Chelsea's first black player has apologised to Conor Gallagher for adding to a social media pile-on that led to the Blues ace being accused of racism.
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Gallagher accused of racism video goes viral
Chelsea insist clip taken out of context
Ex-Blues player apologises after adding to pile-on
WHAT HAPPENED?
Gallagher was repeatedly called a racist on his Instagram account after a clip showed the Blues skipper seemingly ignoring a mascot ahead of their match against Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Chelsea defended the 24-year-old and said the video had been taken out of context, with pictures later emerging of the England international putting his hand on the youngster's shoulder. Now, Paul Canoville, who played for the west London outfit between 1981-86, has expressed his remorse at sharing the now-deleted post on X, formerly Twitter, which helped spark the racism allegations.
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WHAT PAUL CANOVILLE SAID
The 62-year-old, who has worked as an ambassador for the Chelsea FC Foundation, wrote on X on Wednesday: "Sorry to Conor and all blue bhoys [sic] n girls. I went too quickly to post this marn'. As you know I'm very passionate about equality for all. Much love."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino leapt to the aid of Gallagher after the online backlash, saying in a press conference this week: "This upset me so much because no one wants to do something like this with this intention. He did really well with both mascots and when you are there, playing football, focusing on many things, as you start a game, sometimes that can happen. But people try to find things like this to create a mess. I know Conor, come on, he never has that intention. Conor is a great kid who cares about everything. I hate people who use social media to abuse like this. It is so easy [for them]."
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WHAT NEXT?
Gallagher is likely to lead his Chelsea side out at Stamford Bridge against Champions League-chasing Manchester United on Thursday night, with the 12th-placed Blues looking to climb to 10th and even ninth with a big win.
Sunderland are close to unveiling the signing of an exciting teenage talent, with a fresh report claiming that he has verbally reached a pre-contract agreement.
Sunderland transfer news
The Championship side have recently confirmed the arrival of Leicester City’s former goalkeeper Kelechi Chibueze until the end of the season with an option to extend his stay for a further year, and they are continuing to assess their options in the market ahead of January.
The Black Cats are known to have been interested in Manchester United forward Amad Diallo for a second spell having become a fan favourite during his time on loan last season, but with reports suggesting that they are expected to miss out on his signature next year, Tony Mowbray will have to divert his attention elsewhere.
Amad Diallo for Sunderland
The Stadium of Light outfit appear to have set their sights on Chelsea’s former central midfielder Ivan Struk who, having already left the club in the capital, is free to move to his next destination.
The Ukrainian, who is just 16 years of age, will be aware that two of the manager’s existing squad members are also from his country in the form of Nazariy Rusyn and Timur Tuterov, and if the following update is to be believed, he is about to become the third player from his nation to sign on the dotted line at the start of next year.
Sunderland agree deal to sign Ivan Struk
According to The Sunderland Echo, Struk has reached a pre-contract agreement to join Sunderland and he’s already got some minutes under his belt too, having played for one of the club's youth sides.
“Sunderland have reached a pre-contract agreement with Ivan Struk to sign with the club, The Echo understands. The 16-year-old cannot yet sign full-time terms at Sunderland until January but has agreed a pre-scholarship with the Black Cats.
"The deal has not yet been officially announced by the club given that the agreement cannot be formalised until January, though the player has featured for Sunderland's under-18s.”
Ivan Struk profiled
Struk started his career having come from a footballing family and is actually the third generation to take to the pitch, with his father Igor Struk having played for Chortkiv Krystal and Ternopil Nyva while his grandfather, Ivan Snr, for Kristall and Ivano-Frankivsk Spartak, as per Sunderland Nation.
With the up-and-coming prospect having already been handed some game time with the U18s, it’s clear to see that members of the club’s coaching staff are aware of the bags of potential that he has to offer and want to get him involved with the action as soon as possible.
As a result of Struk only being 16, Sunderland are likely to place him in the academy initially, but should he impress during his performances, there’s no reason as to why Mowbray won’t want to hand him a chance in the first-team in the future should the right opportunity present itself.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes read a Robert Frost poem in an extraordinary press conference, in response to her feud with Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall.
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Managers clashed in Conti Cup final
Hayes appeared to push Arsenal boss
Two have since traded barbs
WHAT HAPPENED?
