Tottenham have set their sights on another rising star after Antonio Nusa as chairman Daniel Levy and the recruitment team eye a new target.

Spurs enjoying productive January window

A lot of business has been done at Spurs this month, and in quick fashion. Manager Ange Postecoglou, who was public in his desire to bring fresh faces through the door quickly, has been granted his wish.

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Timo Werner arrived on loan from RB Leipzig, with the deal though to contain an option to buy him in the summer. Following the German, Spurs sealed a permanent move for much-needed new centre-back Radu Dragusin, who signed from Genoa for around £25 million.

To make way for these new arrivals, and balance the books in terms of player salaries, the Lilywhites also agreed loan exits for as many as six players.

Timo Werner

Arrival, RB Leipzig (loan)

Radu Dragusin

Arrival, Genoa (permanent)

Djed Spence

Exit, Genoa (loan)

Eric Dier

Exit, Bayern (loan)

Ashley Phillips

Exit, Plymouth (loan)

Japhet Tanganga

Exit, Millwall (loan)

Sergio Reguilon

Exit, Brentford (loan)

Ivan Perisic

Exit, Hajduk Split (loan)

The likes of Ivan Perisic and Eric Dier, who sealed moves to Hajduk Split and Bayern Munich respectively, have certainly played their last games for Tottenham. Dier and Perisic's deals expire later this year, so the loan deals will allow both Hajduk Split and Bayern Munich to agree summer free moves rather than pay Spurs an outright fee this month.

This is still good business for the north Londoners, though, as it sweetens the transfers of unwanted players and rids Tottenham of their high-earning salaries.

Spurs also chasing some of Europe's brightest young talents

Levy and co have acted cleverly this transfer market, and are now widely reported to be chasing a deal for Club Brugge sensation Antonio Nusa.

Spurs are currently locked in talks to sign Nusa, as per reliable transfer sources like Fabrizio Romano, as the Lilywhites make good on their policy of recruiting Europe's finest talents. Alasdair Gold, a Tottenham correspondent for football.london, has previously stated that they're aiming to replicate the successful transfers of Destiny Udogie and Pape Matar Sarr in this respect.

Both starlets have gone to become real success stories in north London, with Spurs attempting to sign Nusa and send him back to Brugge for the remainder of this campaign.

Tottenham set sights on Boris Mamzuah

According to German news outlet Bild, Tottenham have now set their sights on another rising star after Nusa. Indeed, it is believed Spurs are interested in signing Hertha Berlin youngster Boris Mamzuah, alongside a host of other top European sides like Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Ajax, RB Salzburg and La Liga champions Barcelona.

Hertha recently protected themselves by tying the midfielder down with a long-term deal, but the contract is thought to contain an affordable release clause of around £4 million.

While this fee would surely be no real obstacle for Levy, Spurs' real worry is the sheer amount of prestigious competition for Mamzuah's signature.

The German's manager, Pal Dardai, has already branded the teenager a "born footballer" and "one of the greatest talents of recent years".

علق علي ماهر المدير الفني لفريق الكرة الأول بالنادي المصري البورسعيدي، على نتيجة قرعة بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية، التي أقيمت اليوم الإثنين، مؤكداً على ثقته في اللاعبين.

وأسفرت قرعة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية، عن وقوع المصري بالمجموعة الرابعة رفقة الزمالك وبلاك بولز وإنيمبا.

وقال علي ماهر في تصريحات عبر الموقع الرسمي: “لدي ثقة كاملة في إمكانيات اللاعبين وقدرتهم على تقديم عروض قوية والتأهل إلى دور الثمانية”.

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وأضاف: “القرعة جاءت متوازنة لحد كبير، حيث إن مستويات الفرق الستة عشر المتأهلة لهذا الدور متقاربة بشكل كبير لذلك جاءت المجموعات الأربع قوية للغاية”.

