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German police have arrested 59 "hooligans" in a bid to prevent "serious riots" ahead of Stuttgart's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

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• Arrests made ahead of Stuttgart vs PSG
• Police carried out targeted checks
• Clashes between fans had been planned

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  French side PSG are in Stuttgart on Wednesday night for a final Champions League league phase fixture. Ahead of the game, it's been confirmed that dozens of visiting fans have been detained, according to BBC Sport. German police confirmed "targeted checks" have been carried out after they learned clashes had been planned between the two sets of supporters.

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• WHAT STUTTGART POLICE SAID

  The police said in a statement: "Through intensive investigations and in close cooperation with the Paris police, the French hooligans were found at the main train station and at various hotels in Stuttgart. Among other things, masking material was discovered. In order to prevent serious riots until the end of the Champions League match on Wednesday, the Paris hooligans were taken into custody until Thursday morning, after consultation with a judge."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Police have also issued 47 Stuttgart fans with banning orders, meaning they cannot attend the match or even enter the city centre. Carsten Hoefler, the vice president of Stuttgart Police, issued a warning to supporters ahead of the game: "Anyone who travels to Stuttgart to commit violent crimes off the pitch will be taken out of the game."

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  WHAT NEXT

  The two teams face off at the MHP Arena with both still hoping to qualify for the next phase of the expanded tournament. Both PSG and Stuttgart have 10 points after seven games played and a win for either would confirm a play-off spot.

Hugo Gatti claims that Argentina won the 2022 World Cup because of enigmatic goalkeeper Emi Martinez, not talismanic captain Lionel Messi.

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• Messi awarded the Golden Ball in Qatar
• Got his hands on the ultimate prize
• Penalty heroics crucial to collective cause

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Albiceleste savoured global glory in Qatar after delivering the perfect response to a shock defeat against Saudi Arabia in their opening fixture. Messi, who claimed an eighth Ballon d’Or on the back of completing his medal collection, was at his mercurial best in the Middle East.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi claimed the Golden Ball, as the best player in the tournament, and finished just one effort behind France forward Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race after registering seven goals in total – becoming the first man to score in every round of a World Cup competition.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Argentina did, however, drag themselves over the line courtesy of penalty shootout victories over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and France in an epic final. Aston Villa keeper Martinez was the star of the show there as he conjured up more spot-kick-saving heroics.

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  WHAT HUGO GATTI SAID

  For Gatti, Messi’s influence on a stunning victory has been overplayed. The legendary goalkeeper has told : “I don't criticise Messi, I say he's good. I say it and I will say it again. From what there has been in recent times, he was very good and his competition with Cristiano [Ronaldo] was great. But he wasn't the best.”

  Gatti added: “It's the same as saying that Messi was the most important footballer in the World Cup. Argentina won the World Cup because of Dibu Martinez, otherwise they wouldn't have won it. That's the reality. People want to hear what they think, but I transmit what I saw and what I feel. That's the difference, that's why I'm discussed, and why they call me crazy!”

The future hasn’t always been bright for Tottenham Hotspur but under Ange Postecoglou he is building something with a lot of potential.

Let’s forget about that disastrous 3-2 defeat to Brighton for a moment and look at what’s still to come.

Indeed, this Spurs team have a crop of young players who could well become pivotal parts of where Postecoglou’s side land, providing the craggy-faced Aussie sticks around long enough.

Over the summer, the Lilywhites welcomed promising teenager winger Wilson Odobert to the club and they further dipped into the Championship to bring one of English football’s hottest young talents in Archie Gray to London.

You’ve also got Lucas Bergvall to add to the equation and perhaps the finest young prodigy of them all, Mikey Moore.

Mikey Moore's emergence at Spurs

What a young talent this boy is. At just 17 years of age, Moore is already making waves in the senior game and looked like quite the star in the making against Ferenvcaros in the Europa League last week.

Up to then, the teenager had only been afforded a few cameos from the bench but this was his first start in a competitive fixture. How he took his opportunity.

