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Playing abroad, he feels, will help older players looking to make international comebacks

ESPNcricinfo staff09-May-2020Suresh Raina feels Indian cricketers without BCCI contracts should get the opportunity to play in overseas T20 leagues. The 33-year-old Raina has played over 300 international games, but hasn’t represented India since July 2018; playing in overseas leagues, he feels, will especially help older players who are looking to make international comebacks.”I hope the BCCI can get together with the ICC or with franchises and allow players who don’t have BCCI contracts to play in overseas leagues,” Raina said in an Instagram Live chat with his former India team-mate Irfan Pathan. “I feel there are a lot of players, including Yusuf [Pathan], myself, Robin Uthappa – a lot of quality players who can go overseas and learn a lot, no matter which league it is. Allow us to play in two [overseas] leagues.”We aren’t in the BCCI contracts list, some of us don’t have IPL contracts, we aren’t playing international cricket, and the competition in domestic cricket isn’t what it is at the international level. If we can get three months of quality cricket, whether it’s the CPL or the Big Bash [League] or any league, it can help us stay ready.”Players from other countries are able to play in these leagues, and a lot of them have made international comebacks after doing well in them. We play the IPL, but if these people [the BCCI selectors] have a pool of 40-50 players, they think those outside it aren’t good enough or are past it, and neglect them. We don’t have a Plan B. If we go overseas and perform, our cricket will improve and we’ll get to learn a lot.”The BCCI has not allowed active Indian players to take part in franchise leagues other than the IPL. Those that have done so – Virender Sehwag in the T10 League, Yuvraj Singh in Global T20 Canada – have only done so after announcing their retirements. Last year, Harbhajan Singh signed up for the draft of The Hundred but eventually pulled out in order to continue playing in the IPL.

Lionesses star Mary Earps has shown off the highlights of her first few weeks in France after signing for PSG.

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• Earps left Manchester United
• Has signed for PSG
• Discusses first days in France

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Earps posted a collage on Instagram, showing off her highlights of her first few weeks in France. The England goalkeeper has been brushing up on her French, has put in the hours on the training field, and has even had some time for sightseeing.

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• WHAT EARPS SAID

  Earps wrote on Instagram: "First few weeks of Parisian life." The post included a number of images, which you can scroll through via the arrows below.

• THE GOSSIP

  Earps has become such an iconic figure in women's football that she is set to receive a waxwork from London's iconic Madame Tussauds. The goalkeeper has already revealed her desire to win plenty of silverware in France.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  PSG Women play Le Havre AC in a friendly on Thursday, August 22 as they continue their preparation for the new season. Earps is likely to be involved.

It has been a superb season for Aston Villa so far, who sit fifth in the Premier League on 60 points and are still in the Europa Conference League, with a tie against Lille coming up this week.

The Villans have improved leaps and bounds under the tutelage of Unai Emery, and have risen from 16th in the Premier League when he took over last season, to Champions League contenders in 2024.

Emery inherited a squad with plenty of talent, and he is getting the best out of his players this season. Ollie Watkins has been one of the best players in the Premier League and has scored 18 goals and registered ten assists in just 31 games, a remarkable return.

Leon Bailey is another who is enjoying a fruitful season in front of goal under Emery, with eight goals and eight assists so far while the likes of Ezri Konsa are also performing well, with the 26-year-old recently making his full England debut.

However, there is perhaps one glaring hole in Emery’s squad, in defensive midfield. Villa’s first-choice number six, Boubacar Kamara, suffered an ACL injury in February, meaning they have been without Douglas Luiz’s regular midfield partner.

It is certainly a hole that Villa need to plug soon, and there is one particular rumour linking them with a former Premier League midfielder ahead of summer.

Aston Villa looking to sign a new midfielder

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Villa, alongside other Premier League sides including Tottenham and Newcastle, are monitoring the situation of Leicester City and Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

It is not the first time the Villans have been linked with Ndidi. Back in 2022, they were rumoured to be interested in placing a £50m bid for the Nigeria international, although then-Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers did not seem to agree with that value, saying he is “worth much more than that”.

However, Villa would not have to pay a penny for Ndidi this summer, with the 27-year-old available on a free transfer, along with several other Leicester players including club legend Jamie Vardy.

