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Joining the race to welcome a new target, Everton are now reportedly battling to sign an attacking star who recently stole the show against European giants Bayern Munich.

Everton transfer news

The Friedkin era is well and truly underway. David Moyes is back and setting his focus on moving Everton beyond battles to survive and back towards the Premier League’s top half, whilst their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium is on the horizon and has already hosted a test match against Wigan Athletic’s academy side.

Now, when the summer arrives, it’s up to the new owners to match the ambition of a new stadium and that of Moyes by welcoming some key reinforcements at the beginning of a new era.

Of course, the Toffees have already welcomed one reinforcement under Friedkin on that front in the form of Carlos Alcaraz, who has got off to the perfect start in an Everton shirt. Opening his account with the winning goal against Crystal Palace last time out, the Flamengo loanee is doing everything right to turn his move permanent.

He’s not the only talented attacker who could feature in Moyes’ frontline next season, however. According to The Boot Room, Everton are now battling to sign Nicolas Kuhn from Celtic alongside Leeds United and Crystal Palace this summer.

The Celtic star has enjoyed an excellent season and stole the show against Bayern Munich, scoring to put his side back on level terms on aggregate only for Alphonso Davies to break their hearts in the dying embers and seal victory for the German giants.

2400% price rise: Everton must regret selling flop who’s "one of the best"

He’d be one of the best players in David Moyes’ current Everton side.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 21, 2025

Alas, the result shouldn’t take away from the winger’s impressive performance, which should have only increased the interest of Premier League clubs such as Everton ahead of the summer transfer window.

"Quick" Kuhn would be an instant upgrade

Whilst there’s no doubt that Moyes has got Everton finally firing on all cylinders going forward following a fairly blunt spell under Sean Dyche, he could still do with the star power that Kuhn would provide. On the biggest stage, the winger silenced Bayern Munich with Celtic’s equaliser in midweek in a moment that he could replicate in Merseyside next season.

Earning the praise of Brendan Rodgers in what has been a superb season, the Celtic boss told reporters when asked about his 18-goal winger earlier in the campaign: “I just think it’s time, isn’t it? I think we all expect people to adapt straight away, you’d love them to, whether they’re managers, coaches, or supporters.

“You want them to be ready immediately, but he came into the club during a challenging period in January. He had issues around his fitness and health, and everything else.

“He just landed in the middle of that difficult time, and it took him a little while. But he’s had a really good pre-season. He’s always been quick, one of the quickest players you’ll see, but I think now there’s more variety in his game, coming inside and out.”

تحدث حسين الشحات، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، عن مسيرته مع الأحمر وعن التدعيمات الجديدة في صفوف القلعة الحمراء خلال الفترة الأخيرة.

وقال الشحات، عبر قناة أون سبورت:” توقعت مسيرة رائعة مع الأهلي بالطبع، وإلا فلماذا أتيت؟ فأنا جئت من أجل صناعة تاريخ داخل النادي الأهلي، لكن إن لم يكن النادي يرغب في استمراري بعد البطولة، سأرحل”.

وواصل:” لدي عروض من الدوري المصري، لكنني لا أرغب في اتخاذ خطوة قد تُغضب جمهور الأهلي والعروض المحلية أكثر مما أحتاج، وهناك من تحدث معي وقال لي تعال وسنمنحك ما تريد، فأخبرتهم أن لدي عروضًا خارجية، فقالوا تعال وسنمنحك أكثر من العروض الخارجية، لكني رفضت”.

طالع.. حسين الشحات: أستحق أفضل لاعب في إفريقيا.. وسأرحل عن الأهلي للراحة فقط

وأضاف: “هناك أكثر من نادٍ يمنح اللاعبين عقودًا أعلى بكثير من الأهلي، ومع ذلك يظل التركيز الإعلامي والجماهيري على لاعبي الأهلي فقط، رغم أن هناك أندية داخل مصر يحصل لاعبوها على أموال أكثر من لاعبي الأهلي الذين يحققون البطولات”.

