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Stoney is the new head coach of Canada's women's national team, seven months after leaving the San Diego Wave

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Canada endured Olympic drone scandal last yearControversy led to firing of head coach PriestmanEx-Man Utd & San Diego Wave boss Stoney replaces herFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The role was vacant following Bev Priestman's dismissal in November, as a result of a drone scandal at the Olympic Games. One was spotted over a training session of New Zealand, Canada's first opponent of the tournament last summer, and investigations led to Priestman being suspended, the team being docked six points at the Games and, eventually, the head coach and two other members of staff, being fired for filming an opposition training session.

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Canada have now filled the role on a permanent basis, with an impressive appointment in Stoney. After three strong years at Manchester United, the former England captain enjoyed an even more successful time in the NWSL with San Diego, leading the Wave to the playoffs in its inaugural season before winning the NWSL Shield and NWSL Challenge Cup in the following two years. That made her dismissal by the club in June quite a surprise, even though the team were enduring a rough patch of form.

WHAT STONEY SAID

"I am honoured to join Canada Soccer as the head coach of the women’s national team," Stoney said upon the announcement of her appointment. "Canada has a proud tradition in women’s football, and I am excited to work with such a talented group of players. Together with the federation’s new leadership, we will strive to build on past successes and continue to grow the sport in Canada on and off the field. I look forward to the journey ahead and to engaging with the incredible passion of Canadian soccer fans."

Kevin Blue, CEO and General Secretary of Canada Soccer, added: "We are thrilled to welcome Casey Stoney as head coach of the women’s national team. Casey’s track record of successful leadership, her values and strength of character, and her lifelong dedication to the advancement of women’s football make her the right person to lead our national team into its next chapter."

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DID YOU KNOW?

As Canada looks to turn the page on a bad year for its women's soccer program, it will celebrate the establishment of its first professional league in April, the creation of which has been led by former national team star Diana Matheson. Speaking to INDIVISA about the launch of the Northern Super League, Matheson stressed the importance of support for the league from the new national team coach, and confidence in Blue to find someone who would lend that. She, and the whole league, will hope Stoney fits the bill.

Bangladesh coach says loss in third T20I against New Zealand just a blip in a successful recent period

Mohammad Isam05-Sep-2021From the point Liton Das fell in the third over, in which he had already struck Cole McConchie for two fours, Bangladesh hit just one more boundary in the rest of their innings. By drying up the runs, the New Zealand bowlers picked up wickets regularly, resulting in a 52-run win in the third T20I.Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo felt that the home side’s downfall came through that moment, when they lost early wickets and it quickly devolved into a full-blown batting collapse. Bangladesh fell from 23 for no loss in the third over, to lose half their side for 43 runs in the tenth over, before getting bowled out for 76 in the 20th over.”I don’t think there was a problem in approach in batting,” Domingo said. “We want to try to stay ahead of the run-rate. Once you are behind, it gets difficult to catch up. We want to start positively. Unfortunately we lost a few early wickets, and then we lost wickets in clusters. It is very difficult for the new batsman to come in and start knocking the ball around. It was probably the issue. We got off to a good start, 20 runs in two overs, but we lost four or five wickets in the next four or five overs. It set us back massively.”Domingo admitted that they expected the pitch to play as it did in the previous game, where Mahmudullah described it as improving in the second half of the match. New Zealand lost the second game by four runs, and while they didn’t look too comfortable during the chase, it was felt that perhaps the dew played a part with how the spinners bowled.”[128] was probably par score. We were hoping it would skid on a little bit like it did the other night. The wicket didn’t get better, probably got worse. But having been 20 from two overs, needing another 110, I am disappointed with the way the game finished,” he said.But Domingo wasn’t going to lash out on his players, at least not in public, after only their third defeat in the last 11 T20Is since mid-July. “The boys have been fantastic. They have played a lot of cricket in the last couple of weeks. You expect in international level that you won’t always have your intensity where it needs to be.”I can’t fault the guys at the way they have gone about their business in the last two or three months. The energy has been great. The intensity with which they played has been fantastic,” he said.

