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Sunderland will go into tonight's clash against Leeds United at Elland Road very much as the underdogs, even with Daniel Farke's Whites losing on the road to Coventry City 2-1 last time out.

The Black Cats are in far more rocky form than the promotion-chasing hosts, with the Wearside outfit only picking up just one win from their last ten Championship encounters. Of those ten underwhelming matches, seven have ended in the all-too-familiar feeling of defeat for Sunderland.

Yet, they could still pull off a shock result in West Yorkshire if they play on Leeds' nerves near the top end of the division and go for the game without any fear of their own creeping in.

Leo Hjelde could find himself out of Dodds' XI for the trip up to play Leeds regardless of his added motivation to beat the hosts having played for them up until January, with the new recruit wobbling last time out against Bristol City.

Leo Hjelde's performance vs Bristol City in numbers

Although Sunderland would manage to pick up a clean sheet and a share of the points against the Robins, which was much-needed after the humiliating 5-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers prior, the Norwegian defender still struggled for large patches of the 0-0 contest.

Hjelde would fail to win a single duel in the stalemate versus Liam Manning's men, on top of losing possession a total of 11 times that could have been costly on another day if the away side had their shooting boots on.

In contrast, Trai Hume – playing on the opposite flank at right-back – would win seven duels and amass 95 touches of the ball as a constant threat from out wide.

Minutes played

66

Touches

44

Duels won

0/3

Accurate passes

25/32

Possession lost

11x

Managing just 44 touches when compared to Hume's impressive numbers, Hjelde's poor performance saw him receive a 5/10 rating from Roker Report journalist Andy Tomlinson who stated that the ex-Leeds man 'switched off' a couple of times in the game.

Dodds will need all of his players focused and ready for the mammoth task of upsetting Leeds on their own patch, with Aji Alese pushing for just his fourth Championship appearance of the season after impressing off the bench when replacing Hjelde last time out.

Aji Alese as Hjelde's replacement

Troubled with significant injury issues for the majority of this season, the former West Ham United youth product is very much in the reckoning for a start tonight after a standout cameo against the Robins.

From just 24 minutes of action, the injury-prone 23-year-old would win four duels and put in two tackles as a far more lively and energetic presence than Hjelde.

Putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract at the Stadium of Light recently too, Alese will just pray that his extensive layoffs in the Sunderland treatment room are over and done with and he can impress again in the first-team fold regularly.

Making 20 appearances in the second tier last season – with ex-Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray singling out the ex-Hammers defender as "amazing" when battling to be fit for a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at the start of last year – Alese will feel he can make that left-back spot his own again in the weeks to come if he can play a big role in Sunderland shocking Leeds at Elland Road tonight.

Sunderland will be very much expected to roll over for Leeds to return to winning ways, but with the twists and turns the Championship can offer up, the Black Cats could fancy unsettling the hosts further.

Sunderland star who made 6 key passes was better than Bellingham v Bristol

Sunderland were desperately unlucky to only draw versus Bristol City, with this star standing out.

