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Thomas Tuchel has revealed how he “infected” Bayern Munich’s board during a transfer scramble that ultimately delivered a record deal for Harry Kane.

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• German heavyweights wanted new No.9
• Completed big-money raid on Tottenham
• Departing coach happy with recruit calls

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Bundesliga giants found themselves in the market for a new No.9 during the summer window of 2023. England captain Kane was identified as a potential target, but the power brokers in Bavaria needed to be convinced that the 30-year-old frontman was the right option.

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  Tuchel, who lined up against Kane during his time as Chelsea boss, made it clear that Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer was the shrewdest recruit for Bayern. He hammered home that point so frequently that the club’s former sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, was left with no choice but to make a move.

• WHAT TUCHEL SAID

  Tuchel, who is poised to bow out as Bayern boss, has said when asked whether a lack of input in transfer activity contributed to his decision to walk away from the Allianz Arena: “It is not my understanding that I should hand over a piece of paper and say: ‘Now get me this player or I'll leave’. That wasn't the case in England either. It was always my intention to do my best for the team from a coaching perspective, always in the knowledge that there are also many other components, such as the financial ones. It is always an objective, goal-orientated exchange with the aim of improving the team. Of course, there can be different opinions. I have no reason to complain. I'm still proud today that we got Harry Kane. I was so adamant about Harry that I 'infected' Brazzo with the fire. I stayed firm in the transfer committee and did everything so we get him. That was never a problem and didn't play a role, neither in February nor now.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KANE?

  Kane was a revelation for Bayern in his debut campaign, with 44 goals recorded across all competitions, but he has ended another season empty-handed. The expectation is that his bid to land elusive major silverware will resume as a Bayern player in 2024-25, despite speculation suggesting that he could beat a hasty retreat to the Premier League.

After a superb run of form from late November through to mid-December, Everton have seen a worrying decline in results and performances. The Toffees are on a three-match losing streak in the Premier League, and now sit merely one point above the relegation zone.

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By
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Nevertheless, with the January transfer window open, head coach Sean Dyche has the chance to strengthen his squad ahead of a gruelling relegation battle and has already begun eyeing up potential targets before the window closes at the beginning of February.

Everton transfer news – Assane Diao

According to Sky Sports, Everton are set to battle it out with fellow strugglers Brentford over the signing of Real Betis winger Assane Diao. The outlet is claiming that signing a winger is a priority for the Merseyside club this winter and Diao is a player that is admired by the Toffees.

The 18-year-old was a relatively unheard-of prospect in Spanish football before the 2023/24 season began. However, having signed a contract extension during the summer, keeping him with the Verdiblancos until 2027 at the earliest, Diao made his competitive debut for the club in the Europa League against Rangers. This was followed up by a debut goal in La Liga against Granada. The attacker is said to have a release clause of £26m in his new deal.

With the teenager already being touted with a move to English football, journalist Tommaso Cherubini described Diao as an "electric, attacking right winger." Now, the youngster could bring this much-needed electricity to Everton's right-hand flank.

Assane Diao's stats this season

Diao has already made 19 appearances for Betis this term under Premier League-winning coach Manuel Pellegrini. What's more impressive is that the starlet has scored four goals in total for the first team and has found the net in each professional competition he's played in, which includes LaLiga, the Europa League and the Copa del Rey.

Everton lack output on the right wing. Having been brought into the side on loan from Leeds United until the end of the season, Jack Harrison has failed to live up to the standards set by Dwight McNeil on the opposite flank. Harrison has recorded three assists this season for the Toffees and has scored only two goals. Diao has bagged double the number of goals as Harrison in the 2023/24 campaign already despite playing merely two matches more.

Statistically, the Betis academy product has even held his own in several key attacking metrics when compared to the 27-year-old loanee.

Harrison is clearly a more creative player compared to Diao, who is focused primarily on scoring goals. Perhaps this is the type of winger that Everton need. Both McNeil and Harrison are focused on creating chances for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, the England international has struggled in front of goal this term, scoring 0.25 goals per 90 from an xG of 0.58 per 90.

What Calvert-Lewin needs is someone to link up with in the final third which may get the best out of him again and ease the goalscoring burden off his shoulders. Against Wolves on Saturday during a dismal 3-0 defeat for the Toffees, Calvert-Lewin created four chances for Everton which was more than any other player on the pitch, yet nobody could tuck away the opportunities he created.

