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Mohamed Salah completed 100 assists for Liverpool after setting up for Cody Gakpo's equaliser against Fulham on Saturday.

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• Salah enters a unique centurions club
• Close to matching Messi's tally
• Assisted for Gakpo's strike against Fulham

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Egyptian star achieved yet another milestone as he completed a century of assists for the Reds against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday. Since his debut at Anfield in 2017, only three players – Kevin De Bruyne, Thomas Muller and Lionel Messi – in Europe's top five leagues have contributed with more assists than Salah.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Earlier this month, Salah achieved a unique Premier League feat after scoring and providing an assist in his 37th league game, thereby breaking the previous record set by Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney. Amazingly, with 278 Premier League appearances, Salah has played 213 fewer games than the ex-Manchester United and Everton striker, who played 491 top-flight matches.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The 32-year-old winger has displayed exceptional form in the 2024/25 campaign. He has scored 16 goals across all competitions and contributed with 13 assists and is also the joint top goalscorer (13) in the Premier League along with Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MOHAMED SALAH?

  Salah will be back in action in midweek as Arne Slot's side take on Southampton in a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash at St Mary's Stadium.

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham utilised his break to make his way to watch brother, Jobe, in action for Sunderland against Blackburn Rovers.

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• Jude watches Jobe play for Sunderland
• Black Cats draw 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers
• Jobe linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bellingham has been setting the world alight with Real Madrid over the last season-and-a-half. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Jobe, has slowly but surely been developing his talent at Sunderland and has seen interest in his services from a number of top European clubs.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  With Spanish football having a break for the festive period at the end of the year. Jude had the opportunity to travel to England to watch Jobe in action for Sunderland as the Black Cats were held to a 2-2 draw by Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park as hosts equalised in the last minute.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Jobe has received attention from Jude’s former club Borussia Dortmund, and the 19-year-old could very well be on his way to stepping into his brother’s career path: Championship football to Champions League football.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR THE BELLINGHAM BROTHERS?

  Jude will not be back in action until 2025 when Real Madrid take on Valencia on January 3. Meanwhile, Jobe has one more game to tackle with Sunderland in this calendar year, when they face Stoke City on December 29.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have lost their opening two Premier League matches to Arsenal and Chelsea respectively, scoring twice and conceding eight goals in the process.

Despite the quality of opponents meaning Wolves were far from favourites in both games, the manner of the losses, especially against the Blues, could be a cause for concern.

Could this see Gary O’Neil make a move for another centre-back before the transfer window slams shut on Friday evening, as it is clear the Old Gold need to replace the departed Max Kilman.

Wolves plotting move for Championship defender

According to GIVEMESPORT, Wolves are debating whether to offer either Anel Ahmedhodzic or Teden Mengi an escape route from the second tier.

This could see the Molineux outfit make a potential late move for either of the defenders as they look to replace Kilman, who joined West Ham United for £40m earlier in the transfer window.

Despite interest in two players, O’Neil will likely only bring one new player to the club. Judging by their statistics from last term, it should be the Luton Town centre-back – who is also coveted by Torino – that emerges as the preferred option.

Teden Mengi’s season in numbers

The former Manchester United youngster failed to make the grade at Old Trafford, playing just two senior games for the club, enjoying several loans in the process.

He finally moved to Luton last summer and went on to play 30 matches in the Premier League, scoring once.

The defender ranked in the top five among his teammates for clearances (4.5), tackles (1.8) and interceptions (1.9) per game in the Premier League, as per Sofascore.

While he impressed within his own squad, Tengi impressed among his own peers too. Across Europe’s top five leagues, the 22-year-old ranked in the top 2% for interceptions (2.08), the top 12% for clearances (5.1) and the top 17% for tackles (1.97) per 90, proving how effective at the back he was last season.

Compare these stats to those of Ahmedhodzic, and it becomes clear who would be the better signing. The Sheffield United defender did rank in the top 9% among his peers for tackles per 90 (2.19), but only ranked in the top 26% for clearances (4.62) and the top 39% for interceptions (1.21) per 90.

So far this term, Mengi has won 100% of his ground duels in the second tier while not being dribbled past at all in three games. The Bosnian, on the other hand, has won just 50% of his ground duels along with being dribbled past once on average per match.

This should see O’Neil make Mengi the priority target in the final couple of days of the transfer market in order to finally fill Kilman's shoes in defence. The youngster was even dubbed “astounding” by manager Rob Edwards during their season in the Premier League.

