All posts by z3u9t.icu

This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Leeds put in their most impressive performance in weeks against QPR as they finally managed to find the back of the net more than once as they beat the Rs 2-0 at Elland Road.

While there was a lot to be positive about after United’s win over the weekend, there’s one man whose performance left a lot to be desired.

Klich’s underperformance

Mateusz Klich underperformed in his midfield role this weekend as his stats tell a sorry story.

Indeed, the Pole didn’t really make much happen going forward, while also being quite lax at the back.

He failed to make any key passes in the game, while his two attempted crosses both failed to find the mark.

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A few weeks back it looked as if his defensive prowess could have seen him drop back into a deeper role, but against QPR his defensive abilities had seemingly gone.

Klich did make two tackles which is a more than respectable tally, but he also made four fouls showing that he was slightly off the pace when it came to trying to win the ball back.

Find out how to perform one of Ronaldinho’s most insane skills in the video below…

Time for a rest

This isn’t necessarily a dig at Klich, neither is it one at Marcelo Bielsa.

The Argentine needs to give his key man a rest as he’s started every league game for Leeds since the manager’s arrival in 2018.

Klich’s ability hasn’t gone, his pass success rate of 84.4% on Saturday was still good, but he was just that extra millisecond off with his timing, and that will lead to missing opportunities for killer passes and making fouls where he would have previously won the ball.

A couple of weeks on the sidelines could be just what the doctor ordered for the 29-year-old.

Celtic are back in action in the Scottish Premiership this weekend, as they look to continue their 100% record, with a clash with Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday.

The Hoops have won all four of their games in the division without conceding a single goal, beating Kilmarnock, Hibernian, St Mirren, and Rangers.

Brendan Rodgers' side also came out on top with a 3-1 win over Hibernian in the League Cup, with Daizen Maeda scoring twice and Nicolas Kuhn getting on the scoresheet.

It has been a fantastic start to the season for the Hoops and one of the team's top performers in the Premiership has been right-back Alistair Johnston.

Alistair Johnston's fine form

The Canada international, who started 32 of the club's 38 league games in the 2023/24 campaign, has started all four of Celtic's league matches this term.

Johnston has been in fine form down the right flank with his ability to remain solid and reliable out of possession, whilst also providing an attacking threat.

Appearances

4

Sofascore rating

7.88

Goals

1

Assists

1

Big chances created

4

Duel success rate

69%

As you can see in the table above, the 25-year-old star has contributed to five goals and 'big chances' created combined and won the majority of his physical duels, to help his side keep four clean sheets.

Whilst Celtic do have a terrific right-back on their books, in Johnston, they may still rue the error they made in releasing Aaron Hickey from their academy.

When Celtic fumbled Aaron Hickey

The full-back spent four years in the academy system in Glasgow before joining Hearts on a free transfer in the summer of 2018, which he later revealed was due to a lack of game time with the Hoops.

Celtic's coaches did not do enough to convince him that it was the right club for him to continue his development and breakthrough at first-team level at.

That turned out to be a howler by the Scottish giants, as Hickey, who was dubbed "amazing" by Steven Naismith, went on to play 34 first-team games for Hearts before his transfer to Serie A side Bologna in 2020.

The Scotland international scored five goals in 48 outings for Bologna and that attracted interest from Premier League side Brentford, who swooped to sign him for a reported fee of £14m in the summer of 2022.

Since his move to England, the 22-year-old starlet has made 37 appearances for the Bees and is currently out with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until April 2025.

At the time of writing, Transfermarkt has his current market value at a staggering €28m (£24m), which illustrates his rise since moving on from the Hoops for nothing back in 2018.

His value is particularly impressive when you consider that Transfermarkt has Johnston's at €8.5m (£7m), despite his sublime form for the Bhoys.

This means that Hickey is worth significantly more than Johnston, whilst being three years younger, and that suggests that Celtic fumbled when they failed to convince him to stay as a teenager in 2018, as his career has gone from strength to strength since then.

