Amad Diallo has hinted that there are no hard feelings between him and Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund after their on-field argument.
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Lionel Messi has celebrated the second anniversary of Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph by posing with the trophy on Instagram.
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With just ten days remaining in the transfer window, Newcastle United will have to act quickly if they are to make any more reinforcements to Eddie Howe’s squad.
During the off-season, the Magpies secured deals for John Ruddy, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Lloyd Kelly and Will Osula but the club still need more incomings to challenge for a top-four finish in the Premier League once again this term.
Various players have been targeted in multiple positions so far this window, including a new right-winger and a new centre-back, but as of yet, no deals are nearing completion before the end of the window.
With deals yet to progress in such key areas for Howe, he may start to look at alternative targets, including one player who’s being eyed as an excellent option for the centre-back role.
According to journalist David Ornstein, Newcastle are in talks with German side Bayer Leverkusen over a potential deal to sign centre-back Edmond Tapsoba before the deadline on August 30th.
The 25-year-old Burkina Faso international was a crucial part of Xabi Alonso’s side that won the Bundesliga last season, featuring 28 times in the 2023/24 campaign.
His subsequent form for Leverkusen has ensured that Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr also interested in a €50m (£43m) move, but Tapsoba has reiterated his desire to stay at the German side.
He could prove to be a better addition than one player who has been massively linked with a move to St James’ Park this summer, but with his move no closer to completion, Tapsoba could be the next in line for a transfer to Tyneside.
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has been a constant target for the Magpies during the transfer window, already being the subject of three bids, but all offers have so far been rejected.
There have been rumours about Newcastle placing a fourth bid for the English international, but with a deal yet to be agreed, journalist Ornstein claimed that other targets are being considered, with Tapsoba one of many the club are considering.
Guehi would cost in the region of £75m to move to Tyneside, but Tapsoba’s potential fee in the region of €50m (£43m) would see him prove a much cheaper alternative, as well as a more impressive addition based on his stats from last season.
When comparing the duo on FBref, the “complete” Leverkusen ace, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, dominated Guehi with the ball at his feet, averaging more progressive carries and progressive passes per 90, whilst also achieving a higher pass accuracy rate.
|
How Tapsoba & Guehi compare in 2023/24 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tapsoba |
Guehi |
|
Games played |
28 |
25 |
|
Minutes played |
2087 |
2021 |
|
Progressive carries |
2.1 |
0.7 |
|
Progressive passes |
7.1 |
3 |
|
Pass accuracy |
91% |
87% |
|
Tackles won |
1.1 |
0.8 |
|
Interceptions |
1 |
0.8 |
|
Aerials won |
1.7 |
1.3 |
|
Stats via FBref |
||
However, Tapsoba has also blown the Palace defender out of the water defensively, winning more tackles, and completing more interceptions, whilst also winning more aerial battles per 90 – making him a better option for Howe’s defence unit.
In a time when Newcastle’s PSR standing is at risk, money needs to be spent wisely, whilst also making sure that any new addition would drastically improve the options available to the Magpies.
Guehi would be a great signing for the club, but the inflated price tag, alongside the lack of progress, could see the club move on to the likes of Tapsoba who would be a better option.
He’s proven he is arguably a better defender with more ability in possession, potentially being a bargain for Newcastle if they can agree a deal for the rumoured £43m fee.
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Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has revealed that Pep Guardiola has called his struggling squad in to train on Christmas Day, breaking tradition.
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Newcastle United may have dropped points in the Premier League for the first time this season after a 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth on Sunday, but this will be the least of Eddie Howe’s concerns.
With just five days left of the summer transfer window, the Magpies have failed to significantly strengthen their first-team squad.
Howe will need to act swiftly if this is going to change between now and Friday evening, although he is working on a few deals, including a South American starlet…
According to news outlet Sportime (via Newcastle World), the club are interested in signing Olympiacos midfielder Santiago Hezze before the end of the summer window.
The report goes on to state that the Magpies are even preparing a bid worth around €20m (£17m) in order to secure his signature ahead of the deadline on Friday evening.
While Hezze might not be the marquee name the Toon Army are crying out for Howe to buy, there is no doubting his ability, and it could prove to be a wise investment indeed by the club.
The 22-year-old joined the Greek side from Huracan last summer, immediately settling in well on the continent.
He made a total of 50 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring once and grabbing three assists. His most telling contribution, however, was playing a key role in Olympiacos’ triumph in the Europa Conference League, the first European trophy for a Greek side.
|
Santiago Hezze's 2023/24 stats for Olympiacos |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Metric (per 90) |
Super League |
Conference League |
|
Accurate passes |
43.4 |
36.3 |
|
Tackles |
2.4 |
1.9 |
|
Interceptions |
1.4 |
1.3 |
|
Total duels won |
4.3 |
4.8 |
|
Possession lost |
9.5 |
13.4 |
|
Balls recovered |
6.3 |
6.4 |
|
Via Sofascore |
||
Among his teammates, Hezze ranked fourth for accurate passes per game (43.4) in the top flight last term, while also ranking first for tackles (2.4) and fourth for interceptions (1.4) per game, showcasing his defensive and passing abilities.
