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Where would Everton be without Dwight McNeil this season? At the nadir of Sean Dyche’s tenure, most likely – if they aren’t already.

It’s been doom, gloom and no room for positivity at Goodison Park this season, although The Friedkin Group are on the cusp of purchasing Farhad Moshiri’s majority stake and the aforementioned McNeil played his defining part in winning for the first time in 2024/25.

Loss, loss, loss, loss, draw. Win? Win. It happened, and the rot has been stopped. The grotty flow stemmed. Everton have been a day late and a dollar short throughout the first phase of the season but now they have claimed victory and risen above the dreaded dotted line, with four points from six Premier League matches.

McNeil has been excellent, prolific, potent and influential. Without him, Dyche might be toast already.

Dwight McNeil is keeping Dyche in a job

He’s the flavour of the month (McNeil, not Dyche), with his brilliant brace against Crystal Palace last weekend indeed giving Everton their first league victory of the season. Previously, he’d scored and assisted against Aston Villa, putting his team 2-0 up, and had also claimed an assist against Everton, before the shocking capitulation.

Premier League

6

3

2

Carabao Cup

1

1

0

He’s already equalled his three-goal return in the top flight last season, having played 29 fewer games. Dyche, the man who cut his teeth while a youngster at Burnley, is now reaping the rewards of nurturing his protege at a different club.

There’s something poetic about that, to be sure. Without his contributions, Everton may well have lost all six matches without any inspiration at all. As per Sofascore, the winger turned number ten has complemented his direct return with 3.5 key passes, 4.2 ball recoveries and an average of one tackle per game, underscoring his completeness.

There’s a technical quality in there that’s reserved for the very best of English football, and though he doesn’t always harness it in the most prolific of ways, the 24-year-old is starting to come out of his shell, spread his wings and step up like a talisman.

Now let’s talk about how to make him even better. It involves Dyche’s dismissal.

Who could replace Sean Dyche at Everton?

Links have been tenuous and that’s understandable. Dyche has the Merseysiders’ backing so active rumours are going to stem from hearsay and snippets of information. But there are some pointers.

Last month, before Everton scored their opening win of the campaign, Football Insider reported that Graham Potter would be interested in taking on the Blues’ manager position, should it become available.

Linked with the England job after Gareth Southgate stepped down, Potter is an experienced Premier League manager who worked wonders at Brighton & Hove Albion, though did fail to succeed during his eight-month stint at Chelsea.

The 49-year-old implements a smooth and complex-designed system, with interchanging parts and convoluted passing passages. When it works, though, it works a treat.

Potter would be a good choice – he’s Prem-proven and enforces a possession-heavy approach. But the transmutation might be too much of a shift, a diametrically opposite plan for the players to absorb while looking to stave off the ever-looming threat of relegation.

The appointment of West Bromwich Albion’s Carlos Corberan might be more apt.

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Carlos Corberan would make McNeil even more unplayable

Will Dyche see out his second full campaign as Toffees boss? Right now, it looks unlikely. Everton chiefs have expressed their full backing of Dyche and his direct and defensive approach, but this endorsement might only prove to be a stay of execution, with sections of the fanbase turning against him.

Everton, should they dismiss Dyche, would be wise to turn the tactical style on its head and appoint a manager with a more fluid and expressive approach, and Corberan might be the perfect option.

According to The Times, Everton wanted to approach former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa after Frank Lampard’s sacking and Dyche’s appointment, but, obviously, it didn’t work out. Corberan served as Bielsa’s understudy at the time and has since shaped his own style, but it would clearly strike a chord at Goodison.

McNeil would rise to a level yet unseen with the Spanish tactician at the helm, for he is already demonstrating immense creative capacities within a system that does not promote playmaking to the nth degree.

Corberan has been described as a tactical “genius” by former Leeds star Romario Vieira. The 41-year-old has thus incorporated elements of Bielsa’s style into his own game, and it’s working a treat for West Brom, who perch atop the Championship table after seven matches.

