Barcelona are planning to send striker Vitor Roque out on loan this summer to speed up his adaptation to the rigours of La Liga.
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A “ridiculous” Harry Kane title claim from ex-Tottenham striker Gary Lineker has drawn an epic “if my nan had wheels she would be a bicycle” response.
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Leeds United could accept an offer for one of their first-team stars in January as Daniel Farke aims to continue his side's promotion push, according to a recent report.
In a lively match at Elland Road on Saturday, Leeds and Coventry City shared the spoils and took a point apiece after Crysencio Summerville's opener was ruled out by a reply from Bobby Thomas eight minutes later.
Making it two games without a victory for the Whites in the Championship, Farke's men remain third in the table with 42 points from their 22 fixtures played; however, Southampton lurk just below them on goal difference following a 4-0 victory over Blackburn at St Mary's Stadium.
In his post-match press conference, Farke didn't hide his frustration after failing to take three points against the visitors, saying:
"Disappointment and frustration. When you win a point you see positive aspects but after this game it feels like two points dropped. When you judge the game, we should have won. We did more than enough."
"I don't want to talk about the positives. Coventry put everyone who could defend on their teamsheet. They left their creative players out. It was clear that they would sit very deep. You have to be relentless until you open them. We did this with a fantastic goal. The problem is we didn't bury the game."
One flashpoint during proceedings came at the end, where Summerville refused to shake Thomas' hand at the conclusion of the game, leading to something of a brawl between the two sets of players on the field in which several key men had to intervene.
Now, one of the men involved in the scenes at full-time, Wilfried Gnonto, who restrained Summerville before getting involved in an altercation of his own, could now be allowed to depart Elland Road in the January transfer window.
According to Football Insider, Leeds United could sell Italy international Gnonto in January and use the funds to invest further in their playing squad. The former FC Zurich man has struggled for regular football under Farke and is being monitored by several clubs from the Premier League and his native Italy.
|
Wilfried Gnonto's key Championship statistics in 2023/24 (Sofascore) |
|
|
Expected assists |
1.41 |
|
Successful dribbles |
0.9 (56%) |
|
Touches |
27.4 |
|
Possession lost |
6.8 |
|
Goal conversion |
7% |
The 20-year-old is under contract at the Whites until 2027 and previously agitated for a move earlier this year and was removed from first-team activities; however, he has since returned to the fold to try and help his side's promotion push.
Labelled "special" by former coach Michael Skubala, the Verbania-born man has made 17 appearances in all competitions this term, registering one goal and a solitary assist (Gnonto statistics – Transfermarkt).
Looking ahead, cashing in on Gnonto could be a productive way of being able to bankroll new signings that could earn promotion at Leeds, making this one to watch.
Liverpool have officially confirmed the appointment of Arne Slot as the club's new manager following Jurgen Klopp's departure.
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Michael Beale picked up his second win as Sunderland manager to start 2024 off for the Black Cats in great fashion, the Championship promotion hopefuls comfortably overcoming Preston North End 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Beale's men were clinical in front of goal instead of spurning chances in this encounter, Alex Pritchard's stunning opener early on setting the pace whilst Nazariy Rusyn looked relieved scoring his first Sunderland strike at the tenth time of asking to secure the three points.
Pritchard coming back into the starting eleven was a masterstroke of a selection decision by Beale, replacing an unfit Patrick Roberts in the lineup and playing the role of a livewire throughout for his team in the win over the Lilywhites.
Although the Sunderland number 21 was put down as a winger when the teamsheet was announced, Pritchard was far more comfortable drifting into pockets of space centrally in the game and exploiting a lack of Preston shirts closing him down.
Drifting into a free part of the Stadium of Light turf allowed the experienced midfielder to open the scoring in the game, the 30-year-old midfielder almost egged on to shoot from distance by the Preston shirts failing to pick him up.
Expertly taken by Pritchard – a wonderful swerving effort tricking Freddie Woodman in the North End net – the goal was surprisingly the former Huddersfield Town's man first strike of the season.
