Rafael Leao admitted he 'can’t take risks' with his injury, ruling him out against Bologna and leaving AC Milan unsure when their star man will return.
Leao sidelined with calf injuryRuled out of Bologna showdownPortuguese star won’t risk setbackFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Leao picked up an injury during Milan's Coppa Italia tie against Bari last month, which forced him off in the first half. Despite returning to training, the 26-year-old admitted he “can’t take risks” with his recovery, leaving coach Massimiliano Allegri short of attacking options ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The Portuguese winger's absence is a major blow for Milan, who have shown mixed form in recent weeks – suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to newly promoted Cremonese before bouncing back with a 2-0 win over Lecce. Without their talisman, Allegri will rely on Santiago Gimenez and Christian Pulisic in attack, though both are returning late from international duty. New signing Christopher Nkunku has been training well during the break and could make his Serie A debut, but his fitness is not yet at full capacity.
WHAT RAFAEL LEAO SAID
Speaking at the Gentleman Award ceremony, Leao explained: "I'm working to return as soon as possible, but it's an injury that can't be taken risks. As for me, a centre-forward? It's a position I know well. I'll make myself available to the coach to play as a central striker or as a winger."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR AC MILAN?
Leao’s return date remains uncertain, with Milan keen to avoid aggravating the issue. The Portuguese forward is expected to sit out at least another game, as the Rossoneri prepare to face Bologna in Serie A on Sunday, September 14. In his absence, Allegri will continue to experiment with Gimenez, Pulisic and possibly Nkunku in attack. Milan will be desperate for their No.10 to recover quickly as the fixtures pile up.
West Ham United have sparked into life on the transfer front.
While he isn’t the flashiest addition, Callum Wilson entering the building on a free transfer from Newcastle United will still have caught the eye as the Premier League outfit adds in strikers in the wake of Michail Antonio’s exit.
Newcastle United'sCallumWilsonsalutes their fans after the match
On top of that, Mads Hermansen has also finally arrived from Leicester City to boost the Irons in between the sticks, costing a reported £20m in the process.
Graham Potter and Co. could soon make it a hat-trick of exciting buys with a new target reportedly on their agenda, who could follow in Wilson’s footsteps by costing nothing.
West Ham in talks to sign attacking midfielder
With Kyle Walker-Peters also entering Potter’s ranks after his Southampton contract expired, there is a theme popping up.
It would, however, cost West Ham a pretty penny to land Mateus Fernandes from the Saints, with a previous £30m price tag being placed above the up-and-coming 21-year-old’s head amid interest from the likes of the Hammers.
Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon in action with Southampton'sMateusFernandes
Fernandes isn’t the only target centrally, though, with a report from Roma News indicating that West Ham are now locked in negotiations with AS Roma star Lorenzo Pellegrini over a standout free transfer taking place.
The Serie A side will allow for this to happen so they can free up some wage costs and make a signing or two themselves this summer, but any potential deal rests on Guido Rodriguez also leaving the London Stadium, before anything significant whirs into motion.
Pellegrini could even go on to be Potter’s own iteration of Manuel Lanzini, with the Roma number seven hopeful he can be as impactful as his fellow Argentine compatriot if a move to England does get off the ground.
How Pellegrini can be Potter's own Lanzini
Before heading to his native Argentina to line up for River Plate, Lanzini was a fan favourite figure at the London Stadium.
Across 226 games for the Hammers, it’s fair to say the diminutive playmaker left his lasting impact, culminating in him amassing 32 goals and 26 assists in total, which included thatmemorable effort being cannoned home against arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur back in 2020.
His consistent brilliance for the Hammers even saw his then-teammate Declan Rice hail him as a “special” talent to line up alongside, with Pellegrini hopeful he can reach this same level of performance if he calls East London home shortly.
Of course, the 29-year-old isn’t being chucked to one side by Roma for no reason, with Pellegrini just fresh off a below-par offering last season in Serie A that saw him tally up a weak two goals and two assists.
But, much like Lanzini in the Premier League, the Rome-born attacker has shown off his class over the majority of his extensive stay in the Italian top-flight, away from this worrying drop-off in form.
Even the Hammers’ favourite was guilty of going missing in certain contests, with only one league goal coming his way during his final swansong campaign, which ended his love affair with West Ham on a somewhat damp note.
