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The 2020/21 Premier League season draped its curtains to a close, another enthralling year of action concluded. Newcastle United finished 11th, but the 62 goals conceded was the heaviest tally of any side in the top 14.

Not to worry though, the PIF club takeover in October 2021 preceded the managerial appointment of Eddie Howe, who orchestrated a second-half-of-season turnaround to secure a comfortable finish acres away from the lower echelon of the table, where the Magpies were moored upon the 45-year-old's arrival.

Last season, the transformative effect that the changing of the wind has had could not have been any more emphatic, with the diligent moves made on the transfer front resulting in a season culminating in Champions League qualification and a Carabao Cup final contest against Manchester United, which the Toon lost 2-0.

Most impressive was the way Howe combined the cogs to create a truly cohesive and unified outfit, fighting for each other and drilled with an unwavering understanding of the system, resulting in a fourth-placed finish ahead of the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Howe's side completed the campaign with the division's joint-best defence – alongside champions Manchester City – in a remarkable reshaping and remoulding of a formerly leaky backline.

While the likes of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and goalkeeper Nick Pope have all been instrumental, with the resurgence of Fabian Schar also playing a major part, it is surely Sven Botman who has been the catalyst for change, with the Dutchman simply superlative since arriving in 2022.

How much did Newcastle spend on Sven Botman?

Newcastle completed the signing of Botman in July 2022 for a reported £35m, arriving from French side Lille, and exhibited their newfound might by beating AC Milan – who had just won Serie A – to his signature.

It wasn't the most expensive signing of the new era at St. James' Park, that one went to Bruno Guimaraes, who arrived for £40m the previous winter market, but it was similarly paramount to the restoration of a thriving side that had lay dormant for decades.

And the turnaround speaks for itself, with Botman not just instilling his first-class quality but a sense of leadership and togetherness that bred the sensational success that has been embedded in Howe's side ever since.

How much is Sven Botman worth now?

According to CIES Football Observatory, Botman is now worth £43m, but the real value of his skill set is surely much higher; quite simply, he is integral in all that United seek to achieve, and his presence has restored Schar and allowed shot-stopper Pope to thrive, with the assurance that his burden is lessened by a rock-solid defence.

Having been hailed as a "beast" by football writer Matt Spiro in the months preceding his transfer to Tyneside, the one-time Ajax youngster is now a defender who would be in line for a starting berth at any outfit across Europe, and while he is yet to make his debut for the Oranje national team, he will surely cement his signature as an ever-present on the starting team sheet in the near future.

It's worth noting that he is still very young, especially for a centre-back, and will only continue to burgeon over the coming years, with Football Transfers delineating a rise in market value from £8m in 2020 to £42m just two years later, when he signed for the Magpies.

A profound achievement, and one that will indeed only continue to grow for a titan who is truly a "Rolls Royce defender", according to Newcastle World's Jordan Cronin.

Why is Sven Botman worth that much?

The £90k-per-week centre-back has been first-rate since his arrival, hailed for his "incredible impact" on the team by pundit Leon Osman and providing the commanding, imperious sense of authority that squads striving for honours and glory on the European scene require.

Last season, as per Sofascore, the 23-year-old made 35 starting appearances in the Premier League and kept 11 clean sheets, also completing 87% of his passes, winning 67% of his duels and averaging 3.3 clearances per game.

This term, despite only plating five divisional matches thus far having been hampered by injury, the 6 foot 4 colossus has been even more formidable, completing 92% of his passes, making 0.4 key passes as opposed to 0.1 last year, making 6.2 ball recoveries per match and winning 69% of his duels.

It's no wonder that Paris Saint-Germain came calling in the summer with hopes of tempting Newcastle into selling their prized defender, with the Northern Echo reporting back in March that while the Ligue 1 champions had been expected to ramp up their interest, there was simply no way Howe would grant his departure.

Waxing lyrical over his qualities, pundit Jamie Redknapp once said: “Botman at the back, we’ve seen some good centre-backs in this league [but] he’s got the capabilities to be better than them. He’s a real leader of men, what a special player he is.”

A danger at both ends, as per FBref, Botman ranks among the top 14% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, which illustrates an aptitude in winning balls from corners and Trippier's deadly set-pieces.

Indeed, he has already posted a goal and assist apiece from the five matches he has played in the English top-flight so far, and as he continues to make the increments to his overall game, Newcastle will only become even more formidable.