وواصل: “هناك لاعبون كثيرون يسعون فقط خلف المال، ولو كنت من هذا النوع، لما عدت إلى مصر، فقد كنت أتقاضى أضعاف ما أتقاضاه الآن عندما كنت في العين الإماراتي وما أحصل عليه في الأهلي لا يُقارن بما كنت أتقاضاه هناك، بل هو أقل من الربع”.

واستمر: “الحمد لله، كنت ألعب في العين برقم كبير، وكانوا يوفرون لي فيلا وسيارة، وتوّجت معهم بالدوري والكأس، وبلغنا نهائي كأس العالم للأندية وجئت إلى الأهلي بعدما كنت أتقاضى “جنيهًا” في الإمارات، وأصبحت أتقاضى ما يعادل “30 قرشًا” في الأهلي، لكن هذا هو قراري”.

واستطرد: “هاني سعيد، المدير الرياضي الحالي لبيراميدز، كان مدير أعمالي، وكان صديقًا لمحمد فضل الذي كان يعمل في الأهلي آنذاك، وتم الاتفاق بينهما على انتقالي إلى الأهلي، وكان لدي عرض خارجي بمبلغ 8 أو 9 ملايين دولار قبل انضمامي إلى الأهلي، لكنني اخترت الأهلي، وقلت لمسؤولي العين أريد الأهلي، ودفع الأهلي مقابلًا ماليًا كبيرًا، لأنني كنت نجمًا كبيرًا وهداف الدوري الإماراتي وقتها”.

وعن زيزو وإمام بن شرقي:”لم أكن أتوقع أن ينضم زيزو إلى الأهلي، لأنه لاعب كبير حقق أرقامًا مميزة مع الزمالك، والجمهور والنادي أضافوا له كثيرًا لذلك كنت أتوقع أن يحترف أولًا لمدة سنتين أو ثلاث، ثم يعود إلى الأهلي، لكن انتقاله المباشر فاجأني، أما إمام عاشور، فتوقعت انضمامه إلى الأهلي بعد عودته من الاحتراف، خاصة بعد الإصابة، وكنت أتمنى له الاستمرار خارجيًا، لكن الإصابة عجّلت بعودته”.

وأكمل: “وبالنسبة لبن شرقي، كنت أعلم منذ فترة أنه سينضم إلى الأهلي والثلاثي زيزو، بن شرقي، وإمام لاعبون كبار ويمثلون إضافة قوية، وصفقة القرن هيزيزو بالتأكيد، لأنه انتقل مباشرة من الزمالك إلى الأهلي، وهذا أمر غير معتاد”.

وأضاف: “تريزيجيه ابن النادي، وهو لاعب كبير جدًا، ويمثل إضافة كبيرة للأهلي. أتمنى له السلامة من الإصابات، فهو دائمًا يترك بصمة سواء مع النادي أو المنتخب”

وعن الخروج من دوري أبطال إفريقيا:” كنا حزينين جدًا بعد الخروج، لأننا كنا نطمح للوصول إلى النهائي السادس على التوالي والتتويج باللقب الثالث تواليًا، وطريقة اللعب هي التي أجبرتنا على التراجع. بعد خروج طاهر وإمام، تغيّرت الخطة، وأصبحنا نلعب بثنائي فقط في الأمام، ما قيّدنا كثيرًا”.

واستطرد: “من وجهة نظري، كانت الطريقة خاطئة. كنت أرى أنه من الأفضل الدفع بمهاجم آخر والاستمرار في الهجوم، خاصة أننا نلعب على ملعبنا ووسط جماهيرنا ولم يكن من السهل تقبّل الخروج من نصف النهائي، لأننا تعودنا أن نلعب النهائي كل عام، والجميع كان يتوقع تأهل الأهلي، لكن ما حدث كان صعبًا”.

وأردف عن المنافسة المحلية:”ستظل المنافسة دائمًا بين الأهلي والزمالك، مع كامل احترامي لبيراميدز المنافسة ستبقى بين القطبين، رغم أن بيراميدز أصبح منافسًا قويًا في السنوات الأخيرة”.

