Liverpool scouts think Barca gem could be perfect to control games for Slot

Liverpool scouts are reportedly impressed with the qualities of a 21-year-old La Masia graduate who could be ideal for Arne Slot, according to a new update.

Liverpool transfer news

The futures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah continue to dominate the headlines, with concerns surrounding any of the three moving on at the end of this season when their current contracts expire.

In terms of finding potential replacements for the trio, Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo has been linked with a move to Liverpool as a successor to Salah, with a summer switch looking more likely than in the January transfer window.

Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo

Similarly, Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo has also reportedly been scouted by the Reds, with the 24-year-old enjoying an excellent weekend, scoring in the Cherries’ 2-1 win at home to Manchester City in the league. He netted away to Liverpool last season, and had a goal disallowed at Anfield earlier this term, so the Merseysiders know all about his qualities.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has been backed to seal a move to Liverpool during the January window, should the reigning Champions League holders be willing to move him on.

Liverpool scouts like 21-year-old Barcelona star

According to a new report from Caught Offside, Liverpool are “closely monitoring” Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, but are far from alone in expressing an interest in signing him, with Manchester United and Newcastle United also mentioned.

The update goes on to state that “clubs have received positive feedback” on the Spanish ace, with “scouts noting his vision on the ball and ability to control a game from midfield despite his relative youth and inexperience at the very highest level”, which will appeal to Slot, given the level of control he wants from his Reds team.

Casado looks like another fantastic La Masia youth product from Barcelona, making himself a key member of Hansi Flick’s table-topping side this season.

The defensive midfielder has started eight La Liga games in total, completing 91.2% of his passes in the competition, showing the level of control he can bring in the middle of the park. He has also averaged two tackles per game, highlighting his dogged off-the-ball work, while teammate Inigo Martinez has said of him: “Wow, what he brings to the team. I think he is showing the qualities, what he can give and another player coming out of the youth academy.”

Marc Casado’s La Liga stats this season

Total

Appearances

10

Starts

8

Minutes played

683

Goals

0

Assists

3

Pass completion rate

91.2%

Tackles per game

2.0

Barca may be reluctant to sell such a big young talent, but if Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes were able to work their magic and bring Casado to Anfield, he could be an ideal alternative to Martin Zubimendi, giving Liverpool a more defence-minded option than the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.

ديربي الهلال والنصر.. صراع القمة بين التاريخ والقيمة السوقية

تتجه أنظار عشاق كرة القدم السعودية والعربية نحو قمة كروية مرتقبة، حيث يستضيف الهلال نظيره النصر، غدًا الجمعة، على ملعب “المملكة أرينا”، ضمن منافسات الجولة الـ26 من دوري روشن السعودي.

ويدخل الهلال المواجهة وهو يحتل المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب المسابقة برصيد 57 نقطة، بفارق 4 نقاط عن الاتحاد المتصدر، مما يجعله في حاجة ماسة لتحقيق الفوز للحفاظ على حظوظه في المنافسة على اللقب.

وعلى الجانب الآخر، يحتل النصر المركز الثالث برصيد 51 نقطة، متساويًا في النقاط مع القادسية الذي يحتل المركز الرابع بفارق الأهداف فقط. القيمة السوقية.. الهلال يتفوق

تبلغ القيمة السوقية لفريق الهلال 180 مليون يورو، وفقًا لمنصة “ترانسفير ماركت”، في حين تبلغ القيمة السوقية لفريق النصر 175.68 مليون يورو، مما يجعل المواجهة متكافئة اقتصاديًا، حيث يملك كلا الفريقين مجموعة من النجوم العالميين في صفوفهما. 

ويعد الكولومبي جون دوران، مهاجم النصر الشاب، أغلى لاعب في الديربي، إذ تبلغ قيمته السوقية 40 مليون يورو، وهو الذي انضم إلى صفوف النصر في فترة الانتقالات الشتوية الماضية قادمًا من أستون فيلا الإنجليزي. ومنذ وصوله، شارك في 9 مباريات سجل خلالها 7 أهداف، مما يجعله أحد أبرز العناصر المنتظرة في المباراة.

