They might have come agonisingly close to winning the Premier League for a second successive season this year, but it was another campaign of improvements for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta's side picked up the most wins an Arsenal team have ever had in a Premier League term, scored the second-highest number of goals and boasted the best defence in the league.

However, they were still unable to get the better of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side, with reinforcements needed during the off-season if they are to finally get their hands on the league title after a 20-year drought.

Since the opening of the transfer window last month, the club have been linked with numerous talents, including one with rumours refusing to disperse over a potential move to the Emirates this summer.

Arsenal transfer update

In recent weeks, it’s been claimed that Arsenal retain a strong interest in Real Sociedad’s Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The 25-year-old has previously been linked with a move to the Emirates, but links have quietened over recent weeks, before the latest report confirming Arteta’s side still want to pursue a move for the talent.

Zubimendi could be available for a very decent fee, with the Spaniard having a €60m (£51m) release clause in his current deal.

However, a fresh update from TuttoMercadoWeb, claims that the Gunners have turned their attention to Zubimendi’s teammate Mikel Merino – having emerged as the 'main contenders' for his signature.

The 28-year-old, who could be available for just £40m (£34m), as per the report, has excelled in La Liga, scoring five goals and creating three assists in his 32 matches last season.

He’s previously endured a tough spell in England with Newcastle United, but he’s reignited his career in Spain, looking to be the perfect alternative for Zubimendi at the Emirates.

Why Merino would be the perfect Zubimendi alternative

With Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice both cementing their places as regular starters in Arteta’s side, the Spaniard is on the hunt for another player to complete his midfield trio.

Zubimendi has often at times looked like the most likely player to arrive in north London, but when comparing his stats to his teammate Merino, the Gunners would be smarter to invest in his services instead.

The former Magpie talent contributed with three more combined goals and assists, but also completed more progressive passes – a statistic that could play perfectly into the hands of attackers such as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Merino has also demonstrated his excellent ball-winning abilities winning more tackles than Zubimendi, but also winning over 100 more aerial duels, living up to the name of “duel monster” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson.

He’s proven to be an excellent play in and out of possession, with the £34m fee touted a potential bargain for a player of his quality.

The rumoured fee is also cheaper than Zubimendi, but he’s produced some stats that his fellow compatriot couldn’t match – potentially allowing Arsenal to sign a world-class talent at a very competitive price.

Merino’s potential move to the Emirates could complete Arteta’s midfield and hand Arsenal a huge boost in their pursuit of ending the long-awaited drought for a league triumph.

Imagine him & Odegaard: Arsenal draw up plans for "mind-blowing" goalscorer

The incredible player has been described as “one of the best strikers in the world.”

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 12, 2024

English cricket looks set to be the major beneficiary of a £300 million government bail-out for summer sport, when Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveils the Budget on Wednesday.The news will come as a major boost to the ECB, which announced losses in excess of £100 million in 2020 after the sport bore the brunt of the first Covid-19 lockdown.”As a huge cricket fan I know there’s nothing that says summer more than watching your favourite team,” Mr Sunak told The Telegraph. “I can’t wait for sports grounds to be filled with fans with atmosphere again – this £300 million cash boost will help make that a reality.”The 2020 county season, which had been due to get underway last April, had to be postponed until August with most clubs choosing to furlough their staff in the interim, while the ECB were forced to make 62 redundancies at the end of the season.The board did manage to mitigate its losses – which had initially be projected to be in excess of £300 million – by ensuring that England’s men fulfilled their complete summer schedule against West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and Australia.However, all of those matches, as well as the rescheduled county and women’s season, had to take place behind closed doors due to the pandemic, and county chiefs have warned that a repeat of those circumstances in 2021 would be unsustainable for many clubs.The Government funding – which is expected to be shared between tennis, horse racing, rugby league and women’s football – will be allocated by an independent committee, led by Sir Ian Cheshire, the former chairman of Barclays Bank, and run through Sport England.The scheme is effectively an extension of the Sport Winter Survival Package, announced by the Government in November, which was also a £300 million investment, comprising “soft” loans lasting up to 20 years and grants.Lord Ian Botham told The Telegraph: “Everyone in the cricketing world will be delighted. It’s been a tough time for the sport. But this could give us the opportunity to get the fans safely back in the stadiums, which is the next step. Cricket is our summer sport and I’m pleased that it’s being looked after.”Though the money will be targeted at the professional level of the game, the ECB is understood to have warned the Government that, without the trickle-down effect that gate receipts have on the finances of English counties in particular, the knock-on effects for grass-roots cricket and the women’s game would be significant.Kent’s latest financial figures, released on Tuesday, support that concern, with the club reporting a drop in income of almost £2 million from all areas of the business outside of its ECB funding, including membership subscriptions, ticket sales and catering contracts.”We are facing a critical year from a financial viewpoint,” said Kent Cricket’s Honorary Treasurer, Derek Taylor.Related

