Manchester United have already made contact with a “special” manager to possibly replace Erik ten Hag this summer, according to an update from one journalist.
Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd future
The Red Devils recorded a much-needed FA Cup victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening to set up a mouth-watering quarterfinal clash at Old Trafford against rivals Liverpool. The competition is United’s last chance of silverware in what has been a disappointing second season under Ten Hag, who has lost 15 games in 2023/24.
Man Utd have made approach for £26m Spurs target who Jose Mourinho loves
He recently scored his first-ever goal in remarkable fashion.
By
David Comerford
Feb 27, 2024
Finishing in the top four of the Premier League is still possible, however, it took a blow on the weekend following a late defeat to Fulham, which has resulted in plenty of speculation over Ten Hag’s future.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is already making wholesale changes off the pitch at Old Trafford and there have been rumours of a managerial switch in the coming months, with the new investor "not completely sold" on Ten Hag, according to The Manchester Evening News.
Zinedine Zidane and Julian Nagelsmann are thought to be options alongside Brighton & Hove Albion’s Roberto de Zerbi and Bayern Munich’s Thomas Tuchel, however, another name is now emerging.
Man Utd have already contacted Antonio Conte
According to journalist Rudy Galetti on Wednesday, Man United appear to have a three-man shortlist to possibly replace Ten Hag at the end of the season. Tuchel and De Zerbi are mentioned alongside former Tottenham manager Antonio Conte, with contact already made in recent months.
Conte has been out of work for almost 12 months now after leaving Spurs. The Italian, who plays a 3-4-3 system, was hailed by a number of Tottenham players during his time in north London, with midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg saying:
“Antonio is a special coach, with a special way of doing things, with a very high level of performing. There is always a time of adaptation, a time of understanding the sports side and also the personal side, and everything is coming together well.”
Meanwhile, defender Eric Dier said: “It’s special. When he talks to you, you can tell straight away his passion for football and intensity. The way he feels, you can’t help but feed off it, it’s energising. Every time he speaks, there’s such intent in it.”
This isn’t the first time Conte has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, though, with the manager an option for the Red Devils before appointing Ralf Rangnick back in 2021. Gary Neville didn’t think Conte was the right fit for United back then, so it would be interesting to see his view on a possible move now, should Ten Hag depart.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are currently competing with rivals Arsenal and Manchester City to secure their second title of the Premier League era. The Reds, who have won the top-flight and the Champions League under the German boss, have established themselves as regular competitors for major trophies in recent times. Exceptional recruitment has underpinned their success on the pitch, as the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alisson, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino, among many others, were all brought in to play key roles for the English giants.
Carabao Cup winner Virgil van Dijk.
Prior to Klopp's arrival in 2015, Liverpool did not always have the best success rate when it came to bringing in new big-money signings to bolster the squad. One addition that turned out to be a poor piece of business was the move to bring Serbian winger Lazar Markovic to the club – for more than they paid for Philippe Coutinho in 2013 – in the summer of 2014.
The fee Liverpool paid for Lazar Markovic
The Reds swooped to sign the forward from Portuguese giants Benfica for a reported fee of £20m on a long-term contract ahead of the 2014/15 campaign. 20 at the time, Markovic arrived off the back of a strong season in Portugal given his young age. He had racked up seven goals and five assists in 49 appearances in all competitions, which included five goals and five assists in 26 league matches. Then-manager Brendan Rodgers provided the young whiz with plenty of opportunities to impress throughout the 2014/15 campaign, as the Serbian attacker played 19 times in the Premier League, and started 11 of those games.
Lazar Markovic
In those 19 appearances, the £20m signing produced just two goals and one assist for Liverpool. He also produced one goal and zero assists in 15 outings across the domestic and European cup competitions. This meant that the former Benfica star ended his first season in England with just three goals and one assist in 34 outings for the Reds under Rodgers, which was a return of one goal or assist every 8.5 clashes on average. His lacklustre level of production in the final third throughout the 2014/15 campaign for the Northern Irish head coach resulted in him being sent out on loan to several different clubs before Liverpool allowed him to join Fulham on a free transfer in January 2019.
