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Marcus Rashford has reportedly rejected three massive offers from Saudi Arabia amid his struggles at Manchester United.

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Rashford looking for a fresh challengeSaudi clubs were linked to the forwardForward has rejected all approachesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

It has been reported that United are open to letting Rashford leave following his recent omission from the squad by new head coach Ruben Amorim. Despite the club’s willingness to entertain offers, Rashford, 27, is clear about his priorities. He has expressed interest only in joining a club and league that offers a competitive environment, which is essential for him to revive his international career and return to England’s squad under Thomas Tuchel.

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According to theRashford has reportedly rejected three significant offers from Saudi Pro League clubs, which would have far exceeded his current £315,000-a-week salary and could be even £35 million ($43m) a year. He has also ruled out a potential move to Turkey. These decisions highlight Rashford’s focus on maintaining his competitive edge and regaining his spot in the national team when Tuchel names his first squad as manager of the Three Lions. His last England appearance came in a friendly against Brazil in March but he was subsequently excluded from the squad for Euro 2024 by erstwhile manager Gareth Southgate.

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United are prepared to listen to offers for Rashford this month as part of efforts to comply with profit and sustainability rules. The club would also consider a loan arrangement, provided the receiving club agrees to pay a fee and cover most of Rashford’s wages. It has also been suggested that Rashford’s brothers, Dwaine Maynard and Dane Rashford, who serve as his representatives, will only entertain offers that align with the player’s ambitions. Any potential deal must benefit Rashford’s long-term career prospects, making it a critical period for all parties involved.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

Rashford has not featured in United’s last five games, having been dropped following his performance in the Manchester derby last month. Although he was named as a substitute in United’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle earlier this week, he remained unused, further fuelling uncertainty about his role under Amorim. United face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, and it remains uncertain whether Rashford will be included in the squad. It will be a tough decision for Amorim as he has scored seven goals against the Merseyside side – the most he has scored against any Premier League club.

The tour starts with three ODIs in Rawalpindi on September 17 and culminates with five T20Is in Lahore.

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Aug-2021Pakistan’s efforts to bring cricket back home continues in full swing as they prepare to host New Zealand for a limited-overs series in September. It will be the first time the Black Caps will tour the country since November 2003. They will play three ODIs in Rawalpindi and five T20Is in Lahore.Cricket in Pakistan has been a sporadic occurrence ever since the 2009 attacks. But the PCB has been making great strides to change that in recent times. Their premier T20 tournament, the PSL, now takes place exclusively at home and has been used as a vehicle to convince foreign players that it is safe to tour the country. Luke Ronchi, the current New Zealand batting coach for example, was a regular at the PSL and even went on to win the tournament with Islamabad United.ESPNcricinfo LtdNew Zealand’s players are also regulars at the Indian Premier League, whose second leg begins on September 19 and as a result will be clashing with this limited-overs series. Kane Williamson leads the Sunrisers Hyderabad team, Trent Boult is a key member of the defending champions Mumbai Indians and rookie sensation Kyle Jamieson is usually a regular at Royal Challengers Bangalore. Given the remainder of this year’s IPL takes place in the UAE, which will also host the T20 World Cup, the New Zealand hierarchy will have a choice to make over where to send their first-choice picks.Even so, Pakistan will enjoy the fact that another top-tier team has decided to tour them after successful visits from South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. They are also preparing for Australia’s arrival in 2022 and have made a bid to host ICC events in the 2024-2031 cycle.”I am pleased New Zealand Cricket has accepted our offer to play two additional Twenty20 Internationals,” PCB chief executive Wasim Khan said in a press release. “These will not only provide extra games to both the countries as part of their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup preparations, but will also allow New Zealand players to spend extra days in Pakistan, familiarise with our culture and enjoy our hospitality.”With leading cricket playing countries resuming their tours to Pakistan in 2019, I remain confident and optimistic that the 2021-22 season starting with the series against New Zealand will prove to be a catalyst in rejuvenating our talented youngsters while attracting new fans to the game that has the most passionate following in the country.”