The attacking midfielder was lively away from just this wondergoal, successful with three dribble attempts in the game – as per Sofascore – when advancing forward alongside getting stuck in when needed with three ground duels won.
This stellar individual display against Ryan Lowe's Lilywhites means he will more than likely get more first-team opportunities in the weeks to come, an infrequent starting player under the previous managerial reign of Tony Mowbray.
|
Alex Pritchard vs PNE in numbers |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes Played |
85 |
|
Touches |
55 |
|
Accurate Passes |
32/39 (82%) |
|
Crosses |
0/5 |
|
Shots on target |
2 |
|
Dribbles |
3/5 |
|
Duels Won |
3/6 |
|
Possession Lost |
16x |
|
Stats via Sofascore. |
|
One player who has been a colossus all season shone also in the 2-0 win, Pritchard's standout display stealing the headlines but Pierre Ekwah was equally important in helping the Black Cats comfortably beat the visitors from Lancashire.
Ekwah might not have had an audacious strike up his sleeve in the game, but the current Nottingham Forest transfer target was solid and dictated play from a holding position.
Amassing 71 touches in the game, the Black Cats number 39 only misplaced five passes in total with one of those accurate passes going down as an assist for Pritchard's sensational strike.
The 21-year-old showcased his defensive capabilities in the contest as well, winning six of his seven ground duels to thwart the Lilywhites venturing forward and to help his side keep a clean sheet.
It led to football journalist Andy Tomlinson of the Roker Report handing out an 8/10 rating to Ekwah in his post-match thoughts, stating that the ex-West Ham United youngster was a 'big presence' all over the pitch in the 2-0 win.
Sunderland sit pretty in sixth spot now after that assured victory on their own patch, with a mouth-watering Tyne-Wear Derby up next for Beale's Black Cats in Cup action as a New Year treat.
Tottenham Hotspur are approaching the end of the festive period with renewed optimism after a remarkable start to the 2023/24 campaign, with a five-match winless run halting a tentative claim for the Premier League title.
Nonetheless, Ange Postecoglou's injury-hit side have returned to form after a testing period, having amassed three successive victories to reclaim a spot in the top four ahead of champions Manchester City – who, albeit, have a game in hand.
Spurs could sign a "relentless" £50m star who's like a "Poch-era Dele Alli"
Ange Postecoglou would turn this Premier League star into an absolute monster.
By
Angus Sinclair
Dec 25, 2023
With the January transfer window fast approaching, Spurs have a glorious opportunity to make some signings to bolster the ranks, with Postecoglou revealing earlier in December that strengthening the central defence would be the first port of call.
But the Australian has a vision, and with the attacking ranks also in need of attention, the 2024 summer transfer window could be one of much movement down at N17, with recent reports linking Tottenham to an exciting bid for Federico Chiesa.
According to Italian outlet Tutto Juve – as per Sport Witness – Tottenham are making moves behind the scenes to sign Chiesa from Serie A giants Juventus, with reports last month attributing Postecoglou's side with growing interest.
While a winter transfer is unlikely, the Old Lady are resigned to his eventual sale, given their financial problems and his contract expiring in 2025, and would entertain offers of €80m (£69m), with hopes that stellar showings at next year's European Championships would encourage offers.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United have also been named as suitors in recent months, so Spurs would be wise to press for a deal swiftly and secure an exciting new addition to Postecoglou's squad.
Chiesa is an impressive, dynamic forward with an array of skills that would enhance Spurs' squad, having been called "world-class" by ex-footballer Alessandro Pierini in the past, though there are unavoidable concerns over his injury record.
In 2022, Chiesa suffered an ACL injury and missed a staggering 66 matches as he struggled to return to fitness, and while the 2022/23 campaign was indeed blighted by the problem, he did return to form at the end of the season, clinching four goal contributions across the final five games.
Described as a "wizard" by writer Roger Bennett, Chiesa has found success across a range of roles but has been utilised frequently as a sort of shadow striker this season, playing centrally and posting five goals and two assists across 13 starting appearances in the Italian top-flight.
