Leeds United lost valuable depth in the full-back position when they decided to send Djed Spence back to his parent club earlier this month.
The versatile defender had been deployed as a left-back and a right-back in the Championship for the Whites this season and has now returned to Tottenham Hotspur.
This has left Daniel Farke without an abundance of options in the number two and three positions heading into the second half of the campaign.
Journalist Graeme Bailey recently said that he has heard Burnley full-back Charlie Taylor's name mentioned in connection to a possible move back to Leeds this month and stated that he thinks a left-back will arrive at Elland Road.
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It was reported by Foot Mercato in November that Real Betis were interested in a deal for Junior Firpo, who they claimed wanted a move away from Yorkshire.
Farke could now ruthlessly ditch the Spanish defender, if that interest is still there, by securing a deal for Taylor to replace him before the end of the window. Whilst it would not solve the depth issue, it could improve the squad.
Firpo's last 18 months in numbers
The former Barcelona left-back has only made six appearances in the Championship so far this season and has been named in the starting XI once.
He has averaged 1.8 tackles and interceptions combined and 1.2 clearances per game for the Whites, to go along with a duel success rate of 55%.
Leeds United defender Junior Firpo.
Last season, Firpo made 19 appearances and started 14 of those games in the Premier League as Leeds were relegated from the top-flight.
The 27-year-old dud was dribbled past 1.2 times per game and only won 50% of his duels as opposition players found it far too easy to get the better of him week-in-week-out.
The statistics that show why Leeds should sign Taylor
Farke could allow Firpo to move on by signing Taylor as the Burnley left-back's form over the last 18 months suggests that he has more to offer than the current Leeds defender.
The £30k-per-week battler played 33 times in the Championship last term as his side romped their way to the title and he started 17 of those matches.
Appearances
16
Goals
One
Assists
One
Duel success rate
53%
Tackles per game
1.6
Vincent Kompany hailed the talented gem's versatility, as Taylor was deployed as a left-back and a centre-back, and described him as being "quick and strong".
This means that Farke would bring in a player who can offer him depth in multiple positions, as the Clarets ace could be used at full-back or as cover on the left side of the defence.
In the Championship last term, Taylor was only dribbled past 0.2 times per game and won an impressive 63% of his duels across the campaign.
Burnley defender Charlie Taylor.
This shows that the experienced defender was able to dominate opponents in physical contests and did not allow forwards to go past him with ease.
Firpo has struggled with both of those aspects of defending and that is why the Burnley battler could come in as an upgrade on the Leeds number three.
Therefore, if Leeds could convince Taylor to make the drop back down to the Championship to enjoy a second spell at Elland Road then Farke could ditch Firpo in the process.
The January transfer window has now opened and Tottenham Hotspur are eager to bolster the ranks with several signings that can make a real difference during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.
While Spurs finished eighth in the Premier League last season and lost club-record scorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in August, Ange Postecoglou has been a revelation in the dugout since joining in the summer and is fighting for success.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian manager has revealed that his side's defence – currently without star figures Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero due to injury – will receive priority, but the club are expected to conduct business across multiple positions.
Currently fifth in the table and just one point away from fourth-placed Arsenal, a positive transfer window could make all the difference going forward, with Spurs performing admirably this term despite numerous injuries and suspensions that have threatened to derail the progress.
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Once the backline has been shored up, focus must turn further up the pitch, with recent reports suggesting that a move for Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White is being lined up.
Spurs transfer targets – Morgan Gibbs-White
According to the Daily Mail, Spurs sent scouts to observe Gibbs-White in action at the City Ground against Manchester United last week, and after such a talismanic effort as the Tricky Trees won, it's hard to imagine the London club would now be dissuaded in their interest.
But with Spurs eager to improve and close the gap on those at the forefront of the English top-flight with permanence, it's one to keep an eye on, with the 23-year-old one of Forest's most impressive players since the start of last season.
Morgan-gibbs-white-nottingham-forest
Forest signed Gibbs-White from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022 in a deal that could rise to £42.5m, so to snatch him from Nuno Espirito Santo's side, a mammoth fee may well be required.
Morgan Gibbs-White's Nottingham Forest career in numbers
Hailed for his "magic tricks" by Nottingham Forest correspondent Jamie Martin, Gibbs-White was crucial in his side's fight for survival last season, scoring five goals and supplying eight assists across 34 starts in the Premier League for Steve Cooper's side.
Creating 1.9 key passes per game, as per Sofascore, Gibbs-White established himself as one of his team's main creative outlets and in what proved to be the perfect move for him after spending years as a prospect at Wolves, showing flashes of quality but failing to cement a prominent role in the Molineux side.
Crossing
Short passing
Key passes
Direct set-pieces
Dribbling
*Sourced via WhoScored
This season, the 18-cap former England U21 international might have only posted two goals and three assists across 20 outings, but he has been far more influential and refined across the different facets of his midfield game, averaging 1.8 key passes, 1.3 tackles and 4.3 ball recoveries per game while winning 52% of his ground duels.
