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Celtic continued their strong start to the new-look edition of the Champions League format with a hard-fought 0-0 draw away at Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night.

The Scottish giants have only lost one of their six matches in the league phase and are unbeaten in their last four matches in the competition, with one win and three draws.

This has left the Hoops in 19th place in the league and they are on course to make it through the play-off round, as the cut-off to be knocked out is 25th and below.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have also been fantastic domestically and have a League Cup final clash with Rangers at Hampden Park to look forward to.

The Bhoys are currently nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and have won an incredible 14 of their 15 matches in the division, conceding four goals and scoring a whopping 44 – beating Hibernian 3-0 most recently.

Celtic have been lethal at the top end of the pitch in the top-flight and one of the main reasons why they have been so impressive in the final third has been the form of German forward Nicolas Kuhn.

Nicolas Kuhn's form this season

The January signing from Rapid Vienna only managed two goals and two assists in 14 appearances in the Premiership during the second half of last season.

That five months allowed him to slowly settle into life in Glasgow and in the Scottish top-flight, though, and he used that experience to hit the ground running in the current campaign.

The left-footed wizard has already hit double figures for both goals and assists in all competitions, with an eye-catching 11 goals and 11 assists in 22 matches.

Kuhn is unfortunate not to have more assists in the Champions League, though, as the winger has created four ‘big chances’ and racked up 1.99 xA to only be rewarded with one assist, which suggests that his teammates have let him down with their wasteful finishing at times.

The 24-year-old star has also scored two goals from 0.65 xG in Europe and this illustrates the ruthless nature that he has displayed in front of goal this season for the Hoops.

As well as being a key performer in the Champions League, Kuhn has also been a major contributor for Rodgers as an attacking presence down the right flank in the Premiership.

Appearances

13

Starts

11

Goals

5

Big chances created

7

Key passes per game

2.3

Assists

6

As you can see in the table above, the former Bayern Munich and Ajax youngster has offered plenty of quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

However, Kuhn is currently going through a quiet spell, by his standards, with no goals or assists in his last four appearances in all competitions for the Bhoys.

Whilst the German forward is slowing down, another Celtic player is becoming the star man for Rodgers with his performances at the heart of the defence – Auston Trusty.

Auston Trusty's performance against Dinamo Zagreb

The USA international was selected ahead of Liam Scales to play on the left side of the centre-back pairing in the Champions League clash on Tuesday night and caught the eye with his superb display.

Celtic had 69% of the possession on the night and needed their defenders to be switched on and ready to defend in transition when the home side won the ball back and broke quickly.

Trusty was sharp throughout the match and showcased his qualities both in and out of possession, with three tackles, two blocks, and three clearances to help his team out defensively.

Ground duels won

3/4

0/0

Aerial duels won

5/9

2/4

Touches

123

110

Passes completed

106

99

Clearances

3

0

Blocks

2

0

As you can see in the table above, the summer signing from Sheffield United outperformed his centre-back partner with his play on both sides of the game.

Trusty was dominant in his duels, both on the deck and in the air, and was constantly looking to get on the ball to progress play with his passes, having more touches and completing more passes than Cameron Carter-Vickers.

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It was a performance in keeping with his outstanding form over the last couple of months, as the defender is quickly becoming the star man for Rodgers.

Auston Trusty's form this season

Starting from the 0-0 draw with Atalanta in the Champions League in October, Celtic have conceded three goals in Trusty’s last 11 appearances in all competitions.

Whilst defending and keeping clean sheets is a team game, Trusty – as shown by his outstanding display on Tuesday night – has played a major role in the club’s impressive clean sheet record.

The Scottish giants have kept six clean sheets in his nine starts in the Premiership and two clean sheets in his five starts in the Champions League, which shows that he has been an integral part of a rock solid defence.

Whilst Kuhn’s has had a minor blip, with his lack of contributions in the final third in recent weeks, Trusty appears to have found his top gear in a Celtic shirt, making himself undroppable at the back.

Goals conceded

0

0

0

Tackles made

3

2

3

Ground duels won

4/5

2/3

3/4

Aerial duels won

3/5

2/3

5/9

Touches

124

146

123

Possession lost

14x

5x

7x

As you can see in the table above, the American defender has only lost possession 26 times from a staggering 393 touches of the ball so far this month, which speaks to how incredibly reliable he has been, particularly this month.

