A “fantastic” former Chelsea manager would be interested in taking over from Graham Potter as West Ham United manager, a leading agent source has revealed.
Speculation over Potter's future continues despite victory over Forest
It would be fair to say West Ham have made a disappointing start to the campaign, and Potter was under intense pressure heading into his side’s trip to Nottingham Forest before the international break.
However, the Hammers came out fighting, picking up a shock 3-0 victory at The City Ground, which should provide the Englishman with a little while longer to put things right.
That said, it will not be easy, given that the Irons have a tough run of fixtures after the international break, taking on Tottenham Hotspur at home, before also facing Crystal Palace at the London Stadium, who are on a 14-game unbeaten run.
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As such, the West Ham hierarchy have already identified a number of potential options to replace Potter, with it recently being revealed that Jose Mourinho is one of the leading targets, while contact has been made with Coventry City boss Frank Lampard.
According to a new update from Hammers News, a leading agent source has revealed that Lampard would be interested in taking over from Potter at the London Stadium, should the job become available.
The former West Ham man would back himself to be a success in the role and win over the supporters, who he has always had a difficult relationship with, having left to join Chelsea when he was young.
That said, contrary to other reports, a spokesman has reportedly revealed there is no truth to the rumours that an approach has been made for the Coventry boss at this stage.
Lampard has done a "fantastic job" at Coventry
The former Chelsea boss has had a mixed managerial career up to this point, having been sacked by the Blues after failing to win a trophy, while also being dismissed by Everton, although he did manage to lead the Toffees to Premier League safety.
However, the 47-year-old has managed to impress in the Championship, leading Derby County to Wembley in the 2019 Championship play-off final, before also going on to reach the play-offs with the Sky Blues last season after a remarkable turnaround.
That said, given that the former Hammer has had limited success above the second tier, it would be a very questionable decision for West Ham to bring him in as a replacement for Potter.
Not only that, but Lampard burned his bridges with a lot of fans after moving to Chelsea, so it would be a divisive move from owners who are already under intense scrutiny.
Crystal Palace always have a keen eye on young talent and could be set to raid a Premier League rival to bring in an exciting gem for a minimal fee, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Crystal Palace continue to field Eberechi Eze interest
There is no secret about the fact that the Eagles have in-demand players on their books and speculation continues to mount surrounding the jewel in their crown this summer.
Arsenal are long-term admirers of Eberechi Eze and want to bring him to North London. In exchange, there may be potential for Crystal Palace to land defender Jakub Kiwior as a makeweight to shore up their defence.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzereacts
Despite his goals, assists and flair making the England international the star of the show, he isn’t the only star that could leave Oliver Glasner searching for reinforcements, as speculation over Marc Guehi’s future is intensifying by the day.
Champions Liverpool are working to secure Guehi’s signature and the fact he has one year left on his contract in South London has posed a question to Steve Parish and company over whether to sell the Three Lions’ man while he retains value, something he admits will be hard to turn down if their valuation is met.
He stated: “We will just have to see what happens. It needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind. It is a really tough one. We will do everything we can in the next few weeks to give ourselves the best chance. I am aware we are in four competitions this season. But the money we have is not infinite.”
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While that storm continues to brew, in the meantime, Crystal Palace want to close in on a talented young midfielder who is also attracting interest from elsewhere.
Crystal Palace make contact to sign Arsenal's Dan Casey
According to Romano on X, Crystal Palace and Norwich City have made contact to try and sign out-of-contract Arsenal midfielder Dan Casey, who could move for a compensation package before the end of the window.
The youngster has a new deal on the table at the Emirates Stadium after a return of 20 goals at Under-18 level last term. Nevertheless, he is yet to sign, signalling he could up sticks for a minimal fee if the correct opportunity presents itself.
Labelled “really reliable” by Adam Birchall, the attacking midfielder can play in a variety of different positions, including centre-forward, on either flank or even as a deep-lying six when needed.
