All posts by h79snht.top

While Liverpool’s deal for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is going to dominate much of the transfer deadline day chatter, Tottenham Hotspur are knuckling down and preparing to pull off a few statement deals of their own.

Having won the race for attacking midfielder Xavi Simons earlier this week, Thomas Frank’s Tottenham are shaping up nicely, though a home defeat against Bournemouth after back-to-back wins to kick off the Premier League campaign have issued a reminder that there is much work to be done over the months and years ahead.

A lack of bite in that north London clash proved the crux of the club’s issues, and maybe it wouldn’t hurt for Daniel Levy to oversee an Isak-esque deal down N17 today.

Well, Spurs might just have such a move in the pipeline.

Spurs in talks to sign new striker

Let’s be frank, Tottenham’s new manager has his work cut out, though the early readings are promising to say the least.

But Dominic Solanke and Richarlison are the leading options at the front of the ship, and another star could work wonders in completing a frontline bearing such potential.

Well, according to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have opened talks with Paris Saint-Germain as they consider a bid for Randal Kolo Muani, who had looked set to join Juventus after a successful loan stint last year, but for the package to unravel at the negotiating table.

Anticipated to cost in excess of £50m, Kolo Muani has also attracted interest from Manchester United this month, but Spurs need a striker and offer the allure of Champions League football.

Keep a close eye on this one.

What Kolo Muani would bring to Spurs

Kolo Muani left Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany two years ago, signing for PSG in a £76m deal. So ended his prolific time in the Bundesliga, and kicked off a frustrating spell back in his homeland, having bagged only 11 goals across 54 matches.

Still, described as a “superstar” by German legend Lothar Matthaus, Kolo Muani has a deadly sense for goals and the athletic and mobile presence in and around the box to make a real difference to Tottenham’s attacking line, perhaps even proving the Londoners’ own version of Isak.

At Juventus, Kolo Muani proved that class is permanent, scoring ten goals and providing three assists across only 22 matches for the Turin-based outfit.

He also averaged 1.1 key passes per game, according to Sofascore, underscoring his dynamism and will to link up with teammates and deepen the lines of communication on the pitch.

This is something that Isak does (or, rather, did) with such aplomb across his years at St. James’ Park, keeping it crisp when on the ball but knowing exactly when to pick out a teammate or shuffle forward himself and strike on goal.

Kolo Muani might not have any Premier League experience under his belt, but he’s a seasoned forward both domestically and on the international stage, and has proven his worth when entrusted with a starring role.

Kolo Muani vs Isak (past 365 days)

Stats (per 90)

Kolo Muani

Isak

Goals scored

0.48

0.78

Assists

0.11

0.17

Shots taken

2.45

3.21

Touches (att pen)

6.28

6.31

Shot-creating actions

2.34

3.04

Pass completion

70.2%

75.3%

Progressive passes

1.49

2.94

Progressive carries

1.54

2.80

Successful take-ons

1.54

1.42

Ball recoveries

2.24

1.79

Tackles + interceptions

1.28

0.44

Data via FBref

Whether Tottenham manage to get this one over the line remains to be seen, but there’s no question that it would be a fantastic move for a side in transition, already showing that they have what it takes to hit some lofty heights with Frank at the helm.

Related More exciting than Simons: Spurs chasing "one of the best LWs in the world"

Spurs could seal a more exciting signing than Simons on transfer deadline day.

Posts 5 ByMatt Dawson Aug 31, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

A retomada dos treinos no Botafogo em meio ao período da Data Fifa ganhou contornos decisivos para Luis Henrique. Lançado com frequência em campo pelo técnico Luís Castro, o camisa 11 está em um bom momento e, caso seja acionado mais vezes, tem boas chances de continuar a defender o Alvinegro.

