The Football Association has defended the new England kit after a backlash over Nike changing the colour of the St George's Cross.
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Newcastle United are keeping close tabs on an exciting defender, but a fresh report has revealed that they aren't the only club hoping to secure his services in January.
At St. James’ Park, Eddie Howe currently has Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Paul Dummett and Sven Botman as his natural options at centre-back, but as we’ve seen this season, those have been limited at times due to the injury to the latter.
During the 8-0 Premier League victory over Sheffield United, Botman sustained a knee injury and has been missing for the last four games, and whilst he’s recently dropped a hint on social media that he will be back sooner rather than later (Chronicle Live), there’s no guaranteeing that another player won’t take his place in the treatment room.
The Magpies could therefore be tempted to bolster their ranks at the heart of their backline next year, and one player that has emerged onto the radar in the northeast is Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah who has fallen out of favour under Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues’ 24-year-old has carried out three loans throughout his career at Ipswich Town, Huddersfield and FC Lorient, and the fact that he is yet to make a single appearance in any competition this season shows how low down in the pecking order he is (Transfermarkt – Chalobah statistics), so it sounds like he’s now prepared to start a new adventure elsewhere.
According to 90min who have delivered a transfer update on Trevoh Chalobah, Newcastle are interested in a deal to sign the defender in January, but they are set to face stiff competition to secure his services:
"Trevoh Chalobah is ready to leave Chelsea when the January transfer window opens, 90min understands, with clubs across Europe already exploring a possible deal.
"A permanent sale would be preferable for Chelsea, who are still working to raise money after three windows of immense spending, but the Blues are prepared to entertain loan offers if they prove to be financially beneficial.
"Bayern Munich remain interested in signing Chalobah. Bayern are not the only suitors for Chalobah from Germany, however, with Borussia Dortmund also keeping an eye on his situation. In England, Nottingham Forest remain keen on Chalobah alongside Brentford, Fulham and Newcastle United.
"Chalobah may also have the option to follow fellow Blues graduates Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to Italy, where Roma and Juventus have registered their interest in a January transfer."
In SW6, Chalobah currently pockets £50k-per-week which he’s not earning considering that he isn’t being given the opportunity to play (Chelsea salaries), but should he put pen to paper at Newcastle in January, that could all change if he was to operate on a regular basis.
Standing at 6 foot 3, Freetown’s native was averaging 2.2 clearances and 1.2 aerial wins per top-flight game last season (WhoScored – Chalobah statistics), showing the “ice cold” rock and physical presence he can be both on and off ground, as dubbed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Chalobah, who has the versatility to operate everywhere across the backline and even three roles in the midfield, additionally shares the same agent, CAA Base Ltd, as Kieran Trippier, so this existing connection that his representative has to the club could give the board a small advantage should they try to get a deal over the line.
Stefano Pioli is reportedly likely to continue at AC Milan despite being linked with a move away from the club after a largely frustrating season.
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Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared some Tottenham Hotspur transfer news as Spurs cast their eyes on an "interesting" £39m star
The departure of star forward and club-record goalscorer Harry Kane has scarcely been noticed so far. Instead of suffering without their former talisman, Spurs have reinvented themselves as a more fluid attacking team, with new captain Son Heung-min thriving in a more central role. Tottenham, after their latest 2-1 win on Friday night, have extended their unbeaten run to 10 games; winning eight of them in a real statement to the rest of the Premier League.
New manager Ange Postecoglou is seemingly transforming the club, and things haven't looked better than this for quite a long time. However, despite thriving without a traditional number nine of Kane's ilk, there have been suggestions that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and incoming new transfer chief Johan Lange could still sign a new striker next year.
Tottenham are interested in Brentford's Ivan Toney, for instance, who looks set to become one of the hottest commodities in English football once he returns from his ban for alleged gambling breaches. Spurs are eyeing Feyenoord forward Santiago Gimenez as well, according to recent reports, with one agent even saying this week that Spurs are among the "closest" sides to getting him.
Now, a very reliable transfer source in Romano has shared his own update on the matter. While he confirms that Gimenez is being watched by Spurs, things don't appear as advanced as previously suggested. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the journalis backs that he's a player really "interesting" Postecoglou's side. Romano also says that Gimenez could leave for just £39 million.
“We know very well that many top clubs around Europe are keeping an eye on the boy,” said Romano.
