Tag Futebol

Aston Villa haven’t just been successful in the transfer market over the last few years but they’ve also unearthed some fantastic gems from the academy.

Jack Grealish is always looked up to as a role model after he progressed through the Villa ranks to stardom, and Unai Emery is hoping the youngsters in his squad can have a similar impact as the Manchester City star once had at Villa Park.

Tim Iroegbunam and Jacob Ramsey are two exciting prospects who have been included in the first team, with the latter – who registered 13 goals and assists in the Premier League last season – becoming a key player.

However, there is a figure in the ranks who could surpass them both and become the dream successor to Ollie Watkins.

Ollie Watkins’ 2023/24 PL season

Simply put, Watkins is absolutely instrumental to the way Villa play, their chances of picking up three points, and their overall success.

This season in the Premier League, the England international has started every game, scoring 13 goals and picking up 12 assists, which makes him an extremely valuable asset.

Watkins is currently the joint-top assister in the league, alongside Kieran Trippier, and his ability to win games on his own makes him such a frightening forward to have, as proven by Villa’s recent 2-1 win over Fulham when he scored a brace.

Unfortunately for Villa, his incredible consistency and performances have piqued the interest of other Premier League rivals, with Arsenal being the main club reportedly interested in signing Watkins, and therefore, let’s take a look at who could be the heir to the number 11.

Louie Barry could become Watkins 2.0

Louie Barry is a name that both Villa and Liverpool fans will be very aware of, with the young striker scoring against the Reds in a 4-1 FA Cup defeat back in 2021.

Since then, the “incredible” gem, as per Declan Rice, has yet to receive a real opportunity with the Villa first team, spending most of his time on loan at numerous EFL clubs.

This season, the 20-year-old was starring for League Two leaders Stockport County before picking up a serious hamstring injury, which has kept him out since October.

Any injury is extremely disappointing, but it’s even more frustrating when in excellent form like Barry was. The attacker had scored nine goals and picked up two assists in 15 games. The Villa loanee even holds a club record, scoring in seven consecutive league games.

Minutes per game

77

Goals

9

Assists

2

Shots per game

2.5

Key passes per game

1.1

As can be seen in the table above, he was influential for the Hatters at the start of the season, terrorising defenders with his elite movement and direct approach.

A frequent attribute of Barry’s is the ability to drift out wide to the left-hand side, where he can dribble directly at the defender, cut inside, and either curl an effort into the far corner or pull it to the near post. Even the Stockport admin in a live match report said he’s “unstoppable” when he does the above.

Overall, Barry has the potential to become the perfect successor to Watkins, and if the star does leave Villa Park, Emery will know who to call on.

The Australia coach has said the way the team faded in the 2017-18 series provided motivation to bring more ruthlessness to their game

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jun-2019

Australia women coach Matthew Mott has admitted that the way the team faded at the end of the 2017-18 Ashes has provided motivation to retain the prize with outright victory in this year’s multi-point series.Australia kept hold of the Ashes when it was played on home soil – having regained them in 2015 – but England won the final two T20Is to level the contest at eight points each. Australia were bowled out for 112 in Canberra, before Danni Wyatt’s century cancelled out Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 117 in the final game.Mott said that slip had been used as a drive to bring a greater ruthlessness to Australia’s cricket and the results since have been evidence of that, with just two defeats in all internationals since the end of the previous Ashes.”It’s been a huge factor. Everyone in that team felt a bit of a bitter taste at the end of that series. We’d done the hard work and just took the foot off the throat,” Mott said. “We talk a lot about finishing teams off and it’s really been a motivating factor for the last 12 months and how we’ve played the game.”In all the series we’ve played since the intensity on the last day has been as good as the first. It’s been a huge factor and in our minds one of the themes is a bit of unfinished business. We are obviously happy to hold the Ashes but we want to come over here and win them this time.”Mott knows his team will face a confident England side that is currently on a run of 14 unbeaten matches having made convincing work of defeating West Indies over the last few weeks. “It’s two great teams going head-to-head, they’ll be chock full of confidence and we’ve had a really good 12 months. Two of the best teams in the world going head-to-head, it’s a special summer, I think everyone has earmarked this for a while and we just hope to start well.”The Ashes begins with the three-match ODI series – where two points are on offer for a victory – before the Test in Taunton, where victory carries four points, followed by the three T20Is. Australia could look to supplement their squad ahead of the Test with a player from the Australia A team which is playing concurrently in the UK.”It’s created a really unique opportunity for us to play alongside each other and give our players the opportunity to get some game time,” Mott said. “We are going to work together to make sure we maximise game time for everyone, rather than sitting and watch if they can get some games in, then great. Also there’s an added incentive for the A-team players, they know we’ve got the opportunity to add an extra player around the Test match so that 15th player, if they are knocking the door down in the A team, they have the chance to come in.”Australia begin the tour with two warm-up matches against the England academy team in Loughborough ahead of the opening ODI in Leicester on July 2.Ashes squad Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Meg Lanning, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Georgia Wareham, Tayla VlaeminckAustralia A squad Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Maddy Darke, Josie Dooley, Heather Graham, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Redmayne, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman, Belinda Vakarewa, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Al-Hilal have finished the Saudi Pro League season unbeaten despite losing Brazil star Neymar to injury.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Al-Hilal secure Saudi Pro LeagueHave been without Neymar through injuryFinished the campaign without a defeatWHAT HAPPENED?

