One of the SPFL's 'most influential players' now can't get a game at Rangers

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has enjoyed a fairly strong start to life in the dugout at Ibrox since he arrived to take over from previous manager Russell Martin.

The German tactician, who left Sheffield Wednesday earlier this year, has won all three of his matches in the Scottish Premiership, beating Dundee 3-0 at Dens Park last time out.

Rangers, though, have also lost both of their Europa League games under the new boss and lost 3-1 to Celtic in the semi-final of the League Cup, and some players in the squad will still feel they have more to offer to Rohl.

The Rangers players who have rarely been used by Danny Rohl

Across the German head coach’s six matches in charge of the club in all competitions, the manager has been fairly consistent with his team selections overall, which has left some players by the wayside.

There are seven first-team players, or players on the fringe of the first-team, who have played in less than half of Rohl’s first six games with the Ibrox giants.

Joe Rothwell

2

Findlay Curtis

1

Emmanuel Fernandez

1

Lyall Cameron

1

Nedim Bajrami

0

Bailey Rice

0

Liam Kelly

0

As you can see in the table above, three players, albeit one of them being the back-up goalkeeper, have yet to make a single appearance for the German boss.

Lyall Cameron’s lack of game time under the new manager is surprising after he was heralded as an impressive addition to the squad from Dundee in the summer.

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He was described as ‘one of the most influential players’ in the SPFL by the BBC’s Dundee fan writer Ethan Hampton, yet he has not had much of a look-in under Rohl.

Why Danny Rohl must finally unleash Lyall Cameron

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder should finally be unleashed by the new manager because he could be an ‘influential’ player for the Gers if given the opportunity to play regular minutes in the Premiership.

Cameron has only played four times in the league so far this season, showing that he can’t get a game at the moment, and has only played nine minutes under Rohl, which came against Kilmarnock, per Sofascore.

Last season, however, during his time with Dundee, the Scottish star started 32 of his 33 appearances in the Premiership and provided a big threat at the top end of the pitch.

Appearances

33

4

Starts

32

2

Goals

9

0

Key passes per game

1.6

1.0

Big chances created

6

0

Assists

5

0

As you can see in the table above, Cameron was as influential as Hampton suggested, as he produced 14 goals and assists in 32 starts as a central midfielder for his previous club.

However, he has not been given enough of an opportunity to showcase his talent in the Premiership, with just nine minutes across Rohl’s first three league games in the dugout.

This is why the former Sheffield Wednesday tactician should finally unleash Cameron from the start after the international break, because his time with Dundee suggests that there is far more to come from him in a Rangers shirt.

The Scottish whiz is not going to show the best of his abilities with nine minutes off the bench or by being an unused substitute, and now is the time to introduce him to the team to see if he can provide goals and assists on a regular basis, as he did with Dundee.

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Ex-Man Utd star charged by FA after being accused of spitting at Leeds fans following previous feuds

Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri is in hot water with the FA after being accused of disgusting behaviour towards Leeds supporters during the recent Premier League clash between the clubs. The former Manchester United player has been charged over a spitting incident and has just under three weeks to respond, facing possible sanctions for his conduct.

Midfielder charged over alleged spitting

Hannibal was walking behind the goal at Turf Moor when the alleged spitting incident is claimed to have taken place – he appeared to react badly to something that was said, having been in thet area to pass a note to Clarets goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. The Tunisia international, who later came on for the final seven minutes, plus stoppage time, was the subject of a complaint by a Leeds fan to Lancashire Police. The FA then reviewed the incident, prior to launching an investigation and now charging Hannibal.

An FA spokesperson confirmed: "Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri has been charged with misconduct following their Premier League fixture against Leeds united on Saturday 18 October. It's alleged that the player acted in breach of the Laws of the Game and/or in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or indecent behaviour by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters around the 67th minute. Hannibal Mejbri has until Friday 28November to provide a response."

