All posts by h716a5.icu

England opener may bat at No.3 for Notts, but unfazed about being ready for maiden home Test

Matt Roller30-Mar-2023Ben Duckett says that the prospect of being involved in his first Ashes gives him “shivers”, 18 years after being glued to the sofa as England reclaimed the urn from Australia in an epic series.Duckett was 10 years old and already hooked on the game by the summer of 2005, but believes that many players in his generation were drawn to cricket after watching England’s gripping 2-1 win during the school holidays.”[I was] watching that series along with half the country,” Duckett said. “If I’d been sat on the sofa with my dad with a chance of playing an Ashes however many years later… it gives me shivers. It doesn’t feel real at the minute.”The more exciting thing is, whoever that team is, I do believe that we’ve got a very good chance of beating Australia over here, and I think a lot of people around the country also believe that. It’s certainly going to be watched by a lot of people and it’s going to be really exciting if I get the nod.”I was playing from the age of four. But that’s a series that I look back on and think ‘wow, that was incredible’. Maybe some other cricketers – Joe Clarke was someone who didn’t really play [before 2005].”I was fortunate enough to go to Millfield Prep [a fee-paying, private school] and play cricket there from a young age but for people who weren’t as fortunate, that was the series for people around my age which was a real turning point for them and really got them into the game.”Duckett won a place in the Test side back over the winter, six years after his first taste of international cricket in Bangladesh and India, and made 508 runs in five Tests, including a hundred and four half-centuries during England’s tours to Pakistan and New Zealand.Related

Ben Duckett, Harry Brook take steady route to dominance after bowling breakthroughs

Ben Duckett 82* seals England 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan

'I certainly feel ready now' – Duckett hungry for more, in all conditions, after impressive Test return

Ben Duckett committed to 'every single England chance I get' after rapid format switch

Barring injury or a collapse in form, he seems locked in to open the batting for England throughout this summer – starting on June 1 against Ireland at Lord’s, in what will be his first Test match on home soil.He looks set to start the season batting at No. 3 in the County Championship, the position he has filled for Nottinghamshire over the last few seasons, with Haseeb Hameed and Ben Slater likely to resume their opening partnership.Peter Moores, Notts’ head coach, told ESPNcricinfo on Wednesday that he was waiting for the end of pre-season before making a final decision. But Duckett is not overly fussed either way.”I have left it open with Pete [Moores] and Mull [captain Steven Mullaney] here,” he said. “I don’t want to change the dynamics too much for people; I don’t want to be that guy.”But they’ve said they want me to be ready to play for England. So it kind of works both ways. If I was batting No. 5 for Notts, the conversation would be different. But No. 3 and opening is pretty similar.I actually think No. 3 is harder, because in my opinion the bowlers are loose when you get there. You get a few freebies when you’re opening at times. If I had the choice? I’d probably open.”Duckett was among England’s busiest players over the 2022-23 winter. Only Harry Brook (41) was involved in more days of international cricket than Duckett (35) during that period – yet neither man has a central contract.Duckett joked that the situation is worse for him than for Brook – “I think he’s happy with his £1.2m he’s getting in the IPL”, he said, laughing – but remained phlegmatic about the prospect of forcing his way into the central contract list for the next 12-month cycle.”Twelve months ago, if you’d said to me that I was going to play all three formats for England, I would not have cared about central contracts. It was just about playing.”I guess I’ve got an opportunity now to keep myself playing for England and if I’m still there at October 1, I’ll get the benefits of having that. For me, it’s about taking it one day at a time.”I’ve really loved playing in that England dressing room, especially in the Test team, and I definitely want to be a part of it in the coming years. Those kinds of things are down to me and no-one else.”If I don’t get a central contract, it’s clearly because I’ve not done very well. It’s about just sticking to my game, enjoying it, and fingers crossed I stay in the squads.”