He has also won the majority of his duels on the deck and in the air to keep three clean sheets in three matches in December, domestically and in Europe.

These statistics illustrate how influential Trusty has been in and out of possession for Celtic this month, and this season, and that is why he is becoming the star man for Rodgers with his sublime performances week-in-week-out.

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1 ByDan Emery Dec 9, 2024

New Zealand beat South Africa by an innings and 276 runs without Williamson, Taylor or Boult

Alagappan Muthu19-Feb-2022

Tom Latham: We’ve had some really good success recently and just trying to continue that•Getty Images

It’s been 14 years since New Zealand have had to play a Test match without Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Trent Boult. And yet they still managed to beat South Africa by an innings and 276 runs, a performance that the stand-in captain Tom Latham called “the perfect blueprint.””Yeah, it’s obviously great for the side,” he said. “It’s been documented it’s a long time ago since we haven’t seen any of those three names who are such a vital part of the side. I guess its testament to the depth that we’re creating to the depth in New Zealand cricket that guys who haven’t played a lot can step up and come up and perform straight away.”Along the way, the one stalwart that they did have, got to a memorable milestone. Tim Southee overtook Richard Hadlee as the highest New Zealand wicket-taker on home soil. It took a while to become official though, with New Zealand needing to overturn a not-out lbw decision. But that also meant the 33-year-old had all his team-mates around him, waiting with him, for the big moment.Related

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“Tim thought it was going down leg. So I was a little bit surprised that he didn’t want to use it. But with the nature of having a couple of reviews left in that situation [South Africa were nine down] it was a bit of a no-brainer to use it.’I guess it’s a unique scenario but it’s also a situation we’re used to nowadays with the DRS. Obviously, [it’s] great for us all to be together and certainly regardless of how you get it, it’s certainly a great way [to break the record]. So yeah, it’s been a Test match that we’re very proud of and one we’ll celebrate tonight.”With Covid-19 still a threat, New Zealand has been dealing with stringent travel and quarantine restrictions, which resulted in a tour of Australia being postponed.”Obviously, disappointing for that series to be called off,” Latham said. “I guess the guys have been playing different forms of cricket whether it be T20 cricket, one-day cricket or some first-class cricket over recent weeks. Even though we haven’t played a Test match for a month or so, I think the way we just switched back straight into the rhythm of Test cricket and hit the ground running, it was certainly the way you want to start and hopefully we can continue the momentum in the next Test match.”It hasn’t been decided whether Boult, who is on paternity leave, will be back in time for that. Williamson is still recovering from a long-standing elbow injury. And Taylor has retired. So New Zealand may have to do without any of them again in the second Test against South Africa starting on February 25. But given they’ve just wrapped up their third-biggest win in the format, Latham feels it’s the kind of problem he doesn’t mind having as temporary caretaker.”For me, it’s just about trying to fill this position as well I can. Certainly when Kane’s available, he’ll slip right back in. For me, it’s just about trying to continue what this group has been doing for such a long period of time. Got some great leaders amongst the group. Got some experience as well even, though we’ve lost some over the last couple of Test matches. But I guess trying to continue the formula that New Zealand cricket has produced over recent years and I guess I probably had my spin on things in terms of doing things slightly differently but I think as a whole it’s about continuing the blueprint as best I can. We’ve had some really good success recently and just trying to continue that.”

Stuart Broad has called on England’s Test cricketers to live in the moment for the rest of a dispiriting Ashes campaign, and focus on making some individual points at Sydney and Hobart, after suggesting that the squad has become too obsessed with long-term planning during the Covid pandemic, and has lost sight of the importance of winning each battle as it comes.Speaking at the close of the second day’s play at Sydney, where his figures of 5 for 101 made him the oldest England seamer (at 35 years, 196 days) to take a five-wicket haul in Australia, Broad acknowledged that his efforts, while personally satisfying, had been unable to seize a day that had been dominated by Usman Khawaja’s comeback century.Nevertheless, having played just one of the three Tests in which the Ashes were live, and that on a flat surface at Adelaide that was less likely to suit his methods than two juicier decks at Brisbane and Melbourne, Broad said that the chance to make a belated mark on the tour was a reminder to him of just how special Test cricket remains to him, even in his 151st appearance. And now, with England reaching 13 for 0 in reply, he challenged his team-mates to turn England’s fortunes around by grasping the moment in front of them, rather than deferring their focus to the tour of West Indies in March, or their home summer campaigns against New Zealand, India and South Africa.Related

