Leeds United won 2-0 this weekend, but it was another torrid showing for Patrick Bamford.
Indeed, the striker failed to bag a goal for the tenth consecutive league game, and he’ll certainly be frustrated that he couldn’t get on the scoresheet against the second-worst defence in the division.
Fans have been on the striker’s back in recent weeks due to his woes in front of goal, and there have been many calls for him to be replaced in the starting XI.
Watch Leeds United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
While supporters have been annoyed with the striker, perhaps nobody is more frustrated about this goal drought than Bamford himself.
The former Boro striker did get the ball in the net on Saturday, but it was disallowed for offside, and one image of the forward after his strike was ruled out perfectly sums up his season thus far.
The striker can’t help but smile after his goal was disallowed, but we have to feel that this was a ‘if you don’t laugh you’ll cry’ moment.
Why being the away goalkeeper at Leeds is the toughest job in football in the video below…
Leeds’ number 10 looked to the heavens seeming to ask what he needs to do to actually score after his effort against QPR was chalked off, but unfortunately, there were no answers to be found.
Perhaps he does need an act of god to finally find the net for the Yorkshire club as his luck doesn’t seem to be there at the moment.
Fortunately, United still managed to get all three points on Saturday, but this picture shows exactly the type of emotions Bamford is feeling about his poor run of form.
Crystal Palace fans have taken to Twitter to react after it was reported that Manchester United are lining up a £70m reunion with Wilfried Zaha.
The report states that the Red Devils – who sold Zaha for just £3m back in January 2015 – believe the Ivory Coast international is a wiser player than he previously was, and feel that he can be a success at Old Trafford this time around – as a result, they are prepared to pay the high fee Palace want.
Zaha – who turned 27 yesterday – has endured a tough campaign so far, failing to find the back of the net in 12 Premier League appearances following a failed transfer request back in the summer – he was said to be ‘devastated’ after the Eagles blocked his move.
In total, the Ivorian has just one assist to show for his efforts this season.
One Palace supporter said “please” after hearing about the transfer news, whereas another fan said that there is “no chance” of anyone paying £70m for the former Cardiff player.
Let’s take a look at some more of the Twitter reaction…
Leeds United are no strangers to selling their best and brightest talents and had to endure losing a number of key players in the summer transfer window.
Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter, and Glen Kamara moved on, to West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Rennes respectively on permanent deals.
That came after the Whites failed to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, having lost 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final.
However, even playing in the Premier League does not guarantee that the club’s best players will remain at Elland Road, as Jesse Marsch quickly found out.
Raphinha-Leeds-Stats
In the summer of 2022, Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha both left the club to join Manchester City and Barcelona respectively and Leeds were subsequently relegated from the division in the 2022/23 campaign.
The Whites also previously had to cash in on their players whilst they struggled to get out of the Championship and one player they played a blinder with during those times was centre-forward Kemar Roofe.
How much Leeds paid for Kemar Roofe
In the summer of 2016, Leeds swooped to sign the number nine from League Two side Oxford United for a reported fee of £3m, which was a record for the third tier outfit.
The young marksman had racked up an impressive 17 goals and ten assists in 40 appearances in League Two during the 2015/16 campaign, and had produced 31 goals in 65 matches for Oxford in all competitions during his time there.
It was a significant investment from the West Yorkshire outfit on a player who had not proven himself above the fourth tier of football in England, and showed that they believed in his potential.
Former Leeds striker Kemar Roofe.
Their belief may have been tested in his first season at Elland Road. Roofe got off to a slow start, with four goals in 42 Championship appearances, but he was still adapting to a higher level and patience was needed.
The £3m marksman upped his output in front of goal in his second term with the club. He produced 11 goals and three assists in 36 league outings, along with three goals and two assists in three League Cup games.
Marcelo Bielsa then arrived in the summer of 2018 and the Argentine head coach helped the striker to enjoy his best season in a Leeds shirt, as the Whites made the play-offs.
Appearances
32
Starts
27
Goals
14
Big chances missed
16
Assists
2
As you can see in the table above, Roofe plundered 14 goals in 27 league starts for the club and could have scored more, had he not been as wasteful with 16 ‘big chances’ missed.
That form attracted interest from elsewhere and Belgian giants Anderlecht eventually secured his services for a fee of up to £7m in the summer of 2019.
