NO CHELSEA, LIVERPOOL OR MANCHESTER UNITED DEALS IN THE TOP TEN PREMIER LEAGUE SIGNINGS OF 2023

 A true Todd Boehly special

More than £1bn was spent by Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United this year but not a single one of their signings rank among the ten best made in 2023.

10) Craig Dawson The list of permanent managers Dawson has played for in the Premier League, presented in chronological order, is a thing of beauty: Hodgson, Clarke, Mel, Irvine, Pulis, Pardew, Gracia, Pearson, Sanchez Flores, Moyes, Lopetegui and O’Neil.

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The penultimate and perhaps most incongruous name had apparently been so affected by Dawson’s inspirational turn during West Ham’s run to the 2022 Europa League semi-finals, in which Lopetegui’s Sevilla were dumped out by the Hammers in the round of 16, that he immediately sought to sign the centre-half when the opportunity first presented itself.

Dawson helped keep Wolves – out of the relegation zone on goal difference alone – clear of the drop by seven points, with a debut goal in a thrashing of Liverpool particularly memorable. This season has brought more quietly consummate excellence, as Erling Haaland can attest. And all for little over £3m.

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Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/no-chelsea-liverpool-or-manchester-united-deals-in-the-top-ten-premier-league-signings-of-2023-38749170

TRANSFER GOSSIP: MAN UTD SEEK TO SELL FOUR TO SAUDI, LIVERPOOL OUT OF MIDFIELDER RACE

 Manchester United are seeking buyers for Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial and Casemiro.

John Murtough is trying to prove his worth by finding Saudi buyers for four Man Utd players, while Liverpool have backed out of the race for a Prem midfielder…

MAN UTD CHIEF SENT TO SAUDI TO SELL With Sir Jim Ratcliffe hoping to lure Dan Ashworth to Manchester United from Newcastle, John Murtough knows he’s potentially on borrowed time. So the current football director has been trying to prove his worth by selling some of the players the Red Devils want rid of.

According to the Daily Mail, Murtough went to Saudi Arabia earlier this month in an effort to sell four stars: Casemiro, Raphael Varance, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial.

Apparently, Murtough left Saudi without an agreement to sell any of that quartet but ‘established some important new relationships’ and ‘further talks are planned’.

Shifting Sancho next month is United’s clear priority, while the Manchester Evening News says Varane is hopeful the club will take up their one-year option to extend his deal which expires next summer. His performance against Liverpool certainly lends credence to that report, while the same publication suggests United remain open to retaining Murtough’s services despite the links with Ashworth.

RED DEVILS WATCH GUIRASSY IN KANE SHOWDOWN United could certainly use a striker next month and there is an opportunity with Serhou Guirassy…

The Stuttgart striker has been on fire this season, scoring 16 goals in the Bundesliga. In Europe’s top five leagues, only Harry Kane has scored more.

That and the release clause in his Stuttgart contract – around £15.2million – makes the 27-year-old an attractive proposition in January.

Which is why a host of scouts were in Munich on Sunday to watch Guirassy take on Bayern. Though the striker struggled to make an impression, United, West Ham, Fulham and AC Milan all had representatives checking on the Guinea centre-forward.

BAYERN WARY, LIVERPOOL OUT OF PALHINHA RACE Bayern are on the hunt for a midfielder next month and it was thought that Joao Palhinha might be their man. A deal was close enough at the end of the summer window that the Portugal international was allowed to fly to Bavaria for a medical but Fulham refused to sign off because they couldn’t recruit a replacement.

Palhinha has since been outstanding for the Cottagers, perhaps motivated by the thought of his big move – but it might not be to Bayern. And it definitely won’t be to Liverpool.

That’s the latest according to Sky Germany. Liverpool are no longer in the running – if they ever really were – while Bayern reckon Palhinha is too expensive right now.

Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/transfer-gossip-man-utd-seek-to-sell-four-to-saudi-liverpool-out-of-midfielder-race-38749301

MANCHESTER UNITED EYE SANCHO SWAP-DEAL WITH BARCELONA

 Manchester United are eyeing a potential swap-deal with Barcelona involving Raphinha and Jadon Sancho.

Raphinha has struggled for regular first-team football at Barcelona this season and has started just six games in La Liga, with the winger linked with an exit in January despite a desire to remain at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona are prepared to listen to offers for the 27-year-old next month with several Saudi Pro League sides said to be interested in a potential deal. However, Sport are reporting that Manchester United are also monitoring his situation.

