Tottenham Hotspur have been told that they could suffer a "massive" drop if one player comes into the fold.

Luton Town 0-1 Tottenham

Spurs' unbelievable start to the new Premier League season continued last Saturday with a scrappy 1-0 win away to Luton Town. Defender Micky van de Ven's second half goal handed Tottenham another big three points, making it six victories from eight in the top flight.

The Lilywhites also remain unbeaten and are enjoying their best ever start to a season since the 1960/1961 double-winning campaign. Yves Bissouma was spared blushes after his first half sending off with his side eventually doing enough to scrape past Luton, despite being down to 10 men for much of the 90.

Much has been made of this new-look, attacking Spurs style under Postecoglou but TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand actually pointed out Tottenham's "steeliness" after their win at Luton.

"I think this is a huge result for the changing room," said Ferdinand. "The fan base too, obviously, but most importantly the changing room. I think there was a softness to this Tottenham team over the last year or so.

"Last season, they would have lost this game, they would have gone down to 10 men, and capitulated. This man here [Postecoglou] has put a steeliness into this team. Yes, it’s still early days in the league. When you go down to 10 men, the two centre halves have got to stand up and perform.”

Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero

Ferdinand's brief praise of Tottenham's centre-back partnership isn't unfounded, as both van de Ven and Cristian Romero have formed an absolutely solid understanding with one another at the heart of Postecoglou's defence. Van de Ven looks a steal from Wolfsburg after he joined in the summer, while Romero appears to have ironed out his rashness and constant bookings from 22/23.

The pair have been pivotal to Spurs' early-season success, a fact not lost on pundit and former Arsenal star Ian Wright. The Gunners icon praised Romero and van de Ven's importance to Tottenham, so much so that losing either one of them would be a big, big blow for Postecoglou. Speaking to Premier League Productions (09/10/23 at 2:35 pm), as transcribed by HITC, Wright says the reintroduction of defender Eric Dier would put the Spurs boss in "massive" trouble. Sharing his verdict on Dier at Tottenham, he said:

“If anything happens to van de Ven and Romero, then that is a massive drop-off because it’s Dier to come in. But the fact is it’s Eric Dier. It’s the drop-off – when you look at it, that team can challenge.”

Passing

Tackling

Concentration

Dier's £85,000-per-week Tottenham wages could be seen as a drain at this point, especially given he is yet to play a single minute for Postecoglou this season. Dier has lost his place to both van de Ven and Romero after he was a mainstay under Conte. According to recent transfer rumours involving Dier, he may well leave upon the expiry of his contract next year.

Tottenham Hotspur are absolutely flying in the Premier League under Ange Postecoglou right now, but there is a lingering sense that a new starring centre-forward is still needed following Harry Kane's transfer to Bayern Munich in August.

The Australian quickly got to work in restoring the Lilywhites squad with exciting additions spread across the pitch, and the results have been nothing short of resounding thus far, joint-first after eight matches.

That being said, among those summer signings, Spurs didn't replace Kane with a new first-class frontman, but this could now be the club's priority, and a prolific star is on the radar.

Who are Tottenham interested in signing?

27-year-old forward Serhou Guirassy has attracted the attention of more than a few outfits across Europe after his devastating attacking displays of late, and Tottenham are among the suitors, according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who claims that moves may be made in January.

As relayed by Football365, Jones stated that "Tottenham are one of the teams already keeping an eye on his development", ensuring that an approach may not be too far away when the winter window is open.

The Stuttgart striker reportedly holds a release clause of €20m (£17m), with this affordable figure attracting further attention from Bournemouth, Brentford, Crystal Palace and West Ham United.

How good is Serhou Guirassy?

The Guinean sharpshooter's release clause simplifies what could have turned into a convoluted matter, with his German Bundesliga outfit reliant on his loyalty should the offers start drifting in.

And while the French-born ace only joined his side on loan last season, making the deal permanent this year, his “outrageous” goalscoring exploits, as remarked by The Athletic's Seb Stafford-Bloor, have now paved the way for a spot at the front of one of Europe's elite squads.

