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Logo em sua primeira entrevista como novo técnico do São Paulo, um dos aspectos elogiados por Dorival Júnior em relação ao trabalho do antecessor Rogério Ceni era o aproveitamento de jogadores vindos das categorias de base do clube.

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Palavras que não para menos. Em sua última passagem como comandante do Tricolor, Ceni se tornou o técnico que mais aproveitou atletas revelados no próprio São Paulo no time principal. Ao todo foram 13 deles promovidos pelo ex-goleiro (Thiago Couto, Nathan, Moreira, Luizão, Beraldo, Patryck, Léo Silva, Pablo Maia, Palmberg, Rodriguinho, Maioli, Matheus Belém e Caio Matheus).

+ ATUAÇÕES: Pablo Maia marca golaço, e São Paulo tem grande atuação coletiva na vitória sobre o Internacional pelo Brasileirão

Dorival assumiu um elenco com nada menos que 16 nomes vindos de Cotia (veja lista completa no final). E o número pode aumentar. Na última semana o treinador promoveu para treinos na Barra Funda com os profissionais outros seis atletas: Iba Ly, Negrucci, Paulinho, Pedro Afonso, Pedro Reis e Talles Wander.

Dessa lista, pelo menos dois nomes chamam a atenção. Capitão do time sub-20 na disputa do último Campeonato Brasileiro da categoria, Negrucci, de 19 anos, está desde o sub-11 no Tricolor e foi ‘promovido’ por Dorival no início da semana, ganhando a oportunidade de viajar para a Colômbia e integrar a delegação no empate sem gols com o Tolima, pela Copa Sul-Americana.

A ideia é analisar como Negrucci se comporta como o desejado segundo homem de meio-campo, jogando à frente do volante, função na qual o técnico vem encontrando dificuldades em arrumar uma peça que execute as funções.

A segunda peça que se destaca nas atividades com o elenco principal é o senegalês Ly. O meia chegou ao Tricolor no decorrer desse ano e já chamou a atenção de Ceni. Foi observado por Dorival, que também elogiou internamente as qualidades do africano.

– Aos poucos, nós vamos tentando observar um pouco mais a base. Ele (Negrucci) chamou a atenção num trabalho… eu tirei várias informações, todas muito positivas. Ele está vindo e ficando um período conosco. De repente, pode acontecer de ele poder atuar. Se não acontecer, ele volta, faz alguns jogos na base e retorna ao profissional – destacou Dorival, após a vitória sobre o Internacional.

– Tudo é uma questão de tempo, para que ele possa ganhar minutagem… um pouco daquilo que nós desejemos… ele já vai entendendo a forma como nós atuamos. Eu acho que isso tem sido importante. Alguns outros poderão estar na Barra Funda daqui a pouco. Eu tive apenas uma oportunidade até agora. Então, vamos com calma, porque eu tenho que acertar a nossa equipe primeiro e depois tentar encontrar algumas soluções – completou o comandante são-paulino.

COMO ANDA COTIA NA BARRA FUNDA

Promovidos em definitivo e integrantes fixos do plantel

Atletas que só sairão do São Paulo em negociações

Young*, Beraldo, Diego Costa, Welington, Moreira, Patryck, Luan, Pablo Maia, Nestor e Juan

Recém-promovidos, mas em testes e trabalhos específicos

Atletas promovidos ao profissional, mas que passarão por uma temporada de treinos na Barra Funda e relaiconados em alguns jogos antes de se tornarem opções de vez no plantel

Pedrinho Vilhena, Matheus Belém, Rodriguinho** e Caio Matheus**

Sonho meu…

Atletas observados por Dorival e que devem treinar na Barra Funda esporadicamente, mas em tese continuam como opções na equipe sub-20

Negrucci, Talles Wander, Vinícius, Iba Ly, Paulinho, Pedro Afonso e Pedro Reis

* Young tem contrato até o fim de agosto e já comunicou a diretoria que não renovará o seu vínculo.

** Rodriguinho e Caio Matheus fazem trabalho especial de ganho de massa muscular e, por isso, voltaram ao sub-20 para manterem o condicionamento físico

Arsenal chiefs are still working to back manager Mikel Arteta with just weeks remaining of the summer transfer window.

