Newcastle United are reportedly set to face a battle off the pitch with one of their early summer transfer targets also now wanted by Manchester United.
Newcastle transfer news
Even with drama still to come on the pitch, reports suggest that Newcastle are wasting no time in pursuing their summer targets away from the action at St James' Park, with an agreement reportedly reached with Lloyd Kelly. The Bournemouth defender is set to leave the Cherries at the end of the season with his contract up, allowing him to join up with Eddie Howe at Newcastle.
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Kelly's arrival will be the start of solving the Magpies' defensive depth problem. Without both Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman in the long-term due to ACL injuries, the Bournemouth defender should instantly provide adequate cover that Newcastle have so desperately lacked in the current campaign.
The Englishman won't solve all of their problems in that area, however, and PIF seem to be well aware of that after reports suggested that Newcastle are targeting a similar deal to sign Tosin Adarabioyo. The Fulham defender is also out of contract this summer, allowing the Magpies to swoop in and land a free deal.
It may not be that simple though. According to TalkSport, Manchester United want to hijack Newcastle's move to sign Adarabioyo following Raphael Varane's announcement that he will be leaving Old Trafford this summer. The Red Devils would be dealing the Magpies an unexpected blow in pursuit of boosting their defensive options and potentially laying down a marker ahead of competing against Howe's side next season.
As the end of the season approaches and the end of Adarabioyo's contract, the Fulham defender looks set to have a crucial decision to make regarding his future in the Premier League,
"Special" Adarabioyo should choose Newcastle
Pictures of the Old Trafford roof leaking following Saturday's loss against Arsenal sums up where Manchester United find themselves in many ways. The Red Devils are back to square one under Erik ten Hag and represent an environment in which fresh faces often fail to thrive.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have seen the likes of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes reach their best form since completing moves to St James' Park – Adarabioyo should follow suit. He has the potential to seal a regular place in Howe's starting side too, especially after the praise of Marco Silva.
The Fulham boss said via Bein Sports: "He is a key player for us. He is one of the leaders in our dressing room and we need these guys to step in in the right moments and he did it.
“We missed him a lot, we missed him because he didn’t play the first three months of the season. Tosin is a special player for us, I can’t hide that situation.
“The way he can defend the box but also on the ball he is a special player for me, the way I want to play, the way he can build (from the back)."
The conclusion of the 2023/24 season leaves Bayern Munich in an unfamiliar position: trophyless and desperately searching for a new manager.
Changes in the dugout are hardly a new phenomenon for the Bavarians, but something is different this time around, with the club appearing to be frantically sounding out plenty of candidates – including Thomas Tuchel, who nearly made a U-turn after previously saying he would leave at the end of the season as planned.
So with the ex-Bundesliga juggernauts looking uncharacteristically scattergun when it comes to finding a successor, it is hard to keep up with who is in the running to take over at the Allianz Arena.
Here are the managers who seem to be leading the race, though this can easily change over what could be a volatile summer in Munich.
Manager
Current team
Odds
Vincent Kompany
Burnley
4/5
Mauricio Pochettino
n/a
2/1
Roberto De Zerbi
n/a
9/1
Hansi Flick
n/a
10/1
Sebastian Hoeness
Stuttgart
16/1
Erik ten Hag
Man Utd
20/1
Thomas Frank
Brentford
20/1
Massimiliano Allegri
n/a
25/1
Xabi Alonso
Bayer Leverkusen
25/1
Zinedine Zidane
n/a
25/1
1 Vincent Kompany Burnley
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany.
Vincent Kompany has become a sought-after manager in recent weeks, with the Belgian being linked with the vacancies at Bayern and Brighton, among others.
That comes despite facing relegation from the Premier League with Burnley and a lack of high-level success in management, even if his trophy-laden playing career precedes him. It would be a bold choice by anyone to hire the Belgian, and that he is heavily backed at this stage is intriguing in itself.
Mauricio Pochettino recently became a sudden managerial departure himself, and this has opened up the prospect of him swapping west London for Bavaria.
Since his exit from Stamford Bridge, the indication has been that he could jump straight into another role, and with Bayern looking to return to the pinnacle of German football, reuniting Harry Kane with his former manager may now become a distinct possibility.
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ByRobbie Walls May 27, 2024 3 Roberto De Zerbi Free agent (Last job: Brighton)
Roberto De Zerbi is now available to approach without having to negotiate with his club, having parted ways with Brighton & Hove Albion following the end of the season.