Leeds played a blinder with that particular sale for multiple reasons, the first being that his exit opened the door for Patrick Bamford to take on a greater role.
Patrick Bamford thrived after Kemar Roofe's exit
The English forward, who had been signed from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2018, was a bit-part player for the Whites in Bielsa’s first season at the club.
He only made 22 appearances in the division, scoring nine goals, before Roofe’s move to Anderlecht the following summer allowed Bamford to become the main centre-forward option.
The ex-Chelsea prospect then helped to fire the Whites to the Championship title under Bielsa in the 2019/20 campaign, with 16 goals in 45 matches.
Appearances
22
45
Starts
15
43
Goals
9
16
Big chances missed
15
33
Assists
2
2
As you can see in the table above, Bamford played far more matches and produced more in the final third after Roofe completed his £7m move to Anderlecht.
This suggests that the Whites selling the Jamaica international was a shrewd decision, financially and from a footballing perspective, as it allowed a player they already had to step out of the shadows to become a star.
That sale has also proven to be a masterstroke from Leeds because the centre-forward’s value has plummeted over the years since his exit from West Yorkshire.
Kemar Roofe's current market value
At the time of writing (26/09/2024), Transfermarkt has his current market value at €1m (£800k) and that is a staggering drop from the £7m Leeds raked in for him just over five years ago.
Market Movers
Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?
He is currently a free agent, having left Rangers at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, and it remains to be seen where, if anywhere, the 31-year-old will go next.
Roofe ended up at Ibrox after just one season with Anderlecht in Belgium. The English-born striker scored seven goals in 16 appearances for the Pro League outfit and missed 22 matches in all competitions through injury that term.
Rangers striker Kemar Roofe.
Rangers then swooped in to sign the attacker for a reported fee of £4.5m in the summer of 2020, which meant that Anderlecht made a loss of £2.5m after just one year.
This immediately suggested that Leeds played a blinder by cashing in on him for £7m, as his value plummeted within a year of his departure from the club.
Roofe’s injury problems persisted throughout his time in Glasgow. He missed a staggering 96 games through injury across his four seasons in Scotland combined.
The centre-forward did enjoy a decent record when fit and available, with a return of 38 goals in 102 appearances in all competitions, but he almost missed as many matches as he played.
His injury woes meant that the number nine was an unreliable option for Rangers, as they could not bank on him to be available for the majority of a season, and they eventually opted to release him on a free transfer earlier this year.
Overall, Leeds struck gold when Victor Orta and Bielsa opted to cash in on the striker, due to Bamford’s subsequent form and Roofe’s plummeting value over the years since.
£11m wasted: Farke must sell Leeds man who earns more than Joseph & Piroe
The Whites defender is currently wasting away on the bench at Elland Road.
Leeds United are back in Championship action this weekend as they welcome promotion rivals Burnley to Elland Road, but the Yorkshire side could be about to see a player leave the club before then.
The Whites have made a strong start to the new campaign, as they are unbeaten in their opening four league games, but the upcoming test against the Clarets will test that resolve.
£35k-p/w Leeds man picks up further injury on top of already damaged muscle
The news will come as a blow to any hopes Farke had of using him.
ByBen Browning Sep 11, 2024 Leeds United injury news
Ahead of the game against the Lancashire side, there was some good news that emerged from the Leeds dressing room. It was reported that Daniel Farke could be about to welcome both Daniel James and Patrick Bamford to the matchday squad.
James has featured in three of Leeds’s four league games, scoring in the win over Sheffield Wednesday, but the Welshman missed the game against Hull City through injury, and that forced him to miss international duty with Wales.
It was a minor knock the winger picked up, and now Farke is believed to be optimistic that he will have him back available for the game against Burnley. As well as James being back, Bamford could also be in contention after the striker missed the last two games before the break.
The experienced centre-forward has been out with a hamstring injury but could now be set for a return to the matchday squad as he looks to improve in what has been a frustrating start to the campaign for him. Bamford has yet to start in the league, as his appearances have been 11-minute cameos in both outings.
But while there may be good news in terms of players returning from injuries, Leeds may be about to see a player leave before the Burnley clash.
