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Name a player who donned the famous Old Gold of Wolverhampton Wanderers last season and it’s likely they spent time on the sidelines.

As Wolves limped to a 13th place finish in the Premier League, the Midlands outfit did so after being plagued and pillaged by injuries.

Raul Jimenez has been missing since November after sustaining a fractured skull while Jonny underwent surgery on two ACL injuries last term.

Pedro Neto is also set to miss the beginning of the new season while he recovers from a broken knee cap.

The Portuguese dynamo cruelly missed out on a place in his country’s squad for the European Championship after enjoying his best campaign to date.

Neto’s term was crowned by winning the club’s Player of the Season award. Since then, he’s been linked with mega-money moves away. That won’t come as a surprise to Wolves because the forward has been scintillating.

The Portugal international is a constant menace down the left-hand side and will benefit from having the flying Rayan Ait-Nouri behind him next season.

The left-back signed a permanent deal at Molineux last week but they’re still in the market for Fulham’s Antonee Robinson who may cost around £10m.

If he pens terms in the Midlands, then Bruno Lage has the potential to create a magical duo between Robinson and the effervescent Neto.

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The latter was a ball of energy last season and ended it as the club’s joint top-scorer alongside Ruben Neves.

Neto has the ability to beat a man with ease and possesses two incredibly crafty feet. At times, it’s difficult to work out whether his right or left foot is his strongest.

In 2020/21, the 21-year-old managed more key passes per game (2) than any other player in the squad. He recorded the second-highest dribbles per match behind Adama Traore (2.1) and was only behind Jimenez for shots per game.

Remarkably, Lage could double the threat on the left-hand side with the addition of Robinson.

Like Neto, he was absolutely rampant in that half of the pitch last season. The Fulham defender made one key pass per match and completed 1.8 dribbles on average each outing.

That would have put him third in the Wolves squad for that statistic.

Dubbed “unbelievable” by former Old Gold man Karl Henry, the 23-year-old has pace and energy in abundance.

The duel threat down the left next season could be awe-inspiring at Molineux.

AND in other news, Wolves plot bid for 6ft3 colossus of the “highest level”, he may be their new Jimenez…

USMNT star Luca de la Torre has revealed that he affectionately became known as “Frenkie de Jong from Aldi” during his time at Dutch side Heracles.

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• American impressed in the Netherlands
• Compared to Barcelona superstar
• Is now enjoying life in Spanish football

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The United States international made his way to the Netherlands when leaving English football at Fulham in the summer of 2020. He has since earned another step up the footballing ladder when swapping the Eredivisie for Celta Vigo in La Liga.

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  WHAT THEY SAID

  De La Torre has forged a reputation with club and country for being comfortable in possession and progressing the ball forward – much like Barcelona’s Dutch star De Jong. The 25-year-old midfielder has told of his somewhat unusual nickname: “When I was playing in Holland, the fans of the club called me Frenkie de Jong from Aldi. Which is like Frenkie de Jong from a cheap knock-off supermarket. Which I guess was a compliment.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  De La Torre is up to 17 caps for the USMNT – forming part of their triumphant CONCACAF Nations League squad over the summer – and expects his game to be taken to even greater heights in Spain. He added: “The level of football is higher here obviously, both physically and technically. As a midfielder when you’re pressing, it’s important to not get beat and to make fouls when you have to. That was something I really had to add to my game when I made this step.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  The highly-rated playmaker has become a vital cog in Celta Vigo’s midfield machine, starting 21 games since his switch to Spain in 2022 – with five of those coming through six La Liga fixtures in the 2023-24 campaign.

Wolves players haven’t exactly flooded the ongoing European Championships with enormous quality.

Molineux’s Portuguese contingent of Rui Patricio, Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho tasted defeat in the last 16, while Adama Traore has managed just one substitute appearance with Spain.

However, they have been attracted by a number of players currently lighting up the Euros. Switzerland striker Haris Seferovic has caught their eye, while they’ve also been left impressed by Leicester and Wales stopper Danny Ward.

