Looking to add yet another young talent after recently announcing the arrival of Vakhtang Salia, Newcastle United have held opening talks for one Brazilian gem.
Newcastle transfer news
Those at St James’ Park should be pleased to see Newcastle’s transfer activity picking up ahead of 2025, even if it’s just for players likely to make an impact in years to come rather than the here and now. Sporting director Paul Mitchell and the rest of his transfer team in Tyneside endured a nightmare summer transfer window, but are seemingly beginning to make up for that disaster, starting with Salia.
Speaking to Newcastle’s official website after Salia’s arrival was announced, Mitchell said: “We’re delighted to get ahead of a number of other top clubs to sign Vakhtang.
Paul Mitchell at Newcastle United.
“Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future, particularly within the current PSR framework, so the market is fiercely competitive.
“We continue to scout extensively, both domestically and overseas, with a view to securing players who can come through our talent pathway and, ideally, become part of the first team in future. We look forward to working with Vakhtang and wish him every success during his remaining time with Dinamo Tbilisi.”
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Not wasting any time though, the sporting director, along with PIF, have shifted their focus elsewhere. According to Globo Esporte, Newcastle have now made their first move to sign William Gomes from Sao Paulo after holding initial talks. The 18-year-old is a star on the rise and one who may yet be on his way to St James’ Park.
"Monster" Gomes could replace Almiron
Potentially solving their Miguel Almiron problem, Newcastle could sign a winger who’s on course to become a true star in the form of Gomes. The Brazilian, still just 18 years old, has already earned high praise from U23 scout Antonio Mango, who went as far as describing the winger as a “dribbling monster”.
Of course, at such a young age Gomes is unlikely to make an instant impact in Eddie Howe’s side if he decides to swap Brazil for Newcastle, but he would certainly be a long-term option.
Having scored two senior goals in the current campaign for Sao Paulo, the teenager is already beginning to make his mark on first-team football to more than earn the attention of Premier League sides such as Newcastle.
O São Paulo não entrou em campo neste sábado, mas teve uma ‘derrota’ no Campeonato Paulista. Isso porque o Água Santa derrotou o Novorizontino por 1 a 0 e jogou o Tricolor para a zona de rebaixamento, na penúltima colocação com um ponto, mesma pontuação que o Novorizontino.
RelacionadasCampeonato PaulistaÁgua Santa vence Novorizontino, que amarga a lanterna geral do PaulistãoCampeonato Paulista05/02/2022São PauloSão Paulo é o time com menos desarmes certos no PaulistãoSão Paulo05/02/2022São PauloSem jogo no fim de semana, São Paulo faz treino em campo reduzidoSão Paulo05/02/2022
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O clube de Diadema não tinha conquistado nenhum ponto, ocupando a lanterna do estadual. No entanto, o triunfo fez o Água Santa passar o próprio Novorizontino e o São Paulo. Vale ressaltar que o Tricolor tem um jogo a menos, já que o confronto diante do Palmeiras, que seria neste final de semana, foi adiado.
O São Paulo voltaa jogar na próxima quarta-feira, às 19h, contra o Santo André, no Morumbi, pela quinta rodada do Paulistão.
