A 0-0 draw might suggest a bore, but the reality is the opposite – the U.S.and England are two very good, very well-matched teams

So, what do we make of that? Nil-nil. All of the hype, all of the storylines, all 78,000 fans in Wembley for the highest-profile friendly in years, and the result was a game in which neither side found the back of the net.

The word "intrigue" will be thrown around a lot. It's a good cop out to describe what was, in abstract, a pretty boring game. The numbers back that up: 14 shots, four on target, one penalty call correctly overturned by VAR. This was billed as a battle between two serial winners, the top two teams in the world in FIFA rankings. The reality was, both sides seemed pretty content with a draw.

But still, things were happening. This sport is more complex than two teams settling for a result. At times, both sides played to win. Each manager set their team up looking to exploit weaknesses in their opponent. A bit more cutting edge, a moment of inspiration, or a massive blunder could have blown it open. Instead, what transpired at Wembley Saturday was two very good teams playing a fairly flawless game of football at the right times, but lacking the individual quality to make it anything other than a goalless draw.

Injuries played a role, with the Emma Hayes' USWNT without their attacking front three of Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson. So too did the relative youth on display. This was hardly a thriller. But there were still interesting elements to it all. Intrigue – yes, there's the word – was apparent. A 0-0 draw might suggest a bore. In actuality, the reality is the opposite: these are two very good, very well-matched football teams. For the U.S., there's little to complain about.

Getty ImagesThe basic idea

There were, indeed, tactics at play. Yes, it was a goalless draw, but the USWNT did have a plan to try to win this thing. It all starts with Naomi Girma. The center back is so efficient on the ball that Hayes can effectively design her build up play around her. Need someone to play an incisive pass between the lines? Sorted. Need a long-distance ping? No problem.

And that seemed to be the idea. England hit the ball long a lot. The U.S. won the resulting header. Girma picked up the ball, and another attack started. Positionally, it was all quite interesting. Sam Coffey, a stout defensive midfielder, didn't drop as deep as she might usually, while the full backs stayed wide. But the plan here was clear: shuffle the ball around the edges and then try to find holes in a compact midfield. Whether that was the idea from minute one is unknown. But the U.S. certainly adjusted to a well-drilled England defense. There wasn't going to be much playing through the middle here, so the wide areas were certainly available.

And at times, it worked a charm. When Girma shuffled the ball quickly, England lost its defensive shape. The U.S. outside backs picked the right opportunities to go forward, and created overloads – outnumbering the defense – on either wing. This is what good management looks like; respond to the bit that your opponent is good at by trying to find advantages elsewhere. In the end, it didn't quite work. But the intent was there.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLynn Williams and the USWNT press

When the teamsheet was released, it appeared that Williams would play off the left, with Emma Sears – typically a No.9 – operating as a central striker. The reality was different. Williams played through the middle, while Sears occupied the right. Alyssa Thompson rounded out the attacking trio as a left winger.

And that all made sense, in its most basic form. Williams, despite being 31, has a valuable turn of pace, and her defensive instincts are certainly the best among the front three. Her remit was clear: press as soon as the England center backs get the ball. And it all worked rather well. Leah Williamson and Alex Greenwood barely had time to think when they received the ball, Williams barreling towards them. The result was a Lionesses team that likes to possess and build through the thirds often forced to play long, and give the ball back to the U.S.

This was particularly efficient in the early stages, when an England giveaway was recycled, shifted, and reworked. A passage of play – 30 seconds later – lead to Alyssa Thompson being given the best chance of the first half (it was well saved by England's Mary Earps).

Getty Images SportHoran playing further forward

Lindsey Horan has her critics. And that's fair. She has never been an excellent athlete, and, at times, she is frustratingly slow. Her ability to play as a center midfielder in high octane international contests that rely heavily on pace and athleticism can rightly be questioned. She's not that type of player, though. Instead, Horan is overtly European, a quick thinker with sublime technique on the ball.

Stick her in the Spain side, for example, and she would thrive. For the USWNT, her long term role isn't quite clear. It's one of Hayes' issues ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

And she took a stab at figuring her out on Saturday. Hayes used the Lyon midfielder in an interesting way. Horan played as the most advanced in a midfield three. For some stretches, she was basically a second striker, pushing high up the pitch and occupying the areas just behind Williams. In theory, it's an odd choice; she is neither quick nor particularly agile.

But Horan's eye for a pass and reading of the game is pretty much unparalleled in this U.S. side. On Saturday, it showed. Everything good seemed to run through her, those clever flicks and tricks opening spaces in the final third that were otherwise slammed shut.

One or two passes were overhit here – and there was a perhaps ill-advised attempt at a bicycle kick in the first half – but Horan made things happen in a game that otherwise lacked an attacking spark. Yes, she was often crowded out. Sure, she can try to do too much at times. Yet the idea, the usage of a footballer to unlock an opponent, was very much there.

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GettyRose Lavelle suffers

There is, of course, a knock on effect. Hayes was always going to play a 4-3-3 – with three midfielders matched up against the Lionesses' trio. Numerically it made sense. The issue is, Lavelle and Horan prefer to play in much the same area.

