Aston Villa's season is threatening to fizzle out as they are struck by fixture congestion and injury woes, with Unai Emery's side now looking less than certain for Champions League football next season.

Villa hit by another defensive injury

The Villans were handed a major boost just last week when it emerged that Tyrone Mings was making good progress in returning from his knee injury suffered at the beginning of the campaign, though he is not expected to feature before the end of the Premier League season.

Versatile defender Ezri Konsa is also on the treatment table, and is facing at least another fortnight out, while Jhon Duran is another key piece of squad depth out of action through injury.

And now they have another problem at centre-back, with Diego Carlos suffering an injury during a training session. Emery later confirmed that it was a hamstring issue and that the Brazilian would be sidelined for between three and four weeks with the injury.

It is yet another issue for the midlands outfit to contend with, having lost Boubacar Kamara to a season-ending knee injury in their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United a fortnight ago and with Emiliano Buendia having missed the entire season to date with the same issue.

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Now, Villa journalist and writer Ty Bracey has had his say on the fallout from Carlos' absence. Speaking to Aston Villa News, he revealed that though it is 'another blow' for Emery, there are alternatives within the squad.

Villa stuttering at crucial point

Injuries are not helping Villa's situation, and the return of European football could see them tested once more. Emery's side were clear favourites for a top 5 spot before Christmas, but have won just three games out of their last seven across all competitions since the turn of the year.

Player

Injury

Return date

Tyrone Mings

Knee

Next season

Boubacar Kamara

Knee

Next season

Emiliano Buendia

Knee

Next season

Ezri Konsa

Knee

March

Diego Carlos

Hamstring

March

Jhon Duran

Unknown

March

Defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League has seen the Red Devils close the gap in the race for European football, and as it stands, all of Villa, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are separated by just five points, though it remains the Midlands outfit leading the way.

They also await their fate in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League draw, which takes place on Friday, February 23rd, and which the Villans will feel that they have an excellent chance of winning with Emery at the helm.

However, with a smaller squad keeping everyone in peak condition for both competitions will become increasingly difficult, and with tricky Premier League games against Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal all to come, it could ultimately prove a step too far for the injury-hit squad.

Of course, the season will still be considered a major success for Villa even if they miss out on Champions League football, with Emery having overseen a major change of fortunes at the club after taking over from Steven Gerrard 18 months ago. Should they add a European trophy too, it would be the best season in living memory for plenty of Villa fans.

Italy star Riccardo Calafiori has been warned off a potential Arsenal transfer by former Serie A sporting director Walter Sabatini.

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Arsenal close to completing Calafiori dealHas a contract with Bologna until 2027Sabatini wants him to snub the GunnersWHAT HAPPENED?

Arsenal's pursuit of Calafiori has been steadily progressing, with the club nearing an agreement on the transfer fee. Alessandro Lucci, Calafiori's agent, has been instrumental in negotiating the deal with the Gunners outpacing competitors like Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea, and Juventus in the race to sign the talented defender, who is valued at €45 million (£38m/49m).

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Arsenal have presented Calafiori with a long-term vision that reportedly appeals to the player more than the offers from other interested clubs. He has emerged as a key player for Bologna since his transfer from Swiss side Basel last year. The defender made his national team debut in early June and played in all three of Italy's Euro 2024 group stage matches and was missed during their last-16 loss to Switzerland last week.

WHAT SABITINI SAID

In a recent interview with , as reported by TMW, Sabatini shared his concerns about Serie A losing a player of Calafiori's calibre.

"It’s a disaster when strong, young players like him leave our league," Sabatini lamented.

"€45 million as a valuation is a huge sum but the defenders are paid even more. I think it’s the minimum for someone like him: left-footed, physically imposing, authoritative and with personality in the game.

“Let’s remember what he did in the 96th minute against Croatia: he came out with the ball at his feet, ran forty meters, took on the defence and passed the ball. These are plays you only do if you have quality and courage and the courage to take risks and to execute the action is something only great players can do.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

For Arsenal, the acquisition of Calafiori represents a strategic investment in their defensive line. The club's focus on signing young, talented players aligns with their long-term objectives to build a robust and competitive squad. The Italian could indeed become the Gunner's first summer signing in what Mikel Arteta has promised will be an "aggressive" window for the North London club.

