In recent seasons, Tottenham Hotspur have shifted their recruitment to focus on signing young talents who can affect the first team whilst keeping one eye on the future.

Brennan Johnson, Destiny Udogie and Micky van de Ven are just a handful of examples who have arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the past year before going on to make an immediate impact on Ange Postecoglou’s squad.

They’ve also signed youngsters Lucas Bergvall and Luka Vuskovic, who have spent time away from north London, in the hopes of gaining valuable experience before making an impact for the Lilywhites.

Such recruitment has already continued this summer, with the £40m signing of midfielder Archie Gray from Leeds United following the 18-year-old’s impressive debut campaign at senior level, where he featured 44 times for Daniel Farke’s side.

Their business has allowed for a much more youthful squad, with the club still targeting multiple young prospects to improve their squad.

Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer news

Tottenham are keeping a close eye on Hull City winger Jaden Philogene after his impressive campaign in the Championship under former Tigers boss Liam Rosenior.

The 22-year-old scored 12 and assisted six in his 33 league appearances, prompting further interest from the likes of Ipswich Town, Manchester United and Barcelona. The club have also registered an interest in French talent Desire Doue, but aren’t alone in their pursuit.

The 18-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents around Europe, with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United also

monitoring Doue over the last few years after he burst onto the scene in France.

Reports earlier in the summer have suggested that Rennes could demand a fee in the region of £35m to allow him to depart in the summer transfer window, with Doue fitting perfectly into the club’s current scouting plan of targeting talents with huge potential.

However, Doue and recent new addition Gray are both valued lower than one player who has become a real hit under Postecoglou after the Aussie’s arrival last summer.

Pape Sarr’s market value in 2024

Upon joining the club for £14.6m back in the summer of 2021, the name of Pape Sarr would have been an unfamiliar one to the majority of Tottenham supporters.

Games

49

Goals

3

Games per goal

16.3

Assists

4

Games per assist

12.3

However, three years on from his move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he’s cemented his place in Postecoglou’s midfield, looking at home in the Premier League despite his tender age of 21.

Since his move from French side Metz, the Senegal star has made 49 appearances for Spurs, scoring on three occasions – including a brilliantly taken finish against Bournemouth.

He’s formed an excellent partnership with Yves Bissouma, with his market value taking a sharp increase as a result of his excellent performances.

In 2024, the "relentless" Sarr, as described by scout EBL, currently has a market value of £38m, as per Transfermarkt – a £24m increase on the fee the club paid for him just a handful of years ago, with the midfielder having the potential to improve even further.

However, his subsequent value is higher than Gray and Doue, who are only valued at £15.2m and £25.3m respectively, despite their recent price tags.

It’s been an excellent start to Sarr's Tottenham career, proving that the club’s current transfer strategy is an effective one.

Postecoglou’s faith in the youngster has certainly helped him develop and grow into the potential he once had during his time at Metz, with

the sky being the limit for the 21-year-old in north London.

