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Leeds United moved to the top of the Championship table on Tuesday night with a fantastic 3-1 win over Middlesbrough at a noisy Elland Road.

The Whites are now two points clear of Sheffield United in the division, before the Blades play on Wednesday night, and will certainly end the gameweek in the automatic promotion places.

Wilfried Gnonto, Dan James, and Brenden Aaronson scored the goals for the hosts to secure a fantastic result against Boro, who had beaten Leeds 3-0 at Elland Road in the League Cup back in August.

One of the star performers for the West Yorkshire outfit was the scorer of the second, and arguably best, goal of the night – Wales international James.

Dan James' electric performance against Middlesbrough

The rapid former Manchester United winger was selected to play on the right flank for the Whites and was involved in all three goals for Daniel Farke’s side.

James burst down the right wing and produced a teasing cross into the box that Seny Dieng in the Boro goal made a complete mess of, allowing Gnonto to tap the ball into a virtually empty net.

The 27-year-old star then scored his fourth goal of the Championship season in superb style, firing into the far top corner from the edge of the box to put Leeds 2-1 up after Max Wober’s unfortunate own goal had made it 1-1.

James played a big role in the third and final goal with his driving run on the counter-attack leading to a pass to Ao Tanaka in the box, which allowed the midfielder to square the ball to Aaronson to score.

There was another Leeds player who was just as good as the Wales international, though, and that was Joe Rothwell, who has proven himself to be Farke’s most underrated player.

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Leeds' most underrated player

Rothwell has been unfortunate, in a sense, to be playing alongside an incredibly talented and popular midfielder in Tanaka, who won the club’s Player of the Month award for October and November.

Whilst the Bournemouth loanee will, surely, love to play alongside such a quality player, it does mean that the majority of the acclaim goes the way of the summer signing from Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Rothwell’s performance against Middlesbrough was a reminder, however, that he is just as important to the team with his terrific displays in the middle of the park, with LeedsLive handing him and James a player rating of 8/10 each.

Minutes

89

Key passes

2

Pass accuracy

92%

Duels won

6/8

Dribbled past

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As you can see in the table above, the Englishman was a midfield metronome in the middle of the park with his impressive pass success rate, whilst he was also superb out of possession.

Meanwhile, Tanaka also completed 92% of his attempted passes but lost nine of his 15 ground duels and was dribbled past three times, which shows that Rothwell offered more solidity defensively.

The Englishman tops the team for key passes (1.6) per game and ranks fifth for passes completed (39.9) per game, which speaks to his progressive use of the ball for Leeds.

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He is key to the way the teams turns their possession into dangerous attacks with his progressive passes, as shown by his impressive number of key passes, and that – along with his showing against Boro – is why he is, arguably, the most underrated star in the team alongside his more heralded midfield partner.

Attritional contest reaches third and final game, with hopes of livelier surface in store

Andrew Miller23-Mar-2022

Joe Root poses on Grand Anse Beach in Grenada ahead of the third Test•Getty Images

Big PictureSo far, England’s tour of the Caribbean has been one for the purists. Ten days of attritional cricket, interspersed with flashes of hopeful flamboyance, and nothing yet to show in the series ledger for either side’s efforts. Could that be about to change, as Grenada prepares to host a Test match for only the fourth time in the ground’s 23-year international history? The rumours from the Spice Island are of spicier times in store … but it’s probably prudent to temper one’s expectations in light of what we’ve witnessed so far.Whatever happens in this final Test, both sides can already take heart from the competitive spirit that they’ve shown in this series. West Indies remain without a Test victory in 10 attempts since February 2021, while England’s current record reads one win in 16, so for neither team to have yet racked up another loss has to count as progress on both fronts.For West Indies, their captain, Kraigg Brathwaite, has personified the competitive zeal that the region seeks to reignite in their Test cricket. His extraordinary refusal to buckle in Barbados has bagged him a place in the pantheon of batting barnacles – Geoffrey Boycott and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, among others, would have been proud of his indefatigable performance, even if Boycott, in his Telegraph column, was rightly concerned about the tedious nature of the Bridgetown pitch – an anti-competitive mud-strip that did little to elevate the contest beyond a grim pursuit of statistics.Even so, England showed, with a final-day flourish in each of the first two games, a willingness to break the deadlock – first with some sparky declaration batting, led on each occasion by Dan Lawrence’s unconventional strokeplay, then backed up with an early flurry of wickets as West Indies’ inherent brittleness briefly came to the fore.It was a fleeting glimpse on both occasions, however. Despite Saqib Mahmood’s impressive debut in Barbados, and some lively turn and bounce for Jack Leach when armed with the new ball, England haven’t yet shown they have the weapons to transcend pitches of such tedium – unlike, say, the startling inroads that Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have been able to make on similarly flat decks in Pakistan.For that reason, while it’s true that a handful of bore-draws in themselves cannot threaten the future of an inherently insecure format – one whose death has been predicted for 145 years and counting – the issue of substandard Test pitches is not one that should be allowed to be brushed off as an anomaly.By all accounts these are not the surfaces that CWI ordered – coming into the series, after all, West Indies arguably had the more threatening roster of fast bowlers in their ranks and therefore would have wished for more pace and bounce to work with. It appears that the final decision was left in the hands of the local boards in Antigua and Barbados, both of whom valued the guarantee of five full days of Barmy Army patronage over the guarantee of a result. If the Grenada authorities can be persuaded to place more value on the spectacle than the bottom line, then who knows, they might also lure a few disenchanted supporters over to their shores next time around.Away from the pitch politics, there’s plenty at stake as England’s tentative rebuild reaches its first of what will surely have to be many mini-peaks. In Lawrence and Zak Crawley, they have two young guns who can stride into the 2022 home season with renewed confidence after last year’s challenges; in Joe Root and Ben Stokes, the team’s most important batting pillars are looking sturdy once more after their wobbles in the Ashes, while Jonny Bairstow’s renewed red-ball focus looks here to stay as well.Kraigg Brathwaite was West Indies’ mainstay in Barbados•Getty Images

