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Ralf Rangnick aimed a fresh dig at Manchester United as he claimed to be right about the club needing "open-heart surgery" two years on from his exit.

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• Rangnick was in charge of Man Utd in 2021-22
• Claimed the club needed a complete structural overhaul
• Ten Hag's struggles make him feel vindicated

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rangnick took charge of United on an interim basis during the 2021-22 season following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Although his tenure lasted just six months, Rangnick's brief spell was marked by a candid and controversial assessment of the club's internal struggles. Following a 4-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, the manager said: "The good thing, one of the few, is it's crystal clear. You don't even need glasses to see the problems. Now it's only about how you can solve them. Not minor cosmetic things. This is an open-heart operation. If everyone realises this has to happen and works together, it doesn't need to take years."

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Erik ten Hag has also been struggling to bring back the glory days at United, but a surprise victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final ultimately led to him being given a new contract. However, with United losing two of their opening three Premier League fixtures in 2024-25, including a demoralising 3-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool at Old Trafford, Ten Hag finds himself back under intense pressure, which has led Rangnick to validate his earlier critique of the club.

• WHAT RANGNICK SAID

  Speaking to, the former Red Devils boss reaffirmed his belief that drastic changes were needed at United.

  "I probably made that statement when the season was almost over about two years ago," Rangnick recalled.

  "It is probably only two or three weeks since Erik ten Hag was asked the same thing. Then he said that I was right in my analysis. I don't know how many players they have signed since, but it looks like I was right."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  After his interim period ended, Rangnick had been due to stay on at Old Trafford in a consultancy capacity. However, his relationship with United came to an abrupt end in April 2022, when it was mutually agreed that Rangnick would not take up the new role. The German instead took over as the manager of Austria's national team.

As the 2023/24 season draws to a close, it is time for Arsenal to knuckle down and continue to push Manchester City in their hunt for the Premier League trophy. They currently sit top of the table on 80 points, one point clear of Pep Guardiola's side, who have a game in hand and will go top with a win.

It has certainly been another good season for Mikel Arteta’s side, despite the fact they could go trophyless once again. According to Sofascore, they are the Premier League’s top scorers with 85 and have conceded the fewest goals with 28. Not only that, the Gunners have lost just one game in the league in 2024.

Should Arsenal go without a trophy again this season, it does mean that we could see a fairly large refresh of the squad in the 2024 summer transfer window. There are certainly a few players who could be on the way out, including the likes of Thomas Partey, who has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium.

However, there is one other player whom the Gunners could look to move on this summer. Despite his contributions to their past two title challenges under Arteta, he is on lots of money and could well depart this summer.

The player in question here is former Manchester City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko.

How much Arsenal could save by selling Zinchenko

The 27-year-old Ukraine international joined Arsenal from the Citizens in 2022 for £32m but could leave the Emirates Stadium in the summer with concerns over his role as the club's number 1 left-back.

According to Capology, Zinchenko is the ninth highest earner in the current Arsenal squad, currently receiving £150k-per-week. Remarkably, that is more than some of Arsenal’s biggest stars, including the imperious Gabriel who earns £100k-per-week and in-form Leandro Trossard, who earns £90k-per-week.

There are reportedly two clubs interested in signing the Ukrainian, for whom Arsenal have set a price tag of £38.4m, making them a £6.4m profit on the original deal. According to Football Transfers, Bayern Munich and Newcastle are showing interest in bringing Zinchenko to their respective clubs.

With that in mind, it could well be the case that the Gunners look to move Zinchenko on this summer to reduce the wage bill and gain additional transfer funds, which they can then reinvest elsewhere to improve the squad.

Oleksandr Zinchenko’s season in numbers

It is fair to say that the 2023/24 season has been a disappointing one for Zinchenko, who has played far less than he likely would have wanted to. Whilst he has missed eight games through injury, the 27-year-old has still only featured 34 times in all competitions, but just 26 times in the Premier League, contributing to three goals.

