Sunderland have now made a “direct approach” to sign a “fantastic” midfielder, according to Fabrizio Romano, having also opened talks to sign Granit Xhaka in recent days.
Black Cats looking to sign new midfielders
The Black Cats have already secured the signatures of Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra this summer, while Enzo Le Fee made his stay at the Stadium of Light permanent, meaning Regis Le Bris appears to be relatively well-stocked in the central midfield area.
However, the manager will be under no illusions about how difficult it will be to remain in the Premier League next season, and he clearly believes that signing another central midfielder could boost his side’s survival chances.
It may also be a wise idea to bring in players with Premier League experience, and Xhaka ticks that box, having spent a number of years with Arsenal, and talks over a deal for the 32-year-old have now been opened.
However, the former Arsenal man is not Le Bris’ only target in that area of the pitch, with Romano recently taking to X to reveal that Sunderland have now made a “direct approach” to the agent of Napoli midfielder Frank Zambo-Anguissa.
The Black Cats are still “working on” a deal for Xhaka, but Zambo-Anguissa has also now entered the frame as a potential target, although it could be difficult to lure him away from Napoli, as the Italian side have already offered him a new deal.
As things stand, the 29-year-old has a £38m release clause in his contract, meaning the newly-promoted side may need to spend big if they are to get a deal over the line.
"Fantastic" Anguissa would be coup for Sunderland
It appears unlikely that Sunderland will be able to secure the Cameroon international’s signature, given that Napoli are “confident” he will commit to a new contract, but it would be a real coup if they were able to get a deal done.
More exciting than Xhaka: Sunderland make contact to sign £34m star on loan
Sunderland could seal a deal even more exciting than Granit Xhaka returning to the Premier League with this world-class capture.
ByKelan Sarson Jul 17, 2025
The 29-year-old played a major role for the Serie A champions in their title-winning 2024-25 campaign, making 35 league appearances, during which time he picked up six goals and four assists.
Former Napoli loanee Philip Billing was also left impressed by his ex-teammate during his spell in Italy, describing him as “fantastic”. Speaking about the Cameroon international and Scott McTominay, the Bournemouth man also added: “I stick to my own playing style but also try to learn from them.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa for Napoli.
“They are both incredible, great profiles both physically and technically. They run a lot and also score goals.”
That said, Xhaka may be a more attainable target, and it is an added bonus that the Swiss midfielder already has Premier League experience.
Aston Villa remain interested in Barcelona star Ferran Torres, with Unai Emery reportedly eyeing a move for the 23-year-old forward.
With Monchi on board, it’s expected to be a busy summer in the Midlands, with news reemerging linking the former Manchester City gem with a move to Villa Park.
The player was first rumoured to be one to watch for the Villans by journalist Graham Bailey back in May, who stated via The Talking Transfers Podcast that Villa could move for the Barcelona ace.
Fast-forward to now, and it’s been speculated that Emery’s side are ‘considering’ a loan move to lure the 23-year-old away from Catalonia, with a €25m option to buy rumoured.
That’s according to reports from Spain, where Mundo Deportivo relayed Villa’s interest in the forward last week, as per Sport Witness.
The report claims that despite the proposed approach for a loan, Barcelona may be more attracted to an immediate sale due to their ongoing financial worries, despite the player speculated to be against a ‘change in scenery’.
With Pau Torres nearing a permanent move to the Midlands, the signing of the impressive centre-back could inspire Monchi to raid La Liga once more in the bid to improve Emery’s attack.
What could Ferran Torres offer to Aston Villa?
At just 23-years-old, Torres has gathered adequate experience for his age in representing some of the continent's top clubs in Manchester City, Barcelona and Valencia.
Rising through the ranks of Valencia’s academy, the then 20-year-old signed for Pep Guardiola’s side in 2020, where he scored 16 goals in 43 appearances for the Sky Blues, as well as getting his hands on two Premier League winners medals.
Adhering to a more sporadic role for the Citizens, the £165k-per-week winger showed his versatility in attack when called upon, featuring as both a wide player and a central striker with a particular eye for goal.