But there’s plenty about this team that isn’t yet where it needs to be. Alex Lees could do with at least a medium-sized innings to firm up his status at the top of the order, while Chris Woakes’ series-long toothlessness has done little but reaffirm the overseas suspicions that have dogged him for most of his career. With Ollie Robinson’s fitness issues resurfacing again, and Mark Wood’s elbow injury leaving England more bereft of 90mph/145kph options than at any time since the 2017-18 Ashes, there’s been little about their seam attack that will have ushered James Anderson and Stuart Broad into an early retirement.And then there’s the spin issue. Leach has been diligent without threatening to tear through West Indies, while the legspinner Matt Parkinson remains on the fringes, waiting for the moment to be trusted. It’s possible that chance has been and gone, however – Barbados was where England needed his ability to rip it past well-set defences, but as the management proved in Brisbane and Adelaide last winter, they are perfectly capable of picking the right team for the wrong Test. They confirmed their side on Wednesday afternoon, with Craig Overton replacing Matthew Fisher as the only change.West Indies, meanwhile, will surely be content with more of the same. Brathwaite stole the show in Barbados, but it’s been far from a one-man mission from his team. Nkrumah Bonner may have endured a rare quiet game in the second Test, but a week before that he was producing a similarly indomitable display in Antigua, and Jermaine Blackwood’s gutsy, and largely out-of-character, hundred at Bridgetown personified the extent to which West Indies raise their game when England are in town.Given half a chance, West Indies’ quicks are surely gagging to show similar devotion to the cause. Both Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales have had their moments, most particularly on the first morning of the series, while the talismanic Jason Holder has had, by his standards, a quiet series against his favoured foes. If he can rediscover even a modicum of the form he showed in 2019, there’s no reason to assume that a 0-0 lockout is the upper limit of West Indies’ ambitions.Form guide(Last five matches; most recent first)
West Indies DDLLL
England DDLDLIn the spotlightAfter his extraordinary feats of endurance in Barbados, it’s hard to look beyond Kraigg Brathwaite for a West Indies focal-point this week. When you’ve batted for a notch shy of 16 hours across two innings, to rack up 216 runs from 673 balls in a single Test match, it’s fair to presume your eye is in. Brathwaite demurred, however, when asked if West Indies would be looking to pick up their tempo going into the series decider. He’s quite happy letting England come to him, asking questions that their bowlers struggled to answer as they were kept in the field for 187.5 overs in the first innings last week. And on his watch, West Indies have given themselves every chance of extending their proud unbeaten record at home against England.Related

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Jack Leach seeks attacking mindset after growing back into England role