One player with whom the club were previously linked has been having an outstanding tournament. That happens to be Premier League-winning left-back in Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The Manchester City defender has been making history this summer with Ukraine, taking them to the quarter-finals, where they’ll meet England on Saturday evening.

Wolves made a bid of £19m for Zinchenko 12 months ago but that was rejected. However, after a starring role in recent weeks, they must consider another move for him.

The 24-year-old started Ukraine’s group games in the middle of the park but he was nothing short of outstanding after being moved to left wing-back when they beat Sweden after extra time in the last 16.

Zinchenko scored a sweetly-struck opener from inside the penalty area before providing a peach of a cross deep into the second half of extra time which supplied the winning goal.

The City gem was left crying on the pitch at full-time, embraced by his teammates after turning up for his country in one of the biggest moments in their football history.

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Described as “incredible” by Pep Guardiola, he initially arrived in England as an attacking midfielder but has been turned into a left-back under the Spaniard.

As well as possessing a mean delivery of the ball, his defensive attributes appear to be improving all the time. No Swedish player managed to dribble past him last Tuesday evening as Zinchenko completed 86% of his passes, won seven of eight defensive duels and attempted seven tantalising crosses.

He was an enormous threat and should now be pursued by Wolves more closely. The Old Gold have negotiated a deal to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri for £10m but they could find better alternatives elsewhere.

Zinchenko’s price tag has likely risen since starring for his country over the last month but his performances demonstrate he deserves to be first choice for his club. At the Etihad Stadium, that is unfortunately never likely to happen, but Bruno Lage could grant him the starring role he needs at Molineux.

For those who have doubted him since coming to England, they have now been silenced after his displays this summer.

Zinchenko is increasingly becoming an ever-reliable performer. Wolves supporters would surely love not only his versatility but his passion and work rate; he has talent in abundance.

AND in other news, Lage could discover his new Ruben Dias at Wolves in “phenomenal” £62k-p/w beast…

Chelsea have spent £1 billion ($1.3bn) in a little over 12 months, but the reasons for them not moving for James Maddison have been revealed.

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• Blues have been splashing the cash
• Invested heavily in players with potential
• Opted against proven playmaker

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Blues have, with Todd Boehly helping to call shots from the boardroom, continued to invest heavily in new recruits. They have reinforced just about every area of their squad, with big-money deals completed for the likes of Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  They could have acquired the proven Premier League playmaker in the wake of Leicester’s relegation in 2022-23, but no move for Maddison was made. That left the path clear for London rivals Tottenham to swoop in – with the England international registering two goals and a couple of assists through his first five games for Spurs on the back of a £40m ($50m) transfer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  According to , Chelsea opted against moving for Maddison as he does fit the club’s current recruitment model. It is claimed that the Blues were only looking to bring in players over the summer that are under 25 years of age – which rules Maddison out as he will turn 27 in November.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Chelsea have put a long-term strategy in place, with the plan being to benefit from the potential possessed by their new recruits over several years, but questions may be asked of why they are not looking to blend youth with experience – especially as their struggles for goals and creativity are well documented.

Wolves could be forced to sell Ruben Neves this summer as they look to bring in new players, journalist Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast.

Since joining Wolves from Porto back in 2017, Neves has gone on to become a key figure for the Midlands club.

He made over 40 Championship appearances in the season they won promotion and has continued to be a regular in the Premier League.

However, the Portugal international is now being linked with a move to Arsenal, with Goal reporting that they see him as a potential replacement for Granit Xhaka, who could be off to AS Roma.

And Hatfield believes, while nothing is a forgone conclusion, Neves is one player Wolves could be willing to let go in order to generate funds.

“For Wolves to sign players, do they need to sell?” the Express & Star reporter said. “That’s the report we’ve kind of heard from some, that there needs to be a few sales to fund those big moves that they maybe want to make.

