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Former Hibernian manager Lee Johnson was sacked by the board last week following the club's disastrous start to the 2023/24 campaign.

The tone was perhaps set when the club lost their opening European tie against Andorran minnows Inter d'Escaldes 2-1 and despite winning the return leg while also defeating Luzern to set up a match against Aston Villa, Johnson has paid the price for their poor domestic form.

The Easter Road side have lost all three of their Premiership clashes so far while currently occupying bottom of the table and change is clearly needed if they are to reach the top four – which will secure European football next term.

Hibs will need to take a gamble with their next choice of boss and while there are several candidates looking like they will throw their hat in the ring, a rather surprising name has been touted of late…

Who will be the next Hibs manager?

According to The Daily Record, Central Coast Mariners manager Nick Montgomery is being eyed up for the managerial role, and it isn’t the first time he has been approached by a Scottish club.

The belief is that Motherwell had previously tried to convince him to move to the Premiership but nothing materialised.

Journalist Sacha Pisani lauded him when discussing names who could replace Ange Postecoglou at Celtic in June, saying:

“There’s also Nick Montgomery. Former Sheffield Utd midfielder just won A-Leagues on smallest budget, playing exciting football with youngsters.”

With Hibs hardly working with a budget compared to the likes of Rangers or Celtic, could the role be ideally suited to the 41-year-old?

Could Nick Montgomery take the Hibs role?

During his 15-month tenure at Hibs, Johnson won just 20 matches from 54 while winning just 1.31 points per game, hardly the statistics of a progressive coach who looked to improve the club.

Montgomery in comparison, operated under a small budget while still claiming glory, leading the Central Coast Mariners to the A-League title after stepping up from his assistant manager role in 2021.

The former Sheffield United midfielder has impressed during his relatively short stint in charge of the Australian side, winning 50% of his matches while losing just 19 and averaging 1.68 points per game, which is an upgrade on Johnson.

One of the most important things that the board will take into consideration is the type of football the new manager will play.

Montgomery tends to deploy a 4-4-2, which could suit the current Hibs players well and across his 60 matches in charge of the Mariners, his team have scored 139 goals while conceding 94 and although work needs to be done defensively, they obviously outscore their opponents on a regular basis.

The Edinburgh club need to take a risk in order to become the third force in Scotland, and they have finished third in the league only twice since the 2003/04 campaign.

Montgomery has shown he can lead his team to glory despite being overshadowed by bigger teams and this clearly demonstrates that he is potentially the perfect choice to take over Hibs in the coming weeks.

When Farhad Moshiri was handed the reins at Everton in 2016, there was hope and optimism that his well-documented wealth could drag the Toffees into European contention but after a chaotic seven years – including multiple battles against relegation – Moshiri's time at the club has had the opposite effect.

Despite breaking their transfer record on numerous occasions and spending over £700m, Everton's downward spiral has boiled down to their woeful transfer policy, bringing in players for large sums of money, rarely seeing them feature for the club before shipping them out on loan or selling them for much less than they were bought for.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin, who endured a nightmare time on Merseyside, is a prime example of the above. Having joined the club for £25m in 2019, the Ivory Coast international was unable to repay that price tag with performances on the field as he suffered a horrendous time with injuries which restricted him to only six Premier League appearances and forced him into leaving on a free this summer.

Everton's woeful transfer policy has not only seen them waste money on underperforming players but also miss out on genuine world-class stars who would have taken them to new heights. That was certainly the case in their failed pursuit of Mohammed Kudus last year.

Did Everton almost sign Mohammed Kudus?

While West Ham managed to beat off a whole host of clubs to the signing of Mohammed Kudus, Everton did attempt to prise him away from Ajax last summer but their £15m bid for the Ghanian was rejected, as per The Independent.

The Dutch champions firmly believed that he would develop into one of the best midfielders in the world, with the Toffees bid falling well below their valuation of the player.

However, had the Dutch giants not lost another player in Antony that summer, a bid would likely have been accepted, according to reports. Instead, the move collapsed, leaving the player frustrated.

