RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schafer has hinted Tottenham loanee Timo Werner will have to find a new club this summer.
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Werner has struggled at SpursLoan unlikely to be made permanent Leipzig chief hints at future plansFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Werner rejoined Spurs on loan in the summer, after initially arriving in January of last season. The forward has struggled throughout his time in north London, however, and has scored just once in 27 appearances, with that strike coming in a Carabao Cup win over Manchester City. He has registered three assists, but his inability to score consistently almost guarantees that he will be heading back to the Bundesliga this summer.
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Spurs do reportedly have a purchase option of around €12 million (£10m/$13m) but Schafer has now hinted that the ex-Chelsea flop will be returning to Germany, and may then need to find himself a new club during the summer window.
WHAT SCHAFER SAID
Schafer said, per RB Live: “Timo Werner is currently at Tottenham. We spoke with his agent two or three weeks ago. I think the loan isn’t going quite as well as we might hope.
“[Leipzig will] think about Timo Werner and all the players who are returning in the summer in due course.”
He added: “We want to have a team on the pitch starting this summer that corresponds to what I’ve already answered several times.
“We need a breath of fresh air, a new spirit, to recapture that attitude, that life, brutal energy that has distinguished this club.”
AFPWHAT NEXT?
Spurs face one of Werner's former clubs on Thursday, when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They currently languish in 14th in the Premier League table.
The tearaway quick picked up all five wickets that Sunrisers Hyderabad took on the night
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Apr-2022
7.4 Top of off, 144kph. [Shubman] Gill is looking to make room and use his pace to go over the covers, but Malik keeps his length, keeps his line, and crashes through to the off stump. 69/19.2 Great field placement. Third man is fine, almost a back stop. Malik bowls the bouncer, Pandya is clearly late on it, and the top edge goes to that fine third man. Malik is blowing kisses in the sky. He is on top of the world. 85/2 13.2 Bullseye! 152kph heat-seeking missile explodes at the base of middle and leg stump! It was going to take something electric to remove Saha and Malik provides that by lighting up the stumps before Saha can jam the bat down in time while trying to back away to access the off side. 122/3 15.5 Bullseye again! A 50-pointer rips out the middle of middle stump at 148kph! Fired on a good length, [David] Miller goes for a big heave over the leg side and instead of hearing bat on ball, it’s the harsh and unmistakable sound of ball on timber! 139/415.6 One more bullseye! Five for Malik! Fullish length on middle at 146kph, [Abhinav] Manohar fiddles at this more in hope than belief, trying desperately to see off Malik’s final ball before waging battle against someone else. Beats the bat and a faint deflection off the back leg onto middle and off stump halfway up. Malik runs away with arms aloft and kisses the sky! 140/5
Barcelona face the potential loss of ten academy stars this summer, with key youngsters yet to receive new contracts despite first-team prospects.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
Celtic defender Greg Taylor
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.
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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.
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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.
Australia take cautious approach to side strain recovery, Boland expected to be fit after SCG tumble
Andrew McGlashan07-Jan-2022Josh Hazlewood will miss the final Ashes Test in Hobart as Australia continue to take a cautious approach to his recovery from the side strain he picked up in the opening match at the Gabba.However, Australia are confident that Scott Boland will have no major ill-effects from the tumble he took on the final ball of the second session at the SCG which left him needing a scan on his ribs after his elbow jammed into his side.Boland did not bowl after tea, having claimed two wickets during the opening session as England fell to 36 for 4, but would have been able to return late in the day if needed. He may not be used again in the first innings if Australia wrap it up quickly but should be available for the final innings of the match.If Hazlewood had been fit for this Test, Boland would have been left out despite his stunning 6 for 7 at the MCG. Now he will hope to play three matches in a row, although will face pressure from Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser who both featured in the Adelaide day-night Test.Scott Boland clutches his side after slipping on release•Getty Images
