Michael Carrick is arguably one of the most underrated players to have ever graced the Premier League, let alone Manchester United.

The artist playing in the defensive midfield role made 464 appearances for the Red Devils before leaving in 2018.

For context of just how unbelievably talented he truly was, even Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said, “He’s one of the best holding midfielders I’ve ever seen in my life.”

So, have they replaced him? Arguably not. Let's take a look at a defensive midfield target who could fill the void left by Carrick, a player who has has plenty of similarities to a certain Declan Rice.

Man Utd’s quest to find a defensive midfielder

According to a report from journalist Shaun Connolly, Man Utd are interested in signing Ben Sheaf from Coventry City.

The midfielder joined the Championship club permanently in 2021 after coming through the ranks at Arsenal.

It’s mentioned that the Englishman “impressed” all season, as well as against the Red Devils at Wembley in the FA Cup.

Sheaf wouldn’t exactly break the bank, as a fee of £21m would secure his services this summer, which is an indication of the type of signing Ratcliffe will look to make.

How Sheaf compares to Carrick and Rice

Six years on from his exit, Man United still haven’t been able to acquire a midfielder of a similar class and standard to Carrick.

Even The Athletic produced an article on the absence of a replacement for the former United icon, saying that a whole host of attributes have been missing since his departure.

Those were listed as: “Passing ability, vision, controlling of the tempo, understanding of the game, and positioning in and out of possession.”

It’s quite clear that almost every attribute mentioned above is key for a number six, and Sheaf could just serve as the solution to United’s Carrick dilemma.

As you can see below, Sheaf has plenty of characteristics that mirror those of the current Middlesbrough manager.

Touches

76.5

71.8

64.7

Passes completed

49.9

53.1

48.4

Pass accuracy

85%

91%

86%

Passes completed (Opp half)

28.3

31.2

29

Tackles

3.4

2.2

1.5

Interceptions

1.4

1.2

1.6

Duels won

6.4

4.1

2.9

Firstly, they are both extremely technical players who are able to dictate the tempo of play and control a game with ease, whether that’s using one-touch passes or baiting a press with touches.

The duo also retain the ball brilliantly, as shown by their pass accuracy, and they’re not afraid to step further forward to make their team more dominant and even serve as a threat from range, as shown by their completed passes in the opposition half and the clip below.

On the other hand, Sheaf and Carrick also provide plenty of defensive security, not only because of their ability to execute defensive actions but also because of their reading of the game.

Another vital aspect of the Coventry midfielder's game is that he is a “monster” when it comes to winning the ball back, as per football writer Raj Chohan.

He also said that Sheaf is “Rice-esque” in terms of his ability to cover ground with ease, and the statistics further highlight their similarities, in terms of defensive dominance and technical class.

This in particular has been a huge issue at United this season, with Casemiro lacking the athleticism to match the speed of the Premier League, as shown by the fact he was dribbled past 2.2 times per game last season.

Overall, Sheaf would be a fantastic signing, and he has everything that a Premier League side would want in a defensive midfielder. Could he just become the new Carrick and United's very own Rice?

Man Utd eyeing Casemiro replacement who’d be a "monster" next to Mainoo

The Man Utd target is now a “priority.”

ByTom Lever Jun 5, 2024

Chelsea's transfer plans are beginning to accelerate ahead of the summer window opening on Friday, and it is believed they're pushing to bring in another player amid their attempts to land Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran.

Chelsea in Jhon Duran talks after signing Tosin Adarabioyo

The west Londoners, as widely reported, are in talks to sign Duran – who would come in as their second senior signing after defender Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer from Fulham.

Related Maresca set to promote £24,000-per-week youngster to Chelsea first team

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Posts ByEmilio Galantini Jun 12, 2024

Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley are wasting no time at all in identifying fresh faces for new manager Enzo Maresca, with Chelsea's talks for Duran thought to be advancing in pretty quick fashion.

The Colombia international would come in to bolster Maresca's striking options, but it is a potential move which has been met with some criticism. Still young, Duran managed just eight goals across 37 appearances in all competitions under Unai Emery, and there is a real danger that Chelsea could be about to add another unproven yet raw talent to their ranks.

Jhon Duran's season for Aston Villa in all competitions

The numbers (via Transfermarkt)

Appearances

37

Goals

8

Assists

0

Minutes per goal

138

Minutes played

1,103

That being said, there have been reports that another forward could join Chelsea as well as Duran. Indeed, that person may well be Crystal Palace star Michael Olise as one candidate. Todd Boehly is apparently ready to trigger Olise's release clause, with there being suggestions that personal terms have already been agreed as well (GiveMeSport).

