Everton reporter Tony Scott has been left in ‘disbelief’ by a video of the club’s travelling supporters at the weekend.
The lowdown
Everton beat Leicester City 2-1 on Sunday to further boost their Premier League survival hopes.
Since a 3-2 defeat to relegation rivals Burnley on 6 April, The Toffees have picked up 10 points from a possible 15. The run includes unlikely victories against two top-six sides in Manchester United and Chelsea.
Frank Lampard’s side have now lifted themselves out of the relegation zone and up to 16th, a point ahead of Leeds United and Burnley. They travel to Watford on Wednesday night with the opportunity to extend that gap to four by winning what is a game in hand.
The Liverpool Echo’s Scott reacted to footage of the Blues faithful celebrating their win at The King Power Stadium. The fans can be heard chanting in unison in an otherwise empty ground after the final whistle.
“I’ve watched this video on repeat and shook my head in disbelief at the support we get,” he tweeted. “It’s staggering!
“The fans have dragged this team up off the floor. Seeing parents with their kids in the away end belting out ‘Spirit of the Blues’ is absolutely priceless.”
The verdict
The atmosphere at Everton could be very different right now. They shouldn’t be battling to stay in the division, having finished in 10th place last season.
In these circumstances, the fanbase could easily have turned against the players and the manager, but instead, they’ve rallied behind them and proven to be the driving force behind this potentially season-saving run of form.
Take the win against Chelsea: Lampard called their contribution ‘massive’, The Echo’s Joe Thomas marvelled at the ‘incredible show of unity and passion’ as thousands lined the streets to welcome the team coach and BBC Sport commentator Guy Mowbray said the atmosphere inside the stadium was unparalleled.
There’s no doubt that this has made a difference.
In other news, a Spanish source names a potential defensive target.
Manchester City have been one of the most successful teams in England for over a decade now, racking up five Premier League titles since the 2011/12 season as well as numerous other domestic trophies.
One figure that played a massive part in the Manchester club’s success throughout that period is Sergio Aguero.
Signed from Atletico Madrid back in the summer of 2011 in a deal worth £38m, the Argentine went on to make 390 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions.
In those appearances, the striker racked up a total of 260 goals and 73 assists along the way, easily making himself a club legend and one of the best foreign players to ever grace the Premier League.
After leaving Pep Guardiola’s side last summer, the 33-year-old unfortunately had to call his playing career to an end shortly into his time at Barcelona after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
With the reigning Premier League champions going through this current season without the Argentine, it seems as though they have their eye on signing a player during the upcoming summer transfer window that could be their next version of Aguero.
Last month, it was reported that the Etihad Stadium outfit were interested in signing Stade Reims striker Hugo Ekitike.
In 25 senior appearances for the French club, the 19-year-old has found the net ten times, showing that he has a knack for scoring at such a young age, as Aguero had before he fully blossomed in Manchester.
He also has the highest number of shots on target (15) at his club in Ligue 1 this season as well as the joint-highest number of successful nutmegs, making him an absolute nuisance to play against for defenders in French football.
Labelled as an “outstanding talent” by journalist Graeme Bailey, Ekitike has a reported price tag of £17m, which is a snip compared to some of the transfer fees that City have shelled out in the past.
Moving forward, should the Manchester club feel the need to make a potential investment in a player that could well grow into being a long-term attacking star for the team, then launching a swoop for the Frenchman should be in their thinking once the summer window opens.
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As many as three clubs from the Premier League are reportedly now ‘eyeing’ up a move to sign Dan Neil from Sunderland in the summer.
The Lowdown: Great season
Neil has enjoyed a great season at the Stadium of Light, scoring four goals and making a further eight assists in total from midfield over all competitions and playing a key role as a substitute in the last few weeks (Transfermarkt).
He has rightfully earned rave reviews for some of his performances, as Black Cats legend Kevin Phillips has dubbed him as an ‘exciting young talent’, while former manager Lee Johnson even likened him to a ‘young Paul Gascoigne’.
Nonetheless, it looks as if Neil will now be a player in demand this summer.
