at World Cups against teams that were not at our level.

“I’m not talking about France and Italy, more teams like Ecuador, who were keeping the ball in midfield because they were outnumbering us in the centre of the park. The things that maybe me and Stevie [Steven Gerrard] were used to doing where we had numbers, now we are just trying to cover space and you get a bit mentally done with it in the game wondering why this is happening.”

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Outnumbered or not, there’s no denying the quality that England particularly had in the middle of the park. But finding the right balance between Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes often proved to be The Three Lions’ biggest problem, and that sparked a midfield debate which has rumbled on for decades since.

Rooney named Gerrard as his greatest ever England teammate

Having played with all three at international level and Scholes with Manchester United too, Rooney should be an expert in the age-old England midfield debate, and he delivered his official verdict to The Overlap in 2024.

Whilst praising all three, Rooney went on to reiterate that Scholes could not achieve what Gerrard did in a Liverpool side which often struggled to compete with the very top honours: “All were world-class players. Stevie could come to Manchester United and be a top player and do what Scholes could do. But I don’t think Scholes could do what Stevie did at Liverpool.”

Premier League

Gerrard

Lampard

Scholes

Appearances

504

611

499

Goals

121

177

107

Assists

97

116

61

League titles

0

3

11

The numbers certainly don’t help to end the debate after Rooney’s verdict, but what they do highlight is England’s clear failure with all three at their disposal in a golden generation.

Manchester United have opened talks over the signing of a “fantastic” player, who is now a prime target, and they are making significant moves to get a deal done, according to a report.

Man Utd's summer rebuild now underway

The Europa League final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur once again underlined the need for Ruben Amorim to have a mass clear-out this summer, and the manager’s rebuild has now commenced, with Matheus Cunha becoming the first player to sign on the dotted line.

However, in order to re-shape his squad more significantly, Amorim may have to sanction some departures, and the manager was seen visibly laughing when questioned about Alejandro Garnacho’s future, amid widespread links to other clubs.

Andre Onana is another player who could be in the firing line, having failed to adapt to life in the Premier League, with Lyon’s Nemanja Matic famously dubbing him “one of the worst keepers in Manchester United history” back in April.

As such, United have been looking at replacements for Onana, and they are now stepping up their pursuit of AS Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar, opening talks over a deal for the 25-year-old in the past week.

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That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states the Red Devils are now making significant moves to sign Svilar, who could be a low-cost replacement for Onana, with Roma likely to hold out for a fee of around £21m – £25m.

The Serbian would be keen on a move to Old Trafford, but there could be fierce competition for his signature, with Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Newcastle United and AS Monaco all monitoring the goalkeeper’s situation in Italy.

"Fantastic" Svilar now prime target for Man Utd

The Belgium-born shot-stopper is said to have been identified as a prime target for Man United this summer, and it is clear to see why, having averaged a very impressive save percentage and clean sheet percentage over the past year, when compared to other goalkeepers.

Mile Svilar Statistics

Average per 90

Save percentage

77.9% (94th percentile)

Goals against

0.96 (92nd percentile)

Clean sheet percentage

38% (86th percentile)

Not only that, but former manager Claudio Ranieri lauded the Serbia international for his performances during the 2024-25 campaign, saying: “Mile is having a fantastic season.

​​​​​​

“When a goalkeeper is not very busy and is suddenly called into action, showing readiness at all times like Mile does, then it means that he is truly a great goalkeeper.”

It is clear that Onana will need to be replaced this summer, having performed very poorly over the past year, and Svilar could be a savvy signing at just £21m, freeing up funds to strengthen other areas of the squad.

Liverpool are now leading the race to complete the signing of a “great” player in the summer transfer window, according to a new update from Fabrizio Romano.

Liverpool eyeing signings on either flank

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have been a legendary full-back pairing for the Reds over the past seven or eight years, but there is a changing of the guard at Anfield this summer.

Sadly, Alexander-Arnold has opted to leave Liverpool in order to almost certainly join Real Madrid, which unsurprisingly hasn’t gone down well with many supporters, while Robertson isn’t the force he once was at left-back – no surprise, considering he is now 31 and has years of relentless running behind him.

