Para disputar a semifinal do Paulistão, neste domingo, às 16h, contra o Mirassol, o caminho do Corinthians não foi fácil e precisou contar com outros resultados para reverter uma situação muito complicada, mas nada disso faria sentido se o time não conquistasse três vitórias sem levar gols em três jogos. Méritos de uma solidez defensiva, em que um dos pilares é o zagueiro Gil, que falou ao LANCE! sobre essa boafase do sistema de defesa corintiano.
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Em entrevista concedida para a reportagem do LANCE!, o beque alvinegro de 33 anos reconheceu a importância que ele e seus parceiros do setor tiveram nessa recuperação do Timão no estadual, no entanto faz questão de dividir os méritos com todo o grupo, principalmente pelo fato de sair de campo sem ser vazado, mas ao mesmo tempo aproveitando as chances no ataque, como o próprio Gil fez ao marcar o gol da vitória por 1 a 0 no último Dérbi.
-É algo que nos deixa muito satisfeito quando acontece. Quando termina uma partida e não levamos gol, já é sinal de que algo foi positivo. Se não levamos e fazemos ao menos um, sinal de que tivemos outro ponto positivo também e conseguimos, consequentemente, a vitória. É um trabalho do grupo, de todos juntos, desde os jogadores de frente até o Cássio. Em alguns momentos, é mérito de um setor, em outros é de outro setor… é assim tem que ser.
– Tento ajudar da melhor maneira, conheço bem os companheiros da melhor forma. O gol também foi algo muito importante, em um momento que a equipe precisava vencer e estávamos tanto tempo sem jogar – completou.
Antes da pausa, porém, o Corinthians não vinha conseguindo ter uma solidez defensiva, levando gols em quase todos os jogos e, para piorar, carência de eficiência no ataque. Acontece que um forte sistema defensivo está no “DNA” corintiano nos últimos anos, algo que Gil conhece bem, desde a sua passagem anterior pelo clube. Assim, essa herança foi essencial na volta do equilíbrio.
-Isso é muito importante para nós. No período que fiquei na China também foi assim, com defesas que sempre tiveram bons números nas competições. No Corinthians, na minha primeira passagem, isso aconteceu e agora estamos conseguindo ter uma organização para isso. É claro que, com mudanças de peças e de treinadores, acaba sendo um pouco mais difícil, mas, quando conseguimos este acerto, aí é algo que acaba virando um equilíbrio do time.
A segurança defensiva e a eficiência no ataque foram determinantes para conquistar a vaga nas quartas de final e na semifinal do Paulistão, porém mesmo assim, Gil descarta qualquer favoritismo do Timão em relação ao Mirassol no jogo deste domingo. Para ele, ambos os times chegaram e esta fase de mata-mata pois tiveram méritos e o histórico fica para trás.
-Esses jogos não tem favorito. Em mata-mata, ainda mais com um jogo só, não tem como apontar favorito. Se o clube chegou até aqui é porque tem o seu valor. Tanto nós quanto o Mirassol fizemos por merecer estar nessa fase, brigando por uma vaga na final. O histórico neste momento fica para trás, mas vamos buscar manter esse retrospecto para conquistar os nossos objetivos.
Confira outros trechos da entrevista de Gil ao LANCE!:
O que mudou do GIl que chegou ao clube em 2013 e o Gil de 2020? Como se manter disputando títulos em alto nível por tanto tempo? Ganhei um pouco mais de experiência e alguns anos de vida (risos), mas a determinação é a mesma de sempre. Eu procuro me cuidar e trabalhar sempre para estar no meu melhor fisicamente. Sabemos que a parte física é algo muito importante e para conseguirmos estar sempre em alto nível temos que nos cuidar. Sou muito competitivo e isso faz com que queira sempre ganhar.
Como você e os atletas mais experientes do grupo trabalharam internamente para buscar uma vaga nas quartas de final que parecia quase impossível? A nossa cabeça era de fazermos a nossa parte, pois só assim poderíamos brigar pela vaga. Nosso objetivo era vencer as duas partidas e ver o que aconteceria com os outros resultados. Já era uma situação adversa, então não poderíamos criar ainda mais pressão. Conseguimos fazer o nosso melhor, vencemos os dois jogos e os outros resultados nos colocaram nos mata-matas.
