The Australia captain has spent the last three seasons with the Perth Scorchers
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jul-2020Australia women’s captain Meg Lanning will return to the Melbourne Stars for the Women’s Big Bash League following three seasons with the Perth Scorchers.The move had been expected for some time but the contracting embargo for the tournament was only lifted last Friday due the disrupted off-season with Covid-19.Lanning, who has signed a three-year deal, previously played for the Stars in the first two editions of the WBBL where she scored 1062 runs and was the team’s leading run-scorer in both campaigns. She then missed her first season with the Scorchers due to a shoulder injury before scoring 920 runs across her next two competitions.ALSO READ: WBBL to feature three-week Sydney hub amid Covid-19 contingenciesWhile the move brings her back to her home state – she also plays for Victoria in the Women’s National Cricket League – Lanning talked of the chance of being able to work with a group of young players and new coach Trent Woodhill as a key factor. Whether Lanning will take the captaincy is still being discussed.”His knowledge of the T20 game and to have worked with so many great players and different franchises in different tournaments is great experience to have,” Lanning said. “So I’m certainly looking forward to working with him and seeing what his philosophy is on T20 cricket especially.”I’d like to thank everyone in Perth for their support during my time there but it’s great to be back in Melbourne”I’m proud to have been part of the first couple of years at the Melbourne Stars and I’m looking forward getting back involved with the club. We’ve got an exciting group and I can’t wait to start working with those players and the coaching staff as well.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe Stars finished bottom of the table last season with just two victories in 14 matches and are the only team never to reach the finals series in the WBBL.”Having Meg back at the Stars is huge, it’s almost like starting again,” Woodhill said. “It’s the chance for the Stars to reset. We won’t be putting too much pressure on Meg to be the star of the show, but we know Meg is a star of world cricket.”We want to be able to provide her with the environment where she can thrive, and bring out the best in her by having as much fun as possible through success and establishing a winning culture.”The WBBL is set to begin on October 17 with the final on November 29. Lanning won’t have the chance to play on home soil in Melbourne until the end of the league stage with the season having been centered around a three-week Sydney hub following the opening two weekends in Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Tasmania.Part of the reasoning behind that was to give the tournament extra flexibility if Covid-19 forces changes to the schedule and it has also aided in getting an increase in broadcast matches.
West Ham United's hopes of securing a fourth successive season in European competition have withered away and David Moyes is looking increasingly likely to end his tenure at the London Stadium.
While the Hammers are only one point behind a European qualifying spot in the Premier League – seventh – Newcastle United have a four-point buffer above having played a game less.
West Ham manager David Moyes.
Moreover, West Ham must travel to Chelsea and Manchester City during their final three games and, frankly, need to win both to stand a fighting chance of leapfrogging the Magpies.
This doesn't appear likely, bringing Moyes' illustrious tenure to a natural conclusion, with the 61-year-old Scotsman out of contract at the end of the campaign.
West Ham's manager shortlist
According to The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg, West Ham have already spoken with German manager Hansi Flick as they seek a successor to Moyes' position in the dugout.
Julen Lopetegui has also held discussions with the Hammers while high-flying Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim was forced to apologise after jetting to London to hold face-to-face talks with West Ham last week, and while that deal looked dead in the water, Portuguese reports on Monday claim that West Ham have since sent a scout to watch Amorim's side in action.
Hansi Flick
United sporting director Tim Steidten may well end up moving for Flick, with his trophy-winning expertise at the highest level and brand of football making him the ideal fit at the London Stadium.
Why West Ham should appoint Hansi Flick
Described as a "world-class" coach by reporter Stefan Bienkowski in the past, Flick rose to the fore with electric speed at Bayern Munich, succeeding Niko Kovac in 2019 and going on to win the treble during his first campaign at the helm.
Focusing on high-temp attacking football, Flick unshackled Bayern from the struggle that had seen them start terribly in the Bundesliga and quickly cemented himself as one of the game's elite-level bosses.
Typically fielding a 4-2-3-1 formation, the 59-year-old would instil within the West Ham squad a newfound sense of attacking freedom while maintaining the skeleton, ensuring that the squad, so replete with technical quality, could shift toward a new style of play while maintaining the same kind of positional role.
