Needing to bounce back from defeat against Sheffield United last time out, Derby County will have to do so without one of Paul Warne’s mainstays after the latest injury news.
Derby injury news
Fresh from League One promotion, Derby have hit the ground running in the Championship with three wins and three losses in their opening six games representing a side gunning for more than just survival. The first aim for Warne will of course be to secure that survival, but results suggest that the Rams should be looking beyond a relegation battle and instead at returning to the play-off race in the coming years.
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First and foremost, however, those at Pride Park need to bounce back from defeat against Sheffield United, who were relegated from the Premier League last season. After Gustavo Hamer wheeled away in celebration in the 53rd minute following an excellent free-kick, the Blades went on to secure a well-fought 1-0 victory.
Standing in Derby’s way of instantly returning to winning ways is Norwich City, who finally showed glimpses of what they’re capable of under new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup last time out, easing past Watford in a stunning 4-1 victory. And to make that challenge even tough, the Rams have already been handed an injury blow.
As confirmed by Warne, Callum Elder will now miss multiple Derby games after sustaining an injury against Sheffield United last time out. The Derby boss told the club’s official website: “He’s doing well but he will be out for a little while – he’s tweaked his groin. He won’t play any part in the next three or four games.”
Callum Elder for Hull City.
Given that the left-back has started all six of Derby’s Championship games so far this season, there’s no doubt that his injury has dealt Warne and his side a frustrating blow, especially ahead of the daunting trip to in form Sunderland next week.
Games that "unbelievable" Elder will miss
Earning a reported £6,500-a-week, Elder has become a mainstay in Warne’s Derby side since arriving last summer and helping the Rams to League One promotion in his first season. Quickly readjusting to life in the Championship, Elder got off to a superb start this season and even earned Warne’s praise.
The Derby boss said via the Derbyshire Telegraph: “I brought him to the club because I thought he could help us get out of League One but I also had an eye on the fact that if we did get out of League One then could he play in the Champ – he could.
“He knows why I signed him because, massive shock, I like athletes who can get up and down the pitch. If you ask him, every time I hug him I say the 2024/25 Elder is unbelievable and right up there. I am really pleased with him.”
Derby County vs Norwich City
28/09/2024
Sunderland vs Derby County
01/10/2024
Derby County vs QPR
05/10/2024
Millwall vs Derby County
19/10/2024
Missing Norwich, Sunderland, QPR and the clash at Millwall, Elder will be a particularly big miss against the Black Cats, who have lost just once in six Championship games so far this season.
أعلن مجلس إدارة نادي مودرن سبورت برئاسة وليد دعبس، عن المدرب الذي سيقود فريق الكرة خلال مباراة اليوم أمام طلائع الجيش في الدوري المصري.
وكان مودرن سبورت قد أعلن عن رحيل المدرب فرانك دوما من تدريب الفريق اليوم، وذلك بسبب سوء النتائج وتراجع الأداء بالدوري المصري.
طالع | مودرن سبورت يٌعلن رحيل فرانك دوما قبل ساعات من مواجهة طلائع الجيش في الدوري
واستقر مسؤولو مودرن سبورت على تعيين أحمد صالح في منصب المدرب ضمن الجهاز الفني الجديد للفريق والمقرر الإعلان عنه خلال ساعات وذلك ضمن خطة النادي في التطوير خلال المرحلة المقبلة.
ومن المقرر أن يقود أحمد صالح فريق مودرن سبورت فنيًا أمام فريق طلائع الجيش في الرابعة من مساء اليوم الخميس.
ويتولى المدير الفني الجديد القيادة الفنية لـ مودرن سبورت بداية من مواجهة بيراميدز المقبلة بالدوري المصري.