Somerset reprimand bowler after two tweets using word “n***o” emerge
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Nov-2021Somerset seamer Jack Brooks has issued an apology for tweets featuring racist language sent in 2012. Brooks also apologised for his role in nicknaming Cheteshwar Pujara, the India batter, “Steve” during his time at Yorkshire.The emergence of two examples of Brooks using the word “n***o” – in exchanges with England fast bowler Tymal Mills and Stewart Laudat, who played minor counties cricket for Oxfordshire – led to Somerset announcing on Wednesday evening that they would be investigating the allegations.The club released a statement on Thursday describing Brooks’ comments as “unacceptable”, saying that he would receive a formal reprimand and be required to take part in “extensive training on equality, diversity and inclusion”.Related
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Brooks, 37, said that he “deeply regretted” using the term and apologised “wholeheartedly”.”I acknowledge that the language used in two tweets I made in 2012 was unacceptable and I deeply regret using it,” Brooks said. “I unreservedly apologise for any offence caused to anybody who may have seen these tweets.”The two players to whom I sent the tweets are my friends and it was certainly not my intention to cause distress or offence to them or anyone who read them. It is my understanding that neither individual was offended at the time, but I accept that language is important and that a word I used may have caused offence to others.”I condemn discrimination of any sort and I should never have used discriminatory language, no matter what the intention and context was. I wholeheartedly apologise for any offence caused.”Mills, who recently featured in England’s T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE, responded to Brooks’ apology in a statement issued by his club, Sussex, noting that he felt “compelled to comment given how prominent issues such as this are currently”.”Jack and I have spoken about it and I know how much he regrets having used the language he did,” Mills said. “I believe it is right that both as a sport and as a society, we must go through a thorough process of reflection and introspection regarding the language we use towards each other and how we treat each other.”Jack has apologised to me profusely and sincerely which I have accepted and I still consider him to be a good friend. I consider this matter to be closed and do not wish to comment on it any further.”Laudat also addressed the issue on Twitter, saying that he had “known [Brooks] for a long time” and had “never been made to feel uncomfortable in any conversations we’ve had”.
With regard to the historical tweet that has come to light between my friend Jack Brooks and I, I would like to state that I understand that things that have been said or expressed are now under increased scrutiny and rightly so if we are to address all forms of discrimination.
— Stewart V Laudat (@vernoffrog) November 18, 2021
Earlier in the week, Brooks’ name featured in Azeem Rafiq’s testimony in front of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee. Rafiq said that Brooks had started the practice at Yorkshire of referring to Pujara as “Steve”, rather than use his given name.Brooks said he had not realised it could be construed as racist but “can now see that it was not acceptable”.”With reference to my naming in Azeem Rafiq’s statement to MPs this week, the use of the name ‘Steve’ related to some people having difficult names to pronounce,” Brooks said. “When this has occurred in the past in a dressing room environment, it has been commonplace to give nicknames, regardless of creed or race. I admit to having used it in this context and now accept that it was disrespectful and wrong to do so. I have reached out and apologised to Cheteshwar for any offence that I have caused him or his family. At the time I didn’t recognise this as racist behaviour, but I can now see that it was not acceptable.”I have always tried to act with the best endeavours for inclusion and harmony in the team environments, and I have strived to learn, understand and develop as a person. This has been helped by the diversity and inclusion training that I have undertaken this year and will continue to participate in via Somerset CCC.”I will ensure that my actions and language are never brought into question like this again. I want to be clear and give an unequivocal apology to anybody who has ever been upset or offended by my actions. I am genuinely sorry.”Somerset said that they had been made aware of the tweets on Sunday and conducted their own investigation. They also urged anyone with “information on incidents which may have occurred in the past to report them to the club to ensure that lessons are learned”, as part of a confidential process.”As a result of our internal investigation, alongside the evidence given to MPs this week and now in the public domain, the club have spoken with Jack at length about the nature and content of his comments. There is no doubt that these comments are unacceptable.”Somerset CCC condemn the use of language which has any racist connotations. Jack agrees with this sentiment and is embarrassed and devastated that his comments offended people and he has acknowledged that, whilst they were made nearly a decade ago when he was less mature, the content of the posts was wrong and not in accordance with his personal values. Jack has engaged honestly and openly throughout the investigation and unreservedly apologies for his past errors.”Before arriving at conclusions, the club considered a number of factors including no evidence of repeated documented behaviour of this kind, the contrition shown by Jack throughout the process, feedback received from recipients of the social media posts, and his commitment to his own personal development.”Given these considerations, the club has decided to reprimand Jack, remind him of his responsibilities and require him to participate in extensive training on equality, diversity and inclusivity.”
