The rise of Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United last season was a joy to watch, with his quality on show instantly during his debut against Everton.
The 19-year-old was so impressive that he became an irreplaceable figure in the middle of the park, a player that Erik ten Hag could trust to perform consistently.
Throughout the Premier League campaign, United’s wonderkid made 24 starts, scoring three goals and providing one assist in the process.
However, another extremely talented youngster could be added to the Red Devils squad this summer as United look to sign a new defender.
Man Utd’s centre-back transfer activity
According to a report from Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports, Man United have now ‘made initial contact’ for Leny Yoro.
The French rock is among a list of potential centre-back targets as they look to find an alternative to Jarrad Branthwaite.
Man Utd transfer target Leny Yoro in Ligue 1 action for Lille.
The Everton defender was without doubt the first choice, but the Red Devils have already had a bid rejected for the Englishman this summer.
It’s said that United are now ‘unlikely to return with an improved offer’ due to the Toffees’ asking price being viewed as unreasonable.
Jarrad Branthwaite for Everton.
The 21-year-old is valued at £70m, hence why United are now looking to get the ball rolling for Lille’s Yoro.
Why Leny Yoro is just as talented as Mainoo
Last season, Yoro truly announced himself to the football world as one of the most highly-rated talents in Europe, let alone France.
Operating as a right-centre half for Lille, the 18-year-old performed to an extremely high standard alongside Alexsandro Ribeiro.
Lille's Leny Yoro in action
Across the campaign, the number 15 started 30 matches in Ligue 1, keeping an impressive 13 clean sheets while also scoring two goals.
Yoro also already proved that he would be ready to perform in the Premier League, having starred against Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa Conference League, winning 100% of his duels and completing a supremely impressive 94% of his passes.
Mainoo vs Yoro 23/24 League Stats
Stats
Mainoo
Yoro
Appearances
24
32
Goal contributions
4
2
Passes completed
31.1
54
Touches
49
67.6
Tackles
2
1.1
Interceptions
0.9
1.1
Duels won
5
3.2
Via Sofascore
Just like Mainoo, the fact that Yoro is so complete already while being a teenager is mind-blowing, with football scout Jacek Kulig describing him as an “11/10 talent.”
From an in-possession perspective, Yoro is already among the very best in France, possessing the ability to retain the ball well while also having the confidence to take plenty of touches, which is also an aspect of Mainoo’s game even if they do play in different positions.
On the other hand, the Lille superstar is just as composed off the ball as he is on it, only entering duels when the opportunity presents itself, as shown by his tackles and interceptions.
However, what makes Yoro and Mainoo so similar is their incredible mentality and maturity, which make them act like seasoned professionals week in and week out.
Kobe Mainoo
This has a direct impact on their performance, with no occasion being too overwhelming, as shown by their coaches always relying on them to perform despite their lack of experience.
As both players see the beautiful game through the same lens, it’s extremely difficult to see the two youngsters not developing into two world-class players.
Lille defender Leny Yoro.
Overall, the prospect of having Mainoo, Yoro, and Alejandro Garnacho in their squad must excite the Man United faithful, and the French defender would be the future of the Red Devils’ backline.
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Tottenham are now prepared to pay the £38 million asking price for a Euro 2024 star this summer, after pressing forward with intent "in recent days".
Spurs looking to sign new defenders this summer
With Ryan Sessegnon, Japhet Tanganga, Ivan Perisic, Eric Dier and potentially Djed Spence out of the door already, Spurs are believed to be targeting defensive additions this summer, in an effort to hand Ange Postecoglou more strength in depth.
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Sessegnon, Tanganga, Perisic and Dier are set to leave Spurs following the expiry of their contracts on June 30, while Spence is in talks over a permanent switch from Spurs to Genoa after spending the second half of 23/24 on loan there.
AC Milan are also actively pursuing a deal for Emerson Royal as well, and with the Brazilian looking likely to leave N17, Postecoglou's defence could look a bit different by the start of next campaign.
With Royal's move to Italy looking like a possibility, Tottenham could sign a new Pedro Porro back-up this summer, and it is believed that another centre-back is high up on their transfer agenda.
Spurs sealed a £25 million deal for Radu Dragusin in January, but it remains the case that they're after central defensive options to shore up Postecoglou's back line further.
