All posts by n8rngtd.top

Former Premier League star Anders Limpar believes Tom Brady-backed Birmingham City can secure promotion to the top flight by 2026.

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• Birmingham backed to reach Premier League by 2026
• Favourites to win League One this season
• Got relegated from Championship last year

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Birmingham City were relegated to the third tier of English football in the 2023-24 campaign after they finished 22nd in the Championship. However, the Blues are in pole position to bounce back at the first time of asking as they sit nine points clear at the top of the League One table with just ten games left to play this season. According to former Arsenal and Everton midfielder Limpar, who also took in a brief stint at Birmingham in 1997, the Blues are capable of securing promotion to the Premier League by 2026 with the backing of NFL legend Brady, who is a minority investor in the club.

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• WHAT ANDERS LIMPARD SAID

  Speaking to , Limpar said: "Birmingham are a sleeping giant, and they have the fans and the money to secure back-to-back promotions. They dropped down to the third tier but are almost promoted already, they can go again in the Championship next season for sure. They have the money to get back to the Premier League, and that is where they belong. If you look at their history, it’s time they got back there."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Birmingham have displayed exceptional form in the 2024-25 League One campaign to date, losing just three of their 36 games. Following their relegation from the Championship last season, the club has pumped in a substantial amount of money on transfers, which has significantly increased the strength of the squad.

• WHAT NEXT FOR BIRMINGHAM CITY?

  The Blues will be back in action this Saturday as they take on Shrewsbury at home in a League One clash. If they do go on to wrap up the Championship title, Birmingham's focus will quickly switch to returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2010-11 under Brady and their ambitious board.

Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich does not attend football matches anymore after being forced to sell the Blues in 2022.

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• Abramovich has stopped attending football matches
• Was forced to sell Chelsea in 2022
• European Union and UK government imposed sanctions

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The European Union and British Government imposed restrictions on Abramovich in 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The move led to the billionaire sanctioning the £2.35 billion ($2.87bn) sale of Chelsea to Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. More than two years on, the funds raised from the transaction remain untouched in a frozen bank account in London.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While severing ties with the Blues, Abramovich had declared “I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person”, but that would appear to have become a distant dream for the 58-year-old. reports that the businessman has reportedly turned his back on football after parting company with the west London side as he no longer attends matches anywhere in the world.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  A close friend of Abramovich told : "Roman still likes football. But he doesn't go to games any more. It was always about Chelsea." Some £2.5bn of the sale price earmarked for victims of the war remains stuck in an escrow account.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  Enzo Maresca's current Chelsea side will be back in action in the Premier League after the international break as they are scheduled to face Tottenham Hotspur at home on April 3.

A second source has now backed the possibility of West Ham United moving to sign a striker who they apparently failed with a summer bid for.

West Ham criticised for signing Fullkrug

Niclas Füllkrug remains out with an Achilles tendon injury that has kept him on the sidelines since early September, and West Ham have been questioned for their decision to bring the crocked Germany international to east London.

West Ham make approach for £12m striker who was offered to David Moyes

The tables have now turned.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 29, 2024

The 31-year-old, who is slowly approaching his twilight years, apparently has a bad fitness record overall – with former West Ham scout Mick Brown criticising the club’s decision to strike a £27 million deal for Fullkrug.

“He had a few issues during his time in Germany with his fitness,” he told Football Insider.

“That, I’ve heard, played a part in the reason Dortmund were keen to let him go. So if that was an issue, and it was known in Germany, you’ve got to ask serious questions about why it was overlooked by West Ham.

“Paying almost £30million for a 31-year-old is always risky, but spending that money on a player with fitness issues at that age is a huge problem. Of course, you can never predict that a player might pick up an injury. These things happen.

“But if he’s missing longer than expected because of his fitness, that’s something you should know. West Ham should have known about any issues with his fitness before they signed him.

“Then, you either don’t move forward with the deal or you take steps to help the situation, help him with his fitness and his recovery. If he’s having these types of fitness and recovery issues at 31, it’s not likely to get much better, but they gave him a four-year contract.”

