Alexi Lalas has controversially claimed that the USMNT has “outgrown CONCACAF” despite suffering a historic flop at the 2024 Copa America.
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Celtic are in action in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon as they travel away from Glasgow to the capital to take on Hearts at Tynecastle.
Their hosts are fresh off the back of a 1-1 draw with rivals Hibernian and a 5-0 loss to Rangers in their last two matches, but they do have the dangerous Lawrence Shankland – who has 19 league goals so far – to potentially cause problems for the Hoops.
Brendan Rodgers' side, on the other hand, should be full of confidence ahead of this clash after they thumped Dundee 7-1 at Parkhead on Wednesday night.
There were seven different scorers for Celtic, who were 5-0 up before the 40th minute, in the match, as they recorded their second win in succession.
With games coming thick and fast and an international break for some of the squad to contend with later this month, Rodgers could look to make changes to keep the team fresh.
One alteration to the starting XI from the 7-1 win over Dundee that the Northern Irish tactician should make is to bring Luis Palma in for Daizen Maeda, who could be brutally ditched from the line-up.
The Japan international, who can play on either flank or through the middle, was selected to play on the left wing as part of a front three alongside Adam Idah and Hyun-jun Yang.
He did, to his credit, get on the scoresheet with a well-taken goal in the 30th minute to make it 4-0 to Celtic, with an assist from Matt O'Riley. The winger collected the Danish wizard's pass in the box and brilliantly spun and finished into the far corner with his left foot.
However, the rest of his performance left a bit to be desired as he struggled with the physicality of the game and failed to provide creativity for his teammates.
|
Daizen Maeda |
Vs Dundee |
|---|---|
|
Minutes played |
90 |
|
Key passes |
Zero |
|
Big chances created |
Zero |
|
Pass accuracy |
79% |
|
Duels contested |
13 |
|
Duels won |
Five |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
|
As you can see in the table above, Maeda was dominated by the Dundee players in physical battles as he lost eight of his 13 duels throughout the match.
The 26-year-old forward also lost possession 12 times from 39 touches. This suggests that the winger was sloppy on the ball, particularly when you consider that he did not create a single chance for his teammates, as he lost it every 3.25 touches on average despite having little impact on the game outside of his goal.
A lack of quality in the final third has been an issue for the Japanese wide man throughout the 2023/24 Premiership season, as he has struggled to consistently deliver goals and assists.
The right-footed whiz produced eight goals and five assists in 25 league starts under Ange Postecoglou last term, which was a return of one goal or assist every 1.92 starts on average.
He has not been successful in replicating that form for Rodgers since the ex-Leicester City boss replaced the Australian tactician last summer.
Maeda has started 19 matches, and made two appearances off the bench, in the Premiership so far this season, and contributed with four goals and two assists.
This means that his average starts per goal contribution has fallen to every 3.17 starts, with six in 19 starts for the Scottish giants in the top-flight.
He has registered four goals in 19 starts but could have had more had it not been for wasteful finishing. No player in the Celtic squad has underperformed their Expected Goals by more than Maeda (minus 2.74).
His teammates have provided him with 6.74 xG worth of chances in the final third but he has only scored four, which shows how poor his finishing has been this term.
The Japan international has also struggled to create for his fellow attackers. He currently ranks 22nd in the squad for key passes per game (0.5), and is below the likes of Liam Scales and Tomoki Iwata, who play in defensive positions.
These statistics illustrate Maeda's struggles at the top end of the pitch as he has been inconsistent as a finisher and rarely provided his teammates with quality as a creator.
The Japanese winger must now be brutally ditched from the starting XI on the left flank as Luis Palma has the ability to offer more in attack for the Hoops.
Signed from Greek side Aris on a permanent deal ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, the Honduras international has provided a threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals throughout the Premiership season.
The 5 foot 10 whiz, who was hailed as "tremendous" by Chris Sutton earlier this term, has been more consistent in front of goal than Maeda, with a slight underperformance of six goals from 6.9 xG.
This suggests that Palma is more likely to tuck away a chance than the former Yokohoma F. Marinos star, given that the Japan international has two fewer goals from 0.16 less xG.