Pellegrini’s overall numbers for Roma
Stat
Pellegrini
Games played
316
Goals scored
55
Assists
59
Europa League appearances
53
Champions League appearances
14
Trophies
1x
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Amazingly, away from that off-season last time out, Pellegrini has managed to collect a sizeable 55 goals and 59 assists for his boyhood club, with his Roma boss in Claudio Ranieri, going as far as to describe the 29-year-old as “exquisite” when he performs at the peak of his powers.
Capable of lighting up a pitch on his day with skilful displays with the goals and assists to match, he does feel as if he’s the next coming of Lanzini for those at the London Stadium, with Pellegrini also adept enough to line up in a more traditional central role if needed, as well as down the left wing, much like the ex-Irons number 10.
On a free transfer, this really could be a steal, with Rome royalty in Francisco Totti even labelling him as a “leader” for his efforts at the Stadio Olimpico.
Ideal Antonio replacement: West Ham agree terms to sign £13m "diamond"
Following his release, ending a ten-year association with the club, West Ham have reached an agreement to sign Michail Antonio’s replacement for £13m.
بلا شك، هو واحد من المدربين المميزين الذي أبهر الجميع، في مسابقة الدوري الممتاز هذا الموسم، ليس فقط لتحقيق الفوز على الزمالك ولكنه قدم أداءً قويًا في جميع المباريات التي خاضها هذا الموسم في بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
محمد الشيخ المدير الفني لـ وادي دجلة صاحب الـ32 عامًا، نعم 32 عامًا ومديرا فنيا لفريق في الدوري الممتاز الصاعد حديثًا، قاد فريقه لتقديم أداء لا يحسد عليه منذ انطلاق المسابقة جعل الجميع يرفعون له القبعة.
هو صاحب رحلة كفاح تستحق تسليط الأضواء عليها، حيث لم يكن لاعبًا كبيرًا أو مديرًا فنيًا صاحب تجارب عديدة قبل قيادة فريق وادي دجلة، ونرصد لكم محطات في حيات محمد الشيخ قبل توهجه مع فريق وادي دجلة.
طالع | التعادل الإيجابي يحسم مباراة وادي دجلة وسموحة في الدوري المصري بداية محمد الشيخ
بدأ محمد الشيخ مسيرته الكروية في سن السادسة عشر، وكان حلمه لعب كرة القدم والوصول إلى أعلى درجات القمة، ولعب في قطاع الناشئين في عدة أندية محلية.
وبعدما صال وجال في الملاعب لمدة 4 سنوات فقط، قرر اعتزال كرة القدم مبكرًا بسبب إصابة قوية بقطع في الرباط الصليبي وهو في عمر الـ20 ، ليتجه بعدها إلى التحكيم.
وعمل كحكم درجة ثانية في هذه الفترة، ثم بدأ في التعليم وحصل على بعض الدورات التدريبية، وانتقل إلى العمل في التدريب، وقام الشيخ بتدريب فريق تون عنخ آمون “مسار” حاليًا، في دوري الدرجة الرابعة، لمدة 3 سنوات، ثم درب نادي صول في الدرجة الثالثة لموسم واحد فقط.
واتخذ قرارًا جديدًا بالعمل في الإدارة الرياضية داخل نادي النجوم، وتولى منصب هناك لمدة ثلاث سنوات؛ وبعدها أصبح المدير الفني لقطاع الناشئين بالنادي، وكان عمره 24 عامًا فقط. ماريو ديسبوتوفيتش “وش الخير” في قصة كفاح الشيخ
وخلال عمله في نادي النجوم، حدثت الصدفة التي حوّلت مسيرة الشيخ المهنية في مجال التدريب، حيث التقى بالكرواتي ماريو ديسبوتوفيتش، الذي كان حينها يتولى منصب المدير الرياضي بنادي وادي دجلة، وبات المدرب المساعد لفريق الأمل بنادي وادي دجلة، وهو في سن الـ28 عامًا فقط، ليشغل بعدها منصب المدير الفني للفريق، ويقود فريق 2005 في بطولة ودية قبل نهاية الموسم.
وصعد محمد الشيخ بفريق وادي دجلة الأول لكرة القدم إلى الدوري الممتاز هذا الموسم، وهو في عمر الـ32 عامًا، ليصبح أصغر مدرب في النسخة الحالية من البطولة. نتائج وادي دجلة مع محمد الشيخ في الدوري هذا الموسم
قاد محمد الشيخ وادي دجلة في افتتاح بطولة الدوري المصري، وحقق مفاجأة كبرى بالتعادل مع بيراميدز الذي توج ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا النسخة الأخيرة، وبعدها خسر الغزلان من إنبي وبعدها بتروجيت بنفس النتيجة بهدف دون رد.