Spurs won the game 2-1 and Moore should have had an assist if colleague Timo Werner was at the races. The academy star dashed down the right-hand side and laid the ball on a plate for the German on the edge of the box. He took a horrific touch and then slid the ball into the side netting. He was one-on-one with the goalkeeper but fluffed his lines.

Coincidentally, it could well be the teenage sensation who ultimately ends up taking Werner’s place in the side.

Moore, who regularly played as a striker at youth team level, played on the right against Ferencvaros and then actually played ahead of Werner down the left in the last few minutes at the Amex last Sunday.

A scorer of 19 goals in just 24 outings for the U18s, there is clearly a natural finisher in there and it surely won’t be long before he becomes a more prominent asset in the Spurs squad.

Whether or not he is the natural heir to Harry Kane’s throne, only time will tell, but Postecoglou has high hopes for him.

Yamal may well be the gold standard for all of the budding teenage footballers out there but until Moore develops a little bit more, Spurs do already have a Yamal-like talent who’s brimming with confidence and playing his best football for the club.

Chalkboard

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

Tottenham's very own Yamal

Barcelona superstar Yamal has had an outrageous 2024 to date. There’s no other way of putting it really. This kid has already been nominated for the Ballon d’Or and had a breathtaking Euro 2024 campaign in which he helped Spain take home the trophy.

During the continental competition, the 17-year-old scored once – a stunner against France – and registered four assists.

This season he’s continued where he left off for his country with four goals and five assists already in LaLiga action. Barca have found a Messi regen and it’s rather unfair to be totally honest.

Still, we must marvel at his skillset, his incredible attributes that are taking the global game by storm.

He might not be cut from quite the same cloth but believe it or not, Spurs have a player who’s registering similar numbers this term and that man is Dejan Kulusevski.

Said to be a star who could become a £80m-£100m player by Gary Neville last term, the Swede is certainly starting to live up to that billing this season.

He is one of the best supply lines around and created a whopping nine chances in that impressive 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford a week and a bit ago.

Kulusevski has been supreme and although the base numbers only show a haul of one goal and two assists for his efforts this season, there is much to admire. Before last weekend’s action, he was top of the charts and level with Cole Palmer for chances created from open play in the Premier League this season with 15.

So, let’s dig a little deeper into that comparison with Yamal, shall we? According to FBRef’s similar players tool, the Spaniard is the fourth most similar attacking midfielder/winger to the former Juventus ace. Why? Here’s what the stats tell us.

There are some distinct differences. Yamal is by far a better carrier of the football but it’s worth paying particularly close attention to some of the passing metrics here.

When it comes to expected assists, through balls and passes into the final third, they are very alike. In fact, when analysing things closer, it becomes apparent just how similar they are for chance creation.

In this season’s LaLiga, Yamal has so far created a total of 17 chances for his Barcelona teammates. Kulusevksi is ahead, but not by much, creating 21 chances in the Premier League, according to Opta.

With such a stat in mind, Dominic Solanke and Co must be licking their lips at the thought of what’s to come from the Swede. He’s still only 24 – much older than Yamal – but it’s still incredibly young in football terms.

If the Spurs star is creating this many chances at this age, you can only imagine how good he could be once he hits his prime. Postecoglou is certainly unearthing a star here.

Spurs could soon have a bigger superstar than Moore in their "freak talent"

It won’t be too long before Ange Postecoglou can unleash an exciting, rising star…

By
Robbie Walls

Oct 9, 2024

Alisha Lehmann was left in awe of Juventus’ thumping win over rivals AC Milan, with the Swiss saluting collective efforts from the Serie A leaders.

