Tag Futebol

يستهدف نادي برشلونة الإسباني، استمرارية المدير الفني الألماني هانز فليك، ومنحه عقدًا جديدًا.

وأعلن برشلونة فليك مدربًا للفريق في مايو الماضي، خلفًا لتشافي هيرنانديز، ليتولى مهمة تدريب البلوجرانا.

ويسير فليك بمستوى مميز مع برشلونة، مع تصدر الفريق للدوري الإسباني، واستمراره في منافستي دوري أبطال أوروبا وكأس ملك إسبانيا، مع بقاء أقل من 3 أشهر على نهاية الموسم الحالي.

وذكرت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية، أن برشلونة يعتزم مكافأة فليك وعرض عقد جديد عليه ليستمر في قيادة الفريق.

اقرأ أيضًا | لابورتا يعلن موقف برشلونة من خوض مباراة أوساسونا بعد أزمة الاتحاد الإسباني

وسيعرض برشلونة عقدًا على فليك لموسم إضافي حتى يونيو2027، مع زيادة في راتبه.

ويوضح التقرير أن فليك راضِ جدًا عن برشلونة، لكنه لا يفضل العقود طويلة الأجل، ويفضل الجلوس والتفاوض في نهاية الموسم.

ويتفق برشلونة وفليك على ضرورة استمرار تعزيز النادي وتقدير مواهب الأكاديمية.

وأتم التقرير موضحًا أن فليك سعيد للغاية في برشلونة، لكنه لا يرغب البقاء لوقت طويل مع النادي الكتالوني مثل السير أليكس فيرجسون مع مانشستر يونايتد، ومستقبله سيكون محدودا بثلاث أو أربع سنوات على الأكثر، قبل أن يأخذ راحة من كرة القدم.

The current international break represented an ideal opportunity to get rid of Erik ten Hag but the Manchester United manager is still at the helm and is now gearing up for the fixtures that present themselves in the next few weeks.

You cannot blame the ownership for sticking by him after handing out a new contract over the summer. You always have to stand by your decisions as best you can.

However, questions must be raised over why he was given an extension in the first place. The FA Cup triumph over Manchester City clearly bought him some time but it shouldn’t have.

The style of play, transfer business and his man management all leave plenty to be desired and perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s now getting worse. The Red Devils sit 14th in the Premier League table having endured their worst start to campaign after seven games.

So, if Ten Hag does get the boot, who could take over?

Man United manager candidates

One of the most sought-after names from a Man United perspective has been that of Thomas Tuchel. Talks were reportedly held with the German before giving Ten Hag new terms but a move didn’t materialise.

Tuchel is still one of the main candidates on United’s shortlist but with the former Bayern Munich manager now also in the frame for the England job, they will be hard-pressed to tempt him to Old Trafford.

Another name is Sporting boss Ruben Amorim. That’s according to GIVEMESPORT sources who suggest that he has been ‘earmarked’ as a potential candidate alongside Tuchel and Brentford manager Thomas Frank.

Amorim was close to taking over at West Ham United in the summer before Julen Lopetegui was given the reins.

The Portuguese boss even flew out to London for talks with the club but was ultimately left unimpressed. His loyalty for Sporting is usually unwavering but he was forced to issue an apology for his actions.

Despite how the last few seasons have gone, United would surely represent a more attractive proposition than West Ham.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast's Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

Why Ruben Amorim would be a great Ten Hag replacement

At just 39 years of age, the Portuguese is one of the most exciting young coaches in the game having led his side to three League Cups and two league titles during his stint in the capital.

In short – he’s pretty damn good and it’s hardly a surprise that he has been named “Europe’s most wanted” manager by journalist Lewis Steele.

Why has he got that tag? Well, the age certainly helps. He’s a breath of fresh air and like someone of Mikel Arteta’s stature, is only going to get better.

He’s also been compared to former United boss, Jose Mourinho. That’s not just because the infancy of his managerial career has occurred in Portugal either. It certainly helps, of course.

