With each game that goes by, Erik ten Hag’s future as Manchester United manager becomes more and more uncertain.

The fact that his side blew a three-goal lead in just 20 minutes to a Championship side certainly doesn’t help his case; in fact, many believe it should be the final straw.

It’s clear that the biggest issue currently at the club is a lack of cohesion in the team and the fact that the boss has been unable to get the best out of some of his players.

However, the recently linked Thomas Tuchel could have a huge impact on the side if he were to join, particularly from the player development side of things.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at three players who the German boss could transform if he were to be handed the job in the event of a Ten Hag sacking.

1 Diogo Dalot

Diogo Dalot has already undergone a huge transformation this season, thanks to Ten Hag, but the former Chelsea boss could just be the man to take him to the next level.

In recent years, Tuchel has worked with some fantastic right-backs, notably Reece James and now Joshua Kimmich, and it’s safe to say he knows how to get the best out of them, with the former picking up 14 goal contributions in the 2021/22 league campaign and the latter picking up six Bundesliga assists this season.

Whether the Bayern Munich boss would opt for a three-back or a four-back formation would remain unknown, but regardless, Dalot has the potential to thrive in both roles.

The Portuguese defender’s game against Coventry City on Sunday serves as evidence of that, as he made five interceptions, three key passes, and assisted the opener, proving that he’s a complete full-back.

2 Rasmus Hojlund

This season, Tuchel has had the pleasure of working with arguably the best centre-forward in the world, Harry Kane, from whom all young strikers like Rasmus Hojlund should take inspiration from, given the fact he's already scored 40 goals this season.

The Danish number 11 has had a relatively solid first campaign overall since being signed by Ten Hag for £72m, scoring 13 goals in all competitions, but there have been some ups and downs along the way.

Goals

7

Assists

2

xG

6.7

Shots per game

1.3

Touches per game

24.5

Passes per game

10.8

Key passes per game

1

But, as you can see by the statistics, he hasn’t exactly been helped by his teammates, with a lack of service and support limiting his overall involvement and goal-scoring chances.

Under the 50-year-old boss, the game should revolve around Hojlund, like it does Kane, ensuring that service is provided from all over the field, with a focus on delivery from wide.

With the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Bruno Fernandes in the side, Hojlund should be getting more opportunities than he is, which would be the first priority of change by the German.

Indeed, he could finally develop into the "monster" that some, including Ruben Selles, his assistant coach at FC Copenhagen – think he is.

3 Mason Mount

If Tuchel did become the manager of the Red Devils, then he would reunite with former Chelsea player Mason Mount, who certainly needs a revival.

The England international joined Man United in the summer for £55m, but almost all of his campaign has been disrupted by injuries, meaning that he’s only played 12 Premier League games.

Mount’s best football of his career was played under the former Paris Saint-Germain boss, and he would relish the chance of being coached by him once again.

During Tuchel’s last full season at Stamford Bridge, Mount scored an impressive 11 goals and registered ten assists from midfield, which is the sort of form he needs to return to.

If anyone can get the best out of United’s number 7, then it would certainly be Tuchel.

8/10 Man Utd star may have just saved Erik ten Hag from getting sacked

The Man United star was just as important as Bruno Fernandes.

ByTom Lever Apr 22, 2024

The 2023/24 season has been very successful for Aston Villa so far, who sit fifth in the Premier League.

After Unai Emery’s appointment in October 2022, he has improved his side by leaps and bounds, ensuring Europa Conference League qualification last season, via a playoff round.

The Villans have been excellent in the Conference League so far this season, winning five out of eight matches they have played, whilst scoring 16 goals and keeping three clean sheets along the way.

They are now set to face Lille across two legs in the quarter-final, with the French side set to provide stern opposition for Villa. Les Dogues are currently fourth in Ligue 1, just four points of second-place Brest.

With lots of competition for places in this Villa side, it will be fascinating to see who Emery picks. In particular, there are lots of options out wide.

Most recently, Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers were selected by the Spaniard, although there is one other option who could be deserving of a start on Thursday at Villa Park.

Aston Villa's underrated option

The man in question is Moussa Diaby who is currently in his first season with Aston Villa. The 24-year-old winger joined the club from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, in a deal rumoured to be worth £51.9m, a club record fee for Villa.