Al-Hilal rounded off an impressive 2023-24 campaign with a 2-1 win against Al-Wehda on Monday. Mohamed Kanno opened the scoring before Yahya Naji levelled proceedings in the second half. The unbeaten record was then guaranteed by a late winner from substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic in added time – his 28th goal of the season. They were crowned Saudi Pro League champions earlier on in the season with a 12-point gap separating them and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr ahead of the final game of the campaign.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

An unbeaten league-winning campaign is an impressive accomplishment when you consider the injury that ruled Neymar out for the season. The 32-year-old Brazilian suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in October and had been ruled out for the remainder of the season. He could also miss the start of next season. Al-Hilal would embark on an impressive season regardless of losing their marquee summer signing, winning 31 games and drawing three.

DID YOU KNOW?

This was the 19th Saudi Pro League title for Al-Hilal in their history. The team had also embarked on a record-breaking run of 34 consecutive wins across all competitions – but this came to an end in April following a 4-2 defeat to Al Ain in the Asian Champions League.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR AL-HILAL?

Al-Hilal will aim to finish the season with another win in the King Cup against Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr side. The game will take place on May 31.

All eyes on Jofra Archer but it was two other debutants who stole the show in a close-fought contest

The Report by Valkerie Baynes03-May-2019

All eyes were on Jofra Archer but it was another debutant, Josh Little, who threatened to steal centre stage as Ireland gave England a scare in their ODI in Dublin.Ireland went into their 10th ODI against England having won only once, at the 2011 World Cup, but when 19-year-old Little, one of six debutants in the match, claimed three of his four wickets to put England in trouble at 66 for 5 chasing 199 for victory, they could be forgiven for dreaming of another historic upset.It took an unbroken 98-run partnership from Ben Foakes, also winning his first ODI cap, and Surrey team-mate Tom Curran to carry England over the line for an ultimately comfortable but unconvincing four-wicket victory.Archer celebrated his highly anticipated first appearance in an England shirt with a wicket and a superb catch. But it was Liam Plunkett and Curran – arguably among Archer’s biggest rivals for a final World Cup berth – who starred as England bowled Ireland out for 198 with 11 balls remaining in the innings, reduced to 45 overs per side because of a soggy outfield which delayed the start by two hours.The target would normally be seen as easily achievable for the No.1 one-day side in the world who bat deep and love to chase. But what should have been an agenda-setting start to their World Cup run-in ended in some nervy moments for the tournament favourites, not least when Foakes survived an lbw appeal when on 37 which Ireland chose not to review and replays suggested could have been overturned.Bearing in mind that England had rested a number of first-choice players in a match which came at the end of a week dominated by the axing of Alex Hales for recreational drug use. But it was some of the side’s experienced campaigners who struggled.The pursuit did not start well, with debutant Dawid Malan calling for treatment after appearing to injure his groin taking a quick single. He batted on in clear discomfort, his ability to run obviously impaired, and saw fellow opener James Vince dismissed to what would have been a beautiful pull from the bowling of Little had George Dockrell not taken a screamer diving to his left at midwicket.Joe Root and Eoin Morgan followed cheaply, the latter to a brilliant Little bouncer which the England captain gloved to wicketkeeper Gary Wilson, before Little also had Malan caught behind for 24, at that point only the second visiting batsman to reach double figures. Joe Denly, playing his first ODI since 2009, followed soon after when Kevin O’Brien took another smart catch