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Following a solid start to the Premier League season, it seems that Marco Silva is still not satisfied with his ever-growing squad.

With a 2-2 draw to last season’s title challengers Liverpool – in which they led on both occasions – and a solid 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers where they missed a penalty, it could be argued that Fulham would have been good value for two wins.

These shortcomings could be related to their reported interest in former Chelsea and Arsenal winger Willian, who has recently been linked with a move back to the Premier League to aid Silva’s side.

Looking for a man to kill off games such as these, Fulham need to look no further than the 70-cap “superstar” – in the words of one former footballer – who was once one of the trickiest wingers in the whole league.

He could come in and replace the mediocre Ivan Cavaleiro, who only recorded two league goals last season despite featuring 18 times for the dominant side in the Championship.

Willian conversely has scored 36 Premier League goals and assisted a further 44 over two clubs in his career, and even offered up five goal contributions last season for Corinthians, suggesting he is yet to lose his magic touch.

He is a household name for modern-day fans of the English top-flight, renowned for his sensational free kicks, speed, trickery, and “exceptional” technical ability in the words of Nigerian manager Sunday Oliseh.

Perhaps a return to the league could be exactly what Silva’s side are lacking, and could in the process see him ditch the £24k-per-week dud who has struggled to announce himself at Craven Cottage.

In fact, the Portuguese winger’s terrible stint can be further explained through his miserable 0.3 shots on target per game and 59% dribble success rate, outlining him as a non-threat for opposition defences.

In Willian’s last season in England, during the 2020/21 season, he still managed a respectable six goal contributions in a struggling Arsenal side.

Not that much time has passed since then, and there is little evidence to suggest that he could not return and do a solid job for Fulham upon their return to the division.

His experience and ability could be exactly what they need, whereas Cavaleiro has offered neither of these things during his stay in west London. He must be ditched at the expense of the experienced Brazilian.

Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat against Brighton once again highlighted the need for new signings at Old Trafford, and it seems as if Erik ten Hag has identified a new winger to bring to the club.

What’s the word?

United had been linked with Ajax winger Antony earlier in the window but after the Eredivisie side placed an £80m valuation on the Brazilian’s head, the Red Devils have begun to consider other options.

As per Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano, United are considering a move for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo. He said:

“Manchester United are discussing Cody Gakpo internally, he’d love PL move.”

He goes on to suggest that: “Gakpo’s one of the names in the list alongside priority target Antony – no official bid yet.”

Ten Hag would love him

Ten Hag will be well aware of what Gakpo can offer after the 23-year-old was one of the stars of the Dutch top-flight last season.

The Netherlands international hit a hugely impressive 12 goals and 13 assists in just 27 Eredivise appearances, averaging a phenomenal 7.79 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

For context, the best performing player in Manchester United’s squad last season, according to WhoScored, was Cristiano Ronaldo, as he averaged a 7.11 rating, which goes to show just how impressive Gakpo was.

The young winger has continued that form into the new season, contributing three goals and two assists in his first four appearances for PSV, so he would definitely arrive at Old Trafford in a confident mood.

Ten Hag will be desperate to add attacking quality to his side before the transfer window shuts, and Gakpo’s stats last season suggest that he could add some real impetus in the final third.

The 23-year-old averaged three shots, 2.9 dribbles and 2.6 key passes per game in the Eredivise last season. Only Ronaldo would better this shot per game average, while Gakpo led all other United players in each of these areas.

Such form and quality has seen the PSV star lauded as “phenomenal” and “special” by talent scout Jacek Kulig and under the tutelage of former United star Ruud van Nistelrooy, he has clearly become a lethal threat, earning comparisons to Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie.

Therefore, he is clearly the type of player that Ten Hag would love to have at Old Trafford, so fans will be hoping that the Red Devils pay his reported £38m fee.

Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in signing Burnley midfielder Dwight McNeil, according to Sky Sports. 

The lowdown: In demand

A product of the youth system at Manchester United, McNeil cut his teeth in senior football in the Premier League and has racked up 134 appearances in the top-flight over five consecutive seasons, scoring seven goals and supplying 17 assists.

