Getting above your marker to win aerial contests is a vital part of handling the Premier League package, with several teams preferring to take a higher route to goal. Whether it’s being first to the ball when defending their own box, or attacking set-pieces and long balls at the opposite end, these players have towered above opponents in 2023/24. The Premier League players with the most aerial duels won this season: 5. Oliver McBurnie – Sheffield United (114) Oliver McBurnie has been Sheffield United’s outlet for much of the campaign, with the Scot springing above defenders to win battles in ..read more

Centre-forwards need service and these Premier League stars have been the division’s finest when it comes to creating chances in 2023/24. From set-piece experts to inventors capable of splitting defences with penetrative passes, we’ve looked at the Premier League players who lead the way for chances created this season. Andreas Pereira – Fulham (80) After bouncing around a number of clubs on loan while at Manchester United, Andreas Pereira has found a home at Fulham. The 28-year-old never quite made the grade at Manchester United in over a decade on the club’s books, but has become an integra ..read more

Virgil van Dijk has backed Arne Slot to be a success at Liverpool if his compatriot is appointed as Jurgen Klopp’s successor. Liverpool have agreed terms with Slot to become their next manager and are currently negotiating with Feyenoord over a compensation package for their highly-rated head coach.   After impressing at AZ Alkmaar with the highest points-per-game record in the club’s history, Slot moved to Feyenoord and led the Rotterdam outfit to a first Eredivisie title in six years last season. The 45-year-old had earlier guided Feyenoord to the Europa Conference League final in his ..read more

Liverpool are pushing to agree terms with Feyenoord for head coach Arne Slot, having identified the Dutchman as their top target to replace Jurgen Klopp. Slot has built a fine reputation in the Eredivisie after leading Feyenoord to the title in 2022/23 and Dutch Cup success this season, with the Reds hopeful he will be the right successor to Klopp at Anfield. New managers often return to what they know in terms of recruitment, and Liverpool are already being linked with Feyenoord talents including Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko. The Eredivisie can be a minefield when it comes to Premier Le ..read more

Who has the most assists in the Premier League so far this season? The Premier League Playmaker of the Season was introduced in the 2017/18 campaign to recognise the most creative player in England’s top tier. For decades the leading scorer had been awarded the Golden Boot, but now the chance creators – and not just takers – have their own award to shoot for. Kevin De Bruyne won the award last season for a record-extending third time, but who is in the frame to claim the prize in 2023/24? Premier League Playmaker Award – Who is leading the race? =4. Cole Palmer, Mohamed Salah, Son Heung-min, B ..read more

Premier League clubs shipped out unwanted or unneeded assets on loan this season, with more than 150 players spending temporary stints away from top-flight clubs in 2023/24. Some have impressed out on loan and could potentially re-enter the thoughts of their managers when pre-season rolls around. We’ve looked at four Premier League players, currently out on loan, who should be handed an opportunity next season. Deniz Undav (Brighton) Deniz Undav departed Brighton in the summer in search of regular minutes, after the Seagulls signed Joao Pedro from Watford to add competition to their forward l ..read more

Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste has opened up on the news that Xavi will continue as the club’s head coach next season.  Xavi announced his intention to walk away from the Spanish side in January, though talks with president Joan Laporta have prompted a U-turn on that decision.   The 44-year-old, who made 787 appearances during his playing career with the club and led Barcelona to the La Liga title in 2022/23, will remain at the Camp Nou until the end of his contract at least, which expires in 2025. The club’s vice-president, Yuste, has said Barcelona have full belief in Xavi de ..read more

Liverpool will push ahead to reach an agreement with Feyenoord for head coach Arne Slot in the next few hours as the club look to wrap up a deal. Slot has been identified as Liverpool’s leading target to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager as the latter prepares to step down at the end of the campaign.   Talks were held with Slot earlier this week and ended positively, with the Reds having made the 45-year-old their first choice candidate, after previous links to Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim. The Dutch coach led Feyenoord to a first league title in six years last season, in addition to rea ..read more

Newcastle are leading the chase to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting Lisbon this summer, ahead of their Premier League rivals. Diomande’s rapid emergence at Sporting has turned the head of England’s elite with the centre-back having been a standout performer since arriving from FC Midtjylland in January 2023.   The 20-year-old has formed part of a Sporting side who sit seven points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga under Ruben Amorim and also won the Africa Cup of Nations when representing the Ivory Coast earlier this year. Newcastle are in the market for at least one new centre-ba ..read more

Jurgen Klopp has apologised after Liverpool’s title hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow after losing to Everton at Goodison Park for the first time since 2010. Everton started strongly in front of a raucous home crowd, and saw an early penalty decision overturned after consultation with VAR. Alisson brought down Dominic Calvert-Lewin inside the area, though the striker was adjudged offside in the build up. Klopp’s side struggled with the physicality from set-pieces of the home side throughout, with the Reds coming under aerial bombardment, and Everton opened the scoring through Jarrad Bra ..read more