Arsenal cruised to victory last night, bouncing back from their string of poor results to claim their first Premier League win since early April. Conversely, it marked yet another loss for Frank Lampard's Chelsea team, who have now managed to taste defeat across all of his six games in charge.
It was a game the hosts were expected to win, and thus Mikel Arteta saw fit to slightly rotate his outfit in key areas. Whilst picking his moment carefully, it also showcased the highest level of disrespect, to decide that this home derby against a London rival was an easy enough fixture to do so.
Therefore, the likes of Leandro Trossard, Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior all came into the side, having previously seen their play time limited.
However, it was the latter in particular who showcased his class in front of a packed-out Emirates crowd.
Fresh from their disappointing loss to Manchester City, it might have seemed like the title was slipping away from them. Despite this, the professionalism shown to continue pressing onwards suggests that the fight is not yet done, despite things looking bleak.
What those aforementioned changes did prove was that for all his success this campaign, Arteta's decision to persist with Rob Holding instead of his Polish centre-back could have been the main factor in costing them silverware.
How did Jakub Kiwior play vs Chelsea?
When asked why the £58k-per-week talent was started last night, the Spaniard claimed: "He looked ready, he looked fresh. Better and better every day. He’s got the potential to be great."
That freshness could have been imperative in making up for the key absence William Saliba had been, yet instead the 27-year-old continued to start.
With a 6.5 rating or lower in each of his last five appearances, and the sole 7.0 rating buoyed by a consolation strike, it is clear to see where the Gunners' main problems lie, via Sofascore.
Meanwhile, against the Blues, Kiwior recorded a 7.0 rating in which he showed defensive efficiency combined with comfort on the ball that would have been key in upholding their system.
arsenal-chelsea-jakub-kiwior
He would record four clearances, three interceptions, one tackle and one block, yet married this with a 93% pass accuracy too, as per Sofascore.
Had they enjoyed this kind of classy presence at the back in the games with Southampton, West Ham United and maybe even Liverpool, Arsenal would surely have cruised to victory rather than dropped key points.
Whilst the Premier League is likely still out of their reach, Arteta must now see the error of his ways that has cost them dearly.
Kiwior is evidently light years ahead of Holding, and at just 23 years old, is the future of the club. He should have played in his place and perhaps, the Gunners wouldn't have crumbled defensively in the last few weeks.
Goa Cricket Association (GCA) president Chetan Desai, its secretary Vinod Phadke and treasurer Akbar Mulla have been arrested by police for alleged fraud. Desai is also the chairman of the BCCI’s marketing committee.A first information report (FIR) had been filed against the trio by the economic offences wing (EOW) of Goa Police on June 4. The police had registered a case against the accused under sections 408, 409 (criminal breach of trust), 419 (cheating by impersonation), 463, 464, 468 (forged documents), 471 (fraud), 420 (cheating) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.According to Shekhar Salkar, the acting president of the Goa Cricket Association between November 2014 and June 2015, Desai, Phadke and Mulla had encashed a TV subsidy from the BCCI worth INR 2.87 crore.The Indian board had sent the cheque on October 23, 2006, when Desai had been the GCA secretary, Phadke the treasurer and Dayanand Narvekar the president. The cheque was valid for six months.Salkar said a fake account, in the name of GCA, was opened in the Panjim branch of Development Credit Bank on April 10, 2007. “Phadke pretended to be the president, Desai was the secretary and Mulla as treasurer. The cheque was realised on April 13, 2007. The three accused then started to withdraw amounts and emptied the account by March 29, 2008. So it did not reflect in the balance sheet.”The FIR, a copy of which is with ESPNcricinfo, filed in the Ribander police station against Desai, Phadke and Mulla on Wednesday, said “the above noted accused persons who were the members and signatory authority for Goa Cricket Association hatched a criminal conspiracy by impersonating and posing as president, secretary and treasurer of Goa Cricket Association and further prepared forged, fake documents and resolution of Goa Cricket Association and submitted the same to Development Credit Bank, Panjai Branch, for opening an account in Development Credit Bank in the name of Goa Cricket Association and thereby misappropriated the funds of TV subsidy sent by Board of Control for Cricket in India to Goa Cricket Association thereby cheating Goa Cricket Association for tune of Rs. 2.87 Crores.”In the FIR, it is also mentioned that Desai, Phadke and Mulla withdrew INR 26 lakh from Federal Bank account of the GCA on the “pretext” of giving it to a company called HAKO enterprise which, it was later found, had not received any funds.Phadke had been India’s team manager for the ODI series against South Africa in 2015, and at the Under-19 World Cup in 2012 as well.