The youngster opted to return to his homeland just a year and a half after arriving in Manchester, signing for the Catalan giants in the 2022 January window.
Similar occurrences have happened at the Camp Nou, in which the Spaniard has fallen down the pecking order to talents such as Raphinha and Ansu Fati, finding it difficult to secure continuous game time.
The forward could be a perfect addition to Emery’s squad, who are looking to add high-profile names to the side this summer after securing a spot in Europe next season.
The Premier League has an abundance of dynamic wingers on show, with Torres being likened to one star in particular based on his statistical comparisons by FBref, showing similarities to Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, a player Emery coached in north London.
Emery could obtain his answer to the 15-goal Brazilian in the Spaniard, who has recorded similar numbers to the Gunners starlet over the past year.
When comparing the two, it’s clear to see just what Torres could equip Villa with, averaging 0.39 non-penalty goals per 90, just shy of Martinelli’s average of 0.41.
A similar pattern is notable in the Spaniard’s threat on the ball, with him being lauded as “magnificent” by former teammate Dani Parejo, praise that's reflected by averaging an impressive 1.96 successful take-ons per 90.
That is incredibly close to Arsenal’s trickster with Martinelli averaging 1.97 successful take-ons per 90 as per FBref, showing the calibre of player Villa could find themselves possessing this summer.
Leeds United may have strengthened well in the summer, but there remain holes left by the damaging departures they were forced to oversee throughout a tumultuous summer.
The exit of Rodrigo saw them lose out on their key goalscorer, whilst Tyler Adams' move to AFC Bournemouth marked the second consecutive summer that they had lost their midfield orchestrator, after Kalvin Phillips' departure in 2021. Even Max Wober, who only joined in January, quickly grew into their most reliable defensive asset at the back, remaining solid when others could not.
So, with all three of them having now left Elland Road, it was no mean feat for Daniel Farke to find their replacements.
Joel Piroe is expected to offer an alternative to the former, whilst Glen Kamara hopes to be a like-for-like replacement for the USA international. However, when it came to the former RB Salzburg titan, Joe Rodon's signing arguably marked the most perfect one to fill such a vacancy, with power, poise and pure control at centre-back.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke.
However, the only issue that remains is that the Wales international is not a permanent fix, having only joined on a loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur. No matter how bright his start, or how imperious he remains throughout the Championship campaign, the 25-year-old will likely be recalled next summer for Ange Postecoglou to reassess his future.
This will make it all the more painful when they lose a man who is already maintaining a 7.13 average rating in the second tier, buoyed by his 92% pass accuracy, 100% dribble success rate, 1.3 interceptions and 3.8 clearances per game, via Sofascore.
The Whites have merely plugged a hole in signing the defender, with a long-term replacement for Wober still needed. Fortunately, they boast an academy full of talent just waiting to be unleashed.
How good was Max Wober?
Although an unassuming signing, given Jesse Marsch was merely recruiting another of his former players after the failures Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen proved to be, the Austrian stalwart quickly proved himself to be a cut above these two flops.
The 25-year-old had shone in his homeland, but translating those talents into the Premier League posed a completely different challenge, especially with the specifications his role demands.
Given how the modern-day centre-back is forever evolving, with power and strength just as important as ability on the ball nowadays, many wondered how the 25-year-old would stand up to the physical demands of a division famed for its high-octane games.
But, with a 6.84 average rating across his 16 appearances, it is fair to say he largely succeeded. An admirable figure buoyed by a host of stellar defensive statistics, his 71% pass accuracy was saved by his 1.7 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and four clearances per game, via Sofascore.
His rating actually made him Leeds' third-best performer in the league of those who started five or more games, and earned praise from Javi Gracia: "What I can say about Max, as everybody knows when he was available he played as a centre-back playing with Robin in the middle and he had very good performances."
The Spaniard would rush to laud him on another occasion too, outlining the immediate partnership he had struck up with Robin Koch: "In my opinion, both centre backs played really well today. They had a tough challenge. As you say with a very tall player and all the defensive line was very concentrated and the good work of the team meant we got a clean sheet."
