Tag Futebol

An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United duo Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin ahead of the club’s Premier League clash against Liverpool this evening.

What’s the latest on Newcastle’s injury situation?

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has confirmed that both players are fit and available for selection against the Reds at St James’ Park after suffering injuries against Bournemouth last time out.

They were both substituted in the draw against the Cherries but the manager revealed in his pre-match press conference on Friday that they are already back in training.

The Northern Echo’s Scott Wilson relayed the updates from the 45-year-old on Friday morning, tweeting: “Joe Willock won’t feature against Liverpool – but the #NUFC midfielder is winning his battle to be fit for the Carabao Cup final. Miguel Almiron and ASM back in full training and okay. Callum Wilson set to train today – but big doubt for Liverpool…”

How big a boost could that be for Newcastle?

Howe may have been left fearing the worst when Almiron and Saint-Maximin hobbled off against Bournemouth last weekend, and he will surely be delighted by their availability this weekend.

Not only does it mean that they will be able to face Liverpool, but the lack of a serious blow for either of them means that, barring any issues against the Reds, they should also be able to play in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United next week.

Having Almiron available for the clash against Jurgen Klopp’s side will be a huge boost for Howe and Newcastle, as the winger has been in phenomenal form in the Premier League this season.

The former MLS star has plundered ten goals and one assist in 22 top-flight appearances, averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.15. Only two outfield players have averaged a higher Sofascore rating in the league for the Magpies in 2022/23 and no player has scored as many goals as the Paraguayan.

In fact, with Wilson potentially out of action today, Almiron could be the only Newcastle player with more than three Premier League goals this season available for selection against Liverpool, which is why having him fit will be a big relief for this manager.

Saint-Maximin’s fitness is also a boost for the Toon, as the French winger has the potential to be a match-winner on his day. He has only started six matches in the league this term but has provided one goal and three assists in that time, having managing five goals and five assists in 2021/22.

Only Kieran Trippier (four) has set up more goals than the Frenchman for Newcastle this season, while no Magpies player matched the 25-year-old’s tally of five assists last term.

Therefore, both players have the ability to provide excellent quality in the final third, either by scoring goals or creating them, and having their talents available for the clash against Liverpool should be a huge boost for Howe.

Versatile Sheffield Wednesday attacker Callum Paterson doesn’t require surgery on his muscle injury, reliable journalist Joe Crann has confirmed.

The Lowdown: Paterson a key squad player

The Scot hasn’t always been a key starter during Darren Moore’s time at the club but he is a player whose quality and influence are often important and understated.

Paterson’s ability to play across several positions can be priceless and he has chipped in at important moments this season, including the winning goal in the recent top-of-the-table League One clash with Plymouth Argyle.

Unfortunately, the 28-year-old has been missing through injury since that game and he is expected to be out for a number of months.

The Latest: No surgery needed

Writing on Twitter, The Sheffield Star‘s Crann did at least relay some positive news from Moore, however, saying Paterson doesn’t need surgery:

“Callum Paterson is going to be out of action for a while, but the good news is that the #SWFC man doesn’t need to have any surgery on his injury.”

The Verdict: Crumb of comfort

This is a clear piece of good news for Wednesday, even though Paterson’s expected long absence is still a big blow in their League One promotion push this season, considering he has been hailed as ‘brilliant’ by Crann himself this month.

As mentioned, the 17-time capped Scotland international isn’t necessarily one of the first names on the team sheet but he has huge experience, underrated technical ability – he has scored three league goals this season – and intelligence.

Without him, Moore is losing one of his most trusted on-pitch deputies and the hope is that he is back towards the end of the campaign, playing a part in those vital weeks in April and May.

Leeds United could look at signing Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie on loan with an obligation to buy, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: First offer

The Whites appear to be interested in signing the American midfielder before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that personal terms have already been agreed.

An opening bid worth €28m (£24.6m) has reportedly been made by Elland Road officials, with Juventus looking to receive a fee closer to €35m (£30.8m).

The Latest: Hay’s claim

Writing for The Athletic on Thursday, Hay said that the Whites are willing to do a deal for McKennie at the right price, with the club first looking at him during his time at Schalke 04.

However, the reporter added that ‘a loan with an obligation to make the transfer permanent when the season ends would be one way of making the move more affordable’.

The Leeds correspondent also added that Victor Orta is confident of signing teenage defender Diogo Monteiro from Servette in Switzerland.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-14/” title=”Latest Leeds United updates” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Versatile…

McKennie would offer plenty of versatility to Jesse Marsch’s side, should a move to Elland Road go through, with the 24-year-old playing in eight different positions during his career so far.