How much Lazar Markovic rinsed Liverpool for
Per Capology, Markovic earned roughly £3.8m-per-season during his time at Anfield. However, his loan spells meant that the Reds only paid that in full for around 18 months. They shelled out £3.8m to him for the 2014/15 season and then roughly £1.9m during the first half of the 2016/17 campaign before Hull City took on his wages for the second half of that term. It is unclear exactly how much Sporting, Fenerbahce, and Anderlecht contributed to his wages during his time at those clubs on loan before his exit in 2019.
Lazar Markovic
This means that FSG rinsed £25.7m down the drain on Markovic as he earned a minimum of £5.7m in wages on top of the £20m fee that was paid to Benfica to secure his signature. There was little evidence from his loan moves to suggest that he deserved a chance to redeem himself at Liverpool, as the attacker failed to score more than two league goals for Hull, Sporting, Fenerbahce, or Anderlecht.
His poor form in front of goal across those various loan spells also meant that the Reds had little chance of being able to recoup any of the £25.7m they wasted on him, which is why they ultimately allowed him to join the Cottagers on a free transfer. This meant that the Premier League giants did not offset any of the money spent on the forward by bringing in money for his services, as they let him go for nothing. Since then, Markovic has spent the majority of his time in Serbia – with Partizan – and Turkey – with his current club Gaziantep. He has produced two goals and four assists in 25 Super Lig appearances so far this season. The Serbia international playing in Turkey – outside of Europe's five major leagues – at the age of 30 illustrates how far his stock has fallen since being signed for £20m as a promising youngster in 2014. It also highlights how it is not always about how much you spend, particularly when you compare it to the signing of Coutinho the previous year.
How much Liverpool paid to sign Philippe Coutinho
The Reds decided to swoop for the Brazilian magician in January of 2013 to bolster their attacking options. They reportedly spent just £8.5m to sign the young whiz from Inter, who was also of interest to fellow Premier League side Southampton. Liverpool, therefore, splashed out £11.5m less in transfer fees to sign Coutinho than they did when they moved for Markovic from Benfica 18 months later.
Philippe Coutinho
It is fair to say that the Merseyside-based outfit got far more value for money out of the former Serie A starlet than they did the Serbian winger. The Brazil international went on to rack up 201 appearances for the Reds in all competitions, and produced 54 goals and 47 assists from an attacking midfield or wide position.
Philippe Coutinho's Liverpool career
Premier League season
Appearances
Goals
Assists
2012/13
13
3
7
2013/14
33
5
7
2014/15
35
5
5
2015/16
26
8
5
2016/17
31
13
7
2017/18
14
7
6
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, Coutinho provided a threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals, and his best full campaign came during the 2016/17 term with 20 direct goal contributions in 31 outings in the Premier League. His sublime form on the pitch also allowed Liverpool to make a gargantuan profit on the silky wizard as they sold him to Barcelona for a mouth-watering £146m in January 2018. This meant that the Reds sold him for £137.5m more than they paid for him five years earlier, which illustrates how successful the signing was for the Reds. Compare that to Markovic, who left for £0 after being signed for £20m, and you can see that the Serbia international rinsed FSG during his time in England, given how little he contributed – financially and on the pitch – in comparison to Coutinho.
James Bracey hit an unbeaten century as Gloucestershire pulled off a thrilling run chase to beat Derbyshire by eight wickets and boost their promotion hopes.Bracey scored 116 not out, skipper Chris Dent made 62 and Gareth Roderick 48 from 34 balls as they overhauled a target of 263 from 49 overs to move to second in Division Two.Derbyshire had declared on 481 for 6 with Tom Lace scoring 125 but Gloucestershire timed their chase to perfection to all but end the home side’s slim promotion ambitions.All results were possible at the start of day four with Derbyshire 86 ahead with seven wickets intact and needing to strike a balance where they could get in a position to try and win the game without losing early wickets.Gloucestershire’s bowlers had toiled with little reward for much of the previous day and it was another fruitless morning for them as Lace and Leus du Plooy accumulated steadily on a pitch that was still a good one for batting.The closest they came to breaking the stand before lunch came 50 minutes into the morning when Lace on 82 survived a hard, low chance to cover but that was a rare blemish in what was another impressive innings from the on-loan Middlesex batsman. The 21-year-old had already scored centuries at Swansea and Kidderminster this season and his first at Derby came from 195 balls, reinforcing the impression that he is a player to watch.Derbyshire’s need to press on after lunch resulted in him edging a swing at Ben Allison and du Plooy drove Tom Smith to mid off as the home side trod on the accelerator.Harvey Hosein lofted Allison for three fours in an over and Ravi Rampaul hit two big sixes before the declaration came, challenging Gloucestershire to make their highest successful run chase against Derbyshire.Dent and Bracey took no risks in the 12 overs up to tea, although Bracey survived a fierce chance on 21 to Lace who injured his left hand and immediately left the field in considerable pain.Derbyshire went with spin from both ends after tea and Dent and Bracey raised the tempo with Dent driving Matt Critchley for six to reach 50.Gloucestershire went into the last 20 overs needing 143 but when Rampaul returned to the attack, Dent cut his second ball to point.Bracey kept his side in the hunt with some improvised strokes and Gareth Roderick swept Critchley for six and reverse-swept two more fours to bring the target down to 60 from 10 overs.Roderick drove Critchley to long off in the 42nd over but Ryan Higgins swept the leg-spinner for six as Gloucestershire sealed a 23-point haul with 11 balls to spare.