One hurdle to overcome, should they wish to hire the Italian, could be that the ex-Seagulls boss appeared to suggest that he would be taking an extended break after his departure from the south coast side.
But having been mentioned as a potential successor to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in recent months, perhaps a move to Bayern wouldn’t be totally above his station.
Next Brighton manager: Who could replace Roberto De Zerbi?
Former boss Hansi Flick knows how to win at Bayern, so would be a safer bet than most on this list. His stint as Germany boss, which included their early exit at the World Cup, may serve to taint his reputation, but he will always remain a Champions League and Bundesliga winner, and returning to familiar surroundings may bring the best out of him once again.
But whether that is what this team needs having finally relinquished their domestic crown remains to be seen.
5 Sebastian Hoeness VfB Stuttgart
This one could be a long shot, even if it would make a lot of sense from a selfish point of view. Sebastian Hoeness’ Stuttgart side shocked the Bundesliga not only in qualifying for next season’s Champions League, but doing so ahead of Bayern, as well as finalists Borussia Dortmund.
It has been said that but for Bayer Leverkusen’s gargantuan heroics, the achievements of Hoeness’ team would be the story of the season.
So weakening a rival by picking off their talented manager would almost certainly serve Bayern well, though indications are that Hoeness is committed to Stuttgart for the moment.
6 Erik ten Hag Manchester United
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Erik ten Hag has been doing a poor job at Manchester United, with his side having to settle for eighth place in the Premier League. Indeed, the upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City remains their only chance of playing in Europe next season.
However, it appears the powers that be at Bayern see things a little differently, with Ten Hag mentioned as a potential candidate for the top job in Bavaria despite a terrible campaign.
But for all his accomplishments, it is difficult to imagine Bayern seeing him as the best option given the Dutchman’s limited success in two years at United.
7 Thomas Frank Brentford
Brentford boss Thomas Frank
Reports in recent days had suggested that Thomas Frank has been mentioned internally as a potential candidate for the vacant role.
Though while Frank’s job in turning Brentford into a stable Premier League side has been admirable, it could be argued that there has been little to suggest he would be capable of thriving at a club like Bayern Munich. It would represent one hell of a jump up, so this is surely on the unlikelier end of the probability scale.
There are a lot of things that go in Massimiliano Allegri’s favour when it comes to pitching for the Bayern job. He’s a serial league winner and has handled many egos in a supremely talented Juventus side over a long period of time.
Therefore, should Bayern be preparing to build their next dynasty, Allegri can boast of being in charge of one himself.
However, the nature of his departure in Turin will surely cast doubt over his suitability for the role, not least in the wake of another sub-par league campaign from the Old Lady.
9 Xabi Alonso Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso.
The fact Xabi Alonso is this far down the list perhaps points towards Bayern’s lack of confidence in getting him in, with the Spaniard leading Bayer Leverkusen to an unprecedented Bundesliga title in an unbeaten campaign.
Naturally, continuing the project in Leverkusen appears to be the most likely outcome, with many players set to do the same. However, you wouldn’t be surprised if Bayern keep their eyes on their former midfielder and pounce if given an opportunity.
10 Zinedine Zidane Free agent (Last job: Real Madrid)
Zinedine Zidane’s record is certainly impressive, though he has never managed outside of Real Madrid. What does go in the Frenchman’s favour is his ability to control a dressing room full to the brim with stars – something that could come in handy if Bayern come calling.
However, there are surely better-placed candidates than a manager who has not managed in club football for three years.
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The 2023/24 season has been a very disappointing campaign for Manchester United, who are currently eighth in the Premier League. They can finish no higher than sixth place, which Chelsea occupy at the moment, although they would have to turn over an outrageous goal difference to do so.
The Red Devils currently have 57 points, equal to that of Newcastle United, who they beat 3-2 in their most recent game. If results go their way, the Old Trafford outfit can reach seventh place and qualify for the Europa Conference League – should they beat Brighton and Hove Albion.
It has also been something of a mixed-bag season for their biggest stars, too. Bruno Fernandes has had an impressive campaign, and has the most goal involvements by any United player this term, with 18 in the Premier League.
Youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have also had a strong time of things this season. 19-year-old Mainoo has played 28 games for the first team, scoring four times and registering one assist. Garnacho has featured in 48 games, getting on the scoresheet nine times and registering five assists.
