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When Kieran Tierney left Parkhead behind it was a sucker punch to their ambitions.

Yet again, a Celtic player was leaving for the Premier League, and once more, it was one of their star men.

The Hoops have been no strangers to seeing their most valuable assets leave. From Victor Wanyama to Moussa Dembele and Virgil van Dijk, a plethora of their top players have left in search of a top-five league.

Tierney is the most recent example, swapping Glasgow for London, joining Arsenal for £25m – a record sale for an SPFL player.

He has taken to the English top-flight like a duck to water, scoring and assisting in a rampaging display against West Brom last weekend. It was the type of performance that will have Celtic supporters craving a return.

However, for the time being, they have to settle for Greg Taylor and Diego Laxalt at left-back, two players who seldom replicate what Tierney can offer down the left flank.

Fortunately, they could be on the verge of finally landing the Scot’s true replacement. That happens to be Charlton winger Alfie Doughty.

Capable of playing as a left-back or further forward in attack, he has been continuously linked with the Bhoys since last summer. Though, in order to sign him, they will now have to fend off interest from Rangers.

Doughty is out of contract in the summer and thus, can be signed on a pre-contract agreement for a fee of absolutely nothing.

But why is he similar to Tierney? Well, a glowing review from The Athletic’s Nick Miller tells all: “Pace is the first thing you notice about Doughty. Remarkable pace. Relentless pace. The sort of pace that makes defenders cower and do very silly things indeed,” he wrote.

That is a frightening assessment, one that could well describe their former left-back. He demonstrates sheer speed on a regular basis, and like Doughty, makes defenders do rather strange and peculiar things.

Tierney showed that vs West Brom, taking Darnell Furlong for a walk before finding the back of the net in emphatic style.

Aged just 21, Doughty is the future and could well inspire Celtic to greater things.

AND in other news, 83 aerials: Celtic can sign big Bitton upgrade in 7-cap tank, he’s a “complete player”…

It’s not often things go wrong for this Wolves side. Usually, they quietly go about their business in swashbuckling fashion.

That was all too evident when they beat Arsenal a few weeks ago.

However, they are feeling the effects of a negative they were forced to take away from the Emirates Stadium. After a sickening clash of heads with David Luiz, Raul Jimenez was stretchered off with a fractured skull.

It was an almighty injury to receive and since he’s been missing, Wolves have failed to score.

A 4-0 loss to Liverpool was followed by a disappointing defeat to Aston Villa as try as they might, Nuno Santo’s men couldn’t find the back of the net.

Some added firepower in January could do the trick and one of the latest names to be linked with a move is Brazilian forward Hulk.

The powerful stocky striker is currently playing in China but according to Football Insider, Wolves could sign him on a free transfer.

The player himself admitted over the weekend that he’s set to depart Shanghai where he’s enjoyed a fabulous stint.

Hulk has accumulated over £90m in wages during his four years in China and has scored 76 goals in 145 games in the process. Clearly, he knows how to find the back of the net.

Evidently, the Chinese Super League is several steps below the Premier League in terms of quality but if he does sign, there are reasons to believe he could replace Adama Traore.

The Spaniard had a brilliant season last term, contributing to 13 goals, but this campaign he doesn’t have a single goal or assist.

A player known for his dribbling, he still terrifies defenders but Hulk could do that and provide goals on a regular basis.

He has eight strikes to his name this term and has performed 3.4 successful dribbles per match. Compared to Traore, he is fractionally behind. The devastating winger has registered 3.5 dribbles a game in 2020/21.

It’s clear to see why we’re comparing the two and if Wolves continue to be frustrated by a lack of progress in Traore’s contract talks, he could depart.

Hulk would be an absolute bargain of a replacement if they can convince him to move to English shores.

In other news, Wolves’ £60k-p/w dynamo was their ONLY positive against Aston Villa…

Leeds may finally be seeing the fruits of their labor following the arrival of Raphinha this summer, but there is one player who they will rue not signing…

What was the word?

One of the sagas of the last winter transfer window for the Whites was surrounding former Hull City talisman Jarrod Bowen, who according to The Sun was of interest to Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta.

They claimed that the Yorkshire giants were only willing to pay £3m loan upfront and then a remaining £15m upon promotion.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay also suggested that the 23-year-old was a player they “looked at” but ultimately, they were “never going to pay what Hull wanted.”

