Even though they have received plenty of criticism for it over the years, Chelsea’s transfer policy has seen them build a squad full of exceptionally talented youngsters.

The club might not be ready to challenge for a Premier League title this season, but over the next few years, as their youngsters become increasingly comfortable, they could be a real force in all competitions.

One of the players who looks like he could be a genuine superstar for the West Londoners is Estevao, who was sensational against Liverpool on Saturday.

However, Chelsea have already got their hands on another incredible prospect who could end up being an even bigger talent than the 18-year-old.

Estevao's brilliant performance against Liverpool

It should be said that Estevao’s brilliant display against Liverpool on the weekend didn’t come as much of a surprise to Chelsea fans and those who have been watching them this season.

After all, while he hadn’t scored before the game, he had made a couple of impressive cameos off the bench against the likes of Crystal Palace and Benfica.

Moreover, in his first start for the club, against West Ham United, he was near-enough unplayable and, thanks to some silky movement and technical brilliance, provided his first assist for Joao Pedro.

However, even then, it can’t be denied that his efforts against Arne Slot’s side felt far more significant and like a real statement to the rest of the league.

He only came on in the 75th minute, but once he was on the pitch, it was impossible to ignore him.

Granted, a lot of what he tried didn’t actually come off for him, but the fact that he attempted three dribbles, played two key passes, and was accurate in two of his three crosses in just a little over 20 minutes of action is hugely impressive.

He made Andy Robertson’s life miserable in the closing moments of the game and then, thanks to his awareness and positioning, was in the right place at the right time to poke home the winner.

Daniel Sturridge summed it up well after the game when he said the teenage gem “came on and was absolutely top draw.”

In all, Estevao looks destined to reach the very top of the game, but Chelsea have already signed another sensational prospect who might just be an even bigger talent.

Chelsea's bigger talent than Estevao

In good news for Chelsea fans, there are a few genuinely exciting youngsters set to join the squad next summer, including Denner, Geovany Quenda, and Kenry Paez.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, when it comes to someone who might be a bigger talent than Estevao, only one name comes to mind: Dastan Satpayev.

The Blues secured a deal for the Kazakhstani forward in February, but as he was 16 at the time and is now 17, he has to wait another season before he can move to West London.

However, that might not actually be such a bad thing, as he’s been getting plenty of game time with Kairat Almaty in recent campaigns and making quite the impression.

For example, in 27 appearances last season, totalling 1908 minutes, the young phenom scored 13 goals and provided seven assists, which comes out to a sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.35 games, or every 95.4 minutes.

Appearances

27

Minutes

1908′

Goals

13

Assists

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.74

Minutes per Goal Involvement

95.4′

So far this season, the Almaty-born ace has scored three goals and provided one assist in nine games, seven of which have been qualifiers for the Champions League, with the other two being in the competition proper.

The hype surrounding the forward is no joke, with one analyst going as far as calling him “a future Ballon d’Or winner” and, as if that wasn’t enough pressure, “a future rival to Lamine Yamal.”

Finally, the 17-year-old is not just impressing at club level, but also on the international stage.

After producing five goal involvements in ten games for Kazakhstan’s U17 side, and then making one appearance for the U21s, he has already won five senior caps, two of which have come against Wales.

Ultimately, Estevao is the man of the moment and appears destined for greatness, but it seems that Satpayev will follow a very similar path in a year’s time and could even surpass him.

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Arsenal scouts have watched a “world-class talent” in action a number of times already this season, and they could be set to battle Tottenham Hotspur for his signature.

Gunners looking to bolster options in midfield

Mikel Arteta made major improvements to his squad in the summer transfer window, and Martin Zubimendi is already looking like a very astute signing, having been singled out for praise after scoring twice in the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Former Watford striker Troy Deeney said: “The technique on the first of his two goals against Nottingham Forest was frightening. It would have been so easy to get over that and put it into Row Z, and his header was nice as well.

“We see so many players that can’t head a ball any more and it was really calm. He ran the show and that is why Arsenal brought him in. They want him to be that maestro when they have loads of the ball.”

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Christian Norgaard also arrived at the Emirates Stadium in the summer, meaning Arteta should be very well-stocked in the engine room this season, but the north Londoners have now joined the race for another central midfielder.