Were Amorim to arrive at West Ham this summer, the Hammers would be required to undergo a dramatic transformation from the disciplined and pragmatic brand of football that Moyes has found trophy-winning success in east London. Indeed, the Portuguese's three-man defence and progressive, possession-heavy tactics would call for expensive ventures into the market to land high-quality, ball-playing defenders and artful midfield maestros, commanding and cultured both.
FIFA World Cup
Germany assistant
1x (2014)
German Bundesliga
Bayern Munich
2x (19/20), (20/21)
Champions League
Bayern Munich
1x (19/20)
DFB Pokal
Bayern Munich
1x (19/20)
UEFA Super Cup
Bayern Munich
1x (20/21)
DFL-Supercup
Bayern Munich
1x (20/21)
Flick's silverware-clinching record extends beyond just that Herculean year with Bayern Munich. Flick was second in command of the German national team when Joachim Low's squad charged toward the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and heralded as the brains behind the historic success.
Amorim, who is 39, might be sure and exciting in his craft but there is plenty of risk involved in bringing him to the Premier League at this maiden stage of his career – this is likely why Liverpool opted against the tactician and moved for Arne Slot of Feyenoord.
Only a few years ago, Flick was regarded as “one of the best coaches in the world”, and while West Ham don't have the firepower nor the pedigree of Manchester City, Arsenal and the heaviest hitters that the Premier League has to offer, he would find an immensely talented unit with ample room to build and progress toward heights beyond the glory days of recent years.
West Ham could keep Paqueta by appointing "perfect" Amorim alternative
This manager might just prove to be the right fit to succeed David Moyes at the London Stadium.
BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Pat Nevin wouldn't be surprised if a £50 million star chooses to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer, and he believes the player would really suit Ange Postecoglou's system.
The key areas where Spurs could make new signings for 24/25
There are a number of key areas which Postecoglou could look to strengthen when the window reopens, one of which is at centre-back.
Pundit urges Levy to seal "incredibly affordable" deal after Tottenham news
He could be an astute summer purchase.
ByEmilio Galantini Apr 18, 2024
The Spurs boss has admitted that his side could go and sign another central defender, regardless of capturing Radu Dragusin for £25 million from Genoa, as it is an area of the squad which Postecoglou thinks needs more reinforcement.
As well as in defence, many reports are suggesting that technical director Johan Lange and the Tottenham recruitment team are keen on signing a new goalscoring winger as well, with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze and Wolves winger Pedro Neto among the big names linked in recent months.
Son Heung-min
7.34
James Maddison
7.28
Pedro Porro
7.10
Manor Solomon
7.05
Cristian Romero
7.02
With Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg looking more and more likely to depart in the summer window, rumours have been circulating over the possibility of a new midfielder coming in, and one name regularly mentioned is Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.
The 24-year-old has been crucial for Mauricio Pochettino's side, starting the vast majority of games as one of their star players, but PSR worries at Stamford Bridge mean Chelsea may have to sell Gallagher as his contract ticks down towards expiry in 2025.
The "very underrated" England international hasn't committed to an extension, so Chelsea selling £50 million Gallagher for pure profit is a real possibility, rather than losing him for nothing next year.
Pat Nevin says Gallagher could choose to join Tottenham
Speaking to the media, as relayed by The Metro, pundit Nevin says Gallagher could choose to join Tottenham and that the player would be perfect for Postecoglou's system.
“In an ideal world where finances are all balanced, Chelsea would absolutely not be looking to sell Conor Gallagher. I can’t imagine it, it’s unthinkable," said Nevin this week.
"Similar to when Mason Mount left. But if the finances say you need to do it then you need to do it. It may be unbelievably painful for a lot of Chelsea fans because, as someone said to me the other day, it feels like selling the family silver. Chelsea have been selling off bits of the stadium and hotels and it’s slightly discomforting but the accountants are in control really.
Chelsea's Conor Gallagher.
“You wouldn’t be surprised if he went to someone like Spurs signed Conor Gallagher, obviously that would be particularly painful for Chelsea fans. But what a player he would be for them, I’d probably say he’s better suited to Spurs, the way he plays.
“The transfer situation is really quite delicate with Chelsea because we don’t know who is making the decisions and that’s what it comes down to. If it comes down to the manager then he will make changes and will want to get rid of a number of players and bring in more experience in certain areas."
