All posts by h716a5.icu

Barcelona face the potential loss of ten academy stars this summer, with key youngsters yet to receive new contracts despite first-team prospects.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Barca could lose ten academy starlets this summerClub chiefs haven't offered renewals so farSome players earmarked for future first-team rolesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

One of Barcelona's strengths as a club is their famed La Masia academy, which has produced some world-class talents like Lionel Messi, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, Lamine Yamal, and Pau Cubarsi over the years. However, reports that the Catalans face the daunting prospect of losing as many as ten youngsters from their U19 team this summer.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The likes of winger Arnau Pradas, top scorer Hugo Alba, and Jan Virgili are among the most concerning cases. Despite their potential, the club has yet to present renewal offers to Alba or Pradas, although they do have an option to extend Virgili’s contract for another year. This comes despite the fact that all three, along with players like Jofre Torrents, Quim Junyent, and Brian Farinas, are viewed are touted in the academy to have the potential to break into Hansi Flick's first team.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pradas has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, following in the footsteps of Barca Atletic (the reserve side) captain Unai Hernandez. Several other youth players, including Hector Rangel, Farinas, Adrian Gill, Tomas Marques, Alexander Walton, Dani Ferrer, and Marcos Parriego, are also out of contract this summer. Barca sporting director Deco, along with La Masia chiefs Jose Ramon Alexanco and Toni Hernandez, have their work cut out as they contemplate the future of their most promising youngsters.

Getty Image/ Goal ARWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Flick's troops currently lead La Liga's table with 60 points. They are level with Real Madrid, albeit with a game in hand. Their next assignment will be the rescheduled league fixture against Osasuna on March 27, which was postponed after the tragic death of first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia.

Former Sky Sports commentator tempted by chance to make a difference to England

Andrew Miller28-Apr-2022Rob Key, England’s new director of cricket, says that the chance to have some “skin in the game” was the primary reason why he was willing to forego a commentary role with Sky Sports that he had previously declared to be the “best job in the world” and take on the onerous challenge of reviving the flagging fortunes of English cricket.Key, who was officially unveiled at a press conference at Lord’s on Thursday, has already made his first big appointment by naming Ben Stokes as Joe Root’s successor as Test captain, and said he is “optimistic” about identifying a new red-ball head coach before the start of the New Zealand series in June, following the sacking of Chris Silverwood in the wake of this winter’s Ashes.However, the England team appointments are merely the most forward-facing of the many glaring vacancies facing the ECB. Tom Harrison, the CEO, is widely expected to stand down this summer after seven years in the role, while the board is now on to its second interim chair in six months, with Barry O’Brien quitting on Tuesday due to ill health. To compound the sense of paralysis, their search for a full-time successor to Ian Watmore is also back to square one, following this week’s dissolution of the original Nominations Committee.All of which means that Key himself still does not know who he will be reporting to in the long term, not that this particularly seems to concern him.”A lot of people report in to me, and then I report to the CEO, and then the chair, whoever they may be,” he said. “Ultimately I want good people around me who can debate and make good decisions. That’s it.”I don’t really know a lot about what’s going on there. I just hope that, in the chairman’s case, they appoint the best person because that’s what I’d do. You don’t try to appoint a dummy, just the best people you can.”We have this view of the ECB, but even when I was working with Sky, I never felt there was anyone in there saying ‘let’s try and make English cricket worse’,” Key added. “They get beaten up and battered quite a lot at the moment, but they are not trolls trying to make bad decisions. They are good people trying like hell to make cricket as good as they can, and find ways to make the next generation love cricket as much as we did.Related

Anderson, Broad 'available for selection', says new England director Key

'He had about four roles at Kent': How Key's county grounding prepared him for England role

ECB forced to restart search for new chairman; interim O'Brien steps down

Ben Stokes named England men's Test captain

“What I’ve had is a lot of support from people who are desperate to get cricket back on track,” he said of his first week in the job. “They want to make decisions and get going. At the moment, it’s an exciting time. We’ve got good candidates [for coach], a good captain, good players, it’s a great place to be.”Even so, it’s a bold career choice from a man who, by his own admission, had been “cruising” around the world, enjoying the “good life” of a TV commentator – most recently as part of team covering Australia’s first tour of Pakistan in 24 years. However, having previously held a de facto director of cricket role during his playing career at Kent, Key admitted he couldn’t resist the chance to once again make a tangible difference to the game.”Before I went to Pakistan, [Strauss] intimated ‘would you be interested in this kind of job?’ What I said is ‘I could be interested’. Because you’ve got your view on what English cricket should do. Nasser [Hussain], [Mike] Atherton, myself … we’re all stubborn and think we’re right. But when the chance came, I thought, now actually I have some skin in the game. We always used to say on [Sky], we want to find solutions, not just say ‘that’s rubbish, that’s rubbish, that’s good’. So, come on then, what’s the solution to these things? Now I’ve got that chance to see.”There’s not much else I know other than cricket, really,” he said. “It’s what I love, it’s what I talk about all the time. And it’s a chance to make a difference. I hate talking like that, but genuinely, what an opportunity really. English cricket is in a state of flux to say the least. That’s what intrigues me about the job, and what I hope to be able to make a difference on. We’ll find out if it’s good or bad.”That’s the way I worked when it was selecting teams at Kent, or deciding on who the coaches should be. It was always about getting people together and debating and then come up with the best answer, and if you put smart people in a room then you come up with good decisions.”That’s the beauty of what I think I have as well. I have a good network of people that I can ask for their opinion. I’m not now going to go and work for the ECB and just only restrict myself to people in that organisation.”

