Inter Miami's opening goal in their CONCACAF Champions Cup tie vs Nashville SC was crafted in Barcelona, with Lionel Messi finding Luis Suarez.
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Millie Bright is set to remain sidelined until after April's international break due to an injury setback, informed Chelsea boss Emma Hayes.
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Everton have a knack for allowing their homegrown talents to flourish within the first-team set-up at Goodison Park when given a chance, past players such as Leon Osman, Wayne Rooney and Ross Barkley were impressive for the Toffees when transitioning into the men's team.
Osman, in particular, goes down as a hall-of-famer for those with Everton connections – sticking it out with the Toffees throughout his lengthy career, scoring 62 goals from an astonishing 454 matches over 16 years.
But, as was the case with Rooney and Barkley, often a top talent decides to up and leave their hometown team in the pursuit of success elsewhere and more prestige.
Sold by Frank Lampard last year – the player in question handing in a transfer request to speed up his exit from Merseyside – Anthony Gordon joined Newcastle United for a substantial transfer fee and has performed reasonably well for the Magpies under boss Eddie Howe so far.
Newcastle would break the bank to bring the 22-year-old winger to St James Park, signing the Liverpool-born midfielder for £45m back in January.
This transfer fee meant Gordon was Newcastle's second most expensive buy ever at the time, now in the bronze medal position to Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak as the Magpies continue to openly flex their muscles in the transfer market.
The excessive transfer fee to bring Gordon to Tyneside was justified arguably, the youngster in flashes at Goodison Park showed the potential he possessed to become a future top talent.
He would score seven goals from 78 appearances when transitioning from the youth teams at Everton to the first team fold in the Premier League, netting four goals in his final full campaign for the club before Newcastle swooped in and purchased the young attacker.
It hasn't been all smooth sailing for Gordon since joining Newcastle, the young midfielder no longer a bright spark in a team fighting against relegation.
Now, he was part of the new-look Newcastle United who were aiming for top-four football instead of surviving year after year by the skin of their teeth.
He would only score once during his first 16 games with the Magpies, netting on the final day of last season away at Stamford Bridge in a 1-1 draw versus Chelsea.
But, this campaign so far, he has started to come into his own featuring for Howe's men.
Not only are his goals and assists on the up – netting two goals and assisting a further two in the Premier League from just seven outings – but his commitment and work ethic all around for the Tynesiders has improved too.
The 22-year-old is in the top 98% of wingers in Europe for tackles this season, completing 2.66 per 90 minutes according to FBRef. That aggression and determination has further seen Gordon block a remarkable amount of shots in Newcastle's favour, completing 1.53 per match.
He's not just an electric winger who can provide a goal or assist, but he's also transforming into a midfielder who is more than happy to pick up the dirty work for his side even if it does come to his detriment at times. Indeed, Gordon was suspended for Newcastle's visit to West Ham United, his discipline coming under scrutiny.
But, this aggression and determination means that Gordon has cemented himself as a regular under Howe this campaign and has left Everton wondering whether they should have kicked up more of a fuss to keep their homegrown talent.
So good have his performances been that he's outperformed every Toffees man so far this season with his goals and assist output, current Everton winger Dwight McNeil only has one assist so far this campaign but from two matches less than Newcastle's number ten. When it comes to outright contributions, meanwhile, only Abdoulaye Doucoure can match him.
Still, Gordon is now showing why Newcastle paid £45m for his services – and at only 22 years of age still – he should only improve for the Champions League side in the years to come.
Leeds United made the decision to appoint Daniel Farke as their new head coach for the 2023/24 campaign after Sam Allardyce left at the end of last season.
The Whites were relegated from the Premier League under the one-time England manager and opted to go in a new direction by bringing in the German tactician.
He is a proven performer at this level as the former Borussia Dortmund II boss earned promotion from the Championship in two of his three second division seasons with Norwich City.
|
Statistic |
2018/19 |
2020/21 |
|---|---|---|
|
Points |
94 |
97 |
|
Goals for |
93 |
75 |
|
Goals against |
57 |
36 |
|
Games won |
27 |
29 |
|
Farke's Championship title-winning seasons with Norwich (via Sky Sports): |
||
As you can see in the table above, Farke has what it takes to lead teams to glory and can coach attack-minded sides that can score at will.