Fullkrug’s absence has left Lopetegui bereft of a prolific striker who can help to solve West Ham’s goalscoring problems, with Michail Antonio and Danny Ings the sole No 9s at their disposal right now.

This has prompted West Ham to explore the January market for a new frontman who can consistently deliver the goods in an attacking sense.

Second source backs West Ham move for Lyon striker Georges Mikautadze

Earlier this week, reports out of Spain shared information that West Ham had reignited their interest in Georges Mikautadze.

Interestingly, Alexis Bernard and le10sport claimed that West Ham made a bid for Mikautadze in the summer, with another move for the Georgia international now gaining more traction ahead of January.

Massimo Pavan, writing in a piece for TuttoJuve, emerges as the second source in these last few days to claim that West Ham are emerging as a potential destination for Mikautadze – who dazzled at Euro 2024 and finished the tournament as the joint-top goalscorer with three.

The former Metz star scored in every group game, and the Irons could look to take advantage of Lyon’s financial situation by snapping him up in the winter.

It is also worth noting that the 24-year-old has 86 career club goals to his name at a pretty young age, and a further 16 for Georgia at international level – taking his overall tally to 102.

A very highly-rated forward is now keen on joining Chelsea, with the Blues also reaching out to his representatives for potential transfer talks ahead of January.

Chelsea in the market for new striker despite Nicolas Jackson form

Enzo Maresca’s side are currently the Premier League’s top scorers and have been absolutely imperious going forward since the very start of 2024/2025, but that hasn’t stopped them from looking at potential new striker options.

Chelsea frustrated by £130,000-per-week player with January sale possible

The west Londoners are apparently running out of patience behind-the-scenes.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 17, 2024

Nicolas Jackson’s strike against Brentford took the Senegal international’s tally to nine goals from 16 appearances in all competitions so far this season, as the former Villarreal star continues his impressive form under Maresca as a player capable of leading their line.

Christopher Nkunku has supplied plenty of goals off the bench as well, yet Chelsea chiefs reportedly remain on the lookout for another prolific scorer as we fast approach 2025.

Reliable journalists like Simon Phillips have previously claimed that BlueCo are targeting the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface as potential options, but it is likely all of these forwards would cost Chelsea a marquee fee.

Another number nine who may be more obtainable, and one who’s shining in the Premier League right now, is Ipswich Town star Liam Delap.

The former Man City starlet has really impressed for a club competing at the bottom end of the table – scoring six goals in all competitions and putting in some Man of the Match displays – which has attracted attention from Stamford Bridge.

It is reliably believed that Chelsea have made contact with Ipswich over signing Delap already, holding talks with both the club and his agents (Simon Phillips), but the Tractor Boys are understandably reluctant to part company with such a key player mid-season.

However, whether it be mid-season or next summer, any interested side – apart from City who possess a £20 million buy-back clause – would have to pay around £42 million to obtain his signature.

This price tag appears doable on the service for Chelsea, and they’ve now been assisted by Delap’s reported stance over making a move to west London.

Liam Delap keen on joining Chelsea after talks with agents

According to TEAMtalk, Delap is interested in the prospect of joining Chelsea, even if the player is focused on doing a good job at Portman Road and the task at hand to avoid relegation.

The 21-year-old’s representatives have also held talks with Chelsea, as has been reported by other media sources, so it appears they’re seriously laying groundwork over a potential deal for Delap, as multiple media outlets continue to report contact and discussions.

Homegrown, young and becoming more and more proven in the top flight, it is clear to see why Chelsea are keen, and Maresca already knows the player well from their time together at Eastlands.

“He has a special quality. He is a different type of striker. The goal is offside, but he is there. I am happy for him,” said Pep Guardiola on Delap three years ago.

“He is 18-years-old. One of the precious values you have to be in that age is to be patient. If you fight in every training session, it will pay off in your career and you will get what you deserve.”

Wrexham recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Exeter City on Saturday to strengthen their hopes of winning automatic promotion.

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• Wrexham won comfortably
• Rathbone and Rodriguez scored
• Red Dragons second behind Birmingham

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  TELL ME MORE

  In Devon, Wrexham had the lead against Exeter within 23 minutes, as Ollie Rathbone's shot found the back of the net via a deflection in the area.

