Tom Bevan's maiden hundred stops Hampshire in their tracks

Glamorgan produced a huge upset, easing themselves to a shock victory over Hampshire thanks to a brutal maiden first-class century from 22-year-old Tom Bevan that eased the reigning Royal London One-Day Cup champions to a seven-wicket victory over Group B leaders Hampshire at The Gnoll, Neath.Bevan reached his century off 88 balls and smashed eight sixes on his way to 134 as he guided Glamorgan to their 229-run target. “I’ve been involved with the club for a long time and it’s a very special feeling,” he said. “I went away to University at Cardiff Met, which was a massive step for me. I went to Cape Town after that and I have always been happy just to be playing and taking all the opportunities that come my way. My dad has been a massive help for me: even when I’ve not been scoring runs, he’s always willing to throw balls for me.”Having put into bat, Hampshire were on the back foot from the start and struggled to set up a defendable target, limping to 228 for 9 despite a knock of 93 from skipper and opener Nick Gubbins. While he hung around before being the seventh wicket to fall, Hampshire lost five wickets before they reached three figures.His sixth wicket partnership with Ian Holland (63*) put on 72, but that was the best Hampshire had to offer. They then looked shell shocked in the field during Bevan’s onslaught.As their bowlers struggled to find their lengths they were duly taken down by Cardiff-born Bevan and Colin Ingram. They put on 203 for the second wicket to turn the run chase into a stroll as Glamorgan won with 110 balls remaining.Related

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Glamorgan took control early on, after winning the toss and sending Hampshire in to bat. Hampshire found themselves in a bit of trouble at 99 for 5. Only Gubbins looked to get the better of the conditions as the visitors struggled on a tricky pitch.After a quiet period between overs 20 and 30, with only 29 runs scored, Hampshire started to rebuild their innings and began to up the rate, playing with a lot more positive intent. Gubbins looked at his fluent best, playing some stylish shots, before reaching his half century from 72 balls.The Hampshire opener continued to find runs at a healthy rate throughout his innings, on his way to 93, but fell soon after, taking on Carlson’s off break with a lofted shot straight to Billy Root on the boundary.Hampshire continued to attack, upping the rate in the final 10 overs. Ian Holland, fresh off international duty, got to his half century off 52 balls. Glamorgan’s bowling and fielding had lost all its shape in the later stages and Hampshire got to 228 for 8.Hampshire had all the momentum heading into the innings break but they struggled to put Glamorgan under any real pressure, defending an under-par score.Despite the loss of Chris Cooke for nought early on, Glamorgan never really looked in trouble with Bevan smashing the ball all around the ground. The combination of Bevan and Ingram racked up that double century partnership.Bevan was eventually out for a magnificent 134, not before essentially winning the game for Glamorgan. Billy Root joined Ingram at the crease and the pair eased the home side to a shock victory over a very strong Hampshire side.

Leeds admire "outstanding" Farke favourite who’d be perfect for Struijk

Leeds United return to action in the Championship this weekend as they prepare to host Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road in a Yorkshire derby on Sunday.

The Whites know that securing all three points will keep them at the top of the table as they go in search of automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

Daniel Farke’s side beat League Two side Harrogate 1-0 in the third round of the FA Cup last time out, whilst their last Championship game ended in a 3-3 draw with Hull.

The West Yorkshire outfit have drawn their last two games in the division, to Hull and Blackburn, and will know that they will have to return to winning ways if they want to maintain their spot in the automatic promotion places.

The January transfer window has been open for more than two weeks and Leeds could look to dip into the market to ensure that they have the best possible chance of achieving their goal of promotion in the second half of the season.

In fact, the Whites are reportedly looking to add more quality to the group and, now, have their eyes on a centre-back from the Premier League.

Leeds keen on Premier League defender

According to The Telegraph, Leeds are one of the teams interested in a possible deal to sign Nottingham Forest central defender Andrew Omobamidele this month.

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

The report claims that the West Yorkshire side and Championship rivals Sheffield United both ‘admire’ the Ireland international, although it remains to be seen whether or not they are going to formalise that interest with a genuine offer for his services.

