Category Uncategorized

It turns out teams other than the Los Angeles Dodgers are allowed to make MLB offseason moves.

On Thursday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that former San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar is heading to the Atlanta Braves in free agency. The Braves would announce soon after that the deal was for three years and $42 million.

The move comes after Profar’s breakout season in 2024, which saw him post career highs in home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, and OPS at 31 years old in San Diego—making his first All-Star Game and winning his first Silver Slugger while helping the Padres push the Dodgers to five games in the NLDS.

While Atlanta fans were quick to celebrate the signing, San Diego fans were understandably disappointed. After nearly reaching the NLCS just a few months ago, the Padres have now watched stars like Profar leave in the offseason—while also missing out on the sweepstakes for star free agents like pitcher Roki Sasaki.

Profar is set to join Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuna Jr. in the Braves outfield, immediately making the trio one of the best in all of baseball.

He won’t have to wait long to face his old team—Atlanta opens its 2025 season in San Diego on March 27.

Tottenham Hotspur face Monaco in the Champions League tonight, looking to return to winning ways after the defeat to Aston Villa on home soil over the weekend.

Thomas Frank’s side will have huge expectations placed upon them in Europe this season, understandably so given their successes in the Europa League last campaign.

The Dane has already made an impressive start to life in Europe’s biggest club competition, winning one and drawing the other of their first two outings in 2025/26.

However, the meeting against the Ligue 1 outfit will present a tricky challenge, with Sebastien Pocognoli’s side holding Manchester City to a 2-2 draw at the start of the month.

If Frank is to claim another European victory as the Lilywhites boss, he will likely need one of his current first-team members to be on top form in the South of France.

Xavi Simons’ disappointing start to life at Spurs

During the summer transfer window, the Spurs hierarchy made it clear they wanted to improve the options available to them within the attacking midfield positions.

After numerous failed attempts during the window, they decided to fork out a fee in the region of £52m for the signature of Dutch international Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.

His tally of 19 combined goals and assists across all competitions generated huge excitement, but it’s safe to say his period in North London has failed to take off to date.

The 22-year-old has only registered one assist in his first eight outings for the Lilywhites, with his transfer now starting to be called into question by numerous pundits.

Simons has only created 1.3 chances per 90 and completed just 40% of his attempted dribbles – with the latter of his two stats ranking him within the 44th percentile of all players in the Premier League.

He’s also demonstrated a lack of physicality in England’s top-flight, only being on the winning side of 38% of his duels – with only 27% of players in the division winning fewer.

He desperately needs to find his form to justify his staggering transfer fee, but Frank can aid him against Monaco by starting one other first-team member tonight.

The Spurs player who can finally get Simons firing

Throughout the first few weeks of his time in North London, Simons has operated in a variety of different roles – with most of his playing time coming in an unnatural left-wing position.

Such a situation would likely have contributed to his recent lack of impact in attacking areas, with the manager needing to utilise him in his natural number ten position.

He created nearly double the amount of chances per 90 at Leipzig last campaign, further showcasing the levels he can produce when featuring behind the striker.

The centre-forward department has also been brought into question as of late, with Richarlison failing to back the faith shown in him by the new manager.

Dominic Solanke will certainly have been the number one option for Frank, but the Englishman’s constant setbacks with ankle injuries have prevented him from consistent first-team action.

Such scenarios should see the manager hand loanee Randal Kolo Muani his first start for the Lilywhites in the clash with Monaco later on this evening.

The Frenchman has only made 24 minutes of action for the club after joining from PSG on deadline day, but a European night under the lights could present an excellent chance to stake his claim for a starting role.

Kolo Muani, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by former boss Christian Gourcuff, scored 10 goals in just 22 appearances at Juventus last season – highlighting his clinical ability in the final third.

Such talent within attacking areas could hugely benefit Simons, with the Dutchman having the opportunity to boost his assist tally alongside the Frenchman.

After all, this is a player who, in the words of the Bundesliga website, has the “hallmarks of Thierry Henry’s game”. We’re yet to see that since his move but there is no time like the present.

