Barcelona have been handed a boost for their clash against Paris Saint-Germain with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong expected to return for the quarterfinal.
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Glasgow Rangers gave Philippe Clement the perfect start to life at Ibrox as they secured a routine 4-0 win at home in the Scottish Premiership on the weekend.
Hibernian were put to the sword and after just one match, it already looks as though the Belgian is trying to imprint his own tactical style and identity on the pitch, something which Michael Beale failed to do during his final few months in charge.
The victory has certainly begun a new era at the Light Blues and several of the current players will now have clean slates as to impress the 49-year-old tactician and put their teething problems behind them.
This includes the likes of Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers, who have both struggled under the weight of expectations since joining the club in the summer.
They have scored a combined total of five goals and this is not good enough for a club the size of Rangers, especially with the vast sums of money Beale shelled out for them.
With the January transfer window just around the corner, Clement could potentially bulk up his squad by making a few signings and much will depend on the situation the team finds itself in at the current time.
The former Club Brugge manager should consider reigniting a swoop for summer target Michael Olunga, who was linked with a move to Glasgow during the early stages of the window, and he could certainly add some extra firepower to the first team.
Having lost players such as Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, and Scott Arfield at the end of last season as their contracts expired, Beale had a major rebuilding job to do ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Back in May, Olunga was attracting attention from Galatasaray as they were looking for a new striker according to reports and his agent had even contacted the Turkish side.
Rangers were also mentioned as being keen on the player and on the surface, it looked like a perfect move. With Morelos leaving, there was a clear need for another centre-forward who could lead the line by himself, while also being clinical in front of goal and the Kenyan ace certainly fitted the bill.
Whether or not Clement revives any interest remains to be seen, yet with Lammers and Dessers failing to show their true talents in the final third, Olunga could be a reliable option.
The 29-year-old marksman has accumulated a wealth of experience over the course of his career across stints in Japan, Sweden, and now in Qatar for Al-Duhail.
His scoring rate for the Qatari side is exceptional, netting 88 goals across just 89 games and this is the type of player who could thrive at Ibrox, especially as he knows where the goal is.
He was heavily praised by his manager, Sabri Lamouchi, back in 2021 for a performance in the AFC Champions League where he netted a hattrick, saying: “Olunga deserves, of course, to be the man of the match.
“He’s a special player and his presence has helped us have a lot of attacking options.”
His ability to perform on the highest stage was evidenced by his displays in the AFC Champions League during 2022. He played eight games and managed to find the back of the net on six occasions, scoring every 117 minutes.
The 6 foot 2 goal machine took 3.9 shots per game and showed an eagerness to score as much as possible. With the Gers having to go a season without the goals and aggressiveness of Morelos for the first time since 2016/17, the Kenyan international could be an ideal replacement for the Colombian.
Once a key figure at Ibrox, Morelos’ influence had waned by the time he left following the conclusion of last term, yet his presence is still missed, no doubt about it.
Over the course of his Gers career, the striker ended up scoring 124 goals across just 269 appearances for the Glasgow side and was a thorn in the side of many a team in Scotland and on the continent.
Indeed, his legacy perhaps stretches to that of becoming a cult hero for the club and his tally of 29 European goals is the best in their history.
He eclipsed Ally McCoist’s tally of 21 goals back in November 2020 and there is no doubt that when in his prime, Morelos was a striker capable of doing everything.
His final season was rather inconsistent, however, as he started only 23 matches as the forward was recovering from an injury which ruled him out of the final few weeks of 2022/23 – meaning he missed the Europa League and Scottish Cup finals.
|
Alfredo Morelos' career |
Games |
Goals |
|---|---|---|
|
Rangers |
269 |
124 |
|
HJK Helsinki |
62 |
46 |
|
Independiente Medellín |
23 |
5 |
|
Santos |
2 |
0 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
||
Subsequently, Morelos scored only 12 times across all competitions due to the stop-start nature of his final season in Scotland, and it appeared that parting ways was the best move for all parties.
The striker is currently at Brazilian side Santos and none of the new arrivals look like they have the capabilities to be an ideal heir for the 27-year-old it must be said.
There is still time of course and once Danilo gets a solid run in the starting XI, he could go on a scoring run, but much will depend on the system Clement uses.
Taking another look at Olunga could be extremely beneficial and give Rangers another attacking option. He has similar strengths to Morelos, most notably being able to hold up the ball well while also being strong in the air, and these qualities could endear him to the supporters as a perfect heir to the former Gers star.
