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Manchester United have deployed chiefs to watch a new central player live in action, but a reliable journalist has revealed that they aren’t the only club who are hoping to bring him to the Premier League.

Man Utd's summer signings

Over the summer, Erik ten Hag’s side recruited Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir and Jonny Evans on a permanent basis, whilst signing Sofyan Amrabat and Sergio Reguilon on loan for the remainder of the season. Having put pen to paper from Fiorentina, Amrabat’s terms do include an option to buy, but should the club decide for whatever reason that they don’t want to take that up upon the conclusion of the campaign then the hierarchy will have to enter the market to find a suitable replacement in defensive midfield.

The Red Devils have set their sights on Benfica’s Joao Neves who has worked his way up through their academy ranks to get promoted to the first team where he’s since gone on to make a total of 38 senior appearances to date (Transfermarkt – Neves statistics).

The Portugal international still has another five years remaining on his deal (Benfica contracts), but having caught the eye of chiefs following his impressive performances since the start of the season, the 19-year-old could be on his way to Old Trafford.

Man Utd scout Joao Neves

Taking to X, Graeme Bailey confirmed that Man United sent representatives to assess Neves last weekend, but with three other high-profile rivals also keeping a close eye on his situation, it won't be easy to get a deal over the line in January.

He wrote: “Joao Neves impresses Premier League scouts as Benfica see off Sporting. Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal all checked on the Portuguese midfield starlet on Sunday.”

Ten Hag could secure "warrior" in Neves

As it stands, Neves ranks in the 99th percentile for blocks and the 96th percentile for tackles which shows how much he loves to get stuck into challenges and is willing to put his body on the line to protect his defensive backline (FBRef – Neves statistics).

The Tavira native is also recording a 90.6% pass success rate in Liga Portugal (WhoScored – Neves statistics), highlighting his extreme calmness and composure on the ball and his ability to dictate the game from the centre of the park, with that being somewhat of a leadership quality which would be welcomed by the boss.

Indirect set-piece threat

Likes to tackle

Commits fouls often

Furthermore, Roger Schmidt’s £16k-per-week earner (Benfica salaries), already knows what it takes to compete and be successful at a high level having secured four pieces of silverware during his time in Lisbon, so he will possess the required winning mentality.

Therefore, Neves is an absolute “warrior” according to football talent scout Jacek Kulig, so it could be a shrewd coup if Man United were able to secure the services of their in-demand target ahead of their other fellow competitors in January.

West Ham were close to signing Cole Palmer from Manchester City before Chelsea swooped in to snap up the attacking midfielder, Karren Brady revealed.

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• West Ham made bid to sign Palmer
• Chelsea swooped in to snatch him
• Enjoying awesome season at the Blues

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Palmer has been a revelation at Stamford Bridge since joining the Blues from City last summer. He has scored an impressive 23 goals in all competitions despite the London team's underwhelming season, marking a rapid rise to superstardom in the Premier League.

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  However, his career could have taken a different turn as West Ham vice-chairman Brady says the Hammers had made a bid for Palmer that was accepted by City. Sadly for the east London team, though, Chelsea nipped in and lured him away in a deal worth £42.5 million ($54m).

• WHAT BRADY SAID

  Brady wrote in : "From all the newsreels I’ve seen, Cole is as cool a dude in front of goal as Jimmy Greaves himself. Which is probably why David Moyes tried very hard to sign him. We even had a deal agreed with City until Chelsea swooped."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PALMER?

  Palmer will hope to upset his former team on Saturday when Chelsea meet City in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday. The winner of the tie will go on to face either Manchester United or Coventry in the final at Wembley.

Under-fire Manchester United boss Marc Skinner says talks over a new deal are "ongoing" and that he wants to "build success" at the club.

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Skinner offered new Man Utd dealRed Devils have had underwhelming seasonSkinner optimistic about team's futureWHAT HAPPENED?