After suffering the indignity of relegation from the division with Burnley last season, the 22-year-old former England youth international is seemingly a wanted man with multiple suitors already in the mix.

Previously linked with a move to Everton, Tottenham, Brentford and newly promoted Fulham, an emerging report has claimed McNeil is now on the radar at Selhurst Park…

The latest: ‘Approach’ made

As per Sky Sports, Crystal Palace and West Ham have both made an ‘approach’ to sign the 10-cap England Under 21 starlet.

It’s claimed that McNeil is ‘keen to return to the Premier League’ and is currently ‘considering a number of options’ regarding his future.

The report also states that Burnley are ‘likely to demand a fee in excess of £15million’ for the youngster who was dubbed a ‘sensational player’ by The Athletic journalist Andy Jones back in June 2020.

The verdict: Strength in numbers

Eagles boss Patrick Vieira already has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal in wide areas with Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Jeffrey Schlupp and Malcolm Ebiowei all capable of operating on both wings.

Furthermore, despite the incessant links to a move away from South East London, including this summer with AS Roma touted as potential suitors, talismanic winger Wilfried Zaha remains in situ in the Palace squad.

However, still just 22, McNeil has already proven to be a capable operator at the elite level and would therefore be a superb addition to the ranks ahead of what looks certain to be a long campaign with a World Cup thrown into the mix.

Although the Englishman supplied only £16.2million valued ace still managed to outperform Zaha when it comes to what many would say is the Ivorian’s forte by completing 2.4 successful dribbles per outing compared to the Palace favourite’s 2.3 completed attempts.

All told, at the suggested price, McNeil would be an impressive signing for the South East Londoners.

A big Rangers transfer claim has dropped regarding one of the most sought-after talents in the European game.

What’s the news?

The claim is regarding Borussia Dortmund youngster Gio Reyna, with journalist Manuel Veth tweeting: “Whispers that #USMNT midfielder Gio Reyna could be loaned by #BVB to Scottish side Rangers.

“Source told me that that is extremely unlikely. Terzic is hopeful to get the American back on track this season and Reyna has worked hard on his fitness in the offseason.”

Although the tweet clearly explains that Dortmund plan on keeping the player around next season, never say never.

Reyna would be a wonderful addition

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been busy over the last few days, adding striker Antonio Colak to his Rangers side and reportedly winning the race to sign Tom Lawrence.

After a few weeks without any new signing announcements, it is a bit of relief to the Ibrox faithful that there will be at least a couple of new faces heading through the door.

A move for Reyna might just be a tad unrealistic, though the American is named after the Rangers manager as the Dutchman and Claudio Reyna formed a close bond during their spell at the club and Gio Reyna appears to be extremely gifted.

Reyna suffered an injury-plagued campaign last season, missing 32 of Dortmund’s 46 matches as his excellent progress was dented. He missed the entire first half of the season with a muscle injury which undoubtedly weakened Dortmund as they looked to battle it out with Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title.

He did feature for Dortmund in the Europa League first-leg clash against Rangers in February, which ended in a 4-2 defeat for the German heavyweights.

A move to Glasgow, however, would surely send the supporters into a frenzy.

Look at what happened when Aaron Ramsey touched down from Italy in January and walked out to a rapturous crowd at Ibrox as the club signed him on a six-month loan deal.

The Ibrox faithful can only dream.

AND in other news: Bid prepared: Rangers eye 6 figure swoop for 17 y/o sensation, he can be Jack 2.0

La Liga giants Barcelona are ‘fully convinced’ they can sign Manchester City star Bernardo Silva this summer with Jorge Mendes running messages behind the scenes.

The Lowdown: Wanted to leave

The 27-year-old wanted to leave Man City last summer and revealed later that the pandemic had made him homesick, as opposed to it having anything to do with his affection for the club (via Manchester Evening News).

The Sky Blues did not receive any bids deemed acceptable for the player though, so the Portugal international remained at the Etihad this season.

The attacking-midfielder went on a fantastic run for Pep Guardiola’s side, having featured in 35 Premier League games this campaign, earning an average match rating of 7.28 – fifth out of the entire City squad (via WhoScored).