Ange Postecoglou has unquestionably brought improvements to Tottenham Hotspur, anointed after the end of the 2022/23 campaign, but to say there is work still to be done would be an understatement.
The Australian manager took headlines back in March when he said "I don't see fourth as the prize," stating that he views the true measure of Spurs' development through collective growth and assimilation of the tactics, philosophy and commitment to the cause.
"I don't want to finish fourth if we haven't grown as a team and developed as a team. If nobody believes me then that's fine. Part of the narrative is to push you in these kind of positions where you think that fourth is some kind of achievement that gives you something for next year."
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham are currently fifth in the Premier League and are just three of Aston Villa in the top four. They have a game in hand. They finished eighth last season, missing out on European competition entirely. There's everything to play for. There's everything to look ahead to.
Even if Spurs miss out on a place in Europe's golden tournament next year, Postecoglou should be content with his team's progress, even if recent contests have exposed issues in relation to hold-up play, sturdiness and collective cohesion.
Micky van de Ven was brought in from Wolfsburg in a £43m transfer last summer to restore the backline and the 22-year-old has done a stellar job in his maiden year in England, but he's not indestructible and will need time to refine his skills into something of world-class quality.
Tottenham possibly need a bit more leadership and composure, and while he had fallen by the wayside in his last days down N17, Eric Dier looks enlivened on the biggest stages with Bayern Munich.
Why Eric Dier was sold
Dier was chucked to the fringe under Postecoglou at Tottenham and provided with chances only with every alternative option exhausted, featuring just four times this season before moving to Bayern Munich in January, six months before his contractual expiry in north London.
He has been a mainstay in Thomas Tuchel's team, winning talkSPORT's Man of the Match against Arsenal as his side advanced to the Champions League semi-finals this week and leading journalist Henry Winter to praise him for "intervening calmly, defending resolutely and ensuring a clean sheet."
Against the Gunners at the Allianz Arena, the 30-year-old won all four of his ground duels, completed 92% of his passes and made four tackles, three interceptions and two clearances, as per Sofascore.
This quality, clearly dormant during his final days as a Tottenham player, would certainly make an impression on Postecoglou's side right now.
He may not have the elite athleticism of Van de Ven, and he might not be endowed with the technical prowess of the aggressive Cristian Romero, but there is no question that Dier's industriousness is glowing at Bayern, alongside Harry Kane.
Matches played
11
Matches started
9
Pass completion
92%
Tackles per game
0.6
Clearances per game
3.1
Ball recoveries per game
3.6
Duels won per game
4.0 (72%)
But Dier was always heading for the exit at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, failing to produce the kind of performances that Postecoglou demands and coming off the back of a torrid 2022/23 campaign that brutally illuminated Spurs' deficiencies.
However, Tottenham clearly need something extra in the rearguard and while Dier's departure was timely in the circumstances, perhaps even six months too late, Tottenham may not want to let Joe Rodon leave as well, with the Welshman excelling on loan in the Championship with Leeds United and boasting higher potential.
Spurs will regret selling Joe Rodon
Rodon signed for Tottenham from Swansea City in a £15m move back in 2020 but he has only started eight times in the Premier League and, at 26, will not want to return to Postecoglou's squad without assurances of regular match action.
A key part of Leeds' promotion push this term, Rodon has chalked up 40 appearances in the Championship this season, keeping 17 clean sheets, completing 91% of his passes, averaging 4.2 ball recoveries and 4.6 clearances per game and coming out on top in 66% of his duels, as per Sofascore.
Daniel Farke, Leeds manager, has even praised his "warrior mentality" and rightly so, having performed with crispness and composure in the backline, robust and energetic too.
Rodon ranks among the top 4% of centre-backs across divisions similar to the Championship over the past year for pass completion and passes attempted and the top 20% for progressive passes and aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref.
He's got years of mileage left in the tank and is demonstrating his ball-playing expertise and willingness to progress the play at Elland Road.
Leeds United's loan defender Joe Rodon.
With Tottenham's power of ball retention coming into question of late, Rodon could add that all-important extra dimension to keep Postecoglou's project heading in the right direction, especially with the expected return of continental, midweek football to challenge the squad after the summer.
However, more latterly, Dier has rekindled the solidness that earned him plaudits for much of his career – after all, the 49-cap England international played a regular role in the most successful period of Tottenham's history in several decades, albeit without silverware.
