In the aftermath of their poor defeat away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Christmas Eve, Chelsea have been on quite a brilliant run, winning five out of six games and booking their place in the League Cup final in the process.

Mauricio Pochettino might have made a poor start to life as the Blues boss, but the Pensioners look back on track as things stand.

However, if the Argentine wants to push on in the Premier League and make the most of their positions in the domestic cups, he'll need a new striker, as Nicolas Jackson's seven league goals from an expected goals figure of 11.18 is undeniably poor and Armando Broja looks set to be sold this month.

One of the names that has been consistently touted for a move to Stamford Bridge is Napoli ace Victor Osimhen. Still, he has all but crushed any hope of him arriving this month by telling CBS Sports that he will remain in Italy until the summer.

However, the Nigerian superstar hasn't been the only elite frontman linked with the two-time European Champions this month, so let's take a look at three others who could come in and mark the end of Broja's time in blue.

1 Santiago Gimenez – Feyenoord

A player who has been heavily touted for a move to the Premier League this season, particularly in the case of Chelsea, has been Feyenoord's awe-inspiring number nine, Santiago Gimenez.

According to a mid-December report from Football Insider, the Blues are among several English clubs, like Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Arsenal, with interest in the "Mexican Machine", as talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him, and when you look at his goal record, it's not hard to see why.

In his first season in the Netherlands last year, he scored an impressive 15 goals and provided two assists in 21 league starts as the side lifted the Eredivisie title. This season, he has kicked on magnificently, scoring 21 goals in 22 league and Champions League starts while providing five assists to boot.

Not only is he a reliable scorer of goals in European football, but he might also be a bargain buy, as another report from Football Insider this month claimed that he could be available for as little as £30m to £40m and while that is still a considerable amount of money, it seems like an awfully good deal for a player with that many goals and assists to his name.

Moreover, his underlying numbers are just as impressive as you would hope for a player as clinical as he is, and when compared to the underlying numbers of Broja, there is only one winner.

The Mexican "goal machine", as U23 scout Antonio Mango described him, produces a higher non-penalty expected goal and assists figure per 90, scores and assists significantly more, produces more progressive passes, and wins twice as many aerial duels per 90 when compared to the Albanian number nine.

Stats per 90

Gimenez

Broja

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

1.06

0.50

Goals

1.17

0.20

Assists

0.25

0.00

Progressive Passes

1.47

1.20

Progressive Carries

1.90

2.20

Shots on Target

2.09

0.40

Aerial Duels Won

1.60

0.80

Shot-Creating Actions

2.51

1.59

Goal-Creating Actions

0.49

0.20

All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Domestic Season

2 Karim Benzema – Al-Ittihad

One of the latest names to be linked to the club, and potentially one of the more realistic transfers, is Real Madrid icon and one of the all-time modern greats of the game, Karim Benzema.

Earlier this week, the Guardian's Ed Aarons revealed that while Lyon were working towards a deal to sign the French superstar from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, Chelsea were "starting to show an interest" in the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner themselves.

The 36-year-old "genius", as he was described by Kulig, transferred to the Middle Eastern state in the summer as one of the first big names to make the move – behind Cristiano Ronaldo – but according to reports, he has become unhappy with life in the country and is looking for a way out.

While there is always a risk with signing a player of his age, he has still been effective this season, scoring nine goals from an expected goals figure of 9.83, and it was only last season that he was ripping it up for Real in La Liga and in the Champions League.

A potential fee has not been reliably reported yet, but Football Transfers Expected Value Model have priced the "complete forward", as dubbed by Kulig, at around £24m, which, given his age, doesn't seem too far-fetched.

It might only be a stopgap for this season, but if Pochettino can eke out just some of the performances Benzema used to put in for Real, then Chelsea could well fly up the table.

Appearances

648

Goals

354

Assists

165

La Liga Titles

4

Champions League Titles

5

Copa del Ray Titles

3

Champions League Top Goal Scorer

1 – 15 Goals (2021/22)

La Liga Top Goal Scorer

1 – 27 Goals (2021/22)

3 Ivan Toney – Brentford

The final name on this list seems destined to move at some point this year and has spent much of this month linked with a move to Stamford Bridge: Brentford's Ivan Toney.

According to a report from the Independent last month, the Blues were only behind Arsenal in the queue to sign the Bees star. Still, with the Gunners' FFP constraints, they could leapfrog their cross-city rivals – despite Thomas Frank's insistence that the 27-year-old will stay put this month.