مدرب الهلال يستقر على بديل كانسيلو في ديربي الرياض أمام النصر

أما في الهلال، فيتصدر البرتغالي روبن نيفيز قائمة الأغلى قيمة سوقية داخل فريقه، حيث تبلغ قيمته 28 مليون يورو، يليه المهاجم الصربي ألكسندر ميتروفيتش بقيمة 25 مليون يورو بالتساوي مع زميله البرازيلي مالكوم، ثم يأتي الصربي سيرجي ميلينكوفيتش-سافيتش بقيمة سوقية تبلغ 20 مليون يورو.

أما في النصر، فيلي دوران من حيث القيمة السوقية الفرنسي محمد سيماكان (28 مليون يورو)، ثم يأتي الإسباني إيمريك لابورت والبرتغالي أوتافيو بقيمة 18 مليون يورو لكل منهما. التاريخ يبتسم للهلال

لطالما كان ديربي الرياض بين الهلال والنصر مليئًا بالإثارة والمنافسة الشرسة، لكن الأرقام تؤكد تفوق “الزعيم” تاريخيًا. حيث تقابل الفريقان في 81 مواجهة ضمن منافسات الدوري السعودي، فاز الهلال في 41 مباراة، مقابل 20 انتصارًا للنصر، فيما انتهت 20 مواجهة بالتعادل. 

من حيث الأهداف، سجل لاعبو الهلال 144 هدفًا، بينما أحرز النصر 98 هدفًا، مما يعكس التفوق الهجومي الأزرق عبر التاريخ. وعلى مستوى اللاعبين، يتصدر محمد السهلاوي قائمة هدافي الديربي التاريخيين برصيد 15 هدفًا، يليه سالم الدوسري لاعب الهلال بـ11 هدفًا. 

تكتسب هذه المباراة أهمية مضاعفة كونها تأتي في مرحلة حاسمة من الموسم، حيث يسعى الهلال للحفاظ على آماله في المنافسة على اللقب، بينما يأمل النصر في تعزيز موقعه بالمربع الذهبي، وربما استعادة نغمة المنافسة على القمة في حال تحقيق الفوز.

وبين تفوق الهلال في التاريخ وقوة النصر الهجومية، يبقى ديربي الرياض أحد أقوى وأشهر المواجهات في الكرة السعودية، حيث يتوقف الزمن عندما يلتقي الفريقان، في مباراة لا تعترف بالتوقعات، بل تحسمها تفاصيل صغيرة داخل المستطيل الأخضر.

Shahrukh Khan, Sai Kishore part of India's stand-bys for West Indies T20Is

The pair has played a key role in Tamil Nadu’s emergence as a white-ball force

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jan-2022

Shahrukh Khan swats one on the leg side•NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Tamil Nadu duo of Shahrukh Khan and R Sai Kishore have been drafted into India’s squad as stand-bys for the three T20Is in Kolkata between February 16-20. Both players will therefore be unavailable for the early parts of the Ranji Trophy that the BCCI is set to announce soon.Over the past three seasons, both players have played key roles in Tamil Nadu’s emergence as a white-ball force. Shahrukh has been the side’s designated finisher, while Sai Kishore has been the side’s go-to bowler in the Powerplays and death overs with his left-arm spin.Related

