All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Glasgow Rangers have had their fair share of impressive loan signings over the past few years.

Last season, Abdallah Sima was excellent. After joining on a season-long loan deal from Brighton, he proceeded to score 16 goals across 40 matches for the Ibrox side, winning the League Cup in the process.

The season before that, Malik Tillman was the club’s standout loan performer. The American starlet showed plenty of promise at Bayern Munich, while he registered 17 goal involvements in 43 matches at Rangers.

Given how well the pair performed, there was next to no chance of the Gers securing them on permanent deals.

Ryan Kent, Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis did all make the move to Glasgow after shining on temporary deals, with all three contributing towards the club’s 55th title in 2020/21.

This season, Vaclav Cerny has impressed during his loan spell. The Czech winger made the move to Scotland from Wolfsburg and while it took him a few weeks to settle in, he has shown his true qualities in large spells.

Will the Ibrox side before able to afford a permanent deal? That much remains to be seen.

Vaclav Cerny's future at Rangers

At the time of writing, Cerny has played a total of 49 competitive matches for Rangers, scoring 17 goals and recording seven assists.

Among the squad, he trails only Cyriel Dessers with regard to total goal involvements (24) and it is evident that the former Ajax starlet has been one of the better signings made by the club last summer.

It was in the Europa League where the 27-year-old truly demonstrated his talents. Not only did the winger net six goals from 12 matches, but he also created three big chances, averaged 1.2 key passes and succeeded with 2.2 dribbles – a success rate of 57% – per game in the competition.

It was enough to lead Rangers to the quarter-finals, although they succumbed to Athletic Club.

The Light Blues do not have an option to buy clause for the Czech star in their current loan agreement, which could make it difficult to seal a permanent deal.

Wolfsburg paid £8m to sign Cerny in the summer of 2023 and the German side will likely be aiming to recoup the majority of this fee should they sell him.

Goals

11

Assists

2

Big chances created

6

Key passes per game

2.4

Successful dribbles per game

1.4

Shots per game

2.8

Reports in Turkey claim that Besikas are reportedly keen on making a move for the player when the transfer window opens. He is part of a three-man shortlist and the Turkish outfit certainly have the funds to seal a deal for him in the next few weeks.

While he would make for a solid signing, especially given his form for the club throughout 2024/25, Rangers don’t want to be breaking the bank for just one player.

As such, could the Light Blues target another winger who wont cost nearly as much this summer? Forgetting Cerny in the process.

Rangers search for a new winger

Signing a winger or two this summer should be top of the priority list for the new manager. Of course, his budget will be determined by just how much money the 49ers Enterprises will make available.

According to Africa Foot – as reported earlier this month – Rangers are keen on signing Moussa Djenepo and have reportedly approached him regarding a potential move to Glasgow this summer.

The Standard Liege winger has spent the season on loan at Turkish side Antalyaspor, but the report says he doesn’t want to spend another campaign in the country.

This could open the door for the Ibrox side to make their move, especially as he would only cost a fee in the region of €2m (£1.7m), as this is his release clause.

Aged 26, he might not be one of the youngest members of the squad should he join Rangers, but the winger is approaching his peak years.

Why Rangers should sign Moussa Djenepo

Every African forward at one stage or another wanted to follow in the footsteps of Sadio Mané, who won the Premier League and Champions League for Liverpool.

Speaking in 2020, Djenepo said: “Sadio is a big inspiration for me. I like him, he’s a very big player. But I think I can be better if I work hard. Sadio is a very big player and I’m young and I need to learn more.

“In the future we will see. I will do my best to become the next Sadio Mane.”

He might not have reached those heights (yet), but the Mali international has done rather well for himself of late.

Indeed, the 26-year-old did make the move to Southampton, a club where Mane enjoyed plenty of success, going on to make 73 Premier League appearances at the Saints.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

He may have only registered seven goal contributions in the English top flight, but the experience has helped him become a better player.

His dribbling skills have been on display in the Turkish Süper Lig this term. He averages 2.1 successful dribbles per game – a success rate of 55% – and this is the second-best average in the entire league.

