Reece James picked up a four-game ban after his second red card of the season and Chelsea tried desperately to overturn the suspension.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Chelsea make bizarre claim on James ban appealBlues say James was disoriented FA turn down appeal and uphold four-game ban(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

In their penultimate match of the 2023/24 Premier League season, Chelsea saw their captain sent off for a reckless kickout at Brighton's Joao Pedro. The straight red card was his second of the season, which automatically brought about a four-match ban. The suspension was appealed by Chelsea who made a bizarre claim of innocence in defence of the 24-year-old.

AdvertisementWHAT WAS CHELSEA'S CLAIM?

As per an exclusive report by the Daily Mail, Chelsea claimed that James was "disoriented" after being fouled from behind, and Pedro "made contact" first as he sprinted past their captain, adding that "it had not been his intention to harm Mr Pedro, he was simply pushing him away with his foot." The FA dismissed the appeal because they did not find the defender's story to be "persuasive." They also rejected the idea that the defender was disoriented when he caught the Brazilian slightly below the knee, calling the action "unnecessary" and dismissing the idea that he was merely "pushing" Pedro away.

(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Having already missed Chelsea's final clash of the season against Bournemouth, James will now miss the first three games for Chelsea under new manager Enzo Maresca. The Blues announced the signing of the Leicester City manager on Monday after having parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT NEXT FOR JAMES?

The 24-year-old has been plagued by injuries during his career. He played only 10 games for Pochettino lats season and subsequently missed out on a spot in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad for this summer.

The allrounder has a quadriceps injury, which he picked up during the match against England, and did not train on Monday

