Spurs: £145k-p/w Flop Got Embarrassed vs Man Utd

Tottenham Hotspur finally showed some rarely-seen spirit last night, as they battled from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw against an impressive Manchester United side.

With the visitors having surged into a 2-0 lead before the break, Pedro Porro managed to thump home their first before Heung-min Son equalised with 11 minutes to go.

Although it marked another game without a win, Ryan Mason’s new-look side seemed refreshed, free from the burden of Antonio Conte and his disciples.

Despite relinquishing 60% of the ball to Erik ten Hag’s men, it was in fact the Lilywhites who boasted the most shots with 18. However, due to the constant wave of Red Devils attacks, this put undue pressure on a back line still recovering from their 6-1 drubbing last weekend.

With Clement Lenglet having watched that display from the bench, it was thought that his return last night would see the Frenchman unburdened by such a demoralising performance. Eric Dier clearly was still suffering, outlined in his 6.3 Sofascore rating.

The England international was particularly bad throughout the encounter having looked all at sea defensively, making it “so easy” for United – as per Football.London’s Rob Guest.

However, the Barcelona loanee had no such excuse, with his 6.1 rating the lowest of anyone on the pitch.

How did Clement Lenglet play vs Manchester United?

Starting on the left-hand side of a back three, as Mason sought to learn from Cristian Stellini’s mistakes, the 27-year-old looked shaky all game both with and without the ball.

Little defensive interactions from the centre-back suggest an anonymous showing, with his 36 touches standing as proof of that. This allowed him to retain a 97% pass accuracy, although this only saw 28 passes completed; hardly an outstanding return. via Sofascore.

clement-lenglet-tottenham-hotspur-heung-min-son

Such unwillingness to assert himself on the game left Spurs lacking at the back, and whilst he would make three clearances, this did not make up for the fact that the £145k-per-week dud was dribbled past once and lost 80% of the five duels competed in.

The culmination of his rough night came when Bruno Fernandes fed the ball through his legs to fashion himself an opening, truly exacerbating the embarrassment suffered at the hands of a strong United side.

Although Dier put in another questionable 90 minutes at the heart of defence too, at least his defensive numbers stood out: four clearances, one block, one tackle and one interception is a huge upgrade on his partner at the back.

With his loan set to expire this summer, and an average rating of 6.61 in the Premier League only set to diminish with last night’s showing, there has been little to suggest that a permanent deal would be a fruitful one for Tottenham.

Daniel Levy will want to hold off on any rash transfer decisions until he has his new manager in place, who can come to his own conclusions about the current squad. However, given how his spell in England has gone thus far, most incoming bosses would likely come to a similar conclusion: he is not good enough for where they want to be.

Man United Team News: "Class Act" Ruled Out Vs Brighton

Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho is not “available” for the Premier League game vs Brighton and Hove Albion tonight, according to Erik Ten Hag.

What's the latest injury news on Garnacho?

The Red Devils will be heading into this fixture full of confidence off the back of the 1-0 victory over Aston Villa so will be hoping to replicate the same outcome, but in doing so, they will have to attempt it without the services of the 18-year-old starlet.

The Argentine joined the U18s at Old Trafford back in 2020 and is currently enjoying his debut season as part of the senior first-team, registering 31 appearances to date, but has recently been undergoing a spell on the sidelines.

Ten Hag’s winger last featured in the top-flight during the 0-0 stalemate with Southampton on March 12 where he was forced off the pitch after 17 minutes with an ankle injury that has seen him miss 50 days, or to be more precise, 11 matches since, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking during Wednesday’s pre-match press conference, Ten Hag confirmed that Garnacho still remains ruled out of action despite hopes he would even be fit against Aston Villa last weekend, let alone tonight. As quoted by Manchester United’s official website, he said:

“I think we have one training [session], but I think it's too soon to be available. I think he is short [of full fitness]. I think he needs some training and then, in short notice, he will be available."

Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho.

Will Garnacho's absence be a blow for Man United?

