Harry Kane refused to lift a trophy in front of Tottenham's home fans after Bayern Munich defeated Spurs in the pre-season Visit Malta Cup.

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Kane refuses to raise trophy in front of Tottenham fansEngland star never won silverware during time at SpursStriker made first return to North London since Bayern moveWHAT HAPPENED?

Bayern Munich defeated Spurs in the pre-season clash at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, with Kane and former Spurs teammate Eric Dier coming on as second-half substitutes after being presented to the crowd before the game. Kane was also visibly emotional during the match. Despite the 3-2 win, Kane was seen shaking his head to teammates and refusing to lift the Visit Malta trophy as a sign of respect to his former club, having not won any silverware during his time in North London.

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Kane is incredibly still yet to win a major trophy during his career despite six cup finals for club and country. The 31-year-old has also finished as a runner up in the Premier League during his time at Spurs, while Bayern lost the German Super Cup and failed to win the Bundesliga or DFB-Pokal during Kane's first season with the club. The prolific forward also suffered a heartbreaking defeat with England at Euro 2024, marking the second successive final in the tournament in which he and his country have come up short.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR SPURS AND KANE?

Kane will be determined to make his first trophy lift a significant one, starting in the DFB-Pokal next week where Bayern face off against second tier side Ulm. The number nine will then begin his second Bundesliga season, on August 25th against Wolfsburg, hoping that Bayern can make up for their first campaign without the title in 12 years.

Tottenham, meanwhile, begin their Premier League season against Leicester on August 19th, with their new striker Dominic Solanke hoping to emulate Kane's goalscoring feats at the club.

Liverpool fans have been handed an interesting update in their hunt for Jürgen Klopp's replacement this summer, courtesy of transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Liverpool searching for new manager

It is no secret that Liverpool are looking for a new manager at the end of the season, with Klopp having confirmed that he will be stepping down from his role in the Anfield technical area after nine years at the helm.

The German has won every trophy available to him and could yet walk away with another three this season, while his side came two games away from completing a historic quadruple in 2021/22, losing out on the final day of the Premier League season to Manchester City and falling to a 1-0 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in Paris a week later.

Jurgen Klopp's time at Liverpool
Games	477
Wins	298
Losses	82
Goals	1066
Points per game	2.08
Win %	62.5%
Trophies	8

It has been widely reported that Xabi Alonso is Liverpool's preferred choice to take the vacant Anfield hotseat this summer, with the ex-Liverpool man having worked wonders with Bayer Leverkusen.

Still unbeaten this season, they sit 10 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and are also in the last eight of the Europa League, where they could yet meet Liverpool in the final.

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However, it won't be easy. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are both also thought to be keen on the Spanish boss as they both hunt for new managers, while Alonso himself has not ruled out staying at Leverkusen for at least another season.

As a result, there is plenty of speculation that Liverpool won't be able to land him this summer, with reports suggesting that were he to leave, it would be to another European giant. So, there has to be a plan B.

Romano shares Amorim update

Now, Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on those behind Alonso in the pecking order, and believes that Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim is the next best thing for the Merseyside outfit. Speaking on the Men in Blazers podcast (via GiveMeSport), he explained that Amorim is ahead of De Zerbi in the pecking order as things stand, while he also has a release clause like the Brighton boss.

“Ruben Amorim is a concrete candidate for the Liverpool job", Romano revealed. "I think he is in position number two at this moment from what I’m told. He also has a release clause in his new contract at Sporting.

"It is difficult to negotiate with Portuguese clubs, especially for special people like Ruben Amorim, but for sure the interest from Liverpool is there. I think Amorim is in position number two, he is a candidate for the Liverpool job at this moment more than Roberto De Zerbi."

Amorim has drawn high praise from all corners for his style of football, and had previously been linked with the Tottenham job before Ange Postecoglou's arrival. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in particular is a big fan of his methods and results in Portugal, having faced him and lost in last season's Europa League.

“What him and the coaching staff have done over the past few years is incredible", he explained. “They are a really good team so credit to the manager because you can see they have a really clear idea."

