‘They could have definitely done with another centre-back.’

He’s not overly impressed…

He was a tough time at Old Trafford last time out.

This year’s star-studded line up on Channel 4 is shaping up to be a cracker!

Troy Deeney has major doubts about Arsenal summer signing Viktor Gyokeres and believes he could even lose his place in the team.

Arsenal fans have high hopes for Gyokeres following his £64m move from Portuguese champions Sporting.

Gyokeres enjoyed two sensational seasons at Sporting, scoring 97 goals in 102 appearances, and will hope for more success at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta has been desperate for a new striker for well over a year and decided to sign Gyokeres over the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins.

But Deeney is ‘not convinced’ Gyokeres will succeed at Arsenal and says he could even lost his place in the side to Kai Havertz.

Havertz led the line for Arsenal for much of last season before suffering an injury. Back fit, the former Chelsea star scored in the final pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao along with Gyokeres.

‘I am not convinced Viktor Gyokeres will score as many goals for Arsenal as people think,’ Deeney wrote in a column for The Sun.

‘My frustration is always that these guys are instantly put on a pedestal. People don’t realise the difference between playing in Portugal and playing for Arsenal or Manchester United or Liverpool.

‘Gyokeres’ numbers are fantastic. You can never deny the goals he scored in Portugal – it’s up there with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi levels.

‘But he had a lot of chances because Sporting dominated the ball. And then when Ruben Amorim left for Man United last November, he wasn’t as prolific.

‘In Arsenal’s pre-season games, he missed a few chances and there is the feeling that the shirt is a bit heavier to wear than at Sporting.

‘Gyokeres will score goals and is a really good player. He will grab a couple of hat-tricks against the lesser teams like Leeds or Wolves. But in the big moments, does he score at Anfield? I’m not sure.

‘And the fact that they took so long to get Gyokeres over the line, the fact they also flirted with Benjamin Sesko, that has set off alarm bells for me.

‘The good thing is that Arsenal have depth now. I reckon Kai Havertz will play a lot of football this season. Mikel Arteta loves him – he’s his type of player to lead the line. Is that Gyokeres? I’m not sure.

‘And if Havertz goes on a run then Gyokeres doesn’t get back in. I could see that scenario.’

Gyokeres looks set to make his competitive Arsenal debut on Sunday when the Gunners face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

United also worked hard to bring in a new goalscorer this summer, signing Slovenia international Sesko from RB Leipzig.

Deeney says Sesko ‘fits the bill’ for a Manchester United side desperately looking to improve after a 15th-place finish last season.

‘I really like Sesko’s move to United, and I wouldn’t bet against him starting at Old Trafford against Arsenal, even if it is just for an hour,’ Deeney added.

‘He has come from the Red Bull model of wild counter-pressing and intensity. That may not have suited Arteta’s structure but with what United are trying to be, he fits the bill.’

Sesko could start against Arsenal along with fellow Manchester United summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

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‘I’m still seriously worried about him.’

‘I’m still seriously worried about him.’

This year’s star-studded line up is shaping up to be a cracker!

This year’s star-studded line up is shaping up to be a cracker!

After winning the Club World Cup, can Enzo Maresca guide Chelsea to Premier League glory (Photo: Getty)

Chelsea should be competing for the Premier League title next season and are only ‘two or three signings’ away from winning…

‘He’s obviously an exceptional football player.’

Ex-Premier League striker Troy Deeney (Picture: Getty)

Troy Deeney has told Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes to ‘smash’ Alejandro Garnacho in training after he posed in another club’s shirt.

Garnacho is expected…

A left-field shout from the ex-Watford captain…

‘I thought Old Trafford was a perfect fit.’

Troy Deeney believes that one major piece of summer business could put Liverpool in a position to win the Premier League ‘for the next five years’.

The Reds wrapped up the Premier League title in convincing fashion on Sunday with a 5-1 win over Tottenham in front of their home fans at Anfield.

It marks a remarkable achievement for Arne Slot, who has guided the club to their record-equalling 20th English league title in his first season on Merseyside.

While Arsenal and defending champions Manchester City have fallen by the wayside, Liverpool have remained superbly consistent and lost just twice in the league all season.

And while Slot’s side now have four games remaining of the season to soak in their achievement, behind the scenes, preparations will surely be underway for next season as they look to go again and defend their crown.

In that regard, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s contract extensions represent excellent early business, but the Reds may have to be prepared for the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold as a move to Real Madrid beckons.

But Liverpool will also look to strengthen further in key positions to provide Slot with a squad that is truly capable of competing on all fronts next term.

Darwin Nunez has never truly caught fire and looks destined to leave Anfield this summer, and both Ally McCoist and Troy Deeney are certain that a new striker is exactly what Liverpool should target in the summer window.

‘I look at Liverpool just now and they probably – not as much as Arsenal – could still do with an out-and-out No.9,’ McCoist said on talkSPORT.

‘Liverpool fans may be saying, ‘what a ridiculous thing to say, we’ve got goals all over the pitch’ and they have.

‘(Luis) Diaz has been brilliant, Salah has been out of this world and they’ve got midfielders chipping in, but maybe still a goalscoring centre forward [would help].

‘I don’t see it happening but say if Harry Kane won the Bundesliga, which he will do, and then fancied coming back to England – that would be a dream move for him.’

Deeney, meanwhile, thinks the Reds should move heaven and earth to try and complete an audacious move for Alexander Isak, who is expected to command interest from a host of top European clubs this summer despite Newcastle’s mammoth asking price for the Swede.

And the former Watford striker is confident that the rest of the league would be left behind if Liverpool were able to get a deal over the line.

‘They’re linked with Isak as well. If they were to get that, just give them the title for the next five years if they get that fella,’ he said.

Deeney pinpoints three further areas to strengthen

While Isak would be the jewel in the crown for Liverpool’s potential summer business, Deeney thinks the Merseyside club could still do with strengthening in three further areas over the summer.

‘I can see them looking at a left-back,’ he added. ‘Robertson has been fantastic but unfortunately, there comes a time when you get moved, it’s just part and parcel of football.

‘Probably another centre half because if one of the guys goes down, they are light in that situation.

‘And I still think they need an extra body in midfield. They haven’t been lucky but nobody in that midfield three has been injured for a sustained period of time and if that was to happen then they are a little bit light after that.’

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‘He will have to have an unbelievable pre-season to stay.’

‘He’d instantly make them better.’