Pedro Porro
7.04
Cristian Romero
7.03
Micky van de Ven
6.79
Destiny Udogie
6.71
Ben Davies
6.62
The Australian, speaking to media earlier this year, even admitted that it would be one of their priorities for this window.
“If you’re saying, ‘Is it an area we can strengthen?’, yes it’s an area we will probably look at”, said Postecoglou on signing another centre-back. “With all these things, it’s about trying to strengthen the group as much as anything else.
"If you think about when I first arrived, we had maybe six or seven centre-backs at the club. So it’s not just numbers. It’s more about the ability of those players to play the football we want and to fit in to what we’re trying to build here.
“I think it is an area of the park we will look to strengthen, but I think we’ll look to strengthen all areas of the park come the end of the season. That is planning that’s already underway, and other people are in charge of it at the moment.”
Tottenham prepared to pay asking price for Calafiori
According to Tutto Juve, an update has emerged on their pursuit of Euro 2024 star Riccardo Calafiori. The Italy centre-back was called "extraordinary" by Gianluca Zambrotta for his performance against Albania in their opening group game, and was unfortunate for the ball to deflect off him and into the back of his own net during their 1-0 defeat to Spain on Thursday.
Tutto claim Spurs have moved to evaluate the conditions of a move for the 22-year-old "in recent days", and it is believed Tottenham are prepared to pay Bologna's £38 million asking price for Calafiori.
However, they still have some convincing to do on the player's side, as it is believed he prefers a move to Juventus right now.
Brighton star Julio Enciso has claimed that he "almost died" after fainting on the plane taking him to international duty with Paraguay.
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Enciso reveals nightmarish flightSays he faintedRequired help from another passengerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Enciso has revealed that he endured a nightmarish trip back to South America from England, as he aims to play for Paraguay against Ecuador on Wednesday. He has claimed that he passed out and required help from another passenger, as he feared for his life.
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Enciso has made five substitute appearances for Brighton thus far this season but has been included in Paraguay's squad to play both Ecuador and Venezuela. Both games are 2026 World Cup qualifiers – Paraguay have not qualified for the tournament since 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa.
WHAT ENCISO SAID
Enciso told Del Paraguay: “My head hurts. I almost died, I fainted on the plane. I was powerless, I didn’t eat or sleep well. At one point I got up to go to the bathroom and I felt like I was falling.
“A guy grabbed me and took me to the front. He made me drink coke and a Japanese soup and that did me good.”
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Seemingly Enciso has recovered and is aiming to play for Paraguay this week. Once he returns to England, Brighton play Newcastle on October 19.
Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad have entered pole position to sign a high-earning Chelsea player this summer, and they'll be to do it for £38 million.
Chelsea players up for sale as Maresca axe swings
New manager Enzo Maresca is reported to already have his favoured players in mind at Stamford Bridge.
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Maresca is said to be a big fan of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and cannot wait to work with the Chelsea shot-stopper, while the Italian is also planning to make England star Cole Palmer the vocal point of his team next season (John Percy).
Despite Chelsea's desire to sell youngster Omari Hutchinson for £30 million in pure profit, it is rumoured that Maresca wants to give the 20-year-old a chance to impress in pre-season as well.
Omari Hutchinson's best Championship games on loan at Ipswich last season
Match Rating (via WhoScored)
Ipswich 6-0 Sheffield Wednesday
10.0
Hull City 3-3 Ipswich
8.71
Southampton 0-1 Ipswich
8.43
Ipswich 2-0 Huddersfield
8.11
Ipswich 3-1 Birmingham
7.99
However, like Hutchinson, there are squad members who are up for the Chelsea chopping block. Armando Broja, Conor Gallagher, Malang Sarr, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Trevoh Chalobah and Conor Gallagher stand out as players who could be sold by Chelsea this summer, with Todd Boehly looking to raise funds by June 30 to avoid trouble in regard to Profit and Sustainability rules.
Another player who the west Londoners will be very keen to offload is striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium international, who cost Chelsea a former club-record £97.5 million to re-sign from Inter Milan in 2021, also sets the club back £325,000-per-week in wages.
Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku's return to Stamford Bridge really hasn't worked out, with the 31-year-old spending the last two seasons on loan spells back in Italy. The striker did rack up double digits for Serie A goals scored at both Inter Milan in 22/23 and Roma last term, so clubs could be tempted to take Lukaku off Chelsea's hands in the next few months.
The price is set at £38 million, according to Fabrizio Romano, so it will be interesting to see if any side are willing to invest this amount in the former Man United number nine.
Saudi sides may well be open to taking the plunge, and one team in particular.
Al-Ittihad in pole position to sign Romelu Lukaku
As per CaughtOffside, Al-Ittihad are favourites to sign Lukaku from Chelsea this summer as things stand. The Pro League team are contending with their national rivals and potentially teams from Italy, with AC Milan and Napoli named as possible destinations for him as well. However, it is Al-Ittihad who are seen as the team in pole position right now, if Karim Benzema departs as is expected.
Called "world-class" by Thomas Tuchel, the forward's solid record in front of goal indicates he could do well in the Middle East, and he could earn a bumper pay day.
Capitals have shown they can adapt to key players being ripped away due to injury. Can they keep doing it?
Hemant Brar16-Oct-20207:37
Should Sam Curran continue to open the batting for CSK?
Big pictureSince pulling off a Super Over heist against the Kings XI Punjab in their opening game, the Delhi Capitals have shown an indomitable spirit. They are currently second on the points table with six wins from eight games but their journey has been anything but smooth.ALSO READ: Fantasy Picks: Pick Dhawan as captain and Curran as vice-captainRight at the start, their main spinner R Ashwin had to miss two games after hurting his shoulder. Then Amit Mishra’s tournament was cut short with a finger injury. Ishant Sharma played just one match before an abdominal muscle tear ruled him out. But the Capitals dealt with those blows so effectively that the absence of such key players was never felt.However, the latest roadblock – a hamstring injury to Rishabh Pant – is proving a bit trickier to handle. With no other Indian wicketkeeper in the squad, the Capitals have been forced to play Alex Carey, which means there is no place for Shimron Hetmyer in the side. His replacement, Ajinkya Rahane, managed 15 off 15 and 2 off 9 in the last two games, of which the Capitals lost the first one and somehow sneaked in a win in the second.On Saturday evening, they will be facing the Chennai Super Kings, who after numerous permutations and combinations finally seem to have figured out their best XI. The side that played in their last game, against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, had seven bowling options while boasting a batting line-up with no tail whatsoever.Their approach too was fresh and positive with Sam Curran opening the innings to take advantage of the powerplay and MS Dhoni coming in at No. 5. The result – a third win in eight games – ensured they didn’t slip too far behind in the playoffs race. A win against the Capitals would provide further momentum to their campaign.In the news Before the Royals’ game, Pant underwent a fitness test but wasn’t able to clear it. The Capitals, who are in a comfortable position on the points table, may not want to rush his comeback. Shreyas Iyer too had hurt his shoulder against the Royals and was off the field for most of the chase. At the post-match presentation, Shikhar Dhawan said though Iyer was in pain, he was able to move his shoulder. It’s understood he is likely to be available for Saturday’s game.Prithvi Shaw got something in his eye? MS Dhoni to the rescue•BCCI
Previous meetingPrithvi Shaw smashed 64 off 43 balls to power the Capitals to 175 for 3. Kagiso Rabada then picked up 3 for 26 as the Capitals’ bowlers restricted the Super Kings to 131 for 7 to script a 44-run win.Likely XIsDelhi Capitals: 1 Prithvi Shaw, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Ajinkya Rahane, 4 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Alex Carey (wk), 7 Axar Patel, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Tushar Deshpande, 11 Anrich NortjeChennai Super Kings: 1 Faf du Plessis, 2 Sam Curran, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Ambati Rayudu, 5 MS Dhoni (capt, wk), 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Deepak Chahar, 9 Piyush Chawla, 10 Shardul Thakur, 11 Karn SharmaStrategy punts Watson may or may not open for the Super Kings but expect the Capitals to match him up against Axar Patel. The left-arm spinner has dismissed Watson six times in eight T20 innings while conceding only 44 runs off 43 balls. Deepak Chahar has dismissed Shaw four times in five T20 innings, the most by any bowler. In those five knocks, Shaw has managed only 38 off 37 balls against the seamer. Chahar has also got Ajinkya Rahane out thrice in three