And now that’s looking like a rather silly mistake.

One that got away?

This week’s edition of Monday Night Football on Sky Sports served up Bowen’s new club, West Ham United, as they defeated Aston Villa 2-1 and the former Leeds target played an integral role once again.

He scored and assisted both of the Iron’s goals with SofaScore grading him as their best player with an 8.1 rating. He also recorded two key passes and made 83% of his passes.

It means since his £20m switch in January, Bowen has directly contributed to ten goals in just 23 appearances for the east London outfit. That is a phenomenal return thus far.

In the Premier League this season, the winger who was once dubbed “unplayable” by ex-manager Grant McCann has averaged 2.2 shots per game, which is only bettered by Patrick Bamford in Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.

You can only imagine how huge of an influence the Whites boss could’ve had on his career, even with the addition of Ralphinha. He’s looking way better than Helder Costa (one shot per game) and perhaps Jack Harrison too as he’s only scored once in the top-flight this term.

United will get a taste of what could’ve been later this month as they soon welcome the Hammers to Elland Road.

Orta best hope his decision to not pay up for the impressive dynamo doesn’t come back to haunt Bielsa and Leeds.

AND in other news, Forget De Paul: Bielsa has saved LUFC millions thanks to “intelligent” £45k-p/w beast…

Leeds United should have “gone and signed” Ben Foster this summer, according to former Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who has been speaking exclusively to Football FanCast.

The Whites gained promotion from the Championship to feature in the top-flight for the first time in 16 years and signed no fewer than five new additions during the summer, splashing a club-record £26m on Rodrigo from Valencia as well as bringing back Jack Harrison on loan from Manchester City.

Victor Orta also secured the permanent signature of Illan Meslier, who quickly established himself as Marcelo Bielsa’s no.1 between the sticks following Kiko Casilla’s eight-game ban last season.

Despite the 20-year-old joining the club from Lorient, Kirkland believes that the Watford veteran would’ve been exactly what the Yorkshire giants needed for a fair crack at the big time.

He told FFC:

“I’d have gone and signed Ben Foster, all day long. When you come up to the Premier League you need somebody that’s got an experience at a big club, and Leeds are a huge club.

“Listen, I’ve not seen the Leeds keepers too much. But again, if you’re asking me would I sign Ben Foster over them? Yeah. I don’t need to know much about them.

“Because unless they’re Alisson, which they’re not, then I would say go and sign Ben Foster 100%.”

The 37-year-old has had a wealth of experience in the Premier League, playing a total of 364 times where he has kept 90 clean sheets and conceded 521 goals for the likes of Manchester United, Birmingham City, West Brom and of course, the Hornets.

Neither Meslier until this season, nor Casilla have featured in the English top-flight, so a move for the 6 foot 4 glovesman would’ve made sense.

Foster is only on around £32.5k-per-week at Vicarage Road and has continued to be their main man in goal, keeping four clean sheets in ten Championship outings.

Whether it’s something Bielsa and Orta want to revisit in January or next summer very much remains to be seen.

AND in other news, Marcelo Bielsa needs to be ruthless over Leeds’ £23.5k-p/w “special” weapon…

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Vincent Janssen is enduring a season to forget with Liga MX Apertura side CF Monterrey, a-year-and-a-half on from his costly spell in north London.

What’s the word?

Mauricio Pochettino sought to lure Janssen to White Hart Lane in 2016 as his second signing of the summer, joining Victor Wanyama in putting pen to paper with Spurs after Chairman Daniel Levy struck a £17million deal with AZ Alkmaar for the Dutch forward.

Janssen was believed to have chosen Tottenham over rival interest from Ligue 1 heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, having attracted suitors from around Europe after striking 32 goals in 49 games during his debut top-flight season to earn the Eredivisie’s young player of the year award.

Pochettino was overjoyed to have been able to welcome Janssen to the club, describing the then-22-year-old as the “perfect fit” for the side he strived to assemble.

“He has a profile that fits perfectly for us,” the Argentine told Spurs’ official website. “He has quality in the box and he’s a striker that likes to fight and work for the team. That is perfect for us.

“We are very happy and excited that he has joined us. His human profile is perfect for the team, we always care about that. In general, he’s a player that fits the team. We’re all excited. It’s early in pre-season, just the second week and he will have time to adapt. We wish all the best for him.”