Stafanie Taylor’s 117-ball 102 not out took West Indies to a 3-0 series sweep against Pakistan. Chasing 226 in the third ODI in Karachi, Taylor and Chedean Nation put together a 128-run fifth-wicket stand as West Indies romped to a six-wicket win.Put in to bat, Pakistan were off to a good start, with openers Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar stitching together a 49-run stand. Aaliyah Alleyne drew first blood, dismissing Zafar for 13. Muneeba, though, stuck around, bringing up her half-century off 75 balls.Pakistan then lost three wickets in the space of 16 balls, following which Iram Javed and Aliya Riaz resurrected the innings with a 44-run stand for the fifth wicket. Riaz hit an unbeaten 57-ball 44 to take Pakistan to 225.In reply, West Indies got off to a shaky start, Anam Amin and Diana Baig reducing them to 15 for 3. But Taylor and Hayley Matthews lifted them with an 83-run stand off 104 balls. Sadia Iqbal provided the breakthrough by removing Matthews for 49, but Taylor kept the runs flowing, bringing up her half-century off 72 balls.Nation joined Taylor at the crease in the 22nd over and the two kept the scoreboard moving. Taylor got to her seventh ODI century in 113 balls, and on her way, she also brought up 5000 runs in ODIs, becoming just the third woman to the milestone. Nation also brought up a fifty of her own as the duo finished things off quickly, sealing the match in 44 overs.”I love scoring runs and I love batting and once the team wins I’m really happy about that,” Taylor said after the match. “It’s never happened before… and I’m hoping I get a hundred against one of the (higher-ranked) teams. It’s really nice to reach such a milestone and I hope I continue to do that for West Indies.”I think this is huge. seeing that we were coming off a (series) defeat to South Africa and to come here and win 3-0, we haven’t done that in a while and it’s really nice that we can do that and get ourselves match ready.”
Daryl Dike is delighted to be back in action at West Brom, with the injury-ravaged USMNT star admitting it has “been a long year”.
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Ruled out in February 2024Back in action 12 months laterHopes fitness issues are overFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The powerful frontman stepped off the bench in the Baggies’ 1-1 draw at Millwall. He was given the final 15 minutes at The Den, with fitness having been built up steadily over recent weeks in training and across U21 appearances.
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Dike has returned after 12 months stuck on the sidelines with an Achilles injury. The 24-year-old has also endured hamstring and calf complaints during his time with West Brom, restricting him to just 33 appearances on the back of a 2022 transfer from MLS side Orlando City.
DID YOU KNOW?
The hope is that fitness problems are finally being left in the past, allowing Dike to rediscover the kind of form that has allowed the Oklahoma native to win 10 senior caps for his country. His last goal at club level was recorded on January 7, 2024.
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WHAT DARYL DIKE SAID
Dike is pleased to be doing his day job again, posting on social media after returning to the West Brom fold under experienced coach Tony Mowbray: “Been long year without doing what I love. Lots of prayers and work has been put into this. Sooooo happy to be back playing.”
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has a dilemma to ponder during the October international break, regarding his first-choice centre-forward.
Mateo Joseph started the season as the go-to option at the top end of the pitch for the Whites but was dropped to the bench for the 2-2 draw with Sunderland last week.
The Spain U21 international, who has come up through the academy at Thorp Arch, started the first eight Championship games of the campaign and contributed with one goal from 1.9 xG, along with three assists.
Joel Piroe was then brought into the starting XI against the Black Cats and made an instant impact, with a well-placed header from Wilfried Gnonto’s cross.
It was his fourth goal of the league season for Leeds, having scored three goals off the bench prior to that, and Farke must now decide who his first-choice is going to be out of the two of them moving forward.
The 25-year-old Dutchman, who scored 13 Championship goals during the regular season last term, is the experienced option, but Joseph is only 20 and has plenty of potential to fulfill.
31-year-old marksman Patrick Bamford may still have something to say but the former England international has struggled in front of goal in recent seasons.
Patrick Bamford's struggles for Leeds
The ex-Middlesbrough star helped to fire Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds team to the Premier League with a return of 16 goals and two assists in 45 matches during the 2019/20 campaign.