No doubt, Villa would face stiff competition for Ndidi’s signature during the transfer window, but he could certainly be one player who solves some of their midfield issues and helps fill the void left by Kamara’s ACL injury.

The perfect partner for Luiz

Ndidi has previously had heaps of praise from significant people in his career. Former Nigeria midfielder Sunday Oliseh once described Ndidi as “the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League, so far this season” back in 2020, high praise from someone who made 63 caps for Nigeria.

Ndidi’s former manager, Rodgers, did not hold back on his praise for the midfielder either. In 2019, Rodgers summed up the 27-year-old’s impact on his Leicester side, explaining how he “does the dirty work”, can always “smell danger” and is one of the “top players at winning the ball back”.

The stats suggest Rodgers was correct in his statement; according to the numbers by Fbref, Ndidi is a great ball-winner. Albeit now playing in the Championship, he averages 1.24 interceptions per 90 minutes, placing him in the 69th percentile of midfielders in comparative leagues, and also works hard to win the ball back in the final third, something required of him in Enzo Marseca’s high-pressing system.

The Leicester midfielder wins 0.32 tackles per 90 minutes in the final third, placing him in the top 21%. He also completed 3.1 ball recoveries per 90 minutes this season, as per Sofascore.

The Nigerian could prove to be a dream partner for Douglas Luiz in Villa’s midfield. The Brazil international has scored nine goals and registered five assists this season in the Premier League, his best-ever return for combined goal involvements.

With Ndidi sitting at the base of Villa’s midfield, it allows Luiz more security to get forward and impact the game in the final third, chipping in with goals and assists along the way. As Rodgers said, Ndidi “does the dirty work”, and this is certainly something Luiz, and Villa, could benefit from, to make them an even better side ahead of a big season in 2024/25.

Tottenham have now sounded out a £26 million forward's camp over his possible summer signing, as chairman Daniel Levy eyes a bargain move.

Levy and Lange drawing up summer shortlist at Spurs

Technical director Johan Lange, unofficial consultant Fabio Paratici and chief football officer Scott Munn, who will all report to Levy, are busy behind-the-scenes identifying Spurs' potential targets this summer.

Club readying new contract for defender to stop him from joining Tottenham

They’re prepared to make him one of their highest earners.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 22, 2024

Manager Ange Postecoglou has already admitted that Tottenham want to sign another new centre-back after Radu Dragusin, while widespread reports have suggested that Spurs wish to upgrade their attacking areas as well.

“Look, a player they appreciate for a long time is Raphinha from Barcelona. We know the financial situation at Barcelona is not easy, so he could be one of the names. They will look at that kind of player," said Fabrizio Romano to JD Football last week.

"Another player they appreciate is Pedro Neto, but he has this issue with his injuries, so I’m not sure Liverpool, Tottenham or the other clubs following the player will be prepared to play big money for Pedro Neto this summer. That kind of player is the priority for Tottenham, I see them going for that kind of winger, a quality player to help with goals and assists."

While the club boast stars like Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison, James Maddison and Timo Werner among their ranks, there is a case to be made that Spurs could do with that extra injection of proficiency in the final third.

They've done well to cope without club-record goalscorer Harry Kane in their first full season without the Lilywhites legend, thanks largely to Son Heung-min and Richarlison's excellent form, but they've arguably been lacking goals and assists from elsewhere.

Son Heung-min

14

Richarlison

10

Dejan Kulusevski

6

Brennan Johnson

4

Cristian Romero

4

In terms of attacking output, one player who's really impressed this season is Genoa star Albert Gudmundsson. The Iceland international, who is rumoured to be on Spurs' radar, has bagged 10 goals and three assists in 27 Serie A starts over 2023/2024. This has alerted Tottenham's recruitment team, as explained in Romano's Daily Briefing this week.

Tottenham sound out Gudmundsson's camp over summer move

As per a journalist working under Romano, Spurs have sounded out Gudmundsson's camp over a potential summer switch to N17, but Juventus and Roma are also believed to be chasing the forward.

He could leave Genoa for a fee of around £21-26 million, which is pretty affordable from Levy's perspective, and his attacking contribution makes that price tag seem worthy of an investment.

While there have apparently been no official talks, you could make a very stern case that this is a deal which needs pursuing.

