يستعد نادي برشلونة الإسباني لحقبة جديدة تحت قيادة المدير الفني هانز فليك الذي تولى تدريب الفريق خلفًا لتشافي هيرنانديز.

وأعلن برشلونة في بيان رسمي اليوم الأربعاء أن فليك سيتولى تدريب برشلونة، ويرتبط بعقد مع الفريق حتى يونيو 2026.

وكشفت “ريليفو” الإسبانية عن مصير حارس المرمى الألماني مارك تير شتيجن ومستقبله مع برشلونة بعد قدوم فليك.

يوضح التقرير أن تير شتيجن لديه عرض بالفعل من اتحاد جدة السعودي، لكن الحارس الألماني سيستمر في صفوف برشلونة ولن يغادر للدوري السعودي.

اقرأ أيضًا | فليك وبرشلونة يتخذان قرارًا هامًا بشأن دي يونج

وأشار التقرير إلى أن كلا من مهاجم الفريق روبرت ليفاندوفسكي ولاعب الوسط إيلكاي جوندوجان والحارس تير شتيجن سيلعبون دورًا في انسجام فليك واندماجه مع برشلونة.

وسبق ولعب ليفاندوفسكي تحت قيادة فليك في بايرن ميونخ لسنوات، والثنائي تير شتيجن وجوندوجان لعبا تحت قيادة المدرب في صفوف منتخب ألمانيا.

Liverpool have been strongly linked with signing Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure this summer and a new update has revealed what their plans are for the Mali star.

What is Cheick Doucoure's salary?

The £47,000-a-week-earning Mali international has been an instant hit for the Eagles since arriving at Selhurst Park last summer, proving to be an influential performer in front of the defence.

Doucoure's performances certainly haven't gone unnoticed, with Liverpool eyeing him up as Fabinho's replacement in the defensive midfield role, having missed out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea. Palace are clearly desperate to retain the services of one of their most important players, however, so only a sizeable bid has a chance of being accepted.

Wataru Endo may have already joined from VfB Stuttgart, but there is still a feeling that one more midfielder is required in the summer transfer window, considering Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all moved on.

It looks as though Liverpool are still pushing to sign Doucoure before deadline day arrives, following a new update regarding his future.

What's the latest on Cheick Doucoure to Liverpool?

According to Football Insider, FSG do not plan to stop after the capture of Endo, seeing the Palace ace as a primary target, and £70m could be enough to get him:

"Liverpool are keen to follow the signing of Wataru Endo with the capture of Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucoure, sources have told Football Insider.

"Both players have since departed, while Endo, 30, was announced as a new Liverpool player on Friday (18 August). But Doucoure remains high on the Merseysiders’ list despite the Japan international’s arrival."

Doucoure should be considered Liverpool's best option to bring in this summer, with fellow target Ryan Gravenberch also a good choice, but someone who is less adept at shining in the No.6 role in comparison to the Malian.

The 23-year-old started 34 of Palace's 38 Premier League matches last season, showing what an important figure he was, and he averaged 2.3 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 1.4 clearances per game in the competition, outlining his defensive brilliance. He also impressed on the opening day last weekend, completing three key passes in the Eagles' 1-0 victory away to newly-promoted Sheffield United.

With Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai perfect additions in slightly more attack-minded midfield roles, Doucoure could be a great foil for the pair, making Liverpool a strong defensive unit and knitting things together nicely in the middle of the park.

Last Sunday's 1-1 draw away to Chelsea highlighted the need for a proper defensive midfielder to come in – Endo has to be seen as a squad player, considering he is 30 years of age and not exactly a high-profile addition – and the Palace hero has the potential to star at the base of the midfield for years to come, having been praised for being a player who can "do everything" by Seko Fofana.

A second win for India in Group B has all but ensured their place in the quarter-finals of the Under-19 World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jan-20183:43

Can U-19 World Cup success be a springboard to international call-ups?