ثم كشّر محمد الشيخ عن أنيابه، ليفوز بعدها وادي دجلة على زد، بهدفين مقابل هدف؛ ويحقق فوزًا تاريخيًا على الزمالك بنفس النتيجة.
واستكمل وادي دجلة بقيادة محمد الشيخ النتائج المبهرة والانتصارات المتتالية، بعدما فاز على نظيره كهرباء الإسماعيلية بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدف، ثم فوز على طلائع الجيش بهدف نظيف، والتعادل مع البنك الأهلي بهدف لكل فريق ثم التعادل مع سموحة في الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الممتاز.
Hobart Hurricanes crumbled to their lowest BBL total, and lost Matthew Wade to a calf injury, in a shambolic six-wicket loss against Melbourne Renegades in Geelong.After being asked to bat first, Hurricanes’ innings at GMHBA Stadium lasted less than 13 overs on Thursday night as they were skittled for 74. They fell well short of their previous low benchmark – 91 against Sydney Sixers in 2015.New Zealander Tim Seifert, who pulled off a remarkable catch behind the stumps, belted an unbeaten 37 as Renegades chased down 75 in only nine overs.Captain Nathan Ellis saved Hurricanes from worse embarrassment, smashing 35 after coming to the crease at 32 for 6. Ellis then bowled superbly, taking 2 for 12 from his three overs, to clearly be Hurricanes’ best player.In a further blow for Hurricanes’ hopes of breaking through for their first title, Wade was assessed for a calf injury after pulling up sore behind the stumps. Wade, who was on the player microphone for Fox Cricket, expressed his frustration via the commentary when there was a long delay in being able to get off the field.Ben McDermott eventually replaced Wade as Hurricanes’ wicketkeeper after two overs of chaotic communication. The former Australia player didn’t return to the field for the rest of the match, sitting on the bench with a compression bandage on his calf.After conceding boundaries from his first two balls, Renegades seamer Tom Rogers struck back to take 3 for 25, including being on a hat-trick. Fellow opening bowler Fergus O’Neill also claimed wickets in consecutive deliveries. Captain Will Sutherland joined Renegades’ wicket party, finishing with career-best T20 figures of 3 for 14.It was the first BBL match in Geelong since last year’s match between Renegades and Perth Scorchers was abandoned due to an unplayable pitch.Renegades move to 1-1 after losing their opening game of the tournament on Monday night against Sixers. Hurricanes will attempt to put a disastrous start to the season behind them when they host Scorchers on Saturday.
South Africa have not played a single, full 20 over game in the tournament having been hounded by rain
Raunak Kapoor30-Jan-2025
Eleanor Larosa’s left-arm swing is a genuine threat with the new ball•ICC/Getty Images
AustraliaThe story so far: Australia topped their group with comfortable wins against Scotland and Nepal, and a tense two-wicket win against Bangladesh. An easy win against West Indies in the Super Six combined with other results meant they secured a semi-final spot ahead of their final Super Six clash against Sri Lanka, where they failed to chase 100, becoming the only semi-finalists to suffer a defeat in the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.What’s working: The bowling attack. Eleanor Larosa’s left-arm swing is a genuine threat with the new ball. Fifteen-year old WBBL sensation Caoimhe Bray, who idolises Ellyse Perry, is playing Perry’s role for this U-19 team: wicket-taking, decisive counter-attacking batting or making tough catches look easy. Legspinners Teegan Williamson and Hasrat Gill have 15 wickets between them at a combined average of 7.77. Lily Bassingthwaighte’s late entry into the playing XI has added more teeth to the attack, resulting in opposition scores of 48, 91 for 9, 56 for 8, 53 and 99 for 8.What’s not working: The batting. Openers Kate Pelle and Ines McKeon are both power-hitters, but have consistently misfired, leaving Australia with a big decision on whether to leave one of them out in the semi-final. Nepal captain Puja Mahato had them at 14 for 3 before Bray’s brilliant counter-attacking 45, also the highest score for an Australian batter in the tournament, helped them post their highest team total of 139 for 6. Accurate spin bowling has also been a challenge for the Australian batters at the top and in the middle order, a struggle that was apparent in their