Conor Coventry has had his issues with West Ham United in recent times, due to a dispute with the club over his contract, as reported by Football Insider.
It can be argued that this situation would see a risk of fans turning against him, expecting the youngster to get his head down and focus on football rather than money.
However, that doesn’t seem to be the case here, especially after he played the full 90 minutes of Republic of Ireland U21s’ 4-1 victory over Sweden:
TheWestHamWay expressed their desire for Coventry to be offered another contract, and they were not alone in this opinion, with plenty of other Hammers fans swooning over the 19-year-old and his talents.
Having played a half in the 8-0 Carabao Cup win against Macclesfield Town last season, he has managed just eight minutes against Newport County this term, but there are those who feel he should be more heavily involved – some feel he should be above Carlos Sanchez in the pecking order.
A selection of Twitter reaction to the performance, including posts from impressed West Ham fans, can be seen below:
Needing to bounce back from defeat against Sheffield United last time out, Derby County will have to do so without one of Paul Warne’s mainstays after the latest injury news.
Derby injury news
Fresh from League One promotion, Derby have hit the ground running in the Championship with three wins and three losses in their opening six games representing a side gunning for more than just survival. The first aim for Warne will of course be to secure that survival, but results suggest that the Rams should be looking beyond a relegation battle and instead at returning to the play-off race in the coming years.
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Derby County will have no regrets now over this sale.
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First and foremost, however, those at Pride Park need to bounce back from defeat against Sheffield United, who were relegated from the Premier League last season. After Gustavo Hamer wheeled away in celebration in the 53rd minute following an excellent free-kick, the Blades went on to secure a well-fought 1-0 victory.
Standing in Derby’s way of instantly returning to winning ways is Norwich City, who finally showed glimpses of what they’re capable of under new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup last time out, easing past Watford in a stunning 4-1 victory. And to make that challenge even tough, the Rams have already been handed an injury blow.
As confirmed by Warne, Callum Elder will now miss multiple Derby games after sustaining an injury against Sheffield United last time out. The Derby boss told the club’s official website: “He’s doing well but he will be out for a little while – he’s tweaked his groin. He won’t play any part in the next three or four games.”
Callum Elder for Hull City.
Given that the left-back has started all six of Derby’s Championship games so far this season, there’s no doubt that his injury has dealt Warne and his side a frustrating blow, especially ahead of the daunting trip to in form Sunderland next week.
Games that "unbelievable" Elder will miss
Earning a reported £6,500-a-week, Elder has become a mainstay in Warne’s Derby side since arriving last summer and helping the Rams to League One promotion in his first season. Quickly readjusting to life in the Championship, Elder got off to a superb start this season and even earned Warne’s praise.
The Derby boss said via the Derbyshire Telegraph: “I brought him to the club because I thought he could help us get out of League One but I also had an eye on the fact that if we did get out of League One then could he play in the Champ – he could.
“He knows why I signed him because, massive shock, I like athletes who can get up and down the pitch. If you ask him, every time I hug him I say the 2024/25 Elder is unbelievable and right up there. I am really pleased with him.”
Derby County vs Norwich City
28/09/2024
Sunderland vs Derby County
01/10/2024
Derby County vs QPR
05/10/2024
Millwall vs Derby County
19/10/2024
Missing Norwich, Sunderland, QPR and the clash at Millwall, Elder will be a particularly big miss against the Black Cats, who have lost just once in six Championship games so far this season.
In a deal that would replace Pedro Neto for years to come, Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly plotting a move to beat Manchester United to the signature of an exciting young winger.
Wolves transfer news
Those in the Midlands endured a mixed summer transfer window, with both Max Kilman and Pedro Neto joining Premier League sides West Ham United and Chelsea, before the likes of Jorgen Strand Larsen and Carlos Forbs arrived to boost Gary O’Neil’s side.
Yet, even after those reinforcements, Wolves remain without a single Premier League victory after five games in what is a major cause for concern when it comes to their early survival hopes.