ByKelan Sarson Apr 7, 2024

If CSA is unable to confirm an appointee, Enoch Nkwe will continue in his role

Firdose Moonda21-Nov-2019Cricket South Africa have missed their own deadline to make an announcement on the director of cricket position, effectively the most important role in the organisation.On Thursday, CEO Thabang Moroe told SAFM Radio that CSA would “make communication,” about it on Friday, even if it was to reveal that they would not be appointing anyone imminently. Moroe indicated CSA may widen its search to find the right candidate and if that was the case, Enoch Nkwe would remain in the team director position for the upcoming England tour, which begins in five weeks.When asked about the delay by ESPNcricinfo, CSA said they “will make an announcement when we have concluded all areas that require mutual engagement with the appointee, once we get to this point.”The director of cricket post was created in the aftermath of the 2019 World Cup and was filled in an interim capacity by CSA’s general manager Corrie van Zyl since August. Fresh interviews were conducted two weeks ago and at least three candidates including van Zyl, former captain Graeme Smith and former national selector and seasoned administrator Hussein Manack presented to a five-person panel.But Smith has since withdrawn from the race while van Zyl remains suspended for alleged dereliction of duty regarding the payment for players’ commercial rights during the last season’s Mzansi Super League. However, that does not necessarily make Manack the favourite and CSA is understood to be considering delaying the appointment to later next year and broadening their search.”We will make communication tomorrow about the director of cricket role. There has been a lot of talk about it and we ask the public to wait for the announcement. Even if we don’t announce a name tomorrow, we will communicate that. This person must be an allrounder on and off the field, must have administrative qualities too because there is a lot that needs to be done. We could even look internationally,” CSA CEO Thabang Moroe told SAFM radio.If CSA is unable to confirm an appointee, Enoch Nkwe will continue in his role as the interim national team director for the upcoming England tour that begins in five weeks’ time. Nkwe, the former Gauteng batsman and title-winning Highveld Lions and Jozi Stars head coach, took the national team to India where they drew the T20I series 1-1 but were whitewashed in the three-match Test series.If Nkwe is kept on, Moroe indicated the support staff would be beefed up for the England series. “Should we not be in a position to appoint the director of cricket tomorrow, then Enoch Nkwe will continue as coach of the Proteas when England comes here, but we will need to give him the necessary support,” Moroe said.If a director of cricket is appointed, it will be his or her prerogative to choose the next team director, which would leave Nkwe’s future uncertain.The announcement, whatever form it takes, will end some of the uncertainty that has dogged South African cricket in the last few months. Calls have come from several quarters including captain Faf du Plessis for the permanent appointments to allow the team to begin preparations for the immediate challenges of England, medium-term projects such as preparations for the next year’s T20 World Cup and the long-term succession plan for when du Plessis retires.

MatériaMais Notícias

Logo depois de declarações deIbaneis Rocha, governador do Distrito Federal, a possibilidade do segundo jogo da final do Campeonato Carioca entre Flamengo e Fluminense ser transferido para Brasília foi descartada. E, agora, mais precisamente na tarde desta terça, foi a vez da Ferj se pronunciar oficialmente. Através de uma nota, a entidade confirmou o jogo deste sábado no Maracanã.

-Resolve: manter a segunda partida da final do Campeonato Carioca de 2021, programada para o dia 22/05/2021 (sábado), às 21h05, para o Estádio do Maracanã, cujoPlano de Ação e Contingências será devidamente publicizado como de praxe e na forma da legislação vigente – diz a conclusão do comunicado da Ferj, finalizando:

-Esta resolução entra em vigor nesta data e está sujeita a revisão a qualquer tempo, considera a dinâmica dos fatores que a motivaram e em consonância com as autoridades de saúde.

A intenção do Flamengo, mandante do jogo de volta, era realizar a partida com um público parcial e, para isso, vinha trabalhado nos bastidores. A boa relação da diretoria de Rodolfo Landim com Ibaneis Rocha era tida como um trunfo para o clube – que ainda não se pronunciou oficialmente – levar o jogo para o Mané Garrincha.

FLUMINENSE SE PRONUNCIA

O Fluminense, por sua vez,já tinha se mostrado contrário à possibilidade ao ser abordado por jornalistas. Desta vez, através de um esclarecimento publicado em seu site oficial, avisou que não foiprocurado para debater a possível mudança e que não a aceitaria. Veja a nota na íntegra:

-O Fluminense Football Club esclarece que não foi procurado e que, portanto, não teve ciência por nenhuma das partes envolvidas sobre a tentativa de mudança de local da partida. O Fluminense esclarece ainda que, mesmo que tivesse sido procurado para tal mudança, não a aceitaria, conforme já esclareceu a alguns jornalistas. A troca, sem justo motivo demonstraria infringência clara ao regulamento da competição previamente aprovado entre os clubes. Além disso, seria infringência das normas sanitárias de controle da pandemia. O clube segue focado no confronto de hoje pela Libertadores e honrando seus compromissos nas competições que disputa.

+ Veja a tabela da Libertadores e simule os resultados dos jogos

RelacionadasFutebol NacionalFlamengo x Fluminense: possibilidade de jogo em Brasília é descartada, e final do Carioca segue no MaracanãFutebol Nacional18/05/2021Futebol NacionalFerj analisa possibilidade de realizar Fla-Flu fora do Rio; regulamento prevê jogos da final no MaracanãFutebol Nacional17/05/2021

With the confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS' takeover of Manchester United, it is expected that the chequebook will be open for the summer window. With a number of targets in mind, the new owners are looking to strengthen an area that has been a major problem at Old Trafford this season.