Na noite do último sábado, o Botafogo empatou com o Volta Redonda por 2 a 2, no estádio Raulino de Oliveira, em partida válida pela nona rodada do Campeonato Carioca. O time entrou em campo com algumas mudanças em relação ao que enfrentou a Portuguesa, na oitava rodada. Dentre elas, foi a entrada do recém contratado Rafael Carioca, no lugar de Paulo Victor na lateral-esquerda. Em coletiva de imprensa, o técnico Marcelo Chamusca explicou o porquê da mudança.
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>Kalou fora: veja quem saiu e quem pode deixar o Botafogo
– O critério foi o mais natural de todos quando um treinador escolhe. O primeiro foi os treinamentos, em segundo o Rafael Carioca é um atleta que foi contratado, importante, tem muita experiência, jogou em bons clubes, é um jogador que tem um potencial.
Chamusca também destacou que o até então titular Paulo Victor, formado nas categorias de base do Botafogo, oscilou em algumas partidas. Além disso, ainda de acordo com Chamusca, a entrada de Rafael Carioca foi para dar ritmo ao atleta.
-O PV fez alguns bons jogos, oscilou em outros. É um jogador jovem ainda, com uma maturidade um pouco baixa, e optamos pelo Rafael Carioca, porque a gente entende que precisa colocar os jogadores em campo, precisa expor os jogadores, precisa dar ritmo para os jogadores. A ideia do Rafael foi justamente para a gente ritmar, principalmente, pensando no jogo da Copa do Brasil. Precisamos, pouco a pouco, ir inserindo, é isso que a gente vem fazendo.
>Kanu fala sobre a possibilidade de classificação: ‘Difícil, mas não impossível’
O treinador do Botafogo também lembrou que o lateral teve a missão de marcar Alef Manga, o artilheiro da competição. De acordo com Chamusca, Rafael Carioca conseguiu fazer um bom jogo.Sobre o lance do segundo gol do Volta Redonda, o técnico não falou sobre falha de Carioca. Na visão dele, houve, na verdade, uma falha coletiva.
– O Carioca marcou um jogador muito difícil que é o Alef Manga, vem fazendo um campeonato muito bom, e acho que ele conseguiu, de forma consistente, fazer um bom jogo. O lance que originou o segundo foi, na verdade, uma falha coletiva. O critério foi esse: o Carioca vinha treinando muito bem, é um jogador experiente, que a gente pretende contar para a sequência da competição.
