Burnley Could Land Tella Heir In £40m "Firework"

Newly-promoted Burnley are believed to be eyeing a move for Leeds United starlet, Wilfried Gnonto, with Vincent Kompany stepping up his recruitment with the start of the new Premier League season now just a matter of days away.

What are the latest Burnley transfer rumours?

With the Clarets said to be negotiating deals for Sheffield United's Sander Berge and Aston Villa's Aaron Ramsey, the Telegraph have also reported that the club are also 'looking at forwards', with Gnonto among those being 'eyed'.

As per the report, a deal for the 19-year-old is not yet in the works, however, with the Italy international also on the 'radar' of Everton, with a departure from Elland Road no doubt a possibility following the club's drop into the Championship.

If those at Turf Moor are to firm up their interest in the teenage sensation before the end of the window, there have been prior claims that the forward could command a fee of around £40m, despite having joined the Yorkshire side for just £3.8m last year.

How good is Wilfried Gnonto?

While that price tag may appear rather sizeable for a player who scored just two goals and provided only four assists in 24 Premier League games last season as Leeds slipped to relegation, the young "firework" – as described by pundit Noel Whelan – could well prove something of a difference maker for Kompany and co next term.

Former Burnley loanee Nathan Tella.

The Lancashire side are seemingly chasing new attacking recruits having seen former loanee Nathan Tella return to parent club, Southampton at the end of last season, with the 24-year-old having been a crucial part of the club's promotion push.

Despite having hardly set the world alight with the Saints prior to making the move – after scoring just one goal in 33 top-flight games for the south coast side – Tella was instrumental for Burnley last term, scoring 19 goals and providing five assists in 45 games in all competitions.

Having thus far failed in their attempts to bring the winger back to Turf Moor, the Clarets could thus look to Gnonto as a potential alternative or successor to the Englishman on the flanks, with the former Zurich man also likely to be able to pose a dynamic threat in the final third.

A particular strength of the diminutive gem is his ability to surge forward with the ball at his feet as he ranks in the top 17% among his peers in Europe's top five leagues for progressive carries – at an average of 4.39 per 90 – with that not too far ahead of what Tella has achieved over the last 365 days, having enjoyed an average of 3.17 per 90 for that same metric.

As Burnley saw with Tella in 2022/23, the 5 foot 8 ace was able to use his direct and dynamic quality to pose a real threat to the opposition, with Kompany having stated last year: "Eventually, when you are in front, every team will have a go and that is why you have guys like him who keep threatening in behind and make it really tough for defenders to be comfortable going too high or being too aggressive."

It would appear that Gnonto – who can operate out wide or in a central role – can fill the shoes of the one-time Arsenal man in that regard, with the youngster having been dubbed an "absolute nightmare for defenders" by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Of course, the priority may be to secure the services of Tella – while Gnonto is also unlikely to come cheap – yet signing the Leeds speedster could prove a real masterstroke for Kompany this summer.

Leeds United: Farke wants to sell £50k-p/w star ahead of Gnonto

Leeds United would rather sell 26-year-old winger Jack Harrison, who earns £50k per week, than youngster Wilfried Gnonto this summer, according to Dean Jones.

Is Jack Harrison leaving Leeds?

Leeds have already had to deal with a number of big players leaving the club this summer. The likes of Rodrigo, Brenden Aaronson and Marc Roca have all departed on either permanent or loan deals and it's expected that more will follow.

While selling has become a necessity for Leeds now they are in the Championship, fans will still be concerned seeing a number of top-quality talents heading for the exit door, with the club not recouping much in the way of transfer fees.

Another man that has been linked with a departure is talented Italian speedster Gnonto. The 19-year-old has been subject of interest from Everton among a host of other clubs, with the expectation being that he may leave Leeds in a £20m move to Merseyside.

Read the latest Leeds United transfer news HERE….

However, recent reports have indicated that Gnonto is not entirely sold on the Everton project and could consider sticking with Leeds in the second tier instead.

In that eventuality, Leeds may turn to selling Harrison according to journalist Jones, who was hailed by former manager Jesse Marsch as an "intelligent" player, and a deal would set any interested club back £16m per the player's release clause.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones stated: "It’s a strange situation because the interest levels haven’t been at the levels I would have expected when they were relegated.

"The information around the situation, as it stands, is that Leeds would sell Harrison more willingly than Gnonto. The bids for him haven’t come in at the moment, though."

