Manchester City did not end last season on quite the high they did in the 2022/23 campaign. Almost 12 months ago to the day, the Cityzens lifted the Champions League title for the first time in their history and also sealed a historic treble in the process, however, they could not repeat their heroics last term.

City won the Premier League, their fourth consecutive title, which is the first time someone has achieved that feat. They finished on 91 points, three clear of second-place Arsenal, who fought hard but could not uproot Pep Guardiola’s side for a second straight year. However, that was their only silverware last season.

In the FA Cup, City lost the final to their rivals, Manchester United, while they also Clost their Champions League crown after getting knocked out at the quarter final stage to Real Madrid on penalties. Los Blancos went on to lift the trophy and win their 15th title in the competition.

City will no doubt look to come back stronger this season, and will surely dip into the transfer market to bolster their ranks and look to reclaim their titles.

With that in mind, here's a look at what Guardiola’s dream starting XI could be ahead of the 2024/25 season, a team full of fluidity and rotations in attack, with a very hard-to-breach defence, a classic Pep team.

1 GK – Ederson

Despite rumours linking Ederson with a move to Saudi Arabia over the summer transfer window, it seems like he could well stay at the Etihad Stadium next season, although the 31-year-old has good competition from Stefan Ortega.

The Brazilian was one of only four goalkeepers in the Premier League last season to keep ten or more clean sheets, registering ten, but finished some way behind David Raya of Arsenal, who notched up 16.

2 RB – Joshua Kimmich

The first of the potential new additions to City’s side next season is Bayern Munich and Germany man Joshua Kimmich. As per a Spanish news outlet, City 'would be in a position to sign him' over the summer after Barcelona distanced themselves – with a fee of €60m (£51m) having been touted.

With Kyle Walker reaching the twilight of his career, and Kimmich’s versatility making him a super right-back, he could take up this spot for the Cityzens, tucking into midfield in possession to create a balance with the ball.

He has already played under Guardiola before, at Bayern, and he boasts a superb record under the Spaniard. He could take City’s team to new levels, as football analyst Ben Mattinson explained by saying “adding a winner” such as Kimmich “raises the mentality” of a team, making City an even scarier prospect.

Kimmich record under Guardiola

Stat

Number

Games

36

Minutes

2,457

Wins

30

Draws

5

Losses

1

Stats from Transfermarkt

3 CB – John Stones

When John Stones joined City for £47.5m back in 2016, he became the world’s second most expensive defender at the time. However, it seems fair to say he has been worth the money they paid for him.

Stones was a key man during City’s treble triumph, and his ability to play as a libero and step into midfield in possession is impressive. However, with the addition of Kimmich at right-back, he would have a more conservative role next season.

4 CB – Ruben Dias

It is something of a lottery when trying to figure out the makeup of Guardiola’s defence at times, and the likes of Nathan Ake could have played here instead of Ruben Dias.

However, the Portuguese international is a superb defender and averaged 3.6 ball recoveries per game and 3.4 duels as per Sofascore last season in the Premier League, and will be a key man against in 2024/25.

5 LB – Josko Gvardiol

Originally signed to play at centre-back, Gvardiol found a home at left-back under Guardiola last season. He played there 32 times out of 42 appearances for City in all competitions, contributing five goals and three assists.

After a superb debut campaign, it is safe to assume he will play there again in 2024/25, although the Croatian may have a more conservative role in this new-look City side, to aid with a better rest defence.

6 CM – Rodri

Holding down the fort in the middle of the park is the man Guardiola called “the best midfield player, currently, in the world by far”, in an interview last March.

Rodri's incredible 74-game win streak for City came to an end after they lost to Man United at Wembley. Next season, you can expect more of the same class, as he breaks up play with ease and spring attacks for City.

7 CM – Kevin De Bruyne

Next to Rodri could well be a slightly deeper Kevin De Bruyne. With the ball, he could push up higher given Kimmich’s role inverting into midfield, but he would need to be disciplined out of possession.

His future at City isn’t guaranteed, and he hinted about a move away recently. His injuries are also a problem for Guardiola, having missed 41 games last term, but his quality is undeniable, and if fit, he will play.