The academy pair have shown up a fair few of their senior colleagues it's fair to say, but one high-profile star will be hoping to finish the season strongly against the Seagulls, alongside Fernandes and co.
Marcus Rashford's season in numbers
The player in question here is United and England winger, Marcus Rashford. The 26-year-old is one of the most destructive wingers in world football but has not found his feet in the 2023/24 season.
In 41 games in all competitions for United, Rashford has scored just eight goals, of which seven have come in the Premier League, and has just five assists. This is a far cry from his 2022/23 exploits when he scored 30 goals and registered ten assists in 56 games in all competitions.
Like many of his teammates, Rashford has struggled with an injury at the back end of the season. This has caused him to be unavailable for the past few United games, but he did make an appearance off the bench against Newcastle on Wednesday.
Interestingly, that was Rashford’s 400th appearance for the club, a span of games during which he has scored 131 goals and registered 64 assists.
Marcus Rashford's United career by numbers
Games
400
Starts
293
Goals
131
Assists
64
Stats from UtdDistrict
After a spell on the sidelines recently, Erik ten Hag could well reinstate Rashford in the starting lineup for a game against one of his favourite opponents later today…
Rashford’s record against Brighton
United travel down to the South Coast to face Brighton at the Amex for their Premier League finale. Of course, it is not their last game of the season, with the FA Cup final against Manchester City the weekend after.
Indeed, Rashford’s record against Brighton is impressive. He has scored four goals in 12 Premier League appearances at the Seagulls. Arguably the best of the bunch came at the Amex, where he got on the end of a superb trivela pass from Fernandes, before cutting in from the left-hand side, chopping inside and away from two oncoming defenders before firing home.
United’s number ten certainly has the potential to hurt Roberto De Zerbi's side again this weekend, having previously run "Brighton ragged", as journalist Liam Canning described it, when the two sides met earlier this season. Whilst Rashford has not been at his best in 2023/24, there is no doubting his lethal ability when in full flow.
With the ball at his feet, the Englishman is deadly. According to FBref, per 90 minutes this season, Rashford averages 3.38 progressive carries which places him in the top 4%, 2.11 final third carries per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 5%, and 2.45 carries into the penalty box per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 2%. He is deadly with the ball at his feet, and could well provide United with a cutting edge driving in from the left-hand side.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.
It makes sense for Rashford to start against Brighton. Not only does he have a good record against them, he will likely be a key player against City in the FA Cup final, so giving him a start at the Amex will help build match sharpness. The hope will be that he can once again wreak havoc alongside Fernandes, who also has four goals – and two assists – against the Seagulls to date.
Not only that, but Garnacho struggled last time out and has looked tired of late on the left flank, receiving just a 5/10 match rating from the Manchester Evening News in midweek; this is no surprise given he has started all of United's Premier League games since 11 November.
This certainly seems like the perfect game to reintroduce Rashford to the starting lineup, and Ten Hag will no doubt be hoping he can have his usual explosive impact against Brighton.
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The Blues went down 2-0 at Stamford Bridge as they barely laid a glove on the defending champions following another tumultuous summer
Back in the summer of 2021, Chelsea beat Manchester City in the Champions League final. The Blues were back moving in the right direction as a team packed with homegrown stars won the club's second European Cup. City, on the other hand, were still waiting for their first taste of continental glory after another Pep Guardiola over-think in Porto.
Fast-forward just over three years, and the two teams couldn't be further apart after hurtling in opposite directions almost ever since. City have gone on to become an unstoppable force in the Premier League while getting over the line in Europe in 2023, while Chelsea have become the laughing stock of English football after a change in ownership that brought with it the biggest spending spree the world has ever seen, coupled with a cull of the Blues' beloved academy graduates to make room on the wage bill for countless big-money flops.
It was against that backdrop that Chelsea hosted City on Sunday in their opening game of the new campaign, and to no one's surprise, Guardiola's defending champions ran out easy winners as Enzo Maresca was left to pick over the bones of a disappointing 2-0 defeat following his debut in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
Goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic cruised City to victory over a team they failed to beat last season, while drama surrounding the future of Raheem Sterling overshadowed Maresca's big day as his new boss Todd Boehly watched on from the stands at what was a muted stadium given the occasion.