Leeds striker Patrick Bamford.
Bamford then made the step up to the top-flight and contributed with a staggering 17 goals – even more than he had managed in the second tier – and seven assists in 38 matches.
Unfortunately, the Englishman was unable to sustain that impressive form at Premier League level and the 35 games he missed through injury in the 2021/22 campaign contributed to that.
Patrick Bamford
21/22 Premier League
22/23 Premier League
Appearances
9
28
Goals
2
4
Big chances missed
2
13
Assists
2
2
Big chances created
2
1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Bamford only made nine appearances in his second season in the top-flight with Leeds but then struggled in front of goal upon his return to regular action.
The forward scored four goals from an xG tally of 8.61 and missed a whopping 13 ‘big chances’ in 28 matches as the Whites were relegated from the Premier League.
These statistics show that the striker, who scored eight goals from 9.52 xG in the Championship last term, was an unreliable source of goals for Bielsa, Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia, and Sam Allardyce in his last two years in the top-flight, after his impressive start to life at Elland Road.
Things could have been different for Leeds, though, if they had invested in a new striker to compete with or replace Bamford, as they had been interested in Jean-Philippe Mateta in 2021.
Leeds' interest in Jean-Philippe Mateta
At the start of 2021, Football Insider revealed that the Whites had a ‘concrete’ interest in signing the promising French centre-forward from Bundesliga side Mainz.
It was claimed that the 23-year-old number nine was being tracked by Leeds sporting director Victor Orta, who has since moved on to join Sevilla, after emerging on the club’s radar through their scouting team.
Football Insider added that Mateta was gaining strong interest from a host of Premier League clubs but did not reveal how much Mainz wanted for the attacker.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
The outlet did reveal, though, that the West Yorkshire outfit were assessing a number of strikers across Europe’s major leagues, as they wanted a new forward who would suit their style of play, given their tendency to send plenty of crosses into the box, and the Frenchman ticked their boxes.
Mateta had scored seven goals in 12 starts for Mainz during the first half of the season in the Bundesliga, finishing 24% of the chances that had fallen his way, which attracted interest from Leeds and other teams in the Premier League.
One that got away
The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.
The Whites eventually opted to back Bamford as their first-choice striker, instead, and Crystal Palace swooped to sign the forward on a year-long loan, before signing him permanently for a fee of £9m in February 2022.
Leeds may now look back on Mateta as one that got away from them, as the centre-forward has soared in value, whilst Bamford – as aforementioned – has struggled.
Jean-Philippe Mateta's current market value
During the recent transfer window, London News Online reported that Crystal Palace currently value the attacker at a whopping fee of €30m (£25m).
It was claimed that Napoli, managed by Antonio Conte, had a firm interest in the forward, before they went on to sign Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea, whilst Real Betis, Eintracht Frankfurt, and RB Leipzig had also been keen on the impressive striker.
This interest from across Europe has emerged after the Eagles sensation’s sublime form in the Premier League during the 2023/24 campaign.
23/24 Premier League
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Appearances
35
Starts
25
Goals
16
xG
10.94
Assists
5
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Mateta produced a stunning 21 goals and assists combined in 25 starts for Palace in the top-flight last season, outperforming his xG by around five goals.
The 27-year-old star then went to the Olympics with France and fired in an eye-catching five goals in six appearances for his country, taking his goal tally to 24 goals in all competitions for club and country – including three goals in two EFL Cup games.
Such was the impressive nature of his performances for Palace, New York Times journalist Rory Smith hailed Mateta as “extraordinary” and claimed that he was “like original Ronaldo” under Oliver Glasner.
That is incredibly high praise, given Ronaldo scored 62 goals in 99 caps for Brazil during his career, and speaks to how eye-catching the Frenchman’s goalscoring exploits in the Premier League were for the Eagles.
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Therefore, Leeds will surely look at him as one that got away from them as he has developed into a superb and highly valuable centre-forward in the subsequent years since their ‘concrete’ interest in his services.