Despite being 15 points behind Women's Super League leaders Manchester City, whereas last term they lost the title to Chelsea on the last day of the season, Skinner may get his deal extended, even though many fans feel he is not the right person for the job. Now, he has given an update on his future ahead of his side's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Sunday.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT MARC SKINNER SAID

He said in a pre-match press conference on Friday: "Talks [on a new contract] are ongoing. As you can imagine I've got a pretty important game this weekend. The team are in a fantastic place and we're growing off the field as well as back on the field. That will continue but my focus is just on the field at the minute and making sure we go very well on Sunday."

Skinner added: "Of course I want to stay. I'm at a club that not only do I love the history of it, I love what's going to come in the future. It's a club that has fantastic fans, like incredible fans. So for me, it's it's something. Of course, I want to stay. I want to build success. Like I said, when I came in, I want to build sustained success over a period of time. And that's what that's the INEOS (the club's new owners) remit is as well. We want to build success over a long period of time. So I'm absolutely on board with that. And as I say, as soon as any updates are here, you know, we'll obviously let you know, but my job remains firmly in the focus of the team and what we've got to do for the games coming up."

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Skinner, who joined the club in 2021, is out of contract this summer. Despite vocal criticism from fans, it appears he has the support of the club's new minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. It seems he may get a new deal regardless of how the Red Devils fare in the remainder of the season.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

After the last-four FA Cup clash with the Blues this weekend, Skinner's United return to WSL action on Sunday, April 21 where they host sixth-placed Tottenham.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS group are likely to retain the services of current Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag beyond the 2023-24 season.

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• Man Utd could keep Erik ten Hag as manager
• Decision to be taken by new board
• Man Utd next face Brentford on Saturday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  As per , the new Manchester United co-owner and the director of sports at INEOS, Sir Dave Brailsford, are considering keeping Ten Hag as the club's manager beyond the current season after he guided them to a memorable win over rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

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  The situation, though, could change if Dan Ashworth joins the club from Newcastle United next season as their sporting director. Ashworth and newly appointed CEO Omar Berrada – who joined from Manchester City – are likely to call the shots regarding the football team.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  Quoting a source, wrote: "Making big calls without consulting the experts is not what Sir Dave does. If anything, he will ask too many people’s opinions. Delegating to the right people is his thing. He is fully aware Ashworth and Berrada know better than he does whether Ten Hag is right for Manchester United. Transforming how major decisions are made is really what he is there for."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  The Dutch manager has his work cut out as he will be aiming to guide the Red Devils to a top-four finish this season to qualify for the Champions League. If he fails to do so, the officials may consider removing him from his position. For now, Ten Hag will remain focused on his duties at Old Trafford, with United next in action on Saturday in a crucial Premier League match against Brentford.

One Saudi Pro League club have made contact with the agent of a Manchester City superstar, according to a new report.

Man City transfer news…

The Sky Blues were once again busy in the summer transfer market, despite a historic treble winning campaign last time out. Pep Guardiola’s side brought in the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, Mateus Nunes and Josko Gvardiol from Chelsea, Rennes, Wolves and RB Leipzig respectively, however, there were also a number of players who left the club.

Man City summer exits

New club

Cole Palmer

Chelsea

Riyad Mahrez

Al Ahli

Aymeric Laporte

Al Nassr

Ilkay Gundogan

Barcelona

Joao Cancelo

Barcelona (loan)

James McAtee

Sheffield United (loan)

On the pitch, City have made a solid start to the new season, although back-to-back defeats to Wolves and Arsenal prior to the international break have left them behind Tottenham at the top of the Premier League table after nine rounds of fixtures. One player who City have been without recently is influential midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, and it looks as if the Belgium international is a wanted man if a new report is to be believed.

Journalist Rudy Galetti provided a Kevin de Bruyne transfer update in the last 48 hours, revealing that Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, who signed Aymeric Laporte in the summer, have made contact with the player’s agent to set up a meeting where they plan to discuss a potential transfer.

“Al Nassr contacted De Bruyne’s agent to set up a meeting with the player soon. The aim of the club is to explain in details its long-term project to the Belgian, whose contract with MCFC will expire in 2025: evolving situation.”

Is Kevin de Bruyne injured?

