All posts by n8rngtd.top

Aston Villa are in action this evening in the first match of the group stages of the UEFA Conference League, as Unai Emery’s side travel to Poland to face Legia Warsaw.

The Villans progressed into the finals of the competition with ease, brushing aside Hibernian 8-0 on aggregate in the qualifying round to secure their place going forward in the 2023/24 campaign.

It’s the first time the Midlands side have been involved in European competition since 2010, with Emery hoping his team can get the tournament off to a strong start in Group E.

The four-time Europa League winner has an impeccable record in Europe during his managerial career so far, with his side preparing to start with a challenge, against a side that are unbeaten in the league this campaign.

What’s the latest Aston Villa team news?

It’s expected that the Spaniard will rotate his team from the one that typically starts in the Premier League, as the Villans are back in action on Sunday against Chelsea.

One name that could be in for a starting place is Youri Tielemans, who is yet to start a league game for the club after he joined in the summer, with the Belgian being a strong asset to possibly welcome into the fold this evening.

In his pre-match press conference, Emery revealed that Alex Moreno and Jacob Ramsey are with the squad after their absences, however stressed that he must “be careful” in bringing the two stars back.

Last time out, Villa were 3-1 victors against Crystal Palace at home, in a match that the hosts left it late to grasp three points, scoring all three of their goals in the dying moments of the fixture.

19-year-old Jhon Duran scored the equaliser against the Eagles in style, and could be handed a chance to shine against Legia this evening should the manager wish to rest Ollie Watkins. There could also be a chance for Nicolo Zaniolo to shine.

Will Nicolo Zaniolo start against Legia Warsaw?

Another player who showed some magic against Palace was summer arrival Zaniolo, who was handed his full Premier League debut after joining the club on an initial loan deal from Galatasaray.

If there’s anyone who has sufficient experience of the Europa Conference League, it’s the Italian, who won the competition in the 2021/22 season with AS Roma, where he scored the match-winner in the final against Feyenoord.

That campaign, the 24-year-old had a hand in eight goals in ten appearances in the tournament, scoring five and assisting three for Jose Mourinho’s side in what was a memorable time for the forward.

Previously lauded as “world-class” by journalist John Solano, the Italy international has all the tools to be the difference-maker against Legia, as he continues to find his stride for the Midlands club.

During his 57-minute performance against Palace, Zaniolo gave a glimpse of just what he can offer to Emery’s side, recording three key passes to showcase his creative ability, an area of his game that has seen him dubbed a “lethal playmaker” by journalist Zach Lowy.

Tonight’s opponents have conceded just three goals in their opening six games in the Polish top-flight, suggesting that their back line is in good stead to withstand threat, however, no door seems to be a blockage that Zaniolo can’t unlock when in form.

Emery could see a window of opportunity by allowing the Italian to maintain his starting spot this evening, in a game that could see him find added comfort in his new surroundings.

Harry Kane has been backed for a Premier League return, with the prolific striker being told “Manchester United will be his destination”.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Striker severed ties with Spurs in 2023
• Desperate to land major silverware
• Expected to retrace steps to England

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England captain bid farewell to his homeland in the summer of 2023 when completing a big-money transfer to Bayern Munich. He has broken through the 30-goal barrier in Germany, but is in danger of ending his debut campaign at the Allianz Arena without the major silverware that he craves.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kane is expected to stick around in Munich long enough to see that he does collect honours that have so far proved elusive, having signed a contract until 2027, but he is also being tipped to retrace steps to the Premier League at some stage.

• WHAT NOLAN SAID ABOUT KANE

  Spurs have admitted to having a buy-back option on Kane, but West Ham coach Kevin Nolan sees the 30-year-old frontman heading to Old Trafford. He has told : “I can certainly see him back in the Premier League. I don’t think Tottenham would have ever have sold him to Manchester United, but for him to go to Bayern Munich, then it’s easier for him to come back from Germany and I think Man United will be his destination. I think they (Bayern) would want their money back. Of course (he is worth it). 20+ goals every season and he was playing for Tottenham during them times as well. Realistically, are Man United as good as Tottenham? But I just think he brings a different aura to them anyway, a different aura to the team as soon as he puts the shirt on for, whoever. But I probably think Man United would be the one.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR KANE?