Jack Leach will have been a Test cricketer for almost exactly four years by the time this Test ends, having made his debut in New Zealand in March 2018. But by his own admission, he’s still feeling his way in the role, after a rollercoaster year in 2021 that started and ended with some fearful treatment against India in Chennai and Australia in Brisbane, and encompassed a home summer in which he didn’t feature in a single Test. Leach’s efforts in the series to date have been admirable – with 11 wickets at 26.36, he’s the only bowler on either side to reach double figures, while his tally of 168.3 overs is almost 100 more than the next busiest bowler (Stokes with 77). But the sense persisted in both Tests that he could have been braver with his flight and loop, and sought to bowl West Indies out rather than wait for the mistakes that never came. Now that he’s feeling more valued within the set-up, and with a diet of Graeme Swann YouTube clips to fall back on, perhaps his attacking instincts can start to materialise.Team newsWest Indies have stuck with the same 13-man squad for the third match running, which is a vote of confidence from Desmond Haynes, the convenor of selectors, after a series in which the batters – Brathwaite in particular – have been willing to dig deep for the cause. There’s a possibility of a rejig for this final match, however, with Kyle Mayers on hand to step in for Shamarh Brooks, whose top-score in a bat-dominated series has been 39. There’s also the thorny issue of workload to consider. Jayden Seales, for instance, has ploughed through 65 overs for his seven wickets in the series. Given the rapid turnaround between Tests, and that he is still a work in progress at the age of 20, it may be prudent to give him a rest and hand a debut to Anderson Phillip, the uncapped Trinidad fast bowler.West Indies (possible) 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 John Campbell, 3 Nkrumah Bonner, 4 Kyle Mayers/Shamarh Brooks, 5 Jermaine Blackwood, 6 Jason Holder, 7 Joshua da Silva (wk), 8 Alzarri Joseph, 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Veerasammy Permaul, 11 Jayden Seales/Anderson PhillipThere was plenty to ponder for England in the bowling stakes, after a series of flux in which injury and illness has forced their hand in both Tests, and maybe taught them more about their personnel than they might have anticipated learning. Robinson missed each of the first two Tests with a back spasm, and despite optimistic noises, another flare-up has ended his participation here too. As a consequence, there has been a stay of execution for Woakes, whose role in overseas Tests would surely otherwise be at an end. Overton, too, has recovered from the bout of sickness that afflicted him in Barbados. He returns in place of Fisher, who let no-one down on debut and whose chance will come again before long.England 1 Alex Lees, 2 Zak Crawley, 3 Joe Root (capt), 4 Dan Lawrence, 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jonny Bairstow, 7 Ben Foakes (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Craig Overton, 10 Saqib Mahmood, 11 Jack LeachPitch and conditionsNo-one is quite expecting the sort of snorter that was served up in St Lucia for the third Test of England’s last tour in 2019 – on which Mark Wood touched speeds of 96mph in one of the fastest bowling displays in English history – but the omens are good for the fast bowlers on both sides, with a surface that appears to have a tinge of green on top, and the prospect of a bit more pace and carry than was in evidence in Antigua and Barbados. The weather this week is expected to be cloudy but with no real prospect of disruption from rain. “It looks like a good cricket wicket,” Phil Simmons, West Indies’ head coach, said.Stats and trivia Grenada has not hosted a Test match since England’s tour of the Caribbean in 2015, when the visitors won comfortably, by nine wickets, on the back of an unbeaten 182 from a certain Joe Root. West Indies have yet to win a Test match in three attempts at St George’s. The ground’s inaugural Test, against New Zealand in 2002, was a high-scoring draw (dominated by a Chris Gayle double-century), while their other fixture in 2009 was famous for a rare Bangladesh overseas series win – albeit it came against a third-choice West Indies side, weakened by a row with the team sponsors, Digicel. Joe Root is within striking distance of becoming the 14th man, and the first since Younis Khan in 2017, to reach 10,000 Test runs. He is currently 116 runs short, on 9,884 runs, and having made a century in each of the previous two Tests, he is in the form to chalk them off. If he does so, he will also be the first of the so-called Big Four to reach the mark.Quotes”Ollie wasn’t as good as we would have liked or he was expecting himself. It’s just frustrating for him as it is for me. He’s working very hard but there’s something that’s nagging away at him. I’m not sure exactly of the medical prognosis.”
Joe Root, England’s captain, confirms that Robinson is unable for selection once again.“In both Test matches so far, it was necessary to make sure that we got to the 350-400 mark in the first innings. The situation will dictate how we up the tempo, because so far we have been happy with the fact that we’ve had big partnerships, and three hundreds in the two Test matches.”
Phil Simmons, West Indies’ head coach, wants more of the same application from his batters.

Australia batter set for second county stint after brief spell with Derbyshire

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Feb-2022

Ben McDermott brought up his first international fifty•Getty Images

Hampshire have announced the signing of Ben McDermott, the Australia batter, for their Vitality Blast campaign.McDermott, 27, has enjoyed a stellar recent run of form, finishing as the leading run-scorer in the 2021-22 Big Bash before notching his maiden international half-century for Australia, in the T20Is series against Sri Lanka, last week.”Ben is an exciting talent and we are really pleased that he’s joining us for the Vitality Blast,” Giles White, Hampshire’s director of cricket, said. “He had an excellent BBL and his power and ability to clear the ropes make him an excellent fit for us. We are looking forward to seeing him in a Hawks shirt this summer.”McDermott, the son of former Australia fast bowler Craig, has played two ODIs and 20 T20Is since first being capped in 2018. In this season’s BBL, he scored 577 runs with a strike rate of 153.86 for Hobart Hurricanes, which included back-to-back hundreds.He was due to play for Derbyshire in the 2020 Blast but had his contract deferred by the Covid-19 pandemic. He then featured in just two first-class matches for the county last summer before being called up for Australia’s tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh.McDermott said: “I am really excited to join the Hawks for this summer’s Vitality Blast. I’m looking forward to joining James Vince and the team at the Ageas Bowl and am hoping I can contribute to a successful T20 campaign.”