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Raphinha impressed during two seasons in the Premier League at Leeds United, where 17 goals and 12 assists in 64 league appearances persuaded Barcelona to spend £55m to sign him in 2022.

Manchester United are reportedly open to a deal to bring Raphinha back to English football, as Erik ten Hag looks to improve his attacking options. Antony has struggled to make an impact since his arrival from Ajax, while Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund have scored just two league goals combined this season.

According to the report, United could offer Jadon Sancho to Barcelona as part of an exchange deal, as the club look for cost-efficient methods of strengthening in the new year. Sancho has been excluded from the first-team group since September, following a public fallout with Erik ten Hag, who criticised the 23-year-old’s application in training.

Barcelona have been credited as admirers of Sancho, while Juventus are also said to be keen on a January deal.

Read – The Premier League substitutes with the most goal involvements this season

See more – Premier League weekend: Five things we learned

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Sources:https://onefootball.com/en/news/manchester-united-eye-sancho-swap-deal-with-barcelona-38749003

VICTOR OSIMHEN IS NAMED 2023 AFRICAN MEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

 Victor Osimhen has been named the 2023 African Men’s Player of the Year.

The Nigerian and Napoli striker beat off competition from Liverpool and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, as well as Morocco and PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi, to win the award for the first time.

The 24-year-old was the highest ranked African player in the Ballon d’Or honours, finishing eighth after a stunning 2022/23 season for Napoli, in which he netted 31 goals as the club won their first Serie A title in 33 years.

Osimhen also netted scored five times in as many games for his national side in 2023, making it 20 goals from just 27 appearances for Nigeria.

He will be the key man as Nigeria look to claim a first African Cup of Nations since 2013 when the tournament kicks off next month in Ivory Coast.

Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/victor-osimhen-is-named-2023-african-mens-player-of-the-year-38709234

FOOTBALL TRANSFER RUMOURS: REAL MADRID BUDGET FOR MBAPPE & HAALAND; ARSENAL MAKE TONEY DECISION

 90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world...

Real Madrid have organised their finances in such a way that they will be able to compete for more 'Galactico' signings next summer, with PSG's Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland on their shortlist. (AS)

Manchester United view Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo and Sporting CP's Goncalo Inacio as ideal long-term replacements for Raphael Varane. (The Sun)

Another player on Manchester United's radar is Pedro Neto, who is also wanted by Arsenal and Saudi Pro League clubs. Wolves have set a £60m asking price. (TeamTALK)

Liverpool lead Inter and Juventus in the race to sign Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, with the France international able to leave if a club comes in with a £35m bid. (Corriere dello Sport

Chelsea could turn to Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez if Napoli's demands for Victor Osimhen prove excessive. (Football Transfers)

In their attempts to find a cut-price replacement for the injured Gavi, Barcelona are weighing up a move for West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals, whose contract expires in the summer. (Cadena SER)

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Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/football-transfer-rumours-real-madrid-budget-for-mbappe-haaland-arsenal-make-toney-decision-38611601

MILAN’S R9-INSPIRED PUNK ROCK STRIKER PROSPECT IS READY TO TAKE SERIE A BY STORM – AND HE’S ONLY 15

What do you do when footballers are being introduced too young, inevitably ravaged by injuries and then forced to deal with a shorter career as a result? Bring through more children to cover for injuries, of course.

In an era where footballers are dropping like flies with muscle and ligament injuries galore in and around seasons that are asking for as many as 60 games from players, managers are having to instil more trust in youth prospects, even if those youth prospects are not still legally old enough to drive a car or buy an energy drink

It’s a double-edged sword, though. Because if you’re good enough, you’re old enough

And if you’re good enough to be given a chance to play first-team football at a jaw-droppingly young age, the chances are you’re going to grasp that once-in-a-lifetime, genuine fairytale opportunity with both hands.

Despite their recent resurgence which culminated with winning the Scudetto in 2021-22, Milan’s striker roster is still incredibly fragile.

The Rossoneri managed to extract the absolute maximum out of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his second spell with the club before his body finally forced him into retirement, plugging the gaps around him whenever he faltered by relying on Olivier Giroud, who has since taken over the role as starting striker.

Experience is great, but having two players in the autumn of their careers with a limited shelf life is bound to catch up on you at some point.

Read more 

Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/milans-r9-inspired-punk-rock-striker-prospect-is-ready-to-take-serie-a-by-storm-and-hes-only-15-38611422

BRAZIL 'COULD FACE POINTS DEDUCTION' FOR ARGENTINA BRAWL BECAUSE OF FIFA RULE

 

Highlights

• The brawl during the Brazil vs. Argentina match may result in a points deduction for Brazil in the World Cup qualifiers, as per FIFA's Disciplinary Code.