RelacionadasInstitucionalLance! estreia nova marca e se reposiciona no mercado de mídia esportivaInstitucional15/06/2023BotafogoPresidente do Botafogo, em carta aberta, exalta melhorias feitas no clube e promete nova loja em dois mesesBotafogo16/06/2023BotafogoCom projetos e polêmicas fora de campo, bastidores do Botafogo ficam agitados durante Data FifaBotafogo16/06/2023

Os direitos econômicos do atacante pertencem ao Olympique de Marselha (FRA). Porém, o contrato de Luis Henrique com o Botafogo inclui uma cláusula de opção de compra de cerca de 8 milhões de euros (estimado atualmente em R$ 42,2 milhões). Além disso, estão incluídos “gatilhos” que estabelecem um número de jogos disputados a partir do qual a sua compra passa a ser obrigatória.

+ Confira as 20 contratações mais caras já acertadas para temporada 2023-24

Após ter travado uma disputa acirrada com Victor Sá, Luis Henrique gradativamente retomou seu posto de titular e se tornou um dos responsáveis por municiar o centroavante Tiquinho Soares. Bem entrosado, o jogador de 21 anos disputou 30 partidas e marcou duas vezes.

O fôlego do atleta terá de ficar ainda mais revigorado. Afinal, além de Victor Sá, terá outro jogador para concorrer por sua vaga: em julho, Diego Hernández estará apto para atuar com a camisa do Botafogo. Em meio a muitos desafios, Luis Henrique se empenha para manter o foco e consolidar seu futebol.

Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz and Liverpool controlled the noise from the summer transfer window on Merseyside, but David Moyes’ Everton have quietly assembled a team more capable of competing on higher ground than in recent years.

Whether the Toffees will make it a successful one is, of course, anyone’s guess, but the signs certainly suggest that improvements have been made under Moyes’ wing.

But then, what to define as success? Everton sit sixth in the Premier League after four games, two wins tallied and three games unbeaten. The Farhad Moshiri era fizzled out rather quickly, and staving off the threat of relegation was the aim.

But now, Everton want more, and understandably so. There have been some good signings in recent years, but maybe this current crop feel a little different.

Everton's best signings of recent years

Everton’s men’s side bid farewell to Goodison Park at the end of the 2024/25 season, but the change afoot was to be more than just the scenery.

A host of first-teamers left at the end of their contracts, and many needed to be shipped out if Everton wished to segue into a new, finer form.

Abdoulaye Doucoure was among those to leave at the end of their contracts, but the Malian midfielder’s departure was a more poignant one than most. 32 years old, he was still an industrious and effective part of the team, but he was also the highest earner on the books, taking home £130k per week.

His departure was necessary, especially with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Charly Alcaraz added to the central midfield ranks, the latter permanently.

The three years after Doucoure’s £20m move from Watford to Everton in 2020 were sparse in regard to jackpot signings, although Dwight McNeil has been a fantastic player when fit, and Amadou Onana did well before being turned for a healthy profit when sold to Aston Villa for £50m in July 2024.

It was one year ago, though, that Everton signed Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille for £15m. The Senegalese winger is among the most electric to play in England, and he has been described as being capable of “magic” moments by Sky Sports commentator Seb Hutchinson.

His ten-goal return in 2024/25 was eclipsed by no Toffees member, and he was the cream of the crop.

Perhaps he’s not anymore. At no disrespect to the fleet-footed winger, Jack Grealish has arrived at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and looks eager to step up as the club’s talisman this term.

Moyes has hit the jackpot on Jack Grealish

This summer, Everton handed Grealish a lifeline. The England international was a Three Lion no more, kept from duty for his country across Thomas Tuchel’s first three camps. Sir Gareth Southgate opted against picking the Manchester City man for the 2024 Euros.

In fairness, Grealish had fallen from grace under Pep Guardiola’s wing. Joining the Premier League giants for a British record £110m fee in 2021, Aston Villa’s beloved maverick never quite captured the same effortless flair that defined his time at Villa Park, even if he has decorated his cabinet with a wealth of silverware.

It was time for a change, and Moyes offered him a platform to reinvent himself this summer, signing the 30-year-old on loan in August.

Grealish has been in fine fettle since joining, posting four assists from as many games and winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.

