Tag Futebol

Wolverhampton Wanderers making Ange Postecoglou their new manager would ‘suit them down to the ground’, according to ex-BBC pundit Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Lopetegui the top target?

The Old Gold relieved Bruno Lage of his duties following his side’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham in the Premier League last weekend, with Julen Lopetegui currently believed to be a strong contender to take his place.

The Telegraph’s John Percy has claimed that the Celtic boss has also been discussed as a potential successor though, while the Hoops are planning to offer him a new deal to fend off interest from other clubs who are keen to secure his services.

The Latest: Whelan’s Postecoglou praise

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan supported the idea of Wolves appointing Postecoglou and insisted that he would be able to bring the best out of the players in an attacking sense.

“I think when you look at the lack of goals at Wolves with the players they’ve got, Postecoglou would be a good fit.

“Especially with the way he sets his teams up, the attacking football he plays. A lot of players at Wolves have been wasted.

“They should be scoring a hatful of goals with the talent they’ve got.

“Postecoglou would suit them down to the ground with the joy he’s brought to Celtic and the style he plays.

“They’ve got the players, he just needs to get them set up correctly. They just need a manager who will take the shackles off and let them take the game to teams.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Postecoglou’s contract in Glasgow expires at the end of the season and he is still yet to commit to extending his stay, so this would be the perfect opportunity for Wolves to pounce.

The Australian has a remarkable track record, winning 50 and drawing eight of his 71 games in charge at Celtic, with a 2.23 points per match average (Transfermarkt).

The 57-year-old has also guided his team to both the Scottish Premiership and League Cup titles, and now being a manager in the Champions League, will know what it takes to get a squad competing at the highest level.

Leeds United are ‘more likely’ to bring Wilfried Gnonto to Elland Road over a move for Hwang Hee-chan, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Forward rumours

The Whites have been linked with a number of forwards in recent weeks, including the two aforementioned players

Reports have even suggested that Leeds have agreed personal terms with Gnonto, who Roberto Mancini labelled a ‘technical’ forward. Jesse Marsch has confirmed the club’s interest in the Italian, describing the teenager as more of a long-term project.

Hwang appears to be a first-team target, though, with Phil Hay stating that Marsch would like to work with the South Korea international once again, having already done so to good effect at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig.

The Latest: Jones’ comments

Talking to GiveMeSport regarding Gnonto and Hwang, Jones believes that a move for the former is ‘more likely’ from Leeds.

He said of the FC Zurich teenager:

“He’s a more likely signing, but he’s also a player of a certain age bracket that can just be developed and doesn’t necessarily have the pressure on him upon arrival.”

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The Verdict: One needed

Leeds could really do with a new forward before Thursday’s transfer deadline, even if it is a promising talent in Gnonto.

He has plenty of first-team experience with FC Zurich despite his tender age and is already a full Italy international, so you’d like to think that he could knock on the first-team door at Elland Road in relatively quick time.

Failing to bring in either Gnonto or Hwang could be a huge gamble by the Leeds board, especially with Patrick Bamford’s fitness already being impacted again this season.

Leeds United remain interested in a deal to bring Armando Broja to Elland Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Ben Jacobs, with the CBS Sport journalist revealing in a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT that, following a number of reports linking Victor Orta with a move for the Chelsea centre-forward in recent weeks, Leeds – as well as Everton – are indeed one of the clubs in contention for the £30m valued 20-year-old over the remainder of the summer transfer window.

Regarding the Whites’ interest in the Albania international, Jacobs said: “Everton are also circling around Broja and Leeds United, I think, will be in the mix as well.”

“Devastating” signing

With Leeds’ wish to add a new centre-forward to Jesse Marsch’s first team squad prior to September’s transfer deadline being well known – with the Whites having already missed out on the likes of Charles De Ketelaere and Arnaud Kalimuendo this summer – the argument that Broja would be an incredible signing for Orta to pull off is an easy one to make.

Indeed, over his 32 appearances – only 21 of which came as starts – while on loan at Southampton last season, the £19.8m-rated talent more than proved his ability in the top flight of English football, scoring six goals, registering one assist and creating two big chances for his teammates, as well as missing a further five big chances of his own.

And, while this latter stat is typically perceived as a negative, with the 20-year-old’s composure in front of goal only likely to improve with greater experience and age, the fact that Broja was getting into scoring positions so regularly last season should very much be viewed as a positive by Leeds.

Furthermore, according to FBref, the £7k-per-week attacker also ranks in the top 15% of forwards in Europe’s big five leagues and European competitions for dribbles completed per 90, in addition to the top 31% for progressive carries, the top 14% for aerial duels won, the top 16% for blocks, the top 20% for interceptions and the top 24% for pressures over the past 12 months.