Leeds player could now leave Elland Road before Burnley clash
According to Turkish media Takvim, relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds United defender Maximilian Wober is wanted by Galatasaray. The Turkish transfer window is still open until Friday, and this report claims Galatasaray are eyeing a last-minute deal.
The Turkish giants want to sign a central defender before the transfer window closes, and it is stated that Wober is a firm target for Galatasaray. They are looking to revert to a back five, and therefore, they want to bring in a left-footed defender, and Wober is said to fit the bill. This would be a deal between two very hostile clubs, as Leeds and Galatasaray have bitterness towards each other following Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight's deaths in attacks before a UEFA Cup semi-final in Istanbul in April 2000.
This report goes on to add that Galatasaray are in talks to sign Wober on a loan deal, possibly having the option to buy, but time isn’t on their side as their window shuts on Friday. Wober, who was described as being a “leader” by former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch, was nursing a calf injury, and during this international break, Austria manager Ralf Rangnick confirmed that the defender missed the last game through a knee injury, so this could be a potential stumbling block in any transfer.
Apps
20
Goals
0
Assists
0
Wober spent last season on loan at German side Borussia Mönchengladbach, playing 27 games in all competitions and scoring two goals in the process. The defender returned to Elland Road in the summer and is still under contract until 2027.
We'd all like to think that Jurgen Klopp watched Liverpool take on Manchester United with a wry grin on his face, enjoying the familiar sight of his beloved club running rampant at Old Trafford.
Indeed, Arne Slot's perfect start to life as Liverpool boss saw excitement burst into euphoria as the incisive Reds capitalised on an error-strewn United display, winning 3-0 to enter the September international break level with dominant champions Manchester City.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot-1
You would not have to trawl deep into Premier League discourse to find someone pronouncing Pep Guardiola's side as champions-elect, three games in, for Erling Haaland's machine-like efficiency in front of goal and the deep-rooted winning mentality of the City unit has seen seven of the past eight league titles conquered.
Things can change in an instant, and Liverpool (and Arsenal, for that matter) are ready to fight against the odds to topple the unbeatable rulers.
There's much work to be done before the Merseysiders are in a position to view themselves as title challengers, but they certainly have the firepower to do so, with Mohamed Salah wreaking havoc so far this season and Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota also enjoying fine starts to the year.
Liverpool didn't do much in the transfer market this summer, but they did finish their frontline with a flourish, signing Federico Chiesa from Juventus.
Where Federico Chiesa fits into Liverpool's frontline
Liverpool signed Chiesa from Juventus in a £12.5m deal in what was their sole senior signing of the summer. Fans were disappointed by the lack of transfer activity, for Liverpool have long felt a need for a new centre-back and an upgrade on holding midfielder Wataru Endo.
There's a glint in his eye that takes a convincing comment on his eagerness to be a part of Slot's Anfield project, having ended his career-long stint in his Italian homeland to try his hand in the Premier League.
Typically a right winger, Chiesa, aged 26, is as versatile as they come and has been hailed as an "absolutely world-class" player in the past by journalist Zach Lowy, praise that was echoed across the continent as he starred in his nation's Euro 2020 triumph.
Chiesa has, however, been wrecked in recent seasons by injuries, notably missing ten months of action in 2022 due to an ACL rupture, though he has just completed a nearly injury-free season, bagging ten goals across all competitions.
As the stats show you below, Chiesa has been one of the most creative forwards in Serie A, with the technique to carve out openings for his peers and the ball-carrying quality to stretch lines and keep defenders guessing, always influencing and enriching the success of his side.
Shot-creating actions
4.79
Top 2%
Passes attempted
29.17
Top 19%
Progressive passes
2.87
Top 16%
Progressive carries
4.55
Top 2%
Successful take-ons
1.43
Top 12%
Liverpool have scored themselves a bargain. It's hard to see it any other way, unless Chiesa falls to further woe on the fitness front. His dynamic, multi-functioning attack threat will see him enhance Liverpool's attacking options, playing into the strengths of Diogo Jota in particular, who Liverpool have well and truly hit the jackpot on.
Why Diogo Jota is so special
Jota is "deadly". It's simple. In fact, he's hailed as much by analyst Raj Chohan, with the Portuguese forward actually ranking among the top 2% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals scored per 90, as per FBref.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota
To put that in perspective, Haaland ranks among the top 4% of forwards for non-penalty goals per 90 over the past 12 months, so Jota is actually firing them in from open play at a more prolific rate. Hah, fancy that.
