There is no getting away from it: Tottenham Hotspur’s start to the Premier League season has been nothing short of a disaster.

In four games, Ange Postecoglou’s side have picked up just four points thanks to a draw away to newly promoted Leicester City and a win at home to bottom-of-the-table Everton.

Worse yet, the Australian oversaw his second home defeat in a row to fierce rivals Arsenal on Sunday, despite the Gunners missing two of their best players in Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

There were several poor performers on the day for the Lilywhites, and while Cristian Romero has received plenty of warranted flak for his part in the Gunners’ goal, ushered away from proceedings by Gabriel and leaving the Brazilian unmarked, there’s another key starter who looked anonymous for 95 minutes.

Son Heung-min's game vs Arsenal

Yes, while Son Heung-min wasn’t directly at fault for the only goal in the game like the Argentine defender was, he was partly to blame for his side’s blunt attacking display.

Now, the club captain didn’t make any glaring errors in the game, but he didn’t produce any moments of magic or even many genuine chances for his teammates either, which resulted in a rather tepid performance in what should be one of the most exciting games of the season.

This is a sentiment shared by football.london’s Alasdair Gold, who gave the South Korean superstar – and Romero for that matter – a 5/10 on the day, writing that while he ‘teed up Kulusevski for an early chance’ he ultimately ‘struggled to make an impact.’

While potentially harsh, Gold’s assessment of the 32-year-old’s game is corroborated by his statistics, as in his 95 minutes on the pitch, he amassed an expected assists figure of 0.13 and an expected goals figure of 0.02, failed in 50% of his dribbles, played a single key pass, lost the ball ten times and was offside once.

So, while he wasn’t at fault for the goals, he offered practically nothing going forward, so for that reason, and because his minutes should be managed more this season, he should be dropped to the bench for Wednesday’s League Cup game against Coventry City.

Why Wilson Odobert should replace Son

So, Spurs have several wingers at their disposal who could come in for Son off the left, but Ange should look to give Wilson Odobert his third start of the season on Wednesday night.

Now, like most of his teammates, the young Frenchman has been somewhat underwhelming in attack this season and has failed to score or assist a goal, but he should be given time to adjust to the system, and even though he couldn’t make it count on Sunday, he injected some much-needed energy into his side.

Moreover, thanks to his time with Burnley last year, we know what he can do when given a run of games.

Appearances

33

Goals

4

Assists

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.21

For example, despite still being just 18 years old at the start of the 23/24 campaign, the Meaux-born gem was able to score four goals and provide three assists in 33 appearances, which is undeniably impressive considering the Clarets’ form and suggests that in a top side, he might be capable of so much more.

Lastly, if the North Londoners are serious about going far in every competition this year, they will need to manage their first team stars and make use of their squad. So, even though Coventry are a talented team, the former Burnley ace and his fellow prospects like Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall should have it in them to get a result against a Championship side.

Ultimately, Romero and his fellow defenders might have been at fault for the goal on Sunday, but Son offered very little going forward, so he should be dropped to allow Odobert the chance to open his Spurs account on Wednesday.

Fewer touches than Vicario: Ange must now drop Spurs ace after 5/10 display

Tottenham suffered yet another defeat to their bitter rivals, Arsenal.

ByMatt Dawson Sep 16, 2024

Harvey Elliott admits to having held transfer conversations with Arne Slot, but the 21-year-old midfielder still considers Liverpool to be “my club”.

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Yet to start Premier League game this seasonInjuries have stunted progress at AnfieldAware of where he needs to improveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Amid fierce competition for places at Anfield, England U21 international Elliott – who has sat out 14 games with a broken foot this season – is yet to start a Premier League fixture in the 2024-25 campaign. He admits to being left “a little bit” frustrated by limited game time.

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Elliott is, however, determined to prove his worth to Slot and the Liverpool coaching team, with an eye-catching cameo made off the bench in the Reds’ dramatic 2-0 victory over Bournemouth. The talented playmaker will not be causing a fuss when it comes to his bid for more regular involvement.

WHAT HARVEY ELLIOTT SAID

Elliott told reporters when asked if his role in the present and future has been discussed behind the scenes: “We've had those conversation but it's not just me. There are other lads in the team who maybe haven't played as much as they want and are probably doing the same thing. I just have to keep working hard, keep trying to help the team out whenever I'm needed and just wait for my opportunity. I don't expect to come in and play straight away. I want to help my team out as much as I can and the club and give everything I can.”

