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The century stand Imran Farhat and Salman Butt put on this morning was their second in three Tests

Osman Samiuddin at the SCG04-Jan-2010Pakistan’s travels around Australasia this season have been unusually productive. They’ve won only one Test so far but there are more gains. Mohammad Aamer has come along beautifully; Mohammad Asif has been magnificent; Umar Akmal has added new impetus to a flimsy middle order. Quietly slipping by unnoticed have been Pakistan’s opening pair.There is never a final word as far as Pakistan’s opening is concerned but the century stand Imran Farhat and Salman Butt put on this morning was their second in three Tests; like the one that began Pakistan’s quest to bat for two days to save the Napier Test against New Zealand recently, this one was also critical. They’ve only opened in nine Tests together, over many years, and the third century stand they constructed was anotherimportant one, against India in Karachi in 2006 which took the Test decisively away from them. Somewhere in there are two fifty stands as well.Probably for numbers it is Pakistan’s most productive opening pair in recent times. They have probably deserved more together, especially considering some of the opening pairs that have turned up over the last few years. And yet it is still difficult to believe that there is real solidity to them. That has much to do with Farhat’s enduring flakiness and that of Pakistan’s selectors. Mohammad Yousuf, the captain, feels the pair play surprisingly well on tough pitches and it has worked over the last few Tests, remarkably well.”There’s not much time spent together to say much about it but I think sometimes things come together and work for you,” Butt said. “I think we have good communication. On the pitch, if he does something wrong, I try to tell him and, if I do something silly, he comes to talk to me. The last seven times we have opened I think five times we have passed fifty and twice passed hundred so I think it’s a good sign for Pakistan.”They played two crucial sessions extremely well here, one last evening of four overs and then the entire morning session today. Where they had probably been too shelled in in Melbourne they were now sensible, taking what runs came readily and never unafraid to drive. They played and missed at a few and edged another few, but on this surface, on balance, it is better to have a go than not.”The main thing was to play inside and close to yourself and avoid anything that was flashy or rash,” Butt said. “We played a few flashy strokes but thank God we didn’t edge them. It’s one of those [pitches] where you are never settled, you are never in. The time that you think you are in, suddenly the ball does something. I think you can have a good laugh about it and relax because it’s not in your control.”Butt especially looked solid and coming back to score in Sydney marks a nice return. His first Test hundred came here four years ago, against a greater attack and on a surface he said had “one percent” in common with this one. When he plays innings such as this, sensible and pleasant, you really wonder why he hasn’t done more with his career. He looks an opener still more than any other Pakistan has tried.He said before the Test that it helped to get a run in the Test side and it is true enough, especially with the lack of Test cricket Pakistan had. “We are trying to adapt to it because we have been lacking Test cricket in the last year and a half,” he said. “We are trying to do that quickly because the opposition plays a lot of Test cricket. Clarke and I made ourdebuts in the same year and I think I have played only half the games he has so you can well imagine how many games we get.”Perhaps it is that lack of Test cricket that allowed Pakistan to not put the game beyond Australia’s reach. A rash of poor strokes – the captain was later most annoyed with his own – saw them slip from 237 for 3, to their closing 331-9; a lead that could’ve been 300 is now just over 200 and though substantial still, you cannot rule Australia out entirely. Especially if you’ve lost your last ten Tests to them.”I think we could have been a bit better off without the last three or four wickets falling but then again this wicket is like that, falling in heaps because the ball seams here,” Butt said. “This pitch is not going to change completely. It’s not going to become a batter’s paradise. There will always be something for the seamers and if Danish [Kaneria] can dowhat he’s capable of….we could have been better off had we only been four or five down today but that’s the way the game is, you know.”

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According to The Daily Express, Real Madrid have ended their pursuit of Christian Eriksen, leaving Manchester United and Chelsea to battle it out for the Dane’s signature – Los Blancos pulling out means that Eriksen won’t be able to follow ex-Spurs Gareth Bale and Luka Modric to Spain and that will surely come as a huge relief to the London club.

What’s the word?

Well, The Daily Express reports that Real Madrid have pulled out of the race for Eriksen over fears that he may cost them too much – unusual, considering their expenditure in recent years – and that the Blues and the Red Devils will now square off for the player.

The midfielder has been in negotiations with the high-ups at Spurs over a new contract – his current deal expires in summer next year – for around a year, but all have thus far been unsuccessful and his future in North London remains in doubt.