AdvertisementHannibal's feud with Leeds fans

It isn't Hannibal's first run-in with Leeds fans. Influenced by his Manchester United past – the player spent a total of five years with the Old Trafford club after joining from Monaco as a teenager and was targeted with derogatory chanting likening his hair to that of Simpsons character Sideshow Bob during an FA Youth Cup tie in 2020 – he appeared to taunt Leeds supporters during a Championship fixture, shortly after signing permanently with Burnley in 2024. Last month's incident has seen an escalation of that ongoing feud that has now lasted several years.

What punishment is Hannibal facing?

The standard suspension in England for a player deemed guilty of a spitting offence is six games. That sanction was famously issued to Manchester United defender Jonny Evans over an incident during a clash with Newcastle in march 2015, while Magpie striker Papiss Cisse was slapped with a seven-game ban due to a previous suspension. Hannibal could get a longer ban, with reporting that it is considered a "non-standard" incident that is more complex than usual. He could, however, avoid a harsher punishment by quickly responding, accepting the charge and apologising. If Hannibal contests the charge, he would be summoned to a hearing to give evidence and an independent regulatory commission would decide what sanction to issue if he is found guilty.

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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Hannibal?

Hannibal has 17 days to respond to the FA charge, but it might be in his best interest to give his side of the story as soon as possible. Premier League football is currently paused and Burnley are not back in action until hosting Chelsea at Turf Moor on November 22.

Hannibal has joined up with Tunisia's squad for international friendlies over the course of the next week against Mauritania, Jordan and Brazil. The Eagles of Carthage have qualified for next summer's World Cup, making it a third appearance in a row for them after missing out in both 2010 and 2014.

Hannibal being banned might not actually be too much of a blow for Burnley. Aside from a stoppage time game-winning assist off the bench against Wolves the week after facing Leeds, his impact this season has been minimal. The 22-year-old hasn’t started a Premier League game since being substituted 65 minutes into Burnley’s 3-2 loss against Manchester United, while that aforementioned assist is his sole goal involvement across 10 league appearances spanning 290 minutes.

Marcos Leonardo é decisivo mais uma vez e garante vitória do Santos diante do Palmeiras

MatériaMais Notícias

A estrela de Marcos Leonardo brilhou mais uma vez. O camisa 9 do Santos foi o responsável foi marcar o gol da virada por 2 a 1 diante do Palmeiras neste domingo (8), na Arena Barueri, em partida válida pela 26ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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+ Confira a classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro

Porém o bom momento não é de hoje. Marcos Leonardo é o artilheiro do Peixe na temporada, com 12 gols em 20 jogos do Brasileirão. O poder de decisão do jovem centroavante vem sendo fundamental para a recuperação do Santos na competição nacional, visto que nas três vitórias consecutivas do Alvinegro, o camisa 9 balançou a rede em todas – não foi diferente neste domingo.

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Marcos foi o autor do gol que quebrou um tabu de quatro anos do Peixe contra o Palmeiras – o último triunfo diante do rival havia sido apenas em 2019. O Menino da Vila, que marcou quatro gols nas últimas três partidas, é a “cara” da retomada do Peixe contra o rebaixamento, e vem reforçando o seu papel fundamental a cada confronto.

Além de ter marcado o gol da virada, o centroavante de 20 anos alcançou outra importante marca pelo Alvinegro. Ele entrou na seleta lista dos 50 maiores artilheiros da história do Peixe justamente no dia em que balançou a rede pela primeira vez contra o Palmeiras. Ao total, são 157 jogos e 53 bolas na rede com a camisa santista.

+ Tomás Rincón cumpre expectativa, assume faixa de capitão do Santos e lidera reação

Com a vitória, o Santos chegou a sua terceira vitória seguida e subiu para a 14ª posição do Brasileirão, com 30 pontos, três a mais que o Vasco, primeiro time na zona de rebaixamento. O Peixe só volta a campo no dia 20 de outubro (sexta-feira), após a parada da Data Fifa, para encarar o Bragantino. A bola rola às 19h (de Brasília), na Vila Belmiro.

