Manchester United assistant boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is reportedly favoured as a caretaker manager – if the club decide to sack Erik ten Hag.
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It may have ended in the same way as the campaign prior, but Arsenal took another step forward last season.
Mikel Arteta's side pushed Manchester City to the final day of the Premier League and came painfully close to reaching the Champions League semi-finals.
However, while the North Londoners were spectacular at times, the fact they couldn't win a trophy is proof enough that they can get better, and considering they had the best defence in the league, that improvement should probably come in attack.
So, it's unsurprising that the latest star touted for a move to N5 is an incredibly exciting winger who's currently shining at the Euros and is a player that club captain Martin Odegaard would probably love to play with.
Arsenal transfer news
According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal have maintained their interest in Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and are now 'ready to pay' his €58m release clause, which converts to around £49m.
Alongside the Gunners, the report claims that Chelsea are the other side 'advancing' with their interest in the Spanish international, despite previous reports suggesting otherwise.
Other teams credited with interest in the 21-year-old include Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, but the money required to get the deal done has given them cause for pause.
It could be a complicated deal to get over the line, but given how well he played last season and his performances this summer, it might be worth pursuing, especially as he could help Odegaard get even better.
Why Williams would be a brilliant teammate for Odegaard
Now, while Arsenal scored five goals fewer than City in the league last season, they were still a fairly potent attacking force as their haul of 91 was still comfortably second best.
However, there's always room to improve and make the frontline even more dynamic, which is where the "electric" Williams, as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, comes in.
Described as a winger who loves "terrorising defences" by Mattinson, the 21-year-old sits in the top 6% of wingers and attacking midfielders for successful take-ons in Europe's top five leagues according to FBref, which highlights one of the main reasons he'd be a fantastic addition to Arteta's side: his directness.
Assists
0.44
Top 2%
Successful Take-Ons
3.42
Top 6%
Progressive Carries
5.69
Top 7%
Progressive Passes Received
12.01
Top 10%
Shot-Creating Actions
4.81
Top 20%
Touches in the Oppositions Penalty Area
5.89
Top 20%
This can also be seen in the fact that FBref has placed the Bilbao ace in the top 10% of wingers and attacking midfielders for progressive passes received, which means the number of times a player receives a forward pass in the final 60% of the pitch that either moves the ball ten yards forward or into the penalty area.
It essentially tracks a player's off-the-ball movement, ability to get into dangerous places, and importance to their side's attack, and when you combine that with his brilliant ability to get past players via take-ons, it's easy to see him getting on the end of a pinpoint pass from Odegaard and either setting up a goal or scoring himself.
The Gunners' Norwegian captain is in the top 1% of midfielders for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for progressive passes, and the top 3% for expected assists, per FBref.
With him in the middle, Bukayo Saka on the right, and the Pamplona-born dynamo to the left, Arsenal could become one of the best counter-attacking sides in Europe.
Moreover, while his underlying numbers are incredibly impressive, the left-footed phenom also has the raw output to back it up.
In 37 appearances last season, the 16-capped international racked up eight goals and 19 assists, meaning that he averaged a goal involvement every 1.37 games, and he's carried that form in the European Championships, winning the Player of the Match award against Italy last week.
Appearances
31
6
Goals
5
3
Assists
14
5
Goal Involvements per Match
0.61
1.33
Ultimately, with his incredible underlying numbers, rapid pace, and impressive output, Williams would be an excellent signing for the North Londoners, and with Odegaard's brilliant passing behind him, he could reach a whole new level in England.
Arsenal struck gold on Arteta signing who's now worth more than Gyokeres
The “magnificent” talent is one of the club’s most important players.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 25, 2024
Aston Villa could soon make a £20m+ bid to sign a new midfielder with Champions League experience.
The good news keeps on coming at Villa Park, with manager Unai Emery signing a new long-term deal off the back of sealing a top-four finish in the Premier League during his first full season at the club.
Speaking after penning a new five-year contract, Emery said: “I am very happy to take this step and the responsibility of leading this club. Since I came to Villa with Wes and Nassef we found always the best environment and structure to develop a project with the highest ambition.
“All the football structure with Monchi and Damian and the owners, we share the same vision and same goals. There’s a great chemistry in Aston Villa. And the element of the fans’ support also makes the difference to feel like home. We are really excited to continue this journey with no limits to our dreams.”
The club are now preparing for Champions League football during the 2024/25 season, which could result in a number of new players joining over the summer to bolster Emery’s squad.