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The Gunners also have just over a fortnight remaining before their opening game of the new Premier League season, with Arteta’s side set to face off against Man United at Old Trafford.

In an ideal world, sporting director Andrea Berta would have concluded the majority of Arsenal’s transfer business by that point, but regardless, the Italian has still made a sensational start to life in his new role at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£208m

Berta has splashed north of £200 million on deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and headline-dominating number nine, Viktor Gyokeres, in that order, and these moves could be key to Arsenal ending their two-decade-long wait for a league title.

Gyokeres made his first ever cameo in red and white during a pre-season friendly defeat to Tottenham earlier this week, with Arteta praising the energy he brought alongside fellow new arrival Mosquera.

“I’m really happy to have them here,” said Arteta in a post-match press conference.

“I think they are going to add a lot of value. You see straight away the energy and the quality they are going to bring. It was a short one, but at least that one is over now and when they play against Villareal now, I’m sure it will be different.”

Despite their priority to sell players right now, Arsenal are still pursuing Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.

The 27-year-old is regarded as a different-style number 10 to that of club captain Martin Odegaard, and one who can provide a more direct threat in terms of goals compared to the Norwegian (Sky Sports).

Eze can also fill in on either wing, with his versatility and proven record in the final third (14 goals and 11 assists last season) coming as other major attractions for Arteta’s side.

Arsenal reach "agreement" on first payment for Eberechi Eze

Reliable reports now claim that Eze’s £60 million release clause, which could rise to £68 million with bonuses, actually expires tonight at 11:59pm – giving Berta and co mere hours to activate it.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal take the plunge, or opt to negotiate with Palace after the deadline, but Football Transfers claim that some progress has been made on a deal for the England international.

The outlet states that Arsenal have reached an agreement over the first down payment for Eze, which they state will be around £30 million, with the north Londoners expected to eventually pay a total of £68m – which is a similar fee to his clause.

FT believe that the main issue holding up Eze’s switch is Palace’s search for a replacement, with Oliver Glasner’s side looking to secure a suitable heir before they green-light the former QPR star’s exit.

Arteta, meanwhile, is believed to be “prioritising” Eze deal and thinks his signing is nearly as important as their deal for Gyokeres.

According to Sky Switzerland’s Sacha Tavolieri, Palace are eyeing Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss as one option, but it hasn’t stretched beyond interest just yet.

حدد نادي بيراميدز، موعد مغادرته إلى مدينة جدة استعدادا لمواجهة الأهلي السعودي في إطار مباريات بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال والتي ينظمها الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، فيفا، لأبطال القارات.

ويلتقي بيراميدز مع نظيره الأهلي السعودي، مساء الثلاثاء 23 سبتمبر في تمام التاسعة مساءً، على ملعب الإنماء (الجوهرة المشعة) بمدينة جدة.

وتقام المباراة ضمن منافسات دور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال وأيضًا المنافسة على لقب بطولة كأس القارات الثلاث.

ووفقًا للمركز الإعلامي لنادي بيراميدز، فإن بعثة الفريق ستغادر القاهرة مساء اليوم السبت، بعدما يختتم تدريباته على ملعب الدفاع الجوي.

طالع | مدرب الأهلي السعودي: حققنا المعجزة أمام الهلال.. وهدفنا الآن الفوز على بيراميدز

وسيؤدي فريق بيراميدز تدريبين في جدة، وسيكون الأول مساء الاحد بالملعب الفرعي لاستاد الإنماء، على أن يخوض مرانه الأخير مساء الإثنين بملعب المباراة.

وكان بيراميدز، استطاع أن يحقق الفوز على أوكلاند سيتي النيوزيلندي بنتجة 3-0، في المباراة التي أقيمت بالقاهرة ضمن مواجهات الدور التمهيدي الأول للبطولة العالمية.

Manchester United finished 15th in the Premier League last season, with emphasis on the word ‘last’.

Ruben Amorim didn’t mince his words when talking about the need to turn things around and use the 2024/25, and all the baggage that came with it, as a springboard for the future, finally ending these endless years of frustration for one of the game’s biggest superpowers.

