Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembele has revealed why he performs better in France than he did at Barcelona.
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Real Madrid have triggered the option to buy Joselu from Espanyol – but the Spaniard looks to be heading elsewhere regardless.
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Glasgow Rangers endured a slightly lacklustre deadline day on the transfer activity front, adding just one new player – Oscar Cortes – to the squad.
Philippe Clement had previously signed striker Fabio Silva and midfielder Mohammed Diomande before deadline day and the three new signings could all offer something different and this may give the side a boost heading into the next few months.
The Light Blues have returned from the winter break looking revitalised, winning three consecutive competitive matches, and it sets them up nicely for the clash against Livingston at Ibrox on Saturday.
We at Football FanCast predict the team that will take to the pitch, with several changes to the one that beat St. Mirren 1-0, to face the side sitting bottom of the Premiership table in another must-win clash…
GK – Jack Butland
The goalkeeper was rested for the Scottish Cup tie against Dumbarton a couple of weeks ago, with Robby McCrorie making his first start of the season.
The Englishman was restored to the starting XI for the league ties against Hibs and St Mirren, keeping clean sheets in both and his presence between the posts has been vital for the Gers this term.
RB – James Tavernier
The captain will retain his place in the starting XI as he has only missed only one match so far throughout the campaign and that was a League Cup clash against Morton in August.
With 17 goals and seven assists, the Englishman is once again setting the standard at Rangers with regard to goal contributions, and he is on track to shatter his tally of 28 goal involvements from last season.
CB – Connor Goldson
Goldson also retains his place and has been arguably the Light Blues' finest centre-back this season.
The Gers have conceded just ten league goals when the 31-year-old has been on the pitch and, alongside Butland, is key to whether or not the club go on to win more trophies during the second half of the season.
CB – John Souttar
Souttar has endured a Jekyll and Hyde opening 18 months to his spell in Glasgow. The defender missed nearly all of last season having suffered an injury on the opening day, but when he is fit, the former Hearts star is the perfect partner for Goldson.
He has started the previous three league matches and will come into the starting XI today.
LB – Ridvan Yilmaz
Much of the talk during the transfer window was on Yilmaz’s future as, at one stage, it looked as though he was set for a move away.
The Gers rejected an approach from Galatasaray for the defender on deadline day, and he now has between February and May to prove his worth to Clement.
CM – John Lundstram
The midfielder has entered into the final few months of his current contract, and he is technically able to speak to other clubs as of now.
Over the previous few months, he has turned into the Lundstram of old and is clearly relishing playing under Clement, which should suggest he will be offered an extension sooner rather than later.
CM – Nico Raskin
The former Standard Liege midfielder has not enjoyed the most productive of seasons, missing a large chunk of the season due to an ankle injury.
He has featured in all three of their matches since the domestic season resumed, however, and will surely be given another start by Clement alongside Lundstram in the heart of the midfield.
RW – Ross McCausland
Scott Wright was given a rare start against St Mirren last weekend, yet he failed to shine during the nervy 1-0 win.
The £5.6k-per-week winger made just 13 passes and lost possession 11 times during the opening 45 minutes, and he was substituted following his poor display, replaced by McCausland.
The Northern Irishman failed to really settle into the match during his second-half cameo, yet there is no doubt who Clement should choose for tomorrow's tie.
With two goals and two assists for the first team since October, the youngster has shone in patches, and against Livi, he could cement his place on the right wing with a solid performance.
AM – Todd Cantwell
Cantwell started against St Mirren but, like Wright, he was subbed off at halftime and replaced by Tom Lawrence.
He completed 100% of his passes and made two key passes, succeeded with one dribble, and made two interceptions during the first half, and he will likely be unleashed from the start tomorrow.
With Sam Lammers moving to Utrecht until the end of the season, Cantwell will face less competition for that number ten slot he has enjoyed over the previous few weeks.
This should not make him complacent, however, and if the Gers are looking to end Celtic’s spell as Scottish champions in May, the former Norwich City starlet will have to be at his very best between now and May.
LW – Rabbi Matondo
The Light Blues suffered a major blow when on-fire winger Abdallah Sima was ruled out for the foreseeable future with an injury sustained on international duty, and it required Clement to do some thinking.
Matondo is the obvious choice to replace Sima on the left, yet Dujon Sterling was unleashed there last week in an experiment that did not quite work out as planned.
The Welsh dynamo has registered six goal contributions this term so far and when in the mood, can cause damage to any opposition defence.
