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Nottingham Forest had representatives in place for a Championship game on Tuesday night as they took a closer look at a promising midfielder, according to a recent report.

The Reds brought in several new faces during the summer, and that has helped them make a strong start to the Premier League season, losing just one of their opening six games. Despite the good start, it appears as though it could be a busy January for Forest as their transfer plans become a bit clearer.

Nottingham Forest ready to accept "huge" offer for "excellent" £30k-p/w ace

It would be a massive loss for the Garibaldi.

ByBen Browning Sep 29, 2024 Nottingham Forest transfer news

The January transfer window is still quite a bit away from opening, but Forest already have their eye on what business they may like to conclude. It has recently been reported that Forest are interested in signing Luca Koleosho from Burnley.

The Reds are set to be stepping up their interest in the player, with Brighton and Wolves fighting alongside Forest to secure his signature. Forest have taken in live games of Koleosho, and they see him as a player who can add more depth to their attacking line.

It has also been claimed that the Premier League side are also looking to move players on, with Forest said to be ready to cash in on defender Murillo, but only for a big transfer fee. Murillo has been an impressive performer for Forest since joining the club, but they could be willing to sell the player next summer if they receive a huge offer. And they may already be plotting how to spend that money.

Nottingham Forest track new possible Danilo replacement

According to TBR Football, Nottingham Forest scouts were at the Hawthorns on Tuesday night to watch Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney. Boro claimed a 1-0 win over West Brom courtesy of the midfielder’s goal, and it was a chance for Forest to take a look at Hackney, who also has admirers from Aston Villa and Wolves.

Hackney has played over 70 games for Boro so far, being rather impressive since making his debut, and that hasn’t changed this season. The midfielder has now scored two goals in eight Championship games this term, and Tuesday night was another impressive display.

The 22-year-old was Middlesbrough’s best performer in the game against the Baggies, according to SofaScore’s player ratings system. Hackney completed 73 of his 84 passes in the game, which gave him an 87% pass accuracy, and eight of nine long balls completed shows he isn’t playing it safe, instead looking to break lines and start attacks. That also aligns with him making five progressive passes in Tuesday night’s game, as he looks to keep getting the ball forward.

Minutes played

90

Goals

1

Touches

105

Accurate passes

73/84

Key passes

2

Long balls (acc)

9 (8)

Big chances created

1

Ground duels (won)

7 (4)

Interceptions

2

Forest may see Hackney as a potential replacement for Danilo, who looks set to miss the rest of the season through an injury he picked up in the opening game of the Premier League season. The Brazilian has been an important player for the Reds since he joined, and Nuno Espírito Santo will be keen on finding a suitable replacement after such a terrible injury.

Wrexham star James McClean has fired back at Shrewsbury fans who were abusing him during their recent win over the Red Dragons.

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McClean fired back at abusive Shrewsbury fansIrishman left furious after Wrexham's lossDescribed people from the town as 'inbred'Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

McClean is known for his defiant attitude and hot head and the Irishman was at it again following Wrexham's defeat to Shrewsbury on Thursday night. The 35-year-old was on the receiving end of some stick from the home team's fans and even confronted them after the match. But after being prevented from getting too close to the spectators, the controversial midfielder took to social media and launched a brutal attack on those targeting him.

AdvertisementWHAT MCCLEAN SAID

Responding to a video of fans shouting some explicit words of choice at him in the Shrewsbury end, McClean posted on his Instagram story: "In fairness if I was born and raised in Shrewsbury I'd probably be this angry as well cause its an absolute cesspit full of inbreds."

InstagramTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The loss extends further than just personal frustration for McClean. Wrexham had the chance to go top of League One with a win against their cross-border rivals but fell short. They are now two points behind Birmingham, who have played three games fewer than Phil Parkinson's side.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MCCLEAN AND WREXHAM?

There has been no word on whether McClean will face any action for his post on social media, but as a professional who has spent a long time in the game, he will have his head down on the training pitch preparing for Wrexham's next match. Co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be hoping to see an improvement when they face the league leaders next week.

Leeds United recorded their second successive win without conceding a goal in the Championship at the weekend as they beat Coventry City 3-0 at Elland Road.