Randal Kolo Muani – stats in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

26

Goals & assists

12

Shot on target accuracy

48%

Goals per shot on target

0.4

Key passes made

1.4

Take-ons completed

1.5

Carries into opposition box

1.2

Aerials won

1.2

Stats via FotMob

The big-money addition has completed 1.1 crosses per 90, too, with such numbers playing perfectly into the hands of the loanee who scored three headers last campaign.

Both players have ultimately struggled to match the expectations they arrived with in North London, but that could all change tonight if Frank hands them the chance to start together.

The pair could help the side maintain their unbeaten record in Europe this campaign and bolster their chances of claiming another European title.

Related Their best CF since Kane: Paratici wants Spurs to sign £87m "freak of nature"

Tottenham Hotspur could try and land a new talisman for Thomas Frank in the months ahead.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Oct 21, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Após perder Gabriel Menino, o Palmeiras viajou para encarar o Coritiba com quatro derrotas seguidas no Brasileiro e seis jogos sem vencer na temporada, além da eliminação para o Boca Juniors na semi da Libertadores.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasAbel Ferreira revela mágoa de jogador do Palmeiras com críticas da torcidaPalmeiras28/10/2023PalmeirasRichard Rios revela pedido de Abel Ferreira para últimos jogos do Palmeiras no BrasileirãoPalmeiras28/10/2023PalmeirasGoleada do Palmeiras sobre São Paulo empolga, mas sonho com título do Brasileirão é loucuraPalmeiras27/10/2023

+ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Abel Ferreira colocou Luan no time e tirou um atacante do time, atitude que gerou crítica da sempre exigente torcida do Palmeiras, que ainda não vê com bons olhos o esquema com três zagueiros.

Mas desde que Luan entrou no time, o Palmeiras venceu três jogos seguidos, com ótima participação dos três zagueiros, enquanto Richard Rios foi o jogador que mais cresceu nesta sequência invicta, ao lado de Breno Lopes e Endrick, que agora estão no comando de ataque alviverde.

continua após a publicidade

Demorou, mas enfim Abel achou uma solução pro time que vinha penando para sobreviver após a lesão de Dudu, e os números ofensivos provam que a estratégia de Abel deu certo.

De um time totalmente sem confiança e até a vaga na Libertadores ameaçada, agora alguns já sonham até com uma possível briga por título, embora o Botafogo ainda tenha dois jogos a menos na tabela.

continua após a publicidade

Fato é que o G4 é cada vez mais realidade e o Verdão vai brigar pelo menos pelo vice-campeonato, que rende uma boa grana por parte da CBF.

Se Abel mereceu muitas críticas por não encontrar uma solução para passar pelo frágil Boca na Libertadores, agora o técnico merece os elogios por ter recuperado alguns jogadores que estavam na reserva e ter conseguiro recuperar a autoestima de um clube que vive uma grande turbulência fora das quatro linhas.

Success is yet to arrive, but Mikel Arteta has built a squad full to bursting with incredible talent at Arsenal.

The Spaniard has turned what was a fallen giant struggling in mid-table into a side that will surely get over the line in the Premier League sooner rather than later.

When it comes to the best player in the squad, it’s hard to look past the talismanic Bukayo Saka, and while he had a poor season last year, club captain Martin Odegaard was starting to look back to his best before his MCL injury.

There are other match winners all over the pitch, though, and Arteta even has one youngster who could be described as something of a hybrid between the Englishman and Norwegian.

What makes Saka & Odegaard so special

What is it about Saka and Odegaard that makes them so special, and two of the best players in Arsenal’s squad?

Chalkboard

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

Well, when it comes to the former, it really is multifaceted.

For example, his development at Hale End gives him a connection with the club and fans that few other players can match, and he marries that with an incredible willingness to improve and work rate.

On top of these brilliant foundations, the 24-year-old has also become a consistent scorer of goals and provider of assists over the last few years, so much so that he produced his 100th Premier League goal involvement on his 200th appearance in the competition last weekend.

Moreover, the Ealing-born monster has developed the ability to score all sorts of goals, from sensational far-post curlers to powerful drives off his weaker foot and even the odd tap-in off the back of a well-timed run.

The Emirates poster boy really is one of the most well-rounded attackers in the game and can be compared to any right-winger in Europe.