After the final whistle of the Conti Cup final, Hayes and Eidevall clashed, with the Blues boss appearing to push her counterpart. Hayes subsequently claimed that the Arsenal manager had been showing "male aggression" during the final, something that Eidevall strenuously denied, claiming her "irresponsible" comments "cast a dark shadow" over the Gunners' victory.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Speaking ahead of Chelsea's game against Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Womens' FA Cup, Hayes admitted that she spoke to her son after the game, and was told that she should have been put in "time out" for pushing Eidevall, but she also invoked the words of poet Robert Frost in a bizarre monologue.
WHAT HAYES SAID
Hayes started by referring to her conversation with her son, saying: “My son said to me after the game: 'Mummy, when you push someone in school, you’re asked to go and take time out'.
“I said to him: 'You can’t meet aggression with aggression'. All you can do is tell the teacher and explain why something is unfair. You cannot meet aggression with aggression. I thought it was a good conversation with my son after the final.”
She then claimed that she would be speaking to Eidevall before she takes up her post with the United States women's national team: “We don’t play Arsenal, we don’t have each other’s phone number, but I am sure when I become the boss of the USA, we will have conversations. I’ve had a fantastic break, explained an important analogy I shared with my son; my focus is on moving forward.”
Then she referenced Frost, adding: "So when at times the mob is swayed, To carry praise or blame too far, We may choose something like a star, To stay our minds on and be staid."
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WHAT NEXT?
Chelsea remain in contention for a treble. They play United in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend and later this month will play Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Blues are also second in the Women's Super League, three points behind Manchester City but with a game in hand.
Brazilian players earning transfers to the Premier League is by no means a new trend.
Names such as Juninho and Gilberto Silva were at the top of their game on English shores as long as two decades ago.
More recently, the likes of Fernandinho, Willian and Roberto Firmino have won Premier League titles whilst Gabriel Martinelli, Douglas Luiz and Bruno Guimaraes are some of the most beloved players by their respective supporters.
With the January transfer window edging ever closer, Football FanCast has put together some of the best Brazilians being linked with a move to the English top flight.
Gabriel Barbosa, Flamengo
Linked with Manchester United
The first name on this list is a player who has already attempted to ply his trade in Europe.
Gabriel Barbosa, nicknamed Gabigol, signed for Inter Milan in 2016 from Santos.
A sizable fee was paid by the Italian club for Gabigol only for him to flatter to deceive at the San Siro, and the same can be said for his subsequent loan move to Benfica.
Barbosa has since returned to his home country and found his feet again, regularly scoring goals.
He scored 18 in his first league season back with Santos, has scored well over 100 times for Flamengo and is now on the radar of Manchester United.
In a remarkable turn of events, Gabigol could move to Old Trafford with Antony going the other way. The latter has caused the Red Devils major issues both on and off of the field and now Flamengo are willing to take him “off United’s hands” according to The Mirror, in what would be a huge fall from grace.
Antony’s move to Brazil would be a case of a “part exchange on loan” and with Flamengo “resigned to losing their star man”, this could suit all parties.
AC Milan and West Ham United are another pair of teams being mentioned in the same breath as Gabigol and the former are a particularly intriguing proposition given his previous trip to that city.
Gabriel Barbosa statistics
Santos
Inter
Flamengo
Appearances
125
10
246
Goals
43
1
139
Pablo Maia, Sao Paulo
Linked with Arsenal
Arsenal are another of the English giants on the hunt for further reinforcements in the January transfer window.
There are a few holes are opening up in the squad for Mikel Arteta and the middle of the park seems to be where he wishes to start the business.
Brazilian duo Douglas Luiz and Gabriel Moscardo are both on the Gunners’ radar with Luiz, of Aston Villa, having been a long-time target.
Pablo Maia is the man in question though, a 21-year-old who plays his club football for Sao Paulo.
90minis reporting that “Arsenal had indicated a willingness to sell Partey early in the summer transfer window” and with that still being the case, Maia is a leading figure that could replace the Ghanaian.
Maia is still very young and yet has already surpassed the 100 mark in terms of appearances for Sao Paulo, thus bringing with him a commendable amount of experience.
Andre, Fluminense
Linked with Liverpool, Arsenal and Fulham
andre-trindade-premier-league-liverpool-transfers
Andre Trindade is another midfielder on the radar of Mikel Arteta, but it is Liverpool who are thought to be leading this pursuit.
The Reds were keen to bring him in in the summer but Fluminense refused to let him go as they were confident he could make the difference in their Copa Libertadores campaign.
Carlos Leite, the agent of the player, laid this out to Ge Globo as well as mentioned that there were “several proposals” for Andre in the summer, not just Liverpool.
