Arsenal endured something of a midseason collapse prior to the winter break, with three losses on the trot seeing them fall to fourth in the Premier League and crash out of the FA Cup.
Mikel Arteta's men registered just one goal in those three games while conceding six, so it isn't surprising to see a host of names now linked to the Emirates this month.
One of those names is a promising youngster who is probably considered competition for an out-of-sorts Gabriel Martinelli, given his poor return of two league goals this season.
However, with this player being likened to Chelsea's pricey flop Mykhalio Mudryk, it might be best for the Gunners to steer clear.
Mikel Arteta looks to his old team for attacking reinforcements
According to a report from The Sun earlier this week, Arsenal are interested in Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea this month and view him as a 'top target' to provide competition for Martinelli.
The publication has also revealed that north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are keen on bringing the young Spaniard to N17.
Both teams sent scouts to watch him play in the Basque Derby on Thursday night, although he was booked in the 61st minute, hooked in the 63rd, and Sociedad lost 2-1, so it wasn't an ideal showing.
Valued at £43m by the CIES football observatory, this would likely be an expensive deal to complete – even with Arteta's good relations with the club – and with the 22-year-old being compared to Mudryk, this might not be a deal worth completing.
How Barrenetxea compares to Mudryk and Martinelli
According to the footballing database FBref, the rapid Ukranian is the fifth most similar player to the Sociedad ace across Europe's top five leagues.
This is based on the fact that the pair measure up and rank similarly for various key metrics in those leagues, such as touches in the opposition box, progressive carries and tackles per 90.
However, the percentiles in which they fall for these metrics are not impressive, with the "elegant but hard-working" Spaniard, as he was described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, sitting in the top 46% of wingers for touches in the opposition's box, the top 29% for progressive carries and the top 19% for progressive passes received per 90.
Mudryk, on the other hand, sits in the top 35%, the top 22% and the top 28% for the same metrics.
What's worse is that besides these rather uninspiring figures, Martinelli is still miles clear of the player who supposedly could be his competition when it comes to their underlying numbers this season.
In fact, even Mudryk – who has had a rough time in west London after scoring just four goals since the Blues edged out Arsenal with an £88.5m offer last year – comes out ahead of Barrenetxea.
Barrenetxea vs Mudryk vs Martinelli
Stats per 90
Barrenetxea
Mudryk
Martinelli
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.33
0.38
0.34
Goals
0.30
0.33
0.14
Assists
0.10
0.11
0.14
Progressive Carries
3.64
5.56
5.59
Progressive Passes
1.92
2.11
3.15
Passing Accuracy
66.4%
66.8%
77.0%
Shot-Creating Actions
2.53
3.01
4.13
Goal-Creating Actions
0.30
0.33
0.49
Dispossessed
3.23
1.22
1.82
All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Domestic Season
Arsenal's dynamic young Brazilian comes out on top in every vital metric bar non-penalty-expected goals and assists, goals and how frequently he is dispossessed per 90, with the Chelsea man claiming the top spot in those three areas.
Arsenal could sign the next Odegaard in "special" £43m sensation
The 20-year-old could add some extra flair to Arsenal’s midfield.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 19, 2024
Ultimately, the young Spaniard – who has scored three times this season – has some talent and he could prove the doubters wrong, but based on the figures above and his close similarities to Mudryk, it does not make sense for Arsenal to spend so much money on a player who is clearly not good enough to displace Martinelli, even when he is out of form.
One Tottenham star is now hoping to make his injury comeback in December, which could ease another imminent blow for manager Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs absentee list growing
Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, in what was a hammer setback for the Uruguayan, sustained ankle ligament damage in Spurs' 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend. Bentancur is now expected to be sidelined till February, just weeks after he returned to the field from a lengthy nine-month lay-off.
Spurs "ready" to move for "very strong" centre-back likened to Saliba
If he’s anything like the Arsenal star he’d be a great coup…
By
Emilio Galantini
Nov 29, 2023
The 26-year-old joins a long list of currently unavailable Spurs players, including the likes of James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Ivan Perisic, Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon and Richarlison.
Spurs are also facing the imminent absences of Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and Son Heung-min – who are all away on international duties at the very start of January.
They travel to represent their nations at AFCON and the Asia Cup respectively, a scenario which seems nightmarish for Postecoglou given the Spurs manager's real lack of options.
Tottenham have a tough festival schedule to contend with in the mean time, with league champions Man City, rivals West Ham and high-flying Newcastle awaiting them soon.
