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It’s fair to say that last season, Cole Palmer was arguably the best player in the Premier League, let alone at Chelsea.

The attacking midfielder scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in 29 league starts, which made him the highest goal contributor in the top flight.

However, the Blues could add another Palmer-esque player to their squad this summer, with a move for Michael Olise on the cards.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a current Chelsea player who earns more than both Olise and Palmer, despite not justifying his salary.

Wesley Fofana’s start to life at Chelsea

Wesley Fofana made a name for himself at Leicester City during the 2020/21 season, impressing over his 27 league starts.

However, his second campaign in England was massively disrupted by a pre-season injury that kept him out until the end of March.

Despite missing plenty of action through the setback, Chelsea still saw enough talent and potential in Fofana to move for him that summer.

The French defender moved to Stamford Bridge for a huge £75m fee; however, his start to life at Chelsea was once again ruined by injuries, and he missed 26 games through a knee issue.

What Wesley Fofana earns at Chelsea

After recovering from those setbacks, last season was supposed to be a fresh start for Fofana, especially with new boss Mauricio Pochettino in charge.

However, another knee problem occurred in July, which meant that Fofana was forced to undergo reconstructive ACL surgery.

Unfortunately, this meant that the 23-year-old missed the entire 2023/24 campaign, and he’s set to not play a competitive game for over a year.

Despite being at the club for two years, he’s only played 20 times across all competitions, 57 games fewer than the matches he’s been absent for via injury.

Nevertheless, when he joined, Fofana became one of the club’s highest-paid players, earning £200k per week, as per Capology.

The former Fox only earns less than Reece James and Raheem Sterling, £325k and £250k per week, while earning the exact same as another injury stricken figure in Ben Chilwell.

However, even more shockingly, this means that Fofana is also the joint-fourth-highest earning centre-back in the entire Premier League, earning just £20k per week less than Virgil Van Dijk, for example.

On top of that, the number 33’s salary is more than both Olise and Palmer’s combined, £100k and £75k-per-week, despite not playing at all.

Considering he signed a seven-year contract taking him to 2029, Chelsea will hope that his spell of terrible luck will come to an end; otherwise, they’ll be stuck.

There’s no denying that when Chelsea originally signed Fofana, he was one of the most promising defenders in Europe, with football scout Jacek Kulig saying that he’s an “elite prospect and already one of Premier League's best centre-backs.”

Sadly, the French defender has somewhat become a forgotten man at Chelsea, and there’s no denying that he’s cost the club millions with no output.

No Jackson, £226m trio sign: Enzo Maresca's dream lineup at Chelsea

Chelsea are set for a busy summer with plenty of signings expected.

By
Tom Lever

May 29, 2024

The summer transfer window doesn't even officially open until the end of next week, but as is the way in modern football, the rumour mill is in full force, and it's no different for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta's side just came off another brilliant Premier League season but were pipped to the post by Manchester City for the second year running, and while they could boast a better defence than the Sky Blues, they scored five goals fewer.

So, with this in mind, it's not surprising that the Gunners have been linked to a number of strikers in recent weeks, although RB Leipzig's Benjamin Šeško seems to be the name mentioned more than any other.

However, according to reports, the North Londoners are interested in some potential alternatives to the Slovenian, and one of them may be the better option.

Arsenal's striker search

According to a report from journalist Ben Jacobs via GIVEMESPORT earlier this week, while Arsenal are still interested in Šeško, they have placed several other strikers "on their list," including Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

Jacobs does not mention a potential price for the Swedish striker, but a report from January of this year revealed that the Lisbon side would not entertain a bid below his €100m release clause, which is around £85m.

While it would be a far more expensive deal to complete compared to the supposed £55m needed to land Sesko, the sheer weight of goals scored by the former Coventry City ace this season and last season means that it might prove value for money in the long run, and if Arsenal need goals now, he might be their man.

How Gyokeres compares to Šeško

So, raw output is the first and arguably most important thing to compare when looking at two striker targets. After all, their main job is to put the ball in the back of the net.

In this area, it's a rather emphatic victory for Gyokeres. In just 50 games this season, the 6 foot 2 "powerhouse", as described by data analyst Ben Mattinson, scored 43 goals and provided 15 assists, and last season, he managed to score 22 goals and provide 12 assists in as many games for Coventry.