Allrounder provides the evidence that Taunton surface is difficult, but hardly unplayable during crucial last-wicket stand with Jack Leach

George Dobell in Taunton24-Sep-2019

Roelof van der Merwe brings out the reverse-sweep•Getty Images

As John Cleese ate his lunch at the County Ground on Tuesday, he could have been forgiven for concluding that Somerset’s title hopes were no more; ceased to be; expired and gone to meet their maker.Around that time, Somerset had subsided to 144 for 9. On this dry surface offering substantial assistance to the bowlers that was not, perhaps, quite as bad as it may seem at first glance. But neither was it a commanding position in a game they must win if they are to overhaul Essex. As a lifelong Somerset supporter, it may have been enough to put Cleese (and Jeffrey Archer, who has also had a long affiliation with the club and has been at this match) off his Colditz salad.But if we have learned anything from this summer, it is that Jack Leach is not a man to be underestimated.And here, once again, he batted as if nailed to the crease in helping his side add 59 crucial runs or the final wicket. It was easily the highest stand of the Somerset innings and one of only two that extended beyond 30. And while it would be an exaggeration to suggest it has put Somerset on top in this contest – the weather is probably winning so far and every gamble has to come off if Somerset are defeat it and Essex – it has, at least, extended their hopes of a maiden Championship title into the penultimate day of the season.Leach is becoming something of an expert in such last-wicket heroics. He was given a rousing reception by proud supporters as he made his way to the crease and rapturous applause after he hit – guided might be a more appropriate word – his first two deliveries for four through third-man off the previously frugal Sam Cook. From then on, however, he adopted a more familiar holding role – leech-like, if you will – with just two more scoring strokes from the other 34 balls of his innings.To see Roelof van der Merwe as low as No. 10 is surprising, though. This is a man with a first-class double-century to his name, after all, who has batted at No. 3 in both first-class and limited-overs cricket. But, reasoning that attack may be the best form of defence on such a pitch, he registered his first first-class 50 since 2017 slog-sweeping his first ball for six and following it, moments later, with a reverse-sweep for six more. In all there were four sixes and three fours.Simon Harmer bore the brunt of the punishment. Until that point, Somerset had struggled to negate his turn and control as he claimed the tenth five-wicket haul of a wonderful campaign that has now brought him 83 wickets. But van der Merwe took him for 45 runs from 35 balls and took Somerset to a total that may well prove somewhat better than par by the time this match ends. He later rated it both a “good score” on such a surface and a “good wicket” which may well be a somewhat contradictory stance.It was a stand which may carry significance beyond its numbers. For by demonstrating the pitch was not as unplayable as one or two Somerset batsmen had made it appear, Leach and van der Merwe have also earned their side a decent chance of avoiding serious sanction.Somerset have walked a narrow path in this area for some time. Just over a year ago, they escaped a penalty for their surface in a Championship match against Lancashire which finished in two days and was found to have “demonstrated excessive turn”. But while the ECB’s Cricket Discipline Commission did not penalise Somerset, they did warn that “the club should expect any proven breach of ECB’s pitch regulations in future to result in a points deduction”.The key point here is that game just over a year ago. And the ECB’s regulations state that “penalties can only be applied if a pitch has been marked poor or unfit, or is a second case, in the same competition, of a below-average pitch for that county in a 12-month period.And with ECB regulations deeming a pitch unfit “only if it is dangerous” and poor only if there is “excessive unevenness of bounce” or “excessive seam movement” there seems little scope for either conclusion. There is turn here, certainly, and there is some uneven bounce. But it really does seem as if Somerset have studied the regulations and taken a calculated gamble. If it comes off and they win the Championship, they will brush off the indignity of another ‘below average’ condemnation with a cheery smile. It would be a remarkable effort for a club currently searching for a new chairman, chief executive, chief operating officer and groundsman.There are also various extenuating factors the ECB’s pitch liaison officer, Phil Whitticase, will take into consideration. It is, for example, a televised game. And that means it has to be played close to the centre of the square in line with the position of the camera gantries. And, at the end of a long summer, all such surfaces have been used – this one for both the Ashes Test and the Afghanistan v New Zealand World Cup match.Either way, nobody wants this thrilling title race to be decided in a meeting room in the weeks after the season has been completed. So while the Essex coach, Anthony McGrath, did suggest “the pitch has turned from ball one and some deliveries have gone through the surface” he also conceded such matters were “nothing to do with me” and urged his side to “play the conditions in front of them.”For a moment, as van der Merwe counterattacked, Essex did seem a little rattled. Harmer appeared irritated when Jamie Porter, on the deep point boundary, came off the rope only to see a six pass just over where he had been and, with Ryan ten Doeschate pushing men out to protect the boundaries, the gaps for singles increased. Aron Nijjar, the left-arm spinner, was also largely ineffective.But Essex’s nerves were calmed with the relative ease with which Alastair Cook and Nick Browne negotiated the new ball. They were beaten occasionally, but they also established a decent platform and arrested whatever momentum shift may have been achieved in the latter stages of the Somerset innings. And with just 27.5 overs possible on day one and 45.5 on day two, time is running out for Somerset.The forecast for the third day, at least, is better. And while Somerset have a great deal of work ahead of them to claim 20 Essex wickets and squeeze in a second innings of their own, they have a huge amount of faith in the ability of Leach to exploit a pitch that really might have been tailor-made for him.Their Championship bid hasn’t kicked the bucket and shuffled off its mortal coil just yet.

