Statistically, the ICT index score of the best performing players in the English Premier League so far this season!

The ICT Index (Influence, Creativity, Threat) is a new feature for the 2016/17 Premier League campaign.

A football statistical index, it has been developed specifically to give a verdict on a player as a Football Premier League asset.

It condenses more than 40 match event statistics for three key areas – Influence, Creativity and Threat, to generate the data into a single score.

This score is what is known as an individual’s ICT Index score, and via this data is able to offer an accurate summary on player performance.


Season 2016/17 - Last update: 21/02/17 at 9.30am


For those of you currently playing 'Fantasy Premier League Football' you may want to take note!


Goalkeepers:

1. Tom Heaton (Burnley) 74.0 ICT Index 
2. Ben Foster (West Brom) 60.7 (pictured right)
3. Heurelho Gomes (Watford) 53.3
4. Petr Cech (Arsenal) 52.0
5. Jordan Pickford (Sunderland) 51.9
6. Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea) 50.3
7. Víctor Valdés (Middlesbrough) 48.8
8. Artur Boruc (Bournemouth) 48.2
9. Lee Grant (Stoke City) 45.7
10. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) 43.8


Defenders:

1. Patrick van Aanholt (C. Palace) 123.3 ICT Index
2. Kyle Walker (Tottenham) 116.0
3. Michael Keane (Burnley) 111.7
4. Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool) 110.7
4. Antonio Valencia (Man Utd) 110.7
6. Steve Cook (Bournemouth) 108.4
7. Séamus Coleman (Everton) 103.9
8. Charlie Daniels (Bournemouth) 103.8
9. Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) 103.3
10. Gareth McAuley (West Brom) 102.5


Midfielders:

1. Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) 333.0 ICT Index
2. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) 250.0
3. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) 239.2
4. Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) 229.4
5. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea) 216.2 (pictured right)
6. Eden Hazard (Chelsea) 215.6
7. Sadio Mané (Liverpool) 209.7
8. Paul Pogba (Man Utd) 206.7
9. Mesut Özil (Arsenal) 205.4
10. Michail AntonioTheo (West Ham) 192.4


Forwards:

1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Man Utd) 291.6 ICT Index
2. Diego Costa (Chelsea) 241.0
3. Romelu Lukaku (Everton) 219.0 (pictured right)
4. Harry Kane (Tottenham) 183.1
5. Sergio Agüero (Man City) 178.7.
6. Christian Benteke (C. Palace) 171.8
7. Jermain Defoe (Sunderland) 165.2
8. Salomón Rondón (West Brom) 161.1
9. Troy Deeney (Watford) 152.4
10. Fernando Llorente (Swansea) 145.8



1. Influence

Influence is the first measurement. This evaluates the degree to which that player has made an impact on a single match or throughout the season.

It takes into account events and actions that could directly or indirectly effect the outcome of the fixture.

At the top level these are decisive actions like goals and assists. But the Influence score also processes significant defensive actions to analyse the effectiveness of defenders and goalkeepers.

2. Creativity

Creativity assesses player performance in terms of producing goalscoring opportunities for others. It can be used as a guide to identify the players most likely to supply assists.

While this analyses frequency of passing and crossing, it also considers pitch location and quality of the final ball.

3. Threat

This is the third measure, producing a value that examines a player's threat on goal. It gauges individuals most likely to score goals.

While attempts are the key action, the Index looks at pitch location, giving greater weight to actions that are regarded as the best chances to score.

All three of these scores are combined to create an overall ICT Index score. That then offers a single figure that presents a view on that player as a Football Premier League asset.

All the very latest football news and gossip across Europe!

With the January transfer window opening in just two weeks time, many clubs across Europe will being doing their best to strengthen their squads, in an effort to lead them to glorious victory or save them from glorious failure, come the end of the season!

Here is a round up of all the latest football news/gossip across Europe today, which includes the likes of: Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, Louis van Gaal, Bayern Munich, West Ham, Marseille, Leonardo Bonucci, Morgan Schneiderlin, Mathieu Flamini, Santos, Inter, Juventus and Slaven Bilic to name but a few!


Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ready to extend his stay at Manchester United and snub a £120m offer from China - The Sun

Bayern Munich have beaten Chelsea to the signing of Hoffenheim centre-back Niklas Sule, according to Bild. The 21-year-old defender was set to be the subject of a January move from the Premier League leaders, who were reportedly willing to bid £30m.
However Chelsea’s pursuit of Sule is at an end after Bayern agreed an undisclosed fee with Hoffenheim for the defender - Bild (German tabloid newspaper)

Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre has revealed that the club are looking to tie up Lionel Messi’s new contract in the first few months of 2017. Messi’s current deal is set to enter its final 18 months and the Camp Nou giants are keen to ensure he stays at the club beyond the summer of 2018 - Movistar (Spanish communications operator)

Juventus are still 'dreaming' of signing Alexis Sanchez and will reportedly bid for the unsettled Arsenal forward next summer - The Sun

Arsenal are planning to break the £200,000-a-week barrier at the club to keep striker Alexis Sanchez - Daily Mail

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, 29, is in talks with Ligue 1 side Marseille, after being frozen out by Antonio Conte - Daily Mirror

Axel Witsel has reportedly rejected an SOS call from Chelsea boss Antonio Conte as he prepares to join Juventus. The Belgian midfielder’s contract at Zenit St-Petersburg expires at the end of the season, with a 2017 move to Italian champions Juventus already agreed.

Inter Milan are one of a number of clubs interested in Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 27, who has played just eight times for Jose Mourinho's side this season - Calciomercato (Italian football news site)

Everton have issued a 'come and get him' invitation to try to unload England midfielder Ross Barkley - Daily Express

Crystal Palace could release midfielder Mathieu Flamini, 32, in January. He has been given permission to return to Marseille - Daily Mirror

John Terry is at the centre of a £16million tug of war between two Chinese Super League Clubs with managers who have Chelsea connections. Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai Shenhua both interested in signing the defender - Daily Express

Reported Chelsea target Leonardo Bonucci has signed a new five-year contract with Serie A champions Juventus. Should the Premier League leaders decide to pursue a winter deal for Bonucci, a much greater fee will be demanded, after he signed improved terms that tie him to 'La Vecchia Signora' until 2021.

Tottenham have bid £19m for Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie, 20, with Chelsea and Manchester United also interested - Calciomercato (Italian football news site)

Manchester United will reportedly make a move to sign Feyenoord defender Rick Karsdorp in January - Daily Star

Saido Berahino, the out-of-favour West Brom striker has reportedly alerted clubs in Italy, with reports claiming Roma are keen on signing the former England U21 international. The 23-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, has been frozen out of Tony Pulis’ first team at The Hawthorns and has also attracted interest from Inter Milan - skysports.com

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has cancelled the club's Christmas party despite winning seven points in a week - Daily Telegraph and Daily Mirror

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has admitted results have not been good enough in 2016 and is determined to ensure the Eagles enjoy a more productive new year - The Times

Liverpool are interested in 19-year-old Santos striker Thiago Maia - ESPN (in Portuguese)

West Ham and Southampton are targeting 26 year-old Eibar midfielder Dani Garcia - Marca (Spanish national daily sport newspaper)

Fulham could beat Birmingham City to the permanent signing of £1m-rated Burnley striker Lukas Jutkiewicz, due to the recent managerial change at City - Daily Mirror.

Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez, 25, says he may leave the club in January as he searches for more playing time - skysports.com and Daily Star

Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is in the frame to become the new manager at Paris St-Germain - TF1 (Private national French TV channel)

Wolfsburg have dropped defender Philipp Wollscheid for reportedly criticising a member of the club's coaching staff. The 27-year-old Germany international, who is currently on loan from Stoke, was excluded from the squad for Saturday's 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. "He's currently training individually, It's one of those things that happens" said coach Valerien Ismael - Wolfsburg Nachrichten newspaper

Celtic and Rangers could miss out on Barnsley captain Conor Hourihane - who is out of contract in the summer - after the Tykes offered him a new deal to stay at Oakwell - Daily Record

Former Everton striker Lacina Traore is a target for Malaga, according to his agent. The 26-year-old is currently on loan at CSKA Moscow from his parent club Monaco but he could be on the move again next month - Tass (Russian news agency)

Ipswich are interested in Dundalk defender Sean Gannon in the wake of the Irish side's impressive performances in the Europa League.

All the Latest Transfer Gossip across Europe!

Here is a round up of all of today’s latest transfer gossip across Europe:

Is your club involved?

