This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Moise Kean’s ability has been suffocated in his handful of appearances out wide and, with Bernard out injured, it’s finally time for Marco Silva to fully trust him down the middle.
On the chalkboard
After bursting onto the scene with Juventus, Kean joined Everton for £25.1m with high expectations on Merseyside. However, the Italian has struggled for his new club and has had to settle for a place on the wing, as opposed to his preferred striker role.
The likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and lately Richarlison have forced the 19-year-old out wide if he plays. In this time, Kean has averaged just one shot per game and found his proven goalscoring ability completely restricted.
The youngster has started just twice in the Premier League and, as his form showed against Watford recently, he is struggling to adapt. Kean was brought off after 45 minutes, in a game which should have been his to shine in – he made just three passes and 14 touches throughout.
Richarlison out wide, Kean up top
The injury to Bernard has come at a very worrying time for Everton. Just as it looked like he and the club were hitting some form after the West Ham United win, the Brazilian sustained a nasty injury. However, Silva could easily combat this unfortunate event by playing two of his men in their most effective positions.
Richarlison proved with his 13 goals last season for Everton that he is a goalscorer. Plus, as shown by games recorded by Transfermarkt, the 22-year-old bagged eight of these from the wings.
Kean scored seven goals for Juventus last season and quickly established himself as a promising young talent. However, all seven of these goals came from the centre-forward role, which clearly proves this is his natural position.
With Richarlison’s proven ability on the wings and Kean’s record down the middle, it is a no-brainer for Silva whilst Bernard is out.
Everton looked like they were closing in on their first Premier League win of the season, going two goals up against Aston Villa. We’ve been here before though, haven’t we?
It was yet another case of déjà vu as the Midlands side stormed back to score three goals and take the three points, leaving Sean Dyche and his team shellshocked.
Despite several players impressing against Villa, such as goalscorers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil, there were a few who failed to really demonstrate their true talents during the 3-2 defeat.
One name that stands out is Jack Harrison, who didn’t offer much going forward into the final third.
Jack Harrison’s game in numbers vs Aston Villa
The loanee was expected to stretch the Villa defence during the game, providing chances for Calvert-Lewin, yet this plan didn’t quite work out.
Indeed, during his 64 minutes on the pitch, Harrison completed just nine passes, which was 13 fewer than Jordan Pickford, while he only managed 24 touches, again fewer than his goalkeeper (42), suggesting he didn’t get involved as much as Dyche would have wanted.
Goals
0
Assists
0
Big chances created
1
Key passes per game
1.8
Successful dribbles per game
1.5
Shots per game
1.8
Defensively, the winger lost possession six times, was dribbled past once and made an error which led to Unai Emery’s side scoring, underlining how poor he was on the right flank.
Subsequently handed a 5/10 match rating by the Liverpool Echo’s Chris Beesley, he stated that the forward had ‘more perspiration than inspiration from him.’ Not ideal, is it?
There is no respite for the Toffees, as they face Southampton in the League Cup this evening. Might Dyche make a few changes to his starting XI for the clash against the Saints?
The players who could replace Jack Harrison
In truth, Harrison is the only senior right-winger in the current Everton first team, but could the manager make some tactical tweaks or shift certain players into different positions against Southampton?
McNeil, who scored against Villa, has operated on the right flank in the past, providing Dyche with an option. The former Burnley manager worked with the 24-year-old at his old club, knowing exactly how to bring the best out of the player.
Furthermore, new signing Jesper Lindstrom may also be a candidate to come in for Harrison out wide. The former Eintracht Frankfurt gem usually plays as an attacking midfielder, scoring 34 goals and registering 26 assists while playing in this position during his senior career.
The Dane has some experience out wide, however, making 34 appearances combined on both the left and right flanks, scoring twice and grabbing three assists in the process.
During the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign, Lindstrom ranked in the top 4% for both shot-creating and goal-creating actions per 90, while also ranking in the top 4% for carries into the opposition penalty area per 90.
These attacking traits could see him thrive out wide for Dyche, especially against a side who have leaked 11 goals in five matches so far this term.
There aren’t many options at his disposal, which means the manager may have to improvise slightly, especially if he aims to get the best out of his squad this evening.