Chelsea have already begun their planning for this summer transfer window and have lined up a pair of French midfielders, according to recent reports.

Pochettino under pressure at Chelsea

With silverware now looking unlikely for another season, Chelsea fans have had enough of Mauricio Pochettino. Chants against the Argentine rang around Stamford Bridge during their 2-2 Premier League draw with Brentford, and with the club sitting in 11th place there is little faith that the ex-Spurs man is the one to turn it around in west London.

The games to save Pochettino's job?

Monday 11th March

Newcastle United (H)

Sunday 17th March

Leicester City – FA Cup quarter final (H)

Saturday 30th March

Burnley (H)

Thursday 4th April

Manchester United (H)

Saturday 7th April

Sheffield United (A)

However, he appears to still have the trust of the new Blues owners for now, and a strong end to the season could see him still in charge come the start of the 2024/25 season. However, he will need an upturn in results, including a likely FA Cup run, where they face Leicester City in the quarter-finals later in March.

No matter who is in charge in west London come the new season though, it appears that transfer plans are already being made to help them succeed for the new campaign.

French pair on the radar at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea's ability to spend this summer depends heavily on their ability to sell players, with their latest accounts showing a £90m loss from last year amid fears that they must generate significant funds before June 30th in order to comply with the Premier League's financial fair play regulations.

The likes of Lewis Hall, Ian Maatsen, Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah and Omari Hutchinson could all find themselves on the chopping block and all have suitors, which could make raising the cash for this summer relatively straightforward for the Blues.

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Should they do so, they will then look to bolster their current squad further, regardless of who is in the Stamford Bridge technical area.

To that end, HITC report that they are keen on landing French duo Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram, both of whom have previously been strongly linked to Premier League clubs. Though they have spent over £200m on Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, there is a feeling that neither are a natural defensive midfielder, something that would be addressed by signing either Frenchman, which could help bring out the best in the south American pair.

Standing at 6 foto 4 inches tall, Thuram would certainly bring physicality to the Blues engine room, with the OGC Nice star one of the best in Europe at carrying the ball up the pitch and breaking through midfield lines.

Kone is no slouch either – the Borussia Monchengladbach star has been described as a "one man army" by Talent Scout Jacek Kulig and it is easy to see why. The 22-year-old has one goal and two assists from midfield this season, but boasts impressive numbers when it comes to blocks (1.5 per game), take-ons (2.06 per game) and tackles (over 2 per game), all while maintaining an 87% pass accuracy.

With Romeo Lavia waiting in the wings at Stamford Bridge too, should either Frenchman be added to the midfield armoury in west London alkong with a striker, the Blues could begin looking like a serious side once more.