A new winger arriving at Stamford Bridge over the coming weeks appears to be a distinct possibility, as the likes of Raheem Sterling are linked with exits. If the aforementioned does depart Cobham, Maresca will need a replacement.

Jeremy Doku enjoyed a scintillating debut campaign at Man City last season, and it appears another starlet from Rennes could follow in the Belgian's footsteps to England, as clubs take a serious interest in Desire Doue.

The 19-year-old has been called a similar player to Bernardo Silva by FBRef, with Rennes set to demand around £35 million to do business over the exciting teenager.

Chelsea pushing to sign Desire Doue

According to Ligue 1 journalist Alexis Bernard, Chelsea are pushing to sign Doue as the player asks his club to study offers for him. They're actively pursuing the teenager, but are not alone, as Bayern Munich could also make a move.

The Frenchman bagged four goals and four assists for Rennes last season, and is fast gaining a reputation as one of his country's most promising talents.

"He's a player who aspires to go to the biggest clubs," said teammate Baptiste Santamaria. "He's one of a kind.

"He likes to hit the ball but he's solid on his feet. Desire's technical, percussive and physical qualities are quite incredible. When he becomes more consistent, he'll be unplayable. For his age, he's the most gifted youngster I've seen in my career."

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham was present at the launch of the new EA SPORTS FC 25 video game, which came out on Friday.

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• Madrid star attended launch of new video game
• Stood alongside Zidane, Endrick and Bonmati
• England midfielder one of game's highest-rated players

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 21-year-old stood alongside the likes fellow Real Madrid star Endrick and club icon Zinedine Zidane. Ex-Madrid winger Eden Hazard and reigning Ballon d'Or Femenin holder Aitana Bonmati were also at the launch.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The highly-anticipated game was released on all major gaming platforms on Friday. Bellingham is one of the highest-rated players in the game, having been given an overall rating of 90, behind only Erling Haaland, Rodri and new Madrid team-mate Kylian Mbappe.

• WHAT BELLINGHAM SAID

  Bellingham posted images on Instagram of him standing alongside his fellow stars, writing in the caption: "Launching it, For The Club. Great night celebrating the release of #FC25. Thanks to @easportsfc!"

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

  While players across the world will be working their magic with Bellingham on EA FC 25, the man himself will be in action against city rivals Atletico Madrid in the derby clash in La Liga on Sunday.

Wolves are now showing a strong interest in a defender they tried to sign during Bruno Lage's time in charge as they look to bolster their ranks ahead of the new season.

O'Neil needs summer additions

After working miracles with a threadbare squad last season and guiding Wolves well clear of the relegation zone and into Premier League midtable, Gary O'Neil will be desperate for additions.

They have already managed one, with Portuguese youngster Rodrigo Gomes set to move to Molinuex this summer and sign a five year deal with the Midlands outfit.

The deal, which is expected to be made official this week, will see the Old Gold once more plunder Portugal and snap up a versatile option, with Gomes ostensibly a right back but having played all the way up both flanks during his loan spell at Estoril and appeared just once in his favoured role.

Gomes shows his versatility

Position

Games played

Right midfield

16

Right back

1

Right winger

9

Left midfield

14

Left wing

9

There remains plenty to do at Molineux though, with a striker high on the agenda after being forced to ulitise youth players at points of last season as injuries ripped through the front line.

There is also a need for another defender, with Craig Dawson now 34-years-old and unlikely to be able to continue turning in impressive performances on a regular basis, leaving the club with just Toti, Santiago Bueno and captain Max Kilman, who played every minute of the 2023-24 season. With that in mind, it seems Wolves are ready to revisit an old transfer target.

Carmo wanted by Wolves

That comes in the shape of Porto defender David Carmo, who has spent the second half of the season season on loan with Greek side Olympiacos,

Once very highly thought of to the point that he had "a foot and a half at Liverpool" before they pulled the plug, the left-footed centre back endured a tough couple of years with Porto but has seen his career revitalised in Greece.

He played every minute of the Conference League knockout stages as he helped them to their first ever European title, keeping a clean sheet in the final as they defeated Fiorentina with the help of extra time.

Now though, he is set to return to Porto, where he doesn't appear to be in Sérgio Conceição's thinking, and could move on this summer. Still just 24-years-old, Portuguese outlet Record claim that Wolves have held 'exploratory contacts' with Porto over a move for the towering defender, who stands at a mammoth six foot five inches tall.

Also named as keen are newly-promoted Leicester City, but Wolves' interest is far more longstanding. In fact, they tried to sign the centre-back during Bruno Lage's time at the club back in 2022, before he moved to Porto in a deal worth close to £20m.

