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Glasgow Rangers are set to confirm their first signing of the Russell Martin era as they close in on a deal to sign right-back Max Aarons from Bournemouth.

Fabrizio Romano reports that all of the documents have been signed to complete a season-long loan move for the former England U21 international, who is set to bolster the club’s defensive options.

Aarons is no stranger to the new Rangers boss because he came through the Norwich academy when the former Scotland international was the club captain at Carrow Road.

Speaking on the Talk Norwich City podcast in May, the 25-year-old defender explained why he thought Martin would become a manager in the future when they trained together.

Aarons said: “When he came and trained with us he had an aura. I always knew he would go on to be a manager. I think players who played with him always knew that as well.

“I knew we had to be on it when he was training with us and giving 110 per cent because if not Russ would tell you and I loved that.”

What Max Aarons could bring to Rangers

It is fair to say that Rangers are not signing Aarons at the apex of his career, as he has had a difficult time of things since leaving Norwich to sign for Bournemouth in 2023.

After missing just two games through injury in his entire time in Norfolk, the full-back suffered two injuries that kept him out for 15 matches combined in his first year at the Vitality, which heavily disrupted his progress with the Cherries.

The right-footed whiz only played 23 games in the Premier League in his first 18 months with Bournemouth, before being loaned out to Valencia, where he played five times, in the second half of the 2024/25 season.

However, if Rangers can get Aarons back to his best, then they could have a reliable defender who can also provide quality in possession, based on his impressive displays for Norwich when they won the Championship title in the 2018/19 and 2020/21 campaigns.

Starts

41

45

Goals

2

2

Big chances created

6

5

Assists

6

2

Clean sheets

11

17

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.7

1.6

Duel success rate

58%

53%

As you can see in the table above, the former Canaries star, who was named in the PFA Team of the Year on both occasions, offered a threat at the top end of the pitch whilst also helping his team to keep plenty of clean sheets.

Those performances for Norwich came in a ball-dominant team that won the league title both times, which shows that he can thrive as a full-back in a side that competes at the very top of the league, as Rangers will do next term.

As shown in the clip above, Aarons excels at linking up with teammates to maraud down the flank in transition, helping his team to get up the pitch quickly and effectively to create chances in the final third.

The English whiz struck up an exceptional partnership with Emiliano Buendia on the right flank, as they played at right-back and right-wing week-in-week-out in both of those title-winning seasons for Norwich.

Buendia was a natural number ten who was utilised as a right-winger by Daniel Farke, with the license to drift infield into central areas to create space for Aarons to bomb on and make runs into the final third.

That partnership clearly helped the full-back to flourish, given his form for Norwich in those seasons, and that is why Martin can make the defender explode again by signing Tyrhys Dolan, who is a reported Rangers target this summer.

Why Tyrhys Dolan is perfect for Max Aarons

The Light Blues should sign the Blackburn Rovers forward before the end of the summer transfer window because he could be the perfect signing alongside Aarons.

Dolan could also be a bargain signing for the Scottish Premiership giants because his contract at Ewood Park is due to expire at the end of this month, which means that he is set to be available on a free transfer.

It is his quality and versatility on the pitch that Rangers should be most interested in, though, as the wing wizard, who created seven ‘big chances’ for his teammates in the 2024/25 campaign, has the potential to be a Buendia-esque figure ahead of Aarons on the right flank.

Dolan, who was once lauded as “outstanding” by former boss John Eustace, is a versatile attacker who can comfortably play out wide on the right or in a central position.

Right wing

48

5

6

Centre-forward

38

5

3

Attacking midfield

26

6

4

Right midfield

25

4

3

Left winger

17

4

1

Left midfield

12

2

3

Second striker

4

1

1

As you can see in the table above, the 23-year-old whiz has predominantly played as a right winger, but has plenty of experience as a striker and as a number ten.

This suggests that he would be perfectly suited to playing a similar role to the one that Buendia played ahead of Aarons at Norwich, as he can start out wide on the right and drift inside to create space for the full-back on the overlap.

Interestingly, Adam Armstrong played a similar tactical role for Martin in the 2023/24 campaign in the Championship, as he started on the right wing before coming infield to play as a striker.

This particular position for Dolan, who scored seven goals and provided six assists this season, would be slightly different, coming into a number ten area instead of playing as a number nine, to make sure that Aarons can thrive as an overlapping full-back.