He currently has Leeds in fourth place with 17 goals in 11 matches and they are currently still in the race to secure an instant return to the top-flight.
The Whites may also have appointed Farke due to his proven ability to work with and develop young players. James Maddison, Todd Cantwell, Max Aarons, Ben Godfrey, Emiliano Buendia, and Oliver Skipp are just a few of the talented youngsters he developed during his time at Carrow Road.
Leeds have a number of fantastic prospects within their academy system at the moment and one player who could be unearthed as a future star is 20-year-old gem Sean McGurk, who could be Cantwell 2.0 for the German boss.
Journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, recently reported that the club are prepared to send the young midfielder out on loan for the second half of the campaign.
The Whites want the U21 starlet to gain valuable minutes playing for a senior side at the start of next year, after they opted to keep him around the group for the first half of the season.
However, it remains to be seen how much interest there will be in the talented gem and if he will be able to secure a Championship, League One, or League Two switch to gain experience.
His season could end up being similar to the one that Cantwell went through during Farke's first year at Norwich in the 2017/18 campaign.
The English wizard made his first-team debut in an FA Cup clash before being sent out on loan to Fortuna Sittard in the Netherlands for the second half of the season.
Cantwell went on to produce two goals and three assists in ten league appearances for the Dutch side before breaking into the first-team at Carrow Road the following term.
He had put himself into a position to impress the head coach after a return of five goals and five assists in 42 U21 matches for the Yellows.
The former England U21 international scored 14 goals in 129 first-team appearances for the Canaries throughout his time at senior level for his hometown club.
Cantwell's first experience of regular football for Norwich came during the 2018/19 promotion season as he played 27 matches in all competitions and contributed with one goal and two assists.
His real emergence as an impressive force for the East Anglian side came the following year as the talented wizard racked up six goals and two assists in 37 Premier League games, which included goals against Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal.
He followed that up with six goals and seven assists in 33 Championship clashes throughout the 2020/21 campaign, which led to another league title for Cantwell and Farke.
The German head coach was relieved of his duties in November 2021 and the Canaries academy product did not score or assist another goal for the club before his move to Rangers at the start of this year.
However, the versatile ace, who can play as a central midfielder, a number ten, or on either flank, was an excellent attacking option for Farke during their time together, at Premier League and Championship level.
The 20-year-old dynamo has contributed with six goals in all competitions for the U21s so far this season and has showcased his ability to make an impact at the top end of the pitch on a regular basis.
McGurk has chipped in with six goals and four assists in nine matches and this shows that the Thorp Arch ace has been a nightmare for opposition defences throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
His immense form, which shows that he can score and assist goals in Cantwell-esque fashion, this term has come off the back of a return of three goals and one assist in 15 Premier League 2 outings last season.
The Liverpool-born whiz started his career with Wigan and scored three goals and provided one assist in five FA Youth Cup matches before Leeds snapped him up in 2021.
McGurk can play off either flank or in an attacking midfield position, like Cantwell, and is now starting to show off his ability to contribute with goals and assists week-in-week-out at U21 level.
The plan appears to be for the 20-year-old marksman, who journalist Josh Bunting claimed has a "big future", to continue to shine for the U21 side between now and January to drum up interest in him for a beneficial loan move for the second half of the campaign.
He has previously displayed his ability to perform against lower league opposition in the EFL Trophy for Leeds. McGurk produced 2.3 key passes per game across three matches against Tranmere, Oldham, and Salford during the 2021/22 season.
Footage via LUFCTV:
That was an impressive return when you consider that no Leeds player has created more than 2.5 chances per match in the Championship for Farke's first-team so far this term.
The Thorp Arch prospect has the potential to make a breakthrough at senior level in the future, based on his exceptional form this year, but he needs to prove himself in a first-team environment out on loan during the second half of the season, as Cantwell did under Farke back in 2018.