Mourinho rose to fame by guiding Porto to a remarkable Champions League victory in 2004 before his Chelsea dynasty got underway. He paved the way for Portuguese coaches on the biggest stage and as Amorim admits, he idolises the now Fenerbahce boss.

So, why the comparisons? Why is Mourinho so often the reference point for Amorim? Well, it begins with Benfica’s success from way back in the 1980s.

Antonio Veloso – who won seven league titles with Benfica in that decade – once held a coaching course alongside the great Mourinho. Who was one of the names in attendance? Amorim.

Amorim’s record at Sporting
Matches	224
Wins	158
Draws	33
Losses	33
Goals scored	492
Goals conceded	196
Points per game	2.26
League titles	2
Most used player	Nuno Santos (194 games)
Highest goal scorer	Pedro Goncalves (81 goals)
Data via Transfermarkt.

Since that course, the two managers have stayed in touch. Unsurprisingly, the former United and Chelsea boss was one of the first people to message him after Sporting knocked Arsenal out of the 2022/23 Europa League. The ‘Special One’ joked at the time that “the old and the new Mourinho are still in the competition.”

So, jesting out the way, let’s get down to the serious stuff. How does the 39-year-old coach compare to Ten Hag?

Well, Amorim’s communication certainly sounds better. One former colleague told The Daily Mail that “he is loud but never aggressive or rude. He is a leader and makes everyone feel like they are working with him, not below him. But his best (trait) is communicating, making everyone feel united and trusted.”

Ten Hag has often struggled to communicate well during his time at Old Trafford, seemingly not just with the media but also with his own players. Are you really resting Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt against Aston Villa, Erik? We think not. They had been dropped.

On the flip side, some have described Amorim as a ‘master trash-talker’ – how very Mourinho. In that department, he couldn’t be more different to Ten Hag, someone who bites back easily in press conferences.

Tom Kundert, a Portuguese football expert, once hailed his attitude with the media: “He is very open in press conferences, happy to respond to all questions – even the stupid ones – with an informative answer. And he also retains a remarkably jovial demeanour, even when the pressure is on.”

Instead, Ten Hag is a very serious character. There’s nothing wrong with that, but he’s easily triggered and easily upset too. That type of character never floats well in the Premier League, let alone at a club like Manchester United.

So, who better to potentially take over from the Dutchman than Mourinho 2.0? If Amorim is willing to join, they should be throwing the book at trying to get him to Old Trafford.

Man Utd star whose value has risen 22424% may be sold for more than Ronaldo

The Red Devils ace has seen his value soar under Erik ten Hag

By
Joe Nuttall

Oct 11, 2024

Amid yet more frustration on the pitch, Manchester United could suffer an added blow off the pitch, with Barcelona now reportedly tracking one of their star players despite Erik ten Hag believing he is not yet world class.

Man Utd transfer news

To say that the Red Devils have endured a disappointing start to the campaign would be an understatement. Despite several summer signings which, on paper, strengthened Ten Hag’s side across the pitch, not much has changed at Old Trafford. Already, just two months into the season, they’ve suffered humiliating defeats against rivals Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and had to rely on Harry Maguire to rescue a point against Porto in the Europa League.

It’s the type of start that once again puts their Champions League qualification hopes in doubt in what could quickly lead to speculation over the future of certain star players. If the Red Devils aren’t competing against Europe’s best in 2025, then players could be tempted by the exit door, including one of their most dangerous forwards.

Forget Bruno: 3/10 Man Utd dud may have cost Ten Hag his job after Porto

The pressure is ramping up on Erik ten Hag…

1

By
Joe Nuttall

Oct 4, 2024

According to The Sun, Barcelona are now keeping tabs on Alejandro Garnacho, who Manchester United value at a hefty £50m ahead of 2025. The La Liga giants know all about Argentine wingers and could move to make Garnacho one of their main men amid his struggle to consistently start over the struggling Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford.

Those at the Nou Camp may well hand Garnacho the belief that Ten Hag has failed to instil, having refused the notion that his star man is already a world class player. The Dutchman told reporters when asked the question: “You have gone too quickly. World class is something where he has to go a long way.

