Khadija Shaw created Women's Super League history after scoring twice in the club's win over West Ham.
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Newcastle United have been one of the most unfortunate sides when it comes to injuries this season. Eddie Howe would have been aware of how difficult it was always going to be to balance both Premier League and Champions League football, but even he will be shocked at the toll it's taken on his squad.
When the January transfer window arrives, the Magpies may have no choice but to act and that could see one specific forward arrive to add some much needed attacking depth at St James' Park, with Callum Wilson the latest man on the injury list.
Newcastle seem to have got their priorities wrong during the summer transfer window, welcoming a midfielder in the form of Sandro Tonali, who has since been hit with a 10-month ban for betting breaches, as well as a winger in Harvey Barnes, who is not a central striker. What they failed to turn their attention towards was those leading the attacking line.
Both Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak are talented options, but Wilson's injury history is particularly worrying enough to warrant one more forward addition. With the latest Newcastle injury news reporting that both strikers are now injured, Howe and co will be feeling regretful over their summer dealings. The January transfer window hands PIF the chance to learn from their mistake, however, and reports suggest they're not messing around this time.
According to reports in Brazil, Newcastle are expected to bid €18m (£15.75m) for Marcos Leonardo in January, who has impressed for Santos in Brazil this season. The forward has also reportedly attracted the interest of Real Madrid, but it is only the Magpies who are set to present an offer at this stage.
Still only 20-years-old, it's fair to say that the future is bright for Leonardo, who looks set to have the world at his feet in January. Continuing to help Santos evade relegation in the Brasileiro Serie A, the forward may even leave his current club as a hero in the winter window, with his 13 goals this season playing a huge part. What's even more impressive is the fact that Leonardo's stats when compared with Wilson's and Isak's last season represents a player already capable of keeping up with Champions League-level strikers.
|
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
Progressive Carries |
Progressive Passes |
|
Marcos Leonardo |
13 |
2 |
38 |
44 |
|
Callum Wilson |
18 |
5 |
27 |
19 |
|
Alexander Isak |
11 |
1 |
44 |
51 |
It comes as little surprise, given the numbers, that the Santos striker has been at the centre of praise in the last few months, including from Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who posted on X: "20 years of age. Natural goalscorer. Big future ahead."
Newcastle may be wise in making their move as early as January and before Leonardo makes his name elsewhere in Europe. The Magpies certainly need another option to lead the line, which the 20-year-old could become.
Manchester United return to domestic action this week as they face Everton at Goodison Park in the Premier League.
With seven league wins from 12 matches, it’s evident that Erik ten Hag’s men haven’t endured the best of starts to the season, yet with a win over the Toffees, it could perhaps be the catalyst which gives their campaign a boost.
The Merseyside club were recently docked ten points – the biggest punishment ever for a Premier League side – due to breaching financial rules and it sends the club to second bottom in the table, two points from safety.
This could allow Ten Hag’s side to pile further misery on Everton and claim a crucial three points. With ties against Newcastle United, Liverpool and Chelsea all coming up before Christmas, the Dutchman is going to need all the points he can get.
If United can get through this tough patch unscathed, then the former Ajax boss could turn to the January transfer window in order to strengthen his side for the second half of the campaign.
The 53-year-old may be looking to move a couple of players on during January to free up some funds for incoming arrivals.
Casemiro has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the last couple of weeks, and he could bring United a decent fee, especially as he has two and a half years left on his current contract.
Raphael Varane is another name linked with a potential exit, as the central defender is also attracting interest from the Middle East and the fees that these clubs are paying may tempt Ten Hag to cash in on them, especially as they aren’t going to get any better.
Being able to move these players on could recoup some funds for January signings and, according to reports in Spain, United are looking to make a bid for AC Milan midfielder Charles De Ketelaere, who is currently on loan at Atalanta.
Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the Belgian ahead of a potential move in the coming months, and it means Ten Hag faces some competition for his signature.
While a transfer fee hasn’t been mentioned despite their interest, the 22-year-old is currently valued at around €29.5m (£26m) according to Football Transfers.