Lavelle is a different type of player, but is at her best when making forward runs, her defensive responsibilities lightened while she roams into the final third. Instead, with Horan instructed to stay high, Lavelle was forced to play a little deeper, at times alongside the defensive-minded Coffey. In terms of numbers, it added up. Hayes knew there needed to be some sort of cover here – playing with just one deeper-lying midfielder would leave the U.S. vulnerable on the break against a side with blistering pace on the counter.

As Horan put it after the game, "Those two attacking midfielders [for England] are class. Stanway is one of the best in the world with the ball and Park on city is really coming up and doing well for England as well. I think we handled them well and imposed ourselves. We did well in the physical battle and showed our composure and how we can possess."

The result was a perfectly fine defensive shape, but the removal of the bits at which Lavelle is elite. Those signature forward runs and clever turns in the final third were nowhere to be found. Only later, when the U.S. showed a bit more attacking intent, did she manage to get forward a bit more. The result was as expected: the U.S. were far more dangerous, but England hit on the break a few times.

It's one of those interesting tactical things that Hayes will have to figure out. Having two elite footballers is always a good thing, but when they are at their best in the same spots, it leaves a manager with a problem.

Despite the big defeat, Rishad Hossain’s performance with ball and bat would have made Bangladesh happy

Mohammad Isam09-Mar-2024Nuwan Thushara’s five-wicket burst, including a hat-trick, after Kusal Mendis struck a 55-ball 86 handed Sri Lanka a 2-1 series win against Bangladesh in Sylhet on Saturday.Thushara blew away the Bangladesh top order with a hat-trick in his first over – the fourth of the innings. He became the sixth Sri Lankan to achieve the feat. Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed, also Bangladesh’s best bowlers on the day, provided some respite with the bat, but Sri Lanka had done enough damage in that initial phase to get to a comfortable win.Rishad struck seven sixes in his 30-ball 53, the most by a Bangladesh batter and the second most by a batter batting at No. 8 or lower in the batting order. But the day belonged to Thushara.Thushara rips through BangladeshThushara, who only entered the XI because Matheesha Pathirana was ruled out with a hamstring injury, started bowling in the fourth over and immediately got the ball to swing – he got one to shape into the left-handed Najmul Hossain Shanto and rearranged his stumps.Towhid Hridoy penalised

Towhid Hridoy has been fined 15% of his match fee for “displaying conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game” in the third and final T20I against Sri Lanka. After being dismissed for a first-ball duck by Nuwan Thushara, Hridoy “turned around on his way back to the pavilion and remonstrated aggressively and inappropriately with the Sri Lankan players”, an ICC statement said. One demerit point (his first in a 24-month period) has been added to his disciplinary record as well.

Towhid Hridoy was up next, and Thushara got another one to swing similarly, this time the movement away from the right-hander. The ball ended up at the deep-third boundary, but only after uprooting the off stump.As a Sri Lankan fielder retrieved the ball, the rest became involved in an altercation with Hridoy, who had to be held back by umpire Tanvir Ahmed.The chaos gave way to the sublime when Thushara handed out that same treatment to Mahmudullah, trapping him lbw. The ball once again dipped and then swung in front of the batter. For those who witnessed the three balls, there’s bound to be debate about which was the best of the three.Kusal Mendis made 86 off 55 balls•AFP/Getty ImagesKusal Mendis puts on a showWhen Sri Lanka batted after losing the toss, Kusal Mendis was Bangladesh’s biggest threat, and he ended up scoring almost half of Sri Lanka’s 174-run total. Kusal Mendis’ 86 off 55 balls, peppered with half a dozen sixes and as many fours, was also his highest score in T20Is.This was Kusal Mendis’ sixth fifty, in eight innings, against Bangladesh, the most by any batter. He struck half of his sixes down the ground, and the other half behind the wicket. It was also a similar split when it came to his fours; two scrumptious cover drives to go with four boundaries through third and fine-leg.Rishad Hossain’s 53 off 30 balls went in vain•AFP/Getty ImagesRishad rouses quiet SylhetAfter Thushara’s hat-trick, Bangladesh’s end was near. The 18,000-plus crowd had fallen quiet already, and it became worse when Wanindu Hasaranga trapped Jaker Ali lbw to reduce Bangladesh to 32 for 6.Out of this mire came Rishad’s superb innings. He played out two overs before hitting Hasaranga for two sixes in the 11th. He then took a liking for Maheesh Theekshana, hitting him for his third six, with a sweep, and then with three slog-sweeps in the 15th over. To reach his fifty, Rishad timed a superb pull shot off Binura Fernando, before falling to Theekshana for 53 off 30 balls.With the ball, too, Rishad had a great time. He removed Kamindu Mendis in his first over with a delivery that beat the left-hander in the flight. Rishad also removed Angelo Mathews. He also got to bowl the 18th over, a clear sign that Rishad is winning the trust of his captain.