Elliott added on where he needs to improve in order to compete for a starting berth: “If you look at the team now, the sprints we're doing and constant running around is something I can do but I can improve it a little more. We have players in the team who are unbelievable at it. Dom [Szoboszlai], Curtis [Jones], people like that, are constantly pressing and running around. It's something I can do but I need to get into the rhythm of doing it and making it effective, not just doing it for the sake of it. I need to improve on it and I'll work as hard as I can on it.”

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With Elliott prepared to be patient, as he remains under contract until 2027, he went on to say of shutting down any transfer talk that he may be generating: “This is my club, my team. I want to fight for my place and my position in the team. I'll do what it takes, as much as I can to help the team out when possible. It's down to me to make that achievable. I won't give up, I'll keep fighting and who knows what happens.”

Pep Guardiola has explained why Manchester City allowed Morgan Rogers to leave after his starring role as Aston Villa beat the English champions.

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• Rogers inspired Villa to win vs Man City
• Midfielder left English champions in 2023
• Guardiola reveals reason for his departure

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rogers set up Jhon Duran with an excellent pass to give Villa an early lead against City before the midfielder struck midway through the second half as Unai Emery's men claimed a 2-1 win to leapfrog the reigning Premier League champions into fifth place.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Rogers was 17 when he joined City from West Brom in 2019 but did not make it to the senior team as he was loaned out before joining Middlesbrough in 2023, and then ending up at Villa at the start of this year. After his impressive display on Saturday, Guardiola defended the club's decision to let him leave as he admitted there was no place for him in a team that went on to win the Champions League.

• WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  “It was a team that won the treble. Sometimes it’s the right time to give the [player] a chance," he told reporters. "Of course, everyone knows how good is Morgan. In that age, at the moment, we have the players we have that allowed us to create the most successful eight years in football history. In our club, comparing in this 35 or 40 days it’s not good. Sometimes when they arrive they are three years younger, in that moment there are players in their prime, David Silvas, Bernardos and Riyads [Mahrez] and Raheems [Sterling]. Sometimes it’s difficult and that’s the only reason why. That situation right now, of course these types of players would be with us but it’s always about the right moment. I’m happy for him as he’s a lovely guy, he exploded last season and this season. He’s an exceptional player."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CITY?

  Guardiola's team have lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions and sit sixth in the Premier League. They will hope to get back to winning ways when they face Everton on December 26.

كشف بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، عن كامل سعادته بعد الفوز القاتل في مباراة الأمس على أستون فيلا في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب “الاتحاد” مباراة الفريقين في خضم منافسات الجولة الرابعة والثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث فاز مانشستر سيتي بهدفين لهدف.

وعزز مانشستر سيتي آماله في إمكانية التأهل إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا الموسم المقبل، حيث ارتفع رصيده إلى 61 نقطة في المركز الثالث، لحين خوض باقي المتنافسين مباريات تلك الجولة.

وقال جوارديولا، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “أنا سعيد للغاية، لقد تأهلنا إلى نصف نهائي الكأس في آخر 5 مباريات، وننافس على التأهل إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

وأضاف: “أستون فيلا فريقٌ يُقاتل حتى آخر رجل، إنه أحد أفضل الفرق في أوروبا، لقد لعبنا بشكل جيد للغاية، كنا عدوانيين في المواجهات الثنائية، وكان خط الدفاع الرباعي مذهلاً”.

وواصل: “كرة القدم مليئة بالعاطفة، بالنسبة للجماهير واللاعبين، لدينا ضغط كبير على النادي للتأهل إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا، تصرف اللاعبون بشكل لا يُصدق، نحن سعداء للغاية”.

واسترسل: “دوكو؟ إنه يستطيع خلق شئ ما بفضل سرعته، كان الأداء جيدًا حقًا، وتمكنا من تحقيق الفوز”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أورتيجا يتعجب من تصرف التحكيم في مباراة مانشستر سيتي وأستون فيلا

وأوضح: “الحقيقة هي أن ما يجعلك تشعر بأن الموسم جيد هو الدوري الإنجليزي، وليس دوري أبطال أوروبا، وليس كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، بل هو ثبات المستوى في الدوري الإنجليزي، ولم نكن كذلك، كان لدينا موسم سيء”.