The giant mismatch ended even before India warmed up in Mount Maunganui. The might of their bowlers proved too hot for Papua New Guinea, who slumped to 64 all out in 21.5 overs, the tournament’s lowest score so far. And then India’s openers Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra raced home in just eight overs. A second consecutive win meant India were all but in the quarter-finals.In conditions that aided swing and bounce, India chose to bowl under overcast skies. While all eyes were on the fast bowling pair of Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi, who had impressed against Australia, a quiet left-arm spinner Anukul Roy came to the fore by picking up his maiden five-for in youth ODIs. Three of his five wickets were bowled, off deliveries that skidded. He took 5 for 14 in 6.5 overs.Mavi and Nagarkoti were lively and beat the bat repeatedly, with PNG’s batsmen forced to hop and jump early on. Simon Atai, the opener, broke free by imperiously pulling Nagarkoti for successive boundaries. They were the only sparks in an otherwise forgettable batting performance.In reply, Shaw came out to blast his second half-century of the tournament, slapping and pulling the length balls to the square boundaries on either side. He finished the game with successive boundaries to remain unbeaten on 57. Kalra had the best seat in the house, watching his captain do all the hitting as India walked off with one of their easier wins.

Big Picture

It has been six months since Zimbabwe came back from being 2-1 down to win 3-2 in an ODI series in Sri Lanka, before pushing the hosts all the way in the solitary Test. All the main performers from that ODI series will be available for both sides as they face off in the tri-series in what will be the 100th ODI to be played in Mirpur.Zimbabwe have already lost one game, trounced by the hosts Bangladesh by eight wickets, on Monday. Their batsmen didn’t turn up as they got bowled out for 170. Only Sikandar Raza and Peter Moor seemed to offer stability before their partnership ended in a run-out.Zimbabwe will need a lot more from Hamilton Masakadza, Brendon Taylor, Graeme Cremer and Kyle Jarvis, to start with. On tacky Mirpur pitches, it would be important for batting sides to keep wickets intact and then go for broke in the last 10 overs.Sri Lanka have the required firepower down the order, with the likes of Thisara Perera, Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne in charge of batting in the slog overs. But Sri Lanka also have much more than big-hitters; there’s the experience of Upul Tharanga at the top, followed by comeback man Dinesh Chandimal and the new (so to speak) limited-overs captain Angelo Mathews. These old hands will be required to provide stability.Sri Lanka are also going to be playing their first match under coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who got plenty of good results as Bangladesh’s head coach from 2014 to 2017. If that success rubs off on his new team, Sri Lanka are in for an interesting tri-series ahead.Form guideSri Lanka: LLWLL
Zimbabwe: LWWLL

In the spotlight

With scores of 49 and 95 in his last three ODIs, Upul Tharanga will definitely have a say in how Sri Lanka start the game. He has also scored a hundred and three fifties at this ground, having played a lot of domestic cricket in Bangladesh.Solomon Mire will have great memories playing against Sri Lanka, after his century helped Zimbabwe with a big chase in last year’s ODI series. But he hasn’t been in sparkling form of late, having got three ducks in his last six competitive matches.AFP

Team news

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Sachith Pathirana, who played in Sri Lanka’s third ODI against India, are not part of the 16-man squad in Bangladesh. Chandimal is likely to be slotted in at No. 3 while they also have Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera as batting options. Newcomer Shehan Madushanka could make a debut given his pace, which could be handy in Dhaka’s conditions.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Danushka Gunathilaka, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Angelo Mathews (capt), 5 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Shehan Madushanka, 10 Suranga Lakmal, 11 Nuwan PradeepZimbabwe may look to blood Brandon Mavuta, the legspinning allrounder, as he has some first-class runs behind him. Chris Mpofu could replace Blessing Muzarabani who misfired on ODI debut. They also have Ryan Murray and Tendai Chisoro on the bench.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Hamilton Masakadza, 2 Solomon Mire, 3 Craig Ervine, 4 Brendan Taylor, 5 Malcolm Waller, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Peter Moor (wk), 8 Graeme Cremer (capt), 9 Kyle Jarvis, 10 Chris Mpofu/Blessing Muzarabani, 11 Tendai Chatara

Pitch and conditions

The pitch in the first game was evidently a bit sticky, which made strokeplay in the early part of the game quite hard. Both sides would look to bat conservatively and launch themselves in the last 10 overs. The weather, meanwhile, remains cold.