United in need of defensive reinforcements

Any United fan would've laughed in your face if you told them Jonny Evans would be starting Premier League games for them in the 2023/24 season. However, owing to the fragility of their starting defenders, the 36-year-old has started on ten occasions this season, just one less time than Raphaël Varane.

The often maligned Harry Maguire has also found consistent minutes after spending most of last season frozen out of the side. This makeshift defensive set up has mainly come as a result of the loss of Lisandro Martínez, who has struggled with injury since arriving from Ajax in 2022.

Lisandro Martínez

7

558

Raphaël Varane

11

993

Jonny Evans

10

930

Harry Maguire

12

1068

Victor Lindelof

10

991

Latest Man Utd transfer news: De Jong back on radar; 21y/o hands in request

Here are all the latest Man Utd transfer rumours from Old Trafford as we enter the final weeks of the window.

ByHenry Jackson Aug 12, 2024

With their woes at the back unlikely to subside anytime soon, there is no wonder why Ratcliffe and co are already planning to take the central pairing of one of Europe's best defensive sides.

United target Leverkusen defensive duo

According to Sport Witness, reports out of Germany suggest that the Old Trafford outfit are plotting an audacious quadruple swoop for some of Bayer Leverkusen's top talent. The outlet names star full back, Jeremie Frimpong, who the Red Devils have boasted a longstanding interest in, as well as midfielder Exequiel Palacios.

The reports states that United are "interested" in defensive pairing Edmond Tapsoba and Odilon Kossonou. Having conceded just fifteen goals all season in the league, there is no wonder why a United side that have struggled for consistency at the back are looking at the duo.

Tapsoba will be an familiar name to English fans, with the defender constantly linked with a move to these shores since his arrival at Leverkusen back in 2020. The Burkina-Faso international has earned plaudits for his raw pace and strength, as well as his unique abilities with the ball at his feet. A centre back with an eye for a pass, Tapsoba would slot effortlessly into Erik ten Hag's style of play.

Kossounou on the other hand, is a bit more of an unknown entity. Playing on the right-hand side of Leverkusen's back three, he is as adept at filling in out wide as he is in the centre. It was this versatility that led to his former Leverkusen head-coach, Gerardo Seoane, singing his praises, saying of the defender:

With the price tags for Tapsoba and Kossounou set at a combined £77m, it is likely that United will pursue one or the other, depending on which Leverkusen are more inclined to part ways with. Regardless of whether they both don the famous red shirt, either player would be a significant upgrade on United's current options.

A £60 million defender is set to be chased down by Arsenal, and he's apparently ready to seriously consider a move this summer.

Arsenal planning for summer transfer window

Sporting director Edu should have sufficient funds to play with later this year after a very inactive January transfer window.

Arsenal "leading the race" to sign defender compared to John Stones

There’s a likeness in style to the England international.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 23, 2024

The Gunners didn't make any signings at all, coming after a lavish summer of spending last year, where they invested over £200 million into their star-studded squad.

Club record-signing Declan Rice has thrived in Arteta's midfield, while it is only a matter of time before loanee keeper David Raya is sealed on a permanent basis at Arsenal.

The decision not to bring in fresh faces mid-season not only saved money for the next summer transfer window, but has also allowed Mikel Arteta to not disrupt the harmony of his squad – as Arsenal win five out of their last five league games while scoring an impressive 21 goals in that time.

That being said, there are reportedly plans to make a big-money signing at Arsenal later this year, with links consistently surrounding the likes of Brentford striker Ivan Toney and Pedro Neto.

A new forward is certainly something to look out for going by recent reports, but it is also believed that the Gunners have their eyes on a marquee defensive addition in Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi.

The Englishman, who's been a key player for Palace this season, is also now a fully fledged England international and appears in good stead to at least by considered for Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad.

Sheffield United 0-1 Crystal Palace

7.59

Crystal Palace 0-0 Nottingham Forest

7.56

Man United 0-1 Crystal Palace

7.40

Crystal Palace 0-0 Fulham

7.27

Crystal Palace 2-3 Everton

7.09

Palace are rumoured to be demanding a fee of around £60 million for Guehi if they're to sell this summer, with journalist Dean Jones sharing an update on his future in a column for GiveMeSport.