ECB announces venues for men’s and women’s internationals from 2025-31

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jun-2023

Aerial view of the Ageas Bowl, Southampton•Getty Images

Southampton’s Ageas Bowl will host a Men’s Ashes Test for the first time in 2027 following the announcement of venues for England’s home international matches from 2025-31.The Ageas Bowl, which hosts its first Women’s Ashes ODI on July 16, will also stage its first Women’s Ashes Test in 2031, with the 2027 edition to be played at Headingley.In 2027, England Men will play Tests against Australia at Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and The Ageas Bowl. In 2031, they contest five Tests at Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Emirates Old Trafford, Headingley and Trent Bridge.After hosting its first Test against Sri Lanka in 2011, the Ageas Bowl staged two Tests against India in 2014 and 2018 before coming into its own in the Covid-affected summer of 2020, with bio-secure Tests against West Indies and Pakistan, as well as white-ball fixtures against Ireland and Australia helping the ECB fulfil its broadcast commitments.Rod Bransgrove, the Hampshire chairman who has long campaigned for an Ashes Test to be staged at the ground, described the allocations as “a game-changer for the prospects of Hampshire Cricket and The Ageas Bowl”, with the venue also confirming that this year would mark the end of a 12-year association with insurance company, Ageas.”The Ashes fixture in 2027 will be a historic moment for Hampshire Cricket, the Ageas Bowl and for cricket in general as England and Australia engage in a Test Match for the first time at our bespoke venue,” Bransgrove said. “It represents the realisation of a long-held ambition; a dream come true.”For all our dedicated staff, both past and present, the allocation of this match, the women’s Ashes Test in 2031, and the broader international and Test match programme over this seven-year period, represents full recognition of their amazing commitment and dedication over the past two decades.”England Men’s next two Test series against India will take place at Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Headingley and Emirates Old Trafford in 2025; and at Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Emirates Old Trafford and The Ageas Bowl in 2029.England Women will play at Lord’s during each of the seven years between 2025-31, with The Kia Oval, Edgbaston, Headingley, Emirates Old Trafford, Trent Bridge and the The Ageas Bowl each hosting the team at least four times during that period. England Women’s internationals will also continue to be hosted at other venues around the country.Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “This year’s Men’s and Women’s Ashes are only days away, but fans can already start looking forward to more great clashes up and down the country in the years ahead.”For the first time, we are announcing long-term allocations for women’s international matches as well as men’s. We have seen huge growth in attendances for women’s matches in recent years, with this year’s Women’s Ashes smashing previous records, and we want to build further on this in the years ahead.”By announcing arrangements for the next seven years, we are also giving venues long-term certainty so that they can invest sustainably into stadium improvements and improved fan experiences.”This year’s Men’s Ashes begins at Edgbaston on Friday and the multi-format Women’s Ashes starts with a Test at Trent Bridge on June 22.Edgbaston will remain the home of Vitality Blast Finals Day.

If there is one area of their side that they could look to revamp this season, Manchester United could well overhaul their midfield. It was a very frustrating season in 2023/24, and their midfield might well need to change in order to provide them with a better platform for the new term.

There are three of United’s midfielders who are seemingly guaranteed to stay at the club beyond this season. Firstly, captain Bruno Fernandes will stay, despite interest from clubs in Europe including PSG, and from Saudi Arabia. Mason Mount will also likely stay, despite a tough, injury-hit first season at Old Trafford, as will his compatriot Kobbie Mainoo, who burst onto the scene last campaign and is now a crucial player.

In terms of players who could leave, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay are all at risk of being sold. It was confirmed by the Daily Mail in April that all three could depart the club. Donny van de Beek has already gone, and Sofyan Amrabat’s loan expired in June.

With all these changes in the centre of the park, United will no doubt need to strengthen in midfield. Recently, they have been linked with one player who could add quality strength and depth.

Man Utd target Ligue 1 midfielder

The player in question here is AS Monaco and France international midfielder Youssouf Fofana. The 25-year-old has been a crucial player for his club side and has now been to two major tournaments with France. He is now wanted by clubs across Europe this summer.

According to a report from Dharmesh Sheth, a highly reputable journalist for Sky Sports, Fofana is one of the players who United are “looking at in the central midfield area”, along with the likes of Manuel Ugarte, Martin Zubimendi and former loanee Amrabat.

However, the Red Devils are not the only side in the race for the experienced France international. Italian giants AC Milan are also thought to be keen on bringing him to the club, and according to Italian news outlet Calcio Mercato, are thought to have agreed on personal terms with Fofana.

With regards to the price, it is believed that the Rossoneri had a bid of £10.1m plus add-ons was rejected. Instead, Monaco are likely to accept a bid of around £16.9m, after initially requesting £21m for the Frenchman. With sales, this is a figure that United are likely to be able to meet.

How Fofana compares to Ugarte

Fofana was a vital player for Monaco last summer, playing 32 times in Ligue 1, grabbing four goals and four assists. He is a destroyer in midfield, a tough tackling ball-winner who is also a wonderful ball-carrier and a good progressive passer. That is a real feature of Fofana's game, that can go unnoticed, but he screens the back four very well, often winning the ball back and then looking to progress play forward.

Football analyst Ben Mattinson described the midfielder as a "monster" in the middle of the park, and this is certainly reflected in how the 25-year-old plays, given he is such a tenacious ball-winner.

