Chelsea have already had a bid rejected for Moises Caicedo this month and now a new update has emerged from a reliable source on the club’s pursuit of the player.
What’s the latest?
According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, a move for Caicedo will be “one to watch” as Chelsea could attempt another swoop for the Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder in the remaining days of the transfer window.
When asked on Twitter if Chelsea are likely to sign a midfielder during this window, Jacobs responded:
“That’s the plan… they are being ambitious, and it’s always tough mid-season, but they’ll be pushing for one right up until the window shuts. Caicedo remains one to watch.”
Imagine him & Kovacic
There is no doubt that Caicedo has become one of the hottest young prospects in the Premier League since becoming a consistent feature at his current club and has attracted attention not only from Chelsea but also Liverpool too.
The Blues are definitely in a position to bolster and refresh their midfield personnel especially with Jorginho and N’Golo Kante set for an exit from Stamford Bridge this summer when their contracts expire, so bringing in a defensive-minded midfielder like the Brighton ace would certainly make sense.
Over 18 Premier League appearances this season, the 21-year-old has scored one goal, registered one assist and tallied up an impressive 88% pass completion rate, as well as averaging 73.1 touches, 1.1 key passes, 1.4 interceptions, 2.9 tackles and 5.8 duels per game.
Not only that, the Ecuadorian talent ranks in the top 25% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for pass completion, tackles and interceptions, whilst ranking in the Premier League’s top five players for tackles in the opponent’s half and ninth for passes completed into the final third.
Graham Potter could form a formidable midfield partnership between Caicedo and Mateo Kovacic if the club can secure his signature this month, as combining the pair’s talents could make a huge difference in their efforts to climb the league table over the second half of the season.
The Croatian titan is renowned for his direct and deep-lying playmaking skills – ranking in the top 2% of his positional peers for progressive passes – so having another like-minded midfielder who is also prolific in the defensive traits needed from the deeper role in the centre of the pitch, could spark a great combination for Potter to deploy.
With that being said, if the powerbrokers at Stamford Bridge could secure the signing of Caicedo this month it would a great piece of business to get ahead in their much-needed midfield rebuild, however, it remains to be seen whether the club will be willing to match the player’s hefty £100m price tag over the next few days.
Crystal Palace are still eyeing up a potential last-gasp deadline day move for former player Conor Gallagher, journalist Simon Phillips has claimed.
The Lowdown: Gallagher saga rolls on
The Englishman enjoyed an impressive spell on loan at Selhurst Park from Chelsea last season, scoring eight Premier League goals in total and becoming a popular figure.
A return to Palace has been mooted throughout the January transfer window, with Gallagher’s playing time more limited at Stamford Bridge in 2022/23 to date.
Tuesday’s cutoff has nearly arrived and reports earlier in the day suggested he will remain at Chelsea, but it looks as though there could still be a late twist in the saga.
The Latest: Last-gasp signing?
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Phillips claimed that Palace could yet snap up Gallagher at the 11th hour if the Blues can sign Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez:
“Crystal Palace are interested still, in a loan, but Chelsea, at the moment, won’t sanction that until they’ve got Enzo in or another midfielder.
“But they weren’t keen on a loan anyway, they’d rather have a permanent sale, but it is one to still keep an eye on.”
The Verdict: Would be inspired business
Bringing Gallagher back to Palace could be an inspired piece of business, with Patrick Vieira arguably lacking someone with his box-to-box qualities in midfield.
The 22-year-old already has 29 goals and 16 assists to his name in his club career, despite his tender years, and he could dovetail nicely behind the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.
Gallagher could also eventually join permanently at the end of the season, seeing Palace as the club he can settle at and be a genuine regular at moving forward, having been hailed as ‘extraordinary’ by Thomas Tuchel in the past.
Liverpool have had a tumultuous Premier League season so far with a number of injury issues plaguing the squad and now a new update has emerged that could be a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp.
What’s the latest?
According to The Athletic journalist James Pearce, both Virgil Van Dijk and Diogo Jota will return to team training at Kirkby this week ahead of the Merseyside derby and upcoming two-leg Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
As per the report, Pearce claimed that the return from long-term injury issues for both players will be a much-needed lift in the squad after suffering a real struggle to get back on track.