Leroy Sane has received a new contract offer from Bayern Munich but it's still uncertain whether he will renew as Arsenal monitor the situation.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Sane out of contract this summerBayern make improved offerArsenal linked with free transferFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Bayern have submitted a new contract offer to Germany international Sane, whose current deal is due to expire this summer. His agent, Pini Zahavi, was spotted having dinner with sporting director Max Eberl this week and it looks like those discussions have been positive, with a final decision on the renewal now expected in the coming days.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Sane's contract situation has seen Premier League sides like Arsenal and Tottenham be linked with free transfers during the summer window. The 29-year-old previously spent four seasons at Manchester City, though his final campaign was curtailed by an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He won two top-flight league titles in England as well as three Carabao Cups and an FA Cup.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sane bagged 12 goals in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign, making it the fifth season in a row where he has hit double figures since he joined Bayern.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR SANE?

Sane has a big decision to make in the coming days. Bayern are thought to want a resolution before they start their Club World Cup campaign next month, where they will take on Auckland City, Boca Juniors and Benfica during the group stages in the USA.

Captain in the runs again as home side reach 241 for 5 either side of rain

ECB Reporters Network27-Apr-2023Leicestershire just about had the upper hand on a rain-affected opening day of their LV= Insurance County Championship against Glamorgan after skipper Lewis Hill and former captain Colin Ackermann had shared a 100-run partnership.Their third-wicket stand provided the main substance in a total of 241 for 5 as a continuation of the wet spring weather limited play to 66.2 overs.Hill followed his career-best unbeaten 162 against Derbyshire two weeks ago with a second 50-plus score of the season. The in-form Ackermann, after scores of 67, 72 and 114 in his three previous innings this season, added 45 to raise his tally for the season to 298.His fellow Netherlands international Timm van der Gugten, with 4 for 45, was the pick of the Glamorgan bowlers, taking two wickets before lunch and another two in the afternoon to keep the home side in check.Winless and bottom of the table last season, Leicestershire are keen to prove their extraordinary victory over Yorkshire in the opening round of the Division Two programme was no fluke. They were frustrated by the weather when they took on Derbyshire at the Uptonsteel County Ground two weeks ago, with two complete days washed out.Conditions were at least dry if cold at the start of this match, and Leicestershire could be pretty pleased with their morning’s work after Glamorgan skipper David Lloyd had won the toss and decided he would field first.As a unit, Loyd’s seam-bowling attack struggled to hit the right lengths on a mottled-looking pitch, with the notable exception of van der Gugten, who took wickets in his first and third overs after coming on at first change at the Bennett End, removing both openers.He struck with his third delivery to see off Sol Budinger, the left-hander, who had gathered 26 runs with typical urgency before van der Gugten came round the wicket to knock out his off stump. Rishi Patel, with whom Budinger put on 43 for the first wicket, soon followed, caught behind off a ball that climbed on him as he tried to force it through the off side.Yet Hill and Ackermann looked increasingly comfortable in guiding Leicestershire to 123 for 2 at lunch, after which Hill hit fours off Michael Neser and Lloyd to raise his boundary tally to eight in an 82-ball half-century.However, no sooner had the third-wicket pair taken their partnership to 100 than both were dismissed in consecutive overs by van der Gugten, whose appeal was upheld to the apparent surprise of the Leicestershire batter as Ackermann was pronounced leg before to a ball that was certainly angling towards the leg side.Finding some movement off the pitch, the Australia-born van der Gugten followed up by having Hill caught behind, the Leicestershire captain feeling he had to defend his stumps against a ball that nipped away to take the edge. From 152 for 2, the home side were 153 for 4 in the blink of an eye and van der Gugten had all four wickets.Peter Handscomb and Wiaan Mulder were not the worst pair to be charged with a rebuilding job but the South African, in need of a score to settle him in to the new campaign, found his luck out again, bowled by a delivery from Michael Neser that he felt he could safely leave only for it to swing in and then dart back sharply off the pitch to hit his off stump.At 168 for 5, Leicestershire could have lost their way but Australian Test wicketkeeper-batter Peter Handscomb was well supported by the ever-improving fledgling England player Rehan Ahmed, the teenage leg-pinning all-rounder, in making sure that did not happen.Either side of a two-hour stoppage for rain, the pair added an unbroken 73 for the sixth wicket, of which Ahmed has made 38, chancing a few youthfully extravagant shots but generally playing in a way that reflects his growing maturity.