“He has a high potential, 100 per cent. But last season he contributed and he can be a starting XI player. It starts with hard work. That has brought him to where he is now and that will bring him to being a world class player because I agree he has the potential.”

"Superb" Garnacho is destined for the top

The only question that should come Garnacho’s way is whether his journey to the top of European football will include Manchester United, because this is a player who’s shown all the traits of playing alongside the very best with or without the Red Devils. At just 20 years old, the Argentine is arguably United’s biggest threat going forward, with four goals and three assists in 10 games this season representing that in an otherwise blunt attack.

Dubbed “superb” by Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig, Garnacho would be wise to at least consider his options if Barcelona came swooping in when 2025 arrives.

As Manchester United’s struggles continue, they could be dealt the ultimate blow by one of their main men, courtesy of Barcelona.

The club of an “outstanding” player has now decided to allow their £80m+ player to leave in the January transfer window, acting as a boost to Newcastle United.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies and PIF have been linked with plenty of players of late, with Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell possibly liking the idea of strengthening his squad midway through the Premier League season.

Manchester United winger Antony is one player who has emerged as an option for Newcastle, with an upgrade on Miguel Almiron being looked at moving forward. The Red Devils ace hasn’t managed to be a key starter this season, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo often preferred in wide attacking areas.

AC Milan central defender Fikayo Tomori has also been backed to seal a move to St James’ Park, with a potential return to the Premier League on the cards for the former Chelsea man. Howe needs added depth at centre-back, so it could prove to be a match made in heaven.

Antoine Semenyo has also been linked with joining Newcastle, which could cause controversy because of his Sunderland past, with the 24-year-old now plying his trade at Bournemouth, scoring three goals in the league so far this season.

Newcastle boosted in pursuit of £80m+ ace

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle have now been boosted in their efforts to sign Antony in January, with Man Utd happy to see him move on at that point, giving PIF the green light. The Red Devils have “decided” to offload the Brazilian, not seeing him as a key part of their plans, having cost £82m from Ajax back in the summer of 2022.

The Magpies, Crystal Palace and the Dutch giants are all believed to be “eyeing up a mid-season deal” for the 24-year-old, who could jump at the opportunity to enjoy a new challenge after falling out of favour.

Antony would be an intriguing signing by Newcastle, with United manager Erik ten Hag hailing his defensive ability as a winger in the past, saying: “His attitude was outstanding defensively. With Garnacho they doubled up. Every man has to put a shift in, and them two today were outstanding.”

The United ace clearly has bags of natural ability, possessing a lovely left foot and the ability to produce spectacular pieces of skill – winning 16 caps for Brazil is also no mean feat – but there would also be some Magpies supporters who may be concerned about his lack of consistency in his right-sided role.

While Antony can be an aesthetically pleasing player to watch, a lack of substance has been aimed at him, with the South American never coming close to matching similar players in his position in the Premier League, such as Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden.

Man Utd

86

12

5

Ajax

82

24

22

Sao Paulo

52

6

6

Just 12 goals in 86 appearances for United is a poor tally, with only five coming in the league, but if Howe feels he can improve that aspect of his game, Newcastle could have a top-quality signing on their hands. He may also cost far less than the huge money the Red Devils paid for him, which could be worth the risk.

Having played one of the protagonists in an epic Test match, that really could have gone either way, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam was left to wonder what if.What if they hadn’t lost their two best batters in back-to-back overs resulting in a below-par first-innings total of 217? What if someone had been able to stand with him a little longer as he made a half-century and looked to set up a bigger target than 168? And perhaps most frustrating of all, what if they had held on to their catches?”That’s the beauty of Test cricket,” Babar said in his post-match assessment of the team’s performance to the PCB. “The way this match panned out – you could see the momentum kept swaying from one side to the other. We tried to give it our 100%. Our boys put in the effort, our bowlers and fielders put in the effort. But in the final session the one or two chances that came our way in the form of catches – had we availed of those, the result of the match could have been different.”At 149 for 8, Kemar Roach pulled Shaheen Afridi to the square-leg boundary where Hasan Ali had to come forward a few yards to get underneath the ball, and try as he might, it just wouldn’t stick. That was Pakistan’s third dropped catch in the final session. Two of them involved Roach and in the end it was he who scored the winning runs.Related