Fixing the frontline was always going to be among the chief priorities for the Old Trafford side, and INEOS started on a strong footing there, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a £62.5m fee, the Brazil forward rejecting interest from a host of Premier League suitors to join the Red Devils.

Efforts for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo are ongoing, but the pointers suggest that the right-sided forward will join up with Amorim’s squad in the coming weeks, having expressed a burning desire to make the switch.

This is all well and good, but Man United still need to sign a central striker.

Why Man Utd need a new striker

By all accounts, Amorim wanted to commence pre-season with Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho all sold. That hasn’t happened, and they have all informed the hierarchy of their wish to depart.

More concerning, perhaps, is Rasmus Hojlund’s continued presence in the Man United senior squad.

The Danish striker, 22, was well out of sorts last term, and has been heavily linked with a summer exit, Inter Milan showing the most interest in his signature.

​​​​​

Hojlund is clearly a talented forward, but after such an abject run across the recent campaign, it might be a good idea for him to leave, not least because Sir Jim Ratcliffe openly admitted that the young talent was inherited from the past regime, and that he would “have to sort that out”.

Well, whether Hojlund goes or not, United’s movements in the market thus far suggest that a central frontman is on the agenda.

And they’ve been locked in talks for one of the best that Europe has to offer.

Man Utd open talks for new striker

According to talkSPORT, Manchester United have made a fresh enquiry for Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward Hugo Ekitike, who is one of the hottest commodities in the market this summer.

Ekitike has been coveted by a host of Premier League sides this summer, with United joined in their interest by Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

However, with the Gunners closing in on Gyokeres, Jason Wilcox might feel he has a good shot at securing the talented Frenchman’s signature.

Transfer Focus

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

Frankfurt value their man at €100m (£85m), a figure they are unwilling to budge on and suitors are as yet unwilling to meet.

What Hugo Ekitike would bring to Man United

Ekitike is only 22 years old, but he’s already established himself as “one of the best strikers out there”, as said by analyst Ben Mattinson.

After leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Frankfurt in January 2024, initially on loan, he’s only gone from strength to strength, scoring 22 goals and supplying 12 assists across 48 matches in all competitions last season.

Ekitike’s natural finishing ability is neat and all, but his high-speed movements and all-round presence in the final third have led journalist Graeme Bailey to dub him “the next Mbappe”, with such a skill set surely perfect for the frontline Amorim is trying to build, namely with Mbeumo circling in on the Theatre of Dreams.

Runners – and confident ones at that – were in short supply at Old Trafford last season. Adding Mbeumo and Ekitike would do wonders, building back up a will to win and work which would pour over to the rest of the squad.

He’s certainly performing at a superior level to Hojlund, and could in that sense prove the perfect centre-forward for Mbeumo to combine with and rekindle the United attack.

Goals scored

0.53

0.18

Assists

0.28

0.00

Shots taken

4.00

1.44

Shot-creating actions

3.55

1.53

Touches (att pen)

6.88

3.32

Progressive passes

1.86

0.82

Progressive carries

3.27

1.26

Successful take-ons

1.83

0.40

Ball recoveries

3.06

1.57

Tackles + interceptions

0.81

0.22

Quite comprehensively, Hojlund was outstripped by his French counterpart, like bark from a sun-weathered tree.

Ekitike’s dynamic movements and innate creative flair suggest he could be perfect for a pair of goal-focused wide forwards such as Cunha and Mbeumo.

Of course, Mbeumo isn’t only about goalscoring. The Cameroonian racked up seven assists in the Premier League last season, creating 17 big chances across the campaign and averaging 1.8 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.

He also finished the campaign ranked among the top 9% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers for crosses completed per 90 (FBref), so he would be well equipped to turn provider for the rangy striker when required.

The fact that the Red Devils have tweaked their strategy and appear to be intent on signing Prem-proven quality alongside the rising phenoms from overseas like Ekitike bespeaks the new era, incipient but inspired by the struggles of recent years, of ensuring that a corner will be turned.

United were at their nadir last season, and no mistake. However, Amorim is a tactician worth his salt, and he might just piece together a squad capable of competing at the top once more, with the likes of Mbeumo playing with the perfect frontman in Ekitike.