Embora a Ponte Preta, adversário do Santos nas quartas de final do Campeonato Paulista, nesta quinta, às 21h30, na Vila Belmiro, tenha sido a equipe com a pior campanha na primeira fase entre os classificados às quartas de final, o zagueiro Lucas Veríssimo não vê facilidade para conseguir a classificação no estadual.
Lanterna do Paulistão na retomada do futebol brasileiro, por conta da pandemia do novo coronavírus, a equipe de Campinas venceu as duas partidas do retorno e além de escapar do descenso também beliscou uma vaga no mata-mata. Veríssimo, portanto, acredita que o time pontepretano está na sua melhor fase e que o duelo contra o Peixe será decidido em detalhes.
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– É uma equipe que vem numa crescente e vive seu melhor momento na competição. Estavam brigando contra o rebaixamento e de repente conseguiram a classificação. É um clube que tem tradição também, então vai ser uma partida bastante difícil e decidida nos detalhes, já que a vaga será definida em apenas um jogo – disse o jogador ao site oficial do clube.
Diferentemente da Ponte, o Santos busca a sua primeira vitória pós-quarentena. Na primeira partida da volta do Paulistão, a equipe empatou em 1 a 1 contra o Santo André, na Vila Belmiro, pela 11ª rodada da competição, o suficiente para confirmar a classificação às quartas de final. Já no último domingo, “cumprindo tabela”, o Alvinegro Praiano perdeu por 3 a 2, de virada, para o Novorizontino, na Arena Corinthians, em confronto válido pela última rodada da primeira fase do estadual
Desde o momento que chegou ao Santos, Jesualdo Ferreira já endossava o tamanho da instituição. O desfio de treinar o “time de Pelé” talvez fosse o único a fazer um técnico de 74 anos cruzar o continente e repensar a aposentadoria.
O sucessor do treinador português, demitido na última quarta-feira (06), assim como os atletas e a diretoria, precisam entender a grandeza santista, que vai muito além de lutar contra o rebaixamento para salvar a pele de meia dúzia de gatos pingados.
Ser reticente quanto ao trabalho desenvolvido por Jesualdo dentro de campo é natural, e até necessário. É democrático. Inclusive, dá para se questionar e, ao mesmo tempo, não ser favorável à demissão.
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Na bola, o time, em 15 jogos, não encheu os olhos, e tampouco o coração, dos santistas. Se no ano passado os questionamentos a Sampaoli no primeiro semestre mencionavam um time que jogava bem, mas não garantia os resultados, nessa temporada o Peixe seguiu sem vencer, e ainda caiu de produção. Portanto, até esse ponto, as críticas são plausíveis e o técnico não pode ser isento delas. Mas, vamos aos poréns: Jesualdo não abaixou a guarda em momento algum, muito pelo contrário, ele sempre esteve com os seus olhos fixos no que é mais importante, o Santos Futebol Clube, como instituição.
O respeito com que Jesualdo Ferreira tratou o Alvinegro Praiano é a clara e manifesta representação da força que a marca Santos tem no mundo inteiro. O português tratou o clube com mais carinho do que muitos santistas, inclusive. Para ele, a situação mais cômoda era a desistência na primeira adversidade – e olha que foram muitas. Abandonar o barco logo de cara, pouco, ou nada, mudaria em seu currículo, além de garantir meses de salário sem trabalhar. Mas isso nunca foi opção para o treinador, que arregaçou as mangas e encarou: pandemia, distância do país natal, morte da irmã estando em outro continente, redução salarial, divergências políticas homéricas, saída de jogadores, sendo uma delas de forma desleal e omissa… isso tudo, porque sabe que o Santos é grande.
O medo da maioria da nação santista hoje é lutar contra o rebaixamento, algo extremamente aquém do que representa o Peixe. Tomar decisões, em campo ou fora dele, com esse espírito de “comigo não morreu”, é ser pequeno para uma história do tamanho do mundo. Do tamanho do Santos.
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has shared some worrying injury news regarding defender Fabian Schar ahead of the Magpies’ trip to Turf Moor.
The Lowdown: Newcastle’s finale
Newcastle are preparing for their away trip to Turf Moor on the final day of the season, as Burnley fight for three points and Premier League survival.
Sitting in 12th position, the Magpies have enjoyed a hugely successful end to the campaign, having won four of their last six league games under Eddie Howe’s management.
