Many Aston Villa fans were left stunned by James Chester’s incredible gesture to help the NHS during the ongoing global pandemic.
Writing in The Athletic, the defender revealed he has placed his empty Birmingham flat “on a scheme for NHS staff called NHS Homes.”
Chester went on to add “if doctors or nurses in the area need a place to stay, it’s there.”
The centre-back was the January.
After joining Villa from West Bromwich Albion for £8.37m in the summer of 2016, Chester made 45 appearances for the club in his first season in Birmingham, averaging 1.6 tackles per game, making 1.6 interceptions, and completing a staggering 7.4 clearances on average in the Championship (WhoScored).
The Manchester United academy graduate has earned himself 35 caps for the Welsh national team, notably featuring six times for the side that famously stormed its way to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
Understandably, Chester’s contribution has delighted lots of Villa supporters, with one fan calling his effort “top quality,” and another simply saying the Welshman is a “class act.”
Take a look at some of the best reactions online…
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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Granit Xhaka was not included in Arsenal’s squad for their Europa League match against Vitoria de Guimaraes, having also missed the 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
This comes after he was offered counselling following the negative reception he received when substituted off against Crystal Palace, as reported by The Daily Mail.
The decision for him to miss the Europa League tie will have put some doubt on whether the 27-year-old will feature against Leicester City, but if he does, the Switzerland international will have the perfect opportunity to prove his doubters wrong.
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Arsenal will be coming up against one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League on Saturday, with Leicester having won 5 of their last 6 games.
Xhaka will need to get the better of James Maddison if he plays, which will be a difficult task, as the 22-year-old has been in talismanic form this campaign, scoring 3 league goals and adding 2 assists, as per WhoScored.
In addition to that, the Englishman has averaged 2.1 key passes and 2.7 dribbles, while also being fouled 2.5 times per game, with these statistics giving an indication of how influential he has been.
Therefore, if Xhaka is able to effectively deal with Maddison, it will show that he has the quality and discipline to be a key midfielder for Arsenal.
A match against a team with Leicester’s form has arguably come at the worst time for Unai Emery, with the Spaniard seemingly under increasing pressure given the Xhaka fiasco and Arsenal’s mediocre results of late.
This only adds to the potential for Xhaka to dispel the criticism of his leadership abilities, as he now has the chance to show he can step up in tough times and lead his team to victory – this is especially poignant after he was stripped of his captaincy on Tuesday.
The circumstances make Saturday’s game a tough task for Arsenal and their former skipper, but this type of fixture is the one in which Xhaka can truly prove his doubters wrong.
A number of Liverpool fans have taken to social media to hail Trent Alexander-Arnold as the academy product continues to go from strength to strength.
The 21-year-old made his 16th club appearance of the season against Genk on Tuesday night as the Reds recorded a 2-1 win at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold has contributed four assists and one goal in 16 outings this term, whilst he has not missed a minute of the club’s Premier League campaign to date.
His consistency when it comes to availability is impressive in itself, but the Englishman’s ability was once again on display earlier this week.
Against Genk, the right-back had two shots, made three tackles and had a pass success rate of 84%, according to the statistics provided by WhoScored.
Alexander-Arnold has become an incredible outlet down the right for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and a whole host of Liverpool supporters have been keen to hail him on social media:
Newcastle United secured an impressive 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon. Despite a lack of action in the transfer window from Eddie Howe, the Magpies have claimed seven points from nine in the Premier League along with reaching the next round of the EFL Cup.
This victory over Spurs will surely give the club a major confidence boost heading into the international break. Maybe Howe will be able to take the club back into Europe with the players he has at his disposal after all.
Alexander Isak and Harvey Barnes were the goalscorers, with both players shining during the match.
Alexander Isak and Harvey Barnes’ statistics vs Tottenham
Barnes scored the opener with just eight minutes left of the first half and the winger was lively throughout his time on the pitch.
Indeed, he managed two shots during the match while succeeding with 100% of his dribbles and winning 100% of his ground duels against Spurs.
Barnes managed just 23 matches last term due to injury issues, but he still scored five times. If he remains fit, there is no doubting his importance this season.
Isak will also be key if Howe wants his side to get back into the Champions League group stages via their league performance this season.