• Waqar Younis 'proud' of Pakistan bowling unit for creating chances despite loss

• Kemar Roach: 'I have never been in a situation like that before'

“When you drop catches in clutch phases, the course of the match changes. We got two chances but couldn’t avail of them which is why we lost the match. That said, we did pull off a few good catches, so you took good catches but dropped a few, so you lost the match.”Babar was equally rueful about a lack of substantial partnerships. He had been in the middle of one in the first innings, guiding the score from 21 for 2 to 68 for 2 with Azhar Ali, but then West Indies removed both batters in the space of seven balls. A similar double-blow resulting in the wickets of Faheem Ashraf for 44 and Yasir Shah for 0 ensured Pakistan could make only 217 after they had been put in to bat.The same story continued in the second innings and understandably Babar wanted this shortcoming addressed. “If I am to look back on how we performed throughout the match, the partnership Azhar and I put up in the first innings – it was a good one and gave us the momentum but we relinquished it when we got out,” he said.”We then wrested it back and lost back-to-back wickets. In a Test match if you keep squandering momentum from advantageous positions, you struggle to put on a big score. That’s something we need to review. A similar course of events took place in the second innings, although we weren’t able to stitch together as big a partnership as in our first dig which resulted in a lower target than we had thought of.”While the question of what if will continue to haunt Pakistan, the work that Shaheen, Hasan and Mohammad Abbas put in at Sabina Park was immense and Babar clung on to this positive as he looked ahead to the second and final Test match of this tour starting on August 20.”I’m quite happy with how they have been bowling,” he said. “Their approach and effort, how they seem to be at the ready whenever their services are called upon, and also how they give their 100%. I am quite satisfied with how they bowled throughout the game and hope they’ll do well in the next match and help us win it.”

Leeds United fans are slowly but surely adjusting to life at Elland Road without watching the sumptuous skills of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter week in week out, as a new batch of top performers come through.

Back-to-back 2-0 wins for the Whites have certainly calmed down sections of the fanbase that were dismayed by the start the Championship titans had made, as Hull City rolled over in the end for Daniel Farke's men to pick up their first three points at home this season in the league.

There were a number of impressive performers on the day for the promotion hopefuls – who now have climbed up the division to fourth off the back of this second consecutive victory – as Manor Solomon and Wilfried Gnonto proved to be a nuisance all afternoon long for the Tigers to contain.

Solomon and Gnonto's performances vs Hull

Operating down the left flank and the right flank respectively, both the new recruit on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and the familiar Leeds face – who has now penned a new four-year deal – were bright throughout the routine 2-0 win.

The brand new Whites number 14 stood out in particular, not fazed whatsoever by the intimidating Elland Road atmosphere on his debut with his football doing the talking, as Mateo Joseph's opener came about after a tricky run from Solomon then resulted in a cross finding its way into the young Leeds hotshot's path to slot home.

On top of that crucial assist breaking the deadlock, Solomon managed to notch up two successful dribbles on the Elland Road turf, alongside five duels being successfully won as the Israel international operated as a tricky livewire all match for Farke's men.

Gnonto was also near to his best in the 2-0 win but would leave the pitch on the 72nd mark with no goal or assist next to his name, despite tallying up three shots on the busy Tigers net and coming away from the lively contest with an impressive 95% pass accuracy in-tact.

Farke will hope he can rely on these two down the wings to bamboozle Championship defences going forward, softening Summerville's absence in the process.

But, he might well have a different star in his first-team ranks that is also ready to take over the mantle of being Leeds' difference-maker away from the departed Dutchman, as the aforementioned Joseph delivered again up top.

Joseph's performances this season

Seen last season as a player who undoubtedly had a big future at the West Yorkshire club, without ever really making gigantic strides to nail down a first-team spot, Joseph is now a solid name on Farke's team sheet as the lone striker.