Stats and trivia

A 166-run target in a truncated 23-overs-a-side contest proved too much for West Indies, after Matt Henry and Trent Boult blew away the top order

The Report by Shashank Kishore25-Dec-201723 overs a side
Trent Boult, fast, furious and virtually unplayable under overcast skies on a seaming track, ripped through West Indies’ top order to clinch New Zealand’s 66-run win via DLS method along with a 3-0 series whitewash at Hagley Oval.Two nights ago, Boult had returned the second-best ODI figures by a New Zealand bowler at this venue. On Boxing Day, he picked three wickets across his first two overs to leave West Indies tottering at 9 for 5 in their pursuit of the revised target of 166 off 23 overs. That, there, was the game ripped out as West Indies remained winless on tour. More importantly, they weren’t any closer to determining their squad balance ahead of the 2019 World Cup qualifiers in March.Getty Images

Given West Indies’ prowess in the shortest format, a target of 166 – set up for New Zealand largely by Ross Taylor (47 not out) and Tom Latham (37) – should have been right down their alley. But the loss of Chris Gayle in the first over, after he sliced a catch to point, didn’t help matters. Things only became worseShai Hope hit a full inswinging delivery to midwicket, Kyle Hope was pinned in front by a full delivery that angled in although that was a debatable lbw call, Jason Mohammed’s defence was breached by a full delivery that tailed in late to beat the inside edge and Chadwick Walton, replacing the injured Evin Lewis, was snuffed out by Boult’s toe-crusher. West Indies captain Holder briefly triggered a surge as he picked off 15 off Todd Astle’s first over, but the wickets of Rovman Powell and Ashley Nurse in successive overs left him high and dry.New Zealand’s spinners got into the act too. Mitchell Santner slowed the ball down and deceived Powell in flight, while Astle came back from a costly first over to dismiss Nurse with a ripping googly that left West Indies at 58 for 7. Santner went on to pick two more wickets for returns of 3 for 15.The pace at which the house came down for West Indies was in sharp contrast to earlier in the day, when their faster men had New Zealand hopping and jumping. With every passing minute early on, it became increasingly evident that this was a very good toss to lose on a juicy surface under overcast skies.Holder kept getting the ball to rear up at awkward lengths at New Zealand’s openers. George Worker, in a bid to get the side going, chopped on against Sheldon Cottrell. Neil Broom, recalled to the side for the series and tested at No. 3, was out for another single-digit score, caught in the slips by Gayle while attempting to cut a delivery that wasn’t all that short. The next over saw Holder dismiss Colin Munro, who nicked to Gayle at slip, and New Zealand were wobbling at 26 for 3.By now, West Indies were charged up, so much that they went up for an optimistic review for an lbw against Tom Latham despite being uncertain. Replays confirmed the length ball that was angling away would’ve missed the stumps. That lost review would have come to their minds when Taylor survived a strong caught-behind appeal in an attempt to play hook shot off Cottrell only three overs later.Shannon Gabriel’s introduction in the 14th over, surprisingly behind the left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, allowed New Zealand some breathing room. Gabriel began waywardly and was picked by Taylor for two boundaries square of the wicket on the off side. In a bid to strengthen that side, the slip came off, only for the final delivery to race past the cordon off a thick outside edge.Holder was a touch guilty of slipping into the defensive as early as the 13th over, when deep point and long-off were in place for Miller, as West Indies allowed the game to drift slightly. That helped New Zealand’s recovery and they had reached 83 for 3 in 19 overs when the rains arrived to frustrate players, fans and officials for the next five hours.A wait of close to three hours looked set to end when the umpires deemed the outfield fit enough for a 33-overs-a-side contest, only for the rain to return five minutes before resumption. Then there was another inspection, following which the match was reduced to 27 overs. It drizzled again. Just as the threat of an abandonment surfaced, the rains relented again for the umpires to truncate the game further to 24 overs, before they finally settled on 23 with the clock veering towards a call-off.First Latham, and then Henry Nicholls picked off crucial boundaries in the end overs by unsettling West Indies’ predictable lengths. Taylor then lent the finishing touches by picking two boundaries in the final over that went for 16. He was the top scorer with 47 not out as New Zealand added 48 off the last four overs to finish with 131 for 4. The surge towards the end that resulted in a target revision may have well been the clincher for West Indies.