Manchester United supporters' group The 1958 have slammed INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's plans to construct a new 100,000-seater stadium.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

The 1958 issue scathing statementStadium said to resemble a circus tentRatcliffe under further fireFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United unveiled plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium on Tuesday, but some fans immediately reacted with immense disappointment. The stadium appears to resemble a circus tent, with three spires that are said to be inspired by the Red Devils' trident that adorns United's badge.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Now, fan group The 1958 have absolutely slammed Ratcliffe and INEOS' plans, insisting that the design is "soulless" and "corporate", and betrays the club's industrial heritage, while resembling a "circus". As per the plans, Old Trafford is set to be demolished.

WHAT THE 1958 SAID

A statement from The 1958 reads: "Instead of embodying the gritty, historic essence of Old Trafford…the design resembles a generic, soulless corporate structure, more akin to a modern entertainment venue than a football cathedral.

"Its circus-like aesthetic disregards the club’s working-class origins and the identity of a fanbase that spans generations. Rather than honoring the past and strengthening the bond with the local community, it prioritises spectacle over substance.

"Football, dignity and traditions need to be upheld and from what we can see they aren’t. It should be a cathedral for fans to go and worship our team and not a circus like tourist attraction."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

On the pitch, United play Real Sociedad on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 clash. The tie is finely poised at 1-1.

Celtic return to domestic action at Parkhead this afternoon as they prepare to welcome Ross County to Glasgow in the Scottish Premiership today.

The Hoops had their attention on the Champions League during the week as they played out a 1-1 draw with Belgian side Club Brugge at Paradise on Wednesday night.

A horror own goal from Cameron Carter-Vickers, who passed the ball into the bottom corner of his own net, had put the Pro League giants 1-0 up in the opening 45 minutes.

However, a brilliant second-half strike from Daizen Maeda pulled the Scottish giants level, before neither side were able to secure a winning goal in the game.

Brendan Rodgers will now have to select a side to continue Celtic’s dominance of the Premiership, a league in which his team are three points clear of second place Aberdeen.

One player who should be dropped from the starting XI for this clash with Ross County, after their performance against Club Brugge on Wednesday night, is Kyogo Furuhashi.

Why Kyogo Furuhashi should be dropped

The Japan international was selected ahead of Adam Idah to lead the line from the start in the Champions League match, and failed to justify his place in the side.

Kyogo found it incredibly difficult to get involved in the match, with his lack of physicality, and did not trouble the Club Brugge defenders much in his 76 minutes on the pitch.

He missed the only ‘big chance’ that came his way and, remarkably, did not compete in a single physical duel, on the ground or in the air, with an opposition defender, with his only duel won being a successful dribble.

Minutes

76

14

Touches

10

8

Passes completed

3/5

5/5

Defensive duels won

0/0

1/2

Fouls won

0

1

As you can see in the table above, Idah completed more passes and won more physical duels than Kyogo did, in just 14 minutes on the pitch off the bench.

The Ireland international, who scored two goals off the bench in the last Premiership clash with Hearts, should now be brought into the starting XI for this match against Ross County this afternoon, as the Japanese forward should be dropped down to the bench after his dismal showing on Wednesday.

Kyogo is not the only Celtic star who should be ruthlessly ditched from the line-up today, however, as Rodgers should also drop Greg Taylor from the team after his performance in the Champions League.

Greg Taylor's performance against Club Brugge

The Scotland international was selected ahead of Alex Valle to start at left-back against Club Brugge and let his manager down with a disappointing outing.

Taylor was substituted just before the hour mark after he had struggled in and out of possession at Parkhead in the Champions League clash up to that point.

His use of the ball was underwhelming, at best, with a pass completion rate of 80%, a long pass completion rate of 25%, and zero chances created for his teammates.