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Warwickshire’s chief executive, Stuart Cain, has also welcomed the Government’s measures to safeguard the sport’s finances as “positive news”.”Like most sports, cricket has taken a huge hit over the last 12 months and it’s only prudent financial measures and generous support from our Club Members that have seen us through,” Cain said. “The devil is in the detail so we look forward to more information on how to access the emergency funding after the budget.”Limited capacity crowds are due to be allowed back into stadiums by mid-May, according to the Government’s recently announced road-map, although some county venues are hoping to put themselves forward for pilot events from the early weeks of the season.Cain also confirmed that the club has been working with the ECB and Government on measures to permit larger crowds at Edgbaston during the venue’s first major event of the summer, the second Test against New Zealand in June.”Using protocols such as testing, masks and vaccine certificates along with other social distancing measures, we’re confident that we can get a sizable crowd in to the game safely, setting sport up for when full crowds could potentially return after June 21.”The professional game has been played behind closed doors and cricket clubs across the County have struggled with bars closed and restrictions stopping the game being played in the way we love,” Cain added. “Warwickshire Cricket Board have been excellent in the way that they have helped the recreational game through the pandemic.”

Joey Benjamin, the former Warwickshire, Surrey and England seam bowler, has died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack.Benjamin, whose solitary Test appearance at The Oval in 1994 would prove to be one of England’s most memorable victories of the decade, claimed 387 first-class wickets in an 11-year career that began at Warwickshire in 1988.Born in St Kitts in 1961, Benjamin moved to England with his family at the age of 15, and settled initially in the Midlands, where he played Birmingham League cricket, and earned initial recognition with occasional fixtures for Staffordshire.It wasn’t until the age of 27 that he earned his first county contract, but with Warwickshire’s attack led by Gladstone Small, Tim Munton and Allan Donald, opportunities were limited and he played 25 first-class matches in four years before relocating to Surrey in 1992.With a bustling action and a distinctive whirl of arms in his delivery stride, Benjamin bowled accurate, lively away-swing from a high action, and immediately thrived in his new surroundings. In 1993, his second season, he was named Surrey’s Player of the Year, with a haul of 64 wickets at 27.85 including a career-best 6 for 19 against Nottinghamshire.The following year, his form was even better – 80 wickets all told at 20.72 – but Benjamin still seemed a long, long way from international recognition when, in the final weeks of the international season, he was handed his maiden England call-up at the age of 33.The venue was at least familiar. With England 1-0 down against South Africa after a bruising defeat in the first Test at Lord’s, Benjamin was picked on home soil for the series finale at The Oval, where he was preferred to Angus Fraser in England’s final XI, and completed a four-man pace attack alongside Phil DeFreitas, Darren Gough and Devon Malcolm.Devon Malcolm offers a cup of tea to his chicken-pox-afflicted team-mate Joey Benjamin in his hotel room•Graham Chadwick/Getty Images