حقق ليفربول فوزًا كبيرًا على نظيره نورويتش سيتي، ضمن مباريات دور الـ32 من بطولة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، على ملعب أنفيلد رود، بخماسية مقابل هدفين.
شوط المباراة الأول بدأ سريعًا، وكان نورويتش الأخطر في الـ5 دقائق الأولى، ولكن سرعان ما سيطر الريدز على أحداث اللقاء.
طالع أيضًا | نتائج قرعة دور الـ16 من كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.. مواجهة سهلة لـ ليفربول ومانشستر سيتي
الهدف الأول جاء في الدقيقة 16 عن طريق كورتيس جونز بتمريرة رائعة من الشاب ماكونيل، حولها الإنجليزي بالرأس على يسار الحارس لونج.
تعادل نورويتش سيتي برأسية بين جيبسون في مرمى أليسون بيكر، وسط سيطرة ليفربول على الكرة، ولكن الكناري تمكن من مباغتة أصحاب الأرض.
وفي الدقيقة 28، جاء الهدف الثاني لـ ليفربول عن طريق داروين نونيز، بعد تمريرة الشاب برادلي، ولم يتهاون الأوروجوياني أمام المرمى.
انتهى شوط المباراة الأول بتقدم أصحاب الأرض، وسط تحية كبيرة من جماهير الأنفيلد لمدربهم يورجن كلوب الذي أعلن رحيله بنهاية الموسم عن الريدز.
في الدقيقة 53، تمكن ليفربول من تسجيل الهدف الثالث، بعد تمريرة طولية رائعة من كورتيس جونز وصلت لـ ديوجو جوتا، الذي استلم وأطلق صاروخية بالقدم اليسرى، سكنت شباك لونج.
أجرى كلوب 3 تغييرات دفعة واحدة، بدخول فان دايك وروبرتسون وسوبوسلاي، مكان جونز وكوناتي وروبرتسون.
بعد أقل من 3 دقائق، تمكن فان دايك من تسجيل الهدف الرابع برأسية متقنة بعد عرضية سوبوسلاي من ركنية بالجانب الأيمن، في الدقيقة 63.
أجرى فاجنر هو الآخر العديد من التغييرات، أبرزها كان دخول بورخا ساينز، الذي أشعل هجوم الكناري، وتمكن من صناعة هدف لـ جاكوب سورنسن، لكن الحكم الغاه بداعي التسلل في الدقيقة 66.
بعد 3 دقائق، استغل بورخا تمريرة خاطئة من دفاع ليفربول استلمها على الصدر، وانطلق ليطلق صاروخية في مرمى أليسون بيكر على يسار الحارس البرازيلي.
تقليص الفارق قبل حوالي 20 دقيقة من نهاية اللقاء، جعل يورجن كلوب يهدئ من ريتم امباراة، ويسيطر على الكرة بشكل أكبر، لامتصاص حماس نورويتش.
دخول أرنولد مكان ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد كان تنشيطيًا من يورجن كلوب وتغيّرت طريقة اللعب باللعب برباعي وسط ملعب أمام أبناء المدرب فاجنر.
تألق لونج في الدقيقة 80 ليمنع هدف محقق من أمام ديوجو جوتا على مرتين بتسديدة جرافنبيرخ أيضًا، مع سيطرة ليفربول على الكرة من أجل استهلاك الوقت بشكل شرعي.
وفي الدقيقة 95، سجل جرافنبيرخ هدفًا خامسًا بتمريرة من برادلي الذي صنع الهدف الثاني في المباراة.
بهذه النتيجة يتأهل ليفربول إلى دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، ليواجه الفائز من مواجهة واتفورد وساوثهامبتون. أهداف مباراة ليفربول ونورويتش سيتي اليوم في كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي
وتابع بطولات المباراة لحظة بلحظة من خلال لقطات الفيديو مـــن هـــنـــا انطلاق الشوط الأول
Chelsea target Jonathan David may be on the move this summer; however, he may not end up leaving Lille to complete a move to Stamford Bridge, according to journalist Dean Jones.