This experience would stand him in good stead ahead of a potential move to Molineux before the 11pm deadline on Friday evening.

Wolves agree £10m deal to sign experienced international player

Wolves look to be closing in on a new signing that should excite the fans.

By
Brett Worthington

Aug 28, 2024

Glasgow Rangers stuttering start to the season was nearly forgotten about during 90 minutes over the weekend as Philippe Clement’s men strolled to a 6-0 win in the Premiership.

The result was the first time the Ibrox side have scored six goals in a league tie since October 31, 2021.

Three points were the most important thing, but the six-goal show would have inspired plenty of confidence among several first-team players heading into the first Old Firm clash of the season against Celtic this Sunday.

Cyriel Dessers added another two goals to his collection, delivering a solid performance, setting him up nicely for the crunch clash at the end of the week.

Cyriel Dessers’ game in numbers against Ross County

Before the weekend match, Dessers had scored three goals in his first five matches of the season, clearly hitting the ground running in a bid to kickstart his Ibrox career.

He did score 22 times last term, but there was plenty of criticism regarding the chances he failed to take, often requiring three or four opportunities before finding the back of the net.

The 29-year-old appears to have learned his lessons from 2023/24, becoming the Gers' main danger in the opposition box and this could prove crucial as the season goes on.

Having played just 45 minutes against St Johnstone in the League Cup, Dessers was back in the starting XI at Hampden on Saturday, justifying his selection with a sublime display.

Dessers was only on the pitch for 66 minutes, yet he scored twice, made two key passes, created a big chance and attempted three dribbles, succeeding with one.

Last season, the Nigerian may have taken more chances to score his two goals, but these came with his only two shots on target, clearly suggesting his abilities in front of goal have improved this season.

Rabbi Matondo provided plenty of service for the former Feyenoord striker, something which made all the difference for the light Blues.

With just a few days left of the transfer window, is Clement aiming to sign another talented winger who could present Dessers with chance after chance?

Rangers showing interest in Benfica starlet

Reports from Portugal last week (via the Daily Record) linked Rangers with Benfica winger Tiago Gouveia and the Lisbon giants could be open to letting him leave before the transfer window slams shut.

The Light Blues face some stiff competition though, as not only are Anderlecht and Villarreal in the running, but also sides from France and Russia are keen to sign the youngster.

Gouveia – valued at around £7m by Benfica – may only be allowed to depart should his club bring in a replacement, which could prove to be the main stumbling block for any move.

He was asked about his future amid the recent links, saying: "I'm here every day waiting for opportunities. Sometimes it doesn't happen and the frustration is huge."

Does this offer Clement some hope that he is seeking a move abroad? Rangers would be an excellent club for him to further develop his skills.

Not only that, but he could be an upgrade to Ross McCausland.

Tiago Gouveia’s 2023/24 season in numbers

The winger returned from a productive loan spell at Estoril last summer – where he scored five goals and registered five assists – in a bid to crack the first team at Benfica.

He did play 26 senior matches for Benfica, yet started only five of those. Despite this lack of opportunity in the starting XI, Gouveia still managed to score four goals and grab three assists for the club.

Although he averaged just 41 minutes per league game, the 23-year-old still managed to create four big chances, average 0.8 key passes per game and succeed with 1.2 dribbles each match, making sure when he did get a chance in the team, he took it.

McCausland did enjoy his breakthrough campaign as part of the first team squad during 2023/24, but there is no doubt he could have been more effective in front of goal.

He also registered seven goal contributions – three goals and four assists – in the top flight, but the Northern Irishman started ten games more than Gouveia.

The 21-year-old created three big chances, averaged 1.4 key passes per game and succeeded with 0.9 dribble attempts.

Decent statistics for the youngster, but it is clear if Gouveia had started more matches, his statistics would have improved massively, especially considering his impact from the bench.

The Portuguese gem would be a perfect signing for Dessers, no doubt about it and could give Clement yet another excellent option to call upon on the flank.

When compared to his positional peers in similar leagues, the 23-year-old ranked in the top 10% for non-penalty goals, assists, successful take-ons and touches in the opposition penalty area per 90, as the winger clearly showcased his talents last season.

These traits would certainly make him an upgrade, as Gouveia has performed in one of the biggest leagues in Europe, shining during spells for Benfica.