England’s tour of South Africa has been called off following the outbreak of Covid-19 among both teams’ camps and staff at their hotel. The three ODIs have officially been postponed, with a possibility they could be played at a later date.The decision came after the opening ODI of the series was pushed back three times in four days, having originally been scheduled to take place at Newlands on Friday, before failed attempts to stage games at Paarl on Sunday, and at Newlands again on Monday.With England due to fly home on a chartered flight on Thursday, and with the squad still awaiting the ratification of two unconfirmed positive tests within the camp, CSA had hoped to be able to host back-to-back ODIs on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, news that the tour would be abandoned out of consideration for the “mental and physical health and welfare of players from both teams” came on Monday afternoon.ALSO READ: England blame ‘unacceptable’ Newlands nets after claims of protocol breachThe announcement was made via a joint statement from CSA and the ECB, although ESPNcricinfo understands that the decision to pull out came at the behest of the English board.Earlier on Monday, an England team spokesman hit back at suggestions that the players had breached Covid protocols during an unsanctioned practice session at Newlands on the eve of the scheduled first ODI, claiming that they had been given permission to set up a secure cordon around the nets, in spite of their proximity to a construction site, due to the “unacceptable” standards of the pitches they had been provided on the Newlands square.The chief executives of both boards cited player welfare as a primary concern in the decision to curtail the tour, with players understood to be uneasy about recent developments and the fact that the bio-secure bubble had been breached.The three-match ODI series forms part of the qualification process for the 2023 World Cup via the ICC’s new Super League, and the boards signalled their intention to stage the series at a later date. With England due to tour Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia and West Indies next winter, on top of the T20 World Cup in India, it will be a challenge to find a suitable window.”The decision was taken jointly by the two boards to ensure the mental and physical health and welfare of players from both teams,” the statement said. “CSA and the ECB will now work together to determine when the three-match series, which forms part of the ICC Cricket Men’s Super League, can take place in the future.”Kugandrie Govender, CSA’s acting CEO, said: “The concern over the mental health impact of recent events on all involved is not one that we as CSA or the ECB take lightly and the decision to postpone the tour is the most responsible and reasonable course of action for us.”I would like to thank the ECB for the continued positive relations and we look forward to hosting the England team in the near future.”Paarl lies empty ahead of the postponed first ODI•Getty Images

Tom Harrison, the ECB’s chief executive, said: “We have always maintained that the welfare of our players and management is paramount. We were concerned about the potential impact that recent developments might have on the wellbeing of the touring party, and so after consultation with Cricket South Africa we have jointly made the decision to postpone the remaining matches in this series, in [the] best interest of the players’ welfare.”I would like to thank Cricket South Africa for their support and understanding on this matter and look forward to working with them to identify a time when we can return to play these fixtures in the future.”The postponement of the series will cast further doubt on the viability of South Africa’s scheduled home series against Sri Lanka, Australia and Pakistan this season, not least with the number of infections rising by 43% in the Western Cape last week.It is understood that CSA will lose in the region of US$2 million in broadcast revenue from the postponement of the three ODIs, and any further cancellations would have significant financial ramifications.

GOAL US takes a look at Americans playing abroad, with big debuts and top players looking to continue memorable seasons

Americans turned in admittedly mixed showings in the Champions League this week: while Christian Pulisic was masterful for Milan, leading his club to a comfortable 3-1 win over Club Brugge, things were less convincing for Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Juventus, who were bested by Stuttgart thanks to a 92nd-minute winner.

Elsewhere, those in the lower divisions performed, highlighted by a fine showing from Brendan Aaronson in the Championship – his form of late vanquishing memories of a poor international break for the USMNT. There are significant fixtures in Italy that Americans will feature in this weekend, as well as the standard slew of Championship battles and Dutch matchups.

It is admittedly hard to believe that another international break is just around the corner, too, with USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino likely already piecing together the skeleton of his second squad at the helm. This weekend will be big, then, for a number of key actors, chief among them Weah, who will need to deliver if Juve are to push up Serie A. And with Pulisic out after Milan's fixture with Bologna was postponed, eyes will be elsewhere.

GOAL US takes a look at Americans playing abroad, with big debuts on the cards and stars looking to continue memorable seasons.

GettyTyler Adams to return?

Adams was available to return last week after a long injury layoff, but Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola opted against using the USMNT man in the Cherries' comprehensive 2-0 win over Arsenal. This week, though, that seems likely to change. Adams almost certainly won't start – there's no need to rush a player who has been out for two-plus months. But he should be able to offer some valuable minutes.

His inclusion would seem to be made more pressing by some grim injury news for Iraola, who will go without midfielder Alex Scott for an extended period. But bad news for Bournemouth could prove to be a stroke of luck for Adams, who now has a clear path into the first team – and hopefully a run of good form ahead of the November international break.

AdvertisementGettyBrendan Aaronson to follow up on midweek magic?