With figures of £20m being mooted and Football Insider recently revealing that Rodon is among the list of expected departures in north London this summer, might it be that Spurs would make a mistake by allowing him to drift away? After all, Dier is perhaps already proving Postecoglou wrong, and Rodon could be next to do the same.
Spurs have a "generational" teen talent who could be the new Dele Alli
This star could rival players such as James Maddison for a spot in Postecoglou’s first-team in good time.
ByAngus Sinclair Apr 17, 2024
While Van de Ven and Romero make up the starring defensive axis at Tottenham, with Radu Dragusin signed for £27m from Genoa in January to compensate for Dier's departure, Spurs do have options – with talented youngsters Alfie Dorrington and Ashley Phillips hoping to make an impression in the years to come too.
But Rodon could be a major player next season, adding depth and dynamism to compete across numerous fronts.
تعرض فريق ريال مدريد لهزيمة مذلة على ملعبه في إطار منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، مساء يوم الثلاثاء، أمام نظيره ميلان.
واستضاف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة الفريقين في إطار منافسات الجولة الرابعة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري، حيث خسر ريال مدريد بثلاثة أهداف لهدف. أهداف مباراة ريال مدريد وميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا
وشهدت الدقيقة الثالثة من عمر الشوط الأول فرصة مبكرة لصالح ريال مدريد، بعدما وجه كيليان مبابي تسديدة من خارج منطقة الجزاء، ولكن الكرة مرت بجوار مرمى ميلان.
وفي الدقيقة الخامسة، تصدى حارس مرمى فريق ريال مدريد لونين لفرصة من قِبل ميلان، بعدما سدد ثيو هيرنانديز الكرة تجاه مرمى أصحاب الأرض.
ونفذ لوكا مودريتش ركلة حرة لصالح ريال مدريد، في الدقيقة الثامنة، حيث صوب الكرة ناحية مرمى ميلان، ولكن الحارس ماينان يتصدى.
وكسر ميلان حاجز التعادل السلبي بعدما نجح في تسجيل الهدف الأول في الدقيقة 12.
الهدف جاء بعدما نفذ بوليسيتش ركلة ركنية حيث وصلت الكرة إلى منطقة الجزاء، وتقابل رأس مالك ثياو الذي هز شباك لونين بهدف أول لصالح ميلان.
وكاد بوليسيتش أن يسجل الهدف الثاني لصالح ميلان، بنفسه، بعدما صوب تسديدة ناحية مرمى أصحاب الأرض، إلا أن لونين أمسك الكرة.
ولم يدم تفوق ميلان طويلًا، حيث تمكن ريال مدريد من تسجيل هدف التعادل عن طريق ضربة جزاء، في الدقيقة 22.
كان إيمرسون قد تدخل على فينيسيوس جونيور داخل المنطقة والحكم منح ريال مدريد ضربة جزاء، ونفذها البرازيلي بنجاح، محولًا إياها إلى هدف التعادل.
وعاد ميلان من جديد للتقدم بعدما استغل خطأ من تشواميني الذي مرر الكرة بشكل خاطئ، وبدأ ميلان هجمته حيث سدد لياو الكرة ناحية مرمى ريال مدريد، وصدها لونين، لترتد وتصل إلى موراتا الذي هز الشباك.
وكاد كيليان مبابي أن يسجل هدف التعادل لصالح ريال مدريد قبل نهاية الشوط الأول، وتحديدًا في الدقيقة 44، حيث سدد كرة قوية ولكن ماينان تألق وتصدى ببراعة.
وحصل ميلان على فرصة لتسجيل الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة 52، بعد تسديدة رأسية من لياو، ولكن حارس ريال مدريد لونين تألق وتصدى للكرة.
وأهدر مبابي أكثر من فرصة للتسجيل، حيث لم يحالفه الحظ، قبل أن يتمكن ميلان من تسجيل الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة 73.
الهدف جاء بعد انطلاقة من لياو من الجانب الأيسر للملعب، ومرر الكرة إلى تياني ريندرز الذي سددها في شباك ريال مدريد.
وتمكن أنطونيو روديجر من تقليص الفارق حيث سجل الهدف الثاني لصالح ريال مدريد في الدقيقة 81، ولكن تقنية الفيديو قررت إلغائه لوجود حالة تسلل.
بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد ميلان إلى 6 نقاط في المركز الثامن عشر، في حين تجمد رصيد ريال مدريد عند 6 نقاط في المركز السابع عشر بفارق الأهداف.
Manchester United are believed to have found a "standout candidate" to replace Erik ten Hag as manager this summer, according to a new update on the Dutchman's future.
Man United manager latest
The Red Devils have had an up-and-down season under Ten Hag, but the negatives outweigh the positives currently, considering they look likely to miss out on a top-four finish in the Premier League.
This has led to pressure growing on the manager, especially since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's influence at Old Trafford has grown so much in recent weeks, with the boyhood United supporter potentially eyeing a change in the dugout.
Ten Hag is contracted with United until the summer of 2025, but if Ratcliffe feels that there are better options out there, he is unlikely to wait until then and risk a poor season next time around, and there have been conflicting reports flying all over the place in recent days.
While Fabrizio Romano said Ten Hag may be granted a chance under INEOS, one report has claimed that the Red Devils have already made contact with former Juventus and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte about taking charge, while former Real Madrid Champions League-winning boss Zinedine Zidane is seen as a strong option by Ratcliffe.
United chiefs identify "standout candidate"
According to Football Insider, Manchester United see Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi as a top candidate to replace Ten Hag at the end of the season. The Italian is now a serious contender, with Football Insider believing the reports indiciating Ten Hag may get some time to prove himself are untrue – Ratcliffe and co determined to make a change.
"A well-placed source has told Football Insider that De Zerbi, 44, is seen by United as a “stand-out candidate” to replace the Dutchman. Club chiefs feel his front-foot, aggressive playing style far better fits the Red Devils’ ethos than that of Ten Hag, while he also has a proven track record of improving and developing players."
De Zerbi represents an intriguing option for United, having done such an impressive job with Brighton since replacing Graham Potter, guiding them into the Europa League and awaiting a last 16 clash with Roma next month.
The 44-year-old has got the Seagulls playing some of the most attractive in the Premier League on their day, with relentless pressing and a ball-playing style standing out. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer.
De Zerbi would surely jump at the chance to go up a level and manage United, and there is an increasing feeling that Ratcliffe may not think Ten Hag is the right man for the job.
Man Utd eyeing move for "special" manager to replace Ten Hag
The Dutchman appears to be under pressure.
ByCharlie Smith Feb 29, 2024
The next few months may decide the Dutchman's future, but most important is that United's controller of football policy has exactly the right man in place, in order to help resurrect the club.
Leeds United will know picking up another victory tonight will ramp up the pressure on Ipswich Town to then travel to Cardiff City and clinch a similar result, the Whites praying that the Tractor Boys have an off-day in the Welsh capital.
Before Leeds get carried away however, Daniel Farke's automatic promotion hopefuls will have to overcome a resurgent Sheffield Wednesday side who have won five of their last six matches in the Championship.
Still, when you consider the Owls' lowly 23rd ranking in the division compared to Leeds' superiority up in third spot, anything but a win for the travelling Whites will be considered not good enough.
Patrick Bamford could well drop out of Farke's XI for the short trip to Hillsborough, with the 30-year-old centre-forward ineffective up top last match against Stoke City.
Patrick Bamford
Patrick Bamford's performance vs Stoke in numbers
It would have been wildly optimistic to expect Bamford to keep firing on all cylinders at the rate he was, the injury-prone attacker bagging six goals this season all condensed into the last three months before this out-of-sorts display against the Potters.
The well-regarded Leeds servant would muster up just two efforts on the Stoke goal in the 1-0 win, with Bamford's blushes spared by Daniel James' tricky feet enabling the Welshman to score a wonderful strike to win the tight affair.
Club played for
Games
Goals scored
Assists
Derby County
1
1
0
Middlesbrough
3
0
1
Leeds United
3
0
0
Away from James' heroics, Bamford was timid in contrast with a lacklustre 31 touches managed and just 18 accurate passes tallied up before being substituted off late into the second 45 minutes.
This poor night overall for the revitalised Whites figure could see him drop out of his manager's plans for the nail-biting clash with Wednesday, with Joel Piroe waiting in the wings ready to take his chance in the starting lineup at the expense of his teammate.
