da bet esporte： O zagueiro Gabriel Xavier voltou a ganhar cada vez mais espaço na defesa titular do Bahia nesta temporada. Depois de terminar 2022 em alta, o defensor figurou entre os onze iniciais em cinco dos últimos seis jogos e tem sido um dos destaques na zaga do Tricolor de Aço.
Após perder a pré-temporada por conta de uma lesão muscular, o jovem de 21 anos comemora as oportunidades recebidas pelo técnico Renato Paiva.
– Essas oportunidades que tenho tido estão sendo muito importantes para a minha evolução, ainda mais vindo de uma lesão e de não ter jogado nenhuma partida no ano. Eu estava precisando dessa sequência e vou seguir trabalhando para continuar nessa mesma pegada – disse o zagueiro.
Agora, o próximo compromisso do time tricolor é diante do CRB pela Copa do Nordeste. Gabriel enxerga o jogo de suma importância para a evolução da equipe, já pensando nas finais do Baianão contra a Jacuipense.
– Infelizmente já estamos fora da Copa do Nordeste, mas o nosso pensamento como equipe não muda, queremos ganhar para continuar no nosso processo de evolução de equipe, e com certeza chegarmos bem para os dois jogos das finais que iremos ter – frisou.
Bahia e CRB se enfrentam nesta quarta-feira (22), às 21h30 (de Brasília), na Arena Fonte Nova, pela oitava e última rodada da fase de grupos da Copa do Nordeste. Pela final do Baianão, o Tricolor tem pela frente a Jacuipense, no domingo (26), às 16h, pelo jogo de ida da decisão do Estadual.
RelacionadasAtlético MineiroElenco do Atlético-MG ganha folga antes de mês decisivo; confira o calendário de abrilAtlético Mineiro21/03/2023CruzeiroCruzeiro renovou empréstimo de Bruno José ao Guarani para ter o zagueiro Luciano CastánCruzeiro21/03/2023Futebol InternacionalMessi recusa proposta de time da Arábia Saudita, diz jornalFutebol Internacional21/03/2023
Sri Lanka have recalled Lahiru Kumara and included uncapped offspinner Nishan Peiris for the two-match series
Madushka Balasuriya19-Mar-2024Wanindu Hasaranga has come out of Test retirement and been named in Sri Lanka’s 17-man squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh, starting Friday. Sri Lanka have also recalled seamer Lahiru Kumara and included uncapped offspinner Nishan Peiris in the contingent.Making way are seamers Milan Rathnayake and Asitha Fernando, the latter still recovering from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the ODI leg of the tour.Hasaranga had announced his Test retirement in August 2023 to focus on white-ball cricket. In four Tests so far, he has four wickets at an average of 100.75. He last played a Test in April 2021, against Bangladesh at home.Given the series ends on April 3, Hasaranga will be unavailable for the first three games for his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.Kumara’s recall, meanwhile, likely would not have occurred if not for Asitha’s injury, but it does come on the back of an impressive four wicket-haul in the third ODI against Bangladesh. Kumara hasn’t played a Test in a year. As for Peiris, he was last named in a Test squad in 2018 without making his way into the playing XI. He has taken 24 wickets in his last four first-class matches. Overall, he has picked up 153 wickets in 37 games at an average of 24.79.The rest of the squad is unchanged from the one named for the one-off Test against Afghanistan earlier this year, with Dhananjaya de Silva set to lead. Uncapped opener Lahiru Udara is still with the team, though chances of him dislodging one of Dimuth Karunaratne or Nishan Madushka at the top of the order seem slim at the moment. The rest of the batting will almost certainly include Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and de Silva, with Sadeera Samarawickrama likely taking the gloves.The remaining four spots in the XI will depend on the spin-to-seam ratio Sri Lanka opt for. Prabath Jayasuriya has been a mainstay in the Test side since his debut, though he has primarily plied his trade at home since then. Peiris and Ramesh Mendis also offer spin-bowling options, though Jayasuriya and Hasaranga are likely to be their first choice.If, as expected, Sri Lanka opt for two seamers, that would leave Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando and Chamika Gunasekara competing for the remaining two slots.The first Test begins on Friday in Sylhet.
da bwin： Liverpool have recently made a new approach to sign a £40m star who is open to the idea of moving to rivals Manchester United.