Fewer touches than Pickford: Dyche must drop 5/10 Everton problem
Chelsea have been handed a blow as one of their summer signings has picked up an injury in training that will keep him sidelined until November at the earliest, it has been revealed.
Chelsea make indifferent start to Premier League
So far, Enzo Maresca's Premier League debut campaign has got off to a mixed start. The Blues fell to a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on the opening day of the season but fought well and came away from the game with plenty of praise.
126 touches, 106 passes: 7/10 Chelsea star was as good as Palmer vs Palace
Chelsea would have felt frustrated at the final whistle with their draw against Crystal Palace.
ByKelan Sarson Sep 1, 2024
They then showed a glimpse of their potential as they thrashed Wolves 6-2 the following week, but stumbled to a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in their most recent Premier League outing and struggled past Swiss side Servette FC in the Conference League qualifiers, losing the second leg of the tie but heading through on aggregate courtesy of a crucial goal from Christopher Nkunku.
Christopher Nkunku scores for Chelsea
Their early season form has left them sitting in 11th place, five points off top spot in the Premier League as they head into the international break, which should act as a natural pre-season for those left at the club after more wholesale changes this summer.
But now they have been hit with the news that they will be without one of their summer additions for the next two months at the very least.
Chelsea man picks up injury in training
That comes as young talent Omari Kellyman is now set for yet another spell on the sidelines after he picked up an injury in training. Kellyman, who has just two Premier League appearances to his name, completed a £19m transfer to Stamford Bridge this summer, with Ian Maatsen joining Aston Villa in a seperate deal as both sides battled financial fair play regulations.
But he is yet to make his senior debut for the Blues – the 18-year-old arrived carrying a knock, and then trained with the U21s as he looked to return to match fitness.
Kellyman's PL 2 career to date
Appearances
23
Goals
10
Assists
2
Mins per goal involvement
111
He featured for the U21 side against both Tottenham and Everton, but was not a part of the squad for their clash with Middlesbrough over the weekend. Now, he has revealed that the reason for this is that he has picked up another long-term injury. Taking to Instagram, Kellyman wrote: "Gutted to have suffered another long hamstring injury. Part of the game but I'll be back stronger."
The injury in question is set to keep him sidelined until November at the earliest, according to BBC sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella.
Though not expected to become a first team regular at Stamford Bridge this season, Kellyman's injury woes will come as a major frustration to both him and the club with regards to his delevopment, with the teenager having set them back a substantial fee and unavailability meaning that he cannot leave on loan or be integrated into the first team under Maresca.
He is not alone on the treatment table in west London though; Reece James is also sidelined, while Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto are both nursing injuries, though the pair could return after the international break.
Since their takeover by Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, Manchester City have emerged as arguably the most dominant side in English football, and for a period of time, the best side in Europe, too, having now claimed four successive Premier League titles.
Of course, one of the most notable signings came in the summer of 2021. They smashed the British transfer record by signing Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for £100m, although that record has since been broken, following Chelsea’s acquisition of Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion last summer.
Jack Grealish celebrating a Manchester City goal.
Some of the other notably expensive signings from the Cityzens have included Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £51m, which given his record for the club so far, seems like a bargain. The signing of Kevin de Bruyne, who cost a then-club record £55m, also seems like a bargain given the fact he has been integral in their success, including a treble in 2022/23.
City are clearly not shy of spending lots of money on the best players in the world to help them win the biggest trophies. They have recently been linked with another world star, whose signing would once again break their record transfer.
Man City target La Liga winger
The player in question here is Real Madrid and Brazil international attacker Rodrygo. The 23-year-old is one of the most highly-rated forwards in world football, but since Los Blancos signed Kylian Mbappe, he has been linked with a move away from the club.
According to reports in Spain, via TEAMtalk, the Cityzens are believed to have made a ‘surprise offer’ for the Brazil international this summer, amidst the reported unrest at the Santiago Bernabeu following the signing of the French captain. Pep Guardiola and his team are believed to be ‘closely monitoring’ his situation at Madrid.
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.
According to the report, ‘not everyone is happy’ with the addition of the former PSG man, who inherited the number nine shirt at Madrid from his countryman Karim Benzema, who left just over one year ago. The report suggests that Rodrygo in particular is ‘going through a difficult time’ at the moment.