  Kane – who has been heavily linked with United in the past – may yet look to chase down Alan Shearer at the top of the Premier League all-time scoring chart. He plundered 213 top-flight goals for Tottenham, leaving him 47 adrift of Blackburn and Newcastle legend Shearer.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been full of praise for one of his rising stars at Thorp Arch, following some stellar performances in training this week.

Will Leeds be promoted back to the Premier League?

The Whites suffered the disappointment of being relegated from the Premier League to the Championship last season, having spent three years back in the top flight. The hope was that Leeds would make a quick return to the promised land, however, and they went into the new campaign as one of the favourites to earn automatic promotion. So far, it certainly hasn't been a perfect start for Farke's side, winning only three of their first eight league matches, but they have bounced back into form in tremendous fashion recently.

There have been clear improvements on show under the new boss, having won two of their last three matches 3-0, and victory away to Southampton on Saturday lunchtime would be another step in the right direction.

It is still too early to tell just how good Leeds' chances are of being promoted, but it would have to be considered a huge disappointment if they weren't at least in the playoffs come the end of the season. For that to happen, everyone in the squad will have to do their bit, and one somewhat forgotten young player appears to be impressing at the moment.

Which Leeds players has excelled in training?

Speaking on Thursday during his press conference [via the club's official website], Farke had plenty of good things to say about Leeds youngster Mateo Joseph, lauding his efforts in training despite the teenager being yet to get his chance this term:

"Pretty impressed in pre-season. Behind closed doors against Barnsley, and other friendlies. Sadly he had this injury. It is never easy for a young player if you miss two months. You need a bit longer.

"It is not easy for him, to just give game time. In training, he looks really sharp. We are thinking about game time with the 21’s. Happy he is available. In the long term of this club, he’ll play an important role."

It is very encouraging to hear Joseph receiving such positive reviews from his manager, with the 19-year-old a talented player who could play a key role this season. While he may not be a nailed-on starter by any means – he is yet to play a single minute of action so far this season – the fact that he is knuckling down in training and making his presence felt can only be a good thing.

Leeds coach Michael Skubala is another who has waxed lyrical about Joseph in the past, saying of him: “I think Mateo was fantastic tonight. He’s come in and out a little bit but he’s been training like a warrior and you can see that in his game. I think sometimes you can talk about some other players but Mateo is very humble and very quiet in a way but he’s really working hard, he’s got that energy and desire and we saw that in his goals and his finishing. He’s a threat for any defence."

It seemsa clear that Joseph is a well-liked and highly-rated player among the coaching staff, and if he can replicate his training form to the pitch, there is no reason why he can't force his way into Farke's plans.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr have been branded “a great team”, with Al Ain wary of the threat they pose despite claiming an AFC Champions League lead.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Saudi outfit trail continental clash
• CR7 restricted to few sights of goal
• Return leg to take place in Riyadh

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ronaldo and Co were in the UAE on Monday for the first leg of a continental quarter-final clash. Al-Nassr fluffed their lines in that contest, as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat and had former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte sent off in stoppage-time.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Al Ain also had two goals disallowed for offside, as they restricted the likes of Ronaldo and Sadio Mane to limited opportunities in the final third. That left CR7 cutting a frustrated figure at the final whistle, as he fired a “see you in Riyadh” message to those taunting him from the stands.

• WHAT CRESPO SAID

  The heavyweight tie is still very much in the balance, though, with Al Ain boss Hernan Crespo admitting as much. The former Chelsea and Inter striker told reporters: “It was a very tough match and an incredible performance. The players showed a great night against a good opponent with a lot of stars. And we deserved to win. We played very well, played really good football. But it’s not finished. It’s only the first half and then we need to finish this history there. It will not be easy.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  The Argentine added: “Really, the result is good because every time you win is important, and more in these kinds of matches. But I don’t know if this is enough [yet], because we need to go there and live another battle. We know very well they have great players to make the difference, and we need to pay attention. At the same time our strength is the group. We showed how important it is to be ready, to play together in this kind of situation. The crucial point is to understand the way you want to play, to defend our identity with great effort to help the talent. Tonight was a perfect situation against a great team, against great players. But it’s not finished. We are very happy, but it’s not finished.”