With a 6.73 WhoScored rating, he comfortably outperformed the majority of Leeds’ midfielders during the 2021/22 campaign, including Kalvin Phillips.

The player also has experience of lining out alongside Tyler Adams at international level, with the pair featuring together at the World Cup, so it could be a wise move, especially after Mateusz Klich’s exit earlier this month.

Erik ten Hag could be tempted to stick with Manchester United’s current attacking options if he cannot land his desired target, rather than going for a stop-gap signing, Graeme Bailey has claimed.

What’s the word?

Man United have been linked with a move for a number of short-term striking options including Wout Weghorst, as they look to add depth to their attack for the second half of the season.

As it seems unlikely that they would be able to secure a marquee signing in the middle of the campaign, the loan market is being explored as Ten Hag seeks out cover for Marcus Rashford.

However, Graeme Bailey has claimed that Ten Hag might be tempted to stick with his current options than sign a player he is not 100% keen on.

Speaking on the Talking Transfers Podcast, Bailey suggested that Rashford, Anthony Martial and the likes of Alejandro Garnacho will be enough for United until the end of the season.

“I think he wants to build for the future,” he stated.

“I’m not sure how keen he is on Choupo-Moting or someone like that. He may accept him because he may get them through for six months, Aboubakar, if he came in wouldn’t necessarily be long term as well.

“I think he’s probably keen, if he can’t get a player in who he wants to work with for the next two or three years, I’m not so sure that he really wants a stopgap.

“I think he’d rather go through with Martial, Garnacho. I think he’s got enough players there to get through.”

A gamble?

Given that a striker like Weghorst could be available on a short-term loan, a risk-free deal to provide extra cover seems wise.

United are competing in both domestic cups and the Europa League, and an extra body up front could prove crucial as the fixtures pile up.

Relying on the current options would be a huge gamble, as if Rashford picks up an injury or loses form, it could derail United’s whole season.

Even if Ten Hag cannot land his preferred target, extra depth even for the bench is necessary.

Aston Villa are thought to be interested in bringing Real Mallorca’s Lee Kang-in to Villa Park.

The Lowdown: Lee profiled

The 21-year-old is primarily a left-footed attacking midfielder who can also play on either wing.

The South Korea international, who made four appearances at the recent World Cup, is sponsored by Adidas and has been with his current employers since 2021.

He has made 52 senior appearances for Mallorca, adding to the 61 that he previously accrued with Valencia, and it appears as if he has caught the eye of Unai Emery.

The Latest: Villa interested in Lee

On Saturday evening, Birmingham Live relayed reports from Spanish media regarding Lee over the last 48 hours.

One journalist hinted that Aston Villa manager Emery is interested in bringing the South Korea international to the Midlands this month, with a departure from Mallorca seemingly very likely.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/aston-villa-latest-news-4/” title=”Aston Villa latest news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: New name to watch

NSWE are yet to make a signing for Villa this month, although the club have been linked with a number of players, plenty of whom are plying their trade in Spain.

Lee is one of the latest to be linked, and he’d certainly bring plenty of versatility to Villa Park. He has already lined out in a number of different midfield and attacking positions during his fledgling career, and you’d like to think that he has even more room for improvement at the age of 21.

It could be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks, especially if Philippe Coutinho completes an exit from Villa, as has been speculated.

Michael Beale has enjoyed a rollercoaster of a start to his career as manager of Glasgow Rangers after coming from behind in two of his first three matches.

The Gers have won all three of their Premiership games under their new head coach but had to come from 2-1 down against Aberdeen, to win 3-2, and 2-1 down to Hibernian, to win 3-2.

One issue the manager had to immediately resolve was the lack of a left-back option as Borna Barisic was at the World Cup and Ridvan Yilmaz was, and still is, injured.

He decided to switch academy right-back Adam Devine to left-back and the youngster has thrived in his new role. The 19-year-old has started all three of Beale’s competitive matches in charge of the Gers and averaged a solid Sofascore rating of 6.97 – creating six chances and winning four tackles in that time.

Rangers’ head coach could now look to the B team to see who the next Devine, or Alex Lowry, could be and one player who may already be catching his eye is left-back Kevin Ciubotaru.

Whilst the Scottish teenager is playing on his weak foot out at left-back at the moment, the Romanian youth international is a naturally left-footed player and this means that he could offer a better balance in that position instead of wanting to cut inside onto his right foot.