In terms of a price, one report from beIN Sports suggests the winger could cost as much as £148m this summer, smashing their club record transfer and the Premier League’s record, too. City are thought to be ready to make the former Santos man ‘one of the highest-paid’ players in world football.
Why Rodrygo would be a good signing
Last season for Real Madrid, Rodrygo was superb. The 23-year-old attacker scored ten goals and grabbed five assists in 34 La Liga games last term, as well as five goals and three assists in 13 games in the Champions League.
He has also started this season like a flash, scoring the only goal in the 1-1 draw between Carlo Ancelotti’s side and Mallorca. That was a frustrating affair for a dominant Los Blancos side, who dictated the game but dropped points in the first La Liga game of the season, despite a superb goal from Rodrygo.
In terms of his profile, the Real Madrid number 11 is a direct, two-way winger who loves to drive at defenders and get himself into one-vs-one situations. He is superb in tight spaces, thanks to excellent close control and quick feet, and he excels at combination play. His ball striking is also superb, and he is impressive when shooting from outside of the box.
Rodrygo was described as “terrifyingly good” by football journalist Sam Tighe, and it certainly rings true when considering his profile, which could help him to thrive in a dominant Cityzens side.
Why Rodrygo could be Sane 2.0
In fact, the former Santos attacker could become Guardiola’s next Leroy Sane, who was superb during his time at City. The German played 135 games for City, scoring 39 goals and grabbing 43 assists, but was particularly impressive in 2017/18.
During that season, the winger, now at Bayern Munich, played 32 games in the Premier League, getting himself on the scoresheet ten times and registering 15 assists. He was crucial for the Cityzens, helping them win the title and also winning Young Player of the Year for his exceptional campaign.
Indeed, the similarities between the pair can also be reflected in their FBref stats, with the site deeming the duo to be similar players, among those in their position in Europe's top five leagues.
It is worth noting that, for the purpose of this comparison, Rodrygo’s stats from the 2023/24 season will be used, and Sane’s from his incredible 2017/18 campaign are taken into consideration.
Their creative passing numbers are fairly similar, with the Brazilian averaging 1.74 key passes per 90 minutes, compared to the former Man City winger’s 2.12. However, the Real Madrid man averages more passes into the penalty area, with 1.67 compared to just 1.52 for Sane.
Where Rodrygo’s stats are far better than the German's are in his dribbling numbers. He averaged 6.02 progressive carries per 90 minutes, compared to 3.79 for Sane in 2017/18.
Stat (per 90)
Rodrygo (2023/24 season)
Sane (2017/18 season)
Progressive carries
6.02
3.79
Carries into the final third
4.02
1.78
Carries into the penalty box
3.18
2.38
However, Sane’s numbers for take-ons far exceed that of Rodrygo’s stats. It is perhaps surprising given the Brazilian’s impressive one-vs-one ability, but the six-foot Bayern winger was a cut above in 2017/18. He completed an average of 3.16 take-ons per game, at a success rate of 64.4%, whereas Madrid’s number 11 last term completed just 2.27 take-ons at a 40.8% success rate.
There is no doubt that a deal for Rodrygo would be a costly transfer for City to do. However, the 23-year-old could have a transformative impact on Guardiola’s side, and become the new Sane for the legendary Spanish manager. He could be the catalyst to help the Cityzens get over the line and win their fifth consecutive Premier League title.
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He has thrived in the last 12 months in the Premier League
Leeds United have held talks regarding a summer deal to bring Newcastle United star Karl Darlow to the Championship, according to reports.
Where is Karl Darlow now?
Darlow is a goalkeeper who has played his football in the northeast for nine years after joining from Nottingham Forest back in 2014, but during the second-half of last season, he was sent out on loan to Hull City in a bid to receive some regular game time, where he ended up making 12 starts in the second tier.
The Northampton-born shot-stopper still has another two years to run on his contract with Eddie Howe’s side, but practically being the last choice in the manager’s pecking order with Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka and potentially also Loris Karius ahead of him, there’s a chance that both parties could be looking for a sale during the ongoing window.
Back in June, Football League World reported that the Whites and the 49ers have been long-term admirers of the 32-year-old but made it clear that he wasn’t their number one target between the sticks, though if the following update is to be believed, it sounds as if they have since had a change of heart.