“From what I’m hearing, something around €45million (£39million) could be the right fee to make it happen. Let’s see if (it’s) in the January window or in the summer window it depends on Feyenoord, more than on the player. The interest of many clubs is there. I think we saw Tottenham linked, because from what I’m told, Tottenham scouts have been following the player already last year.
“While they were following the manager (Slot) they saw that Santi Gimenez is absolutely a very good striker. So Santi Gimenez for sure is a player interesting for Tottenham, but also for many other clubs around Europe, and this is why decisions will be made in the next months. But at the moment, no statement from people close to the player and the only person (handling his transfer business) is the father.”
The 22-year-old has stood out as one of Europe's most in-form strikers this season. Scoring 13 goals and notching a further three assists, his tender age and pedigree could make his reported £39 million valuation a price really worth paying. Gimenez's departure from the Netherlands is surely one to watch as we head into 2024.
Much has been made of Todd Boehly and his approach to transfer dealings at Chelsea as the club have splashed the cash on plenty of signings during his time in London so far. The Blues have left few stones unturned in the transfer market as they have brought in players all over the pitch in an attempt to return to their former glory on the pitch.
Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as the club's head coach over the summer and the likes of Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, and Axel Disasi, among others, were snapped up, after their splurges on Enzo Fernandez, Benoit Badisahile, Raheem Sterling and the rest last season.
The upcoming January transfer window will provide Boehly and Pochettino with another chance to add to the squad and one player who could be on his way to Stamford Bridge is Kobenhavn's Roony Bardghji.
According to Danish outlet Tipsbladet, Chelsea could soon be knocking on the door to make an approach to sign the teenage prodigy. The report claims that Blues chiefs are "crazy" about the talented winger and that they are one of many big clubs, although the others remain nameless, eyeing him up.
They also carry quotes from former Real Madrid and Everton midfielder Thomas Gravesen, who does not want the club to cash in on the young ace.
The former Denmark international claimed Kobenhavn must not sell a "star" of their team and should not be looking to move on a player with "so much potential". So, it remains to be seen how much the Danish club would be willing to sell him for, if they are even willing to entertain an auction in January.
The exciting prospect, who only turns 18 later this month, has been in fantastic form for his side so far throughout the 2023/24 campaign and has shown big potential for his age. Despite his inexperience and youth, Bardghji has racked up seven goals in 14 Superliga appearances this season, 12 of have come as a starter.
He is yet to register his first assist of the campaign but has provided his teammates with 15 key passes and created one 'big chance' in those 14 outings, which suggests that the 17-year-old whiz is somewhat unfortunate in that respect.
His form this season comes off the back of a return of three goals and one assist in four league starts for Kobenhavn throughout the 2022/23 season. Whilst it is difficult to judge how it would translate to Premier League football, Bardghji's impressive seven-goal haul as a left-footed right winger is an excellent record in comparison to Pochettino's current options.
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Chelsea's PL top scorers last season (via WhoScored) |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Goals |
|
Kai Havertz |
Seven |
|
Raheem Sterling |
Six |
|
Joao Felix |
Four |
|
Conor Gallagher/Mason Mount |
Three |
Nicolas Jackson is the club's top scorer with five top-flight goals and only Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer (three) have managed more than two outside of the Senegal international.
These statistics show that Chelsea lack multiple consistent goalscoring threats, centrally and out wide, and the 17-year-old Blues target has shown – albeit in Denmark – that he has the potential to provide another one.
This means that the Swedish talent could be an exciting addition for Pochettino to make in January, even if it is one with a view to the future rather than to make an immediate impact on the pitch.
Federico Valverde has backed Real Madrid to get a result when they travel to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League tie.
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UFC title holder Ilia Topuria admits to being left pleasantly “surprised” by Lionel Messi’s personality during a meeting with the Inter Miami icon.
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Newcastle United are keen on signing an "extremely important" new creative player, one they have seen up close and personal in recent tweeks.
It has been no secret that the Magpies are entertaining the idea of signing a new midfielder during the January transfer window, mainly due to the 10-month suspension that Tonali has picked up for breaching betting rules while at AC Milan. The absence of the Italian has left a significant void in the middle of the park, and Eddie Howe's side are already looking jaded without him, with injuries and fatigue leading to some patchy form in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Various players have been in the conversation to move to St James' Park and fill the Tonali-shaped void, with Newcastle reportedly keen on signing Manchester City and England ace Kalvin Phillips.