Liverpool close to new Salah and Van Dijk deals in boost for Slot
da brwin： The Reds are on course to win the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season at Anfield, however, a lot of the talk at Anfield has been on the futures of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.
Alexander-Arnold looks likely to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, although Liverpool have seemingly made progress on keeping both Van Dijk and Salah on Merseyside.
Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah
Reliable reporter David Ornstein of The Athletic has recently claimed both Van Dijk and Salah are “on the brink of signing two-year extensions” at Liverpool.
“Resolving contract situations regarding key personnel was one of the biggest challenges Richard Hughes inherited when he started work as Liverpool sporting director just over a year ago.
“It’s been a long road but with Salah and Van Dijk on the brink of signing two-year extensions, it will provide the perfect boost for Arne Slot’s side as they close in on being crowned Premier League champions. There has always been confidence internally at Anfield that the duo would stay put.”
£70m PL star wants to sign for Liverpool & he'd be a better move than Isak
Liverpool may decide to make a move for a player who would be a better addition than Alexander Isak.
1 ByEthan Lamb Apr 9, 2025
There could still be more Anfield departures alongside Alexander-Arnold, though, with Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota both linked with exits.
Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap has been mooted as a potential attacking addition ahead of Slot’s second season, and a new update has now emerged over a move for the former Manchester City youngster.
Liverpool make new approach for Ipswich star Delap
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have made a new approach over a deal for Delap in recent days. The Reds, alongside Chelsea, are keen to get ahead in the race to sign Delap, who has a £40m release clause in his contract. However, should Ipswich suffer relegation, that figure would drop to £30m.
Ipswich Town'sLiamDelapapplauds fans after the match
Man Utd are also keen on signing Delap, and the forward is interested in the idea of moving to Old Trafford ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Liverpool see Delap as a top target, though, and he actually shares the same CAA Stellar agency as Reds defender Ibrahima Konate. The 22-year-old has been a shining light for the Tractor Boys this season, scoring an impressive 12 goals in 30 Premier League games.
Delap’s next destination could be one of the transfer sagas of the summer, and by the looks of things, Liverpool and FSG are keen to win the race following this new update.
Setting their sights on attacking reinforcements, Liverpool are now reportedly battling to sign an impressive forward who has a release clause worth as much as £70m ahead of the summer transfer window.
Liverpool transfer news
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to suggest improvements that Arne Slot’s Liverpool side could make. After all, the Dutchman has lost just one Premier League game in his debut season at Anfield, while he also has the Reds in the Carabao Cup final and in control against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. It’s simply been as close to perfection as anyone could have imagined.
That said, there has been one recent trend popping up a tad too often that the Reds should aim to solve this summer, and that regards their No 9 role. Whether it’s been Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota or Luis Diaz, Liverpool have lacked a consistent outlet to lead their line.
The fact that Slot has rotated the centre of his frontline so often suggests that he’s yet to be convinced by his options, which has reportedly seen those at Anfield turn their focus towards the transfer market.
According to The Boot Room, Liverpool are now battling to sign Marcus Thuram from Inter this summer after their scouts watched the Frenchman score the first of his side’s two goals against Feyenoord in their Champions League last-16 first-leg victory.
Liverpool scouting new goalscorer to replace star who saved them vs Saints
He’s flying this season.
By
Barney Lane
Mar 8, 2025
However, he won’t come cheap, with the report stating he has a £70m release clause in his current Inter deal standing between the reigning Serie A champions and any potential suitors.