Richarlison hoping for December comeback
According to The Evening Standard and journalist Dan Kilpatrick, though, one injured Spurs star in Richarlison is hoping to ease the pressure on Postecoglou with a December return.
Indeed, Richarlison is aiming for an injury comeback before 2024 after undergoing surgery on his pubic bone, which would "ease the blow" of Son going away mid-season. The Brazilian, who's racked up a goal and three assists in 10 Premier League appearances this season, hasn't featured since Spurs' 2-1 win away to Palace in October.
brennan-johnson-richarlison-tottenham-opinion
He was on the bench for their first defeat of the season against Chelsea at the start of this month, but has since been sidelined following his treatment. While Richarlison has suffered his fair share of criticism since joining Spurs from Everton in 2022, the forward provides a different option for Tottenham.
Able to play both as a central striker and on the wings, having him back for what is a tough Christmas schedule will be a breath of fresh air for the Lilywhites with so many out right now.
Richarlison's style of play (via WhoScored)
Gets fouled often
Likes to cut inside
Indirect set-piece threat
Likes to tackle
Speaking after Richarlison's heroics during a 2-1 win over Sheffield United earlier this season, Postecoglou praised the "fantastic footballer".
“We’ve got to maintain a balance in life and even for him," said Postecoglou, via TEAMtalk. "He needs to understand his football is still good, he’s a fantastic footballer, he’s got so much to give and that can help ease the burden he’s feeling in other parts of his life, like so many of us.
“I’m really pleased for him – I thought he did really well. We were obviously chasing a goal and getting some balls in the box and he’s always a threat in the air.”
تألق النجم البولندي روبرت ليفاندوفسكي في الجولة الأولى من بطولة الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2024/25، حيث سجل هدفين لـ برشلونة خلال مواجهة فالنسيا.
ولم يتمكن النجم الفرنسي كيليان مبابي من قص شريط أهدافه في الليجا، خلال ظهوره الأول في مباراة ريال مدريد وريال مايوركا.
واكتفى جوليان ألفاريز، لاعب أتلتيكو مدريد الجديد، بالمشاركة كبديل ضد فياريال حيث لم ينجح في التسجيل. ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني 2024/25 بعد نهاية الجولة الأولى
1 روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، برشلونة، هدفين.
2 فيليوت سفيدبيرج، سيلتا فيجو، هدف.
3 ياجو أسباس، سيلتا فيجو، هدف.
4 رودريجو، ريال مدريد، هدف.
5 فيدات موريكي، ريال مايوركا، هدف.
6 هوجو دورو، فالنسيا، هدف.
7 ألكسندر سورلوث، أتلتيكو مدريد، هدف.
8 مارتن زوبيميندي، ريال سوسيداد، هدف.
ويمكن متابعة ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2024/25، محدث بشكل مستمر من هنا.
Football's 90 minutes are a physical and mental test. Sometimes those means of exertion collide to create frantic flashpoints that live long in the memories of fans far and wide.
Some players take competition to the next level with their skill, others with physicality. In the latter, sporting boundaries can be over-stepped – and as you'll read within – all hell can break loose.
In this list, Football FanCast takes a look at some of the most memorable scuffles to take place on a football field, based on the brutality on show, the shock factor, and what was on the line.
10 Copa Libertadores carnage November 2023, Maracana
For top leagues all over the world, VAR tries its best to police the dark side of the game. Yet as this first inclusion shows, South American football often still holds a combative approach rumbling under the surface of any world-beating skill on display.
When Boca Juniors and Fluminense came together earlier this year for the grand final of the Copa Libertadores, it just seemed tensions were destined to boil over. A Brazilian team battling it out for South American club football's biggest footballing accolade? Against Argentinian opposition? At Brazilian football's Mecca? It was almost too good to be true.
Tempers flared on the pitch while Liverpool-linked Andre sauntered forward with the ball as two players wrestled like scrapping siblings on the floor. Another flashpoint in the game involved yet another high-potential prospect from the continent.
As a Boca corner came in, Manchester City and Brighton target Valentin Barco clearly headbutted Fluminense's veteran midfielder P.H. Ganso. To tell you all you need to know – the seemingly attempted assault featured below wasn't even brought back for a foul. Ridiculous.
The 10 craziest red cards in football (Ranked)
Football FanCast takes a look back at ten of the craziest red cards in football.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 5, 2023 9 The 'Battle of the Bridge' sees multiple brawls May 2016, Stamford Bridge
Next on this list of football fights comes Chelsea and Tottenham's descent into nonsense at the close of the 2015/16 Premier League season.