The Reds may be 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, but they could unquestionably do with a striker like the Swede

A delighted Andy Robertson said after Liverpool's 2-0 win at Manchester City on Sunday, "This afternoon couldn't have gone much better." And the Scotland left-back had a point.

Arne Slot's tactical tweaks for the game at the Etihad worked a treat, with his decision to play a striker-less system featuring two No.10s (Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai) in between regular wingers Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah playing a pivotal role in the Reds recording their first clean sheet in the Premier League for five games.

Jones and Szoboszlai worked tirelessly all afternoon, making life incredibly uncomfortable for City's players with their constant pressing while also carrying a threat on the counter-attack. Just like Salah, Szoboszlai both scored and created a goal during one of his most impressive performances to date for Liverpool, who took full advantage of Arsenal's loss at West Ham the day before to move 11 points clear of the second-placed Gunners at the top of the table.

However, the mere fact that Slot fielded a team without an orthodox centre-forward highlighted his squad's lack of reliable No.9 and, on Wednesday at Anfield, Alexander Isak has another opportunity to show why he could be the missing link in Liverpool's attack.

• AFP
  

  Persistent fitness problems

  Slot's post-match revelation that Diogo Jota "could only play 60" minutes of last Wednesday's 2-2 with Aston Villa was depressingly unsurprising.

  The forward may have missed a glorious chance towards the tail end of the first half, but he was having "a very good game", as his manager admitted, having already teed up Salah for the opener. He'd also just hit the bar with a fine strike from just outside the area before being replaced by Darwin Nunez.

  However, Slot explained that he had to protect Jota, who only returned from his latest muscular issue in the Merseyside Derby against Everton on August 12. The thinking was that an early withdrawal would ensure that the injury-prone Portuguese would be available for Sunday's trip to the Etihad. He wasn't, though.

  Jota informed Slot on Saturday that he "wasn't fully recovered yet", with the versatile Cody Gakpo also only fit to take a seat on the bench while Federico Chiesa is yet to be trusted to start a single league since joining from Juventus last summer. Slot, then, was faced with the usual Nunez dilemma.

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• Getty Images
  

  Passenger

  The Uruguayan had missed a sitter after coming on for Jota at Villa Park, and was so badly affected by the failure in front of goal that he became a passenger for the remainder of the game, leading to a very rare public rebuke from Slot.

  "I can accept every miss, especially from a player that has scored two very important goals against Brentford, that's scored for us in the home game against Villa. Players miss chances, that I can accept," the Reds boss said. "But what was a bit harder for me to accept [was] his behaviour after that chance, and with behaviour I mean I think it got too much in his head where he wasn't the usual Darwin that works his [backside] off and makes sure he helps the team.

  "I think he was too disappointed after missing that chance and maybe – we will never know, we will never find out – that's why he was just a fraction short [in] the moment afterwards. It's not about the chance for me, it's more about the 20 minutes afterwards where I want to talk to him about than about him missing a chance."

• AFP
  

  Time to move on

  What little hope Nunez had of replacing Jota up top against City was effectively killed by his calamitous cameo against Villa. Slot knew that Liverpool were going to have to work incredibly hard at the Etihad as it was, and he decided against picking the maddeningly inconsistent striker because "defending in and around his box is not Darwin's main strength".

  Obviously, Nunez's pace could have been useful on the break, but it's not like he could have any complaints about being left out given he's failed to contribute a goal or assist in the league since the middle of January. There were moments of real encouragement and progress during his first two years at Liverpool, but this season has been a step backwards.

  He's simply not good enough to start up front for Liverpool and it now appears inevitable that he will be offloaded at the end of the current campaign, with the Reds likely praying that another Saudi Pro League club will make a generous offer for the former Benfica ace this summer, after Al-Nassr's advances were rejected during the January transfer window.

  The club's stance may have made sense at the time, as it would have been risky to sell Nunez in the middle of a title challenge without a replacement already lined up in the notoriously difficult January transfer window, but it will be a different story in June, particularly as his sale would generate funds for a forward truly worthy of Liverpool's No.9 jersey.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Isak's 'excellent form'

  It was reported last month that Slot sees Isak as the 'perfect' striker for his side – and there's really no reason to doubt the veracity of those claims. There's probably not a manager in the world that wouldn't want the Swede in his side right now. On the eve of Newcastle's visit to Anfield, Slot even felt compelled to correct a journalist who had pointed out that Isak was in "fine form" going into the game.

  "I think that's an understatement," the former Feyenoord coach said during Tuesday's pre-match press conference. "He is in excellent form!" And has been pretty much ever since he last faced Liverpool.