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Therefore, Dolan could be the perfect signing for the Light Blues to help Aarons explode next season, because of the goals and assists he can provide as well as the positional flexibility to play a unique tactical role.

The news everyone feared at Burnley, but ultimately expected, has now been officially confirmed, with CJ Egan-Riley taking up an opportunity at Ligue 1 giants Marseille after turning down a new Turf Moor deal.

This will be a sizeable hole to fill on the end of Scott Parker’s men, considering Egan-Riley is just fresh off a glittering Championship promotion season that saw him collect a mammoth 26 clean sheets.

But, the Clarets have been here before and bounced back well, with both Ben Mee and James Tarkowski exiting the club once upon a time garnering this same level of dismay.

Therefore, Burnley will be hopeful they can plug Egan-Riley’s gap very soon by landing an adequate replacement.

Burnley keen to re-sign £20m defender

As per a new report from football journalist Alan Nixon, Burnley are keen to bring Taylor Harwood-Bellis back to Lancashire after his current employers, Southampton, crashed out of the Premier League last season.

It’s stated that the 23-year-old is eager to stick it out in the top-flight over heading down to the Championship with the Saints, meaning a second spell at Burnley could soon be on the cards.

Nixon does reveal that West Ham United are also keeping tabs on the former Manchester City youth starlet, but a deal would only take place if a sale was made, owing to Harwood-Bellis’ reported price tag of £20m.

Therefore, the newly promoted outfit could soon race to the front of the queue to land Harwood-Bellis back on a permanent basis, with the 6-foot-2 defender a very suitable replacement for the now departed Egan-Riley.

Why Harwood-Bellis is even better than Egan-Riley

Whilst the 22-year-old is just fresh off an unbelievable campaign in the heart of the Clarets’ defence, the former Burnley number six has only collected one Premier League appearance across his career to date, meaning he might well struggle with the demands of a top-five league.

On the contrary, Harwood-Bellis is well versed with the challenges of the daunting Premier League now, with the Stockport-born colossus even winning himself a senior England call-up last season when battling away valiantly for basement side Southampton.

Games played

34

41

Goals scored

1

1

Assists

0

1

Touches*

74.1

80.8

Accurate passes*

55.1 (88%)

59.7 (86%)

Big chances created

3

2

Ball recoveries*

3.6

4.5

Clearances*

4.1

4.7

Total duels won*

3.2

4.2

It’s clear from the table above that Harwood-Bellis is very similar in approach to Egan-Riley, with the defensive pairing both comfortable performers with the ball at their feet, as much as they are also adept at getting stuck in when necessary.

Whilst it is obviously impressive to pick up the numbers Egan-Riley managed at the top-end of the Championship, Parker will view his new target as an upgrade for what he can offer in the league above, with Harwood-Bellis actually averaging more accurate passes per match stuck in a relegation battle than his Marseille counterpart managed in a promotion race.

He was even labelled as “incredible” last season by former boss Pep Guardiola for the progress he had made away from the Etihad, with a Three Lions call-up further proof that he belongs in the big time.

On the flip side, away from his standout showings last season, Egan-Riley has only ever been exposed to a top division fully on loan with Hibernian, with just that one paltry Premier League appearance next to his name. Harwood-Bellis, despite only being one year older, boasts a hefty 34 and counting, away from his 113 outings in the taxing Championship.

Further hailed as a “warrior” by journalist Josh Bunting when shining bright previously at Turf Moor, the composed, yet dominant defender could well be an even better figure for Burnley to have at the back than Egan-Riley, especially as they transition back to the daunting reality of Premier League life.

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ByKelan Sarson Jun 10, 2025

Russell Martin is the man charged with bringing the glory days back to Glasgow Rangers. He was announced as the club’s 20th permanent manager in midweek, and thoughts now turn to the transfer window.

The 49ers will likely give the new manager some funds to strengthen his squad, especially given how important next season is for the Ibrox side.

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Reclaiming the Premiership title will be his priority. To build a squad capable of challenging Celtic, he might need to cash in on a prized asset or two.

Why Rangers could sell Mohamed Diomande

Both Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande have been linked with moves away from Glasgow this summer.

The latter has been subject to interest from Everton recently, although Martin may well reject an offer should it arrive for the Ivorian.

However, should the Toffees make a bid too good to turn down, Martin simply must cash in.