Everton manager David Moyes has all but guaranteed safety, ensuring the club will play Premier League football at their new Bramley Moore Stadium next season.

For a time earlier this season, it looked as though the Merseyside outfit could suffer relegation to the Championship, but Moyes has worked his magic, proving there is life in the old dog still.

The next step is moving up the Premier League table and with some investment this summer, there is no reason why the Toffees can’t secure a top-half finish next term. Might a European place even be on the horizon too?

There are the makings of a fine squad at Goodison, no doubt about that, but Moyes should be taking a look at the youth academy at the club in order to perhaps save Everton some money in the transfer window.

During his first spell, the likes of Wayne Rooney, Jack Rodwell and Leon Osman emerged as excellent young talents, with two making the club a significant profit in the process.

It was someone else who broke onto the scene during Moyes’ first spell who could have become an Everton icon had things worked out differently, however.

Sometimes, players don’t quite live up to their early promise and this was the case for James Vaughan, who made his senior bow for the Toffees aged just 16 back in 2005.

When James Vaughan was the next big thing

Vaughan emerged through the Everton academy as a player who could follow in the footsteps of Rooney. He had everything required to make it at the highest level, no doubt about that.

When Everton played Crystal Palace towards the end of the 2004/05 campaign, Vaughan came off the bench with just 15 minutes remaining, making his debut in the process.

With the three points already wrapped up, the youngster scored with just three minutes to go, becoming the youngest ever goal scorer in the Premier League, aged just 16 years and 271 days.

Alan Irving, Vaughan’s assistant manager, praised the player after the game, saying: “It was a fantastic day for him. People will make comparisons with Wayne Rooney but they are different players. It was terrific for him just to get on so to score made it a dream debut.”

It looked like Vaughan was going to be the next thing out of the Everton academy. Their next Rooney, who could dazzle for a season or two before being sold for a major profit.

Club

Games

Goals

Huddersfield Town

95

33

Everton

61

9

Tranmere Rovers

46

25

Bury

40

24

Wigan Athletic

39

6

Crystal Palace

30

9

Sunderland

27

2

Bradford

27

10

Birmingham

17

0

Portsmouth

11

0

Leicester

8

1

Norwich

6

0

Derby

2

0

Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out that way for the teenager. He made 14 appearances during the 2006/07 season in the top flight, scoring four goals, but he would go on to score just two more Premier League goals for the club after that campaign.

Plagued by injuries during his spell, he managed only 60 games for the club, with just nine of them in the starting XI. The striker signed for Norwich City in 2011, but things didn’t work out, and he spent time at Huddersfield, scoring 33 goals in 95 matches.

After leaving the club, Vaughan endured somewhat of a nomadic career, turning out for eight clubs, but he couldn’t replicate the form he showed for Huddersfield and retired in 2021.

He is now working as a scout for the club he made his senior bow with, earmarking the future generation.

As for the present day, George Morgan is someone who has shown plenty of talent during his time at Finch Farm recently. Could he be the next Vaughan for Moyes? Albeit with more luck on the injury front?

Everton could have their next superstar brewing

The 18-year-old began making waves during the 2023/24 season for Everton U18s, scoring two goals in seven U18 Premier League matches, while finding the back of the net once in two FA Youth Cup appearances.

In October 2023, he was named as one of the 20 best youngsters in the Premier League by the Guardian, with journalist Andy Hunter saying Morgan was ‘a powerful, fast centre-forward with an eye for goal’, before stating that the teenager based his game ‘on Robert Lewandowski’ which could stand him in good stead over the next few years.

