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Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Manchester City will have given Unai Emery plenty of confidence heading into the festive season, but the Spaniard won’t want his team resting on their laurels.

They face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Boxing Day afternoon, and it will be another tough challenge.

The Magpies have won their previous three games in all competitions, scoring 11 times in the process while conceding just once.

Emery will have to be wary of Alexander Isak, who impressed against Ipswich Town last weekend…

Why Aston Villa need to stop Alexander Isak

The Swedish striker enjoyed himself against the Tractor Boys, scoring a brilliant hat-trick to take his tally to 11 goals for the season.

This was the fourth Premier League game in a row he had found the back of the net and Emery will be hoping his defence can keep the former Real Sociedad striker quiet at St James’ Park this afternoon.

When compared to his positional peers in the top flight this term, Isak ranks in the top 2% for shot-creating actions (3.6), the top 2% for successful take-ons (1.43) and in the top 10% for non-penalty goals (0.75) per 90.

If given time and space, Isak will punish Villa today, no doubt about it. With confidence flowing among the team, however, can Emery unleash his very own version of the Newcastle striker?

Aston Villa's very own Alexander Isak

Ollie Watkins will be desperate to add to his goal tally in the Northeast today and just as Isak is Newcastle’s talisman, Watkins has proven to be the main threat in front of goal for Villa in recent seasons.

Since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, the Englishman has netted 34 goals in all competitions along with providing 18 assists in the process.

Isak vs Watkins in the Premier League this season
Metric	Isak	Watkins
Goals	10	7
Assists	4	3
Total shots per game	3.1	2.6
Big chances created	7	3
Key passes per game	1.6	0.7
Total duels won per game	2.8	2.9

Hailed as a “nightmare” to play against by English defender Conor Coady, Watkins has the potential to cause plenty of chaos to the Newcastle defence this afternoon. That’s a certainty.

Aside from his goal contributions, the centre-forward has created three big chances, averages 0.7 key passes and averages 2.6 shots per game in the top flight.

When compared to his peers in the Premier League this season, Watkins not only ranks in the top 2% for touches in the opposition penalty area (6.97) per 90, but he also ranks in the top 13% for total shots (3.4) and assists (0.24) per 90 in the top flight.

These statistics prove that he is among the finest strikers in the league by these metrics, which will certainly have Eddie Howe worried.

Jhon Duran has certainly stolen some of the limelight of late, but if Watkins is unleashed in the starting XI today, then he could make the supporters forget all about the Colombian’s exploits of late.

Another win would allow Villa to continue their ascent up the Premier League table towards the coveted Champions League spot.

The Toon will be tough to stop, especially Isak, but in Watkins, Emery has his own version of the Swedish sensation.

Aston Villa ready bid for £25m monster who could be a Morgan Rogers repeat

Aston Villa are eyeing a swoop for a Serie A defender…

By
Ross Kilvington

Dec 24, 2024

Mohamed Salah recently said that his prime goal for the 2024/25 campaign is to lift the Premier League trophy for a second time with Liverpool, and that success in the top flight comes before the Champions League.

This speaks of the drive behind Liverpool’s talisman, who is surely angered by several years of whisker-thin misses against the Manchester City juggernaut.

To be sure, the Egypt sensation would take the prized continental title gladly, but given that Arne Slot’s Reds are six points clear of second-placed Arsenal and with a game in hand, there are no excuses. Liverpool have to get the job done.

Salah isn’t the first elite-class forward to dazzle Anfield’s crowd during the 21st century, with the likes of Robbie Fowler (toward the end of his distinguished Reds career) and Fernando Torres providing incredible success to the number nine spot.

However, Luis Suarez would have to be the pick of the bunch, albeit he’s been trumped by the almighty Salah now, as most Liverpool fans would surely agree.

When Liverpool sold Luis Suarez

The 2013/14 season was a thing of beauty for Liverpool. For the most part. It was like a staggering cinematic experience that failed to stick the landing, the denouement leaving a bitter taste as it fell awkwardly flat.

Preceding the days of Jurgen Klopp, the days of trophy-lifting, seat-raising, awe-inspiring successes, Liverpool tried to claim a maiden Premier League title. They failed, but Suarez produced a season-long performance for the ages, posting 31 goals and 13 assists across just 33 appearances.

Hailed as a “legend” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Uruguay icon gave his all and established himself as one of the best players across the continent, but he didn’t want to give it another shot after Man City stole ahead and won the league. His energy was expended.

