Johnny Russell, a domestic rival of Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, has told MLS why it is “good to be different” without promotion and relegation.
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Liverpool can go one step closer to reaching the knockout stages of the Europa League this evening with victory over LASK.
As it stands, the Reds need four points from their remaining two matches to guarantee their passage into the round of 16, however, if Union Saint-Galloise manage to grab all three points against Toulouse, their qualification will be confirmed on matchday five.
Whilst the Thursday night jaunts to rogue destinations have supplied Jurgen Klopp with a busy fixture schedule, it has allowed him to heavily rotate his squad and keep competition for places strong.
The German tactician is expected to make wholesale changes once more to the side that salvaged a draw against Manchester City with Harvey Elliott looking poised to replace Dominik Szoboszlai, who has featured off the bench in all three appearances in the competition.
Liverpool's midfield needed an overhaul after looking devoid of energy and dynamism last term, but since Szoboszlai arrived at the club, he's provided Klopp with those attributes and more.
The Hungarian superstar has impressed across so many aspects, from his ball retention to his press resistance and ability to drive forward, possessing every ingredient in his locker to become a world-class midfielder.
Hailed as "incredible" by Liverpool legend John Barnes while drawing comparisons to Steven Gerrard, such praise has been directed towards the youngster because he can do everything on the pitch and that has been reflected across an array of his attacking and defensive metrics this term.
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Dominik Szoboszlai's Premier League stats 23/24 |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
13 |
|
Shots per game |
1.9 |
|
Big chances created |
5 |
|
Key passes |
2.2 |
|
Accurate passes per game |
51.4 (88%) |
|
Expected Assists (xA) |
2.95 |
|
Balls recovered per game |
7.1 |
|
All stats via Sofascore |
|
Szoboszlai's importance to the squad shouldn't be understated, as showcased by the table above, with the 22-year-old supplying the third most key passes in the Liverpool squad (2.2), second most big chances created (5) and the most fouls drawn in the box.
Much like Mohamed Salah, however, his minutes are restricted in this competition and that is a blessing to Elliott, who should get his chance to impress Klopp once more this evening.
If competition for places in Liverpool's midfield wasn't so high, Elliott would be starting every week and that is a testament to how good he is.
At 20 years old, Elliott is maturing into a sensational footballer and although his performances warrant more first-team action in the Premier League, he's used the Europa League as an opportunity to showcase his talents.
Dubbed by Jamie Carragher as "special", the fleet-footed midfielder has thrived in the pocket of space in the right channel, slaloming in between defenders with his exceptional ball control and low centre of gravity.
Across four matches in the competition, he's completed a whopping 75% of his dribbles, which underscores how difficult he is to tackle when the ball is stuck to his foot like glue.
Whilst he is adept at gliding past his opponents, Elliott is also a menace out of possession, utilising his boundless energy to make two tackles, win possession 1.5 times and recover six balls per game.
If the Europa League is a stage, the England under-21 star – who scored twice in the 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland – has certainly performed with Reds bracing themselves for another exceptional display from the talented youngster this evening.
Tottenham are now reportedly weighing up a move to sign a £52 million defender wanted by Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.
An injury to star summer signing Micky van de Ven, not to mention a three-game suspension for Cristian Romero, has laid bare Spurs' lack of options at centre-half behind their favoured starting duo. Van de Ven's hamstring problem, which is expected to keep him out until early 2024, is a killer blow for manager Ange Postecoglou who was enjoying the best start made by any new head coach in Premier League history.
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This is a conundrum many could've actually predicted after Tottenham's failure to sign another defender in the summer transfer window. The north Londoners faltered in their attempts to bring in Bournemouth star Lloyd Kelly on deadline day, and they appear to be paying for it now.
Pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor, speaking to Football Insider earlier this year, certainly saw this coming and actually stated that Tottenham need to sign as many as three new centre-backs back in May.
“I think anyone would come in and transform that defence," claimed the former Villa striker.
“Eric Dier, I don’t understand why there are talks over a new contract for him. Romero is the sort of player who would be on his last chance with me if I was manager. He just wants to kick everyone. He knows he’s going to get sent off, but still does it.
“I think Spurs need three centre-backs. Guehi can be one of them, but I’d go out and get more. You’ve got to have multiple top centre-backs if you want to go and win trophies. Look at Arsenal after they lost Saliba – it’s cost them the title.”
Agbonlahor's last sentence is key there, as Arteta losing Saliba at the back end of last season was a major factor in Arsenal finishing behind eventual treble-winners Man City.