But Tottenham would never see such impact from the attacker, with Janssen racking up just six goals and four assists in 42 appearances across all competitions before leaving north London for Mexico and joining Monterrey for €7m (£6.2m) in 2019.

Professional, not personal

With Janssen struggling to make an impact for Tottenham, he would have hoped to kick his career back into gear by joining Monterrey, putting any thoughts of his time in north London far into the past and never giving a second to consider the financial loss Levy had to pay.

Things have not turned out quite like that, though, with the 26-year-old enduring a season to forget in Mexico with just one goal in 11 games after overcoming coronavirus and a later toe injury.

Janssen’s debut campaign in the Liga MX was not much better, either, with the 17-cap international striking just twice in 13 league games on route to 12 goals across all competitions thanks to seven in 10 Copa MX ties.

Monterrey’s €7m signing is not a guaranteed starter any longer, as well, with Janssen only opening six of his league appearances this term as his career continues to stumble four years on from clinching the Eredivisie’s young player of the year award.

It was never personal for Pochettino to omit Janssen before his exit, as the Argentine insisted the striker was simply not up to the task even after injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli in January 2019.

“I am so open to improve the squad and add players, with Harry Kane and Dele Alli fit or not fit,” he said, via quotes by FourFourTwo. “It’s difficult for us to add players that can help us or improve our squad. But it’s not that now we suffer some injuries, we are going to change our strategy. Our strategy is so clear.

“It’s one year and a half that he [Janssen] is not in our plans, and that is okay. He is not in the club’s plan. 18-months ago, we took the decision to try to find for him a different place to play. For different reasons, it didn’t work. That happens in football. Some relationships between player and club will not work.

“I saw him every day here in the changing room and the restaurant. That is not a personal problem. It’s the professional side. For different reasons, when that professional relationship is not working, we need to find a solution.”

Jose Mourinho will no doubt have been glad that Levy was able to offload Janssen before the Portuguese replaced Pochettino in November last year, but the Spurs Chairman will forever have the Dutchman’s failed career on his record thanks to Pochettino.

AND in other news, Jose Mourinho will be ruing Daniel Levy’s handling of a “magic” Spurs man backed to quit the club in January…

MatériaMais Notícias

Confira as maiores ‘mitagens’ de Jefferson em 2015.

According to The Daily Mail, Leeds United face competition from Fulham for the signing of Benfica starlet Florentino Luis.

What’s the word?

The 20-year-old has previously reported to have been tracked by the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City, but it appears two of the Premier League’s new boys are firmly in the running to sign him.

The Daily Mail claim that Leeds have asked about the Portuguese midfielder, although Fulham’s club scouts have also identified him as a potential target.

Is it Haaland Snr or David Hopkins? Your Leeds knowledge will be put to the test with this quiz…



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The report adds that Luis’ side have made him available for £2.5m for a season-long loan, but with a £40m fee attached at the end of the season to buy him on a permanent basis.

Marcelo Bielsa could transform him

After initially starting all four of Benfica’s opening league games last season, Luis fell out of favour for the rest of the campaign, with a meniscal injury not helping his cause either.

But whilst he may have only played 18 times, his talent is still undoubted, and is a young prospect who just needs a coach like Marcelo Bielsa to help him realise his potential. Luis’ former coach, Joao Tralhao, said of him: “(He has) an exceptional talent and physical qualities totally in line with his footballing qualities. (He) has a very similar profile to Casemiro. From very early on, we realised that Florentino was on his way to becoming an elite player.”

The midfielder has been lauded for his N’Golo Kante-like abilities to cover a lot of ground in the engine room, and for his impressive reading of the game despite his age. Andre David, a coach in Portugal, remarked: “He has incredible space-covering capacity, he’s very intelligent at anticipating and recovering the ball.”

At just 20, Luis has age on his side, and if Victor Orta can land him this summer, then he could be a player who Bielsa can help transform into a superstar at Elland Road.

MatériaMais Notícias

Desde que chegou ao Fluminense, no fim de setembro, o técnico Eduardo Baptista teve pouco tempo para treinar. Irregular no Campeonato Brasileiro e vivo em fases decisivas da Copa do Brasil, o treinador optou pela repetição do time e só pôde observar alguns jogadores por motivos de força maior, como lesões e suspensões.