In a huge season-defining fixture, Tottenham needed a result to push fairytale league leaders Leicester City to the very last, as they had games in hand. Chelsea, on the other hand, had suffered a season to forget. Down in tenth, the reigning champions had languished in mid-table all term. José Mourinho had been sacked in December, while the previous season's PFA Player of the Year, Eden Hazard, had waited until April to merely open his league account.
For the Blues, it was one thing to have an underwhelming campaign. It was entirely worse, however, if Spurs tasted victory too. Before matchday 36, some figures around the west London club made this sentiment abundantly clear.
“The fans, the club, the players – we don’t want Tottenham to win the Premier League.”
(Eden Hazard)
As half-time approached, Chelsea's talk was seemingly for nothing as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min had made it 0-2 in rather comfortable fashion. However, a 'sensitive' Spurs (as Pochettino later recited) somehow lost their heads and a veritable Royal Rumble began as a result of Danny Rose's nasty challenge on Willian.
After this outburst of clearly tetchy Tottenham energy, Chelsea could sense a change in momentum. This was ultimately capped with Gary Cahill's deft finish on the hour before Eden Hazard's top-right-corner mastery, which had Leicester City players celebrating in viral scenes with just seven minutes to go at Stamford Bridge.
8 Match gets abandoned at the 'Battle of Bramall Lane' March 2002, Bramall Lane
Back in 2002's English First Division (now the Championship), Sheffield United's clash with West Bromwich Albion trumps Chelsea's Spurs scrap and actually went as far as being abandoned. Ahead of the game, United were comfortably mid-table with neither promotion nor relegation possible. Albion were fighting for promotion to the Premier League. Before this, there was no history of a rivalry, neither was there a local aspect.
However, one man was instrumental in changing all that.
United goalkeeper Simon Tracey was sent off for deliberate handball and Neil Warnock sent on Dutch substitute 'keeper, Wilko de Vogt, for striker Peter Ndlovu. Surely, it'd be fair to suggest Bramall Lane's residents were just out to survive with 10-men? No.
After West Brom strode two in front with goals from Scott Dobie and Derek McInnes, Warnock again looked to his bench. French-born Cape Verde international Georges Santos and Patrick Suffo emerged from the bench in an attempt to drag back the equilibrium.
Santos entered the game, far from calm. After suffering a broken eye socket in a previous encounter with WBA midfielder Andy Johnson, a loose McInnes ball presented the perfect opportunity for some Santos skullduggery. Johnson approached the ball, and with Santos closing in, he was like a deer in the headlights.
In comes the tackle. It's murderously knee-high, and two feet are firmly engaged. As a brawl breaks out, Suffo tag-teams Santos and headbutts an angry McInnes, leaving him bloodied. Santos and Suffo get red-carded back to the bench from which they came. Yet United wouldn't have to play with eight for long. Rob Ullathorne and Michael Brown then got injured, and with Sheffield United down to six, referee Eddie Wolstenholme was forced to draw the carnage to a close.
It was the first time a match in English professional football had ever been abandoned through a team's insufficient numbers.
7 Teammates Graeme Le Saux and David Batty scrap November 1995, Luzhniki Stadium
The next featured contretemps come 28 years ago, as Graeme Le Saux and David Batty came to blows. Fighting each other as teammates, the scuffle brought Blackburn's Champions League away visit to Spartak Moscow into disrepute and painted a wider picture of squad dynamics behind the scenes.
The Champions League was a pleasant add-on to a season marred by mediocrity. Well, it was supposed to be, anyway. Partaking in a winnable group alongside Rosenborg, Legia Warsaw and Spartak Moscow, hopes were high. Yet after three losses in a row and a quiet 0-0 draw in Poland, chances of progression weren't looking good.
In this game at the Luzhniki Stadium, internal frustrations came to the fore. Blackburn were determined against their already-qualified opposition and chased every ball. However, such was the determination that Graeme Le Saux and David Batty even tackled each other. The two collided just four minutes into the game and instead of getting up and brushing themselves down – a nasty exchange followed. Le Saux took exception and started a punch-up that could've been much worse had Tim Sherwood not been there to break it up. Spartak ran out 3-0 winners.