These metrics prove that the player who Sergio Porrini dubbed “devastating” is not only incredibly effective in his progression of the ball and a threat in the air, but is also a forward who works extremely hard in a defensive capacity – something that would very much appear to suit Marsch’s high-pressing system at Elland Road.

As such, should Orta indeed manage to get a £30m deal over the line for the reported Everton, Newcastle United and Real Madrid target prior to the closure of the current market next month, it would seem as if the Spaniard will have added a devastating weapon to the Whites’ attacking arsenal ahead of the bulk of their 2022/23 campaign.

Wolves are one of a number of clubs interested in signing exciting RB Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko this summer, according to a new transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: New striker needed

Bruno Lage has been rocked by the news that Raul Jimenez will miss the start of the Premier League season having picked up a knee injury during pre-season, while Fabio Silva has departed on loan.

Wolves will surely at least look at bringing in a new striker in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window, adding some much-needed firepower to the squad.

Now, a fresh rumour claims that Wanderers are in the mix to signing a hugely exciting talent.

The Latest: Wolves keen on Sesko

According to 90min, Wolves are eyeing up a move for Sesko, who has scored 12 goals and registered eight assists in 38 appearances for Salzburg, despite only being 19 years of age.

Manchester United and Newcastle United are also credited with interest, however, as are Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

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The Verdict: Big young talent

Sesko looks like a player of immense promise, having scored the only goal in a pre-season win over Liverpool midweek, which led to immense praise from journalist Maxi Angelo.

“Benjamin Šeško has really showcased why top clubs in Europe want him this summer against Liverpool tonight,” he said.

“Incredible strength and size. Nice technique and smart movements. One goal to his name in the first half too. Very impressive, especially for being 19.”

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The teenager is already producing consistent end product and he is someone who could transform Wolves’ attack, with Jimenez not quite the player he used to be after his serious head injury.

That being said, the calibre of clubs also interested in signing Sesko means that Wanderers could find it tough to get their man, with those mentioned likely able to offer higher wages.

According to Sky Sports pundit Paul Robinson, Tottenham could allow Antonio Conte to sanction an exit for Sergio Reguilon this summer.

The Lowdown: Increasing speculation

It was confirmed by the club at the start of this month that the Spaniard – alongside team-mates Giovani Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Winks – had been omitted from the travelling squad for Spurs’ pre-season tour of South Korea, being dealt a blow even before the 2022/23 campaign gets underway.

Football Insider reported last week that the 25-year-old was in advanced talks with Sevilla over a potential season-long loan, further fuelling speculation that a Premier League exit was on the cards.

The Latest: Robinson’s support for Conte

Speaking to Football Insider, Robinson has backed Conte to take charge of his squad and get rid of players that he doesn’t want in the coming weeks, including Reguilon.

The former Spurs goalkeeper said of the Spaniard: “I think he’s a good player. I think he offered a lot going forward down that left-hand side.

“Listen, if a player has been left out of a pre-season tour for no other reason then he’s clearly not part of the manager’s plans. I’d be sad to see him go.

“It’s a case of allowing manager free rein. You can’t bring in a manager in at that level and not allow him a full overhaul of the squad if he sees fit.

“A manager has been brought in for a reason. I’ve said so many times, allow him freedom, allow him the time to do what he wants.

“You can’t just keep hold of players for the sake of it that he doesn’t want. If Reguilon is one that he doesn’t want and doesn’t see fit going forward then you have to trust the man in charge.

“He’s just a victim of circumstance and the manager in charge. You have to back Conte over a player. You’ve got [Ivan] Perisic so you would imagine Reguilon’s game time would be limited.”

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The Verdict: Writing is on the wall

Conte’s attacking formation requires the full-backs to bomb forward along the flanks, but as Robinson stated, the arrival of Perisic on the left wing could well push Reguilon even closer to the exit door than he already appeared to be.

The Madrid native only made 16 appearances under the Tottenham manager in the top flight last term, and after being left behind in N17 for pre-season, it just goes to show that the 52-year-old doesn’t see him playing any real part in his starting XI over the coming months.

It’s believed that Spurs have put a €30m (£25.7m) price tag on Reguilon’s head, so they could be wish to cash in and use his transfer fee to generate funds to put towards any further incomings before the end of the summer.

Italian football journalist and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has now dropped an exciting Arsenal claim on Youri Tielemans.

The Lowdown: Offer expected

As per The Sun, the Gunners have now stepped up their interest in signing the 25-year-old and are ready to make a firm offer for the Leicester City midfielder.

It is claimed that the north Londoners are confident of sealing a £30m deal, despite facing competition from both Newcastle United and Manchester United for his signature.