Meanwhile, South Africa slumped to their third straight loss in the World Cup
The Report by Alagappan Muthu05-Jun-2019 As it happenedWhoooooooosh.That’s the sound of ball beating bat. South Africa were not in control of nine of the first 12 balls that Jasprit Bumrah bowled.Crrrraaaccckkkkkk.That’s the sound of ball hitting bat. And breaking it. Kagiso Rabada made sure the entire world could hear it. But outside of that match-up, South Africa really had nothing to offer India.They’d lost Dale Steyn. They don’t know when Lungi Ngidi will be fit again. And they can’t ask AB de Villiers to come back. Meanwhile, the other team had the world’s best batsman, one of the bowlers of this generation, and two highly-skilled wristspinners. Essentially, this game was like an Angry Bird fighting Thanos.The impression hit home even further when Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav worked in tandem. From 78 for 2, it was quickly 89 for 5 as the revolutions those two put on the ball produced dip, drift and sheer magic.ESPNcricinfo LtdRassie van der Dussen tried to reverse sweep his way out of trouble and was bowled. JP Duminy figured he might read the turn better if he played off the back foot. Out lbw. Even their captain, Faf du Plessis, couldn’t keep a slider from crashing into his stumps.South Africa were on a recovery mission from that point on and though Chris Morris did rather well in the final overs, walloping 42 off 34 balls, the early damage was just too much. That is why Bumrah was the biggest influence in this game and watching him was a pleasure.The fast bowler’s glare tends to go down in history. But it’s even cooler when they smirk. It’s almost as if they’re telling the batsmen, “heh, is it that easy to beat you?”Bumrah’s upper lip curled several times in his first over on World Cup debut. He had Quinton de Kock – a legitimate contender for Man of the Series in this tournament – looking like a cardboard cut-out. Everything zipped past the edge and each time, the bowler just smirked. Each time, all he did was smirk. WATCH – Highlights of Chahal’s magical spell on Hotstar (India only)A wicket looked around the corner, except it was Hashim Amla who fell, caught at first slip, off the first ball he faced from Bumrah. Du Plessis walked in with four catchers behind him.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe level of cricket at this World Cup is also a function of the pitches being rolled out (and maybe the 10.30am starts as well). Groundsmen all across England have been good enough to leave a little grass on the pitches – it was uneven in Southampton, resulting in uneven bounce – and that’s made the contest between bat and ball all the more compelling. So making runs here mattered. It signalled that you had the bottle to succeed. And Rohit Sharma showed plenty.A few of his 122 runs came off mis-hits. He was even dropped on 1 when Rabada was in the middle of a scary good spell. But then, in the eighth over, he hit a glorious pull shot and never looked back. Braving through very difficult spells of fast bowling is a part of his game that doesn’t get enough credit.”Couldn’t play my natural game,” Rohit said at the presentation. “You have to play out and see what the ball was doing and take your time to play those shots. Certain shots that I love to play, I had to cut it down and make sure I play close to the body and make sure I leave as many balls as possible in the initial spell. Those are the basics that you had to do on a pitch like that and that’s what I was trying to do.”Sticking to that gameplan meant he was there to help India recover from a poor start (They lost Shikhar Dhawan for 8). He was there when South Africa got rid of Virat Kohli thanks to a perfectly executed plan (consistently bowl back of a length and along the line of fifth stump). And he was still there when the winning runs were hit (Hardik Pandya putting the final flourish with a violent cut shot). You can’t ask more of an opener.South Africa, meanwhile, have a lot to think about. They’ve lost all three of their matches at this World Cup, and although the format allows for a slow start, the team is short on resources and practically bereft of confidence.Rabada was the only one trying to make things happen. Nine of his first 18 deliveries made the batsman lose control. “Come oooonnnn!” he’d screamed watching the Rohit catch go down, fists clenched, head slanted upwards, a vision of pure anger. He used that emotion to fuel his performance, harassing the Indian batsmen with his pace, bounce and laser-like accuracy.But the problem was, even when he generated those wicket-taking opportunities, his team-mates kept messing it up. Rabada fooled Rohit on 107 as well only for David Miller to drop an absolute dolly at cover. And that basically summed up South Africa. One captivating genius. Ten others struggling to keep up.