In his first season in the Premier League, Diaby has scored five goals and seven assists in 31 games, although he has played just 1,725 minutes, which equates to 19 full games in total. 12 goal involvements in that time is not a bad return in the slightest, although he has struggled to cement his place in the side.

However, Diaby has registered four goals and assists in his last six Premier League games, including an assist apiece against Luton and West Ham, and a goal and assist against Wolves at Villa Park.

This is somewhat down to the superb form of Leon Bailey. The Jamaican has scored eight goals and assisted eight goals so far in the league, although he has failed to register a goal involvement in his last five games. As such, perhaps the Frenchman should be unleashed on this occasion.

Both wingers play in the same position, although Bailey’s superb carrying ability arguably gives him the edge. The 26-year-old is one of the most direct wingers in the Premier League, and, according to Fbref, he averages 4.62 progressive carries and 2.47 successful take-ons per 90 minutes this season, which place him in the 76th and 81st percentile respectively for wingers in Europe's top five leagues.

In comparison, Diaby averages 3.88 progressive carries and 1.54 successful take-ons per 90 minutes, ranking him in the 61st and 45th percentile respectively, as per Fbref.

Moussa Diaby's Conference League exploits

Given the more direct nature of Bailey, it is not necessarily hard to understand why the Jamaica international starts over Diaby for the most part. However, the latter has been in much better form of late, and this extends further than the Premier League.

Aston Villa’s most recent Conference League victory came against Ajax, a superb 4-0 thrashing at Villa Park. Ironically, both Bailey and Diaby scored, but it was the Frenchman’s performance that really stood out, with his goal in the 81st minute capping off a wonderful performance from the Villans.

Diaby played behind striker Ollie Watkins with Bailey on the right against Ajax, and his performance caught the eye of many onlookers. He picked up an 8/10 rating from Birmingham Mail’s Aston Villa correspondent John Townley in his post-match ratings. Townley explained Diaby “was a menace for the Ajax backline and looked confident throughout the 90 minutes”.

Aside from his goal, which capped off his performance, Villa’s number 19 created two chances and completed both of his dribbles, as well as winning 4/6 of his ground duels, showing desire and tenacity off the ball, as per Sofascore.

It could well be the case that Diaby’s excellent Conference League performance last time out, plus his work in the Premier League, is rewarded by Emery with another start against Lille on Thursday.

The last two times Diaby and Bailey have started together, Villa have won, 1-0 against Wolves and that memorable 4-0 win over Ajax. Certainly, if the former Arsenal boss can figure out a way of fitting both into the same team, it is something that could be a massive benefit to Villa.

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The series may be over, but West Indies will be hoping to score their first ODI win in Sri Lanka since 2005

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Feb-2020

Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando are a pair of delightful strokemakers•Getty Images