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O’Neil’s side are operating effectively as they line up another transfer.

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Two years on, it is unlikely that Porto would accept much of a discount on that price even if he has struggled with them, with Carmo still having three years left to run on his £19,000 per week deal in Portugal and praised for his "rare" qualities when he was linked with Liverpool.

With that in mind, and given that both he and the Wolves captain are left-footed, and Kilman has missed just one game in two seasons, any move for Carmo may be a knock-on effect of losing their skipper amid interest from Manchester United.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca confessed that he wanted Carney Chukwuemeka to leave the club in the summer.

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Maresca wanted Chukwuemeka to exit ChelseaHas played just one match this seasonAC Milan and Barca wanted to sign 20-year-oldWHAT HAPPENED?

The 20-year-old winger, who joined the Blues in 2022, has struggled for minutes under new manager Maresca in the ongoing season. He has made only one appearance for the club this season which came against Barrow in the Carabao Cup.

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Now Maresca has admitted he wanted the youngster to exit Stamford Bridge in order to play more matches instead of staying back and fighting for his place in the Premier League. During the summer transfer window, the player was linked with moves to AC Milan and Barcelona, however, a deal never materialised.

WHAT ENZO MARESCA SAID

Speaking to reporters after the club's convincing 4-2 win over Brighton, the Italian coach said: "I will say exactly the same thing I have said many times: Carney is a very good player, but for the amount of players we have, we decided at the beginning of the season it is probably better to leave and go somewhere, prove himself and playing 30 or 35 games than being here and play less games. Unfortunately that didn't happen. He is our player. He had some minutes the other day, today he was not involved. Hopefully, we can give him more minutes."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

The London side will be next seen in action on Thursday night as they take on Gent in a Europa Conference League clash at Stamford Bridge.

علق لاعب ريال مدريد ومنتخب البرازيل، فينيسيوس جونيور، على تتويجه بجائزة ذا بيست، لعام 2024 كأفضل لاعب في العالم.

وخلال حفل توزيع الجوائز المقدمة من الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم والذي أقيم في أكاديمية أسباير الشهيرة، في قطر، حصل اللاعب البرازيلي، فينيسيوس جونيور، على جائزة أفضل لاعب في العالم لعام 2024 متفوقاً على رودري وجود بيلينجهام.

اقرأ ايضاً.. جوائز ذا بيست 2024 | فينيسيوس جونيور وأنشيلوتي الأفضل في العالم.. وإعلان التشكيل المثالي

وقال فينيسيوس جونيور خلال الحفل وعقب استلامه للجائزة: “شكرًا جزيلاً لك، لا أعرف من أين أبدأ، كان من المستحيل التفكير في الوصول إلى هنا”.

وأضاف فينيسيوس: “لقد نشأت في عالم من الفقر، إنه أمر مخصص لجميع الأطفال الذين نشأوا في هذا العالم، أشكر كل من صوت لي، ولعائلتي، وللنادي، وزملائي، ولـ كارلو أنشيلوتي، الذي يساعدني دائمًا في مدريد لسنوات عديدة لأنه أفضل ناد في العالم”.

وأوضح: “أتوجه أيضاً بالشكر إلى فريقي السابق فلامنجو وإلى زملائي في الفريق، وإلى بلدي البرازيل التي تدعمني دائمًا”.

وأصبح فينيسيوس جونيور هو الفائز التاسع لجائزة ذا بيست، والتي شهدت نسختها الأولى في عام 2016، ليعد خامس لاعب حصولاً على الجائزة.

وتوج بها ليونيل ميسي في ثلاث مناسبات، وحصل كل من كريستيانو رونالدو وروبرت ليفاندوفسكي على الجائزة في مرتين سابقتين، وجائزة وحيدة لـ قائد كرواتيا لوكا مودريتش.

After failing to finish inside the Premier League's top four, Newcastle United could reportedly weaken one of their rivals this summer by landing a fresh face at the heart of Eddie Howe's midfield.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have shown no signs of wasting any time so far ahead of the summer transfer window, with a deal reportedly on the cards to sign Lloyd Kelly on a free deal upon the expiry of his current Bournemouth contract. The centre-back, who can also play left-back, will arrive to add some much-needed depth to Howe's backline, which struggled with injuries throughout the campaign.

It's not just the backline that could see upgrades and reinforcements this summer, however, with the Magpies also in need of an extra midfielder in the coming months, which may see them turn to a Premier League rival.

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By
Ethan Lamb

May 22, 2024

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are interested in signing Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, who may need to sell players to avoid any profit and sustainability trouble. The report suggests that Newcastle, along with Liverpool, could be priced out of a deal for Ramsey, however.