Taylor also let himself down with his work off the ball. The former Kilmarnock star lost one of his two duels on the ground and both of his aerial contests, which means that the opposition won 75% of their duels with the Scottish lightweight.

He was dribbled past once and only won one tackle in the match and these statistics do not suggest that the left-footed dud provided Rodgers with a reliable defensive presence down the left side of the pitch.

Minutes

90

Touches

118

Key passes

0

Ground duels won

4/9

Aerial duels won

1/3

Possession lost

26x

As you can see in the table above, Taylor also struggled in and out of possession from the start in the 4-1 win over Hearts last time out in the Premiership.

The 27-year-old defender lost the ball a staggering 26 times without creating a single chance from his 118 touches of the ball, which suggests that he was wasteful in possession.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

His five duels won out of 12 contested also shows that the opposition found it a little too easy to get the better of him, which was also the case for the game against Club Brugge.

The player who should start ahead of Greg Taylor

With Taylor’s poor performances against Hearts and Brugge in mind, Rodgers must ruthlessly ditch the Scotland international, as well as Kyogo, from the starting XI.

That would then open up a place in the line-up for Barcelona loanee Alex Valle to come in and play as part of the back four with Alistair Johnston, Carter-Vickers, and Auston Trusty.

The young Spaniard, who was an unused substitute against Hearts, produced a strong cameo in his 31 minutes off the bench against Club Brugge on Wednesday night.

As you can see in the clip above, it was the 20-year-old dynamo’s ball into the channel that allowed Maeda to brilliantly twist and fire into the far corner.

Alongside his assist, Valle completed 86% of his attempted passes and won three of his five duels, which shows that he offered more creativity in possession and more strength defensively than Taylor did.

Appearances

4

Starts

3

Big chances created

2

Assists

2

Ground duel success rate

60%

As you can see in the table above, the Barcelona youngster has not had many opportunities to shine in the Premiership this season since his temporary switch to Glasgow in the summer transfer window.

When he has had a chance to showcase his qualities, however, Valle has caught the eye with his strength in ground duels and his creativity from a left-back position.

The Spaniard has provided three assists in eight appearances and four starts in the Premiership and the Champions League combined, which suggests that he can come in to offer a creative threat down the left flank for Celtic this afternoon.

Celtic sold "powerful" flop for just £1.4m, now he's on par with Adam Idah

The former Celtic centre-forward has thrived since his move away from Parkhead.

1 ByDan Emery Nov 26, 2024

Rodgers must, now, unleash Valle from the start, to improve his side’s defensive and offensive work, by dropping Taylor to the bench against Ross County.

The 21-year-old was one of three Blues to make half-centuries as NSW went to stumps at 4 for 235 on day three against South Australia, holding a lead of 252

AAP25-Mar-2022First-class debutant Blake Nikitaras has impressed for NSW as they look to end their Sheffield Shield campaign with a win over South Australia on Saturday.The match has become a dead rubber with Western Australia and Victoria now locked in for next week’s Shield final in Perth, but NSW can still take plenty of positives from the match in Adelaide.The Blues went to stumps on day three at Karen Rolton Oval at 4 for 235, holding a lead of 252 after three batsmen made half-centuries.The day was highlighted by Nikitaras, with the 21-year-old making 56 to go with the 44 he posted in his first innings, looking brilliant throughout and belting two huge sixes.He looked set to push for triple figures until a disastrous mix-up with Matthew Gilkes that saw both stranded mid-pitch, with a direct hit from Brendan Doggett running him out.Fresh from 142 in the first innings, skipper Jason Sangha remained in imperious touch and brought up another half-century, eventually caught off Nathan McSweeney for 62.And Gilkes was also in fine form, making his fifth first-class fifty before he fell when McSweeney trapped him lbw for 54. Lachie Hearne could yet be a fourth Blue to raise the bat, 31 not out at stumps. McSweeney (2-71)  was the pick of the SA bowlers.South Australia declared 17 runs behind NSW at 9 for 277 late in Friday’s morning session after NSW dismissed captain Henry Hunt (109) and Harry Nielsen (63) early with tail-ender Liam Scott whacking 30. Chris Tremain (3-51) and Trent Copeland (3-58) were NSW’s best bowlers.