It could revive Liverpool’s season
There is no doubt that having Van Dijk and Jota back in contention at this point of the season will be a huge relief to the Liverpool boss as he attempts to reignite the side’s season after a disappointing run of form.
The Reds are tenth in the Premier League table after 20 outings which would be their worst-finishing league placement since 1952 if they were to retain their current league position at the end of the season, with the side also knocked out of both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup – the two domestic competitions they won last term.
Indeed, Liverpool are still competing in the Champions League with the first half of their challenge against Real Madrid coming up later this month at Anfield and Klopp will be hoping that his returning players can make a instant positive impact to give his team the best chance of knocking their European rivals out of the competition.
Van Dijk is renowned for his influence on Liverpool’s recent triumphs since he joined the Merseyside outfit in 2017, winning the Champions League just six months into his successful spell at the club, following that up with a Premier League title a year later.
That came all while being named in the PFA Team of the Year on three successive occasions, a fact that marks out just how crucial he is to Liverpool.
As far as Jota is concerned, he was able to force his way into the famous front three of Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino by making a statement with his consistent threat in front of goal when he joined in 2020 – scoring 34 times and registering 14 assists over 93 appearances so far.
Liverpool have not scored a Premier League goal since the 2nd January when they lost 3-1 to Brentford, and have not won a league game since they beat Leicester City in December last year, so if Jota can quickly get back to his best in the forward line it could revive their fortunes.
With that being said, things could barely get worse at Anfield and Klopp will be feeling the pressure to get a decent performance out of his team as soon as possible, so the return of the experienced duo can only benefit the manager and the team ahead of the Merseyside derby this weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur could have unearthed Harry Kane’s true heir in January.
The Lilywhites’ academy setup is blessed with talent, particularly of an attacking nature, with the likes of Dane Scarlett and Troy Parrot both mooted to be long-term successors of the England talisman.
Both are certainly following in the 29-year-old’s footsteps by going out on loan lower down in the English football pyramid as his stints at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Leicester City and Norwich City were the perfect blueprint for the player he’s become today.
Jude Soonsup-Bell, a late acquisition in the recent transfer window, could throw in a curveball to the future plans of the aforementioned academy duo and any others dreaming of one day replacing the vice-captain.
The 19-year-old has joined from Premier League rivals Chelsea on a deal until 2025.
Soonsup-Bell has been a prolific marksman at youth level, bagging 23 goals in 25 games for the Blues’ U18 setup, whilst he became the first Chelsea player to bag four goals in one FA Youth Cup game in 59 years back in November 2020.
He’s a prospect that is thought to be very “highly-rated” – according to Spurs expert and insider John Wenham, who waxed lyrical about sporting director Fabio Paratici’s decision to sign him to Football Insider.
“I know a bit more about this guy than most, I have seen him come and play at Hotspur Way as part of Chelsea’s academy a few times. I would go as far as to say he is the most highly-rated academy forward in England, very exciting,” he said.
Others have also hailed Soonsup-Bell as an immense talent with bags of potential, with his former U18 boss Ed Brand once claiming to the club’s official website:
“Jude is a top goalscorer. He showed great composure to get the ball out of his feet and finish well when he got his chance. He is a fantastic player at this level and he should be really proud.”
With the teenage sensation likely to go out on loan next season, he could well be the latest challenger for Kane’s throne and given the England U19 international’s form and the fanfare around his talent, he may prove to be the true heir apparent over someone like Scarlett – all thanks to Paratici’s winter coup.
AND in other news, Levy could keep Conte at Spurs with swoop for £54m “phenomenon”, he’s a “top” summer target…
Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie believes Yosuke Ideguchi may have played his last game for the club.
What’s the word?
The midfielder joined the Bhoys in January 2022, but has made just six appearances in that time, and recently completed a loan move to Avispa Fukuoka in Japan.
It seems that his time in Glasgow is up, and McAvennie thinks a summer move after his loan is now on the cards.
Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie claimed that he has gone on loan to try to drum up interest to gain a transfer fee in the summer, and that injuries stopped him developing well at the club.
He said: “Through the years, people have come in and they can’t hack it, the demand from the club. As soon as you walk in the front door at Celtic, you know that it is an institution. Some people can’t hack it.