After Ajax prevented him from moving to the Premier League, Kudus expressed his disappointment in an interview with De Telegraf [Via Sport Witness], saying:

"The fact that Ajax blocked a transfer to Everton last summer disappointed me. I thought it was time for a new chapter in my career, because I didn’t play here."

With their failure to land the winger typifying their shortcomings in the transfer window once more, Everton supporters will be kicking themselves knowing a deal couldn't be agreed and now have to watch him stun the rest of the Premier League in a West Ham shirt after completing a £38m move.

Why did Everton want Kudus?

Everton have struggled to score goals and last season only Wolves scored less than their total of 34 in the top flight.

It's an issue that has carried across to this campaign with their only goals so far coming against newly-promoted Sheffield United.

While it is clear that Sean Dyche needed someone to shoulder the creative and goal scoring responsibility, Kudus could have provided that having scored 18 goals and supplied seven assists from 42 outings for Ajax last season.

Despite excelling for his club, Ghana also benefited from his breathtaking talents as the 23-year-old bagged two goals in the group stage at the 2022 World Cup and was praised as the nation's "star boy" by former teammate Calvin Bassey, suggesting he has the qualities to single-handedly drag his side to victories.

Everton could certainly do with his individual talents to help them prosper in the final third.

Indeed, given he ranks among the top 3% for his non-penalty goals when compared against other wingers and attacking midfielders in the Eredivisie and its most similar leagues, the best 4% for his pass completion, top 3% for touches in the attacking penalty box and top 1% for successful take-ons, it's clear to see why Kudus would have drastically increased the Toffees' efficiency in the final third.

Lauded as "electric" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the £38m rated Kudus will bring a new dimension to West Ham's attack with his superb ball control, creative off-the-ball movements and pinpoint finishing while Everton are left to wish it was them enjoying his talents.

Manchester City are now keen on signing a record-breaking striker, but they will have to do battle for his signature with some of Europe's top clubs, according to a report.

What's the latest Man City transfer news?

Man City will be in the market for a new left-back in the January transfer window, considering Sergio Gomez is their only natural option in that area of the pitch, and Football Insider has revealed they are now confident about signing Boca Juniors' Valentin Barco.

Although the Boca defender has a release clause of around £10m included in his contract, the Sky Blues may have to stump up a fee of £15m, as there is considerable interest in his signature, with Brighton & Hove Albion also being named as potential suitors.

Barco is not the only young left-back that City have been credited with an interest in, as it has been reported they are also keen on signing Chelsea's Ian Maatsen, amid the uncertainty surrounding the 21-year-old's future at Stamford Bridge.

The vast majority of the Citizens' transfer targets are under 21, having also been linked with a move for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, and there have now been reports they could make a move for another young striker.

According to a report from CalcioMercato, Man City are now interested in signing 15-year-old AC Milan striker Francesco Camarda, who is attracting the attention of several top European clubs, as they are "convinced" he has a great future ahead of him.

The Milan starlet continues to break "record after record", recently netting a brace against Newcastle United on his debut in the UEFA Youth League, which meant he became the youngest Italian ever to score in the competition.

In light of the impression the youngster has made for AC Milan, there are a number of clubs vying for his signature, with Borussia Dortmund also being named as potential suitors, but there is an indication he may not be on the move anytime soon.

The Italian club are currently in the process of handing Camarda his first professional contract, and he "dreams" of making his debut for the Rossoneri in the Serie A.

Who is Francesco Camarda?

The Milan-born forward has started to make a name for himself at youth level, having scored one goal in three Primavera 1 games this season, while he recorded three goal contributions in his first-ever UEFA Youth League outing, bagging two goals and an assist.

The Italian has also made his breakthrough on the international scene, having found the back of the net three times in three appearances for the U17s, during which time he has also recorded one assist.

It is no wonder some of Europe's top clubs are queuing up for Camarda, as he clearly has a lot of potential, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig lauding him as an "unbelievable" talent just a few days ago.

However, the Milan academy graduate does not seem to have much interest in leaving his hometown club at the moment, so Man City should keep him shortlisted for the future.

The 16-year-old turned in another impressive performance to continue his side's undefeated streak

Lamine Yamal celebrated wildly; he had earned it. The 16-year-old has just produced a moment of magic to break open an otherwise frustrating game, cutting onto his left foot, and lashing a Lionel Messi-esque shot into the far corner. His memorable effort was the difference in the contest, as Barcelona squeaked out a 1-0 win over Mallorca.

