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Even though Leeds United have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League with an average age of 24.8, just slightly more than Brentford’s average squad age of 24.7 according to Transfermarkt, it seems as though the Yorkshire club could be welcoming another young talent to Elland Road.

It has recently been reported by the Daily Mail that Leeds have a deal in place to sign Espanyol’s 18-year-old striker Mateo Joseph Fernandez.

The report also claims that Fernandez had a release clause of £1.3m but was out of contract in the summer. Leeds initially offered around £420,000 before increasing their bid and reaching an agreement, beating the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal to the youngster’s signature.

If the report is true and Fernandez does end up at Leeds in January, this could well be Victor Orta’s latest transfer masterclass at the Yorkshire club following previous signings like Raphinha who has scored 12 goals and provided ten assists in 44 appearances since arriving from Rennes back in October last year.

Described as a player that has “great potential” within him by Javier Rodriguez Alonso, the hierarchy must have seen something in the young attacker to make them work out a deal for him.

Given the other clubs reportedly interested in the teenager and the fact that Leeds apparently managed to secure Fernandez for a fee lower than his release clause, this shows what a good bit of business it could be from a financial point of view.

However, only time will tell if the club were right to go for him based on what he delivers on the pitch for them.

Taking into account his young age, it seems unlikely that Fernandez will immediately be dropped into Marcelo Bielsa’s squad, however, the player could one day become a regular first-team player at LS11 if he grows and develops in the youth ranks.

Leeds have the likes of Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood in and around the senior squad at the moment, and these are the sort of players that Fernandez will have to be emulating if he wants to break into that side in the future and potentially become a long-term heir for Patrick Bamford.

Consider the amount of goals he’s scored at youth level and it looks as though Leeds have plucked out a gem here, though. He found the net on 15 occasions in 2018/19, before racking up another 15 in the following campaign. Last term, the young forward scored one fewer, taking his tally in the last three seasons to an impressive 44.

If he can replicate that at Elland Road, it would be nothing short of a masterclass from the Leeds recruitment team. Leeds fans have already taken to young Gelhardt and a similar-minded player in Fernandez would surely go down well at Thorp Arch.

Bielsa has proven in the past that he has what it takes to develop young players with Kalvin Phillips now an England regular, Illan Meslier the youngest goalkeeper to 50 Premier League appearances and Pascal Struijk now a key member of the team too.

With that in mind, it’s clear Orta has a plan in place, one that could be a masterstroke if Leeds manage to cement themselves in the top-flight.

In other news: Orta could win over Leeds fans by securing stunning swoop for £9m-rated “goalscorer” – opinion

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Loads of Leeds fans have been giving their verdict on the setback against Norwich, and they’re fuming with the performance of Luke Ayling.

Leeds lost their spot as the kings of the castle on Saturday evening, falling into second place in the table as Norwich thumped three goals past them at Elland Road.

Mario Vrancic opened the scoring with a delightful free kick that Kiko Casilla had absolutely zero chance of stopping, and Teemu Pukki got one of the easiest goals of his life after Adam Forshaw had given the ball away in midfield.

Thogden has ranked his top 5 sets of Championship away fans for Pl>ymaker FC. Did your club make the list? Find out in the video below…

Vrancic added a third in the second half when his deflected effort snuck through the legs of Casilla, and Patrick Bamford’s late header was little more than a consolation.

Ayling has been a popular figure at Elland Road over the last couple of years, but the versatile defender is having a poor season.

Perhaps it is a result of the two knee injuries he has suffered over the last 18 months, but the 27 year-old has the turning circle of a cruise ship and the passing ability of Caleb Ekuban on roller skates.

That may be a little harsh, but the right-back was constantly caught in possession against Norwich and it’s not the first time this season he has been completely off the pace.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, look away now Luke…

With four wins and four defeats in the Premier League since Steven Gerrard took charge of Aston Villa, the current January transfer window could provide the Midlands club with the opportunity to add some new faces to their squad and attack the second half of the season.

Taking this into account, it seems as though the Villans are keen on signing a player that Gerrard will be very familiar with.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from The Guardian by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa are eyeing up a deal to sign Barcelona and former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho on a loan deal until the end of the season.