Furthermore, in the Belgian Pro League last season, the £1.7m dynamo registered excellent statistics in the final third.

When compared to his positional peers, the winger ranked in the top 1% for successful take-ons (2.96) and progressive passes received (8.87) and in the top 6% for touches in the opposition penalty area (3.74) per 90 throughout the whole campaign.

He might not have Mane’s eye for goal, but Djenepo is a major threat in the final third, being able to successfully beat his man on a regular basis.

Add in the fact he is capable of making runs into the opposition penalty area, he certainly displays some of Mane’s traits, that’s for sure.

What the Light Blues need is a winger just like him, particularly if Cerny does not stay put permanently. The goals will come, but having a player able to take on their opponent and get into the box is a must for the club next season.

Enter Djenepo.

Rangers may join race for exciting coach who learned trade at Bayern Munich

He’s set to leave his current club.

ByTom Cunningham May 9, 2025

Chelsea reached the final of the Conference League courtesy of a 5-1 aggregate victory over Swedish side Djurgarden in midweek.

Ending the season with a trophy could be a catalyst for the Blues to improve even further in 2025/26.

Enzo Maresca will be determined to succeed, but even more importantly, is the fact that he has blooded several youngsters into the team, notably Tyrique George.

With the summer transfer window opening in a few weeks, might the Italian be aiming to sign another talented forward?

Chelsea plot move for Borussia Dortmund starlet

According to reports, the Blues have earmarked Dortmund starlet Jamie Bynoe-Gittens as a player under serious consideration this summer.

The Stamford Bridge side are currently in contact with the Englishman regarding a potential deal and if they secure Champions League qualification, it could help their cause massively.

Previously valued at €100m (£85m), Gittens’ asking price has now dropped to ‘just’ €50m (£42m) as he doesn’t fit the system of Niko Kovač, which could open the door for Chelsea to make their move.

If they did bring the youngster to London, they would be signing one of the most talented wingers in Germany.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

He is certainly a bigger talent than George. That’s for sure.

Why Chelsea must sign Jamie Gittens

Since making his senior debut for the Blues earlier this season, the 19-year-old has now racked up 23 appearances in all competitions.

Not one to be fazed by performing at the highest level, the teenager has scored twice and chipped in with five assists, helping the club reach yet another European final.

He will only continue to get better, especially if Maresca keeps utilising him in this Chelsea squad. Signing Gittens, however, would perhaps take the club to the next level.

Making his debut for Dortmund all the way back during the 2021/22 season, Gittens has made over 100 appearances for the club. A total of 31 goal contributions have been recorded in this time as he has emerged as a player to watch out for in the coming years.

Goals

8

Assists

3

Big chances created

6

Key passes per game

0.7

Successful dribbles per game

2.6

Shots per game

1.7

Hailed as a “wonderkid” by Statman Dave in November 2023, Gittens has the talent to follow in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham, who both made huge moves abroad after shining in Germany.

Despite his tender years, he is already playing like an experienced winger. Indeed, when compared to positional peers, Gittens currently ranks in the top 8% for progressive carries (5.55) and in the top 1% for successful take-ons (3.62) per 90 over the previous 365 days.

This ability to advance the ball into dangerous areas while being able to beat his marker could give Maresca something extra in the final third next season.

George’s emergence from academy starlet to first-team regular shows that the club aren’t going to be totally reliant on the transfer market.

But when a talent like Gittens is available, it would be foolish not to try and sign him. Especially for a fee of £42m.

Eden Hazard 2.0: Chelsea make contact to sign £64m "difference-maker"

Chelsea have reportedly made contact over a deal to sign a star who could be Eden Hazard 2.0.

ByDan Emery May 10, 2025

Liverpool’s attack has caught the eye throughout 2024/25, leading them to the success they’ve endured in the Premier League throughout Arne Slot’s debut campaign.

Mohamed Salah has undoubtedly been the Reds’ shining light within the final third, registering 33 goals and 23 assists in his 48 appearances across all competitions.

The Egyptian has catapulted the side to the summit of the division, with his contract extension a huge boost to their ambitions of replicating such success next campaign.

