Jurgen Klopp humorously said he doesn't like James Maddison due to an incident in the 2018/19 Premier League title race.
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Who's hot, who's not? GOAL ranks all 29 teams across Major League Soccer
The 2024 MLS field is more open than ever. There's no clear front-runner in the race for the MLS Supporters' Shield, and no clear favorite to take home silverware at the end of the campaign.
Reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew are flying high in continental competition, but their league form is suffering as a result. Elsewhere, 2023 Supporters' Shield winners FC Cincinnati are soaring, while Inter Miami look better than ever with Lionel Messi Luis Suarez leading the way in a tight Eastern Conference.
Then there's the contenders who are unexpectedly creeping up on the frontrunners: the New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake, Minnesota United and the Vancouver Whitecaps, all of whom have had blistering starts to the season.
With 13 Matchdays complete, which club leads the pack, and who is falling short of expectations? GOAL presents the latest MLS Power Rankings…
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Newcastle United got their Premier League season back on track with a 3-0 home win over ten-man Fulham last game, responding to two humbling defeats back-to-back against Everton and Tottenham.
Lewis Miley became the club's youngest ever top-flight goalscorer in the convincing win over Marco Silva's Cottagers, whilst Miguel Almiron and Dan Burn also got in on the act in the second 45 minutes to hand Eddie Howe's Magpies the victory.
Picking up the deserved three points was dampened somewhat by first-teamers Fabian Schar and Joelinton limping off the St James' Park turf with injuries however, adding more numbers to the ever-growing list of players out with knocks for the Magpies.
The transfer window rolling around next month is perfectly timed therefore for the Toon to add fresh blood to the depleted group, with the club rumoured to be in for this talent from abroad.
Portuguese outlet O Jogo are reporting that Howe's side will have to show more drive in their pursuit for Estudiantes winger Benjamin Rollheiser to land the exciting forward, with Benfica now leading the way to win the South American winger's services.
The Premier League giants have been long-time admirers of Rollheiser so won't roll over easily for the Portuguese club to just swoop in, with The Sun reporting back in August via Alan Nixon that the 23-year-old winger was on the Magpies' shopping list in the summer.
If Newcastle are successful in signing the dynamic Argentinian figure, Almiron could be fearing about his immediate first-team future on Tyneside with Rollheiser arguably an upgrade on the Paraguayan midfielder who has become a Newcastle stalwart.
Described as being a "decisive" footballer by his Estudiantes manager Eduardo Dominguez earlier this year – even comparing his golden winger to Lionel Messi outlandishly – Rollheiser constantly steps up to the mark when his South American club need him to.
The 23-year-old's 2023 has been very fruitful, contributing to 20 goals in total in all competitions as his side went all the way in the Copa Argentina to lift the coveted trophy.
Whereas, Almiron's role in the Newcastle team this season in particular has been less than impactful in truth.
Newcastle's £21m man – which was a club record fee back in 2019 – did help himself to 11 goals last season, but only has three strikes in the top flight next to his name this season which suggests his powers are slightly diminishing.
Rollheiser would excel in a fast-paced attack at St James' Park over Almiron, adding a new freshness to the attacking areas at the club that could catch top-flight defences off-guard.
Comparing the two players via FBRef, the 23-year-old Argentinian attacker comes out on top in many of the key areas you want a winger to excel.
Daring and adventurous as seen in his ability to pull off audacious skills, 5 foot 9 Rollheiser also loves constantly bombing forward for Estudiantes with energy and trickery in abundance – completing 2.89 successful take-ons per 90 minutes over the last year as a full-throttle forward, compared to Almiron's more shy approach foraying forward which sees him complete a poor 1.02.
Moreover, Rollheiser's clinical edge trumps Almiron with the 23-year-old attempting 3.25 shots per 90 contrasted with the Newcastle man coming in at a lesser 2.33.
Only 11 appearances off making it to a landmark of 200 games in a Magpies shirt, it would be a bitter pill to swallow for Howe to gradually phase Almiron out of his first team.