Crystal Palace have done some wonderful work over the years in nurturing young talent and the 17-year-old could well be the next in line to join their conveyor belt of exciting stars.
Newcastle United promised so much on their return to the Champions League but Marcus Rashford's moments of magic secured Barcelona a hard-fought 2-1 win. Eddie Howe's team got their tactics spot on for the majority of the contest but the Catalan outfit had that extra bit of quality, despite Anthony Gordon's late consolation strike.
The visitors headed into the contest with a remarkable streak of scoring in 40 games in a row but, for long periods, Newcastle looked like they would end that run as Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes went close for the Premier League outfit.
However, the Magpies failed to take their chances and Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford silenced the home fans in the 58th minute with a terrific header from Jules Kounde's cross. The 27-year-old then doubled the away team's lead with an unstoppable strike from just outside the box nine minutes later.
Hopes of a late comeback were sparked when Gordon swept in Jacob Murphy's pinpoint delivery in the 90th minute but they ultimately fell to a narrow defeat in their Champions League opener.
GOAL rates Newcastle's players from St James' Park on Thursday night…
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Nick Pope (6/10):
Could do absolutely nothing about Rashford's magnificent double in the second half. Made a good stop at the death.
Kieran Trippier (7/10):
The veteran made some good blocks, he linked up nicely with Newcastle's attack, and did well to competently keep Rashford in check in the first half. Went off after tackling the 27-year-old late on.
Fabian Schar (5/10):
Was solid enough but took a nasty blow to the head from a Rashford shot. The dazed defender was then outjumped by the England star, and he was taken off soon after.
Dan Burn (6/10):
The 6ft 7in centre-back didn't do a great deal wrong but maybe could have cleared the ball better before Rashford's second.
Tino Livramento (6/10):
Sometimes backed his pace a little bit too much as some sloppy touches let him down. However, the athletic full-back pulled off some crucial interceptions and covering tackles but Jules Kounde had him under wraps.
AdvertisementAFPMidfield
Bruno Guimaraes (7/10):
The Brazilian played a key role in giving Newcastle parity, and at times superiority, in midfield. Kept on huffing and puffing even though the battle was lost.
Sandro Tonali (6/10):
The powerful Italian had some good tussles in the centre of the park; he tested goalkeeper Joan Garcia, but his precision dropped off in the final quarter of the game.
Joelinton (6/10):
Wasn't quite at the level of Bruno and Tonali in the opening 45 but still put a good shift in for his team.
AFPAttack
Anthony Elanga (8/10):
Much like his team-mates, he started like a house on fire. The Swede had Gerard Martin on toast, his pace was frightening to behold, and he nearly had two excellent first-half assists. Unlucky to get hooked around the hour mark.
Anthony Gordon (7/10):
The false nine missed a glorious chance from Elanga's superb cross early on but was still a livewire up front. Took his goal at the end with aplomb.
Harvey Barnes (6/10):
The former Leicester City man had a couple of good opportunities but couldn't covert them. In the end, that proved costly.
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Malick Thiaw (6/10):
In with a shout of starting next time out after playing well following Schar's injury.
Jacob Murphy (7/10):
Was well managed for much of his outing but whipped in a delightful cross for Newcastle's late goal.
Nick Woltemade (5/10):
The big striker didn't do a great deal when he came on but Newcastle didn't play to his strengths.
Joe Willock (5/10):
Was relatively ineffective when introduced late on.
Sven Botman (6/10):
Looked composed off the bench.
Eddie Howe (6/10):
His team began at a ferocious pace, pressing Barcelona high up the pitch. The game plan was working well for nearly an hour, but Rashford's brilliance brace burst his bubble. His substitutes didn't do a great deal as Barca's goals rocked the Toon's composure. Still, this was largely a positive performance.
David Hancko has hinted at how big Al-Nassr's offer was as the Atletico Madrid defender looked back on his failed transfer to the Saudi side.
