Tag Futebol

West Bromwich Albion will be crying out for a hero to step up to the mark against Preston North End this coming Saturday, needing just one more vital win to finally secure a spot in the Championship playoffs.

Brandon Thomas-Asante could start as the lone striker for Carlos Corberan's promotion-seeking Baggies against Ryan Lowe's men, hoping to fire in the decisive strike that sees the West Midlands outfit battle it out in the playoffs very soon after recently serving a suspension.

There will definitely be one absentee up top for the Baggies, however, when push comes to shove in these potential crunch clashes to follow, with the injury-prone player in question looking to be moved on in the summer whether West Brom go up to the Premier League or remain as a second-tier side.

Daryl Dike's record at West Brom

It's been an extremely frustrating move for Daryl Dike ever since he uprooted from firing in goals in the MLS to join West Brom in 2022, linking back up with his ex-Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael in the process.

Joining mid-way through the 2021/22 season to give the West Midlands side more firepower up top, after netting 11 goals from 19 games during his final few months donning Orlando City colours, Dike would only manage to line up two times in the Championship for his new employers before his first injury setback occurred.

From the two years he's been on the books at the Baggies, the cursed 6 foot 2 attacker has only managed to make 32 appearances with only five games managed this season under Corberan – all of which have come in 2024.

This wretched luck with the American centre-forward makes the initial £7m fee that the Baggies forked out to land Dike look even more like a colossal waste of cash now, even with Dike firing in eight goals when fit including one this January against Aldershot Town in the FA Cup.

West Brom must now consider offloading Dike, with the towering striker's luck with injuries showing no signs of improving as the 23-year-old now finds himself out of action until the end of 2024 after being stretchered off against Ipswich Town in February.

It would be a hard sell for any club trying to take him on, owing to this string of terrible injuries, but the Baggies could still gain some cash back on their dud somehow according to Football Transfers' valuation.

Dike's transfer value in 2024

Dike's transfer valuation still comes in at a respectable £2m, according to the site, – a drop off £5m – despite the lofty centre-forward being missing for most of this season for Corberan's men.

That means the 23-year-old is remarkably valued higher than other first-team assets who play week-in-week out such as Grady Diangana and Alex Mowatt, who are both worth just £1.7m and £1.3m respectively all whilst still amassing 80 appearances this season between them.

In an ideal world, therefore, the second-tier side would be able to sell Dike at near to this valuation, but his sketchy track record in the treatment room at the Hawthorns will no doubt put off any suitors despite the American's prolific nature in front of goal when fit.

Dike also comes in as being the second highest earner on the wage bill at the Championship club currently too, earning a staggering £32.3k-per-week which is more than double that of experienced first-teamer Conor Townsend's salary at £11.5k-per-week.

Therefore, an awkward conversation could soon have to be had to terminate Dike's contract before more needless money is unnecessarily chucked away.

As Football League World's fan pundit Matt Smith has stated, moving the marksman on would be "the wise thing to do at a club where every penny matters at the moment…"

West Brom struck gold selling star who'd be worth £23m in 2024 money

West Bromwich Albion cashed in on this former star at the best possible time.

By
Kelan Sarson

Apr 26, 2024

Everton have been in a state of ebb and flow for quite some time now, and while Sean Dyche's tenure has been far from seamless, there is a sense that the squad could enter the ascendency if cards are played right.

Of course, the plane of uncertainty that lies ahead for Everton is beyond the control of Dyche and the players, who have navigated through a tumultuous year to perch in 15th place in the Premier League with two fixtures still ahead, 11 points above the dreaded dotted line.

Having been stripped of eight points due to breaching Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules on separate occasions, the Toffees are in troubled waters, with the conundrum compounded by prospective buyers 777 Partners, a Miami-based investment firm, facing a lawsuit in the USA, facing allegations of fraud, facing the prospect of ruination.

But the unflappable fight from the Evertonian squad has instilled a sanguine sense of hope that this club could rise again. After all, points deduction aside, Everton would be just three points away from the top half of the division.

Only the top three teams have conceded fewer goals than Dyche's Blues, with the defensive axis of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite working wonders.