Known to be a risk taker for Forest, always looking to prise open the opposition defence with defence-splitting passes and darting runs to drag defenders out wide, the £80k-per-week ace could be the dynamic midfielder Postecoglou needs to improve his midfield at Tottenham, but such an acquisition could harm Giovani Lo Celso, who has played himself into some fine form recently.
Giovani Lo Celso's season in numbers
Lo Celso signed for Tottenham from Spanish side Real Betis for £55m back in 2019, and while the Argentinian maestro has long been admired for his ball-playing skills, he failed to impress and was even branded a "flop" by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke before spending a season-and-a-half on loan with Villarreal.
Joining back up with the Lilywhites last summer, Lo Celso has made an impression across the past few months, called upon after star playmaker James Maddison picked up an injury and remains on the sidelines to date.
Scoring in successive matches against Aston Villa and Manchester City and recently supplying two assists during Spurs' big victory over Bournemouth, the 27-year-old has been a valuable tool but has only started four times all term, suggesting that Postecoglou is disinclined to hand him a starring role.
Passing
Crossing
Defensive contribution
Dribbling
Ball retention
*Sourced via WhoScored
In fairness, he has completed 91% of his passes in the Premier League, averaging 1.1 key passes, 1.6 tackles and 3.7 recoveries each outing, but whether he will truly live up to the price tag is dubious.
Why Spurs should sign Morgan Gibbs-White
Gibbs-White is versatile and can play well across a range of roles, though his favoured position is No. 10 where he can pull the strings from the centre; the main thing is that his creativity does not fade wherever he is placed.
Highlighting his best attributes, journalist Antonio Mango said in 2023: "Absolute menace inside the final third, extremely forward thinking with the ability to strike fear into opponents with his aggressive and arrogant style."
Spurs boss Postecoglou's decision to send scouts out to observe the player in action obviously confirms the interest, and the audition against Manchester United really must have done him some favours, should he desire a transfer to Tottenham in the future.
Handed an 8.5/10 match rating by Nottinghamshire Live, Gibbs-White now needs to sustain his performances under his old boss for the remainder of the campaign, and in doing so, will edge high-placed suitors closer to further advances for his signature.
Gibbs-White also ranks among the top 5% of positional peers for aerial wins per 90, further showcasing his tenacity and willingness to get stuck in and win battles against opponents.
Lo Celso, in comparison, ranks among the bottom 4% for the same metric, and while this is not a big part of his game, both players are 5 foot 9 and perhaps this hints at the Forest man's superiority in desire and determination.
Lo Celso's improved form under Postecoglou's wing this season has been impressive, there's no doubt about that, but when Maddison returns he might find himself restricted to a peripheral role once again.
While some might assume the same could be said for Gibbs-White, the Nottingham Forest star is more dynamic and combative and could slot right into the system, playing across different roles and leading with expansive performances from the centre.
Altogether, he would be an upgrade, and with age on his side in this particular comparison too, Postecoglou could mould him to his own creation over the coming years.
أوضح شريف العريان الأمين العام للجنة الأولمبية المصرية، كواليس سبب عدم مشاركة السباحة المصرية فريدة عثمان، في دورة الألعاب الأولمبية باريس الأخيرة 2024، ذلك في بيان رسمي.
وكانت السباحة المصرية فريدة عثمان، خرجت في تصريحات عبر حسابها الشخصي، للكشف عن أسباب عدم مشاركتها في أولمبياد باريس 2024، حيث قالت إن سبب عدم مشاركتها خطأ من المسؤولين.
وأشارت فريدة عثمان إلى أنها شاركت في دورة الألعاب الإفريقية بغانا، باعتبارها جزء من الاستعدادات إلى أولمبياد باريس وليس بإنها مؤهلة إلى الأولمبياد، حيث لم تتمكن من تحقيق الرقم المطلوب للتأهل.
طالع.. رسميًا | فريدة عثمان تعلن عدم مشاركتها في أولمبياد باريس
وقال العريان في البيان: “ليس دور اللجنة الأولمبية إعداد اللاعبة للبطولات ولكن دورنا يقتصر على مناقشة خطط الإعداد التي يضعها الجهاز الفني بموافقة الاتحاد والموافقة على تنفيذها”.