These traits as a deep-lying midfielder could work wonders alongside Bruno Guimaraes, who could push into a more advanced role should Hezze join the club.
When compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, the Brazilian ranks in the top 3% for successful take-ons (1.86) per 90, while also ranking in the top 10% for shot-creating actions (3.82) and assists (0.22) per 90, underlining how important he was when going forward.
These abilities led the 26-year-old to score seven times while registering ten assists for the Magpies last season. These numbers would likely have increased had Howe been able to utilise him in a more advanced role in the centre.
Should Hezze sign, this could see the Argentinian drop deeper into the slot that Guimaraes usually operates in, allowing him the freedom to cause further devastation to opposition defences.
The 22-year-old could subsequently help Guimaraes turn to a level of form that would inspire a return to European competition next year.
The next few days could potentially make or break Howe’s season in charge of Newcastle. Sign a few high-quality players and last season will be forgotten. Fail to add another new signing, however, and the supporters may just start getting restless.
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1
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Aug 25, 2024
GOAL takes a look at the ultimate FA Cup giant-killings…
The FA Cup holds the distinction of being the oldest national football tournament globally, with its inaugural edition dating back to 1871. This historic annual knockout competition is renowned for its unpredictable nature, offering lower-tier teams the rare chance to clash with English football's elite.
Famed for producing thrilling "giant-killings" and memorable upsets, the FA Cup captures the essence of the underdog spirit. It's a competition that unites clubs from every tier of the football pyramid, creating moments where minnows take on titans—and occasionally topple them. The allure of these "cupsets" forms an integral part of the tournament's mystique and the cultural fabric of English football.
For many fans, the beauty of the FA Cup lies in its raw unpredictability. Unlike seeded or bracketed tournaments, this competition has been played every year since 1871 with an open draw, leading to David-vs-Goliath matchups that become the stuff of legend. While European competitions can surprise with their results, those tournaments rarely feature underdogs in the knockout stages.
By contrast, the FA Cup regularly showcases clashes between clubs separated not only by leagues but also by financial and professional divides, such as the 2020 Third Round fixture where Tottenham Hotspur faced off against the semi-professional Marine FC.
This collection of the most iconic FA Cup upsets highlights the drama of football's great leveller. With one notable exception, these stories focus on smaller clubs achieving victory on home soil, where intimate grounds erupt with unparalleled joy.
GOAL takes a look at some of the most unforgettable FA Cup shocks in history.
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Over the last couple of months, Newcastle United have been plagued with PSR issues, relying on outgoings before signing any players to improve the first-team squad.
Sacrifices had to be made with academy graduate Elliot Anderson sold to Nottingham Forest in a £35m deal to try and stay within the confines of the Premier League’s rules.
However, the 21-year-old wasn’t the only player out the door on Tyneside, with fellow youngster Yankuba Minteh also sold to fellow top-flight side Brighton and Hove Albion in a £33m deal – leaving the club without making a single appearance.
The departures were made even more frustrating when Eddie Howe’s side failed to secure a move for centre-back Marc Guehi with the funds generated – with the club desperately wanting a new central defender before the end of the window.
The Saudi PIF’s ambition since taking over in 2021 cannot be understated, but some of their signings haven’t worked out, with one player in particular looking like a complete waste of money.
After joining Newcastle on loan for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, left-back Matt Targett made a solid first impression – so much so that the club forked out £15m to sign the Englishman on a permanent deal.
However, two years on from his move to Tyneside, he’s failed to kick on, dropping massively down Howe’s pecking order in recent months.
The 28-year-old has only made 27 appearances in all competitions over the last two campaigns, with centre-back Dan Burn often featuring out of position at full-back, a signal as to how out of favour the former Aston Villa ace has been.
Targett’s transfer fee was hefty enough, but when coupled with his £100k-per-week wages, it’s seen the club spend £25.4m on the defender up to now – a figure that has undoubtedly contributed to their recent financial issues.
However, despite his failed move to the Magpies, Targett still maintains a higher market value than one player who left the club a couple of years ago.
Spanish forward Ayoze Perez was a player who provided numerous moments of magic during a dark spell on the field for Newcastle.
The now 31-year-old made 195 appearances for the club, even featuring in the Championship after relegation in 2016, registering a total of 48 goals in the process.
However, after producing 12 Premier League goals during the 2018/19 season, he departed in a £30m deal to join fellow English side Leicester City – in a move that wasn’t so well received by the supporters.
|
Ayoze Perez's league stats for Newcastle United |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2014/15 |
36 |
7 |
0 |
|
2015/16 |
34 |
6 |
2 |
|
2016/17 |
36 |
9 |
7 |
|
2017/18 |
36 |
8 |
4 |
|
2018/19 |
37 |
12 |
2 |
|
Total: |
179 |
42 |
15 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
|||
Five years on from his transfer away from Tyneside, Perez has an international winners' medal, after being a part of the Spain squad that triumphed over England at Euro 2024 – but it hasn’t stopped his market value from plummeting in recent times.
