It's been a successful pre-season for Tottenham Hotspur so far this year, with three wins on the bounce against Heart of Midlothian, Queens Park Rangers and most recently Vissel Kobe.

However, with the return of the Premier League now less than three weeks away, a lot still needs to be done, especially regarding the transfer window.

So far, the only permanent signings the Lilywhites have made this summer are Archie Gray and Yang Min-Hyeok, although they have been heavily linked with Juventus ace Federico Chiesa.

However, while the Italian international would likely be a great addition to Ange Postecoglou's squad, recent reports have touted a potentially more exciting and dangerous alternative from the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, Tottenham have maintained their long-term interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers' star, Pedro Neto, ahead of a potential move in the coming weeks.

The report claims that the North Londoners are keen to add another quality attacker to their frontline this summer, and Postecoglou favours signing a player with Premier League experience.

This criterion has led them to Eberechi Eze and the Wolves ace. However, the report has revealed the Lilywhites believe there will be no room to manoeuvre on the Englishman's £60m price tag, while the Portuguese international will likely be available for less than his £60m valuation.

Should Spurs opt to sign Neto, he'll still likely cost more than the £21m fee Juventus reportedly want for Chiesa, but given his form last season, he'd be worth it.

How Neto compares to Chiesa

So, with it looking like Daniel Levy and Co could be opting to sign Neto over Chiesa this summer, how do the pair compare?

Well, from a pure output perspective, it's a clear and decisive victory for the Wolves man, even though he only produced one more goal involvement than his competition.

In just 24 appearances last season, the 24-year-old "beast," as former teammate Diogo Jota dubbed him, scored three goals and provided 11 assists, maintaining an impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.71 games.

In contrast, the Euro 2020 champion scored ten goals and provided three assists, but it took him 37 appearances to do so, resulting in a less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.8 games.

How about the pair's underlying numbers then? Is it another easy win for the former Lazio winger when we take a look at what's going on under the hood?

Neto vs Chiesa

Stats per 90

Neto

Chiesa

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.47

0.49

Non-Penalty Goals + Assists

0.68

0.40

Progressive Passes

3.21

2.87

Progressive Carries

5.83

4.55

Shots

1.98

2.85

Passing Accuracy

74.5%

69.9%

Key Passes

2.26

2.21

Shot-Creating Actions

4.45

4.79

Goal-Creating Actions

0.83

0.37

Successful Take-Ons

2.20

1.43

Ball Recoveries

4.70

2.54

Aerial Duels Won

0.24

0.00

All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 Season

In short, yes, yes, it is. For example, aside from a few, the Viana do Castelo-born star comes out ahead in the majority of underlying numbers and by quite some way, such as actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, passing accuracy, key passes, goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, ball recoveries and aerial duels won, all per 90.

Lastly, availability is one area in which you might expect the former Fiorentina dynamo to have the upper hand, but as it turns out, that's not the case.

In the last three seasons, he has missed 84 games for club and country through injury, while his competition has missed 50, and while that's still far from ideal, it's significantly better.

Ultimately, when it comes to both output and the underlying metrics behind that output, Neto is clear of Chiesa and is comfortably the superior winger at present. Therefore, while he'll undoubtedly cost more, Levy and Co must do what they can to bring him to N17 in the coming weeks.

Related Spurs struck gold on "incredible" signing now worth way more than Toney

The mercurial talent will be a big part of Postecoglou’s plans.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 27, 2024

Julen Lopetegui has been backed. West Ham United parted ways with David Moyes at the end of the 2023/24 season after his dynasty entered a solemn twilight stage, and now there is fresh hope that success can be found once again.

Two years on from winning the Conference League, West Ham will not play European football for the first time in three seasons, but this at least gives the new era a singular focus on the domestic front.

The Premier League side have employed a free-spending approach this summer, with technical director strengthening across the park, and while improvements have been made, there may yet be another incoming as the window enters the final fortnight…

West Ham eyeing another midfielder

According to the Daily Mail, West Ham have enquired about the availability of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler as Steidten gears up for a ninth (yes, ninth) signing of the summer.

The experienced Guido Rodriguez has been landed to add some mettle to the engine room but Soler would bring a more dynamic outlook.