  The goal came after Sam Smith thought he had opened the scoring, only to see the offside flag raised.

  In the second half, Wrexham doubled their lead on the hour; after Jay Rodriguez was fouled in the area, the former Southampton striker stepped up to score from 12 yards.

  The Welsh side pressed for more, but they were held back by a determined Exeter backline.

  Phil Parkinson's side now sit nine points behind leaders Birmingham, but the Blues have two games in hand, and are almost certain to win the title, barring a spectacular collapse. Perhaps more encouraging is the fact that Wrexham are now three points clear of third-placed Wycombe Wanderers, although they have a game in hand on the Red Dragons.

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• THE MVP

  Rodriguez can bring a touch of class to League One and he did so for Wrexham on Saturday. Not only did he convert from 12 yards, he was a constant menace leading the line, and was also regularly willing to drop deep to collect possession, thus confusing Exeter's defensive organisation.

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  THE BIG LOSER

  It's becoming increasingly difficult to envisage Wrexham restoring Paul Mullin to this team. With Rodriguez leading the line so well, and the likes of Smith and Steven Fletcher also still capable of providing real quality, it is hard to disagree with the assessment that the formerly indispensable forward is "finished" in Wales. That he was not even in the squad is surely a sign that he will soon be on his way.

• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  Wrexham face Cambridge United on Tuesday before a clash with Burton Albion on Saturday. Both sides are currently in the bottom four of League One.

Tottenham are now making a move to sign a new defender in January as they look to find fresh cover for Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero in the winter window.

Makeshift Tottenham face serious problems

Injuries to both of their first choice centre-backs has left Ange Postecoglou with massive problems to solve, added to by the absences of Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie.

The result, somewhat inevitably, is chaos. The Spurs boss has named teenage midfielder Archie Gray at the heart of a defence that also contained rarely seen Djed Spence at left-back and veteran Fraser Forster in goal in recent weeks, with predictable results.

The Lilywhites shipped six goals against Liverpool in their most recent Premier League outing, and in truth it could have been more. It follows recent games that have seen them concede three in midweek and four two weeks prior against Chelsea. Currently 11th in the Premier League, Spurs have kept just four clean sheets this season, but Postecoglou will not be changing his tactics despite the injuries.

“If people want me to change my approach, it is not going to change”, he emphasised again after the loss to Liverpool. “We are doing it for a reason. We are doing it because we think it will help us to be successful.”

To reach that goal, they will have to be active in the winter window though, with the club only having three recognised centre-backs on their books as things stand. Now, they are seemingly doing just that with their latest enquiry.

Tottenham chasing new defender

That comes as Football Insider report that Spurs have lodged an enquiry to sign former Everton defender Ben Godfrey in January. The defender only joined the Bergamo side over the summer, but has seen his game time limited for the Serie A leaders, making just a single substitute appearance in the top flight so far.

Ange gets green light as Spurs eye January move for "athletic" £20m star

Fraser Forster’s midweek display has forced Spurs’ hand.

By
Tom Cunningham

Dec 23, 2024

Though he still has nearly five years left to run on his £73k a week deal with La Dea, it has been reported that the club are already open to his departure in the January window, with a loan move being the most likely solution.

Godfrey can play across the backline, and certainly possesses the speed to work out in Postecoglou’s high defensive line, something Spurs have been missing since Van de Ven’s injury. Dubbed “really fast” by Carlo Ancelotti during his time on Merseyside, Godfrey clocked up a speed of 35.45 kmph in the 2020-21 campaign, the fastest in the Everton squad.

If indeed available on loan, Godfrey could be a low-cost solution to Postecoglou’s problems should other targets not be available in January, though there will be plenty suggesting that it is once again a financially-motivated decision in north London rather than a purely footballing one.

Nonetheless, it is clear that Spurs need help, and Godfrey could be a ready made fit with plenty of Premier League experience already under his belt.

The former USMNT stars believe that the controversy around Davies’ ACL injury sets a bad precedent for the future

• Davies tears ACL in Nations League third-place game
• Bayern Munich threatened legal action against Canada Soccer
• Howard and Donovan discuss implications for player management

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• Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED

  USMNT legend Landon Donovan has criticized Alphonso Davies' agent, Nedal Huoseh, for speaking publicly about the player's injury situation instead of handling it privately.

