Michael Vaughan has suggested Stuart Broad feels he is beyond criticism after his comments at the end of the first day’s play in Leeds
George Dobell02-Jun-2018Michael Vaughan has suggested Stuart Broad feels he is beyond criticism after his comments at the end of the first day’s play in Leeds.Vaughan, the former England captain who has moved into the media, suggested in the run-up to the Test that England should consider dropping Broad (or, to a lesser extent, James Anderson) in order to “ruffle some feathers”.But Broad hit back after his good performance on the first day of the Leeds Test, saying that Vaughan “doesn’t know what the changing room is like” and didn’t have much insight.”I think it was a bit of a wild guess,” Broad said, before suggesting Vaughan was motivated by self-publicity. “It’s [about] personal columns and radio shows that need ‘likes’ and airtime, isn’t it?”Broad also confirmed that he had phoned Vaughan to register his “disappointment” at the comments. But Vaughan, responding on BBC’s Test Match Special programme, defended his views and suggested Broad had spoken prematurely.”You have to be careful when you choose a time to come out and attack like Stuart did last night,” Vaughan said. “England are still 72 runs behind Pakistan. They haven’t won this Test match yet.”The comments last night were geared as though they had won the game. He’s a senior member of the team and I don’t think it was the right time to plan that attack.”With the way the England team have played for a long period of time, they have had a great first day. To come out speaking like that after one good day after having only four or five good days in their past eight or nine Tests.”You have to be careful in sport that comments can come back to bite you but, on the other hand, it is entertaining. And that is what we want in sport. My only concern is that they are speaking like that after one good day.”I got the sense last night it was ‘you can’t criticise me. I’m Stuart Broad and I’ve been in the team for a long time.'”Nick Compton, who came in for a lot of criticism from Vaughan during his spell as an England player, also spoke out on Twitter saying: “About time someone shut that t&@t up.” He later removed the Tweet.”The reasons why I said they should consider [dropping Broad] is that I felt the England Test team needed to ruffle a feather or two,” Vaughan continued. “It has been very comfortable for a long period of time and one of the options might have been to break up the senior bowling pair.”If the criticism over the last few days has geed them up to go out there and prove us wrong, great.”I think the Test team for too long has been a lovely place. Lovely and comfortable. They win games and series when the ball swings around, but they don’t do it on a consistent basis.”So, you have to look at every aspect of the team to think about how you can trigger them into a more consistent performance.”
Tottenham Hotspur have already enjoyed a fine summer of spending, but with Deadline Day now in full swing, there could still be more enjoyment for fans before the window slams shut…
Who could Tottenham Hotspur sign on Deadline Day?
With a deal for Brennan Johnson their latest big-money acquisition, Ange Postecoglou's squad is looking far stronger than the one he first inherited, culling much of the dead wood whilst adding enough stars to uphold his new-look philosophy.
However, there are still likely some duds he would like shipped out before the end of the day.
Especially if they are to continue spending, which a report from 90min has hinted at as they suggest that they have already seen a £20m bid rejected for a new target, AFC Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly. The Times, however, reports that Spurs are still in the hunt and are set to up their bid.
Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…
With their Australian boss clearly seeking to add one more centre-back to supplement the earlier signing of Micky Van de Ven, the young defender could offer the perfect balance of instant impact and impressive longevity given the experience he already boasts.
How good is Lloyd Kelly?
As a left-footed defender who has been lauded for a maturity that belies his youth, the 24-year-old has slowly begun to break into the Cherries' first-team as a centre-back more than capable of starring at left-back too.
Such versatility, plus the club he currently plays for, unsurprisingly draws comparisons with Manchester City star Nathan Ake, who too has grown into a fine stalwart ever since moving to the Etihad in 2021.
Heads turned when Pep Guardiola expended £41m to pry him from the south coast, but the Dutchman's importance nowadays cannot be understated, with the defender boasting 41 appearances across all competitions last term as they claimed a historic treble.
lloyd-kelly
His Spanish boss has always been a huge admirer of Ake: "He has been fundamental. I learned this season when you play against (Bukayo) Saka, Vinicius (Jnr), (Gabriel) Martinelli, (Mohamed) Salah or (Sadio) Mane in the past, you need a proper defender to win duels one v one.