“Maybe Neves is seen as someone who is not completely disposable but would be an acceptable departure to fund other moves. That could be the case.”

According to The Athletic, Wolves do need to sell if they are to bring in reinforcements.

Valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt, Neves probably has the potential to capture a good fee. So while he has been an important player for this Wolves team, you can see some logic behind selling him this summer.

Despite being back in the EFL, the club have been surprisingly quiet in terms of incomings thus far, failing to sign a single player

Ever since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham in 2021, they have disrupted the lower-league transfer market. The wages and potential silverware on offer in north Wales has convinced a spate of players to drop down a division or two to join the Hollywood pair's exciting project.

Paul Mullin infamously turned down a shot at League One football with Cambridge United to become Wrexham's talisman in 2021. His example has been followed by a host of others since, with Elliot Lee, Ben Tozer and Ollie Palmer among those who have turned down offers from higher divisions before rocking up at the SToK Racecourse.

After Wrexham secured their return to the Football League in May, many were expecting business as usual in the summer transfer window. Former Championship, and even Premier League players, have been continually linked with the Dragons in recent weeks, but as of yet the club has not got a single deal over the line.

It's a surprising turn of events, considering how active they have been in their recruitment under Phil Parkinson. But is there any reason to be concerned? GOAL takes a closer look at what is keeping the transfer floodgates bolted in Wrexham this summer…

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  Financial Fair Play?

  One of the biggest differences between League Two and the National League is the existence of financial rules. Last season, Wrexham were permitted to 'live in the red' as they thrived for promotion, offering contracts as large as they wanted without the fear of being penalised.

  Things will be different this campaign, due to the EFL's Financial Fair Play regulations, which limit League Two clubs to spending 55 percent of its turnover on player wages. In theory, this has the potential of curtailing Wrexham's spending – but the reality is rather different.

  While the Dragons do now have a 'salary cap', they will still comfortably boast the most fearsome spending power in League Two. Not only are Wrexham set to have the highest attendances in the division – aside from Bradford City – their commercial power dwarfs their rivals' by a considerable margin.

  Nothing demonstrated this more aptly than Reynolds and McElhenney agreeing a big-money sponsorship deal with United Airlines this summer – a name that would look more at home on the front of the shirts of a Champions League team. The club's historic Racecourse Ground similarly bears the name of a high-profile company, SToK Cold Brew.

  While the exact value of these agreements has not been disclosed publicly, it's safe to assume that they are the most lucrative in League Two history. When you're bringing in this much money, 55% of your revenue is still more than enough to bring in pretty much any lower-league player. So, Financial Fair Play likely hasn't got much to do with Wrexham's quiet summer.

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  Key targets missed

  A more plausible explanation for the lack of business is that Wrexham have simply been outmaneuvered in the market. The club has tightly guarded against leaks this summer, but a few rumoured targets have managed to slip through the cracks.

  Alfie May was one such name linked. May is understood to have been on Wrexham's radar for some time after impressing for Cheltenham Town over the past few years. In the end though, he ended up at League One Charlton Athletic, supposedly due to a desire to be closer to his family in Kent.

  Another player who has seemingly fallen through the net is Max Power. After a turbulent season at Wigan Athletic, amid all of their off-field issues, Power was on the free agency market. If Wrexham were genuinely interested, the feeling was not mutual, with the midfielder becoming the latest player to head to Saudi Arabia recently – albeit in the second division.

  Ex-Premier League midfielders Jonny Williams and Nick Powell won't be playing for Wrexham this season either, sealing moves to Gillingham and Stockport Country, respectively. Reynolds and McElhenney are used to getting their own way in the transfer market, but this summer has been a different story.

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  Foster feels like a new signing!

  It's not all been doom and gloom at the SToK Racecourse this summer, however. In June, Ben Foster announced he would be sticking around for another year. Foster played a key role in promotion last season, famously making a decisive penalty save in the de-facto title showdown against Notts County in April.