An update has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their attempts to bolster the playing squad before the summer transfer window officially slams shut this week.

What's the latest Rangers transfer news?

According to The 4th Official (via their Patreon page), Gers boss Michael Beale is trying to secure a swoop to sign Leicester City central defender Harry Souttar before the deadline.

The report has claimed that the Light Blues have a 'real' interest in signing the Australia international to improve their options at the heart of the backline.

Read the latest Rangers transfer news HERE…

This comes after The Herald claimed that current Rangers centre-back Leon King is poised to depart Ibrox on loan for the 2023/24 campaign amid interest from clubs in England.

How good is Harry Souttar?

The 6 foot 6 colossus is an aerially dominant central defender who could be a dream replacement for the Gers academy prospect, should the club go through with a deal to send the youngster out on loan this week.

His performances for Leicester in the Premier League and for his country at the World Cup during the 2022/23 campaign suggest that the potential is there for him to be an upgrade on the 19-year-old Scotsman.

Souttar joined the Foxes from Championship side Stoke City in January and showcased his defensive dominance across 12 top-flight appearances as he won 73% of his duels, which included an 86% success rate in aerial battles, and made 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game, as per Sofascore.

The 24-year-old titan earned himself a move to the King Power after his impressive performances for Australia in Qatar, where he averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.97 across four outings and caught the eye with 2.5 tackles and interceptions alongside a duel success rate of 68%.

These statistics show that the towering titan, who was described as a "monster" by journalist Jordan Campbell, is able to make consistent defensive interventions to win possession back for his side and has the physical strength and positional know-how to come out on top in the majority of his contests against opposition players.

Whereas, King averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.89 over 15 Scottish Premiership outings last season.

The teenage talent made 1.6 tackles and interceptions per game and won 58% of his duels, although the academy graduate did lose 51% of his aerial battles.

This came after the Rangers defender lost a whopping 86% of his contests in the air across four appearances during the 2021/22 Premiership campaign.

These statistics indicate that the young gem, who appears set to move on from Ibrox on a temporary basis, is a liability when it comes to dealing with long balls and crosses into the box as opposition players are able to get the better of him far too frequently in those situations.

The Leicester man, on the other hand, has proven himself to be a phenomenal defender when it comes to dealing with those types of threats from other teams, whilst his average performance level at the World Cup also suggests that he could provide more quality than King on a consistent basis.

Therefore, Souttar could be the ideal replacement for the 19-year-old prospect as he is an experienced head – both domestically and internationally – who could be a dominant force at the back for Beale at Ibrox.

Liverpool have been dealt many blows in their midfield search.

After dramatically missing out on the signings of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who both opted to join Chelsea, their transfer window was heading toward disaster.

However, the signing of Wataru Endo from Stuttgart has provided some relief and depth to the defensive midfield position, but Jurgen Klopp is still on the hunt for more reinforcements…

What’s the latest Liverpool transfer news?

According to ESPN Brasil, Liverpool have had a €30m (£26m) bid rejected for Fluminense’s Andre.

The Premier League outfit wants the midfielder to join the club before the transfer window shuts on 1st September, though Fluminense are ‘reluctant’ to let Andre leave before the end of their current season.

Andre is contracted with the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A giants until 2026 and the club has their Copa Libertadores quarter-final next month, in which he will play a crucial role.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

The Brazilian outfit’s hierarchy have reportedly informed the Reds that even if they up the offer for Andre they would not allow the player to depart, but given the volatile and unpredictable nature of the transfer window, a deal cannot be ruled out.

The outlet firmly believes that the six-time European champions will not make a move for the Brazilian in 2024, so this transfer really is a case of now or never.

Would Andre be a good signing for Liverpool?

Andre joined Fluminese’s youth setup in 2013, before making his senior debut for the club in 2020 – since then, he has accumulated 148 appearances, establishing himself as one of the most influential and effective players.