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• Bianconeri have lost just once this season
• Hit Milan for six in latest fixture
• Cup semi-final is next on the agenda

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Having suffered just one defeat through 18 domestic fixtures this season, the Bianconeri have opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the table. They appear to be well on course to recapture the league crown they previously won on five successive occasions between 2017 and 2022.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Lehmann was added to Juve’s squad ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, with the 26-year-old forward treading the same career path as Brazilian boyfriend Douglas Luiz as they both severed ties with Aston Villa and took on an Italian job.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Lehmann has been among the goals for Juve this term, but was restricted to an eight-minute cameo off the bench against Milan. She saw the Bianconeri add two goals to their impressive tally while on the pitch, as a resounding 6-0 win was wrapped up.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  After hitting their fierce foes for six, Lehmann has paid homage to “this team” on social media, with Juventus’ performances considered to be red-hot at present. They will be back in action on Sunday when facing Fiorentina in the first leg of their Italian Women’s Cup semi-final.

Following injuries to Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu, Leeds United have reportedly reached an agreement to sign a midfield reinforcement who has plenty of experience to offer Daniel Farke’s side.

Leeds transfer news

It’s been a mixed, albeit far from disastrous start for Leeds in the Championship this season. Farke’s side sit just three points away from league leaders Sunderland, who they had beat before Illan Meslier threw the three points away in a moment that he’ll be desperate to forget. Just nine games in, it’s not been a campaign without obstacles for those at Elland Road.

"Big" – Sky Sports man impressed as 49ers agree new Leeds deal with Adidas

He’s impressed…

By
Tom Cunningham

Oct 11, 2024

Farke was first dealt a major blow courtesy of Ampadu’s ligament injury, which has ruled him out for 10 weeks. Then, as if things could not get any worse, Gruev suffered a similar fate to leave Leeds short on numbers in the middle of the park. Those injuries, coupled with Meslier’s howler, left the Whites heading into the international break in a frustrated mood.

That said, things are now beginning to look up for those in West Yorkshire, who are seemingly about to land an intelligent deal outside of the transfer window. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Leeds have reached an agreement with Cheikhou Kouyate, who completed his medical to sign for the club on Friday and looks set to end his free agent status by arriving at Elland Road.

The veteran midfielder has enjoyed spells at Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, but is now tasked with filling the shoes of Gruev and Ampadu at the heart of Leeds’ Championship midfield.

"Great" Kouyate will ease Ampadu blow

Whilst he is now longer at his peak at 34 years old, Kouyate represents a wise option for Leeds to turn to. Replacing Ampadu will be no easy task, but given that the Whites didn’t feel as though they could do it internally, Kouyate represents quite the find considering his status as a Premier League veteran who can fill in at defensive midfield and centre-back.

The former Nottingham Forest man earned the praise of ex-manager Steve Cooper during his time at the City Ground after he returned from injury for the Premier League side in 2023. Cooper told reporters via Nottinghamshire Live:

“He’s in contention to start. Cheikhou has great experience in the Premier League and he’s a big voice in the dressing room. He’s a fantastic character, a great guy, very happy, but very committed as well. He’s a real man’s man in terms of leadership.”

Kouyate will no doubt be glad to end his short spell as a free agent and get what may well be his last move before hanging up his boots, considering his age. And there’s arguably no better way to end an impressive career than adding a Championship promotion to an extensive CV of achievements.

This season is arguably make or break for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta in their attempts to end their two-decade drought for a Premier League title.

The Spaniard and his players have come perilously close over the last two campaigns, but have been beaten in the race by Manchester City on both occasions.

Pep Guardiola’s men have been a dominant force in English football over the last few years, winning five of the last six titles, with Liverpool the only other side to claim a league triumph during that run.

However, there is hope around the Emirates that this season could be third-time lucky, but they already find themselves behind in the race after last weekend’s defeat to Bournemouth.

The Gunners have given themselves the best chance of success after yet another impressive summer transfer window, recruiting well, whilst offloading numerous players.

Arsenal’s summer transfer window in 2024

After yet another second-placed finish in 2023/24, Arteta made it clear he wanted reinforcements in various areas, and it’s safe to say he got exactly what he wanted.

Riccardo Calafiori arrived from Bologna to help bolster the Spaniard’s defensive department – already impressing after scoring a sensational strike against Guardiola’s side a couple of weeks ago.

