There are 15 MLS players on Olympic rosters for the upcoming Paris Games, and these are the ones to watch
There are 15 total players across Major League Soccer, and one from their developmental league MLS NEXT Pro, headed to Paris on official Olympic U23 rosters. Four others, labeled as alternates, could appear, too.
As the the hype for the tournament grows, GOAL takes a look at who is competing in the Games, and ranks the top six MLS players that fans should keep their eyes on in Paris.
USA Today Images6Michael Boxall: Minnesota United / New Zealand
Boxall has been a stalwart for Minnesota United for years, and will lead his country as an overage player and captain at the 2024 Games. Paired with the U.S. in the Group Stage, the 35-year-old will be a formidable foe for any attacker.
A massive presence on their defense, Boxall will look to lead New Zealand out of the Group Stage, while pulling off an upset against the likes of France or the USMNT.
AdvertisementGetty Images5Federico Redondo: Inter Miami / Argentina
He's Inter Miami's newest superstar, though Redondo has missed some time during the first half of the MLS campaign due to injury. There are high expectations for Redondo to succeed in Paris. Expected to be a starting midfielder for Argentina, he will link their attack and midfield in a dynamic role in the center of the pitch.
Ex-Atlanta United star Thiago Almada will also feature on the roster alongside him.
Getty Images4Miles Robinson: FC Cincinnati / U.S.
An overage player for the USMNT this Olympic Games, Robinson – when healthy – has been looked at as one of the best defenders in the U.S. pool. A regular with the senior-team, the FC Cincinnati star is widely regarded as the best central defender in MLS – and there are high expectations for him this summer.
From leadership on the pitch to locking-down the backline, Robinson has a heavy burden on his shoulders. With his experience, though, he should be up for the task.
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IMAGO / Just pictures 3Caleb Wiley: Atlanta United / U.S.
One of the brightest fullbacks to ever come through MLS, Wiley is the league's next big European export. Expected to be completing a summer move to Premier League side Chelsea this summer, the Atlanta United left back is as talented as they come.
A dynamic attacking fullback, he also brings a sense of composure when he's on the ball. The U.S. will look to Wiley on both ends of the pitch come Paris, while Blues fans across the world look for a glimpse at their next young American star.
Liverpool have reportedly turned down a £15m bid from Southampton for 21-year-old winger Fabio Carvalho.
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Liverpool reject Southampton's bid for CarvalhoSpent the last season on loan at two different clubsWinger has scored against Arsenal and Man Utd in the pre-seasonWHAT HAPPENED?
Carvalho, who joined the Reds from Fulham in 2022, spent the last season on two different loan spells at RB Leipzig and Hull City. He moved to the Bundesliga on a season-long loan deal during the summer of 2023 but it was cut short after just six months as he returned to Liverpool in January only to move out on another loan deal to Hull City.
AdvertisementGettyTHE EXPLANATION
The youngster, however, is now back at Liverpool and has travelled with the squad for their pre-season tour in the United States. The Athletic now reports that newly promoted Southampton had approached the Merseyside giants with a bid worth £15m (€17m) for the 21-year-old but they rejected the offer. New manager Arne Slot has been left impressed by the consistent performances of the Portuguese attacker who has scored in back-to-back matches against Arsenal and Manchester United.
DID YOU KNOW?
The English giants are not considering sending out Carvalho on yet another loan move and would be willing to sell him permanently only if they receive an offer much higher than what the Saints are offering at the moment.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
After a successful pre-season tour in the US, Slot's men will now face Sevilla in their final friendly match on August 11 at Anfield before kicking off the new season six days later against Ipswich Town.
There’s no hiding that injuries have massively impacted Manchester United’s campaign, with the lack of consistency potentially linked to the frequent changing of players.
On Tuesday, the latest injury report was announced, with both Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez set to face a month on the sidelines.
This is particularly frustrating for the Argentine, whose season has played out in the following fashion: injury, being forced back due to a lack of depth, and picking up another issue because of that.
Jonny Evans is also nursing an injury, and Raphael Varane is racing against the clock to be back fit for Chelsea, but Erik ten Hag does have a young talent waiting to have a Kobbie Mainoo-esque impact on the side.
Kobbie Mainoo’s breakthrough season
Towards the end of November against Everton, the Man United faithful saw their first glimpse of Mainoo in the Premier League, with the midfielder instantly showing his quality and class.