The Belgian coach may not get much of a budget during January due to the Ibrox side failing to qualify for the Champions League along with their major expenditure during the summer, yet there is no harm in potentially making a move for the 29-year-old gem in the coming months to bolster their attacking options.
Securing wins over his next few games will give Clement plenty of credit in the bank and this could spur on a new era in Glasgow, and if Olunga manages to replace the goals and presence of Morelos, the Colombian could be a thing of the past.
Newcastle United are "very interested" in signing a Barcelona defender who has been described as "extraordinary" by a genuine footballing legend, according to a new transfer rumour.
The Magpies have constantly been linked with making new signings in the coming transfer windows, as Eddie Howe looks to take his squad to the next level. In the summer, Newcastle acquired the services of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, in an exciting piece of transfer business, but sadly, his season has ended prematurely because of a 10-month ban that has come his way for betting offences.
For that reason, it hasn't been a surprise to see a number of midfielders tipped to come in and make up for the loss of the 23-year-old, who won't be available until early next season. The likes of Kalvin Phillips, Ruben Neves and N'Golo Kante are all reportedly wanted by Newcastle, although loan moves look most likely at the moment, due to Financial Fair Play (FFP).
While midfield clearly looks like a key area of focus for Howe, should the funds be available to make a new signing, it could also be that he looks to bring in a new centre-back, with the influential Sven Botman struggling with injuries so far this season and often being unavailable. A new report certainly suggests that that is the case, with the Magpies eyeing up a potential move for a player with Premier League experience under his belt.
According to a new update from Sport [via Sport Witness], Newcastle are keen on signing former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen, who is now plying his trade at Barcelona.
It is stated that the Magpies are "still very interested" in the signing the Dane, with Newcastle linked with acquiring Christensen's signature in the past. They are believed to be "very attentive" to the Barca centre-back, who is described as the "most reliable" player in his position at his current club.
Christensen could be a brilliant signing by Howe's men, with the Denmark international an impressive footballer who has already achieved a lot in his career, despite still only being 27 years of age.
A proven player for a sustained period of time now, Christensen's statistics and achievements show the success that he has enjoyed over the years, winning the La Liga title with Barca last season, not to mention enjoying Champions League glory with Chelsea back in 2021.
|
Andreas Christensen notable career appearances |
Total |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea |
161 |
|
Denmark |
66 |
|
Barcelona |
44 |
The 27-year-old has also got 93 appearances to his name in the Premier League, showing that he can cut it in arguably the toughest league in the world, while his current manager Xavi has described him as an "extraordinary" player, which is high praise from such a legendary figure in the game.
Christensen could be a great addition for Newcastle in January, not only acting as cover for Botman but also potentially being his best centre-back partner moving forward, although the report does stress that a move is unlikely, with the player himself happy where he is at the moment.
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany has been hit with a two-match ban by the Football Association following his red card against Chelsea.
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Harry Kane scored one and assisted another as Bayern Munich battered Union Berlin 5-1 in the Bundesliga.
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A BBC pundit has described a potential exit rumour surrounding one West Brom hero as "crazy", with his Hawthorns future up in the air at the moment.
The Baggies may have lost 2-1 away to Southampton in their last Championship game, but they still find themselves in a good position to finish in the playoff places this season. Granted, they have just slipped out of those positions and into seventh place currently, but they are only behind Sunderland on goal difference, and look primed to continue their good run for the rest of the campaign.
When the January transfer window opens in the New Year, there will be a chance for West Brom to bring in some new faces, with Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles seen as a transfer target. On the flip side, Baggies midfielder Tom Fellows has been linked with a move away from the club in January, with his contract at the Hawthorns expiring next summer.
Speaking to Football League World, BBC pundit and former England international Carlton Palmer described talk of Fellows potentially leaving West Brom as "crazy".
"Tom Fellows, West Brom's talented young forward, is attracting attention from elsewhere. West Brom are working hard to get Tom to commit to a new long-term contract and are hopeful of doing so.
"Tom's contract expires in the summer – I can't understand why West Brom have put themselves in such a difficult position before the January transfer window, it's just crazy. Before he commits to a new long-term contract, I'm sure Tom will want assurances about much-needed game-time.
"West Bromwich Albion need to do everything in their power to get him to sign a new contract – failing that they need to sell him in the January transfer window, which would be a huge blow for the club given he has come through the youth ranks and the academy and the money that's been invested in him.