The former Newcastle United striker missed the first half of the season due to an eight-month football ban for betting offences but returned with a bang at the weekend – scoring a controversial free-kick against Nottingham Forest.

The fact that he has returned to his regular scheduled goalscoring with no problems after his ban is another argument for why the Blues should go all in this month.

That said, the 20 goals and four assists Toney produced in 33 starts last season was already likely enough.

Late £43m transfer could see Chelsea sign "world-class" Colwill partner

The 18-year-old could help anchor the Blues’ defence for a decade or more.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 24, 2024

If Todd Boehly and Co can't get their hands on the "unplayable" number nine, as he was described by Alan Shearer, this month, then you can be sure that they'll be right in the mix for his signature in the summer.

Ivan Toney's Premier League Record

Appearances

69

Goals

33

Assists

9

Wins

24

Losses

25

Goals per Match

0.48

A player who has already proved his credentials in the Premier League – unlike the other two men on this list – Toney would certainly be a worthy addition for the Blues in 2024.

MatériaMais Notícias

De cabeça, Danilo marcou o gol que abriu o caminho para a vitória do Palmeiras sobre a Ferroviária por 2 a 0 no último domingo (14), no Allianz Parque, pela quarta rodada do Paulistão de 2021.

ATUAÇÕES: Danilo é o destaque do Palmeiras em vitória sobre a Ferroviária

Em constante maratona de jogos e sem tempo para treinar de forma mais intensa, o Palmeiras tem encontrado soluções em seu repertório de jogadas ensaiadas em lances de bola parada.

Antes da bola chegar ao camisa 28, ela saiu do escanteio cobrado por Gabriel Menino para trás, em direção a Gustavo Scarpa, que cruzou e pegou a defesa adversária saindo da área e deixando Danilo sozinho para a finalização.

>> Veja a tabela completa do Paulistão e simule os próximos jogos

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasJoão Martins comenta a paralisação do Paulistão: ‘Vamos trabalhar como se tivesse jogo’Palmeiras14/03/2021PalmeirasTitular do Palmeiras no início de 2021, Renan ganha sequência e se destaca como titularPalmeiras14/03/2021PalmeirasJoão Martins explica dificuldades do Palmeiras contra a Ferroviária e elogia Crias da AcademiaPalmeiras14/03/2021

Não é a primeira vez que uma jogada claramente ensaiada em escanteio rende gol ao Palmeiras. Considerando os últimos jogos, o tento marcado diante da Ferroviária foi o quarto com a mesma origem.

Gustavo Gómez aproveitou o cruzamento de Raphael Veiga e marcou o gol da vitória sobre o Grêmio, no jogo de ida da final da Copa do Brasil. Depois, as jogadas voltaram a dar certo duas vezes diante do São Caetano, já pelo Paulistão: primeiro, Alan Empereur recebeu livre e cruzou forte, dando origem a um gol contra e, depois, o voleio de Lucas Lima após escanteio de Gustavo Scarpa, fechando a vitória por 3 a 0.

Na ocasião, o auxiliar técnico João Martins comentou os lances em sua entrevista coletiva:

– Treinamos às 11h só as bolas paradas. Tentamos ao máximo ter tempo para isso, muitas vezes não dá, mas quando os jogos são mais tardes treinamos de manhã. Treinamos essas jogadas. Muitas vezes acontecem, outras não, futebol é isso. Temos que dar parabéns a todos nós, hoje fomos felizes em duas ações.

O Palmeiras volta a campo na quarta-feira (17), diante do São Bento, em jogo atrasado pela 2ª rodada do Paulistão, possivelmente em Belo Horizonte, uma vez que o Governo do Estado de São Paulo suspendeu os esportes coletivos por duas semanas a partir dessa segunda-feira (15) por conta da alta no número de mortes por Covid-19.

Bayern Munich have been accused of "damaging German football" and were warned that Vincent Kompany won't reclaim Bundesliga dominance next season.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Kompany took charge of BayernReplaced Tuchel in the hot seatWarned about Bundesliga challengeWHAT HAPPENED?

Bayern, a club synonymous with dominance in German football, have recently come under scrutiny following a rare trophyless season and the surprising appointment of Kompany as their new head coach. Despite having world-class talent like Harry Kane, the club failed to secure any silverware, marking a significant downturn for a team that set the benchmark for excellence in German football.