The Blaugrana should have taken the lead in the first half after Raphinha was brought down in the box, but Ilkay Gundogan missed the ensuing spot-kick.

Mallorca came close after the break, Vedat Muriqi's looping header pinging off the bar with Marc-Andre ter Stegen frozen. Yamal responded with another close effort soon after, hitting the woodwork with a fizzing shot. He didn't miss when afforded another opportunity, producing a wonderful curler to win it.

Barcelona were much improved here, full of creativity, but lacking in the key moments. That is, until Yamal stepped in. Barca have their new magician.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Olympic Stadium…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):

  Didn't have loads to do. Made three saves and was steady in his distribution.

  Jules Kounde (7/10):

  Steady at right-back – he certainly looks more comfortable there than in the middle. His defensive quality set Yamal up effectively.

  Pau Cubarsi (8/10):

  Did some excellent defensive work, including one impressive recovery and block.

  Inigo Martinez (5/10):

  Looked slow and old alongside Cubarsi. He's endured a mixed season.

  Joao Cancelo (5/10):

  Lively on the left-wing and dangerous in possession – even if his final ball was lacking. Also left a bit to be desired defensively.

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  Midfield

  Andreas Christensen (6/10):

  Solid at the base of midfield. Looks a good option, these days.

  Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):

  Struck his penalty poorly – no surprise it was saved. Was otherwise excellent – the connective tissue that Barca needed.

  Raphinha (6/10):

  Was putting in a solid shift before being subbed with an apparent ankle injury.

  Joao Felix (6/10):

  Fired narrowly wide towards the end of the first half. Did a lot of pretty things with the ball, but never asserted himself on the contest.

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  Attack

  Marc Guiu (6/10):

  Handed a start in lieu of Robert Lewandowski. Didn't get a sighting on goal – even if he ran tirelessly.

  Lamine Yamal (8/10):

  Not involved much in the first half. Much better in the second, capped off with a stunning, Messi-esque, winner.

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  Subs & Manager

  Fermin Lopez (6/10):

  Introduced for the injured Raphinha. Lively in central midfield from the second he came on.

  Vitor Roque (7/10):

  A very impressive cameo from the Brazilian, complete with some wonderful forward runs from deep. Played like he had a point to prove.

  Robert Lewandowski (5/10):

  One silly dive in the box capped off a disappointing 30 minutes.

  Oriol Romeu (N/A):

  Late defensive solidity.

  Oscar Hernandez (7/10):

  On the sideline after Xavi was suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Managed the game well, all things considered, and held his nerve by keeping Yamal on. Not perfect, but very good.

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided some new information regarding Chelsea's potential move for a star striker in 2024.

Will Chelsea sign a new striker?

The Blues have made a disastrous start to their Premier League season, having gone into the new campaign with hope that last year's woes would be forgotten about. The appointment of Mauricio Pochettino hasn't yet gone to plan, however, with both results and performances severely lacking.

After six league games so far this season, Chelsea are 14th in the table and have only won one match to date, at home to newly-promoted Luton Town, and there is increasing pressure on them to stay in the top four hunt even this early in the season.

One of the Blues' biggest issues has been a lack of firepower in attack, with only five league goals scored to date in 2023/24, with Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson netting four of those combined. It has highlighted the need for more options to arrive in the coming transfer windows, with a lack of depth at Pochettino's disposal right now.

Mykhailo Mudryk is continuing to struggle and Jackson is still a young player learning his trade, so failure to bring in reinforcements could be a fatal error in January.

Which striker is on Chelsea's radar?

Taking to X, Romano provided an update on Chelsea's pursuit of Brentford striker Ivan Toney, saying he could join for different prices depending on if the move happens in January or next summer:

"Ivan Toney plan remains clear: try new, different opportunity in 2024 as he signed with new agents, represented by Stellar. Arsenal and Chelsea are both informed on potential conditions of the deal for January or summer, different price. Race still open."