وأوضح: “وقوع فريقين من بلد واحد في مجموعة واحدة سلاح ذو حدين، خاصة مع الدراية التامة والكاملة لدى كل فريق بقدرات وإمكانيات الفريق الأخر”.

وأتم: “ما يشغلني حاليا هو تجهيز الفريق لخوض غمار منافسات دور المجموعات الكونفدرالية على الوجه الأكمل لتحقيق طموحات الجماهير ومجلس إدارة النادي المصري برئاسة الأستاذ كامل أبو علي والذي يضع كامل ثقته في لاعبيه والجهاز الفني”.

Everton have received an offer from a big Premier League club for a "unique" Goodison Park hero, according to a fresh transfer update.

Everton transfer & point deduction news

The Blues have been given a huge boost with the news that their 10-point deduction in the league has been reduced to six, immediately increasing their chances of avoiding relegation to the Championship.

It is a welcome shot in the arm, during a campaign in which the club have had to deal with so many different issues, including the ongoing saga surrounding 777 Partners and a takeover at Goodison Park.

Everton have continued to be linked with new signings, however, with Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar seen as an option to come in during the summer transfer window, having been hailed as a "superhero" in the past. Jack Harrison also reportedly wants to make his loan move at Goodison a permanent one at the end of the season, rather than return to Leeds United.

Sunderland centre-back Daniel Ballard has also emerged as a target for the Blues, being seen as a possible replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite, should their influential defender move on to pastures news this summer.

The Englishman isn't the only player who could potentially depart Everton once the current campaign is done and dusted, however, and a big update has dropped regarding one of his teammates.

Everton receive Arsenal offer for Amadou Onana

According to Spanish publication Sport [via Arsenal Station], Arsenal have already made a proposal for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana this summer, with the Blues willing to cash in, although they don't say how much the Gunners have bid.

The Merseysiders are believed to be demanding a fee of approximately £51m for his services, so those at the Emirates have been made aware that they won't be signing him on the cheap.

At this point, it is beginning to feel as though Everton would be better to cash in on Onana in the summer, especially if his head is turned by a move away. The money they could receive for him may help Sean Dyche rebuild his squad in various areas of the pitch.

That being said, the Belgian is arguably one of the best players at the club currently, with his former international Roberto Martinez lauding his abilities during their time together, calling him "unique" and also saying of him:

"Someone with such physical presence and dynamism is needed, just think of [Marouane] Fellaini in 2018. He is also a leader on the pitch who has made strides in his career. From Germany, to France and now the Premier League… He deserves this."

Everton more than likely have no chance of keeping Onana if they are relegated this season, but even if they stay up, it is easy to envisage the midfielder wanting a new challenge, with Arsenal possibly representing one of the most exciting options in the country at the moment.

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As long as the Blues don't allow him to leave on the cheap, getting as much money as possible for him instead, it could make sense for all parties to bring an end to his time at Goodison.

During the January transfer window there were rather relentless cries from supporters and pundits alike that Arsenal needed to sign a striker.

A fair enough assessment. The Gunners had embarked on a run over the New Year period in which they lost three straight Premier League games, scoring just once in the process. Their top scorer hadn't even surpassed double figures at this point.

However, they have responded to those claims in devastating fashion. A striker they did not sign, instead making use of the players already at their disposal. It was a gamble but one that in February has more than paid off.

Mikel Arteta's side have won six league games on the spin and scored 25 goals in the process. Who needs a striker? Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz have done a sterling job as a false 9, scoring six goals as a collective since the 5-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Both of those players have also flirted with a midfield role in the past few weeks, but that left-sided 8 position vacated by Granit Xhaka still feels as though it needs another body. It perhaps explains recent links to Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz.

Arsenal's chase for a new midfielder

Back in 2022, the Gunners lodged three separate attempts to lure Luiz to the Emirates Stadium but their bids were fruitless. The Brazilian stayed in the Midlands, signed a new contract and has now become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. Typical, eh?