Having primarily played on the left in his fledgling career, Dyche could easily swap McNeil to the opposite side to allow Diao the chance to give Calvert-Lewin a helping hand in attack while dropping an underperforming Harrison to the bench.

Ted Lasso and Welcome to Wrexham are being credited with sparking the investment boom in British football from superstars of American sport.

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• Money flooding across the Atlantic
• Famous faces buying into British game
• Window to the world has been opened

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Funds continue to flood over the Atlantic, with NBA legend LeBron James among the first to tread that path after acquiring a stake in Premier League giants Liverpool. He has since been joined by NFL greats Tom Brady and JJ Watt, who are now investors in Birmingham and Burnley respectively.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  There is the promise of more to come – as Hollywood actors such as Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell follow the trend at Wrexham and Leeds – with popular television programmes and documentaries helping to spread the soccer word and open up a window to the world.

• WHAT EXPERT SAID

  Laurie Pinto, a sports industry dealmaker in the U.S. and UK, has told of why such deals appeal to iconic figures from different fields: “What we are talking about here is crossover halo effects. These athletes bring their fanbases, which are primarily American, to the party and they mingle with the fanbases of these 100-plus-year-old football clubs, which, for the big clubs, are global. Everyone’s a winner. But there is more to it than that. These guys know sport, so they’re obviously going to be interested in sports-related investments. The top NBA guys have contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, even the average players are earning tens of millions, and they’ve all got sophisticated financial advisors.

  “But buying into U.S. sports franchises is difficult for them. First, there is the high cost, simply because of the scarcity value of American teams and their high valuations. But they also can’t do it while they’re still playing. LeBron can’t invest in the NBA until he finishes his playing career, but there was nothing to stop him from owning a piece of Liverpool. English football also has a very low cost of entry for these guys, so it is a low-risk, medium-reward type of investment. And it looks fun. They have all seen Ted Lasso and Welcome to Wrexham and they fancy some of that themselves. It has taken a while, but soccer has become cool in the U.S. — and it is only getting cooler. This ownership trend is not slowing down any time soon.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Clubs across the United Kingdom will be happy to throw open their doors to whoever arrives with a chequebook in hand, as ever-increasing costs mean that funds have to be found from somewhere. The interest in documentaries is not about to wane any time soon either, with numerous players and teams exploring options with production companies and streaming services.

In a season which has seen Manchester United already turfed out of the Champions League and League Cup, alongside slipping firmly out of the mix for the top four, it has been hard to pinpoint the major issue that has inhibited Erik ten Hag's side.

Much attention has, of course, been centred on an attack which has netted just 24 times in 21 Premier League games so far in 2023/24 – the fourth-worst record in the division – while defensively, the Red Devils have remained rather shaky, notably shipping eight goals in just their last four league outings.

For all those woes at opposite ends of the pitch, the midfield has also come under intense scrutiny ever since the narrow opening weekend win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, with club legend Gary Neville stating that the pairing of Mason Mount and Casemiro were "torn to shreds" in that nervy 1-0 triumph.

While that duo have since been hamstrung by injury in recent months, those who have replaced them have also been particularly underwhelming, with Scott McTominay – who ranks in just the bottom 8% among his European peers for progressive passes per 90 – hardly the most comfortable on the ball, while summer signing Sofyan Amrabat has "disappointed" thus far, in the words of journalist Dean Jones.

A shining light has undoubtedly been the mature displays of 18-year-old sensation, Kobbie Mainoo – who has been dubbed an "unreal" talent by ex-teammate Anthony Elanga – although his experienced colleague Christian Eriksen has been put firmly under the microscope alongside him, notably being hooked before the hour mark against Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

With the 31-year-old Dane also recording the lowest success rate for duels won among all Premier League midfielders, the time may have come to find a more youthful, long-term solution in the centre of the park – something Ten Hag and co may have already turned their attention to.

Man Utd eyeing Eriksen upgrade

According to a report from Football Transfers, United are said to have 'moved a step closer' to sealing the signing of Benfica sensation, Joao Neves, having already struck a deal that will see Alvaro Fernandez head in the opposite direction on an initial loan deal.