Harrison was the subject of interest from Leicester City in January but Leeds' unwillingness to sell meant a move never materialised. The Foxes could revive their pursuit of the winger but the Whites would probably be reluctant to sell to a Championship title rival.

The former Manchester City man has made 206 appearances for Leeds, scoring 34 and providing 32 assists, and his experience of navigating the Championship may be sorely missed by Daniel Farke should he leave.

Who are Leeds signing?

Despite having had to witness more outgoings than incomings so far, Leeds' transfer window almost feels like it is starting now when it comes to signings.

They have brought in Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea for £7m plus add-ons and have recently announced the signing of Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow to compete with Illan Meslier between the sticks.

Given the number of departures, Leeds still need a fair few new faces if they want to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Farke has a difficult job on his hands, but the completion of the recent takeover may loosen the purse strings at Elland Road.

Swansea City's prolific centre-forward Joel Piroe has been linked as the Whites look for a more reliable goalscorer than Patrick Bamford. The 23-year-old scored 19 goals in the Championship last season but would likely cost Leeds a large transfer fee to get a deal done.

At the other end of the pitch, Leeds have reportedly started negotiations for Everton defender Mason Holgate, with the 26-year-old perhaps seen as surplus to requirements by Sean Dyche.

Sky Sports Man Offers Ward-Prowse to West Ham Update

West Ham United are expected to "continue to push" for James Ward-Prowse and the midfielder is "keen to move" to the Hammers this summer, according to Sky Sports' Dharmesh Sheth.

Is Ward-Prowse joining West Ham?

One-club men are few and far between in modern football and there will likely be one fewer this summer as Southampton's James Ward-Prowse edges closer to leaving St Mary's Stadium.

Following a dismal season of football on the south coast which saw Southampton demoted to the Championship for the first time since the 2011/12 campaign, there will be the usual exodus of top talent that takes place after relegation.

Romeo Lavia could be set for a move to Liverpool for Liverpool in a deal worth somewhere close to £50m and the Saints' other most lucrative asset Ward-Prowse is also set for a Southampton exit.

West Ham have a well-documented interest in the 28-year-old and are incredibly eager to accelerate their push for the England international, but Southampton are holding firm on their current £40-50m valuation of the midfielder.

However, according to Sheth, Ward-Prowse is eager to make the switch to West Ham, potentially making a move for the midfielder a more realistic prospect for last season's Europa League Conference winners.

Speaking on the Transfer Talk podcast, Sheth stated: "It looks likely he will go. West Ham have held talks with Southampton over the potential signing of James Ward-Prowse. West Ham will continue to push. No fee agreed as yet.

"Ward-Prowse, though, we understand he is keen to move to the London Stadium. So, I think West Ham are getting a bit of encouragement on that side of it. Personal terms, not expected to be a problem on this one.

"He didn't feature in that pre-season friendly that I told you about that Romeo Lavia did feature in against Bournemouth, and that was as a precaution because he had a knee injury. A precaution…we'll leave it at that."

Sheth implies that Ward-Prowse may have been rested to protect him from picking up a knock or serious injury that would scupper a potential sale.

West Ham need serious reinforcements in the centre of the park following the departure of Declan Rice and have £105m to reinvest in the squad. Ward-Prowse may not be the only midfielder that arrives at the London Stadium this transfer window.

Ward-Prowse would be a useful addition for David Moyes and he still managed nine goals and four assists in the Premier League last season. The midfielder now has 11 caps for England, netting twice in those games, and is entering the prime years of his career.

How have West Ham fared in pre-season?

Following a dream end to last season that ended in European glory for the Irons, Moyes has the challenge of refocusing minds ahead of a new campaign.

A positive pre-season always helps and the Hammers have already played four times, winning three and drawing one in some high-scoring affairs.

The Hammers started with a 4-1 win over Boreham Wood before heading on their pre-season tour of Australia. They managed a 6-2 win over Perth Glory and a 3-2 victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur down under, before returning to the UK for a 2-2 draw with Dagenham and Redbridge.

One man who has enjoyed a wonderful pre-season is 18-year-old Divin Mubama, who has found the back of the net three times already and has been incredibly impressive so far.

West Ham have still got games against Rennes and Bayer Leverkusen to come before their Premier League season opener against Bournemouth.

But it will be interesting to see if any new faces could take part in those games before the start of the new campaign.

Chelsea Could Sign ‘Incredible’ £50m Star Alongside Kudus

Chelsea’s midfield has undergone a significant amount of change this calendar year.