Now thought to be valued at around £100m, Arsenal are appealed by the idea of signing the Villans star again come the summer. Their interest has remained over the last few years but with a mega-money striker likely to be at the top of the club's agenda, such a move for Luiz feels unlikely.

It will only become all the more impossible should Unai Emery's side secure Champions League football too. Sitting in fourth at the moment, it's a distinct possibility for the Midlands side.

Games

25

Goals

9

Assists

4

Key passes per game

1.6

Dribbles per game

0.7

Tackles per game

1.9

So, what is the solution? Well, a surprise could be in store next season if Arsenal decide to reintegrate a player out on loan.

Arsenal's ready-made midfield solution

Remember Albert Sambi Lokonga? You probably do. He's that rather scrawny-looking midfielder, known for a mistake and perhaps a questionable attitude.

After signing from Anderlecht he was largely tasked with filling in for Partey as a lone pivot in the centre of the pitch. It was a role he underwhelmed in. The Belgian looked so far out of his depth and wasn't painted in the best of lights during the club's All or Nothing documentary for Amazon Prime (footage below).

However, all of those initial thoughts must be eradicated from our minds. Lokonga is no longer the scrawny and questionable midfielder we once thought.

Indeed, he's now making waves during a loan spell with Luton Town. The 24-year-old looks every bit a Premier League player and has starred for Rob Edwards' side, notably making a remarkable block to save a certain goal during the club's recent clash with Manchester United.

His stock has risen considerably whilst with the Hatters and even if Arteta doesn't bring him back into the fold they would surely generate a tasty amount of profit from the midfielder. Think Folarin Balogun who was sold for £35m last summer after shining during a temporary spell away from the Emirates Stadium.

So eye-catching have Lokonga's displays been that he's even caught the attention of Jurgen Klopp who found it hard to believe Arsenal had loaned him out.

Speaking before Liverpool beat Luton last week, the German said: "When you see Albert Sambi-Lokonga playing and you think… oh! He’s an Arsenal player and they loaned him? Interesting.”

What is also interesting to note are the player's similarities to both Jorginho and Declan Rice. Indeed, as per FBref's player comparison model, the Arsenal midfielders are the fifth and eighth most similar players to Lokonga in the Premier League. But, what are the similarities?

Goals + assists

0.21

0.15

0.36

Pass success

87%

90%

90%

Key passes

0.72

0.91

1.09

Goal-creating actions

0.21

0.45

0.28

Tackles won

1.24

0.91

1.29

Passes blocked

0.82

1.97

0.81

Interceptions

0.62

1.06

1.41

Take-on success

47%

33%

50%

Progressive carries

1.86

0.76

2.06

Carries into final 3rd

1.34

0.91

1.77

Aerial duels won

1.13

0.91

1.17

While Lokonga doesn't come out on top in any of the stats above you can see where the similarities lie. Essentially, he is a hybrid of both Rice and Jorginho. He boasts the same progressive nature as the former and when it comes to tackles is just as active.

That said, like Jorginho, he is far less likely to create goal-scoring opportunities, perhaps preferring a more cautious and safer approach with his passing. That isn't a bad thing but if he is to return to Arsenal and play as an 8, that side of his game will need to improve.

It's pleasing to see Lokonga making such impressive strides away from Arsenal but whether he gets another opportunity to prove himself only time will tell. Either way, he could be a cost-effective way of forgetting about the aforementioned Luiz.

The story of Chelsea’s transfer window was a far cry from their extravagant spending in January last year.

In fact, the Blues failed to sign anyone to bolster their squad and Mauricio Pochettino will have to place full trust in the players at his disposal.

That’s not to say the west Londoners were not linked with anyone, as a plethora of players were touted for moves to Stamford Bridge, especially with the manager looking to add some depth to his attacking department.

The club could come to rue not bringing in at least one new centre-forward as competition for Nicolas Jackson, especially as Pochettino is aiming to secure a European spot for the 2024/25 season.