“He reminds me of Salah when he was at Roma, in that every now and then he disappears. Much like Salah then, he would have four or five chances per match and only score at most one," said teammate Kevin Strootman.

“They used to say that if Salah was more clinical, he would be playing for Liverpool, and that is exactly what happened. All joking aside, Gudmundsson is a devastating player and also an exemplary professional.”

Reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano has shared the "important" signing he thinks Tottenham will make this summer, and it could be "something special".

Lange making Spurs transfer plans ahead of summer window

The next transfer window will be an all-important one for Spurs, as technical director Johan Lange gears up to back manager Ange Postecoglou after what has been a successful debut season at the club for him.

Player has told his agents he wants to be a Tottenham player next season

He’s informed his entourage behind-the-scenes.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 20, 2024

Spurs supporters have been reinvigorated by the Australian's electric brand of football, and while a place in next season's Champions League group stage pot is still under contention, that isn't the be-all and end-all of Postecoglou's goals from 2023/2024.

"I don't see fourth as the prize," said Postecoglou on Tottenham's European hopes.

"This club has finished fourth before. It's finished second before. You can throw all types of things at it, it's reached the Champions League final, you can throw all sorts of things but this club has achieved things. So fourth is not my end goal.

Luton Town (home)

March 30th

West Ham (away)

April 2nd

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 8th

Newcastle United (away)

April 13th

Arsenal (home)

April 27th

"I don't want to finish fourth if we haven't grown as a team and developed as a team. If nobody believes me then that's fine. Part of the narrative is to push you in these kind of positions where you think that fourth is some kind of achievement that gives you something for next year. It doesn't give you anything unless… fourth would be great if I feel like we're growing as a team and we're creating something that is going to bring us success next year.

"But fourth is not our goal."

While securing Champions League qualification, and all the riches that come with it, is seen as important by many – it appears the overall project is what matters to Postecoglou.

Lange, meanwhile, will be looking to support in the best way possible – by facilitating moves for some of Postecoglou's top transfer targets. It is believed that Tottenham are keen to bolster key areas of the squad, namely by bringing in a new winger, midfielder and centre-back this summer.

Fabrizio Romano shares "important" signing he thinks Spurs will make

Speaking to JD Football this week, Romano has shared the "important" signing he thinks Tottenham will make.

Indeed, according to the respected journalist, Spurs are likely to move for a star midfielder in an effort to hand Postecoglou a new option in that position – coming amid repeated links to Atalanta star Ederson and Chelsea's Conor Gallagher.

“I see Tottenham signing an important midfielder in the summer transfer window," said Romano.

“But a really important one. I think they want to do something special in that position.”

Uncertainty surrounds the future of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who has barely started a game for Spurs this season and is out of contract in 2025 – which is perhaps why they want to reinforce in this position.

Without a doubt, the best talent to come out of West Ham United's academy in recent times is that of Declan Rice. The defensive-midfielder managed to captain his boyhood club to a European title and is one of the most expensive British players ever after his £105m sale to Arsenal.

Granted, the midfielder did spend some of his career at Chelsea, but the majority of his development came whilst with the Hammers.

Despite the fee involved being an obscene amount of money for any player, Rice has proven to be worth every penny to Arsenal within the first half of the season.

The 25-year-old has played a total of 34 games for the Gunners this season and has managed to contribute to nine goals during that time. That is, despite being deployed in defensive-midfield for the vast majority of his games this season.

Of all the Premier League summer transfer window signings, it's hard to choose another addition who comes close to having a similar sort of impact on their respective team.

However, one of the few names which springs to mind is Dominik Szoboszlai's. The Hungary international has brought a new layer of depth to Liverpool's attack thanks to his passing range and vision.

The 23-year-old was signed by Jurgen Klopp for a fee worth £60m. Since arriving in Merseyside, the attacking-midfielder has played 28 games and has managed to contribute to a total of nine goals during that time.

Although flashy signings are all well and good, the backbone of every team should be their academy. This is one area of the club that West Ham have seemed to run well in recent seasons.

Players such as Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick were all developed within the West Ham youth setup and managed to have longstanding Premier League careers.

However, one player who was touted for greatness on more than one occasion is that of Reece Oxford.

Why Reece Oxford was rated so highly

Many outside of West Ham may not have heard of the defender, but the former sporting director of Borussia Monchengladbach, Max Eberl, heaped praise on Oxford in 2017 with some stellar words: He is one of England's best defensive talents.