The Blues have lost Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Conor Gallagher is now targeted by West Ham, who have just had a £40m bid rejected for the Englishman.

Chelsea aren't in the best position to lose Gallagher, as Enzo Fernandez and Carney Chukwuemeka are the only other two central midfielders in the squad.

Their pursuit of Moises Caicedo has been frustrating and unfruitful, with their latest bid of £70m instantly rejected by Brighton, who are demanding around £100m for the Ecuadorian.

The west Londoners may be forced to resort to different targets, and they still retain an interest in Romeo Lavia.

Who is signing Romeo Lavia?

According to Sacha Tavolieri, Liverpool are trying to close in on a £45m deal for Lavia, but Chelsea may attempt an “ultimate approach” thanks to Joe Shields’ "pressing".

It was previously reported by The Athletic that the Reds are set to make an improved offer for the Southampton gem, after having an opening offer of £37m be shunned by the Saints, who are holding out for around £50m.

However, the report says that Chelsea retain a firm interest and could have an advantage in the deal due to Shields’ connection to the player.

The 36-year-old was recruited from the south-coast outfit last summer as the club’s co-director of recruitment and was a leading figure in Lavia’s move from Manchester City to Southampton.

What position does Romeo Lavia play?

Despite Southampton’s abysmal season, in which their 11-year stay in the top-flight ended, the youngster emerged from the rubble with a prestigious reputation.

Lavia, who has been described as “incredible” by Pep Guardiola, has showcased he is a phenomenal ball player and a tenacious asset in central midfield.

Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.

Indeed, in 29 Premier League appearances, the Belgian averaged 2.1 tackles, an 86% pass accuracy, and completed 68% of his dribbles. Such stats are impressive, particularly considering only Enzo Fernandez (2.5) and N'Golo Kante (2.3) made more tackles per game of Chelsea's midfield players last season.

Arguably winning back the ball is his standout trait, as Lavia was one of only three U21 players who won possession in the midfield third 100+ times (114) to display how he excels in his age group.

Nevertheless, he is still extremely comfortable on the ball and holds supreme technical quality. This has been echoed by Jean Kindermans, Anderlecht's head of Academy, who said: “He’s always calm on the ball. You can give him it under pressure and he will solve the problem.

Paul Scholes has also recognised his all-round profile, adding: “He is a young player who can do both sides of the game, equally good defensively but also once he is on the ball he has tremendous feet and can pass it.”

Another player that Chelsea are linked with, who also exudes on-the-ball competence and eye-catching dynamism, is Mohammed Kudus.

In The Athletic’s Profiling of 50 exciting players under the age of 23, it is stated that the Ghanaian sees his best position in midfield and as a result, he could form an exciting partnership with Lavia if played slightly in front.

Last season, the 22-year-old recorded 100+ successful take-ons (104), 100+ ball recoveries (134), and scored 16 goals, ranking him as the highest for each metric in the Ajax squad.

Mohammed Kudus Chelsea target

This potentially new-look Chelsea midfield would also include Fernandez, who sits within the best 14% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for tackles per 90, as well as the highest 3% for progressive passes per 90.

These three players can do both sides of the game excellently and could propel Chelsea back into European contention.

Rangers: Who is Ibrox starlet Robbie Fraser?

Glasgow Rangers have significantly strengthened their squad throughout the summer, adding players such as Jack Butland and Cyriel Dessers, while freeing up some of the wage budget by releasing Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos.

This business by Michael Beale could perhaps be the catalyst which launches a fresh era for Rangers as they look to get back to winning domestic trophies on a regular basis.

Give or take another couple of signings, the vast majority of Beale’s transfer business has been completed early, allowing him to get new players bedded in ahead of the challenges that await.

The onus will now be to ship players out of the Ibrox exit door. Scott Wright looks set to join Turkish side Pendikspor while Glen Kamara is attracting interest from Leeds United with a fee of £4m looking to be finalised for the transfer of the midfielder.

Another potential departure is that of Borna Barisic, as Premier League side Nottingham Forest are interested in luring him South of the border.

Former sporting director at the Gers, Ross Wilson, is looking to raid his former club and with the Croatian having just one year left on his deal, it could be the ideal chance to secure a decent fee for the player.

Ridvan Yilmaz could be set to take over as the first choice left back should he depart, having impressed at the back end of last season, yet Beale may have another player in mind in terms of long-term suitability for the role – Robbie Fraser.

Who is Robbie Fraser?