Big PictureFor both these teams, ODIs are perhaps their weakest format. Neither gave themselves a great chance of making the semi-finals in last year’s World Cup, and both have poor bilateral form, winning only two of their 10 previous series. As Sri Lanka move to the dead rubber at Pallekele after winning the series in Hambantota, however, they may feel they are the more resurgent outfit.The second ODI was almost the perfect game – one of their openers hit a hundred, and a middle-order man joined him for a record-breaking partnership that came at better than a run-a-ball. Both those batsmen are relatively young – 25 and 21. Then the spinners did what Sri Lanka’s coaches hoped they would – take wickets through the middle overs, after the seamers had produced an opening earlier on.West Indies, meanwhile, had an outing captain Kieron Pollard later described as “pretty, pretty poor”. Although their quicks have at times seemed penetrative through the course of the series, both bowling efforts so far have been plagued with indiscpline. At Sooriyawewa, West Indies bowled 10 wides and two no-balls. At the SSC a few days before that, they had delivered 14 wides and one no ball. Beyond just the extra runs and deliveries, these stats are indications that even when West Indies are not conceding extras, their bowlers may not have quite found their lines. In the second ODI especially, there were easy runs into the legside for almost the entirety of Sri Lanka’s innings.Pallekele, though, generally offers the most seam-friendly ODI surface in the country. Perhaps West Indies’ phalanx of fast bowlers will be more effective there. But that’s only if they put enough balls in testing areas.Form guideWest Indies LLWWW (completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka WWLLWIn the spotlightWanindu Hasaranga had a good finish to 2019, but he has been outstanding across disciplines in the first two ODIs of 2020. Having won the match with the bat on Sunday, he was lethal with his googly on Wednesday, taking 3 for 30. Having hunted so long for a reliably penetrative middle-overs spinner, Sri Lanka finally have a long-term prospect on their hands. Unlike spin-prospects that came before him, Hasaranga should have no issues with his action.West Indies’ spin options, meanwhile, have been less impressive. On the same track that Sri Lanka’s spinners would later go on to get six wickets, neither left-arm spinner Fabian Allen nor offspinner Roston Chase could get a wicket. That they only bowled six overs apiece is also a reflection of the fact that Sri Lanka’s batsmen looked utterly comfortable against them. Before the series, Pollard expressed confidence in a light-on-spin strategy, suggesting that Sri Lanka are good players of spin, so it may be better not to feed their strength. Sri Lanka, though, have actually not covered themselves in glory against slow bowling over the last few years.Team newsWest Indies may be tempted to bring back legspinner Hayden Walsh Jr, who at least took wickets at the SSC, although he was expensive.West Indies(possible): 1 Sunil Ambris, 2 Shai Hope (wk), 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Roston Chase, 5 Nicholas Pooran, 6 Kieron Pollard (capt.), 7 Jason Holder, 8 Keemo Paul, 9 Hayden Walsh Jr., 10 Alzarri Joseph, 11 Sheldon CottrellSri Lanka will toy with the idea of bringing Dasun Shanaka in for a match. If the pitch looks like they won’t need an extra spin option, they may leave out Dhananjaya de Silva to make room. Lahiru Kumara could come in for Nuwan Pradeep as well.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne (capt.), 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Perera, 4 Kusal Mendis, 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva/Dasun Shanaka, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Isuru Udana, 10 Lakshan Sandakan, 11 Nuwan Pradeep/Lahiru KumaraPitch and conditionsThere can be seam movement with the new ball in Pallekele, particularly under lights. It is not expected to rain on Sunday, but you never can tell for sure at this venue.Stats and trivia West Indies have lost each of their last eight ODIs in Sri Lanka. The last time they won a match here was back in 2005, when Shivnarine Chanderpaul was captain. Kieron Pollard has been especially modest on the island. After six innings, he’s scored just 17 runs an an average of 2.83. He’s never taken a wicket in Sri Lanka either. Avishka Fernando and Shai Hope – both openers – have each hit a hundred and a fifty in the series.Quotes”Within the next 18 months or so, we need to be among the best four teams in all formats. That’s vision of every member of the team.”Lakshan Sandkan outlines Sri Lnaka’s long-term vision.

Napoli have reportedly reached an agreement with Manchester United for the transfer of Scott McTominay.

Article continues below

Article continues below

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• Napoli set to sign McTominay
• Reach agreement with Man Utd
• Path clear for Manuel Ugarte to join Red Devils

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  McTominay has reportedly been deemed surplus to requirements by Erik ten Hag, who has been working to trim the deadwood in his United squad this summer. The Athletic claims that Napoli's €30 million (£25.4m/$33.6m) bid for the midfielder has now been accepted by United, and a transfer will go through if he agrees to personal terms with the Serie A club.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  McTominay had been heavily linked with Fulham earlier this summer, but they failed to reach an agreement with the Red Devils and eventually abandoned their pursuit of the Scotsman in favour of other targets. McTominay is now set to leave Old Trafford for a new challenge in Italy.

• (C) Getty Images
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  McTominay's sale would help Manchester United facilitate their move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte. Ten Hag is reportedly eager to bring in the Uruguayan before the August 30 deadline. It has been suggested that an agreement is close to being reached, and McTominay's sale will allow United to push through a deal.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  The Red Devils will now have to work very quickly to tie up both deals with less than a week remaining before the end of the summer transfer window. Ten Hag's side are due back in Premier League action at home to Liverpool on September 1.

MatériaMais Notícias

A legião de portugueses do Wolverhampton acabou de aumentar. O Barcelona anunciou a saída de Francisco Trincão por empréstimo de uma temporada ao time de Bruno Lage. O clube inglês também terá a opção de compra não obrigatória do jogador em 2022.

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Os valores desta cláusula não estão especificados, mas acredita-se que não são baixos por conta da expectativa que os catalães depositam no camisa 17. Os Wolves irão arcar com todo o salário do meia-atacante pelo próximo ano, o que alivia a folha salarial dos culés.