Sites such as CIES Football Observatory might value Botman at £43m, but this is probably not an apt reflection of his true worth; should teams such as PSG truly come calling, Newcastle would demand figures to make the Saudi Pro League revolution stop in its tracks.

He is simply unsellable, irreplaceable, implacable at the heart of the Magpies' defence, and as Newcastle continue to burgeon, so shall he further cement his name among Europe's elite centre-halfs.

Everton manager Sean Dyche is under pressure at the moment, and journalist Paul Brown has been discussing his possible successor at Goodison Park.

Will Sean Dyche be sacked as Everton manager?

Dyche took charge of the Blues back in January, following the sacking of Frank Lampard, but he has found it hard to have a major impact at the club to date.

Granted, he steered them clear of relegation from the Premier League, following a nervy 1-0 win at home to Bournemouth on the final day, but Everton arguably shouldn't have even been in that position in the first place.

This season has started in similarly disappointing fashion, with three defeats and one draw coming the Merseysiders' way in the league, and back-to-back losses suffered at home. Next up is Arsenal at Goodison on Sunday afternoon, in what looks like a daunting challenge on paper.

While Dyche's position doesn't appear to be under threat at the moment, if results continue to be poor for a sustained period, those high up at Everton may start looking at potential replacements for him.

Will Graham Potter be Everton's next manager?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Brown claimed that Graham Potter coming in for Dyche would make little sense, though, due to their contrasting approaches to football:

"I think it would frankly be too big a swing from one extreme to the other to go from Dyche to Potter. One of Everton’s big problems is they've never had, since Moshiri arrived, one overarching strategy of what they are, what the team’s identity should be and how it should play or line up.

"They've lurched from one extreme to another each time they've had to get rid of a manager, and you've had to start from scratch, rebuilding a team for a completely different style of play. That can't go on."

As mentioned, Dyche appears to have some credit in the bank for the time being, but it is only natural that the club could be sounding out alternatives, should things not improve in the coming weeks and months.

In Potter, Everton could have an intriguing option to come in, with the Englishman still a top manager, despite his time at Chelsea going extremely badly. In truth, that job appears to be a tough one for any manager, so it would be harsh to assess him too negatively there, especially as Pep Guardiola called him "outstanding" earlier this year.

Brown has a point, in terms of the former Brighton boss' style of play being very different to Dyche's – the former favours a possession game, while the latter is known for being more direct – but if the Blues feel Potter is the best option to replace the current manager, they shouldn't worry about players having to adapt to a new system.

For now, though, Everton should stick with Dyche, who still needs time with new signings after the summer transfer window closed.

There isn't enough patience shown with managers in the modern game and there is no reason why he can't turn things around, having excelled so much as Burnley. The next few games in the lead-up to October's international break will tell us a lot more about him.

The post-Harry Kane world at Tottenham Hotspur looks rather bright at present, with new boss Ange Postecoglou having enjoyed a stellar start to life in the dugout at N17, following his arrival from Celtic earlier in the summer.

A feature of the 58-year-old's early tenure has been the faith he has shown in the club's promising young talents, with Pape Matar Sarr, for instance, having started four Premier League games already this season – notably scoring in the win over Manchester United last month.

Arguably the biggest surprise, however, has been the emergence of 20-year-old, Destiny Udogie, with the exciting Italian having slotted in beautifully after making a belated beginning in north London this summer.

The attacking left-back had spent last back on loan at Udinese after signing from the Serie A side last year, with supporters having been eagerly awaiting the defender's eventual arrival at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since that £15m deal was agreed.

While it is still early days, the Verona-born sensation already looks "sickeningly good" – as per footballJOE's Hunter Godson – with Postecoglou having stumbled upon a potential star in the making in that left-sided berth.

That recent ascension has ensured that long-serving asset, Ben Davies, faces a fight on his hands to force his way back into the side, with the Welshman also likely to be threatened by those who are currently flourishing in the club's academy ranks…

How good is Ben Davies?

Nine years on from joining the Lilywhites from Swansea City, the 30-year-old has undoubtedly been a solid, albeit unspectacular servant for the club in that time, racking up over 300 appearances in all competitions, while contributing 32 goals and assists.