وأضاف: “دار حديث تليفوني بيني وبين شريف حبيب مدرب اللاعبة وعلمت خلاله أنه مع فريدة في مطار إيطاليا عائدان منها بعد المشاركة في آخر بطولة تأهيلية للأولمبياد، وخلال الحوار أخبرته وأخبرت فريدة لطمأنتها ورفع روحها المعنوية بأنها ستشارك بإذن الله في أولمبياد باريس حيث أرسل الاتحاد المصري للسباحة برئاسة المهندس ياسر إدريس خطاب لنظيره الدولي به أسماء اللاعبات المصريات اللاتي يرشحهن الاتحاد المصري للحصول على الكوتا العالمية لعدم تأهل فتاة مصرية بالرقم التأهيلي A cut، وكان اسم فريدة عثمان هو الأول في الترتيب يليها اللاعبة لوجين عبد الله، وبالتالي تم ارسال هذا الخطاب من الاتحاد الدولي للجنة الأولمبية الدولية للموافقة على مشاركة فريدة في باريس”.
وتابع: “حسب قوانين اللجنة الأولمبية الدولية يتم منح مقعد الكوتا العالمية للاعب لم يحصل عليه مرتين ولم يتجاوز الـ 30 عام، وفريدة لم تستخدم هذا المقعد سوى مرة واحدة في أولمبياد لندن 2012 حيث تأهلت لأولمبياد ريو 2016 وطوكيو 2020 من خلال تحقيق الرقم التأهيلي A cut، وبما أن فريدة لم تصل بعد إلى عامها ال 30 حيث يتبقى لديها عدة أشهر فقد توقعت أن تمنح اللجنة الأولمبية الدولية هذا المقعد لفريدة عثمان”.
وواصل: “بعد مكالمتي مع شريف حبيب وفريدة عثمان بيومين طلب مني المهندس ياسر إدريس رئيس اللجنة الأولمبية ورئيس الاتحاد المصري للسباحة مخاطبة اللجنة الأولمبية الدولية للتأكيد على ترشيح اسم فريدة عثمان للحصول على الكوتا العالمية، حيث إن هناك اتجاها لعدم إعطائها الكوتا وبالفعل خاطبت اللجنة الأولمبية الدولية وكان الرد أن ننتظر والاتحاد الدولي سيتم تبليغه بالاسماء النهائية، وفي اليوم التالي كانت فريدة ستأتي إلى الجامعة الأمريكية لعمل جلسة تصوير فوتوسيشن ملابس البعثة وقمت بحجز تدريب لها في الجامعة وبعد انتهاءها من التدريب توجهت لها وابلغتها بأن مشاركتها لم تؤكد بعد وأننا في انتظار رد اللجنة الأولمبية الدولية”.
وأكمل: “بعد ذلك بعدة أيام وصل الاتحاد المصري للسباحة الخطاب الرسمي من الاتحاد الدولي والذي أعطى الكوتا العالمية للسباحة لوجين عبد الله وليس لفريدة عثمان بدون إبداء أي أسباب أو تفاصيل”.
واختتم العريان تصريحاته: فريدة بطلة كبيرة أعطت لمصر الكثير وكنت أتمنى مشاركتها في أولمبياد باريس لتختتم مسيرتها الرياضية بالمشاركة في رابع أولمبياد على التوالي، ولكني أؤكد أنه لا توجد قراءة خاطئة لأي خطابات جاءت من اللجنة الأولمبية الدولية، ولكن كان هناك خطأ في التوقع من جانبي وأعتذر لفريدة عن هذا الخطأ إذا كان تسبب لها في إحباط”.
One Tottenham star is now hoping to make his injury comeback in December, which could ease another imminent blow for manager Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs absentee list growing
Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, in what was a hammer setback for the Uruguayan, sustained ankle ligament damage in Spurs' 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend. Bentancur is now expected to be sidelined till February, just weeks after he returned to the field from a lengthy nine-month lay-off.
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The 26-year-old joins a long list of currently unavailable Spurs players, including the likes of James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Ivan Perisic, Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon and Richarlison.
Spurs are also facing the imminent absences of Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Son Heung-min – who are all away on international duties at the very start of January.
They travel to represent their nations at AFCON and the Asia Cup respectively, a scenario which seems nightmarish for Postecoglou given the Spurs manager's real lack of options.
Tottenham have a tough festival schedule to contend with in the mean time, with league champions Man City, rivals West Ham and high-flying Newcastle awaiting them soon.
Richarlison hoping for December comeback
According to The Evening Standard and journalist Dan Kilpatrick, though, one injured Spurs star in Richarlison is hoping to ease the pressure on Postecoglou with a December return.
Indeed, Richarlison is aiming for an injury comeback before 2024 after undergoing surgery on his pubic bone, which would "ease the blow" of Son going away mid-season. The Brazilian, who's racked up a goal and three assists in 10 Premier League appearances this season, hasn't featured since Spurs' 2-1 win away to Palace in October.
brennan-johnson-richarlison-tottenham-opinion
He was on the bench for their first defeat of the season against Chelsea at the start of this month, but has since been sidelined following his treatment. While Richarlison has suffered his fair share of criticism since joining Spurs from Everton in 2022, the forward provides a different option for Tottenham.
Able to play both as a central striker and on the wings, having him back for what is a tough Christmas schedule will be a breath of fresh air for the Lilywhites with so many out right now.