The Spaniard is valued at around €20m (£17m) by the Ligue 1 champions, and while the Irons' spending has hit the £120m mark this summer, this could ice the cake nicely indeed.

What Carlos Soler would bring to West Ham

Soler is a technical footballer with a sharp eye for a pass. His innate understanding of tempo allows him to maximise this ball-playing ability and influence attacking sequences effectively.

Carlos Soler: 23/24 Statistical Breakdown

Statistic

Per 90

Percentile

Goals scored

0.17

Top 13%

Assists made

0.17

Top 19%

Passes attempted

63.51

Top 19%

Progressive passes

6.10

Top 24%

Touches (att pen)

2.59

Top 7%

Stats via FBref (vs midfielders)

He signed for PSG from Valencia for €20m (£17m) in 2022, and while he's now completed 63 appearances – scoring eight goals and assisting eight more – he's struggled to secure a starring role in the talent-congested team and would do well to move to an outfit that could see him perform as one of the standouts.

West Ham could offer such a platform. At 27 years old, Soler is in his ostensible prime and must now make good on praise that he is the "complete midfielder", as said by one-time Valencia player Curro Torres, and showcases his skills in the Premier League.

He has the ability. FBref's player comparison model even marks Arsenal's Martin Odegaard as one of his most similar players across Europe's top five leagues – and we all know how well the Norwegian maestro has done on English soil.

Arsenal have fallen a whisker short against Manchester City in the past two top-flight title challenges, though Mikel Arteta deserves all the plaudits after transforming the Gunners into one of the continent's elite outfits. Odegaard has been the fulcrum of such success.

Across the past two years, the all-seeing playmaker has posted 26 goals and 18 assists, awarded the club's Player of the Season for 2023/24 after a magnificent season of the highest influence.

Indeed, as per FBref, he ranks among the top 8% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 3% for assists, the top 1% for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for progressive passes and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90.

Odegaard is clearly operating at a higher level than Soler, but the PSG man's ability to score and assist with equal consistency speaks of his dynamic attacking skill. Moreover, he's a progressive passer and that is something that could see him emulate Arsenal's superstar.

Related West Ham keen on £40m striker who could challenge Fullkrug immediately

West Ham could return for striker target even after Fullkrug addition

Posts 1 ByConnor Holden Aug 15, 2024

This summer, Everton have been extremely active in the transfer market as they look to build on the 15th-placed Premier League finish achieved by the club last season.

Sean Dyche’s side were constantly plagued with injuries and off-the-field issues, restricting them to pushing on towards a mid-table finish in England’s top-flight.

They were hit with a combined eight-point deduction for multiple breaches of PSR rules but managed to finish 14 points clear of the drop come the end of the campaign.

They’ve already dipped into the transfer market this summer, signing Jesper Lindstrom, Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam whilst re-signing Jack Harrison on loan from Leeds United.

However, they’ve had to sell midfielder Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for £50m to avoid another PSR punishment, leaving a huge hole in the middle of Dyche’s side.

They may not be done there, potentially selling numerous other first-team members during the window, including one talent after a disappointing opening campaign at Goodison Park.

Everton's £25m signing could depart Goodison Park

After joining the Toffees for £25m from Udinese last summer, there were high expectations on the shoulders of Beto to produce the goods to try and solve their goalscoring issues.

However, in a disappointing campaign for the Portuguese forward, he only scored three times in his 30 appearances, which only included nine starts – often being used as a backup under Dyche.

Despite his poor form, he’s attracting attention from multiple Serie A sides having been told he can leave, with Italian side Bologna interested in signing the 26-year-old as a replacement for Joshua Zirkzee, who recently joined Manchester United.

The club would probably lose money on the £25m they forked out for his signature, but it may be the right decision before his value falls further should he replicate his lowly numbers from the 2023/24 season.

A potential decision to sell Beto may be a solid option given the other strikers at Dyche’s disposal on Merseyside, with one of his forwards undoubtedly a better fit for his system and the Premier League.

Why Calvert-Lewin is an upgrade on Beto

After years of injury issues, striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin registered his highest appearance tally for Everton since the 2020/21 season, making 38 appearances in all competitions last campaign.