The suggestion is that the Old Trafford side are hopeful that such an agreement can help to build positive relations with the Lisbon outfit amid their bid to sign Neves, with the 19-year-old said to be the club's 'leading midfield target'.

The report reveals that the Portuguese starlet does have a €120m (£103m) release clause in his existing contract that can be activated, although United are seemingly keen to 'enter talks' in the hope of avoiding paying that hefty sum.

While there is no suggestion that a deal can be struck this month, the hope will be that the Red Devils can get their man ahead of next season, helping to rejuvenate a somewhat ageing midfield department.

Joao Neves' style of play

Despite being a rather slight figure at just 5 foot 9, Neves has proven himself to be a fierce operator in the centre of the park for Benfica of late, with data analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as a player who has a "lot of aggression in duels" and is "hard to win the ball off".

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Erik ten Hag is on the lookout for a new star to lead the line at Man United.

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Tom Lever

Jan 18, 2024

That is evidenced by the fact that the teenager ranks in the top 7% among his peers in leagues comparable with the Primeira Liga for tackles won per 90, as well as in the top 2% for blocks made, indicating that willingness to put his body on the line.

Interestingly, even with his diminutive stature, the in-demand youngster also ranks in the top 11% for aerial duels won, further proof of the battling presence that he can provide to Ten Hag's ranks.

It is on the ball, however, where Neves appears to thrive, with Mattinson stating that the three-cap Portugal international reminds him of "[Paul] Scholes in some ways", having been described as someone who would bring "tenacity and technical ability" to this floundering United side.

That likeness to the United icon – who is also just 5 foot 6 – is certainly high praise indeed, with Scholes arguably having been the "best midfielder of his generation", according to Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola.

Much like Mattinson's prior assessment of Neves, the Englishman was also a tough yet silky operator when in his pomp, with current Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez previously stating:

“Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give possession away."

Trying to emulate the success of a player who won a plethora of major honours in a glittering spell at the Theatre of Dreams is a tough task, although such a comparison merely demonstrates the young diamond that United could have on their hands.

How Joao Neves compares to Christian Eriksen

As stated previously, a key issue with Eriksen of late has been his lack of athleticism and fragility in the centre of the pitch, with the former Spurs man winning just 32% of his total duels this season in the Premier League, including winning just 29% of his aerial duels.

Neves, meanwhile, is far more robust having won 58% of his total duels and 57% of his aerial duels in the Portuguese top flight, ensuring he could offer a more natural defensive presence than the current United man, if a deal was to be agreed.

On the ball too, Neves also seemingly has the edge in certain metrics, notably possessing the ability to drive forward from deep as he averages 1.4 successful dribbles per game from his 17 appearances, while Eriksen averages just 0.2 in that regard from 15 league outings.

The pair both have one goal and one assist apiece, yet Neves edges his veteran counterpart with regard to chances created (three v one), while surprisingly, it is also the Portuguese gem who appears to be more composed in possession with a pass accuracy rate of 90% – far ahead of the Dane (83%).

Despite his relative youth, all the signs point to the Benfica teen being a potential upgrade on Eriksen if a deal is to be struck this summer, with United having potentially found the figure who can partner Mainoo for the foreseeable future in Manchester.

While that reported £103m fee is rather eye-watering for one so young, Neves' current form – and apparent likeness to Scholes – explains why he is such a worthwhile target.

Manchester United have made an opening offer of £35m ($44m) for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to reports.

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• Red Devils huge admirers of Branthwaite
• £35m bid set to be knocked back
• Everton holding out for £80m ($101m)

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester United launched their first offer for Branthwaite after agreeing personal terms with the 21-year-old. According to The Athletic, the FA Cup winners have tabled a £35m bid for the centre-back.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Athletic broke the news on Friday but they report that Everton are expected to knock the bid back. They are expecting a much higher fee for their star defender, as they are concerned about Profit and Sustainability Rules, and must raise significant funds this summer. United, as a result, look likely to need to raise their offer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  If Manchester United want to sign a player of Branthwaite's quality, they are going to have to swallow their medicine and pay up as Everton are keen to keep the England international. The threat of PSR breaches would perhaps sway the Toffees to hand over their star man but only if it is a bid that is too good to turn down. United losing Raphael Varane will make clubs aware that they are looking for a new centre-back so it puts them in a difficult situation as they traverse the inflated transfer market.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BRANTHWAITE AND MANCHESTER UNITED?