That is according to a report from journalist Ahad Shaukhat for the Daily Briefing, who states Arsenal scouts have now watched Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi on a number of occasions already.

Bouaddi is being targeted by a number of top clubs from across Europe, with bitter rivals Tottenham also in the race for his signature, but there have been suggestions a deal could be on the expensive side.

The 17-year-old has been widely reported to have a price tag of £40m, which would be a huge amount to pay for a teenager.

"World-class talent" Bouaddi is one for the future

Despite his age, the young Frenchman has already established himself as a regular starter for Lille, making a total of 58 senior appearances for the French club, including four in Ligue 1 so far this season. Already he has emerged as “one of the best young midfielders in Europe”, in the words of football writer James Brooke.

Earlier this year, the Lille starlet also received very high praise from football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who lauded him as a “world-class talent”, while also describing the youngster as having “excellent technical capacity & ball carrying ability.”

That is underlined by the fact the Senlis-born ace ranks in the 90th percentile for successful take-ons per 90 over the past year, when compared to other midfielders, and the 85th percentile for tackles over the same timeframe.

Having already started to make a name for himself in Ligue 1, Bouaddi clearly has a lot of potential, and may not be too far off first-team level for a top Premier League club, so Arsenal should undoubtedly look to win the race for his signature.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s transfer plans for January could be intriguing, as West Ham chairman David Sullivan has now been told the club could sign an experienced playmaker for well under £10 million.

West Ham's transfer plans for January after Nuno appointment

On the field, Nuno is faced with the almighty task of thwarting Arsenal’s set-piece threat and coming away from the Emirates Stadium unscathed this Saturday, after drawing 1-1 at Everton in his opening game as Graham Potter’s immediate replacement.

Worst West Ham managers in the Premier League

Win percentage

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12 Graham Potter

26.1%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

Away from the pitch, Sullivan, Karren Brady and the Hammers board are reportedly devising plans to reinforce the Portuguese’s ranks after backing him with a three-year contract — a decision driven by Brady — who pushed for Nuno’s appointment (Alex Crook).

Already, we’ve seen credible reports that Nuno is making his intentions with certain squad members crystal clear, with James Ward-Prowse poised to leave in January after being axed from Monday’s matchday squad by West Ham’s new manager.

The 30-year-old has been informed that he has no long-term future at West Ham under Nuno, despite being a regular for Potter, and he could even be replaced by another midfielder in the winter.

Roma star Lorenzo Pellegrini, who can play in Ward-Prowse’s position or further forward in the number 10 role, was heavily linked with a summer exit that failed to materialise, with Gian Piero Gasperini openly stating that he’s free to leave the Stadio Olimpico.

The Italy international, who captained Roma last season and the season before that, has bagged 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions since the beginning of 2023/2024.

With Pellegrini’s deal due to expire at the end of this campaign, and with Gasperini confirming that Roma don’t want to extend the 29-year-old’s deal, he could be available for a good price in January.

West Ham ready to bid for Lorenzo Pellegrini in January

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Forza Roma, West Ham are ready to make an offer for Pellegrini in January after expressing interest in the summer window, and they’ve been informed £7 million could be enough to take him to the Premier League.

Even though he is approaching 30, the 36-cap international could be a great option to provide an extra injection of creativity for Nuno, and for a very reasonable cost.

According to WhoScored, Pellegrini is still showing he has hit in his locker, having stood out as Roma’s second-best performer by average match rating.

He’s also earned praise from Gasperini for his passion and creativity so far this season, despite being set to leave in 2026.

It was another night to forget for Celtic on the European stage as they were condemned to another defeat by SC Braga, but it was VAR that stole the biggest headlines.

Rodgers admits he must find Celtic "solution"

Whilst Rangers’ struggles have taken much of the focus in Scotland this season, Celtic are quietly enduring a frustrating season of their own by their standards. The Bhoys haven’t won in three games and now sit second in the Scottish Premiership courtesy of a surprisingly quick start from Hearts, with things not getting much better on the European stage.

Playing host to Braga in their first home game of the Europa League campaign, Celtic were put to the sword and found themselves behind in the first-half courtesy of Ricardo Horta’s effort from range, before Gabri Martinez sealed the three points from the bench in the 85th minute.

After another disappointing evening, Brendan Rodgers admitted that he must find a “solution” to his side’s current problems.