at midwicket.David Willey and Foakes threatened steady England until Little returned to the attack with immediate effect as Willey sent a catch straight to fine leg, with England still shaky at 101 for 6.Foakes then combined with Curran. Having been dropped by Lorcan Tucker off Mark Adair with England still needing 12, Curran then hit the winning runs with a boundary off a Little no-ball in a disappointing end to an otherwise memorable day for the bowler.Little, a former hockey player who had made 10 T20I appearances but was playing his first ODI, ended with figures of 4 for 45 off eight overs.England won the toss and put Ireland in. Archer’s wicket was a gem, ending a decent knock by Adair – another on debut, who scored 32 off 30 balls in attempting to lift his side – with a 90mph yorker that uprooted off stump. Earlier, Archer had taken a superb diving catch to hand Curran England’s first wicket of the innings, dismissing a dangerous-looking Paul Stirling.Interestingly, Archer opened the bowling in tandem with Willey, who had previously appeared to question whether picking the Barbados-born talent could destabilise England’s World Cup squad.Archer has not been named in England’s preliminary World Cup squad but has a chance to press his claims for a late inclusion. His first ball in international cricket was drilled to the boundary by Stirling amid a respectable opening spell.William Porterfield survived an lbw appeal off Willey on the second ball of the innings, and at the end of the first Powerplay, Ireland were in good shape. They had reached 55 without loss when Curran struck in his second over, with the help of Archer, to dismiss Stirling.Plunkett claimed the wickets of Porterfield and Tucker and, by the time Curran had O’Brien well caught by a diving Denly at backward point, Ireland’s promising start had fizzled to 77 for 4.An excellent piece of wicketkeeping by Foakes accounted for Andrew Balbirnie. As Balbirnie shied at a Denly wide, the batsman kept his back foot planted for what seemed like an age but, when he finally lifted his toe, Foakes – who had done well to collect the ball as it sailed a long way down the leg side – was waiting and lifted the bails for a sharp stumping.Archer returned for a second spell that took care of Adair in eye-catching style, before Plunkett and Curran rounded up the innings. Unlike Archer, those two were named in England’s preliminary World Cup squad but neither has been regarded as a shoo-in. Their latest performances will do their causes no harm ahead of the squad being finalised on May 23.

Injury-plagued Chelsea captain Reece James set a quite ridiculous record after being sent off against Brighton on Wednesday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Chelsea beat Brighton 2-1
• James sent off for kicking out at Joao Pedro
• Sets unwanted record

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  James, who has been limited to just 10 Premier League appearances this season due to repeated hamstring injuries which ultimately required surgery, came on as a substitute against Brighton on Wednesday. However, shortly after his introduction he was sent off for kicking out at striker Joao Pedro after a foul, with the referee brandishing a straight red card following a VAR check.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As a result of his red card, James is now the player with the joint-most red cards in the Premier League this season. It is made all the more remarkable by the fact that he has only played 422 minutes – the equivalent of just under five full games.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Two other players have received two red cards this season: Tottenham's Yves Bissouma and Sheffield United's Oli McBurnie. James is not the only Chelsea player to be sent off this season, however – Conor Gallagher and Malo Gusto have also seen red.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  James will be suspended for the final game of the season against Bournemouth on Sunday, and that ban could carry over into next season. The Blues are currently sixth but if they beat the Cherries they could leapfrog Spurs into fifth, but they would need Ange Postecoglou's side to lose to bottom club Sheffield United.

