Tag Futebol

Tottenham Hotspur winger Bryan Gil is now expected to start in their FA Cup game on the weekend against Portsmouth, according to Alasdair Gold.

What’s the latest?

Spurs put their fight for a spot in the top four to one side this weekend as their FA Cup journey begins with a clash at home against the League One side, Pompey.

Prior to Wednesday night’s victory against Crystal Palace, this game probably would have come as a welcome break to league actin for Antonio Conte’s men.

However, their second-half efforts against the Eagles saw them clinch three big points in which Bryan Gil played a huge role after getting the nod from the Italian to start his second consecutive game in the league.

And on the back of his impressive display, Gold is now expecting Conte to give Gil another run out in the squad in hope to keep his impressive form going ahead of the north London derby:

(19:20) “He could have played the full 90 last night [Wednesday]. But I think it’s a good thing that he was actually taken off because it almost showed that Conte was kind of trying to protect him. I’m presuming he’ll play against Portsmouth as well,” said Gold on the Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham podcast.

Stepping up

Tottenham have had to deal with their fair share of injuries this season with Son Heung-min suffering a blow to the face before the World Cup break which saw him sidelined for a number of weeks.

And for the second separate time this season, Conte finds himself without either Dejan Kulusevski or Richarlison to pick from with the two forwards also missing through respective injuries.

However, fears over filling the goals and assists left behind by the duo may have been put to rest on Wednesday night following the impressive display from Gil which saw Conte rave about the Spaniard after the game:

“It was really important, you know about Bryan Gil we are talking about a player who was born to play football. He understands football quickly. He’s so clever, so intelligent to understand the situation,” the Italian said.

The 21-year-old – hailed as “special” – picked up his first assist in the Premier League on Wednesday as he provided a pinpoint perfect pass for Harry Kane’s second goal of the game.

What was perhaps just as impressive as Gil’s assist was his defensive display with the winger also providing Spurs with two tackles, a clearance and an interception (via SofaScore).

There have been some suggestions that Gil could be set for a January move away on loan for the remainder of the season. It will be interesting to see how this may have changed on the back of his display in south London.

Chelsea are ‘seriously’ targeting Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, with contact already made over the player, according to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs.

The Lowdown: Boehly busy…

Backed by American business tycoon Todd Boehly, the Blues have been seriously busy in terms of transfer activity recently.

The Premier League giants are thought to be closing in on deals for both Vasco de Gama wonderkid Andrey Santos and Molde’s rising star David Datro Fofana.

Graham Potter’s side are also being repeatedly linked with marquee players like Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig, and amid their search for a star striker, it appears that Serie A sensation Vlahovic is very much on their radar.

The Latest: Chelsea make Vlahovic contact…

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs has claimed that Boehly and co have made ‘inquiries’ over signing the Serbia international for Chelsea and are ‘seriously’ targeting him.

He explained: “It’s actually Chelsea, from a Premier League point of view, making the inquiries at this point, and we know that they need a striker as well.

“But I think everybody chasing Vlahovic needs to understand, is January possible, first and foremost, and then if it isn’t, what do they need to do to persuade him to move to the Premier League in January? And what can clubs learn from the Arsenal situation?

“And also, what is his injury situation? Because right now, if you get him in January, he’s got a groin problem that is still under investigation. But Chelsea are looking a bit more seriously at him and obviously a number of other strikers because of the Armando Broja situation.”

The Verdict: Pursue further?

When fit and available, the £215,000-per-week forward has continued his fine form at Juventus since his marquee move from Fiorentina earlier this year.

As per WhoScored, he averages more attempts at goal per 90 than any of his team-mates and ranks in the Turin club’s top five players for overall performance. He is also their highest Serie A goalscorer with six in 10 league starts, backing media claims that he is a ‘sensational’ striker.

However, having only signed for Juventus earlier this year, it may be a difficult move for Chelsea to pull off, and Vlahovic’s current groin injury could also come as a bit of a roadblock.

Leeds United could be set to raid a Premier League rival to solve one of their long-standing issues…

What’s the latest?

As per transfer insider Dean Jones, Newcastle United striker Chris Wood could be the answer to their offensive prayers whilst Patrick Bamford fights his various injury woes.