> Veja a tabela da Eurocopa

Em sua primeira temporada na Catalunha, Trincão não conseguiu ter o desempenho. Além disso, a minutagem em campo ficou aquém do necessário para o seu desenvolvimento. O jogador participou de 42 partidas, mas iniciando no banco na maior parte das vezes.

Na Premier League, o atleta deverá se sentir em casa por conta do elenco recheado de compatriotas que irá encontrar no Wolverhampton. Além da nova contratação, a equipe inglesa possui nove portugueses no plantel, além do treinador.

Umar Akmal has foregone the right to defend himself against the PCB’s corruptions charges and will instead wait for a sanction to be confirmed.His case will go directly to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel after Akmal decided against requesting a hearing before the Anti-Corruption Tribunal. All that remains, then, is for the charges to be confirmed by the Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Justice (retired) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan and the sanction handed out.The confirmation of the offences will be followed by levying applicable sanctions, which in Akmal’s case range from a six month suspension to a life ban. Though the PCB confirmed there had been no formal or informal discussions with Akmal surrounding the charges, his decision to, in effect, accept whatever sanctions come his way, could potentially impact any punishment incurred favourably.The PCB formally charged Akmal with two breaches of its anti-corruption code for two unrelated incidents on March 20. The charges come under Article 2.4.4, which deals with: “Failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code”.Akmal had been provisionally suspended on February 20, and was issued the notice of charge on March 17. “Until the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel has announced his decision, the PCB will not comment on the matter,” a PCB media release said.This isn’t Justice Chauhan’s first involvement in high-profile cases affecting Pakistan cricket over the recent past. He was on the Anti-Corruption Trial tribunal that the PCB referred Nasir Jamshed’s case for adjudication to, as well as the independent adjudicator on the case concerning a misconduct complaint against PCB Board of Governors member Numan Butt.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has apparently told an 18-year-old he'll be given a chance to prove himself at Spurs, on one condition.

Postecoglou pleads for Spurs academy improvement as he sets ambitious goal

The Lilywhites head coach has spoken about the importance of N17's production line, and how he wants the academy to greatly improve.

Ex-Tottenham employee says 18-goal forward could be tempted to join Ange

He’s been called his division’s standout player.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 9, 2024

Tottenham have produced some standout talents over the years, not least the likes of Harry Kane, who went on to become the club's all-time record goalscorer before he departed for Bayern Munich last year.

More recently, Alfie Dorrington, Jamie Donley and Mikey Moore have all been tipped for potentially big futures, but Postecoglou has been adamant that Spurs have a lot of work to do when it comes to nurturing young stars for the future.

"I think we've got a lot of work to do in our academy and Simon Davies is certainly one that is putting a lot of emphasis and priority there," said Postecoglou on Tottenham's production line.

Newcastle (away)

April 13th

Arsenal (home)

April 28th

Chelsea (away)

May 2nd

Liverpool (away)

May 5th

Burnley (home)

May 11th

"I don't think we have the production line other top clubs have, certainly not. Even currently that’s why we’re investing in some younger players, even for the first team. For us as a football club that's definitely the way forward.

"My brief at the moment is still very much around the first team and building a first team and you can do that while giving opportunities to young players. If anything I think for sustainable success it's the best way to go because the team grows together when it's guys of similar ages as long as you've got good experience around them."

Postecoglou also wants Tottenham to become a hot spot for young talent, and they've made real headway in that regard recently. Spurs beat Barcelona in the race to sign Swedish sensation Lucas Bergvall in January, and the 18-year-old will link up with them this summer after a loan spell at Djurgardens IF.

Postecoglou makes Bergvall a game-time promise at Tottenham

Now, Djurgardens official Peter Kisfaludy has shared some details as to why Bergvall chose north London over the Camp Nou.

He refutes claims that it was down to money and interestingly lifts the lid on a conversation between Postecoglou and the teenager. Indeed, Kisfaludy says Postecoglou has promised Bergvall game time at Spurs, on the condition he works hard.

“He has taken everything very well," said Kisfaludy to Aftonbladet (via Sport Witness).

"There has been so much rubbish on social media that he would have chosen Tottenham for the money. The contracts with Barcelona and Tottenham were fully negotiated. Both for his own part and between the clubs, so that he could choose.”

“He got a better feeling and that is not so strange. When the coach Ange Postecoglou sits down with him and says that he loves young players and that he will get the chance there if he works hard. Compare that to Barcelona, where you didn’t even know who was going to coach the team.”