Scorecards blow away on the skittish river-borne breeze; spectators fill the temporary stands early and arrange their belongings with temporary neatness; uniformed staff scurry hither and yon; familiar players gaze suspiciously at unfamiliar earth; early fours are appreciated more than is usual; it all feels as though a village fete has been opened; even John Gwynne, the public address announcer, is cracking jokes; beyond the Beechwood Road boundary, Larkin’s castles thresh riotously; Aigburth is a place of chill winds and warm hearts; of tents and enthusiasm; of outground cricket.Yet it is also a place where 250 can be a competitive total. For every Beckenham there are three other outgrounds where the newish ball will nip around like an enraged terrier. It takes a rather special batsman to make light of such conditions but Liam Livingstone’s cricket has always scorned categorization. Perhaps, therefore, it was well-suited to the hazards of this morning; and perhaps the surprise of this afternoon’s play should not have surprised us at all.For Livingstone’s first century since August 2017 was filled with the type of shots hardly anyone else in England can replicate and by the time his attempted drive off Neil Dexter’s medium pace skied a catch to Mark Cosgrove at mid-on Lancashire’s score was 264 for 6. By the close, the quiet enterprise of Josh Bohannon and Tom Bailey had taken their team to within one good hit of four batting bonus points. Four hours earlier they had been 128 for 5.As ever with Livingstone, there had been risk as the bat described unlikely arcs and the Barrovian played shots beyond fantasy. Arriving in the middle with his side on 46 for two, he played a fur-coat-and-no-knickers drive to his second ball before threading his third to the backward point boundary. Next over there was that rare outground event, an all-run four, although since the ball was chased by mighty Cosgrove who had to dive to stop it, some thought four runs to be conservative: a bid of one spade when three diamonds were possible.Eventually Livingstone replaced his more exotic strokes with relative orthodoxy and his patience in waiting for the ball to hit was a particular feature of his innings. The fall of wickets encouraged daring but not recklessness. After all, Lancashire had lost Keaton Jennings to the third ball of the morning when nothing but the momentum of a forward defensive shot dragged him out of his ground and he was run out by Hassan Azad’s eye-deceiving pick-up and throw from short leg. Haseeb Hameed and Jake Lehmann then put on 46 in next door to a run a minute until both fell to Dieter Klein who had replaced Mohammad Abbas at the River End. Lehmann played a skew-whiff shot to a ball which kept low but Hameed was beaten by one which nipped off the pitch and took the edge en route to Harry Swindells. This was a particular shame given that the opener had looked in good touch for his 30 runs.Just before lunch Abbas drew Rob Jones forward and Swindells once again did the needful. Lancashire took their lunch on 102 for four and Dane Vilas’s flurry of boundaries on the resumption was followed by his dismissal for 34 in similar fashion to that of Jones. Steven Croft, ever the man for a tough battle in dark times, joined Vilas. Gradually they changed the shape of the day and, who knows, the match. Whenever Livingstone attacked he did so without restraint; whenever he defended, the stroke had an almost scholarly attention to detail. His slapped four off Dexter had the air of a man who wanted to punish the ball for some misdemeanour or other. His defence against Abbas, who was, with Klein, Leicestershire’s main threat, had something of Threadneedle Street about it.Inevitably with Livingstone, there were eccentric moments; the lad’s from Barrow and it goes with his territory. When a ball slipped from Klein’s grip and became a slow, looping beamer, Livingstone played an overhead smash of which Rafael Nadal might have been proud. Nonetheless, Livingstone reached his fifty off 106 balls which reflected something of his patience. However after Callum Parkinson dropped him on 71 – it was a horrid skier off Ackermann -Lancashire’s former skipper exacted punishment on both participants, first by slog-sweeping Ackermann for a gigantic six and then by driving Parkinson for another. He was 96 not out when Parkinson bowled the last two balls before tea. Livingstone defended the both with exaggerated orthodoxy. He might have been winking to the crowd.Livingstone reached his hundred immediately after the resumption and had extended his partnership with Croft to 136 when he was dismissed by Dexter. By then the ball was old and the day was ageing, too. The balance of affairs had shifted and they had done so because a 25-year-old with great potential had taken the match into his own hands. Steven Croft batted well, too, but there were times when he did not so much play second fiddle to his partner as turn his sheet music.To ask Livingstone to eliminate risk from his cricket is to ask him to be somebody else. It is unfair to delight in the shots he plays and then berate him for irresponsibility. Bohannon and Bailey’s unbroken 64-run stand was only possible because Livingstone had reshaped the day’s cricket. So much was recognised by the crowd in the stands even as they kept in touch with the World Cup and prepared to leave a sunlit Aigburth.
Top of the Premier League with a semi-final tie in the Carabao Cup awaiting, as well as the next round of the FA Cup and Europa League, things can't get much better for Liverpool right now. Jurgen Klopp has got his side back to their ruthless best, as highlighted for all to see in their 2-0 victory against Arsenal in the FA Cup last time out. Even without Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, the Reds battled past their title rivals to advance.
20
13
6
1
45
25
20
13
3
4
42
16
19
12
4
3
40
24
20
12
4
4
40
17
From failing to qualify for the Champions League last season, Liverpool have taken an instant seat back among Europe's elite in the current campaign, and that could go a long way in signing one particular summer target.
