Football Manager, the wildly successful video game made by Sports Interactive, has announced it has secured the official Premier League licence.
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Plenty of teams are arriving in Germany with high hopes, but only one will come out on top – who will it be?
It's so close we can almost taste it. Euro 2024 is now just hours away, with the best players from around the continent descending on Germany for what promises to be a superb summer of football.
While some teams will solely harbour dreams of getting out of the groups, others know that anything other than a trophy parade in mid-July will go down as failure. We're set, then, for four weeks of drama, filled with joy and heartbreak in equal measure.
Here at GOAL, we like to think we know a thing or two about the beautiful game, and so we've asked our team of writers and editors to make their predictions for the tournament. From the Golden Boot and Player of the Tournament winners to the dark horses and biggest disappointments, we've got you covered on what to expect from the this hotly-anticipated Euros.
Today, we asked our team to predict who will win the tournament – here's what they had to say…
A "brilliant" Liverpool talent's expected return date from injury has been revealed, courtesy of an update from journalist David Lynch.
The Reds continue to excel this season, with Sunday's 4-0 win away to Bournemouth in the Premier League one of their most impressive results of the campaign. The fact that they did it without so many injured key players also says a huge amount about the squad Jurgen Klopp has built.
Liverpool had to make do without two world-class full-backs in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, the latter of whom has been absent for a number of months but is expected back soon, while Joel Matip is out for the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage.
Meanwhile, teenage talent Ben Doak is recovering from knee surgery, influentiual midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is also missing, Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic are long-term absentees, and Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo have been away on international duty – Salah has just returned to Liverpool for treatment on a hamstring injury.
Injuries need to ease as the season goes on for the Reds to stand a chance in so many competitions, and a slighty more optimistic update has emerged regarding one stricken figure.
Taiking to X, Lynch claimed that Liverpool attacker Ben Doak could return to action in April, after initial timelines suggested his knee injury would keep him out for the entire season.
"A small update on Ben Doak’s fitness: Liverpool winger is hopeful of appearing again this season after undergoing knee surgery, with an April return being tentatively targeted."
This is positive news for Doak, who will still be dreaming of forcing his way into Scotland's plan at Euro 2024 this summer, even though his chances of doing so now look far less likely than they did before his injury. The 18-year-old is an attacking player of huge potential, with all-time Liverpool great Sir Kenny Dalglish lauding him earlier in the campaign:
"He certainly looks the part. He will get there eventually but let's not push him too quickly. The wee man has done brilliant at Liverpool."
Granted, Doak is still a very young player who certainly isn't a key starter for Klopp, but there is a fearlessness and unpredictability about him out wide that always makes him an eye-catching option from the substitutes' bench, so he could be especially useful in Europa League and domestic cup matches. The Scot has all the raw ingredients to be a sensational footballer over time, as long as he matures when it comes to his final ball.
Lots will be made of replacing Mohamed Salah when the Liverpool legend does eventually leave Anfield – the hope is that it won't be for a while yet – but in Doak, the Reds have someone with such a high ceiling who could even end up saving them a huge amount of money on a big-name signing, depending on how he progresses moving forward.
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To have him back for the run-in would be great news, and while he may not feature much, having his pace and directness when opposition legs are tiring can only be a good thing.
Glasgow Rangers were active throughout the January transfer window and completed their final signing on deadline day as they brought in Oscar Cortes on loan from RC Lens.
Mohammed Diomande and Fabio Silva had also been added to the squad on loan prior to the arrival of the young winger as Philippe Clement looked to bolster his squad.
The latter caught the eye as the Light Blues swatted Livingston aside at Ibrox with a comfortable 3-0 win in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
|
Fabio Silva |
Vs Livingstone (via Sofascore) |
|---|---|
|
Sofascore rating |
7.6 |
|
Shots |
Four |
|
Goals |
One |
|
Big chances missed |
One |
|
Chances created |
Two |
As you can see in the table above, the Wolves loanee chipped in with a goal, which was an instinctive finish from close range after a scramble from a corner, and created opportunities for his teammates.
His impressive performance came after the Gers failed in their pursuit of another striker, as it was reported that the club wanted to bring in another number nine to compete with Silva and Cyriel Dessers.
Football Insider reported at the end of December that Rangers were keeping tabs on Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland as a possible target.
However, they added at the time that the Gers would be priced out of a swoop for the Scotland international in January as they were looking for a fee of at least £3m for their star striker.
It stated that the Ibrox giants would need to raise funds through player sales to afford the prolific marksman and they were unable to do that, which is highlighted by all three of their signings – Cortes, Silva, and Diomande – initially arriving on loan deals from their respective clubs.
Football Insider now claim that Rangers are 'eyeing' a summer swoop for the Scotland international, alongside a permanent deal for current loanee Abdallah Sima from Brighton & Hove Albion, to finally land a goalscorer.
