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Glasgow Rangers new boss Philippe Clement got off to a wonderful start during his first match in charge of the Ibrox side.

The Belgian led his team to a straightforward 4-0 victory over Hibernian in Glasgow and while the performance was not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, there are clear signs of progress which will surely have already won some of the supporters over.

A winning start is expected by any new manager who arrives at the Light Blues and Clement managed expectations extremely well and the momentum can now build ahead of a Europa League clash against Sparta Prague next week.

Abdallah Sima continued his fine form of late, and he could become a key player under the new regime.

How did Abdallah Sima perform vs Hibs?

The on-loan winger was signed by Michael Beale from Brighton and Hove Albion, and he has exploded into some wonderful form recently.

Sima had already found the back of the net on seven occasions since joining the club, including two goals in the Europa League group stage, and he was one of the few bright sparks under Beale.

Against Hibs, he received a Sofascore match rating of 8.8 which was the best on the pitch and along with scoring twice, the player also took five total shots during the tie.

The winger also attempted a staggering nine dribbles, succeeding with four and it's clear he was keen to make an impression under the new manager.

His performance was integral to the Gers gaining a crucial three points, yet it was perhaps captain James Tavernier who was Clement’s silent hero against the Easter Road side.

How good was James Tavernier against Hibs?

The club stalwart has had his criticisms this term, yet Beale lauded him as “fantastic” following the Old Firm defeat back in September and he put on a solid display this afternoon.

The right-back was excellent defensively, making four clearances, one interception and one tackle as the Light Blues kept a well-deserved clean sheet while Tavernier also won five out of his nine duels during the match.

It was his attacking abilities which were on full display in front of the Ibrox crowd, however. The 31-year-old made four key passes during the tie as he looked to create chances for his teammates, and although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, he created a big chance while succeeding with two of his five dribble attempts.

It was not the finest performance of his Gers career to date – as he did lose possession on 23 occasions – yet Clement will be pleased at just how effective his captain was during a game which could potentially have been a banana skin for the Belgian.

If Tavernier continues to step up to the plate and deliver consistent performance between now and the end of the current season, the Light Blues could challenge for silverware.

The former Club Brugge manager is no miracle worker, but this 4-0 win is a solid start to what could hopefully be a productive time in charge of the Glasgow side.

Leeds United have deployed chiefs to assess a new forward live in action, but a fresh report has revealed that there are also six other clubs chasing his signature.

Leeds United's season so far

Daniel Farke’s side have made a fairly mixed start to the new campaign having won seven, drawn four and lost three of their opening 14 games in the Championship, meaning that they currently find themselves in third place in the league table.

The Whites are sure to be full of confidence following the most recent thrashing over Huddersfield Town last weekend and they will know that they are more than capable of pushing for promotion this season, but regardless, that hasn’t stopped chiefs from wanting to strengthen their squad even further.

The Elland Road outfit have identified Fluminense’s right-winger Jhon Arias as a possible target, who has made a total of 135 appearances at the Maracana Stadium since first putting pen to paper back in 2021 (Transfermarkt – Arias statistics).

The Colombia international has made an outstanding beginning to this season having established himself as Fernando Diniz’s overall best-performing player with a match rating of 7.22 (WhoScored – Fluminense statistics), and the 26-year-old’s form has brought him onto the radar in West Yorkshire.

Leeds send scouts to watch Jhon Arias

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds have sent representatives to watch Arias, but they are far from alone in their pursuit ahead of January.

“A Colombian attacker who’ll play in the biggest club match of his life next weekend has been scouted by Rangers, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Wolves, Burnley, Leeds Utd and Leicester City, TEAMtalk can confirm.

"TEAMtalk has been told one of Andre’s midfield teammates – Jhon Arias – will also come under observation. We understand Crystal Palace, West Ham, Burnley, Wolves, Leicester, Leeds and Scottish giants Rangers have all checked on Arias.”

Arias is a crossing machine with fantastic assist numbers

During his time at Fluminense, Arias has posted 56 involvements (30 assists and 26 goals) in 135 outings, so it’s clear to see the positive and prolific impact he makes in the final third, but even if the end product isn’t always there, he constantly tries his best to create chances.

Sponsored by Adidas, Diniz’s £7.1k-per-week earner (Fluminense salaries), also ranks in the 95th percentile for successful take-ons so he loves to use his pace to dribble past his marker (FBRef – Arias statistics), and has made 140 crosses so far this season, which is more than any of his fellow teammates (FBRef – Fluminense statistics).