Arsenal, Real Madrid, Southampton, Internacional, Spurs, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Fiorentina, Verona, AC Milan, Napoli, Seville FC, Corinthians, Zenit St Petersburg, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Lazio, Roma, Paris St Germain, Besiktas, Crystal Palace, FK Haugesund, SC Freiburg, Liverpool, Lokomotiv Moscow, Norwich, Blackburn, QPR, FC Kuban Krasnodar, Arsenal, Eintracht Frankfurt, West Ham, Cardiff City, West Brom, Malaga, Hull City, Burnley, Wigan, Bursaspor, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle, FC Utrecht Nottingham Forest Blackpool and MK Dons............are all caught up in the latest transfer news/rumours across Europe, as we speak.

Arsenal are finalising negotiations with Real Madrid for the £22m signing of Gonzalo Higuain, who will become the club's record signing and highest paid player - Daily Telegraph, Daily Express and The Mirror

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed his interest in Leandro Damião of Internacional. The 23-year-old Brazil striker has also been linked with Tottenham - Daily Mail

Real Madrid central defender Pepe (right), 30, is understood to be top of new Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini's list of transfer targets - The Independent

Fiorentina have signed former Italy midfielder Massimo Ambrosini to a one-year deal following his release by AC Milan - sportinglife.com

Former Italy striker Luca Toni has penned a one-year deal with Serie A new-boys Verona. The 36-year-old spent last season at Fiorentina, where he netted eight goals in 27 games - skysports.com and sportinglife.com

Tottenham could reportedly announce the arrival of Brazil star Paulinho today in a reported £17m deal from Corinthians, if he successfully completes a medical - skysports.com and sportsmole.co.uk

Manchester City are ready to listen to offers for Brazilian right-back Maicon. The 31-year-old is behind Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards in the Etihad pecking order - Daily Mail

Atletico Madrid have been are strongly linked with a move for Manchester City and Bosnian international striker Edin Dzeko (27). The player is a target for Napoli as well - transfermarketweb.com

Manchester City are reportedly close to a £23m deal with Seville FC for Spanish international striker Alvaro Negredo (right) - transfermarketweb.com and sportsmole.co.uk

Chelsea and and Tottenham are continuing to monitor Brazil international Hulk, 29, after the Zenit St Petersburg forward confirmed he is aware of the interest from both clubs - Daily Express

European champions Bayern Munich have brushed off speculation linking them with a move for Chelsea's David Luiz - skysports.com

Lazio president Claudio Lotito has rejected reports linking Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain with a move for Brazilian midfielder Hernanes - skysports.com and sportsmole.co.uk

Turkish side Besiktas say they are hopeful of signing Emmanuel Adebayor, 29, after lodging an official bid for the Spurs striker - Metro

Roma and Bosnia and Herzegovina international midfielder Miralem Pjanic (right) has attracted interest from Tottenham - sportsmole.co.uk

Former England striker Carlton Cole, 29, who has been released by West Ham, is understood to have held talks with newly promoted Premier League side Crystal Palace - Croydon Advertiser

Palace are also in talks to sign defender Umaru Bangura, 25, from Norwegian club FK Haugesund - The Sun

SC Freiburg have signed French Under-21 international midfielder Francis Coquelin (22) from Arsenal on loan - transfermarketweb.com

Blackburn Rovers striker Jordan Rhodes insists that he will remain at the Championship club, despite interest from the Premier League - skysports.com and sportsmole.co.uk

Blackburn have completed the signing of striker DJ Campbell. Campbell has signed a two-year-deal at Ewood Park after he was released by QPR - Daily Star and sportsmole.co.uk

Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing is set to be the next player to leave Anfield, with Blackburn interested in the 24 year-old - Liverpool Echo

Norwich have offered £6m for Lokomotiv Moscow and Senegal striker Dame N'Doye - The Mirror.

Djibril Cisse has signed a one-year deal with Russians FC Kuban Krasnodar. - skysports.com

Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner's £3m move to Eintracht Frankfurt is off after he refused to take a pay cut on his £50,000 per week wages - The Sun

West Ham and Cardiff City are both in the hunt to sign 31-year-old forward Javier Saviola (right), who is available on a free transfer after his contract at Malaga expired.