The Latest: Romano’s claim on Tielemans

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Romano has now claimed that, ‘in the coming days or weeks’, Mikel Arteta’s side could decide what they want to do for Tielemans.

The Italian outlined: “There is still no proposal, so maybe they will go step by step in the market and decide in the coming days or weeks what they want to do for Tielemans.”

The Verdict: Exciting

It is certainly exciting to hear that the Tielemans saga could be concluded soon, and it seems as if Arsenal could get their man if they play their cards right.

They seem to be the only club readying an offer for the Belgium international, and they have reportedly already agreed personal terms with the 25-year-old.

Hailed as a ‘top class player’ by none other than four-time Premier League title-winner and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, Tielemans ranked as the Foxes’ sixth-best performer in the top flight last season, racking up six goals, four assists and three man-of-the-match awards (WhoScored).

It would be ideal for the Gunners to get this deal over the line before the new campaign starts in four weeks’ time.

Leeds United are reportedly looking to tie down Crysencio Summerville down to a new deal at the Yorkshire club this summer.

What’s the news?

In a recent Twitter post, journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano had this to say about the current situation regarding the winger and his immediate future at Elland Road.

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He said: “Nottingham Forest and AZ Alkmaar are interested in Crysencio Summerville with many clubs exploring this possibility, but Leeds are busy trying to keep the player at Elland Road by extending his contract. Negotiations ongoing to decide his future as soon as possible.” 

Back in September 2020, the Yorkshire club signed Summerville from Feyenoord’s U19 side. Since then, the 20-year-old has gone on to make 27 appearances for the Whites’ U23 side, scoring 13 goals and delivering eight assists in the process.

The winger has also appeared nine times for the Whites’ first team but has yet to find himself on the scoresheet or delivering an assist for any of his teammates.

All of those senior appearances came during the most recent campaign, with six of them coming in the Premier League, the latest of which came during their 3-0 win over Watford.

In those six appearances, the Dutchman managed to complete 50 passes, recover 16 loose balls, deliver four crosses, make five interceptions and win four tackles.

Leeds fans will be delighted

Even though Summerville has not become a regular figure in the first team as yet, nor has he managed to deliver a goal contribution, the fact that these two clubs that Romano mentions are after him shows how highly thought of the 20-year-old is.

Also, with Leeds looking to keep the player where he is for the foreseeable future, this demonstrates just how much they value him.

This would surely be music to the ears of a lot of Leeds fans that may feel the youngster has what it takes to become an important senior player in the team.

Moving forward, should the winger put pen to paper on a new deal at Elland Road and the club decides to not loan him out, their upcoming pre-season period could be vital for the player and his chances to impress Jesse Marsch and show that he has what it takes to be a useful squad option.

AND in other news: “Leeds are monitoring..”: Romano drops big transfer update, it’s great news for Marsch

Crystal Palace want to sign Conor Gallagher on a permanent deal from Chelsea this summer after his loan spell at Selhurst Park was a major success.

What’s the word?

That’s according to journalist Dean Jones writing for GIVEMESPORT, who claimed that Palace will be remaining in touch with Gallagher over the summer with manager Patrick Vieira in no doubt about wanting him back at the club. It’s said he would be a dream signing for The Eagles.

However, he could get a chance to prove himself at Chelsea, with manager Thomas Tuchel recently confirming that the player will join up with the squad for pre-season where a decision on his future will then be made.

Vieira needs him

Gallagher is vital to Palace’s progression, and his contribution to the team will be hard for Vieira to replace if they can’t land him on a permanent deal.

Of course there is the possibility of another loan, but the player is likely going to want to leave Chelsea permanently if he isn’t guaranteed game time at Stamford Bridge.

If that happens you would fancy Palace to be his first choice, however other clubs will be in the race, with recent reports saying that Everton are interested in the player. For Chelsea, it may be a case of whoever is willing to pay the most.

He is rated at £22.5m, but given his impressive performances over the past season, it wouldn’t be surprising if his parent club want more.

In 39 appearances for The Eagles he had 13 direct goal contributions, scoring the second most in the team, after Wilfried Zaha.

His overall statistics are impressive. When you compare him to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year, he ranks in the top 1o% for goal creating actions.

The England international has been described as a “gem” by podcaster Reev who thinks he should be “on the plane to Qatar”.

The 22-year-old also has an incredible work rate. When compared against the same group he ranks in the top 3% for pressures in the attacking third and top 6% for tackles in the attacking third.

With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise that another podcaster in the form of Dan Cook described him as “outrageous”.