  Isak's thumping strike in the 3-3 draw with the Reds at St. James' Park on December 4 was the first of 11 goals in eight consecutive Premier League games. After Sunday's double in Newcastle's 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest, he now has 19 in 24 outings so far this season – only Salah has more (25), and the idea that the two could be lining up alongside one another next season is a mouth-watering prospect for Liverpool supporters.

  One imagines that captain Virgil van Dijk would also dearly love to play with Isak rather than against him, given the 25-year-old is one of the few attackers in world football that has actually managed to ruffle the Dutchman in recent seasons with his blistering pace and clever movement.

Tottenham Hotspur have a “really exciting” teenager who could be about to replace long-serving defender Ben Davies, with the former Swansea City star potentially playing out his final season in north London.

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Since making the switch to London from Wales, the versatile defender has made an impressive 333 appearances in all competitions for Tottenham, playing in some huge games for the club and showcasing real reliability.

However, the 31-year-old is now reaching the twilight phase of his career and has barely been called upon by Ange Postecoglou so far this season. Davies captained Spurs to a dramatic 2-1 win over Coventry City in the EFL Cup, whilst also starting both of their Europa League games, but he hasn’t played a single minute of Premier League football.

Tottenham vs West Ham

October 19

Crystal Palace vs Tottenham

October 27

Tottenham vs Aston Villa

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Tottenham vs Ipswich Town

November 10

Man City vs Tottenham

November 23

Davies didn’t even make the matchday squad for Spurs’ most recent top-flight clashes against Brentford, Man United and Brighton, with the centre-back/left-back reduced to being a bit-part cup player.

It is believed that Davies earns more than both Destiny Udogie and Micky van de Ven at Tottenham, despite the latter pair’s status as mainstays in Postecoglou’s starting eleven, so chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange may well opt to let go of him when his contract runs out in 2025.

Luckily, Postecoglou appears to have a ready-made replacement for the veteran in summer signing Archie Gray. The 18-year-old can play in a variety of positions, including at full-back, so Gray may well stand out as a very good option to take Postecoglou’s side forward in the coming seasons.

Gray is widely regarded as one of England’s most promising up-and-coming talents, with Spurs utilising his quality on a number of occasions already following his stellar campaign at Leeds United in the Championship last season.

Tottenham tipped to replace Ben Davies with Archie Gray

Speaking to Tottenham News this week, pundit John Wenham has tipped Spurs to replace Davies with Gray. The former could be about to pass the torch down to Levy’s summer signing, with Wenham also branding the teenager “really exciting”.

“Gray is doing really well,” Wenham said.

“I think, at a minimum, he is going to become the next Davies in the squad, in terms of his reliability in multiple positions. Davies is out of contract this summer and I can see Gray taking his role in the squad. Him being so young and counting as homegrown too, that is really exciting.”

Leeds were heartbroken to lose their Thorp Arch academy graduate in the summer, highlighting just how highly rated he is by those working in the beautiful game.

“Understanding the attraction of Premier League and European football, the club, with a heavy heart, agreed the transfer, but the move has strengthened the board’s resolve to ultimately return Leeds to a position where it can meet the footballing ambitions of even its brightest stars,” wrote Leeds in a candid statement (via Ben Jacobs).

“Whilst we understand that supporters will be hugely disappointed to lose such a home-grown talent, and a family name so synonymous with Leeds United, the move improves the club’s chance to compete for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive squad within the league’s financial control regulations. Everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own depart and would like to thank Archie for all his efforts and professionalism.”

Aston Villa chiefs are sensing a transfer opportunity as they look to back manager Unai Emery in the transfer market, with one club ready to consider a low January bid for a star who’d usually cost around £50 million.

Aston Villa face Tottenham in near-certain race for top four

Emery’s fairytale stint in charge of Villa has continued into the 2024/25 campaign, with the Midlands giants appearing near-certainties to be contending for a place in the Premier League’s top four yet again.

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They’ve also made an impressive start in Europe, beating German heavyweights Bayern Munich 1-0 on a historic night at Villa Park, whilst also clinching victories against Serie A side Bologna and Switzerland’s Young Boys.

While it is still very early days, with Villa to play their tenth Premier League game of the season against fellow potential European contenders Tottenham, it is pretty safe to say that Emery’s side are favourites to be up there with England’s elite once again.

Villa travel to north London on Sunday for a tough test at Spurs, who are looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend. They’ve been very inconsistent this season – winning four, losing four and drawing one – while Emery’s only top-flight defeat so far came at the hands of title-chasing Arsenal back in August.

However, despite their contrasting records, Emery insists that Tottenham are favourites to beat Villa on Sunday.

“Tottenham is playing very well and they deserved more points than they have now,” said Emery ahead of Villa’s trip to Spurs.