Let’s see how this one pans out over the coming weeks.

Cunha 2.0 for Amorim: Man Utd in talks to sign "unstoppable" £35m star

Manchester United are still planning to make some attacking signings this summer.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 8, 2025

Whilst England are lucky to have the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Phil Foden to choose from at the heart of their midfield these days, it wasn’t so long ago that Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes were all available in the engine room.

The current generation is special, but England’s last ‘golden generation’ still arguably had the most talent at their disposal in pursuit of a first honour since the 1966 World Cup.

It wasn’t just in midfield that the Three Lions were spoilt for talent. It’s a squad which also featured Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. And the list could go on.

Many have had their say as to why England were dumped out of the 2002 World Cup and then on penalties against Portugal at Euro 2004, including Lampard. The former England and Chelsea midfielder told reporters: “I think at times, we [the Golden Generation] were too rigid. I talk from my own personal experience of playing at World Cups against teams that were not at our level.

“I’m not talking about France and Italy, more teams like Ecuador, who were keeping the ball in midfield because they were outnumbering us in the centre of the park. The things that maybe me and Stevie [Steven Gerrard] were used to doing where we had numbers, now we are just trying to cover space and you get a bit mentally done with it in the game wondering why this is happening.”

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By
Ross Kilvington

Mar 20, 2025

Outnumbered or not, there’s no denying the quality that England particularly had in the middle of the park. But finding the right balance between Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes often proved to be The Three Lions’ biggest problem, and that sparked a midfield debate which has rumbled on for decades since.

Rooney named Gerrard as his greatest ever England teammate

Having played with all three at international level and Scholes with Manchester United too, Rooney should be an expert in the age-old England midfield debate, and he delivered his official verdict to The Overlap in 2024.

Whilst praising all three, Rooney went on to reiterate that Scholes could not achieve what Gerrard did in a Liverpool side which often struggled to compete with the very top honours: “All were world-class players. Stevie could come to Manchester United and be a top player and do what Scholes could do. But I don’t think Scholes could do what Stevie did at Liverpool.”

The numbers certainly don’t help to end the debate after Rooney’s verdict, but what they do highlight is England’s clear failure with all three at their disposal in a golden generation.

In a double blow for those in the Midlands, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has now reportedly set his sights on signing both Emiliano Martinez and another Aston Villa ace this summer.

Simeone driving Atletico Madrid's Martinez move

Amid profit and sustainability (PSR) concerns, Aston Villa have looked likely to sell at least one star man for some time. For the last few months, however, it’s been a question of who.

Morgan Rogers, following an excellent season, has found himself among the headlines and on Chelsea’s reported radar but his importance at Villa Park may be too much to let go. Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins has also been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in a transfer that would strengthen a Champions League rival.

In truth, Unai Emery should be desperate to keep hold of both stars and take Villa’s summer sales down a different route. That’s where Martinez could surprisingly come in. The 32-year-old appeared to be waving a tearful goodbye to Villa Park in his side’s final home game of the season last Friday and Emery failed to rule out a summer exit for the goalkeeper.

The Spaniard told reporters: “We will see. Of course, it is the last match here [this season], and I don’t know. We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field.”

Aston Villa in pole position after talks to sign "powerful" 18 y/o sensation

He’s a rising star.

ByTom Cunningham May 22, 2025

Sparking several rumours, Simeone now personally wants Atletico Madrid to sign Martinez if Jan Oblak leaves the Spanish club this summer. The La Liga giants aren’t alone in the race for the Argentine’s signature, either, with Manchester United also reportedly eyeing the chance to solve their Andre Onana problem using the Aston Villa shot-stopper.

If it is to be Atletico Madrid though, then Aston Villa could lose two players to the Spaniards in the same summer amid reports that Simeone is also a fan of another one of Emery’s men.

Atletico Madrid eyeing Barrenechea

According to Caught Offside, Simeone also wants to sign Enzo Barrenechea alongside Martinez from Aston Villa this summer. The midfielder has spent the campaign on loan at Valencia, impressing many away from the Midlands, and could now seal a permanent move away from the club just one year on from his arrival.