  "At the end of last season it was obvious that I enjoyed being at the club, I loved being part of the team and everything that Wrexham stands for," he said. "The fans took to me so warmly, Phil Parkinson is brilliant, Steve Parkin is top class, I love Aidan Davison to bits, and the co-chairmen are out of this world. I’d decided before the end of last season I wanted to do it, because it feels like home. I’ve never joined a football club and felt at ease so quickly.”

  Foster's continued commitment to the cause was far from a sure thing. Not only is he 40, he has also taken to post-career life better than most footballers, setting up a hugely-successful YouTube channel. But with the veteran stopper opting to stick around, Wrexham now possess one of the strongest goalkeeping departments in League Two.

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  This isn't a National League side…

  Convincing Foster to stay put speaks to one of Parkinson's wider aims for the summer: keeping his title-winning squad settled. Much was made of the Dragons' decision to release 11 players in May, but none of those out of contract featured significantly last season.

  As a result, most of those who helped the club end their non-league exile look set to be given a chance in League Two. This isn't as much as a risk as it may appear either. In recent transfer windows, the club have clearly been recruiting for life in the Football League anyway, as evidence by the arrivals of Mullin, Lee, Tozer and Co.

  In this way, none of the current squad will be daunted by the step up in quality. Registering a record-breaking 111 points last season proved just how far ahead of the competition they were in the fifth tier, and suggests that the squad does not even need much tinkering to remain competitive next campaign.

  Perhaps this is why Wrexham have been so reserved this summer? They already got all of their League Two-standard players through the door over the previous four transfer windows. Midfielder Tom O'Connor has even been attracting admiring glances from Championship sides – and he is far from the only member of Parkinson's squad who would walk into a higher-division team if they left Wrexham.

The Brazil international is yet to officially sign a new contract at Santiago Bernabeu, but his recent displays warrant a huge salary

Vinicius Jr's emphatic finish against Manchester City wasn't the type of goal he usually scores. This strike, a 20-yard screamer that singed the fingertips of Ederson, was an unexpected effort from a player who has spent his career weaving his way into the opposition box.

But now, that same winger can now hit them from distance — and have the confidence to do so in big games. Such an evolution is the hallmark of a footballer who is constantly improving. And it's perhaps been lost in the carousel of chaos that is Real Madrid's season, but Vinicius keeps getting better.

At this point, there are very few attacking players who are more impactful, versatile, or exciting to watch in the world. Once regarded as a failure, too flamboyant and inefficient for the top levels of European football, Vinicius has become arguably the best in the world at his position.

Although Vinicius is out of contract next season, Real Madrid are calm about the situation. The renewal, according to reliable sources, has been agreed and will be announced soon. His Madridismo has never been in doubt and he is expected to play in Madrid white for years to come.

Still, regardless of how or when this gets announced, one thing is clear: Real Madrid need to pay Vinicius whatever it takes to keep him at Santiago Bernabeu for as long as they can.

• A season to remember

  There shouldn't really be any doubt in this process. Vinicius is one of the best players in the world and Madrid have helped curate his development. There are no obvious barriers to a new deal being done, or reported issues in getting it over the line. This should be the simplest of formalities.

  Vinicius, with 20 goals and 18 assists, has been Madrid's best player in 2022-23 — consistently carrying the offensive load left over by the oft-injured Karim Benzema.

  But there has been something particularly impactful about Vinicius in recent months. The Brazilian has never really been the singular star player of this Madrid side before. He was certainly involved, but the team never really centered around him. Now, though, Vinicius wants to be on the ball at every opportunity. And with that responsibility, he's become far more refined.

  In the past, there were perhaps too many touches. Samba flair is integral to the winger's game, but he occasionally overplayed, almost tried too hard to wow the crowd — at the detriment of his quality in the box. This season, though, the winger has streamlined that process. The rainbow flicks, elasticos, croquetas and stepovers are all here. But each one is purposeful and direct. Just ask Kyle Walker, Vinicius' most recent victim.