Manchester United will know that they have a real gem on their hands in Garnacho, who’s already been lauded a “class act” by journalist Josh Bunting, so it’ll definitely be a huge blow for Ten Hag not to have him available for selection for tonight’s trip to The Amex.

The Madrid native has clocked up an impressive 43 goal contributions (27 goals and 16 assists) in 85 outings at all levels since putting pen to paper at Old Trafford, including 11 in 32 across all competitions this season alone.

Even if he’s not always on the scoresheet, the £50k-per-week ace is constantly looking to make the magic happen in the final third, ranking in the 98th percentile for number of touches in the attacking penalty area and the 96th for progressive passes received, so knows how to get himself in the best positions in and around the opposition box, via FBRef. The sooner he returns to action, the better.

Rangers Transfer News: Beale Eyeing "Incredible" £2m Titan

Glasgow Rangers are eyeing up a move for defender Auston Trusty this summer as Michael Beale looks to undergo a significant rebuild ahead of next season.

What’s the latest on Auston Trusty to Rangers?

According to the Daily Mail, the Ibrox side are keen on signing the Arsenal centre-back this summer as Beale looks to bolster his defence.

Any potential move could cost the club £2m, which is well within the Light Blues' budget, especially with there likely to be a number of departures during the transfer window.

He has yet to play for the Gunners, having only joined last year from MLS outfit Colorado Rapids and was immediately sent out on loan to Birmingham City for the 2022/23 campaign.

Could Rangers sign Auston Trusty?

Beale will be looking at signing another centre-back and a £2m fee suggests it could be a solid investment.

Filip Helander looks increasingly likely to leave the Gers once his contract expires at the end of this term and his injury issues of late proves that now is the right time for him to go.

In his four seasons at Ibrox, the Swede has missed 110 matches due to a variety of injury problems and he hasn’t played for the club in over a year. He did form a formidable partnership with Connor Goldson as the team conceded just 13 Premiership goals during 2020/2021, but a younger, more reliable option is required heading into the future.

Trusty could be the ideal heir for the Swede and his performances for Birmingham this season have been impressive. The 24-year-old featured in 44 Championship matches, averaging a Sofascore rating of 6.97, which ranked him as the third-best player in their squad.

Auston Trusty

The American machine scored four times and grabbed two assists, suggesting he could be a goal threat at set pieces while the defender also won 57% of his total duels along with making 2.3 tackles and four clearances per game as his defensive qualities were evidently on show during his loan spell.

The 6 foot 3 titan was also voted as the Birmingham supporters’ player of the season just last week and he has also been lauded as “incredible” by fellow teammate George Friend recently following his dominating displays in the second tier.

Beale could do a lot worse than make a move for Trusty, and he could well be the perfect Helander heir heading into the new season.

Chelsea Plot Move For ‘Insane’ £374k-p/w Star

Chelsea are intrigued by the opportunity of signing Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane.

Football Insider reported at the beginning of the month that with the Blues swiftly closing in on the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager, the Argentine had personally demanded that the Senegalese be signed in the upcoming window.

The report detailed that the Bavarian Giants were “open to selling” the 31-year-old, who only joined the German club last summer but has enjoyed a troubling period in his new surroundings. It is understood that the forward is valued at around £30m.

Pochettino has set his sights on a new goalkeeper, central midfielder, and striker if he inherits the Stamford Bridge helm, as Mane’s past deployment across the frontline, including as a false nine, makes him an attractive prospect for the former Tottenham Hotspur boss.

How would Sadio Mane fit in at Chelsea?

It has recently been revealed that Pochettino is looking to “add players with Premier League pedigree” – a trait Mane possesses in glorious abundance.

As such, the 95-cap international would undoubtedly be a dream first signing should he sign on the dotted line in the capital, particularly when you consider the gamut of attacking qualities he'd add to the Londoners.

He initially arrived in England at Southampton in 2014 and registered 39 goal contributions in 75 appearances before he caught the attention of Liverpool.

Mane and Merseyside was a match made in heaven, and he tremendously excelled up north. The attacker won six trophies, including a Premier League and a Champions League to write his name in club folklore.

