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Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has savaged Selecao das Quinas' dismal performance in their Nations League quarterfinal first-leg loss to Denmark.

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Portugal lose 1-0 to Denmark in Nations LeagueMartinez opens up on the disappointing lossLabels it the 'worst performance in two years'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Portugal were in dismal form against Denmark on Thursday evening as the 2019 Nations League champions allowed the hosts to dominate in a 1-0 win. Diogo Costa's early game heroics kept Portugal in the game, however, the Danes were able to score late in the game as Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund placed Andreas Skov Olsen's cutback in the back of the net.

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It was another disappointing result for Portugal under Martinez as the Belgian coach also led the side to Euro 2024 despair last summer. However, Martinez has now claimed that Portugal's 1-0 loss against Denmark was the side's 'worst performance in two years'.

AFPWHAT MARTINEZ SAID

Speaking to the media, Martinez said: "Did the plan fail? I agree. It was our worst performance in the last two years. It's not a question of the plan. During the game, we didn't do what we had to do to play with the atmosphere and the aggressiveness that Denmark has. We needed games like this. There was a five-month break and we didn't come out with the intensity we needed. Denmark's pressure was very effective. It would have been very easy to play long balls and not try to improve as a team. We suffered at times and Diogo Costa gave us an opportunity to go into the second leg with confidence."

WHAT NEXT FOR PORTUGAL?

Martinez's side still have the opportunity to turn the tides in the tie when the two sides meet in the second leg on Sunday, March 23. The Belgian coach claims to have understood the reason for the loss and aims to have a good game in the second leg. He added: "Was there a lack of intensity? Yes. We didn't win the duels we needed to win, we didn't anticipate the areas where Denmark likes to play inside, to create numerical superiority in the central zone. There was a lot of loss of the ball, there was a lack of quick passing lines and that happens at the club every day, every game, then you work and improve. There was a lack of synchronisation. The attitude was fantastic, but our performance was not at the level we expected and the players are very focused on using the support of Alvalade to show what we can do."

The batting returns of Australia’s limited-overs captain have been in focus for much of the last 12 months

Andrew McGlashan20-May-2022Former Australia allrounder Shane Watson has put the spotlight back on Aaron Finch’s struggles with the bat saying that his poor form could make him a “liability” at the T20 World Cup later this year and he should not be assured of a place just because he is captain.Finch’s batting has been under microscope for much of the last 12 months and though he ended the Pakistan tour with a half-century in the one-off T20I, he endured an unconvincing IPL with Kolkata Knight where he made 86 runs in five innings – 58 of those coming in one knock.He battled with a knee injury during last year’s World Cup in the UAE where Australia won the title for the first time. He has constantly been given the backing of the hierarchy including new head coach Andrew McDonald and national selector George Bailey – with a lot of value put on his leadership – but Watson has warned it risks becoming a major problem later this year.”Unfortunately, right now, the way he’s batting and what I’ve seen during this IPL, he’s batting nowhere near his best,” Watson, an assistant coach with Delhi Capitals, told the . “Whatever is going on, the things he’s working on with his technique and mindset, it’s changed a lot from when he’s been at his best.”I believe if he’s not scoring runs in the lead up to the T20 World Cup, and it’s along similar lines to what we saw here for KKR, you can’t pick him. At the moment he’s so far out of touch, no matter how good your captaincy skills are, if he continues to bat the way he is, it would be a big liability, especially as an opener.”It’s such an important role to get the team off to a flying start. He’s been so incredibly good – I’ve batted with him when he got 150 against England at the Rose Bowl, he is a world-class batsman, an incredible short-form batsman – but just to see where his game is now it’s a fair way away from that. I believe it should be the team’s picked and then the captain gets picked from there, especially if you are a long way out of touch.”The latest endorsement of Finch from the Australia set-up came last month when the squads were announced for the tour of Sri Lanka which takes place next month. Australia are also set to have T20I series against New Zealand, India, West Indies and England before their title defence which starts on October 22.”I think his captaincy is really important, but there’s so much cricket between now and the World Cups that I’m just really confident that Finchy will get back into his groove,” Bailey said. “It’s one of those things, I don’t think you forge a reputation and the record that he has over such a long period of time to not know that there’s a hell of a lot of talent and skill and, as I said, he’s a really important player in that team, let alone the captaincy.”Another captaincy debate that has returned in recent weeks is that of David Warner’s lifetime ban from holding any leadership role within Australian cricket for his part in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal. A report in News Corp said that it was a situation that was likely to be reassessed again with a view to encouraging Warner to captain a BBL team in the latter stages of his career.Watson, who is also president of the Australian Cricketers’ Association, was very firm on his view that Warner should be allowed to captain four years after the incident in Cape Town.”This is my opinion, and I know it’s a big opinion within Australian cricket in certain parts, he’s served his time,” Watson said. “He was involved in a big mistake but he’s been severely punished in so many ways. The way they hung him out to dry and everything really came back on him, the financial impact that it had on him, and publicly, he’s been absolutely smashed across the board.”He’s done his time. Everyone makes mistakes. Some are more public than others, some are worse than others, but you are allowed to forgive. I think it’s absurd that he’s not allowed to captain a team, whether it’s a Big Bash team or an Australian team, if he’s the right person at the right time. Think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Liverpool have had a world-class strikeforce for the best part of a decade, but a common theme throughout has been the absence of an out-and-out midfield playmaker.