Chelsea now in pole position to sign £80m "key target" ahead of PSG and Liverpool

Chelsea are one of the world’s most active clubs in the transfer market, and they could now be set to beat Liverpool and PSG to the signing of a proven Premier League star.

Chelsea left with problems to juggle amid hectic fixture schedule

Winning the Club World Cup was a momentous moment in recent Chelsea history, and particularly for the club’s finances.

BlueCo took home over £80 million worth of prize money after reigning victorious in the States, and this helped them end last summer’s window as one of England’s biggest spenders.

However, if recent developments are anything to go by, the physical output expended by players over what was a very long 2024/2025 season, with the CWC to blame for this, may have created some frustrating consequences for Enzo Maresca.

Cole Palmer is out for six weeks due to a groin problem, meaning the England international now joins Benoit Badiashile, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill as long-term absentees from the line-up.

Chelsea manager EnzoMarescabefore the start of the second half

Offering his honest opinion, former Blues star Pat Nevin believes Chelsea’s pre-season has something to do with the recent absences they are experiencing.

Either way, there will be opportunities for other Chelsea players to stake their claim in light of Palmer’s absence, including Blues loanee Facundo Buonanotte.

Nevertheless, January will be very important, given it offers a chance for Chelsea to strengthen their lighter areas by recruiting top talent.

Chelsea now frontrunners to sign Morgan Rogers

According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea are now the frontrunners to sign Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, and could beat rivals Liverpool to capture the England international.

Starting off this term with two assists in his opening ten appearances across all competitions, the 23-year-old is valued at around £80 million, and he is also being closely tracked by Paris Saint-Germain.

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Amid a return of 30 goal contributions in 2024/25, Chelsea have identified Rogers as a “key target” moving forward, and they believe internally that he is ‘well-suited to both the intensity of the Premier League and the competitive demands of European football’ present at Stamford Bridge.

Fotmob shows that the Halesowen-born playmaker, previously labelled “excellent” by Thomas Tuchel, has created seven chances and completed seven dribbles in the Premier League this campaign. He is beginning to motor after a slow start to life following a difficult summer where speculation over his future was rife.

Looking to steal a march on their rivals, Chelsea could now be set to tap into his long-term potential by offering a package that reflects his scope to develop into a world-class star.

Fewer touches than Pope: Howe must drop 4/10 Newcastle man after Brighton

Newcastle United fell to their third Premier League defeat of the season this afternoon, with Danny Welbeck’s double securing a 2-1 win for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Eddie Howe’s side must have thought they secured a point after Nick Woltemade netted his fourth goal in just five league outings after his summer arrival from Stuttgart.

However, it wasn’t meant to be, as the aforementioned star’s effort was in vain after Welbeck’s goal secured Fabian Hurzeler’s side all three points at the AMEX.

The Magpies now sit in the bottom half of the table at present, with just two wins to their name – needing a huge reaction in the coming games to get their campaign back on track.

Such a result will likely leave the manager bitterly disappointed, but more so, the failure to impress of numerous players who were handed chances to impress from the off.

Newcastle’s disappointing performers against Brighton

Despite being under fire for his lack of impact of late, Howe decided to stick with Brazilian international Joelinton as part of his three-man midfield.

However, his showing against the Seagulls was a hugely disappointing one, with the 29-year-old subsequently being withdrawn from the contest at the break.

He failed to create any chances for his teammates despite completing 21 passes, whilst also losing 100% of the aerial battles that he entered on the South Coast.

Joelinton wasn’t alone in failing to deliver against Hurzeler’s men, with full-back Dan Burn unable to help the Magpies secure all three points against his former employers.

The 33-year-old only managed to win four of the 14 duels he entered during his 90-minute performance, subsequently being dribbled past twice by former Newcastle star Yankuba Minteh.

Despite the showings from the aforementioned duo, one other first-team member produced an afternoon to forget, with Howe desperately needing to take action.