Jurgen Klopp described the former Red Bull Salzburg man as “absolutely insane” and in a short period of time, he emerged as one of the club’s most reliable and productive players.

He finished his time at the Reds with 168 goals and assists across six seasons before embarking on a new challenge in Germany.

Sadio-Mane

Although Mane has scored 12 times this term, he has struggled to adapt to his new team and this was underlined by a scuffle with Leroy San after their European defeat to Manchester City.

Appreciated and valued by Pochettino, who coached the £375k-per-week man for four months on the South Coast, he represents the perfect mixture of quality and experience. He could add some much-needed nous to a Chelsea team lacking leadership.

Kai Havertz is the Blues' top domestic scorer this season with just seven goals, and thus adding a dashingly good forward of Mane's ilk would be the perfect way to begin the Pochettino reign. Indeed, the winger has never finished an English top-flight campaign with less than ten strikes, suggesting he'd have an immediate impact.

The Premier League legend’s addition to the 2021 Champions League winners would no doubt be a huge boost.

Aston Villa Ready Move For "Fantastic" Defender

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery wants the club to make an early summer move for Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters.

What’s the latest Aston Villa transfer news involving Walker-Peters?

Villa look set to be in for a busy transfer window ahead of Emery’s first full season in charge, with NSWE ready to back the Spaniard with a “huge” summer spending spree.

A number of players have been linked with a move to the Midlands in recent months, including a new right-back. Villa were name-checked with an interest in Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Walker-Peters last month, and an update has emerged on the latter of the two English full-backs.

According to sources close to TEAMtalk, Villa are hunting a quick deal for Walker-Peters after Southampton’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed last weekend. Emery wants Villa to make an early swoop to ensure they can wrap up a deal quickly, with Villa ready to make their move.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.

How has Walker-Peters performed this season?

Walker-Peters, who actually shares the same agency as Villa right-back Ashley Young, made a permanent move to St Mary’s from Tottenham back in 2020 following a loan spell.

In total, the 26-year-old has made 118 appearances for Southampton, 36 of which have come during the current campaign. The England international has contributed to 10 goals on the south coast and appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €25m Transfermarkt valuation.

As per WhoScored, Walker-Peters has averaged a match rating of 6.57/10 – the same score as Matty Cash, whereas Young averages a slightly better rating of 6.58/10.

The Saints man has recorded an impressive 1.6 dribbles per game, more than any Villa player, while also averaging 1.9 tackles per 90. He has been hailed as "outstanding" by Danny Higginbotham and called “fantastic” since joining Southampton by pundit Micah Richards, so Walker-Peters could therefore prove to be a shrewd addition in the Midlands.

Young is 37 years of age, so Villa will sooner or later have to replace the experienced defender, with Walker-Peters possibly that man to come in and rival Cash. Villa may also take advantage of Southampton’s relegation, potentially opening up the door for a cut-price transfer, and it looks as if it will be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.

£120k-p/w Chelsea Man Close To Summer Transfer Exit

Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be an "extraordinary" signing as he nears a move away from Chelsea this summer.

What's the latest Ruben Loftus-Cheek news at Chelsea?

There's no doubt the Blues are in for a pretty busy summer. After all, life under Todd Boehly has been hectic enough already but the club are now set to embark on a new era under soon-to-be manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Talk is already rampant in the media about who the Argentinian wants to bring in with the Daily Mail claiming he wants a new goalkeeper, a central midfielder and a striker.

However, he will also have the small matter of reducing the Blues' already bloated squad with a number of sales in the upcoming summer market.

One name who appears destined for an exit is Loftus-Cheek, and Bailey has explained the latest news on 90min's Talking Transfers amid his links to Serie A giants AC Milan.

He said: "As we reported in April, AC Milan were showing a really strong interest. Since then there's just been talks.

"The player himself has spoken to [Fikayo] Tomori, his former teammate, about Milan.

"Milan like this deal a lot and it's accelerating quite quickly. I think it suits all parties. I think Loftus-Cheek in Serie A will be very, very good. I think he could be an extraordinary signing for Milan."