Former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa should be fondly remembered by the supporters at Elland Road due to the excellent work he did during his time at the club.

The former Marseille head coach, who is the current national team manager of Uruguay, enjoyed a terrific spell in Yorkshire as he joined them in the Championship and left with the side competing as a Premier League outfit.

Ex-sporting director Victor Orta and the 68-year-old boss worked together to secure promotion to the top flight within his first two seasons at the helm, which was followed by a ninth-placed finish in the top division.

Whilst some may look back at the signings Bielsa made, with the most expensive highlighted below, and how successful they were, the experienced tactician also struck gold with his decisions on who to cash in on.

One sale the Argentine boss hit the jackpot with was centre-forward Kemar Roofe's move to Belgian side Anderlecht in the summer of 2019.

Former Whites owner Andrea Radrizzani revealed that the club needed to bring in money through sales that year in order to avoid a points deduction from the league due to their financial situation.

This means that Bielsa's hand was somewhat forced with Roofe but there were other assets at Elland Road and his decision to cash in on the Jamaica international turned out to be an excellent one.

How many goals did Kemar Roofe score for Leeds?

The energetic attacker spent three full seasons with the Yorkshire-based outfit and plundered 33 goals in 122 appearances across all competitions in total.

He arrived at Leeds off the back of an outstanding 2015/16 campaign with Oxford United in League Two as the talented ace produced an eye-catching 25 goals and 12 assists in 49 matches, which included 17 goals and ten assists in 40 league outings.

However, the English-born star struggled for form at the top end of the pitch during his debut season with Leeds. Roofe scored four goals and provided seven assists in 49 games throughout the 2016/17 term.

The former West Brom academy prospect was then able to find his feet the following campaign with a record of 14 goals and five assists in 39 clashes, which included 11 goals in 36 Championship outings.

His final season with Leeds came in the 2018/19 campaign, which was Bielsa's first year at Elland Road and ended in a play-off semi-final defeat to Derby County. He contributed with 15 goals and two assists in 34 matches in total, which included 15 league goals in 33 appearances.

Roofe was Leeds' top-scorer in the Championship with his 15 league strikes, which was six more than the nine that Patrick Bamford managed after his move from Middlesbrough during the 2018 summer transfer window.

How much did Leeds sell Roofe for?

Bielsa and Leeds reportedly cashed in on the reliable number nine for a significant fee of £7m as Vincent Kompany's Anderlecht secured his services.

He only had one year left to run on his contract at Elland Road and was offered an attractive wage hike by the Pro League side, while the Whites were well compensated for a Championship club selling a player who would have been a free agent the following summer.

His departure left a hole to fill at the top end of the pitch for Bielsa but it also presented Bamford with the opportunity to stake a claim for his place in the side, which is exactly what he did.

The former Chelsea prodigy went on to score 16 goals in 45 Championship appearances, which was seven more than any of his teammates, as Leeds won the title and earned promotion to the Premier League.

Where is Roofe now?

Roofe is currently playing for Scottish giants Rangers at the age of 30, having joined the Light Blues from Anderlecht in the summer of 2020.

The striker scored seven goals in 16 appearances in all competitions for the Belgian outfit before his switch to Scotland after just one season with Kompany.

He has been a fairly prolific scorer for the Gers throughout his three-and-a-bit years in Glasgow to date, with 37 goals in 86 matches to date.

However, his fitness record has been a huge issue over the course of his stay in Scotland. Roofe has suffered seven separate injury problems and missed a staggering 84 competitive games since the start of the 2020/21 campaign.