Barcelona sauntered in and paid £75m for Liverpool’s world-class number nine and he went on to cement himself as one of the best forwards of his generation, winning four La Liga titles and the Champions League with La Blaugrana before moving to Atletico Madrid and claiming the Spanish top-flight trophy once more.

1.

Philippe Coutinho

£142m

2.

Luis Suarez

£75m

3.

Fernando Torres

£50m

4.

Raheem Sterling

£49m

5.

Fabinho

£40m

Barcelona have been partial to Liverpool’s attacking talent, since taking Phil Coutinho into their brood for a record fee, albeit to a wholly different effect. Now, they seek a member of Slot’s frontline, and no, it’s not Salah.

Barcelona eyeing Liverpool forward

As per Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona have retained their long-lasting interest in Luis Diaz and could seek to engineer a transfer this year.

Diaz reportedly earns £55k-per-week at Anfield and has been a topic of discussion for renewal in recent months after Barca’s interest in the summer. However, this has been overshadowed by the outfit’s rumbling contractual concerns.

The Colombia international’s father has previously revealed that it is his son’s dream to play at Camp Nou, so Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes will need to pull all the stops to stave off any mounting interest and keep him on Merseyside over the coming years.

Losing Luis Diaz would be a disaster

Described as a “livewire” by journalist Peter Hall, Diaz ebbed and flowed within Klopp’s system last year but has been in inspired showing this year, already tallying together 12 goals and three assists from 24 matches, 17 starts.

Barcelona cannot be allowed to sign a man who has hit his stride this term, with his role in Slot’s attacking line so important that it might even be a bigger loss than that of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who – like Salah – is out of contract this summer and is being courted by Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold is one of the best playmakers in the world, with pundit Jamie Carragher claiming that “it’s like having Kevin De Bruyne playing at right-back” – such is his quality.

But Diaz’s shock departure this year might strike a blow that Liverpool would be unable to recover from, especially with the forward market looking decidedly thin at the top end right now. It just wouldn’t make sense.

Diaz’s quality within Slot’s system has perhaps been understated this term. With Diogo Jota spending time in the infirmary and Darwin Nunez still unable to find his shooting boots, the Colombian’s dynamism and renewed clinical edge in front of goal have been invaluable to the success across multiple cylinders.

As per FBref, he actually ranks among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League this season for goals scored, the top 5% for pass completion and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90, emphasising his balanced – and deadly – threat.

Slot’s decision to shape him into a makeshift striker bears testament to the coach’s tactical expertise and Diaz’s remarkable ability to adapt and inflict damage through his many-faceted skill set.

Harking back to Trent, Liverpool would lose a significant chunk of their auxiliary creative firepower, but with Diaz out of the picture, big problems would arise, the frontline would be knocked out of kilter and Salah would be forced to carry a burden too heavy even for his deific shoulders.

Left winger

16

5

3

Centre-forward

5

6

0

Right winger

1

1

0

It’s a bold thing to suggest, but losing Diaz might actually be a bigger blow than losing Alexander-Arnold, whose influence is unmatched among Premier League full-backs but, in Conor Bradley, Liverpool have an able deputy already.

The protean and dynamic qualities that the 27-year-old puts on the table speak volumes; would Liverpool actually be able to sign a fitting replacement? An upgrade?

Barcelona aren’t exactly swimming in cash, but FSG will be wary of the growing interest in Diaz’s signature as he continues to go from strength to strength under new management.

One thing’s for certain: he can’t be allowed to leave and probably needs to tie down to a new deal as a matter of priority. After Alexander-Arnold and Salah’s deals are dealt with, naturally.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Barcelona seem to have a deep love for Liverpool’s attacking talents, but Diaz must be convinced that Merseyside is the place for him, and that he need not walk the same path as his South American peer, Suarez, and head to La Liga.

FSG must cash in on Liverpool flop who's earning more than Gakpo & Diaz

This Liverpool star’s days could well be numbered…

ByAngus Sinclair Jan 3, 2025

Arne Slot has organised Liverpool’s talented squad into something capable of titles. Tottenham Hotspur were put to the sword in north London on Sunday and the Reds are now belted into the driving seat with Christmas nigh.

Liverpool’s rise this term has perhaps been reflective of the shift in the managerial mood. Jurgen Klopp was larger than life, infectious in his demeanour and booming laugh. Slot, conversely, is all business.

And Anfield has adhered to that switch, almost as if the persona in the dugout has consumed the club and made subtle changes that are bearing dividends and then some.

Ah, but of course there is that one brooding cloud. Three clouds, more precisely. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are just over a week away from being able to discuss pre-contract deals with clubs overseas.