Despite being just 18 years old, Mainoo has proven to be a key player in Ten Hag’s midfield, making 14 Premier League starts since, but that tally would have definitely been higher had he not suffered an injury in pre-season.
Kobbie Mainoo
The number 37 has continued to develop as each week passes, to the point where he’s now simply undroppable, even making his first start for England against Belgium last month.
Mainoo has already won a United Player of the Month award, which he picked up in January, yet there’s a 19-year-old who’s waiting patiently for a chance to shine.
Man Utd could make Mainoo world-class by signing £34m "warrior"
The United target is thriving in the Premier League this campaign.
ByTom Lever Mar 26, 2024 Willy Kambwala could shine in the absence of Martinez
At this current moment, Man United only have Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, and youngster Willy Kambwala available for selection at centre back.
This could see the latter fast-tracked into the first team, just like Mainoo, with Ten Hag showing he’s not afraid to play the youth if the opportunity arises.
That said, the French centre-half has already featured for the first team on a few occasions, making one start and three further appearances in the Premier League this season.
That start was against West Ham United on Christmas Eve, where the 19-year-old impressed despite the Red Devils losing, as you can see by the table below.
Clearances
3
Dribbled past
0
Passes completed
78
Pass accuracy
90%
Touches
95
On top of those statistics, the Manchester Evening News handed Kambwala a 6/10 rating for his performance, which was one of the highest scores on the day, with Samuel Luckhurst stating that he 'slotted in impressively and started confidently'.
In truth, the inexperienced number 53 didn’t look massively out of place during the tie, showing his defensive ability via the three clearances and zero times dribbled past.
However, what was most impressive was Kambwala’s ability and confidence in possession, carrying it well to evade pressure and controlling the tempo; he clearly wasn’t afraid of getting on the ball.
His 95 touches were only fewer than Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans, and he completed 78 passes with a pass accuracy of 90%, which was the best in the United starting lineup.
Overall, the “brilliant” Kambwala, as dubbed by analyst StatmanDave, certainly has the quality and character to be thrown in the deep end like Mainoo, and he could just prove to be an important squad member between now and the end of the season.
Lynn did not pull any punches following his side’s latest performance when speaking immediately after the extraordinary finish
Alex Malcolm19-Jan-2020Brisbane Heat captain Chris Lynn has lambasted his side’s record BBL collapse against the Melbourne Renegades as “piss-poor” and “embarrassing”.The Heat were 0 for 84 after 5.5 overs chasing a target of 165 at the Gabba only to lose a record 10 for 36 to fall 44 runs short and put their finals hopes in severe jeopardy.This followed an embarrassing 10-wicket loss to the Adelaide Strikers last Thursday when they were bowled out for 100. They were also bowled out for just 109 earlier in the tournament against the Perth Scorchers attempting to chase just 150.Dan Christian wins an lbw against Ben Cutting•Getty ImagesLynn did not pull any punches following his side’s latest performance.”I’ve seemed to be in this position a couple of times this year,” he told Channel Seven. “I can’t really sugar-coat it, it was a piss-poor effort. Another embarrassing effort. We got off to a flyer. These guys that are playing they’re not first or second-year players, they’ve got four or five years under their belt.”We’re doing all the right things at training but I don’t know what is going on out in the middle because we just seem to panic. It’s not just a wicket or two, it’s a train wreck.”Lynn was the first man to fall holing out to deep long-on in the last ball of the powerplay which then triggered the stunning collapse. The Heat lost three wickets in four balls including AB de Villiers and Matt Renshaw, who both fell to Player of the Match Cameron Boyce in the seventh over.Lynn and coach Darren Lehmann called a strategic timeout at the end of the seventh over to try and steady the ship but the message to rebuild consolidate was not heeded.”Something has got to change,” Lynn said. “Our preparation has been awesome, you can’t fault that but it’s just out in the middle. I don’t know what goes through our guys’ heads. We had our strategic timeout, we had our plans in place not to play dumb cricket, knock it around, hit the guys in the deep, no run-outs, um … yeah, I’m pretty speechless.”Lynn was probed further by former Heat captain Brendon McCullum, now a Channel Seven commentator, and fellow commentator Ricky Ponting, as to why the Heat’s batsmen are recidivists but he could not find an answer.”I don’t know,” Lynn said. “I’m standing here for the second time after an embarrassment. It’s the biggest record loss after a powerplay of [84]. We were cruising and doing better than walking it in, I don’t really know what to say, to be honest.”Every player has got to look in and not out. We’re playing as a group of individuals and unless we change that we’re going to end up missing the finals again which is not good enough in the position we’re in and the players we’ve got in the line-up.”The Heat could have moved to fourth on the table with a victory, ahead of both the Sydney Thunder and the Perth Scorchers, but instead they remain sixth with just three games remaining and their net run-rate took a battering as a result of the stunning collapse.