Grealish – PL stats

Stats (* per game)

24/25

25/26

Matches (starts)

20 (7)

4 (3)

Goals

1

0

Assists

1

4

Touches*

28.5

48.3

Accurate passes*

18.8 (91%)

24.8 (88%)

Big chances created

2

3

Key passes*

1.2

2.8

Dribbles*

0.7

2.0

Ball recoveries*

1.3

4.5

Tackles*

0.5

1.8

Duels (won)*

2.4 (55%)

6.8 (54%)

Data via Sofascore

While the data pool is shallow at this stage of the season, Grealish is already demonstrating an ability beyond what was seen across his last two years at the Etihad Stadium, more confident and creative.

He’s already shaping into the Merseysiders’ attacking talisman, especially given the profligacy of the centre-forwards, and with that in mind, maybe Grealish could prove to be Everton’s own version of the aforementioned Isak, who joined Liverpool in a British record £125m move on transfer deadline day.

Isak, 25, has established himself as one of the best strikers in the world over his three terms on Tyneside, with pundit Alan Shearer even hailing him as “world-class” last season, scoring against Liverpool at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup, and hurling constant daggers into the net to propel Newcastle back into the Champions League.

There’s no question that he was the attacking leader for the Toon, and he will be for Liverpool too, especially as the 33-year-old Mohamed Salah approaches the autumn of his career in England.

Grealish is not a striker, and he’s never been a particularly reliable goalscorer, but he could be Everton’s new hero in a different way, inspiring and galvanising and making things happen in a way that none of his peers, even Ndiaye, can match.

Both Ndiaye and Grealish are players who stand out as among Everton’s finest signings in many years. It’s not a particularly high bar, but there are many teams across the Premier League and across Europe who would jump at the chance to welcome such stars to their ranks.

Who knows if Everton will turn Grealish’s loan spell into a permanent deal? The opening weeks of the campaign suggest that it should be so. Last term, Theo Walcott remarked that he is a player of “incredible talent”, but that his spark had been “coached out of him”. Moyes is instilling that joy and wonder once more.

The playmaker’s wage demands would need redress: the attacking midfielder cannot take permanent residence in Moyes’ squad without agreeing to a pay cut.

But if some agreement could be engineered, Everton would land themselves one of the most talented players in the Premier League, a player who has already shown himself capable of standing out in a rising team and with a smile on his face too.

Just like Isak over at Anfield, Grealish has the chance to be a superstar in a new setting, and TFG must ensure they get his signature scribbled in permanent ink.

Related Big Beto upgrade: Everton have already sold "the new Lukaku"

This centre-forward would thrive at the front of David Moyes’ Everton system.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Sep 16, 2025

Champions turn contest in favour as visitors drop their guard in the sun

Vithushan Ehantharajah12-Apr-2025

Dan Worrall claimed three wickets to help secure a healthy Surrey lead•Getty Images