Soumya Sarkar also returns for the three-match T20I series in India following a request from Russell Domingo

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2019Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny and paceman Al-Amin Hossain have been recalled to Bangladesh’s T20I squad for their three-match series against India next month. Both of them had last played a T20I in 2016.Bangladesh T20I squad

Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Naim, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Aminul Islam, Arafat Sunny, Mohammad Saifuddin, Al-Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam

IN: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Arafat Sunny, Al-Amin Hossain

OUT: Sabbir Rahman, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Najmul Hossain

Along with them, Tamim Iqbal, who had taken a break from the game, will return to action in India, as will Soumya Sarkar, who was dropped midway through the T20I tri-series at home against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in September.Meanwhile, Sabbir Rahman, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain and Najmul Hossain, who were all in the squad for the tri-series, were left out.Sunny was the top wicket-taker for Rajshahi Kings in the 2018-19 Bangladesh Premier League, taking 16 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 7.68. Al-Amin had an underwhelming BPL stint, managing just three wickets in five games, but chief selector Minhajul Abedin said that his fitness had tilted the scales in his favour.”Al-Amin is in good shape and one of the few fit pace bowlers currently,” he said. “We want to make use of his experience of playing in the 2016 World T20 in India. For our spin options, we picked Sunny as a back-up, since Taijul will only play the Tests.”Minhajul also explained that Soumya had been picked following a request by the coach, Russell Domingo. “We didn’t pick him, but we selected him because of the coach.”Soumya was recalled despite scoring just 60 runs in the two innings he played for Bangladesh A and Khulna Division after being dropped from the national side. Soumya had struggled in the World Cup, too, managing only 166 runs in eight innings at an average of 20.75.As for Tamim, who had missed the one-off Test against Afghanistan and the subsequent tri-series, he is understood to be recovering well from a rib injury, and proved his fitness in the four-day National Cricket League by making 30 and 46 for Chittagong Division.

The midfielder's thunderous bicycle kick rescued Gareth Southgate's job and dignity while the captain completed a frantic turnaround

How do England keep getting away with it?! The Three Lions were on the verge of a truly shocking elimination from Euro 2024 to Slovakia, a side ranked 40 places below them in the world and who had never won a knockout game at a major tournament.

The outsiders would have deserved the victory too, Ivan Schranz capitalising on haphazard England defending to put Slovakia in front. England had no answer and had no shots on target until the game entered stoppage time.

But that was when Jude Bellingham remembered he is a Real Madrid star and Ballon d'Or contender, as h saved England with a thumping overhead-kick in the 95th minute. England's tails were then up, and in the first minute of extra-time, Harry Kane – who had produced another abject display – nudged the ragged Three Lions in front.

England reverted to their usual timid selves thereafter, but it was enough to see off Slovakia and book themselves a quarter-final tie with Switzerland. But they will know they will be heading home on Saturday unless things improve as they are running out of lives.

GOAL rates England's players from the Veltins Arena..

• Getty Images
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Jordan Pickford (5/10):

  Could do nothing about the Slovakia goal and showed leadership in extra-time, taking crosses confidently.

  Kyle Walker (5/10):

  Huge drop down from his usual level, being caught in Slovakia's pressing trap twice and being too slow to shut down Schranz. But made up for it with his lethal long throw to set up Bellingham and defended well in extra-time.

  Marc Guehi (5/10):

  Made a bad start by getting booked (and suspended for the quarters). Beaten in the air before Slovakia's goal but kept his head and his flick-on helped Bellingham equalise.

  John Stones (4/10):

  Slow and sloppy, almost punished when he gifted the ball to Strelec by the halfway line. Also poor for the goal.

  Kieran Trippier (4/10):

  Unconvincing again. A bad early pass put Guehi in trouble, while he later skied a decent scoring chance. Taken off injured in second half.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Midfield

  Declan Rice (4/10):

  Not brave enough with the ball. Came close to equalising with a thumping effort off the post.

  Kobbie Mainoo (7/10):

  The only player to play with courage on the ball. Taken off before full-time despite being England's best performer at the time.

  Jude Bellingham (5/10):

  Put in some wild tackles and looked to have lost his nerve. Went missing for long periods until he remembered he plays for Real Madrid and conjured his stonking overhead-kick.