"Or, in the Champions League, at that level, they need one action to beat you and Nathan gave us that boost that I didn't have in the past."
Postecoglou will hope that Kelly can emulate this kind of imperious solidity, who too has showcased his defensive talents with Bournemouth in the same way that the now Man City star did.
Just last season saw the Welshman manage 23 Premier League appearances, with his 6.80 average rating an admirable one given it was supported by 1.1 interceptions, 1.4 tackles and 4.3 clearances per game, via Sofascore.
A true rock at the back for his side, it is no surprise to see he has been lauded wherever he has featured. Jonathan Woodgate even touted him at a level above his current one, noting back in 2021: "Lloydy’s done ever so well since I’ve been here. He’s got talent. He’s got a lot of attributes which Premier League teams look at. But he needs to be consistent week in, week out now.
"I don’t see him being at Bournemouth long, if he keeps on playing like that. He was brilliant. He’s got some strings to his bow now. He can play very well at centre-half and he can play very well at left-back. At the minute he just looks like a bit of a Rolls-Royce doesn’t he?"
Perhaps the former Real Madrid star's prediction could now come true, with Spurs still keen on signing the classy centre-back, who too seeks to follow Ake's path by trading the Vitality Stadium for one of the Premier League's elite outfits.
Life without Harry Kane has started brightly as far as Tottenham Hotspur are concerned, with new boss Ange Postecoglou already ensuring that the England skipper is something of a distant memory, following his move to Bayern Munich last month.
The Lilywhites have made a strong start to the campaign despite not actually acquiring a direct replacement for the 30-year-old goal machine, although there will likely come a time in the not-too-distant future when a successor to the club's record scorer will have to be found.
Whether it is an emerging academy star – such as teen sensation, Will Lankshear – or a high-profile, big-money addition, at some stage sooner rather than later someone will have to live with the burden of attempting to emulate Kane's heroics.
Harry Kane
To be constantly likened to or compared with such an elite figure is likely to be more of a curse than a blessing for any player, however, with one current Spurs dud having only recently fallen by the wayside despite prior comparisons to another legendary Tottenham icon – Gareth Bale.
Currently on the sidelines with yet another injury blow, it is fair to say that one-time wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon has not lived up to the hype at N17 to date, with those prior whispers that the heir to Bale had been found now looking rather foolish.
Why did Tottenham sign Ryan Sessegnon?
The once-promising wideman had caught the eye after bursting onto the scene for fellow London club, Fulham, making his first-team debut for the Cottagers at the tender age of just 16 as an indication of how highly-regarded he was at the time.
The Roehampton-born speedster – who, like Bale, can operate at left-back or in an advanced attacking berth – had captured the interest of the Premier League's elite following his standout showings in the second tier, enjoying a particularly remarkable 2017/18 season.
Despite having still been a teenager at the time, Sessegnon proved integral in helping the Craven Cottage outfit to secure promotion, netting 15 times and providing six assists in 46 Championship appearances, prior to adding another three goal involvements in the playoffs.
It was at that time that the murmurings regarding the 'next Bale' began to surface, with then-teammate Matt Targett having made the comparison between the two wing wizards in February 2018:
"He’s going to have a great future in front of him,” said Targett, as reported by the Independent. "He’s a massive threat and to score over ten goals already in the Championship for any midfielder that’s good, but he’s 17. It’s a massive achievement and he’s got a massive future in front of him. He’s definitely right up there with the likes of Luke Shaw, Gareth Bale, you could even put."
The end to that stellar season also earned the youngster lofty praise from manager Slavisa Jokanovic, with the one-time Watford boss describing the precocious talent as "a mix between Marcelo and Bale".
Such hype was followed by a respectable first season in England's top flight as Sessegnon contributed two goals and six assists in 35 league games, prior to those at Spurs having come calling…
How much did Tottenham pay for Ryan Sessegnon?
The buzz around the 5 foot 10 whiz had ensured that the Lilywhites weren't alone in their interest, with rivals Manchester United believed to have made contact regarding a possible move for the wideman in the summer of 2019, while Serie A giants Juventus were also said to be keen at the time.