What's the latest transfer news involving Jonathan David?
As per L'Equipe via The Daily Mail, Chelsea are keen to bring David to west London in the forthcoming transfer window to try and beef up their forward line.
The report claims that Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also monitoring the 23-year-old's situation and could look to enact a swoop in the summer.
Sky Sport Germany reported Florian Plettenberg has also revealed that Bayern Munich are interested in the Canadian forward, stating on Twitter:
"Bayern scouted him. They are monitoring his situation. Chief scout Pilawa has a good opinion about him. But no concrete talks yet. Not hot at this stage. Concrete talks between the bosses & Tuchel (about names & positions) scheduled for the next weeks."
Capology understands that David earns around €32,308 (£28,173) per week on the books at Lille and has a contract at his current employers until June 2025.
Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones is sceptical over whether David could move to Chelsea in the summer.
Jones told FFC: "I think Jonathan David's definitely a player that is going to be in line for a transfer this summer. I do believe he can end up in the Premier League, I'm just not wholly convinced that it's going to be at Chelsea."
Would Jonathan David be a good signing for Chelsea this summer?
David has certainly given a good account of himself in France this season, netting 23 goals and laying on a further four assists for Lille in 35 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.
WhoScored also notes that the 23-year-old has gained an average rating of 7.22/10 for his exploits this term, making him the second-most consistent performer at Lille across 2022/23 behind Remy Cabella.
Jonathan David chases after the ball for Lille in their Ligue 1 game against Lorient.
At international level, David has also turned into something of a talisman for Canada, powering home 24 strikes in 40 international caps for John Herdman's men.
The Brooklyn-born ace has also led the line in exemplary fashion outwith his goalscoring record, successfully carrying out 101 shot-creating actions in Ligue 1, as per FBRef.
As Chelsea seek to avoid a repeat scenario of what has been a disappointing season for all involved at Stamford Bridge, signing David could well be a step in the right direction heading into 2023/24.
Arsenal may still have two fixtures of the 2022/23 campaign still to play but sporting director Edu Gaspar is already preparing for a busy summer of business off the pitch.
The Gunners look set to fall narrowly short of winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004, with Manchester City in pole position to win their ninth and third straight title.
Champions League football will return to north London after a six-year absence, however.
Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly want to not only do well in UEFA's prestigious competition but go one better next season and to do that, he'll need substantial backing in the transfer market.
And it's thought that could begin in defence as links to RB Leipzig defender Mohamed Simakan have emerged.
What's the latest on Arsenal's interest in Mohamed Simakan?
According to the Guardian's Ed Aarons, Arsenal have a "strong interest" in signing the 23-year-old from the Bundesliga outfit when the window re-opens for business next month. That is despite the young talent signing a contract extension to 2027 back in December.
The France U21 international cost Leipzig around €15m (£13m) in March 2021 and his exposure to senior football, combined with his undoubted potential and talent, has since seen his value soar to an estimated £30m, as per FootballTransfers.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain were thought to be quoted around €40m (£35m) last summer.
Edu and co aren't the only potential suitors for his signature, though, as they seem set to face rival interest from Manchester United, as per Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna.
What would Mohamed Simakan bring to Arsenal?
Much of the talk heading into the summer is regarding the Gunners' pursuit of Declan Rice and whilst he would be a huge statement signing to bolster a threadbare engine room, the addition of Simakan could prove even more beneficial to Arteta and his system.
Reports have recently emerged suggesting that the Spaniard would like to shift Ben White back into a more natural central defensive role, which would open up a glaring void at right-back, particularly because there technically isn't one contracted to the club. Takehiro Tomiyasu, like the Englishman, is a cross between a centre-back and a full-back.
Simakan is another similar prospect but has shone in the right-sided role at Leipzig.
The shift of White back into the heart of defence would ensure that the side can cope with any injuries next season as they look to trump City to a likely tenth title. The absence of William Saliba and subsequent reliance on a poorer quality alternative in Rob Holding has arguably cost the Gunners a real shot at glory.
Simakan's arrival would go to great lengths in ensuring this does not happen again.
The versatile Marseille-born "monster" – as hailed by journalist Robin Bairner – has admirably stepped up to fill Nordi Mukiele's shoes at the Red Bull Arena. No other Leipzig player registered a better average WhoScored rating in the Champions League this term (7.24) as he registered four goal contributions in just six starts in the competition.
