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Former Manchester City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck appears to have taken a sly dig at Gareth Taylor after he was sacked by the Cityzens on Monday.

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• Taylor sacked by Man City amid poor form
• Roebuck posts message on social media
• The two suffered a 'fractured' relationship

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Roebuck played 131 times for Manchester City across eight years but found herself out of the team in the first half of her final season as Taylor dropped the goalkeeper to the fringes of the squad. After joining Barcelona, Roebuck revealed that she shared a "fractured" relationship with Taylor over the course of her last season and was not sure whether she did anything to cause the issues.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Taylor has now been sacked by Manchester City and replaced by Nick Cushing for the rest of the campaign, with the club not impressed with results so far this season. Roebuck has now aimed a sly, thinly-veiled dig at Taylor following his dismissal.

• WHAT ROEBUCK SAID

  On Instagram, Roebuck posted a photo that read: "What goes around comes around. Keep your circle positive. Speak good words. Think good thoughts. Do good deeds."

  Ellie Roebuck Instagram

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• WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

  The Cityzens' sacking off Taylor comes just a few days before their League Cup final against Chelsea. The two sides will face off on Saturday, March 15.

It’s been a brutal start to their first Premier League campaign in over two decades, but things are starting to look up for Ipswich Town.

Kieran McKenna’s side picked up their first win of the campaign on Sunday, and with five draws already in the bag, the team sit outside the relegation zone in 17th place and on eight points.

It was a sensational win over an ultra-attacking Tottenham Hotspur side, and while there were unreal performances across the pitch, it was Liam Delap who once again grabbed the headlines.

The former Manchester City ace has been in incredible form for the Tractor Boys of late, but there is another star signed by McKenna who could be sold for even more money down the line.

Delap's current valuation

Ipswich paid City around £20m for Delap in July of this year, and while there was undoubtedly an element of risk in spending so much on a striker with just two Premier League appearances to his name at the time, he has since proven to be a bargain.

The Winchester-born dynamo has made 12 appearances for the Tractor Boys across all competitions this season and has already racked up an undeniably impressive tally of six goals and one assist, equating to an average of a goal involvement once every 1.71 games.

Moreover, he’s not just scoring against the weaker sides or picking up consolation goals either; he’s having a massive impact on the club’s point haul, with a brace against Aston Villa, the equalising goal against Fulham, and a goal and assist against Spurs on Sunday.

Unsurprisingly, such incredible form has attracted the interest of other teams across the country, and based on a report from Caught Offside last month, the Lilywhites are one of said sides, with the report claiming that Ipswich could be willing to part ways with their star striker for just €40m, which is about £33m.

Now, while that certainly feels low, it would represent a £13m profit, and given the club’s outlay over the summer, it might not be entirely unrealistic.

With that said, should the Tractor Boys sanction the sale of Delap for such a price – they shouldn’t, by the way – fans can rest assured that they have another up-and-coming star in the team who could make them a lot more money, at least based on the valuations of his contemporaries.

The Ipswich ace who could be sold for more than Delap

So, several promising Ipswich stars could become Premier League icons in the future, from club-record signing Omari Hutchinson to former Sunderland ace Jack Clarke, who’s yet to show his best in East Anglia.

However, the player in question is the club’s incredible left-back, Leif Davis, who joined McKenna’s revolution from Leeds United in the summer of 2022 for a fee reported to be in the region of £1m.

Since then, the Newcastle-born “animal”, as dubbed by former manager Scott Parker, has made 101 appearances for the Blues, in which he’s scored six goals and provided a massive haul of 37 assists, equating to an unbelievable average of a goal involvement every 2.34 games.

That level of return for a full-back has seen the Englishman become one of the club’s most important players, and after another barnstorming campaign last year, in which he racked up two goals and 21 assists in 44 games, he was rightfully voted the Men’s Players’ Player of the Year by his teammates.

So, with that said, why do we believe the 24-year-old star could one day net the Tractor Boys more money than the fee being banded about for Delap? Well, that’s down to the valuations of other attacking full-backs in the league.

For example, Spurs’ Pedro Porro, who has as many goal involvements as Davis this season, is currently valued at €45m by Transfermarkt, which is around £38m, and not only is he just as effective as McKenna’s talented left-back, he’s also just a year older, so why shouldn’t their valuation’s be similar?

On top of that, FBref, which compares players in similar positions in the Premier League, consider Trent Alexander-Arnold to be the seventh most similar full-back to the former Leeds ace this season, and according to Transfermarkt, he’s worth around €70m, which is about £58m.