Given that he has impressed so far in Serie A this term, AC Milan could demand a fee north of this valuation, but it could be a wise investment by the club.
They signed Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta in the summer and while he hasn’t quite hit the ground running as many expected, there is no doubting his limitless potential.
De Ketelaere could become Hojlund 2.0 for Man United if he made the move to the Premier League and forged himself as one of the finest midfielders in the country after a few years.
Since joining from Serie A in the summer, the Dane has yet to score a Premier League goal, yet there is no doubting his persistence.
Indeed, he has missed eight big chances so far in the league and with a little bit more luck, he would have scored a couple by now.
His performances in the Champions League, however, have been wonderful, and he has taken to the competition rather well.
Across just four matches for the Old Trafford side, Hojlund has scored five goals while he ranks first in the squad for shots on target per game (1.5) along with ranking fifth for key passes made, and it's clear that once he gets his first league goal, a barrel load will follow.
The youngster was among one of the highly-rated strikers in European football prior to his move to Manchester and, despite some early woes, the more he plays and develops, the better he is going to turn out.
De Ketelaere can follow in his footsteps from Italy, particularly after returning to prominence for Atalanta this term.
The Belgian made his breakthrough with Club Brugge, making his debut with the club during the 2019/20 season.
Following a stunning campaign just two years later where he scored 14 goals and grabbed seven assists in just 33 league matches, Serie A giants AC Milan secured his signature for £30m, and on the surface, it looked as though they had signed one of the next big midfielders to emerge in the continental game.
|
Charles De Ketelaere's stats in Serie A |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
|
Goals |
0 |
1 |
|
Assists |
1 |
2 |
|
Accurate passes per game |
9 |
15.8 |
|
Key passes per game |
0.6 |
1.1 |
|
Big chances created |
4 |
2 |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
||
It proved to be a tough debut season in Italy for the youngster, as he registered just one assist across 40 matches, and he played for a total of just 1500 minutes throughout his maiden campaign.
Previously hailed as "prolific” and “creative” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, De Ketelaere struggled to demonstrate either quality at Milan, and he was loaned to Atalanta – coincidentally Hojlund's former employers – for the duration of the 2023/24 season.
It has since turned out to be the best move for his development, as the midfielder has returned to the type of form which saw him secure a move to Italy in the first place.
Across the squad in the league this term, the Belgian currently ranks fifth for big chances created (two), along with ranking fourth for key passes per game (1.1) and first for successful dribbles per game (1.5), certainly suggesting that his creative ability has been on show.
Not only is he running the show from the midfield area, but the 22-year-old is also returning to his attacking best, chipping in with two goals and two assists across 14 matches this season.
Ten Hag could use a talent like him in the United midfield, as they have struggled to control matches this season, while only three midfielders have scored over three goals this season so far, and adding in a player like De Ketelaere could bolster this statistic.
Potentially signing a player with success at Atalanta again could well be a repeat of the successful Hojlund deal, with the midfielder looking to be a shrewd piece of business indeed.
Inter's Denzel Dumfries is reportedly stuck at a crossroad as his hope of moving to the Premier League could fall apart this summer.
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PGMOL chief Howard Webb has revealed that several major changes in VAR are in the pipeline for the Premier League amid ongoing controversies.
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Tottenham Hotspur have been handed another new injury setback, with a fresh report revealing that one of their senior squad members has pulled up in pain following a recent training session.
The Lilywhites have Micky Van De Ven, James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, Ashley Phillips and Ivan Perisic out on the sidelines with their own respective problems as it stands, showing how much the manager has got to contend with.
In the Premier League, Ange Postecoglou’s side secured an on balance deserved 3-3 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, but there would have no doubt been cause for concern among supporters when they noticed that another name was missing from the team sheet.
Latest Tottenham injury news, expected return dates, suspensions
FFC keeps you up to date with all the latest Spurs news involving injuries as they prepare to take on Chelsea.