Metric

Premiership

Europa League

Goals

4

1

Assists

7

2

Key passes per game

1.2

0.9

Total duels won per game

4.3

5.3

Tackles per game

1.2

1.9

Far too often in the past have the club rejected bids, only to see star players walk away for a pittance. Or even worse, for free, in the case of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos, for instance.

Diomande recorded 15 goal contributions last season – six goals and nine assists – while showcasing his versatility across numerous positions.

Given that the club may have to rely on Europa League football next season, selling players when the iron is hot might be the best way to bolster the finances.

If so, Martin may look to seal a deal to bring in an ideal replacement for Diomande this summer…

Rangers could land the perfect Diomande replacement

Last month, the Light Blues were linked with a move to sign Brazilian starlet Metinho from Ligue 1 side Troyes.

The Daily Record has since claimed earlier this week that it will take an offer of around £5m to secure his signature this summer. It remains to be seen how much Martin will have to spend, but selling a player for a high fee could help his cause.

He will be out of contract next summer, hence Troyes’ decision to move him on this summer if the fee is right. Martin could be signing an ideal replacement for Diomande should he land the player, that’s for sure.

Metinho spent the second half of last season out on loan at FC Basel, helping them win the Swiss league title in the process.

Although not as effective in the final third as Diomande, Metinho shone defensively, averaging 2.6 tackles, one interception and recovered 4.4 balls per game for the club.

Having started his career at Fluminense, Metinho was hailed as one of “Brazil’s best” by SelecaoTalk in 2021.

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While his career might not have lived up to this lofty praise as yet, there are still signs as to why he could be an “excellent” signing for Rangers – as noted by writer Kai Watson.

Still only 22, Metinho has plenty of time on his side to fulfil his potential. If he does this at Rangers, there is no doubt the midfielder could land the club a solid profit in a few years.

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An “unbelievable” Premier League star is now emerging as a key summer target for David Moyes and Everton, according to a report.

Moyes eyeing major summer rebuild

Much to the fans’ dismay, the Toffees have regularly been drawn into relegation battles over the past few years, narrowly avoiding the drop under the helm of Frank Lampard, before being led to safety by Sean Dyche the following season.

Dyche was ultimately dimissed earlier in the current campaign, with Moyes being brought in to steady the ship ahead of the move to Bramley-Moore Dock this summer, which marks the start of an exciting new era for the Blues.

The hope will be the move to the new stadium will give Moyes a platform to turn the Merseyside club back into European contenders, but for that to transpire, the manager may need to reshape his squad in the summer window.

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With Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye and Orel Mangala currently set to depart, new options may be needed in central midfield, with Angel Gomes and Sean Longstaff of interest, while Tim Kleindienst could replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin at striker.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, Moyes is also looking to upgrade his defensive options this summer, with Manchester City centre-back John Stones now emerging as one of Everton’s key targets.

Stones, who left the Toffees to join Man City for £47.5m in 2016, was initially brought to Goodison Park by Moyes as a youngster, and the manager is now eyeing a summer reunion, with just 12 points remaining on the defender’s current deal.

Injuries have been a real problem for the former Barnsley man, and a move back to Merseyside could be an attractive proposition, should the Blues be willing to offer him the security of a long-term deal.

"Unbelievable" Stones could be marquee signing

There will be some justified concerns about the 30-year-old’s injury record, having been limited to just 11 appearances in the Premier League this season, but should he manage to stay fit, the City defender could be a marquee signing for Everton.

While game time has been limited, the Englishman has managed to impress when given the opportunity over the past year, particularly impressing in an attacking sense, ranking in the top 1% for goals and assists per 90, when compared to other centre-backs.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non penalty-goals

0.30 (99th percentile)

Assists

0.20 (99th percentile)

Progressive carries

2.07 (99th percentile)

Pass completion %

93.9% (98th percentile)

Not only that, but the ex-Everton man received very high praise from teammate Manuel Akanji after a top performance in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, with the Swiss defender lauding him as “unbelievable”.

The report makes it clear that Moyes is looking to build a squad capable of competing in the upper echelons of the table next season, and given his top-level experience, Stones could be an ideal addition.

Arsenal have been handed significant news about their pursuit of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, with Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta and the recruitment team now alerted to a potential deal-breaker in talks.

Arsenal in reported talks over signing Viktor Gyokeres this summer

In the last few days, reports from both Portugal and England have claimed that Mikel Arteta’s side are moving forward in their attempts to seal a move for the 26-year-old.