Surrey 253 (Sibley 100*, Wheal 4-65) and 136 for 1 (Pope 56*, Sibley 55*) lead Hampshire 219 (Prest 44, Gubbins 43, Worrall 3-37) by 170 runsYou can get caught out on Saturdays like these at the Kia Oval.The sun shines scorchingly bright to start, enticing you to take it easy, as you lounge through the opening hours without a care in the world. And then, without warning or even a goodbye, it ducks out leaving you exposed to the chill, scrabbling for the security of layers to cover up that newly acquired farmers’ tan.Of course, many of the 4,132 who started their weekend here will have been wise to all that, taking jumpers and nothing for granted. But 11 not included in that tally – who all happened to be donning a Rose and Crown crest – were given a stark reminder of how sharply things can shift against you on an April day in south London, even when the odds had started in your favour.At about 12.04pm, Hampshire were coasting at 84 for 1, Mark Stoneman and Nick Gubbins steady and unperturbed, even if they were still 169 behind Surrey’s first innings. By 6.26pm, when the floodlights were doing too much of the illuminating, the visitors were now trailing by 170, Surrey’s second innings not just going, but flying.Over six hours of play, and Hampshire were more or less back where they had begun, with far less control. If anything sums up the kind of folly the County Championship can occasionally throw up, this was it. But there were no cricketing gods to curse, and not even the early lure of the sun could be blamed. The lack of progress was very much on Hampshire.Their confusingly slow morning of 42 runs in 29 overs played into Surrey’s hands, particularly given a wicketless first half of day two’s opening session. Then came a collapse of three for six that laid waste to Hampshire’s drudgery, as unnecessary as it may have been. The error of their ways was eventually shoved all the way down their throats by a 36-over evening session in which Dom Sibley and Ollie Pope skipped along to half-centuries with Surrey closing on 136 for 1.The risk of Hampshire’s impasse was clear for all to see. This is a Surrey attack that does not let up. Even Matthew Fisher, freshly down south, got in on the squeeze, straddling midday with an impressive six-over spell – four of them maidens – that went for just seven runs, occasionally beating the edge of both Stoneman and Gubbins.It was while Fisher was operating from the Vauxhall End that Dan Lawrence profited in front of the Micky Stewart Members’ Pavilion. Gubbins inexplicably guided a delivery from wide on the crease around the corner to leg slip, having survived an appeal for an identical dismissal the ball before.Gubbins’ misjudgement turned the focus on the preceding 64 minutes, in which he and Stoneman added just 29 runs. Three overs later, Stoneman had been trapped in front by a suitably rested Dan Worrall, tagging back in for Fisher, before a torturous 1 off 27 from Toby Albert was ended by Jordan Clark to make it 90 for 4.With the top four back in the changing-room, and the innings moored, the onus was back on Tom Prest to take the initiative, as he had done last week with 57 in the successful chase against Yorkshire. A flashed edge over third slip ahead of the lunch break – Hampshire’s first boundary in 26 overs – at least hinted at impetus to come after the interval.The 22-year-old ended the first over of the afternoon session with back-to-back straight drives for four. And when Dawson responded with successive fours of his own – driven through cover, then flicked around the corner – Hampshire had already bettered the morning boundary count (three) in the space of six deliveries.Greater ambition came with greater risk, of course, though Dawson felt aggrieved when given out lbw, seemingly certain of an inside-edge. However contentious, it was a deserved first wicket at the Kia Oval for Fisher. Skipper Ben Brown followed him back not long after with a nine-ball duck that included a life when Sibley shelled a simple chase at first slip.It was from this point that Prest was backed up by Brett Hampton for the best part of 10 overs. The New Zealander was happy to play the aggressor, swinging his huge forearms at anything and everything in his half, bringing about one novel boundary in front of square leg when he was aiming for cover.The only plus point for Hampshire was their first innings seemed in terminal decline when Hampton and Prest were seen off in the space of 11 deliveries, particularly given the modes. The former squeezed out a Clark inducker between bat and pad, stifling the ensuing lbw appeal, but inadvertently sending the ball towards Pope at first slip. England’s vice-captain broke forward and flung himself low to complete the catch. Prest, having negotiated the best part of Worrall’s bumper spell against him, aimed a lazy flinch at one that did not get up as much and found Ryan Patel at short leg for 44.Then came Abbott’s late dash to 37, 13 of them taken off Fisher’s 16th and final over, as a short-ball ploy was met with three step-away-and-carves through the off side, which also happened to be the shorter hit. By the time Abbott was done – bowled by Lawrence defending down the wrong line – Hampshire had closed the first-innings gap to 34.With a bumper 42-session to come after tea, there was an opportunity for wickets to turn this match into a second-innings shootout. But Abbott was the only bowler to register a dismissal, nailing Rory Burns in front, only after he and Sibley had brought up 56 between them in the 13th over. Having carried his bat the day before, Sibley went on, for another 55 unbeaten runs, with the only point of alarm coming when he almost ran himself out on 47.Pope best exemplified the shifting scenario, contorting it further with a breezy half-century brought up with consecutive sixes off Sonny Baker – the first carved over point, the second uppercut over third. No other side have been as chastened by Pope’s shot-making as Hampshire, and this was a ninth fifty-plus score against them in 11 first-class matches against them.They had kept him quiet in five previous innings, including seeing him off for 14 on Friday. But his average against them has ticked back up to 96.30, and it is not unreasonable to expect that to be higher by the time he and Surrey finish batting.Few sides are quite so ruthless as the defending champions when in such a commanding position. And while Hampshire will learn from how this match has been switched upon them by their own apprehensive approach, maybe they should have been wiser given how relentless their opponents have been over the last three years.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians irá enfrentar o Universitário-PER com um time alternativo. O duelo é válido pela partida de ida dos playoffs da Copa Sul-Americana.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansGil se manifesta após ser cobrado e xingado por torcedores do Corinthians em hotelCorinthians10/07/2023CorinthiansRóger Guedes é responsável por quase metade dos gols do Corinthians na temporadaCorinthians10/07/2023CorinthiansVeja como o Corinthians planeja a volta de Renato Augusto ao time titularCorinthians10/07/2023

