All posts by n8rngtd.top

Gio Reyna played just 10 minutes off the bench for Nottingham Forest, who were beaten 4-2 by Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Reyna comes off bench again
• Plays just 10 minutes
• Forest fall 4-2 to Villa

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Aston Villa were absolutely on fire early, scoring three first-half goals to seemingly put the game out of reach. Ollie Watkins got the first, scoring just four minutes in while Douglas Luiz added goals 10 minutes apart later in the half.

  Villa, though, couldn't make it to the locker room with that three-goal lead. A Moussa Niakhate goal in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time gave Forest hope, and Morgan Gibbs-White used that hope to make it 3-2 with another goal just three minutes into the second half.

  Just as the comeback felt on, Leon Bailey put the match beyond doubt, making it 4-2 in the 61st minute to lock up three points for Villa.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The loss keeps Forest right in the thick of a relegation race. They currently sit 16th in the league, just four points ahead of 18th-placed Luton Town. That gap could shrink to one, though, as Luton do have a game in hand.

• Getty Images
  

  USMNT IMPACT

  Reyna's role at Forest continues to be extremely limited. He's only featured off the bench so far, having played just 39 minutes across his three appearances.

  The loan move to Forest hasn't provided much of a change for Reyna, who continues to be used sporadically despite changing clubs in the winter. There were no reasons to be concerned about Forest easing him in but, nearly a month after his arrival, he still hasn't cracked the Forest XI.

  Matt Turner, meanwhile, remains on the bench as Forest's clear No.2 and will need some sort of injury or massive change to reclaim his place in the XI.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty
  

  GOAL'S RATINGS

  Gio Reyna (6/10):

  Got nine touches and completed eight of his nine passes. Looked solid, but there's only so much you can do with a 10-minute cameo.

Aston Villa confirmed on Friday evening that 10 new scholars have joined the club, and a number of Villa fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

Villa have already bolstered their academy ranks his summer with the acquisitions of England under-16 captain Josh Feeney and Bournemouth’s Ajani Burchall.

They have now added a number of youngsters from different clubs, whereas others have progressed through Villa’s youth system (avfc.co.uk).

Goalkeeper James Wright has joined from Manchester City, full-back Jayden Barber from Fulham, Finley Munroe from Chelsea and Kyrie Pierre from Bristol Rovers.

Defenders Harvey Rhoades and Luke Softley, midfielders Todd Alcock and Mikell Barnes and forwards Charlie Lutz and Kobei Moore have all been rewarded for their displays coming through Villa’s academy.

Villa fans react

Villa shared the news about the 10 youngsters on their official Twitter page, and these fans of the club were quick to share their thoughts, with one describing the news as ‘exciting’.

“I love this club. The whole club is moving forward tremendously. Exciting times!”

Credit: @lVathan_

“Incredible work going into the academy”

Credit: @AVFCchats

“exciting times at this club”

Credit: @catrinedwards18

“Announce Champions League winners 2026/2027”

Credit: @MShauib1

“Love it”

Credit: @VillaVisionBen

“The future is bright”

Credit: @FCVillans

In other news: Reliable reporter shares just how much Aston Villa offered for Kalvin Phillips, find out more here. 

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are paying out another £187,000 at Wrexham after receiving a welcome SToK Racecourse stadium boost.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Co-chairman looking to acquire lease to ground
• Supporters group ready to pass that on
• Positive progress being made on and off the field

• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Hollywood co-chairmen in North Wales have been leading a bid to acquire the lease to the club’s iconic ground from the Wrexham Football Supporter’s Society Limited (WST) – having paid £2m to purchase the freehold of the Racecourse Ground back in June 2022.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Negotiations between the club and WST have become protracted, but a positive outcome that benefits all parties is now in sight – with Wrexham announcing that a recommendation has been made to the supporters membership group that a proposal from the current board should be accepted.

• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  With the stadium lease set to be surrendered, the Red Dragons can press ahead with their Kop stand redevelopment project. It has also been agreed that the club will remain in its current surroundings until at least 2115.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Reynolds and McElhenney have said in a statement confirming that the club will make a payment of £187,000 upon surrender of the lease, a payment of £1,000 per annum (increasing by 3% per annum) and meet the legal costs of the WST connected with the surrender of the lease: "We were delighted to receive the support of the Directors of the WST and share their understandable desire to protect the long-term future of the Club. Our legacy at the Club will not be defined while we are its custodians, so we wanted to address the anomaly in the WST lease for the Racecourse Ground that did not include the requirement for the team to actually play at the stadium, only not allow it to be used for any other purpose. We didn’t want anyone in the future to be able to exploit that position.