Coach Justin Langer said after the third day’s play in Sydney that Hazlewood would be held back for Australia’s upcoming white-ball cricket which includes an ODI series and one-off T20I against New Zealand followed by a T20I series against Sri Lanka which CA confirmed on Saturday morning”Unfortunately Josh hasn’t come up, hopefully he’ll be right for the white-ball game,” he said. “It’s been really tough on him, he’s been really hanging out to play this Ashes like everyone.”A CA statement said: “Hazlewood, the national selection panel and sports science and sports medicine ream agreed he would remain in Sydney for the next three weeks before joining the squad for the One-Day International Series against New Zealand and T20 International Series against Sri Lanka.”The New Zealand and Sri Lanka series will form part of his preparations for the Test and white-ball tour of Pakistan from early March.”Langer added that Richardson, who has been nursing a lower leg problem since the second Test where he took a five-wicket haul, would be in contention under lights in Hobart.”To have guys like Michael Neser and Jhye… they’ll both be in contention. It’s exciting to have these options with a couple of our players going down.”Related
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Mitchell Starc is the only specialist Australia quick to have played every Test of the series with captain Pat Cummins forced to sit out Adelaide after being a close contact of a Covid case.Having dominated the first session at the SCG – stringing together 11 maidens in a row either side of lunch while taking three wickets – Australia’s attack came under sustained pressure for the first time in the series from Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, although they have remained well ahead in the contest, to pose a few questions to Cummins.”I thought our first two hours, similar to what we’ve seen this whole Test series, was as relentless bowling as I’ve seen from Australian cricket,” Langer said. “Then as we’ve been waiting for throughout the series, a great fightback. I thought Ben Stokes was courageous with his side [injury], Jonny Bairstow a brilliant Test hundred, he got a rough knock on his thumb.”England had the better of us in the second two sessions. That will be good for Pat and his captaincy development. It can’t always be rainbows and butterflies as he’s probably found so far. We’ll talk about how we are going to attack England in the morning but so far he hasn’t put a foot wrong and don’t think he has today, either.”
As Liverpool look to ease any blows caused by the potential departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, Serie A champions Inter are now reportedly fearful that the Reds have already struck an agreement to sign one of their star men.
Liverpool transfer news
Things can’t get much better for Liverpool on the pitch. The Reds sit top of the Premier League after seven games under Arne Slot in a run that has seen them concede just twice. From the chaos of entertainment under Jurgen Klopp, Slot has taken a calmer, stricter approach to tighten things up at Anfield whilst displaying the type of football that can leave the Kop in awe.
That’s not to say Liverpool are without their problems. In fact, as things stand, they’re heading towards a complete disaster in 2025. Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah are all set to leave as free agents next summer unless anything changes. In order to avoid the ultimate failure, the Reds must complete negotiations with the trio.
Trent Alexander-Arnold for Liverpool
Of course, planning for the worst-case scenario here is no bad thing, which has reportedly seen those at Anfield turn their attention towards Italy’s Serie A. According to reports in Spain, Inter now fear that Liverpool have already struck an agreement with Denzel Dumfries, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the current campaign.
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The Dutchman is a player who Van Dijk and Cody Gakpo will know well thanks to their national team and someone who the latter already showcased a connection with in recent days by assisting Dumfries against Hungary.
Whether Gakpo and Dumfries get the chance to repeat that goal at Anfield remains to be seen, but Liverpool are certainly wise to plan for life without Alexander-Arnold.
"Brilliant" Dumfries would ease Alexander-Arnold blow
If they need to replace Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool will have a near-impossible task, but one that Dumfries could yet arrive to complete to some degree in 2025. The Inter ace is one of few players who stand in good stead when it comes to replicating the England international’s attacking exploits, albeit whilst enduring his own defensive struggles.
League stats 23/24 (via FBref)
Denzel Dumfries
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Goals
4
3
Assists
4
4
Tackles won
13
26
Ball recoveries
58
176
Dumfries is a player who has caught the attention of those in and around English football over the years, with Micah Richards handing the right-back plenty of praise after his display against United States at the 2022 World Cup. The BBC pundit said (via TEAMtalk): “Denzel Dumfries. What a player he is. I just thought his whole game was brilliant.
“It was his timing of his runs… He didn’t sort of mix it up too much, but when he did, it was the right moments. Down this right-hand side, he was just breathless.”
When 2025 arrives, Alexander-Arnold’s potential Liverpool exit could commence a domino effect which ends with Dumfries heading the way of Anfield.