After injury-plagued career, fast bowler’s chance to be involved over-rides any fear of failure

Aadam Patel24-Jan-20221:15

How injury setbacks help Topley perform for England

For Reece Topley, an exceptional return to T20 international cricket demonstrated exactly why England gave the tall left-armer a debut in 2015, aged just 21, and exactly why Eoin Morgan sees Topley as a crucial asset to England’s hopes – not just for this series against West Indies, but also at the T20 World Cup later this year.That he has only represented England 20 times since his debut speaks of a career filled with undoubted talent, yet one that has been damaged by career-threatening injuries. In 2018, Topley was phoned and told that he’d be a part of the England ODI squad against India that summer, only to be told the same day that he would need back surgery.His terrific new-ball spell at Kensington Oval on Sunday evening set England up to level the series in a thriller in Barbados and marked the completion of a remarkable comeback into the England T20 side, almost six years since he last played the shortest format of the game at international level.It was enough to indicate that maybe, there is a new phase ahead for Topley and England. For a man whose journey has required incredible patience, through continuous injuries and a period of depression and falling out of love with the game, Topley insisted that his career trajectory perhaps enabled him to see the game in a different light and not get too carried away with the highs and the lows of sport.”I’ve probably had it slightly differently than other people that play international cricket, in terms of the journey that I’ve had,” Topley said. “I think my perspective is quite unique and last night, I just embraced all the emotion after the game, and all the messages that came through.”Speaking the morning after the second T20I, he added: “I embraced it all, but then I’m very good at parking it. This morning, it’s a new day and it’s all about recovering and focusing on the third T20 [on Wednesday]. I don’t really get too caught up in it. I’m lucky to be playing and I really enjoyed it at the end of the day. Almost having this second opportunity just makes me value it all a lot more.”Related

England climb off the canvas to level series with one-run victory

Death-bowling problems return to take shine off England win

Moeen expects Mahmood to 'learn from' off-night at death

Pooran hails Windies hitting depth after thrilling near-miss

On his first appearance in a T20I since playing for England at the 2016 T20 World Cup, Topley was the pick of the pace bowlers, trapping Brandon King for a duck with a full inswinger, before pulling off a spectacular run-out off his own bowling to remove Shai Hope after a devastating yorker. Ironically, replays showed that had England reviewed, Topley would have had one more in the wickets column.He was denied another scalp when Nicholas Pooran was dropped by Liam Dawson but figures of 1 for 18 in his four overs – including 1 for 10 from three overs in the powerplay – summed up a thoroughly impressive and winning return to the England side.Topley insisted that those experiences throughout those years ravaged by injury helped him to deal with difficult match scenarios, as it allowed him to see things from a different perspective.”Even when I’ve been injured so much, you’d almost bite someone’s hand off to play in a T20 and bowl four overs for 40-something,” he said. “It’s almost like, at least I’m out there. So then those bad days it’s like, it won’t be the last bad day I have. It’s not like I haven’t got this competitive instinct, it’s just that I’m very realistic about things now, and very level-headed.”I think that has boded well for me since coming back and playing, because those pressure scenarios, I just embrace them. I almost feel like it’s normal to be nervous and it’s exciting because it’s a game on the line for your country. Who wouldn’t be nervous? It’s almost like it’s normal, and I accept it. So, I think that’s the perspective that I’m pretty lucky to have stumbled upon really.”Topley pulled off an athletic run-out of Shai Hope•Getty ImagesTopley was a late addition to the England squad at the recent T20 World Cup as a replacement for the injured Tymal Mills and despite not playing in the UAE, he believed that the experience of being back within the T20 setup was invaluable.”I’ve been around the squads so that made it pretty easy for me to fit back into things,” Topley said. “I’ve been around the guys and training pretty well, so it was just more of the same, taking it out into the middle and a credit to everyone for helping with such a seamless transition. The white-ball squads are pretty similar in ODIs and T20s so being around that for the last few years has definitely helped.”After the World Cup, Topley joined the Melbourne Renegades – a team and a city close to his heart – after spending two summers in Melbourne during his prolonged rehabilitation from injury. It was where he rediscovered his love for the game.Making his debut at the Big Bash was a decision also made with the intention of getting himself back within England’s first-choice squad ahead of next winter’s World Cup in Australia. Topley impressed taking nine wickets in seven matches, including 3 for 27 in the local derby against the Melbourne Stars.On the pace-friendly wickets down under, England will certainly need quality options and given their recent problems with death bowling in the format, his display in Barbados stood out from the rest. While Chris Jordan went for 23 runs in the 18th and Saqib Mahmood went for 28 runs in the last, Topley followed up his wicket-taking new-ball spell with a penultimate over that was executed brilliantly, going for just eight.”As a bowler, my currency is wickets,” Topley said. “If you ask me I’d say that I can take wickets at any stage and in any format at the end of the day. It’s what I get up in the morning for – to try and get batsmen out essentially. It’s why I fell in love with cricket.”If Topley can carry on doing what he loves and closing games at the death, then there is every chance that he will be an integral part of England’s ambitions of holding both the 50-over and the 20-over World Cups simultaneously, when they head to Australia in October.