Either side of Aston Villa's promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, they launched multiple raids on Brentford. First, they poached their manager from the Bees, appointing Dean Smith, the man who would steer them back to the top flight, in 2018.
In 2019, he reunited with Ezri Konsa at Villa Park after paying £12m for the centre-back and then, a year on, he sanctioned what was at the time a club-record £28m deal for striker Ollie Watkins.
There haven't been any major dealings between the clubs since, but Villa have showed some interest in another striker at the Gtech Community Stadium, this time Ivan Toney. It was reported last May that Toney was on Unai Emery's radar, and that the Midlands outfit were plotting a move. It didn't materialise last summer, but now pundit Stan Collymore has pleaded with the club to revisit the deal.
Speaking to CaughtOffside, Collymore told Villa to sign Toney on the basis that they need another more reliable option at the head of the team, with Jhon Duran facing multiple weeks out because of a hamstring injury.
He said: “I would love to see Aston Villa join the party. I know Toney’s preference may be to stay in London, but if he fancies a change of scenery, I would happily drive him to the Midlands myself.
"Unai Emery is one injury away from having no recognised striker. If Ollie Watkins is sidelined, that only leaves Jhon Duran, and he’s injured himself at the moment, so it’s obvious Villa needs a new forward — Toney would be a superb addition."
Toney has proven himself to be a top-class striker, having reached the 20-goal mark in the league last season. There are no signs of him struggling to get back into form after an eight-month betting ban, either – heading into Saturday's trip to Wolves, he'd scored two in three following his return.
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But just because a player is elite, it doesn't always make them the right fit for a particular team. In Watkins, Villa have one of the outstanding centre-forwards in not only England, but European football this season. In addition to his 11 goals, he's also notched a league-high ten assists, ranking second in the division for overall goal involvements.
|
Stat (per 90) |
Ollie Watkins (23/24) |
Ivan Toney 22/23 |
|---|---|---|
|
Non-penalty goals |
0.49 |
0.43 |
|
Assists |
0.44 |
0.12 |
|
Goal contributions |
0.93 |
0.73 |
|
Non-penalty xG |
0.47 |
0.5 |
Yes, signing both players would offer Emery some peerless depth, but the reality is that both of these players are far too good to accept sitting on the bench. While the Spaniard has used a 4-4-2 at times and could theoretically accommodate the duo with that shape, his typical use of Moussa Diaby alongside Watkins suggests he prefers a more withdrawn option to complement his number nine.
Jurgen Klopp is seemingly enjoying life after Liverpool as the German has been spotted watching the tennis at the Mallorca Championships.
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Alexi Lalas has delivered a brutal “you lost, again” review of Gregg Berhalter and questioned a “ridiculous” Christian Pulisic handshake snub.
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Sunderland will go into Valentine's Day hoping that love remains in the air amongst the Black Cats fanbase towards manager Michael Beale, with the once divisive figure in the Stadium of Light dug-out beginning to win fans over.
Beating Huddersfield Town away tomorrow night would see Sunderland pick up back-to-back wins and ramp up the pressure on Coventry City – who currently occupy sixth spot – to pick up a victory themselves away at Plymouth Argyle.
Beale could well be tempted to make a couple of changes for his side's midweek trip to West Yorkshire in order to field the best possible side capable of overcoming the Terriers – who have bagged seven goals in their last two contests despite their lowly Championship ranking.
Here's what the potential Sunderland XI could look like at the John Smith's Stadium tomorrow night, with new Black Cats signing Leo Hjelde at risk of dropping out in two changes…
GK – Anthony Patterson
There's no danger in Anthony Patterson dropping out of Beale's XI for the trip to Huddersfield tomorrow, the 23-year-old shot-stopper not missing a single minute of action under the former Rangers manager since he took the Black Cats post.
RB – Jenson Seelt
The first change to the side that comfortably beat Plymouth 3-1 last time out could see Hjelde drop out of the lineup, leading to a slightly reshuffled back four starting against the Terriers.
The 20-year-old – who joined from Leeds United just this January – was arguably poor even in the smooth-sailing victory against the Pilgrims, losing possession 20 times playing out from the back.
With a lack of other full-back options at Beale's disposal, Jenson Seelt could come in and play as a makeshift right-back again – the ex-PSV Eindhoven youngster competently coming in to fulfil this role previously this campaign.
Trai Hume would move over to the left flank as a result, Sunderland thankful that a number of their players are unafraid to be adaptable when needed.