However, if they are to reach such levels once again, Slot will undoubtedly want to bolster his ranks to provide key depth in forward areas of the pitch.

With the summer window rapidly approaching, the hierarchy have already wasted no time in laying the foundations for an overhaul, with incomings and outgoings expected.

An update on Liverpool’s attacking department this summer

Darwin Núñez has ultimately failed to deliver in the final third for Liverpool this season, registering just seven goals in his 42 appearances across all competitions.

Such form has led to doubts over his future at Anfield, with the Reds willing to offload him for £35m this summer as Atlético Madrid ponder a move for his signature.

A sale would leave a huge hole at the top end of the pitch, but such a void could be filled by West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen if reports in Spain are to be believed.

The 28-year-old has been made a priority signing this summer, with the report stating that the Reds are readying themselves for an offer amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

His record of 10 goals and seven assists in 2024/25 has led to huge interest from the Merseyside outfit, but they would have to fork out £50m should they want to secure his signature.

The report concludes by suggesting the Reds have actually ‘already taken the first step toward securing.’

Why Liverpool’s £50m target is the dream Isak alternative

Given their hunt for a new talisman this summer, it’s no surprise that Newcastle United’s star man, Alexander Isak being linked with a move to Anfield after his own exploits in the final third throughout the ongoing season.

The Swede has notched 22 league goals to date, with only Salah scoring more in the division, but given his goalscoring record, any deal would set the hierarchy back a pretty penny.

It has previously been reported that the Magpies would demand a fee in the region of £150m to part ways with the 25-year-old this summer – a figure that may be out of Slot’s range.

Such a valuation could see other targets considered within the coming months, leading to a potential move for Hammers star Bowen, who could provide the goods on a consistent basis.

When comparing the pair’s respective figures from 2024/25, Bowen has managed to match or outperform the Magpies star in numerous key areas – showcasing why he would be the perfect alternative should they be priced out of a move for Isak.

The 28-year-old, who’s been labelled “one of the best signings in West Ham’s modern history” by TNT Sports commentator Adam Summerton, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has notched a higher shot-on-target rate – showcasing his clinical nature in attacking areas.

The former Hull City ace has also managed more progressive carries and progressive passes, offering Slot a much better all-round option in forward areas than Isak.

Games played

30

31

Goals & assists

16

28

Shot-on-target accuracy

43%

42%

Progressive carries

3.3

2.7

Progressive passes

2.9

2.6

Shot-creating actions

3.5

3

Take-ons attempted

3.9

3.1

Fouls won

1.6

0.4

His talents don’t stop there, with the “unplayable” winger – in the words of Thomas Frank – attempting more take-ons along with more fouls won, with his nimble and energetic playstyle a real danger for opposition defenders.

Whilst the Swede will undoubtedly remain the supporters’ number one option, a deal for Bowen would be a sensational one, allowing for other investment throughout the squad.

£50m for a player of his quality in today’s market is a bargain, allowing the side to forget about Nunez and Isak, subsequently allowing them to make another stride for Premier League glory in 2025/26.

Slot's answer to Coutinho: Liverpool frontrunners to sign £50m "magician"

Liverpool are planning to make a sweep of exciting signings this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 29, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur face Nottingham Forest tonight, looking to build on their tremendous victory in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night.

Ange Postecoglou’s side booked their place in the semi-finals, setting up a clash with Norwegian outfit Bodo Glimt, with the majority of their attention on such a fixture.

However, the Lilywhites will look to end their Premier League campaign on a high, in what has been a hugely disappointing one by their usual high standards.

They have the opportunity to dent Forest’s ambitions of securing a Champions League place, led by former boss Nuno Espírito Santo, who was sacked in North London after just 17 games in all competitions.

If Ange’s side are to claim all three points this evening, he will have to drop one player who’s failed to deliver when handed the opportunity from the start in recent weeks.

Why Ange should drop Johnson against Nottingham Forest

Welsh winger Brennan Johnson has failed to match his early-season form, which saw him register a goal in six consecutive games across all competitions.