Anderson Talisca seemingly fired shots at Cristiano Ronaldo as he claimed fans are "afraid to say where the mistake is" at Al-Nassr.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Al-Nassr form has been patchyRonaldo failed to score in loss to Al-ArobahTalisca took aim at the club on social mediaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Talisca had been a key figure at Al-Nassr since joining in 2021 but was unceremoniously shown the door when the club decided to make room for Jhon Duran, securing the Colombian forward from Aston Villa for a record-breaking £64 million in January – the highest transfer fee ever spent in the Saudi Pro League. The new recruit made a strong impact, netting four goals in his first three matches. But his early form has not been enough to prevent Al-Nassr from slipping in the title race, as the team suffered two losses in their last three league outings.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

With Al-Nassr now nine points adrift of league leaders Al-Ittihad, tensions have been running high among supporters. Following the team’s 2-1 loss to Al-Orobah on Friday, a fan page on X (formerly Twitter) criticised Duran, questioning whether he was the right fit for the squad.

WHAT TALISCA SAID

Talisca, who now plays for Fenerbahce in Turkey, swiftly jumped to the Colombian’s defence, responding: "He is a great player and will do a lot for this club. The problem is that you always want to find someone to blame for the defeats, but you don’t see where the real mistake lies. Stop acting like this all the time. You know where the mistake is, you're just afraid to say it, lol.”

In a follow-up post, Talisca added: “And on top of that, you want to do to Duran what they did to me, to benefit others.”

His cryptic remarks quickly fuelled speculation among fans, with many interpreting them as a subtle jab at Ronaldo.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

DID YOU KNOW?

Since arriving in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo has been the focal point of Al-Nassr’s attack, but his form has dipped in recent matches. The Portuguese star failed to find the net in the team’s Saudi Pro League loss to Al-Orobah and was rested in the recent AFC Champions League clash against Esteghlal, a match that ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw. With Al-Nassr struggling for consistency, questions are being raised about whether the team’s over-reliance on Ronaldo is hindering their overall performance.

Talisca’s remarks seem to suggest that rather than blaming new signings like Duran, fans should be looking elsewhere for the true cause of Al-Nassr’s struggles. Though he did not explicitly mention Ronaldo, the timing of his comments combined with the Portuguese forward’s recent goal drought – has led many to draw their own conclusions.

Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake took over Chelsea, the Blues have signed a pile of wingers in an attempt to freshen up their wide options in attack. Chelsea fans have been blessed in the past with Eden Hazard, Willian, Pedro, Arjen Robben and Joe Cole, all players that could swing the game in their favour with a moment of magic.

Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho have all been signed in the past two seasons, for a combined €221.20m (£184.4m), according to Transfermarkt, which will rise to over £200m when Sancho’s loan becomes a permanent next summer, for around £20m.

Name

Fee (£)

Raheem Sterling

£46.8m

Mykhailo Mudryk

£58.3m

Noni Madueke

£29.1m

Pedro Neto

£50m

Jadon Sancho

Loan

Angelo

£12.5m

Diego Moreira

£0

But perhaps the best of the bunch is Pedro Neto, who signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer and has started brightly at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro Neto's record at Chelsea

Neto has already made 15 appearances since joining the Blues this summer, scoring three goals, providing three assists, and totalling 817 minutes played for the club so far.

The 24-year-old Portugal international has played on both the left and right wing for Enzo Maresca already this season and suits the Italian’s system extremely well, who likes to get his wingers 1v1 in high and wide areas, as a key focus for chance creation.

Neto’s ability as a two-way winger, to cut inside and let fly (as we saw against Arsenal last weekend), dink a clever inswinging cross into the box, but also that ability to beat his man for pace and go to the byline, makes the former Wolves man a nightmare for defenders.

But Chelsea seem to be in the market for a new striker and could be entering the race for a “monster” as dubbed by Ben Mattinson, who could really take Neto to the next level, and allow him to unlock his best skillsets.

Chelsea's search for a striker

According to reports from Spain, Chelsea look like the latest name to enter the race for Sporting CP striker, Viktor Gyokeres. Reports from the Daily Star state Gyokeres has a release clause of around €100m (£83m), but offers could be accepted for close to €80m (£67m).

Other big clubs reportedly interested include Manchester United and Arsenal. The Red Devils could prove to be an appealing project for the Sweden international, with his Sporting boss, Ruben Amorim, making the move to United recently.

Gyokeres has made 68 appearances since joining Sporting from Coventry in 2023, scoring 66 goals, providing 19 assists, and totalling 5,695 minutes played. If Chelsea are able to snatch the 26-year-old talisman, it could make for a great pairing with Neto, allowing both players to thrive.

Neto & Gyokeres combination

The prolific Sporting striker stands at 6 foot 1, has a stocky build, and uses his body well to win duels and protect the ball in the box. This level of box dominance is something the Chelsea squad lack, meaning the likes of Neto are unable to use their crossing qualities as often as they may like.