Oh sure, Phil Coutinho made a mockery of the Premier League during that snapshot period in 2017 when he sat behind Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Bobby Firmino, but then he forced his way out to Barcelona for a staggering £142m fee at that season’s midpoint, proving to be a watershed moment.

Matches (starts)

14 (13)

Goals

7

Assists

6

Pass completion

79%

Key passes*

2.9

Dribbles*

2.8

Tackles*

1.2

Total duels won*

5.6

Presently, Harvey Elliott pushes for a greater role in Slot’s squad, while the tireless Dominik Szoboszlai starts most weeks, but then he’s not really a playmaker, in the truest sense of the word.

Jurgen Klopp’s long reign was charged by a workhorse midfield, with the full-backs overlapping to create from wide and the aforementioned front three working in a beautiful tandem to dismantle defences.

But Slot is not Klopp, and while his system bears a certain semblance to his predecessor, some differences speak of the inclusion of a skilful playmaker from the middle, tasked with the express purpose of creating and influencing in the centre, adding a dimension to this already many-layered Liverpool side.

Liverpool eyeing another forward

This talk of a new dynamic ten is all down to surfacing reports that Liverpool have a vested interest in Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, who has been in dazzling form for the Ligue 1 side this season.

It feels very FSG to be pushing to add another talented forward to Liverpool’s chock-full ranks when other areas of the field clearly demand attention, but then who can blame them when Cherki is available for such a nominal fee?

As per French outlet Foot Mercato, Liverpool are pushing to sign Cherki, 21, in a stunning January transfer. The talented Frenchman is contracted until June 2026 and thus could be available for just €30m (£25m).

Paris Saint-Germain are also interested and there might be a certain allure to staying in your homeland with the division’s dominant outfit, but Liverpool are one of the best teams in Europe right now and playing within such a thriving attack could hold sway.

Sky Germany have previously revealed that a winter transfer cannot be ruled out, and so Liverpool may now be impelled to act on their intrigue and prevent any rivals from claiming one of the great young playmakers of the generation.

What Rayan Cherki would bring to Liverpool

Liverpool’s attack is chock-full indeed, and there’s a sold ring of truth behind arguments that transfer energy is better directed elsewhere, with the sole signing of the summer being the £12.5m arrival of Federico Chiesa from Juventus, whose impact has been minimal.

Mohamed Salah

23 (21)

16

13

Luis Diaz

22 (14)

9

3

Cody Gakpo

24 (13)

9

3

Diogo Jota

12 (9)

5

2

Darwin Nunez

21 (12)

4

3

Federico Chiesa

4 (1)

0

1

But Cherki wouldn’t quite fit into this bracket, instead veiled by a roving occupation that would see him work between the lines, flitting between attacking midfield and the wide area typically covered by Salah. He is not, however, the same as the Egyptian.

Lyon haven’t been brilliant this term but Cherki has been in fine fettle, posting five goals and seven assists across 17 matches in all competitions. However, it’s not really his output that earns him his stripes, but rather his quick-footed, skilful flair.

In fact, ex-Chelsea star Frank Lebouef has already hailed the prospect as “one of the best players already on earth” when talking about the player’s tricks and skills, and given that he’s stylistically similar to Cole Palmer, there’s perhaps something in that comment.