He ended up being the club’s joint top scorer in the Premier League, matching Abdoulaye Doucoure’s tally of seven goals, prompting interest from Newcastle United and Manchester United for his signature this summer.

When looking at his stats on FBref, it’s no surprise to see the interest and why Dyche decided to utilise the 27-year-old as his main centre-forward.

Whilst registering more goals and assists, Calvert-Lewin has also won more aerial battles, whilst averaging a 10% better shot-on-target accuracy rate – providing more of a cutting edge in front of goal for the Toffees.

Games played

32

30

Goals + assists

9

3

Progressive carries

36

14

Shot-on-target accuracy

39%

29%

Aerials won

49%

45%

Progressive passes

31

16

Despite often being the target man for Everton, he’s also completed more progressive carries and progressive passes for Dyche’s side, looking like the complete package for a centre-forward in the boss’ system.

Whilst his injury record will always be a cause for concern, his form in 2023/24 is evidence that when fully fit, Calvert-Lewin is a great option and one that can continue to thrive with consistent first-team minutes.

On the other hand, it’s been a tricky job for Beto, who has been criticised for looking "lost" by journalist Paul Brown, to make an impact given Calvert-Lewin’s excellent form, restricting him to limited minutes from the substitutes bench.

The £50k-per-week asset hasn’t yet shown any value for his £25m transfer fee, with the club wise to accept a bid for his services should they receive an offer in and around the region they paid for his signature just 12 months ago.

Everton set to make U-turn and could be forced to sell “outstanding” player

There could be another big name about to leave Goodison Park.

1 ByTom Coates Jul 23, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

A luta doVascopara se equilibrar defensivamente tende a proporcionar um teste de fogo para Walber. Diante do Náutico, nos Aflitos, o Cruz-Maltino pode lançá-lo como provável substituto de Ricardo Graça com uma missão difícil. Afinal, o Timbusegue no páreo no pelotão da frente da Série Be tem forte poderio ofensivo.

RelacionadasVascoCom Andrey e Jhon Sánchez em campo, Vasco treina de olho no confronto com o NáuticoVasco22/10/2021Fora de CampoHenrique, ex-Vasco, é vítima de xenofobia por torcedores do Lyon: ‘Volte para a favela do Brasil’Fora de Campo22/10/2021Futebol NacionalPresidente do Náutico garante presença de policiamento e realização da partida com o VascoFutebol Nacional22/10/2021

Indicado por Lisca, antigo técnico do Cruz-Maltino, Walber só estreou sob o comando de Fernando Diniz. Porém, devido à disputa acirrada no setor, teve de mostrar serviço a toque de caixa.

Diante de Cruzeiro, Goiás, Confiança e Coritiba, o defensor foi lançado sempre nos minutos finais. E até mesmo na vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o Brusque (quando entrou em campo aos 8 minutos da etapa final), seu objetivo foi exclusivamente contribuir para fechar os espaços.

Ao lado do experiente Leandro Castan, o camisa 36 tem outra tarefa em campo. Até mesmo em vitórias recentes, o Vasco suou para manter seu equilíbrio.

Empenhado para, enfim, conseguir honrar sua primeira titularidade na Colina, Walber se prepara para um momento desafiador. Afinal, terá de “fechar a casinha” da equipe de Fernando Diniz durante 90 minutos.

Arsenal have held talks with one Premier League club over selling a £100,000-per-week player, as the north Londoners set their demands and attempt to trim Mikel Arteta's squad before the new season kicks off next weekend.

Players who could be sold by Arsenal after Nketiah

Striker Eddie Nketiah is thought to be edging nearer a move to Marseille, with the Englishman reportedly agreeing to a pay-cut so he can seal a move to Ligue 1.

21-year-old now very likely to join Man Utd after Arsenal exit decision

The player could swap north London for Old Trafford.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 10, 2024

Nketiah scored five goals in 27 Premier League appearances last season, finding opportunities in Arteta's starting eleven fairly hard to come by, with both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus ahead of him in the pecking order.

This has opened the door for him to potentially leave the Emirates Stadium in search of more game time, with Marseille seen as the most likely landing spot for Nketiah as things stand.

The 25-year-old could well join Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Mason Greenwood and Ismael Kone in swapping England for Marseille this summer, but it is believed a few more Arsenal players are likely to attract interest before deadline day.

Midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe stands out as Arsenal's most high-profile exit of the summer so far, recently completing a £35 million move to Fulham, which is a club-record fee for Marco Silva's side.

Appearances

115

Goals

18

Assists

13

Yellow cards

2

Red cards

0

Minutes played

5,846

After Nketiah and Smith-Rowe, it has been reported that Thomas Partey, Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Tierney and Jakub Kiwior are other first team players who could leave Arsenal this summer too.

Partey is 31-years-old and in the final 12 months of his contract, while Ramsdale lost his place to first choice goalkeeper David Raya last season. Uncertainty surrounds Kiwior following Riccardo Calafiori's signing, and it is believed Arsenal have told Tierney he is free to leave, after the Scotsman spent last term on loan at Real Sociedad.

Winger Reiss Nelson appears to be up for sale at Arsenal as well. The 24-year-old started just once in the Premier League last season, making 15 appearances in total, and he's unlikely to feature much more than that next season if he does stay.

Arsenal hold talks with Leicester City over selling Reiss Nelson

According to Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke, Arsenal have held talks with Leicester City over selling Nelson recently.

However, the Gunners' price demands have put them off. It is claimed they're demanding around £20 million to let the forward leave north London, a fee which has forced the Foxes to turn away in pursuit of alternative targets.

While their £20m valuation has turned Leicester and other clubs away, Arteta's side are anticipating late interest in Nelson from both Europe and domestically. The £100,000-per-week player came through Arsenal's Hale End academy, first making his senior debut all the way back in 2017 against Chelsea in the Community Shield under Arsene Wenger.

An ODI of fluctuating fortunes eventually went the way of India by a comfortable margin, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The home side were grateful to a pair of fine debuts from Krunal Pandya and Prasidh Krishna, alongside vital contributions from several senior hands, as England collapsed after a dominant start to their chase had seen them reached 135 without loss in the 15th over.Like Shikhar Dhawan earlier in the day, Jonny Bairstow fell narrowly short of a century – though the openers enjoyed success via starkly different methods. Dhawan set himself to bat for much of the innings, and helped lay the platform in partnership with Virat Kohli, although India needed the spark provided by Krunal’s 26-ball fifty and an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with KL Rahul that yielded 112 from 57 at the death.Bairstow, meanwhile, epitomises England’s ultra-aggressive approach. He and Jason Roy had seemingly broken the chase by the time the first wicket fell, as the openers hared off to post their 12th century opening stand in ODIs. But England imploded spectacularly in the face of a renewed India bowling effort, led by Krishna and Shardul Thakur, both of whom recovered from expensive initial spells to share seven wickets between them.Related

• Iyer taken for scans after shoulder injury; could be in doubt for IPL

Krishna’s dismissal of Roy triggered a period in which England lost two wickets and scored just two runs from the next 17 balls, with Bairstow starved of the strike. It would have been worse had Kohli held on to an outside edge coaxed by Krishna from Eoin Morgan’s first delivery; the India captain immediately acknowledged his mistake by unsuccessfully trying to run out his counterpart, who had seemingly already begun to make his way back to the dressing room.It was not to prove costly, as England slumped further when Thakur had Bairstow caught splicing a hook towards the deep-midwicket boundary six runs short of a century. Two overs later, Morgan and Jos Buttler were dismissed in the space of four balls from Thakur to leave England 176 for 5 – still well ahead of the required rate, but short on batsmen available to knock them off.Moeen Ali and Sam Billings patched things up with a stand of 41 before Krishna struck again. There had been doubts about Billings’ continued participation after he left the field with a “sprained collar bone joint” during the India innings, and although passed fit to bat he was unable to reprise his finisher role from the 2020 summer as he chipped tamely to extra cover.Krunal Pandya and KL Rahul pushed India’s scoring at the death•BCCI