Chelsea missed out on signing a new striker

Armando Broja joined Fulham on loan until the end of the season and this leaves Jackson as Chelsea’s only senior centre-forward heading into the final few months of the campaign.

While Broja’s departure was always certain, Pochettino missed a trick by not adding to this department, especially considering who they were linked with.

Lautaro Martinez was just one of the players the Stamford Bridge outfit were believed to be showing an interest in, and they should have made a more concrete effort to bring him to the Premier League.

According to a report from Sports Lens during the winter window, the Blues were keen on bringing the Inter Milan striker to England, although they faced some stiff competition from Arsenal.

The Serie A side placed an £80m-£100m valuation on their prized asset and despite the club looking to tie him down on an extended deal, a bid in this region would perhaps have been too much to turn down.

Luring the World Cup winner to the Premier League would have been another major coup for Chelsea, and it would have reinvigorated their frontline, as Pochettino has struggled to get the best out of Jackson since he arrived at the club from Villarreal last summer.

Nicolas Jackson’s season in numbers

The Senegal international cost the Blues slightly more than his £30.1m release clause and, having impressed at the Spanish club, it looked like a solid acquisition from the new manager.

Indeed, 12 La Liga goals and four assists was clearly enough to entice the former Paris Saint-Germain manager to snap him up, although he has yet to have a similar impact in England.

The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in the top flight, including a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur – albeit they were down to nine men when he netted all three of his goals – and the jury is still out whether he can be a long-term solution to a problem the club have faced for years.

Although he ranks second among the squad for goals and assists in the Premier League (nine), Jackson also ranks first for big chances missed (12) which indicates that his finishing ability certainly requires some work.

No wonder the club currently occupy tenth place in the league table and signing someone much more prolific last month would have bolstered their chances of potentially securing a top-six finish.

Martinez may have broken the bank, but there is no doubt he would have been worth it to be an improvement on Jackson.

Chelsea endured a transfer howler on Lautaro Martinez

The Argentinean centre-forward has firmly established himself as one of the finest strikers on the continent during his spell at Inter.

Since joining the Italian giants from Racing Club in the summer of 2018, the 26-year-old has gone on to plunder 124 goals in 266 appearances – which works out as around a goal every 2.1 games – a ratio which Pochettino could only dream of his forward options to have.

Domestic stats this season	Lautaro Martinez	Nicolas Jackson
Goals	19	7
Assists	2	2
Big chances missed	6	12
Shots on target per game	1.6	1.1
Scoring frequency (minutes)	84	207

His greatest compliment came from talent scout Jacek Kulig, who stated that Martinez was a “mix of Aguero and Falcao” and considering how effective those two South American forwards were during their careers, it is high praise indeed.

Both could finish from just about anywhere, while they used their excellent physical strength to bully opposition defenders into submission, and it is clear Martinez is of a similar stature to these two, indicating that he could be a big success in the Premier League.

Kulig also claimed the current Inter star has a “killer instinct” and, judging by his goal record so far, his ability in the final third is sublime.

He has taken his displays to new levels this term. Among his current Inter teammates, Martinez currently ranks first in the squad for overall Sofascore rating (7.69) in Serie A, along with ranking first for goals and assists (21), shots on target per game (3.4) and for scoring frequency (a goal every 84 minutes) and these figures certainly suggest he is at the peak of his powers.

The former Racing hitman also shines when compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, ranking in the top 5% for non-penalty goals (0.78) and total shots (4.11) per 90 which again suggests he is in the form of his life and would have made a wonderful signing for the Blues.

Jackson, on the other hand, ranks in the top 10% for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.68) and in the top 38% for total shots per 90 (2.79), indicating that the Argentinean would be a clear upgrade to the current Chelsea forward.

While Pochettino has been utilising Cole Palmer in a more advanced role due to Jackson’s absence at the Africa Cup of Nations, his preferred position is just behind the striker and if the Senegal international suffers an injury between now and the end of the season, they will be short of options.