The Newcastle star who needs to be dropped after Brighton

After the sale of Alexander Isak during the summer window, it was vital Newcastle invested well into the squad to avoid a drop off in the Premier League standings.

As previously mentioned, Woltemade has hit the ground running for the Magpies, already looking like the club’s most threatening option within the final third.

The opposite end of the pitch also received hefty investment, with Malick Thiaw joining in a £40m deal from AC Milan – subsequently cementing his place in the starting eleven in recent weeks.

However, fellow summer addition Anthony Elanga has struggled to produce the type of displays that saw the hierarchy fork out a fee in the region of £55m for his services.

The Swede has failed to score or assist in any of his ten outings across all competitions, with his showing against the Seagulls highlighting his lack of impact to date.

He was named in the starting eleven for the clash against Hurzeler’s men this afternoon, but once again failed to match the faith shown in him by his manager, Howe.

Like Joelinton, Elanga was hooked at half-time due to his lack of impact, with his underlying figures showcasing how dismal he was during the Magpies’ latest defeat.

Minutes played

45

Touches

20

Passes completed

12

Crosses completed

0

Dribbles completed

0

Duels won

50%

Dribbled past

1

Match rating

4/10

He failed to complete any of the dribbles or crosses that he attempted, with only one of his attempted passes being made into the final third of the pitch.

Elanga also came out on top in just 50% of all the duels he contested, even being unable to create any chances for his teammates during his 45-minute outing.

To further highlight his lack of impact, he only achieved a total of 20 touches, a tally lower than that of goalkeeper Nick Pope, who achieved a total of 40.

As a result of his performance, Elanga was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by Newcastle World journalist Jordan Cronin – further showcasing his lack of impact.

Given his display, Howe desperately needs to get the winger firing, which should see the 23-year-old being dropped to the substitutes’ bench in the coming matches.

His mammoth price tag has certainly increased the pressure on his shoulders, but time needs to be handed his way to allow the attacker to adapt to the demands in the North East.

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Bruised MI face DC juggernaut at high-scoring Kotla

Against an unbeaten and formidable home side, MI will want to put up a win and get their campaign back on track

Sidharth Monga12-Apr-20252:26

Jaffer: Fraser-McGurk’s high-risk style difficult to sustain

Big picture: DC vs MI, a run-feast in Delhi?Never mind the extreme ends of the table these teams inhabit right now, this is the kind of match that could threaten the record for the highest number of runs scored in an IPL match. Delhi Capitals (DC) are built to go big, and have been scoring at a trickle under ten an over. Delhi has comfortably been the quickest-scoring venue in the IPL since last year.Mumbai Indians (MI) sit at the bottom of the table, but they are never a million miles from a big innings. Also their bottom is not like, say, Chennai Super Kings’ bottom. Two of their four defeats have been close ones. A matter of two good hits. Their captain’s game is on point, Jasprit Bumrah is back, their middle order is finding its muscle, and they could easily get on a roll.The last time these two teams played, it was at the exact same ground, which found a way to rejuvenate its tired pitch square a year ago. Add to its small boundaries, and is it any surprise the match aggregate crossed 500? DC scored 257 riding on Jake Fraser-McGurk’s 84 off 27 balls, but won by just ten runs. Another instance of MI falling short by two good hits. Against an unbeaten and formidable DC, MI need to somehow find those two hits.Team news and likely XIIsFaf du Plessis didn’t field for 12 overs of DC’s bowling in their last match, but since his injury was deemed external he was allowed to open the innings. He missed the previous game with a groin strain. If he is fit and ready, DC have no reason to make any changes.Delhi Capitals (probable) 1 Faf du Plessis, 2 Jake Fraser-McGurk, 3 Abishek Porel, 4 KL Rahul (wk), 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 Ashutosh Sharma, 7 Axar Patel (capt.), 8 Vipraj Nigam, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Mukesh Kumar, 12 Mohit SharmaMI are closer to finding their best combination, but their batting order might be up for a change. Tilak Varma could be promoted to No. 3, leaving Will Jacks under scrutiny.Mumbai Indians (probable) 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 3 Tilak Varma, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Will Jacks, 6 Hardik Pandya (capt.), 7 Naman Dhir, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Jasprit Bumrah, 12 Vignesh Puthur.Big question: Will the openers finally fire?Both these sides’ openers have been among the least productive this IPL. Their opening partnerships are in the bottom quarter. MI openers have put on the fewest runs together, and DC are the third-lowest. The thing is, when they get going they have the potential to be among the most dangerous. Fraser-McGurk and Ryan Rickelton are among the most explosive, Rohit Sharma and du Plessis among the most accomplished.In the spotlight: Hardik Pandya vs KL RahulRight from the days, it might appear Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul have been tough to separate. Their career paths have been similar in that they are both irresistible and versatile when at their best, but there are things that keep them from being at their best often. Both have had to deal with injuries – Hardik more than Rahul – and both have faced psychological challenges, especially during the IPL. This year they both seem to be at their best. Face to face, though, Rahul has been winning, scoring 96 runs off 55 balls from Hardik, getting out only once.KL Rahul has scored two fifties in three innings•BCCI

