Manchester United have released their retained list for the upcoming transfer window and have announced the release of six players.

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Man Utd release seven playersIn talks with Evans, Heaton, Forson and ShoretireCould see more departures and arrivals this summerWHAT HAPPENED?

United have announced that they have parted ways with first-team players Anthony Martial, Raphael Varane and Brandon Williams, alongside reserve players Charlie McNeill, Marcus Lawrence and Kie Plumley heading into the summer.

They also announced that they are holding extension talks with veterans Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton with their current contracts set to expire this month. The same is the case with youngster Shola Shoretire, who spent the season on loan with Bolton Wanderers.

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According to the club, they have already offered a new contract to 19-year-old centre-back Omari Forson, who broke into the first team this season for Erik ten Hag's side after the club went through a bucketload of injuries in defence. Forson impressed fans and pundits alike for his ball-playing ability paired with his physical prowess which could make him an important asset for the Red Devils in the upcoming season if he agrees to the new contract.

DID YOU KNOW?

The 20-time Premier League winners have also released 37-year-old midfielder Tom Huddlestone, who operated as a player-coach over the last two years for their under-21s team. Huddlestone was registered as a senior team player over the last two years but played with the youth squad in Premier League 2. This season, he only appeared eight times for the side as a player.

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WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

Heading into the summer, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has plans to overhaul the squad and make new signings, and as such, the club will likely have more departure before the start of pre-season.

England captain urges team to play final in the bold style that got them there

George Dobell at Edgbaston11-Jul-2019Eoin Morgan has admitted the prospect of playing in a World Cup final seemed laughable by the time England were knocked out of the 2015 World Cup.England endured a miserable campaign in New Zealand and Australia four-years ago sustaining a series of crushing defeats and failing to make it to the quarter-finals.But a resounding victory over Australia at Edgbaston on Thursday means England will play their first World Cup final since 1992 at Lord’s on Sunday. All of which left Morgan, the England captain, reflecting on a remarkable improvement in his side’s ODI cricket during the last four years.”If you had offered us the position to play in a final the day after we were knocked out of the 2015 Cup, I would have laughed at you,” Morgan said. “Looking back where we were in 2015 to where we will be on Sunday, it is a dramatic improvement in the style of play and the level of expectation which we’ve created.”In 2015 we were way off the mark. We struggled against the top teams – and the teams below that level – so there was quite a drastic change in the way we played and the way we looked at playing our 50-over cricket. The last four years have been a process.”Chris Woakes was named Player of the Match for his return of 3 for 20, but Morgan was equally full of praise for Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy, who recorded their fourth century partnership in succession.”Chris is a cool customer,” he said. “He goes about his business, day in and day out, exceptionally. Today was his day. He and Jofra Archer were outstanding. It was one of our bowlers’ standout performances in the last four years.”Jason and Jonny are in the form of their lives. They are imposing when they get in. And they set the tone for the whole group.”While Morgan accepts Sunday’s final will be a high-profile affair, he is urging his team to embrace the occasion and continue to play the bold style of cricket that earned them victory on Thursday.”Sunday’s not a day to shy away from,” Morgan said. “It’s a day to look forward to. We have created the opportunity to play in a World Cup final. It will be a matter of trying to produce everything that we can performance-wise, but enjoy the day.”It’s an opportunity for us on Sunday. A huge one. Making the most of the opportunity of getting to the final would be fantastic, but just getting there is awesome.”Everybody out there on the field and in the changing room loved every ball that was bowled [against Australia]. There was no lack of commitment, application and we had a bit of a day out. It’s cool when it happens like that, particularly when the bowlers bowl like that. It is awesome.”Morgan is particularly pleased that Sunday’s final will be broadcast free-to-air on Channel 4 or, while the British Grand Prix is in progress, on More 4. He says his own experiences of watching cricket on free to air television helped inspire his love for the game and hopes more people will now have the same opportunity.”It’s very cool,” he said. “Particularly given that the 2005 Ashes [which was the last series broadcast free-to-air in the UK] was, for me, sort of the day cricket became cool. Throughout the whole summer, the game was on the front and back page of every newspaper and everyone was talking about it. That is really good for the game and it’s the game I love, so it’s great news that it’s on free-to-air.”