The Latest: Clubs lurking
Taking to Twitter, reliable journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Brighton and Hove Albion are all now ‘eyeing’ up a move for Neil.
The Englishman has a contract on Wearside until 2025, but could be sold if a sizeable offer came in.
The Verdict: Worrying
The fact that clubs from the top flight are seemingly taking notice of Neil is certainly worrying for the supporters.
In truth, a move to the Premier League would be very hard to turn down for the 20-year-old, who will no doubt want the opportunity to further his career.
Nonetheless, if he were to go, the board must get as much money for him as possible in order to help rebuild the squad.
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Saturday afternoon saw Leeds United suffer yet another defeat in the Premier League, condemning them to a spot in the relegation zone this week.
The Whites lost 3-2 away to Manchester City, after a late Phil Foden goal managed to secure the three points for Pep Guardiola’s side late on.
Despite the result, there were some positives to take from the game. Daniel Farke’s side defended with plenty of heart, with two of City’s goals coming inside the first minute and stoppage time. It was also good to see both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha on the scoresheet.
Yet, not all of their attackers shone. Daniel James did not put in his best performance, continuing his tough start to the season.
Dan James' season in numbers at Leeds
It was certainly a disappointing showing from James against Guardiola’s men. Normally such a direct presence in attack with his electric pace, the Welshman perhaps did not have the impact he or Farke may have hoped.
The former Manchester United star really struggled to get into the game, having just 12 touches of the ball, failing to create a chance and not having a shot. Journalist Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post gave him a 5/10 for his performance and said he did not “get to do too much” going forward.
Indeed, that has been the theme of this season for the former Manchester United winger who has not really managed to get a good run of games together. He’s featured ten times in the Premier League, but has only played 352 minutes, the equivalent of 3.9 full 90-minute games.
He is off the back of good form for Wales, too. In the November international break, he helped his country reach the World Cup playoffs, assisting against Liechtenstein and scoring against North Macedonia.
James’ future at Leeds is arguably up in the air, given his lack of game time this season and poor performance against City. Leeds have an attacker out on loan who could leapfrog him, too.
Leeds are brewing a Dan James replacement
This summer, the West Yorkshire side loaned out some good players, perhaps coinciding with their attacking additions of Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor. Largie Ramazani is one example of an attacker out on loan.
Another is currently plying his trade for Yorkshire rivals Hull City. It has been a superb season for a certain Joe Gelhardt, who has shone for the Tigers in the Championship. The versatile forward has played as a number 10 and on the right so far this term.
He’s done that to great success in the 2025/26 campaign. The Liverpool-born attacker has nine goals and two assists to his name in 18 second-tier appearances this term. The most recent one of those strikes was a winner away to Stoke City in the 90th minute this weekend.
Indeed, Gelhardt’s attacking numbers this season are impressive. He’s averaging 0.72 goals and assists and 0.53 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, which rank him in the top 6% and 19% of Championship forwards, respectively. He is extremely efficient in the final third.
Goals and assists
0.72
94th
Shots on target
1.58
99th
Goal-creating actions
0.53
81st
Take-ons completed
1.9
81st
Ball recoveries
4.99
82nd
This sort of form is surely pleasing to see for Farke and Leeds. A player like James has struggled to have an impact in the first team this term, and with Gelhardt’s form and output, it is easy to see how he could leapfrog the Welshman.
The former Wigan Athletic star has played senior football at Elland Road. Whilst he only has 10 goals and assists in 57 games, the signs of his talent are there. Jamie Carragher has even described the 23-year-old as a “special” player in the past while long-time Merseyside Boys’ manager Tim Wyatt even said that Gelhardt caught the eye just as much as Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney did when they were all 14 years of age.
Looking ahead to the future, it is easy to think that the forward could break into Leeds’ squad and have a real impact. James has underwhelmed this term, and it is quite conceivable that he could be overtaken by Gelhardt.
He’s not played a first-team game for the Whites since last October when he appeared as an eight minute substitute against Norwich in the Championship. It would be some turnaround if he could work his way back into Leeds’ plans.
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The Whites are struggling for form in the Premier League and could now change tact in the dugout.