Principally issuing a 4-2-3-1 formation, McNeil would find that he has a natural place in the side, playing behind striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and allowing the electric Iliman Ndiaye to occupy the left flank. There’s something there, we’ve all seen it in flashes, but it needs gripping and harnessing and shaping into something coherent. A manager of Corberan’s ilk could have the means to achieve that.

With a confident and aggressive strategy that breeds exciting and attractive play, West Brom are flying, but the temptation of joining Everton and heading a new project could convince him to jump ship.

Sky Sports commentator Dom Goodman has remarked that the Baggies are “horrible to play against” due to Corberan’s strategy, and now this must be brought over to Everton, releasing the Toffees from the shackles of recent years and lifting them back to lofty heights.

For now, Dyche continues to lead from the dugout, but he needs to do something drastic to turn the tide completely. It might be better for Everton to just bite the bullet and move for Corberan, who can lead them forward after years of strife.

Everton wanted to sign "special" £30m star but are stuck with Lindstrom

Sean Dyche could have signed a talented Championship sensation this summer…

ByRoss Kilvington Oct 1, 2024

Everton may have picked up their first point of the Premier League season during the weekend draw against Leicester City, but the pressure is certainly building on Sean Dyche.

With it being the final season at Goodison Park, the supporters would have been expecting a chance of reaching the top half of the table, rather than yet another relegation scrap.

While they were better against the Foxes, Dyche must start to pick up wins in the top flight sooner rather than later, no doubt about that.

With a new ownership group on the way in the form of The Friedkin Group (TFG), they may well be considering a potential replacement for the former Burnley manager. Now, it looks as though an Englishman currently out of work seems to be keen on the job…

Former Chelsea boss keen on Everton

According to Football Insider, Graham Potter is reportedly ‘very interested’ in taking the Everton job if it becomes available in the next few weeks.

The 49-year-old has been out of management since being sacked by Chelsea towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign, despite only taking charge of the Blues a few months prior.

Everton’s previous permanent managers pre-Dyche

Manager

Games in charge

Frank Lampard

44

Rafa Benitez

22

Carlo Ancelotti

67

Marco Silva

60

Sam Allardyce

26

Via Transfermarkt

It is clear he is waiting for the right opportunity before jumping back into the game, but Everton could be an excellent project for Potter to get stuck into.

Could it finally be time for the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss to return to the dugout?

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Posts ByCharlie Smith Oct 21, 2025 Graham Potter’s managerial statistics

David Moyes has been linked with a move to Merseyside, 11 years after he departed the club to take over Manchester United.

While Moyes enjoyed an excellent spell with West Ham United, he is certainly approaching the end of his managerial career, which makes the more attacking-minded Potter a much better appointment.

The Englishman made his name at Swedish side Ostersunds, taking them from the lower leagues into the top flight and Europe, winning the Swedish Cup too.

It was his time at Brighton that Potter established himself as one of the brightest young managers on the continent. He built the foundations for the club to become one of the most difficult to beat teams in the division, leading them to a top-half finish during the 2021/22 campaign.

Potter was hailed by journalist Sam Morton following the sales of Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma, saying: “It was a shame to see Cucurella and Bissouma leave Brighton but Graham Potter is the only irreplaceable asset at the club, you feel. The man is a genius.”

Although Roberto De Zerbi took the club into Europe, Potter’s influence at the club allowed the Italian to continue the progress made by the 49-year-old.

Moyes may be the nostalgic choice, returning to a club in which he took from the doldrums to European qualification and an FA Cup final. But given the choice, surely the supporters would rather Potter be the man chosen to replace Dyche.

The next few weeks could be very interesting indeed.

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Would he be an ideal successor to the under-pressure boss?