With night-time dew taking effect and Ali finally benefitting from some time in the middle – his only previous England outing all winter had come in the second Chennai Test – England were still in contention. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar extracted Ali with a sharply seaming lifter and Krunal collected a wicket to go with his batting cameo as the tail were rounded up cheaply.India’s chief concern come the end was a shoulder injury suffered in the field by one of their own, as Shreyas Iyer walked off in obvious pain after getting his hand to a powerful Bairstow drive. Rohit Sharma, too, played no part during England’s innings, having sustained a blow on the elbow from Mark Wood while batting.The differences in approach to ODI cricket between these two sides were typified by the opening pairs. Dhawan and Sharma have scored almost 5000 runs together at the top of the order for India, but their success has been based upon steady accumulation early on before cracking on once set. Here, after being inserted, they settled for a period of reconnaissance against the new ball, with 15 runs coming from the first six overs, and 39 without loss in the powerplay.By contrast, after allowing a few sighters from Kumar, the England openers opted for their big spoons. Bairstow was particularly belligerent, accelerating from 6 off 18 as England plundered the powerplay for 89 runs; he greeted the arrival of Kuldeep Yadav in the 12th over by clubbing him for four and six, raising a 40-ball fifty and England’s 100 from consecutive deliveries.India had taken until the 24th over to reach three figures, and they pushed a see-sawing innings beyond 300 only thanks to the efforts of Krunal and Rahul, who came together with the team on 205 for 5. The elder Pandya struck five of his first 14 balls for fours and added a couple of towering sixes for good measure on the way to the joint-fastest fifty on ODI debut – a milestone he celebrated with a thump of the helmet and a look to the skies.Krunal’s cap had been presented before play by Hardik Pandya and the brothers, who lost their father and mentor in January, shared another emotional embrace at the mid-innings interval.India had seemingly ground their way into the ascendancy at 169 for 1, with Dhawan and Kohli motoring along ominously during a century stand. But the return of Wood, who had bowled a sharp opening spell, saw Kohli taken on the deep-midwicket boundary – making it 42 innings (and 16 fifties) since his last hundred – as England re-established their early stranglehold.Stokes, who was playing his first ODI since the 2019 World Cup final, claimed three wickets including that of Dhawan, who pulled low into the hands of midwicket with his hundred beckoning. Iyer also departed attempting to hit Wood over the top, and with Hardik Pandya steering Stokes to slip India were in danger of falling short on a good surface.England were largely excellent in the field, bar Ali dropping a straightforward chance in the deep offered by Dhawan on 59, as India lost 4 for 36 just as they were looking to press on. But the death bowling went awry in the face of some savage hitting, Rahul clearing the ropes four times in 62 from 43 as India’s explosive finish ultimately proved enough to thwart their fast-starting opponents.

The Red Devils' next opponents have created an unlikely dynasty and an unbreakable team spirit – with the help of a fighter jet pilot

There could not really be two more contrasting clubs than Manchester United and Bodo/Glimt, when it comes to size, history, financial muscle and recent achievements. The whole town of Bodo could fit inside Old Trafford and there would still be 20,000 seats to spare. And when the teams meet for the first time on Thursday, around 12 percent of the population (6500 fans) will be at the Theatre of Dreams for the biggest game in the club’s history.

The Norwegian club have spent most of that history outside of the top-flight and were not even allowed to compete to play in the top division until 1971 due to logistical difficulties. Until recently, they were regarded as an ‘elevator team’ going up and down the divisions. When they were in the top division, they had one of the smallest budgets, though money was not the only thing holding them back. Bodo is located 200 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, where there is hardly any daylight in the winter months. Norway's capital, Oslo, is a 16-hour drive away while the nearest city is at least an eight-hour drive away.

Despite all these competitive disadvantages, something incredible has happened in the last five years: Bodo/Glimt have become the top team in Norway, winning three out of the last four titles while being on course to win another next weekend. They have also staged some stunning campaigns in Europe, and they could teach this bloated and dysfunctional United team a thing or two…

Getty Destroying Mourinho

In their full debut campaign in continental competition back in the 2021-22 season, they reached the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, walloping Jose Mourinho’s Roma 6-1 in the group stage and destroying Celtic 5-1 on aggregate in the knockout stage, before they were eventually knocked out by Roma in an ill-tempered tie. They also reached the group stages of the Europa League two seasons ago, facing Arsenal, and the knockout rounds of the Conference League last term.