Ajaz Patel is the only frontline spinner in New Zealand’s squad for the two-Test series against India, which begins in Wellington on Friday.Kyle Jamieson, who was added to the Test squad in Australia last year after Lockie Ferguson’s injury, earned a call-up on the back of his displays in the ODI series against India, while the allrounder Daryl Mitchell returned to the squad for the first time since his debut against England in Hamilton in the first half of the summer.Jamieson is expected to be the back-up quick behind the usual first-choice trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner, unless New Zealand play an all-pace attack at Basin Reserve. Boult is back for the first time since suffering a broken hand during the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne.

New Zealand Test squad

Kane Williamson (capt) Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling

Ferguson had marked his return from injury in the Ford Trophy, the domestic one-day competition, which his side Auckland won. However, according to Stead, his “loads aren’t anywhere near for us to be able to consider him for four-day[Test] cricket.”Matt Henry, too, had returned from injury in the Ford Trophy and was available for Test selection, but the management picked Jamieson instead because of his propensity to generate extra bounce.Kyle Jamieson in action for Auckland•Getty Images

“Matt was available and it was a tough call we had to make and in this instance we’ve gone for Kyle over Matt,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. “And I guess in a squad when you can pick only 13, there is only room for so many and it’s a tough call because he does a lot of things really, really well for us. But, Kyle’s difference in height and what he does with the bounce is something that could be a point of difference for us in this series.”Patel had last played Test cricket on the tour of Sri Lanka in August 2019, and after that New Zealand had largely entrusted spin duties to his fellow left-armer Mitchell Santner, with Todd Astle – who has since retired from red-ball cricket – and Will Somerville coming in for the New Year’s Test in Sydney on the back of an illness crisis within the squad.Santner is a central member of New Zealand’s limited-overs teams, but his recent red-ball returns have been modest, with four Tests in the 2019-20 season bringing him only five wickets at an average of 83.00.”Ajaz has done really well for us in the past in overseas conditions, but also look back to his domestic form and the way he performs here in New Zealand is very, very good,” Stead said. He’s been the top wicket-taker for the last three-four years domestically and I guess it’s a slight change in role we’re looking in terms of that position being one where we can take wickets and focus hard on that.”Mitchell makes his comeback following an impressive bowling performance during the Indians’ warm-up match in Hamilton, where he took the wickets of Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill with deliveries that seamed in from a fullish length, before getting Rishabh Pant to nick one that nipped away from him.”Daryl showed his batting prowess in his Test debut against England in Hamilton and he naturally offers us great versatility with the different roles he can play.”

Chelsea are back in action in the Premier League this evening as they prepare to host Everton at Stamford Bridge, with the chance to move to within one point of eighth. The Blues still have eight matches left to play as they attempt to fight their way back into the European places, with a spot in the Europa League or the Europa Conference League still to play for.

Mauricio Pochettino's side could still land a place in Europe for the 2024/25 campaign, and that could help them ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

Being able to offer transfer targets the chance to play European football could avoid a situation where they are rejected by players who have offers from teams in the Champions League or other competitions in Europe.

Chelsea plotting bid for Serie A star

According to SportsMediaSet, via JuventusNews24, Todd Boehly is 'intent' on getting serious about a deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, who is currently competing in the Europa League with his current club.

The Blues want to add the Netherlands international to their playing squad for the 2024/25 campaign and are plotting a swoop for the talented ace this summer. It states that Chelsea are preparing an offer of €60m (£51m) to secure his services at the end of the season, with Boehly set to bid for the former AZ Alkmaar star.

Italian giants Juventus are also said to be interested in a deal to sign the Atalanta whiz as they want to bolster their options in the middle of the park. The report does not, however, reveal whether or not the Serie A side are prepared to part ways with the Dutch wizard, or if £51m would be enough to reach an agreement.

Why Chelsea are interested in Teun Koopmeiners

Pochettino and Boehly could be plotting a bid to sign Koopmeiners this summer because he has the quality to score goals on a regular basis from a central midfield position. No central midfielder has scored more than three Premier League goals for Chelsea so far this season, with Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez both on three, and Cole Palmer (16) is the only player in any position in double figures.