The report states that qualification for the Champions League next season would significantly boost their chances of being able to strike deals for both players. Winning the Premiership would secure automatic qualification for the Gers should they best Celtic in the title race this season.
They add that Hearts have offered Shankland two 'record-breaking' offers to extend his current contract with the Jam Tarts, which is due to expire at the end of next term, but he is yet to put pen to paper.
This means that his future is up in the air and the door could be open for Rangers to swoop for the £3m-rated striker in the summer, when he will only have 12 months left to run on his deal.
It would represent Hearts' last opportunity to guarantee a fee for his services before a possible exit on a free in 2025, which the Gers could take advantage of with a move to add him to their squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Clement could now avenge the club's deadline day howler of failing to sign a striker to bolster their side by signing Shankland, who would be a big upgrade on Dessers, in the summer.
The Nigerian centre-forward was snapped up from Italian side Cremonese ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and has endured a mixed bag in front of goal this season.
He arrived at Ibrox off the back of a fairly underwhelming season for his former club as they were relegated from the Serie A and the marksman only scored six goals from 7.15 xG in 26 league appearances.
His underperformance in the final third in Italy has carried over to Scotland as the experienced striker has been wasteful with the opportunities that have come his way for Rangers.
Dessers has scored eight goals and missed a staggering 13 'big chances' in 20 Premiership appearances for the Scottish giants so far this season.
|
Cyriel Dessers |
Vs Livingston (via Sofascore) |
|---|---|
|
Minutes played |
14 |
|
Touches |
Six |
|
Duel success rate |
0% |
|
Pass success rate |
0% |
|
Big chances missed |
One |
|
Goals + assists |
Zero |
As you can see in the table above, the 29-year-old attacker struggled badly off the bench on Saturday as he spurned a good opening and left a lot to be desired with his passing and lack of strength, which has been an issue throughout the campaign with a ground duel success rate of 29%.
Rangers could land a big upgrade on Dessers and avenge their deadline day howler of not adding a terrific marksman to the group by signing Shankland in the summer.
He is a proven Premiership performer who has been lethal in front of goals for Hearts since the start of last season. The £3m-rated ace knows the division and knows how to find the back of the net.
Journalist Euan Robertson once hailed Shankland as being "clinical" and that is still very much the case based on his form over the last 18 months.
His quality was on full display for Hearts in the Premiership on Saturday as he was directly involved in all three of their goals in a 3-2 win over Dundee, as you can see in the table below.
|
Lawrence Shankland |
Vs Dundee (via Sofascore) |
|---|---|
|
Sofascore rating |
9.6 |
|
Shots on target |
Two |
|
Goals |
Two |
|
Big chances missed |
Zero |
|
Big chances created |
One |
|
Assists |
One |
The 28-year-old ace is now up to 16 goals in 24 top-flight appearances for the Jam Tarts this season, and he has racked up that total with only seven 'big chances' missed.
His incredible form this term has come off the back of a return of 24 goals and 16 'big chances' missed in 37 league games during the 2022/23 campaign.
This means that Shankland has produced 40 goals and 23 'big chances' missed in 61 Premiership clashes for Hearts since the start of last season.
That is a phenomenal return in front of goal over a significant period of time and proves that he has the quality to be clinical when chances come his way, whereas Dessers has missed five more big chances than he has managed goals this term.
Therefore, the Scotland international has the ability to be a sensational signing for Rangers as a proven Premiership upgrade on the Nigerian forward, with more goals and fewer big chances missed, which is why his arrival in the summer would avenge their deadline day blunder of not signing a striker.
Richarlison is back at Tottenham for pre-season and is already working hard on his goal celebrations in the gym.
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A significant update has emerged regarding the future of one Celtic player, with contract talks not believed to be going well at the moment.
The winter window has closed and the Hoops will already be looking at which players could arrive at the club during the summer transfer window, as Brendan Rodgers ensures he doesn't rest on his laurels. In fact, one player who could arrive before that point is former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle, with the 34-year-old linked with a move to Parkhead in recent days. He is now a free agent after his departure from Stoke City on deadline day, meaning he is free to join whoever he wants.
While new signings are to be expected later this year, there is also the very real threat that some key players leave Celtic this summer, not least Matt O'Riley. A new update has suggested that the Hoops will accept a £25m offer for their star midfielder, should it arrive at the end of the season.
Now, another report has suggested that one more Celtic player could be out of the door once the current campaign reaches its conclusion, albeit for different reasons to O'Riley.
A new report from Football Insider's Wayne Veysey has claimed that Adam Montgomery looks increasingly likely to leave Celtic this year, with contract talks not moving in a positive direction, having returned injured from a loan spell at Motherwell.