The Whites had beaten Cardiff City 2-0 in the previous match and are now sitting fifth in the table after seven matches, having only lost once so far.

Daniel Farke is plotting a promotion to the Premier League at the second time of asking after his side lost 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final in May, after they had finished third in the Championship during the regular season.

The German head coach was dealt a number of blows during the summer transfer window, though, as Georginio Rutter, Rennes, Archie Gray, and Crysencio Summerville were all sold, to Brighton & Hove Albion, Rennes, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United respectively.

Their exits did open the door for Leeds to make signings of their own, however, and the likes of Largie Ramazani, Jayden Bogle, Manor Solomon, and Ao Tanaka, among others, came through the door.

Farke’s squad was also bolstered, in an attacking sense, by the return of Brenden Aaronson, who had spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Union Berlin.

Brenden Aaronson's strong start to the season

The USA international is looking to redeem himself at Elland Road, after scoring one goal in 36 games as Leeds were relegated from the Premier League in his first season at the club, and has plenty of work left to do.

The Whites reportedly splashed out a fee of £24.7m to sign the attacking midfielder from RB Salzburg in the summer of 2022 and is currently valued at just £9.2m by Transfermarkt, after difficult seasons with Leeds and Union.

This shows that Aaronson still needs to do more to raise his value and prove that it was not a huge mistake from the West Yorkshire outfit to bring him to England.

Appearances

7

Starts

5

Goals

2

Big chances created

3

Key passes

7

Assists

1

As you can see in the table above, the American dynamo has enjoyed a strong start to the Championship season since his return to the club this summer.

The 23-year-old talent, who still has plenty of time left to develop and improve at his young age, has contributed with five goals and ‘big chances’ created in five starts in the division so far.

This suggests that he is on the right track to redeeming himself at Leeds and, hopefully, there will be many more top-quality performances from the midfielder to eventually justify his huge price tag.

However, things could have been so different for the Whites if they had landed one of their top targets in one of the transfer windows before they signed Aaronson – Rodrigo de Paul.

Leeds United's interest in Rodrigo de Paul

In the summer of 2020, after Marcelo Bielsa had just led the club to the Championship title, it was reported that Leeds were interested in signing the attacking midfielder from Udinese.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.

The Guardian claimed that Bielsa was very keen to bring the Argentina international over to Elland Road and that it would have cost the Whites a fee of around £31m to snap him up from the Serie A side.

Fabrizio Romano went on to report that Leeds were in talks with Udinese to secure an agreement for the central midfielder’s signature at the start of September, at the time that they were trying to sign Josko Gvardiol – now of Manchester City.

The Argentine wizard had produced seven goals, six assists, and 17 ‘big chances’ created in 34 appearances in the Serie A for Udinese during the 2019/20 campaign, which is why his club demanded a fee of £31m.

Ultimately, no club opted to move for de Paul that summer and former Leeds sporting director Victor Orta later revealed that the financial demands from the Italian side were too much for a team that had just been promoted from the Championship.

The Whites may feel like he is one that got away from them in the end as he has gone on to enjoy a great career in recent years and is now worth more than Aaronson in the present day.

Rodrigo de Paul's current market value

At the time of writing (1/10/2024), Transfermarkt currently has his market value at €30m (£25m) and that is around £16m more than Aaronson is currently worth.

De Paul produced an outstanding nine goals and ten assists in 36 Serie A appearances during the 2020/21 campaign, after Leeds opted against a £31m move for him, and earned himself a move to Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish giants swooped in to secure his services for a fee of around £30m in the summer of 2021 and he has been a key operator for Diego Simeone in recent seasons.

He has racked up 11 goals and 17 assists in 142 appearances in all competitions for Atletico over the last three seasons or so, and has played at least 30 matches in LaLiga in all three of his full campaigns with the club.

During his time in Spain, de Paul also became a World Cup winner with Argentina in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and was a key player for his country.

Starts

7

Pass accuracy

86%

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.6

Duel success rate

53%

Touches per game

93.3

As you can see in the table above, the central midfielder started seven times for Argentina in the finals and played 102 minutes in the final against France, as his side went on to win on penalties.

He has also won two Copa America trophies with his country, either side of winning the World Cup, and this means that the midfielder has won three major trophies for Argentina since Leeds opted against a deal for him.