Amid yet more frustration on the pitch, Manchester United could suffer an added blow off the pitch, with Barcelona now reportedly tracking one of their star players despite Erik ten Hag believing he is not yet world class.

Man Utd transfer news

To say that the Red Devils have endured a disappointing start to the campaign would be an understatement. Despite several summer signings which, on paper, strengthened Ten Hag’s side across the pitch, not much has changed at Old Trafford. Already, just two months into the season, they’ve suffered humiliating defeats against rivals Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and had to rely on Harry Maguire to rescue a point against Porto in the Europa League.

It’s the type of start that once again puts their Champions League qualification hopes in doubt in what could quickly lead to speculation over the future of certain star players. If the Red Devils aren’t competing against Europe’s best in 2025, then players could be tempted by the exit door, including one of their most dangerous forwards.

Forget Bruno: 3/10 Man Utd dud may have cost Ten Hag his job after Porto

The pressure is ramping up on Erik ten Hag…

1 ByJoe Nuttall Oct 4, 2024

According to The Sun, Barcelona are now keeping tabs on Alejandro Garnacho, who Manchester United value at a hefty £50m ahead of 2025. The La Liga giants know all about Argentine wingers and could move to make Garnacho one of their main men amid his struggle to consistently start over the struggling Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford.

Those at the Nou Camp may well hand Garnacho the belief that Ten Hag has failed to instil, having refused the notion that his star man is already a world class player. The Dutchman told reporters when asked the question: “You have gone too quickly. World class is something where he has to go a long way.

“He has a high potential, 100 per cent. But last season he contributed and he can be a starting XI player. It starts with hard work. That has brought him to where he is now and that will bring him to being a world class player because I agree he has the potential.”

"Superb" Garnacho is destined for the top

The only question that should come Garnacho’s way is whether his journey to the top of European football will include Manchester United, because this is a player who’s shown all the traits of playing alongside the very best with or without the Red Devils. At just 20 years old, the Argentine is arguably United’s biggest threat going forward, with four goals and three assists in 10 games this season representing that in an otherwise blunt attack.

Dubbed “superb” by Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig, Garnacho would be wise to at least consider his options if Barcelona came swooping in when 2025 arrives.

As Manchester United’s struggles continue, they could be dealt the ultimate blow by one of their main men, courtesy of Barcelona.

Scotland lose four wickets in four balls after coming within touching distance

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Sep-2021In a see-saw low-scorer that went down to the final over, with Scotland needing 13 to seal the series, Wellington Masakadza proved to be the hero for the visitors. Zimbabwe came storming back to win by 10 runs and level the three-match T20I series at 1-1.Masakadza picked up two wickets and effected a run out as Scotland lost four wickets in four balls. The left-arm spinner first removed Safyaan Sharif off the first ball when he was caught by Ryan Burl at long-on before running out Mark Watt, who sacrificed his wicket at the non-striker’s end while trying to steal a second.Then with 13 needed off four, Masakadza all but sealed the game when he dismissed the well-set Michael Leask, who had held the lower order together in making a 20-ball 25 until that point. In trying for a big hit, Leask top-edged a slog towards long-on where Sean Williams held on to a superb catch.That catch wasn’t the sole contribution by Williams. He was pivotal to Zimbabwe’s innings, forging a remarkable recovery from 20 for 3 in the third over. He batted through the innings from there on to make 60 off 52 balls, with five fours and a six. Along the way, he struck up vital partnerships with Craig Ervine (71-run stand for the fourth wicket) and a quick fire 42 off 26 balls with Burl. This late overs impetus lifted Zimbabwe and gave their bowlers a total of 136 to defend.Scotland started poorly, the cream of their batting dismantled inside the fifth over as they slipped to 16 for 4, with Tendai Chatara and Richard Ngarava doing bulk of the damage. Richie Berrington, who rescued them with a match-winning half-century in the series opener, threatened to pull off a repeat, until he fell to Williams – that man, again – for 42. At that stage, Scotland needed 45 off 35, with Matt Cross well set. However his dismissal, also for 42, in the 18th over, turned the tide in Zimbabwe’s favour and Masakadza made the most of it.The third T20I will be played on Sunday.