So, to find a replacement for one of their few shining lights in an otherwise dull season will be no mean feat. Whilst many might suggest Charlie Cresswell as his natural successor from the academy, given his domineering characteristics and recent experience gained out on loan, there is perhaps another quietly shining in the background, biding his time before Farke hands him his chance.
Who is James Debayo?
James Debayo may be just 18 years old, but already he has begun making a name for himself in Yorkshire for his immense defensive displays for the youth sides.
It is a testament to both his maturity and his physicality that he has already been promoted into the U21s, having featured in their first four Premier League 2 games of the new season, three of which were wins.
To emphasise this point further, the teenage colossus actually already has 19 appearances for that side, and is just two shy of already matching the amount of games he has played for the U18s. The speed with which he is rising through the ranks is commendable and surely has caught the eye.
Even last year journalist Joe Donnohue sought to mark him out, highlighting one fine performance: "Only played first 45 but was impressive before taking an early yellow card. Had to be withdrawn at the break due to the booking."
Leeds defender Max Wober.
Although only a small sample size, the two brief appearances he made in the Football League Trophy last season highlighted his defensive prowess, as despite averaging just 51 minutes per game, he still mustered 1.5 interceptions and two clearances per game, via Sofascore.
With Wober clearly being a defence-first centre-back, allowing his passing to suffer as long as he remains staunch at the back, it seems Debayo too shares this warrior-like trait which could help him to thrive in the Championship.
However, a clip shared from the Rising Ballers account instead showcases a trickery that could allow him to even surpass the Austria international, pairing his solidity with a silkiness that Elland Road has been lacking in recent years.
Then, as if the youngster needed additional aid in promoting his talents, he already has grown into a mainstay for England's U18s side, having been handed his debut by Neil Ryan.
Given Farke's ability to replace the talent he has lost, showcased throughout the summer, it is no surprise that with Wober he pushed the long-term option down the road with a shrewd loan signing. Perhaps this was merely a financial decision, or perhaps his eye has in fact been caught by one of the young defenders tearing up the academy scene, just waiting to be given their big chance to shine in the senior squad.
Michael Beale has recently signed his third player for Glasgow Rangers, with midfielder Kieran Dowell joining the Ibrox side on a pre-contract deal until 2026.
He joins Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell as Beale signings, and the signs are certainly looking positive ahead of what promises to be a busy transfer window, with plenty of ins and outs ahead of 2023/24.
The 42-year-old will have to be smart with his transfer dealings as funds may be in short supply, though according to Football Insider, the Gers have been linked with a move for defender Thierry Small, with a fee of around £1.2m demanded by Southampton.
The 18-year-old could follow in the same footsteps as former Ibrox left-back Calvin Bassey, who was sold to Ajax last summer for a club-record fee of £23m having enjoyed a stellar campaign which included a Scottish Cup winners' medal and a Europa League final appearance.
Could Thierry Small join Rangers this summer?
With Beale looking to rejig the squad, anything is possible, and for the aforementioned £1.2m fee, it could well prove to be an excellent investment, similar to that of Bassey.
The current Ajax star cost the Light Blues just £230k as a compensation fee to Leicester City in the summer of 2020, and having made sporadic appearances in his debut season, a defensive injury crisis last term gave him the chance to impress at centre-back as he played 50 games across all competitions.
Like Bassey, Small is also a left-back, while he can play slightly further forward if required, and he has spent the second half of the season on loan at St Mirren, giving him good experience of the physical nature of Scottish football.
Small is still in the embryonic stages of his career, with his 6.44/10 Sofascore rating indicating that he is still on a steep learning curve, however, he has managed to make one key pass per game while grabbing an assist, indicating that he has shown glimpses of his attacking abilities.
Defensively, the youngster averages 1.3 tackles and one clearance per game, which despite ranking him 7th and 14th in the squad respectively is rather respectable considering he has only started seven Premiership games.
Former Rangers centre-back Calvin Bassey.
Football writer Simon Peach lauded the defender as “exciting” and “highly rated” after he moved to Southampton from Everton in 2021, so he perhaps has the potential to make the breakthrough at Ibrox over the next year or two.