Odegaard, on the other hand, had an undeniably lacklustre campaign for the club last season, but with back-to-back Player of the Year awards in the two seasons before that, his ability cannot be denied.

The Norwegian is unlikely to ever be as prolific as Saka, but at his best, he is one of the most aesthetically pleasing midfielders to watch in world football.

He is someone who can collect the ball deep, beat an opposition player with a quick shimmy and then play the ball into space for his attackers to run onto and score.

This was what fans were seeing in his last two performances before, only for another knee injury to halt his momentum.

Overall, both Saka and Odegaard are sensational footballers, and it looks like Arsenal have someone who could develop into a hybrid of both.

Arsenal's Saka & Odegaard hybrid

While this description could fit Max Dowman in a year or so, given his age and the limited time he’s spent with the first team, it’s difficult to predict what kind of player he could become in the future.

This is less true for Ethan Nwaneri, who made his debut for the first team over three years ago and put his stamp on things last season.

When it comes to the young Englishman, it’s quite easy to see the ways in which he emulates both Saka and Odegaard.

For example, when in the team last season, he spent most of the time on the right, covering for the former, doing well in the process.

In fact, in his 37 appearances, totalling just 1378 minutes, the Enfield-born monster managed to score nine goals and provide two assists, which works out to a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or more crucially, one every 125.27 minutes.

Appearances

37

Minutes

1378′

Goals

9

Assists

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.29

Minutes per Goal Involvement

125.27′

Moreover, a couple of the goals looked similar to Saka’s trademark far-post curlers.

The similarities to the club captain, on the other hand, are starting to show this season and will likely continue as the campaign progresses.

After all, while he did well on the wing, he is primarily a central player, and that is reportedly how the club view him.

On top of that, while the “phenomenal” prospect, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, hasn’t quite got the same weight of pass as the Norwegian just yet, he is improving.

Ultimately, while Nwaneri isn’t on the level of Saka or Odegaard at the moment, it’s easy to see parts of them in his game, and with time, he could well get there.

Not Saka: Arsenal have future England hero who's "humiliating" PL stars

The incredible Arsenal gem will be a superstar for England in the future.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 10, 2025

If Arsenal’s victory over Nottingham Forest was about sweeping joyous football and a team that reminded us of 2022/23, the 2-0 win over Athletic Club in the Champions League was more about attrition.

It was a reminder of the progress and changes Mikel Arteta has made to his team since 2022. Arsenal are more stern; they’re difficult to break down and it’s about trying to find a way to win at all costs. They did that in Bilbao on Tuesday evening.

This was not their finest performance in Europe over the last few years, far from it, but they found a way and their ability to get over the line courtesy of their impressive defence was seen again.

This was the Basque club’s first game in the Champions League for 11 years. The first time the euphoric theme song had been played inside their stadium for over a decade. It was never going to be an easy tie. It proved just that.

Ultimately, the north Londoners left it late but headed back to the English capital with a pair of substitutes to thank. This time it wasn’t about the shiny new toys, as it was against Forest. This time, it was two of the old guard who rescued Arsenal.

How Arsenal won in Bilbao

Heading into this clash, Arteta made just one change to his starting XI, which saw Declan Rice come into the team at the expense of the injured Martin Odegaard.

There was perhaps a surprise in defence too. Riccardo Calafiori, who spent a lot of last season out with injury, played his fifth game in a row, starting ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly and new signing Piero Hincapie.

Chalkboard

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

It’s evident Arteta really values the way the Italian can drive forward and invert from left-back.

A lot of the praise come full-time was deservedly sent the way of Calafiori and his fellow defenders, not least Cristhian Mosquera, who continues to go from strength to strength in Arsenal colours.

William Saliba, who? The young Spaniard has ensured that Saliba’s injury hasn’t impacted the side at all.

While the hosts did not dominate possession, they had their spells in the game, but ultimately they came to very little. Gabriel and Mosquera were titans at the back, the former winning five of his six duels and the latter winning seven of his 13 battles.

It was perhaps up front where the Gunners struggled most on this occasion.

A few days ago, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke dazzled as they defeated Ange Postecoglou’s men but on this occasion, they found it more difficult.