The 23-year-old has only found the back of the net twice since the end of February, with his showing against Frankfurt in midweek certainly one to forget despite the victory.

He featured for 85 minutes of the contest, completing just 69% of the passes he attempted, whilst winning just two of the six duels he entered – often being dominated in the final third.

His total of just 22 touches, an average of one every 3.8 minutes, showcased his lack of impact when on the ball, needing to be replaced as a result of his poor showing.

With little to nothing left to play for other than pride in the league, Ange could take the clash with the Reds to experiment with his first-team, potentially handing a rare start to one other first-team member.

The player who Ange must start against Nottingham Forest

Injuries have massively plagued Ange throughout the majority of this season, hugely preventing any chance of rising up the table – having to often utilise players out of position.

The likes of Archie Gray and Ben Davies have often had to fill the void at the heart of the defence, with numerous forwards missing, leaving Johnson with very little competition in the process.

Wilson Odobert is just one player who’s spent an extended period on the sidelines throughout 2024/25, restricting him from making an impact after his £25m move from Burnley last summer.

The Frenchman has only featured in 14 games across all competitions, most of which have come from the substitutes bench, but it hasn’t prevented him from making a huge impact.

In one of his most recent starts for the Lilywhites, he scored twice in the Europa League triumph over AZ Alkmaar – only making one start since his impressive showing nearly six weeks ago.

Whilst he was an unused substitute in the win on Thursday night, it could be an opportunity for Postecoglou to shuffle his pack and hand the 20-year-old just his sixth league start.

He’s completed 1.8 dribbles per 90 in the league to date, whilst also registering the same amount of efforts on goal, having the attacking threat to add to the front line.

Games played

10

Minutes played

448

Pass accuracy

86%

Successful dribbles

1.8

Shots taken

1.8

Duels won

4.3

Touches in opposition box

5.8

Odobert, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by Jacob Horsfall, has the drive and threat with the ball at his feet that could cause the opposition backline no end of trouble tonight.

It’s the perfect opportunity for the youngster to impress, potentially staking his claim for a starting role in the Europa League, having a massive part to play in their quest for a first trophy since 2008.

Spurs have found their modern Mousa Dembele in Ange's "serious player"

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2 ByBen Gray Apr 20, 2025

With the 49ers set to complete a takeover of Rangers, Ibrox legend Ally McCoist has had his say on what they must change when they officially arrive amid rumours of a £25m transfer kitty.

McCoist tells new Rangers owners to hire sporting director

Following a disastrous campaign in the Scottish Premiership, in which they sit a world away from runaway leaders Celtic, Rangers must get things right on all fronts as the 49ers arrive for their first summer in charge. The new owners will be desperate to translate the Gers’ impressive European form into domestic victories next season in an attempt to bridge a growing gap on their Old Firm rivals.

Those at Ibrox have enjoyed contrasting form in the Europa League and enjoyed yet another moment to remember against Athletic Bilbao when Liam Kelly saved substitute Alex Berenguer’s penalty to help the 10-men of Rangers hold into a draw after Robin Propper’s early red card.

Before Rangers can enjoy such nights again in the Scottish Premiership, however, McCoist believes that the 49ers need to make one crucial change when they arrive.

Asked by Football FanCast how 49ers Enterpises can close the gap to Celtic after rumours of a £25m summer war-chest, McCoist said: “The first thing they have to do is clearly appoint somebody that they’re going to trust with potential finances. I would rather see them take their time if I’m to be brutally honest. I’d rather see hopefully new owners come in with a business plan, because it’s not gonna be an overnight fix. There’s no chance.”

As bad as Propper: Ferguson must axe Rangers dud who made just 4 passes

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ByBen Gray Apr 11, 2025

The Rangers legend went on to say: “Although changes are needed at Rangers, and some big ones, I don’t see them making them all at once. I see them coming in, taking their time, having a business plan, appointing someone and moving the club forward gradually.

“I think that’s a far better idea than just going out and spending money willy-nilly on four or five players. I think there has to be a business plan, you’ve gotta build and take it from there – a steady improvement all of the time.”