Now, this isn’t to say that the 6 foot talent will be sold for a price quite that high.

Nevertheless, it does show that valuations for effective attacking full-backs are only growing in the modern game, and based on his performances over the last few years, Davis’ development doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon either.

Therefore, while Ipswich might make a small profit on Delap in the coming transfer windows, they could well make a monumental profit on their sensationally gifted left-back.

Ipswich loan flop has seen his value soar 123% since leaving

The talented striker just couldn’t get to grips with things at Ipswich.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 13, 2024

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has revealed he will be involved with Wembley Rangers AFC ahead of the draft pick for a new six-a-side competition.

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• KSI & Speed launch Baller League
• Arsenal icon involved with Wembley Rangers
• Draft picks get underway on Monday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  YouTuber KSI and streamer IShowSpeed have teamed up to front the United Kingdom and American versions of the Baller League respectively. A total of 12 teams will feature in the six-a-side tournament and managers will assemble their squads on Monday (March 10) in a huge draft, one that ex-Gunner Wright will be involved in.

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• WHAT IAN WRIGHT SAID

  Alongside a clip with him and England star Chloe Kelly, Wright wrote: "Wembley Rangers AFC x Baller League 🤝🏾 Find out who’ll join our team at the draft on Monday night! @ballerleagueuk."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The tournament is set to involve a combination of football icons and social media stars and every match will be shown live on Sports Sports and NOW TV from the Copper Box Arena in London on Monday nights. Legendary figures such as Gary Lineker, John Terry, and Luis Figo are part of the managerial lineup for the competition.

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• Baller League UK
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Fans will get to see the tournament begin next week, which involves a smaller indoor pitch, 15-minute halves, and shock rule twists will be thrown in as well. After Baller League was established in Germany by Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski two years ago, this new UK version will hope to be just as successful.

Leeds United head into the last international break of the calendar year in third place in the Championship, after their 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers at Elland Road last weekend.

The Whites do not have another break until March and will be hoping to string together a strong run of form between now and then to put themselves in contention for an automatic promotion place.

Daniel Farke will currently be hoping that none of his players who are away playing for their countries come back with any injury or fitness concerns.

As well as potential injuries, there is also the possibility that players come back low on confidence and that is now a concern for one floundering star, in particular, after his struggles on Thursday night.

Leeds star's international nightmare

Manor Solomon was selected to start on the right flank for Israel and captained his country against France in Paris, in what turned out to be a 0-0 draw.

Whilst that was a terrific result for his team, mainly thanks to goalkeeper Daniel Peretz and his eight saves, Solomon had a frustrating evening on an individual level.

He was up against AC Milan star Theo Hernandez, who is reportedly valued at €100m (£83m) by the Italian giants, and was embarrassed by the French dynamo.

As you can see in the table above, the Milan dynamo came out on top in every aspect of the match, in possession and out of possession, on Thursday.

Solomon was embarrassed by Hernandez as he failed with all of his attempted dribbles and lost 100% of his duels up against the left-footed star, whilst he allowed the full-back to dribble past him at every attempt.

This shows that the Leeds flop was a liability for his team on and off the ball and did not make a big contribution to their 0-0 draw, as he was dominated by his direct opponent all game.

Manor Solomon's form for Leeds this season

This performance may be of concern to Farke because the Tottenham Hotspur loanee’s form in the Championship has also left a fair bit to be desired.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Since an impressive assist for Mateo Joseph on his debut for the club against Hull in a 2-0 win at Elland Road, Solomon has failed to showcase why he was a Premier League player for Fulham and Spurs.

The 25-year-old dud has produced zero goals, zero assists, and zero ‘big chances’ created in his last seven appearances for the West Yorkshire outfit since that clash with the Tigers.

In fact, Solomon made an error that directly led to a goal, slipping up to send Luca Koleosho through against Burnley, in that time, which means that he has created more goals for the opposition than he has for Leeds since his debut.

These statistics show that it is fair to say that the Spurs loanee has not enjoyed the best of starts to his career at Elland Road, and being embarrassed by Hernandez, albeit a player who stars for one of the biggest clubs in the world, seems unlikely to help him kick on and improve.

Leeds thought they had the next Luis Suarez, now he's in Spain's 4th tier

Leeds United may have had high hopes for the talented youngster when he arrived at Elland Road.