De Bruyne started the opening game of the season against Burnley, however, the attacking midfielder suffered an injury setback just 20 minutes into the game back in August and hasn’t featured since. A recent De Bruyne injury update has suggested that the 32-year-old is no closer to returning, with Guardiola saying:

"No problems, except Kevin. No, I don't know. [When Kevin will be back]."

Guardiola is a huge fan of De Bruyne as well, previously labelling the player as the “best in the world”.

“He’s so important. He is the best in the world in this kind of running and transition. He can run and break the space for the opponent. It’s devastating. He is really, really good. Everyone knows it – this isn’t the first season he’s played in the Premier League.”

Therefore, it could be a huge blow if City were to lose their star man to the Saudi Pro League in the future, however, the club’s current priority will be getting him back to full fitness once more, with City looking to defend their Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup titles.

Durham supporters arriving late for the third day were in for a nasty surprise as Sussex made a surge towards victory

Paul Edwards at Arundel22-Jun-2018
ScorecardDurham spectators arriving around an hour late at the Castle Ground on the third morning of this match would probably have been reassured to see Will Smith batting. They would also have been keen to see their side’s first-innings score. Sadly their initial assumption was mistaken and their consequent keenness was soon replaced by grisly despair.Rather than beginning again in the manner of centurions, Smith had been dismissed for his overnight 90 when sweeping at Danny Briggs’ fifth ball of the morning. And having walked off this glorious meadow at just after eleven o’clock Smith was now back again some 67 minutes later, less time than it takes the Duke of Norfolk’s under-butler to clean a piece of silver.For his departure had been followed by five more as Durham lost their last six wickets for nine runs in 11 overs of mayhem. Batsmen arrived and departed with a rapidity that would have done credit to a hard-pressed GP’s surgery. David Wiese took three wickets in seven balls and finished with 4 for 33; Briggs had Gareth Harte caught behind for 13 on a morning when double figures might have prompted a bat raised in irony.An already bad session soon degenerated into the worst day of a season in which Paul Collingwood’s side have offered occasional indications that they grappling their way out of their travails. By six o’clock Durham’s supporters were reflecting on the loss of 16 wickets for 286 runs and their side’s innings and 64-run defeat. Not even the view over the Arun valley could console the Gateshead loyalists. Only Stuart Poynter’s 84 in the evening session had offered them anything to cheer.That early clatter of wickets was an enormous bonus for Sussex. Having not needed his new-ball bowlers during the bedlam, skipper Ben Brown had no qualms about enforcing the follow-on. A disconcertingly frisky Jofra Archer then brought one sharply back off the pitch to bowl a strokeless Cameron Steel for 8 and Durham lunched in the bleak knowledge they had lost seven wickets for 65 runs.The afternoon session brought no relief as another five batsmen were dismissed while 95 runs were scored. Yet such collapses seem out of place at Arundel. Frenetic drama does not sit well in this absurdly idyllic setting. “Good morning, campers” said Mike Charman, the Sussex scorer and PA announcer, when welcoming the early arrivals. Such benevolence is entirely typical of a ground whose many perfections greet spectators and strain their belief.Charman is the sort of good-hearted bloke who does not broadcast an outgoing batsman’s score when he has made nought. It was a kindness he had to exercise on five occasions during Friday’s cricket. In the afternoon session, as cricket drifted into the heart of the day, Charman announced the winners of the raffle, advertised other games and wished Nicola a happy birthday.But there was little to buoy Durham’s travelling band until Poynter put on 79 for the eighth wicket with Nathan Rimmington. Long before that, Tom Latham had been bowled between bad and pad by Ollie Robinson and Smith had been brilliantly caught at what was effectively third slip by Harry Finch off Wiese. Two balls later Collingwood was leg before for nought when playing across the line and Briggs then picked up Harte and Graham Clark. As so often, batting errors had spurred the bowlers to excellence and that in turn had prompted further error. Poynter’s defiance ended when he was lbw swinging across the line to Briggs and Archer’s caught and bowled ended the match next over.Sussex supporters applauded it all. Their side is playing fine cricket and their only regret was that there will now be no cricket at this ground on Saturday.To that list in Emily Dickinson’s poem, supporters at Arundel, Tunbridge Wells and Scarborough would add the joys of watching cricket, albeit some of those joys appear, in the eyes of outsiders, extraneous to the game. Such folk circle the county festivals on the calendar in winter’s depths and they have gone out these Midsummer mornings confident that life will treat them well; they have not been disappointed.They reckon – when they count at all – cricketing days at the outgrounds: the high heat of June afternoons, Academy lads like Phil Salt and Tom Haines, smoke drifting from valley cottages, ash, sycamore and Douglas-fir trees, skylarks, and the soft light of perfect evenings.