After this impressive season, Morgan signed his first professional contract with Everton in the summer of 2024, stating at the time:

“It means a lot because it’s something I’ve been working towards since joining the club,” said Morgan once the deal was signed. Being here so long, it’s great playing with your mates and improving. There’s a real togetherness and it’s like a big family.”

It could turn out to be a wise move tying the 18-year-old down to a professional deal, as he could certainly make an impression in the first team.

Across the 2024/25 campaign so far, Morgan has scored nine goals in 19 appearances in three different competitions – the FA Youth Cup, U18s Premier League and the Premier League 2 – proving he can make the step-up if required.

Despite being born in Milton Keynes, Morgan has chosen to represent Wales at international level, following in the footsteps of his dad, Craig Morgan.

He has featured for the U19s in four matches thus far, scoring against Italy during a 3-3 draw last year, and if he maintains his current form in the youth setup, the U21s will be his next port of call.

In The Pipeline

Moyes has tremendous talent at his fingertips, no doubt about that. The main thing for the manager now is to make sure he doesn’t peak too soon.

Vaughan was hampered by injuries during his spell at Everton. If Morgan can get a chance before the end of the season under the Scot, he could showcase his talents ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The next few months could be exciting indeed for the teenage sensation.

Moyes has unearthed his next Arteta at Everton in "special" £20k-p/w talent

Everton are moving forward but drifting back toward the good old days too.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 14, 2025

Aston Villa are now seen as the favourites to sign a winger who’s been likened to star loanee Marcus Rashford, despite reports the Man United outcast could remain under Unai Emery next season.

Aston Villa keen to explore £40m buy-out clause for Marcus Rashford

No final decision has been made just yet on Rashford staying at Villa Park beyond 2024/25, but according to reports, Emery’s side are keen to explore this option after the Englishman’s sensational start to life in the Midlands.

Aston Villa now pushing to beat Leeds in race to sign £20m+ Rangers star

Aston Villa are in a fierce race to sign a midfielder who has been impressing this season.

2 ByBrett Worthington Mar 27, 2025

Rashford boasts four assists from nine appearances in all competitions since joining Villa on a temporary deal in the January window, and according to reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, the 27-year-old has impressed club chiefs both in training and in the dressing room as well.

Player

Average match rating

Youri Tielemans

7.05

Marcus Rashford

6.96

Morgan Rogers

6.83

Tyrone Mings

6.80

Marco Asensio

6.79

However, there is still plenty to iron out before either party ultimately decides that the in-form forward remains where he is for next season. Rashford is attracting interest from Bayern Munich and other elite clubs abroad, and it is believed he would be open to a move to Europe (Ben Jacobs).

There is also the matter of Rashford’s seismic £300,000-per-week wages. He would almost certainly need to take a pay cut for a permanent Villa move, and even then, Rashford could end up being Emery’s highest-paid player by some distance.

While Fabrizio Romano has reported that Rashford staying at Villa is entirely possible, these factors could mean that a transfer may not be feasible for NSWE after all, especially depending on where they finish in the Premier League table and how much money they’ll have to spend this summer.

It is prudent for Villa to identify alternatives, and one of them could actually come in the form of Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.

Aston Villa in pole position to sign Noni Madueke from Chelsea

As per GiveMeSport, echoing other reports, the England international is attracting serious interest from Villa, who are eyeing a move for him alongside Newcastle United.

However, GMS reports that Villa are “leading the race” to sign Madueke this summer, and Chelsea are growing more tempted to cash in on the ex-PSV Eindhoven star despite his initial electric start to the campaign.

Madueke has been sidelined by a hamstring injury in recent weeks, but has returned to training and could feature against Tottenham next week. The 23-year-old boasts 12 goal contributions in all competitions (eight goals, four assists), though Chelsea would be prepared to sell if a suitable offer is made – one which would allow them to make a “marginal profit” off his £29 million signing back in 2023.

Members of Villa’s recruitment team are eager for the club to capitalise on Madueke’s uncertain future, and it is even believed that he could be open to leaving Stamford Bridge if there is no longer consistent game time on offer for him.