Quite where Chelsea go from here is anyone's guess. The only certainty anyone was able to take away with them was that City will yet again take some beating.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Stamford Bridge…
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WINNER: Pep Guardiola
If there was a time to play City this season, it was the opening weekend. Four of the champions' biggest stars – Rodri, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones – were not in the XI at Stamford Bridge following their Euros heroics in reaching the final, and thus Guardiola was all but forced into the line up he selected.
Despite that, his team barely had to get out of second gear all game as they eased to victory. Aside from initially having Jeremy Doku and Premier League debutant Savinho on the 'wrong' wings for the opening 15 minutes, Guardiola set his team up perfectly and clearly his squad doesn't lack for motivation despite all their success.
If this is what City can do without some of their best players and with others still in pre-season mode following their own summer tournament travails, then imagine what they will be capable of once they get into a proper rhythm… The rest of the title-challengers will not have enjoyed what they saw in west London.
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LOSER: Enzo Maresca
Given Maresca's previous life working under Guardiola, few managers will have been better prepared for their first meeting with City than the Italian. You wouldn't, however, have known it from the insipid display Chelsea served up on Maresca's competitive debut.
Despite having an excited home crowd to entertain on the opening day, the Blues barely threatened, with Nicolas Jackson's propensity to drift offside ruining their best opportunities to cause the visitors problems in the first half. Maresca's side improved slightly after the break, but by the end they were chasing shadows as City toyed with them.
Maresca has walked into an unenviable situation given the dysfunction that has enveloped Chelsea over the past two-and-a-half years, and though this wasn't the calamity of some of the Blues' pre-season showings, it did not inspire much confidence, either. Easier games are on the horizon, but the lack of atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge for much of the game told a story of a team that lacked any kind of fluidity.
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WINNER: Erling Haaland
This was Haaland's 100th appearance for City and marked the start of his third season with the club. Unfortunately for everyone else in the Premier League, he once again looks in the mood to dominate the goal-scoring charts.
This was a typical Haaland display; though he wasn't too involved in general play, he proved a nuisance for the opposition centre-backs, and when the time came, he provided a combination of power and precision to put the ball in the net.
The Norwegian's goal – his 91st in a City shirt – was a thing of beauty, and one the man himself deemed "perfect" after he finally got his revenge on Robert Sanchez for a save the Chelsea goalkeeper made from him last season. The Spanish shot-stopper did keep Haaland from making it three opening-weekend braces in succession, but the two-time Golden Boot winner knows there will be more opportunities to add to his tally, starting with Ipswich at the Etihad next week.
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LOSER: Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea had a lot of players who underperformed in this game. Jackson was culpable on more than one occasion, Christopher Nkunku failed to back up a promising pre-season and Sanchez looked shaky with the ball at his feet before hopelessly flapping at Kovacic's shot as it nestled in the goal. But perhaps the most disappointing display came from Enzo Fernandez.
Despite the off-field issues that plagued his pre-season, Fernandez was handed the captain's armband in Reece James' absence, but lead from the front he did not. His first touch was off, he pressed as an individual rather than as part of any team-wide structure, and he spent as much time remonstrating with others as he did making a positive impact on the game.
The Argentina international will perhaps feel he should have had two penalties in the first half, but on both occasions he was guilty of throwing himself to the ground after losing possession inside the penalty area. Chelsea fans have been calling on the £107 million man to stand up on a consistent basis as he enters his second full season in west London, so this was not a good early sign of any improvements being made.
Tottenham Hotspur know that their fate hinges on their ability to create a winning streak in the closing stage of the Premier League, with the fifth-placed side currently six points behind Aston Villa in the top four, albeit with two games in hand.
The London club's form has been disappointed chequered since a blistering start to life under Ange Postecoglou back in the early phase, though improvements have been made this season and this is the foundation of – hopefully – a prosperous new era.
Ange Postecoglou
Regardless of whether Spurs will clinch a spot in Europe's elite competition next year, there have indeed been tantalising glimpses of what is to come, with the £43m signing of defender Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg last summer proving to be one of the catalysts of the campaign forged – and the likely linchpin of the success yet to come.
Micky van de Ven's season in numbers
Van de Ven might only be 22 years old but he has enjoyed a barnstorming maiden year in England, with his performances leading respected journalist Henry Winter to describe him as one of "the buys of summer."
As per Sofascore, the Dutchman has completed 21 Premier League appearances so far, scoring twice, completing 95% of his passes, winning 61% of his duels and averaging 1.9 tackles, 2.7 clearances and 5.7 ball recoveries per outing.
