Aston Villa are back in action this afternoon, as the Villans host in-form West Ham United at Villa Park in matchweek nine of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Only two points separate the two sides, who have both started the campaign in fine form, making this afternoon’s affair one to watch in the Midlands.
After being held to a 1-1 draw at Molineux prior to the international break, Unai Emery will be eager to see his squad pick up three points against the Hammers, although claiming the win will be far from easy.
What is the latest Aston Villa team news against West Ham?
After the well-fought draw against Wolves last time out, Emery’s side will hope to return to winning ways, which could be made easier with no fresh injury concerns.
In his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard confirmed that Alex Moreno and Jacob Ramsey remain absent from the squad as they continue to push for fitness, while long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia are also far from a return to action.
With the Villans set to be back in action in the Europa Conference League next week, there may be some consideration for rotation in the squad, particularly due to the current situation regarding Nicolo Zaniolo.
While the club have confirmed that the Italian, who is being investigated due to betting breaches, will be in the squad to face the Hammers, there is no guarantee that he will start the game given the drama unfolding off the pitch for the 24-year-old.
With all factors in mind, Emery may be prompted to demote the playmaker to the bench, which could open a door for one of Villa’s most exciting players on his day, with a figure that could damage the well-structured West Ham back line.
Should Leon Bailey start against West Ham?
During his pre-match press conference, Emery was full of praise for this afternoon’s opposition, admitting that it’s “always difficult” to beat the Hammers.
Adding another threat to the flank could administer further danger to West Ham’s back line, and Leon Bailey could be the one to deal such a blow.
Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey.
The Jamaican has started just two Premier League games this season, however has still had time to showcase his threat, scoring two goals and recording one assist in a total of six appearances.
A reshuffle in the middle of the park could be sanctioned to allow Bailey to occupy his favoured right-wing role, which could prevail to be a strong move considering the danger he poses when in possession going forward.
Last season, the 26-year-old averaged an impressive 3.89 progressive carries per 90 in the Premier League, as well as attempting 5.08 take-ons per 90, to highlight his direct trajectory when on the flank, via FBref.
Once lauded as “electric” by journalist Matt Maher, Bailey could threaten the wide channels against Moyes' men, who enjoy attacking in pairs on the wings, which could free up some space for the £100k-per-week Jamaican to exploit due to his strength in possession.
Emery will have a host of decisions to make ahead of the fixture with the knowledge that whatever team he decides to play, the fixture is poised to be a thriller.
Daniel Levy has revealed that Tottenham "are in discussions" to sell a stake in the club after posting losses of £86 million ($108m).
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Levy earned £6.58 million last season including bonuses
Spurs incurred a £86.8 million loss
Talks are on with potential investors for a percentage sale
WHAT HAPPENED?
As per , Levy received a staggering £6.58 million including bonuses in the previous season, solidifying his status as the highest-paid executive among Premier League clubs. Having steered Tottenham for over 22 years, Levy has overseen a transformative period for the club, both on and off the field.
Under his leadership, Spurs have evolved into one of the top sides in England and have reported a record-breaking turnover of £549.6 million for the latest financial year. This remarkable achievement can be attributed to various revenue streams, including match receipts, UEFA prize money, TV and media rights, and commercial ventures. Notably, Tottenham's qualification for the Champions League knockout stages also significantly bolstered their financial performance.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
In light of Tottenham's ambitious long-term goals, Levy disclosed ongoing discussions regarding the potential sale of a significant stake in the club.
Levy said in a statement: "To capitalise on our long-term potential, to continue to invest in the teams and undertake future capital projects, the club requires a significant increase in its equity base.
“The board and its advisors, Rothschild & Co, are in discussions with prospective investors. Any recommended investment proposal would require the support of the club’s shareholders.”
LEVY INSISTS SPURS REMAIN COMPLIANT WITH PSR RULES
However, Tottenham's financial report also revealed a substantial after-tax loss of £86.8 million, a significant increase from the previous year's figure of £50.1 million. Despite this setback, Levy assured stakeholders that Tottenham remains compliant with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Levy added: “The club remains fully compliant with the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and is supportive of the enhancement of PSR to ensure the PL remains competitive and sustainable.