It states that Nottingham Forest are open to moving on some of their players in the January transfer window and that the Irish titan is one of the duds who could be on the chopping block, amid interest from home and abroad.

The Tricky Trees signed the defender from Norwich City in the summer of 2023 in a reported deal that could be worth up to £20m, including add-ons, and it remains to be seen how much of that they would want to recoup from any sale.

It was previously reported, by The Sun, though, that the Premier League side would be interested in doing a deal that would see the centre-back go out on loan with an obligation for the deal to become permanent in the summer, which could work for Leeds if the guarantee is conditional on them achieving promotion.

Farke does, of course, already have two first-choice central defenders in his Leeds squad this season, and one of them has been a standout star for the Whites.

How Leeds United's centre-backs have performed this season

Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk have been the first-choice pairing for the Whites at the heart of the defence, as they were for the first half of the 2023/24 campaign before the Dutchman’s injury.

After returning from injury to start regularly again this term, the former Ajax man has enjoyed a terrific season in the Championship on the left side of the defence.

Struijk has helped the team to keep 13 clean sheets in 24 appearances in the second tier and is yet to make a single error that has led to a shot, goal, or penalty to the opposition.

The same, unfortunately, cannot be said of Rodon in the right-sided centre-back role. He has already made two errors that have led to shots or goals for the opposition and given away a penalty, bringing Josh Sargent down against Norwich in a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.

24/25 Championship

Joe Rodon

Pascal Struijk

Appearances

26

24

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.4

1.9

Ball recoveries per game

4.0

4.2

Duel success rate

56%

60%

Error led to shot/goal + penalties committed

3

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Struijk has outperformed the Wales international as an out-and-out defender, with fewer errors and more defensive interventions to prevent Illan Meslier from being worked each match.

This suggests that Leeds, if they want to sign a player in that position, should be looking for a centre-back who can play on the right and partner Struijk, which is why Omobamidele would be perfect for the Dutchman.

Why Leeds should sign Andrew Omobamidele

Firstly, Farke already loves the Ireland international. The German head coach made the brave decision to bring the 18-year-old into the starting line-up as Norwich closed out the Championship title in the 2020/21 campaign, starting eight of his nine appearances.

He also handed the teenage titan his Premier League debut in the 2021/22 season, but was sacked by the Canaries before getting the chance to develop him further, and this shows that the Leeds boss already knows and rates the centre-back highly.

This means that Omobamidele, who was hailed as “outstanding” by former teammate Grant Hanley, could slot straight in and hit the ground running, as he already has the trust of the manager and knows the style of play, as well as how to win a Championship title.

The 22-year-old colossus has only played 11 times in the Premier League since the start of last season and, given his lack of minutes, he needs to get back to playing regular football to recapture the form he showed at Norwich earlier in his career.

20/21 Championship

Andrew Omobamidele

Appearances

9

Pass accuracy

89%

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.9

Ground duel success rate

75%

Aerial duel success rate

71%

Dribbled past

0x

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Omobamidele was an incredibly dominant defender who did not allow attackers to get the better of him on the ground or in the air very often in Farke’s last title-winning season in the Championship.

These statistics suggest that the potential is there for him to be an upgrade on Rodon, due to having a higher duel success rate on the ground and in the air whilst also making more defensive interventions per game in comparison to the Welshman this term, if he can get back to those levels under the German boss.

As a right-footed player, Omobamidele would also perfectly slot into that position on the right side of the defence and offer balance next to the left-footed Struijk, who could love to play next to a dominant defender who does not make mistakes on a regular basis.

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It would be a gamble, given his lack of minutes of late, but it is one that could be worthwhile when you consider his relationship with Farke and his previous form under the head coach, as he could come in to be a perfect partner for Struijk and great competition for Rodon in the second half of the season.

