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It's been an absolutely sensational summer of football, culminating in Italy's dramatic defeat of England, but who were the best players on show?

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  GK: Gigi Donnarumma (Italy)

  The imminent arrival of Gigi Donnarumma on a free transfer already looked like a sensational bit of business by Paris Saint-Germain – now it is looking like one of the best deals in history.

  The 22-year-old was utterly immense as Italy won Euro 2020 in dramatic fashion, with their giant of a goalkeeper saving two penalties in the final, including the decisive spot-kick from Bukayo Saka. 

  The Arsenal teenager deserves the utmost sympathy for his miss because there is no more intimidating shot-stopper in the world right now, as underlined by the fact that Donnarumma is five for five in terms of shootouts, for club and country.

  UEFA's Player of the Tournament and our obvious choice for the No.1 jersey.

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  RB: Joakim Maehle (Denmark)

  Atalanta have done it again: the masters of the transfer market have unearthed another gem.

  Just over six months after signing Joakim Maehle from Genk for just €10 million (£8.5m/$11.9m), the versatile wing-back is now arguably worth three times that amount thanks to his sensational displays for surprise semi-finalists Denmark.

  Despite being right-footed, Maehle proved a phenomenon on the left flank, scoring two goals and creating another.

  Indeed, the 24-year-old produced the most outrageous assist of the tournament by finding Kasper Dolberg in the area with a stunning outside-of-the-boot cross in the quarter-final win over Czech Republic.

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  CB: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)

  What was truly incredible about Leonardo Bonucci's Man of the Match-winning performance in the final was just how ridiculously easy it made it all look.

  He was calmness personified. On two separate occasions, he nonchalantly flicked headers back to Donnarumma, even though Raheem Sterling was close by, looking to pounce on any mistake.

  Bonucci, though, turned in a flawless, outrageously composed display. 

  His passing, as always, was sensational, while he was also on hand to score the crucial equaliser when Marco Verratti's header came back off the post. 

  Bonucci has sometimes been accused of playing as more of a midfielder than a defender. At Euro 2020, he proved himself one of the most complete centre-backs of the modern era.

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  CB: Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)

  How on earth could we pick anyone other than Giorgio Chiellini to play alongside Bonucci in the heart of our defence?

  Italy's greatest warrior won what is likely to be his final battle in the international arena with the kind of spirited showing that made a mockery of his 36 years. 

  Harry Kane dropped deep to great effect in the first half, but Chiellini did not afford the England striker a single chance in the area. 

  And on the one occasion that Saka got away from him, the Juventus man ruthlessly hauled the Arsenal teenager to the floor, creating an image that quickly went viral. Chiellini simply was not going to be denied his crowning moment of glory.

  There was no worthier recipient of the Henri Delaunay trophy than the Azzurri's inspirational captain, whose status as one of the game's all-time greats is now complete.

The Real Madrid and Tottenham strikers have been in excellent form, while the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Luka Modric have also caught the eye

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  Robin Olsen | GK | Sweden

  Having worked so hard to keep Germany at bay in the second match of group play, Olsen did even better in shackling dangerous Mexico to ensure Sweden took top spot in Group F against all odds. 

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  Diego Godin | CB | Uruguay

  It is no accident that Uruguay stormed through Group A with the best defensive record of any team at the World Cup. Godin and Atletico Madrid team-mate Jose Maria Gimenez formed a formidable obstacle throughout the first round, and will have given Cristiano Ronaldo in particular food for thought as Uruguay prepare to take on Portugal in the last 16.

• Yerry Mina | CB | Colombia

  Sparsely used by Barcelona since moving from Palmeiras in January, Mina hardly looks to be affected by the lack of activity. Not only has the centre-back been a rock in defence, but goals against Poland and Senegal proved crucial in helping the Cafeteros through Group H in first place.

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  Domagoj Vida | CB | Croatia

  Who would have guessed that in a defence that includes one Champions League finalist it would be Besiktas' versatile star that came to the fore. Vida was pivotal in keeping Nigeria and Argentina away from goal in two consecutive clean sheets for Croatia in Group D and he proved an able partner to Dejan Lovren in one of the World Cup's toughest back lines so far.

Said Benrahma let David Moyes down terribly after turning in an indifferent display as West Ham United beat Burnley 1-0 through a Michail Antonio goal.

Moyes opted to hand Benrahma only his fourth Premier League start following the forward’s summer arrival on loan from Brentford, partnering the Algerian with Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals in behind Antonio at the London Stadium.