This season in the Europa League, they have already beaten Porto and Braga and go into Thursday’s game at Old Trafford above United in the standings. The match is set to be the biggest occasion in the club’s history and an emotional one too, as many of the staff and fans also support United. But the Red Devils should be taking an even keener interest in their opponents, as they could learn a lot from them.

"More than other clubs, we talk about values and working hard on our culture," CEO Frode Thomassen tells GOAL. "Most of all, it's a core group of people that have been together now for many years and have the same kind of ambition, the same kind of thinking, the hunger to achieve more. Bodo could inspire a lot of smaller clubs.

"In 2017, we had a budget of €4.2million (£3.5m/$4.5m), the third-lowest in the Norwegian league. We don't have a rich uncle or investors, we have built the sporting project over time."

AdvertisementGettyUnifying force

Thomassen became Bodo’s CEO in 2017 when they had just been promoted to the top-flight and when their average attendance was between 2,000 and 3,000. Now, more than 7,000 people watch each home game, accounting for 15 percent of the town’s population (around 53,000 people). Football is the unifying force for a region that was not just cut off from the rest of the country, but often looked down upon by the south.

Thomassen explains that when his father moved to Oslo, no one wanted to rent a room to someone from the north. "Bodo/Glimt has made people feel more proud of where we come from and our identity," he says. "So many people love football here. When people travel from the south up here for business, they want to talk about Bodo."

Around half of Bodo’s players hail from the north of Norway, giving the team a real sense of togetherness and identity. But the club has also turned into an attractive destination for players from across Scandinavia, despite the harsh weather and being isolated from everywhere else.

"People would look at Bodo on a map and see we were north of the Arctic Circle, so it’s not like people were rushing here before," admits Thomassen. "But we have done so well during the last four or five years so the opportunity to be a part of a team playing in Europe makes you also more attractive to the bigger clubs in Europe. So it’s not a problem for us anymore. I think most of the players in Scandinavia would like to play for us."

Getty Images SportNo breaks

There is one drawback of playing in Europe, though. The Norwegian season runs from March to November, so when the players and staff should be enjoying their time off, they are instead preparing for the biggest games of their lives. The expanded Europa League means that Bodo will be playing games until the end of January, two months after their domestic season has ended. If they reach the play-offs or last 16, they will get almost no break at all.

"That's a big discussion in Norway, something we actually feel heavily as a club," says sporting director Havard Sakariassen. "This is the fifth year in a row we're in Europe. We will play not just up until Christmas but also in Europe after Christmas, so there is no break for us, that's a bit crazy. Running the club the way we have been for the last six years, the fatigue is massive, not just for the players but also for the staff."

Adopting a schedule in keeping with the rest of the continent would help Bodo, but is unworkable for the other teams in Norway, particularly those in the lower leagues, due to the harsh winter weather. "Maybe it's impossible to do it. But for Bodo/Glimt and the teams competing in Europe it would be a great thing if we could turn it around. The load is massive and over the years it's quite… It's great fun, we're privileged, but it would be nice to have some breaks some time."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty'We attack things'

A key element of Bodo’s success has been the attacking style of play they adopted in their second season back in the top-flight. Thomassen explains how the change in style came about: "We drew 14 games the previous season. We weren’t an attacking team, we were focusing on defence and just counter-attacking. But I think the coaches did a really fantastic job from 2018 to 2019. We got more possession oriented, dominating the game. It was a big change in playing style and in 2019 we finished second and then the journey started. I think that the change between 2018 and 2019 was really important."

Bodo won their first-ever league title in 2020, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. "When other clubs or businesses were putting on the brakes, we put on the gas," Thomassen adds, beaming with pride. "We were training under strict controls as we had to, but then we travelled to Spain, worked very hard in that period, and then the league started up that year we won games 4-0, 5-0 and 6-0. We beat every record in Norway. How we attacked the pandemic and how we worked during that period was a part of the success story we are building now. We challenge things, we think differently, we attack things. We do not copy other clubs."