After their first T20I win against Pakistan, the hosts now chase their first-ever bilateral series win in the format
Danyal Rasool24-Apr-2021
Zimbabwe have never won a bilateral T20I series•Jekesai Njikizana/AFP/Getty Images
Big pictureIt was about time the chickens would come home to roost on Pakistan’s middle order, but the manner of that reckoning was so grave even those predicting it were taken aback. A first-ever T20I loss to Zimbabwe, and the fourth-lowest total defended against a Full Member saw Pakistan bowled out for 99 in a chase of 119, losing their last seven wickets for just 21 runs. The confidence shot it gives Zimbabwe cannot be overstated as, against all odds, they go into the third and final T20I with a real chance of springing upon Pakistan a chastening series defeat.There is, of course, room for improvement for both sides, especially with the bat. Zimbabwe restricted Pakistan thanks to a combination of a near-flawless performance with the ball, in the field and the total capitulation of the visitors. While stand-in captain Brendan Taylor will want a repeat performance in that respect from his side, Pakistan are unlikely to be that listless two games in a row. To counter that, Zimbabwe could work on the way they paced their own innings with the bat, putting little pressure on Pakistan, almost content to canter along to a sub-120 total.With Craig Ervine ruled out of the series and Sean Williams nursing a hand issue in for the last game, Zimbabwe lost plenty of experience, so the return of the latter might not be a surprise. Taylor did mention after the match that his side might have to approach the powerplay with a touch more positivity, setting the tempo for the remainder of the innings. The pitches here in Harare appear to have plenty in them for bowlers, with both captains agreeing totals around 140-150 were challenging. With Zimbabwe having felt they left runs out there, they go into the decider on equal terms.Pakistan, meanwhile, appear to be on that precipice from which they could lurch either to brilliance or chaos, with no way of predicting which it will be. They were given a nudge towards the latter after the second T20I with Shoaib Malik taking to Twitter to lambast “unacquainted decision makers”. What should have been a series to try out new players and fine-tune certain aspects of their game for the T20 World Cup has instead thrown up a decider of extreme pressure, giving this series a higher profile than most would have accorded it a few days ago.Form guideZimbabwe WLLLL(last five completed T20Is, most recent first) Pakistan LWWWLIn the spotlightWesley Madhevere was by far the brightest spark of Zimbabwe’s tour of Pakistan a few months ago, but he hasn’t quite lit up this series just yet, particularly with the bat. There have been glimpses of his ability in these two games, but justice to his talent is yet to be done. His dismissal in the previous game was especially disappointing when he attempted a low-percentage reverse sweep and gave away his wicket while Zimbabwe desperately needed him to bat deep. His contribution with the ball, though, has been surprisingly impactful, conceding just 27 runs in five overs and taking two wickets across the two games.Mohammad Hafeez was believed to be a panacea of sorts for the middle order; unlike the rest, he was in excellent form in the lead up to Pakistan’s tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe. He missed South Africa’s T20I series in Pakistan because he was playing the T10 League in the UAE, where he excelled, and went on to distinguish himself with his performances in the PSL. However, that form has not turned into output at the international level in a beleaguered middle order, further amplifying Pakistan’s woes. He had a phenomenally successful 2020, barging his way back into Pakistan’s T20 World Cup plans, but if this barren run continues, he could find himself frozen out in double-quick time.Team newsIf Williams returns, he will add experience to the batting line-up, but it’s unlikely Zimbabwe will wish to make too many changes to the side that helped them win the second T20I.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, 2 Brendan Taylor (capt & wk), 3 Tadiwanashe Marumani, 4 Wesley Madhevere, 5 Regis Chakabva, 6 Ryan Burl, 7 Tarisai Musakanda, 8 Luke Jongwe, 9 Wellington Masakadza, 10 Blessing Muzarabani, 11 Richard NgaravaPakistan rested Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali for the last two games, but with the series on the line, it would not be a surprise to see them make an appearance.Pakistan (probable): 1 Babar Azam (capt), 2 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3 Fakhar Zaman 4 Sharjeel Khan/Asif Ali 5 Danish Aziz 6 Mohammad Hafeez 7 Faheem Ashraf 8 Hasan Ali 9 Mohammad Hasnain/Haris Rauf 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi 11 Usman QadirPitch and conditionsThe weather is clear again, and with the boundaries as big as they are, a target around 150 should put the side batting first in a decent position. Both sides have fielded first upon winning the toss, but have ended up failing to chase down targets.Stats and trivia Zimbabwe have never won a bilateral T20I series (they did win a one-off T20I against West Indies in 2010). Williams is 64 away from 1000 runs in T20Is. Taylor is 86 short of the same milestone. For Zimbabwe, only Hamilton Masakadza (1662) has more T20I runs.