Interestingly, Football Transfers has called Madueke a “similar” player to Rashford, so he could be an excellent fall-back option in place of the United wantaway.

The runners-up will be getting $800,000; the total prize money of the 2021-23 WTC cycle is $3.8 million, the same as the previous edition

ESPNcricinfo staff26-May-2023The winners of the World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and Australia is set to become richer by US$ 1.6 million, while the runners-up will get $800,000, the ICC announced on Friday.The winners’ cheque is the same as that in the 2019-21 cycle, where New Zealand beat India in the final in Southampton.The ICC’s total purse for the current WTC cycle, which ends with the final next month at The Oval in London, is $3.8 million. With $2.4 million being distributed between the two finalists, the remaining amount will be given out based on the teams’ standings on the WTC table.Related

Kishan replaces injured Rahul in India squad for WTC final

Chappell: Why Australia could have the edge at The Oval

Neser looms as WTC final reinforcement for Hazlewood

Third-placed South Africa will earn $450,000, while England, who ended fourth, will get $350,000. Sri Lanka, with a fifth-place finish, will earn $200,000, and numbers six to nine, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh, in that order, will get $100,000 each.The final of the 2021-23 WTC will be played from June 7 to 11, with June 12 as reserve day. While Australia had finished as table-toppers after winning 66.67% of their allotted points, India were second with 58.80%. The two teams had also met in a four-match series in India earlier this year, which India won 2-1.Earlier this month, India also went past Australia in the ICC Test rankings, taking back the No. 1 slot.This happened despite neither side playing any Test cricket recently, since the rankings consider a specific period and series completed before that period lose some of their value. In this case, the rankings considered all series completed since May 2020, with series completed before May 2022 weighted at 50% and everything since weighted at 100%.

The Argentine superstar has been voted the MLS Player of the Month for May 2025, capturing the prestigious honor after a dominant stretch

Argentine superstar recorded seven goals and four assists during MayBack-to-back Player of the Matchday honors highlighted month-end surgeThird Player of the Month award ties Messi for sixth-most in league historyGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowAFPWHAT HAPPENED

Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi has been voted the MLS Player of the Month for May 2025, his first of the season. The reigning Landon Donovan MLS MVP produced an outstanding month statistically, recording seven goals and four assists to lead all players in goal contributions. Messi's performances were particularly crucial as they helped Miami end a six-game winless streak across all competitions. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also claimed consecutive Player of the Matchday honors in the final two weeks of May as well.

AdvertisementWATCH MESSI'S MAY HIGHLIGHTSAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

This May award marks Messi's third Player of the Month honor since joining MLS in July 2023, placing him tied for sixth-most in league history despite playing less than two full seasons. He previously claimed the award in April 2024 after leading the league in goal contributions and Miami to an undefeated month, and again in October 2024 after helping the club secure both the Supporters' Shield and the MLS points record.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?

Messi's Player of the Month recognition comes at a pivotal moment for Inter Miami as they prepare to represent MLS in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which begins on June 14. His return to peak form signals that are hitting stride at the perfect time before facing international competition.

There was also a maiden contract for Northern Districts batter Kate Anderson who recently broke records in the Super Smash

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jun-2023Fast bowler Lea Tahuhu and wicketkeeper-batter Bernadine Bezuidenhout have both returned to New Zealand’s central contract list for the 2023-24 season, joining a core of experienced players such as Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates.There was also a maiden contract for Northern Districts batter Kate Anderson, who was recently named the Women’s Domestic Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards following her exploits at the Super Smash, where she topped the run-scoring charts with 536 runs from 12 matches at an average of 59.55 – the most by a batter in a single season.Related

Health hazards: why cricket is tougher for women in more ways than you might think