Indeed, there have certainly been many options at left-back at Mikel Arteta’s disposal. Aside from Zinchenko, Poland international Jakub Kiwior has played at left back on 18 occasions this term with Takehiro Tomiyasu playing 16 times there in all competitions. There's also the thought of Jurrien Timber returning to consider too. It has certainly been good competition for places.

With that being said, Zinchenko’s best role may not even be left back. After all, he's become a defensive liability in that position with his dismal performance in the 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa being labelled as "appalling" by Gunners writer Oli Price Bates.

Instead, he has often been earmarked as a midfielder, where he often plays for Ukraine. His superb progressive passing numbers certainly suggest that is where he could slot into the Gunners’ side.

According to Fbref, Zinchenko averages 11.72 progressive passes per 90 minutes, 2.56 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes and 7.53 passes into the final third per 90 minutes. That places him in the top 1% for the first two figures, and the top 2% for the latter number.

These certainly suggest the 27-year-old could work well in the advanced number eight role vacated by Granit Xhaka last summer. Not only that, Zinchenko could succeed if he tucked into midfield in possession when playing left-back, as he has done at times for the Gunners.

However, with that being said, the profit Arsenal could make from selling Zinchenko, and the fact he is on £150k-per-week means moving him on is a financially good decision.

Whilst he has been a good servant to the club in his two years so far, selling the 27-year-old would mean Arsenal can develop even further as a side and continue to push Manchester City for the Premier League.

Arteta could unleash Zinchenko in new role to revive his Arsenal career

Zinchenko was a big underperformer in Arsenal’s last match.

By
Joe Nuttall

Apr 17, 2024

All summer long, GOAL handed out grades for the biggest transfers from around the women's game

From Vivianne Miedema and Mary Earps to Lucy Bronze and Fran Kirby, there were some huge names of the women's game on the move in a massive summer transfer window as clubs got themselves in the best possible shape ahead of the 2024-25 season.

As always, some of those deals will work out and some won't. How successful each move will be can be hard to gauge at the time, but sometimes it's not; sometimes it looks like a sure win straight away, whether it is for the buyer, the seller or the player themselves.

GOAL is here, then, to ensure you know how all parties did in every massive move this past transfer window. Throughout the summer, we graded every big done deal as it happened, letting you track the winners – and losers – of the off-season.

Check out our grades below, and let us know what you think in the comments section…

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  August 14: Cloe Lacasse (Arsenal to Utah Royals)

  For Arsenal: On one hand, this is a perfectly good bit of business from Arsenal. Lacasse didn't nail down a place in the Gunners' starting XI last season after arriving from Benfica and was instead largely used as a sub, despite regularly making an impact. To sell her to the Royals for a significant fee, then, makes sense in a way. However, it's hard for the overriding feeling about this transfer not to be that Arsenal could have, and should have, used the Canada international more. To lose a versatile, hard-working and effective forward is a blow, even if the Gunners didn't get the best out of her. Grade: B

  For Utah Royals: This is a fantastic signing for Utah, the lowest scorer in the NWSL through the first half of the 2024 season. Lacasse is an explosive, direct and exciting forward who can make things happen on her own, something that will be music to the ears of Royals fans who have had little to shout about on the team's return to the league. This isn't a side that leaks a ton of goals on a regular basis, with seven of its 11 NWSL defeats this year coming by one-goal margins, so the addition of some star quality in attack like Lacasse could make a huge difference in turning the tide. Grade: A

  For Lacasse: It's a real shame that things didn't work out for the 31-year-old in England, as she had earned that opportunity through her excellence at Benfica, but this is a promising new chapter in a league that she should adapt to well given her athletic qualities. While playing for a team that has fared better so far this season might've been preferred, Lacasse will be a key player in Utah and that regular game time will certainly be welcomed, for the sake of her club career, sure, but also her international fortunes. Grade: B+

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  August 12: Katie Zelem (Man Utd to Angel City)

  For Man Utd: Despite some generally positive business in terms of incomings, it's been a summer of big blows for Man Utd when it comes to exits. After the departures of star goalkeeper Mary Earps and fan favourite Lucia Garcia, club captain Zelem became the latest to leave when her contract expired at the end of June. It's another key player that the Red Devils have lost on a free transfer and another big leader that the dressing room no longer has. This is the second summer in succession that the team has had a window that gives it a 'transitional' feel and if the club wants to consistently challenge for trophies, those just cannot occur as regularly as they seem to be. Grade: F