It hasn’t been for the want of trying, however, with Wolves taking the lead in a strong performance against Aston Villa only for their Midlands rivals to battle back and eventually secure a 3-1 victory. In the story of Wolves’ season so far, they’ve lacked the attacking quality that they could now find in the transfer market.
According to Swedish outlet FotbollSkanalen, Wolves sent scouts to watch Bazoumana Toure in action for Hammarby and are now plotting a move to beat Manchester United to his signature.
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Wolves must sign world-class star to replace the injured Mosquera
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Hammarby director Mikael Hjelmberg recently admitted that scouts have been watching his side’s future star, telling FotbollSkanalen as relayed by United in Focus: “There are a lot of clubs coming to the match against Hacken (on Thursday).”
“We need to plan for a future without him. Then if it happens this winter, next summer or even further than that – I don’t think so, we’ll see. But the longer we get to keep him the better.”
Seemingly resigned to losing Toure, Wolves should swoop in as soon as they get the chance to sign a player who would replace Neto once and for all at the Molineux.
"Strong" Toure is one for the future
At just 18 years old, Toure is certainly one to watch. The Hammarby winger is quickly becoming the star of the show in Sweden, with six goals and three assists throughout the current campaign representing his recent rise. Now, if Wolves can jump ahead of Manchester United to sign the teenager, they’ll have a major coup in 2025 and the ultimate heir to Neto’s throne.
Scouts around England have been impressed by the Ivorian, with The Next Wave – a scout based in London – dubbing Toure’s alertness “strong” which heavily “compliments his speed”.
When the January transfer window swings open, it will be interesting to see whether the Midlands club decide to make an early move or, indeed, wait until, the summer in an attempt to jump ahead of Manchester United in the race for a future star.
Chelsea are set for a free run over signing a £63 million striker in 2025, coming after a decision from London rivals Arsenal.
Chelsea miss out on signing world-class striker this summer
Despite many reports linking the Blues with a world-class new striker, Enzo Maresca couldn't quite get one over the line in time, despite making moves for big names.
Chelsea now want £13m Premier League defender who Arteta called "very good"
The Spaniard has also praised his consistency.
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Chelsea made an approach to sign Ivan Toney from Brentford during the last week of the transfer window, before the Englishman joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, and Todd Boehly also attempted a blockbuster last minute deal for Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian, who was one of Serie A's most prolific goalscorers of the last few years, was forced to settle for a loan move to Turkish Süper Lig champions Galatasaray – after transfers to both Al-Ahli and Chelsea collapsed at the eleventh hour.
Appearances
25
Goals
15
Assists
3
Shots Per 90
3.86
Key Passes Per 90
1.05
Successful Take-Ons Per 90
0.73
Chelsea made a summer deadline day bid to sign Osimhen, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, but the Blues couldn't quite finalise a deal in time for the 25-year-old to make a Premier League move.
While Osimhen's proposed move to Stamford Bridge is off for the time being, ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi-Mikel has revealed the player's desire to join, and disappointment they couldn't get it done before 11pm that day.
“I know what Victor wanted, I know what the club offered him, I know where we got to, we finally got to a compromise, both sides had to compromise, I was just some little things here and there, paperwork, medical, and a few issues we just couldn’t get over the line and we didn’t have much time," said Obi-Mikel on Osimhen's failed Chelsea move.
“Both sides really played their part in terms of getting the deal done, and I commend Chelsea for that because I can see their ambition of where they want to take this club now and also on Victor’s side, how much he really wanted to come to the club.
“He was disappointed it didn’t happen. I spoke to him when the transfer window shut, I gave him a call, we spent 20 minutes talking, I said, ‘listen, I’m always here for you, you need to keep your head down, you need to keep working hard, keep training, I know it’s not the best situation right now but I know you’re strong’.
