Chelsea could reportedly activate a unique 'Marc Guehi discount' clause as the Blues look to re-sign the England defender from Crystal Palace.
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Chelsea vying for Guehi in JanuaryPalace demand approximately £60mBlues could claim 20% of future feeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to the initial discussions between Chelsea and Palace took place in early January and have continued over the following weeks. The Eagles have set Guehi's asking price at approximately £60 million ($73m), a figure Chelsea finds steep given the player’s contract, which has 18 months remaining.
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Chelsea are well-positioned to negotiate a more favourable deal for Guehi, thanks to a sell-on clause included when the defender moved to Palace for £18m ($22m) in 2021. The clause grants Chelsea 20 per cent of any future transfer fee and the right to match offers from other clubs. This contractual provision could effectively act as a discount, reducing the financial burden on Chelsea. While there were initial talks of waiving the sell-on clause to simplify negotiations, Palace’s high valuation appears to have been factored in the potential discount.
DID YOU KNOW?
Chelsea had explored the possibility of including Chalobah as part of the deal for Guehi to lower the transfer fee. However, they dropped that possibility and recalled the defender from his loan at Selhurst Park on a separate deal.
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It is understood that Guehi’s salary demands are around £170,000 per week. If signed, this would place him among the highest earners at Chelsea, a significant commitment under the current wage structure implemented by the club's ownership group. While Guehi is reportedly aware of Chelsea’s interest, the west London club has yet to formalise a bid. Sources close to the situation suggest Chelsea may put their pursuit of Guehi on hold unless Palace lower their asking price.
Ben Mike and Ed Barnes both make 70 as Leicestershire’s last four wickets add 233 runs
ECB Reporters' Network01-Sep-2021Kent 232 (Leaning 75*, Crawley 50, Parkinson 4-68) and 262 (Stevens 107*, Parkinson 5-75) beat Leicestershire 109 (Logan 3-9) and 253 (Mike 70, Barnes 70*, Milnes 6-53) by 132 runsKent registered a first LV= Insurance County Championship win of the season as Leicestershire were beaten by 132 runs inside three days at the Uptonsteel County Ground but only after an extraordinary afternoon that saw the home side avert humiliation with a defiant rearguard action.After 45-year-old Darren Stevens had completed a superb unbeaten century against his former county, pace bowler Matt Milnes finished with a career-best 6 for 53, but that told only half the story of a bizarre two sessions of play.Needing to score an unlikely 386 to win on a pitch aiding spin and in swing-friendly overhead conditions, Leicestershire slumped to 20 for 6 at lunch. But an aggressive Ben Mike hit 70 off 52 balls to set off a vigorous wag of the tail that saw Ed Barnes match him with an unbeaten 70 and Will Davis make a career-best 42 as the last four wickets added a scarcely credible 233.Stevens lit up the early part of the day, transforming his 55 overnight into an unbeaten 107 off just 28 deliveries before Leicestershire were able to winkle out his final partner.The veteran lofted Mike and swept Callum Parkinson for four sixes over the short boundary and, as he celebrated his 37th career first-class century, Leicestershire needed no reminding that he should have been out on the second evening on 40 when he hit Barnes in the air to midwicket but neither of two converging fielders made the catch.Stevens scored 107 of the 120 runs added for Kent’s last five wickets before Colin Ackermann bowled James Logan to claim the one outstanding overnight. Stevens hit 13 fours and six sixes, facing just 70 balls.What was always a daunting target then soon looked impossible for Leicestershire. Milnes made his first breakthrough in his third over as Hassan Azad was trapped in front and he could not have imagined he would have a five-for under his belt 21 balls later.He had Ackerman caught at second slip off a yorker-length ball, bowled Louis Kimber, celebrated a fourth success as Harry Swindells misread the line and a fifth when Lewis Hill was caught behind down the leg side, sending Leicestershire to lunch six down from 12.1 overs, Stevens picking up the other wicket with an inswinger to Sam Evans.But Mike began the afternoon by driving, hooking and pulling three fours in an over to see Milnes removed from the attack and continued apace as he and Parkinson added 77 in 10.3 overs before the introduction of Logan’s spin saw the latter caught behind.Mike ultimately sliced Logan to wide long-off and though the result never looked in any doubt Barnes delayed it with an impressive second first-class fifty, adding 33 with Chris Wright, who was unlucky to be given out caught behind from a ball that appeared to come off his helmet as he went to hook Milnes, and 92 with Davis before the latter slashed at one from Nathan Gilchrist and Kent could finally celebrate.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have endured a tough start to the 2024/25 Premier League season, still awaiting their first win after two losses and a draw.