Pitch and conditionsDelhi is the highest-scoring venue since last year. That shouldn’t change at all unless the hosts tactically want it to be lower-scoring and can influence the groundsmen to do so. There was a dust storm in Delhi two days before the match, bringing down the temperatures a little, but don’t expect any rain or much respite from the heat.Key stats MI lead the head-to-head between these two sides 19-16. At home, though, DC are 9-5 against MI. In the last match, Trent Boult took a first-over wicket for the 31st time in the IPL, four clear of Bhuvneshwar Kumar at No. 2 on that list. In all T20 cricket, Boult is fifth, behind Shaheen Shah Afridi, David Willey, Bhuvneshwar and Mohammad Amir.Next three fixturesDC will host Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday before traveling to Ahmedabad and Lucknow. Two of MI’s next three matches are against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In between they will host Chennai Super Kings.Quotes”Nowadays, there is a lot of domestic cricket, so, everyone knows how to play the wicket. We don’t think that ‘we have to play here and there.’ Because in IPL, you have to play everywhere. And as far as batting is concerned, the main thing is the situation.”
“We have had a lot of individual performances in the last five matches. Only the collective performance is missing. When everyone did well in one game, we won by a big margin. That shows the potential of our team.”

Man Utd icon Roy Keane named his toughest opponent of all-time, not Gerrard or Vieira

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has named a “technically brilliant” central midfielder as his toughest-ever opponent, ahead of both Patrick Vieira and Steven Gerrard.

Keane names most difficult opponent

Keane came up against a number of tough opponents during his Man United career, but perhaps the most iconic rivalry was with former Arsenal man Patrick Vieira, with the midfielders famously clashing in the Highbury tunnel back in February 2005.

The Irishman also had regular battles with Steven Gerrard, and he has since claimed the ex-Liverpool captain was at a higher level than he ever was, saying: “When you compare me to players – people talk about Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard – these guys were way better than me.”

There can be no debate over which player had the more successful career, however, with the Cork-born midfielder winning seven league titles, four FA Cups and the 1998-99 Champions League during his time with the Red Devils.

Having led United to so many trophies as captain, the central midfielder was clearly a force to be reckoned with, but he was playing in an era where there were a number of top central midfielders, including the likes of Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes.

However, despite regularly facing off against Gerrard, Vieira and Lampard, Keane has named Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane as his most difficult opponent, saying:

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It should come as no surprise that Keane named the Frenchman as his toughest opponent, considering everything he achieved during his career, winning the Champions League, World Cup and Ballon d’Or.

The 108-time France international also scored one of the most iconic goals in Champions League history, finding the back of the net with a remarkable volley against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2002 final.