• Getty Images
  

  Attack

  Bukayo Saka (5/10):

  A few positive moments but got little support. Shifted to left-back then right wing-back as England chased the game.

  Harry Kane (4/10):

  For 90 minutes he had no impact on the play and wasted his few chances. But he got an ally when Toney came on and finished the job.

  Phil Foden (6/10):

  One of England's better players but unwisely ran offside, ruling out his goal. Taken off while England were on their way out.

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• Getty Images
  

  Subs & Manager

  Cole Palmer (5/10):

  Added more purpose to England's attack although he didn't have a huge impact.

  Eberechi Eze (6/10):

  Did well at wing-back in extra-time before returning to midfield.

  Ivan Toney (6/10):

  Added an element of chaos which made the difference. Set up Kane's goal and his hold-up play helped England get over the line.

  Conor Gallagher (5/10):

  Gave England fresh legs in extra-time.

  Ezri Konsa (5/10):

  Became England's fourth left-back. Did what was required to see the game out.

  Gareth Southgate (4/10):

  Risked ruining his legacy with another stale gameplan and took too long to make changes. His subs made the difference in the end, but he is surely on his last life.

Leeds United dropped out of the automatic promotion places this weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw by rivals Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

The Whites were the early kick-off on Saturday as they travelled across Yorkshire to take on the Terriers at 12:30pm, which appeared to affect them as they started slowly.

Michal Helik gave the hosts the lead in first-half stoppage time with a close-range finish after a scramble in the box, shortly before their captain Jonathan Hogg was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Patrick Bamford scored the equaliser in the 67th minute to tee up what could have been a fantastic turnaround for Leeds but they could not force home a winner.

Daniel Farke could have made a decision, however, that may have won the match for his side. In-form striker Mateo Joseph was left on the bench after his exceptional display against Chelsea a few days later, whilst Joel Piroe was brought on.

The stats that show why bringing Piroe on was a mistake

The Dutch forward started alongside the 20-year-old marksman at Stamford Bridge and had a howler with a poor display at the top end of the pitch.

FFC picked him out as being even worse than Junior Firpo, who was partially at fault for Chelsea’s winner as he stepped out and missed the ball to allow Conor Gallagher to turn and score, due to his disappointing performance in and out of possession.

The 24-year-old forward was dominated by the Premier League side as he lost six of his nine duels throughout his 79 minutes on the pitch, which shows that the opposition found it relatively easy to get the better of him in physical contests.

He also offered very little in the final third. In 39 touches of the ball, Piroe failed to register a single shot on target – with both of his efforts blocked by defenders – and only created one chance for his teammates, which was not recorded as a ‘big chance’.

The former Swansea star was sloppy in possession with a pass success rate of 76%, which is particularly poor when you consider that his passes did not lead to much creativity for his fellow attackers.

Despite that poor performance at Stamford Bridge, Farke decided to bring Piroe on for Glen Kamara in the 62nd minute against Huddersfield as Leeds looked to turn the game around.

Unsurprisingly, given his display during the week, the Dutchman failed to make an impact on the match as the Whites failed to find a winner and had to settle for a point.

The left-footed attacker did not register a single shot on target and failed to create a single chance for his teammates in 28 minutes plus stoppage time on the pitch.

Minutes played

28

Duel success rate

0% (0/2)

Pass accuracy

75% (15/20)

Key passes

Zero

Shots on target

Zero

As you can see in the table above, the summer signing from Swansea was, once again, sloppy in possession without making up for it with quality play in the final third.

Mateo Joseph could have won it for Leeds

Meanwhile, Joseph was left as an unused substitute on the day as he did not play a single minute of the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield, which then allowed Ipswich to move up to second when they won their match against Plymouth later in the day.

This appears to have been a blunder by Farke as the German head coach did not make the most of the immense high that the 20-year-old marksman may have been riding after his brace at Stamford Bridge.

The England U20 international, who was hailed as “deadly” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, was provided with a place in the starting XI against Chelsea in the FA Cup and produced a fantastic performance on the night, despite the club’s eventual loss to Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

It was a dream start for the young whiz as he found the back of the net in the eighth minute of the game. A slip up at the back allowed Jaidon Anthony to play Joseph in and the striker made no mistake with a clinical finish past Robert Sanchez to make it 1-0 to the Whites on the night.