Hancko reveals Al-Nassr contract magnitudePlayer decided to opt otherwiseSaudi club was not his first choiceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Hancko had a very lucrative offer from Al-Nassr as he looked to leave Feyenoord in the summer, but the transfer collapsed at the last minute when the Saudi Pro League team walked away from negotiations. Instead, he opted to join Atletico after previously flirting with a move to the Spanish side, though his earnings are significantly lower than they would have been had he made the move to the Middle East.
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Hancko was in Austria, where Al-Nassr were spending their pre-season, as he neared a move to the Riyadh team. However, he had a feeling that something was not right, and that's when his agent contacted Atletico and offered the player. The former Feyenoord defender was on Atletico's radar since last season. But, they finally signed him for an annual wage of €12 million (£10m/$14m) this season, and that too in one and a half days.
WHAT HANCKO SAID
The 27-year-old Slovakian said in an interview with : "Al Nassr wasn't our first choice because I always wanted to stay in Europe. And although I spoke to coaches and sporting directors at other clubs in previous transfer windows, the transfer never materialised. This summer, only one offer came in, but it was incredible… So we had to sit down and talk about it. From a certain point of view, it wasn't ideal to have to drag my pregnant wife halfway around the world to Riyadh, but she told me she would come there and we could work it out. Although, of course, she had her preferences about where to go.
"I'm not going to lie, that contract was simply… If I compare contracts, I would have to play for Atlético for 20 years to earn that much. And I have a five-year contract with them, while with Al-Nassr it was only four."
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Hancko scored as Slovakia pulled off a shock win against Germany in World Cup qualifying before they went on to beat Luxembourg. He will now return to the Atletico camp for their upcoming fixture against Villarreal on September 13.
Manchester United are now preparing a £33m offer for a “world-class” star, who is very keen on moving to Old Trafford this summer, according to a report.
Man Utd struggling to get signings through the door
Man United got off to a fast start in the summer transfer window, securing the arrival of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they have since struggled to get deals for their priority targets over the line.
The Red Devils have been particularly keen to sign Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, but they are yet to agree a fee with their Premier League rivals, with reporter Laurie Whitwell revealing the asking price may have now increased.
It cannot be understated how important it is to sign a new forward, with Rasmus Hojlund netting just four Premier League goals last season, but Ruben Amorim also has a real desire to strengthen at the opposite end of the pitch.
Andre Onana has been subjected to heavy criticism throughout his time at Old Trafford, and Man United have now set their sights on a replacement, with an opening offer of around £33m in the works for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
That is according to a report from La Nacion (via Sport Witness), which states Martinez is very keen on leaving Villa for United, as he believes he would be taking a big step in his career, despite European football not being on offer next season.
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However, the two clubs may be a little way apart in their valuation of the Argentinian as things stand, with Villa setting a £40m asking price.
"World-class" Martinez could be huge Onana upgrade
The 32-year-old has established himself as an elite goalkeeper during his time with Villa, most memorably impressing at the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, and he has been lauded as “world-class” by United legend Gary Neville.
Not only that, but there are clear signs the Villa star could be a massive upgrade on Onana, given that he has outperformed the Cameroonian across a number of key goalkeeping metrics per 90 over the past year.
Statistic
Andre Onana
Emiliano Martinez
Goals against
1.32
1.20
Save percentage
68.9%
72.1%
Clean sheet percentage
23.4%
28.3%
The former Arsenal man also won the Premier League Save of the Season award for a remarkable stop against Nottingham Forest.
Martinez is clearly a top-level goalkeeper, but Man United should be cautious about paying £40m for a player who is set to turn 33 later this year.
Manchester United have been constantly pursuing a move for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo throughout this summer window, but it appears their persistence has finally paid off.
The Red Devils managed to agree a deal with the Bees for the 25-year-old forward, in a move that could reach up to £71m should all the add-ons be reached in the future.