  Davies sustained a torn ACL during Canada’s 2-1 victory over the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League third-place game, sparking a dispute between Bayern Munich and Canada Soccer over his management during the international break. However, on with former USMNT teammate Tim Howard, Donovan took issue not with the clubs or national team but with Huoseh’s decision to address the matter in the media.

  “I’m devastated for him [Davies], but there’s a lot to unpack here,” Donovan said on the podcast. “First of all, I have no idea why an agent is speaking to the media and letting them quote him. Not speaking off the record about these things is ridiculous. You’ve got an issue, you call Canada, you call Bayern Munich, and you guys get together and figure out what happened.”

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• WHAT LANDON DONOVAN SAID

  “Alphonso Davies is the captain, this is not an 18-year-old. If he was not fit to play the game, he would not play the game. I’m not going to guess, I wasn’t in the room so I don’t know if his knee was 100 percent fine, zero percent fine, or somewhere in between. If he did not feel right playing the game, he would not play the game, he would not," Donovan said on the podcast.

  “If he’s an 18-year-old, I would have said, ‘Maybe he got pressured into it’. But this guy has played 100s of games, he’s played for Canada a bunch and you go to the coach and you say, ‘it’s a third place, I know it’s USA and it matters but my knee is not in a good place and I’m not playing’. Period, end of story. If he felt good enough to go on the field, that’s on him and whatever happens in the aftermath, I don’t know if Canada evaluated him or not but the reality of this is that his ACL is torn.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bayern Munich has accused Canada Soccer of negligence in their handling of Davies' injury. The German club is considering legal action, claiming that Davies was not properly assessed before being allowed to play in a "match of no sporting significance." Canada Soccer, on the other hand, have released a statement saying that they followed proper medical procedures and proper care protocols.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT’S NEXT?

  The ACL injury does mean that Alphonso Davies’ 2024-25 season is over as he is out for the remainder of Bayern Munich’s final games and will miss the remainder of the Champions League as well. Not only that, Davies will also miss the 2025 Gold Cup that Canada are co-hosting alongside the USA and will likely only be fit for action halfway into the 2025-26 season.

While the number of women's team will increase, the men's field will be reduced to 12 teams

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• IOC approves proposal for 16 women's teams, 12 for men
• Change will be implemented in 2028
• Reasserts commitment to growing women's game

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The International Olympic Committee approved a proposal that will increase the women's soccer field to 16 teams, starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Games. At the same time, the IOC said the men's soccer field will be reduced to 12 teams.

  “FIFA has always believed in the power of women’s football and today’s decision by the IOC Executive Board is a positive step,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday in a statement. “Our vision is clear: we are investing in and expanding opportunities for women’s football at every level. More teams on the Olympic stage means more role models, more inspiration and more impact.

  "This development reflects our shared understanding that women’s football deserves greater representation and visibility at the Olympic Games. We thank the IOC for the fruitful discussions that will make LA28 a groundbreaking event, and we will continue to work with our partners to incorporate futsal and beach soccer into the Olympic program.”

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  At the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the U.S. women's national won the gold medal, defeating Brazil in the championship game. In the men's field, Spain defeated France for the gold.

  The expansion of the women's field reiterates both the IOC's and FIFA's commitment to growing the game.

  “FIFA has been working on the increase in women’s teams at the Olympics for some time," FIFA Secretary General, Mattias Grafström added. "On behalf of FIFA, I would like to thank the IOC administration for their collaboration with us over the past months to prepare this groundbreaking decision. We are very pleased with the outcome but, of course, we will continue with fully commitment our daily and sustained work across all relevant areas of the women’s game."

  The reduction of the men's field from 16 to 12 teams was made by the IOC board to help push the core quota of athletes for L.A. to 50.7% women and 49.3% men – 5,333 for women and 5,167 for men – the IOC said.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The USWNT are five-time gold medalists at the Olympic Games, winning the tournament in 1996, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2024.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The 2028 Los Angeles games are just more than three years away, and qualification for the competition will begin in the buildup to the event.