A cirurgia no tornozelo de Galeano, realizada na última quarta-feira (27), despertou uma dúvida no São Paulo: o atacante paraguaio, emprestado pelo Rúbio Nú-PAR até o final dessa temporada, continuará no Tricolor? A lesão causa incertezas no clube.
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Como de praxe, o São Paulo não divulgou um prazo para o retorno do jogador. No entanto, como o atacante precisou passar por cirurgia, a volta pode ser mais complicada.
Se o São Paulo quiser continuar com o atleta, precisará pagar 1 milhão de dólares (cerca de R$ 5,5 milhões, no cotação atual). Agora, a diretoria do São Paulo estuda a situação para saber se tentará prorrogar o empréstimo, compra o atleta ou decide não continuar com o paraguaio.
CONFIRA A TABELA ATUALIZADA E SIMULE OS JOGOS DO BRASILEIRÃO DE 2021!
Nessa temporada, o jogador de 21 anos tem 24 jogos, com um gol marcado e três assistências. Sob o comando de Crespo, chegou a ser utilizado na ala direita em algumas partidas.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest in Nottingham Forest's pursuit of another signing this summer as they look to hand Nuno Espírito Santo a squad capable of pulling well clear of the Premier League relegation battle this season.
Nottingham Forest keen to make signings
With a month left in the transfer window, it was suggested that Nottingham Forest would be looking to make five new signings before the window slams shut, with the reliable John Percy explaining that the Premier League side were on the hunt for "two wingers, a forward, a left-back and another goalkeeper" before the August 30th deadline.
Since then, they have added those two wingers, with Jota Silva arriving from Portuguese outfit Vitória S.C, while more recently they completed a move to sign Paraguayan forward Ramon Sosa on a five-year deal.
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“Ramón has been coveted by many clubs but was so clear in his desire to join Nottingham Forest", Forest's Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson explained. “We could all feel his energy, emotion, pride and excitement to be here from the first minute he arrived".
Now, attention is turning elsewhere, with the club understood to be keen on signing Aston Villa left-back Alex Moreno on a season-long loan deal to provide cover at full back. They have also been linked with a move for Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, so the final thing on the agenda is a new centre forward.
Romano issues update on striker hunt
Now, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Garibaldi have seen a bid turned down for Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez as they look to bolster their frontline.
As it stands, they have both Chris Wood (who scored in Saturday's draw) and Taiwo Awoniyi to call upon, but they are looking for further firepower and have identified the Mexican as a potential solution. Gimenez was thought to be on the radar of Tottenham last season as he enjoyed an excellent campaign, and he has started the new season in similar vein with two goals and an assist in two outings.
Santiago Gimenez 23/24 season
Appearances
30
Goals
23
Assists
6
Yellow Cards
2
As per Romano, sharing news from Mexican media outlets, Forest are still in negotiations over a move for the talented forward, having seen an initial 25m euro (£21m) offer rejected. It is added that the offer is "not enough for Feyenoord to accept" and that they are holding out for a higher fee, but the Reds haven't given up and are pushing ahead to agree on a new number.
Santiago Gimenez for Feyenoord.
They will be in no rush for Feyenoord to sell the Mexican, with Gimenez still having three years left to run on his £29,000 a week deal with the Eredivisie champions. But with Wood now the wrong side of his peak and Awoniyi unreliable fitness wise, his addition would be a massive boost for Forest if they can get it over the line.