A journalist believes that a £30 million player has already agreed to make the move to Arsenal this summer, in what is a pretty interesting claim.

Arsenal set for big summer window with record spend possible

Mikel Arteta is busy chasing down the club's first Premier League title in 20 years, but sporting director Edu and co are identifying avenues in which to bolster the Spaniard's squad this summer.

Related Clubs fear £51m striker is certain to join Arteta with Arsenal impressed

The Gunners also think he’s affordable.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini May 2, 2024

Reliable journalist Charles Watts has claimed that Arsenal will be looking to bring in a new striker, midfielder and winger – but other media sources have actually claimed that the Gunners could look to reinforce other areas as well.

Indeed, Arsenal are apparently interested in signing a new defender, which could perhaps be either centrally or further wide in the full-back areas. Edu and Arteta are said to be huge admirers of Sporting CP starlet Ousmane Diomande as one option, and they've been sporadically linked with Crystal Palace ace Marc Guehi.

This summer could see Arsenal spend a record amount on transfers, and even more than the £208 million they shelled out just last year. Edu, for his part, already has his targets for the window – as he recently revealed to TNT Sports.

“Well, I understand what the fans are asking for but we already have our targets,” the Brazilian said. "We have planned a lot ahead and I will be worried if we don’t score a lot of goals and if we’re not creating chances, which is the opposite because we create a lot and score a lot of goals.

“The plan is to try to get better every year and I think we are in a good moment. Let's see if we can keep improving. Many times in certain conversations to recruit the players you don't see the character of the player or the character of the player does not fit well with what we are trying to do and then you have to move on and try to find what we’re really looking for.

“If you see all the signings we’ve made since we started together, everyone is almost the same, young, energetic and passionate, and good talents with big, beautiful futures ahead of them.”

A player who could fit into the bracket of someone young and energetic is versatile Fenerbache defender Ferdi Kadioglu.

Ferdi Kadioglu's best Turkish Super Lig games this season

Match Rating (via WhoScored)

Pendikspor 0-5 Fenerbache

8.35

Fenerbache 5-0 Rizespor

8.34

Fenerbache 2-1 Kasimpasa

8.07

Antalyaspor 0-2 Fenerbache

7.82

Fenerbache 4-1 Pendikspor

7.70

The 24-year-old has been a star player for them, scoring one goal and assisting four others in 33 Turkish Super Lig starts.

Journalist thinks Kadioglu has agreed to join Arsenal

Speaking to news outlet Kara, journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu has theorised that Kadioglu has already agreed to join Arsenal after speaking with the player's father – though his relative didn't expressly state this was the case.

“Ferdi Kadioglu is meeting with Arsenal, Ferdi shook hands," said Sabuncuoglu. "His father, Feyzullah Kadioglu, did not say ‘yes, he is going to Arsenal, we made an agreement with Arsenal’ but from the questions I asked and the answers I received, I understood that Ferdi Kadioglu agreed with the Premier League giant Arsenal.”

In what is quite an interesting claim, if Arsenal are indeed going to strike a deal with Kadioglu's club next, the rumoured price is around £30 million.

As the Scottish Premiership title race continues to heat up towards a dramatic end, Rangers will be without one star who may have played his last game for the Gers in a devastating blow.

Rangers injury news

Still looking to dethrone their Old Firm rivals and win Scotland's ultimate prize, injury problems have arrived at the worst possible time for Rangers and Philippe Clement, who confirmed that Connor Goldson will miss the rest of the season.

The Gers boss revealed via Ibrox News: "Wednesday in training, Connor hurt his knee bad, he will be out for the rest of the season after a scan. It is a big blow, he has played 48 games this season, one of the leaders. He said to me he wanted to be in the dressing room to support the boys."

Rangers could have an instant Lammers replacement in £25k-p/w maestro

Rangers will be hoping to sell Sam Lammers this summer for a profit considering his recent form

ByRoss Kilvington May 4, 2024

Goldson – a player who knows all about dethroning Celtic having done so in the 2020/21 season – will be a big miss for those at Ibrox at a crucial time, especially with the Scottish Cup final against the Bhoys also coming up at the end of the month. But he's not the only one who will miss the remainder of the season.

