Liverpool need to be wary of being 'exposed' at right-back due to Jurgen Klopp's decision to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to venture into midfield, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Trent Alexander-Arnold's new role?

Alexander-Arnold has been something of a revelation in his new role as an inverted full-back with a licence to roam into central areas, having registered six assists in his last eight matches since being deployed there, as per Transfermarkt.

Former Liverpool player Dean Saunders has praised the tactical switch highly and thinks the Reds now don't need to sign a new midfielder in the summer due to the form of the 24-year-old.

Speaking to talkSPORT as quoted by The Mirror, the pundit said: "I honestly think Liverpool don't need to sign a midfield player. I think he [Alexander-Arnold] is better than all the English midfield players. I think Trent could play centre of midfield for England and end up captain. I think he's a brilliant central midfield player; he's like a caged animal waiting, you can tell he's loving it. He can defend in midfield, which is not like defending as a full-back where you get isolated with the winger – he's got defensive thoughts in his head which he can track people into the box. His feet are better than anybody's in the England team, both feet."

Liverpool have been in the market for several players to strengthen their midfield in the forthcoming transfer window, including Sporting Lisbon's Manuel Ugarte, Brighton & Hove Albion ace Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount.

Nevertheless, Alexander-Arnold has helped to revive a stagnating Reds midfield in the last few weeks, which has helped Liverpool climb back into Champions League contention.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Jones thinks Liverpool need to be cautious when operating in this system and also doesn't think that Alexander-Arnold will be moved into central midfield permanently to allow someone else to assume responsibilities at right-back such as Joe Gomez.

Jones told FFC: "I don't think Joe Joe Gomez could play this specific role that Trent is playing right now. I think that this has been adapted specifically for him to try and solve the problem, but you know, Liverpool do need to decide what actually happens at right back because that spot has been exposed a few times since they've been playing in this style."

Will Liverpool stick with this style of play next season?

Right now it's impossible to say; however, the initial signs have been encouraging at Anfield as Liverpool look to have turned a corner after an inconsistent 2022/23 campaign.

Klopp has managed to guide his side to eight matches without defeat in the Premier League and the Reds look to be finally enjoying themselves on the field, which bodes well for next season and to the degree that they may continue to use their current tactical system.

Of course, a lot will depend on summer signings at the club, who are likely to strengthen in middle of the park to replace peripheral figures such as the outgoing Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Veteran James Milner also looks certain to leave Liverpool to join Brighton on a free transfer, making it an interesting time of things to see where the future of Alexander Arnold's role will lie and whether he will be reverted back to duties more traditionally in keeping with a right-sided defender.

ScorecardChris Rushworth makes a mess of Richard Levi’s stumps•Getty Images

The scrap for qualifying places in the NatWest T20 Blast North Group hotted up further as one-time leaders Northamptonshire lost by six wickets to Durham at Chester-le-Street.By maintaining their unbeaten home record, Durham strengthened their hold on fourth place with two of their remaining three games also at home.But they turned a stroll into a scramble as they replied to 149 for 5 with an opening stand of 77 inside ten overs, then slipped to 89 for 4 with Ben Stokes falling for one.Both he and Mark Stoneman were lbw trying to sweep Sri Lankan leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna, who also had Phil Mustard caught off a towering straight drive to finish with three for 24.Both teams were on 100 after 14 overs, but whereas Ben Duckett was unable to accelerate in his unbeaten 48 off 42 balls, Keaton Jennings continued his excellent season by seeing Durham home with nine balls to spare.He cut Rory Kleinveldt for six in making 36 not out off 24 balls and shared an unbroken stand of 64 with Michael Richardson.That over from Kleinveldt, the 16th, included two wides and cost 15, one fewer than the ninth, bowled by Steven Crook.Bowling round the wicket to the left-handers, he began with a wide and conceded four leg byes with another leg-side ball before Mustard hit him for four and six over mid-wicket.It was also a poor night for the competition’s leading dot ball bowler, Richard Gleeson, who finished the match with a no-ball followed by a wide which flew down the leg side to the boundary.Stoneman beat his season’s previous best T20 score of 25 by making 40, as did Mustard.Despite Josh Cobb hitting 68 off 51 balls, Durham kept a tight rein on the visitors after putting them in.Going in at 14 for 2, Duckett shared a stand of 95 with Cobb. But he lacked the firepower to take his side to a winning total.Chris Rushworth knocked out Richard Levi’s off stump with the first ball of the match and in the fourth over Adam Rossington went down the track to Mark Wood, only to sky a comfortable catch for Mustard.Wood, whose four overs cost only 19, almost had a second wicket when Cobb, on 16, narrowly cleared mid-off.Cobb lifted Scott Borthwick over long-on for six then a lofted straight drive off Jennings gave him his fifth four and took him to 50 off 40 balls before driving Ryan Pringle for a straight six.Cobb departed in the 16th over when he tried to scythe Jennings through off side and played on, then Crook went down the pitch to a slower ball and was stumped.Kleinveldt scored 23 of the 35 runs which came off the last four overs, including a huge six over the sightscreen off Jennings, before he was caught by Wood at long leg off the last ball.