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“There’s loads of reasons – not excuses – why [2021] wasn’t a successful year,” Broad said. “Covid has played quite a big part in it, but there’s a mindset within this group now that, instead of looking ahead at what’s coming in the next year, the next Ashes series, actually we need to get back to the real basics of what’s ahead of us right now. How are we winning this next Test match?”Sometimes when your brain gets too far away from what’s in front of you, you’re not focused on delivering what you need to deliver in that Test match. We don’t know what the world’s going to look like, or what cricket is going to look like in June, and in next November, but can we win tomorrow? Can we win the next opportunity that’s in front of us?”I think that should be a real focus for the England cricket team going forward, because it’s all well and good planning for the next away Ashes and looking at the World Test Championship, but actually, if you don’t win the battle in front of you, it’s all irrelevant.”We are devastated to have lost this series 3-0, obviously. But can we have an impact in Sydney, can we have an impact in Hobart, before we board a flight home and reassess? We need a bit of a short-term mindset, in my opinion, for the next couple of games, because there’s some points to prove for every player.”Broad’s own competitive instincts helped to keep England fighting on another day of Ashes adversity, in which a side injury to Ben Stokes caused an extra workload for their four remaining frontline bowlers, in particular his fellow seamers James Anderson and Mark Wood – who once again bowled with raw pace but little luck to finish with 1 for 76 in 26.1 overs.”I’m pleased to have had an impact,” Broad said. “Obviously I would have preferred it to be 5 for 30, not 5 for 100 – there’s no doubting it was Australia’s day, Khawaja played beautifully – but when you miss out on Test matches, it makes you realise how special it is to play.”Ashes cricket means the world to me, and I love playing sport for that competitive side. I love trying to get the opening batters out and working your way through [an innings], and that’s why I keep chugging in, because it’s quite addictive, and I’ve still got a burning desire to play the sport.”But, in noting that the average first-innings total at Sydney since 2017 is a hefty 457, including India’s 622 for 7 declared in 2019, Broad insisted that the onus must now shift to England’s under-performing batting unit, which has yet to post a total in excess of 300 in six completed innings on this tour, and has made substandard scores of 147, 236 and 185 in consecutive first-innings efforts at Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.”You can dissect loads on this trip but actually first-innings runs is where you live in Test cricket, and we’ve failed to deliver,” Broad said. “There’s a bit of uneven bounce with a brand new ball but there’s an opportunity, I hope, for someone to be sat here tomorrow, having scored a big hundred, and answering some positive questions.”Honestly, doesn’t matter what bowlers you play if you are getting bowled out for 140. That might be a bit brutal, but that’s the truth in Test cricket.”Writing in his Mail on Sunday newspaper column ahead of the fourth Test, Broad had expressed his frustration at not making a bigger impact on this tour, particularly in the series opener at the Gabba on a pitch which he said had had him “licking his lips”.However, in light of the long-term calf injury that limited him to 12 wickets at 39.50 in 2021, “his worst year” in Test cricket, Broad insisted his recent comments had not been fuelled by the same sense of injustice that had caused him to speak so angrily to Sky Sports midway through the first Test of the 2020 series against West Indies.Stuart Broad struck twice in 11 balls•CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images

“In Southampton, I felt I had bowled really well in the Ashes series in 2019. I bowled really well in South Africa, being the leading wicket-taker, and then I didn’t play the next game. So I felt like the shirt belonged to me,” he said. “That did fuel quite a bit of fire in me.”But with how this year has gone, when I arrived in Australia, the shirt wasn’t mine. I got injured in the India series and the bowlers bowled really nicely, although we didn’t get the results we wanted in the series. So I respect that about the decision-making. No Test cap should be given out, you always have to earn them.”But when Rooty told me I was playing, obviously I was gutted for Robbo [Ollie Robinson], he’s had a really good trip, but I was buzzing to play, I was really pleased to get an opportunity. And bowling today made me again relight that fire … yeah, this is awesome. Great stadium. Good atmosphere, bowling at the world’s best. It’s what it’s about.”In terms of his long-term hunger, Broad insists he’s got plenty left to give to the England team, and cites the enduring class of Anderson, four years his senior, as both evidence of what he could yet achieve, and an inspiration to put in the efforts to remain a world-class competitor.”A few years ago I was umming and aahing, and I spent a lot of time talking to my dad about it. He has a great belief that you should play the sport you love for as long as you can. While the fire burns you should play because nothing replicates it in life. Nothing can bring you the satisfaction, the pain, the highs and the lows. They are quite addictive.”Jimmy’s been an inspiration for me,” he added. “I see how much drive he’s still got at 39, how much energy he puts in, not just to the match days, but the training and the skill development.”He is truly the most professional I’ve seen him in the past two years, so why can’t I replicate it? I’m not as skilful as Jimmy and I haven’t got as much armoury in my locker, but I’ve got the motivation and the drive, similar to him, and I’m as disciplined as he is. And I feel like I can contribute as much as Jimmy has since that age. He’s a driving force behind my mindset and hopefully I get to play more Test cricket with him because we had a lot of fun out there today.”And if that ambition, late in the career of two England greats, means that the team as a whole ends up taking a short-term approach to its coming series, then Broad is adamant that this would not necessarily be a bad thing.”I haven’t been a regular this year,” he said. “When I was 26-27-28, I expected to play every game. I haven’t done that this year. So when you miss a few and then you play, you realise how awesome it is to play, how special it is. And I really enjoyed my time out there.”

