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With a deal to sign Matthijs de Ligt seemingly edging closer and closer, Manchester United have now reportedly set their sights on signing another defensive reinforcement for Erik ten Hag, even taking pole position for his signature.

Man Utd transfer news

Now that Ten Hag's Old Trafford future is sealed, it's no surprise that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and new sporting director Dan Ashworth instantly turned their attention towards reinforcements. And with deals reportedly close for both De Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee, things are starting to come together at Manchester United ahead of a vital third campaign under Ten Hag.

Following such a disappointing season last time out, however, the Red Devils will need more than just two fresh faces through the door. Their FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester City only papered over the cracks of what was ultimately a campaign that centred around United's failure to finish inside the Premier League's top four.

Looking to instantly rectify that next season, likely with De Ligt and Zirkzee through the door sooner rather than later, the Red Devils have been keeping a keen eye on Euro 2024 and one particular standout.

Italian media report talks of Man Utd signing Italy star in Sancho swap

Sancho could hand the Red Devils a parting gift…

By
Tom Cunningham

Jul 11, 2024

According to Calcio Mercato, Manchester United are now in pole position to sign Ferdi Kadioglu from Fenerbahce this summer as they look to take one of former manager Jose Mourinho's best players in a deal worth just €30m (£25m).

The left-back starred at Euro 2024 in an impressive Turkey side eventually eliminated at the last eight stage by the Netherlands in a narrow 2-1 defeat, and the Red Devils are now "above all" with their interest in the player.

The defeat far from tainted the reputation that Kadioglu built up throughout the tournament, and he still remains an in-demand player this summer. Given how Luke Shaw struggled for fitness last season, welcoming Kadioglu would represent solid business from a Manchester United standpoint as they look to hand Ten Hag much-needed defensive depth.

"Menace" Kadioglu can push Shaw for a starting spot

Competition for places is crucial for any side looking to finish inside the Premier League's top four and competition is exactly what Kadioglu would offer Shaw down the left-hand side.

His presence would push the England international more than ever, especially if Tyrell Malacia needs to ease himself back up to pace after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Dubbed a "menace" by Zach Lowy after such an impressive Euros performance, Kadioglu could steal plenty of headlines this summer.

For just £25m, United would be landing a player who could instantly replace Shaw in both the short and long-term at 24 years old and fresh from capturing plenty of attention on one of football's biggest stages this summer.

Sunderland will have everything crossed this off-season that they can somehow keep hold of Jack Clarke ahead of the coming campaign, valiantly fending off any suitors interested in their star-man's services as a positive Championship term awaits.

Regis Le Bris will know, even if Clarke does stay put, that the Black Cats need a sprinkling of firepower in the forward positions, having been far too goal-shy last campaign away from the exploits of the ex-Leeds United winger.

That much-needed quality to lead the line looked to be arriving into the building in the form of SM Caen sharp shooter Alexandre Mendy, but that move has gone somewhat awry, as other options are now eyed up this summer by the Wearside outfit.

Sunderland looking at cheap Mendy alternative

As per a report by Slovenian outlet Planet Nogomet, with this development being further relayed by the Roker Report, Sunderland are one of a number of clubs expected to pounce on Bordeaux's unfortunate bankruptcy as a move for Slovenian striker Zan Vipotnik is considered.

Whoever does end up winning his services, with Hadjuk Split, FC Twente and VFL Bochum named as other interested parties from across Europe, the lucky winner would be gaining Vipotnik for free after his contract with the ex-Ligue 2 team was torn up after the club went out of business.

The Slovenia international will be on the hunt for a new place to call home, therefore, with Sunderland hopeful he will pick England over the other array of potential next onward destinations.

With Mendy's move to the Stadium of Light stuck on hold at this moment in time, the Black Cats might see this swoop as an easier one to get over the line, owing to the 22-year-old's new free agent status.

Starring for Bordeaux before their recent demise, Vipotnik had also managed to garner a reputation for being a reliable striker in the same league as Mendy, but could be snapped up for £0 away from his fellow attacker's bold £4.2m price-tag.

What Vipotnik can offer Sunderland

Le Bris clearly wants to add in top talents from his native country this summer, having come up against these stars in the flesh when he was still Lorient manager, allowing him to get a flavour for how they perform before now swooping in.

Vipotnik managed to bag ten goals last season in all competitions for his now-defunct club, taking his overall career goal tally to 44 strikes from 122 games playing in his home country of Slovenia and beyond.

There is definitely room for the in-demand 22-year-old to develop further and hone in on his skills in front of goal too, with 16 big chances missed for Vipotnik last season, with ten goals an impressive tally overall from just 25 starts.