Having given England duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli big pay-rises recently, Spurs are surely underpaying 26-year-old Eriksen – the playmaker allegedly earns £75,000-a-week – and will face an uphill climb to keep him on the books, although the news that Real Madrid are no longer in the frame makes their job much easier.

History WON’T repeat itself

Spurs have sold two of their biggest stars to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium outfit in the last decade for pretty big fees although that now looks unlikely to happen for a third time, with the Champions League winners moving on to other targets.

Bale swapped the English for the Spanish capital in 2013, commanding a fee of £91m and has gone from success to success since; his highpoint coming in the Champions League final, where he scored a phenomenal bicycle kick to break Liverpool hearts.

Modric, meanwhile, quit the Lilywhites a year earlier and is now fresh off the back of his best campaign – the 33-year-old won the Ballon d’Or and reached the World Cup final with Croatia.

With Premier League rivals United and Chelsea also joined by European giants Bayern Munich and PSG in the race for Eriksen, Spurs still have to pull it out the bag if they want to keep the maestro in white, but the news that Madrid have been put off is nevertheless a huge boost.

Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may be out for the season but it’s given him a chance to show off his new accesory. Check out the video above to see for yourself…

West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice is attracting increasing interest in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Sun, who claim that Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have been handed a boost in their £100m pursuit of the 22-year-old as a result of West Ham’s poor form in December.

The report goes on to state that all three clubs, particularly Manchester United, had genuine concerns that David Moyes’ side could ruin their chances of securing a deal for the defensive midfielder by qualifying for a Champions League spot this season.

However, it is now said that, despite West Ham’s recent back-to-back wins over Watford and Crystal Palace, the Irons’ poor Christmas form has badly damaged the club’s chances of finishing in the top four come next May, something that would make Rice’s exit extremely likely.

Finally, it is revealed that United have already started putting in the groundwork regarding a move for the England international this summer, with a big bid expected to be launched by Ralf Rangnick’s side at the end of the current campaign.

Fans will be outraged

Considering just how important a part of the West Ham side Rice has become in recent seasons, the idea of the midfielder’s departure at the end of the current campaign is undoubtedly one that will leave the London Stadium faithful outraged.

Indeed, over his 19 Premier League appearances this term, the £67.5m-rated man has highly impressed for the Hammers, scoring one goal, registering four assists and creating two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 0.7 shots and making 0.8 key passes per game.

The £62k-per-week defensive midfielder has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.8 interceptions, 2.3 tackles, 50.3 passes and winning 57% of his duels per fixture.

These returns have seen the player who Teddy Sheringham claimed is “invaluable” for West Ham average a rather astonishing SofaScore match rating of 7.26, not only ranking him as David Moyes’ best performer in the top flight, but also as the joint 19th-best player in the entirety of the division.

However, while The Sun are quite clearly of the belief that West Ham are out of the top four race following their poor run of results in December, we are not so sure that the club’s chances of securing Champions League football next season are over just yet – as the East London side are currently just one point behind Arsenal in fourth place, in addition to very much being in with a chance of winning this season’s Europa League.

In other news: 12 defensive actions: £62k-p/w monster who made 41 passes ran the show for West Ham

Murali Kartik claimed his first wickets for Somerset as Yorkshire were bowled out for 405 on the second day of the County Championship Division One match at Taunton

