Tag Futebol

Wolverhampton Wanderers finally have a new manager. It has been over a month since they sacked Bruno Lage, however, Julen Lopetegui was confirmed as their new boss on Saturday and he faces a tough challenge in keeping the Old Gold in the Premier League this season.

It looks like the 56-year-old has already turned one eye to potential future transfers, and according to Alan Nixon, Wolves are keeping a close eye on Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who is currently on loan at Burnley this season.

Leicester City are also monitoring the centre-back and with the Molineux outfit having just four central defenders, Lopetegui will be surely prioritising that area of the squad.

The 20-year-old scored his first City goal at just 17 years of age in an FA Cup tie against Port Vale back in January 2020, but he finds himself in the Championship this season, gaining crucial first-team experience.

Under the tutelage of former City defender Vincent Kompany, Burnley are thriving. They are top of the division and are aiming to bounce back from relegation last season.

Harwood-Bellis has achieved a SofaScore rating of 7.24/10 for his performances in the Championship this term, a number that impressively ranks him second in their squad.

He ranks first for accurate passes per game (68.9), clearances per match (3.4), and interceptions per outing (1.9) proving that he not only can he play out from defence, but he also knows how to do the basics of defending well.

His former manager at Blackburn Rovers, Tony Mowbray, described the defender as having a “warrior attitude” and it certainly looks like he is demonstrating this so far, especially during the current campaign with his excellent showings.

Although a move will more than likely have to wait until the summer, with his stock rising and City having an abundance of centre-backs, Lopetegui could yet seal a dream first signing by making an offer in January.

Indeed, with a lack of centre-backs and a defence that has shipped 22 goals in just 14 games, bringing in a classy defender such as Harwood-Bellis should be of utmost priority.

Thus, it could well be the catalyst that saves their season if it already isn’t too late by that point.

BCB says those who came in close contact with the infected player have also been isolated

Mohammad Isam20-Sep-2020

A Bangladesh men’s player, who was among the 27 to participate in the skill-training camp ahead of the Sri Lanka tour, has been isolated after showing “classical Covid-like symptoms”, according to the BCB. Those who came in close contact with him have also been isolated, following the latest Covid-19 tests conducted by the board ahead of the camp that began in Dhaka on Sunday. Their next set of tests will be on September 22.The BCB said two players were identified as “borderline negative” in the tests conducted on September 18 and 19, including the one with Covid-19-like symptoms. The players in question did not participate in the camp.”Out of the 27 cricketers for the Bangladesh team skill camp tested on September 18 and 19, two cases have been identified as ‘borderline negative’ with one of them showing classical Covid-19-like symptoms,” the BCB said in a statement. “As per the Covid-19 management guideline and to maintain Bio-Secure Environment standards, the symptomatic individual along with all the players who have been in close contact with him recently, have been isolated until the next test on September 22.”The BCB, however, didn’t say what would happen to the other player who it called “borderline negative”.Saif Hassan, too, is scheduled to be tested for a third time, on September 22. Hassan is currently quarantined at home after two recent positive results, although he is part of the 27-man training squad. These players have been isolating at a city hotel, from where they are expected to go to Mirpur every day for the next six days, starting Sunday.

West Ham United secured their third successive win in all competitions after seeing off newly-promoted Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with David Moyes’ side running out deserved 3-1 winners at the London Stadium.

A nervy opening had seen the home side fall behind courtesy of Andreas Pereira’s fierce effort from the angle, only for the former Manchester United man to turn from hero to villain for the Cottagers as he brought down Craig Dawson inside the penalty area, having been repeatedly warned by referee Chris Kavanagh.

England international Jarrod Bowen subsequently stepped up to slot home from the penalty spot to get on the scoresheet for the second top-flight game running, before summer signing Gianluca Scamacca produced a delightful dinked effort after the break for his third goal in as many games.