6 Newcastle duo Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer come to blows April 2005, St James' Park
From one teammate scrap to another now, as 2005's April showdown between Newcastle United and Aston Villa brought the Magpies'midfield into an on-field frenzy. Perhaps the most notorious same-team duel in Premier League history, Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer traded blows in a poor performance against the Villans when the no-nonsense midfielder felt his junior was deliberately not passing him the ball.
In this game under Graeme Souness, Newcastle had the chance to put breathing space between themselves and the bottom half of the table after taking seven points from their last three matches. However, as the clock ticked past a mere five minutes, the Magpies were one down thanks to Juan Pablo Angel capitalising on black-and-white defensive ineptitude. On 73 minutes, Steven Taylor was then comically sent off for handling the ball and then acting like he'd been shot.
Gareth Barry scored the resulting penalty for 2-0, and then another spot-kick seven minutes later before inward frustrations from the hosts burst out with Bowyer and Dyer as the video below shows.
5 Dion Dublin plants headbutt on Robbie Savage March 2003, Villa Park
Back in his playing career, Dion Dublin scored a superb 45 goals with his head. However, he likely regretted none of them as much as the one he inflicted in the Second City derby of 2003. This edition of mercurial Dublin wasn't heading at the goal. as he connected sweetly with the pointed face of Robbie Savage rather than a Mitre size five.
The long-locked Welshman was on the end of a nasty derby day tackle. While remonstrating, Savage just frustrated his clearly pent-up hitman even more. Dublin focussed his sights on him and BOSH.
4 "Serves you right for Muscat" – Warnock's Blades have last laugh December 2004, The Den
Our next featured incident is a moment quoted by football-loving schoolboys all across the land. While a key soundbite from the deep arsenal of a solid Neil Warnock impression, the above saying came to life back in December 2004's battle between Millwall and Sheffield United at The Den.
Notorious Australian troublemaker Kevin Muscat was the key aggressor in this one, as for a spell, his wrath put the game into a complete descent of carnage. Going into the break goalless, the Millwall man took frustrations from a frenetic game out on chirpy Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. Fighting in the tunnel saw Kenny with "a big blown-up head where someone has headbutted him" and an alleged Millwall player with a full water bottle "thumping people."
As the clip above shows, United scrapped through a rough-and-tumble second half despite Kenny and Muscat's dismissals. Phil Jagielka ended up in goal (as there was no fit sub goalkeeper) for the visitors and conceded from Mark Phillips before Andy Liddell's powerful free kick levelled. A 30-yard scorcher from Derek Geary saw points at the Den go back north for the first time in 20 years, and Warnock prowling at the full-time whistle. He shook the opposition's hands and smirked, "serves you right for Muscat."
3 Maradona's Blaugrana brawl against Bilbao May 1984, Santiago Bernabéu
We're at the business end of the list now: box office stuff. May 1984's Copa del Rey final at the Santiago Bernabéu pitted Diego Maradona's Barcelona against Basque side Athletic Bilbao, but it wasn't a standard outing.
There was a bit of needle there. Andoni Goikoetxea – or the aptly named 'Butcher of Bilbao' – broke Maradona's ankle in 1983, and it was the first time the feisty Argentine was able to exact revenge. He didn't get the result, yet he left with his dignity after a horrid hacking game against a physical Bilbao outfit.
In the game, the final score was 0-1 to Athletic, but Maradona felt his anger after the scruffy affair warranted the chance to level his own scores. There were frenetic scenes at the full-time whistle, where Diego attacked anyone he could.
2 Norman Hunter's showdown with Francis Lee November 1975, The Baseball Ground
In ice hockey, there are fights galore, and when in combat, the phrase 'the gloves are off' springs to mind. This was no different in November 1975, when notorious bruiser Norman Hunter of Leeds, and forward Francis Lee of Derby had a downright fist-fight during a game. There were no gloves to speak of, yet the way the commotion was sparked drives parallels of two padded ice-bound behemoths striking blows as the game swirls around them.
Hunter had fouled Lee in the Leeds penalty area, resulting in a penalty that Charlie George scored. Clearly, after this tackle had kicked off some on-field needle, back-and-forth evolved into fisticuffs and the ref stopped the (first) fight between the pair for bookings.
It didn't stop with the flash of yellow, though. As soon as the referee turned his back, the pair were at it again. Both sets of players joined in the ruckus and Hunter was ushered away while the Jack Russell-like Lee was restrained. He too was taken away after this, yet came off worse. Lee required four stitches and was banned for four weeks.