Liverpool are gearing up for a transformative summer following a disappointing campaign and now a potential transfer target has been identified ahead of the transfer window opening.

What's the latest on Liverpool's interest in Joshua Kimmich?

According to 90min, Liverpool are one of the Premier League clubs who have been offered the opportunity to sign Joshua Kimmich this summer.

As per the report, the Bayern Munich midfielder is looking for a new challenge this summer and the player's intermediaries have already contacted Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City to rally up interest.

Who would Kimmich replace at Liverpool?

Jurgen Klopp has made no secret of the fact that he is keen to rebuild his squad this summer after success stagnated this season whilst Champions League football looks out of sight following the draw with Aston Villa yesterday.

The Merseysiders waved an emotional goodbye to Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner in their final home fixture, but the bittersweet farewell now opens the door for the Liverpool boss to start a new chapter at Anfield.

Whilst many midfielders depart this summer, those remaining in midfield are either up-and-coming talent like Curtis Jones or reaching the latter stages of their careers, with both club captain Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara well into their 30s at this point.

As a result, the signing of Kimmich could be the perfect opportunity to bring in a player at his peak who has experience of winning multiple European and domestic trophies.

The £325k-per-week midfielder impressively ranks in the top 5% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for assists, shot-creating actions, progressive passes and passes attempted, proving that he is one of the highest-performing midfielders in Europe and could be the perfect heir to the aforementioned Thiago.

Whilst Kimmich is more effective than his Liverpool positional peer in the attacking threat, the pair have share many similarities in their output this season including pass completion rate (84.3% v 86.2%), aerial duels won (34.8% v 36.8%) and dribblers tackled (52.8% v 60.9%), as per FBref.

The £43m-rated talent has been the recipient of high praise over his successful career so far, with the former Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge paying huge compliments to Kimmich:

"He's got a profound understanding of the game, and is decisive in setting the tempo and providing impetus in our team.

"It is no exaggeration to say that Joshua Kimmich is the very embodiment of world-class."

Thiago has only made 18 Premier League appearances this season with injuries continuing to plague Klopp's opportunity to deploy the former Bayern Munich star in crucial moments, so it will be important for the manager to add quality depth in the position and bring in a player who can match or improve on the Spaniard's output.

With that being said, FSG should jump at the opportunity to strike up a deal for Kimmich as his experience and winning mentality could be the key to unlocking success at Anfield once again.

Steve O’Keefe picked up his second five-for in the match as Sri Lankan XI were bowled out for 82 to give the Australians victory by an innings and 162 runs on the third day of their tour fixture at P Sara Oval