Cameron Bancroft made a shocking admission on the third evening of this game. He confessed he did not yet know the lyrics of “Blaydon Races”, Durham’s famous victory song. “When we sing it, one of the lads has to get the words up on his phone,” said the Durham skipper. Someone at the Riverside should perhaps advise Bancroft to remedy this deficiency forthwith. Folk in the North East might look askance at a bloke bunging an abrasive down his strides in a Test match but not knowing what could be observed down the Scotswood Road on June 9, 1862 is even less easy to excuse.One Durham cricketer almost certainly well acquainted with events at Balmbra’s and the Robin Adair is Ben Raine and he may have belted out the Geordie anthem with particular gusto this glorious afternoon in Hove after his team had completed their 196-run victory over Sussex. Despite spending six seasons at Leicestershire, Sunderland-born Raine was very much returning home when he signed a three-year contract at the Riverside last September and he will have taken particular pleasure in taking four wickets in 16 balls either side of lunch, a spell which all but decided the game.Things got even better for Raine later in the piece. His dismissals of both Chris Jordan and Aaron Thomason sealed Durham’s victory seven overs after tea and they left him with career-best figures of 6 for 27. Moreover, his full analysis – 22.3-13-27-6 – was a fair reflection of his accuracy and it led one or two greybeards to recall the great days of Tom Cartwright and Derek Shackleton. Comparisons do not come any more honourable.Durham’s victory also has a wider significance. For one thing it takes Bancroft’s side off the bottom of a Division Two table which is making the experts’ forecasts look like March madness. At the halfway point of the Championship season Glamorgan, Derbyshire and Gloucestershire are in three of the top five places – just as everyone predicted. It can be argued with perfect justice that Durham are not out of the hunt for promotion, especially if they were to beat Lancashire at Sedbergh in a game beginning on Sunday. In the aftermath of victory, of course, one or two of their players may not be quite sure where Sedbergh is, but on one matter they can be reassured. It is, so far as we know, not on the road to Blaydon.As for Sussex, their straightforward skipper, Ben Brown, identified their dropped catches on the first day and their inadequate batting on the second as contributory factors to their deserved defeat. Yet the odd thing about Brown’s team at the moment is that all of them can bat and supporters feel just as confident about their prospects when they see Delray Rawlins coming in at No. 9 as they do when Harry Finch goes in first wicket down. Injuries to players like Phil Salt and Mir Hamza are not helping either but Durham’s cricket this week may have been enough to defeat a full-strength side and it was far too good for Brown’s batsmen on Thursday.However, until Raine came on from the Sea End before lunch, Durham had not taken a wicket nor had they looked like doing so. The overnight pair, Stiaan van Zyl and Ollie Robinson, had batted with such assurance that it was tough to tell which of them was the nightwatchman. The pair had added 82 runs in 31 overs with van Zyl eventually joining his partner in taking the attack to the bowlers, a tactic which nearly decapitated James Weighell early in the session when he failed to see the ball after it had been savagely cut through point by Robinson off Chris Rushworth. It was hard to think Robinson could carry on like this for long but he did so and deep in the morning Sussex were entitled to ponder the possibility of an extraordinary recovery.Then Raine began to bowl and the runs dried up. Each delivery maintained the tightest of lines between the middle stump and just outside the off. Van Zyl was dropped at first slip by Lees. Four overs later and on the point of lunch, the Sussex batsman nibbled fatally at another good ball and Ned Eckersley took the catch. The Durham players strode off and probably enjoyed their food a good deal more than had seemed likely an over previously.Just after lunch they probably felt like nipping back in for an extra helping of crème brûlée. Raine’s first ball after the resumption – the fourth of his uncompleted over – moved away a shade and took the edge of Laurie Evans’ bat on the way to Eckersley. Brown avoided the hat-trick but four overs later was pinned leg before by an inswinger. The same fate befell David Wiese five balls later and Raine had removed all the specialist Sussex batsmen capable of piloting long-term resistance.Robinson reached his fifty off 119 balls but his 54-run stand with Jordan merely delayed the end of the match. Rushworth had the nightwatchman caught at slip by Jack Burnham and the stage was prepared for Raine to complete a victory which will no doubt be properly celebrated by Durham’s cricketers on their coach trip home. Indeed, come the morning one or two of them may have cause to visit Dr. Gibbs.