Perhaps the international break was just what Arsenal needed. Since the last pause of domestic action, they have failed to win a single league game.

Bukayo Saka picked up an injury while with England, the Gunners then lost to Bournemouth before drawing with table-topping Liverpool.

A torrid performance against Newcastle followed as Mikel Arteta’s side lost 1-0 and then came the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Once this break ends, it surely cannot get any worse than that. This is the chance for a reset. It’s a chance to get players back to full fitness and attack the Premier League hard over the festive period.

However, they will still have to wait another week or so with international fixtures aplenty still to come.

Arsenal stars during the international break

One source of comfort for Arteta is that three of his key players aren’t travelling anywhere during this fortnightly period.

Saka and Declan Rice both pulled out owing to little niggles. The former hobbled off in the dying minutes against Chelsea a week ago while Rice has been nursing a broken toe.

Martin Odegaard also pulled out of the Norway squad in a bid to regain fitness after only just returning from an ankle problem.

So, there are fewer players in action over the course of the break and it’s been a bit of a mixed bag so far.

Leandro Trossard played in the centre of the pitch for Belgium against Italy last week and was described as “the only one with ideas” on the night by their national press.

Who else has been in action? Well, David Raya was at the centre of an awkward moment for Spain. Fabian Ruiz played the ball back to the goalkeeper but it was short of him and he was pressured hard by Denmark forward Gustav Isaksen who forced an error from the Arsenal stopper that resulted in him conceding.

Elsewhere, Jurrien Timber featured at left back in the Netherlands’ 4-0 win over Hungary.

The finest performance came from Germany’s Kai Havertz on Saturday evening.

Kai Havertz’s performance in numbers for Germany

Julian Nagelsmann has used Havertz in a multitude of roles for his country over the last 12 months.

A year ago he was being fielded as a left back and during the European Championships – a tournament the German’s hosted – he played as a centre forward as he has been doing for Arsenal.

Well, as his nation romped to a 7-0 win over Bosnia this weekend, Havertz starred while playing behind the striker.

How did the former Chelsea man get on? Well, it was a 9/10 performance according to German publication Buli News who suggested that he ‘was a threat throughout’.

Why? Well, his goal – Germany’s third of the night – certainly helped, as did his assist for Leroy Sane’s strike.

His goal was brilliantly taken, playing a lovely one-two on the edge of the box with Man of the Match Florian Wirtz before scoring a simple finish from close range.

Minutes played

90

Touches

71

Accurate passes

46/51 (90%)

Key passes

1

Shots on target

4

Shots off target

1

Shots blocked

1

Dribble success

0/2

Duels won

3/6

Offsides

1

As the stats above suggest, this was an incredibly productive performance from a player who appears to be going from strength to strength for both club and country.

Havertz’s pass success rate of 90% was the best of any German attacker on the night while his six shots were the most of any player on the field. This was a menacing display and one that sets him up well for the winter months.

The £65m signing perhaps hasn’t quite been at his best in recent weeks, scoring just one league goal since early October, but this showed what he is capable of.

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Jonathan David is a certified goal machine. Since joining Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille from Gent in the summer of 2020, the Canadian striker has scored 92 goals in 196 games. He’s netted 26 in each of the last two seasons, and with 8 in 13 games already this term, he’s again on course for yet another stellar campaign in front of goal.

