Chelsea are interested in signing Celta Vigo midfielder Gabriel Veiga.
What’s the latest on Gabriel Veiga to Chelsea?
According to Spanish outlet AS, the Blues, alongside both Manchester Giants, Barcelona, and Real Madrid are monitoring the 21-year-old.
The report also details that the prodigy has a clause of €40 (£34m) and it is 'certain' that he won't be at his current club next season.
With the economic cloud hanging over the Blaugrana and the Los Blancos’ prioritisation of Jude Bellingham, the pathway is open for an English club to pounce upon this unmissable opportunity.
Is Gabriel Veiga a good signing for Chelsea?
The Spaniard is a youth graduate of Celta and made his senior debut with the reserves in August 2019. He then made his first team bow in the September of the following year in a LaLiga clash against Valencia.
The 2022/23 campaign is the youngster’s first season of consistent minutes, and he has flourished into one of the club’s most productive players.
Despite playing for a side that is currently 17th and flirting with relegation heading into the final game, he has still displayed his impeccable quality.
Veiga ranks in the top 13% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive carries per 90, as well as the highest 11% for successful take-ons per 90, according to FBref. This is owed to his majestic dribbling and his intricate ability to weave beyond onrushing defenders.
The mercurial talent has laced this creativity with exceptional levels of output, as he has registered 13 goal contributions in 39 appearances in all competitions. This means that he ranks within the top 1% and 21% for non-penalty goals and assists per 90 respectively, which has alerted many of Europe’s most elite clubs to his limitless potential.
From a Chelsea perspective, the signing of this joyous technician could make for a formidable partner for Manuel Ugarte, who has also been linked to the West London outfit.
Mauricio Pochettino is extremely keen on bringing the Uruguayan to Stamford Bridge and the aggressive titan could be pivotal to allow innovative sparks like Veiga to excel.
The eight-cap international has made the most tackles (121) in Liga Portugal and the Champions League (29), despite being knocked out in the group stage.
Manuel-Ugarte-tackle
Due to the injuries of N’Golo Kante, the 2021 Champions League winners have desperately lacked a tenacious and defensive midfielder, with Enzo Fernandez often played as a lone six when it is clearly not his strong point.
Therefore, the signing of Ugarte instantly solves this issue and could allow others, such as Veiga, to demonstrate their true chance-creating potential.
Once lauded as “amazing” by scout Jacek Kulig, whoever gets their hands on Vigo’s best player has surely hit the jackpot, so Todd Boehly and co must ensure that it's the Blues that win the race for his signature.
Unai Emery has revitalised Aston Villa over the previous six months, and they now have an excellent chance of securing qualification to the Europa Conference League next season.
A win in their final Premier League match will secure seventh place in the table, and it represents a remarkable turnaround from where they were under Steven Gerrard – having won just two of their opening 12 league games of the season under the Englishman.
Emery isn’t stopping there however, as he looks to bolster his squad during the summer transfer window as he will be targeting further improvement in 2023/24.
One name that has been linked ahead of the window is AS Roma striker Tammy Abraham, with 90min reporting back in February that Villa are keen on signing him to bolster their attacking options.
The same outlet also more recently claimed that the Midlands side were ‘confident’ of signing the striker this summer, although the Serie A outfit could demand a fee in excess of £40m, which would break Villa’s transfer record.
What could Tammy Abraham offer Aston Villa?
The Englishman is well known by the Villa fans due to spending a year at the club in 2018/2019, helping them achieve promotion to the Premier League whilst on a season-long loan deal.
He netted 26 goals during that season and Frank Lampard subsequently gave him his opportunity at Chelsea off the back of these performances, and he went on to score 30 goals for the Blues before departing for Italy in 2021.
The 25-year-old is also statistically similar to Harry Kane according to FBref and considering just how clinical Kane has been in front of goal for club and country over the previous ten years, scoring a total of 333 goals for Tottenham Hotspur and England, it isn’t a bad comparison to have.
The duo have registered similar stats with regard to shots on target per 90 (1.38 to 1.14), goal-creating actions per 90 (0.46 to 0.38) and touches in the attacking penalty area (163 to 122) suggesting the duo offer an effective attacking threat while getting in the opposition box as often as possible.
Although their styles of play differ slightly, with Kane offering a counter-attacking threat and plays the ball off the ground often according to WhoScored, both the Spurs striker and Abraham have finishing and through balls as key strengths, which could allow Emery to bolster his attacking options next season.
The 11-cap striker has even described himself as turning into a “monster” under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho and Emery could very well give him the opportunity to thrive back in the Premier League.