Jeremie Frimpong is set to arrive from Bayer Leverkusen, potentially coming in as a right-back, but he is also more than capable of taking up a more attacking right-sided role. It remains to be seen how Arne Slot will use him, and if Conor Bradley will be first-choice right-back moving forward.

Meanwhile, Milos Kerkez has emerged as the strongest option at left-back, following an excellent season with Bournemouth, although Fulham’s Antonee Robinson and Ajax teenager Jorrel Hato have also been mentioned as options. Manchester City have reportedly been looking to hijack a move for Kerkez, though, being seen as “genuine rivals” for his signature.

Liverpool in pole position to sign Kerkez after talks

Taking to X on Sunday, Romano said that Liverpool are in pole position to sign Kerkez from Bournemouth this summer, with talks continuing to head in the right direction:

Kerkez really does feel like the natural fit to come in and be Liverpool’s new first-choice left-back, ticking so many boxes, in terms of what Slot will be looking for.

The 21-year-old Hungary international is strong at both ends of the pitch, bagging seven goal contributions (two goals and five assists) in the Premier League this season, as well as averaging 2.6 clearances and 1.4 tackles per game.

Milos Kerkez’s 2024/25 Premier League stats before the final day

Total

Appearances

37

Starts

37

Minutes played

3,251

Goals

2

Assists

5

Clearances per game

2.6

Tackles per game

1.4

Interceptions per game

1.2

Key passes per game

0.9

In fact, Kerkez’s performances haven’t been lost on Slot, who has said he has enjoyed a “great season”, while football talent scout Jacek Kulig called him “amazing” after Bournemouth beat Manchester City earlier in the season.

At this point, it could be a surprise if the Cherries star didn’t join Liverpool, in a summer transfer window that is already threatening to be legendary.

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If the Reds manage to sign Kerkez, Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and a top-quality striker, it will be significant business that may only make them far stronger heading into next season.

Everton are planning to buy this summer, but David Moyes is already presented with something of a dilemma. Not only are 15 of his club’s senior stars out of contract in the coming months, but one of his Toffees linchpins is attracting interest from some high-profile suitors.

Jarrad Branthwaite is one of Everton’s most important players, but the 22-year-old is also an attractive option and may well be sold to deepen the transfer purse this summer.

Multiple additions are needed, after all.

The latest on Jarrad Branthwaite's Everton future

Branthwaite is a monstrous defender, still so young yet rocketing up to the top level on English shores.

He’s kept eight clean sheets in the Premier League this term, winning 72% of his ground battles and averaging an incredible 6.6 clearances per game, as per Sofascore.

His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

Caught Offside reported last month that Manchester United are looking to reignite their interest in the Three Lions defender and will test Everton’s resolve with a £50m offer. Chelsea are also keen.

He’s important, but Everton seem to be resigned to losing him at some stage, for the right price, of course.

Moyes and his team will hope to retain his services, but he’s not the only one, with a much older Toffees teammate actually proving himself to be indispensable in the fold, with a fresh contract being prepared.

Everton veteran is more important than Branthwaite

While Idrissa Gana Gueye is 35 years old, his tough-tackling, combative style in the middle of the park has been instrumental for Everton across two tenures this season.

Illustrating his influence, Gueye is part of the bloated ranks currently awaiting the end of their contract this summer, but Football Insider have recently reported that TFG have opened talks with the star over a new deal.

Gueye’s age has not detracted from the level of his performance, with such commanding displays vital for the success of Moyes’ system. The level of his displays does suggest that he’s becoming increasingly important, maybe even more so than Branthwaite.

Described as Everton’s “heartbeat” by Sky Sports reporter Ben Grounds, Gueye might be getting on a bit but his performances have been nothing short of exemplary this season.

It’s not as if his athleticism has deserted him, having covered much ground and flown in with so many tackles for his team this season. More tackles, in fact, than any other player in the Premier League, just rubberstamping his importance to the cause.

Premier League 24/25 – Top Tacklers

Rank

Player

Club

Tackles

1.

Idrissa Gueye

Everton

123

2.

Daniel Munoz

Palace

109

3.

Noussair Mazraoui

Man Utd

102

4.

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea

100

5.

Joao Gomes

Wolves

99

Stats via Premier League

With so much change mooted to be afoot this summer, it makes a whole lot of sense to renew the £120k-per-week veteran’s deal, having benefited greatly from his presence.