This means that the former Leeds forward has almost been absent for as many matches as he has played for Rangers over the last three years, which shows that the 30-year-old attacker has been a liability with his lack of consistent availability.

How much is Roofe worth now?

At the time of writing, FootballTransfers have placed Roofe's Expected Transfer Value (xTV) at £850k (€1m), showing that his market value has plummeted since his departure from Elland Road.

The experienced finisher's xTV of £850k is 88% less than the £7m that Leeds raked in for his services in the summer of 2019.

Roofe, who was described as a "Duracell bunny" by former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, has been a fine goalscorer for the Scottish giants but his injury issues have caused too many problems for him to be worth anywhere near as much as the Whites received for him four years ago.

His team are not able to rely on him to play regular football as he has not played more than 21 league games in a single season since the 2018/19 campaign with Leeds.

Therefore, Bielsa hit the jackpot with his move to sell the ex-Oxford United star in 2019 as his injury issues have caught up with him and his market value has deteriorated drastically, which suggests that the English outfit cashed in on him at the perfect time.

Roofe's exit also allowed Bamford to thrive in the final third, as aforementioned, and fire the Yorkshire side to the Premier League, which suggests that they did not miss the Jamaican marksman's talents on the pitch.

There has been a suggestion that one previously outcasted and under-fire Chelsea player is "going to get a chance now" for manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Chelsea vs Burnley preview

The west Londoners head into this clash with Burnley at Turf Moor in very mixed form. Chelsea had to wait from late August till Monday this week to score a Premier League goal, a barren run which finally ended with a 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Goals from Armando Broja and a first ever for January signing Mykhalo Mudryk gave Chelsea supporters something to smile about, with the hope being Pochettino's side can now kick on from that result and potentially challenge for Europe this season.

The Blues have won just two league matches so far, coming against newly-promoted Luton Town and their aforementioned cross-town rivals. Chelsea succumbed to defeat at the hands of West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, while also dropping points at home to Liverpool and away to Bournemouth. Vincent Kompany's Burnley, by contrast, have won just once thus far with only Sheffield United conceding more goals than last season's Championship winners.

The Clarets could be in big trouble going by the early signs, and this encounter may well be a prime opportunity for Pochettino to go into the international break on a high.

Marc Cucurella transfer news

Injuries to both Ben Chilwell and Reece James, as well as a ban for Malo Gusto means Chelsea are very short of full-back options for the trip to Lancashire. Chilwell's absence could be a lengthy one, giving Pochettino just Ian Maatsen and Marc Cucurella to work with in the left-back position. The latter man has come under-fire for some of his Chelsea performances, with Frank Lebeouf claiming Cucurella "doesn't belong at this level". Lebeouf said to ESPN (via The Mail):

"Hopefully Reece James and Ben Chilwell will go back into fitness as soon as possible because we need them.

We don't want to see Cucurella anymore. With all due respect to a man that I don't know, the player is not good enough for Chelsea. It's as simple as that. It's crazy that they signed him for £60m or £70m, but we can see that he doesn't belong to this level."

(via WhoScored)

The previously-outcasted ace was reintroduced under Pochettino recently, as a result of their current left-back crisis, with the Spaniard starting his first league game of the season away to Fulham. Journalist Paul Brown, speaking to GiveMeSport, says Cucurella is "going to get a chance now" and must seize the opportunity.

“They may have to rotate in that area or try a few things to find the best option until Chilwell and Reece James return. So, I do think he's going to get a chance now. He must grab it with both hands. He did come close to a move, and it was clear that the club were willing to sell him. I don't think anyone in that situation would like it too much. It's not nice to know that your club is listening to offers for you. But I think he’ll get a chance now, and I think he’ll want to prove that he's still got a future at Chelsea.”

It will be interesting to see if the former Brighton full-back can prove his worth.