Nottingham Forest could be about to sign a free agent who ranked in the top 20% in all seven of the major defensive metrics last season – the only player in world football to do so.

The Reds continued their impressive start to the new Premier League season by pulling off a shock 1-0 win against Liverpool at Anfield this past weekend, a result that continues their unbeaten run.

Nottingham Forest star now set to miss next 11 games after injury update

He’ll be a big miss for Forest…

ByTom Cunningham Sep 16, 2024 Man City interested in Morgan Gibbs-White

Forest’s start to the season is bound to gather attention, as they are unbeaten in their opening four games of the league season and their players are performing at a very high level. One player who is really impressing and has been for some time now is Morgan Gibbs-White, as he’s continued his fine form from last season into the new campaign. The 24-year-old has scored one goal in four league games, and he has been rewarded with a call-up to the England squad earlier this month, making his debut in the break.

But unfortunately for Nottingham Forest, this may be costly, as it is now being reported that Manchester City are keeping a close eye on Gibbs-White. The report states that the Blues have been compiling a detailed dossier on the midfielder after his impressive performances, and the club’s scouting network are said to be huge admirers.

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But while City have their eye on Gibbs-White, the Reds are planning to do some transfer business of their own as they weigh up a move for a free agent.

Free agent defender may join Nottingham Forest

According to HITC, Nottingham Forest are among the teams interested in signing free agent Oumar Solet. The 24-year-old was in the final year of his contract at Red Bull Salzburg, but the Austrian side decided to part ways with the player on Saturday and terminate his contract.

Solet had been with Salzburg since 2020 and was an important figure in the club’s recent success, winning three league titles in four seasons, and he now finds himself without a club but not short of interest. The defender is being eyed by Forest, Aston Villa, Wolves, and West Ham, while there are also teams from around Europe such as Marseille and AC Milan looking at the player.

The 24-year-old was ranked in the top 20% in the top seven major defensive metrics last season; he stood in the 98th percentile for passes completed, 97th for progressive passes, 96th for progressive runs, 89th for aerial win rate and 88th for defensive duel win rate. Furthermore, he was ranked 83rd percentile for defensive actions and 82nd for forward passe rate.

Given those numbers, he may not have to wait long to find his next side. Forest already have Murillo, Morato and Nikola Milenkovic as their first choice trio, but it appears as though Nuno Espírito Santo may want to add one more depth piece in that area of the pitch as they try to continue their solid start to the season.

Marchant de Lange returns to Somerset as Wahab Riaz links up with Trent Rockets

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Aug-2021Paul Stirling, the Ireland batter, will replace New Zealand’s Devon Conway at Southern Brave, and the availability of Wahab Riaz, the Pakistan quick, for the Trent Rockets means their South African recruit Marchant de Lange will leave the men’s Hundred after four matches and return to Somerset for their Royal London One-Day Cup campaign.Conway, also a Somerset man and one of the more prominent newcomers at the international stage, had a steady run with Brave in the Hundred, getting starts on each occasion. He had scores of 18, 23, 34 and 22 for a tally of 97 runs, scored at a strike rate of 112.79. But in that last game, against London Spirit at Lord’s, Conway took a blow from a Blake Cullen delivery in the fingers of his left hand very early in his innings, and while he finished his innings, he didn’t come out to field.Stirling, the veteran batter, wasn’t at his best when he turned out for Ireland during South Africa’s visit in July for a set of ODIs and T20Is, but brings with him a wealth of experience. Not to forget the exceptional form he was in earlier this year in Abu Dhabi, when he scored ODI centuries against UAE and Afghanistan.de Lange, meanwhile, was one of the bowling stars of the competition, the joint-leading wicket-taker after the first 17 matches with eight wickets, the same as Northern Superchargers’ Adil Rashid and the Rockets’ Rashid Khan.But the Rockets will welcome back their original pick, Riaz, whose participation in the Hundred had been delayed after he reached the UK because of an issue with his visa – he didn’t have a valid work permit – which forced him to fly home, sort it out, and then return to link up with his team. He has completed his mandatory quarantine on his return to the UK, and is available for the Rockets’ next fixture, against Welsh Fire on Friday in Cardiff.The Rockets have had the better time of it at the tournament so far, three wins in four outings giving them a top-of-the-table spot with six points, while Brave are in the other half of the eight-team table, down at seventh place with four points from four games, only above Spirit.