Gets fouled often
Likes to cut inside
Indirect set-piece threat
Likes to tackle
Speaking after Richarlison's heroics during a 2-1 win over Sheffield United earlier this season, Postecoglou praised the "fantastic footballer".
“We’ve got to maintain a balance in life and even for him," said Postecoglou, via TEAMtalk. "He needs to understand his football is still good, he’s a fantastic footballer, he’s got so much to give and that can help ease the burden he’s feeling in other parts of his life, like so many of us.
“I’m really pleased for him – I thought he did really well. We were obviously chasing a goal and getting some balls in the box and he’s always a threat in the air.”
England’s preparations for the Test series against Sri Lanka have been further hit by rain.Plans for a two-day warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Board team starting on Thursday had to be abandoned after storms in Colombo overnight. The teams hope to play a 50-over a side game starting at 9.30am on Friday instead.Even if that game goes ahead – there has been only one day’s play on the entire tour that has been unaffected by rain and the forecast is not encouraging – it seems England will go into the first Test in Galle next week underprepared. In terms of red-ball cricket, they have had just two days’ play so far with several players – notably Keaton Jennings and Joe Denly – missing out on the chance to bat or bowl for a long period of time.Of more concern, perhaps, is the fact that neither Olly Stone or Jack Leach played any part in that first warm-up match. If England are serious about trying a different formula in an attempt to improve their overseas results – they have lost their last three overseas series and 10 of their last 13 Tests with the other three drawn – both men are the sort of cricketers who should be considered. Stone offers the prospect of the pace that England so clearly lacked in the Ashes, while Leach could fulfil the role of third frontline spinner in the England attack.England’s predicament is likely to renew criticism both of the timing of the tour – which is during a period when heavy rain is usual in Sri Lanka – and its schedule. While such itineraries are a feature of most modern tours – India left themselves similarly underprepared heading into the Test series in England earlier in the year – they do nothing to alter the dominance of home teams. Long-term, you wonder if they are helping Test cricket.On a more short-term basis, England might also regret the decision not to field Leach in the first two-day warm-up game. If he is a serious option for the Test series – and he really should be – it would have made sense to take every opportunity to play him. England were not limited to 11 players in the match, after all – 13 of them had a go at one stage or another – and this was a predictable problem. As Joe Root had said the day before the game: “With the weather around, you don’t know when the next opportunity is going to come your way.”But instead of giving him a bowl, they provided game-time to four seamers and then allowed the second new ball to be taken by Denly and Adil Rashid. Root and Denly bowled 14.5 overs between them; overs which could have been bowled by Leach.Leach admitted he had “itchy feet” in his desire to play and replied to a question asking if he could play in Galle without any cricket in the warm-up games by saying he would “give it my best shot”.”If there’s rain about it’s about going to Galle, having two days of prep there and putting your name in the hat through nets,” he told the BBC. “Whatever happens I’ll give it my best shot.”This episode threatens to sustain a long run of poor fortune when it comes to Leach and England. First, he was found to have an illegal bowling action just as he had forced himself to the brink of selection – at the end of 2016 – before Mason Crane was somewhat controversially selected ahead of him for the Ashes tour at the end of the following year. Crane, it is understood, was the choice of the captain and coach while at least some of the selectors wanted Leach. As it was, Moeen Ali was obliged to play for most of the series when not fully fit and suffered as a consequence.Then, after Leach made his Test debut in New Zealand at the start of 2018, it appeared he was on the brink of a run in the side. Instead he suffered a broken thumb and then a concussion injury (he was hit on the head by a short ball from Morne Morkel) and was left out of the team for the Pakistan series as the selectors felt – not unreasonably – that he lacked sufficient bowling.He has, at least, had time to bowl in the nets on this tour. But if he does play in this series, he will have to do so without sufficient game time.
A second-place finish last season was the closest Arsenal had come to achieving Premier League glory in almost two decades, having been top of the division for 248 days before losing the lead to treble-winners Manchester City.
A back injury to star defender William Saliba in February was arguably the primary catalyst behind the Gunners' demise – as hinted at by teammate, Gabriel Jesus – but head coach Mikel Arteta is keen to add depth to his defensive department to ensure the same doesn't happen this time around.
The Spaniard has identified one player in particular who could have a massive impact at the Emirates Stadium for years to come.
Arsenal transfer targets – Yarek Gasiorowski
According to Spanish outlet Diario AS, the north London club are keen to secure the services of Valencia defender Yarek Gasiorowski and have been keeping tabs on his progress for a number of years with Los Ches. The report also states that Arsenal couldn't make a move for the youngster until his 18th birthday due to Brexit regulations, prohibiting English clubs from signing foreign players aged 17 and under.
Gasiorowski, who is eligible to play for both the Spain and Poland national teams, made his debut for Valencia this season in a 1-1 draw with Mallorca back in October and has gone on to feature three times in La Liga, including a 35-minute cameo against European giants Real Madrid.