Andrew Fidel Fernando at P Sara Oval20-Jul-2016
ScorecardSteve O’Keefe’s performance raised Australia’s likelihood of fielding a dual-spin attack for the first Test•AFPAustralia’s spinners will move into the Test series well-heeled and confident, after setting in motion a dramatic collapse that yielded seven wickets for 33 runs on the third and final day of their tour fixture, at the P Sara Oval. On a surface that had begun to take fast turn, Steve O’Keefe collected his second five-wicket haul of the match, in only 6.5 overs. At the other end, Nathan Lyon tuned up with 2 for 14 from five overs; Sri Lankan XI were dismissed for 83 as Australians completed an innings-and-162-run victory.”We’ll definitely take a lot of confidence out of the victory,” Lyon said after the match. “Steve Smith came in today and said: ‘Let’s really make a statement.’ Taking nine wickets in a session to close out a first-class win is a pretty big statement.”Having become Australia’s highest scorer as well, in a morning session in which he shared a 58-run stand for the tenth wicket with Jackson Bird, O’Keefe was especially effective against the right-handers in the Sri Lankan side. He pitched on middle and leg, then spun the ball past the defence of Asela Gunaratne to rattle off stump and claim his first wicket. Later in that over, Shehan Jayasuriya was out sweeping to Bird at deep square leg.Dasun Shanaka was caught behind off O’Keefe and the tailenders fell lbw or bowled to his straighter, quicker deliveries. In addition to the 78 not out with the bat, O’Keefe collected match figures of 10 for 64, raising Australia’s likelihood of fielding a dual-spin attack for the first Test.Lyon was more subdued in the match, and had actually been expensive on the first day, when he was reported to have fallen ill. Despite his figures, he said he was bowling well, and felt well-prepared for his second Test tour of Sri Lanka, which he begins now as a senior player.”I’m the only one to have played Test-match cricket over here out of the bowlers,” Lyon said. “It was good for all our bowlers to get out here and adapt to conditions. A lot of us are coming off white-ball cricket. It’s good to spend some time out there and get some long overs under our belt. I’ve felt I’ve grown a lot on and off the field since that 2011 tour to Sri Lanka. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”The Sri Lankan XI will be disappointed at the abject collapse, and Milinda Siriwardana will perhaps reflect most on the missed opportunity. He was caught for 2 off Lyon, but will have wanted at least a half-century to firm up a place in the Sri Lanka Test squad. Shanaka has not made a strong case for inclusion either, collecting middling returns with both bat and ball.Before the slow bowlers closed out the match, Mitchell Starc had taken two early wickets with full deliveries. He bowled wicketkeeper-batsman Manoj Sarathchandra, and had Oshada Fernando caught at slip.Madawa Warnapura did not bat for the Sri Lankan XI, having sustained an injury to his hand while fielding on the previous day.

Liverpool need to be wary of being 'exposed' at right-back due to Jurgen Klopp's decision to allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to venture into midfield, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Trent Alexander-Arnold's new role?

Alexander-Arnold has been something of a revelation in his new role as an inverted full-back with a licence to roam into central areas, having registered six assists in his last eight matches since being deployed there, as per Transfermarkt.

Former Liverpool player Dean Saunders has praised the tactical switch highly and thinks the Reds now don't need to sign a new midfielder in the summer due to the form of the 24-year-old.

Speaking to talkSPORT as quoted by The Mirror, the pundit said: "I honestly think Liverpool don't need to sign a midfield player. I think he [Alexander-Arnold] is better than all the English midfield players. I think Trent could play centre of midfield for England and end up captain. I think he's a brilliant central midfield player; he's like a caged animal waiting, you can tell he's loving it. He can defend in midfield, which is not like defending as a full-back where you get isolated with the winger – he's got defensive thoughts in his head which he can track people into the box. His feet are better than anybody's in the England team, both feet."

Liverpool have been in the market for several players to strengthen their midfield in the forthcoming transfer window, including Sporting Lisbon's Manuel Ugarte, Brighton & Hove Albion ace Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount.

Nevertheless, Alexander-Arnold has helped to revive a stagnating Reds midfield in the last few weeks, which has helped Liverpool climb back into Champions League contention.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Jones thinks Liverpool need to be cautious when operating in this system and also doesn't think that Alexander-Arnold will be moved into central midfield permanently to allow someone else to assume responsibilities at right-back such as Joe Gomez.

Jones told FFC: "I don't think Joe Joe Gomez could play this specific role that Trent is playing right now. I think that this has been adapted specifically for him to try and solve the problem, but you know, Liverpool do need to decide what actually happens at right back because that spot has been exposed a few times since they've been playing in this style."

Will Liverpool stick with this style of play next season?

Right now it's impossible to say; however, the initial signs have been encouraging at Anfield as Liverpool look to have turned a corner after an inconsistent 2022/23 campaign.

Klopp has managed to guide his side to eight matches without defeat in the Premier League and the Reds look to be finally enjoying themselves on the field, which bodes well for next season and to the degree that they may continue to use their current tactical system.