The former Sassuolo striker – who arrived in east London on a £35.5m deal in the recent window – had no doubt “deserved his goal”, in the words of journalist Jonty Colman, following an excellent overall display, with the Italy international beginning to catch fire after being initially eased into life in England.

The 23-year-old was deserving of his warm ovation after being withdrawn late on in the game – as his replacement Michail Antonio went on to seal the points in stoppage time – although there was another Irons star who also dazzled on the day, with fellow new addition Lucas Paqueta having pulled the strings in midfield.

Fresh from having teed up Scamacca for the winning goal away in Anderlecht in midweek, the Brazilian playmaker again proved decisive to help put the home side ahead after the interval, producing a delightful chip over the top of the defence for the towering forward to latch on to.

Such a moment of quality is likely what the club would have been expecting following the former Lyon man’s £51m capture this summer, with the 24-year-old beginning to blossom having initially found it difficult to adjust to life in his new surroundings – with that only his second goal contribution of the season thus far.

The fleet-footed “magician” – as dubbed by journalist Josh Bunting – was simply a “total joy” to watch on the day, as also described by Bunting, having been the real heartbeat for Moyes’ side in his free role behind the striker.

The £40.5m-rated ace notably registered two key passes from his 69 touches and also won 100% of his aerial duels, with his match rating of 7.5, as per SofaScore, only bettered by teammate Tomas Soucek among the players for either side.

As the Evening Standard’s Malik Ouzia noted in his post-match player ratings piece, Paqueta is a simply ‘classy operator’, with it already looking like a ‘coup’ that the Hammers were able to prise the former AC Milan man from France.

A player who brings obvious box-office entertainment – as also evidenced by his outrageous piece of skill in midweek – the 34-cap menace looks likely to be a real exciting watch this season.

Glasgow Rangers enjoyed a busy summer of business in the transfer window as Ross Wilson looked to improve a number of positions in the team.

The Light Blues sporting director backed Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the market by signing John Souttar, Ridvan Yilmaz, Malik Tillman, Ben Davies, Tom Lawrence, Antonio Colak, and Rabbi Matondo.

This means that they brought in a player in every position other than right-back and goalkeeper, with the latter perhaps coming as a surprise after Allan McGregor’s performances last season.

The veteran shot-stopper showed signs of his age catching up with him in the Premiership in 2021/22 as he made four errors directly leading to shots or goals and only saved 66% of the shots against him, compared to one error and a save percentage of 85% in the title-winning campaign the year prior to that.

His form dropped massively between those two seasons and, after turning 40 in January, supporters could be forgiven for thinking that he should have been replaced in the window.

Instead, he was handed a new contract and made the number two behind Jon McLaughlin, who was already at Ibrox, for the start of this season.

The former Burton man failed to step up to the mark in the first six outings in the Scottish top-flight this term as he averaged a dismal SofaScore rating of 6.50 and made one error directly leading to a goal whilst conceding from 50% of the shots against him.

With question marks over both McLaughlin and McGregor, it is time for van Bronckhorst to finally unleash 24-year-old Robby McCrorie between the sticks.

He was recently called up to the Scottish national squad and manager Steve Clarke claimed that he is “improving” as a player, despite being in a difficult situation as the third choice at Ibrox.

Journalist Josh Bunting tipped him to be Scotland’s future number one and described him as a “big talent” last year, which he showed signs of when he was called into action against Celtic with Steven Gerrard at the helm at the start of last season.

The 6 foot 4 colossus kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win in the Old Firm, saving all three of the shots against him and earning a SofaScore rating of 7.4. He also kept a shutout in a Europa League qualifier, which means that he has not conceded a single goal in any of his first-team appearances for the club.

Therefore, the £3.7k-per-week gem must finally be given an extended run in the team to show that he has what it takes to be a consistent number one for the club.

McGregor and McLaughlin are struggling between the sticks and it could be time for a natural changing of the guard in goal for the Light Blues, with the Scottish youngster taking over the gloves this season.