The Latest: Update from Catalonia

According to an update in the last 48 hours from Spanish journalist Helena Condis (via Football365), Barcelona are ‘fully convinced’ they will sign Silva this summer, using super agent Mendes to inform the player, who is expected to remain patient.

City are said to have placed an £80m price tag on the midfielder are not interested in any swap deals.

The Verdict: Huge loss

When compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, the 27-year-old impressively ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive carries, touches in the attacking penalty area and progressive passes received (via FB Ref).

Having featured 11 times in the Champions League for City this season alongside his top flight heroics, Silva’s importance to Guardiola’s side cannot be overlooked, consistently relied upon to convert defence into attack.

If Silva pushes for a move away this summer, this will come as a heavy blow to City ahead of next season, as he has become one of the few mainstays in Guardiola’s often rotated starting XI.

In other news: Romeo Lavia could also leave this summer…

Wolves manager Bruno Lage met with Benfica striker Haris Seferovic over the weekend, according to a fresh report which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Attacking reinforcements needed

The Old Gold were rather goal-shy in the Premier League this season, scoring only 38 times in as many matches, so attacking reinforcements could be needed this summer.

Wolves’ end product often left a lot to be desired and it arguably played a part in their European hopes eventually evaporating late in the campaign.

A new rumour is now doing the rounds which suggests that a new striker could be heading to Molineux.

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The Latest: Lage meets with Seferovic

According to A Bola, Lage met with Seferovic in Lisbon on Saturday ahead of Switzerland’s UEFA Nations League clash against Portugal.

However, the report suggested that this meeting could have been ‘a mere courtesy’, with the two men knowing each other from their mutual time at Benfica.

The 30-year-old Swiss marksman scored three goals and registered two assists in four Primeira Liga starts last season, netting 74 times in 188 appearances for the Lisbon club overall and 110 times in total across his senior club career.

[freshpress-quiz id=“398117″]

The Verdict: Potential Jimenez replacement?

Should the meeting have been transfer-related, Seferovic could be viewed as a strong replacement for Raul Jimenez further down the line, with the 31-year-old Mexican experiencing a downturn in form last season and reports claiming that the Switzerland striker has previously expressed a desire to play in the Premier League.

The Benfica marksman has pedigree, having scored 24 goals in 84 caps for Switzerland, although he would likely cost a substantial amount considering that his contract doesn’t expire until 2024.

It is again worth stating that the meeting could simply have been social, but if it turns out that it were with an eye to a possible Molineux move, it could be an exciting link to keep an eye on over the summer as a prospective much-needed addition to Lage’s ranks.

In other news, one Spanish source has dropped a Wolves transfer claim. Read more here.

Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target Rasmus Kristensen.

What’s the talk?

In a recent post on Twitter, the Italian journalist revealed that, following reports of Jesse Marsch’s interest in a move for the Red Bull Salzburg right-back this summer, Victor Orta has now prepared an opening offer for the 24-year-old.

The transfer insider goes on to state that negotiations between the Premier League side and Austrian champions are currently ongoing concerning a fee for the defender, while personal terms with the Denmark international are not thought to be an issue.

In his tweet, Romano said: “Leeds have an opening bid ready for Rasmus Kristensen. Talks ongoing with RB Salzburg, negotiations are concrete. Personal terms not an issue – Leeds want Kristensen after Aaronson deal completed with RB Salzburg.”

Supporters will love Romano’s claim

Considering how exciting a talent Kristensen evidently is, in addition to the fact that both Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas are both facing lengthy spells on the sidelines due to injury, Romano’s suggestion that Leeds have already made a move to sign the Salzburg right-back is sure to be an update the Elland Road faithful will love.

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Indeed, over his 29 Austrian Bundesliga fixtures this season, the £13.5m-rated Dane proved just how much of an attacking threat he can be on the right of a backline, bagging seven goals, providing four assists and creating seven big chances, in addition to taking an average of 1.4 shots, making 1.2 key passes and completing 1.3 dribbles per game.