18-May-2010
Scorecard
Steven Patterson removed Nick Compton, then added useful runs from the tail•Getty ImagesMurali Kartik claimed his first wickets for Somerset as Yorkshire were bowled out for 405 on the second day of the County Championship Division One match at Taunton.The Indian left-arm spinner marked his debut as overseas signing by helping to wrap up the tail after the visitors resumed on 296 for 4. He finished with 3 for 106 from 35.5 overs, while Ben Phillips returned 4 for 76 from 36.Only David Wainwright, with 39, offered much resistance as Yorkshire failed to build substantially on their first-day efforts. It took a last-wicket stand of 46 between Wainwright and Oliver Hannon-Dalby to get them past 400.By the close Somerset had replied with 226 for 4, Arul Suppiah unbeaten on78 and Zander de Bruyn contributing 47. Hannon-Dalby claimed the prize wicket of Marcus Trescothick, who eased his way to 39 off 43 balls before being plumb lbw playing across a slower delivery.Nick Compton had made only 5 when caught behind off an inside-edge to giveSteven Patterson a deserved wicket. But Suppiah and De Bruyn then added exactly 100 for the third wicket before De Bruyn played on to an Adil Rashid googly.James Hildreth breezed to 31 before a lofted drive to mid-off gave theleg-spinner a second wicket, but Suppiah held firm, having reached a patient half-century off 134 balls, with seven fours.Earlier, Yorkshire lost Anthony McGrath without adding to his overnight score of 73. He was undone by some extra bounce from the tall Phillips and gave a catch to Peter Trego at gully.Patterson (25) saw Yorkshire to a third batting point, but Somerset had tosettle for a single bowling point as the scoreboard read 322 for 5 after 110 overs.The home side then made up for lost time by taking four wickets for just 20runs as their opponents plunged from 339 for 5 to 359 for 9.Patterson was caught in the slips off Alfonso Thomas, who then knocked backRashid’s off stump. Kartik claimed his first wicket for his new club whenJonathan Bairstow, on 17, drove a catch to Compton at short extra cover.Kartik then pinned Tino Best lbw for 15, but he was kept waiting until after lunch for his third wicket as Wainwright hit five fours in his 41-ball innings and last man Hannon-Dalby survived 39 deliveries to score 2.The innings finally ended in the afternoon session when Wainwright liftedKartik to mid-on where Phillips took a stunning catch left-handed at fullstretch above his head.

The two Angel City stars sat down with GOAL to talk about playing with their idols, off-field life and everything in between

"Life is so much different than I would have ever dreamed of and, at such a young age, it's crazy to think about how things can happen so quickly."

If there's a sentence to describe the ongoing journey of the Thompson sisters, that's the one. It's all happened, and continues to happen, so quickly for two of the brightest young stars in American soccer.

Older sister Alyssa, the 19-year-old superstar-in-the-making whose reflection gave us our intro for this story, is one of the future faces of the U.S. women's national team, a player with a World Cup already on her resume. Younger sister Gisele, 18, is following right behind. She's already joined her sister at Angel City FC and is oh so close to making her own USWNT debut. Two sisters, two journeys, but both seemingly headed for the same place: the very top.

And, as Alyssa says, it's all happened rather quickly. Just two short years ago, the sisters broke onto the national scene by becoming the first two high school athletes to sign NIL deals with Nike. Now, with both still in their teenage years, both seem like seasoned veterans and feel the pressure to act like they are exactly that.

In their hearts, though, there are still some aspects of teenage life desperate to break through. There's the fun, the moments by the beach, the shopping trips with friends and family. Those moments are still there, of course, but there are new moments, new memories, being created every day, ones that the average teenagers their age can never even fathom. Those moments are coming alongside icons, idols, legends. Some of those legends are players that the two now call teammates, which is still a bit weird to both of them.

It's all happened so fast, as Alyssa says. There's been little time to adjust to it all. But, on the other side of it, this is the life they've been working for. Years and years of effort have gotten them here. It's going quickly, but this is also just the beginning.

"It's definitely hard when you're doing it alone," Alyssa Thompson tells GOAL, "but it's so much easier when my sister gets to do it with me."

Ahead of the 2024 NWSL season, GOAL sat down with Alyssa and Gisele Thompson to discuss their rise, their lives, and what makes them so much like, and so different from, just about everyone else their age…

Getty ImagesLessons from Alyssa's rookie year

At the time she essentially became the most expensive player in NWSL history, Alyssa Thompson was a senior in high school. Earlier in that senior year, she'd made her USWNT debut. By April, she was back with the USWNT and, in June, she was named to the World Cup squad as far and away the youngest member of a star-studded squad.

By the time 2023 was all said and done, Alyssa had gone from high schooler to superstar. She scored four goals in NWSL and earned seven more caps with the USWNT, taking her total to nine. And, while all of this was going on, Gisele was watching somewhat patiently, eagerly awaiting her own chance.

Before 2023 came to a close, the sisters officially became teammates again as Gisele signed with Angel City. It was a foregone conclusion, really. She had trained with the senior team before and was always seemingly destined to begin her professional career right alongside her sister.

"I was in preseason with them," Gisele tells GOAL, "so I kind of got the experience without actually being on the team. I learned that you always have to be on. You can have your off days, but always being at your best is important because everyone expects so much from you all the time.

"It is hard but also making friends off the field and having that positive environment around me has made it so much easier for me to be a professional. It is fast-paced, and they're all very physical, but I think playing with boys has helped us make it an easier transition into this game."