Former loanee Ross Barkley could be the first through the door on a permanent basis from Luton Town, whereas Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso, Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo and Sevilla left-back and long-term target Marcos Acuna also heavily linked with moves to the Midlands.
Aston Villa lying in wait as Leeds now under pressure to sell £15k-p/w star
There could be a bargain to be had at Villa Park.
By
Ben Browning
May 28, 2024
Further additions in midfield also appear to be of interest alongside Barkley, with Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot being looked at on a potential free transfer having worked with Emery at Paris Saint-Germain. However, Rabiot’s midfield teammate at Juventus is also on the radar, according to a new report.
According to an update in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Juventus’ Weston McKennie is ‘very popular’ in the Premier League, with Villa, Everton and Newcastle all eyeing 'possible offers'.
It is added that Juventus will look to sell the midfielder this summer if they can’t agree on a new contract, with McKennie’s current deal set to expire in 12 months' time. The Serie A giants would request up to €25m (£21.2m) for the USA international, a fee which is ‘well within the reach’ of the three English clubs.
McKennie, labelled a "dangerous player" by Jesse Marsch, has recent experience playing in the Premier League with Leeds following a loan spell last year, however, the 25-year-old couldn’t help the Whites avoid relegation during his 20 appearances. He has since returned to Juventus and has gone on to play 38 times in all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign, registering an impressive 10 assists.
The midfielder, who shares the same Wasserman agency as Tyrone Mings, can play in a number of roles and has turned out 24 times in the Champions League during his career, so this could be a deal to keep an eye on.
MatériaMais Notícias
Em pleno estádio do Café, em jogo válido pela 22ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro da Série B, o Coritiba venceu o Londrina pelo placar de 3 a 2. O Tubarão abriu o marcador no início do primeiro tempo com Marcelinho mostrando muito oportunismo. Mas o Coritiba conseguiu logo o empate com Matheus Sales. Na metade da etapa inicial, Celsinho fez o gol do 2 a 1. Só que aos 45, Waguinho marcou o gol do empate. Na etapa complementar, aos 33, Cástan fez o gol da virada e da vitória do Coxa.
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Com o resultado, o Coxa volta a liderança do Campeonato Brasileiro da Série B, com 42 pontos ganhos. O Tubarão está com 21 pontos, na 17ª posição e na zona de rebaixamento.
CALENDÁRIO
O próximo compromisso do Coritiba é contra o Brusque, no feriado do dia 7 de setembro, no Couto Pereira, em Curitiba. Já o Londrina visita o Botafogo, dia 11 de setembro, no estádio do Engenhão.
A partida
PRIMEIRO TEMPO
LONDRINA COMEÇA O JOGO ABRINDO O PLACAR, CORITIBA RESPONDE DEIXANDO TUDO IGUAL
Precisando sair da zona de rebaixamento, o Londrina começou a partida a mil por hora e abrindo o marcador logo de cara. Em jogada pelo lado direito, após bate e rebate na área, a bola sobrou para Marcelinho abrir o marcador: 1 a 0 para o Tubarão, aos 4 minutos.
Mas o Coritiba não deu muito tempo para o Londrina comemorar. Aos 15 minutos, depois de cobrança de falta, a defesa do Tubarão não conseguiu afastar o perigo, Matheus Sales aproveitou e acertou belo para igualar o marcador: 1 a 1.
TUBARÃO MARCA O SEGUNDO, COXA EMPATA NOVAMENTE
O jogo era bom e os dois times continuavam atacando em busca do segundo gol. O Londrina foi mais eficiente e conseguiu encontrar novamente a vantagem. Pelo lado direito, Marcelinho cruzou, Celsinho subiu no meio dos defensores do Coritiba e cabeceou para marcar mais um para o Londrina: 2 a 1, aos 27 minutos.
Apesar de deixar todo o contra-ataque para o Londrina, o Coritiba foi para o abafa atrás do empate antes do intervalo e conseguiu. Aos 45, Natanael cruzou a bola e Waguinho cabeceou, o goleiro César chegou a efetuar a defesa, mas a bola já tinha, segundo o VAR, passado a risca fatal: 2 a 2.
SEGUNDO TEMPO
LONDRINA QUASE EMPATA
No comecinho da etapa complementar, o time do Londrina teve uma boa chance para marcar o terceiro gol. Marcelinho rouba a bola e solta uma pancada de fora da área, Wilson conseguiu espalmar e salvar o Coritiba.