Chelsea set for free run over signing Osimhen in 2025
While the African has joined Galatasaray on loan for the rest of this season, Osimhen's contract has a break clause, which allows certain interested clubs to swoop for him in January.
His new Napoli release clause is also set at around £63 million, so this could be a very good opportunity for Chelsea if they wish to reignite their interest at the turn of the year. GiveMeSport claim Chelsea will also have a free run over signing Osimhen, following Arsenal's decision not to pursue a winter deal for him.
Everton target Joel Piroe is "interested" in joining the club this summer thanks to the successful "groundwork" done by the Toffees to convince the Swansea City man, journalist Paul Brown has told GIVEMESPORT.
Everton transfer news – What's the latest on Joel Piroe?
It was another near-cataclysmic season for the blue half of Merseyside last year, with Sean Dyche's men only staving off Premier League relegation thanks to an incredibly nervy 1-0 win at home to Bournemouth on the last day of the season.
sean-dyche-everton
It's perhaps no surprise then that the summer has already seen the start of a massive overhaul of the playing squad, with players like Conor Coady, Yerry Mina, and Tom Davies all leaving Goodison Park.
One of those touted for an exit is academy product Ellis Simms, with the Mailonline reporting that Championship side Swansea have proposed a swap deal with Everton that would see their striker Piroe don the blue and white of the Toffees.
With forward being a position of the team Dyche needs to improve, the offer could prove too good to turn down, especially as the Daily Mail report that the Swans value him at £12m, meaning a swap deal could significantly reduce that fee, if not erase it entirely.
What has Paul Brown said about Joel Piroe to Everton?
Brown revealed that Everton have already been speaking to the player and his team regarding a move to Merseyside, with those efforts appearing to pay off.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: "Piroe is certainly an interesting one, and it seems that Everton have done their groundwork there, because his camp are saying that Everton are one of the clubs that he'd be interested in joining.
"He's only got a year left on his contract, as far as I'm aware, which means there wouldn't be a huge fee involved."
Would Joel Piroe be good enough for Everton?
It was an excellent season for the 23-year-old in the Championship last season as he scored 19 goals and assisted another two in 43 appearances, giving him a goal contribution every two games.
Swansea City's Joel Piroe
In stark contrast, Everton's top scorer in the league last season was Dwight McNeil, who managed just seven, or 0.24 goals per 90, a huge difference in productivity.
According to WhoScored, the Dutchman also averaged a very impressive rating of 6.93 across those 43 league games, maintaining a pass success rate of 82.8% and having 3.3 shots per game.
Swans manager Russell Martin was full of praise for the dynamic forward upon reaching 40 goals for the team last season, saying:
“Joel has been amazing since we have been here, he is just a great young man, first and foremost. As a footballer, he is adaptable and intelligent. He is technically really gifted with both feet and good movement.
"His willingness and capacity to learn is incredible, and his understanding of what we are trying to do is amazing."
Whilst Piroe certainly looks like the real deal, it is worth remembering that he is entirely unproven in the Premier League, and so there is an element of risk in signing him, but if the club can get him for a cut price fee with Sims going the other way it seems well worth the gamble.
Liverpool’s signing of Alexis Mac Allister understandably had fans thrilled, as it marked the start of what promised to be a revolutionary summer.
However, since that early June acquisition, it seems to have all gone quiet on the transfer front, despite Fabrizio Romano promising that Jurgen Klopp wanted “two or three midfielders” back in late April.
With nearly a month and a half until the new Premier League season gets underway, the German is likely far from where he envisions his team to end up come that trip to Chelsea.
However, that could all be set to change with one marquee addition, which could leave rival clubs stunned and petrified at the prospect of facing the Reds once more.
With reports emerging late last week, it seems that this could well be the case, as the Merseyside outfit are one of the clubs listed as interested in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, a striker valued at £60m by FootballTransfers.
In linking this in-form front-man with their new Argentinian maestro, they could form a fine partnership to catapult them back to the apex of the English game.