The 24-year-old magician also has far more quality when it comes to creating chances in the final third for his teammates, based on their respective statistics in the Premiership this season.
|
23/24 Premiership |
Daizen Maeda |
Luis Palma |
|---|---|---|
|
Starts |
19 |
17 |
|
Key passes per game |
0.5 |
2.7 |
|
Big chances created |
Four |
12 |
|
Assists |
Two |
Nine |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
||
As you can see in the table above, the ex-Aris dynamo has provided far more chances, and more high-quality chances, for his fellow attackers than Maeda.
In fact, no player in the Premiership has registered more assists, and only two players – Danny Armstrong and James Tavernier – have created more big chances than Palma this season.
This shows that the Celtic maestro has been one of the outstanding creative talents in the top-flight since his move to the club last summer.
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Therefore, Rodgers should replace Maeda with Palma this afternoon at Tynecastle due to the superior quality he has in the final third, both as a finisher and a creator, which could be needed given that Hearts have the third-best defensive record in the division.
Alisha Lehmann enjoyed a "girls night" out with Swiss compatriot Lia Walti and lookalike sister Shona in their home country.
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Barcelona are reportedly open to making the sale of Ilkay Gundogan this summer with clubs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar showing interest in the veteran.
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Mauricio Pochettino and his future in the Chelsea dugout has been a real talking point at Stamford Bridge this season, and a new update has come to light this week.
Despite club chiefs bringing in £400 million worth of summer signings to the club last year, Chelsea languish in mid-table with the prospect of European football looking increasingly distant as things stand.
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Their form has shown real inconsistency this season, and just when you think Chelsea are about to embark on a solid run of form, a terrible result derails that momentum with calls for Pochettino's sack coming to the forefront.
Supporters were heard jeering the Argentine in a recent 2-2 draw away to Brentford, and it is believed Chelsea have managerial alternatives to Pochettino in case they decide not to move forward with him next season.
Chelsea were also branded the "billion-pound bottlejobs" by Gary Neville after losing to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, something which Pochettino says isn't the case.
|
Chelsea's next league fixtures |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Chelsea vs Burnley |
March 30th |
|
Chelsea vs Man United |
April 4th |
|
Sheffield United vs Chelsea |
April 7th |
|
Chelsea vs Everton |
April 15th |
|
Aston Villa vs Chelsea |
April 27th |
"I don't know how you can describe this situation, but for sure I feel proud of the players, I think they made a big effort," said Pochettino in defence of his young Chelsea squad.
"We are a young team and nothing to compare with Liverpool because they finished also with a few young players. It is impossible to compare and he knows that. He knows the dynamics are completely different. I think it is not fair to talk in this way if he says that.
"But we are going to keep strong and believing in this project and see what we can do in the future."
A real saving grace for Pochettino could be Chelsea's looming FA Cup semi-final clash with Man City, as the Blues have a chance to make something of their season by dispatching Pep Guardiola's men and potentially reaching another cup final.
In the background, though, it is believed Chelsea are "succession planning" in the event Pochettino departs before next season. However, this isn't to be taken as an indication that the former Spurs boss will be given his P45.
“Chelsea don't feel like Pochettino is the sole cause of blame for being mid-table. They think that injuries are a factor and that it's just a young squad," said journalist Ben Jacobs.
"Pochettino is very liked by many of the squad. I think, therefore, Behdad Eghbali, Todd Boehly, the wider ownership and co-sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, will think long and hard before making a change unless their hand is just so forced by a string of poor results between now and the end of the season. So, nothing is predetermined with Pochettino.
“At the same time, Chelsea are succession planning. Succession planning is not the same as guaranteeing you will make a change or interviewing anyone, and often not even formally approaching anyone.”
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe now in charge of proceedings at Manchester United, the future of the club seems to be heading in the right direction.
The new owner's first major task will be to identify the mistakes made over the past decade, with the lack of strategy in the transfer market being a standout issue.
From the likes of Jadon Sancho to Harry Maguire, United have become known for paying enormous fees for talent that haven’t been able to justify the money spent.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at one individual whose value has significantly dropped since signing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, even now being worth far less than the struggling Antony.
After scoring on his debut against Arsenal following an £86m move from Ajax last summer, it seemed that United would have the right wing position secured for the foreseeable future.