Wrexham's Elliot Lee has hailed the dressing room atmosphere at SToK Cae Ras under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
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Lee praises Wrexham's dressing room atmosphere Calls it the 'best changing room I've ever been a part of'Red Dragons chasing their third straight promotionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Lee has been a part of a famous Wrexham side that have achieved back-to-back promotions from the National League and League Two. The Red Dragons are fighting to go up for the third straight season as they look to reach the Championship for next season and get one step closer to co-owners Renolds and McElhenney's dream of helping the Welsh club reach the Premier League. The 29-year-old midfielder, who joined Wrexham from Luton Town in 2022, has now praised the atmosphere in the dressing room as the 'best' that he has 'been a part of'.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT LEE SAID
Speaking to BBC Sport, Lee said: "It's the best changing room I've ever been a part of. The staff, players, everyone's together, they're just good honest people who want to work hard for each other and achieve success together. That's why we have been successful over the last couple of years."
He added: "When times aren't going well, we stick together. When times are going great, we keep our feet on the ground. We do that as a team, we've always done that."
Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Lee also added that the environment created by Reynolds and McElhenney along with the management throughout the club has been crucial to Wrexham's success so far under Phil Parkinson, he continued: "It's a great place to come into every day and train. I love playing for the club, I love going out there every day with these lads under the staff.
"When you have that feeling, and I know I'm not the only one in there, when everyone's got that feeling, you work hard and enjoy coming in, going out on a Saturday and representing the club and the fans. I feel very lucky to be a part of this group."
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WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
The Red Dragons have faced a slight drop in form as the last six games in all competitions have only seen them win once. However, Wrexham remain just four points off the top of the League One standings and will take on Exeter City next on Saturday, November 23 as they look to climb higher up the table.
Leicester City will know that they have a significant portion of cash to now play around with in the transfer market after offloading star midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea for £30m.
The Foxes managed to acquire their own midfield talent from Stamford Bridge in the process, winning the services of 18-year-old starlet Michael Golding for £4m as cash begins to be splashed at the King Power Stadium.
The newly promoted Premier League side are unlikely to stop there when it comes to new recruits, but there will be a temptation to be more frugal, especially with a reported transfer target available for free.
Leicester eyeing up free-agent attacker
According to the Athletic, Steve Cooper's Foxes are considering a move for free agent attacker Callum O'Hare this summer after signing Bobby Decordova-Reid.
O'Hare had been with Coventry but didn't sign a new contract with the Sky Blues and is now available as a free agent.
Callum O'Hare
However, Leicester aren't alone in their alleged interest of the entertaining 26-year-old, with suitors from the likes of Leeds United and Southampton previously keen on the ex-Aston Villa man also.
What O'Hare can offer Leicester
This could be an ingenious move from Leicester to ensure they don't dent the bank too much, considering Cooper and Co are also sniffing around for the services of Celtic star Matt O'Riley, but his extortionate price tag could prove to be a major stumbling block here.
Celtic'sMattO'Riley
The Sun have reported that the Glasgow titans have slapped a £50m asking price above their prized asset to unsettle suitors, with the Foxes one keen party.
So, that's benefit number one. Benefit number two is their current lack of attacking midfield options, owing to Dennis Praet being released by the Foxes. As a result, O'Hare feels like a smart signing to make with the 26-year-old eyeing up the Premier League after being a nuisance for many a Championship defence over the past couple of seasons.
Leicester also have the likes of Harry Winks and new recruit Golding that can do a job in the central midfield ranks where O'Riley slots into, with a move for £25m-rated Benfica gem Florentino Luis also in the works, away from attempting to get a bumper deal over the line for the much talked about Celtic man.
O'Hare had shone for Mark Robins' Sky Blues in the second tier before leaving, a league which O'Riley has never competed in away from previously playing in League One for Milton Keynes Dons, with the 26-year-old picking up ten goals and four assists last campaign from all competitions.
Games played
31
Goals scored
6
Assists
3
Shots*
1.3
Big chances missed
4
Big chances created
4
Ball recoveries*
3.3
Total duels won*
3.4
Missing the start of the season recovering from a serious injury, it didn't take long for the ex-Villa youngster to blow off the cobwebs and excel under Robins again, as can be seen glancing at the table above.