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Both players played a significant part in Tamil Nadu defending their T20 crown last November when they beat Karnataka in a thriller. Sai Kishore set the game up with his three-wicket haul – including two big strikes in the Powerplay – to restrict a powerful line-up.Then with the trophy on the line, both players combined to deliver the finishing touches with the bat. Shahrukh hit an unbeaten 15-ball 33, including a last-ball six over deep square leg, to bring home the title.Sai Kishore finished the T20 tournament with 10 wickets in eight games at an economy of 6.06. This came on the back of two path-breaking seasons prior to that. In the 2019-20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, his economy of 4.63 was the best among bowlers who delivered at least 20 overs, while in 2020-21, he had an economy of 4.82, the second-best with the same cut-off.These strong performances earned him a place in India’s T20 squad as a reserve in a second-string national squad that toured Sri Lanka last July.Both players are expected to be among prominent uncapped signings at the IPL auction on February 12-13.Shahrukh, signed by Punjab Kings for INR 5.25 crore ahead of IPL 2021, was released after just one season. Sai Kishore is yet to make his IPL debut although he has been part of the Chennai Super Kings set-up since 2019.

Chelsea big admirers of 22 y/o "complete player" who’s amazing at dribbling

Chelsea are now big admirers of a “complete player”, having watched him closely this season, according to a report.

Chelsea transfer news

The Blues have become known for their activity in the transfer market since the arrival of Todd Boehly, however, there are now signs those days could be coming to an end. Journalist Guillem Balague reports that Enzo Maresca wants two players for every position, and with that now in place, the head coach does not envisage signing more than two or three players in each transfer window.

Balague also states that Maresca is allowed to sign any player he wants, as long as they are under the age of 24 and willing to commit to the long-term project at Stamford Bridge.

As such, we continue to see reports linking Chelsea with a number of young players, including Sporting CP starlet Geovany Quenda, who has a whole host of admirers in the Premier League.

The Blues have also made an approach to sign fellow Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, indicating that Maresca is still keen to bolster his defensive options, and a new report has now detailed another option in mind.

According to The Boot Room, the west London club are big admirers of Gent left-back Archie Brown and have continued to watch him this season, with the Englishman also capable of playing at centre-back and left midfield.

Interest in Brown is said to be growing, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Brentford and Fulham all watching him closely this season. As such, there could be a huge battle for the 22-year-old’s signature, but current employers Gent could be in a strong negotiating position, given that his contract is not set to expire until the summer of 2027.

Chelsea now battling Real Madrid to sign "excellent" Fernandez replacement

He’s impressed in Italy.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 10, 2024 Chelsea's left-back options

Marc Cucurella remains Maresca’s first-choice option at left-back, starting the majority of games there this season, however, Maresca has also deployed captain Reece James in that area on occasion.

Ben Chilwell is also available but could leave Chelsea in January. The Blues appear to have a plethora of options, although both Chilwell and James have had their fair share of injuries over the past few years. As such, it may be wise for Maresca to bring in an additional reinforcement at left-back, and Brown could fit the bill, given that he is at the right age to be a part of the long-term Chelsea project, and he has impressed considerably with Gent.

Archie Brown

Maresca is known for his attacking style of play, so it is important that his full-backs are capable of being a threat higher up the pitch, and the Gent star clearly is, given that he ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive dribbling carries per 90 over the past year.

Not only that, but the Englishman’s all-round game is clearly impressive too, given that Gent’s former head of recruitment, Samuel Cardenas, described him as a “complete player” and a “solid defender”. With that in mind, Brown could be a shrewd signing for Chelsea this January.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman returns to Middlesex for 2022 Blast stint

Afghanistan spinner back at Lord’s for fourth consecutive T20 campaign

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Feb-2022Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the Afghanistan spinner, has re-signed for Middlesex to appear in this year’s Vitality Blast.Mujeeb, a regular in franchise leagues around the world, will be turning out for the London club for his fourth consecutive season. He is expected to be available for the Blast’s entire group stage, as well as the knockouts, should Middlesex qualify.Related