The £14k-per-week full-back also returned impressive defensive metrics, helping Matthias Jaissle’s side keep 13 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.3 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 1.4 clearances and winning 5.7 duels – at a success rate of 60% – per appearance.

These returns saw the 24-year-old average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.31, not only ranking him as his club’s second-best player in the division but also as the fourth-best in the Bundesliga as a whole.

As such, should Orta manage to get a deal over the line for Kristensen in the coming weeks, it would very much appear as if the sporting director will have secured a considerable upgrade on Ayling – who scored two goals, registered two assists and averaged a SofaScore match rating of just 6.61 over 26 Premier League appearances this season – ahead of the Whites’ 2022/23 campaign.

AND in other news: Leeds now plotting bid for “unbelievable” £15m target, he “could be the real deal”…

Tottenham Hotspur would sell Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Newcastle United this summer if the right offer arrives, despite Daniel Levy being ‘furious’ with the club’s takeover last year, according to pundit Paddy Kenny.

The Lowdown: ‘Furious’ Levy

Earlier this week, it was claimed by The Mirror that the Magpies are looking to sign the 26-year-old for a fee believed to be in the region of £30m in the upcoming transfer window, with the report also suggesting that the midfielder would be allowed to leave the Lilywhites if a suitable offer came in.

However, when the takeover at St. James’ Park was completed last October, The Daily Mail reported that the Spurs chairman was “furious” and even made attempts to try and stop Newcastle agreeing a new sponsorship deal.

Regardless of this, the former Leeds United goalkeeper believes that the north London giants will still carry out business as usual with Eddie Howe’s outfit, as long as the price is right.

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The Latest: All about finances

During a recent interview, Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild: “It’s all about the money at the end of the day.

“If Spurs want to get rid of Hojbjerg and Newcastle are the only club offering the money, they will sell, it’s as simple as that.

“You can talk about how you don’t like the takeover and how it might affect other clubs but I’m sure those clubs won’t turn down the money if it comes their way.

“Daniel Levy is the money man, he might be furious but it’s all talk, he might try and make Newcastle overpay but they aren’t stupid.

“Newcastle will walk away if he’s making ridiculous demands. So we will have to see with this one.

“But it’s not like Tottenham will never sell a player to Newcastle ever again, do you know what I mean? That’s not how football works.”

The Verdict: Conte surely wants to keep him

The Denmark international has been a regular feature in Antonio Conte’s starting XI this season, making 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and chipping in with four assists in that time, as per Transfermarkt.

Hojbjerg has been involved in all 28 outings since the Italian arrived in the capital last November, so it’s no secret that the manager seems to be an admirer of the £36m-rated star.

Once dubbed as being a “phenomenal” player by ex-Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, it would be a huge loss if the 6-foot maestro was to depart Tottenham, especially to a big-spending Premier League rival looking to move up the ranks..

In other news… Paratici is reportedly eyeing a summer move for a £24k-per-week ace. 

Over the last two years, the Trinidadian has turned himself into a threat so hostile he reminds Courtney Walsh of Patrick Patterson and Ian Bishop