Benrahma began promisingly when his pass split the Burnley defence to find Bowen on the edge of the box, who kept play alive well with a ball out to Fornals for the Spaniard to deliver a teasing delivery that found Antonio to score an easy tap in after nine minutes.

Benrahma continued to look lively in the opening stages with his confidence clearly up, yet saw his input reduce the more the game wore on and departed the field in the 68th-minute having failed to score his first goal in claret and blue.

The 25-year-old saw his afternoon end after offering just a single shot which, while on target, failed to cause Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope any issues with the four-time England international able to able to deal with the danger posed without leaving his spot.

Despite carving the Clarets defence open in the lead up to Antonio’s match-winning effort, Benrahma also left the field without a key pass beside his name on a day Declan Rice would bag four from the holding midfield role, Bowen would provide two and defenders Craig Dawson and Vladimir Coufal each offered one, per WhoScored.

Moyes will have been further frustrated to see Benrahma only manage to register a mere two touches inside the Burnley box, plus five on the periphery, as the attacker (16) ended his match having been outpassed by Irons shot-stopper Lukasz Fabianski (17) on his return from a thigh injury.

Benrahma will need to improve his end product and time spent in the visitor’s box for his move to east London to be a success, with the £20m-rated attacker further misplacing five of his six attempted crosses, per SofaScore.

Tame efforts from the wide positions have been a custom of Benrahma’s time at the London Stadium so far, with today’s successful cross his first in claret and blue after eight prior misdirected attempts in nine Premier League appearances.

His major redeeming quality from the Burnley affair came on the ground with success in four dribbles for a joint game-high record with Bowen, and having attempted fewer (5) than the former Hull City star (7).

It was by far and away Benrahma’s best day in terms of dribbling, having averaged just 1.5 successful runs from 2.2 attempts a game in the top-flight this term, but ultimately proved to be another day without any direct output and true time spent in the area that will have left Moyes feeling let down again.

AND in other news, West Ham may be targeting a new Modibo Maiga in their search of Sebastien Haller’s replacement.

As the January transfer window draws near, Leeds United could be forced to scour the market for even more new signings. Despite their fruitful summer haul, Marcelo Bielsa currently finds himself with just one fit senior centre-back ahead of their clash with Burnley at the weekend.

His defence is undoubtedly where the Argentinian must focus his attention, but his attacking options could also do with some love. At the moment, Leeds’ only major source of goals is Patrick Bamford, which isn’t good enough for a side looking to survive in the Premier League.

Despite all their options out wide, the Whites are struggling to leave their mark when it comes to getting forward. However, there is a man that Leeds have been linked with who could help solve these worries.

Leeds interested in Ryan Christie

According to 90min, Ryan Christie has attracted a lot of attention from the Premier League. Both Leeds and Leicester are reported to be considering tabling an offer for the Scot’s services. Should the right one come Celtic’s way, Peter Lawwell might be forced into selling up, especially following the Glasgow outfit’s inconsistent form this season and the financial impact of their European exit.

Christie has contributed four goals and ten assists to his side’s campaign so far, along with his iconic performance for Scotland in their Euro qualifying win over Serbia last month. His influence on his country, along with his versatility to play in both midfield and on the wing, have seemingly made him a very hot target ahead of the January window.

Indeed, he recently received top praise from Chris Sutton, who lauded the £8,000 per week gem as a “manager’s dream”.

Christie would be a great addition to this Leeds side if Celtic are willing to let him go and Victor Orta must make him a priority for the club’s winter shopping. The 25-year-old’s attacking influence would be ideal in support of Bamford, who is extremely overworked in Bielsa’s front-line.

In other news, Orta must move for “real talent” Michael Olise to replace Forshaw…

According to an injury update by Evening Standard journalist Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham and Jose Mourinho will be without ‘phenomenal’ star Giovani Lo Celso for Brentford and he is now ‘expected’ to miss the rest of January in a big blow for Spurs. 

Lo Celso had been shining in the number 10 role alongside Tanguy Ndombele this season, becoming a creative spark for Mourinho behind a typical front three of Steven Bergwijn, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min – but Tottenham are expecting to be without his influence for the rest of the month.

Lo Celso blow emerges in injury update

Despite already being injured, the previous time frame wasn’t this severe, but Kilpatrick has explained in an update that Lo Celso is likely to be out of action for longer than was first reported.

Originally, the Argentine was set to miss the festive period after Spurs confirmed a muscle problem, but this news means Mourinho will be without Lo Celso for Brentford as well as for the entirety of January.