There’s no denying that it’s a huge fee for a player who’s only had one top-level season in the Premier League, but it highlights the ambition shown by the board this window.
The Cameroonian international registered 20 league goals last time around, over two times more than any player within Ruben Amorim’s side that finished the 2024/25 campaign.
However, despite agreeing to such a hefty sum for the forward, the hierarchy appear to be continuing their hunt for added reinforcements, including the signing of one player who could prove to be a better addition than that of Mbeumo.
The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer
Emiliano Martínez is one high-profile signing United are looking to complete during this summer’s market, with the Aston Villa shot-stopper available for a fee in the region of just £21m.
It’s been reported that the player himself would be keen on a move to Old Trafford, potentially taking advantage of Villa’s PSR situation, which could require player sales before the end of the window.
Aston Villa'sEmilianoMartinezreacts after Paris St Germain's Nuno Mendes scores
However, another player has emerged as a potential target for the Red Devils during the off-season, with RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons on their radar, according to Sport via Sport Witness.
They claim that higher-ups from United have already had meetings with the Dutch international’s representatives over a possible transfer before the September 1st deadline.
It also states they aren’t alone in their hunt for the 22-year-old, with Chelsea also firmly in the race for his signature, leading to a £60m price tag being mooted.
Why United’s £60m target would be a better signing than Mbeumo
Given his tally of goals last season, it’s no surprise that a deal for Mbeumo would excite the fanbase, subsequently handing Amorim the clinical talent he’s lacked in attacking areas since arriving.
Brentford's BryanMbeumocelebrates scoring their first goal
However, the 25-year-old mainly operated in a wide right role at Brentford last season, a position which he won’t be able to occupy at Old Trafford, given the manager’s 3-4-2-1 system.
It’s already confirmed that he won’t be utilised as a striker, leaving the Cameroonian to play in one of the two number ten positions behind the striker, potentially partnering Matheus Cunha in providing the goods.
Such a deal could prove to be a risk, splashing serious money on a player and utilising him in a slightly unfamiliar role, especially considering the other options available this summer.
As seen by their attempts to convince Simons to join the club, the club have been targeting countless options, with the Dutchman a much bigger talent than Mbeumo.
He’s a younger star, subsequently having the potential to explode into an elite-level talent in the years ahead and would’ve even been a cheaper deal given his £60m valuation placed on his shoulders by the Bundesliga outfit.
However, when comparing his stats to those of the pending new arrival, he managed to outperform him in multiple areas, highlighting why he’d be a better signing for Amorim’s system.
How Simons & Mbeumo compare in the 2024/25 campaign
Statistics (per 90)
Simons
Mbeumo
Games played
25
38
Goals & assists
16
27
Shot-on-target accuracy
46%
43%
Goal per shot on target
0.5
0.4
Progressive passes
5.9
3.7
Pass accuracy
78%
66%
Key passes made
2.2
1.8
Take-on success
1.4
1.3
Carries into final third
2.9
1.8
Fouls won
2.4
1.1
Stats via FBref
Simons, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by OptaJohan, may have been outscored, but did manage to post a better goal per shot on target rate than Mbeumo, showcasing he’s more clinical with the chances he’s presented with in front of goal.
He also completed more key passes per 90, along with more progressive passes per 90, having the end product to allow those ahead of him to find the back of the net – a crucial component for any number ten in the modern game.
The Leipzig star’s dominance doesn’t stop there, completing more take-ons per 90, highlighting the ability he possesses with the ball at his feet, offering a more all-round threat than United’s soon-to-be £71m signing.
Given the difference in figures produced and the price tags between the pair, it’s evident that a deal for Simons would be a better signing for the Red Devils this summer.
Xavi Simons celebrates
Both players possess a lot of talent, but ultimately, if the club are to reach the next level in the years ahead, they need to be making the correct calls in the market, something which they’ve failed to do once again if they land Mbeumo over Simons.