The hosts turned the game around to make it 2-1 by half-time but the Spanish-born Leeds star stepped up once again to make it 2-2 before the hour-mark.

Anthony whipped in a delightful cross to the back post and Joseph smartly headed the ball back across goal and into the far corner, leaving Sanchez with no chance to save it, to equalise.

Although Chelsea went on to win the match, through Gallagher’s late winner, the academy graduate did enough to show that he has the quality to make a big impact in the first-team – against Premier League opposition.

Minutes played

79

90

Touches

39

31

Pass accuracy

76%

81%

Key passes

One

Two

Goals

Zero

Two

Possession lost

13x

10x

As you can see in the table above, the 20-year-old striker had a significantly better game than Piroe against the Blues as he scored more goals, created more chances, completed a higher percentage of his attempted passes, and lost possession fewer times.

Therefore, it was a shock to see the former Swans number nine come on over Joseph against the Terriers, particularly when you consider that only three teams have conceded more goals than Huddersfield (56) in the Championship this season.

They are not a defensively solid outfit and Leeds could have gone on to win the match after Bamford’s equaliser if they had made the most of their young centre-forward’s confidence off the bench.

Joseph could have been ready to come on and make a big impact after his breakthrough first-team performance against Chelsea, by using his goalscoring instincts to strike the winner for the Whites.

Instead, the 5 foot 11 whiz – who scored 19 goals in 33 matches for the U21s – had to watch on from the bench as Piroe came on and,

unsurprisingly after his performance during the week, failed to impose himself on the game.

Therefore, Farke had a howler when he decided to bring the Dutchman on instead of Joseph against Huddersfield on Saturday, as it was a call that may have cost Leeds two points and a spot in the automatic promotion places.

The world very much revolves around money, and that's no different with football. Saudi Arabia is a prime example of this, having taken things to new extremes, with players now earning the kind of money that normal people wouldn't dream of earning in 100 lifetimes.

And, things aren't exactly bad in League Two either, as the average annual salary is around £174,200. But, two people who earn more than that and see first-hand the amount of money that is poured into League Two are Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who are the current owners of Wrexham FC.

Sadly, not everyone is like Ben Foster, who admitted he earned peanuts for a wage at Wrexham.

So, without further ado, we at Football FanCast have compiled a list of the top 10 highest earners at Wrexham, as per Salary Sport.

10 Billy Waters Weekly wage – £4500

Billy Waters joined Wrexham from Barrow for an undisclosed fee back in March 2023.

The striker has appeared eight times for Wrexham but failed to score a single goal, which led to him being shipped out on loan to Doncaster Rovers in the January transfer window just gone.

His £4500 per week seems rather ridiculous given his time at the club thus far.

9 Ben Tozer Weekly wage – £4500

Ben Tozer joined Wrexham from Cheltenham Town for an undisclosed fee back in the summer of 2021.

He's gone from strength to strength at Wrexham. Tozer played a big role in the club fighting their way out of the Vanarama National League and has been an ever-present in League Two this season, as the club captain.

Tozer more than deserves his weekly wage of £4500.

8 Ollie Palmer Weekly wage – £4800

Wrexham signed Ollie Palmer from AFC Wimbledon on a three-and-a-half-year deal for around £300,000 in January 2022.

The 32-year-old played a key part in the club getting promoted to League Two, as he netted 16 goals in the Vanarama National League last season, as well as laying on one assist for a teammate. He's struggled a bit more in League Two with six goals to his name, but he's a handy man for Phil Parkinson to have to bring off the bench when Wrexham are in need of a goal.

His weekly wage stands at £4800.

7 Paul Mullin Weekly wage – £4800

Paul Mullin joined Wrexham from Cambridge United back in 2021 on a three-year deal.

This is a deal that will go down as one of the best, if not the best, in recent times at Wrexham. The striker has been prolific in Wales, with 86 goals and eight assists to his name in just 118 appearances for the club.

It comes as a bit of a surprise to see Mullin's weekly wage standing at £4800, when you consider his importance.

Paul Mullin: Wrexham salary, net worth & stats

FFC has everything you need to know about the Wrexham forward.