By
Dan Emery

Nov 14, 2024

West Ham United chiefs have approached a trophy-winning manager over potentially replacing Julen Lopetegui in the London Stadium hot seat, with the man in question learning from one of the very best in ex-Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp.

Lopetegui under pressure at West Ham as club look at successors

Three wins from just 11 Premier League games is objectively a poor return, especially after their summer expenditure of over £120 million on nine major signings.

West Ham could now be offered £204k-per-week PSG player on loan in January

The Hammers really need an extra body in his position.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 22, 2024

Lopetegui’s West Ham have appeared lacklustre and uninspired on the field – branded a “complete mess” by some members of the media – which is far from what David Sullivan was hoping for after ex-head coach David Moyes drew the curtain on his memorable five-year stay at the helm.

This situation is said to be quite “volatile” behind the scenes in east London, with well-connected former West Ham scout Mick Brown recently suggesting that Lopetegui is walking a tightrope.

“The situation at West Ham is very volatile,” he told Football Insider.

“He could lose his job and be sacked immediately, at any time, things can change with the click of a finger. I’m not sure how good the relationship between the manager, the sporting director, and the owner is, but at the start of the season, I know it wasn’t good.

“They bought a lot of players for him and not many of them have turned up yet. That’s only put more pressure on him because if they spend big money, they want to see returns.

“From what I’ve heard, they were keen to give him time at first, but that faith is fading quickly.”

According to recent reports, the likes of Sergio Conceicao, Sebastien Hoeness, Maurizio Sarri, Roger Schmidt and Kasper Hjulmand stand out as managers linked with the West Ham job, if they do decide to part company with Lopetegui.

West Ham sound out Edin Terzić to replace Lopetegui

According to talkSPORT, former West Ham backroom coach and ex-Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzić remains in the frame as well.

The 42-year-old, who worked under Jürgen Klopp at Dortmund once upon a time, is out of work after leaving Dortmund – most recently guiding them to a surprise Champions League final against Real Madrid earlier this year.

He also won two domestic German trophies during his time at Signal Iduna Park, and his accomplishments in the Bundesliga haven’t gone unnoticed.

It is believed West Ham have sounded out Terzic over potentially replacing Lopetegui, with Sullivan and Steidten preparing for the “eventuality” that they could have to sack their current boss.

The Scotland international and 2024 MLS Comeback Player of the Year helped RBNY to MLS Cup final last season

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• Lewis Morgan undergoes knee surgery
• Forward sidelined for at least six weeks
• Helped RBNY to 2024 MLS Cup final
• Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The New York Red Bulls playmaker Lewis Morgan sustained a left knee injury in training, underwent successful surgery and will be sidelined for at least six weeks as a result, the club announced this week.

  The Scotland international helped lead them to an MLS Cup 2024 appearance, where they fell just short against the LA Galaxy.

  “From the mental side, [he’s] in a positive way, in a good spot,” coach Sandro Schwarz said during a news conference on Thursday. “He’s also very professional now in his rehab with the medical department with all the guys. I’m pretty sure … in the next weeks, hopefully, he’s making big steps, and then he’ll be ready in six weeks for us.”

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• IMGAN
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Red Bulls have been hindered by injuries to start the season, with defender Cam Harper sidelined by a knee injury sustained in their home opener. Newly acquired Wiktor Bogacz has yet to make his debut due to a back injury. Schwarz said that attacker Mohammed Sofo, who started in place of Morgan on Matchday 3, will miss two weeks due to a groin injury.

  The RBNY manager added that the absences will lead to "big chances" for young players to step up and fill the gap – such as 16-year-old Julian Hall – among others. However, Schwarz also acknowledged that the club are looking "inside and outside' of the roster for potential support due to their growing injury list. The MLS transfer window is open until April 23.

  “This is our responsibility for the club, and we are talking all together to find the best solution,” the Red Bulls coach added. “We are talking every time about solutions. About what we can do to improve our roster.”

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Morgan was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2024 after scoring 13 goals and seven assists during the regular season after missing the majority of the 2023 campaign due to injury.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR RBNY?

  The Red Bulls return to the pitch on Saturday against Orlando City on MLS Matchday 4 looking to extend their unbeaten streak to three games.

Growing more and more desperate for defensive reinforcements amid continued injury setbacks, Manchester City are now reportedly entertaining the possibility of signing one particular addition as soon as the January transfer window.