1 Graeme Souness breaks Lica Movila's jaw April 1984, Anfield
Earlier, Souness was presented as a figure of authoritative calm when his two Newcastle players scrapped it out. However, when Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer were getting dragged through media scrutiny, they likely had a Souness highlight reel that hinted at the pot calling the kettle black.
The Scotsman was not averse to having it out on the pitch. That was the thinking back in 1984's European Cup semi-final first leg against Dinamo Bucharest – when Reds captain Souness went to war against Lica Movila's jaw.
Sammy Lee's goal gave Liverpool the lead 25 minutes in, and with 20 minutes to go, the tie was still in the balance heading into the second leg. As a Liverpool attack went awry, Souness reached boiling point after a game of repeated snide jabs from Movila – a man who was the last one back as his side broke clear…
“Movila was the worst of the lot. He kicked everything that moved and three times caught me with punches off the ball. I’d had enough.” (Graeme Souness)
Where Movila perhaps thought his dark arts were working, he had in fact been too effective. Plus, the line that the Bucharest captain had been treading, as well as banking that Souness wouldn't breach, had simply been kicked away in the Anfield turf. With one more shirt pull, the midfielder was quite literally picking his jaw up off the floor.
With the ref (and camera) moving with the play, Souness picked his moment to strike. He connected sweetly, yet like a sly assassin, quickly evaded the scene. By the time the referee had seen the man down, Souness was 40 yards away – signalling cleverly that his victim's cries of anguish were more trademark displays of gamesmanship. It doesn't get much more brutal than that.
Liverpool are reportedly ready to impose themselves in the January transfer market, as Jurgen Klopp prepares to bolster his squad ahead of the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.
The Reds have lost just one game in the Premier League this season, suggesting that their midfield revamp in the summer has worked to good effect, however the Merseyside giants are speculated to be eyeing additional reinforcements in another area of the squad.
The arrivals of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch completed the rebuild of the engine room at Anfield, with reports now suggesting that the defence is the next area to be targeted for strengthening in the winter.
With Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip only getting older, the plan to replenish the back line with refreshed central additions looks likely in January, with a host of talent already said to be of liking to Liverpool.
Liverpool transfer targets – Defenders
A report from 90min last month named the Reds as one of the many sides interested in LOSC Lille centre-back, Leny Yoro.
At just 18 years old, the teenager has prevailed as one of Ligue 1’s brightest defensive prospects, catching the eye of a host of Premier League representatives, including Chelsea and Manchester United.
With a CIES Football Observatory market value of €20m (£17m), the Frenchman’s movements in the future will be an interesting development to follow.
Moving to Portugal, Liverpool are said to be favourites to sign Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio, according to reports in Spain.
The Spanish outlet claims that the Premier League side are ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid in their bid to sign the 22-year-old, adding that Klopp ‘demands’ a top-level central defender in January.
Sporting are said to value their star defender around €60m (£52m), with his movements in the window something to track at Anfield.
Goncalo Inacio’s playing style
Once lauded as “complete” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Inacio has prevailed as one of the top-performing central defenders in Portugal since his rise to prominence at Sporting.
The Portugal international has worked his way through the ranks at his current club, with his place in Ruben Amorim’s side non-negotiable thanks to his assured presence in the back line.
Goncalo Inacio
The infamous Alcochete academy in Lisbon has produced stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, with Inacio one of the latest to be tipped with a bright future among Europe’s elite, with a host of clubs swarming around his future already.
A scouting report from Breaking the Lines noted the best quality of Inacio’s playing style as being his 'excellent progressive passing' and ability to move play forward and away from high-pressure situations when protecting the goal.
Breaking the Lines lauded the 22-year-old’s stance as being 'extremely comfortable on the ball', dubbing him 'incredibly well-balanced' and the standard of a ball-playing defender that is so heavily yearned for in Europe’s elite clubs.
Average
Rank (Leagues compared to Liga Portugal)
87.04
Top 1%
88.9%
Top 9%
8.63
Top 1%
1.94
Top 2%
0.54
Top 9%
Such praise and description is supported by the 6 foot 1 defender’s statistics, where he ranks in the top 1% of centre-backs in leagues comparable to Liga Portugal for his average of 87.04 passes attempted per 90 and 8.63 progressive passes per 90 over the past year, via FBref.
As a confident and mature centre-back, the Portuguese dynamo is a luxury presence in Sporting’s back line, making him an in-demand figure going into the January window.
Why Goncalo Inacio would be a good signing for Liverpool
While Liverpool won’t be thinking about replacing Van Dijk any time soon, the quality that the Dutchman has shown at Anfield has only raised the bar in terms of the calibre of player that could replace him in the future.