Branthwaite's emergence, in particular, has come at the perfect time following Yerry Mina's departure on a free transfer last summer, ravaged by injuries that stopped his chances of succeeding at Goodison Park. It all could have been so different.

Yerry Mina's Everton career

Picture this: it's 2018, Marco Silva's Everton have just completed the £27m transfer of centre-back Mina from none other than Barcelona following the Colombian's terrific performances at the 2018 World Cup.

Everton had recorded successive top-eight finishes under Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce and would finish eighth again in Silva's only full term at the helm – Mina's first, in 2018/19 – but everything unravelled soon after, Everton started to sink toward the lower levels of the English top-flight, where they fight at present to free themselves from.

22/23

7

7

2

21/22

13

11

0

20/21

24

23

2

19/20

29

25

2

18/19

13

10

1

Unfortunately, the Colombia international managed to play only an intermittent role in the Toffees' campaign, starting just ten Premier League matches as he battled against foot and hamstring issues.

He enjoyed more frequent roles across his second and third campaigns on English shores, with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm since the 2019/20 term's midpoint.

But his niggling problems precluded him from ever finding a prolonged run of form to live up to the £27m price tag, with his wages rather hefty too.

1.

Jordan Pickford

£125k-per-week

2.

Yerry Mina

£120k-per-week

3.

Abdoulaye Doucoure

£120k-per-week

4.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

£100k-per-week

4.

Amadou Onana

£100k-per-week

4.

James Tarkowski

£100k-per-week

The fact that he earned more than Dominic Calvert-Lewin highlights just how influential Mina was supposed to have been for the Merseysiders.

Calvert-Lewin has hardly been injury-free himself while on the Everton books but he has scored 68 goals and supplied 17 assists across 245 appearances, having been praised as a "monster" by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his success as the focal frontman.

In fairness, Mina has earned an effusive remark or two throughout his career too, with The Athletic's Patrick Boyland hailing the "absolute colossus" for one excellent Everton display.

At least the 6 foot 5 titan managed to play a pivotal part in Everton's closing stage last season, starting the final four Premier League fixtures and scoring an all-important, last-gasp equaliser in the campaign's penultimate fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He salvaged a draw, he might just have salvaged top-flight status, with the team then fuelled to beat Bournemouth on the final day – a game, by the way, that saw a Herculean defensive effort form Mina toward the 1-0 victory, playing the full 90 minutes and winning a whopping eight duels.

It's unfortunate that Mina has suffered such a tough time on the fitness front, with Silva speaking on his "unlucky" record back in 2019 – unaware of the mounds of problems yet to materialise, like a dark, infiltrating stain on his career.

But it can't be looked past, Mina failed to live up to the price tag at Everton and it's ultimately a move of bitter regret, with the funds probably better placed elsewhere back when he signed – had the powers that be got it right, the rot might just have been stopped before it spread.

Yerry Mina's transfer value in 2024

Oh to drift back to the halcyon days of 2018. Mina must certainly look back on this stage of his career with wistful longing, having now fallen by the wayside with damage that threatens to be irreparable.

The ball-playing defender has all the skills to be a high-level defender; his erstwhile stint with Barcelona proves his natural ability. But injuries have ravaged his chances of building a career of true prosperity, with his current market value a gloomy reflection of such issues.

According to Football Transfers' Player Valuation model, the South American is marked with a £1.7m worth in 2024, with his inability to put his time on Merseyside to bed after transferring to Fiorentina sending his career into more of a detrimental spin.

After ending his career with Everton last summer, the rangy defender's move to Florence was supposed to be beneficial, with the ostensibly slower pace of Italian football better suited to his athletic fragilities.

But after featuring just four times – all from the bench – in the opening half of the current Serie A campaign, La Viola's newly-promoted divisional rivals Cagliari canvassed a proposal and welcomed the injury-riddled giant to their ranks in January.

Admittedly, he has found a small measure of success over these past few months, starting 11 of 13 league fixtures since his cross-state switch, scoring in each of his past two matches and winning 69% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

Given that Jarrad Branthwait has won 67% of his duels in the Premier League this season, it's clear that a different tale would have been painted were Mina's injuries not so… incessant.

A talented defender, a wonderful player, a commanding leader. Mina's move to Everton can only go down as a failure but given the nature of his troubles, the Evertonian faithful would be all smiles if he could sustain a positive run of form over the coming campaigns.

