Everton Could Sign £7m Calvert-Lewin Rival At Goodison Park

Everton are looking at strengthening their front line this summer, as Sean Dyche hopes to get the Blues firing to avoid a repeat of last season’s lows.

Recent reports have now revealed who they could target before the end of the transfer window, in a name that could significantly bolster the Toffee’s efforts in the final third.

Dyche confirmed his side’s survival on the final day last term, with it being vital that the Merseyside club move away from their form of being relegation candidates in the top flight.

Who could Everton sign this summer?

It’s clear that Everton are pondering making a move for a forward this summer, with links to Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto and Southampton’s Che Adams consuming recent speculation surrounding the club.

There has however been another name arise as a contender for Dyche to chase, with Troyes winger Mama Balde identified as a target for the Blues.

As reported by journalist Mike Minay, the 27-year-old has gained significant interest from the Premier League, with Burnley, Sheffield United and the Toffee’s named as those eyeing the Ligue 1 whiz.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

Minay added that a deal for the Guinea-Bissau forward could be struck for a fee in the region of €8m (£7m), making him an affordable acquisition for the Blues.

What is Mama Balde’s playing style?

Deployed primarily as a right-winger, Balde is just as efficient on the left flank, making him a strong and versatile forward to have in the squad.

Identified for his “pace and power” by writer Liam Scahill, as well as being lauded as an “impressive attacking weapon”, the 27-year-old could be the perfect addition for Dyche to integrate into his squad.

In Ligue 1 last term, the versatile attacker netted 12 goals and recorded four assists for Troyes, who struggled in the top flight throughout the campaign, seeing them relegated to Ligue 2.

The Guinea-Bissau international’s contribution to playing within a side that was far from at their best highlighted just how much of a threat he is, showing up when his team needed him most.

Troyes forward Mama Balde.

Praised as being a “really strong” asset in the attack by former teammate Tristan Dingome, Balde could be the ideal player for Everton, in a talent that could compete with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Englishman has had a trialling couple of years, juggling injury with poor form at Goodison Park that has seen his goal tally take a bruising compared to 16-goal Premier League season of 2020/21.

Since then, the 26-year-old has netted just seven goals over the last two league campaigns, prompting that the introduction of some competition could bolster the striker’s performance.

Balde could not only add to the goals for the club, but promote a healthy rivalry with Calvert-Lewin, in a move that could positively encourage the Englishman to raise his game for the good of the club, and his confidence.

The Troyes forward has netted 15 goals over the last two seasons to the jaded Blues talisman’s seven, suggesting just how he could improve Dyche’s options in the front line.

On the other side, the Ligue 1 gem could be the perfect addition to accompany Calvert-Lewin in leading the line, with him being flexible in his ability to be deployed in various positions around the striker.

For a fee expected to be lower the £10m mark, the Blues could land themselves a strong acquisition that could finally improve their fortunes this season.

After all, having failed to score in their first two outings, they could certainly do with some added firepower.

Warner, Smith and the rain frustrate England's push

Alastair Cook carried his bat for 244 not out but England’s hopes of victory were hampered by the weather and some obdurate batting

Report by Brydon Coverdale29-Dec-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsThe weather, it seems, is not England’s friend. At the WACA, they needed final-day rain to keep the series alive; despite a lengthy delay due to leaking covers, there was not enough wetness to prevent an Australian victory. And now at the MCG, England’s push for a consolation win has been hampered by heavy and persistent rain that washed out half of the fourth day’s play. By stumps, Australia still trailed by 61 runs but had eight wickets in hand, with their two best batsmen at the crease.The day started with Alastair Cook becoming the highest scorer ever to carry his bat in Test cricket, before England further strengthened their position by claiming two wickets before lunch. However, Steven Smith and David Warner then steadied Australia with a patient partnership which, along with the weather, loomed as the key to the match. When play was abandoned, with only 44 overs bowled in the day, they had steered Australia steadily to 2 for 103.