Jamie Carragher says it was "bizarre and ridiculous" of Ruben Amorim to label this Manchester United team the "worst" in the club's history.

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Amorim gave damning assessment of Man UtdCarragher labels comments 'ridiculous' Says they may damage mood in dressing room Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The coach made headlines after he gave a scathing assessment of his squad following their 3-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday. United have won six of the 15 games they have played since Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag in November and they currently sit 13th in the Premier League table.

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While Carragher said United have been "a joke" for some time, the former Liverpool defender was baffled by Amorim's comments and argued they were unnecessary and may have a negative impact on a squad already low in confidence.

WHAT CARRAGHER SAID

Carragher said on : "I don't know Man Utd's history as well as Gary Neville but I must say it was one of the most bizarre and ridiculous things I've ever heard a manager say. Why you would make a comment like that… that's the type of comment a pundit would make, someone in my position, and you'd have to defend that. I don't know what he gains from that, what the benefit is. We all know it's a poor Man Utd team. They'd lost another game at home to Brighton, they'd done that in the last couple of years anyway. We know it's a tough season, we know it's a poor team. He has just loosened it up. That will be a quote that follows him for the rest of the season. He said to the journalists there: 'I'll give you your headline'. Why you would like to do that as a manager, I'll never know."

He added: "It doesn't help you confidence-wise going forwards. I've not got much sympathy for the players in the Man Utd dressing room, they've been a joke for a few years now. A few weeks ago, after they played Liverpool, where Lisandro Martinez was talking about the mentality that was different – I nearly couldn't stop laughing when I saw that. The amount of times Man Utd have thrown the towel in with bad performances over the last four or five years. What I would say is how can the manager go into the dressing room between now and the end of the season and continually try to build them up and give them belief to beat the opposition, whoever they come up against, when he has said they're one of the worst teams in Man Utd history? At no point can I see what he'll gain from that."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

United were unbeaten in three matches before losing to Brighton and Amorim will hope his players can shake off his criticism to bounce back with a win against Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday.

Following such a disastrous start to the season, INEOS now reportedly want to sell one Manchester United star as early as the January transfer window, according to their former scout.

Man Utd transfer news

A year on from making their worst-ever start to a Premier League season, Erik ten Hag’s side beat their own record after failing to find a way past Aston Villa in frustrating fashion. That 0-0 draw did at least see the Red Devils avoid yet another defeat after their humiliation at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the week prior at Old Trafford, with the North London club soaring to a 3-0 victory.

Yet, even after such a poor start, INEOS look set to stick with Ten Hag in what could quickly prove to be a costly decision. Instead, Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks set to make a ruthless decision on the sales front when the January transfer window arrives.

According to former Old Trafford scout Mick Brown, who was close to Sir Alex Ferguson, INEOS now want to sell Casemiro as soon as possible following his own poor start to the campaign, in which he’s lost his place to summer signing Manuel Ugarte.

INEOS plotting Man Utd move for £30m gem who's impressed Brighton scouts

Man Utd look set for a transfer battle with Brighton to sign this promising star.

1 ByBrett Worthington Oct 11, 2024

Brown told Football Insider: “I’m told they’ll look to cash in on him as soon as they can, on the 1st January if possible. He’s one of the biggest wage-earners and he’s not going to feature regularly in the first team.

“He’s been benched because he hasn’t been performing and can’t do it any more. I’m sure they would love to offload him if they could to get him out of the squad and off the wage bill, which would allow them to spend some money.

“Whether it’s a move to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere, you’ve got to find someone who’s willing to pay the money both to United and to him. They’re not going to make back anywhere near what they paid for him but they’ll look to bring in some money if they do let him go.“

Man Utd right to show Casemiro the door

It wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that Casemiro should never have found himself on his way to Old Trafford in the first place, given that he was already on his way past the incredibly successful peak that he enjoyed at Real Madrid. His arrival has proved to be quite the error and one that has seen INEOS quickly change the transfer policy that was in place before their arrival.