Other additions such as Mikel Merino, Raheem Sterling and Neto will provide added competition for places throughout the squad – as the Gunners aim to go one better again this campaign.

However, they also conducted shrewd business in offloading various fringe players for huge sums, undoubtedly helping their financial situation and even allowing a profit to be made despite the new signings.

Eddie Nketiah ended his long affiliation with Arsenal, moving across London and joining fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace in a deal that could reach £30m if all add-ons are met.

There’s no denying he’s an excellent talent with good goalscoring instincts – as demonstrated by his tally of six goals last season – but he wanted regular first-team minutes to develop his career, with the fee received an excellent piece of business.

The Englishman is yet to score in the Premier League for Oliver Glasner’s side, further highlighting how Arteta’s men made the right call in allowing him to depart the Emirates.

Nketiah wasn’t the only Hale End star to depart North London during the course of the last window, with a star once destined for the very top ending his own time at his boyhood club.

The player Arsenal made the right call selling

Attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe joined Arsenal at the age of just 10, spending 14 years at the club before eventually departing the summer.

The 24-year-old made 115 appearances for the Gunners, but like Nketiah, desired more game time to allow him to develop and remain on the same path many anticipated him to go down.

He would subsequently join Fulham for a fee in the region of £27m this summer, another phenomenal piece of business considering he cost the club nothing, allowing for added investment in the squad, whilst giving an academy star the move he desperately needed.

However, Smith Rowe, who’s previously been labelled as a “monster” by Troy Deeney, has thrived with his transfer to Marco Silva’s side, already registering two goals and two assists in the Premier League this season.

Many thought the departure would leave Arteta’s side light in the middle of the park, but the emergence of youngster Ethan Nwaneri has allowed for another academy star to potentially make a name for himself in North London. In essence, they’ve already replaced Smith Rowe without having to spend a penny.

Undoubtedly, it was a shame to see one of their own depart the club, but ultimately, the sacrifice had to be made for both parties if they are to achieve their respective goals.

Every fan will be monitoring his progress at Craven Cottage, hoping he can produce the goods for Silva’s side, that’s until the two sides face off later this campaign, of course…

Arsenal wasted £47m on Wenger flop who earned even more than Trossard does

Arsenal were far too eager to hand out massive contracts under the Frenchman.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 26, 2024

Pep Guardiola might claim his side have a 'one percent chance' of overhauling the tie, but his shiny new weapons can make all the difference

Manchester City approached the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie with Real Madrid as if it were 2023 all over again. And for a brief period it felt like we were watching the very same team that demolished Los Blancos on the way to winning the treble. John Stones was sitting in front of the defence and boldly strolling around midfield; Kevin De Bruyne was ahead of him; Jack Grealish was strutting up and down the touchline, his foot stuck to the ball; Erling Haaland was heavily involved in attacks and scoring; Ederson was saving every shot he faced.

But City were soon reminded that the treble season was a distant memory, that two years is a long time in football and the same movie they have seen time and time again in 2024-25 started to play out. Grealish pulled up injured, De Bruyne's powers faded, Bernardo Silva was easily beaten in midfield, Ederson misplaced kicks and City threw away their lead, turning a lovely advantage for the second leg in Madrid into a daunting deficit that not even the most optimistic of Blues could see them pulling off. Pep Guardiola looked inconsolable in his post-match press conference while Stones was lost for words.

But on Saturday against Newcastle, City left their past behind and looked to the future, fuelled by their shiny new signings. Abdukodir Khusanov had Alexander Isak in his pocket, Nico Gonzalez patrolled midfield with power and elegance, giving no indication he was making his Premier League debut, and up front, Omar Marmoush scored a hat-trick in the space of 14 minutes, turning what was expected to be an unforgiving afternoon for City against top-four rivals into a highly enjoyable day out.