Palmer is a playmaker at his core, but then the Chelsea superstar has been transcendental in his performances and can’t really be defined through his positioning.

Only 22, Palmer is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s best players and has notched 57 goal contributions from 63 matches since leaving Manchester City for Chelsea in a £42.5m move.

An attacking midfielder with the artistic license to do what he wants, something those select few world-beaters are granted across the globe, Palmer is the Premier League’s poster boy, and Liverpool could now secure their own version in Cherki, with data-driven site FBref recording the pairing as statistically comparable players.

Goals

0.80

0.31

Assists

0.56

0.62

Shot-creating actions

5.91

7.28

Progressive passes

6.44

8.67

Progressive carries

3.86

4.80

Successful take-ons

1.66

4.39

Ball recoveries

3.27

5.37

It bears testament to Cherki’s athleticism and constancy in regard to his ball-playing output that he outstrips Palmer across a range of relevant metrics. Of course, he doesn’t have the same impudent disregard for goalkeepers quite yet, but keep working, keep working.

It bodes well for Cherki’s chances of succeeding in Slot’s Liverpool team though, for the Dutch tactician demands hard work and commitment to the cause, and the French ace is demonstrating qualities that seem tailor-made for that style.

Whether the midfielder slash right winger would be fit for purpose as Salah’s long-term successor is open to question at this point, but Liverpool would be wise to forge ahead and clinch his signature before other suitors steal ahead.

Who knows, perhaps Slot will fashion his own Palmer-type sensation from the mercurial talent.

He plays like Saka: Liverpool want to sign "monster" £57m Nunez upgrade

Liverpool might need to strengthen their frontline in 2025.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 19, 2024

Liam Delap has been told to be cautious when deciding his future amid reports the striker will leave Ipswich in the summer.

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Delap impressing for struggling IpswichExpected to move in summer transfer windowGiven advice by ex-striker HasselbainkFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 22-year-old has impressed in the Premier League this season, scoring 10 goals and netting two assists for the struggling Ipswich. Despite his efforts, the Tractor Boys are in danger of going down as they sit third bottom and nine points from safety.

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Delap is expected to be the subject of offers from bigger Premier League teams in the summer, even if Kieran McKenna's team stay up, but former Chelsea star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has suggested he should avoid top clubs in case he gets stuck on the bench.

WHAT HASSELBAINK SAID

"With Delap, I know big clubs are looking at him. Ipswich look like they are going down," he told SunSport. "He needs to stay in the Premier League. If he’s playing in a more established Premier League team, what can he deliver? It’s important that he plays. If he’s going to be second choice — if I’m his agent, I’d advise him not to go."

DID YOU KNOW?

Delap has been linked to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United this season and has been backed to succeed Harry Kane as England's first choice striker. The Under-21 international was allowed to train alongside the Bayern Munich striker as Thomas Tuchel's side prepared for the recent World Cup qualifying matches.

Captain hopes his team keeps the aggression going in home summer packed with Full-Member assignments

Deivarayan Muthu29-Jun-2022After a record 176-run stand between Deepak Hooda and Sanju Samson – the highest for any wicket for India in T20Is – propelled their side to 225, Ireland gave them an almighty scare, dragging the second T20I down to the last ball. Mark Adair, however, didn’t connect well enough and managed just a single, as Ireland fell five short of a famous victory in Malahide.Their captain Andy Balbirnie was proud of the effort from his players but said that the narrow margin of defeat was a “bitter pill to swallow”.”Yeah, we’re all [feeling] pretty good,” Balbirnie said at the post-match presentation. “It’s not every day you get that close against a team like India. We did a lot of good stuff with the bat. We said at the halfway stage there’s just one way we’re going to chase: go out and be expressive.Related

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Ireland confirm India, NZ, SA fixtures for 2022 home summer

“I think we did that but we’re bitterly disappointed when you come so close. It was a great game of cricket for everyone here. The crowd has been amazing [in] the last two games, but it’s certainly a bitter pill to swallow now.”In the opening game – a rain-hit 12-over shootout – Ireland fell behind in the powerplay, with both bat and ball. On Tuesday, the message from Balbirnie was to go hard with the bat in the early exchanges. Paul Stirling launched an audacious assault against Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the first over of the chase, cracking him for 6, 4 ,4, 4.Balbirnie, becalmed until the third over, got into the act himself, when he flicked and swatted Bhuvneshwar for a four and six. Although Stirling was bowled by a signature wrong ‘un by Ravi Bishnoi in the last over of the powerplay, Ireland racked up 73 – their third-highest powerplay score in T20Is. Such a start freed up the middle order even further.”Certainly make use of the powerplay,” Balbirnie said. “That’s a bit of a no-brainer. I thought Paul did that brilliantly. He went after Bhuvi in the first over and set the tone. I obviously took a bit more time to get going and eventually did. The opening partnership set the tone for the rest of the guys to come in and express themselves. I think they did that pretty well all the way down.”