Despite the mounting intrigue, Spurs really do present an enticing offer, as well as a position at the club that promises opportunity for a player who has now hit their prolific prime.

This season, Guirassy has already scored a staggering 14 goals from just eight appearances, including 13 from seven in the league; remarkably, he has now equalled his complete tally from last year, 14 from 29 matches.

It's an astounding level of prowess, with the eight-cap international ranking among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 14% for total shots, the top 20% for touches in the attacking box and the top 18% for pass completion, as per FBref.

Effectively, this underscores just how impressive he has been in front of goal, scoring with frightening constancy despite ranking lower for shots taken and for the actual time he spends in the penalty area.

Season

Apps

Goals

23/24

7

13

22/23

22

11

21/22

37

9

20/21

27

10

19/20

23

9

Take Erling Haaland, for example. The Manchester City phenomenon bagged 52 goals from 53 outings en route to a treble last season, and he ranks among the top 8% for goals scored and the top 7% for total shots taken per 90 – a far more levelled representation of his efforts.

This season, indeed, the Norwegian has posted eight goals from 12 matches, with even his striking inevitability falling well below Guirassy's current rate.

The £36k-per-week goal machine would offer a striking threat that would be tailor-made for prominence in this Tottenham team, providing a different dimension to a thriving, swift-flowing outfit.

Heung-min Son, newly-appointed captain, has scored six times from eight matches in the Premier League this season in his new role as the centre-forward, but Guirassy would serve as the perfect counterweight to a phenom of his quality – which could be crucial as the season stretches into the later stage.

How would Serhou Guirassy fit in at Tottenham?

The fact that Guirassy could be playing ahead of James Maddison is truly a frightening prospect for the rest of English football, with the innovative playmaker arriving from Leicester City in a £40m deal in the summer.

Last season, Leicester did suffer relegation from the Premier League but at no detriment to Maddison's efforts, with the five-cap England international scoring ten goals and providing nine assists from only 28 starts in the English top-flight.

Hailed among the "world-class" crop of talent England boast at present by Dean Saunders, the 26-year-old has started life in London with aplomb, earning the Premier League Player of the Month for August after catalysing Spurs' attacking efforts.

The £170k-per-week magician ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers over the past year for assists, the top 1% for shot-creating actions and the top 7% for progressive passes per 90.

As per Sofascore, he is also completing 85% of his passes in the league this season while also forging 3.3 key passes per game; a stunning rate, considering Kevin De Bruyne, for example, averaged 3.1 per game last year.

Maddison is also winning 57% of his ground duels and averaging 1.3 tackles per match, which embodies the tenacity and application across the pitch that is serving Tottenham so well in Postecoglou's vision – this is also something that would provide Guirassy with greater threat and stability in his own exploits.

One can only imagine the kind of success Maddison could find in channelling his creativity toward a focal point such as Guirassy, having already plundered two goals and five assists in the Premier League this season.

While, in all likelihood, the Stuttgart man will not maintain a rate of scoring that surpasses Haaland with regularity, he is starting to demonstrate just how effective he can be in the final third, and undeniably boasts a fearsome and powerful shot that could be the perfect solution to Tottenham's problem – albeit one that is not causing any grief – of a Kane replacement.

Tottenham must strike and secure this man's signature, with Maddison behind him only Postecoglou truly knows the incredible offensive feats that could be achieved.

And while everything is going well for Spurs at the moment, there is always the possibility that form will slip in the business end, but with a sensation such as Guirassy entering the fray, the additional angle could tip the odds firmly in the Lilywhites' favour.

Tottenham Hotspur's transition into life without club-record goalscorer Harry Kane has been seamless. The Lilywhites have hit the ground running under Ange Postecoglou, remaining unbeaten after eight games to sit top of the Premier League to make their star man's departure yesterday's news. With James Maddison, Heung-min Son and others stealing the headlines, it looks as though the only way is up for those in North London.

The question is, however, how long can a side last before the absence of a consistent 30-goal striker takes its toll? At some stage, Postecoglou will know that he may have a problem to solve, and that's when January and one particular transfer target could come into play.