Dessers clearly enjoyed the service of Matondo on the weekend and, given his new-found confidence in front of goal, wingers delivering balls into the box is something the Nigerian will be desperate to capitalise on.

Gouveia averaged 1.84 passes into the penalty area during the league season in 2023/24, ranking him in the top 12% when compared to other wingers, showing how often he likes to move the ball into dangerous areas.

This would clearly benefit Dessers massively, as he tends to lurk inside the box, waiting for chances to come his way.

While £7m could be a price tag beyond Clement’s means, a loan deal for the winger could be the best course of action.

Things will move fairly swiftly between now and Friday, which means the Belgian must be ready to strike if a deal is possible.

Imagine him & Matondo: Rangers could sign "unplayable" gem before Friday

Philippe Clement could have plenty of business to conduct before Friday

By
Ross Kilvington

Aug 26, 2024

Robinson has come into his own this season, and now offers a world-class presence for Marco Silva's side

Left backs aren’t cool these days. It’s up for debate if they ever really have been. Such are the tactical tweaks in modern football, and the interchangeability of positions, that a traditional outside back – the kind of player who runs up, runs down, tackles and crosses – doesn’t really exist anymore.

Everyone tucks in, plays sideways passes, crosses from deep. They are all converted midfielders or bruising center backs pushed out wide.

And so we arrive at Antonee Robinson. He is, in some ways, a throwback. Here we have an athlete, who always did all of those traditional things – those runs, crosses, duels – very well. But this year, he’s elevated himself into the elite. He’s made old fashioned look exciting and traditional look modern. Suddenly, both Fulham and America have a world-class left back at their disposal.

Fulham fans might tell you that he’s been this good for a while – or at least that he has been progressing toward it. USMNT fans who remember his failed medical at Milan in 2020, or full senior debut assist in 2018, might also make a case. But few could really claim to have seen this coming, a diligent, mid level player being mentioned alongside some of the best in his position.

Still, after an excellent start to the season, he deserves every compliment, and is good value for the big money move that many have him tipped for.

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  The Numbers

  To understand what, exactly, has made Antonee Robinson so good this year, you need to watch all 97 minutes of Fulham’s Premier League clash with Liverpool last Saturday. Zoom out, and the stats look pretty good: 2 assists, eight duels won, the impressive feat of keeping Mo Salah off the scoreboard (yes, that’s what success is against the Egyptian these days.)

  Defenders are hard to analyze statistically. There are so many variables at play: how a team sets up, whether a manager wants his full-backs to attack, or, in general, the relative quality of an opponent. The numbers will tell you, for example, that James Tarkowski of struggling Everton is better in some ways than Virgil Van Dijk. Watch even 20 minutes of football, and that is fairly easily dismissed.

  Still, there are some numbers at play that work. Last year, Robinson totaled seven assists in all competitions. This year, he already has six. His chances created, pass accuracy, shot creating actions, and progressive passing numbers are all up.

  On the other side of the ball, things are equally impressive. According to , he’s in the 88th percentile among all full backs for tackles won, 95th for interceptions, and 94th for clearances. Caveats aside – yes, there are a fair few of them – that has all the makings of an elite left back.

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  The vibes

  Get caught in the number trap all you want, and there’s still a lot to work with. For so long, Robinson was hailed for his pace and work rate. It was always known that he was a live wire on the left, a relentless runner capable of keeping up with most wingers. The raw athleticism needed to play his position was never in question.

  But this season, the little things are more in place than they have ever been. Robinson’s one-on-one nous is apparent. He seldom gets caught square against opponents, and is harder to dribble past. The list of wingers that Robinson has been able to contain makes for fine reading: Salah, Bukayo Saka and Savinho.

  And then, going the other way, there are the tiny adjustments. Marco Silva has Fulham – yes, Fulham – playing expansive attacking football this season. This is a quick, entertaining side. And Robinson plays a key role in the attacking setup.

  The rapid left back is ordered to scamper forward, and knock crosses into the box. It’s something, historically, he has been mixed at. Balls have been shanked out of bounds, or overhit. Groans have echoed around Craven Cottage. This year, though, Robinson has figured out two key passes.

  The first is a low driven ball to the near post, the exploitation of the “corridor of uncertainty” with a skidding drive to cut through the grass. It’s how Fulham scored their second against Liverpool. And then there’s the delicate floated pass to the far post, one for Raul Jimenez or a late runner to knock in to the net. It’s how the Cottagers got their first.