Such exploits have seen his statistical profile likened to that of current Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko, via FBref, so perhaps Arteta would be getting a more defensively sound version of the Ukraine international – and that would only benefit the side tenfold.
Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala in action with RB Leipzig's Mohamed Simakan
And when you compare his performances at right-back with his positional peers across Europe's elite five divisions, you quickly learn just how immensely talented he is.
As per FBref again, Simakan ranks inside the top 1% of the aforementioned cohort for assists, shot-creating actions and touches in the penalty box per 90, as well as the top 2% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, and even the top 8% for progressive passes per 90.
This would suggest that the Leipzig dynamo is an efficient ball carrier, particularly in getting forward from deep and one that is capable of providing some creativity in the final third. This is also similar to White, who has mustered up two goals and three assists in 2023 alone.
During his efforts in the UCL this term, Simakan has also averaged 2.3 tackles per game, which sees him rank second overall, and a squad-high 1.7 interceptions per game, also using his 6 foot 2 frame to win 1.6 aerial duels per game – more than anyone else too, per WhoScored.
It is perhaps why scout Jacek Kulig once hailed the former Strasbourg prodigy as "underrated," "versatile," "strong" and "complete," as well as comparing him to a "young Lillian Thuram."
The array of superlatives and comparisons doesn't just stop there, though.
His former coach Francois Keller once claimed that Simakan was "the new Varane," referring to current Manchester United superstar Raphael Varane, due to his "athletic" and "powerful" attributes.
Soccer Football – Carabao Cup – Final – Manchester United v Newcastle United – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – February 26, 2023 Manchester United’s Raphael Varane celebrates with the trophy after winning the Carabao Cup final Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/pla
Given the evidence above, the arrival of the Leipzig sensation could really transform Arsenal's fortunes defensively as his presence at right-back would allow White to provide genuine competition alongside Jakub Kiwior to both Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba.
The Gunners shouldn't give up their pursuit of Rice either as the addition of these two transfer targets would seriously bolster Arteta's squad, though it is Simakan that seems an absolute perfect fit for the Spaniard and his exciting system.
Journalist Charles Watts has praised Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka after his goal-saving tackle on Joe Willock against Newcastle United.
What's the latest on Arsenal and Granit Xhaka?
With the Gunners still hoping to win the Premier League and the Magpies looking to secure Champions League football next season, it's no surprise that this encounter was full of quality as well as plenty of fight.
Indeed, it was a fiercely contested encounter that could have potentially gone either way but Arsenal's quality told on the day as they picked up all three points.
Goals in each half – first from Martin Odegaard and then an own goal from Fabian Schar – were enough to see Mikel Arteta's men win 2-0.
But the outcome of the match could have been different had Xhaka not made one brilliant tackle to deny former Gunner Willock from netting against his former club.
While speaking about the win on his YouTube channel, Watts handed the £120k-p/w star and 8/10 player rating for his efforts before highlighting the "special" challenge.
He said (08:07): ”Xhaka I gave him eight [out of ten] as well. That block from Granit Xhaka to deny Joe Willock was just something very, very special.
"It just looked a certain equaliser. How he got there in time, I have no idea, but he did. A really good performance from Xhaka, he bang up for it.
“There was lots of times when you thought: 'Oh, is he going to go over the edge here and get himself sent off?' Because it could have happened.
"But it didn't, he kept himself just on the right side of it. And it was a top performance from him.”
How good was Xhaka against Newcastle?
It's safe to say Watts wasn't the only one impressed with Xhaka on the day. For instance, in the player ratings for football.london, Kaya Kanak also handed him an 8/10.
The journalist added: "A superb all-round midfield display from the Swiss international. Two blocks to prevent almost certain Newcastle goals and then some passes in the final third to split the Newcastle defence wide open. Great leadership and fight too when things got feisty."
Newcastle's Callum Wilson with Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale, Granit Xhaka, and Gabriel.
As per Sofascore, he also showed quality on the ball with 27 completed passes (the fourth highest for Arsenal), one key pass, and 3/4 long balls. And was key definitely too with two tackles, one blocked shot, and four clearances (the most from either side).
All in all, it's safe to say Xhaka earned his paycheck with this superb display.