The player was pursued by Austrian champions RB Salzburg during the summer, with Valencia even turning down a £4.3m offer for the player who was described as a "rare" talent by journalist Antonio Mango, after scoring a hattrick as a central defender on Wednesday for Spain's U19s in a 5-0 win over Moldova.
Yarek Gasiorowski's stats this season
Gasiorowski is a versatile youngster, having played as a left centre-back, a left-back and a right centre-back this season for Valencia in all competitions. Despite being left-footed, the 18-year-old has also featured twice at right-back since the beginning of the 2022/23 season and possesses a wonderful passing range, capable of breaking lines of opposition pressing with ease.
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is a lot less versatile than this, having played solely in the heart of defence under Arteta this term. The Brazilian has had experience at left-back and even in midfield as a single-pivot but has been utilised in these positions just once throughout his entire playing career, according to Transfermarkt.
Gabriel is a solid defender but has certain defensive weaknesses which could force Arteta to look for a stronger candidate to partner with Saliba at the back in the near future. The Brazilian is in the top 4% for challenges lost per 90 this season compared to all centre-backs in Europe's top-five leagues. Furthermore, the former Lille man is in the top 19% for errors per 90 and has won merely 58.4% of his aerial duels per 90, according to FBref. Gasiorowski, on the other hand, has yet to lose a single header since being called up to the first team.
Arteta notoriously enjoys players who are versatile. Thomas Partey has played as both a defensive midfielder and at right-back, Oleksandr Zinchenko can play at left-back and in the middle of the park, while Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu can feature all across the backline. Gasiorowksi is far more flexible with his positioning than Gabriel and could be the perfect player for the Spanish coach's fluid style.
As such, the young left-footer could usurp the Gunners man in the years to come to form a long-term partnership with Saliba in the heart of the backline, with that potentially set to be a truly mouthwatering duo, indeed.
Celtic look to have secured the future of a bright young teenage star at Parkhead as Brendan Rodgers and his staff build for the long term in Glasgow's east end, according to reports.
Celtic latest updates: Lagerbielke stars, Yang disappointed
Celtic's stars are on international duty following a strong start to Scottish Premiership action, which has seen the Hoops climb to the summit of the league standings with seven draws and one loss from their opening eight encounters, enabling them to claim a seven-point lead over rivals Rangers in second.
Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke netted his first goal for Sweden during the break in a 3-1 victory over Moldova, as he rose high to power home from an excellent delivery from Jesper Karlsson.
Speaking to Fotbollskanalen after the victory, Lagerbielke reacted to what will be heralded as a landmark moment in his career, stating: "It’s a childhood dream to play here at Friends for the national team and then scoring a goal is a bonus. I’m very happy right now. I have scored a few goals in training and then there have been no goal gestures. When you get the chance, you have to try to take it. I think I made a good effort."
Hoops winger Yang Hyun-jun has been talking to Celtic TV about his start to life in Glasgow following his summer move from Gangwon FC and has reacted in honest fashion to his side's disappointing defeat at home to Lazio in the Champions League last week, as he said: "It was such an honour to play in the Champions League. It was a shame I couldn’t show all of my ability as I was feeling a bit nervous since it was such a big game."
Nevertheless, the South Korea international has shown signs of promise since moving cross-continent back in July and has registered one assist in his opening ten appearances for Celtic (Yang statistics – Transfermarkt).
Celtic contract update – Jacob Donnelly
According to a recent Celtic contract update from The Glasgow Times, Hoops youngster Jacob Donnelly has signed a pre-contract at the Scottish champions ahead of penning a three-year deal at Parkhead next summer on professional terms.
The report states that Celtic have managed to fend off competition from several clubs in England to tie down the midfielder, who will join the likes of Mitchel Frame by committing his future to the Hoops for the foreseeable future with the hope of being able to break into the first-team squad.
Offering up chances for young players to break through at Celtic is not something boss Rodgers is immune to at Parkhead when the opportunity presents itself.
Despite not seeing much evidence of that yet, more than likely due to the combination of a pressure-cooker environment and win-or-bust culture in Glasgow, Rodgers was responsible for introducing the likes of Anthony Ralston and Mikey Johnston to the senior picture during his first spell north of the border.
Rocco Vata, MacKenzie Carse and Kyle Ure are among other highly-rated talents at Celtic who look close to making a sustained breakthrough under Rodgers, and it will be intriguing to see who is given the opportunity to step up and stake their claim for a first-team berth in the near future.
Often, tense rivalries such as the Tyne-Wear Derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland can be decided in a split-second moment.
Unfortunately for the travelling Toon at the Stadium of Light, it would be a freak instance that would end in the Magpies coming away from the intense Premier League game empty-handed, as Nick Woltemade inexplicably headed past Aaron Ramsdale, mere minutes into the second half.