With Arsenal reportedly interested too, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool get into a dogfight in pursuit of signing the 27-year-old when the summer arrives.
"Intelligent" Thuram would be an instant upgrade on Nunez
Whilst performances against PSG and Southampton have got Liverpool fans back onside, there’s simply no telling if Nunez will repeat those displays against the French champions in midweek and in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United.
That’s the problem Liverpool are faced with, and that’s the problem Slot must solve by signing a fresh forward.
Darwin Nunez applauds Liverpool fans
Thuram wouldn’t exactly be a disappointing option to turn to, either. The Frenchman has scored 15 goals for Inter this season compared to Nunez’s 7, and has earned praise since completing a move to Italy.
Analyst Ben Mattinson particularly spoke highly of the forward last April, dubbing him “intelligent” whilst also praising brother Khephren Thuram.
By signing Thuram, Liverpool could solve the one glaring issue that Slot’s side are currently facing, which may well result in even greater achievements in the Dutchman’s second season in charge.
In what would be one of the most surprising moves of the summer, Nottingham Forest have reportedly joined the race to sign a striker who once silenced the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest plotting shock striker move
With nine games to go, Champions League qualification is currently theirs for the taking and after enjoying victories over Manchester City and Ipswich Town before the international break, Forest look unlikely to relent. And with their place among Europe’s elite growing more and more likely, it’s no surprise to see the transfer rumours coming thick and fast.
Names as big as Viktor Gyokeres have even been mentioned in recent weeks in what would be among the moves of the summer. The Sporting Club forward is one of the most clinical strikers that European football has to offer and Champions League qualification would leave Forest in a realistic race for his signature.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokeres
It seems as though adding another forward to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side is set to be among the priorities this summer too, whether it’s Gyokeres or another option. As impressive as Chris Wood has been this season, there’s no telling how long his peak will last now that he’s 33 years old.
With that said, the Midlands club have reportedly set their sights on a shock target. According to TeamTalk, Nottingham Forest are now plotting a move to sign Darwin Nunez, whose Liverpool exit has become inevitable in recent months amid links to Al-Hilal and other Saudi Pro League sides.
Nuno loves him: Nottingham Forest working on deal for "fantastic" £20m star
The forward has now been identified as the Tricky Trees’ priority target for the summer transfer window.
ByDominic Lund Mar 27, 2025
Joined by Atletico Madrid and potentially Newcastle United, Forest will reportedly chase the forward’s signature in pursuit of ending his Anfield nightmare. The 25-year-old is into his third season at Liverpool and with the excuse of settling in no longer available, Arne Slot looks destined to show his out-of-form forward the door this summer having originally spurned Saudi clubs’ advances in January.
Liverpool’s trash could quickly become Forest’s treasure, however, if they swoop in and get the best out of Nunez.
Signing Nunez would be major risk
After reportedly arriving for around £85m in 2022, it remains to be seen just how much Liverpool will demand to sell Nunez this summer but there’s no doubt his valuation has dropped. In three years at the club, the former Benfica man has scored just 25 goals in 88 appearances in the Premier League. Wood in this season alone, meanwhile, has scored 18 goals in 29 league games.
That said, for all the negativity surrounding Nunez, Forest managed to get a first-hand glimpse of what he’s capable of last season when he came from the bench to score a last-gasp winner to silence the City Ground.
Earning a reported £140,000-a-week at Liverpool, Nunez’s status as transfer flop looks destined to be confirmed this summer. Whether Forest or another side take advantage of that and attempt to turn that narrative on its head remains to be seen.
At a crossroads, the 25-year-old striker has a crucial decision to make when the transfer window arrives.
Did Dwayne Bravo’s absence help Super Kings, and how crucial is Sarfaraz Khan to Kings XI’s prospects?