With Borna Barisic entering the final year of his contract, it appears as though Beale is looking at young talent to fill the void when he finally departs, and in the process, he may just unearth another £23m gem.
Liverpool's pursuit of Khephren Thuram has been no secret over the past several weeks, and now manager Jurgen Klopp is preparing to lodge a formal offer for the Frenchman.
What's the latest on Khephren Thuram to Liverpool?
Following a recent report from Nice-Matin (via GET Football News France), it has come to surface that the Reds are preparing a bid for the OGC Nice midfielder, who has been of increasing interest to the club over the past several weeks.
This follows a recent claim from Fabrizio Romano – via Caught Offside – that Liverpool are prioritising the 22-year-old over Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch, who only signed for the Bavaria outfit last year.
Les Aiglons won't sanction a move for anything less than €40m (£34m), but given that James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all departed Liverpool this term and Alexis Mac Allister has already been signed for a similar amount, £35m, it is certainly a feasible deal.
How would Khephren Thuram perform at Liverpool?
The energy and intensity that Thuram would bring to the Liverpool centre would undoubtedly enhance the performances of all around him, especially considering the club's seasonal malaise has largely been attributed to the flimsiness of the midfield and an inability to protect the defence.
This stagnancy would be swept aside in a gale of blustering wind with Thuram's prospective arrival, and alongside Mac Allister and perhaps one further addition, the once formidable strength of Klopp's midfield would return, charged by an undying intensity and high-pressure approach.
One who may prosper more than most is pivoting midfielder Fabinho, who has been an instrumental part of Klopp's Anfield dynasty since signing from Monaco for around £44m in 2018, winning the Premier League and Champions League among a wealth of major honours, but has been culpable of a stark decline to coincide with his club's this term, having been said to have "fallen off a cliff" by The Redmen TV's Ste Hoare.
Also branded "awful" by club icon Jamie Carragher for one disastrous display, the £180k-per-week anchor has been poor but looked to have rekindled some of his fire in the closing weeks, and could be fit and firing once again come August.
fabinho-liverpool-premier-league
Especially with an "elite" partner in Thuram, as he has been called by journalist Zach Lowy, to join Liverpool and "transform their midfield"; having completed an impressive season in Ligue 1, the £14k-per-week ace ranks among the top 6% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
Such a progressive nature would no doubt complement Fabinho well who in contrast lacks the athleticism to do such a job.
A veritable "monster" in the centre of the park, as praised by Sam McGuire, the one-cap international's energy and enthusiasm will only play to Liverpool's favour, and with a robust crop around him, Fabinho could find himself at the beating heart of an imperious system once again.
Potential new Manchester United owner Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has been handed a transfer boost as he looks to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.
What’s the latest Man United news involving Jassim and Mbappe?
Jassim has been interested in taking control from the Glazers for months now and has placed five Old Trafford offers, with the last being a take-it-or-leave-it bid. Should the Qatar group prove successful, Jassim would clear all of United’s debt and have a separate fund for the club and local community.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Group are the other main party in the race to purchase Manchester United, with both bidders yet to find out if their takeover attempts have been successful.
However, should Jassim come out on top, it appears as if he has an immediate transfer plan to win United supporters over. Reports have claimed that Jassim feels that Mbappe “belongs at Man United” and is planning a sensational transfer move for the star forward.
PSG would look to sell Mbappe if he doesn’t extend his stay at the Parc de Princes stay over the coming months and value the player at £170m.
Now, The Mirror have shared a further positive update on Mbappe and a potential move to Man United, saying:
“Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to sell Kylian Mbappe to Manchester United this summer should the Qatari-backed Sheikh Jassim takeover bid at Old Trafford prove successful.”
Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.
Is Kylian Mbappe signing for Manchester United?
Mbappe making the move to the red side of Manchester would be a huge deal and one that could take Erik ten Hag’s side to the next level.
The £893,000-a-week forward has scored a whopping 212 goals in 260 games for PSG and already has 38 goals in 68 games for France.
Still just 24 years of age, the World Cup winner netted 41 times in all competitions last season, with United scoring 58 goals in the Premier League, the fewest out of the top seven sides.
You can see how Mbappe would fit into this United side and possibly star in England, however, a lot still needs to happen before we can think about a transfer.