Despite this poor opening, Gary O’Neil is still the man for the job, especially with the decent transfer business he conducted during the summer.
Of course, Max Kilman and Pedro Neto departed for close to £100m combined, giving the Old Gold some flexibility in the market.
Wolves manager Gary O'Neil
Several youngsters joined the club in the summer, with Pedro Lima among the new wave of players.
Pedro Lima’s Wolves statistics
The Brazilian hasn’t made an appearance in the top flight yet, but O’Neil did unleash the 18-year-old against Burnley in the EFL Cup last week.
It was the perfect chance for the youngster to showcase his talents and he duly delivered. Not only did the South American gem grab an assist, but he also created one big chance, made two key passes and succeeded with 100% of his dribbles during the clash against the second-tier side.
Assists
1
Touches
68
Key passes
2
Big chances created
1
Dribble attempts (successful)
1 (1)
Balls recovered
9
Lima also recovered nine balls and made seven tackles, showing his defensive skills too. It was a stunning debut for the youngster, which will hopefully point towards a bright future.
With Nelson Semedo’s contract expiring at the end of this season, could he be a logical option to replace the Portuguese defender, or is there another player knocking on the door?
Why Dexter Lembikisa could replace Nelson Semedo
Previously, the Old Gold looked like they could struggle at right-back as Semedo was the only realistic option, but now Lima and Lembikisa could fight it out for the spot in the near future.
The 20-year-old has gained slightly more senior experience than the Brazilian, making 49 appearances during his career already for Wolves, Hearts and Rotherham.
The second half of last term saw the Jamaican defender join Hearts, where he made 18 appearances, scoring twice in the process.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
The youngster also created two big chances in the Premiership, along with averaging 0.8 key passes per game, and succeeded with 0.7 dribbles each match, demonstrating his forward-thinking abilities for the Jambos.
The 5 foot 11 gem certainly looks like a bright prospect and could go far. What he needs now is a run in the first team in order to build his confidence.
His former U18 coach Steve Davis hailed the right-back as a “top player” back in 2022, and it looks as though he is fulfilling his potential going by his decent loan spells in both Scotland and England.
This is likely to be Semedo’s final year at Molineux, especially with O’Neil signing Lima in the summer. The Brazilian has competition with the Jamacia international, however, and this battle could be good for both players as they stake a claim to become a regular in the starting XI.
Will an opportunity present itself for Lembikisa in the coming months? Only time will tell.
Time to go: O'Neil must sell Wolves man who earns more than Cunha & Gomes
He’s not made the impact many would have imagined at Molineux.
Pulisic explained why he agreed to a new documentary, with the USMNT and AC Milan forward saying he's “introverted”
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Pulisic stars in Paramount production
Hoping to inspire others with his story
Breaking down barriers in the European game
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The United States international is the leading man in a production from Paramount Plus. Pulisic is giving fans a rare glimpse into his private life, while offering opinions on a wide range of subjects.
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He is far from being the first to take the docuseries plunge, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney proving with ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ how beneficial such shows can be. Pulisic, however, has never been once to crave the limelight and has revealed why now is the right time for him to take centre stage.
WHAT PULISIC SAID
Pulisic, who continues to star for Serie A giants AC Milan at club level, has told when asked why he has hit the small screen: “One of my biggest goals is inspiring that next generation of soccer players and my country back home and getting people excited. I look at the timing of a World Cup coming up in the U.S. and the sport is the biggest it’s ever been. It seems like the right time.
“Some of us are more introverted, some of us are more outgoing. I hope some people can see this documentary and think, ‘I relate to him’. Hopefully, they see how I am as a person and realize, ‘OK, maybe not all football stars are wanting to be so glamorous and in the spotlight all the time’. I hope they see that I’m kind of the opposite of that and see some of the struggles that I go through on a day-to-day basis as an American battling in Europe to try to be one of the best players in the world.”