Former Barcelona stars Neymar and Memphis Depay shared a touching moment after facing off against one another for Santos and Corinthians respectively.
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Neymar returns to old side Santos
Faces off against Depay's Corinthians
Duo share touching moment at full time
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Neymar's Santos lost 2-1 to Depay's Corinthians in the Campeonato Paulista on Thursday, in the former's third game since returning to his old team. Despite the heated rivalry between the two sides, the pair shared a warm embrace after the contest and swapped shoes and shirts, too.
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Neymar made a dramatic and emotional return to the Brazilian giants earlier this month after his contract at Al-Hilal was terminated. The 33-year-old is seeking to resurrect his career but he has a long way to go before achieving that goal, following an injury-hit 18 months in the Middle East.
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WHAT NEXT?
The games continue to come thick and fast for Neymar as Santos host Agua Santa on Sunday in the same competition.
Leeds United senior reporter Graham Smyth has shared a transfer twist regarding Barcelona’s payment for £55m winger Raphinha.
Latest Leeds news in international break
The Whites headed into the current international break following a 2-2 Championship draw with Sunderland, a game in which there was an injury-time blunder from goalkeeper Illan Meslier. The Frenchman’s bizarre mishap cost Daniel Farke’s side two points to go joint top of the table, however, Farke has reportedly already decided that Meslier will start for Leeds against Sheffield United when club football returns.
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Elsewhere, Leeds have been dealing with an injury crisis in recent weeks, with the likes of Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev joining the Thorp Arch treatment list.
Farke has revealed that he hopes to have Daniel James back available for the game against Sheffield United and an injury update on Manor Solomon has claimed the Israel international has stayed with the Whites despite seemingly being called up for his country.
On the transfer front, Eintracht Frankfurt look likely to exercise their option to sign Rasmus Kristensen from Leeds for up to ÂŁ10m, and there has been another transfer claim involving Raphinha.
Leeds transfer latest on Barcelona payment for Raphinha
Reports from Spain in recent days have suggested that Barcelona still owe Leeds United for the signing of Raphinha. It was claimed that ÂŁ469,000 was due in the short term and a long-term total of ÂŁ35.2m, however, Smyth has been told differently by a Leeds source. Writing for The YEP on Wednesday, Smyth said that Leeds are not due a windfall from Barcelona for Raphinha who they sold for up to ÂŁ55m with add-ons.
“Leeds are not due a windfall from the 27-year-old. Club sources have told the YEP that Barcelona do not owe them an outstanding debt for Raphinha. It is possible however that the current LaLiga leaders may well owe a creditor for money secured in order to purchase him and that is why their June 2024 financial report listed a debt with regards to Raphinha. They may also owe smaller amounts to Sporting de Portugal, Stade de Rennais and Vitoria.”
Former Leeds forward Raphinha.
Raphinha has also been in the news this week to talk about his relationship with legendary Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa, who Luis Suarez has recently criticised for his man-management style.
“In my opinion, I think everyone has a difficult side to deal with, they have a very complicated side to dealing with people or situations”, said Raphinha on Bielsa.
“I guess, in my opinion, everyone is different. Everyone has difficulty managing something at a certain point. I don’t know what happens in the Uruguay team, what I know is what happened to me in Leeds.
“I had good times and bad times with him, naturally, like a big family, for example. I was with a lot of people inside the house, naturally conflicts will happen, good times and bad times will happen. I believe that within football, in a club, in a national team, it ends up being the same. There are moments that are good, there are moments that are not so good.
“Personally, I had my good moments and my bad moments with him, but I can only be grateful for everything I am today, for almost everything I am today. Where I am today was thanks to him.
“I just have to thank him for everything I experienced with him in these two years. It was a year and a half that I lived with him. We had our frictions; we had our fights. Some uglier than others, but we had a lot of good moments too. As I told you, I think that inside your house not everything is roses.”
Following the news that Rodri will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury, Manchester City have reportedly opened talks to sign a replacement for the Spaniard from Italy’s Serie A.