Madueke was still a consistent threat, attempting four dribbles but unlike Forest, he struggled to create. He provided five key passes a few days ago but none on Tuesday.

On the other hand, Eze really found his work difficult. He made one key pass and didn’t have a shot. His magic abilities were limited but he will no doubt have brighter nights in Europe this season.

What that meant is that with just under 20 minutes to go, Arteta needed a rescue act. He got that courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

With Madueke and Eze entering the building, it looked like their days as regular starters were numbered but they issued a reminder on Tuesday night that they are still part of this squad.

Within 36 seconds of coming on Martinelli showed he’s made for European away nights, bursting clear of the Bilbao defence before coolly slotting the ball past Unai Simon having been subbed on for Eze.

Martinelli was involved in the second goal too, acting as the supply line for Trossard who scored his first goal of the campaign with just three minutes to go.

It was a difficult night for the Gunners, one where they had to suffer, and it was made trickier by the midfield three.

Arsenal star must be dropped after Bilbao

Against Liverpool a few weeks ago, a match in which Arsenal set up tactically in a similar fashion to Tuesday evening on the continent, Arteta selected a midfield three of Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Rice.

For Zubimendi and Merino, this week’s clash was one with extra narrative. Once of Real Sociedad, they were heading back to the club’s rivals. They knew what this game and type of atmosphere would bring.

Unfortunately, they struggled to make much of an imprint on the game. Merino was perhaps the biggest culprit in that regard.

Merino’s time at Arsenal has been curious. In midfield, he’s showcased his technical ability but also his flaws. It’s actually up front where he’s shone most, notably scoring six times towards the back end of last season when operating as an emergency striker.

Chalkboard

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

He has showcased he can do it from deeper areas too, scoring a hat-trick for Spain against Turkey over the international break.

However, he had no such joy in Bilbao on Tuesday. In fact, Arteta should have picked a more creative outlet with Odegaard out injured, perhaps Ethan Nwaneri.

Fielded in the ‘Odegaard role’, the 29-year-old struggled to get on the ball much, ultimately having just 40 touches, 16 fewer than goalkeeper David Raya, not what you want from a midfielder on a big night in Europe.

Described as “clunky” by the Athletic’s Aaron Catterson-Reid, with those touches, he completed just 75% of his passes. Only one of those passes transpired into a key pass or a goalscoring opportunity.

Usually heralded as something of a duel monster, Merino struggled in this capacity too.

The Spaniard won just two of his six ground duels. He also only won three of his seven aerial battles. This wasn’t a good night for him and Arteta must consider dropping him to the bench when they take on Manchester City this weekend.

Merino and Rice as the two 8s in this team simply doesn’t work. They are fantastic players, but they look a lot better when paired with someone more creative.

Arteta must heed that warning against Man City, or else it may be another struggle for Arsenal to create. Stable and tenacious Merino may be, but his influence on this Arsenal team wanes significantly when he plays in Odegaard’s position. It must not happen again.

They lost the ball 25x: Arteta must never start Arsenal duo together again

Arsenal sealed a 2-0 win over Athletic Club in their opening Champions League clash of the season.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Sep 16, 2025

After seeing their team lose 1-0 away at Leeds United on the opening weekend of the Premier League, the worry in the air among Everton supporters would have been whether their side would start their new era at the Hill Dickinson Stadium with another bleak defeat.

They didn’t need to be so anxious after all, as their determined Toffees side put the loss in West Yorkshire to one side and delivered a confident performance in front of their adoring home masses that culminated in a 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls aren’t pushovers by any stretch of the imagination, but with the quality of Jack Grealish on full display throughout, Everton must have felt content that their first three points of the long campaign were going to be collected.

Grealish's standout display in numbers

The former Aston Villa attacking midfielder had been put through the wringer at Manchester City, but the enigmatic Englishman thankfully let his football do the talking, donning his new Everton blue on his spectacular home debut.

The vibrant Toffees number 18 put it on a plate for Iliman Ndiaye to score the opener after a well-orchestrated counter-attack deep into the first 45 minutes, while his second assist of the day would see the entertaining 29-year-old lay it off for James Garner to thump home the decisive match-clinching strike.