"I really can't believe that clubs are still at this moment in time are not securing the services of talented young players on long contracts, and then putting themselves in the position that WBA have currently done."
Palmer is spot on in his assessment that West Brom have played the situation surrounding Fellows' future badly, with the 20-year-old now in a position where he could look for a new challenge and even leave for free at the end of the season, if he doesn't sign a new deal.
|
Tom Fellows' West Brom Under-18s record |
Total |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
35 |
|
Goals |
12 |
|
Assists |
9 |
The Englishman has been hailed as "very quick" by Baggies manager Carlos Corberan, and still has so much to give the team, even if Fellows' statistics so far this season show that he has only made seven appearances in all competitions, all of which have been from the substitutes' bench.
While the youngster leaving in January wouldn't necessarily be the end of the world in the short-term for West Brom, they should be looking to keep hold of their best emerging talent, so losing him would have to be considered a blow, especially if it was to a rival.
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong broke down in tears after being stretchered off against Real Madrid – just months before Euro 2024 begins.
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The planned takeover of Everton Football Club continues to be a slow process, and a worrying update has emerged from Sky Sports' financial expert Kieran Maguire.
The Blues may be improving on the pitch at the moment, following an excellent 3-2 win away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, but there is plenty of frustration away from the on-field action. The reign of Farhad Moshiri as Everton's owner continues to rumble on, at a time when many supporters are so keen to see him move on, starting a new era at Goodison Park in the process after an up-and-down period under him.
777 Partners have stood out as the front-runners to become the Blues' majority shareholders in recent months, but at the same time, doubts have crept in over their credentials. With a move to a sparkling new stadium coming next summer, this is a pivotal time in Everton's history, so they must make the right decision over the ownership situation.
It does feel as though negative updates regarding the saga keep coming, however, and that has again proved to be the case at the beginning of this week.
Speaking to Football Insider, finance expert Maguire reacted to what he has now heard with regards to another worrying takeover update at Everton, as 777 Partners received a huge credit ratings downgrade last week.
"Yes, this does look like another red flag. I think the financial credibility of any owner is critical, especially for a club as senior and as prestigious as Everton Football Club.
"Therefore, appropriate scrutiny is absolutely essential. There seems to be one bad news story after another with regards to 777. But there’s a willing seller and a willing buyer, and it’s down to fans and journalists to provide the scrutiny at present. I’m sure the Premier League is taking a very forensic approach because it’s still trying to delay and discredit the independent regulator.
"If it was seen to give a green light to 777 with a light touch approach, that would add further evidence that a regulator would be beneficial."
This is an update that is again going to cause a huge amount of frustration and concern within Everton's fanbase, when they must be absolutely desperate to see the takeover go through smoothly.
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Everton's last five matches |
Competition |
|---|---|
|
Crystal Palace 2-3 Everton |
Premier League |
|
Everton 1-1 Brighton |
Premier League |
|
Everton 3-0 Burnley |
FA Cup |
|
West Ham 0-1 Everton |
Premier League |
|
Liverpool 2-0 Everton |
Premier League |
There are reasons to be positive at the moment, not least because Sean Dyche appears to be improving as manager all the time – the Merseysiders have won three of their last four matches, in all competitions – but the issues surrounding 777 Partners keep acting as an unnecessary distraction to the team.
The longer it goes on, the more it feels as though Everton should be looking elsewhere for their new owners, and the idea of 777 replacing Moshiri and then getting the club into further financial bother doesn't bear thinking about.
Getafe coach Jose Bordalas has credited on-loan forward Mason Greenwood for the way he has handled being targeted by opposition fans.
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Arsenal currently sit one point shy of the top spot in the 2023/24 Premier League table, however Mikel Arteta could make some valuable improvements to his squad in the January transfer window.
Injury woes have once again exposed the Gunners’ frailties in their squad depth, with the gap in quality between those in the favoured XI and those on the bench glaringly obvious.
It’s imperative that Arteta and Edu enter the winter transfer window in the bid to improve the squad currently on show, particularly if the north Londoners hope to bring home their first league title since 2004 in May.
With the Champions League to also think of, hiring depth in quality in January could determine the gap between Arsenal and Europe’s best, and with that in mind, here’s how the Gunners could line up come February after imposing themselves in the market…
GK – David Raya
After arriving from Brentford on loan in the summer, it was unclear just how prominent David Raya would be in Arteta’s plans, however the Spaniard has all but ended Aaron Ramsdale’s claim to the number one spot.