He could prove to be a great alternative to Ugarte in the centre of the park for the Red Devils. United are thought to be targeting the Uruguayan but are put off by his price, with PSG wanting £59m. Both players are tenacious ball-winners, although Ugarte is a more aggressive, front-footed player out of possession. He is similar in many ways to N'Golo Kante, in how front-footed he is when looking to win the ball back for his side.

In terms of their FBref stats off the ball, the PSG midfielder averages 6.42 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes, compared to Fofana’s average of 3.27 tackles and interceptions. However, it is far closer when it comes to ball recoveries, with the Monaco midfielder averaging 7.67 per 90 and Ugarte just pipping him with 8.42.

Stat (per 90)

Fofana

Ugarte

Tackles and interceptions

3.27

6.42

Blocks

1.17

1.26

Clearances

1.03

1.16

Aerial duel win %

51.5%

53.8%

Ball recoveries

7.67

8.42

Where Fofana’s quality does shine through over Ugarte is with the ball. He averages 8.3 progressive passes per 90 and 1.77 progressive carries, whereas the Uruguayan midfielder completes half the amount of progressive passes on average, with 4.05 and just 0.74 progressive carries each game.

Why Fofana could be perfect for Mainoo

With that in mind, Fofana could also be the dream partner for Mainoo. The young England international thrives in the middle and final thirds, and having Fofana screening behind him, plus kickstarting attacks with his progressive play, could reduce the defensive responsibility on his young shoulders.

The 19-year-old is also a wonderful ball carrier, who glides past players with ease, able to ride tackles so well and slalom past defenders like they are not there. In fact, last season, the young midfielder averaged 2.70 attempted take-ons and completed 1.46 of those, which ranked him in the top 9% and 8% of midfielders in Europe respectively, as per FBref.

Having someone like Fofana covering behind would allow Mainoo to play much higher, operating in between the lines rather than having to start attacks deeper and carry forward to start United’s attacks. Instead, this is a role Fofana can fulfil.

For a fee of £21m at the most, this could surely be a dream signing for United. Not only is he a cheaper alternative to Ugarte, but he would also allow Mainoo to get further forward, providing excellent cover to the youngster and reducing his defensive responsibility.

It could certainly be a shrewd piece of business from the Red Devils.

Man Utd line up £68m Mainoo partner who's "far less reckless than Ugarte"

The Red Devils’ bid to sign PSG midfielder Ugarte has hit a snag.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 27, 2024

West Indies’ lead selector Roger Harper has insisted that Jason Holder remains an “integral part” of the Test side despite losing the captaincy after five-and-a-half years in the role.Kraigg Brathwaite, who led the side to a 2-0 series win in Bangladesh last month after Holder opted out of the tour due to fatigue and concerns about the Covid-19 protocols in place, was unveiled as full-time captain on Thursday ahead of the series against Sri Lanka, which starts on March 21.While Holder won widespread praise for his leadership off the field and navigated West Indies’ Test side through some choppy waters, he had lost four Tests in a row as captain – two in England, two in New Zealand – and Harper said that the series win in Bangladesh had offered a clear blueprint as to how the team could move forward.”We must appreciate what Jason has done as captain,” Harper said. “He came in at a very young age, took the captaincy at a time when the team was a little unsettled, and he grew with the job and performed creditably. He’s had his moments of success and he has grown as a player as well to become the leading allrounder in the world.”I really think that Jason is a very integral part of the Test team and West Indies cricket going forwards. He plays all three formats and I think it’s an opportunity for him to really focus on taking his game to higher levels. I think that with him at his best and with Kraigg given the captaincy, it’s an opportunity for the team to move forwards.”I look forward to him performing exceptionally well in his role as a player and still as a leader as one of the senior players in this team. It was great to hear him say that he’s committed to giving Kraigg all the support needed and hearing the new captain saying that they have a very close relationship. I think that augurs very well for West Indies cricket going forward.”Brathwaite had been replaced as vice-captain by Roston Chase in November ahead of the series in New Zealand, with Harper asking him to focus on his batting, but he explained that Brathwaite’s form in Bangladesh had given the selectors belief that he was back to his best.”Sometimes a few months can be a very long time,” Harper said. “Bangladesh really opened our eyes to a number of things. What we saw was a team playing with passion, playing with determination, rallying around each other, great teamwork, and showing a great desire to succeed. Kraigg played a major part in that.”We also saw Kraigg’s batting returning to the sort of form that we expect and look forward to. He handled the responsibility very well and I expect big scores to come from Kraigg in the very near future. [In] areas where we thought there was a need for improvement, we saw exactly the sort of effort and spirit and the birth of a culture that we would really like to see go forward and develop and be instilled. “Brathwaite himself said that he saw the captaincy as an opportunity to continue leading from the front, and that having first led Barbados in first-class cricket at the age of 21, he was ready to embrace the challenge of the Test role.”Captaining Barbados for the first time at a young age was a challenge and I look forward to challenges,” he said. “As an opener, I always see myself as a leader. When I go out to bat I’m a batsman not a captain, but I will continue to lead. It will help me to dig deeper.”It’s just a continuing of what we did in Bangladesh. I thought the attitude we showed in practice sessions and on the field was key so for me as a leader, I want to lead from the front and for us to keep the same attitude.”Harper also explained that the omission of Chase and Shimron Hetmyer from the squad owed much to the success of Nkrumah Bonner and Kyle Mayers in the middle order during the series in Bangladesh.”All players are considered and we had a lot of discussion around Roston Chase,” he said. “When we looked at the performances of the team and the players in Bangladesh, some of those players performed exceptionally well and more or less grabbed the spots that they had and grabbed a place in the squad for this series. Players had to miss out, and Roston Chase was one of them.”I really think that Shimron has the ability to be one of the best batsmen in the world in all formats of the game. As far as Test cricket is concerned, he’s been absent for a while and hasn’t played regional four-day cricket for a while, so he needs to get some matches under his belt and show what he can do. He’s still in the forefront of our minds but we’re waiting for him to display the sort of passion and the sort of consistent performance that we’re looking for.”

