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Whilst they await the verdict of an appeal over their Financial Fair Play charge and subsequent 10-point deduction, Everton have reportedly turned their attention towards a potential replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite, should the defender depart in a bid to raise cash this summer.

Everton transfer news

If Everton are hit with a second-point deduction to go hand-in-hand with their second FFP charge this season, then they may find themselves all but relegated to the Championship. And that could have dire consequences for Sean Dyche and his side, who would see several players decide to jump a sinking ship.

Among those who could leave is Branthwaite, who has enjoyed an impressive season so far at Goodison Park, emerging as a standout player. Those performances could come at a cost for Everton though, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and even Real Madrid now reportedly interested in securing the £75m-rated defender in the coming months.

David Ornstein shares Everton appeal update he's heard contrary to reports

More frustration for the Toffees.

ByTom Cunningham Feb 23, 2024

The Toffees already face an uphill climb when it comes to keeping hold of Branthwaite, but relegation from the Premier League could leave them with no chance of avoiding his exit. With that said, those at Goodison Park are seemingly already preparing for the defender's exit, with a replacement lined up.

According to Football Transfers, Everton are eyeing a move to sign Daniel Ballard from Sunderland if they need to replace Branthwaite this summer. The Black Cats defender graduated from Arsenal's academy before finding his feet at The Stadium of Light. Now 24-years-old, the former Gunner could be on the move once more, with Sunderland setting a reported price tag of €23m (£20m), which would allow the Blues to have plenty leftover if it was a simple one in one out.

Whilst they may not need it, Ballard has plenty of Championship experience under his belt, which could prove to be a vital effort should Everton fail to avoid the drop this season. As things stand, Dyche's side sit outside the relegation zone on goal difference, level on points with Luton Town.

"Warrior" Ballard can replicate Branthwaite success

The thought of an Everton side without Branthwaite at the heart of it seems a worrying one for Everton these days, to sum up the defender's impressive rise in the last year or so. But, if the 21-year-old does depart, then Ballard's stats prove that he'd be more than capable of stepping into Branthwaite's role with similar success.

Progressive Carries

20

0

Progressive Passes

85

38

Tackles Won

28

25

Interceptions

26

39

Blocks

41

27

Former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray was well aware of Ballard's quality too, praising the defender at the start of the season: "I say we're lucky to have him, but it was brilliant recruitment to bring Dan Ballard to this football club. He's a diamond of a lad.

"I'm not sure where his ceiling is but he's a wonderful footballer and an old-school centre-half who puts his body on the line. And if he plays against a really strong player, he just gets stronger himself. He reacts to what's in front of him. He needed to be good last night against a good team. He's a warrior, amazing really."

Leeds United are back in Championship action once again on Tuesday night as their seemingly relentless schedule of fixtures rampages on.

The Whites face the long travel down to Wales to take on Swansea City away from home as they go in search of a seventh straight win in the division.

Daniel Farke's side have won their last six matches in succession in the second tier and are heading into this match off the back of a 3-0 win over Rotherham at Elland Road on Saturday.

An opening goal from Patrick Bamford and two strikes from Crysencio Summerville sealed all three points for the hosts in, what was, an emphatic victory.

The unrelenting schedule in the Championship and the FA Cup, in which they travel to Chelsea later this month, means that the German head coach could make some changes to the starting XI from the win over the Millers.

With this in mind, here is FFC's predicted Leeds line-up to take on the Swans in Wales on Tuesday night…

1 Illan Meslier

Starting off between the sticks, number one Illan Meslier should be selected from the start. He kept his 12th clean sheet of the season in his 29th league appearance against Rotherham.

2 Connor Roberts

The first change to the starting XI could come at right-back as deadline day signing Connor Roberts could make his full debut for Leeds against his former club.

He came on for 15 minutes against the Millers to get a taste of the action at Elland Road and may now be itching to get his first start for the club.

A trip to a familiar setting, at the club where he started his career and came through the academy, could be the ideal place for that first start as Roberts knows the ground and should feel comfortable enough to hit the ground running.

This may be harsh on young Archie Gray, who won five of his eight duels against Rotherham, but it would provide the youngster with a breather and offer a chance for the new signing to impress.