وعن الفارق مع الأندية الأوروبية قال: “بالتأكيد هناك فارق كبير، لكن المشكلة الأساسية في عقلية اللاعب إذا نزلت إلى الملعب وأنت خائف، ستخسر، أما إذا لعبت بثقة، فلن يكون هناك ما تخشاه وأنا لم أشعر بالخوف في أي مباراة كبيرة طوال مسيرتي”.

وأتم: “من الطبيعي أن يصل الأهلي إلى نهائي كأس العالم للأندية، لأن هذا هو النادي الأهلي أي لاعب سيأتي ويلعب مع الأهلي سيشعر بعظمته، ليس كل لاعب يتألق مع فريقه قادر على اللعب في الأهلي، فالأمر ليس سهلًا إطلاقًا”.

The legspinner will make his first first-class appearance since 2019 if selected against Victoria

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Nov-2022

Adam Zampa last played Sheffield Shield when he was with South Australia•Getty Images

Adam Zampa is in line to make his first Sheffield Shield appearance since 2019 and have a chance to push a claim for a spot on the Test tour of India after being named in New South Wales’ squad to face Victoria in Melbourne.Zampa has not played first-class cricket since moving back to New South Wales two years ago but a window has opened up for him to feature in one game before the Shield breaks for the BBL.There is a chance that he will be considered as a left-field option for the Test series in India during February and March, although he will only have the one game to showcase his long-form skills.”My dream is still to play Test cricket,” Zampa told before the third ODI against England in Melbourne last week. “I feel like my game’s evolved over the last few years, it’s just about the workload and seeing how my body will cope. I’d love to throw my hat in the ring [for the India tour].”Zampa’s overall first-class record is modest with 105 wickets at 48.26 from 38 matches, the last of which came for South Australia against Western Australia in late 2019. He made his first-class debut for New South Wales in 2012, taking five wickets in the match against Queensland.Mitchell Swepson has been Australia’s legspinner on their last two overseas tours to Pakistan and Sri Lanka, so far taking 10 wickets at 45.80 in four outings.”It’s rare that Adam is available for Sheffield Shield, given his taxing white ball schedule but he has this week free and has always maintained his desire to play red-ball cricket,” New South Wales’ head of male cricket Michael Klinger said. “For us to be able to bring in a player of his calibre and experience is a welcome one.”Offspinner Todd Murphy and left-armer Ashton Agar, who both played for the Prime Minister’s XI against West Indies in Canberra, are also in the frame. Agar would have played the Tests in Sri Lanka if he had not suffered a side strain

Chelsea are believed to be in current dialogue with an athletic forward’s camp before the summer window, with manager Enzo Maresca and co making plans to sign a new centre-forward ahead of time.

Chelsea's rumoured summer striker targets

BlueCo didn’t think it was possible to acquire a fresh goalscoring option in the January window, which they could potentially regret considering Marc Guiu is out with a long-term injury and Nicolas Jackson is currently minus both his fitness and best form.

Chelsea seal foreign league "record transfer" for striker after announcement

The west Londoners have added another player to their growing pool.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 11, 2025

Jackson is expected to be back for Chelsea’s next game against Brighton in three days, but he was a sore miss for their last clash against the Seagulls as Maresca’s side crashed out of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Brighton (away)

February 14th

Aston Villa (away)

February 22nd

Southampton (home)

February 25th

Leicester City (home)

March 9th

Arsenal (away)

March 16th

Christopher Nkunku is a fantastic option to have in place of Jackson and Guiu if needs be. The Frenchman’s scored an impressive 13 goals and bagged four assists in all competitions, but Nkunku did want to leave Stamford Bridge in January, even agreeing terms over a move to Bayern Munich (Florian Plettenberg).

It could yet be the case again this summer, especially if Chelsea are looking at new strikers.

Of the forwards linked with moves to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are believed to be huge admirers of Alexander Isak, but he will prove to be the most complicated potential striker signing as Newcastle United are feasibly likely to adopt a very firm transfer stance.

Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres is also being considered by Chelsea, according to some reports, amid another extraordinary Primeira Liga campaign for the Swede – where he’s bagged 34 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions.

Ipswich Town star Liam Delap is also a top target for Chelsea heading into the summer, with “significant groundwork” already laid over a potential deal for the 22-year-old according to journalist Simon Phillips.

However, Phillips also writes via his Substack that other options remain on the table, and another striker they’re seriously considering is RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko.

Chelsea actively holding talks with Benjamin Sesko's camp

The Slovenia international is on course to improve his tally from last season, having already scored 15 goals in all competitions this campaign.

Sesko’s deal also includes a £65 million release clause, which appears to be enticing Chelsea behind-the-scenes. Indeed, according to Phillips, Chelsea are actively talking to Sesko’s camp ahead of a potential summer move.

“Source says Chelsea continue to hold talks with Benjamin Sesko’s people and have kept that line open as well,” wrote the reliable journalist.

“And there is still dream interest in Alexander Isak. However, on the latter, our source says that any deal for Isak would be too expensive, and the player is also happy at Newcastle.

“Those are just two striker names mentioned as alternatives to [Liam] Delap, but Chelsea are also talking with other strikers as well as all of the above. Interest remains also in Viktor Gyokeres.”

Sesko, noted for his “extremely quick” burst of pace, would be an exceptional alternative to Delap – but they face stiff competition for the 21-year-old’s services.

MatériaMais Notícias

Jonathan Calleri vem sendo decisivo para o São Paulo nesta temporada. O argentino foi o autor do primeiro gol no empate por 2 a 2 contra o Ceará e só não marcou um hat-trick porque teve dois gols anulados pela arbitragem.

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Calleri, inclusive, é o artilheiro do Campeonato Brasileiro, com oito gols em oito partidas, uma média de um tento por jogo. Além disso, o camisa nove deu a assistência para o gol de Rodrigo Nestor, o segundo do São Paulo na partida.

O jogador marcou nos três últimos jogos que disputou, contra Ceará, Corinthians e Cuiabá. Ao todo, na temporada, ele soma 16 gols em 27 partidas, uma média de 0,59 gols por jogo, basicamente um gol a cada dois jogos.

Essa boa fase fez com que ele atingisse a meta prevista em contrato de minutos em campo, o que obriga o São Paulo a contrata-lo em definitivo. Após a partida, Calleri falou sobre a sua permanência no clube.

-Para mim, ser comprado pelo São Paulo é muito bonito porque, como sempre falo, vivi meu melhor momento como jogador com a camisa do São Paulo. Depois de ficar viajando por 5 ou 6 anos, eu posso falar que vou ficar num lugar. No futebol tudo pode acontecer, eu sempre sonho em jogar na Seleção e algum dia eu quero voltar a jogar na Europa, mas hoje estou muito contente por ficar no São Paulo. Eu sou grato por todo o carinho, estou muito feliz por ficar aqui porque é um time que está em reconstrução, quero fazer grandes coisas no clube, quero ser campeão, seria o melhor para minha carreira, mas se tudo der certo vou ficar por mais tempo – disse o jogador.

One day out of India’s semi-final against England at the Commonwealth Games, head coach Ramesh Powar attributed the chopping and changing of player roles – and team compositions – to the side being an evolving team. In the first three games, India have used all 15 squad members en route to the knockout stage.Jemimah Rodrigues, who returned to the side on the Sri Lanka tour after missing out on the Women’s World Cup, batted at No. 5 throughout the three-T20I series and also in the Commonwealth Games opener against Australia. She then walked out at No. 4 against Pakistan with India on the cusp of the win before slotting to No.3 against Barbados. She made an unbeaten 56 – her first T20I half-century since November 2019 – to help India make the semi-final in a must-win game.”We are an evolving team, and processes and plans will evolve,” Powar said on the eve of the semi-final. “We are not going to set one player at a certain place, and are trying to get the best out of them.”As team management we felt Jemi is ready for this because she’s been playing in England for a while in the Hundred or T20s. So we thought we will take a chance on her and promote her.”Jemimah Rodrigues drives one crisply through cover•Getty Images