A versatile figure who has featured at left-back, centre-back or as a wing-back, the 80-cap international has certainly had a role to play in some capacity over the years, although finding a place for himself in Postecoglou's side may be a tough ask, amid the move away from Antonio Conte's preferred 3-4-3 formation.

There had even been reports over the summer that Daniel Levy and co were willing to cash in on the defender if a £15m offer was to arrive, with the £80k-per-week player having just two years left to run on his existing deal.

31 games

26 starts

2 goals

2 assists

0.6 interceptions per game

0.9 tackles per game

53% total duels won

6.81 avg. match rating

Stats via Sofascore

Speaking at the time of that report, pundit Gabby Agbonlahor suggested that Spurs should part ways with Davies in a bid to reshuffle the backline, with the full-back having underwhelmed as part of a side that shipped 63 league goals last term:

“I watched him recently and he was so poor on the ball. He’s been at the club a long time and he’s still struggling to put in top performances. They need a real shuffle of that defence. For me, they need two centre-backs and a left-back – because Davies just isn’t good enough any more."

Having potentially found the "upgrade" that they had been craving – as per Agbonlahor – in the form of Udogie, it remains to be seen what lies in store for the Neath native over the next year or so, with Postecoglou evidently keen to oust the experienced, senior players form the club, including the likes of Eric Dier and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

To help usher in the Greek-Aussie's new revolution, the attack-minded coach could then replace Davies with an up-and-coming gem who he can help to nurture and develop as a dream understudy to Udogie, with 18-year-old Jahziah Linton one such talent to keep an eye on.

Who is Jahziah Linton?

As an academy starlet who can operate at both centre-back and in his primary position of left-back, the teenager could well represent a dream successor or replacement to Davies in the backline over the coming years.

Although the London-born sensation is yet to feature at first-team level, it may not be too long before he is making his mark in the senior set-up, having sparkled at U18 level in recent times for the north Londoners.

The emerging ace was only recently handed his first professional contract as a sign of how highly-regarded he is by the club, with the hope being that he can make the leap to becoming a prominent part of Postecoglou's plans in the near future.

On the evidence of his form of late, Spurs appear to have a truly exciting talent on their hands, with podcaster Chris Miller having even suggested back in March that Linton could be a possible "wildcard" option to slot in as a "traditional" left-back, amid the first-team's defensive injury crisis at the time.

With 39 appearances across the age groups thus far – registering one assist – the teen talent may need to prove himself at U21 level before he can be truly considered for a promotion, although club insider superhotspur has previously written glowingly regarding his all-round qualities:

'He works well off the ball, is good in the tackle and is also as previously mentioned, a player who gets in to really good forward positions on the left side of the pitch.'

The respected source also went on to add that 'Jahziah likes to get forward up the pitch on the left flank, and his link-up play with the Spurs winger on that side of the pitch is impressive', while his 'fine balance to his game means that he is very capable of contributing well at both ends of the pitch'.

That promising report appears to indicate that if his recent progress can continue, then a first-team chance may soon emerge for young Linton, even if he has to contend with a player who "gets into nearly every team in the world already", in the form of Udogie – according to Godson.

As for Davies, the Welshman may then have a fight on his hands to continue his stay at N17, with it set to be no surprise if he does follow the likes of Dier and Hojbjerg by being brutally cast aside.

Outside the ‘big six’, West Ham United have arguably been the club that most dominated the headlines with transfer speculation.

The long-awaited sales of Declan Rice and Gianluca Scamacca, the reported power struggle between technical director Tim Steidten and David Moyes, the breakdown of the Harry Maguire transfer, and the eventual confirmation of the arrivals of James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez, and Konstantinos Mavropanos, have all contributed to a whirlwind of a summer.

The next storyline to emerge from the London Stadium is the controversy surrounding Lucas Paqueta, who is being investigated by the Football Association for alleged betting breaches, which has seemingly blocked a move to Manchester City.

Whilst the Irons nervously await the outcome, they are still ploughing ahead in the market and continually pursuing one of Europe’s most exciting talents…

What’s the latest West Ham transfer news?

According to 90min, the Hammers have had a second offer for Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus rejected.

Steidten has travelled to Amsterdam in an attempt to progress the deal as Moyes looks to bolster his attacking options.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

Last Saturday, an initial offer of £34m was declined by the Dutch Giants, but West Ham’s revised proposal has also been rejected. Ajax are looking for around €50m (£43m), per the report.