Glasgow Rangers need to improve the pipeline from the academy to the first-team because it has not produced enough in the way of regular starters in recent years.
So far this season, no academy graduate has played more than 35 minutes of football for the Light Blues in the Scottish Premiership under Russell Martin, per WhoScored.
Last season, Ross McCausland was the only academy graduate who started more than one league match for the club, starting four times in total before his summer exit on loan.
Why Rangers need to improve their academy pipeline
Whether it comes down to academy recruitment, the facilities at the academy, the first-team coaching staff and their willingness to bring through academy talent, something needs to be done.
Findlay Curtis, who turns 19 next month, has scored three goals in 228 minutes of action in all competitions this season, per Transfermarkt, yet he has only played 35 minutes in the league.
Given that Rangers have scored one goal in their last three Premiership matches combined, Curtis’ lack of involvement does not feel like a wise use, or lack of use, of talent.
Bringing through academy talent is important for multiple reasons, because it can save the club millions on new signings by creating players for the first-team, and it shows young players that this is the place to be if you want to progress your career.
The lack of examples in recent years of players making the step from academy football to first-team regular at Rangers may cause players to rethink whether they want to be at Ibrox, which may be part of the reason why the Gers lost their own version of Bukayo Saka.
Rangers must rue losing their own Bukayo Saka
19-year-old whiz Archie Stevens left the Light Blues this summer upon the expiry of his contract, after the club failed to agree new terms with the winger.
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The teenage talent has since signed for Premier League giants and Champions League outfit Arsenal, though there is no mention of any potential compensation for Rangers, which means that they may have lost him for £0.
Stevens, who signed from Wimbledon in 2022, made his first-team debut for Rangers against Queen of the South in the League Cup in August 2022, at the age of just 16.
Player
Age at debut
Derek Ferguson
16 years, 24 days
Bailey Rice
16 years, four months, and 14 days
Tom Walsh
16 years, four months, and 27 days
Paul Nsio
16 years, five months, and 15 days
Zak Lovelace
16 years, seven months, and 7 days
Alfie Conn
16 years, seven months, and 8 days
Archie Stevens
16 years, six months, and 19 days
The English forward became one of the youngest players in the club’s history when he made that appearance in the cup, but he left this summer with that being his only outing in the first-team.
Now, he has been compared to Arsenal star Bukayo Saka upon his arrival at The Emirates. The Sun are said to have compared the two in because of their similar style of play, as both are wingers who like to drive at defenders and excite supporters.
Dunfermline boss Michael Tidser described him as a player who likes to “get bums off seats”, which is what he did for the B team at the start of last season with one goal and two assists in four Challenge Cup matches, per Transfermarkt.
Whilst it remains unclear as to why the winger decided to move on from Ibrox, the lack of a clear pathway to the first-team may have been a contributing factor.
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Now, the Gers are left to rue losing a player who is now at one of the biggest clubs in the world at the age of 19, with a chance to progress and become the next Saka or Noni Madueke with the Gunners in the biggest competitions in the world, and they may have lost him for nothing.
Tottenham Hotspur once had a talent hailed as “the new Diego Maradona”, who Jamie Carragher said was “like watching Pirlo”, due to the way in which he flourished in a deep-lying playmaker role.
Lack of creativity cost Tottenham against Bournemouth
Tottenham spent large parts of the summer transfer window chasing a new attacking midfielder, pursuing Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze before eventually getting a deal for Xavi Simons over the line.
However, the Dutchman, who has picked up a combined 20 assists over the last two Bundesliga seasons, wasn’t available for selection against AFC Bournemouth last time out, and Spurs created very few opportunities.
The Lilywhites were missing a player capable of taking the game by the scruff of the neck and creating something out of nothing, with Son Heung-min departing for LAFC in the summer, while Harry Kane has, of course, been a big miss ever since leaving two years ago.
During his time in north London, Kane received regular plaudits from the media, with some of the highest praise coming from David Ginola, who once said: “The new playmaker at Spurs is Harry Kane. He is like the new Diego Maradona now. Long passes, short passes, he has it all.”