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A Bola report Arsenal have offered Gyokeres a £7 million-per-year contract already, with Sporting setting an asking price of around £63 million amid Berta’s pretty serious interest in striking a deal for the Primeira Liga superstar.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

CaughtOffside, meanwhile, state Arsenal are in advanced club-to-club talks for Gyokeres as they look to steal a march on Premier League rivals Man United and Liverpool in pursuit of his signature.

Going by these claims, it would appear that the Gunners’ links to Gyokeres stretch far beyond just interest, with Berta looking to sign a top striker for Arsenal as one of his key summer priorities.

“I’m not inside to know their thoughts, but definitely, I would say a striker, a top, top striker, that can bang in 40 to 50 goals like all the top teams.” said ex-Arsenal star and Como boss Cesc Fàbregas to Amazon Prime recently.

“He [Gyokeres] could be an option, 100 per cent. He is an extraordinary striker.

“He is a focused player, who pays attention to details, he is competitive, never lets his guard down, and doesn’t want to rest. He is as an athlete, a player and team-mate who instils confidence in his team-mates with what he gives to the team.”

Called a “phenomenon” by Rui Borges, the former Coventry City striker has been free-scoring since making the move to Portugal, and currently boasts 52 goals from 50 appearances in all competitions this season.

Arsenal receive "major" Gyokeres update amid Sporting deal-breaker

However, Gyokeres’ electric form also puts Sporting in a solid negotiating position, even if there is a release clause in his deal.

Football Transfers state that Arsenal are determined to finalise a deal for Gyokeres, and will have representatives in attendance to watch him play in the Taca de Portugal final against Benfica on May 25.

In what they describe as a “major update”, though, Berta and co are informed of a key requirement on Sporting’s end which could prove an obstacle in Arsenal’s talks to sign Gyokeres.

Sporting are adamant the vast majority of his final agreed transfer fee must be paid within two years, and this may prove problematic for the north Londoners. Arsenal are required to agree to Sporting’s terms or risk another club swooping in to hijack their move, as per FT, so the transfer is proving more complicated than initially reported.

Arsenal have alternatives to pursue if a move does collapse, but Berta is believed to be especially keen on Gyokeres.

La Liga giants Real Madrid are prepared to make a part-exchange bid for Chelsea star Enzo Fernández this summer, with a report sharing who Florentino Perez is ready to send to Stamford Bridge alongside a cash offer.

Chelsea could now sign an attacking midfielder this summer

Christopher Nkunku, João Félix and Carney Chukwuemeka are very likely to be sold or loaned out by Chelsea when the transfer window reopens, and this means Enzo Maresca’s side could bring in another attacking midfielder.

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That is according to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, who also explained that Chelsea would only have Cole Palmer as an option for the role if all three of the aforementioned players do end up leaving the club.

Everton (home)

April 26th

Liverpool (home)

May 4th

Newcastle (away)

May 11th

Man United (home)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (away)

May 25th

This potential shortage even prompted Chelsea to hold internal talks over re-signing Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to leave Man City on a free contract in July, 11 years after José Mourinho let him depart Cobham for just £17 million.

Since then, it has been reported that Chelsea have cooled their interest in a free deal for De Bruyne (The Telegraph), despite their need for more experience in the squad and a new creator in the middle.

In his most recent press conference, Maresca hinted that Chelsea require players with more years under their belt, sending a subtle message to the Blues hierarchy.

“When you have experience you have something more, no doubt,” said Maresca.

“But the ones that struggle in terms of experience this year, they have already won more in terms of experience. Next year they can be better. We are a better team today than two or three months ago because we went through this bad moment. And if you want to grow, you need this moment as a team. We are the youngest team in the Premier League. And the second [youngest] in Europe. For some games, we have on the bench three or four players [born in] 2006, 2007 or 2008. Do you see that? No. I see that.”

Real Madrid prepared to offer Chelsea £34m and Arda Güler for Enzo Fernández

According to reports in Spain, while hardly a player of experience, Chelsea could be offered the chance to reinforce their attacking midfield options.

Indeed, it is believed Real Madrid are targeting Maresca’s star midfielder, Fernández, and are prepared to launch a part-exchange bid for the Argentine – involving Turkey sensation Arda Güler.

Real are willing to offer Guler and £34 million to Chelsea in exchange for Fernandez, with the former starting their most recent La Liga game against Getafe and getting on the scoresheet.