Games
4
Wins
3
Draws
0
Defeats
1
Goals
5
The Swede scored his first goal of 2023/24 against the North Londoners on the weekend, which will hopefully be the catalyst for many more over the next few months. It was a simple one, latching onto Jacob Murphy's selfless pass that took Guglielmo Vicario out of the game.
It was a strike that turned out to be the winner with just 12 minutes to go but that wasn't the only thing he did right, attempting three shots during the match as well as succeeding with one of his three dribble attempts.
Like Barnes, Isak will be key to any success Newcastle go on to have this term, but there was an underrated hero for the club against Spurs.
Valentino Livramento’s game in numbers vs Spurs
Barnes and Isak may have got the goals which carried the team to a crucial three points, but the right-back shone against Spurs, fully demonstrating why he's been named in the recent England squad by Lee Carsley.
He was given a match rating of 9/10 by the Chronicle for his display, with journalist Lee Ryder claiming he delivered a ‘near immaculate' performance during the match.
The praise didn’t stop there, as journalist Aaron Stokes lauded the defender for his fine display, saying that Livramento was "absolutely exceptional."
The right-back made eight clearances and two tackles during the game while winning four of his seven duels and failing to be dribbled past once by an opposition player.
Valentino Livramento
Going forward, Livramento succeeded with two of his three dribble attempts and made one key pass, proving he was keen on contributing at both ends of the pitch.
It was a stellar performance by the player, despite Newcastle as a whole not exactly lighting up St James' Park during the game.
The international break comes at the perfect time for Howe. With seven points on the board, it has been a solid enough start for the Magpies.
Newcastle struck gold on "sensational" ace who's worth more than Guehi
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ tough start to the season began the way that many expected it would, with a 2-0 defeat away to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The Midlands club had a mountain to climb in order to get a positive result against the club who have come second on the table for back-to-back seasons.
Indeed, Gary O’Neil’s side succumbed to goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka which put them to the sword and meant they left North London without a point to show for their efforts. Interestingly, it was the two goalscorers who assisted each other, with Saka’s cross for the Germany international a particularly good pass.
Next up for the Molineux side, they host Chelsea, who also lost their first game of the season 2-0, to Manchester City. That game will see the return of Pedro Neto to the club he left just a few weeks ago, to seek a new challenge at Stamford Bridge.
Wolves have not made too many major moves in the transfer market so far, but O’Neil may wish to see his side strengthened before the deadline on the 30th of August. They have recently been linked with one man who could add quality to their team.
Wolves target Championship defender
The player in question here is Sheffield United and Bosnia and Herzegovina centre-back Anel Ahmedhodzic. The 25-year-old defender impressed for the Blades last term despite their relegation from the Premier League and has now been linked with a move away from Bramall Lane this summer.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, the Midlands club are thought to be ‘interested’ in doing a deal for the Bosnian this summer, following the departure of former club captain Max Kilman. O’Neil’s side view the Sheffield United man as the perfect replacement for the centre-back, who joined West Ham United for a fee of £40m.
Sheffield United's Anel Ahmedhodzic
However, they will not be alone in their quest to sign Ahmedhodzic before the transfer window slams shut next week. Newly promoted side Ipswich Town are ‘set to join Wolves in the battle’ for the star's signature, as they look to bolster their squad further in a bid for survival this season.
In terms of a price, prior reports have indicated that he could command a fee of around £20m this summer.
Why Ahmedhodzic would be a good signing
The Bosnian was crucial for the Blades last season, although he could not help keep them in the Premier League after they finished bottom of the table. He played 31 games last term and has already featured twice this season in the Championship.
Anel Ahmedhodzic in action for sheffield united
In terms of being a like-for-like replacement for Kilman, it would be a good option given the fact they are both excellent box defenders. When comparing their FBref stats, the pair are very similar. The Sheffield United centre-back averaged 3.37 tackles and interceptions compared to 2.26 for Kilman, and 4.66 clearances compared to 4.79 for the West Ham man.