That said, the senior paceman doesn’t expect Australia to play the same four-man attack all summer
Alex Malcolm17-Nov-2021Australia vice-captain Pat Cummins feels he is as fresh as he has ever felt coming into a Test series, but says he would be surprised if the side persists with the same four-man attack through all five Ashes Tests, something they did against India last summer.Cummins returned to Australia and into hotel quarantine on the Gold Coast on Tuesday with the majority of the triumphant World Cup-winning squad to begin their Ashes preparation.He hasn’t played a first-class match since February. Cummins has also only featured in seven T20s since April having opted out of the limited-overs tours to the Caribbean and Bangladesh during Australia’s winter. He also missed the second half of the IPL prior to the World Cup to be home for the birth of his son.Australia will only have one three-day intra-squad match to prepare for the first Ashes Test starting December 8 but Cummins has no concerns about his personal preparation.”My body feels as good as it has in a couple of years. There’s no niggles,” Cummins said. “I think the first, I guess, benefit of the short spells is we’re all feeling really fresh. I always feel like it’s better to be underdone than overdone coming into a big Test series.”For now it’s just trying to work back from that day one, get a few good bowls in, I think. We’ve got access to quite a few centre wickets. So we’ll have three, four, five centre wickets where we try and have relatively big days, you know, bowl a couple of spells on those days. And we’ll be ready to go. And we had a similar prep last year and all felt really good going into that Adelaide first Test.”Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc played all four Tests against India last year, but the plan backfired as the trio tired on the final days in Sydney and Brisbane and were unable to bowl out India in either game as the visitors produced a famous come-from-behind series win.Australia rotated their bowlers heavily in the 2019 Ashes series using Peter Siddle and James Pattinson as specialists in those conditions. Cummins was the only one of the five Australian fast bowlers used in that series to play all five Tests and he expects that there will be some rotation again this summer.”When someone’s I guess rested it is normally more to it than just purely workload,” Cummins said. “There’s always niggles and small little injuries that we’re dealing with, basically after every single Test match.”The great thing is we’ve got a huge stable of fast bowlers. So yeah, I don’t think it’ll be a huge issue if someone’s not able to get up for a Test or someone’s just red-lining a little bit. Someone else can slot in.”I’d be surprised if the same four bowlers were used for all five Tests. That’s pretty rare, especially the five-Test match summer. But I certainly won’t be putting my hand up to be rested unless I’ve got something going wrong.”Pat Cummins hasn’t played a first-class match since February 2021•Getty Images and Cricket Australia
Jhye Richardson is firming as a certainty to play a part in this Ashes series having not played a Test match since 2019 when he dislocated his shoulder in the lead-up to the 2019 World Cup and Ashes tour.Michael Neser has also been a constant presence in Australia’s Test squads in recent years and could also make his Test debut this summer despite coming off a hamstring injury.”I think both can slot in really well,” Cummins said. “It might be like-for-like maybe in some regards. I’d say probably Jhye, especially last week, I only saw a little bit but apparently, he bowled beautifully up here at the Gabba.”It’s really great to see him back around the squad. He was on the verge of a World Cup and an Ashes series a couple of years ago before having a shoulder injury, so it’s great to see him get back and bowling well, fully fit, and hopefully he kind of starts off where he left off against Sri Lanka a few years ago.”Chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed Australia would have a squad mentality after announcing the 15-man Ashes squad for the first two Tests as well as an Australia A squad on Wednesday. Bailey was also impressed by Richardson’s form leading into the Ashes series following his Player of the Match performance for Western Australia against Queensland at the Gabba last week where he took eight wickets including 5 for 23 from 22.2 overs in the second innings.”Getting pretty excited by Jhye,” Bailey said. “One physically, I think he looks as strong as I’ve seen ever seen him.”He’s had a couple of niggles, and he’s worked his way back from those so he’s starting to build some resilience into his body, still a young body.”I think he’s worked his way into the last three shield games quite nicely, but one particular spell I think it was the morning of day [three], a really impressive spell early on, I think he ended up ended up getting the wickets of Marnus [Labuschagne] and Joe Burns, who both commented that it was it was impressive quality.”