Cook’s new landmark

Cook carries his bat
Alastair Cook became the eighth player from England to carry his bat and first since 1997. The last player for England to achieve this was Michael Atherton when he scored 94 against New Zealand. However, Cook’s 244 was the highest score ever made by a batsman carrying his bat through a Test innings, beating the 223 scored by New Zealand’s Glenn Turner against West Indies in Kingston in 1972. The last player to carry his bat in an Ashes Test was Geoffrey Boycott when he made 99 at Perth in 1979.
Tough task for Australia
When Australia have conceded a lead of over 160 at home , they have managed to not lose only on seven occasions. Incidentally the last time they managed to do it against England was also in Melbourne in 1965. However, they have lost on 21 occasions.

Warner’s tempo had been uncharacteristically slow, and his 40 had come from 140 deliveries, while Smith was on 25 from 67 balls. The only two Australian batsmen to have averaged more than 40 in Test cricket in 2017, Smith and Warner knew that the longer they could stay together, the better Australia’s chances of emerging from this match with a draw. A clean sweep is off the table, but right now they would be more than happy with 4-0.England had started the morning on 9 for 491 and it took only one delivery – a short ball from Pat Cummins that James Anderson fended to short leg – to end the innings. That left Cook unbeaten on 244, the highest score ever made by a batsman carrying his bat through a Test innings, beating the 223 scored by New Zealand’s Glenn Turner against West Indies in Kingston in 1972.Cook was also the first England batsman to carry his bat in a Test in 20 years, since Mike Atherton did so against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1996-97. His innings ended in its 634th minute, which made it the fifth-longest innings by time ever played in a Test in Australia – only Sid Barnes in 1946, Bob Cowper in 1966, Graham Yallop in 1983 and Mark Greatbatch in 1989 had stayed at the crease longer in a Test in this country.It also gave England a 164-run first-innings lead, which meant the Australians faced plenty of work to fight back into the contest. They began their second innings solidly with a 51-run opening stand between Cameron Bancroft and Warner, but that ended when Bancroft, who had just driven a handsome boundary wide of mid-on, chopped on for 27 off the bowling of Chris Woakes.The loss of Usman Khawaja for 11, when he edged behind off an Anderson delivery that nipped away, left Australia wobbling at 2 for 65. Smith and Warner steadied the Australians, although Warner had a narrow escape on 36 when he only just cleared Anderson at short midwicket off the bowling of Woakes.By the time the rain arrived, the Smith-Warner partnership was worth 38 off 22.4 overs, hardly earth-shattering figures, but a sufficiently solid stand to give Australia hope of securing a draw on the final day.

Celtic: Rodgers Can Find Lethal Abada Partner In Move For 26 y/o Whiz

Brendan Rodgers returned to Parkhead for a second spell last month to replace Ange Postecoglou as Celtic manager and has been backed by the board during the summer transfer window.

Who have Celtic signed this summer?

The Hoops officially confirmed the signing of Polish central defender Maik Nawrocki on a five-year deal from Legia Warsaw on Wednesday, which has made him the fifth arrival so far.

Australia international Marco Tilio, Norwegian midfielder Odin Thiago Holm, and South Korean duo Hyun-jun Yang and Kyeok-kyu Kwon have also joined the Scottish giants ahead of the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership campaign.

However, that may not be the end of their business as Rodgers may look to strengthen his side further before the deadline passes, which is in over a month's time.

One ambitious target the Bhoys have been linked with a possible swoop for is Manchester United central midfielder Donny van de Beek, who is also being eyed up by the likes of Milan, Sevilla, and Crystal Palace, among others.

How good is Donny van de Beek?

The Netherlands international has struggled during his time in England with the Red Devils but his Ajax form indicates that the quality is there for him to be a terrific signing for the Hoops to partner Liel Abada in attack.

Van de Beek has only started 11 Premier League matches in three years since his move to Old Trafford in 2020, which included a loan spell with Everton at the start of 2022.

Prior to that, the 26-year-old whiz, who former Scotland defender Alan Hutton recently claimed would be an "outstanding" signing for Celtic, produced 41 goals and 34 assists in 175 first-team outings for Ajax from a central or attacking midfield position.

The Dutch gem could be a brilliant fit for the number ten role in Rodgers' 4-2-3-1 system, which would see Abada line up alongside him as part of the trident of midfielders behind Kyogo Furuhashi.

Celtic winger Liel Abada.

Celtic's Israel international was one of the team's top performers last season.

He plundered ten goals in 13 Premiership starts, alongside 21 appearances as a substitute, and ended the campaign as the club's third-top scorer – only behind Jota (11) and Kyogo (27).