6/10 Everton star who lost 100% duels might not play again after Luton

He produced a poor display during the draw last night.

ByEthan Lamb May 4, 2024

For New Zealand A, McConchie and Rae impressed with the ball

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jan-2020

Hanuma Vihari uses his feet to get close to the ball and drive•BCCI

Shubman Gill and Hanuma Vihari were the only bright spots for India A as the visitors struggled against the New Zealand A bowlers on day one of the four-day match in Christchurch. After India A folded for 216, the hosts’ reply was headlined by Rachin Ravindra’s 47, as they finished the day on 105 for 2.Gill and Vihari came together to post a 119-run partnership after New Zealand quicks Jacob Duffy and Sean Solia dismissed the top three batsmen for low scores, with the former sending Test opener Mayank Agarwal back for a duck. While Gill countered with a run-a-ball 83, Vihari made a 79-ball 51. Following their dismissals in the space of 3.3 overs, a collapse was triggered as Michael Rae and offspinner Cole McConchie combined to take out the last five India A batsmen within the next 11 overs for just 33 runs. None of the India A batsmen barring Gill and Vihari crossed 20, with five batsmen getting out for single-digit scores.In reply, New Zealand A openers Hamish Rutherford and Will Young were off to a cautious start before Ishan Porel struck to remove the former for 28. Ravindra Rachin and Young then came together for a 68-run stand, which was broken by Mohammed Siraj, following which nightwatchman Ajaz Patel joined Young shortly before stumps.

Garber's vision, accomplishments have significantly shaped the landscape of U.S. soccer over 25 years at MLS helm

When Don Garber was named MLS commissioner in 1999, the Los Angeles Times ran an editorial claiming that the former NFL international senior vice president was a "bad choice in any language" for the job. Here was a businessman with little apparent soccer knowledge, brought in to run a struggling league, the supposed centerpiece of the growth of a sport still relatively fresh in the mainstream consciousness of the U.S. landscape.

Twenty-five years later, it would seem some of the critics got it wrong. Garber has now been at the helm for a quarter of a century, and during his tenure, MLS has undergone immense growth, both in terms of size and profitability. What was once a struggling institution is now central to an ever-growing U.S. soccer landscape, a real hub of the beautiful game in a country that is embracing the sport more every day.

This didn't all happen overnight, though. Some of Garber's changes were immediate, but most of MLS's growth has come over time, with key events assisting the notoriety of the league on the global stage. Garber, who celebrates his 25th anniversary as MLS commissioner this month, helped rescue the league from collapse and now leads an MLS that has grown in profile both in the U.S. and internationally.

“MLS has driven the rise of a soccer nation in America and Canada," Garber told the Associated Press. "And that sounds like it’s amorphous, but it’s not. That’s the most important accomplishment, that we built a powerful soccer nation. We’ve been the driver of the growth of the beautiful game in our region at so many different levels. We have become a respected league in the eyes of players, fans and institutions that govern the sport. I am most proud of that. ”

GOAL US takes a look at some of the major changes Garber has made to help MLS become a major player in world soccer.

Getty ImagesIncreased club valuations

When Garber took over, MLS, as a financial institution, was in trouble. There were genuine concerns as to whether the league – then just 12 teams strong – could survive long into the 21st century. Two teams folded two years after he started, the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny, deemed not "economically feasible" at the time. But in 2005, as MLS went back to 12 teams, and the momentum shifted.

Today, the average valuation of an MLS club is $678 million, according to Sportico. There are two clubs valued at more than $1 billion: Los Angeles FC, and Inter Miami CF. MLS is now home to 20 of the 50 most valuable soccer clubs in the world. LAFC would be the seventh most valuable club in England's Premier League, fourth most valuable in Spain's La Liga, and third in Italy's Serie A, according to Forbes

Advertisement@LAFCMLS Expansion

One of the biggest issues Garber faced when he took over was the relative lack of size of the league.

Compared to other major leagues in North America, MLS's reach was small at just 12 teams. Those clubs were also managed by six ownership groups. Garber needed the necessary investment to push MLS forward. The commissioner was able to sell soccer's future in this region and attract some of the most well-known top -ollar investors around the world. From the New York Yankees (NYCFC) to the Atlanta Falcons' Arthur Blank, the profile of ownership groups have dramatically changed.