Non-penalty goals (0.33)

Top 1%

Non-penalty xG (0.17)

Top 7%

Shot-creating actions (4.09)

Top 7%

Progressive carries (2.69)

Top 8%

Expected Assisted Goals (0.21)

Top 7%

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old star ranks within the top 1% of midfielders in the major European leagues for non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, which speaks to how much of a goalscoring threat he provides from that position.

Koopmeiners has fired in 11 goals – from 5.31 xG – in 25 Serie A starts for Atalanta so far this season, after a return of ten goals from 7.64 xG in 32 league starts for the club last term.

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This shows that the £51m Chelsea target has hit double figures for goals from midfield in back-to-back league seasons in Italy, which suggests that he has the goal threat that Pochettino's side is currently lacking in that role.

It's been a wild seven days for Chelsea Football Club, seven days that have seen the team fall to an embarrassing 2-2 draw with a ten-man Burnley side and then win 4-3 against Manchester United in one of the best games of the season.

Mauricio Pochettino still looks as lost as ever in the hot seat, but Cole Palmer's sheer brilliance was enough to carry his team through Thursday night's game.

That said, there were still a number of dreadful performances from those in Blue, such as Moises Caicedo, and it looks like the club could already be looking for his replacement based on reports this week.

Chelsea transfer news

According to reports from Spain earlier this week (via Caught Offside), Chelsea could launch a 'surprise raid' for Real Madrid's supremely gifted midfielder, Aurélien Tchouaméni.

The report has revealed that while even though there have been talks of financial fair play complications surrounding the club in recent months, Todd Boehly and Co are still keen on signing 'elite' players and would even be willing to sell Conor Gallagher to free up funds for such a move.

No price has been mentioned yet, but considering Real paid an initial €80m – £69m – to get their man in June 2022, it will likely cost a lot more than that, especially as the CIES Football Observatory currently values him at €100m, which is about £86m.

It would certainly be difficult and costly to complete, but if Chelsea can convince the Frenchman to join the club, it could seriously improve their midfield, although it might not be so good for Caicedo's long-term future.

How Tchouameni compares to Caicedo

Now, it might seem absurd to think that Chelsea are already looking to replace their £115m summer signing, but after a debut season in which he has made several high-profile mistakes, such as giving the ball to Alejandro Garnacho for his opening goal on Thursday night, it might not be.

The Blues may be under different ownership these days, but with the pressure continuing to mount on Boehly and Co on a weekly basis, they might do something drastic, and with Tchouameni favouring the defensive midfield role the Ecuadorian plays, it feels ominous.

With that said, which midfielder is superior? Well, the first thing to consider is their respective experience, which, unfortunately for the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace, is an area he can't win.

In all, he has made just 91 appearances for a top-flight European side, 53 of which were for the Seagulls. In comparison, the Real ace has made 37 appearances for Bordeaux, 95 for AS Monaco, and 82 for Los Blancos, in which he has won a Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup.

Furthermore, he has won 31 caps for the French national team, including seven at the 2022 World Cup, where he played the full 120 minutes of the final.

Okay, so what about their underlying numbers? Is the comparison one-sided there? Well, it's more bad news for the Chelsea man, as in the vast majority of relevant metrics, he is second, and in some areas, by quite some way.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.09

0.08

Non-Penalty Goals

0.10

0.00

Assists

0.05

0.04

Progressive Carries

1.15

0.52

Progressive Passes

5.29

5.11

Shots on Target

0.21

0.04

Passing Accuracy

90.8%

91.2%

Shot-Creating Actions

1.36

1.86

Goal-Creating Actions

0.47

0.35

Tackles Won

1.62

2.60

Interceptions

1.31

1.04

Clearances

2.20

1.39

Errors Leading to a Goal

0.05

0.13

Ball Recoveries

4.29

6.02

Aerial Duels Won

2.36

1.04

For example, Real's "one-man war machine," as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, produces far better attacking and goalscoring numbers, wins significantly more aerial duels, makes more interceptions and clearances, makes fewer errors that lead to a goal, and completes far more progressive passes and carries per 90.