Guehi will "be chased down" by Arsenal

As per Jones, Guehi will "be chased down" by Arsenal, and the defender is ready to seriously consider moving later in the year.

"Guehi will be chased down by five of the division’s biggest clubs – Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Man United and Chelsea," wrote Jones.

"The player is seriously ready to consider a move, sources told GiveMeSport, but Palace will hold out for as much cash as possible as they do not want him to go and value him highly. Olise is a different case. He has a release clause – so far with unrevealed figures – but safe to say over £50million. Chelsea and Man United are both interested so far but even Juventus are having a dig into his situation at the moment."

The 23-year-old has showcased his proven ability in the top flight, and his young age suggests he'd also come to the Emirates with high re-sale value.

Cricket South Africa reportedly went back on their agreement – in principle – to extend Gibson’s contract until 2021

Liam Brickhill06-Aug-2019

Getty Images

The messy fallout from South Africa’s disastrous World Cup campaign is now out in the open. Various internal communications leaked to the media over the last few days have hinted at a somewhat fractious end to the tenures of both Ottis Gibson, the head coach, and Mohammad Moosajee, the long-standing team doctor and manager.Over the weekend, the entire coaching staff of the men’s team were let go amid a major restructuring exercise. It has since emerged that Cricket South Africa went back on an agreement – in principle at least – to extend Gibson’s contract until 2021.At a CSA board meeting in February the extension was agreed, and an independent director was asked to redraft a new contract. The specifics of the contract, however, appear to have been a stumbling block.”I first spoke with Ottis, and I said I would like to suggest that the board have a look at your contract, with a possible extension,” CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe explained at a press conference on Tuesday. “Ottis responded by saying that he would more or less look at being employed until 2021, and that’s what I should suggest to the board. I did suggest that to the board. The board deliberated on that.”What the board essentially said to me, to quote verbatim, was, ‘we’re agreeing that you can go ahead and extend the coach’s contract, subject to him agreeing to key specific pointers in his contract changing’. Part of that being EPG [transformation targets], part of that being communication, part of that being performance. We went back to the coach, together with the now acting Director of Cricket and communicated that to the coach, of which he said he could not immediately agree until he saw what his contract looked like.”It has emerged since that the board was concerned at the team missing their transformation targets for the second year in a row, forcing them to enact a policy which would give Moroe final sign-off on team selections and enhanced ability to ensure targets were being met. However, that decision was made without taking the views of Gibson or selection convenor Linda Zondi, resulting in further friction.”Now, that meeting is essentially the same meeting where this policy of selection was spoken of,” Moroe continued. “Obviously it is well documented now in the media that the coach was not really be happy about the board now wanting to activate this policy.”This forced the board to quickly backtrack. It was subsequently reported that transformation targets wouldn’t apply at the World Cup. “The perception that was already put out there was that the board, together with the CEO, was intending to interfere in selection, which wasn’t true,” Moroe said. “To dispel such notions or rumours, we just simply put the policy on ice.”Similarly, with Ottis not agreeing, that’s one of the decisions that emanated from that meeting. That caused the board to say, ‘listen because the coach is not agreeable to a few things that we’re already saying, lets rather put his contract on ice as well’ and judge him the same way we said we would from the first, which is his performances at the World Cup’.”The result was that Gibson went to the World Cup unsure of his long-term future as South Africa’s coach. There were more tensions yet, over the participation of several key players in the IPL, which preceded the World Cup. Gibson wanted his players back early, but Moroe is understood to have not forced the issue with the BCCI for the worry of potential financial consequences.According to reports from leaked communication, Moroe confirmed to Gibson that it had been decided at an April 6 board meeting that CSA wouldn’t be able to financially compensate the players for shortened IPL gigs, which is said to have further disappointed Gibson.The outgoing South African coach wasn’t the only member of the team management left disgruntled by events leading up to South Africa’s reshuffle. It has also been revealed that there was an attempt to remove Moosajee from his position in September last year. However, Gibson and captain Faf du Plessis are said to have met CSA president Chris Nenzani to secure his position.Last week, ahead of CSA’s board meeting, Moosajee informed the board that he didn’t want to continue, apparently also unhappy that he had been removed from CSA’s Exco, a senior executives committee on which Moosajee had been able to directly represent the team he managed. The Exco forms part of the chief executives committee, on which sit both CSA and South African Cricketers Association chief executives.The subject of CSA’s strained relationship with SACA was also a talking point at Tuesday’s press conference. SACA launched legal action against CSA on the eve of the World Cup over the restructuring of domestic cricket and Moroe said CSA are seeking to avert litigation with SACA by meeting with them to iron out any differences.”It would be irresponsible for me to say no, we’re willing to go to court at all costs,” Moroe said. “If we have to we will, to defend our views as CSA. But yes, it is our hope that we don’t go to court. At the end of the day, we are family with SACA and I’d like to think that whatever differences might be on the table, as family we should be able to sit around a table and thrash out those differences and essentially agree to move on. Whether the one party might still be unhappy to a certain extent or not, that should be irrelevant.”