Kent go into final day of rain-affected match trailing by 185 runs after hosts close on 259 for 9

ECB Reporters' Network06-Jul-2021

Luke Wood flashes through point•Getty Images

A precious unbeaten half century from Lancashire all-rounder Luke Wood set up a potentially match-winning total at Emirates Old Trafford with Kent going into the final day of a rain-affected match trailing by 185 runs after the hosts closed on 259 for 9.Wood batted superbly throughout the majority of a third day which saw 51 overs sent down by an increasingly frustrated bowling attack unable to take advantage of the home side’s precarious position at the start of play.Both teams were forced to make changes following the overnight news that England’s entire ODI squad was to be replaced, Lancashire’s Matt Parkinson and Kent’s Zak Crawley both heading south to Bristol as a result.No play was possible until deep into the afternoon and it was 3pm when Steven Croft and Rob Jones strode out with Lancashire 108 for 5 and clutching a slender lead of 34 runs.Just nine runs had been added when Croft shouldered arms to a lovely nip-backer from Darren Stevens and turned around in shock to see it had clipped his off stump.Related

James Anderson takes 1000th first-class wicket during vintage display for Lancashire

James Anderson's magnificent seven leaves Kent playing catch-up on historic day

England ODI squad forced to self-isolate after positive Covid-19 tests

Harry Brook hundred, Dom Bess bite see Yorkshire clear in race for Division One

Ali Orr's unbeaten fifty leads Sussex recovery to set up final-day nail-biter

Wood came in to join Jones and the seventh-wicket pair began a mission to extinguish any hopes Kent might have had of keeping the lead to a manageable margin. By tea the hosts were 155 for 6 and looking secure with a priceless 50 partnership coming up soon after the interval.Jones was three short of his half-century when the impressive James Logan got one to spin sharply and induce an edge to Stevens at slip, ending a stand of 69 runs that had taken the lead to 112.Logan quickly added another when Danny Lamb top-edged to Stevens for 2, but the incoming Tom Hartley, who replaced the England-bound Parkinson, was able to give valuable support to Wood who brought up his half-century from 98 balls as Lancashire’s lead tipped over the 150 mark.Batting with freedom against the spin of Logan, Jack Leaning and Joe Denly, the ninth-wicket pair brought up their 50 partnership with five overs left and had extended the Red Rose’s lead to 174 when Hartley was caught at second slip by Jordan Cox off Matt Quinn for a useful 24.As if to emphasise Lancashire’s dominance, the final over of the day saw man of the moment James Anderson hit two boundaries off Stevens to finish unbeaten on eight with Wood closing on 63 not out.

Tottenham Hotspur have played with confidence during this summer’s pre-season preparations, having scored comfortable victories over Hearts of Midlothian and Queens Park Rangers in the past fortnight.

Ange Postecoglou was recorded giving a rousing speech to his team at half-time: “We wear the Tottenham shirts, we play the Tottenham way”, receiving cheer from his players as the togetherness and belief simmers.

While there’s a long road ahead for an outfit desperate to end an interminable wait for silverware, return to the Champions League, cement a position as one of Europe’s elite, it’s clear that the Australian manager is placing the framework for such success.

With Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Eric Dier, Ivan Perisic and more shipped on and the summer’s transfer activity seeing Archie Gray, 18 and regarded as an elite talent, brought in from Leeds United for £30m, Postecoglou is fostering a lasting culture, having already fielded a young crop last year.

Premier League 23/24: Youngest Average Starting XIs
Rank	Club	Players used	Average age
16.	Sheffield United	35	25.3
17.	Arsenal	25	25.1
18.	Tottenham Hotspur	29	25.0
19.	Burnley	31	24.8
20.	Chelsea	32	23.7
Stats via Transfermarkt

He needs to blend a degree of experience with the youthful influx; however, with Harry Kane still not directly replaced after joining Bayern Munich one year ago, Tottenham might just be circling in on their new focal frontman.

Spurs transfer news

As per Football Insider, Tottenham are closing in on signing Jonathan David, with the Canadian striker expected to leave LOSC Lille this summer.

David is entering the final year of his contract at the Ligue 1 club and has thus been transfer-listed for a cut-price £20m fee, only increasing the appeal to get a deal done swiftly.

The report reveals that Spurs are locked in talks with the Ligue 1 outfit as they look to complete a swoop, and with Chelsea and West Ham United also interested, it would be good to accelerate talks quickly.

