Aston Villa have had a very busy transfer window so far this summer. They have already made eight singings, with plenty of players leaving the club, too, seven to be exact. It has been a summer that has signalled great change as the Villans get ready to venture into the Champions League next season.
They have brought in some big-name players to help strengthen their squad ahead of their European quest in 2024/25. Notably, the Midlands side have signed Amadou Onana from Everton, in a deal worth £50m. Other major signings include Ian Maatsen from Chelsea and Juventus pair Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior.
Belgium's Amadou Onana
Going the other way to Turin was Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz, who joined the Italian giants in a deal worth £42.35m. They also sold Moussa Diaby to Saudi side Al Ittihad for a reportedly hefty fee of £50m, just one summer after signing the Frenchman from Bayer Leverkusen.
Having already spent a whooping £148.1m this summer, Villa might not be done just yet. They are linked to several other players who they could add to their squad, including one of the most enterprising attacking midfielders to play in Europe in recent years.
Aston Villa want Champions League-winning midfielder
The player in question here is former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder James Rodriguez. The Columbian showed his quality at the recent Copa America, and could now be in line for a move back to Europe this summer, having most recently plied his trade in Brazil.
According to a report from Graeme Bailey, the Villans are one of the clubs who have 'now been approached regarding the availability' of Rodriguez this summer.
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However, they are not the only club to have been offered a chance to sign the Columbian midfielder. The extensive list of clubs includes Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are 'amongst those to have been contacted' about a potential deal this summer.
There is also interest in the veteran star abroad. Cesc Fabregas’ Como side could make a move, with Sevilla offering Rodriguez a potential return to Spain. The move would be a free transfer, showing a great piece of business from Villa in terms of cost.
Why Rodriguez would be a good signing
Should Villa get a deal over the line, it could be a shrewd addition to the club, given the Columbian still has bags of quality. He lit up the tournament at the Copa America, and whilst his side lost in the final to Argentina, Rodriguez still won Player of the Tournament. He grabbed six assists and scored once, starting all six games for his country.
James Rodriguez for Colombia.
He could prove to be an excellent alternative to Joao Felix, a man Villa have been linked with in recent weeks. The Portugal international is unhappy at Atletico Madrid and a move away from the club is on the cards.
However, Rodriguez could prove to be an excellent alternative to Felix. Although they are slightly different players, with Felix being a more nimble ball carrier and Rodriguez a sheer creative passer, they could both operate in the number ten roles in Unai Emery’s famed 4-2-2-2 system equally well.
Premier League, Everton, Everton news, Everton latest news, Everton transfers, Everton transfer news, James Rodriguez
A player like Rodriguez is timeless, and although he has struggled to settle into a club since a two-year loan spell to Munich in 2017/18, he has still shown flashes of his creative brilliance in the final third.
His former coach Carlo Ancelotti, who managed him in Madrid, Munich and on Merseyside for Everton, hailed the attacking midfielder during his spell at Goodison Park. Ancelotti commended Rodriguez for “using his quality”, before explaining that it is this quality which “makes him play easy”. He is the type of player who can unlock defences with a smart pass in behind with ease.
In fact, when looking at his passing stats, the 33-year-old has shades of Jack Grealish in his last season at Villa Park. The England international left in the summer of 2021 for Manchester City, and it certainly feels like he has never been replaced by the Villans.
However, should they add the Columbian to their squad, he could replicate what Grealish was doing during his final season in Claret and Blue. Within the last year, Rodriguez has averaged 9.37 progressive passes per 90 minutes and 9.59 passes into the final third each game, both of which rank him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders, as per FBref.
During the 2020/21 season for Villa, Grealish was putting up some sensational numbers. He averaged 7.78 progressive passes and 3.75 passes into the final third each game, which ranked him in the top 4% and top 12% of attacking midfielders in the Premier League, according to FBref.
Stat (per 90)
Rodriguez (last 365 days)
Grealish (2020/21 PL season)
Progressive passes
9.37
7.78
Passes into final third
9.59
3.75
Passes into penalty area
0.87
2.84
Key passes
2.07
3.34
Expected assists
0.16xA
0.27xA
Rodriguez could certainly bring back some of that maverick flair that Villa lost when they sold Grealish to the Cityzens for £100m, which was then a British record transfer fee. Football analyst Ben Mattinson described the Columbian as “magical” during the recent Copa America in the USA, and given his performance and statistical output it is easy to see why.