Celtic have an amazing B team star who could be the next Maeda

The Hoops youngster could develop into being a first-team operator in the future.

2 ByDan Emery Sep 9, 2024

Southampton are believed to have an "agreement in place" to complete the signing of a 26-year-old this summer, according to a fresh update from renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Southampton transfer news

Russell Martin's side experienced a disappointing afternoon at the office on Saturday, losing 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in their first home game back in the Premier League. It means they have suffered back-to-back defeats to open up their 2024/25 account in the league, highlighting what a big job they have on their hands this season.

New signings have helped strengthen Southampton's squad, however, with a host of new faces arriving and both Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes joining permanently, but there is still time to make further additions before the summer transfer window closes next Friday.

Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow has emerged as a top target between the sticks, as Martin looks to relegate Alex McCarthy to being a backup option rather than a key starter. A deal appears to be close for the Dutchman, in what could be a significant piece of business.

Newcastle United left-back Matt Targett is also thought to be wanted by Southampton, providing the south coast outfit with more experience in that area of the pitch. Now, a big update has emerged regarding a potential incoming.

Southampton reach "agreement" with 26 y/o ace

Taking to X, Romano claimed that Southampton are closing in on the signing of Bijlow this summer, with an agreement reached with the 26-year-old:

Romano has since added: "More on Justin Bijlow exclusive story. Southampton and Feyenoord have agreed on loan deal with buy option clause to become mandatory under certain conditions. It will be based on Bijlow's appearances."

This is great news for Saints supporters, with Bijlow someone who could come in as an upgrade on McCarthy, who while continuing to do a solid job, isn't as natural with the ball at his feet as other players in his position.

Alex McCarthy vs Justin Bijlow 23/24 domestic season [via Fbref]

Justin Bijlow

Alex McCarthy

Appearances

17

5

Save %

65.9%

65.4%

Passes per game

38.2

28.6

Pass completion %

87.4%

81.8%

The Feyenoord ace is used to a ball-playing style, having shone under new Liverpool manager Arne Slot at Feyenoord last season, starting 16 matches in the Eredivisie and 25 the year before that. He has won two league titles with his current club, spread six years apart in 2016/17 and 2022/23, not to mention two Dutch Cup triumphs, so he would bring a winning mentality to Southampton, too.

At 26, Bijlow is also still relatively young for a goalkeeper, and considering many can play well into their 30s in the modern game, there is no reason why he can't be a key presence for a decade at St Mary's Stadium, although remaining a top-flight outfit could be key to that.

Southampton submit proposal for £62k-a-week Euros winner

He has been involved in some controversy of late.

ByHenry Jackson Aug 25, 2024

The hope is that a deal is struck sooner rather than later, with the addition of a new 'keeper vital between now and the window slamming shut next week, hopefully helping turn their fortunes around in the Premier League.

Liverpool have enquired about the possibility of signing another bargain attacker after the arrival of Federico Chiesa, according to a new report.

It has been a frustrating summer for Liverpool supporters at times, as the club have taken their time to get their transfer business underway. However, with two days of the window left, it appears they are now starting to get very busy.

Bad news for Nunez: Liverpool have contract ready to land "galactico"

He wants the move to Anfield this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Aug 28, 2024 Liverpool transfer news

Liverpool have finally got their first transfer through the door under manager Arne Slot, with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joining the club in a £30 million deal from Spanish side Valenica. The Georgia international is seen as a long-term replacement for Alisson and is spending the rest of this season at Valenica.

Fabio Carvalho

Brentford

Adrian

Real Betis

Calvin Ramsey (Loan)

Wigan Athletic (Loan)

Thiago Alcântara

Retired

Joel Matip

Without a club

Rhys Williams (Loan)

Morecambe

Bobby Clark

Red Bull Salzburg

Sepp van den Berg

Brentford

Giorgi Mamardashvili (Loan)

Valencia

But he doesn’t look like he is the only signing arriving at Anfield in this transfer window, as Liverpool now close in on the signing of Juventus winger Federico Chiesa. The Italian is said to have agreed a four-year contract with the Merseyside club, following talks earlier this week.