تحدث المدرب الإيطالي ستيفانو بيولي المدير الفني الجديد لفريق النصر السعودي، عن مهمته مع العالمي، لا سيما وأنها التجربة الأولى في الشرق الأوسط.

وكان نادي النصر قد أعلن أمس عن التعاقد مع بيولي لتولي المهمة الفنية للفريق خلفًا للبرتغالي لويس كاسترو، وذلك لمدة 3 سنوات.

طالع | مدرسة إيطالية.. النصر يعلن عن مدربه الجديد خلفا لـ كاسترو

وقال بيولي في تصريحات بالمؤتمر الصحفي لتقديمه: “أبحث عن تجربةٍ جديدة، سبق لي أن درَّبت في إيطاليا لمدة 25 عامًا، وحاليًّا أبحث عن خلق فريقٍ جديد”.

وأكد: “كان لدي عروضٌ كثيرةٌ، ولكني أعجبني عرض نادي النصر”.

وأضاف معلقًا على أزمة ضيق الوقت وكيفية التعامل مع الفريق بعد انطلاق الموسم: “المباريات ستكشف لي مدى قدرات الفريق، وسلبياته وعيوبه، وهي ما ستخبرني بمميزات اللاعبين”.

وتابع: “لدينا مباراة مهمة مقبلة أمام الاتفاق، في دوري روشن السعودي، وأعتقد أننا قادرون على الحصول على نتائج إيجابيةٍ”.

واستكمل: “شاهدت جميع مباريات النصر الموسم الجاري، ودونت الملاحظات السلبية والإيجابية، وليس لدي الوقت الكافي لمعرفة كل شيء، لكنني أعتقد أن الفريق يمتلك العديد من المحترفين، ولدينا مجموعة رائعة من العناصر التي تؤدي العمل بشكلٍ رائع”.

طالع | رونالدو: لاعب برشلونة سيكون الأفضل في الجيل الجديد.. وتوهج بيلينجهام ليس غريبًا

وعن خوف جماهير النصر من كثرة ترحاله بين الأندية، أوضح: “نعم، دربت فرقًا كثيرةً، لكن في إيطاليا يصعب أن تجد مسارًا في فريق واحد لمدة طويلة”.

وأتم: “فنيًا، سنعمل على كل الأنماط ليس مهمًا الخطط الدفاعية، سنعمل على كل الحالات فالفريق يملك إمكاناتٍ عاليةً، ويجب أن نبادر، وألَّا ننتظر نريد الهيمنة، ولن ننتظر الآخرين لأننا نملك كل المقومات”.

Manchester City being removed from the Premier League is not “just hyperbole”, with a sports lawyer claiming such an outcome remains “realistic”.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Financial Fair Play cloud over the Etihad
• Champions have a case to answer
• Talk of demotion out of the top-flight

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The champions of England, who have rewritten the history books by claiming four successive domestic crowns, continue to maintain their innocence in a protracted case that remains some way from reaching a conclusion. A hearing will take place at some stage, with various punishments being mooted for a club that has allegedly breached Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

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• WHAT LAWYER SAID

  A top sports lawyer has told of what could happen from here, with rule W.51 of the Premier League handbook admitting that clubs can be removed from the top-flight: “You would have to think that the penalty would be absolutely huge. Expulsion from the Premier League wouldn’t be just hyperbole. It would be a realistic outcome if they were found guilty of the charges. If, on the other hand, some of the charges like those involving Mancini aren’t as clear-cut as people think and we’re talking about multiple PSR breaches, you might be looking at a 30-point deduction. There are probably four outcomes; they’re acquitted, there’s a huge fine and small points deduction, there’s a huge points deduction or they’re kicked out of the league. But we just don’t know without seeing the in-depth evidence. And just because someone has been charged 115 times, it doesn’t mean they’re guilty.”