A shoulder injury has ruled out Mustafizur Rahman from the remainder of Sussex’s group phase matches in the Royal London One-Day Cup and NatWest T20 Blast
Mohammad Isam27-Jul-2016A shoulder injury has ruled out Mustafizur Rahman from the remainder of Sussex’s group phase matches in the Royal London One-Day Cup and NatWest T20 Blast.Mustafizur has a SLAP tear (an injury to the labrum, which is the cartilage around the socket of the shoulder joint) in his left shoulder. He had an MRI taken a couple of days ago, after he missed Sussex’s latest one-day game. The BCB has asked him to do more tests, and it is still undecided whether he will return to Dhaka within the week. BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said on Wednesday that the board will wait for another medical assessment before deciding on what he should do next.”He has to undergo another assessment today, after which we will be able to know whether he will stay back in the UK for further medical attention or if he will return to Bangladesh,” Chowdhury told ESPNcricinfo.The Sussex county side said in a statement that, “the 20-year-old is suffering from a shoulder injury, and, under the direction of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, is due to have a scan this week to ascertain whether or not he will be fit enough to play in any knockout matches should Sussex qualify for the latter stages of either competition”.According to BCB’s media chairman Jalal Yunus, a fresh MRI can give an indication on the treatment process. “He will need another MRI to understand the exact nature of his injury,” Yunus said. “There’s some extra fluid on his shoulder. The MRI will tell us what he should be doing thereafter – an injection or a surgery. We will hear the advice of the specialists in the UK and our doctors and physio.”Mustafizur, who arrived late in Sussex’s one-day and T20 campaigns, took four wickets in his first match for the county before going wicketless in his second outing. He was scheduled to play at least five more games in the group phase of both competitions.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is preparing an offer to try and sign Giorgio Scalvini during the transfer window according to the Italian media, via Sport Witness.
What is the latest on Giorgio Scalvini to Man City?
The Premier League outfit have shipped just 31 goals so far this season in the top flight, which is a record that is only bettered by Newcastle. Centre-backs John Stones and Ruben Dias also have WhoScored ratings of 6.84 and 6.77 respectively, ranking them as some of the best defenders in the division, which implies their backline is already solid.
Pep Guardiola has already been linked with some other defensive options ahead of the summer though, with Nahuel Molina one potential option to fill a gap at right-back. However, the former Barcelona man is now being linked with a swoop for a more central player in Giorgio Scalvini, who plays as a centre-back.
According to reports from the Italian media, via Sport Witness, the 19-year-old will be a player in demand when the transfer window opens. His current club Atalanta reportedly feel there will be a bidding war for his services, with clubs across Europe keen to bring him in and a starting price set at €40m (£35m). Pep Guardiola can add his name to the list of interested parties too, with the boss personally a big admirer and City "ready to bid".
Should Man City sign Giorgio Scalvini?
The Premier League side are always looking to get better and they could certainly do that by adding the defender to their ranks when the transfer window opens.
For starters, football talent scout Jacek Kulig has showered the youngster with praise, calling him a "complete" defender because of his performances in Italy so far. He also added that he is a quick player and that he is strong in the air to boot.
His performance stats back up these claims. In Serie A this campaign, the 19-year-old has a WhoScored rating of 6.66. He's also bagged two goals and one assist despite playing as a centre-back. Even more impressive was when his country Italy trusted him to line up for them. In his 83 minutes on the field, he won three aerial duels and came away with a 6.69 rating – even better than his showings for Atalanta.
Scalvini then has already showcased his ability despite his age and it suggests he may have the potential to get even better. City and Scalvini then could be a good match, with Guardiola helping to coach the player to be even better.