  Branthwaite's absence from the England squad ahead of Euro 2024 means he is enjoying a well-deserved rest following a gruelling 2023-24 Premier League campaign. United will likely come in with an improved bid in the coming weeks but it may be a race against time as Everton would ideally like any deal to be wrapped up before 30 June.

Heading into the transfer window, Manchester United made clear that supporters shouldn't expect many fireworks. Loan moves were said to be a possibility, with footbball director John Murtough telling a fans' forum that there could be additions "around the edges of the squad", most likely in the form of players "who are not playing as much football as they would like".

Part of the reason United have played down the chances of major permanent incomings is that they're constrained by Financial Fair Play rules as they work to ensure compliance. However, they have opened up some breathing room by offloading Jadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund on loan, with the Bundesliga club covering some of his wages.

Erik ten Hag ideally wanted to add another forward, with £72m summer signing Rasmus Hojlund only able to find the net twice in the Premier League so far, and United may now have the capacity to do so.

One player who's thought to be open to the idea of moving to Old Trafford is Bayern Munich's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Fabrizio Romano recently told GiveMeSport that the Cameroonian would be a "candidate" if the Red Devils "decide to attack the situation strongly", and it seems they have now taken action.

Man Utd open Choupo-Moting talks

According to French football journalist Seb Ecrivain, Man Utd are now "in contact" with Bayern over Choupo-Moting. The club are "considering" a six-month loan deal that would be seen to "provide a solution to Ten Hag".

Significantly, it's thought that the deal would cost "a minimal amount", though it's not clear whether that refers to the loan fee, the salary contributions or both. Ecrivain adds "to be continued" at the end of his tweet, so we can expect more developments shortly.

Choupo-Moting can help transform Hojlund

Choupo-Moting may fit Murtough's aforementioned criteria as a player sure to be frustrated by a lack of game time. While he's appeared in all but one Bundesliga game for Bayern so far, he's only started three, condemned by the historic form of summer signing Harry Kane. Kane has scored more goals (22) than anybody else in Europe's big five leagues so far this season, and also equalled Robert Lewandowski's record for the most in the first half of a Bundesliga season.

United have seen flashes of promise from Hojlund in recent games with a match-winning effort against Aston Villa to open his Premier League account and then a goal and an assist in the 2-2 draw against Spurs last time out. There may be a temptation, then, to stick with the Dane as the starting number nine, and entrust Choupo-Moting to be a prolific bench presence.

Since he joined Bayern in 2020, he's scored seven goals as a substitute, and this could solve a clear issue for Ten Hag. As the table below shows, United had the most impactful bench in the league last season, but this year, they're down in lower mid-table for the same metrics.

You might question why Choupo-Moting would accept playing second fiddle to Hojlund, but he'd certainly have a much bigger chance of dislodging him than he would Kane given the vast gulf in the output of those two players this season. This, then, may be a deal that makes sense for all parties.

Lionesses star Lucy Bronze has sent a message to Barcelona fans after it was revealed that the England defender will leave the club this summer.

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• Bronze set to leave Barcelona this week
• Lionesses star delivers goodbye message to fans
• Report suggests Chelsea are interested in deal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bronze's contract expires this week and though there was hope from both parties that a new deal could be agreed, things have not worked out. It appeared that the club's financial restraints could be the stumbling block, with the England international one of their top-earners, but has instead reported that she wanted a more significant role than was being promised in negotiations.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  There have been plenty of rumours regarding interest in Bronze in recent months, as her contract has been running down. Clubs in England and the United States are believed to have been keeping tabs on her situation, with reporting that Chelsea have even held discussions about a possible Women's Super League return for the 32-year-old.

• WHAT BRONZE SAID

  In a message on Instagram, Bronze said: "Hello culers. I'm sorry for not doing this in person but I wanted to leave a message for you. From the first day at Barca until the last, I have felt at home. I was happy to wear the Barca shirt and I loved every moment, the life, the city, the culture, the team, the club, the people. For that, thank you very much. It has only been two years, two seasons in which we won everything together and for that I am very happy, very happy to be a small part of history."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Fellow Lionesses Georgia Stanway and Mary Earps, set for her own exit from Manchester United this week, were among those to show love for the defender in the comments, with the latter simply writing "winner".

