Month: May 2023

This season has not been one to remember for Harry Maguire.

He may have starred for England at the 2022 World Cup but the going has been extremely tough for him at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.

The club captain, 30, has been restricted to 31 appearances in all competitions, with only eight Premier League starts.

Ahead of the Red Devils’ FA Cup final meeting with rivals Manchester City on Sunday, we take a look at what the future may hold for the world’s most expensive defender.

Summer decision

United boss Ten Hag has made it clear that while he values Maguire’s presence in his first-team squad, he is not indispensable.

The Dutchman said: “No one would be happy with this situation. He is not as well. He trains always on best levels, so with 100% effort.

“He has high competition there [at centre-back] with Raphael Varane, who’s fantastic. Let’s say I’m happy he’s here and when we needed him he did his job. 

“But it’s also a decision he has to make.”

Even in the absence of Varane and Lisandro Martinez — Ten Hag’s preferred defensive partnership — Maguire has still struggled for minutes.

Both Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw, a left-back by trade, have usurped him in the pecking order.

Irons in the fire

Given Maguire’s struggles this term, interest from English clubs of similar stature to United is likely to be slim to none.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson said: “It’s hard. He’s at the biggest club in the world in my opinion.

“I know they’re not performing like the biggest club in the world but they’re a huge club and he’s there, so wherever he goes from here is going to be a downgrade.

“He’s worked so hard, from where he’s come from to get to Leicester then to get to Man Utd, it’s probably hard for him to leave, but he has to leave.”

However, a Premier League move is still firmly on the cards — and West Ham are being heavily linked with a summer pursuit. 

David Moyes’ side were reportedly keen on completing a deal for the centre-back last January but an agreement ultimately never materialised.

Given Kurt Zouma’s persistent injury issues and the fact Angelo Ogbonna is now 35, Maguire could be an ideal candidate to partner Nayef Aguerd next season.

Promising signs

Despite regularly having to make do with a place on the bench, Maguire has still produced some decent numbers this season.

No player in the United squad averages more passes completed per 90 minutes (57.87).

The Three Lions ace also boasts a better record for final third passes completed per 90 (5.79) than Varane, Martinez and Lindelof. 

Maguire’s impressive passing stats are perhaps why he has attracted interest from Serie A clubs, including Juventus and AC Milan.

Euro 2024

United’s No5 will know that if he doesn’t secure regular football next season, a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024 is far from a certainty. 

Southgate himself admitted last week: “It’s not a situation that can continue for ever.

“Of course the longer that situation goes on the more concerning it is and we’ve got Marc Guéhi, Lewis Dunk, Tyrone Mings — players who are playing well.”

The England boss has stuck by Maguire through recent tough times, but with others knocking on the door, the clock is ticking for the Yorkshireman.

A move away from United this summer seems to be the right thing to do in order to get his career back on track.

Former Leeds defender Gaetano Berardi has announced his retirement aged 34.

Berardi, who made over 150 appearances for Leeds in all competitions during a seven-year spell with the club until his departure in 2021, posted his farewell message on Instagram.

He said: “A word can contain many emotions, many feelings, many memories and most of all many people. I choose one to close the chapter: THANK YOU!”

Berardi’s committed playing style made him a fans’ favourite at Elland Road, where he was a key member of the side which won promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020.

The Swiss right-back, who made one senior appearance for his country, joined Leeds from Sampdoria in 2014 and recovered from a serious knee injury to make two top-flight appearances in 2020-21.

He joined Swiss club Sion and closed out his playing career at Bellinzona.

Southampton, Leeds and Leicester may have been relegated, but not all of their players will be dropping out of the top echelons of football. 

Perhaps more so than is the case in most seasons, the bottom three boast plenty of talents who will be coveted by big clubs. 

Ahead of the transfer window, we take a look at some of the relegated stars that will be attracting interest this summer. 

Romeo Lavia

Manchester City insisted on a £40million buy-back clause when Romeo Lavia moved to Southampton last year, though it does not kick in until 2024. 

Though City are well stocked in midfield, Pep Guardiola has spoken of his admiration for the Belgian international and could launch a summer bid. 

He said: “I’m really impressed with what Romeo is doing. We have an incredible opinion of him. 