• Lionel Messi and other players expressed concern for the safety of families in the stands during the incident, emphasizing the potential for tragedy.
• A points deduction could severely impact Brazil's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, as they are currently in sixth place and struggling for form

The brawl that broke out inside the Maracana stadium during Brazil's match against Argentina could have massive aftershocks for the home side. According to reports, one FIFA rule means that Brazil could face a potential points deduction because of the incident.

The two nations renewed their feisty affair in a recent World Cup qualifying match, which saw Lionel Messi clash with Rodrygo. Argentina would eventually run out 1-0 victors, thanks to a goal in the 63rd minute from former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi, which handed Brazil a first defeat in a World Cup qualifying match at home.

However, the main headline news from the game came from an incident which occurred before the match even kicked off. There was chaos in the stands of the stadium as tempers flared between both sets of fans, with Emiliano Martinez and other players intervening as the police stepped in. The match was postponed for almost 30 minutes as Lionel Messi led the visiting squad from the field

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Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/brazil-could-face-points-deduction-for-argentina-brawl-because-of-fifa-rule-38608088

BARCELONA SEAL UWCL COMEBACK; BENFICA OFF THE MARK; LYON, BRANN WIN

 The Women’s Champions League resumed on Tuesday with eight teams in group-stage action.

Here’s what went down.

Barcelona blitz comeback over Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt Women : 01 

Barcelona Women : 03

Scorers: Freigang 42′; Paralluelo 48′, 63′, Caldentey 59′

Barcelona produced a second-half blitz to record a 3-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Laura Freigang handed the hosts a late first-half lead when she rose to meet Verena Hanshaw’s floated delivery into the middle.

But Salma Paralluelo drew the reigning champions level just three minutes after the interval by sliding home Ona Battle’s cutback from the left.

The Blaugrana completed their comeback barely when Mariona Caldentey pounced on Ingrid Syrstad Engen’s tee-up with a close-range finish.

Paralluelo later racked up a brace by producing a carbon copy of Caldentey’s effort after Aitana Bonmatí had fed her inside the penalty area.

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Source : https://onefootball.com/en/news/barcelona-seal-uwcl-comeback-benfica-off-the-mark-lyon-brann-win-38604655

THE LATEST EA FC 24 TEAM OF THE WEEK HAS DROPPED

 A Ballon d’Or winner, Egypt’s hat-trick hero and Italy’s puppet-master.

Let’s take a look at which players have made it into the latest EA Sports FC 24 Team of the Week.

The full team is as follows:

• Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
• Nicolo Barella (Inter)
• Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)
• Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
• Lauren James (Chelsea)
• Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
• Patson Daka (Leicester City)
• Luis Diaz (Liverpool)
• David Alaba (Real Madrid)
• Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)
• Stefan De Vrij (Inter)
• Gerson Rodrigues (Sivasspor)
• Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord)
• Otabek Shukurov (Faith Karagumruk)
• Connor Metcalfe (St.Pauli)
• Carlos Coronel (New York Red Bulls)                                                                                                                                                                                      Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/the-latest-ea-fc-24-team-of-the-week-has-dropped-38603777

ENGLAND'S EURO 2024 POT AND POTENTIAL GROUP STAGE OPPONENTS

 Despite a monotonous end to England's qualification campaign, the Three Lions confirmed their place at Euro 2024 with relative ease.

England sauntered to top spot in Group C, winning six of their eight qualification matches. That included back-to-back victories against European champions Italy, as well as a 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia and comfortable wins against Ukraine and Malta.

However, England have always flattered to deceive at major tournaments. Qualification has normally been straightforward but they have too frequently choked on the big stage despite an abundance of talent.

With the Euro 2024 draw coming in December, let's look at who England could face in next summer's tournament.

What Euro 2024 pot are England in?

England's performances in Group C have been rewarded / Robin Jones/GettyImages

With Euro 2024 a tournament made up of 24 nations, the group stage consists of six groups of four teams. Each group is made up of a single team from each pot - one to four - with the strongest teams, hypothetically, in Pot 1.

England were one of the five qualification group winners to be drawn into Pot 1 based on their impressive record in qualifying. They will also be joined by hosts Germany in the top pot.

Pot 1 also consists of Spain, Belgium, Portugal and France, meaning England won't face any of these teams in the Euro 2024 group stage.

Pots are decided based on the performance of teams in Euro 2024 qualifying.

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Source:https://onefootball.com/en/news/englands-euro-2024-pot-and-potential-group-stage-opponents-38604780