Despite being described as a “destroyer” by U23 scout Antonio Mango whilst on loan at Valencia this season, Emery has reportedly given Aston Villa the green light to sell Barrenechea this summer.

For all his potential, it would be an understandable sale as Aston Villa look to navigate their PSR problems. Selling a player who has thrived on loan, but one who may still struggle to break into Emery’s best side, should be the way forward for the Villans if they want to avoid any financial troubles this summer.

Following their heroics against Real Madrid, there is now a real chance Arsenal’s season could end in Champions League glory.

However, while that would be all fans will remember this campaign for years down the line, it would still be fair to describe their domestic season as a disaster.

While a significant reason for that has been the near-constant stream of injuries Mikel Arteta and Co have had to deal with, it’s also been down to several star players not performing at their best, with club captain Martin Odegaard perhaps the worst offender in this regard.

Since returning from his ankle injury in November, the Norwegian hasn’t been able to hit the heights of the last two years, and that may cost him next season, as recent reports have linked Arsenal to someone who could be a significant upgrade this summer.

Arsenal transfer news

On top of a new midfielder, Arsenal have also been linked with a plethora of wide talent in recent weeks, with perhaps the most consistent being Nico Williams.

The Athletic Bilbao star was touted for a move to the North Londoners last summer as well, but it seems like he could really be available for around £50m this year, and given his tally of 11 goals and seven assists in 42 games this season, that may be a fee well worth paying.

Likewise, the Gunners have long been linked with Raphinha, even before his move to Barcelona, and those rumours have once again reemerged this year, with reports suggesting he could be available for around £80m.

Transfer Focus

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

While that’s an awful lot of money, it doesn’t seem too unreasonable considering he’s amassed a sensational tally of 30 goals and 23 assists in just 48 appearances this term, although if the North Londoners are going to sign Florian Wirtz, they might not be able to afford the Brazilian winger.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several top sides keen to sign the Bayer Leverkusen gem this summer.

Alongside the Gunners, the report claims that Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are all interested in the German international, who could cost up to €130m, which is about £111m.

It would be an incredibly costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Wirtz’s immense quality and potential, one well worth fighting for, even if his arrival would be bad news for Odegaard.

How Wirtz compares to Odegaard

So, if Arsenal were to get ahead of the chasing pack and splash the cash on Wirtz this summer, they’d likely do so with the intention of having him start most games as an attacking midfielder, which would put him in direct competition with Odegaard.

With that said, who comes out on top when we compare them both? Well, from a pure output perspective, it’s an overwhelming victory for the Leverkusen star.

For example, in just 41 appearances this season, totalling 3040 minutes, he’s scored 15 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.46 games or every 108.57 minutes.

In comparison, the former Real Madrid gem has only been able to amass a tally of five goals and nine assists in 38 appearances, totalling 2896 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.71 games of every 206.85 minutes.

What about their underlying numbers, then? Who comes out on top when we take a look under the hood?

Unfortunately for the Gunners’ captain, he once again comes out on the losing side of this comparison, as the Pulheim-born gem, whom former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes has described as “the best midfielder in the world,” does better in most relevant metrics.

For example, he does far better in metrics like expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, shot and goal-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while it would require a club-record bid, Arsenal should be doing all they can to bring Wirtz to the Emirates this summer, even if it sees Odegaard relegated to a squad role.

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1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 21, 2025

After a season of progress, Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side will be striving for even better next time round, and planning for the summer has already begun at Parkhead.

Sat 13 points clear at the top of the Premiership with only seven games to go, the Hoops are on course for a sixth treble in just nine seasons.

Meanwhile, Rodgers guided the Bhoys to the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in 12 years, so they’ll be determined to go even further next year, entering in the play-off round in late August.

So, with one fans’ favourite poised to return to Paradise, the Celts could have been even stronger had they not released a 15-year-old who would go on to become the best on the planet in his position.

As it happens, he’s now even better than the incoming Kieran Tierney…

The latest on Kieran Tierney's return to Celtic

Back in January, Rodgers confirmed that Tierney will rejoin Celtic on a free transfer in the summer, after Arsenal decided against ‘activating an option to extend his contract’, as reported by David Ornstein of the Athletic.