He's perfect for Mbeumo: Man Utd discussing move to sign £100m-rated CF
Manchester United could be about to land another star alongside a deal for Bryan Mbeumo.
Preparing for life in the Championship, Wrexham are now reportedly pushing to seal a bargain deal to sign a Premier League veteran who’s scored over 70 goals in England’s top flight.
Reynolds: Wrexham ready to be "aggressive"
After a third-straight promotion created history, anything is possible for Wrexham. The Hollywood show has become better by the season, but now the Welsh club are in need of their best characters yet as they aim to cause further shocks in the Championship.
Up into England’s second tier and just one step away from the Premier League, whilst owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be in dreamland, they won’t want to stop here.
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Speaking on the RobRyanRed fan podcast recently, Reynolds claimed that Wrexham are ready to be “aggressive” in the market this summer, saying: “We’re coming to win. I can’t give you a dollar figure, but I can tell you that we are going to be as aggressive as we can possibly be while being mindful of sustainability. We have a stadium to revamp, but will still maintain its character and culture.”
On that front, there have already been several rumours as to who could arrive at Wrexham this summer with Tom Cairney among those rumours. The experienced Fulham midfielder has been offered a new contract at Craven Cottage, but it remains to be seen whether he decides to put pen to paper or join up with Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham side this summer.
Tom Cairney
The Premier League midfielder isn’t the only name on The Red Dragons’ radar though. Rangers’ Tom Lawrence has also been the subject of reported interest in recent months, whilst another top-flight veteran could also arrive.
Escaping the Championship will be Wrexham’s toughest challenge yet but if the reports are anything to go by, Reynolds and McElhenney are once again ready to back the Welsh side.
Wrexham pushing to sign Danny Ings
According to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Wrexham are now pushing to sign Danny Ings, who is set to become a free agent at the end of his West Ham United contract this month.
It’s reported that talks have already been held with the player’s representatives ahead of a summer switch.
The veteran striker has played for the likes of Liverpool, Southampton and Aston Villa, but could now be on his way to Wrexham at 32 years old.
Danny Ings in the Premier League
Record (via Transfermarkt)
Appearances
240
Goals
72
Assists
24
Whilst many will be quick to point out his injury record, there’s no denying that Ings knows exactly how to find the back of the net at the top level. If Wrexham not only secure his signature but also keep him fit, then the former Liverpool man could spearhead their biggest shock yet.
Ings has earned plenty of praise during his time in the Premier League, including from former Aston Villa boss and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard who described the striker as “selfless” during his time at Villa Park.
In what could be one of his last moves in English football, Wrexham should roll out the red carpet for Ings this summer and welcome an experienced, talented goalscorer.
Ange Postecoglou and his team can make their fans forget about their diabolically poor domestic season by continuing their impressive European run and winning the Europa League Final.
However, with Manchester United having a stellar track record on the continent this season as well, it’s anyone’s guess who’ll get their hand on the trophy come full-time.
To give his team a better chance of coming away victorious, Postecoglou will have to make a number of changes to the starting lineup that lost away to Aston Villa on Friday night, like dropping Mikey Moore.
Why Moore should be dropped
The first thing to say is that while we think Moore should be taken out of the team, that doesn’t mean we don’t think he’ll have a large part to play for the club in the coming seasons.
After all, his youth record of 21 goals and 15 assists in 34 appearances across the various levels is nothing short of spectacular, and according to respected analyst Ben Mattinson, he’s a “future superstar” in the making.
However, he is still just 17 years old, and while he has looked reasonably impressive for the senior team here and there, he’s not had a significant enough impact – three goal involvements in 21 games – to warrant a start in the club’s biggest game since the Champions League Final.