+ Torcedor do Corinthians, ajude a escolher o nome da área dedicada ao seu time no Lance! 

O técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo decidiu não relacionar todos os atletas que foram titulares na vitória contra o Atlético-MG, pela 14ª rodada do Brasileirão. Assim, Luxa repete a estratégia utilizada na rodada final da Libertadores, quando o Timão já estava eliminado da competição e precisava de um empate com o Liverpool-URU para garantir vaga nos playoffs da Sul-Americana.

Renato Augusto, que voltou aos gramados após cinco jogos ausente, está entre os relacionados e deve ganhar minutos como reserva.

A novidade na lista é a volta do atacante Romero, recuperado de um problema no joelho. Além do paraguaio, o técnico corintiano chamou nove atletas das categorias de base para o duelo contra os peruanos.

continua após a publicidade

VEJA OS RELACIONADOS

Goleiros: Carlos Miguel, Kauê e Matheus Donelli

Laterais: Léo Mana, Matheus Bidu, Rafael Ramos e Vitor Meer

Zagueiros: Bruno Méndez, Caetano, João Pedro, Murillo e Renato

Meio-campistas: Biro, Giuliano, Matheus Araújo, Maycon, Renato Augusto e Roni Atacantes: Adson, Felipe Augusto, Giovane, Pedro, Romero e Wesley

+ Timão avança? Veja todos os confrontos dos playoffs da Sul-Americana

Uma provável escalação conta com: Carlos Miguel; Rafael Ramos, Bruno Méndez, Caetano e Bidu; Roni, Maycon e Matheus Araújo (Giuliano); Adson, Felipe Augusto e Biro (Wesley)

continua após a publicidade

Luxemburgo fechou a preparação para o confronto com o Universitario com um trabalho tático. Houve também um treino de enfrentamento em campo reduzido e um complemento de cobranças de falta e pênaltis. Os titulares realizaram um trabalho separado no campo e na caixa de areia

أعلنت رابطة البريميرليج عن الفائز بجائزة رجل مباراة مانشستر سيتي وإيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، والتي أقيمت مساء اليوم السبت.

واستقبل مانشستر سيتي خصمه إيفرتون على ملعب “الاتحاد” في إطار مباريات الجولة الثامنة للدوري الإنجليزي.

وتمكن مانشستر سيتي من تحقيق الفوز أمام خصمه إيفرتون بهدفين دون مقابل، ليرفع رصيده للنقطة 16.

وحصل على جائزة رجل المباراة، إيرلينج هالاند مهاجم مانشستر سيتي، بتصويت الجماهير بعد أدائه المميز.

وسجل هالاند هدفي مانشستر سيتي أمام إيفرتون، وذلك خلال 5 دقائق، حيث أحرز الأول في الدقيقة 58 والثاني بالدقيقة 63.

وارتفع رصيد هالاند إلى 11 هدفًا على قمة ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لموسم 2025-2026.

وجاء تصويت الجماهير لصالح هالاند بنسبة 95%، ليحصل على جائزة رجل المباراة اليوم أمام إيفرتون.

تحدث آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول، قبل دقائق من انطلاق مباراة الفريق ضد آينتراخت فرانكفورت، في الجولة الثالثة بمرحلة الدوري لدوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويجلس محمد صلاح على دكة البدلاء للمباراة الثانية على التوالي في دوري أبطال أوروبا، بعد جلوسه على الدكة ضد جالطة سراي في الجولة الثانية.

