Crystal Palace are set for a decisive summer under Oliver Glasner after the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss has restored the feel-good factor to Selhurst Park.
Big clubs circling for Palace stars
Palace have enjoyed something of a renaissance under Glasner since his arrival, and a rescued a 1-1 draw with Fulham in their latest Premier League outing, courtesy of a majestic strike from Jeffrey Schlupp.
It continues their unbeaten run in recent weeks, which now stretches to four games, and means that in the ten games since Glasner took charge the Eagles have managed to take 15 points from a possible 30, including a notable win over Liverpool to derail their title charge.
Oliver Glasner's first ten games in charge
Points
15
Win %
40%
Points per game
1.5
Goals per game
1.7
Goals conceded per game
1.3
But the future remains unclear for plenty at Selhurst Park, with big clubs circling for plenty of their talent. Attacking duo Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise are both subject to strong interest from plenty of the Premier League's top six; Eze is on the radar of Manchester City and Tottenham, while Olise has attracted interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and both Manchester clubs.
Neither player will be available on the cheap, with Olise understood to have a £65m release clause in his deal, though as Chelsea found out 12 months ago, activating it is no certainty that he will move. Meanwhile, Eze has been valued in excess of £60m.
There are also question marks in defence too, with Marc Guehi down to his final two years of his contract and attracting interest from across the Premier League, though he too will cost in excess of £50m. Fortunately though, it's not all bad news for Palace fans on the transfer front.
Palace 'start official negotiations' for midfielder
Now, reports from France relay that Crystal Palace are planning some spending of their own, and have already started 'official negotiations' for one man. The player in question? French midfielder Batista Mendy, who currently plies his trade with Turkish outfit Trabzonspor.
Crystal Palace serious about signing 27 y/o star for Glasner
He could be the first arrival in south London this summer.
ByBen Browning Apr 26, 2024
But perhaps not for much longer, with the report claiming that Palace have already sent an offer to the Turkish outfit for the midfielder, though there is no specifics when it comes to the fee put down by the Eagles.
However, it is added that they 'hope to secure an agreement' with the players agent in the coming weeks, which could suggest a deal isn't too far away. A regular feature in the Trabzonspor side, Mendy has appeared 33 times this season, grabbing one goal and one assist, while the 24-year-old has also been booked on seven occasions.
Mendy is under contract until 2027, and is valued at around 9m euros (£7.7m) by Transfermarkt. Now coming towards the peak of his career, he could be a savvy addition for Palace, who will be looking to reinvest any money received this summer across the whole squad rather than like-for-like replacements for their stars.
Birmingham City's hierarchy have changed their mind about Gary Rowett’s future as manager, according to a significant new update ahead of the conclusion of the season on Saturday.
Rowett aiming to keep Birmingham up
The Midlands outfit have experienced a hugely disappointing season in the Championship, so much so that they are now strong favourites to be relegated to League One on Saturday afternoon.
Birmingham are one point adrift of Plymouth Argyle, sitting in 22nd place and in the relegation zone, knowing they must win at home to Norwich City, especially as their goal difference is inferior to the Pilgrims. Victory would give them a chance of survival, with Plymouth hosting playoff-chasing Hull City at the same time, which won't be easy for them.
The season started in controversial fashion for the Blues, with John Eustace's sacking in October largely seen as hugely unfair, prior to Wayne Rooney's doomed spell in charge taking place.
Tony Mowbray then came in, but his season has been cut short for health reasons, and since then, Rowett has returned to St Andrew's as interim manager, doing his best to keep Birmingham in the Championship. In his seven matches, he has only averaged 1.14 points per game, however – his first spell was 1.49 points per match – struggling to inspire his team away from danger.
Key Gary Rowett update emerges
According to a new twist from Football Insider, Rowett is unlikely to stay on as Birmingham manager beyond this season, departing from his interim role despite initial hopes from the board that it would be extended.
The report states that "there had been an expectation from the hierarchy that Rowett could make a strong case to land the job permanently, but that is not expected to now happen", suggesting he hasn't done enough to warrant staying on and that the club have changed their mind.
Gary Rowett at Birmingham City.
In truth, it probably makes sense to bring an end to Rowett's second spell at Birmingham this summer, considering he hasn't exactly excelled since returning to the club. Granted, he came in during a tough time, especially regarding Mowbray's situation, but a new manager needs to be looked at before the start of next season.