Labelled as a “nightmare” way to introduce yourself to the Tyne-Wear Derby by journalist Mark Douglas, Woltemade will be fearful that his centre-forward starting spot as Eddie Howe’s main striker is now no longer so secure, with the German off his clinical best for some time now in England.
Woltemade's slump in form at Newcastle
Woltemade’s season hasn’t been full of costly errors, though, with the club-record £69m fee splashed out on the 6-foot-6 striker right at the end of the transfer window, looking like a worthwhile gamble at points this season.
Indeed, at the time of writing, the Bremen-born menace has a respectable seven goals plying his trade on Tyneside from 21 clashes, but it’s clear from his more recent form that he is a striker now low on confidence.
Woltemade’s recent form
Stat
Woltemade
Games played in December
4
Goals scored
0
Games without a PL goal
3
Games without UCL goal
4
Sourced by Transfermarkt
The table above makes for some worrying reading, with the attacker who put away four goals from his first five Premier League contests now nowhere to be found, with Woltemade yet to break his goalscoring duck across December.
He never looked like beating Robin Roefs on Sunday afternoon, either, with just one paltry effort registered at the Dutchman’s goal, from his unmemorable 12 touches of the ball. Woltemade would also only amass two accurate passes, as writer Thomas Hammond declared at the end that he had “absolutely nothing” go his way at the Stadium of Light.
A stint outside of Howe’s starting XI could well do the goal-shy number 27 the world of good, with Yoane Wissa surely wanting to stake a claim to be Newcastle’s main striker, instead, as he emerges from the shadows of his long-standing injury issue.
With January also on the horizon, the powers that be at Newcastle could now be tempted to part ways with one of the Toon’s other underperformers in the upcoming transfer window.
The Newcastle star who Howe could cash in on
It’s set to be a busy start to the year in the Premier League, as top-flight sides far and wide attempt to flex their muscles in the hectic window once more.
On Newcastle’s end, they will be preparing for bids to come their way for Valentino Livramento, if reports are to be believed, with Manchester City allegedly keen on the England international for a price around the £65m mark.
Other reports have also suggested that the EFL Cup-winning defender is delaying any new contract negotiations with the Toon, in the hope he can retreat to the Etihad in time.
Livramento’s performance in numbers
Stat
Livramento
Minutes played
90
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
62
Accurate passes
42/47 (89%)
Accurate crosses
1/3
Successful dribbles
0/1
Possession lost
10x
Tackles won
0
Total duels won
0/5
Stats by Sofascore
Pep Guardiola might not be so sure on splashing the cash in such an extravagant manner, though, if he were to watch back the ex-Southampton man’s disastrous display on Wearside in great detail, with the table above pointing out many flaws in the right-back’s game at the Stadium of Light.
Much like Woltemade, the 23-year-old cut an unconvincing presence on the ball throughout, with possession given up a high ten times from his 62 touches of the ball.
On top of his haphazard approach with the ball at his feet, Livramento would consistently shy away from getting stuck in and showing off the gritty sides of his character, winning no tackles or duels across his weak 90-minute display.
He also displayed none of the cutting edge in attack he has shown in the past to be worthy of City’s shopping list, with zero successful dribbles pulled off, just adding to Newcastle’s “negative” approach – as it was branded by the Athletic’s Chris Waugh – which ultimately made them “toothless” and easy to overcome and outmuscle.
At the close of the 1-0 defeat, Howe would hone in on the bizarre nature of Woltemade’s own goal as the sucker punch moment that lost the Toon the contest.
But, it was a drab team effort, too, that resulted in the disappointing defeat, with the under-pressure Magpies boss surely tempted to cash in on Livramento sooner rather than later, especially if he serves up more unexciting displays.
Newcastle now leading Juventus in race to sign "excellent" Serie A defender
Manchester United boast a rich history of academy production at the highest level, with their famed 'Class of 92' a shimmering example which other clubs could only dream of.
However, whilst many rush to outline that as the apex of their youth graduates, and rightly so, there has still been a steady stream of youngsters produced over the years that have gone on to have fine careers at the top level.
Marcus Rashford, although struggling recently alongside the rest of Erik ten Hag's side, is the current jewel, but his exploits have been supplemented over the years by the likes of Dean Henderson, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Elanga and James Garner, who are all enjoying spells with their respective clubs in the top flight of English football.
Dan Gore
19
26/09/2023
Kobbie Mainoo
17
10/01/2023
Charlie McNeill
18
08/09/2022
Alejandro Garnacho
17
28/04/2022
Tom Heaton
35
08/12/2021
The hope will be that they can produce their next big star soon to help pull them out of their misery, with particular emphasis on unearthing a midfield maestro to help ease the desperate rebuild needed.
Whilst many would rush to champion Kobbie Mainoo, and rightly so given how extraordinary the 18-year-old has been performing for the U23s, there is arguably another within the academy with a differing profile that could aid them even more.