The Preview by Sreshth Shah10-Jun-2019Big pictureWhen Bangladesh and Sri Lanka get to the ground on Tuesday, they will have one eye on the 22 yards, and the other on the skies.Last weekend, Bristol was the venue of the only washout of the World Cup so far, which has meant that Sri Lanka haven’t played a game for six days. But that washout against Pakistan has ensured they are, against most calculations, in the top half of the points table despite being thumped by New Zealand and doing just about enough to beat Afghanistan.But there are problems aplenty in their camp. Arguably their fastest bowler, and Man-of-the-Match from the Afghanistan game, Nuwan Pradeep, is unavailable due to a hand injury, and their batsmen have the poorest numbers among all the teams. On average since the start of 2017, they lose half their batsmen by the 30th over and are likely to be bowled out every 1.80 ODIs. In the World Cup, their middle order (Nos. 4-7) has scored just nine runs in two matches, with Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews having horror starts. Their only bright spots have been Kusal Perera’s dogged batting performances and a seam attack that looks like it can trouble batsmen when the conditions help a bit.For Bangladesh, it’s about turning their campaign around after a promising start that has hit a roadblock following two defeats. But there were lessons in those losses. Their spin-focused attack has been expensive and unpenetrative, with some even calling it “regressive”. In English conditions, it would make sense to tweak their strategy against a big-hitting team. But against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh may be tempted to give that strategy one last shot.There’s not much praise for their pacers either. They average a wicket every 90 balls in the first 30 overs, and it’s only some zippy death-bowling from Mohammad Saifuddin that gave New Zealand a hiccup and stopped England from making an even bigger total. The real differentiator between the two sides is Bangladesh’s superior batting form, and if the opportunity presents itself, bat-first-put-pressure would be their best approach against Sri Lanka.There could be a major spanner in the works for Bangladesh, however, with their allrounder and talisman Shakib Al Hasan suffering a quadriceps injury during their last game against England in Cardiff, in which he scored a century.Shakib missed training in Bristol on Monday, although he did come to the ground and was seen around the nets. “He batted against England with the strain, so we took him for a precautionary scan on his way back to the hotel,” Rabeed Imam, Bangladesh’s media manager, said.Shakib has been Bangladesh’s best batsman in the World Cup so far, scoring two fifties apart from the century against England. Liton Das and Sabbir Rahman are the batsmen in reserve.Form guideBangladesh LLWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka WLWLLIn the spotlightMohammad Saifuddin is only 22, but in his 15-ODI career, an economy of 7.1 in the last ten overs has meant that he has delivered more balls between overs 41-50 than even Mustafizur Rahman in this World Cup. He can tail in the older ball, and against a batting line-up that is still trying to find form, a bowler they have never faced could be tricky for Sri Lanka. If the spinners can’t find purchase, Saifuddin could be a good partnership-breaking option in the middle period as well.Alex Carey looks on as Kusal Mendis prepares to drive•Getty ImagesKusal Mendis has not played a single shot in control at the World Cup. He’s faced three deliveries for his two dismissals. Since 2018, he’s averaged 21.50 and has not been able to provide the stability that Sri Lanka have desperately needed in both their matches. With Milinda Siriwardana available for selection, the Bangladesh game could be Mendis’ final chance of keeping his spot in the XI.Team newsBowling allrounder Jeevan Mendis is the likeliest replacement for the injured Pradeep, which means Sri Lanka could field the same XI as the one in their ten-wicket loss against New Zealand. It increases their batting depth.Sri Lanka 1 Kusal Perera, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), 3 Lahiru Thirimanne 4, Angelo Mathews, 5 Kusal Mendis/Milinda Siriwardana, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Thisara Perara, 8 Isuru Udana, 9 Jeevan Mendis, 10 Suranga Lakmal, 11 Lasith MalingaIf Shakib isn’t fit to play, Bangladesh will have a choice to make between Liton Das – who is perhaps better suited to the No. 3 spot – and Sabbir Rahman – who can fill in with a few overs of legspin. Bangladesh could also be tempted to bring Rubel Hossain or Abu Jayed in for their extra pace instead of Mehidy Hasan.Bangladesh 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Shakib Al Hasan/Liton Das/Sabbir Rahman, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mohammad Mithun, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Mosaddek Hossain, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Mehidy Hasan/Rubel Hossain, 10 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 11 Mustafizur RahmanPitch and conditionsIn the last three completed games in Bristol, teams bowling first have won twice, England’s successful chase of 359 against Pakistan in May one of them. The weather is expected to be “showery” with over 50% chance of rain near toss time and again around 2pm.Strategy puntDhananjaya de Silva has averaged only 16.90 after eight games in 2019, with a strike rate of just over 70. He could be replaced by Siriwardana, who also bowls a bit of left-arm spin, so Sri Lanka won’t lose the part-time option either. Importantly, Siriwardana has three half-centuries from No. 6 in a short career and could provide a new dimension to their batting.It’s in Sri Lanka’s best interest for Mathews to bat at No. 4. Since the start of 2017, he has been dismissed inside 20 deliveries in only 16% of his games, while the rest of his team-mates range between 48% (de Silva) and 100% (Jeevan Mendis). It appears he is the only option in the Sri Lankan line-up to play the anchor role if their captain Dimuth Karunaratne falls early.Bangladesh should start off with spin against Kusal Perera. Since 2018, he averages 51.1 against the quicks so feeding him pace would enable Sri Lanka to have a crisp beginning. Against spin, he averages only 22.7 and is dismissed every 25.7 deliveries. Mehidy turning the ball away from him would be a good match-up from Bangladesh’s perspective.Stats and trivia Shakib Al Hasan is 23 runs away from becoming the second Bangladesh batsman to reach 6000 ODI runs. Lasith Malinga needs four wickets to become the fourth man to take 50 World Cup wickets. If he takes three, he’ll tie with Chaminda Vaas on 49 World Cup wickets – the second-highest for Sri Lanka behind Muttiah Muralitharan’s 68. Mustafizur Rahman is set to play his 50th ODI.Quotes”I’m not worried about who is respecting us or not. I’m more worried about our performance, and make sure we are winning these matches. That is more important for us. Respect varies from one person to another, but I don’t think respect is going to work in the 22 yards.”.GMT 1645 The preview was updated to include news of Shakib Al Hasan’s quadriceps injury.

The wheels are seemingly starting to fall off for Arsenal, who have found themselves in a Premier League title race for the second season running. Just like the previous campaign, however, the Gunners could be set to suffer the heartbreak of failure, with consecutive defeats against West Ham United and Fulham making it a December to forget for Mikel Arteta.

Now that the January transfer window is open, those in North London do at least have the opportunity to solve the issues standing between them and silverware. And as they look to close the five-point gap on league leaders Liverpool, Arsenal could yet move to sign a forward who has starred for his current side this season.

Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal enjoyed a successful summer transfer window, signing Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, David Raya and Kai Havertz, but remain on course to fall short in their title pursuit. The January transfer window has made all the difference in previous seasons though, and this time it can more than play its part for the Gunners looking to finally find a clinical striker to lead the line. In that search, those at The Emirates have now turned towards a Feyenoord star.

According to The Times, Arsenal are considering a move to sign Santiago Gimenez in the January transfer window. Any deal for a forward likely rests on the future of Eddie Nketiah, but if Arsenal do show the striker the exit door, then Gimenez could arrive.

Those at The Emirates would also be getting one over on North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have also been linked with a move for Gimenez in the past. An upgrade on both Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, the Mexican would certainly improve Arsenal's title chances if he made the move this month.

"Sensational" Gimenez would be a major upgrade on Nketiah

The one standout weakness in this current Arsenal side comes in their frontline, with their lack of out-and-out goalscorer a growing issue. As good as Jesus is from a tactical standpoint in Arsenal's system, whether it be at Manchester City or in North London, he has never been a classic number nine.

Meanwhile, although Nketiah is more of an old-fashioned forward, he does not impact the game enough to warrant a permanent starting place. So, that leaves the door open for a fresh option for Arteta. And Gimenez's stats, outscoring Nketiah and Jesus combined, prove exactly why he should be that option.

It's no surprise, given the numbers, that Gimenez has been at the centre of praise this season, including from journalist Graeme Bailey. Bailey told the Talking Transfers Podcast, via The Boot Room: “Santiago Gimenez looks sensational by the way, he looks so good. He looks amazing to me. Teams have been watching Feyenoord, of which there is a few, they are the best team in Holland, we know Arsenal and Tottenham have been watching Gimenez as of late.”

One pundit has been giving his reaction to the news that a West Bromwich Albion regular could be leaving The Hawthorns before the end of the month.

West Brom transfer news

So far this month, Carlos Corberan has added to his attacking ranks after losing the loan services of Jeremy Sarmiento. The 21-year-old has since joined Championship rivals Ipswich Town, however, the Baggies have raided second-tier side Bristol City for Andreas Weimann.

The Austrian has put pen to paper on a loan deal until the end of the season, whereas Callum Marshall has also arrived from West Ham, and there could be further additions before the deadline on February 1.

EFL Championship done deals: Every January 2024 transfer

As the January transfer window closes, FFC has you covered for every in and out involving your club in the EFL Championship.

ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

Celtic wingers Liel Abada and Mikey Johnston have emerged as winter window targets, but there is also the possibility of a number of exits. Reports have claimed that West Brom are in talks with Trabzonspor over a move to allow Okay Yokuslu to return to his former club, whereas youngster Tom Fellows is being looked at by Leicester City and Southampton.

Kyle Bartley is another who has been linked with an exit from the Midlands.

Luton Town eyeing move for West Brom’s Kyle Bartley

According to recent rumours from The Telegraph, Bartley is on a list of targets for Premier League side Luton Town in the final days of the January transfer window.

“West Brom defender Kyle Bartley is on a shortlist of centre-backs on Luton’s radar to strengthen Rob Edwards’ back line. Bartley, 32, has experience in the Premier League with Swansea and his current club and has six months left on his deal at the Hawthorns, where he has been a regular this season in the club’s bid for promotion to the Premier League.”

Reacting to the rumours, BBC pundit Carlton Palmer claimed it would be a “massive blow” for West Brom and Corberan if he does leave. Talking to Football League World, he said:

"Bartley is one of the best defenders in the Championship, and has Premier League experience with over 50 appearances. Luton Town have identified Bartley as a potential signing, but with West Brom fifth in the Championship table, in a play-off place and aiming for a play-off spot, they would be reluctant to let the player go in January.

"However, Bartley is out of contract in the summer, and with the club no further ahead with the takeover, any suitable offer, you would assume, would be accepted by the West Bromwich Albion board. This would be a massive blow for West Brom and Carlos Corberan, in his attempts to achieve what he is trying to do this season."

The 32-year-old, hailed as “incredible” in 2022 by pundit Kevin Campbell, has been a regular under Corberan and has made 185 appearances for West Brom, more than any other club during his career.