Would Victor Osimhen improve Liverpool?
Whilst Mac Allister is far from the most expansive attacking midfielder, his offensive figures for a Brighton and Hove Albion side that finished below Liverpool remained impressive. This is emphasised given he was often forced into numerous roles across a stellar campaign, including a defensive one too.
After all, notching ten goals and two assists merely scratched the surface of his 87% pass completion rate and 1.3 key passes per game in the league, via Sofascore.
The 24-year-old has only just begun to light up English football, with his future made all the more exciting by his Anfield switch.
This kind of goalscoring quality, combined with the lethal presence of Osimhen, could form a terrifying partnership the likes of which this striker has already been a part of. Not to mention he has the quality to drop deep and supplement such a powerful asset due to his versatility.
Journalist Marco Messina noted one such pairing he has starred in that has already brought widespread success, as he wrote on Twitter: “I can’t figure out who is more scary to play against: Kvara or Osimhen. They’re THAT good”.
With 31 goals in all competitions for the Serie A-winning Naples outfit, the 24-year-old was instrumental in bringing the Scudetto back to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium for the first time since 1990.
However, it is not just his ability in front of goal that suggests he and Mac Allister would thrive together. When given space, the World Cup-winning gem can prove particularly deadly in the attacking third, as he proved last campaign with the Seagulls.
alexis-mac-allister-liverpool
Given the immense power and pace Osimhen offers, with journalist Raj Chohan having branded him a “monster”, his mere presence would attract multiple defenders to quell his threat.
If that should be the case, Klopp’s first summer signing will truly be able to exercise his qualities in the pockets of space that will open up. Should the opposition then push up to keep him quiet, the 6 foot 1 marksman will instead punish them in behind.
Whilst midfield might remain the priority, this is one move which would take many by surprise, and likely take the league by storm.
Everton are interested in a move for Inter Milan forward Joaquin Correa, according to reports in Italy.
What's the latest on Joaquin Correa to Everton?
According to reports in Italy (via FC Inter News), both the Toffees and West Ham United have made contact with Correa so far this summer, with the forward and the Inter Milan looking to part ways after an unsuccessful spell.
Correa's current valuation is as low as £17m, as per FootballTransfers, which is a significantly lower price than the €30m (£27m) that Inter paid Lazio for the forward back in July of 2022.
The drop in valuation should help the Argentine's exit this summer, who looks set to leave the club just one year after making his deal permanent.
Linked with a move to the Premier League, it will certainly be interesting to keep an eye on just where Correa ends up this summer.
Should Everton avoid Joaquin Correa?
Inter Milan forward Joaquin Correa.
With their Premier League status hanging by a thread in the last two seasons, Everton can ill afford yet another transfer flop, particularly in attack.
Last season, the Toffees spent a staggering €78m (£67m) on reinforcements. And the season before that, they spent close to €40 million (£35m) on adding to supposed quality needed to comfortably survive.
Things were anything but comfortable though, as Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche were forced to keep their sides afloat on the final days of their respective seasons in charge, so the issue hasn't exactly been a lack of funding.
The problem therein lies with the recruitment in the transfer market.
In many ways, moving for Correa – a forward who scored just four goals all of last season – would be a classic Everton move of recent times.
In fact, it would almost mirror their £25.1m deal to sign Moise Kean back in 2019.
The Italian arrived with so much promise, before scoring just four goals in 39 appearances and eventually finding his way back to Juventus.
Those in Italy have not been impressed with the Juventus forward, either, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that Italian newspapers labelled the 23-year-old 'lazy' and 'the worst' back in September as the Serie A side struggled domestically.
Correa's stats are even more damming, however.
At least Kean showed signs of promise prior to his Goodison Park move. Correa, contrastingly, has never looked like bursting into life for Inter.
Statistically speaking, too, when comparing the Argentina international with the former Everton man during his time in England's top flight, it is Correa who comes out the worse player.