Away from those goal involvements, Grealish – who was deployed down the left wing by Moyes – would attempt five dribbles when bursting forward into space, with one effort also fired at Bart Verbruggen’s busy goal to try and make the win even more emphatic.

The former Villa hero will hope he only gets better with time, too, having previously notched up a sublime six goals and ten assists at the intimidating level during his final swansong campaign in the West Midlands.

He wasn’t the only new signing to leave a fantastic first impression on the hardened Merseyside faithful, however, with one of his midfield teammates also impressing enough to be seen as a potential new Ross Barkley for David Moyes’ men.

Moyes' next Barkley

The Toffees needed to replace Abdoulaye Doucoure effectively this summer, with a real lack of midfielders at the Scotsman’s disposal who can slot into a number 10 role.

Thankfully, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall seamlessly announced himself to the Everton masses as a worthwhile Doucoure replacement against the Seagulls – after also playing in the role behind the main striker against the Whites – with the creative playmaker possessing the potential to be Moyes’ new Barkley down the line.

While he did regularly line up as a traditional midfield option for Leicester City, it’s clear from his career numbers to date that the 26-year-old excels in a further forward position, having accumulated a healthy 35 goals and 41 assists across 306 games. To add context, Barkley has a heftier 66 goals and 52 assists, albeit from a larger stretch of games at 444 clashes.

Dewsbury-Hall would have been hoping he could add to his glittering numbers on Sunday, but despite his best efforts, getting off the mark at his new side would unfortunately evade him.

Indeed, looking at the table above, Dewsbury-Hall was especially unlucky not to join Grealish in picking up an assist, with only three passes being misplaced across his stylish 90-minute outing.

Moyes, watching on from the dug-out, will arguably want more from his new recruit moving forward; however, when trying to catch out the opposition goalkeeper with a shot or two, with Dewsbury-Hall still managing to pick up a reasonable five goals for Chelsea, despite his spell at Stamford Bridge being fraught with bumps.

That will come with time, however, as the Toffees’ number 22 grows more confident in his fresh surroundings.

But, his overall energy and application will have pleased the Scotsman nonetheless, with those qualities, and his ability to drive with the ball in central areas evoking memories of a fresh-faced Barkley at Goodison Park.

Dewsbury-Hall’s positive display wouldn’t go unnoticed by the Liverpool Echo, with journalist Chris Beesley gifting the 29-year-old a high 7/10 post-match rating, stating that he brings “fresh scope” to a role once frequently filled by Doucoure.

He did accidentally put Everton in a spot of bother during the game when gifting Brighton a penalty, but it was a largely promising display from a midfielder who has had his fair share of doubters in recent years, much like Grealish.

If Moyes can get the very best out of the midfield pairing across a full season, expect the Toffees to pick up more and more assured wins on their own turf.

New Deulofeu: Everton enter race to sign "immense" £30m O'Brien upgrade

Everton are looking to sign a right-back before the summer transfer window slams shut.

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 24, 2025

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has questioned Reds boss Arne Slot's tactics after the Premier League champions lost 1-0 at Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek, their second consecutive defeat after going down in stoppage time against Crystal Palace. Slot opted to start Mohamed Salah on the bench in a series of mistakes Crouch cited by the Dutchman, who has faced little scrutiny so far in his tenure having won the league title in his first season in charge.

Arne Slot questioned over tactics as Liverpool lose in Istanbul

Liverpool were defeated by a single goal in Istanbul, a first-half Victor Osimhen penalty converted after Dominik Szoboszlai was adjudged to have fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz with a trailing arm in the box. Crouch has labelled Slot’s tactical decisions as “strange” in the defeat.