During his time with Liverpool, the Brazilian managed to score 54 goals and provide 45 assists in 201 appearances across all competitions before making his move to Barcelona in a deal worth a reported fee of £142m in January 2018.

With 106 appearances under his belt with the La Liga side, despite scoring 25 goals and providing 14 assists, Coutinho’s time at Barcelona has been widely regarded as disappointing, which could be why the Spanish club may be willing to allow him to leave this month.

Gerrard’s dream transfer

With Gerrard having played in 80 matches at Liverpool with Coutinho during his playing days and calling him a “magical” player, the Villa boss will surely know what the 29-year-old would be able to offer his team on the pitch, thus ensuring a dream transfer for him this month.

Even though the £16.2m-rated Brazilian has only managed to score two goals in 16 appearances across all competitions so far this season, Coutinho could still be a massive player for Villa if Gerrard can get the best out of him.

If Johan Lange is able to secure a loan deal for Coutinho until the end of the season, there could be a massive pay-off for the Villans if the former Liverpool man is able to chip in with some goals and assists under the guidance of his former teammate and push Villa up the league table.

After all, since the £100m Jack Grealish left, they have struggled to replace his incredible creativity and performances.

Though, with there reportedly being a number of other clubs in the Premier League such as Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur potentially in the mix to sign Coutinho, it could be Gerrard’s presence that ultimately brings him to Villa Park. What a gift that would be for supporters.

In other news: AVFC eyeing move for £27m-rated ace with a “wand of a left foot,” fans surely buzzing – opinion

Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq is upset about his omission from the team’s forthcoming tour of England, saying his average in all forms of the game is better than most of the touring members

Cricinfo staff24-Jun-2010Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq is upset about his omission from the team’s forthcoming tour of England, saying his average in all forms of the game is better than most of the touring members. Pakistan had announced the squads which will face Australia in two Twenty20 matches and two Tests followed by four Tests and two Twenty20 matches against England. Misbah was left out of both squads.”It is very disappointing,” Misbah told . “You find yourself in the XI and suddenly you are not even in a preliminary squad of 35, it prompts you to burn all your cricket equipment in anger.”Misbah has been in and out of the selectors’ radar in the recent past. A loss of form through 2009 led to him being dropped, initially, for the tours of New Zealand and Australia. However, he was flown in midway through the New Zealand tour to shore up an inexperienced batting order. In the interim, he struck form in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in Pakistan and that prompted the then captain, Mohammad Yousuf, to push for his recall. He last played for Pakistan in the World Twenty20 in the West Indies and was dropped for the Asia Cup.The Pakistan selectors picked a fairly inexperienced Test squad for England, including new faces like Azhar Ali and Umar Amin. Misbah felt his experience would have been useful.”My Test average is 33, one-day is 39 and Twenty20 is 36, and if you compare it with other players it is better than many, so it makes you think what’s wrong with you,” said Misbah.Misbah was in fine form in the RBS Cup fifty-over tournament in Pakistan, leading the run charts with 490 runs at 163.33 and scoring a century in the final for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited.”I am very disappointed because I was dropped last year as well and I came back through performing in domestic events, and then suddenly I found myself dropped again,” Misbah said.Besides Misbah, another experienced batsman Younis Khan, was also left out, due to fitness and disciplinary reasons. Misbah could be in the running for the one-day squad for the five-match series against England, which will be announced later.

The teenager has the talent and commercial appeal to become the face of the Catalan club but can he succeed where past prodigies failed?

In 2006, a young player out of the Barcelona academy signed a deal with adidas. The agreement, reportedly worth around $500,000 per year, felt like a hefty investment for a 19-year-old. After all, the player hadn't yet played a full season of professional football. By the end of the previous season, he had scored six goals and added three assists. He only had 11 top-flight starts to his name.

That deal, for that player, Lionel Messi, proved to be a bargain for Adidas. Now, 18 years later, another La Masia graduate has done the same thing. Lamine Yamal, another right-winger out of the Barcelona academy, penned a long-term agreement to be one of the faces of adidas' global football brand. He will be the only other player in the world to wear Messi's exact boots – adding a visual link to a spiritual connection that has been drawn between the two for some time.