All of a sudden, Wednesday's trip to the Spanish capital looks far more appealing. Now City have plenty of reasons to believe that they can raid Santiago Bernabeu and come back with a last-16 place in their pocket…

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  Impact signings

  City have had an ever-growing list of problems this season, but against Newcastle it felt as if it only took two players for most of their issues to suddenly fade away. Khusanov enjoyed a fine display, especially after his nightmare debut against Chelsea, but the victory was primarily constructed by Gonzalez and Marmoush, the most lucrative and exciting acquisitions of the club's mega shopping spree in January.

  Neither player started against Madrid, as Marmoush got just six minutes of action plus added time, coming on just as his new team capitulated from 2-1 up to 3-2 down. But if he and Gonzalez get the nod at the Bernabeu, City stand a real chance of turning the tie around.

  Marmoush had not had the easiest start to life with his new club since his £59 million ($74m) move from Eintracht Frankfurt, with City being embarrassed 5-1 by Arsenal and then being given a real FA Cup fright by Leyton Orient. It was not the biggest surprise, then, that he was only on the bench against Madrid. But against Newcastle, he showed exactly why he was the second-highest provider of goals and assists in Europe's top five leagues behind Mohamed Salah, and why City were so keen to snap him up.

  The Egyptian played off the left of City's attack and that was where he made his first move from, dancing into the area before firing over the bar. But from then on, he moved like a centre-forward and finished like one too.

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  'He has something we miss'

  Marmoush's first goal was an instinctive one-touch lob after latching on to a punt from Ederson. He took two touches to fashion the second goal, one to bring Ilkay Gundogan's threaded pass under control and the other to dispatch it into the bottom near corner. His third was relatively easy, put on a plate for him by Savinho, but he made no mistake with another first-time strike. As he celebrated the first hat-trick of his career, it was tempting to wonder how City might have fared had Marmoush started against Madrid.

  "He has something that we miss for all the quality of our players, his pace in behind, he has a lot of pace, he's a good taker, a good finisher," said Guardiola. "I called some contacts in Germany because I have friends there. I asked a few things and there was a high opinion in many things; his behaviour in training sessions, goals. He's young and comes here to make his career."

  Marmoush does not just offer goals and running in behind the defence; he offers a potent alternative threat to Haaland, who has had to shoulder an unhealthy amount of responsibility for City's goals this season. Before Saturday, the Norwegian had 39 percent of City's total goals in the Premier League, with 19 strikes. Phil Foden was next with seven goals – albeit with five of them coming within an 11-day period in January – and Josko Gvardiol was third with five. With that first-half haul alone, Marmoush shot into the team's top five of league scorers in 2024-25.

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  Twin threat

  Marmoush offers City's players more passing options and presents a twin problem for their opponents, who must now keep a lid on one of the most productive players in Europe in addition to trying to shackle Haaland. As former City goalkeeper Joe Hart put it on 'Match of the Day': "That threat is always there now. It's not just Haaland they have to take care of." Alan Shearer added: "Everything about his game was impressive. Already he has a good understanding with Haaland. Newcastle couldn't live with him."

  Will Real Madrid be able to? Haaland finally broke his duck against Los Merengues last week at the fifth time of asking, but there was a sense that he was City's only real threat. The Champions League holders also had to field an improvised defence at the Etihad, but will be bolstered in the second leg by the return of Antonio Rudiger, who was Haaland's nemesis in last season's quarter-final tie. Now, though, the Germany international also has another problem to worry about in Marmoush.

  Although it was not on display against Newcastle, Marmoush also has a formidable supply chain. In addition to his 19 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt in the first half of this season, he notched 11 assists in the Bundesliga and Europa League. There is a strong case for him to start against Madrid instead of De Bruyne, who had a minimal impact in the first leg.

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  'Mini-Rodri's' huge presence

  While Marmoush understandably hogged the headlines on Saturday, Guardiola seemed keener to highlight the influence of his second-biggest signing from January. He waxed lyrical about Gonzalez, the £50m ($63m) deadline-day purchase from Porto, saying of the midfielder: "The presence of Nico helped a lot, the 50/50s. If there are 10 balls. he wins seven of them."