Are Leeds signing Darlow?
According to Sky Sports, Leeds are "battling it out" with Bournemouth to sign Darlow ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Newcastle are yet to receive an "official bid" for the goalkeeper, but it's reported that "talks have taken place" with both of the interested parties and that a permanent switch is "likely to be agreed" with either the Cherries or the outfit at Elland Road.
Middlesbrough were also "keen" to strike a deal, though they have pulled out of the race because they "can't match the wages on offer" from their competitors.
Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Where would Darlow fit in at Elland Road?
Leeds will know that they could lose Illan Meslier this summer with the goalkeeper having publicly admitted that he would be open to a move to Chelsea should they pursue him, so the hierarchy may need to enter the market to find a replacement, and having been hailed “sublime” by journalist Josh Bunting in the past, Darlow could be the perfect successor.
The Unique Sports Group client, who pockets £30k-per-week, kept five clean sheets in 12 Championship appearances for Hull, with this impressive form in such a short amount of time, also seeing him receive a man-of-the-match award at the MKM Stadium.
The 6 foot 2 colossus additionally made 34 saves from 48 shots on target against, giving him a success rate of 75%, which was considerably higher than Meslier who recorded just 59.5%, therefore showing how much of an upgrade he’d be on the current first-choice in LS11.
Finally, Darlow has an extremely strong range of passing with a 99.5% completion rate for short attempts and 97.2% for medium-length passes, so even though he’s slightly older than is ideal considering the club should really be aiming to land a younger more long-term recruit, he is a suitable target for the board to pursue this summer.
Newcastle United have thrown their hat into the ring in the race for youngster Adama Bojang, according to a report from The Guardian.
Who is Adama Bojang?
The 19-year-old may not be familiar to many because of where he currently plies his trade but it appears as though he is catching the eye of those who have been able to see him in action.
Despite his age, he has already been given the opportunity to play for his country for example in The Gambia Under-20 team. He has eight caps for them so far and has hit the back of the net six times – an incredible rate.
As for his club side, he currently plays Steve Biko FC in his home country and therefore a move to Europe is somewhat of a risk considering that he has yet to test himself at a really high level. However, it is testament to his abilities that so many clubs have now watched him and consider him to be worth the money that is being demanded. One such side now considering a move for him is Newcastle.
According to a report from The Guardian, the Toon are one of a growing number of Premier League sides – and German teams – who are keeping tabs on the player and are considering stumping up the asking price to seal his signature.
What is Bojang's transfer value?
It appears as though his club would want around 3 million Euros in order to let him leave (or about £2.6m). It's a large fee for a player who is so young and has little experience in the game but again, it showcases the potential interested parties are clearly seeing. In fact, the report adds that there has already been an offer from an unnamed team in Germany for Bojang.
Despite being only 19-years-old, his talent already appears to be clear to those who have seen him. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig for example called him "the future of Gambian football" based on his showings for his international team's Under-20 side. It shows that he is already displaying his potential – and he could be a really good signing for the future if the Toon are able to snap him up and add him to the likes of Garang Kuol.
Sunderland have gone continental in their search for another new striker as Tony Mowbray looks to further add to a squad capable of challenging for Premier League promotion once again.
What are the latest Sunderland transfer rumours?
The Black Cats suffered a disappointing playoff semi-final loss to Luton Town a little over a month ago, but since then they have moved to bring in Nectarios Triantis, Jobe Bellingham and Luis 'Hemir' Semedo.
Semedo impressed for Benfica B last season but is still a relative rookie, having yet to play any senior football, and that could mean Mowbray spreading his proverbial net further out in search for an unpolished gem.
French outlet Le Parisien reports that Rennes forward Matthis Abline may be just the player, with the Black Cats said to be keeping an eye on his situation.
Who is Rennes forward Matthis Abline?
Abline has already played 38 times in Ligue 1 and also has four Europa League appearances to his name, which includes a goal in Rennes' 1-1 group-stage draw with Larnaca last season.
With that strike, he overtook El-Hadji Diouf as Rennes' youngest scorer in European competition, earning praise from football reporter Tom Maston as "another top talent" to emerge through the club's academy.
That was one of just four senior goals the youngster has netted, suggesting he is hardly the 15-goal-plus attacker many Championship clubs crave, but 22 of his 30 league appearances with Rennes and loan side Auxerre came as a substitute last season.