What's the latest Spurs transfer news?

Spurs arguably landed two of the deals of the summer in the form of Postecoglou and Maddison, with the latter quickly becoming the former Celtic manager's main man at the club. Despite their impressive work in the summer transfer window, though, the Lilywhites still lack an out-and-out number nine, having failed to replace Kane. As the January transfer window gets closer and closer with each passing day, however, a resolution to that problem could begin to arise.

The latest Jonathan David transfer news certainly suggests that may be the case, too. According to reports in Spain, via Caught Offside, Spurs have turned their attention to the LOSC Lille striker, who is reportedly valued at €40m (£35m). The report claims Spurs are said to be keen on signing David in the January transfer window as he fits into Postecoglou's plans. David, still only 23 years of age, could certainly help fill the golden boots of Kane, and may even be the final piece to the puzzle for Postecoglou at Spurs.

How good is Jonathan David?

After David's goals and assists total reached the 30 mark in all competitions last season, having found the back of the net 26 times, and turned provider four times, he has got off to a similarly impressive start in the current campaign. So far, the Lille forward has found the back of the net on four occasions, and David's stats have even outperformed Spurs striker Richarlison in a number of areas in league action, as per FBref.

Player

Goals

Progressive Passes

Progressive Carries

Jonathan David

2

18

13

Richarlison

1

12

7

The Canada international has earned deserved praise for his performances in the last couple of years, including from journalist Austin Ditlhobolo, who previously posted on X: "Jonathan David, 21, is a predator in the box. Unbelievable finisher, who just fired Lille into the lead against Salzburg. Current French Ligue 1 top scorer. The Canadian hitman has scored more goals than Mbappe, Messi & Neymar. No wonder he was linked with LFC."

So, when the question inevitably comes the way of Postecoglou, regarding just who could replace Kane at Spurs, David may well become the answer for the Australian, making the January transfer window even more interesting to watch.

The South African allrounder was roped in due to the BPL dates clashing with the BBL – where Vettori has a long-term contract with Brisbane Heat

Mohammad Isam06-Sep-2018Lance Klusener has been appointed the head coach of the Rajshahi Kings in the Bangladesh Premier League, after Daniel Vettori pulled out due to the tournament moving from November to January.Vettori, who was appointed in March this year, will be busy in January with Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League, which will run from December 19, 2018 to February 17, 2019. The BPL is rescheduled for a January 5 start, and will end sometime in mid-February.”Vettori signed the contract with Rajshahi Kings on the condition that he would not be available if the timing of the BPL coincided with Big Bash League, as his involvement with his Big Bash team was with a long-term contract,” said Kings CEO Tahmeed Huq.Klusener, who was recently appointed consultant coach of Indian domestic side Delhi, will be in his first coaching stint in Bangladesh. He has previously been Zimbabwe’s batting coach, after having started his coaching career in 2012 for the Dolphins in South Africa’s domestic competition. He also had a short stint with South Africa’s senior side in 2015, and with Mumbai Indians in the IPL in 2011.Back in 2010, Klusener turned down the job for Bangladesh’s bowling coach, which eventually went to Champaka Ramanayake.

Tottenham Hotspur have spent big in their pursuit of a return to the top, and saw it finally come to fruition under the careful guidance of Mauricio Pochettino.

Joining from Southampton, the tactician quickly went about cultivating not just a squad but an atmosphere worthy of a club their size, helping to usher in a refreshing regime that not only would see them thrive, but also help players feel comfortable enough to play their best football free from burden.

As such, the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Heung-min Son, Harry Kane and Dele Alli were all transformed into some of the Premier League's finest in their roles, whilst even Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen, who were left over from the previous management, were integrated too.

All the years of preparation finally seemed to be geared towards earning that elusive silverware until, spurred on by their failure in the Champions League final and inability to capitalise on the weakness of the division when Leicester City secured the title, Daniel Levy changed directions.

The appointments of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte outlined a vast shift in the club's mindset, abandoning steady progression in favour of winning now. However, in brushing aside the journey, when the end result fell short, they were left with little to go back on.