De Paul has proven himself on the highest stage at international level and proven himself to be a reliable player for a huge European team, in Atletico, which is why the Whites may regret not pushing the boat out to sign him in 2020.

The Haaland of defenders: Leeds nearly signed £77m star over Llorente

The Whites came close to reaching an agreement for the central defender under Marcelo Bielsa.

ByDan Emery Sep 29, 2024

Somerset attack kept at bay despite reducing visitors to 208 for 6

David Hopps30-Aug-2021Nottinghamshire 282 for 6 (Clarke 59) vs SomersetSomerset were ecstatic on this Taunton ground a few days ago as they secured a place in Finals Day in the Vitality Blast, but what has become an annual tilt at securing their first Championship title has become a more troubled affair with the news that Lewis Gregory, their key allrounder, will not bowl again this summer because of an injury suffered in the Hundred playing for Trent Rockets. Somerset fans, not exactly enamoured by the competition, will not be placated by the news, conveyed by the county’s head coach Jason Kerr, that “the severity of Lewis’s injury means his next bowling will either be in the winter or next summer”.But the Championship is back, if a little put-upon, and a competitive September awaits for six of the counties who will now contest the title in a top division assembled after results in the initial three-conference phase. As for the other 12, they will largely be left to their own devices, which is how some of them like it. Sussex are fielding a side with an average age of 19.6 years – perhaps the youngest side in Championship history – which is so developmental it is only one step away from having a coach behind the stumps rather than an umpire to remind them to “play the line” or “hit top of off”.Then there is Surrey, who reported a positive Covid test, duly identified a long list of close contacts and got permission not to travel to Chester-le-Street at all. It would be interesting to know whether such an approach would have been sanctioned if they were in Division One. In Premier League football, matches routinely go ahead despite positive Covid tests and hardly anybody appears to be identified as a close contact, even though footballers don’t noticeably stay two metres apart at all times. Covid protocol is not easy, but while it sticks around cricket appears to have much to discuss.A conference system that had much to commend it in the first stage of the season – providing the illusion, if not the actuality that all 18 teams could win the Championship – could look much less convincing in the next month and it is possible that a season rushing to a climax, with lots at stake, will instead turn out to be largely futile for all but a handful of sides. This in a Championship that is habitually regarded these days by those in authority as a feeder system for England rather than an intrinsically important competition.Because there is only time to play four rounds in the final stages, a strange solution has been devised whereupon teams don’t play the county who were in their own qualifying group, but instead carry forward half the points from their previous two meetings, so pretending that the contest between them has already taken place. This possesses a convenient but dubious logic that suggests those who agreed it need to spend less time in meetings and more time in the fresh air.In the Hundred, nobody is allowed to know what an over is, in case the intellectual challenge leaves them rushing for the exits, but any committee-room complexity can be heaped upon the Championship watcher from one season to the next. It suited Somerset, who accrued 18.5 points without hitting a ball, not so much Nottinghamshire, who inherited five, even though both counties topped their group.Such contortions call for a despairing smack of the head – and why ever not because it certainly seemed to work for Liam Patterson-White, whose helmet was clanked by a short ball from Marchant de Lange and who – once he had selected a replacement helmet from a huge kit bag wheeled onto the outfield by Peter Trego, in a mask – produced a counter-attacking knock of great elan. At one stage, the Notts physio popped out to check that he was okay, and he would not have been surprised to learn that Patterson-White thought he was Brian Lara.Apart from Patterson-White’s unbeaten 46 from 38 balls, this was rather a laborious day, fought out in unrelenting gloom – although “laborious” is defined more by the immense effort required on a surface that did not do as much as Somerset anticipated, rather than a sense of it being inordinately dull. “No man ever was glorious who was not laborious,” said Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, so as onlookers we could take comfort in that, even if it is now accepted that Franklin did over-egg things a bit.Much is written about the difficulties for players of transitioning from one format to the other, but the same is true for the spectator, especially the spectator who is quite content to cross formats. A couple of dot balls and it is hard to resist the urge to watch someone cow the ball over the leg-side. Notts had 282 for 6 in 88.4 overs by the close, and after losing the toss, they could commend themselves upon having a good day. Everybody but Ben Duckett, who was a little frisky, tried to adopt a respectable approach, no more strikingly than Tom Moores, who stuck around for 26 not out while he and Patterson-White added an unbroken 74 for the seventh wicket.Nottinghamshire’s innings fizzed initially. Ben Slater cut Jack Brooks’ long hop straight to backward point and, after Duckett had then played the shot with more success, he tried instead to pull a ball of similar qualities, by way of variety, and top-edged a catch into the off side.Sam Northeast is on loan at Notts until the end of the season after his career at Hampshire ended with no T20 cricket and a frank exchange of views. His time at Kent also ended unhappily when he lost the captaincy and, at 31, and with ambitions of England honours rapidly receding, it would be a shame if he did not get five happy, run-scoring years at another county. Notts, not averse to the odd gamble, might be that county and Northeast approached his task diligently until he played across his front pad against Josh Davey.Joe Clarke’s elegant half-century suggested he could expose Somerset’s shortcomings, only to be caught at the wicket as he bottom-edged a pull at Tom Abell. The pattern of batsmen getting a start and not going on to a big score continued when Lyndon James edged a decent delivery from Abell, that left him, and Steven Mullaney, on 42, became an lbw victim aiming to work a straight ball to leg. At 208 for 6, with the new ball imminent, Somerset had a chance to wrest control, but Patterson-White took three fours off de Lange to win that personal battle and give Nottinghamshire a slight edge by the close.

Ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has defended Trent Alexander-Arnold and addressed Red Bull's chances of signing him, Mohamed Salah & Virgil van Dijk.

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Trent, Salah & Van Dijk nearing end of Liverpool contractKlopp defends Reds right-back Addresses Red Bull's chances of signing trio Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Klopp, who left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years at the club, was questioned about the futures of Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, and Salah – all of whom are into the last six months of their Anfield deals. The German, who spoke at his unveiling as Red Bulls' global head of soccer on Tuesday, admitted the Real Madrid-linked right-back "did not play well" against Manchester United recently but took aim at those criticising him. He also spoke about the soon-to-be out-of-contract trio's chances of being snapped up by a Red Bull team in the future.

AdvertisementSPOXWHAT JURGEN KLOPP SAID

He said: "I’m so happy I’m not in charge of that situation and dealing with those questions every week. I would love all three of them to extend their contracts. They do not tell me what is going on. When Virgil is 41 to 44, I’m sure he’d love to play for New York… I’d welcome him with open arms. I’m not sure we could afford to sign Mo. Trent? I still can’t believe that you discuss that he can’t defend. I watched a few press conferences. Oh my God. Yes, he did not play well against Manchester United. Imagine if you made such a fuss of him when he played well as when he did not play well. It would be such a cool planet."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Liverpool are flying high this season, with Arne Slot's team topping the Premier League, impressing in the Champions League, and competing for trophies. But if they lost any of Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, or Salah it would be a big blow for the Reds.

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?

It remains to be seen if Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, and Salah will sign a contract extension with Liverpool or if they will head to pastures new in the summer.