Posts 1 ByHenry Jackson Sep 22, 2024

Durham 164 for 8 (Bancroft 60, Stokes 35, Brathwaite 3-32) beat Birmingham Bears 130 (Rhodes 45. Stokes 4-27) by 34 runsBen Stokes starred with bat and ball as Durham returned to winning ways in the Vitality Blast with a 34-run victory over Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston.Both sides went into action on the back of successive defeats and it was the visitors who ended their lean streak after they defended a total of 164 for 8, with Cameron Bancroft top-scoring with 60 from 45 balls, and Stokes chipping in with 35 from 20. Carlos Brathwaite led the Bears’ bowling with 3 for 32, Tim Bresnan adding 2 for 25 and Will Rhodes 2 for 11.Durham then regularly took wickets at important times to bowl the Bears out for 130 in 18.3 overs. Rhodes’s perky 45 (27 balls) was ended by a run-out and Matt Lamb’s worthy 39 (33 balls, three fours, two sixes) was without support as Stokes, assisted by brilliant catching, added 4 for 27 to his cameo with the bat.Put in, Durham started slowly, losing openers Graham Clark and David Bedingham, caught in the deep off Craig Miles and Bresnan respectively, on the way to 25 for 2 from five overs.Stokes launched the counter-attack with two sixes off Brathwaite. The England star looked dangerous but perished in pursuit of another maximum off his old West Indian foe, superbly caught by Sam Hain running around the mid-wicket boundary.Related

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While Bancroft improvised impressively on the way to a 38-ball half-century, others flailed briefly around him. Scott Borthwick bashed a quickfire 18 before Bancroft sought his third six, over cover off Rhodes, and was held by Adam Hose on the rope. Late impetus arrived when Ned Eckersley and Liam Trevaskis took 20 from the final over.Trevaskis then opened the bowling and soon trapped Hose lbw, sweeping. Brydon Carss removed Ed Pollock, caught at mid off, to leave the Bears 18 for two and then Stokes took the big wicket of Hain, caught behind, in his first over.Rhodes moved sweetly to 45 but departed after a mix-up with Lamb which saw him easily run out by Bedingham’s throw.The Bears needed 86 from the last ten overs but the next two, tightly delivered by and Trevaskis and Matty Potts, yielded just eight runs. As the pressure increased, Michael Burgess hoisted Stokes to fine leg.Lamb launched a blow or two in anger but Borthwick bowled Brathwaite through an attempted sweep, and after Lamb fell to a stunning one-handed catch by Raine on the long leg boundary, the equation quickly spiralled beyond the Bears’ reach.

Sunderland supporters will be entering September over the moon with their side's top start to the Championship season, with the Black Cats still boasting a 100% record in the second tier after four games.

Only one goal has been shipped across this unbeaten patch so far, whilst ten strikes have also been scored by Regis Le Bris' men to keep them at the very top of the second-tier summit.

Whilst the likes of Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham have been thrust into the limelight off the back of this excellent start, reliable number-one goalkeeper Anthony Patterson also continues to prove his immense worth to the early Championship pace-setters.

Patterson's season so far

Much like Rigg, Patterson has been in the Sunderland first-team ranks for what feels like an eternity, despite the shot-stopper still only 24 years of age.

The homegrown Black Cats product has shone this season to date, as he has done over a number of campaigns in the senior mix now, with three clean sheets collected from those four clashes.

He was particularly impressive versus Cardiff City on the opening day to ensure Le Bris got off to a winning start in the challenging Sunderland dug-out, making four saves in the Welsh capital to constantly deny the Bluebirds and to help hand his side a 2-0 victory.

Wanted by a whole host of Premier League suitors this off-season, with Gary O'Neil's Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly interested at one point, Patterson will just aim to continue performing for his boyhood club – away from any admirers watching from afar – to try and put the Wearside outfit firmly back on the footballing map by winning promotion up to the top-flight.

Noted as having "outstanding" reactions in the past when in-between the sticks by football journalist Josh Bunting, Patterson is very firmly the main starting 'keeper week in week out for Le Bris' men.