Premier League fans will already know what O'Hare is capable of if they tuned into Coventry's unbelievable FA Cup journey last campaign, with the "dangerous" attacking midfielder – as he has been described in the past by football journalist Josh Bunting – running rings around Wolverhampton Wanderers in a memorable 3-2 victory at Molineux.
Coventry midfielder Callum O'Hare.
O'Hare would attempt four dribbles and win five duels from just twenty minutes of action against the top-flight side, with his mazey darts forward playing a huge part in the plucky Sky Blues eventually progressing at the expense of Wolves.
The capture of O'Riley might look like more of a statement purchase, but if there isn't a bottomless pit of money to play with even with the sale of Dewsbury-Hall injecting cash, snapping up the former Coventry man for free would be a shrewd bit of business.
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Leicester City could pull off a very impressive free transfer deal with this summer buy.
“I’ve faced a lot of short bowling in my life and I haven’t had too many stresses with it”
ESPNcricinfo staff14-Nov-2020
Steven Smith sways out of the way of a bouncer•Getty Images
Steven Smith has challenged India’s pace attack to bring on the short bowling during the Test series, believing if they focus on banging the ball in at him it will work in Australia’s favour.In Australia’s most recent Test series, against New Zealand in the 2019-2020 season, Neil Wagner produced a sustained short-ball attack to Smith. The left-armer removed Smith four times with the short delivery – twice caught at square leg, once at leg gully, and once fending to the off-side gully – but Smith still averaged 42.80 in the three matches.Though Smith did not score a century he soaked up a lot of pressure for his team-mates by wearing down the bowlers. Australia scored more than 400 in each of their first innings during the series. Smith’s strike-rate in that series was 34.13, comfortably the lowest of his career, but he is more than happy to play a role for the team.”It’s no dramas for me. I just play the game and sum up the conditions, how they’re trying to get me out and being able to counter that,” Smith told “I mean, a few different oppositions have tried it and they’ve certainly found it more difficult to [execute it] the way Wagner did. He’s got an amazing skill set where his speeds go up and down…everything is between your ribs and your head.”If teams are trying to get me out like that it’s probably a big benefit for the team because it takes a lot out of people’s bodies if you continually bowl short. I’ve faced a lot of short bowling in my life and I haven’t had too many stresses with it. I suppose we’ll just wait and see.”Smith was not part of the previous series between these teams as he was serving his suspension for the Newlands ball-tampering scandal but on his return to Test cricket had a magnificent Ashes series despite missing one Test after being felled by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s.The match-ups between the two pace attacks is one of the most keenly awaited contests of the series. Australia will likely line-up with Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood while India will certainly have Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami and may be able to call on Ishant Sharma if he recovers from the side injury sustained at the IPL. Umesh Yadav and the highly-rated Navdeep Saini are also part of their Test squad.In the series two years ago, Australia’s pace attack faded in the latter two Tests as India won the series with a victory at the MCG and a draw at the SCG where they piled up more than 600, but coach Justin Langer has no doubt what they deliver this time.”A world-class bowling attack. And two years better,” he said. “I can’t wait to see them go. And we’ve got good depth as well. James Pattinson who has come back from that back injury, we saw how powerful that was during the last Ashes in England. Michael Neser keeps playing well over and over again. And Sean Abbott, every Shield player I’m talking to they’re all saying he is bowling fast.”