Earning a reported £350,000-a-week, the Red Devils must show the Brazilian the door in the January transfer window. With Ugarte to choose from and Casemiro now an unreliable option even from the bench, the best outcome from all parties is a swift winter exit to end what has become a miserable spell.

The two talismen proved their worth once again by netting in a 4-0 rout of Spurs that gives Arne Slot a chance to lift a trophy next month

There's a rumour doing the rounds on Merseyside right now that Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have agreed new contracts with Liverpool. The fans are praying that's the case, as both men underlined their astronomical value to the club in Wednesday night's 4-0 rout of Tottenham, which saw the Reds progress to the Carabao Cup final 4-1 on aggregate.

The currently unstoppable Salah created the game's opening goal for Cody Gakpo and scored the second himself from the penalty spot, after Darwin Nunez had been felled by Tottenham's atrocious new goalkeeper, Antonin Kinsky.

The impressive Dominik Szoboszlai made it 3-0 after taking a clever pass from Conor Bradley in his stride before Van Dijk capped a fantastic win for the hosts with a towering header reminiscent of his winner in last year's final.

GOAL rates all of the Liverpool players on show as the reigning champions set up an intriguing Wembley showdown with Newcastle United on March 16…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Caoimhin Kelleher (6.5/10):

A deserved start for Alisson's wonderfully reliable No.2 and he couldn't have hoped for an easier clean sheet. Truth be told, he probably would have liked a little more to do. Son Heung-min did hit the bar at one point but the Irishman didn't actually have a save to make!

Conor Bradley (8/10):

As expected, replaced the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back and the England international would have been proud of the first-time through-ball that Bradley played into Szoboszlai. One superb sliding challenge on Son also evoked memories of the right-back's 'reducer' on Kylian Mbappe a couple of months back.

Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

Little was asked of the France defender but he impressed with his aggression and anticipation.

Virgil van Dijk (8/10):

Really enjoyed his duel with Richarlison before the Brazilian was forced off injured. Coasted through the rest of the game before emphatically heading home the fourth.

Andy Robertson (7/10):

There were a few misplaced passes but the Scot kept Dejan Kulusevski quiet and also put over a couple of decent crosses. Robertson is definitely starting to look a little like his old self in the past few weeks.

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Ryan Gravenberch (7.5/10):

Such a classy operator. As well as doing a fine job screening the back four, the Dutchman's distribution was excellent and his footwork fantastic. He's got this wonderful ability to jink past opponents and he was very unlucky not to get what would have been a deserved goal with a well-struck drive that hit the post.

Curtis Jones (7/10):

Came in for his first start since getting injured against Lille last month and performed with his characteristic energy and composure. Ran himself into the ground before being wisely replaced with 20 minutes to go.

Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10):

Offered a constant goal threat, going close twice to scoring before coolly slotting home the killer third. His relentless pressing also played a pivotal role in Tottenham having no time on the ball.

AFPAttack

Mohamed Salah (8/10):

The man is on fire. Another goal-and-assist contribution from the Egyptian King, who is easily the most effective forward in world football right now. If he stays fit, anything is possible for the Reds this season.

Darwin Nunez (7/10):

No goal once again but the Uruguayan more than justified his inclusion with a dynamic display. His work-rate was exceptional and he created a number of chances for his team-mates before being taken off.

Cody Gakpo (8/10):

Causes constant chaos on the left wing with his ability to fly past his man and dig out a cross from the byline – or cut inside onto his favoured right foot. Took his goal really well, too, as it was not an easy shot to control and he's not netted 10 times in his past 10 appearances at Anfield.

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Diogo Jota (6.5/10):

Took over up top from Nunez and had a couple of half-chances.

Alexis Mac Allister (6.5/10):

Replaced Jones in midfield and bagged a late assist with his corner for Van Dijk's goal.