Alex Mowatt

6.90/10

Cedric Kipre

6.89/10

Darnell Furlong

6.88/10

Matt Phillips

6.87/10

Kyle Bartley

6.85/10

As can be seen in the table above, he’s been a star performer during the current campaign, so losing his services could be a real blow, as Palmer suggests.

Will Young’s ton goes in vain even as Pat Cummins reinforces his standing as the in-form bowler in Australia’s attack

Andrew McGlashan in Brisbane10-May-2019

Steven Smith boarded the flight to the World Cup with questions over his form significantly eased as he struck an unbeaten 91 at Allan Border Field to help Australian XI secure a five-wicket victory over New Zealand XI, although there was momentary scare around his recovering right elbow.On 63, Smith ran his bat in as he completed a single – which wasn’t as tight as he thought – and the bat jarred in the crease. He dropped it and immediately started flexing the elbow on which he had undergone surgery in January and which has been a focal point over the last few months. At the drinks break, he was examined by the physio, but by the end of the chase he appeared to shake off any pain that might have been there.If there was just short-term discomfort and no long-term problem, Smith’s week in Brisbane would get a significant tick, with this innings following his unbeaten 89 in the second match. He was on track for a century but, with the over-rate slower than in previous games, the light faded too much and when a Smith straight drive hammered into Jimmy Neesham, the umpires decided it was too dark.It was a testing chase for the Australians when they slipped to 4 for 137 with David Warner having fallen caught behind for 2 much to his frustration, as it followed the duck he scored in the second match.However, Glenn Maxwell provided the impetus needed with a 37-ball half-century full of power and invention, bringing out a reverse pull for six shortly after passing fifty. For all the focus on Smith and Warner, so much about Australia’s batting order at the World Cup rests on Maxwell.The other dominant innings of the day came from the player of the week Will Young with his second hundred in three days. It took his tally for the three matches to 301 to highlight how unlucky he is to not already be capped by New Zealand. That will now have to wait until the end of the year as he faces shoulder surgery on his return home.As in the successful run chase two days ago, it was Young’s stand with George Worker which laid the platform as the pair added 82 for the second wicket. Worker completed his second half-century of the week before top-edging Adam Zampa to short third-man. The legspinner also trapped captain Tom Latham lbw.Young and Neesham then upped the tempo in a stand of 67 during which Young reached a hundred filled with high-class strokeplay that continued to mark him out as an international cricketer in waiting.When both set batsmen fell – Young yorked by Marcus Stoinis and Neesham finding mid-off against Mitchell Starc – the innings slipped with Pat Cummins taking his haul to four wickets to reinforce his standing as the in-form bowler in Australia’s attack. Although Zampa claimed two wickets, he was taken for more than eight over, being particularly harshly treated by Neesham, while Stoinis’ brace also came at significant cost.Starc increased his workload after just five overs in the second match – his first outing for three months – with eight overs across three spells.

2024 MLS All-Star game voting has opened, with fans, players and media members alike all having a say in which 26 players are picked.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• MLS All-Star voting opened Wednesday
• Game will pit MLS vs Liga MX All-Stars
• Lionel Messi's first chance to participate

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  2024 MLS All-Star voting opened on Wednesday, as fans, media and players alike will all have their say in who gets selected to this year's team. 26 players in total will sport the MLS All-Star Jerseys this summer as they take on the Liga MX All-Stars in a game and in the

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The squad will consist of one goalkeeper, one right back, two center backs, one left back, one defensive midfielder, two attacking midfielders and three forwards/wingers. Votes will be cast in a 4-1-2-3 formation, with the criteria for voting as follows.

  1.) 12 players will be picked by vote from MLS players, fans and media, with each group representing one-third of the combined vote.

  2.) 12 players will be selected by Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy, who will serve as manager of the MLS All-Stars in July.

  3.) Two players will be selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, to round out the voting process.

  To qualify for the 2024 MLS All-Star ballot, players must have appeared in at least 50 percent of his club’s matches this season as of May 13. Players who did not qualify for the ballot are still eligible for selection by MLS All-Star head coach Nancy or the Commissioner, though.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  In the 2023 MLS All-Star Game, the MLS All-Stars took on English Premier League side Arsenal – with the English side running out 5-0 winners. It was a change from 2021 and 2022, where they took on their Southern Border neighbors, but that format has returned in 2024.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT NEXT FOR THE MLS ALL-STARS?