And though it will lead to immense pressure on the teenager, it is an ideal arrangement for the Balugrana. Since Messi left, the Catalan club have lacked a central marketable star – a world class presence who can not only change a game but also sell shirts in spades. Yamal, the newly minted face of adidas, can be that player.

adidas partnership with Lamine Yamaladidas partnership with Lamine YamalThe adidas deal

Yamal's deal was announced in a very modern way. A brief video showed Yamal, sitting on his childhood bed, clad in all-adidas gear, smiling at the camera. The alarm clock next to him beeps, and shows the time "3:04" – a reference to the area code he grew up in. Yamal laces up Messi's boots, and is then shown running onto a football pitch. He throws up his signature celebration, before breaking out a series of tricks and flicks.

It's comparable to the ad Jude Bellingham, another young star, recently featured in for the famous brand. This was a well-thought-out thing, something meant not only to curate an image but also highlight a burgeoning talent.

The company explained their choice, too.

"Adidas is proud to confirm Lamine Yamal joining the adidas family as of today, wearing the X Crazyfast; perfectly suited to his agile and explosive style of play on the wing. Lamine grew up in Rocafonda, 40 minutes from his club’s training ground, and remains proud of his roots in the area," it said in a statement.

"The partnership announcement film that has been posted on adidasFootball channels in collaboration with Lamine celebrates his football journey and connection to the 304, Rocafonda’s area code," it added.

The exact terms of the deal have not been made public. But the video alone shows that this is a serious commitment to an exciting talent. And Yamal deserves it, too.

Advertisement(C)GettyImagesThe search for Messi's successor

There is a prevailing sense that the Blaugrana have been searching for a player like Yamal for some time. The idea of a 'new Messi' has long haunted the halls of La Masia, Barcelona's famed youth academy. At times, it seems like an obsession.

He comes from a long-line of supposed Messi successors – most of which have been unequivocal failures. Bojan, Messi's contemporary at the club, burned out fast – and later admitted that the comparisons to the world's best left a serious mark on his mental health. Giovani Dos Santos and Riqui Puig received much the same treatment – and never delivered on the promise.

The closest thus far has been Ansu Fati. He seemed an ideal replacement. Fifteen years younger than Messi, but a similarly exciting player, he was given the No.10 shirt when the Argentine reluctantly left for PSG in 2021. But that, too, proved to be too much for the teenager, who, four knee surgeries later, is struggling to make the grade at Brighton.

GettyYamal up to the task?

Yamal, it would seem, is the closest thing the Blaugrana have developed to a viable replacement.

The positional similarities are here: Yamal is a left-footed right winger. The skills are, too. Yamal can beat a player with his dribbling prowess and find the bottom corner with an angled shot.

He also has just enough swagger about his game to wow the Barcelona faithful without overplaying in key areas.

The stats – five goals and four assists in all competitions – don't jump off the page. But superstardom stretches beyond numbers. It's about the intangible qualities. Yamal has them.

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GettyA godsend for boring Barcelona

It's something that the current Barca squad is missing all over the pitch. A cursory glance at the starting XI shows a number of very talented and likeable footballers – but no global megastars. The word 'Galactico' is only used in a different major sporting city in Spain.

Still, players of that same stratospheric talent are hard to come by. The Blaugrana have always had at least one. Messi and Neymar were there at the same time. Before them were Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff.

This iteration of Barca – outside of burgeoning star Yamal – doesn't really have one. Robert Lewandowski will go down as a legend of the game. But his fame doesn't stretch beyond football; and he isn't one for massive ad campaigns, either. Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong are all midfield artists, but share the same issue.

Ronald Araujo, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jules Kounde and Ilkay Gundogan all have social media presences – almost all footballers do these days. Still, none of them are impactful enough to make waves beyond football fan communities. You'd struggle to find a kid on the streets of Catalonia aspiring to be a tidy French full-back.

It is ironic that this all comes just nine months removed from a season of immense success. Barca coasted their way to a first Spanish top flight title since 2019 last season, claiming La Liga by 10 points. But the manner in which they won didn't catch the eye. This was an excellent defensive team that only let in 20 goals all season. They scored 15 fewer than in the 2020-21 campaign, a season in which the Blaugrana finished third. Put more simply: this version of Barcelona is boring.