Adding a player as creative as Rodriguez into their squad could elevate Villa to the next level. Not only would they save money by not signing Felix, but they would be adding experience and quality to the side as they hope to ruffle some feathers in the new-look Champions League format and make a real impression.
Best LW since Grealish: Aston Villa targeting £49m Felix alternative
This sought-after player could yet find himself playing for the Villa.
Just as in 2021, Gareth Southgate was unable to lead England to European Championship glory in Germany. While the campaign was not without its challenges as England laboured towards the latter stages of the tournament, the Three Lions’ ultimate failure to put an end to 58 years of hurt saw Southgate call time on his tenure.
Southgate oversaw one of England’s most successful periods in decades. During his eight years in charge, the Three Lions reached a World Cup quarter-final and semi-final, as well as two European Championship finals.
But having come so close to ending their long trophy drought, where does he rank among England’s best managers? Ranking them by win percentage, Football FanCast takes a look at the top 10 managers to take on the job. However, much to the disappointment of Sam Allardyce, to qualify for this list, they must have managed a minimum of ten games.
All data correct as of 15th July 2024. Games settled via penalty shootouts are considered as draws.
Manager
Tenure
Games
Wins
Win%
Fabio Capello
2008-2012
42
28
66.7%
Alf Ramsey
1962-1974
113
69
61.1%
Glenn Hoddle
1996-1999
28
17
60.7%
Ron Greenwood
1977-1982
55
33
60%
Gareth Southgate
2016-2024
102
61
59.8%
Sven-Goran Eriksson
2001-2006
67
40
59.7%
Roy Hodgson
2012-2016
56
33
58.9%
Walter Winterbottom
1946-1962
139
78
56.1%
Steve McClaren
2006-2007
18
9
50%
Bobby Robson
1982-1990
95
47
49.5%
Don Revie
1974-1977
29
14
48.3%
Graham Taylor
1990-1993
38
18
47.4%
Terry Venables
1994-1996
24
11
45.8%
Kevin Keegan
1999-2000
18
7
38.9%
10 Sir Bobby Robson 49.5% win rate
Sir Bobby Robson England manager
Tenure
1982-1990
Games
95
Wins
47
Draws
30
Losses
18
World Cup best
4th place (1990)
European Championship best
Group stage (1988)
After an impressive managerial stint in charge of Ipswich Town, Robson was handed the chance to take charge of England in 1982.
His time at the helm began poorly. He controversially dropped Kevin Keegan and saw England fail to qualify for Euro 1984, but despite his offers to resign, he was kept in his post and helped England qualify for the 1986 World Cup two years later.
His side reached the last eight of the competition, only to be knocked out by a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina including the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal. Two years later, they were out at the group stage of the European Championship.
Robson is perhaps best remembered for the 1990 World Cup, where his side lost to West Germany on penalties in the semi-finals. Heartbreaking but England’s best tournament performance in decades nonetheless, Robson left on a high despite a paltry 49.5% win percentage.
9 Steve McClaren 50% win rate
Steve McClaren England vs Croatia 2008
Tenure
2006-2007
Games
18
Wins
9
Draws
4
Losses
5
World Cup best
n/a
European Championship best
Qualifying stage (2008)
Put in charge of England after Luis Felipe Scolari turned down the role, Steve McClaren is remembered by England fans for all the wrong reasons. With a 50% win rate in charge of the Three Lions, he was unable to string together any consistency, and dropped popular veterans such as David Beckham and Sol Campbell.
The results didn’t vindicate his decisions, and a 2-1 defeat to Russia in Euro 2008 qualifying meant that they needed to beat Croatia at Wembley to book their place at the tournament. A 3-2 loss while McClaren stood under an umbrella became the main storyline from the game, as England failed to qualify for the Euros for the first time since 1984.
The next day, he had been fired and his 18 games in charge remains one of the shortest reigns an England manager has ever recorded. His tenure was a total disaster.
8 Sir Walter Winterbottom 56.1% win rate
Tenure
1946-1962
Games
139
Wins
78
Draws
33
Losses
28
World Cup best
Quarter-finals (1954, 1962)
European Championship best
n/a
England’s first-ever manager, Walter Winterbottom was also the longest-serving coach that the Three Lions have ever had. Appointed with zero managerial experience, he had the help of a selection committee (something later done away with) and managed an impressive 78 wins in 139 games, qualifying for four World Cups but never making it past the quarter-finals.