“We expect commercial revenues to rise from third-party events, although this will not compensate for the lack of European football this season. Additionally, as reflected in these results, we expect the impact of rising costs, caused by geo-political events, to continue to impact all areas of our operations.
“Our ethos is clear — to be far-sighted and run the club sustainably. This involves strict control of our cost base, increased commercial and sponsorship revenues and consistent European participation, all of which are key to our ability to continue to invest in the squad and win top honours.”
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire also assured that Spurs have not violated the red line due to their substantial infrastructure costs. While Premier League clubs can incur losses of up to £105 million over a three-year period, Tottenham have an additional blanket of £70 million a year for the expenditures undertaken by the club to build the state-of-the-art Tottenham Stadium.
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WHAT NEXT?
With aspirations for continued success, Tottenham's strategic initiatives, including potential stake sales, aim to secure the club's long-term viability and competitiveness in English football. The Lilly Whites are currently vying for a top-four finish and will be in action again on Sunday against Nottingham Forest in another Premier League encounter.
Aston Villa have enjoyed a phenomenal start to the 2023/24 campaign and picked up their 12th successive Premier League home wins, stretching back to last term, with a 3-0 win over Luton Town on Sunday.
The Villans are pushing up towards the Champions League places as Unai Emery looks to build on an impressive first season with the Midlands outfit.
Their impressive transfer business over the summer window has allowed them to push on as the likes of Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres have caught the eye since their respective moves to the club.
Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby.
The French wizard, in particular, has hit the ground running in England with three goals and three assists in ten Premier League appearances for Villa since his switch from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
He was brought in for a reported club-record transfer fee of £51.9m and is already starting to show why the Villans and Emery were willing to splash the cash on his services.
The left-footed whiz has showcased his attacking quality on a regular basis but another exciting forward player, who plays on the opposite flank, could have been shining in a Villa shirt this season – Jaden Philogene.
Emery allowed the talented youngster to leave the club on a permanent basis over the summer and it already looks like the Spaniard had a mare with that decision as his performances this season suggest that he is on the way to becoming Jack Grealish 2.0.
The fee Hull paid for Jaden Philogene
The Birmingham Mail reported that Hull City secured the England U21 international's services for a fee within the region of £5m during the summer transfer window.
Two of his former Villa academy teammates were also sold by the club ahead of the 2023/24 campaign as Aaron Ramsey joined Premier League rivals Burnley for £14m and Cameron Archer completed an £18.5m switch to Sheffield United.
Philogene was coming off the back of a season on loan with Cardiff City during the 2022/23 campaign. He racked up four goals and one assist in 25 outings for the Welsh outfit and failed to deliver quality in the final third on a regular basis, which may have contributed to the decision to cash in on him.
Cardiff winger Jaden Philogene.
Hull vice-chairman Tan Kesler has, however, confirmed that the Villans have an interesting buy-back agreement in place with the Championship side.
He confirmed that Villa have the option to buy him back for a fixed fee of £15m but only if the Tigers are promoted to the Premier League. The chief also revealed that his club are able to listen to offers from other teams that are above £15m but Philogene's former side have the first refusal on a deal.
This suggests that there is still wiggle room for other teams to swoop in if Hull are not promoted or if they bid in excess of £15m. It would also be up to the player to decide whether or not he would want to return after being sold over the summer.
The stats that show why selling Philogene may have been a mistake
Philogene's form for club and country throughout the 2023/24 campaign so far suggests that the Villans cashed in on him too quickly as he appears to be on his way to becoming Jack Grealish 2.0.
HITC's Alfie recently lauded him as "special" and claimed that he has the potential to be better than the likes of Andy Robertson, Harry Maguire, and Jarrod Bowen, who had all starred for Hull previously.
This is incredibly high praise when you consider that Bowen has 24 goals and 19 assists since the start of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, Maguire was bought for £80m by Manchester United from Leicester in 2019, and Robertson has won the top-flight and the Champions League with Liverpool.
Hull winger Jaden Philogene.
The plaudits coming his way are flooding in because of his outstanding performances for Hull and England's U21 side as he has showcased his ability to score and create goals as a right-footed left winger at Championship, as Grealish did before his breakthrough at the top level.
Philogene has contributed with three goals and four assists in nine second tier starts for the Tigers so far this season, to go along with two goals and one assist in two appearances for his country.