Only needing 14.2 touches per clash in order to regularly make an impact, the free agent forward could live more up to his billing as a "poacher" – as was handed to him by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – surrounded by the likes of Clarke feeding him chances on Wearside.

The goal above from Nazariy Rusyn last campaign showcases Clarke at his explosive best darting forward for the Black Cats, twisting and turning shirts attempting to shut him out, before finding his Ukrainian teammate to tap home.

Vipotnik could well excel playing in a similar manner, with Rusyn only finding the back of the net a meagre two times last campaign in the second tier, which has left Sunderland hunting for a potent striker.

This means that Clarke could help Vipotnik to shine by creating high-quality chances for the forward to find the back of the net, which is backed up by his 12 'big chances' created in the division last term.

Mendy's 22 goals in Ligue 2 could well have filled that gap, but with that move taking an age to get over the line, seeking out a cheap alternative in Vipotnik could prove to be a shrewd move to ensure that the Black Cats bolster their strike force before the window slams shut.

Move over Mendy: Sunderland could reignite interest in exciting attacker

Sunderland could well have other striker targets in mind away from Alexandre Mendy.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 23, 2024

The Football Association (FA) is investigating allegations that suspended referee David Coote discussed giving a yellow card before a match.

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• Coote faces fresh investigation
• Allegedly sent messages about yellow card
• Official denies wrongdoing

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The official, who has been suspended by Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) after a video surfaced showing him making disparaging remarks about Liverpool and former manager Jurgen Klopp, is now under investigation over text messages he sent to friends, reports.

  Coote, however, denies any wrongdoing in this instance. A statement from the referee said: "Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life they have never affected my decision-making on the field. I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The latest incident occurred the day before a Championship match between Leeds and West Brom, with Coote's friend allegedly joking with the referee about showing a yellow card to then-Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski. The player was booked in the 18th minute of the match.

  The person Coote allegedly discussed it with told : "My first contact with David Coote was online. When I got talking to him a bit more, I found out about his job as a football referee. I jokingly told him to give Alioski a yellow card in the Leeds United game the following day against West Bromwich Albion, so I could back this in the bookies. He sarcastically replied: ‘Haha will see’. Just 18 minutes into the game the next day Alioski was booked. It was Leeds’ only yellow card in the match. He messaged me a while after the game and said: ‘I hope you backed as discussed’."

• DID YOU KNOW?

  After the initial video of Coote discussing Liverpool emerged, another appearing to showing the referee snorting a white powder during Euro 2024 surfaced online. The latest allegations put the referee and PGMOL under more pressure, and the latter says it has opened an investigation, while the FA is running its own.

  "The facts need to be established in light of these very serious allegations," a PGMOL statement read. "We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of our Integrity Code of Conduct, which is signed by all match officials on an annual basis. PGMOL Board is committed to taking the appropriate action should any breach of that Code be proven. David Coote remains suspended and subject to an ongoing disciplinary process by PGMOL, separate to the investigation into this matter which will be carried out independently by the FA."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The investigations into Coote's behaviour are still ongoing, but the official is not expected to be seen in Premier League matches in the near future.

It's been a relatively quiet transfer window for Arsenal so far this summer, although things are now finally starting to happen.

The biggest saga for the Gunners thus far has been the one surrounding Riccardo Calafiori's incredibly drawn-out move from Bologna, but that finally looks to be coming to an end.

At the same time, the North Londoners look to be progressing in their pursuit of Mikel Merino, and they have reportedly opened talks with Paris Saint-Germain over Fabian Ruiz.

However, it's not all about the incomings, and perhaps the most talked about bit of news among Arsenal fans over the last couple of days has been the potential exit of Emile Smith Rowe.

The Hale End graduate finally looks to be on his way out of the club and for a healthy fee at that, leaving one player with little to no competition and a valuation to match.

The latest on Smith Rowe

According to recent reports, Smith Rowe will likely leave Arsenal in the coming days to join West London outfit Fulham for a fee of around £35m.

The Gunners reportedly turned down a £30m bid last week, but with no clear pathway back into the first team, they found the follow-up offer acceptable, and considering the Englishman will now be the Cottagers' record signing, it's not a bad deal.

However, there has been an understandably glum sentiment about this move among the Gunners faithful due to his rise from the academy to the first team, only for injuries to derail his trajectory. After all, when he first burst onto the scene, the Emirates' favourite song was about him and Bukayo Saka.

In his 115 appearances for the North Londoners, he scored 18 goals and 13 assists, and his departure is going to leave one player practically unchallenged, a player who is now worth considerably more money, but once cost slightly less.