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Apr-20192:05
Five reasons why Super Kings beat Kings XI
The target: 161After 12 overs of the chase, Kings XI: 91 for 2, just 70 away with 48 balls leftFrom there, Kings XI added just 47 more runs, lost three more wickets and finished 22 behind Chennai Super Kings’ 160 for 3, undone at Chepauk with a botched chase. Chepauk isn’t the easiest pitch to score runs on when the ball gets old. Kings XI found that out to their consternation on Saturday.But the slowdown was dramatic as it was dismal.ESPNcricinfo LtdKL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan, the batsmen in the middle – and seemingly in control – hit not a single four or six for 37 balls, between overs 11.5 to 18.1. The required rate at 11.5 overs was a gettable 8.69. At 18.1, with 11 balls left, it had soared to 19.25.It was abject all right.Bravo’s injury a blessing in disguise for Super Kings?”It’s a big loss, he offers so much balance to the team,” Mike Hussey, the Chennai Super Kings batting coach, said when Dwayne Bravo was ruled out for two weeks, just before their match against Kings XI Punjab, saying that “a little bit of rejigging” was on the cards as a result.Bravo, at his best, is a superb late-order batsman, a wicket-taking medium-pacer, and an outstanding fielder. He’s also 35, and not at the peak of his powers any more.In fact, as a death bowler, which has been his primary role with Super Kings of late, Bravo has been far from at his best since the start of the last IPL season.ESPNcricinfo LtdWith Bravo gone, Super Kings needed two replacements. Quite usual when it comes to a star allrounder. So MS Dhoni had Faf du Plessis to open with Shane Watson, pushed Ambati Rayudu down the order, and handed Scott Kuggeleijn an IPL debut.”We have communicated to all the players as to what are the scenarios where they will feature in. And I think it’s that one slot, you know, that will keep changing according to the opposition and the conditions,” Dhoni had explained after Super Kings’ first win of the season, at the time speaking specifically about Harbhajan Singh taking the field against Royal Challengers Bangalore.By playing only three overseas players in their last game, Super Kings had left room for a double substitution for one man’s absence. Useful. And very Dhoni. Not to forget du Plessis’ contribution in his first match of the season: 54 in 38 balls, and a big part in Super Kings’ best opening stand for the season so far, 56 in 7.2 overs with Shane Watson. And Kuggeleijn’s – his first delivery in the IPL went for a six courtesy Sarfaraz, but he ended with 2 for 37, picking up two wickets later on.Sarfaraz gives Kings XI middle-order solidity Kings XI finished one from bottom in IPL 2018, with six wins from 14 games. Among the reasons for that could well have been the excessive dependence on Chris Gayle and KL Rahul at the top and the poor run by the middle-order batsmen (Nos. 4 to 6).Speaking specifically about the No. 4, perhaps the most crucial position among those three in terms of putting up the big runs, last season, Kings XI needed a No. 4 to go in 13 times, and played Karun Nair there on eight occasions (149 runs), Yuvraj Singh twice (24), and Aaron Finch (26), Marcus Stoinis (1) and Manoj Tiwary (35) once each.This year, it has been David Miller once, against Mumbai Indians when he scored 15 not out off 10 balls, and Sarfaraz Khan on every other occasion. And Sarfaraz has delivered on the whole, with scores of 46 not out, 13, 39 and, in Chennai against Super Kings in the latest outing, 67. It can, of course, be argued that his last innings took 59 balls, and contributed in the slowdown that led to a 22-run defeat.ESPNcricinfo LtdWith Gayle slotted in to provide the early impetus, Rahul there to bat through the innings if possible, and Mayank Agarwal, Miller and Mandeep Singh around to play specific roles, it’s the No. 4 hole that Kings XI desperately needed someone to make his own. Sarfaraz has put his hand up. Now to clean up the finishing act.Whose ‘home’ is it anyway?It was a good day out for the two lead offspinners from the two sides.Ashwin, the Chennai boy in the opposition camp, came on and bowled the second over of the Super Kings innings, sent back Watson in his second over, the eighth of the innings, and then bowled a double-wicket over, his last and the 14th of the innings, to finish with 3 for 23. Watson, du Plessis and Suresh Raina not a bad bagful at all.After the change of innings, it was the turn of the Punjab boy in the Chennai line-up, Harbhajan. Second over of Kings XI’s chase, and the veteran, with lower speeds and more turn than usual, first got Gayle to nick behind to Dhoni, and then had Mayank Agarwal holing out at long-on for a double-wicket maiden. Damage was done very, very early on.ESPNcricinfo LtdHarbhajan delivered only the sixth maiden over in Powerplays in IPL history. Amazingly, three of those are against his name. Together, Ashwin and Harbhajan conceded five runs an over in a game where the scoring rate hovered around 7.5.