8 RW – Savio

This signing is a guarantee rather than a rumour, with City having already completed the signing of exciting Brazilian winger Savio in February from sister club Troyes, having got the famous “here we go” from Fabrizio Romano. They are reportedly paying roughly £26m, as per The Guardian.

Savinho was one of the best wingers in La Liga last season, and Mattinson explained that he was “toying with La Liga defences” all season long. Like a classic Brazilian attacker, the winger uses “his flair, skills and flicks to turn past defenders”, as Mattinson put it.

However, he is more than just a direct winger. Savio put up some excellent goal involvement numbers last term. He scored nine goals and registered ten assists as Girona, where he was on loan, excelled to reach the Champions League. He can play on either wing and will be a deadly addition to City's attack next season.

9 AM – Dani Olmo

The final one of three new additions to this team is Dani Olmo, who will eventually be the De Bruyne replacement. As per Sports Zone, City are one of three European heavyweights interested in signing the Spaniard, who has a rumoured release clause of £51m.

Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig described Olmo as “magic”, and this is reflected in his four goals and five assists in 21 Bundesliga games last season. In this particular City system, the Spaniard, who has superb close control, would have a licence to rotate with Phil Foden and drift out wide at times.

Guardiola once called him an “incredible player” after a Champions League clash in 2019, in which Olmo scored. He could well look to bring his fellow Spaniard to the Etihad Stadium next season.

10 LW – Phil Foden

A move back out to the wing might be necessary for Foden so City can accommodate both De Bruyne and Olmo. However, his talent no matter where he plays is undeniable, and he scored 19 goals and registered eight assists in 35 Premier League games last term.

In this system, expect him to be allowed to float around the pitch, rather than always holding the width, and rotate with the number ten on the left-hand side when City have the ball.

Emiliano Martinez admitted the Villa Park atmosphere convinced him to stay at Aston Villa after the stunning Champions League win over Bayern Munich.

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Villa beat Bayern 1-0 at homeJhon Duran scored the winner late onMartinez ecstatic after the European victoryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

In what has become a recurring theme for Villa, Duran emerged from the bench to produce a moment of brilliance. Entering the game in the 70th minute as a substitute for Ollie Watkins, the striker wasted no time in making his mark as just nine minutes later, he capitalised on an opportunity to lob Bayern’s legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to seal a thrilling 1-0 victory over the Bavarians at a raucous Villa Park.

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While Duran's goal stole the headlines, Martinez did his job between the sticks as the Argentine made two crucial saves including one against Harry Kane in injury time to keep the scoreline unchanged. He also denied Serge Gnabry from close range to emerge as the hero for Villa fans on a memorable European night.

WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

Earlier in the summer, Martinez reaffirmed his commitment to Villa by signing a new long-term contract which will keep him at the club until 2029. After the win, Martinez felt vindicated for choosing to stay as he feels that the Midlands outfit are moving in the right direction under Unai Emery.

In a post-match interview with , Martinez said: "It’s unreal, it’s the loudest Villa Park I’ve heard since I joined the club. It’s a club that’s moving forward, that’s the main reason why I stayed at this football club, I love playing here, I love the fans.

"It's a statement, there's still a lot to play. We want to qualify in the first eight, in the top eight, it's one step at a time, we've got Bologna at home now in our second game, we are probably more relaxed but we want to win every game."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Martinez reserved special praise for Duran, whose mentality and work ethic have been crucial to Villa's success this season.

"He came back with a different mentality this season," Martinez said. "He's willing to work hard, he's pushing Ollie all the way, they can play together he's a super-sub, the first time he touched the ball, he lobbed Neuer, one of the best goals in history."