Nicolas Anelka plans to end his career at West Brom after signing a one-year deal at the Hawthorns with the option of a second year - sportinglife.com

Hull City have made a final "take it or leave it" £4m offer to Burnley for their 24-year-old striker Charlie Austin - Hull Daily Mail

Wigan are poised to sign former West Brom striker Marc-Antoine Fortune. Fortune, 32, is available on a free transfer after seeing out his contract at the Hawthorns earlier this summer - skysports.com and The Chronicle

Wigan have signed keeper Scott Carson from Bursaspor - The Sun

Newcastle United transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed for Borussia Dortmund - The Chronicle

Nottingham Forest have lodged a bid for FC Utrecht's 29 year-old Zambian international striker Jacob Mulenga - skysports.com and sportsmole.co.uk

Gary MacKenzie has completed his permanent transfer to Blackpool from MK Dons for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old defender, has signed a two-year deal with an option for a further year - skysports.com and sportsmole.co.uk

All the Latest Transfer Gossip across Europe!

Here is a round up of all of today’s latest transfer gossip across Europe:

Is your club involved?

Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Napoli, Juventus, Sevilla, Roma, Benfica, Arsenal, Hamburg SV, Bayern Munich, Norwich, Swansea, Espanyol, Hull, Sporting Lisbon, Sunderland, Spurs, Velez Sarsfield, West Brom, Crystal Palace, Peterborough Utd, Vitesse Arnhem, Liverpool, Everton, Spartak Moscow, Marseille, Lille, Stoke, Newcastle, St Etienne, Lyon, Toulouse, PSV Eindhoven, QPR, Watford, Valencia, Millwall, Leeds, Bristol City, Nottingham Forest, Wigan Athletic,Blackpool, Celtic, Colchester Utd, Schalke 04, Mainz and Sheffield Wednesday ..........are all caught up in the latest transfer news/rumours across Europe, as we speak.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will switch his sights back to Borussia Dortmund's 24-year-old striker Robert Lewandowski if he is unable to sign Napoli striker Edinson Cavani - Daily Mirror, transfermarketweb.com and footballgossip.org.uk

Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, 27 (right), tops the list of targets for Manchester City as they look to replace Carlos Tevez. Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo, Roma's Pablo Osvaldo and Benfica's Oscar Cardozo are also in contention - The Independent

Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov, 27, has hinted he would be happy to follow striker Carlos Tevez in taking a pay cut and moving to Juventus - The Guardian

Arsenal's hopes of signing Swansea City defender Ashley Williams, 28, are fading as the Welsh club are refusing to lower their £10m asking price - The Times and Daily Mail

Marseille are closing on a £12million deal for Arsenal’s 26 year-old striker Gervinho - skysports.com

Arsenal defender Johan Djourou is close to completing a move to Hamburg SV on a season-long loan - BILD (German tabloid) and sportsmole.co.uk

Franck Ribery has agreed terms on a new four-year Bayern Munich contract, which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2017 - sportsmole.com

Chelsea have seen a £5millon bid for Norwich City keeper John Ruddy rejected by the Canaries - The Sun and footballgossip.org.uk

Hull have signed Ahmed Elmohamady (right) on a permanent deal from Sunderland. The 25 year-old Egypt international, has signed a three-year contract after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee - skysports.com, transfermarketweb.com and sportsmole.co.uk

Liverpool remain in negotiations for Sporting Lisbon defender Tiago Ilori - Liverpool Echo

Everton are closing in on a £6million deal for Spartak Moscow's Aiden McGeady - Liverpool Echo

Manchester City's Gareth Barry or Liverpool's Stewart Downing will not be returning to Aston Villa during the summer - Birmingham Mail and sportsmole.com

Sunderland are close to signing Argentina right-back Gino Peruzzi, 21, who shot to prominence with Velez Sarsfield after he kept Neymar quiet over both legs of a Copa Libertadores tie - Daily Mirror, Daily Mail and www.rokerreport.com

Sunderland are in talks with Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone about a long-term move to the Stadium of Light - Sunderland Echo

Sunderland and Arsenal have agreed a fee for goalkeeper Vito Mannone. The player is expected to arrive on Wearside early next week - skysports.com

West Bromwich Albion are interested in Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair, 24, with the former Swansea player hoping to go out on loan - The Sun and transfermarketweb.com

Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace have agreed a fee to sign 22 year-old Peterborough United striker Dwight Gayle (right) - talkSPORT, skysports.com and Peterborough Telegraph

Swansea City are hopeful they will complete the signing of Wilfried Bony from , despite the Dutch club's denial that a deal has been agreed for the 24-year-old Ivory Coast striker - The Guardian