In Inacio, Klopp could not only seek an heir to the 32-year-old but also competition or a future partner to Ibrahima Konate, who has battled Joel Matip to claim his place in the favoured XI following his arrival in 2021.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.
As a left-footed centre-back, the Portugal international could be the perfect player to pair Konate for years to come, with the Frenchman most reliable on the right side of defence to put his progressive strengths into full effect.
At 24 and 22, respectively, Klopp could unearth the pairing to take Liverpool forward, with the two players having similar playing styles in being confident in possession and composed when under threat.
The aggressive approach sometimes showcased by the France international could see him form a well-balanced pivot with Inacio, who has the power to be the anchor and provide in moving play upfield, with his strengths in distribution his greatest asset.
How Goncalo Inacio compares to Liverpool’s centre-backs
When comparing the 2023/24 Premier League statistics of Konate, Van Dijk, Matip and Joe Gomez to those of Inacio in Liga Portugal, it’s clear to see why Klopp would target the 2001-born ace’s services in January.
Inacio
Gomez
Konate
Matip
Van Dijk
8.07
4.63
6.52
3.61
5.16
1.92
1.60
1.54
0.72
0.43
1.11
3.03
1.34
1.44
1.40
0.91
1.25
0.58
1.16
1.51
1.21
0.71
1.54
1.16
1.83
2.32
2.85
4.03
5.06
5.81
1.21
1.78
2.88
3.76
5.48
1.51
3.39
0.96
1.30
0.32
As portrayed above, the £52m target prevails as the best option with regard to progressive play, an attribute that is favoured within the elite class of central defenders in Europe and beyond.
Inacio could offer Liverpool strength in an area that is working expertly for their rivals in the Premier League, in a move that would undoubtedly show the manager’s eye for progression in the back line going forward.
What is also traceable in the table is how similar the 22-year-old’s strengths on a per-90 basis are to Konate, who could prove to be the most suitable player to partner the Portugal whiz in the future at Anfield.
In warding off interest from the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, Liverpool could capture the signature of Inacio, in a move that could represent a similar switch in personnel at the back to the success of Van Dijk’s arrival in January 2018.
Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has spoken out on Kylian Mbappe after the forward reportedly called him a "son of a b*tch" in their last match.
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Mbappe hooked early against Marseille
Forward allegedly called PSG boss a 'son of a b*tch'
But Luis Enrique insists he 'behaved admirably'
Getty
WHAT HAPPENED?
That moment happened just after the hour mark in PSG's Ligue 1 fixture against Marseille on Sunday. Mbappe was once again hauled off by Luis Enrique, much to the displeasure of the French forward, with reports later alleging that he had called his manager a "son of a b*tch" while trudging off the pitch in the rain. The Spanish coach has since refuted those rumours as "invented", insisting that Mbappe has "always behaved admirably" on the pitch.
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WHAT LUIS ENRIQUE SAID
The PSG boss told reporters on Tuesday: "What's curious is everything that's being said based on a piece of false news. Someone has invented an insult [based on a lipreading of a video showing Mbappe as he made his way off the pitch] and then from that comes all kinds of speculations. I'm taking it all in my stride. I'm very happy with all my players, Kylian included, he's always behaved admirably."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
It wasn't just Mbappe's behaviour when walking off at the Orange Velodrome that caught the attention. Immediately after their 2-0 win, the 25-year-old took to Instagram to upload a downbeat post in a cryptic message as his move to Real Madrid edges closer. Despite Luis Enrique's positive words, Mbappe has been slammed by sections of the French media for his behaviour, especially considering he was PSG's captain on the night.
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DID YOU KNOW?
The substitution saga against Marseille was the latest in a string of controversies involving Mbappe and Luis Enrique. The forward has now been brought off three times and been benched once since his move to Real was reported as all-but confirmed, with the PSG boss saying on Sunday night he "doesn't care" what people think.