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Ultimately, if Chelsea can get their hands on Tchouaméni this summer, even for £86m plus, they should. However, that could very much spell the end of Caicedo's Blues career before it ever really got the chance to begin.

Nortje batted for three hours and 11 minutes and faced 136 balls, more than South Africa’s top three combined, to score 18 runs

Firdose Moonda in Port Elizabeth18-Jan-2020

Anrich Nortje sinks to his haunches after his dismissal•Stu Forster/Getty Images

What are the characteristics of a “proper Dutchman”, the term of endearment South Africa’s bowling coach Charl Langevedlt used to describe Anrich Nortje?”It’s a sense of trying to go out there and fight, and come hard and be aggressive, with a lot of heart,” Nortje explained, happy to hear that the nickname that has been attached to him for a “quite a long time” was on air for the first time on day one.Langeveldt was describing Nortje’s back-bending efforts in the field but the man himself would like to apply the terms to all aspects of his game. “It’s something I try and pride myself on. When conditions get tough, when it’s 40 degrees, I try and be the guy to run and come hard,” Nortje said. “I try and make things happen with the ball in hand – not really with the bat but if I get an opportunity, if I have to take a few blows I am willing to do that.”ALSO READ: Cricket is a finite game and du Plessis’ finish is in sightFor the second time in the series, Nortje’s rearguard as nightwatchman has put South Africa’s top-order to shame. At SuperSport Park, he spent two hours and seven minutes in the middle and faced 89 balls for an accomplished 40, which included a match-winning partnership of 91 with Rassie van der Dussen. At St George’s, Nortje batted for three hours and 11 minutes and faced 136 balls, more than South Africa’s top three combined, to score only 18 runs. When he was dismissed, he sunk to his haunches in disappointment, knowing how close he was to putting in a double shift on overnight watch.”It’s trying to stay there for as long as possible. It’s not really about scoring runs for me, it’s about facing a few balls, as many as possible,” Nortje said.Nortje faced more balls from Dom Bess than any other South African batsmen in this innings so far – 59 – and four fewer than Dean Elgar did against Mark Wood – 19. He saw Bess outfoxing the top five as they looked to take the English spinner on more than they did at Newlands. Nortje was not privy to the strategy but saw South Africa’s eagerness backfire on them.”I’m not too sure how they (the top order) want to play it. I am not in the batting meeting, I can tell you that,” he said. “So I’m not too sure what they want to do but maybe one or two things could have gone differently, whether it’s taking him out the attack or just playing him positively and better, I don’t know.”What Nortje does know is that it’s not helpful to weigh his efforts up against the specialists’ because their job descriptions are so different. “There’s a little bit of a bigger battle between them and the bowler rather than me. Even if I get a half-volley sometimes, I still block it,” Nortje said. ” For them, it’s about playing naturally as well in stages. You can’t really compare.”Instead, what Nortje is interested in is measuring is his performance against Wood’s, the fastest bowler in the opposite camp. “I saw they had a comparison on the big screen and I was more interested in that when I was batting than anything else,” he said, although evasive action was also on his mind. Wood targeted Nortje’s rib-cage and later, his head, giving Nortje first-hand experience of what it must be like facing himself. “I haven’t really had to deal with that before in my career. It gives me a bit of confidence that I can do it. But it’s not the nicest thing, I am not going to lie,” he said.Asked if the experience of facing Wood has made Nortje more sympathetic to batsmen who have to front up to him, he had a one-word answer: “No.”That’s the answer a “proper Dutchman,” would give, that embodies the attitude South Africa have to adopt if they are to give themselves a chance of going to the Wanderers all-square. They are 92-runs away from avoiding the following-on and even if they get there, there are still two days left, some of which could be lost to rain. South Africa will be under the pump for most of that time but Nortje is up for it.”We are positive we can save the game,” he said. “If we have to fight and we have to do what we have to do then we do that. We are not going to be worried about if there is weather around. We are going to come out here and focus on the next two days, fighting. Whatever we have to do to draw this Test match we are going to be up for that. We believe that.”