He's even worth more than Bellingham, according to Football Transfers, which further reinforces his pivotal nature in the Sunderland first-team ranks, as the 18-year-old aims to soar to new heights across this season to come.

Patterson's transfer value in 2024

Not even Bellingham's bright start to the new Championship season – which saw the former Birmingham City prodigy assist Jack Clarke's final ever Sunderland goal away at Cardiff – has impacted Patterson's transfer value rising above the Black Cats number seven's, with Patterson worth £11.2m currently, as per Football Transfers.

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Bellingham is worth a little less at £10m, but will no doubt generate Sunderland more money than that if he is sold on down the line, much like Clarke gifting the second-tier promotion hopefuls up to £20m after leaving for Ipswich Town.

He could go for a fee around this region too, with a mightily impressive seven goals and one assist managed during his debut season whilst he was still finding his way in his new surroundings.

Highest valued assets at Sunderland – 24/25

Player

Value

1. Anthony Patterson

£11.2m

2. Jobe Bellingham

£10m

3. Trai Hume

£8m

4. Dan Neil

£7m

5. Daniel Ballard

£6m

Sourced by Football Transfers

Glancing at the table above, both Patterson and Bellingham take the top two spots when it comes to the high-valued assets at the Stadium of Light in the here and now, with the likes of Trai Hume and Dan Neil also seeing their values shoot up somewhat.

Hume was only worth a meagre £168k when first making the switch from his native Northern Ireland, before becoming a settled first-team face on Wearside.

Patterson didn't cost a penny, rising up the youth ranks to become the trusty number-one shot-stopper.

Now up to 40 clean sheets in the Sunderland first-team to date, after his recent three had been added to the back catalogue, Patterson will aim to keep these excellent displays coming as another set of whirlwind Championship fixtures await the confident Wearside outfit after the international break is up.

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Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson Sep 2, 2024

With seemingly not much to separate both teams, victory could come down to which side makes fewer mistakes

Madushka Balasuriya29-Mar-2021

Big pictureAfter a first Test that had started with a patented Sri Lankan batting collapse that almost anyone who had been watching them play cricket over the past few years could have predicted, here we are somehow entertaining the very real possibility of them securing a first ever Test series win in the Caribbean.Now, of course, for this to actually transpire, it would require Sri Lanka to replicate, and most likely better, their performance from the previous week – certainly no little ask, but one considerably less farfetched than it might have been at the same point last week.Related