Eberl stated: "Reece Oxford has played for England at youth level and is considered one of the country’s best young defensive talents. This loan deal gives us the chance to add a very interesting player to our squad.

"On top of that, we’ve had good experience with signing young Premier League players in the recent past."

Receiving this sort of praise at the young age of 18 shows just how talented Oxford was. The towering centre-back even made 17 appearances for West Ham whilst at the club.

He oozed so much talent that the Daily Star even reported that some rated the youngster 'higher than Declan Rice.'

Speaking about the development of the two players, Slaven Bilic once commented: "A couple of years before, when I’d come to West Ham, I couldn’t move around the place without hearing that Reece Oxford was going to be the next big thing.

“Reece made his debut at 16 and we beat Arsenal 2-0, you can imagine the hype. He had an entourage, he got injuries, maybe lost a bit of confidence and focus. Dec’s [Rice] was a different story. He was able to come in without the same expectations."

Despite becoming The Hammers' youngest-ever player, things were seemingly not meant to be for Oxford at West Ham as he underwent multiple loan spells with German sides Borussia Monchengladbach and FC Augsburg.

What happened to Oxford and where is he now

The latter of those aforementioned loan spells was eventually turned into a permanent deal in 2019 when the Bundesliga minnows forked out a fee rumoured to be worth around £2.1m for the youngster.

Since his arrival at Augsburg, the defender has managed to appear a total of 71 times for the club whilst scoring three goals.

However, things have since taken a turn for the worse, as Oxford hasn't managed to play a game of football since last season.

This is likely due to the muscular problems he has been suffering with since last season which have, so far kept him away from the pitch for a total of 32 games.

Despite his deterioration of playing time this season, Oxford is still just 25-years-old so, upon his return to first-team football, he could yet rekindle his career and find his form from his earlier days.

Journalist Dean Jones has reacted to news of "another setback" in the injury department for Everton midfielder Dele Alli, as his career continues to stutter.

Everton's relegation battle

The Blues find themselves scrapping at the bottom of the Premier League table currently, now sitting in 18th place in the relegation zone, one point adrift of Luton Town having played one game extra.

It is a hugely concerning time for Everton supporters, with their 10-point deduction for financial breaches hurting them badly, and there have even been rumours of further punishment coming their way.

Relegation to the Championship would be a bitter blow, especially with their move to their new Bramley Moore Dock home happening next year, so these next few months feel massive in their long-term future.

Sean Dyche has had to contend with so much on and off the field this season, with injuries one issue that has played a part in his team's struggles. Dele Alli is one player who continues to suffer from fitness issues, with the Englishman's career threatening to peter out, sadly, and Everton have also had to make do without more regular starters such as Abdoulaye Doucoure, Amadou Onana, Andre Gomes and Arnaut Danjuma, among others.

Dele Alli may not play for Everton again

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones reacted to the news that came out last month that Alli has picked up yet another problem at Everton, admitting that he may have played his last game for the club.

"I don't know that we'll ever see Dele pull on an Everton shirt again. The longer time drags on, you wonder will he ever pull on a shirt of any type again. There's no timescale on this injury. It's another setback.

"He did his chat with Gary Neville and the documentary came out around him, and he revealed all the reasons as to the difficulties that were going on in the background and his life that none of us would really have understood before that moment."

It is so sad to see how much Alli's career has plummeted in recent years, having once stood out as arguably one of the best young players in Europe. The world was at his feet when he was starring for both Tottenham and England, but a combination of injuries and mental health issues have cruelly robbed us of seeing a special talent reach his potential.

Alli's Everton career has been so disappointing, with only 13 appearances coming his way in the two years since he arrived from Spurs, being sent out on loan to Besiktas at one point, where he also struggled.

On the plus side, the attacking midfielder is still only 27 years of age, meaning there is still time for him to turn his career around, and Ryan Mason hailed him as "excellent" back in 2021.

Everton struck gold by signing their "absolute monster" for just £1m

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By
Ethan Lamb

Feb 7, 2024

It would be so heartwarming to see Alli rid himself of his injuries and turn things around, but it does increasingly feel as though his time at Goodison Park could end sooner rather than later.