He impressed from the outset, claiming 4 for 42 in 17 overs as South Africa were bowled out for 332, but the second innings was all about one man. Malcolm, famously struck on the helmet by Fanie De Villiers during England’s own first innings of 302, responded with the bowling spell of his life, scattering South Africa with a career-best 9 for 57 to set up an extraordinary eight-wicket win.And as was often the case at the time in English cricket, Benjamin’s success in the final Test of the summer was enough to secure him a winter tour berth, with Fraser omitted from England’s initial Ashes squad, and Kent’s Martin McCague also earning a recall.It would not prove to be an auspicious winter. Both Malcolm and Benjamin succumbed to a bout of chicken pox in the lead-up to the first Test at Brisbane, and despite having featured heavily in England’s warm-up fixtures at the start of the tour, he was not considered thereafter as England turned instead to a raft of seam-bowling replacements, Fraser and Chris Lewis among them.Benjamin did play in two matches of England’s B&H World Series one-day campaign, against Australia at Sydney and Zimbabwe at Brisbane, where he bowled Mark Dekker for his solitary ODI scalp. However, it had been clear long before the end of the tour that Benjamin was destined to remain a member of England’s one-Test wonder club.He didn’t dwell on what might have been, however, as he returned to Surrey in 1995 and claimed 53 wickets at a very respectable 25.01. But as the end of the decade approached, his opportunities began to wane, and he would be released by the club in 1999, just as Adam Hollioake’s team was embarking on its run of three County Championship titles in four years. He finished his Surrey career with 313 first-class wickets at 29.22, and a further 146 at 31.36 in List A cricket.His batting was very much of the hit-and-miss variety, as shown by a highest first-class score of 49 and an average of 11.38. His finest hour, however, was the one that got away – a thrilling NatWest Trophy semi-final in 1994, when his long-levered assault on Worcestershire’s then-towering target of 358 in 60 overs so nearly came good. With eight runs needed from two balls, and Benjamin on 25, he launched Stuart Lampitt towards the long-off boundary, but the lanky figure of Tom Moody was waiting on the rope to crush Surrey’s dreams.After retirement, Benjamin remained close to Surrey, and turned his focus to coaching at club and school level in his home town of Reigate.Martin Bicknell, Benjamin’s long-term Surrey team-mate, led the tributes to his fellow seamer on Twitter. “Just heard some shocking news about the loss of Joey Benjamin,” he wrote. “Joey was one of a kind, incredibly popular in the Surrey dressing room back in the day, so sad. RIP Benjy.””It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we must report the passing away of Joey Benjamin, long-time and much admired cricket coach at Reigate Priory Cricket Club and previously long-serving coach at Reigate Grammar School,” wrote the club chairman, John Bramhall, in an email to members.”Joey was a good friend to many of us at the club and at the school, and was much loved by those who he taught over the years. We all have good memories of Joey, who was a very special person.”Richard Thompson, Surrey’s chairman, said: “I’ve known Joey for 25 years and have gloried in his triumphs. I particularly remember the final Test at The Oval in 1994, where his performance earned him an Ashes tour. It was a long time coming as anyone who watched him bowl that season would testify.”Everything he did was with a smile and grace. He wore the brown cap very proudly with absolute distinction and will be long remembered at Surrey County Cricket Club. He has been taken too soon.”A Warwickshire statement said: “It is with great sadness that today Warwickshire County Cricket Club has learned of the passing of former fast bowler Joey Benjamin. The thoughts of everyone at Warwickshire CCC are with Joey’s family and close friends at this difficult time.”The ECB said in a statement: “The ECB is saddened to learn of the death of former England bowler Joey Benjamin at the age of 60. Our thoughts are with Joey’s friends and family.”

It's not been the summer many Arsenal fans were hoping for this year, as while the team have looked good on the pitch, very little has happened off of it.

Mikel Arteta's side produced the best defence in the league last season but scored five goals fewer than Manchester City. Yet, as things stand, Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori is the only addition Edu Gaspar and Co have made to the first team.

That said, there are still a couple of weeks to go until the transfer window slams shut, and so far, the club have been linked to several strikers this summer, from Napoli's Victor Osimhen to Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres.

However, there was another exciting centre-forward touted for a move to the club earlier in the window, an international who's been compared to Gyokeres and would surely help supercharge Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal's striker search

Of all the goalscorers who have been linked with moves to Arsenal so far this year, Gyokeres has probably been the most prominent.

The stories started coming back in December last year but began to pick up steam in March before becoming impossible to ignore in June.

However, it's now looking unlikely that the former Coventry City ace will be moving to North London this month, with it becoming clear that Sporting are unwilling to budge on their £86m valuation of the player.

That said, while this is far from ideal for the Gunners, they were linked with a striker earlier in the window who'd almost certainly be cheaper and has been compared to the Sporting ace before, Santiago Gimenez.