Friday’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad is his 164th for the Super Kings, out of 194 overall

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Oct-2020MS Dhoni has gone past Suresh Raina to become the most-capped player in the history of the IPL, his appearance for the Chennai Super Kings in the game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in Dubai on Friday his 194th in the competition.This is Dhoni’s 11th season with the Super Kings, the only team he has played for – and led all along – except for the two years he represented the Rising Pune Supergiant, in 2016 and 2017, when the Super Kings were suspended from the IPL following the spot-fixing scandal of 2013. He played 30 games for the Supergiant, and this is his 164th game for the Super Kings.ESPNcricinfo LtdDhoni in the IPL – the numbers
Dhoni has, along the way, racked up some chart-busting numbers, both in front of and behind the stumps.As wicketkeeper, only Dinesh Karthik is in with a shot at crossing Dhoni in the foreseeable future – as things stand, Dhoni’s 137 [before Friday’s game] is the highest, ahead of Karthik’s 133.On the list of most runs, Dhoni is at No. 8, with all the men ahead of him in the list specialist batsmen, only Raina and Chris Gayle among them bowlers too, though not frontline ones.Most sixes – again, Dhoni, not quite a top-four batsman, is up there in third place, with 212 sixes to his name. Far ahead of him, at the top, is Gayle with 326, while AB de Villiers is not quite out of reach, with 219.Add all of this together, and throw in his captaincy record, and it’s easy to guess that no one has won more games, as a player, than Dhoni. But only just. He is on 115. Raina, not playing this year, has 113. And Rohit Sharma might just push past Dhoni at some stage, with 104 to his name at this stage.A leader (almost) all the way
Dhoni, fresh off leading India to T20 World Cup glory in 2007, was bought by the Super Kings for US$ 1.5 million ahead of the first edition, in 2008. He was their icon player, their captain, and led the team to a second-place finish.It was a good start, but after finishing fourth in the second edition, played in South Africa, the glory run started good and proper: champions in 2010 and 2011, runners-up in 2012, 2013 and 2015, and third in 2014. All along, Dhoni was the team’s captain. And the Champions League T20 titles in 2010 and 2014.

CSK fans, you are going to love Raina's prediction for the season#CSKvSRH | #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/qSfeywEHIp

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 2, 2020

But then came the suspension, and Dhoni moved to the Supergiant as captain, and the team finished one from the bottom. Next season, Steven Smith took over as captain, and they finished runners-up.When the Super Kings returned to the IPL in 2018, though, it was business as usual, the “Dad’s Army” with their third IPL title. They almost made it No. 4 in 2019, but Sharma’s Mumbai Indians pipped them to the post, by one run in the final, to get their fourth title.He’s still their leader, and with Dhoni’s 100-62 win-loss record [before Friday’s game] as captain for the team, who can rule out a big finish?Raina, Mr IPL before this season
Dhoni and Raina have been comrades for the longest time in the IPL, and that’s reflected in Raina’s numbers too. He led the Gujarat Lions during the two years of Super Kings’ suspension, but has been a true-blue (or yellow) IPL giant over the years.Raina is second on the list of most runs scored, behind Virat Kohli with 5368, fifth among six-hitters, with 194, plus second behind Shikhar Dhawan among four-hitters, with 493; and on the list of most matches won, he’s again only behind Dhoni.This season, he might have added to those numbers, but he isn’t in the equation, having left the IPL to go back home after having reached the UAE with the squad.

Leeds United could lose another valuable member of their first team this summer, with manager Daniel Farke facing a potential Elland Road exodus after their Championship play-off final defeat to Southampton.

Leeds players who could leave after failed promotion bid

The Whites' 1-0 defeat at Wembley means Leeds will be competing in England's second tier yet again next term, despite looking like certainties to climb back up to the Premier League at one point last season.

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Leeds are left to rue a real missed opportunity as they fell just short in a tight three-horse promotion race. Farke's side were neck-and-neck with Ipswich Town and Leicester City in one of the most exciting Championship promotion races in years, but unfortunately for supporters, one team was destined to miss out.

"As you can imagine, it couldn't be worse. We are suffering a lot in this moment," said Farke on Leeds' play-off final defeat.

"When you come so close after 90 points and a great play-off semi-final, it hurts a lot. It's too early to come in with upbeat messages. You have to allow the players to be down but when you look at the bigger picture, there's no need to dwell on this.

Leeds 0-0 Sunderland

Leeds 0-1 Blackburn

Middlesbrough 3-4 Leeds

QPR 4-0 Leeds

Leeds 1-2 Southampton

"It's more important to take it as extra motivation. The supporters deserve a day to celebrate and we feel that pain today. We're disappointed we could not send our fans back with something to cheer about and we're not in the promised land.