But, for Newcastle to reach that next level and compete with the elite clubs, they will have to make significant upgrades in certain areas of the pitch with Rollheiser a signing they should continue to pursue to enhance the first team at St James' Park.
Ange Postecoglou has done great work at Tottenham since becoming their new manager last summer.
The Lilywhites were unbeaten in their first nine league games and have brought with them a refreshing and breakneck style of play.
Perhaps it's that swashbuckling approach that has resulted in so many injuries; Spurs are still contending without the likes of James Maddison, Micky Van de Ven and Manor Solomon for instance.
As a result, adding depth to the squad could well be at the top of their agenda as the transfer window opens for business on Monday.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported in the final few hours of 2023 that a deal for Genoa centre-back Radu Dragusin was edging closer with personal terms having been agreed between club and player.
However, he's not the only defender on Tottenham's mind heading into the next few weeks.
Indeed, in December it was reported that Everton's emerging star Jarrad Branthwaite was a player they are keeping a watching brief on.
That's according to The i who revealed that Branthwaite has fellow suitors in the form of Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund. It will take an awful lot to convince the Goodison Park outfit to sell, though, with the outlet suggesting a £100m price tag has been slapped on the 21-year-old.
The centre-half spent last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven before breaking into the Everton first-team this season. As talent scout Jacek Kulig put it, he has been a complete "wall" since coming into the side.
A move for Dragusin this winter would be a smart one from a Tottenham persuasion. It would not cost the earth, as Branthwaite would, but pairing the two together would also be a fine idea.
Of course, Postecoglou already has two mighty options at his disposal in Cristian Romero and Van de Ven, but one has discipline issues and the other is still on the treatment table. Since the latter's injury, Spurs have not been the same team with their unbeaten start swiftly followed up by four straight games without winning.
The Australian tactician will no doubt have aspirations of turning his side into title challengers but for that to be realised, a deeper squad is needed. This is where Dragusin, a 6 foot 3 titan and natural right-footed centre-half, and Branthwaite, a left-footed centre-back come into the equation.
Both would offer fabulous depth at the back, certainly better than the likes of Ben Davies and Eric Dier could offer, while potentially even forming an immense partnership together.
Branthwaite's left-footedness makes him a unique profile already and as such, he could well be the club's next Jan Vertonghen.
The Belgian, now aged 36, is one of the finest left-footed players Spurs have ever had, certainly if you discount a certain Gareth Bale. The former club captain played a whopping 313 times for the club during an eight-year stay in the capital, eventually leaving in 2020 after a fine career.
Speaking about the veteran's qualities, former Spurs man Alton Thelwell once said: "Vertonghen likes to pass the ball with elegance – he’s like the Rolls-Royce of defending. He gets on it with his left foot, he’s got excellent ability and the same goes for Toby [Alderweireld] as well."
Coincidentally, that turn of phrase is one that's been reserved for Branthwaite too with a recruitment insider telling The i that the youngster is a "Rolls Royce defender who has everything." Fine praise indeed.
|
Jarrad Branthwaite: Ranking vs PL Defenders |
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|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Number |
Percentile vs PL CBs |
|
Tackles |
2.0 |
Top 16% |
|
Tackles Defensive Third |
1.35 |
Top 14% |
|
Dribblers Tackled |
1.29 |
Top 7% |
|
Interceptions |
1.76 |
Top 10% |
|
Tackles + Interceptions |
3.76 |
Top 7% |
|
Ball Recoveries |
6.76 |
Top 9% |
|
Aerials Won |
2.59 |
Top 28% |
|
Data via FBRef – from the 2023/24 season. |
||
Interestingly, both possess natural leadership skills too. As we know, Vertonghen was a fine captain for Spurs but the Everton defender is someone who is a future skipper in the making at the top level, having led England U21s this season.
£100m would be an awful lot to spend and to be realistic, it's likely way out of Tottenham's reach. However, if a compromise can be made on a deal, it would be a fabulous one to wrap up.
Chelsea are reportedly gearing up to open talks with Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca to replace Maurico Pochettino this summer.