Eliminado da Copa do Brasil e tranquilo no Brasileirão, Baptista utilizou a última semana, livre para treinamentos por conta dos jogos da Seleção Brasileira nas Eliminatórias, para fazer algumas experiências no time. Nomes como os zagueiros Artur e Ygor Nogueira foram testados no lugar de Marlon, que está servindo a Seleção Olímpica. O volante Willian foi quem mais se destacou treinando na vaga de Jean, que vem realizando trabalhos específicos e não participou de nenhum treino na semana.

– Desde que cheguei, dei oportunidade para muitos jogadores, até por lesão e suspensão dos titulares. O Artur é um menino que ainda não jogou, mas vem treinando bem. O Willian é outro que já coloquei algumas vezes e merece ser observado com calma – disse o treinador tricolor, ao LANCE!

Titular com Eduardo Baptista, o volante Pierre, que foi bem no jogo-treino contra o Bonsucesso, falou sobre essas experiências:

– O professor tem testado algumas formações, colocado opções diferentes. O Cícero tem uma boa chegada na frente, é a sua característica. Deu certo no jogo-treino e ele fez dois gols. Nossa missão é dar estabilidade e proteção. Agora é o Eduardo Baptista quem define a melhor opção para escalar o time.

Pensando em 2016, o tricolor também quer tirar suas conclusões sobre quem jogará ano que vem.

Brighton defender Adam Webster has been singing the praises of his team-mate Tariq Lamptey, who has made quite an impression since breaking into the first team recently.

The 19-year-old helped the Seagulls to keep a clean sheet in Saturday’s win at Norwich and, following his performance at Carrow Road, several supporters of his previous club Chelsea were raging over their decision to sell him to the Sussex outfit in January.

As per Brighton & Hove Independent, Webster said of the teenager: “He’s done amazing since he’s come in. I remember watching him on his debut for Chelsea and thinking ‘This guy’s a player’.

“Ever since he’s come in, every day in training he works so hard. You can see the ability he’s got. He’s kept his head down. Obviously he’s had to wait for his chance and now he’s got it and taken it with both hands. We’re really lucky to have him.

“He’s got everything. Athletically, he’s so fast and so strong. He doesn’t get beat in a one-v-one. Technically he’s very good. The best thing is he is a lovely kid. He’s so humble. He has a bright future in front of him.”

Lamptey had only played 31 minutes of Premier League football for Chelsea before they sold him to Brighton in January and, while he had to wait until the recent trip to Leicester to make his Seagulls debut, he has made the most of his chance when it came.

A strong debut showing against the Foxes, in which he won three tackles and made four clearances, won him man of the match that evening. He has since kept his place for the subsequent games against Manchester United and Norwich, with another fine performance against the Canaries on Saturday as he made five interceptions and got forward to supply four crosses.

Even in his fleeting Brighton career, the 19-year-old is among the market leaders in Graham Potter’s squad for some metrics. His average of 1.7 interceptions per game is the joint-most at the Amex Stadium along with Dale Stephens, while none of his team-mates can match his 2.3 successful dribbles per game average (as per WhoScored).

Lamptey has indeed had a magnificent start to his Brighton career, having not looked out of place despite facing two of the Premier League’s top five in his first two appearances for the Seagulls.

The teenager still has five more league games in which to make an even greater impression on his manager and, with Albion effectively clear of relegation, he can play with a degree of freedom for the rest of the month and strengthen his case to be a key player for them going into next season.

Brighton fans, have you been surprised by the impact that Lamptey has made since he got into the team? Comment below with your views!

أعلن مدرب فريق مانشستر سيتي بيب جوارديولا التشكيل الأساسي لمواجهة وايكومب، مساء اليوم في كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية.

ويلتقي الفريقان في ملعب الاتحاد في كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية، وذلك في إطار منافسات دور الـ32 من البطولة. تشكيل مانشستر سيتي أمام وايكومب

حراسة المرمى: زاك ستيفين.

خط الدفاع: إيجان ريلي، بارنز، لوك تابو، جوش ويلسون.

خط الوسط: لافيا، كيفين دي بروين، فيل فودين.

خط الهجوم: رحيم ستيرلينج، فيران توريس، رياض محرز.