Alex Greenwood has hit out at the female list of nominees for the Ballon d'Or and has questioned why Keira Walsh has not been recognised.
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Ryan Reynolds has joked that Paul Mullin lives in an "airless glass box" at Wrexham's stadium following his 'Welshpool' cameo in a blockbuster film.
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Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Arsenal's transfer plans amid concerns surrounding left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko lately.
The 27-year-old has come under fire for some of his performances in the final run-in of this season.
Club will allow £51m star to leave as Arsenal make approach to sign him
The Gunners’ transfer plans are in full swing.
By
Emilio Galantini
Apr 18, 2024
Arsenal have relinquished control of the Premier League title race, with Mikel Arteta now relying on a Man City slip up and perfect league form if they're to clinch their first domestic crown in 20 years.
Their 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, followed by crashing out of the Champions League in midweek courtesy of Bayern Munich, has left supporters drained after what has been a pretty torrid last five days in north London.
Every member of Arteta's squad will need to be firing on all cylinders if there is any hope of clinching a major piece of silverware, and Zinchenko is drawing some criticism. The Ukraine international has started 20 league games this season, making a further five appearances off the bench, with journalist Charles Watts suggesting he could be deployed in a more advanced role.
"Some of the criticism (of Zinchenko) is justified, but some is a bit harsh in my opinion," said Watts to CaughtOffside this week..
"When you look at what went wrong for Arsenal on Sunday for example, I’m not really sure Zinchenko was at the heart of it. But, judging by the amount of criticism that has come his way over the past few days, you would think he was. Yes, there were a few errors of judgement in the second half, one of which could easily have been very costly. But there were also good points in the first half which could easily have led to Arsenal opening the scoring.
|
Zinchenko's worst league games for Arsenal this season (at least 45 minutes played) |
Match Rating (via WhoScored) |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal |
5.60 |
|
Arsenal 0-2 West Ham |
6.20 |
|
Arsenal 3-1 Man United |
6.22 |
|
Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa |
6.25 |
|
Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool |
6.31 |
“And that’s always been the thing with Zinchenko – there are undeniable positives, but there are also obvious negatives. The thing is that right now, probably for the first time since he joined, the negatives are starting to outweigh the positives. I still think he could have a key role to play in this squad, potentially even higher up the pitch where his defensive deficiencies could leave the team less exposed."
Speaking to GiveMeSport, reliable journalist Romano has now said Arsenal have discussed signing a new left-back amid Zinchenko's form.
“It's a possibility," said Romano.
"It’s not guaranteed yet because, from what I'm hearing, Arsenal are still waiting to understand what they want to do at the end of the season. They want to see what happens in the Premier League to decide what they want to do regarding investments in different positions, but left-back could be one of the positions to cover. This is something they have discussed internally. So, at the moment, we don't have names yet because they don't have a proper decision on who the player they want to sign is. But bringing in a new left-back in the summer transfer window is possible.”
Tottenham have made an early move to land one of their transfer targets this summer, according to reports.
Tottenham are keen to add some more firepower to their attack this summer, and one easy way to achieve that would be to sign Timo Werner to a permanent deal.
|
Tottenham's options in attack |
|
|
Player |
Contract until |
|
Manor Solomon |
2028 |
|
Timo Werner |
2024 |
|
Richarlison |
2027 |
|
Brennan Johnson |
2028 |
|
Dejan Kulusevski |
2028 |
|
Bryan Gil |
2026 |
|
Heung-Min Son |
2025 |
The German is on loan at the north London club from RB Leipzig, and is proving something of a success on the left-hand side for Ange Postecoglou's side. In his 13 Premier League appearances since arriving in January, the 28-year-old has found the net twice and grabbed three assists.
And it would be an easy deal to make permanent too, with there being a pre-existing option to buy the player in the loan deal.
The option, believed to be in the region of £17m, has to be activated before EURO 2024 kicks off in Germany, giving Tottenham just six weeks to decide whether or not to retain the former Chelsea man and hand him a long-term deal in north London.
"In terms of his future, like most players, the decisions will be made at the appropriate time," Ange Postecoglou explained when quizzed on the situation earlier in the season. "I think he's been a great signing. He's been a really important part of our structure and I think he can also improve."
But at 28-years-old, there may be concerns about handing him a long term deal, especially in the wider context of Tottenham's new-look transfer policy that largely targets players with their prime years firmly ahead of them. With that in mind, an alternative option is seemingly being worked on.