Given his proficiency at putting the ball in the back of the opposition’s net, it’s no surprise that David, 24, has been continually linked with a move away from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in recent years. Here’s a rundown on who is currently sniffing around the £37.5m-rated star.

Age	24
Positions	Striker, Centre-forward
Contract expiry	June 30, 2025
Wage per week	£26,900 (Capology)
Market value	£37.5m (Transfermarkt)
Linked clubs	Arsenal, Spurs, Newcastle, Aston Villa

Arsenal

Arsenal have been perpetually linked with David since 2021. While their interest in signing the Canada international has yet to come to fruition, next summer could be when they finally land their man.

David will be out of contract and free to leave Lille, and according to Tutto Juve, the Gunners are ready to offer him a contract worth £96,000 per week in order to lure him to the Emirates.

Arsenal could now sign 153-goal striker with offer above £96k-per-week

He’s a proven goalscorer.

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Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal aren’t the only team from north London who want to get their hands on David. Tottenham Hotspur also reportedly want to land the forward, who, at just 24, is his national team’s joint-top scorer of all time with 30 goals.

Spurs spent £65m to sign England international Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth in the summer, but so far this season, he’s hit just three goals in eight games. BBC Sport fan writer Ali Speechly recently pleaded with Tottenham to “buy another striker or regret it”.

“If we want to compete as a serious top-four team, we need a clear and consistent striker – or two,” she wrote.

Tottenham frontrunners to sign "mind-blowing" ace for around £100k-per-week

He’d be a low-cost potential signing with real quality.

1

By
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Sep 12, 2024

Newcastle United

Newcastle United’s options up top are currently limited, with Alexander Isak and the ever-injured Callum Wilson the only two experienced strikers on their books. And with Wilson now 32 years old and in the final year of his contract, Tutto Juve claims that Newcastle are eyeing up David and are in the “front row” to sign him.

Meanwhile, according to GiveMeSport, the Magpies may try to sign David in January in a cut-price deal in the hope that Lille will accept the offer rather than run the risk of losing him for nothing at the end of the season.

Free transfer: Newcastle now in front row to sign 153-goal forward in 2025

The Magpies could land a bargain deal…

By
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Sep 12, 2024

Aston Villa

Aston Villa had contact with Lille over signing David this summer and, according to recent reports from Italy, will once again go in for the striker next year. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Villa didn’t land David this year because “they could not find an agreement” with the player or Lille.

However, the French club will be out of the equation as of January, with David free to pre-negotiate with a new club in the new year, meaning Villa need only convince the striker himself that Villa Park is the place for him.

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Sep 10, 2024

La Liga are still pushing for Barcelona star Dani Olmo to be deregistered as chief Javier Tebas confirmed that an appeal process is already underway.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• CSD have allowed Barcelona to temporarily register Olmo
• Spanish clubs gobsmacked by decision
• Tebas revealed La Liga have appealed

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Olmo, who joined Barcelona in August from RB Leipzig in a £50 million deal, was initially registered with the Catalan club only until the end of December due to salary cap restrictions. The uncertainty surrounding his registration created a risk that Olmo could leave as a free agent if the issue was not resolved.

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• GOAL/Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Barcelona sought legal recourse to challenge La Liga’s decision. Earlier this month, the Higher Sports Council (CSD) granted temporary approval for the registration of Olmo, along with fellow player Pau Victor. This ruling has allowed both players to participate in matches while the case undergoes further review. The CSD has up to three months to deliver a final verdict on the matter.

• WHAT TEBAS SAID

  Despite the temporary ruling, in an interview with , La Liga president Tebas reaffirmed: "We are against his registration and we are putting the resources that correspond to us in the corresponding organisations. And where we ask that he not be registered, logically. Well, if we believe that he should not be registered, we obviously believe that we have a chance that he will not be registered."

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• AFP
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Clubs including Sevilla, Athletic Club, and Atletico Madrid have expressed frustration over what they perceive as favourable treatment toward Barcelona. These clubs have increased pressure on La Liga to thoroughly investigate the Catalan club’s financial dealings and ensure league regulations are applied uniformly. In fact, legal action has even been hinted at by some clubs should La Liga fail to reverse the CSD’s decision.

  In response to the mounting criticism, Tebas acknowledged the concerns of rival clubs, stating: "They are right. If we as a league are filing the corresponding appeals it is because we believe that a decision has not been taken in accordance with the law as it should be."