Carragher was also left very impressed with the England captain’s ability to drop deep and create chances.
First refusal clause means Spurs can re-sign Kane
Tottenham are well-known to have a first refusal clause, which means they would hold an advantage in a future race for the 32-year-old, given that Bayern Munich would be forced to sell the striker to his former club if they matched another accepted offer.
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Former Liverpool man Dietmar Hamann has also suggested this season could be the centre-forward’s last in Germany, saying: “I think Harry Kane has a clause that allows him to leave for a certain amount next summer. I believe the reason Bayern Munich wanted to bring Nick Woltemade in this summer was because many within the club think Kane wants to go back to England after the World Cup.”
Signing a player in their early thirties would normally be a gamble, but Kane is showing no signs of slowing down, having maintained a fantastic goal and assist record at Bayern ever since his arrival, making a flying start to the new campaign.
Newcastle United enter the market looking to build on the success of last campaign and now find themselves in the mix for a young defender who could add another layer of solidity under Eddie Howe, according to a report.
Newcastle United see bid turned down for Anthony Elanga
Some Premier League fans could’ve been forgiven for wondering if there was much transfer business going on at the Magpies at an early stage in the window, but it is clear that signs of life are starting to show as Eddie Howe scours the market.
David Ornstein delivered some intriguing news yesterday, detailing that Newcastle have saw a bid in the region of £45 million turned down for Anthony Elanga and also revealing Nottingham Forest’s stance on the Sweden international.
Anthony Elanga in action for Sweden.
He stated on social media platform X: “Newcastle make offer to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. Bid in region of £45m. NFFC rejected without counter; no intention of selling Sweden int’l. NUFC considering whether to maintain pursuit or focus on other targets.”
Between the sticks, Newcastle are in advanced talks to sign Burnley stopper James Trafford for £30 million and could finally bring a long-winded saga to acquire the England Under-21 international to an end if all goes to plan.
Marcus Rashford is also a potential Magpies arrival on loan, albeit that may hinge on whether Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro opts for St James’ Park or Stamford Bridge.
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All in all, there is plenty to be encouraged about in the North East, though supporters will be desperate to see more movement occur over the coming weeks ahead of the Magpies’ pre-season preparations.
They may well get their wish, with Newcastle now in the hunt for a central defender who had starred at the recent UEFA Under-21 EURO Championships.
Newcastle enter race to sign Cesar Tarrega
According to reports in Spain via Sport Witness, Newcastle, led by Howe, are looking to sign Cesar Tarrega from Valencia and there is also further interest in his services from unnamed Premier League clubs as well as in Italy from Bologna.
Standing at 6 foot 4, the 23-year-old made 38 appearances across all competitions last season, registering two goals and a solitary assist from central defence. His camp are aware of interest in his services.
Cesar Tarrega in La Liga – per 90 min (FBRef)
Tackles
1.46
Interceptions
0.65
Blocks
1.22
Clearances
6.60
Aerial duels won
2.59
His Serie A admirers view him as a potential replacement for Jhon Lucimi, though he reportedly wants to sign a contract extension at his current club, where he is tied to until the summer of 2028.
Appearing three times for Spain at the Under-21 European Championships, Tarrega’s stock is rising and Newcastle are now minded to convince him that a move to the North East would be the most beneficial for his development.
Juggling both domestic and European endeavours won’t be easy for the Magpies, so it makes sense to add strength in depth to lead the fight on all fronts in 2025/26.
Chelsea’s capture of Liam Delap was Enzo Maresca’s first signing of the 2025 summer transfer window.
It will likely be the first of many as the Italian looks to sign high-profile stars that will improve his squad ahead of next season.
With Champions League football to look forward to for the first time since the 2022/23 season, Maresca is going to spend in order to be fully prepared for the group stages.
As such, the club have been linked with numerous attacking players in recent weeks. Hugo Ekitike is someone that the manager is keen on bringing to Stamford Bridge.