Rodrigues played for Yorkshire Diamonds in the Kia Super League in 2019, where she scored 401 runs – only second behind Danni Wyatt’s 466 – including a century and two half-centuries, striking at 149.62. In the inaugural season of the Hundred women’s competition, she finished on 249 runs – only ten shy of the leading run-getter Dane van Niekerk – at a strike rate of 150.90, hitting three half-centuries with a best of 92 not out.”It’s an evolving process and we learn every day,” said Powar. “We don’t get carried away with performances or failures. We try and give them space and if someone is clicking we try and continue with that player.”While India opted for Yastika Bhatia as their primary wicketkeeper in the squad and played her in the first two matches of the Commonwealth Games, Taniya Bhatia replaced in the XI against Barbados, scoring a laborious 6 off 13 balls. Yastika had kept wickets in the last two T20Is of the Sri Lanka series with Taniya not part of the squad.Powar said that Taniya’s inclusion was to have their best wicketkeeper play in crunch situations, where the conditions can be tricky.”When you come to a marquee tournament, you are ready with the players and all 15 are available. It is not a bilateral series where you give a chance to a player to see how she goes about the game,” Powar said. “We want to use whatever we have in our arsenal. We felt Taniya could be a game-changer as far as wicketkeeping is concerned because we have quality bowlers. Taniya has been very good with her keeping in the last so many years and that makes a difference.”A day after sealing their semi-final spot, India, who are not staying in the Games Village, visited the Village to watch other sports and interact with players from other disciplines. They engaged in interactions with the Indian men’s hockey players PR Sreejesh and Manpreet Singh and also watched Murali Sreeshankar win silver in men’s long jump.”It does give us goosebumps,” Powar said about the idea of India winning a medal in cricket. “We were watching long jump of one of our athletes who got us silver. That gave us an impression that the boy was trying very hard.”Our job is to go out there and try as hard as he did. We watched him achieve the silver medal live and will put our best performance forward to win a medal.” A win for India in the semi-final against England will assure them of a medal, while a loss would leave them vying for bronze.

Former Barcelona striker Luis Suarez believes Pedri and Lamine Yamal are the two 'difference makers' under Hansi Flick.

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• Suarez enjoyed successful years at Barca
• Formed fearsome trio with Messi and Neymar
• Believes Pedri and Yamal the best under Flick

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Inter Miami forward knows what it takes to be successful at Barca having linked up with Lionel Messi and Neymar during his time in Spain, and he has given some expert insight on which two players he believes can steer the Blaugrana to success under Hansi Flick after admitting he is a big fan of how the team looks under the German coach.

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  WHAT SUAREZ SAID

  He said in a chat with Davoo Xeneize: "I love today’s Barcelona. The team has a dynamic, a style of football and a level of efficiency that is really impressive. There are two players who are well above average, in my opinion – Pedri and Lamine Yamal. They’re difference-makers."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Individual quality has shone through as Barca chase the La Liga and Champions League titles this term but Suarez believes the entire squad is pulling its weight in the hunt for silverware. He went on to say: "Pedri’s level is incredible, it surprises me how consistent and composed he is. And Lamine… at his age, doing what he’s doing? It’s unreal. You’ve got Raphinha and Lewandowski delivering at crucial moments. But those two – Pedri and Lamine – are something else."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Barca have fallen slightly into the shadow of rivals Real Madrid in recent years but look back to their formidable best with plenty of young talent on the books for years to come. Suarez will be watching from the United States as Flick's men push towards their goals, with their current lead in La Liga three points to Los Blancos.

كشف الإعلامي أحمد شوبير عن تفاصيل جديدة بخصوص أزمة اللاعب أحمد سيد زيزو مع نادي الزمالك، مؤكدًا استمرار التصعيد بين الطرفين خلال الفترة الحالية.

وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الإثنين: “مُنتظر إن زيزو لن يحضر جلسة التحقيق، وكان لم يحضر الجلستين الماضيتين، وسيتم تحديد موعد جلسة ثالثة، والنادي سيرسل للاعب خطابا رسميا بعلم الوصول لكي يحضر”.

وأضاف: “بعد ذلك الأمر سيتم رفعه لاتحاد الكرة، وفي نفس الوقت زيزو يُقدم شكوى في اتحاد الكرة، وللأسف الشديد دخلنا في شكاوى نحن في غنى عنها لو طبقنا الأمور باحتراف سواء من جهة اللاعب أو النادي”.

وواصل شوبير حديثه قائلاً: “النادي من حقه أن يحصل على حقه، واللاعب من وجهة نظره له حق، وكل طرف من حقه أن يبحث عن حقه”.

طالع أيضًا | الزمالك يتعاقد مع شركة تأمين على اللاعبين ضد الإصابات

وفي سياق آخر، تطرق شوبير للحديث عن مستجدات فرع نادي الزمالك الجديد في مدينة 6 أكتوبر، مشيرًا إلى أنه يمثل خطوة مهمة نحو زيادة الموارد المالية للنادي.

وقال: “موضوع الفرع الجديد لنادي الزمالك عمل انتعاشة كبيرة، لأن الزمالك بدأ من الآن تأجير المحلات والمولات والمشاريع الاستثمارية في الفرع الجديد، وسيعملون بقوة لكي يظهر هذا الفرع، وستكون هناك مصادر دخل غير تقليدية، وهناك رجل أعمال، اسم جديد غير الأسماء المعتادة، سيكون له دور كبير في هذا الأمر”.

وتابع: “الزمالك سيعقد مؤتمرًا صحفيًا لكي يُعلن تفاصيل فرع أكتوبر، وهذا ما كنا ننادي به منذ زمن، أنت تمتلك أرضًا ولا تعمل فيها منذ سنوات طويلة، وكنا ننصح ببدء العمل ولكن لم يكن أحد ينصت لنا، لكنه الآن بدأ رسميًا التعاقد مع بنوك وبعض الشركات الكبرى لتأجير مساحات في نادي الزمالك بفرع أكتوبر، لأن الفرع سينفذ بشكل استثماري”.

واختتم شوبير تصريحاته قائلاً: “لا يوجد استاد الزمالك الآن، وأتمنى أن يكون هناك استاد للنادي في الفترة القادمة، لكنه ليس في القريب العاجل إطلاقًا، التركيز الآن منصب على ظهور الفرع الجديد”.

Yet again in the Scottish Premiership, it looks to be Celtic’s title to lose following what has been another imperious start to the campaign, with Brendan Rodgers’ side still unbeaten in the top flight following Wednesday’s win over Aberdeen.

The Dons had been the only side to take points off the Old Firm giants this season, although, at the end of another hard-fought contest, it was the Hoops who claimed the victory at Pittodrie, thus widening their gap at the summit.

Reo Hatate’s late strike – which was beautifully teed up by substitute Greg Taylor – sealed a 1-0 win on the road for the Glasgow outfit, ensuring their lead now rests at seven points with a game in hand on their closest rivals.

Rangers, meanwhile, remain 11 points behind amid what has been a dismal domestic season for Philippe Clement and co.

Despite that healthy advantage, there is no room for complacency for the champions, with Rodgers likely to be somewhat concerned by the displays of a few key individuals, including young Alex Valle.

Alex Valle's game in numbers vs Aberdeen

There’s certainly been a lot to like about the Barcelona loanee since his arrival at Parkhead over the summer, with the 20-year-old full-back already chalking up four assists from just 12 appearances in all competitions.

The former Levante ace was particularly impressive off the bench during the 1-1 draw with Club Brugge a week ago, having teed up Daizen Maeda’s equaliser just minutes after entering the fray.

Now looking like being Celtic’s new loan superstar – in the mould of Jota – the aim will now be for the youngster to achieve consistency under Rodgers’ watch, having been taught something of a lesson on Wednesday night.