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This may impact whether the Blues can secure a spot in the top six this term and results will have to majorly improve over the coming weeks, otherwise they will have to settle for another season in mid-table mediocrity.

Martinez may not have joined the club in January, but Pochettino will be desperate to lure his compatriot to the promised land once the summer transfer window finally opens at the end of the season.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras viveu turbulências na última semana. Com dois vice-campeonatos seguidos, na Recopa Sul-Americana e Supercopa do Brasil, a derrota no clássico diante do São Paulo fez com que os muros do Allianz Parque amanhecessem pichados com cobranças. Após o tropeço contra o Botafogo-SP, o comentarista Arnaldo Ribeiro analisou a situação do Alviverde.
+ Confira a classificação do Campeonato Paulista

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Segundo o comentarista, o Palmeiras não deve avançar de fase por alguns aspectos. Os principais seriam a opção de Abel Ferreira em escalar jogadores reservas na grande maioria dos jogos, além da equipe se encontrar em um grupo apontado como difícil, no qual Red Bull Bragantino e Novorizontino apresentam os melhores rendimentos.

-O Palmeiras, neste campeonato, poucas vezes usou o time titular. Nos clássicos… Contra o São Paulo usou um time misto, no clássico contra o Corinthians ele nem divulgou que iria ter jogo na rede social dele, escondeu o jogo em protesto, ele queria o jogo adiado, e ele está numa chave… Ele vai ser eliminado do campeonato, a minha impressão é que o Palmeiras não joga o mata-mata do Paulista, podem me cobrar depois – afirmou.

-A chave do Palmeiras é a mais difícil, tem o Bragantino que é melhor que ele hoje, o Bragantino é um time mais consistente do que o Palmeiras em transição, é melhor que ele, já disparou. O Novorizontino tem um aproveitamento melhor do que o Palmeiras. O Palmeiras, para mim, não passa de fase, não joga nem as quartas de final – completou.

O jornalista ainda aponta a instável relação entre Palmeiras e Federação Paulista de Futebol como um dos motivos para o Alviverde não dar atenção ao campeonato.

-É um pouco essa situação que não é explícita, mas é colocada de certa forma, até pela diretoria do Palmeiras, que vive às turras com a Federação Paulista, reclama desde quando o Corinthians ganhou o campeonato lá no Allianz Parque. Isso vai “cair bem”, porque vai dar uma folga, e o Palmeiras é o atual campeão paulista, não precisa do campeonato, não está na fila, o que não quer dizer que o desempenho e a performance dele no Campeonato Paulista não seja uma vergonha – disse.

-Nós vamos falar do Palmeiras a mesma coisa que a gente falou quando o Corinthians não se classificou, quando o São Paulo teve problemas ou o Santos. O grande que não consegue classificar entre os oito do Campeonato Paulista fracassou, é um vexame, pode ser com o reserva, sub-20, dente de leite, fraldinha, chupetinha. Se não se classifica para os oito melhores, é um vexame e vai ser um vexame, mas eu acho que o Palmeiras não vai se classificar e aí vai ter uma folguinha, uma pequena folguinha para manejar os outros campeonatos – finalizou Arnaldo Ribeiro.

O Palmeiras volta a campo na próxima quarta-feira, em sua estreia na Copa Libertadores 2021, diante do Universitário, às 21h.

European football’s governing body has insisted there was "no delay" in Barnabas Varga receiving treatment after a horror collision at Euro 2024.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Varga seriously injured against Scotland
• Hungary star treated on pitch
• UEFA insists no delays from medical team

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Varga suffered concussion and facial fractures that required surgery in a horrifying collision during Hungary's clash with Scotland during Euro 2024. Dominik Szoboszlai was left in tears by the incident but was spotted running to the stretcher in a bid to speed up the treatment for his team-mate. The Liverpool star went on to criticise the time taken for medical staff to arrive afterwards, while manager Marco Rossi also said "the doctors arrived a bit late." UEFA has now issued a response and insists there were no problems with Varga's medical treatment.