  There's now something really scary about Vinicius: he can embarrass you with serious intent. That's a rare quality for players of his profile. There are arguably too many in his position who do too much, or make the wrong decision. This version of Vinicius doesn't often make poor decisions. And if he misses a pass, or makes the wrong run, it's often from clinical desire, or personal expression — rather than the absent-mindedness that came to define some of his early days in a Madrid shirt.

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  Madrid's shield

  It's all quite new from a player that was linked with a Madrid exit less than three years ago. Vinicius' rise to the top has been rather rapid. At the start of the 2021-22 season, he was still a player of great, but perhaps unfulfilled potential. It mattered little to the detractors that he was just 21-years-old. Madrid are a results-driven proposition, and Vinicius had spent over two years failing to deliver with consistency.

  But things have turned around remarkably quickly. Certainly, Benzema has to be credited. The French striker famously refused to work with Vinicius in his early days at the club, but they have since developed a devastating on-field partnership.

  It helps, too, that Carlo Ancelotti has set up a system that allows him to stay as high up the pitch as possible — with first Ferland Mendy and more recently Eduardo Camavinga offering defensive cover. On the pitch, Los Blancos have curated a perfect tactical setup for him to flourish.

  However, it is perhaps Madrid's protection of Vinicius the person that has been of most value to his burgeoning career. Opposing fans have regularly abused him – a lot of times with overt racism – this season, while on-field opponents have realised that he can be rattled easily. The two often work in tandem. In Madrid's contest with Real Valladolid in January, he was clattered consistently and chirped at by opposing defenders. And when Vinicius reacted with words of his own, fans hurled abuse from the Jose Zorrilla Stadium rafters.

  That's hardly been an isolated incident, though. These stories seem to come out weekly, with Vinicius at one point appearing in court to testify about the chants directed at him. And Madrid have protected him through all of this. Ancelotti has repeatedly said that he needs more protection from referees, while team-mates have also called for opposing defenders to be booked more often when they clatter the young Brazilian.

  No athlete needs shielding quite like Vinicius. And Real Madrid have done it expertly.

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  Where else could he go?

  It's hard to see anywhere else offering Vinicius what he needs, on and off the pitch. At this point, the winger could have his pick of teams. At his age, with his talent and marketability, it is almost certain that all the big names would be in the mix for his signature.

  But just exactly who could provide a better setting for Vinicius the character and footballer is tricky to identify. Chelsea, Manchester United, Man City and Paris Saint-Germain all certainly have the funds to some degree, but none offer the same appeal.

  Chelsea have too many wingers and are yet to officially appoint a permanent manager. United also have too many wide forwards and need players at other positions. City, meanwhile, are not short of attacking threats, and would arguably deny Vinicius the creative freedom he needs. And PSG are their own, maddeningly confusing state of affairs, a place that, as history has shown, doesn't always get the best out of attacking players.

  No one can really match Madrid for sporting appeal, either. In Fede Valverde, Rodrygo, Aurelien Tchouameni, Camavinga and Eder Militao, Los Blancos have a spine of potentially world-class players who project to remain at the club for years to come. Add to that the expected signing of Jude Bellingham this summer and the pending arrival of Brazilian teenager Endrick, and there is no better project for him to spearhead.

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  The Mbappe question

  Kylian Mbappe might have done Real Madrid a favour in all of this. Last month, after being sparingly linked with a move to the Spanish capital for most of the season, Mbappe casually announced that he would stay in Paris for another year. It was an odd way to quell talk of a transfer saga destined to drag on for months. But for Madrid, and Vinicius, it is perhaps a relief that Mbappe will delay his expected arrival.

  If Madrid had executed their swoop for Mbappe this summer, it might have left Vinicius in an uncertain situation. The two are positionally similar players, as both he and Mbappe prefer to play off the left. Both demand the ball, ideally in space and on the run. Both need to stay high up the pitch to allow their side to hit on the break.