Aaronson may have turned in a couple of patchy performances for the USMNT during Pochettino's first international window, but his club form continues to impress. A magical volley midweek took the U.S. attacking midfielder to four goal contributions on the season – a decent mark for someone deployed in markedly deeper areas than in previous campaigns. That strike – the second in a narrow 2-1 win over Watford – further cemented his credentials as a key player for the Whites this season.

He will have to continue to provide in the coming weeks, though, as the games in the Championship come fast and thick – and 10th-placed Bristol City are the immediate focus. They have a negative goal difference so far this season, and have struggled to keep the ball out of the net. This could be a fixture for Aaronson to capitalize.

GettyCould Tim Weah be the key in the Derby d'Italia?

Inter vs. Juventus will be a tasty one. Last year's champions are sitting narrowly above in Serie A, and are hoping to hunt down Napoli at the top of the table. It will be Tim Weah and Juventus' task to prevent that from happening. The American has been a bit part player under Thiago Motta this season, struggling with a couple of knocks before failing to crack into the side on a consistent basis.

This Sunday might present a good opportunity for him to flip that narrative, though. Motta will need the most out of his wide players against Inter's solid back three – and Weah has the kind of individual quality that could unlock that setup.

Meanwhile, McKennie might have to find his best in central midfield. Inter have plenty of creativity in the engine room, and their three-man system has proved to be a real handful against a litany of opponents. Motta will surely have some sort of plan to ensure that his team isn't outnumbered, but it will certainly be a fixture that requires plenty of legs from the USMNT midfielder.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesTillman to get another midfield look?

Attacking midfielders aren't sexy anymore. No. 10s, these days, are out of vogue. It is unfortunate for Tillman, then, that he has consistently played his best soccer in that position – or a slightly modified version of it, at least. That changed, to an extent, midweek, when PSV lined up in a more defensive way against PSG, with Tillman operating as more of a No. 8. And it worked a charm, as the Eredivisie leaders snagged a hard-earned point against the Ligue 1 giants.

It will be interesting to see, then, if that setup continues. Players have to be adaptable in the modern game – the more flexible a midfielder is, the better. And if Tillman is to get a move to a bigger league that his potential warrants , then perhaps a few more midfield showings could boost his credentials.

MatériaMais Notícias

O primeiro passo do novo ciclo da Seleção Feminina trouxe momentos de empolgação e boas observações para a técnica Pia Sundhage. Com gols de Debinha, Nycole e Angelina, o Brasil derrotou a Argentina por 3 a 1 (Florencia Bonsegundo marcou para as “hermanas”, em amistoso realizado nesta sexta-feira no Estádio Amigão, em Campina Grande (PB).

Em jogo visto por 400 convidados e que trouxe as primeiras novidades na preparação para a Copa América, as Guerreiras do Brasil demoraram a deslanchar, mas viram bons momentos no setor ofensivo em especial no segundo tempo. Na próxima segunda-feira (20), as duas seleções voltam a campo, em amistoso no Estádio Almeidão, em João Pessoa.

DEMORA PARA SINTONIZAR

A Seleção Feminina suou para deslanchar em um início morno de partida no duelo no Amigão. O pedido de Pia Sundhage para a equipe se tornar “imprevisível” tropeçava em falhas na criação de jogadas e penava para superar uma Argentina bem postada. Marta (que atuava mais próxima do gol adversário) tentava ser mais participativa, só que era muito bem marcada.

As jogadas pelas pontas levavam maior perigo. Marta foi lançada, mas Agustina Barroso se antecipou e evitou o cabeceio. Após cobrança de falta, Duda cabeceou rente à trave. Contudo, os erros de passe na defesa abrirem caminho para as argentinas assustarem. Eliana Stábile cruzou eMariana Larroquette tentou desvio de cabeça. Em seguida, Florencia Buonsegundo avançou, mas pecou na conclusão.

DEBINHA MARCA E DÁ NOVO FÔLEGO

A artilheira da “Era Pia Sundhage” abriu caminho para a Seleção levar a melhor. Em grande jogada, Ludmila desceu pela direita, se desvencilhou de Agustina Barroso e serviu Debinha, que mandou para o fundo da rede, marcando seu gol 41 em 108 jogos pelas Guerreiras. O gol aumentou a voltagem da Seleção.