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  There has been talk of a “settlement” being reached that could see City clear the FFP cloud hanging over their head, but such an outcome would not go down well with rival outfits. One sports lawyer said of that speculation: “Six months ago, I thought this could lead to some sort of settlement but, with a hearing listed, it becomes hard to see how the Premier League could come out with a straight face and say they’ve agreed a settlement with Manchester City. Coming out to say they’ve reached a confidential agreement and that’s the end of the matter, I’m not sure many would just accept that. The inevitable conclusions drawn would be that Manchester City bought their way out of the case.”

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• WHAT NEXT?

  The uncertainty surrounding City is being recognised in Premier League betting markets, with City – despite their standing at the very top of the English game – a surprisingly short price to tumble out of the top tier in 2024-25 despite also being among the favourites to collect another title.

The January transfer window has been open for business for over two weeks and Tottenham Hotspur have been one of the busiest sides in the division.

Ange Postecoglou has not wasted much time in going about his work to bolster the playing squad after a host of injury issues during the first half of the season.

Despite losing a number of key players, including James Maddison and Micky van de Ven, to injury, Spurs remain in the hunt to secure a top four finish in the Premier League.

Liverpool

1

20

45

Man City

2

20

43

Aston Villa

3

21

43

Arsenal

4

20

40

Tottenham

5

21

40

West Ham

6

20

34

They are now looking to build on their strong start and have snapped up two new recruits this month; Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig and Radu Dragusin on a permanent deal from Serie A side Genoa.

Spurs' search for a centre-forward

Tottenham, however, still lack an out-and-out number nine to consistently find the back of the net, since Harry Kane's departure to Bayern Munich last summer.

Richarlison, who has also been deployed in a wide role at times, has shown promise with six goals in his last six Premier League matches – to take his tally to seven in 18 outings.

However, the Brazil international has only scored 11 goals in 55 appearances for Spurs since his move from Everton and is yet to prove himself to be a reliable centre-forward for the club.

Football Insider recently claimed that Tottenham are one of a number of clubs considering a swoop to sign Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord in the summer transfer window.

The outlet reported that Spurs, Arsenal, and Fulham are all eyeing up a possible deal to bring the Mexico international to the Premier League.

Although, it was also stated that West Ham are stepping up their efforts to snap up the lethal marksman this month as David Moyes looks to bolster his attack.

Football Insider claimed that it would take at least £30m, and possibly up to £40m, to secure his services and that Feyenoord would prefer to cash in on him in the summer, rather than sell to the Hammers midway through their 2023/24 campaign.

This suggests that Spurs are safe to wait until the end of the season to make their move for Gimenez and they may not be forced to accelerate their plans this month.

Whether it happens in January or the summer, Postecoglou could unearth his own version of Manchester City and Premier League star Erling Haaland in a swoop for the impressive finisher.

Erling Haaland's record-breaking brilliance

The Norway international returned to his country of birth at the start of last season when he was signed from Borussia Dortmund by Pep Guardiola.

Haaland had plundered an eye-catching 86 goals in 89 appearances for the German side in all competitions and there was no guarantee that he would be able to translate that outstanding form over to English football.

The Leeds-born superstar has done exactly that with a staggering 71 goals and 14 assists in 75 matches for the Cityzens over the past 18 months.

His debut season in England was an extraordinary one as the 23-year-old dynamo broke the record for the most goals in a single Premier League season with 36 goals in 35 matches during the 2022/23 campaign.

Haaland also became the fastest player in the history of the English top-flight to reach 50 goals this season as he did it in 48 games. The previous record-holder was former Manchester United forward Andy Cole, who made 65 appearances en route to 50 goals in the league.

The former Dortmund ace fired City to the treble – the Champions League, the Premier League, and the FA Cup – last season and has started the 2023/24 campaign with 19 goals and five assists in 22 outings in all competitions.