However, his time in Manchester has been far from the dream destination it once was viewed as, with the Brazilian failing to score at all in the Premier League this season over 22 matches.
That said, the 24-year-old enjoyed his most memorable moment with the Red Devils badge on his chest in United’s most recent game, as he scored an 87th-minute equaliser in the victory over Liverpool, which could have just revived his career at the club.
Nonetheless, the number 21 is still estimated to be worth £52m by CIES Football Observatory, which makes him one of the most valuable players at Old Trafford, unlike one player who’s now one of the least valuable.
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When Donny van de Beek arrived from Ajax for £40m in the summer of 2020, he was viewed as one of the most versatile midfielders in Europe, even becoming a Ballon d’Or nominee in 2019.
However, the Netherlands star would only go on to make four starts over 19 Premier League appearances in his first season, with Solskjaer failing to find a position for him in the lineup.
Unfortunately, this has been the same problem under every manager since, even under Ten Hag – with whom Van de Beek played his best football under at Ajax – making just 62 appearances for the Red Devils.
The reason for this is Bruno Fernandes’ unbelievable availability, which has seen him never miss a game in a United shirt due to injury, the 4-2-3-1 being the opted-for formation, and the Dutch ace being "invisible" when handed a chance, as per football creator Liam Canning.
This resulted in the 26-year-old becoming unhappy with a lack of opportunity and game time, with Ten Hag allowing the midfielder to join Eintracht Frankfurt on loan in January until the summer.
|
MUFC's Lowest Valued Midfielders |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Value |
|
Casemiro |
£17m |
|
Mason Mount |
£17m |
|
Sofyan Amrabat |
£8.6m |
|
Christian Eriksen |
£8.6m |
|
Van de Beek |
£4m |
|
Via CIES' Football Observatory |
|
As you can see above, Van de Beek’s inability to adapt and impress in the Premier League has caused his value to plummet to £4m, which is currently 13 times less than Antony’s worth, while making him one of the lowest-valued midfielders in Ten Hag’s squad.
Unfortunately, since joining Frankfurt, he’s struggled to become an important player in the side, playing six matches while spending four of his last seven on the bench.
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Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?
This all but confirms the fact that his career at Man United is over, in what has been a disaster of a move for both Van de Beek and the club.
Coming off its first Olympic gold medal in 12 years, the core of a reinvigorated USMNT looks primed for more success
It's been four whole days since the U.S. women's national team won Olympic Gold so, naturally, it's well past time to move on. Well, not really. There are still celebrations and parades to schedule. The party is just beginning.
But in full candor, the road to the next tournament has already begun. The World Cup will be back before you know it and, after seeing what Emma Hayes accomplished just in a few weeks time, it's hard not to wonder what she can pull off with a few years of preparation.
Hayes and the USWNT taught us this summer that change can happen quickly. Just a few short months ago, the U.S. was down on its luck and in need of soul-searching. Now, they're champions once again. Gold medals in hand, they're on top of the world.
But what will that world look like in three years? How will this USWNT group evolve on the road to the 2027 World Cup? GOAL takes a look.
Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has reportedly turned down a lucrative approach to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.
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West Ham have made an out-of-window approach to sign one defender who's been tipped to become one of the best in world football.
The Hammers and technical director Tim Steidten are being more regularly linked with signing a new centre-half this summer.
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Concerns surround the ability of current mainstay Nayef Aguerd, who has been prone to the odd error this season and has often been subject to inconsistent displays alongside partner Kurt Zouma.
“It felt like one of those days from West Ham, defensively they were all over the shot. This is Aguerd on the ball, trying to play, there’s no urgency, there’s no movement," said pundit Shay Given on Match Of The Day after their 5-0 defeat to Fulham.
“Nobody’s sticking a tackle in, there’s nobody getting tight to people. Look at Willian, look how much space he has on the ball and again, it’s a free shot on the edge of the box from Iwobi. Pereira cuts it back, with no clearance in the middle of the box.
“I know it’s a Sunday, but you’d see it on a Sunday morning sometimes at Sunday League football.”
Both Zouma and Aguerd are thought to be attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, and if West Ham opt to do business with Middle Eastern sides over the duo, then their backline could look pretty different next season.