Offspinner Sohag Gazi, who claimed Man-of-the-Match awards on Test and ODI debut during West Indies’ ongoing tour of Bangladesh, has been named in the hosts’ 14-man squad for the one-off Twenty20

Mohammad Isam08-Dec-2012Bangladesh Twenty20 squad

Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Abdur Razzak, Mominul Hoque, Jahurul Islam, Nasir Hossain, Elias Sunny, Rubel Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza, Sohag Gazi, Ziaur Rahman, Shafiul Islam

Offspinner Sohag Gazi, who claimed Man-of-the-Match awards on Test and ODI debut during West Indies’ ongoing tour of Bangladesh, has been named in the hosts’ 14-man squad for the one-off Twenty20. Batsmen Anamul Haque and Mominul Haque, who also debuted during this tour, have made the squad too.The fourth among Bangladesh’s debutants, Abul Hasan, who scored a century from No. 10 in the Khulna Test, is the only newcomer to miss out: he is yet to recover from the side strain he suffered in the second ODI in Khulna. The injured Shakib Al Hasan, who was advised six weeks rest due to a shin injury, expectedly wasn’t picked.Batsmen Mohammad Ashraful and Junaid Siddique, and allrounder Farhad Reza, who were part of the squad that played the World Twenty20, were not named in this squad.This year, Bangladesh played their most Twenty20s, winning four out of eight games. The match against West Indies is set to be played in Mirpur on December 10.

Juventus could offer midfielder Arthur to Everton as part of their efforts to sign Lucas Digne, according to Sport Mediaset. 

The lowdown

The 28-year-old’s time at Everton may be up after a reported falling out with manager Rafael Benitez, and the Toffees have already lined up a potential replacement in the form of Dynamo Kyiv’s Vitaliy Mykolenko, who has undergone a medical.

It was only last year that Arthur was involved in another cash-plus-player deal. He joined Juventus from Barcelona for £66m, while Miralem Pjanic moved from the Allianz Stadium to the Camp Nou for £54.8m (via The Guardian).

Having missed the start of the 2021/22 campaign after undergoing surgery, Arthur has been restricted to just three starts in all competitions.

The latest

According to Sport Mediaset, Juventus are trying to arrange an exit for Arthur in January and are now considering an ‘interesting operation’.

They are apparently unhappy with the performances of Alex Sandro and would view Digne as an upgrade at left-back, and they could make an offer for the Frenchman which would see Arthur go the other way.

The verdict

Would this be an acceptable proposal for Everton? Conveniently, both players have identical Transfermarkt valuations – £31.5m – and there’s only a minimal difference between their salaries, with Arthur earning £125,000 per week and Digne taking home £119,000.

If Everton sign Mykolenko, they wouldn’t have to worry about a shortage of options at left-back, given that Ben Godfrey has demonstrated that he can play there as well.

Stats from FBRef show that Arthur is a precise and progressive passer of the ball who also excels at dribbling. He actually boasts a similar profile to former Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets, although Lionel Messi thinks that he’s more like the legendary Xavi, which is quite the compliment given the current Barca manager’s glittering playing career.

It’s hard to argue that this wouldn’t be a sensible deal for Everton, especially given Arthur’s pedigree and previous transfer fees, as well as Digne’s redundancy in recent matches amid his rift with Benitez.

In other news, some Everton fans were left raging over this Andy Jacobs claim

Germany have won the 2023 U17 World Cup after a narrow penalty shoot-out victory over France in Indonesia.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Germany win maiden U17 World CupFrance made a comeback from being 2-0 downWent down in an intense penalty shootoutWHAT HAPPENED?

Germany dominated the early exchanges, with Max Moerstedt coming close to scoring in the opening moments. However, it was Paris Brunner, a standout player from Borussia Dortmund, who opened the scoring from the spot to hand Germany the lead. In the second half, Noah Darvic extended Germany's lead with a goal on 51 minutes.

Saimon Bouabre struck first for France to ignite a comeback before Mathis Amougou found the leveller just five minutes from regulation time which forced penalties.

Tidiam Gomis missed his attempt while Almugera Kabar scored for the Germans to be crowned global champions.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Brunner was awarded the Golden Ball for his stellar performances throughout the tournament. He rose to the occasion when the stakes were high as he netted a brace in the semi-final against Argentina and also in the title decider.