  "The payment of £187,000, is an equivalent amount to that contributed by fans to save the Club. To know that we will provide the funding to effectively pay everyone back who contributed to save the Club is worth every penny and gives us a great deal of satisfaction. We would appeal to the 824 members who have a vote, to do so in favour of the proposal and allow the Club to continue on this wonderful journey we are all on."

Manchester City should be relegated from the Premier League if they are found guilty of breaking Financial Fair Play rules, says Geoff Shreeves.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Man City charged with 115 charges
• Everton already deducted 10 points
• Many say champions could be relegated

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The reigning European and English champions have been charged with 115 breaches of financial regulations by the Premier League and the case is expected to go ahead later this year. Many are calling for City to be kicked out of the top-flight if they are found guilty, and ex-Sky Sports figure Shreeves feels such a drastic punishment must be on the cards.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  WHAT SHREEVES SAID

  "The Everton and Manchester City charges are very different," he told . "You can't compare the two directly and Everton were in dialogue with the Premier League all the way through their process. I think with Manchester City, it will come to court but not for two years at least. It's a long, a long, long way down the road. I don't see that the Premier League would have any other option [than to relegate City if they are found guilty]. They've set a precedent with Everton with those points deductions. They primarily pushed for a 12-point deduction. So it has to be a possibility, it has to be."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Many pundits have argued that the Premier League set a precedent by docking Everton 10 points this season for breaking financial rules. Given City are said to have committed so many offences between 2009 and 2018, they may face a much more extreme sanction if found guilty. Everton have appealed against their punishment, but they are in danger of further sanctions as they and Nottingham Forest have been hit with more recent charges.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

  City's case will be heard later this year but last season's Premier League and Champions League winners are not expected to receive a verdict until next year. In the meantime, they will continue their bid to retain the treble of trophies they won last season, with a league game against Chelsea on Saturday.

Luis Suarez has been in full Lionel Messi mode ahead of his proposed move to Inter Miami, with the striker hitting a second-half hat-trick for Gremio.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Uruguayan striker starring in Brazil
• Linked with move to MLS
• Will reunite with ex-Barca team-mates

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The veteran Uruguayan frontman continues to ply his club trade in Brazil for now, but the expectation is that he will be heading north to the United States in 2024. Suarez will be allowed to leave his contract at Gremio at the end of the calendar year, freeing him to join former Barcelona team-mate Messi in Florida.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Suarez is showing no sign of slowing down at 36 years of age, with his goal return for 2023 taken to 14 through 28 appearances in a dramatic outing against Botafogo. Gremio had trailed that contest 3-1 heading into the 50th minute, but somehow turned the tie on its head to lead 4-3 just 19 minutes later.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Gremio had Suarez to thank for their remarkable reversal in fortune, with the South American superstar producing three composed finishes as he landed himself another match ball in a stunning career.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Gremio are understandably reluctant to part with Suarez, after seeing him become a reliable source of goals for them, but admit that a “miracle” will be required in order to keep the ex-Liverpool star on their books. It is looking increasingly likely that Suarez will soon be reunited with Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in MLS.

The Gunners cruised to dominant victory at Emirates Stadium, with Fabio Vieira and Takehiro Tomiyasu also on the scoresheet for Mikel Arteta's side

Eddie Nketiah scored a sensational hat-trick as Arsenal continued their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a comfortable 5-0 win against Sheffield United at Emirates.

Nketiah, who came back into the starting lineup due to the injury to Gabriel Jesus, broke what had been some stubborn Sheffield United resistance with an excellent turn and finish just before the half hour mark after he was found by Declan Rice.

The frontman then smashed home a second from close range soon after half-time before completing his hat-trick in stunning style when he crashed an unstoppable 25 yard drive into the top corner.

Substitute Fabio Vieira then added a fourth with a penalty before Takehiro Tomiyasu wrapped things up late on, scoring his first ever Arsenal goal as Mikel Arteta's side closed the gap to leaders Spurs to just two points ahead of next weekend's tricky looking trip to Newcastle United.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Emirates Stadium…

• Getty
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  David Raya (7/10):

  Looked very assured. Started a couple of dangerous attacks with excellent quick passes out to Martinelli.

  Ben White (7/10):

  Cruised through the game. Didn't get forward on the overlap as much as normal, but didn't really need to.

  William Saliba (8/10):

  Top quality as always. Looked like he was toying with the Sheffield United forwards at times.

  Jakub Kiwior (7/10):

  Played more as a left-back to fill the space left by Zinchenko and did it very well.