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The wheels are seemingly starting to fall off for Arsenal, who have found themselves in a Premier League title race for the second season running. Just like the previous campaign, however, the Gunners could be set to suffer the heartbreak of failure, with consecutive defeats against West Ham United and Fulham making it a December to forget for Mikel Arteta.
Now that the January transfer window is open, those in North London do at least have the opportunity to solve the issues standing between them and silverware. And as they look to close the five-point gap on league leaders Liverpool, Arsenal could yet move to sign a forward who has starred for his current side this season.
Arsenal enjoyed a successful summer transfer window, signing Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, David Raya and Kai Havertz, but remain on course to fall short in their title pursuit. The January transfer window has made all the difference in previous seasons though, and this time it can more than play its part for the Gunners looking to finally find a clinical striker to lead the line. In that search, those at The Emirates have now turned towards a Feyenoord star.
According to The Times, Arsenal are considering a move to sign Santiago Gimenez in the January transfer window. Any deal for a forward likely rests on the future of Eddie Nketiah, but if Arsenal do show the striker the exit door, then Gimenez could arrive.
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Arsenal rumoured striker targets for January |
Latest update |
|---|---|
|
Ivan Toney |
1st January |
|
Serhou Guirassy |
19th December |
|
Dominic Solanke |
17th December |
|
Boulaye Dia |
16th December |
|
Kylian Mbappe |
15th December |
|
Marcos Leonardo |
14th December |
Those at The Emirates would also be getting one over on North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have also been linked with a move for Gimenez in the past. An upgrade on both Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, the Mexican would certainly improve Arsenal's title chances if he made the move this month.
The one standout weakness in this current Arsenal side comes in their frontline, with their lack of out-and-out goalscorer a growing issue. As good as Jesus is from a tactical standpoint in Arsenal's system, whether it be at Manchester City or in North London, he has never been a classic number nine.
Meanwhile, although Nketiah is more of an old-fashioned forward, he does not impact the game enough to warrant a permanent starting place. So, that leaves the door open for a fresh option for Arteta. And Gimenez's stats, outscoring Nketiah and Jesus combined, prove exactly why he should be that option.
|
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
Progressive Passes |
Expected Goals |
|
Santiago Gimenez |
18 |
4 |
22 |
14.2 |
|
Gabriel Jesus |
5 |
1 |
15 |
4.1 |
|
Eddie Nketiah |
3 |
1 |
28 |
4.8 |
It's no surprise, given the numbers, that Gimenez has been at the centre of praise this season, including from journalist Graeme Bailey. Bailey told the Talking Transfers Podcast, via The Boot Room: “Santiago Gimenez looks sensational by the way, he looks so good. He looks amazing to me. Teams have been watching Feyenoord, of which there is a few, they are the best team in Holland, we know Arsenal and Tottenham have been watching Gimenez as of late.”
2024 MLS All-Star game voting has opened, with fans, players and media members alike all having a say in which 26 players are picked.
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Daniel Farke and Leeds United need to strengthen at right-back this month. Djed Spence has returned to parent club Tottenham Hotspur halfway through was meant to be a season-long loan spell, and Luke Ayling has joined Middlesbrough until the end of the season. If the gap goes unfilled, Farke may be concerned about being caught short as he bids to steer his side to promotion from the Championship.
One player who's emerged as a target is West Ham's Ben Johnson. The Athletic's Phil Hay has named him as a player of interest for the Whites, with his ability to play in either full-back role no doubt a considerable draw. Significantly, there's now been an update on Johnson's availability in January.
According to The Daily Mail, West Ham want to sell Leeds target Johnson, rather than loan him out. The player has rejected the offer of a new contract, and his current terms are due to expire in the summer, so that puts pressure on the Irons to cash in rather than risk losing him for nothing.
In addition, West Ham know that they could put the proceeds from the prospective sale towards a new attacker, which is on the agenda at the London Stadium in the next couple of weeks. Leeds' interest is real but they have yet to make an "official approach" so the 49ers will need to stump up the cash soon, as Sheffield United and Scottish Premiership title-chasers Rangers are keeping an eye on his situation too.
Former West Ham star Trevor Sinclair has previously dubbed Johnson, a two-time winner of West Ham's young player of the year award, "superb", but would he be the best fit for Farke?