A deal needs to be struck between the Glazers and Jassim, and with Mike Keegan claiming it could take eight to 12 weeks for an approval process, meaning that the Glazers may remain in control at the start of next season, so a transfer could be tricky.
Manchester United are closing in on a potential cash-only deal for Rasmus Hojlund – but reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed via Caught Offside that the Red Devils nearly sent Fred the other way in exchange.
What is the latest Manchester United transfer news?
With the Red Devils bagging themselves Champions League football for next season after a top four finish in the Premier League, they will need to ensure they are able to compete on all fronts in 2023/24. The Glazers have takent plenty of flak for their lack of ambition but they won't want to settle for mediocrity and will be eager to push on in both the top flight and in their multitude of cup competitions. That will involve the English outfit pulling off numerous transfer deals this summer, to provide the squad with both quality and depth.
It appears as though they will certainly keep busy on the transfer front this summer too. One name that won't be arriving at Old Trafford is Leon Goretzka – it looked like Bayern Munich wanted to sell him on this summer, and that had led to United keeping a close eye on how the situation unravels. The German himself though is keen to stay at the Allianz Arena and doesn't want to go anywhere – and that has now led to the Red Devils deciding against a move for him.
Higher up the pitch, the Premier League side are determined to add another attacker to their ranks. A recent report has suggested Goncalo Ramos could be one name on their radar, but one of the main talking points has been Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund. The 20-year-old has been on their wishlist for most of the summer and a recent report stated that a bid was being lined up, with the youngster himself eager to switch to Old Trafford.
Are Manchester United signing Rasmus Hojlund?
Now, according to reliable journalist Romano via Caught Offside, it's been revealed that the Serie A side want only cash as part of a potential deal for Hojlund this summer.
The Red Devils are preparing that opening bid it seems, but he's revealed that they originally tried to offer Fred as part of the transfer. It would have meant that United could have offloaded one of their surplus players and only need a smaller fee to get a deal done. Atalanta though have "already rejected" a swap plus cash deal and "made it clear" they are not interested in exchanging players -they want just the fee of around 65 million Euros (or £56.4m).
Hojlund may only be early on in his career, but has already received plenty of plaudits for his performances so far. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has called the striker an "absolute monster in the making" and added that 2023 is "his year".
The attacker then is clearly seen as having a bright future and someone who is already impressing, but can continue to get better. Whether United have to part with just cash or get a deal over the line with players, Hojlund looks like a really exciting capture.
Leeds United have the opportunity to cut the gap between themselves and Ipswich Town in second to within single digits at Elland Road this afternoon.
The Whites are currently ten points behind the Tractor Boys and would be seven points off the automatic promotion places with a victory today.
Ipswich then play host to league-leaders Leicester City on Boxing Day and this means that Leeds could be four points off second if results go their way within the next four days.
Daniel Farke's side are chasing automatic promotion back to the Premier League after the club was relegated from the top-flight at the end of last season.
A win against Kieran McKenna's men would be a huge boost to their hopes of sneaking into the top two before the end of the current campaign and the head coach could look to make some changes to his XI.
Latest Leeds team news
Ahead of this clash with Ipswich, Farke has provided an injury update on his squad as three players have been ruled out and two could return.
Versatile full-backs Jamie Shackleton, Stuart Dallas, and Sam Byram are all unavailable for selection as they deal with their respective injury issues. Phil Hay reported that Byram and Shackleton are both expected to be out of action until the turn of the year.
Leeds defender Sam Byram.
It was not all bad news, though, as it was also revealed that Ian Poveda, who was on international duty with Colombia, and Junior Firpo, who has returned to training following his injury issue, are both set to be in contention to feature.
Farke has also revealed that supporters can expect to see rotation in the team over the next few games as Leeds look to navigate the tricky festive period.
The congestion of games means that players have a lot of work to get through and resting and rotating the squad can help to avoid muscle injuries and fatigue heading into 2024.
With this in mind, Farke must now finally unleash winger Jaidon Anthony from the start over Daniel James, who has struggled over the last two games.