West Ham actually agreed a deal to sign Harry Maguire from Man United last summer, but the England international opted against a move to east London, with David Moyes instead turning to Konstantinos Mavropanos.
|
West Ham's next league matches |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Newcastle United (away) |
March 30th |
|
Tottenham (home) |
April 2nd |
|
Wolves (away) |
April 6th |
|
Fulham (home) |
April 14th |
|
Crystal Palace (away) |
April 21st |
West Ham have conceded five-plus goals in a game on multiple occasions this term, which has been a real cause for concern as Steidten looks to add more star quality.
Tosin Adarabioyo has attracted West Ham interest as he nears the end of his Fulham contract, while some reports suggest that Steidten is keeping tabs on Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah.
Another good option, according to Italian journalist Mirko Di Natale is Juventus defender Dean Huijsen.
Indeed, according to Di Natale, West Ham are among the sides who've made an approach for Huijsen ahead of this summer.
Currently on loan at Roma, the young Dutchman is already garnering quite a reputation, with Daniele De Rossi tipping him to become one of the best defenders in world football.
“Huijsen is becoming more and more mature. He does a lot. He’s very smart,” the 2006 World Cup winner told ESPN. “He doesn’t look 18-years-old on the field. He knows what he is doing. But sometimes a little too well. (Huijsen) is good with the ball at his feet, but sometimes a little too calm.
“I think he needs to learn some more ‘Italian tricks’ in his own box. If he does that, he will become one of the best players in the world.”
TalkSPORT pundit Andy Townsend has expressed his shock at one of Johan Lange's transfer decisions at Tottenham, branding it "astonishing".
The new technical director, who officially stepped into Fabio Paratici's shoes in November last year, enjoyed what was a successful debut transfer window overseeing the club's signing strategy.
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While Paratici is still believed to play a role in assisting Tottenham's recruitment drive, the spotlight was on Lange and Chief Football Officer Scott Munn in January. The Lilywhites officials oversee footballing operations at Spurs, now chairman Daniel Levy is taking more of a back seat.
Arriving from Aston Villa with a solid reputation, Lange did it no harm at all with a very productive winter window at N17. Tottenham sealed the signing of Timo Werner on loan with an option to buy at around £15 million, and the German has gone on to become a success.
|
All of Johan Lange's January deals at Tottenham |
Transfer |
|---|---|
|
Radu Dragusin |
Arrival |
|
Timo Werner |
Arrival |
|
Lucas Bergvall |
Arrival (summer) |
|
Djed Spence |
Exit (loan) |
|
Sergio Reguilon |
Exit (loan) |
|
Japhet Tanganga |
Exit (loan) |
|
Ashley Phillips |
Exit (loan) |
|
Alejo Veliz |
Exit (loan) |
|
Eric Dier |
Exit |
|
Ivan Perisic |
Exit |
His two goals and three assists so far tell just half the story of his attacking impetus, and reports suggest Spurs are likely to make Werner's deal permanent this summer.
Lange also drove the astute purchase of Radu Dragusin in a £25 million deal from Genoa, who came in to provide manager Ange Postecoglou with a much-needed back up option to star defender Micky van de Ven.
To put the cherry on top, Spurs then sensationally beat La Liga heavyweights Barcelona in the race to sign Swedish sensation Lucas Bergvall, who will link up with the club this summer after his loan back at Djurgardens IF.
Lange also rid the club of some deadwood and secured solid loan deals for a plethora of Postecoglou's squad who weren't going to see much action for the rest of this campaign. The club chief deserves credit for his work at Hotspur Way, but talkSPORT's Townsend has expressed his astonishment at one decision he made in January.
Speaking to the broadcaster (via HITC), Townsend said he was shocked by Lange's decision to sign Werner, and went on to make a claim on the 28-year-old's future.
“I mean, listen, I don’t think he is anywhere near their best team, him. He is a sub, isn’t he? He is 10 minutes – Timo Werner," said Townsend.
“I thought he was an astonishing signing when he arrived, if I am being honest. And I can understand there are certain players you think, ‘Well, he has played Premier League football before, he knows what it is all about, he knows the demands of it’.
“But I would never see Timo Werner going in as a regular starter for Spurs if they want to go where Ange wants to take them.”
Given Werner's positive impact, this verdict comes as a surprising one, but it will be interesting to see if Townsend is proven correct.