  Mbappe is a better goalscorer and Vinicius is a better dribbler. Mbappe could conceivably play through the middle, and Vinicius, if needed, could play on the right. These are not identical players. But bringing Mbappe in this summer — at the very point where they need to sign their current superstar to a long-term deal — might have created some problems. The duo will perhaps share a pitch in Madrid within 18 months. But short term, if Vinicius wasn't guaranteed a multi-year deal, there could have been friction at Santiago Bernabeu.

  Instead, Madrid now have a clear window to sort out one player before they go after another.

How will the European champions fare this summer after losing their skipper just three months before the tournament begins?

When England captain and Arsenal star Leah Williamson went down with a knee injury on Wednesday night, one could be forgiven for fearing the worst.

Women’s football has been suffering an ACL crisis for a long, long time now and, on Friday afternoon, Williamson’s name was added to its ever-growing list of casualties.

The 26-year-old will miss the rest of Arsenal’s season, which includes a Women’s Champions League semi-final tie against Wolfsburg, and then, crucially, this summer’s 2023 Women’s World Cup.

After leading the Lionesses to Euro 2022 glory last year, she’ll be forced to watch on from afar for this major tournament.

It’s cruel, cruel news for a player who had been enjoying an incredible moment in her career, with so much to look forward to. It’s devastating for her club, too, with the Gunners already bogged down by a long injury list.

And what about England? To lose your captain and one of your star players as you prepare for a World Cup that you genuinely have the ability to win is a massive blow.

🏆 TOP STORY: England captain Williamson to miss World Cup

📣 HAVE YOUR SAY: Who should replace woeful De Gea at Man Utd?

🚨 MUST READ: Where it all went wrong for Dele Alli

What impact could it have on the Lionesses' chances of becoming world champions?

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  The Lionesses' leader

  One impact Williamson’s absence will have on this team is obvious, evidenced by the armband that she sports every time she steps on the pitch for her country.

  She’s the captain, she’s this team’s leader, and now they will be without her for the biggest tournament of them all.

  When the Arsenal star was officially made England’s new skipper last year, it was something that her team-mates commented on as being a “natural” thing, such are the leadership qualities she possesses.

  It’s something Wiegman clearly saw, too, as when Williamson had asked her if she wanted her to do anything more in the new role, the coach simply said: “No, I've given it to you. I'm happy with what you're doing.”

  She showed throughout Euro 2022 that Wiegman made the correct decision, too. When Williamson sat with her to talk to the media ahead of the final at Wembley in late July, she oozes calmness and composure. She was laser-focused on the task ahead and, a day later, she went out and led her team to glory.

  To go to a World Cup without a player that has traits like that, a player that so many of her team-mates look to in big moments, is huge.

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  The formidable duo of Bright and Williamson

  One of the most difficult things for England about Williamson's absence is that they lose the fantastic partnership she and Millie Bright have forged in the heart of the defence.

  The duo started every game at Euro 2022 and were a big reason why the Lionesses only conceded twice throughout the entire tournament, both exceptional in their own ways and able to complement the other.

  Recently, when that pair has been broken up, England haven’t looked as assured. During the April international break, Bright was injured and so Williamson partnered with Alex Greenwood for the Women’s Finalissima and then Esme Morgan for the Australia friendly.

  The Lionesses weren’t at their best at the back in that first game, conceding late on before beating Brazil on penalties, and the second match resulted in England’s first defeat of Wiegman’s tenure.

  Before the Euros, until it was changed at the last minute, Williamson was actually playing in midfield and it was Bright and Greenwood that had come together to form a great centre-back duo.

  If Bright is fit for the tournament, as she's still sidelined with a knee injury at present, Wiegman will hope those two can reproduce that quality and rekindle their fruitful partnership in the pre-World Cup friendlies.

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  Reshuffle needed

  One of Wiegman’s big selection headaches during her tenure has been the left-back spot. In February, it seemed she had found a solution: Greenwood.