“There are a lot of good players that have come in and haven’t done it then gone away and started playing well again.
“He got a few injuries and he just did not get back in. By the time he was fit, Ange had his team. It was just too late for him.
“Celtic would not get any money if they tried to sell him. If they put him on loan and he does well, they might get some money back for him. So hopefully that is what it is.”
Time is up
The former Leeds midfielder now looks set to leave permanently after his loan, even if he impresses during his spell, and it now seems that his time is up at the club.
The 26-year-old never got going at Parkhead and failed to make a single appearance in any competition this season.
He was on the bench three times following his injury issues, but was dropped from the matchday squad completely in October, and there looks to be no way back for him.
Celtic are well on their way to securing another league title after a stellar season under Ange Postecoglou, but Ideguchi will not receive a medal for this season and his future could be back in Japan with his current loan club.
Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar, according to 90min.
The Lowdown: Impressive season
Neymar, hailed as a ‘special talent’ by talkSPORT pundit Danny Murphy, has once again starred for the Ligue 1 side this season, contributing to 22 league goals in just 19 appearances.
In total, the 31-year-old has been involved in 193 goals in 172 games for PSG after joining from Barcelona in a deal worth £190m back in 2017.
Primarily a left-winger who can also play as an attacking midfielder or second striker, Neymar is under contract with the French giants until 2025, but a summer exit could be on the cards.
The Latest: Transfer update
90min shared a story on Thursday regarding Neymar, where United were named.
They claimed that intermediaries have already spoken to the Old Trafford chiefs over a potential deal, with the Brazilian seemingly keen on a move to England. Alongside United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle are also thought to be potential destinations.
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The Verdict: One to watch?
It looks as if a move to the Premier League for the Brazilian star could be a possibility in the coming months, so it could be one to keep an eye on.
The Red Devils are on course to finish in the top four, so could offer Champions League football to Neymar next season, something Chelsea and Liverpool may not be able to offer.
Should a transfer materialise, Erik ten Hag may have to evaluate his left-winger options, with both Neymar and Marcus Rashford potentially battling it out for that position.
Rashford has been in fine form in recent months in that area but can move centrally if required, so it’ll be interesting to see what would happen if a move to the red side of Manchester was made official for Neymar.
Glasgow Rangers are reportedly plotting a potential summer move to try and bring Serbia under-21 striker Petar Ratkov to Ibrox.
The Lowdown: Morelos replacement?
Alfredo Morelos is out of contract with the Premiership giants this summer, with reports that a number of clubs in the Spanish, Italian and Turkish top flights have registered their interests in signing him on a free transfer.
Should he depart, Rangers would need to find a replacement, and it looks as if they have one player lined up already.
The Latest: Ratkov transfer interest
As per Football Insider, Michael Beale’s side are plotting a move for Ratkov this summer and are ‘keeping close tabs’ on his situation at Serbian top-flight outfit FK TSC.
He is on the radar of some top clubs in Europe heading into this summer, and both Anderlecht and Parma had bids rejected for him in the January transfer window.
Rangers have made no enquiries or bids for Ratkov as of yet, but are assessing the player known as the ‘next Mario Mandzukic’.
The Verdict: Get it done
Ratkov will likely be a player in high demand come the summer, so the Light Blues need to try and wrap up this deal as soon as they can.
It is testament to how highly the 6 foot 4 striker is rated that he has been compared to Mandzukic, a Champions League winner with Bayern Munich and a World Cup finalist with Croatia who boasts 230 senior career goals at club and international level.
At just 19 years of age, Ratkov has already played 63 senior matches for TSC, scoring nine goals and supplying three assists, while he has also scored once in four matches at under-21 level with Serbia (Transfermarkt).
He certainly seems to have a bright future, and he could hopefully be a focal point for Rangers for years to come.
Arsenal are one of the most famous clubs in world football, with the Arsene Wenger era, in particular, helping to significantly boost their popularity. During the Frenchman’s best years, the Gunners ticked every box. They had the best players, won the greatest domestic honours, as well as very nearly winning Europe’s top prize. On top of that, however, and perhaps most importantly, they played the most attractive football – a type of football that revolutionised the English game.