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Much of this optimism is down to, as is now almost their trademark, some previously unheralded player from their fractured domestic system beating the odds to spark the team into life.This time it was Pathum Nissanka with a magnificent century on debut. Against South Africa a few years back, while Kusal Perera will always be the highlight, it’s easy to forget the resilience brought to that middle order by debutant Oshada Fernando. And then a couple of years before that, when Sri Lanka famously beat Australia at home, it was none other than the green pairing of Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis who breathed life into the side.But on all those previous occasions, the team failed to build on the exuberance injected by fresh blood. Will Nissanka’s entry into the side be met with similar regression? Well we’ll soon find out.As for the West Indies, after the relative ease with which the visitors had been dispatched in the limited-overs series, the trouble the Sri Lankan batsmen had had in the warm-up game ahead of the first Test, and then that first innings collapse, it might have come as a fair shock when they found themselves having to bat out the last day of the Test just to avoid defeat.But this West Indian side doesn’t cower from adversity all that easily – as underscored so sensationally in Bangladesh earlier this year – and the first Test would have provided them with all the evidence they need to know that they have the tools to hurt this Sri Lanka side.So in many ways, with the match being played at the same venue, this is simply a continuation of proceedings from that first game. And with seemingly not much to separate both sides, once more, victory will depend largely on which side makes the fewer mistakes.Form guideSri Lanka – DLLLLWest Indies – DWWLLIn the spotlight Pathum Nissanka is not the first – and he certainly won’t be the last – debutant to reignite cricketing interest from an increasingly apathetic Sri Lankan fanbase. But that doesn’t make it any less exciting. Sure, he may not have the flair of a Kusal Mendis, or the explosiveness of an Avishka Fernando, but in a side that has been crying out for a steadying presence, Nissanka’s bloodymindedness and ability to simply occupy the crease – a feat that many around him seemed to struggle with – might as well make him the next coming of Sanath Jayasuriya at this point.But if Nissanka is the proverbial immovable object, then in Kemar Roach the West Indies possess the unstoppable force – well, at least when it comes to cricket played at North Sound in Antigua. With 36 wickets in six matches at an average 15.77, it’s safe to say Roach likes playing here. In the first Test, the Sri Lankan batsmen struggled to get him away; if he gets more support from the sometimes wayward pair of Shannon Gabriel and Alzari Joseph, then it could be another very testing outing for the visitors.Team newsSri Lanka may play an extra spinner – Lakshan Sandakan – if they think the track could take decent turn in the second innings. To cover their bases, they may bring seam-bowling allrounder Dasun Shanaka into the side. Dinesh Chandimal, who had only made one fifty in his last three Tests, may make way for Shanaka. Either Vishwa Fernando or Dushmantha Chameera may be displaced by Sandakan.Sri Lanka XI (possible): Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Lasith Enbuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan SandakanThe West Indies will have been quite happy with their overall performance from the first Test, and so will not want to change up too much. Shannon Gabriel was relatively disappointing but he will likely be backed to put forward an improved showing.West Indies XI (possible): Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), John Campbell, Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers, Jermaine Blackwood, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Alzarri Joseph, Rakheem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Shannon GabrielPitch and conditionsThe weather is expected to be clear for the duration of the Test. It is possible that this pitch will turn more than the surface for the first Test, which took very little spin, even on day five.Stats and trivia Sri Lanka have failed to win a Test series in the West Indies in four attempts, though the last two series were drawn. Suranga Lakmal needs six more wickets to climb to fourth in the all-time Test wicket-taker list for Sri Lanka. Kraigg Brathwaite needs 98 runs to reach 4000 Test runs. He will be the 16th West Indian to reach the milestone. Niroshan Dickwella now has scored the most fifties (17) without converting to a century. He has scored 2291 Test runs in the process; the most runs scored without a century is 3154 by Shane Warne.

Nottingham Forest are now thought to be interested in signing a young defender ahead of Leeds United.

Nottingham Forest summer signings so far

It has been another busy transfer window at The City Ground overseen by owner Evangelos Marinakis, with six new players already signed, sealed and delivered ahead of Nuno Espirito Santo's first full season in charge.

Elliot Anderson

Newcastle United

€41.2m

Nikola Milenkovic

Fiorentina

€14.3m

Jota Silva

Vit. Guimaraes

€7m

Marko Stamenic

Red Star Belgrade

€5.5m

Carlos Miguel

Corinthians

€4m

Eric da Silva Moreira

FC St Pauli

€1.5m

The latest to arrive was forward Jota Silva, with Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson telling the club's official website after a deal was confirmed: “We can see how excited Jota is to continue his career journey beyond Portugal where he has enjoyed such a strong period in the Primeira Liga with Vitoria Guimaraes, which resulted in him earning his debut for the Portuguese National Team back in March.”

Rumours have continued in regards to who could be next through the door, with the club also working to bolster their academy ranks. It has been claimed that Forest have agreed a deal to sign 15-year-old goalkeeper Ally Graham from Dundee United, pipping rivals Newcastle United to a transfer.

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Forest also appear to be battling the Magpies for Fiorentina winger Nico Gonzalez, with an enquiry made for his services, whereas Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez is another target and the club could soon make an offer for the Mexican.

Now, it looks as if the Reds are keen to sign a new in-demand teenage centre-back, but they may not have it all their own way.

Nottingham Forest interested in Bruno Ogbus

According to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, Nottingham Forest are keen on signing Freiburg defender Bruno Ogbus ahead of Championship side Leeds United, however, the German side don’t want to sell the 18-year-old centre-back.