Joel Piroe as Bamford's replacement
Piroe should lead the line with more confidence than the quiet number nine against the Owls, even with the former Swansea City man wanting to break his Championship goalscoring duck against Danny Rohl's side.
The Dutchman last bagged a goal for Leeds in the middle of last month, returning to his ex-employers in the Swans by firing in an effort in the routine 4-0 win.
That was four games ago however, with the 6 foot 1 striker now eager to add to his second-tier goal tally of 11 at Hillsborough by striking fear into the Owls defence.
Piroe was impactful from off the bench against Stoke last time out, even when being deployed as a number ten in that game as opposed to slotting in as the lone attacker.
The silky 24-year-old – who was once described as being "clinical" by football journalist Josh Bunting – did fail to register an effort on Daniel Iversen's goal from his 17 minutes on the pitch but was a creative spark nonetheless by setting up a big chance at Elland Road.
Yet, his performances elsewhere this season backs up Bunting's complimentary label for the Dutch forward.
Joel Piroe
Piroe would need just one shot on goal to score against Swansea in February, whilst also not fooling around against Ipswich Town last December with a strike buried from just 25 touches of the ball.
Farke will hope that this call will see Leeds stroll to a confident three points in South Yorkshire, with the Whites still assured in their own ability that they can pip Ipswich and any other rivals to second place.
Aston Villa’s revival under Unai Emery has restored their reputation as one of the biggest teams in the country and the Spaniard has them flying this term.
Not only are the Midlands outfit in contention for a Champions League spot, but they have also qualified for the last 16 of the Europa Conference League and will take on Dutch giants Ajax for a place in the quarter-finals.
The former Paris Saint-Germain boss has been savvy in the transfer market, managing to lure talents such as Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres to Villa Park despite bigger teams showing interest in the pair, and they have become important members of the squad.
Not only that, but Emery has also managed to get rid of some deadwood too. Out went Danny Ings last January for £15m, while young striker Cameron Archer was moved on to Sheffield United in a deal worth around £18m and this has given the manager funds to bolster his side.
This summer could see even more players in the Villa side moved on, with Lucas Digne surely being someone who Emery could sell for a decent fee, as he has failed to truly showcase his talents since joining from Everton two years ago.
How much Aston Villa paid for Lucas Digne
Following the arrival of Steven Gerrard as the new manager in November 2021, the winter transfer window a few months later was his first chance to bring in players to improve his squad.
Philippe Coutinho was his most high profile addition as the Brazilian joined on loan from Barcelona, while the likes of Calum Chambers and Robin Olsen also moved to Villa.
The only signing that cost Gerrard any money was that of Digne, who cost £25m from the Goodison Park side and the move was looked upon as an excellent piece of business, with the manager praising the defender, saying:
"When Lucas became available we jumped at the opportunity to bring him to the club.
"To sign a player of his pedigree and quality in the January window is a great addition to our squad and his arrival excites me and everyone associated with Aston Villa."
Despite the fact clubs such as Newcastle United and Chelsea were keen on signing Digne, he chose Villa and it was certainly a coup.
It hasn’t quite worked out for him in the Midlands, however, as he has failed to really live up to such a lavish fee, while draining the club of a staggering sum of money in wages too.
Lucas Digne’s wage at Aston Villa
When the Frenchman signed in 2022, his wage was reportedly £120k-per-week and this did not change up until the 2023/24 season.
Compared to other players at Villa, his weekly wage is the seventh highest among his teammates, with Boubacar Kamara and Clement Lenglet each earning £150k-per-week, and it proves that he is one of their higher earners.
There is no doubt that this money could be utilised either in other areas of the first-team squad, or by replacing Digne with a player who is younger and showing more long-term potential.
Top ten highest earners at Aston Villa
Clement Lenglet
£150k-per-week
Boubacar Kamara
£150k-per-week
Youri Tielemans
£150k-per-week
Moussa Diaby
£130k-per-week
Ollie Watkins
£130k-per-week
John McGinn
£120k-per-week
Lucas Digne
£120k-per-week
Emiliano Martínez
£120k-per-week
Leon Bailey
£120k-per-week
Diego Carlos
£100k-per-week
Via Capology
The 30-year-old has a contract until the end of the 2025/26 season and this means Emery could potentially recoup a decent amount of the £25m that Gerrard shelled out for him by moving him on this summer.