Palmeiras nunca venceu um Dérbi apitado por Anderson Daronco

MatériaMais Notícias

Neste sábado (23), o Palmeiras enfrenta o Corinthians, às 19h, na Arena Barueri, em duelo válido pela terceira rodada do Brasileirão. Sob o apito de Anderson Daronco, o Verdão nunca venceu um Dérbi.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasOddsApostas: Cotações para mais um clássico Palmeiras x CorinthiansOdds22/04/2022BrasileirãoPalmeiras terá primeiro Dérbi na Arena Barueri e conta com histórico positivo no estádioBrasileirão21/04/2022BrasileirãoConfira o retrospecto de cada jogador do elenco do Palmeiras em DérbisBrasileirão21/04/2022

GALERIA

>Quem é melhor: Palmeiras ou Corinthians? Veja votação do LANCE!

TABELA

> Clique aqui e confira a tabela completa e simulador do Brasileirão!

Em três jogos comandados pelo árbitro gaúcho, todos pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, foram duas derrotas da equipe alviverde e um empate.

A primeira vez que Anderson Daronco apitou o clássico aconteceu na 32ª rodada da competição nacional de 2017, onde o Palmeiras mediu forças com o rival alvinegro, na Neo Química Arena, enquanto ainda sonhava com o título.

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GUIA DO BRASILEIRÃO

>Multicampeão, Palmeiras vai buscar título inédito na era Abel Ferreira

Na ocasião, vitória do Corinthians por 3 a 2 e a missão rumo à taça ficou cada vez mais distante de ser concluída.

No ano seguinte, o gaúcho também foi o árbitro do duelo entre Corinthians e Palmeiras, onde, novamente, o Alviverde se viu derrotado. Já em 2019, Daronco comandou um empate entre as duas equipes, na Neo Química Arena.

Vale lembrar que, a última vez que o Palmeiras entrou em campo sob o apito de Anderson Daronco aconteceu em novembro de 2021, pela 35ª rodada do Brasileirão. Na oportunidade, o time de Abel Ferreira empatou em 2 a 2 com o Atlético-MG, no Allianz Parque.

Relembre os Dérbis apitados por Anderson Daronco:

Corinthians 1 x 1 Palmeiras – 04/8/2019 – Brasileirão
Corinthians 1 x 0 Palmeiras – 13/5/2018 – Brasileirão
Corinthians 3 x 2 Palmeiras – 05/11/2017 – Brasileirão

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Aston Villa lead transfer race to sign international gem who wowed scouts

Aston Villa have taken the lead in the race to sign a young international goalkeeper, according to a recent report. The Villans’ run of three straight wins ended on Saturday night, as they were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest. Unai Emery will be hoping this is just a bump in the road as his side prepare to face Manchester City at the weekend.

Aston Villa keen on signing 21 y/o Real Madrid gem seen as ideal for Emery

He’s come through the academy.

ByCharlie Smith Dec 15, 2024 Aston Villa transfer news

The inconsistent form for Villa this season will have alerted Emery to areas in his team that need addressing. Indeed, the Premier League side have already been linked with plenty of new faces ahead of next month’s transfer window.

Villa have made contact with the representatives of defender Antonio Silva, so they can get an understanding of the costs of a possible transfer. The Benfica centre-back is admired a lot by the Midlands side but they are not alone, as other Premier League teams, as well as big European sides, are also keen on signing the talented defender. The president of Benfica is reportedly set to meet with Silva’s agents ahead of the January transfer window.

As well as looking at Silva, Villa are also in signing Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio, but again face competition from their Premier League rivals. The young man has impressed in his limited appearances for the Spanish giants, and Emery sees him as someone who could improve his side’s defence, given where he has been playing his football.

Aston Villa lead transfer race to sign youngster after impressing scouts

According to Birmingham Live, Aston Villa have taken the lead in the race to sign Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday. The 19-year-old came through the academy at Manchester City, but he left the Premier League side and joined the Owls in 2020.

Charles has worked his way through the club’s under-18s and under-21s, and he is now a part of the first team picture. The goalkeeper has yet to appear in the Championship, but he has been on the bench for every league game this season apart from two.