Leeds are additionally bound to find it attractive that he’s a versatile operator having been deployed in eight different positions since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and in four roles in the midfield, so this really is a no-brainer of a deal to pursue should the right opportunity present itself.

USWNT legend Julie Foudy shared that the U.S. are having 'hard conversations' around the social media debacle with midfielder Korbin Albert.

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• USWNT beat Japan 2-1 in SheBelieves Cup
• Korbin Albert comes off bench to boos
• Midfielder at center of anti-LGBTQ+ row

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Foudy labeled it as something the USWNT will need to "deal with internally," despite it being a tough task to do so. Albert's social media activity, which showed her liking and sharing anti-LGBTQ+ posts on TikTok, and liking a post aimed at U.S. legend Megan Rapinoe, has caused a stir in the U.S. camp.

  The commentator for the USA's SheBelieves Cup semifinal victory over Japan noted that Albert is, however, a young player and hopes that this is a learning opportunity for her.

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  WHAT FOUDY SAID

  Foudy said: "We've had hard conversations on this team before, and we will continue to have hard conversations – and they're having those conversations, I'm told. I think that's a good step, this is a young player who has a bright future, but also you have to realize that effects the chemistry in so many ways. This is beyond soccer, and so that is something that needs to be dealt with quickly."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Albert came off the bench against Japan Saturday to boos from the stands after being introduced in the 78th minute. Prior to the match, veterans Alex Morgan and Lindsay Horan condemned Albert's social media activity, expressing disappointment in the 20-year-old. It remains to be seen if any further repercussions will be sent Albert's way.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR THE USWNT?

  They will play the winner of Canada and Brazil's semifinal clash on Tuesday in the championship game of the SheBelieves Cup. Albert, meanwhile, is still in the picture after getting 12 minutes off the bench in the semifinal.

West Ham United goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has heaped praise on an "underrated" teammate and insists he can become "very important" this season.

West Ham 1-0 Olympiacos

Hammers boss David Moyes avenged his loss in Greece with a 1-0 win over Olympiacos on Thursday night. Lucas Paqueta scored the only goal of the game to send West Ham joint-top of their Europa League group and on the cusp of knockout round action, coming after their Conference League triumph in May.

West Ham's fine European form continues and it is a result which eases some pressure off their head coach, amid reports Moyes could leave after nearly four years in the dug out.

"It's good to get back on track. Olympiacos are a seasoned European team and they showed that tonight," said Moyes to the press afterwards (via BBC).

"We're top of the group, we still have two matches to play but I think this is the hardest group we've had. Europe has been great for this football club, we've had some great nights and long may they continue.

"He [Lucas Paqueta] took the goal brilliantly tonight but there were lots of things I wanted him to do better. We've got room for improvement."

West Ham next take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday at 2pm, a match which will again be crucial for Moyes as it represents a chance to turn around their dismal top flight form of late.

One man who played a heavy hand in West Ham's victory at the London Stadium in midweek was summer signing James Ward-Prowse, who provided the assist for Paqueta 17 minutes from full time.

Fabianski tips Ward-Prowse for stardom

The Englishman yet again missed out on Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Moldova and North Macedonia, which is arguably harsh considering his form this season.

Ward-Prowse has two goals and three assists to his name in the league alone, with Man City's Kalvin Phillips barely playing a minute yet getting the nod over him.

Fabianski is in no doubt over the 29-year-old's quality, though, insisting he can be an "important" player for the Irons.

"I think as players, we know," said Fabianski on Ward-Prowse (via The Standard). "Even when he was at Southampton, we knew that he was a really good player on the ball, in terms of controlling the tempo of the game, the passing game he has and today with a beautiful assist.

"We always knew the quality he had and we see it even more now he's in our team. Hopefully, he can stay at this level for a long, long time and be a very important player for us — from set-pieces and playmaking on the pitch."

The former Southampton star, during his time at St. Mary's Stadium, was also called a very "underrated" player by Sky pundit Micah Richards.

"He’s the most underrated player in the Premier League for years," said Richards (via Yahoo Sport).

Xavi branded the referee a "disaster" after Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final loss to PSG, after Ronald Araujo's "unnecessary expulsion".