Neesham signs for Northamptonshire for Blast campaign

“I am very pleased to be returning to Middlesex, as the club is like family to me,” he said. “I’m very happy there and hopefully we can do well this season.”Middlesex finished second from bottom in their 2021 Blast campaign, and after a difficult season across all formats parted company with head coach, Stuart Law. They have since appointed Alan Coleman as head of men’s performance, and former England seamer Richard Johnson as first-team coach.Success in the T20 format has been fleeting for Middlesex, with just two quarter-final appearances since they won the old Twenty20 Cup in 2008. They last reached the knockout stages in 2019, Mujeeb’s first season at the club.Middlesex have already recruited Peter Handscomb, the Australian batter who captains the side in first-class cricket, and Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi as overseas players for 2022.”We are delighted once again to be able to extend Mujeeb’s association with Middlesex Cricket,” Coleman said. “Not only is he a truly world-class cricketer, but he is a fantastic role model and inspiration for many young people in London and around the world.”As an individual he offers a huge amount in our changing room, having played T20 cricket successfully across the globe in the world’s largest competitions. The knowledge and experience he shares with our young players is invaluable and they absolutely love working with him.”Under our newly appointed first-team coach, Richard Johnson, we are really looking forward to making big progress in all competitions this year, and to have someone of the calibre of Mujeeb in our squad at the forefront of our T20 ambitions again is a really exciting prospect.”We can’t wait to see him back in a Middlesex shirt this summer.”

Amorim green lights Man Utd move to bring £25m ace back to Old Trafford

As Manchester United shift their focus towards their new manager’s first batch of reinforcements, Ruben Amorim has reportedly approved the potential return of a £25m player in 2025.

Man Utd transfer news

There’s work to be done at Old Trafford, as Amorim may see for himself against Ipswich Town this weekend. The Red Devils are struggling in the Premier League’s bottom half and looked devoid of confidence under Erik ten Hag before Ruud van Nistelrooy at least restored some confidence in a short interim spell. Now, as the new manager looks to make his mark, the Ipswich game has become all the more interesting.

Whether it’s the beginning of another false dawn or finally the appointment that breaks the trend and replaces Sir Alex Ferguson at least remains to be seen, but INEOS certainly seem ready to back Amorim.

Recent rumours have already linked the Manchester club to the likes of Lautaro Martinez as of late and now reports suggest that they could chase the signature of an impressive midfielder.

Inter Milan'sLautaroMartinezcelebrates scoring their second goal

According to The Sun, Amorim has given the green light for Manchester United to sign Angel Gomes from Lille. The former Sporting Club boss is reportedly a long-term admirer of the £25m-rated ace and now wants to bring the midfielder back to Old Trafford four years on from his initial departure.

Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox believe Gomes can be a crucial part of new boss Amorim’s masterplan and he is actually set to be out of contract at the end of the season.

Ten Hag's Man Utd flop is now outscoring Zirkzee & Hojlund after leaving

The former Manchester United player has recaptured his form away from Old Trafford.

1 ByEthan Lamb Nov 22, 2024

The 24-year-old has stolen the headlines in recent months, having been handed his England debut by Lee Carsley and impressed whilst doing so. Now, as Manchester United look to replace Casemiro and hand both Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo their missing link in midfield, Gomes could be an ideal arrival.

"Intelligent" Gomes can earn Man Utd redemption

Whilst things didn’t work out in a more advanced role at Manchester United, Gomes has since discovered his best form in an unexpected deeper role, so much so that he may just get a second chance at Old Trafford. It must be said that Carrington would deserve a fair bit of praise if Amorim was able to form a midfield which includes not one but two academy graduates in Mainoo and Gomes, who could form quite the partnership.

Progressive Carries

13

5

Progressive Passes

35

24

Tackles Won

4

13

Ball Recoveries

15

33

Where Gomes’ best work has come on the ball throughout the current campaign, Mainoo’s has come away from possession in what would undoubtedly help to compliment his fellow academy graduate.