During his career, the 5 foot 9 gem has predominantly appeared as a defensive midfield, but he has shrewdly displayed the qualities of an accomplished box-to-box figure.

This season in the Brazilian top-flight, he has started 16 games, managing 94% pass accuracy, averaged 2.5 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game, made no errors leading to an opposition shot or goal, completed 70% of his dribbles, and won 63% of duels, as per Sofascore.

Therefore, he appears equally comfortable in the technical and defensive segments of play, and his qualities extend far beyond simply being a protector of the backline.

This has been echoed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who said:

“He’s much more than a defensive midfielder. He’s very mobile. He loves to have the ball at his feet, he orchestrates the play not only with his passing but also with his ball carries.

“His progressive carries are really impressive, he’s combative, and his work-rate is really, really high.”

Therefore, Andre offers a different profile to Endo’s.

Last term, the Japanese international was a strong defensive asset, averaging 2.1 tackles per game, making no errors leading to a shot or goal, and winning 58% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

But, on the ball, his numbers look unrefined and uninspiring. Over the past 365 days, ranked against his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, Endo sits in the lowest 36% for pass completion per 90 (80.1%), and progressive carries per 90 (0.81).

In summary, it would be logical for Liverpool to continue exploring Andre as he could provide a different dimension from a deep-lying berth.

Legspin is all the rage in T20 and Northants think they have one of the most dangerous performers around

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Feb-2018

Legspinners have never been more in demand when it comes to Twenty20 and Northamptonshire are among the enthusiasts, bringing Seekkuge Prasanna back to Wantage Road for a second season of T20 Blast.Prasanna last represented Northamptonshire in the 2016 campaign, where he played in 10 matches and took 12 wickets at an average of 24.00 with best bowling figures of 3-24 and an economy rate of 7.02.Although he might not quite attract the excitement given to Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, or the exciting spin assortment of 16-year-old Mujeeb Zadran, both of whom are heading for IPL, Prasanna’s T20 record tells of a wily old campaigner.In all T20 cricket Seekkuge has scored 1114 runs at an impressive strike-rate of 160.51 and has claimed 78 wickets with an economy rate of 6.87 runs per over.Northamptonshire’s head coach David Ripley certainly thinks he is great: four times over. “It’s great to have a quality legspin in your T20 team,” he said. “He bowled great for us in 2016 and was great in the dressing room so he’ll be a great addition to our campaign.”Prasanna, 32, will be available for the entire T20 Blast campaign with the Steelbacks – starting with Leicestershire at home on July 4.He represented Sri Lanka in one Test match, against Australia at Pallakele six years ago, but has been a regular in both ODIs and T20s until recently.He missed Northants’ 2017 campaign because of a hamstring injury.

For all the desire for new boss Ange Postecoglou to bring immediate success to Tottenham Hotspur, amid the club's continued search for silverware, the 58-year-old is also seemingly keen to plan for the future with a long-term goal at N17.

As the former Celtic boss himself has previously stated, he gets "excited by developing young players" and is always "building teams for five years' time", with that likely to be music to the ears of those bright academy talents hoping for a chance to shine sooner rather than later.

Among those who may not be too far away from making an impact in the senior set-up is 18-year-old midfielder, Rio Kyerematen, with the teenager arguably a figure who could threaten the likes of Pape Matar Sarr for a starting role before too long.

Who is Rio Kyerematen?

The England youth international – who signed his first professional contract with the club last year – has been with the north Londoners since the age of eight, impressively rising up through the youth ranks to ensure he is now on the cusp of senior involvement.

The London-born maestro has already trained with the first team despite his relative youth – making his mark with a stunning strike earlier this year – with that a sign of just what a "big talent" he truly is – as hailed by Spurs podcaster, Chris Miller.

A defensive midfielder by trade, the emerging prospect has been part of a side that has won four successive games at Premier League 2 level this season, notably netting in the thumping 5-0 win over Manchester City last month.

That strike has ensured that the youngster has made a fine start to life in the U21 ranks, after previously recording 12 goals and 11 assists in 44 games in all competitions for the club's U18 side from his deep-lying berth.