He's the real deal and Tottenham will go from strength to strength with him and Cristian Romero holding down the fort in central defence.
But he's being let down this season, not covered effectively in his backline role. Indeed, Yves Bissouma is starting to present himself as a liability and he must be sold this summer.
Why Spurs must cash in on Yves Bissouma
Once described as a "monster" by journalist Aaron Stokes, Bissouma is losing his way at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, culpable for some poor performances over recent months.
Yves Bissouma for Tottenham
There's no question that he's a highly talented player, ranking among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 12% for progressive passes, the top 14% for successful take-ons, the top 5% for tackles and the top 7% for interceptions per 90, as per FBref.
But statistics can be deceiving and the Mali international is not protecting the defence and charging the attack with the fluid fortitude needed.
He's not the highest earner in Tottenham's ranks but his £55k-per-week salary does surpass that of Van de Ven (£50k-per-week), and it might be prudent to relieve the wage bill of his signature, freeing up space to move for an improved star.
Yves Bissouma: Recent PL Match Ratings
Fixture
Score
Match Rating
Newcastle United (A)
4-0 loss
3/10
Nottingham Forest (H)
3-1 win
6/10
West Ham United (A)
1-1 draw
7/10
Luton Town (H)
2-1 win
5/10
Fulham (A)
3-0 loss
3/10
Sourced via football.london
As the table conveys, Bissouma has been on a downward spiral in recent fixtures, his early-campaign imperiousness long in the past, and is failing to hold his own in the engine room as Postecoglou's side fight for Champions League qualification.
This is reflected in his current market value of just £11m, as per Football Transfers, lower than the prices of peripheral midfield teammates such as Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Tottenham might seek to cash in this summer.
While it's unlikely that Daniel Levy would recoup the same £35m figure that was parted with for Bissouma's signing from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022, when Nuno Espirito Santo was at the helm, there's every chance that Tottenham will move for a new specialist No. 6 in the months to come.
Should this happen, Bissouma will sink further into the fringe, and his valuation might diminish further. He must be sold to continue the revival under Postecoglou's leadership.
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There is no escaping that this has been another dismal season for Chelsea Football Club.
Mauricio Pochettino has struggled to create a winning team out of his incredibly talented but young squad, and as a result, he has seriously struggled in the Premier League.
That said, there have been a couple of bright spots in the Blues' campaign, notably their Cup runs and the emergence of Cole Palmer.
The young Englishman has been a revelation in west London this year, although a former Chelsea ace is outscoring him away from England.
Cole Palmer's performance this season
Since completing his £42.5m move from Manchester City in the summer, Palmer has been a man-possessed for the Blues and looks every bit the superstar Todd Boehly and Co were hoping he'd be.
1
Cole Palmer
14
12
2
Nicolas Jackson
12
4
3
Raheem Sterling
8
10
4
Enzo Fernández
7
3
5
Mykhaylo Mudryk
6
3
In just 34 games for the Pensioners, the Wythenshawe-born gem has scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists, meaning that in his first full season of regular first-team football, the former City prospect is averaging a goal involvement every 1.3 games, which is simply remarkable.
He isn't scoring meaningless goals in 3-0 drubbings or consolation goals in defeats, either; he's having a material impact on essential matches.
For example, he scored the opening goal in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal, netted twice in their 3-2 away win over Luton Town, found the equaliser at home against City, and, most recently in the league, scored and assisted against Newcastle United.
His impact at Stamford Bridge has been undeniable, and as talent scout Jacek Kulig argues, he's already become one of the team's key "leaders" at just 21, so it's quite surprising that a former Chelsea striker is currently outscoring him away from London.
Michy Batshuayi's performances after leaving Chelsea
Yes, the former Chelsea ace in question is Belgium international Michy Batshuayi, who, after spending six years bouncing between the Bridge and various loan clubs, secured a permanent move away to Turkish Süper Lig outfit Fenerbahçe in September 2022 for a fee of around €3.5m, or £3m.
In his first season with Sari Kanaryalar, the Brussels-born forward had to contend with three separate injuries that saw him miss 12 games and spend 54 days on the sidelines, which could be long enough to disrupt and ruin many players' entire campaign, but not for the former Chelsea man.