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In the documentary, Pulisic – along with international colleague Weston McKennie – speaks about how there is still “bias” in Europe against American players. He added on how that mindset has impacted his goals for the present and future: “It just inspires me to work that much harder and to have to be better — not even giving them a decision to make and saying, ‘This is the guy that we want playing’. So that’s always pushed me.
“I think it’s in a better place now. I hope I’ve had a say in that and other people look around and say, ‘This guy’s American and he is doing it at the highest level, so we need to respect some of these guys’. Look how many Americans in the last five to 10 years have come over to Europe. We have players in the Champions League and some of the highest leagues in the world. It is not our biggest driver of wanting to prove them wrong. It’s just something that is out there.”
There are many factors that have created the daylight that is between the Australia team and the rest of the world. One of them was on view in their record-breaking 22nd ODI win when Ash Gardner came in at No. 6 and turned what could have been a slightly uncertain situation into a charge to history.Gardner, one of four players to appear in the full winning streak, struck 53 off 41 balls in the latest example of how her batting has evolved over the last 12 months or so. There has not been much international cricket played in this season, but in what there has Gardner has excelled: across seven innings in ODIs and T20Is she has scored 253 off 175 balls – and that includes a first-ball duck in the second ODI in Brisbane.Not promoting her to No. 4 in the second T20I in Napier with nine overs to go was a rare misstep and one acknowledged by coach Matthew Mott.She arrived on this tour in good form having made three half-centuries in five innings for New South Wales in the WNCL (average 64.00, strike rate 99.61) which followed an under-par WBBL for the Sydney Sixers which was ended early by her latest concussion layoff.On Sunday, Gardner collected two boundaries in her first six deliveries – both off Amelia Kerr who she had also taken down in calculated fashion in the first T20I – which immediately deflated New Zealand after they had managed a couple of quick wickets to briefly open the door.Related
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Then her next 12 deliveries brought seven runs. The asking rate was never an issue for Australia but it highlighted the selective approach that is now a growing feature of Gardner’s game. In the space of the next four balls there was a six down the ground and another boundary threaded through the off side.Gardner currently has the highest ODI strike rate (123.27) of any batter to have played more than 20 innings. Power has always been part of her game but now with a greater awareness of building an innings she is becoming a formidable package (and that’s even before her offspin is factored in).Sometimes a player is made for a certain position and at the moment Gardner is a perfect fit for that No. 6 slot with the ability to move up if a game situation allows as it did in the third ODI in Brisbane last year. However, it is tempting to wonder what Gardner, who turns 24 shortly after this tour, could develop into as a batter in the years to come.”Think that’s something Ash has improved in a lot over the last year, the ability to build an innings and pace herself nicely,” captain Meg Lanning said. “She can take a few balls to play herself in because she can accelerate so quickly. We’ve seen that in the couple of games she’s got going in this series.”She’s a great batter, someone who can take the game away from the opposition pretty quickly. It’s a pretty tough line-up to move up the order in at the moment but no doubt if Ash got the opportunity to bat higher think she’d do an extremely good job so it’s nice to have some good options.”Speaking before the one-day series, the development was also acknowledged by Mott.”There’s been no doubt she’s improved considerably the last couple of years – her maturity around training, the way she prepares, she’s always been a very strong leader but it’s her growth in the last 12 to 18 months. The perfect example on the field was the first T20 when she was so composed. She chewed up a few balls to start with, didn’t panic and played an excellent knock – one of a senior player.”And it’s not just in the middle that she is playing a leading role. As one of only six Indigenous players to so far represent Australia she has taken a leading role in education and advocacy, often speaking with great clarity around important and potentially challenging topics.”Off the field she’s done a lot of work driving our connection back to country and our Indigenous education,” Mott said. “She’s definitely been a keen figure in that, helping players understand how we can drive that forward in that space. Ash has been exceptional the last couple of years, just really good to see her in that sweet spot at the moment.”There’s a very fine allrounder developing. There could also be a future captain.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will be hoping he can secure a marquee signing or two before the end of the summer transfer window.
So far, only Lewis Hall, Odysseas Vlachodimos and William Osula have signed for a transfer fee, with John Ruddy and Lloyd Kelly joining for nothing.
Could this be about to change, however, as the Magpies were watching a player in action over the weekend who could transform their attack…
Newcastle United have scouted Euro 2024 star
According to reports in Turkey (via Sport Witness), Newcastle have closely followed Baris Yilmaz over the previous few weeks with regard to potentially making a move for the winger.