The Mexican international was touted for a switch to the Emirates from Feyenoord last month for a fee of potentially €50m, which converts to about £43m. Now, the 23-year-old marksman is an exciting prospect regardless of outside comparisons, but interestingly, he has been compared to Gyokeres by FBref.

They compared players in similar positions across the next best 14 competitions over the last 365 days and then created a list of the ten most comparable players for each position. In this case, they concluded that the Swedish ace is the fifth most similar forward to the Feyenoord star.

You can see the similarities best when looking at some of their underlying metrics in which they rank closely, including but not limited to non-penalty goals plus assists, goals per shot and goals per shot on target, progressive passes and passes into the penalty area.

Non-Penalty Goals + Assists

1.03

1.05

Goals per Shot

0.20

0.22

Goals per Shot on Target

0.43

0.45

Progressive Passes

1.41

1.57

Passes into the Penalty Area

0.49

0.59

However, away from what makes him similar to the Sporting ace, the Buenos Aires-born star would be an excellent signing for Arsenal, and in particular, he'd be great for Saka.

Why Gimenez would be incredible for Saka

So, there is one overriding reason why the former Cruz Azul ace would make an excellent teammate for Saka, and it's the same reason he'd be great for the Gunners overall: his output.

The North Londoners' number seven was exceptional last season, racking up an outrageous tally of 20 goals and 14 assists in 47 games, and he did it without a consistent striker to the left of him, which is where Gimenez comes in.

For example, in his 41 appearances for Feyenoord last season, he scored a mammoth 26 goals and provided eight assists to boot, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.20 games.

Appearances

41

51

36

Goals

26

14

8

Assists

8

7

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.82

0.41

0.44

In contrast, Kai Havertz racked up 21 goals and assists in 51 appearances, while Gabriel Jesus managed 16 in 36, equating to an average for the German of a goal involvement once every 2.42 games and an average of one every 2.25 games for the Brazilian.

Now, you have to consider the league in which they play, but even if the "unstoppable" Mexican, as talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him, saw his productivity drop slightly, there's a good chance he'll continue outperforming Arsenal's current striking options. Therefore, he'd be able to put away more of the chances created for him by Saka, thus helping boost his assist tally as well.

Ultimately, time is running out to bring in a new goalscoring centre-forward this summer, and if Gimenez is available for around £43m, then Edu and Co should do what they can to bring him in, as he could help fire the club to the title and supercharge Hale End's favourite son at the same time.

Arsenal hit gold on "sensational" signing who's worth way more than Merino

The versatile pro has a big campaign ahead of him this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 16, 2024

Chelsea are closing in on an agreement for a Euro 2024 player after submitting a £43 million total bid for him, with Todd Boehly and BlueCo definitely not done in the transfer market ahead of deadline day on August 30.

Chelsea working on marquee deals after Pedro Neto signing

Last week, the west Londoners put pen to paper on a £54 million deal for winger Pedro Neto, who comes in to offer manager Enzo Maresca a dynamic new option out wide.

Related Chelsea prepared to offer Lukaku discount as Napoli table £26 million bid

The deal is heavily tied in with Chelsea’s move for Victor Osimhen.

Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 16, 2024

Neto's arrival has also cast doubt on the future of winger Noni Madueke, with Newcastle linked in the last week and Chelsea reportedly open to selling the 22-year-old. Eddie Howe's side have already contacted Madueke's representatives, according to some media sources.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are still in the market for a striker, and talk over a move for Napoli star Victor Osimhen has refused to go away. The west Londoners had agreed a £35 million transfer for Atletico Madrid's Samu Omorodion, but that collapsed at the eleventh hour due to contractual issues (Sky Sports).

Chelsea's best-performing players in the Premier League last season

Average match rating (WhoScored)

Cole Palmer

7.48

Conor Gallagher

7.13

Nicolas Jackson

7.07

Moises Caicedo

6.85

Noni Madueke

6.84

This has resurrected a potential move for Osimhen, with Napoli's interest in Romelu Lukaku closely intertwined, as both clubs contemplate deals which would see the two forwards trade places.

“Osimhen is a possibility that Napoli presented to Chelsea after they already thought of Osimhen at the beginning of the window … they left the conversation because the package was too expensive,” said reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano to CaughtOffside this week.