Ciubotaru earned a move to Ibrox by impressing at the Kinetic academy. Their co-founder, Harry Hudson, previously hailed the dynamo’s quality, saying:

“Kevin is a Romanian youth international. Plays left back or can play left wing back. Very attack-minded. Powerful runner, good dribbler, gets forward well and contributes really well in the offensive phases.”Defensively he’s worked really hard with us so he covers both those sides of his game. He’s very good aerially, a strong player with an exceptionally high ceiling so looking forward to seeing how he gets on and watching his progress at Rangers.”He has made ten appearances for the club’s youth teams in all competitions this season, including eight outings in the Lowland League and two matches in the UEFA Youth League, and this shows that he has made himself a regular for the side after making the switch to Glasgow.

The gem once compared himself to a current France international and Champions League player, saying: “I think my qualities are speed, dribbling and stamina. I style myself like Theo Hernandez from Milan, although I have a lot of work to do with my right foot. I still have a lot to learn of course.”

If Ciubotaru can replicate Hernandez’s success, with the Frenchman averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.30 at the World Cup and a score of 7.15 in the Serie A this season, then he could be a terrific player for the Light Blues.

It is now down to the Romanian talent to prove to Beale, whether that be in B team matches or in first-team training, that he deserves to be the next young player to make the leap to the senior squad – becoming Devine 2.0 by doing so.

A new wing-back seems to be high on the agenda for Tottenham Hotspur in January.

Over the weekend, as the World Cup concluded with a dramatic goal-fest of a final between winners Argentina and runners-up France, the north London outfit were linked with a move for Pedro Porro of Sporting CP.

According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via Sport Witness), Spurs have contacted Premier League rivals Manchester City in a bid to gather further details on their former player and it’s thought that the 23-year-old is one of many players that sporting director Fabio Paratici is eyeing ahead of the new year.

There is also a belief that the Lilywhites have scouted the one-time Spain international on numerous occasions and the club will have to pay his €45m (£40m) release clause.

He’s a dream compared to Emerson

And do that they must as the diminutive 5 foot 8 dynamo would represent a serious attacking upgrade to Antonio Conte’s current first-choice Emerson Royal.

The inconsistent and calamitous Brazilian just isn’t the worst player in the world but he certainly isn’t a good fit for the Italian’s wing-reliant system at Hotspur Way.

Once dubbed a “complete liability” by former Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara, Emerson’s attacking contributions are a mere speck of dust on what Porro has achieved over the last year or so.

This domestic season alone, for instance, Porro has managed four assists compared to Emerson’s one, despite playing fewer minutes and this attacking threat is shown across other facets, via FBref’s comparison model.

The Sporting sensation also outperforms Spurs’ right wing-back for key passes, shot-creating actions and successful crosses, thus proving to be a far greater creative threat, not to mention his ability to get in and around the opposition’s box, managing nearly four times as many shots per 90, too.

Considering a lot of Tottenham’s threat and attacking impetus comes from the wings, Porro would undoubtedly be a considerable upgrade on the former FC Barcelona man, given the statistics above.

Unlike Emerson, the Spanish whiz has been lauded as a “special talent” by journalist Zach Lowry and “different class” by another ex-Spurs star, Jermaine Jenas.

As such, Paratici must look to pay out his release clause in a bid to hand Conte his dream wing-back option in Porro this January transfer window.

AND in other news, Spurs could seal Conte’s perfect Maddison alternative in Jan swoop for £30.5m “beast”…

Former BBC pundit Noel Whelan has been reacting to rumours linking Aston Villa with a move for Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard.

The Lowdown: Hazard transfer speculation

Reports earlier this month suggested that Unai Emery has given the green light to a potential move and that the Villans see the 31-year-old playing a ‘leading role’ as they look to reinforce their attack.

Hailed as ‘clinical’ by his manager Carlo Ancelotti, Hazard has netted 200 goals for club and country during his career and looks set to feature at the World Cup later this month as Belgium’s captain.

He will enter the final 18 months of his Bernabeu contract in the New Year, and Whelan has been giving his thoughts on a possible Premier League return for the former Chelsea star.

The Latest: Whelan’s comments

Talking to Football Insider regarding Hazard and Villa, Whelan thinks that the Belgian may not be needed in the Midlands and referred to the player’s injury history.

The 47-year-old said: “When I look at what they’ve got in that attack, I’m not sure they need him. He’s not a player who would be on my radar right now.

“There are players already in the squad and the system who can play all the way across that front three – Bailey, Watkins, etc. There are so many wide players, now it’s just about finding the right system and the right set-up.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/aston-villa-latest-news-3/” title=”Aston Villa latest news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

“They’ve got the perfect manager for that. If anyone can get a team working, it’s Unai Emery – that’s why he was brought in.

“For me, someone like Hazard isn’t the way forward. I think they’ve got more than enough in that area, and there’s always a possibility that Hazard can only give you 20 games a season.”

The Verdict: A risk?