As the Premier League campaign approaches, Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a move to hijack Barcelona's deal to sign an in-demand free agent for Mikel Arteta this summer.

Arsenal transfer news

Whilst the Gunners are yet to officially complete their move to sign Riccardo Calafiori, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Bologna defender is set to travel to London before completing a medical and joining up with his new teammates on Arsenal's tour of the United States.

The defender will arrive off the back of an impressive Euro 2024 campaign in a struggling Italy squad and a sensational season with Bologna, helping the Serie A side qualify for the Champions League against all odds.

After Calafiori, it's lining up to be the late show in north London when it comes to arrivals, with a matter of weeks until Arsenal's Premier League campaign gets underway against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Arsenal move for "sensational" £21m Neto alternative who's like Saka

The impressive international would be an excellent addition to the Gunners’ squad.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 26, 2024

According to Sport in Spain, Arsenal are now eyeing a move to hijack Barcelona's deal to sign Sergi Roberto, who recently left the La Liga giants as a free agent. The Catalan club reportedly want to secure the La Masia product's signature for another year in a new contract proposal, though Arsenal and Aston Villa are among the clubs lurking and hoping to pounce.

Now 32 years old, Roberto finds himself at quite the crossroads, having never been away from Barcelona throughout his career. With reports indicating that he's personally attracted to the Premier League, however, he could finally step away from Spanish football in pursuit of one last big move.

"Marvellous" Sergi Roberto would offer crucial versatility

Signing Sergi Roberto would represent the ultimate bargain for all involved at the Emirates. The right-back offers key experience and the ability to play in midfield as well as the backline, in what could be a repeat of Oleksandr Zinchenko. Famous for arguably one of the most historic goals in Champions League history when he completed Barcelona's incredible comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, Roberto may now get the chance to bring that fame to the Gunners.

Roberto earned plenty of praise during that time of his career, with his then-manager Luis Enrique saying via FourFourTwo: "He was as marvellous as ever. He's more than a player because he does well wherever I ask him to play."

As Arsenal gear up for a third attempt to dethrone Manchester City in the Premier League, welcoming a player who knows all about winning titles would certainly go a long way for Arteta's side.

Celtic could be active in the transfer market over the next two weeks before the summer transfer window officially slams shut at the end of the month.

The Hoops have not been particularly active in bringing new players to Parkhead so far, though, with three players coming in on permanent deals.

Goalkeepers Viljami Sinisalo and Kasper Schmeichel have come in to compete for the number one spot and Paulo Bernardo has joined on a permanent basis, after his loan spell from Benfica last season.

The Scottish giants are reportedly on the verge of a deal to sign Adam Idah from Norwich City for a potential club-record fee of £9.5m this week.

They have agreed a deal with the Canaries and may be hoping to wrap that move up in time for him to make his second Celtic debut, having spent the second half of last term on loan in Glasgow, in the League Cup this weekend.

The Hoops have also been linked with an interest in his Norwich teammate Abu Kamara, who produced a goal and an assist against Stevenage for the Yellows on Tuesday night.

Celtic could also add to their options in the middle of the park before the end of the summer transfer window, as a new midfield target has emerged.

Celtic keen on Premier League battler

According to The Sun, the Hoops are interested in signing Liverpool defensive midfielder Wataru Endo to bolster Brendan Rodgers' squad this month.

The report claims that the Scottish giants are monitoring the Japan international's situation, as they seemingly weigh up whether or not to make a move for the former Bundesliga ace.

It states that the Hoops are 'huge admirers' of the midfield battler but it remains to be seen what that means for the current window and their plans.

The Sun adds that Liverpool are open to cashing in on the experienced brute, who has dropped down the pecking order at Anfield since Arne Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

It reveals that Ryan Gravenberch and Stefan Bajcetic have been deemed to be better options than Endo in the number six role by the Dutch coach, which has opened the door to a possible exit.

However, the report claims that the Premier League giants are currently looking for a fee in the region of £15m for the Japanese ace, who has already been the subject of a rejected bid from Marseille.

Rodgers could, though, land a big upgrade on his only current natural number six – Tomoki Iwata – by working out a deal with his former club for Endo.