Baris Alper Yilmaz in action for Turkey at Euro 2024.
The Turkish Süper Lig season started last Friday, as Galatasaray secured a 2-1 win over Hatayspor to begin their title defence with three points. The Magpies sent scouts to monitor Yilmaz during the display, where he was utilised on the left wing.
Last month, it was claimed that a fee of around €30m (£25m) would be needed if a club wished to prise Yilmaz away from Turkey.
No European football this season is a major blow for Howe, but by signing Yilmaz, it won't be long before the club returns to continental competition.
Baris Yilmaz’s 2023/24 season in numbers
The Turkish winger enjoyed a productive campaign for Galatasaray during 2023/24. Across a total of 55 appearances in all competitions, the 24-year-old scored seven times while grabbing 12 assists.
These 19 goal involvements meant he registered a goal contribution once every 2.8 games, not bad at all and this could get even better next season, especially if he is playing with Swedish sensation Alexander Isak.
Baris Yilmaz's domestic statistics for Galatasaray last season
Goals
6
Assists
6
Big chances created
10
Shots per game
1.6
Key passes per game
1.2
Successful dribbles per game
1.8
Total duels won per game
6.4
Via Sofascore
Among his teammates, Yilmaz ranked fifth in the squad for goals and assists in the top flight (12), while also ranking fifth for shots per match (1.6), fourth for big chances created (10) and first for successful dribbles per game (1.8).
Those two latter statistics would allow him to make Isak even more unplayable than he already is. Yilmaz regularly creates chances for his teammates, which could see the striker find the back of the net more often, while his dribbling ability could get the Turk into dangerous positions in the final third.
The only attacker to register more than ten big chances in the Premier League last term for Newcastle was Anthony Gordon, which suggests another player with the ability to unlock opposition defences is required.
The winger – who played in all of Turkey’s games at Euro 2024 – has been praised by former Turkish international Selcuk Inan, who said: "I think Baris Alper Yılmaz can play very comfortably for many teams in the Premier League at the moment. He’s a very special player.”
Baris Alper Yilmaz for Galatasaray.
A solid endorsement indeed. Isak scored 25 goals in just 40 matches last season. Adding someone like Yilmaz to the Newcastle squad could see this tally rise next term, without a shadow of a doubt.
For just £25m, Howe could secure himself a wonderful bargain.
A dream for Guehi: Newcastle could land "incredible" Trippier replacement
The talent would allow the Magpies to forget about one current first-team member.
With Amadou Onana already heading for the exit door, Everton could yet lose another player amid surprising Champions League interest just one year on from his arrival.
Everton transfer news
The Toffees' transfer window was going a little too well. Jack Harrison returned, whilst Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam arrived. Those at Goodison Park were left waiting for the penny to drop on their summer that was too good to be true and, as it happens, that penny looks set to be worth £50m and cost them Onana with the Belgian set to swap Goodison Park for Aston Villa in a major blow for Sean Dyche.
His exit will at least add to Everton's summer budget, however, which could yet see them land a replacement in the form of Kalvin Phillips before the transfer window slams shut at the end of next month. In pursuit of replacing Onana, they could also raise funds through the sale of another player.
According to Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth, via Goodison News, Bologna are now exploring a deal to sign Beto from Everton this summer just one year on from his arrival worth a reported £26m. The forward could somehow fall upwards after a debut campaign to forget and become Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee replacement following his recent move to Manchester United.
Napoli contact Everton to gather information on £58,000-p/w Dyche favourite
Some of the Toffees’ top stars are attracting interest from other clubs.
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Tom Coates
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In quite the domino effect, Everton could show their expensive transfer flop the door once and for all in hope of at least making back close to the hefty fee they paid Udinese last summer.
Everton need to move Beto on
Whilst he did manage 10 Serie A goals in 33 games in the season prior to his Everton move, Beto has shown little signs of bursting into similar form at Goodison Park, and after costing £26m whilst earning a reported £50k-a-week, the Toffees have the right to expect a little more. The signs were positive when he first arrived – he even earned the praise of Dyche – but he has since failed to kick on.
Dyche said via The Independent after Beto's debut from the bench against Doncaster Rovers: "We only got his clearance this morning, so we’d already set the team up. I had it in my mind to put him on at half-time regardless.