It’s not just Celtic’s performance that the manager will be frustrated by, though. It was also an interesting night in the VAR room, with the officials deciding to rule Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal out to deny Celtic their equaliser in controversial fashion.

The Nigerian has been in excellent form since arriving in Scotland, but had his best moment yet chalked off in a decision that has left Celtic and Rodgers fuming.

VAR audio exposes why Iheanacho had goal ruled out

The VAR audio, shared by commentator Jamie Lyall, exposed why officials denied Celtic an equaliser. Lyall said: “Officials are saying there is a clear brush of the left arm somewhere in the footage.”

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Now, this is where things begin to get controversial. In the replay of the goal, it’s difficult to spot just where this “clear brush of the arm” is that the VAR officials have spotted. The more that the moment is replayed, the more it seems as though Celtic have every right to be frustrated.

Rodgers had his say on the moment after the game, telling reporters: “I can’t understand why the referee isn’t asked to go and have a look at it.

“Even if you look at it once, twice, and I’m assuming the guys in the VAR will have watched it more than that, because of the time it took, there’s absolutely no way from every angle you look at that he’s touched it. It’s hit his face, he’s gone on and finished it really, really well.”

Australia international Matt Kuhnemann ripped through Middlesex’s top order either side of lunch as Glamorgan cruised to a ten-wicket victory in the Rothesay County Championship Division Two clash at Sophia Gardens.The left-arm spinner, available for this match only before his involvement in the World Test Championship final next month, ensured he left a lasting impression in Cardiff, returning career-best figures of 6 for 53.It is the first time since 2015 that the Welsh county have achieved three Championship wins on the bounce and the only time in their history that they have achieved the feat by winning each match inside three days. Victory propels Glamorgan, temporarily at least, into second place behind leaders Leicestershire and marks a truly remarkable turnaround for Sam Northeast’s men, who, after the opening three fixtures, sat 19 points adrift at the bottom of the table.With a soggy bank holiday Monday predicted in Cardiff and a first hour utterly dominated by the Middlesex opening pair of Sam Robson and Max Holden it was starting to look like a victory that might slip through the fingers of the home side.After Middlesex were asked to follow-on 228 runs behind the hosts, Robson appeared to be on a one-man mission to reduce the deficit as he flayed Glamorgan’s attack to all parts during the early exchanges – his first 28 runs came courtesy of boundaries as he raced to a half-century off just 40 balls, which included 10 fours.In an attempt to gain some control, Glamorgan turned to spin in just the 15th over of the morning. When Kuhnemann’s first ball was drilled disdainfully through extra cover for four by Holden it appeared little was about to change. However, with the score on 98, Kuhnemann found Holden’s inside edge and Asa Tribe took a sharp catch at short leg to begin the Middlesex slide.Robson soon followed, failing to pick a Kuhnemann arm-ball, the former England man trapped on the crease lbw for an entertaining 66 off just 58 balls. When the Aussie bowled Leus du Plooy through the gate, the game had suddenly been broken wide open with Middlesex reduced to 113 for 3.As lunch approached, Timm van der Gugten got in on the act for Glamorgan, Luke Hollman edging into the cordon where Kiran Carlson took a smart, low catch at second slip. It capped an extraordinary end to what was looking like being a rather chastening morning session for Glamorgan, four wickets had fallen for just 17 runs and 98 for 0 had suddenly become 115 for 4.Bright sunshine greeted the players as the afternoon session got underway, however, the upturn in weather failed to bring a change of fortune for Middlesex. Ben Geddes decided attack was the best form of defensive but his expansive drive off Kuhnemann was miscued and Zain-ul-Hassan took an excellent back-peddling catch at wide mid-off to give the spinner his fourth wicket.James Harris (2-65) removed Ryan Higgins and Zafar Gohar to leave the visitors reeling on 160 for 7 before Kuhnemann had Middlesex keeper Jack Davies caught on the midwicket fence for his fifth wicket of the innings.At 190 for 8, Middlesex were facing the prosect of an innings defeat but skipper Toby Roland-Jones refused to go down without a fight, unleashing a series of lofty blows on his way to 57 off just 42 balls with four sixes. He too was caught in the deep by Harris, this time off van der Gugten (2-29) before Kuhnemann dismissed No. 11 Dane Paterson to record his maiden six-wicket haul in first-class cricket.The Middlesex innings closed on 235, meaning Glamorgan required just 8 runs for victory, which they knocked off without any alarms after 2.2 overs.With attention now turning to the Vitality Blast, both sides will be back in County Championship action on Sunday June 22. Glamorgan visit pace-setters Leicestershire while Middlesex will look to get their promotion push back on track with a trip to bottom side Northamptonshire.