Mukherjee and Lakra skittle Nigeria for 145 and set up UAE’s thumping victory

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jan-2020
ScorecardOpening batsman Neel Date scored Japan’s first fifty at the World Cup, but seamer Akhil Kumar picked up 6 for 46, including the wicket of the half-centurion, to help Canada clinch their 13th place play-off semi-final. Kumar’s spell triggered a terminal collapse as Japan went from 73 for 1 to 118 all out in pursuit of 301.Five Japanese batsmen, including debutant Reiji Suto, bagged ducks and barring Date, no other batsman passed 20.Earlier in the day, after being inserted, Canada rode on their wicketkeeper-opener Nicholas Manohar’s 101 off 102 balls to put up 300 for 7. Kento Dobell, Tushar Chaturvedi, and Leon Mehlig took two wickets apiece for Japan, but a series of contributions from the middle order and Manohar’s blows at the top meant Canada were always ahead in the contest.Kumar’s figures, the second best in the tournament, then sewed up a 182-run victory for Canada.
ScorecardOffspinner Rishabh Mukherjee and left-arm fingerspinner Aryan Lakra, who took the new ball, took seven wickets between them to skittle Nigeria for 145. Their No. 3 Alishan Sharafu then struck an unbeaten 59 off 60 balls to ensure that UAE chased the target down with seven wickets and more then 20 overs to spare.After being asked to bat, Nigeria had a fairly decent start with the openers Olayinka Olaleye and Sulaimon Runsewe putting on 33 for the first wicket. It was Ali Nasser who made the breakthrough when he had Runsewe caught by Lakra for 14 off 22 balls. Olaleye and No.3 Miracle Akhigbe then pushed Nigeria’s score to 70 by the 17th over. From there, they lost 9 for 75 to be bundled out in 46.4 overs. Mukherjee came away with 4 for 35 while Lakra took 3 for 20.UAE then suffered a wobble at the top and were reduced to 36 for 2 in the eighth over, but Sharafu and Jonathan Figy, who had hit a century earlier in the tournament, then steadied the innings with a 77-run stand. Figy holed out for 28 off 45 balls, but Sharafu and Ansh Tandon finished the chase off without any further damage.
ScorecardSri Lanka captain Nipun Dananjaya, Ahan Wickramasinghe, and Navod Paranavithana hit fifties to set up the side’s victory against Scotland in a rain-hit clash. After Sri Lanka put up 277 for 6, wet weather interrupted Scotland’s innings and consequently their target was adjusted to 247 from 40 overs, according to the D/L method. Scotland never really got going in the chase and mustered 149 for 8. Seamer Chamindu Wijesinghe was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka, returning 3 for 31 in his nine overs.After opting to bat, Sri Lanka had a sound start, with Paranavithana and Kamil Mishara adding 90 for the opening wicket. Mishara fell 11 short of a fifty, but Paranavithana and later Wickramasinghe and Dananjaya reached the landmark to give their side the impetus in the middle and end overs.Dilshan Madushanka, who had scooped up a five-wicket haul against Nigeria, extended his form, getting Scotland’s openers inside the eighth over. Wijesinghe and Kavindu Nadeeshan made further inroads into the Scotland line-up as the chase spiraled out of control. Captain Angus Guy top-scored with 31, but it came off 72 balls, and the rapidly rising asking rate was too much to overcome for Scotland.

Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are Manchester-bound, with the Bayern Munich defenders preparing to complete a double transfer to United.

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• Red Devils bolstering defensive ranks
• Long-term contracts ready to be signed
• Both have worked with Ten Hag before

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Netherlands and Morocco internationals have spent much of the summer being linked with moves to Old Trafford. It has taken until the middle of August for an agreement to finally be reached, but both are now travelling to England.

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  De Ligt has been filmed arriving at Munich airport with a suitcase in hand. He admitted to the waiting media that “Noussair is waiting for me” as he made his way inside the terminal. New challenges in the Premier League are now ready to be embraced.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  According to , De Ligt and Mazraoui will undergo medicals in Manchester on Monday. Once those physical tests have been completed, contracts can be signed. Personal terms have already been agreed, with Dutch centre-half De Ligt set to pen a deal through to 2029 that includes the option for a further 12-month extension.