Dan James' last two performances in numbers
The Wales international played the full 90 minutes against Coventry last time out and failed to make an impact at the top end of the pitch as Leeds failed to win.
He was provided with 0.40 xG worth of chances by his teammates but failed to hit the back of the net and missed one 'big chance' in the process.
The former Manchester United forward only created one chance for his teammates and failed with all eight of his attempted crosses on the right flank.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke.
That disappointing display came off the back of his struggles against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the club's previous match – a 1-0 loss on Wearside.
James did not register a single key pass or shot on goal in 75 minutes of action and also failed with all three of his attempted crosses on the night.
This means that the Leeds forward has produced zero goals and one key pass in 165 minutes of football, to go along with one 'big chance' missed and zero created, over the last two Championship games.
James' season in numbers
His last two performances have been off-colour in comparison to his form throughout the campaign as the winger has been impressive this season.
James had managed seven goals, four assists, and eight 'big chances' created in 15 league starts prior to those clashes with Sunderland and Coventry.
The Welsh whiz has averaged 1.8 key passes per game throughout the season so far in 20 appearances as he has showcased his ability to score and create goals on a regular basis from the flank.
Leeds forward Dan James.
His impressive displays have seen him become a consistent starter on the right of the attack for Farke but the busy festive schedule appears to have taken a toll on his displays, as evidenced by his poor statistics over the last two games.
Therefore, it could make sense to ditch him from the starting XI for this clash with Ipswich as Leeds will need energy and players who are fresh and ready to make an impact in such an important match.
This could open the door for Anthony to finally be unleashed as the young winger has the potential to be a key player for the Whites and this could be the game that he makes a name for himself in.
The statistics that show why Anthony should start
Leeds signed the attacker on loan from Premier League side Bournemouth over the summer but he has only started two league matches for the club so far.
His last start came against Stoke back in October and the talented gem created two chances and completed three of his five attempted dribbles in 71 minutes.
Bournemouth winger Jaidon Anthony.
Despite that impressive outing, Anthony is still waiting for his third start of the 2023/24 Championship campaign and it could come this afternoon.
James has not done enough in the last two clashes to suggest that he deserves to keep his place and the Cherries loanee does have an excellent track record in the division.
He was promoted with Bournemouth at the end of the 2021/22 campaign and caught the eye with his terrific performances on the flank that term.
Progressive passes (5.59)
Top 5%
Expected Assisted Goals (0.25)
Top 10%
Shot-creating actions (4.26)
Top 8%
Progressive passes received (9.19)
Top 6%
Blocks (1.61)
Top 2%
As you can see in the table above, Anthony was a fantastic creative talent throughout the season with his ability to conjure up shooting opportunities for his teammates at an impressive rate.
He ended the campaign with a sublime return of eight goals, seven assists, and 17 'big chances' created in 38 league starts for the Cherries.
His former boss Scott Parker once described him as a player who goes "under the radar" and that has certainly been the case at Leeds as the 6 foot wizard is yet to really burst onto the scene in Yorkshire.
Farke must now finally unleash Anthony from the start against Ipswich to allow him to shine in a Whites shirt by using his creativity to contribute to what will, hopefully, be a crucial victory for the club.
Chelsea return to Premier League action on Wednesday night as they take on Brentford at Stamford Bridge, and Frank Lampard should unleash Raheem Sterling in the hope that he can inspire the Blues to a rare win.
The west London outfit have lost all four games since Lampard returned as interim manager and with Mauricio Pochettino's appointment likely to be confirmed in the coming days, the Blues legend could soon find himself looking for another job after failing to turn Chelsea's fortunes around since taking over from Graham Potter.
Brentford pose a real threat of making it five defeats from five for Chelsea on Wednesday given their credentials under the impressive Thomas Frank, with a European finish still on the cards for the Bees if they can finish the season strongly.
However, the form book does not look good for Brentford either right now and Lampard could exploit their defensive vulnerabilities by unleashing Sterling on the left wing against 20-year-old right-back Aaron Hickey.
Should Sterling start for Chelsea against Brentford?