  The Manchester City defender used to play in that position week in, week out before moving into a central role in recent years. Yet, the coach played her on the left during the Arnold Clark Cup and she fared well, seemingly relieving the headache.

  In Bright’s absence, Greenwood played at centre-back in April and now Williamson’s injury is likely to see her play there at the World Cup, too. Wiegman needs to shuffle things around again.

  Rachel Daly played at left-back during the Euros but she’s naturally a forward, second in the scoring charts in the Women’s Super League this season. As a result of that form, she’s been given more minutes in the front line for her country lately and has done well there.

  The injury to Williamson could see Wiegman move Daly back into defence, though, and bring in another forward to bolster the attacking pool. Alternatively, Jess Carter, who started both games in the position in April, could play there. Neither are naturals in the role, though, and therefore cannot really perform to their full potential there.

  Could Greenwood stay on the left and another centre-back option be brought in alongside Bright? It is now probably the biggest question Wiegman has to ponder going into the World Cup.

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  A loss in more than one position

  England don’t only lose a top quality centre-back in Williamson, though. The Arsenal star is a versatile player who has also excelled in a midfield role for club and country.

  It’s in that area that the Lionesses are thinnest on the ground and simply by being in squads, their captain has been able to add a little bit of depth to the middle of the park should she be needed.

  There is one player in the England team that is almost irreplaceable and that is Keira Walsh. The Barcelona midfielder is one of a kind and plays an incredibly important role for her country.

  But the player best suited to replacing her, should she pick up a knock at the World Cup or miss a game through suspension, was probably Williamson.

Former Premier League striker Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that he believes that signing for Aston Villa would be a step in the right direction for James Ward-Prowse, who Football Insider’s Kevin Phillips believes would cost £35m+.

On the back of another excellent season for Southampton, in which he was one of just three ever-present outfield players, the midfielder has been strongly linked with a switch to Villa Park.

Ward-Prowse managed eight Premier League goals, his best career return, whilst he also added seven assists which meant he contributed to more than 30 percent of Southampton’s league goals.

Two of which were spectacular free-kicks in Saints’ 4-3 victory at Villa back in early-November.

Despite his excellent form, the 26-year-old narrowly missed out on being named in the final 26-man England squad for the Euro’s after failing to get the nod following Trent Alexander Arnold’s withdrawal.

But whilst Gareth Southgate wasn’t completed convinced, Dean Smith has been, with Villa hoping to make the midfielder their second summer addition following the club-record arrival of Emiliano Buendia of Norwich.

And Bent told Football FanCast that he believes it’s a move the Southampton man should make:

“Where Aston Villa have got a few talented players, it would be a good move for him.

“I think he’d probably, well not push for it but he’s the captain at Southampton. Could he play another season? Maybe, but I’m not sure if they’re moving forward.

“And Aston Villa are a big club, maybe he wants to move as a stepping stone so it would be a good move for him.”

Everything you need to know about Newcastle United maverick Allan Saint-Maximin!

Allan Saint-Maximin is a French professional footballer who currently plays as a winger for Newcastle United in the Premier League. He was born on March 12, 1997, in Châtenay-Malabry, France.

Saint-Maximin began his football career at the age of six with local club Les Ulis. He then joined the youth ranks at Saint-Etienne in 2013, where he developed his skills and caught the attention of scouts from across Europe. After making just one first-team appearance for the French outfit, he was snapped up by Monaco in 2015.

However, they loaned him out immediately to gain regular first-team football, first to Hannover 96 for whom he featured in 18 games, scoring once, in a relegation campaign. Then on to then-Ligue 1 outfit SC Bastia, where he made 36 appearances and scored three times but they were relegated anyway.

He returned to Monaco, who had just won the league title, so regular minutes were difficult to come by, and he only played two games before being sold to OGC Nice.

Here he played under Lucien Favre for a season, and then Patrick Vieira, finishing seventh and eighth.