CORITIBA CRIA CHANCES E VIRA O JOGO
Após o susto no início da etapa final, o Coxa cresceu na partida e criou boas oportunidades para marcar. Mas o goleiro César e o zagueiro Saimon estavam bem colocados para evitar que o Coritiba fizesse o terceiro gol.
O Londrina até que tentava sair da defesa e também assustar, mas a pressão do Coritiba continuava intensa e logo surtiu efeito. Aos 33, Robinho cobrou falta na área, Henrique desviou Castán, sozinho, marcou o gol da virada: 3 a 2.
LONDRINA TENTA EMPATAR NA BASE DO ABAFA, MAS CORITIBA FICA COM A VITÓRIA
O Tubarão foi para o desespero no fim do jogo atrás do empate, mas o Coxa conseguiu se segurar na defesa e não deu oportunidades para os donos da casa de igualar o marcador. Com o resultado, o Coritiba volta a liderança, enquanto o Londrina permanece enterrado na zona de rebaixamento
LONDRINA 2 x 3 CORITIBA – 22ª RODADA DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO DA SÉRIE B
Estádio do Café, em Londrina (PR)
Data/horário: 1º de setembro de 2021, às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro: André Luiz de Freitas Castro (GO)
Assistentes: Tiago Gomes da Silva (GO) e Tiego Henrique dos Santos Braga (GO)
VAR: Adriano Milczvski (PR)
Cartões amarelos: Matheus Bianqui, Tárik, Gegê (LON), Natanael, Matheus Sales, Igor Paixão (COR)
Cartões vermelhos:
GOLS: Marcelinho, 04’/1ºT (1-0) (LON); Matheus Sales, 15’/1ºT (1-1) (COR), Celsinho, 27’/1ºT (2-1) (LON), Waguininho, 45’/1ºT (2-2) (COR), Luciano Castán, 40’/2ºT (2-3) (COR).
LONDRINA (Técnico: Márcio Fernandes)
César; Matheus Bianqui (Marcão, aos 27’/2ºT), Saimon, Lucas Costa e Felipe; Tárik, Jhonny Lucas, Lucas Lourenço (Júnior Pirambu, aos 37’/2ºT) e Celsinho (Gegê, no intervalo); Marcelinho (Caprini, 27’/2ºT) e Salatiel (Alan Pinheiro, aos 23’/2ºT).
CORITIBA (Técnico: Gustavo Morínigo)
Wilson; Natanael, Henrique, Luciano Castán e Guilherme Biro; Willian Farias, Matheus Sales (Gustavo Bochecha, aos 37’/2ºT) e Robinho (Valdeci, aos 37’/2ºT); Waguininho, Léo Gamalho e Igor Paixão (Wellington Carvalho, aos 48’/2ºT).
“We didn’t see the kind of spark” in the youngsters to push the senior pros out of the XI, he says
ESPNcricinfo staff19-Oct-20201:53
Fleming: This team may have run out of juice
Ten games, seven losses, just six points, and a spot right at the bottom of the table. That’s not what the Chennai Super Kings are used to – not to mention their fans – and MS Dhoni conceded after the team’s latest defeat, by seven wickets to the Rajasthan Royals, that “this season we were not really there”.As for the younger players in the squad, who, perhaps, could have been given a chance as the side floundered, Dhoni was direct, saying “maybe we didn’t see the kind of spark” that would have forced the management to change things around.”We tried a few things – that is one thing you don’t want to do, you don’t want to do too many chopping and changes because what really happens is after three-four, or five, games you are not really sure about anything,” Dhoni told Star Sports, the official broadcasters, after the game in Abu Dhabi. “So you want to give guys a fair go. Then if you are not performing, you switch and go back to somebody else and then you give him the same kind of run. Insecurity is something that you don’t really want to prevail in the dressing room.”This season, we were not really there. And, also, there were a few chances to the youngsters and maybe we didn’t see the kind of spark that they could have given us to say, okay, push [out] the experienced guy and maybe make some space for them (youngsters).”The Super Kings have fielded 17 players so far, some because of injuries to the regular players. And Dhoni said that most of them would get a chance in the remainder of the games, perhaps hinting that he had given up hope of a turnaround – four wins in four might give them a chance of qualifying for the playoffs.”Today, the result, what it really does is give those guys whatever is left in our league stages, they will get a chance and they will have no real pressure on them,” he said. “They can go out and express themselves. And give us the option of looking at what are the options in batting line-up or where they would like to bat.”2:34
Did Dhoni get his tactics wrong?