These statistics show that Halaand has been incredibly prolific for the Cityzens over the past 18 months and Spurs could now unearth a player with the potential to be Postecoglou's own version of the impressive number nine.

Santiago Gimenez's "prolific" record for Feyenoord

Scout Antonio Mango hailed Gimenez as the most "prolific" striker in Europe earlier this season and it is not hard to see why when you look at his statistics.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig, who once described the Feyenoord star as a Mexican "machine", claimed that he is similar to Erling Haaland -with both players being lethal left-footed strikers – and his record backs that up.

Gimenez has plundered an impressive 44 goals and eight assists in 68 matches for the Dutch side to date, and been in particularly eye-catching form this season.

The Mexico international has racked up 21 goals and five assists in 23 appearances in all competitions, which includes 19 goals in 17 Eredivisie outings.

Appearances

17

20

18

Nine

Goals

19

12

Seven

Two

Assists

Four

Five

Three

One

Big chances missed

13

Three

Six

Two

As you can see in the table above, the Feyenoord marksman has outperformed Postecoglou's current forward options in front of goal so far this season.

He has produced 19 goals from 15.08 Expected Goals (xG) in the Eredivisie and this suggests that the Argentine-born star is a terrific finisher who does not waste many opportunities to find the back of the net.

Gimenez is an efficient finisher who scores at an exceptional rate, just like Haaland for City in the Premier League, and this is why the potential is there for him to be Postecoglou's own version of the Norway international next term.

There is no guarantee that the 22-year-old forward will be able to translate his form over to English football but that guarantee was not there with Haaland either and Spurs should take a gamble on him for £30m, as the reward could be spectacular.

Tottenham could end up with their own prolific centre-forward who could help them on their way to competing for titles and trophies in the years to come under the Australian head coach.

The January transfer window is officially open for business and Manchester United could use this month to bolster their squad after a worrying start to the campaign.

They have already lost nine of their opening 20 Premier League matches and have been knocked out of Europe after they finished bottom of their Champions League group.

It was recently reported by AS that United and Liverpool are both interested in a possible swoop to sign Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich.

His contract with the German giants is due to expire at the end of next season and the uncertainty around his future in Bavaria has led to interest from a host of European clubs.

Erik ten Hag must now push to complete a deal for Kimmich, whether that is this month or in the summer, as he would be a big upgrade on current number six Sofyan Amrabat.

Amrabat's season in numbers

United signed the Morocco international on loan from Serie A side Fiorentina during the summer transfer window and he has failed to hit the ground running in England.

The 27-year-old enforcer has made ten Premier League appearances for the Red Devils so far this term and averaged 2.5 tackles and interceptions combined and four ball recoveries per match.

He has not contributed with a single goal or assist and is currently averaging 0.4 key passes per match for his side, which shows that the midfielder does not produce much quality in possession to help United's attack.

However, Amrabat does rank within the top 13% of top-flight midfielders for progressive passes (7.34) per 90 and this means that he is not completely ineffective on the ball as the summer signing is able to break lines to find teammates further up the pitch.

The statistics that show why Kimmich would be an upgrade on Amrabat

Kimmich, however, is an exceptional progressive passer who can also provide more quality in the final third whilst also being a reliable defensive presence in front of the back four.

The £322k-per-week ace, who was once hailed as "phenomenal" by Jose Mourinho, has started 11 Bundesliga matches for Bayern so far this season.

Appearances

Six

Sofascore rating

7.63

Big chances created

Five

Tackles per game

2.2

Interceptions per game

1.3

In that time, the 28-year-old star has made 2.8 tackles and interceptions combined and 6.3 ball recoveries per game to win possession back for his team.

He has also scored one goal, provided one assist, and made an eye-catching 2.7 key passes per game. These statistics show that Kimmich has the quality to make a greater impact than Amrabat with his quality in and out of possession – by winning the ball back more often and creating 2.3 more chances per game for his teammates.

The Bayern magician currently ranks within the top 3% of Bundesliga midfielders for progressive passes (10.51) per 90 this season, whilst he also ranks within the top 3% for shot-creating actions (5.78) per 90.

This shows that Kimmich can offer more than Amrabat defensively, offensively, and as a progressive passer from a number six position, which is why he would be a big upgrade on the Morocco international.