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are among the players causing Gareth Southgate concern, according to Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett.

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• Southgate told his squad is ill-prepared
• Multiple players coming off injuries
• England come into Euros as favourites

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  England are heading into Euro 2024 as one of the favourites for the tournament in Germany. However, Dorsett believes the Three Lions are ill-prepared due to a number of different reasons, with the likes of Harry Kane, Luke Shaw, John Stones and Kieran Trippier coming off fresh injuries, while Jude Bellingham joined the side later than others due to Real Madrid's trip to the Champions League final.

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• WHAT DORSETT SAID

  Dorsett believes the aforementioned players, along with Harry Maguire – who wasn't named in England's final 26-man squad owing to a calf injury – will be causing Southgate 'real concerns' as he prepared for the tournament.

  Speaking on Sky Sports, the reporter said: "They look ill-prepared for this tournament. Not by the fault of the manager or any of the individual players, but in terms of injuries and the number of key players that are undercooked. They just haven’t simply played enough football in the build up to this tournament. Harry Kane is a case in point. He looks sluggish to me. He doesn’t look fully fit. Not a surprise owing to the fact that he’s missed the last three games of Bayern Munich’s season with a back problem. Looks to me like he hasn’t trained very much and that he’s still nursing that back problem. That’s a big worry because unless Harry Kane is fully firing, I don’t think England can win the Euros. Harry Maguire, another key player, not going to Germany at all because of that calf problem.

  "John Stones is going to Germany but having been undercooked himself. One Premier League appearance since the middle of March. He desperately needed the game time. What happens? He picks up an ankle injury in the final warm-up game against Iceland. Luke Shaw hasn’t played any football since February. He might not be able to play any meaningful part until the knockout stages for England. Kieran Trippier, still building up his match sharpness. Jude Bellingham, joining up with the squad this weekend after being given some extra time off after the Champions League final. He looks a little bit tired to me, I think he’s gone a bit leggy in the last month or so for Real Madrid.

  "These are key players for England. Players that England will rely on if they are to get to the latter stages of the tournament. And I think there are concerns about a great deal of many of them. Where they are right now, having had one win in their last five internationals, you have to say there are real concerns for Gareth Southgate."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  England still remain one of the favourites for the competition, but we might have to wait until the knockout rounds to see Southgate's side in full flow. They will look to go one better than Euro 2020 when they lost in the final against Italy.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

  The Three Lions will begin their tournament with a clash against Serbia on Sunday, June 16 as they look to return to winning ways after their 1-0 friendly loss against Iceland.

Tottenham are apparently ready to attempt a late deal for one club's "dream" 26-year-old player, with his side already looking at replacements.

Third January signing not ruled out at Spurs

While the Lilywhites have already sealed both Timo Werner and Radu Dragusin, with the former joining on loan and the latter for around £25m, reports have suggested that Spurs may not be done there.

Related All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

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Spurs have been linked with the likes of Chelsea star Conor Gallagher, with Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio lifting the lid on talks between Chelsea and Ange Postecoglou's side earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa starlet Jacob Ramsey is another name rumoured to be attracting Tottenham's attention as we enter the final hours of this January window – and a transfer hasn't been ruled out given Villa's need to sell and comply with FFP.

All confirmed Tottenham deals for January

Transfer

Timo Werner

Arrival (loan, RB Leipzig)

Radu Dragusin

Arrival (permanent, Genoa)

Djed Spence

Departure (loan, Genoa)

Japhet Tanganga

Departure (loan, Millwall)

Ashley Phillips

Departure (loan, Plymouth)

Sergio Reguilon

Departure (loan, Brentford)

Eric Dier

Departure (loan, Bayern)

Ivan Perisic

Departure (loan, Hajduk Split)

There could still be signs of life at Tottenham on deadline day, as chairman Daniel Levy, technical director Johan Lange, chief football officer Scott Munn and the wider recruitment team apparently weigh up last minute moves. Perhaps the most surprising of them all, though, is Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke.