Charlotte FC posted an incredible Star Wars-themed hype video ahead of their MLS clash with Portland on Saturday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• World celebrates 'Star Wars' day
• Charlotte posts 'May the 4th be With you' clip
• Mascot Sir Minty to take on Timber Joey

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  May 4th every year is dubbed by the populous, due to the phrasing of "May the 4th be with you" from the iconic movie franchise. The Eastern Conference MLS side took their social media game to a whole new level, using the music and intro to the galactic space war movies to set up Saturday's clash with the Timbers as if it were part of the saga.

Advertisement

• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  CLT FC take on the Timbers in a cross-conference clash Saturday evening. Dean Smith's side will look to snap their two-game losing streak with a result against Phil Neville and Co. at home. The two sides are both far out of the playoff picture in their respective conference, occupying the 20th and 22nd ranked slots in the race for the Supporters' Shield as well.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• USA Today Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CHARLOTTE FC?

  The match kicks off Saturday evening and both sides will be vying for a result. More importantly, though, all eyes will be on the duel between Sir Minty and Timber Joey…

After last playing a Test in January 2018, the bowler has only featured in ODIs and T20Is since he was not 100% fit during the Australia Tests

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jan-20192:37

It’s very rare that our top order doesn’t click – Bhuvneshwar

Not bowling for a long time in international cricket in 2018 impacted his bowling rhythm, India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar has stated ahead of the second ODI against Australia in Adelaide on Tuesday. Bhuvneshwar largely played limited-overs matches in 2018 when India traveled for the three toughest overseas tours for any India side – to South Africa, England and Australia – largely because he was battling niggles and trying to get his rhythm back.Bhuvneshwar hasn’t featured in a Test since playing in Johannesburg, in which he was Player of the Match, in January last year because he had to sit out of the Test series in England, where he was expected to play a big role in swinging conditions, with a back injury he picked up in the ODI series in England. He returned two months later for the Asia Cup in the UAE, and has only played ODIs and T20Is since then, against West Indies at home and in Australia for the ongoing tour.When asked if the break from international cricket affected his rhythm, he said: “It did impact [my rhythm]. Match rhythm is totally different when it comes to bowling. I was trying everything to be in rhythm in the nets. But it can’t be a 100% when you compare to a match. It wasn’t great in the last match but it wasn’t bad as well. It can improve as the matches will go on. I was trying everything to be in rhythm.”I was going through niggles at that time [in England], and when you have a niggle you can’t be a 100%. Since then and now, I have trained a lot, especially during the one month of the Test series. That is the reason I am back to [bowling at] 130-135kph, whatever the thing is. The main thing is I’m niggle-free right now. That’s the main thing for me.”On Saturday, Bhuvneshwar took the field after over a month since playing the third T20I, which was also in Sydney, to finish with 2 for 66. He struck with his eighth delivery by removing captain Aaron Finch with an inswinger, which also fetched him his 100th ODI wicket. Later, he dismissed top-scorer Peter Handscomb in his third spell, one delivery after the batsman was dropped at the long-leg boundary by Ambati Rayudu at the start of the 48th over.Associated Press

Even though Bhuvneshwar was part of the Test squad in Australia, India relied on the pace battery comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami to win the series 2-1. Bhuvneshwar revealed that he was not a 100% fit during the four-Test series.”See, I was fit but I couldn’t say that I was a 100% because in Test matches, it’s a five-day match, so I really didn’t know I would be able to go through that thing. What was good was we had bowlers who could play at that time, and I got time to be 100% fit again. I wasn’t really sure that time.”In the nets I wasn’t planning or preparing to bowl in the ODIs. I was preparing like I have to play in any of the Tests. I was preparing in that manner. There wasn’t anything specific that I could do. But it was just normal bowling and increasing the number of overs. If I was bowling four overs [to start with], then go to six, then eight, then 10. The key thing for me is to be niggle-free, and be in bowling rhythm.”To switch to training for the ODIs, Bhuvneshwar was seen practising by placing a shoe on the pitch for accurate lengths and trying the yorkers, a weapon he uses often with the old ball in the death overs.”This (keeping shoes on the pitch) is something that I’ve been doing for some time,” he explained. “So keeping shoes there and bowling yorkers, practicing that thing. I didn’t practise that for almost a month now because in Tests, we hardly needed that. And I didn’t play a match. Going into an ODI or T20I series, you need that thing. So I was practicing that.”Apart from yorkers, Bhuvneshwar also possesses the knuckle ball which he uses once the ball gets older and the swing wears off. Apart from Bumrah, who has been rested for the ongoing series, Bhuvneshwar is India’s key bowler for both the opening overs and the death overs, with the World Cup under five months away.”The skills needed are totally different,” Bhuvneshwar said. “You are trying to swing the new ball and take wickets. With the old ball, you are looking to bowl yorkers or slower balls. But they are both difficult. When you are bowling with a new ball, there are only two fielders outside the circle. With the old ball, batsmen don’t care how many guys are outside the circle. [The] skills are also different.”