Glasgow Rangers head coach Philippe Clement brought Nils Koppen in as head of recruitment at the start of the year to help him change the footballing strategy at Ibrox.
The Belgian duo have attempted to revitalise the Light Blues squad after it had become overloaded with experienced professionals with little potential to increase in value.
In the recent summer transfer window, the Scottish giants managed to offload a number of those players, as John Lundstram, Borna Barisic, Ryan Jack, Jon McLaughlin, and Kemar Roofe were all released.
Borna Barisic
Scott Wright, Connor Goldson, and Ben Davies were also moved on, permanently or on loan, and Sam Lammers and Todd Cantwell – albeit not in the experienced veteran category – were also sold.
The average age of players moved on from Ibrox was 27.9 and this shows that Koppen and Clement successfully lowered the age of the squad.
Rangers then made ten signings, including the likes of Connor Barron, Hamza Igamane, and Jefte, during the summer window with an average age of 24.1.
Their job is far from finished, however, as Koppen has now outlined his objectives and goals for his work in the transfer market moving forward for the Gers.
One of Koppen's main objectives for Rangers
In an interview with RangersReview this month, the Belgian recruitment chief revealed that the Light Blues need to be aggressive in their mindset towards recruiting young players from Scotland to give the academy the best possible chance of developing players for the first-team.
The Rangers man has also revealed that one of his aims during his tenure at Ibrox is to sign at least one player per year from other teams in the Scottish Premiership, providing that it makes sense from the club’s perspective.
He told RangersReview: “It’s one of our objectives, to try and sign one player a season from another Scottish club if they’re there and the deal makes sense and it fits the plan.”
This shows that the Gers have placed an emphasis on ensuring that they are at the forefront now when it comes to scouting and identifying potential Scottish talents who could come in and bolster the squad.
That was illustrated by the summer deal to sign central midfielder Connor Barron from Aberdeen, after his deal with the Dons expired at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
Transfer Focus
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Rangers are already reaping the benefits of their decision to swoop for the domestic talent, who has hit the ground running at Ibrox this season.
Connor Barron's form for Rangers
The 22-year-old star, who was called up to the Scotland squad for the 0-0 draw with Portugal on Tuesday, has not taken any time to settle into life in Glasgow.
Instead of needing weeks or months to adjust to football in the country, or the standard of the Scottish Premiership, Barron was able to make an instant impact for the Gers because of his prior experience with Aberdeen.
Barron had played 76 first-team matches for the Dons and made almost 50 appearances in the Premiership, which meant that he joined Rangers ready to hit the ground running as he already had a good base of games under his belt In Scotland.
The Scotland U21 international has started six of Rangers’ seven games in the top-flight so far this season, which shows that Clement has immediately placed his trust in the young star, and has caught the eye with his strong, energetic, displays.
Barron has emerged as, arguably, the top performing midfielder in the squad with his work in and out of possession across those seven outings.
Tackles per game
2.2
1st
Interceptions per game
1.0
1st
Clearances per game
2.7
1st
Blocks per game
0.7
1st
Pass accuracy
91%
1st
As you can see in the table above, he has led the midfield contingent in a host of key defensive statistics, as well as with his exceptionally reliable passing.
This shows that Rangers played a blinder by signing a young star from another Scottish club, as Koppen wanted, in the last summer window.
The Light Blues could now complete that massive objective from the head of recruitment for 2025 by swooping for Motherwell ace Lennon Miller in the January transfer window, or next summer, after they were reportedly interested in him earlier this year.
Why Rangers should sign Lennon Miller
At the age of 18, the Scotland U21 international suits what Rangers want to do for a variety of reasons; due to his age, potential to grow in value, and experience in Scottish football already.