Gisele has a point. The Thompsons initially rose to prominence during their time in MLS NEXT, where they competed against some of the top boys in the country. That experience prepared them physically for what was to come, but jumping to the pro game is a different animal altogether. These are the best of the best. Physically but more so mentally, being a professional soccer player is very, very hard.

That was one of the lessons Alyssa tried to teach her younger sister from her own rookie season. It sounds a bit silly, a 19-year-old serving as the wise mentor, but, in this scenario, it works. It's what being an older sister is all about, after all.

" I think the thing that I needed to get adjusted to the most was just being a professional and just being in that environment," Alyssa tells GOAL. "And I told Gisele like, 'When you're professional, they expect you to be professional. It's not like, just because you're young or whatever, they'll give you some grace. Once you're in, you're in and I think Gisele has learned from that and I've told her that. You really have to be a professional."

Advertisement'They call me their teammate now!'

Some of the biggest tests of professionalism haven't come on the field, but rather off of it. Both Alyssa and Gisele have had moments where they've been just a little starstruck.

How couldn't you be? The two will have grown up watching and idolizing the likes of Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz. This past summer, Alyssa played alongside them at a World Cup. It was all a bit of a shock, and understandably so.

"I think my first or second camp is when I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm here right now with the people that I've watched since I was younger'. It's crazy to think that I was on a team with them," Alyssa says. "They called me their teammate! Being at the World Cup with them was so surreal and I couldn't believe that I was able to get to that point. I feel like I'm such a big fan of theirs and being able to just learn so much from them and grow as a player because they're there with me was really cool."

Gisele, not to be left behind, is on an Angel City team loaded with international stars, players like Christen Press, Amandine Henry and Sydney Leroux. She was also recently a member of the USWNT's Gold Cup squad as a guest for training, allowing her to rub shoulders with the best in the country ahead of her imminent international debut.

"I think being able to go to camp with them and just learn from them was such a great experience," she says. "It was very nerve-wracking because I've watched them play and I know it's a very tough environment because everyone expects a lot from you. Just having them all there and encouraging me was super helpful throughout the whole entire camp."

TOCAFollowing the Williams sisters

It's not just teammates that have left the two teenagers starstruck. Being in and around the USWNT introduces you to some of the best of the best of the soccer world, but the team's reputation also brings players into contact with celebrities from all walks of life. It doesn't hurt that the two play in LA, either, for a star-studded ownership group that includes Natalie Portman, Mia Hamm, Eva Longoria, Sophia Bush and Serena Williams.

And it was Williams that left Alyssa the most speechless the first time she encountered the tennis icon.

"I don't think she knew who I was, but when I met Serena Williams, I was like starstruck," she says with a laugh. "I've never been like that! I couldn't believe she was at our game and I was just like, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm meeting her right now'! because we have looked up to her and Venus for so long. Just being able to see sisters do it at a high level like we want to be and be considered the best in the world. It was so cool to meet her."

Gisele, meanwhile, had her biggest fangirl moment when meeting another soccer superstar: Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford.

"He didn't know who I was, but just like being able to see him and be able to talk to him about just soccer. He was so young when he came through, too, so it was just so amazing. Looking up to him and watching him play made it even more incredible."

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TOCAStepping into the spotlight

Part of being in the spotlight is everything that comes with it: the sponsors, the pressure, the expectations. Those are weights on just about any professional athlete, even more so when those athletes aren't yet 20.

"It's obviously hard," Alyssa says, "but we have such an amazing team around us. Our family is our number one support system. Our agents have been super helpful with just being able to pick out brands and partners that we'll have longevity with. We are just super excited that we get to have these opportunities and super grateful that they're all coming our way."

Gisele adds: "Yeah, I also think it is really hard but like it's super fun, too. Having partnerships that we align with and use in our everyday lives makes it so much easier. It's also about having a balance with it, like not only soccer-related but also having other things outside of soccer is very helpful for us."

The sisters' latest partnership is close to their heart. The Thompsons recently partnered with TOCA, a tech-enabled soccer experiences company that features Harry Kane, Leah Williamson and Abby Wambach as ambassadors. The two sisters, who trained at TOCA during their youth careers, have signed a multiyear deal that also sees them become stakeholders in the company.

"It's amazing being able to partner with TOCA," Alyssa says. "We went there when we were like really young, like seven and eight, and I think it helped us so much and we had so much fun. The trainers were really, really excited for us to be there and really helpful with just making us better. I think it's amazing that we get to be named with these amazing people and such iconic legends. We're just super grateful and excited to be a part of it."