During the 2019/20 campaign, Kean had more goal involvements per 90, whilst also enjoying a better take-on success, as per FBref.
Perhaps a killer blow for Dyche, which should end all plans to sign the Inter flop, is his poor aerial duel success.
Last season, the reported transfer target won just 25% of his duels, something that would not bode well in an often scrappy, yet effective, Dyche setup.
The more that it's looked at, the more it seems as though Everton would be better off avoiding a Kean mistake in signing Correa, who writer Jerry Mancini claimed had been "awful this season" before the new campaign gets underway.
The summer transfer window officially opened for business earlier this month and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has added to his side with one signing to date.
Youri Tielemans is set to arrive on a free transfer at the start of July, after his contract with Leicester expires, and the club have now appointed Monchi as their president of football operations to bolster their efforts to improve the squad.
One player who has been linked with a possible move to the club this summer is Leeds United forward Crysencio Summerville, who has been valued at around €12m (£10m) by the relegated team.
Where would Crysencio Summerville fit in at Aston Villa?
The Netherlands U21 international has played the majority of his career to date as a right winger but he is also capable of lining up on the left and through the middle, which means that Emery could deploy him in a multitude of ways.
Villa's head coach could, however, use the 21-year-old in his favoured role on the right and brutally ditch current attacker Leon Bailey in the process.
Last month, journalist Dean Jones claimed that he would be "surprised" if the Jamaica international is still at the club come the start of the 2023/24 campaign, as there could be a market for teams interested in his services.
Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey.
This suggests that the Villans could cash in on the 25-year-old winger this summer and bringing Summerville in as his replacement could be a shrewd move by Emery and Monchi.
The Leeds wizard, who was once hailed as a speed merchant whilst playing for the club's U21 side, produced four goals and two assists in 12 Premier League starts during the 2022/23 campaign and completed 52% of his attempted dribbles.
Bailey, meanwhile, scored four and assisted four in his 26 starts for Villa throughout the season and was stopped in 57% of his dribbles, suggesting that Summerville is more effective at committing and beating opposition defenders to drive forward with the ball.
The Dutch wizard has averaged more non-penalty goals (0.25) and shot-creating actions (3.09) per 90 over the last 365 days than Bailey (0.18 and 2.84) has for the Villans, indicating that the talented youngster could provide more quality in the final third, both in terms of scoring goals and creating opportunities for others.
Summerville, who was once dubbed "unplayable" by journalist Beren Cross, is also four years younger than the ex-Bayer Leverkusen dynamo, meaning that he has more long-term potential to develop and improve, whilst already having the quality to offer more on the pitch in the immediate term.
Therefore, Emery could ruthlessly ditch Bailey and cash in on the dud this summer by signing the Whites magician as his replacement.
Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be among the clubs interested in sealing a summer move for Fiorentina star, Sofyan Amrabat, according to reports in Spain.
What's the latest on Amrabat to Tottenham?
As per Mundo Deportivo (via Sports Witness), the Lilywhites – as well as German giants Bayern Munich – are said to have joined the race for the 26-year-old's signature, with both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also eyeing said to be eyeing a move.
The report suggests that the Morocco international 'will leave' the Serie A outfit this summer after three seasons in Florence, with the midfielder currently having just a year left to run on his existing deal.
That expiring contract has ensured that – according to the report – the Netherlands-born maestro could be available for as little as €20m (£17m), hence the growing list of high-profile suitors.
Should Tottenham sign Amrabat?
The north Londoners' apparent interest in the former Club Brugge ace comes amid reports that new boss Ange Postecoglou could be ready to move on midfield everpresent, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer, with The Sun claiming that the Danish destroyer is facing an 'uncertain' future at the club.
A further report from 90min has also suggested that the 27-year-old could be allowed to depart as he is not currently part of Postecoglou's thinking, despite having racked up 145 appearances in just three seasons at N17 since signing on a £15m deal from Southampton.