"It'll be difficult to come back stronger because we had 90 points this season."

Staying in the Championship will have grave consequences in the summer, as Leeds are now forced to potentially sell star players. It is now very unclear whether they can agree to sign mainstay defender Joe Rodon on a permanent deal, while Crysencio Summerville is thought to be attracting interest from elite Premier League clubs.

Ilia Gruev, who played a key role under Farke last season, may also be on the move.

Gruev ready to quit Leeds as Borussia Dortmund eye move

TEAMtalk has an update on this, and they claim Gruev is ready to leave Leeds this summer after they couldn't secure top-flight promotion.

The 24-year-old midfielder, who played 32 Championship matches, commands a £15 million price tag for any interested side – and it is believed that Borussia Dortmund are firmly in the mix to do a deal.

“The other player I really like in the Leeds team that no one really talks about and that’s the Bulgaria lad, Ilia Gruev," said former EFL star Adrian Clarke.

“He is class, he really is a smooth operator in the heart of the engine room. Gets about the pitch, recovers possession kind of effortlessly but he does with the ball.

“He just moves it early and quickly but with real quality and rarely gives the ball away."

Newcastle United's attention has switched straight to the transfer market following the conclusion of the Premier League season, with the Magpies now reportedly plotting a move to sign a forward their defenders know all about.

Newcastle transfer news

PIF certainly aren't messing around, with deals reportedly already on the cards to sign both Lloyd Kelly and Tosin Adarabioyo this summer as their contracts at Bournemouth and Fulham come to an end. The two reported deals will ease Eddie Howe's defensive depth concerns once and for all amid injuries to Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman that will drag into the next campaign.

It's not just the backline that could receive changes this summer, however, as Newcastle look to put together a squad capable of qualifying for the Champions League for a second time in three seasons, having missed out in the campaign just gone.

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Reports also suggest that the Magpies are looking to sign extra quality to boost Howe's attacking options and perhaps replace Callum Wilson in either the short or long term.

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are plotting a move to sign Jarrod Bowen from West Ham United this summer, while also showing interest in Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The former enjoyed another excellent campaign at the London Stadium, with one of his 16 Premier League goals coming in a thriller against Newcastle, which eventually saw the Magpies secure a dramatic 4-3 victory at St James' Park.

Now, those at St James' Park could get more than just a small sample of what Bowen is capable of, as Newcastle plot negotiations with West Ham and then the forward in talks that could see them upgrade his current salary of £120k-a-week.

"Great" Bowen can form deadly Isak partnership

Whilst Wilson's injury troubles have often left Alexander Isak carrying the goalscoring mantle at Newcastle, Bowen's arrival would instantly form one of the most dangerous strike partnerships in the entirety of the Premier League, given the seasons that both have just enjoyed.

Goals

16

21

Assists

6

2

Expected Goals

11.6

20.3

Key Passes

31

27

What's most impressive about Bowen are his assists and expected goals rate. His ability to create as well as remain clinical in front of goal – having outperformed his expected goals by just over five – should unlock another level in Isak to take Newcastle as a whole to the heights they found themselves in the 2022/23 season.

Looking at the numbers, it's no surprise that former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Bowen earlier this season, saying via This is Anfield: “Playing without Antonio, and Bowen steps up in that position – probably my favourite player besides my players. It’s just great what he’s doing and how he develops.”

Now, the German could be one of many watching on as the West Ham man potentially completes a summer switch to Newcastle.

Wojciech Szczesny is set to sensationally come out of retirement and sign with Barcelona as cover for the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

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• Szczesny retires from football in August
• Barcelona want keeper after Ter Stegen injury
• Pole set to sign for Barca on short deal

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Arsenal stopper announced his retirement from football at the age of 34 last month. However, the ex-Juventus star is set to reverse that decision just a few short weeks later, with Fabrizio Romano stating he will sign a one-year deal with the Catalan outfit. He adds the Poland international will complete a medical in the coming days and sign as a free agent for one of La Liga's giants.

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  This comes off the back of Barca's first-choice keeper Ter Stegen rupturing his patella tendon during his side's win over Villarreal at the weekend. The 32-year-old had a successful surgery on his knee this week but it is not yet known how long the Germany international will be out for. With Barca sitting top of La Liga, finding a quality replacement is key and they may do that with veteran Szczesny – who left Juventus this summer.