Gueye, indeed, has started every one of Everton’s Premier League matches since Moyes returned to the helm, providing monstrous support for Branthwaite and co while contributing offensively too, completing a dribble and a key pass every two matches, as per Sofascore.

The Senegalese midfielder has racked up three assists this season.

It’s clear that Gueye – who was described as a “monster” by former teammate Presnel Kimpembe – has more left in the tank, and it’s a good thing that efforts are being made to extend his deal for another year.

He earns a pretty penny but his value is too great to part with at this critical juncture.

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Aston Villa kept their Champions League ambitions intact with an impressive 4-1 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday evening in the Premier League.

The two clubs are both vying for a top-five finish and with it a spot in Europe’s top table next term. Unai Emery’s side defeated PSG in midweek, but this performance will also bolster their confidence ahead of the final few games of the campaign.

Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the first minute before Fabian Schar equalised for Newcastle.

The second half was all Villa, however, as Ian Maatsen, an own goal by Dan Burn and an effort from Amadou Onana sealed all three points.

The majority of the starting XI performed wonderfully well, but it was Watkins and Morgan Rogers who powered the club to yet another league win.

How Watkins and Rogers performed against Newcastle

Watkins set Villa on their way to all three points after slotting home a deflected opener against the Magpies.

The Englishman also grabbed an assist, registered five total shots and made two key passes before he was subbed off in the 82nd minute.

He is returning to the form of last season and Rogers is someone who is helping him flourish. The attacking midfielder has enjoyed a fine season, having scored 14 goals and recorded 12 assists in all competitions.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle – Key Statistics

Metric

Highest-Ranked

Accurate passes

Youri Tielemans (71)

Key passes

Marco Asensio (5)

Ground duels won

Youri Tielemans (8)

Tackles

Ian Maatsen (6)

Shots on target

Morgan Rogers (3)

Via Sofascore

Against the Toon, Rogers grabbed another assist, completed 90% of his passes, made two key passes and succeeded with all three of his dribble attempts.

When the pair are playing at this high standard, nothing can stop Villa, that’s for sure. There is one player in the squad who has been the fulcrum which makes everything tick – Youri Tielemans.

The 9/10 star who's becoming Aston Villa’s best player

The Belgian international has been the standout performer for the club this season, showcasing his talents at the highest level.

Five goal contributions in 12 Champions League games proves that the midfielder has been sublime in the competition. Add in another eight goal involvements in the Premier League and Emery has a player who could be in high demand this summer.

Content creator Mark Goldbridge described Tielemans as “Villa’s player of the season this year” following his display on Saturday evening, and it is easy to see why.

Operating in a deep-lying midfield role, the former Leicester City star completed 88% of his passes, took 98 touches, won 11 of his 16 total duels contested and even made three key passes throughout the match – including the assist for Watkins’ opener.

Alongside Boubacar Kamara, Tielemans dominated proceedings and his performance was key in Rogers and Watkins delivering in the final third yet again. Indeed, journalist John Townley awarded the 27-year-old a match rating of 9/10 for his stunning display.

Emery has started the midfielder in every single Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League match this season, highlighting his importance to the club.

Should Villa qualify for Europe’s premier club competition next season while also winning the FA Cup, they will have Tielemans to thank.

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Posts ByCharlie Smith Apr 19, 2025

The word ‘legend’ is thrown around all too readily in the beautiful game, but that is a tag that should be bestowed upon a key figure of Manchester United’s modern era – Wayne Rooney.

Plucked from Everton as a bulldozing teenager, the England and United great went on to achieve remarkable success during a glittering 13-year stay at Old Trafford, claiming a whole gamut of silverware, alongside his record total of 253 goals in all competitions.

Right from the outset, following his debut hat-trick against Fenerbahce, ‘Wazza’ simply looked born to pull on that famous red jersey, having also put the ‘devil’ in Red Devils with his relentless, full-blooded approach.

Yes, there were low moments – including his public desire to leave in both 2010 and 2013 – but the highs were so much more memorable, be it that overhead kick in the Manchester Derby, or his long-range stunner away at West Ham United.