Despite some impressive results against major players Italy, Portugal and Brazil, however, he is probably best known for being the man replaced by Sir Alf Ramsey in 1962.
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1 ByLuke Randall Jun 16, 2024 7 Roy Hodgson 58.9% win rate
Roy Hodgson England Slovakia Euro 2016
Tenure
2012-2016
Games
56
Wins
33
Draws
15
Losses
8
World Cup best
Group stage (2014)
European Championship best
Quarter-finals (2016)
Another manager whose win percentage doesn’t truly reflect his perception as England boss, Roy Hodgson took charge in the aftermath of Fabio Capello’s exit, with England having already qualified for Euro 2012.
The tournament began well with a draw against France and wins against Sweden and Ukraine, as the Three Lions finished top of their group.
But defeat to Italy on penalties ended their run and marked the high point of Hodgson’s reign. In Brazil two years later, his side finished bottom of their group thanks to defeats to Uruguay and Italy, as well as a draw with Costa Rica.
Still in charge by Euro 2016, Hodgson’s side navigated their way out of the group stage behind Wales, but fell at the first knockout hurdle as they capitulated to a 2-1 defeat to minnows Iceland, one of the worst results in England’s history.
With just three wins from 11 tournament games, he resigned immediately after that defeat.
6 Sven-Goran Eriksson 59.7% win rate
Tenure
2001-2006
Games
67
Wins
40
Draws
17
Losses
10
World Cup best
Quarter-finals (2002, 2006)
European Championship best
Quarter-finals (2004)
After success in Italy at club level, Eriksson was appointed England boss in 2001, and despite a memorable 5-1 win over Germany, they still relied on David Beckham’s free kick to secure qualification for the 2002 World Cup.
He navigated the Three Lions through the group stage before eventually falling in the quarter-finals to eventual winners Brazil in a game remembered for Ronaldinho’s lob of David Seaman.
At Euro 2004, his side fell to a penalty shootout defeat to Portugal in the quarter-finals, and there was plenty of apathy towards Eriksson, to the point that he had agreed to leave his post even before the 2006 World Cup had kicked off.
Portugal once again foiled the Three Lions, with a second successive shootout defeat at the quarter-final stages, leaving Eriksson signing out with a whimper, despite plenty of initial promise.
5 Gareth Southgate 59.8% win rate
Tenure
2016-2024
Games
102
Wins
61
Draws
24
Losses
17
World Cup best
4th place (2018)
European Championship best
Runners-up (2020, 2024)
Loved and hated in equal measure depending on which England fan you ask, Southgate’s methods may have been boring at times, but his results spoke for themselves.
Appointed initially on a caretaker basis after Sam Allardyce was sacked, he remained in the post for eight years, during which time he reached heights
In that time, he has reached a World Cup semi-final and a European Championship final while instilling a feel-good factor around the England camp after years of distrust.
Year
Finish
2018 World Cup
Semi-final
Euro 2020
Runner-up
2022 World Cup
Quarter-finals
Euro 2024
Runner-up
However, there are accusations that he is too conservative, especially in games where his side have taken the lead and gone on to lose (namely against Croatia in 2018 and Italy in 2021).
Despite this, his record in charge was impressive, and guided England through one of their best periods of international football. And even without a trophy under his tenure, he leaves the role having out-performed plenty of his predecessors.
Every England penalty shootout at major tournaments
A chance to relive all of the Three Lions’ penalty shootouts at major tournaments.
Initially appointed as caretaker boss, Greenwood ended up in charge of England for five years, and made history by selecting the first black player to play for the Three Lions in Viv Anderson.
However, his side were not too successful on the pitch. They failed to qualify for the 1978 World Cup, were knocked out in the group stages of Euro 1980, and though they qualified for the World Cup in 1982, were knocked out in the second group stage.
Eventually, he stepped down, leaving the post with an impressive win percentage, but little to show for it.