However, overall, the 20-year-old has been used sparingly by Carlo Ancelotti, making the vast majority of his appearances off the bench. Guler has still managed four goals and seven assists in that time, impressing in some key games, but he’ll be keen for many more opportunities to start.

The ex-Fenerbache gem already carries a fearsome reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young talents, and Chelsea have displayed a real penchant to go for this type of signing over the last few seasons.

“Arda is showing great personality and exceptional quality,” said José Mourinho about Guler.

“To play at that club, personality is crucial. Players must internalize that they are good enough to play there. They can’t be afraid.”

Whilst Chelsea have progressed through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League, the Blues lost 2-1 to Legia Warsaw at home, in a game that will have many fans worried about the fate of the team at the back end of this season.

Enzo Maresca’s men held 70% of the ball, generated 2.00 xG, created five “big chances” and took 16 shots in the match. But Legia, with just 30% of the ball, managed to fashion 13 shots of their own, creating four “big chances” and generating 2.22 xG.

There were no real good performances from the Blues, if anyone it would have been Chelsea’s youngster Tyrique George, who came from the bench. One of the worst performers was their star man, Cole Palmer, who is struggling for form and confidence at the moment.

Cole Palmer's woes continue

Palmer’s last goal came against Bournemouth back in January, with the 22-year-old looking cold in front of goal recently – and no, not his type of cold. The Chelsea star looks off the pace in attacking areas, taking too long to make decisions and becoming visibly frustrated.

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He managed two shots against Legia Warsaw, both of which could have resulted in goals, given his red-hot finishing last season and what many fans have come to expect. However, one shot was easily saved and the other missed the target.

Palmer also lost possession six times in his 58 minutes played, only managed 31 touches in the game and only won two of his five ground duels.

But Chelsea fans will be much more worried about another forward who started the game, whose time may just have run out.

Chelsea's 3/10 dud is now out of time

Christopher Nkunku has struggled all season for the Blues, often being used out of position, having to fill in as a striker or off the left, whilst Palmer starts in attacking midfield. And it was yet another poor display from the Frenchman, earning him a 3/10 match rating from GOAL.

Minutes

90

Touches

51

Accurate Passes

38/40

Key Passes

2

Shots

1

Ground Duels Won

4/6

Aerial Duels Won

0/2

Possession Lost

6

Tackles

2

The 27-year-old only managed one shot in the entire game, which was on target, but was also easily saved. He also lost possession six times, lost both of his aerial duels but did win four of his six ground duels and made two key passes.

Whilst Nkunku has had many more stand-out poor performances than this one, it’s more what this one represented. 3-0 up playing against Legia Warsaw at Stamford Bridge, space to attack in behind and chances to make things happen, but still looking off the pace and disinterested.

It seems like it could be the end of the road for Nkunku at Chelsea, with fans losing their patience with the Frenchman and clubs already registering interest in the forward ahead of the summer window.

It could be the best time for the Blues to cash in and cut their losses.

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Ipswich Town have signed a versatile teenager in an out-of-window move, according to a new update.

Ipswich Town looking to summer with Premier League relegation on the cards

The Tractor Boys are on course for an immediate return to the Championship after just one season in the Premier League.

Kieran McKenna’s side are currently 14 points away from safety with just six games to go and look destined to drop back to the second tier alongside fellow promoted sides Southampton and Leicester City despite spending big across the 2024/25 season.

Omari Hutchinson

Chelsea

€23.5m

Jacob Greaves

Hull City

€21.5m

Liam Delap

Man City

€17.85m

Jack Clarke

Sunderland

€17.7m

Dara O’Shea

Burnley

€14.2m

Sammie Szmodics

Blackburn Rovers

€10.6m

Arijanet Muric

Burnley

€9.55m

Chiedozie Ogbene

Luton Town

€9.5m

Jens Cajuste

Napoli

Loan

Conor Townsend

West Brom

€590,000

Ben Johnson

West Ham

Free

Kalvin Phillips

Man City

Loan

Jaden Philogene

Aston Villa

€23.7m

Alex Palmer

West Brom

€2.4m

Julio Enciso

Brighton

Loan

Ben Godfrey

Atalanta

Loan

Relegation looks set to result in a busy summer of departures from Portman Road, with Liam Delap attracting interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. Approaches have been made by both clubs for Delap, who will be available for £30m if Ipswich go down.