49ers must nail double appointment this summer

The frustration around Rangers is certainly justified and McCoist has been among those disappointed by just how far the Gers have fallen this season, from Philippe Clement’s reign to Barry Ferguson’s spell as interim manager.

Expressing that disappointment, McCoist said: “The disappointing thing for me has been the dramatic decline since they were a penalty kick away from winning the Europa League. It’s just went south very very quickly for whatever reasons. But I don’t think it’s gonna be an overnight fix. I just hope that the new owners can come in.”

Whilst their European exploits have remained, Rangers desperately need a long-term vision if they are to dethrone Celtic once again in the Scottish Premiership, and that all starts with getting the right men in the sporting director seat and in the dugout this summer.

Newcastle United have Bayer Leverkusen to overcome this week in the Champions League, but there’s a far more tantalising fixture sticking out across the busy December period.

The Premier League’s first Tyne-Wear showdown since 2016 arrives on the calendar next weekend, with Sunderland’s electric start out of the blocks in the top-flight this season no doubt ramping up the nerves on the end of the Magpies.

Eddie Howe will also be fearful of a loss when you consider Newcastle have lost their last four meetings in this tense rivalry, with Leverkusen in midweek the perfect opportunity to collect a confidence-boosting victory, before facing off against Regis Le Bris’ tricky Black Cats.

In particular, Howe will hope he sees a lot more from the likes of Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga at the BayArena, with both high-profile summer recruits failing to settle so far on Tyneside.

The numbers behind Wissa & Elanga at Newcastle

£250m in total was forked out on summer signings at St James’ Park, with £110m of that excessive spending landing both Wissa and Elanga.

There was a method behind Newcastle’s madness here, with the former Brentford man and the Swedish winger amassing a stunning 41 goal contributions between them last season in the Premier League.

Unfortunately for the £55m striker, though, he has only lined up for a paltry 16 minutes in Toon black and white so far, with his first appearance for the club coming last time out against Burnley, 96 days on from him signing on the dotted line.

He is far from a lost cause, however, with a hope he can add to his 45 Premier League goals shortly with sustained time in the first team, as he potentially prepares to start versus Leverkusen. If he doesn’t get up and running soon, with his hefty £140k-per-week salary also added to the equation, he will definitely be dismissed as a rash waste of money.

Elanga doesn’t have a troubling injury record to fall back on when it comes to his critics, with just two assists and no goals next to his name from 22 appearances on Tyneside, making his £55m price tag already feel extremely extortionate.

Still, there will also be a hope in the air that the £100k-per-week forward is simply a work in progress, having previously shone with Nottingham Forest, away from negative labels coming his way that he is a “massive overpay” in the words of Raj Chohan.

Staggeringly, despite £110m being dropped on the underwhelming duo in question, they’re not deemed as big a waste of money as this other high earner, who Howe must now swiftly axe ahead of key games to come in December.

Howe must now drop £120k-per-week Newcastle man

At least with Wissa and Elanga, Howe and Co would have known they were paying a premium price for talents who were consistent top performers in the Premier League.

In the case of Jacob Ramsey, though, £43m was forked out on a star who had a rollercoaster stay at Aston Villa, having only collected a mediocre eight goal contributions across his final two top-flight seasons in the West Midlands, leading to him falling out of Unai Emery’s first team plans.

Ramsey’s flashes of brilliance at his hometown club did see journalist Charles Watts once herald him as a “special” talent for the future, but eyebrows would have been rightly raised when the £43m move was finalised, with his £120k-per-week wage also making him an immediate higher earner than St James Park stalwarts such as Dan Burn, who pockets £70k-per-week, on the contrary.

In the here and now, too, it feels like an awfully long time ago since the 24-year-old was generating lots of hype at Villa Park, with a rare first-team start against Burnley last time out seeing Ramsey look rather timid.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

73

Shots

1

Accurate passes

56/60 (93%)

Accurate crosses

0/1

Key passes

1

Successful dribbles

1/2

Penalties given away

1

Indeed, it doesn’t make for pretty reading on Ramsey’s end, with the 24-year-old’s general game going down as largely uneventful, until he gave away an unnecessary penalty via a handball, with only one shot, one key pass, and one accurate dribble registered.