It’s no surprise that the Manchester United target has earned plenty of praise in France, including from former Lille manager Paulo Fonseca who told BBC Sport via Get Football News France: “Angel is maybe the most intelligent player I have in my team. He understands faster than the others everything about the game; he loves the game. He loves to learn and he is a player with big skills, big technique.”

Zimbabwe eyeing consecutive ODI series wins in Sri Lanka

Big picture

On Tuesday, two significant weaknesses in Sri Lanka’s XI were exposed. On flat tracks, even with Dushmantha Chameera in the side, the bowling attack lacked for penetration through the early and middle overs, with only legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay claiming wickets in the first 35. Then, while chasing 303, the top order’s fragilities were laid bare. Against testing but hardly unplayable bowling, Sri Lanka were 31 for 3 inside eight overs, and 63 for 4 inside 15. Although captain Dasun Shanaka’s maiden international hundred kept Sri Lanka in the hunt, you don’t come out on top of many chases with the kind of start they had.Their strategy has come under serious review with that loss; perhaps they are a batter short. With Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka capable of contributing overs, could they perhaps push Chamika Karunaratne down to No. 8? And it is possible they did not use their better bowlers enough. Vandersay had one over unbowled; Karunaratne, who had taken a wicket and gone at only four an over, delivered only six of his possible ten.Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be thrilled at their own bowlers’ performances. Blessing Muzarabani was the standout on Tuesday, as he, Tendai Chatara and Richard Ngarava produced arguably the defining period of the game – the early overs of Sri Lanka’s innings. In fact, such was the dominance of those three quicks, and the control of left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza, that Zimbabwe didn’t even need Sikandar Raza to bowl his offspin at any stage. The attack also held its nerve when the match seemed headed for a tight finish.A victory in the final match would give Zimbabwe their first series win of this inaugural Super League cycle after also tying a series against Ireland. And it would be the second successive ODI series they would have won in Sri Lanka, having done the same back in 2017, which amounts to serious bragging rights.

Big picture

Sri Lanka LWWLW (Last five completed matches; most recent first)
Zimbabwe WLLWLDasun Shanaka’s maiden ODI hundred was his first excellent innings since taking over as white-ball captain•AFP/Getty Images

In the spotlight

In the four years that Blessing Muzarabani has played ODIs for Zimbabwe, he has had a substantial impact. Away from home, his numbers are excellent: 25 wickets from 16 matches at an average of 27.32. And what is more, since late 2020, he is on a pretty serious run of form despite the infrequency with which Zimbabwe play. In his last nine ODIs, he has gone wicketless only once. Tall, sharp and accurate, he will likely be a menace again come Friday.While Dasun Shanaka did not have the best night as captain, perhaps mismanaging his bowling resources, he will at least be pleased that he produced his first excellent innings since taking over as Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain last year. His form had been a concern right through the last few months, and was perhaps the greatest sticking point in his captaincy so far. Another good innings will help shore up his leadership.

Pitch and conditions

Another flat surface is expected in Pallekele. The weather is not forecast to interrupt.

Team news

Offspinning allrounder Ramesh Mendis is likely to come into Sri Lanka’s XI in order to target Craig Ervine and Sean Williams, the two left-handers in Zimbabwe’s middle order, as well as to bolster the hosts’ batting. Maheesh Theekshana, who has been economical without being a major wicket-taking threat, is likeliest to make way.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kamindu Mendis, 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Chamika Karunaratne, 8 Ramesh Mendis, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Jeffrey Vandersay, 11 Nuwan PradeepZimbabwe were unchanged in the second ODI, and will probably see no need to switch things up for this game too.Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Regis Chakabva (wk), 2 Takudzwanashe Kaitano, 3 Craig Ervine (capt), 4 Wesley Madhevere, 5 Sean Williams, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Ryan Burl, 8 Wellington Masakadza, 9 Blessing Muzarabani, 10 Tendai Chatara, 11 Richard Ngarava

Stats and trivia

  • Zimbabwe have now won four of their last seven ODIs in Sri Lanka. Before 2017, they had never won a match on the island.
  • In 12 innings in 2020, Shanaka averaged 22.45 with a strike rate of 71. But thanks to Tuesday’s knock, he averages 112 and strikes at 106 across two innings so far this year.
  • Despite their modest overall ODI record, Sri Lanka have won three of their last four bilateral ODI series at home, defeating Bangladesh, West Indies and South Africa since 2019.