Joseph's instinctive finish deep into the second half allowed the Whites to breathe easier, converting his only effort of the game past Ivor Pandur with confidence, after also starring the match before away at Sheffield Wednesday.

Joseph's performances vs Wednesday + Hull
Stat	Wednesday	Hull
Minutes played	84	86
Goals scored	0	1
Assists	2	0
Touches	42	31
Shots	4	1
Successful dribbles	2/3	2/3
Accurate passes	16/22 (73%)	14/17 (81%)
Big chances created	2	0
Stats by Sofascore

Showing a different side to his attacking game away at Hillsborough, with two assists helping his team overcome Danny Rohl's Owls on the road, Joseph could well be the man the Whites can rely on moving forward to score big goals and set up chances when the pressure is ramped up, even with the wide-eyed striker only being 20 years of age.

Summerville was handed his senior Leeds debut back in 2021 when he was still a youngster learning the ropes, however, and he never looked back.

Handed an 8/10 rating by Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth after the full-time whistle, Joseph will hope he can push on and continue to deliver the goods for Farke's men, as Leeds try to put together a consistent run of form and unearth their new Summerville-like scoring sensation.

The Elland Road youngster could well help to relieve that burden.

Championship record move: Leeds looked at signing amazing Hamer alternative

Leeds United reportedly attempted to get this top gem in through the door.

1

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 30, 2024

One of the players who have taken the Premier League by storm in recent years is Chelsea and England international attacker Cole Palmer. After leaving Manchester City to join the Blues in the final throws of the 2023 summer transfer window, the 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength and become one of the top flight's best players.

Last season was essentially his first full campaign in professional football, after struggling for regular opportunities under Pep Guardiola. It is fair to say that the City academy graduate took his chances with both hands.

In 48 games in all competitions, Palmer scored a whooping 27 goals and grabbed 15 assists. Of those goal involvements, 33 came in the Premier League, in an incredible 33 top-flight games for Chelsea.

These impressive performances from the playmaker meant he was crowned the PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2024 campaign, beating international teammates Bukayo Saka and Kobbie Mainoo to the award.

Already, Palmer is showing why he is so highly regarded in the footballing world. In the Premier League so far this season, he has started like a train. The attacker has only played three games but already has one goal and four assists, which included three in a single game against Wolves.

Given he is one of the hottest prospects in the division right now, there may well be teams searching for their own version of Palmer. However, Chelsea may well have had one right in front of their eyes, whom they recently sold under Todd Boehly's watch.

That player is Omari Hutchinson.

Omari Hutchinson’s stats at Ipswich Town

It was a very impressive coup when Chelsea managed to pull off a deal to sign Hutchinson from Arsenal in July of 2022. The 20-year-old was a highly-rated prospect at Hale End but made the move from North to West London two summers ago.

The Gunners academy player had limited first-team opportunities at Stamford Bridge, however, and in 2023 went on loan to Ipswich Town. His switch to Suffolk saw him join up with the Tractor Boys and Kieran McKenna’s exciting project.

He became a crucial player for the Northern Irishman, as they secured an incredible promotion to the top flight, finishing second in the Championship behind a record-breaking Leicester City side.

In the second tier last season, Hutchinson played 44 times, scoring ten goals and grabbing five assists. His 15 combined goal involvements were the fourth most by any Ipswich player in the league, and he was one of six people to register double figures for goals and assists, as per Sofascore.

Following an incredibly successful loan spell at Portman Road last campaign, the deal was made permanent this summer. Hutchinson joined the Tractor Boys for a fee of just £20m, a small sum given the state of the modern-day transfer market.

How Hutchinson and Palmer are similar

There is no doubt that the Ipswich winger and Palmer are similar types of players. They are both left-footed, versatile attackers who can play right across the frontline, as well as in a number ten role. Football journalist Dean Jones, speaking on The Football Terrace, explained that the Ipswich attacker is “pretty similar to Cole Palmer”.

