Xavi expressed his concern over Pedri and Frenkie de Jong's condition as he expects midfield duo to remain out of action for a long time.
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Kevin De Bruyne will reportedly have to push for a transfer away from Manchester City if he is to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.
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There have definitely been flashes of progress at Tottenham Hotspur over the past few weeks, but the 3-0 hiding handed by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on a chill Sunday afternoon has served Thomas Frank a sobering reality check.
At the weekend, Tottenham knew there was a chance to step up and make real headway in the Premier League by recording a statement win over Forest, having ended a six-game winless run in the division the match before, against Brentford on home turf.
Positivity was short-lived, though, even after beating Slavia Prague 3-0 in the Champions League in midweek. This system is riddled with problems, and the manner in which Spurs were beaten by Sean Dyche’s relegation-threatened side has enraged and dismayed a fanbase who have been crying out for coherence and focused creativity all season.
Frank’s post-match comments were bleak, but he couldn’t have stood in front of the cameras and lauded effort, drawn solace from moments.
It is clearer than ever that ENIC Group’s decision to attack the January transfer market is a just one.
The Forest defeat was one to forget, but it wasn’t an outlier for the Lilywhites this season, and that makes putting it in the background difficult.
Tottenham came undone in the first half when Guglielmo Vicario put Archie Gray under pressure. The 19-year-old then lost possession cheaply, and Callum Hudson-Odoi scored.
This microcosm of Spurs’ season widens to a gloomier landscape, and it’s understandable that signings are anticipated. This is a squad who need improvements across different positions. Gray, it seems, isn’t ready for a starring role, playing as an anchor week in and week out.
Perhaps that’s why ENIC are lining up a move for Atletico Madrid star Pablo Barrios. In fact, Spanish media are under the impression that the Londoners have already tabled an opening €70m (equating to £61m) offer for the 22-year-old midfielder. That fee, should a deal get done, would be one of the most expensive in the club’s history, surpassing the £60m they paid for Richarlison but falling £4m shy of Dominic Solanke’s deal.
The Spaniard’s versatility and physical attributes make him an ideal fit for the Premier League, but Atletico won’t let their prize leave easily. Spurs’ interest is very real, but landing his signature will prove a hard task.
Gray’s blunder at the weekend can happen in football, but it’s symptomatic of a wider struggle at Tottenham right now. More experience and dynamism are needed in midfield, especially with Yves Bissouma ostracised and Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha offering limited skillsets.
Here Barrios would raise Spurs’ level. He is athletic and fleet-footed and confident in the duel. He has been hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his “Iniesta-esque magic” on the ball, and so would help the manager establish fluid passing patterns from midfield, flowing into the final third.
Winning duels is a core part of the midfield game, and this Gray is struggling to do. In fact, the England U21 international’s lack of success in tussling against opponents is preventing him from establishing fluency in the Tottenham midfield.
There is no such issue for Barrios, who is still young but strong and powerful enough to hold his own against any opponent.
|
League Form 25/26 – Archie Gray vs Pablo Barrios |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per game) |
Gray |
Barrios |
|
Matches (starts) |
6 (4) |
16 (14) |
|
Goals |
0 |
1 |
|
Assists |
0 |
0 |
|
Touches* |
28.3 |
61.8 |
|
Accurate passes* |
20.5 (92%) |
41.3 (87%) |
|
Chances created* |
0.2 |
0.8 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
0.2 (50%) |
1.8 (65%) |
|
Ball recoveries* |
2.3 |
4.8 |
|
Tackles* |
0.5 |
1.2 |
|
Interceptions* |
0.5 |
1.3 |
|
Duels won* |
1.0 (29%) |
5.0 (57%) |
|
Data via Sofascore |
||
Barrios would help steer Spurs back onto more stable ground. Not only is the Spanish star been tempered in the furnaces of Diego Simeone’s steely system, but he’s positive and proactive on the ball. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 5% of centre-midfielders across Europe over the past year for successful take-ons and the top 14% for interceptions per 90.
There is every reason for Spurs directors Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici to complete this deal. Gray is an exciting talent who may yet take a talismanic role in Frank’s set-up, but he’s not there yet.
The problem is that Gray’s peers have hardly covered themselves in glory this season either, and a change is now needed, with plenty to play for this term.
Fewer touches than Vicario & only 2 passes: Spurs flop must be dropped
It’s time Frank took the Spurs flop out of his team for good.
1
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
2 days ago
Newcastle United’s Champions League chase is back on track.
On Sunday, the Magpies beat Nottingham Forest 4-3 in a thoroughly entertaining clash at St James’ Park, with all of the home side’s goals coming during an 11-minute first-half spree; Lewis Miley and Jacob Murphy on target, before Alexander Isak struck twice.
Despite having lost three of their previous four Premier League games beforehand, Eddie Howe’s team have moved back up to fifth, thereby occupying the final Champions League spot, ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup Final dress rehearsal, facing champions-elect Liverpool at Anfield.