Sterling's move from Manchester City last summer has so far not paid off, as he boasts just four goals and two assists in 22 Premier League appearances for his new side, averaging a disappointing 6.65 rating from WhoScored for his performances.
However, only Kai Havertz has more goal contributions in the top flight than the England international and he is certainly not alone in struggling in the final third, as the Blues have mustered just 30 goals in the top flight so far this campaign; the fifth-worst in the division.
Chelsea managerFrankLampard
The experienced winger ranks fifth for shots, fifth for key passes and sixth for dribbles per game in Chelsea's squad so can certainly be relied upon to be a threat down the left-hand side, and perhaps the £325k-per-week ace just needs a run of consistent games in order to rediscover the sort of form he showed on a regular basis at City and Liverpool.
Last season saw him manage 13 goals and six assists under Pep Guardiola in City's title-winning campaign, and Chelsea just need to find a way of getting the best out of him at Stamford Bridge, as there is no doubt that he can be a world-class winger on his day, with Tony Cascarino singing his praises on talkSPORT last season.
He said: “Raheem Sterling has just been frightening. The year he has had since the Euros – he was brilliant then.
“This season, I thought, when they signed Jack Grealish I thought Raheem might be a bit part player in this City team but he’s become an absolute permanent fixture. Left or right, he is ripping people apart."
If Sterling is given space to run at Hickey, who has struggled in his first season at Brentford with a 6.44 average rating from WhoScored, then he could prove the difference in Chelsea picking up a positive result on Wednesday.
As such, Lampard must ensure that he gets the nod after starting on the bench against Real Madrid.
The future of West Ham United defender Vladimir Coufal has taken a twist as an update emerges on a potential new deal in east London.
Latest West Ham news
David Moyes and his Irons side have enjoyed an absolutely terrific start to the new Premier League season, coming after they sold former superstar Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105 million in the summer transfer window.
The departure of Rice was seen as a major worry for West Ham, but so far, they have shown that the absence of their ex-powerhouse is proving little issue.
Summer signing Edson Alvarez has excelled in the 24-year-old's stead, impressing national media with some of his displays in claret and blue.
West Ham have also bolstered their coaching department with the appointments of John Heitinga, Mark Robson and Henry Newman, who will assist Moyes behind-the-scenes at Rush Green.
David-moyes-transfer-west-ham-united-deadline-day
“I would like to welcome John to West Ham United and also welcome Mark and Henry into the first-team group," said Moyes to the club's official website.
“John is someone I have known for a long time. He has gained some very good experience since beginning his coaching career in the Ajax Academy and working his way up to their first-team. Mark and Henry are both already familiar to everyone here at the Club and have deserved the opportunity to step up within our structure.
“John, Mark and Henry will each bring experience in different areas and complement the strengths we already have in the coaching team alongside Billy, Kevin and Xavi. I look forward to working with them and building on the positive start we have made to the new season.”
It is also believed that the Hammers are eyeing up former star Jesse Lingard to further reinforce their ranks ahead of a tough and congested campaign of fixtures.
Their promising start to the 2023/2024 season has also seen some members of the West Ham squad thrive compared to last term, like striker Michail Antonio and Coufal.
Concerning the latter player, there has been a very interesting update on his future.
Will Vladimir Coufal leave West Ham?
Vladimir-Coufal-West-Ham
Indeed, the Czech Republic international has seemingly re-established himself as Moyes' preferred right-back, coming after he was usurped in favour of Thilo Kehrer over 22/23.
Journalist Pete O'Rourke, writing for Football Insider, has now claimed that initial talks have been opened over extending Coufal's stay at the club.
The 31-year-old's current terms are set to expire at the end of this season, and while they have the option to extend by a further 12 months, it is believed West Ham are plotting to reward his exceptional performances thus far.
Coufal "could even land a new deal" following his "impressive" start, with the full-back having "turned his career around" under Moyes.
He is currently preferred over fellow right-back Ben Johnson, who is yet to play a single second in the top flight.
While Johnson's contract is also set to expire at the end of the current campaign, it appears Coufal is the one currently in line for fresh terms as things stand.
It will be very interesting to find out the conditions of this potential contract for Coufal, who was also a "key member" of the Conference League-winning squad.