• WHAT WOJCIECH SZCZESNY SAID

  Earlier on Wednesday, he told Sport: "Yes, I’m now in talks and considering Barca move. It’d be disrespectful if I didn’t consider this option for my career. Barca is one of the best clubs in the world."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Barcelona next face Getafe on Wednesday night in La Liga, as they look to extend their lead at the top of the table. On Saturday, they then travel to Osasuna. It remains to be seen when Szczesny will sign and then be available to play for Barca. In the meantime, Inaki Pena Sotorres will play in goal.

Wolverhampton Wanderers enjoyed a largely successful campaign under Gary O'Neil but won just once over the final ten matches, fizzling out and highlighting the importance of hitting the mark this summer.

The encroaching mists of profit and sustainability breaches are endangering multiple Premier League clubs but Wolves are not believed to be among them. Nonetheless, free-spending will not be possible this summer, despite the growing interest in the £60m-valued Pedro Neto.

But shrewd moves could certainly be made, with an exciting update emerging regarding O'Neil's first possible summer signing.

Wolves transfer news

According to journalist German Garcia Grova – via Rudy Galetti – Wolves are "concretely interested" in Paraguayan winger Ramon Sosa, who is valued at €18m (£15m) by his Argentine Primera División club Talleres.

The 24-year-old has also been tracked by Newcastle United recently but it is believed that the Old Gold are now in the driving seat as they prepare an official approach, with talks between the player's agent and the Old Gold said to have been "very positive".

Speaking on the prospective move, one Argentinian football writer said: "Wolves fans should get excited by this, he’s the real deal."

Ramon Sosa's style of play

A left winger by trade, Sosa might be 24 but he has spent the past several years honing his skills in South America and now feels ready to make the leap to a division like the Premier League.

This season, he scored seven goals and supplied six assists across 21 matches in all competitions, with his elite dribbling ability suggesting that he could win over more than a few members of the Molineux faithful.

Indeed, as per FBref, Sosa ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across divisions similar to the Argentine Primera División for successful take-ons per 90, highlighting just how high his level of quality is.

His ability to drive the ball forward and leave opponents bested and floored makes for a sure-fire way to impress in the Premier League, but it also suggests that he could be the perfect new partner for Matheus Cunha, whose technical skill has left observers dazzled this season.

Matches played

17

32

Matches started

12

29

Goals

2

12

Assists

0

7

G/A rate

0.12

0.59

Pass completion

76%

82%

Big chances created

1

7

Shots per game

1.5

2.3

Key passes per game

0.4

0.9

Dribbles per game

1.5 (76%)

2.0 (51%)

Duels won per game

3.6 (41%)

5.0 (43%)

Prominent clubs such as Manchester United have been credited with an interest in Cunha but the Brazilian has allayed fears – for now – by stating that he's "very happy at Wolves". A player of his calibre, however, will expect to see some positivity in the market over the coming months.

Well, given that he's one of the most dynamic and multi-faceted strikers competing in English football, Cunha could truly thrive alongside a player such as Sosa, whose constant electricity down the left flank would see backlines stretched and space opened up for the centre-forward to strike and create chances.

Neto may well leave Wolves this summer but if so, an instantaneous swoop for a brand-new winger to capture the awe might just materialise in the form of Sosa.

Wolves could sign £30m "monster" who's a bit like Hwang

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After narrowly missing out on a second consecutive European campaign, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side are on the lookout for reinforcements within his squad.

Numerous outgoings are also expected at St James’ Park, as the Magpies look to offload some of the deadwood currently plying their trade on Tyneside.

Miguel Almiron has constantly been linked with a move away from the club, with the Paraguayan free to leave should the club receive a reasonable fee for his services.

Should he leave, the Magpies would certainly need another body within their forward line to support the likes of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon who have both managed to achieve double figures in the Premier League this season.

However, numerous players have been linked with a move to Tyneside, including one player who has attracted interest from a whole host of other Premier League clubs.

Newcastle need to ramp up interest in £35m star

In recent weeks, a report from the Daily Mail claimed that Newcastle are battling Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa for the signing of Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville.