The 21-year-old magician has also displayed his ball-carrying ability with 3.2 completed dribbles per game at Championship level, which shows that he can commit and beat opposition players on a regular basis.
Jack Grealish's Championship form for Villa
During his last season in the second division with the club, Grealish produced six goals and six assists in 31 league starts to win promotion under Dean Smith.
As a right-footed left winger, like Philogene, the English forward completed 1.7 dribbles per game as he was able to produce goals, assists, and progressive play in possession with regularity.
Former Aston Villa winger Jack Grealish.
Grealish followed that up with 14 goals and 16 assists and at least two dribbles completed per match across the next two Premier League campaigns and that earned him a £100m British record transfer to Manchester City in 2021.
The England international was able to make the step up to the Premier League after his impressive Championship displays as a winger who could score and assist goals whilst also being an impressive dribbler and constant menace to opposition defenders.
The next step for Philogene
In order to follow in Grealish's footsteps and be the next version of the former Villa superstar, Philogene must now remain consistent throughout the rest of this season and continue to provide goals and assists.
The young ace must then showcase his ability in the top-flight, if provided the opportunity to do so, and step up to that level and influence games week-in-week-out with his match-winning potential.
His current form for Hull and England suggests that he is well on the right path to doing just that and that is why Emery had a mare by sanctioning a £5m sale earlier this year.
The best case scenario, if Philogene does develop into the new Grealish, is that Villa buy him back for £15m next summer and that means they would have essentially paid a staggering £10m to send him to the Tigers for one season.
Or, another team could swoop in and convince him to reject a homecoming and he could go on to be a star for another Premier League outfit, or another side in Europe, which is why selling him may have been a mistake.
The Premier League has announced that it will be introducing semi-automated offside technology during the 2024-25 campaign.
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Previously used at World Cup & in Champions League
Should help to make decisions quicker & easier
Top-flight clubs in favour of more technological changes
WHAT HAPPENED?
Top-flight clubs have voted unanimously in favour of the proposal, with the new system set to be launched at some point during the first half of next season. Semi-automated offside technology has previously been used at the men and women’s World Cup, as well as in the Champions League.
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WHAT THE PREMIER LEAGUE SAID
The Premier League said in an official statement: “At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs unanimously agreed to the introduction of Semi-Automated Offside Technology. The new system will be used for the first time in the Premier League next season, and it is anticipated the technology will be ready to be introduced after one of the autumn international breaks. The technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The system, which uses artificial intelligence in order to make decisions, removes the need for lines to be drawn on the screen during VAR reviews. Instead, a virtual line is drawn using key skeleton points – head, toes, upper arms and knees – on multiple players.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Former match official Pierluigi Collina, who is now chairman of FIFA’s referee committee, said of the new technology in 2022: “We expect that semi-automated offside technology can take us a step further. Sometimes, the process to check a possible offside takes too long, especially when the offside incident is very tight. This is where semi-automated offside technology comes in – to offer faster and more accurate decisions.”
As the international break brings domestic football to a standstill for the last time in 2023, Arsenal have the chance to revise their squad options in preparation for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.
With it being 12 games into the Premier League season, Mikel Arteta’s side have shown a positive indication that they could fulfil another title charge, however injury woes of late have left the squad looking low on resources.
In the summer, four new faces arrived in north London in the bid to bolster the manager’s options for selection, after the lack of depth became a burden towards the end of the 2022/23 calendar, seeing Arsenal spend over £200m in the transfer market.
Another lucrative shopping spree won't be financially feasible, although further additions are needed when considering how low Arteta’s squad currently is on quality outside of the favoured XI.
One boost is that summer signing Jurrien Timber is set to return from injury within the first few months of 2024, with the Dutchman’s return set to feel like a new signing for the Gunners, who only got to enjoy 126 competitive minutes of their new arrival.
Jurrien Timber’s injury
In July, Arsenal confirmed the signing of the highly-rated Ajax defender, who arrived at the Emirates for a fee of £38m to bolster Arteta’s back line.
Signing the 22-year-old was an important capture for the north Londoners, who were hunting added versatility to the defence after benefitting from the positional successes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White during the 2022/23 campaign.
In Timber, the manager wasn’t just getting a new centre-back, the position he predominantly assumed in Amsterdam, but a highly flexible player with the ability to play on either flank in the back four, as well as being equipped to play in the favoured inverted role.