By
Mark Marston
May 4, 2024
So far this season, Eric Dier has only made one start and the same number of substitute appearances in the top-flight (WhoScored – Dier statistics), but regardless of his game time, the centre-back has still been involved with the majority of the matchday squads.
However, the England international was nowhere to be seen over the weekend which came as a surprise considering that the boss didn’t mention that he would be absent prior, and an update on the 29-year-old’s fitness has now emerged which has seen him added to the extensive list of injured players.
According to Football.London, Dier felt some discomfort following training before Sunday's encounter, meaning that he was ruled out of the away trip and not risked so that he couldn't make his mystery problem worse.
"Football.London understands the reason for Dier's absence is due to the fact that he pulled up sore after training ahead of the game."
While Dier has been nothing more than a fringe player under Postecoglou, Spurs will know how much of a physical presence he’s able to provide at the heart of the backline which he’s proven so far this season by averaging four clearances per game in the Premier League.
Sponsored by Nike, Cheltenham’s talent is also currently recording an 89.2% pass success rate, so he’s shown that he can be calm and composed in possession and able to control and dictate the game when he has the ball at his feet.
The N17 outfit’s £85k-per-week earner (Tottenham salaries), is even a versatile operator with his ability to operate in five various positions over the pitch, including everywhere across the backline and two roles in the midfield, so he’s a useful option to have available (Transfermarkt – Dier statistics).
Dier was once labelled a “monstrous” player by Tottenham reporter Dan Kilpatrick, so the coach will be hoping that he is able to stage his comeback sooner rather than later given the limited options that he currently has at his disposal in the capital.
Ipswich Town will go into today's East Anglian Derby full of confidence, with a lunchtime kick-off against Norwich City giving Kieran McKenna's men a chance to move to the summit before Enzo Maresca's Leicester City play later in the day.
The Canaries, on the other hand, will be dreading their short trip to Suffolk, praying that McKenna's Tractor Boys don't humiliate them and pile on the misery in a fierce Derby match – Norwich currently in an unsatisfactory mid-table spot.
Ipswich's highly thought of manager will consider changing his side up for the task of overcoming Norwich, with two changes potentially up his sleeve from the recent win over Watford.
GK – Vaclav Hladky
McKenna will keep faith in his first-team goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky for a potentially cagey game against Norwich, the Czech shot-stopper is yet to miss a game this season for the Tractor Boys in the second tier.
RB – Harry Clarke
Brandon Williams could miss out on playing against his former loan club Norwich owing to injury, substituted off at half-time against Watford after picking up a knock.
Even if he is deemed fit enough to start, Ipswich's seven-figure man Harry Clarke could be deemed as a more dependable and safe option to start over Williams – the ex-Arsenal youth player making 15 appearances this season for the promotion-chasing Tractor Boys, whilst the Red Devils loanee has infrequently featured with seven starts.
CB – Luke Woolfenden
McKenna could further drop another figure with Man United connections from the starting eleven in Axel Tuanzebe, Ipswich signing the 26-year-old from the Premier League club in September.
Ipswich's new number 40 wasn't catastrophic at the back by any means versus Watford – notching up seven clearances and a 100% success rate with his aerial duels, as per Sofascore – but again starting Luke Woolfenden could make more sense in a game that could potentially need senior figures to step up and be counted.
Starting 18 games this season, Woolfenden could add a 19th game to his season tally today against David Wagner's inconsistent Norwich.
CB – Cameron Burgess
Cameron Burgess should be retained even with two of his teammates at the back being potentially axed, the former Accrington Stanley man putting in a solid showing against Watford.
Winning 75% of his aerial duels at Vicarage Road, McKenna will want his trustworthy centre-back to be similarly dominant against the Canaries.
LB – Leif Davis
Leif Davis will also sleep easy knowing that his spot in McKenna's starting eleven will also be set in stone for the Norwich match, featuring 20 times this season under his boss.
Davis stood out in the slim 2-1 win at Watford last match, attempting to constantly create more openings to make the victory more comprehensive – making two key passes in the game to play his part.