  Sure, there are still mistakes. But there is cutting edge to be found.

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  The armband

  It was the 96th minute of Fulham’s Premier League clash with Tottenham, and Robinson was sprinting after the ball. Really, it didn't seem possible. Everyone else on the pitch in an unfriendly, barely-watchable 1-1 looked exhausted. But here was a defender, tearing up the pitch in stoppage time, with his team trying to hold a result. Sprinting 70 yards, sorted in no time, dispossessing an opponent before seeing out a hard-fought draw. It was, in many ways, the standout moment from the game.

  There are two reasons for that. The first is the English obsession with work rate and football – the idea that footballers, above all, should be passionate runners. And then, there was the significance of the band on his arm when he did it. The decision to make Robinson captain after fellow American Tim Ream left the club seemed a questionable one. Players of his position aren’t typically leaders. Full backs are good soldiers, “servants to the club.” Moments like that, though, prove his credentials.

  There’s also something quite American about the guy. Robinson may play for the USMNT, but he was born in Milton Keynes, played in the Everton academy and holds eligibility for the side through his father, who was raised in White Plains, New York. Listen to an interview, and this is not a man who would seem to belong next to the twang of Matt Turner or drawl of Weston McKennie.

  But he does have the scrappiness that came to define a generation of American players. There’s an inspirational sort of ruggedness here – the kind of thing that Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and so many USMNT players before him fed off on the international stage.

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  Mauricio Pochettino's influence

  There was much talk, when Mauricio Pochettino first took the USMNT job, about how the manager might improve individuals. Could he get the most out of Christian Pulisic? Is there some version of Harry Kane hiding somewhere in Folarin Balogun? Can a line be drawn from the two years of brilliance of Dele Alli to an injury-stricken Gio Reyna?

  Some of this was initial excitement, fanciful thoughts that ignored the more apparent reality of international football – players don’t typically develop when they’re away with their country.

  But that doesn’t mean that they can’t change, or hone what they’re good at. Pochettino’s first four fixtures in charge offered some interesting insights about what his U.S. tenure might look like. Perhaps what stuck out the most, though, was his insistence on tactical flexibility.

  No one really just played one position, or occupied one role. Robinson was the poster child of that principle. At times, he played like a left winger in a 3-2-5 build up structure. At others, he dropped deeper, tucking in to become a de-facto center midfielder, making things happen from the middle of the pitch. It was unfamiliar territory for a footballer once regarded as little more than a runner.

  But he pulled it off with aplomb.

  Of course, different managers require different things. For Fulham, Robinson stays wide. Football, though, is an increasingly skillset-based game. This is all about what a player can do in a given system – and the skills that come with it. So, no, Robinson won’t be an inverted full back in the ilk of Trent Alexander-Arnold, or a tidy ball player like John Stones. Still, under a new manager, his skills have developed. Something has been unlocked. That can only be considered a good thing.

Manchester City are reportedly considering making a move for Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina as they look to replace their maligned captain.

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• Kyle Walker struggling at Man City
• Man City want to sign Ola Aina
• Number of clubs interested in right-back

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Walker has underwhelmed for Manchester City this season as Pep Guardiola's side have looked a shadow of their former selves and have struggled to defend their Premier League title. City are reportedly unhappy with their captain's performances and are considering signing a new right-back either January or the summer transfer window.

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  According to The Sun, Manchester City have earmarked Nottingham Forest's Aina as a potential long-term candidate to replace Walker but are aware that they will have tough competition from a number of Premier League clubs who are also looking to get the right-back on board.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Aina has been one of the standouts for Nottingham Forest this season as the Tricky Trees sit fourth in the Premier League and are hoping to challenge for the Champions League playing spots.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WALKER?

  The England international has undoubtedly had a tough year with his personal life also making plenty of headlines. Walker is contracted to Manchester City until 2026 but his future at the club looks far from secure and it would be no surprise to see the Cityzens invest in a successor to the 34-year-old.

Following a disastrous start to the campaign, Everton have already reportedly set their sights on a top target who would replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park in the January transfer window.

Everton transfer news

Following two defeats from two against Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur – in which they conceded a total of seven goals – things were looking up for Everton up until the 87th minute against Bournemouth. Sean Dyche's side were cruising; the three points were in sight. And then came a glimmer of south coast hope provided by Antoine Semenyo – a glimmer that quickly spelled disaster for the Toffees.