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• Barca succumbed to PSG despite leading in the quarter-final
• Araujo's red card changed the complexion of the match
• Xavi furious with several refereeing decisions

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barcelona's hopes of advancing in the Champions League were dashed as they succumbed to a 6-4 aggregate defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals on Tuesday evening, leaving Xavi pointing fingers at the referee for their defeat. The manager believes that Araujo's needless sending-off was a crucial point in the tie as the decision tilted the balance of the game heavily in favour of the visitors.

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  WHAT XAVI SAID

  Speaking after the match, Xavi said: "We are annoyed. The red card marked the tie. We were well organised 11 vs. 11. It completely changed everything. For me, it's too much to send [Araujo] off there.

  "The referee was really bad. I told him, he was a disaster. He killed the tie. I don't like speaking about referees but it has to be said. I don't understand it. It's not good going down to 10 players and from that point on it's another game. For as much as we speak [about the match], the red card marks everything."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Referee Istvan Kovacs was indeed at the centre of attention as he brandished a total of twelve cards during the match, including three red cards – also counting the one to Xavi for violently protesting a decision that saw Barcelona being denied a penalty after Marquinhos brought down Ilkay Gundogan. The goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon de la Fuente was also shown red as he kept losing his cool.

  "That was an error by me, it was my fault," added Xavi.

  "But) It is a shame that all the work of a season, because of a refereeing decision, finishes here. I would have liked to have played 11 v 11 against Luis Enrique and PSG [for] all the minutes of the game. We know that there are sendings off in football but I believe that this one [for Araujo] was unnecessary."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The final whistle saw Barcelona supporters in despair, players devastated on the pitch, and Xavi consoling his team in the aftermath of their defeat. The manager also walked up to the match referee and let his feelings known as he continued to fume at the official after a 10-man Barcelona got outplayed by Mbappe and Co. Nonetheless, Xavi has little time to grieve over their continental exit as they face a monumental clash against eternal rivals Real Madrid next in La Liga on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

United States women's national team prospect Eva Gaetino is fired up to face Lindsey Horan as PSG take on Lyon in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

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• Lyon and PSG meet in UWCL semi-finals on Saturday
• The USWNT is represented on both sides
• Star prospect Gaetino can't wait to face Horan

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Earlier this month, Gaetino was in camp with Horan for the first time after earning her maiden USWNT call-up. It came just a few weeks after the defender chose to take the first steps of her professional career in Europe rather than the U.S., signing for PSG after four years at Notre Dame.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Gaetino has impressed in her handful of appearances for the Parisians, including off the bench in a 1-1 draw with Lyon in February. Indeed, she scored her first goal for the club in the last round of the UWCL as they defeated Hacken. That victory set up a clash with Lyon in the semi-finals, with the first leg to take place on Saturday.

• WHAT GAETINO SAID

  Ahead of the game, asked who she expected to be the most important player to be aware of, and if there was anyone in particular she was excited to play against, Gaetino responded: "I think for both of those questions, my answer would be Lindsay Horan.

  "I think even just being in camp with her and being on her team and seeing her strengths, she's incredible on both sides of the ball. She's very dynamic in the attack, very creative, and is also a very good defender. Having to face her higher up the field is exciting for me because I look up to her so much.

  "They have world-class players and even in my 20 minutes against them previously, just the types of crosses that they were hitting and the runners and the timing of their headers, it's a huge threat. I think that's going to be a huge challenge and I'm excited for it."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Gaetino didn't win her first cap for the USWNT during that April window but the camp itself was extremely valuable for a player who is still just 21 years old. "[It] was an incredible experience," she added. "I've been watching some of those players since I was 10 years old. Playing alongside them was truly a dream come true. Also, learning that style was very helpful for me and just getting to see how they warm up, how they rehab, all that stuff which is so important at this level, was truly eye opening to me and I really appreciate that experience."

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen to strike a deal for a new defender during the upcoming transfer window, and he's already playing his football in the Premier League.

Tottenham's backline hit by injuries and suspensions

The Lilywhites have Cristian Romero, Micky Van De Ven, Eric Dier and Ashley Phillips as their natural centre-backs as it stands, but this is a position that supporters have always known is one that the hierarchy are keen to strengthen. Ange Postecoglou’s side have already been linked with several candidates in the form of Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Torino’s Perr Schuurs, alongside Edmond Tapsoba and Piero Hincapie who are both at Bayer Leverkusen.

Should Daniel Levy and Johan Lange fail to secure the services of those players, they have also highlighted an alternative in Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah, who has never been able to nail down a regular starting place having been sent on loan three times to Ipswich Town, Huddersfield and FC Lorient throughout his career (Transfermarkt – Chalobah statistics).