This paid off for the club with them beating Boca Juniors in the final and now “it has been agreed that a departure at the start of 2024 will be granted.”
Arsenal have “identified Andre as a target” as per 90min with Fulham also interested, but all roads point to Anfield at this current moment.
John Kennedy, Fluminense
Linked with Arsenal
That isn’t the last mention of Fluminense on this list by any means with the Copa Libertadores’ victors set to lose a few key players when the new year arrives.
John Kennedy scored the winning goal on that momentous occasion but then was unable to see out the rest of the game after being sent off.
Reports suggest that Kennedy may have his choice of several European clubs with nothing concrete actually being said, apart from the Arsenal chatter.
The Gunners “have scouted him in the past” according to 90min and if everything is to be believed then this could be a supremely busy winter for Arteta and co.
For Fluminense, the 21-year-old has scored 15 goals and assisted six from 70 appearances. More eyebrow-raising than his attacking numbers are the discipline figures: Kennedy has picked up 18 yellow cards and a red in that same period.
Nino, Fluminense
Linked with Nottingham Forest
Since returning to the Premier League landscape, Nottingham Forest have signed a ridiculous amount of players.
Already in their ranks from Brazil are Murillo, Felipe, Danilo and Andrey Santos and they’re not finished there.
Every Nottingham Forest signing since they were promoted to the Premier League
Nino has made over 200 appearances for Fluminense and similarly to Andre, the club weren’t willing to let him go whilst the chance of winning the Copa Libertadores was still alive.
Globo Esporte is reporting that his move to the City Ground has already been penned at a fee of £6 million.
Victor Hugo, Flamengo
Linked with Newcastle United
Moving away from Fluminense finally and we are returning to Gabigol’s current employers, Flamengo.
Victor Hugo was linked with Newcastle United back in the summer as per Bolavip, and the interest remains.
Given Sandro Tonali’s lengthy ban, a move for Hugo makes even more sense now and he could join his fellow countrymen Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes in the middle of the pitch at St. James’ Park.
90min reported that Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid were also keeping tabs on Hugo in the summer and whether it be Ronaldinho, Vinicius Junior or Ronaldo, that pair certainly know a thing or two about Brazilian clubs.
The teenage star has the potential to be American soccer's next great winger.
Charlotte FC are still new kids on the block. The club is only in its third year of existence, after all. The paths expansion teams walk is often a hard one as few clubs in the world can sympathize with the challenge of building something totally from scratch.
The club, though, does already have a homegrown starlet in-house. That starlet's name is Nimfasha Berchimas and, pardon the pun, he's quickly emerged as the jewel of the Crown's academy system.
The 16-year-old attacker already has three MLS appearances under his belt, making him one of the youngest players in league history. He's already made his mark for the U.S. youth national teams, too, as he dazzled at the U-17 World Cup while surpassing marks previously set by Freddy Adu.
He's young, but Berchimas' breakout is coming and, when it happens, Charlotte FC should have a heck of a player on their hands.
But what makes Berchimas so special? GOAL takes a look at the winger, this week's Weekly Wonderkid…
WHAT HE'S DONE
Dean Smith has a pretty good history of developing talent. Ollie Watkins went from obscurity to England star under his watch at Aston Villa. When it comes to helping young players go, Smith is a guy you can trust.
That makes Smith's decision to give Berchimas MLS minutes even more impactful. Smith clearly sees a lot in the teenage starlet.
Rightfully so. Berchimas has been tearing it up at the academy level since joining Charlotte FC. His three appearances came against New York City FCm the Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC, all games where the result was in the balance at the time of his introduction. While those three appearances only totaled 21 minutes, they were 21 important minutes, particularly for a teenager.
And, with the U.S., he dominated at the U-17 World Cup despite being just 15. As the youngest player in the squad, Bechimas scored three goals at the U-17 World Cup last year, surpassing Adu as the youngest player to ever score for the U.S. U-17s at the World Cup level.
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WHY HE'S HERE
A talented young winger, Berchimas is physically advanced for his age, giving him the ability to play against players much older than him. He has a quick first step and can change direction quickly, which allows him to beat defenders off the dribble with ease.
In terms of finishing, Berchimas has also shown he can do so at a high level at the World Cup, where he stood out playing against players much older than him. His decision-making is also impressive for a player as young as he is.