Not only that, but the 53-year-old also maintained a solid record against Man United throughout his career, picking up one goal and five assists in eight matches against Keane’s former club.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side did manage to get the better of the Italian club across two legs in the 1999 Champions League semi-finals, but even then, Zidane was responsible for the ex-Ireland international being suspended for the final, being brought down after cleverly earning a foul in midfield.

Both Keane and Scholes have expressed their disappointment at missing the famous final against Bayern Munich, with the latter saying: “Obviously I was really pleased that we won the game and completed the treble but, as Roy said, you didn’t feel like you’d won it. You didn’t feel like the medal was yours.”

The new Barry: Everton chasing late move for another "special" English star

As the transfer deadline looms, Everton are once again at the centre of speculation.

The Toffees have been among the more proactive Premier League sides this summer, with David Moyes overseeing a rebuild designed to inject both quality and long-term stability into the squad.

Jack Grealish’s high-profile switch from Manchester City dominated headlines, and he wasted little time in making his mark at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, registering two assists on his competitive debut in a 2-0 win over Brighton.

Everton backed up that performance with a comfortable 2-0 EFL Cup victory over Mansfield Town, further raising optimism among supporters.

Despite those encouraging results, Everton’s league campaign began with a setback – a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Leeds United.

That loss underlined the need for further reinforcements if the club are to mount a genuine push into the top half of the Premier League.

Everton looking to sign another English talent

Moyes has already welcomed the likes of Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Tyler Dibling into his squad, yet midfield remains an area of focus.

With Abdoulaye Doucouré departing earlier in the summer, a vacancy exists in the heart of Everton’s team.

The Toffees have been linked with a possible reunion between Moyes and Tomas Souček, but there is also a strong suggestion that another deal could be in the works – one that could see Everton land a player reminiscent of club stalwart Gareth Barry.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to Football Insider, Everton are one of several Premier League clubs weighing up a late move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

The 23-year-old has told his boyhood club that he would consider leaving if a top-flight opportunity presents itself before the window shuts. Crystal Palace and West Ham are also monitoring developments.

Hackney, described by analyst Ben Mattinson as a “special player,” has been integral to Middlesbrough’s perfect start under new manager Rob Edwards, playing every minute of their three consecutive Championship victories.

He has already contributed a goal and an assist this season, showcasing his ability to influence matches in the final third.

Why Hackney evokes memories of Gareth Barry

For Hackney, the chance to step up into the Premier League could be a natural next step in a career that has already seen him capped 13 times at England U21 level, including as part of the squad that retained the European Championship this summer.

England'sHaydenHackneyscores their first goal

Marketed at around £10m by Transfermarkt, the youngster would represent an affordable option compared with some of Everton’s other recent investments.

That figure is particularly notable when set against the £42m the club committed to sign winger Dibling from Southampton earlier this week – a move that underlined Moyes’ determination to secure the best emerging English talent.

For Everton fans, however, Hackney’s potential arrival carries echoes of one of the club’s most successful midfield signings of the Premier League era: Gareth Barry.

Like Barry, Hackney is a technically accomplished left-footed midfielder who thrives in dictating tempo, recycling possession, and providing a calm platform for more attacking players to flourish.

Statistically, his numbers suggest a player already capable of making the step-up.

According to FBref, he ranks favourably compared to midfielders in similar divisions to the Championship, sitting in the 99th percentile for progressive passes per 90 (9.92) and the 91st percentile for shot-creating actions (3.80) among players in leagues of Championship equivalence.

Hayden Hackney for Middlesbrough

His ability to move the ball forward – whether through incisive passing or by carrying possession himself (97th percentile for progressive carries) – highlights his suitability for Moyes’ system, which increasingly relies on controlled build-up from deep.

Defensively, Hackney also contributes, sitting in the 82nd percentile for blocks (1.54 per 90), which demonstrates an ability to screen effectively and disrupt opposition attacks.

This blend of on-ball quality and off-ball responsibility is precisely what made Barry such a valuable figure during his time at Goodison Park.