It has since been reported that Liverpool and Serie A giants Juventus have agreed a meagre £10 million fee, with £2.5m in add-ons, that will see Chiesa swap Turin for Merseyside. The 26-year-old has been with Juventus on a permanent basis since July 2022, but he did spend time on loan with the Italians from Fiorentina in 2020 to 2022.

As well as looking to wrap up a deal for Chiesa, another player who could be on Liverpool’s radar is Crystal Palace winger Ebere Eze. Palace are reportedly expecting offers for their talisman between now and the end of the transfer window, and Liverpool are said to be weighing up a move for the youngster, who impressed in Euro 2024 with England.

But while Eze may be an option for Liverpool, the Premier League side are also said to be considering another shrewd purchase after signing Chiesa, who could be even cheaper than the Italian.

Liverpool make an enquiry for Rayan Cherki

According to L'Equipe, relayed by Get Football News France, Liverpool have made an enquiry over the possibility of signing Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki. The 21-year-old has entered the final year of his contract with the French side, and Lyon are looking to move him on as they do not want to let him go for free.

The Ligue 1 side could be looking to offer Cherki a new contract as we enter the closing stages of the transfer window, but as it stands a fee of £12.5m or potentially even less would be enough tempt them into using him to balance the books. PSG had agreed a fee to sign the player, only for Cherki to pull out of the deal as he wanted to join Borussia Dortmund instead, but the German side have yet to table a formal offer.

The report states that Liverpool have made an enquiry over a possible purchase, although it hasn't gone any further than that at this stage, so it's unclear whether he's seen as an alternative or an addition to Chiesa.

The 21-year-old has earned some rave reviews in France, as he was described by pundit Frank Leboeuf as being “unbelievable” and “one of the best players on Earth”.

Everton could do with landing an exciting player to get supporters in the mood for next season's Premier League campaign, but a move for one such option appears to be off the cards.

The Toffees had been tipped to move for Udinese striker Beto after showing an initial interest in the January window, though Italian outlet Tutto Udinese suggests they have yet to make an approach.

Instead, Serie A champions Napoli are considered to be the frontrunners for the 25-year-old, albeit with their initial €20m (£17m) offer said to be some way off the €30m (£26m) Udinese are holding out for.

However, with Sean Dyche unable to rely on injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Ellis Simms seemingly next in line to lead the attack, Everton should reconsider making an offer for Beto.

Who is Udinese forward Beto?

The Portuguese attacker arrived at Udinese from Portimonense in the 2021 summer transfer window on an initial loan basis, which the Italian side happily took up the option to make permanent last year.

Beto scored 11 goals in his first Serie A season with Udinese and followed that up by hitting double figures again last season with 10 in 33 games as the Bianconeri finished in a comfortable 12th.

To put Beto's scoring rate into some perspective, his 0.42 goals per 90 minutes in the Italian top flight last season, as per FBref, is a near identical rate to that of Ollie Watkins in the Premier League with Aston Villa (0.43).

His ability to cause unrest has also been noted by football writer Sam Tighe, who described Beto's ability to "spook defenders" as "amazing".

The Udinese number nine is ranked in the top 13% of all forwards across Europe's top five leagues in terms of touches in the opposition box, putting him on a par with Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, as per The Analyst.

Beto is a player who can get on the ball in dangerous positions and indeed find the net at the highest level, then, which is something Simms has so far been unable to do.

After impressing with seven goals in 17 Championship appearances with Sunderland in the first half of last season, Simms scored just once in 11 Premier League outings – albeit a late equaliser away to Chelsea – after being recalled by Everton.

The 22-year-old did show the odd encouraging moments but, as put by football writer Josh Bunting, he "just is not ready for the Premier League" and looked "out of his depth" in Everton's 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool in February.