The 2001-born jewel seemed to fit in well to Arteta’s demands, playing fluidly in pre-season as well as shining in the Community Shield match-up against Manchester City at Wembley prior to the Premier League commencing – enjoying a 'good full debut', in the words of the Standard's Dom Smith.
Deployed at left-back, it looked as though Arsenal had found the perfect mix of Kieran Tierney’s defensive know-how and Zinchenko’s progressive expertise in Timber, however, the smiles surrounding his arrival were short-lived on the opening day of the Premier League season.
50 minutes into the Gunners’ clash with Nottingham Forest at the Emirates in August, the Netherlands international was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury, which was later revealed to be an anterior cruciate ligament tear.
It was suspected that the £38m acquisition would be out of action for around seven months, leaving Arteta back to squad one with his defensive options and without the quality that Timber had showcased in the opening moments of his career at Arsenal.
In October, journalist Chris Wheatley relayed that January could be a possible time for the Dutchman to ease into his return, with the knowledge that an injury as complex as an ACL rupture must be given the maximum time to recover, as per NowArsenal.
It was an agonising blow for the player just as it was for the Premier League outfit who had lost their new signing so early into the campaign, however his return could come at a perfect time for Arteta.
How Jurrien Timber could fit into Arsenal’s team
Prior to his injury, the boss highlighted that Timber’s pre-season performances showed that he is a “really versatile player”, adding that the 22-year-old can be used “in different positions” due to his vast range of ability.
As mentioned, the 5 foot 10 dynamo occupied the centre-back role for Ajax, and began life in north London as a full-back, with Arteta lauding the defender’s “capacity to invert and occupy different spaces”.
What’s interesting about the Utrecht-born star’s ability is that his return could have the potential to even bolster Arsenal’s midfield, an area of the pitch that has been starved of quality due to injury and lack of form so far in 2023/24.
As highlighted by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Timber’s attributes saw him endeavour in cameos in defensive midfield under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, opening a door to the possibility that he could return to such position during the Gunners’ time of need.
Mango dubbed the defender as a “smooth operator” for his approach to play in his homeland, also lauding him as one of the “most intelligent defenders in the game”, with his ability to pass through the lines making him a dangerous outlet from the back.
When studying the two-time Eredivisie winners’ statistics from the 2022/23 Eredivisie campaign, it’s interesting to note that FBref listed Edson Alvarez as one of the most statistically comparable centre-backs to Timber that season.
Alvarez similarly made the move to the Premier League in the summer, signing for West Ham United where he has since prevailed as a stellar defensive midfielder for David Moyes’ side, suggesting that his former teammate could do the same in England.
Timber 22/23 vs Rice, Xhaka, Partey in 22/23 Premier League per 90 stats
Statistic
Jurrien Timber
Declan Rice
Granit Xhaka
Thomas Partey
Pass completion %
91.6%
86.5%
84.7%
87.2%
Progressive passes
8.62
6.60
5.89
8.37
Progressive carries
2.38
2.42
1.26
1.23
Tackles
1.40
2.17
1.02
2.54
Interceptions
1.25
1.73
0.45
1.01
Final 3rd passes
9.78
6.41
4.45
8.37
Touches
90.62
68.06
56.86
82.17
Figures via FBref
As portrayed in the table above, the 22-year-old’s 2022/23 statistics support claims that he could be a valuable asset in the deeper areas of midfield for Arteta, when comparing his league stats to those of Arsenal’s defensive midfielders past and present, last season.
Timber’s ability and experience in playing the inverted role gives him a unique insight into playing in central areas more advanced than the back line, handing the manager another option in the engine room as the Gunners’ options continue to run weak.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber
Not only could the £38m capture’s return bolster the quality in the squad, but could also save the north Londoners millions by exploiting his resources in midfield, rather than spending big on reinforcements in such area.
While the date of Timber’s return remains uncertain, his return to the squad will be well celebrated by those at the Emirates, with a second shot to enjoy their summer signing when the 2023/24 campaign heats up.
It was another evening of Lionel Messi magic for Inter Miami, but a gruesome injury to Diego Gomez leaves their victory feeling bittersweet.