Leigh Kasperek replaces injured Jess Kerr for Sri Lanka tour

New Zealand's female players get match-fee parity in new five-year deal

Tahuhu, who did not get a central contract last year, remains a key member of New Zealand’s bowling unit, while Bezuidenhout returns to the contract list for the first time since the 2019-20 season following a two-year absence from cricket as she recovered from RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport). Bezuidenhout eventually made her return to the New Zealand side during the T20 World Cup in South Africa in January.However, there were no contracts for wicketkeeper Jessica McFadyen and allrounder Nensi Patel, who were both contracted for the 2022-23 season. Auckland batter Lauren Down opted not to accept a contract due to family reasons.”We’re pleased with the high performance structures we’ve integrated in the women’s space and believe that they will enable future success on the world stage,” Liz Green, the NZC Head of Female High Performance, said. “We think that these players possess the skills and appetite to develop as cricketers and represent New Zealand well on the world stage.”Last year, NZC announced that its female cricketers will earn the same match fees as the men under a new five-year deal struck between NZC, the six major associations, and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, meaning a substantial pay boost at international and domestic levels.New Zealand’s immediate assignment is a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka starting next week, but they’ll be without the injured Anderson (finger), Hayley Jensen (knee) and Jess Kerr (toe).New Zealand 2023-24 contract list: Kate Anderson, Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

After helping Spain edge past France in a 5-4 thriller, Gavi shared an emotional moment with his former Barcelona team-mate Ousmane Dembele.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Gavi wears Dembele's jersey after Spain beat FranceSwaps shirts with former Barca team-matePosted 'I love you brother' message on InstagramFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After Spain's exhilarating 5-4 victory over France in the Nations League semi-final, Barcelona midfielder Gavi was seen wearing the jersey of his former team-mate, Ousmane Dembele. The two shared an emotional embrace, exchanged shirts, and Gavi later posted a heartfelt message: "I love you brother."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The 20-year-old and Dembele built a strong friendship during their time at Barcelona. Gavi was still in the youth system when Dembele arrived from Borussia Dortmund but the pair spent two seasons together after the youngster was brought up to the senior squad before the Frenchman left for Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

WHAT GAVI SAID?

In a recent interview with , Gavi spoke warmly about Dembele: “For me, Ous has to be in the top three for the Ballon d’Or. He’s like a brother to me and an amazing player. I’ve always believed in him. And if one of us wins it, either him or Lamine [Yamal], it will be a dream.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR GAVI AND DEMBELE?

Spain now prepare to face Portugal in the Nations League final. Gavi, just back from an ACL injury, could see more minutes on the pitch. As for Dembele, his France side will meet Germany in a third place play-off.

Celtic returned from the last international break of the season with a bang as they secured a 3-0 win over Hearts at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership.

The Hoops had to bounce back from their 3-2 defeat to Rangers in front of their home supporters before the break, and that is what they did with a comfortable win on Saturday.

Daizen Maeda scored two goals, slotting through in a one-on-one and tapping in from close range, to send the Bhoys on their way to the win in the first-half.

Those two strikes have taken the Japan international’s tally for the season to 30 goals and nine assists in 43 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, as he has emerged as a consistent scoring threat for the club.

The 27-year-old attacker, who scored the first and third goals on the day, was not the only forward who got his name on the scoresheet, though, as Jota also found the back of the net.

Celtic’s Portuguese sensation was the first to react to Maeda hitting the post to sweep the ball in for the team’s second, continuing his fairytale return to Parkhead.

Why Jota has been an excellent signing for Celtic

The Scottish giants reportedly paid a fee of £8m to sign the winger from Ligue 1 side Rennes in the January transfer window, 18 months on from his £25m move to Al Ittihad from Glasgow.

Because he had already played two seasons for Celtic in the past under Ange Postecoglou, Brendan Rodgers knew that the club were bringing in a proven talent at Premiership level.

As the graphic above illustrates, the Portugal international has the quality to terrorise opposition defences in the Scottish top-flight due to his ability to both score and assist goals consistently from either the left or the right flank.

Since his return to Parkhead, Jota has racked up four goals, three ‘big chances’ created, and two assists in just five starts and eight total appearances in the division.