The teenage sensation has already made 50 first-team appearances for Motherwell and played 36 times in the Premiership, despite only turning 18 in August.
Miller, who teammate Andy Halliday claimed has “got everything” to be successful due to his maturity and quality, has already proven himself to be an impressive performer in the Scottish top-flight.
The young dynamo, who scored for Scotland’s U21s on Tuesday night, made 25 appearances in the Premiership for Motherwell last season and showcased his physical quality with a duel success rate of 68%, with an aerial duel success rate of 70%.
This shows that he has the strength and durability to compete at first-team level, despite his inexperience, and dominate opposition players in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, this season, Miller has taken his play in possession to another level and showcased his ability to make things happen at the top end of the pitch.
Appearances
25
7
Goals
0
2
Key passes per game
0.5
2.4
Big chances created
1
4
Assists
2
3
As you can see in the table above, the Motherwell star has already produced more goals, assists, and ‘big chances’ created in seven games this season than he did in 25 outings last term in the Premiership.
He is also averaging 1.9 more key passes per game for his teammates, which shows that the SPFL star has developed with experience and taken a leap in his performance.
Therefore, Miller could be a terrific signing for Rangers as they would be bringing in a Scottish talent who has already proven himself, whilst having the potential to get even better, to be a big asset in the top-flight, whilst he would also complete a massive objective for Koppen as another domestic signing.
Rangers star just silenced international trio who earn £3.3m-per-week
The Rangers colossus won 100% of his duels in the clash with Portugal.
Barcelona have suffered a major injury blow as captain Alexia Putellas has been ruled out of action for three weeks due to ankle injury.
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Putellas ruled out for three weeks
Sprained her ankle in training
Barca face Espanyol on Sunday
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Spanish midfielder sprained her left ankle during a training session on Saturday and will remain sidelined for up to three weeks, as confirmed by the Catalan giants. The injury will keep Putellas out of their upcoming Liga F matches against Espanyol on Sunday and Madrid CFF on February 16. They also face the Madrid club in midweek in the Women's Champions League.
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WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
The official statement from the club read: "First team women's player Alexia Putellas sprained her left ankle during training this Saturday. The approximate time of absence is 3 weeks."
AFP
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Putellas' injury comes as a major blow for Pere Romeu's side as the 31-year-old midfielder has been in red-hot form in the 2024/25 campaign. She has scored 15 goals in 21 matches across all competitions and has nine strikes to her name in the league, which makes her the joint third-highest goalscorer along with Real Madrid's Signe Bruun.
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WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
Barcelona, who have a two-point lead at the top of the table over rivals Real Madrid with a game in hand, will aim to extend their lead as they face Espanyol in a Liga F away fixture on Sunday.
حقق منتخب مصر الفوز بثنائية مقابل لا شيء على إثيوبيا، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما، مساء الجمعة، ضمن منافسات الجولة الخامسة من تصفيات كأس العالم 2026، لينفرد بصدارة المجموعة الأولى.
وسجل محمد صلاح الهدف الأول لمنتخب مصر في الدقيقة 31، قبل أن يحرز أحمد سيد زيزو الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 40
وتمكن منتخب بوركينا فاسو من الفوز بنتيجة 4-1 على جيبوتي، بالمواجهة التي جمعت بينهما مساء الجمعة.
وبهذه النتيجة رفع منتخب بوركينا فاسو رصيده إلى 8 نقاط محتلاً المركز الثاني خلف منتخب مصر، بينما يقبع جيبوتي بالمركز الأخير بنقطة وحيدة.
وكان منتخب سيراليون قد حقق فوزًا مهمًا على نظيره غينيا بيساو بنتيجة 3-1، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء الخميس، ضمن منافسات نفس الجولة عن المجموعة الأولى.
بهذا الانتصار، رفع منتخب سيراليون رصيده إلى 8 نقاط ليحتل المركز الثالث في ترتيب المجموعة، بينما تجمد رصيد غينيا بيساو عند 6 نقاط، ليتراجع إلى المركز الرابع.
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