The 20-year-old is also attracting interest from French sides Strasbourg and Lorient, while Rennes value him at €8m (£7m), so he clearly has something about him.
Indeed, while there is definitely room for improvement in terms of his goal return, FBref ranks Abline in the top 15% for progressive carries per 90 minutes (1.96) in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's top five leagues, and top 14% for both successful take-ons (1.20) and touches in the opposition penalty box (5.81).
To give those numbers some context, at a lower level last season, the highly-regarded Ellis Simms registered 1.92 progressive carries per 90 minutes for Sunderland, 0.48 successful take-ons and 4.64 touches in the opposition box.
Abline also stands out in terms of various defensive metrics such as interceptions (0.34 per 90 minutes) and blocks (0.77) – putting him in the top 16% and 18% respectively among his peers – which shows he is capable of doing both sides of the game.
With Amad Diallo back at Manchester United and Jack Clarke continually linked with a move away, it might well be that France U21 international Abline is considered an ideal option to partner the returning Ross Stewart.
Stewart's 1.12 goals and assists per 90 last season was the third-best return of any Championship players to have played 10 games or more, meaning he is capable of taking care of that side of things.
If Abline can add some goals to his game, the data shows he can be an upgrade on Simms at the Stadium of Light, which will in turn only benefit Stewart when he is fully back up to speed.
Wolverhampton Wanderers will aim to make improvements this summer, despite expected financial constraints following the revelation of the clubs’ Financial Fair Play (FFP) woes.
Julen Lopetegui will wish to bolster his squad this transfer window, which is something he could do in stylish fashion as Wolves’ latest link has emerged as a hot talent.
What’s the latest on Manu Kone to Wolves?
As reported by the Daily Mail yesterday, Wolves are showing interest in Borussia Monchengladbach whizz Manu Kone.
The 22-year-old machine has gathered interest from both Liverpool and Aston Villa for his performances in the Bundesliga, with him being valued at £35m as per the report.
Contracted to Die Borussen until 2025, it’s expected that the club will hold out for a good fee for their star.
What could Manu Kone offer to Wolves?
With Ruben Neves almost certain to depart this summer, Lopetegui must find midfield reinforcements to live up to the absence of the Molineux skipper.
Once hailed as “majestic” by talent scout Antonio Mango, the Frenchman could certainly be the man to fill the vacancy left by Neves’ pending departure.
At just 22 years old, the bustling midfielder was monstrous in the Bundesliga this campaign, as highlighted by his 2.5 tackles per game and 54% total duels won with an enormous average of 7.4 won per game, via Sofascore.
It’s clear to see why the youngster is wanted by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool for his defensive exploits in the engine room, however the Colombes-born gem has far more to his game than protecting the back line.
Having been likened to Brighton & Hove Albion star Moises Caicedo, Kone could replicate the passing ability of Neves in his assured nature in the centre of the pitch.
Manu-Kone
Also lauded as having a “swagger” about him by Mango, the 22-year-old maintained a passing accuracy of 87% in the Bundesliga this term as well as registering an average of 5.73 progressive passes per 90 via FBref.
As per FBref again, the Gladbach midfielder ranks highly in comparison to midfielders in Europe, positioned in the top 4% in Europe’s top five leagues in the past year for his rate of successful take ons, averaging 1.97 per 90, incomparable to Neves’ 0.57.
While the Portuguese stalwart offers more in the final third, the Wolves target offers an opposing skill set to the 26-year-old, flexing the ability to open the play from deep playing as a commanding defensive midfielder.
His ball-carrying abilities are second-to-none and present as another area that the young whizz could signify progression in Lopetegui’s set-up without Neves, with him averaging 2.04 progressive carries to the Wolves captain’s 0.83 per 90.
With Liverpool and Villa expected to have significantly bigger budgets than Wolves this summer, only time will tell if Lopetegui can source the pennies to lure the talent to Molineux, there is no denying the impact he could have should the Old Gold win the race for his signature.
The Spaniard could well have his perfect Neves successor if that turns out to be the case.
Glasgow Rangers continued their summer rebuild by announcing their third signing of the summer on Tuesday, welcoming Jack Butland to the club.