West Ham United will be hoping to return to winning ways once Premier League action resumes this weekend, with the Hammers currently languishing in the relegation zone having picked up just four points from their opening seven games.

That measly return ensures it is the club’s joint-worst start to a top-flight campaign since the 2016/17 season, while only during the 1973/74 season have the east Londoners registered fewer points (three) at the same stage.

The club’s most recent meeting came in familiar surroundings for David Moyes at Goodison Park, with the former Everton boss seeing his old side run out 1-0 winners courtesy of a Neal Maupay stunner, ensuring that the visitors have now lost eight of their last ten league away games.

Thankfully, the London Stadium outfit will be on home soil against Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend, with the encounter offering the chance to leapfrog Bruno Lage’s men and move out of the drop zone.

To ensure victory, Moyes may well need to make alterations from a side that has been so distinctly underwhelming in recent weeks, with one notable casualty surely that of the struggling Tomas Soucek, with the Czech Republic international having come under fire so far this term.

The 27-year-old has started all seven league games so far this term alongside skipper Declan Rice, although has scored just once and failed to register a single assist, with his tepid form having seen him branded “awful” by journalist Alan Rzepa.

Such worrying displays were also evident last term for the £67k-per-week colossus, as he has struggled both in and out of possession over the past year, notably ranking in just the bottom 18% for pass completion among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, as well as only in the bottom 35% for tackles made.

While he remains a threat in the air due to his towering 6 foot 4 frame – ranking in the top 2% for aerial duels won – the £40.5m-rated man seemingly has little else going for him at present, following a summer which had brought uncertainty over his future amid a reported breakdown in contract negotiations.

Despite his woes, the 52-cap brute remains a regular fixture of the side due to the potential lack of a genuine alternative – with the club having missed out on Amadou Onana over the summer for instance – with journalist Paul Brown perhaps rightly suggesting that it is a “bit too cosy and safe for him.”

Although not a high-profile name, there is a clear replacement for Soucek in the Hammers ranks in the form of Flynn Downes, with it time to hand the boyhood fan a start in the league with the 23-year-old having largely been on the periphery since his £12m move from Swansea City.

The youngster had made just a solitary substitute appearance in the league thus far this term, while he’s featured in three of the Europa Conference League games to date – including qualifiers – albeit having only started one of those.

It could potentially be another case where such a “special” talent – as lauded by one source – is signed by Moyes only to then be simply resigned to the bench, with that having been the case for loanee Alex Kral last term who was bizarrely overlooked for effectively the entire season.

In the case of Downes, the Englishman may not offer the same imposing presence in midfield as that of Soucek, although he is seemingly far more comfortable in possession, having recorded a pass accuracy of 93% in 37 games in the Championship last term, in contrast to his current teammate who had a pass accuracy of just 77% during the 2021/22 campaign.

With the latter man having also underwhelmed for his country against Portugal at the weekend – being branded ‘useless’ by the Czech media – it could well be an ideal time for the new signing to finally get his first league start for the club against Wolves on Saturday evening.

Tottenham Hotspur have made an ‘opening offer’ to sign Manchester United midfielder James Garner this summer, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

The Lowdown: Spurs keep moving?

After the signings of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence and, most recently, Destiny Udogie – could Spurs look to further Premier League incomings before September 1?

The Lilywhites have backed manager Antonio Conte throughout this summer transfer window but reports suggest they might not be done there amid continued links to Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo and Garner.

Sporting director Fabio Paratici is thought to be a fan of the latter man, and while some have claimed a deal is unlikely, one reporter claims a bid has gone in.

The Latest: Journalist makes ‘opening offer’ claim…

Indeed, the north Londoners have apparently made their ‘opening offer’ to sign Garner from football giants United.

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Alan Nixon, writing via his Patreon, says Spurs have tabled a bid and ‘plan to snatch’ the 21-year-old this summer ahead of fellow suitors Nottingham Forest.