Now, reports in Italy have revealed some insight into Tottenham's transfer plans. That comes courtesy of Tutto Juve [Via Sport Witness], who report that Tottenham have "come forward" for Juventus talent Samuel Iling-Junior as Daniel Levy and Johan Lange kick-start their first move of the summer for Ange.
Spurs have been linked with a move for the 20-year-old previously, and with just 12 months left on his contract in Turin a departure this summer looks likely.
£29k-p/w striker spotted in North London after Spurs make approach to agent
He was handed VIP access in North London for the clash with Arsenal.
By
Ben Browning
Apr 30, 2024
A regular scorer across England's youth teams, the winger has started just two Serie A games under Max Allegri this season and is seemingly surplus to requirements.
Now, he is being linked with a move back to the Premier League, with Spurs and Brighton both hot on his trail. Though a winger by trade, Iling-Junior has also operated at wing-back and could well provide an excellent alternative to Destiny Udogie, who did similar during his final season with Udinese.
He is valued at just 15m euros (£12.9m) by Juventus, which would make him a cheaper and younger alternative than Werner, who could potentially provide a much greater upside and versatility in the future than the German.
Now reportedly "closer to farewell" than ever with the Old Lady, could he be the perfect summer addition for Tottenham?
After a frustrating 1-1 draw with New Zealand, members of the U.S. team reflected on Tuesday's big news
All week long, the U.S. men's national team's players danced around the subject. They had no doubt been instructed to do so. The deal to sign Mauricio Pochettino had yet to be finalized and there were still hurdles to clear. He wasn't the coach yet.
That all changed on Tuesday night shortly before kickoff, when U.S. Soccer confirmed that the Argentinian manager had officially signed on. A month-long wait is now over. Pochettino has arrived.
The players, of course, found that news out on Tuesday as well. They were briefed on the upcoming announcement, having spent the last few weeks like the rest of the world: watching and waiting. They were also free to talk about Pochettino's hiring and what it means for the team.
Largely, there was a message of excitement. The slate is clean and chances will be there. Everything is about to change.
There was also a message about that change, with many, including the team's biggest star, calling it necessary. Pochettino has his work cut out for him, particularly after two rough September performances. The USMNT's players know that things will be different from this point forward, and that's a good thing.
Here's what the USMNT had to say about Pochettino's hiring after Tuesday night's draw with New Zealand:
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 a clear hierarchy atop both the Eastern and Western Conferences, but outside the top teams, it's open season for playoff qualification.
On Matchday 32, Lionel Messi made his triumphant return to the pitch for Inter Miami, scoring twice and notching an assist as well. The Herons hold a seven-point lead at the top in the race for the MLS Supporters' Shield after the Argentine's weekend heroics.
Meanwhile, it was rivalry weekend elsewhere. The LA Galaxy defeated rivals LAFC 4-2 in another edition of , while in the Midwest, the derby failed to live up to the hype. FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew played to a stalemate, as No. 2 and No. 3 in the West left it scoreless.
Elsewhere, the Colorado Rapids are soaring, Minnesota United have turned a new leaf and the Houston Dynamo are quickly becoming a sneaky dark horse in the West.
With the MLS campaign nearing a close, which club leads the pack, and who is falling short of expectations? GOAL presents the latest MLS Power Rankings.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now
Celtic all but sealed their third successive Scottish Premiership title with a narrow 2-1 win over their local rivals at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon.
The Hoops scored two goals in quick succession during the first half as Matt O'Riley gave the hosts the lead before an own goal from John Lundstram made it two just three minutes later.
Cyriel Dessers pulled one back for Rangers with a close range header but Lundstram was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Alistair Johnston, and the away team spent the second half failing to get back into the match.
O'Riley was one of the standouts on the park for the Scottish giants with his midfield wizardry but he was not the only star of the show for Celtic, as Daizen Maeda was as good as the Denmark international.
The left-footed maestro caught the eye once again for Celtic as he registered his 15th Scottish Premiership goal of the campaign, in 35 appearances.
O'Riley, who has also chipped in with 12 assists in the league, opened the scoring at Parkhead with a thumping finish into the bottom right corner after Callum McGregor played the ball to him just inside the box.
|
Matt O'Riley |
Vs Rangers (11/05/24) |
|---|---|
|
Touches |
64 |
|
Shots |
5 |
|
Goals |
1 |
|
Key passes |
3 |
|
Duels won |
7/12 |
|
Pass accuracy |
90% |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
|
As you can see in the table above, the Danish gem was also reliable in possession, provided a big threat in the final third as a shot-taker and creator, and competed well in his duels.