Martin Odegaard's valuation in 2024

The player in question is club captain Martin Odegaard, who cost Arsenal about £30m when he joined the club on a permanent deal from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021.

Ironically, one of the main concerns from some fans at the time was that in signing the Norwegian international, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed a "pure talent", the club would put Smith Rowe's development in jeopardy and, well, three years later, the former Madrid ace is the club captain and the Englishman is set to leave.

Not only that, but the Drammen-born superstar is now worth magnitudes more, with the CIES Football Observatory valuing him up to a staggering €128m, which converts to about £108m, or around £73m more than the Hale End star.

This price tag is undeniably lofty, but based on the last few years of brilliant performances and excellent leadership, it would be hard to call it undeserved.

For example, in 153 appearances for the Gunners, the 25-year-old dynamo has scored 34 goals and provided 38 assists, meaning he has averaged a goal involvement every 2.77 games.

Moreover, given his age and how he has improved year-on-year at the Emirates, there is no reason not to think that his impressive development will stop anytime soon, which is an exciting prospect.

Ultimately, the idea of Smith Rowe playing for another club next season is a genuinely sad one for many Arsenal fans due to his connection with the club. Still, they can send him their well-wishes, safe in the knowledge that, in Odegaard, they already have a world-class attacking midfielder ready to lead them to eventual glory.

Arsenal move for "sensational" £21m Neto alternative who's like Saka

The impressive international would be an excellent addition to the Gunners’ squad.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 26, 2024

Florentino Perez has told Real Madrid members they need to sell their shares to keep paying the wages of their superstar players.

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• Real Madrid in €2bn of debt
• Bernebau refurbishment cost €1.6bn in borrowing
• Perez urges members to sell shares in order to privatise club

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Real Madrid, who since their founding in 1902 has been owned and run by club members, look set on selling some of these members' shares for the first time ever, as club president Perez looks to pay back loans and fund expensive contracts through the gradual privatisation of the club.

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  Real Madrid have always been known as a club willing to pay over the odds for the players they want, particularly under Perez. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Vini Jr, Bellingham and countless others have all had eye-watering deals at the club, and over the years these contracts, as well as other investments – such as refurbishing the Bernabau – have seen the club slowly rack up considerable debt.

  As a result, the report that Perez's plan is to urge some club members to sell their shares in order for an investor to move in and help fund their expensive habits. There is one major issue though, as there are over 100,000 members, most of which have had their memberships passed down over generations, making them unlikely to sell.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Perez was one of the masterminds behind the failed European Super League as La Liga revenues are significantly less than those made by the Premier League, and now he is trying to find other ways to raise capital.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  Los Blancos travel to Leganes on Sunday. Should Real Madrid win, they will close the gap on first-placed Barcelona to four points, after the Catalans were held to a 2-2 draw by Celta Vigo earlier this weekend.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Vinicius Junior is set to return soon from his injury.

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• Vinicius Jr set to make quick return from injury
• Ancelotti sets return date for the Brazilian
• Could return to action against Atalanta

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Vinicius was anticipated to miss up to a month of action after suffering a biceps femoris injury in his left leg during a match against Leganes on November 24. The winger has now missed three Madrid games – a win against Getafe and defeats against Liverpool and Athletic Club.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  However, Vinicius has returned to training already and it has been said that the Brazilian could return for the upcoming clash against Girona. Ancelotti has confirmed that Vinicius is ready to return but not this weekend. Meanwhile, defender David Alaba will have to wait until next year before he is back in action.

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  WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID

  Speaking to the media, Ancelotti said: "Seeing Vinicius is good news, he has recovered very well. He won't be ready for tomorrow, but he will be ready for the Champions League. Alaba has helped us a lot in training, but he needs another month. He will be back in January. The deadline for him is next year."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR VINICIUS?

  Real Madrid will be up next against Girona on Sunday, December 8; and Vinicius will likely return to action in their next clash against Atalanta on Tuesday, December 10.

In a few days, Liverpool will step into August, the month of the "crescendo" in the transfer market, according to new sporting director Richard Hughes.

Liverpool are the only team in the Premier League yet to complete a major signing this summer as Arne Slot implements his brand of football at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp's swansong season restored stability and Champions League football, bagged the Carabao Cup, but now the Merseysiders must fight to rise further.

Can that be achieved without one or two impactful adjustments? The pragmatic undertones emanating from the club point toward a low-key conclusion to the summer's business, but that's certainly not to say that an exciting upgrade won't be brought in at one area or another.