Ange Postecoglou's entrance notes a return to what they know, as they seek to expunge those failures of the past in order to enjoy a brighter future.

Who is Spurs' worst-ever signing?

During that stint, and indeed whilst Pochettino was in charge, there were some true transfer howlers as additional money began being pumped into the game.

The 2017 sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain completely altered the landscape of the transfer market, and since then, anything has become possible.

Selling clubs can seemingly command any fee, with Declan Rice's £105m move, and Moises Caicedo's £115m switch just weeks later, startling proof of this.

Whilst Spurs are yet to be so brazen with their funds, the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Davinson Sanchez and Moussa Sissoko are all examples of a huge expenditure that offered very little return across their respective periods in N17.

Although his actual transfer fee might not have been as lofty as any of that aforementioned trio, that does not excuse the car crash of an acquisition that Sergio Reguilon was, and still proves to be, with the Spaniard still on Levy's books.

Joining from Real Madrid under Mourinho's ill-fated tenure, the 26-year-old came with an impressive pedigree, expected to offer huge experience down that left flank alongside an injection of dynamism to benefit both ends of the pitch.

After all, in a recent loan spell with Sevilla before moving to England, the 5 foot 8 flop was named the best left-back in La Liga.

However, what they actually received was a nervous defender lacking in confidence, and seemingly incapable of retaining defensive shape or winning a 1-on-1 duel. As such, he was lambasted as recently as 2022 by pundit John Wenham: "He’s so average it’s untrue. I always go back to these constant rumours about Barcelona or Real Madrid being interested in him. There’s always stuff about them paying a premium for him, it’s nonsense.

"He’s just not that good. For me, he is the worst of the bunch."

Having since made 67 senior appearances, it should come as no surprise that Postecoglou was willing to sanction his swift exit in the summer, with the left-back moving on loan to Manchester United.

After all, his debut year in England saw him struggle, losing possession 16.1 times per game whilst being dribbled past 0.9 times per game, and only providing a disappointing 0.6 key passes per game too, via Sofascore.

Little altered as he remained at the club, as his chaotic and somewhat thoughtless presence at full-back was typified through his ridiculous own goal against Aston Villa in May 2021, as he needlessly swung at a clearance under no pressure, only to see the ball slice off his boot and beat Hugo Lloris in goal.

Offering little composure or offensive impetus, it should come as no surprise that he has since been banished.

How much did Spurs pay for Sergio Reguilon?

What makes the deal so disappointing, other than the fact that his woeful form has seen fans' expectations shattered given they were taking a young star from the Spanish giants, is the financial side of it.

Per Game

£559k

Per Minute

£7400

Per Goal

£18.75m

Per Assist

£4.1m

Per Yellow Card

£3.4m

After all, they were forced to unload a mouth-watering £32m to secure his services, in a deal that was somewhat overshadowed by the loan return of Gareth Bale.

This would perhaps explain the lack of uproar surrounding such foolish spending, which is made all the more laughable given Los Blancos inserted a buy-back clause into the deal, suggesting that they obviously had some faith that he could flourish.

What is Sergio Reguilon's salary at Spurs?

Whilst with big acquisitions an equally large salary usually follows, Reguilon strangely bucked the trend, likely due to the negotiations of the ever-frugal Levy.

As a youngster yet to truly prove his quality at a consistently elite level, a £53k-per-week deal made perfect sense, allowing for plenty of scope for improvement should he fulfil his potential.

However, that has obviously failed to occur, and it is now the Red Devils who are being forced to unload that figure as he sees out his season-long loan at Old Trafford.

Amid his failure to make Erik ten Hag's struggling and threadbare first team due to injury, his parent club are shining, although they have already forked out £5.5m on his wages previously.

Does Sergio Reguilon deserve to earn £53k-per-week?

It's certainly fair to say that Reguilon has done little to merit either his wage or transfer fee, given the lack of positive input offered.

After all, he was acquired by Mourinho in an effort to usher in a prosperous, trophy-laden era for a club, and obviously failed in that venture given they are still going 15 years and counting without tasting silverware.