Chelsea’s current striking options are Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, both of whom offer some excellent traits, but not the box occupancy and aerial dominance that Chelsea need in the squad, in order to get the best from Neto.

Jackson has made 12 appearances this season, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 901 minutes played. Nkunku has made 17 appearances in all competitions, scoring ten goals already, providing one assist, and totalling 688 minutes played.

Stats (per 90 mins)

Neto

Gyokeres

Jackson

Goals

0.29

1.34

0.63

Assists

0.19

0.27

0.31

Progressive Carries

5.64

4.39

1.98

Progressive Passes

1.28

1.69

1.56

Shots Total

2.04

4.22

2.60

Key Passes

2.56

2.03

1.25

Crosses into Pen Area

1.28

0.00

0.00

Passes into Pen Area

1.54

1.01

0.21

Pen Area Touches

4.10

9.46

4.79

Aerial Duels Won

0.51

0.74

0.52

Aerial Duels Won %

28.6%

44.0%

23.8%

You can instantly see the creative numbers Neto brings to the table, making 1.28 crosses into the penalty area per 90, 1.54 passes into the penalty area, and 2.56 key passes per 90. This mixed with the box occupancy of Gyokeres (shown by his whopping 9.46 penalty area touches per 90) would get the best of both players.

Jackson, in comparison, has only managed 4.79 penalty area touches per 90 this season, and has only won 23.8% of his aerial duels per 90 so far this season, showing the need for a more powerful striker alongside him in the squad. Whilst the 23-year-old Senegal international offers a lot for the Blues, Gyokeres would bring a more powerful body type needed upfront.

One man who could suffer from a knock-on effect of this deal would be Madueke, who has started the season in relatively good form under his new boss.

How Madueke could be affected by Gyokeres signing

Madueke could find himself sidelined if Chelsea acquire a box-dominant striker, as Neto could be moved over to the right wing in order to unleash the full utility of his creative toolkit.

The 22-year-old English winger has made 13 appearances so far this season for Maresca’s side, scoring five goals in his 890 minutes played. He has been an important part of the Italians’ system, being a direct 1v1 winger, who looks to beat his man, but also works hard defensively and uses that athleticism to get up and down the pitch.

As good as Madueke has been, one thing he is often criticised for, is his final ball, and the quality of his crosses when he creates opportunities to put the ball in the box, having averaged just 0.21 crosses into the penalty area per 90, across the last 365 days.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

By putting Neto on the right instead, it would allow the Portuguese winger the ability to go both ways, cutting inside on his stronger left foot to put inswingers and clever passes into the box, and keep defenders guessing by beating them for speed down the outside.

That would certainly be a recipe for success with Gyokeres involved, even if it means handing Madueke a reduced role.

104 touches: 8/10 Chelsea ace was just as good as Madueke for his country

Chelsea stars shine on international break, one ace putting in an 8/10 performance

ByConnor Holden Nov 15, 2024

Newcastle United have got some fault lines running through their squad, but Eddie Howe has crafted something special and recent results have showcased that fact wonderfully, with Chelsea and Arsenal both defeated of late across two competitions.

Now, the climb. Newcastle’s hard-fought victory over the Gunners in the Premier League last weekend came down to willpower and sharp tactical understanding, perfect assimilation and implementation of Howe’s philosophy.

But the Magpies are still 11th in the standings, having failed to win any of their previous five top-flight contests before that one. There is much work to be done if Newcastle – backed by the Saudi PIF – are to cement their place at the front of the pack over the coming years.

Plans are being drawn up regarding where to improve, with one addition being looked at who could be perfect for Alexander Isak.

Alexander Isak is finding his feet

Isak is scoring once again, coming up trumps and leaving the Toon faithful cavorting after crucial goals against two of London’s finest outfits. He was always going to find his feet, and now Howe’s side can kick on and make headway in the Premier League.

Newcastle signed Real Sociedad’s talented striker in a deal worth £63m, a club record, in 2022, but he suffered an injury-hit debut year that provided him with only 17 starts in the top flight, albeit posting a respectable ten-goal haul.

Last term, however, Isak came alive. Featuring 40 times across all competitions, he scored 25 goals and put in performances that led pundit Harry Redknapp to declare last year: “I’m not sure if there’s a better player in the country right now.”

There was some noise around the 25-year-old’s future at St. James’ Park across the summer months, but he is still plying his trade under Howe’s wing and there are tentative hopes that he will pen a new contract.

Goals in recent matches have spoken once more of the player’s irreplaceable quality in black and white, with his slow start to the campaign swiftly shaped into something bearing a respectable return of four goals and an assist across ten matches in all competitions.