Man City transfer news

Even after returning to winning ways for the first time in seven games last time out, Man City didn’t escape their battle against Nottingham Forest unscathed, with Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji suffering ill-timed injuries. With Pep Guardiola short on options once again just when he managed to turn a corner with the 3-0 victory, the Spaniard will be desperately awaiting the January transfer window.

On that front, the rumours are already coming thick and fast. The likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Viktor Gyokeres have recently stolen plenty of headlines regarding potential moves to the Etihad Stadium in 2025 in two deals that would go a long way to returning City to the summit of English football.

They’re not the only names to have been mentioned, however. According to GiveMeSport, Manchester City are now entertaining the possibility of signing Juma Bah as soon as January. The central defender is currently on loan at Real Valladolid from AIK Freetong, but the Citizens could attempt to cut that spell short to boost their defensive options in the winter window.

Pep must finally sell Man City star whose "decline has been insane"

Having lost 6 of their last 8 matches, Man City will need to ask big questions of their established stars, including Kyle Walker

By
Ben Gray

Dec 6, 2024

Still just 18 years old, Bah would likely be seen as someone who can add depth rather than the solution to City’s defensive problems. At such a young age, the teenager would be a wise investment given Guardiola’s proven success when developing the next top stars. So whilst Bah would be entering quite the storm at the Etihad, the calm that follows could potentially result in an impressive rise.

"Promising" Bah is one for the future

With the likes of Kyle Walker and John Stones part of an ageing backline, the addition of a future star in the form of Bah would represent the type of transfer genius that we’ve become familiar with from Manchester City. The Citizens could instantly ease their future concerns by welcoming the teenage sensation, who was described as “promising” by EuroFoot after an impressive display for Valladolid.

If the Premier League champions are to make their move in the January transfer window, it will be interesting to see just how much of a part Bah plays. The last thing that City should do is disrupt his development and leave him confined to the reserves, and if that is to be the case, they should allow the defender to at least complete the season at Valladolid and continue to steal the headlines.

England are no more likely to win the World Cup under Thomas Tuchel than they were under Gareth Southgate, ex-Germany star Jens Lehmann has said.

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• Tuchel aiming to win World Cup with England
• Told he's 'very lucky' to have the job
• Lehmann doubts Three Lions hopes of glory

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Arsenal goalkeeper believes Tuchel is fortunate to have been appointed Three Lions manager following Southgate's departure in the wake of the Euro 2024 final defeat.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Tuchel told the England players that their aim is to win the 2026 World Cup as they gathered for the first time ahead of his first match in charge against Albania on Friday. Lehmann, however, has a pessimistic view of the German coach, citing the German's sacking at Bayern Munich as a reason to be sceptical.

• WHAT LEHMANN SAID

  Lehmann said on : "For me, he is not a traitor. For me, he is very lucky to get such a great job. There must be a reason why he's not with Bayern Munich anymore. It's very difficult to get sacked by Bayern Munich. But we are happy for him that he's the English coach now."

  He added: "It doesn't make England more likely to win anything, but it's good for him.

  "You have to look at Bayern Munich and how they played last season. Then you'll see it. If you understand football, you'll see it."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

  England get their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign under way at Wembley on Friday. They then host Latvia on Monday.

It’s a fool’s notion to claim that a football team, however well they are playing, are bankers for a title before reaching the midpoint of a campaign.

However, Liverpool fans should rightly celebrate the way in which Arne Slot has taken to life in Jurgen Klopp’s old chair. While things are going well for the Reds at the moment, a lot can change in the business months of the season.

But Liverpool should still stand proud as one of the most exciting and impressive clubs of the 2024/25 campaign so far, top of the Premier League and Champions League tables and firing on all cylinders, with the defence imperious, the midfield industrious and the attack deliciously potent.

Most of the attack, anyway…

Liverpool's frontline in 2024/25

Obviously, Liverpool’s attacking success leans heavily into one third of the frontline, with Mohamed Salah currently riding the crest of one of the biggest waves of his career – and there have been many, many waves.

With Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz both principally playing at left wing this term, rotating, it’s rather concerning that Liverpool’s central striking position is the area most notably lacking in goals.

To his defence, Diogo Jota has been injured for the past few months and bagged four goals from just nine starts beforehand, but Darwin Nunez has now played plenty of football under Slot’s wing and is yet to prove himself as a high-class focal frontman, even if he has some neat attributes.

Why Darwin Nunez could still succeed at Liverpool

It’s beginning to feel like Nunez will never be the kind of assured goalscoring presence that Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is, but that’s okay.