There could be some supporters who will feel that the Englishman deserves to stay on if he keeps the Blues in the Championship on Saturday, but the club need to be looking at the bigger picture rather than making a knee-jerk decision.
Gary Rowett's managerial career
Matches
Points per game
Birmingham City (interim manager)
7
1.14
Millwall
196
1.45
Stoke City
29
1.34
Derby County
60
1.60
Birmingham City
106
1.49
Burton Albion
135
1.60
Moving forward, this simply has to become a more settled period at St Andrew's, with so many managerial changes showing a lack of stability, especially when Eustace was so harshly disposed of, despite Birmingham sitting sixth in the Championship table at that point, which seems unfathomable now, given their current standing.
Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season
Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.
By
Stephan Georgiou
Apr 22, 2025
Who that man is remains to be seen, but if the Blues do end up in League One next season, they need the right person in place to ensure that they bounce back at the first attempt.
واصل فريق آينتراخت فرانكفورت نتائجه المميزة في بطولة الدوري الألماني، موسم 2024/25، بعدما حقق فوزًا جديدًا مساء اليوم ضد نظيره هايدينهايم.
وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية عشر من البطولة، حيث فاز آينتراخت فرانكفورت بأربعة أهداف دون رد.
ويعود الفضل بشكل كبير في ذلك الفوز إلى النجم المصري عمر مرموش، الذي سجل هدفين لصالح آينتراخت فرانكفورت.
وارتفع رصيد آينتراخت فرانكفورت بعد ذلك الفوز إلى 26 نقطة في المركز الثاني، بفارق 4 نقاط فقط عن بايرن ميونخ الذي تعثر واكتفى بالتعادل مع بوروسيا دورتموند في الجولة نفسها، بهدف لمثله يوم السبت. ترتيب الدوري الألماني
1 بايرن ميونخ، 30 نقطة.
2 آينتراخت فرانكفورت، 26 نقطة.
3 باير ليفركوزن، 23 نقطة.
4 لايبزيج، 21 نقطة.
5 بوروسيا دورتموند، 20 نقطة.
6 فرايبورج، 20 نقطة.
7 ماينز، 19 نقطة.
8 فولفسبورج، 18 نقطة.
9 شتوتجارت، 17 نقطة.
10 بوروسيا مونشنجلادباخ، 17 نقطة.
11 يونيون برلين، 16 نقطة.
12 فيردر بريمن، 16 نقطة.
13 أوجسبورج، 15 نقطة.
14 هوفنهايم، 12 نقطة.
15 سانت باولي، 11 نقطة.
16 هايدينهايم، 10 نقاط.
17 هولشتاين كايل، 5 نقاط.
18 بوخوم، نقطتان.
ويمكنكم متابعة ترتيب الدوري الألماني لحظة بلحظة من هنا.
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal is unhappy with his EA SPORTS FC 25 rating, with the teen sensation claiming to have been given a “bad card”.
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Teenager is the hottest of prospectsHelped Spain to glory at Euro 2024Contender for the prestigious Ballon d'OrWHAT HAPPENED?
Individual scores for the popular simulation game are in the process of being rolled out ahead of a full release on September 27. The highest-rated players are Manchester City stars Erling Haaland and Rodri, new Real Madrid ‘Galactico’ Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Aitana Bonmati – who all come in at 91.
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Yamal, who helped Spain to Euro 2024 glory the day after his 17th birthday, has only been given a score of 81. That places him some way down the list of best young players – behind the likes of Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala, Rodrygo, Cole Palmer and international team-mate Nico Williams.
WHAT YAMAL SAID
Yamal has told when asked if he plays virtual games: “I don't play fantasy because my friends are lazy and play for a week and then quit. This year I'm already playing FIFA, but they've given me a very bad card, only an 81. I would increase my pace, my dribbling…”
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Yamal can expect his rating to increase rapidly, given his meteoric rise, and he is already a contender for the prestigious Ballon d’Or. He does, however, concede that he is not ready to land that prize just yet, adding on finding out that he is on the 30-man list of candidates for 2024: “We were in the elevator with Nico Williams, and first he got nominated, then I did. They congratulated us in the dressing room, but I don’t think I have a chance of winning the Ballon d’Or.”