It is likely he would be involved initially in the T20 franchise league USA Cricket is trying to establish
Umar Farooq19-Nov-2020Sami Aslam, one of Pakistan’s leading opening batsmen, is considering quitting Pakistan cricket and moving away to pursue his ambitions. Aslam’s decision is likely to create considerable ripples given that he is not yet 25 and, ordinarily, would still be in contention for a slot in the national side.Aslam played 13 Tests between 2015 and 2017 and came close to establishing himself as a first-choice opener. He has since been prominent on the domestic circuit, among the leading run-getters in last year’s revamped Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy. But problems with team management for his domestic side Southern Punjab last season have spiralled into such disaffection that he is considering seriously overtures from USA Cricket to move there.Only last season Aslam was captain of the Southern Punjab side and finished as the fourth-highest scorer, averaging over 78, with four hundreds contributing to 864 runs. But he was removed from the captaincy during the season, after a disagreement with the head coach Abdul Rehman over a fourth-innings chase. That came in a game against Northern, when Southern Punjab needed 89 from 11 overs but, 2.3 overs in, Aslam shook hands with the opposition captain and a draw was declared. The state of the pitch, the fading light and the defensive fielding positions set by Northern had apparently led to Aslam concluding they would not be able to make the required runs. But that did not go down well with the coach, who viewed it as a digression from team tactics and leading to the change in captain.Since then Aslam’s career has hit a downturn. He was selected for Balochistan this season, a traditionally weaker team, where he has only one fifty from three rounds of the QeA this year. He was demoted to the Balochistan second XI for the National T20 Cup also, a development that increased his disenchantment. In all this time, Abid Ali and Shan Masood have pushed into the national side and somewhat established themselves as an opening pair, with Imam-ul-Haq as a back-up option. The ultimate snub was not being selected for the 35-player group touring New Zealand, a group that includes Pakistan’s national red-ball and white-ball sides and also the Pakistan Shaheens, a team of emerging or in-contention prospects.It has been a swift falling out of favour. Aslam emerged as a talent during the PCB’s Hunt for Heroes tournament in 2009. He quickly became a standout star on the youth circuit, scoring 1695 Under-19 ODI runs at 45.81 (and the most hundreds, six) and is the second-highest run-scorer in Under-19 ODI history. He is also the third-fastest in the world to get to 2000 List A runs. He was captain of the Pakistan Under-19 side when they toured England in 2013, and made two centuries in the tri-series then, including 110 in the final against England, before catching the eye with another hundred in a victory over India in the 2014 Under-19 Asia Cup.He was elevated into the national side in both Test and ODI squads immediately after the 2015 World Cup and though he was dropped after one series, he returned a year later and with some impact, making 82 and 70 at Edgbaston against England in the 2016 series. He showed his potential several times thereafter, not least in an important 91 in Hamilton against New Zealand in particular, although a failure to convert any of his seven fifties into a hundred weighed against him. Not long after that 91 though, he was being pulled up as an example of the kind of attitude to fitness Mickey Arthur was trying to overhaul.Despite runs on the domestic circuit since then, he hasn’t managed to find a way back. Details aren’t yet clear, if he does go, of his opportunities in the USA, though it is likely he would be involved initially in the T20 franchise league USA Cricket is trying to establish.
The 2023/24 season came to an end in the best possible fashion for Manchester United last Saturday. It had not been an easy campaign for Erik ten Hag’s side prior to their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City just one week ago, yet they ended on a high note.
It was a spectacular performance from the Red Devils in the Wembley spectacle, nicking two goals through academy stars Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, but also defying City throughout the game and holding out for a 2-1 victory; only Jeremy Doku could breach United’s defence.
That victory secured United Europa League football for next season, something which they failed to do through their finish in the Premier League. Ten Hag’s side came eighth in the top flight this season and were some way off securing a Champions League spot; eight points to be exact.
With European football secured for the 2024/25 season, it makes it easier for United to attract big-name players to the club over the summer transfer window.
As per talkSPORT, INEOS are “confident” of securing the double signing of Michael Olise and Jarrad Branthwaite. Recently, they have also been linked with another exciting prospect in European football, who they could make a move for this summer.
Man Utd looking to sign versatile attacker
The player in question here is versatile PSG attacker Xavi Simons, who has spent this season on loan at RB Leipzig. It has been a wonderful year for the young Dutchman, and his performances have potentially earned him a move to Old Trafford.