Man City transfer news
The Citizens couldn’t have been handed worse news than Rodri’s long-term injury. The defensive midfielder is the ultimate key behind their success, even ahead of Erling Haaland. Rodri is the man who provides the platform for such attacking exploits. There is arguably no one better in Europe than Rodri in that role, dealing Manchester City a major blow in pursuit of a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
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Pep Guardiola confirmed the news that his star man will miss the rest of the season, telling reporters (via Fabrizio Romano): “Unfortunately, Rodri got the worst outcome. He got surgery this morning, ACL and some meniscus. This season is over for Rodri. Next season, he will be here.”
The Premier League champions are already feeling the impact of his injury, dropping points at St James’ Park in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United this weekend, courtesy of Anthony Gordon’s equaliser.
In need of a replacement for Rodri, the Citizens have reportedly turned their attention towards Serie A. According to reports in Spain, Manchester City are already in talks to sign Samuele Ricci from Torino in the January transfer window, as they look towards the 23-year-old to complete the near-impossible task of replicating their star man’s role.
Udinese's Lazar Samardzic in action with Torino's Samuele Ricci
Valued at just €22m (ÂŁ18m), Manchester City would be getting the bargain of the January window if Ricci managed to seamlessly replace Rodri in Guardiola’s side gunning for yet another title.
"Outstanding" Ricci would ease Rodri blow
Whilst there may not exist a player who would directly replicate Rodri’s quality in this City side, Ricci would at least hand Guardiola a natural option in defensive midfield, and one who has earned a lot of praise. U23 scout Antonio Mango even went as far as dubbing the Torino star “outstanding” in 2023, as he continued an impressive rise for the Italian side.
Working under Guardiola is likely to improve Ricci even further, potentially unearthing a long-term heir to Rodri’s Manchester City throne in both the short and long term.
League stats 23/24 (via FBref)
Samuele Ricci
Rodri
Progressive passes
47
76
Progressive carries
122
376
Ball recoveries
125
235
Tackles won
18
43
Although the numbers highlight just how big a miss Rodri will be for Manchester City this season, they also show that Ricci could be one to watch, especially if he gets the chance to work alongside some of Europe’s best under the guidance of Guardiola come January.
An “incredible” Leeds United player who hasn’t even started for them could become a key man for Daniel Farke, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
Leeds manager & transfer news
The Whites have made a solid start to the Championship season, rather than a spectacular one, and while they are still sixth in the table, Farke doesn’t find himself too safe in his job.
West Brom manager Carlos Corberan has been touted as a potential replacement for the German in the recent days, should the 49ers Enterprises feel the need to make a change. It is a decision that would arguably feel harsh, however, considering he guided Leeds into the playoff final last season, and is still sitting in the top six currently.
West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan.
Away from manager news, it was an up-and-down summer transfer window at Elland Road, with Farke losing three hugely important players in Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.
On the plus side, some key signings were made by Leeds, with Joe Rodon completing a permanent move to the club from Tottenham, Largie Ramazani joining from Almeria and Ao Tanaka completing a switch from 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Journalist backs "incredible" Leeds man to be key
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs claimed that Tanaka could now become a key man for Leeds, backing him to play a prominent role under Farke, despite not starting a game for them yet:
“Ao Tanaka could be a really important figure in turning Leeds’ form around. They needed another central midfielder, and one with an engine and defensive qualities.
“Brenden Aaronson will be important, too, and is already scoring a few goals, but Tanaka is the kind of disciplined presence Leeds perhaps need. I think he’ll become a regular starter sooner rather than later.”
Tanaka has certainly eased his way in at Leeds to date, making three appearances in the Championship this season, but only actually being on the pitch for nine minutes in total.
This could now be an ideal time to unleash him properly, however, adding a freshness to the Whites’ team and allowing him to show supporters why Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has said of him:
“Midfielder Ao Tanaka. Anyone who is serious about football will know a little about him. He has incredible technique. But there are other good players at Fortuna, too.”
The ÂŁ3m signing has scored eight goals in 28 caps for Japan, showing that he is a key man at international level, and one of those strikes was a memorable winner against Spain at the 2022 World Cup.
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A tally of 18 goal contributions (10 goals and eight assists) in 95 appearances for Dusseldorf was also a steady return for a central midfielder, and he could add that class and guile for Leeds in the middle of the park, as well as giving them defensive discipline, having averaged 1.8 and 1.3 tackles per game in the 2. Bundesliga in 2022/23 and 2023/24 respectively.