The ICC had used the technology to monitor overstepping during the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year
Osman Samiuddin27-Jul-2020Front-foot no-balls will be monitored exclusively by the third umpire, and teams will be deducted points for slow over-rates in the ICC World Cup Super League, which begins later this week with the three-match ODI series between England and Ireland.The front-foot no-ball regulation will apply in both ODIs and T20Is and is another step towards taking oversight of the front out of the domain of the on-field umpire in all international cricket. The ICC has previously trialed the technology to monitor bowlers overstepping during the ODI series between India and West Indies. Positive results there led to the ICC deciding to leave the adjudication of front-foot no-balls solely with the third umpire during the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year in Australia.”It is something that will be used on Thursday [between Ireland and England] and for the series to be played,” Geoff Allardice, the ICC’s general manager cricket operations, said. “Certainly there is the importance of the free hit in white-ball cricket, and getting no-balls called accurately. That is considered to be an important feature. The Cricket Committee has recommended that and it’s in the playing conditions for the World Cup Super League.”No-balls for height will continue to be called by the on-field umpires, but their missing line-call no-balls has been a recurring issue in high-profile cricket in recent years. The ICC first trialed the process in 2016, during Pakistan’s tour of England. But it has taken time – as well as growing scrutiny of front-foot calls – to roll it out on a broader scale. On England’s last tour of Sri Lanka, in November 2018, broadcasters counted as many as as many as 12 no-balls missed by the umpires.In March 2019, umpire S Ravi missed a no-ball off the last ball of a tight IPL game between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. At the World Cup last year, umpires missed a no-ball in Australia’s game against West Indies; Chris Gayle was dismissed off the next ball, which should’ve been a free hit. The ongoing Test series between England and West Indies has also seen a number of no-balls not being called.The points system in the Super League awards 10 points for a win and five for a tie, no-result or an abandoned game. But as with Test cricket and the World Test Championship, Allardice confirmed a competition points penalty will apply to sides who fail to keep up with the minimum over rates. In the case of the Super League, one point will be deducted for every full over a side has fallen short of bowling in the time allowed.The league will also, Allardice confirmed, allow two DRS reviews per team per innings. That increase from one was announced in June and applies to T20Is as well. That is part of an interim change to playing conditions – like the ban on using saliva to shine a ball – brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and is due to be reviewed every three months.”Each format got one extra review,” Allardice said. “That was the plan originally [that it was an interim measure]. We will see how it plays out, is it creating extra delays in the game or is allowing to get the right decision more often. I think it’s one that will have more debate as we get to the end of the interim period.”No cut-off date has been finalised at the moment for when the league finishes, though it was envisaged as a two-year league. The top seven sides and India – as hosts – qualify directly to the 2023 World Cup. The ICC has moved that event from a February-March window to October-November, allowing more time for the league to be concluded.”Obviously we start this league in a time when there is a lot of uncertainty around cricket fixtures generally,” Allardice said. “We bought some more time to be able to play or reschedule series but we’re expecting early 2023 as a cut-off. There is a World Cup Qualifier to be played during 2023 to identify the last two teams to go into the World Cup. But that will be finalised once we get more input from our members and their scheduling.”
The financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the unfinished fifth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is becoming clearer, as the board and the league’s broadcast-rights holder have come to legal blows over the money due for the season. But the league is continuing to explore options to complete the season, with November being looked at tentatively as a window, and the possibility raised of finishing it in the UAE, if the pandemic situation in Pakistan at that time doesn’t allow it.The fifth edition – the first held in its entirety in Pakistan – had to be curtailed just before the knockout stages as the pandemic began to take hold around the world. That has led to Blitz Advertising and Techfront – who signed up for the broadcast rights in 2018 in a US$36 million deal – holding back a payout to the board for this season; the contract, according to the PCB, states that payment is tied to the scheduled day of the last match. Once that payment did not come through this season, the PCB cashed an insurance guarantee from the broadcaster (held as security for the deal) of PKR 1 billion. It is that act that Blitz has taken a stay order out against in the civil courts in Lahore.”Our dispute with the PCB is on issue of completion of PSL 2020 Tournament,” a Blitz official told ESPNcricinfo. “PCB has announced/declared since March 17th that four matches including semi-finals and final shall be held later in year 2020 and is postponed until then. According to our agreements with PCB, it is stated clearly – we are to pay the Rights fees only after the Last Match of the PSL 2020 Tournament is held and declared. Since last match of the PSL 2020 has not been held and/or declared by PCB therefore the Rights Fee is not due and payable under the Agreements.”Blitz was constrained to seek legal remedy through courts, refraining encashment of guarantee since the payment was not due until the