Of course, a lot will depend on summer signings at the club, who are likely to strengthen in middle of the park to replace peripheral figures such as the outgoing Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Veteran James Milner also looks certain to leave Liverpool to join Brighton on a free transfer, making it an interesting time of things to see where the future of Alexander Arnold's role will lie and whether he will be reverted back to duties more traditionally in keeping with a right-sided defender.

أعلن وليد الركراكي المدير الفني لمنتخب المغرب، عن تشكيل أسود الأطلسي لمواجهة جنوب إفريقيا، مساء اليوم الأربعاء، في ختام مواجهات دور المجموعات في كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023 المقامة في كوت ديفوار.

وتقام مباراة المغرب أمام جنوب إفريقيا على أرضية ملعب استاد لاورينت بوكو، ضمن منافسات دور الـ16 من الأمم الإفريقية.

طالع | المنتخبات المتأهلة إلى دور الـ8 من كأس أمم إفريقيا.. (محدث باستمرار)

وتمكن المغرب من الوصول لدور الـ16 بعد تصدر المجموعة السادسة من كأس أمم إفريقيا برصيد 7 نقاط، حصدهم من انتصارين أمام زامبيا وتنزانيا وتعادل وحيد ضد الكونغو الديموقراطية.

أما منتخب جنوب إفريقيا فقد احتل المركز الثاني في المجموعة الخامسة برصيد 4 نقاط وبفارق الأهداف عن ناميبيا.

وشهد المغرب غياب حكيم زياش بعد الإصابة التي تعرض لها في مباراة زامبيا الماضية بختام منافسات مرحلة المجموعات. تشكيل منتخب المغرب أمام جنوب إفريقيا في كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023

حراسة المرمى: ياسين بونو

خط الدفاع: أشرف حكيمي، نايف أكرد، رومان سايس، نصير مزراوي.

خط الوسط: سفيان أمرابط، عز الدين أوناحي، سليم أملاح

وفي الهجوم: عبد الصمد الزلزولي، يوسف النصيري، أمين عدلي.

Presenter of The Football Terrace Terry Flewers has warned Manchester United against the signing of Neymar amid recent transfer links.

What's the latest on MUFC and Neymar?

A major news story broke this week in France with L'Equipe reporting that the Paris Saint-Germain star could be heading to Old Trafford this summer with Brazillian teammate Casemiro pushing for the deal too.

The story notes that he's wanted on loan but the Ligue 1 outfit would rather see Neymar sold permanently with his mammoth £940k-p/w contract running to 2025.

A deal for a player of his status will no doubt have many in the club's fanbase rather excited but it seems not everyone is keen on the idea of it all.

While talking about the rumour on The Football Terrace, host Flewers outlined why he feels it just might not be wise.

He said (5:48): "I think the money is better invested in high-quality players elsewhere.

"So for me, half of me [thinks] is this is a good link, could we attract a player of this quality? That's the sort of emotional fan in me, with the sort of: What if he came to United and recaptured his best form and stayed fit and lit up Old Trafford? The romantic side of me, I would say.

"Then what you have is the logical side of my brain which is the guy is a crock. The guy is always injured.

"I think we'd end up just being disappointed with him – if the truth be told. So it's a no from me, but I say that with a very, very, very heavy heart."

How many Ligue 1 games has Neymar started this season?

Over the course of his career, Neymar has essentially won it all, lifting the Champions League, the Club World Cup, gold at the Olympics with Brazil; as well as winning La Liga and Ligue 1 and numerous other trophies.

However, at 31 years of age, it's not hard to jump to the conclusion that he is probably past his peak now and might not be worth the money it will take to bring him to England.

After all, injuries have plagued his current season, meaning he's started just 18 times in Ligue 1 this season alone. Still, in that period he's shown his ridiculous quality with 13 goals and 11 assists.

When you look at it from either angle, you can make a case for either signing the Brazilian or rejecting him.

However, if you can't guarantee he'll stay fit, it's probably just not worth the risk – especially with his current wages nearly reaching the £1m-pw mark.

Watch more of The Football Terrace on YouTube now!