innings while giving away just 19 runs off 16 balls. Against Dhawan too, he has impressive numbers – 35 runs off 44 balls with one dismissal. All that sets up an interesting powerplay battle.Stats that matter The Super Kings have dominated the head-to-head contests by winning 15 of the 22 games between the two sides. Teams batting first have won five out of seven games played in Sharjah this IPL. The Super Kings’ scoring rate of 7.2 in the powerplay is the worst in IPL 2020. Seventeen wickets taken by the Capitals spinners so far in the tournament are second only to the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s spin unit, who have 18. The Capitals spinners have a combined average of 19.3 and an economy of 6.3. No other spin attack has an average below 25 or an economy under seven. In the Capitals’ six wins, they have had six different Player-of-the-Match award winners – Marcus Stoinis, Shaw, Iyer, Patel, Ashwin and Anrich Nortje. Five of their batsmen have more than 150 runs this IPL and four of their bowlers have taken more than seven wickets. Rabada has 49 wickets from 26 games in the IPL. The record for the fastest to 50 wickets in the tournament belongs to Sunil Narine, who reached there in 32 games.
Dwayne Bravo, the Chennai Super Kings’ designated death bowler and highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket, is injured again and will miss a “few days or a couple of weeks,” according to their head coach Stephen Fleming.Fleming revealed that Bravo had sustained a groin injury, which was serious enough to keep him off the field, and hence he couldn’t bowl the final over against the Delhi Capitals in Sharjah. In the injury-enforced absence of Bravo, Dhoni tasked Ravindra Jadeja with the responsibility of defending 16 off the last over, but centurion Shikhar Dhawan and Axar Patel sealed the chase with a ball to spare, handing the Super Kings their sixth defeat in nine games.”He seems to have a right groin injury, I think, and it was obviously serious enough to keep him off the field,” Fleming said at the post-match press conference. “He’s obviously desperately disappointed that he couldn’t bowl the last over – that’s what he’s pretty much in the team for. He will have to be reassessed going forward, but at this stage you’d imagine it’s going to take a few days or a couple of weeks, but we will assess that tomorrow.”Bravo had turned up for the IPL in the UAE with a different injury – a knee problem suffered during the CPL – and missed the Super Kings’ first three games. He didn’t bowl in the CPL final because of that injury and instead played as a specialist batsman for the Trinbago Knight Riders. During their first three games, the Super Kings used fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Josh Hazlewood, but then Bravo returned to the XI against the Sunrisers Hyderabad and has since been part of the side.Bravo impressed with his yorkers and slower variations in the Super Kings’ return fixture against the Sunrisers and the Kolkata Knight Riders, providing more depth to both the bowling attack and the batting line-up. In six matches so far in IPL 2020, Bravo has bowled 14 yorkers, according to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data. Only Mumbai Indians’ Jasprit Bumrah (19) and Sunrisers’ T Natarajan (40) have bowled more yorkers than Bravo in the tournament.Bravo’s injury depletes a Super Kings squad that is already without two other first-choice players in Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, who had both opted out of the tournament for personal reasons. However, Bravo’s absence could open up a spot for Imran Tahir, who was the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2019, with 26 strikes at an economy rate of 6.69. Tahir was also the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ highest wicket-taker in the CPL and third overall, with 15 scalps at an economy rate of 5.82 from 10 games.New Zealand spin-bowling allrounder Mitchell Santner is the other overseas option for the Super Kings. Tahir and Santner are the only overseas players to have not played for the Super Kings this season. With the UAE tracks tiring in the second half of the IPL, the Super Kings will look to one of these two spinners to fill the Bravo-sized hole.The Super Kings’ next match is against the Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito has labelled Mason Greenwood a "mercenary" after failing to sign the former Manchester United forward.
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Lazio wanted to sign Greenwood
Striker joined Marseille instead
Ex-Man Utd forward shining in France
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Lotito has taken another shot at Greenwood, just three months after he called the 23-year-old out over his failed move to Lazio. The Italian side were unsuccessful in their attempt to sign the forward from United last year, and found themselves unable to compete as an auction broke out for him in the most recent transfer window.