ويدخل سلوت لقاء اليوم بتشكيل مكون من: مامارداشفيلي- فريمبونج – فان دايك- كوناتي- أندرو روبرتسون- سوبوسلاي- جونز- فيرتز- جاكبو – إيكتيكي- ألكسندر إيزاك.

وبرر سلوت قراره بإجلاس محمد صلاح على دكة البدلاء في تصريحات نشرتها” ديلي ميل”: “دائماً يكون من الصعب استبعاد صلاح ولكن عندما استبعد لاعبين آخرين يكون الأمر صعبًا أيضًا”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. رقم سلبي غير مسبوق لـ محمد صلاح في مسيرته مع ليفربول منذ 8 سنوات

وأضاف: ” أعجبتني الطريقة التي أنهينا بها المباراة ضد مانشستر يونايتد وقد خلقنا العديد من الفرص”.

وواصل حول غياب ريان جرافنبيرخ: “علينا إعادة هيكلة الفريق قليلاً، إجمالاً قررنا البدء بهذه الطريقة، لدي لاعبون قادرون على البدء والتأثير على مجريات اللعب من مقاعد البدلاء”.

وعن إشراك إيزاك وهوجو إيكتيكي في التشكيل الأساسي أجاب سلوت: “ما نحتاجه اليوم هو محاولة خلق فرص جديدة كما فعلنا في الأسابيع القليلة الماضية ومن المفيد جداً أن يكون لدينا لاعبان في الفريق قادران على التسجيل”.

وختم: “نأمل ونتوقع أن يقدم فريمبونج إبداعات لهذين اللاعبين من الجهة اليمنى وأن يحاول جاكبو فعل الشئ نفسه من الجهة اليسرى، مع إبداع فيرتز في العمق، يمكنهما اللعب معاً وأظهرا ذلك ضد مانشستر يونايتد على الرغم من أنه كان في الشوط الثاني”.

ولأول مرة منذ انضمامه لنادي ليفربول في عام 2017، لا يشارك محمد صلاح في التشكيل الأساسي للريدز في مباراتين متتاليتين في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

MatériaMais Notícias

Raphael Veiga garantiu a vitória do Palmeiras diante do Atlético-MG por 1 a 0 nesta quarta-feira (2), no Mineirão, em Belo Horizonte, pela partida de ida das oitavas de final da Libertadores. Com o gol marcado, o meia chegou a 26 participações em gols em 2023, superando a marca de 25 alcançada na temporada passada.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasApós vitória na Libertadores, Palmeiras se reapresenta e inicia preparação para duelo contra o FluminensePalmeiras03/08/2023PalmeirasPróximos jogos do Palmeiras: onde assistir ao vivo, datas, horários e calendárioPalmeiras10/10/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras ainda pode contratar jogadores em 2023; entenda como e até quandoPalmeiras03/08/2023

+ Veja tabela da Libertadores-2023 clicando aqui

Ao total, Veiga já marcou 13 vezes e distribuiu 13 assistências no ano, sendo o artilheiro do Verdão e também o maior garçom. Na última temporada, o camisa 23 balançou a rede 19 vezes e deu seis passes para gol. Ainda fez dois gols e deu um assistência no Mundial de Clubes, mas não foi pela temporada 2022, e sim pelo ano de 2022.

+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!

Com o tento nesta quarta, Raphael Veiga atingiu mais uma marca expressiva com a camisa do time na Libertadores. Segundo maior artilheiro do clube na história da competição sul-americana, o meia se tornou também o 16º brasileiro com mais bolas na rede na disputa em todos os tempos, igualando ninguém menos do que Pelé, Zico e Jardel.

continua após a publicidade

No ano passado, o artilheiro da temporada foi Rony, com 23 gols, enquanto o maior garçom foi Gustavo Scarpa, hoje jogador do Nottingham Forest-ING, com 18 assistências. Tendo em vista que o primeiro turno do Brasileirão ainda nem terminou, e o Verdão ainda disputa a Libertadores, Veiga ainda pode ultrapassar os números alcançados por Rony e Scarpa na temporada de 2022.