Even when factoring in that Simms spent half of last season playing at a lower level, he is still unable to match Beto in terms of key attacking metrics such as shot-on-target percentage (33.3 v 27.5 respectively), successful take-ons (1.35 v 0.53) and aerial duels won (52.2% v 44.6%).

There was little between the pair in terms of shot-creating actions per 90 (2.07 v 2.06) – used to measure factors such as passes and take-ons leading to a shot – and pass-completion rate (63.5% v 63.7%), while Simms will naturally get better in other areas as he ages.

But Everton are after a player for the here and now, and in Beto they can sign someone who has already registered successive seasons of double figures for goals in a major European league. Do that, and supporters may just have a little more hope for what is ahead.

Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale will have a big challenge in order to fill the void left by striker Alfredo Morelos, who departed the Ibrox side following the expiration of his contract after a goal-laden six-year spell at the club.

All in all, the Colombian netted 124 goals in 269 appearances, becoming the Gers top scorer in European competition along the way and while Beale has lured Sam Lammers to Ibrox, he scored just twice last season, hardly the numbers that the supporters are looking for in a striker who will need to hit the ground running once the season begins.

The Light Blues have been linked with a move for Greek striker Anastasios Douvikas according to Football Insider and although FC Utrecht are reportedly demanding a fee of £6.9m for one of their prized assets, his ability in front of goal could ensure Beale would be able to replace Morelos with a player that could potentially match or surpass his numbers over the previous few seasons.

Could Anastasios Douvikas sign for Rangers?

With Lammers already arriving in Glasgow and the club still looking at a deal to sign Cyril Dessers, could the Gers sign another forward during the transfer window?

Scoring more goals next season could go a long way to securing domestic glory, especially considering the fact Celtic netted 21 more goals in the Premiership during 2022/2023 than Rangers and Douvikas could be the missing piece of the jigsaw.

The 23 year old scored 22 goals across all competitions last term, including 19 in the Eredivisie and this total was four more than any Rangers player managed, with Antonio Colak and James Tavernier sharing the top scorer bragging rights with just 18 goals apiece.

It’s no wonder he was dubbed “sharp” by journalist Josh Bunting and the striker certainly showcased his skills in the Netherlands as he ranks in the top 15% across Europe’s next eight leagues outwith the top five for shots on target per 90 (1.47), goals per 90 (0.8) and touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (5.97), which underlines how effective he is in front of goal.

For his club side, Douvikas was influential as he ranked in the top five for overall rating, goals, total shots per game, big chances created and successful dribbles per game and this suggests that he has the ability to become a key player for the Gers should he join.

Beale has already enjoyed a productive summer so far, yet signing Douvikas could turn it into a superb one if he can prove to be the man to replace Morelos.

An update has emerged on Celtic and their efforts to find a new first-team manager after Ange Postecoglou's departure earlier this month…

What's the latest on Daniel Farke to Celtic?

According to the Daily Mail, former Borussia Monchengladbach head coach Daniel Farke is one of the names that Dermot Desmond has under consideration for the job, alongside Brendan Rodgers and Kjetil Knutsen.

The report claims that the ex-Norwich manager has thrown his hat into the ring after he left his post in the Bundesliga at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

This comes after Sky's Florian Plettenberg reported that the Hoops held initial talks with the German boss, who is also wanted by English side Leeds United, over replacing Postecoglou.

What is Daniel Farke's style of play?

The 44-year-old coach typically deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation that requires building out from the back and line-breaking passing across the pitch to create attacks and this could spell bad news for Joe Hart.

Celtic's current number one was ditched by Premier League giants Manchester City as Pep Guardiola did not trust his distribution skills and he could befall a similar fate under Farke if Desmond decides to go with the German tactician.

Experienced goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann appeared to suffer a similar fate during his short-lived stint in Norfolk whilst the ex-Borussia Dortmund reserve coach was in England.