England’s former youth international has failed to make an impression following Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival having made zero appearances in any competition so far this season (WhoScored – Chalobah statistics), but the 24-year-old might now have the perfect opportunity to start a new adventure elsewhere.

Spurs considering swoop for Trevoh Chalobah

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are eyeing a move for Chalobah at the start of next year, but they are set to face stiff competition for his services with Bayern Munich also keen in the Bundesliga.

"Tottenham are interested in a January swoop for Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah following Micky van de Ven’s injury, sources have told Football Insider. It is believed Spurs, as well as German giants Bayern Munich, are interested in the defender.

"Tottenham are ready to throw their hat in the ring for Chalobah’s signature following the devastating injury to summer signing Micky van de Ven."

Chalobah can be Postecoglou's "soldier"

Whilst Chalobah hasn’t been given a chance to prove what he’s capable of at Chelsea under Pochettino, he more than displayed his potential last season where he was averaging 2.2 clearances and 1.2 aerial wins per top-flight game. Standing at 6 foot 3, Freetown’s native also has the versatility to operate everywhere across the backline and even in three roles in the midfield, so his ability to easily adapt to the demands of a manager could make him a wonderful option to have in the building.

Sponsored by Nike, Stamford Bridge’s £50k-per-week earner (Chelsea salaries) even knows what it takes to beat the current squad having secured three victories against Spurs when part of the opposing side, so one has to think he could thrive under the guidance of Postecoglou.

Chalobah, who is a defensive “soldier”, according to his former manager Graham Potter, additionally shares the same representative, CAA Base Ltd, as Son Heung-Min, James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Pape Matar Sarr and Richarlison (Tottenham agents), so this existing connection that his management have to the club could give them a small advantage over Bayern.

A sinking feeling is engulfing Norwich City at the moment as they continue to struggle in the Championship this season.

Despite starting the campaign with four wins in their opening six matches – and playing some of the most attractive football in the second tier – Norwich have now won just two of their last ten games.

Whilst the doom and gloom continues to have a stranglehold on the Canaries, Jonathan Rowe has been a rare beam of light in a dark period for the club.

The fleet-footed winger has attracted Premier League interest with his scintillating performances at Carrow Road.

Jonathan Rowe's 23/24 statistics

Rowe is a product of the Norwich academy and signed his first professional contract in October 2021.

After impressing with the club's under 23's, he was fast-tracked into the first-team squad at just 18, making his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace.

At the end of the 2021/22 campaign, Norwich were relegated back to the Championship, but Rowe had established himself as an exciting prospect on the wing, turning out on 13 occasions in the top flight.

Although multiple injury setbacks prevented him from carrying that momentum into the second tier, making just three appearances last term, he's certainly made up for lost time this season.

The 20-year-old has been the star of the show; a prodigal entertainer, who opens his box of tricks and dazzles defences with his speed, skill and agility.

When he receives the ball out wide, he's so direct and difficult to stop in full throttle but unlike most wingers his age, he's supplied an end product to match, scoring eight and providing two assists in 18 matches, with seven of those strikes coming in the Championship.

Rowe's exploits in front of goal are even more impressive when you look at how supremely clinical he's been in the final third.

The destructive wide player, whose blistering form was rewarded with a call-up to the England under-21 squad for the very first time in October, has outperformed his xG by 3.97 and converted one in five of his opportunities, paying ode to how lethal he is in front of goal.

Rowe isn't the only Norwich player who has showcased his devastating form this term, however, with winger Christos Tzolis currently ripping it up on loan at Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Christos Tzolis' Dusseldorf goal record

Unlike Rowe, Tzolis has been sent out on loan to aid his development having featured 15 times for FC Twente last term and is now plying his trade in Bundesliga 2.

The 21-year-old youngster arrived at Carrow Road from Greek side PAOK in 2021 where he won the club's Player of the Season award following an impressive 16 goals and ten assists in 46 appearances.

Whilst opportunities to replicate that form have been few and far between in England, Tzolis is currently enjoying a fruitful spell at Dusseldorf.

The Greek dynamo, who was described by Wagner as "top class" after scoring his first goal for Norwich last term, has showcased that quality in Germany by supplying the same number of contributions as Rowe – eight goals and two assists – in five fewer matches.