last game when they failed to chase 100. Captain Lucy Hamilton at No. 3 remains their most reliable bat. Her innings of 30 off 35 on a tough spinning surface in Bangi, Malaysia, against Bangladesh won her the Player of the Match in a chase of 92.What to look out for: They might be entering the semi-final off a loss, but Australia have been tested as a unit far more than their opposition, or for that matter, all the other semi-final sides. Their batters would welcome the change of venue to the Bayumeas Oval in Kuala Lumpur where run-scoring has been much easier than the more challenging UKM Oval, where Hamilton’s side have played all five of their matches in the tournament. If they can get a competitive total, even 100-110, they’ll back the form of their bowlers to defend it.South Africa go into semi-finals undefeated•ICC/Getty Images
South AfricaThe story so far: Rain has followed Kayla Reyneke’s South African side throughout the tournament. But it has relented just enough to allow them one reduced game after another to secure the wins needed to top both their Group Stage and the Super Six Group, without having played a full 40 overs once. They won an 11-overs-a-side game against New Zealand, an eight-overs a side shootout against Nigeria and a 10-overs per side contest against Ireland. Their only full match happened to be against Samoa, where they blew their hapless opposition away for a record low of 16 and chased it in 10 balls. Their final Super Six match against USA was washed out.What’s working: While they’ve never had to bowl a full 20 overs, the bowling unit does seem well-equipped and well-rounded. Nthabiseng Nini might be among the quickest in the competition and has been effective moving the ball away from the right-handers, while Monalisa Legodi moves it the other way. Legspinner Seshine Naidu and captain Reyneke’s offspin have made light work of any opposition so far. All four playing in their second U-19 Women’s World Cup. Reyneke has led the side impressively and in spite of lengthy rain breaks and waiting on the sidelines, South Africa have looked sharp when on the field.What’s not working: They might have four wins on the board but South Africa’s batters have batted only 26.5 overs all tournament, less than half of England (55.2) and India (54.2), just over a third of the overs their more battle-hardened semi-final opponents Australia (76.5). It’s hard therefore to conclude what sort of form their batters are in but openers Jemma Botha and Simone Lourens, and keeper Karabo Meso have notched up quickfire 20s and 30s when needed. All three of them are also playing their second edition of the women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup.What to look out for: South Africa’s spinners will be key to testing Australia’s vulnerabilities. Reyneke leads their wicket-taking list with nine wickets at an average of 3.88 and economy of 4.03.
Tamim Iqbal has announced his retirement from international cricket. This is the second time he has called time on his career, having previously retired in July 2023 in an emotionally charged press conference, only to reverse the decision within 24 hours after intervention from Bangladesh’s then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina.Tamim informed the Bangladesh selectors of his decision in Sylhet on Wednesday. The Gazi Ashraf Hossain-led selection panel asked him to return to the Bangladesh team for the Champions Trophy. Tamim had reportedly told them then that he would stick to his decision to retire, but after a few Bangladesh players, including captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, had requested him to reconsider, he took a day longer.”I have been away from international cricket for a long time,” he wrote on Facebook. “That distance will remain. My chapter in international cricket is over. I have been thinking about this for a long time. Now that a big event like the Champions Trophy is coming up, I do not want to be the focus of anyone’s attention, which could lead to the team losing their focus. Of course, I did not want this to happen before, too.Related
Champions Trophy 2025: Shakib Al Hasan, and other topics on Bangladesh's selectors' plate
Tamim reverses retirement decision
The winter of Tamim Iqbal
Will Tamim Iqbal return for the Champions Trophy?
“Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto sincerely asked me to return to the team. There were discussions with the selection committee too. I am grateful to them for still considering me in the team. However, I have listened to my own heart.”The deadline for announcing the Champions Trophy squads is January 12, and the BCB was willing to wait till the last minute to see if Tamim wants to play. Tamim remained in contention for his domestic form and fitness. He has not played an international game since then but continued to play domestic cricket, including winning the 2024 BPL with the Barishal franchise and finishing as the Player of the Tournament. He did well in the Dhaka Premier League, and then followed it up with more runs in the domestic NCL T20s and this BPL season too, he has been among the runs.Tamim said BCB waiting for his reply was “unnecessary” considering he opted out of central contracts for 2024 to keep himself out of Bangladesh reckoning.”I removed myself from the BCB central contract a long time ago because I did not want to return to international cricket,” he wrote. “Many have said that I have left the matter hanging. Why would anyone discuss a cricketer who is no longer in BCB’s contracted list? I voluntarily stepped down more than a year ago.”Even after that, there has been unnecessary discussion. The decision to retire or continue playing is the right of a cricketer or any professional sportsman. I have given myself time. Now I feel that the time has come.”Almost 18 months ago, Tamim announced his retirement at a press conference, breaking down a few times. After Tamim made the announcement, Hasina tracked him down, and requested him to come out of retirement the next day. Tamim obliged but then stepped down from ODI captaincy shortly afterwards. Tamim played two ODIs in September 2023 as the Minhajul Abedin-led national selectors were preparing him for the ODI World Cup.The selectors however didn’t pick him in the 15-man squad. Tamim then hit out at the BCB, claiming they created roadblocks for him in the lead-up to the squad announcement. Shakib Al Hasan, the captain at the time, even launched a scathing attack on Tamim following the incident, calling him “childish”.”What happened before the 2023 World Cup was a big shock for me, as I did not leave the team due to cricketing reasons,” Tamim said further in his post. “Even after that, many cricket fans told me that they want to see me back in the national team. I thought about their love.”I also have a fan at home. My son has never told me this directly but he has repeatedly told his mother that he wants to see his father play in the national jersey again. I am sorry for disappointing the fans. I have told my son, ‘The day you grow up, you will understand your father’.”
Former Australia seamer follows Anthony McGrath to Headingley from Chelmsford
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jan-2025Mick Lewis, the former Australia seam bowler, has followed his former Essex head coach, Anthony McGrath, to Yorkshire, where he will work as the club’s new men’s bowling coach, on a three-year deal.Lewis, 50, had been at Chelmsford since 2022, during which time he worked with players such as Jamie Porter and Sam Cook, and helped guide the team to three top-four finishes in the County Championship and a run to the Vitality Blast Finals Day.However, McGrath recently left his head coach role at Essex to take up the same position at Headingley, and Lewis is set to follow suit. He will begin his new role at the end of February, ahead of Yorkshire’s pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi in March.”I’m thrilled to be joining Yorkshire at what is such an exciting time for the club,” Lewis said. “I’m looking forward to working with a great cohort of bowlers to help them achieve success in Division One and cannot wait to get started.”Ben Coad’s record speaks for itself and the prospect of working with emerging talents like Ben Cliff, George Hill and Jafer Chohan excites me greatly”.Prior to his move to Essex, Lewis had been head bowling coach at Victoria, where he helped the team secure four Sheffield Shield titles. He also had stints in the Big Bash with both the Melbourne Stars and Renegades.In a 14-year playing career, Lewis claimed 460 wickets in all formats, including 11 in nine white-ball appearances for Australia. His unfortunate claim to fame came in his final appearance, against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2006, where he conceded 113 runs in ten overs, then the most expensive analysis in ODI history.McGrath added: “Mick will bring immense experience to the role and will undoubtedly add incredible value to all our bowlers who I know will benefit from his vast wealth of bowling knowledge. His record is there to see, and it is testament to the ambitions we have as a club that we are able to bring Mick to Headingley.”Our time together at Essex was successful and I’m looking forward to further success together here at Yorkshire”.Gavin Hamilton, General Manager of Cricket, said: “Everyone at Yorkshire is delighted to welcome Mick into his new role here. He has an incredible record of producing international quality bowlers and I know his appointment will excite our current crop of bowlers who are already looking forward to developing further with him.”He is an addition to the coaching staff that we know will add value immediately, putting us in the best position to compete in 2025”.
This season feels like it could be a brutal one for West Ham United.
The board have made a few good signings, such as Mads Hermansen and El Hadji Malick Diouf, but with Callum Wilson being their only attacking signing, it feels like they have left themselves short.
Moreover, it now looks almost certain that Edson Alvarez will be leaving the London Stadium before the window shuts, leaving the squad even lighter on quality.
Edson Alvarez.
Fortunately, reports have linked the club to a midfield talent who’d be a brilliant addition to the side and a significant upgrade on the Mexican.
West Ham target Alvarez upgrade
When West Ham signed Alvarez from Ajax in the summer of 2023, there was a lot of understandable excitement around the deal.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
After all, the Mexican international won two league titles with the Amsterdam outfit and left with 147 appearances under his belt.