  Oleksandr Zinchenko (7/10):

  Looked like a No.10 at times he was playing so far forward. Got into some threatening positions and moved the ball well.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Midfield

  Declan Rice (8/10):

  Superb as always. Made Nketiah's opening goal and always looked like the man who could drive Arsenal forwards.

  Emile Smith Rowe (7/10):

  A first league start since May 2022. Was bright and got himself on the ball. Got the assist for Nketiah's third goal.

  Kai Havertz (6/10):

  Another game where he didn't really do anything wrong, but didn't make the type of impact Arsenal would have been hoping for. Neat and tidy, but never really threatened.

• Getty Images
  

  Attack

  Bukayo Saka (6/10):

  His corner led to the second goal, but other than that he was fairly subdued. Sheffield United did well to keep him largely quiet out on the right of Arsenal's attack.

  Eddie Nketiah (10/10):

  Who needs Gabriel Jesus? What a performance from Nketiah. Three excellent goals having been brought into the side to replace the injured Brazilian. The third was an absolute stunner.

  Gabriel Martinelli (8/10):

  A real live wire as always. Looked Arsenal's biggest threat in the first half when Sheffield United were keeping things tight. Unlucky not to score with one shot that drew a fine save from Foderingham.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty
  

  Subs & Manager

  Takehiro Tomiyasu (7/10):

  A really bright cameo from the Japan international. Picked up the pace of the game straight away. Almost set up a goal with one run to the byline and then scored one himself, his first Arsenal goal.

  Leandro Trossard (6/10):

  Such a clever player. Immediately started to cause Sheffield United problems with his clever movement and eye for a pass.

  Reiss Nelson (5/10):

  Couldn't really get into the game having replaced Saka.

  Fabio Vieira (6/10):

  Won the penalty and scored it himself to make it 4-0.

  Mohamed Elneny (N/A):

  Only for injury time.

  Mikel Arteta (8/10):

  Made five changes to the team that won in Seville on Tuesday night and he will be delighted with how things went. Nketiah repaid his faith with three goals and he was also to replace the likes of Saka and White relatively early on. Two of the substitutes he sent on also scored.

Liverpool are reportedly set to make a bid for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus as the search for Gini Wijnaldum’s replacement steps up.

What’s the story?

According to the chief reporter of German outlet SPORT1, Florian Plettenberg, the Reds are an interesting option for the 24-year-old beast, and a concrete offer is expected over the coming months.

However, the well-respected journalist also claims that no decision will be made over Neuhaus’ future until after Euro 2020 is concluded, meaning this transfer saga could drag on a little while yet.

Liverpool must swoop

After five incredibly successful years at Anfield, Wijnaldum is set to join French giants Paris Saint-Germain next season, leaving a significant gap in the Liverpool engine room.

Several names have been linked with a move to Merseyside as a result, including Saul Niguez, Renato Sanches and Nicolo Barella, although it looks as though Neuhaus should be at the top of Jurgen Klopp’s wish list.

The Germany international has impressed at the Borussia-Park in recent campaigns, making 45 appearances throughout 2020/21, scoring eight goals and laying on a further eight assists for his teammates.

His standout displays have attracted the attention of a host of the continent’s top clubs, and a summer move seems inevitable as the race to secure his signature hots up.

Monchengladbach may have finished in a slightly disappointing eighth position in the Bundesliga standings last term, but Neuhaus was central to the success that they had.

A return of 1.3 dribbles per league game saw him record the joint-second highest total amongst his teammates, while his tally of 52.9 passes per league game on average was the third-highest.

The dynamic midfielder’s talents aren’t lost on his colleagues either, with French forward Marcus Thuram previously describing Neuhaus as “simply an outstanding player.”

He has also been dubbed an “exceptional talent” by departing Gladbach boss Marco Rose, as well as a “complete midfielder” by football scout Jacek Kulig in the past.

It’s no surprise then that the £45m-rated ace is being lined up by the 19-time English champions as they plot their way back to the top-flight summit.

He could form a formidable partnership alongside Thiago and Fabinho in the centre of the pitch, providing the energy and stamina to create a perfectly balanced midfield, and his arrival would have the potential to propel Liverpool back to their former glory.

Michael Edwards must look to get this deal done this summer.

And, in other news…Liverpool must swoop for “sensational” Firmino heir after huge update emerges 

Some Everton fans have been left to bemoan a transfer update involving central midfield player Allan.

As per Defensa Central, Carlo Ancelotti would like to sign the Brazilian for Real Madrid in the summer window.