Last Match of PSL 2020 was declared by PCB. Blitz, in the last five years of its relationship with PCB has honored all its obligations in accordance with the agreements. However in this instance, Blitz in view of PCB’s unjustified demand had no other option but to approach courts for relief.”Blitz’s partnering in 2018 represented a 358% jump on the previous broadcast deal and worked on equal overall payments every year to the PCB, one before the event and one after. That broadcast money, pooled in with sponsorship and commercial rights revenue, is then distributed annually to the six franchises in three tranches, usually in May, July and at the end of the year. Blitz has made its pre-tournament payment to the board but the matter will acquire urgency because some franchises say that they have received none of the three payments they are bound to yet.The issue of how to complete the season is also going to gain urgency. At a PSL governing council meeting on Thursday, several options were explored, although all with the considerable caveat that – as a board release acknowledged – “there were a number of moving parts” because of the pandemic. The preference would be to finish it In Pakistan, but the number of coronavirus cases has surged over the last month to more than 200,000, and the prime minister Imran Khan expects the peak to hit towards the end of July.One option that was brought up was to finish the season in the UAE – where there has been greater success in containing the pandemic – around the time the T10 may also be taking place there. As a pool of foreign players in the T10 potentially overlaps to some degree with PSL franchises, the league might explore the possibility of sharing logistical costs with the T10.The PCB said they are “in coordination with all the stakeholders in regards to the strategic and financial growth of the league. While the unprecedented economic climate has created some challenges, we expect obligations to be met in a timely way.”
Warner expressed confidence in the BCCI creating a safe bio-security bubble for the IPL to take place
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jun-2020
David Warner celebrates a half-century in his final IPL 2019 game•BCCI
David Warner has said that the Australian players who are part of the Indian Premier League would be open to travelling to India for the tournament, subject to getting clearance from Cricket Australia and the Australian government.The timing of this year’s IPL could hinge on whether the T20 World Cup takes place as scheduled or not, in Australia in October and November. While the ICC has deferred a decision on the event, two members on the ICC Board have expressed doubts about the feasibility of holding the tournament this year.Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings felt it was “unrealistic” while Ehsan Mani said it was likely to be deferred by a year. Warner pointed out that if the T20 World Cup wasn’t going to take place, it opened up a window where no other international cricket had been scheduled in any case, which meant playing in the IPL was possible. However, the Australian players will have to get clearance from their board and their government, with CA giving them permission to skip their own domestic season.”If it is unlikely that the World Cup can go ahead, I’m definitely sure and positive that we’ll be able to come and play in the IPL if that replaces the World Cup,” Warner said in an interview with . “If that permits, CA giving us the go-ahead to go over there, I’m sure that we will put our hand up to come over and play cricket and do what we love.”All the players that have been selected and picked in the auction will put their hand up if they are permitted… we have to get government clearance as well, if we’re allowed to travel,” he added.ALSO READ: ICC to wait and watch before deciding T20 World Cup fate”Obviously what will happen is that, there is a World Cup that was planned so there is probably no international cricket that would have been able to have been scheduled anyway, so they can rescheduled and put the IPL in place. The other thing we have to think about is obviously state cricket starts here in Australia, that’s another thing Cricket Australia will have to consider. But I’m sure if we’re given the opportunity to go over and play, most certain the guys will go over there and play.”Warner expressed confidence in the Indian government and the BCCI creating a safe bio-security bubble for the IPL to take place. “At the end of the day we want to get back on the park, but [it’s about] making sure that we do that in a safe environment as well,” he said. “I’m sure that the Indian government and the BCCI will be putting perfect parameters in place to ensure the safety of the players, the staff that’s working at the venue, everyone that’s involved. Whether or not there’s crowds or no crowds, I’m sure the BCCI will be doing everything they can to try and get this off the ground and all the players in one safe place.”Sweat but no saliva “bizarre”While acknowledging the need for safety measures put in place and praising the thinking behind them, Warner also found it strange that saliva was banned while sweat was not for bowlers shining the ball when cricket resumes.”It’s a bizarre one. We’re in a position that’s new to everyone,” he said. “These parameters have obviously been put in place for health reasons, and obviously we’ve got to abide by those laws. It’s interesting, it’s going to be different that’s for sure. Whether or not down the track there is a designated ball shiner, only one person can shine the ball… it’s weird.”But from my point of view, if you can’t put saliva on the ball but you throw the ball, you catch the ball, you throw it back to that person… you’ve got more sweat on your palms than anything. I’m not educated in that sort of sector, but for me it just seems a little bit silly that you can’t use saliva but you can catch the ball and have sweaty hands and all that. It’s weird but it’s good to see them putting something in place that can negate the chances of spreading that [Covid-19].”