Ben Doak is reportedly attracting interest from Leicester City and Southampton as Liverpool weigh up sending him out on loan.
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Doak joined Liverpool from Celtic in 2022Reds consider giving him minutes on loanLeicester and Southampton interestedWHAT HAPPENED?
The Scottish forward joined Liverpool from Celtic in 2022 for a fee in the region of £600,000 and has since made 10 appearances in all competitions. Ahead of the new season, the Reds are considering sending him out on loan, as more minutes at Anfield may be hard to come by. Now, The Athletic claims the Saints and the Foxes are among those keen on securing the 18-year-old's services.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The report adds Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are aware of the winger's wishes to get game time and intend to sit down with the Scotland Under-21 international to weigh up their options. However, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, among others, ahead of him in the pecking order, that is a tall order. A loan move may be the best thing to further his development.
DID YOU KNOW?
Doak began his career at hometown team Dalry Rovers, before moving to Ayr United and then Celtic. He made his Bhoys debut in January 2022 at the age of 16, and then two months later signed for Liverpool. The attacker has played most of his football at the club for the Under-21 side.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Doak is part of Liverpool's 28-man touring group of the United States as the club's pre-season campaign gets into full swing. He could feature in their friendlies against Arsenal and Manchester United on July 31 and August 3 respectively.
Do Tottenham Hotspur supporters approach kitchen-sink time with greedy anticipation, confident that their side will find that late, all-changing goal to continue a promising campaign?
Ange Postecoglou has certainly inculcated a sense of belief, drive and determination that has seen Spurs find a big moment in late stages on numerous occasions.
It doesn't always work out, but against Luton Town on Saturday, skipper Heung-min Son popped up with a late strike to hand his side victory.
Despite the summer sale of Harry Kane, the London club have been impressive in attack, after their fashion, but seek further firepower to carry the revival into the forthcoming campaign and build upon a solid base.
Spurs eyeing summer signings
After observation, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will be of the opinion that improvements are required across multiple positions, and while Postecoglou has created an exciting attacking squadron, the anticipated return to European competition calls for depth.
As such, according to German outlet BILD – via Sport Witness – Spurs are attentive to Dani Olmo's situation with RB Leipzig, with the Spaniard's €60m (£51m) release clause active this summer.
Dani Olmo for RB Leipzig
Bryan Gil is expected to leave Postecoglou's squad this summer and Tottenham will hope that they will clinch Champions League qualification and entice Olmo to join, with Manchester City interested in the creative midfielder.
Dani Olmo's style of play
RB Leipzig have got a lot of talent in their ranks but currently sit in fifth place in the German Bundesliga, three points behind Borussia Dortmund in the top four.
Olmo is a talented and sought-after player but he has seen his progress across the past several seasons punctuated by interfering injuries, only starting 12 top-flight fixtures this term.
Still, as per Sofascore, he has created seven big chances this season to complement an impressive return of three goals and four assists, also averaging 1.3 key passes, 1.2 dribbles and 3.5 ball recoveries per game.
A versatile attacking midfielder and noted for his "magic" ability by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Olmo is capable on alternate flanks but finds his playmaking at its zenith when situated in the No. 10 spot, hailed for his "exceptional abilities" by Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, formerly of Leipzig.
His multi-angled attacking approach is exactly what Tottenham need, offering a direct threat while supplementing his teammates, having clinched 28 goals and 33 assists for RB Leipzig in total.
Why Spurs are interested in Dani Olmo
Tottenham might already have an elite playmaker in James Maddison but Giovani Lo Celso will possibly leave the club this summer and is out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 campaign anyway, with little chance of a resolution.
As per FBref, Olmo ranks among the top 22% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for total shots and assists and the top 25% for interceptions per clearances per 90.
1.
Cole Palmer
Chelsea
2.
James Maddison
Tottenham Hotspur
3.
Alex Iwobi
Fulham
4.