The fact is, when pulling on the famous shirt, a player’s popularity and stock price would rise at an incredible rate. Of course, nowadays, the effect is slightly lessened by Arsenal’s struggles on the pitch, but Mikel Arteta’s team are doing their best to overcome that, as they continue to lead the Premier League.
With that said, we’ve ranked the 10 most famous players in Arsenal history.
10) Paul Merson
Now working as a pundit, Paul Merson’s fame has increased significantly since retirement, but that does not mean it wasn’t a factor in his playing days, as one of Arsenal’s greatest ever players.
In total, he made 376 appearances for The Gunners, scoring 87 goals, and assisting a further 28. Meanwhile, when it came to trophies, Merson was not left short of success, winning two league titles, one FA Cup, one Community Shield, and one League Cup.
He continues to be in the spotlight too, regularly featuring for Sky as they build up to the biggest games, most recently being seen in the studio analysing the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.
A truly underrated player who may well have gone on too long, instead of retiring at his very best.
9) Robert Pires
ARSENAL’S PIRES CELEBRATES WITH VIEIRA AFTER SCORING AGAINST TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR DURING THEIR ENGLISH SOCCER MATCH. Arsenal’s Robert Pires (R) of France celebrates with Patrick Vieira of France after scoring the second goal against Tottenham Hotspur during their English premier league soccer match at White Hart Lane, London, April 25, 2004. NO ONLINE/INTERNET USAGE WITHOUT FAPL LICENCE. FOR DETAILS SEE WWW.FAPLWEB.COM REUTERS/Mike Finn-Kelcey
As part of the Arsenal Invincibles, Robert Pires was as famous as he was magic on the football pitch, as he played a vital role under Wenger. he won Arsenal’s Player of the Season in 2001/02, as he recorded 24 goal involvements in the Premier League in what was an incredible campaign.
He is now seen as one of the most elegant left wingers there has ever been during his time at Arsenal.
Throughout his time with the club, he scored goals, provided assists, and twisted the blood of every full-back he came up against.
Now a FIFA 23 Icon, he’s being introduced to an entire generation of new fans.
8) Lee Dixon
Like Merson, Lee Dixon’s fame has increased since his playing days, with his work as a pundit and as a commentator on video game, FIFA, inflating his popularity.
As a player, the former right-back made 567 appearances for Arsenal, and even managed a total of 26 goals for the Gunners.
Dixon ended his career with four league titles to his name – two First Division titles and two Premier League titles – as well as three FA Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
With a trophy cabinet as heaving as that, we can’t ignore him here.
7) Martin Keown
Martin Keown during The FA & McDonalds Grassroots Awards 2019McDonald’s – Liverpool v Manchester City, FA Community Shield football match, Wembley Stadium, London, UK – 04 Aug 2019Photo: Fiona Hanson for The FA
Continuing the theme of pundits, Martin Keown has been a constant feature on the likes of BT Sport and BBC over the years, as he continues to offer his expert opinion.
As a player, he was famous for being a hard hitting defender, as he helped Arsenal become invincible in 2004 to win the Premier League title.
He was the guaranteed starter in the backline as Arsenal were hoovering up trophies left, right, and centre.
He remains the example for new Arsenal defenders to follow.
6) David Seaman
Wrexham v Arsenal, FA Cup match at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, 4th January 1992.David Seaman, Goalkeeper of Arsenal.Final score:Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal
One of the greatest England goalkeepers of all time, David Seaman had incredible success at Arsenal and, with that, came the fame of being the Gunners’ shot-stopper.
In total, he kept 218 clean sheets for the club, and won three league titles, four FA Cups, three Community Shields, and one League Cup in what was an incredibly successful spell.
It helps that Seaman was also England’s No.1 for a prolonged period, playing for his country at a variety of major tournaments, including the World Cup.
He’s consistently seen on British television screens, both as a pundit and as a personality in different reality shows.
5) Ashley Cole
England’s Ashley Cole flies through the air as he fights for the ballwith Mauricio Pochettino of Argentina during their group F match at theWorld Cup finals between England and Argentina in Sapporo June 7, 2002.England won 1-0. REUTERS/Dylan MartinezPA/JDP
Unlike several British actors, Ashley Cole managed to actually make it in America, which added to his already impressive fame after his trophy-filled Premier League career.