Pair shared a record 217-run partnership to put South Australia to the sword

Alex Malcolm22-Sep-2021Twin centuries from Josh Philippe and Mitchell Marsh helped Western Australia wallop South Australia in the rain-affected opening Marsh Cup game of the season at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide.The pair shared a 217-run stand, the highest second-wicket partnership for WA in the history of Australia’s 50-over domestic competition, to propel the visitors to a monstrous total of 6 for 352 before the Redbacks succumbed to be all out for 237 despite a remarkable unbeaten century from Alex Carey. Australia’s ODI vice-captain made 128 not out from 106 balls as the rest of his team failed to reach 20. Jason Behrendorff took 4 for 39 in a disciplined team bowling effort from Western Australia.Philippe made his maiden List A century with a dazzling display of ball-striking which included 10 fours and seven sixes, while Marsh posted his third century for WA in 50-over domestic cricket, continuing the impressive form he showed at No.3 on Australia’s recent limited-overs tours of West Indies and Bangladesh.The pair came together in the third over after Kane Richardson utilized some early swing and seam to have Shaun Marsh caught at first slip. But any advantage South Australia hoped to glean after winning the toss quickly evaporated as Marsh and Philippe found the boundary with ease.Marsh was savage on anything short twice pulling Wes Agar over deep square for six while Philippe sparkled against the spin of Sam Kerber and Nathan McSweeney with some wonderful lofted strikes over cover.Philippe did enjoy some luck, dropped twice on 70 and 73, the second a sitter of a caught and bowled chance to Agar. He made the most of the gifts and brought up his century with three consecutive sixes beating Marsh to the milestone by one delivery.Marsh was also dropped at mid-off by Travis Head shortly after reaching his century but fell not long after. WA piled on the pain in the last 10 overs scoring 112 runs with Ashton Turner making 46 from 28 while D’Arcy Short, Ashton Agar, and Cameron Green all played handy cameos.South Australia’s target was reduced to 316 from 43 overs after a rain delay at the beginning of the chase. But the Redbacks faltered against a WA attack that had only one bowler without an international cap.Carey played a lone hand and looked a cut above his team-mates. While wickets fell around him at regular intervals Carey played fearlessly but with clinical precision. He carved WA’s quicks through the off-side repeatedly while rotating the strike with ease. He raced to his century in just 86 balls, his second in List A cricket and his first for South Australia, and celebrated by thrashing the next three balls for four. He struck 15 fours and one six in his stunning innings which only ended because he ran out of partners.

Cody Gakpo will not be rested for Liverpool's Champions League clash with his former club PSV Eindhoven, as he looks forward to a 'beautiful moment'.

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Gakpo set to feature against PSVNine first-team players left outLiverpool face PSV on WednesdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Gakpo joined PSV at the age of six and spent 16 years at the club before leaving them for a move to Merseyside in January 2023. The Dutch forward has been named in the Reds' 21-man travelling squad to the Netherlands for Champions League duty this week, despite head coach Arne Slot resting nine other key first-team players.

AdvertisementWHAT CODY GAKPO SAID

Speaking to reporters, Gakpo shared his feelings on facing his former team as he said: "It's a beautiful moment for me. [It will be] pretty strange. I think I've never been in the away dressing room, so it will be the first time and on the other side of the walkout. So, different than I was used to.

"But when the game will start I think all those things will fade away and we all will be focused on the game. With the team we have, we are here and we are going for the win. Hopefully, it will be a good game."

He added: "Hopefully [I get] a good reception from the fans. I think I always had a good connection with them, so I'm looking forward to seeing them again tomorrow."

AFPTHE EXPLANATION

The 25-year-old also explained why he was included in the travelling squad while the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold were left at home to rest. Gakpo said: "I got the question from the manager [about staying at home] as well but I didn't play one minute against Lille last week [and] also from the manager's point of view [he knew] that I would probably like to come over here and get some minutes here. So, that's why I'm here."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

After facing the Eredivisie giants on Wednesday, the Reds will be back in action in the Premier League on February 1 as they take on Bournemouth in a difficult away fixture.

The current international break represented an ideal opportunity to get rid of Erik ten Hag but the Manchester United manager is still at the helm and is now gearing up for the fixtures that present themselves in the next few weeks.

You cannot blame the ownership for sticking by him after handing out a new contract over the summer. You always have to stand by your decisions as best you can.

However, questions must be raised over why he was given an extension in the first place. The FA Cup triumph over Manchester City clearly bought him some time but it shouldn’t have.

The style of play, transfer business and his man management all leave plenty to be desired and perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s now getting worse. The Red Devils sit 14th in the Premier League table having endured their worst start to campaign after seven games.

So, if Ten Hag does get the boot, who could take over?

Man United manager candidates

One of the most sought-after names from a Man United perspective has been that of Thomas Tuchel. Talks were reportedly held with the German before giving Ten Hag new terms but a move didn’t materialise.

Tuchel is still one of the main candidates on United’s shortlist but with the former Bayern Munich manager now also in the frame for the England job, they will be hard-pressed to tempt him to Old Trafford.

Another name is Sporting boss Ruben Amorim. That’s according to GIVEMESPORT sources who suggest that he has been ‘earmarked’ as a potential candidate alongside Tuchel and Brentford manager Thomas Frank.

Amorim was close to taking over at West Ham United in the summer before Julen Lopetegui was given the reins.