Tomoki Iwata's form for Celtic

The 27-year-old ace started the 2023/24 campaign on the fringes of the first-team at Celtic and it may not have surprised many if he had moved on, given the likes of Bernardo, Odin Thiago Holm, and Hyeok-kyu Kwon were brought in to bolster the midfield.

Patience was key for Iwata, though, as he remained at Parkhead and worked hard to make himself a genuine option for Rodgers in the second half of the season.

The Japanese maestro ended the campaign with 19 appearances and nine starts in the Scottish Premiership, which shows that he was a decent squad option for the Scottish giants.

Iwata provided a calming presence at the base of the midfield when selected, with the likes of Callum McGregor, Matt O'Riley, Bernardo, and Reo Hatate then allowed to push on ahead of him.

Appearances

19

Pass accuracy

90%

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.2

Ball recoveries per game

3.7

Duel success rate

50%

As you can see in the table above, the Celtic ace was reliable with the ball at his feet with a pass accuracy of 90% showing that he rarely gave possession away with his passes.

However, Iwata's mobility and physicality let him down at times out of possession. He only won 50% of his duels and made just 1.2 tackles and interceptions per game to cut out opposition attacks.

This suggests that he was unable to consistently make multiple defensive interventions each match to prevent Joe Hart's goal from being

threatened.

Rodgers could now upgrade on Iwata by swooping to sign Endo from Liverpool, if Celtic can agree a reasonable deal with the Premier League side.

Why Wataru Endo would be a big upgrade

The 31-year-old enforcer is an experienced defensive midfielder who has proven his quality in and out of possession in both the Premier League and the Bundesliga in recent seasons.

Despite standing at 5 foot 10, Endo has the physical quality to come in and improve Celtic's team from an aerial perspective in comparison to Iwata, who lost 53% of his aerial duels in the Premiership last term.

Whereas, the Liverpool midfielder won 58% of his aerial battles in the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign for Stuttgart and 53% of them in the Premier League last season.

This suggests that his presence in the Celtic side would provide Rodgers with more solidity defensively, from set-pieces and crosses from open play, as well as a potential threat in the opposition's box.

Endo's all-round defensive play and security in possession could also see him offer more than Iwata for the Scottish giants in the number six position.

Appearances

33

29

Goals + assists

9

1

Pass accuracy

80%

88%

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.9

2.4

Duel success rate

52%

44%

Aerial duel success rate

58%

53%

As you can see in the table above, the 31-year-old brute has averaged far more tackles and interceptions per game in the Bundesliga and the Premier League – two of Europe's major leagues – than the Hoops midfielder managed in the Premiership last term.

Endo, who was hailed as "exceptional" and a "machine" by Klopp last season, could come in and make more defensive interventions to help his side out at the base of the Celtic midfield, which could help them in the Champions League when competing against high-quality opposition.

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The £15m-rated ace is used to playing in big matches, in Europe's major leagues, and that could give him another advantage over Iwata when it comes to playing in European games, which is another reason why Rodgers must push to land him this summer.

The Villans and the Magpies have not sustained the form that saw them reach the Champions League and are dropping back down the Premier League table

In the 21st century, finishing inside the Premier League's top four can be celebrated as much as winning the whole thing altogether. The riches of qualifying for the Champions League can prove transformative.

That's what took Tottenham from just another top-flight team to a member of the 'Big Six'. Since their first qualification in 2010, only three sides from beyond that bracket have cracked the top four – 2015-16 champions Leicester City, Newcastle United in 2022-23, and Aston Villa in 2023-24.

It's proven a pretty closed shop towards the top of the table. The views from the summit's peak are mostly exclusive and often a once-in-a-generation look for the outsider.

As Newcastle and Villa are discovering this season, it's one thing to crash the Champions League party, but another to stay and make yourself feel welcome. Both have stumbled through the campaign and are unlikely to rank fourth or higher come May. But just why have they found it so hard to maintain that previously upward trajectory?

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  Lacking element of surprise

  "We have to try to keep balance. I know this year is going to be more difficult," Villa boss Unai Emery said after Sunday's 3-0 loss away at Chelsea, taking his side's recent record to eight games without a win in all competitions. "We are going to try to recover our confidence and everything we are doing, as well as trying to understand this year is more difficult. We need points, now thinking of the top eight and if we want to get into the top five. We have to come back.

  "This year has been different because we are not a surprise like last year. They [opposition teams] don't have doubts now like they had last year. We were being consistent last year with the same style and a lot of the same players. This year, a lot of teams are facing us thinking we are a top-seven opponent. We have to keep calm, thinking of the next match and trying to cut this spell."

  On the pitch, that's the long and short of Villa and Newcastle's problems. There hasn't been enough evolution to match their previously striding progress up the table. Life's very different when you're the hunter rather than the hunted.

  It's why Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola were and have been able to have such extensive legacies – they set tactical trends and adapted to them as well, forever chopping and changing to suit the needs of the contemporary game.

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  Lightning in a bottle?

  Such has been Newcastle and Villa's lack of transformation from finishing fourth that you start to question how they even reached the Champions League in the first place. Were they really that much better than some of the challengers and pretenders from those respective seasons?