ByMark Marston Apr 10, 2024 6 Eoghan O'Connell Weekly wage – £5300

Eoghan O'Connell is one of the more recent names on this list, after joining Wrexham in January 2023.

When he's fit and ready, he is one of the first names on the team sheet, as a rock at the heart of the defence. His 15 appearances in the Vanarama National League last season were crucial, as they only lost one game in which he played.

As a fresher signing and player with big importance, O'Connell's weekly wage of £5300 is understandable.

5 Will Boyle Weekly wage – £5400

Will Boyle has only been at Wrexham for around six months after joining in the summer from Huddersfield Town.

He started out as one of the main centre-backs for the Welsh club, but struggled to really keep his place in the side from November 2023 to January 2024. But, he looks to have worked his way back in as he's played the full 90 minutes in the last two League Two matches.

As a pretty fresh signing, you can understand him being on the higher end of the wage bill with a weekly wage of £5400.

4 Andy Cannon Weekly wage – £5500

Andy Cannon moved to Wrexham from Hull City in December 2022.

Since promotion to League Two, when fit, Cannon has been a regular in Phil Parkinsons's side. His versatility in the middle of the park is a dream for any manager, as he has the ability to operate in a defensive role or more of an advanced central role.

Cannon's weekly wage of £5500 you would have to say is deserved, as a consistent performer.

Wrexham in League One: Latest standings, fixtures, results & key dates

FFC has all the latest Wrexham info as they seek promotion from League One, along with a look at the Red Dragons’ journey to where they are today.

ByStephan Georgiou Oct 8, 2024 3 Steven Fletcher Weekly wage – £5600

Steven Fletcher is one of the more high-profile signings that Wrexham have made. He was the final addition to Phil Parkinson's squad back in the summer transfer window, and it's already paid off.

The former Wolves striker has been a nuisance for the defenders in League Two. He's currently on seven goals for the season in 19 games in the league, but he's so much more than just a goalscorer as his hold-up play brings the likes of Mullin into the game.

As a former Premier League star and summer signing, it's a bit of a surprise to not see him top of the pile.

2 James McClean Weekly wage – £6100

Another high-profile name with plenty of high-level experience.

James McClean made the move to Wrexham from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee back in the summer.

His versatility is something that has helped Parkinson no end this season, having been used as a left-back, left midfielder, right-winger and even as a centre forward in one game. He has two goals and eight assists to show for his troubles.

McClean is on a weekly wage of £6100, which is probably about right when you consider his performances and experience.

1 George Evans Weekly wage – £7200

Coming in at number one is a player who only joined in September, as George Evans decided to leave Millwall for Wrexham.

Considering the midfielder appeared 11 times in the Championship last season, you can understand why he's on such a high wage in League Two after dropping down two leagues.

Evans' weekly wage of £7200 has been justified though by his performances on the field, as the conductor and protector at the heart of the midfield.

أدلى المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، بيب جوارديولا، بتصريحات صحفية بعد فوز فريقه على ساوثهامبتون في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وفاز مانشستر سيتي على نظيره ساوثهامبتون بنتيجة 1/0، ضمن منافسات الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب “الاتحاد”.

وبهذه النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد مانشستر سيتي إلى النقطة 23 في صدارة ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي بشكل مؤقت، بينما تجمد رصيد ساوثهامبتون بنقطة واحدة في المركز الأخير.

اقرأ ايضاً.. فيديو | هالاند يقود مانشستر سيتي لتخطي ساوثهامبتون وتصدر الدوري الإنجليزي

وقال بيب جوارديولا في تصريحات لـ”MOTD”: “الطريقة التي لعب بها ساوثهامبتون تجعلهم متطلبين للغاية، إنهم يدافعون بالكرة، يمكنك الدفاع بالكرة وهم جيدون حقًا، هم أحد أفضل الفرق في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز”.

وأضاف جوارديولا: “ساوثهامبتون لم يخلقوا الكثير من الفرص، لكننا خلقنا الكثير ولكن لسوء الحظ لم نتمكن من تسجيل الهدف الثاني. لهم الفضل الكبير، لم يكن ذلك لأننا كنا غير موفقين، ليس لدي هذا الشعور، أعتقد أننا كنا هناك وأحيانًا يكونون جيدين، علينا أن نقبل ذلك”.