“They played exceptional shots, and we were surprised. There’s no doubt about the quality of the Irish batters, and that was on show today.”India seamer Harshal Patel on Ireland giving them a scare

Harry Tector followed up his unbeaten 64 off 33 balls in the first T20I with 39 off 28 balls in the second. George Dockrell, who has remodelled himself into a batter, and Adair also played their shots as Ireland shellacked 14 sixes – the most by them in a T20I innings. Balbirnie said that this is the batting template he wants the team to emulate during their home summer, which also includes visits by three other Full Members – New Zealand, South Africa and Afghanistan – in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, which starts in October.”I think at the moment it [the feeling] is disappointment, but at the same time we’ve gone toe-to-toe with a really good team [India],” Balbirnie said. “We’ve put up a very good score, which on any other day will be a potentially winning score, but we have to take that confidence.”We play New Zealand next week in ODIs and T20s, and we have an exciting summer. We can’t let this be a flash in the pan. We have to make sure we keep improving, going out with the same mindset in T20 cricket.”India seamer Harshal Patel, who was among the bowlers targeted, conceded that Ireland’s attack caught the visitors by surprise.”Yeah, we were comfortable [at halftime], and most of the times when you get 225, you defend it,” Harshal said in a post-match interview. “But they came pretty close, played some really good shots. The wicket was an absolute belter, and the outfield was fast. But that’s what we pride ourselves on; we held our nerve and finished the game.”They played some exceptional shots, and we were sort of surprised by the way they batted today. There’s no doubt about the quality of the Irish batters, and that was on show today.”Ireland will face New Zealand in the first of three ODIs at the same venue on July 10. It will be a reunion of sorts for Ireland coach Heinrich Malan, who was part of New Zealand and Auckland Aces’ support staff before taking up the Ireland job.

It would be fair to say that this season has not exactly gone according to plan for Arsenal.

The Gunners came into the campaign hopeful of finally displacing Manchester City atop the Premier League, and while they’re five points clear of the defending champions, they’re also down in third and nine points off Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s side have still been relatively solid at the back this year but underwhelming in attack, especially off the left-hand side.

So, recent reports linking the club to an unreal left-winger who’d be an upgrade on Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli should come as no surprise.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal have maintained their interest in Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.

The Gunners’ desire to bring the young Spaniard to the Emirates over the summer was widely reported, and according to this story, the club consider him to be a target for next summer as well.

The article does not mention a potential price tag, but reports from earlier this month reaffirmed that the European Champion has a release clause in his current contract worth around £46m.

There will undoubtedly be other teams chasing Williams in the summer, but should Arsenal want to take another step forward and improve their left-hand side ahead of next season, then signing the Spaniard would be an excellent idea.

How Williams compares to Martinelli and Trossard

So, should Arsenal be able to beat the chasing pack and bring Williams to North London in the summer, he’d almost certainly come in as the new first-choice left-winger ahead of Martinelli and Trossard, but how does he compare to the Gunners’ current options?

Well, from a simple output perspective, from the start of last season, he has them beat, and it’s not particularly close.

For example, the Spanish “level-raiser,” as analyst Ben Mattinson dubbed him, has scored ten goals and provided 24 assists in just 60 appearances, which equates to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.76 games.

Appearances

37

46

44

Goals

8

17

8

Assists

19

2

5

Goal + Assists per Match

0.72

0.41

0.29

Appearances

23

25

24

Goals

2

4

5

Assists

5

3

2

Goal + Assists per Match

0.30

0.28

0.29

In contrast, the Belgian international has racked up a haul of 26 goal involvements in 71 appearances, and the Gunners’ Brazilian winger has a haul of just 20 in 68 appearances across the same period, meaning the pair are averaging a goal involvement every 2.73 and 3.4 games, respectively.