Mohammad Isam06-Dec-2018As he runs in and looms into his intended target’s field of view, Shannon Gabriel is an imposing figure. It doesn’t matter that his wind-up at the crease isn’t as massive as West Indian greats of yesteryear – he generates enough momentum to consistently clock upwards of 140kph. Gabriel stomps down at the crease, and delivers with a high-arm action.Courtney Walsh, West Indies’ leading wicket-taker and now Bangladesh’s bowling coach, is reminded of a couple of his former fast-bowling colleagues when he watches Gabriel bowl.”He definitely reminds me sometimes of Patrick Patterson, with raw pace,” Walsh says. “When he gets the ball to swing, he is probably like Ian Bishop who had the outswing. He has the inswing.”With the pace he has, he reminds of me the guys back in those days who used to bowl real fast.”Gabriel has been a transformed fast bowler in the past two years, with the numbers to show: since the start of 2017, he has bagged 71 wickets in 17 Tests at an average of 23.94, the highlights being his 20-wicket series haul against Sri Lanka this June and 15 wickets at 18.80 against Pakistan last year.His last Test, against Bangladesh in Chattogram, came in challenging conditions for any fast bowler and yet he engineered a first-day collapse with a four-wicket burst and ended the game as one of the few West Indian players with their pride intact.Gabriel says he became aware of a need to transform himself at some point in 2016. It is likely to have been during or after the home Test series against India in July, in which he only managed five wickets across four Tests at a strike rate of 90.00. His Test career wasn’t going anywhere – at that point he had 39 wickets from 20 Tests at 38.74.But by the time West Indies next played a Test series, in the UAE against Pakistan, Gabriel was a changed bowler.”First of all, I just want to be thankful to god,” Gabriel tells ESPNcricinfo. “Without him, this wouldn’t have been possible. In the past two and a half years, I really made a conscious effort about both the physical and mental aspects of my cricket. It has taken me to where I am today. I have done some technical stuff, as well as my fitness. Mentally and physically I am in a good place now and I want to continue that way.”The UAE tour was followed by Pakistan’s return trip to the Caribbean, and across those two series Gabriel bowled 217.1 overs, taking 25 wickets at 25.56. Against the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh batsmen this home summer, he was at times literally unplayable. And when Kemar Roach and Jason Holder join him in West Indies’ pace attack, Gabriel’s danger only intensifies. Great fast bowlers often speak of the effect of hunting in pairs or trios, and Gabriel, the experienced Roach and the vastly improved Holder – who has taken 33 wickets an an astounding 12.39 this year – have formed an effective combination of late.Shannon Gabriel prepares to deliver the ball•CWI Media/Randy BrooksThe trio were in full flow in the Test series against Bangladesh in July, creating relentless pressure on the visiting batsmen. It must have been a soothing sight for those looking back fondly on watching the great West Indies pace batteries of the past.”It has been a wonderful opportunity [to bowl with Roach and Holder],” Gabriel says. “Jason with his bounce brings a different variation to the attack. Kemar Roach has all the experience and he is a consistent bowler. Does his bit with the ball.”They have given me the opportunity to express myself. It is a great combination. It gives me the ability to give my own natural game.”Gabriel has impressed some of his predecessors too. Walsh, West Indies’ all-time highest wicket-taker, is now Bangladesh’s bowling coach. He says Gabriel’s hard work has turned him into a bowler who can change the course of a game.”He has improved tremendously,” Walsh says. “His fitness level is up there. He has the aggression. I am happy with the way he is bowling. I am probably happy that he didn’t play against us in the second Test. He had a very good spell in the first Test.”He is the type of bowler who can change the game for you. Big improvement from him and he is getting from strength to strength. I am very happy to see that from a West Indian’s point of view. He is a kid who likes to work hard. I am sure that he will keep improving as his career goes on.”Walsh has also noticed Gabriel’s improvement in moving the ball, particularly his ability to produce reverse-swing. “[Seam and movement] will happen with experience, and the more you play. He is in in a better place than when he first started. He has a number of Tests under his belt and now he has the composure and confidence.”Once you are playing, those improvements will come. You can see late reverse-swing from him. He has good control and he knows how to set a batsman up. He is [going] in the right direction.”Gabriel is full of respect for past fast-bowling greats from the West Indies, and is close to Bishop, a fellow Trinidadian who is now a regular companion in home and away Tests in his capacity as a TV commentator.”I have always been a great fan of Ian Bishop,” Gabriel says. “One of my close uncles is his friend as well. Must say thanks to him for all the knowledge and advice he has given me. I have kept it, and made it part of my game.”Gabriel’s is one of the encouraging cricketing stories of recent years, of a player picking himself up from an ordinary start to his international career and turning himself into a match-turning asset, all while thrilling fans of fast bowling around the world. Through it he has remained a humble man, without the frills of most of his contemporaries.”I started [playing cricket] late but it is something that just happened.” he says. “I was just able to stick with it. To be honest right now, I am living my dream. It is something that I have always wanted to do – playing cricket. I want to be thankful for that.”