3 Joe Rodon

Another Wales international could start at the heart of the defence. Joe Rodon has been a dominant force at the back for the Whites this season with a duel success rate of 66% across 28 appearances in the league since his move on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

4 Ethan Ampadu

To complete a Welsh trio at the back for Leeds, Ethan Ampadu could continue at centre-back. The midfielder by trade has helped the team to six wins and five clean sheets in six appearances as a central defender in all competitions in 2024.

5 Junior Firpo

Farke has confirmed that Sam Byram has suffered from muscle issues and will not be available for selection against the Swans, whilst Jamie Shackleton is also out for personal reasons.

This leaves Firpo as the only obvious option to start at left-back and the ex-Barcelona man should, therefore, retain his place in the starting XI.

His deflected cross, after a superb lung-bursting run down the left flank, provided the assist for Bamford's goal to open the scoring on Saturday.

6 Ilia Gruev

In the middle of the park, Ilia Gruev's recent performances suggest that the Bulgaria international deserves to maintain his place in the side for Leeds. He has recorded a Sofascore rating of 7.1 or higher in seven of his last eight appearances in all competitions.

7 Glen Kamara

Alongside the former Werder Bremen star, Finland international Glen Kamara should start in midfield as his ball retention is crucial to how the Whites want to play.

Farke wants his team to dominate and control the game, and the central midfielder's fantastic passing allows them to do that as he rarely gives the ball away.

Kamara has completed 93.2% of his attempted passes in the Championship this season, which places him in the top 2% of midfielders in the division.

8 Wilfried Gnonto

On the right side of the attack, Wilfried Gnonto's recent performances suggest that the Italy international should line up in the attack once again.

He did not register a goal or assist in the win over Rotherham but it was his sharp pass into the box that allowed Crysencio Summerville to win a penalty for his second goal of the afternoon. That came after the winger had scored in each of his last two starts – against Plymouth Argyle and Bristol City.

However, Daniel James is now back in training and available for selection, as per Farke, and will provide competition for that starting spot on the wing.

9 Georginio Rutter

Georginio Rutter should be selected in the number ten position after another impressive display as a creative force for Leeds against the Millers.

The French magician made four key passes and created one 'big chance', which was rewarded with an assist for Summerville's first goal, to take his tally to 19 'big chances' created in 30 league matches this season.

23/24 Championship

Georginio Rutter

Appearances

30

Goals

Five

Big chances created

19

Assists

Ten

Dribbles completed

84

Stats via Sofascore

He has the ability in possession to consistently unlock opposition defences to create high-quality opportunities for his teammates, and the 21-year-old whiz will be hoping to do so once again against the Swans.

10 Crysencio Summerville

Selecting Crysencio Summerville is, possibly, the easiest decision that Farke has to make each game in the Championship as the Dutch forward continues to be a shining light for the club in the final third.

The 22-year-old phenomenon added two more goals to his tally in the win over Rotherham and is now on 14 goals and seven assists in league appearances for Leeds this season.

According to the England allrounder, friendly competition to score the quickest centuries and hit the biggest sixes is driving the team during the World Cup

George Dobell in Headingley20-Jun-20193:04

Swann: England truly believe that 500 is possible

Friendly competition to score the quickest centuries and hit the biggest sixes is driving England’s batsmen during the World Cup, according to Moeen Ali.Furthest six-hitting distances from England at World Cup

Jason Roy, 97m against Bangladesh
Moeen Ali, 93m against Afghanistan
Eoin Morgan, 92m against Afghanistan
Joe Root, 91m against Afghanistan
Jonny Bairstow, 86m against Pakistan
Jos Buttler, 85m against Bangladesh
Chris Woakes, 84m against Bangladesh
Liam Plunkett, 79m against Bangladesh

Eoin Morgan set a new ODI record by hitting 17 sixes in his innings in Manchester last week. But while he may have hit the most, his team-mates left him in no doubt that theirs were bigger and that his 57-ball century was “a bit slow” by comparison to their own. Three men in England’s top seven – Moeen, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler – have hit quicker ODI centuries.And that competition – combined with plenty of hard work – is rendering England “almost unstoppable” according to Moeen.”We were a bit surprised by the numbers the other day,” Moeen, who once made a 53-ball century against West Indies, said. “We were like ‘that’s a lot of sixes’. But I told him I hit the biggest. The first one off Rashid Khan was the biggest.”When players go past 53 balls then I can always say ‘yeah, it’s a great knock but still a bit slow for my liking.’ I’m always hoping they don’t push me further down the list.Moeen Ali steers one through the off side•Getty Images