“We thought about keeping him but we didn’t have enough minutes for him that he could get at Southampton.” 

Illan Meslier

Illan Meslier lost his place in the Leeds side by the end of the season but he still has many admirers, despite conceding more goals than any other keeper over the past three seasons. 

Still only 23, he has already made over 100 Premier League appearances and clearly has potential. 

Manchester United are said to view him as ideal competition for David de Gea, while Chelsea are also in the market for a goalkeeper. 

Harvey Barnes

Leicester may have been relegated, but Harvey Barnes scored a career-best 13 Premier League goals this season. 

It was an outstanding effort in a struggling team and highlights what the England international might be able to achieve in a better one. 

The likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham are said to be interested. Barnes is reported to have been rated at £60m last summer, but Leicester’s relegation may see that price tumble. 

James Ward-Prowse

West Ham have been linked with James Ward-Prowse and it is easy to see what the set-piece specialist could bring to David Moyes’ side. 

The England international has been very loyal to Southampton, but he is too good a player to leave the Premier League. After the Saints’ relegation, the 28-year-old spoke of his time at the club. 

He said: “I come away this season with my head held high knowing I’ve done everything I can for this club, not only this year but ever since I came through the door as an eight-year-old.” 

Wilfried Gnonto

You could argue that Leeds invested too heavily in youth over experience in recent transfer windows, but they will get a healthy return on Wilfried Gnonto. 

The club paid FC Zurich just £3.8m for the diminutive winger and though his level of performance faded as the season went on, he has shown enough to attract major interest. 

Arsenal and Manchester City are said to be monitoring the 19-year-old, while the Italian international is sure to elicit bids from Serie A with Juventus already linked. 

James Maddison

Of all the players to be relegated from the Premier League, it is Maddison that looks set to spark the biggest transfer scramble this summer. 

Like team-mate Barnes, the midfielder’s personal standards did not slip in a poor side, with the England international scoring ten goals and assisting nine more. 

Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham are all reported to be interested in a star said to be rated at £50m with a year left on his Leicester contract.

Former Wrexham defender Neil Taylor has told the club’s Hollywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds to stay clear of signing big-name “over the hill” players and avoid a “circus”.

Actors McElhenney and Reynolds have transformed Wrexham since buying the club in February 2021, with the Dragons set to end a 15-year absence from the English Football League after winning the National League title.

Wrexham’s promotion has seen them linked with several prominent names, among them former Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale, who McElhenney and Reynolds attempted to lure out of retirement.

Former Wales forward Hal Robson-Kanu and ex-Blackburn and Norway midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen, now 41, have also offered their services to Wrexham since promotion to the fourth tier was won.

“It can’t become a circus. It’s still a football club that needs to be successful because no one will pat you on the back if you don’t do it properly,” said Taylor, the former Swansea, Aston Villa and Wales full-back who began his senior career at Wrexham.

“Leave those players that are over the hill. I’d say to Hal ‘I don’t think you’re getting in over Paul Mullin. You’re retired now and he’s a top-class striker’.

“People think League One and League Two is easy but they’re not. It’s really hard football, harder arguably than when you play higher up with the amount of games, travel and some of the grounds you play at.

“So I’d say to Wrexham, stay clear and go for players who know the league and have been successful in it, players who are hungry to get higher up.”

Taylor, who grew up in north Wales at nearby Ruthin, predicts Wrexham will mount another strong promotion challenge in League Two next season.

Several members of Phil Parkinson’s squad – among them top scorer Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee and skipper Ben Tozer – have extensive experience playing in the EFL.

“Hopefully that success continues and I don’t see any reason why not with the squad they’ve got,” said Taylor.

“They will strengthen this summer but it’s already a ready-made team to do well in League Two. But if you’re a good player in League One or League Two and Wrexham knock on the door, you’re going to go there.

“You’ll look at the brand and the commercial value of it and see how Paul Mullin’s gone from Tranmere to having a book out.

“It shows how good going to Wrexham can be for your career and agents will clamour to get their players at the club.

“But they’ve got to be careful who they get through the door because, in my mind, there’s no bigger pull than Wrexham below the Championship.”