The Portuguese boss even flew out to London for talks with the club but was ultimately left unimpressed. His loyalty for Sporting is usually unwavering but he was forced to issue an apology for his actions.

Despite how the last few seasons have gone, United would surely represent a more attractive proposition than West Ham.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast's Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

Why Ruben Amorim would be a great Ten Hag replacement

At just 39 years of age, the Portuguese is one of the most exciting young coaches in the game having led his side to three League Cups and two league titles during his stint in the capital.

In short – he’s pretty damn good and it’s hardly a surprise that he has been named “Europe’s most wanted” manager by journalist Lewis Steele.

Why has he got that tag? Well, the age certainly helps. He’s a breath of fresh air and like someone of Mikel Arteta’s stature, is only going to get better.

He’s also been compared to former United boss, Jose Mourinho. That’s not just because the infancy of his managerial career has occurred in Portugal either. It certainly helps, of course.

Mourinho rose to fame by guiding Porto to a remarkable Champions League victory in 2004 before his Chelsea dynasty got underway. He paved the way for Portuguese coaches on the biggest stage and as Amorim admits, he idolises the now Fenerbahce boss.

So, why the comparisons? Why is Mourinho so often the reference point for Amorim? Well, it begins with Benfica’s success from way back in the 1980s.

Antonio Veloso – who won seven league titles with Benfica in that decade – once held a coaching course alongside the great Mourinho. Who was one of the names in attendance? Amorim.

Matches

224

Wins

158

Draws

33

Losses

33

Goals scored

492

Goals conceded

196

Points per game

2.26

League titles

2

Most used player

Nuno Santos (194 games)

Highest goal scorer

Pedro Goncalves (81 goals)

Since that course, the two managers have stayed in touch. Unsurprisingly, the former United and Chelsea boss was one of the first people to message him after Sporting knocked Arsenal out of the 2022/23 Europa League. The ‘Special One’ joked at the time that “the old and the new Mourinho are still in the competition.”

So, jesting out the way, let’s get down to the serious stuff. How does the 39-year-old coach compare to Ten Hag?

Well, Amorim’s communication certainly sounds better. One former colleague told The Daily Mail that “he is loud but never aggressive or rude. He is a leader and makes everyone feel like they are working with him, not below him. But his best (trait) is communicating, making everyone feel united and trusted.”

Ten Hag has often struggled to communicate well during his time at Old Trafford, seemingly not just with the media but also with his own players. Are you really resting Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt against Aston Villa, Erik? We think not. They had been dropped.

On the flip side, some have described Amorim as a ‘master trash-talker’ – how very Mourinho. In that department, he couldn’t be more different to Ten Hag, someone who bites back easily in press conferences.

Tom Kundert, a Portuguese football expert, once hailed his attitude with the media: “He is very open in press conferences, happy to respond to all questions – even the stupid ones – with an informative answer. And he also retains a remarkably jovial demeanour, even when the pressure is on.”

Instead, Ten Hag is a very serious character. There’s nothing wrong with that, but he’s easily triggered and easily upset too. That type of character never floats well in the Premier League, let alone at a club like Manchester United.

So, who better to potentially take over from the Dutchman than Mourinho 2.0? If Amorim is willing to join, they should be throwing the book at trying to get him to Old Trafford.

Man Utd star whose value has risen 22424% may be sold for more than Ronaldo

The Red Devils ace has seen his value soar under Erik ten Hag

ByJoe Nuttall Oct 11, 2024

The left-arm spinner has a long association with Langer and said the coach has “100 percent” backing

AAP12-Oct-2021Ashton Agar would be “absolutely shattered” if subjected to the sort of public critique directed at Justin Langer, adding he is full of respect for Australia’s coach and his unwavering values.Player unease about Langer and his approach ignited intense speculation about the future of the former Test opener, who is contracted until mid-2022.Langer’s posting of a motivational message on LinkedIn made headlines this week but the issue hit its crescendo in August, when Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley publicly backed Langer to remain coach for the Twenty20 World Cup and Ashes.Hockley, CA chairman Earl Eddings and on-field leaders Tim Paine, Aaron Finch and Pat Cummins even met to discuss “the elephant in the room”.Langer and Australia’s T20 World Cup squad will assemble later this week ahead of their tournament-opener against South Africa on October 23.Agar, a long-time mentee of Langer at both domestic and international level, said he and team-mates know the head coach is listening to feedback and will do “whatever he can to suit the needs of the team”.Related