Nevertheless, the outlet stated that talks will continue between the two parties to find a viable agreement.

Would Mohammed Kudus be a good signing for West Ham?

Whilst the interest in Kudus looked to have originally stemmed from the possibility of Paqueta’s departure, if the Brazilian manages to beat the allegations, then the prospect of West Ham possessing both players in their ranks is frightening.

Throughout his career, the former Lyon artist has almost exclusively appeared in central areas, often as a free-roaming number ten tasked with channelling his effervescent creativity.

Although Kudus is also deemed highly innovative, ranking in the best 1% outside of Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for successful take-ons per 90, he possesses mind-boggling versatility, that would allow him and Kudus to start together.

According to The Athletic, in 2,272 minutes of Eredivisie football since the start of the 2021/22 season, the Ghanian has played 22% of the time as a striker, 40% as a right-winger, 9% as an attacking midfielder, and 22% as a central midfielder.

Kudus finished last term with 18 goals and seven assists in all competitions, and former Ajax coach John Heitinga showered him in praise and said:

“We know he has exceptional qualities. Especially off the ball. With the ball, he can dribble, create an overload, assist, and score goals.”

Therefore, Kudus’ adaptability, coupled with Paqueta’s inventiveness from his central berth, which sees him sit in the best 8% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive passes per 90, could make the Irons a formidable team over the campaign.

A combination of their talent and skill could be the defining factor of the club’s season as it looks to regain its spot in the top half of the Premier League, whilst also mounting another serious bid for a European trophy.

Having also been hailed as “electric” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Kudus would be a sensational addition to both Moyes' squad and the London Stadium, as the Scotsman looks for more focal points in attack.

Leeds United finally seem to be getting their transfer business underway once again this summer after a short hiatus, with numerous targets now appearing for Daniel Farke's perusal…

Who are Leeds United signing this summer?

Just four additions have graced Elland Road amidst numerous departures thus far, making for a frustrating window despite the promise that surrounded a potential Premier League return upon first falling to the drop.

Now, things are looking bleak, with three Championship games having been played without a win.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Something needs to change, with the Daily Mail finally offering a beacon of hope as they suggest that the Yorkshire outfit are closing in on a deal to sign Swansea City forward Joel Piroe. The touted £12m fee actually represents fine value in today's market, especially given the funds already brought in by their mass exodus.

The widespread interest in the lethal finisher could prove a stumbling block for the Whites, but they will hope that the stature of their club can prove enough to tempt the Dutchman to lean in their favour.

How good is Joel Piroe?

To finally sign that much-needed striker would be to revolutionise everything that has been seen currently under the Farke era.

Despite largely dominating matches, maintaining plenty of the ball and raining down shot after shot, one loss and two draws have them sat at a lowly 19th.

In fact, across their three league matches, they are averaging 62.7% possession and 16 shots per game, yet cannot seem to find that cutting edge, via Sofascore.

Piroe would change all that, especially if his signing coincided with the reintegration of Wilfried Gnonto into the first team.

The Italy international has endured a tumultuous summer personally, as he sought to push through his move to Everton, even recently handing in a transfer request.

However, with that move having since cooled down, reports have instead circled to suggest that Farke is willing to welcome the 19-year-old back into the fold.

The teenage sensation swiftly became a fan favourite last season with his dynamic performances on the flank, posting eight goal contributions across all senior competitions in England, having been branded a "pocket rocket" by pundit Tam McManus.

Now, with a year of English football under his belt, perhaps he could be set to take the division below by storm, utilising his pace, trickery and technical proficiency to help provide for Piroe. When compared to others in his role across Europe, he sits in the top 17% for progressive carries per 90, via FBref.

After all, the 24-year-old has proven himself as a reliable goalscorer for this level, with the two set to surely forge a fine partnership as the standout attacking options they would be.

Last campaign saw the Swans' star man notch 19 times in the Championship, having scored 22 and assisted six in his debut year following the departure from his homeland.

It is no surprise to see him lauded, with Tribal Football and EFL YouTuber Benjamin Bloom branding him as "prolific", before writing:

"When he joined Swansea in 2021 from PSV, Joel Piroe was something of an unknown quantity. However, he took to the Championship like a duck to water and is now coming to the end of a second brilliant season."