Taylor was 19 when he was part of the Wrexham side relegated from the EFL in 2008 and he admires McElhenney and Reynolds for their impact on the football club and the wider community in general.

He said: “When I started there – and I was carrying the water for the first team at 16 – the Racecourse was full.

“But by the time you’re getting relegated, there were 2,500 in the stadium and you see the decline.

“It was tough for many years, so to see them promoted was emotional because I know many people connected with the club who are still there when I was.”

Ashley Young is to leave Aston Villa at the end of his contract this summer.

The 37-year-old rejoined Villa in 2021 after winning the Serie A title at Inter Milan.

“Aston Villa can confirm that Ashley Young will be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract,” read a club statement.

“Everyone at Aston Villa would like to sincerely thank Ashley for his service to the club and wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.”

Young made over 100 appearances for Watford before joining Villa in 2007.

He signed for Manchester United in 2011 and won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during nine years at Old Trafford.

Young moved to Inter in 2020 and became the third Englishman to win Italy’s top prize after Jimmy Greaves and Gerry Hitchens in 1963.

The 39-times England international, who can play as a left-back or left wing, made 32 appearances last season and 250 for Villa across his two spells with the club.

Brentford have signed Netherlands goalkeeper Mark Flekken on a four-year contract.

The deal, which brings the four-times capped Flekken from Bundesliga side Freiburg, is subject to international clearance and work permit.

“We’re very happy to have signed Mark,” head coach Thomas Frank told the official Brentford website.

“He’s a player with a lot of quality who will strengthen our goalkeeper group.

“He has big experience and joins us after two great seasons with Freiburg, who have just had a top season in the Bundesliga, finishing fifth and qualifying for the Europa League.

“He was a big part of the team there and now he’s coming to us and will hopefully make the group better and the team better.

“He’s a very good shot-stopper and comfortable with the ball at his feet. His distribution is very impressive.”

Flekken began his career in his native Netherlands at RKVV WDZ and Roda before moving to Germany, where he has played for Alemannia Aachen, Greuther Furth, Duisburg and Freiburg.

The 29-year-old made his Netherlands debut in March 2022 and kept 13 clean sheets in 34 Bundesliga matches – the highest tally in the division last season.

Frank has said Brentford goalkeeper David Raya could leave the club this summer after four successful seasons in West London.

But Frank warned interested parties that it will cost them £40million to sign the 27-year-old Spaniard.

Mohammed Kudus is another name to chuck into the pot of European forwards looking for a move this summer.

The Ghana international unsuccessfully went on strike in order to push for a transfer to Everton last summer but will have his eyes set much further up the food chain now.

He scored 18 goals for Ajax in 2022-23, plus two at the World Cup that secured his nation’s three points against South Korea.

Champions League clubs are circling around an attacker that could prove one of the bargains of the window.

Ajax reshuffle

After failing to win the Eredivisie title for the first time since 2018, Ajax need to make a few changes this summer.

Fortunately, they produce and develop talent so well that the funds needed to freshen up their squad are never far away.

Kudus is out of contract in two years’ time and the priority for the Dutch side is to raise as much capital from his sale as possible, rather than allow his value to diminish.

And the dynamic goal threat is seemingly set on an exit too, with his agent Jennifer Mendelewitsch telling Dutch media: “I think it is best for both Ajax and Mohammed that he leaves now. Now is the right time.

“He has rejected an offer to extend his contract until the summer of 2026.

“What I can say is that after the World Cup and this season there is a lot of interest in Kudus.”

Full of confidence

Kudus has been a bright spark for Ajax despite their disappointing campaign.

He does not mind ruffling a few feathers, either, following up last summer’s strike action by involving himself in fisticuffs with Neymar in a pre-World Cup friendly for the Black Stars.

After a few heated exchanges in the match between Ghana and Brazil, the forward said: “He’s not better than me. He’s just a higher profile player, that’s all.

“I wasn’t about to let him push me around. What makes him better, for now, is that he has achieved a lot. I’ll get there soon.”

Style of play

Kudus’ style of play reflects that confidence.

No player completed more dribbles per game in the Dutch top tier this term, while he also ranked in the top 20 for shots.