However, it is believed that the bids so far have been below what the Red Devils are willing to accept.

The Verdict: Make the move?

Having enjoyed a brilliant 2021/22 campaign on loan at Forest, Garner’s ability is evident with the midfield ace even finishing that season as one of Steve Cooper’s top-five performers by average match rating (WhoScored).

The Englishman also averaged more key passes per 90 than any Forest player last season, leaving little wonder pundits like Paul Robinson have called him ‘exceptional’ for his time at the City Ground.

Also able to help solve Tottenham’s troubling homegrown quota issue, moving for Garner could be smart for both on and off-field factors.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport that he expects Bukayo Saka to ‘sign a new contract’ at Arsenal. 

The lowdown

The 20-year-old’s current deal, which puts him towards the middle of Arsenal’s earning list at £70,000 per week, is due to expire in 2024.

Speaking to The Athletic, the club’s technical director Edu said that talks over a new deal are going well and that all parties are ‘happy’.

However, The Daily Mail reported earlier in the summer that Premier League champions Manchester City and last season’s runners-up Liverpool have both ‘earmarked the 20-year-old as a future target’.

The latest

Jones believes that Edu won’t countenance any bid for Saka and thinks that Arsenal could hold firm in the face of an offer from Liverpool, believing that the north London club should be able to tie him down to a long-term deal.

The transfer insider told GiveMeSport: “Edu particularly won’t entertain offers for Saka at the moment and doesn’t believe that even a Liverpool bid could force the club to sell at the moment, so I think he will sign a new contract.”

The verdict

If Arsenal can secure Saka’s agreement to a new deal, it would be cause for major celebration.

The 20-year-old not only won Arsenal’s Player of the Season award last term, he was also nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season.

The Englishman was the Gunners’ top scorer in 2021/22 with 12 goals, while only Alexandre Lacazette (eight) managed more assists (via BBC Sport).

City manager Pep Guardiola named him as one of the ‘incredible’ and ‘talented’ youngsters who should be able to build ‘a bright, bright future’ for Arsenal.

Arsenal need to be wary, though. If their form in the early part of the season suggests that they won’t qualify for the Champions League, then perhaps Saka will hesitate about signing a new deal, having yet to play in the competition in his three years as a Gunners first-team regular.

Journalist Paul Brown has said that Everton could now sign Lucas Moura this summer.

The Lowdown: Richarlison swap deal?

As per The Telegraph, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Richarlison from the Toffees and are prepared to offer both Harry Winks and Moura as part of a potential swap deal for the 25-year-old.

The arrivals of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus in the January transfer window pushed the aforementioned Spurs players down the pecking order in terms of minutes played last season, so they do not seem to be in Antonio Conte’s long-term plans.

The Latest: Moura transfer speculation

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Brown has said that Moura has ‘come up in talks’ at Goodison Park, but there is ‘less of a push’ to sign him over Winks.

The reporter said of Eerton’s interest in the duo: “They certainly do like Winks, while Lucas Moura has come up in talks, but there’s less of a push for Everton to sign him and there’s also the Dele Alli situation with Everton still owing Spurs money for him.”

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The Verdict: Sign Moura over Winks

If Everton could sign only one of the players mentioned, they should go for Moura over Winks.

They already have a plethora of central midfield options, whereas Anwar El Ghazi has returned to Aston Villa from his loan spell, leaving Andros Townsend as the only recognised senior right winger (Transfermarkt).

Moura should certainly add quality from the flanks, having scored 38 goals and supplied a further 27 assists over the course of his Spurs career (Transfermarkt).

Also, at 29 years of age, the Toffees could take advantage of a player who is currently in the peak of his career and has plenty of big-game experience from his time with Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham.

In other news, find out who Everton have now made contact with over signing here!

Giovanni van Bronckhorst faces a crucial first summer transfer window in charge of Rangers as he aims to keep the momentum high at Ibrox following a solid end to the 2021/22 season.