Once they had a foothold back in the game, the Cherries swiftly found their second and then a stunning winner to complete a sensational six-minute comeback in front of the Everton faithful. So it's no surprise that after three games, those in Merseyside are already reportedly thinking about the January transfer window, just days after the summer window slammed shut.

According to reports from journalist Alan Nixon (as relayed by Goodison News), Everton now want to sign Elijah Adebayo from Luton Town in a deal worth between £15m and £20m in January, having identified the forward as their top target for Dyche in the winter window. However, the Toffees aren't alone in their interest, with Crystal Palace also eyeing a move amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Everton, of course, are in need of a replacement for Calvert-Lewin either in January or in the summer when his current contract expires, leaving them without an out-and-out No 9 – potentially opening the door for Adebayo.

"Brilliant" Adebayo has proven Premier League quality

As Luton struggled and eventually suffered relegation from the Premier League last season, Adebayo was one of the few standouts. Truth be told, it was a surprise that the 26-year-old didn't get a summer move back to the top flight, instead staying put in a Luton side who are still struggling now in the Championship, but concerns over his future could end courtesy of Everton in January.

What is instantly noticeable is just how clinical Adebyao was in front of goal last season, scoring almost double what was expected compared to Calvert-Lewin's clear struggles and underperformance when handed opportunities to find the back of the net.

Earning plenty of praise as a result, Luton boss Rob Edwards said (via Luton Today) after Adebayo was nominated for the Premier League's Player of the Month award: "Those individual ones are great, really good recognition for Eli.

"His work-rate and what he’s been doing is sensational, so really pleased for him. I’ve been really impressed, he looks at home at this level, he does. That’s real credit to him, to his mentality, to his work-rate, his desire to improve, so he’s a brilliant inspiration to a lot of young people."

The English top-flight resumes this weekend and there are a number of national-team stars aiming to impress Sarina Wiegman over the coming months

In less than six months, England will begin their first defence of a major tournament title on the women's side, when they head to the 2025 European Championships as the reigning champions after beating Germany in dramatic circumstances at Wembley back in 2022, with Chloe Kelly's extra-time strike securing the Lionesses' maiden major trophy.

Incidentally, as the Women's Super League returns this weekend, Kelly is one of several England stars who need to have big second halves of the season in order to punch their ticket to Switzerland in July, with competition fierce for spots in both the starting XI and the squad as a whole.

So, who will Sarina Wiegman likely be keeping a close eye on over the next few months as she ponders her final 23-player list? GOAL takes a look at eight Lionesses who need to shine…

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  Hannah Hampton

  The fight to be England No.1 is the most talked about individual battle in the team, with Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton going into the New Year neck-and-neck in that race. It has ebbed and flowed for both over the last few months, with each having a perceived lead on the other at various points. Right now, it's arguably Earps in the driving seat, after a strong final camp of 2024 in which her saves helped the Lionesses avoid defeat to the United States at Wembley.

  A few days after that draw, Hampton was in between the sticks for the win over Switzerland, but she failed to convince in the same manner as her team-mate. With some shaky moments coming in the defeat to Germany in the camp prior, it all culminates in a feeling that Earps is just ahead at the moment.

  But there's plenty of time for that to change. England will have three more camps before the Euros and both players have five months of club action to show Wiegman what they can do, too. While also looking to help Chelsea retain their WSL title, Hampton will also have opportunities in the Champions League that Earps doesn't, and she'll be keen to take them.

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  Lauren James

  While the rest of the names on this list need to impress in order to secure a place in the England XI, or squad, Lauren James' situation is a little different. If she's fit, she is all-but-guaranteed to start for the Lionesses. It's not being fit that has been frustrating for her lately.

  Injuries hampered the winger throughout 2024. Indeed, she struggled with them through the final stages of the 2023-24 season, missed England's June camp because of a foot problem and has just now come back from three months out, starting for Chelsea in the FA Cup last week having been absent since mid-October.

  The second half of this season, then, is all about getting back up to speed, getting back into form and, crucially, avoiding any other setbacks. It's important for Chelsea's fortunes and also for England's.

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  Beth Mead

  After a rather promising first full season back following her ACL injury last term, things have unfortunately been a little trickier for Beth Mead this time around. With just four goals in all competitions so far, and no assists, she is one player that Wiegman would love to see find some more dangerous and consistent form before the Euros, in order to bolster the potency of the England attack.