In contrast, Šeško scored 18 goals and provided two assists in 42 games for Leipzig this season and returned 18 goals and four assists in 41 games for RB Salzburg last year.

How about their striker-relevant underlying numbers, then? Does the "incredible" Swede, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, still dominate there? Well, unfortunately for the Slovenian, he does indeed.

For example, while he takes fewer shots on target per 90, he comes out on top in every other metric, including overall shots, successful take-ons, goal and shot-creating actions, progressive passes and carries, expected goals and assists, and actual goals and assists, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Šeško would likely be a brilliant addition to Arsenal's squad this summer if Arteta and Co want to bring in a player who seems almost guaranteed to score goals, Gyokeres looks like the far better option, even at a higher price.

Arsenal crazy about signing £43m Saliba & Gabriel hybrid

The promising defender could be the perfect addition to Arsenal’s backline.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 6, 2024

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has opened up about the abuse and mental toil he went through during his injury-hit career.

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• Jones speaks about abuse in career
• Defender retired in August
• Jones focusing on coaching career

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Jones retired from football in August having been without a club after leaving United in June 2023. The defender had been tipped to be a future Manchester United great by his then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson but failed to live up to the promise as injuries plagued his career. Since retiring, he has opened up about how difficult it was to suffer abuse for poor performances and the mental turmoil of injury setback after injury setback.

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  WHAT JONES SAID

  Writing for , Jones said: "I'd had lots of public situations like that to deal with down the years without responding in that positive way, and had often ended up just trying to avoid them.

  "It got so bad for a while that I would be walking down the street, worried about what people would say to me in case I got abuse, and thinking about what I'd say next. I just wanted to keep my head down when I was in a crowd, and it was the same on social media, which is why I came off it for a while.

  "If you knew me, you knew all I wanted was to be able to play football – but it is as if people thought I just woke up each morning and decided I was injured.

  "You want to say something back, especially when they said it to my face, but it has never been in my character to do that. I've always been humble and down to earth, and I've never taken myself too seriously."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Jones spent 12 years at United and made 169 Premier League appearances for the club. He made just six appearances in the division after the start of the 2019-20 season, none of which came in his final season (2022-23) at Old Trafford. Jones' injury troubles hampered his consistency and form and left him struggling mentally as well as physically, but he is now focused on coaching.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JONES?

  Jones wishes to put his troubled playing career behind him and ensure he becomes the best coach he can. The former defender has almost completed his UEFA Pro Licence and believes his time learning under some of the best managers in the game will help him.

  He added: "I learned so much from all the different managers I played for and the team-mates I played with, in lots of different competitions at club and international level. I have built up and stored all of that information, and feel I could use it to really help players and get them to the next level."

Liverpool found their feet once again during Jurgen Klopp's final campaign at the helm. The 2022/23 season brought a fierce storm down on Anfield and ended an eight-year marriage with the Champions League but sweeping summer changes painted a -red-gold sky over the city.

However, despite winning the Carabao Cup in February, Liverpool were a day late and a dollar short in the Premier League title race, pulled away from a gripping three-horse race after a gloomy April plummet that also saw Klopp felled by Atalanta in the Europa League quarter-finals, eventual champions and conquerers over 51-games-unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in the final, who for their part were inches away from immortality.

Liverpool might have appeared to have bungled their hopes of silverware in the biggest competitions but Klopp's announcement that he was stepping down, back in January, put the squad under a microscope and in hindsight, the campaign was one of progress and potential.

Enter Arne Slot, who must now take the framework left by his predecessor and sculpt the team into a position of power, capable of finishing first in the top flight, of wading deep into the Champions League and fighting for the trophy.

The Dutchman has an immensely talented team to pick from, though there's a pressing concern in the lack of depth at centre-back, with a fresh signing required to ensure that Ibrahima Konate does not start the 2024/25 season as Virgil van Dijk's chief partner.

Ibrahima Konate's season in numbers

Make no mistake, Konate is a high-quality defender who stepped up commendably following Joel Matip's season-ending ACL injury back in December. The Cameroonian has now departed Anfield amid the end of his contract.

The France international was described as a "monstrous" talent earlier in 2024 by writer Leanne Prescott and indeed there is little indication that Liverpool do not boast one of the most athletically imposing, technically impressive defenders in the division, but Konate is marred by lapses in form and an injury track record that leaves plenty to be desired.