His claims come following Football Insider’s report at the start of December linking the Whites with a move as the New Zealand international slips down the pecking order at St James’ Park.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I think that they should be looking at somebody like Chris Wood, and I think Leeds will keep their eye on that situation.”

Ditch Bamford

Although Wood’s goal record is not the most stunning in recent months, with just seven in all competitions since the start of last season, there is still a belief that the 6 foot 4 goliath could offer a fine physical presence to make him a useful asset for Jesse Marsch.

Despite his dwindling game-time at Newcastle, the 31-year-old still ranks in the top 1% for aerial duels won among strikers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year; and should the former Whites marksman return to Elland Road, at the very least he could operate as a facilitator for those around him.

That was at least Alan Shearer’s thinking after the Magpies signed him in a £25m deal last January, as he noted of Wood: “He can keep hold of it and bring other players into the game. He is horrible to play against and he won’t give defenders a moment’s peace.”

The New Zealander has only scored once in the Premier League this term, where he is averaging just 21 minutes per game.

However, before his move to Tyneside last season, he had announced himself as a solid striker at top-flight level in a Burnley side who often battled with the drop.

During the 2020/21 Premier League campaign, he scored 12 goals and set up three more, equalling the amount of goal contributions from the season prior (15).

There would not be such a scramble for a striker from Leeds had Bamford’s injury record not been so woeful in recent years; and whether Wood joins to replace him altogether or just relieve some of the pressure on the 29-year-old upon his return, it could mark a smart move to return him to the club where he scored an admirable 44 goals in 88 appearances.

Meanwhile, the Englishman has only managed 19 Premier League appearances since the start of 2021/22, with a damning goal return of just two, so it could be time for the Whites to ditch him and look towards re-signing Wood instead.

Marsch needs to act fast in January, with his Leeds side just two points above the relegation zone after 14 games, and signing Wood could be a significant stepping stone towards climbing away from danger.

Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor being back in training after an injury absence is ‘great to see’, according to former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie.

The Lowdown: McGregor out injured

The 29-year-old club captain has been an influential figure at Parkhead for many years now, providing consistent quality and industry in the middle of the park.

McGregor has been missed through injury since the beginning of October, with the Scotland international struggling with a knee problem.

He has since been pictured running in training, though, which suggests that his comeback to first-team action shouldn’t be too far away.

The Latest: McAvennie delighted with McGregor’s return

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie spoke of his delight at McGregor’s imminent return after viewing the training ground photos.

The 62-year-old said of the Celtic captain:

“He is back training so that is good to see. I saw a photo of him leading the team round the training pitch and that is great to see. It really is good to see him back in amongst the boys.

“The medical team around him will tell him if he can play or not. It is about four weeks before we start back, he will be ready for the start of the second half.

“What a rest he has had so he will be fully recovered. I would not be surprised if we see him on the pitch in Sydney. Ange [Postecoglou] would not have taken him there for the sake of it.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-9/” title=”Key latest Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Verdict: Big boost for Celtic

This is a massive boost for McGregor, with the midfielder undoubtedly a key figure for Celtic as their skipper and someone who can play a big part in their Premiership title charge.

He now has 389 appearances to his name for the Hoops, highlighting his vast experience, and at 29 he should still be considered at the peak of his powers.

[freshpress-quiz id=“415619″]

The fact that Celtic don’t play again competitively until the trip to Aberdeen on December 17 is a bonus for McGregor, and it would be a surprise if he wasn’t back by then judging by his return to training this week.

Journalist Christopher Michel has shared some exit news out of north London involving Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min.

The Lowdown: Son stars…

While you can argue the South Korea international has made a slow start to this 2022/2023 Premier League season, you absolutely cannot deny just how crucial he has been in recent years – especially last season.

Son finished 2021/22 as Spurs’ top goal scorer and shared the English top flight’s golden boot award with Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah.

As per WhoScored, the winger was also Antonio Conte’s best-performing player by average match rating – making a pretty incredible 30 goal contributions in 35 league starts.

Bewilderingly, Son missed out on a place in last season’s 2022 PFA Team of the Year, prompting Spurs legend Robbie Keane to call him the ‘most underrated player in Premier League history’ (talkSPORT).