The Englishman has netted 12 goals in 20 Premier League appearances, so it's little shock he's turning heads, but Richarlison's newly-found resurgence in form at Tottenham arguably negates the need for another number nine. That being said, the Brazilian is currently Postecoglou's only natural option right now, with Son Heung-min often playing in a central striker role at points over 2023/2024.

Harry Kane's departure to Bayern Munich last year has left Spurs fairly short of alternatives to Richarlison in that regard, and reports have suggested that Tottenham are weighing up potential replacements for the club's all-time record goalscorer.

Tottenham ready to attempt £50m-plus deal for Solanke

According to The Sun, Solanke is of serious interest to Spurs as they eye up a new striker to take Kane's mantle. The news outlet states Tottenham are "prepared" to attempt a £50m-plus deal for Solanke, with Bournemouth already looking at replacements abroad in case they get an offer too good to refuse.

It's said Spurs are prepared to test Bournemouth's resolve when it comes to parting company with the in-form Englishman, so it will be intriguing to see if this advances any further.

Jermain Defoe has previously heaped praise on Solanke for his brilliant form this season, while ex-Cherries boss Gary O'Neil has called him a "dream" centre-forward.

“He’s a dream. As a center forward, I think sometimes his work can go unnoticed because it's difficult to score goals at this level," said O'Neil.

“But I'm so pleased he get his goal because you ask him to press, he presses, you ask him to do stuff in possession. He does it, he literally does everything he can. Probably the hardest working centre-forward I've ever seen."

The allrounder, who is recovering from a side strain, will miss Saturday’s match against Sri Lanka

Melinda Farrell at The Oval14-Jun-2019

A side strain has ruled Marcus Stoinis out of Australia’s next match•Getty Images

Marcus Stoinis will miss Australia’s match against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Saturday as he continues to recover from a side strain. Selectors will give him every chance to prove his fitness ahead of their next match against Bangladesh, on June 20, before deciding on his future in the tournament. Stoinis sustainied the injury while bowling in Australia’s loss to India, and missed Wednesday’s match against Pakistan.While Stoinis has batted at training and spent time in the gym, he has yet to bowl, and Australia are unwilling to risk exacerbating the injury. Australia travel to Nottingham on Sunday ahead of their game against Bangladesh, giving Stoinis another four-day gap in which to continue his recovery.”Having four days between this game and the next game, I think that will be the ideal time to really test him out and assess him,” Australia captain Aaron Finch said. “But I think over the next five-six days, there will be a call made on that, just based on what he can and can’t do. We’ve seen him batting and running, no problem. Just he hasn’t tried to bowl yet. Just waiting for the injury to settle down a bit more.”Australia flew Mitchell Marsh in as cover for Stoinis before the Pakistan match but they can’t call him into the squad unless Stoinis is ruled out of the tournament. Finch said selectors have not yet decided if they will play an extra batsman or bowler against Sri Lanka, and admitted finding the best team balance was a concern.”Yeah, it’s tough when guys [are injured], especially allrounders who balance out your side really well, give you that extra fast-bowling option, as well as a top-six batter,” said Finch. “So it’s a little bit difficult trying to decide whether you go the extra batter or the extra bowler, depending on conditions.”So I think it does make it a little bit tougher, a bit more of a challenge, no doubt. But we also did plan for that, if it did happen throughout the tournament, before you sit down and you start planning out what happens if X, Y, Z happens?”Mitchell Marsh joined the squad in Taunton and has participated in training, although Australia’s final session at The Oval was disrupted by drizzle and none of the pacers bowled in the indoor nets. Finch said he had confidence that, while Marsh was present just as a precautionary measure, he could slot straight into the allrounder role if required.”The answer, the short answer, is yes. There is confidence that Mitch will come in and do well if selected, if Stoinis doesn’t recover properly.”

It's pretty clear that signing a new centre-back will be Jurgen Klopp's priority for Liverpool transfer-wise this year, but supporters will probably have to wait until the summer before anything of substance occurs.