وعن إيرلينج هالاند: “الأمر ليس سهلاً بالنسبة له لأن كل عرضية هي ركلة جزاء لإيرلينج، الطريقة التي يسحبونه بها، لقد خلقنا المزيد من الفرص لكننا لم نتمكن من تسجيل الهدف الثاني، لكن هالاند هو الضمان لنا”.

عن سافينيو وماتيوس نونيس: “جيدان حقًا، سافينيو خلق كل الفرص من اليمين إلى اليسار، أستطيع أن أقول إنهما جيدان حقًا، وماتيوس ليس في مركز غير مركزه الطبيعي مرة أخرى، لذا فهو يقدم تمريرة حاسمة أخرى هجوميًا ودفاعيًا، لقد لعب بشكل جيد حقًا”.

وعن ماتيو كوفاسيتش: “إنه رجل ولاعب رائع، نفتقد رودري كثيرًا هذا الموسم، إنه لاعب مهم للغاية، وفي الوقت نفسه، يتعين علينا الاستمرار في ذلك”.

وعن إمكانية عودة أي لاعب مصاب أمام توتنهام: “لا أعتقد ذلك، سنرى ما سيحدث، في هذا التقويم، كأس كاراباو مخصصة فقط للعب مع اللاعبين الشباب، سنرى ما إذا كنا سنلعب مع لاعبي الأكاديمية أو نرى كيف سيعودون حديثًا من ذلك”.

In recent years, Crystal Palace have developed an excellent transfer strategy that allows them to pick up bargains every window.

However, they have also proven to be successful at developing those talents into top players, which will now be the task of new boss Oliver Glasner.

Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze are two examples of their brilliant recruitment, and they are hoping Daniel Munoz and Adam Wharton will continue this run.

That said, there’s one player that stands out who has seen their market value increase since joining the club.

What Palace paid for Michael Olise

Prior to his move to Palace, Michael Olise was playing his football for Reading in the Championship, the club he made his professional debut at, which was in a 3-0 defeat to Leeds United in 2019.

However, it would be two seasons later that he really started to show his class and immense quality, as over his first two campaigns, the winger made 23 appearances in the second division, picking up just one assist.

That said, during the 2020/21 he announced himself as one of the most exciting talents in England, boasting an incredible record of seven goals and 12 assists in 37 starts, playing as both an attacking midfielder and a winger.

The following summer, Patrick Vieira decided to splash £8m on the left-footed ace, in what has proved to be one of the best steals in recent Premier League history.

Michael Olise’s market value in 2024

Since arriving at the Eagles, Olise has continued to develop as a player, and despite the step up to the Premier League often being overwhelming, the now-22-year-old wasn’t fazed one bit.

The number seven had his minutes managed in the first season, starting just 12 games but playing 26 matches in the league, with a record of two goals and five assists.

Last season, his creativity really began to flourish, as he picked up 11 assists and played in all but one game in the top flight. Unfortunately, injuries have ruined this campaign for Olise, missing 13 games, but he’s started to develop his goal-scoring ability, netting six goals and providing three assists in just eight starts.

One game this season that sums up what Olise’s all about was against Brentford at home when the Eagles won 3-1, and the table below highlights why he’s now valued 650% more than what he cost the club, with recent reports indicating that he could fetch a fee of roughly £60m this summer.

Olise vs Brentford
Stats	Olise
Minutes	94
Goals	2
Shots	6
Successful dribbles	5/6
Touches	90
Key passes	2
Clearances	4
Stats via Sofascore

The fact that Olise has added goals to his game now makes him “superb,” as per Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, while also putting him among the elite wingers who can both create and find the back of the net themselves.

The France U21 gem can also be a threat via his dribbling or his passing, which makes him extremely unpredictable and difficult to stop. His work rate is also unbelievable, and he is willing to get stuck in for his side, which just makes him even more valuable.

The signing of Olise will go down as one of the bargains of the past decade, especially if he continues to live up to his potential, and Palace will hope that they can unearth plenty more Olise-like talents in the future.