Like several attackers with such a creative skill-set, he believes he is at his best when seeing as much of the ball as possible.

Kudus said: “I still feel that I can do my best in the No10 position. I talked about that with [ex-Ajax] trainer Erik ten Hag. In his style of play, creative and attacking, I saw myself.”

Interested parties

Three Premier League clubs to have qualified for the Champions League are among the most heavily linked with making a move for Kudus this summer.

Manchester United are credited with an interest, with Ten Hag knowing the player well, but seem more likely to move for a genuine No9 than a versatile forward.

Arsenal are also said to be interested, although whether Mikel Arteta could offer regular first-team starts is uncertain.

A move to Newcastle, however, could allow him to play in his favourite position, with Eddie Howe aiming to add further creativity to what is already an energetic, workmanlike midfield.

Jose Mourinho is bidding to win his sixth European trophy when Roma take on Sevilla in tonight’s Europa League final.

The Special One has never tasted defeat in the final of a continental competition and one player who the experienced manager will be relying on to protect that impressive record is Nemanja Matic.

Since arriving in the Eternal City from Manchester United on a free transfer last summer, the Serbian has been a vital cog in the Giallorossi’s 3-4-2-1 setup.

Ahead of this evening’s crucial match in Budapest, we shine the spotlight on the Italian outfit’s consistent No8.

Mourinho’s general

Matic, 34, has spent a large chunk of his career being coached by Mourinho, with the pair winning the Premier League together at Chelsea in 2015.

On his eight-and-a-half years under the Portuguese, the lynchpin said: “We had a great relationship right from the start. 

“We got along because he liked my dedication and my character, but he always demands more, he wants us to continue to grow.

“It was an honour that he wanted me on his team. Only the best play in the Premier League. When a coach knows how to motivate his players, they are able to give their best.

“I’ve been coached by Mourinho for eight-and-a-half years and that makes me happy because in that time I’ve reached my highest level. 

“The relationships he creates with players cannot be explained in words.”

Auto-Matic selection

Mourinho’s decision to bring Matic to Rome has proven to be a very wise one indeed.

The midfield enforcer missed the second leg of the last-16 clash with Real Sociedad but has since played every single minute in the triumphs over Feyenoord and Bayer Leverkusen to reach the showpiece.

His commanding displays have helped the Giallorossi keep five of their six clean sheets in this season’s Europa League.

And the ex-Benfica man has really caught the eye in Serie A, too.

No player in the Roma squad has completed more passes in the final third than Matic (257) and he has further shown off his attacking credentials by creating the fifth-most chances (22).

The two-time Serbian Footballer of the Year has also contributed two goals and two assists in the league, including a recent late equaliser away at Salernitana.

Key battle

The midfield battle is where the Europa League final will likely be won and lost. 

If Matic can stamp his authority on the game and limit the influence of fellow veteran Ivan Rakitic, Roma’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League at Sevilla’s expense increase dramatically.

The 48-cap international’s performance may also dictate the impact of key playmaker Lorenzo Pellegrini. 

It is no coincidence that the Giallorossi captain is enjoying such a fruitful campaign, boasting four goals and four assists from his 13 European appearances this season with a stabilising force next to him.

Twilight years

Tonight may represent Matic’s final chance to get his hands on European silverware. 

The Sabac-born maestro has extended his contract at Roma until the summer of 2024, but is acutely aware his time left at the top is limited. 

Nevertheless, he will not be bowing out of football altogether when the time to retire arrives. 

Earlier this month, he revealed: “I’m already set on becoming a manager once I retire. But first I want to play two more years. I feel good.”

Sevilla are on the hunt for their seventh Europa League title and Youssef En-Nesyri could be the man to fire them past Roma in the final. 

The Moroccan scored a brace against Manchester United in the quarter-final stage before netting past Juventus at the Allianz Stadium in the semi-final first leg. 

Sevilla are the record holders in this competition already, with six triumphs, though Giallorossi boss Jose Mourinho will be looking to secure his sixth personal European trophy at their expense. 

We take a look at how En-Nesyri can make the difference as the pair tussle over the trophy in Budapest.

Goal machine

En-Nesyri has scored six goals in 850 minutes of European football this season, netting twice in the Champions League and four times in the Europa League. 