As a result, so has the league.

Since 2004, the league has almost tripled in size and spans two countries. There are now 30 teams in the U.S. and Canada, with several hopeful ownerships in markets such as Indianapolis and Las Vegas.

In 2005, Real Salt Lake's expansion fee was reported to be $7.5 million. Today, the expansion fee is $500 million.

Getty ImagesBecks and Messi

David Beckham's arrival in MLS changed the landscape of American soccer. Suddenly, the U.S. had a global megastar in its ranks, an elite athlete but also a recognizable brand. To say that Beckham merely "put MLS on the map" would be a masterclass in understatement. Garber played a significant roll in his recruitment as the commissioner created the Designated Player rule, allowing teams to largely bypass the salary cap to sign big names.

As a result, a host of globally known players followed Beckham to North America — including Thierry Henry, David Villa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. There were some moves that didn't pan out, Rafa Marquez and Andrea Pirlo for example, leading to the famous "retirement league" criticisms. But Beckham's signing and DP rule proved to be a significant boost for MLS.

And of course, it also paved the way for the league's most monumental signing – Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami last year after winning the World Cup with his home country. MLS needed big names in order to grow. And under Garber's stewardship, it has more than delivered.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

USA Today ImagesPlayer development and scouting

Garber once stated his ambition for MLS to be a top global league by 2026. While that remains to be seen, several rules implemented over the past few years have raised the league's profile as a place where talent can develop.

MLS wonderkid Cavan Sullivan might be gaining recent attention, but the league has either developed or signed prospects who have gone on to star in international leagues. For example, Gladbach's Joe Scally, who has made 89 Bundesliga appearances at just 21 years old, got his pro debut at NYCFC. Another notable player is Newcastle United's Miguel Almiron, who scored 11 goals in the Premier League during the 2022-23 season. MLS continues to send more impactful talents abroad.

The most successful MLS sides tap into their own communities and have expansive scouting networks to bring in talent. This approach has allowed MLS clubs to become profitable and sustainable franchises, with the best teams acquiring talent, developing it, utilizing it, and eventually moving it on for a profit. Although there are still challenges in encouraging the U.S.'s best players to stay in the league, there is now a structure in place that has allowed American soccer to undergo organic growth.

Tottenham "recruiters" believe an "underrated" player is just perfect for Ange Postecoglou's system, with Spurs keen on a £30 million deal.

Lange's summer transfer plans at Spurs

It was quite the debut window for Spurs' technical director, Johan Lange, in January.

Tottenham could sign 22-goal striker for £17m as Levy told bargain price

The north Londoners are thinking about signing a Harry Kane replacement.

By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 15, 2024

The Dane managed to shore up Ange Postecoglou's options in central defence with a £25 million move for Radu Dragusin from Genoa, with the defender now likely to make his full starting debut against Fulham this weekend after Micky van de Ven's hamstring injury.

Timo Werner has also been a very astute purchase after Lange sealed a loan deal for him. The German's bagged two goals and two assists over some impressive performances for Tottenham, with his £15 million buy option looking like a bargain right now.

All of Tottenham's deals in January	Transfer
Lucas Bergvall	Arrival
Radu Dragusin	Arrival
Timo Werner	Arrival
Djed Spence	Exit (loan)
Ashley Phillips	Exit (loan)
Alejo Veliz	Exit (loan)
Japhet Tanganga	Exit (loan)
Sergio Reguilon	Exit (loan)
Ivan Perisic	Exit (loan)
Eric Dier	Exit

Spurs also beat European heavyweights Barcelona to the signing of Lucas Bergvall from Djurgardens IF, who will link up with the club fully this summer after spending the rest of 2023/2024 back out on loan in Sweden.

It's safe to say that Lange passed his winter transfer window audition, but attention now turns to the summer window and how he can help bolster Postecoglou's squad further.

Tottenham have been linked with a new winger and striker, while other reports suggest Lange could reinforce Postecoglou's defence when the window reopens for business.