Ludmila atravessou o campo e encheu o pé, obrigando Vanina Correa a espalmar. Em cobrança de falta, Duda desviou para a rede, só que a árbitra marcou falta.

‘RODAGEM’ MANTÉM A EMPOLGAÇÃO

A opção da técnica Pia Sundhage por fazer três mudanças no intervalo não mudou a empolgação da Seleção. Designada para substituir Marta, Nycole logo mostrou seu cartão de visitas. Bruninha fez o lançamento e a atacante surgiu em meio à defesa adversária para, com calma, entrar na área e tocar na saída da goleira: 2 a 0.

Com amplo domínio das ações, a equipe brasileira logo chegou ao terceiro. Debinha fez o lançamento, Érika se desvencilhou da marcação e, na saída de Vanina Correa, serviu para Angelina completar para o gol vazio.

LEVE ALENTO PARA AS ‘HERMANAS’

Pouco a pouco, a Argentina ensaiou uma reação e levou perigo. Aldana Cometti encheu o pé e Letícia Izidoro fez a defesa. Em um cochilo brasileiro, as “hermanas” fizeram o gol.

Florencia Bonsegundo aproveitou uma hesitação do lado esquerdo e surgiu com liberdade para tocar na saída do goleiro.

CHANCES, CHANCES… MAS PLACAR MANTIDO

O gol sofrido não abalou a Seleção Brasileira. As comandadas de Pia Sundhage assustaram em investidas de Geyse e finalização de Ary Borges. Em seguida, Nycole carimbou o travessão de Vanina Correa em cobrança de falta. Geyse superou Eliana Stábile, desceu pela direita e chutou, mas parou nas mãos da goleira. A vitória estava garantida, em um primeiro passo que traz confiança para este início de ciclo.

FICHA TÉCNICA

BRASIL x ARGENTINA

Data-Hora: 17-09-21 – 16h
Estádio: Amigão, em Campina Grande (PB)
​Árbitra: Deborah Cecília Cruz Correia (Fifa-PE)
Assistentes: Fernanda Nandrea Gomes Antunes (Fifa-MG) eBárbara Roberta da Costa Loiola (Fifa-PA)
Quarta árbitra: Thayslane de Melo Costa (Fifa-SE)

Cartão amarelo: Duda (BRA)

Gols: Debinha, 38/1T (1-0), Nycole, 3/2T (2-0), Angelina, 14/2T (3-0), Florencia Bonsegundo, 27/2T (3-1)

BRASIL: Letícia Izidoro; Bruninha, Antonia, Erika e Tamires (Katrine, intervalo); Angelina, Duda (Thaís, 17/2T), Kerolin (Victória Albuquerque, 30/2T)e Debinha (Ary Borges, 17/2T); Marta (Nycole, intervalo) e Ludmila (Geyse, intervalo). Técnica: Pia Sundhage

ARGENTINA: Vanina Correa; Julieta Cruz, Agustina Barroso, Aldana Cometti e Eliana Stabile; Clarisa Huber (Fabiana Vallejos, 15/2T), Romina Nuñez, Vanina Preninguer (Falfán, 25/1T) e Florencia Bonsegundo; Mariana Larroquette (Marianela Szymanowski, 34, 2/T) e Yamila Rodríguez (Érica Lonigro, 14/2T). Técnico: Germán Portanova

After being given the permanent reins at the end of April, Watford are now ready to back Tom Cleverley in the transfer market and bring a number of fresh faces to the club this summer.

Cleverley wants to shape team in his image

The latest news out of Vicarage Road has seen Watford bring a number of new players to the club. Moussa Sissoko is the newest name to join Cleverley's side, with the current free agent signing a two-year deal with the Hornets.

Sissoko had previously spent the 2021/22 season with Watford in the Premier League, and his return to Vicarage Road will see the Frenchman managed by his former teammate.