The Reds had 16 shots and 66% possession but were thwarted by the Turkish champions, leading to questions over some of the decisions made by the Dutch head coach – Jeremie Frimpong, usually a right-back by trade, started on the wing ahead of the rested Salah, who came on in the second half alongside Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley. The struggles of Florian Wirtz also continued, as the £116million ($156m) signing flattered to deceive again.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesCrouch questions Slot's decisions in Galatasaray defeat

Peter Crouch was speaking exclusively to Paddy Power. He said: "Arne Slot made some mistakes in the Galatasaray game. Salah very rarely sits on the bench, playing Frimpong higher up, Szoboszlai at right back. It did feel a bit strange, the tactics. That’s the first time I’ve thought the manager got it wrong there. But other than that, I don’t think anyone is firing quite yet – Arsenal, City, Liverpool, Chelsea – everyone’s faltered.”

Changes do not pay off as Liverpool defeated again

It can be argued that the Reds underestimated their opponents, particularly considering their near-faultless run to first place in the league phase of last year’s Champions League. But this encounter would not prove as straightforward, as the deafening atmosphere was to the advantage of the buoyant home side. It would be Osimhen who won the game, a striker who has often been linked with a move to the Premier League but now plies his trade with Galatasaray instead.

Crouch’s comments reflect a fact which Slot himself may be quick to admit, that he did not necessarily get things right on the night or give his side the best opportunity to win the game. The fact that he rung the changes early in the second period suggested that he felt players he had left on the bench may have had a better chance of getting his side back into the contest. Such a conundrum may, ultimately, end up becoming more commonplace following the club’s summer spending, with nearly £250m ($336m) worth of talent sat on the bench while players in the starting XI faltered. It has been suggested by Jamie Carragher that the club may even miss a man who left in Trent Alexander-Arnold.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

(C)Getty ImagesWirtz will come good – Crouch

Crouch would defend Florian Wirtz, though, claiming the 22-year-old Germany international will “come good” and should be given a chance to settle into life on Merseyside.

Crouch said: "Wirtz is a player, I think he's a class act. We're looking at him through 100-million-pound glasses. If he came through the youth team, we would be saying ‘oh what a fantastic, talented player.’ But if you cost £100 million, you need to hit the ground running, and that quite clearly hasn't happened. I had a difficult time when I didn’t score for ages, and I know the fans will stick by him. I genuinely do think he'll come good. I don't think anyone's created more chances than Wirtz this season. So the stats are there, once people start putting them away, or he starts them putting away, the confidence will grow and I think things will really go for him. He reminds me, in some ways, of Coutinho as someone who scored goals and he just needs a bit more luck."

Eddie Howe is putting his Newcastle players through post-game training sessions to bolster their attacking output, as the Magpies seek to replace the goalscoring prowess of Alexander Isak. With record-signing Nick Woltemade bagging just once in his first three appearances, and Yoanne Wissa out through injury, Newcastle's manager is hoping to get his whole team firing to kickstart their season.

• Newcastle stars involved in post-match shooting practice

  reports that after Newcastle's 4-1 win over Bradford City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, many of the club's stars took part in an attack-versus-defence drill in front of the Gallowgate End. The drill saw Woltemade, Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali take part, with the Italian midfielder smashing the ball into the roof of a portable net. The session was part of Howe's call to arms for his players to push forward in scoring more goals in the absence of Isak. The Swede, whose protracted transfer saga and eventual departure to Liverpool dominated Newcastle's preparations this summer, scored 27 goals in all competitions for the Magpies last term. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Howe's men struggle in front of goal after Isak sale

  Newcastle are struggling to replace that output. They are the Premier League's second lowest scorers, bagging just three times in their first five league outing this season. Only Aston Villa, with one, have scored fewer. Howe's men are averaging just 2.6 shots on target per game, down from 4.6 last year. 

• Woltemade adapting to the Premier League

  If this drought is to continue, questions will certainly be asked of the towering Woltemade. The 23-year-old bought himself some time when he scored on his debut in Newcastle's 1-0 win over Wolves, however he has not bagged in his following appearances. The towering German offers a significantly different threat than Isak. A highly technical player that likes to drop deep to both connect play and dribble at opponents there is some speculation around the club that his best position may actually be as a second striker or a number 10. However, with Howe preferring to play a sole target man, extra work is required to get Woltemade up to speed with his demands, the requirements of the Premier League and also to get him acclimated to his teammates.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• AFP
  

  Howe wants goals across his Newcastle team

  Hope reports that Newcastle's pre-season tour from hell — Isak's refusal to travel with the team to Asia kickstarted the extended saga — was the genesis of Howe's plans to bolster his attack from deep. The head coach routinely led an exercise that saw Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton encouraged to break forward from attack. It will be heartening to the Newcastle coaching staff that Joelinton chipped in with two goals and Bruno two assists in their 4-1 victory over Bradford. 