Espanyol's 24 year-old centre-back Jordi Amat has signed a four-year deal with Swansea City - transfermarketweb.com

Liverpool's Jonjo Shelvey could be on the move with Swansea and Norwich are poised to bid - Liverpool Echo

Marseille have confirmed the signing of Lille forward Dimitri Payet, 26, subject to a medical - sportinglife.com and skysports.com

Stoke City are reportedly the favourites to sign former Fulham player Chris Baird, who was released by the club at the end of the season - sportsmole.co.uk

Stoke City are closing on PSV Eindhoven defender Erik Pieters - Daily Express

Arsenal are pursuing Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier and Toulouse right-back Serge Aurier - Daily Express

Newcastle United could be poised to make a £15.2m offer for St Etienne's 24-year-old striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (right) - Daily Mirror, Newcastle Chronicle and sportinglife.com

Roma are stepping up their pursuit of QPR keeper Julio Cesar - The Sun

Watford's out-of-contract keeper Manuel Almunia is wanted by Spanish side Valencia - Daily Star

Millwall are closing in on a deal to bring 29 year-old Steve Morison back to the club on loan from Leeds United - skysports.com

Millwall and Bristol City are eyeing moves for free agent Marlon Harewood. Harewood is available on a free transfer after leaving Barnsley at the end of last season - skysports.com

Nottingham Forest striker Marcus Tudgay is hoping to make a decision over his future in the next 24 hours. Tudgay, who sees his current deal expire later this month, has been offered a new contract at the City Ground and he has offers from three other Championship clubs on the table - skysports.com

Mike Pollitt agrees to a new one-year deal with Wigan Athletic transfermarketweb.com and sportsmole.com

Wigan boss Owen Coyle expects to sign Celtic Norwegian centre-half Thomas Rogne today - skysports.com

Blackpool defender Stephen Crainey is having a medical today at Wigan - skysports.com and sportinglife.com

Colchester United have completed the signing of former Arsenal striker Sanchez Watt on a free transfer - skysports.com and sportsmole.co.uk

Wovles manager Kenny Jackett is closing in on a £1 million move for Crewe midfielder Luke Murphy - sportinglife.com and skysports.com

Schalke 04 have complete the signing of Adam Szalai from Mainz on a four-year deal - sportsmole.co.uk

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Giles Coke has signed a new two-year contract with the club - sportinglife.com

You can’t buy experience! - Why ‘Super Kev’ can shoot Crystal Palace to the promise land!

Kevin Mark Phillips, may be diminutive in height but he has a presence and aura that is both dynamic and effective, and Ian Holloway’s capture of ‘Super Kev’ on a transfer deadline day loan to Crystal Palace may be pivotal in ‘The Eagles’ attempt to successfully secure promotion to the Premier League this season.

Kevin Phillips comes off the bench to equalize for Crystal Palace at Watford last week

As numerous names and potential Palace targets such as George Boyd, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Albert Adomah and DJ Campbell were banded about during the hectic January transfer window, many Palace fans were bemoaning the fact that Kevin Phillips was even in the frame!
There were still a lot of furrowed brows when he signed for the South London Club on loan until the end of the current season. Phillips was seen by many as a footballing veteran at 39 years young, with over 450 senior starts spread over a career spanning nearly 20 years. Numerous fans questioned the signing of Phillips and the ambition of the club, in what many saw as a gamble on a player who was surely over the hill!

On his move to Palace Phillips was the ‘ultimate pro’ saying exactly what the Club and fans alike wanted to hear: "Every time I pull on a Palace shirt or a training kit I will give 100 per cent and I thoroughly look forward to it. Palace are an exciting team, I enjoyed working under Ian Holloway at Blackpool and I really look forward to working with him from now until the end of the season."

Since joining Palace, Phillips had made two substitute appearances and on both occasions he has been instrumental in a change in fortune on the pitch. Less than two weeks ago the Crystal Palace team trudged off the Selhurst Park pitch at half-time looking crestfallen, after a woeful first-half performance against London rivals Charlton. The visitors had dominated the first 45 minutes and deservedly led at the break. Palace were lacklustre and void of ideas. Holloway took immediate action and the former England striker was handed his debut as a half-time substitute.

Murray and Phillips (right) celebrate!