Liverpool's potential transfer exits

It’s a concerning situation. The three superstars played blinders at Tottenham, have been exceptional all year. All three could leave for free, and though reports have downplayed any mutinous mindsets, the Redmen would be within their rights to entertain suitors in January.

However, as per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Van Dijk, 33, and the 32-year-old Salah have received proposals and talks are progressing positively, albeit at a snail’s pace.

Alexander-Arnold’s future is more nebulous, with Real Madrid bearing a vested interest in Liverpool’s all-powerful right-back. At 26, the Scouser is entering his prime and bringing the facets of his remarkable skillset together to a new degree.

If the vice-captain were to leave on a Bosman in 2025, Liverpool’s adoring fanbase would undoubtedly be incensed, dismayed and dejected. But Los Blancos’ pull is strong and turning them down would be an agonising decision for any top-class player across the globe.

Away from Liverpool’s non-committal superstars, further exit activity could be on the cards at the end of the campaign. Liverpool need to make some signings but FSG are already resigned to losing another core Liverpool member in Caoimhin Kelleher.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Caoimhin Kelleher's Liverpool future

Last week, retired goalkeeper Paul Robinson revealed to Football Insider that Tottenham could look to sign Kelleher at the end of the season, with Fraser Forster’s recent woes making a conclusive comment on the 36-year-old’s Premier League future.

Kelleher has risen to fame as Alisson Becker’s capable understudy over the past few years, but he’s playing out the penultimate year of his contract and will not sign a new deal given his second-fiddle status.

Compounding his situation, in August, Reds sporting director Richard Hughes signed Giorgio Mamardashvili in a deal rising to £29m, with the Euro 2024 sensation scheduled to arrive from Valencia next summer.

In fairness, Kelleher has earned his flowers, covering the injury-prone Alisson with regularity and proving to be an indispensable part of the Liverpool make-up.

But allowing the 26-year-old to foster his qualities further with a divisional rival could be damaging for the Reds, even if FSG are looking to claim about £35m for their homegrown sensation.

Why Liverpool shouldn't sell him to a rival

Kelleher has been immense in recent years, chalking up 61 senior appearances for Liverpool in total, lifting two Carabao Cup trophies and performing with high and layered quality. Van Dijk has even gone as far as to describe the Irishman as “world-class.”

With Alisson missing separate chunks of the current season, Kelleher has notched 13 outings across all competitions, with his 71% save percentage only marginally behind that of his Brazilian peer (72%), as per FBref.

Of course, the real chatter around the shot-stopper’s skills comes from his consistency and ability to perform on the biggest stages, for he was incredible as injury-hit Liverpool kept Chelsea at bay in the Carabao Cup final last term.

Van Dijk’s claim that he’s one of the finest across the globe might feel somewhat hyperbolic but Kelleher has demonstrated over several seasons that he is good enough to start for one of the biggest outfits in Europe.

Liverpool have been pretty accurate in the transfer market but there have been times when players have been sold before their time and have gone on to forge successful Premier League careers elsewhere.

Dominic Solanke, who scored against Liverpool on Sunday, would be one, but perhaps Raheem Sterling would be a more accurate case, for the England international wanted to leave in 2015 and got his wish when pre-Pep Manchester City paid £49m for the prodigious winger’s services.

It was an acrimonious exit but Sterling will hardly look back at the Anfield exit with regret, going on to win hordes of silverware with the Citizens. Of course, he’s not doing so well now.

Sterling was only 21 when he left Merseyside for pastures new but in goalkeeper terms, Kelleher is also only at the end of his early years and has yet to hit the prime of his career.

Surely this serves as a cautionary tale for a Liverpool side that could make good use of Kelleher’s qualities over the coming years. Allison is probably the best goalkeeper in the world but his fitness levels are a problem.

24/25

11

15

23/24

32

18

22/23

47

1

21/22

54

2

20/21

42

9

19/20

37

14

18/19

51

0

17/18

49

1

That, of course, is a major factor behind the deal to sign Mamardashvili, but you can’t help but feel Kelleher might be a little aggrieved after such impressive exploits in recent years. He’s well within his rights to want first-choice football, but it’s a shame that probably won’t be at Liverpool.

After all, Alisson has missed so much football across his distinguished Liverpool career.

FSG are usually prudent and savvy when it comes to the transfer market, but you can’t dispute the negligent undertones of Liverpool’s contractual quandary.

The goalkeeping department presents a different problem: with Mamardashvili arriving to rival Alisson in 2025, Slot’s squad will be stocked for an age.