The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare had suggested previously that Hojbjerg could be one of the potential casualties of the change in the dugout, with the respected insider stating that the one-time Bayern Munich man is not a 'natural fit for either the No 6 or No 8 role' under the ex-Celtic coach.
Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat
As Eccleshare also noted, Postecoglou likes to deploy more of a playmaking figure at the base of the midfield who 'can drop deep, collect the ball from the centre-backs and spray ambitious passes to the full-backs and wingers', with Hojbjerg arguably more of a ball-winning presence, as he ranks in the top 20% among his European peers for interceptions made.
The signing of Amrabat could prove to be the solution that the Greek-Aussie will be craving in that pivot role, with the 6 foot 1 ace possessing that ability to dictate play as he ranks in the top 8% for progressive passes and the top 5% for pass completion – with the current Spurs man ranking in just the top 21% and the top 8% for those same two metrics, respectively.
Hailed as "criminally underrated" by journalist Muhammad Butt during the recent Europa Conference League meeting with West Ham United, the 48-cap rock showed his ability to 'spray' passes from deep in the build-up to his side's equaliser in that eventual showpiece defeat, having picked out teammate Nico Gonzalez with a delightful lofted pass, prior to Giacomo Bonaventura then duly dispatching the striker's knockdown.
Also described as a "monster" by journalist Carlo Garganese at the World Cup in Qatar, Amrabat would certainly be an astute addition for Postecoglou, particularly for that reported price of just £17m.
That signing would therefore mean that with Hojbjerg seemingly not the man for the job in that deep-lying role, the £100k-per-week must be ruthlessly shown the door.
Lionel Messi has called teammate Neymar a "beautiful person" in his goodbye message after the Argentine played his last game for Paris Saint-Germain.
What did Messi say to Neymar?
Having already sealed the Ligue 1 title, the 35-year-old took the pitch for the final time as a PSG player on the weekend – in a 3-2 loss at home to Clermont Foot.
His now former side confirmed the news on their official Twitter page, writing: "Paris Saint-Germain would like to warmly thank the seven-time Ballon d'Or, winner of a Trophée des Champions and two French championship titles wearing the Red & Blue colours."
Oddly enough, despite being universally loved for all his footballing achievements, the PSG fans actually booed Messi at his final game – apparently still unhappy with his performances in the Champions League and his recent unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia (via Daily Mail).
However, it seems teammate Neymar still has the utmost respect for the World Cup winner as the Brazilian sent an emotional message on Instagram.
He wrote: "Brother… it didn't turn out as we thought but we tried everything. It was a pleasure to share two more years with you.
Good luck in your new stage and be happy. I love you."
To which Messi replied: "Thanks Ney! Beyond all that remains, that we enjoyed playing together and sharing the day-to-day. I wish you all the best. Besides being a crackhead, you're a beautiful person and that's all that matters at the end. I love you so much."
Where will Messi end up next?
Obviously, it catches the eye that Messi appears to call Neymar something which is interpreted as something derogatory in English but this is just a mistranslation as he writes "Aparte de ser crack". Crack is a phrase often used in Spanish as a compliment, so if you were saying someone is good at football, you might say: “Sos un crack en futbol”.
Of course, the Brazilian doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to his off-field behaviour. According to French paper Le Parisien (via The Sun), he has been throwing house parties this season that have "infuriated" his neighbours of late. And that same article claimed he threw a party that didn't finish until 5am after PSG sealed the Ligue 1 title last season.
But Messi isn't referencing any of this as he calls Neymar "a beautiful person" and points out that this actually matters more than anything he's done on the pitch.
All in all, it's quite a sweet interaction between the players, which is nice as they haven't quite achieved what they set out to in Paris – with the club still unable to win the Champions League.
The big question now is, though, where will Messi end up next? Barcelona, Inter Miami and teams in Saudi Arabia have all been touted.