Agustin Ruberto won the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals. Meanwhile, French goalkeeper Paul Argney was awarded the Golden Glove for his safe hands between the sticks.

DID YOU KNOW?

Brunner showcased his exceptional talent as the joint-top scorer of the U17 Euros, earning him the prestigious gold Fritz Walter medal – the highest youth award in Germany for his age group. In the U19 Bundesliga, the 17-year-old has demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess, netting 10 times in just eight games this season.

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@fifaworldcup_esWHAT NEXT?

The U17 World Cup often gives fans a glimmer of future superstars. Brunner and Ruberto have definitely stolen the spotlight with their performances in the attacking third and it remains to be seen if any of the European elites go after their signature in the upcoming winter transfer window.

Everything you need to know about Norwegian midfield maestro Martin Odegaard.

Martin Odegaard is a Norwegian professional footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Arsenal and the Norway national team. Born on December 17, 1998, in Drammen, Norway, Odegaard began his footballing journey at a young age, displaying exceptional talent and technical ability.

Odegaard started playing football at a young age, joining the local club Drammen Strong at just four years of age. He quickly progressed through the youth ranks, and by the age of eight, he joined the academy of Stromsgodset, a Norwegian professional football club.

Odegaard made his first-team debut for Stromsgodset at the age of 15, becoming the youngest player ever to play in Norway's top division.

Odegaard's performances in the Norwegian top division quickly caught the attention of European football's biggest clubs. In January 2015, at the age of 16, he signed for Real Madrid, one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world. Odegaard's signing was seen as a coup for Real Madrid, and he was expected to become one of the world's best players.

Despite his potential, Odegaard found it difficult to break into the Real Madrid first team. He was loaned out to various clubs to gain experience, including Heerenveen and Vitesse in the Netherlands, and Real Sociedad in Spain. It was during his loan spell at Real Sociedad that Odegaard really started to shine. He played a key role in helping the club qualify for the Europa League and was named the team's Player of the Season.

Odegaard is an attacking midfielder who is known for his technical ability and creative flair. He is comfortable on the ball, has excellent vision, and is a great passer. Odegaard is also a good dribbler and is capable of beating players with his quick feet. He is a versatile player who can play in a central or wide attacking midfield position.

Odegaard signed for Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021, and he made an immediate impact at the London club. He quickly established himself as a key player in the Arsenal team, impressing fans and pundits with his performances. Odegaard scored his first Arsenal goal in a 3-1 win over Olympiacos in the Europa League, and he has continued to play a vital role in the team's midfield. So much so that the move was made permanent in August 2021.

Odegaard has represented the Norwegian national team since the age of 15, making him the youngest player ever to play for them. He has since become a regular, playing in crucial matches and helping the team qualify for major tournaments. Odegaard played a key role in Norway's Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, scoring two goals and providing four assists.

Odegaard has already achieved a lot in his young career. He has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe and has impressed fans and pundits alike with his technical ability and creative flair. Odegaard's move to Arsenal has been a success so far, and he looks set to continue making a significant impact on the club's fortunes.

Here are 13 fun facts about Odegaard you need to know…!

GettyBorn to become a footballer ⚽

Odegaard was tipped for greatness from a young age owing to his impressive quality with the ball. The Norwegian international is considered one of Europe's hottest properties owing to his ability with the ball at his feet.

Odegaard was born in Drammen, the port city of Norway, on December 1998 and was able to don the famous red jersey of Norway at age 15.

The current Arsenal captain made his debut for Norway in a goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates in 2014 as he showed glimpses of greatness in the fixture.

The midfielder bagged his first goal for the country in a stalemate against Romania in the qualifying rounds of Euro 2020. The current Norway captain has 47 appearances under his belt and would look to guide the team in red to glory someday.

AdvertisementFather and Son Odegaard joined Real Madrid at the same time 👨👦

Odegaard's father, Hans Erik Odegaard, had a less illustrious career than his son, but despite that, the father-son duo joined Real Madrid at the same time. In January 2015, the senior Odegaard was able to schedule a move to Spain as a Real Madrid youth coach while Martin was admitted as a football player.

Despite not enjoying massive success in his playing career, Hans Erik Odegaard was a shrewd negotiator as he was able to pen down a silk-stocking deal with Los Blancos. Martin's father was scheduled to earn more than French legend Zinedine Zidane, who was the coach of Real Madrid's reserve team.