  For Angel City: If there was one area that Angel City needed to strengthen in, it was in midfield, and the club has done exactly that with the signing of Zelem. The 28-year-old will bring consistency, experience and leadership to the middle of the park for a team that needs a big second half of the season in order to get into those playoff spots again. She'll certainly boost the Los Angeles side in its quest to do so – and all on a free transfer, too. Grade: A

  For Zelem: After six years at Man Utd, this move represents an exciting new challenge for Zelem. The midfielder has found herself on the outside looking in when it comes to England squads in recent times and perhaps a change of scenery is what she needs to increase her chances of getting a Lionesses recall before the European Championships next summer. The NWSL is a totally different league, so it will challenge her in new ways and make her a better player by rounding out other areas of her game. Whether it will be enough to get into Sarina Wiegman's squad again, only time will tell, but it does feel like it will aid Zelem's bid to get back in an England shirt. Grade: A

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  July 31: Daphne van Domselaar (Aston Villa to Arsenal)

  For Aston Villa: It's never ideal to lose your No.1 goalkeeper and Aston Villa do so just one season after signing her. They have at least got a significant fee in the process, having inserted a release clause worth £200,000 ($254,000) into Van Domselaar's contract last summer. That the club was able to replace her promptly was a positive too, signing Sabrina D'Angelo on a free after her release from Arsenal. It means the goalkeeper department is well-stocked, as the Canadian is added to a squad that already features New Zealand star Anna Leat and a promising young talent in Sophia Poor. Few would disagree that Van Domselaar is better than all three, however Villa will not be short of quality in that area despite her departure. Grade: B

  For Arsenal: Does Jonas Eidevall finally have his ideal goalkeeper? It's a position that has seen constant chopping and changing during his tenure, with Van Domselaar the fourth player for the position that has arrived since he took charge in the summer of 2021. That's because it's been a bit of a problem area when it comes to consistent, error-free performances, something Eidevall will hope to get from the Dutchwoman. Whether or not she can deliver it, in just her second season in one of the world's best leagues, time will tell. The feeling is that the very talented Van Domselaar upgrades the goalkeeping department and will immediately compete to start – though, at 24 years old, she does still have growing to do as she becomes more experienced. Grade: B

  For Van Domselaar: After a solid, though not flawless, first year in the Women's Super League with Aston Villa, Van Domselaar has earned herself a move to a club that will play in Europe and expect to compete for the title. It's expected that she will at least share duties with Manuela Zinsberger, too, if not pip her to the role of first-choice, so this is a hugely positive move for someone with such a bright future. It will come with more pressure and a demand for more consistency though and if she doesn't step up to deliver that, then Arsenal can turn to Zinsberger right away. It's competitive but exciting. Grade: A

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  July 29: Jess Carter (Chelsea to Gotham)

  For Chelsea: This is a huge blow. Carter was one of Chelsea's very best players as they won a fifth-successive Women's Super League title last season, her consistency crucial in a team that was hit by a ton of injuries in defence in particular. The Blues do still have some quality centre-backs, but her departure does knock the depth there, which is extremely important for a team that is regularly fighting on four fronts. Whether the club dips back into the market in light of this sale or trusts someone like Aniek Nouwen, a senior Netherlands international who has yet to assert herself at Chelsea, to step up, only time will tell. But this is a hit, not least because Carter has the versatility to help the team in a variety of positions. Grade: F

  For Gotham: On the flip side, this is a great pick-up for the reigning NWSL champions. Gotham already have the best defensive record in the U.S. league this season, so while signing Carter doesn't fill a need, she will improve that backline even more with her quality, experience and the competition that her arrival will guarantee. The 26-year-old is another player who knows what it takes to consistently lift trophies, too, and that can certainly help a club that is looking to build a team capable of doing that for years to come. Grade: B

  For Carter: After six years at Chelsea, and a decade playing in the top-flight of her home country, this is an exciting new chapter for Carter. The England star herself has spoken about how the NWSL's style, so different to the WSL, can help her to improve and become a better player, challenging her in new ways. She has already made so much progress in the last 12 months and this switch to a new environment can only help her continue down that path. That it reunites her with fiancé Ann-Katrin Berger is an obvious bonus. Grade: B

Kylian Mbappe is up and running in La Liga for Real Madrid as the Frenchman scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Real Betis.