Before the start of this season, one of the criticisms Arsenal fans often levied at Mikel Arteta was that he didn’t trust youth enough.
After all, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli made their breakthroughs under Unai Emery and Emile Smith Rowe was eventually frozen out of the team.
Moreover, while the former captain has coached Saka into a world-class talent, he and Martinelli are the only genuine youngsters who have become regular first-teamers under his tenure – until this year, that is.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetacelebrates after the match
This season has seen Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri become prominent players within the squad, and Arteta has handled their progression excellently.
So, the emergence of another up-and-coming prospect in the academy, who could be the next Nwaneri, should excite fans.
Nwaneri's impressive rise
It was back in September 2022, in a 3-0 win away to Brentford, that Nwaneri was first introduced to the wider footballing world, when at 15 years and 181 days old, Arteta made the teenager the league’s youngest player of all time.
The Enfield-born dynamo made another slightly longer cameo in the club’s emphatic 6-0 win away to West Ham United last season but has truly established himself as one of the most exciting talents in world football this term.
So far, the often “unplayable” 17-year-old, as dubbed by former wonderkid Jack Wilshere, has made 28 appearances for the first team, totalling 1076 minutes, in which he’s scored eight goals and provided one assist.
That means the Hale End star has averaged a goal involvement every 3.11 games, or more impressively, every 119.55 minutes.
It’s not just the goals and assists that have caught the eye of fans and pundits alike, but his overall play, bravery and determination to make things happen whenever he has the ball.
In short, the young dynamo looks like a superstar in the making, so fans should be excited about another prospect coming through Hale End who could be the next Nwaneri.
Arsenal's new Nwaneri
While plenty of the attention has gone the way of the incredibly exciting Max Dowman in recent months, he’s still just 15 years old, so the chance of him playing even semiregular minutes next season seems low.
However, Dan Casey, on the other hand, is 17 years old and will be 18 in late August, so the chance of him making a debut next year is not farfetched, especially as he could be another Nwaneri-esque addition to the squad.
That might sound hyperbolic, but considering how sensationally well the youngster has fared in the youth teams this year, it might not be.
Casey’s 24/25
Appearances
23
Minutes
1507
Goals
17
Assists
2
Goal Involvements per Match
0.86
Minutes per Goal Involvement
79.31′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, in just 23 appearances this season, totalling 1507 minutes, the “box-crashing” midfielder, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored 17 goals and provided two assists.
That means the tremendously promising phenom is currently averaging a goal involvement every 79.31 minutes in the academy.
However, it’s not just his output that makes the young star so similar to Nwaneri, but also his versatility.
For example, this season alone, the teenage monster has played in attacking midfield, centre midfield and defensive midfield and has even made appearances up top and off the left.
Ultimately, while Nwaneri is undoubtedly the most exciting youngster at Arsenal this season, don’t be too surprised if you see Casey break into the first team in the coming years.
Berta is in love with him: Arsenal in talks to sign £60m Zubimendi upgrade
The incredible Premier League star would be a game-changing signing for Arsenal.
When West Bromwich Albion handed Tony Mowbray the reins for his second spell at the Baggies, another promotion, one that the impressive Carlos Corberan failed to deliver, was being dreamt of.