That said, given Ramsey's potential and Premier League experience, this is a deal that those at St James' Park should be going after this summer. What's more, the fact that Ramsey is under the same agent as Callum Wilson should help any personal negotiations, should any deal reach that stage.

It would be a sign of intent, that's for sure, if Newcastle instantly weakened a top four rival ahead of next season.

"Wonderful" Ramsey can partner Guimaraes

Without the suspended Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes was often left carrying the responsibility when it came to creativity and stepping onto the front foot as well as maintaining defensive responsibility in Newcastle's midfield. The arrival of a player such as Ramsey would help ease that responsibility, however, especially as he reaches his peak.

League stats 23/24 (via FBref)	Jacob Ramsey	Bruno Guimaraes
Minutes	853	3,263
Goals	1	7
Assists	1	8
Ball Recoveries Per 90	4.42	6.50
Progressive Passes Per 90	2.95	7.80

Praised by Steven Gerrard in the past, the former Villa boss told TNT Sports: “I know the level of the England players, I’ve been around it, and have enough experience to know it’s only a matter of time, but let’s all be sensible and keep calm about it.

“I want him to make his own headlines with his football. He is a top talent, I’m loving every moment of working with him. He is getting stronger with each game because we’re giving him the platform to express himself. He is in a wonderful place.”

With that said, Ramsey could yet leave his boyhood club this summer to join a rival and ease Villa's PSR concerns once and for all.

MatériaMais Notícias

Brigando por vaga no Sport, o goleiro Carlos Eduardo, espera a evolução com a camisa rubro-negra na sequência da temporada. Para o arqueiro, a meta é crescer de produção no Leão e fazer um grande segundo semestre no clube.

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– Estamos trabalhando para que a equipe possa evoluir e melhorar o desempenho nestas próximas semanas. Nossa ideia é fazer uma boa sequência na Série A para sairmos de perto do Z4 da competição para começarmos a projetar uma melhor posição na tabela – afirmou.

Para Eduardo, sua motivação é grande para esses próximos meses.

– Estou motivado, empolgado e muito confiante para esses próximos meses. Minha ideia é fazer um grande segundo semestre com todos.

O Sport recebe o São Paulo, neste domingo, às 20h30, na Ilha do Retiro, pela 17ª rodada do Brasileirão-2021. O clube ocupa a 17ª posição na tabela.

Jonny Bairstow loses Test deal, Mark Wood remains on white-ball contract

Matt Roller30-Sep-2020The ECB are still negotiating with England players regarding the salaries of central-contracted cricketers for 2020-21, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.It was announced on Wednesday that Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Dom Sibley have been awarded their first England Test central contracts, with Jonny Bairstow dropping off the red-ball list, but the details of remuneration are still under discussion despite the deals commencing on October 1.The ECB announced this month that it would lay off 20% of its workforce – meaning 62 jobs will be cut – on account of the virus’ impact on finances, and Chris Woakes admitted that players could not consider themselves “exempt” from cost-cutting. At the start of the summer, centrally-contracted players donated a combined £500,000 to the ECB and selected charities.Crawley, Pope and Sibley have all enjoyed a breakthrough year since the appointment of Chris Silverwood as head coach, making their maiden Test hundreds and cementing their spots in the side, while Bairstow has made only one appearance since being awarded a cross-formats deal last year.ESPNcricinfo LtdMark Wood remains on a white-ball deal, after playing only three Tests in the last 12 months, while Tom Curran has been shifted up from an increment contract to a full white-ball deal and Joe Denly has lost his white-ball contract.Despite being ranked the No. 1 T20I batsman in the world by the ICC, Dawid Malan has not been awarded a white-ball central contract, and instead has been handed an increment deal alongside Dom Bess, Chris Jordan and Jack Leach, which sees their county salary topped up by the ECB. Tom Banton and Sam Billings, who featured in the majority of England’s white-ball fixtures this summer, remain without deals for this year.Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton and Olly Stone retain their pace-bowling contracts, after becoming the first three players to be awarded them at the start of this year.Under the ECB’s contract structure, players receive a ranking by format based on their performances, as well as other factors including “off-field contribution, fielding and fitness”.

Chelsea appear to have found their new head coach and look set to complete an appointment in the coming days to kickstart a new era at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues decided to mutually end Mauricio Pochettino's time with the London giants earlier this month and Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca is now on the verge of a move to the club.

Fabrizio Romano claims that the Italian boss has agreed a five-year contract, with the option of a sixth, to join the Premier League side this summer, with compensation due for the Foxes.