This change in personnel clearly had the desired affect as Phillips helped spark a dramatic turnaround. Two goals from the Championship’s top scorer Glenn Murray secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for Palace, with Phillip’s orchestrating a calm, creative and significant influence on the game.

The Palace manager was naturally delighted by Phillip’s debut and the social message boards were awash with praise for the Hitchin born striker. Sentences containing adjectives such as classy, sublime, nippy, polished and impressive were used to describe the impact Phillips had on the match. As a result many fans were forced to eat at least a little piece of humble pie.

A week later and he was at it again, as Palace rescued a point at high flying Watford, despite going into the break two goals down.

Phillips’ introduction at Vicarage Road 10 minutes after half-time culminated in a non-stop second-half onslaught by a rejuvenated Palace team with Phillips and teenage sensation Jonny Williams playing a father and son age defining double act, culminating in Palace coming away with a well deserved point. Phillips firstly providing a good foil for fellow striker Murray, and secondly getting the all important equalizing goal, as he made a wonderfully timed run into the penalty box to expertly dispatch Jazz Richards’ low cross at the far post - his 243rd career league goal!

I don’t think the first 80 minutes of football played by Phillips in the red and blue shirt should be underestimated, as his introduction on both occasions has been quite simply ‘game changing.’ Most players take a while to settle in at a new club, but not ‘Super Kev.’ He signs for Palace, moves down to the South of England, meets up with his old manager, his new team-mates, has a training session or two, and on match day he puts in a couple of performances that make him look like he has been at the club since the year dot!

Not only is a Phillips a class act on match day, but I am sure his experience and knowledge will rub off on the youth in a Palace squad with some outstanding young talent at its disposal.

Throughout his professional career Kevin Phillips has averaged nearly a goal every other club game and commanded transfer fees with a cumulative total in excess of £5million. Palace are his eighth club since he turned professional in December 1994, and he represented England on eight occasions making his debut against Malta in Ta’Qali in June 2000 under the stewardship of Kevin Keegan, before bowing out of the England set-up, against Holland in the Amsterdam Arena in February 2002 under Sven-Göran Eriksson.

In 1999-2000 Phillips was the Premier League Player of the Season, the Premier League top scorer with 30 goals for Sunderland, a tally which won him both the Premiership Golden Boot and the European Golden Boot. He remains the only Englishman to win the European Golden Boot.

Phillips was a Football League Championship winner and the Football League Championship Player of the Year with West Brom in 2007-08, and a Football League Cup winner with Birmingham City in 2011.

Last season at the tender age of 38, Phillips helped Blackpool reach the Championship play-off final at Wembley, and finished as the club’s leading scorer with 16 Championship goals in 41 appearances.

When speaking on his arrival at Palace, Phillips was visibly grateful to Ian Holloway for bringing him to the club and giving him one final hurrah. He said: "I don't want to let him down (Ian Holloway). He's brought me here and I want to repay the faith he has shown in me".............and believe me, he has already started to repay the belief Holloway showed in him!

Could Mr P be the transfer coup of the season for Crystal Palace? That one individual that brings a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the table every day he is at the Club, whether it be on the training ground, in team meetings or on match day?

Time will tell, but for now it looks like a very shrewd bit of business on the part of Ian Holloway and the owners of Crystal Palace Football Club.

You cannot buy experience, so Mr Kevin Phillips welcome aboard the Crystal Palace rollercoaster! It’s never dull, so hold on tight and enjoy the ride!

# Photos courtesy of the BBC and The Sun Newspaper Group.

All The Latest Transfer Gossip

Finally the domestic football season across Europe is over, but already the race is well and truly on as clubs go in search of new players for next season. Clubs have not got a lot of time to bed any new signings into their squads with pre-season friendlies beginning in about six weeks time, and also some clubs (inc. British teams) having important UEFA Europa League qualifying round matches to negotiate, with the first round of games beginning on the 30th June.

For Fulham their first game in the competition will be on 15th July, for Stoke City and Hearts the 28th July, and for Tottenham, Birmingham, and Celtic the tournament begins for them on the 18th August. It's not just British clubs who have an early start to their season in Europe - there are some famous European sides also playing in the qualifying stages of this seasons Europa League competition, including Atlético Madrid, Red Star Belgrade, AZ Alkmaar, Roma, Schalke, Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven and Lazio to name but a few!

Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Wolves, Sunderland, QPR, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Valencia, Newcastle, Swansea, West Brom, Everton, Norwich, Trabzonspor, Lazio, Wigan, Blackburn, Bursaspor, Norwich, Blackpool, Watford and Brighton...........are all currently caught up in transfer gossip.

Is your club involved?

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole looks set to be reunited with Harry Redknapp, after Tottenham agreed a £3m transfer fee to sign the 29-year-old - Metro

According to inside sources and despite winning the Serie A title with AC Milan just a few weeks ago, Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not feel entirely settled at the club and is pondering on his near future.
Rumours that the Swede could leave this summer are mounting, even though there is nothing official in that regard yet. However, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo is reporting that Ibrahimovic is tempted to join Real Madrid and reunite with the coach he admires the most, Jose Mourinho - footballpress.net

If Zlatan Ibrahimovic is sold this summer, AC Milan will try to sign Mario Balotelli (right) from Manchester City by August - footballpress.net

Wolves have agreed to sign Jamie O'Hara from Tottenham for £5m. The mdifelder, 24, spent the latter half of last season on loan at Molineux - goal.com
However the Press Association have come out and said that reports that the deal has already been done are "premature".

Liverpool have made a new £18.5m bid for Sunderland's 20-year-old midfielder Jordan Henderson, £5m more than last week's opening offer - Daily Mirror

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been told he will need to find in excess of £20m to sign Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric - The Sun

Ashley Young, 25, wants to quit Aston Villa for Champions League football, and Manchester United are favourites to sign the £20m-rated forward - The Sun

Villa, in the meantime, have been making discreet enquiries about Real Madrid's out-of-favour mdifielder Fernando Gago, 25, (right) - Insidefutbol.com

Tottenham duo Jermaine Jenas and Robbie Keane could leave Spurs for newly promoted Queens Park Rangers. Midfielder Jenas, 28, would cost around £7m, while 30-year-old Keane is more likely to move on loan - Metro

Liverpool are reportedly readying a bid for Queens Park Rangers' Moroccan international playmaker Adel Taarabt, as Kenny Dalglish looks to bring in youthful additions to his Anfield squad this summer. Taarabat is the subject of great interest from a number of clubs both in the Premier League and from the continent - caughtoffside.com

Wigan Athletic owner Dave Whelan has given the green light to Liverpool and Sunderland to sign midfielder Charles N’Zogbia for £9million - Daily Mirror & caughtoffside.com

Arsenal and Liverpool are considering a bid for Barcelona's unwanted 20-year-old striker Bojan (right) - Daily Mail

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich remain confident they will be able to broker a fee with Manchester City for full-back Jerome Boateng's services. The 22-year-old has reportedly informed City boss Roberto Mancini of his desire to return to the Bundesliga, with Bayern eager to acquire the ex-Hamburg defender - skysports.com

Miroslav Klose is being linked with a move to Valencia after current side Bayern Munich confirmed his contract will not be extended.
A host of clubs - including Italy's Lazio, Premier League duo Everton and Norwich and Turkey's Trabzonspor are reported to have also been interested in signing Klose - skysports.com & TALKsport

Nicklas Bendtner has confirmed he will "100%" leave Arsenal this summer after growing frustrated at his lack of opportunities - Daily Mail

Watford have confirmed the club have accepted a bid of £3.5million for Danny Graham (right) from Swansea - skysports.com

Newcastle are closing in on Swansea defender Neil Taylor as they look to take advantage of a clause in his contract - football365.com

Wigan and Blackburn are interested in Bursaspor's Kenny Miller, the former Rangers and Scottish international striker - football365.com

Norwich City are on the verge of signing their second player of the summer by agreeing a deal to take Leeds United midfielder Bradley Johnson.
The 24-year-old is available on a Bosman free and will sign a three-and-a-half year contract with the Premier League new boys this week. He was also attracting interest from West Brom and Sunderland but preferred a move to the Canaries - caughtoffside.com

West Brom are stepping up their efforts to sign Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima (right) - football365.com

West Brom have begun negotiations about bringing out of contract Fulham midfielder Zoltan Gera, back to the Hawthorns. Baggies boss Roy Hodgson is also interested in Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan - caughtoffside.com

Brighton are closing in on the signing of Watford winger Will Buckley. The Championship new boys are believed to have come back with an improved offer as they look to land the 22-year-old - skysports.com