“They beat Manchester City at home, playing with lots of players who will play on Sunday. Their style and idea is so, so strong. They have individually brilliant players. They signed Solanke and he is giving them a lot more ways to attack and be stronger than last year.

“They are the favourites in front of us for the season and for the match on Sunday. We are competing and we are really being confident, how we are doing our way. We even lost last year against them. We are trying to use a stronger structure to face them on Sunday. We are very excited and motivated, our fans, myself, the coaches, players and the club how we are increasing our level to be contenders with Tottenham, City, Chelsea and Newcastle. Competing with them to be in the top seven, top six or top five.”

Aston Villa sense opportunity to sign Loic Bade from Sevilla

In the background, transfer chief Monchi and NSWE are looking at ways to improve Emery’s squad with potential new additions.

Some reports claim Villa are prepared to bid for La Liga sensation Christantus Uche in January, while it appears that another Spanish top-flight star has earned admiring glances from Birmingham.

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As per a media source from Spain, Sevilla defender Loic Bade is on Monchi’s agenda. The club wish to strengthen their central defensive options and it is believed that Aston Villa see Bade as an “opportunity” to bolster their defence for both now and the seasons ahead.

It is also claimed that, despite his mainstay status at Sevilla, they could sell for a “low” January offer compared to his £50 million release clause.

Manchester United might be having a difficult time on the pitch, but it isn’t stopping INEOS from eyeing transfer targets for 2025, with a Ukraine international the latest to emerge on their radar, according to a new report.

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Man Utd transfer news

The last thing that will be on most United supporters minds will be who they might sign in 2025, as results on the pitch are turning fans restless when it comes to manager Erik ten Hag. But it appears that INEOS are remaining behind the Dutchman at this moment in time, knowing that results will need to improve or a change in the dugout could happen.

Despite the uncertainty on the pitch, United are looking at potential business they can conduct in 2025. The Red Devils are being mentioned with a move for Nico Williams, as they try to throw everything they can at a deal in order to beat Barcelona to his signature.

As well as looking at Williams, it has also emerged that Man United are in the market for a new defender, despite adding two centre-backs in the summer. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has become a “serious target” for the Red Devils, as they are preparing an offer in excess of £62 million.

Williams and Guehi appear to be potential transfer targets for 2025, but they are not the only players the Premier League side is looking at, as they also have their eye on a Real Madrid player.

Man Utd plotting move for £45k-p/w star as competition for Onana

According to a report from Spain relayed by The Real Champs, Manchester United have placed Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin on their radar. As well as the Red Devils looking to sign the Ukraine international, they face competition from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

United added Andre Onana to their ranks in the 2023 summer transfer window, and since his arrival, he has been the club’s number one between the sticks. The Cameroon international has been backed up by Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton, but it appears that INEOS may want to add more competition in that area of the team.

Lunin, who was described as a “hero” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, has been at Real Madrid since July 2018, when he joined the club from Ukraine side Zorya Lugansk. The 25-year-old has struggled for regular game time since joining the Spanish giants but did feature heavily last season, as he was called upon due to Thibaut Courtois’ injury.

Andriy Lunin’s Real Madrid stats
Apps	48
Goals conceded	51
Clean sheets	16

A two time Champions League winner, Lunin may be considered a cheap pickup by the Red Devils – the Ukraine international is said to be on a weekly wage of 54,038 euros, which is roughly £45,000. That’s about £2.3 million per year, so he would be an addition that wouldn’t cost United much in wages, and the 6 foot 3 stopper may think he has more of a chance of ousting Onana than Courtois.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has reacted to Manchester City tying Erling Haaland down to a ten-year deal by taking shots at three Premier League rivals.

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• Haaland signs new deal at Man City
• Slot talks about PL expenditure
• Says Man Utd and Chelsea spend more than City

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After months of speculation regarding Haaland's future at Manchester City, the eight-time English champions have tied the Norwegian down to a ten-year extension at the Etihad Stadium with wages reported to be close to £500,000 per week. Slot was asked for his thoughts on this spending at a press conference.

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• WHAT SLOT SAID

  Slot said: "We know how good we have to be every single day to compete in this league. It is not only the club [City] you are referring to. Chelsea have also spent £1.2 billion and United have spent an incredible amount.

  "Every team spends a lot of money over here, that's why it's such an interesting league to be part of. Some seasons this club [Liverpool] spends a bit more, the other season other clubs spend a bit more.

  "That's what makes this league so intense and so difficult to win. But that's also the reason why we all want to be here, because you want to compete against the best, with the best. We are very happy with the team we have at the moment. We are still able to compete with all these teams that are spending an incredible amount of money."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As Slot claimed, Chelsea, United and City are indeed the top three biggest spenders in the Premier League since Pep Guardiola switched to the Etihad in 2016. Chelsea have spent £2.04bn while both Manchester clubs have spent arond £1.5bn. Meanwhile, Liverpool have the smallest spend of the traditional top six with £940m.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR SLOT?