He is arguably the greatest left-back that English football has ever seen, with incredible spells at both Arsenal and Chelsea, where he won a combined total of three Premier League titles.
Cole was also a truly elite international left-back, playing for England at a variety of major tournaments, as a member of the Golden Generation.
After leaving for Chelsea, he left a gaping hole in the Arsenal squad.
4) Dennis Bergkamp
Football – FA Carling Premiership – Arsenal v Southampton – 23/9/95 Arsenal’s Dennis Bergkamp celebrates his 1st goal for the club Mandatory Credit:Action Images / David Jacobs
When we think of Dennis Bergkamp, we instantly think of THAT goal against Newcastle United. To this day, we haven’t seen that flick attempted with success again.
That goal alone has added increased fame to his name, as many associate Bergkamp with that piece of sheer genius. Simply put, he is one of the greatest players to ever play for Arsenal.
Indeed, he ended his career with 416 appearances for the Gunners, with 115 goals and 95 assists.
That’s a stunning record for a player who allied technical skill with a truly deadly eye for goal.
3) Patrick Vieira
Soccer Football – FA Cup Third Round – Crystal Palace v Southampton – Selhurst Park, London, Britain – January 7, 2023 Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira before the match REUTERS/Ian Walton
One of the only players who dared to stand face to face with Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira’s rivalry with his Manchester United counterpart almost summed him up as a player.
He had that necessary fire in the earlier days of the Premier League, whilst also possessing that technical elegance.
Now the Crystal Palace manager, where he is having great success, Vieira is one of the most famous players associated with Arsenal.
Just look at his trophy cabinet: he won Serie A with AC Milan before moving to the Gunners, where he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. After leaving, he won Serie A four more times with Inter Milan, as well as an FA Cup with Manchester City.
Oh, and he also won the World Cup and the European Championship with France. As you do.
2) Ian Wright
Ian Wright – Arsenal stock 18/10/97 Pic : Darren Walsh / Action Images
Ian Wright Wright Wright may have been a late arrival to top flight football, but when he arrived, he did not waste his opportunity.
By the time he called it a day on his playing career, Wright had scored 113 Premier League goals to put him 22nd in the all time list. Now one of the best pundits around, Wright’s popularity is almost unrivalled.
At the highest level, he had real pace, technique and intensity, and was able to power the Gunners to unprecedented success.
Is it strange to say that he may well be underrated? Because he may well be underrated.
1) Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry has that certain aura about him that only so many footballers have; an aura where even those who don’t necessarily passionately follow football know about his greatness.
He is one of the best players in football history, and the greatest player in Arsenal’s history. And, with that, comes incredible popularity and fame.
Now a pundit covering the Premier League and the Champions League, Henry won pretty much everything, and his departure from Arsenal, to join Barcelona, remains one of the most devastating transfers the Gunners have ever sanctioned.
After all, how do you replace Thierry Henry?
So, there you have it, our list of Arsenal’s most famous players of all time. Do you agree with our list? Or do you feel as though we’ve missed some players out? Let us know in the comments!
Fame and popularity has been earned by the aforementioned players, and seems to have gone hand in hand with success. Arsenal’s current crop of players, some of which are already extremely popular amongst fans, will be hoping to win the same honours and earn similar fame in the North London club’s history.
Everton travel to the east Midlands in the hopes that they can truly kickstart their survival bid, with a vital Premier League win on the road against Nottingham Forest.
Sean Dyche has endured a mixed start to life at Goodison Park, and with two wins and three losses thus far he will be hoping to once again even the scales in favour of the former.
However, his travels take him to a somewhat resurgent side, as Steve Cooper’s men boast just two losses in the league since the start of the new year. They will likely still be reeling from their 4-0 demolition at the hands of fellow relegation contenders West Ham United, and that result will give the Toffees hope.
They are to once again be without star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and although the pair are making fine progress, James Garner and Nathan Patterson remain sidelined.
Dyche will be keen to attain a vital three points that could see them rise out of the relegation zone and to within a point of today’s opponents, who sit in 14th.