It will then be down to McGurk to make the most of his opportunity and then return to Leeds next summer with the aim of making his way into the German's plans in the same way that the ex-Norwich midfielder did.
Therefore, Farke could unearth his new version of the Rangers star by working with the exciting talent to unlock his ability at senior level over the coming years.
Atletico Madrid and France star Antoine Griezmann has hit out at podcast presenters after he was branded a 'luxury player'.
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Yesterday hardly marked the most vintage display from Manchester United, but Erik ten Hag will not care as he recorded a vital 2-1 victory to stem the tide and earn his men some respite.
Unsurprisingly, as has been the case whenever the club needs someone to stand up and shine, Bruno Fernandes was the first to appear…
As their talisman now for over three years, the Portugal international emerged as a relentless creative force once again, trying everything in his power to avoid recording an underwhelming result against a side expected to be battling for safety this season.
However, despite taking the lead, with the 29-year-old assisting, they were instantly pegged back, and the pressure ramped up. Despite this, history has proven that these are the conditions where Fernandes thrives.
Managing five key passes, it could be argued that the midfield maestro was value for far more than the sole assist he attained. Such was his desperation to get on the ball and create, he would enjoy 90 touches of the ball, and yet losing possession 27 times is indicative of someone attempting something new, with varying success.
Although many will rush to point him out as the outstanding figure for the visitors, as they moved up to eighth in the Premier League with their win, others will rightly look to Antony as another who starred amidst plenty of adversity.
Having been dismissed from the squad after serious allegations were made of the former Ajax man, Ten Hag saw fit to reintegrate his £85m man late last month, with his integration having been measured ever since.
Although starting opportunities have been sparse since, he certainly took his chance yesterday, starring from the flank as another creator worthy of merit. However, it was his work rate that truly drew praise.
Whilst many might rush to lambast the £200k-per-week Brazilian for his extravagant skills that go nowhere, or his inability to beat a man and use his right foot, one thing people have never been able to challenge him on is his work ethic.
Yesterday was no different, and in a clash where they needed to dig deep to avoid embarrassment, he was there.
Winning 85% of all the duels he competed in only helps to emphasise this point, and although only one of his four crosses would hit the mark, journalist Tom Gott would still praise the glimpses of quality Antony boasting in his post-match player ratings after a solid 6/10 display, writing for 90min: "Had some really lively moments but drifted in and out of the game too often".
Having faced true personal adversity this campaign, with the results of which still unconfirmed, the 23-year-old's performance in their win over the Blades has offered a fine foundation for a return to form, at a time when Ten Hag is crying out for his players to stand up and be counted.
The creativity and goal threat of Antony has every chance of returning, but as long as his work rate remains, the Dutch manager have little reason for huge unrest just yet.
Al-Nassr boss Luis Castro showered praise on Cristiano Ronaldo after he racked up a huge five goal contributions in the 8-0 win over Abha.
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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney may be saving themselves more money in the transfer market, with Max Cleworth considered to be Championship quality.
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West Ham chief Tim Steidten is "likely" to move for a young and upcoming boss as manager David Moyes' replacement, if the Scotsman does leave.
The Hammers fan base have been gifted long-lasting memories during Moyes' tenure, most notably their dramatic Europa Conference League triumph in May. West Ham clinched their first major piece of silverware since 1980 after winger Jarrod Bowen's last-gasp winner handed them a 2-1 win over Fiorentina in Prague.
However, while the club's form in cup competitions has been a real highlight of Moyes' past 12 months in charge, the same cannot be said for their form in the Premier League. West Ham finished a lowly 14th last campaign, and they've been sliding down the table this season as well.
Three consecutive league losses and a first European defeat in 18 matches away to Olympiacos has piled the pressure on West Ham's manager, with Moyes "unlikely" to stay beyond his contract expiry next summer.
The east Londoners face Olympiacos again at home this evening, and Moyes says he is looking for much better this time round.
"I’m looking for much better tomorrow night," said Moyes on Olympiacos in a Wednesday press conference (via whufc.com). "We want to make sure we’re still in Europe after Christmas and I think, if we can win tomorrow night, we go a long way towards that for a third year in a row. I think the whole team, in general, over the last couple of years have done a lot of good things. I’ve said before that we’re trying to make progress and play better, and as you go along, you try things and they don’t always work out. We have some players in really good form and we hope that continues."