  Despite Liverpool's lack of spending in the summer, Slot has led the Reds to an early lead of the Premier League title race with City all but down for the count. Slot's side has seen a small blip over the last few weeks and as such, the Dutchman will be keen on improvement when they take on Brentford on Saturday, January 18.

Let’s just put it behind us now, shall we? Yes, Liverpool lost at home against Nottingham Forest, and yes, it was an insipid and disjointed display that was a far cry from the slick and stylish football that has been on show throughout the first month of Arne Slot’s reign.

But Slot’s Liverpool won’t be built in a day. It will take time to get things up and running at the level he desires. We’d do well to remember that. The Dutchman might have inherited an elite-class squad but Liverpool weren’t exactly without their flaws last season, were they?

Anyway, moving forward. AC Milan present the Premier League side with quite the stern test to start their Champions League campaign, with Europe’s elite club competition’s opening phase now restructured in a slightly convoluted league format before returning to the familiar territory of the knockout run.

Liverpool missed out on top four the season before last and will be desperate to start with conviction, but it won’t be easy, with the Serie A side blowing Venezia away at the weekend.

17/09/24

AC Milan (A)

Champions League

21/09/24

Bournemouth (H)

Premier League

25/09/24

West Ham (H)

Carabao Cup

28/09/24

Wolves (A)

Premier League

02/10/24

Bologna (H)

Champions League

05/10/24

Crystal Palace (A)

Premier League

Having scarcely made changes as Liverpool boss so far, you’d think that Slot would shuffle his pack now, with the games coming thick and fast, and we reckon that four changes could be made…

1 GK – Alisson

The big Brazilian’s net was breached for the first time on Saturday, but he kept clean sheets across each of Liverpool’s three opening fixtures and has a save percentage of 90% so far this season, as per Sofascore.

Alisson loves a Champions League night (especially against Italian opposition) and will probably have to pop up with a big save at some point.

2 RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s uncertain future rumbles on and it’s starting to get a bit worrying. He has to sign the contract. Liverpool’s homegrown superstar is just so good, with a celestial range of passing and an influential aura that lifts his teammates.

Milan’s high-pressing surges could topple against the defence-splitting brilliance of this man.

3 CB – Jarell Quansah

Jarell Quansah has not played for Liverpool since being hooked at halftime on the opening day of the season, with Slot frustrated by Liverpool’s lack of control and duel success at Portman Road.

The titan is still one of the most exciting young defenders around and will surely earn a nice string of minutes given Liverpool’s congested run of upcoming fixtures. It’ll be a tough one but he has the mettle to pass the San Siro test.

4 CB – Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk was not a happy man after Liverpool’s shock defeat. The captain and colossus condemned the “unacceptable” performance but urged calmness and rallied his troops.

He’s one of the most aerially dominant defenders of all time and will be crucial against Milan’s high press, though his surgical passing could be key to unlocking the hosts’ stretched lines when on the charge.

5 LB – Andy Robertson

Candidly, there was a lack of synergy down Liverpool’s left flank on Saturday. Andy Robertson was bruised by Ryan Yates and failed to win a single duel or even attempt a dribble, as per Sofascore. So not his finest hour.

He should start again though. Robertson has made 51 appearances in the Champions League, and his experienced head (and feet) will bear dividends… we hope.

6 CM – Ryan Gravenberch

One of the better performers last time out. If Liverpool held a most improved award after one month of a campaign, Ryan Gravenberch would take the cake greedily.

Slot recognised Gravenberch’s potential in a deep-lying midfield position and he is thriving. Long may it continue. His press resistance and technical quality could be crucial in winning the central battle against Tuesday’s hosts.

7 CM – Curtis Jones

Alexis Mac Allister could do with a rest, and Curtis Jones could do with a start. Forest’s victory means that the coming weekend’s clash against Bournemouth stretches to a new realm of paramount importance, and the Argentine will need to be in top condition.

Jones has the skills to hurt Milan too, you know. As per FBref, he actually ranks among the top 6% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 10% for progressive carries and the top 75 for successful take-ons per 90. Time to unleash.

8 RW – Federico Chiesa

The controversial one. Federico Chiesa is in line to make his debut for Liverpool after signing from Juventus in a deal worth £12.5m this summer, and he could replace Mohamed Salah.

Salah was pretty flat against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side and Slot might want to make this change with the upcoming fixture list in mind. Chiesa, moreover, will know AC Milan better than anyone else in Liverpool’s squad and could be a wildcard worth slapping on the table.

It would be a bold call, but Slot has already shown his ruthlessness (looking at you, Quansah), and Salah might be the better for it, rested and thus restive ahead of the weekend’s Premier League clash.