His speed and direct play attracted Newcastle, and they bought him for a reported fee of £16.5m in August 2019.

The 26-year-old has made a strong impression at St. James' Park, quickly becoming a fan favourite thanks to his fearless dribbling and natural flair. He went on to make 26 appearances in his debut season, scoring three goals and providing four assists.

Since then, he continued to be a key player for the club, helping the Magpies stave off relegation in the last two seasons before playing a vital role in their climb up the table in recent times as Eddie Howe's men recently reached their first cup final in 22 years and remain in contention for a place in the Champions League this season.

What are the 15 things you absolutely need to know about the Newcastle trickster?

• Street football running in his veins!

  Neither of Saint-Maximin's parents were involved in the game. He was raised in a reasonably affluent family, and didn't have financial troubles in his formative years. His mother was the director of education at a renowned school in the Paris outskirts. Meanwhile, his father worked as an office administrator at Paris Diderot University.

  Athletics arrived first among all sporting alternatives for the youngster, thanks to his innate passion for running and explosive activities. Later, he transferred his athletic abilities to football and started playing alongside his elder brother, Kurtys, who at the time aspired to be a footballer.

  He used to play with boys his brother's age, and developed a reputation in street football.

  The largely uncoached freestyler was luckily offered trials with Verrieres-le-Buisson, from where his professional journey began.

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  Friends with Hatem Ben Arfa 🤝

  It’s easy to see the similarities between Saint-Maximin and Hatem Ben Arfa. They’re both French, terrific dribblers, a nightmare for defenders and fan favourites at St James’ Park.

  When Ben Arfa was at his best, he was unstoppable. His time in the North-East ended on a sour note, but Newcastle streets will never forget him, or his spectacular solo goals.

  Indeed, the French duo happen to be friends. What's more, before joining Newcastle, Saint-Maximin rang his compatriot for advice.

  “I remember Hatem Ben Arfa played here,” he told the Telegraph. “He told me to sign. He is a good friend, we grew up in the same area. He had some of his best days at Newcastle and wished he had stayed longer."

  Saint-Maximin has acknowledged Ben Arfa is a player he looks up to for the latter's dribbling ability.

  “For dribbling, I love Hatem so much,” said Saint-Maximin. “I love a lot of players, but, for me, it’s Ben Arfa. He scored a lot of good goals.

  "He had an injury one time, and maybe this was a bit difficult for him, but everybody knows he’s a great player.”

• Could've signed for Arsenal 🖋️

  What if we told you that Saint-Maximin could easily have been plying his trade for Arsenal had things turned out differently for him in the past?

  The Gunners have been one of the most consistent suitors of the Frenchman, who grew up idolising Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. However, for his development, regular gametime was of paramount importance, as he turned down interest from the north London club not once, but twice.

  First was when he left Monaco to join Nice. There were also reports in the media that Saint-Maximin had been a transfer target for Arsenal during the summer of 2019. However, the French winger ultimately opted to sign for Newcastle, who were ready to give him a prominent role in their project moving forwards.

  He's absolutely loving life in the North-East, and is well-adored by a passionate set of supporters, with the club back on the rise since the Saudi-led takeover.

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• Gives back to Newcastle community

  From his appearance and fashion focus, one may assume he's a flashy and egoist personality, but you'd be wrong. Saint-Maximin is a smart and humble guy who knows what he's doing, which is putting others before himself.

  He arrived at Tyneside with reports stating he's a spectacular talent, but with a bad attitude. However, the Magpies faithful have discovered it to be otherwise.

  His parents and teachers instilled in him all of the principles of generosity he needed to stay grounded despite his riches. From being a regular contributor of the NUFC Foodbank to making significant donations during COVID-19 to taking 100s of young Newcastle fans to a toy shop and buying them a toy of their wish, he gives a lot back to the Newcastle community.

  Needless to say, he shares a special relationship with Toon faithful, and is hero-worshipped by many of them.