“But then Napoli presented this opportunity again to Chelsea during talks for Romelu Lukaku. But as I always mentioned, from what I’m hearing, Osimhen doesn’t want to reduce his salary, €11million net per season, and Osimhen doesn’t want to go on loan. This is the idea of the player – only a permanent transfer or loan with obligation. So kind of permanent transfer.

"We will see what happens with Osimhen. But I always had a feeling that this is something for the final weeks or days of the window.”

Amidst all of this, there is also Chelsea's widely reported talks over a deal for Joao Felix.

Chelsea close to agreeing Felix signing after £43m bid

The Blues turned towards Felix after missing out on Omorodion, in a complex transfer domino which could reopen the door for Conor Gallagher to join Atletico Madrid.

According to Atletico insider Rubén Uría, via Sport and Get Football News Spain, Chelsea are now close to an agreement over signing Felix, after Maresca's side submitted a fresh £43 million bid – including add-ons.

This new proposal is apparently closer to what Atletico chiefs ideally want for the 24-year-old, who featured for his native Portugal at the Euros. Felix spent last season on loan at Barcelona, and half of the 22/23 campaign on loan at Chelsea, where he managed four goals in 20 appearances across all competitions.

Following his £60m move to Newcastle United back in the summer of 2022, striker Alexander Isak has excelled at St James’ Park, proving to be worth every penny of his huge transfer fee.

The Swedish international has scored 35 Premier League goals in his 67 appearances for the Magpies, finishing as the club’s top scorer in both of his seasons on Tyneside.

His excellent form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea wanting to prise Eddie Howe’s star man away from Newcastle this summer, but the Magpies are demanding a fee well over the £100m mark.

Isak’s goals have undoubtedly helped propel Newcastle to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years, but the club are still looking to sign another option in forward areas.

Callum Wilson has struggled with his fitness in recent months, failing to make an impact on Howe’s squad, with the Magpies boss wanting another player who could replace the Englishman and form a partnership with Isak in 2024/25.

Newcastle want £40m talent this summer

According to journalist James Nursey, Newcastle are in the race to sign Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, but face strong interest from other Premier League sides for his signature.

The 20-year-old also has interest from Chelsea and West Ham United, with the latter making three bids already this summer in their attempts to sign a new centre-forward.

Nursey also claims that Unai Emery’s side are holding out for £40m during the transfer window, with the Colombian forward wanting a move away from Villa Park to gain valuable first-team minutes to aid his progression in the Premier League.

Newcastle’s interest in Duran comes after their long-standing admiration for another attacking talent, with the Villa youngster undoubtedly a better option for Eddie Howe’s side.

Why Duran would be a better option than Calvert-Lewin

In recent months, the Magpies have been constantly touted with a move for Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as the Toffees look to bolster their PSR position.

The 27-year-old scored seven times in 32 Premier League appearances for Sean Dyche’s outfit, but his side have previously demanded £40m to prise him away from Goodison Park this summer.

Their interest in Calvert-Lewin has dropped in recent times, with the Magpies undoubtedly making the right decision in pursuing a move for the Villa talisman over the Everton number nine.

When comparing the duo on FBref, it’s evident that Duran would be a better option, producing some superior numbers despite featuring for significantly fewer minutes than Calvert-Lewin.

The “phenomenal” Colombian, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, may have scored four fewer goals than the Englishman last season, but he averaged a much higher goal per 90 record in the Premier League.

Games

23

32

Minutes played

475

2171

Goals

5

9

Goals per 90

0.95

0.29

Shots

3.8

2.9

Aerials won

63%

49%

Take-on success

40%

33%

He’s also averaged more shots per 90, whilst winning a higher percentage of aerial battles, providing a great option for Howe’s side in various different aspects at the top end of the pitch.

Duran’s first full season in England’s top flight has been a successful one, scoring some crucial goals for Villa in a campaign where they secured a Champions League spot against all the odds, just like Newcastle did back in 2022/23.

Whilst he may be an expensive addition, especially as a potential backup, his move to Tyneside could allow Howe to slightly alter his current system to form a brilliant partnership with Swedish international Isak, utilising his "weapon" of a left foot – as hailed by Kulig.