  Guardiola also put the former Barcelona youngster in lofty company when he compared him to City's most influential player of all, whose long absence has cast a shadow over the team for the last five months. "He's like a mini-Rodri. It's a big compliment," Guardiola said, before quickly adding: "He's miles away from Rodri, he's the best, but we have the feeling he'll help us in the last part of the season with his presence. This presence that in the Premier League you have to have. His presence with long balls and [going] backwards where Rodri was really important."

  Gonzalez lost all three of the tackles he attempted according to the post-game statistics, but he got a roar of approval from the Etihad faithful when he robbed Tino Livramento late in the game, putting his 6'2 frame to good use. Gonzalez's towering presence also helped free up Gundogan from defensive duties, which he has struggled with this season and indeed throughout his career. He also helped shield Khusanov and provided a further layer of protection along with Stones, who is looking like the player he was two seasons ago now he appears to have conquered his injury problems.

Manchester United fans have slammed the Glazers after the club confirmed plan to axe 200 more jobs as part of a fresh cost cutting process.

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• Man Utd announce more redundancies
• Up to 200 more jobs may go
• Cost-cutting measures put in place to reduce losses

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils have announced plans to lay of an extra 150 to 200 employees as part of their ongoing cost-cutting process. Ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS bought a minority stake at United, they have aggressively focused on cutting down on the club's spending. Ratcliffe made 250 staff redundant last year and also terminated legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson's contract as the club's global ambassador, effective from next season.

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  WHAT THE CLUB IS SAYING

  The club released an official statement on Monday that read: "Manchester United is to transform its corporate structure as part of a series of additional measures to improve the club’s financial sustainability and enhance operational efficiency. The transformation plan aims to return the club to profitability after five consecutive years of losses since 2019.

  "This will create a more solid financial platform from which the club can invest in men’s and women’s football success and improved infrastructure. As part of these measures, the club anticipates that approximately 150-200 jobs may be made redundant, subject to a consultation process with employees. These would be in addition to the 250 roles removed last year."

• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  The latest decision to lay off more employees has angered the fans who slammed majority owners Glazers for burdening the club with massive debts.

  A fan named Ian wrote on X: "But no mention of the interest payments on the Glazers debt or their dividend payments. We are at a tipping point."

  Sean wrote: "Another 200 people losing their jobs because the glazers have killed this club."

  An X handle named Jayling7 wrote: "If the Glazers wouldn't have put us into 1 BILLION pounds of debt, we wouldn't be in such a financial crisis. They haven't invested a penny into the club, but do like to take out millions upon millions for their own pockets."

  Johnny wrote: "Getting rid of Casemiro would save the club £18.2m a year and it’d basically save all of those jobs…"

  Ross Gillett wrote: "Hey Omar, Jim and cronies. Have you considered focusing on ensuring the team's success on the pitch? We never had financial issues when the team was successful. Penny pinching either on or off the pitch is not the formula to creating a successful football team. Thanks."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  To further clamp down on spending, Ratcliffe has also reportedly closed the staff canteen at Old Trafford, with training ground employees only offered soup and bread for lunch going forward, according to . Players are exempt from the new measures and are free to continue to eat as they wish, although coaches and analysts will have to make do with the limited options.

West Bromwich Albion go into this set of Championship mid-week fixtures desperate for a win, with the Baggies experiencing a sticky patch of form of late in the second tier.

Carlos Corberan’s men went the entirety of October without picking up an elusive three points, but the very start of November did see West Brom race into a 1-0 lead away from home at Luton Town, only for Tahith Chong to fire home an equaliser to secure a share of the points for the Hatters.

Therefore, the Spaniard in the Hawthorns hot seat must be contemplating some changes for his side’s clash with Burnley tonight, which could include dropping Jed Wallace for some new blood to shine against Scott Parker’s equally up-and-down Clarets.