Performance in Numbers

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Up against the lively Duk, Valle struggled to assert himself down the left flank, having notably been caught out early on by a lofted ball over the top which allowed his opposite number to get an attempt on goal.

In all, the promising Spaniard won just three of his 11 total duels and lost possession on 16 occasions from just 55 touches, having also failed to complete any of his five dribble attempts, as per Sofascore.

Having also picked up an undoubtedly soft yellow card just after the 30-minute mark, the defender was then replaced at the break, with the arrival of Taylor ultimately paying dividends due to his involvement in Hatate’s decisive effort.

A bad day at the office for Valle then, although he certainly wasn’t alone in failing to deliver for the visitors, with one first-team star having arguably been worse on the day…

Celtic's worst performer vs Aberdeen

The caveat to this is that Kyogo Furuhashi is not a striker who seeks to get involved in the build-up, offering a pure poaching presence, rather than that Harry Kane-like playmaking style.

Kyogo’s record at Celtic by coach
Stat	Ange Postecoglou	Brendan Rodgers
Games	83	69
Starts	71	57
Goals	54	26
Assists	10	8
Yellow cards	6	2
Minutes per goal	100	177
Minutes played	5383	4589
Stats via Transfermarkt

That is all well and good, not least when the Japanese star is finding the back of the net – having scored 80 goals in 151 games for the club to date – yet when the goals aren’t forthcoming, it leaves little to fall back on. Valle may be a young kid learning his trade, yet Furuhashi is an experienced figure who should well be offering much more.

Indeed, the former Vissel Kobe man averages just 13.2 touches per game in the Premiership in 2024/25, having only registered 11 touches at Pittodrie, before being hooked just after the hour mark.

Having been rested for the weekend win over Ross County, the 29-year-old hardly made the most of that well-earned break amid his limp showing against the Dons, having also lost the ball on six occasions, while recording a pass accuracy rate of just 56%.

With the Hoops’ number eight also failing to win a single duel, while not even registering a single attempt on goal, it was a frankly anonymous display in attack, with the introduction of Adam Idah providing a far more effective focal point in the closing stages – as indicated below.

There is now perhaps a real decision to make over who should be Rodgers’ leading marksman moving forward, with Idah having scored eight times across all fronts this season, while Kyogo has just seven strikes to his name.

Equally, there may be a case to be made that the 6 foot 3 Idah represents a better fit for these battling away trips, emulating the role that Giorgos Giakoumakis often used to take on under Ange Postecoglou.

It is encouraging, at least, that Rodgers does have two quality options to choose from, with that depth of firepower set to be needed to maintain this rampant title charge.

159 touches, 100% duels won: Celtic colossus was even better than Hatate

The Celtic titan was the real hero for Brendan Rodgers against Aberdeen.

1

By
Dan Emery

Dec 5, 2024

The NBA All-Star and Atlanta native was seen wearing Five Stripes gear ahead of the Timberwolves’ game against the Charlotte Hornets

• Edwards was seen sporting an Atlanta United jacket
• Atlanta United sit seventh on the Eastern Conference table with three points
• The Five Stripes host New York Red Bulls next in the MLS.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  NBA star Anthony Edwards, known for his explosive performances with the Minnesota Timberwolves, was recently spotted wearing an Atlanta United jacket during a public appearance. The Atlanta native's choice of attire showcased his continued support for his hometown's soccer team, despite his professional commitments in Minnesota. The shooting guard was captured by the Timberwolves' social media team, who posted the photo with the caption "hardly home but always reppin’."

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• WHAT WAS POSTED

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite spending his professional NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minnesota, Anthony Edwards was born and spent his early life in Oakland City, Atlanta. The NBA star also played youth football for the Atlanta Vikings before switching sports, taking up basketball. His choice of attire did draw some ire from local Minnesota United fans though.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT’S NEXT?

  After winning their season opener 3-2 to CF Montreal, Atlanta United lost their second game of the MLS season 2-0 to Charlotte FC and thus sit in seventh place after two games. They are, however, only three points off Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union and now have back-to-back home games against the New York Red Bulls on March 8 and then Inter Miami on March 16.