With Gnonto potentially set to devastate on the wing once more, and Piroe the perfect man to benefit from his creativity, perhaps the arrival of a striker could help the maligned winger reignite his relationship with the fanbase by firing them back to the top flight.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo perdeu para o Atlético-MG por 3 a 0, no Mineirão, mas poderia ter aberto o placar antes. Porém, o VAR anulou o gol de Luciano, marcando impedimento. Na saída do gramado, o atacante são-paulino reclamou da arbitragem e contou a sua percepção do lance.

– É até difícil falar depois de uma derrota dessa. Eu conversei ali, não sei se estava impedido ou não. A minha sensação era de mesma linha. Mas o VAR anulou, difícil falar do VAR, complicado. O que eles fazem com a gente é complicado.Agora é seguir porque temos nova final – disse o camisa onze ao SporTV.

Com 13 pontos conquistados, o Tricolor está na segunda posição, três pontos atrás do líder Internacional. A equipe volta a campo diante do Fluminense, no próximo domingo (6), no Morumbi.

RelacionadasFutebol NacionalGalo passeia após VAR anular gol do São Paulo e faz 3 a 0 no MineirãoFutebol Nacional03/09/2020Fora de CampoCaio Ribeiro elogia Diniz por apostar na base: ‘São Paulo sempre foi isso’Fora de Campo03/09/2020

Glasgow Rangers kick off their 2023/24 Premiership campaign with a late afternoon tie against Kilmarnock today and Michael Beale will be hoping for an opening day victory.

Having enjoyed a busy transfer window so far, Beale has signed no fewer than nine players and the majority of them could be set to make their competitive debut at Rugby Park today.

What Rangers players will miss out against Kilmarnock?

Beale gave some team news as he spoke to the media yesterday, saying: "Fashion Jr (Sakala) will not be involved tomorrow with the squad. We have lost Ridvan (Yilmaz) today to a strain, other than that everyone else is available.

"Connor Goldson trained and will return tomorrow to the squad. Tom Lawrence is continuing to recover.

"Jose (Cifuentes) trained right away and is available for the squad. It is important I involve him in the squad to get a feel for the league. It is certainly different playing in Ayrshire than LA.

"Ben Davies will miss out tomorrow. Goldson, Souttar and King are all back available so we are not short of options at the back."

Read the latest Rangers transfer news HERE…

The Gers have a plethora of options available, and it will be interesting to see what new forwards make the starting XI.

Should Sam Lammers be unleashed vs Kilmarnock?

The Light Blues can count Cyriel Dessers and Danilo among their new attacking options and the pair could certainly offer an effective threat in front of goal, having netted ten and 14 goals for respectively last season.

It should be Lammers, however, who is the first name on the team sheet against the Rugby Park outfit this afternoon, especially with his performances in pre-season.

The Dutchman played in all four of the friendly ties and scored twice while also succeeding with 58% of his dribble attempts, winning 57% of his total duels and making six progressive runs, suggesting that he could not only offer a goal threat against Killie, but is extremely strong when it comes to one on one battles.

Depending on which formation Beale decides to play today, Lammers could either be alongside one of Dessers or Danilo, or he could perhaps drop slightly deeper and operate at the tip of a midfield diamond, using this as a platform to showcase his creative abilities.

The former Sampdoria striker was lauded by talent scout Jacek Kulig for being “perfectly two-footed” back in 2021, showcasing the unique nature of his talents.

Although not clinical in nature, scoring a grand total of 31 goals during his club career, his pre-season performances suggest he could be a major strength in other areas.

With Danilo and Dessers looking like the main sources for goals this term, Beale can afford to drop the 26-year-old slightly deeper and use him as a perfect foil for the duo.

There is no doubt the new £3m addition could terrorise the Kilmarnock defence with his quick thinking and unpredictability – as his 'two-footed' quality would indicate – and this new-look Rangers side will be expected to secure all three points in their first league match of the new campaign.

Could this be the year when the Light Blues end Celtic’s domestic dominance? Only time will tell.

أعلن الجهاز الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك بقيادة المدرب البرتغالي جوزيه جوميز، عن قائمة اللاعبين التي ستخوض مباراة دريمز الغاني.

ويستعد الزمالك لخوض مواجهة هامة ومرتقبة أمام دريمز الغاني، في إياب دور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية.