Minutes
87′
Expected Goals
0.00
Goals
0
Expected Assists
0.00
Assists
0
Accurate passes
7/9 (78%)
Key passes
0
Crosses (accurate)
1 (0)
Shots on target
0
Ground duels (won)
9 (4)
Possession lost
7
Dribbled past
2
Dribble attempts (successful)
3 (0)
Moreover, his inexperience showed somewhat at Villa Park, as he struggled to assert himself on the game and eventually came off the pitch in the 87th minute, having made just seven passes and failing in 100% of his dribbles.
Moreover, with Brennan Johnson still the team’s top scorer in all competitions this term, with 17 in 49 games, it should go without saying that he should be starting on the right ahead of everyone else.
The other Spurs star who should be dropped
Given the underwhelming nature of the game, there are a few other players you could bring up who should probably be taken out of the team for the final, like Archie Gray, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies and more.
Yet, in this instance, we are talking about another starter in the attack: Mathys Tel.
The young Frenchman might well be one of the more exciting players in the Lilywhites’ squad, with some at the club reportedly labelling him a “generational talent” before he arrived in February, but against the Villans, he didn’t do enough to convince us he should keep his place in the team for tonight’s monumental clash.
Minutes
96′
Expected Goals
0.00
Goals
0
Expected Assists
0.15
Assists
0
Accurate passes
12/14 (86%)
Key passes
1
Crosses (accurate)
1 (0)
Shots on target
0
Big chances created
1
Dribble attempts (successful)
5 (1)
Duels (won)
14 (4)
Possession lost
11
Fouls
4
For example, despite leading the line for 96 minutes, he failed to take a single shot on target, registered just 0.15 expected assists, failed in 80% of his attempted dribbles, completed only 12 passes, failed in 100% of his crosses, missed one big chance, lost ten of 14 duels, lost the ball 11 times and committed four fouls.
Add to that the fact that he’s scored just three goals and provided one assist in 19 appearances for the club this season, and it’s almost impossible to make a convincing argument about why he should lead the line against the Red Devils.
Moreover, Dominic Solanke, the man who should come in to replace him, has been far more effective in front of goal this season, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists in 43 appearances.
Ultimately, Tel could still be a useful asset for Spurs in tonight’s final, but to get the most out of him, Postecoglou would be better off starting him on the bench and then bringing him on later into the match as things get stretched so that he can exploit the opening spaces with his pace.
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The gifted international could be the answer for Spurs.
Arsenal have proved to be a day late and a dollar short this season, with injuries and the after-effects of dithering in the transfer market leaving Mikel Arteta with another trophyless campaign.
But progress is hardly a linear thing in football, and only the blind or negligent would fail to see the immense gains the Gunners have made over the past five years. Now, though, it’s time for action.
A luckless year on the injury front might have formed the crux of the on-field issues, but careful moves over the coming months could see the north Londoners go from strength to strength, having proven their credentials with an excellent Champions League effort, defined by the two-legged thrashing of Real Madrid.
Signing an elite-level striker is a given, with more needed on the left and right wings too. Making such moves with confidence and clarity could change a lot for the outfit, especially in bringing Martin Odegaard back into the ascendancy.
How Arteta can fix Martin Odegaard
Odegaard’s form has been dissected ad nauseum this season, the Norwegian playmaker returning from injury and still searching for that elusive flame that has powered his success since signing for the club in August 2021 for £30m, having initially joined on loan earlier that year.
Context is important, and not only have Arsenal been disrupted by an overload of injuries, one of the most damaging concerned the skipper, who returned in November after several months out but has struggled to get back into gear.
There’s still a lot to like. As per FBref, Odegaard ranks among the top 1% of Premier League midfielders this season for progressive passes and the top 6% for shot-creating actions per 90, but his influence, decision-making and decisiveness have all left plenty to be desired.
The 25-year-old’s ‘lack of adventure’ is something he will need to rectify, but sporting director Andrea Berta can certainly help him by securing some new forwards to feed on Odegaard’s creativity.
He might not be the priority, but this one could help restore the Scandinavian superstar.