Harvey Elliott (N/A):

Only came on with less than 10 minutes to go.

Luis Diaz (N/A):

Part of a late double substitution with Elliott.

Jarell Quansah (N/A):

Brought on just before the finish to give Van Dijk a deserved ovation from an adoring Anfield crowd.

Arne Slot (8/10):

Things couldn't have gone much better for the Dutchman, with both Jones and Nunez vindicating their recalls as Liverpool reached a cup final in his first season in charge. He's now got a glorious chance to lift a trophy before we even reach the business end of the season.

Bryce Parsons and Jason Smith put up a late fight for Dolphins before they eventually fell short

Firdose Moonda22-Oct-2021Final: Knights beat Dolphins by seven runs
Patrick Kruger’s 61, and handy contributions from Rilee Rossouw, Pite van Biljon and Farhaan Behardien set up Knights’ title-clinching win against Dolphins in the final in Kimberley. Knights ended up posting 176 despite starting sedately after being 37 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. That is when Kruger and van Biljon added 86 for the third wicket in less than nine overs, with van Biljon cracking 42 off 25 balls, including three fours and sixes each. Behardien’s finishing touches then propelled Knights, before Migael Pretorius and Alfred Mothoa struck with the ball early. Although Sarel Erwee and Khaya Zondo put on 51 stand to stage a brief recovery, Dolphins were eventually left with 63 to get in the last five overs. Bryce Parsons and Jason Smith put up a fight for Dolphins, with their late assault once threatening to eclipse Knights’ score, before they eventually fell short by seven runs.Semi-final 1: Dolphins beat Titans by four wickets
Ottniel Baartman put Dolphins in the driving seat by taking two wickets in his second over which, along with Ruan de Swart and Odirile Modimokoane’s early strikes, left Titans at 38 for 4 after seven overs. Gihahn Cloete’s 62, and contributions from Ferreira and Corbin Bosch, who scored 26 and 21, respectively, pushed Titans to a reasonable total. Baartman finished with 4 for 18, as Titans were bowled out for 138. Dolphins were in some trouble on 33 for 2, but Erwee’s 33 steadied them before Zondo took control. They needed 40 runs in the last five overs and 18 in the last two. Zondo scored 15 of the 16 runs they got in the penultimate over to put the victory beyond doubt and finished unbeaten on 58 off 45 balls.Semi-final 2: Knights vs North West: No result
North West will feel aggrieved not to have advanced from the semi-final after having the Knights at 127 for 7, and being well on track to chase the target. They were 42 without loss in the third over when rain washed out the match. As a result, Knights advanced on a higher net run rate, despite North West being in control of the game. Eldred Hawken took 3 for 37 and Senuran Muthusamy bagged 2 for 12, as only two of Knights’ batters, Pite van Biljon and Gerald Coetzee, scored more than 15, and their usually strong line-up stuttered. North West’s openers Wesley Marshall and Eben Botha hit seven fours and a six in the 15 balls they faced, but heavy showers in Kimberley put Knights into the final.File photo: Rilee Rossouw hit a century to become the competition’s highest run-scorer•Getty ImagesQuarter-final 1: Titans beat South Western Districts by 54 runs
The only Division 2 team to qualify from the group stage, South Western Districts (SWD) ended their run in the last eight with the biggest margin of defeat in the knockouts. Things started well for SWD, who had Titans 44 for 2 at the end of the powerplay. However, a 33-ball 48 from Theunis de Bruyn, two half-century stands for the fifth and the sixth wicket, and a 29-ball 55 from Donavon Ferreira took Titans to 192. SWD’s 82-run opening stand put them on track to pull off a coup, but they lost all ten wickets for 56 runs to tumble to 138 all out inside 18 overs. Wickets were shared between the Titans’ attack, with captain Aaron Phangiso earning the best returns of 2 for 18.Quarter-final 2: Knights beat Western Province by four runs
Rossouw continued his remarkable run in the competition and became the highest run-scorer of the season with a century to add to his two fifties, as he propelled Knights to 223 for 3 against Western Province. He shared a 130-run third-wicket partnership with Behardien, a stand which came off just 64 balls, with Behardien scoring 57. None of the Cape attack conceded at less than nine runs an over. Western Province looked out of contention on 105 for 5 in the 12th over, but their captain Wayne Parnell had other ideas. He smashed remarkable a 29-ball 80 at a strike rate of 275.66 and kept them in the hunt until the final over, which they entered on 195 for 7. In the end, Migael Pretorius conceded 24 runs off the last over, including a no-ball six, but Western Province still fell short by four runs.File photo: Janneman Malan added 108 for the opening wicket with his brother Pieter•AFP/Getty ImagesQuarter-final 3: Dolphins beat Warriors by six wickets
Daryn Dupavillon had Warriors at 8 for 3 in the third over, before Diego Rosier and Sinethemba Qeshile put on 42 to save their line-up’s blushes. Dupavillon finished with 4 for 18 as Warriors ended on 127 for 9. When they had Dolphins on 33 or 4 after seven overs, it looked like Warriors may have scored enough; but Keegan Petersen built diligently before Jason Smith took it on himself to see Dolphins over the line. They needed 34 runs off the last five overs, and Smith scored 20 of them to finish unbeaten on 60 off 41 balls to complete the chase with four balls to spare.Quarter-final 4: North West beat Boland by three runs
The best quarter-final was saved for last when North West beat Boland by three runs in a thriller. North West’s innings started shakily when they were reduced to 45 for 4 in the seventh over, before Eben Both and Lesego Senokwane put on 59 for the fifth wicket to take them over 100. Duan Jansen’s 21-ball 27 helped set Boland a target of 158, which they should have easily reached after the Malan brothers, Janneman and Pieter, had an opening stand worth 108 in less than 13 overs. But that is when they collapsed, losing 6 for 44 in the next 41 balls: two each to Jansen and Caleb Seleka, one to Lwandiswa Zuma and another to a run-out. Boland needed four off the last ball, but Janneman could only find a single.