ويحل الزمالك ضيفًا ثقيلًا على نظيره دريمز الغاني، وذلك في تمام الساعة السابعة من مساء يوم الأحد المقبل على ملعب استاد بابا يارا الرياضي.

رسميًا | بمشاركة الأهلي والزمالك.. مصر تحصل على حق تنظيم كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد

وكانت مباراة الذهاب بين الزمالك ودريمز، التي أقيمت مساء الأحد الماضي ذهابًا، قد انتهت بالتعادل السلبي.

ومن المقرر أن تغادر بعثة الأبيض القاهرة صباح غد الخميس متجهة إلى غانا على متن طائرة خاصة استعداداً لخوض اللقاء المرتقب أمام دريمز.

وشهدت القائمة غياب حارس المرمى الدولي محمد صبحي، وانضمام أحمد مصطفى زيزو. قائمة الزمالك لمباراة دريمز في الكونفدرالية

حراسة المرمى: محمد عواد – معاذ علاء الدين – عبد الرحمن نفاد.

خط الدفاع: عمر جابر – حمزة المثلوثي – حسام عبد المجيد  – مصطفى الزناري – ياسر حمد – أحمد فتوح.

خط الوسط: نبيل عماد دونجا – محمد شحاتة – أحمد حمدي – زياد كمال – ترافيس موتيابا – إبراهيما نداي – محمد عاطف – سيد عبد الله “نيمار” – مهاب ياسر – محمود عبد الرازق “شيكابالا” – مصطفى شلبي – أحمد مصطفى زيزو.

خط  الهجوم: سيف الجزيري – ناصر منسي – سامسون أكينيولا.

A list of signings and trades between BPL teams

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jul-2017

Michael Klinger lays into a pull shot•Getty Images

Michael Klinger to Khulna Titans – The 37-year old Australia batsman is expected to be available for the entire season. He has been in good form in 2017, scoring a century and four fifties in 21 T20 innings, all at a healthy strike-rate of 132. Klinger has played three T20Is as well, with a top score of 62 against Sri Lanka. He has played for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League and Gloucestershire in the NatWest T20 Blast.Brendon McCullum to Rangpur Riders – The explosive former New Zealand batsman was one of the eight international marquee players for the T20 Global League. The postponement of that tournament has allowed McCullum to sign up for his first BPL season. He will reportedly be available to play for Rangpur Riders from November 15, which means he is set to miss their first three matches.Kieron Pollard to Dhaka Dynamites – The hard-hitting allrounder becomes the first player to shift from the now-postponed T20 Global League to the BPL. Pollard was picked by Bloem City Blazers as the first overseas marquee player at the draft of the South African domestic competition on August 26. Given that the two tournaments were to run side-by-side, the postponement of the GLT20 has afforded BPL teams to dig into additional player reserves. Pollard was part of the Dhaka Gladiators that won the title in 2012 and 2013. Pollard is 13 matches short of becoming the first cricketer to play 400 T20s, but to do that, he has to remain fit for the entire tournament.Mushfiqur Rahim to Rajshahi Kings – The BPL’s highest overall run-getter has left Barisal Bulls for Rajshahi Kings. This is the third consecutive time that Mushfiqur has moved from one franchise to another, having previously played for Duranta Rajshahi (2012), Sylhet Royals (2013), Sylhet Superstars (2015) and Barisal Bulls (2016).Luke Wright to Rajshahi Kings – Having already scored a hundred in the NatWest T20 Blast, Wright will look to replicate his prolific returns for Kings. His only appearance in the BPL was in the 2013 edition, when he struck a half-century in his three innings for eventual champions Dhaka Gladiators.Lendl Simmons smashed three sixes in his 19-ball 32•Randy Brooks – CPL T20 / Getty