Date
Opponent
Venue
Monday, June 16
Los Angeles
Mercedes-Benz stadium
Friday, June 20
Flamengo
Lincoln Financial Field
Tuesday, June 24
Esperance
Lincoln Financial Field
Via Chelseafc.com
He could cost around £84m, however, which may prove to be a stumbling block. Samu Aghehowa is another striker on Maresca’s list of targets, but he could cost roughly the same as Ekitike if Chelsea are serious about bringing him to London.
Wide options are also being targeted and Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens is a talent that the Blues are desperate to have before the start of next season.
How much would the German side demand for the Englishman to let him move to the Premier League?
The latest on Chelsea's pursuit of Jamie Gittens
Gittens has been linked with a move to Chelsea over the previous few weeks, and it appears the club are serious about signing him.
According to Ben Jacobs on Sunday, the Blues have had a bid rejected. He said on social media: “Understand Dortmund want around £42m for Jamie Gittens. Chelsea’s opening bid of £30m has been turned down but positive talks continue. Chelsea happy to wait until after the June 10 deadline if no breakthrough ahead of the Club World Cup.”
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittensin action with Lille's Bafode Diakite
Less than a year ago, Gittens was hailed as the future of Dortmund and was looking to follow in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham.
Since Nico Kovac took over as coach, however, the youngster has struggled to fit into his system, and it now appears they are looking to cash in on the winger.
Since making his debut for the club in the 2021/22 season, the 20-year-old has amassed over 100 competitive appearances.
A total of 31 goal contributions – 17 goals and 14 assists – have been registered in that period, establishing him as one of the most promising young wingers on the continent.
While landing a player of Gittens’ quality this summer, do the club need another wide option?
Maresca can already count on the likes of Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, Tyrique George and Mykhaylo Mudryk (when he returns from his suspension) to play on either wing.
Add in the fact that they have signed Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda, it is evident that this area is rather stacked with players.
Instead of spending another £40m-£50m on someone like Gittens, no matter how talented he is, perhaps directing these funds to other areas of the squad should be deemed a bigger priority.
A new goalkeeper, for example.
Chelsea preparing to make move for new goalkeeper
It is no secret that the Blues have struggled to find a consistent number one goalkeeper in recent years.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Edouard Mendy and Robert Sanchez have all held the position over the previous few years, but none truly convinced the supporters, with Kepa and Sanchez notably-error prone.
AC Milan's MikeMaignanreacts
As such, signing a new ‘keeper this summer should be what Maresca is focusing on.
Well, according to Sky Sports, the Blues have told AC Milan that they are willing to pay a transfer fee in the region of €15m (£12.6m) to secure the services of Mike Maignan.
It’s a fee that could get them close to completing a move with journalist Graeme Bailey reporting on the saga that the Blues now expect to sign the Frenchman in time for the Club World Cup.
The Milan number one has been with the club since the summer of 2021, making a total of 163 appearances for the Serie A side, notably impressing at club level and on the international stage, most recently against German in the Nations League.
If Maresca wishes to improve his options between the sticks, then signing the 29-year-old is clearly a must.
Why Mike Maignan would be a better signing than Jamie Gittens
The Blues have a plethora of wingers available to make an impression under Maresca but their goalkeeping department leaves plenty to be desired.
Last year, Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen were both used by Maresca. The Spaniard made 34 appearances, while Jorgensen played 23 times for the club.
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Across his 34 games, the Spaniard kept just ten clean sheets, conceding 37 goals in the process. Jorgensen managed to keep only nine clean sheets while shipping 22 goals.
To summarise, the Blues need someone who could be the main choice under Maresca. A player that will win them points when the club aren’t playing well.
In that regard, Maignan is the ideal choice. He was hailed as “world-class” by writer Carlo Garganese in 2022 for a stunning performance against Inter Milan.
France's Kylian Mbappe, Jules Kounde andMikeMaignanduring the national anthems before the match
Across his 163 games for the Italian giants, Maignan has kept 59 clean sheets, working out as one every 2.7 games.
In the Italian top flight last season, the Frenchman made 2.7 saves per game – a 71% success rate – while also keeping 12 clean sheets, conceding 1.1 goals per game, was successful with 95% of his passes within his own half and averaged 46.5 touches per match.