But might it be that Kelleher should remain put? Last season, Klopp pronounced him as “the best number two in the world.” With Alisson routinely picking up fitness knocks, surely he could have stayed on and continued to build himself up.

Instead, it might be a Premier League rival such as Tottenhamb who pick the fruits of Kelleher’s labours over the coming years.

Slot now has a Liverpool star who's playing like the "Firmino of old"

Liverpool ran out 6-3 winners over Tottenham Hotspur in a seriously captivating contest.

ByKelan Sarson Dec 22, 2024

أعلن مصطفى عبده لاعب الأهلي الأسبق، توقيع أحمد سيد زيزو جناح فريق الكرة بـ الزمالك عقود انضمامه إلى القلعة الحمراء عقب نهاية الموسم الجاري.

وتشهد الفترة الحالية، محاولات من الزمالك لحسم مصير زيزو مع الفريق بالتجديد، من أجل المحافظة على اللاعب خلال الفترة القادمة.

وينتهى عقد أحمد سيد زيزو مع الزمالك بنهاية الموسم الجاري، مما يجعل له الحق في التفاوض مع أي ناد وإتمام الاتفاق معه والانضمام له عقب نهاية عقده الحالي خلال يونيو المقبل.

طالع | الزمالك يوضح تطورات ملف تجديد زيزو ويرد على أنباء توقيعه لنادي آخر

وقال مصطفى عبده في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة ام بي سي مصر2: “زيزو لاعب جيد وهائل، على مسؤوليتي في كلتا الحالتين لو انضم للأهلي أو جدد للزمالك ستكون مشكلة”.

وأكمل: “المشكلة ستكون في غرفة ملابس الناديين بالمبالغ الخيالية التي ستسبب مشكلة في أي نادي من الاثنين، زيزو ووالده هما من خلقا المشكلة”.

واختتم: “على مسؤوليتي زيزو وقع في النادي الأهلي”.

Atleast 25 players are in Bengaluru to establish their baseline fitness levels before the IPL gets underway

Nagraj Gollapudi12-Mar-2022In a move to enhance and maintain peak fitness levels for the two World Cups in the next 20 months, the Indian team management – in coordination with the selectors and the National Cricket Academy – has asked a batch of shortlisted players to undergo a fitness camp in Bengaluru.ESPNcricinfo has learned that at least 25 players are right now at the NCA, currently midway through the camp which started on March 5 and will end on March 14 after which they will head to join their respective IPL teams. All the players will undergo a fitness test before they break out of the camp, but unlike last year when it was mandatory to clear the benchmarks, this time it is to record a baseline mark for every player.Among those who have already started with the camp include Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shardul Thakur, Harshal Patel, Venkatesh Iyer, Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Prithvi Shaw and Umran Malik. Also joining the camp are a set of players who are doing rehabilitation for separate injuries: KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan. Several players, who featured in the league phase of the Ranji Trophy, which got over recently, also joined the camp this week.It is learned the camp was finalised recently by both the Indian team management led by head coach Rahul Dravid and had the backing of both the selection panel as well as NCA, which is headed by former India batter VVS Laxman. Both Dravid and Laxman want the NCA to function more as a high-performance centre and this camp was taking forward the initiative launched last year when a batch of white-ball only players – both contracted and otherwise – underwent fitness tests which were mandatory to be cleared. Players last year had to clear either the yo-yo test or run a 2-kilometre time trial.This year, though, the basis for the camp is to log in the fitness parameters for each player which then can be stored in a central database and can be accessed anytime by the Indian coaching staff including the physio, trainers and strength and conditioning coaches. Creating such a standardised structure, the BCCI believes, will prove vital as India prepare for the T20 World Cup (scheduled in Australia in October-November this year) as well as the ODI World Cup, which will be hosted in India in late 2023.Part of that process would be to establish a baseline fitness level for each individual which will then be monitored and updated frequently. The baseline is established by making a player undergo various fitness drills including performing standing long jump, 2 kilometre time trial, yo-yo test, Dexa body scan (to measure fat percentage and lean muscle mass) as well various other tests.While there are some markers put in place – like the 17:1 level for yo-yo tests and running the 2 kilometre time trial inside 8 minutes 30 seconds – players this time have been encouraged to push themselves if they want to without any pressure. The baseline figure will be recorded once the player takes the test before the leaves the camp. Thereafter the player’s fitness parameters would be measured against this baseline figure and how he is able to maintain under the workload.For example, someone playing in the forthcoming IPL, which will be played between March 26 and May 29, can compare his baseline figure before the tournament and at the end. That will allow the player to understand not just where he is good at in terms of fitness, but also vulnerable areas. It also helps trainers understand where the player is peaking and spot areas of improvement.