As per FBref, Konate ranks among the top 5% of central defenders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 8% for progressive carries, the top 11% for successful take-ons, the top 16% for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for tackles and the top 2% for aerial duels won per 90.

This is an illustration of an elite clutch of core attributes, but Konate has been culpable of failing to mesh it all together in recent weeks and has thus lost his place in the starting line-up, benched for seven of Klopp's final ten Premier League fixtures.

The 6 foot 4 titan was at the epicentre of that weary spring spell that saw Liverpool fail in their bid for Premier League title success, inexcusable during his team's loss against Atalanta, with The Athletic's James Pearce remarking that he was "dreadful".

To compound the 24-year-old's struggles, pundit and Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher said: "Konate has been so poor. Liverpool need to buy a centre-back in the summer."

Why Slot must ditch Konate from the starting XI

It's incredible that Van Dijk maintained such imperious levels throughout the year despite seeing his peers drop like flies around him. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson both spent spells on the sidelines, Matip's season was severed and Konate only started 17 times in the Premier League.

The emergence of Jarell Quansah mitigated such issues, with the 21-year-old looking every bit the talent fit for long-term purposes on Merseyside's red half, called up to Gareth Southgate's provisional European Championship squad for England this week.

The fact that Quansah finished the year on top, starting alongside his Dutch captain for eight of the club's final 11 games of the league campaign, speaks of where Klopp's heart lay, but sure there will be a tussle for a regular starting berth when Slot starts to build his team.

The table above shows that Konate and Quansah have performed at a relatively similar level, and while both are blessed with natural skills and front-footed defensive techniques, Carragher is right in demanding that Slot, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes pull no punches in augmenting the backline with an addition of real quality.

There have been myriad rumours shooting about, with Lille defender Leny Yoro, who is 18 years old, one of the recent names to enter circulation, according to French outlet Le Parisien, with Slot seeking to rival Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain for the prodigious talent.

Given that Konate earns £70k per week, more than both Luis Diaz (£55k per week) and Curtis Jones (£15k per week) combined, it would seem that he should be cementing a spot in the starting line-up with consistency, now four seasons on from joining from RB Leipzig in a £36m deal.

But he's proven that he can't be trusted as the leading man next to his skipper. Diaz might be wasteful in front of goal but he is indefatigable, maintaining a ferocious presence down Liverpool's left channel and starting every single one of Liverpool's Premier League games since the start of January.

Slot could restore Nunez by unleashing forgotten £41k-p/w Liverpool star

Bobby Firmino absolutely adored this talented player…

By
Angus Sinclair

May 24, 2024

Based on that evidence, the Colombian is earning his salary and then some. Konate will need to lift his game to another level if he wishes to renew his terms and match his innate ability with product on the pitch.

But whatever happens, Slot would make a grave error in entering his maiden campaign on Merseyside without addressing the need to bolster the backline and restore Liverpool's defence to its one-time formidability.

Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has admitted he would be willing to give up half of his salary if it meant he could avoid speaking to the media.

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• Luis Enrique reveals distaste of media duties
• Willing to take pay cut to avoid press work
• Reassures the media he still likes talking to them

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Luis Enrique's relationship with the media, especially in France, has never been very good at the best of times. The Spaniard was often irritated by questions regarding Kylian Mbappe's future at Paris Saint-Germain. In an excerpt from a recent behind-the-scenes documentary for the Spanish platform Movistar, the Asturian made headlines when he discussed how much he disliked media duties. He even said he would be willing to accept a 50% pay cut in order to escape the media.

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  WHAT LUIS ENRIQUE SAID

  Speaking to the media ahead of PSG's Ligue 1 clash against Rennes, Luis Enrique said: "I have a great time with you all, I get on well with the press. But if the choice was left up to me, I would have no issue with it. But I’ve never cut a press conference short, I say what I have to say, and sometimes in other languages – not very well, but I do it.

  "It was a spontaneous comment, and it’s true – if right now you were to hand me a piece of paper that said I wouldn’t have to speak to the press anymore in return for giving up 25%, or even 50%, of my salary, then I would sign it. But it wouldn’t be possible, because the contracts that the clubs have signed include an obligation for managers to speak.