The Latest: Son ‘thinking about’ leaving Spurs…

According to reports, there has now been an update on the 30-year-old’s future, with Real Madrid reportedly eyeing  a move.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-3/” title=”Tottenham latest news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Journalist Michel, speaking to Bernabeu Digital, says Son is contemplating an exit as the European big hitters keep tabs.

“Son is relatively old, he has not yet dared to make the jump to a very big European club. Maybe that is why he is thinking about it so much now, even though he has extended his contract with Tottenham Hotspur until 2025.

“This season it seems that he will not be able to get the Premier League either. It is also not clear that he can give his best version with Antonio Conte. The 2019 Champions League final lost against Liverpool also had a lasting effect. Son doesn’t want to end his career without a title. A club like Real would almost guarantee it for him.”

The Verdict: One to watch?

Having signed a new and improved deal till 2025, Lilywhites chairman Daniel Levy is in a strong position to demand a big fees and it’s questionable whether Real would give in in taking into account Son’s age.

The £192,000-per-week star would command a hefty price, not just in terms of the transfer bid, but also potentially in wages, agents fees and other add-ons.

Galacticos president Florentino Perez will need to invest significantly in a player already past 30, and despite Son’s own apparent desires, we believe a transfer looks more unlikely than not.

Essex rediscovered the grit that has taken them to the top of Division One under cheerless Chelmsford skies

Tim Wigmore at Chelmsford29-Aug-2017
Nick Browne produced an innings of fortitude•Getty ImagesCounty Championship titles are not merely won by performances in glorious sunshine. Just as much, they are won by grit under sepulchral skies, fortitude under pressure and resilience after yielding a first innings lead.Or, at least, Essex will hope so after the end of a second day played against the backdrop of clouds so gloomy they necessitated the use of floodlights, which could still only hold off the onset of bad-light for so long.Their position, 112 ahead with seven second innings wickets in hand, remains far from impregnable. But a few hours before the players were taken off, Essex fans had dark thoughts of a two-day defeat to the second-bottom team in Division One.At 36-3 in the second innings, a lead of only 31, and fresh from their first innings collapse to 159, the crowd recognised that here was a test of Essex’s fundamental resolve.Then, Nick Browne and Adam Wheater combined for the longest stand in this frenetic game – and, at an unbeaten 78, the equal highest of the game so far. They were some pleasing shots to enjoy – Browne’s square-driving and cutting, and Wheater’s cover drive – but, over 32.3 overs, this was an alliance defined by grit and cautious accumulation. There was a little fortune, too: Wheater was dropped on 14 at second slip off the admirable Paul van Meekeren.Browne, though, was chanceless; and there are some here who consider that he, rather than Tom Westley, is the Essex batsman whose technique is best-suited to joining Alastair Cook in England’s top three. His 66* has taken him to 36 runs shy of reaching 1,000 runs for the third consecutive summer. Over the last two of those, he now has 2226 runs at 51.76 apiece. “Every year that’s my target to score 1,000 – Championship runs mainly and hopefully I’m not too far away from that now,” he said.The backdrop to Browne’s austere innings was a ground brimming with tension. Not the high-octane sort that marks Chelmsford’s rambunctious T20 evenings, but the quiet of 2,500 spectators very intensely watching the cricket, sensing a passage of play whose significance could extend far beyond the day itself.By the time Browne and Wheater fled off to escape the gloom, which later gave way to showers, they had gone a long way towards maintaining Essex’s grip on the County Championship. While the Chelmsford wicket is far better than the scores so far in the match suggest, Essex’s bowling potency – and the conspicuous vulnerability of Somerset’s batting – is such that they would expect to defend anything over 200 in the fourth innings. Manage that, and Essex would probably need just one win and two draws from their final four matches to secure the prized pennant.”You’re going to think about it, it’s natural,” Browne admitted. “It’s an amazing achievement what we’ve done so far. There’s no pressure on us whatsoever – we’re just coming out and having fun.”Not that it looked like it when confronting Craig Overton. The primal scream Overton let out when celebrating snaring Varun Chopra, leaving a delivery that moved back to trap him indecisively on the crease, was in keeping with the intensity of his opening spell. The short ball was used as a weapon of shock rather than stock, recognising how seam movement, was Overton’s great threat under murky skies: the over after snaring Chopra, a full length jagged past Dan Lawrence’s crooked bat.When Ravi Bopara used his feet to Jack Leach, and succeeded only in being being in the flight, at least Essex’s one, three and four had been consistent, mustering a combined ten across both innings of the match. That is not solidity befitting Championship leaders. Just as well, then, that Alastair Cook will return for two more fixtures, as Essex hope, and that Tom Westley might well be back even sooner.And Essex confirmed today that they will also be fortified by return of Neil Wagner for the final three Championship games, once he has overcome a slight hamstring strain. In the meantime, they are hopeful of having Mohammad Amir available for the crunch trip to Old Trafford next week.His mark on this day was small but indelible, sealed in a coruscating opening over of play. Amir’s second ball, from over the wicket, swung away from the left-hander Jack Leach and kissed his edge; his fifth, from round the wicket, was a sublime yorker that eviscerated Overton’s middle stump. Amir then promptly went off, feeling his back, returned for another over, and then went off again. He didn’t reappear thereafter, although Essex do not anticipate that his back spasm will prevent him bowling later in the match.The upshot was that Somerset continued a dispiriting trend this season: of bowling the opposition out cheaply, only getting a modest lead – in this case just five runs – when they should have gained a decisive one, and then struggling later on in the game. To remedy this weakness, they are still considering signing an overseas batsman, but time – the registration deadline is September 8 – and the packed international calendar is working against them.