Despite playing just 32 games throughout the year, the 6 foot 1 marksman still managed to score 20 goals, provide two assists, and play a key role in Fenerbahçe's Turkish Cup triumph.
Appearances
32
36
Goals
20
21
Assists
2
3
Goal Involvements per Match
0.68
0.66
So, in his first year with the Turkish giants, he averaged a goal involvement every 1.45 games and lifted a major trophy, making his £3m price tag look like a steal.
Fortunately, the "deadly" marksman, as journalist Josh Bunting dubbed him, has remained injury-free this season and has already scored 21 goals and provided three assists in 36 appearances, alongside getting some kickboxing practice (video below), it would seem.
Ultimately, Chelsea's decision to sell Batshuayi in 2022 might have made sense at the time, but given how well he has performed for one of the biggest clubs in Turkey, it would've been interesting to see what Pochettino could've got out of him.
West Ham United were dealt a blow in the race for European football after dropping points against Burnley, with David Moyes' side ultimately unable to complete their late comeback.
West Ham 2-2 Burnley – match report
The Irons endured an opening first 45 minutes to forget in east London on Sunday. Amid the noise surrounding Moyes' future, with his contract still set to expire at the end of this season, the manager's case to remain wasn't exactly helped by a torrid start against Burnley – who themselves look like real favourites for the drop.
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David Datro Fofana breezed past West Ham challenges to smash a thunderbolt past Alphonse Areola, opening the scoring around 10 minutes in, before defender Konstantinos Mavropanos' own goal handed the Clarets a two-goal cushion heading into half-time.
Lucas Paqueta
8.0
Danny Ings
7.6
Mohammed Kudus
7.3
Jarrod Bowen
7.1
Moyes' men did mount a second half come back after some clever substitutions, with star midfielder Lucas Paqueta grabbing one back just after the restart but striker Danny Ings rolled back the years with a brilliant finish in added time.
It was too late by that point for West Ham, though, who had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Burnley and couldn't quite nick all three points in the end – despite their valiant late efforts.
“The decisions today went so badly against us,” said Moyes on West Ham's draw against Burnley, who took aim at the officials.
"The offside for the goal, then there is one in the first half where the linesman puts his flag up and Jarrod Bowen is onside. Even if he wasn’t, the rules are supposed to be that you wait until he’s got to be sure he’s offside. He doesn’t. He puts his flag up straight away and I’ve seen it and he’s onside.
“Then you’ve got Sander Berge heads the ball or tries to head the ball in front and it hits his arms. There have been quite a few decisions today which really went against us.”
There were a few players whose performances were brought into question during the contest, like January signing Kalvin Phillips, who has been criticised yet again as he struggles to dust off the cobwebs from his days sitting on Man City's bench.
Kalvin Phillips for West Ham
James Ward-Prowse was slammed for his Burnley display by West Ham media as well, with TalkSPORT commentator Tom Rennie also dropping quite a damning assessment of Mavropanos' display.
Mavropanos slammed in West Ham draw against Burnley
Rennie, taking to X, said Mavropanos was playing like he'd "been struck in the head" during West Ham's draw against Burnley.
Barring his own goal, WhoScored detailed that Mavropanos was one of West Ham's lowest rated players on the day – with the Greek only completing just over half of his passes in what was an afternoon to forget for him.
Patrice Evra has been given a suspended 12-month prison sentence for alleged family abandonment.
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Former Man Utd star punishedOwes over £800,000 in alimonyMust also pay legal costsWHAT HAPPENED?
Per Le Parisien, Evra has been given a suspended 12-month prison sentence after being found guilty of abandoning his family for a two-year period. He is alleged to owe over £800,000 ($1m) in alimony payments to Sandra Evra and their two children.
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The sentence has been suspended for two years but the former left-back must also pay €4,000 (£3,300/$4,300) for moral damages and €2,000 (£1,600/$2,100) for legal costs. Evra has appealed the verdict. The pair split in 2020 and divorce proceedings began but haven't been finalised.
WHAT EVRA'S LAWYER SAID
Jerome Boursican said: "Mr Patrice Evra filed an appeal, knowing that he provided his wife with an apartment, a house with a swimming pool in the south of France and that he lent her almost two million euros for her daily life. A sum that she refuses to return, which is the reason for this trial."
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GettyWHAT NEXT?
Evra and his soon-to-be-ex wife will continue to fight this out through the courts. It remains to be seen when his appeal will be heard. In the meantime, Evra has another family; he is engaged to Margaux Alexandra and they have two children.