وشدد: “لكن هذا وارد، أحيانًا تمر بمواسم سيئة لأسباب عديدة يعلمها الجميع، حتى النهاية نحاول الحد من الضرر، كما قلت، خضنا موسمًا سيئًا، لا يهم إذا تأهلنا إلى نهائي الكأس أو تأهلنا إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

واستكمل في تصريحات أخرى نشرتها صحيفة “إندبندنت” الإنجليزية: “أعتقد أن ليفربول هو من يحسم الفوز في اللحظات الأخيرة، خاصةً مع تكرار ذلك تحت قيادة كلوب وكذلك آرسنال مع أرتيتا، لسنا معتادين على ذلك”.

وأفاد: “لذك أنا سعيد جدًا بالهدف الذي سجلناه في النهاية، لأننا كنا ننافس فريقًا مثل أستون فيلا، كنت سعيدًا جدًا، يجب أن أعترف بذلك”.

واختتم: “إذا كنت تعمل في مجال كرة القدم، فأنت تعيش خيبات الأمل، ولكن هناك دائمًا لحظات جيدة، لقد قاتل الفريق كثيرًا، وكان الأداء جيدًا، إنه فريق رائع”.

As India’s batsmen piled on runs in Chennai, Watson was itching to take the ball confirming in his mind that giving up bowling wouldn’t be a permanent move

Brydon Coverdale28-Feb-2013If Shane Watson’s commitment to playing as a batsman only on this tour was ever going to be tested, standing in the field for 154.3 overs during India’s the first innings in Chennai was the time. As the runs piled up for India and Australia’s attack struggled for impact they missed Watson’s bowling, and Watson missed being part of it. But he said while the possibility of bowling later on the tour had crossed his mind, he knew that for the sake of his fitness and form, he had to stick to his plan.Over the past few years in Test cricket, Watson has had a happy knack of breaking partnerships and an unhappy habit of breaking down. His most recent injury, the problem with his left calf that ruled him out of the third Test against Sri Lanka in January and the one-day series that followed, prompted him to declare that he would give up bowling for the Test tour of India to concentrate on his batting, and on stringing together as much cricket as he could.Having missed the whole of the previous Australian Test summer due to calf and hamstring injuries, and then the Brisbane and Adelaide Tests against South Africa, Watson decided his best option was to temporarily give up bowling. As India’s batsmen put on a series of frustrating partnerships in Chennai, Watson was itching to take the ball and he said the experience had confirmed in his mind that giving up bowling would not be a permanent move.”That was a time that reaffirmed to me that I do want to bowl,” Watson said. “That was a time where if I hadn’t have made the decision not to bowl for this tour that I could have had some input on the game at a crucial time in the match. That to me was the first time over the last month since I came back that I missed bowling.”The decision I made is more a longer-term decision to get some running and conditioning into my legs, so when I start bowling again, my body has more chance of handling it. I do appreciate the decision but it certainly reaffirmed to me that I’m never going to give up bowling. It excites me having some input on the game, especially when what I do could have an influence on a certain part of the game.”For the time being, Watson’s plan is to resume bowling during the second half of the IPL with the ultimate goal of being able to contribute with the ball during Australia’s Ashes tour of England in July and August. He said while the thought of bowling at some point on the Indian tour was tempting – he has taken 12 wickets at 33.41 in his past six Tests in the country – he was resigned to the fact that his existing plan was a better long-term idea.”That thought has gone through my mind a few times but I suppose we do have to stay on course,” Watson said. “There were reasons why I made that decision – to try and get my body conditioned enough to get back into my bowling.”I know I’ve needed two or three months just to be able to get some conditioning into my body, to then hopefully hold together for the next period of time once I get back bowling again. There is a big reason why I’m not bowling at the moment – in between the Test matches to get some running into my legs to continue to build that resilience, so I can hopefully just stay together.”In committing to his long-term plan to stay on the field, Watson took advice from Cricket Australia’s medical staff as well as his personal physio, Viktor Popov, and it was made after discussing the idea with the captain Michael Clarke. The bowling issue came to a head after the Hobart Test against Sri Lanka, when Watson bowled 47.4 overs, easily the most he had ever sent down in a game, and he struggled with his calf in the next Test.”I took a lot of information in at the time, especially through the summer having the same calf injury again and also the amount I bowled in Hobart, that was the most I’ve ever bowled in my career in four or five-day cricket,” Watson said. “I knew my body could handle it, it was more so backing up to handle it again. I had to get the right conditioning in my legs, things like running technique, doing all those things to give myself a better chance to hold together my body when I’m bowling.”But I also need to be more careful in the future about the overs I do bowl. One, I have the chance to do it more consistently and have less chance of injury but also there were times when it affected my batting, more so in Test cricket over the last 12 to 18 months, especially when I was opening. There were a number of reasons why I made that decision, most importantly is trying to score some runs in Test cricket as well.”To that end, Watson has been working in the nets on his footwork, with the intention of being able to come down the pitch to India’s spinners rather than simply playing back as he has on previous tours of India. He made 84 and 60 during the warm-up match against India A and showed encouraging glimpses in the first Test but was unable to build a big score, falling for 28 in the first innings and 17 in the second.