Over the previous two years, Digne has rinsed Villa dry of a significant amount of money.
Lucas Digne’s Aston Villa statistics
Following his mid-season arrival from the Toffees, Digne looked like he could play a solid part in the Gerrard era, as he registered four assists in just 16 Premier League games for the club and his attacking threat added something extra to the side.
With a whole pre-season behind him, the onus was for Digne to improve and become one of Gerrard’s key men as he aimed to lead them to a European spot during the 2022/23 season.
After a dismal start to the campaign which saw the former Rangers' manager dismissed in October, Emery did improve things between then and the end of the season, but Digne failed to follow up on his promise from the end of the 2021/22 season.
Lucas-digne-aston-villa
In 31 matches in all competitions, he registered just one assist and no goals, and he has struggled somewhat again this season.
The Frenchman has missed a few games due to injury, starting 18 matches in the top flight and recording only two assists.
Among his teammates, Digne currently ranks just eighth for big chances created (two) in the league, while also ranking ninth for accurate passes per game (27.3), 17th for successful dribbles per game (0.2) and fifth for tackles per game (1.5) and these statistics prove that he is far from the attacking dynamo that Emery requires.
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Prior to the left-back joining Villa, he was criticised by former Everton defender Michael Ball as a player who had a “weak mentality” and during his two years at Villa Park, Digne has failed to demonstrate the talents which once saw him play for PSG and Barcelona.
Combining his £25m transfer fee with the £12.5m wages that he has earned since January 2022, the total amount of money that the defender cost the club is a staggering £37.5m, and he has contributed just 12 goal involvements during his 24 months at the club.
These statistics are poor, and he is not getting any younger, indicating that Emery might be wise to consider selling him when the summer transfer window rolls around in a few months.
It is clear that the manager is building a squad which could challenge the upper echelons of the Premier League, with the arrivals of Diaby and Torres proof that big talents do want to join the revolution at Villa Park.
In order to raise funds, however, certain players may have to depart and considering just how much money Digne has rinsed Villa for since arriving under Gerrard a couple of years ago, he could well be the first name on Emery’s list of potential departures.
It's been a season full of frustration for Newcastle United, who made such significant progress in the previous campaign by qualifying for the Champions League. After a summer of transfers to forget, followed by a limited winter window, they could now see their misery compiled by the potential exit of a vital cog in the St James' Park machine.
Newcastle exit news
Throughout the January transfer window, the likes of Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Kieran Trippier were among the players to be linked with moves away from Newcastle, who found themselves walking a profit and sustainability tightrope due to their reported £155m in losses over the last three seasons. Despite that figure, however, Eddie Howe kept hold of his stars.
It remains to be seen whether that will be the case during the summer though, with Joelinton potentially one to keep an eye on. The Brazilian's contract runs out in the summer of 2025 and Howe admitted that he could yet leave, saying via BBC Sport: "He has 18 months left on his contract so it's a possibility he'll be sold in the summer."
Newcastle now winning the race to sign “wonderful” in-demand gem for Howe
This would be some coup…
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Making matters worse, it's not just those on the pitch that the Magpies have to worry about. According to Wayne Veysey of Football Insider, Dan Ashworth has agreed terms with Manchester United to become their first-ever sporting director. Ashworth – currently the sporting director at Newcastle – would take a lengthy period of gardening leave before completing his Old Trafford switch to join up with Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
It would be some blow for Newcastle, given how vital Ashworth's been to their project since 2022, building a squad capable of reaching the Premier League's top four. Just who they get in to replace the former Brighton & Hove Albion man is not yet clear, but Luke Edwards has claimed that former Liverpool man Michael Edwards is a name which has crept up in conversations.
Major blow for Newcastle
One of the most impressive in his role, Ashworth's exit, should it occur, could leave Newcastle's project under PIF in tatters. Meanwhile, Manchester United would be getting the perfect sporting director to finally start to organise the chaos of Old Trafford.
Gary Neville has already given his seal of approval when it comes to Ashworth too, posting on X back in November of last year:
At a time when Newcastle have been left more frustrated than ever off the pitch under PIF, Ashworth's exit would be coming at the worst time possible ahead of a vital summer transfer window. Not only will the Magpies have to think about incomings to improve Howe's side, but also restructuring away from St James' Park, potentially forced to replace their sporting director.