3 Glenn Hoddle 60.7% win rate
Tenure
1996-1999
Games
28
Wins
17
Draws
6
Losses
5
World Cup best
Round of 16 (1998)
European Championship best
n/a
Appointed as the replacement for Terry Venables, Glenn Hoddle was in charge for 28 games across his three-year stint in charge, winning 17 of those. However, tournament football remained a disappointment, as his side lost to Argentina in the second round of the 1998 World Cup and had a poor start to Euro 2000 qualification.
The former Spurs and Chelsea man never got to see through that qualification campaign, leaving the England job under a cloud after making comments to a journalist about disabled people being punished for the sins of their former lives. Though he argued they were “misconstrued, misunderstood and misinterpreted”, the backlash prompted the FA to terminate his contract.
Despite that, his managerial success is only bettered by three other Three Lions bosses.
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Football FanCast has taken a look back at England’s past Euro campaigns.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 13, 2024 2 Sir Alf Ramsey 61.1% win rate
Tenure
1963-1974
Games
113
Wins
69
Draws
27
Losses
17
World Cup best
Winners (1966)
European Championship best
Third place (1968)
The only England men’s manager to win an international trophy, Sir Alf Ramsey remains a manager unequalled in the minds of many.
He took on the role in 1962 and immediately claimed that his side would win the 1966 World Cup, but he suffered a 6-3 aggregate defeat to France as his were side knocked out of qualifying for Euro 1964 to leave his claim seeming hollow.
1966 rolled around and England sailed through the group stage on home soil, beating France and Mexico before beating Argentina 1-0 in the quarter-finals. They went on to beat Portugal in the semi-finals and famously defeat West Germany 4-2 in the final thanks to a hat-trick from Sir Geoff Hurst.
Ramsey went on to reach the semi-finals of the 1968 European Championship and the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 1970, but neither he nor any other England boss has managed to replicate the success experienced in 1966.
1 Fabio Capello 66.7% win rate
Tenure
2008-2012
Games
42
Wins
28
Draws
8
Losses
6
World Cup best
Round of 16 (2010)
European Championship best
n/a
Still England’s most successful manager by win percentage, Fabio Capello is often accused of squandering England’s golden generation despite his overall record. Taking charge in 2008, the former Milan and Real Madrid manager was hailed as the right sort of man for the job thanks to his trophy record and reputation for discipline, which is something many felt was lacking in previous regimes.
His tournament record was less than ideal, though. England were knocked out by Germany in the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup after a poor group stage campaign in which they won just once, with the Italian leaving before Euro 2012 came around despite helping the Three Lions to qualify for the competition.
Of his 42 games at the helm, Capello won an impressive 28 of them, losing just six. Though it gives him the best win percentage of any manager to have been in charge of the Three Lions, his tournament record means that few will remember him too fondly.
Cricket could be included at the 2023 Africa Games as the ICC increasingly looks to multi-sport events as a way to grow the game.ESPNcricinfo understands the ICC Africa office have been in discussions with the local organising committee in Ghana with a view to including cricket at the event. A delegation, including officials from the ICC, the Ghana Cricket Association and the Ghana Ministry of Sports, has visited the proposed venues to ensure the requisite facilities could be provided.The feedback is understood to have been overwhelmingly positive, though cricket’s inclusion has not been confirmed at this stage.Whether it comes to fruition or not, the move underlines the ICC’s apparently new-found desire to embrace multi-sports games. The inclusion of women’s cricket has already been confirmed for the Commonwealth Games of 2022, while there is increasing momentum for a return to The Olympics. The new ECB chair, Ian Watmore, is understood to be a keen advocate of such a move and will shortly be placed in charge of an ICC sub-committee with a remit to explore the possibilities. Cricket’s inclusion as early as 2028, when the Olympics return to Los Angeles, remains possible.There has long been a hunger among ICC Associate members to include cricket in the Olympics, in particular. It would, they argue, lead to greater exposure for the sport in their individual nations and open up new avenues of public funding. But there has been resistance from some full member nations who have expressed concern that the amount of time required for the Olympics would eat into the time available for bilateral series and various national T20 tournaments.Increasingly, however, there has been an understanding at the ICC that multi-sport games would provide cricket with both a shop-window for potential new supporters and increase competition and commercial opportunities for its members. With the ECB, who believe it would provide impetus for the growth of the women’s game in particular, now broadly behind the idea, some of the impediments towards progress have been removed.
اختتمت مواجهات الجولة الرابعة من مباريات المجموعات الأربعة، في بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا 2024-2025، اليوم الأحد.