Sem um centroavante, gols do Palmeiras em 2022 foram marcados por nove jogadores diferentes

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras marcou 15 gols neste início de temporada, sendo que dez foram no Campeonato Paulista. Sem um centroavante de origem, nove jogadores diferentes balançaram as redes pelo Verdão até o momento.

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Com quatro tentos, Raphael Veiga se destaca na artilharia da equipe. O meio-campista marcou duas vezes no Mundial de Clubes, sendo elas contra o Al-Ahly, na semifinal, e contra o Chelsea, de pênalti, na decisão do título.

Já nos últimos dois jogos do Verdão, na vitória por 1 a 0 diante do Santo André no Paulistão e no empate em 2 a 2 com Athletico-PR na final da Recopa, o camisa 23 converteu mais duas cobranças e segue com 100% de aproveitamento na marca da cal.

GALERIA

>Neto fala da mãe de Abel Ferreira e Palmeiras repudia; entenda o caso

>Relembre todos os 18 gols de pênalti de Raphael Veiga pelo Palmeiras

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Atrás dele vem o ídolo Dudu, que soma três gols marcados até então. O atacante balançou as redes logo na estreia da equipe no estadual, contra o Novorizontino. Depois, aumentou a contagem ao marcar contra o Água Santa e também sobre o Al-Ahly.

Murilo fecha o trio que anotou mais de uma vez pelo Palmeiras na temporada. Com dois tentos, ambos no Paulistão diante de Ponte Preta e Ferroviária, o zagueiro tenta justificar a titularidade ajudando o time também no quesito ofensivo.

TABELA

> Clique e simule os resultados do Paulistão 2022!

No campeonato estadual, os demais jogadores que balançaram as redes foram Luan, Rony, Breno Lopes, Zé Rafael e Wesley. Já na final da Recopa Sul-Americana, o meia Jailson marcou seu primeiro gol com a camisa alviverde.

Confira todos os artilheiros do Palmeiras na atual temporada:

1 – Raphael Veiga: quatro gols (Al-Ahly, Chelsea, Santo André e Athletico-PR)
2 – Dudu: três gols (Al-Ahly, Novorizontino e Água Santa)
3 – Murilo: dois gols (Ponte Preta e Ferroviária)
4 – Breno Lopes: um gol (Ferroviária)
5 – Luan: um gol (Ponte Preta)
6 – Rony: um gol (Ponte Preta)
7 – Wesley: um gol (São Bernardo)
8 – Zé Rafael: um gol (Novorizontino)
9 – Jailson: um gol (Athletico-PR)

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He’d get Martinelli firing: Arsenal must hand "unplayable" gem 1st PL start

With the final international break of the year now out of the way, Arsenal can get their Premier League campaign back underway.

However, with no wins in their last four games and a nine-point gap to current leaders Liverpool, things aren’t exactly going to plan for Mikel Arteta.

Moreover, the Spaniard has had to deal with an avalanche of injuries over the last few months, and while several players are now back, some are not, such as Ben White.

So, with a home game against Nottingham Forest to come this afternoon, the manager will have to make some changes to the lineup, although by handing someone their first league start, he could solve the White issue and potentially get Gabriel Martinelli firing again.

Gabriel Martinelli's season so far

It’s been a rough year and a half for Martinelli, as following the conclusion of the 22/23 season, in which he racked up a sensational haul of 21 goal involvements in 46 appearances, there was an expectation that he’d do just as well last year.