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• Mbappe breaks La Liga goal duck
• Scores penalty to get second goal
• Real Madrid ease to 2-0 win over Real Betis

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mbappe had struggled in La Liga after scoring on his Real Madrid debut against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup. The Frenchman failed to score in his first three league games as Los Blancos' attack failed to live up to the early hype. However, the former Paris Saint-Germain forward finally broke his duck after getting on the end of a brilliant backheel from Federico Valverde and slotting past Real Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva.

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  Mbappe wasn't done just yet as the Frenchman scored a late penalty to double Real Madrid's lead after Silva caught Vinicius Jr. as the Brazilian winger went through one-on-one. The 2-0 win gave Los Blancos their second La Liga win of the season to keep them in touch with rivals Barcelona, who have not dropped a single point so far.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  As per OptaJose, Mbappe took a total of 24 shots in La Liga action for Real Madrid before scoring his first goal. The Frenchman had eight shots on target, six off target and also had 10 shots blocked.

It's safe to say Nottingham Forest's dealings in the transfer market since promotion back to the Premier League have been erratic, with the Reds signing 34 new players since the play-off final triumph over Huddersfield Town in 2022.

Many of the additions have proven to be money well spent, with the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo excelling and already being touted for £50m+ transfers in the summer.

The club won't want to lose any of their star players, but given the recent points deduction for a PSR breach, owner Evangelos Marinakis may have to sell one of the two to avoid further punishments.

Forest overspent by £34.5m during the previous financial year, with the club's dealings in the market undoubtedly part of the reason for the huge breach.

One player in particular was a complete waste of money and wages, with the signing departing the City Ground just over six months after arriving.

Jonjo Shelvey's stats at Nottingham Forest

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey joined the Reds for an undisclosed fee from fellow Premier League side Newcastle United in January 2023, with his experience vital in the battle for top-flight survival.

However, the move for both sides was a complete disaster, with the 32-year-old only managing to make eight appearances during the second half of the campaign.

He made an unforgivable mistake against Aston Villa before a huge bust-up with boss Steve Cooper, resulting in him being excluded from the squad and forced to train with the reserves.

Shelvey subsequently never played for the club again, originally joining Caykur Rizespor in Turkey on loan during last summer's transfer window.

However, according to The Guardian, the Reds terminated his contract ahead of his move, with it unclear whether he's permanently signed for the Turkish side or whether he will become a free agent at the end of the season.

Jonjo Shelvey's wage at Nottingham Forest

During his time at the club, the former Liverpool midfielder pocketed £75k-per-week, as per Spotrac, with Shelvey one of the club's highest earners during his brief stint in Nottingham.

His weekly wage at Forest was well over two times higher than Forest youngster, Murillo, who only earns £30k-per-week – despite his excellent recent run under Nuno in the first team.

If the article is to be believed, the club conducted excellent business in clearing his wages off the bill, especially given his attitude problems during his time in the East Midlands.

His move to the City Ground undoubtedly was a disaster, but given the club's recent dealings with the Premier League's FFP rules, his wages have saved the club over £3.9m a year – with his original deal set to expire at the end of next season.

The club need to use the Shelvey deal as a reminder ahead of the summer transfer window, with the Reds unable to recklessly splash the cash if they are to avoid further PSR punishments in the future.

Nottingham Forest star is struggling big time after being sold for £15m

He was a fan-favourite during his time at the City Ground.

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 9, 2024

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag spoke highly of Alejandro Garnacho while challenging the Argentine to show he has 'X-factor'.

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• Ten Hag challenges Garnacho to show X-factor
• Praises youngster for his hard work thus far
• Man Utd face Brighton on Saturday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The young winger made a name for himself after a stellar performance for the Red Devils in the 2023-24 campaign as he appeared in 50 matches across all competitions where he scored 10 times and provided five assists. His impressive performance for his club earned him a call-up to the Argentina national team for Copa America 2024.