Abada also created ten 'big chances' for his teammates and was only rewarded with five assists, which suggests that the other attackers within the squad failed to make the most of his creativity.

Van de Beek, however, could come in and provide the 21-year-old wizard with a reliable scorer alongside him in the attacking midfield positions to finish off the opportunities that he creates.

The former Ajax star scored 28 goals across his last three Eredivisie seasons, which works out at around nine goals per league term.

This could make him an upgrade on Celtic's current options in that position if he is able to translate that form over to Scotland as no central midfielder managed more than six Premiership strikes.

Van de Beek also created 1.8 chances per game during his final league term with Ajax in 2019/20, which only Matt O'Riley (2.1) and Jota (1.9) outperformed for the Hoops throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

Therefore, Abada and the Manchester United man could form a lethal partnership as part of Rodgers' three attackers behind Kyogo due to their respective ability to score and assist goals on a regular basis.

Of course, there is a question mark over whether van de Beek can return to the form he showcased at Ajax but his impressive statistics in his home country suggest that is a gamble worth taking.

Adams in frame as Davis departs Sussex

Mark Davis has left Sussex by “mutual consent” after the club’s failure to achieve Championship promotion

George Dobell25-Oct-2017Sussex have confirmed the departure of their head coach, Mark Davis. While the club insisted the decision was reached by “mutual consent”, it is clear Davis paid the price for Sussex’s failure to achieve Championship promotion and an over-reliance upon imported players. It is also understood that Davis lost the confidence of some senior figures in the dressing room.Sussex are now expected to hold a thorough recruitment process to appoint a successor. Chris Adams, captain during their three County Championship triumphs in the 2000s, is certain to be a strong candidate for the role with a possibility that he might be able to coax former team-mate Matt Prior back to the game in some sort of part-time, back-room role. Prior retired in 2015 due to injury and has subsequently moved into cycling as the co-owner and chief executive of One Pro Cycling.Confirmation of Davis’ departure comes a day after long-serving batsman Chris Nash was released and Rob Andrew, Sussex’s chief executive, said it was time to try and take the club in a new direction.”After reviewing a disappointing season for the first team, it was concluded that action needed to be taken in order to build for the future,” Andrew said. “The difficult decisions to part company with Mark by mutual consent and to agree to Chris’ request to be released from his contract were part of that action, but at its core were moves to solidify the foundations of a squad that has the potential to achieve great things in the coming years.”As such, a number of players have been offered and have signed new or extended contracts over recent weeks, and more are set to follow. This means we now have a stable and balanced squad made up of a mix of youth and experience that offers real strength across all disciplines.”Whoever is appointed is likely to be expected to show much greater faith in home-grown talent than was the case in 2017. While the club have enjoyed some success at age-group level in recent seasons, there were times last season when four or five of the team was made up of players ineligible for England – including Kolpak signings Stiaan van Zyl and David Wiese – which inevitably limited the opportunities for younger players.”I strongly believe that when a new head coach is appointed, they will have the raw materials with which to build a trophy-winning side,” Andrew said. “We are continuing to work on our four-year strategic plan for the wider organisation and there will be further news on this in due course.”A major part of that strategy will be the on-going development of home-grown Sussex players by our Performance Department. This work will continue the well-established trend of Sussex-bred bowlers and batsmen making their mark in the 1st XI.”Davis’ departure ends a long and generally happy association with Sussex. First as a player (he was part of the squad that won the County Championship for the first time in the club’s history in 2003) and then as a coach – he started as 2nd XI coach before being appointed head coach in 2015 – he has been associated with the club for 17 years.In a statement released by the club, Davis said: “I have established a very strong squad including Jofra Archer, Stiaan van Zyl and Laurie Evans and given opportunity to a number of young players who will no doubt achieve great things in the future.”The professional squad is very well set for the challenges ahead and I am confident these players will bring silverware to the club. I would like to thank all the players, support staff and coaches who supported me, as well as all the faithful Sussex supporters”.