As per Sofascore, the 44-cap Italy international has complemented his direct return by creating 1.5 key passes per game, also winning 56% of his contested duels to highlight his tenacity and defensive application.
Silky and inventive, Chiesa would add a dimension to Tottenham's team and continue the rise under Postecoglou's management, and while he's not the prolific centre-forward that is understood to be an area of attention for the club, his style and multi-positional effectiveness would be something worth welcoming to the fold.
|
Federico Chiesa: Most Similar PL Forwards |
||
|---|---|---|
|
# |
Player |
Club |
|
1 |
Bryan Mbeumo |
Brentford |
|
2 |
Cody Gakpo |
Liverpool |
|
3 |
Gabriel Jesus |
Arsenal |
|
*Sourced via FBref |
||
His creativity could be the perfect asset to continue the dynamism of Spurs' side, ranking among the top 12% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 12% for progressive passes, the top 2% for progressive carries, the top 8% for successful take-ons and the top 7% for tackles per 90, as per FBref.
This approach would be a brilliant tool to augment the Tottenham squad, with Chiesa's creativity potentially blending sweetly with playmaker James Maddison's in a deeper-lying role, allowing the likes of Heung-min Son and Richarlison to succeed in their goalscoring escapades.
Given that Chiesa is a capable forward on top of his natural wide role, he could be lined up as the perfect successor to Son's place in the team, though the South Korean star will certainly not be going anywhere any time soon.
Aged 31, Son has been with Tottenham since signing from Bayer Leverkusen for £22m in 2015, having amassed 391 appearances, scoring 156 goals and supplying 84 assists.
Son might appear a jovial sort but on the pitch, he is a destructive, haunting foe for the opposition, once hailed by former Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo for his "killer" instinct, something that is evidenced by his league return of 11 goals and four assists from 18 matches this season.
Compared to forwards, Son ranks among the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 11% for pass completion, the top 10% for progressive passes, the top 11% for progressive carries and the top 19% for interceptions per 90.
Indeed, the £190k-per-week machine has also created nine big chances in the Premier League this season, with only Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold and Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier tallying more at present.
Revealing his admiration for the distinguished sharpshooter, Jurgen Klopp once said: “One of the big mistakes in my life was that I didn’t sign him. Outstanding player. World-class player and one of the best strikers in the world."
While Son boasts a scoring streak to surpass the 26-year-old Chiesa's, the Juventus forward offers creativity in abundance and has demonstrated in the past his ability to get in amongst the goals himself.
Supported by the creative stars of Tottenham's side, in a free-flowing system that Postecgolou has drilled in, it really could be a match made in heaven.
In 2024, Spurs will likely move for a natural, goalscoring striker, but considering that Chiesa could be made available, his signature must be pursued to continue the rise and ensure that Tottenham have deadly options for years to come.
Son has big boots to fill, but if Chiesa can maintain fitness levels, then he boasts the skill to succeed the club legend.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he "gets the message" that Arsenal will be their closest Premier League title challengers going forward.
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp seldom gives hints regarding his side's next move on the transfer front, but the club's stealthy approach hits the mark with constancy and has facilitated years of illustrious success.
The Premier League table-toppers will be confident that a glittering end to the current campaign can be achieved, but while Liverpool have impressed, there is an internal acknowledgement that more could be done to improve.
|
Premier League Top Four |
Matches |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
Points |
GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Liverpool |
20 |
13 |
6 |
1 |
45 |
25 |
|
2. Aston Villa |
20 |
13 |
3 |
4 |
42 |
16 |
|
3. Man City |
19 |
12 |
4 |
3 |
40 |
24 |
|
4. Arsenal |
20 |
12 |
4 |
4 |
40 |
17 |
Sweeping changes were made to the midfield during the summer but there seems to be room for one more addition, with a touted summer transfer target now back on the radar, or so reports suggest.
According to Italian outlet Tutto Juve, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur hold a strong interest in signing Manu Kone from Borussia Monchengladbach this month, with Serie A side Juventus also named as suitors.