Leeds United are likely to dip back into the transfer market when the January window opens, according to a fresh claim by Sky Sports journalist Tim Thornton.

The Lowdown: Productive summer at Leeds

Jesse Marsch will likely have been happy with his business in the summer transfer window, despite losing key duo Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.

Leeds used that money wisely, bringing in a host of new players in key positions, whether it be Brenden Aaronson, Luis Sinisterra or Tyler Adams, among others.

It looks as though further reinforcements could be made soon, however, following a new update.

The Latest: January business likely, says Thornton

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Thornton claimed that Orta would give the green light for January signings to come in:

“There’s a philosophy at Leeds and Victor’s very much a central figure in that, so he’ll already be planning for the next transfer window. That’s the way that he works.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-50/” title=”Latest Leeds United news” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Verdict: Key to continue building

While Leeds certainly don’t need major additions in January, it is vital that Marsch has a squad that is comfortably capable of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

In what is a relentless season, with the World Cup awkwardly getting in the way, legs could tire as the campaign goes on, highlighting the need for new faces.

The key for Leeds is to keep steadily improving and not go backwards and top-quality new signings can only be hugely beneficial, in that respect.

Tottenham Hotspur target Trevoh Chalobah ‘would be tempted’ to leave Chelsea this summer, according to reputable journalist Paul Brown. 

The lowdown: Wanted man

Linked to Tottenham in a report from the Evening Standard recently, Chalobah has also attracted attention from Roma and Inter Milan.

The 23-year-old England youth international has been subject to enquires from Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Everton and Southampton in this transfer window as his parent club attempt to lure Leicester City star Wesley Fofana to Stamford Bridge.

Now, one well-informed onlooker has shed some light on the situation and whether Chalobah would consider making a switch across London…

The latest: ‘I’m sure…’

Speaking to Give Me Sport after those Spurs links, Brown – a journalist for the Daily Star – has claimed that the three-cap England Under 21 starlet ‘would be tempted’ to sign for Tottenham.

He said: “Chalobah has a right to feel upset. He worked so hard to finally get a chance at Chelsea and he played in some big games last season without letting anyone down.

“He played well considering the manager doesn’t have a lot of faith in him and Chelsea have signed Koulibaly and now want another centre back, that has to be quite a kick in the teeth for him, so I’m sure he would be tempted to join another team playing in the Champions League.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-developments-2/” title=”Tottenham latest developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The verdict: Go for it

Seemingly deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea should Fofana arrive, signing a player of Chalobah’s undoubted class and potential would be a sensational coup for the Lilywhites hierarchy.

Last season, the £18million valued Englishman scored four times and provided two assists across 30 first-team outings whilst earning a 7.23 SofaScore rating comprising of 4.8 successful duels, 2.1 clearances and 2.0 tackles per league game.

Dubbed a ‘monster’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Chalobah – who shares similar stylistic traits to Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Pau Torres (FBref) – would be a brilliant addition to Antonio Conte’s options for the here and now as well as being a smart long-term investment.