Manchester City are reportedly ready to battle with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich for RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

• Olmo linked with summer move from Leipzig
• Man City, Bayern and PSG interested
• Spaniard has a €60m release clause

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Barcelona man has impressed over the last few years at Leipzig and even with the Spanish national team. However, the Spaniard might have played his last match at Leipzig Stadium with three top European sides interested in availing his services this summer.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As per a report from French outlet Sports Zone, Leipzig have already received the first contact from Man City, Bayern and PSG for the Spanish star, who reportedly has a release clause of €60 million (£50.6m/$64.8m). The Bundesliga outfit are currently not ready to negotiate for the 26-year-old, and as such, any interested party will have to work with the pre-set release clause in Olmo's contract.

• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Man City had also shown interest in Olmo last winter but shifted their focus towards West Ham's Lucas Paqueta. However, with Paqueta set to undergo the Football Association’s investigation into alleged betting breaches, the Premier League champions are set to move away from the Brazilian.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR OLMO?

  If Olmo is going to have a move away in the near future, it likely won't be decided until the conclusion of the Euros. Olmo is set to be a major part of Luis de la Fuente's plans for the Spanish national team this summer in Germany. La Roja will kick off their tournament with a clash against Croatia on June 15.

صعد ليفربول إلى صدارة الدوري الإنجليزي بعد فوزه الصعب ضد ولفرهامبتون بهدفين لهدف، في الجولة السادسة من البطولة مساء يوم السبت.

وافتتح فريق مانشستر سيتي أولى مباريات الجولة السادسة بمواجهة نيوكاسل يونايتد، حيث تعادلا بهدف لمثله على ملعب “سانت جيمس بارك”.

وشهدت الجولة نفسها على ملعب “الامارات”، فوز آرسنال على نظيره ليستر سيتي بنتيجة 4/2.

في حين أن تشيلسي فاز على ضيفه برايتون بنتيجة 4/2، في مباراة شهدت تسجيل كولر بالمر “سوبر هاتريك”.

أستون فيلا تراجع للمركز الخامس، بعدما فشل في استغلال تعثر مانشستر سيتي، وترك المركز الرابع لـ تشيلسي، ظل خامسًا ولم يتمكن من استغلال تعثر مانشستر سيتي.

وخسر مانشستر يونايتد أمام ضيفه توتنهام هوتسبير بثلاثية نظيفة، في اللقاء الذي أقيم على ملعب “أولد ترافورد”. جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي 

1 ليفربول، 15 نقطة.

2 مانشستر سيتي، 14 نقطة.

3 آرسنال، 14 نقطة.

4 تشيلسي، 13 نقطة.

5 أستون فيلا، 13 نقطة.

6 فولهام، 11 نقطة.

7 نيوكاسل يونايتد، 11 نقطة.

8 توتنهام هوتسبير، 10 نقاط.

9 برايتون، 9 نقاط.

10 نوتينجهام فورست، 9 نقاط.

11 بورنموث، 8 نقاط.

12 برينتفورد، 7 نقاط.

13 مانشستر يونايتد، 7 نقاط.

14 وست هام يونايتد، 5 نقاط.

15 إيبسويتش تاون، 4 نقاط.

16 إيفرتون، 4 نقاط.

17 ليستر سيتي، 3 نقاط.

18 كريستال بالاس، 3 نقاط.

19 ساوثهامبتون، نقطة.

20 ولفرهامبتون، نقطة.

ويمكن متابعة ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2024/25، محدث بشكل مستمر من هنا.

Tottenham Hotspur's business during the January transfer window may not be over as they still have a week left to add more quality to their playing squad.

Ange Postecoglou was backed last summer with the likes of James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Manor Solomon, and Guglielmo Vicario, among others, coming through the door.

Daniel Levy has delivered once again this month with the signings of Timo Werner, on loan from RB Leipzig, and centre-back Radu Dragusin, on a permanent switch from Genoa.

Timo Werner's Spurs debut (via Sofascore)

Statistic

Vs Manchester United

Minutes played

80

Shots

Five

Key passes

One

Assists

One

Pass accuracy

91%

The Australian head coach could now bolster his squad with the addition of another central midfielder to compete with the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Ollie Skipp.