Transfer Tavern take

In a fresh setback for the 24-year-old, Tottenham will have to heavily rely on Ndombele as the sole number 10 option – with Mourinho possessing a severe lack of attacking midfield depth bar the Frenchman.

Lo Celso’s untimely absence potentially highlights the club’s need to land a capable attacking midfielder in January, with Daniel Levy linked to a potential swoop for RB Leipzig star Marcel Sabitzer.

Time will tell whether Spurs dip into the transfer market, but if more injury problems arise, Levy may be forced to invest yet again despite a fruitful summer for the club.

In other news: Jose Mourinho dropped a two-word January update, find out more here.

Nuno Santo never usually has too many selection dilemmas.

After all, this is a man who in 166 of his 168 Wolves matches, has stuck with a formation that sees three centre-backs operate.

Furthermore, he is used to working with a small squad.

In each of the last two seasons, his side used the fewest number of players in the entire Premier League – 21. It’s a similar story this term too, with the Old Gold utilising just 20 players – the third-fewest of any top-flight team.

So, why after all this time, does he finally have a big problem in his squad? Well, that’s because he’s suddenly changed the formation, deviating away from his tried and trusted three or five at the back system.

Against Southampton, Nuno moved to four defenders and after drawing with the Saints, he used the same formation versus Arsenal. The result this time was a win, and they did it without one of their star players – Ruben Neves.

The Portuguese started against the Saints but at the Emirates Stadium, Nuno proved that he doesn’t necessarily need Neves in his side. Against one of the better teams in the division, it was impressive, but it’s also brought about an issue. How does he get back into the starting XI?

Of course, the midfielder is a class above, described as someone who “blew everybody’s mind,” when he first arrived in English football.

Though, with Daniel Podence’s performance in a number 10 role against Arsenal, it’s meant that playing three deeper midfielders of Neves, Dendoncker and Moutinho like there was against Southampton isn’t needed.

Podence was electrifying as he found the back of the net and performed four dribbles, tormenting the Gunners backline. Dropping him, therefore, would be a controversial decision.

It’s also tough to drop Dendoncker. He hit the woodwork in north London and dominated the middle of the park by winning five aerial duels.

Consequently, it’s difficult to see how Neves works his way back into the team.

The £45m-rated star has usually been one of the first names on the team sheet but now he’ll have to work hard to guarantee his place.

This could become a real headache for Nuno.

In other news, Wolves missed out on their IDEAL Adama Traore successor last summer… 

According to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Gedson Fernandes is in danger of missing out on Tottenham’s Europa League squad.

What’s the word?

Having successfully navigated past the three qualifying rounds, Spurs finally enter the group stages of the competition, and will be facing LASK, Antwerp and Ludogorets respectively.

But with there being a fixed quota on the number of non-homegrown players who can be allowed in a squad (17), McGrath has revealed that there is a major question mark on Fernandes.

The Portuguese talent has hardly featured at all this season for Jose Mourinho’s side, playing just 63 minutes of football – and even that came in the Carabao Cup clash against Chelsea.

Mistake from Mourinho

Whilst it’s absolutely understandable why Fernandes’ name is near the top of the conversation when it comes to potential players who could be left out of the Europa League squad, it would be a major mistake from Mourinho to do so.

The 21-year-old is as versatile as they come, and it was telling that even despite only joining in the January transfer window, and being young and inexperienced in English football, Mourinho used him in five different positions last season: central midfield, attacking midfield, on the left and right flanks, and even at right-back too.

That ability to perform in a number of different roles is like star-dust, particularly in European competitions. The Thursday-Sunday combination of fixture scheduling for Spurs is likely to take its toll, and there will be no way Mourinho pushes his first-team stars too hard for both games.

But having someone like Fernandes, who can operate across midfield and even as a full-back, saves him a massive headache. Whether it’s an injury, or a key player need resting, he can trust in the starlet to come in and do a job.

So whilst he may be Spurs’ forgotten man for the time being given his lack of game-time this season, Mourinho desperately needs to select Fernandes for his Europa League squad, or he risks it back-firing.

Everton succumbed to a third-straight Premier League defeat when beaten at home by Manchester United on Saturday, but Marcel Brands’ summer masterclass shone through as Allan thrived as the lynchpin of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.

The Toffees reunited Ancelotti with his Brazilian anchor in the off-season after agreeing a £21.7million deal with SSC Napoli, adding Allan to the ranks at Goodison Park as the first piece of a jigsaw that would go on to feature Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez.

It was not the French nor Colombian star who fared best against Manchester United, though, but rather Allan as Everton sought to utilise the 29-year-old’s wealth of knowledge to thwart Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils and hit them on the counter.