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a gutting blow in their pursuit of James Maddison…

What’s the word?

The north London outfit have been linked with interest in the England midfielder for much of the summer transfer window.

GIVEMESPORT transfer insider Dean Jones revealed that Spurs had “touched base over Maddison” last month, whilst he also claimed to ‘The Done Deal Show’ that the 25-year-old was keen to join them amid interest from Premier League rivals Newcastle United.

However, it seems unlikely that a move will happen before deadline day on September 1st as the Coventry-born maestro is in talks with Leicester City over a new contract.

The Daily Mail believe that the Foxes have been keen to tie him down to an extension to his £100k-per-week deal for a while and manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that negotiations are ongoing.

“I believe they’ve spoken. Yeah, Jon [Rudkin, director of football] has spoken to them a number of times, yes,” he said. “I’m pretty sure the club would want to do that. Both sides have to be able to find an agreement.

“With James, with two years left, naturally the club would want to protect the asset. But it works both ways. Sometimes, everything goes onto the club.”

Gutting news for Conte

This will come as frustrating, if not gutting news to Lilywhites head coach Antonio Conte for a number of reasons.

It’s believed that the trophy-hungry Italian is on the lookout for a creative midfielder to bolster his squad before the end of the window in less than two weeks’ time

And Maddison is a player that he is said to hugely admire.

“It’s absolutely true that Conte likes the player a lot,” claimed CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs to GIVEMESPORT, and it’s easy to see why.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-paratici-conte-levy-gossip-more” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours and so much more!”]

The one-time England international enjoyed a phenomenal campaign last season, where he provided the Midlands side with an eye-catching 18 goals and 12 assists across 53 appearances in all competitions – a rate of one contribution every 120 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.

Those are the sorts of numbers that Christian Eriksen (one goal or assist every 151 minutes) was once putting up in N17, the sort of figures that Spurs have long lacked since the Dane’s departure in January 2020.

Some reports had suggested that the Leicester dynamo, who has been lauded as “a special talent” by The Times’ chief football correspondent Henry Winter, would be available for £50m this window.

Also dubbed a “genius” in the past by BBC Norfolk presenter Rob Butler, it’s evident that Maddison would have been quite the signing for Spurs, particularly given his already-proven experience in the Premier League and evident threat in the final third.

However, the Lilywhites will have to move onto other targets as it appears as if he will now extend his stay at the King Power Stadium for the foreseeable future in what is a big blow to Conte and his plans.

AND in other news, Paratici could repeat his Romero masterstroke in Spurs swoop for £25m-rated “cannon”…

West Ham United have made an enquiry to sign Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, according to an Italian report.

The Lowdown: Irons miss out on Onana

The Irons suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on the opening day of the season last weekend, and it was clear to see that a new addition in the middle of the park is still needed.

After missing out on summer target Amadou Onana, who has joined Everton, David Moyes will now be on the hunt for a suitable alternative to add to his ranks, and it looks like he’s turned his attention to the Netherlands.

The Latest: West Ham make contact

Italian outlet CalcioAtalanta (via Sport Witness) reported on Tuesday that Koopmeiners had been the subject of an ‘enquiry’ from West Ham ‘in the last few hours’.

The source states that the ‘idea’ for him to move to the London Stadium would be to work ‘alongside’ Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, but due to the transfer window closing in less than three weeks, ‘a possible negotiation would be very complicated’.

It’s believed that Atalanta currently view their maestro as ‘almost unsellable’, though money always talks when it comes to finalising a deal.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-updates-2/” title=”West Ham latest updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Next up after Kehrer?

After the disappointment of failing to secure Onana, West Ham now have the chance to make things right with the signing of Koopmeiners, and what a fantastic addition he would be.

The Dutchman, hailed the ‘best player in Holland’ by Alan Pardew, averaged 1.3 tackles per Serie A game last season, displaying his work rate and ability to get stuck in, a quality that Moyes admires.

He also recorded 1.6 key passes per 90 minutes, via WhoScored, showing his desire to play the ball forward and assist his team in the attacking areas of the pitch.

Thilo Kehrer could soon put pen to paper with the Irons after GSB submitted an official bid, and Koopmeiners would be an excellent next addition.