Allan was such a key player under the Italian manager in the 2020/21 season, playing in 26 games in total, tending to start more often than not when he was available (Transfermarkt).

In the Premier League, the 30-year-old won no fewer than six of his duels per match, and also averaged 3.3 tackles and one clearance per appearance (Sofascore), showing just how crucial he is in front of the defence.

However, if Los Blancos and especially Ancelotti come calling for him, Allan may find a move too difficult to turn down, and he would certainly not be a player that would be easy to replace for the Goodison Park faithful.

Everton fans on Allan transfer update

These Merseyside club supporters bemoaned the transfer update as it was shared on Twitter, with one Toffee even going as far as to claim that they were ‘gutted’:

“This could get so much worse”

Credit: @bluetom_tom

“Allan leaving would be worse than Ancelotti leaving. One of our star players with Digne”

Credit: @adxm1878

“The hits just keep coming.”

Credit: @PeterFearns

“Be gutted if we lose him. Makes such a difference. Hopefully we appoint a manager who can keep hold of our top players”

Credit: @1878Matt

“Noo Carlo”

Credit: @Norre23

“Just go away”

Credit: @ShortingJames

In other news, find out what transfer update has Blues fuming here!

Santiago Gimenez has made history by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in an Eredivisie away game at Ajax.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Gimenez scored hat-trick
• Feyenoord won 4-0
• Game was rescheduled

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Feyenoord took on Ajax in a rearranged Eredivisie fixture on Wednesday, with the previous fixture being abandoned due to fans throwing fireworks on the pitch, and later storming the Johan Cruyff Arena. Gimenez was superb in the victory, scoring a treble.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Mexico international scored twice before the 20th minute, and added a fourth on the hour mark following a goal from Igor Paixao. Feyenoord's 4-0 win moved them into third in the Eredivisie, while Ajax continue to languish in 14th; they have only won once this season.

  Ajax's troubles have opened the door to Gimenez making history, however, as he has become the first player to score an away hat-trick against the club in the league.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Gimenez has been prolific for Feyenoord since arriving in 2022, scoring 32 goals in 52 games for the club. He has also scored four times in 20 caps for Mexico.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Feyenoord are next in action this weekend against Go Ahead Eagles.

With Carlo Ancelotti set to leave the Bernabeu this summer, the Blancos' former midfielder is putting himself in the frame to step into his shoes

A video emerged from Bayer Leverkusen training earlier this month. In the minute-long clip, a disgruntled Xabi Alonso berates his team for failing to meet his expectations in a passing drill. In a moment of frustration, the manager, 41, steps in, and metronomically sprays the ball around the training pitch – all while yelling instructions to the group.

It was a microcosm of how Alonso has handled this Bayer side. Since taking over in October 2022, the Spaniard has been handed near-unchecked power to restructure the club. And he's worked wonders with his authority. In 12 months, Leverkusen have gone from the lower reaches of the table to looking like Bayern Munich's most apparent Bundesliga challengers – with a promising Europa League run in between.

This has all come about for a club experiencing immense turnover. Some stars in the making have left, replaced with well-travelled European stalwarts. Meanwhile, other players have been reinvented, and deployed in more appropriate roles. The result is a dangerous team that will likely only improve – led by a manager who, at this rate, will have a job at a far bigger club next year.

• Getty Images
  

  Taking over a struggling side

  It was a loss to Bayern Munich that doomed Alonso's predecessor, Gerardo Seoane. The manager had overseen a poor start to the Bundesliga season with Leverkusen, as his side won just one of their first eight games. There was hope that a result against Bayern could rescue things – and perhaps even kickstart an unlikely turnaround. Instead, Leverkusen were battered. Bayern went 1-0 up inside five minutes, and had scored three by half-time. Seoane was let go a week later, and Alonso was announced as the new manager within 24 hours.

  Expectations were admittedly low. Alonso, at that point, had only ever had one managerial job, overseeing Real Sociedad's reserve side as they achieved an unlikely promotion to the second tier of Spanish football. Here was an inexperienced but well-regarded coach, one who wasn't necessarily one expected to be an immediate success for a club with European ambitions.

  But Alonso, who played under the likes of Rafa Benitez, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti during his career as one of Europe's finest midfielders, quickly showed that he was more than up to the task.

  Leverkusen battered struggling Schalke in his first game in charge, putting four past the relegation favourites. Results were mixed for the rest of the calendar year, but wins over Union Berlin and Koln, combined with a 2-2- draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, showed that Leverkusen could certainly play.