Advertisement(C)GettyImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ex-Manchester City star Kompany has just four years of managerial experience and his coaching history lacks any Champions League experience – his only European outing ended in an early Conference League qualifying round exit.

However, before settling on Kompany, Bayern's sports director Max Eberl and his colleague Christoph Freund faced several high-profile rejections as the club’s attempts to secure the services of Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick were unsuccessful. Other potential candidates such as Roberto de Zerbi, Roger Schmidt and Julen Lopetegui either chose to stay with their current clubs or pursue opportunities elsewhere.

WHAT FELIX MAGATH SAID

Former Bayern coach Felix Magath did not mince words when discussing the club's recent managerial hunt. Speaking at the Sports Media Austria conference in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Magath expressed his dismay at the situation and stated: "At first it was perhaps something to smile about, but later it was no longer something to laugh about. That was something that damaged German football. It wasn't pretty, the way it was portrayed in public. So we're all really happy that we have someone now and we're keeping our fingers crossed."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite his criticisms, Magath backed Kompany’s appointment and said: “I am very happy that FC Bayern have once again signed a very good, successful player as a coach. I believe that there is still a need in the Bundesliga for former world-class players to bring their experience as coaches to the league."

However, the former coach tempered his optimism with a dose of realism about Bayern’s prospects in the 2024-25 campaign, adding: “Bayern will have a better season. The players have a much greater responsibility. They often had the coach as an excuse, but that is no longer the case. Bayern will no longer be dominant in the next one or two years."

Crystal Palace have submitted an offer to sign a new player as Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman eye a late double move in the January transfer window.

Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace future

Most of the speculation at Selhurst Park this month has been regarding the future of manager Roy Hodgson following a woeful run of form for the Eagles. Palace have won just once in their last 12 matches, and after a heavy 5-0 defeat to Arsenal last time out, there were rumours of a change in the dugout.

Steve Cooper and Julen Lopetegui were just two managers under consideration by Parish and Freedman, but it looks as if Hodgson will remain in the hot seat for the clash with Sheffield United on Tuesday.

Related "Incredible" manager leading race to replace Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace

He’s ready to return to the dugout.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Jan 23, 2024

Therefore, the club’s attention over the coming days could be on some new arrivals to bolster Hodgson’s squad, and Palace have made their move for one specific target.

Crystal Palace make Adam Wharton bid

According to The Evening Standard’s Nizaar Kinsella, Palace are pushing for a double signing in Blackburn Rovers midfielder Adam Wharton and Genk right-back Daniel Munoz.

When it comes to the former, the Eagles have made an £18.5m offer for the England U20 international, although it has been rejected by Blackburn, who are holding out for at least £20m.

Palace are still pushing to sign the 19-year-old, though, and alongside Wharton and Munoz, are also exploring the striker market with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s future still uncertain, amid links to Chelsea's Armando Broja.

Wharton has been a regular for Blackburn this season, turning out on 29 occasions in all competitions, mainly in a defensive midfield role.

Adam Wharton's strengths

Adam Wharton's weaknesses

Passing

Aerial duels

Key passes

Taking set-pieces

Ball interception

The highly-rated youngster penned a new long-term contract at Ewood Park last month and came in for plenty of praise from manager Jon Dahl Tomasson, who described the midfielder as a “Champions League level” player on the ball.

“I saw the quality on the ball. He can do things that nobody sees before, he can play passes under pressure, he can play one-touch and he has great vision. I think he’s stepping up to another level from the start of this season.

“On the ball, he’s Champions League level, I’ve said that many times. I’ve played there and coached enough at Champions League level and I should know that. I think he’s learning a lot off the ball and is improving a lot. He’s still a young boy who needs to learn a lot but he’s improving really well.

“He’s a good boy and someone who the Academy have worked with, so it’s great for the community to have one of the local boys signing a new deal and playing the way he is.

“He also has weaknesses that we’re working on and he’s improving all the time. You can always work on becoming better. There’s still plenty to come.”

Arsenal have been one of the quietest clubs in the transfer window throughout January. There have been very few outgoings and absolutely no incomings at the Emirates Stadium.

However, with seven days left in the window now, there is still hope of a late move for supporters.