For Berchimas, the key will be development, both physical and mental. As he adjusts to even higher levels of the game, how will he adjust to not being one of the more dominant players on the field? If he keeps adding things to his game, though, he'll be able to go toe-to-toe with anyone in his path.
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WHO HE REMINDS US OF
It's a tough comparison, just because Berchimas has so much room to grow. He's just 16, after all. This is nowhere near the finished product.
In one sense, he's a bit reminiscent of Cade Cowell in that it was quite clear early on that he's so far ahead of players his age physically and mentally. Cowell is, of course, still growing himself, but both Berchimas and the Chivas star have looked like men against boys.
Long-term, though, you could see Berchimas playing a wing role a la Tim Weah. Prior to Berchimas, only three U.S. players had scored a brace at a U-17 World Cup: Adu, Weah and Taylor Twellman. Berchimas could end up being a solid out-and-out winger, one who can contribute goals the way that Weah has with the USMNT.
If Berchimas can score at a World Cup like Weah did, everyone involved will have done a very good job in developing him from starlet to star.
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WHAT COMES NEXT
Berchimas' primary home will be Crown Legacy FC, Charlotte FC's MLS Next Pro affiliate. It's there that he'll get the most minutes and the most time to develop. By performing there, though, he'll inch closer to a spot with the senior team.
It's clear that a spot is there for him. The club has thrown him into the deep end a few times this season and, thus far, he's swam with ease. Berchimas is clearly a player to watch for Charlotte and the U.S. as he looks to take an even bigger leap forward during this MLS season.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are “desperate” to sign one player this summer, with Wrexham’s transfer plans being confirmed.
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Dragons have secured back-to-back promotions
Ready to add again in summer window
On-loan goalkeeper figures prominently on wish list
Getty/GOAL
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Dragons have wrapped up back-to-back promotions, meaning that they will be playing League One football in 2024-25. Phil Parkinson has plenty of quality at his disposal, but the intention is to bolster the ranks at SToK Racecourse ahead of a completely new challenge in the third tier of English football.
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WHAT KER SAID
Executive director Humphrey Ker has told the podcast of the recruitment blueprint, with Wrexham aware that they are no longer a big-spending fish in a small pond: “It’s just the quality of opposition. The jump from National League to League Two is big. The jump from League Two to League One is even bigger, I think. There is also a jump from the bottom half of League One to the top half. There is the danger of a Birmingham or a Huddersfield – big, big clubs with 25,000 or 30,000 crowds that are well resourced, well backed, well backed, well established. Eighteen months ago, to get a player out of a League One club was a huge coup for us. We are going to have to fight for every point we get – I don’t think there are going to be many 6-0s on the cards for us next season. Our approach will be, as it has been every summer and every winter, we will look to improve the squad. We will look to refresh and renew the playing squad. I think there is the core of a great League One team that we have got here and we’ll look to make additions to that.”
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
One of the players that Wrexham are hoping to see in North Wales next season is Arthur Okonkwo, who has starred for the club on loan from Arsenal this term, with Ker adding on efforts at the recent EFL awards show to ensure that rival interest is not allowed to turn the 22-year-old goalkeeper’s head as he prepares to hit free agency: “I went to the EFL awards, we had two players nominated in the EFL League Two Team of the Season in Arthur Okonkwo and Elliot Lee. I had to go and man-mark Arthur because we knew there would be lots of people from other football clubs there and as we’re desperate to retain him this summer, we’ve got to make sure he doesn’t have too much polite chit-chat with people, without me appearing over his shoulder like ‘what are you guys talking about? I’m here too!’”
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WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
Hollywood co-owners Reynolds and McElhenney are expected to make the funds available that will allow Parkinson to dip back into the transfer market, with plenty of movement expected once the playing staff have returned from another promotion-winning trip to Las Vegas.
Aston Villa's rise to prominence in recent seasons has been astonishing, from hanging onto their Premier League status on the final day in 2020 to finishing seventh by the end of the 2022/23 campaign and earning a spot in this season's Europa Conference League group stage.
However, player recruitment has arguably been the most impressive component of Villa's success. It took a couple of years to get right but Villa are now seeing their intelligent acquisitions in the transfer market bearing fruit.
The likes of Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara were signed for relatively cheap and have become mainstays in the first-team.
Nevertheless, the club have also invested in talent for the future and one player in particular is knocking on Unai Emery's door looking for a regular first-team spot.