Despite him not being Wednesday’s regular keeper, Charles has been capped four times by his country, Northern Ireland. It is on the international stage where Charles has left scouts impressed, with them coming away from recent Nations League games giving the player “glowing reports”.

Apps

6

Goals conceded

8

Clean sheets

1

The young man’s ability to play out from the back has meant top clubs from the Premier League have identified him as a top target, and that includes Villa. The Villans are willing to move second-choice keeper Robin Olsen on in favour of bringing in emerging talent should the opportunity arise. Villa can offer Charles a number two slot in their squad, and he may see this as his chance to move into the Premier League.

As well as Akanji: Pep must now drop 3/10 Man City star

Manchester City are looking to end a run of five straight defeats in all competitions as they prepare to welcome Feyenoord to The Etihad in the Champions League this evening.

The Cityzens lost 4-1 to Sporting, thanks to a hat-trick from former Coventry City star Viktor Gyokeres, in their last outing on the European stage.

Pep Guardiola’s side come into this game directly off the back of a thumping 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at The Etihad on Sunday.

The Spanish head coach will be eager for a big response from his team against the Dutch outfit and one player who could be dropped from the starting XI is Manuel Akanji.

Why Manuel Akanji should be dropped

The Switzerland international, who has operated at right-back and centre-back for Manchester City, featured in the middle of the back three in the build-up, with Kyle Walker and Josko Gvardiol either side of him, at the weekend.

Unfortunately, in the absence of Ruben Dias, the former Borussia Dortmund man failed to command the back line and the Cityzens let in four sloppy concessions throughout the game.

Akanji lost five of his eight ground duels against Spurs, which shows that the opposition got the better of him more often than not, and he failed to stop James Maddison from getting a shot off twice in the first half.

Nathan Ake came off the bench in the loss to Tottenham and he could be brought back into the starting XI to see if there is a change of fortune at the back.

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Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Akanji is not the only player who should be ruthlessly dropped from the team, though, as Guardiola must also ditch his faith in veteran midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

Why Ilkay Gunodgan should be dropped

The German has struggled since his return to The Etihad on a free transfer from Barcelona in the summer transfer window and is not doing enough to justify his place in the side.

Gundogan started against Tottenham and played the full 90 minutes of the 4-0 defeat. City, along with their defensive struggles, failed to offer much in attack.

Despite having a whopping 101 touches of the ball, the Cityzens midfielder did not create a single ‘big chance’ for his team and the two key passes that he made equated to just 0.10 xA.

The Manchester Evening News awarded him a 3/10 rating for his performance and wrote that it was a ‘horror show’ from the dud who is ‘struggling badly’.

24/25 Premier League

Ilkay Gundogan

Appearances

11

Goals

0

Big chances missed

3

Big chances created

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Gundogan has struggled badly, as the MEN claimed, in the Premier League this season since his return to the club.

He is yet to score a goal or create a ‘big chance’ in the top-flight and his lack of impact in possession, despite having over 100 touches, speaks to his lack of quality on the ball.

Therefore, Guardiola must ditch his faith in his City favourite and unleash another player in his place. Whether Kevin de Bruyne is fit enough to start remains to be seen, however, whilst James McAtee and Matheus Nunes are alternative options.

Man City may have already sold their next Haaland for just £15m

Manchester City decided to cash in on their long-term Erling Haaland replacement.

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Dan Emery

Nov 19, 2024

Corinthians trabalha bolas paradas de olho no clássico contra o São Paulo

MatériaMais Notícias

Na tarde desta quinta-feira (3), no CT Joaquim Grava, o Corinthians deu prosseguimento na preparação para o clássico Majestoso de sábado, às 16h, no Morumbi, contra o São Paulo, pela décima rodada do Campeonato Paulista.

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> GALERIA – Veja todos os técnicos estrangeiros do Corinthians

Após o aquecimento, todos os atletas seguiram para uma atividade de rondo e passes. Depois, o técnico Vítor Pereira organizou um treino de bolas paradas defensivas.