The Hornets' higher-ups also have their eyes on the next generation of talents, with Watford also announcing a deal to sign former Celtic youth talent Rocco Vata. The Irish winger arrives at Vicarage Road after struggling for game time with the Scottish champions.

It has also been recently claimed that Watford are making an approach for Milan full back Fodé Ballo-Toure. However, it is yet to be seen if the Hornets can get a deal for the Senegal international over the line.

With Watford clearly eager to balance bringing in established players and finding the talents of tomorrow, the Hornets are now set to join the race for a highly rated young striker.

Hornets join the race for Luton Town talisman

As first reported by Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Luton Town striker Joe Taylor is wanted by multiple Championship clubs this summer, including Watford.

Whilst the 21-year-old remains on the books at Kenilworth Road, Taylor has spent much of his career out on loan, with the Wales youth international enjoying spells with Colchester United and Lincoln City over the course of the last campaign.

Despite spending just half a season with each side, Taylor ended the season as the top scorer of both teams. Taylor's spell with Colchester saw him score 12 goals, whilst his time in Lincoln ended with the striker finding the back of the net on 10 occasions.

Despite impressing during both loan spells, it was Taylor's time in League One with Lincoln that saw him earn the most acclaim. Speaking after the striker opened his account with the Imps, Lincoln boss Michael Skubala sang the 21-year-old's praises, telling the press:

"Joe loves scoring goals, you can see that, and he was just snatching at a few the last few games. When he went through, I was praying he'd score, just for him. I knew when he started scoring he'd get more and more at this level. I think this will settle him down a bit and he'll kick on now."

With just six senior appearances for Luton to his name, there is every chance that the Hatters will be willing to let Taylor leave this summer. Having already made the step up from League Two to League One look easy, there is every chance that the young Welshman will be a major asset to Cleverley's side going into next season if they can win the race for his signature.

Manchester United are reportedly ready to pay the full asking price for an "amazing" player this summer, with the deal potentially happening in the "coming days".

Man Utd transfer news

The Sir Jim Ratcliffe era at Old Trafford has felt positive to date, not least because the Red Devils won the FA Cup within months of him becoming part-owner of his boyhood club. Joshua Zirkzee has been signed from Bologna in a big-money deal, which is a further plus point, and more new faces are expected in the next month or so.

One exciting rumour that has emerged has seen Dani Olmo linked with a summer switch to United, following an excellent Euro 2024 campaign that saw him finish joint-top of the scoring charts. The 26-year-old shone for eventual winners Spain, bagging five goal contributions (three goals and two assists) and proving to be a seamless replacement for the injured Pedri.

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been largely viewed as an alternative option to Zirkzee, meaning a move now may not happen, but a summer exit for the Englishman cannot be ruled out, and United could still feel that another attacking option is needed, allowing Rasmus Hojlund to mature as a player at his own speed.

Xavi Simons has also been backed to join the Red Devils between now and the start of next season, with Paris Saint-Germain potentially keen on loaning him out again. The 21-year-old helped the Netherlands reach the semi-finals of the Euros, while last season, he scored eight goals and registered 11 assists in the Bundesliga, thriving on loan at RB Leipzig.

Man Utd ready to pay asking price for "amazing" player

According to a new update from Fussball News [via Sport Witness], Manchester United have opened "harmonious and very constructive" talks for Matthijs de Ligt and are willing to pay the full asking price of £42m for him this summer.

While certain aspects of the deal still need to be ironed out, like the structure of the payments, the update states that a move to Old Trafford from Bayern Munich could be sealed in the "coming days" with a fee basically agreed upon.

This is all extremely encouraging regarding United's move for De Ligt, suggesting that a deal will go through without too many issues this week. If the Bayern star ends up being the Red Devils' preferred choice to partner Lisandro Martinez moving forward, he could be a wonderful addition, even if his stock has fallen a little in recent years.