  It's easy to get swept up in a story or narrative when wins are falling and points and stacking up. Both Newcastle and Villa weren't expected to challenge for a spot in the top four, and it was a delightful treat when they made that leap early.

  But there's every possibility that these were simply two good-not-great teams who went on a tear and put some results together to the extent they leapfrogged the slackers in the 'Big Six'. You can only get so far without star power in the Premier League.

  Remember, before the 'Big Six', we had the 'Big Four' – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. All of those remain established at the top, with City's Abu Dhabi Group-backed spending propelling them into the discussion. The only outliers are Tottenham, who have followed a plan of sustainability and marginal improvement, as well as supposedly forgoing other competitions in pursuit of Champions League money – this particular element has left the fanbase divided on the work of chairman Daniel Levy.

  That's the line the outsiders have to tread. Without freedom to spend millions with little repercussion (at least to this point), you need to be supremely focused and driven to reach the top four and stay there.

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  Squads not built to cope

  Obviously every top-half Premier League team could prove hard to stop in their tracks if they had all 25 players in their first team fit and fresh for a whole season, but that's not how football works. It's a squad game.

  With the calendar full to the brim and on the brink of overflowing already, there's no respite for the game's best athletes. If you're indispensable, then you're likely undroppable week to week.

  That's especially true in teams trying to punch above their weight. It's difficult enough as is trying to put together 11 players who can challenge for major honours or a high position in the standings, let alone double that tally.

  The gap between your best starters and your worst cannot be a massive chasm. The big dogs will eat you up. Newcastle barely survived their injury crisis of 2023-24 as it derailed their form domestically and on the continent, while Villa's barren run has Emery scrambling for solutions, as calm as he has preached he is and needs to be.

  Balancing Premier League and European campaigns with a small roster is tough. It's much easier with mass rotation or without the burden of extra fixtures.

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  PSR concerns

  Most Newcastle and Villa fans will point to restrictions over their transfer activity for their decline. To which, consider this a rebuttal – stop blowing money up the wall, guys.

  Villa were prevalent spenders even before Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR) came into effect, somehow managing to stray close to the red despite the £100 million sale of Jack Grealish. Which, to be fair, is quite remarkable and hard to bounce back from, so well done.

  The Magpies splashed the cash upon the Saudi PIF takeover in 2021, which helped them break free from relegation battles and into a new tomorrow. That's fine if it's within your means, which they were in a hassle to ensure they were by the end of June 2024.

  PSR isn't fool proof and there should probably be some amendments to stop the trading of homegrown assets for the sake of staying within limits, to ensure youngsters aren't just bargaining chips in the name of 'pure profit'.

  Newcastle were forced to sell promising midfielder Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest, where he is now thriving and sitting above his boyhood side in the table. Meanwhile, Villa pushed Douglas Luiz out the door to Juventus in part-exchange for two young players, Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea, who have already left on loan. The best players at St James' Park and Villa Park were there for the rise and didn't just meet them at the peak.

Liverpool are now closing in on the signing of an international player, who could become Arne Slot’s first signing at the football club.

The Reds have had to be patient this summer, as it’s been a struggle for the club to get players into the club. However, their lack of transfers didn’t affect the club’s start to the new Premier League season, as they secured a 2-0 win on the opening weekend against Ipswich Town.

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ByAngus Sinclair Aug 21, 2024 Liverpool transfer news

There has been a lot of change at Anfield in the last few months, as the club is now getting on with life after Jurgen Klopp, and they are also under a new regime in terms of people at the sporting director level, as Richard Hughes has joined the club from Bournemouth.

So, changes in the dugout and higher up have seen the club take their time to adapt, and that has potentially affected them in the transfer market, as the club has yet to get a new player on board. However, that is without a lack of trying, as Liverpool were very keen on signing midfielder Martin Zubimendi, but it was revealed last week that he will not be moving to the Premier League and instead staying with Real Sociedad.

Liverpool have also been mentioned with a possible move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in recent days. It has been claimed that the England defender has admirers at Anfield, despite Newcastle United heavily chasing the centre-back.

But while the Merseyside club has been looking at potential arrivals, they have been busy in terms of departures. The club decided to let Joel Matip leave at the end of last season following the end of his contract, while Thiago Alcantara left and retired from football. Since then, Liverpool have also let Calvin Ramsey leave on loan, and most recently, they sold Fabio Carvalho to Brentford.

Fabio Carvalho

Brentford

Adrian

Real Betis

Calvin Ramsey

Wigan Athletic (Loan)

Thiago Alcantara

Retired

Joel Matip

Without a club

There could now be another exit on the cards, as midfielder Stefan Bajcetic is wanted on loan for the 2024/25 season by several sides. According to Football Insider, Liverpool have received multiple offers to take Bajcetic on loan, with those offers coming from the Premier League as well as clubs from Europe.

Departures may occur from Liverpool, but the Premier League could now be closing in on their first signing under Slot.

Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili

According to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are now closing in on the signing of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. The move that will see the Valencia goalkeeper join the Reds in June 2025 is “advancing to the final stages.”