Wallace's form this season

Wallace has learnt the hard way that he’s no longer a guaranteed name on his manager’s teamsheet, with only two starts coming his way this campaign in the Championship to date, after starting 35 clashes in total last season.

His poor displays when he has started haven’t helped his cause either, with the experienced 30-year-old way off the pace against Luton last time out.

The former Millwall midfielder would only amass a lacklustre 22 touches of the ball at Kenilworth Road, with the bite and energy that’s usually apparent in the versatile West Brom number seven’s game also missing, with just one paltry duel won from nine attempted.

Also failing to complete a single dribble, alongside failing to test Thomas Kaminski with a single effort on goal, it wasn’t a huge surprise when Corberan hooked off Wallace just after the hour mark to put him out of his misery.

Unfortunately, the 30-year-old’s best days in a Baggies strip could now be behind him, with free-kick strikes like this one managed against Rotherham United just last season a distant memory, compared to his dire performances in the here and now.

Corberan could well be forced into playing a different attacking midfielder behind Josh Maja for the test of Burnley tonight, therefore, with John Swift an adequate replacement for the underperforming Wallace.

Why Swift should replace Wallace

Funnily enough, Swift was purchased in the exact same transfer window Wallace also entered the building, with the ex-Reading man still showing glimpses of his quality in a Baggies kit now three seasons deep into his stay at the Hawthorns.

Although he also has zero goals and assists next to his name like his former Millwall counterpart in league action, Swift was desperately unlucky versus Cardiff City the match before the away trip to Luton to not pick up a goal contribution.

Coming away from the game with four key passes under his belt, after amassing a ridiculous 116 touches as a key creative spark for his side, it’s safe to say the 29-year-old was desperately unlucky not to come away from the 0-0 affair with anything of note.

Instead, he was surprisingly dropped for Wallace, which is a decision his manager must now regret, having seen what the out-of-sorts midfielder offered in place of the “talented” ace, with that label given to him when he still was at Reading by ex-Royals manager Veljko Paunovic.

Also capable of scoring sublime strikes like this one for his side, having tallied up 16 goals from his 102 appearances to date in the West Midlands, Swift’s re-entry into the starting XI could see West Brom play more on the front foot against Burnley.

With the Clarets also wobbling in terms of form, with no wins in their last three, Corberan could sense this is a good opportunity for his team to get back on the horse, as Swift potentially returns to his XI.

Ismael let "exciting" West Brom ace leave, now he's a future England star

West Bromwich Albion could really go on to regret selling this youngster.

By
Kelan Sarson

Nov 5, 2024

Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada appears to have taken a shot at Erik ten Hag after claiming Ruben Amorim has a "clear idea" of how to play.

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• Berrada credits Amorim
• Appears to have criticised Ten Hag
• United struggling despite change of coach

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Berrada appears to have taken something of a swipe at Ten Hag, as he says that Amorim has a "clear idea" of how he wants to play at Old Trafford. Nevertheless, it has yet to yield much success, with the club languishing in 14th in the Premier League table.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Berrada insists that Amorim has a "vision" for United, and has promised that the club will aim to fulfil that across the coming transfer windows. United do not have Champions League football this season and may need to win the Europa League to attract the players they need to achieve Amorim's objectives.

• WHAT BERRADA SAID

  Per , Berrada said: "I think it’s riskier if you have a coach that doesn’t have a clear idea of how he wants to play. And with Ruben we don’t see that risk. When it comes to our recruitment strategy, without commenting too much, the idea we have is to be able to bring in versatile players that can be adaptable to multiple systems.

  "And ultimately, Ruben himself has said it, it’s not about the 3-4-3 tactical formation, it’s about an idea, a concept of how he wants to see the team playing. He wants to see the team playing more on the front foot, more of a possession, attacking-based style of football. So for that, you need players that can play in multiple positions that can adapt to that vision that Ruben has. And this is what we’re going try to do over the next years in in our recruitment."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  Amorim's United play Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday with the scores level at 1-1 from last week's encounter.