Veteran spinner Brad Hogg has left the Perth Scorchers and at the age of 45 will start afresh with a different BBL club, believed to be the Melbourne Renegades
Brydon Coverdale08-Jul-2016Veteran spinner Brad Hogg has left the Perth Scorchers and at 45 will start afresh with a different Big Bash League club, believed to be the Melbourne Renegades. No official announcement has been forthcoming from the Renegades, but Scorchers coach Justin Langer confirmed on Friday that Hogg was leaving the Scorchers.Hogg, a cult figure with the Scorchers since coming out of retirement to play with them from the start of the 2011-12 season, has been their leading wicket taker with 46 wickets at 21.82. Only Ben Laughlin (60 wickets for Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes) has more BBL wickets, although Hogg had a leaner campaign last year, with just six wickets in nine games.”Very disappointing,” Langer told reporters in Perth on Friday of Hogg’s departure. “I know [where he’s going], but I can’t tell you where he’s going. But he’s leaving the Scorchers. I’m really disappointed about that. What can I say? I’m personally disappointed, professionally disappointed, but it’s his decision and life goes on.”In my opinion he’s made a wrong decision, that’s okay, that’s not my business. But I can go to bed at night knowing we offered him more money than we offered him last year, we think we’ve had as good deal with him for the last few years and it could have been a real win-win situation for him and us.”But we wish him the best, we’ve been friends since we went to school together. I think he’s been brilliant for the Scorchers. I think on and off the field he is fantastic, he’s a good friend of mine but it’s disappointing.”Hogg originally retired from all cricket in 2008, but made a comeback when the BBL started in 2011. He helped the Scorchers to back-to-back titles in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and unexpectedly returned to Australia’s T20 side in 2014, becoming their oldest T20 international player at 43. This year, at 45, he became the oldest man ever to play in the IPL.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea hadn't even spoken to Mauricio Pochettino about becoming manager until last week.
What is the latest on Mauricio PochettinoandChelsea?
It's been a dramatic few days for the Premier League side as the search for a new head coach really begins to heat up.
Indeed, in the week, it was reported that Luis Enrique is no longer a favourite to take charge of the Blues. This was followed up by reports that Julian Nagelsmann was also dropping out of the race.
Since then, it has emerged that former Tottenham Hotspur boss Pochettino is now being considered as a prime candidate for the Chelsea job.
However, when talking about this on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that these talks have only just begun.
He explained: "Pochettino was already in conversation with Chelsea board last summer, when they decided to go for Graham Potter. It was Potter or Pochettino. Chelsea decided in a few days [to hire Potter], but Pochettino was there and was really appreciated.
"Now he's back in the list after first contact made this week. So until last week, Pochettino never spoke to Chelsea. Now he is in the list and the conversation is there."
Will Pochettino want to joinChelsea?
This is interesting, as in some parts of the media, Pochettino was viewed as a favourite to come in at Chelsea weeks ago. For instance, Gary Nevile told Sky Sports (via BBC Sport): "If they appoint [Zinedine] Zidane, [Diego] Simeone, [Luis] Enrique, they're going to want another £300m because they won't like some of the players they've signed.
"They have to appoint a manager who is going to inherit and like the squad that they’ve got – I think that man, because a lot of them are young, is Pochettino.”
However, despite all these rumours, it seems as though the Chelsea board hadn't seriously considered hiring the 51-year-old until recently.
This could be because their favourites Luis Enrique and Nagelsmann were no longer viable options, and it doesn't necessarily bode that well if they are now trying to hire their third-choice option.
What's more, the club have already opted against Pochettino in the past. As Romano explained, they viewed Potter as the better option when they were last appointing a new boss.
With that being the case, it remains unclear if the Argentine would even want to come in. It certainly sounds as though Chelsea haven't always been totally convinced even if they may now turn to him.
West Ham will battle Gent this evening in the Europa Conference League in an attempt to secure their passage into a European semi-final for a consecutive season.
The east London outfit is unbeaten in their last three games in all competitions, a run which included a dramatic and commendable comeback draw against title-chasing Arsenal in their last outing.
That result lifted the Hammers four points above the relegation zone, but tonight their attentions turn to a competition which could provide the first major trophy since the FA Cup in 1980.
However, with another crucial domestic match against Bournemouth looming on Sunday, David Moyes is expected to name a much-changed line up.
Football FanCast have predicted the West Ham starting XI that take on the Belgians at the London Stadium tonight with five changes expected from last weekend.
Areola will start in goal as he has started every game in the competition, allowing the chance to rest first-choice keeper Lukasz Fabianski. This is not expected to change for this evening's tie.