وشهدت الجولة، تلقي النادي الأهلي الخسارة الأولى له في دور المجموعات، بعدما هُزم أمام شباب بلوزداد الجزائري بهدف دون رد.
الأهلي يتواجد في المجموعة الثالثة من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا رفقة كل من شباب بلوزداد الجزائري واستاد أبيدجان الإيفواري وأورلاندو بايريتس الجنوب إفريقي.
وفي نفس الجولة، لنفس المجموعة، خطف فريق أورلاندو الجنوب إفريقي صدارة المجموعة بالفوز على استاد أبيدجان بثلاثية نظيفة.
والمشارك الثاني من مصر، فريق بيراميدز، حقق ريمونتادا أمام الترجي التونسي، في المباراة التي أقيمت اليوم، وفاز بهدفين مقابل هدف، بعدما كان متأخرًا في النتيجة بهدف.
فريق بيراميدز وصل إلى النقطة السابعة متساويًا مع الترجي، لكن صدارة المجموعة الرابعة، لصالح الفريق التونسي، لفارق الأهداف.
وفي نفس مجموعة بيراميدز، حقق فريق ساجرادا الأنجولي الفوز على منافسه دجوليبا المالي بهدف دون رد.
طالع.. فيديو | بيراميدز يقلب الطاولة على الترجي ويهزمه في مباراة مثيرة بدوري أبطال إفريقيا
وفي المجموعة الثانية، حقق فريق الرجاء المغربي انتصاره الأول في دور المجموعات بالفوز على صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي بهدف دون رد.
ويتصدر ترتيب المجموعة الثانية في دوري أبطال إفريقيا، فريق الجيش الملكي المغربي برصيد 8 نقاط، صن داونز يأتي ثانيًا بـ 5 نقاط، وفي المركز الثالث، فريق الرجاء برصيد 4 نقاط.
بينما في المجموعة الأولي، تعادل فريق الهلال السوداني مع نظيره مولودية الجزائر بهدف لمثله ليظل متصدرًا لترتيب المجموعة، برصيد 10 نقاط، ليحسم الفريق السوداني، تأهله إلي دور ربع النهائي من دوري أبطال إفريقيا كأول الأندية من المجموعات الأربعة.
ويحتل فريق مولودية الجزائر، المركز الثاني في ترتيب المجموعة، برصيد 5 نقاط. ترتيب مجموعات دوري أبطال إفريقيا بعد نهاية الجولة الرابعةترتيب المجموعة الأولى في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
1- الهلال السوداني – 10 نقاط.
2- مولودية الجزائر – 5 نقاط.
3- يانج أفريكانز التنزاني – 4 نقاط.
4- مازيمبي الكونغولي – نقطتين. ترتيب المجموعة الثانية في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
1- الجيش الملكي المغربي – 8 نقاط.
2- صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي – 5 نقاط.
3- الرجاء المغربي – 4 نقاط.
4- مانيما الكونغولي – 3 نقاط. ترتيب المجموعة الثالثة في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
1- أورلاندو بايرتس الجنوب إفريقي – 8 نقاط.
2- الأهلي – 7 نقاط.
3- شباب بلوزداد الجزائري – 6 نقاط.
4- استاد أبيدجان الإيفواري – نقطة واحد. ترتيب المجموعة الرابعة في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
1- الترجي التونسي – 7 نقاط.
2- بيراميدز – 7 نقاط.
3- ساجرادا الأنجولي – 5 نقاط.
4- دجوليبا المالي – نقطتين.
يمكنكم متابعة ترتيب مجموعات دوري أبطال إفريقيا بشكل محدث باستمرار.. من هنا
O Corinthians, definitivamente, vive sua melhor fase na temporada, tanto pelo desempenho, quanto pela perspectiva de melhora com os reforços que estão chegando. Tanto é que vive sua primeira sequência de vitórias sob o comando de Sylvinho e a primeira nesta edição do Campeonato Brasileiro.
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TABELA > Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2021 clicando aqui
> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!
GALERIA > Relembre a estreia de grandes jogadores do Corinthians na última década
No triunfo do último sábado, ao bater o Grêmio por 1 a 0, o Timão atingiu sua terceira vitória consecutiva. Anteriormente já havia superado o Athletico-PR, também por 1 a 0, e o Ceará, por 3 a 1. Com esses resultados, a equipe acabou subindo na tabela e atualmente está na sexta posição, brigando pela Liberta.