“We always talk about stuff like that. Jos came back after scoring 120 and I told him I’d hit the shot of the day. We have a bit of banter about it.”We’re just having a lot of fun and ripping each other all the time. We get stuck into each other about everything: about the football or about Fifa. Anything. It’s all part of team bonding. It’s all very natural.”While the team may good-naturedly compete for such accolades there is, according to Moeen, an acceptance that one man stands out.”Buttler is the biggest hitter,” Moeen says. “With ease. Some guys – like Jonny Bairstow – are brutal. Jason Roy is absolutely about power and Morgan does hit big sixes.”In the nets, Joe Root hits the most sixes. He tries to take us down all the time. I think everyone is capable of hitting big sixes and I think I’m the best of all of them. But Jos is the one guy that everyone knows is out front. Jos is power with timing.”But the serious side is that we work hard on it. You can’t just rock up and start hitting sixes for fun, you have to practice it and work on it.”As a team, once we get going, I’m sure everybody thinks that we’re almost unstoppable. When Jos, Morgs, Jason… we have some many players, almost everybody in the top eight. Who can do it. Once they get going, it’s almost unstoppable. That’s the great thing about the team.”

Emile Smith Rowe has been identified as a 'priority signing' for Fulham as the Cottagers look to offer the 23-year-old regular game time.

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• Smith Rowe wanted by Fulham
• Arsenal could look to sell homegrown talent
• Gunners interested in Sesko

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fulham see Smith Rowe as an answer to their depleting attack and may look to secure an audacious move for the Arsenal player, according to . Marco Silva's side are set to lose Willian once his contract expires at the end of the month and the Englishman may provide a solution to the loss of creativity. Smith Rowe has fallen down the pecking order in north London and the Gunners may look to cash in on him.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After shooting to stardom following his impressive debut against Chelsea in December 2020, Smith Rowe became a mainstay in Mikel Arteta's side and was crucial in transforming a lacklustre team into one with flair and attacking impetus. However, injuries have severely limited his game time and it looks unlikely that he will re-establish himself back in the side.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Since making 33 appearances and scoring 10 goals in his spectacular 2021/22 season, Smith Rowe has only played 25 games across the two following Premier League campaigns. In those 25 games, only three of them came as a starter and he has not scored in that time either.

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• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  Arsenal, with one eye on the Premier League's profit-and-sustainability rules, may need to sell homegrown players who represent 'pure profit'. However, the departures of the likes of Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson may mean signings like Benjamin Sesko could be brokered.

With West Ham United vying for a European place yet again in the Premier League this season, David Moyes could turn to the January transfer window to cement his side's place in the top six and potentially beyond. The Hammers currently sit as high as sixth and just seven points adrift of the top four in what could be a dream campaign in England's top flight.

Those at the London Stadium will be well aware that there's still a long way to go, but the winter window could suddenly put an even greater positive spin on their season so far if they land their targets. Among those that they're reportedly eyeing is a rival player who knows all about qualifying for European football.

West Ham transfer news

When West Ham lost Declan Rice to Arsenal in the summer, it was easy to worry about just how they'd replace the midfielder and splash the cash gained from his departure. Months later, however, and those fears have been firmly put to bed. The Hammers signed Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse to boost their midfield, before turning their attention to Mohammed Kudus, who has starred further forward. Now, they could repeat their transfer genius by landing a defensive target on the cheap.

West Ham want breakthrough Serie A star with "extraordinary qualities"

A breakthrough star appears to be catching the eye of West Ham United.

ByLuke Randall Jan 1, 2024

According to Football Transfers, West Ham have made contact to sign Eric Dier, who will be allowed to leave Tottenham Hotspur this month. The defender's current contract runs out in the summer, meaning that the Lilywhites are on course to lose him for free if they do not cash in this month. Given that Moyes is reportedly impressed by Dier and sees him as a player similar to summer target Harry Maguire, a deal could certainly be on the cards for West Ham in the transfer window this month.

"Reliable" Dier desperately needs move

Dier's game time shows just how much he needs a Spurs departure. The England international has started just one Premier League game for the Lilywhites this season, even amid injuries to both Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

A January switch to West Ham would be coming at the perfect time for both parties. Dier would be staying at the top level in England's top flight, with West Ham competing for a place in the top six, and the Hammers would be getting a player with the experience that could make all the difference in the remainder of the campaign.