Clearly a talented youngster, much like the Englishman, Tzolis will hope to hit the ground running when he returns to East Anglia at the start of next season and in turn, demonstrate the quality that the Canaries have been missing out on.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino admits when his side's levels drop they are "so bad" after their 5-0 thrashing by Arsenal.

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• Arsenal thrash Chelsea 5-0
• Blues missed ill Palmer
• Pochettino slams performance

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea were thumped at the Emirates on Tuesday night thanks to goals from Leandro Trossard and a brace apiece for Ben White and Kai Havertz. The Blues were without top scorer Cole Palmer due to illness but that does not explain their dismal defeat in north London. And manager Pochettino admitted his side can be a poor team at times.

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  WHAT MAURICIO POCHETTINO SAID

  In his post match press conference, he said: "Maybe with him, the team today, it could be in the same situation. But of course [Cole] Palmer is doing well for us and he is the only player we have to link all the lines of the team. When you miss a player like this, it is not easy. It was a great opportunity for some players to step up. We are showing this inconsistency and that is why we are where we are. We are able to have an amazing performance [against Man City] and then one like this. When we have bad days, we are so bad."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After a good run of results, Chelsea's season is threatening to unravel again. Despite putting in an encouraging display in the FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester City, they are destined to end the campaign without a trophy and this rout at the hands of Arsenal could put pay their chances of qualifying for Europe – with seventh-placed Manchester United three points ahead of the Blues with six games left. Once again, the pressure is back on Pochettino.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Chelsea will have to get over this defeat fast as they travel to Champions League-chasing Aston Villa on Saturday night before hosting London rivals Tottenham next Thursday in two tough Premier League fixtures.

Tottenham are reportedly "ready" to step up their move for a £20 million centre-back as chairman Daniel Levy and co chase more defensive options.

The centre-backs linked with moves to Spurs

There have been an array of top central defenders linked with moves to Spurs since Micky van de Ven's long-term injury. The Dutchman's hamstring problem is expected to keep him out until 2024, and since his absence, manager Ange Postecoglou has been winless in his last four Premier League games.

Tottenham interested in move to sign "fearless" £20m defender in January

The N17 outfit have set their sights on a new target for Ange Postecoglou.

By
Chloe Chadwick

Nov 27, 2023

Van de Ven's lack of involvement has highlighted a bigger issue, though, namely Tottenham's serious lack of cover in the position. Cristian Romero was suspended for a time too, meaning Postecoglou has been forced into starting makeshift pair Emerson Royal and Ben Davies at the heart of his defence.

Postecoglou really doesn't appear to favour Eric Dier either, but even the Englishman is now injured and unavailable as cover. While van de Ven and Romero could be partnering each other again next month, Spurs quite simply must avoid a scenario like this again later in the season.

Levy and new sporting director Johan Lange, as a result, are reportedly planning to sign a new centre-back for Tottenham in January. Uruguay defender Sebastian Caceres, Everton's Ben Godfrey, Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, Genoa star Radu Dragusin, Union Saint-Gilloise's Koki Machida, Benfica starlet Morato, English starlet Jarrad Branthwaite and Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio have all been linked with Spurs since November.

These are a few interesting names to have been mentioned by reports in the media, with an update now coming to light on Godfrey.

Spurs "ready" to step up Godfrey move

According to 90min and journalist Graeme Bailey on X, Spurs are "ready" to step up a move for Godfrey who has found game time pretty difficult to come by under Sean Dyce this season.

It's believed the defender is "ready to leave" and determined for an Everton exit push amid Tottenham's chase for him, with the 90min report also claiming he'll cost around £20 million to prise away from Goodison Park this winter.

The Lilywhites are apparently "prepared to push ahead with a move" for Godfrey, who actually ticks many boxes as a pacey centre-back who could well be suited to playing Postecoglou's aggressive high line.

Tottenham scouts have actually been pretty impressed by the 25-year-old in recent seasons, so much so that he is now one of the prime candidates to reinforce what has been a stretched Spurs defence.

Godfrey's speed has also been highlighted by former Toffees defender Jonjoe Kenny, now plying his trade at Hertha Berlin, who called the Englishman "rapid" back in 2021.

“Ben Godfrey catches pigeons, simple as," said Kenny two years ago (via The Liverpool Echo).

“But when Ben gets going he’s rapid so I don’t know if they have a race or would have a race but yeah, it’s close between them two. Dominic is really quick too but I’d say Ben.”