While rumours surrounding a possible new midfield signing have died down a little bit recently, they've started to re-emerge this week, and one player who continues to be mentioned is Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.

The Englishman has been a key player for Mauricio Pochettino this season, but with his contract expiring next year, Stamford Bridge chiefs are faced with a very difficult decision if they cannot agree an extension.

Spurs have been monitoring Gallagher's contract situation with keen interest, as TEAMtalk explain this week.

Tottenham staff believe Gallagher is perfect and want £30m deal

According to their information, Tottenham "recruiters" think Gallagher is perfect, and Postecoglou is a big fan of the 24-year-old.

The fact he's set to leave for free next summer as things stand means Spurs are keen to do a £30 million deal for him and will make an approach, despite Chelsea valuing him closer to £50 million.

That figure, though, is deemed by many "within the game" as unrealistic – with the clock ticking down on Gallagher's deal. The former Crystal Palace star would be a stellar capture for Spurs, with members of the media holding him in very high esteem.

أعرب عمرو السولية لاعب خط وسط فريق الكرة الأول بالنادي الأهلي، عن سعادته بالفوز الذي حققه المارد الأحمر على الزمالك في نهائي كأس السوبر المصري للأندية الأبطال.

فيديو | في مباراة ماراثونية.. الأهلي يهزم الزمالك ويتوج بلقب كأس السوبر المصري

والتقى الأهلي مع الزمالك في نهائي كأس السوبر المصري، على أرضية استاد محمد بن زايد في أبوظبي، في لقاء حسمه المارد الأحمر بركلات الترجيح.

وقال السولية في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “أبوظبي الرياضية”: “نحمدالله على الفوز واستطعنا إسعاد الجماهير، لا يليق أن نتركهم يرحلوا غاضبين”.

موعد مباراة الأهلي القادمة بعد الفوز على الزمالك والتتويج بـ السوبر المصري

وأضاف: “استطعنا تعويض خسارة كأس السوبر الإفريقي، والله لا يضيع جهد أحد وكان لدينا اصرار على تحقيق المكسب”.

وكان الأهلي قد خسر قبل أسابيع قليلة بطولة كأس السوبر الإفريقي على يد الزمالك أيضًا بركلات الحظ الترجيحية. تصريحات عمرو السولية

Sitting outside the European places in the Premier League, Newcastle United look set for a massive summer as the club look to make big moves on and off the pitch. With new signings expected, they could come at the cost of a fan favourite on Tyneside.

Newcastle set for massive changes

As the PIF era continues to bring success to Newcastle, it feels almost inevitable that the club would be ready for a huge shake-up this summer. Looking to pour in some of the investment that had been sorely missed under previous owners, PIF are now setting out to deliver change in all areas of the club.

This week saw ambitious plans revealed plans to explore the feasibility of building a new ground for the club, with journalist Luke Edwards stating that "a new stadium is coming for Newcastle United and it could be the real Wembley of the North".

The imminent departure of football director Dan Ashworth has given PIF more issues to address this summer with the 52-year-old moving to Man United. Changes in the dugout at St James' Park also appear to be on the cards with current boss Eddie Howe's position uncertain and the club lining up potential replacements.

The exciting new team Newcastle could form by hiring Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann has been rumoured to take over at St James’ Park.

ByEthan Lamb Mar 1, 2024

As far as on field signings are concerned, Newcastle's action in the transfer market will heavily rely upon shifting existing players. Darren Eales, Newcastle’s CEO said back in January that "we have to approach everything on a medium-to-long-term basis, not just being reactive,” Eales says. “We have to be minded due to PSR and FFP rules that we are compliant.”

With outgoings imminent, it appears that one Newcastle star already looks to have one foot out of the door, with Newcastle set for a huge pay day.

Huge star set to leave Newcastle this summer

According to Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, there is a strong chance that Bruno Guimaraes will bring an end to his time at St James' Park this summer. Sources within the club have told the reporter that the midfielder's departure is a “real possibility” come the end of the season.

O'Rourke states that "the release clause in his contract, the player’s own personal ambitions as well as the financial regulations that Newcastle must circumnavigate behind the scenes", are the reasons behind this news with the Brazilian's sale essential to afford other signings.