Stat (per 90)
Ahmedhodzic
Kilman
Tackles and interceptions
3.37
2.26
Ball recoveries
3.64
4.66
Clearances
4.66
4.79
Blocks
1.46
1.68
Like the former Wolves skipper, the Blades number 15 is very tall, standing at a giant 6 foot 5 with Kilman slightly shorter at 6 foot 4. With that in mind, it is unsurprising they are so dominant in the air, with Ahmedhodzic averaging a 58% aerial win rate per 90 minutes, and the Englishman Kilman 70.5%.
The Bosnia international has a reputation for handling some of the world’s best strikers with ease, including Erling Haaland. That was noted by football analyst Ben Mattinson, who pointed out that he “kept Haaland quiet for [the] majority of the game” when Sheffield United met Manchester City at Bramall Lane last term.
Max Kilman celebrates
For an affordable fee like £20m, the signing of Ahmedhodzic could be an astute pick up for Wolves. They are looking for a like-for-like Kilman replacement, and given the Bosnian’s proficient box defender ability, he could be the perfect choice to help strengthen things at the back.
Alongside Ramsdale: Wolves ready to bid for £20m Jarrad Branthwaite clone
Gary O’Neil is expected to make another signing this summer…
A European outfit have made contact with Everton over the potential signing of their £70,000-week player, according to a new report.
The Toffees have made a very poor start to this Premier League season, as it is two heavy defeats in their opening two games of the campaign. This will be disappointing for Sean Dyche, as his side have been busy in the transfer market, but as of yet, it hasn’t made a difference in the opening few games.
Deal agreed: Dyche and Everton now on the verge of signing £30m+ midfielder
Sean Dyche and Everton are on the verge of adding to their squad.
ByBrett Worthington Aug 28, 2024 Everton transfer news
So far in this transfer window, Everton have added six players to their squad, with one of those additions being Jack Harrison returning to the club from Leeds United. But given how the season has started, Dyche may be keen for one or two more arrivals between now and 11 p.m. on Friday.
Jack Harrison
Leeds United
Tim Iroegbunam
Aston Villa
Iliman Ndiaye
Marseille
Jesper Lindstrom
Napoli
Jake O'Brien
Lyon
Asmir Begovic
QPR
While Everton may be about to see a player leave Goodison Park in the shape of Neal Maupay's imminent move to Marseille, the Toffees appear to have their eyes on a couple of transfers before the window closes. The Merseysiders are closing in on the signing of former Nottingham Forest and now Lyon midfielder Orel Mangala.
Everton are said to have agreed a deal with the French side that will see them sign Mangala on a loan deal, with the option to buy the player for €40 million, which is roughly £33 million. The player was expected to have his medical on Wednesday, and it is now just about waiting for the confirmation of the deal.
While they are on the verge of signing Mangala, Everton are also said to have Chelsea striker Datro Fofana on their radar in what remains of this transfer window. The Toffees are believed to have held talks with the Blues over a possible loan deal, with work now being done behind the scenes to replace Maupay.
There could be two arrivals at Goodison Park shortly then, but there also may be at least one more departure given the latest news.
Valencia make enquiry for Everton defender
According to Pete O’Rourke, La Liga side Valenica have made an approach to Everton over the possible signing of defender Mason Holgate. The report doesn’t state whether the Spanish side are looking to sign the £70,000 per week player on a loan deal or permanently, but Holgate is in the final year of his contract at Goodison Park, so it is more likely the latter.
Since Dyche arrived at Everton, Holgate has fallen out of favour at the club. Before the player joined Southampton last summer, he admitted that the Everton boss was open with him and that he wasn’t his style of player.
It was also reported at the end of last year that while Dyche remains manager of Everton, Holgate has no future at the football club. That has been shown this season already, as Dyche decided to play the inexperienced Roman Dixon against Tottenham and Holgate remained on the bench for the entire game. The 27-year-old has appeared for the Toffees this season, playing five minutes against Brighton in the opening game of the campaign.
A big update has emerged on Aston Villa and their attempts to bolster their defensive options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign…
What's the latest on Pau Torres to Aston Villa?
According to Football Insider, the Villans are in contact with Villarreal over a deal to sign central defender Pau Torres in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that Unai Emery has made the Spain international his number one target and that the club are now closing in on a swoop for the 26-year-old titan.
It states that they are making progress over a transfer and that it is set to take a fee of at least £40m, which would be a club record, to get it over the line.