Michael Olise
Crystal Palace
Olmo might not quite be sparkling right now but he's been inhibited by these niggling muscular issues; put those firmly behind him and he will no doubt return to the first-class form that has led to interest from some of Europe's heavyweights in the past.
His stylistic similarities to Maddison highlight the success that might be found in welcoming him to the fold, but perhaps more intriguing is the semblance with Chelsea's Cole Palmer, who signed for the Stamford Bridge side from Manchester City for an initial £40m on transfer deadline day last summer.
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ByAngus Sinclair Mar 31, 2024
Palmer ranks among the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 13% for shot-creating actions, the top 12% for pass completion and the top 10% for progressive passes per 90, showcasing his crisp passing and technical attributes that place him in the same bracket as Olmo, albeit performing at a far superior level right now.
He might not be playing his finest football right now, but what matters is that Olmo carries a protean threat with a natural flair and guile on the ball that would open up a dimension to this building Tottenham team.
Dani Olmo playing for Spain
He's not quite got the raw ball-delivering expertise of Maddison, nor has he the same lofty energy of Dejan Kulusevski – few do – but Olmo offers elite deftness in possession, dropping his shoulder and darting with a stag's gait through the lines.
Dynamic would be the apt phrasing: described as a "good finisher" by former La Masia coach Denis Silva Puig and well regarded for his mentality and lifting effect on his peers. Leipzig have won the past two DFB Pokal titles, with Olmo grabbing three goals and five assists from eight matches during this run.
Palmer too is tactically flexible and polished, complete, in his skill set. An attacking midfielder with much to prove after leaving Manchester City for struggling Chelsea, he has belied his age and inexperience to incredibly chalk up 16 goals and 12 assists from his opening 35 appearances as a Blue.
Chelsea have seen the impact of signing such a player, have drank from the cup of Palmer's prodigious quality, and while Mauricio Pochettino's side are struggling, Palmer certainly is not.
Postecoglou has the tactical wherewithal to make his move and bring Olmo to the club, offering an ostensibly higher calibre of football and a chance to take his promising career to the next level.
At £51m, it's a bit of a no-brainer. Manchester City might be interested but if the Lilywhites act incisively, Olmo will surely wind up down N17.
He is still enjoying his cricket and expects Bangladesh to provide tough competition to Pakistan in the upcoming series
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jan-2020Pakistan allrounder Shoaib Malik insists he is not getting ahead of himself following his call-up for the series against Bangladesh, and will “not set any long-term goals”. Most notably, that meant he wouldn’t commit to saying whether he aimed to be part of Pakistan’s World T20 squad, saying that was “too far out”.”I am not thinking about the World Cup; my selection is for the Bangladesh series and I will try to avail whatever opportunity I get,” he told reporters in Lahore. “The World Cup is too far out, and I don’t set long term goals. Whatever’s in my hand I will try. There are lots of youngsters in the team who should be groomed and that is the priority. I also don’t want to make a statement that I will retire from T20 cricket after the World Cup. When the time comes, I will see how things are going.”Malik’s remarks on his aspirations for the World T20 stand in stark contrast to his fellow senior player Mohammad Hafeez’s, who was also called up by chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq for this series. The day after his inclusion in the side, he declared the World T20 would mark his retirement from all international cricket, suggesting playing in that event is very much front and centre among his goals.Malik should be more familiar with the visiting Bangladesh side than most. Just last week, he was part of the Rajshahi Royals side that triumphed in the Bangladesh Premier League final in Dhaka. He ranked fourth on the run charts across the entire competition, racking up 455 averaging just under 38. In addition, he shed light on some of the conversations he had had with players in Bangladesh, and his attempts to assuage any concerns players might have about touring Pakistan.”Players do ask us about how things are in Pakistan when we go out and play in different leagues. The sort of security you get in Pakistan, you don’t get anywhere else. Some Bangladesh players also inquired about security, and I told them that they should come and have a look at it themselves. Only one player [Mushfiqur] is not coming because of personal reasons. I just want to say to him ‘please do come next time and see for yourself’. When the Bangladesh team comes and sees the atmosphere here, I think they will also convince others who aren’t coming right now to come for the next leg.”As for the cricket, though, he expects nothing less than the sternest of challenges.”Bangladesh are bringing a strong team. Their system has become stronger over the years. A well-balanced side is coming. But if you look at our T20 team, we have lots of players who have plenty of experience. Babar Azam is highly thought of around the world; when I go play in other leagues, they all praise him. When other players also get chances on a consistent basis, I feel sure they will also perform, too.”But for Pakistan’s oldest serving cricketer – Malik made his international debut in 1999 – being in this side at all defies expectations. After a torrid World Cup campaign he was dropped halfway through, he lost his central contract, and the possibility he had played his last game for Pakistan was very real. Now, back in the side and with a chance to show his worth as a stabilising influence in a team that has begun to slide, Malik has a simple explanation for why he’s sticking around.”I’m still enjoying my cricket,” he said.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged the Reds to be at the "front of the queue" for Anthony Gordon this summer.