However, instead of coming in and making up for the loss of Declan Rice, the 27-year-old has struggled with the pace and intensity of English football, and now looks like he could leave the club this summer, either on loan or permanently.
Interestingly, the East Londoners are now being linked with an up-and-coming talent who could come in and replace Alvarez.
At least that is according to a recent report from Sky Sports’ Tim Vickery, who has claimed that West Ham are interested in Andrey Santos.
It’s not the first time the Hammers have been credited with an interest in the exciting Brazilian, as reports from earlier this month claimed that they have already seen an offer of around £42m rejected.
It remains to be seen whether this is a transfer that could happen, but if there is any chance at all, West Ham have to take it, as Santos would be an excellent signing and a massive upgrade on Alvarez.
How Santos compares to Alvarez
So, the first thing to point out is that while Santos is certainly a midfielder who can get forward and attack, and is more inclined to do so compared to Alvarez, he has still spent almost half of his playing career in the six position.
Andrey Santos
Moreover, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has gone as far as calling him a “duel monster” for the tenacious way he wins the ball off opposition players and argues that this, combined with his “top tackling ability”, helps to make him “brilliant at screening the backline.”
In other words, the 21-year-old is no pushover when it comes to the defensive side of playing in the middle of the park.
With that, how do the pair stack up against one another when we take a look under the hood, at their underlying numbers?
Unfortunately for the Mexican international, it’s an incredibly one-sided affair, as the former Vasco da Gama gem outperforms him in practically every relevant metric, including things like expected and actual non-penalty goals, progressive carries, shot and goal-creating actions, tackles, blocks, interceptions and more, all per 90.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.27
0.06
Non-Penalty G+As
0.41
0.05
Progressive Carries
4.70
4.31
Progressive Passes
0.91
1.22
Shots
1.45
0.61
Shots on Target
0.50
0.05
Passing Accuracy
88.2%
85.8%
Key Passes
0.85
0.61
Shot-Creating Actions
1.77
1.42
Goal-Creating Actions
0.19
0.10
Tackles Won
2.33
1.37
Blocks
1.45
1.17
Interceptions
1.01
0.91
Ball Recoveries
5.93
4.47
These numbers help to paint the picture of an all-action midfielder who is dynamic and dangerous in attack, but also robust and solid enough in defence.
Finally, on top of everything else, the Blues ace is able to transform his impressive attacking numbers into real output.
In 34 appearances for Strasbourg last season, the 21-year-old phenom scored 11 goals and provided five assists and was praised by Mattinson for the way he “crashes the box.”
Ultimately, while it might require a massive fee, West Ham should be going all out to sign Santos this summer, as not only would he be a huge upgrade on Alvarez, but he’d help elevate the entire team.
Sheringham 2.0: West Ham in race to sign Premier League "proven goalscorer"
The vastly experienced goalscorer could be a brilliant signing for West Ham and Graham Potter.
After Thomas Frank’s appointment earlier this summer, no Tottenham Hotspur fan could’ve envisaged the perfect start the side has made to his tenure.
The Lilywhites have won both of their first two Premier League matches, scoring five times and keeping two clean sheets – a third of their tally from the previous campaign.
Their victory over Manchester City has undoubtedly been the best victory of the Dane’s spell in charge – restricting Pep Guardiola’s side to limited opportunities at the Etihad.
Tottenham Hotspur managerThomasFrankcelebrates after the match
However, the 51-year-old is still hunting for further reinforcements in the transfer market, especially after missing out on Eberechi Eze to North London rivals Arsenal.
Numerous players have been on their radar over recent days, potentially offering the new boss the talent he craves in such a position for 2025/26 and beyond.
Spurs’ hunt for a new attacking midfielder
Over the last couple of days, Spurs made a £61m offer for Como star Nico Paz, highlighting the hierarchy’s ambitions of improving the squad before the September 1st deadline.
However, the offer for the Argentine was swiftly rejected by the Serie A side, with the player himself wanting to stay at Cesc Fàbregas’ side for the time being.
VIP Tickets
Secure your matchday experience at Tottenham Hotspur with Seat Unique.
Premium Tottenham Hotspur Experiences
As a result, the Lilywhites have moved on to different targets, resulting in Leicester City talent Bilal El Khannouss once again appearing on the club’s radar ahead of the end of the window.