If all of the results go their way, Newcastle could see themselves climb up to 10th place, if they secure three points against a desperate Burnley side..
Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s clash against Burnley, Eddie Howe has shared the latest injury news on Schar, after the Magpies defender was forced off during the side’s 2-0 win over Arsenal on Monday night, having clashed heads with Eddie Nketiah.
Journalist Lee Ryder relayed the comment on Twitter: “We’re following concussion protocols. He may be doing something outside today but we’re following the protocols closely so it’ll be a late decision on him.”
The Verdict: Worrying news
The fact that it will take a ‘late’ decision suggests that Schar isn’t 100% ready and thus should be left to rest on the bench, and only make an appearance if needs be. Head injuries are always worrying, and taking a risk at this stage would feel foolish.
However, this will come as a blow to the Magpies, as 30-year-old has become a mainstay in Howe’s starting XI, having been benched just three times in the Premier League under the former Cherries manager.
Therefore, it will be a big boost for Burnley if Schar is absent, and could even make the difference to whether the Clarets stay up.
In other news: Newcastle United: Italian source makes Thomas Strakosha claim
Wolverhampton Wanderers are currently chasing a move for former Lyon defender Jason Denayer as Bruno Lage looks to add the player to his squad.
What’s the news?
The club were linked with a move for Denayer, who is currently a free agent following the expiration of his Lyon contract, near the end of the summer transfer window. A three-year deal was offered but nothing was confirmed during the window.
However, a tweet from one journalist in Belgium might well disappoint the Molineux faithful. They provided the latest on the situation, saying:
“Jason Denayer transfer to Wolverhampton at an impasse and the situation does not change. Wolves don’t want to offer more and the player doesn’t want to earn less.”
It looks like Lage does want his man, but only at the right price.
Perfect Boly replacement
Wolves were also linked with a move for West Ham United defender Craig Dawson, but that didn’t materialise and with Willy Boly joining Nottingham Forest and Conor Coady moving to Everton, Lage will require another centre-back to join the club.
Denayer could be an excellent addition to the squad. He has experience at the highest level, playing regularly for Lyon in the Champions League and winning 35 caps for Belgium.
With a World Cup fast approaching, the 27-year-old will be desperate to get regular game time and a move to Wolves could work well for both parties given the emerging situation at Molineux.
Indeed, amid Boly’s late departure, the Belgian could be something of a dream successor.
Denayer scored three goals last season, with Boly not getting on the scoresheet at all and the Belgian also had a much higher pass accuracy percentage compared to the Forest defender (94% to 84%).
That means he could be more progressive and assured, leading to fewer mistakes in Lage’s backline.
Denayer proved that his natural strength is one of his key attributes, only being dribbled past on average 0.1 times per match, with Boly much higher at 0.7, while the Belgium international only lost possession 3.5 times per game compared to the 9.9 times that Boly lost the ball.
Composure will be a big asset in the Premier League and by selling Boly and making a move for Denayer – a man dubbed “powerful” by Florian Maurice, recruitment chief at Lyon – they could give the supporters a post-deadline day boost.
With Diego Costa also set to move to England pending a medical today, Lage may finally have injected some spark back into his team
The summer transfer window finally ended on the 1st Sept, without Brentford losing Ivan Toney!
There have been loads of exciting moves and Premier League clubs have spent more than ever before. I have ranked the hottest 10 transfers based on the impact the players are expected to have at their new clubs and highlighted a few other standout signings – both good and bad.
Loads of high-profile Brazilian talent is joining the Premier League, so it promises to be an entertaining season to come.
Top top 10 hottest summer signings
Here’s why these signings will make the biggest contributions in the Premier League at their new clubs…
1. Gabriel Jesus – Striker – Manchester City to Arsenal (£45m)
Soccer Football – Europa League – Arsenal Training – Arsenal Training Centre, St Albans, Britain – September 7, 2022 Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus during training Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Arsenal’s new star man has hit the ground running with six goal involvements in six games. At only 25-years-old, he has the potential to grow into an absolute monster under Mikel Arteta.
Jesus will be thirsty to prove himself as Brazil’s No.9 before the World Cup. He is very versatile and can play anywhere across the front line. Technically amazing, he delivers exquisite passes and sublime dribbling runs. Typically Brazilian, he has a lot of skills in his locker to evade defenders and likes nutmegs and fake shots.