Maresca just secured promotion to the top-flight with the Midlands club, having won the Championship, and is now ready to take on the task of helping Chelsea to compete for silverware next season.

The upcoming summer transfer window will provide the former Manchester City coach with an opportunity to shape his squad and the Blues are already reportedly looking at a potential new centre-forward to bolster the team.

Chelsea seriously considering swoop for £60m marksman

According to journalist Simon Phillips, in his Substack post, Chelsea are 'seriously' lining up a possible move to sign RB Leipzig marksman Benjamin Sesko.

He states that a striker is the biggest priority for Todd Boehly and his team for the off-season, whilst they are also considering a new goalkeeper, centre-back, left-back, and a winger.

The reporter claims that the Blues are weighing up whether or not to trigger the 20-year-old star's release clause with the German side, which Phillips cites as being £60m as per German reports.

They have until the end of June to exercise the option to trigger that deal but they would like to structure the payment rather than paying the £60m up front, which means that the London side will need to negotiate a move with Leipzig.

Phillips adds that Sesko is a 'top' striker candidate and that he has moved further up their shortlist of number nine targets ahead of the summer window.

He also reveals that other teams are interested in the Slovenia international and that it could become a competition to secure his signature ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

This means that Chelsea may need to act quickly and trigger his £60m release clause as soon as possible to win the race for his services this summer.

If they do decide to bring Sesko to Stamford Bridge over the coming weeks or months then Maresca could end up with his own version of Didier Drogba.

Why Benjamin Sesko is similar to Didier Drogba

Like the Ivorian legend, the young Leipzig star is a physically intimidating player at the height of 6 foot 5, three inches taller than the former Chelsea and Marseille star in fact.

Of his 104 Premier League goals for the Blues, Drogba scored 17 headers by using his frame to out muscle and out jump opposition defenders before using his finishing skills to find the back of the net with his efforts.

Five of Sesko's 14 goals for Leipzig in the Bundesliga this season came with his head, which shows that the young ace excels in the air and can leap above his opponents to head the ball in from crosses and set-pieces.

These statistics suggest that the Slovenian whiz, who won 57% of his aerial duels in the Bundesliga, can be a focal point at the top end of the pitch for Chelsea with his physical attributes and ability in the air, much like Drogba was.

Along with being excellent in the air, the now-retired number nine was a prolific scorer who consistently found the back of the net for the London giants.

Appearances

254

74

Goals

104

36

Assists

64

12

Drogba, who arrived off the back of a return of 19 goals in 35 Ligue 1 games for Marseille in 2004, went on to rack up 164 goals in 381 matches in all competitions for the Blues during his time in England.

This means that Sesko needs to do more than just be good in the air to be considered Maresca's own version of the Ivorian forward but his statistics in Germany and Austria suggest that the potential is there for him to follow in Drogba's footsteps as a goalscorer as well.

Why Chelsea should sign Benjamin Sesko

Along with his similarities to Drogba from a physical and stylistic perspective, the 20-year-old star is also a prolific goalscorer who has the potential to be a lethal finisher for the incoming Blues boss.

The Chelsea target plundered a whopping 16 goals in 23 Austrian Bundesliga starts for RB Salzburg last season before his move to Leipzig ahead of the current campaign.

He followed that up with a return of 18 goals and two assists in 42 appearances in all competitions for the German side, despite not earning himself a spot as a regular starter until the second half of the term.

Sesko only started 17 of his 31 matches in the Bundesliga for Leipzig but still managed to rack up an impressive tally of 14 goals in his first year in a major European league.

Starts

17

31

xG

7.66

18.64

Goals

14

14

xG +/-

+6.34

-4.64

Conversion rate

30%

18%

Aerial duel success rate

57%

36%

As you can see in the table above, the £60m-rated marksman significantly outperformed current Chelsea number nine Nicolas Jackson at league level.

Sesko, who was dubbed a future "goalscoring machine" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, was incredibly prolific in the Bundesliga by overperforming his xG by around six goals, whereas the Senegal international underperformed his by almost five.

This suggests that the 18-goal gem, who is two years younger than Jackson, would be far more reliable in front of goal than the ex-Villarreal forward.

The Leipzig star's impressive goalscoring record, and quality of finishing, at the age of just 20 speaks to his immense potential and is another reason why he could be Maresca's own Drogba.

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The Chelsea star is reportedly up for sale this summer.

ByTom Lever May 28, 2024

Sesko has the time, quality, physical attributes, and play style to develop into the Italian's own version of the Premier League icon, but it would be down to him to adapt to English football and then remain consistent over the course of a number of years to live up to the hype.