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Miami defeat Nashville 3-1
Messi scores two and assists one
Herons lose Gomez to brutal injury
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TELL ME MORE
It was a dominant performance from Miami – at least for the final 80 minutes. Things began on a similar, yet somber, note.
The Herons conceded just three minutes into the match, with the Miami defense collapsing on a corner kick. The ball eventually landed in the back of the net off Herons defender Franco Negri, a disastrous start.
Messi Messi saved the day once again, though, bringing them level in the 11th minute and then assisting before the halftime whistle. The Argentine played a brilliant corner kick to Sergio Busquets, who headed home for his first MLS goal.
The Argentine added to his tally on the day late, slotting home from the penalty spot in the 81st minute for his seventh goal of the MLS season.
It was a brilliant response from the South Beach club after a horrid start, but not for everyone. In the 41st minute, Miami lost Diego Gomez to injury, with the Paraguayan being stretchered off the pitch in tears.
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DID YOU KNOW?
This was Nashville's fifth time in all competitions facing the Argentine since his arrival in the summer of 2023. In each of the five matches, they have yet to win, with Saturday being their latest failed attempt.
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THE MVP
Lionel Messi:
The Argentine was absolute magic once again. It feels like every single time he starts for the Herons, he ends up doing something spectacular. This time, it was two goal contributions in the first half.
He opened the scoring for the South Beach club 11 minutes into the match and followed it up with a brilliant corner kick assist to Busquets in the 39th minute.
Messi added the cherry on top late, slotting home from the penalty spot for his seventh of the season in the 81st minute.
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THE BIG LOSER
Diego Gomez:
The Paraguayan sensation, who was coming off his best game in a Heron's kit in 2024, was stretchered off the pitch in the first half in tears. The 21-year-old – who is expected to lead Paraguay in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games – collided with Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Panico and was removed from the match as a result.
Against Sporting KC last weekend, he netted a goal and an assist en route to a brilliant 3-2 road victory. Now, his status is unknown, and there could be bigger things at stake than a timely return for Miami – Paraguay fans will now be on their toes until news surrounding his injury surfaces.
Granit Xhaka's redemption arc at Arsenal was the stuff that Hollywood would buy into and gobble up.
It was a remarkable turnaround. Think Severus Snape in Harry Potter, even Darth Vader in Star Wars. This was a story capable of matching both of the most famous villains in movie history.
The date was 27th October 2019 and as the Swiss midfielder was substituted by Unai Emery, his days at the Emirates looked numbered.
Xhaka was the club captain at the time but as supporters inside the stadium jeered and booed him off the park, the armband was thrown to the floor in disgust. The now 31-year-old gesticulated at fans and was visibly angry. Surely there was no way back for this enigmatic character?
Lo and behold, he's now adored by Arsenal fans. His redemption act under Mikel Arteta was a joy to see.
How Granit Xhaka redeemed himself
Arteta has revolutionised the way this Arsenal team think. Now mentally strong, it's a far cry from the forlorn squads we saw in the latter days of Arsene Wenger's reign and Emery's torrid tenure in north London.
They are yet to topple Manchester City as the greatest club side in the land just yet, but oh how close they came in 2022/23. Just five points separated the Gunners and the Citizens come last May, and now just a point divides the two in 2023/24.
Granit Xhaka's Premier League career at Arsenal
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
Key passes p/g
Tackles p/g
Yellow cards
2016/17
32
2
2
1.1
2.4
5
2017/18
38
1
7
1
2.1
10
2018/19
29
4
2
1.4
1.8
10
2019/20
31
1
2
0.5
1.5
10
2020/21
31
1
2
0.5
1.6
7
2021/22
27
1
2
1.2
1.2
10
2022/23
37
7
7
1.3
0.9
5
Figures via WhoScored
A large reason for the club's success last term was Xhaka. Deployed as an advanced number 8, the Switzerland star was freed from his defensive role which had seen him cause so much chaos throughout the years.
The £25m signing was known as a liability. During his time in N5 Xhaka picked up five red cards and 76 yellows. That doesn't make for great reading at all.
Yet, in his final campaign as an Arsenal player before moving onto pastures new, the club's number 34 wasn't sent off once. It was also the best goalscoring season of his career. Nine times Xhaka scored in Arsenal red, crashing the ball home from long range but also ghosting into the penalty area like Frank Lampard in his prime.