The Premier League pace-setters have been in fine fettle this term after recovering from an abject 2022/23 campaign that threatened to topple Klopp's dynasty, but with some excellent summer signings making up a brand new engine to charge the high-octane system, silverware is very much attainable as the business end draws closer.

There have been shouts over the past several months that Liverpool still need to complete their midfield work with a specialist No. 6, but Wataru Endo's recent purple patch and Alexis Mac Allister's fine job in the deep-lying role suggest that focus could and should shift elsewhere.

And with Joel Matip's anterior cruciate ligament injury ending his season at the start of December, the concerns surrounding the defensive depth are only heightened.

Liverpool transfer news – Ousmane Diomande

Prior to the opening of the window, the Daily Mail compiled a list of options that Liverpool could choose from the bolster their backline this year, and while he's one of the more expensive picks, Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande could be the dream addition.

Only 20 years old, Ivorian Diomande has been making waves with Sporting Lisbon of late and could even have a higher ceiling than teammate and fellow Reds transfer target Goncalo Inacio, who is technically superb but somewhat lacking in raw defensive strength.

Diomande has a buyout clause of €80m (£69m) and it's uncertain whether Sporting would acquiesce to discussions of a whittled-down fee, but if so, Liverpool will be sure to pounce.

Ousmane Diomande's profile

Contracted until 2027, Diomande has chalked up 38 senior appearances for his Portuguese outfit since signing from Danish side FC Midtjylland for an initial fee of €7.5m (£6m) on January 31, 2023.

Said to be “one of the most exciting CB prospects in Europe" by scout Jacek Kulig, Diomande is only 20 years old but is already proving to be one of the most dynamic young defenders around, with a modern skill set attracting the attention of some of Europe's most illustrious teams.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Passing

Discipline

Tackling

Dribbling

*Sourced via WhoScored

As per Sofascore, the 6 foot 3 titan has completed 15 appearances in the Liga Portugal, scoring one goal, supplying one assist, completing 91% of his passes, averaging 5.7 ball recoveries per game and succeeding with 64% of his contested duels.

Such metrics highlight a roundedness that will only serve him well in a side such as Liverpool, where the central defenders are expected to dominate the possession and control the flow of the match.

Taking an average of 79 touches per game, Diomande is not far away from being as active on the ball as Virgil van Dijk, who averages 90 touches per game in the Premier League.

To emphasise how dynamic and multi-faceted he is in his style, Diomande ranks among the top 16% of centre-backs across divisions similar to the Portuguese top-flight over the past year for goals, the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 3% for pass completion, the top 2% for passes attempted, the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 8% for progressive carries, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 20% per 90, as per FBref.

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What this signifies is a superlative technical ability and a constant desire to drive forward – either as the vehicle or through his distribution – and when marrying this with his aforementioned precision in his defensive duels, Diomande really would be the perfect player to bolster the Liverpool defence.

How Ousmane Diomande compares to Goncalo Inacio

As mentioned earlier, Diomande is not the only Sporting defender to be on Klopp's radar, with Inacio, aged 22, holding a €60m (£52m) release clause and with reports even suggesting that Liverpool remain interested this month after seeing advances fall flat last summer.

Considered a comparable player to the Ivory Coast international by FBref's 'Similar Players' model, Inacio ranks among the top 8% of positional peers for assists, the top 4% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 3% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90.

Discernibly, there are striking similarities between the respective starlets, and while Inacio has been hailed for his "complete" array of abilities by Kulig, there are a few question marks lingering over his defensive application that could dissuade the Reds from prioritising his signature.

He only ranks among the top 58% for tackles (Diomande ranks in the top 80%) and in the league this season, while impressive, has won just 48% of his contested duels, which certainly doesn't evoke the confidence needed for a prominent role in Klopp's system.

For example, the 20-year-old Jarell Quansah, who has only emerged as a first-team member this season, has won 61% of his duels in the Premier League while also showcasing his ball-playing skills with a 90% pass completion rate.

For all of Inacio's innate talent, it does seem that he is just not the most naturally formidable of defenders, instead flourishing his style through his high-class technical skills.

And while Diomande may require a greater outlay, it might be a prudent move, in the long run, to forge ahead with his signature and ensure that Liverpool have a player of genuine world-class credentials, with Klopp capable of shaping him into an "elite talent", as was said again by the voluble Kulig.