To combine the initial money spent to tempt him from Madrid with the two full years he has actually spent playing for the Lilywhites, and the defender has actually snagged a frustrating £37.5m from Levy's pocket.

A truly woeful piece of business that arguably typifies a period completely devoid of any long-term strategy.

Tottenham Hotspur are seemingly seeking to build upon their blistering start to the new season, with Ange Postecoglou already outlining his latest transfer target…

Who could Spurs sign in January?

Having already showcased their newfound proficiency in the market last summer, fans would likely blindly follow any decision-making as long as it has been passed by their Australian leader.

After all, the likes of James Maddison and Micky van de Ven have already proved revolutionary acquisitions.

So, despite Football Transfers suggesting that the Lilywhites are very keen on Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips, supporters will likely look for positives to justify their reported interest.

However, it is suggested that they might have to battle with the likes of Everton and Newcastle United, both of whom are interested in the wantaway midfielder.

How good is Kalvin Phillips?

Although opportunities have been limited at the Etihad for the £24m-rated maestro – having made just two Premier League starts since the start of last season – his stint at Leeds United should have provided enough material to suggest that the Yorkshire-born ace can thrive at the elite level.

After all, not only did he shine for his boyhood club, but the 27-year-old also made a splash on the international stage too with England.

Able to screen a back four with ease, but boasting a remarkable passing range capable of unlocking defences from deep, his ability to find teammates in space could prove pivotal in helping Maddison reach even loftier heights, despite the former Leicester City man arguably being the division's most in-form player at the moment.

His 8.09 average rating is indicative of such a notion, as such a figure makes him the second-highest rated in the Premier League, with that buoyed by his seven-goal contributions in eight games, whilst averaging 3.3 key passes and 1.3 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

The 26-year-old spends games floating around constantly seeking to pick up deadly pockets of space to terrorise the opposition. Were Phillips to be placed just behind him, and allowed to recapture the form that saw him shine under Marcelo Bielsa, it could prove a fine partnership to elevate the maestro once again.

In fact, the Argentine tactician would laud his former midfield star, noting back in 2021: "Kalvin has obtained a prestige that allows him to have bigger influence in the games and his team-mates perceive that capacity. He's improved a lot in the moments of a game and he knows how to find a solution that each action demands.

"He's matured a lot in his interpretation to take the best solution. Kalvin is playing at very, very high levels and has shown that the responsibility doesn't inhibit him – it improves him."

2023/24

0

2022/23

2

2021/22

18

2020/21

28

During Leeds' first season back in the top flight, Phillips' 7.21 average rating was indicative of a hugely influential player for a club making waves on their big return, as he recorded an 85% pass accuracy alongside 1.2 key passes per game.

Current teammate John Stones would laud such an attribute as recently as June, outlining what he admires most about the midfielder: "Easily his range of passing and how he’s always in the right place on the pitch, his positioning and some of the passes he plays [are] outrageous.”

However, what will certainly help Maddison thrive is the defensive foundation he offered too, also managing 1.6 interceptions, 2.6 tackles and 1.7 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

All the attributes were once there that would have helped Postecoglou's main man thrive, and if anyone is to usher them back out, it is the former Celtic man.

USMNT and Nottingham Forest star Matt Turner has spoken out after the Premier League club were docked four points leaving them in the relegation zone.

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Nottingham Forest docked four pointsBreached Profitability and Sustainability rulesTurner says Forest must "take it on the chin"Getty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?

The Premier League have announced that Nottingham Forest will be docked four points due to breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules. The deduction drops the club into 18th place in the league table, one point behind Luton Town.

AdvertisementWHAT TURNER SAID

Speaking to the media, Turner has reacted to the news: "The points deduction, we have to take it on the chin and keep moving forward. Points deduction aside, we've been our own worst enemies in a lot of ways this entire season. We have all of it in our control. Some of the games that we have coming up are teams around us. If we can control those games and get back some wins, then hopefully the point deduction shouldn't really matter. Hopefully, we can, like I said, take it on the chin, stick together and keep moving forward."