How good is Kobbie Mainoo?
Having been handed his first senior start just last term, the future is already exceedingly bright for the teenage maestro who is already capturing attention.
Kobbie Mainoo
After all, in the run-up to that 3-0 EFL Cup win over Charlton Athletic, the former Ajax boss would note: "We want to get into the semi-finals, so it's a big game. For him (Mainoo) it's a great opportunity, he did very well during the winter camp in Spain. He also did very well against Everton in a friendly. He deserved to play, so I'm happy to give him the opportunity – it's about deserving it."
This had been a long time coming for the Stockport-born creator, who Ten Hag actually earmarked for a first-team opportunity as Garnacho was breaking through: "But we want to develop players into the first team. So I think we are also in that perspective in a good way: Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo is also on his way. There is a pathway to the first team but they have to deserve it."
With two goals and two assists across 13 Premier League 2 games, it is fair to say that he certainly has done, starring as a calming presence in the engine room with enough know-how to chip in with goal contributions too.
However, he is not the only one starring in the midfield for the U21s, with a Norwegian starlet surely closing in on a similar senior path. His name is Isak Hansen-Aarøen.
Who is Isak Hansen-Aarøen?
Having plucked the teenager from his homeland in 2020 after starring for Tromso, it has been a rapid progression for the 19-year-old, who is enjoying a meteoric rise through the ranks and could soon be their latest official academy graduate.
Enjoying an impressive recent full campaign, where he recorded four goal contributions across 22 Premier League 2 games, this term is poised to be his best yet, having already scored twice in just four league matches.
Man United's Isak Hansen-Aaroen
Such form could catch the eye of Ten Hag, who will likely be well aware of Hansen-Aarøen's outstanding assets due to the numerous glowing testimonies that have poured in as he has made his way closer to senior football.
A former teammate of his at Tromso, Yttergård Jenssen, was one such name who rushed to praise the youngster who had just lit up the 2022 FA Youth Cup final: "I think he was very good and the fact that he has taken the next step so well is very cool. I realized that this was a talented boy already in the first training.” Jenssen told Dagbladet.
“He has some skills that are completely raw. He’s so playful with the ball. And the way he moves on a football field… There’s something artistic about it. He is a bit reminiscent of Martin Ødegaard."
Such high praise, both with regard to his beauty in possession and the comparison to one of the division's outstanding creators, must surely have piqued the interest of United's hierarchy. After all, with Bruno Fernandes often forced to shoulder the heavy creative burden, nurturing some support for the Portugal international would certainly not go amiss.
A stellar display against Leeds United in pre-season likely aided his case further, as Ten Hag noted back in July: "He did well, making a good pass for the first goal. He’s really comfortable on the ball; he has good vision and good scanning."
If he is to grow into half as successful a star as Arsenal's captain has become, it will certainly be another successful graduate for the fanbase to attach themselves to.
How good is Martin Odegaard?
After all, the Norway international only continues to go from strength to strength, having evolved with each passing year since his permanent departure from Real Madrid.
Once touted as the next big thing, plucked from his homeland as a 16-year-old to join the Spanish giants, such an overawing experience was bound to affect someone so young. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that his peak has come many years following that, having spearheaded the Gunners' unlikely title push last season.
With 15 goals and eight assists in the league, the 24-year-old was exceptionally prolific, having begun this term in similarly proficient fashion.
Mikel Arteta would laud the contribution of his midfield master after a stellar personal campaign, which should excite the Old Trafford faithful even more given the potential similarities: "Those are the demands he puts on himself and the areas he had huge margins to improve. He is making huge steps in the right direction to become a game-winner.
"He has a character that everybody respects, everybody admires and everybody follows. He does it in his own way. There are many ways to lead a team and he has a unique one. We don’t want to take anything from that."
Whilst the Dutch manager will likely have his focus on Mainoo as the next big star to break through, Hansen-Aarøen cannot be far behind, especially if he is to maintain his goalscoring form to start the new season.