As can be seen, AC Milan have also shown an interest in Ogbus and have even made an offer for the Switzerland youth international earlier this month.

However, Freiburg have seemingly given clubs a hands-off warning when it comes to the defender, so a deal could be extremely tricky to complete this summer. Ogbus, who moved to Freiburg back in 2022 from Zurich, is yet to make his first-team debut, turning out instead for the U19s and reserve side.

Forest, meanwhile, have five senior centre-back options in Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Andrew Omobamidele, Wily Boly and Joe Worrall.

After featuring in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years last season, you can imagine the frustration felt by everyone involved at Newcastle United after missing out on any European football completely for 2024/25.

It was a hugely memorable European tour for Eddie Howe’s side, an almost unimaginable feat given the fact he took over the club when they were flirting with the idea of relegation to the Championship.

However, it was evident that the added fixtures took a toll on the Magpies squad, with multiple first-team players missing large spells of the season with various injury and fitness issues.

As a result, he will be wanting to delve into the transfer market to provide added competition and squad depth to his Newcastle side ahead of another Champions League push this season.

Lloyd Kelly has already arrived on Tyneside, but Howe still wants multiple more new signings, including in the final third.

Newcastle’s pursuit to bolster Howe’s attacking options

Since the opening of the transfer window in early June, the Magpies have been linked with numerous attacking options from fellow Premier League attackers to players plying their trade in South America.

Journalist Ben Jacobs confirmed earlier this week that Howe’s side are still eyeing moves for Chelsea’s Noni Madueke and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga, but the deals remain tricky with neither of their current clubs wanting to part ways with the attackers.

However, his report also states that Newcastle are keeping a closer eye on West Ham United attacker Jarrod Bowen after his sensational campaign for the Hammers.

The 27-year-old registered 22 goal contributions in his 34 appearances under David Moyes, catching the eye of the Magpies, but the fee touted for his services may prove to be a stumbling block.

Bowen will undoubtedly be a huge player under new Irons boss Julen Lopetegui, with the club slapping a £100m price tag to prise him away from the London Stadium this summer.

It’s a huge fee and one that simply isn’t a suitable one for Newcastle, with the club already employing a talent who has a higher market value than 27-year-old Bowen.

Anthony Gordon’s market value in 2024

After joining the club for £45m from Everton back in January 2023, winger Anthony Gordon arrived on Tyneside with high expectations after his breakthrough at his boyhood club.

Last season was by far his best in his short professional career, scoring 11 and assisting ten – reaching double figures in both statistics for the first time in his career.

Games played

35

Goals

11

Assists

10

Pass accuracy

82%

Successful dribbles

54

Fouls won

67

Duels won

125

The “sensational” talent, as described by Sky Sports contributor Dougie Critchley, has seen his market value soar as a result of his impressive performances under Howe’s guidance, with the 23-year-old now worth £50m, as per Transfermarkt.

When comparing his market value to current transfer target Bowen, the West Ham forward is unable to match such figures, valued at just £42m despite his stellar campaign in London.

With Gordon still in the early years of his professional career, he has the potential to impress once more which could see his own value increase further in the future.

He’s only just settling into life at St James’ Park, with the club needing to take care in the transfer market if they are to repeat the success of the deal that saw Gordon swap Merseyside for Tyneside.

Imagine him & Gordon: Newcastle battling Bayern Munich to sign £42m talent

The attacker could prove to be the final piece in Howe’s attacking puzzle.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 4, 2024

Although there will be some disappointment still lingering in the air at the Hawthorns around the Cedric Kipre situation, with the key first-teamer failing to agree a new West Bromwich Albion contract, there will also be some relief that other important personnel have now decided to stay put.

Both Kyle Bartley and Alex Mowatt putting pen to paper on new deals recently would have satisfied those irked by Kipre not staying for another season, as Carlos Corberan's men aim to be near the top-end of the Championship again, after a positive play-off finish last campaign.