However, O'Riley did let himself down with a weak penalty that gave Jack Butland the chance to make a save, which provided the away side with a chance to get back into the match in the second half, albeit they did not take it.
Maeda was unplayable alongside his Danish teammate in the Old Firm clash as his work in and out of possession was crucial to Celtic's success on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers once claimed that the Japan international has the work rate of "two players" and that was on full display against the Light Blues at Paradise.
Kenny Miller described him as a "pressing machine" on commentary for Sky Sports, which fellow commentator Chris Sutton agreed with, as the winger constantly closed down opposition players to stop Rangers attacks in their tracks.
James Tavernier ended the match with a 57% pass accuracy and one key pass, compared to his usual 78% pass accuracy and 3.2 key passes per game, which illustrates how effective Maeda's closing down was.
Whenever the English full-back attempted to bomb down the flank or put a ball into the box, the Hoops winger was there in the right place to close him down and force him to produce a turnover or go backwards.
The right-footed forward, who started on the left flank, also made a telling contribution in attack as his burst down the left wing produced the cross from which Lundstram prodded the ball into his own net.
Maeda does not officially get the assist for the goal but it was his teasing delivery into the box that forced the midfielder to find the back of his own net.
Overall, the talented ace, who had 34 touches of the ball and completed 100% (2/2) of his dribbles, was unplayable with his fantastic pressing and wing play, and that is why him and O'Riley were two of the standouts for the Scottish giants.
Jose Mourinho says he gave up waiting for his press conference after Fenerbahce's loss to Galatasaray, and claims Okan Buruk "disrespected" him.
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A new era is officially about to start at Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp's emotional Anfield farewell, in which he had the Reds faithful singing Arne Slot's name. Now, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes could hand the Dutchman the perfect welcome gift.
It could be a busy few months for Liverpool as they settle into life under Slot and attempt to transition from a chapter full of success and familiarity under Klopp and into the unknown. With Edwards at the helm, however, the transfer headlines have already started, which has seen the likes of Johan Bakayoko linked.
It would be fitting to see a young winger arrive at the beginning of a new era, given that Sadio Mane similarly came in as one of Klopp's first signings, and Bakayoko certainly has similar potential.
That said, Edwards' first focus could yet be to add another midfielder and one that Slot is all too familiar with. According to Fotospor, Liverpool are eyeing a move to sign Orkun Kokcu from Benfica this summer. The box to box midfielder came through the Feyenoord ranks to play under Slot, before leaving for Portugal last summer.
Journalist says Liverpool want to sign "electric" attacker for under £45m
The move has been approved by Arne Slot.
By
Henry Jackson
May 21, 2024
Now, he could be on the move again and on his way to join his former boss at Anfield. It would be quite the welcome gift for the Dutchman to be reunited with such a player and one who would form quite the partnership with Alexis Mac Allister in the middle of the park.
When the summer transfer window swings open, Kokcu is certainly one to keep an eye on if Liverpool step up their interest.
An all-action midfielder, Mac Allister still needs help pulling the strings for Liverpool and if he is to play an even bigger part next season then a player of Kokcu's player would be a vital addition. The fact that the 23-year-old has previously played under Slot as well would be a major bonus and should ease any potential settling in struggles, while his ability to play the six, eight and ten roles adds depth in multiple positions.
|
League stats 23/24 (via FBref) |
Orkun Kokcu |
Alexis Mac Allister |
|---|---|---|
|
Goals |
7 |
5 |
|
Assists |
8 |
5 |
|
Progressive Passes |
198 |
209 |
|
Ball Recoveries |
116 |
195 |
Kokcu's output is particularly impressive and something that, together with Mac Allister, would provide the Reds a needed boost if the likes of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz hit a period of struggle in front of goal, as they did at the back end of this season. Previously described as "leader" by Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, a move would also be coming at the perfect time for the 23-year-old Benfica midfielder.
That said, questions may arrive if another more central midfielder is targeted this summer, given that Dominik Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch all arrived last summer to join Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones in those roles ahead of Wataru Endo. Slot would suddenly be handed an instant selection headache.
Fans were amazed to see Tottenham star Brennan Johnson equal a Harry Kane record by scoring his sixth goal in six games against Brighton.
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