Would Pau Torres be a good signing for Aston Villa?
The Premier League side appointed Monchi as their new president of football operations recently and securing a deal for Torres would represent his first blinder as the LaLiga ace would be a terrific addition to the squad.
It would be a masterclass from the former Sevilla supremo as he would be providing Emery with a top-quality left-footed defender who excels at keeping the ball away from his own box and using his ability in possession to progress his team up the pitch.
Spain international Pau Torres.
Over the last 365 days, the Villarreal star, who talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed "wonderful" on the ball, ranks in the top 4% or higher amongst his positional peers across the Men's Big Five Leagues for progressive passes and progressive carries per 90.
Whereas, Tyrone Mings does not rank higher than the top 47% of players in the same category for either statistic over the last 365 days of action.
This suggests that Monchi could improve Villa's ability to play out from the back by landing an upgrade on the left-footed England international on the ball, given that Torres is one of the best players in the major leagues when it comes to breaking lines and driving up the pitch to make things happen for his team.
The Spaniard has also produced consistently impressive and dominant performances for his club in LaLiga in recent seasons.
He averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.04 across 34 league outings in 22/23 and won 61% of his individual duels, which came after the colossal ace won 66% of his battles and averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.09 in 21/22.
Mings, on the other hand, has averaged a rating of 6.91 in the Premier League across the last two campaigns, indicating that Torres would also be an upgrade on the current Villa defender in terms of his average performance level at the back.
Therefore, Monchi could land his first masterclass by getting this deal over the line for the defender as his statistics suggest that he would be a sensational addition to Emery's options in defence.
The race for coveted Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella is heating up, with a wealth of top Premier League outfits contesting for the Italy international's signature this summer.
What's the latest on Liverpool's pursuit of Nicolo Barella?
Liverpool are at the forefront of the race, joined in their intrigue by Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United, all said to be 'crazy' about the prospect of signing Barella, according to FCInterNews.
Touted at as much as €100m (£87m) by his team's hierarchy, the vested interest in his services by English football's most prominent teams could create an exorbitant transfer battle.
Barella could be headed for the Nerazzurri exit door when considering reports that he is personally pushing for a departure in search of new horizons, but contracted with until 2026, it could be a taxing pursuit indeed.
Should Liverpool sign Nicolo Barella?
The obvious stumbling block for Klopp and co is, of course, Barella's price tag, which is not too far away from the €103m (£88m) initial fee that Real Madrid have paid to prise Jude Bellingham away from Borussia Dortmund.
However, should Liverpool's technical director Jorg Schmadtke manage to whittle the Inter ace's jaw-dropping valuation down over the next few weeks, the Reds would glean one of Europe's superlative maestros.
Indeed, having made 51 appearances this season, the 26-year-old has posted nine goals and ten assists and been hailed as a "genius" for his exploits by reporter Mike Piellucci, with the chance for glory awaiting in the Champions League final against Manchester City this weekend.
With Anfield waving goodbye to a host of departees this summer, space has been opened for someone of Barella's ilk to forge a career as the Merseyside club's new general, reinstating the cohesion and verve that blinked out of existence as Liverpool slipped into obscurity this season, failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Liverpool transfer target Nicolo Barella.
Alexis Mac Allister has already been signed by Anfield's powers that be, penning a long-term contract after his £35m release clause at Brighton & Hove Albion was met, a shrewd move heralded as a "bargain" by Fabrizio Romano.
Liverpool acted with the ruthless incisiveness that has become a staple point of Klopp's tenure at the club, and the energy and dynamism that the 24-year-old brings will undoubtedly provide a shimmering new sheen to a central midfield requiring comprehensive reconstruction.
Barella would ice the cake, blending his maestro-like skill set with Mac Allister's box-surging, progressive presence and digging up the dynamism and intensity required for success in a Klopp system.
As per FBref, the 43-cap Italy gem ranks among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals, the top 21% for assists, the top 11% for shot-creating actions, the top 19% for progressive passes and the top 11% for progressive carries per 90.
Mac Allister, comparatively, ranks among the top 19% for shot-creating actions, the top 20% for progressive carries and the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90, which illustrates an interconnection of skill sets, pushing the ball upfield and suffocating opposition with first-rate creativity and crisp passing play.