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  In the current season, Garnacho has featured in the two games United have played thus far. While he came off the bench in both matches, he did have an impact on the team as he scored in the Community Shield clash against Manchester City and provided the assist for Joshua Zirkzee's strike against Fulham in their Premier League season opener.

  Manager Ten Hag is satisfied with the youngster's efforts but he has also urged the player to continue his hard work and prove that he has the 'X-factor' to become one of the best players in the world.

• WHAT ERIK TEN HAG SAID

  Speaking to reporters, the Dutch manager said, "A world-class player? He has to go a long way. He has high potential. He showed last season he can contribute and be a starting XI player. To make the jump and become a world-class player, it starts with very hard work. That brought him to where he is now and that will bring him to being that world-class player. I agree he has the potential.

  "Every club at the top needs players with the X-factor. Garnacho has it in him to become that player. We’ve already seen on occasions that he has shown the X-factor, so if you want to be that player that people are saying is world-class, then you have to do it consistently. He has that skill."

  He added, "You have to prove it, show it every day on the training pitch and in every minute you can get. It’s not only about the starters, it’s also about the finishers. I was very pleased last week that Zirkzee and Garnacho made the difference.

  "One gave the assist and the other made the goal. That’s what we need across the whole season. You don’t win with 11 players in a game, you need more than 11 players to win games."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  After making a winning start to their 2024-25 campaign, the Manchester club will be back in action on Saturday as they take on Brighton away from home.

Aston Villa suffered a poor 4-1 defeat to Manchester City in midweek which could derail the momentum they were building following the international break.

Despite trailing just 2-1 heading into the interval, Phil Foden scored twice more during the second half to condemn Villa to their eighth league defeat of the campaign.

With seven games left, they hold a two-point advantage over Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place, albeit Spurs have a game in hand.

The Midlands side takes on Brentford this afternoon and Unai Emery will likely rejig his starting lineup, dropping a midfielder who was poor against City.

Tim Iroegbunam’s game in numbers vs Man City

The youngster was given his first Premier League start of the season against the champions yet failed to really showcase his talent during the match.

The midfielder was deployed alongside Douglas Luiz in the heart of the midfield but completed just 12 passes during his time on the pitch, managing to take only 28 touches of the ball too, as he failed to really get involved.

Iroegbunam also won four of his ten ground duels contested, lost possession six times and succeeded with just one of his three dribble attempts, while being dribbled past on two occasions.

The midfielder was utilised due to John McGinn serving the last match of his three-game suspension, but with that ending, the Scot is in pole position to reclaim his position in the starting XI.

Iroegbunam will learn from this experience, but with much at stake over the coming weeks, unleashing McGinn against Brentford will be the most logical thing for Emery to do.

John McGinn’s season in numbers

McGinn was sent off against Spurs a few weeks ago due to a poor challenge on Destiny Udogie, subsequently receiving a three-match ban.

Prior to this, the former Hibs gem had played every single league match for the club, scoring six goals and grabbing three assists, proving to be one of Emery’s best players.

Not only that, but McGinn also ranks fifth in the squad for big chances created (9) in the top flight, along with ranking third for key passes per game (1.4), third for successful dribbles per game (1.6) and fourth for tackles per game (1.7), showing how effective he is across a range of metrics.

The £120k-per-week maestro had previously been described as a “relentless creature” by journalist Mat Kendrick during his first season at Villa Park, going from strength to strength ever since.

His availability ahead of the Brentford game will give Emery a massive boost as he aims for three points.

McGinn has shown time and time again – for both club and country – that he can make a difference when it really matters. The next seven games in the league are all must-win if Villa are to qualify for the Champions League next season.

With the Scot back in the starting XI alongside Luiz, Emery has his first-choice midfield partnership available and raring to go against the Bees this afternoon.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Manchester United are tussling with Real Madrid to complete the signing of a player who is among the "most-watched" in his position, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

Man Utd transfer news

Erik ten Hag will already be eyeing up summer additions, especially with Sir Jim Ratcliffe seemingly keen on having a big transfer window at Old Trafford as his influence grows.