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke arrived in West Yorkshire in the summer of 2023 with a proven track record of getting teams out of the Championship.

During his time with Norwich City in Norfolk, the German tactician won the second division title two times in three attempts, with one relegation from the Premier League thrown in amongst that.

He failed to make it three times in four attempts in the 2023/24 campaign with the Whites, however, as his team were beaten 1-0 by Southampton in the play-off final.

Farke will now be hoping to maintain his record of getting a team promoted from the league within at least two seasons by achieving promotion this term, with his team currently sat in the automatic promotion places in second – just behind Sunderland in the table.

His full-backs were key to his success during his time with the Canaries, as Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis were both named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year for the 2018/19 campaign, with the former also making the Team of the Year for the 2020/21 campaign, with Dimi Giannoulis the left-back for Norwich in that season.

Leeds United's impressive full-backs

Farke’s ability to get the most out of his full-backs has been on display again during his time with the Whites so far, helping Archie Gray to earn a £30m move to Tottenham Hotspur after he spent the majority of last season at right-back.

Sam Byram has been a versatile and impressive operator so far this season, winning 72% of his duels across 11 appearances, whilst Jayden Bogle has made 3.2 tackles and interceptions combined per game across 12 outings in the league this term.

Junior Firpo, in particular, has thrived under the German head coach and established himself as a star for Leeds in the left-back position over the past 12 months or so.

Appearances

26

12

Goals

0

1

Big chances created

13

3

Assists

7

3

Key passes per game

1.1

1.7

As you can see in the table above, the former Barcelona man has provided a big creative threat down the left flank, with 16 ‘big chances’ created in 38 appearances.

Firpo had only managed three assists in 43 appearances in the Premier League with Leeds, before he worked with Farke, and this illustrates how much he has improved – offensively – under the German boss.

However, the ex-Norwich boss could have had an even bigger full-back talent at his disposal if Victor Orta and Jesse Marsch had not fumbled Leif Davis at Elland Road.

Leif Davis' Leeds career

In the summer of 2018, Leeds swooped to sign the teenage starlet from Morecambe’s U18s to bolster their own academy, for an undisclosed fee.

Despite coming from an U18 set-up and having no prior experience in first-team football, Davis made his senior breakthrough under Marcelo Bielsa and ended his first year in West Yorkshire with four Championship appearances under his belt.

He then featured three times in the 2019/20 title-winning campaign and played twice in the Premier League the following season, before being sent out on loan to Bournemouth in the summer of 2021.

Appearances

12

Starts

7

Goals

0

Assists

1

Big chances created

1

As you can see in the table above, Davis struggled for game time during his spell with the Cherries and did not make much of an impact in the final third.

However, at the end of that season, the English defender was still only 22 and had plenty of time left to develop and improve with more game time under his belt, as that was his first experience of even semi-regular first-team football.

Unfortunately, though, sporting director Orta and head coach Marsch decided that Davis did not have a long-term future at Elland Road and opted to cash in on him in the summer of 2022.

Ipswich Town swooped in to secure his services for a reported fee of £1m, plus add-ons, and the Whites will surely now look back on that sale with regret, as they fumbled a star who is now similar to Liverpool sensation Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Leif Davis is now similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold

The youngster enjoyed a terrific first season with the Tractor Boys as his return of three goals and 14 assists in 43 games helped them to win promotion out of League One.

It was then down to the left-back to show that he could step up to the Championship and the English whiz certainly did that, with an incredible 2023/24 campaign to help Ipswich finish second in the league and move up to the Premier League.

Davis, who was once hailed as an “animal” by ex-boss Scott Parker, scored two goals and provided a staggering 18 assists, with 2.9 key passes per game, across 43 outings in the division.

The 24-year-old star has now stepped up to the Premier League and his current form has landed him a comparison to Liverpool and England star Alexander-Arnold.

As per FBref, the Reds full-back is one of the most similar players to Davis, based on their respective statistics, in the top-flight this season, alongside the likes of Lucas Digne and Jurrien Timber.

Appearances

10

10

Goals

1

0

Big chances created

7

6

Key passes per game

2.5

2.2

Assists

2

1

As you can see in the table above, the Ipswich star has, impressively, outperformed Alexander-Arnold as an attacking force from a full-back position, whilst playing on the opposite flank.

This is particularly impressive when you consider that the Liverpool ace is tied for the second-most assists by a defender in Premier League history, with 59.