Whether Liverpool decide to bite the bullet and acquiesce to Inter's monetary demands remains to be seen, but unquestionably, Barella is a midfielder of every bit the calibre to take Anfield back to the peak of the mountain of aspiring European outfits.
Chelsea have rejected a £30m bid for highly-rated young centre-back Levi Colwill, according to fresh update from journalist Jacob Steinberg.
Has Colwill had a good season?
The 20-year-old was sent out on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion last summer, in order to gain some valuable experience, rather than struggle for playing time at Stamford Bridge and potentially grow stagnant.
Colwill enjoyed an impressive season with the Seagulls, admittedly not always managing to play ahead of Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster, but still starting a total of 13 matches in the Premier League, and making 20 appearances, in all competitions. He played his part in the south coast club being one of the most aesthetically-pleasing teams in the division, with his ball-playing ability highlighted by an eye-catching 88.6% pass completion rate.
The young Englishman will be back at Chelsea this summer, however, and there is set to be interest in his signature, with his current Blues deal expiring in the summer of 2025. In fact, it already looks as though that is the case, following a new claim that has emerged.
Is Colwill set to stay at Chelsea?
Taking to Twitter, The Guardian's Steinberg confirmed that a big-money bid for Colwill has been turned down by Chelsea:
"Chelsea reject £30m Brighton bid for Levi Colwill and have no plans to sell him."
It is vital that the Blues do all they can to retain Colwill's services beyond this summer, considering what a massive prospect he is for many years to come, having been hailed as "fantastic" by former Huddersfield Town teammate Lewis O'Brien. He has been compared to John Terry in the past, too, and been tipped to be a future England international, showing the ability he possesses.
With the likes of Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly both ageing at the back, Mauricio Pochettino could view Colwill as the future of his defence and the fact that he was never afraid to give youth a chance during his Tottenham days – he brought through the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli – means that the player could have a perfect manager to work alongside.
There is still the threat that the five-cap England Under-21 international wants to leave Chelsea, however, should he not be promised a regular squad role next season, so the likes of Pochettino and Todd Boehly have a big job on their hands persuading him to stay put.
Arsenal would be pulling off a surprising signing if they managed to land Chelsea ace Mason Mount this summer, according to journalist Dean Jones.
What's the latest transfer news involving Mason Mount?
As per The Athletic, Arsenal are eyeing a move for Mount as one of three midfield targets this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his midfield in the off-season.
The report states that Manchester United and Liverpool are also keen on Mount, who is not the only midfielder being courted by Arsenal, with Manchester City ace Ilkay Gundogan and West Ham captain Declan Rice also being linked with a switch to the Emirates.
Incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino would prefer for Mount to sign an extension at Stamford Bridge, as per The Daily Mail, as his current terms worth £80,000 per week are set to run out in 2024.
Nevertheless, Mount's future remains uncertain at Chelsea and it is believed that the west London outfit have placed an £85 million price tag on his head to ward off interest in his services.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jones would be surprised if Mount was to make the journey across London in the summer to join Arsenal.
Jones said: "I still would be amazed if this transfer actually came off and Mason Mount made that move across London to join a side that are rivals.
"I mean, it's obviously been a path that's been well worn in recent years, but usually they are players that Chelsea no longer believe are capable of playing at a certain level and Mason Mount is not that."
Would Mason Mount be a good signing for Arsenal?
Mount has endured a frustrating season all things considered, as Chelsea have fallen so far below expectations in the Premier League; however, the 24-year-old is a player with real ability and has even been labelled as "unbelievable" by Blues icon Joe Cole in the past.
In 2022/23, the England international has made 35 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club, registering three goals and six assists, as per Transfermarkt.
Mason-Mount
FBRef also notes that Mount has manufactured plenty of chances for his teammates this term, successfully performing 83 shot-creating actions in total.
The Portsmouth-born midfielder has also competed around 1.3 key passes per match in the Premier League, according to WhoScored, demonstrating his vision and capacity to avoid playing it safe in offensive passages of play.
Moving forward, Arteta could add another dimension to his midfield by sanctioning a deal to bring Mount to north London in the off-season.