Speaking at the press interaction after the game, coach Stephen Fleming admitted that the team was “pretty down” and was struggling to stay “upbeat and positive” after the succession of poor results.”It’s pretty down to be honest and it’s fair enough too,” he said of the mood in the camp. “We have come close in a couple of games, but today we were thoroughly outplayed. We knew it was a crucial game to stay in the competition and outside chance to probably get through. But when you’re relying on other results and change of form for your own team, it’s very hard to be upbeat and positive.”Dhoni’s own batting form has been poor – 164 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 125.19 – and that, in no small measure, has contributed to the Super Kings, three-time IPL champions, being in the unfamiliar position of being table-proppers.”You always try to address things. It is not always supposed to go your way. That’s why what you try to see, going back to the process and seeing whether the process is wrong or maybe we were not able to execute, how the performance was on the field,” he explained. “Result is always the byproduct of the process so we keep going back to that.”What it helps is it really helps you think in a positive way. Because we play in front of our fans and millions of people so there’s nothing much you can hide. But the fact still remains that if you are more busy with the process then that undue pressure of results doesn’t get into the dressing room.”
Tottenham have contacted one club as they target two of their players, and one has even drawn comparisons to Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane.
Spurs expected to have busy summer transfer window
The north Londoners, after a pretty positive debut season for manager Ange Postecoglou in the dugout, are now looking to build upon last campaign with key additions throughout the Australian's squad.
Tottenham now favourites to sign £20 million star after talks with his reps
The Lilywhites have made him a “key target”.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 4, 2024
Spurs are looking to make more attacking signings after sealing a loan extension for Timo Werner, while it is believed that a new midfielder could arrive at Tottenham this summer amid the uncertainty surrounding Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's future.
A new full-back, who would come in as back up for either Pedro Porro or Destiny Udogie, has also been mooted by certain sections of the media. Spurs are rumoured to hold an interest in the likes Kyle Walker-Peters in this regard, with the north Londoners apparently set for what could be a busy next few months.
Son Heung-min
7.30
James Maddison
7.17
Manor Solomon
7.05
Pedro Porro
7.04
Cristian Romero
7.03
A plethora of outgoings are expected, as chairman Daniel Levy and co are open to offers for over a dozen members of Postecoglou's squad (Paul O'Keefe). It is also believed that it will be a hectic one in terms of incomings to replace whoever departs.
"I think it will be an important summer for Tottenham in terms of midfield," said reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.
"And then [there will be] an offensive player, at least one offensive player. We will see if it's going to be more a kind of winger or more a kind of number nine. But they are exploring the offensive players market and I think they will do something also in that position. So I think it will be a busy summer at Tottenham."
In terms of bringing in a new defender and wide player, Spurs could actually kill two birds with one stone as they contact Rennes over both Desire Doue and his brother, Guela Doue.
Tottenham make approach over Doue brothers at Renne
Tottenham have apparently approached Rennes over signing the Doue brothers, and Desire has even drawn comparisons with Zidane. The 19-year-old bagged four goals and four assists last season, attracting attention from a host of Europe's top clubs who are keen on his services.
Guela, 21, featured just as regularly for the Ligue 1 side – making 24 appearances at right-back and chipping in with two assists. It is unclear just how much Rennes would demand for the siblings, but Desire is rumoured to command a price tag of around £35 million alone.
"Doue has been compared to Wayne Rooney owing to his great strength on the ball but stylistically he collates more to Zinedine Zidane," wrote statistical football website WhoScored.
"Like the France legend, Doue is capable with both feet and has a wicked long-range drive when given the opportunity. He exudes confidence and possess carrying ability of an elite player. Doue is happy to be in enclosed spaces, where he uses his nimble feet to draw himself out of trouble.
"Featuring predominantly on the left-wing last season, Doue is an expert at getting the ball into central areas of the box."