If you wanted any more reason to celebrate this redemption, he also registered seven assists in all competitions last season. Arsenal had come so close to winning the league and Xhaka was finally a hero in the English capital.
To see him leave for Bayer Leverkusen, therefore, was a hard one to swallow. In his stead, Kai Havertz has been signed; the less said about that the better.
Xhaka's statistics after leaving Arsenal
It won't come as any great surprise that after returning to the Bundesliga, Xhaka has taken German football by storm.
Playing under the watchful and imaginative guidance of former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen are yet to lose a single game this season. They sit atop Germany's highest division on 31 points and are three ahead of Harry Kane's Bayern Munich. Wouldn't it be quite the story if Xhaka denied Tottenham's record goalscorer his first league title?
Under Alonso, the midfielder's role has changed again. He's not free-scoring at all – failing to find the net all season. However, the bullish midfielder is still topping the charts in a variety of metrics.
That stat will particularly sting for those of an Arsenal persuasion when you consider Havertz's dismal start to life in north London. The German has only scored once – from the penalty spot – since moving from Chelsea and cuts a dejected figure on the pitch.
Anything he does is rarely completed with confidence and this mega £65m move is looking more bizarre by the minute. That said, having starred as a left-back over the international break with his country, perhaps a Xhaka-like revival could be on the cards in an unfamiliar role.
As it happens, there are a number of former Arsenal stars plying their trade in the German top flight. The most notable example is Serge Gnabry, a man with 82 Bayern Munich goals to his name
He's made the Gunners seriously regret not holding onto him all those years ago, now valued at an eye-watering £48m by Transfermarkt. Imagine him and Bukayo Saka wreaking havoc, that's all we're saying there.
Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry.
However, there's another tricky winger who deserves equal attention. Enter stage right, Nathan Tella. Who, you may ask? Rightfully so. However, this former Hale End product is emerging as a serious talent.
Now 24, the Stevenage-born wideman was released by Arsenal after ten years in the academy in 2017. His next destination was Southampton but he never quite made the grade on the South Coast.
Former Burnley loanee Nathan Tella.
Tella only featured 44 times for the Saints, scoring three goals in that time. It was a loan spell at Burnley last term that really made him.
Starring under Vincent Kompany's Clarets as they surged to promotion from the Championship, Tella found the net 19 times in 45 outings. It was a red-hot campaign and there was no way he was sticking around for Southampton's second-tier experience.
A £20m move followed to none other than Xhaka and Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen. A bit-part asset to the side to date – yet to make his first start in the Bundesliga – but he's still caught the eye in glimpses.
Indeed, with two goals in all competitions for Leverkusen across 335 league and European minutes, he has scored more than the aforementioned Swiss and impressively, more than Gnabry.
Tella's start to life in Leverkusen may well have been slow but it surely won't be long before this once-Arsenal starlet begins to enjoy life a little bit more overseas.
Paul Mullin has shared a heartwarming clip of his son Albi enjoying every moment of walking out with Wrexham ahead of their game with Stockport.
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Season now over for Red Dragons
Enjoyed back-to-back promotions
Looking forward to summer break
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Dragons brought the curtain down on their 2023-24 campaign when playing host to the newly-crowned champions of League Two. Phil Parkinson’s troops are heading up alongside the Hatters, with a 2-1 victory on the final day seeing them finish the season in second place.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Mullin was not on target against Stockport, but has added a further 26 goals to his remarkable tally this term – taking him past 100 for Wrexham in total. The 29-year-old will not be overly concerned about failing to find the net, with the Red Dragons already hitting their ultimate target.
DID YOU KNOW?
Mullin also had plenty to smile about after heading out of the tunnel at a raucous SToK Racecourse accompanied by his young son, who enjoyed the “best time ever with daddy”. Albi was diagnosed with autism in 2023, leading his father to take an active role in spreading awareness of a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.
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WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
Wrexham and Mullin are now looking forward to taking in a well-earned break at the end of a gruelling EFL campaign. Another trip to Las Vegas, paid for by Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, will form part of summer plans before Parkinson’s side ready themselves for life in League One by taking in a second pre-season tour of the United States and Canada.
Newcastle United's meteoric rise from relegation battlers to European challengers is a glowing testament to how quickly things can change in football.