Similarly to Spurs being without van de Ven, whose pace and power is crucial to Postecoglou's aggressive high line, the Lilywhites just don't quite look like the same side.
Tottenham may re-attempt to sign Kelly in January, among others, but new targets are appearing through the press on a fairly consistent basis as we approach the winter window. Indeed, another one has now come to light in Sporting Lisbon star Goncalo Inacio.
The Portuguese, who has racked up nearly 140 appearances in all competitions for Sporting despite being just 22 years of age, has apparently entered Johan Lange's radar at Spurs. Tottenham are considering a January move for Inacio, according to The Mail, with Ruben Amorim's left-footed defensive star also attracting interest from north London rivals Arsenal.
Inacio is seen as someone with a "good eye for goal", having scored 11 in total for his club while adding a further eight assists to boot. (Goncalo Inacio stats – Transfermarkt)
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Goncalo Inacio strengths (via WhoScored) |
|---|
|
Passing |
|
Concentration |
The 6 foot 1 ace, according to other reports, would cost around £52 million, his release clause, to prise away from Portugal (A Bola).
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Pundit and ex-pro Chris Sutton has predicted that Premier League games will be played in the United States in the future, as NBC pushes for a deal.
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Tottenham Hotspur talks are "underway" to sign a "very quick" player for manager Ange Postecoglou in January, according to reports this week.
New sporting director Johan Lange arrived early last month from Aston Villa with a view of guiding Spurs through what will be an all-important winter transfer window.
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The Dane signed big names like striker Ollie Watkins and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during his spell in the Midlands, two names which have since gone on to thrive under Unai Emery, with Spurs supporters now hoping he can replicate that success at N17.
Lange is reportedly chasing a new centre-back and winger ahead of next month. Everton defender Ben Godfrey is a key Tottenham target for Postecoglou's defence, while Juventus forward Samuel Iling-Junior is being linked to Spurs as well.
Postecoglou, speaking in a press conference last month, confirmed that Tottenham's planning for the transfer window is well underway for next month.
"I guess the challenge for us was they all came at once as it hasn't been staggered. In terms of January, the planning is well away with that," said Postecoglou on January transfers.
"Johan [Lange] has come in and he's leading that in terms of all the background work. My involvement and my own sort of ramp up to it as we get closer to January and understanding exactly what our requirements are at the moment, although work has been done in the background with Johan leading it and he's brought in some people to help him in that area. We'll work with him when the time is right."
In terms of Iling-Junior, he's a player who's becoming more and more heavily linked with a move to Tottenham ahead of January. Reports have suggested that Spurs are in pole position to sign the 20-year-old mid-season, while others claim Lange is preparing an offer for Iling-Junior.
According to il BiancoNero (via Sport Witness), Spurs contacts are now "underway" to sign Iling-Junior and talks have apparently been held with Juve director Cristiano Giuntoli in England. It's added that the winger "can move" to north London in January, with it looking more and more likely he could be on his way to Tottenham going by other recent reports beforehand as well.
The Englishman has found game time difficult to come by in Turin, and it appears Postecoglou's side could offer him a feasible Premier League route.
According to journalist Michele Neri, the "very quick" attacker, who's also been likened to Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, is very well-liked at Juve.
“Iling Junior is a very quick player, who loves to take on opposing full-backs and attack the vertical spaces, in a very direct way,” Neri explained to TNT Sports.
“He is a left winger who can also play as a right winger if needed. He has a great sense for dribbling and a speed from a standing start that other Juventus players do not have.
“In these qualities you can absolutely see shades of Rafael Leao when the AC Milan superstar was a bit younger. The fans went crazy for him after the Benfica game where he played 20 minutes and really shone, providing an assist to Milik."
Juan Mata has explained how Cristiano Ronaldo convinced him to sign a contract at Manchester United even though he knew that bench duty beckoned.
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West Brom are in the race to sign a "superb" international player on loan in the January transfer window, according to a fresh update.
The Baggies continue to look like strong promotion contenders in the Championship this season, with Carlos Corberan guiding his side into the playoff positions currently.
While an automatic spot is looking difficult, given the relentless nature of Leicester City and Ipswich Town, West Brom look like one of the best of the rest. For them to continue this consistency, new signings in January could be needed, however, in terms of having as many options as possible, and keeping players fresh come the business end of the campaign.