Até vencer o Furacão, o Alvinegro ainda não havia conseguido completar uma sequência de vitórias no campeonato. Sempre que vencia uma, empatava ou perdia no confronto seguinte, o que retratava a oscilação do time e a dificuldade em conquistar os resultados diante de adversários da elite.
Essa sequência também é inédita para Sylvinho no comando do Corinthians. Desde a sua chegada, há três meses, o time jamais havia estabelecido uma série de vitórias. Ainda que só tenha disputado duas partidas fora do Brasileirão, ambas pela Copa do Brasil (uma derrota e um empate diante do Atlético-GO), a conta para o técnico é relevante a afirmação de seu trabalho.
-Nós vamos em construção. Como dissemos, estamos bem alinhados com toda a diretoria e com a presidência. Nós estamos construindo, vamos de resultado em resultado. É um campeonato difícil, um campeonato complicado. Satisfeito por mais um fim de semana dar alegria para o nosso torcedor, que se alegre como nós, com duas, três vitórias seguidas. Já fazia um tempo que não a tínhamos, estamos trabalhando para isso, mas é um campeonato duro e a vitória vem em meio a um jogo muito complicado, e no detalhe nós conseguimos a vitória, é bom para todos nós e para o nosso torcedor – disse Sylvinho, em entrevista coletiva após a vitória sobre o Grêmio.
E fazia um certo tempo mesmo que o Corinthians não atingia três vitórias consecutivas. A última vez foi entre os dias 6 e 11 de maio, quando o Timão bateu Sport Huancayo-PER (3 a 0), pela Copa Sul-Americana, Novorizontino (2 a 1) e Inter de Limeira (4 a 1), ambos pelo Campeonato Paulista.
Agora, o Corinthians se prepara para tentar conquistar a quarta vitória consecutiva e terá essa possibilidade no dia 7 de setembro, quando recebe o Juventude, na Neo Química Arena, pela 19ª rodada do Brasileirão-2021.
Southampton have reportedly reached an agreement with an “incredible” player ahead of a permanent St Mary’s transfer.
Southampton planning for Premier League return
The Saints and Russell Martin secured promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking following a Championship playoff final win over Leeds United last month.
Following the victory at Wembley, Martin admitted that he isn’t planning on changing his style for the top flight in 2024/25.
“For me, if you win this way, it’s the best way. There’s no right or wrong way but it’s what I believe in, it’s what we believe in. And we finally won something doing it … so I guess it will be some form of validation for some people. I love what we do and I’m not going to change and I’m sure it will start – it probably already has – that we won’t play this way in the Premier League and all of that stuff, the scrutiny and the intensity that will come with that. It is up to us to prove ourselves right and make sure we embrace it without losing who we are.”
Southampton now eyeing move for "intelligent" £35,000-a-week La Liga ace
He has some Premier League experience…
ByTom Cunningham Jun 6, 2024
The club will more than likely be busy in the summer transfer window looking to bolster their squad, with a permanent move for Taylor Harwood-Bellis already secured due to an obligation to buy clause in his loan deal from Manchester City. Meanwhile, there have been rumours about a return to the south coast for Adam Lallana, whereas a bid has been made for teenage forward Jeronimo Domina.
Alongside Harwood-Bellis, the Saints could also look at permanent moves for fellow loan stars Flynn Downes and Ryan Fraser from West Ham and Newcastle United respectively, and it looks as if there has been a development with the latter.
Southampton reach Ryan Fraser agreement
According to The Athletic, Newcastle are looking to offload Fraser this summer and the player ‘has agreed a deal with Southampton’. It is added that ‘there are just details to be finalised with Newcastle’ ahead of a St Mary’s return.
Fraser played his part in the Saints’ promotion-winning campaign, making 44 appearances across the season, scoring eight times and registering three assists. The 30-year-old, on £42,000-a-week, started against Leeds at Wembley and was hailed as “incredible” by Martin following the win.
"Me, him and Matt Ritchie had many an evening in the Scotland squad where we would usually end up wrestling or fighting on some level.
"I know he's strong. I know he's aggressive. People questioned why we signed Wee Man. I knew him so well as a teammate and he has had a really tough couple of seasons. He has been incredible for us. "Not just with his performances but in training every day, the way he is has been amazing."