It's been some fall from grace for Dier since Ange Postecoglou arrived since he was once at the centre of praise from former boss Antonio Conte. Conte said via The Daily Mail: "What I can tell you is that Eric has improved a lot since I arrived. We are talking about a reliable player, 100 per cent focused in every game. He is not a player who alternates with a big performance then a drop. He is providing great continuity in his role and playing every game. I can also tell you he is a really good guy, with great will, desire to work and improve."

Even despite his struggles under the Aussie manager, there is no question his experience and know-how could add crucial depth and leadership to a Hammers side riding the crest of a wave.

Manchester United have struggled at both ends of the field this season, but particularly in attack, as only two teams have netted fewer Premier League goals.

This has put the Red Devils eighth in the league, a huge 14 points behind Liverpool, who are in first.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

With that in mind, Erik ten Hag will surely look to bolster his team in January, with a focus on improving the attack certainly on the agenda.

Man Utd transfers latest – Paulo Dybala

According to Graeme Bailey via mufcMPB, United have the opportunity to sign Paulo Dybala, who has been described as a “little genius” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig.

The Argentine is keen to leave Roma, with a move to the Premier League potentially on the cards.

Dybala has a £10m release clause in his contract, which makes him an affordable option for plenty of clubs this winter.

Paulo Dybala’s style of play

With Man United not looking to extend Anthony Martial’s contract, according to The Athletic, the club may let go of their French attacker in January in order to gather funds.

The ex-Monaco star boy has had plenty of injury setbacks over the years, and he has only started seven matches for the Red Devils this season.

Therefore, Dybala could be the perfect Martial replacement, as he would provide experience and class to the relatively youthful United front line. The ex-Juventus gem has played as almost a second striker this season alongside Romelu Lukaku in a 3-5-2, and he has proved to be a goal-scoring and goal-creating machine.

The table below shows statistics from the 2023/24 Serie A season, that indicates he would be a hit at Old Trafford.

Goals

0.40

Top 35%

Assists

0.61

Top 1%

Key passes

2.63

Top 1%

Shot-creating actions

4.75

Top 1%

Progressive carries

4.65

Top 4%

Progressive passes

6.57

Top 1%

Touches

64.34

Top 1%

Dybala is one of the most elite attackers in Italy, as shown by the percentiles above compared to other Serie A forwards, and his creativity – having produced six goals in 12 league games this term – would elevate United to an entirely new level.

The wizard has a wand of a left foot, which he uses to create moments of magic in the attacking third, as shown by the assists, key passes, and shot-creating actions. The Roma forward, alongside Bruno Fernandes, would supply an endless amount of service to Rasmus Hojlund, which would dramatically improve his output.

The World Cup winner is an incredibly intelligent footballer who can identify pockets of space to receive the ball. This isn’t always in the attacking third, however, as he can drop in deeper to progress the play through ball-carrying or passing. On top of that, he is a set-piece specialist who can put the ball in the back of the net.

Dybala can almost do everything with a football at his feet, and it is no surprise that he has been the heartbeat of every club he has been at. The ex-Palermo prospect is instrumental to the way his side plays, taking on responsibility, which is an aspect that United currently lacks.

Signing the Roma ace for a bargain £10m could be the steal of the window, yet the only downside to Dybala is his injury record. However, the United boss could fix that by managing his minutes and not overplaying the Argentine, which means it isn’t a huge concern. Most importantly, what he could bring to the side could just change United’s season entirely.

Paul Heckingbottom's days in the Sheffield United hot seat did look to be numbered, with the 5-0 loss away at Vincent Kompany's Burnley this weekend – a Premier League relegation rival no less – judged to be the final straw for the Bramall Lane hierarchy.

Not yet officially confirmed, but rumours circulating on social media from many different media outlets point in the direction that the hapless Heckingbottom will be put out of his misery finally after a disastrous start to top-flight life as manager of the Blades – Sheffield United rooted to the foot of the table with only five points secured, conceding an embarrassing 39 goals from just 14 games played.

Former Blades icon in the dug-out Chris Wilder looks set to be Heckingbottom's immediate replacement, as per reports, the 56-year-old departing United in 2021 after completely revitalising the club during his tenure.

He successfully steered the Blades all the way up to the Premier League after the club found themselves marooned in League One, securing an unprecedented ninth placed finish too for the Blades when managing his hometown club in the top flight.