The Toon Army certainly have a strong side to get behind, but just imagine how good they would be if they had not been forced to sell one of their most prized assets. Spoiler; he might have even more potential than Anthony Gordon.
When Gordon joined Newcastle from Everton in January 2023 for a reported £45m, becoming, at the time, the club’s second-most expensive signing of all-time, many were questioning the price tag.
Tim Sherwood, who won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, believed Gordon was “overpriced”, although he’s since admitted he was wrong, proved so by the winger’s form.
Chris Waugh of the Athletic describes the 24-year-old as ‘durable, pacy, direct, hard-working, versatile and has end-product’ adding ‘most wingers have some of those traits, but [Gordon] possess them all’, while Ben McAleer of the Guardian believes he has ‘set the Premier League alight’ since making the move to Tyneside.
This form has also earned Gordon international recognition,
He was player of the tournament as England won the U21 Euros in the summer of 2023, before making his senior international debut against Brazil last March, opening his account for the Three Lions during November’s 5-0 hammering of the Republic of Ireland at Wembley.
Alongside, Gordon believes Newcastle striker Isak to be “the best in Europe” and together they form quite the partnership, so just imagine how formidable the Magpies’ front line would be, had they been able to keep a top-class right-winger.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.
Even though Yankuba Minteh never actually made an appearance for Newcastle, they’re being made to regret his sale.
The Gambian joined Newcastle from Danish Superligaen side Odense Boldklub for a reported fee of £6.5m in June 2023, immediately loaned out to Feyenoord, with the plan for him to be integrated into the first team a year later.
Minteh scored 11 goals in 37 appearances for the Eredivisie giants, averaging a goal every 181 minutes, most notably on target in the Champions League at Celtic Park, before bagging a brace during a famous 6-0 demolition of Ajax in De Klassieker.
So, despite the plans being for Minteh to return to Newcastle, he never did, sold to Brighton last June for a reported price tag of £33m, with the Magpies forced to sell both he, as well as Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest, in order to avoid a PSR breach.
Well, it appears as though the Seagulls snapped up a bargain, with the Athletic’s Ryan Adsett describing the 20-year-old as a “world-class talent”, while Matt Furniss of Opta’s the Analyst believes Brighton supporters are rightfully excited.
Speaking on Sky Sports in August, Jamie Carragher asserted that Newcastle “are going to rue” the sale of Minteh, a claim that is certainly coming to fruition.
By bagging a brace against Chelsea on Valentine’s night, Minteh took his tally to five Premier League goals this season, on top of his four assists, so let’s assess how he compares to Gordon.
|
Minteh vs Gordon 2024/25 comparison |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Minteh |
Gordon |
|
Appearances |
24 |
32 |
|
Minutes |
1,259 |
2,451 |
|
Goals |
5 |
9 |
|
Minutes per goal |
252 |
272 |
|
Assists |
4 |
6 |
|
Expected assists per 90 |
0.32 |
0.22 |
|
Goals – xG |
+1.9 |
-1.8 |
|
Shots on target % |
52% |
36.1% |
|
Goal-creating actions |
8 |
12 |
|
Goal-creating actions per 90 |
0.71 |
0.54 |
|
Take-on success % |
47.9% |
38.2% |
|
Touches per 90 |
33 |
34 |
|
Information courtesy of Transfermarkt and FBref.com |
||
While Gordon’s surface-level statistics, goals and assists, are superior to Minteh’s, the Gambian’s per-90 numbers are more impressive. He’s averaging a higher take-on success and more goal-creating actions per 90.
Meanwhile, the Brighton winger boasts a higher shot on target percentage too. This suggests that, two years four years Gordon’s junior, his ceiling may well be bigger. Just take a look at the company he’s now in…
Of players who have attempted 70+ dribbles this season, only eight have a higher take-on success percentage than Minteh, namely Amad, Mikkel Damsgaard, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Jadon Sancho, Mohamed Salah, Antoine Semenyo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jérémy Doku.
So, what a pair of wide-attackers Minteh and Gordon would’ve been with Isak in the middle; no wonder Howe believes the Profit and Sustainability Rules are “not right”.
As bad as Pope: 6/10 Newcastle star should be on borrowed time under Howe
Newcastle United nearly had to settle for a point in a barmstorming 4-3 victory over Nottingham Forest.
By
Kelan Sarson
Feb 23, 2025
Paris Saint-Germain are lining up a £75 million bid for Manchester United's Marcus Rashford this summer as a potential Kylian Mbappe replacement.
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Chelsea legend Eden Hazard will make a brief return to football to play in the Kings World Cup in Mexico later this year.
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Arsenal have been told that a gem of theirs could get even better very soon as Mikel Arteta's side start this Premier League campaign with serious title aspirations.