Talking about Delap’s future, McKenna said before the 2-2 draw at Chelsea: “It’s not something that’s been discussed loads internally at because everyone’s focus, honestly, has been on Bournemouth, on Wolves, now on Chelsea. But if you ask me, is that a possibility? I think it’s certainly a possibility. Liam’s a young striker. He’s developing really, really well at the football club.

“He’s happy and he’s improving every week and we’re enjoying working with him. I’m sure there’s lots of different possibilities. But Liam’s an Ipswich player. He enjoys being an Ipswich player and that’s where his full focus is.”

A replacement could soon be needed for the star striker, with both Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland and Sheffield United teenager Ryan One both mooted as transfer targets to come in for Delap.

Targeting youth with a move for One shows that Ipswich appear to be looking long-term at potential signings, and they have now agreed a deal to sign another teenage talent.

Ipswich Town sign versatile youngster Corbin Mthunzi

As reported by The East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich Town have signed 17-year-old Corbin Mthunzi following a successful trial.

Previously of Brighton & Hove Albion, Mthunzi has penned a two-year professional contract at Portman Road after turning out twice for Ipswich’s U21s last month.

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Mthunzi played as a centre-back in the fixtures against QPR and Chelsea, however, the teenager can also turn out as a midfielder if required.

He’ll now be looking to break into McKenna’s first team plans over the coming years, so Mthunzi’s progress at Portman Road will be one to watch.

In what is a frustrating blow for those at the Stadium of Light, one Sunderland star could now miss the rest of the season – including the play-offs – after already missing the Norwich City game.

Le Bris provides Sunderland injury update

Whilst the play-offs are already well within their grasp, Sunderland would have still been left frustrated by their 0-0 draw against Norwich City in midweek. The Black Cats are in the type of form that many expected to continue against the inconsistent Canaries, having lost just once in their last five Championship games. Nonetheless Regis Le Bris’ side were forced to settle for a frustrating point.

The Sunderland boss delivered his verdict on the 0-0 draw in his post-match press conference, telling reporters: “It was a tough first half. We defended well and we expected a strong team in possession with many threats. We did well without pressure, which was probably the main problem.

“The first half was a little bit too reserved. The tactical set-up was clear, so now it was a case of taking risks. It’s easier when you are on the bench, but after 30 minutes, it was a little bit better.

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“At half time, we spoke about the boldness we needed to have against a strong team. Things were better in the second half – we had good possession and the four subs helped. These games against West Brom and Norwich are really interesting because they are strong in possession with many threats. The fact that we can manage these games and keep a clean sheet says a lot about our efficiency.”

Le Bris was also able to provide an update on Jobe Bellingham’s injury, revealing that the midfielder missed the draw through a minor recurring ankle injury in what should see him make a swift return. The same can’t be said for another Sunderland star, however, following a recurrence of his own injury.

Romaine Mundle suffers injury blow

After the winger missed the Norwich game through injury, Le Bris revealed that Mundle could now be out for the rest of the season. The Sunderland boss told reporters: “Romaine has a hamstring injury, but we don’t yet know the timeline. We need to seek some further advice from some specialists and so we will have to wait a little bit.

“It’s possible [that his season could be over], we’ll have to make a decision about the situation. It’s not up to us really, we need specific advice before we can make a specific decision.”

The latest piece of bad news continues a frustrating campaign for Mundle, who already missed 16 Championship games through the same injury frustration earlier this season. Having scored five goals in all competitions despite the disruption, it’s clear that Sunderland will miss the winger if that is to be it for him this season.

Dubbed “brilliant” by captain Dan Neil in the past, Mundle will be desperate to put his struggles behind him as soon as possible and look forward towards a comeback which may have to wait until next season.

Few Manchester United players in the modern era have been quite so polarising, quite so newsworthy as that of Paul Pogba, with the mercurial Frenchman enduring a turbulent six-year second spell at Old Trafford, to say the least.

Signed on an £89m deal back in the summer of 2016 – four years on from having left under Sir Alex Ferguson on a free transfer – the towering midfielder failed to truly justify that club record fee, despite scoring and assisting 87 goals in 233 games for the Red Devils in total.

Plagued by injuries in his final few seasons in Manchester, the World Cup winner was repeatedly touted for an exit by his then-agent, Mino Raiola, throughout his time at the club, while failing to build on the Carabao Cup and Europa League success from his first year back in English football.

The former Juventus man may not have been surrounded by the greatest United side of recent times, but neither has Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese playmaker epitomising everything that his ex-teammate could have been.