Malcolm Waller to Rajshahi Kings – The Zimbabwe allrounder is set to return to the BPL after scoring only 91 runs for Dhaka Dynamites in seven innings during the 2015 season. While his strike-rate will be an asset to Kings, who have looked to bulk up their middle order with big hitting allrounders, Waller’s offbreaks could also be handy in stemming the scoring of the oppositions.Mashrafe Mortaza to Rangpur Riders – Mashrafe Mortaza has moved to a third BPL franchise with the Riders acquiring him this year. Mashrafe had taken 13 wickets in 12 games for Comilla Victorians last year after having led them to a maiden title in 2015. Mashrafe had also led the Dhaka Gladiators to the 2012 and 2013 BPL titles, and was termed by the Riders CEO Ishtiaque Sadeque as a “lucky charm”.Chris Lynn to Khulna Titans – One of Australia’s biggest T20 names, he was set to head to the BPL for the first time this season, until shoulder surgery ruled him out.Seekkuge Prasanna to Khulna Titans – The Sri Lankan legspinner played for Dhaka Dynamites in last season’s Bangladesh Premier League. He had one six-filled innings though his bowling didn’t come off too well. Prasanna played for Barisal Bulls in BPL 2015.Kyle Abbott to Khulna Titans – The South African fast bowler will strengthen the Titans’ pace attack, which already has Junaid Khan. He hasn’t, however, had a lot of success in the format since the World T20 in 2016. This will be his first BPL campaign as well.Sarfraz Ahmed to Khulna Titans – Pakistan’s new Test captain was roped in by the Titans soon after he led his side to their maiden Champions Trophy triumph in England in June. He will certainly be a step-up after they experimented with Nicholas Pooran last season.Shadab Khan to Khulna Titans – The Pakistan spin sensation’s 16 wickets in four T20Is against West Indies put him on the map before he was involved in his side’s Champions Trophy winning campaign. He was signed alongside Sarfraz last month.Rilee Rossouw to Khulna Titans – The T20 veteran batted well for Quetta Gladiators in this year’s Pakistan Super League and will be an important addition to the Titans’ batting line-up.Lendl Simmons to Rajshahi Kings – He will return to the BPL after making 221 runs at 22.10 for Rangpur Riders in BPL 2015. Simmons’ IPL stint this year didn’t go too well after a promising start – he made 137 runs in seven innings.

With the start of a new era under Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur supporters will likely be looking forward to witnessing a more progressive, attack-minded approach moving forward, following the dour nature of Antonio Conte's style of play.

As Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville stated last season, the Italian's pragmatic style was "awful" to watch at times, with the experienced coach having persisted with his preferred 3-4-3 formation throughout his time in charge at N17.

That approach looks set to change with Postecoglou largely utilising a 4-3-3 system during his time at former club Celtic, with that tactical shift likely a factor in the acquisition of James Maddison, with the £40m summer signing set to feature in one of the two advanced midfield berths in the centre of the park.

It is yet to be seen who will join Maddison as the creative hub in the side, however, albeit with reports in Italy having suggested that the north Londoners could be eyeing a move for Inter Milan maestro, Hakan Calhanoglu – with a fee of around €35m (£30m) having been mooted.

Who is Hakan Calhanoglu?

The 78-cap Turkey international was notably part of the Inter side that reached the final of the Champions League last season, with the 29-year-old racking up 12 goals and assists in 49 games in all competitions in the 2022/23 campaign.

That attacking threat was also evident during his prior stint at fellow San Siro outfit, AC Milan, as the 5 foot 10 magician registered 80 goal involvements in just 172 games, having been hailed as "exceptional" by former boss Stefano Pioli.

Also described as the "protagonist" – or the main man – by Pioli during his stint with his former employers, Calhanoglu has vast experience in Europe's top five leagues, hence why he could prove a dream addition for Postecoglou and co.

It is also noteworthy that the one-time Bayer Leverkusen man is also said to share a notable likeness with Newcastle United's £55m signing, Sandro Tonali, according to FBref, making him a bargain alternative to the Italy international.

That similarity between Calhanoglu and Tonali – who only recently traded Milan for the Magpies – can be illustrated by their creative prowess, with the latter man ranking in the top 8% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for assists, while his Inter counterpart ranks in the top 5% in that regard.

That ability to provide quality service is also showcased by their impressive records in Serie A last term, with Calhanoglu averaging 2.2 key passes per game from his 33 league outings, while Tonali was only just behind after averaging 1.8 key passes from his 34 league appearances – a record also similar to that of Maddison in the Premier League (2.3).

What is also likely to impress Postecoglou is the playmaker's willing work ethic as he averaged 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game last term, while Tonali is only just ahead after averaging 2.6 in that regard.

With the latter man's move to St James' Park having been hailed as an "outstanding" deal for the Tynesiders by journalist Graeme Bailey, it would then also be a statement signing if Spurs could land their own version of the 23-year-old with the signing of Calhanoglu.