A decision will not need to be made until the summer but Liverpool would be wise to pull the strings soon to ensure that they are the favourites to swoop in and land their man.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em duelo de equipes da parte de cima da tabela, Madureira e Flamengo medem forças nesta segunda-feira, às 21h (de Brasília), em Volta Redonda, pela 8ª rodada da Taça Guanabara. Enquanto o Rubro-Negro é o atual vice-líder com 16 pontos, o Tricolor Suburbano ocupa a quinta posição, com 11, e é o único invicto no Campeonato Carioca.

RelacionadasFlamengoFlamengo supera marca de R$ 1 bilhão em dívidas pagas desde 2013; confira evoluçãoFlamengo04/04/2021FlamengoCom Rodrigo Caio de volta, Flamengo divulga relacionados para encarar o Madureira; veja listaFlamengo04/04/2021FlamengoCom dois títulos na mira e estreia na Libertadores, Flamengo tem abril decisivo pela frente; veja calendárioFlamengo03/04/2021

> Confira a tabela e a classificação completa do Campeonato Carioca!

A principal novidade do Flamengo para a partida será o retorno de Rodrigo Caio, que se recuperou de uma grave lesão no adutor da coxa direita. O zagueiro treinou com a equipe nos últimos dias e deve fazer sua estreia na temporada 2021. A tendência, inclusive, é que ele seja titular ao lado de Willian Arão na zaga rubro-negra.

Confira mais informações da partida entre Madureira e Flamengo:

Estádio: Raulino de Oliveira, em Volta Redonda (RJ)
Data e hora: 5 de abril de 2021, às 21h
Árbitro: Rodrigo Carvalhaes de Miranda
Assistentes: Gabriel Conti Viana e Thiago Gomes Magalhães

Onde ver: Cariocão TV, FlaTV+ e Tempo Real do LANCE!

MADUREIRA (Técnico: Alfredo Sampaio)

Felipe Lacerda; Rhuan, Breno, Maurício Barbosa e Juninho; Victor Feitosa, Rodrigo Yuri e Nivaldo; Silas, Luiz Paulo e Bruno Santos.

Lesionados:Felipe Dias.
Suspensos: Ninguém.
Pendurados: Maurício Barbosa e Nivaldo.

FLAMENGO (Técnico: Rogério Ceni)

Diego Alves; Isla, Willian Arão, Rodrigo Caio e Filipe Luís; Diego Ribas, Gerson, Everton Ribeiro e Arrascaeta; Bruno Henrique e Gabriel Barbosa.

Lesionados: Pedro, Thiago Maia e Matheuzinho.
Suspensos: Ninguém.
Pendurados: Matheuzinho.

PALPITES: Na redação do LANCE!, 90% acreditam na vitória do Flamengo, enquanto 10% apostam no empate.

Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle has explained why he's wanted a "real talent" at Spurs for years, and has tipped the player for a Euro 2024 trip.

Spurs chasing top-four Premier League finish

While manager Ange Postecoglou's hopes of winning Spurs their first piece of major silverware since 2008 ended with a 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Man City recently, there is still every chance the Lilywhites can seal a top-four finish and qualify for next season's Champions League.

Spurs may already have a bigger talent than Bergvall in Maddison regen

Ange Postecoglou is starting to build a team of real potential.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 2, 2024

It's been quite a promising start to life for Postecoglou after his arrival from Celtic last summer, with the Australian's intense, high-pressing football quickly winning over many of Tottenham's loyal fan base.

Spurs also appear to be operating more efficiently off the field, as the appointments of technical director Johan Lange and Chief Football Officer Scott Munn continue to work wonders in regard to their transfer policy.

Timo Werner

Arrival (loan)

Lucas Bergvall

Arrival (buy-to-loan-back)

Radu Dragusin

Arrival (permanent)

Sergio Reguilon

Exit (loan)

Japhet Tanganga

Exit (loan)

Ivan Perisic

Exit (loan)

Eric Dier

Exit (loan)

Ashley Phillips

Exit (loan)

Djed Spence

Exit (loan)

Alejo Veliz

Exit (loan)

The north Londoners were widely rumoured to have beaten European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Barcelona in races for defender Radu Dragusin and Swedish sensation Lucas Bergvall respectively, which perhaps sums up their growing stature as a club in general.