Stone thrown at Australia team bus

The incident is under investigation while security has been increased on the team’s route to the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Sep-2017A broken window of the Australia team bus is “believed” to have been caused by a small rock or stone thrown at the bus when the players were returning to the hotel on Monday evening in Chittagong. No player was injured, Cricket Australia confirmed. The incident is under investigation while security has been increased on the team’s route to the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.”On route back to the hotel last night a window on the Australian team bus was broken. No one was injured in the incident,” Cricket Australia’s security manager Sean Carroll said. “Team security personnel are currently in discussion with local authorities while they investigate the cause, which is believed to have come from a small rock or stone.”Bangladesh authorities are taking the incident seriously and security has been increased on the route.”To date we have been happy with security measures that have been in place and we are comfortable with the response from the Bangladesh authorities and the increased security presence we have been provided in light of the incident.”The BCB issued a statement after the lunch break on Tuesday to say it was treating the matter with “utmost seriousness” and a “high-power” committee had been formed by the concerned security agencies to investigate the matter. The statement also said the Australian team had expressed its “satisfaction and comfort” with the beefed up security measures after Monday’s incident.ESPNcricinfo has learned the BCB authorities believe that street children may have thrown something at the bus.Both teams reached the ground safely on Tuesday morning for the second day’s play after Bangladesh were 253 for 6 at the end of the first day.

WATCH: Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham's emotional reaction to young fans recreating his iconic celebration during Golden Boy ceremony

Young fans recreated Jude Bellingham's iconic celebration at the Golden Boy ceremony, which brought a smile to the Real Madrid superstar's face.

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Bellingham smiled as fans recreated iconic celebrationWon the Golden Boy 2023 awardEnjoying exceptional form at Real MadridWHAT HAPPENED?

The Real Madrid star gave an emotional reaction as a set of young fans recreated his iconic celebration at the Golden Boy ceremony. The 20-year-old bagged the prestigious award on Monday night as reward for his stellar year for club and country. Bellingham's celebration with his arms open wide, has become a familiar scene at the Santiago Bernabeu this season, with the midfielder scoring 15 goals in 17 appearances after his summer move from Borussia Dortmund.

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Even Barcelona forward Joao Felix has emulated the Los Blancos player's celebration, with the Portuguese playmaker opting to copy Bellingham after his goal in a win over Atletico Madrid in La Liga at the weekend. However, Felix later claimed that the celebration was just a spontaneous reaction.

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Getty WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Carlo Ancelotti's side, who are currently at the top of the Liga table and in the middle of a five-match winning streak across all competitions, will next take on Real Betis on Saturday in La Liga. Bellingham and Co will be back in action three days later away at Union Berlin as they wrap up their Champions League group stage campaign.

West Ham: Rumoured Duo Would "Do Good Things"

Leicester City's Harvey Barnes and Leeds United's Jack Harrison would "do good things" at West Ham United, believes journalist Paul Brown.

The Hammers, fresh from winning the Europa Conference League, could target the relegated stars this summer.

West Ham transfer news – Jack Harrison and Harvey Barnes

According to Matt Law of The Telegraph, West Ham are in pole position to sign Leicester City winger Barnes this summer.

The London club will have plenty of money to spend with the reportedly incoming sale of Declan Rice, and will use some of that budget on bringing in Barnes, as per Law.

Meanwhile, according to TalkSport, West Ham are also in the race to secure the services of Leeds United's Harrison this summer, with Aston Villa also interested in the winger.

What did Paul Brown say about West Ham, Jack Harrison and Harvey Barnes?

Speaking to Football FanCast when asked about Harrison and Barnes' potential moves to West Ham this summer, Brown said: "I would like to see West Ham buy another winger. Harrison is one of the guys they’ve looked at, Harvey Barnes is another.

"I think either of those two players would do good things at West Ham. They have Jarrod Bowen there, it’s always felt to me like they need one more really playing on the other side, and then they’d have a fully functioning squad.

"So, I like that they’re looking at that kind of player. They clearly struggled to score goals at times this season and be creative enough, and I do think either Harrison or Barnes would be an upgrade on what they have and give them something a little bit different. So, yes, I think they’d do well at West Ham."

Are West Ham signing Jack Harrison and Harvey Barnes

Leicester City's Harvey Barnes

Although reports have seemingly cooled when it comes to Harrison and West Ham, Barnes reportedly remains a firm target for the Hammers.

Given the fact that Bowen is still front and centre as one of the main men at the London Stadium, too, it would be a surprise if David Moyes wanted to welcome two more players in a similar position.