Tim Wright, former chief executive of the Deccan Chargers, is suing the franchise for breach of contract, according to a report in the

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jul-2012Tim Wright, former chief executive of the Deccan Chargers, is suing the franchise for breach of contract, according to a report in the . The case, a £10 million dispute, will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Monday.Wright, who was formerly with IMG and involved with the IPL, has reportedly claimed his dismissal by the franchise in January 2009 amounts to a breach of contract. He joined the Chargers management after the first season of the IPL but, as per the report, was asked to move back to London to work and then told it would be better if the two parties went their separate ways. According to Wright, he was entitled to the £10 million payment as the contract ended and the decision to sue his former franchise was taken as a means of receiving his due.The report, however, quoted the franchise as saying Wright was “avoiding India for fear of being questioned by immigration officials/local police”. Wright is known to have rejected the allegation as “without any foundation whatsoever”. Wright won the right for his case to be heard in the UK, though the Chargers tried to convince the courts that India had jurisdiction.

Newcastle United finally got their first win of the Premier League season with a 1-0 victory at home to Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

Callum Wilson pounced on some spillage from goalkeeper Nick Pope to calmly slot the ball into the back of the net and give his team all three points at St. James’ Park.

There were some spirited performances from Eddie Howe’s side on the day, but some may have been disappointed with their own individual displays.

As such, The Transfer Tavern have used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst players (to have played at least 45 minutes) for the Magpies were:

Fabian Schar

Schar may count himself unlucky to have been ranked third given that he got the assist for Wilson’s goal, but nonetheless SofaScore decided to give him a 6.6 overall rating.

The central defender lost out on 11 of his duels in total, the third-most out of any of his teammates, as he also failed to record a single interception or tackle in the game.

Schar was also guilty of giving the ball away on no fewer than on 20 separate occasions in the match, the most out of any Toon player.

Joe Willock

Willock was also given a 6.6 rating by SofaScore, but ranks in second here courtesy of Schar’s assist.

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The former Arsenal man lost five duels, and also never managed a shot on target, interception or tackle, while he lost possession a total of 11 times.

Allan Saint-Maximin

So often the bright spark in the North East, Saint-Maximin was lively as usual, but nothing really came off for him. As such, SofaScore decided to give him just a 6.1 rating.

The winger lost out on nine duels, and failed with three of his shots on goal, while he also failed to put in an accurate cross or long ball.

Saint-Maximin also gave the ball away on 18 different occasions, the joint-third most out of any of his teammates.

In other news, find out which Gazza-like technician NUFC now have ‘the opportunity’ to sign here!

Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo scored his first goal for the club in a 4-2 win over Newport County.

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Mainoo scores first goal for Man UtdRed Devils win 4-2 over Newport CountyTeammates congratulate youngsterWHAT HAPPENED?

Mainoo has been one of the key revelations for Erik Ten Hag this season, and the 18-year-old has gotten his goal-scoring account for the club opened. The goal was an important one for the Red Devils as they struggled against the third-tier side despite a 4-2 win. Mainoo received messages from his teammates post-match as they congratulated him for his goal on Instagram.

InstagramInstagramAdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite the rather underwhelming performance on the night, second-half goals from Antony and Rasmus Hojlund helped the Red Devils break pull away after Newport made it 2-2 early in the second half. They will play either Bristol City or Nottingham Forest after the sides drew 0-0 and will play in the fourth-round replay on Wednesday, January 31.

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Mainoo's goal in the 13th minute of the game was the second goal of the game and as per OptaJoe, it was the first time Manchester United went two up in an FA Cup match since their 6-0 win over Tranmere Rovers in 2020.

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WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

Mainoo is unlikely to start in Ten Hag's side's next match which will be on February 1 against Wolves at Molineaux Stadium. The youngster could, however, feature for the side at some point in the game.

Paris Saint-Germain are in the market for a winger, looking for someone tall, quick and two-footed. Here are the players who might fit that mould.

Last week, Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier announced that his club were in the transfer market, looking to bring in a winger. His criteria were pretty specific: "We’re looking for a wide player… one who’s tall, strong, good with both feet and with his head."

PSG, of course, have a limitless budget, but Galtier's requests are precise and perhaps limited to very few players in world football. Ironically, PSG probably already have the best in Kylian Mbappe, who is, by some distance, the world's most complete goalscorer who can be utilised on the flank.