Ruben Amorim’s first six weeks in charge of Manchester United certainly haven’t been as easy as he would have anticipated, but it appears as though his ideas are finally coming to fruition.

The 39-year-old may have only won two Premier League matches to date, but managed to produce a much-improved display against league leaders Liverpool on Sunday to stop a run of four straight defeats.

Goals from Lisandro Martínez and Amad Diallo secured an unexpected point given the Reds’ imperious home form, with the 3-4-2-1 system starting to look effective in all areas of the pitch.

Despite the results, the January transfer window presents the first opportunity for the new boss to bolster his ranks, with various areas in need of drastic investment to take the club back to its glory days.

One area in particular could be heavily improved, with various names already mentioned over a move to Old Trafford, including one who’s set England’s top flight alight in recent months.

Man Utd to make £42m offer for PL star

According to one Spanish outlet, Man Utd are willing to make a €50m (£42m) bid to land Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo before the end of the January window.

The 25-year-old has been in superb form for Thomas Frank’s side in 2024/25, scoring 13 times in 20 appearances, with only Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah scoring more to date.

However, the Bees would be reluctant to part ways with the star man this window, but the report claims that the United hierarchy see the Cameroonian as the solution to their attacking issues.

He can operate in a variety of attacking roles, whether that be central, as a ten or off either flank – which could make him the perfect fit for Amorim’s current philosophy.

He certainly would provide an upgrade on one player currently plying his trade at Old Trafford, potentially ending his long-standing affiliation with the club in the process.

Why Mbeumo would be an upgrade on Rashford

Academy graduate Marcus Rashford looked as though he would be a crucial player during Amorim’s tenure at the helm after netting three times in his opening two matches under the new boss.

However, it looks as though his time with his boyhood club could be coming to an end in the near future after his recent exclusions from the first-team squad.

The Englishman hasn’t made an appearance for the Red Devils since the Europa League win over Viktoria Plzen back in the first week of December, failing to feature in any of the last six outings in all competitions.

Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Juventus are just three sides interested in signing the 27-year-old this window, opening the door for a potential move for Mbeumo.

The Brentford ace has massively outperformed Rashford in numerous key areas during 2024/25, highlighting what a superb addition he would be – even if he may cost a pretty penny in the process.

Mbeumo, who’s been dubbed “one of the best players in the Premier League” by pundit Dan Bardell, has outscored the current United forward, whilst also averaging more progressive carries and passes – highlighting his ability in the final third.

On top of that, the Brentford star has completed more take-ons in 2024/25, whilst winning more aerials, further showcasing his talent to feature in a variety of different roles should Amorim complete a deal for his signature.

There’s no debating that signings are desperately needed at Old Trafford if the Red Devils are to salvage anything from the current campaign, but it’s crucial that any additions are smart and not just for the sake of it.

The Cameroonian is a player who could thrive should he move to the North West, having all the tools to be a success under the guidance of the former Sporting CP manager.

£42m is a phenomenal price for a player of his calibre, subsequently handing the side the new dimension of attacker they’ve desperately been craving for in recent months.

He wants to leave: INEOS must sell Man Utd flop who earns more than Mainoo

Man United need to make some changes in the transfer market this year.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jan 7, 2025

Liverpool are in a fantastic position, and though Arne Slot’s side will be wary of the title-chasing competition in the Premier League, the six-point lead (with a game in hand) makes it Anfield’s to lose.

The 2024/25 campaign has been contested against the backdrop of contractual uncertainties: Virgil van Dijk has been coy; Mohamed Salah has sought to nudge reporters into portraying his narrative in his way; the other, more concerning, third of the problem is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been largely silent as Real Madrid draw closer to making their move.

Elsewhere, FSG do need to deal with the other exit-related issues at Anfield, with a certain club-record signing seemingly reaching the end of the road.

Liverpool centre-forward conundrum

Darwin Nunez is two-and-a-half years into his Liverpool career but still struggling to convince Merseyside of his ability to lead Slot’s frontline.

Were it not for the prolific success of his peers, the Uruguay international’s plight would have received far heavier criticism, and it hasn’t exactly been a low-profile stint for him anyway.