With no goals or assists next to his name from 11 clashes, it isn’t the wildest shout to suggest he’s a bigger waste of money than both Wissa and Elanga, with Wissa needing more time to acclimatise, while Elanga at least has two assists to cling onto and showed what a dangerous talent he can be last season..

Moreover, with both Joe Willock and Lewis Miley also at Howe’s disposal in midfield in the reserve ranks, there doesn’t seem to be a long-standing space for the ex-Villa man in his starting XI, as the forgettable number 41 likely just turns into an expensive background figure that can’t be redeemed.

The new Anderson: Newcastle could see £13m bid accepted to sign "special" star

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ByKelan Sarson 4 days ago

An EFL expert has been left “pretty surprised” at a Southampton manager claim he has heard from St Mary’s.

Southampton manager latest on Tonda Eckert

After parting ways with Will Still at the beginning of November, Sport Republic have been on the hunt for a new permanent Saints boss.

However, no manager has arrived in the two weeks since Still’s sacking, with interim boss Tonda Eckert recording successive Championship wins over QPR and Sheffield Wednesday.

Eckert has already come in for praise from Southampton star Finn Azaz, and as time has gone on, there has been more speculation over the 32-year-old landing the job on a full-time basis.

There have been claims that Eckert is set to be given the Southampton job permanently, whereas reports elsewhere have claimed he will get the next three Championship fixtures to increase his chances of landing the role.

Southampton’s next 3 Championship fixtures

Date

Charlton Athletic vs Southampton

22nd November

Southampton vs Leicester City

25th November

Millwall vs Southampton

29th November

Meanwhile, Southampton fan pundit Ray Hunt stated that supporters “want to see an experienced manager” come in.

“Sport Republic have appointed five permanent mangers in their three full seasons in charge. During that period, they have overseen two relegations from the Premier League, and one promotion with their only success, Russell Martin, but failed to give him the tools needed to succeed in the top flight.

“Moving forward, fans will want to see an experienced manager, who’s widely respected with a clear structure. We cannot repeat mistakes from the past. It is a huge task they simply have to get right. Take your time, give Tonda time in that interim, but ultimately make the right decision. The fans won’t tolerate another failure.”

Sport Republic appointing Eckert on a full-time basis would get pundits and fans talking, and it has already done just that.

Expert reacts to Southampton claim on appointing Eckert

Reacting to reports of Southampton looking set to give Eckert the permanent job, EFL expert George Elek admitted to the Not The Top 20 Podcast that he would be “pretty surprised” if that materialises.

Eckert, who plays a 3-4-2-1 system, is on course to be in the dugout at The Valley unless something drastic happens, and he’s already surpassed Still in winning back-to-back second tier games.

Their own Clement: Southampton could hire "world-class" Eckert replacement

While it’s not been smooth sailing this season, Chelsea are looking good at the moment.

Enzo Maresca’s side are third in the Premier League and, despite dealing with numerous injuries, are just six points behind first-place Arsenal.

Moreover, while some of the summer signings are still taking their time to bed in, the more established players have stepped up, with Moises Caicedo once again showing why he’s one of the best in the world.

So, fans should be delighted with reports linking them to another midfield monster who could be another Caicedo-type signing.

Chelsea target another Moises Caicedo

It’s no secret that Chelsea like to spend when it comes to transfers, and they’ve already been linked with a plethora of exciting talents ahead of the winter window.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

For example, stories touting Real Madrid’s Rodrygo for a move to Stamford Bridge have resurfaced recently.

Another player from Spain who is reportedly a target for the Blues is former Manchester City star Julian Alvarez, who has been exceptional for Atlético Madrid, but as a result, could cost an arm and a leg.

However, while both La Liga stars would improve Marsca’s side, neither one can be described as a Caicedo-type signing, unlike Adam Wharton.

Yes, according to recent reports from Spain, Chelsea have maintained their strong interest in the Crystal Palace star ahead of the winter window.

In fact, the report goes further, claiming that the West Londoners are now leading the race for his signature, a signature that could cost them as much as £100m per other reports from the summer.