Toney is currently suspended for betting offences, so won't be available to play until January, but he could be a fantastic option for Chelsea moving forward, having made a seamless jump from the Championship to the Premier League.

The 27-year-old is clearly adored by Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who has described him as a "remarkable" player, and he is someone currently at his peak, and who could remain in that period of his career for another four or five years.

Last season, Toney scored 20 goals in the Premier League, which is a superb effort for a player not representing one of the big clubs, and his overall tally for the Bees stands at 68 in just 124 appearances.

The threat of Arsenal is obvious, considering what an attractive proposition they are these days, but the Englishman could be promised more regular playing time in a Chelsea shirt, which could sway his thinking. Whether it is January that sees the Blues make a move for him remains to be seen, but they could do with him then rather next summer, even if his price tag is more expensive at that point.

Some may feel that Toney isn't at the level required for Pochettino's men, but that is a lazy assumption because he is playing for a fairly unfashionable club, and he has the ability to make a world of difference in the west Londoners' attack.

With the 2021 summer transfer window at a close, it looked like Manchester United were finally gearing up to mount a sustained title charge, following what was, on paper, a remarkable summer of business for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Having led the Red Devils to a second-place finish the year prior, the Norwegian cult hero then set about bolstering his squad with three marquee signings, bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane to raise the expectation levels among the Old Trafford faithful.

Fast forward to the present day, however, and United's decade-long wait for the Premier League crown continues, with Ronaldo no longer at the club following an acrimonious exit back in November, while Sancho has been cast aside amid his own clash with current boss Erik ten Hag.

As for Varane, the experienced Frenchman has undoubtedly been the most successful of that trio, although that is not saying much, with those in Manchester potentially regretting their capture of a player who has far too regularly been dogged by injury.

How much did Man United pay for Raphael Varane?

As the World Cup winner stepped out onto the Old Trafford turf and hoisted his new United jersey aloft ahead of the opening game of the 2021/22 season against rivals Leeds United, supporters would have been forgiven for getting carried away, with such a statement signing indicating that this was the mighty Manchester United once again.

With four Champions Leagues under his belt following a glittering stint at Real Madrid, the towering centre-back looked to be the "world-class defender and leader" that the Red Devils were in need of, according to journalist Samuel Luckhurst, with both he and Harry Maguire set to be a "title-challenging partnership".

For Solskjaer and co to have landed such a high calibre talent – who was still only 28 at the time – for a fee of around £41m looked to be something of a steal, with that having been roughly half of what was spent on Maguire just two years earlier.

As those at the Theatre of Dreams are no doubt aware, however, it has not been a smooth ride for the club or Varane since then, as the player's plummeting market valuation can attest to.

How much is Raphael Varane worth now?

The major issue regarding the £340k-per-week asset over the last two years or so has been his inability to stay injury-free across an entire season, having notably been restricted to just 22 Premier League appearances during his debut campaign, as United recorded their worst-ever points tally in the competition's history.

via Transfermarkt

As for last term, the 6 foot 3 gem did look "cool and calm and collected" when featuring alongside Lisandro Martinez – according to pundit Adrian Mariappa – although again his involvement was hampered throughout the season, after making only 24 league outings.

Ahead of the start of 2023/24, it was fair to suggest at that stage that Varane had at least performed when he was fit and available, although there have been worrying signs of late amid another injury-disrupted start to the campaign, having particularly disappointed against Galatasaray in midweek.

As per club legend Paul Scholes, the 30-year-old – who was ruled out against Brentford due to a "minor issue" – is beginning to look rather "sluggish", while the treble winner also branded the one-time Lens man and centre-back partner Victor Lindelof as "lazy" and "weak" during that 3-2 defeat.

Such brutal criticism may fit the narrative that Varane is a player on the decline, with the Lille native now believed to be worth just €20m (£17m) – according to CIES Football Observatory – representing a £24m decrease from his initial transfer fee.

It is then no surprise that Ten Hag was believed to be eyeing a new central defender over the summer, with the former Ajax boss likely ruing the fact that the club didn't pull the trigger on any of their leading targets.

Erik ten Hag has issued a rallying cry to both players and fans alike ahead of the blockbuster "do-or-die" FA Cup tie against Liverpool this Sunday.