Na segunda parte das atividades, o treinador do Timão promoveu um exercício de posse de bola em espaço reduzido e concluiu o dia com um trabalho tático de enfrentamento.

> TABELA – Confira os jogos do Timão no Paulistão e os simule

Após o fim do treinamento, alguns atletas realizaram complementos de finalização e posicionamento defensivo.

O meio-campista Roni, com dores no músculo posterior da coxa direita, deu sequência no tratamento com a equipe de fisioterapia. Dessa forma, as chances do meia ser relacionado para o Majestoso são pequenas.

خاص | على رأسهم شيكابالا وزيزو.. سبب غيابات الزمالك أمام مودرن سبورت في كأس الرابطة

يفقد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك العديد من اللاعبين عن صفوفه في مواجهة  مودرن سبورت، في إطارة منافسات الجولة الرابعة من دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس الرابطة المصرية “كأس عاصمة مصر” للموسم الحالي 2025.

ويلتقي الزمالك مع مودرن سبورت، غدًا الأحد الموافق 6 من شهر أبريل الجاري، إذ تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 7 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 8 بتوقيت السعودية.

طالع..مصدر بـ الزمالك يوضح لـ بطولات حقيقة توقيع زيزو للأهلي

ويأتي الزمالك في المجموعة الأولى التي تضم معه أندية سموحة والجونة ومودرن سبورت وبتروجيت، من بطولة كأس الرابطة المصرية، حيث يحتل المركز الرابع برصيد نقطة واحدة.

وأوضحت مصادر لـ بطولات أن الثلاثي أحمد سيد زيزو، وعمر جابر ونبيل عماد دونجا، وأكثر من لاعب من الأساسيين سيغيون عن المباراة بقرار فني من بيسيرو لمنحهم راحة قبل مباراة ستلينبوش التي في ربع نهائي كأس الكونفدرالية.

ويغيب محمود عبد الرازق شيكابالا، بسبب الإصابة بكدمة في الركبة وعبدالله السعيد الذي يعاني بالإصابة بكدمة في الظهر.

وكان لقاء الذهاب بين الزمالك وستلينبوش، قد انتهى بالتعادل سلبيًا الأربعاء الماضي على ملعب كيب تاون في جنوب إفريقيا.

Bavuma, de Kock among six South Africa regulars rested for Netherlands ODIs

Keshav Maharaj will lead the team, which also sees a return for the Kolpak-returned Wayne Parnell

Firdose Moonda10-Nov-2021

Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock are among six regular players rested by South Africa•ICC via Getty

Regular white-ball captain Temba Bavuma, along with Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have all been rested for South Africa’s ODI series against Netherlands, which takes place later this month. Keshav Maharaj will captain the team, which includes a recall for Kolpak-returnee Wayne Parnell, who last played for South Africa in 2017.Zubayr Hamza and Ryan Rickelton are in line for their ODI debuts, while Khaya Zondo, Daryn Dupavillon and Sisanda Magala have all been recalled after missing the series against Sri Lanka.Parnell’s comeback is the first indication that South Africa are ready to reintegrate players who gave up their international careers when they signed Kolpak deals. Since the UK’s exit from the European Union, which has dissolved the Kolpak system, several players have returned to South Africa and signed contracts with provincial teams, which has made them available for the national side again. Parnell is the first to be recalled with the selectors also keeping a close eye on top-order batter Rilee Rossouw.”The question we’ve been receiving of late is what we will do with the former Kolpak players and we have always said that once they come and perform well domestically we will consider them,” South Africa’s convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang told ESPNcricinfo. “Wayne and Rilee both did well in the T20 challenge. With the squad we have at the moment, we want to give the current batters an opportunity but we are specifically looking for an allrounder and Wayne bringing that skillset into the mix is what we needed. We will keep an eye on all the Kolpak players. Kolpak players coming back in the system strengthens the system.”Rossouw may consider himself unlucky, as he was the top run-scorer in the domestic T20 competition and one of only three players to score a hundred. But Mpitsang believes he will come into the mix later in the summer. Parnell, meanwhile, did not finish among the bowlers or batters in the domestic T20 competition but scored an unbeaten 29-ball 80 in the quarterfinal against the eventual champions, the Knights, and captained Western Province. His maturity caught Mpitsang and his committee’s eyes.”Wayne is only 31 years old and the fact that he has been away, he knows his game and he is an experienced player and with all the other players being rested, gives us an opportunity to look at our broader base,” Mpitsang said. “When we told him, he was like a little child. He was so excited; over the moon to get the call-up.”Zubayr Hamza had a good run in the domestic T20 competition•Getty Images