A permanent move to the south coast appears to be on the cards, and he’ll offer Martin plenty of Premier League experience back in the top flight, looking to add to his 173 games in the division next season.
Chelsea’s search for a new manager has already begun, immediately after the departure of Mauricio Pochettino.
It seems that the Argentine and the Blues board weren’t quite on the same page throughout his short stint as manager, but one thing is for certain; he got them playing some excellent football towards the end of the season.
Funnily enough, it’s been reported that Todd Boehly is keen to appoint a possession-based manager who prioritises attacking football, which was exactly what Pochettino provided.
Nonetheless, he’s no longer at the club. Here’s one candidate who could transform the Chelsea squad, and in particular, Levi Colwill.
Chelsea’s search for a new manager is underway
As per reports in Portugal, Chelsea have included Roberto De Zerbi and Fulham boss Marco Silva on their manager target list.
It’s stated that the Brighton manager has been seen for months as a strong option and he’s actually already been interviewed by the top dogs at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian could be a genuine option for the Blues, given the fact that the 44-year-old has just left the Amex and will be itching to get back into management in a new environment.
Obviously, as he’s now without a club, the manager is available to join a club free of charge, unlike some other targets who are tied to contracts.
What a Roberto De Zerbi Chelsea team could look like
If you follow the Premier League, you’ll already be well aware of how a De Zerbi-coached side operates.
Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi watches on from Elland Road as the Seagulls visit Leeds United in the Premier League.
A focus on ball-playing individuals, who must be able to operate in the tightest of spaces, even inside their own penalty box.
It’s almost guaranteed that when facing a De Zerbi team, the opposition will barely have a sniff off the ball, as shown by his side averaging 60.2% possession this season.
Goals scored
1.4
2.0
Goals conceded
1.6
1.7
Shots
14.8
14.4
Possession
60.2%
58.9%
Corners
5.4
5.3
Accurate passes
551
505
De Zerbi’s style of play is very much a high-risk, high-reward strategy, and last season it worked brilliantly, as he led the Seagulls to the Europa League, the first European campaign in the club’s history.
However, one player who would slot into the Italians’ team with ease is Colwill, who already knows exactly what it takes to perform and meet the standards set by the young coach.
Brighton defender Levi Colwill.
The extremely highly-rated defender spent last season on loan at the Amex Stadium, playing 17 times in the Premier League and really thriving in his possession-based 4-2-3-1 setup.
If the former Shakhtar Donetsk boss were to arrive at Stamford Bridge, it’s reasonable to presume that Colwill would feature within his first-choice backline given his technical class, as shown by his 75.5 touches and 59.8 passes per game in the league last season. As we can see from the table below, he was far more assured in possession and was given a greater importance on the South Coast.
Touches
75.5
62.5
Passes completed
59.8
38.2
Pass accuracy
89%
83%
Tackles
0.5
2.1
Duels won
3.8
5
Although he’s been classed as a “genius” by analyst Statman Dave, the former Sassuolo boss is an extremely stubborn manager, which can work for or against him at times.
He always demands that his side stick to his principles, regardless of opponent, game state, or score line, which may initially require patience from the Blues faithful.
Some may believe that this is slightly naive and one of the reasons why Brighton have won just once in ten games, but with the right squad, it could prove to be a masterful approach.
Overall, there are risks to signing any manager, in truth, but at least De Zerbi has the mentality to deal with being Chelsea boss, which may not be the case for others.
Chelsea pushing to hire McKenna upgrade who’d help revive Reece James
The manager helped Manchester City win the treble last season.
The Championship certainly didn't disappoint again when Middlesbrough and Leeds United faced off at the Riverside Stadium, a seven goal thriller making it an enthralling must-watch for the neutral.
No doubt, Whites fans watching on would have preferred a more straightforward affair but were thankful all the same for Crysencio Summerville's heroics once more against Michael Carrick's stubborn hosts to win the back-and-forth game 4-3.
The Dutchman bagged himself a brace to help steer Daniel Farke's men back up to second spot for the time being, a superstar showing from Leeds' consistent top performer.
rutter-summerville-leeds-opinion
Crysencio Summerville's performance vs Boro in numbers
Those two strikes take Summerville's stunning goal total for the season up to 20 strikes in all competitions, with his second on the night a trademark curling effort from his repertoire.