In a significant blow to the Sunrisers Hyderabad, India fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been ruled out of IPL 2020 due to a thigh injury he picked against the Chennai Super Kings last week. The Sunrisers have announced left-arm fast bowler Prithvi Raj Yarra as replacement.Concerns grew over Kumar’s fitness and further participation in the IPL after he sat out the Sunrisers’ last match, on Sunday against the Mumbai Indians. Kumar had limped out of the field in the previous match against the Chennai Super Kings, having bowled just one delivery while into his fourth over.At the time, Kumar was seen holding his hip, but it is understood he has injured his thigh. It cannot be confirmed how serious the injury is. However, the Indian team management and selectors would be concerned, considering he would be in the reckoning for India’s upcoming tour of Australia – which is likely to be start in late November – although no official itinerary has been announced.Kumar is the third player – and second for the Sunrisers – to miss this year’s IPL due to injury. Australia allrounder Mitchell Marsh was the first to be ruled out due to ankle injury in the first week of IPL. Also, on Monday, the Delhi Capitals announced that legspinner Amit Mishra would not participate further in the tournament, having hurt the ring finger on his bowling hand.The Sunrisers are bound to feel the absence of Kumar, their most experienced and best strike bowler. Even though he had just taken three wickets this IPL, he was among the most economical bowlers in the tournament, having given away just 6.98 runs an over.Kumar, who is 30, would be disappointed that another injury has disrupted his return to cricket. Recently, talking on , a show hosted by former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta on ESPNcricinfo, he had pointed out of being wary of picking niggles upon returning to cricket after several months in lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Who is Prithvi Raj Yarra?Prithvi Raj Yarra is a 22-year-old left-arm fast bowler, who has played only ten first-class matches for Andhra. However, he has become one of their prime bowlers whenever available for selection over the last three seasons, having taken 39 wickets at 21.51.His speeds are similar to that of fellow Sunrisers’ fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed. Yarra was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2019 IPL and played only two matches. Incidentally, his only IPL wicket came on debut against the Sunrisers when he foxed David Warner with a slower ball. Despite a low number of senior-level matches since debuting in the 2017-18 season, Raj has already played in the Duleep Trophy for India Red and in the Deodhar Trophy last year for India A. His last T20 match came for the Knight Riders against the Rajasthan Royals in last year’s IPL.Yarra travelled with the Sunrisers’ squad as a net bowler and hence would be automatically assimilated into the squad without having to undergo the six-day quarantine for anyone coming into the IPL’s biosecure environment.
The Lionesses captain had a difficult day out but she wasn't alone, as Jonas Eidevall's side endured a third successive game without victory
Just minutes before kick-off at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall told that his team's defending from set pieces needed to improve against a Chelsea side excellent in those situations. When the Gunners conceded the opening goal from a corner just four minutes into what felt a must-win fixture for their title hopes, and perhaps their coach's future, it was a strong sign that it was not going to be the hosts' day – and it wasn't, in a 2-1 defeat.
When a totally unmarked Sandy Baltimore added to Mayra Ramirez's improvised finish to make it 2-0 with 16 minutes played, those in the stands may have feared a mauling. Chelsea looked sharp, dangerous and capable of scoring almost every time they got forward. But Caitlin Foord's strike just before half-time halved the deficit and gave Arsenal a potential launchpad for a comeback.
As the second half progressed, an equaliser seemed more and more likely. While Chelsea's level did drop, the Gunners improved drastically and Stina Blackstenius must have thought she'd levelled things up with five minutes to play, only to see her effort smack the crossbar. It would've been a goal they deserved, too, but in the end the shocking defending of the opening stages proved fatal, leaving Arsenal with just five points from their opening four Women's Super League fixtures and Eidevall's future in doubt.
GOAL rates the Gunners' players from the Emirates Stadium…
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Daphne van Domselaar (6/10):
Made a great save to deny Beever-Jones in the second half. Didn't have much else to do.
Emily Fox (4/10):
Lost Ramirez too easily for the first goal. Lacked communication with Mead especially but also the entire back line.
Leah Williamson (4/10):
Really did not look herself out there today. Made strange decisions and was dominated by Ramirez.
Lotte Wubben-Moy (5/10):
Not as weak a link at the back but still had some poor moments.
Katie McCabe (6/10):
Protected her area of the pitch much better than was being done on the opposite flank, though that bar was low.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield
Lia Walti (5/10):
Worked hard and was good when on the ball, but didn't do enough to make Arsenal's possession more meaningful, more often.
Kim Little (5/10):
Similar to Walti, was accurate in possession and battled well, just didn't move the ball quick enough when it was needed.
Mariona Caldentey (4/10):
Struggled to make her mark in a central role.
GettyAttack
Beth Mead (4/10):
Needed to help Fox out more and didn't get involved enough in attack.
Alessia Russo (4/10):
Wasn't in the box enough and wasn't ruthless with the couple of opportunities that did fall to her in there.
Caitlin Foord (7/10):
One of the only players to do herself justice in the first half, one she capped with a great goal.