Matches Played

43

Minutes Played

3,792

Goals

5

Assists

3

Progressive Carries

118

Progressive Passes

440

The contrast with Everton’s other major summer signing, Dibling, is instructive.

Whereas Dibling’s profile – marked by elite percentile rankings for dribbles attempted (5.28), fouls drawn (2.49), and dribblers tackled (61.5%) – reflects the skillset of an explosive wide player, Hackney offers a quieter but equally crucial influence.

He would provide structure and control from midfield, knitting phases of play together and giving Everton stability in possession.

This dual-pronged approach of flair on the flanks combined with composure and tempo in midfield is central to Moyes’ vision of a balanced squad.

Hackney would not only cover the void left by Doucouré’s departure but also give Everton something they have lacked in recent years: a metronomic midfielder capable of dictating rhythm against stubborn opponents.

Much like Barry did during his four-year spell at the club, Hackney could serve as the understated yet indispensable figure around whom others operate.

His consistency at Middlesbrough – 43 appearances last season, contributing five goals and three assists – shows a player with the reliability and endurance to take on such a role at the top level.

With a market value of £10m, Hackney represents both a relatively low-risk and potentially transformative addition.

His signing would also reinforce Everton’s emerging identity as a club investing in technically proficient English players who could form the core of the team for years to come.

With the window set to close on Monday, Everton must act swiftly if they are to secure Hackney’s signature ahead of their rivals.

For the player himself, the lure of the Premier League and the chance to develop under Moyes could prove decisive.

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Emery's new Aubameyang: Aston Villa in pole position to sign £60m star

Aston Villa’s usual top performers have been out of sorts across their side’s opening two Premier League clashes.

Both Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers have fired unconvincing blanks, as Villa drew 0-0 on the opening day versus Newcastle, before then tasting a narrow 1-0 defeat away at AFC Bournemouth to further pile on the early misery for Unai Emery’s men. Watkins, who was on fire in pre-season, has been particularly absent in those matches.

Emery will hope this rust isn’t visible for much longer as the games come thick and fast in the challenging division.

But, whatever does occur during his side’s next outing in the tough league, he will surely be eyeing up some new attacking additions in the transfer market to improve his team’s chances of getting out of this mini rut.

Aston Villa in pole position to sign £60m star

The West Midlands underperformers will have to get deals done at a quick pace, with September’s early deadline fast approaching.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

In a hectic window that has been dominated by departures – with the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey leaving Villa Park behind recently – it would be a much-needed change of narrative if Villa could tempt some standout last-ditch additions through the door.

A reported deal for Marco Asensio might well be a last-gasp incoming that gets fans back on side, having previously impressed on loan at Emery’s side last season, while there is also notable interest on Villa’s end about obtaining Chelsea flop Christopher Nkunku to enhance their attacking options.

Chelsea's ChristopherNkunkucelebrates scoring their first goal

He, of course, isn’t the only Stamford Bridge asset being eyed up by Emery and Co, with a recent report from Football Insider suggesting that Villa are now in pole position to snap up Blues reserve forward Nicolas Jackson.

Jackson previously featured under Emery at Villarreal, and so the ex-Arsenal boss will hope he can get his former attacker firing at Villa Park, knowing full well that this close-knit link with the hit-and-miss 24-year-old could seal a late £60m deal.

How Jackson can become Emery's next Aubameyang

With 24 Premier League goals under his belt in West London, it’s clear that there is a lethal goalscoring gem waiting to be uncovered, and with Emery’s sublime track record, which saw him get the very best out of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the Gunners, a match made in heaven might soon come to fruition.

Just before Arteta took on the Emirates reins, Emery was tasked with trying to bring success to Arsenal right after Arsene Wenger’s esteemed two-decade stretch.

While his time in North London was fraught with bumps, with a costly 20 losses suffered across 78 contests, it goes without saying that he created a clinical machine out of Aubameyang when situated in the Gunners’ dugout.