Yilmaz struggled largely during the majority of last season, missing 29 games through injury and starting only eight league matches.

He did show flashes of talent however, succeeding with 50% of his attempted dribbles, grabbing two assists and winning 62% of his ground duels, suggesting that he does enjoy pushing forward while remaining strong defensively.

Rangers' BornaBarisiccelebrates.

He could go from strength to strength and if he hits his full potential, there will be big money offers from elsewhere for the Turkey international.

Robbie Fraser, the B team captain, certainly has what it takes to emerge from the academy and potentially stake a claim for first-team football as a long-term heir to Barisic.

There is no doubt the 20-year-old has the mentality to succeed, outlining his ambitions when signing a new contract in 2022, saying: “I feel like I’m getting closer to making that next step into the first team, hopefully. I felt that it was the right opportunity to push on.”

With seven assists and two goals across 40 games, the youngster has displayed the attacking qualities that have endeared Barisic to the Ibrox faithful, with the Croatian defender registering 57 goal involvements during his career in Scotland.

Like the 30-year-old, Fraser does enjoy taking the odd free-kick, scoring a “superb” effort in a match last year according to Jordan Campbell and this could also give Beale an added goal threat from set pieces.

Although yet to make his senior bow for the Light Blues, he did make the bench on three occasions last season, including for the tie against Ajax in the Champions League, showing that the club have plans for him going forward.

Celtic Transfer News; Yang Hyun-jun Update

Celtic appear to be edging closer to a move for Gangwon FC forward Yang Hyun-jun, with the situation “gradually being resolved”.

Are Celtic signing Yang Hyun-jun?

The Hoops and Brendan Rodgers have acted swiftly in the transfer market following the Northern Irishman’s return as manager at Parkhead, with midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and winger Marco Tilio joining from Valerenga and Melbourne City receptively on five-year deals.

Rodgers reportedly has a £30m transfer kitty to play with this summer, and that figure may have been boosted, with star man Jota since signing for Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £25m.

As a result, Celtic appear to be on the hunt for another wide forward, with Yang a player they have been heavily linked with. Reports suggested that a £2.1m fee had been agreed between the two clubs, however, as we know, a move is yet to materialise.

Yang has been keen to make the move to Scotland and even previously admitted he would give up his salary to force through a deal with the Scottish Premiership champions.

"Celtic is a good offer, so I want to go. I have to do my best as a member of Gangwon. But I think the desire to go will still be there.

"I want to go to Celtic this summer. I hope Gangwon will allow me to transfer. If the transfer fee isn’t enough, I’ll even give my salary."

The Daily Record shared an update on Celtic and Yang in the last 48 hours, saying that a dream Hoops transfer for the forward is still on. They believe a £2.1m deal is still being floated and shared more comments from the player himself, who said that “situation is gradually being resolved”, with Gangwon re-evaluating Yang’s value following a meeting.

"The stagnant situation is gradually being resolved.

"The club have re-evaluated the value through CEO Kim Byung-ji during the one-on-one meeting. Still, there seems to be some progress. I think I hurt the fans too much. I want to make the fans smile and go to Celtic."

Who is Yang Hyun-jun?

Yang is valued at a career-high €700,000 by Transfermarkt and has made 71 senior appearances for his current employers, scoring nine times and registering five assists in all competitions.

The South Korea U23 international has previously been labelled as Gangwon's up-and-coming star who is unpredictable and eye-catching by K League United columnist Nathan Sartain, so could be a shrewd addition to come in and attempt to fill the void left by Jota.

Primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left or through the middle, the 21-year-old was hailed as “excellent” and a “level above” in the media following a pre-season performance against Tottenham last year.

By the looks of things, he could be the next attacking Asian player to move to Parkhead, following in the footsteps of the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Oh Hyeon-gyu, and it appears as if a deal in the region of £2.1m could be edging closer following the player’s recent comments.

Everton Keeping Tabs On 26-Year-Old Newcastle Star

Everton are one of the teams that currently in the running to land Allan Saint-Maximin on a deal this summer, according to a report from 90Min.

How many goals has Allan Saint-Maximin scored for Newcastle?

The 26-year-old has been with Newcastle for the last four seasons and has regularly produced the goods in front of goal for the Toon. He burst onto the scene back in 2019/20 and became an immediate first-team player, featuring on 26 occasions for them in the Premier League and bagging three goals with four assists.