Will Ruben Loftus-Cheek join AC Milan?

Having played 30 games in all competitions for Chelsea this term, it's clear the 27-year-old has plenty to offer but with only 17 starts in the Premier League, he's not quite a first-name-on-the-team-sheet type player.

And so, he could be seen as one player to sell and help raise some money to fund other incomings, with his £120k-p/w contract still good until 2024.

From the player's point of view, he may well look at former Chelsea teammate Tomori as inspiration to chase this move to Italy.

Fikayo Tomori

After all, the defender has just started both legs in a Champions League semi-final and has already won a Serie A title since leaving the Blues.

With that in mind, it's no shock to hear Bailey report that the two have been in contact over this potential summer transfer and it's quite likely that Tomori's experience will leave Loftus-Cheek more than open to a move to AC Milan.

If he can get regular minutes for the Italian side just as his former teammate has done, perhaps this transfer could turn into an "extraordinary" bit of business for the Rossoneri.

Man Utd Offered Chance To Sign £20m "Leader"

Manchester United are believed to have been given the chance to sign Christian Pulisic from rivals Chelsea this summer, with the United States international facing an uncertain future in west London.

What's the latest on Pulisic to Man United?

According to ESPN, the Red Devils are among a host of clubs who have seemingly been 'approached' about the prospect of signing the 24-year-old ahead of next season, having been notified as to what the winger's salary demands and asking price would be.

The report suggests that the former Borussia Dortmund ace – who was joined the Blues on a £58m deal back in 2019 – could be up for grabs for as little as £20m, with just 12 months left to run on his existing deal at Stamford Bridge.

While the piece does add that it is Serie A giants, Juventus who are currently the frontrunners in the race to sign the 58-cap dynamo, United have evidently held a long-standing interest in the player, having reportedly been contemplating a loan swoop last summer.

Should Man United sign Pulisic?

It is hard to deny that it has been a truly dismal season for Pulisic, with the £173k-per-week asset having scored just once and provided only two assists in 30 games in all competitions, albeit while making just ten starts in that time.

That being said, the Hershey-born magician did showcase his talents on a global stage at the World Cup last year, with the fleet-footed "leader" – as hailed by former USA boss, Jurgen Klinsmann – having provided three goal involvements in just four outings in Qatar.

That impact saw the wide man hailed as a "massive talent" by United legend, Gary Neville (ITV, 25/11/2022, 18:36), while another Old Trafford icon – Paul Scholes – has previously suggested that the American "looks the closest thing to Eden Hazard".

That glowing praise is an indication of the real diamond that Erik ten Hag could have on his hands if a deal is to be secured this summer, with such an addition potentially set to prove the final nail in the coffin for current Red Devils dud, Jadon Sancho.

Man United's Jadon Sancho

While the Englishman has provided two goal involvements in his last two outings, it has largely been a tale of frustration since his £73m switch from Dortmund, with the 23-year-old bagging just 12 goals and six assists in 78 games across all fronts to date.

That lack of consistency has led to suggestions from treble winner Dwight Yorke that the London-born trickster is now on "borrowed time", with further reports claiming that the forward could be shown the door ahead of next term.

As such, turning to Pulisic – who has the benefit of having won the Champions League in 2021 – could allow Sancho to find pastures new, with the Chelsea man having racked up 47 goals and assists in 145 games for his current side.

One notable benefit that Pulisic would offer is his superior work ethic having averaged 1.25 tackles and 0.58 interceptions per 90 across the last 365 days, while the United man has averaged just 0.99 and 0.41 for those same two metrics, respectively.

That ability to put in the hard yards defensively on the flanks will likely be appealing to Ten Hag, hence the prospect of the Blues ace replacing Sancho in the squad next season.

36 y/o Slams Key Decision by Todd Boehly at Chelsea

Former Chelsea player Cesc Fabregas has questioned the sacking of Graham Potter but has spoken positively about Mauricio Pochettino's chances of success at Stamford Bridge.

What's the latest on Todd Boehly and Chelsea?