As Tottenham Hotspur head into another international break, there remain more questions than answers for manager Ange Postecoglou, with the former Celtic boss having seen his side wilt in the second half on Sunday evening.

Having looked at their scintillating best away to Manchester United last week, the Lilywhites appeared set for more of the same after racing into a 2-0 lead at the Amex, with Brennan Johnson and James Maddison powering the visitors into a deserved lead.

As they were under Roberto De Zerbi, however, this Brighton and Hove Albion side are no pushovers, with former Newcastle United asset Yankuba Minteh kick-starting a stunning fightback to leave Spurs languishing in ninth in the Premier League table following that eventual 3-2 defeat.

Of course, much will be made of that second-half collapse and the north Londoners’ wretched individual mistakes, yet if Postecoglou does wish to look on the brighter side, he will be impressed that his attacking unit is beginning to click into gear – including summer signing, Dominic Solanke.

Solanke's start to life at Spurs

The former Bournemouth talisman – who arrived on a club-record £65m deal this summer – may not be the new Harry Kane (we’ll come onto that), but he has slotted in smoothly to Postecoglou’s ranks, having notably chalked up an assist for Johnson against the Seagulls.

It had been an initial slow start to life in North London for the 26-year-old due to injury – while he also notably spurned a handful of chances in the draw to Leicester City – but he has since gone on to register five goal involvements in just eight games in all competitions thus far.

That includes the final goal in the richly-deserved win over the Red Devils last weekend, with the Englishman showcasing his predatory instincts to poke home from Pape Matar Sarr’s flick on at the near post.

While the one-time Chelsea and Liverpool striker does have a long way to go to pay off that sizeable price tag, Postecoglou will no doubt be pleased that his patience in the new man has been vindicated.

The same can also be said of one of Solanke’s attacking teammates, with it looking as if Spurs have found an unlikely successor to Kane if the early knockings of this season are anything to go by.

Spurs' new Harry Kane

Trying to emulate a man who chalked up 280 goals for the club is no mean feat, with the north Londoners having perhaps struggled to fill the England skipper’s void last season, as number nine Richarlison scored just 11 league goals.

While Solanke – who recorded 19 top-flight efforts for the Cherries in 2023/24 – arguably represents a notable upgrade on the stricken Brazilian, it is actually that man Johnson who has surprisingly taken on the goalscoring burden of late.

Signed on deadline day back in the summer of 2023, the former Nottingham Forest man enjoyed an encouraging debut campaign at N17, having registered 15 goals and assists in the league under Postecoglou’s watch.

With a hefty £47.5m price tag looming above him, however, much has been expected of the Wales international, with criticism toward him reaching boiling point in the early stage of the season, as he subsequently deactivated his social media accounts after suffering abuse from ‘supporters’ following the derby defeat to Arsenal.

Rather than wilting under the scrutiny, however, the 23-year-old has clapped back – and them some – since then, having netted in six successive games in all competitions, after proving the rescue man away to Coventry City in the EFL Cup.

90 minutes

1 goal

1 shot on target

2 shots off target

1/1 successful dribbles

34 touches

80% pass accuracy

2 key passes

4/5 ground duels won

0/1 aerial duels won

7x possession lost

1 clearance

3 tackles

The flying winger has shown a remarkable composure in front of goal that even the aforementioned Kane would be proud of, with his latest strike away on the south coast having led journalist Dean Jones to dub him an unlikely “Harry Kane replacement”.

In all, the £70k-per-week star now boasts 21 goals and assists in just 44 games for Spurs, indicating the real attacking weapon that he has become down the right flank.

As such, while it may be Solanke knitting things together in that central role, Postecoglou may have unearthed a clinical, ‘Kane-like’ presence in front of goal in the form of Johnson.

Long may it continue.

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2 ByEthan Lamb Oct 7, 2024

GOAL US looks at the biggest games for Americans Abroad this weekend, with big fixtures for Ricardo Pepi, Antonee Robinson and others

Every weekend feels important in soccer. There is always something going on, a new storyline to follow, a new player to watch. And while this one is a little different for Americans playing abroad, there is still plenty of intrigue. Let's start with what isn't happening: Christian Pulisic will not play against Juventus on Saturday. That will be a big loss for his side as they push for a Champions League spot under new manager Sergio Conceicao. It's not a make-or-break game, but his loss feels significant.