The striker the Gunners are crying out for seems unlikely to arrive before the summer but it looks as though Edu Gaspar and Co are still in the market for a new defender with Jurrien Timber out long-term and Oleksandr Zinchenko suffering his own fitness issues throughout the season.

So, who is that man? We've got all the details.

The defender Arsenal could sign before the deadline

A priority for Arsenal this winter has been to strengthen their backline if the right market opportunity appeared.

One move has been touted for Turkish full-back Ferdi Kadioglu but in recent weeks that is a rumour that has gone rather quiet.

Since then, the north Londoners have now cast their eyes in the direction of Kyle Walker-Peters. That's according to a report from TEAMtalk on Wednesday.

They suggest that he is a name for 'fans to keep an eye on' in the last week of the window with a move now potentially in the pipeline.

Related Three midfielders Arsenal could sign to replace Kai Havertz in late move

Arsenal could bring in a new face to take the German’s place in the XI.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 24, 2024

Valued at just £7.5m as per Football Transfers' in-house valuation model, it could be a bargain move in a month where FFP issues have plagued various clubs in England.

How Kyle Walker-Peters compares to Jurrien Timber

Walker-Peters might not be a name that sets pulses racing at the Emirates Stadium but at this time of the year it's difficult to greatly improve your squad.

However, the signing of the Southampton full-back would boost numbers in an area where since Timber was cruelly ruled out with an ACL injury, they have lacked.

The biggest bonus, similar to the Dutch Arsenal defender, is that the former Tottenham man is capable of playing in a wide array of positions. He learnt his trade as a right-back but in the last few seasons has begun appearing at left-back in a more inverted role. That rather seems tailor-made for Mikel Arteta's system.

Kyle Walker Peters' career by position

Position

Games Played

RIght-back

159

Left-back

44

Right midfield

13

Left midfield

5

Attacking midfield

1

Data via Transfermarkt.

Timber arrived in the summer having starred for Ajax last season as a central defender but throughout pre-season and in the Community Shield, we saw him at right-back and left-back. Evidently, Walker-Peters could fulfil a similar role until the Netherlands defender returns from injury in a few months.

What also makes the Saints man an attractive signing is his ability to bring a degree of press resistance to the team he's playing in.

The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell noted this when the full-back was playing in the Premier League, saying of Walker-Peters' qualities: "He can act as a pressure valve, winning free-kicks and playing out of tight areas." Those are qualities Arteta loves, particularly from his wide defenders. Just ask Zinchenko, a player famed for his press resistance.

It's fair to say that the Englishman is rather underrated, but not to those on the south coast, with Ruben Selles previously saying: "I think Kyle is an extraordinary player. His ability in positions, but also to understand the system we are playing has big value for us. Kyle has been really good in the Premier League for the last four to five years."

That certainly bodes well if the Gunners are aiming for a short-term fix in the second half of the campaign, but how do the pair compare statistically?

Walker-Peters vs Timber

Stat (per 90 mins)

Walker-Peters – 23/24

Timber – 22/23

Goals

0.07

0.06

Assists

0.07

0.06

Shots

0.93

0.86

Pass Success

89%

92%

Key Passes

1.14

0.42

Progressive Passes

7.14

8.61

Tackles

1.54

1.39

Interceptions

1.25

1.25

Aerials won %

44.7%

47.4%

Stats via FBref.

The answer is pretty well. As we can see, they are very alike when it comes to the number of attacking and defensive actions they perform, notably defensive. However, there's also that layer of being able to progress the ball, achieving an impressive pass success percentage and performing a high degree of progressive passes.

Walker-Peters, who stands at a diminutive 5 foot 8, might not be the name that Arsenal fans have craved this January but he'd certainly be a smart signing until the club can go big again in the summer.

MatériaMais Notícias

Foi no sufoco, mas o Bragantino derrotou o Santo André por 2 a 1, no Nabi Abi Chedid, na noite deste domingo, pelo Campeonato Paulista. Com o placar, o Massa Bruta chega aos 8 pontos e lidera a chave C, com um ponto e jogo a mais que o Palmeiras. O Ramalhão, por sua vez, é o vice-líder do grupo A, com 5 pontos.

Calendário

Na próxima rodada, o Bragantino encara a Inter de Limeira, fora de casa. O Santo André recebe o São Bento, no ABC. Os jogos estão marcados para o próximo fim de semana, porém, a princípio, serão adiados pela paralisação de eventos esportivos em São Paulo devido ao combate à pandemia de Coronavírus. Nesta segunda-feira (15), haverá reunião entre a Federação Paulo e o Governo de São Paulo para tentar resolver o impasse.