Getty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The American goalkeeper joined the club earlier in the season after leaving his role as backup keeper at Arsenal. The 29-year-old goalkeeper has struggled, making high-profile mistakes in several games, so much so that the club signed Matz Sels from Strasbourg in the January window. Turner has made his way back into Nuno Espirito Santo's starting lineup and will hope to play a pivotal part in their attempt to beat relegation to the Championship.

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WHAT NEXT FOR NOTTINGHAM FOREST?

The club are expected to appeal the points deduction, particularly having seen Everton see a 10-point deduction reduced to six on appeal. Nottingham Forest have two weeks to file a formal appeal to the Premier League.

Moeen Ali persuaded angry team-mates not to lodge an official complaint against the Australia player who allegedly called him “Osama” during the 2015 Ashes.England coach Trevor Bayliss has revealed that Moeen, who has made the comments public in his upcoming autobiography, did not want the matter escalated following the incident during the Cardiff Test at the beginning of the series. Following the publication of the comments, Cricket Australia has said they will investigate the matter.At the time, however, Bayliss spoke to his counterpart Darren Lehmann who approached the player in question and received a denial with the player saying he had said “part-timer” rather than “Osama”. If the matter had been made official the ICC would have launched an investigation – something that could still happen despite the incident being three years ago.”No, he didn’t want it to go any further,” Bayliss told Sydney’s . “He’s a very softly spoken sort of a bloke. He doesn’t want to create too many problems for anyone. There were other players in the team who wanted to take it further but he talked them into not taking it any further.”Bayliss said he did not get any follow-up from Lehmann after he had raised the comments and did not feel there were any other significant issues between the teams.”Well I didn’t get a response. I just left it with Darren to sort out one way or the other. I didn’t hear any response, but everything was dealt with then.”I’m not going to make too much of it. It was bloody three years ago, let’s move on. [Cricket Australia] can do what they like I suppose – everyone has sort of forgotten about it and moved on since then. I don’t see it as any real big deal.”It was a hard-fought series…you’re not party to what goes on out on the field and certainly nothing else was reported or anything through that series so we just left it at that.”In the extract from his book, Moeen went on to explain how England had invited the Australians into their dressing room post-match but the offer was rebuffed until the end of the series.He revealed he approached the player involved in the initial comments who said: “I know what you thought I said, but I didn’t say that. I’ve got Muslim friends and some of my best friends are Muslims.”

Liverpool have set their sights on signing an exciting young centre-back in January, but they aren't the only club who are looking to secure his services in the Premier League.

Who are Liverpool's defenders?

At Anfield, Jurgen Klopp has Virgil Van Dijk, who is the new captain of the club, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah as his current options at centre-back, but it’s obvious that the boss needs to dip into the market for further reinforcements.

The Reds skipper and Matip are both 32 years of age so aren’t getting any younger and will soon have to be replaced, whilst Gomez hasn’t recently lived up to the standards required of him, leaving the latter two as the only long-term choices with Gomez seemingly now preferred as a right-back.

Therefore, FSG will be assessing their options in the market having failed to secure a defender over the summer and it appears that they have highlighted Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio as an ideal target to pursue in the transfer window at the start of next year.

Premier League rivals Manchester United have also added the Portugal international to their shortlist of centre-back options so it won’t come easy to secure his services, but the following update confirms that FSG chiefs have held an interest in the 22-year-old for a long time.

Goncalo Inacio transfer update

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano revealed in a Goncalo Inacio transfer update that Liverpool and Newcastle United are the two clubs that also admire the colossus alongside the hierarchy at Old Trafford. He said:

“Inacio has also been on the list at Liverpool and Newcastle in recent years, while Sporting also extended his contract during the summer. He’s a very talented player, so let’s see how his situation evolves in the months ahead.”

How tall is Goncalo Inacio?

Standing at 6 foot 1, Inacio is a real rock at the heart of the backline at Sporting CP, where he’s been averaging 2.4 clearances and 1.6 aerial wins per league game so far this season (WhoScored – Inacio statistics), but he’s also capable of making an impact in the final third.