Moreover, he’s hardly just a target man. As per FBref, Isak ranks among the top 18% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 8% for progressive carries and the top 16% for successful take-ons per 90. Such metrics emphasise his dynamic and athletic style of play.

Signing a player like Jarrod Bowen really would complete Newcastle’s frontline, not only balancing the left flank, where Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes reside, with a player of high-class quality but finally completing the fluency that could see Isak reach monstrous new heights.

Bowen can be that signing.

Newcastle transfer news

As per TEAMtalk, Newcastle remain hot on the trail of the West Ham United captain, having been keeping tabs on the 27-year-old for a while.

The report suggests that the Magpies could make a blockbuster move and are ‘considering a bid’ for the former Hull City man.

West Ham are toiling under Julen Lopetegui and Bowen has not yet hit his stride, though the winger is proven in the Premier League and was the focal point of David Moyes’ illustrious tenure in east London.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Getting this one over the line won’t be easy. West Ham value Bowen at £100m – as per previous reports from the summer – and given that he signed a long-term contract last year, it is likely that it will take a ‘huge bid’ from PIF and co for the Hammers to even entertain a sale.

That would ensure it would likely prove a record move for those at St James’, surpassing the £63m that was spent on that man Isak back in 2022.

Bowen really would be the perfect signing for Newcastle in 2025, not least because he might blend with the club’s number nine, and restore Newcastle’s attack to its maximum level.

Imagine Jarrod Bowen & Isak

Miguel Almiron has played for Newcastle for a long time, and Jacob Murphy is certainly an underrated option within Howe’s squad, but neither carries that potent threat that the Hammers skipper would bring to the table.

Bowen’s West Ham career is a thing to behold. The east Londoners signed Hull City’s prized forward in January 2020 for a fee totalling £22m, and he has since gone on to score 64 goals and supply 41 assists across 214 appearances, instrumental in winning the Conference League and thriving across multiple continental campaigns.

Last year, despite Moyes’ system malfunctioning,

1.

Jarrod Bowen

44

20

2.

Mohammed Kudus

45

14

3.

Tomas Soucek

52

10

4.

Lucas Paqueta

53

8

5.

Michail Antonio

32

7

6.

James Ward-Prowse

51

7

His dual-wielded positional value has even seen him be gushed over by opponents, with Brentford manager Thomas Frank describing the England star as “unplayable” after he thumped a hat-trick past the Bees in the Premier League last year.

Could it be that Bowen would bring to Newcastle the kind of goalscoring quality that would unburden Isak with the weight of his responsibility? The Sweden international is a brilliant player, but Gordon aside, there is a distinct lack of prolificness.

Barnes is a terrific goalscorer, but he too is best on the left flank. Bowen, a right winger, would obviously earn regular match action for Howe’s side and has the requisite experience in Europe to actually make all the difference across the coming years.

Who knows, he might even convince Isak to stay on, for a frontline consisting of Gordon, Isak and he would surely hold the properties required to have a significant impact on the narrative at the top of the table and across cup competitions, year in, year out.

With a sharp playmaking edge too, creating 16 big chances in the Premier League since the start of last season, Bowen really could be the perfect partner for a machine-like centre-forward in Isak.

Shearer 2.0: Newcastle may have their biggest teen star since Miley

Newcastle could unleash a young striker who’s outscoring Isak this season

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 6, 2024

South Africa captain also heaps praise on Keegan Petersen who, he says, has “gone into a ‘great player’ mould now”

Vishal Dikshit14-Jan-20223:41

Cullinan: ‘Jansen a great find, Rabada No. 1 pacer in the world’

South Africa Test captain Dean Elgar is “extremely proud” of his team for “responding brilliantly” after being down 1-0 in the series to fight back and claim the trophy against the No. 1 Test side in the world. After clinching the series 2-1 with a seven-wicket win in Cape Town, Elgar said his team was “thrown under the sword” a few times in the series, and he had a few “tough chats” with his players, which they responded to “and grew massively in the last two Tests.””Pretty elated, I think it will obviously sink in in a day or two, maybe this evening,” Elgar told the host broadcaster at the presentation. “Couldn’t be prouder of the group, of players I have underneath me. We were thrown under the sword quite a few times in the series and the guys responded brilliantly. After the first loss, the boys had a lot of hope going into the second and third [Tests] knowing we can still win this. We obviously had to follow our ways and processes going into those games. [I] asked the players to respond in a better nature, better way and they responded brilliantly. Extremely happy.Related

The pace comparison – Where Rabada and Co bettered India's fast bowlers

The rise of Petersen, the wisdom of Elgar and a great SA victory

Stats – South Africa first team to win a three-match Test series without scoring 250