Liverpool transfer news
When they missed out on Moises Caicedo before turning to the relatively unknown name of Wataru Endo, it was easy to worry about Liverpool, especially after a disastrous campaign last time out
Since swapping Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Fabinho and many others for Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, however, any fears that those at Anfield would be refined to top four contenders and just that have been put to bed.
Jeremie-Frimpong celebrates with Bayer Leverkusen.
According to Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider, Liverpool are now eyeing a move for Jeremie Frimpong, who has a £35m release clause available to trigger in the summer transfer window. The Merseyside club aren't the only side interested in the right-back though, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Aston Villa all also keen on adding Frimpong to their ranks, with the Gunners also willing to pay his release fee.
When the summer arrives, the Leverkusen star will certainly be one to keep an eye on, as one Premier League side potentially land the bargain of the window at just £35m.
Can Frimpong and Alexander-Arnold play together?
It feels somewhat inevitable that Trent Alexander-Arnold will step into midfield on a permanent basis for Liverpool at some stage in the near future. The academy graduate already plays in the role for England and often moves into the middle of the park whenever the Reds need that crucial creativity.
Before Klopp hands Alexander-Arnold the role on a permanent basis, however, he must find a right-back replacement. And as Frimpong's stats show, there aren't many better options than the former Celtic man when it comes to domestic league form this season.
Player
Goals
Assists
Progressive Carries
Progressive Passes
Key Passes
Jeremie Frimpong
5
6
89
28
28
Trent Alexander-Arnold
2
3
30
140
49
It's no surprise that Frimpong has earned such high praise already throughout his career, including during his time at Celtic from former boss Neil Lennon, via Glasgow Live: “He was brilliant for me. I saw him playing for Man City’s Under-21s at Lennoxtown and I really liked the look of him. It was great to see him in the flesh and it’s so much better than looking at Y Scout and watching videos. He came in and he just blew us all away with his pace and his quality – and his enthusiasm. He’s got a very infectious personality."
Tottenham Hotspur are approaching the end of the festive period with renewed optimism after a remarkable start to the 2023/24 campaign, with a five-match winless run halting a tentative claim for the Premier League title.
Nonetheless, Ange Postecoglou's injury-hit side have returned to form after a testing period, having amassed three successive victories to reclaim a spot in the top four ahead of champions Manchester City – who, albeit, have a game in hand.
Spurs could sign a "relentless" £50m star who's like a "Poch-era Dele Alli"
Ange Postecoglou would turn this Premier League star into an absolute monster.
ByAngus Sinclair Dec 25, 2023
With the January transfer window fast approaching, Spurs have a glorious opportunity to make some signings to bolster the ranks, with Postecoglou revealing earlier in December that strengthening the central defence would be the first port of call.
But the Australian has a vision, and with the attacking ranks also in need of attention, the 2024 summer transfer window could be one of much movement down at N17, with recent reports linking Tottenham to an exciting bid for Federico Chiesa.
Spurs transfer news – Federico Chiesa
According to Italian outlet Tutto Juve – as per Sport Witness – Tottenham are making moves behind the scenes to sign Chiesa from Serie A giants Juventus, with reports last month attributing Postecoglou's side with growing interest.
While a winter transfer is unlikely, the Old Lady are resigned to his eventual sale, given their financial problems and his contract expiring in 2025, and would entertain offers of €80m (£69m), with hopes that stellar showings at next year's European Championships would encourage offers.
Juventus forward Federico Chiesa.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United have also been named as suitors in recent months, so Spurs would be wise to press for a deal swiftly and secure an exciting new addition to Postecoglou's squad.
Federico Chiesa's style of play
Chiesa is an impressive, dynamic forward with an array of skills that would enhance Spurs' squad, having been called "world-class" by ex-footballer Alessandro Pierini in the past, though there are unavoidable concerns over his injury record.
In 2022, Chiesa suffered an ACL injury and missed a staggering 66 matches as he struggled to return to fitness, and while the 2022/23 campaign was indeed blighted by the problem, he did return to form at the end of the season, clinching four goal contributions across the final five games.
Federico Chiesa for Juventus
Described as a "wizard" by writer Roger Bennett, Chiesa has found success across a range of roles but has been utilised frequently as a sort of shadow striker this season, playing centrally and posting five goals and two assists across 13 starting appearances in the Italian top-flight.
