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Published Aug 7, 2026, 8:40 AM GMT+1
Tom is a football journalist with over five years of experience, specialising in Premier League reporting, feature writing and transfer analysis, with particular expertise covering Liverpool and Everton.
His work has been featured in The Non-League Paper, Crawley Observer, Sussex Express and The Redmen TV, where he produced features, news and exclusive interviews across all levels of the game.
For Football FanCast, Tom has interviewed a number of respected figures from across football, including Ally McCoist, Philippe Senderos and Chris Waddle. Elsewhere, he has covered the National League South play-off final, Formula E's London E-Prix, Crawley Town and Brighton & Hove Albion's Under-21s.
Tom's expertise lies in analysing transfer developments, explaining what they mean for clubs and supporters, and producing in-depth features on the biggest stories in football. Through years of covering Liverpool and Everton, he has developed an extensive understanding of Merseyside football, both clubs' recruitment strategies and the issues that matter most to their supporters. He has also built strong relationships across the football industry that add valuable context to his reporting and analysis.
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Aston Villa could have their replacement for Morgan Rogers in their sights after making their approach to sign Pavel Sulc from Ligue 1 side Lyon.
The Villans have already splashed the cash this summer to welcome Johan Manzambi, Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Gomes, but still have the likes of Pervis Estupinan on the way.
|
Alejandro Garnacho |
Left wing |
Chelsea |
Explosive inside forward |
Elite pace, direct dribbling and a constant threat in transition. Gives Villa a genuine one-v-one specialist capable of stretching defences. |
|
Johan Manzambi |
Attacking midfield |
Freiburg |
Creative No. 10 |
Intelligent between the lines, progressive passer and composed in tight spaces. Expected to become Villa's chief creator. |
|
João Gomes |
Central midfield |
Wolves |
Box-to-box midfielder |
Aggressive ball winner with relentless energy. Adds dynamism, pressing intensity and ball-carrying ability alongside Kamara. |
|
Pervis Estupiñán |
Left-back |
AC Milan |
Attacking full-back |
Powerful runner who provides width, overlaps consistently and delivers quality crosses while maintaining defensive intensity. |
|
Pavel Šulc? |
Attacking midfield / Right wing |
Lyon |
Goal-scoring attacking midfielder |
A technically gifted creator with excellent movement between the lines. Combines intelligent off-ball runs, progressive passing and an eye for goal, while also offering versatility across the attacking midfield and wide areas. |
In terms of replacing Rogers, Sulc is an excellent choice. The Lyon star operates as an attacking midfielder and was involved in 14 goals in Ligue 1 last season.
At 25 years old, this is a player at the peak of his powers who has been on Aston Villa's radar since their scouting mission in 2025.
REUTERS/Marko DjuricaAccording to But! Football Club in France, as relayed by Sport Witness, Aston Villa have launched an approach to sign Sulc from Lyon this summer. The Midlands side completed in-person checks in 2025 and their interest has not gone away since then.
Whilst Everton have also made contact to sign the attacking midfielder, it's the Villans who hold the advantage of scouting him in person and they could now use that to land a deal. That's not the only leg up for Unai Emery's side, either. They've also got the advantage of playing Champions League football - something that Everton cannot offer.
|
Minutes |
3,285 |
1,568 |
|
Goals |
10 |
11 |
|
Assists |
6 |
3 |
|
Take-ons per 90 |
1.15 |
0.86 |
|
Chances created per 90 |
1.29 |
1.26 |
Signing a player who was involved in just three less goals than Rogers, despite playing over 1,000 minutes less last season, is certainly not a bad idea.
If Sulc can stay fit and play a role as important as Rogers, then he has the potential to make the same impact at Villa Park, if not bigger. With Everton, Aston Villa and Leeds United chasing his signature, the Lyon man is quickly becoming one to watch.
English (US) · 
French (CA) ·