Like his new Italian teammate, Jota has an injury record that leaves plenty to be desired, but then he's also one of the Premier League's foremost marksmen, so composed and cool under pressure, so clinical with his finishing.
24/25
3 (3)
1
1
23/24
32 (19)
15
4
22/23
28 (15)
7
8
21/22
55 (39)
21
6
20/21
30 (19)
13
1
He's only actually registered 20 or more starts across all competitions in one of his four full campaigns since signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, and therein lies the 26-year-old's biggest problem.
Jota has started the 2024/25 campaign well, playing from the outset across Liverpool's opening three Premier League fixtures, and Chiesa's playmaking prowess could be the perfect ingredient for Slot's thus far preferred talisman.
Diogo Jota's market value in 2024
It's funny to think that Jota's injuries, occurring every year and ruling him out for one significant spell or another, have precluded him from reaching the summit at Liverpool, but that he's still comfortably one of the club's finest players, capable across the frontline.
Diogo Jota for Liverpool
According to Transfermarkt's player valuation model, he is currently marked with a £42m valuation, which is almost perfectly in line with the £41m outlay to bring him over from Molineux about four years ago.
Market Movers
Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?
Jota's customary injury blows have indeed prevented that from stretching higher (though Transfermarkt did have him at £51m two years ago) but it's still a fine illustration of the calibre of player that Liverpool have at their grasp.
It's also £30m more than that of Chiesa, who may well enjoy a financial rise as his Liverpool career gets underway, but he will have his work cut out to overtake a player of Jota's distinction.
Liverpool might have had their Jota masterclass in mind when forging ahead with Chiesa's signing. They've hit the jackpot with one, and now feel that they can repeat the feat and eke out the giddy potential of the other.
Forget Salah: Liverpool have a new hero in 9/10 star who "destroyed" United
Gary Neville had to praise this talent after Liverpool’s Old Trafford victory.
Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney would be an astute signing by Newcastle United this summer, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.
Do Newcastle want to sign Tierney?
The Magpies are set to embark upon a busy summer transfer window, with the funds available to sign top players, especially after qualifying for next season's Champions League.
Tierney is one of a host of individuals who has been linked with a move to St James' Park, with the £110,000-a-week Scot's Arsenal future up in the air. He struggled to enjoy regular football for the Gunners in 2022/23, being limited to only six starts in the Premier League, and it is hard to see that changing with Oleksandr Zinchenko such a key man.
For that reason, the 26-year-old could feel that he needs to move on before the beginning of the new campaign, and it could be that Newcastle are a perfect fit.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones talked up the idea of Tierney in a Magpies shirt, saying he is a signing that makes complete sense compared to other targets, namely Marc Cucurella:
"My hunch would be Kieran Tierney. I think that's probably the player that better fits that Newcastle team. If you combine all of his traits and then look at what you would be looking at in the makeup of that Newcastle starting 11, I think Tierney would be a really nice fit.
"If you've got the old version of Cucurella then maybe you can start to bring that back, but you don't know how long it's going to take for him to return."
Tierney, who has been hailed as a "top-level" player by Stan Cullymoore, could be a fantastic option for Newcastle to snap up this summer, coming in as a completely different player to Dan Burn at left-back. While the latter has done superbly in that role, the Arsenal man would provide natural width from left-back, arguably giving the side a better balance in the process.
A tally of five goals and 14 assists for the Gunners shows that he can be effective in the attacking third, but he is also a good defender, averaging 1.8 clearances and 1.3 tackles per game for Scotland across four European Championship qualifiers.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described Tierney as "fantastic" in the recent past, and he is a player who looks tailor-made to thrive for Newcastle, enhancing the squad depth greatly but possibly coming in as part of the strongest possible starting XI at the same time.
Burnley have made an offer to sign Anderlecht defender Noah Sadiki, with contacts advancing with the player’s agent, according to Fabrizio Romano.
What’s the latest Burnley transfer news?
The Clarets and Vincent Kompany have wasted no time in adding to their squad ahead of their return to the Premier League for the 2023/24 season.