Massacre do Braga

O Bragantino mostrou ao que veio com apenas dois minutos. Claudinho saiu na grande área e fuzilou para abrir o marcador. Mesmo com o placar a seu favor, o time do interior paulista manteve a postura ofensiva e cansou de perder ótimas chances com Helinho e Artur. Apesar do volume, o placar com a vantagem mínima saiu de forma barata ao time do ABC.

Gol no início

Na etapa final, o Braga repetiu a pressão e com quatro minutos ampliou. Weverton cruzou rasteiro e Ytalo apareceu sozinho. O artilheiro não desperdiçou e deu tranquilidade ao Massa Bruta.

Ramalhão reage

Com o placar de 2 a 0 a seu favor, o Bragantino diminuiu o ritmo e trouxe o Santo André para o confronto. Aos poucos, o Ramalhão cresceu dentro de campo e chegou ao seu gol com Fernandinho.

Bola do jogo

Na busca pelo empate, o Santo André teve a chance nos acréscimos. Após a sobra no escanteio, Minho chutou e Luan Cândido salvou. A bola caiu nos pés de Bruno Santos, que pegou firme e Júlio César fez milagre.

RelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians vence o São Caetano e abre vantagem na ponta do Grupo ACorinthians14/03/2021FluminenseAutor do gol da vitória, Igor Julião fala sobre comemoração: ‘É para exaltar a postura do Fluminense’Fluminense14/03/2021Fora de CampoPalmeiras lidera audiência do Brasileirão 2020 na TNT SportsFora de Campo14/03/2021

Loan signing gives Somerset’s junior spinner the chance to build on Test debut last summer

ESPNcricinfo staff08-May-2019

Dom Bess and Jack Leach in action for England Lions•Getty Images

Dom Bess has been given the chance to emerge from the shadow of his senior spin partner at Somerset, Jack Leach, after agreeing to an initial one-month loan deal with Yorkshire.Bess, 21, played in two Tests against Pakistan last summer after Leach was ruled out of the series with a broken thumb, and proved his aptitude for the big stage with a fifty on debut at Lord’s before taking three second-innings wickets at Headingley to help square the series.However, his chances of staying in contention for this summer’s Ashes had been looking bleak after he was overlooked for the early rounds of the County Championship season, with Leach taking six wickets at Trent Bridge in April to help propel Somerset to the top of the table.Despite the friendliness of his rivalry with Leach, Bess had warned – in an interview with ESPNcricinfo in November – that his ultimate aim at Somerset was to “knock Leach off the No.1 spot”.That now cannot happen in the near future, but with Bess available for selection for Yorkshire’s upcoming Championship fixtures against Kent, Hampshire, Essex and Surrey, he has the ideal platform to develop his game on the field instead of in the nets and second XI matches.”I haven’t been getting the cricket that I would like,” Bess told Yorkshire’s website. “Once I got a general idea of where I was, I asked if I could go on loan. I’ve been on the loan list for a while and luckily Andrew Gale got in touch through my agent and spoke about an opportunity for a month or so, playing Championship cricket for Yorkshire.”At the moment it’s a chance to get some cricket under my belt. To have this opportunity and for Yorkshire to be able to give me this opportunity, I hope I can repay them.”Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s Director of Cricket, said that his county’s own dearth of experience in the spin department made Bess’s signing a no-brainer.”When Dom became available, we thought that it would be advantageous for us,” Moxon said. “It helps the balance of the team as he can bat as well as bowl his off-spin.”Dom is a highly talented young cricketer who clearly needs to be playing first-team cricket. At Somerset, Dom isn’t getting the opportunity with Jack Leach playing, so we feel that it is the right time to loan him.”Our senior spinner in Josh Poysden hasn’t played any red ball cricket yet this season. James Logan is currently injured, and Karl Carver hasn’t had much opportunity in red ball cricket so far. Given the circumstances, we felt that it would be a good move for us.”This is for a month initially. There is an opportunity now for the spinners on the staff to play in the Second XI and hopefully put in some good performances to warrant selection before we assess the situation in a month’s time.”Bess is already itching to get started at his adopted home.”It will be a great experience for me to be put into this Yorkshire side and hopefully I can deliver some good performances,” he said.”I’ve been on a bit of a journey. But to get out there and play first-class cricket will be brilliant. Whatever side I play for; I want to win. In general, Yorkshire have that attitude, which I love. I want to give both the club and myself the best opportunities.”