That Chris Rogers’ batting and leadership will be missed to the game is beyond dispute. But it is equally easy to conclude that the lessons learned over the past 18 years will be rare gold for Rogers in coaching ranks

Daniel Brettig23-Sep-2016Perhaps it was the need to push on for runs and a fourth-innings target, perhaps it was something deeper. Either way, some uncharacteristic flourishes in Chris Rogers’ final innings for Somerset this season tended to indicate these were the parting shots of a prolific and valuable career.

Most first-class hundreds by Australians

117 – Don Bradman
86 – Justin Langer
82 – Darren Lehmann
82 – Ricky Ponting
81 – Mark Waugh
79 – Matthew Hayden
79 – Steve Waugh
79 – Stuart Law
76 – Chris Rogers

For many a year, Rogers had been crease-bound against spin, leaning heavily on advice conveyed by Lance Klusener in their time together at Northamptonshire: build a solid defence against spinners and wait for the bad ball. But here he was, dancing down to Samit Patel and lofting over long-on.More recently, Rogers had been haunted by the threat of the short ball, his fears exacerbated by the death of Phillip Hughes then maintained by numerous head knocks over the course of his last few Test assignments for Australia. Yet the last scoring stroke with which he moved to a 76th first-class hundred – only eight Australians have more – was a hook shot.Proof, then, that Rogers always had these shots in his locker, and perhaps a flightier personality would have used them more frequently. Instead, these moments in innings No. 554 were the exceptions that prove the rule: by knowing his limitations and working within them, Rogers carved out a batting method that stood up to more examinations than most. He also earned the belated validation of a memorable stint in the Australian Test side, years after he had given up hope of getting there for longer than his earlier solitary appearance.To finish in England was fitting, for it was largely on those northern shores that Rogers sculpted his way of batting. When he first travelled to play there his technique was more or less classically Australian: back and across to cover bounce and be in position to play cross bat strokes on the hard and true expanses of the WACA Ground.But the means by which Rogers would become a consistent and heavy run scorer were to come later, via help from the likes of Paul Nixon and Klusener. A double hundred against the touring Australian Ashes team of 2005 was significant not only as the innings that put Rogers on the map back home, but also as the first sign his English lessons were starting to take root. In the simplest terms, he worked on playing in straight lines down the pitch, and covering off stump without letting the bat get outside his eyeline to adjust for lateral movement.Combined with a flinty determination at the batting crease and an agile mind eager to make adjustments for the challenges posed by different bowlers, teams and circumstances, those fundamentals led Rogers to major run-making feats. Over the past decade only twice – once through injury and once through international commitments – did Rogers fail to top 1000 runs for the English season, sharing his runs and expertise with Northants, Derbyshire, Middlesex and Somerset.These sides, plus Australia, benefited too from Rogers the thoughtful leader, and Rogers the sociable after-hours organiser. At both Derbyshire and Middlesex he did not arrive as captain but was effectively promoted to the rank in the field. By the time he signed on to play at Taunton this year there was expectation of the battling club being given the “Rogers touch”, characterised by example with the bat, sound ideas in the field, dedication in training and yarn-spinning in the dressing room.An attentive brand of leadership has found its greatest 2016 exemplar in the growth of the left-arm spinner Jack Leach, proficient in his craft but also shy and reticent in a way Rogers doubtless recognised in his younger self. The following words were spoken after Leach had bowled Somerset to victory over Yorkshire at Headingley, as blunt as they were empathetic:”I am still a big believer that you need more than one good season to play for England. With Jack, I think his game’s in order, I think emotionally he still has a bit of a way to go and I don’t think he’d be upset with me saying that. He is still a young guy, he has only ever been in Somerset and the challenges in international cricket are a lot more difficult. If they pick him then good luck to him but they’d better look after him.”Protective of his men but honest with them also, Rogers’ parting gift to Somerset was to drive them to within a day’s good fortune of the club’s first ever County Championship. That his batting and leadership will be missed to the game is beyond dispute. But it is equally easy to conclude that the lessons learned over the past 18 years will be rare gold for Rogers in coaching ranks.