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• United set to face Liverpool in FA Cup quarter-final
• The Merseysiders in an incredible run of form
• Ten Hag wants a synergy between fans and players to beat the Reds

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Dutch manager emphasized the pivotal role of Old Trafford's unwavering support in propelling the team towards victory and securing a last-four berth at the expense of a high-flying Liverpool. Highlighting the historical dominance of United at home against Liverpool in the FA Cup, with no losses recorded for over a century, Ten Hag tried to instil confidence in the Red Devils' ability to triumph once again.

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• WHAT TEN HAG SAID

  In his column for the matchday programme, United Review, Ten Hag wrote: "Just as we need our players on top form, the same is true of our fans. The challenge to you is to help us make the most of our home advantage in the last cup game to be played at Old Trafford this season. Cup games are do-or-die and we need the players and fans to give energy to each other if we are to progress to the semi-finals. The prizes on offer today are huge: a return to Wembley, a step closer to a major trophy and a win over our biggest rivals. To achieve those goals, everybody inside Old Trafford has a part to play, working as one big team. Together, we are a formidable force."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ten Hag also invoked the memorable 2-1 triumph in the previous Premier League season at Old Trafford to further boost the morale of his troops.

  "This fixture always demands concentration, calm and confidence," he explained.

  "Every player, whether in the starting XI or on the bench, has a job to do and has to take responsibility for doing it correctly.

  "We also had incredible support from the stands when we beat Liverpool at Old Trafford last season and we know, from that experience and other big games, what a difference the fans can make when we really bring the noise.

  "I don’t need to explain to anybody the significance and size of this game. We have the two greatest clubs in English football, with the greatest pedigree and the greatest rivalry, facing each other in a knockout tie in the world’s greatest cup competition. When you are a child watching football, these are the games that make you fall in love with the sport; how could anybody not be excited to be a part of this spectacle?"

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  WHAT NEXT?

  As United prepare to face their fiercest rivals in a high-stakes encounter, Ten Hag's rallying cry serves as a powerful reminder of the magnitude of the encounter. With players and fans united in purpose, Old Trafford is poised to exhibit an electrifying atmosphere. Whether it will be enough remains to be seen.

West Ham United now hold very strong interest in signing a “fantastic” forward, with Nuno personally keen on a deal.

West Ham's January transfer window plans taking shape

West Ham are looking to strengthen their chances of avoiding the drop by making some new signings in the January transfer window, and Nuno may want to improve his options at the back, given his recent comments.

The 51-year-old said: “We haven’t achieved a clean sheet yet. That is something we need to do. There is improvement. But not total improvement. We still haven’t reached the standard we expect. We are creating chances. It is about finding the balance.”

At the opposite end of the pitch, Jarrod Bowen has continued to impress, with the Englishman scoring in his last two Premier League matches, while summer signing Callum Wilson has made a promising start to life at the London Stadium.

However, the Irons remain keen on strengthening their attacking options even further, according to ExWHUEmployee, who told The West Ham Way that a move for a domestic-based striker is now being prioritised.

A number of targets have been identified, including Coventry City’s Haji Wright and Norwich City’s Josh Sargent, while there is also very strong interest in Fulham winger Adama Traore, with Nuno personally keen on a reunion.

The manager is a big fan of the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man, singling him out for high praise during his time at Molineux: “The moment me, him and his team-mates realise how good Adama can be be, I hope I will be here to see it. He is unique and very special.”

“It’s his personality, character and heart, he’s a very nice boy. A very nice human being.”

“When I say unique, I say unique all over football. There is no player like Adama.”

Traore struggling to make an impact at Fulham

Marco Silva lauded the Spaniard as “fantastic” earlier this season, but in truth, he has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, yet to register a goal or an assist, and the winger has predominantly been utilised as a substitute.

That said, there are some signs the 29-year-old could be a solid addition, having averaged 0.30 assists per 90 over the past year, which places him in the 83rd percentile, compared to other wingers.

West Ham hold informal talks for striker who's spoken to Frank about joining Spurs

The Hammers have reached out.

By
Emilio Galantini

4 days ago

The eight-time Spain international also loves driving at opposition defences, averaging 2.23 successful take-ons per 90 and 5.21 progressive carries over the same time period, again outperforming the vast majority of his positional peers.