Just when it seemed summer had finally broken out, a blanket of cloud settled over Trent Bridge to enliven the day with a touch of spectator disgruntlement

Jon Culley at Trent Bridge04-Jul-2016
ScorecardSamit Patel helped Nottinghamshire to a lead•Getty Images

Just when it seemed summer had finally broken out, a blanket of cloud settled over Trent Bridge to enliven the day with a touch of spectator disgruntlement as umpires Alex Wharf and Martin Saggers called time on Neil Wagner’s attempt to prise out Nottinghamshire’s Samit Patel through an exploration of old-fashioned leg theory.Bowling from the Pavilion End, the New Zealand fast bowler had aimed a series of short-pitched deliveries intended to cramp up Patel and positioned fielders in close catching positions on the leg side. The tactic was producing debatable benefits. Despite light gloomy enough to require the floodlights to be switched on, Patel had found the boundary twice in four deliveries with a couple of wristy flicks and didn’t appear to be in particular difficulty.Yet as the lights began to appear brighter against the greyness of the sky, a debate began in which the umpires offered Lancashire the usual option of continuing with slower bowlers only. This was declined and the players walked off to the noisy displeasure of the Radcliffe Road Upper, which was understandable given that they could see an hour’s potential play disappearing on a day mercifully free of rain.There should be no blaming the officials in these circumstances, though. They have a duty of care to the batsmen. What’s more, there had been a number of short-pitched balls from the Pavilion End that had failed to get up, including one that Wagner himself had inadvertently ducked into the night before.In the event, the players returned with only four overs lost of a second day that followed the pattern of the first after Lancashire’s first innings had ended with the 11th ball of the morning. Where the visitors had been 109 for 1 after the opening session on Sunday, Nottinghamshire were 120 for 1; at tea the home side were 212 for 4 compared with Lancashire’s 192 for 4.The crucial difference is that Nottinghamshire lost only one more wicket after tea and, with a lead of 27, a third batting point secured and Patel still with a batsman for company, have an opportunity to give themselves a margin to work with on the third dayLancashire, for their part, will feel they could have bowled better. After Imran Tahir’s top-spinner had trapped Matt Parkinson leg before to claim the final Lancashire wicket, Nottinghamshire openers Steven Mullaney and Jake Libby were able to progress as briskly as Tom Smith and Haseeb Hameed had at the corresponding stage of the Lancashire first innings. The two approached the task with a positive mindset from the outset, pouncing on anything wide or overpitched on a surface where the ball tended to sit up to be hit.Mullaney, pulling, had an escape on 33 when Parkinson spilled what should have been a straightforward catch on the square-leg boundary off Kyle Jarvis and Libby edged the next delivery between second and third slips. But Lancashire’s only breakthrough before lunch came when Mullaney bottom edged a cut shot against Jarvis into his stumps.Libby completed a half-century from 88 balls but Nottinghamshire’s batsmen proved no more capable than Lancashire’s of turning solid starts into substantial scores. The right-hander, who made his second first-class century during an early-season loan spell at Northamptonshire, had not added to his 54 at lunch when he feathered a catch to wicketkeeper Steven Croft off Neil Wagner.Lancashire bowled better lines in the afternoon but Nottinghamshire will feel nonetheless that there were some wasted opportunities. Greg Smith was beginning to strike the ball cleanly, pulling Jarvis for four but was leg before when the next delivery arrived fuller and straighter.Brendan Taylor could consider himself a little unfortunate. He launched a couple of huge sixes off Parkinson, a young legspinner who gives the ball some air and a good tweak, but got into a pickle against a short ball from Jordan Clark that was among those that climbed less than anticipated and was caught at short third man off something resembling his uppercut, although possibly an unintentional one.That wicket made the middle session Lancashire’s but although Michael Lumb was another who failed to build on a solid start, the partnership between Patel and Riki Wessels added 62 in what remained, with eight overs ultimately lost.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made an approach for out-of-work boss Luis Enrique, with the former Spain head coach among the candidates to fill the managerial void in north London.

What's the latest on Enrique to Spurs?

According to the Telegraph, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has already 'made contact' with the 53-year-old regarding the prospect of taking charge next season, with a successor to former boss Antonio Conte yet to be named with the end of the season fast approaching.

The report suggests that despite those talks with the Spaniard, however, there has been no update regarding any 'significant progress', with the Lilywhites also looking at Feyenoord tactician, Arne Slot.