Meanwhile, the Magpies have been linked with the likes of Ruben Neves and Scott McTominay, too, and as it stands, it would be a surprise if the club didn't address the situation in January. Now, a new name has been thrown into the hat – one who can play a number of other positions too.
According to a transfer update from The Mirror over the weekend, Newcastle are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund star Julian Brandt, with Arsenal also believed to be in the mix.
"Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Julian Brandt is wanted by Arsenal and Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s Toon have had a close-up view of the 27-year-old Germany star in their two Champions League games, Brandt scoring in Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat of the Magpies.
"They like what they have seen, also the case with the Gunners. Arsenal have been tracking Brandt although Dortmund have so far refused to consider any bids for a player they secured for around £22million."
Brandt has been a superb performer in the Bundesliga for a sustained period of time, not only catching the eye for Dortmund but also shining for Bayer Leverkusen. The 27-year-old could be exactly what Newcastle are looking for, with Brandt's statistics highlighting what a creative force he can be.
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Julian Brandt at Borussia Dortmund |
Total |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
185 |
|
Goals |
36 |
|
Assists |
39 |
That is an impressive return from midfield, but the Germany international is also a hard-working figure – something that Howe demands in his midfielders – and he has been hailed as "extremely important" for Dortmund by manager Edin Terzic in the recent past.
Brandt is also someone who Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp personally wanted in the past, once seeing him as a strong alternative to Mohamed Salah before he made the move to Anfield – the fact he can play on either wing as well as in midfield means he could still have an important role once Tonali returns.
At 27, the German is in and around the peak of his powers, and should be for the foreseeable future, but whether Dortmund would even consider selling him in the near future is certainly up for debate, especially in January.
Celtic are once again flying under Brendan Rodgers and are well on their way to a third consecutive Scottish Premiership title. The Hoops currently sit as many as eight points clear of their closest rivals, albeit having played an extra game. Now, with the third international break of the season wrapped up, they'll be looking to continue their form and reaffirm their place on Scottish football's throne once again.
To ensure of that, Celtic could yet turn to the January transfer window, especially when considering that they're likely to be losing Kyogo Furuhashi for a few weeks in January due to his commitments with Japan in the Asia Cup. That said, reports suggest that the Scottish giants are eyeing a move that will temporarily replace their star man in the winter window.
Celtic have rarely got things wrong in the transfer market in recent years, particularly under Ange Postecoglou. After losing Jota in the summer, however, some may have been concerned about their ability to pursue yet another title. It's been so far so good though, with Rangers appearing to fall short for a third consecutive year, allowing Rodgers to potentially take his crown back in the first season of his return.
Rodgers must unleash "exciting" Celtic titan who's already dominated Motherwell
The central defender has not played a first-team match for the club since September.
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Their transfer genius could be proved once more in January, too. According to Football Scotland, Celtic are set to improve their offer for Mathias Kvistgaarden in January after they failed with a £4m move back in the summer transfer window. The report suggests that the Hoops have told Brondby that they're now willing to up their offer in order to get closer to their valuation of £7.5m.
If Celtic want to make their move for the forward, then they may have to act quickly, with clubs from Germany also reportedly keeping a close eye on the Dane.
Celtic would be wise to find a Kyogo alternative while he is away on international duty. The Scottish champions may be eight points clear but things can change in a heartbeat during any title race, and Rodgers won't want to risk handing Rangers any advantage in the new year. Kvistgaarden would be an ideal option, too, given that he's still only 21 years old and impressing for Brondby.
Kvistgaarden's stats prove just how capable the forward is. So far this season, the Dane has been involved in 10 goals in 17 appearances, with five goals and five assists to his name. As a result of those numbers and his form over the last year, football scout Jacek Kulig has had nothing but good things to say about the Celtic target, posting on X (formerly Twitter): "Mathias Kvistgaarden – 6 goals, 3 assists & 1 penalty won in his last 6 Superligaen games. Fantastic end of the season for the 21-year-old Brøndby Academy graduate."
The reported £7.5m price tag placed on Kvistgaarden could quickly become one of January's best bargains if Celtic continue to pursue a winter move. They proved their transfer expertise during the summer and now the Hoops have the chance to do exactly that once again in January.
Ashley Young posted an image of a vintage Justin Timberlake record to poke fun at Nottingham Forest following Sunday's Premier League meeting.
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