Amid the noise surrounding Moyes' future, journalist Paul Brown was asked which manager West Ham chief Steidten could go for if the 60-year-old departs next summer or even sooner.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Brown claimed Steidten is "likely" to appoint an upcoming manager to replace Moyes at West Ham, as past targets like Rafael Benitez and Marcelo Bielsa won't be high on the Irons employee's wishlist.
"It's really hard to know because the owners there had their favourites," said Brown. "Before Moyes, they were big admirers of people like Marcelo Bielsa and Rafa Benitez, but I suspect that with Tim Steidten coming in, those kind of managers would not be high on his wish list if the club was to make a change. So you'd be more likely to see West Ham trying to go for more of a younger, up-and-coming manager I think if a change is coming.
|
West Ham league finishes under Moyes |
Season |
|---|---|
|
16th |
19/20 |
|
6th |
20/21 |
|
7th |
21/22 |
|
14th |
22/23 |
"But I don't think one is imminent just yet. I think things will become clearer nearer to Christmas when the club starts making transfer plans and talking to the current manager about his contract. So I think we'll know a little more in the coming weeks."
Since the summer window in 2021, Manchester United spent £73m on Jadon Sancho and £82m on Antony to sort out the team's issues on the right wing. However, this season, the duo have failed to score a single goal or register an assist in all competitions.
Sancho, in particular, has had limited opportunities to showcase his talent this term after falling out with manager Erik ten Hag in the aftermath of the side's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium back in September.
The player has since been removed from all first-team duties and Ten Hag has been scratching his head about who to place on the right, with Antony also underperforming this term.
Nonetheless, there is one player that the Dutchman has yet to try out who could be United's saviour.
During the summer transfer window, Man United spent a little under £230m on new players, bringing the likes of Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana to the club for huge sums. Yet, the Red Devils have the seventh-worst attacking record in the Premier League. Across all of United's forward players this term, only Marcus Rashford has managed to find the net.
|
Man United's attackers – 2023/24 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
PL Appearances |
|
Rasmus Hojlund |
0 |
0 |
9 |
|
Marcus Rashford |
1 |
1 |
11 |
|
Anthony Martial |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
Antony |
0 |
0 |
9 |
|
Alejandro Garnacho |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
Facundo Pellistri |
0 |
1 |
5 |
|
Jadon Sancho |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Stats via BBC & Transfermarkt |
|||
In fact, Anthony Elanga has scored more times in the Premier League this season with two goals than Manchester United's entire forward department, having left for Nottingham Forest during the summer for £15m.
Ten Hag has seemingly trialled every combination of a front three already this term but to no avail. However, the Dutch coach is yet to hand a top-flight debut to academy youngster Omari Forson, having once been described as "exceptional" when he moved to United by sports lawyer Thierry Granturco.
It has been reported over the past week that Manchester United face an uphill battle to keep hold of 19-year-old attacker Forson amid interest from clubs in Europe. The Mirror have claimed that Forson can be signed for a relatively low fee in January, with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign, while United are said to be "desperate" to keep hold of him.
Forson has had an excellent season with United's U19s and U23s, scoring seven goals and registering two assists in eight games in all competitions which is seven times more than any forward in the first-team.
His displays earned him a nomination for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award in September and Forson was even placed on the bench for the side's recent trips to Bayern Munich and Copenhagen, although the winger didn't come off the bench on either occasion.
Since the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign, Forson has bagged 16 goals and five assists in 33 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils.
Nine of these goals have come from the right flank while six have come from the left, showcasing the youngster's ability to play on either side. In contrast, Sancho has recorded merely seven goals and three assists over the same time period from 44 matches.
With Antony's lack of output for Man United this season and Sancho reportedly set to leave in January, now is the perfect time for Ten Hag to hand Forson his first opportunity at Old Trafford or else the manager runs the risk of losing him in the coming months for a pittance.