Peterborough United ace Kwame Poku has emerged as a rumoured transfer target for the Baggies, with six goals and seven assists coming his way this season, and Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles has also been seen as a potential addition at the Hawthorns.
Now, a fresh claim suggests that West Brom could be looking to the Premier League for January reinforcements, with a temporary move for one player in the offing.
According to TEAMtalk, West Brom have made contact with Liverpool youngster Conor Bradley over a loan move in January, but face stiff competition for his signature.
"TEAMtalk has been informed Liverpool are ready to loan out defensive prospect Conor Bradley in January and are fielding enquiries from a host of clubs.
"TEAMtalk has been told that up to a dozen clubs have made contact with the Reds as Bradley would be a player in real demand if they allowed him to leave. Among those interested are Burnley, Leeds, Middlesbrough and West Brom."
Bradley could be a really astute signing by West Brom, with the 20-year-old even in action for Liverpool on Thursday night, playing all 90 minutes of his side's 2-1 defeat to Union SG in the Europa League.
The right-back's playing time for the Reds is clearly going to be limited, however, considering Trent Alexander-Arnold is among Europe's leading players in his position, and Joe Gomez also represents a solid option, so a loan move could make perfect sense for everyone.
The 13-time capped Northern Ireland international has been hailed by veteran international colleague Jonny Evans in the recent past, with the Manchester United defender saying of him:
"I thought Conor Bradley was superb the other night [against Kosovo], and Shea Charles came in during the summer and that is what we want to see – young lads making an impression and hopefully bring the country forward."
Bradley could come straight in and provide competition for Darnell Furlong at right-back, easing his workload and giving Corberan an extra option in that position, and he is someone who will have learned from playing alongside some world-class footballers, from Mohamed Salah to Virgil van Dijk.
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There is clearly a lot of interest in the Liverpool man – a switch to Burnley would allow him to remain in the Premier League – but the lure of the Baggies could still be great, as they chase promotion back to the top flight, making this one to watch.
After the heartbreak of last season's Premier League title race, Arsenal are once again top at Christmas and looking to end their wait to secure the ultimate silverware in English football. Mikel Arteta's side earned a point against Liverpool and now have the advantage as the season approaches the halfway mark. Now, the Gunners will hope to kick on even further and extend their lead at the top.
Reports suggest that the North London side will have to secure the title without the transfer of one particular player, however, after they were priced out of a potential move in both January and the summer window.
Arsenal did well in the summer to recruit the likes of Declan Rice and David Raya, building on the foundation set by Arteta in the season prior. Those signings have played a large part in the Gunners' ability to compete on all fronts, progressing past the Champions League group stage and maintaining a Premier League lead. We saw last season just how important the January transfer window can be when Arsenal signed Leandro Trossard, who has had a positive impact ever since. This time around, however, in the case of one particular forward, the Gunners have reportedly opted out of a move.
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal have pulled out of the race to sign Napoli star Victor Osimhen despite making contact over a deal in a new transfer twist. Those at the Emirates are thought to be unwilling to meet his reported price tag of €130-140 million (£113m-£122m) which leaves Chelsea in pole position to sign the Nigerian and potentially put an end to their goalscoring problems.
Arsenal, meanwhile, could look elsewhere towards the likes of Ivan Toney or decide to stay put with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah next month. With Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka joining the aforementioned duo in attack, Osimhen could have been a luxury rather than a need for Arteta.
Potentially allowing Chelsea to strengthen, Arsenal could regret pulling out of the race to sign Osimhen when the time comes to compete for the top honours. Osimhen's stats show that, compared to Jesus, he is more of an out-and-out striker who could offer Arteta a different dynamic.
|
Player |
Goals |
Assists |
Expected Goals |
|
Victor Osimhen |
7 |
2 |
6.7 |
|
Gabriel Jesus |
3 |
1 |
4.3 |
That said, Arsenal look likely to take their money elsewhere next month, allowing Chelsea to land Osimhen. Arteta will hope that it's not a decision he and the club end up regretting in seasons to come. Osimhen is certainly valued in Napoli, with Luciano Spalletti saying:
“At times he tries to do everything himself, attacks the ball and the goal without realising where his teammates are. But he is physical, he is strong and we need him to complete the squad, also in the air. He is one of the best headers of the ball I have ever seen. We didn’t give him as much service last season, but he was also decisive when defending on set plays and resolving a lot of issues for us there.”
Sergio Aguero is turning agent in a bid to make Mario Balotelli’s dreams come true, with a call put in to Boca Juniors president Juan Roman Riquelme.
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