Assuming that Arsenal will activate the £27m option to buy at the end of his loan, it looks certain that the 28-year-old will be the man between the sticks at the Emirates for years to come.
LB – Jurrien Timber
Signed from Ajax, versatile defender Jurrien Timber is expected to return from injury in the early months of 2024, with the Dutchman showcasing his ability momentarily after his arrival.
Starting the opening game of the Premier League season at left-back, the 22-year-old displayed his suitability to Arteta’s back line with his strength in progressive play as well as having the ability to invert, giving him the nod over Oleksandr Zinchenko in the future.
CB – William Saliba
William Saliba has continued the stellar form he showcased last season in central defence, ranking in the top 4% of centre-backs in the Premier League this season for his average of losing just 0.06 challenges per 90, via FBref.
Lauded as “exceptional” by Arteta, the Frenchman will be a part of the furniture at Arsenal for years to come after penning a contract extension in the summer.
CB – Gabriel Magalhaes
Partnering Saliba is undoubtedly Gabriel Magalhaes, who has formed a solid partnership with the 22-year-old since their emergence as a pair last term.
Out of Arsenal’s current defence, the Brazilian tops the charts for his average of 1.1 interceptions per game in the league, reinforcing his importance in central defence alongside his equally assured partner.
RB – Ben White
Since occupying the inverted right-back role, Ben White has made his place in Arteta’s XI untouchable, forming a strong link up with Bukayo Saka when going forward as well as being a no-nonsense defender when in 1v1 situations.
Averaging a Sofascore match rating of 7.25, the Englishman has been one of the most reliable performers at the Emirates this season, with plenty to come from the 26-year-old.
CM – Declan Rice
As the 2023/24 campaign ticks by, the £105m Arsenal paid for Declan Rice becomes more and more justifiable, as the England international continues to impress in the engine room.
As per FBref, no midfielder in the Premier League this season maintains a higher pass completion percentage of medium-range passes than the 24-year-old, who averages a 96.0% medium pass completion rate per 90 to showcase his ability to distribute the ball.
Rice has quickly become the foundation in Arteta’s midfield, adapting to playing in the engine room with a range of partners due to injury throughout his time in north London.
CM – Douglas Luiz
One player that could be seen as a more long-term suitor to form a pivot with Rice is January target Douglas Luiz, who is claimed to be Arsenal’s priority signing this winter by the Mirror.
Last summer the Gunners saw three bids rejected for the Aston Villa dynamo, who was praised as “superb” for his development at Villa Park by journalist Gregg Evans.
With 12 goal contributions last term, the Brazil international has the perfect balance of a combative and progressive edge to offer to Arteta’s midfield, in a move that could see him replace Thomas Partey long-term – the injury-prone Ghanaian being linked with an exit of late.
Valued at €60m (£52m), Luiz will be far from easy to obtain, however, particularly given his importance in Unai Emery’s current side.
CAM – Martin Odegaard
Averaging 2.3 shots per game this season in the league, more than any of his teammates, captain Martin Odegaard will hope to get back to his previous form in the second half of the campaign, after experiencing a slight dip in performance of late.
The Norwegian is Arsenal’s best central creative asset, with the ability to score and assist, as portrayed last term with his 15 goals and seven assists during the Gunners’ title charge.
LW – Gabriel Martinelli
Joining Odegaard at the top of Arsenal’s scoring charts last season was Gabriel Martinelli, who has made the left-wing his area in rising through the ranks over the years.
The Brazilian netted 15 goals in the Premier League last season, and has cemented himself as one of the best wingers in Europe over the past year, supported by his average of 0.40 non-penalty goals per 90, placing him in the top 9% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues, via FBref.
Now valued at a colossal €150m (£131m) by CIES Football Observatory, Martinelli has made himself a crucial member of Arteta’s squad.
RW – Bukayo Saka
While Martinelli’s value is soaring, Saka ranks as the player with the highest value at the Emirates, with a CIES Football Observatory value of €200m (£175m), reinforcing himself as one of Arsenal’s most important and most loved individuals.
The Hale End product tops the squad charts for his average of 2.5 key passes per game in the Premier League this season, with his prominence in front of goal ever-improving having already secured 14 contributions in 12 league games.