Therefore, Orta and Marsch fumbled Davis back in the summer of 2022 as they sold the defender before he had the chance to play a run of matches at first-team level to prove himself.

Farke has struck gold on undroppable Leeds ace who they didn't want to sign

The Leeds United head coach had to convince the club to take a chance on him.

1 ByDan Emery Nov 4, 2024

Ipswich provided him with his big break and he has gone from strength to strength since his £1m exit from Elland Road, whilst Farke missed out on the opportunity to unearth his own version of Alexander-Arnold, but at left-back.

Ipswich Town have enjoyed a meteoric rise under the guidance of Kieran McKenna over the last couple of years after the Northern Irishman took the club from League One to the Premier League with back-to-back promotions.

However, despite his success at Portman Road, the 38-year-old will face his toughest task yet in management by trying to keep the Tractor Boys in the top flight beyond this season.

This year will live long in the memories of the fanbase, spending their first season in England’s top division for the first time in 22 years.

Meetings with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United will ignite the supporters’ hopes of sustaining their Premier League status and ensuring that they don’t go another two decades without top-flight football.

As a result of their shock rise over the last two seasons, heavy investment was needed during the off-season, which led to the club signing one player with bags of Premier League experience.

Kalvin Phillips’ move to join Ipswich Town

After a failed loan move to West Ham United that saw the midfielder feature just ten times in all competitions, Kalvin Phillips had a huge choice over his next move to help ignite his once-promising career.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a successful spell with Leeds United, featuring 234 times for his boyhood club, before joining Manchester City in a £45m deal during the summer of 2022.

However, the move has been a disaster for the former England international, featuring just 31 times and failing to dislodge Rodri from his starting role in defensive midfield.

As a result, Phillips accepted a proposal to join Ipswich on a season-long loan during the transfer window, with his top-flight experience vital to McKenna’s squad.

The midfielder has made 77 appearances in the competition to date, with his skill set hopefully giving the Tractor Boys that cutting edge in those cagey affairs.

However, they are yet to see the best of the one-time £45m signing, with the 28-year-old only on the pitch for 303 minutes in the league as he looks to regain his full fitness.

Whilst he undoubtedly has the quality to be a monster hit at Portman Road, the club may have been better off pursuing a deal to re-sign a player who’s previously thrived in East Anglia.

The man who Ipswich missed out on this summer

Ipswich’s hunt for new additions took them all over Europe, but they also targeted numerous players close to home, including former Tractor Boy, Flynn Downes.

McKenna’s side made an attempt to sign the 25-year-old after he helped Southampton secure promotion back to the Premier League after their play-off final victory over Leeds United at Wembley.

However, they missed out on a permanent deal to re-sign the midfielder, with Downes securing a £18m move to join Russell Martin’s side – with Ipswich moving onto other targets including Phillips.

How Downes & Phillips compare in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics	Downes	Phillips
Games played	7	4
Pass accuracy	91%	79%
Progressive carries per 90	1.7	0.6
Passes leading to shots per 90	1.9	1.2
Tackles won per 90	1	0.9
Aerials won	70%	33%
Stats via FBref

When delving into the pair’s respective stats from the current campaign, it’s clear that the current Southampton man has outperformed the Ipswich loanee, potentially seeing McKenna’s side regret not pushing harder for his signature.

The “monstrous” Saints star, as described by his current boss, has excelled in possession, achieving a much higher pass completion rate, whilst also averaging more progressive carries per 90.

Out of possession, Downes also has the upper hand, winning more tackles per 90 whilst winning more aerial battles – demonstrating the qualities he would’ve added in regaining the ball for McKenna’s side.

Undoubtedly, Phillips will provide a solid short-term option for the club, but with the long-term also in mind, Downes would’ve certainly been a better addition for the Tractor Boys.

His quality is evident, as demonstrated by his figures this season, potentially handing the East Anglian that added edge in their battle to avoid relegation this season.

Left for £5m: Ipswich hit gold offloading star who's now without a club

Ipswich Town cashed in at the best possible time when this former star left Portman Road.

1

By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 8, 2024

علق كيليان مبابي لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي ريال مدريد الإسباني، على تأهل ناديه السابق باريس سان جيرمان إلى ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وفاز باريس سان جيرمان على ليفربول وتأهل لدور الـ16 من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، في الموسم الأول الذي يخوضه النادي بدون مبابي.

وسُئل كيليان مبابي عن مستوى باريس سان جيرمان، وعما إذا كان أفضل هذا الموسم بعد رحيله.