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• WHAT UEFA SAID

  A statement read: "The intervention of the team doctor happened within 15 seconds of the incident, followed immediately by the second stadium doctor, to conduct a first assessment of the injury and provide appropriate treatment, as per customary medical procedures.

  “The qualified pitch-side emergency team were waiting pitch-side, according to their protocol, and arrived with the stretcher as soon as their intervention was requested by the medics to evacuate the player for his immediate transfer to hospital.

  “The coordination between all the medical staff on site was professional and everything was done in accordance with the applicable medical procedures. There was no delay in the treatment of and assistance to the player.”

• VARGA RECOVERING IN HOSPITAL

  Varga was stretchered off and taken to hospital where he has undergone surgery. The Hungary star has since posted a message to thank well-wishers for their support from his hospital bed as he recovers from his injuries. Hungary team-mates and manager Rossi have been to visit Varga who is expected to be discharged from hospital on Wednesday

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HUNGARY

  Hungary went on to draw with Scotland and finished third in Group A behind Germany and Switzerland. The team must wait to discover if they continue at Euro 2024, but with just three points from three games they will need to results to go in their favour.

India’s reserve opener made 92 to further establish his red-ball credentials; Nair ended the day unbeaten on 78

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Sep-2019Stumps Vernon Philander, Lungi Ngidi and Senuran Muthusamy, three bowlers who could line-up together in the XI for South Africa’s first Test against India in Visakhapatnam, had to go through the grind on the first day of South Africa A’s second four-day fixture against India A in Mysuru. They managed just one wicket between them in 35 overs as the Indians got to a healthy 233 for 3 in 74 overs before bad light forced early stumps.Shubman Gill, who is unlikely to feature in that Test but is part of the India squad, provided yet another reminder of why he’s rated so highly. Opening the innings, he struck a 137-ball 92, courtesy 12 fours and a six, before becoming the third Indian wicket to fall. Karun Nair, the man with whom Gill forged a 135-run third-wicket stand, continued his good form from the Duleep Trophy to remain unbeaten on 78. His first-class scores for the season before this one read: 20, 90, 166* and 99.ALSO READ: Shubman Gill interview: ‘Mindset, not game should change.’When play ended for the day, Nair was batting alongside India A captain Wriddhiman Saha, unbeaten on 36. Rishabh Pant’s Test position isn’t yet under scrutiny, but with a potentially tough examination coming up against South Africa, Saha, who has been named the second wicket-keeper in the Test squad, will have an opportunity to further press his credentials.Abhimanyu Easwaran, who opened alongside Gill, and Priyank Panchal, who came in at No.3 with Gill opening, scored 5 and 6 respectively. Abhimanyu, coming off a match-winning 153 in the Duleep Trophy final that potentially set him in line for a Test call-up, was the first to go lbw to Ngidi in the sixth over. Panchal followed 11 overs later when he was out to Wiaan Mulder’s medium pace.From there, Gill and Nair drove home the advantage before Gill fell eight short of his fifth first-class century, shortly before the tea interval. In his 15-match first class career, the 21-year-old now has two centuries and two double-centuries, the last of which was an unbeaten 204 against West Indies A in a second innings, which lifted India A from the pits of 14 for 3 to set up a declaration and eventually push for victory.