GOAL takes a look at the ultimate FA Cup giant-killings…

The FA Cup holds the distinction of being the oldest national football tournament globally, with its inaugural edition dating back to 1871. This historic annual knockout competition is renowned for its unpredictable nature, offering lower-tier teams the rare chance to clash with English football's elite.

Famed for producing thrilling "giant-killings" and memorable upsets, the FA Cup captures the essence of the underdog spirit. It's a competition that unites clubs from every tier of the football pyramid, creating moments where minnows take on titans—and occasionally topple them. The allure of these "cupsets" forms an integral part of the tournament's mystique and the cultural fabric of English football.

For many fans, the beauty of the FA Cup lies in its raw unpredictability. Unlike seeded or bracketed tournaments, this competition has been played every year since 1871 with an open draw, leading to David-vs-Goliath matchups that become the stuff of legend. While European competitions can surprise with their results, those tournaments rarely feature underdogs in the knockout stages.

By contrast, the FA Cup regularly showcases clashes between clubs separated not only by leagues but also by financial and professional divides, such as the 2020 Third Round fixture where Tottenham Hotspur faced off against the semi-professional Marine FC.

This collection of the most iconic FA Cup upsets highlights the drama of football's great leveller. With one notable exception, these stories focus on smaller clubs achieving victory on home soil, where intimate grounds erupt with unparalleled joy.

GOAL takes a look at some of the most unforgettable FA Cup shocks in history.

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Hereford United 2-1 Newcastle United | FA Cup fourth-round replay | Feb. 5, 1972

The FA Cup's typical giant-killing story unfolded in classic fashion: a challenging pitch, grim weather, a non-league underdog hosting a top-tier powerhouse, and an electrified crowd witnessing an unforgettable strike etched into football folklore. This clash had it all.

Hereford United, representing the Southern League, had already defied the odds by earning a 2-2 draw at St. James' Park, forcing a replay against Newcastle United. Despite their heroic effort in the first leg, few believed they could go further. The Magpies struck first, yet Hereford leveled the score through a thunderous long-range effort by Ronnie Radford, a moment that remains one of the most celebrated goals in FA Cup history, sending the match into extra time.

The drama continued when substitute Ricky George stepped up to score the decisive goal, sealing a famous 2-1 victory for the Bulls and cementing their place in FA Cup folklore. The scenes at Edgar Street were unforgettable, with jubilant fans storming the pitch in celebration.

While Radford's iconic goal wasn't the match-winner, it sparked wild celebrations and captured the essence of FA Cup magic. Tragically, Radford passed away in November 2023, but his legacy as one of the competition's original heroes endures.

Interestingly, this replay faced several postponements due to a waterlogged pitch at Hereford's home ground, eventually taking place on the day scheduled for the fourth round, adding yet another layer of intrigue to an already extraordinary tale.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBurnley 1-0 Liverpool | FA Cup third-round | Jan. 18, 2005

This list of unforgettable FA Cup moments wouldn't be complete without a nod to the heroic, breathtaking, and occasionally bizarre goals etched into its rich history. Among them is the decisive strike from Burnley’s clash with Liverpool at a frosty Turf Moor—an own goal by Djimi Traore that sealed the Championship side's upset victory.