Tottenham's search for a new midfielder

Tottenham are reportedly looking at a possible deal to sign Atalanta star Ederson to compete in their engine room during the second half of the campaign.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that the club are one of a number of teams "scouting" the impressive whiz.

The reporter claims that Serie A giants Juventus also have an eye on the young dynamo and 'like' him, whilst the other interested teams remain unnamed by the journalist, although he adds that sides from England, Italy, and Spain are watching Ederson.

Unfortunately for Juventus and Spurs, Romano states that Atalanta do not want to cash in on the talented enforcer this month and that a summer move away from the Italian side is more likely at this moment in time.

However, Sport – as relayed by Football365 – reported that it would take a fee of £35m to tempt the Serie A outfit into a sale, amid interest from Barcelona and Manchester United at the time.

GIVEMESPORT claim – at the top of their interview with Romano – that Ederson is one of Tottenham's priority targets alongside Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, who has been touted with a move across London.

Football Insider reported earlier this month that talks between the two clubs collapsed as the Blues decided that they want to keep hold of their captain.

The outlet claimed that his long-term future at Stamford Bridge remains up in the air and Spurs are considering a swoop to land his services in the summer transfer window.

It stated that the club are prioritising the signing of a central midfielder and Postecoglou could land a better option than Gallagher by securing a move for Ederson.

The Brazilian ace, if they sign him this month or in the summer, could alleviate the need to splash the cash on a controversial – given he would arrive from one of Tottenham's local rivals – transfer for the England international.

Conor Gallagher's impressive Premier League displays

Spurs may be interested in the 23-year-old midfielder because of his impressive displays in the Premier League for Chelsea since the start of last season.

The English gem has caught the eye with his all-round performances in the middle of the park and FBref, interestingly, lists Ederson – alongside the likes of Gavi and Alexis Mac Allister – as one of the most similar players to Gallagher over the last 365 days of action in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions.

In that time period, the Chelsea skipper ranks within the top 21% of midfielders for tackles (2.62) and interceptions (1.38) per 90 respectively, and the top 4% for blocks (1.95) per 90.

23/24 Premier League

Conor Gallagher (via Sofascore)

Appearances

20

Goals

Zero

Big chances created

Six

Ball recoveries per game

6.9

Duel success rate

53%

These statistics show that the young midfielder loves to put a challenge in and is able to win possession back for his side by cutting out opposition attacks with vital defensive contributions at an impressive rate.

Gallagher also has the quality in possession to make things tick for Chelsea. Over the last 365 days, he ranks within the top 30% of midfielders in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for progressive passes (5.92) per 90 and the top 22% for progressive carries (2.09) per 90.

The stats that show why Ederson could be better than Gallagher

Postecoglou could land a better version of the Cobham academy product by signing Ederson, who could bring similar attributes but with more quality.

In the Serie A this season, the 24-year-old battler has showcased his ability as a defensive and progressive presence in the middle of the park for Atalanta.

He ranks within the top 12% of Serie A midfielders for tackles (2.71) and interceptions (1.46) per 90 this term, whilst also being within the top 25% for blocks (1.46) per 90.

As you can see in the chart above, Ederson ranks highly in a host of key defensive statistics, which suggests that he has been a solid operator at the base of his team's midfield to stem the flow of opposition attacks with tackles, interceptions, aerial battles won, and very few errors.

He has also won 59% of his duels in the Serie A, which shows that he has been dominant in physical battles, whilst the former Crystal Palace loanee has won 53% of his and has not been as strong in 50/50 contests.

Like Gallagher, the Brazilian talent is able to mix his impressive defending with progressive play in possession of the ball to find his teammates in dangerous positions.

Ederson ranks within the top 8% of Serie A midfielders for progressive passes with 6.71 – 0.79 more than Gallagher – per 90 this season, which shows that he has been outstanding when it comes to breaking lines and progressing the ball forward to build up attacks for his team.

The Spurs target, who was hailed as "fun" to watch by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has also provided a goal threat from midfield with five goals in 20 league outings this term.

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Whereas, Gallagher has not found the back of the net for Chelsea in the Premier League this season, which suggests that the Atalanta star could offer more than him in the final third as a scorer for the club.

These statistics suggest that Ederson could be a better signing for Spurs than the England international as they both offer defensive strength and progressive passing but the 24-year-old ace can also be a match-winner with his knack for scoring goals.