With Calvert-Lewin also being linked with a move for a similar fee, the Magpies would be making a huge mistake should they look to sign him over Duran, with the Colombian able to build on his impressive campaign and potentially improve further under Howe’s watchful eye at St James’ Park.

Newcastle make approach for "mentality monster" who'd make Isak unplayable

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ByAngus Sinclair Jul 20, 2024

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke highly of new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim as he sees a 'nice challenge' ahead for the Portuguese.

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• Arteta praised Amorim
• Wished him luck for his future at Old Trafford
• Man Utd and Arsenal will lock horns on December 4

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Arsenal manager heaped praise on Amorim for the work he did at Sporting CP, where he won four trophies in four years, including two Liga Portugal titles. Arteta feels that the Portuguese coach now has a big challenge ahead of him in managing one of the most iconic clubs in the world and wishes the best for his future at Old Trafford.

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• WHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID

  Speaking to reporters, the Spaniard said: "Amorim is an excellent coach, with a special career, who achieved something historic at Sporting, especially in terms of form. He has a very nice challenge ahead of him at one of the most important clubs in the world and I hope it goes well for him."

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 39-year-old's debut game in charge of United did not go as planned. The team did get off to a dream start at Ipswich as Marcus Rashford handed them the lead in the second minute of the game from Amad Diallo's assist. However, former Chelsea youth player Omari Hutchinson scored a deflected equaliser to seal a point for Ipswich. While Amorim failed to register a win, he did bring new ideas and formation to the team which could eventually work in the club's favour in the long run.

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• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  The Red Devils are scheduled to face the Gunners on December 4 but before the mega clash, they will face Bodo/Glimt and Everton in their next two fixtures in the Europa League and the Premier League, respectively.

With the Premier League opening weekend less than a month away, West Ham have begun to step up their pursuit of multiple signings who could bolster Julen Lopetegui's side.

The Hammers finished ninth in the 2023/24 campaign, and Lopetegui will be tasked with the challenge of retaining a top-half spot and trying to push back into a European place, having competed in European competition for the past three seasons.

One strong link that has emerged, is Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville, whilst other signings have already been made, with Max Kilman and Luis Guilherme joining the club for significant fees.

West Ham transfer news

According to reports from James Nursey, Jhon Duran is expected to push for a move from Aston Villa to West Ham this week. The Hammers have had three bids rejected, but it is reported they are 'getting closer', as Villa continue to ask for £40m.

Chelsea and Newcastle are also interested, according to the reports, but Duran wants to play for Lopetegui, who can offer him first-team football, and is a fellow Spanish speaker.

Duran made 37 appearances for Aston Villa last season, scoring eight goals in all competitions, and totaling 1,103 minutes. Nearly half of those minutes came in the UEFA Conference League campaign.

How Duran & Summerville could partner each other

Summerville is coming off the back of a Championship Player of the Year campaign, making 49 appearances, scoring 21 goals, and providing ten assists in all competitions.

Of course, from his numbers, you can see Summerville would add goals to the West Ham attack. He is a left-winger who loves to cut inside on his right foot, and has often made that far post curler one of his trademarks this season for Leeds.

But it's actually the creative output and opportunities he could bring to this West Ham side, adding even more pace in transition alongside Kudus and Bowen, with an ability to carry the ball forwards from inside his own half, and drive attacks, averaging 5.04 progressive carries per 90.

Summerville averages 6.10 shot-creating actions per 90, and 2.88 key passes per 90, showing his creative side and ability to create chances for not only himself but for others too.

This is where Duran comes in, who has all the attributes of a top-level goalscorer. The 20-year-old averages 3,79 shots per 90, 1.33 of those shots on target per 90, also having a conversion rate of 0.71 goals per shot on target, and ranking in the top 1% of strikers in Europe for Goals-xG, with a +0.57.

Duran has a lethal left foot and is not afraid to have a go, being a high-volume shooter and trusting his ability/instinct in front of goal. His shooting motion is fast, but his technique is excellent, often giving him that extra half a second to compose himself and pick his spot, due to his trust in his finishing abilities.

If Summerville was to join West Ham, and continue to deliver in the creative department with 6.1 or even close to those numbers for shot-creating actions, paired with the signing of Duran, who wants to take those shots, it could be a recipe for goals galore, and an explosive season for the Colombian talisman.