However, it’s not just his output that makes the 22-year-old such an exciting prospect, as his underlying numbers are just as impressive.

According to FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, the Pamplona-born dynamo sits in the top 7% of wingers for progressive carries and successful take-ons, the top 10% for progressive passes received and the top 21% for assists, all per 90.

In particular, the fact that he’s so adept at progressing the ball up the pitch and taking on opposing defenders should excite Arsenal fans, as that is the sort of left-winger they have been crying out for.

Ultimately, while Trossard and Martinelli are talented footballers who have been vital to Arsenal’s resurgence over the last couple of years, they aren’t on the same level as Williams, nor do they have the same potential.

Therefore, while it could be incredibly challenging, the club must do what they can to bring him to the Emirates in the summer.

Jesus upgrade: Arsenal lead race for "outstanding" £60m goal-machine

The prolific forward would be a game-changer for Arsenal.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 31, 2024

Real Madrid's star players Kylian Mbappe & Jude Bellingham admitted they were not good enough in their shock loss at home to Valencia on Saturday.

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Valencia beat Madrid 2-1Bellingham and Mbappe admit shortcomingsLos Blancos face Arsenal nextFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Both Mbappe and Bellingham took to social media accepting their need to improve on the pitch ahead of a big week. Los Blancos suffered a late, 2-1 defeat to Valencia to leave them four points behind league leaders and bitter rivals Barcelona. With the league seemingly slipping away, Madrid know that back-to-back success in the Champions League may represent their last chance of finishing the season with silverware.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALWHAT MBAPPE & BELLINGHAM SAID

Posting on their Instagram stories, Mbappe and Bellingham expressed their disappointment. The former said: "A bad day for us. Full focus on Tuesday."

Bellingham added on his own story: "Nowhere near good enough from us. Must change for Tuesday!"

THE BIGGER PICTURE

It is clear that Madrid’s trip to north London to take on Arsenal is at the forefront of their players’ minds. Similarly, the Gunners have had a mixed season, blighted by injuries, and also dropped points on the weekend against Everton. Champions League glory is almost certainly the only avenue for success this season and, taking on Madrid for the first time since a 1-0 aggregate victory in 2006, Arsenal will be determined to show they can match the level of the defending champions.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Arsenal will play the first leg at home before the sides return to the Spanish capital for the second leg the following week. The Gunners, without a number of key players, will be hopeful of taking any advantage to the Santiago Bernabeu – where Madrid are capable of magic.

Maiden ODI century not only resuscitated India, but helped them sprint to the target in record time

Nagraj Gollapudi17-Jul-2022An innings he says he will remember forever. An innings we on the outside will never forget. That was Rishabh Pant’s maiden ODI century, where he managed to not only resuscitate India after their top-order failure, but also helped the visitors sprint to the target in record time.Everyone who was at Old Trafford called it as an incredibly special innings. Importantly, an innings of maturity. The praises flowed from India captain Rohit Sharma, from his England counterpart Jos Buttler and India allrounder Hardik Pandya, who shared a 133-run fifth-wicket partnership with Pant. Most importantly, even Pant agreed it was a memorable effort.”Hopefully I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Pant told Sky Sports at the post-match presentation. “But at the same time when I was in, I was not thinking anything, I was just trying to focus on one ball at a time which pays off well for our team.”Pant walked in at the fall of Rohit’s in the fifth over when India were 21 for 2. That soon became 38 for 3 after Virat Kohli’s run of troubled form continued. And once Suryakumar Yadav walked as soon as he had nicked at 72 for 4, the responsibility to take India to the finish line rested in the hands of Pant and Pandya.This was the second time in a matter of three days that Pant found himself in the middle given the onerous task of reviving India’s fightback after a top-order collapse. At Lord’s, on Wednesday, Pant was in disbelief after his lame reply to a full toss was spooned directly to the fielder at mid-on. A duck to his name, Pant walked back head down.On Sunday, though, Pant remained measured, composed barring that one rush-of-blood moment, when on 18, he charged Moeen Ali, but was beaten by an offbreak that spun away off the pitch but Buttler failed to latch onto the opportunity as Pant leapt back into the crease. But both Pant and Pandya embraced the challenge and steadily laid the foundation for a fightback.Related