However, the similarities go further than just the fact they are both left-footed. They are very similar dribblers, as their stats on FBref show. It is worth noting that the stats from the 2023/24 campaign have been used here, rather than the small sample size of the current campaign.

Interestingly, Hutchinson actually averages more progressive carries per 90 minutes than Palmer, with 5.98 compared to just 4.02 for the England international. He also completes more successful take-ons per game, with 2.05 for the Ipswich number 20, compared to Palmer’s 1.79.

Hutchinson vs. Palmer dribbling stats 2023/24

Stat (per 90)

Hutchinson

Palmer

Take-ons completed

2.05

1.79

Progressive carries

5.98

4.02

Carries into final third

2.83

2.27

Carries into penalty box

3.28

1.58

Stats from FBref

There is no doubt that Hutchinson is a talented player. The young attacker was also compared to the aforementioned Saka by football.london's Arsenal writer Tom Canton, who said the 20-year-old has “that Saka flair”.

It is perhaps a naive sale from Boehly and the Blues, to lose one of the hottest prospects in academy football in years gone by. Everyone may well spend the next decade looking for the next Palmer, but Chelsea might have already sold the closest thing.

Related Chelsea must rue losing top talent for £0, now he's worth more than Palmer

He could have been a superstar at Stamford Bridge…

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 7, 2024

Leeds United have around a month left to go to do their business before the summer transfer window officially slams shut at the end of August.

The Whites are looking to build a squad that can compete to finally secure promotion to the Premier League, after they fell short in the play-off final last season.

Daniel Farke's side kick-off the 2024/25 campaign with a clash against Portsmouth at Elland Road in less than a fortnight and have added four players to the group so far this summer.

Central defender Joe Rodon has signed permanently, after his loan spell in West Yorkshire last term, and Alex Cairns and Jayden Bogle have both joined on permanent deals. Meanwhile, midfielder Joe Rothwelll has signed on loan from Bournemouth.

The Championship side have also watched players move on from the club, though, as Archie Gray, Charlie Cresswell, and Glen Kamara have left to join Tottenham Hotspur, Toulouse, and Rennes respectively.

Leeds' work in the transfer window may not be done yet, though, as they are reportedly looking to add a young talent to their attacking options.

Leeds interest in teen whiz

According to Ta To Take on Telegram, as relayed by LeedsUnitedNews, the Whites are one of the teams interested in a swoop to sign Metalist Kharkiv winger Hennadiy Synchuk.

The report claims that Sunderland, Derby County, and Middlesbrough are also keen on the teenage talent, alongside teams from Germany, and this shows that there will be plenty of competition for his signature.

It states, though, that Leeds are currently leading the race to bring the 18-year-old sensation over to England ahead of their Championship rivals.

Ta To Take adds that the West Yorkshire outfit have been keeping tabs on Synchuk since the winter transfer window, and it appears as though they could now make their move for him this summer.

The report does not reveal, however, how much money it would take to convince Kharkiv to part ways with their talented young prospect before the deadline.

It, therefore, remains to be seen how likely a deal is this summer as the Ukrainian side's demands are unclear and it is unknown how much money Leeds are prepared to pay for him.

If the Whites do end up securing a deal for the Ukraine U23 international, though, then they could find their next Wilfried Gnonto, who was another teenage whiz snapped up by the club.

Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto masterclass

In the summer of 2022, former sporting director Victor Orta – now of Sevilla – swooped to sign the Italian youngster from FC Zurich for a reported fee of £3.8m.

Like Synchuk, Gnonto was only 18 at the time and arrived as a talented prospect with the potential to develop into a first-team performer for the club.

The versatile forward had produced 12 goals and ten assists in 74 appearances for Zurich in all competitions, and had previously played for Inter at academy level.

Gnonto immediately emerged as a first-team option for Leeds in the Premier League during the 2022/23 campaign, as he went on to rack up two goals and four assists in 24 top-flight outings that term – along with two goals in three FA Cup matches.

Despite coming in as a teenager from Switzerland with little experience at the top level in Europe, the Italian ace hit the ground running in Yorkshire and has since developed into a star for the club.