As per Sofascore, the 44-cap Italy international has complemented his direct return by creating 1.5 key passes per game, also winning 56% of his contested duels to highlight his tenacity and defensive application.
Silky and inventive, Chiesa would add a dimension to Tottenham's team and continue the rise under Postecoglou's management, and while he's not the prolific centre-forward that is understood to be an area of attention for the club, his style and multi-positional effectiveness would be something worth welcoming to the fold.
Federico Chiesa: Most Similar PL Forwards
#
Player
Club
1
Bryan Mbeumo
Brentford
2
Cody Gakpo
Liverpool
3
Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal
*Sourced via FBref
His creativity could be the perfect asset to continue the dynamism of Spurs' side, ranking among the top 12% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 12% for progressive passes, the top 2% for progressive carries, the top 8% for successful take-ons and the top 7% for tackles per 90, as per FBref.
This approach would be a brilliant tool to augment the Tottenham squad, with Chiesa's creativity potentially blending sweetly with playmaker James Maddison's in a deeper-lying role, allowing the likes of Heung-min Son and Richarlison to succeed in their goalscoring escapades.
How Federico Chiesa compares to Heung-min Son
Given that Chiesa is a capable forward on top of his natural wide role, he could be lined up as the perfect successor to Son's place in the team, though the South Korean star will certainly not be going anywhere any time soon.
Aged 31, Son has been with Tottenham since signing from Bayer Leverkusen for £22m in 2015, having amassed 391 appearances, scoring 156 goals and supplying 84 assists.
Son might appear a jovial sort but on the pitch, he is a destructive, haunting foe for the opposition, once hailed by former Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo for his "killer" instinct, something that is evidenced by his league return of 11 goals and four assists from 18 matches this season.
Compared to forwards, Son ranks among the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 11% for pass completion, the top 10% for progressive passes, the top 11% for progressive carries and the top 19% for interceptions per 90.
Indeed, the £190k-per-week machine has also created nine big chances in the Premier League this season, with only Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold and Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier tallying more at present.
Revealing his admiration for the distinguished sharpshooter, Jurgen Klopp once said: “One of the big mistakes in my life was that I didn’t sign him. Outstanding player. World-class player and one of the best strikers in the world."
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While Son boasts a scoring streak to surpass the 26-year-old Chiesa's, the Juventus forward offers creativity in abundance and has demonstrated in the past his ability to get in amongst the goals himself.
Supported by the creative stars of Tottenham's side, in a free-flowing system that Postecgolou has drilled in, it really could be a match made in heaven.
In 2024, Spurs will likely move for a natural, goalscoring striker, but considering that Chiesa could be made available, his signature must be pursued to continue the rise and ensure that Tottenham have deadly options for years to come.
Son has big boots to fill, but if Chiesa can maintain fitness levels, then he boasts the skill to succeed the club legend.
A glorified warm-up on a sluggish deck did provide Joe Root with a welcome chance to find his groove
George Dobell at the 3Ws Oval15-Jan-2019England XI 317 for 10 (Root 87) v WI President’s XI ScorecardAs the scorecard took on an unusual look – it was 284 for 10 when Keaton Jennings came out for a second bat of the innings – you couldn’t help but wonder what Sir Frank Worrell and Sir Clyde Walcott might make of it.The graves of Worrell and Walcott overlook this attractive ground which bears their name – the final member of the Three Ws, Sir Everton Weekes, remains in fine fettle a month short of his 94th birthday – and remind of us a time when Caribbean cricket – Barbadian cricket, even – was the envy of the world. It remains incredible that this tiny island has produced so many great players.But times have changed. Tour games like this, once an eagerly awaited opportunity for regional sides to show their worth in front of keen local support, are now little more than glorified training sessions.And where once – not necessarily the days of the Three Ws, to be fair – Caribbean pitches were expected to provide pace and bounce, they are generally now sluggish and begrudging, offering more to spin than pace. West Indies are down at No. 8 in the Test rankings, too, just a point above Bangladesh.You wonder if these pitches are, in part, responsible. For while the Caribbean still produces impressive fast bowlers – in this match, the pace and skill of Miguel Cummins, Alzarri Joseph and Chemar Holder promises plenty for the future – it must be harder for batsmen to develop when they cannot trust the pace or the bounce in the surface. The last first-class game on