Romano states that both Liverpool and Valencia are in contact to agree on the add-ons structure of the deal for Mamardashvili, as the overall transfer is said to be worth €30 million (£25.6 million).

The Georgia international is set to stay on loan with the Spanish side for the remainder of the campaign and then join the Premier League side next summer. This comes as a change, as last week it was stated by Romano that AFC Bournemouth were open to the idea of having the goalkeeper on loan, but it appears as if he'll remain in La Liga.

David Ornstein's dulcet tones so often send supporters into rapture, and the Manchester United fanbase have recently been excited by The Athletic's chief correspondent's all-important transfer update: INEOS have submitted a double bid Bayern Munich's way.

Indeed, United are pushing to sign centre-back Matthijs De Ligt and wide defender Noussair Mazraoui, reinforcing Erik ten Hag's backline after already signing dynamic forward Joshua Zirkzee, who won the 2023/24 Serie A Young Player of the Year, for £36.5m from Bologna.

Leny Yoro has also been signed in a staggering move, rising to £59m, from LOSC Lille, an 18-year-old centre-half projected to become one of the world's best, though he has been stricken with a three-month layoff after injuring his ankle in the Red Devils' pre-season clash against Arsenal at the end of July.

Old Trafford's rear might be getting all the attention right now, but few would argue against the pressing need to strengthen the midfield, and once defensive issues have been dealt with, the transfer cannon is set to shift to the engine room.

Man United transfer news

According to journalist Duncan Castles, speaking on his Football Transfers podcast, Man United are poised to move for Burnley midfielder Sander Berge in a shock transfer, should they fail to sign Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte.

The 26-year-old, who joined Burnley for £12m last summer, impressed throughout the concluded campaign but failed to stop his team from falling back into the Championship, with Castles suggesting he is a player who the club are "discussing as an option".

While fans might initially turn their nose at the unexpected transfer news, he might just come to surprise a few.

Why Sander Berge could succeed at Man United

Berge completed 37 appearances in the Premier League last season and was awarded Burnley's Player of the Year after charging the engine with gusto, guile and a strong approach.

Now though, he deservedly seeks a move away, hailed as "the main man" by The Athletic's Andy Jones and charging the fluent brand of football that Burnley attempted to produce in the top flight.

Standing at 6 foot 3, he's rock-solid and commanding, with a sharp technicality and a wealth of experience in testing conditions – now, he's ready to step up to the task at The Theatre of Dreams.

He might be considered as the perfect alternative to the tough-tackling Ugarte, but he harbours qualities more similar to that of Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, with Catalan outlet El Nacional claiming last week that United had tabled a bid for the Spanish maestro.

How Berge compares to Martin Zubimendi

Berge has proved himself with the likes of Sheffield United and the Clarets and now appears ready to move to a top outfit, especially given that he is set to depart his beleaguered side.

As per FBref, Berge ranked among the top 15% of centre-midfielders in the Premier League last season for pass completion and the top 7% for aerial battles won per 90, speaking of his steely presence in the middle of the field and indeed his ball-playing skills.

Burnley sought to inculcate a ball-playing sheen to their football under Vincent Kompany last season, ranking 12th in the division for total passes (16,447) after their promotion.

Having suffered relegation, going out with a whimper, they were never able to perform at the level they desired but Berge showcased his skills and may well prove to flourish at a team such as United, especially as he fits the pass-efficient template that is coveted.

Indeed, FBref record Zubimendi as one of the Norwegian's most comparable players, and when comparing the respective 2023/24 league campaigns, it begins to become discernible that Burnley's man could be a shrewd signing for United.

Matches played

37

31

Matches started

34

29

Goals

1

4

Assists

2

1

Pass completion

89%

86%

Big chances created

5

2

Touches per game

53.1

60.1

Key passes per game

0.8

0.5

Ball recoveries per game

5.5

5.5

Dribbles per game

0.5

0.4

Tackles per game

2.1

1.6

Duels won per game

4.8 (54%)

4.0 (55%)

The £48k-per-week talent has been hailed for his "world-class" quality by former loan teammate Kieran Tierney, but statistical analysis shows that United could benefit from opting for the astute road and signing Berge, who has been described as an "unbelieveable" player by former teammate John Egan.

Especially given that the 25-year-old is valued at €60m (£51m), and after Sociedad agreed a deal with Arsenal for the transfer of Mikel Merino, it's decidedly unlikely that their metronome in the middle will be allowed to wander off for pastures new too.

Berge's deep-lying ability, mixing his crisp passing with concrete defending, could even be perfect for the development of Kobbie Mainoo, who is the cream of United's academy crop right now and will hope to raise his ceiling after an impressive breakthrough campaign.

A gifted and intelligent player, Mainoo, 19, exudes a composure and combativeness in Ten Hag's midfield that will see him grow into a force to be reckoned with over the next decade, but he needs an anchor he can rely on beside him.

Casemiro was shambolic across stretches of the 2023/24 season, with Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp even commenting that he "looks like he's in Soccer Aid" during one struggling showing.

Mainoo needs stability, and a partner who can enrich Man United's verve. Berge, who is desperate for a shot at a higher level, could be the perfect man for the job.

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