Unfortunately, that was not the case, and by the end of the campaign, he could only muster up eight goals and five assists in 44 games, meaning his average dropped from a goal involvement every 2.19 games to every 3.38 games, respectively.

Worse yet, the former Ituano gem started this season in much the same way, providing just a single assist in his first five league games.

Martinelli’s Arsenal record

Appearances

191

Goals

44

Assists

27

Goal Involvements per Match

0.37

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Fortunately, things have gotten a little better since, as he now has three goals and three assists to his name, but it’s clear that he’s still struggling somewhat, and the answer to solving that for this afternoon’s game could also provide the solution to the White problem.

The Arsenal gem who could get Martinelli firing again

So, let’s cut straight to the point: the player Arteta should hand his first Premier League start this afternoon is Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Now, there is a chance that the manager could go with Riccardo Calafiori, as in his pre-match press conference yesterday afternoon, he confirmed that the Italian has now trained with the first team, but given his injury history, it would seem unwise to rush him back into the lineup.

Moreover, in his short cameos so far, Lewis-Skelly has shown himself to be more than capable of handling big games and dealing with the same responsibility as any other first-teamer.

For example, he came on against Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City while starting in the League Cup clash against Bolton Wanderers as well.

In fact, it was his performance in that game that suggested he’d be able to get more out of Martinelli, as in the lead-up to Ethan Nwaneri’s first goal, he played a sublime ball from the middle of the park right into Raheem Sterling’s feet that made the whole thing possible.

It’s this incredible ability with the ball at his feet, and the fact he’s naturally left-footed that could help create more chances for the Brazilian, and more chances for him could be what he needs to increase his goal tally and confidence in front of goal.

Moreover, by starting the “unplayable” Hale Ender, as dubbed by Jack Wilshere, on the left, Arteta can then start Jurrien Timber in place of White on the right, where he has looked substantially better and can hopefully have more of an impact on proceedings.

Ultimately, while Lewis-Skelly is still incredibly raw and probably shouldn’t be asked to start too many games, this afternoon’s encounter seems like the perfect opportunity to hand him that first start.

After all, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

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The talented international is no longer needed at Arsenal.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 22, 2024

USMNT's Gio Reyna leaves Jorge Mendes, signs with ROOF agency as future remains uncertain

Ahead of a potential summer transfer away from Borussia Dortmund, Reyna has signed with a new agency

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Gio Reyna switches to ROOF agencyAmerican ends relationship with Jorge MendesMidfielder being touted for summer transfer away from BVBFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

U.S. men's national team midfielder Gio Reyna has signed with ROOF agency, ending his relationship with Jorge Mendes and his agency Polaris Sports.

Reyna signed with Mendes in January 2024 ahead of his loan move to Nottingham Forest, ending his time with Wasserman then. Now, though, he's onto his third agent in less than 15 months.

Mendes rose to fame as the former agent of Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Real Madrid.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Reyna's move to Forest which was secured through Mendes was nothing short of a disaster as he averaged fewer minutes in England than he had in Germany that season. The Premier League side and Mendes also had a prior relationship through multiple transfers, which led to questions surrounding if it was a good fit for the American or just another opportunity for Mendes to secure a deal with the club.

Since, he's managed just three starts in 14 appearances across the Bundesliga in 2024-25, and two starts across six appearances in the UEFA Champions League.

Now, with a new agent, questions will continue about the midfielder's future.

DID YOU KNOW?

ROOF agency also rosters fellow U.S. international Malik Tillman, along with Arsenal star Kai Havertz and Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk.

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BVBWHAT NEXT FOR REYNA?

The are in action Wednesday afternoon in the UEFA Champions League against Lille. Reyna and Co. are heading into Leg 2 with the Ligue 1 side tied 1-1 via aggregate – with the winner of Tuesday's affair advancing to the quarterfinals of the competition.

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