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Reds icon urges club to sign GordonNewcastle star heavily linked with Anfield switchMagpies facing PSR issues this summerWHAT HAPPENED?
Carragher has urged the Reds to get to the front of the queue for Anthony Gordon, who has been linked with a move to Anfield throughout the summer window. The prospect was initially floated to help the Magpies keep within the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, and would have seen Joe Gomez move the other way. Now, though, it has been reported that Gordon has had his 'head turned' by interest from Arne Slot's side.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Liverpool have yet to make a first-team signing this summer and Carragher believes that Gordon would be a perfect addition. The England international enjoyed a stunning campaign under Eddie Howe in 2023/24, scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists in the Premier League.
WHAT CARRAGHER SAID
Jamie Carragher was speaking on behalf of Sky Sports as part of its start of season football campaign which brings together 92 passionate football fans from each team across the Premier League & EFL to share their hopes for the 2024/25 season.
He said: “Anthony Gordon would be a good signing for any team, he’s been a great signing for Newcastle. I cannot believe he didn’t get more minutes than he did at EURO 2024, I thought we were crying out for pace in the attack, and he adds that. I’ve known Anthony for a long time because he doesn’t live too far from me, I know a few of his relatives, so I’ve always been a huge fan of Anthony Gordon.
“If Newcastle are having problems with PSR, I would like Liverpool to be at the front of that [queue for Anthony Gordon] because he could be a real top player, he can go to another level."
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Getty WHAT NEXT?
Liverpool start their Premier League season against Ipswich Town on Saturday. Newcastle, by comparison, play Southampton.
USA Cricket reaffirms intention to launch a “Minor League” T20 franchise tournament this year
Peter Della Penna27-Feb-2020USA Cricket has reaffirmed their intentions to launch a “Minor League” T20 franchise tournament for later this summer that includes teams based in major metropolitan areas from New York to Los Angeles, a precursor to a full-scale “Major League” T20 franchise tournament in 2021.San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. are among the other locations touted in a USA Cricket press release on Thursday announcing the plans being propelled by USA Cricket’s commercial league partner, American Cricket Enterprises.ALSO READ: USA targets hosting ICC global events in next cycle”One of the reasons that ACE was selected to partner with USA Cricket to develop a professional T20 League was that it demonstrated an understanding of the importance of addressing various fundamental issues within the domestic game in the United States,” said USA Cricket chief executive Iain Higgins. “We welcome the significant investment and endeavor that has been put into the development of this exciting new national competition as a building block towards the creation of a fully professional T20 league in the future.”Whilst there are operational details still to be worked out, we are thrilled to see the amount of progress already made. We look forward to Minor League Cricket delivering a regular diet of competitive domestic cricket and new playing opportunities for domestic cricketers up and down the country in 2020, as the ambitious plans for Major League Cricket continue to be developed in parallel.”Other cities listed as part of the league that have not traditionally hosted national-level cricket events in the USA which are touted to be host sites for franchises are Sacramento, Austin and St. Louis. Meanwhile, the Raleigh, North Carolina suburb of Morrisville will host a team thanks to its multi-million dollar venue at Church Street Park, which will be the site of the national championship on Labor Day weekend in September. However, the Florida facility listed on the franchise league web site is multi-sports facility Brian Piccolo Park in the suburb of Cooper City, not the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, the only ODI certified turf wicket venue in the USA.Also a surprising omission from the list of franchise cities is Indianapolis. The city’s $6 million USD World Sports Park turf wicket venue championed by former Indianapolis Mayor Gregory A. Ballard was used frequently by USA Cricket Association and ICC Americas officials as a host venue for multiple tournaments from its opening in 2015 through 2017.Cricket administrators and city officials also held discussions around that time of possibly relocating the new headquarters to Indianapolis for both ICC Americas and the newly formed governing body in the USA, which became USA Cricket, before both organisations settled on Colorado Springs, Colorado. No major tournaments have been held there since 2017 though and relations between cricket administrators and city officials have weakened since Mayor Ballard did not seek re-election after his second four-year term ended in 2015.Many of the locations listed for the league do not have