It’s a conundrum, to be sure. In fact, Liverpool bosses appear to be at the end of their tether, with Football Insider already reporting this month that offers around £50m-£60m would be accepted for his sale.

Then you have Diogo Jota. The Portugal forward is regarded as one of Liverpool’s deadliest finishers, ranking among the top 8% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored (0.67) per 90, as per FBref.

But Jota’s fitness record is hardly something for rivals to envy. He’s not the long-term centre-forward solution across 40 or 50 matches, season in, season out.

If Liverpool are going to increase their goal threat from number nine and lessen the workload that Mohamed Salah has shouldered for so many years, sporting director Richard Hughes is going to need to get it right in the transfer market.

Nunez has missed 50 big chances in the Premier League since arriving in July 2022, as per Sofascore, only scoring 22 goals in that timeframe. The Uruguayan striker is 25 now and not showing the growth that all of a Liverpool persuasion would have expected.

It’s no surprise that FSG are perusing the market for a replacement.

Liverpool leading race for Nunez replacement

Anfield Watch have revealed that Stefanos Tzimas is on Liverpool’s radar and that the Reds are very ‘eager to sign’ the PAOK forward, who is thriving on loan for FC Nurnberg in the 2. Bundesliga.

Transfer Focus

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PAOK have a principle agreement in place for Nurnberg to sign the 19-year-old permanently for £15m in the summer, but Liverpool have been informed that they would secure the teenager’s signature for a £25m fee. Bayern Munich are also interested but the Reds are firmly ahead.

Further reports by Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg on Monday indicate that Liverpool ‘have started talks’ with the player’s club via a phone call a few days ago.

Building on the Nunez rumours, it’s also been claimed that Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal are interested in taking the Uruguayan off Slot’s hands, thus freeing up room for a talent such as Tzimas to join the cause.

What Stefanos Tzimas would bring to Liverpool

Salah has been Liverpool’s anchor point up front since joining Jurgen Klopp’s cause way back in 2017, and though he may extend his contract, the 32-year-old won’t be around forever.

What Slot needs is an up-and-coming goalscorer who will go from strength to strength with each passing year. Tzimas is that man, having already been hailed as a “monster in the making” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

His stay in the German second division looks to be paying dividends in relation to his development, with the 19-year-old having scored eight goals across 14 appearances for the 11-placed side this term, starting only ten of those fixtures and missing 11 big chances, as per Sofascore, which isn’t all that bad when noting Nunez’s aforementioned profligacy.

Given that Liverpool would be signing him after sharpening his tools in Germany, Tzimas could be Slot’s very own version of Roberto Firmino.

Tzimas ranks among the top 5% of forwards across divisions ranked below Europe’s top five leagues for goals scored, the top 1% for progressive carries and successful take-ons and the top 18% for tackles per 90, as per FBref.

There’s no question that he’s more than just a goalscorer, and indeed, this could be exactly what Liverpool need to emulate their triumphant Firmino signing.

Bobby Dazzler wasn’t really a goalscorer, not with Salah and Sadio Mane flanking him. The Brazil star operated in a unique and false-nineish realm that allowed him to pull strings with artful flicks and intelligent passes. He was also a dogged defender, part of the game that Tzimas seemingly enjoys too.

Defensive striker and all that, but Firmino posted 186 goal contributions across 362 appearances for the Reds, winning everything on offer (barring that pesky Europa League trophy) and going down as a modern club legend.

It sometimes feels like Nunez has some of the elements needed to succeed as a number nine, tenacious and talented and willing to get stuck in defensively, but he’s not got the temperament in front of goal. Anfield icon Robbie Fowler even said that he’s “not a Liverpool player” before Slot’s side took on Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup. Nunez missed a great chance in that one.

With the likes of Jota and Luis Diaz starring for Liverpool, a rising prospect such as Tzimas could certainly be signed and nurtured to the fore over the coming years. Perhaps he can become the greatest central forward since Firmino, eclipsing Nunez.

Best transfer since Van Dijk: Liverpool plot huge bid for "magnificent" ace

Arne Slot will continue to target Liverpool reinforcements this January.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jan 12, 2025