One of the other centurions from the domestic T20 competition was Hamza, who finished third on the overall run charts, and has not yet played white-ball cricket for South Africa. He is likely to bat in the top three after Reeza Hendricks and Janneman Malan, with the other newcomer in the squad, Rickelton in reserve. The middle-order contains the experience of David Miller, who will marshall Kyle Verreynne, who is also set to take the gloves, and Zondo, who has not played international cricket since 2018. Zondo averaged 43 in the domestic T20 tournament.South Africa will be spoilt for choice in the seam-bowling allrounder department with Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo all selected in the squad, but they are without a spin-bowling allrounder. With Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi in the group, there was no room for George Linde, who traveled as a reserve to the T20 World Cup.”The matches will be played on the Highveld, which also informed our selections. George is slightly disappointed but we explained to him that the season is long and he will get more opportunities.”All three matches will take place at SuperSport Park, where conditions are expected to be seamer-friendly. Despite being without Rabada and Nortje, South Africa will look to give game time to Lungi Ngidi, who did not get a game at the T20 World Cup and “just wants to play cricket,” according to Mpitsang.Lizaad Williams, who was a reserve at the tournament, Sisanda Magala, who was part of their winter tours but missed out on selection through injury and Dupavillon, the joint-highest wicket-taker from the T20 competition.”It’s a squad with good balance,” Mpitsang said. “We’ve got some experienced guys and some younger ones and we have all our bases covered.”The three ODIs are part of the World Cup Super League, where both teams are in need of points. Netherlands are in last place on the table, with 20 points from two wins over Ireland. South Africa sit in ninth place, having dropped points in Ireland, but they could climb to as high as No. 2 with a 3-0 sweep.Squad: Keshav Maharaj (capt), Daryn Dupavillon, Zubayr Hamza, Reeza Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, Janneman Malan, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Wayne Parnell, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo.

Exit "planned": Arsenal target Havertz upgrade in "unplayable" £59m monster

It’s been an eventful campaign for Arsenal this season, and it’s still only October.

Mikel Arteta’s side have already faced the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and following last night’s victory in the League Cup, there is a good chance they could play one of them again should they beat Crystal Palace in the quarter-final.

What makes this start all the more extraordinary is that, thanks to a slew of injuries and suspensions, the Gunners have had to face their biggest rivals without a number of their star players, and yet they currently sit just five points off top spot in the league.

However, while some star players have been absent, others haven’t, including striker Kai Havertz, who has carried on his impressive form from last season into this one and looks more and more at home with every passing game. Yet, based on recent reports, the club could sign his replacement next year.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal remain very interested in Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Sporting CP strikerViktor Gyokeres.

Alongside the Gunners, Plettenberg has revealed that Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are also keen on the Swedish international.

While this extra competition is far from ideal, the good news is that, according to the reporter, Sporting will allow the 25-year-old to leave next year, and that his exit, for a fee of between €60m to €70m – £50m to £59m – is now “planned.”

It could be a challenging transfer to get over the line due to the outside interest, but given Gyokeres’ sensational form and reasonable fee, it’s one worth pursuing, even if it would be bad news for Havertz.

How Gyokeres compares to Havertz

So, if Arsenal were to secure the services of Gyokeres next summer, it’s unlikely he’d come to North London to just sit happily on the bench, and with Jesus already firmly second choice, that means the Swede’s most significant competitor for first team football would be Havertz.