Narrowly losing the Europa League final and winning the Scottish Cup for the first time in 13 years gave the Light Blues something to cheer about after losing their Premiership crown to their Glasgow arch-rivals.

Although no incoming transfers have been completed yet this summer, there will surely be some activity as the weeks tick towards the first league fixture of the season on 30 July.

In order to spend money on players who will immediately improve the first team, there may need to be some outgoings. To that effect, with Borna Barisic being linked with a move to Trabzonspor, it might be the right time to sell him.

This could generate funds for Van Bronckhorst to make a move for Stoke City left-back Josh Tymon, although he will reportedly cost £6m.

Pete O’Rourke gave his views on the defender to GiveMeSport recently, saying: “I think Josh Tymon had a really good season for Stoke City; he’s got huge potential and is an exciting, young left-back. So, I think if Rangers were able to sign him, he would definitely improve the squad.”

Barisic wasn’t as influential last season compared to 2020/21. The Croatia international only registered three assists last time around compared to 14 in the Gers’ title-winning campaign. The 29-year-old’s goals have dried up too, as he failed to score last term following a five-goal season in all competitions prior to that.

On the other hand, Tymon helped himself to three goals and four assists in all competitions in 2021/22, and at only 23 years of age, he could be a shrewd investment for the future.

Perhaps more worryingly, Barisic proved to be a defensive liability in big games against Celtic earlier this year, twice being caught napping at the back post as the Hoops punished his lapses to find the net.

This prospective move will, of course, depend on whether or not Barisic, or even Calvin Bassey, is sold during the summer, with the latter also the subject of reported transfer interest.

With two years left on Barisic’s contract and the defender approaching his 30th birthday later in the year, Van Bronckhorst may decide to cash in on the underwhelming Croatian.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Morelos: Wilson must now seal Rangers swoop for “outstanding” 26-goal monster…

Leeds United have been linked with a move for Schalke winger Rabbi Matondo.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from Bild (via TEAMtalk), Leeds are one of the clubs interested in signing the Welsh attacker this summer.

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As a product of Cardiff City’s youth system, Matondo joined Manchester City’s academy back in 2016.

After making 53 youth appearances for the Manchester club where he scored 19 goals and delivered 11 assists, the Welshman then joined Schalke in the 2019 January transfer window for a fee of £11m.

The next Dan James

Last season saw the 21-year-old spend a loan spell with Belgian club Cercle Brugge where he found the net nine times and delivered two assists in 26 league games.

To further highlight his attacking talent, the winger racked up a higher average of dribbles per game (1.7) than any other player at the Belgian club.

The £3.6m-rated attacker also racked up more shots at goal (75) and shots on target (33) than any other figure in the team.

Described as having “electrifying” pace by Ryan Giggs, Matondo could be Leeds’ next version of Dan James as his Welsh counterpart is also an incredibly quick player at Elland Road.

In fact, during the previous Euros, James managed to accelerate to a speed of 33.5 km/h, the second-fastest in the tournament, which highlights just how quick he can be on the pitch.

Last season saw the former Manchester United attacker score four goals and provide five assists in 34 league games in addition to totalling the second-highest number of shots at goal (52) in the squad.

With that in mind, having the two Welsh wingers in Jesse Marsch’s side could be a real problem for opposition defenders given their lightning pace and ability to score and create goals.

Should Marsch and Victor Orta feel the need to add another attacking figure to his ranks this summer, securing a deal for Matondo would be a good step for the Yorkshire club given his young age and the clear knack he has for being a goal threat.

However, with this report also listing fellow Premier League sides Nottingham Forest and Brentford as well as three French teams as clubs eyeing up the winger, the Whites could have a challenge on their hands to secure his signature this summer.

In other news: Orta can land Leeds’ next Hernandez with swoop for “lethal” £137k-p/w “goal machine”