According to GIVEMESPORT, Frank’s side have made the decision to enter the race, after Crystal Palace made a move to land the 21-year-old.
It’s been reported that he’s set to leave the Foxes before the end of the window, with a £22m transfer fee being mooted to prise the youngster away from the Foxes.
The playmaker had been widely expected to move to the Eagles but is now giving thought to moving to Spurs.
It’s alleged that ‘there is a serious possibility that he will choose’ Tottenham over Palace when he makes a decision on his future this week.
Why Spurs’ £22m target would be perfect for Kudus
Earlier this summer, Spurs landed the signature of Mohammed Kudus, costing £55m from West Ham United – becoming the first major signing of Frank’s tenure at the helm.
The Ghanaian, who can operate in numerous positions, has started both of the club’s Premier League outings – cementing his place at the top end of the Lilywhites squad.
Whilst he’s failed to get himself on the scoresheet, the 24-year-old has registered two assists in his first two outings – both of which came in the triumph over Burnley in North London.
His direct dribbling and ability to create carnage within the final third has already caught the eye of the supporters, potentially being a bargain despite his big-money transfer fee.
However, despite Kudus’ impressive start to life under Frank, he could reach the next level in the months ahead if the side land a deal for El Khannouss in the coming days.
Despite relegation from the Premier League last season, the youngster produced numerous impressive figures that would bring the hierarchy’s hunt for a new attacking midfielder to an end.
El Khannouss, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by analyst Ben Mattinson, ranked in the 90th percentile for passes into the final third (3.7) and the 86th percentile for progressive passes (5.3).
Games played
32
Goals & assists
5
Pass accuracy
75%
Progressive passes
5.3
Passes into the final third
3.7
Key passes made
1.7
Progressive carries
3.1
Carries into the final third
1.9
Take-on success
57%
Both figures would allow the Moroccan to provide countless chances for Kudus within attacking areas, helping the former Hammers star build on his impressive start to life at the Lilywhites.
He also completed 57% of the take-ons he attempted, whilst making 1.9 carries into the final third per 90 – having the ability to glide past the opposition and cause problems for the opposition in dangerous positions.
Such numbers are impressive, but the end product is just as important, something which El Khannouss has demonstrated by his tally of five combined goals and assists in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25.
Given the Eagles’ interest in landing the 21-year-old, Frank and the Spurs hierarchy need to act quickly to make a move for his signature to avoid missing out on yet another summer target.
If they do land the youngster, it would be a bargain transfer and one that could hand Kudus the platform to reach the next level in his career during his stint in North London.
Readers like you help support FootballFanCast. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More.
Their own Paz: Spurs likely to see £47m bid accepted for "ridiculous" star
Spurs are looking for alternatives after their Nico Paz setback.
أثنى مدرب نادي برينتفورد، على نظيره في مانشستر سيتي بيب جوارديولا، وذلك قبل مواجهة الفريقين غدًا الأحد في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
ويحل نادي مانشستر سيتي ضيفًا ثقيلًا على برينتفورد في إطار منافسات الجولة السابعة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
ويسعى برينتفورد إلى خلق المفاجأة وتحقيق الفوز على مانشستر سيتي، بينما يمر الأخير بفترة أكثر من رائعة تحت قيادة جوارديولا.
طالع.. جريمالدو يكسر صمته ويعلق على إمكانية انتقاله إلى ريال مدريد
وأفاد المدير الفني لنادي برينتفورد، كيث أندروز، أنه تأثر بجوارديولا كثيرًا على مدار مسيرته التدريبية، موضحًا أن الإسباني هو أفضل مدرب في العالم خلال الـ15 سنة الأخيرة.
وقال أندروز في تصريحات نقلتها شبكة ”Cityxtra” عن جوارديولا: “لا أعرف الكثيرين ممن لم يستلهموا من هذا المدرب المبدع، لقد تأثرت به كثيرًا وربما كان أفضل مدرب في السنوات الخمس عشرة الماضية، في العصر الحديث فأسلوبه في التدريب غير طريقة فهم اللعبة وطريقة لعبها في أندية ودول مختلفة”.
واختتم أندروز في حديثه عن جوارديولا: “لقد مررت بمسيرتي التدريبية ودوراتي التدريبية وكان اسم جوارديولا حاضرًا بقوة في كل تلك المسيرة، إن القول بأنني أكن له كل الاحترام والتقدير هو أقل ما يمكن قوله”.