The general consensus at Tottenham Hotspur heading into the last few weeks of Ange Postecoglou's first campaign at the helm speaks of promise and positivity, though there is uncertainty surrounding the prospect of Champions League qualification.

With Spurs sitting the previous Premier League match week out after their fixture with Manchester City was rescheduled given their opponents' participation in the FA Cup semi-finals, Aston Villa seized the initiative and won against Bournemouth to extend their lead in the top four to six points – Tottenham, however, hold two games in hand.

With the fixtures drawing to a close and Tottenham preparing to face the three teams fighting for the Premier League title, it's going to be an interesting battle for a place in Europe's elite club competition.

Not least because Destiny Udogie has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, having been so influential in his first season in England…

Why Destiny Udogie's injury is a massive blow

Spurs signed Udogie from Udinese for about £15m back in 2022 but loaned him straight back to the Italian club for the duration of the 2022/23 campaign, where he honed his craft and earned acclaim before linking up with Postecoglou's squad last summer.

As the north London outfit purred into life at the start of the campaign, Udogie quickly established himself as the unwavering starter at left-back, with journalist Hunter Godson even hailing his "sickeningly good" displays and proclaiming that he "gets into nearly every team in the world already."

He's barely stepped onto the major stage but he's already performing with seamless style in the English top flight, completing 28 matches this season, scoring two goals and adding three assists, completing 89% of his passes and averaging 2.4 tackles and clearances, six ball recoveries and 5.4 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.

As per FBref, the 21-year-old ranks among the top 6% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 12% for progressive passes, the top 8% for progressive carries, the top 15% for successful take-ons and the top 11% for interceptions per 90.

With such noteworthy technical ability and a melange of qualities across both defensive and attacking points, Udogie is one of the finest in the division and it's no wonder that no Tottenham teammate boasts a market valuation above his – according to CIES Football Observatory's player valuation model, the Italian is worth £69m, level with Dejan Kulusevski.

This is all of an illustration of why the £75k-per-week starlet is so important, and why his season-ending injury could be detrimental to the synergy and energy of Postecoglou's Champions League-chasing side.

This isn't the first time Udogie has fallen to the sideline this term, with his replacement last time, Ben Davies, possibly not the answer given his lack of mobility and progression.

Ben Davies' season in numbers

Davies has been something of a stalwart for Tottenham, chalking up 329 fixtures for the club, but he has been a utility option this season – albeit performing admirably in central defence throughout Spurs' injury crisis in November and December.

However, he last started in his natural wide position when Spurs lost to Wolves in February, and having completed an average of 0.2 dribbles per game in the Premier League this season, he may not offer the robustness to keep the poise and potency that Postecoglou's set-up demands.

Micky van de Ven could also be an option out wide, as the analyst above states, but the Dutch defender's not accustomed to a full-back role and, while he is incredibly fast and athletic, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year, fans have witnessed the issues that can arise when he is not in the starting line-up at centre-back.

While it would be something of a bold call, Postecoglou could opt down the less-trodden path and promote Charlie Sayers to the senior squad, with the academy phenom possessing all the tools to forge a name for himself in Udoige's place.

How Charlie Sayers could perform for Postecoglou

Tottenham insider John Wenham remarked that Sayers is "probably the best academy defender at the club", and having played a key role in Wayne Burnett's table-topping side's progress in the Premier League 2 this season, featuring 11 times, it's clear to see why.

Superhotspur's scouting profile of the 19-year-old highlights notable strengths in ball-playing and pace, with the kind of top-level athleticism needed to fill boots such as Udogie's.

Tottenham U21

26

1

1

Tottenham U18

13

2

0

Southend United

6

0

0

Tottenham YL

1

0

2

In the EFL Trophy this term, as per Sofascore, the young talent showcased the core qualities that have established him as one of Tottenham's most coveted prospects, averaging 1.3 key passes, two tackles and 7.3 ball recoveries per match across three fixtures, also completing 85% of his passes.