CM – Sam Morsy
Sam Morsy is also a guaranteed starter for the fierce Norwich game, McKenna will need his hardened leaders to step up to the mark in such a hostile match and Morsy should do just that.
The Egypt international led by example away at Watford, scoring a crucial late winner in the away match to send the Ipswich fans into raptures.
CM – Massimo Luongo
Morsy's holding midfield partner in Massimo Luongo is also equally dependable, the 31-year-old will be key in protecting the defence up against Norwich.
Luongo can also venture forward with ease, as was showcased in his star performance against Millwall in the middle of November – getting on the scoresheet against the travelling Lions to help his team overcome their London opponents 3-1.
RM – Marcus Harness
Only starting three games this season – one of those coming against Watford – Marcus Harness could be in for another surprise inclusion in McKenna's eleven today.
The 27-year-old winger was lively at Vicarage Road all match, earning his right to be in this lineup based on this display alone – hitting two shots on target in the game as a constant menace for the Hornets defenders to keep tabs on.
Nathan Broadhead – who McKenna usually starts with – didn't shine either when being substituted on in his place deep into the second half and so Harness could be in from the get-go again in the East Anglian derby.
CAM – Conor Chaplin
Conor Chaplin also wasn't at the races much like Broadhead, but the ex-Portsmouth man started the game at Vicarage Road.
Ipswich's number ten only registered one shot on the Watford goal in a below-par 68-minute spell, but will be retained owing to his goalscoring exploits over the full season to date.
Amassing eight goals and five assists this campaign, Chaplin will hope he can help his team in whatever way necessary against the Canaries to pick up another win.
LM – Omari Hutchinson
Chelsea will be overjoyed by how Omari Hutchinson is getting on at Ipswich, pushing senior first-team figures all the way to start recent matches for the Tractor Boys.
Hutchinson would add to his Ipswich goals tally – which now stands at two – away at Middlesbrough, before putting in another calm and controlled performance away at Watford.
McKenna will opt to start the Blues loanee again for the game against Norwich, hoping that the exciting winger can catch Canaries defenders off-guard with more of his youthful exuberance.
GOAL takes a look at MLS' best rivalries from Hell is Real in Ohio to El Trafico in Los Angeles
Ahead of the Matchday 13 slate of MLS matches, which sees a stretch of rivalries over a two-week period, one important question remains. What is the best MLS rivalry?
Moreover, what factors into it being the best? And who dictates what makes a great rivalry? Well, a lot of it comes down to history, borders, sporting conflicts across different leagues and most importantly, the fans.
From the Pacific Northwest to Los Angeles, from Canada to Southern Texas, MLS rivalries are fierce and contentious. But which is the best? GOAL takes a closer look….
Over the summer of 2023, Saudi Arabia became an emerging foe in the transfer market. Amid the Saudi government's relentless desire for sporting relevancy, football fans far and wide endured a frantic summer transfer window like no other.
The bulk of the Saudi Pro League's outlay was splurged by the four clubs taken over by the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in June, and the division proved it could attract more than mere has-beens as the league operated on a devil-may-care transfer policy to spend a staggering £728m – with only the Premier League (£2.1bn) splashing more over the summer months.
|
League |
Net Spend in 2023 Summer Transfer Window |
|---|---|
|
Premier League |
£2.1bn |
|
Saudi Pro League |
£728m |
|
Serie A |
£682m |
|
Bundesliga |
£598m |
|
Ligue 1 |
£594m |
While it was Cristiano Ronaldo who first pioneered the rapid development of the country's football landscape when he moved to Al-Nassr at the turn of the year, the Middle Eastern country hasn't stopped there.
The riches involved are startling, and the nation hosting the World Cup in 2034 means the government will do all they can in the coming years to ensure the Pro League develops into a genuine force.
That means the spending is set to continue in the future, and Saudi clubs will almost certainly attempt to go big again in the 2024 January window. Unlike the fleeting prosperity of the Chinese Super League back in 2016 and 2017, it is expected that the Middle Eastern clubs will refuse to let up on their exorbitant financial feast.