Part of the famed forward line, alongside Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo, that claimed Champions League glory in 2008, Rooney was simply a menace in his pomp, with the great Sir Alex Ferguson previously suggesting that he could have played “in any era”.

Not only that, but the ex-Everton man was also seemingly the man for any position, be it as a number ten, a centre-forward, a winger or – as was the case in his latter days – as a central midfielder.

Why Wayne Rooney moved into midfield

It’s fair to say that much of Rooney’s best work for United came at the top end of the pitch, with the versatile speedster memorably scoring 34 goals in all competitions during the 2009/10 campaign, while operating as a centre-forward.

As he himself later admitted, however, he “hated” playing as the lone number nine as he “wanted to get involved” in the game, having notably moved into a number ten berth following Robin van Persie’s arrival in 2012.

That duo notably combined on the day that clinched what remains United’s most recent league title, with Rooney picking out the Dutchman with a delightful lofted pass over the top. Van Persie, of course, did the rest.

Such a moment perhaps hinted at a future for the Englishman in a deeper role later in his career, with Louis van Gaal subsequently opting to deploy his skipper as a central midfielder during his time in charge.

Speaking in April 2016, Rooney then admitted that he was looking to emulate teammate Paul Scholes in that role:

Most memorably, Rooney started in a deep-lying berth in the 2016 FA Cup final, with the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel writing at the time that the 30-year-old ‘ran the show’ in that eventual 2-1 victory.

To have moved from operating in the final third to then pulling the strings in the centre of the park seemed like a natural progression for the now-retired star, with that scenario perhaps now repeating itself with regard to Bruno Fernandes.

Man Utd's "legend" could now be emulating Rooney

After the highs of that Wembley triumph at the end of Van Gaal’s tenure, Rooney – who played as a midfielder in England’s unsuccessful Euro 2016 campaign – saw his change in role prove short-lived amid Jose Mourinho’s arrival, with the Portuguese coach stating that his captain “will never be a number six” in his team.

Just a year later, ‘Wazza’ was on his way back to Everton after enduring a bit-part role in claiming Europa League and Carabao Cup success in 2016/17, before ultimately retiring in 2021 after spells with DC United and Derby County.

There is perhaps the view that it was a mistake for Rooney to have tried to change his game in the latter stages of his career, with analyst Michael Cox writing in 2017 that he ‘had not taken to that role because he does not have the mobility to play there’.

Fernandes’ stats vs Forest

Stat

Record

Touches

110

Pass accuracy

79%

Key passes

6

Shots on target

2

Shots off target

0

Big chances created

0

Successful dribbles

2/5

Duels won

7/17

Long balls completed

7/12

Possession lost

31x

Dribbled past

3x

Stats via Sofascore

Perhaps there may be a fear of Fernandes enduring similar difficulties, with the £300k-per-week talisman also not exactly the most defensively-minded figure to call upon. Indeed, against Nottingham Forest in midweek, he was dribbled past on three occasions and lost the ball 31 times.

Despite those concerns, the decision to move the 30-year-old into a deeper role – amid his previous work as a number ten – does look as if it could prove far more successful than Rooney’s own late career venture.

That was again evident against Forest as the Portuguese playmaker initially struggled when operating behind Joshua Zirkzee, before gaining greater control after a half-time reshuffle saw him slot in alongside Casemiro, as he went on to rack up six key passes in total.

The reported Real Madrid target has been in fine form as part of the midfield duo after netting against the likes of Arsenal, Leicester City and Real Sociedad, with Amorim describing him as the “perfect captain” amid criticism from treble-winning hero, Roy Keane.

Also described as a “legend” in his own right by his manager, Fernandes has previously hinted that he envisages his future as a number six, again mirroring Rooney in having plotted out the latter stages of his career.

The only concern will be whether the former Sporting CP man – like Rooney – has the physical capabilities to make himself a long-term fit in this role moving forward, with The Athletic’s Carl Anka previously noting that the ‘central midfielders in Amorim’s 3-4-3 are chosen for their athleticism and tackling qualities first and foremost’.

The plan is working at the moment, to an extent, considering Fernandes’ individual brilliance, but it does beg the question as to whether he can maintain this momentum in the centre of the park.

With the midfield maestro perhaps approaching legendary status himself, he must ensure that his United career does not peter out in the same way that Rooney’s did before him.

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