Deployed in a deep-lying role, as a number ten, or even on the flanks, Fernandes has repeatedly delivered the goods over the past five years, having now chalked up 95 goals and 82 assists in 277 games to date. There have been no excuses, no apparent desire to leave – the 30-year-old has relished the role of being United’s talisman.

Pogba, however, never took on that mantle, even despite his hefty price tag, with the Red Devils certainly needing to steer clear of any suggestion regarding a potential reunion.

The latest on Pogba's potential Man Utd return

Having been approaching the end of his contract in the climax of the 2021/22 campaign, Pogba’s United career petered out in a sorry manner as he was notably booed off by the Old Trafford faifthful during the 3-2 win over Norwich City, having then limped off just minutes into the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool away at Anfield.

That had looked like a fitting end to a disappointing chapter for the 91-cap France international, although there had been reports of late that an unwelcome homecoming was on the cards.

The 32-year-old has been out of action across the last 18 months or so due to a suspension for a doping breach, having endured a miserable return to Juve, following his United exit in 2022.

Now currently a free agent, Pogba was linked with a short-term switch back to Manchester in recent months, albeit with those claims subsequently quashed, amid the player’s own desire to join a club competing in the upcoming Club World Cup.

Forking out for the wages of a player who hasn’t played competitively since 2023 would make little sense too, with a final swansong in Saudi Arabia or MLS looking a more likely destination for the ageing star.

For all concerned, Pogba’s United story wisely looks to be resigned to the past, although Ruben Amorim and INEOS may be fearful of having found their next version of the 6 foot 3 hotshot among the current ranks.

Man Utd may have found Pogba 2.0

For all the criticism mentioned above – with club legend Gary Neville among those to admit that Pogba’s move “failed” – there were no doubt flashes of quality from the midfielder at times in a United shirt.

2021/22

20

1

9

2020/21

26

3

3

2019/20

16

1

3

2018/19

35

13

9

2017/18

27

6

10

2016/17

30

5

4

2011/12

3

0

0

Total

157

29

38

The elegant star notably dazzled in the 2018/19 campaign, amid Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, having scored 16 goals and registered a further 11 assists, after being pushed into a more advanced role by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pogba also impressed down the left flank in the early knockings of 2021/22, having memorably chalked up four assists during the 5-1 thrashing of rivals Leeds United on the opening day.

Ultimately, however, a man signed to play in a midfield two never really looked comfortable in that role, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell noting after his exit that ‘his physical stature suggested a defensive side to Pogba’s game that was not really there’.

Parallels between that signing from Serie A can certainly be made then with the relatively recent capture of Joshua Zirkzee, with the 6 foot 4 Dutchman arriving on a £36.5m deal from Bologna last summer.

Like Pogba – who registered 23 goals and assists in 2015/16 at Juve – Zirkzee had dazzled in Italy’s top-flight, having ended last term as the division’s Young Player of the Year, while even being likened to Ronaldinho by then-boss, Thiago Motta.

Much like the Frenchman, the former Bayern Munich was signed for one role but has largely been at his best elsewhere, having swiftly moved away from operating as a number nine and instead been deployed as one of Amorim’s two number tens.

That switch has proved fruitful, amid notable goals against the likes of Leicester City and Real Sociedad in recent months, although, like Pogba, the 23-year-old’s pace and physicality has been called into question, having been described as almost “admirably slow” by journalist Charlie Parrish.

As Italian football expert Mina Rzouki has also outlined, ‘it doesn’t help that Zirkzee’s physical stature suggests he ought to be a different type of striker’, again mirroring the towering Pogba, who was not, despite his appearance, a particularly dominant midfielder.

A player that seemingly “belongs to a different era”, in the words of Parrish, Zirkzee’s almost casual style also bears a resemblance to Pogba strutting his stuff in the centre of the park, with the pair both possessing that knack for gliding up the pitch with the ball at their feet. The silk is there, but is there the steel?

The Netherlands international, to his credit, has shaken off an early withdrawal against Newcastle United to earn almost cult hero status – something his midfield counterpart was never able to achieve – with there perhaps a sense that he can kick on under the Amorim regime in the coming years.

That nagging stylistic likeness to Pogba does persist, however, with the question remaining as to whether the £105k-per-week maestro can truly carve out a regular role for himself in this system, as well as whether he really is up to the task amid the rigours of the Premier League.

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