However, Brighton & Hove Albion have also entered the race for his signature, starting negotiations for the Dutchman, with Newcastle needing to act quickly if they are to win the race.

The 22-year-old has been exceptional this season and has become a vital player for Leeds in the Championship, scoring 19 goals and registering nine assists in the competition, in which they fell just short of promotion after a 1-0 defeat to Southampton at Wembley.

Football Insider has more recently reported this week that Daniel Farke's side will desperately need to raise funds following their play-off final defeat, with the Dutch winger potentially available for a fee around the £35m mark this summer.

Summerville would be a cheaper option for the Magpies than Raphinha, who has reportedly recently rejected a move to St James’ Park, whilst also having more potential to grow and develop into a world-class talent.

He would certainly be a great alternative to the Brazilian whilst also providing an upgrade on Almiron, with the Magpies desperately needing to replace the 30-year-old if they are to return to any form of European competition next season.

Why Summerville would be an upgrade on Almiron

Newcastle forward Almiron endured a very disappointing 2023/24 campaign, failing to score a single goal in the Premier League for the Magpies in 2024, and unable to get anywhere near his tally of 11 goals from the season prior.

As a result, he’s set to depart the club during the off-season, with Summerville a great player to replace the Paraguayan should he depart Tyneside.

When comparing the duo on FBref, the Leeds talent has dominated Almiron over the course of the 2023/24 campaign, a further reason as to why he would be an upgrade on Newcastle’s number 24.

The youngster registered a staggering 24 more goals and assists combined, averaging six times more contributions per game than the current Magpies attacker.

Games

33

43

Goals & assists

4

28

Shots per 90

1.9

3.2

Shot on target %

29%

37%

Take-on success

44%

51%

Summerville, who’s been described as “sensational”, by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has also averaged more shots per 90, with a higher shot-on-target accuracy – figures that would provide Howe’s side with an added threat in the final third.

That take-on success is also an exciting element of the Dutchman's game with the winger having notably been described as a "1v1 monster" by analyst Ben Mattinson in the past.

All of Summerville’s stats show how threatening he is in the final third and the club now desperately need to fork out the fee demanded for the youngster and provide him with consistent top-flight minutes to allow him to reach his full potential.

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Newcastle United invested heavily in the playing squad last summer, looking to build on the club's success of qualifying for the Champions League during the 2022/23 campaign.

The Magpies finished fourth in the Premier League, receiving automatic qualification to the group stages for the current season, with the club splashing over £125m on new players to improve the squad and add depth to Eddie Howe's side.

Players such as Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali both arrived at St James' Park, with the latter failing to make any impact on the side after receiving a ten-month ban for breaking gambling rules during his time at AC Milan.

However, the club also had a number of talents already present on Tyneside before the heavy investment, with Joelinton the main man after joining the club for £40m, originally as a striker before settling into a more suited central midfield role.

One other player arrived under previous owner Mike Ashley, with the former key first-team member needing to be sold given his rapid decline in market value.

Miguel Almiron’s Newcastle stats in 2023/24

After his sensational goalscoring run in 2022/23 which saw the attacker score eight goals in just nine Premier League games, Miguel Almiron failed to replicate any of his good form under Howe last season.

He's featured 42 times in all competitions but has only managed to find the back of the net on three occasions, failing to match the heights he's previously hit on Tyneside.

He’s been a brilliant servant for the Magpies, however, with the club needing to sell players before making any major signings due to the constraints of FFP, Almiron may potentially be a player who may have to make way.

Almiron's PL stats during 2023/24

Statistics

Tally

Games

33

Minutes played

1,947

Goals

3

Assists

1

Minutes per goal or assist

486

Stats via Transfermarkt

Although the £60k-per-week winger remains contracted with the Magpies until 2026, his recent troubles with his lack of creative output and injuries prove he's no longer at the level required, with Howe needing to brutally part ways with the winger to prevent any breaches whilst also allowing the club to reach the next level.

Miguel Almiron’s market value in 2024

Over five years on from his £20m move from Atlanta United in the MLS, Almiron has seen a steady decline in his value in recent years, with the attacker now only valued at £17m, as per Football Observatory.