Wilder will hope his anticipated return to the Blades dug-out can re-energise this current group, breathing life back into proceedings after a dismal few months.

Here are three players that Wilder could turn to in order to provoke a revival at the club.

1

John Fleck

Fleck was a midfield maestro under Wilder during his first reign as Blades boss, an integral player centrally.

The Scottish midfielder was pivotal throughout Wilder's near five years at the club, Fleck amassing 44 assists over the five seasons the 56-year-old was present in the dug-out.

The 32-year-old would even score five times during the 2019/20 campaign that saw United play in the Premier League, Fleck adored by the Bramall Lane masses and his boss.

Fleck will be raring to go again upon hearing the news that Wilder is set to return as manager, the diminutive Blades presence barely featuring under Heckingbottom this campaign so far with just one start.

United's number four will no doubt start more games – after being frozen out – if Wilder does come back to the club, Fleck certainly benefitting from this potential managerial switch.

2

Oli McBurnie

McBurnie will also hope he can kickstart his faltering Blades career again under Wilder's management, alongside his fellow compatriot in Fleck.

United's number nine was a reliable goalscorer under Wilder in the top flight during the 2019/20 campaign, scoring six goals from 36 appearances with two of those strikes coming in huge home victories over Chelsea and Tottenham.

The incoming Blades boss will need to put his arm around McBurnie and remind him of this goalscoring prowess, the Scottish forward frustrated and angry in recent matches which was abundantly clear in his quick double booking against Burnley with two unnecessary elbows.

The 27-year-old will want his football to do the talking again away from this petulance, hoping that Wilder can get him firing if he does come in.

3

Auston Trusty

Former Arsenal man Trusty was the only defender from the 5-0 Clarets defeat that could leave Turf Moor with his head held high somewhat, the American centre-back still winning six of his nine duels in the one-sided affair.

Trusty could well be a centre-back Wilder is a fan of, the 56-year-old is always keen to have a full-throttle option at the back who can push his team forward.

The 25-year-old had a really successful loan switch to Birmingham City last campaign before joining United – scoring four times and assisting three goals from defence – and so Wilder will want to make Trusty his main man in a leaky backline.

With 0.56 progressive passes received per 90 minutes over the last year on top of 2.50 tackles registered – as sourced by FBRef – for the Blues and the Blades, Wilder will want to harness Trusty's attacking qualities further whilst hoping he's a rock-solid figure who can begin to shore up a pitiful defence at Bramall Lane.

USMNT star Haji Wright has warned Manchester United that “anything can happen” as Coventry look to pile on “pressure” in the FA Cup semi-finals.

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American forward secured semi-final spotPreparing for a big day out at WembleyRegistered personal-best goal tally this termWHAT HAPPENED?

The Sky Blues have been a surprise package in knockout competition this season, with Mark Robins’ side enjoying a memorable run through to the last four. They are now looking forward to a meeting with Premier League heavyweights at Wembley Stadium.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT WRIGHT SAID

Wright helped to book those tickets when netting a dramatic quarter-final winner against Wolves, and the United States international has told when asked for his message to 12-time winners from Old Trafford: “It's one game, it can go in either direction. They're a big club, have a lot of great players but I think we are going to get opportunities. Hopefully, we can make them feel the pressure a little bit. Anything can happen in one game.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Coventry boss Robins knows that more than most, having famously scored the goal against Nottingham Forest in a third round tie back in 1990 that reportedly kept Sir Alex Ferguson in a job. Wright added on playing for FA Cup royalty: “He told me about his playing days when I joined the club and how much of a great striker he was!”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR WRIGHT?

Wright has already claimed one trophy in 2024, as a late call-up for the USMNT in their CONCACAF Nations League triumph, and will be hoping to play his way into Copa America plans for his country – with a personal-best return of 17 goals recorded at club level this season.

The batsman is expecting slow scoring but the opportunity for runs to be made by batsmen diligent enough to play within their lanes

Daniel Brettig in Melbourne23-Dec-20182:33

What are Australia’s plans for Kohli at the MCG?