“He’s adapted very quickly, done very well tonight. With all due respect, the Premier League is different, but he’s shown the rawness, the pace and the effect that he can have on a team. It gives us something different, which is what we brought him here for.”
Alas, after just three Premier League goals in 30 appearances, that "something different" is yet to steal the headlines and if the right offer comes in this summer, Everton should cash in on Beto, even if it means cutting their losses in the process.
Now that the summer's international tournaments have wrapped up, focus on the transfer window will be accentuated, though, much to the frustration of the fanbase, all remains quiet at Liverpool.
Arne Slot is assessing his newly inherited squad and still awaits the returns of multiple first-team stars following international commitments, with sporting director Richard Hughes revealing that business is more likely to be conducted later down the line.
Feyenoord coachArneSlot
However, FSG are always willing to move for a shrewd deal, and there's one such market opportunity that might just prove to be too good to turn down.
Liverpool transfer news
According to Calcio Mercato, Juventus are struggling to meet Atalanta's demands in the pursuit of centre-midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, which could see Liverpool steal ahead.
The Merseysiders are long-time admirers of the Netherlands international, who played under Slot at AZ Alkmaar, and while Juventus are hoping to seal the deal, finances are proving to be a sticking point.
Liverpool are understood to hold the funds to complete a deal, however, and given that Atalanta are holding for €60m (£50m), the Reds may yet find themselves in the driving seat, having already moved ahead to learn conditions of a possible transfer.
What Teun Koopmeiners would bring to Liverpool
A multi-functioning midfielder, Koopmeiners is creative in possession and crisp and combative out of it, with a wide range of technical strengths that could see him excel in the Premier League.
Netherlands midfielder Teun Koopmeiners
The 26-year-old was forced to watch his nation's Euro 2024 campaign from the sidelines after picking up an injury on the cusp of the tournament, though there's no question that he earned his stripes last season, instrumental in Atalanta's Europa League triumph – ending Bayer Leverkusen's record unbeaten streak to lift the trophy and defeating Liverpool on the way to the final.
He was described as "very versatile" by his Serie A manager, Piero Gian Gasperini, though he spent much of the 2023/24 campaign in a forward-driving midfield position, scoring 15 goals across 51 appearances and adding seven assists.
Matches played
34
12
Matches started
29
10
Goals
12
0
Assists
5
2
Pass completion
82%
79%
Big chances created
9
4
Touches per game
54.0
55.5
Key passes per game
1.8
1.1
Ball recoveries per game
4.4
4.0
Dribbles per game
0.6
0.8
Tackles per game
1.1
1.8
Duels won per game
3.2
3.8
Marvelling at the player's ability, his former coach Pascal Jansen has said: "His stamina is amazing. His pressing and chasing abilities when out of possession, I would almost say they are inhuman."
It's almost like he's tailor-made for Slot's high-octane, control-focused system, even ranking among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Italian top flight last term for passes attempted and the top 2% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
Why Liverpool need Teun Koopmeiners
Liverpool are well-stocked in the centre of the park, though if Slot and Co opt against signing a specialist No. 6 it is highly likely that Alexis Mac Allister will operate in a deeper-lying role, as he did on many occasions under Jurgen Klopp last year. Wataru Endo enjoyed a solid campaign last term too but the 31-year-old has his limitations.
Liverpool players Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister
Despite the wealth of talent at Slot's disposal in the middle of the field, Koopmeiners could make a marked impact on the squad, not least because he embodies many of Thiago Alcantara's standout attributes.
Thiago has recently retired from football after his Liverpool contract expired last month. The 33-year-old is one of the game's superlative technicians, distinguished across the globe, though his final professional term was wrecked by injuries that limited him to just five minutes of action, coming in a defeat against Arsenal in February.
Still, while his Liverpool career didn't reach the heights dreamily envisaged, Thiago still excelled across his 98 appearances, with talkSPORT host Tony Cascarino even remarking that he's "up there with the very best".
Statistical data from the 2023/24 campaign is negligible, but the previous term illustrates quite clearly how good the maestro was, despite suffering significant injury issues again. He ranked among the top 2% of Premier League midfielders in 2022/23 for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 11% for successful take-ons and the top 10% for tackles per 90, showcasing how he was one of the most complete midfielders around.