+ Veiga valoriza atuação do Palmeiras contra o Atlético-MG, mas avisa: ‘Temos que saber usar a vantagem’

Com a vitória diante do Galo, o Palmeiras pode até empatar no Allianz Parque, na quarta-feira (9), pelo jogo de volta das oitavas, que ainda assim se classificará para as quartas de final da competição. Antes disso, vai até o Rio de Janeira encarar o Fluminense neste sábado (5), às 21h, no Maracanã, pela pela 18ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

continua após a publicidade

Tudo sobre

PalmeirasRaphael Veiga

This season feels like a do-or-die for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.

The Spaniard has done a brilliant job of taking the club from mid-table mediocrity to perennial title challengers in five years, but he now needs to get the team over the finishing line.

Fortunately, even with the absurd number of injuries they’re already facing, the Gunners now have a squad full to bursting with brilliant players, like Eberechi Eze, who could help them win the Premier League or Champions League.

Interestingly, though, while Arsenal should be delighted to have the Crystal Palace star on the books, one of their former players is currently performing just like him.

The problems Eze solves for Arsenal

Now, while there are undoubtedly other things he brings to the table, there are two main ways Eze can help Arsenal, and they are somewhat interlinked.

Firstly, the Gunners ended last season with 17 fewer goals scored than champions Liverpool, and therefore needed to go out and sign a serious attacking threat in the summer, like the former Palace star.

For example, in 43 appearances last season, totalling 3,303 minutes, the England international scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists.

Eze in 24/25

Appearances

43

Minutes

3303′

Goals

14

Assists

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

132.12′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

That means he averaged a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes, and the fact that he was able to do so in a mid-table side is even more encouraging.

This links to the other main way in which the Greenwich-born star could help the Gunners: his positional versatility.

On top of being proven in the number ten role, the former QPR gem is more than capable of playing off the left.

Not only will this give Arteta more tactical flexibility in games, but it also means the 27-year-old will be able to provide genuine competition for Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard, two players who underperformed last year.

In all, Eze looks like an excellent signing for Arsenal, even though a player sold by the club years ago is starting to resemble the £68m man.

The former Arsenal star playing like Eze

It would be fair to say that Arsenal do not have the best track record when it comes to selling, often due to them selling a player for way less than their worth.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Expand Collapse

That isn’t actually the case in this instance, as former Hale Ender Alex Iwobi was sold to Everton in 2019 for a hefty fee of around £35m.

The Nigerian wasn’t a bad player for the Gunners, far from it, but he wasn’t ever spectacular, and so when the Toffees made an offer like that for someone who’d amassed a tally of 39 goal involvements in 149 games, it was probably the right decision to let him go.

While he played a big role on Merseyside, the versatile international was eventually sold to Fulham for around £22m in the summer of 2023, and it would be accurate to say he’s been at his best with the Cottagers.

In fact, since moving to Craven Cottage, the former Gunners ace has scored 16 goals and provided ten assists in 83 appearances, totalling 6118 minutes.

Iwobi’s senior career

Club

Arsenal

Everton

Fulham

Appearances

149

140

83

Goals

15

9

16

Assists

24

16

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.26

0.17

0.31

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Yet, despite putting in consistently good performances for the West Londoners and already racking up three goal involvements in five league games this season, some consider him to be overlooked, with journalist Daniel Storey going as far as calling him “one of the most underrated midfielders in the country.”

With that said, what makes him like Eze?

Well, the first similarity the Nigerian shares with the Gunners ace is his positional versatility, as he’s just as comfortable playing on the wing as he is in midfield.

Second, he is also becoming a greater goal threat for his side, racking up 15 goal involvements in the league last season and just seven the year before.

Finally, like the North Londoners’ new star, he is also capable of making things happen, both through his brilliant close control and ability to deliver a pinpoint-accurate cross into the penalty area.

Ultimately, Arsenal did the right thing in selling Iwobi when they did, but it’s also true that the Fulham star is playing incredibly well at the moment, and looking a bit like Eze in the process.