The experienced English goalkeeper is set to arrive at Ibrox on a free transfer from Crystal Palace at the start of next month and will join Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling, who agreed moves to Scotland before him.
Michael Beale's work in the market is far from done as the Light Blues boss is reportedly keen on a number of other deals to improve his squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
The Daily Record recently claimed that the Gers are pursuing a deal to sign Cremonese centre-forward Cyriel Dessers, Nottingham Forest's Jonathan Panzo and Swansea winger Morgan Whittaker.
Who is Jonathan Panzo?
He is a 22-year-old central defender who spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Coventry City in the English Championship.
Beale must seal a swoop for the young left-footed enforcer as the ex-Monaco ace could be the future of the club's defence alongside academy graduate Leon King.
He happens to be the only first-team centre-back under the age of 26 as the likes of Connor Goldson, Ben Davies and John Souttar are in the prime years of their respective careers.
Therefore, the club could benefit from bringing a younger defender through the door as they could already have their future replacements for the current first-choice options in the building by the time they move on.
King and Panzo could complement each other tremendously well as the Rangers ace is a right-sided defender who plays on the other side, which means that they suit each other in terms of what they do in possession.
Glasgow Rangers defenders Leon King and Connor Goldson.
Both of them would be able to open up onto their stronger foot to play the ball out from the back, rather than playing next to a player who forces them onto their weaker foot, which could lead to lesser-quality passing if they are not as proficient on their other side.
Panzo has also proven himself to be a strong and capable defender at Championship level in England. The 22-year-old averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.99 across 29 appearances and won 58% of his individual duels.
King, meanwhile, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.89 across 15 outings in the Scottish Premiership and also won an excellent 58% of his physical contests, which shows that both players are able to get the better of their opponents more often than not in matches.
Therefore, Rangers must swoop for the £1.5m Forest ace, who was once praised as being "outstanding" by his former coach Mark Robins as he could be an excellent long-term signing for the club who is able to strike a connection with King in the years to come.
Manchester United are in the market for a new striker this summer following Cristiano Ronaldo's premature departure and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.
What's the latest on Dusan Vlahovic to Man United?
According to Italian news outlet Corriere Torino (via The Faithful MUFC), Man United have been told how much they will need to pay to sign Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic this summer.
As per the report, the Red Devils will need to cough up €90m (£77.5m) to secure the signature of the star and will also need to compete with Bayern Munich to get a deal done.
Would Vlahovic be a good alternative for Harry Kane?
The highest priority for the Manchester giants will be to sign a prolific centre-forward and the pressure to secure one will have only been heightened after the uninspiring attacking performance against Manchester City in the FA Cup final yesterday.
Man United have been linked to many world-class strikers over the last few months with Victor Osimhen and Harry Kane just two named as potential options for the Red Devils, with the latter bringing the massive advantage of having a wealth of experience in the Premier League.
However, with Tottenham Hotspur demanding an eye-watering £100m and some reports even suggesting that the League Cup winners would have to cough up a total bill in excess of £300m to complete the move, it would be an outrageous commitment to sign a striker who will be 30 years old when next season commences.
As a result, the signing of Vlahovic could be the perfect alternative for Kane this summer as he is much younger and would even be a cheaper option without compromising the quality and consistency needed in the forward line.
dusan-vlahovic-juventus-man-united-transfers
Over his career so far, the 23-year-old – who was notably dubbed "world-class" and a "beast" by journalist Siavoush Fallahi – has scored 95 goals and registered 16 assists in 220 appearances, with a goal contribution every 126 minutes so far, proving that he provides a reliable output in front of goal that could be a huge asset to Man United.
Whilst Vlahovic only managed to score 14 goals in all competitions this season, there is no doubt that the Serbian striker demonstrates clear potential and it has been suggested that he is not being given the tools to reach his full potential with Juventus.
Forbes Sport journalist Emmet Gates claimed last year: "Dusan Vlahovic has the ability to be a generational talent, but he's suffering in this iteration of Juventus.
"To paraphrase a famous Zlatan line: He's a Ferrari being driven like a Fiat."
With that being said, Erik ten Hag could not only offer Vlahovic the opportunity to play Champions League football next season but he could deliver a potentially career-defining move that would help the Serb unleash his full potential at Old Trafford.