South Africa captain said the last thing he wanted was one of his bowlers getting injured just before the World Cup

Liam Brickhill in Cape Town02-Jan-2019South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has pointed to the Indian Premier League as “a concern” in terms of managing the workloads of his bowlers ahead of the World Cup in England starting at the end of May.”The obvious one for me is the IPL,” du Plessis said. “The IPL is just before the World Cup, and the last thing you want is one of your bowlers getting injured just before the tournament. That’s something that’s a concern for us, seeing how we can play that scenario out best.”With Dale [Steyn], or KG [Rabada] or any other bowlers, in terms of workload, the World Cup is still quite a while away. Probably you’ll see that closer to the World Cup we’ll think about stuff like [managing workloads].”Du Plessis’ concern echoed those of Cricket Australia, who indicated in November last year that Australia’s 2019 World Cup players can expect to have only limited involvement in the IPL, if they are able to play at all. CA’s stipulations around player availability are believed to have contributed to Kolkata Knight Riders’ decision to release Mitchell Starc.Du Plessis is part of the Chennai Super Kings squad and will be able to keep a close eye on Imran Tahir and Lungi Ngidi, both of whom have also been retained by the franchise. Kagiso Rabada remains with Delhi Capitals. Dale Steyn was not picked up this year, but Chris Morris has also been retained by Delhi, and Anrich Nortje – the Warriors and Cape Town Blitz quick – has picked up his first IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders just as he started to enter the frame for national honours.ALSO READ: Philander’s return amps up pressure on Pakistan’s middle orderMorris provides an example of the sorts of concerns du Plessis and coach Ottis Gibson might have. He missed South Africa’s engagements with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe after picking up a back injury at last year’s IPL, and coach Gibson has suggested that worries over Morris’ fitness have been a primary factor in his limited chances with the national side of late.Rabada, who was South Africa’s leading Test wicket-taker in 2018 and is central to their World Cup bowling plans, admitted ahead of the second Test that the last few months have been tiring for him. If he plays a leading role in South Africa’s home series against Sri Lanka, which ends on March 24, Rabada won’t have much time to rest before the IPL, which is likely to start in late March and runs till mid of May, around two weeks before South Africa’s World Cup opener against England on May 30.”I’ve been feeling a bit tired the past three months,” Rabada said. “But it’s been getting better. That’s a positive. [I’m] gradually getting there. Hopefully, I peak at the right time [against Pakistan].”Du Plessis added that player workload and the fitness of his fast bowlers for the World Cup is something he thinks about often, but highlighted the importance of focusing on the here and now.”That’s certainly something that’s always at the back of my head. I can only speak from a personal point of view. You’re continuously thinking about the decisions, and stuff that will impact that. But it’s also important to stay in the present. If you look at the World Cup the whole time, you’ll lose sight of what’s going on in front of you. So there is that little bit of thinking ahead, but unfortunately, it’s too far out to start making decisions now that will impact then.”

Although their recent defeat left them incredibly frustrated, Arsenal should be pleased with the start they’ve made in the Premier League this season. The Gunners laid down a marker by overcoming Manchester City at The Emirates a few weeks ago and have continued their pursuit of English football’s ultimate silverware ever since.

They’ll face their first test of character following the Newcastle defeat, however, and Mikel Arteta will hope to see his side show signs of champions rather than the all too familiar sign that the wheels are beginning to fall off of their title charge this early on. Meanwhile, off the pitch, the North London side are enjoying a solid season and are set to secure yet another star player’s future at the club.