The match marked former Reds manager Rafa Benitez's first experience in the competition during his debut season at Anfield. Opting to rest several key players, Benitez inadvertently handed Steve Cotterill's Burnley, a team languishing in the lower half of the Championship table, a golden opportunity.

The decisive moment came in the second half. A low cross from Richard Chaplow forced Traore into a moment of calamity. Attempting an audacious 360-degree drag-back near the far post, the French defender misjudged it entirely, inadvertently bundling the ball into his own net before ending up tangled in the goal's netting.

Ironically, this humbling FA Cup exit came just months before Liverpool capped the 2004-05 season with one of the most remarkable comebacks in football history, defeating AC Milan in Istanbul to claim the Champions League crown. What a dramatic shift in fortunes.

Hulton ArchiveWrexham 2-1 Arsenal | FA Cup third-round | Jan. 4, 1992

The gulf between Wrexham and Arsenal was enormous—an astonishing 81 league places separated the two sides as they met at the Racecourse Ground. The Red Dragons, struggling in 18th place in the Fourth Division, squared off against the reigning First Division champions, Arsenal, who were sitting seventh in the top tier. On paper, it seemed like a straightforward assignment for George Graham's Gunners.

Initially, everything appeared to be going as expected. Alan Smith put Arsenal ahead before halftime, and with just 10 minutes left, it seemed the Welsh underdogs were set to bow out respectably. However, Wrexham had other plans, and their determination soon turned the game into a classic chapter in FA Cup folklore.

In the 82nd minute, Mickey Thomas, a 37-year-old veteran, unleashed a sensational 25-yard free-kick to level the scores. The strike not only brought the game to life but also secured Thomas' place in FA Cup history. With momentum firmly in their favor, Wrexham piled on the pressure, and just two minutes later, Steve Watkin delivered the decisive blow, bundling home the winner.

As the final whistle blew, jubilant fans stormed the pitch, celebrating one of the most memorable "giant killings" the competition has ever seen. This unforgettable upset is yet another reminder of the enduring magic of the FA Cup.

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Hulton ArchiveSunderland 1-0 Leeds United | FA Cup final | May 5, 1973

In one of the most stunning upsets in FA Cup history, the Black Cats pulled off a 1–0 triumph, becoming the first Second Division team to hoist the trophy since West Bromwich Albion achieved the feat in 1931. This victory marked Sunderland's last major Cup success for nearly half a century until their EFL Trophy win in 2021. As of 2024, it remains their most recent domestic silverware.

At the time, Sunderland were competing in the old Division Two and faced a formidable Leeds United side, who were dominating English football’s top tier, in the final of the 1972-73 FA Cup. Refusing to be intimidated by their high-flying opponents, the Black Cats produced one of the tournament's most iconic upsets.

Ian Porterfield etched his name into Sunderland folklore with a first-half strike that proved decisive, while goalkeeper Jim Montgomery delivered a breathtaking performance. His incredible reflex save remains one of the most celebrated moments in FA Cup history, ensuring Bob Stokoe's team held on for a historic victory at Wembley.

Sometimes, a cup game against a lower division opponent can be a potential a banana skin for Premier League sides, especially when things aren’t necessarily going their way elsewhere.

However, for Manchester United, last night’s match against League One Barnsley in the League Cup couldn’t have gone any better.

Erik ten Hag’s side ran out 7-0 winners against the Colliers, had 65% of the possession and took a mammoth 26 shots to their three.

It was about as one-sided an encounter as you are going to see this season, and in the process, two starters may have started to revive their careers at the club.

Marcus Rashford's performance vs Barnsley

Yes, despite starting the season in a similar disappointing fashion to how he ended last year, Marcus Rashford continued his goalscoring form from the weekend by putting two past Barnsley’s Gabriel Słonina last night.

However, the Englishman could have easily scored a hat trick had he not given Antony the penalty in the first half in a bid to restore the Brazilian’s confidence.