What was shaping up to be an excellent season for Arsenal this year has taken a sudden nosedive in recent weeks as the north Londoners have fallen from first to fourth in the Premier League while also crashing out of the FA Cup.

The main culprits for the Gunners' recent collapse in form are the frontline, as despite taking 63 shots since Christmas Day, they have scored just a single goal between them.

That said, there is a problem beginning to brew in the full-back areas for Mikel Arteta, as Jurrien Timber remains out injured, Oleksandr Zinchenko could be out for a short while, Takehiro Tomiyasu is at the Asian Cup, and Ben White looks way off the pace – notably enduring a 'tough afternoon' against Fulham last month, as per GOAL's Charles Watts.

It does appear as if the club might be trying to address this problem, though, with reports linking them to £34m rated right-back Jeremie Frimpong in the summer, but the latest name touted for a move to the Emirates could arrive a lot sooner, and for a lot less money: AS Roma's Leonardo Spinazzola.

Arsenal transfer news – Leonardo Spinazzola

According to reports from Italy, Arsenal are one of two Premier League teams interested in Roma's vastly experienced full-back Spinazzola this winter.

The other side said to be interested are title rivals Aston Villa, although with the injuries to Timber and Zinchenko, the Gunners' need for a new left-back certainly feels more acute.

The interested parties will have a serious advantage in any negotiations with Roma, as the 30-year-old's contract is set to expire in the summer, and so if they want to recoup any money at all, they will need to sell him this month.

No specific fee has been reliably reported as of yet, but the CIES Football Observatory values Spinazzola at around €5m, which comes out to only £4m – a bargain for a player of his quality and experience.

Leonardo Spinazzola could be a brilliant alternative to Jeremie Frimpong

Now, the initial problem with this idea is that, yes, the Bayer Leverkusen star is very much a right-back, whereas the Italian international is primarily a left-sided player who has in the past been deployed on the right of a defence occasionally.

However, there are a few reasons why it might be wiser for the Gunners to sign the "outrageously good" veteran, as described by journalist Matteo Bonetti, over the more exciting youngster.

The first and most obvious benefit is that he would cost significantly less money, potentially £30m less, if the reports about Frimpong's release clause are accurate. Plus, the £92k-a-week that Spinazzola earns in Rome wouldn't be a problem for the Gunners

Second, while Arteta would likely have to wait until the summer to get his hands on the young Dutchman due to Leverkusen's impressive title challenge, Spinazzola's contract situation probably means he could join the team immediately.

Moreover, while signing the former Celtic prospect might be a great way to get White back to his best, it would not solve the more urgent problems at left-back, problems caused by a string of injuries, international football and the decision not to recall Kieran Tierney from Real Sociedad.

Arsenal's full-backs
Player	Position	Status
Ben White	RB/CB	Fit
Takehiro Tomiyasu	RB/CB/LB	At the Asian Cup
Cedric Soares	RB	Fit (Peripheral Player)
Jurrien Timber	CB/RB/LB	Injured
Jakub Kiwior	CB/LB	Fit
Oleksandr Zinchenko	LB	Injured
Kieran Tierney	LB	On Loan

If Zinchenko is not back to full fitness in time for Arsenal's game against Crystal Palace on January 20th, Arteta will have to start Jakub Kiwior in his place, and while the Polish international is a promising centre-back, he has not looked convincing at left-back – notably receiving a 5/10 match rating from the Standard for his play against Liverpool.

However, if the club signs Spinazzola before the match, then the Ukrainian international can rest until he is fully fit, safe in the knowledge that a recognised and well-respected left-back is holding down the fort on that left-hand side.

Arsenal could sign perfect Gabriel upgrade in £69m "elite talent"

The 20-year-old could form a brilliant partnership with William Saliba.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jan 10, 2024

A further benefit of snapping up the Italian is that he does actually share a statistical likeness to Frimpong, as per FBref, with the pair both notably ranking in the top 1% for progressive carries per 90 among their European peers, indicating that quality in possession.

Ultimately, Frimpong would be a fantastically exciting addition to the team, but signing Spinazzola would be a far better use of the club's resources at the moment.