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been handed a pair of massive boosts on the team news front ahead of their clash with Brentford this Saturday, with the feel-good factor continuing to echo around Molineux this season.

O'Neil defying expectations

Heading into the campaign, expectations were low for the Midlands outfit if truth be told. Former boss Julen Lopetegui departed the club just three days before the new Premier League season after a protracted dispute over transfers, and the club appointed former Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil on short notice.

With the club sailing close to the wind with financial fair play and desperate to avoid the fate that has since befallen Everton, money was tight at Molineux even with the departure of club captain Ruben Neves, especially given that they had already committed to the permanent signing of Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid.

As a result, plenty expected them to be stuck in a relegation dog-fight, and four defeats in their opening five games did little to change that. However, they have since turned their fortunes around and a comprehensive win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their most recent Premier League outing saw them leapfrog the Blues and head into the top half of the table, 13 points clear of the drop zone and almost certain to be playing Premier League football once more next season.

Indeed, a win in their next game could see them move yet further up the Premier League and onto the cusp of European football should results go their way, with seventh placed West Ham just four points ahead of O'Neil's side.

Now, they host a Brentford side far less certain of its place in next season's top flight, with the Bees struggling for form even with the return of talisman Ivan Toney from a gambling ban. Thomas Frank's side have picked up just 22 points from 22 games and sit three points above the drop zone, albeit with Nottingham Forest and Luton Town between them and 18th placed Everton.

Wolves team news brings double boost

To that end, Wolves have confirmed a major boost as a pair of stars are set to return from international duty in time for the clash, with O'Neil said to be very pleased. Both Boubacar Traore and Hwang Hee-Chan have missed the last three games for their club side after representing Mali and South Korea in the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup respectively.

However, their runs in those competitions have since come to an end, with Hwang's side knocked out at the semi-final stage by Jordan in a shock result. Traore, meanwhile, suffered quarter-final heartbreak against the Ivory Coast, as the Elephants scored in the 90th minute to force extra time, before netting in stoppage time at the end of the added time to send Mali home.

It is good news for Wolves though, with Hwang the club's joint top goalscorer as things stand and now ready to be unleashed on Brentford, while the return of Traore means that O'Neil has more depth in the centre of the park.

It remains to be seen whether O'Neil restores either to the starting lineup after impressive performances from both Pedro Neto and Matheus Cunha in the last game, but the pair could well be game-changers from the substitutes bench against the tired legs of the Bees.

Liverpool were at a crossroads last summer after falling by the wayside across a challenging 2022/23 campaign, facing the ominous unknown after failing to qualify for the Champions League with a fifth-place Premier League finish.

A late-stage purple patch did spark hope back into the red half of Merseyside, with the sapped midfield expected to undergo heavy transformation after reaching the end of its battery.

Sweeping changes were made and now the Reds are marching toward success once more, with Jurgen Klopp's masterful work in the transfer market rekindling the club's stature and ability to contest the almost-infallible Manchester City for the league crown.

Liverpool are top of the table; the Carabao Cup final looms, Chelsea seeking a resurgence of their own; soon after Anfield will host second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup and Klopp's side are favourites to triumph in the Europa League.

Much is changing at the club and Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch have refashioned the engine room into a silverware-chasing machine, but while many struggling stars were shipped on, some have remained to continue their journey.

Harvey Elliott is a quality talent and offers creativity like none other, while Thiago Alcantara, always-injured he may be, remains and there is hope that the silky Spaniard will grace the pitch before season's end.

Curtis Jones, who is starting to shine as one of Klopp's most important cogs, might just be the pick of the bunch though, criminally underrated and ever-improving in the Liverpool midfield.

Curtis Jones' Liverpool career in numbers

Cast back to January 2020. Liverpool were thriving as Champions League winners, en route to Premier League glory after a jaw-dropping start to the season.

Jones was yet to wedge his way into Klopp's plans with regularity but he did announce himself as a future star under the Anfield lights, curling in an absolute peach against Everton in the FA Cup third round to send his side through.