Juventus attacker Samuel Iling-Junior is seen as someone who could provide competition for the likes of Marcus Rashford out wide, and while he wouldn't arrive as the finished article, he could have a big future in the game.

Centre-back is also an area of the pitch that United could look to bolster their options, especially with Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans all in their 30s. Jarrad Branthwaite and Jhon Lucumi have both emerged as reported targets at Old Trafford in that position.

The former has been a rare bright spark for a disappointing Everton side this season, averaging 4.2 clearances per game in the Premier League, while the latter has caught the eye for Bologna, completing 93.3% of his passes across 20 appearances in Serie A.

Teenage Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino has also been linked with a summer move to United, with the 18-year-old a "dominant" player who only has a £15m release clause in his current contract.

Man Utd eyeing "most-watched" players

According to a report from Spain, Manchester United are interested in signing Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, seeing him as a good summer option to snap up.

However, the Red Devils aren't alone in expressing a willingness to acquire his signature, with La Liga giants Real Madrid also very much in the mix.

While Andre Onana has improved after a worrying start to life at United, bringing in Bulka could provide him with the extra competition that he needs moving forward. It could be argued that the jury is still out on the Cameroonian with some supporters, rather than him having the complete support of the fanbase.

Bulka is an impressive figure, shining for both Nice at club level and Poland internationally, and his current manager Francesco Farioli has heaped praise on him, saying:

"In the space of four months, he went from a luxury substitute to one of the most-watched goalkeepers in international football. He knows the level that he has to stay at. He is a serious, hard-working boy who has his head well screwed on. He knows he has to continue to work with his hunger, for himself and for the team."

At 24, Bulka is still a young goalkeeper with so many years ahead of him, but history would suggest that United have not had too much success in the goalkeeping department over recent years, with even David de Gea coming in for criticism throughout his time at Old Trafford.

That inevitably means there will be plenty of scrutiny over their next move for a goalkeeper, which could lead to plenty of pressure riding on Bulka's shoulders if he is chosen to compete with Onana for the No 1 slot.

Wilfried Zaha is reportedly 'desperate' to return to the Premier League amid links with Leicester City and Crystal Palace.

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• Zaha leaves Palace for Galatasaray in 2023
• Winger 'desperate' to return to Premier League
• Wanted by Leicester and Crystal Palace

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Zaha left Palace for a second time last summer on a free transfer to the Turkish giants but a year on, he may be heading back to the Premier League. The 31-year-old was left out of Galatasaray's squad to play Hatayspor in the league this week and now the Eagles are looking to bring him back to Selhurst Park. Now, claims the ex-Manchester United man has set his sights on leaving the Super Lig side as soon as possible.

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  Reports suggest Palace are interested in bringing Zaha back to the club on a permanent deal, while Leicester are exploring a season-long loan move. If he did return to the Eagles, that would be his third stint at the club after starting his career there, heading to United in 2013 and then moving back to Palace in 2014. As Oliver Glasner's men have already lost winger Michael Olise to Bayern Munich, bringing back the Ivory Coast international may be a shrewd move.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  In Zaha's first spell at Palace, he scored 18 goals in 143 games before heading to Old Trafford. In his second stint, he added an extra 72 in 315 matches. Last season for Galatasaray, he scored 10 goals and bagged five assists over 43 matches in all competitions.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Zaha, whose contract at the Turkish outfit runs until 2026, does not have too long to find a new club, however. The Premier League transfer window shuts on August 30, so while there is time to return to the English top-flight, there isn't a great deal of time left for a move to happen.

Nothing in football is ever certain but Tottenham Hotspur supporters can rest assured that their team is in for a gripping finale to Ange Postecoglou's first season at the helm.

Fifth-placed in the Premier League with just ten matches left to go, Spurs are on the heels of Aston Villa in the top four with Manchester United snapping at their feet in sixth.