West-Ham-training-for-Conference-League
Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, and Emerson will form the back four. The first two defenders will keep their places after forming a strong partnership in the second half of the last match against the Gunners.
Ogbonna, who made two blocks, interceptions, and tackles, and four clearances in the first leg of the tie will replace Thilo Kehrer. Emerson will make up the other defensive change by replacing Cresswell, who doesn’t possess the pace to contain the dangerous Gift Orban, who has netted 14 goals in as many games this term.
The ever-present club captain Rice will retain his starting position, whilst Downes will replace Tomas Soucek as the box-to-box midfielder. The £65k-per-week Czech is enduring a tricky campaign – notably being dubbed "useless" by journalist Alan Rzepa – and the Irons will require Downes’ mobility and forward-thinking to maximise their chances of progression.
Paqueta, who kickstarted the London derby comeback on Sunday by winning a penalty, will be the other midfielder.
Finally, the busy, tricky, and diminutive wide pairing of Bowen and Benrahma will occupy the wing spots. The Englishman netted the second goal against Mikel Arteta's side with Harry Redknapp admitting he is a "huge fan" of the talent.
However, a change in the frontline will see Ings replace Michail Antonio as the focal point of the team.
The former Liverpool man netted in the first leg at the Ghelamco Arena, whilst the Jamaican has been in dismal form this campaign, only scoring three times in 27 Premier League appearances.
Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has admitted that his former side were fortunate as opposition player Callum Slattery received a harsh red card in their latest victory.
What happened to Rangers against Motherwell?
Michael Beale's side won on the road in a dramatic game which ended 4-2, and were aided by the hosts going down to 10 men.
Rangers were 1-0 down when Slattery picked up his first yellow card, which was deserved after a strong tackle at the edge of the box. The visitors took full advantage, as James Tavernier equalised with the resulting free kick.
They eventually fought back to secure another league victory, with another three points secured before the controversial second yellow card. Slattery and Todd Cantwell tussled for the ball, and Slattery raised an arm which hit the Rangers midfielder.
The former Norwich star rolled around in agony, resulting in Slattery's second yellow to his disbelief, and replays showed that his hand made minimal contact with Cantwell's face.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Ferguson stated his belief that the referee got the decision wrong.
"I know that went to VAR, but the decision to send him off, I thought it was very harsh indeed," Ferguson stated.
"It was a flick of the hand, and that's what you naturally do – if you feel a player coming in, you put your arms out to try and protect the ball, and that's what Slattery's done.
"I think the reaction, maybe going with the referee, he's maybe thought it was an elbow, but surely the referee's close enough to see it wasn't an elbow, and for me it was never a booking."
Was Cantwell in the wrong?
Whilst the January signing did exaggerate the contact, which surely influenced the referee's decision, the fact there was some contact means he arguably had a right to complain about a foul.
Although not necessarily a dive, it seems that Cantwell's reaction to the contact is what ultimately caused the referee to give a second yellow card.
Given that the score was already 4-2 when Slattery was sent off, it did not have an impact on the outcome of the game, but there has already been anger directed at Cantwell for his role in the decision.
Former referee Steven Conroy has branded Cantwell a "cheat," and that Slattery was simply "marking his territory."
Cantwell opened his account for Rangers at Fir Park, but the occasion may have been marred as a result of his antics, given the angry reaction it has caused.
As Antonio Conte seemingly edges closer to an early exit from N17, it does appear that Tottenham Hotspur could make a move to re-appoint former boss Mauricio Pochettino, with the beloved Argentine having been without a club since being sacked by Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
While there are said to be doubts among members of the Spurs hierarchy with regard to bringing back the 51-year-old, the out-of-work boss is clearly under consideration at present, having previously left the club back in 2019 – just a matter of months after guiding the north Londoners to the Champions League final.
As journalist Shaun Custis told talkSPORT, the one-time Espanyol head coach is believed to be "pushing like mad" to make a return to his former employers, having even reportedly made contact with members of the Tottenham squad in recent times – as per Sky Sports.
The experienced ace would no doubt be hoping to rejuvenate the fortunes of a team who are currently scrapping for a top-four berth, having also been unsuccessful in their attempts to claim long-awaited silverware.
Pochettino's arrival could also, however, help to improve the fortunes of those individuals who have been rather underwhelming this season, with the previously relentless Heung-min Son one such figure who does appear in need of a revival.
Would Pochettino's return benefit Spurs?
It was, of course, Pochettino who was in charge when the South Korea international was signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of just £18m back in 2015, with that relative bargain capture going on to prove a real masterstroke, with the wide man having regularly delivered the goods over the years.