Journalist Charles Watts has shared that an esteemed member of the Arsenal squad, who manager Mikel Arteta is “going to need”, could be sold by the Emirates Stadium hierarchy.

Players who could leave Arsenal in January or next summer

There are a few potential departees who face uncertain futures at N5 right now, perhaps most notably left-back Kieran Tierney, who hasn’t made a single appearance in all competitions since suffering a hamstring injury at Euro 2024.

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Tierney is out of Arteta’s plans at Arsenal, and sporting director Edu Gaspar could even green-light a January exit deal for the Scotsman. The writing appears on the wall for him, and this is something Tierney has come to terms with behind the scenes.

“Had that injury not happened, I’m sure Tierney would have been playing for another club right now,” said Watts via his Dailybriefing recently.

Bournemouth (away)

October 19

Liverpool (home)

October 27

Newcastle United (away)

November 2

Chelsea (away)

November 10

Nottingham Forest (home)

November 23

“That was certainly the plan anyway, following his loan spell with Real Sociedad last season. But the injury put an end to any chances of a move and the focus now is on the left-back getting himself back fully fit ahead of the January window. He’s not in Mikel Arteta’s plans anymore. That’s been clear for a long time and Tierney accepts that. There is no animosity there.”

The arrival of Riccardo Calafiori in the summer has cast doubt on the future of another left-back option in Arteta’s squad – Poland international Jakub Kiwior. The former Spezia starlet can play at both left centre-back and further wide, but so can Calafiori, and the latter has started this new Premier League campaign in impressive fashion.

Kiwior is expected to leave Arsenal in January after falling down the pecking order, with uncertainty also surrounding midfield duo Jorginho and Thomas Partey as their contracts expire next summer.

There has been talk of a potential contract extension for Partey, though, following his stellar form this season. The Ghanaian, who was forced to sit out the latest round of international matches through illness, has started all seven of their opening league matches and impressed as an anchor in Arteta’s midfield.