He also teed up Wilfried Gnonto for the crucial third Leeds goal at the Riverside, fortunate that the linesman didn't flag the Italian's effort as offside after cutting open the Boro defence to put it on a plate for the 20-year-old.
It was a devastatingly effective attacking display from the former Feyenoord man turned Leeds hero, only needing 40 touches in the game to wreak absolute havoc when charging forward past a stunned Boro defence.
Leeds would have been thankful for Summerville stepping up to the mark, when assessing Illan Meslier's shaky display in between the sticks versus Carrick's men.
Minutes played
90
Touches
40
Goals
2
Assists
1
Key passes
2
Duels won
4/12
If it hadn't been for the slick Whites number ten grabbing the game by the scruff of its neck, Leeds might well have dropped even more points with the Frenchman unconvincing throughout.
Illan Meslier's performance vs Boro in numbers
The 24-year-old 'keeper struggled against Boro, unable to pick up another clean sheet by leaking three avoidable goals.
A mix-up at the back resulted in Boro's opening goal of the evening, a tangle between Joe Rodon and Meslier allowing Isaiah Jones to tap home into an empty net.
Emmanuel Latte Lath was a constant thorn in the side of Leeds in the huge clash alongside Jones, with the Ivorian's equaliser too fierce for Meslier to save despite the Frenchman initially getting a glove on the effort.
His looped header over the 6 foot 6 'keeper also made the final exchanges at the Riverside far nervier than they needed to be from a Whites point of view, a ball over the top catching out the Leeds defence before Latte Lath instinctively headed over a hapless Meslier.
On the night, the ex-Lorient man would only end up making two saves with Boro clearly buoyed on by the 24-year-old's unsteady display as a result.
Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth would hand out a low 5/10 rating to Meslier at the full-time whistle consequently, whilst Summerville was rewarded with a far higher 9/10 rating for his efforts.
Smyth would describe Meslier's performance as 'flappy', with Farke just breathing a major sigh of relief at the end that the shot-stopper's poor showing didn't end up costing his side an invaluable three points in the ongoing automatic promotion race – with any slip up set to be fatal such is the tight nature of things at the top.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke watches a Championship game.
It looks very unlikely that Farke will think about dropping Meslier anytime soon, with a lack of bodies at his disposal that could do a more impactful job, but he will want far more from his number one when Leeds travel to Queens Park Rangers this coming Friday night in yet another crunch clash at the top of the division.
8/10 Leeds star just showed he’s way too good for the Championship
The Whites attacker put in a phenomenal performance on the flank for the manager on Monday night.
O Palmeiras venceu a Universidad Católica por 1 a 0 em Santiago, no Chile, e largou em vantagem nas oitavas de final da Libertadores. Com gol de pênalti do meia Raphael Veiga, o camisa 23 chegou à marca de 12 pênaltis convertidos em 12 cobradas desde que retornou ao Verdão, em 2019.
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Batedor oficial do elenco, Veiga tem assumido a responsabilidade para cobrar e já soma cinco gols de pênalti na temporada 2021. Com isso, a equipe dirigida por Abel Ferreira tem 100% de aproveitamento em penais com o atleta em campo durante o tempo regulamentar.
Segundo dados levantados pelo SofaScore, a equipe do Palmeiras tem uma queda brusca sem Veiga na marca da cal. Levando em consideração as duas últimas temporadas, seja em tempo regulamentar ou disputas de pênaltis, o Verdão tem um declínio de 50% sem o meia.
>> Veja a tabela completa da Libertadores
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Ao todo, o camisa 23 soma 100% de aproveitamento no período, com nove cobranças e nove acertos. Enquanto isso, o aproveitamento sem o batedor cai para 51%, com 43 cobranças e somente 22 acertos.
Vale lembrar que disputas de pênaltis derrubaram o Palmeiras quatro vezes consecutivas em 2021. Derrotado no Mundial de Clubes, Supercopa do Brasil, Recopa Sul-Americana e Copa do Brasil, o clube venceu apenas duas das últimas dez disputas que valiam títulos ou classificações.
O Palmeiras volta a campo no domingo (18), diante do Atlético-GO, às 16h, em jogo válido pela 12ª rodada do Brasileirão.