The 27-year-old made 170 appearances for his boyhood club before moving to the Gunners for £25m in 2019, still a joint-club-record sale, but his time in North London has been severely hampered by injuries.

So far this season, the Scotland international has seen just 261 minutes of club action, notably starting as part of a makeshift front three against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last month.

He has also featured at left-back, the position he’ll be taking up on his return to Glasgow in the summer.

He’ll return north of the border in search of more regular football, but did Celtic have an even better left-back in their academy, one that’s gone on to have an even more decorated career than his compatriot?

Celtic's world-class academy talent is now better than Tierney

Back in 2009, Celtic released a 15-year-old by the name of Andrew Robertson because, according to Robertson himself, he was “too small”.

After that, Robertson joined Queen’s Park, then of Scottish League Two, making 43 appearances for the Spiders, revealing to Darrell Currie that his big breakthrough came when Rangers visited Hampden Park because the game “was on the tele”.

He did enough to catch the eye of Dundee United, who signed him in June 2013, appearing 44 times in tangerine, before moving to Hull City and then ultimately Liverpool.

With the Reds, Robertson is set to hoist aloft a second Premier League title in the coming weeks, having also won the Champions League, the FA Cup, two EFL Cups and a selection of other honours, making his 337th appearance for the club during Wednesday’s Merseyside derby victory at Anfield.

Ben Webb on Twitter believes he was ‘the best left-back on the planet’, while Andy Jones of the Athletic labels him ‘integral to the team’s transformation under Jürgen Klopp’ as well as Liverpool’s ‘most consistent performer’ during this era of success.

At international level too, Robertson took his tally to 82 caps against Greece last month, only Kenny Dalglish (102) and Jim Leighton (91) have accumulated more, while no man has captained the Tartan Army on more occasions.

Scotland spent years attempting to solve the conundrum of how to get both Tierney and Robertson into the same starting lineup, but let’s compare how the pair have performed at their respective Premier League giants.

Appearances

337

135

Goals

11

5

Assists

66

13

Matches missed due to injury

29

65

Trophies

8

3

Appearances

82

49

Goals

4

1

Assists

10

4

Matches missed due to injury

10

35

As the table clearly outlines, Robertson has had a more stellar career to date, both for club and country, with Tierney’s matches missed due to injury statistics startling in comparison.

Back in 2022, Robertson revealed his desire to play for Celtic one day, stating “every time I watch Celtic, I consider it. When you… see a packed Celtic Park, as a fan, you always have that dream”.

So, now 31-years-old, could we see the Scotland skipper bedecked in green and white hoops one day, or does Tierney’s return preclude that from ever happening?

Celtic have already signed incredible Taylor replacement & it's not Tierney

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ByDan Emery Apr 2, 2025

One of Vitor Matos’ first transfer targets at Swansea City has now confirmed that he’s received contact from the Jacks ahead of a potential January move.

Vitor Matos instantly pinpoints "clear" Swansea problem

It wasn’t the start that Matos had been dreaming of on Tuesday evening, as Derby County battled to defeat a struggling Swansea, who now sit just two points clear of the Championship’s dropzone.

The former Liverpool coach would have been well aware that it’s not a quick fix in Wales, however, and has already pinpointed one “clear” issue that the Jacks had against Derby.

It’s clear that the young manager learned a thing or two from Jurgen Klopp during his time at Anfield, given his counter-pressing approach, but whether he can instill that approach into his side by this weekend remains to be seen.

Swansea square off against West Bromwich Albion knowing that defeat could leave them in the relegation zone by the end of the weekend.

It’s a squad in desperate need of reinforcements and Matos can’t afford any passengers in his pressing system – making the January window crucial.

It’s then that the new manager could welcome his first signing in Wales after Finland’s Leo Walta revealed contact from Swansea ahead of the winter window.

Leo Walta "ready" for big move after Swansea contact

Following initial reports that Kim Hellberg wanted to bring him to Wales before the manager chose Middlesbrough in controversial fashion, Swansea have kept their interest in Walta alive.