The Manchester-born star’s performance impressed 90min’s Tom Gott, who awarded him a 10/10 on the night, writing that it was a ‘dominant’ display and that in his opening goal, he ‘showed some real class.’

Unsurprisingly, the 26-year-old’s match statistics thoroughly support such a high rating.

In his 63 minutes on the pitch, he provided one assist to go with his two goals, took three shots on target, completed three dribbles, played one key pass, created one big chance, and even made a clearance.

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Overall, Rashford played brilliantly last night, and while we can’t get carried away given the level of opposition, it was just another sign that the talented attacker could be on the way to reviving his United career this season, just like one of his teammates who also impressed at Old Trafford.

Casemiro's performance vs Barnsley

The other starter who certainly helped his case last night was Brazilian legend Casemiro, who, alongside summer signing Manuel Ugarte, put in a solid shift in the middle of the park and made life incredibly difficult for Barnsley.

The five-time Champions League winner has had a rough 18 months or so, but during his time on the pitch last night, he was constantly involved and ended the night with a whopping 109 touches of the ball and showed that when he has a more agile teammate alongside him, he can still be a useful cog in United’s defence and attack.

The 32-year-old impressed 90mins Gott, who awarded him an 8/10 on the night and wrote that the former Real Madrid star ‘made a noticeable impact in the final third,’ which is reflected in his statistics from the game.

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8 (7)

Shots on Target

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1 (1)

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9 (6)

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Tackles

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For example, in his 93 minutes of action, the midfield “monster”, as he was once dubbed by journalist Muhammad Butt, made 79 accurate passes, played one key pass, was accurate in seven of his eight crosses, took one shot on target, succeeded in 100% of his dribbles, won six of nine duels, blocked a shot, and made one clearance, one interception and four tackles.

Ultimately, it was the perfect night for United, Rashford and Casemiro, and while we cannot jump to conclusions due to the opposition, both players have given Ten Hag something to think about as the games come thick and fast over the next few weeks.

Man Utd send officials to watch target have Michael Jordan-esque flu game

United’s hierarchy are keeping a watchful eye on a young star.

ByBrett Worthington Sep 17, 2024

England could be without Broad and Anderson; Moeen set for his first Test of the summer