He matched those totals a campaign later too, despite having less minutes on the field. With the club making gradual improvement, he then featured 35 times – his highest amount since his move to St James' Park – and rewarded Newcastle for their faith by hitting a double-digit amount of goal contributions for the first time (five goals and five assists).

In 2022/23 though, he struggled to maintain his place in the team and as the Toon fought for European football, Saint-Maximin's tally tailed off as well. He started just 12 league games and produced only one goal for the club, although he still managed five assists.

However, it led to his worst ever total in a Newcastle shirt and he could now be on the chopping block given Eddie Howe's penchant for playing either Alexander Isak or Joelinton in that left-wing role at St. James' Park.

Are Everton signing Allan Saint-Maximin?

It's led to suggestions that he could now be sold off this summer, with the Frenchman having fallen down the pecking order. According to a report from 90Min, there is certainly interest in his services and one of the clubs that is in the race to sign him is Everton.

The Toffees have "checked on" the situation of the winger and could therefore make a move if they think it is feasible to do so this summer window. However, they aren't the only club that seemingly want to try and sign him.

Crystal Palace also have an interest in keeping him in the top flight, whilst AC Milan could offer to take him to Italy. Most recently too, there is now an offer from Saudi Arabia on the table – so the player may have some decision making to do when it comes to selecting whether to stay with Newcastle or to head to a new team this window.

Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin

He clearly has talent in his locker when he gets on form too, with football journalist Josh Bunting stating that Saint-Maximin is "intelligent" and is "so good" at finding "pockets of space" while scout Jacek Kulig calls his dribbling "unstoppable".

It shows that the Frenchman is a winger who is not only excellent in one on one situation but also has the composure to pick a pass at the end of it. If Everton did seal a deal for the 26-year-old then, it would be a real boost to their forward line next season and certainly get the crowd off their feet at Goodison Park.

Wolves Plotting Swoop To Bring £7k-p/w "Warrior" To Molineux

Wolverhampton Wanderers are keen to strike a summer deal to sign Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

Who is Taylor Harwood-Bellis?

Harwood-Bellis is a centre-back who currently plays his football at the Etihad Stadium having graduated from his club’s academy to get promoted to the first-team back in 2021, but having only ever made eight senior appearances under Pep Guardiola, his future is up in the air.

Throughout his career, the England U21s international has been sent out on four development loans to build his experience and to help him receive more game time, the first being at Blackburn Rovers, the second Anderlecht, the third Stoke City and most recently last season he was at Burnley, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League.

The Sky Blues product will also be out of contract at the end of next season meaning that the ongoing window is likely to be his parent club’s final big opportunity to cash in should they not want to lose him for free, and following his impressive performances last season, he’s got a potential suitor waiting for him in Julen Lopetegui at Wolves.

Back in November 2022, reliable journalist Alan Nixon reported that the Old Gold were indeed keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old, and despite a deal failing to come to fruition back in January, it sounds like the Wolves hierarchy may be aiming to take a second bite of the cherry in the weeks ahead.

Are Wolves signing Harwood-Bellis?

According to TEAMtalk, Wolves hold a serious “interest” in Harwood-Bellis but are set to face stiff competition for his services with Brighton and Hove Albion, Everton and Fulham also wanting to reach an agreement for the defender.

Burnley are “battling” to try and re-sign the talented prospect following a successful loan spell with Vincent Kompany having already “asked” Man City to let him have his player back, but his former club are “yet to decide” whether they want to loan their product back out or even consider a permanent sale.

Burnley defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Where would Harwood-Bellis fit in at Wolves?

Wolves and Fosun have just sold Nathan Collins to Brentford for £23m so Lopetegui will need to enter the market to find a suitable successor at centre-back, and after being described as having the attitude of a “warrior” by journalist Josh Bunting, Harwood-Bellis could be the perfect candidate.

The 6 foot 2 colossus, who earns just £7k-per-week at the moment, impressed last season averaging 3.1 clearances, 2.8 aerial wins and 1.8 interceptions per second tier game, via WhoScored, so was a real rock at the heart of the backline for the Clartes. He also contributed in the final third with three goal contributions (two assists and one goal) to his name.

Harwood-Bellis, who will possess a winning mentality having not only achieved promotion with Burnley but also secured three trophies prior to that with Man City – albeit with fleeting appearances – also has the versatility to operate at right-back which is an extremely useful attribute for the boss to have available should any unexpected injuries occur.

"Complicated" Man United Situation Could Affect Transfer Plans

Manchester United's ownership situation could impact their transfer plans, journalist David Ornstein has revealed.