تحدث خفيتشا كفاراتسخيليا، لاعب منتخب جورجيا بعد التأهل التاريخي لفريقه لدور الـ 16 في كأس أمم أوروبا “يورو 2024”.

وسجل كفاراتسخيليا هدف تقدم جورجيا أمام البرتغال في المباراة التي حسمها منتخب بلاده بالفوز بنتيجة 2-0.

كفاراتسخيليا حاز على جائزة أفضل لاعب في المباراة وقال في تصريحات نشرها موقع “يويفا”: “لم يكن هناك أفضل لاعب بصورة فردية اليوم، لقد كان الفريق، وأثبتنا للجميع أننا قادرون على اللعب حقًا”.

وأضاف: “نحن دائمًا نخرج للفوز ونركز دائمًا، نحن سعداء للغاية اليوم ولكن غدًا سنبدأ في التفكير في المباراة التالية، لكننا ممتنون جدًا لكل الدعم الذي تلقيناه”.

وتابع: “لقد حصلت على قميص رونالدو، وتأهلنا إلى الدور التالي، هذا هو أفضل يوم في حياة مشجعي كرة القدم الجورجية، لقد صنعنا التاريخ، لن يصدق أحد أننا فعلنا ذلك”.

وأكد: “لم يكن ليصدق أحد أننا قادرون على الفوز على البرتغال، لكن هذا هو السبب وراء كوننا فريقًا قويًا، إذا كانت هناك فرصة بنسبة 1%، فقد أظهرنا أننا قادرون على تحقيق ذلك”.

اقرأ أيضًا | موعد مباراة إسبانيا وجورجيا في دور الـ 16 بـ يورو 2024

وواصل حديثه عن نجم البرتغال كريستيانو رونالدو: “قبل المباراة كان هناك اجتماع وتمنى لي النجاح، لم أتخيل أبدًا أنه سيأتي ويتحدث معي، إنه لاعب عظيم وشخص عظيم، ولهذا السبب فهو شخصية عظيمة داخل وخارج الملعب”.

وشدد: “لدي احترام كبير له، إنه أحد أفضل اللاعبين في العالم، عندما يأتي للتحدث إليك قبل المباراة، كان ذلك أمرًا رائعًا، مما ساعدنا على الاعتقاد بأنه يمكننا القيام بشيء ما اليوم”.

وعن مقارنة نجاح جورجيا الليلة بلقب الدوري الإيطالي مع فريقه نابولي، أفاد: “السكوديتو كان لحظة لا تُنسى بالنسبة لي، لكنني أكثر سعادة اليوم لأنه عندما تلعب لبلدك، فإن ذلك يجعلك فخورًا جدًا، على الرغم من أنني كنت سعيدًا جدًا بكليهما”.

وأصر: “هذا هو أسعد يوم في حياتي، الفوز باللقب كان حلمي وكان هذا حلمي أيضًا، من الصعب التعبير عن مشاعري بالكلمات، أنا سعيد جدًا”.

وعن مباراة دور الـ16 ضد إسبانيا، أوضح: “نحن نحترمهم كثيرًا، لقد لعبنا العديد من المباريات ضدهم ونعرفهم جيدًا، إسبانيا والبرتغال من بين أفضل الفرق ولكن اليوم أظهرنا أنه من الممكن التغلب على أي فريق”.

وأتم: “لا يوجد منافسون سهلون في بطولة أوروبا لكننا سنبذل قصارى جهدنا لتقديم أفضل ما لدينا، نحن نحترمهم جميعًا ولكننا سنكون هناك للقتال والفوز”.