  "Personally, I enjoy it, but if I could avoid it I would – especially post-match interviews, when I don’t really have the energy. I’ll say it again, though, I have a good time with you guys."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Luis Enrique's strong personality also caused the 54-year-old to have run-ins with the media whether during his time with Barcelona, Spain or with PSG. However, his persona has also made him a very likeable character for his players, fans and club staff as he has always been very up front with his thoughts.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR LUIS ENRIQUE?

  The Asturian's side have fared very well so far this season as they sit atop the Ligue 1 standings despite their disappointing 1-1 draw with Reims on Sunday. He will now look to set up his side to return to winning ways when PSG take on Rennes on Friday, September 27.

Birmingham City co-owner Tom Brady sent out a message to Rob McElhenney and Wrexham as his side won the 'Hollywood derby' 3-1 on Monday.

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• Brady shares message for McElhenney
• Watched match alongside Beckham and Neville
• Birmingham beat Wrexham 3-1

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  It was a starry affair on Monday night at St. Andrew's as NFL legend Brady watched his club Birmingham batter Wrexham 3-1 in the League One 'Hollywood derby'. Brady was joined by former Manchester United stars David Beckham and Gary Neville in the stands while Hollywood star Rob McElhennery cheered for the Red Dragons from the away gallery.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As the Blues extended their unbeaten run in League One while ending Wrexham's streak, their American co-owner sent out a message on social media dedicating the win to the club's fans. He also thanked his compatriot McElhenney and Wrexham supporters for creating a magical atmosphere at the stadium.

• WHAT TOM BRADY SAID

  Brady took to Instagram to share a series of photographs from the game and wrote in the caption: "What a great night to remember in Birmingham. Of course, our dreams are bigger than one game but last night was a glimpse into everything we want to accomplish with this team and community. I’m so happy I was able to be there to witness the joy and support from our fans, and secure such an important three points early in the season. I also want to thank [Rob McElhenney]. [Wexham], and their supporters who all contributed to one of the best stadium atmospheres I’ve ever been a part of. We’ll be ready for the trip to Wrexham, I know you will be too!"

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BIRMINGHAM?

  Chris Davies' side will hope to climb to the top of the table and continue their unbeaten run on Saturday when they take on Rotherham in League One.

West Ham United supporters have been handed a significant update on the club’s pursuit of Villarreal star Arnaut Danjuma.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye Danjuma move…

Irons head coach David Moyes is now seeking to upgrade his attacking options following the arrivals of Nayef Aguerd from Rennes and Alphonse Areola from Paris-Saint Germain on a permanent deal.

The east Londoners are tipped to be ‘very busy’ as Moyes sets his sights on ‘at least’ six new signings before the commencement of the 2022/23 Premier League season (Sky Sports).

As per reliable reports, Danjuma is one forward who has been heavily linked with a move to Rush Green over the last 48 hours.

The Latest: Journalist shares Danjuma update…

After West Ham ‘talks’ and an ‘official approach’ to sign the former Bournemouth star, 90min journalist Toby Cudworth has now dropped a significant update.

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He explained (via Twitter): “Fast moving story but now told #WHUFC backing away from Danjuma. Was offered to the club & an approach was made, pending approval from David Moyes and management – but they have concerns. Deal unlikely as of now.”

The Verdict: Blow for West Ham?

Given the Dutchman’s obvious quality, this could be one that Moyes and co might want to revisit at a later date – provided that another club doesn’t poach Danjuma in the meantime.

As per WhoScored, the 25-year-old finished 2021/22 as Villarreal’s top scorer in La Liga (10) and averaged their most attempts at goal (2.7) per 90, perhaps indicating that he could be a real threat for West Ham.

Danjuma has also been branded a ‘nightmare’ to play against by one-time Premier League Golden Boot winner Kevin Phillips, and the Hammers must weigh up their next move carefully.

Aston Villa may still bring in another couple of signings this summer, amidst their aggressive and fast start to the current transfer window.

What’s the word?

One of those may well be Luis Suarez, with Dean Jones claiming (via GIVEMESPORT) that Steven Gerrard’s side still “have a decent chance” of signing the former Barcelona and Liverpool striker.

The 35-year-old will officially depart Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid at the end of this month, with his contract set to expire in the Spanish capital.

Speaking on the Suarez case, Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I think there is still a decent chance that they sign Suarez, and I think that Gerrard will be ideal for him, and I think that works vice versa too.