Against Leicester, Jesus got four goal involvements, won eight duels, created three chances, completed three take-ons and had three shots on target. He also showed up in pre-season, scoring six goals in five games.
Since Jesus arrived in north London, the form of Arsenal’s attacking assets has improved massively. Arsenal’s left-winger, Gabriel Martinelli, has been on fire and in midfield, Martin Odegaard has another player to create chances for.
Now that Arsenal have a proper striker who is happy at the club, fans are very hopeful of a great season and a top four finish. This will be very welcome after the disappointments of past strikers who didn’t live up to the hype – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had two good seasons and then became a problem. Alexandre Lacazette never really did much at all.
2. Erling Haaland – Striker – Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City (£64m)
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The Norwegian is one of the world’s brightest talents and a big move was always on the cards. After a disastrous missed shot on goal in the Community Shield against Liverpool, he had a memorable Premier League debut – scoring a brace against West Ham. Haaland left fans in hysterics, swearing twice in his first post-match interview.
He has scored 10 goals in six Premier League games, including back-to-back hat-tricks. He leads the Golden Boot race, with his closest challenger, Fulham’s Aleksander Mitrovic, already four goals behind. A lethal finisher, Haaland only needs half a chance to put it in the back of the net.
At Manchester City, Haaland will have plenty of chances with City’s creative options being the best in the world. His pace, explosiveness, physicality and amazing upper body strength allow him to destroy defenders. Another key thing is his hold-up play and his aerial threat. Being 6 foot 3 allows him to win nearly every header.
Now at a top European club, the Haaland vs Mbappe debate over who is the best player can fire up to the level of Messi vs Ronaldo.
3. Raheem Sterling – Winger – Manchester City to Chelsea (£45m)
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Chelsea have got an absolute steal, paying £45m for a game changer worth £55m, who has got bags of Premier League experience.
Raheem Sterling has got everything a winger needs in his arsenal: pace, dribbling, timing, passing, stamina and crossing. He can function anywhere along the front line, even as a striker. Most of his goals are from close range but this is where he comes into his element, using insanely clever and amazingly timed runs, Sterling puts himself in the right place at the right time.
This makes him the complete attacker with electric pace, deadly dribbling and a strikers instinct. At 27, he could be entering his prime so Premier League defenders had better watch out. Sterling will be doubly motivated, ahead of the World Cup, to prove to Gareth Southgate that he is still his first choice.
4. Antony – Right Winger – Ajax to Manchester United (£85m)
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A player Erik Ten Hag has sought after for the whole of the transfer window after failing to bring Frenkie De Jong through the door, Man United fans will be happy with this signing.
Antony’s a real crowd pleaser with his amazing skills and his pure confidence to show-boat. After scoring on his debut for the Red Devils, he kissed the United badge in celebration, much to the delight of fans.
A player that understands the Ten Hag pressing tactics, he reminds me of a young Cristiano Ronaldo. At only 22, his debut goal broke the record for the youngest Brazilian to score in the Premier League and makes him the only player to score a first-half goal against Arsenal this season.
His skill set is awesome, including pace, technique, dribbling, skills, passing and long shots. Antony’s amazing passes grabbed him eight assists in the Eredivisie last season. With lots of potential and a manager he knows well, it looks like the sky is the limit for this player.
Manchester United have bagged an asset who has the potential to dominate their game for years to come.
5. Lucas Paqueta – Attacking/Central Midfielder – Lyon to West Ham (£50m)
West Ham’s new star is an amazing talent. The Brazilian is a statement signing for the Hammers. Paqueta is the perfect defensive compliment to Declan Rice’s attacking skills; he is an all-rounder with no significant weaknesses. He combines amazing offensive skills with the ability to create chances for himself and his teammates.
A direct dribbler, Paqueta can drive through the heart of a midfield, leaving the opposition for dead, using his Brazilian Samba style and flair to get out of tight spots.
What’s even more unique about the Brazilian is his work rate and defensive contribution. His stats rival that of defensive midfielders such as Aurelien Tchouameni, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Brazilian teammate Fabinho. At only 25, he and Rice could be bossing the midfield for years to come.
Paqueta’s been referred to as the second coming of Kaka and you can see the similarities. In my opinion, there isn’t another player like him. The mix of elite attacking and defensive attributes makes him the perfect midfielder. Still to hit his prime, he could be a key player for Brazil at the World Cup this winter.