It's been a funny old season for the Blues as they started the campaign with Thomas Tuchel, sacked him, fired his replacement, and then brought in Frank Lampard.

All the while, the club's American owner Todd Boehly spend hundreds of millions of pounds on new transfers – reportedly £556m – only for the club to finish 12th in the Premier League.

All in all, it's been a rather chaotic past few months and now it will be up to Pochettino to work his magic over the summer and help steady the ship before next season begins.

In an interview with The Athletic, however, Fabregas – who played 198 times for Chelsea – has claimed that Potter deserved more time at Stamford Bridge.

While talking about Mikel Arteta who is now succeeding at Arsenal after some uncertain early periods in his management, the Como midfielder explained: “This is what we were talking about in terms of giving time to coaches.

"At any other club, or maybe at another time, maybe we would not have Arteta as a coach right now, because you can remember what happened the first year. Even though he did well the first six months, winning the FA Cup, they then finished eighth three times in a row.

"If it’s not for Edu [Gaspar] and giving him more time — he has the right personality to keep Mikel there, to say, ‘OK, stay, do your thing, we back you.’ That’s what it’s all about. Down the line, you’re tomando los frutos. It will bear fruit."

Specifically on Chelsea, he added: “I understand that the top, top teams nowadays panic very quickly. Like Chelsea, you are eighth and you make a change and now you are 14th. A panic change does not always guarantee you that you’ll get better. Sometimes it does, sometimes not.

"But if you really believe — I believed in Potter. I know the results weren’t great but if you believe in him the way you say you believed in him… they had given him a five-year contract. Maybe give him some time. It’s proven with other coaches that it worked.”

What did Fabregas say about Pochettino?

Of course, though, Potter's time with Chelsea is up and he left the club in April having won only seven of his 22 Premier League games in charge.

And so, with interim Lampard now gone, Pochettino will have to try and find a way to deal with the bloated squad and Boehly's demands as the Blues begin a new chapter.

Next Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino

Fabregas was at least optimistic about the Argentine's chances of success in West London, noting his ability to get the best out of younger players.

The 36-year-old Spaniard said: “I’ve never worked with him, I’ve obviously heard of him. I’ve met him a couple of times on holiday in Ibiza. I’ve played against him obviously when he was at Spurs and we’ve chatted after matches.

"I think he seems like a very reasonable man, very calm, that gives a lot of confidence to younger players and has a good structure and has a staff that he trusts so much. I hope he’s the right man to bring back Chelsea to the position where they belong.”

Newcastle Could Land Haaland Answer In £130m "Machine"

Newcastle United are interested in an ambitious swoop for Napoli phenomenon Victor Osimhen, with the Serie A champion's future uncertain after Luciano Spalletti's recent departure from Naples.

What's the latest on Victor Osimhen to Newcastle?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via the Mirror), who claim that Eddie Howe's Magpies are set to battle it out with Premier League rivals Manchester United this summer for the Nigerian frontman, having received a £100m windfall after qualifying for next year's Champions League.

The report states that Newcastle have 'made contact' with the player's agent and are now looking at the feasibility of a move for an ace integral in Napoli's Scudetto this term.

A stumbling block comes in the form of Osimhen's valuation, with I Partenopei demanding roughly £130m for the 24-year-old after such a sensational season.

Should Newcastle sign Victor Osimhen?

Napoli signed Osimhen for around £81m from French outfit Lille in 2020 and he swiftly asserted himself as an impressive striker in Italian football, scoring 28 goals across his first two campaigns.

This season, he has truly emerged as one of Europe's foremost forwards, posting 30 goals and five assists from 38 matches across all competitions as Napoli emphatically secured the Serie A title for the first time since 1990.

Newcastle already boast a formidable strikeforce in Callum Wilson and £63m club-record signing Alexander Isak, who have plundered 18 and ten goals respectively this term. The Swede was even hindered by injury issues for much of his maiden season in English football.

However, a signing of Osimhen's ilk would lift the offensive calibre to a whole new level, the forward ranking among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals and the top 3% for touches in the attacking box per 90, as per FBref, and subsequently being hailed as a "goal-machine" by journalist Mimo Fawaz.