If he’s producing numbers on those levels right now, just imagine how good he can become as he develops. Wherever he ends up playing he will be a huge asset to the team.

Palace and Vieira will be hoping he stays with them and helps improve on their solid 12th place finish.

IN other news: Contact made: Vieira now plots CPFC move for £27m-rated gem, he’s a “tackling machine”…

Rangers’ swashbuckling Europa League campaign came to a heart-breaking end last night as they lost to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties in Seville.

Joe Aribo put Van Bronckhorst’s side ahead after 57 minutes only for Frankfurt to equalise 12 minutes later.

After 90 minutes followed by extra time, the scoreline stayed the same, leading to the penalty shootout which the German side conquered and ultimately won the trophy.

Despite the valiant efforts from van Bronckhorst’s players, one figure, in particular, failed to show up and deliver when it really mattered and let his manager down as a result.

Starting on the right-wing, 24-year-old Scott Wright failed to deliver the sort of performance that is required to win a top European final.

With just 24 touches of the ball and 11 passes made, the winger ended up having fewer touches than Gers goalkeeper Allan McGregor (51).

In those 24 touches, the Scotsman barely had any attacking or defensive input on the game before he was taken off by Van Bronckhorst at the 74th-minute mark to be replaced by Fashion Sakala.

From an attacking point of view, the winger failed to register even one shot at goal as well as failing to make one cross or successful dribble attempt.

In a defensive regard, as well as not making even one tackle or interception in addition to only winning 33% of the duels he was involved in, he arguably could have done more to prevent the cross coming in that led to Frankfurt’s goal.

This display ultimately earned Wright an underwhelming overall match rating of 6.5/10 from SofaScore, making him the lowest-rated Rangers player that started the game.

Sky Sports also picked up on his disappointing performance by saying that he “didn’t overly trouble the Frankfurt defence,” as well as saying that he “had to do better to stop the cross for the equaliser.”

Taking all of this into account, while the blame for the defeat should not solely be laid at Wright’s feet, everyone connected to the club would have undoubtedly been hoping that he could have had more of an impact during his time on the pitch.

With the Ibrox side now having just one more chance to get their hands on some silverware this season when they take on Hearts in the final of the Scottish Cup on Saturday, a big question will have now emerged over whether the Rangers boss decides to start Wright again or not.

In other news: Forget Aribo: “Astonishing” 93-touch Rangers gem who “eats up ground” was the standout

Arsenal are very much a club on the up at present, with Mikel Arteta having enjoyed an incredibly successful transfer window over the summer, adding the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos to his first team squad, as well as moving a number of the Gunners’ deadwood onto pastures new – be that on a temporary or permanent basis.

This hard work in the off-season has seen the north London side start the 2022/23 Premier League campaign in emphatic fashion, with the Spaniard’s side currently sitting at the top of the league table – having won six and lost one of their opening seven fixtures of the season, scoring 17 goals and conceding just seven in the process.

Indeed, the £45m acquisition of Jesus looks to have been a particularly wise move by the 40-year-old manager, with the 25-year-old centre-forward having already scored four goals, registered three assists and created three big chances over his seven Premier League fixtures this season, as well as taking an average of 3.4 shots, making 1.9 key passes and completing 2.6 dribbles per game.

These returns have seen the former Manchester City striker average a simply sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.34, not only ranking him as Arsenal’s second-best performer in the league but also as the joint 21st-best player in the division as a whole – a quite remarkable feat considering the Brazilian has only been at the club for a little over two months.

And, considering his devastating start to life in north London, there is one former Arsenal signing who would arguably have been the perfect addition to Jesus in Arteta’s attacking arsenal at The Emirates Stadium – Thierry Henry.

Indeed, Arsene Wenger’s £11m signing from Juventus back in August of 1999 is already a deal written into the history of the Gunners, with Henry ultimately going on to become one of the greatest forwards the Premier League has ever seen – scoring a quite astonishing 228 goals and providing 103 assists over his 376 appearances for the club.

Aside from his evident ability in the final third and desire to create opportunities for his teammates, the Frenchman’s composure in possession, his raw pace when running at defenders and his Brazilian-esque trickery on the ball are all traits that could easily be attributed to the Gunners’ current attacking star.

Furthermore, with both players being able to operate on the left-wing, a partnership of Henry and Jesus in Arsenal’s front three would have allowed Arteta to rotate the two players as and when he felt it was required – something that would wreak havoc for centre-backs and full-backs of the Gunners’ opponents.

As such, the argument that Henry’s addition would be perfect for Arteta’s current Arsenal side is an extremely easy one to make, as the 45-year-old’s undoubted ability going forwards would very much appear to be the icing on the Spaniard’s already incredibly tantalising attacking cake.