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A repeat of Lord’s where India lost by 100 runs chasing a similar target of 246 was avoided as Pant and Pandya batted with intent and runs flowed. Even after Pandya left, when the target was still over 50, Pant did not let the momentum shift. Neither did he let the prospect of his maiden century disrupt the rhythm.Once he had crossed the landmark, he uncorked the Pant we are more accustomed to: ransacking runs. With 24 runs needed from the final nine overs, Pant slapped David Willey for five successive fours in a 21-run over before finishing the chase with a reverse-swept four. He took off his helmet, raised his right hand and gave a thumbs-up and a winning smile to the Indian dressing room.”When your team is under pressure and you bat like that – actually that is something I always aspire to. To do well in pressure situations. Hopefully I did well today and helped my team to cross the line,” Pant said.Asked what set Pant apart, Buttler pinpointed the attacking mindset. “Rishabh is a very fearless player,” the England captain said at the post-match media briefing. “It is probably his mentality that seems to set him apart. Looks like he gets great backing to go and play how he wants to play.”There have been 130 instances when a team has been three down for less than 50 while chasing targets between 250 and 270 in ODIs; only in 16 out of these matches has the chasing team recovered to win the game. And no team has won with as many balls to spare as India in this match. Rohit said Pant and Pandya’s success in the middle order was one of the positives India would take from the 2-1 series win.”These guys haven’t batted for a long time in the middle overs, today we got to see that as well especially from Hardik and Rishabh,” Rohit said at the presentation. “I am quite pleased with both of them. They were quite clinical with the bat. At no given point of time they were panicking and trying to do something different. They just kept backing themselves and played cricketing shots all the way through.”This was the first century stand for the Pant-Pandya pair, whose previous best was against the same opposition in Pune in 2021 where they bludgeoned 99 runs from 11.4 overs which played a role in India’s seven-run victory.Pandya, who won the Player-of-the-Series award, said the highlight of Pant’s century was how he paced his innings, played to the situation and understood the need of the partnership. “Rishabh, he paced that innings, it was very important for us, that partnership as well and obviously the way he finished,” Pandya said. “We all know what kind of talent he has. When it comes out, it’s very pleasing to the eye – your heartbeat also goes up but at the same time you are in awe of the kind of shots he plays.”

Celtic are now keen on signing an exciting young forward who is being chased by teams in England and Europe, according to a recent report.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday evening after beating Dundee United 2-0 at Parkhead. Brendan Rodgers’ side are well in control of the league title but will also hope they have enough to make the knockout stages of the Champions League, and to do that, Rodgers may have his eye on one or two new arrivals.

Even worse than Idah: Rodgers must drop Celtic man who lost 83% duels

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers should instantly drop the forward from the starting XI.

4 ByDan Emery Jan 9, 2025

In the past week, it has been reported that Celtic are closing in on the signing of Altay Bayindir from Manchester United. The Turkish international has struggled for regular minutes since joining the Red Devils, and with him looking to play more football and with United open to the idea of a sale, a move could be on the cards this month. It also emerged over the weekend that the Hoops are expected to sign Kieran Tierney this month.

The Arsenal defender is expected to join Celtic on a loan deal until the end of the campaign before signing a three-year deal to rejoin the Scottish side on a permanent basis. But these are not the only players to be linked with a move to Celtic, as Burnley’s Josh Brownhill, Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden and Norway under-21 midfielder Sondre Orjasaeter are a few other players who have been mentioned with a move to Celtic Park.

Celtic looking to sign wonderkid this month

The list doesn’t stop there for the Hoops, because according to The Sun, Celtic are interested in signing wonderkid Mason Melia this month, but they face stiff competition from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

The 17-year-old, who has been labelled as one of the “most exciting talents” to come out of the Republic of Ireland in recent years, currently plays for St. Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland. The forward joined the club’s academy in 2022 from Bray Academy, and in April 2023 he was promoted to the first team, where he has excelled.

The young striker could now leave the Irish side this month, and Celtic are one of the teams interested in securing his signing. However, they are not alone in their pursuit, as several teams across Europe have shown an interest, including Eintracht Frankfurt and Genk. Tottenham are also interested in signing Melia, and it is Spurs that the player is said to be most keen on joining.