When compared to his positional peers in Serie A, Maignan ranks in the top 10% for passes attempted per 90 (37.02), while also ranking in the top 7% for defensive actions outside his penalty area (1.86) per 90.
That last statistic is important, signifying that the 29-year-old plays quite far off his goal line in order to distribute the ball and stop opposition attacks.
Maignan is now the French number one and with Milan not in any European competition next season after an eighth-place finish in Serie A, joining Chelsea makes sense for all parties.
He will be able to establish himself as the number one ‘keeper at Stamford Bridge while playing in the Champions League once again.
Could they secure his services for a fee just north of £10m? It would be tough, but not impossible, that’s for sure. He could turn out to be a much better signing than Gittens should Maresca get a deal over the line.
Better than Delap: Chelsea step up move for £85m "monster in the making"
Chelsea are looking to improve their attacking options further
Sunderland are now only one nail-biting clash away from finally returning to the Premier League.
Of course, this isn’t going to be a straightforward passage back up to the promised land, as Chris Wilder’s intimidating Sheffield United will be aiming to make the Wearside outfit’s day out to Wembley dour by securing their own reentry to the exclusive division.
If Regis Le Bris’ side do perform to the heights they know they’re capable of and hold their nerve, however, top-flight football could finally be back on the menu at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland's key stars at Wembley
The Blades might well boast the Championship’s Player of the Season in Gustavo Hamer among other standout performers, but the Frenchman will back his own set of stars to get the job done regardless.
After all, Le Bris has his own creative menace down the left flank too in Enzo Le Fee, with the slick loanee’s excellent corner kick delivery against Coventry City last time out sealing Sunderland’s dramatic progression to Wembley.
Of course, Daniel Ballard also had to be in the perfect spot to power home the 25-year-old’s cross, with this ability to pop up with a moment of magic an effective weapon to call upon in the nerve-wracking final.
Alongside both Ballard and Le Fee, Le Bris also has Jobe Bellingham, Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda at his disposal in attack, with both Mayenda and Isidor getting in on the goalscoring action during the first leg victory over the Sky Blues.
But, Patrick Roberts might not be as fortunate as the tricky trio when it comes to making the starting XI for Wembley.
Consequently, the Black Cats boss could now be tempted to start Sunderland’s new version of Jack Clarke for the one-off tie over the hit-and-miss 28-year-old.
Sunderland winger Jack Clarke
Clarke has history in the play-offs, albeit in League One, notably playing at Wembley on that day in 2022 when the Black Cats defeated Wycombe 2-0 courtesy of goals from Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart.
GK – Anthony Patterson
RB – Lynden Gooch
CB – Bailey Wright
CB – Danny Batth
LB – Dennis Cirkis
CM – Corry Evans
CM – Luke O’Nien
RW – Patrick Roberts
CAM – Alex Pritchard
LW – Elliot Embleton
CF – Ross Stewart
While Clarke didn’t start, he did come on as a second-half substitute for Embleton. On this occasion, however, their new Clarke must be given his big day out in the capital.
Sunderland's new Jack Clarke
In an ideal reality, the promotion-chasers would still have their former hero around as they attempt to navigate a passage back up to the Premier League.
But, Clarke chose to join Premier League-bound Ipswich Town last summer instead. Yet, that doesn’t diminish his superb tally of 23 goals and 28 assists for the Black Cats when he was performing at the peak of his powers.
Whilst Roberts has shown throughout his long stay on Wearside to date that he can also conjure up moments of quality like Clarke before him – with nine goals and 17 assists coming his way from 144 games – Sunderland’s next iteration of their revered ex-number 20 could instead be Romaine Mundle.
This could result in Mundle coming in for Roberts down the right, despite the ex-Standard Liege man being more of a natural option on the left flank. But, after the 29-year-old failed to register a single on-target effort on the Sky Blues goal across two legs, drastic measures might be deemed necessary.
LW
39
8
6
RW
35
6
5
LM
11
2
3
AM
5
0
2
RM
4
1
0
CF
3
0
0
RB
1
1
0
This suggestion doesn’t even look that radical when you assess the table above with Mundle actually playing 35 career games down the right wing previously, culminating in a healthy six goals and five assists coming his way.