The Sirius midfielder could yet become Matos’ first signing after revealing that he’s already had contact from Swansea. Speaking to reporters, the 22-year-old said: “Yes. Yes, I have heard (from them). That they like me as a player and are interested.

“It’s quite early, we’re still in November. I’m going through different options, and we also have to talk to Sirius about the winter. I’m ready for a good league and to take a place straight away. I am a pretty good player, in my opinion, and I want to take a big step and see how far I can go.”

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Still just 22 years old, Walta is undoubtedly one to watch, especially amid Swansea’s interest. The midfielder scored 17 goals and provided three assists in Sweden last season and could quickly become an impressive signing in Wales.

Already a Finland international, Walta is certainly ready to take the next step in his club career. Whether that results in a first signing for Matos remains to be seen, however.

Early blow for Matos: "Top clubs" now moving to sign Swansea's best young star

Tottenham Hotspur’s recruitment in recent years has left something to be desired, and though this is a squad of heroes who conquered the Europa League before the summer, domestic form has been cemented at a lower-than-expected level for a while now, and that needs to change.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though, with £55m summer recruit Mohammed Kudus among the most exciting players in Thomas Frank’s Lilywhites outfit.

The Ghanaian winger hasn’t been perfect, but he’s certainly underlined his credentials as a difference-maker under Frank’s wing, with his five assists in the Premier League this season a joint-divisional best.

That statistic juxtaposes with Tottenham’s creative struggles this season, and it adds substance to the emerging rumours that Tottenham plan to sign an even more exciting winger to help elevate Frank’s project down N17.

Spurs leading race for new winger

Tottenham are anticipated to be busy over the coming transfer windows, with improvements needed across a range of areas. However, there’s no denying Frank’s frontline have been blunter than expected, and that must be a priority.

Kudus has been a terrific addition, but wingers like Brennan Johnson and Xavi Simons are flattering to deceive. Perhaps this is why ENIC Group are aiming for the stars.

Indeed, according to Spanish sources, Tottenham are leading the race for Real Madrid star Rodrygo, and that’s despite growing interest from the Premier League’s heavyweights.

Rodrygo, 24, is also attracting interest from Liverpool, and though Real are open to selling the Brazilian talent, they would expect to bank something in the ballpark of £70m.

Why Rodrygo would succeed at Spurs

Rodrygo is currently embroiled in a crisis of confidence. He has gone 30 La Liga matches without a goal, and has been pushed out to the fringes of Xabi Alonso’s squad.

But let’s not forget that this is a truly special player, praised for his “world-class” quality by former Los Blancos teammate Luka Modric, and the depth of his technical quality goes far beyond that of Kudus, who is devastating on the ball but lacks clarity and output.

Goals scored

0.32

0.14

Assists

0.24

0.23

Shots taken

2.94

1.89

Shot-creating actions

4.65

3.41

Touches (att pen)

6.64

3.78

Pass completion (%)

85.4

78.8

Progressive passes

4.37

2.59

Progressive carries

6.00

3.44

Successful take-ons

2.38

3.05

Ball recoveries

3.77

5.44

Though Kudus has enjoyed a fine start to his career in north London, he doesn’t match Rodrygo’s breadth of skill. The Madrid man is one of the best forwards in the world, after all, and his recent drop-off does not negate that fact.

Crisper on the ball, more progressive with his passing and more active in dribbling forward himself, Rodrygo might not have Kudus’ same snappy speed, but that’s not to say that he isn’t a dynamic physical force in his own right.

Moreover, he has so often been shunted out onto the right flank in Madrid over the past several years, lower down the pecking order than the likes of Vincius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. The right-footed Rodrygo is at his best, his most prolific, when playing off the left.

Now, he has been reduced to a truly bit-part role, only afforded three league starts under Alonso’s management this term.

It feels like Rodrygo’s departure from the Santiago Bernabeu is a matter of when, not if, and while there are a multitude of high-profile suitors looking to excavate him from the hole he has fallen into, Tottenham have put in the hard yards for some time now, and Frank’s project would promise him a leading role.

Then it would be up to Rodrygo to prove that he is the real deal. On the basis of the evidence already, he is at that, and this would see him take on a more influential role than someone like Kudus down N17.

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