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

The £91k-per-week phenom would indeed be hard to prise away from the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium but Spalletti's departure to take a year-long sabbatical surely opens the door for the likes of Newcastle and the Red Devils.

Newcastle are on the up and will not want to rest on their laurels after finishing in the top four, instead looking to utilise their newfound prominence to continue an ascent to the very forefront of domestic and continental football, and to do so, closing the gap on imperious Premier League champions Manchester City is the goal.

Pep Guardiola's defending champions have taken precedence in England after the sagacious Spaniard arrived in 2016, and this term could yet complete a historic treble, having clinched the league title and await their fate in both the FA Cup and Champions League finals.

A definitive factor behind the blistering success is down to the signing of prolific prodigy Erling Haaland, who has scored an incredible 52 goals from 51 outings during his first season with the Sky Blues, also supplying nine assists.

Ranking among the top 1% of forwards for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 10% for rate of assists and the top 5% for touches in the attacking box per 90, the Norwegian sensation has taken the world by storm and rivals will be desperately searching for a way to dethrone his side, and Newcastle could unearth the formula by signing Osimhen.

The semblance between the strikers is uncanny, and Osimhen would undoubtedly become the Tyneside club's "heart and soul" – as praised by reporter Mina Rzouki for his feats in Naples – not only bridging the gap but perhaps harnessing a level of fluidity to leapfrog the divisional giants and claiming centre-stage as the Premier League's new leading force.

Chelsea Can Replace £295k-p/w Flop With "Best In World"

Chelsea have been busier than any other club on the continent across the past two transfer windows, but it may well be that a different approach is taken by Todd Boehly and Co this summer.

With Mauricio Pochettino now in situ, the club can concentrate fully on further strengthening a squad that seriously underperformed last season in finishing 12th in the Premier League.

However, the Blues will have to be a lot smarter with their business this window, meaning a change to the scattergun approach of the past year or so.

The early signs appear positive, with Napoli defender Kim Min-jae said to have been made one of their priority signings.

According to FootMercato, Chelsea are ready to hijack Manchester United's move for the South Korea international, though they also face competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United.

Is Kim Min-Jae a good option for Chelsea?

Kim only arrived at Napoli from Turkish giants Fenerbahce at the start of the 2022-23 season, but he certainly made a big impact as the Partenopei ended a 33-year wait to win the Scudetto.

Napoli conceded just 28 goals all season – the best defensive record of any side in the division – with a defensive solidity paving the way for the likes of Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to grab the headlines.

But the part Kim played in Napoli's success did not go unnoticed. Ivan Zacharoni, editor-in-chief of Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, described the 26-year-old as "the best defender in the world", with no player able to match him in terms of "skill and consistency".

That is very much reflected in the stats, with Kim ranking highest in Serie A for the percentage of tackles won (86.2), as per FBref.

Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly

To put that into some context, Kalidou Koulibaly, the man most at threat should the Napoli defender arrive at Stamford Bridge, won just 65% of his tackles in last season's Premier League.

It was arguably in another department Kim particularly thrived, with his 80.35 passes attempted per 90 minutes over the past 12 months placing him in the top 3% of his defensive peers. Koulibaly, by comparison, has managed 69.59 per 90 minutes.

Taking all competitions into account last season, Kim was also superior to Koulibaly – the man he replaced at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona – in terms of aerial duels won per 90 minutes (2.89 v 1.83), while he also impressed in attacking metrics such as shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (1.13 v 0.99).

It is no secret that Koulibaly has struggled to truly adapt to life in English football – the odd promising spells aside – with senior ESPN writer James Olley pointing out just how "shaky" the centre-back looked in Chelsea's 2-1 loss to Fulham in January – one of the numerous occasions that has been the case.

Koulibaly – on £295k-a-week at Chelsea, according to Capology – may feel he deserves more time to show what he is capable of under a new manager, but the Blues cannot afford to sit still this summer when a player of Kim's ability is possibly up for grabs.

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