Valkerie Baynes11-Aug-202110:06

VVS Laxman: India should play Ashwin to add variety and strength

Big pictureEngland could, conceivably, have taken the nine wickets they needed to seal an unlikely victory had the weather not intervened most critically on the final day at Trent Bridge. India should have overhauled the remaining 157 runs they needed in that time to claim a deserved 1-0 lead in the series, despite requiring a record successful run-chase. And England would have, without doubt, been in a far better position had someone other than Joe Root done something with the bat. For all the beautiful scenarios that cricket – or sport for that matter – tends to throw up, here we are again with the series on a level footing after the drawn opener, but with both sides in possession of greater knowledge than they had a week ago, not to mention a few selection conundrums.England had rammed home what was more than an inkling during their series defeat to New Zealand that their batting line-up is out of touch, and in the absence of Ben Stokes, far too reliant on one man, Root. But England also learned that they can fight even after being considerably underdone after a lack of red-ball games. Just how sustainable that is as a strategy rather than as a fall-back in a crisis will be found out soon enough if their batters continue to fail.First-innings dismissals to excellent deliveries for Rory Burns and Jonny Bairstow aside, England’s batting left so much to be desired. No one besides Root even threatened the high-30s and Dom Sibley’s blockades of 18 off 70 and 28 off 133 bolstered his indomitable captain without providing any spark. Wholesale changes loom, some forced by injury, others by a pressing need to put runs on the board.Ollie Pope has had an extra week to recover from a quadriceps tear but may have to wait to make his return after a shake-up for the team’s balance, thanks to Stuart Broad’s calf muscle injury, a late niggle to James Anderson and the recall of an in-form Moeen Ali – England’s first sighting of spin this summer.India’s bowling attack, without R Ashwin, answered many questions; their pace attack was a highlight, led by Jasprit Bumrah’s nine wickets for the match. Ravindra Jadeja held his own with the bat, scoring fifty in the first innings while it was the middle order who struggled. Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane all failed to crack double figures but none of that senior trio is likely to make way at this stage.At Lord’s the weather is set fair, meaning what began as an enthralling contest between these sides offers a similarly gripping second chapter.Saqib Mahmood could earn a maiden Test cap at Lord’s•PA Photos/Getty ImagesForm guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)England DLDLL
India DLWWWIn the spotlightIt is 356 days since Zak Crawley’s double-century against Pakistan in Southampton. His only innings of note in the 14 he has played since has been 53, albeit in incredibly challenging batting conditions during the day-night Test against India at Ahmedabad in February. There is a sense that Crawley showed he has what it takes to make it during his knock at the Ageas Bowl nearly a year ago, and that he is a player worth persisting with for the future. However, England’s need to strengthen their batting is pressing. Dan Lawrence will make way as Jos Buttler moves up to No.6 to accommodate Ali, most likely at No. 7, but Crawley isn’t safe either. Haseeb Hameed has impressed in the nets, not to mention with his hundred against the Indians in a warm-up for this series, which hasn’t gone unnoticed given the current line-up’s struggles to support Root. Should Hameed make his first Test appearance since touring India in 2016-17, it could be at the expense of Crawley or Sibley. Crawley needs a strong showing, his time isn’t already up.Cheteshwar Pujara has gone nine Test innings without reaching fifty. His score of just 4 first-up in Nottingham didn’t help, although being 12 not out in the second innings buys time in the sense of what might have been had India had the chance to pursue their target on the fifth day. With KL Rahul finding some touch as opener, having been initially included in the touring party as a middle-order option, Pujara could be on unstable ground should Rahul drop down at any point to make way for the regular openers.Team newsBroad faces a wait to play his 150th Test after his injury, with Mark Wood set to replace him for his first Test of the summer. Saqib Mahmood, drafted into the squad as cover, could yet make a surprise debut after Anderson missed training due to his tight quad. He impressed in the white-ball series against Pakistan, and looks set to compete with Craig Overton for the final place in the XI. Ali should slot straight in for his first home Test in two years after his impressive form in the Hundred and is likely to bat at No. 7 with England retaining Sam Curran at No. 8 in a four-man pace attack.England (possible): 1 Rory Burns, 2 Dom Sibley, 3 Zak Crawley/Haseeb Hameed, 4 Joe Root (capt.), 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Sam Curran, 9 Ollie Robinson, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Craig Overton/Saqib MahmoodWith Shardul Thakur sidelined with a left hamstring injury, Ashwin looks like an automatic selection, especially in warm (by this English summer’s standards) and dry conditions. However, with some cloud cover expected, India could seek to exploit their reverse-swing options in Ishant Sharma and/or Umesh Yadav. Mohammed Siraj is expected to play, so it will likely come down to a choice between Ashwin, if India opt for two spinners, or Sharma if they want a four-pronged pace attack. Mayank Agarwal, a late withdrawal after he was concussed by a Siraj bouncer two days before the first Test, has recovered and batted in the nets this week but Rahul has snatched the opening position for the moment with 84 and 26 at Trent Bridge.India (possible): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Cheteshwar Pujuara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Rishabh Pant (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin/Ishant Sharma, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed SirajPitch and conditionsWhat they say about death and taxes also applies to rain playing a part in England home series, as we saw in the first Test. But the good news is the elusive summer of 2021 appears to be emerging with warmer, drier weather expected for the duration at Lord’s but with some cloud. The pitch looked set to be a typical bat-first proposition on match eve.Stats and trivia For only the second time this century, England have failed to register a win in their first three matches of a home season – their first win of the 2014 home season came in their fifth game. Joe Root is 14 runs away from going past Graham Gooch’s 8900 Test runs and moving to second among the highest run-getters in Test cricket for England. He is also 113 runs short of reaching 9000 Test runs. If neither Broad nor Anderson play, this will be only England’s second home Test to feature neither bowler since 2007 (after the 2012 Test against West Indies in Birmingham)Quotes”They’ve got 1000 wickets between them, so it’s going to be potentially a bit of a loss, but with that comes opportunity for other people. We’ve seen previously in the summer, look at the Pakistan series, the opportunity arose for other people coming in to rise to those challenges”
“The good thing is Jadeja has got runs in the first game already, so he will go into the second game confident. That already makes our batting a bit deeper, the lower order contributed with the bat as well”