Rhuan, oficialmente, não é mais jogador do Botafogo. O atacante foi anunciado peloRadomiak Radom, da Polônia, durante a manhã deste domingo e formalizou o acerto com a equipe europeia.
+ Botafogo supera desfalques e consegue 1ª vitória fora de casa na Série B na estreia de Enderson
O atacante, que estava fora dos planos do Alvinegro, assinou com a equipe polonesa de graça; o Botafogo, porém, mantém 40% dos direitos econômicos de uma possível futura venda. O contrato é válido por três temporadas.
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Cria das categorias de base do Botafogo, Rhuan sequer chegou a ser relacionado para um jogo na atual temporada. Fora dos planos, treinava em separado e não fazia parte da rotina do time principal.
Ele chegou a subir ao time principal com certa expectativa, sendo um dos destaques do time sub-20 à época, mas não conseguiu supri-las. Foram 40 partidas disputadas e um gol marcado com a camisa do Botafogo no período.
Manchester United 'icon' Rachel Williams has admitted that the fans' negative reaction to her signing only motivated her to be a success at the club.
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Williams signed for Man Utd back in 2022
Transfer received negative reaction from club's fans
But that only 'spurred' her on to become 'icon'
WHAT HAPPENED?
Williams joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2022, a transfer which was criticised by a number of fans. After only four goals scored in the previous season for Tottenham, they were not convinced by what the striker could bring to the table.
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However, in the two years since, she has certainly endeared herself to the Man Utd faithful. That has mostly come from her brilliance as a super sub but she also delivered as a starter in May's FA Cup final, scoring the second goal in a 4-0 win over Spurs that gave the women's team its first major trophy.
WHAT WILLIAMS SAID
After that game, Man Utd boss Marc Skinner said: "Do you remember all that rubbish that we got when we signed her? Well, she’s turned that around, hasn’t she? She’s a fantastic footballer and more importantly a fantastic human and I hope she goes down as an iconic player for Manchester United."
Speaking at the Women's Super League's season launch media day this week, Williams was asked if she felt like she'd earned that status. "I don't know. I don't know. Probably like in women's football, if he had said in women's football, I could be, I'd still be shy and embarrassed by it," she replied. "I got a lot of abuse by fans when I first joined which spurred me on even more to go, ‘Right, you're going to love me’. I’ve had a lot of messages about, ‘Am I staying number 28? Am I staying at the club?’ I don't know if I'm a Man Utd legend after two seasons but if he wants to give me that title, I’ll take it!"
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The 36-year-old signed a two-year deal when she arrived in 2022 but Man Utd activated the option for an extra year in that contract because of her performances. "I think there were a lot of people happy, which is a nice feeling because you never want to not feel wanted, so to feel valued and wanted, especially by the fans, it's one of the biggest honours," she said.
Last summer, Wolverhampton Wanderers cashed in. Julen Lopetegui succeeded in lifting Molineux from the depths of the Premier League to finish 13th, but financial issues saw the Spaniard take his leave before the dawn of the 2023/24 campaign.
Lopetegui might have felt disgruntled, disconcerted, even, but the plain truth was that funds were needed and thus the big-money names had reached the end of their Wolves careers, with Matheus Nunes, Ruben Neves and Nathan Collins among the largest sales.
Shrewdly-appointed Gary O'Neil has blended his sharp tactical mind with a personable demeanour to ensure that the Old Gold have shifted firmly away from the struggle to enjoy a confident position in the middle of the Premier League.
Pedro Neto for Wolves
Now, Wolves are ensconced in a good position in regard to complying with financial fair play rules, and while there is no pressing need to sell, The Telegraph have revealed that Manchester City and Newcastle United are interested in Pedro Neto, who is worth £60m.
1.
Matheus Nunes
Manchester City
£53m
2.
Ruben Neves
Al Hilal
£47m
3.
Diogo Jota
Liverpool
£41m
4.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Nottingham Forest
£25m (rising to £42.5m
5.
Nathan Collins
Brentford
£23m
It would be a record fee, surpassing even last summer's high-profile departures, but he's not the only notable figure in O'Neil's team to face the possibility of intense summer speculation.
Indeed, Joao Gomes is attracting interest from some big outfits, and the Brazilian sure would fetch a pretty penny.