this surface saw Jamiacia bowled out for 65 in the fourth innings with two spinners – Jomel Warrican and Nikita Miller – claiming 10-wicket hauls in the match. Even the Three Ws might struggle to thrive in such an environment.The one man who looked comfortable here was Joe Root. He may have struggled in the Big Bash – he managed a top score of 26 in seven innings – and he may have fallen short of a century once more but, on this two-paced surface – Rory Burns described it as “tacky” – with its desperately slow outfield, this represented a fine effort.While none of his teammates even hinted at fluency, Root scored at a run a ball and produced a range of stroke that found gaps in the field. Twice he skipped down the pitch to loft sixes over the offspinner, Bryan Charles, while Holder, a 20-year-old fast bowler who could have a bright future, was cut – or guided – for three fours in an over when he dropped short. Many more times, he created runs with his movement in the crease, his quick wrists, turning balls into gaps. He never seemed to hurry, but he scored almost double the pace of his colleagues.The other top-order batsmen to impress were Rory Burns and Ben Stokes. While neither were fluent, they demonstrated patience and technique in each resisting for over two hours. And if Burns may be frustrated with his dismissal, playing across a straight one, he could be consoled by the disciplined manner he negated this deserving new-ball attack.The dangers of trying to force the pace on such a surface were demonstrated by Jonny Bairstow. Having survived several nervous moments before getting off the mark – he eventually did so with a thick outside edge as he pushed at one off the back foot – he was frustrated into a furious, footless drive that resulted in an edge to the keeper.Impatience was responsible for several of the other wickets. Stokes, who was admirably patient until reaching his 87-ball 50, and Moeen both fell trying to drag short balls into the leg side – Charles was somewhat flattered by his bowling figures though he improved as the day wore on – while Root top-edged a sweep. Jennings had earlier popped a bat-pad catch up to short-leg off his inside edge while at the other end of the day Sam Curran fenced at a short one, Ben Foakes was brilliantly taken by Jahmar Hamilton, who looks a good quality keeper, after edging one that left him, while Jack Leach edged a decent offbreak.While some spectators were disappointed by the nature of the contest, it is the way of the modern world and its unrelenting schedules. As things stand, it appears England will play the top seven that is playing here with the addition of Jos Buttler forcing Moeen Ali down to No. 8. And, with the Barbados pitch expected – maybe ‘hoped’ would be the more appropriate word – to provide some life for seamers, England look likely to play at least three fast bowlers (James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Stokes) with the final selection coming down to a choice between the left-arm swing of Curran or the left-arm spin of Leach. The fact that Duke’s balls are to be used may help Curran.That means Chris Woakes, Olly Stone, Joe Denly and Adil Rashid could be set for a frustrating tour. Woakes did provide a reminder of his value with a typically effective innings late in the day, though, and much could happen in the three days of warm-up cricket that is to follow. England will also bat first in the second warm-up match starting here on Thursday to ensure they don’t spend 180 overs in succession in the field.
Arsenal star Leah Williamson has celebrated the release of her second Lionesses-inspired book, 'The Wonder Team and the Pharaoh's Fortune'.
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Williamson signs book deal with Macmillan
Launches 'The Wonder Team' series
England star unveils second book with cousin
WHAT HAPPENED?
Gunners defender has co-authored several books to date. In 2023, she and journalist Suzanne Wrack wrote 'You Have The Power: Find Your Strength and Believe You can' – a positive guide for empowering young girls. Then with cousin Jordan Glover, she signed a three-book deal with Macmillan Children's Books called 'The Wonder Team and the Forgotten Footballers'. Now, the captain of England's Euro-winning side has launched the second book in this time-travelling series.
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WHAT LEAH WILLIAMSON SAID
Williamson posted a few photos from the book launch and wrote in the Instagram post: "Happy Publication Day!!🤩. The second in our series of The Wonder Team is out NOW!!🤭. I love this story and I LOVE doing this with you @jordanjoyceglover 📚🤍. Thank you @macmillankidsuk xxx"
THE BIGGER PICTURE
After nearly a year on the sidelines with an ACL injury, the 27-year-old is back playing football and is continuing her off-field pursuits as her star continues to rise. Williamson is proving to be a success on and off the pitch.
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WHAT NEXT?
Aside from book launches, centre-back Williamson is likely to feature for Jonas Eidevall's Arsenal side – who sit third in the table – when they take on Everton on Sunday afternoon in the Women's Super League.