That is, if the reports are to be believed. According to Spanish reports, via TEAMtalk, United are “determined to sign Simons on a season-long loan”. PSG are seemingly willing to sign off on another loan move, which would be Simons’ third in as many seasons.
Xavi Simons for RB Leipzig
A loan move would suit United better in many ways, because it would not impact their summer transfer budget much, at least in comparison to how much he could cost the club. Simons’ current value is £85m, according to Football Observatory, which represents a considerable saving for United.
However, as per the reports, Simons has “no real desire” to represent the Red Devils, or indeed play in the Premier League. Instead, he prefers a move back to his old side, Barcelona, where he came through their famous La Masia academy. This may not be possible this summer, given Barca’s financial strife. A move to Old Trafford may be Simons’ only option.
Why Simons would be a good signing
The signing of Simons would certainly represent good business for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS. In the last two seasons, he has been in stellar form.
For PSV during his loan spell in 2022/23, Simons won the Golden Boot in the Eredivisie, scoring 19 goals in 34 games, as well as registering nine assists. This season for Leipzig, he has eight goals and 13 assists in 32 Bundesliga games, as well as two goals and two assists in eight Champions League games.
Another impressive part of Simons’ game is his versatility. Across his first-team and youth career, the 21-year-old has played right across the front line, at centre-forward, both flanks, as a number 10 and even in central midfield. Not only that, he has consistently put up some impressive numbers right across all the roles he has played. Having a player with as much versatility as Simons in your squad could well be invaluable for United next season.
Xavi Simons' record per position (youth and first team)
Position
Games
Goals
Assists
Centre midfield
5
0
0
Attacking midfield
26
13
8
Left-wing
43
13
13
Right-wing
28
7
6
Centre forward
10
5
7
Stats from Transfermarkt
Simons' quality is also reflected in his Fbref stats when compared to other midfielders in Europe over the last 365 days. Firstly, his impressive creative nature shines through. The 21-year-old is a wonderful creative influence, adept at threading through balls into the path of his teammates in the final third.
He could receive passes on the half turn from the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, then look to find teammates ahead. The two would certainly be a duo to excite United fans with the latter taking English football by storm of late, notably earning a place in England's provisional squad for the European Championships after just months of regular senior football.
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Matt Dawson
May 21, 2024
So, how would that combination work? Well, given the United target averages 2.71 key passes per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 3%, and 2.19 passes into the penalty box, which places him in the 2% of midfielders in Europe, it would work pretty well indeed.
When carrying the ball, Simons is an explosive dribbler, who is able to swiftly change direction thanks to his quick turn of pace, and slalom in and out of opposition defenders because of his low centre of gravity. He averages 4.93 progressive carries per 90 minutes and 4.27 carries into the final third per 90 minutes. Both of these metrics place him in the top 1%. Simons also averages 1.22 carries into the penalty box per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 2%.
The Dutch maestro is an impactful player on the game in general, which is reflected in his stats. He averages 6.07 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 1%, and 0.66 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 2%. He always finds a way to make things happen.
One of the negatives of United signing Simons this summer would be how he actually fits into the side under Ten Hag, or indeed a new manager.
Indeed, Simons’ versatility is a benefit, yet, United have depth in several of the positions he particularly excels in. On the left wing, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are first choice, and at number 10, they have Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount as their depth there. Fernandes is particularly important under Ten Hag, and it seems unlikely he would be displaced.
Simons could play as a centre-forward, providing a rotational option along with Rasmus Hojlund, who is now United’s only striker following Anthony Martial’s departure. However, the Dutchman is more productive playing in a deeper role. As a result, seeing him play alongside Mainoo – scorer of a tremendous FA Cup final goal – in the centre of the pitch might well be the answer.
Finding a role for him could be problematic but having a player of that quality and versatility to supplement United’s squad and add great depth is arguably too good to turn down.
Football scout Antonio Mango described Simons on X as “wonderful”, and, given the stats looked at, it is hard to argue against him. He would certainly be a sublime partner next to Mainoo in midfield.
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