Why Wolves signed Joao Gomes
Wolves signed Gomes from Brazilian club Flamengo for a £15m fee in January 2023. Lopetegui was desperate to bring the talented young player to the Midlands but faced late drama when Lyon canvassed a more attractive proposal, leading Flamengo to halt discussions with the Premier League suitors.
But, credit to Gomes, he liked the Molineux project and obstinately stated that he wanted to move to Wolves, with the Brasileiro Serie A team eventually relenting.
Described as an "accurate & tenacious tackler" by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his performances in his homeland, where he made 117 appearances for Flamengo after graduating from their academy, the 23-year-old was considered the perfect burgeoning talent to succeed the recently departed Romain Saiss and Leander Dendoncker.
He made a steady start to life in England, starting seven Premier League matches throughout the second half of the 2022/23 season, but has since bloomed into one of the meanest anchoring midfielders in the business.
Joao Gomes' season in numbers
Gomes earned the moniker of "The Pitbull" in Brazil and it's clear that such a nickname has been handed aptly. This season, O'Neil's Wolves project has taken off impressively and pre-season predictions of an Old Gold relegation were well wide of the mark.
The 5 foot 9 Gomes was essential, completing 34 appearances in the Premier League this term, starting 32 times, and invariably putting in a shift.
Matches played
11
34
Matches started
7
32
Goals
1
2
Assists
0
1
Pass completion
79%
83%
Touches per game
39.8
51.9
Shots per game
0.4
0.8
Key passes per game
0.5
0.6
Tackles per game
2.6
3.8
Ball recoveries per game
8.0
6.2
Dribbles per game
0.7 (53%)
0.8 (53%)
Duels won per game
5.5 (58%)
6.2 (50%)
The table above showcases his improved output throughout the 2023/24 season as opposed to his initial foray into Premier League football, though with the squad enjoying less possession under O'Neil compared to Lopetegui, he had more on his plate and thus was thrust into challenging situations with greater regularity.
To emphasise this point: as per FBref, the South American star ranks among the top 1% of central midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for tackles and the top 12% for blocks made per 90.
Such metrics really do showcase Gomes' inborn aggression and crispness in key defensive moments, recycling possession and asserting his authority in the centre of the park to charge O'Neil's swift, counter-attacking philosophy.
And, such metrics make interest from teams such as Arsenal and Manchester United all the more understandable.
Joao Gomes' market value in 2024
Arsenal indeed have Gomes on their radar ahead of the transfer window, while the Red Devils have made the £30k-per-week ace a "concrete" target, according to Football Transfers.
O'Neil called Gomes a "super talent" when hailing his skill set and continued to state:"He's been very impressive. At his age and with his lack of experience in Premier League football, it’s still something you have to work with him on and try to improve, but as a starting point with the qualities he has, he’s at a very, very good level.”
Joao Gomes for Wolves
Given that, according to CIES Football Observatory's player valuation model, Gomes is actually the most valuable player in Wolves' squad at £43m, it's clear that the club have well and truly hit the jackpot with a rise of £28m in relation to his £15m transfer fee.
Of course, Neto's possible sale puts him at the top but this should not detract from Gomes' meteoric ascent, now one of the Premier League's finest, toughest-tackling stars.
He's even surpassed the transfer value of Diogo Jota, both in mooted price tag and his projected market valuation by CIES, with Liverpool's dynamic marksman currently marked with £34m tag.
1.
Nathan Collins
£23m
£43m
2.
Diogo Jota
£41m
£34m
2.
Matheus Nunes
£53m
£34m
4.
Ruben Neves
£47m
£26m
4.
Morgan Gibbs-White
£25m (rising to £42.5m
£26m
6.
Conor Coady
£8.5m
£6m
7.
Raul Jimenez
£5.5m
£4m
Nathan Collins is the most valuable of any of Wolves' recent transfer sales, seeing a price hike of £20m, but, as stated earlier, the Brazil star's £28m rise underscores just how incredible his impact has been in England.
But it's still particularly interesting that he has risen above Jota, who has suffered his share of injury issues with Liverpool but has been hailed as a "deadly" forward by analyst Raj Chohan, ranking among the top 1% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90.
Gomes is on the up and while his continuing rise might leave Wolves struggling to keep hold of his signature in the long-term, there's little question that they have already hit the jackpot on a star destined for the top.
Wolves eyeing 6 ft 6 colossus to replace O'Neil favourite
Wolves are currently eyeing up a player who has shone in the Premier League recently