From analysing what works for Kagiso Rabada the bowler, to suggesting what needs to change for Kagiso Rabada the angry young cricketer, here’s Australia’s players and staff

Daniel Brettig in Cape Town14-Mar-20184:02

Holding: Rabada needs to control himself little bit

Seldom within a series do opponents line up to praise a fast bowler in public. But even more seldom do they do so in the knowledge that the same bowler will not be available for the remainder of the series through suspension, meaning all their worries about giving away a “mental edge” to the opposition stand cancelled.That, however, is exactly the case for Australia and Kagiso Rabada, the South African spearhead now sidelined due to an ICC code of conduct ban for repeated issues with celebrating a little too exuberantly in the faces of dismissed batsmen and, in the case of the touring captain Steven Smith, making physical contact. The qualities Rabada demonstrated in Durban and in particular Port Elizabeth led numerous Australian players and coaches to hold forth on his skills, and also on the wicket-celebration troubles that have nixed him from the remainder of the series.The fielding coach, Brad HaddinAs a wicketkeeper batsman, Haddin hammered plenty of the world’s best and fastest pacemen, and knows a special talent when he sees one. But he also thinks how Rabada comes back after missing two important Tests – which will leave him “hurting” – will be key.”He’s very impressive. For someone so young, the smarts he has the with ball in his hand, knowing when to go up and down gears… Looking from the sidelines, it looks like he really understands how to set up a batsman. For someone so young that’s quite impressive. I thought the spell in the second innings [in Port Elizabeth] to go after [David] Warner and the openers – that was a pretty placid wicket, and from where I was sitting that was some pretty hostile bowling. He took it on himself there to get the big wicket of Davey. He is impressive. It’s disappointing for the game that he’s not playing, but from our point of view it’s a bonus because he is a class act. It was a conscious effort [by Rabada] to go hard at him and it was a good ball that got him [Warner] in the end.”Everyone needs to take a step back. Let’s start playing cricket more on skill and less on emotion. Both sides have been guilty of things they’re probably not proud of over the last two Test matches. But we’re 1-1, it’s time to play some cricket on skill and leave that other stuff to the side. It’s disappointing for Rabada. I know the South Africans, playing us, I’ve heard them say a couple of times this is their big series, and now he’s got to sit back and watch what’s going on out there. It will be interesting to see how he comes back after that, because he’ll be hurting, no doubt, over the next couple of Test matches.”AFP

The bowling coach, David SakerWith Victoria, England and now Australia, Saker has worked closely with a host of high-class pacemen. His views of Rabada are more technical, and also in line with the view that when a great talent crosses your path, one of the best things a coach can do is to get out of the way – except, of course, when it comes to send-offs.”I wouldn’t change a thing, it’s a great product. Even two or three years ago when I first saw the guy… He’s still a kid now, he’s just pretty exciting, he’s got raw pace, his arm speed is quite amazing, he keeps running in and, like a lot of good bowlers, he gets wickets in clumps and puts a lot of pressure on the new batters. He’s obviously hard to start against because of his pace. You wouldn’t be changing a thing, he’s a really exciting cricketer and South Africa are very blessed to have him in their team.”I wouldn’t be changing his action or his product. His discipline in the game you would have to change and I’m sure they would look at that, they’ll put people and things in place you would think. Fortunately for us that’s not our problem and I’ll let South Africa deal with that one.”The rival, Mitchell StarcFor most of the past three years, Starc has been arguably the world’s most feared fast man when he gets it right, and certainly the quickest at his peak. To watch Rabada at work, including having to face him, has been an experience both good and bad for Starc. He also had some useful advice to offer, from the perspective of a fast man who, as a younger player, gave his share of send-offs and ran into trouble for doing so.”He’s a pretty good bowler, isn’t he? What’s he got now, four 10-fors? Dale has got five in [many] more Test matches. His record is pretty good, it speaks for itself. He’s their spearhead, the one they go to, and he’s done the job time after time. They’ve got two guys who are in the mix who have taken 300 and 400 Test wickets. They’ve got plenty of bowlers in their stocks. But if he’s not playing in the rest of this series, he’s going to be a big loss for them.”I think that’s the biggest one, how close you get to the batsmen these days. It’s very much a no-no. He’s only young and made a couple of mistakes, but I’m sure he’ll learn going forward that you just can’t get that close to the batter and the [umpires] are going to be on you at all times. He’s a fantastic bowler to watch when he’s in full flight, and he’s going to keep taking wickets and keep celebrating. Maybe [he needs to be] just moving away from the batter a little bit, which I think I’ve learnt in the past as well when I was a bit younger.”The batsman, Shaun MarshAt St George’s Park, Marsh was undone by the full range of Rabada’s skills with a reversing ball, pinned lbw in the first innings with a ball swerving back sharply at him, and then coaxed into following and edging a second-innings delivery of similar length that curled away towards the slips.”He’s obviously a world-class bowler, isn’t he? His stats say that. He’s been a good challenge for us the first two Test matches. Obviously not playing the next two. He bowls good pace and can swing it both ways.”I guess it’s obviously two nations going pretty hard out on the ground. It’s Test cricket and sometimes tensions do boil over. It is what it is sometimes. We’ve just got to keep playing good cricket and keep playing on skill.”