6. Kalidou Koulibaly – Centre-Back – Napoli to Chelsea (£33m)
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After Chelsea lost star defender Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid, it was clear that they needed to strengthen. With this signing, they have done just that. Although he picked up a red card against Leeds, on his day Koulibaly can be the second best centre-back in the world, only behind Virgil van Dijk.
A no-nonsense defender, unafraid to get stuck in, he has height, physically and exquisite passing. Koulibaly is also comfortable in possession and bringing the ball out from the back.
A natural leader and captain of the Senegalese national team, Koulibaly should have a good relationship with fellow international and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Koulibaly brings much-needed experience to a young Chelsea side. Often linked with moves to elite-level clubs, Chelsea signed Koulibaly at just the right time to get a bargain, with only one year remaining on his Napoli contract.
7. Marc Cucurella – Left-Back / Centre-back – Brighton to Chelsea (£55m)
A very overpriced signing but definitely a good one. Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea splashed £55m on the 24-year-old, but after his debut against Tottenham, it seems he may have the potential to be worth it. An extremely versatile player, Cucurella can play centre-back, left-back and left-midfield – something every modern player needs.
A graduate of La Masia – Barcelona’s Academy – is always going to have second-to-none technique and Cucurella is no exception. Teams like Barcelona and Manchester City also wanted the silky Spaniard. He’s good on both offence and defence, being both a good tackler and able to create chances. Cucurella will be hungry to prove himself to Spain manager Luis Enrique in time for the World Cup, so we should see a good start to his season.
8. Ivan Perisic – Left Wing Back – Inter Milan to Tottenham (Free Transfer)
The 33-year-old was a favourite of Antonio Conte’s while at Inter Milan, so it makes sense that the Italian has brought him to north London. Perisic is a very attacking wing-back, who also functions as a winger and wide midfielder. He brings lots of experience after playing at big clubs such as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. Being a senior member of the squad, Perisic could mentor Ryan Sessegnon, another left-back who could be a key player for the future.
The Croatian’s stats from his first start for Spurs were impressive, seeing him make the most tackles (5), win the most duels (7) and create the most chances (3) for his team. Perisic registered two assists in his first 111 minutes of Premier League football.
This was a shrewd signing for Spurs – picking Perisic up on a free is a cracking bit of business. Now Spurs have their two bombing full-backs – Perisic and Emerson – alongside one of the best front three groupings in the Premier League – with Heung-min Son, Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski – let’s see what they will achieve this season.
9. Oleksandr Zinchenko – Left Back / Central Midfielder – Manchester City to Arsenal (£32m)
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Arsenal needed a left-back to cover for the injury-prone Kieran Tierney. Zinchenko is extremely versatile and can also play in central midfield. In the first half against Bournemouth, he won back possession nine times. Mikel Arteta knows him well from his time as Manchester City’s assistant manager.
Zinchenko helps set the tempo of the game with his passing and his composure on the ball. He’s great at carrying the ball forward, which is why he can also function as a central midfielder. At 25-years-old the Ukrainian could become a top player with regular minutes, which is something he didn’t get at Manchester City.
On his debut for the Gunners, Zinchenko picked up an assist.
10. Nick Pope – Goalkeeper – Burnley to Newcastle (£10m)
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope celebrating.
Newcastle signed the ex-Burnley goalkeeper for a sum of around £10m. Nick Pope is a well-established Premier League keeper after his time at Turf Moor. He was crucial in times of need when Burnley were struggling in a relegation fight. In the 2019/20 season, he kept 15 clean sheets, finishing second in the Premier League in that respect.
Newcastle needed a top-level goalkeeper to compete and Pope was the ideal man for the job. His distribution is second to none – a key attribute in a modern goalkeeper. In his first two Premier League games for the Magpies, he kept two clean sheets. Pope is a great shot-stopper who’s made 28 saves already this season – the most in the Premier League. If he can maintain his top form he could be on the cusp of being England’s new No.1 ‘keeper.
Honourable mentions
These were great signings that narrowly missed my top 10…
Richarlison – Everton to Tottenham (£60m)
Last season he was one of the best players outside of the top six. True to form, Richarlison has already picked up two assists for Spurs. I don’t think he’ll be one of the first names on the team sheets because Tottenham have an amazing attack, but it’s a really good signing for squad depth purposes.