9 AM – Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai flattered to deceive last time but he’s enjoyed a largely successful start to the Slot era. Wastefulness in front of goal aside, he’s highly effective, with energy and driven performances that enable the success of those around him, such as…

10 LW – Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz. The Colombian tore Manchester United to shreds two weeks ago but looked a shell of himself against Forest (annoying trend here, isn’t there).

He’s as tenacious as he is tireless – and he could run for days. However, he only won two out of seven duels and lost all three dribbles, so will now need to raise his game once again.

Celtic return to domestic action this weekend with a quarter-final clash with Championship outfit Falkirk at Parkhead in the League Cup on Sunday.

The Hoops come into this match fresh off the back of a stunning 5-1 win in the Champions League over SK Slovan in Glasgow on Wednesday night, in what was their first match of the league phase.

Liam Scales, Kyogo Furuhashi, Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda, and Adam Idah all got their names on the scoresheet to help the Scottish giants to all three points.

It was their seventh win from seven games in all competitions so far this season, having won all five of their Scottish Premiership matches without conceding a goal, and they are now looking to continue their perfect start by securing a place in the semi-finals.

Brendan Rodgers may look to make a host of changes to the starting XI that swept Slovan aside, however, as Celtic are up against a second tier side, which could provide him with a chance to rotate his team and give players a rest from the hectic schedule.

1 GK – Viljami Sinisalo

There could be a Celtic debut for former Aston Villa goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo in this match. He has yet to play a competitive game for the club since his move in the summer, as Kasper Schmeichel has started every game.

This clash with a Championship side could be the perfect opportunity to hand the young shot-stopper a chance to show what he is capable of between the sticks.

2 RB – Anthony Ralston

The second change to the starting XI could come in the right-back position, with Alistair Johnston given a chance to rest so that Anthony Ralston can get some minutes under his belt.

He came off the bench against Slovan and made two tackles and two blocks, whilst winning all three of his duels, to help his side to see out the game.

3 CB – Cameron Carter-Vickers

Cameron Carter-Vickers is one of the players who could keep his place in the line-up to ensure that Celtic have experience in the spine of the team to help those making their debuts, like Sinisalo.

The USA international has played 122 matches for the Hoops in all competitions and won seven domestic trophies, which shows that he has been there and done it and can help his teammates through the game, if needed.

4 CB – Auston Trusty

Auston Trusty could replace Liam Scales to make his full debut for the Scottish giants, having joined from Sheffield United on a permanent deal on deadline day.

The left-footed titan offers a natural alternative to the Irishman on the left side of the defence and having the experience of Carter-Vickers alongside him on Sunday could help to ease him into his first start for the club.

5 LB – Alex Valle

Alex Valle has been an unused substitute in three matches since his season-long loan move from Spanish giants Barcelona and this cup clash presents Rodgers with an opportunity to hand him a debut.

It would also allow Greg Taylor to have a rest as the Scotland international has started all seven of the club’s games in all competitions this season.

6 CDM – Callum McGregor

For the same reason that Carter-Vickers could keep his place at centre-back, captain Callum McGregor should start in the middle of the park for the Hoops.

The Celtic skipper can use his leadership on the pitch to help out the numerous full debutants during the game, whilst his 471 appearances for the club show that he has the experience to be an ideal role model for his teammates.

7 CM – Reo Hatate

Reo Hatate could retain his place in the starting XI because Luke McCowan is ineligible to play, having featured for his former club in an earlier round.

The former Dundee man was an unused substitute in the win over Slovan but did score off the bench against Hearts last time out in the Premiership, with a left-footed shot from range.

McCowan, who was described as a “game winner” by Marvin Bartley, has scored 13 goals in the Premiership since the start of last season and he will not be able to offer his goal threat in this game, as Hatate may keep his place as a result of his enforced absence.

8 CM – Paulo Bernardo

Paulo Bernardo has been unfortunate to have been dropped to the bench since he created one ‘big chance’ and won 12 of his 18 duels in the 3-0 win over Rangers.

However, summer signing Arne Engels has taken his place and produced two goals, one assist, and two ‘big chances’ created for the Hoops, justifying Rodgers’ decision.

This clash against Championship side Falkirk provides the manager with an opportunity to bring the Portugal U21 international back into the XI, by dropping Engels down to the bench, to stake a claim for a starting spot moving forward.

9 RW – Nicolas Kuhn

Nicolas Kuhn is another player who could retain his position in the team after an impressive start to the campaign on the right flank for Celtic.

The German forward has registered three goals, three assists, and five ‘big chances’ created in seven appearances in all competitions so far.

10 ST – Adam Idah

The seventh change to the starting XI could come in the centre-forward position, with Kyogo Furuhashi left out in order to hand Adam Idah a start.

Kyogo did score, from close range, against Slovan but also missed two ‘big chances’, which means that the forward has scored two goals and spurned nine ‘big chances’ in all competitions so far.

Idah came off the bench and scored from his only shot of the game and should now be offered a chance to show what he can do as a starter for the Hoops.