Arsenal could decide to sell Gabriel Jesus next summer

Kai Havertz’s excellent performances have resulted in £265,000-per-week striker Gabriel Jesus falling down Arteta’s priority choice list as well.

The Brazilian, despite possessing “world-class” ability, has been criticised for some of his performances this season, and is yet to get off the mark for Arsenal in all competitions, leading to reports claiming Jesus could be on the way out of Arsenal as Palmeiras eye up a move for the ex-Man City star.

Now, Watts has shared his own update, stating this could be Jesus’ final season at Arsenal and Edu could decide to sell next summer.

“Gabriel Jesus is clearly struggling for confidence right now,” said the reporter.

“You can see that by the way he’s playing. He’s thinking about things too much and taking too many touches when he’s in possession. When Jesus is at his best he does things off the cuff. He creates chaos with his movement and his work rate. But right now he’s bringing more confusion than chaos with his play. I think there’s certainly a chance this could be his final season at the club, but obviously that is a decision that will be taken in the summer should any suitable offers arrive.

“I do expect Arsenal to bring in a forward and that would limit Jesus’ chances further. He’s way behind Kai Havertz now in the pecking order and it’s tough to see him turning that round at present given the form of both players.

“But whatever happens he still has a big part to play this season.

“Arsenal are going to need Jesus, so it’s crucial they help him improve and find his confidence again because if they can do that then they have a player who has the quality to still have a major say on this campaign.”

Aston Villa chiefs are sensing a transfer opportunity as they look to back manager Unai Emery in the transfer market, with one club ready to consider a low January bid for a star who’d usually cost around £50 million.

Aston Villa face Tottenham in near-certain race for top four

Emery’s fairytale stint in charge of Villa has continued into the 2024/25 campaign, with the Midlands giants appearing near-certainties to be contending for a place in the Premier League’s top four yet again.

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They’ve also made an impressive start in Europe, beating German heavyweights Bayern Munich 1-0 on a historic night at Villa Park, whilst also clinching victories against Serie A side Bologna and Switzerland’s Young Boys.

While it is still very early days, with Villa to play their tenth Premier League game of the season against fellow potential European contenders Tottenham, it is pretty safe to say that Emery’s side are favourites to be up there with England’s elite once again.

Villa travel to north London on Sunday for a tough test at Spurs, who are looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend. They’ve been very inconsistent this season – winning four, losing four and drawing one – while Emery’s only top-flight defeat so far came at the hands of title-chasing Arsenal back in August.

However, despite their contrasting records, Emery insists that Tottenham are favourites to beat Villa on Sunday.

“Tottenham is playing very well and they deserved more points than they have now,” said Emery ahead of Villa’s trip to Spurs.

“They beat Manchester City at home, playing with lots of players who will play on Sunday. Their style and idea is so, so strong. They have individually brilliant players. They signed Solanke and he is giving them a lot more ways to attack and be stronger than last year.

“They are the favourites in front of us for the season and for the match on Sunday. We are competing and we are really being confident, how we are doing our way. We even lost last year against them. We are trying to use a stronger structure to face them on Sunday. We are very excited and motivated, our fans, myself, the coaches, players and the club how we are increasing our level to be contenders with Tottenham, City, Chelsea and Newcastle. Competing with them to be in the top seven, top six or top five.”

Aston Villa sense opportunity to sign Loic Bade from Sevilla

In the background, transfer chief Monchi and NSWE are looking at ways to improve Emery’s squad with potential new additions.

Some reports claim Villa are prepared to bid for La Liga sensation Christantus Uche in January, while it appears that another Spanish top-flight star has earned admiring glances from Birmingham.

Appearances

11

Goals

1

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As per a media source from Spain, Sevilla defender Loic Bade is on Monchi’s agenda. The club wish to strengthen their central defensive options and it is believed that Aston Villa see Bade as an “opportunity” to bolster their defence for both now and the seasons ahead.

It is also claimed that, despite his mainstay status at Sevilla, they could sell for a “low” January offer compared to his £50 million release clause.