Sven Botman – Lille to Newcastle (£35m)
Newcastle have signed their future captain. He’s a near-perfect centre-back and is good on the ball with pace and physicality. I predict that Botman will grow into one of the Premier League’s top five centre-backs. The Magpies chased the Dutchman throughout the January transfer window and finally got him this summer. He’s not a complete player yet but he can develop into one. Newcastle look solid at the back for now and the future.
Not-so-hot signings:
These signings weren’t really what their new clubs needed…
Morgan Gibbs-White – Wolves to Nottingham Forest (£42m)
Nottingham Forest signed Gibbs-White from Wolves for £42m.. I don’t think he has enough experience to be worth that fee. Wolves got much better value when they signed Matheus Nunes for a similar fee – gaining experience, potential and a better all-round player.
Dwight McNeil – Burnley to Everton (£20m)
After losing top man Richarlison to Tottenham, you would expect Everton to sign an established star player. However, they signed McNeil from Burnley, who’s never been a stand-out player. He only scored seven goals in five seasons for Burnley in the Premier League. In each of Richarlison’s seasons with Everton he scored 7+ goals. Everton will need to work miracles with their attack to maintain their position.
The Winners and Losers
In my opinion, Arsenal and Tottenham are the biggest winners of this transfer window, both signing good players on free transfers or for reasonable fees. Manchester United also signed some good players, as did Chelsea – who got three from my top 10, although they are yet to start performing.
For me the biggest loser of this transfer window was Everton, who lost star player Richarlison and didn’t manage to replace him with a player of equivalent quality. Close behind are Leicester City, who lost Kasper Schmeichel in goal and only made one signing (Wout Faes) – I bet they are wishing they had made more after a tough start to the season.
West Ham United take on Silkeborg this evening in the Europa Conference League and the tie represents a chance for the Hammers to continue their 100% record in the competition.
Last week’s 3-1 win over FCSB marked a show of character as David Moyes’ men came from behind to mark their first-ever appearance in the competition with a win.
Although, with the Irons struggling in the Premier League, sitting in 18th with just one win in six, the Scotsman will be looking for any tweaks he can make that will turn games in his favour.
He did offer an injury update on one of the club’s new star signings who could do just that, and this man could make a big difference if he is to play tonight…
Maxwel Cornet is fit for West Ham
The Ivorian signed for £17.5m this summer but is yet to start in the league, and having picked up a minor neck strain in last week’s game his availability for tonight was thrown into question.
However, Moyes issued the following statement on his current injury status:
“He was fine, he actually felt it more in his neck, it wasn’t really his head. I think he landed and hurt his neck a little bit, but Maxi is fine, he has been training.”
This will be a huge boost for the 59-year-old, who can look to hand Cornet another start in a game that means comparatively little in the grand scheme of their season.
He has also performed well during his appearances in this competition, with an assist in all three of the games he has featured in, including qualifiers.
West Ham will be looking to tempt his form from last season out of him, when he bagged nine times in the league in just 26 games for relegated Burnley.
Giving him chances to acclimatise in games like these will be integral to familiarising him with his teammates, and if he can reach this form once again it could prove integral to any success they may have this season.
Tottenham Hotspur moved into fourth place in the Premier League with a resolute 1-0 victory over Burnley on Sunday afternoon.
After defeating arch-rivals Arsenal in the north London derby in midweek, Spurs leapfrogged the Gunners into the final Champions League qualification spot, though they have played one game more heading into the final week of the season.
It is still out of their hands for the time being but the victory certainly bolstered their claims.
On a tense afternoon at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Lilywhites needed a Harry Kane spot-kick to see a way past the stubborn Clarets, netting past international teammate Nick Pope in the eighth minute of injury time right before the break.
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There were several star performers on the day but none were more dominant than Davinson Sanchez, who has found it hard to break into the starting XI, even despite Antonio Conte’s favoured back three.
Full-back Ben Davies has regularly got the nod alongside Eric Dier and Atalanta loanee Cristian Romero but with the latter out injured – likely for the season – the Colombian international has taken his chance with both hands.
As per SofaScore, the 25-year-old colossus was the most active Spurs player, registering a whopping 101 touches and from that, he made 84 accurate passes, including one chance created.
And whilst he was a ball-playing sensation, he was equally an animal defensively, thwarting Burnley whenever they did get forward.