The fleet-footed forward notably scored 75 goals and provided 39 assists in 203 games under the tutelage of the one-time Southampton boss, having also been hailed for his all-round impact by the former Argentina international in 2019:
"He works so hard, always pushing, never gives up. He tries, tries, tries. He’s like this in his effort with and without the ball, he's very regular and consistent and that is most important."
Also lauded as "one of the best offensive players in the world" by his former boss, Son would likely benefit from a potential reunion should Pochettino return any time soon, with the 30-year-old having endured a "dreadfully disappointing" campaign to date, as Sky Sports' lead commentator Rob Hawthorne noted during the defeat to Aston Villa on New Year's Day.
Mauricio Pochettino talks to Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane ahead of their Champion League semi-final against Ajax.
The previously prolific menace – who scored 23 league goals last season to finish as the division's joint-top scorer – has been a shadow of his former self this time around, having racked up just six goals in 26 league games to date – with three of those coming against Leicester City back in September.
For whatever reason – be it Conte's potentially pragmatic style of play – the 108-cap dynamo has simply not been able to hit his usual heights this season, with the hope being that a change in the dugout could be just what is needed to spark the struggling dud back into life.
Bringing in a figure whom Son clearly knows such as Pochettino – who has been lauded as an "excellent manager" by Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola – could well be the best remedy for lifting the 6-foot sensation from his current slump.
Journalist Pete O’Rourke says Arsenal ‘could be an attractive proposition’ for Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan as his contract expires this summer.
The Lowdown: Arsenal interest
Arsenal reportedly held an interest in Gundogan last summer when he only had a year left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
He has still not renewed his deal with the club, meaning that he can leave as a free agent this summer once it expires.
The Latest: An ‘attractive’ move?
Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke says that the Gunners ‘could be an attractive proposition’ for Gundogan should he not sign a new deal, given that he would be able to work with Mikel Arteta again, but Pep Guardiola may be reluctant for him to move to North London due to the ‘massive’ impacts both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have had this season:
“Yeah, I don’t think he’d [Guardiola] ideally like to see one of his best players let go at Manchester City. He was obviously open to selling Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal.
“They’ve had a massive impact at the Emirates, so he won’t want to go and strengthen one of his rivals and see one of his top players move to Arsenal.
“But obviously, the Mikel Arteta factor is there at Arsenal as well, having worked with Gundogan before, so maybe that’s why there is a consideration on Gundogan’s part maybe if he does want a change of scenery and move to a new club, to work with Arteta again could be an attractive proposition for him.”
The Verdict: Why not…
With Jesus and Zinchenko coming in and instantly making Arsenal better, as they sit top of the Premier League table, signing up another City star in Gundogan on a free transfer would be another smart move.
Hailed as an ‘incredible’ footballer by Guardiola speaking about the German’s winner against Aston Villa on the last day of last season to hand City the title, Gundogan has shown that he can produce big moments in big games, and has that winning mentality that would add to Jesus’ and Zinchenko’s influence on the team.
Arteta can also get the best out of him, having worked with him before and lauding him as ‘tremendous’ in the past, and at 32 years of age, he would add more experience to what is a young squad, offering Arteta another solid option in the middle of the park.
Insider ExWHUemployee has revealed that there is “no truth” to recent transfer rumours linking West Ham United with a move for Brazilian forward Pedro.
What’s the latest on Pedro to West Ham?
According to some reporting in the Spanish media, the Hammers could be keen on bringing the Flamengo forward to the Premier League in the near future.
Indeed, reports suggest the 25-year-old is a target for West Ham who would have to potentially pay over €40m (£35m) if they want to land Pedro any time soon.
However, in an shared on The West Ham Way podcast, Ex stated that the club have had their scouts in Brazil but the striker is not a specific target they have any particular interest in.
He said: “There’s been links with a Brazilian striker called Pedro. There’s no truth. We haven’t approached anyone for him.
“We’ve watched many players in Brazil, a number of them came out in the January window, but that was all it was. Rob Newman was there looking for young talent to bring in.
“Luizao was a result of that – the centre-back that joined us in January.”
What does the Pedro transfer rumour mean for West Ham?As mentioned by Ex, the club certainly have had their eye on that part of the world of late with young defender Luizao signing from Sao Paulo in the winter window.Pedro may well be known to the club too. Although he will be known by many now having played two times for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. And with nine goals and two assists for Flamengo this season, he’s certainly an impressive player.Despite that, though, it seems as though this talk of a possible move to West Ham seems a little premature at this stage. Perhaps the club are targeting lower-profile younger Brazilians such as Luizao, as opposed to those already established at the international level.