Remarkably, the Dutchman is still only 24 years of age, despite being a key starter for Ajax when they reached the Champions League semi-finals five years ago, and compatriot Nathan Ake thinks highly of him, saying last September: "It's amazing what he is doing at the moment. He's quick, strong for his age, very good in the air and on the ball he is very good. He scores so many from set-pieces so he's got a lot of the same attributes as Van Dijk."

Appearances

22

Starts

16

Goals

2

Assists

0

Clearances per game

2.4

Aerial duel wins per game

1.9

Pass completion rate

94%

There may be some United fans who would rather see Jarrad Branthwaite arrive instead of De Ligt, among others, but this could be a perfect chance for him to show why he has been thought of as one of the leading centre-backs of his generation for a number of years.

Premier League referee David Coote has reportedly admitted the video allegedly showing him insult Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp is genuine.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Referee Coote under investigation for viral videoAppears to insult Liverpool and KloppOfficial reportedly admits clip is genuineFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The clip, believed to be several years old, surfaced on social media on Monday and appeared to show English top-flight official Coote making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and former manager Klopp – who left the club in the summer. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) began an investigation into the matter and just a few short hours after this came to light, reports Coote has accepted this X-rated video is not fake, that he doesn't remember the discussion, and it was from several years ago.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT DAVID COOTE SAID

In the video, Coote is asked by another man: "What did you think of the Liverpool game earlier?"

He replies: "Liverpool were sh*t."

He is then asked: "What do you think of Jurgen Klopp?"

Coote replies: "C*nt. Absolute c*nt. Aside from having a right pop at me when I refereed them against Burnley in lockdown, he accused me of lying then had a right f*cking pop at me."

In reference to another game he refereed with Liverpool, he said: "I've got no interest in speaking to someone who's f*cking arrogant. So I do my best not to speak to him. James Milner's alright. You can see me there [in a picture on his phone] with a mask on. Got to careful right, we're social distancing, we're two metres apart. But my God, German c*nt. F*ck me."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The PGMOL has already confirmed Coote has been suspended pending this investigation and the Football Association is looking into this as well. There is a chance the Nottinghamshire native may never referee in football again after this scandal.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT?

It will just be a matter of time before the PGMOL hands out its verdict on Coote, along with the FA as well. The outcry from this has been huge, with many predicting his career as an official will be over.

Todd Boehly has put his £15 million mansion up for sale with the Chelsea co-owner's property featuring a bowling alley and a basketball court.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Chelsea co-owner's mansion for sale
• Features pool, sauna and basketball court
• Boehly set to make huge profit

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Boehly has listed his mansion in Connecticut and is hoping to make a huge profit on his property. Originally bought for just £3.25m in 2005, it's now up for sale at over four times the price. The 9.5 acre estate also features a swimming pool and pool house, sauna, indoor batting cage, two-bedroom guest house as well as boasting six bedrooms, nine bathrooms and four fireplaces.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Connecticut home is one of many owned by Boehly. He also also owns properties in New York, Los Angeles and London. Boehly currently divides his team between London and Los Angeles, where he also owns part of the LA Dodgers baseball team and women's basketball team the LA Sparks. The Chelsea co-owner has invested heavily in the Blues since arriving in 2022, splashing out on players including Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk. However, he is currently locked in a dispute over the direct of the club and would have to spend heavily again to buy out co-owner Behdad Eghbali.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Boehly could be set to add a cricket team to his list of investments. The Chelsea co-owner is set to be involved in an offer for a large stake in The Hundred's London Spirit, according to .

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA

  Boehly's Chelsea do appear to be making strides on the pitch this season after another summer of heavy investment. The Blues face a huge London derby against Arsenal next, and the chance to move three points clear of the Gunners in the Premier League table with a win.

Derby County have been building a much-talked-about reputation of being a club willing to give their up-and-coming youth stars a chance for some time now, before allowing them to blossom into top first-team performers.