Indeed, Mowbray has been here before when guiding West Brom triumphantly to the Championship title back in 2008, with his task in the here and now to steer the West Midlands outfit to a playoff finish.
Part of that great side were players like Graham Dorrans, James Morrison, Robert Koren and, of course, Jonas Olsson.
Perhaps Mowbray has found his next version of the big Swede in 2025.
Jonas Olsson's time at West Brom
Last time the current manager took West Brom up to the promised land of English football, Mowbray did, unfortunately send his side straight back down.
But, the dismal relegation that did occur at the end of the 2008/09 season – which ultimately cost the manager his job – didn’t mean it was all doom and gloom at the Hawthorns, with Olsson sticking out as a formidable performer even as the Premier League slipped out of his new team’s grasp.
In total, the Swedish powerhouse tallied up 261 appearances donning a Baggies strip, with this unfortunate relegation blot on his resume not deterring him from going on to amass eight goals and six assists in the Premier League from 201 clashes.
Often using his towering 6 foot 5 frame to resiliently battle and grind out important wins, there’s one player in Mowbray’s current camp who bares similarities to the modern West Brom icon by displaying equal amounts of grit.
West Brom's new version of Olsson
The second-tier promotion chasers were very proactive in the busy January market, with the likes of EFL sharpshooter Adam Armstrong joining the ranks on loan, alongside Tammer Bany joining from Scandinavia in a surprise switch.
Amazingly, this isn’t the only pursuit from this neck of the woods that West Brom have signed off on in recent times, as tough defensive battler Torbjørn Heggem joined from Swedish top-flight side IF Brommapojkarna for a modest £500k last summer.
Heggem has managed to instantly fit in – much like Olsson after his move in 2008 – with a header being powered home back in December eerily similar to the many goals the Swede scored in crucial moments.
Moreover, the ex-Brommapojkarna titan has managed to shore up Mowbray’s side like the memorable number 4 before him, seen in Heggem winning a high five duels on average per Championship clash.
Games played
39
Games started
39
Goals scored
1
Assists
2
Touches*
67.8
Accurate passes*
44.5 (88%)
Ball recoveries*
3.3
Clearances*
4.9
Total duels won*
5.0
Clean sheets
12
The “outstanding” summer recruit – as he’s been lauded by pundit Carlton Palmer for his Baggies heroics – has also managed to collect 12 clean sheets from his 39 second-tier appearances, resulting in Heggem cementing himself as a regular by missing zero Championship games this season.
Heggem would love to round off his stunning debut season in England with a promotion in hand, as the 26-year-old no-nonsense defender potentially becomes more and more like West Brom’s next Olsson if he passes any upcoming hurdles in front of him with flying colours.
Best signing since Pereira: West Brom have struck gold on "special" star
West Bromwich Albion struck gold when snapping up this lethal attacker.
da cassino online： Aston Villa got back to winning ways with their 3-0 win against already relegated Southampton in the Premier League, having lost 3-1 at the Parc des Princes during the week in the Champions League.
da jogodeouro： Unai Emery’s side struggled to find the breakthrough against the Saints, with Ollie Watkins finding the net after 73 minutes, which opened the floodgates, as Donyell Malen and John McGinn added a second and third despite Marco Asensio’s duo of missed penalties.
It was a deserved victory for the Villans, keeping 60% possession, generating 3.03 xG in the match, creating six big chances and taking 25 shots.
But, Villa’s January window continues to steal the headlines, as their business during this period seems to have paid off in dividends, providing Emery with the necessary reinforcement to finish the season strong.
Indeed, it’s ensured that Jhon Duran hasn’t been missed in Villa colours…
How Duran is performing in Saudi Arabia
Jhon Duran was sold in the January window, as the 21-year-old striker joined Al Nassr for a fee of around £65m.