Clement continued and provided further injury updates, revealing that Oscar Cortes and Danilo Pereira Da Silva will also be out for the rest of the campaign. This acts as two further blows for the Gers, especially since Cortes has likely played his last game for the club now unless his loan deal from Lens becomes permanent this summer.

The young winger initially suffered a muscle injury at the start of March and has since missed 11 games in an absence that will now extend to the final five games of Rangers' season. If that is to be it for Cortes at Ibrox, those in Scotland will be forced to wonder what might have been.

Youngster Cortes could be worth the gamble for Rangers

Despite missing 11 games through an untimely injury blow, Cortes could earn a permanent opportunity at Rangers this summer. If the Gers can negotiate a feasible price, then it is a deal they would be wise to go for given that Cortes is still just 20 years old.

Cortes grabbed a goal and an assist in just three Scottish Premiership starts, so more game time could easily have raised his stock further. Clement and the rest of Scotland were robbed of seeing the winger at his best due to his absence, but he can make up for lost time with a permanent switch.

It seems as though that permanent switch is certainly possible too, with Clement confirming talks with Lens regarding Cortes via the Glasgow Times, saying: "We are talking with Lens about what the situation is because in this situation it is a different situation from when he was fit. At the moment, he was fit, he was showing the right things, but it was really short-term. Then it needs to be at the right price."

So whilst Cortes has played his last game for Rangers as things stand, the summer transfer window could yet offer the winger a second chance at showing his best form when fit and firing at Ibrox.

Over the last couple of years, Everton have conducted excellent business in the transfer market, turning their attention to younger talents and allowing them to develop at Goodison Park rather than signing big-money players who are past their best.

Jarrad Branthwaite arrived on Merseyside a couple of years ago for just £1m from Carlisle United and has bided his time and eventually made a huge impact on the Toffees' first-team so far this campaign.

He's started 33 times in the Premier League under boss Sean Dyche, forming an integral partnership with James Tarkowski at the heart of the club's defence – a huge key in the club's Premier League survival this season.

However, his performances have attracted interest from fellow Premier League side Manchester United, who are rumoured to be targeting a big-money move for the 21-year-old this summer.

Whilst the club wouldn't want to lose their young talent this summer, it is a reflection of the excellent dealings in the market, with the club needing to focus more on youngsters in the years ahead.

Along with Branthwaite, the club also invested in a promising youngster a couple of seasons ago, with the Toffees really starting to reap the rewards of their brilliant scouting network.

Vitaliy Mykolenko's stats at Everton in 2023/24

Left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko joined the club in a £17m deal from Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv back in January 2022, with the then 22-year-old seen as the perfect, long-term replacement for Lucas Digne, who subsequently joined Aston Villa just a few days later.

After a slow start at Goodison – having notably been described as a "weak link" by journalist Richard Buxton last year – the 2023/24 season has arguably been his best to date at the club, with Mykokenko showing signs that he's fully settled into life in the Premier League.

Whilst he's managed two goals in the league this term, Mykolenko has established himself as a reliable defensive full-back, dominating in many areas throughout the campaign.

The Ukrainian has averaged 1.4 successful tackles per 90 in the Premier League this season, as well as 1.3 interceptions and three clearances – with the latter in the top three of all Toffees players.

Just over two years on from his arrival in England, Mykolenko has proved to be worth every penny of his £17m transfer fee, with his market value taking a sharp rise as a result of his performances.

Vitaliy Mykolenko's market value in 2024

The "sensational" defender, as described by writer Peter Guy, now boasts a market value of £24m, as per Transfermarkt, with his value now higher than goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who's reportedly now only worth £18.8m, despite signing on a £25m deal in 2017.

His rapid rise has also seen him overtake the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto, who are valued at the same as Pickford, with the latter suffering a huge drop since his £26m move less than a year ago.

Jordan Pickford

£18.8m

James Garner

£18.8m

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

£18.8m

Beto

£18.8m

Abdoulaye Doucoure

£10.3m

His transformation under Dyche in recent months has been nothing short of sensational, with the Ukrainian having the potential to be the club's starting left-back for many years to come.

His transfer is proof you can recruit players outside of Europe's top five leagues that make a huge impact on the club whilst also making a tidy profit, with the full-back undoubtedly set to make the Toffees a huge profit should he ever depart Goodison Park.

Everton were rinsed by Silva flop who earned more than Calvert-Lewin

Goodison Park witnessed a bitter howler with this “unlucky” signing.

ByAngus Sinclair May 6, 2024