Nineteen-year-old Aneurin Donald made an astonishing 234 off 136 balls, equalling the fastest double-century in first-class cricket in his maiden Championship hundred, as Glamorgan piled up 481 for 8 on the first day at a sun-kissed Colwyn Bay
ECB Reporters Network17-Jul-2016 ScorecardAneurin Donald repeatedly launched the ball out of the ground and damaged a few cars•Getty Images
Nineteen-year-old Aneurin Donald made an astonishing 234 off 136 balls, equalling the fastest double-century in first-class cricket in his maiden Championship hundred, as Glamorgan piled up 481 for 8 on the first day at a sun-kissed Colwyn Bay.Although he was dropped twice early in his innings, Donald went on to devour the Derbyshire attack in an innings that include 15 sixes and 26 fours. He reached his 100, 150 and finally 200 with sixes – two over midwicket at a top edge to third man for the double – the 123 balls needed for the double putting him level with Ravi Shastri’s innings from 1985 having required just 43 deliveries for his second hundred.”I was pleased because it has put the team in a strong position, and after a lean patch recently, delighted to get a big one,” Donald said. “I had no idea of the records that went, but it was especially pleasing to equal Ravi Shastri’s previous record, as he is a former Glamorgan player”.Asked about reaching three landmarks with sixes, he admitted, “yes, it was in the mind”After electing to bat first on a pitch that encouraged the seamers early on – Derbyshire didn’t help themselves by dropping five catches – Glamorgan lost Mark Wallace in Tony Palladino’s first over before Nick Selman and Will Bragg put on 88 for the second wicket only for Selman and Jacques Rudolph to depart in quick succession.Donald did not appear until 2.10pm but was soon into his stride and was particularly severe on the young legspinner Matt Critchley who was struck for 24 in one over. He added 115 with Bragg and later 130 in 15 overs with Craig Meschede.By the time Donald had struck his 15th and final six, a passing car had been dented on the road outside the ground as had five others in the members enclosure. He was finally dismissed, caught at long-off, after Derbyshire had posted nine fielders on the boundary after two overs of the second new ball had been taken.To their credit, every Derbyshire player rushed to congratulate Donald as he left the field. He became the youngest double-centurion in the club’s history – five years younger than the previous incumbent John Hopkins.Will Davis, the young Derbyshire seamer took his first five wicket haul, but the day belonged to Donald on the North Wales coast.
Everton have spent the past few seasons as if they are treading on thin ice, clutching onto their status as a Premier League outfit with a tenuous grip and seeking safety on the shore away from the murky abyss that lays below.
Despite this, the beacon of hope that continues to guide the Merseyside outfit toward a brighter future remains the Finch Farm academy, integral in ensuring Everton keep a foothold on Premier League prominence over the past several years.
Wayne Rooney plied his formative years on the blue half of Merseyside, while, more recently, Ross Barkley and Anthony Gordon have played roles for the club before seeking pastures new, perhaps an illustration of the current status of this prestigious English side, capable of more but unable to demonstrate its worth from the blades of grass on the Goodison Park pitch to the discordant boardroom, hitting too wide of the mark too often.
Barkley left his boyhood team for Chelsea in 2018 for £15m, with his once promising career deflating over the years spent away from Everton.
Gordon, comparatively, departed from the Toffees fold earlier this season, completing a £45m winter move to high-flying Newcastle United after handing in a transfer request and, while it is premature, is yet to impress on Tyneside.
One homegrown talent who might just be keen to flourish where his senior peers have floundered is Katia Kouyate, with the 19-year-old winger impressing at youth level this term.
Who is Katia Kouyate?
According to Everton's official website, Kouyate is "a dynamic attacker" who "possesses impressive speed, skill and power".
Across the duration of his career thus far, the Manchester-born forward, who is eligible to play for both England and Ivory Coast, has chalked up 50 displays for Everton's respective youth sides, registering ten direct goal contributions.
This season, having recovered from the detrimental injury that hindered his progress last term, Kouyate has scored two goals and two assists apiece from 12 starting appearances in the Premier League 2, with the teenage talent now considered to be apt for regular minutes among the club's U23 setup.
What is Kouyate's style of play?
Hailed for one "brilliant" recent piece of play by one Everton employee, Kouyate has also left U23s manager David Unsworth in awe, he said: "He showed some glimpses, some real flashes of pace and directness and power."
Former Everton winger Anthony Gordon.
He bears similarities to the aforementioned Gordon, who was dubbed "frightening" by Boreham Wood boss Luke Garrard after Everton's 2-0 FA Cup victory against the non-league team last season.
As per The Telegraph, Gordon has been described as 'quick and direct, with stamina to go with it', and with Kouyate described as one of the Toffees' "brightest young prospects" by the Liverpool Echo's Chris Beesley, much as Gordon once was, a fresh new flanker from home soil could indeed burst to the fore.
It remains to be seen whether the 19-year-old can make the requisite adjustments to thrive at senior level for Sean Dyche's team, but if he can take a leaf out of Gordon's book, he might just find fruit in his endeavours and provide his club with a fresh dimension and a cause for optimism. A new star derived from the rich flow of Finch Farm talent.