Jonathan David's 23/24 season in numbers

David has been a prominent striker in European football over the past several campaigns, prolifically notching 84 goals and 18 assists across 183 appearances for Lille, raising his level over the past few years.

Jonathan David: Lille Stats by Season
Season	Apps	Goals	Assists	G/A Rate
2023/24	47	26	9	0.74
2022/23	40	26	4	0.75
2021/22	48	19	0	0.40
2020/21	48	13	5	0.37
Stats via Transfermarkt

His propensity for goals marks him as a cut above the lion’s share of centre-forwards across the continent, with media personality Tony Marinaro even pronouncing him as “one of the best strikers in the world”, such is his quality.

After all, as per FBref, David ranks among the top 16% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 3% for pass completion and the top 20% for progressive passes per 90. His technique and desire to contribute to the overall flow of his team suggest that he would be well suited to life in Postecoglou’s Lilywhites squad.

Tottenham lack an out-and-out centre-forward. Alejo Veliz was signed from Rosario Central in Argentina for £13m one year ago but the 20-year-old featured just eight times, scoring once, before being loaned out to struggling Sevilla in Spain, enduring a bit-part role.

Heung-min Son performed up front, moonlighting as his side’s central striker with regularity; Richarlison also played up top and enjoyed a brilliant purple patch at one stage.

However, neither are long-term striking solutions, and David must be signed.

Why Spurs must sign Jonathan David

Son, now 32, was excellent as the Spurs skipper last season, taking the armband from Hugo Lloris. Invariably deadly in offence, the South Korean international scored 17 goals and added ten assists across 35 Premier League fixtures.

He bagged 14 of those goals when placed as the striker, featuring 23 times in the position. One of English football’s finest finishers in a long time, Son is a worthy striker, hailed as a “world-class player” by Postecoglou.

The thing is, on top of his first-class shooting skills, the £190k-per-week talent is also one of the most dynamic and creative forwards in the business, ranking among the top 7% of positional peers for assists and shot-creating actions, the top 3% for pass completion and progressive passes and the top 13% for progressive carries per 90.

In the English top flight last season, his 20 big chances created ranked him as fourth in the division for such a metric, with first-placed Liverpool sensation Mohamed Salah taking the prize with 22 big chances created.

This is all a roundabout way of redirecting Son’s narrative toward his natural zone of operation: left wing. He wasn’t always effective up front last season and, especially when the form got somewhat patchy throughout the later months of the campaign, looked a little isolated in his frontal role.

David would surely be the upgrade at centre-forward that Tottenham crave. His deadly striking ability marks him as a special player, though his capable, purposeful passing game would actually see him slot into the Spurs system like a dovetail joint.

Son, high-level technical superstar, could actually forge a sweet connection with the Canada international. Daniel Levy and Co will no doubt weigh up their options and determine the feasibility of the signing, but whichever way the situation is turned, a striker is needed and David would fit the bill.

In 2022, David was asked about his long-term future during an interview, and said: “I don’t know if I can find myself anywhere other than the Premier League”

The time is right; the stars look like they are aligning. Tottenham must move now and sign a striker who could lead the line for years to come.

Spurs struck gold on "incredible" signing now worth way more than Toney

The mercurial talent will be a big part of Postecoglou’s plans.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 27, 2024

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been confirmed as Leicester City's new manager after his exit from Manchester United.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Van Nistelrooy earns Premier League job
• Managed four United games
• Ruben Amorim dispensed with his services

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Leicester confirmed the appointment of Van Nistelrooy on Friday, days after Steve Cooper was sacked. The Foxes are currently 16th in the Premier League table and have won just twice, with the Dutchman guiding Manchester United to two victories over his new employers during his interim stint in charge; beating them in the league and the Carabao Cup.

Advertisement

• (C)Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Van Nistelrooy has signed a contract until 2027 and will be in attendance when the club face Brentford on Saturday. The former striker will take charge from Sunday, and his first game will come against West Ham on Tuesday, having been removed from his United coaching role by Ruben Amorim.

• WHAT LEICESTER SAID

  Van Nistelrooy said: “I’m proud, I’m excited. Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic. They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the club is impressive. I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the football club.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Van Nistelrooy will begin work on Sunday, after the Foxes' clash with Brentford. A win could see his new employers move up to 15th.