Everton have endured an interminable period of struggle in the Premier League but might just be heading toward a new era of success, with the Friedkin Group on the cusp of purchasing Farhad Moshiri’s majority stake.

The 2024/25 campaign kicked off with four successive losses in the top flight to cast a gloomy setting over Goodison Park, but a draw at Leicester City has been followed up with a turnaround victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League to lift Sean Dyche’s side out of the relegation zone.

The Merseysiders are indebted to Dwight McNeil’s fast start to the season, with the winger turned number ten thriving in his new role.

Dwight McNeil's recent Everton form

It’s been a bit more than two years since Everton signed McNeil from Burnley for a £20m fee. The playmaking winger had risen to first-team prominence with the Clarets – under Dyche’s wing – but had failed to save them from relegation, and was understandably allowed to move to a Premier League side.

He’s chalked up 14 goals and 12 assists across 88 appearances for the Toffees, but is really starting to come into his own this season as he moves away from left wing to a more central attacking midfield role, flourishing.

Indeed, the 24-year-old has bagged four goals and two assists across eight matches, already surpassing last year’s haul of three goals from 41 matches in all competitions.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 15% for progressive carries per 90, emphasising his efficacy in driving the play forward and making things happen with his ball-playing.

McNeil has outscored Dominic Calvert-Lewin so far in 2024/25, with the centre-forward’s salvaged fitness levels allowing him to lead the line across all six of Everton’s top-flight matches this season, bagging two goals and claiming one assist.

The towering talisman might have only posted a modest return at best, but his restoration is such a bonus for the Blues in their quest to preserve top-flight status.

Believe it or not, there’s a former Everton player, sold not too long ago, who’s outscoring both of the aforementioned this season, and he did it all in just one game.

Tom Cannon is on fire for Stoke City

We’re talking, of course, about Tom Cannon, who put four past Portsmouth in the Championship on Wednesday evening in what was unquestionably the performance of the 21-year-old’s fledgling career.

Plying his trade with the Potters this term after leaving Leicester City on loan, Cannon will feel that his career is now starting to take off, having moved to Leicester from Everton last summer for roughly a £7.5m fee.

A natural-born goalscorer, Cannon excelled at youth level for Everton but failed to break into the first team despite impressing while on loan with Preston North End in 2022/23. His talent was recognised by Leicester, however, and the Liverpool-based side were happy to turn a profit.

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Hailed for his “insane” performance against Portsmouth by Stoke correspondent Pete Smith, the aptly-named Cannon fired them in like howitzers to lift his loan outfit into 14th place after six fixtures, curbing a three-game losing run. Portsmouth, back in the second tier after years away, remain winless.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

As per Sofascore, the young gun showcased a skillset that stretches beyond that of a ‘poacher’, putting in a performance of a rounded and dynamic nature.

On top of his four-goal haul, Cannon succeeded with his one attempted dribble, won the penalty. that he converted for his hat-trick, completed 81% of his passes and won seven of his 11 contested duels.

Everton must rue cashing in on the talent, especially since the small fee recouped for his sale in 2023 was put toward signing Beto from Udinese in a deal worth up to £30m.