Prior to joining the Canaries on loan from Schalke in 2019, the German shot-stopper had never completed more than 69.3% of his passes over the course of a season and made four errors that directly led to a shot or a goal through poor distribution in the Bundesliga in the 2018/19 campaign.

He was unable to dislodge Tim Krul from Farke's starting line-up as the Dutchman went on to play 36 times in the Premier League during the 2019/20 campaign and only made one error.

The towering 6 foot 6 colossus then completed 77% of his attempted passes and made two errors that led to a shot or goal in 36 Championship matches the following term.

This indicates that Farke, who was hailed as a "world-class" coach by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, preferred the former Newcastle United titan between the sticks as he made fewer mistakes with the ball at his feet and completed a higher percentage of his passes.

Hart, therefore, could be in trouble as the 36-year-old made four blunders that led to shots in the Scottish Premiership and one mistake in six Champions League outings last season.

Such errors in goal and previous issues with distribution could put Farke off wanting the 6 foot 5 shot-stopper to be his no.1 at Celtic, based on his style of play and the battle between Fahrmann and Krul, and that is why his appointment could be terrible news for the ex-England international.

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in a Premier League ace this summer, as Unai Emery aims to bolster his squad in the upcoming transfer window.

The Spaniard has transformed Villa since joining the club back in October, and with European football confirmed, the 51-year-old has set his sights on taking his squad to new heights with big-name reinforcements.

The Midlands side have been linked to a host of talent so far, with the latest link being a freshly relegated star.

What’s the latest on Armel Bella-Kotchap to Aston Villa?

As reported by journalist Alex Crook via TalkSport, Armel Bella-Kotchap is ‘attracting interest’ from Aston Villa.

The report states that Southampton are ‘bracing themselves’ for a bidding war for the defender, who is wanted by not only Villa but also unnamed clubs in Germany and Italy.

It’s speculated that the Saints will look for a fee of £30m for the 21-year-old star, despite their relegation to the Championship.

What could Armel Bella-Kotchap offer Aston Villa?

Described as a “monster” by former boss Ralph Hasenhuttl via BILD, the young German was one of Southampton’s top performers this season, ranking in their top five best-performing players as per Sofascore.

While the campaign at St Mary’s was bleak, the 21-year-old managed to shine and revealed himself as one of the best young defenders in the Premier League.

Such claims are supported by his numbers, winning 69% of his total duels this term with an average of 4.8 per game as per Sofascore.

While Saints’ relegation is agonising for the defender who signed on the south coast from VfL Bochum last summer for a fee in the region of €10m (£8.6m), their demotion is good news for Villa, who could benefit from the defender’s expected availability.

Emery has built a strong central-defensive unit in Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings, but he could gift Konsa the perfect partner in Bella-Kotchap, unearthing a partnership to serve Villa Park for the long term in the process.

As per FBref, the Villa ace averaged 1.14 tackles and 0.70 interceptions per 90 minutes, with the Saints man excelling with 1.77 tackles and a monstrous 2.11 interceptions, showing his ability to read and dictate from the back.

His exploits in central defence could complement the ability of Konsa, who has been lauded as “excellent” by former Birmingham striker Kevin Phillips, with the duo capable of leading the defence by example.

With Bella-Kotchap being just 21 and Konsa only 25, Emery could have a partnership for years to come in the duo, who both possess a strong defensive eye as shown by their statistics.

Only time will tell if Villa can capture the signature of the in-demand defender, but the Spaniard could land himself a bargain in today’s market in the young talent who is an established Premier League ace.

Manchester United appear to be looking to strengthen their options at right-back this summer, following an update on the club's reported interest in Monaco star, Vanderson.

What's the latest on Vanderson to Man United?

According to Brazilian outlet, Zero Hora, the Red Devils are said to have proposed a potential offer to the Ligue 1 outfit for the signing of the 21-year-old, albeit with that unofficial bid having seemingly fallen short of the selling club's €50m (£43m) asking price.