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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Frida Maanum (6/10):
Was a positive introduction and helped Arsenal look more dangerous in attack.
Stina Blackstenius (N/A):
Was so close to an equaliser in the final minutes.
Kyra Cooney-Cross (N/A):
Didn't have a lot of time to make an impact.
Jonas Eidevall (4/10):
A sluggish first-half performance with diabolical defending cost his team the result here. Improvements after half-time were good and his substitutions helped too, with the nature of the defeat certainly valiant in the end.
The season may not have ended in the fashion fans were hoping it would, but Tottenham Hotspur appear to have taken a step back towards playing exciting and entertaining football under Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian has banished the dreary displays fans were subjected to under José Mourinho, Nuno Espírito Santo and Antonio Conte, and while a Champions League place was within their grasp, the Lilywhites look well-placed to improve next season.
However, to do that, Daniel Levy and Co need to provide the manager with the right players, and based on recent reports, they could be about to add a winger who'd be the perfect rival for last summer's most expensive signing, Brennan Johnson.
Tottenham Hotspur transfer news
According to recent reports from Portugal (via Sport Witness), Tottenham Hotspur are interested in bringing former youth player and Sporting CP star Marcus Edwards back to N17 this summer.
The report claims that the North Londoners view the Englishman as a perfect solution to their current issues surrounding home-grown players.
Moreover, it shouldn't be a particularly expensive transfer to complete either, as the report has revealed that an offer of around €20m, which converts to about £17m, would be enough to tempt the Lisbon side into selling.
Moreover, with Edwards looking for a return to England, this move seems to suit all parties, and the extra competition for Johnson might push him to reach new heights.
How Edwards compares to Johnson
Now, Edwards, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig describes as "a joy to watch", has played in several positions in his career, including out on the left, but he has started the vast majority of his games as an out-and-out right-winger. So, with Johnson set to be one of his main competitors for game time if this deal goes ahead, how do the pair stack up against one another?
Well, from a pure output perspective, it's closer than many might imagine. Last season, the Sporting ace scored six goals and provided nine assists in 44 games, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 2.93 games. In contrast, the Lilywhites' winger returned five goals and ten assists in 38 games, equating to a goal involvement every 2.5 matches.
However, when looking at the 2022/23 campaign, the Welshman could only manage 13 goals and assists in 44 appearances for Forest, which is a goal involvement every 3.38 games, whereas the Sporting star racked up 26 goals and assists in 51 matches, equating to a goal involvement every 1.9 appearances.
Appearances
51
44
Goals
12
10
Assists
14
3
Goal Involvements per Match
0.50
0.29
Appearances
44
38
Goals
6
5
Assists
9
10
Goal Involvements per Match
0.34
0.39
How about their underlying numbers, then? Are the two widemen just as close to one another under the hood?
Interestingly, the Englishman comes out looking better in this comparison, and by quite some margin at that.
Stats per 90
Edwards
Johnson
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.74
0.73
Assists
0.27
0.39
Non-Penalty Goals
0.27
0.19
Progressive Passes
5.23
2.83
Progressive Carries
5.17
4.07
Shots
2.28
2.05
Shots on Target
0.94
0.74
Passing Accuracy
75.1%
71.7%
Shot-Creating Actions
5.96
2.98
Goal-Creating Actions
0.87
0.62
Successful Take-Ons
2.15
1.05
Miscontrols
3.42
1.51
Dispossessed
2.21
0.81
Ball Recoveries
4.30
3.33
For example, while he comes out second best in some metrics such as miscontrols, number of times dispossessed and assists, he comes out ahead in most others, including non-penalty expected goals and assists, actual non-penalty goals, progressive passes and carries, shots and shots on target, ball recoveries, goal and shot-creating actions, and successful take-ons, all per 90.
Of course, the "wonderful" Sporting ace, as dubbed by Kulig, is playing in a weaker league, but the numbers are impressive.
Ultimately, Johnson had a reasonably successful debut campaign for Spurs last season and showed a great deal of potential to improve in 2024/25.
However, considering the fee being reported and his comparison to the Welshman, bringing Edwards to the club this summer could provide the perfect competition for the former Forest star, which can only be a good thing.
He's like Isak: Spurs eye "insane" £25m Richarlison upgrade
The prolific striker could supercharge the Lilywhites’ attack.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 21, 2024
Gareth Southgate is a shock candidate to replace Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace, despite ruling himself out of taking the Manchester United job.
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