“It doesn’t mean that Suarez has to start every game, but having him as an option, having him as a game-changer, literally, is like something in your armoury that is amazing for the amount of pressure there’s going to be schedule-wise next season.

“Clubs are really having to consider what they’re going to do in terms of balancing out the amount of games that are coming, particularly after the World Cup.”

Supporters surely buzzing

The latest news surrounding Villa’s chances of bringing Suarez back to the Premier League bodes well for all involved and will surely leave the fan base buzzing.

Jones makes some emphatic points on why the signing would be astute from a Gerrard perspective.

Quite simply, they lack established squad depth options up top; and considering their desire to push up the table, based on their recent transfer business, a winning mentality combined with experience at the top level would do no harm to a progressive Villa squad.

Do not underestimate the effect that an instinctive finisher like Suarez can have on an aspiring squad like Gerrard’s.

He may be 35, but the Uruguayan has just come off the back of an 11-goal campaign in La Liga (the same as Villa’s top league scorer Ollie Watkins) over 35 appearances, proving that he can still make an impact in a major European league.

Gerrard must make this transfer happen if Villa are to give themselves the best chance of achieving their ambitions for next season.

In other news: Lange plotting Villa bid for “exquisite” 34-goal sensation, imagine him and Coutinho 

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a potential swap deal involving Pau Torres and Giovani Lo Celso. 

That’s according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor, who was speaking to GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

Spurs are known admirers of Spanish centre-back Torres, having tried to sign him last summer. He ‘turned them down’ on that occasion but might now see Spurs as a ‘more attractive destination’ after they returned to the Champions League, with Alasdair Gold naming him as one of four LCB targets recently.

The 25-year-old ‘ticks all the boxes’ for Antonio Conte.

Other players thought to be on their shortlist include Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan, RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Lo Celso spent the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan with The Yellow Submarine, featuring in every La Liga game and starting 11 times.

The latest

Taylor revealed that ‘initial’ talks had been held between the two clubs about the possibility of a mutually beneficial exchange.

“Torres has been the subject of initial swap-deal discussions with Villarreal because obviously, they want to sign Lo Celso on a permanent basis,” he said.

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The verdict

Spurs clearly carry more appeal now than they did 12 months ago.

They had finished down in seventh place in 2020/21 and took until the start of July to appoint Nuno Espirito Santo as their permanent manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in April.

Now they have Conte, a five-time league title winner, in charge, and they’re targeting a Premier League title bid.

Would this deal be a straight swap? Well, Transfermarkt value Torres at £45million, much higher than Lo Celso (£19.8million).

You would expect Villarreal, then, to demand plenty of cash in addition to the midfielder.

They know that Torres, in the words of his former coach, ‘has everything’ to succeed at the highest level and can fulfil his ‘enormous potential’.

In other news, this off-field development has a journalist saying ‘wow’. 

Journalist Mark Carlaw, editor of the West Ham Way website used by club insider ExWHUemployee, has been left excited as ‘fantastic news’ comes out if the club.

The Lowdown: Hammers set for busy summer…

Hammers boss David Moyes is seeking to build upon his side’s phenomenal rise up the Premier League over these last few seasons with new faces and upgrades to his squad.

Links have emerged to top attackers and defenders alike, perhaps most notably England international Jesse Lingard and Rennes star Nayef Aguerd.

As the first team remains a priority, Moyes has also been planning for the long-term and eyeing up moves for some of the country’s brightest young talents.

West Ham confirmed on Friday that they’ve signed ‘highly-rated’ starlet Daniel Rigge from Man City, beating nine rival clubs in the process.

The Latest: Carlaw thrilled…

Speaking on Twitter, Carlaw claims the signing of City’s former gem is an ‘unbelievable coup for the club’ – going on to call Rigge ‘one of the brightest young players in English football’.

He also states the England Under-16 international’s arrival is ‘fantastic news’ as GSB secure a real sensation for West Ham.

The Verdict: Great news…

Rigge comes to Rush Green with a glowing reputation and is ‘widely considered’ to be a major emerging prospect.

The 16-year-old’s arrival on a scholarship contract could provide West Ham and Moyes with a possible superstar in years to come going by how in-demand he was across the nation.

Nine clubs cannot be wrong in their pursuit of Rigge and the Irons have done very well to beat them all to his signing.

In other news: Journalist says West Ham are ‘in talks’ to sign an ‘amazing’ forward, find out more here.