Away from his overall career numbers, however, and he’s already showing why he could be the most fitting recipient of the baton from Clarke when donning a Black Cats strip, with Mundle tallying up five goals and two assists across 23 league contests this season when injury-free.
Previously hailed as “brilliant” by Sunderland skipper Dan Neil, Mundle could well find he’s chucked out to the right flank for his team’s all-or-nothing playoff final, therefore, with the Frenchman having to play his best possible XI no matter what.
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Sunderland might well have closed out their regular campaign in the Championship with a worrying five league defeats on the spin, but heading into the second leg of their playoff affair with Coventry City later on, Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats are firmly in the driver’s seat.
Indeed, the promotion hopefuls lead Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues 2-1 on aggregate after a confident display on their travels last time out, with a potentially bouncing Stadium of Light atmosphere tonight seeing them over the line.
Sunderland manager RegisLeBris
Le Bris will further hope he’s the boss that can consolidate Sunderland as a Premier League regular again if promotion is reached, with the Wearside outfit enjoying many a top-flight season previously when Jermain Defoe was heroically leading the line.
Jermain Defoe's heroics at Sunderland
It’s been a long time coming for Sunderland to be on the cusp of a Premier League return, with the Black Cats competing outside the luxuries of the top-flight since 2016.
The former Tottenham Hotspur star would attempt to keep his forlorn side up during the 2015/16 season against all the odds, but not even his regular heroics would be enough to keep the Wearside giants from sinking down despondently to the EFL.
The campaign prior, however, Defoe’s 15-goal haul in the tricky division would be enough for Sunderland to just about avoid relegation in 17th spot, but that same goal tally the season after would unfortunately go to waste.
In total, the firm Stadium of Light fan’s favourite would notch up a century of Sunderland appearances across three seasons, with 37 goals tallied up, definitely making him a standout purchase.
Well, it’s safe to say that as the Mackems potentially approach another campaign in the top-flight, they’ve found their best signing since the iconic Defoe.
Sunderland's best purchase since Defoe
Le Bris has managed to tempt some top-quality personnel to Sunderland since taking charge of the EFL giants, with Wilson Isidor up to 15 goals now from 50 games this season after netting in the first leg away at Coventry.
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While Isidor has certainly shone bright, it’s the remarkable coup of Enzo Le Fee who stands proud as Sunderland’s best signing in recent years.
As it happens, he had a huge role to play in his French compatriot finishing past Ben Wilson with confidence last Friday, with his defence-splitting pass giving Isidor plenty of time to compose himself before firing home.
This sublime moment of quality on such a pressurised stage backs up how much of an outrageous coup it was that Sunderland managed to obtain Le Fee’s services on loan in January, with Defoe also seen as a statement purchase back in 2014, considering his devastating prowess in front of goal in the Premier League was clear for all to see before relocating to the Black Cats.
Le Fee has also displayed his midfield elegance in some grand settings before Sunderland came calling, with the stylish Frenchman once on the desired shopping list of Liverpool off the back of picking up 15 assists on the books of Le Bris’ ex-employers Lorient.
Minutes played
90
Goals scored
0
Assists
1
Touches
43
Accurate passes
17/19 (89%)
Key passes
4
Big chances created
1
The classy 25-year-old would never manage to pull on the famed red strip of Arne Slot’s men, but he certainly looks comfortable donning the red and white of Sunderland at the moment, with the midfielder registering four key passes in total during the first leg win.
Therefore, much like Defoe managed in the Premier League when securing safety for Sunderland, the “really talented” midfielder – as he’s been labelled by his manager – could be as key to Le Bris’ men now as they attempt to leap back up to the big time.
After all, his sensational ability to produce a moment of spellbinding quality in an instant is a hugely effective weapon, particularly if a playoff final to come at Wembley is tense and in need of a game-changing spark.
Delegation travels to Sunderland amid imminent talks to sign 19 y/o
This is a worrying time for Black Cats supporters.