England have made one change to the team that won the third Ashes Test, with Craig Overton coming in for Chris Woakes.Overton, the Somerset seamer, made his Test debut during the 2017-18 Ashes series, dismissing Steven Smith to take his first England wicket, and most recently played in the defeat at Auckland in 2018.He won selection ahead of Woakes and allrounder Sam Curran.Woakes has taken nine wickets at 29.00 in the series, but has struggled for control, leaking 3.34 runs per over, and has bowled fewer overs per innings than the rest of England’s seamers.Overton has taken 32 wickets at 21.34 this season in the County Championship, but has only played one first-class match in the past six weeks, with the T20 Blast dominating the county fixture list.Overton averages 21.74 in first-class cricket, with one century and nine 50s to his name, and is expected to bat at No. 8, ahead of Jofra Archer, in Manchester.Joe Root has also confirmed that Joe Denly will open the batting with Jason Roy shifting down to number four, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.England team for fourth Test: 1 Rory Burns, 2 Joe Denly, 3 Joe Root (captain), 4 Jason Roy, 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 7 Jos Buttler, 8 Craig Overton, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 Jack Leach

Sunderland have gained a reputation this season for being a club unafraid to give young talents the platform to grow and develop, seen in the likes of Jobe Bellingham establishing himself as a key first team presence at just 18 years of age.

With Dan Neil and Anthony Patterson also representing the Black Cats' eagerness to bed in academy talents into the first-team fold and keep them there, the Wearside outfit did unfortunately drop a clanger when it comes to one former youth prospect, however.

Going on to star in his new surroundings after departing Sunderland at U15 level, the fading Championship promotion hopefuls will view this transfer mishap with the same disdain that saw them offload Jordan Henderson far too cheaply all the way back in 2011.

James McConnell's move to Liverpool

Sunderland are now left with a tale of what could have been regarding their ex-homegrown talent James McConnell, the teenager poached by the might of Liverpool whilst the midfield sensation was just getting to grips with his development at the Stadium of Light.

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Leaving the Black Cats for free, it's a move that Sunderland will no doubt rue accepting now when acknowledging how McConnell has gone on leaps and bounds since pulling on a Reds strip for the first time.

At youth level for Jurgen Klopp's side, the wide-eyed 19-year-old has accumulated an impressive 11 goals from 56 appearances which has even seen the outgoing German manager bump the ex-Sunderland youngster up to the first-team ranks this season.

Season

Games played

Goals

Assists

2023/24

8

0

1

2022/23

18

6

3

2021/22

20

3

3

2020/21

10

2

0

It's a transfer that Sunderland must toss and turn about when reliving sanctioning the deal in 2019, with McConnell's worth now coming in at hefty €5m (£4m) – according to Football Observatory – compared to the £0 the Black Cats allowed him to leave for.

McConnell shining on the biggest stage at Wembley this weekend could well see the 19-year-old now stick it out in Klopp's first team for the rest of the season, with the breakout star aiming to mirror Henderson's rise to fame with the Reds when looking from a Sunderland perspective.

James McConnell's performance vs Chelsea

Onto seven first-team appearances now under the popular German boss this campaign, with one of those run-outs resulting in an assist being tallied up against Norwich City, McConnell showed signs of immense coolness for his age coming on during the League Cup final this weekend.

The teenager helped the Reds to grind out a 1-0 win at Wembley to pick up the first trophy of Klopp's farewell tour, with the youthful Liverpool number 53 notching up three key passes and two ground duels won against Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea.

Amassing 47 touches in total too from just 33 minutes, bettering Nicolas Jackson's 31-touch total with the Senegalese striker on the pitch for 90 minutes, McConnell could well have a bright future in the senior fold at Liverpool.

It's no shock to see Klopp describe the 19-year-old star as "special" in the past when looking at this stellar individual display, waxing lyrical about McConnell just this pre-season.

This calm cameo against Chelsea could see McConnell get the nod to start against Southampton this mid-week in the FA Cup, with the central midfielder wanting to emulate Henderson's career arc when further making waves for Liverpool.

Henderson would go on to make a staggering 492 appearances for the Reds, the now 33-year-old a bargain buy for just £20m with McConnell potentially proving to be a similarly savvy purchase for the Premier League giants in time.

Whereas, Sunderland will just aim to get their Championship season back on track sooner rather than later with their current crop of young stars.