Viktor Gyokeres in action for Sporting

So, how do they stack up against one another?

From a pure output perspective, arguably the most important metric of all for a number nine, the Sporting star comes out miles ahead.

For example, in his 50 appearances for the Portuguese giants last season, the “unplayable” poacher, as dubbed by former teammate Maxime Biamou, racked up an outrageously impressive haul of 43 goals and 15 assists, and this season, he’s already scored 16 goals and provided four assists in 15 matches, meaning he averaged 1.16 goal involvements per game last season and is currently averaging 1.33 this year.

In contrast, the former Chelsea ace scored 14 goals and provided seven assists in 51 appearances last year and currently has seven goals and one assist to his name in 14 matches this season, equating to an average of 0.41 goal involvements per game in 23/24 and 0.57 per match this season.

Appearances

50

51

Goals

43

14

Assists

15

7

Goal Involvements per Match

1.16

0.41

Appearances

15

14

Goals

16

7

Assists

4

1

Goal Involvements per Match

1.33

0.57

Now, there is the caveat that until the new year, the former Bayer Leverkusen star was playing in midfield for the Gunners, but even when we take a look at just his numbers when playing up top – 13 goals and eight assists in 28 appearances – they pale in comparison to the Swede.

Ultimately, there are, of course, other things Havertz brings to the table at the Emirates, like his ability to hold up the ball and press from the front, but when it comes to the most important metric of all, scoring goals, he’s a distant second to Gyokeres.

viktor-gyokeres-transfer-news-leeds-united-championship

Therefore, even though it will almost certainly impact the German’s game time next season, Arsenal should go all out to sign the Sporting star next summer before one of their rivals get there first.

Good news for Saka: Arsenal target "criminally underrated" £50m PL star

The incredibly talented attacker could help extend Saka’s Arsenal career.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 30, 2024

Wayne Rooney open to surprising route back into management as Man Utd legend waits on ‘right club’ after 83-day & 25-game coaching disasters at Birmingham & Plymouth

Wayne Rooney is waiting on the “right club” before stepping back into coaching, with the Manchester United legend surprisingly open to an U21 role.

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Endured difficult coaching career so farSpending time with his family for nowOpen to role with U21s or backroom teamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ex-England captain Rooney has found the going tough across four spells in the dugout so far. He suffered relegation out of the Championship at Derby, failed to lead D.C. United into the MLS play-offs, lasted just 83 days alongside Tom Brady at Birmingham and spent only 25 games in charge of Plymouth before being axed.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT WAYNE ROONEY SAID

Rooney is not about to give up, though, and has told the podcast brought to you by when asked about taking on another job: “I would like to go back in, but it would have to be the right club. You always have that ego and that confidence that you can go in and get the best out of a difficult situation. It never happened that way, but I am going to enjoy time [away from management] with my family. I’ve been skiing with Coleen [Rooney] – I loved it.

“I’m not in a massive rush to go back in – there’s different things that I’m looking at to try and get involved with – unless something was absolutely the right thing to do. Every club I’ve been at, I’ve put myself in a really challenging situation. Sometimes you have got different ideas which you’re trying to put across to the players, and maybe there’s a bit of arrogance where you’re thinking, ‘This is the right way’. Having better players helps.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Rooney added on his forgettable stint at Plymouth, which saw him relocate to Devon a long way from the family home that he shares with wife Coleen and their four sons: “It’s part of being a manager, regardless of [where you are], you’re fully in it. Whether you’re six, seven hours away or on your doorstep, you’re ingrained in the job, so it doesn’t matter where the location is. I loved my time there – the fans were great; the staff were great – we just hit a bad run of form. I can’t fault [the players] – they were trying and giving me everything.”

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Manchester United have been urged to consider bringing Rooney back to Old Trafford as a striker coach, as the Red Devils struggle for consistency, and the 39-year-old is ruling nothing out. He said of stepping away from frontline management: “I’d have no problem dropping into an Under-21 team or going in as a coach – I’m still young enough to learn and develop. Just having a good group of players who were at a [good] level.”

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