Centre-back Jordan Beyer has arrived from Borussia Monchengladbach, whereas full-back Dara O’Shea has come in from West Brom at a combined cost of €22m. There could be more defensive additions over the coming weeks, though, with Sadiki on the club’s radar.
Romano took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to provide a transfer update from Turf Moor regarding Burnley and Sadiki. The transfer expert revealed that an offer worth around €1m has been made, with talks advancing with the player’s agent.
“Burnley have submitted an official bid for Belgian fullback Noah Sadiki — deal being negotiated with Anderlecht around €1m.
“Contacts advancing with player’s agent Christopher Mandiangu.”
Who is Noah Sadiki?
Sadiki is just 18 years of age and is primarily a right-back who can also play on the left or even in a holding midfield role if required.
The Belgian has come through Anderlecht’s academy, so Kompany may have been keeping an eye on him during his time as manager of the Jupiler Pro League side.
Hailed as one of Anderlecht’s “highly talented” teenagers by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Sadiki has made 19 senior appearances for his current employers, turning out in numerous positions.
He’s valued at a career-high €2m by Transfermarkt and is out of contract in just over 12 months time, so Burnley could be making a shrewd signing, if their €1m bid is accepted.
The Belgium U20 international could come in and rival the likes of O’Shea, Connor Roberts and Vitinho at right-back, or he could be initially sent out on loan with a view to breaking through into the first team in the future, but it looks as if a transfer is one to watch over the coming weeks.
Tottenham Hotspur announced their first signing of the Ange Postecoglou era last week, as they made Dejan Kulusevski's loan move a permanent one.
Although the second season of his stint in north London had not impressed as much as his first, scoring just twice, he remained an important cog of this side, and a fine option to have within the squad.
However, the Australian will be far from content to allow that to be his sole purchase of the summer, given the vast scale of the revolution that is required in north London.
He will likely look to other teams around him, akin to Manchester United and Arsenal, and hope to replicate how they have improved to steadily climb the Premier League table. This means that his transfer dealings must be shrewd and focused on a brighter future, likely relinquishing any chance of instant success to get to that level.
Investment in a younger type of player is a must, rather than those just entering their prime.
Whilst a war wages on with Newcastle United to sign James Maddison from Leicester City, another star resides within the King Power Stadium which they also seem to be working on tempting. That man is Harvey Barnes.
In acquiring this wide man, Postecoglou could copy Erik ten Hag even more than he could have imagined, by securing his very own version of Marcus Rashford to terrorise full-backs down the wing.
Would Harvey Barnes be able to emulate Marcus Rashford?
Whilst both Barnes and the England international are right-footed left-wingers, their direct play style and decisive pace and power further draw comparisons. Pundit Alan Hutton even suggested that the former was a true "livewire", to emphasise these claims.
FBref seeks to outline these similarities too, as the 25-year-old is included in the former's similar players model.
It is not just their play style that is shared though, as both boast a penchant for goalscoring from the flank.
marcus-rashford-manchester-united
It is likely just the comparative quality of their respective squads that led to the gulf in actual goals, as Barnes' tally of 13 is not a far cry from the 17 league goals Rashford notched, whilst one finished third and the other got relegated.
The 24-year-old shone in a lacklustre Leicester side that fell to the drop, just like Maddison, and it seems like Postecoglou has developed an interest in these downtrodden stars who have already overcome hardship in their short careers.
The £35m-rated speedster has seen both the highs and lows of English football, having been lauded in the past by Jurgen Klopp whilst his side was in form: "Barnes is probably one of the biggest talents, I’m not sure if he is respected or appreciated as much as he should be, he is an unbelievable player to be honest, a proper Leicester product."
Opta's analyst tool serves to showcase the foremost assets of such a star, with a clear emphasis on his outstanding figures for dribbles completed, shots taken and all-around goalscoring. He is a constant threat, never afraid to shoot or take on his man. Defenders will never feel comfortable around this sparkling gem, just as they never do around a certain Rashford.
BARNES
With the Manchester club having finished third in their most recent term, it seems the platform is there for future success of which Rashford will be an imperative cog.
Postecoglou will hope that he too can make steady progress with each year he is in charge, using Barnes as his dynamic left-sided star to emulate an already-successful formula.
Newcastle United may be aided in their ambitious pursuit of Nicolo Barella due to Inter Milan's financial situation, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
What's the latest transfer news involving Nicolo Barella?