The now Marseille veteran would collect a blistering 41 goals and eight assists under the Spaniard’s wing, with 22 of those coming in league action during the 2018/19 season, which saw him share the golden boot accolade with esteemed company in Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Emery would even go as far as to label Aubameyang a “killer” in front of goal off the back of these Arsenal heroics, and while it is somewhat unrealistic to expect Jackson to hit golden boot level numbers donning Villa claret and blue, the 53-year-old’s caring arm around the Senegalese forward could be just what is needed to allow him to move on from his up-and-down Chelsea ordeal.

After all, he displayed signs of raw promise under Emery’s tutelage in Spain, with six goal contributions coming his way from 27 clashes for the Yellow Submarine.

Moreover, the well-travelled manager has even gone on to hail Jackson’s attitude as “exceptional” when trying to cut his teeth at the La Liga side.

He could finally be able to get the very best out of him at Villa Park, away from just being an early believer in his potential, with Emery again working his exceptional magic on forward players in the West Midlands, as seen in Watkins powering home a mighty 58 goals during his Villa reign to date.

Games played

65

Goals scored

24

Assists

10

Big chances missed

43

Of course, the main worry will be that even in an environment more suited to him, Jackson will still regularly fluff his lines, having missed a staggering 43 big chances for the Blues over two Premier League seasons.

But, there does seem to be something in the water when it comes to Emery developing red-hot strikers, having also made Jhon Duran into a temporary animal in the West Midlands.

Therefore, landing the “unbelievable” star – as he has been previously dubbed by Peter Crouch – could be a stroke of genius, particularly if he goes on to be as potent as Aubameyang was during his Arsenal heyday.

New Rogers: Aston Villa make late bid to sign "spectacular" £25m star

Aston Villa interested in La Masia market opportunity similar to Morgan Rogers

ByWill Miller Aug 24, 2025

حسين الشحات: ما فعله ياسر إبراهيم قبل القمة وراء فوز الأهلي.. وتوقعت التسجيل في شباك الزمالك

أعرب حسين الشحات، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، عن سعادته بالفوز على الزمالك بهدفين مقابل هدف ضمن منافسات الدوري.

وقدم الشحات، أداء قويًا أمام الزمالك، بعد نزوله بديلًا حيث سجل الهدف الأول، وحصل على ركلة جزاء والتي فاز من خلالها الأهلي.

وقال الشحات في تصريحات بعد المباراة: “رغم تقدم الزمالك في البداية من ركلة جزاء، إلا أننا استعدنا توازننا سريعًا، وقدمنا أداءً قويًا خاصة في الشوط الثاني الذي شهد سيطرتنا وتسجيل هدف التعادل ثم هدف الفوز، كما سنحت لنا فرصا كانت كفيلة بزيادة النتيجة”.

طالع.. عماد النحاس: الأهلي قدم أفضل مبارياته أمام الزمالك.. والكل يريد أن يقود الفريق

وعن تتويجه بجائزة رجل المباراة، أوضح: “أنا سعيد بها، لكن في الحقيقة جميع اللاعبين يستحقونها، سواء الأساسيون أو البدلاء، لأنهم قدموا مباراة كبيرة هذه هي شخصية الأهلي واللاعبين الكبار الذين يظهرون دائمًا في المباريات الصعبة”.

وواصل: “اللاعبون الكبار كان لهم دور مهم قبل القمة، وأشكر ياسر إبراهيم الذي حرص على جمع اللاعبين قبل أيام من المباراة، تعاهدنا وقتها على الفوز وإسعاد جماهير الأهلي، والحمد لله نجحنا في ذلك”.

واستطرد: “كنت أتوقع التسجيل قبل المباراة، وأفراد أسرتي دعموني وتوقعوا تألقي، لذلك أهدي لهم هذا الهدف والفوز”.

وأتم: “الفوز في القمة يمنحنا دفعة كبيرة للمباريات المقبلة وأغلقنا صفحة الزمالك، وهدفنا الآن هو مواصلة الانتصارات والعودة إلى صدارة الدوري بدعم جماهيرنا”.

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