No-one has spent more time batting on the MCG’s hotly-debated pitches this season than Marcus Harris, and he has counselled his team-mates not to judge the surface by the expected preponderance of green grass geared towards ensuring a result after last year’s bore draw during the Ashes series.Harris got the fright of his life when he saw the pitch for the Sheffield Shield match, admitting now that he expected the game between Victoria and New South Wales to be over in “a day and a half”, before proceeding to sculpt a monumental 250 not out that played a major role in vaulting him into the Test team.As a result, Harris is expecting slow scoring but the opportunity for runs to be made by batsmen diligent enough to play within their lanes. “Pre-match when I saw the wicket I was really freaked out and I thought ‘this game’s going to be over in a day and a half and we’ve got blokes trying to vie for Test spots’, so I went into the game with no expectations on myself and the wicket actually played pretty well,” Harris told ESPNcricinfo. “It was relatively slow and stayed together.”I saw this morning the wicket will probably be more similar to the South Australia game, where it had a bit more green grass on it, nipped around a bit but it was one of those wickets where if you play well you can make runs but if you bowl well you can take wickets.”I think it’ll be the same old thing of patience, the MCG is never a really quick scoring ground anyway, so that’ll be the key, just realising things will take a while to evolve. Not sure the wicket will break up too much, but we’ll just have to wait and see. Fortunately we’ve probably got the best bowling attack in the world so that looks after itself a little bit, but I think as batters a patience game will be the key and run rates won’t be as quick as what you’d like, but that’s the way it will be.”Like Harris, the MCG curator Matt Page is a former West Australian transplanted to the other side of the continent, now charged with ensuring the storied stadium has pitches to match its overall reputation. “We want to provide an opportunity for everyone,” Page said. “Whether it’s the spinners, it’s the pace bowlers, or the batters. Providing them opportunities to be able to produce their world-class [skills] throughout a game, whether that’s quickies at the front, batters in the middle, spinners towards the end. It’s producing a pitch that everyone can show what they can do.”I think this one will be very similar to the South Australian game which we were probably happy with the most. We were unlucky not to get a result through rain, but there seemed to be a bit there for everyone; a bit there for the quicks, a couple of guys scored hundreds and the feedback we got from that game was really positive. I know we are still three days out but are looking at a wicket that will be similar to that.”Both the NSW and SA fixtures benefited from plenty of early life, meaning the game could evolve at the requisite pace needed to ensure a result after it dried. Another Shield match, when Victoria hosted Western Australia, was not as lively as attempts to prepare a drier, harder surface resulted in a similar result to the soporific strip on which the Ashes Test was drawn. “We went in to that game and we tried to get a little bit harder and a little bit drier and didn’t get the result we wanted,” Page said. “We learned from that and we’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”Mitchell Starc, for one, is hopeful of something a little more equitable this time around. With typical bluntness, he assessed last summer’s Test pitch (“shocking”) and the ICC’s average rating for the Perth Stadium flier (“harsh”) that featured some of the characteristics Page is hoping to engender at the MCG over time.”There hasn’t been any discussion in the team but there has been plenty of traction in the public from past players at their disappointment of that rating,” Starc said. “You had a fantastic Test match over five days, a fantastic battle between ball and bat which is what you want. I think that was a bit harsh, I’d say, and the fact it was such an exciting Test match that’s what you want to promote. You want to see wickets like that in the future.”Test cricket isn’t meant to be comfortable, I know it’s a batters’ game, but that’s what makes the game exciting. If you look at the match here last year where the wicket did nothing, it was a pretty boring Test match. If wickets are closer to what we saw in Perth it will create more exiting Test matches and you’ll get more people watching.”It sounds like it will be similar to one of the Shield games few weeks ago so the likelihood is it will do more than last year, which is great because last year was shocking – I didn’t play, fortunately – but the early signs are there could be a bit of grass on it.”

Glasgow Rangers went through a summer of change as former head coach Michael Beale was allowed to make widespread alterations to his playing squad.

The likes of Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, and Scott Arfield were allowed to leave on free transfers, whilst Antonio Colak and Glen Kamara, among others, were sold by the Scottish giants.

These exits allowed the English tactician to dip into the market to make nine new additions of his own to improve his side for the 2023/24 campaign.

Leon Balogun, Sam Lammers, Cyriel Dessers, Danilo, Jose Cifuentes, Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling, and Jack Butland all arrived on permanent deals, alongside a loan swoop for Brighton & Hove Albion forward Abdallah Sima.

Beale's recruitment did not provide him with the desired results to keep the board happy, though, as he was relieved of his duties last month and replaced by Belgian boss Philippe Clement.