With the Europa League to contend with next season, West Ham will need depth. But, perhaps their budget is better spent across the pitch rather than two players of the same ilk in Harrison and Barnes.

As the summer goes on, the deals will only continue to unfold.

Why Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal will be handled like Lionel Messi & Diego Maradona as Spain boss Luis de la Fuente says 16-year-old sensation has no limits

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal will be handled like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona were in their younger years, says Spain boss Luis de la Fuente.

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  • Teenager has enjoyed meteoric rise
  • Has made history along the way
  • Still has potential to be unlocked
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    At just 16 years of age, Yamal is already an established performer at club level with La Liga giants Barca and a senior international with two caps to his name. The talented teenager has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence, but he is far from being the finished article.

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    Rather than look to rein him in as ever greater demands are lumped onto young shoulders, De la Fuente says Yamal will be given license to flourish and learn at his own pace – with a similar approach having allowed Argentine icons Messi and Maradona to become global superstars.

  • WHAT THEY SAID

    Spain boss De la Fuente has said of helping Yamal down a career path that could lead to the very top of the game: “He has fantastic potential and conditions. We have to take care of him, he is young. But, do you remember when Messi or Maradona were 16 years old? We should not put limits on these good footballers. We must let them develop all their potential. That's what we're trying to do with this player here and at his club.”

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    WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

    Yamal has been a regular under Xavi at Camp Nou this season, as he waits on a first senior goal for the Blaugrana, and is back in the Spain squad – having already made history when opening his account for them – ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Scotland and Norway.

SA overcome hiccups to seal series, regain No. 1 spot

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:35

‘No foothold for New Zealand after Guptill wicket’

South Africa’s one-day side started in New Zealand as the No. 1 and they will end it there after an oscillating series went their way at a ground that now holds some good memories. There were a few jitters with the bat – there were bound to be, weren’t there? – but after a commanding performance in the field, which sucked the life out of New Zealand’s batting order, a target of 150 gave them breathing space.From the moment that the hero of Hamilton, Martin Guptill, was defeated by Kagiso Rabada there was never any let-up from South Africa with the ball. Rabada was high-class on a surface offering more carry than any other in the series. Imran Tahir, who New Zealand have played well this series, then reeled off the most economical 10-over figures by a South Africa spinner – and the best by any spinner in an ODI in his country – as the innings almost came to a standstill.Andile Phehlukwayo missed the Hamilton match with a minor groin injury and had a significant impact on his return with the wickets of Dean Brownlie and Ross Taylor. South Africa’s ground-fielding also conjured two wickets, including the major scalp of Kane Williamson, as New Zealand’s batting slumped for the second time in the series.But they did not let their unbeaten one-day home record, dating back to South Africa’s visit in 2014, go easily and for a moment mid-chase, another Eden Park classic was not complete fantasy. Jeetan Patel had snaffled two – and had an lbw against Faf du Plessis overturned by DRS – and when AB de Villiers was bounced out by James Neesham – not a dismissal you would have put your house on – South Africa were 88 for 4. But du Plessis, who reached fifty with the winning boundary, and David Miller, ensured against any further drama.It was a superb set-up from Rabada, a sharp bouncer which ensured Guptill had to be wary of planting forward, then a yorker which he tried to advance to but only got in a horrid position with his stumps exposed. As ugly as Hamilton was breathtaking.Williamson and Brownlie weathered the rest of the opening ten overs but a horror few minutes sent the innings into a spiral. It’s a period Brownlie will want to forget. Firstly he decided to chance de Villiers’ fielding at midwicket which left Williamson stranded when the South Africa captain dived and flicked in the blink of an eye. Williamson’s bat got caught in the turf short of the crease, but he would have been short regardless.Three balls later, Brownlie play round a full delivery from Phehlukwayo and almost walked before the finger was raised. Tahir’s first four overs cost just four; eventually overs 10-20 brought 31 for 4. As in Wellington, Phehlukwayo was key to that, bowling wicket-to-wicket at brisk pace, and was rewarded again when Taylor fell across a straight one.Luke Ronchi’s stay was never convincing and he gloved a short ball as he tried to sway out of the line. Neesham, yesterday recalled to the Test squad, had looked as comfortable as any of the top order but for the second time in the series was removed by a short ball from Rabada, although it needed the DRS to confirm the top-edge.The build-up to Mitchell Santner’s demise highlighted South Africa’s suffocating ground fielding. Three consecutive shots from Santner were intercepted sharply in the infield, then the fourth went to JP Duminy at backward point who slid and threw from the ground, hitting directly with Santner nowhere.Tahir, who did not concede anything other than singles, gained his reward against the lower order. In three of the five matches, New Zealand had played him as well as anyone of late – “respect” had been the word used by both sides – but they became almost strokeless this time. The pressure of the occasion, the pitch, or just a good day for him? Only they will know.Such was the swift end to New Zealand’s innings that South Africa batted before the interval. Patel again saw off Quinton de Kock – that change of tactic had worked a treat – and scoring wasn’t easy after the break. Hashim Amla completed a fifty-less series when he drove to cover as did Duminy – the latter far more of a concern – when he drove softly at Patel. Duminy had again been used ahead of de Villiers, but he has regressed during this series.De Villiers has been far and away South Africa’s best batsman and he was eager to finish things himself. He took a six apiece of Patel and Santner but was then surprised by the nip and angled of Neesham’s bouncer, which followed him and took the glove to the keeper. As a single moment it was a superb spectacle, but not enough to open the game for New Zealand.Du Plessis ticked over and for the first time in the series Miller played the type of forceful shots he has become known for. The target hurried into view. The sun had only just set. This time not on South Africa.