Apps

54

Goals

10

Assists

3

The Premier League side saw a £1 million bid rejected for the striker last month, and with personal terms not expected to be a problem, Spurs are weighing up whether to complete the transfer with a higher offer this month. Celtic have not given up on signing Melia, as those at the club see him as a possible future star.

Indeed, last year the striker became the youngest goalscorer in League of Ireland history, and he is said to have caught the eye in St. Patrick’s Conference League play-off against Istanbul Basaksehir back in August too.

If a deal is agreed upon this month, Melia would not be able to join Celtic until January 2026, the first transfer window after he turns 18 in September, due to Brexit rules.

Last night was one to forget for Tottenham Hotspur.

Ange Postecoglou’s side had a chance to turn their season around and put a massive dent in Arsenal’s ambitions simultaneously, but ultimately gave up a 1-0 lead to pick up their 11th Premier League defeat of the campaign.

Impressively, it was the youngsters like Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall who put in the best performances for the Lilywhites, while the senior players were painfully ineffective or practically anonymous.

Even goalscorer Son Heung-min was disappointing for the majority of the game, so recent reports linking the club with a potential replacement this month shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

Tottenham chase Son successor

According to a recent report from Football Transfers, Tottenham are one of several high-profile clubs interested in signing Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho this month, whose sale is not off the table.

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In fact, the report has revealed that the Lilywhites have ‘set their sights’ on the winger, have made a ‘concrete enquiry’ about his availability and may now be prepared to test the Red Devils’ resolve with a bid in the region of €70m, which is about £59m.

However, fans shouldn’t get too carried away just yet, as the report has also named European giants Napoli and Atlético Madrid as some of the interested parties.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Garnacho’s current ability and the potential many believe him to possess, it’s one worth pursuing, especially as Son cannot be relied upon long-term.

How Garnacho compares to Son

Now, the first thing to say is that over the last decade or so, there have been few players as consistently brilliant as Son in the Premier League, and when he does finally hang up his boots or move on, he’ll be rightly remembered as a legend of the league.

With that said, time catches up with us all, and with him set to turn 33 in the summer, the club need to find a long-term replacement and fast, as even though he can still chip in with a goal here and there, most fans will attest to the fact that he’s having less and less impact in games with every passing campaign.

So, with that in mind, how does he stack up against the young Garnacho? From a pure output perspective, it’s a very closely fought affair.

For example, in 26 appearances totalling 1825 minutes this season, the Spurs captain has scored eight goals and provided seven assists for Postecoglou, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games, or every 121.66 minutes.

In contrast, the young Argentine has scored as many goals but provided five assists in 30 appearances, totalling 1641 minutes, so he’s averaging a goal involvement every 2.30 games, or every 126.23 minutes.

So, with there being little to separate the pair with their output, how do they stack up against one another when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers?

Interestingly, while the South Korean international comes out ahead in a number of metrics, such as progressive passes, shot and goal-creating actions, passing accuracy and key passes per 90, he comes out second-best overall.

For example, the “dangerous” United gem, as dubbed by Paul Scholes, does better in a multitude of offensive metrics such as non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target and carries into the penalty area per 90, but also does significantly better for the defensive ones as well.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.57

0.61

Actual Non-Penalty G+As

0.71

0.69

Progressive Passes

1.99

4.75

Progressive Passes Received

12.8

11.3

Progressive Carries

5.70

3.95

Shots

3.72

2.23

Shots on Target

1.48

1.09

Passing Accuracy

77.6%

81.3%

Key Passes

1.46

2.09

Shot-Creating Actions

3.11

4.57

Goal-Creating Actions

0.27

0.56

Tackles

1.19

0.56

Tackles Won

0.87

0.40

Blocks

0.73

0.34

Interceptions

0.77

0.25

Clearances

0.53

0.68

Carries

35.4

32.8

Carries into the Penalty Area

3.05

1.58

Ball Recoveries

4.64

3.62

Aerial Duels Won

0.13

0.11

Not only does he make and win more tackles, but he wins more aerial duels, completes more ball recoveries and makes more interceptions and blocks, also all per 90.

What makes this even more impressive is the fact that he’s so young and has years to go until he reaches his peak, which for a wide attacker is about 26, according to research carried out by The Athletic in 2021.

Ultimately, Son is a bonafide legend, but he is nearing the end of his top-flight career, and Spurs need to find a dynamic and potentially game-changing replacement, which by all accounts may well be Garnacho.

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