CB – Daniel Ballard
Daniel Ballard's spot in the side looks to be set in stone even with this personnel switch at right-back, the imperious centre-back rock solid against Plymouth at the weekend.
Ballard winning 100% of his aerial duels allowed the Black Cats to keep the travelling Pilgrims at bay for the most part, with the 24-year-old eager to pick up a clean sheet in West Yorkshire tomorrow night.
CB – Luke O'Nien
Luke O'Nien will also be chomping at the bit to put in another dogged display against Huddersfield, potentially nullifying an improved Terriers attack that managed to put three past high-flying Southampton at the weekend.
The Black Cats captain was equally as successful in rolling his sleeves up alongside Ballard against Plymouth, winning 100% of his duels with ease.
LB – Trai Hume
Hume continues to be a dependable presence in the back four for Sunderland this season, with Beale not apprehensive to chuck the Northern Irish full-back out to the left-hand side against Huddersfield.
Amassing 103 touches of the ball at the Stadium of Light last time out, Beale will want Hume to be as lively away at Huddersfield to help his side pick up another win.
CM – Dan Neil
Operating as the lone holding midfielder in a 4-1-4-1 formation last match, Dan Neil came away from the game with flying colours for how he kept Plymouth attackers at arm's length alongside setting up his more attacking teammates.
Sunderland's confident number 24 was able to orchestrate many attacking moves from deep playing in this role, notching up two key passes in total and even helping himself to an assist for Jobe Bellingham's game-clinching strike.
RM – Patrick Roberts
Patrick Roberts will pray that he doesn't see the Sunderland treatment room for some time now after battling back from injury, the former Celtic man buzzing with his display against the visitors from Devon last time out.
Only starting 19 games this campaign, the 27-year-old right winger will hope an extended period in the first team will now come off the back of this electric 69 minutes on the Stadium of Light turf.
Assisting Pierre Ekwah's well-worked free-kick by teeing up the 22-year-old to fire home, Roberts also notched up five successfully won duels on a fantastic afternoon for the Black Cats man.
CM – Pierre Ekwah
Pierre Ekwah would also have walked off the pitch with a spring in his step after an excellent display against the Pilgrims, firing in the equalising strike on the day to set Sunderland on their way to a comfortable 3-1 victory.
Moreover, the Black Cats' number 39 was strong and firm when necessary away from his ability to thunder home a goal – winning two tackles in total to ensure the win was eventually straightforward.
CM – Jobe Bellingham
The second change Beale is likely to make is dropping Abdoullah Ba for Bellingham, a harsh call arguably considering Ba's recent upturn in form that saw him star against Stoke City late last month.
Yet, the Sunderland boss would be a fool not to reinstate Bellingham back into the XI after his all-important goal against Plymouth from off the bench.
Gliding effortlessly with the ball at his feet before striking an effort at Conor Hazard's goal that soared in, Bellingham's magical moment sent the Stadium of Light masses into raptures and sealed a brilliant three points.
Bellingham's teammate in Jack Clarke showered the 18-year-old ace with understandable praise after the game, describing the former Birmingham City teenager as "top drawer."
LM – Jack Clarke
Clarke might well have chosen to wax lyrical about Bellingham's sensational strike, but the former Tottenham Hotspur attacker's own goal in the 3-1 win was equally as special.
Twisting and turning Argyle defender Bali Mumba for fun – almost teasing the ex-Norwich City full-back at one point by looking as if he was going to pass – Clarke's sweetly struck effort clipped the post and went in to give Sunderland the 2-1 lead at the time.
Clarke will hope he can add another goal to his ever-increasing Championship tally of 14 against Huddersfield, the Black Cats whizz undroppable currently.
As Liverpool prepare to hand Jurgen Klopp the perfect farewell on the pitch, with the Carabao Cup already secured and still alive in three more competitions, FSG have already taken significant steps towards landing the German's replacement.
When Klopp announced that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, citing a lack of energy as the reason behind the decision, he sent shockwaves around the Premier League. With the Reds top of the league and competing on all fronts, it was assumed that Klopp's tenure would continue until at least the end of his current contract, which was due to expire in 2025.
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That proved not to be the case, however, and now Anfield must prepare itself for an emotional goodbye at the end of what could still be a historic season for Liverpool. The Merseyside club, having already won the Carabao Cup, are through to the FA Cup last eight after their youngsters did the job against Southampton, through to the Europa League last 16 and top of the Premier League. The fact is, the quadruple is still very much on.