His drop has seen homegrown talent Sean Longstaff overtake him in terms of valuation, with the 26-year-old worth £26m as per the same source, having come through the Magpies' youth system.

For further context, he's now worth a great deal lower than two of the Toon's star men, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes who are rewarded with £84m valuations.

With Almiron now aged 30 and coming towards the back end of his professional career, it is pivotal that Howe and the PIF sell the attacker for as much as possible, with his price tag only going to decline in the years ahead – amid reports that he could well leave St James' Park this summer.

He was an important figure for the club towards the end of the Ashley era and even for Howe in recent seasons, but unfortunately, the side has better alternatives in the final third, with the club needing to prevent any loss on the £20m fee they forked out for him by offloading the Paraguayan ahead of next term.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Jun 9, 2024

Three fast bowlers provided spine-tingling entertainment from both sides, but Capitals won the final overs battle

Alagappan Muthu14-Oct-20202:47

How did Rajasthan manage to lose?

There was spine-tingling entertainment in the powerplay thanks to three unbelievably fast bowlers. There was shot-making of the highest quality from both top-orders. But in the end it was a battle between which team could win the final overs.Delhi Capitals let the game go back in the balance as they managed only 32 for 4 in their last five against Jofra Archer and company. ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster said Rajasthan Royals were favourites (55%) for the chase but they crumbled against Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, making only 25 for 2 in their final five overs.The speed demon and the savioursFor 12 balls, the batsmen were helpless. For 12 balls, they couldn’t touch him. Jofra Archer was bowling thunderbolts. He wrecked Prithvi Shaw’s stumps first ball and finished the powerplay with unbelievable figures of 2-0-5-2. His team-mates, though, surrendered 42 runs from their four overs.Shikhar Dhawan faced only one ball of that furious spell. But he loved feasting on the others. When he hit Kartik Tyagi for an on-the-up cover drive – a shot that is a point of pride – and the ball singed the turf on its way to the fence, it was clear he meant business. Dhawan got to fifty off 30 balls, his fastest while batting first in the IPL.At the other end, Shreyas Iyer concentrated on settling in. On 20 off 23, he decided he was good and hit a no-look, one-handed, flat-batted, straight four off Ben Stokes. It was a free hit so the batsman was always going to go, but to do that to ball coming up to his throat…Making amends Capitals were 132 for 4 in the 16th over. They were ready to launch. But it never happened because because the Royals support act finally turned up. Tyagi dismissed Iyer for 52 and then nailed his yorkers – wide or straight. Archer returned and, apart from one jaw-dropping cut for six from Alex Carey, his menace was intact. Jaydev Unadkat closed it all off with his slower balls, and for all their efforts, the Capitals crashed to the lowest final-five overs aggregate in this year’s IPL – 32 for 4.Robin Uthappa is cleaned up by a searing yorker•BCCIA hell-raising powerplayNot to be outdone, Rabada and Nortje cranked the pace up too, both bowlers hitting 150 kph. They were seething.Jos Buttler took another step towards the AB de Villiers level of 360 batting by nonchalantly scooped a 156 kph ball in line with his stumps to the fine leg boundary. At 22 off 8 balls, he was beginning to look villainous.But then came a decisive blow. Nortje, still bowling 155 kph, wrecked the opener’s stumps and set a theme for a rollicking powerplay.Stokes began charging the bowlers. So Capitals took the pace off and brought on R Ashwin. Their battle never took off, but the offspinner did completely deceive Steven Smith with a ball that held in the pitch and had him caught and bowled for 1.Six overs of outrageous shots, incredible bowling and adrenaline-fuelled cricket yielded 50 for 2.The extra tense endingStokes (41) held the innings together, using his power to break free and provide a steady stream of boundaries. But he fell in the 11th over to debutant Tushar Deshpande, and Sanju Samson followed him eight balls later to leave the Royals at 96 for 4.Robin Uthappa, who is yet to get used to his middle-order role, then ran out Riyan Parag and the equation started looking troublesome: 47 off 36 balls with only five wickets in hand. Nortje turned that untenable when he returned at the death, put Uthappa out of his misery and even ensured there wouldn’t be a Rahul Tewatia miracle.