But there are some of his national teammates in action elsewhere. Antonee Robinson will be in the mix for Fulham and is in the midst of what might be a record-breaking season for . Ricardo Pepi will also play some sort of role for PSV – and is looking to break a month-long scoreless spell in the Eredivisie — he did show promise in scoring a brace in the KNVB Cup midweek. Meanwhile, there should be a timely return for Josh Sargent, as well as more minutes for Chris Richards – who has started to find form for Crystal Palace.

It's all a lot to break down, and other storylines will surely develop. GOAL US previews the main ones in a look ahead for Americans Abroad in Europe this weekend…

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  Ricardo Pepi aiming for more league minutes

  When Pepi plays extended minutes, he usually scores. The problem is his minutes and starts in Eredivisie action have been inconsistent.

  Pepi has played just 53 minutes in PSV's past two league matches and its Champions League matchup against Brest. He didn't score in any of those matches. In PSV's thrilling 5-4 win over Excelsior in the KVNB Cup, Pepi played the full match and finished with a brace.

  Will that be enough to earn more minutes in league play? Even if he's not featuring at the moment, PSV's Sporting Director Earnest Stewart insists the striker is a big part of the club's future plans.

  "He has, I guess you can say, been unfortunate, because we also have Luuk de Jong, one of the best center-forwards certainly from a heading standpoint that there is. They have been fighting for playing time, both of them, which has raised their levels to a certain extent," Stewart told GOAL. "At some point, Luuk is, I'd say, not the youngest, still going strong for us at this moment, and hopefully for a little bit longer, but at the same time, we also see that Ricardo, at some point, is going to be the No. 1 for PSV."

  If he does play, he will be counted on in a high-pressure situation for PSV. Ajax are creeping into the title race, and are now just four points off the reigning holders. Win tomorrow at PEC Zwolle on Saturday, and PSV could stretch that gap to seven for at least 24 hours. Pepi's performance could be crucial against the 14th-placed side.

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  Antonee Robinson chasing Premier League record

  The top two assist-getters in the Premier League read mostly as expected. Top is Mo Salah, with 13. Second is Bukayo Saka, who has 10 (although those numbers are admittedly skewed by the fact that he is on corner duty for). But the third, Antonee Robinson, is somewhat unexpected. Robinson, as has been chronicled here many times before, is in the midst of an excellent season. But what seems lost here is just how good he has been going forward. Right now, he has nine assists. If the season ended today, that would put him 11th in a single season among all defenders in Premier League history. He is well on pace to break Trent Alexander-Arnold's record of 13 set in the 2019-20 season.

  And that might be more impressive than all of his defensive numbers. It is a prerequisite these days to be a good one-on-one defender as a full back — that's part of the reason so many managers are using center backs in wide positions. But creating is a dying art. Robinson is steadily mastering it. And he seems to be well-placed to add to his tally on Saturday. Fulham are playing struggling Leicester, who haven't won a Premier League game since Dec. 3.

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  Josh Sargent ramping up minutes

  What to make of Sargent? He's a confusing footballer, these days. He enjoyed an excellent season last year for Norwich, scoring more headed goals than anyone in England not named Erling Haaland. But he hasn't been able to kick on, and after sustaining a groin injury in late October, has been forced to watch from the sidelines for nearly three full months. But he made a brief return in the FA Cup last week, playing a small role off the bench. And after making it through that 10 minutes injury-free, more minutes should be on the way. It won't be an easy one for him to be tossed back into. Sheffield United, Saturday's opponents, are in third in the Championship table, and one point off the league's summit. Sargent will likely be in for another role off the bench as he continues his recovery, but might be able to make a key impact.

  More broadly, time is running out here. Pepi has likely seized the starting No. 9 role for the USMNT, and Folarin Balogun will also be in with a shout. Twelve months ago, Sargent might have been one of the favorites to snag the shirt. Now, he's towards the bottom of the pecking order. Mauricio Pochettino has promised equal opportunity for all – he needs to show he can make the most of it.

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  Chris Richards finding form at the right time

  Richards has been waiting a while for some good news. He has been in and out of the XI under Oliver Glasner at Cyrstal Palace, and after a couple of signings arrived last summer, it seemed that the American might be phased out of the side. However, several injuries on the squad of late have given him another chance. And when Chelsea recalled Trevoh Chalobah from his season-long loan at Selhurst Park earlier this week, the door was thrown open in full. Richards has now started four games in a row and seems to be settling in. Another start, this time against a reborn West Ham, is on the cards.