Hazard is now 31 and hasn’t had the best of times in Madrid after joining them in 2019. He has suffered 16 separate injuries in Spain, so there’s no guarantee of his fitness, which could make a move by NSWE and Villa quite a gamble.

Although he has plenty of Premier League experience and quality, it appears as if Hazard is past his prime, with his Transfermarkt valuation plummeting over the last four years.

It could be one to keep an eye on, though, especially as a recent update name-checked Villa again with a loan-to-buy deal worth €20m (£17.4m) mentioned.

Arsenal head into tonight’s Carabao Cup meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion in an excellent run of domestic form.

Indeed, Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in seven consecutive matches on English soil.

However, with squad rotation being necessary in order to give the Gunners the best possible chance of success in both the Premier League and Europa League this season, the Spaniard may well look to give a number of his lesser-seen first-teamers and most exciting youth prospects a run out against the Seagulls this evening.

So, how many changes will the 40-year-old make to the side that lined up in the 1-0 win over Chelsea last weekend?

Here’s how we at Football FanCast think Arteta’s starting XI could look against Brighton, as well as the latest team and injury news…

With Arteta revealing in his pre-match press conference that Takehiro Tomiyasu will remain sidelined for tonight’s fixture after picking up a knock in the 1-0 win over FC Zurich earlier this month, coupled with the Spaniard looking likely to rotate his team, we predict that the 40-year-old will make ten changes to his starting XI from the Chelsea win.

Only Gabriel Magalhães keeps his starting spot in the back five, with Matt Turner replacing Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks, Kieran Tierney coming in for Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back, Rob Holding taking William Saliba’s spot in the middle and Cédric Soares replacing Ben White at right-back.

There are also wholesale changes in the midfield three, with the 19-year-old “wizard” – in the words of Emanuel Rosu – Catalin Cirjan potentially being handed his first-team debut in place of Granit Xhaka. He has appeared on the bench already this term and is now primed to be given his first senior minutes.

Other central changes see Mohamed Elneny given his second start since injury in place of Thomas Partey and Fábio Vieira come in for Martin Ødegaard.

Once again, there are three fresh faces in the attacking trio, with Arteta unleashing Arsenal’s “secret weapon” – in the words of Graham Ruthven – Reiss Nelson alongside Eddie Nketiah and 19-year-old Marquinhos on the left flank, up top and right flank respectively.

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a second successive Premier League defeat after slipping up at home to Newcastle United on Sunday, bringing an end to a frustrating week which has dragged Antonio Conte’s right back into the scrap for the top four.

Having previously appeared somewhat settled as the best of the rest behind leaders Arsenal and champions Manchester City, the north Londoners are now only two points ahead of the Magpies in fourth, with both Chelsea and Manchester United also both firmly in the mix behind them.

Fresh from their grim defeat at Old Trafford in midweek, the Lilywhites were again under par against Eddie Howe’s side, with goals from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron handing the visitors a two-goal lead heading in at the break.

A typically clinical header from Harry Kane just after the interval had raised hopes of a potential fightback for the home side, although the Englishman’s effort ultimately proved a mere consolation as Conte’s men suffered a third defeat in their last five league games.

A rare shining light in that frustrating loss had been that man Kane, with the Three Lions skipper taking his top-flight tally to ten goals in just 12 games thus far, with that stunning run having only been overshadowed by the freakish exploits of Erling Haaland, who leads the scoring charts with a mammoth haul of 17 goals.

The 29-year-old came close to making a breakthrough in the first half only to see his well-worked effort saved by the fee of compatriot Nick Pope, having also showcased his playmaking brilliance by sliding in partner-in-crime Heung-min Son, only for the Korean international to inexplicably squander the opportunity.

The prolific striker was not the only Tottenham figure to have impressed amid defeat, however, with January arrival Rodrigo Bentancur having also been “immense” in the centre of the park, according to Lee Barratt.

That “outstanding” performance – as described by journalist Dan Kilpatrick – saw the 25-year-old notably win ten of his 14 ground duels from his central midfield berth, while also winning two of his three aerial duels.

With the industrious Pierre-Emile Hojberg ruled out due to injury, the Uruguayan international took on the Dane’s all-action role as part of the midfield three, having also won six tackles and made four interceptions on the day.

Not just an asset defensively, the former Juventus maestro also showcased his attacking quality after registering three key passes and successfully completing all four of his attempted dribbles, with his overall match rating of 7.8, as per SofaScore, the third-highest of any player for either side.

That machine-like performance may have been little consolation for both the player and his manager amid the overall frustration of defeat, although it has once again served as a reminder of the £31.5m-rated man’s importance to this Tottenham side.