The Gunners are currently enjoying one of their finest ever starts to an English top flight campaign, winning six out of their opening eight league matches while remaining unbeaten.
Arsenal are currently joint-top with league leaders and north London rivals Tottenham, boasting a similar record to Ange Postecoglou's high-flying Spurs side. Arteta, just prior to this international break, guided Arsenal to a statement 1-0 win over current champions Man City, courtesy of a late, deflected effort from super sub Gabriel Martinelli. Speaking after the vital win, Arsenal's head coach was full of praise.
"A great feeling obviously, you could sense it’s been so many years without beating them and today we have beaten in my opinion without a question of a doubt the best team in the world," said Arteta to Arsenal's official website.
"We've done it in a great way. There were moments we had to suffer, but as well moments we showed real determination, desire and belief to beat them, so really happy. Certainly sends a message to the team, keep believing in what they are doing, they are a fantastic group of players.
"The way they try, the understanding, the chemistry that they have between them you sense it and you need it to beat that, today again really proud, I was proud on Wednesday when we lost the game, and I am really proud again today as well to be part of that team."
Arsenal have taken on Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Man United, Everton, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Man City. They next face off against London neighbours Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which will make for a very interesting encounter.
A fixture of Arteta's starting eleven after his £105 million move from West Ham, star midfielder Declan Rice has become an important player at the Emirates Stadium. The 24-year-old gem has started every single Arsenal league game, even getting on the scoresheet in a 3-1 win over Man United. Rice is already endearing himself to club's fanbase with some imperious performances, and has attracted praise for his start to life in an Arsenal shirt.
The sky appears to be the limit for West Ham's former captain, with Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell now telling the Highbury Squad YouTube channel that he has "levels to go" yet.
“A lot of people weren’t sure how good Declan Rice would be. Are you surprised by how good he is? Because, you know what, I think he has levels to go in this side. This is just him shaking off West Ham. He’s going to get much better."
|
Declan Rice strengths |
Declan Rice weaknesses |
|---|---|
|
Passing |
None |
|
Long shots |
Data from WhoScored |
|
Interceptions |
As if there wasn't enough Declan Rice praise, he's also been called "sensational" by members of the press, and he's certainly starting to prove his worth so early on in his Gunners career.
Erling Haaland has been dropped from the starting line-up for Manchester City's crucial Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
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Glasgow Rangers have been credited with an interest in bringing a new teenage forward to Ibrox, but a fresh report has revealed that he’s currently on trial with another one of his admirers.
The Light Blues will have seven of their squad members out of contract at the end of the season in the form of John Lundstram, Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, Jon McLaughlin and Leon Balogun, as well as Abdallah Sima who is only on a season-long loan from Brighton and Hove Albion (Rangers contracts).
Therefore, new manager Philippe Clement may soon have to make a decision over their futures, and it’s believed that Barisic has already been offered a new two-year deal, whilst Ross McCausland will also get the chance to commit his long-term future to the Scottish Premiership outfit.
The Ibrox side may, as a result, have room to make more fresh additions next year should a lot of those stars leave upon the expiration of their current terms, and one player that the boss has set his sights on is Sunderland striker Mason Cotcher, who is a regular feature of the club’s academy at the Stadium of Light.
However, England’s youth international is yet to make his senior debut under Tony Mowbray, so he knows that he might need to move elsewhere should he want to be given the opportunity to break into the first-team fold, with the 17-year-old emerging as a target for the hierarchy north of the border.
According to The Sunderland Echo, offering a transfer update on Mason Cotcher, Rangers, Brighton and Arsenal are all set to compete to secure the services of the centre-forward, who recently played for the Gunners.
“Eyebrows were raised among Sunderland fans after the youngster featured for Arsenal's under-18s this week, suggesting firm interest from the Premier League outfit. Cotcher featured for Arsenal's youth side on Teesside against Middlesbrough last Saturday in the under-18s Premier League Cup competition.
"The Echo also understands that Scottish giants Rangers and Arsenal's Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion have also looked at the youngster ahead of a potential move. It remains to be seen if Arsenal, Rangers or Brighton will advance their interest in Cotcher.”
Since the start of his career, Cotcher has posted ten involvements, nine goals and one assist, in 27 appearances which shows how prolific he can be in the final third (Transfermarkt – Cotcher stats), so should he put pen to paper in the near future, he could be a fantastic acquisition for Rangers.
In the northeast, Clement’s target is also a versatile operator having been deployed in four different positions over the grass since first bursting onto the professional scene, including everywhere across the frontline and even slightly deeper in the midfield, which will be yet another attractive attribute to chiefs.
Finally, Cotcher has started to make a name for himself on the international stage having made his first two appearances for England’s U17s at the beginning of this year, so he may well be a star in the making, and it could be a real coup if the club could beat their fellow competitors to his signature.
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must prevent striker Harry Kane from getting on the ball when they take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday.
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