It's claimed that despite the Anfield side's decision to sign Ryan Gravenberch in the summer, interest persists in Kone, who is supposedly available for around €40m (£35m) this month.
|
Liverpool rumoured centre-mid targets for January |
Latest update |
|---|---|
|
Joshua Kimmich |
3rd January |
|
Morten Frendrup |
3rd January |
|
Federico Redondo |
3rd January |
|
Nicolo Barella |
29th December |
|
Joao Neves |
29th December |
There is a general understanding that Klopp's side need to shore up the defence but given the extensive scouting undertaken on a move for the Frenchman already, the opportunity to snap him up to complete the engine room could be too much to resist.
Once described as a "one-man army" in midfield by talent scout Jacek Kulig after a commanding display against Bayern Munich, Kone deservedly earned attention from multiple top European outfits during the summer.
As per Sofascore, the 22-year-old completed 87% of his passes across 30 appearances in the Bundesliga last year, winning 2.5 tackles and 7.4 duels per game while succeeding with 60% of his attempted dribbles.
Discussing the facets of his midfield game that have attracted Klopp's attention, journalist Antonio Mango said: "Koné does all his work in the centre of the pitch, capable of leading attacking, he’s fantastic at transitioning from defence to attack. Koné has a little bit of swagger about him but in a good way, very confident and composed in possession and accomplished when being pressed."
Defensively strong and penetrative in his ball-carrying, Kone ranks among the top 13% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and tackles and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90 (FBref).
Having also been called a player of "monstrous" potential by Kulig, Kone has struggled for fitness this term and only started seven top-flight matches as a result, but the future Les Bleus international has still completed 88% of his passes and made 5.3 recoveries each game.
Should Liverpool's technical director Jorg Schmadtke choose to continue the trend of bolstering from the German Bundesliga, Kone could be the perfect acquisition, even repeating the success of Dominik Szoboszlai.
Signed from RB Leipzig for £60m in the summer, the Hungary captain has been industrious, intelligent and inventive in the centre of the park, one of the chief reasons behind the revival after an abject 2022/23 season.
While he has only posted four goals and three assists across 26 matches, the £120k-per-week machine has been immense in his all-encompassing work, completing 88% of his passes and averaging 1.8 key passes, 1.4 tackles and 6.4 ball recoveries per game.
Liverpool put a lot of work into identifying Kone as a summer target and must seriously consider completing their midfield with his signing this month, continuing the prosperous trend of plucking rising stars from Klopp and Schmadtke's homeland.
Pep Guardiola's star men all seemed to go missing as Erik ten Hag's side pulled off a stunning win at Wembley
Manchester City's hopes of a domestic double were ruined by rivals Manchester United as the Premier League champions fell to a 2-1 defeat in the FA Cup final on Saturday. Pep Guardiola's side were not at their best, and lost their first game inside 90 minutes since December 6 as a record-breaking campaign ended on a disappointing note.
City gifted United the opening goal of a fevered contest, as Josko Gvardiol inadvertently headed the ball over his onrushing goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, and allowed Alejandro Garnacho to nip in and score. Their bitter rivals then took full advantage to add a second before half-time; a beautiful flowing move, kick-started by a cross-field pass from Marcus Rashford, was finished superbly by Kobbie Mainoo as City's defenders looked on helplessly.
City made changes at half-time, bringing on Jeremy Doku and Manuel Akanji, and also hooked Kevin De Bruyne before the hour-mark. Doku did pull a goal back with four minutes to play, cutting inside and shooting from distance; Andre Onana should have saved it, but it ended up nestled in the bottom corner.
Nevertheless, despite seven minutes of injury time, the champions could not mount a stirring comeback to force extra-time, and were left dejected on the Wembley turf as the Red Devils lifted the trophy.
GOAL rates City's players from Wembley…
Jack Grealish might not be heading to Euro 2024 with the Three Lions as Gareth Southgate issued a worrying update on the Manchester City star.
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