أكد بيب جوارديولا، مدرب مانشستر سيتي، إصابة أحد لاعبي فريقه وغيابه لمدة تصل إلى 10 أسابيع تقريبًا.

ويأتي مانشستر سيتي من هزيمة أمام ريال مدريد في ذهاب ملحق دور الـ 16 بدوري أبطال أوروبا، بنتيجة 3-2، على ملعب “الاتحاد”.

ويستعد مانشستر سيتي لمواجهة نيوكاسل غدًا السبت، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”.

وظهر جوارديولا خلال مؤتمر صحفي اليوم الجمعة، وأوضح المستجدات المتعلقة بإصابة لاعب الفريق مانويل أكانجي.

وقال جوارديولا: “أكانجي سيغيب من 8 إلى 10 أسابيع، وسيخضع لجراحة غدًا السبت، إنها إصابة في العضلة المقربة”.

اقرأ أيضًا | إيدي هاو: لن أحكم على مانشستر سيتي من هذا الموسم.. ولاعب نيوكاسل مثل هالاند

وأضاف: “أتمنى له الشفاء العاجل لأن الجهد الذي بذله هذا الموسم كان لا يصدق، لقد لعب هو وناثان آكي في مراكز صعبة، كان هناك نقص في اللاعبين في هذا المركز، وقال جسده كفى”.

وأصيب أكانجي خلال مباراة مانشستر سيتي وريال مدريد، وتم استبداله حيث لم يتمكن من استكمال المباراة حينها.

ويحتل مانشستر سيتي المركز الخامس في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، متأخرًا بفارق 16 نقطة عن المتصدر ليفربول.

With just two weeks left until the transfer window slams shut, Liverpool now reportedly want to make an Olympic medalist the first signing of the Arne Slot era.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds have been the quietest club in Europe's top five leagues this summer, so far failing to sign a single reinforcement. It looked for a moment as though Martin Zubimendi would end that drought, only for the Spaniard to steal the headlines by changing his mind and opting to stay put at boyhood club Real Sociedad.

Slot recently spoke about the midfielder and Liverpool's pursuit of fresh faces, saying via The Evening Standard: "I've said many times already that our squad is really strong and it's not so easy to find players who can help us or improve the squad.

"Zubimendi was one of them to be fair, but he decided not to come. We go forward with the ones we have. [Wataru] Endo did well in pre-season. We're in a good place.

“[Sporting director] Richard [Hughes] is trying to strengthen the squad. Zubimendi decided not to come, we did every effort. If a player decides not to come then it's obvious he's not coming.”

Liverpool have been tracking giant 6 foot 4 defensive midfielder for a year

He would be considered one for the future.

By
Henry Jackson

Aug 16, 2024

Now, reports suggest that one of the areas Hughes is attempting to strengthen is the current Anfield defence. According to L'equipe, Liverpool now want to sign Adrien Truffert from Stade Rennais after the left-back enjoyed a solid summer, winning the silver medal for France at the Paris Olympics, missing out on gold up against Spain.

The Reds aren't the only side interested, however, with Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest all reportedly eyeing moves to sign the 22-year-old this month.

Andy Robertson, now 30 years old and criticised for his performance at Ipswich on Saturday, won't go on forever, and signing a young replacement would represent the type of squad planning that Liverpool have so desperately lacked in recent years.

"Unreal" Truffert can become Robertson heir

With doubts over Owen Beck's future and Kostas Tsimikas often struggling to replicate Robertson's quality, Truffert could emerge to become a solid piece of business from Liverpool, should they turn their interest into a solid move this month. Just 22 years old, the Frenchman has all the time in the world to step into Slot's squad and learn from one of the best in Robertson, before eventually taking the starting place.

League stats 23/24 (via FBref)	Adrien Truffert	Andy Robertson
Key Passes	19	62
Tackles Won	21	24
Ball Recoveries	116	104
Assists	2	2

Crucially matching Robertson off the ball, Truffert certainly has plenty of potential and potential that Liverpool should play a large part in unlocking. Described as "unreal" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the Olympic medalist wouldn't steal the same headlines that Zubimendi would have, but he'd arguably be of similar importance in the long term.

As the Premier League season gets going and the Reds remain without a single incoming, Truffert could quickly become one to watch, having shown all the hallmarks of a player that those at Anfield should be looking at in the next two weeks.