Duran made 78 appearances in his time at Villa, netting 20 goals, providing one assist and totaling 2,275 minutes played.
The young forward made a name for himself, coming from the bench to devastating effect, scoring four goals in the opening five Premier League games of the season, all of which came from the bench in just 131 minutes.
Since surprisingly departing, he has been on fire in Saudi, scoring seven goals in 11 games for his new outfit.
Back in the Midlands, many expected the signing of Marcus Rashford to fill the void of the Colombian’s goals, but as good as he’s been, Villa managed to pick up another super sub in the winter transfer window, who’s taken to Duran’s role like a duck to water.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Emery's new Jhon Duran
Alongside the huge loan signings of Rashford and Marco Asensio in January, Villa also made a permanent signing to their attacking line, signing Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of around £19m with £2.5m in add-ons.
Since joining the club, it’s been a topsy turvy period for the 26-year-old who was disappointingly omitted from the club’s Champions League squad list for the knock-out stages.
Despite that setback, he has caught the eye across his 11 appearances for the Villans, netting three times in 340 minutes played. Malen can play all across the front line, on both wings and as a centre-forward, something he has already shown under Emery since arriving.
Donyell Malen vs Southampton
Stat
Malen
Minutes
24
Goals
1
Touches
13
Accurate Passes
6/7
Key Passes
1
Shots Total
1
Ground Duels Won
1/2
Stats taken from Sofascore
And over the weekend, Malen netted another goal coming from the bench – his second in recent weeks – playing just 24 minutes against Southampton, taking one shot and converting it into a goal for his side.
The Dutch forward only had 13 touches in the match, making six of his seven passes but made his most important touch count in front of the goal, much like Duran often did.
Having an effective player to come from the bench with fresh legs is something that worked well for Emery earlier in the season with Duran, and having a player like Malen who can do this, but also play in multiple positions across the front line gives Emery even more flexibility.
With Villa gaining £65m from the sale of Duran and bringing Malen in for nearly a third of that fee, it could be argued that as good as the former is at such a young age, the business wasn’t bad for the Midlands club, using the funds effectively to strengthen their squad.
Emery struck gold on Aston Villa star worth more than Doue & Kvaratskhelia
Aston Villa made a brilliant investment with this player
Even in a frustrating season, Rangers have still had their standout stars and Gers legend Ally McCoist took the time to have his say on two particular players he’d have loved to have played with.
Ally McCoist full of praise for Rangers stars
It’s been a nightmare campaign for the Gers in the Scottish Premiership. They have been a world away from runaway leaders Celtic and are heading into the summer transfer window with it all to do. Those at Ibrox will, however, be hoping that the pending arrival of the 49ers will help turn a new leaf and bridge the gap on their Old Firm rivals once and for all.
The first take that the 49ers will need to tick off their list of priorities will no doubt be hiring a permanent replacement for Philippe Clement, but then their aim should be to keep hold of some of their stars – including two that Ally McCoist name-dropped.
Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast in partnership with TalkSPORTBET, McCoist was asked which current Ibrox stars he’d like to have played with.
Rangers must go all-out to keep Raskin and Cerny
Many around Ibrox will certainly agree with McCoist’s praise and it’s something that the 49ers should instantly recognise before keeping hold of the two Rangers stars. In the case of Vaclav Cerny, things are slightly more complicated than they could be, however. It’s not just a case of keeping hold of the winger, the Gers must renegotiate their loan deal into a permanent arrival with parent club Wolfsburg.
Vaclav Cerny
Meanwhile, keeping hold of Raskin may also prove to be difficult amid reported interest from the likes of Aston Villa and Leeds United. As McCoist mentioned, the Belgian has recently become a full international and is a player who is making “steady improvement”. Whether that’s improvement Rangers can keep up with will certainly be interesting to see this summer.
What is certain though, is that both current stars would have thrived alongside McCoist – the type of player that the 49ers would love to have at their disposal upon their arrival.