The Almada native, who is naturally left-footed, has posted 19 contributions, 11 goals and eight assists, in 132 appearances during his time with Ruben Amorim’s side (Transfermarkt – Inacio statistics), with his ability to pose a threat when it comes to set pieces seeing him labelled a “complete” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Passing

Likes to dribble

Concentration

Likes to play short passes (Data via WhoScored)

Inacio, who pockets £28k-per-week (Sporting CP salaries), knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level having secured four trophies since joining his homeland outfit, so he would therefore be able to match the winning mentality of the squad already on Merseyside and be able to easily adapt to the manager's required demands at Liverpool.

Everton haven't done too badly in regard to youth prospects in the last few years. Bringing in youngsters, as well as developing homegrown talents has always been a quiet aspect of the blue part of Merseyside.

Take the long-serving Seamus Coleman as an example, he was signed from Sligo Rovers back in 2009 for just £60,000 and steadily became a Premier League stalwart as well as arguably his country's best right back for a number of years.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin too, developed levels to his game after joining Everton in 2016. More recently, the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Ellis Simms have shown that the quality keeps coming in and around Everton's youth department.

With any good youth-orientated club, there's always a metaphorical conveyor belt in action behind the scenes. Thinking far ahead, scouts have to be ready to fill gaps and get players primed to potentially move in for a big player's departure or retirement.

Abdoulaye Doucoure is one such player whose void is going to be hard to miss when he eventually leaves Everton.

Who could replace Doucoure?

Doucoure, 30, joined Everton from Watford in September 2020 for £20m and since then has been a real fan favourite.

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Known for his dexterity across the park and brilliant box-to-box play – Doucoure's sheer determination has rubbed off on Toffees fans even in the toughest of times. Carlo Ancelotti even tipped the now-Mali international for a French cap back when he first arrived at Goodison Park.

Doucoure's performances, as well as a penchant for the odd spectacular goal, has drawn attention from different clubs – especially when he fell out of favour in Frank Lampard's tenure.

Although now, this summer's extension sees the Mali man contracted to Everton until 2024 – back in January there were interested parties in both Turkey and the Middle East.

After Doucoure's 2024 contract expiry, Everton may not look into the transfer market for a midfield replacement. Sean Dyche could have an exciting talent in Tyler Onyango already waiting on that 'conveyor belt' that was mentioned before.

Who is Tyler Onyango?

20-year-old Onyango has been at Everton since signing as a youth in 2011. Moving through the ranks, the midfielder has developed an imposing 6 foot 2 frame and seems similarly posed as the 6-foot Doucoure.

Although first-team options have been relatively drip-fed, Onyango has impressed higher-ups at the club and seen fringe action as well as multiple loan moves to gain experience.

As seen here, some even likened the youngster to Doucoure straight away, feeling he was the natural successor for the position. It's a somewhat sweeping statement, but just how good has Onyango been – and how could he be from what's been seen on loan at multiple League One clubs?

What's next for Tyler Onyango?

Well, it's quite hard to say – as the first loan spell to Burton Albion came to an end after just 16 games when the midfielder was recalled by his parent club and his second loan move at Forest Green Rovers was halted with a hamstring injury.

However, slithers of information from limited showings can reflect some intriguing insights when paired along with Everton's assessment of a youngster known for boasting "impressive stamina" among other key traits.

From FBref, it can be seen that in his 16 appearances for Burton, a side who ended the 2022/23 campaign 15th in League One, there were brief positives.

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While only playing '10.5 90 minutes', Onyango won 14 tackles and made five interceptions. To reiterate, yes these are clearly really extensive stats. Sarcasm aside, it could reflect more on his inconsistency with injury at the time.

However, with consistent key involvement in multiple age groups, as well as five appearances for England U17 back in 2019 – a steady potential boils under the surface.

Everton still clearly values him, even though they await any resemblance to Doucoure-like contributions. Moreover, with his father's native land being Kenya, we could see Onyango come within an international contest when he ultimately makes good on some very formative development.