While his father was making big money as a coach, Odegaard was taking his first steps as he had impressed the scouts in Spain's capital before securing a move at an early age.

GettyOdegaard's unusual contract at Heerenveen 👀

Odegaard had quite an unusual clause at Heerenveen doing his loan spell from Real Madrid. After failing to impress in the Spanish capital and finding fewer starts under newly appointed coach Zidane, the Norway international decided to switch ships and joined Dutch club Heerenveen.

The Dutch outfit was the first club on his loan journey as he joined them in 2017 and was often seen starting for the club despite not playing well sometimes.

This was due to a clause in Odegaard's contract that suggested that Heerenveen would pay Real Madrid €40,000 every time their loanee was available for selection but was dropped on the bench.

So instead of shelling out 40,000 to Los Blancos, the Blue and Whites deployed Odegaard in their starting XI on a regular basis.

The Eredivisie club didn't want to be indebted to Madrid and would bring the youngster for a few minutes to avoid losses.

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GettyBarca tried to lure Odegaard before he joined Real Madrid

According to multiple reports, Barcelona was in contention to sign the Norweigan before Real Madrid came knocking.

Odegaard joined Real Madrid at the age of 15, but the midfielder was scouted by Barcelona while Odegaard was operating in Norway.

The young magician had reportedly trained with the Blaugrana for multiple weeks and was offered to join the Spanish heavyweights in January 2016.

"Barcelonainvited us to La Masia,"Karlsentold Cadena SER. "We were talking to [Andoni] Zubizarreta and he also invited us to watch a game at the Camp Nou.

"I think it was Barcelona-Ajax, so it was a very special night.

"Barcelonaare a great club, but Martin [Odegaard] and his father took into account many things before making a decision.

Unfortunately the Spanish heavyweights were sanctioned with a transfer ban in 2016 which led to Odegaard joining arch-rivals Real Madrid.

As the ex-ManchesterCity man turns 29, we remember six Nigerian strikers who never realised their potential

DepophotosOlarenwaju Kayode

Currently featuring with Sivasspor in the Turkish top flight—on loan from Ukraine giants Shakhtar Donetsk—it doesn’t seem that long ago that Kayode was signing for English giants ManchesterCity.

It was an odd move at the time, with Kayode then approaching his mid-20s and not the kind of youth prospect with time to develop on his side.

He had enjoyed an excellent scoring record with Austria Vienna before that move, but has struggled to score consistently since—barring a decent scoring run on loan at Gaziantep.

The Nigeria caps have dried up after he featured four times for the national side in 2017.

AdvertisementGettyIsaac Success

Watford’s record signing when he signed for the Hornets from Granada for a fee estimated to be around £12.5 million in 2016, it’s fair to see that deal never truly worked out for player nor club.

The striker’s time in Hertfordshire was mired by injury, loss of form and off-field controversies, and he ended his spell at the club with a miserable three goals in 63 league games across the Premier League and the Championship.

This season, on loan at Udinese, he’s registered his career best tally for goal contributions, although don’t expect him to add to his two Nigeria caps any time soon.

Getty ImagesJulius Aghahowa

Broke onto the scene at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was the tournament’s joint top scorer and caught the eye with his somersaulting celebrations.

He proceeded to win a trio of Ukrainian titles with Shakhtar Donetsk, although Aghahowa’s career took a wrong turn in his mid-20s when he signed for Wigan Athletic.

He failed to net in the Premier League, wouldn’t represent Nigeria again after 2007, and even a return to Shakhtar—wither another domestic title—couldn’t quite reignite his career.

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Getty.Josh Maja

Contrary to others on this list, Maja still has time on his side to realise his potential and fulfil the hype that accompanied the early stages of his career.

However, he is running out of time and it increasingly appears as though we won’t live up to the immense expectations that accompanied him at Sunderland.

Currently with StokeCity in the Championship, he’s scored just once on loan this season, struggling to impress in the second tier, and in fact, has netted just 13 goals with Girondins de Bordeaux, Fulham and the Potters since leaving Sunderland in 2018.

Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is skilful, impresses in the build-up play, and can still be a hit—he just needs the right move this summer.