Hollywood star Kaitlin Olson joked she could play for Wrexham's women's team when they come up against Portland Thorns in Oregon this summer.
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Wrexham to face Portland Thorns in Oregon
Olson hopes to get a game for Welsh team
McElhenney puzzled by his wife's claim
WHAT HAPPENED?
Olson, the wife of Wrexham owner and co-chairman Rob McElhenney, is a Portland native and will be in attendance as the women's team take in their first-ever pre-season tour of the United States. That's not all, though, as the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-star joked that she will be playing in the clash in her hometown, much to her husband's surprise.
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WHAT OLSON & MCELHENNEY SAID
After declaring herself Wrexham's "co-chairwoman by marriage", Olson said: "Anyway, the Wrexham AFC Women's team is playing the Portland Thorns during their first-ever summer tour and I will be there because, as you know, I am from Portland, and I'll also probably be playing in the game."
When a puzzled McElhenney denied his wife's claim, she replied: "They might ask me to."
After the actor gave up fighting her on the matter, he said: "Come watch Kaitlin tear her hamstring."
"My hamstrings are going to be fine," she replied.
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WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
Wrexham women will begin their maiden voyage to the USA with games against SoCal FC and Tigres Femenil Under-19s in Los Angeles before they visit Oregon to face the Portland Thorns academy team. The men's team will also travel to North America, where they will travel to co-owner Ryan Reynolds' hometown in Canada to face the Vancouver Whitecaps after matches against Bournemouth and Chelsea.
Wolverhampton Wanderers continue to impress under Gary O'Neil this season.
The Wanderers latest 2-1 away win over Tottenham Hotspur further highlighted the improvement made by the side since the summer.
One of the reasons for this success is their excellent recruitment in the transfer market over the past few years, with the likes of Joao Gomes, Matheus Cunha, and Hwang Hee-chan all being influential this campaign.
However, there is one player who goes under the radar slightly, who has been a reliable rock and proven to be an absolute bargain.
Toti Gomes' rise to the Premier League
Toti Gomes' path to Premier League stardom is a rather interesting tale, as after playing just three games for Estoril in Liga Portugal Two in 2019, then Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo snapped up the defender a year later – and it is reasonable to presume that the scouting department won't have envisioned him playing such a key role this season.
Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back Toti Gomes.
Upon his arrival at Wolves, the defender was immediately sent on loan to Swiss side Grasshoppers, who were playing in the second tier at the time. The Portuguese ace was incredible during their title-winning campaign in 2021, playing 34 times.
The 25-year-old stayed at the club until January 2022, and two weeks later, he made his debut for Wolves in the Premier League against Southampton in a 3-1 win. Former captain Conor Coady was impressed by the number 24's first start, calling him "fantastic" in a post-match interview.
Toti Gomes 2023/24 season so far
Last season, Gomes featured much more than he did after making his debut, playing 17 times in the league as either a left-centre back or a left-back, with neither of those being the position that gets the best out of him.
The arrival of O'Neil has seen the former Estoril star develop into a quality defender, with the left-centre back role in a back three becoming his own, due to his ability to win duels and use his athleticism to dominate wingers. Gomes has played in every game since coming into the side versus Manchester City in September, with the win against Spurs being his 19th league start of the campaign.
Gomes' profile is perfect for a side operating in a back three, while his versatility also allows him to play comfortably in a back four as a fullback or a centre half. The 6 foot 2 rock is proactive and able to adapt to different match states, whether it is using his ability on the ball to get the team up the field or using his excellent reading of the game to sniff out danger when under pressure. He displayed all of the above against Spurs this weekend.
Minutes
95
Clearances
5
Tackles
2
Interceptions
4
Dribbled past
0
Pass accuracy %
83%
Successful dribbles
2/2
With his Portugal debut under his belt and plenty of action in the Premier League, while also being left-footed, his estimated worth has rocketed to €14m (£12m), according to Transfermarkt.
That may not seem like much, yet having been valued at just €1m (£900k) at the time of his return to Molineux in January 2022, that marks a remarkable increase of 1233% – indicating just what a blinder it was in bringing him to the club.
Market Movers
Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?
Fresh from signing a new long-term contract with the Old Gold earlier this month, Gomes can continue to dazzle under O'Neil's watch for the foreseeable future.