The Spanish Baggies boss, in an ideal world, would now love to turn back time and gain this former centre-back back to strengthen his defence after Kipre's exit, especially with the player in question's transfer value rising since he was sold on just last year.

Dara O'Shea's time at West Brom

Dara O'Shea leaving for the allure of newly promoted Burnley would also have hurt considering the Irishman was a product of the Baggies Academy, rising up the ranks to become a known senior presence, before heading off to his new home at Turf Moor.

It was only really his final full campaign donning a West Brom strip where he managed to nail down a starting spot, however, with 37 league appearances handed to him during the 22/23 season, after only making a meagre 14 in total during the prior one, owing to injury issues.

The 22/23 campaign saw O'Shea shine even when West Brom struggled, with divisive ex-Baggies boss Steve Bruce even describing him as "future captain" material, during some bleak times under his tenure.

The lofty 6 foot 1 centre-back would come into his own even more under the watchful eye of Corberan, as the Baggies rose up the league standings under their new boss at the helm after Bruce's axing, with O'Shea even being handed the armband on occasion to justify Bruce's prediction.

In total, the Irish defender would help his side pick up 14 clean sheets from the 37 games he managed, on top of winning an average of 6.1 duels per game, as a robust and reliable option in the heart of defence.

Burnley certainly saw a lot of promise in the ex-Baggies man and swooped in to sign him for £7m, with West Brom raking in some healthy profit at the time for their former Academy gem.

Yet, with O'Shea now looking likely to move on this summer and cut his Turf Moor adventure short, he could go for far more than his previous £7m price-tag, when looking at his current transfer valuation on Football Transfers.

O'Shea's transfer value in 2024

According to the site, the 25-year-old's estimated value in the here and now stands at a far heftier £12.1m, with the Burnley number two thriving in the Premier League, even whilst his team continually stared relegation in the face.

O'Shea would pick up three goals and four assists playing out from the back for the Clarets in the top-flight, but the 6 foot 1 Celtic target will be disappointed that he could only collect one clean sheet for his troubles from his 33 league clashes, away from starring with his surprise output.

Looking at the table above, Corberan and Co must be plagued with regret that they didn't drive a harder bargain out of the Lancashire club when they sold him on last year, as Celtic now try and sign O'Shea to get even more out of him up in Scotland.

West Brom would love to have the 25-year-old at their disposal instead right now, with Kipre leaving the club for nothing leaving a gap at the back, that will need to be filled soon in the transfer market.

Yet, the West Midlands outfit managed to still make the playoffs last season without O'Shea present and will try to be successful again, having lost another key defender.

West Brom must now sell forgotten ace who is worth more than Mowatt

Alex Mowatt now staying put at West Bromwich Albion could be the beginning of the end for this dud.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 2, 2024

The 49ers Enterprises have reportedly made a move to sign an "outstanding" player for Leeds United in a potential £4m deal, with the club receiving a reply.

Leeds transfer news

It looks set to be a busy summer at Elland Road, with both incomings and outgoings meaning Daniel Farke's squad could look very different by the time the opening game of the Championship season rolls around.

Glen Kamara is set to join Ligue 1 Rennes side after only one season in a Leeds shirt, with the club seemingly happy for the Finland international to move on to pastures new. It looks as though Tottenham midfielder Oliver Skipp has been lined up as his direct replacement, in what could be an eye-catching summer addition.

The Whites are also reportedly interested in signing Sheffield United defender Jayden Bogle, as Farke looks to bolster his quality and depth at the back. The 23-year-old started 32 matches in the Premier League last season but was powerless to do anything about his side making a quickfire return to the Championship.

RB Salzburg forward Petar Ratkov has also been linked with joining Leeds, being looked at as an alternative option to Daniel Jebbison, who plies his trade at Bournemouth. Now, a new update regarding one of the aforementioned targets has emerged.