Only a few days ago, Tottenham were buoyed by a resounding victory over fourth-placed Aston Villa and knew that by winning their game in hand they would leapfrog Unai Emery's side, but last weekend's sobering loss against Fulham at Craven Cottage comes as a bitter reminder that this is squad is a work in progress.

Radu Dragusin endured a starting debut to forget after signing from Serie A side Genoa in a £27m deal in January, but the Romanian centre-back was certainly not the only player at fault, with Yves Bissouma flattering to deceive and continuing to ebb and flow this year.

The tough-tackling midfielder is so talented and offers a singular quality in the centre of the park that no other Lilywhite can replicate to the same degree.

But Postecoglou has displayed a ruthless streak throughout his maiden year in charge and while Bissouma is a good player, would it be unjust to suggest there's an upgrade out there, somewhere?

Why Spurs signed Yves Bissouma

Tottenham secured the signing of Bissouma from Brighton & Hove Albion for a fee rising to £35m in July 2022 after his stellar efforts on the south coast, with Graham Potter, Seagulls manager at the time, hailing him an "incredible" talent.

Champions League football had been achieved under Antonio Conte and it was the allure of Europe's elite club competition that had persuaded the 27-year-old to close the door on his Brighton career and join the Spurs project in the capital.

The prominence that he had achieved with the Seagulls dissipated rather quickly at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the £55k-per-week ace only starting 11 Premier League matches all campaign, averaging just 0.7 tackles and 0.5 interceptions per match, as per Sofascore, while succeeding with just 47% of his contested duels.

Yves Bissouma's 2023/24 season in numbers

Described as a "monster" by journalist Aaron Stokes, Bissouma has enjoyed plenty of success when on the pitch this season but has missed five Premier League matches due to suspension and was culpable for a dreadful performance against Fulham on Saturday evening.

Writing in his post-match comments, football.london's Alasdair Gold handed the midfielder a lowly 3/10 score and wrote: 'Wasn't helped much by his wandering fellow midfielders but he struggled to make his presence felt in the game or inspire confidence in those around him.'

Make no mistake, Bissouma is a high-class midfielder with a range of qualities in the engine room that suit Postecoglou's system well, but the best ability is availability and his recklessness has hampered Spurs' campaign.

As per FBref, the Malian midfielder ranks among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 14% for progressive passes, the top 10% for successful take-ons, the top 5% for tackles, the top 6% for interceptions and the top 12% for clearances per 90.

Clearly, he's blessed with some pretty remarkable attributes, an adept distributor, a fearsome recycler of possession and a deceptive dribbler.

But Bissoma has got to ensure that he sees out the remainder of the campaign with a level head and a focused drive toward ensuring Tottenham succeed in their pursuit of Champions League football.

Yves Bissouma's market value in 2024

According to Football Transfers' player valuation model, Bissouma is currently worth just £10m, which marks a startling £25m depreciation in less than two years since joining.

Sure, this is largely down to the dismal 2022/23 campaign, and this price tag should see a rise over the coming months given his comeback and cementation of a starring spot in the Tottenham team. However, the fact remains that Bissouma is continuing to flicker up and down, lacking the stability and consistency needed in this N17 squad.

The fact that Bissouma is valued lower than Oliver Skipp, who is firmly a utility presence at the club, is indicative of his inconsistent performances, but he would be most disgruntled to learn that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg remains a more valuable asset than himself.

Hojbjerg is out of contract in 2025 and was expected to have completed a transfer away from Tottenham in January, only to reject interest from outfits such as French club Lyon.

Moreover, the Danish midfielder has only started six Premier League matches in 2023/24 and is too conservative and static on the ball to truly flourish in Postecoglou's system, averaging just 0.2 key passes, 0.9 tackles and two successful duels per game this season, as per Sofascore.

Spurs must bin forgotten player who's worse than Sessegnon

Ange Postecoglou’s squad bears no future for this dud…

By
Angus Sinclair

Mar 17, 2024

While a prosperous future at Tottenham could be on the cards for Bissouma, he's not quite proving himself an immovable starter at the heart of this new project, and a discussion regarding his sale certainly wouldn't be a bad move as Tottenham look to gauge whether cashing in and reinvesting on a more reliable star could be worthwhile.