Such form has also seen the teen sensation enjoy notable praise from club insider superhotspur, who laid out the full array of Kyerematen's talents: 'Always looking to make decisive forward passes, Rio is a very good passer of a football, and he has a good range of passing.

'In addition, he is also very reliable on the ball, is very good at dribbling with the ball and at turning with it, and he uses the ball really well.'

Also described by the same source as being 'tenacious and good at winning the ball in midfield', the playmaker appears to have all the attributes to be able to thrive under Postecoglou moving forward.

What does the future hold for Rio Kyerematen?

While the new season is still in its infancy, Postecoglou has thus far stumbled upon a winning formula by deploying Yves Bissouma alongside the aforementioned Sarr in the centre of the park, with the latter man having been something of a revelation after making just 11 league appearances under Antonio Conte and co last term.

Still only 20, Sarr has scored once and provided one assist in the top flight already this term, having been described by his manager as a player who "causes the opposition real problems" due to his all-action, energetic style.

Despite the Senegalese international's current lofty standing, he may be wary of an even younger talent like Kyerematen usurping him before too long, with Postecoglou likely to be in need of further depth in that department after failing to strike a deal for Chelsea's Conor Gallagher, for instance.

With Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg having failed to impress last term – with the talkSPORT pundit Perry Groves stating that the pair "don't do anything" – and with Rodrigo Bentancur still sidelined, it is not unreasonable to think that Kyerematen may get his opportunity sooner rather than later.

Of course, Postecoglou is unlikely to sway from his current midfield partnership for the coming weeks and months, although Sarr, in particular, may need to watch out if Tottenham's teenage talent continues to dazzle in the youth ranks.

Aston Villa are leading the race to sign a new attacking superstar from overseas, and a fresh report has shared details of where the two parties currently stand in negotiations.

What's the latest transfer news at Aston Villa?

Unai Emery had a busy summer transfer window, bringing in a total of five fresh faces, with Moussa Diaby joining permanently from Bayer Leverkusen, Pau Torres from Villarreal, Nicolo Zaniolo and Clement Lenglet both signing on loan and Youri Tielemans on a free transfer from Leicester City.

In terms of outgoings, Cameron Archer, Jaden Philogene-Bidace, Marvelous Nakamba, Keinan Davis, Ashley Young, Wesley, Philippe Coutinho, Morgan Sanson and Viljami Sinisalo all sealed exits on either a temporary or permanent basis, leaving room for the boss to bolster his ranks in January.

One of the players to have been linked with a move a number of times in the past is Sporting CP’s Pedro Goncalves, with the left-winger having previously been the subject of enquiries from the side in the Midlands.

Whilst reports suggested that the top-flight side walked away from a deal for the 25-year-old due to the €80m (£68m) release clause included in his contract, Correio Da Manha have since claimed that the club remain interested in a future swoop for the Portuguese sensation, with further details on the board’s pursuit having now emerged.

Are Aston Villa signing Pedro Goncalves?

According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa are “particularly” the club in pole position to sign Goncalves, despite him receiving other “approaches” from the Premier League.

NSWE, Monchi and Emery are in “ongoing” contact regarding a deal for the attacker.

Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are also “attentive” to his situation, though having seen a bid turned down over the summer, the Villa Park outfit appear to be taking a second bite of the cherry.

How many goals has Pedro Goncalves scored?

During his time at Sporting CP, Goncalves has racked up a remarkable 93 contributions (59 goals and 34 assists) in 133 appearances for Ruben Amorim’s side, so should he put pen to paper at Aston Villa in the near future, it would be a massive coup for Emery.

The Jorge Pires client has continued his impressive form this season having so far whipped a total of 24 crosses into the opposition’s box which is more than any of his fellow teammates, alongside having 12 shots himself which is the second-highest tally at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, via FBRef.

The Vidago native, who has been nicknamed the “New Bruno Fernandes” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is also flexible in where he plays having been deployed in six different positions since the start of his career, including three roles in the final third and three in the midfield, so his versatility would be another fantastic attribute for the boss to have at his disposal.

Finally, Goncalves knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level having won four trophies with his current club, not to mention the individual recognition he’s received on the international stage having been named Portugal’s Player of the Season in 2021.