Guimaraes has a release clause of £100million that was inserted into his contract when he signed a new deal back in October 2023. Whilst his departure would be a sorry one for Magpies' fans, the windfall provided could see their side make serious improvements in other areas of the pitch.

Since arriving from Lyon in 2022 for a fee of up to £40million, Guimaraes has become a fan favourite on Tyneside, forging a strong partnership with compatriot Joelinton in the middle of the park.

The 26-year-old has shone as a creative tour de force that is not afraid of putting a tackle in. With four goals and three assists already this season, Guimaraes has been crucial in Newcastle's fight for European football.

Assists

0.15

76

Shot-Creating Actions

3.51

85

Tackles

2.32

71

Progressive Passes

7.02

86

Successful Take-ons

1.63

94

Ultimately, the sale of Guimaraes may be the only way that Newcastle can spend this summer without the threat of financial sanctions. If that is the case, at least Newcastle will receive more than a fair deal for him.

Leeds United secured a gigantic victory on Friday night as they beat the league-leaders Leicester City 3-1 in the Championship at Elland Road.

Wout Faes headed the away side into the lead during the first half as the Whites defence fell asleep and allowed him to drift in at the back post to make it 1-0.

A first Leeds goal for deadline day signing Connor Roberts, who joined on loan from Burnley, an own goal from Faes, who deflected Archie Gray's effort into his own net, and a stoppage time improvised finish from Patrick Bamford secured all three points for Daniel Farke's team.

The German head coach changed the match when he brought Roberts, who scored the equaliser to kickstart the comeback, off the bench but the Wales international was not the real hero of the game for the boss.

Glen Kamara was the true hero of the night for Farke and Leeds with a crucial and impressive performance in the middle of the park for the team.

Connor Roberts' performance against Leicester in numbers

The Welsh dynamo came off the bench with 17 minutes to play, plus the additional five, and got himself on the scoresheet just seven minutes later.

Georgino Rutter's deflected pass across the box fell kindly to the former Swansea full-back and he calmly slotted the ball into the far corner to make it 1-1, with his first goal for the club.

Defensively, Roberts did look a little rusty, which was to be expected as a substitute who only recently joined Leeds, as he lost all three of his duels and gave possession away four times from 16 touches.

However, there was a great moment at 1-1 when he came flying out of his position to make a full-blooded sliding clearance that was met with a deafening cheer from the home support.

Glen Kamara's performance against Leicester in numbers

The real hero of the game, though, was Kamara as the central midfielder's enviable composure in and out of possession was vital throughout the match.

Leeds enjoyed 60% of the possession as they dominated the team sitting at the top of the table and the former Rangers star was pivotal to their dominance.

The 28-year-old maestro was simply outstanding on the ball as he only lost possession five times – once more than Roberts – from 68 touches and over 90 minutes of action on the pitch.

Appearances

26

Sofascore rating

7.10

Pass success rate

93%

Duel success rate

59%

Dribble success rate

71%

Stats via Sofascore

He completed 92% (55/60) of his attempted passes, completed 100% (1/1) of his attempted dribbles, and won 63% (5/8) of his duels on the ground.

Kamara dominated in every aspect of his performance, on and off the ball, and that allowed Leeds to dominate the match as he came out on top in the majority of his battles to win possession back and very rarely gave it away when he had it.

A perfect example of that was at 2-1 up when the midfielder brilliantly held onto the ball under immense pressure from two players with an exquisite first touch and then recycled possession, which eventually led to Rutter winning the free-kick for the third goal.

The Finnish maestro typifies Farke's dominant style of play in midfield and his quality was on full display against the Foxes, which is why he was the real hero of the night.

After luring Omar Berrada from arch-rivals Manchester City and making him their new CEO, Jim Ratcliffe and Manchester United now want to appoint the club's first sporting director and have set their sights firmly on Dan Ashworth.

United have yet to make a formal approach to Newcastle, where Ashworth is currently employed, but the Englishman wants to make the move to Old Trafford and INEOS are so confident of securing his services that they haven't even bothered sounding out alternative targets.

Ratcliffe attended meetings at Carrington last season as he ramps up his overhaul, and the future of football director John Murtough is now said to lie in the balance.