The likes of Eiran Cashin, Max Bird and Louie Sibley all had to make their way up the food chain at Pride Park from playing youth football to becoming settled senior players from recent memory, with Bird even winning himself a move to Bristol City off the back of a positive few years in and around the first-team in Derbyshire.

Cashin has also been touted for a major Premier League move away from Paul Warne's men in the past, with Brighton and Hove Albion once eyeing up the promising Irish defender according to reports.

Whilst selling on Cashin down the line will no doubt add significant money to the spending kitty at Pride Park, much like Bird leaving will have made the club some pretty profit, Derby will be laughing at the prospect of one of their forgotten youth gems making them serious cash away from those mentioned.

Omari Kellyman's major move to Chelsea

Many with loose connections to Derby might well have pushed the fact Omari Kellyman was once on the books at Derby to the back of their heads, with the current Aston Villa starlet playing at a youth level for the Rams for ten years, before Villa Park beckoned.

The Derby-born attacking midfielder has only made six first-team appearances for Unai Emery's men since joining in 2022, but has clearly left a lasting impression on the wealthy Chelsea hierarchy, with Kellyman sealing an extraordinary £19m move to Stamford Bridge.

There have been many questioning this excessive price tag being put above Kellyman's head, considering his lack of experience in the Premier League for his current employers, but Chelsea will continue to flex their financial muscles in whatever transfer market is open, with the 18-year-old their next audacious capture.

Nobody would have expected back in Derbyshire that Kellyman would demand such an extortionate fee just two years on from his exit from Pride Park, with the England U20 international sold on before he could fully explode into the men's game for the Rams, alongside the aforementioned Cashin and other well-known Derby youth products.

Kellyman's rise since Derby

Kellyman was very much an unassuming youngster trying to cut his teeth in the senior mix when still on the roster of the Rams, patiently waiting for some first-team opportunities to come his way.

The Villa number 71 would only end up making five appearances for the Derby U18s before Villa swooped in to steal his services, in the midst of Derby's financial troubles, but the teenager's name would have been on the lips of many a Rams supporter when he was gifted a space on the bench by Wayne Rooney, during the ex-Manchester United legend's time in the Pride Park dug-out.

That rare shot in the senior picture would come about in November of 2021, with Kellyman watching on from the bench as Derby beat AFC Bournemouth 3-2, jealous of the likes of Max Knight – who is another off the youth production line at the Rams – performing front and centre, whilst the 18-year-old watched on wide-eyed and eager to make an impression from the sidelines.

Villa's gamble to sign Kellyman for £600k has more than paid off, however, with Emery and Co pocketing a ludicrous £19m now that his move to Chelsea is confirmed, which should trickle down to Derby gaining some considerable cash too, with a reported amount of £4.75m coming the way of the Championship side.

23/24

14

8

0

22/23

21

5

5

21/22 (Villa)

9

1

1

21/22 (Derby)

5

0

0

Scoring eight goals playing for the U21s last season, it wasn't a shock to see the exuberant bright spark be given first-team chances here and there therefore, with Kellyman even featuring in the Europa Conference League under Emery's watchful eye.

Those were only fleeting appearances, however, with the left-footed 18-year-old averaging only 18 minutes of action from those two Premier League chances, and so Chelsea splashing out a huge fee has rightly raised a few eyebrows.

Still, Derby won't really care too much whether their former Academy jewel struggles at Stamford Bridge or ends up thriving with all the pressure on his shoulders, knowing that they will be seeing some significant cash come their way regardless, with Kellyman's £19m worth making him more expensive than the entire combined Rams squad, as per Transfermarkt,

The accumulated worth of the Derby camp stands at a lesser £10m in stark contrast, really showcasing how hefty of a price Chelsea have paid for the unproven teenager.

Derby's injection of cash from Kellyman sale

The reported £4.75m Derby could pocket off-the-back of Kellyman's major move to West London is also more money than what any player in the Rams camp is currently worth, as per Football Transfers, with Cashin the Championship side's most valued asset at a lesser £1.4m according to the site.