In the case of Enrique, there have been previous claims that the Gijon-native – who left his post with La Roja following the World Cup in Qatar – could well help to tempt Tottenham talisman Harry Kane to stay put at N17.

Would Luis Enrique be a good appointment for Spurs?

The north London outfit only recently suffered a blow after reported target Xabi Alonso revealed his desire to stay put at current side, Bayer Leverkusen, with the 41-year-old having been hailed as a "forward-thinking" manager who could well have brought "fresh ideas" to the club, as per journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Moving for Alonso's compatriot in the form of Enrique could well prove something of an upgrade, however, with the latter man arguably a far more successful and experienced coach.

Lauded as the "perfect" manager by former Barcelona teammate, Pep Guardiola in the past, the one-time Celta Vigo and Roma boss has proven himself capable of claiming silverware throughout his managerial career to date, memorably winning the treble back in 2015 during his time at Camp Nou.

That stunning 2014/15 campaign ultimately saw the 4-3-3 boss named as FIFA World Coach of the Year, with it likely to prove a real coup if Spurs can tempt such a high-profile figure to join them this summer.

That wealth of winning experience is in stark contrast to that of Alonso, with the exciting, up-and-coming coach having managed just over 30 games at senior level to date, after taking charge of the Bundesliga outfit in October.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder certainly has "all the conditions to be a very good coach" – according to Jose Mourinho – although Tottenham may be craving a more ready-made figure, like Enrique, who can make an impact immediately.

As ex-Anfield star Luis Garcia stated earlier this year, Enrique "has got everything to be a success" in north London, with the 44-year-old going on to state that:

“He’s got that energy, he’s got that attitude. He’s ready to fight, I think he’s got the experience to build something very unique there at Tottenham so he could be a fantastic choice."

As such, while it may have been frustrating to see Alonso snub the chance of a return to England, Enrique would certainly be a fine alternative and upgrade for Levy.

Newcastle United are on the verge of securing Champions League football for the 2023/24 campaign as they only need a point against Leicester on Monday night to confirm it.

They are currently three points clear of Liverpool and have two matches left to play, whilst they have one, and this means that avoiding defeat against the Foxes would put them out of reach heading into the final day.

This would be a significant achievement for the Magpies and it could give them the edge in the transfer market this summer as they would have elite European football on offer.

It was recently reported that Newcastle and Liverpool have both sent scouts to watch Sporting central midfielder Manuel Ugarte in action and Eddie Howe's side landing a top-four place ahead of them could provide an advantage in the race for his signature.

Who is Manuel Ugarte?

The 22-year-old, who has a release clause of €60m (£52m) in his contract, is a defensive-minded player who could come in and be the club's own answer to Manchester City star Rodri.

Since arriving in the Premier League in 2019, the Spain international has been a consistent presence in Pep Guardiola's midfield with his ability to screen in front of the back four whilst also having the ability in possession to be incredibly reliable with his passing.

As per Sofascore, Rodri has played 34 times in the top-flight this season and completed an eye-catching 91% of his attempted passes. He has also made 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game and won 59% of his physical duels, which shows that he is a strong defender who wins the majority of his battles in the middle of the park.

Ugarte, meanwhile, has featured in 30 matches in Liga Portugal and completed 92% of his passes. The Uruguay enforcer, who was once hailed as a "machine" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has also made a stunning 5.7 tackles and interceptions per outing and won 56% of his contests.

These statistics indicate that the eight-cap international has the potential to replicate the impact that Rodri has on City at Newcastle as he is a defensive midfielder who does not cede possession often and is able to win the ball back on a regular basis.

The Sporting star's impressive pass completion – which almost mirrors the Spanish battler and his output – proves that he is a reliable passer who can anchor the Toon midfield and be their metronome in the middle of the park – distributing the ball to the attacking players to keep things ticking and to create attacking opportunities.

Both players have also won at least 67% of their aerial battles in their respective leagues and this shows that they are excellent competitors in the air and that could be vital when it comes to defending and attacking set-pieces as they are able to dominate opposition players in those positions.

Therefore, the Magpies must swoop for Ugarte, who Kulig also once described as "tenacious", this summer as the youngster could develop into Howe's answer to Rodri in the defensive midfield role in the years to come.