His rate of recovery is particularly eye-catching, speaking of his energy and eagerness to close down space and maintain high output – Udogie performs masterfully in this regard, whereas Davies, while a veteran, is averaging only 2.9 recoveries per match in the Premier League this season.

With an eye for goal too, there's no reason why Sayers can't develop into a rounded player to serve as Udogie's foil when regrettable scenarios such as his present conundrum surface.

Supporters need only hark back to the slump earlier in the campaign to serve as a poignant reminder of how this Postecoglou team can slump when knocked off balance.

Davies is not the answer at left-back, not with Spurs fighting for a place in the Champions League next season.

Ange could unleash Spurs star in brand new role to ease Udogie injury

Postecoglou has three different left-back options to choose from.

ByTom Lever Apr 22, 2024

كشفت تقارير صحفية أن نجم فريق آينتراخت فرانكفورت، عمر مرموش، يتواجد على رادار نادي برشلونة في الوقت الحالي، في ظل تألقه اللافت للأنظار مع ناديه الألماني.

ويقدم عمر مرموش أداءً مثيرًا رفقة آينتراخت فرانكفورت في الموسم الحالي، حيث سجل 11 هدفًا في الدوري الألماني.

ويتقاسم مرموش صدارة هدافي النسخة الحالية من الدوري الألماني، مع هاري كين نجم بايرن ميونخ.

ومن المعروف أن رئيس نادي برشلونة، خوان لابورتا، يستهدف إحداث ضجة كبيرة قبل انتخابات الرئاسة في عام 2026، حيث يريد إجراء صفقة تثير ضجة إعلامية وتنال اهتمام الجماهير.

ويركز لابورتا على التعاقد مع مهاجم يمكن أن يحل محل روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، الذي رغم تألقه هذا الموسم، سيبلغ من العمر 37 عامًا الموسم المقبل.

وسبق أن أكدت التقارير الصحفية الإسبانية أن إيرلينج هالاند نجم مانشستر سيتي هو الخيار الأول بالنسبة لـ لابورتا في برشلونة.

ولكن بالنظر إلى الظروف الاقتصادية التي يعاني منها نادي برشلونة، فإن الإدارة الرياضية لديها بعض البدائل بالفعل.

وذكرت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية أن قائمة الخيارات لدى برشلونة تتضمن عمر مرموش، الذي لفت أنظار كبار أندية إنجلترا بالفعل، وعلى رأسهم ليفربول.

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وأوضحت أن الإدارة الرياضية لنادي برشلونة تعتبر مرموش لاعبًا متعدد الاستخدامات حيث يمكنه اللعب في جميع مراكز الهجوم الثلاثة، ويستطيع التكيف مع الجناح الأيسر، وهو المركز الذي يريدون أيضًا تعزيزه.

ليس هذا فقط، بل إن مرموش متميز في تسجيل الركلات الحرة، حيث يكفي القول إنه سجل 3 أهداف متتالية بتلك الطريقة في 3 مباريات، وهو جانب لا يمتلك فيه برشلونة لاعبين متخصصين كبار.

وتبلغ القيمة التسويقية لـ مرموش، المُلقب بـ”الفرعون” 40 مليون يورو، حسب شبكة “ترانسفير ماركت” العالمية.

في حين أشارت صحيفة “بيلد” إلى أن آينتراخت يُقدر سعره بـ 45 مليون يورو، لذلك سيكون خيارًا ميسور التكلفة بالنسبة لنادي برشلونة.

بالإضافة إلى ذلك، فإن مرموش يتم تمثيله من قبل وكالة CAA Stellar، التي تضم أيضًا فيرمين لوبيز والتي يتمتع برشلونة بعلاقة جيدة معها.

ولن يكون الطريق مفروشًا بالورود أمام برشلونة، حيث أن مرموش مطلوب من قِبل كبار الأندية، مثل ليفربول، بايرن ميونخ، مانشستر سيتي، آرسنال وغيرهم.