Tottenham are on the up, and Postecoglou's feel-good factor has played a huge role.

Another key component of their success has been Spurs' data-driven recruitment model, with 2023 summer signing James Maddison coming in to become one of their star players.

The former Leicester City man has also returned from an injury lay-off and boosts Postecoglou's top-four charge, with Hoddle tipping him for a spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad at Euro 2024.

Hoddle reveals he's wanted Maddison at Spurs "for years"

Speaking to TNT Sports, Hoddle says he's wanted Maddison at Spurs "for years" and believes the "real talent" will have a big role to play at Tottenham.

“100% he’s good enough, yeah," said Hoddle on Maddison's England chances.

“I’ve said for years that he should have come to Tottenham, two or three seasons ago. If we could have got him with the players we had, with someone like Harry Kane, it would have been sensational.

“And I just think at the moment he’s one of the best No. 10 creative players around. Him and [Phil] Foden are outstanding.

“He’s such a talented lad. He doesn’t quite feel for me as comfortable in an England shirt yet. It doesn’t feel really as if the manager has put his arm around him, saying 'you’re my man'.

“He keeps having to prove himself, [and we] might not see the best of him in that case. But here at Tottenham, and what he did at Leicester, he’s a must, he’s a real talent.”

Liverpool have been dealt a potential huge blow ahead of the Reds' Premier League clash with Arsenal this weekend, with an "outstanding" player's involvement in the game in doubt.

Liverpool injury news

The Reds face arguably their biggest match of the season so far on Sunday afternoon, as they head to a Gunners side who are still very much in the title race. Victory for Jurgen Klopp's side at the Emirates could put them eight points ahead of their opponents, however, acting as a major incentive ahead of the game. That would arguably give the north Londoners too much to do up against both Liverpool and Manchester City, turning it into a familiar two-horse race at the top.

Going into Sunday's huge fixture, the Merseysiders' injury problems have eased overall, with so many top players to call upon for the manager. Alexis Mac Allister did go down in Wednesday's 4-1 defeat to Chelsea, however, leading to doubts over his involvement this weekend.

Now, a fresh injury worry has emerged, however, regarding arguably one of Liverpool's most important players at the moment.

Nunez could miss Arsenal clash

Taking to X on Friday, journalist Paul Joyce relayed Klopp's update that Nunez could miss the Arsenal game with a foot injury picked up against Chelsea, with a late fitness test potentially needed.

"Jurgen Klopp says he needs to check on the fitness of Darwin Nunez before Sunday's game with Arsenal. 'He left the stadium in a boot and it was not a football boot. Nothing broken the x-rays are clear, but we have to see if he can get his foot back into a boot.'"

Not having Nunez for Sunday's game would be an absolutely massive blow for Liverpool, considering what a rich vein of form the Uruguayan is in currently. Granted, plenty of chances are still being missed, not least against Chelsea in midweek, but he is such a threat with his pace, power and movement.

Appearances

21

Starts

14

Goals

7

Assists

7

Shots per game

3.4

Key passes per game

1.1

Pass completion rate

73.7%

There is also the small matter of the 24-year-old having 11 assists to his name this season in all competitions, which is more than any Reds player, and Klopp lauded him after the Chelsea match, saying:

"He was really disappointed with himself about missing the penalty, but he is a handful. It was really hard for him. You could see at half-time that he was upset with himself. He missed a header too in the second half, but then he created a goal.

"It's crazy that he creates so many. We scored four goals, so who cares about the ones he didn't score? He will score goals; it will come. He is in outstanding shape, still a bit unlucky, so it's all fine."

Liverpool "already" monitoring "clever" £51m defender for new manager

The Reds are already thinking about life after Klopp.

ByTom Cunningham Feb 1, 2024

Having Nunez fit to start would be a major boost for Klopp, but even having him available as an impact substitute would be far from a disaster, allowing him to chase down some tired legs in the second half.