  Some wingers would be pleased with that goal return, but that it is seen as below-par for Mead is an indication of her ability and the standard she has set over the years. As the old saying goes, form is temporary, class is permanent, and the 29-year-old will be keen to remind everyone just what she is capable of in the second half of this season – particularly Wiegman, as she looks to cement a place in her starting XI.

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  Chloe Kelly

  Worries about Mead's form are only intensified because of the lack of playing time for another England winger, in Kelly. With Lauren Hemp currently sidelined after knee surgery and James herself only just back, the Lionesses' wide areas are suddenly not looking as well-stocked and strong as usual.

  Kelly's situation has admittedly caused concern for Wiegman, with her struggling massively for game time at Manchester City. That lack of minutes comes while her contract is set to expire this summer, making a January move a little trickier. Instead, it looks like the 27-year-old will have to make the best of things with the Cityzens in the second half of this season and take advantage of whatever opportunities she can get in order to be included in that England squad.

  City boss Gareth Taylor said last week that Kelly looked "sharp" and "fresh" in the team's winter training camp, while brushing off talk of a January move for her. Is that a sign that more minutes could be coming her way? Only time will tell.

Glasgow Rangers manager Philippe Clement must be rueing the fact he failed to add more firepower to his first team squad at Ibrox during the summer transfer window.

The Belgian will have to make do with Cyriel Dessers as Rangers' main option to lead the line, with new signing Hamza Igamane providing support from the bench.

Danilo, a summer 2023 signing under Michael Beale, has suffered a setback in his recovery from the serious knee injury he suffered last season.

This could rule him out for a month or so, piling the pressure on the threadbare options Clement has at his disposal.

Dessers has been in decent form this season so far, but once again, failed to net during an Old Firm derby game as Celtic won 3-0 at Parkhead last week.

The Nigerian must step up in games against quality opposition, no doubt about it.

Cyriel Dessers’ season in numbers

The Nigerian centre-forward is certainly a Jekyll and Hyde character among the Ibrox supporters. Some love his work rate and effort during games, whereas others believe he isn’t of the required quality for the Gers to win anything this term.

During the 2023/24 campaign, the 29-year-old scored 22 goals in all competitions, which, on the surface, represents a more than respectable debut term in Glasgow.

Take a deeper dive into his statistics, however, and it is clear Dessers should have scored a lot more than 22 goals. Indeed, in the Premiership alone, the striker missed 27 big chances across 35 matches.

His finishing skills clearly need some work, but so far this season, he has found the back of the net on five occasions in all competitions, while grabbing an assist.

His display against Celtic was poor, with the former Feyenoord centre-forward failing to score with his two shots on target, despite both being scoreable opportunities, while also losing possession on 16 occasions.

The Light Blues haven’t exactly enjoyed the best of seasons thus far, winning just three of their opening seven games in all competitions. Is Dessers really the man to fire the club to a league title this season?

Improvement will be required, that’s for certain. The club is lacking in the attacking department at this moment in time as the supporters wish they could have someone like Alfredo Morelos back in the team.

There is one striker, who left the club back in 2022, that has shone since moving away from Ibrox. That man is Cedric Itten.

Cedric Itten’s Rangers statistics

Ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, Steven Gerrard spent a lot on improving his attacking department, luring not only Kemar Roofe to the Gers but also Swiss centre-forward Itten, who joined from FC St Gallen.

Having scored 20 goals and chipping in with seven assists the season prior to his move to Rangers, it looked as though Gerrard had signed a striker with plenty of potential.

Unfortunately, his time at the Light Blues was poor, as Itten failed to live up to the hype generated upon his arrival.

The club won the Premiership title during his maiden season, but the Swiss striker scored only six goals across 37 appearances in all competitions.

These poor displays led Gerrard to loan him out to Bundesliga side Greuther Fürth, where he even scored against Bayern Munich yet failed to make much of a lasting impression during his short stint in Germany.

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst recalled him in January 2022, offering the player another chance in Glasgow, but he scored just twice between then and the end of the season, practically spelling the end of his time at the club.

During the summer transfer window ahead of the 2022/23 season, Itten was sold to BSC Young Boys for just £1.5m, which represented a loss on the fee they paid for him two years earlier.

Since he left, Itten has turned into a goalscoring machine.