Ashworth eyes up Jewell for Man Utd role

Reporting for ESPN, Rob Dawson says that Ashworth would have influence over appointments in United's recruitment department if indeed he joins the Red Devils.

Leverkusen star "would love" to try English football amid Man Utd interest

Erik ten Hag is a big admirer of the player, who’s enjoying a phenomenal season.

ByDavid Comerford Feb 14, 2024

He's said to be a "big admirer" of Sam Jewell, the head of recruitment at his former club Brighton, and he could make an effort to bring him to Manchester should he assume the sporting director role.

Caicedo is Jewell's crowning achievement

Jewell was previously the emerging talent manager at the Amex Stadium but was promoted to the head of recruitment gig after predecessor Paul Winstanley was picked up by Chelsea. Moises Caicedo is without doubt his outstanding success story with the Seagulls, having generated a staggering £111m profit when he moved to Stamford Bridge in a Premier League-record transfer last summer, two and a half years on from his £4m arrival from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle.

As you can see in the table below, only three transfers in football history have been more profitable, so it's no wonder that Jewell has attracted interest already. Rangers tried to make him their technical director last autumn, but he resisted their approach because he was happy at Brighton.

Rank

Player

Left

Joined

Profit

1

Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool

Barcelona

£136m

2

Neymar

Barcelona

PSG

£129m

3

Ousmane Dembele

Borussia Dortmund

Barcelona

£124m

4

Moises Caicedo

Brighton

Chelsea

£111m

5

Enzo Fernandez

Benfica

Chelsea

£98m

6

Eden Hazard

Chelsea

Real Madrid

£87m

7

Antoine Griezmann

Atletico Madrid

Barcelona

£84m

8

Gareth Bale

Spurs

Real Madrid

£75m

9

Harry Maguire

Leicester

Man Utd

£68m

10

Cristiano Ronaldo

Man Utd

Real Madrid

£68m

However, the opportunity to work under Ashworth at the beginning of a new era at 20-time English champions Man Utd is a different matter entirely. If he does prove to be Ashworth's first appointment, then it will be interesting to see how he adapts to an entirely different recruitment task, looking to find established superstars rather than hidden gems who can be sold on for massive windfalls further down the line.

Harry Kane admitted England's last tournament exit was "pretty sh*t" as he warned his team-mates to learn from their dismal Iceland defeat.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

England lost 1-0 in friendlyEuro 2024 begins this weekKane begs countrymen to learn lessonsWHAT HAPPENED?

England lost 1-0 to Iceland in their final pre-tournament warm-up for Euro 2024 in a dismal performance that saw the Bayern Munich striker miss a glaring opportunity from close-range. With Euro 2024 beginning this week – Gareth Southgate's side play Serbia on Sunday – Kane has sent a brutal warning to his team-mates.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Bayern striker was at fault in Qatar as England were eliminated by France at the quarter-final stage, as he missed a late penalty that could have forced extra time. He maintains that exit was "pretty sh*t" as he has geed up his team-mates to try to go all the way in Germany.

WHAT KANE SAID

Reflecting on England's performance against Iceland, Kane told reporters: "This could be a nice wake-up call for everyone to realise it is not going to be as easy as people think.

"There is a lot of work to do. Sometimes, you need this wake-up call. There are areas we need to improve, especially with our pressure. The group games are going to be very similar to this. We are going to have to defend well, especially the longer balls, and with the ball we need to be a bit more patient. It is one to look back on.

"We fell below our standards without the ball and that is something we have to review and get better with. We had spells where we did well and played some really nice football and created some good chances. But against these types of teams especially, you have to be more clinical.

"There probably wasn’t enough hunger in the duels, in the second balls and winning those. They are a big important part when you are playing these teams, to sustain the pressure and really suffocate them. We didn’t do that well."

Asked about the quarter-final defeat to Les Bleus he added: "Pretty sh*t, wasn't it? In football you are going to have ups and downs on the way. Of course, that was a down for me at the moment, but I think over two years, for club and for country, I have put that to bed and I am just excited for another major tournament."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

England face Serbia, Slovenia, and Denmark in their Euro 2024 group and Kane will be gunning for another Golden Boot, having won the award at the 2018 World Cup. At major tournaments, he has scored 12 goals in 22 games, stretching back to Euro 2016.