So, realistically, who could the Ligue 1 champions buy to satisfy their manager's necessities? A few players that either meet, or come close to meeting those criteria come to mind. Cody Gakpo comes to mind, but he recently signed for Liverpool. Sadio Mane is a similarly enticing option, but he is out injured and has only been playing for Bayern for six months.

Marcus Rashford, too, fits the bill, but Erik ten Hag has made it clear that the player is basically untouchable.

But there are some players out there who PSG could theoretically bring in. They have already shown interest in both Rayan Cherki and Malcom, both of whom fit the manager's requests in some senses. GOAL takes a look at a few others who could make an impact immediately and in the long run.

Getty ImagesRafael Leao (AC Milan)

If there is anyone who fits all of Galtier's criteria perfectly, it's Rafael Leao.

The Portuguese international is 6'2, fast as lightning, and immensely strong. He's also a terrific technical dribbler and can go either left or right. As his performances with the Portuguese national team and AC Milan suggest, Leao is best used as an inverted winger, cutting onto his right foot from the left. But Leao isn't just a goalscorer. He's tallied five assists in Serie A this year, half of his total of 10 last season.

And there's more to come from the winger. Leao is just 23, and will undoubtedly continue to develop. Although he would face heavy competition to get into the PSG side, the former Lille man has everything it takes to be a long-term star at the Parc des Princes.

Although Milan would be reluctant to sell this winter, the player seems primed for an exit sometime soon.

AdvertisementGettyRayan Cherki (Lyon)

PSG want Cherki. They have reportedly made an approach for the player, and he is keen on a move to the Ligue 1 leaders. Lyon, meanwhile, are incredibly reluctant to part ways with one of the gems of their academy.

It's easy to see why PSG covet the 19-year-old. He's a top dribbler and a creative player, ranking above around or above 90th percentile in all major dribbling and assisting categories among wingers, per FBRef.

Cherki is also quick, agile, and athletically gifted. And although he's not explosive, he seems set to be a top-level creative player for years to come.

The issue is, Cherki is more of a number 10, preferring to operate in between the lines and progress the ball forward, rather than hug the touchline and cut inside. Whether he's the answer to PSG's problems in terms of depth in the front line, then, remains to be seen. But he's enough of a talent that they might just be inclined to spend regardless.

Getty ImagesChristian Pulisic (Chelsea)

It was revealed this week that Christian Pulisic was on the verge of being shipped out by Chelsea before he picked up a long-term injury. With Mykhailo Mudryk brought in from Shakhtar, the American was deemed surplus to requirements.

But a move could still happen. And in some senses, he fits the bill for PSG. Pulisic is fairly tall at 5'10, quick, and although his right foot is stronger and Pulisic is a natural left-winger, he can play on either side. While the American has struggled with injuries throughout his career, he's been among the goals when he's enjoyed extended runs in the side.

AC Milan are rumoured to be interested — likely as a replacement for Leao. But theoretically, a Ligue 1 move could be a better fit for the 24-year-old.

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Getty Images.Nico Williams (Athletic Club)

Williams is an interesting case. The Spanish winger is quick, clever on the ball and immensely hard-working. He plays for a high energy Athletic Club side, and fits into the system as a true right-winger, preferring to stay out wide but capable of cutting in and running behind opposing defences.

He's not necessarily one that fits Galtier's vision perfectly, then. PSG hang onto the ball and stroke it around before looking for the right moment to break.

But at 20, with undeniable talent, Williams could be moulded into a more PSG-style player. Although he plays on the right, Williams doesn't necessarily have a poor left peg. Furthermore, he's tall, and deceptively strong despite his lanky frame.

Athletic Club would likely want to hold on to such an important part of their team, but Williams is one that would excite immediately and adapt long term.

The league leaders once again lead the way as the two forward each got on the scoresheet and added an assist against West Ham

Getty Images1Leroy Sane | Manchester CityLeroy Sane has both scored and assisted in a PL game on seven occasions since the start of last season – only Mohamed Salah can match that total (also seven).AdvertisementGetty Images2Aleksandar Mitrovic | FulhamAleksandar Mitrovic accounts for each of the last four occasions in which a Fulham player has scored two or more goals in a league game.Getty Images3Raheem Sterling | Manchester CityRaheem Sterling has had a hand in more Premier League goals at the London Stadium than any other visiting player (six – one goal, five assists).ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty Images4​Christian Eriksen | TottenhamChristian Eriksen created seven chances against Chelsea – the most of any player in a PL game against the Blues since Philippe Coutinho in April 2014 (also seven).