Wataru Endo served as the specialist No. 6 last season, signed from Stuttgart for £16m after FSG fumbled other targets, but Marseille have bid for the Japanese, 31, already this summer and his conservative ball-playing style doesn't quite align with Slot's fluid, fast-moving system.

As such, Liverpool would be wise to strengthen further in defensive midfield, with an exciting up-and-comer already lined up.

Liverpool's search for a midfielder

According to a report from Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb at the weekend, Liverpool have registered an interest in Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup, having been arrested by his tough-tackling quality.

Genoa would entertain offers of €25m (roughly £21m) for the Denmark U21 international, and with Aston Villa also known suitors, Slot and Co will need to act quickly to secure the talent's services.

What Morten Frendrup would bring to Liverpool

Genoa signed rising starlet Frendrup in a shrewd €3.5m (£3m) deal back in 2022, with the deep-lying midfielder since rising to a strong position in Italian football, having amassed 89 appearances, notching ten goal contributions.

One of Europe's finest tacklers, Frendrup's 133 tackles in Serie A last season played an instrumental part in Genoa's comfortable campaign. Atalanta's Ederson, another Liverpool transfer target, recorded 83 tackles in second place, some 50 behind the 23-year-old.

Indeed, as per FBref, Frendrup ranks among the top 1% of central midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for tackles, the top 13% for interceptions and the top 17% for blocks per 90, emphasising his imperious quality in protecting his backline.

His impressive six-assist haul last season also hints toward a ball-playing quality that hasn't quite been able to be showcased at Genoa, such is the direct, counter-attacking style of football under Alberto Gilardino.

But at Liverpool, that all could change, allowing the exciting prospect to realise his lofty potential at the heartland of Slot's system. Endo could play an important role over the coming campaign, but he's probably not the solution in the biggest moments when ball-playing fluidity needs to be at its apex.

Frendrup must be signed and moulded into a world-beater.

Why Frendrup would be an upgrade on Wataru Endo

Frendrup might not have been able to showcase his passing quality to the extent that Liverpool scouts might have liked, but there's little question that he boasts the technical and athletic acumen to rise to the fore under Slot's wing, learning Liverpool's ways.

Genoa's tactical approach precludes ball-playing fluency of that calibre anyway. Last season, as per Opta, Genoa ranked 11th in Serie A for passes per sequence, at a rate of 3.09.

This direct style of play presented Frendrup with a tough task in utilising his passing range to his maximum, instead, the Dane was tasked with enforcing his steely authority in the middle of the park.

Moreover, the outfit's lack of average zonal control aligned with Genoa's 16th-place ranking for possession in the Italian top flight last term. This is all a roundabout way of suggesting that Frendrup would grow into the ball-focused role at Liverpool, for it is prioritised by Slot and his tactical team.

Endo, for example, completed 80% of his passes in the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign, whereas the Japan international averaged an 88% pass success rate last season with the Reds.

One thing that Endo didn't bring to the Premier League was defensive strength, not in the way that a top team like Liverpool requires. As you can see below when comparing his metrics to Frendrup's, the industrious Liverpool man simply doesn't have the kind of mettle to protect the backline that is required.

As you can see, Frendrup is a far superior defensive player, with his mobility, energy and enthusiasm in recycling possession and quashing attacking efforts leading talent scout Jacek Kulig to describe him as a “midfield machine”.

He's just far more robust, ready to provide Liverpool with the kind of zest and zeal needed in the engine room to supercharge Slot's budding system.

While signing Frendrup, who is admittedly untested as a natural free-flowing passer, comes with an element of risk, he has ample talent to see him skyrocket to the upper echelon of holding midfielders in Europe.

Perhaps it would be wise to keep Endo on the books, but his skillset is limited and Frendrup could be the perfect successor.

On the list: Liverpool want £27m striker who'd make Salah unplayable

The Reds are part of a lengthy list of suitors for this rising star.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 29, 2024

Glasgow Rangers head into their second Premiership match of the season under severe pressure to secure all three points.

The 0-0 draw against Hearts last week immediately put the Light Blues on the back foot, meaning a win over Motherwell this afternoon is a must.

Philippe Clement should make a few changes to his starting XI. Will a player who has started the opening two games of the campaign be dropped?

Tom Lawrence’s stats vs Hearts

Tom Lawrence was deployed as the number ten in the season opener against the Jambos due to the likes of Ianis Hagi and Todd Cantwell being on the verge of leaving the club.

During the tie, the Welshman completed just 21 passes, created just one big chance and made one key pass while succeeding with only one of his four dribble attempts. These are hardly the statistics of a player looking to carve open opposition defences.

Defensively, the former Derby County gem lost possession 11 times throughout the game, along with winning just four of his 15 total duels, showing how poor he was in one on one battles against the tricky Hearts side.