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Ligue 1 side Marseille won the battle to sign Greenwood and, after some initial furore over the move, they haven't looked back. He has scored five goals in seven league appearances and won Marseille's Player of the Month award in August.
WHAT LOTITO SAID
Lotito called Greenwood a "mercenary" in his most recent attack, saying: "He is absolutely not a regret, someone who does not accept coming to Lazio cannot be a regret. He is happy at Marseille, he made a choice and that is fine. We do not accept mercenaries, we only want those who choose Lazio. We have had enough mercenaries."
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WHAT NEXT FOR GREENWOOD?
Greenwood appears settled at Marseille, although his recent goal drought has caused some concern. He'll be action on Sunday when Roberto De Zerbi's side visit Montpellier.
Nearly every Nottingham Forest fan will know the troubles the club have had filling the left-back position in recent years.
From Brazilian international Renan Lodi to fan favourites such as Yuri Ribiero and disaster signings like Dan Harding, the club have had it all when it comes to that role.
Fast-forward to 2024, the Reds have Harry Toffolo and Ola Aina as their only senior options, with the latter featuring out of position due to Neco Williams‘ excellent form at City Ground.
The Welshman won three consecutive Player of the Month awards during the 2023/24 season, which saw Nigerian, Aina having to play on the left-hand side of Nuno Espírito Santo’s defence, but not looking out of place in the process.
However, with the summer transfer window just weeks away Forest may be tempted to strengthen their squad once more, whilst being mindful of their current PSR situation.
A left-back may be high up on Nuno’s shopping list this summer, with his side already being linked with one talent who would undoubtedly improve defensively and in transition.
Nottingham Forest should reignite interest in talented full-back
In recent weeks, French outlet L’Equipe confirmed that Forest were rivalling Ligue 1 side Lille for the signature of left-back Bradley Locko.
Bradley Locko for Brest.
The 22-year-old, who plies his trade for Stade Brestois, enjoyed an excellent 2023/24 campaign featuring 33 times in the league and starting 97% of their outings that season.
Locko managed to contribute with three assists in Ligue 1, subsequently being included in The Athletic’s Team of the Season – alongside teammate Pierre Lees-Melou.
However, the Reds aren’t alone in their pursuit of the £17m-rated Frenchman, with fellow Premier League sides Manchester United and Chelsea also credited with an interest in the talented full-back.
Whilst it’s unclear whether Nuno’s side are still actively trying to sign Locko, they must ramp up the efforts for the Brest left-back, with the youngster having the ability to allow one Forest player to rapidly progress on Trentside.
Why Locko could take Callum Hudson-Odoi to the next level
As demonstrated this season, winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has found his feet once again in the Premier League following his £3m transfer from Chelsea.
Nottingham Forest player Callum Hudson-Odoi
The 23-year-old moved to the City Ground last summer in a bid to reignite his career after a stop-start spell at Stamford Bridge because of various injuries and lack of form.
The Reds’ number 14 featured 29 times in the league during 2023/24, scoring eight goals, making him the club’s second top goalscorer behind striker Chris Wood.
Despite Hudson-Odoi’s excellent form, the signing of Locko this window would allow the forward to reach the next level and potentially increase his attacking output.
The Frenchman has excelled defensively in France this season winning three tackles per 90, whilst also achieving a tally of 1.2 interceptions per game.
However, he’s just as impressive with the ball at his feet, with Locko able to quickly transition and create opportunities for attackers in transition – a real key feature of Nuno’s system at Forest.
Games
33
Pass accuracy
83%
Progressive passes
4
Progressive carries
2.6
Successful take-ons
1.7
Tackles
3
Interceptions
1.2
The “monster” 22-year-old, as described by one scout, boasts an 83% pass completion rate, averaging four progressive passes but also averaging 1.7 successful take-ons in the process, demonstrating his ability to drive forward with the ball.
Given the current PSR situation on Trentside, the Reds will have to conduct shrewd business if they are to improve their squad during the off-season.
However, Locko has demonstrated excellent abilities that would undoubtedly bolster the left-back position and improve Hudson-Odoi’s chances of creating opportunities in the attacking third tenfold.
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