Fast track to the present and the Englishman has amassed 125 senior appearances for Liverpool, scoring 16 goals and supplying 14 assists, having won a host of major honours.

Said to have "all the attributes of a top player" by former captain Jordan Henderson, Jones was fielded as an attacking midfielder throughout his youth but has since been moulded into a technically proficient and controlled centre-midfielder, with an intelligent approach and crisp passing to provide the metronomic fluency in the centre of the park.

Last year, with Liverpool struggling for form, Jones was blemished by the injury problems that have hindered him throughout much of his fledgling phase on Merseyside, but the 23-year-old came into his own in the late phase and started each of Liverpool's final 11 matches in the top-flight.

Jones scored three goals and placed an assist during this excellent turnaround that salvaged Europa League football and set the framework for this year's exploits, and he is now thriving at the core of the Anfield side's success.

Curtis Jones' season by numbers

Jones recently picked up an injury during Liverpool's 4-1 victory at Brentford and is likely to be sidelined for the foreseeable, with trepidation rife as Liverpool await the extent of the ankle injury that caused him to leave the Gtech Community Stadium in protective gear.

Nonetheless, he's been terrific this season and has clinched five goals and three assists from only 20 starts across all competitions, though it is his "phenomenal" ability to retain possession and match intelligence, as has been said by BBC Sports' Raj Chohan, that has elevated him to prominent standing under Klopp's leadership.

As per Sofascore, the 6 foot 1 midfielder has completed 91% of his passes in the Premier League this term, averaging 1.2 tackles, 3.0 successful duels and 3.5 ball recoveries per match while succeeding with 59% of his dribbles.

Curtis Jones' market value in 2024

According to CIES Football Observatory's valuation model, Jones is currently valued at £52m, and given that he was signed for a grand fee of zilch, nurtured through the academy ranks, Liverpool can only revel in such a successful stroke of good fortune.

As per FBref, Jones ranks among the top 12% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 13% for assists, the top 4% for pass completion, the top 8% for progressive carries, the top 14% for successful take-ons and the top 4% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, hailed for his “truly special” skill set by one eagle-eyed analyst.

He's compared to some of Europe's most talented midfielders and, interestingly, he is cut from the same cloth as Manchester City's Bernardo Silva, who is so influential under Pep Guardiola's wing.

After the Portugual international penned a new deal at the Etihad Stadium at the start of the season, director of football Txiki Begiristain was full of praise for such a pivotal cog in the City machine.

He said: “Bernardo has been exceptional during his time at the Etihad, so we’re delighted that he has signed a contract extension with the Club.

“His quality and technical ability is fantastic – and alongside his hard work and professionalism, he has become one of the best players in the world."

Silva is one of the most elegant players in the business and ranks among the top 8% of midfielders for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for progressive carries and touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 11% for successful take-ons per 90.

Like Jones, the 29-year-old is not defined by his goals and assists but rather by his erudite knowledge at the centre of the web, weaving and engineering passages and patterns that define the way his team play.

Liverpool's star-studded squad is brimming with exciting talent, and while the likes of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez stand tall as the salient, eye-catching figures, Jones' work in the centre is so important to the fluidity.

There has been much noise surrounding Jota's injury woe after a nightmare day on the injury front at Brentford, but Jones' absence will be just as big a blow, disrupting the harmony in this title-chasing team.

Palmeiras sensation Estevao Willian scored a stunning equaliser as his team drew 2-2 with Gremio in Serie A this week.

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• Estevao netted gorgeous goal
• Pulled out Cole Palmer celebration
• Youngster set to join Chelsea

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After combining with team-mate Jhon Jhon outside the Gremio box, the 17-year-old beat a defender before he unleashed a long-range effort that sailed into the top corner. His 77-minute goal secured a point for his side in their Serie A clash.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Estevao then recreated Cole Palmer's famous 'cold' celebration – and not for the first time. The teenager's celebration is a nod at his imminent transfer to Chelsea. The Brazil Under 17 star has agreed to join Chelsea, though the transfer will not go through until the summer of 2025, when he will be 18.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Estevao will hope to keep shining with Palmeiras over the next year as he looks to develop enough to secure a place in Chelsea's first-team when he eventually meets up with his team-mates in London a year from now.