Atalanta central midfielder Teun Koopmeiners.
Once praised as the "complete" midfielder by Dutch legend Ruud Krol, Koopmeiners could prove to be a brilliant Thiago replacement, not quite stylistically identical but carrying some of the Spaniard's principal ball-playing characteristics – and a sharp intelligence besides.
It would be unjust to say that the Anfield side need a Thiago replacement: he didn't play last season. That said, one can only imagine the heights that could have been reached with the midfield magician pulling strings from the heart of the field, perhaps instilling the perfect chemistry and coherence through his passing prowess to have seen Liverpool swerve the late-season slump that unravelled Klopp's swansong.
Slot is working hard to drill his philosophy into the Red Merseysiders, and while he's lost one of the Premier League's brightest midfield talents in Thiago, he could swiftly replace him with a player he knows well: Koopmeiners. The Dutchman is tenacious and supremely talented, willing to chip in defensively and boasting the motor requisite for success in the fast-paced Slot system.
Whether FSG decide to make such a move this summer remains to be seen, but there's no doubting Koopmeiners' quality, and there's no question that he would be a credit to Slot's outfit.
Liverpool favourites to sign "insane" £50m Guehi alternative
This dynamic defender could even be the perfect Van Dijk successor.
Steve Cooper will now be eyeing up various different signings to make having arrived in the Leicester City hot seat, to ensure the Foxes don't immediately slip back down to the Championship.
The one-time Premier League title-winners will, arguably, be the most confident of the trio that won promotion from the second tier up to the promised land of the top flight, after lifting the title in the division below as well with an impressive 31 wins registered.
The mastermind in the dug-out behind this success is gone now, however, with Enzo Maresca leaving for the allure of Chelsea after promotion was sealed, as Cooper now has a point to prove at the King Power Stadium, after leaving Nottingham Forest on sour terms in the Premier League.
Whether the Welshman is a success or not could rest on the incomings that Leicester are able to attract this summer, not wanting to rip apart the synergy of the squad from last season, but just adding in sprinkles of quality that can help make the East Midlands side an established top-flight team again.
Here is what next campaign's dream Leicester team could look like, therefore, with a face that has played under Cooper previously lined up to join the Foxes, amongst other notable deals…
1
GK – Mads Hermansen
Mads Hermansen will hope he can follow in the footsteps of fellow compatriot Kasper Schmeichel moving up to the Premier League with Leicester, with the 37-year-old an immortalised great at the King Power now, after competing in the EFL for large patches of his early footballing education.
The current Foxes shot-stopper was solid for the title-winners last campaign and will be trusted in-between the sticks moving up a league, amassing 13 clean-sheets from 44 second-tier clashes.
2
RB – Ricardo Pereira
Despite worries that Ricardo Pereira's head could potentially be turned in the midst of Leicester's relegation, the Portuguese defender remained situated in the East Midlands, even whilst playing in the division below, and shone.
Pereira would pick up three goals and three assists from the right-back spot, and will be eager to get going again in the Premier League now, having accumulated 102 appearances for his team in the elite division already.
3
CB – Joe Rodon
Leeds United's loan defender Joe Rodon.
The first foray into the transfer market by the Foxes could see Cooper reunite with a former Swansea City face in Joe Rodon, with Rodon a wanted man currently, after a stellar loan spell with Leeds United.
He will be champing at the bit to test himself in the Premier League, and with Leicester needing more centre-back recruits arguably, the Welsh warrior could be the best possible buy available.
Rodon would take the Championship by storm last season, as his confidence on the ball stood out with 66 accurate passes averaged per match, alongside his no-nonsense ability to win duels, with 4.7 won on average.
4
CB – Jannick Vestergaard
Leicester defender Jannik Vestergaard.
Rodon could form a daunting duo with Jannick Vestergaard next campaign, as the towering Dane aims to rebuild his reputation in the top division with his employers, after making zero league appearances during the 2022-23 season.
He was a crucial figure at the back in the league below regardless, however, as the 31-year-old beat Rodon's average duels total per game at 4.6 successful duels per match.
Cooper will hope he can be as forceful in the Premier League, as Leicester aim to shut up shop in certain games, to get crucial points on the board.
5
LB – Wout Faes
Leicester City' defender WoutFaes.