West Ham ready move for "top-level" £30million ace who Thierry Henry loves

He would add some much-needed firepower to the Hammers’ attack.

1

By
Tom Coates

Jul 22, 2024

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke highly of new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim as he sees a 'nice challenge' ahead for the Portuguese.

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Arteta praised AmorimWished him luck for his future at Old TraffordMan Utd and Arsenal will lock horns on December 4Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Arsenal manager heaped praise on Amorim for the work he did at Sporting CP, where he won four trophies in four years, including two Liga Portugal titles. Arteta feels that the Portuguese coach now has a big challenge ahead of him in managing one of the most iconic clubs in the world and wishes the best for his future at Old Trafford.

AdvertisementWHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID

Speaking to reporters, the Spaniard said: "Amorim is an excellent coach, with a special career, who achieved something historic at Sporting, especially in terms of form. He has a very nice challenge ahead of him at one of the most important clubs in the world and I hope it goes well for him."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The 39-year-old's debut game in charge of United did not go as planned. The team did get off to a dream start at Ipswich as Marcus Rashford handed them the lead in the second minute of the game from Amad Diallo's assist. However, former Chelsea youth player Omari Hutchinson scored a deflected equaliser to seal a point for Ipswich. While Amorim failed to register a win, he did bring new ideas and formation to the team which could eventually work in the club's favour in the long run.

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Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

The Red Devils are scheduled to face the Gunners on December 4 but before the mega clash, they will face Bodo/Glimt and Everton in their next two fixtures in the Europa League and the Premier League, respectively.

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de folgar no dia anterior, o elenco do Corinthians realizou no final da tarde desta terça-feira, no CT Joaquim Grava, o seu primeiro treino de preparação para o duelo contra a Chapecoense, na próxima segunda, às 21h30, na Neo Química Arena, pela 29ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. E a principal novidade da atividade foi a ausência do meia Renato Augusto, poupado.

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TABELA
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GALERIA
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O clube informou que o jogador de 33 anos foi o único do elenco que acabou sendo preservado do treinamento no gramado para poder realizar um trabalho de controle de carga muscular nas dependências internas do CT corintiano.

Com grande histórico de lesões de sua carreira, Renato Augusto vem sendo preservado com frequência durante os períodos de preparação do Timão para as partidas deste Brasileirão. Isso ocorreu, por exemplo, na semana passada, quando o técnico Sylvinho dirigiu cinco atividades visando o confronto com o Internacional, no Beira-Rio, onde sua equipe empatou por 2 a 2, no domingo.

Na capital gaúcha, Renato Augusto esteve em campo durante quase todo o tempo do duelo, no qual foi substituído apenas nos acréscimos da etapa final, aos 47 minutos, quando deu lugar a Jô. E neste finalzinho ele amargou junto com o time o gol marcado pelo Colorado que definiu a igualdade no placar.

A tendência é a de que nesta quarta-feira o meio-campista volte a treinar com o elenco no gramado do CT Joaquim Grava, onde o Corinthians trabalhará novamente no período da tarde, segundo programação divulgada pelo clube.

NOVIDADES NA ESCALAÇÃO NO GOL E NA ZAGA

Para o jogo diante da Chapecoense, o Corinthians não poderá contar com Cássio, suspenso pelo terceiro cartão amarelo. Matheus Donelli, considerado hoje o segundo goleiro do elenco alvinegro, deve ser confirmado por Sylvinho na equipe. O volante Xavier, expulso contra o Inter, também está fora deste próximo duelo e não poderá servir nem como opção de banco desta vez.

Em compensação, o treinador corintiano voltará a contar com o zagueiro João Victor, que cumpriu suspensão na rodada passada. Com isso, Raul Gustavo, que substituiu o defensor no Sul, deverá figurar novamente entre os reservas. Já o substituto do lesionado meia-atacante Willian continua sendo um mistério, já que Adson e Vitinho, escolhidos para ocupar o lugar do titular nas duas últimas partidas, não tiveram sucesso e foram sacados no segundo tempo.

Vale lembrar que os jornalistas não podem acompanhar as atividades in loco por conta dos protocolos de saúde em decorrência da pandemia de Covid-19. As informações são fornecidas pela assessoria de imprensa do Corinthians.

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