Samuel Chukwueze admits that he cannot expect to dislodge Christian Pulisic from the AC Milan team, with the USMNT star becoming undroppable.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• American star shining at San Siro
• Posting personal bests for end product
• Nigerian colleague having to be patient

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United States international Pulisic has enjoyed a memorable debut campaign at San Siro, on the back of his transfer from Chelsea in the summer of 2023. He was among the goals again in his latest appearance, taking him to 12 for the season – which is a personal best for the American forward.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT CHUKWUEZE SAID ABOUT PULISIC

  Nigerian star Chukwueze is among those competing for Pulisic’s place in Stefano Pioli’s plans, and was also on target in a 3-1 win over Verona, but the Nigerian has said of the selection battle that he faces and his early months in Milan following a move from Villarreal: “They were not easy as who plays in my position [Pulisic] is doing well and scoring many goals. The coach can’t put him on the bench, but I continue to work. Today’s goal means a lot to my confidence. I must continue to work and be focused on the future.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Chukwueze added to after recording his first goal in Serie A: “I am really happy for today. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. These first few months were not easy, but I’ve continued to work hard. It was important to win and I want to keep scoring to help the team. I must continue working hard because they signed me to score goals. I trust the coach and his plans for me. I just need to remain focused and continue working hard.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MILAN?

  Chukwueze will have to remain patient in his tussle with Pulisic as the USMNT ace is enjoying a career-best year. Both men believe that they have plenty to offer the collective cause, with Pioli handed a welcome headache as he seeks to deliver Champions League qualification and Europa League glory in 2024.

Everton haven’t had too much to smile about over the past few years, yet the Blues seem to finally be restoring the goals after an agonisingly slow start to the 2023/24 season.

From below par on pitch performance, to issues high up within the club, the Toffees have been starved of consistent progression of late, however it’s not all been bad at Goodison Park.

One element that is a positive for the Merseysiders is their ability to offload players, with one notable name’s exit saving the club millions, after a terrible spell on Merseyside – Theo Walcott.

How long was Theo Walcott at Everton?

Signed from Arsenal in 2018, the Blues captured the signature of Walcott, who had been at the Emirates for 12 years prior.

The then-28-year-old was welcomed to Goodison by Sam Allardyce, penning a three-year-deal after the Toffees handed the Gunners a fee of £20m for his services.

At the expiration of his deal in the summer of 2021, Walcott rejoined his boyhood club, Southampton, after endeavouring on a season-long loan there for the 2020/21 campaign.

How much did Theo Walcott cost Everton?

Joining Everton in January 2018, the Englishman was handed a £100k-per-week deal, which would cost his new club somewhere in the region of £2.6m for his first half-year to take him to the beginning of the 2018/19 season.

The former Arsenal whiz collected £5.2m-per-year in wages alone from the Toffees, making the total expenditure of his stay on Merseyside to around £13m, as he spent two and a half years representing the club before returning to St Mary’s.

Adding his £20m transfer fee to the mix, Everton spent roughly £33m on the now-retired winger, a fee that wasn’t even nearly repaid by his efforts on the pitch.

Was he worth it?

Spending half of the 2017/18 campaign and the entirety of the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons at Everton, Walcott scored 11 goals in 85 appearances across all competitions.

Once dubbed “dreadful” by journalist James Corbett, the forward arrived after going full circle at Arsenal, assuming a sporadic role in his more mature years after a wonderful career in north London that began at the mere age of 16.

Unfortunately for the Blues, they received the ageing and frustrating edition of Walcott, who – when referencing that £33m total cost – bled the club of around £3m per goal, telling of how poor the signing turned out to be.

To make matters worse, the Englishman was the club’s joint third-highest paid player in his first season, reinforcing just how badly Everton were rinsed by the former England international.

After the 2019/20 campaign, in which the 34-year-old scored just two goals in the Premier League, the decision was made to loan him to the Saints, subsequently easing the Blues of his wage demands and of his low level of performance.

The forward, who scored 108 goals for Arsenal, netted three goals during his temporary spell on the south coast, impressing enough for the Saints to sign him permanently the following summer as a free agent.

Walcott’s dreary stay at Goodison was one to forget for both player and club, but perhaps less forgettable for the club’s finances as he drained Everton for £100k-per-week throughout his association with the Toffees.