Wolves could sign "magic" 20-y/o gem in loan deal

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked to a midfield talent ahead of the summer transfer window in a player with Premier League experience.

Julen Lopetegui will have a number of obstacles to overcome in the break, however, the Spaniard could ease the woes surrounding the expected departure of Ruben Neves in a rumoured loan deal.

The former Real Madrid boss faces the uphill challenge of improving his side while balancing the club’s finances following the emergence of FFP issues.

Seeking quality with lower price tags is essential this summer, with the latest link being easy on the club’s wallet.

What’s the latest on Fabio Carvalho to Wolves?

As reported by transfer expert Ben Jacobs for CaughtOffside, Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho is admired by a number of clubs including Wolves.

The report states that Liverpool have no interest in selling the midfielder, however, could see the 20-year-old depart on a loan deal.

The £32k-per-week ace could be a strong talent for Lopetegui to borrow in a beneficial move for both parties, with the Portuguese itching for game time.

What could Fabio Carvalho bring to Wolves?

Playing predominantly as an attacking midfielder in the heart of the pitch, the former Fulham gem worked his way through the Londoners’ academy before signing for Liverpool last summer.

Having made just 13 appearances and four starts this campaign, the “magic” attacker – as dubbed by pundit Jack Collins – could bring a new lease of life to Wolves’ attack.

Neves was Molineux’s top provider in attack this campaign, highlighted by his six goals and a single assist.

However, despite being the shining light in a lacklustre season, the Portuguese midfielder’s numbers are far from mindblowing and amid the pending disappointment of his departure, Lopetegui could replace and upgrade the squad’s creative outlet by capturing Carvalho.

In his final campaign at Fulham, the youngster had 18 goal contributions, scoring ten himself and assisting eight – as per WhoScored – in a year that solidified his status as an academy graduate turned first-team player.

Wolves are lacking inspiration, being the Premier League’s lowest-scorers and are expected to lose a host of attacking talent this summer, so a reshuffle is essential at Molineux this summer.

Carvalho could provide a streak of danger to the clubs’ attack, as highlighted through his numbers over the past year, in a period that has seen the youngster starved of game time.

As per FBref, the attacker averages 0.39 non-penalty goals per 90, ranking him in the top 1% of his position in Europe’s top five leagues, based on his minutes played.

The youngster also excels in being progressive in midfield, as highlighted through his 2.73 progressive carries per 90.

Despite not playing as much football, which can be detrimental to a player’s development, Carvalho has continued to showcase a high level of his quality, particularly in comparison to Neves.

The Wolves captain averages 0.09 non-penalty goals per 90, as well as flagging when carrying the ball making an average of 0.83 of progressive carries per 90 – as per FBref.

A reshuffle in personnel and formation could allow the youngster to blossom and enjoy his football again under the watchful eye of Lopetegui, but only time will tell if Jurgen Klopp will allow the 20-year-old to depart.