The positive news has carried from the pitch to news over Klopp's replacement too. According to TeamTalk, FSG and Liverpool have offered Xabi Alonso a three-year deal to become the next Reds manager next season. The offer is, of course, yet to be accepted and Bayern Munich's interest could yet become an issue, but an offer is certainly a good start from all involved at Anfield.
With reports suggesting that FSG also want to bring back Michael Edwards to oversee their new era after Klopp, Liverpool are well-placed to kickstart their next chapter with a bang.
A man who already has the Anfield faithful onside due to his previous success as a Liverpool player, Alonso is the best option that the Reds can turn to after Klopp's departure. The Leverkusen boss has transformed his current side into potential invincibles after already breaking Bayern Munich's record unbeaten run in Germany to take Die Werkself as many as eight points clear at the top of the league.
What's more, Alonso has even received approval from Klopp, himself, who said via BBC Sport: "Xabi is doing an incredible job. How quick his team is that well tuned, for the time it's taken, he's put his proper stamp on it.
"The next generation is already there and I would say Xabi is a standout in that department. [He is a] former world-class player, from a coaching family as well, which helps a little, he was like a coach already when he was playing. The football he is playing, the teams he sets up, the transfers he did, it is absolutely exceptional."
With an offer reportedly on the table, the Spaniard certainly has an important decision to make amid a historic run towards silverware at Bayer Leverkusen.
Former Liverpool and Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy has succeeded Rob Page as the new Wales boss.
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Since the PIF takeover during the 2021/22 season, Newcastle United have found themselves chopping and changing both their playing and coaching staff on more than one occasion.
In their first transfer window, they managed to introduce a total of five new players to the club, each of whom had a major impact on their Premier League survival that term.
By far the most notable of those acquisitions was that of Bruno Guimaraes. One of the key areas in which the Magpies seemed to struggle was the middle of the park.
Hence, why, the introduction of the Brazil international not only added stability to their central areas, but allowed for more creativity to be present within the first team.
This is shown by his overall goal contributions during the 17 Premier League games which he played in. By the end of the campaign, he had involved himself with six goals, five of which he managed to bag himself.
Since then, the former Lyon man has been pivotal to the squad and, in the last season and a half, has managed to appear a total of 78 times in all competitions whilst contributing to 19 goals in total.
However, the Brazil international isn't the only one of Howe's signings who is soaring towards an elite level.
Anthony Gordon was signed by the former Bournemouth manager during the 2022/23 January transfer window for a fee in the region of £45m.
Despite having a slow start to life in Tyneside with the attacker starting just four games and only scoring one goal in the back half of the campaign, fans still stuck with the youngster despite his poor run of form.
This term, however, the former Everton man has really shown his class. He has heavily featured in the first-team squad and has played 38 games thus far. During that time, the attacker has managed to produce his most prolific senior season and involved himself with 17 goals altogether.
Ten of which came as his own, which shows how pivotal he has been to Howe's side this term. Without him, especially with their injury crisis this season, they would be much worse off.
After signing a long-term deal with the club upon his arrival, thanks to his 500% wage increase from his time at Everton, the youngster is within Newcastle's top ten highest-paid players, with his wage packet soaring from £10k-per-week at Goodison Park.
Due to the stellar form which he has shown this season, Sky Sports' Keith Downie described the winger as "electric" after replacing the injured Harvey Barnes during their clash against Sheffield United.
Despite being just 23-years-old, the attackers' current weekly figures sit at around the £60k-per-week mark, a fine rise from what he was earning in Merseyside.
|
Newcastle's highest earners |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Weekly salary |
|
#1 Bruno Guimaraes |
£160k |
|
#2 Kieran Trippier |
£120k |
|
#3 Alex Isak |
£120k |
|
#4 Matt Targett |
£100k |
|
#5 Sven Botman |
£90k |
|
#6 Joelinton |
£85k |
|
Data via Capology. |
|
This weekly sum places Gordon ahead of the likes of Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and even, star striker, Callum Wilson.
It goes without question that the winger is a stellar talent, however, especially when Wilson's nine goal involvements in just 22 games are taken into account, it feels as if the former Bournemouth striker is being severely underpaid.
Indeed, he has been prone to injuries over the course of his career, as he has missed a total of 67 games for the Magpies during his four-year tenure thus far, however, without him leading the line, they would be half the team of what they are now.
However, if Gordon can manage to keep up this level of form over the next couple of terms, his acquisition could be seen as something of a bargain in the long run. Either way, it would appear they have struck gold by luring him to St James' Park.