Goals

0.84

Top 1%

xG

0.58

Top 4%

xG on target

0.86

Top 1%

Shots on target

1.67

Top 1%

Assists

0.42

Top 12%

Chances created

2.09

Top 22%

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old sensation ranks incredibly highly against his positional peers when it comes to scoring goals, making the most of his xG, and creating chances for his teammates at the top end of the pitch.

These statistics suggest that Jota has, therefore, been one of the best wingers in the league, and arguably the best goalscoring winger, since his return to the club for £8m in the winter window.

Despite his sensational form for the Scottish giants in the last couple of months, the former Benfica man still does not crack the top five most valuable players at Parkhead.

Celtic's most valuable players

According to Transfermarkt, Jota is currently valued at £7.5m, just £500k short of the actual fee that Celtic reportedly paid for him at the start of the year, and that places him seventh within the squad.

This means that the Portuguese wizard does not sit in the top five most valuable players at the club, despite his phenomenal form, as the likes of Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda are currently more valuable than him.

Cameron Carter-Vickers

£11.7m

Nicolas Kuhn

£10m

Arne Engels

£10m

Daizen Maeda

£9.2m

Reo Hatate

£9.2m

Alistair Johnston

£8.4m

Jota

£7.5m

Auston Trusty

£6.3m

Callum McGregor

£5.4m

Greg Taylor

£5.4m

As you can see in the table above, Jota ranks seventh overall and USA international Cameron Carter-Vickers is sat at the top with a value of £11.7m.

The Scottish giants have built a squad that is full of highly-valued stars, hence why the Portuguese forward ranks so lowly despite his quality, as they have hit the jackpot with several fantastic signings.

One star they struck gold by signing during Postecoglou’s tenure in the dugout in Glasgow has been right-back Alistair Johnston, whose value has soared since his initial move to the club.

Alistair Johnston's soaring market value

The Canada international was reportedly signed from CF Montreal for a fee of £3m in the January transfer window at the start of 2023, shortly before Josip Juranovic moved to Union Berlin later that month.

He was tasked with replacing the Croatia international, who had scored one goal and provided one assist in ten league matches during the first half of the season, and hit the ground running with one goal, one assist, and five ‘big chances’ created in 14 appearances in the Premiership.

In the words of Rodgers, Johnston has been an “inspiration”, following that up with 11 ‘big chances’ created and five assists in 32 league outings for the Scottish giants in his first full season at the club.

In the current campaign, the 26-year-old star has created 13 ‘big chances’, scored four goals, and registered seven assists in 27 games, as he has continued to prove that he is a huge attacking threat from the right-back position for the Hoops.

The Celtic dynamo’s fantastic performances on the pitch over the last two-and-a-bit-years have led to his market value soaring by more than £5m, to the point where he is now worth even more than star winger Jota.

Jan 2023

£3m reported fee

June 2023

£5.8m

November 2023

£6.3m

March 2024

£6.7m

May 2024

£7.1m

December 2024

£7.5m

March 2025

£8.4m

As you can see in the table above, Johnston’s market value has steadily increased throughout his time in Glasgow, which illustrates how he has continually impressed and progressed at Parkhead.

At the time of writing, he is valued at £8.4m – £5.4m more than the £3m that the club reportedly paid for him – and £900k more than Jota is worth, as well as £400k more than the reported fee that was paid to Rennes for him in January.

This shows that the Premiership champions hit the jackpot when they swooped to sign him from the MLS at the start of 2023, as he has become a trusted figure at the back for the Hoops whilst also growing in value to establish himself as one of the most valuable players in the squad.

As good as Maeda: Star who won 89% duels has revived his Celtic career

The Celtic star was as good as Daizen Maeda in the win over Hearts at Parkhead.

ByDan Emery Mar 30, 2025

The Bhoys will now be hoping that Johnston can continue to progress to either go on and become a long-serving club icon or to be sold for a significant profit in the future.