How much Aston Villa signed Jhon Duran for
The Midlands club managed to win the race for Chicago Fire starlet Jhon Duran last January after the teenage sensation found the net eight times in 27 MLS appearances. Additionally, Duran had registered 14 goal contributions in 28 games in all competitions with the Fire, which is quite an impressive feat for such a young player, and even earned himself three caps for Colombia.
Duran had been tipped for stardom for a number of years before the striker made his way to Villa Park, having been named on The Guardian's list of the top 60 best youngsters in the world in 2020 during his time with Envigado back home.
English giants Liverpool were even linked with Duran at one point but it was Emery's emerging army that won the race in the end, completing his move to Aston Villa for a fee worth up to £17.5m.
The youngster featured just 12 times in his debut half-season in English football and failed to bag a single goal. However, the Colombian still earned himself huge plaudits from the likes of TV pundit Clinton Morrison, who admitted that Duran looks "outstanding".
Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran.
Jhon Duran's stats this season
Already this season, Duran has outperformed his tally from the previous term. The 19-year-old has converted four times in 11 appearances under Emery this season, including twice in the Premier League, although Duran has yet to start a single game for Villa in the top flight in the current campaign. All six of his appearances in the league have been as a substitute.
Recently, Duran came off the bench during a home game against Crystal Palace with the game locked at 1-0 to the visitors. The starlet scored a sensational half-volley which sparked a 3-1 comeback for the hosts.
The rest of his goals have come in the Europa League, but it's now time for Emery to start trusting the expensive, young attacker to start games in the league and the Spanish coach could push Duran up the pecking order surprisingly above summer signing Moussa Diaby.
Emery has often opted to deploy a 4-4-2 this season, with Diaby or Leon Bailey being utilised in a front two alongside Ollie Watkins. However, despite Diaby receiving three times more minutes than Duran this season, the latter has scored more goals and has statistically performed better for Villa when it comes to overall threat inside the penalty box.
Jhon Duran vs Moussa Diaby
Per 90 Metrics
Jhon Duran
Moussa Diaby
Goals
1.2
0.24
Expected Goals
0.66
0.25
Assists
0
0.24
Expected Assists
0
0.20
Shots
4.8
2.28
Shots On Target
2
1.1
Key Passes
1
2.05
Touches In Penalty Area
6.5
5.73
Carries In The Final 1/3
1.5
1.2
Stats via FBref.
Duran is more of a goalscorer as opposed to a creator but has been much deadlier in the final third than Diaby this season despite the Frenchman being signed during the summer for £51.9m. Starting Duran would also ease the burden off Watkins to score Villa's goals and could make the Midlands even more potent up top than they already are.
Leeds United return to action in the Championship this Friday against Rotherham United and an injury expert has now dropped an update on when one of the Whites' key men could return.
Leeds United aim for automatic promotion…
Since Daniel Farke arrived at Elland Road in the summer, Leeds United have entered a period of stability on the field as they look to build a credible challenge for automatic promotion this term.
So far, the Whites have taken 31 points from their opening 16 fixtures in the English second-tier; however, Ipswich Town hold an eight-point advantage over Leeds United as Kieran McKenna continues to exceed expectations at Portman Road, making the Tractor Boys a difficult proposition to try and catch this term.
Nevertheless, Rotherham United lay in wait at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Friday night, where Leeds could pick up their seventh win in eight second tier fixtures to aid their quest to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
As cited by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United will be without Stuart Dallas and Sam Byram for their trip to South Yorkshire. At the same time, Djed Spence is also a doubt for the fixture as it may come too soon for the loanee to make his return to senior action. Despite that, Italy international Wilfried Gnonto is expected to be declared fit for the clash even though he limped off with an injury during an Italy Under-21 match on international duty.
Leeds United's next five Sky Bet Championship fixtures
Opponent
Venue
Rotherham United (A)
AESSEAL New York Stadium
Swansea City (H)
Elland Road
Middlesbrough (H)
Elland Road
Blackburn Rovers (A)
Ewood Park
Sunderland (A)
Stadium of Light
Now, an expert has explained when one other Leeds United absentee could return to contention under Farke after suffering a bout of illness.
Patrick Bamford's return…
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Physical Therapy and Sports Science specialist Dr Rajpal Brar has indicated that Leeds United could look to keep striker Patrick Bamford isolated from the rest of his teammates until he has fully recovered from his recent illness.