Football FanCast takes a look at ten players who could follow in the footsteps of Jordan Henderson, Cristiano Ronaldo and Riyad Mahrez by making the switch from Premier League to the Saudi Pro League in January and beyond. Every entry ascends in both the likelihood and shock factor of each potential transfer.
Willian (Fulham)
Of the Premier League players to remain in England amid Saudi interest, it was Fulham winger WIllian who came closest to leaving in search of a lucrative retirement plan.
It was reported in August that the Brazilian had communicated his desire to leave Craven Cottage, having 'agreed personal terms' with Al-Shabab. But it came as a surprise to the west London club as Willian had only just extended his stay at the club a few weeks before.
Now 35, the forward could seek pastures new again in January, though his recent upturn in form may give Fulham a big decision to make. It'll be interesting how this will impact his potential suitors' interest.
Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
At 39 years old, it is beyond impressive that Thiago Silva still puts together strong defensive displays in the pace of the Premier League. But since he will be entering his 40s next season, the Brazilian sentinel might be on the search for a new adventure, and after heavy interest from the Middle East, he could choose to swap the blue of Chelsea for the gold of Saudi Arabia.
With the role model and elite athlete reputation that Thiago Silva flaunts, his brand image and commercial value could be a perfect fit for the country's strides to become a leading power in world football. Much like Cristiano Ronaldo, the veteran is a criteria-ticking ambassador suited to promoting interest.
It was reported by Football.london that 'serious interest' came from several Saudi Pro League clubs over the summer, with Ronaldo's Al-Nassr thought to be leading the race for the centre-back's signature.
Silva's contract expires in June, so it is expected that he will leave Stamford Bridge by next summer at the latest. However, it is uncertain whether he will choose the opulence of the Middle East like former Blues teammates Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly, or if he will set his heart on a return to where it all started in Brazil.
Anthony Martial (Man Utd)
Apparently, Anthony Martial rejected generous offers from the Middle East to push for a move to a prestigious European club during the summer. But since the Frenchman's wage demands are too high for a striker who is clearly out of favour under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, the £61.5m flop might need to resort to offers from further afield if he is to get increased playing time.
For Saudi clubs, particularly Al-Shabab and Al-Taawoun (who were reportedly interested in Martial over the summer) his wage demands – currently £250,000 a week at Man United – aren't much of an obstacle. The only stumbling block to his signature is the forward's pining to stay in Europe.
West Ham, Fenerbahçe and Inter were among other clubs rumoured to have held an interest. But, again, questions persist over his lucrative salary, with alternatives being weighed up ahead of Martial in many cases.
Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur)
In the final hours of the summer transfer window, Al-Ittihad eyed up a move for Richarlison in the scenario that they would miss out on Mohamed Salah's services.
According to the Daily Mail, the Brazilian's Saudi deal failed to progress further than interest due to 'a lack of time'. Initially seen as an alternative to his Egyptian rival, it will be interesting to see if the striker, whose future is potentially in limbo in N17, will be tipped for a move in January to revive his career.
Should Salah make the switch, however, Richarlison might need to rely on interest from more than just one Saudi club if he is to escape Premier League pressures.
Thomas Partey (Arsenal)
Since the £105m acquisition of Declan Rice from West Ham's grasp, Thomas Partey's importance at Arsenal has greatly diminished. At the start of the season, he was pushed into an unfamiliar right-back role by Mikel Arteta, and while a groin injury has stunted his involvement since, his place in the squad is clearly under threat.
The Ghanaian pivot's downfall could be his one-dimensional playing style. Partey has shown his flaws when playing in positions other than defensive midfield, but Rice has taken the No 6 role to the next level, making rivals for his starting berth ponder their futures.
Such is the case with most of the names on this list, Partey was heavily linked with a move to the Middle East in the summer. He initially rejected offers after a Saudi trio of Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Khaleej circled him, but he may regret his decision now.
Whilst the Saudi Pro League deliberates its next move, it is difficult to predict which players will be preyed upon in two months' time. However, given Partey's current squad situation, alongside his ability to still be a top-class midfielder, there's no reason why previous admirers should turn a blind eye to the Ghanaian international just six months later.