  However, the manager will be hoping for more from his wide players. The quartet of Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga have yet to record  a goal and boast just one assist between them. That was from Murphy's cross to Woltemade for the German's debut goal.

  At £55 million (€64m), Elanga represented a significant investment for the Magpies, but he has yet to displace Murphy in Howe's preferred starting XI. Speaking to Howe said: ‘It’s harsh to say he’s got no goals or assists. Statistically, that is right. But you look at the chances he has created and sometimes it’s not on him that players he has served haven’t scored.

  "If Nick scores Jacob’s cross with the header, he gets the assist. Vice-versa, if someone misses an opportunity, that assist doesn’t happen. Anthony has done his job several times but it hasn’t ended up in a goal.

  "He’s looked a threat. He has that raw pace and power that is so difficult to defend against. But I think he can get better, and we can help him do that as we continue to work with him."

Aston Villa had a quiet start to the window but it appears to be ramping up in the final few weeks. The club was at risk of breaching the Premier League’s PSR rules, but with the impending sale of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle, they have more freedom to spend.

Unai Emery has already brought in Nice forward Evann Guessand for around £30 million – the boss seems to have been a major contributing factor in the 24 year-old’s decision to come to Birmingham, as in one of his first interviews as a Villa player, he spoke of their relationship.

Villa are looking to quickly follow up this signing with another forward who has already spent some time with the club.

Villa working to bring back Asensio

With the sale of Jacob Ramsey almost complete, Aston Villa have started the process of bringing Marco Asensio back to the club (Sky Sports). Asensio joined Villa on loan from PSG from January until the end of the 24/25 season, but until now, there have been no official moves to make the signing permanent.

Negotiations are already proceeding well, with an agreement in place with the player to sign a three-year contract with all other personal terms having been agreed. On the club front, PSG has already informed Asensio that they are open to selling him in the event that a satisfactory offer is received.

Later this week, Villa are expected to place their first official bid with PSG, with a figure of £17.2 million including bonuses being their asking price.

Asensio to build on his fantastic first impression

From the moment Asensio joined Villa last season, he seemed to buy into Emery’s vision and the club’s project. In February, he held an interview with Sky: “Happy to join the project, be with my teammates and staff, and grateful to be able to give a lot of joy to the fans as well. I want to be able to help us achieve the goals that we have, collectively, as a team and a club.”

His teammates also took a liking to him, with Matty Cash calling him a “Mentality Monster”. His teammates would also have loved his creativity, as he featured in the top 25% of players for chances created per 90 minutes.

As a well-regarded figure, both in the dressing room and global football, who already has a good relationship with the club and the manager, resigning Asensio on a three-year deal for less than £20 million feels like a no-brainer for Villa.

كشف محمد عثمان المستشار القانوني للنادي الأهلي، عن إيقاف برنامج مساء الأنوار الخاص بـ مدحت شلبي، بعد تصريحاته عن محمود الخطيب رئيس القلعة الحمراء.

وكان مدحت شلبي قد تحدث خلال الساعات الماضية، مدعيًا أن سبب غياب الخطيب عن السفر إلى الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية مع بعثة الأهلي في كأس العالم للأندية هو عدم حصوله على التأشيرة، وليس المرض كما قيل وقتها.

طالع | أول تحرك من الأعلى للإعلام بشأن شكوى محمود الخطيب ضد مدحت شلبي

وأعلن محمد عثمان عبر صفحته الشخصية على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “فيس بوك”: “قنوات mbc توقف برنامج مدحت شلبى وتحيله للتحقيق”.

واختتم: “بعد شكوى النادي الأهلي للمجلس الأعلى لتنظيم الاعلام وبلاغ الكابتن محمود الخطيب للنائب العام الذي يتهم المذكور بنشر أخبار كاذبه ومخالفة الأكواد الإعلامية”.