Brar told the outlet: "It will depend on the illness but when the player is still in the contagious stage, they will be told to be away from the team so there’s a chance that could’ve happened with Bamford.
mateo-joseph-patrick-bamford-leeds-opinion
"Once they’re into the less contagious stages, they may return to individual work and then eventually team training. Usually, illnesses aren’t too serious where they keep players out for multiple games so he should be back after the break.“
This term, Bamford, who was labelled "exceptional" by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp back in 2021, has struggled to make an impact on the field this term and has failed to score a single goal in eight appearances across all competitions (Bamford statistics – Transfermarkt).
Nevertheless, the former Chelsea man is a valuable asset with plenty of experience under his belt and Farke will be keen to see Bamford return as soon as feasibly possible.
The young midfielder is poised for an MLS breakout, but he already has two countries eyeing him for the future.
The battles between the U.S. men's national team and Mexico are always fierce, on and off the field. In recent years, those off-field battles for dual nationals have only intensified, and another one now seems to be brewing.
Meet Cruz Medina: the San Jose Earthquakes starlet who could be a future star for either the U.S. or Mexico.
He's joined both for youth camps this summer and his future remains uncertain. What is certain, though, is that both federations see his potential. A silky attacking midfielder who can make crazy things happen in the final third, Medina is just getting started, but there's plenty of reason to be excited about his future… at least for whichever program convinces him to join up going forward.
What he's done
If you've paid attention to the youth soccer scene, you've certainly seen Medina's name pop up. He's shined for both club and country as he prepares for a breakout on both levels.
Internationally, he's been a big part of the U.S. U-17s. Medina was a regular for the team at the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championship and was then locked into the starting XI at the U-17 World Cup later that year.
And, on the club level, Medina signed a professional deal with the San Jose Earthquakes at just 15, becoming the third-youngest signing at the time. He featured for the club in a friendly against Celta Vigo in 2022 but has primarily been a star in MLS Next Pro, where he won the Golden Ball at the 2021 MLS Next Cup, drawing interest from Bayern Munich in the process.
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Why he's here
If there's a word to describe Medina, it's probably "silky".
The Quakes teenager is smooth on the ball and smart with it, too. Medina is simply a player who makes things happen in the final third, be it by creating a goal or scoring one of his own. The teenager is also someone whose mind works as quickly as his feet, someone who can outsmart defenders and outplay them.
He also has a flair for the spectacular, as evidenced by his long-range missile against Barbados in 2023.
Medina still has a lot of growing to do, particularly physically, and he will need to be a better defender once he reaches a high level, but you can see the vision with him: a smooth attacking player who makes things happen whenever the ball is at his feet.
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Who he reminds us of
It's still very, very early, but you can see a bit of Gio Reyna in Medina's game.
Not so much physically, of course. Reyna is a few inches taller than Medina, who may still have some growing to do in the coming years. However, both are dynamic attacking midfielders who can also do damage out wide. Pure No. 10s are rapidly being left behind in the modern game, but there's always room for ballers that can find ways to change games.
Reyna is one of the most talented players American soccer has produced, and Medina still has a long way to go, but, if Medina continues to evolve, he has all the potential in the world.
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What comes next
Medina's international allegiance is a big talking point, and it seems that he'll be a regular for either the U.S. or Mexico U-20s throughout the next cycle. Before that, though, he'll need to break through in San Jose by earning some legitimate MLS minutes.
With the Quakes struggling this season, that could happen relatively soon. Until then, though, he'll be a key player for The Town FC, the Quakes' reserve side in MLS Next Pro, where he'll look to fine-tune his game before making the big leap up in level.
Mason Greenwood is “always happy”, according to Getafe, with the Manchester United-owned forward smiling his way through intense transfer speculation.
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Winger impressing during La Liga loan
Linked with clubs across Europe
Expected to be sold in summer window
Getty Images
WHAT HAPPENED?
The 22-year-old winger bid farewell to Old Trafford in September 2023 when securing a loan move to Spain. He has since established himself as an important player, though has received negative reactions from opposing fans at games this season.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Greenwood has posted a personal-best when it comes to league goal contributions this season, with 14 efforts recorded in that department, and has been linked with leading sides across Europe – including Barcelona and Serie A giants Juventus.
DID YOU KNOW?
A permanent transfer is expected to be put in place during the summer window, as United part with a player that came through their academy system, but Greenwood appears to have few concerns when it comes to his future as life at Getafe continues to put a smile on his face.
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WHAT NEXT FOR GREENWOOD?
Greenwood is tied to a contract at United through to 2025, which includes the option for a further 12-month extension, but the Red Devils may decide to cash in at the next opportunity as interest continues to build.