Leeds were relegated down to the Championship at the end of his first season at Elland Road and that provided him with an opportunity to drop down to the second tier and showcase his attacking quality on a regular basis.

23/24 Championship	Wilfried Gnonto
Appearances	36
xG	5.36
Goals	8
xA	3.81
Big chances created	5
Assists	2
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Gnonto produced ten direct goal contributions in 36 appearances in the division from a right wing position.

He provided a clinical edge at the top end of the pitch, outperforming his xG by almost three goals, but was let down by his teammates, who did not make the most of the opportunities that he created for them.

Overall, though, Leeds played a masterclass with Gnonto as they picked up a teenager from Switzerland for a modest fee and have turned him into a key first-team performer.

Why Synchuk could be Gnonto 2.0

Synchuk could be Gnonto 2.0 as he is another 18-year-old winger who could arrive at Elland Road with the potential to develop into a star for Farke.

Whilst there would not be a great deal of expectation around the teenage whiz, as there was not with the Italian, he could come in and take to Leeds like a duck to water.

As an 18-year-old with no prior experience of English football or a track record of delivering consistently impressive performers, Synchuk could not come in with pressure to immediately perform and that could allow him to play with freedom and showcase the best of his qualities.

The right-sided attacker, who was described as "underrated" and a "magician" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has made 30 first-team appearances for Kharkiv but is yet to score his first senior goal and has only produced one assist.

He has, though, scored three goals in eight games for Ukraine at U19 and U23 level combined so far, which shows that the potential is there for him to make an impact at the top end of the pitch.

2024 U19 Euros	Hennadiy Synchuk
Appearances	3
Sofascore rating	7.57
Goals	1
Assists	0
Key passes per game	2.7
Dribbles completed per game	1.3
Duel success rate	64%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Synchuk caught the eye at the U19 Euros with his country earlier this month, eventually losing to France in the semi-finals.

His 2.7 key passes per game is particularly impressive when you consider that no Leeds player managed more than 2.6 per match in the Championship last term.

This suggests that the potential is there for him to offer an excellent creative presence down the right flank for Leeds if he can eventually translate that form over to senior level.

Leeds lining up move for £4.2m ace who could shine next to Bogle

Leeds United are looking to strengthen at the back even more.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 30, 2024

There is plenty for the teenage whiz to prove and Farke could provide him with chances to showcase his quality in the first-team and follow in Gnonto's footsteps.

Everton fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat in their opening Premier League game against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, with thousands of empty seats visible before the final whistle.

The Toffees, who are entering their final season at Goodison Park, failed to create any clear-cut opportunities, only registering a single effort on target during the entire encounter.

Sean Dyche’s side have already strengthened their attacking unit this summer, signing the likes of Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom, but the duo weren’t included from the start, with the lack of threat in front of goal evident for large parts in the defeat.

With less than two weeks remaining in the transfer market, the club may need to conduct more business if they are to improve their attacking output, helping them pull further clear of any looming relegation threat this season.

The club are making inroads to sign one talent who’s been on their radar all summer long, boosting their chances of ending the torrid luck in front of goal.

Everton preparing move for attacker

According to Football Insider, Everton are preparing a loan move to sign Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah before the transfer deadline on August 30th.

The 25-year-old, who has constantly been linked with a move to Merseyside this summer, looks set to leave the Emirates in a bid to gain more regular first-team minutes.

He’s also been subject to interest from Marseille and Bournemouth, but after the pair opted to sign alternative targets, the Toffees could have a free run at a move to sign the striker.

It’s unclear whether Mikel Arteta’s side would be prepared to allow the Englishman to depart North London on a temporary basis before the end of the window, but it would be a move that would dramatically improve Dyche’s options in the final third.

Why Nketiah would be better than Calvert-Lewin

Despite the flurry of transfer activity at Everton this summer, striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin still remains the club’s number-one option at the top end of the pitch.