He managed a squad-high two tackles, on top of a further three clearances and one interception, leading to the visitors registering just the only shot on target across the 90 minutes.
Alasdair Gold of football.london was also left impressed by the central defender as he wrote in his post-match ratings column: ‘Back-to-back starts for the Colombian and once again he acquitted himself well to the task at hand, showing strength on the ball and in the tackle. Involved high up the pitch for the penalty incident.’
That was the £27m-rated star’s second start since February in the Premier League and having often been described as a “liability”, he may have just proven his worth to Conte in abundance, especially as the club appear to be on the lookout for a new centre-back in the summer.
AND in other news, Spurs now plotting swoop for £60m-rated “thoroughbred bomber”, imagine him and Kane…
Leeds United have been dealt a potentially huge injury boost ahead of their Premier League meeting with Brentford this Sunday.
What’s the latest?
That’s according to injury analyst Ben Dinnery, who has revealed that Patrick Bamford, who has not featured for Leeds since picking up a foot injury back in March, has a 50% chance of making a return to first-team football in the Whites’ crucial final day trip to west London this weekend.
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Speaking ahead of Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion last Sunday, Jesse Marsch said of the centre-forward’s current condition: “Patrick is a little too early to tell, we’ll evaluate that over the next few days.”
Supporters will be buzzing
While it is true that, even if Bamford is deemed fit enough to feature against Brentford this weekend, the 28-year-old will be nowhere near full match fitness, the suggestion that there is a chance the England international will be able to play some sort of role against the Bees is sure to have left the Elland Road faithful buzzing.
Indeed, the £18m-rated striker has already proven this season that, even without having kicked a ball for a matter of months previously, he can make a game-changing impact for the Whites, with the £74k-per-week hitman scoring a last-minute equaliser upon his return from an ankle injury against – as fate would have it – Brentford back in December.
As such, if there is indeed a 50% chance of Bamford making the trip to London this weekend, Marsch simply must risk including the 28-year-old in his 20-man matchday squad, as the forward having a similar impact to his last outing against the Bees could well prove to be the difference between Leeds playing Premier League or Championship football next season.
AND in other news: Made contact last year, now worth £31.5m: Victor Orta’s shocker could cost Leeds £120m
Although there may appear little to play for for Crystal Palace in the final week of the Premier League season, Patrick Vieira’s men head into Thursday’s clash at Goodison Park with lingering ambitions of securing a top-half finish.
That would represent a promising debut campaign at the helm for the former Arsenal captain, although his side will be faced with an Everton team that are desperate to retain their top-flight status, with the Toffees knowing that a win will confirm their safety.
On recent evidence, the odds will be in the visitors’ favour, however, with the south Londoners having already won twice in this fixture this season, notably running out comfortable 4-0 winners in the FA Cup quarter-final meeting at Selhurst Park just a few months ago.
Looking to make it three from three against the Merseysiders, one man whom Vieira should call upon is former Leicester City star Jeffrey Schlupp, with the Ghanian having made a vital impact off the bench at the weekend to nick a point away at Villa Park.
Just three minutes after entering the fray as a late substitute against Steven Gerrard’s side, the versatile midfielder reacted quickest to a Marc Guehi flick on to instinctively prod home past Emi Martinez, netting his fourth league goal of the campaign – his joint-best top-flight record.
Previously dubbed “underrated” by former boss Roy Hodgson, the 20-cap international has so often flown under the radar for the Eagles, although has seemingly done enough of late to warrant a starting berth this evening.
Formerly a title winner with Leicester, the £7.2m-rated speedster has proven an invaluable asset for his new boss this term, slotting in as part of the forward line but also as a dynamic, midfield presence.
The club’s £60k-per-week unsung hero has performed favourably among his fellow midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues, ranking in the top 4% for blocks made, as well as in the top 7% for dribbles completed and 8% for touches in the attacking penalty area, illustrating his value at both ends of the pitch.
The 29-year-old – who has been labelled “quite incredible” by Hogdson – is out of contract this summer, however, with the remaining two fixtures potentially offering him the chance to stake his claim for a new deal.
On his form this term, the one-time Brentford loanee – who is the seventh-best performing player in the Palace squad this season – deserves both a start tonight and a contract extension, with it difficult to replace such a flexible and versatile asset.
AND in other news: Vieira now heading for 1st summer transfer disaster, Palace supporters will be gutted