turf wicket facilities, including New York. USA Cricket administrators insinuated that they would be flexible with regards to playing on non-turf wicket venues for certain locations until facilities are upgraded.”It is extremely exciting for all of us who are involved in it and we collectively feel like this is a game-changing moment for domestic cricket in the USA,” Higgins said on Friday night regarding the launch of the Minor League T20 during the USA Cricket AGM on Friday night. “We anticipate that they will include 22 teams playing a regular dose of competitive cricket across the entire summer played on the best available facilities with the majority of those fixtures being played on turf and on venues where investment is being made to improve the quality of those turf wickets and facilities generally.”We anticipate there being prize money and we anticipate the matches being streamed and some of them being broadcast live in order to add additional impact around this particular tournament.”According to the press release, the competition will be played on a regional basis over the course of nine weeks with a total of 170 matches. Rosters will be made up of semi-pro players and potentially some full-fledged paid professionals while each team will have roster spots guaranteed for players in an U-21 age category. Teams will be divided into four divisions format with the top teams qualifying to advance to a national final from September 5-7 in North Carolina.USA Cricket also announced that they would also resumed national championship tournaments this summer, including tournaments in men’s, U-17 and U-14 boys categories. The last sanctioned national championship by an ICC-affiliated governing body in the USA was the 2015 USA Cricket Association National Championships, which took place that April in Florida.USA Cricket’s release stated that Houston would host both junior national championships while the men’s national championship will be held over Memorial Day weekend at a location to be determined from May 23 to 25.
Aston Villa secured another European victory on Thursday evening, defeating Lille 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League ahead of their second leg.
Ollie Watkins was the hero yet again, scoring his 25th goal of a truly wonderful season, and it could well power Villa into the semi-finals of a European competition.
Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins.
Unai Emery has relied on the Englishman often this season. With the summer transfer window fast approaching, could he aim to sign another centre-forward who could take the pressure off of him?
Aston Villa transfer news
According to reports in the Italian media (via GIVEMESPORT), Villa are seemingly showing interest in a deal to sign Bolgona striker Joshua Zirkzee this summer.
It has also been reported elsewhere that he could cost up to €70m (£60m) should Emery make a concrete effort to secure his signature, and they are not the only team interested in the centre-forward.
Joshua Zirkzee at Bayern Munich
The likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool are all clubs who could make a move for the Bologna gem, and given their vast resources, would all count themselves as favourites.
Much will depend on whether Villa secure qualification for the Champions League, but if they do, then the club could be in a solid position to bring him to the Premier League.
Joshua Zirkzee’s statistics for Bologna this season
The former Bayern Munich striker made the move to Serie A at the start of last season after scoring four goals in just 17 appearances for the German giants.
Although he only found the back of the net on two occasions in the Italian top flight during 2022/23, he has been a revelation this term.
Ten goals and four assists have come in Serie A, with a further three goal contributions arriving in the Coppa Italia, indicating how impressive a campaign he is having.
His manager, Thiago Motta, has already hailed the striker for his qualities earlier this season, saying: “‘It was an excellent goal from a player with extraordinary qualities. He scored a similar goal in training. Joshua is very talented, but I want to emphasize that he also works very hard for it."
This was after he scored against Sassuolo last year and there is no doubt he could supercharge Watkins should he end up at Villa.
Emery could partner the former Brentford striker with Zirkzee next term to devastating effect. The Spaniard tends to use a 4-4-2 formation and, often, Moussa Diaby has been deployed alongside Watkins, but he isn’t an out-and-out striker.
The duo could form a solid partnership that would terrorise opposition defences, when you consider that the England international already has 25 goals this term, in the Premier League and in the Champions League, if Villa qualify, that is.
Emery may have to move a player or two on this summer in order to comply with financial fair play regulations, but signing a young talent like Zirkzee is exactly the model that Emery should be utilising, especially with how limitless his potential is.
The next few matches are absolutely crucial with regard to securing a top four finish and another defeat, this time to Arsenal on the weekend, could be a significant blow.