Moreover, the predicted cash flow would also not be far off breaking into the top five record departures that have left Pride Park in recent times, with Tom Ince breaking into that last spot in the list below having left for £7.5m.

Player

Sale price/money given to Derby

1. Matej Vydra

£10.3m

2. Jeff Hendrick

£9.9m

3. Seth Johnson

£9.7m

4. Will Hughes

£7.5m

5. Tom Ince

£7.5m

6. Omari Kellyman

£4.75m

Villa are the obvious winners from this sale, however, as Emery and Co eye up some impressive fresh recruits ahead of their Champions League adventure next campaign, putting their newly obtained £19m to good use.

The Rams will also be keen to use the money they're set to receive on adding in new stars to the building ahead of a step-up in quality, knowing those millions could go a long way in getting in experienced Championship players, to help keep the club afloat again in the second-tier.

There might well be some regret on Derby's end that they didn't keep Kellyman around for longer, but with their hands being tied behind their back when he was snapped up by Villa owing to their off-the-field insecurities, they'll willingly take the money they will receive from Kellyman joining Enzo Maresca's men without complaining too much.

Derby could boldly repeat Hourihane decision by selling £8k-p/w star

Paul Warne could boldly get rid of this ageing Derby County gem soon.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 23, 2024

Following the departure of Wilfred Ndidi, Leicester City have reportedly turned their attention towards handing Steve Cooper an £8m replacement ahead of next season.

Leicester transfer news

Of course, the Foxes are due some good news following such a tumultuous start to the summer, which has seen manager Enzo Maresca and star man Kiernan Dewsbuy-Hall both jump ship to join Chelsea. The former has at least since been replaced by former Nottingham Forest manager Cooper, but Leicester are yet to welcome a replacement for a player of Dewsbury-Hall's calibre.

With potential FFP sanctions on their way too, things are unlikely to get any easier for those the King Power Stadium next season, making their summer business all the more important. Replacing players will be the key, and that's not just Dewsbury-Hall, with Ndidi's departure also leaving a gaping hole in Leicester's midfield.

The Nigerian would have brought plenty of Premier League experience and quality to Cooper's midfield next season, but the new manager must now look elsewhere for options, which may see a Ligue 1 ace arrive.

According to L'equipe, Leicester City are now eyeing a move to sign Amir Richardson from Stade Reims alongside Everton and Udinese, but none of the three interested parties are willing to match the French side's reported €10M (£8m) price tag as things stand.

Imagine him & Fatawu: Leicester keen on signing ex-Messi teammate

Leicester City could pull off a very impressive free transfer deal with this summer buy.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 4, 2024

Leicester and Everton must both be careful with their spending these days, but for just £8m, it's a deal that could be worth pursuing for the Foxes as they look to replace Ndidi. Still just 22 years old, Richardson is a player who is likely to step up a level with such an opportunity, perhaps making the investment worthwhile this summer.

"Unique" Richardson can fill Ndidi void

Replacing a midfielder of Ndidi's calibre is no easy task, but given the praise of footbal writer Bence Bocsak, Richardson is certainly capable of doing just that at Leicester next season.

Bocsak was full of praise for the midfielder on X earlier this year, saying: "He’s already won the U23 AFCON with Morocco last year. Such a unique profile in terms of a midfielder – extremely tall at 1.95 metres and springy – he defends and goes forward with the ball really well. So good on the ball. Just 21 years old."

League stats 23/24 (via FBref)	Amir Richardson	Wilfred Ndidi
Minutes	1,352	2,127
Progressive Carries per 90	1.87	1.74
Progressive Passes per 90	4.80	4.32
Ball Recoveries per 90	5.73	4.41

Whilst Richardson didn't receive the same amount of minutes as Ndidi last season, he proved in a smaller sample size exactly what he's capable of, outperforming Ndidi in a number of areas.

So, whilst they have their PSR concerns to think about, Leicester should pursue Richardson this summer in a deal which could cost them just £8m to kickstart their transfer window. The young midfielder has shown plenty of signs that he's one to watch.