The attacker is now only valued at £5.9m as per Transfermarkt, a figure that is lower than Targett, who’s still valued at £8.4m despite his recent exclusion from the Magpies’ squad.
Whilst at the time it was seen as a disappointing deal to allow Perez to leave, the club played a masterstroke with his sale, making a huge chunk of money on a player who only managed to score 15 goals over four years at the Foxes.
His recent decline in value outlines excellent business selling a player at his peak value, with Newcastle getting a better deal than Leicester with the transfer.
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Already thinking about their 2025 recruitment strategy, Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly eyeing a move to sign a future star in a deal that would see them beat the likes of Arsenal to the youngster’s signature.
Those in the in the Midlands endured a mixed summer. Whilst they lost both Max Kilman and Pedro Neto, the late additions of Andre and Carlos Forbs should prove to be money well spent, though only time will tell whether that is in fact the case.
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Andre is a particularly interesting arrival. The Brazilian previously attracted the interest of Liverpool before a move ultimately never developed. Getting his Premier League chance courtesy of Wolves nonetheless, Andre could now make the Reds regret their hesitant pursuit by becoming a key part of Gary O’Neil’s midfield.
Still just 23 years old and fresh from a standout spell at Fluminense, Andre could prove to be one of the most underrated signings of the summer transfer window in the Premier League. But Wolves aren’t done there when it comes to midfield additions, it seems.
According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Wolves are now keen on signing Souleymane Sidibe from Stoke City in a deal that would see them beat the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Midlands rivals Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest to his signature.
Just 17 years old, the central midfielder is already playing a part for Stoke’s first team in the Championship, grabbing an assist from the bench in his first league appearance of the season as the Potters defeated Plymouth Argyle 1-0.
Now, the teenager could get the chance to make a similar move to the one that Archie Gray completed in the summer, as he swapped Leeds United for Tottenham Hotspur. Potentially following in his footsteps, Sidibe has quite the decision to make in 2025.
For a club like Wolves, welcoming young talent before developing them into top prospects should be the way forward and there would be no better way to represent that plan than by signing Sidibe. The teenager looks destined for the Premier League and the idea of such a talent working alongside Andre and Joao Gomes is a mouth-watering one, to say the least.
The current campaign isn’t Sidibe’s first in senior football of course, having earned the praise of former manager Alex Neil last season. Neil told BBC Stoke Radio after handing the midfielder his first senior start in a Carabao Cup win over West Bromwich Albion last season: “I thought his performance justified why he’s been with the first team all pre-season and why I played him in the game.
“I had no concerns over him. He’s a terrific talent but he’s also really mature, for being so young. He did exactly as I expected him to do – he did wonderfully well and he’s played in a Stoke team that won the game, and played the majority of the match.
“I think when you’re 16 years old, most players of that age could only dream of doing something like that.”
In a match full of new faces for Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT, most players put the right foot forward
By January camp standards, Saturday's U.S. men's national team win was as good as it gets. These games aren't about results, although – bonus – the U.S. did get a good one. The real focal point of these games is individual performances, and the U.S. got plenty of those, too.
Jack McGlynn, Patrick Agyemang and Matko Miljevic each scored their first senior international goals, leading the way in a 3-1 win over Venezuela at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. McGlynn was the star of the show, running the midfield even outside of his first-half golazo.
Agyemang, meanwhile, showed plenty of good traits as the No. 9, particularly finishing. And Miljevic shook off an early penalty miss to get a goal of his own to show some resiliency in his first USMNT match – joining Agyemang to raise the total to 61 players who scored in their U.S. debuts.
“Every kid dreams to make a debut for their national team and to score, it's hard to put the feelings into words," Agyemang said to TNT. “I’m still excited and I can't believe it, I'm so happy.”
All three were deserved goalscorers, having been rewarded for standout games aside from their finishes. All three showed quality, and they weren't the only ones. Few of the Americans who played in this MLS-heavy camp will leave Miami with their heads down. This was a good day from top to bottom, one that will leave Maurico Pochettino thrilled with how his group applied itself after a hard week of training.
And the players clearly are benefitting from training under Pochettino, as well.
“It was intimidating going into your first camp,” Agyemang said, “but Pochettino told me 'I like your game, I want you to play exactly how you want to play. You don't have to do anything specific. Know your defensive roles but in the end of the day, go and show what you can do.’ “
There's still another game to play this week – the USMNT take on Costa Rica next Wednesday – but overall, this January camp has already proven to be a good time for several new USMNT faces.
GOAL rates USMNT players from Chase Stadium.
Manchester United star Lisandro Martinez has called on Red Devils strikers to find scoring form despite admitting that there is a 'long ball' problem.
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