Wout Faes could be permanently pushed out to the left-back spot next season to accommodate for the arrival of Rodon, with the Belgium international shining as a makeshift full-back in the Championship on occasion.
The 26-year-old played here six times on the way to the second-tier title being lifted, with three of those appearances coming during crunch games towards the very back end of the campaign.
He especially shone in this role during Leicester's penultimate league clash away at Preston North End, amassing 113 touches of the ball in the 3-0 victory, which saw him also whack the woodwork with an effort on goal.
6
CM – Harry Winks
Leicester midfielder Harry Winks.
The former Tottenham Hotspur central midfielder was key in the middle of the park for the promotion-winners last season, feeling revitalised and rejuvenated at the King Power in the process, after his time in North London fizzled out.
The calm 28-year-old missed just one Championship game all campaign long, and with 128 Premier League games under his belt across his full career, his importance to the cause could only be elevated if Leicester find themselves scrapping for their lives at the foot of the table.
7
CM – Sean Longstaff
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Whilst Leicester will be pleased to have Winks around for the journey up a division, it looks increasingly likely that the Foxes won't be able to keep a firm grip on Wilfred Ndidi, who continues to be linked with a move away as his contract nears to its expiry date.
Leicester could go after Newcastle United man Sean Longstaff to fill a gap in the midfield department, therefore, having previously been rumoured with the £15m-rated talent.
Even with the injected riches of Saudi Arabia on side, Longstaff has remained in and around the Magpies first-team for longer than anticipated.
He would make 35 appearances last season in the league, scoring an impressive six goals along the way, and might be another smart buy to complement Winks' experience in the division.
8
CM – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Cooper will hope the only central midfield casualty his new side suffers is in the form of Ndidi, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall always touted for a major move away from the King Power when a transfer window comes into view.
In all competitions last campaign, the former Liverpool target would accumulate a staggering 27 goal contributions from just 49 games, with those at the King Power excited now to see how he can strut his stuff in the Premier League, if he sticks around.
9
RW – Abdul Fatawu
Leicester will want to make their loan capture of Abdul Fatawu a permanent one this transfer window, with talk suggesting such a deal will be done soon.
Fatawu shone in glimpses for the Foxes down the right wing in the Championship, with his most memorable showing coming against Southampton in April, bagging a hat-trick to help sink Russell Martin's Saints 5-0.
10
ST – Tammy Abraham
Tammy Abraham
As much as Jamie Vardy is still blowing off the cobwebs with every season that comes his way for Leicester, the Foxes will need some reinforcements in the striker positions this summer, if they want to terrorise Premier League defences more, away from relying on their aggressive veteran.
Leicester have been linked with a swoop for AS Roma centre-forward Tammy Abraham, who – when fully fit – scares Serie A defenders with his goalscoring prowess, netting 17 goals during his debut season out in Italy.
The £26m-rated striker could be a worthwhile addition, therefore, if Cooper can get him firing on all cylinders again, after an injury-disrupted 2023/24.
Former Italy and Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni joked with Pep Guardiola that it was the Manchester City coach's fault he could not find a team.
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Guardiola met with fellow ex-Brescia star
Toni joked that coach ruined his career
Man City boss used Haaland in response
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The City coach met up with ex-Italy stars Toni and Roberto Baggio at a restaurant in Lombardi. The three former players are united by their connection to Brescia, having each played for the club at some point in their careers.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
However, Toni had a bone to pick with the legendary coach, as he said it was because of Guardiola's revolutionary style at Barcelona, which saw him use Lionel Messi as a false number nine, that classic striker Toni had a hard time finding work before he retired.
WHAT TONI SAID
"Pep, you ruined football. With the false nine, I couldn’t find a team for four years. Seriously," he joked in a video with the City boss laughing in the background. "Can you say that you only used the false nine with Messi? Do you even like [classic] centre forwards?"
Guardiola was quick to defend himself, though, pointing out that he now plays with an old-fashioned striker in the form of Erling Haaland. He said: "I have it, Haaland, 60 goals. We won the treble with that striker, but the centre-forwards must be good! Understand?"
Toni responded: "Okay, but stop it with false nine now. Big centre-forwards are better."
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WHAT NEXT FOR GUARDIOLA?
Guardiola will hope that his return to a recognised number nine in Haaland will reap him more silverware, with the reigning English champions chasing more Premier League and Champions League trophies this season.