Rangers were beaten 1-0 at home to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership over the weekend and it has led to a fierce debate over the future of manager Michael Beale.

Did Rangers deserve to lose to Celtic?

The Gers were hoping to overtake their rivals in the SPL table on Sunday afternoon, knowing that victory would take them two points ahead of them, giving them an early advantage in the title race in the process.

Instead, it proved to be a hugely frustrating afternoon at Ibrox, with Kyogo Furuhashi's late first-half strike ending up being the difference between the two sides.

Kemar Roofe had seen a goal ruled out by VAR before Celtic had opened the scoring – it was either a harsh or a fair decision, depending on your stance or level of bias – and Beale's side never truly threatened to consistently create chances after that goal, despite some half-decent openings.

The defeat has cranked up the pressure on Beale, who was already feeling the heat going into the match, having overseen a dreadful 5-1 loss away to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last week.

There is now much debate of whether the Englishman should keep his job or not, and it is certainly a talking point that is creating plenty of anger among the Rangers fanbase.

What has Barry Ferguson said about Michael Beale?

Speaking in response to an angry caller on The Go Radio Football Show on Sunday, former Rangers captain Ferguson reacted angrily to being told he was a "cheerleader" for Beale, claiming calls for the manager's head are "absolute garbage":

"What are you talking about cheerleader? You are four games into a season and you are wanting a manager out? I totally disagree with you, there you go. I totally disagree with you and I am allowed my opinion. How am I a cheerleader for him? Don't say I am a cheerleader. You are talking absolute nonsense mate."

The behaviour from the Gers fan accusing Ferguson of being a cheerleader is indicative of the modern football supporter, with so many feeling that former players try too hard to defend managers and generally stick up for the club they used to be play for.

This is largely nonsense, of course, and Ferguson is simply showing some patience with Beale, feeling that sacking a manager just four games into the new season would be knee-kerk by Rangers, at a time when there is no need to panic and stability is needed at Ibrox.

Granted, the last two matches clearly haven't been good enough, and the manager deserves a lot of the criticism that has come his way, but while in the past bosses were given more time to overcome a difficult period for their team, there are now calls for sackings to take place as soon as a slightly iffy spells arrive.

For now, Beale arguably has enough credit in the bank to keep his job, but if results don't improve a lot once the international break is over, a decision may have to be made.

Crystal Palace have made a strong start to their Premier League campaign, defeating Sheffield United at Bramall Lane and despite tasting a narrow loss against Arsenal, followed that up with a respectable point at Brentford and a thrilling 3-2 victory over Wolves.

For their strong start to the season, the Eagles have soared up the league table without significantly strengthening in the transfer window compared to their rivals.

Who did Crystal Palace sign this summer?

Making four acquisitions for a combined cost of £32m, it's fair to say that the purse strings have been tight at Selhurst Park this summer having ended the window without a direct replacement for Wilfred Zaha.