وأجاب في تصريحات لصحيفة “لو باريزيان” الفرنسية: “هذا ليس شيئًا يقلقني، أنا أشاهد جميع مباريات كرة القدم، وبالطبع من بينهم مباريات باريس سان جيرمان”.

طالع أيضًا | مبابي: لست أفضل من رونالدو وكريستيانو.. والألقاب أهم من الأهداف

وأضاف: “أتمنى لهم التوفيق حقًا، لكنني أركز على ريال مدريد وهدفي هو تحقيق الثلاثية التاريخية، خاصة وأن هذا الأمر لم يحدث من قبل مع النادي”.

وشدد: “أحاول ألا أفكر في أي شيء آخر حتى أكون جاهزًا بنسبة أكثر من 100% مع النادي وتحقيق الألقاب الممكنة هذا الموسم”.

وعند سؤاله عن المشاكل بينه وبين رئيس النادي ناصر الخليفي، قال ضاحكًا: “سأصافحه إذا تلاقينا، لا تتخيلوا أنني سوف أبصق في يدي قبل مصافحته”.

وأكمل: “مواجهة باريس سان جيرمان؟، لقد لعبت في باريس لمدة 7 سنوات وكانت هناك بعض اللحظات الاستثنائية، وممتن لذلك”.

واختتم بالحديث عن النزاع القانوني بينه وبين باريس سان جيرمان، قائلا: “الأمر في أيدي المحامين، سيتم حله قريبًا ولا أشعر بالقلق أبدًا، وليست لدي أي مخاوف بشأن ذلك”.

Johan van Heerden on concerns raised by Eddie Leie over living conditions of younger academy players, all of whom were black

Firdose Moonda18-Oct-2021

Monday’s testimony was based on issues raised by Eddie Leie•Cricket South Africa

The Free State Cricket Union has admitted to providing sub-standard accommodation for academy players, all of whom were black, as recently as 2019, but denied any racial discrimination in the province’s cricketing structures. Speaking at the resumption of Cricket South Africa’s Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) hearings, Free State CEO Johan van Heerden expressed regret with the provisions his union made for up-and-coming players in their system but said the facilities in Bloemfontein remain exemplary for anyone hoping to further their cricketing career.van Heerden was the first responder after a ten-week recess, and will be followed by several others, of all whom will be answering to allegations of discrimination made in the first phase of the hearings between July 5 and August 6. van Heerden specifically addressed issues raised by two-time T20I cap Eddie Leie, who expressed concerns over the living conditions of younger academy players among other things.Leie’s affidavit, submitted to the SJN earlier in the year, contained images of the Mangaung Oval’s old gymnasium, which had been converted into a residence for academy players, at the request of the academy coach. Although not displayed on the SJN’s YouTube channel, the pictures showed basic accommodation which Sandile July – one of ombudsman Dumisa Ntsebeza’s assistants – described as “not even a star, never mind five”, and which van Heerden conceded the union was embarrassed about. “If you look at the photos and if you ask me if I would advertise accommodation like that, absolutely I wouldn’t,” van Heerden said.He explained that the accommodation was developed under former academy coach Dillon du Preez, who currently works with the South Africa women’s team, to assist young players who missed out on financial support via a bursary scheme. “He requested us to assist on a short-term basis players who could not get into the university. They were coming not from Bloemfontein, but most probably from Bethlehem and Kroonstad and places from where they would have travel in for the day and back,” van Heerden said.”When Dillon requested that, we used the old gym at the downstairs western pavilion and revamped it into accommodation. We developed it into three bedrooms with partitioning walls. It was fairly private but not five-star accommodation. It was not as permanent accommodation but solely for a short term.”Obviously the accommodation was not five-star, but they had TVs, they had brand-new beds, it was very neat at the time, when they moved in. Part of the arrangement was that they would have to upkeep it themselves, not upkeep but clean it, as it wouldn’t have been a serviced area. It’s not something I would pride ourselves on. After the kids moved out, we have never used that accommodation any further. Did we ever think it was the best solution? Most probably not. It was made into living accommodation – not that we want to pride ourselves on it.”Related