  Moussa Diaby, once a bonafide wonderkid who seemed to have lost his way, returned to form, and, along with electric wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, saw Leverkusen become a dangerous team in transition.

  But it was at the other end where Leverkusen's improvements were most apparent. They were bleeding goals under Seoane, conceding over two-per-game before he was sacked. Alonso drove that number down, deploying a three-man defence that saw Leverkusen become far more reliable at the back.

Advertisement

• CGTN Sports Scene
  

  A dominant spring

  That was most apparent in a mesmerising second half of the 2022-23 season. After failing to get out of their Champions League group, Alonso's side established themselves as giantkillers both domestically and in European competitions. It started with an unlikely victory over heavily favoured Monaco in the Europa League, Leverkusen advancing on penalties after a thrilling 3-2 second leg win away from home.

  The return from a serious knee injury of highly-rated playmaker Florian Wirtz defined that contest, the No.10, orchestrating things from the middle of the park, scoring a goal and proving crucial in the build up to two others. He had a similar influence a few weeks later, when Leverkusen put four past surging Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.

  And although their luck ran out to a predictably dogged Jose Mourinho-led Roma in the semi-finals, Leverkusen showed that, led by Alonso, they could compete in Europe once again.

  Domestically, things were even better. Bayern were in good form when they traveled to Leverkusen in early March. They were only five days removed from knocking Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League, and although Borussia Dortmund were surging in the league, the defending champions appeared to be well in control of the division they had won for nine consecutive years.

  What happened next almost derailed their season, though, as Leverkusen outplayed the Bavarians in the second half, turning in a counter-attacking clinic to deliver a 2-1 victory that was far more convincing than the scoreline suggested.

  “I’ve hardy ever seen something like this”, said then-Bayern Munich sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic. “We got everything wrong and were battered by a team that played on Thursday."

  The result was an arrival of sorts for Leverkusen. It was one thing to impress in Europe, but to beat the Bundesliga champions, for the first time since 2019, suggested that Alonso's Leverkusen were there to stay. They faltered towards the end of the season, failing to win in the month of May. Still, Alonso had taken a relagation-threatened side to a sixth-placed finish — all while implementing a system that was scintillating to watch.

• Getty Images
  

  Smart tactical adjustments

  Inevitably, the eyes of Europe turned to the team. Last summer was marked by transfer talk and the possibility that Alonso might leave. Tottenham reportedly coveted him for their vacant job, before eventually hiring Ange Postecoglu. Meanwhile, their best player was pinched, with Aston Villa shelling out €60 million (£52m/$64m) for Diaby. Others nearly left, too. Frimpong was linked with Manchester United. Wirtz cropped up as a target for Manchester City. Meanwhile, Liverpool, in need of a centre-back, reportedly made a push for Piero Hincapie.

  Alonso, of course, would stay. So too did Wirtz, Hincapie and Frimpong. But the team undoubtedly needed restructuring. In came Granit Xhaka, Nathaniel Tella, Josip Stanisic and Victor Boniface. Jonas Hofmann and veteran left-back Alex Grimaldo were also added.

  The manager, meanwhile, adjusted his system. Xhaka slotted in alongside Exequiel Palacios in midfield, while Wirtz and Hofmann were deployed as duel-No.10s to counter the loss of Diaby. With width no longer an option from his wide attackers, Alonso opted to have his best offensive players tuck inside and support a single centre-forward.

  Alonso's new 3-4-2-1 system perfectly complemented his squad's strengths, while retaining Leverkusen's defensive solidity and verticality in transition. The result has been three straight wins to start the season, with 11 goals scored.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images
  

  A star striker

  But perhaps the real revelation has been the man they signed to play up front. After starring in Nigeria, Boniface spent the first two years of his European career riddled with injuries. He damaged his ACL twice, and didn't become a regular starter for Bodo/Glimt until 2021. By the end of the 2022-23 season, Boniface had only played 100 top-flight European fixtures, a remarkably low number for a 22-year-old who moved from Nigeria at 18.

  That small sample size did little to take away from his undeniable attacking quality, though. Boniface scored seven and assisted seven for Union Saint-Gilloise last season, enough for Leverkusen to pay €20m for his services. And the investment has paid off thus far.

  Boniface showed promise in pre-season with a lovely half-volleyed goal against West Ham, but since then, he's exploded. The Nigerian has scored four and assisted two in three Bundesliga starts, living up to the lofty expectations that come with leading the line for a side who are now being tipped as title contenders.

  "He's not just a classic striker, not just a bomber – he's complete," Alonso told of his No.9. "We are happy with him, he has scored four goals so far, but we expect more."