However, he produced a disappointing opening display of the new season yesterday, failing to register a single shot whilst also losing possession six times despite only managing 20 touches in his 76-minute display.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's stats against Brighton (17/08/2024)

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

76

Shots taken

0

Touches

20

Duels won

4/8 (50%)

Times caught offside

2

Possession lost

6x

Stats via SofaScore

However, he’s been subject to interest from Manchester United and Newcastle United this summer, with his future still up in the air – potentially still leaving Goodison before the end of the window.

It wouldn’t be the end of the world if the Toffees let the 27-year-old leave the club, with Nketiah posting numerous figures last season that blow the current Everton man out of the water.

The “remarkable” Arsenal ace, as described by journalist James Olley, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists last campaign, but managed a higher ratio of contributions per 90 after featuring for fewer minutes in 2023/24.

How Nketiah & DCL compare in the PL (2023/24)

Statistics (per 90)

Nketiah

Calvert-Lewin

Games played

27

32

Goals + assists

7

9

Goals + assists per 90

0.58

0.37

Goals per shot-on-target

0.42

0.18

Pass accuracy

78%

56%

Progressive carries

1.8

1.5

Shot-creating actions

2.3

2.2

Stats via FBref

Nketiah also managed a better goal per shot-on-target rate than his fellow countryman, showcasing that he’s a more clinical option in front of goal than the target man – handing Dyche with a greater chance of rectifying their abysmal goalscoring record.

The club are in desperate need of a new talisman after their dismal record in front of goal, as demonstrated during yesterday’s defeat.

Nketiah would be an excellent option for the club, helping the Toffees produce more frequent opportunities in front of goal, and providing an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin in the process.

Related Fewer touches than Pickford: Dyche must axe 5/10 Everton man after Brighton

He couldn’t get into the game as the Toffees slipped to an opening weekend defeat.

Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Aug 17, 2024

It has been a forgettable few months for Kuldeep Yadav. After a poor stint at the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders last year where he played just five matches and picked up only one wicket, he was mostly relegated to the bench for India’s tour of Australia, as well as the home series against England.After being sidelined for the entire five-match T20I series against England which India won 3-2, Yadav eventually got his chance in the ODIs, being selected for the first two matches. However, he once again struggled to make an impact, going wicketless and conceding 152 runs across the two games.Yadav had a particularly torrid time against Ben Stokes in the second ODI in Pune, conceding 20 runs in an over, including three consecutive sixes because he “didn’t understand what length to bowl” and “didn’t have any assistance on the pitch”. It allowed England to chase down a target of 337 inside 44 overs.Yadav admitted that rust was an issue with his performances, but that he is also “not at all worried” about what the future holds.”If you’re playing regularly, you get an idea about the length and can quickly identify what length to bowl,” Yadav told . “But when you’re playing with breaks, the length may sometimes be a little up or short. If I work hard on my lengths, it will help me bowl better.Related

• Sixes galore, and spinners' suffering, in record-breaking England win

• Kuldeep Yadav: 'I have seen failure. I feel I understand things better now'

“The first game was very important as I was playing after a long time. I didn’t get into a good rhythm in that match. Had I been playing regularly, rhythm would not have been an issue. I made a good comeback after the first over [conceding 13 runs]. In the second game, I bowled better. It’s just that there was no assistance for spin on the pitch, so I didn’t get the desired results. On flat pitches, length is crucial. It was difficult for spinners in the ODIs, all went for runs.”Yadav also dismissed talk that batsmen had him “figured out”, insisting that his main job was “to keep improving” and not focus on anything else.”I don’t pay attention to all this talk. It’s important that I keep improving my skills and be as accurate as possible. If you’re playing regularly, batsmen tend to read you. If they are getting comfortable playing me, then my job as a bowler is to keep improving. And that’s why I look to add or change a few things every time.”Despite all the analysis, batsmen still find ways to score runs and bowlers still find different methods to take wickets. There are other factors, too, like form, rhythm and confidence. If [your] confidence is high, you’ll start taking wickets and people will again start talking good things about you.”My job is to be ready whenever the opportunity arises. The team management has always communicated to me the reason why I wasn’t getting a place in the XI. They have always backed me and I am not at all worried. I keep working hard in training sessions and do whatever the team needs.”