Arsenal chasing £70m forward
According to GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal are in the mix for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, no doubt emboldened by the fact he’s a boyhood Gunners supporter.
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As a result of that fact, it’s alleged that the player is ‘very open’ to moving to the Emirates Stadium this summer, giving Arsenal hope that a deal could be done if they were to send in an offer.
Bournemouth are looking for a £70m fee, which is likely too tall, but the Ghanaian’s desire to move to the Emirates Stadium could help Arteta as he searches for Bukayo Saka competition on the right.
AFC Bournemouth's AntoineSemenyolooks on
Arsenal are keeping tabs on the situation, sure, but Manchester United are also big admirers and need a right-sided forward more than the Gunners.
Why Semenyo can fix Odegaard
Semenyo has been described as a goalscorer with “deadly precision” by Opta analyst Owurako Ampofo, two-footed and thus incredibly hard to read.
He’s a maverick, the stylish and fleet-footed profile required to make a difference at Arsenal and add a dimension on which Odegaard can focus, tighten, to bring himself back into form.
Antoine Semenyo for Bournemouth.
Aggressive and powerful, Semenyo has been one of the main drivers for Bournemouth this season, scoring 11 goals and supplying seven assists across all competitions.
A right-sided forward might not be Arsenal’s priority, but there’s no question a player of Semenyo’s ilk would add the depth and dynamism that has been lacking this season.
Should Saka fall to injury again, for example, it’s paramount that competition is prudently sourced to combat such a possibility.
Described as a “duel monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Semenyo carries a certain likeness to Arsenal’s talisman, which could see him fit snugly into Arteta’s system.
Moreover, it hands Odegaard a new forward to play with an intuitive understanding of his style of play. Of course, the fact that he’s a ball-striking machine doesn’t hurt either.
Antoine Semenyo in Premier League action for Bournemouth.
As FBref record, Semenyo ranks among the top 5% of Premier League positional peers this term for shots taken per 90 (3.57), emphasising his hunger for goals, his hunger to influence.
The Ghana international, furthermore, is not restricted to a single positional placement. In fact, his ability to make out on the left or even in a more central berth suggests Arteta could use him with Saka and Odegaard, a frightening thought for the Londoners’ opponents.
Right winger
19
7
2
Left winger
19
3
5
Centre-forward
1
1
1
Semenyo wouldn’t be the solvent of Arsenal’s inconsistencies by himself, especially if ferried about numerous positions, but he could plug some yawning holes and latch onto Odegaard’s playmaking.
His multi-tooled style of play is further defined by his ability to score from every angle. As per Sofascore, Semenyo has scored five Premier League goals with his left foot, four with his right. He’s missed 12 big chances, so he isn’t the most accurate shooter in the business, but given the staggering number of shots he likes to get off, a slight profligacy can be forgiven.
Especially if he’s being supplied by Odegaard at the top of his game. The £240k-per-week midfielder’s return to the fore is a matter of time, make no mistake about that.
But his issues across the current year, injuries aside, are part of a wider Arsenal problem that could be solved quite simply through the acquisition of a new centre-forward, plus two wingers, one for either side.
Of course, in the Cherries winger, Arsenal get one who can compete on both flanks and has proven himself an able goalscorer either way. Having created 11 big chances and won 6.3 duels per game too, he’s very much that high-level athlete, both combative and creative, who could have a marked impact on the Arsenal resurgence, which maybe, just maybe, will see Arteta’s project reach apotheosis.