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Asked if all of the players using the accommodation were black, van Heerden said: “I don’t think there was a white player in there.”In hindsight, van Heerden said it was “a mistake from Free State’s side… but it was never meant in a bad way. It was meant to see how we could get kids to the next level.”When pushed on whether he could understand Leie’s dismay at seeing young black players living in such conditions, van Heerden agreed that Leie had cause to be distressed, albeit that he lived in better accommodation. “If I was a player, I would have felt that way too,” van Heerden said. “Eddie didn’t live there. He had a flat that was rented by the franchise. It wasn’t at the stadium. He was a professional, earning quite a lot of money and he would have been able to pay for his accommodation.”Leie moved to the Free State from Gauteng and also claimed to be unhappy with the way his career went in Bloemfontein, where he hoped he would be able to push for a more permanent place in the national side. According to van Heerden, Bloemfontein remains a place where cricketers, and especially black cricketers, can advance themselves. “We’ve had so many black players coming through who enjoy it, and have improved their cricket to the extent that they can play for the national team. We have a team set-up that I believe is culturally the best in South Africa,” van Heerden said. “I believe that in Bloemfontein the social life is different to any other province or city so if you love to be at the sea, you are going to find it difficult but our facilities are fantastic. The nets are good. If your purpose is to come here and get yourself into the team, this is the place to make it happen.”van Heerden also emphasised that the team culture is healthy. “It’s a family team set-up. We don’t have the bright lights or the sea. It’s a small community, a family-orientated, small set-up with strong disciplines on the field and in fitness. It’s more difficult for younger kids to grow up in Bloemfontein than those in Durban or Johannesburg. There’s not many attractions, but the team will do things like have a together once a month. We are quite a happy family.”

Cricket tours in the time of Covid-19 have made players all too familiar with hotel rooms, but South Africa allrounder Dwaine Pretorius has a slightly longer – and more personal – relationship with a high-end accommodation establishment.”Before the 2019 World Cup, they [his wife and son] joined me at the Westin, and the Westin gave my son a little rhino. Now, he puts that in my bag, and that’s the way I chat to him – through the rhino, which we call Westin,” Pretorius said. “When I’m away, he doesn’t want to speak to me because he starts missing me too much. So I chat to him through the rhino.”Pretorius’ son Hanlu is four years old and isn’t keen on video chats. Instead, he prefers little games of make-believe to keep in touch with his dad. “We use Google Duo, where you can have effects in the video. There’s a little man in a spaceship floating in space, and I’m that guy,” Pretorius says. “We call it, ‘ funny faces [Dad, let’s do the funny faces]’. That is how we keep each other busy.”Related

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Like so many sportspersons, Pretorius has had to find ways to keep himself occupied in quarantine even though he would rather be exploring the country he is in. This is his first trip to Sri Lanka, but he won’t have the chance to see anything other than the hotel and the stadium.”The most disappointing thing is that we can’t go see countries like Sri Lanka. I’ve always wanted to come here,” he says. “We had a security officer at the Champions Trophy who was from Sri Lanka. He said, ‘It’s a beautiful country, you’ve got to come see it.’ Obviously, we can’t do that.”Instead, he is dividing his time between calls back home, switching off and engaging in some off-field hobbies. “You have to try and relax, because you can’t be switched on the whole time. At the moment, I am finding games are the way for me to relax and get away from everything. When I want to be a bit more serious, I read some books and do some business stuff on my laptop,” Pretorius said.”If I am not in the mood for thinking too much and [am] just a bit of a zombie in my room instead of watching a movie, I like playing Call of Duty and WarZone with the guys. That’s also a bit social. My switch-on period is as soon as I go through the [room] door, then I know it’s cricket time.”I don’t want to be thinking too much about cricket outside that. Because you are alone so much, and you’ve got so much time with your own thoughts, you need to make sure the other thoughts you are busy with are completely different to cricket; because when I go to cricket practice, I don’t want my mind to be tired – I want it to be fresh.”More so, because Pretorius has been out of the game for almost six months after he broke a rib against Pakistan and then contracted Covid-19, which ruled him out of the tours to the West Indies and Ireland. “It feels like [I’ve been out for] years and years, but it’s only been a few months,” Pretorius said. “I’m very happy to be back.”In his absence, South Africa used Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo in the seam-bowling allrounder’s role and George Linde as a spin-bowling allrounder. All three enjoyed some success, and thus, South Africa go into the series in Sri Lanka with a problem of plenty. Pretorius almost hinted that the seam bowlers would have to take a back seat, but said he will remain ready and hopeful for the opportunity.”The wicket will be slow. It looks like the outfield will be slow as well, and spin will play a massive role,” he said.And if he ends up spending more time on the sidelines – or in his hotel room – Hanlu and his stuffed toys are on hand to provide some entertainment. “He was at McDonald’s the other day, and he got another soft toy. He put that in my bag as well, and that’s the way I talk to him through the phone,” Pretorius said. “Otherwise, I don’t get his attention – he doesn’t necessarily want to chat to me – because I’m far away, but this is how we’re dealing with it.”