Only the Toffees’ two centre-halves Michael Keane and Mason Holgate saw more of the ball than Allan while the hosts had possession, with each recording an 8.0, 7.8 and 5.0 share of the ball to rank first, second and fifth respectively among all who featured for either side, per WhoScored.

Only Bruno Fernandes (81) and Fred (80) took more touches of the ball for Manchester United than Allan (76) achieved for Everton, as well, though only Fred (67) attempted a higher number of passes (51) while trailing Keane (81) and Holgate (79).

Allan only misplaced six of his 51 passes and directed 31 of his accurate efforts forward, too, as the Brazilian marshalled the centre of the field to progress Everton’s attacks closer to David de Gea’s net.

An improved effort in the second-half further saw Allan break up Manchester United’s play, despite the nine-time Brazil international recording just three of his nine attempted tackles and two of his six successful efforts after the break.

Ancelotti did not just benefit from Allan’s tackling or passing in defeat to United, either, as the 5 ft 8 enforcer completed four of his five attempted dribbles, on route to 14 successful ground duels from 22 contests, SofaScore.

Allan’s efforts proved such a threat to United that the Red Devils were forced into fouling the 29-year-old four times, more than any other Everton player, while Ancelotti’s forward trio of Bernard, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Rodriguez were only fouled a combined four times.

Rodriguez’s three goals and three assists as Everton romped to four wins and a draw played a great role in their unbeaten start, yet Allan’s efforts were key in the Toffees’ failed bid to avoid a third-straight Premier League defeat.

AND in other news, a Carlo Ancelotti outcast could be on his way out of Everton after a potential suitor confirmed interest.

Gheorghe Hagi has compared his son, Glasgow Rangers’ Ianis, to France legend Zinedine Zidane.

Hagi compared to Zidane

Gheorghe himself was a legendary footballer. He appeared for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Galatasaray throughout his career, whilst he helped Romania reach the World Cup quarter-finals in 1994, their best-ever international performance.

However, Hagi has compared his son to the former Juventus playmaker rather than to himself. Talking to Der Standard, the 55-year-old said:

“Unlike me he’s two-footed, taller and slimmer.

“His style of play is more like Zinedine Zidane than Gheorghe Hagi – but I can live with that too!”

Hagi must show his ability in the Old Firm derby this weekend

After a slow start, one whcih saw him criticised by some Rangers supporters, the younger Hagi has burst into life. In his first 13 matches of the season, he has one goal and a very impressive seven assists. At £3m, he is starting to look like a bargain, and Steven Gerrard will be hoping that he continues to progress as he is just 21-years-old. To be compared to a former Ballon d’Or winner is a huge call, but the early signs at Ibrox have at least been positive.

On Saturday, though, he will encounter another big test. This weekend, the 54-time Scottish champions host Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season, and although it will be played without fans in attendence, it will be a tough clash for the Gers. Hagi was brought in to have an influence when things matter – this the perfect opportunity to show that he was worth every penny.

Let us know what you think below!

Leeds United have been chasing Ben White for the entirety of the ongoing summer transfer window. Of course, the young defender has been an incredible asset for Marcelo Bielsa during their push for Premier League football so this doesn’t exactly come as a big surprise.

But it also means that Brighton and Hove Albion are unwilling to part with their jewel and have already turned down three offers from the Whites. Now, as it seems, Bielsa is slowly but surely coming to the realisation that White remains a distant dream he simply can’t acquire.

There are, however, alternatives on the table. According to a printed version of Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Leeds United are among the teams mentioned as interested in Torino’s defender, Lyanco.

The likes of PSV Eindhoven and Bologna are also seemingly in the race and Sporting CP have even tabled their first bid to the Italian outfit. This was reported by Tuttosport (via Sport Witness) as the newspaper reveals they offered around €6m (£5.3m) + 50% of the next transfer but that wasn’t good enough.

Torino apparently want around €12m (£10.7m) + €3m (£2.7m) in bonuses for a total of £13.4m. This would then be the figure Leeds would have to table as well if they really want to land the 23-year-old defender.

The Brazilian seems to be in high demand and Bielsa will have to roll up his sleeves to get him.

Verdict

Lyanco is obviously not White but he could be a cheaper alternative to the Brighton defender. Of course, the Brazilian can still surprise everyone with his quality and since Leeds do want some defensive reinforcements, he could indeed be the answer they are looking for.

Their chase of White has now seemingly hit a dead end with the Seagulls refusing to part ways with their prized asset.