Kane Richardson: 'If the World Cup had been in June, I wouldn't have gone'

After week of stress, Australia might only have papered over the cracks

Justin Langer on talks with players: 'We all got a lot off our chests'

Mitchell Marsh's No. 3 success could force Steven Smith into middle order

“You can’t help but respect that and we’ll back him in 100 percent at this tournament and going forward,” Agar told reporters from the UAE. “He’s got strong values and morals as a person and he sticks to them, unwaveringly. Knowing him over 10 years, not a lot has changed.”I respect him a lot for that. We just have to have a bit of understanding around how horrible that experience [in recent months] would have been and respect someone coming out of that and still doing their best.”Langer said he felt like “Superman” earlier this year, having responded to player feedback and tried to clear the air prior to a T20 tour of the Caribbean.But Australia, minus Cummins and several rested stars, suffered lopsided T20 series losses to West Indies and Bangladesh with the heat on Langer most intense while stuck in an Adelaide hotel room for a fortnight.”All the criticism and everything that he’s copped…to be dragged through the media while you’re in quarantine, all of these different things,” Agar said. “If that happened to you or I, we would be absolutely shattered. But speaking to him recently, he’s doing really well.”Selectors included legspinners Adam Zampa and Mitchell Swepson alongside Agar in their World Cup squad.Agar is upbeat the trio, having played together in Bangladesh, could be squeezed into the same XI during the upcoming tournament.”It’s all dependent on the surfaces that we get,” Agar said. “We’ve seen in the IPL now that the wickets are getting a little bit tired, we’ll probably get some fresh wickets for the World Cup. But it wouldn’t be really exciting.”

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s contract still running down, Everton have reportedly joined the race to sign a replacement who has also attracted the interest of both Chelsea and Arsenal.

Everton transfer news

As the Friedkin Group arrive, Everton will hope to be well placed to welcome some much-needed reinforcements, and that means avoiding relegation at all costs in the current campaign. Of course, in the opening stages of the campaign that task looked more like mission impossible. Now without a defeat in three Premier League games, however, Sean Dyche’s side will be desperate to pick up where they left off after the international break.

Alas, that recent run has not put an end to the rumours on the Calvert-Lewin front. As things stand, the Everton forward is set to leave as a free agent at the end of the current campaign amid links to the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. Left searching for a replacement, reports suggest that the Toffees may turn their attention towards the Serie A.

£12m ace has his bags packed and Everton are only club named as destination

The Toffees could make their move…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 17, 2024

According to Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, Everton are now battling to sign Santiago Castro from Bologna in 2025 alongside Premier League rivals Aston Villa, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Castro only completed his first move into European football during the summer, replacing Joshua Zirkzee at Bologna, but has seemingly already done enough to enter Everton’s radar. At just 20 years old, there’s no doubt that the Argentine is one to watch amid such interest and amid Everton’s growing need to sign a striker.

What’s more, signing Castro ahead of those competing for a Champions League place would also be quite the statement of intent for Friedkin to make from the very off.

"Great" Castro can replace Calvert-Lewin

Whilst Castro is an entirely different type of striker to Calvert-Lewin, he is certainly someone who is capable of leading Everton’s frontline in place of the England international.

A player who doesn’t have the same physical presence as the Everton star, Castro has still had no trouble adjusting to life at Bologna since the summer, earning the praise of manager Vincenzo Italiano, who described his striker’s game as “great” after a 2-2 draw against Como.

Starts

6

7

Goals

3

2

Assists

1

1

Expected Goals

1.7

2

A player who has almost scored double than what has been expected based on the quality of his chances, Castro should only get better and better as his time among Europe’s best increases. And if that does prove to be the case, then Everton will face some battle on their hands to land his signature.

Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, has matched his expected goals every step of the way in a mixed start to the campaign for a forward of his veteran. Whilst he remains an important figure at Goodison Park, he is certainly replaceable if the Toffees get things right when the summer transfer window arrives.