Arsenal contract news

Over the last year or so, we’ve seen a new side to Arsenal away from The Emirates. This is no longer a club who are forced to roll over and sell their best players; a club that has said goodbye to the likes of Robin van Persie, Thierry Henry, Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas to seemingly bigger clubs in the past. Instead, what we see now is a club capable of keeping hold of their stars whilst poaching others from elsewhere.

Continuing that trend, according to Football Insider, Arsenal have offered Ben White a new deal at the club, which would result in a pay rise. White’s wages, as things stand, sit at a whopping £120k per-week. A new deal would see that number increase, however, as the defender looks to extend his stay at Arsenal beyond 2026 when his current contract expires. Talks are reportedly progressing well and the former Brighton & Hove Albion man could officially put pen to paper in the coming months as a result.

“Outstanding” Ben White set to be rewarded

When White arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2021, it was difficult to know just how he’d perform for the Gunners. He impressed at both Leeds United and Brighton, but this was still a struggling Arsenal side at the time in an environment that could quickly become difficult for most players.

Two years on, any doubts over White’s ability have been completely squashed after the defender quickly became somewhat of a revelation in an unexpected right-back role. White’s stats prove that he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down this season, either.

Progressive Carries Progressive Passes Tackles Won Ben White 15 54 10

Showered in praise as a result of his Arsenal performances, Kevin Campbell told the Highbury Squad YouTube channel when talking about White: “That just shows the trajectory of Ben White, he’s a centre-back at right-back and I think he’s grown in that position. Ben White has been outstanding, the clean sheet is for the goalkeeper and the back four, that’s their hat-trick. Ben White as I say is going from strength to strength, the way he plays, he’s not gung-ho, it makes us so much more solid because you have to respect the space against Manchester City.”

Despite enduring a frustrating start this season, Derby County are still within touching distance of the League One play-offs as Paul Warne looks to guide the Rams back to the Championship. The Midlands club are aiming to avoid a repeat of the previous campaign when they missed out on a place in the top six by a single point, as Peterborough secured their spot.

Currently two points adrift of Stevenage in sixth place with a game in hand, Derby's fate is in their own hands in the early stages of the season, and Warne will hope that some consistency will result in a comfortable play-off qualification come the end of the season. However, the boss could lose a player that those at Pride Park are huge fans of following some alarming transfer news.

Derby transfer news

Not exactly big spenders, the Rams brought in a limited number of reinforcements during the summer, which has seen the club enjoy little progress. Warne will hope that, as the season goes on, his side will begin to establish themselves as one of the top sides in League One. Next up, Derby square off against Barnsley, hoping to make it four games without defeat in all competitions.

No matter how this season goes, however, they could be forced to cope without last season's Scholar of the Year. According to Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, both Aston Villa and Southampton are plotting January moves for Darren Robinson, whose current Derby contract comes to an end during the summer of 2024.

As the 18-year-old's contract remains on course to reach its end, Derby may be left with no choice but to cash in on their academy graduate, despite the fact that those within the club believe he could go right to the very top.

Derby should fight to keep "great" Robinson

Derby would be wise in keeping one of their best young talents in Robinson. It will be difficult to convince the midfielder amid interest from both the Championship and Premier League, but perhaps now is the time to hand the teenager more minutes in the first-team. As things stand, Robinson has made just one appearance for Warne's side this season, which came in a 4-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers' U21s. The last thing those at Pride Park will want is to regret failing to agree a new contract with a player they reportedly consider to have the potential to become a superstar.

It comes as little shock that Robinson has already earned plenty of praise during his career, including from the head of youth at former club Dungannon, Dixie Robinson, who said, via Derby County News: "Darren has been excellent ever since he has came in. He got the chance to go over to Fleetwood in the winter and he asked could he train with the first team due to COVID restrictions and to be fair to him he has trained so well he has stayed with the first team since.

"Robbo has also been over at Stoke and most recently Derby where he has decided to sign for on a three year deal. Darren has a great attitude, works tremendously hard, technically very good and he gets about the pitch and I’ve no doubt, with the mindset that he has, I think he will go a long way in the game."