Rangers simply couldn’t find a way through the defence last week and there is no doubt that a greater threat in the final third is required against Motherwell today.

Could Clement relocate a player into the number ten slot against Well? As Mohamed Diomande has the ability to shine in a more advanced position.

The man to replace Lawrence vs Motherwell

The Ivorian has forged a solid partnership already with new signing Connor Barron in the heart of the midfield.

With a win needed, however, could Clement place Dujon Sterling in the centre of the midfield alongside Barron, moving Diomande into the attacking midfield slot?

During the second half of last season, the African averaged 1.5 key passes per game in the top flight, while also creating one big chance and succeeding with 62% of his dribble attempts, solid statistics as he adapted to Scottish football.

Prior to this, he was in excellent form for Danish side FC Nordsjaelland, as he showcased his abilities going forward during the first six months of the Danish top flight.

Indeed, the 22-year-old grabbed three assists, created three big chances and averaged 1.1 key passes per game. These statistics came in just 13 matches, making them stand out a lot more.

Lauded as “aggressive” by analyst John Walker, moving Diomande slightly further forward could be a masterstroke by the Belgian this afternoon.

He wouldn’t be sacrificing anything in the middle of the pitch, as Sterling has proved capable of starring in that area previously, therefore it is a gamble certainly worth taking in a must-win clash.

There is no doubt that the Light Blues do need to bring another attacking midfielder to the club, as Clement cannot rely on Lawrence between now and 2025, especially with his previous injury issues.

Diomande as the number ten behind Cyriel Dessers today? Yes please.

As bad as Souttar: Clement must bin 2/10 Rangers man after Kyiv no-show

The Light Blues attacker endured a frustrating evening in the Champions League.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 7, 2024

Bukayo Saka has jokingly blamed Arsenal team-mate Kai Havertz for denying him what would have been a first senior hat-trick of his career.

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• Gunners forward bagged another brace
• Helped to secure Champions League victory
• Still waiting to collect his first match ball

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England international winger put in another match-winning performance for the Gunners during their Champions League clash with Monaco at Emirates Stadium. Saka netted twice in that contest to put Mikel Arteta’s side on their way to victory.

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  He was presented with an opportunity late on to claim the match ball, with a shot fired goalwards in the 88th minute. Monaco’s keeper may have had it covered, but said effort deflected off German forward Havertz and into the back of the net – wrapping up a 3-0 success.

• WHAT SAKA SAID

  On being denied a first treble, Saka – who still finished with three goal contributions on the night – told reporters afterwards: “He [Havertz] got in the way of it, but don't worry, it's [a hat trick] coming. It's on the way.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Saka’s performances have made him a key figure for club and country, with Arteta saying when asked if the 23-year-old is now in the “world-class” category: “You have to be able to do that consistently throughout many years to put yourself in that position.

  “We can compare what he's done in his first six years of professional football, which is exceptional, you know, and that's it and his aim is to improve. He has the players and environment to continue to do that and I'm sure he will.”

Emiliano Martinez revealed his experience of sharing a dressing room with Lionel Messi with the Argentina national team.

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• Martinez hailed Messi
• Called the Argentina skipper a 'lovely human'
• Had a memorable year for club and country

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Aston Villa goalkeeper has been part of La Albiceleste setup since 2021 and together with Messi, he has won two Copa America titles and the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar. Martinez, who shares a close bond with Messi, revealed what the Inter Miami star is really like.

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• WHAT EMILIANO MARTINEZ SAID

  In a chat with the YouTube channel, the custodian was asked if new players in the Argentine national team feel nervous while approaching the 37-year-old, to which he replied: "To be fair, for the other players, maybe yes, but not for me. We are all the same, I make jokes with everyone. He has got an aura that no one has. He is someone you look up to. When you see him, whatever he does, you like to copy him. He goes to the gym, you go to the gym. He has got that aura that no one in football has.

  "But for me, everyone is the same. We all joke, we have meals together. He is a lovely human being. He has a super talent and when you are born with a super talent that no one has, he is that man."

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  Martinez had a memorable campaign for both club and country in 2024 as he proved to be a safe pair of hands and helped Aston Villa secure a top-four finish in the Premier League and Champions League slot. He then starred for the world champions as they defended their Copa America title in the summer, with the 32-year-old conceding just one goal in the entire tournament. The custodian then went on to win the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony and then bagged The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR EMILIANO MARTINEZ?

  The goalkeeper will be back in action for the Villans on Boxing Day as they take on Newcastle United in a Premier League clash at St James' Park.