MatériaMais Notícias

Horas antes da partida decisiva pela Copa do Brasil e o clássico contra o Corinthians mais importante do ano, a torcida do São Paulo já estava em um ritmo caloroso e frenético de festa.

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Perto das 15h (de Brasília), os arredores do estádio tricolor já estavam extremamente movimentados. Com pessoas de todas as idades, a festa com os fogos começou cedo. Mas o grande destaque foi para a preparação para receber o ônibus da delegação são-paulina, que chegou quando eram aproximadamente 18h (de Brasília). Vale destacar que a bola rolaria somente uma hora e meia depois.

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Tricolor com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

Com expectativa de mais de 62 mil ingressos vendidos, os torcedores faziam de tudo para conseguir se preparar para a recepção do São Paulo. Haviam pessoas em cima de placas, árvores, nas grades do estádio… Por onde se olhasse, existiam torcedores com o manto tricolor.

Quanto as músicas, desde as tradicionais das organizadas do time até mesmo cantos provocativos destinados para o Corinthians. Minutos antes do ônibus são-paulino, o “Telezão”, chegar, a festa intensificou com sinalizadores, fumaças vermelhas e fogos de artifício. Um corredor foi organizado com bandeiras e cantos estrondosos. Sem dúvidas, umas das festas mais bonitas dos últimos tempos e das últimas decisões, podendo ser considerada até mesmo histórica.

Dentro do Morumbi, a torcida já começou a ovacionar desde os primeiros gestos dos goleiros no aquecimento. Quando a delegação rival subiu para aquecer, os cantos de provocação voltaram mais uma vez. Para o São Paulo se classificar, precisa reverter a derrota sofrida no jogo de ida.

تلقى منتخب مصر لكرة اليد تحت 17 عامًا، خسارة قاسية أمام ألمانيا في نهائي كأس العالم لكرة اليد للناشئين.

واحتل منتخب مصر، المركز الثاني في البطولة بعد الخسارة أمام ألمانيا في اللقاء الذي أقيم اليوم وانتهى منذ قليل.

وخسر منتخب مصر أمام ألمانيا بنتيجة 44-43 في المباراة التي امتدت إلى شوطين إضافيين بعد التعادل في الوقت الأصلي.

وأقيمت بطولة كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا، في الفترة من 24 أكتوبر وحتى 1 نوفمبر 2025، في المغرب، وضمت 12 منتخبا مقسمة على 3 مجموعات.

وتأهل منتخب مصر إلى المباراة النهائية بعد الفوز على إسبانيا بنتيجة 31-28 في نصف النهائي، بينما تأهل المنتخب الألماني عقب تخطيه فرنسا.

كان منتخب مصر قد تأهل إلى نصف نهائي البطولة بعد تصدر المجموعة الأولى من 3 انتصارات بالفوز على البرازيل وأمريكا والمغرب، ثم على إسبانيا في نصف النهائي، ليضرب موعدًا مع ألمانيا في النهائي. أهداف مباراة مصر وألمانيا في كأس العالم لكرة اليد تحت 17 عامًا

Reece James has dismissed talk of a disciplinary crisis at Chelsea despite the Blues receiving their fifth red card in six matches. The captain scored and assisted in a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest before Malo Gusto’s late dismissal took the shine off an otherwise commanding display, leaving Enzo Maresca’s men once again finishing a game with 10 men.

Chelsea’s Forest win marred by Gusto red card

Chelsea eventually cruised to a 3-0 win away the City Ground after a poor first-half display, with James at the heart of the performance. The 25-year-old Blues captain opened the scoring with a superb volley and later set up another goal as his side controlled the contest from start to finish. However, their afternoon was tainted in the closing stages when Gusto received a second yellow card for a clumsy late challenge on Neco Williams, reducing Chelsea to 10 men once more.