Kings XI Punjab need to beat Chennai Super Kings to have a shot at making the playoffs, but that result matters only if Mumbai Indians have lost to Delhi Daredevils
The Preview by Akshay Gopalakrishnan19-May-20185:02
Swann: Willey over Bravo for CSK
Form guide (last three matches, most recent first)
Chennai Super Kings: lost to Delhi Daredevils by 34 runs, beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets, lost to Rajasthan Royals by four wickets Kings XI Punjab: lost to Mumbai Indians by three runs, lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 10 wickets, lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by 31 runs
Big PictureFor Kings XI to even have a chance of sealing the fourth and last playoff berth, they need Mumbai Indians to lose to Delhi Daredevils in the first game on Sunday. If Mumbai win, Kings XI are out.However, even if Mumbai lose, Kings XI will not only have to beat Chennai Super Kings, but beat them by a big enough margin for their net run rate (presently -0.490) to surpass Rajasthan Royals’ -0.250.Just how did Kings XI Punjab end up here? They had won five of their first six games this season. They had a formidable opening partnership, a thinking captain with the ability to outwit oppositions, and a mystery spinner who made batsmen twitch at the prospect of facing him.But then, KL Rahul started becoming their man for every situation. In the first half of the season, Rahul had Chris Gayle and Karun Nair firing at the other end. But they have both cooled off in the latter stages. Kings XI’s middle order (Nos. 4 to 7) have totalled 674 runs in 13 matches at an average of 18.72. Only Rajasthan Royals have fared worse. The bowling has largely revolved around Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Andrew Tye, who has taken a bagful of wickets in their recent defeats.The upshot was that Kings XI lost six of their last seven games.In the newsMujeeb missed Kings XI’s last two matches after being hit on his bowling hand against Kolkata Knight Riders last week. He had his bowling hand strapped and underwent a fitness test on Saturday evening. Brad Hodge, the Kings XI coach, was hopeful he would clear the test and be available on Sunday. Yuvraj Singh had his left knee strapped but had a long stint in the nets.Previous meetingIn his first match of the season, Gayle blasted a 33-ball 63 to set Kings XI up for a tall score. Defending 197, Kings XI had CSK at 113 for 4 in the 14th over. But MS Dhoni fought a bad back to mount a stunning late assault as CSK pillaged 50 runs between overs 17 and 19. However, Mohit Sharma, defending 16 in the final over, gave away just six runs off the first five balls to deny CSK.Likely XIsChennai Super Kings: 1 Shane Watson, 2 Ambati Rayudu, 3 Suresh Raina, 4 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 5 Sam Billings, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Deepak Chahar, 9 Harbhajan Singh, 10 Shardul Thakur, 11 Lungi NgidiKings XI Punjab: 1 KL Rahul (wk), 2 Chris Gayle, 3 Aaron Finch, 4 Karun Nair, 5 Yuvraj Singh/Manoj Tiwary, 6 Axar Patel, 7 Marcus Stoinis/Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 8 R Ashwin (capt), 9 Andrew Tye, 10 Mohit Sharma, 11 Ankit RajpootStrategy punt Kings XI have a strong case for opening with spin, perhaps even from both ends. Ambati Rayudu has scored 7 off 8 balls against Mujeeb, 26 off 31 balls against Yuvraj Singh, and 64 off 57 balls against Ashwin, while perishing to him four times in 10 innings. Rayudu has fared slightly better against Axar Patel, but the allrounder has dominated Shane Watson, whom he has dismissed five times in as many innings while giving away only 25 runs in 28 balls. Against MS Dhoni, though, Kings XI would do well to keep their spinners away. In T20s, Dhoni has 63 off 37 balls against Axar, 59 off 36 against Yuvraj, 51 off 37 against Gayle, and 16 off 11 against Ashwin. And he hasn’t been dismissed by any of them. Stats that matter For a must-win match, Kings XI wouldn’t be too encouraged by their overall record at Pune: one victory and five defeats in six matches. Harbhajan Singh is set to play his 250th T20 match. He will become the fifth Indian to the mark, after Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir. Dhoni is nine runs away from 4000 runs in the IPL. Dhoni is eighth on the IPL charts, and is just behind Gayle who is six away from the landmark. Virat Kohli is the all-time leader, with 4944 runs in 163 matches. If he goes past 15, Rayudu will become only the second CSK batsman to breach 600 runs in a season. Michael Hussey piled up 733 runs in 17 innings in 2013. Tye and Mujeeb have accounted for 53.5% of all the wickets taken by Kings XI’s bowlers. The figures are similarly lopsided for the batsmen. Rahul has amassed 652 runs himself, while the rest of their top seven batsmen have contributed 588 runs. Four of the five bowlers with the highest economy rate in the last five overs this IPL belong to these two teams. Mohit has been the worst among them, going at 12.4 an over, followed by Dwayne Bravo (11.7), Chris Woakes (11.5), Mujeeb (11.0), and Shardul Thakur (10.9). Fantasy pick KL Rahul. Do you even need a reason? You may need one to pick Harbhajan, though, so here you go: Harbhajan is likely to give you early wickets. He has given away 111 runs off 122 balls against Gayle and dismissed him four times. Against Rahul, his record is 31 runs in 33 balls for two dismissals, and against Karun Nair he has conceded 20 off 21 balls for four dismissals. Moreover, in T20s in Pune, Harbhajan has seven wickets in seven matches with an economy rate of 5.8.Quotes”We are a new team with a new captain and we have learnt a lot from lessons of success and failure. I think, realistically, our middle order hasn’t fired as much we would have expected and we are too reliant on a couple of bowlers who have kept us in the game. We haven’t had consistency across the whole IPL. When our match-winners haven’t fired, nobody has been able to pick up the pieces.”