Rangers have begun talks to sign a defender that Mike Ashley once tried to sign for Newcastle United, according to a new report.

Pressure is very much on Philippe Clement and Rangers this season, as there is an expectation that the club puts up a stronger fight this time around when it comes to competing with arch rivals Celtic. The Gers fell away late last season, and to avoid a repeat of that, Clement and the Rangers board have been busy in the transfer market, making sure they have a squad good enough to compete on all fronts.

Club make contact to sign Rangers 21 y/o who Philippe Clement doesn't want

He is a player who can “unlock defences”.

By
Henry Jackson

Aug 28, 2024

Rangers transfer news

As the 11 p.m. deadline on Friday approaches, Rangers can safely say they have been busy, as they have so far added eight players to their squad. But given how well Celtic have started the new season, Rangers may still be in the market for one or two additions to give them the best chance of success.

It has been reported in recent days that Rangers could be looking into a deal to sign Pyramids FC winger Ibrahim Adel, who has just impressed with his national team Egypt in the Olympic Games. The Scottish side are said to be very keen on the player, and they would be willing to spend as much as £5 million to sign the winger, but they do face competition from the likes of Ipswich Town and Leicester City.

As well as looking at Adel, Rangers were also said to be interested in a possible deal for Troyes defender Jackson Porozo, who spent last season on loan at Turkish side Kasimpasa. The report states that the Gers made contact with the French side over a possible deal, but it wasn’t a situation that was ongoing, with the demands “not suitable” for Rangers, and the defender instead joined Leganes.

Therefore, Rangers are still in the market for a new defender, and it appears as though their search has taken them to a player who was once wanted by former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who of course held a rather unpopular 8.92% stake at Ibrox too between the years of 2014 and 2017.

Rangers in talks to sign Philippe Clement target

According to French outlet L’Equipe, Rangers are in talks to sign Hoffenheim defender Stanley N'Soki. The report states that the defender could well leave the German side in this transfer window, with a loan move being looked at.

N’Soki is contracted to the Bundesliga side until the summer of 2027, and Clement, who managed the defender at Brugge, would personally like to bring the central defender to Ibrox in what remains of this transfer window.

The report states that talks have begun and have been ongoing in recent hours, as Rangers look to strengthen their defensive line. Rangers fans might not be aware of N’Soki, but he has appeared on the radar of Newcastle United before, as in 2018 Ashley made a bid worth £10 million to sign N’Soki for the Magpies, but in the end the deal failed to materialise. However, a few years on, and he could now be heading for that move to the UK.

Chelsea are… good. It’s happened, confusing plot points have converged under Enzo Maresca’s wing to look like a force in the making.

Chelsea alighted in east London on Saturday and made mincemeat of struggling West Ham United, with Nicolas Jackson scoring twice inside 20 minutes and Cole Palmer sealing the victory with a swept finish after good work from his striker, who now has four goals and two assists across five Premier League matches.

It’s been a fine start to the season that has put to bed any grumbles around the decision to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Pochettino steadied the ship somewhat but Stamford Bridge now has its project manager ready to lead Chelsea to glory once again. The transfer strategy under Todd Boehly and Co has seen a remarkable influx of talent but Maresca is wrapping such players up and igniting the talent at their core.

Follow Followed Enzo Maresca Born 10th February 1980Birthplace Pontecagnano Faiano (Italy)Position Head coach of ChelseaChampionships Held x1 English Championship

Pros & ConsPossession-based philosophyWorked under Pep GuardiolaFacing low blocksTactically stubborn