The red card marked Chelsea’s fifth in their last six games, adding to the growing frustration surrounding the club’s recent disciplinary record. Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah, Joao Pedro, and even manager Enzo Maresca, who was sent off for touchline misconduct against Liverpool, have all received early trips back to the dressing room and it has fuelled criticism of the team’s on-field temperament. However, when questioned about the frequency of red cards this season, Chelsea captain James claimed that there isn’t an issue within the squad

AdvertisementGetty Images SportJames insists there is no discipline issue at Chelsea

Speaking after the match, James defended his team-mates and dismissed claims that Chelsea have a discipline issue under Maresca. “It’s difficult, if you look at all of them, they’re all very different. They’re not all straight reds,” James explained. “I was next to him (Gusto) when I saw him going for the tackle, and it was a split second in it. He was there to win the ball, and just mistimed it.”

The England international stressed that the situation has been blown out of proportion and that the team remains united in their approach. “I wouldn’t say it is a problem for us. We have to accept it,” James added. “This is what’s happened in the past few games, but it’s not something that will continue.”

Maresca also claimed that there wasn’t a discipline issue within the Chelsea camp as he said: "Again, it's something that we can do better, but I'm not concerned. I know that there are some of you that say, 'why is he not concerned?' I'm not concerned, because I like to analyse. It's a moment that we consider a red card, yes. We can avoid that, yes, for sure we can avoid that. But also for me, the desire of the players is important.

“Today, with 3-0, 90 minutes the game is finished. Malo [Gusto] can avoid that, because it's useless to make a second foul on a yellow card, for sure. But also the good part is, Malo is showing that he doesn't want to concede nothing. They don't want to concede a goal, they are playing for a clean sheet. It's the balance, we can avoid that for sure."

Are Chelsea’s red cards an anomaly?

Statistically, Chelsea’s recent red card record contrasts sharply with last season’s figures. In the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, the Blues received just four red cards across the entire regular season and the Club World Cup, suggesting that the current spike in dismissals under Maresca is an outlier rather than an ongoing concern. Internally, there is reportedly confidence that the Blues’ recent disciplinary troubles do not reflect a deeper behavioural issue.

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AFPMaresca faces more defensive troubles

Chelsea’s immediate focus will be on maintaining their upward trajectory while cutting out the needless errors that have repeatedly left them a man short. Gusto’s suspension will force Maresca into another defensive reshuffle, with James likely to shoulder even more responsibility against Sunderland, especially due to the sheer number of injuries in the Blues' defensive line.

Former England keeper stars with bat again to take control for Surrey

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay17-May-2025Ben Foakes maintained his fine form with the bat by hitting 86 to fashion a solid Surrey lead in their Rothesay County Championship encounter with Yorkshire at the Kia Oval.Foakes, who hit a career-high 174 not out against Warwickshire earlier this week, followed it up with another vital knock to guide the home side to 384 for seven at stumps on day two, 129 in front.Australian left-hander Kurtis Patterson also sparkled on his Surrey debut with 85 but after he and Dan Lawrence fell in rapid succession, they needed Foakes – aided by the lower-middle order – to cement their advantage.Medium-pacer George Hill, fresh from recording a nine-wicket match haul in Yorkshire’s previous game at Essex, was again the pick of the visitors’ bowlers with figures of four for 58.Rory Burns and Dom Sibley resumed in the morning with a deficit of 209 and shaved off just another 10 runs before the skipper departed, nudging a Jack White delivery that left him into the hands of slip.That brought Patterson to the crease for the first time in Surrey colours, taking a while to settle before he unveiled his ruthless cover drive and dispatched both White and Jordan Buckingham to the rope.Buckingham was expensive, conceding two boundaries in quick succession to Sibley – who appeared nicely set at 29 until he failed to get forward sufficiently to Hill and was trapped leg before.However, Patterson was into his stride by then and advanced to his half-century from the penultimate ball of the morning session, ably supported by some wristy leg-side strokeplay from Dan Lawrence.Yorkshire might have removed Patterson on 60 soon after lunch, when he miscued a hook off Buckingham – but James Wharton, moving in from long leg, was unable to cling onto the catch.After receiving treatment for a back problem just before the interval, Lawrence still looked uncomfortable in the middle, but he stuck around for almost two hours helping Patterson to add 112.However, Surrey’s momentum was dented when they lost both batters in the space of three deliveries, with Ben Coad returning for his second spell of the day to pin Lawrence in front of the stumps for 31.Hill’s impact was even more immediate, removing Patterson in the same manner with the first delivery of his stint from the Vauxhall End and that left Foakes and Jason Roy to regroup as they closed in on the visitors’ total.Foakes struck the ball cleanly and crisply, particularly on the leg side, while Roy employed a greater degree of brute force, punching Jordan Thompson off the back foot for four and slamming Adam Lyth into the pavilion to secure his side’s first batting bonus point.The final say went to Lyth, who had his fellow ex-England opener pouched at slip for 26 in the first over after tea, but Foakes progressed past 50 for the fifth time this season with one of his looser shots, slashing White just past the slips for two.Yorkshire captain Jonny Bairstow handed his wicketkeeper’s gloves to Jonny Tattersall for the final session, having sustained a finger injury, but continued to direct proceedings in an outfield role.It was Tattersall who snapped up an outside edge off Foakes late in the day to provide Hill with his fourth wicket, but Jordan Clark – having almost chopped on twice early in his innings – swung the bat to reach 41 not out with a clutch of boundaries.