Raphael Varane (Man Utd)
A lot of uncertainties surround Manchester United at the minute. Their form, their manager, and their ownership. So, adding the squad's future to their list of worries only helps to paint a clearer picture of the failings in the northwest.
Raphael Varane is another linked with a move away from Old Trafford after dropping down the pecking order under Ten Hag. In recent weeks, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans have pipped him to a starting place, while the Frenchman has watched on from the bench.
Hearsays about a possible fallout between the defender and his manager have since been quashed. However, as one of the best of his generation, Varane may well be subject to interest from rival clubs should his playing time demands not be met between now and the new year.
He is tipped for a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo, with Al-Nassr becoming the main source of transfer speculation around the former Real Madrid man. A TEAMtalk report within the last month revealed that he has already received offers ahead of 2024, which include interest from Champions League clubs, suggesting a route to the Middle East isn't so straightforward.
Jadon Sancho (Man Utd)
Other Man United names linked with an exit from the club come in the form of those in the autumn years of their careers. But with Jadon Sancho, his links to Saudi Arabia offer him a potential deathwish for a career that's hardly got started.
Of course, there is always the possibility he can reignite his lost spark in a new surrounding away from the limelight. But while the Saudi Pro League's reputation and future condition remains unknown, a move there at 23 years old could hinder his chances of ever making a return to Premier League and Champions League football.
But should the young Englishman value salary over playing time, incoming offers from the Middle East in January could prise him away from Manchester. The Telegraph understands that Saudi outfits have revived interest in the winger after his failed switch to Al-Ettifaq is put back into focus amid a relationship breakdown with manager Erik ten Hag.
Casemiro (Man Utd)
Casemiro was a short-term success for the Red Devils. His £70m move from Real Madrid saw him paper over midfield cracks as he showed signs of being at his very best last season.
But at the start of the current term, the Brazilian has struggled with form. His ability to cover ground in Ten Hag's team has been criticised, while the manager himself also controversially stated he "wanted more football" as a reason for substituting him against Brentford earlier in the season.
As one of the highest earners, Casemiro could be shipped off as early as January to free up the wage bill for newcomers. As per 90min, various Saudi clubs are exploring a deal via intermediaries as the country continues its pledge for commercialisation.
Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
With Kevin De Bruyne achieving everything he can at club level, the 32-year-old could bring his Premier League reign to an end, although it's more likely that he leaves next summer as opposed to January as he looks to nurse his way back into contention at Manchester City ahead of the second half of the season under Pep Guardiola.
Over the last eight years, he has won the Premier League five times and supplied the most league assists throughout the season three times, while finishing on the Ballon d'Or podium last year. Coming off early into last season's treble-confirming Champions League final and the following season opener, the Belgian has struggled with persistent injuries in recent years, which could sway his club into seeing him as an expendable, especially if City can offload him for a price.
An offer from Al-Nassr would see KDB link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane in the Middle East, and although it may come as a surprise, the deal would make sense for both parties, since the Citizens employ a rotational transfer philosophy, and the veteran midfielder has the chance to leave a perfect legacy before his twilight years get the better of him.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Armed with money no club could resist regardless of grandeur, Al-Ittihad will no doubt be back, all guns blazing, for Mohamed Salah in 2024.
They might have had a £175m bid rejected in the summer, with Liverpool failing to turn up to the negotiating table. However, the Saudi Arabian club feels that, as an Arab himself, Salah won't be able to repel the adulation he would receive in the Middle East.
And with a rumoured £200m world-record fee being lined up in the future, the Reds could be persuaded into letting their Egyptian king leave so that they can reinvest the money elsewhere.
Currently, loyalties between club and player cannot be doubted. But with the resplendent resources on offer at N'Golo Kante, Fabinho and Karim Benzema's club, heads might finally be turned in January or beyond.
Lionel Messi was never really close to reuniting with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League, with the reasons for his MLS move being explained.
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