Although Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze are more than capable of shouldering the weight of goal contributions in his absence, the lack of ambition shown in this window was underwhelming to say the least.

Palace brought in attacking midfielder Matheus Franca, box-to-box midfielder Jefferson Lerma, goalkeeper Dean Henderson and lastly, centre-back Rob Holding.

For all of his top-flight experience at Arsenal, it was the latter of those signings who raised the most eyebrows and that isn't surprising given his career has gone on a downward spiral recently.

How many games did Rob Holding play for Arsenal?

In his seven-year stay at Arsenal, Holding made 162 appearances and scored five goals but has never really shown the ability to become a regular starter for the Gunners.

He was frozen out for the majority of last season, until star defender William Saliba sustained an injury in April and the Englishman was entrusted into the starting XI, going on to make seven starts in the last month of the season.

Despite scoring a consolation in the 4-1 defeat against Manchester City, Holding has struggled to become the ball-playing defender that Mikel Arteta desires, ultimately leaving him surplus to requirements.

During the Gunner's London derby defeat against Tottenham in May, which was a result that handed Man City the initiative in the title race, Holding's reckless sending off for making two silly fouls cost his team in their biggest match of the season.

After the game, many pundits heavily criticised Holding as Jamie Redknapp made his thoughts known on Sky Sports.

He said: "'That's a silly thing, he's doing judo moves on the football field. Then he gets caught again, and it becomes an accumulation."

With Holding enduring a reckless end to his Arsenal career, a fresh start in the Premier League is what he needed and got, but it still begs the question as to why Palace didn't take up their interest in fellow Gunner Takehiro Tomiyasu, who would have been a huge upgrade on the Englishman.

How good is Takehiro Tomiyasu?

According to a Daily Mail report in late August, Palace were showing an interest in signing Tomiyasu but following the injury to Jurrien Timber, Arsenal were reluctant to sell the Japan international.

Since joining the club from Bologna two years ago, the £55k per-week "warrior" – as he was once lauded by former teammate Mitchell Dijks – has gone on to make 56 appearances under Arteta and during the 21/22 season, Tomiyasu made 20 Premier League starts. He was impressive during that spell, averaging an impressive 1.7 tackles per game, completing 60% of his dribbles and winning 55% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

However, after a promising debut season, his second term was hampered by separate knee and calf problems, making only 21 appearances in the top flight with the majority of those coming from the bench.

Despite this, the 33-cap titan has still been highly regarded by many during his time at north London with Martin Keown waxing lyrical about his performance against PSV in the Europa League last season, saying:

“Tomiyasu is probably Arsenal’s best out-and-out defender, in a one-on-one situation. Look at how dominant he is in the air. He’s a big boy actually. They have dealt with that problem [of Gakpo] really well,” he told BT Sport.

Keown's comments are supported by Tomiyasu's defensive and attacking metrics, ranking highly when compared against his positional peers across Europe's top five leagues for the former of those. He places in the top 10% for tackles per 90, top 19% for interceptions per 90 and top 1% for aerial duels won per 90, via FBref.

While his defensive capabilities shine through, his ability to progress the ball up the field is second to none, ranking in the top 8% for passes completed and the best 1% for progressive carries.

In a Crystal Palace team that has to do a lot of defending, Tomiyasu would excel at both winning possession back and being proactive with it, unlike Holding, who falls well below his former teammate for those aspects of his game.

During the last 365 days, Holding has only recorded one tackle per 90, 0.69 interceptions per 90 while falling lower for progressive passes than Tomiyasu (4.37/7.76) and progressive carries (0.54/2.00).

When being tasked to defend, the 27-year-old has fallen well short in the past year and will find it difficult to dislodge Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen, who are forming an indispensable partnership at the heart of the Eagles' defence. Indeed, the former has played so well over the last year that he's now in and around the England squad, even being touted at an eye-watering £50m during the summer window.

Although Holding and Tomiyasu predominantly play different positions across the back line, the defensive solidity and dependability that the Japan international would have brought to Selhurst Park is levels ahead of the declining Englishman. After all, the latter does present you with more versatility too, boasting the ability to play in the centre-back role and on both sides as a full-back.