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There was no question of the significance this innings had for his England career
Matt Roller21-Jun-2025
Ollie Pope’s ton led England’s strong response•Getty Images
Ollie Pope has celebrated eight previous Test hundreds but never with such fervour. Pope scampered through for a single after inside-edging Jasprit Bumrah to the leg side, roaring “come on!” with fists clenched, and then punched the air with the jab of a welterweight boxer. There was no question of the significance this innings had for his England career.Marquee Test series demand substance over style, and Pope showed his mettle; this was not a chanceless hundred, with two significant let-offs, but it was a timely one under huge pressure. He looked drained – mentally, physically, emotionally – as he walked off unbeaten at the close, after spending a single over off the field across the first two days’ play.Athletes try to ignore the “outside noise” created by the media but only deafness could have blocked out the scrutiny on Pope. Jacob Bethell’s emergence as a potential superstar left his place at No. 3 under genuine pressure, and an unusually sparse schedule – with no Tests for five months at the start of this year – left him powerless to respond to speculation.Related
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Even his 171 against Zimbabwe last month was easily discounted, not least after Ben Stokes created an inadvertent media storm. England are at the start of a defining ten-Test run against India and Australia; Pope had reached 50 only twice in his previous 35 innings against those opponents, his 196 in Hyderabad resembling a freak outlier.But this was vital supporting evidence. “He probably couldn’t walk out in tougher conditions, with Jasprit running down the hill with the lights on,” Ben Duckett said. Pope flicked his first ball, from Mohammed Siraj, off his pads for four; so often a nervous starter, he had a calm poise when punishing width off India’s seamers.Pope scored heavily – 48 of his round 100 – behind square on the off side, thanks to the steep bounce that Headingley offers and occasional fortunate moments: a Bumrah misfield at deep point, and two chancy steers through gaps in the slip cordon. His best shot – a perfectly placed pull off Prasidh Krishna over leg gully which beat long leg to his right – took him to 90.Ollie Pope played some delectable drives•Getty ImagesHe also had an umpiring decision and a drop to thank. When Pope had 34, Chris Gaffaney turned down an lbw appeal from Siraj; if he had given it out, it would not have been overturned; when he had 60, Yashasvi Jaiswal put him down at third slip off the relentless Bumrah, whose first few spells of the series were irresistible.Yet, those reprieves are merely details in Pope’s bigger picture. Stokes has consistently reassured him of his place over the past month and Duckett insisted there was never any doubt in the dressing room that Pope would bat at No. 3, but his response to reaching three figures confirmed the extent to which he had felt Bethell breathing down his neck.”The way Popey’s dealt with it has been superb and just sums up and proves why he’s England’s No. 3,” Duckett said. “Scoring a hundred against that attack, coming out in the first over at 4 for 1, you could just see it in the way that he celebrated. It didn’t just mean a lot to him; it meant a huge amount in the dressing room as well.”It is almost inevitable that Bethell will win another chance in England’s batting line-up before long. Cricket obsesses over selection debates more than any other sport, but injuries and other absences have invariably deprived England of at least one member of their first-choice top seven for at least one Test in seven of their last eight Test series.2:22
Duckett: Bumrah the best in the world
But Pope ensured on Saturday that he will not be left out any time soon; it is the sign of a strong batting line-up that a player of Bethell’s evident quality cannot get into the side. Pope has bought himself the rest of the summer at No. 3 and must now prove he is a far better, hungrier player than a Test average in the mid-30s might suggest; aged 27, he should be approaching his prime.It was Pope’s tempo that was most impressive: his early boundaries in partnership with Duckett prompted Shubman Gill to set defensive fields to stem the flow of runs, at one stage five boundary-riders to Ravindra Jadeja. With the field spread, Pope slipped down a gear: his second fifty (61 balls) was quicker than his first (65) but contained only five fours compared to eight.That manipulation of oppositions’ plans has been a central tenet of England’s aggression with the bat over the last three years: Duckett has embodied their strategy, going hard against the new ball and then milking singles when captains feel forced to react, and Pope’s release shot – a dab past gully – built on the same premise.Pope’s challenge now is to back his century up, and to dispel the notion that he is a feast-or-famine player; he spoke before the series about his desire to emulate Joe Root by scoring “hundred, hundred, hundred” and proving his consistency. But such thoughts can wait for next week, as he basks in the satisfaction of his most determined innings yet.