He's been limited to two Premier League appearances under David Moyes this season, only one from the start, but a couple of Leeds' other targets in the top flight also find themselves down the pecking order. Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams has only started four matches, while Burnley's Connor Roberts hasn't made the XI since late October. The table below compares the players in their experience, one-v-one defending and attacking output, all surely key criteria in Leeds' search.
|
Johnson |
Williams |
Roberts |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
PL appearances |
57 |
55 |
38 |
|
PL starts |
35 |
30 |
30 |
|
PL minutes |
3,209 |
2,803 |
2,751 |
|
Shot creating actions |
44 |
59 |
50 |
|
Tackles won |
42 |
76 |
22 |
|
Tackles lost |
19 |
47 |
14 |
|
Tackle % |
68.9 |
61.8 |
63.6 |
You can see that, even though there's a disparity in appearances, they're all in the same bracket for starts and broadly aligned for minutes too. Williams stands out going forward, and while he's won the highest volume of tackles, it's Johnson who has posted comfortably the best success rate. As an all-round option, then, he may have the edge on the other two, and crucially, he's available for transfer. The big question now is how much West Ham will demand, and whether that's within Leeds' budget for the mid-season market.
Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo is on his way to Chelsea as a free agent, however, Manchester United reportedly tried to hijack the move.
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It's been no secret this transfer window that Derby County have been chasing the services of Michael Smith, the Rams rumour mill dominated by constant conversation over whether or not the Sheffield Wednesday talisman will finally relocate to Paul Warne's side.
With that move looking rather dead in the water now, the Rams have been forced to look elsewhere to bolster their attacking spots – the League One automatic promotion candidates in even more need of added reinforcements up top now owing to Tyreece John-Jules' serious injury knock.
Warne hasn't gone majorly left-field when looking at other targets away from Smith, however, with the former Rotherham United boss still going after a Wednesday player in this potential incoming.
According to the Sheffield Star, Derby are now looking at a second Owls striker in the form of Lee Gregory on a loan deal until the end of the season. It's stated talks have already taken place between the respective parties.
The report does further state that both Smith and Gregory wouldn't come to Pride Park hand-in-hand though, with the third tier side facing similar hurdles this time around to land Gregory that kept tripping the Owls up in their pursuit of Smith – financial restraints getting in their way yet again.
If Wednesday could pull off a dramatic deal for Gregory, this last-gasp transfer could well prove to be the perfect Smith alternative with the 35-year-old attacker also previously prolific in League One.
With Warne having to play Nathaniel Mendez-Laing in a number ten spot last match against Cheltenham Town to make up for John-Jules' absence, signing a new striker recruit in Gregory could see the Rams manager go back-to-basics with a switch to a 4-4-2 formation to slot the current Owls man in alongside James Collins.
The deal would even see Gregory return to Pride Park after a short but sweet loan stint back in 2021, bagging three goals in 11 games.
Collins and Gregory could well combine to devastating effect in a strike partnership together if the 35-year-old returns to Derby, Gregory always hitting double figures whenever he's played a full season in the third tier with five strikes from 11 games in the lottery of the League One playoffs also showcasing his deadly knack of scoring when it matters.
|
Michael Smith's numbers in League One (including playoffs) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Games played |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2022/23 |
38 |
11 |
5 |
|
2021/22 |
38 |
17 |
6 |
|
2016/17 |
40 |
18 |
6 |
|
2015/16 |
44 |
20 |
4 |
|
Stats by Transfermarkt |
|||
It's why former Millwall teammate Tom Bradshaw described the potent centre-forward as "instrumental" to his own development as a clinical goalscorer, the Lions striker at the time modelling his own game on Gregory's craft.
The 35-year-old even netted Wednesday's first goal of their somewhat topsy-turvy Championship campaign to date, the EFL veteran almost effortless in his approach to finding the back of the net.
Not being able to secure a deal for Smith would have stung, especially with Warne's close connection to the ex-Millers man, but any annoyance over that transfer falling flat would be swept to one side if the Rams could land this alternative target before the close of the window tomorrow.