There is a lot to be happy about as an Arsenal fan at the moment.

While the games against Liverpool and Manchester United weren’t great, Mikel Arteta has got his team playing a more entertaining brand of football this season, which has seen them score 11 goals in five games so far.

Moreover, the attacking additions to the team seem to be adapting well, with Eberechi Eze getting an assist on his first start, Viktor Gyokeres already scoring three, and Noni Madueke looking like a serious threat on the right.

On top of all of that, Hale End seems to have produced another superstar in Max Dowman, although there is another youngster in the squad who could have just as high a ceiling.

Max Dowman's incredible rise

While those with a real knowledge of academy football would have been aware of Dowman for some time, most fans started to hear about him last season.

In just 23 appearances across a number of youth teams, totalling 1945 minutes, he put the ball in the back of the net 19 times and provided five assists for good measure.

In other words, the Chelmsford-born gem averaged 1.04 goal involvements per match, or one every 81.04 minutes, which is utterly unreal and lends credence to talent scout Jacek Kulig’s bold claim that he is the “most exciting prospect” he has seen “since Lamine Yamal.”

Appearances

23

Minutes

1945′

Goals

19

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

1.04

Minutes per Goal Involvement

81.04′

The club itself clearly view him as a future star as well, as he was soon training with the first team, and while he wasn’t able to make any senior appearances last year due to rules over his age, no such barriers exist this season.

He made an instant impact on the pre-season tour, winning a penalty in the match against Newcastle United and then impressing against Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal.

The strong performances have carried on into the season proper now, with him winning another penalty against Leeds United and then being trusted to come off the bench away to Liverpool.

In all, it feels like the sky is the limit with Dowman, which could also be said for another of the club’s new young stars.

Arsenal's youngster with as much potential as Dowman

What’s so amazing for Arsenal is that, at the moment, you could argue there are a number of players with ceilings as high as Dowman, from Ethan Nwaneri to Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, in this instance, the player in question is a summer signing: Cristhian Mosquera.

The young Spaniard cost the club just £13m back in July, and it would be fair to say he has since made that fee look utterly absurd.

Already described as a “backline leader” last October by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, the towering defender looked pretty good during pre-season, but it was against Liverpool where folk began to take notice.

He was forced on in the fifth minute to replace the injured William Saliba, and while most youngsters would wilt under such intense pressure, he played the next 85 minutes as if he was a seasoned professional with a decade of experience, making three clearances, blocking two shots, and making four tackles.

Clearances

3

Blocked Shots

2

Tackles

4

Ground Duels (Won)

5 (4)

Lost Possession

5

Touches

62

Accurate Passes

47/51 (92%)

He was even more impressive against Nottingham Forest, as on top of displaying his defensive nous, the level of opposition allowed him to show fans his ability on the ball and passing range.

In 94 minutes of action, the game-breaking “monster,” as dubbed by one analyst, took 92 touches, completed 75 passes, won 100% of his ground duels and completed eight defensive actions.

Then again, despite it being his Champions League debut, the former Valencia gem was utterly unfazed by the game on Tuesday night, not giving Bilbao even a sniff of a goal.

Ultimately, just as Dowman looks like he could be a generational attacking talent, Mosquera looks like he has everything needed to become a world-class defender, and it might not take long at all.

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