India's Newlands nemeses: Risky full length, SA's height and home edge, the Jadeja void

'I am lost for words' – Mark Boucher on 'tough nut' Keegan Petersen's showing against India

When asked how the hosts turned things around despite not being as experienced as India, Elgar said: “Challenging your players within the group, characters as well. You need immense characters to stand up in these kinds of tough situations. The way our bowling unit came in and operated throughout the last two Tests has been brilliant; throughout the series they’ve been brilliant. Sixty wickets in a Test series is quite a tough challenge for them but I threw down the challenge after the first game and the guys responded brilliantly. We’ve got a young, talented group but the experience they’ve been gaining…in this environment every day we’re gaining this experience, which is brilliant for us. It was unreal to see how a group that doesn’t have the repertoire or names, how they could gel together and play as one. This is a proper unit that we’ve operated in and it’s a proper team, by no means I can single-handedly pick out players because everyone has played a big part in vital situations throughout the series. Extremely, extremely proud of this group.”Like Elgar said, South Africa’s bowling outshone their Indian counterparts throughout the series. Three of South Africa’s four fast bowlers – Kagiso Rabada (20), Marco Jansen (19) and Lungi Ngidi (15) – topped the wicket charts while no India bowler could get to 15 wickets in the series.India captain Virat Kohli also admitted at the presentation that South Africa’s bowlers “were better at applying pressure in long periods of time.” Elgar further said once he had laid down the challenge for his players, it was down to the XI to perform.”Ultimately, if you want to operate at a high performance level, you need to have tough chats,” Elgar said. “If guys don’t like it, that’s up for them to deal with. I’ve got an old-school mentality with bit of a new-school twist. I laid down some proper challenges to the senior players as well, to obviously stand up and respond and it was brilliant to see the guys take the message and follow it. It’s one of the bigger challenges to get everyone on your side and buy in from a captain’s point of view. The guys responded brilliantly. I’ve got absolutely no regrets going into the three-match series that we’ve played. I’d like to think I gave us the best message going forward in order to pull off a series win.”

“Always known he’s a good player. He’s gone into a ‘great player’ mould now which is obviously a lot to say for guys who’ve only played a few or handful of Tests.”Dean Elgar on Keegan Petersen’s performance in the three Tests against India

Elgar also extolled the determination Keegan Petersen showed in the series, to emerge as their biggest highlight and a prospect for the future. Petersen, 28, struck three half-centuries in the last two Tests, including 72 and 82 in the third game, to lead the scoring charts with a tally of 276, which earned him the Player-of-the-Match and Series awards in only his fifth Test.”Brilliant. He’s the one who responded since the first game,” Elgar said of Petersen. “He’s been immense. I’ve known Keegan for quite some time now, I’ve played a lot of domestic cricket against him. Always known he’s a good player. He’s gone into a ‘great player’ mould now which is obviously a lot to say for guys who’ve only played a few or handful of Tests. He’s only into his fifth Test now. I’ve always known he had this ability; he has dominated domestic cricket leagues from a run-scoring point of view and it’s awesome to see him have a great series in the second and third Tests obviously. And long may he grow.Keegan Petersen acknowledges the ovation as he walks back•AFP/Getty Images”I think there’s still a lot of scope for improvement from his point of view. I think the world’s his oyster at the moment. Even though he’s a little bit older but he’s somebody who’s willing to learn, and you need characters like that. He’s a proper character in the change room as well. He’s got a bit of a light-hearted manner to him as well which is something you take for granted when you’re playing serious cricket. Extremely proud of what KP has achieved.”Elgar said his responsibility as captain was to pull the team together after the first loss in Centurion “hurt” them when they went down by 113 runs.”Us as a group, we’ve been hurting a little bit which is something for us to feed off,” he said. “We played as a unit, and the bottom of the line is if you’re playing as a unit, you can go a lot quicker.”I think as a unit, we’ve grown massively within the last two Tests. The first Test loss hurt us, and we know from a South African point of view, if you want to compete in Test cricket and you want to be world No. 1 one day, you have to compete and beat the best in the world. I’m extremely happy that things worked out for us after that. It could have gone wrong, and I could have had egg on my face but massive respect for the players for following my message.”Elgar also hinted the series win could be a sign of things to come for the future of South Africa’s Test cricket. After the ODIs against India, South Africa will fly to New Zealand for two Tests in February before they host Bangladesh for two Tests in March-April.”By no means we’re a finished article, I can tell you that,” Elgar said with a smile. “I’m already thinking about the next series, which is something I need to manage and control because I’m going to blow my brain out. It’s a lot of positives going into that next series, there’s a lot of negatives that we also have to work on. We have hit it on the head and in order to grow we need to curb those challenges that we have.”