The India captain says he is “hurt” by the commercial side of cricket taking over “real quality” of the game
ESPNcricinfo staff29-Aug-20182:58
Faulkner: There’s a danger in getting too funky
India’s captain Virat Kohli is “hurt” by the commercial side of cricket taking over the “real quality” of the game and he has raised concerns over the 100-ball competition proposed by the ECB in April this year.Initially, the 100-ball concept proposed two eight-team tournaments – for men’s and women’s teams – consisting of 15 traditional six-ball overs, and a final 10-ball over, a 20-delivery shortfall on traditional T20 matches.Kohli did back T20 leagues, but said he wasn’t open to the concept of experimenting with a new format. “Obviously for the people involved in the whole process [of the 100-ball competition] and the set-up it will be really exciting but I cannot think of one more format, to be honest,” Kohli told . “I’m already very… I wouldn’t say frustrated, but sometimes it can get very demanding of you when you have to play so much cricket regularly. I feel somewhere the commercial aspect is taking over the real quality of cricket and that hurts me.”Honestly, I don’t want to be a testing sort of a cricketer for any new format. I don’t want to be someone who’s going to be part of that World XI who comes and launches the 100-ball format. I love playing the IPL, I love watching the BBL, because you’re working towards something, competing against high-quality sides and it gets your competitive juices flowing. That’s what you want as a cricketer. I’m all for the leagues, but not to experiment.”The mushrooming growth of T20 leagues has impacted cricket’s landscape in recent years, with the ICC’s Full Members now on the verge of clamping down on player participation in domestic T20 leagues. In light of T20 cricket posing a threat to the longest format, Kohli urged the cricket boards to step up and work towards improving the quality of first-class cricket.”If you’re not going to give more importance to first-class cricket, then people are going to lose motivation to play the longest format of the game,” Kohli said. “And with the T20 format coming in I think there’s far greater responsibility on all the cricket boards across the world to treat first-class cricket really well, because if the facilities and the standard goes up, then the motivation always stays. You don’t want players to get into that mindset where they’re finding the easy way out.”The World Test championship that begins in July 2019 with an Ashes series, India’s tour to the Caribbean and New Zealand touring Sri Lanka is ICC’s attempt to help revive Test cricket. The league phase of the inaugural edition is set to be played between July 2019 and March 2021, after which the top two teams will play the final.”I think the Test Championship is going to give a huge push to Test cricket,” Kohli said. “It makes every series more competitive, and there’s going to be ups and downs throughout the Championship, which I really look forward to.”
O goleiro Weverton fez uma verdadeira maratona para defender a meta alviverde na noite desta quarta (18), em Fortaleza. No banco da Seleção Brasileira, no Uruguai, 24 horas atrás, o arqueiro contou com a ajuda de uma grande logística e de seu esforço para poder jogar e ajudar o Palmeiras a se classificar na Copa do Brasil.
- A gente sabia que seria mais difícil aqui dentro. Aqui, o calor é grande, cansativo de jogar. Para mim, então, nem se fala. É agradecer ao esforço da Leila, do Palmeiras, para eu e o Gustavo (Gómez) estarmos aqui. Difícil estar em um país, viajar de noite e jogar no dia seguinte. Dar os parabéns à equipe que soube se comportar bem e administrar a classificação. Agora é descansar e concentrar bem no brasileiro.
Essa não foi a primeira vez que o Palmeiras se utilizou do avião da Crefisa para buscar atletas cedidos às seleções nacionais. A parceira comercial do Verdão disponibiliza esse serviço para agilizar o retorno dos jogadores para que possam ser utilizados em tempo recorde, algo que não seria possível se eles voltassem em voos comerciais.
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Buscar Weverton não foi à toa. O atual camisa 21 ostenta a terceira menor média de gols sofridos na história do Palmeiras. Vazado apenas 82 vezes em 131 jogos, o jogador tem índice de 0,63 gol por partida, atrás só do paraguaio Benítez, com 0,54 (13 gols sofridos em 24 jogos em 1978), e do também paraguaio Gato Fernández, com 0,62 (22 gols em 35 jogos em 1994).
Liverpool are currently on a quest for glory once again after struggling last season, with a host of changes giving the feel that this is very much a new chapter in Jurgen Klopp's illustrious reign on Merseyside.
The Premier League side look to have hit the mark regarding summer incomings, while also shifting on much of the deadwood and are back challenging for the division's top spot after failing to qualify for the Champions League last term.
diogo-jota-darwin-nunez-liverpool-opinion
Last summer, Darwin Nunez was signed for a club-record £85m fee, though little else of significance occurred in the market, with esteemed winger Sadio Mane taking his leave; Neco Williams was also sold, and while his funds could have been better utilised in strengthening the midfield, his sale remains a massive win nonetheless.
How much did Liverpool sell Neco Williams for?
Having risen through Liverpool's academy ranks, Williams had started to creep into first-team contention and actually forged 33 appearances for the Reds, registering six assists.