"Adam Montgomery is set to leave Celtic at the end of the season and has likely played his last match for the club, sources have told Football Insider… he is yet to agree to an extension despite holding contract talks with the club.
"Well-placed sources have told Football Insider that is it looking “increasingly likely” that the Hoops will let him leave the club for free after a devastating injury blow."
|
Celtic player contracts expiring soon |
Deal runs until |
|---|---|
|
Joe Hart |
2024 |
|
Scott Bain |
2024 |
|
Greg Taylor |
2025 |
|
Liam Scales |
2025 |
|
James Forrest |
2025 |
|
James McCarthy |
2025 |
Montgomery's injury setback at Motherwell was a cruel blow for him, as he looks to kick on in his career, and it does now make complete sense for him to leave Celtic in the summer. The 21-year-old will be out of contract in the summer of 2025, and considering Rodgers doesn't see him as an important part of his plans, allowing him to leave for a small fee, rather than on a free transfer when his expiry date arrives.
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Will he be on the move this summer?
By
Henry Jackson
Feb 4, 2024
It seems pointless to suddenly offer Montgomery a long-term deal when he has only made 20 appearances for Celtic over a number of years. He is at an age now when he will want to enjoy regular football at a permanent new club, rather than being loaned out constantly, having already spent spells at Aberdeen, St Johnstone and Fleetwood Town, as well as Motherwell.
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Sheffield Wednesday will be aiming to make it three wins from their last four in the Championship when they face off against Bristol City this coming weekend, Danny Rohl's Owls not quite waving the white flag on their season just yet.
The often dire mood around Hillsborough has been lifted somewhat by recent positive displays, with the South Yorkshire titans able to pick up wins against Birmingham City and Millwall owing to new faces such as Ian Poveda and Ike Ugbo excelling.
But, there will be even more cause for joy from a Wednesday perspective when it comes to the rising stars emerging from the youth set-up at the club with Bailey Cadamarteri and Pierce Charles being given more and more game time under Rohl.
The German manager could be willing to give more first-team opportunities to this promising right-back as a result, with the 19-year-old defender in question looking to replicate Liam Palmer's long-standing time with Wednesday after he came through the Owls academy.
Teenage sensation Joey Phuthi has been in and around the first-team picture at Wednesday for some time now, battling to now make the grade in the senior set-up at the club after playing for both the U18s and U21s.
This season, Phuthi has been handed chances here and there to impress in the first-team side – notably given 28 minutes to shine in the FA Cup away at Coventry City at the start of the month.
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Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
The final scoreline might have read 4-1 in favour of the Sky Blues on the night, but Phuthi would have been pleased with his minutes regardless.
Funnily enough, the Zimbabwean youngster's only other taste of senior football came in the Championship against the same opponents late last year.
That was Phuthi's first ever match in the first-team fold at Wednesday, coming on with the clock ticking down as a late second-half substitute.
Yet, the teenager wasn't fazed by the big occasion and walked off the pitch with a 100% passing accuracy next to his name from a short but sweet five-minute cameo appearance.
Described as being a "dangerous" player by former Owls boss Xisco Munoz in pre-season – with Phuthi unafraid to join in with attacks as a talent adept at playing further forward in midfield if necessary – the 19-year-old is still some way off from cementing himself as a first-team regular.
Yet, with Palmer getting closer to the end of his extensive career now at 32 years of age and Pol Valentin being the only other recognised right-back option, he could be banging down the door for more starts at Hillsborough very soon.
It will be a sad day for Wednesday fans when Palmer does hang up his boots, with the Owls veteran making 425 appearances for the club in total with 27 of those coming this campaign.
Yet, the die-hard Wednesday fanbase could well be reassured by knowing the future is bright with Phuthi waiting in the wings ready to come in and impress in the starting eleven.
It also wouldn't be completely ludicrous to see Rohl bed Phuthi into more games as an option off the bench, with 18-year-old hotshot Bailey Cadamarteri taking to the senior side with flying colours up top this season from out of nowhere.
Phuthi will want to replicate Cadamarteri's calmness to star when he's thrust into a similar spotlight down the line, bagging four goals for Rohl's Owls after making the leap up from the youth set-up look effortless.
Palmer will just continue plugging away and performing for Wednesday even so late into his career, not even thinking about any possibility of retirement yet.
But, with the crop of young talent coming through in South Yorkshire encouraging to see, those who will be gutted when Palmer does eventually retire can at least be somewhat relieved by potentially having another figure similar to the long-serving asset emerge in Phuthi.
Arda Guler made his way into an elite Euros club alongside Cristiano Ronaldo & Wayne Rooney after inspiring Turkey to a last-16 victory over Austria.
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Dani Dyer shed tears at the Euro 2024 final but says she is “used to” the WAG lifestyle that comes with being the partner of England ace Jarrod Bowen.
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