As the piece adds, however, there is still hope for United that a deal can be agreed for the former Gremio ace, with it said that the promising full-back is 'likely' to seal an exit from Stade Louis II in the coming weeks, with a move to Old Trafford seemingly 'possible'.

The report does also go on to note that Erik ten Hag and co will face competition for the defender's signature, however, with a host of Premier League clubs also keeping tabs on his progress.

Who is Vanderson?

The 5 foot 8 Brazilian could well represent a long-term solution for Ten Hag on the right side of the defence, with the youngster having previously been hailed as a "complete full-back" by talent scout Jacek Kulig as a marker of his exciting potential.

With United having only recently handed fellow right-back Diogo Dalot a new long-term deal until 2028, it would appear that the signing of Vanderson would then spell bad news for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, despite the Englishman's resurgence of late.

The latter man had previously looked certain to move on heading into the January transfer window after making just a solitary, four-minute cameo appearance prior to the World Cup break, although the 25-year-old has since established himself as a regular fixture in the side, having even started in the FA Cup final clash last weekend.

Even so, however, The Athletic revealed back in April that Ten Hag was keen to find a more 'attacking' option in that right-back role, with there a potential for Wan-Bissaka to be moved on if a suitable target could be found.

Vanderson, therefore, could well be the man to push the former Crystal Palace ace out the door, having offered a far greater attacking threat of late after scoring once and registering four assists in 31 league appearances this season as well as creating six big chances, while Wan-Bissaka failed to score or register an assist, while also creating just one big chance in 19 league outings.

Interestingly, the Monaco man could also prove more effective in a defensive sense after averaging an impressive 2.7 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game in 2022/23, with a greater record than the current United man, who averaged just 2.1 and 1.2 for the same two metrics, respectively.

Having made an "exceptional adaptation" to life in France over the last 18 months or so since his arrival from his homeland – according to former boss Philippe Clement – the hope will be that Vanderson can slot in just as comfortably if he is to make the move to the Theatre of Dreams this summer.

If that deal is to come to fruition, Wan-Bissaka will certainly be fearing for his place at the club…

Newcastle United are plotting a summer swoop to bring Barcelona forward Ferran Torres back to the Premier League, according to reports.

Is Ferran Torres leaving Barcelona?

The Blaugrana winger first arrived at Camp Nou in January 2022 from Manchester City and has made a total of 70 appearances since, and despite still having another four years to run on his contract, his future is extremely uncertain heading into the upcoming window.

The La Liga giants are reportedly in the midst of a Financial Fair Play crisis and could therefore be forced to sell some of their most prized assets this summer in order to help try and balance their books, the 23-year-old being one of those, and it appears that PIF and Eddie Howe have been alerted to his potential availability.

Football Transfers recently claimed that the Magpies have held “internal discussions” about the Sky Blues’ former star who is believed to fit the profile of player that the boss is looking for with his previous experience in the top-flight, and that has now been backed up even further.

Are Newcastle signing Torres?

According to The Daily Mail, Torres has fallen "under the gaze" of Newcastle who have got their "eye" on a potential deal for Barcelona's forward ahead of the 2023/24 term. Xavi's attacker may be getting "shunned" so that his club can receive some much-needed cash, and with Howe "keen" to add fresh faces to his ranks in the final third, he could be on his way to St. James' Park.

If Football Transfers’ earlier report is true about Howe personally wanting Torres to be someone who he signs then you'd expect PIF could back their manager in the summer, so the hierarchy may consider testing the waters with Barcelona to see if they could be tempted.

The World Cup participant, who is sponsored by Adidas, has posted ten goal contributions (seven goals and three assists) across all competitions this season and has been hailed a “flamboyant” left-winger for his creativity in the opposition’s area by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Torres, who pockets £167k-per-week in his homeland, also knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level having won two trophies during his time with Pep Guardiola’s side, including the Premier League title, so he would be able to match and even add to the winning mentality of the current squad already in the northeast.