  The 2024 MLS All-Star game will be on July 24, in Columbus, Ohio at Lower.Com field. Voting closes Monday, June 10 for the 26-man roster.

MatériaMais Notícias

O presidente do São Paulo, Julio Casares, postou uma mensagem de força para o atacante Luis Fabiano, que está internado com Covid-19. O Fabuloso marcou época no Tricolor, onde soma diversas passagens.

Luan renovou: veja as durações dos contratos do elenco do São Paulo

Na postagem, Casares deseja uma pronta recuperação ao atacante e promete realizar o jogo de despedida para o jogador assim que a pandemia passar.

CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA DO CAMPEONATO PAULISTA DE 2021

RelacionadasSão PauloLuis Fabiano testa positivo para Covid-19 e é internado em São PauloSão Paulo24/03/2021Futebol NacionalTécnico do Santo André é internado com Covid-19; quadro é estávelFutebol Nacional24/03/2021Fora de CampoBenítez não convence Sormani: ‘Não acho que é jogador para o tamanho do São Paulo’Fora de Campo24/03/2021

– Amigo Luis Fabiano, você vai se recuperar em breve. Logo, quando esse trágico momento passar, faremos a sua despedida com o Morumbi lotado! Estamos juntos! Sempre! Força! – escreveu o mandatário são-paulino.

Luis está internado em um hospital de São Paulo devido a Covid-19, mas está em situação estável, em um quarto normal e respira sem a ajuda de aparelhos.

Em entrevista ao canal do Jorge Nicola no YouTube, Casares comentou sobre uma possibilidade de realizar um jogo festivo de despedida para o Fabuloso.

– Gosto muito do Luis. Quem não gosta, né, do Luis Fabiano? Eu disse que ele merece, e vai merecer, uma grande despedida do São Paulo. Jogar profissionalmente é outra coisa. Claro que ele tem a vontade dele, ele acha que tem condição, isso é normal.O Luis merece um estádio cheio, uma grande despedida com uma camisa promocional, uma grande festa. Infelizmente, com a razão da pandemia, todo esse projeto ficou adiado, para que, quando voltar a ter público, aí sim, o Luís Fabiano faz a sua despedida. – completou.

حقق فريقا الزمالك والأهلي لكرة اليد، الفوز على المعادي ودلفي على الترتيب في منافسات الجولة الأولى من دوري المحترفين اليوم الجمعة.

وانتصر الزمالك على نظيره المعادي على صالة عبد الرحمن فوزي بمقر القلعة البيضاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى من دوري المحترفين.

طالع.. ميشالاك يساند الزمالك أمام الشرطة الكيني في الكونفدرالية

وانتهى الشوط الأول بتقدم الزمالك بنتيجة 16-15، وفي الشوط الثاني واصل الأبيض السيطرة على اللقاء وانتصر بنتيجة 33/26.

بينما الأهلي، حقق الفوز على فريق دلفي، في اللقاء الذي أقيم على صالة الأمير عبد الله الفيصل بمقر النادي بالجزيرة، بنتيجة 42-21.

كان فريق رجال يد الأهلي قد شارك في بطولة كأس الأبطال الدولية الودية التي أقيمت في البوسنة وتوج خلالها بالبطولة بعدما حقق الفوز على فريق زغرب الكرواتي بنتيجة 33-30.

Aston Villa are yet to make any official signings this month, but they were busy in last season's January transfer window as Unai Emery got his first real chance to shape the squad through recruitment after arriving the previous autumn.

Villa paid £13.3m to sign Real Betis defender Alex Moreno, and splashed out another £18m on Chicago Fire forward Jhon Duran. 12 months on, the latter is attracting interest from elsewhere in the Premier League – Chelsea have held internal discussions over whether to make a move, and West Ham have lodged a formal approach – but Emery has made his feelings on the attacker quite clear.

Emery says no to Duran approach

According to talkSPORT, Aston Villa have rejected West Ham's approach for Duran. The Hammers identified the Colombian as a potential target to bolster their frontline, but he now seems to be "off the cards".