If Nuno feels as though he can get the best out of Traore, it may be worth pursuing a January move, but signing a new striker should remain the priority, given that Niclas Fullkrug has already held talks over a departure.

Nottingham Forest will reportedly discover their punishment for breaches of Premier League financial rules this week, with a points deduction mooted.

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• Everton have already been sanctioned
• Reds set to discover their fate
• Both sides sweating on top-flight status

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Everton have already been stung with a points penalty this season, although their initial 10-point sanction was reduced to six on appeal. The Toffees have another charge hanging over their head, alongside fellow relegation battlers Forest.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  According to , fate at the City Ground will be discovered in the next few days. After a hearing on March 7 and 8, the Reds were expected to have been informed of any action before now. The Premier League has delayed an official announcement despite regulations stating that the commission must "provide its decision, together with written reasons, within one week of the conclusion of the hearing".

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Premier League clubs are allowed to lose £105 million ($134m) over three seasons, as per Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), but Forest are limited to £61m ($78m) due to spending two years of their assessment period in the Championship.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Forest have appointed a leading sports lawyer to argue their case, but anything more than a three-point penalty would drop them below Luton and into the Premier League's bottom three. Everton are waiting on a potential second points deduction relating to their accounts through to the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

Everything that Arsenal have done over the last few months, regarding transfers and tactical shifts, has been to usurp Manchester City and win the Premier League title. Therefore, things are set to be no different in January.

Who could Arsenal sign in January?

With big-money acquisitions like Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, the pressure was understandably ramped up on two stars expected to perform. Whilst the jury is still out on the former, their club-record signing has taken to life in north London with ease, proving pivotal in their unbeaten league start as a calming yet destructive presence in the engine room.

The England international is slowly growing into one of the division's finest players, and Mikel Arteta could seek to lean on that by helping him reach new heights.

Although it may seem a strange move on the surface, reports have noted the Gunners' interest in Pep Guardiola's outcast Kalvin Phillips, who has struck up a fine partnership with the former West Ham United captain on numerous occasions for the Three Lions.

With chances limited for the 27-year-old, who is desperately seeking any opportunity to rekindle his once-promising career, perhaps Edu could be set to hand him one final chance at the highest level to prove his worth. His presence could even push Rice beyond that of Rodri…

Could Declan Rice surpass Rodri?

It was always bound to be the key comparison for these two sides both vying for the title, just as Martin Odegaard has often seen himself pitted against Kevin De Bruyne, and how the same has happened with Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden.

Guardiola's midfield compatriot has proven pivotal for the Citizens in extending their monopoly over English football, having shone in the engine room as a metronomic presence capable of dictating entire games from deep.

Whilst it did take him a year to acclimatise, last season saw him truly shine as an ever-present ace instrumental in their treble success. In the Premier League alone he would showcase his controlling mastery by recording eight goal contributions and a 91% pass accuracy, alongside 0.9 key passes, 1.9 tackles and 5.1 duels won per game, via Sofascore.

To compare that with Rice's start to the new term, and it is clear where the comparisons emerge from. The 24-year-old is also posting an impressive 92% pass accuracy, and whilst his key passes drop to 0.6 per game, he instead is recording 2.3 tackles and 4.4 ball recoveries per game.

The two are hardly far apart, and Phillips could provide the perfect addition to help his compatriot reach new heights, offering a platform for additional creativity should he return to his best.

After all, the former Leeds United man has been vocal about his enjoyment when playing beside him: "There's a lot of talk about me and Declan Rice fighting for one position but when we play together, I think we play really well. It’s an honour to play with him."

Then, ex-England manager Fabio Capello would rush to praise what Phillips offers, noting: "Phillips is not like Pirlo and he will never be. He is a much faster and more aggressive player, of good quality but he is not Andrea's heir."

Although it has been a long time since the £150k-per-week ace featured regularly, last starring during the 2020/21 league season which saw him maintain 1.2 key passes and 2.6 tackles per game, perhaps a show of faith from Arteta, plus placing him beside an old friend, could help him recapture these levels and help Rice become the paramount midfield player in the league.