Moreover, compounding the issue, Calvert-Lewin’s contract at Goodison Park is set to expire at the end of the campaign, and though Armando Broja was welcomed from Chelsea in August on a loan deal that could become permanent, the Albania international has yet to feature as he recuperates from injury and, having endured extended spells on the sidelines in the past, perhaps can’t be entrusted with the role of focal frontman just yet.

Cannon, however, is proving that he has the goalscoring prowess to succeed in the Premier League, ranking as he does among the top 6% of strikers across divisions similar to the Championship for goals scored and the top 9% for through balls per 90.

That latter metric is particularly interesting, speaking of a passing game and enterprise in his movements that could prove to be tailor-made for Dyche’s system, dropping deep and getting stuck in but also boasting the pace and power to drive forward and get into promising positions, where he can lash shots past the goalkeeper and into the net.

Given that, on Tuesday evening, Cannon outstripped both McNeil and Calvert-Lewin for goalscoring this season despite the promise shown from each of Everton’s star forwards this year, it might come to be a well-known fact that Everton suffered a massive blunder when letting their young and talented forward, Cannon, leave for a small fee.

He’s got the quality to become a major player.

Lampard wanted Everton to sign star now worth £85m but got Maupay instead

The Toffees could have missed a trick over one centre-forward signing…

ByJoe Nuttall Oct 3, 2024

Manchester City will allow Kyle Walker to leave the club for free amid strong interest from AC Milan.

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Man City will allow Walker to leave for freeCurrent contract valid until 2026AC Milan favourites to sign WalkerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The England international, who is club captain at the Etihad Stadium, has expressed his desire to leave Manchester City as he wishes to take on a new challenge outside of the Premier League. Walker has attracted interest from AC Milan and some Saudi Pro League sides, however, the Serie A giants are being considered the favourites to land the full-back.

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Per , the Cityzens will allow their skipper to leave for free in the January window if he does not agree to stay put. They won't charge a transfer fee, despite the player having a year left on his existing deal, as a goodwill gesture towards a loyal servant of the club. This comes as a huge boost for the Rossoneri in their transfer pursuit as they will now just have to cover his wages and bonuses.

DID YOU KNOW?

AC Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic is thought to be the driving force behind the push for Walker and the former Sweden international is more than happy to hand the 34-year-old a two-and-a-half-year deal at San Siro.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR KYLE WALKER?

For now, Walker, who has not played for City since the Manchester derby on December 15, will aim to get back into Pep Guardiola's starting line-up as the club next face Brentford on Tuesday in the Premier League.

Harry Kane joked he was unsure what Eric Dier was doing before setting up the Bayern Munich striker in their 2-1 win at Freiburg.

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Dier assists Kane in Bayern winKane pokes fun at team-mateEnglish duo make historyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Former Tottenham team-mates Dier and Kane combined to great effect as the latter put Bayern 1-0 up with a smart turn and finish in the 15th minute. As a result, they became the first English duo to combine for a goal in the Bundesliga as the German giants extended their lead at the top of the table on Saturday. England captain Kane quipped he was surprised to see defender Dier so far up the pitch for his assist, while also praising the 31-year-old.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT HARRY KANE SAID

On Dier's assist for him, he said: "I'm not quite sure what he was doing in that position in the first place [laughs]. Me and Eric are really good friends and it's good to see him on the pitch; he's not played a lot this season but whenever he's come in he's done really well. Eric was rock solid again [against Freiburg]. I'm delighted for him that he picked up an assist and it was nice that it fell to me."

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In the Freiburg victory, Kane scored his first league goal from open play since November, Dier – who got a rare start in place of the injured Dayot Upamecano – impressed in the backline as Bayern went six points clear of Bayer Leverkusen after Xabi Alonso's team drew to RB Leipzig.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Kane will look to be on the scoresheet again when Bayern host Slovan Bratislava in their final Champions League group phase game on Wednesday.