Related Arsenal had Lewis-Skelly 2.0 in Hale End "monster", then he left for £0

The talented Hale Ender looked like he was going to be a star for Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 25, 2025

Bowling coach is disappointed that the team came up short during “key moments”

Shashank Kishore27-Apr-20253:13

Jaffer on RR’s woes: When you lose, you start doubting yourself

Rajasthan Royals aren’t out of the playoff race yet, but with 14 points unlikely to be enough in IPL 2025, bowling coach Shane Bond hopes the squad uses the remaining five games to lay a strong foundation for next year.”We’re probably out of the tournament, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot to play for,” he said ahead of Monday’s home fixture against Gujarat Titans. “We want to make sure we finish the season strong and continue playing well.”Also, for individuals there’s a lot to play for. For next season, wanting to stay with the franchise, there’s always that up. For me it’s been really disappointing. I think we’re all competitive, we want to win and when you’ve got a bunch of people who have worked really hard like our guys have, I don’t expect them to just turn up and go through the motions.”RR are looking to snap a five-match losing streak, with three of those losses coming in chases they appeared to control – twice falling short needing nine off the final over and once needing just 18 off 12 with two set batters. Citing these missed chases, Bond strongly rejected suggestions that RR’s bowling, barring Jofra Archer, looked “toothless”.Related

Bruised RR look to avoid knockout blow against fluent GT

Parag: We didn't show enough intent against the spinners

“Toothless might be a little bit harsh,” he said. “The last three games, perhaps we should have chased and won. We’ve played pretty well over the last three games; we just haven’t won a couple of key moments. And so that’s why we’re sitting at the rear end of the table where perhaps we could have sat somewhere more in the middle.”We’ve had some big overs, there’s no denying that. We’ve had some bowlers who have had some tough days, but that’s probably been the same for a number of bowlers and teams throughout the tournament. So when you say toothless, what do you mean? I think collectively the bowling unit, especially over the last three games, have done a pretty good job and kept the opposition to scores perhaps we should have chased down.Shane Bond is hurting from Rajasthan Royals getting into winning positions and then losing•SA20

“I suppose the stuff that’s hardest is that for 35 overs of games we’ve played really well and in fact have been in control in some games and probably got into positions where we should have won. So you have to give credit to the opposition. They were good enough in those tight moments to go over the top of us and win those games. I suppose that’s what hurts.”After their seventh defeat two nights ago, Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming traced his side’s struggles to their auction. Bond didn’t think RR’s was a case of a poor auction as much as it was a case of missed opportunities.”I suppose that’s something you work through at the end of the season,” Bond said. “I think you also look at that perhaps at the end of an auction cycle. You look at the last three years cycle for Rajasthan, it was a great cycle. We made a final, made the playoffs, and were in contention all the time.”It’s not an ideal start [to the new auction cycle], but then at the end of the year that’s what you do. You look at your squad, you look at who’s performed, how do you make improvements and changes. I think every team does that.”In terms of whether it’s been a poor auction or not, I don’t really think about that too much to be honest. I’m not really involved in that process, but what you would say is I think we’ve played pretty good cricket, we just haven’t been quite good enough. As I said, if we seized a couple of key moments, it could very well look different on the table and we may not be having this conversation.”With Sanju Samson still recovering from an abdominal injury, Riyan Parag will keep captaincy of the side.”No, I don’t see him taking up on a permanent basis,” Bond said. “Obviously, we’ve lost our captain, which has hurt us a little bit. We’re a pretty young team. We’re an inexperienced team. Riyan – I know he’s been around the IPL for a while, but he’s pretty young to come in and lead the team. He’s actually done a really good job. We’re really happy with what he’s doing.”He would admit himself that he’s still learning the role, and we’ve got some good support around him. But so far, he’s got a very sharp cricketing brain. I think the stuff that he’s done on the field with the bowlers and the changes that he’s made have been really good. For us, I suppose the upside is you’ve got someone else who’s gained a little bit more leadership experience for next year as well.”I think when Sanju’s on the field, he’s been excellent. We’ll go into next season with two people who have got that captaincy experience, and I think that’s going to be good for the team in the long term.”