Emery specifically wants to keep Duran as a back-up to Ollie Watkins in the striker position for the remainder of the season at least, and so he's effectively blocked the transfer.

Duran "dispute" shouldn't hinder "huge potential"

Duran has appeared in 23 games this season, which sounds like a healthy number on the surface, but his minutes played total (659) offers a clearer reflection of his role in the squad. With more than half the campaign gone, Duran has yet to start a Premier League match, instead appearing 14 times as a substitute.

Emery has given him opportunities elsewhere, including him in the line-up four times in the Europa Conference League group stage and twice in the domestic cups, but he will still surely want more. Indeed, reports in his homeland claimed that he found himself in "dispute" with the club and manager over a lack of opportunities. You wondered if those strained relationships behind the scenes would lead to an exit.

But Duran's absence from the starting XI is probably more a reflection of Watkins' heroics, rather than anything he's done wrong per se. The Englishman has been directly involved in 17 league goals this season, ranking him third in the division. At 20 years old, Duran is much further back in his development, but we still shouldn't lose sight of his "huge potential" in the words of journalist Pete O'Rourke. After all, this is a player who's been chasing records for a number of years.

He made his professional debut with Colombian club Envigado at the age of just 15, and would become the second-youngest goalscorer in the history of Liga Dimayor. That led Chicago to make him the youngest foreign signing MLS has ever seen, and he repaid their faith by notching 14 direct goal contributions in 28 appearances.

At the international level, Duran became the fifth-youngest player to appear for the Colombian senior side this century when he made his debut in the autumn of 2022, and he's since racked up eight caps. On that basis, then, despite the difficulties this season, you can see why Emery wants to persist with this slightly rough diamond.

Tottenham Hotspur remain active in the market as they look to add another player to their squad before the January transfer window slams shut on Thursday.

Tottenham's search for a midfielder

Spurs have snapped up Timo Werner, on loan from RB Leipzig, and Radu Dragusin, on a permanent deal from Genoa, to bolster their side so far this month. However, Daniel Levy is still working to bring in a new central midfielder for Ange Postecoglou, who currently has the likes of Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, Oliver Skipp, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to pick from.

Recent reports claim that the Lilywhites are in talks with Chelsea over a deal to sign England international Conor Gallagher from their rivals.

The report states that Tottenham want to sign a central midfielder as a priority and they appear to have identified the Blues captain as their top target. However, Mauricio Pochettino's side are demanding a staggering £80m for their skipper and it remains to be seen whether or not Spurs are willing to meet their demands.

Joshua Kimmich transfer update

The same report adds that Spurs could make a sensational late swoop to sign Bayern Munich and Germany star Joshua Kimmich if they fail to land Gallagher. Football Insider claim that the 28-year-old maestro, whose current contract is due to expire at the end of next season, could be allowed to depart the Bundesliga giants.

They run the risk of losing him for nothing next year if they do not cash in on him in this window or the summer, if he does not put pen to paper on an extension, and Tottenham could take advantage of this situation by moving for his signature. The outlet reveals that Bayern would be willing to part ways with their star midfielder for a fee of up to £60m, although they claim that it could also be as low as £40m.

Kimmich would be a dream alternative to Gallagher as the experienced star could offer far more quality and control in possession for Postecoglou in the middle of the park.

Men's Top 5 Leagues and European Competitions over the last 365 days

Statistic (per 90)

Conor Gallagher

Joshua Kimmich

Passes attempted

55.18

88.65

Progressive passes

5.92

9.77

Assists

0.13

0.22

Expected assists

0.12

0.23

Shot-creating actions

2.86

4.41

As you can see in the table above, the Germany international excels when it comes to progressing play into dangerous areas for his teammates to either score or create for another player to score. The £60m-rated midfield general, who was once lauded as "phenomenal" by Jose Mourinho, has also made 6.1 ball recoveries per match in the Bundesliga this season, compared to Gallagher's 6.9 per outing in the Premier League for Chelsea.

This suggests that there is not a significant difference in their defensive work for their respective clubs, whilst Kimmich offers far more on the ball for his team.

Related 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.

Posts ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

Therefore, the Bayern star could be a dream alternative to the England international due to the qualities he could provide in possession to build up attacks effectively and consistently from a number six or eight position under Postecoglou.