According to Telegraph Sport, Newcastle United are 'pushing hard' in their attempts to bring Barella to Tyneside this summer from Italian giants Inter Milan.
The report states that the proposed deal could be worth around £50 million and Leicester City playmaker James Maddison is said to be their other key target this window.
Football Insider contradict these claims and state that it may take as much as £70 million to entice Barella away from San Siro ahead of next term.
This would mean that the Magpies would have to smash through their transfer record to capture Barella, overtaking Alexander Isak as the most expensive signing in club history following the Sweden international's move from Real Sociedad last year for £63 million.
Capology understand that Barella earns around €178,077 (£152,922) per week at the Italian giants on a contract that runs until June 2026.
Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs thinks that although Inter Milan will be reluctant to sell star players such as Barella and Alessandro Bastoni, who has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, something may have to give due to their financial reality.
Jacobs told FFC: "Barella is another one that Inter are adamant they're going to keep on to; Bastoni, Tottenham have looked at in the past as another player that Inter swear until they're black and blue in the face if you like because that's their club colours, that they're adamant he won't go anywhere, but something's got to give because their financial situation."
Would Nicolo Barella be a good signing for Newcastle United?
Barella would be a very bold statement signing from Newcastle United as they prepare to host Champions League football at St James' Park next term.
In 2022/23, the Italy international made 52 appearances in all competitions for Inter Milan, registering nine goals and ten assists, as per Transfermarkt.
nicolo-barella-premier-league-liverpool-transfers
As per WhoScored, the 26-year-old was an inventive presence during the campaign and managed an average of 1.6 key passes per match in Serie A.
Barella was also a driving force in Inter Milan's midfield and successfully performed 146 shot-creating actions in total across the season, as per FBRef.
Newcastle United are in an exciting moment as a club and bringing in someone like Barella would be a major coup for the Magpies as they look forward to 2023/24.
Manchester United are reportedly interested in strengthening their options at right-back this summer, with Erik ten Hag said to be showing an interest in Inter Milan star, Denzel Dumfries.
What's the latest on Dumfries to Man United?
According to journalist Laurie Whitwell – writing for The Athletic – the Red Devils seemingly feel that they are in need of an 'upgrade' on Aaron Wan-Bissaka if they are to truly challenge for major honours moving forward, having only recently handed a new five-year deal to teammate, Diogo Dalot.
With that in mind, the report adds that among those who are being considered by United is the aforementioned Dumfries, with the club's scouting reports said to 'rate his intelligence and athleticism highly'.
The respected insider goes on to add that with the Netherlands international having just two years left to run on his existing deal at San Siro, the 27-year-old could command a fee of around £35m.
Should Man United sign Dumfries?
If it is an upgrade on Wan-Bissaka that United are looking for, then Dumfries could prove to be the perfect solution, with the "breathless" talent – as lauded by pundit Micah Richards at last year's World Cup – having dazzled for club and country of late.
The former PSV Eindhoven machine notably racked up one goal and two assists in just five outings for Oranje in Qatar, taking his total tally to six goals and 11 assists in 43 senior games at international level.
On the domestic front, the Rotterdam native has also impressed after bagging one goal and seven assists in 34 Serie A games this season, having also played his part in Inter's surge to the Champions League final, after featuring in 11 of his side's 12 games in the competition so far.
Man United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka
That ability to provide an attacking threat from his right-sided berth is in stark contrast to that of Wan-Bissaka, with the Englishman – who is yet to feature for his country – having contributed just one assist and no goals in all competitions in 2022/23.
Equally, while the latter man created just one big chance in the Premier League this season, Dumfries was able to offer a far greater creative outlet in Serie A, after registering 11 big chances in total.
That is not to suggest that the 6 foot 2 machine neglects his defensive duties as he notably ranks in the top 7% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for aerial duels won, while the current United man ranks in just the bottom 40% in that regard.
Although Wan-Bissaka 'enjoyed a resurgent second half to the campaign' – according to Whitwell – and started in the weekend's FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City, the former Crystal Palace man has regularly come under fire for his woes in possession, having been branded "useless" on the ball by club legend, Paul Scholes.
With Dumfries evidently far more comfortable at making an impact in the final third, it is easy to see why the one-time Heerenveen man would be an upgrade for Ten Hag next season.