What Cedric Itten has done since leaving Rangers

Not only has he shone back in his homeland, but his current market valuation has risen since his departure from Rangers.

According to Football Transfers, Itten is now worth £6m, which proves Young Boys have certainly hit the jackpot by signing him for such a low fee in 2022.

During his first season in Switzerland, the 27-year-old netted an impressive 23 goals and registered 12 assists for the club as they won the league and cup double.

Last season, he wasn’t quite as prolific, but still managed a tally of 13 goals, including one in the Champions League, as Young Boys retained their domestic title. The move had clearly turned into one of their finest pieces of business recently, especially judging by his record in front of goal.

After just nine games this term, Itten already has four goals, which means he has found the back of the net on 40 occasions since joining the club. Dessers, on the other hand, has scored 37 goals since the start of the 2022/23 season, three shy of Itten’s tally.

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Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

This isn’t to say the club were wrong to sell him, but looking back, perhaps another chance under Van Bronckhorst may have given the player confidence to finally showcase his true talents.

He is clearly a solid centre-forward given his record over the previous two seasons, although perhaps the pressure of performing for a club like Rangers was too much for him to handle.

His goals would add some much-needed firepower to the current Gers side for Clement, who is having to rely heavily on Dessers, especially over the next few weeks.

Itten isn’t the first player the club have sold hastily, and surely won't be the last. Hopefully, Clement won't fall into that trap as he looks to build a squad capable of winning trophies and shining in Europe.

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They are yet to pick up a win, but Ipswich Town have made a positive start to life in the Premier League this season.

Kieran McKenna’s side had to play Liverpool and Manchester City in their opening games of the campaign and put up a valiant fight in both before picking up impressive points at home to Fulham and then away to Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Tractor Boys now have the perfect opportunity to pick up their first win of the year this afternoon as they take on Southampton in what should be an early relegation six-pointer.

That said, to give his team the best chance of claiming all three points, McKenna should make at least one change to the lineup that drew last weekend and drop Wes Burns.

Why McKenna should drop Burns

Burns joined Ipswich from Fleetwood Town in June 2021 when the club were still in League One and has played a significant role in every season since.

For example, in 38 appearances last season, the 29-year-old winger racked up six goals and four assists, equating to a goal involvement on average every 3.8 games, and played an important role in their promotion to the top flight.

However, while he could still be a useful player, he didn’t look great upon his return to the team against the Seagulls last week, which is an opinion shared by Alex Jones of the East Anglian Daily Times, who gave him a 6/10 on the day, writing that he ‘struggled to find space’ and ‘looked tired in the latter stages.’

It’s easy to see where Jones is coming from when we look at Burns’ statistics from the game. In his 59 minutes on the pitch, he could only register an expected assists figure of 0.01, took just 21 touches, misplaced 50% of his passes, didn’t play a single key pass, was inaccurate with his one long ball, didn’t take any shots, failed in three of four dribbles, lost eight of 12 duels, lost possession nine times and made one error that led to a Brighton shot.

Overall, while it was a tough ask of the 29-year-old, he didn’t look particularly dangerous on the right, and in what feels like a must-win game this afternoon, he should be dropped for a far more exciting attacker.

Why Jack Clarke should start

Yes, the exciting attacker in question is former Sunderland star Jack Clarke, who joined the Tractor Boys last month for a fee of around £15m plus £5m in add-ons.

Now, the 23-year-old has made five appearances for the club so far, all on the left, in which he’s scored and assisted a goal, but he is more than capable of playing on the right, as across his career to date, he has started 44 matches there.

Moreover, it wouldn’t be a particularly unusual tactical decision from McKenna, as he’s already shown a willingness to play his most talented stars in unfamiliar positions this season, with Sammie Szmodics starting on the left in two games so far.

Furthermore, like the Irishman, the English “diamond”, as former manager Tony Mowbray described him, is such a talent that having him start in a slightly unfamiliar position is far more useful than starting on the bench.

For example, in just 42 appearances for the Black Cats last season, the York-born dynamo scored 15 goals and provided four assists, meaning that across an entire season, he maintained an average of a goal involvement every 2.21 games.

Ultimately, while Burns wasn’t dreadful against Brighton last week, he didn’t offer anywhere near enough attacking threat, and so, even though it’s off the right, McKenna should look to start Clarke in his place this afternoon, as he showed last season just how destructive he can be at times.

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By
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