What's the latest on Man United's ownership battle?

There is yet to be clarification on the outcome of the ownership bidding war between Sheikh Jassim Hamad Bin Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe for Man United, as the Glazer family are yet to decide the next steps in their running of the club.

Despite agreeing a deal for Mason Mount, Man United's budget could be limited this summer, and without clarity on their owners, they may not be able to pursue all of their targets.

Erik ten Hag would like a striker and a goalkeeper in addition to Mount, but he may have his hands tied.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Ornstein revealed that at the moment, United have a list of targets which they will pursue, but it is unclear what budget they will have until the ownership situation is sorted out:

"It's quite complicated because of the ownership situation at Man United about exactly what they're able to do. It was always quite clear that there would be budget for a Mason Mount level deal, but beyond that, not so certain," he stated.

"Of course, many people want to see the ownership situation clarified as quickly as possible and if there is to be a takeover, maybe more funds will be released. In terms of the operations on a day-to-day basis. John Murtough leading the recruitment set up, being regarded as business as usual, and so they are pursuing options in their priority positions, which are striker, and also goalkeeper, midfield was one of those.

"You don't know exactly how the chronology will go and it seems that Mason Mount has fallen first but they'll continue those pursuits."

Who could Man United target?

Given the financial fair play limitations they are currently facing, United may not be able to pursue both a big-money goalkeeper and forward.

There have been links with Andre Onana, with the future of David De Gea thrusted into uncertainty as a new contract has still not been agreed, whilst striking a deal for Harry Kane looks increasingly unlikely this summer.

Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Hojlund has been linked, but with a reported £86m asking price, the Atalanta forward may be out of reach for United.

If the ownership situation is not resolved soon, then United could fall further behind if they are unable to fully operate in the transfer market, and could miss out on their main targets to rival clubs.

Presenter Urges Luis Diaz To Improve In Key Area

It was a disappointing season for Liverpool last year, and part of the reason for that was the lack of goals in the team, something Luis Diaz needs to work on in particular, claims RedMenTV presenter Paul Machin.

Liverpool – What's the latest on Luis Diaz?

luis-diaz-liverpool-performance-aston-villa-jurgen-klopp-premier-league

Liverpool's £55k-per-week winger had a season to forget last term, more so than a number of his teammates, due to a combination of poor goal-scoring form and serious time on the sideline due to injury.

The Barrancas-born star had a decent start to the campaign, playing in all the team's opening eight fixtures, scoring three goals and assisting another two, but it all came apart at the Emirates.

During the game against Arsenal, Diaz went down in the 42nd minute following a knee injury.

After needing surgery, he would miss the next 21 games, not featuring again until April 17th against Leeds United.

His last nine appearances in the season only returned a single goal. However, it is worth noting he didn't play a full 90 once in those games.

What does Paul Machin think about Luis Diaz's lack of goals?

Machin was quick to stress his and the fans' love of the ex-Porto star for his exciting, attacking style of play but emphasised that he needs to add more goals to his game to kick on from here,

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "I adore him. I think Liverpool fans absolutely adore him. He's one of the most electrifying players that I've seen at Anfield. 'It's can he score enough goals?' That's a big part, and that's the thing.

"I think stylistically a lot of the bits and pieces that he does are unique to Liverpool's squad, they are quite Mane-esque. He takes men on, he drives past people, he opens up space for others, things that Jota doesn't have, but Diogo Jota scores, lots and lots of goals, and presses brilliantly and wants to be in the 18 yard box. I think that's something that needs to be trained into Diaz."

How good is Luis Diaz?

People might look at his lack of goals over the previous campaign and conclude that he just isn't that good. Those people could, however, be incorrect.

As Machin points out, there is much more to the Colombian than just his goal-scoring. According to WhoScored, in his 11 starts in the league last season, he averaged a respectable match rating of 6.97 and, in his three Champions League appearances, managed a seriously impressive average of 7.23.

The underlying numbers help to show just how good of a player he really is as well.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the tricky winger is in the top 6% for touches in the opposition box, the top 11% for progressive passes received and aerial duals won, the top 12% for pass completion and successful take-ons, and the top 16% for non-penalty goals, all per 90.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Diaz is clearly extremely talented, and his manager Jurgen Klopp certainly seems to agree, saying:

"He's so football smart, moving in the right areas, naturally defending from his position, goal threat, speed, cheeky. Very, very special player, I have to say."

With an injury-free run in the team next year, Diaz might rediscover his goal-scoring form again.

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