Hailed as "brilliant" by The Athletic's James Pearce during his ascent to the senior set-up, Williams started life at senior level with much promise but after receiving a transfer offer from Nottingham Forest in July 2022, was sold for £17m.
Given that he was very much on the periphery and had been nurtured through the Anfield formative ranks, Williams' sale should be viewed as nothing other than a major success, especially with that particular position in good hands.
How good is Neco Williams?
Williams was always an exciting talent but he was always facing an uphill battle in cementing a spot in Liverpool's team, with Trent Alexander-Arnold dominating the right-back position and Joe Gomez a competent deputy.
Having played 36 matches across all competitions last year, posting one goal and one assist, the £50k-per-week ace registered 2.3 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per game and won 51% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.
However, during the 2021/22 campaign – his last on Merseyside – the 31-cap Wales international was entrusted with just one Premier League appearance before being loaned out to Fulham in the Championship.
Noel Whelan praised the "amazing business" in selling Williams for a pretty penny, who offers supplementation in attack and a growing all-round ability but was indeed unlikely to usurp someone of Alexander-Arnold's ilk.
While he boasts an impressive level of creativity, Williams is also demonstrating a burgeoning defensive skill set with the Tricky Trees, with FBref ranking the Wales star among the top 4% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for tackles, the top 6% for interceptions and the top 3% for blocks per 90.
And while he did not quite cut the mustard at Liverpool, Williams remains an exciting talent and one who will play a big role for Forest this season as Steve Cooper's side look to retain their top-flight status – having been remarked to be on a “different level” by reporter Callum Castel.
There's every possibility that he will continue to improve and perhaps even be snapped up by a European contender in the future, but Liverpool will hold no qualms after cashing in lucratively for a player who cost them nothing.
Chelsea have endured a frustrating start to the campaign and the main thing that has contributed to their poor form is a lack of cutting edge in the final third.
What's the latest news involving Chelsea?
The Blues have received some much-needed clarification regarding their front-of-shirt sponsor in recent times amid news that US-based sports data organisation Infinite Athlete have agreed a £40 million per season deal to place their logo on the front of the Chelsea jersey, as per The Guardian.
The report states that the agreement has come too late to see Chelsea sport their new sponsor in Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion; nevertheless, it may make an appearance for the first time in their away clash against Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League next Monday.
In conversation with GIVEMESPORT meanwhile, journalist Dean Jones is bemused as to why Mauricio Pochettino continues to persist with young defender Levi Colwill in a left-back role, while Ben Chilwell, who predominantly operates as a full-back on that side, continues to be seen as a challenger to Mykhailo Mudryk on the left flank rather than an option at left-back.
Jones stated: "He's obviously looking for something here at left back that we probably didn't expect necessarily. I thought that he'd want somebody like Chilwell to play that role. But he doesn't. He wants Chilwell to be seen clearly as somebody that can challenge Mudryk for his position now. I find it astonishing, really, that Chilwell is basically now being considered as an alternative wide forward rather than a full-back because that's not really where his strengths lie."
Lecce full-back Patrick Dorgu has signalled his desire to move to Chelsea at some point in his career despite attracting interest from Liverpool, Barcelona and Manchester City, as he said in a recent interview: "Chelsea is my dream to play for. I’ve been a fan of them for over ten years, so playing for them would be a huge dream."
Where is Christopher Nkunku?
According to Football Insider, Chelsea attacker Christopher Nkunku's absence from first-team involvement due to injury is viewed as a devastating blow by coaches at Stamford Bridge, while the France international could be set to miss the rest of the year owing to a serious knee problem.
After being brought in for a fee in the region of £52 million, Nkunku hasn't made a single competitive appearance for the Premier League giants and Chelsea have scored just five goals in their opening six top-flight encounters.
Last term, Nkunku registered 23 goals and nine assists in 36 appearances across all competitions for RB Leipzig, earning himself a high-profile move to Chelsea to spearhead their attack, which so far hasn't panned out the way he would've hoped, as per Transfermarkt.
Former RB Leipzig assistant coach Achim Beierlorzer labelled Nkunku a "world-class player" back in 2021 and it is easy to see why he is deserving of such praise. In 2022/23, the 25-year-old averaged around three shots, 1.6 key passes and 1.5 completed dribbles per fixture in the Bundesliga, as per WhoScored.
Chelsea fans will be keen to see Nkunku return to the fold as soon as possible, especially given that Pochettino is struggling to get the best out of his current options in the final third.