How might Everton line up against Nottingham Forest?
With this in mind, here is how Football FanCast expects Everton to line up at the City Ground, with Dyche making three changes to his side that fell to a heavy defeat at the Emirates in midweek.
Jordan Pickford will remain in goal fresh from signing his new contract, and a fine display today could be imperative in securing the win.
He will sit behind a back four that only sees Michael Keane drop out, in favour of fan-favourite Yerry Mina who could make his return. A start today would be his first since their loss against the Hammers in mid-January, and just his fourth of the season.
Although often plagued with injuries, the £120k-per-week titan is widely recognised around the club as one of the better centre-backs and certainly the “animal” that journalist Daniel Avellaneda dubbed him when available.
He will partner James Tarkowski, and the two will be flanked by Seamus Coleman and Vitaliy Mykolenko.
Sticking with a flat midfield five, a lack of alternative options means Abdoulaye Doucoure, Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye all retain their spots. Had there been a viable substitution, the latter of those three would surely have been dropped after his disasterclass against Arsenal. They cannot afford any liabilities in a game as important as today.
The main change will be to see Alex Iwobi sent to the bench in an effort to add more attacking impetus on the road, as Demarai Gray is recalled. A resurgent Dwight McNeil will occupy the opposite flank.
Then, in the hopes of adding more physicality up front, Neal Maupay will be dropped to allow Ellis Simms an opportunity to disrupt Forest’s defence.
His hulking frame and increased speed are sure to cause more damage than the diminutive Frenchman, who has only scored once all term.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is considering his options on the managerial market and could look to hire former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino amid the tumult of the club’s seasonal fortunes.
What’s the latest on Chelsea’s manager search?
Despite clinching a pivotal Premier League victory against Leeds United last time out, Blues boss Graham Potter holds a loose grip on his future in the Stamford Bridge dugout, and despite retaining the backing of the outfit’s American owner.
With just three victories from 16 matches across all competitions and languishing in tenth in the league, reports attributing interest in the likes of Pochettino might bear fruit, with the likes of Football Insider naming the Argentine as one of the key candidates to succeed Potter, should he be handed the axe.
The 51-year-old has been out of work since being sacked by Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season, despite winning Ligue 1 months prior.
Could Pochettino get the best out of Sterling?
During his time with Spurs, despite failing to clinch a major honour – Tottenham have infamously failed to taste silverware since winning the League Cup in 2008 – the aura and identity that was embedded into the outfit, transitioning from European hopefuls to tangible Champions League contenders, crystallised.
According to one tactical analysis, Pochettino’s approach with the Lilywhites heaped onus on innate awareness and constricting movements in breaking the play and buffering the opposing advances.
His emphasis on breaking the lines and vertical progressions allowed the likes of Son Heung-min to flourish; cheetah-quick and fleet-footed, the South Korean forward was signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £22m in 2015, and over 203 appearances under Pochettino scored 75 goals and supplied 39 assists.
Ballooning his value under his former boss, Transfermarkt rated the 108-cap phenom at £71m when Pochettino was sacked by Tottenham in November 2019, months after historically reaching the Champions League final for the first time in the club’s history.
Given that success, the distinguished leader’s prospective arrival at Stamford Bridge could pay dividends for Raheem Sterling, who has been “struggling” – according to Kyle Bonn – with the Blues since his £47.5m transfer from Manchester City last summer.
The illustrious £325k-per-week England international has scored 113 goals and registered 79 assists from 338 matches in the Premier League, winning the competition four times, but has failed to replicate past feats with lacklustre Chelsea, with four strikes from 18 top-flight contests this term.
However, given both Sterling and Son boast dynamic brilliance in their flanking roles, prolific and creative on their day, he could rekindle his former verve with Pochettino’s – hailed a “top manager” by Pep Guardiola – appointment.
Indeed, considering the success Son had under Pochettino’s wing, channelling and nurturing his potential and becoming a world-class sensation, the manager’s arrival in west London could be a propitious changing of the winds for the 28-year-old Sterling, who has demonstrated with regularity his clinical nature when harnessed aptly.
And with Chelsea desperate for a newfound collective offensive threat, it might just be the move to make if Potter continues to fall short of expectations.