It would be a lot to spend on someone so young, but Wharton’s ability alone means it would be worth it, especially as he would be a Cacideo-type signing.

Why Wharton would be another Caicedo

Now, while there are obviously differences between them, there are a few reasons why Wharton could be another Caicedo-esque signing for Chelsea, either in January or the summer.

The first is that, like with the Ecuadorian, it would be another example of the Blues going in and putting a big offer on the table for one of the best midfielders in the Premier League who isn’t at a ‘big six’ side.

That might sound hyperbolic, but since moving to Selhurst Park, the Englishman has been sensational, and his underlying numbers prove as much.

xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals

0.30

Top 1%

GCA (Dead-ball Pass)

0.13

Top 2%

Key Passes

2.07

Top 4%

Through Balls

0.58

Top 5%

xA: Expected Assists

0.22

Top 6%

Inswinging Corner Kicks

1.29

Top 7%

SCA (Dead-ball Pass)

0.97

Top 7%

npxG + xAG

0.32

Top 10%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.75

Top 10%

Crosses into Penalty Area

0.26

Top 13%

SCA (Live-ball Pass)

2.52

Top 14%

SCA (Take-On)

0.13

Top 17%

Goal-Creating Actions

0.39

Top 17%

Crosses

2.78

Top 18%

For example, FBref rank the “generational” ace, as dubbed by Matthew Stanger, in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assisted goals, the top 4% for key passes, the top 5% for through balls, the top10% for shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Moreover, he’s putting up numbers like that at just 21 years old in a team that’ll likely finish mid-table come May.

Therefore, were he to join Maresca’s side, then he could develop in a similar way to Caicedo and go from an exceptional talent to one of the very best players in the entire league.

Finally, just like Pensioner’s number 25, the former Blackburn Rovers gem is someone who can do the dirty work in defence, but is just as capable of running things in the middle of the park, whether through silky passes or ball-carrying.

Ultimately, it would not be cheap, but Chelsea should do what they can to sign Wharton as soon as possible, as he could be another Caicedo for them.

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 13, 2025

Arsenal are now looking to get ahead in the race to sign Levante striker Karl Etta Eyong, amid widespread interest from some top Premier League clubs.

The Gunners made it nine wins on the bounce in all competitions on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of a 2-0 victory at Burnley, with their backline once again looking very strong, limiting the Clarets to an xG of just 0.41.

Goals from Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres secured all three points, with the latter bagging his first Premier League goal since September, displaying his striker’s instincts by nodding home from close range.

Mikel Arteta is very well-stocked in attacking areas on paper, although Gabriel Jesus has suffered persistent injury issues and Kai Havertz has featured just once in the Premier League this season due to a knee problem.

As such, it could make sense to bring in a new striker to compete for Gyokeres’ starting spot, and the north Londoners are now looking to sign a highly-rated young forward.

Arsenal looking to get ahead in Etta Eyong race

According to a report from Spain, Arsenal are now looking to get ahead in the race to sign Levante striker Etta Eyong, who is being targeted by a number of the Premier League’s top clubs, with Manchester City and Manchester United also keen.

Signing a new striker isn’t a priority for the Gunners, but the 22-year-old is of interest, and a release clause of around just €40m (£35m) means he would be an affordable option.

Ideally, however, the forward would prefer to play in La Liga, so it remains to be seen whether the interested English clubs are able to tempt him into a move.

Stan Kroenke & co clearly mean business, having set out to sign another striker, despite Arteta already having the likes of Gyokeres, Havertz and Jesus to choose from.

With Arsenal looking to compete on all fronts, however, it makes sense to have squad depth, and the Levante star could be an exciting addition, having been lauded as “powerful” by journalist Kai Watson.

The Cameroonian has certainly hit the ground running at Levante since arriving from Villarreal in the summer, scoring five goals in his opening seven games for the La Liga side, while he also has three assists to his name this season.

There are question marks over whether Etta Eyong would be a necessary signing, but he is showing very promising signs in La Liga, and £35m would be a reasonable fee.

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