He is Sevilla’s primary goal threat, having taken a team-high 32 shots, 15 of which have been on target. 

If the Spanish side are to bring home the coveted trophy, the 57-cap international will more than likely need to be the hero.

Battle cry

Sevilla have improved significantly since boss Jose Luis Mendilibar replaced the unpopular Jorge Sampaoli last March.

Mendilibar has introduced a 4-2-3-1 formation, with En-Nesyri spearheading the attack in his favoured No9 role.

The experienced Spaniard, 62, said: “I don’t ask players to do square roots, I ask them to do addition and subtraction.

“The players have seen that simplicity also brings results.

“In Budapest, we will play to the death. We will be facing a very difficult opponent who knows how to play these games. 

“This duel will be special for everyone and we will put everything into it.”

Player of the Month

En-Nesyri was named LaLiga Player of the Month for April and will hope to recapture the form that earned him that award in the final. 

The Fez native made a decisive contribution to the Andalusian outfit’s 13-point haul that month, scoring in three of their five matches. 

Sevilla began April just two points clear of the drop zone and entered May with a 10-point cushion, largely due to En-Nesyri’s contributions.

Summer speculation

En-Nesyri’s performances this season have not gone unnoticed in Europe. 

Several clubs have shown interest in the striker, including Premier League sides Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace — though he remains focused on his task until the culmination of the season. 

He said: “I thank all the clubs that have contacted my agent but at the moment I want to have my head only in Sevilla. 

“It’s not a money issue, but a sporting issue.”

Fox in the box

Under Mourinho, Roma are a compact, organised outfit and are difficult to break down. 

The Italian side have won possession back in the defensive third 342 times, the middle third 313 times and the attacking third 65 times — all competition-leading totals. 

Additionally, they have conceded just 10 goals in 14 European games, keeping an impressive six clean sheets along the way. 

As a result, En-Nesyri may not be afforded as many chances as he is accustomed to — he will have to be decisive with the few sights of goal that fall his way.

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Flying off the shelves

FIFA say that they have sold over 850,000 tickets for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The tournament, hosted in Australia and New Zealand, gets underway on July 20 when New Zealand take on Norway in Auckland.

And organisers are well on their way to achieving their target of 1.5m sales by the beginning of the event.

FIFA General Secretary Fatma Samoura said: “2023 is going to be a landmark moment for women’s football.”

The competition will feature 64 matches and 32 nations, with sales expected to rise to over one million “over the next few weeks”.

USA are the current world champions after they beat France in the 2019 final in Lyon.

Messi launches new PSG kit

After wrapping up the 2022-23 Ligue 1 title, Paris Saint-Germain have revealed their home kit for next season.

The jersey is a remodelling of a shirt worn by the club during the early 2000s.

PSG have won the league for the ninth time in 11 seasons this term, sitting four points clear of second-placed Lens with a game to spare.

And they will be aiming for more success in their new kit, which is modelled by Lionel Messi despite his anticipated departure from the club.

A club statement read: “Paris Saint-Germain and Nike are proud to announce the launch of the new 2023-2024 home jersey, paying tribute to a classic Parisian design and embodying the unique spirit of the French capital.

“This iconic jersey reinterprets a shirt worn by Parisian players in the early 2000s and captures the essence of Paris Saint-Germain through a striking design. 

“The red and white stripes, symbolic of the club, gradually blend into a dynamic blue, reminiscent of the lights blending into the Parisian skyline.”

On Kerr way

Midfielder Sam Kerr has left Rangers to sign for Bayern Munich.

The Scotland international departs the club after two full seasons having signed in December 2020.

Kerr, who has made 14 appearances for her national team, said that the opportunity was too good to pass up.

She told the Bayern website: “It’s Bayern Munich. I mean, it’s an opportunity too good to turn down.

“It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world and the quality of the players they have here and what they are doing here as a club is amazing.

“I really hope I can be part of that and I can help the team and feature at this amazing club.”

Bayern Women’s technical director Francisco De Sa Fardilha said: “She fits everything this club stands for. 

“She has the fighting spirit, she has the tactical quality, she has the technical quality, and above everything she is hungry, she is ambitious and she wants to develop.”