Leeds make bids for "outstanding" right-back

According to a new update from Football Insider, 49ers and Leeds have submitted two offers for United defender Jayden Bogle, with both reportedly around the £4m mark with different payment structures.

The Whites have been unsuccessful in their attempts to date, however, with the Blades rejecting both bids, but the player himself "has told friends he is keen on joining Leeds", also informing his current club that he "will not be signing an extension beyond the summer of 2025."

At this point, it could be a surprise to some if Bogle didn't end up at Leeds this summer, considering he wants the move to happen, and the fact that he only has one more year remaining on his current deal. Granted, the Blades are being stubborn for the time being, but they may not want to lose him on a free transfer this time next season.

The Englishman could be an excellent signing for the Whites, possessing Premier League experience and also winning three caps for England's Under-20s in the past, and Blades manager Chris Wilder has spoken of his admiration for him recently, saying:

"Yes, hopefully [Bogle will stay]. He's been outstanding. We knew a lot about him when we brought him into the building, him and Max. “It was arguably one of the club's best deals, in terms of the numbers."

Jayden Bogle's 2023/24 Premier League stats

Total

Appearances

34

Starts

32

Goals

3

Assists

0

Clearances per game

2.5

Tackles per game

1.9

Aerial duel wins per game

1.5

At 23, Bogle remains a young player with long-term potential, as well as being capable of thriving at right-back or on the wing, with such versatility likely to appeal to Farke. It is now a case of possibly upping the offer and hoping Sheffield United accept it, reaching a point where all parties are on the same page.

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior were on target yet again as Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo 2-1 in La Liga at Balaidos.

Carlo Ancelotti's side were far from convincing yet again on Saturday night against Celta but still managed to secure another victory thanks to their quality in attack in the shape of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.

After a week spent making all sorts of headlines, Mbappe struck a vicious shot into the top corner after just 20 minutes to put Madrid in front. The lead didn't last too long with Celta finally converting one of their many chances when Williot Swedberg equalised.

Ancelotti reacted by sending on Luka Modric and saw 39-year-old make an instant impact. The Madrid captain sent in a gorgeous ball for Vinicius Jr to convert and claim another three points for Los Blancos ahead of next weekend's crunch Clasico.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Balaidos…

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Thibaut Courtois (7/10):

Made a brilliant save to deny Williot Swedberg what looked a certain goal in the first half. Couldn't do anything when the Swede swept home in the second half.

Eder Militao (6/10):

Made some important challenges but also part of a defence that gave up way too many chances.

Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):

Looked a bit lost at times and his positioning was a problem for Madrid.

Antonio Rudiger (5/10):

Was guilty of giving Celta too much space at times. Not his best display.

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Lucas Vazquez (6/10):

Came in for Dani Carvajal and didn't lack for effort but looked vulnerable defensively.

Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

Worked so hard and helped pin Celta back in the first half. Hooked on the hour.

Fede Valverde (7/10):

Stung the goalkeeper's palms with an early strike in a typically all-action performance. Another player given a breather after an hour.

Fran Garcia (5/10):

Not entirely convincing and was replaced by Ferland Mendy in the second half.

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Kylian Mbappe (8/10):

Smashed home his best goal for Madrid so far to make it 1-0. Unstoppable.

Vinicius Jr (8/10):

Lively throughout and got the goal he'd threatened all night to make it 2-1.

Jude Bellingham (6/10):

Could be seen grumbling at Vinicius for not playing him in but did not stop running all night. Almost scored at the start of the second half.

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Luka Modric (8/10):

Came on and teed up Vinicius for the second goal with a classy pass.

Rodrygo (5/10):

Sent on for the last half an hour but didn't make much of an impact.

Ferland Mendy (5/10):

Replaced Fran Garcia.

Dani Ceballos (N/A):

Gave Mbappe a breather late on.

Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):

Tinkered with his formation, which looked baffling at times, and still doesn't seem to know his best team. Won't be at all happy at the amount of chances Celta created against his side, particularly with Barcelona up next in La Liga.