JJ Watt has explained why, along with former USWNT star wife Kealia, he stepped out of his “comfort zone” to acquire a stake in Burnley.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Retired from different form of football
• Wanted a new challenge
• One of several famous investors in Britain

• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The NFL legend is now one of several celebrity investors at British clubs – as he joins the likes of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who are co-owners at Wrexham, and fellow American football icon Tom Brady, who is a board member at Birmingham, in a surprising enterprise.

Advertisement

• WHAT JJ WATT SAID

  Watt has told the of why, after hanging up his cleats in the United States, he took the bold step to head for Lancashire: “One of the reasons that I wanted to get involved with it was because I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone. Obviously I know a lot about American sports. And I wanted to really immerse myself in something new and force myself to learn and grow. And it's been all that and more. For me, having Burnley has been huge, because I get that high and low every week. Almost more nerve-wracking and more adrenaline [than playing] because I have no control over it every week. It truly is a massive passion of mine. I love every second of it.”

• Getty/GOAL
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While stakeholders can often live life in the shadows at sporting institutions, Watt has made a point of embracing all things Burnley – as a regular at Turf Moor – and hopes to reward the support that he has received from a loyal fan base. He added: “It's a surreal moment standing on the pitch before the game, and my dad is holding my son and he's pointing out players on the football team that we are now minority owners of. That's a sentence that in my life, I don't think I ever could have conceptualized of a Premier League team. So it was a wild thing for me and just a really, really cool experience to share with them. A little kid from Pewaukee, Wisconsin all the way over here now, watching the Premier League games for the team that we're involved in. The culture is so cool, the people are great. The people of Burnley have been unbelievable. So really enjoying it over here.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• WHAT NEXT?

  Burnley claimed the Championship title last season, giving Watt and Co plenty to cheer, but the Clarets have found the going tough in 2023-24 and have just nine games left in which to try and haul themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone and towards top-flight safety.

West Ham United are interested in a swoop to sign an experienced player, but a fresh report has revealed that they aren’t the only club who want him in the Premier League.

Who are West Ham linked with?

Since the summer, David Moyes has appeared keen to bolster his defensive ranks having been credited with an interest in Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Fiorentina’s Martinez Quarta at centre-back, but there is also another area of the pitch he’s looking to target.

The Irons have reportedly recently sent scouts to watch Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra, but with Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Newcastle United also keeping close tabs, the boss may have to find an alternative should he fail to secure his services.

One player who he could turn his attention towards is Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips who despite still having another five years remaining on his deal (Man City contracts), could be set to depart having made zero starts and just three substitute appearances in the top-flight this season (WhoScored – Phillips statistics).

Kalvin Phillips transfer update

According to The Sun, who have shared a transfer update on Phillips, West Ham and two other clubs, one in the top-flight and the other overseas, are plotting a swoop for the 27-year-old in January:

“Several clubs were interested in the summer, but the midfielder insisted he wanted to stay and fight for his place at City. Yet he is no nearer forcing his way in, and knows playing cameo roles for the rest of the season is likely to affect his England hopes.

"Phillips still has four-and-a-half years left on his £150,000-a-week contract, and City were resigned to paying a huge chunk of that to smooth an exit path. Yet City insiders claim the player is ready to accept around half that figure to get his career moving in the right direction again.”

What is Kalvin Phillips' style of play?

Being a defensive midfielder, Phillips is naturally stronger in that aspect of his game and he has excellent calmness and composure on the ball, where he’s currently recording a 90% pass success rate, and his versatility also reflects where his best qualities lie.

The Three Lions international has the ability to operate at the heart of the backline alongside three roles in the centre of the park (Transfermarkt – Phillips statistics), with some of his classic performances having previously seen him dubbed a “Rolls Royce” by journalist Josh Bunting, such is his intelligence and smoothness on the ball.

Phillips actually shares the same representative, CAA Stellar, as James Ward-Prowse (West Ham agents), so this existing connection that his management already have to the club could give the board a small advantage should they try to get a deal over the line in January.