However, not all of the ex-Gers assistant's moves in the transfer window were complete failures. One decision that already looks to have been a smart one is the sale of Colak to Italian side Parma, as the striker has struggled to find his form in front of goal this season.

Colak's goal record for Rangers

The Croatia international arrived at Ibrox from Greek giants PAOK in the summer of 2022 under Giovanni van Bronckhorst's management and had a mixed year in Scotland.

Colak hit the ground running for the Light Blues with a superb return of 14 goals and three assists in 24 competitive appearances for the Dutch head coach, which is a return of more than one goal every other game on average.

His form, however, dipped after Beale arrived during the break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The experienced marksman only scored four goals and provided one assist in 15 matches under the English tactician's guidance.

He also failed to perform in Europe as his six Champions League appearances did not leave a positive impression. The lightweight lost a staggering 74% of his duels and failed to provide a single goal or assist in the competition, with two 'big chances' missed for the centre-forward.

Overall, though, Colak ended the 2022/23 campaign with an impressive record in the Scottish Premiership. He recorded 14 goals and one assist in 18 league starts for Rangers, although ten of those came within the first nine games of the term.

Colak's first nine league games for Rangers (via Transfermarkt)
Opponent	Goals scored
Livingston	Zero
Kilmarnock	One
St. Johnstone	One
Hibernian	Zero
Ross County	Two
Celtic	Zero
Dundee United	Two
Hearts	Two
St. Mirren	Two

This shows that the Croatian finisher came flying out of the blocks as a clinical and lethal goalscorer for the Gers but was unable to sustain it throughout the remainder of the season.

He struggled badly under Beale, as evidenced by his return of one goal every 3.75 outings, and his lack of form in front of goal made his sale earlier this year a reasonable one.

Colak's goal record for Parma

The Croatia international was ditched by Beale over the summer as Serie B side Parma swooped in to secure his services for a reported fee of £2.5m.

Rangers' then-boss hailed the number nine's class and how he handled the situation – referencing his decision to speak with the players and staff to say his goodbyes during pre-season with no bad feelings on either side.

It was, therefore, an amicable split that suited both parties. Colak was able to leave and find a new club after struggling during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign and the Light Blues were able to rake in a sizeable fee for a player who had been underperforming in the months leading up to the window.

His woes have, unfortunately, continued in Italy as the 30-year-old dynamo has only scored three goals in 11 Serie B matches and has failed to establish himself as a regular starter for his side.

The ex-Rangers striker has only started three league games for the second division outfit and has struggled to deal with the physicality of the league, with a dismal duel success rate of 25%.

These statistics show that the former Malmo star has not offered a consistent attacking threat and has been bullied by opposition defenders, who have found it far too easy to get the better of him in physical contests.

His struggles throughout the 2023/24 campaign so far are emphasised by the fact that he has scored fewer goals than current Rangers striker Dessers, who has done little to impress since his move to Ibrox.

Dessers' goal record for Rangers

The Light Blues snapped up the Nigeria international from Italian side Cremonese for an initial fee of €5m (£4.3m), per journalist Fabrizio Romano, to bolster their attacking options.

However, the 28-year-old dud has not been able to provide a reliable presence at the top end of the pitch for the Scottish giants with his weak hold-up play and inconsistent finishing.

Dessers has scored three goals in ten Premiership outings and already missed a staggering ten 'big chances' in front of goal, which shows that he has not been able to make the most of the opportunities that his teammates have been providing him with.

The right-footed flop has also lost a whopping 79% of his ground duels in the Scottish top-flight, with opposition players being able to comfortably dominate him on the deck.

His European exploits have also left a lot to be desired as the striker has failed to provide a goal or an assist in three Europa League outings, and has lost 81% of his duels.

However, Dessers did score in the Champions League qualifiers and managed one goal in the League Cup for Rangers earlier this season, which means that he has scored two more goals than Colak at club level during the 2023/24 campaign for their respective clubs.

Overall, Beale struck gold with the decision to sell the Croatia international for £2.5m during the summer transfer window as his woeful form in the second half of last season for Rangers and in the opening months of this term for Parma suggest that he would not have been a good option for Clement.

Colak has been outscored by Dessers and has not been able to start games on a regular basis in the second division of Italian football, which is why the Gers could look back on the fee they received for his services and be happy with their business.