Since the PIF took over the club and entrusted Eddie Howe as manager, the English tactician deserves so much credit for this spectacular turnaround, having dragged the Magpies to Champions League football for the first time in 20 years last term.
Whilst the Toon are currently bottom of their continental group, there is still every chance of qualification with only three points separating them from table toppers Borussia Dortmund.
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
That said, Newcastle have struggled from a whole host of misfortune this term with 12 first-team stars currently injured or suspended, including summer signing Sandro Tonali, who is serving a suspension till August 2024.
Newcastle's Tonali replacement plan boosted as "exceptional" ace wants move
He specifically wants the Magpies…
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Henry Jackson
Nov 11, 2023
With this in mind, Howe is eyeing up a number of replacements for the Italian in January and one of those is 20-year-old Javi Guerra.
Newcastle transfer news – Javi Guerra
According to reports in Spain – as relayed by Caught Offside – Newcastle could submit a €40m (£35m) bid for the Valencia midfield maestro, whose performances for the Spanish club have caught the eye.
It is claimed that the Magpies are lining up a proposal for the talented youngster and could look to make a move for him once January rolls around.
Guerra is currently under contract with Valencia until the summer of 2027 and while it is unknown whether they are ready to sanction his departure, the report states that the Spanish side could be open to accepting the offer as it represents a substantial financial gain for them.
A technically gifted central midfielder, who would add creativity, control and composure in the middle of the park, the 20-year-old has all the attributes in his locker to become a key player for Newcastle and could easily supply Howe with a long-term upgrade on Tonali.
The statistics that show Guerra would be an upgrade on Tonali
Tonali was captured from AC Milan for his sensational technical and ball-carrying attributes, offering the Magpies more control in the centre of the park while allowing the likes of Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes to maraud further forward.
In the Premier League this term, he boasts a passing accuracy of 88%, a dribble success rate of 60% and a goal conversion of 33%, as per Sofascore, and while those are impressive statistics, Guerra has supplied better metrics than the 23-year-old across most departments in the past year.
Javi Guerra's vs Sandro Tonali's per 90 statistics in the past year
Statistics
Javi Guerra
Sandro Tonali
Non-penalty goals
0.22
0.06
Expected assists (xA)
0.15
0.12
Shots total
1.82
0.80
Progressive carries
2.37
2.07
Successful take-ons
1.98
0.41
Carries into the pen area
0.55
0.06
Progressive carries received
2.98
3.16
All stats via FBref
Hailed by journalist Antonio Mango as "very talented", the Spaniard offers more of a threat in the final third, better quality chance creation and ball-carrying attributes than Tonali.
Guerra is able to glide past his markers from deep, as implied by the number of progressive carries and successful take-ons he amasses, whilst peppering the goal with shots.
According to talent scout Jacek Kulig, who describes him as a "deep-lying orchestrator", the 20-year-old boasts exceptional vision, athleticism and technique that could help Newcastle gain the upper hand in central midfield.
In the absence of Tonali, the Magpies have lost a bit of a stranglehold on proceedings in the middle of the park and could regain some much-needed technical excellence with the capture of the Spanish maestro in January.
Arsenal are set to reward Brazilian defender Gabriel with a new deal following his strong 2023/24 campaign.
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Gabriel impresses in 2023/24
Set to be rewarded by Arsenal
New contract talks begin
WHAT HAPPENED?
According to The Standard, Arsenal have opened talks with Gabriel regarding a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.
His current deal does not expire until 2027 but the 26-year-old is set to be rewarded following his strong performances across the current season.
The Gunners tied his defensive partner William Saliba down to a new deal last summer and are looking to do the same with Gabriel in the coming months.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal are currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table – and Gabriel's performances are a major reason for their superb form.
Talks are currently underway and the report states that the defender is expected to extend his stay in North London. Gabriel is believed to be settled in England and is a major part of Mikel Arteta's plans moving forward.
DID YOU KNOW?
Gabriel has helped Arsenal to the best defensive record in the top flight of English football this season. Arteta's side have conceded just 26 goals so far throughout 2023/24, which is six fewer than Manchester City.
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WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
With Pep Guardiola's side just one point behind Arsenal in the table – while also holding a game in hand – the title race is now reaching the business end of the season.
Arsenal must build on their impressive 5-0 win against Chelsea in midweek, as the North London derby against Tottenham approaches on Sunday.