He’s still got a wealth of qualities that make for a high-class footballer, it’s just whether Liverpool can continue to operate with him as their central talisman, especially if Salah leaves at the end of the season, meaning that the need for goals from other areas will be heightened.

This season, for example, Nunez might have only posted three goals and two assists across 19 outings, but he’s also succeeding with a Liverpool-career-high 55% of his dribbles in the Premier League, as per Sofascore, while also winning more duels on average than across either of his first two seasons.

For all his issues, Nunez still manages to provide some underlying data that speaks of his capacity for a brighter future, ranking among the top 4% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shots taken, the top 4% for touches in the attacking penalty area, the top 17% for progressive carries and the top 6% for tackles, as per FBref.

But is this enough? As per The Athletic’s James Pearce, it’s possible that Slot prioritises the signing of a new striker in the coming windows, for Nunez, talented as they come, can’t seem to harness and focus his own quality.

To be honest, it might be that the Uruguayan needs to be sold, with suitors sure to circle from various circles of the footballing world. Reading between the lines, it feels like Slot wouldn’t be wholly against the idea, were the right offer to arrive.

Why Slot should sell Darwin Nunez

Nunez is certainly a divisive member of the Liverpool squad. Many fans adore the 25-year-old for his work rate, personality and multi-dimensionality in attack, but others are frustrated by an unending search for consistency in front of goal.

Unfortunately, unless Nunez showcases a whole new level of potency and consistency at the front of the Liverpool line-up, it’s going to be hard for him to stake a claim for a fourth successive term at the club as the designated number one at number nine.

Some might claim that Nunez requires a certain system to flourish, operating as the spearhead of a frenetic, high-intensity line that allows him to capitalise and rise chaotic phases, but Klopp and now Slot have both tried to bring the best out of the Uruguayan, who has failed to hit the desired heights on both accounts.

Last season, Liverpool-focused writer Sam McGuire called the South American a bit of a “problem” within the Merseyside squad, and for all his ability, if he can’t finish his dinner, then it is indeed an issue going forward.

Especially when considering that Gakpo and Diaz both earn less than him, with the former on £120k-per-week and Diaz taking home just £55k-per-week, as per reports. Nunez, meanwhile, rakes in a reported £140k-per-week.

Both wingers have enjoyed a rich vein of form this season and they are jockeying with each other for a starting berth on the left flank, though that is to the detriment of neither, which makes an interesting comment on the regard that Liverpool fans have for the respective stars.

Nunez, conversely, feels like he’s only occupying the striker’s position because Jota has been sidelined with an injury.

Slot featured the Portugal international prominently throughout the opening months of the campaign and you’d wager that he will do so again once he has returned to full fitness.

Jota has returned to training as he strives to hit full match fitness in the coming weeks. Nunez will be eyeing the forthcoming Premier League fixture at home to Fulham, who are missing key defenders through injury, with an air of suppressed desperation.

He knows that an upswing is needed quickly if he is to finally reach the heights that Klopp envisaged when bringing him to Merseyside for a record fee.

Slot's own Firmino: Liverpool ready to sign "magical" £54m Nunez upgrade

Liverpool are growing frustrated with the misfiring Darwin Nunez.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 12, 2024

Tillman managed 45 minutes in his first appearance since sustaining a serious ankle injury in December

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• Malik Tillman saw the field for the first time in 3 months
• Sergino Dest also started for PSV
• Peter Bosz's side lost to Ajax in title decider

• AFP
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Two U.S. internationals made key strides in their injury recoveries Sunday, with Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman both seeing the field for PSV against Ajax.

  Dest started for the reigning champions for the first time in more than a year, managing 77 minutes at right back. Tillman, meanwhile, played the entire second half in an earlier-than-expected return after sustaining a serious ankle ligament injury last December.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The duo may have seen the pitch together, but it was a forgettable afternoon for PSV overall. With the loss, they fell nine points behind league leaders Ajax in the title race – and now seem unlikely to retain the Dutch top flight title.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Tillman's cameo came sooner than some at the club expected. Initial reports following his injury suggested that he may be out for the campaign. Instead, he is working his way back into the fray, and would seem to be in contention for a spot in Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT for the Gold Cup this summer.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR DEST, TILLMAN AND PSV?

  The American duo will look to recapture their best form for the Eredivisie side in the coming weeks. PSV are nine points behind Ajax with seven games to go, and will hope to close the gap when they take on Groningen next Saturday.