اكتسح فريق بايرن ميونخ الألماني ضيفه دينامو زغرب بتسعة أهداف مقابل هدفين، في افتتاحية مشواره ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحل دينامو زغرب ضيفًا على بايرن ميونخ بملعب “آليانز آرينا” في أولى مبارياته بدوري أبطال أوروبا بمرحلة الدوري، في النظام الجديد للبطولة.

وافتتح هاري كين أهداف المباراة في الدقيقة 19 من ضربة جزاء، ثم أضاف رافائيل جيريرو الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 33.

ثم أحرز مايكل أوليز هدفًا ثالثًا لبايرن ميونخ، وسجل برونو بيتكوفيتش هدفًا لدينامو زغرب في الدقيقة 48. أهداف مباراة بايرن ميونخ ودينامو زغرب

وفي الدقيقة 50 أضاف تاكويا أوجيوارا هدفًا ثانيًا لدينامو زغرب لتصير النتيجة 3-2 لبايرن ميونخ.

اقرأ أيضًا | فيديو | ريال مدريد يبدأ رحلة الدفاع عن اللقب بثلاثية أمام شتوتجارت في دوري أبطال أوروبا

بالدقيقة 57 سجل هاري كين هدفًا ثانيًا له، ليمنح بايرن ميونخ الهدف الرابع بالمباراة.

ثم أحرز أوليز هدفًا خامسًا للفريق البافاري بالدقيقة 61، وتواصلت أهداف بايرن ميونخ وسجل هاري كين ركلة جزاء ثانية في الدقيقة 73، وبعد 5 دقائق تحصل الفريق على ركلة جزاء أخرى سجلها هاري كين أيضًا.

في الدقيقة 58 أحرز ليروي ساني الهدف الثامن للبايرن، واختتم ليون جوريتسكا أهداف بايرن ميونخ في الدقيقة الثانية من الوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع.

انتهت المباراة بفوز بايرن ميونخ بنتيجة 9-2، وشملت الأهداف سوبر هاتريك لهاري كين، بينهم ثلاث ضربات جزاء.

Liverpool are believed to have sent scouts to watch a European club's "golden boy", and they must have liked what they saw having enquired about the cost of a potential deal.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds are flying at the moment, topping the Premier League table by five points and looking completely revitalised after Jurgen Klopp's midfield rebuild last summer. That doesn't mean that new signings in the January transfer window wouldn't still be received positively by Liverpool supporters, however, in order to make their squad as strong as possible up against Manchester City in the title race, not to mention trying to win all four competitions they are playing in this season.

A host of names have been linked with moves to Anfield in recent times, with David Hancko and Goncalo Inacio both seen as strong centre-back targets, as they continue to shine for Feyenoord and Sporting CP respectively. Ousmane Diomande is another option, with Chelsea battling the Merseysiders for his services.

Borussia Monchengladbach's Ko Itakura has also been linked, with the Japan defender capable of excelling at both centre-back and in central midfield.

Liverpool scouting Bilal El Khannouss

According to Het Laatste Nieuws [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are interested in signing Genk youngster Bilal El Khannouss, having sent scouts to watch him in action.

The Reds have made enquiries regarding the acquisition of the highly-rated 19-year-old attacking midfielder, but face competition for his signature in the form of Atletico Madrid. The report states that he is considered to be Genk's current "golden boy", such is his potential, and the club's director, Dimitri De Conde, said last year:

"I have always said to Bilal and his entourage that we believe he should become the most expensive outgoing transfer in Belgian football."

El Khannouss is someone who could be such an eye-catching addition by Liverpool, at a time when it is important that Klopp continues to look towards the future, as he builds his 2.0 era at Anfield. The playmaker has been hailed as a "wonderkid with a huge future ahead" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and snapping up Europe's best young talent is something that the Reds should always be aiming to do.

Granted, breaking into Liverpool's midfield is going to be difficult for any player at the moment, following the successful signings of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch – Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott have also come of age as players this season – but El Khannouss could be loaned out to begin with, in order to keep maturing as a player.

Impressive Liverpool whiz was Klopp's unsung hero alongside Nunez and Jota

The Reds central midfielder caught the eye with an excellent display in the middle of the park.

ByDan Emery Jan 21, 2024

The three-time capped Morocco international could then eventually become more of a key figure on Merseyside over time, assuming he keeps developing at his current rate, hopefully reaching the vast potential that he possesses.