Despite that growing list of suitors, it was Spurs and Mauricio Pochettino who eventually won the race in that same window, forking out a reported fee of around £25m.
That appeared something of a bargain considering figures of closer to £50m had been suggested prior to that, with Sessegnon quickly raising the excitement levels after scoring on his first Champions League start away to Bayern Munich.
Such an introduction onto the European stage unsurprisingly had supporters dreaming that an heir to Bale had finally been found, with the Welshman memorably announcing himself to the wider world after scoring a hat-trick against Inter Milan back in 2010.
Described as a "massive asset" by pundit Noel Whelan amid that promising start to the 2019/20 campaign, Sessegnon had also talked up the likeness to the ex-Real Madrid star, having stated in January 2020:
"I think [the comparisons are] definitely a confident boost. [Bale] was one of the players that I looked up to when I was younger, especially when he was at Southampton bombing up on the wing."He has attributes that I want to add to my game. In terms of attacking intent, the mentality to get in behind on the left flank and dribble with the ball, I'm trying to add a little bit of that into my game."If I could ever become as great as he has become it would be a massive achievement. I'm so far off at the moment."
Gareth Bale's Tottenham Record (stats via Transfermarkt)
Manager
Games
Goals
Assists
Ryan Mason
7
6
Jose Mourinho
27
10
3
Andre Villas-Boas
44
26
14
Harry Redknapp
137
27
39
Juande Ramos
13
0
1
Martin Jol
9
3
1
Total
237
72
58
As the Englishman stated in that final line, he was still 'so far off' emulating the one-time Southampton gem, however, with that still looking like the case today…
What has gone wrong for Ryan Sessegnon at Tottenham?
There may be a sense of what might have been had Pochettino remained in charge to help guide the emerging sensation, although with Jose Mourinho appointed in late 2019, Sessegnon's hopes of regular game time were inhibited, as he subsequently joined Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for the 2020/21 season.
Following his return from Germany it has largely been a tale of woe for the £55k-per-week asset, with injuries restricting him to just 15 and 17 league appearances across the last two seasons, respectively.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ryan Sessegnon.
When the 23-year-old – who has scored just three times and chipped in with only four assists in 56 games in all competitions for the club – has featured he has also hardly set the world alight, with Spurs insider John Wenham brutally describing him as "a Championship player" earlier this year, while going on to add:
"We bought him as this kid with great potential and all of the attributes. I was so excited when we got him, he was exactly the signing I wanted the club to make. But you can have hindsight and you can be allowed to be wrong about things. I was absolutely wrong about Sessegnon.
"He has no pace. Ever since he had his hamstring injury he doesn’t take players on. What is the point of setting your team up to benefit from attacking wing-backs if you have a wing-back who can’t beat a man, has no pace, has no strength and cannot deliver a cross?"
It is then fair to say that the struggling dud – who is yet to feature this season due to injury – has come nowhere close to making the same impact as Bale, with the latter man having only been a year older when he sealed his £85m move to Madrid in 2013.
While it may be too soon to completely write off Sessegnon, he has certainly not built on his strong first impression, with it yet to be seen what his future will be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – if he has one at all that is.
Nos últimos dias, o Corinthians deu alguns passos importantes para fechar com mais um reforço para a temporada. Isso porque o clube e Cazares entraram em acordo e acertaram as bases contratuais. Agora, o objetivo é aguardar o negócio com o Atlético-MG, dono dos direitos do jogador.
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Oferecido ao Timão por seus empresários, o equatoriano tem contrato com o Galo somente até o fim deste ano e não faz parte dos planos de Jorge Sampaoli, por isso já estava previamente autorizado a procurar novos rumos.
A princípio, os dirigentes corintianos olharam com cautela para a situação, já que os problemas financeiros não permitem loucuras, muito menos apostas que envolvam muito dinheiro, como seria o caso de uma contratação desse nível. Dessa forma, o negócio só foi para frente quando Cazares topou diminuir suas bases salariais, inclusive para a assinatura de um contrato definitivo.
O que trava a contratação, neste momento, é o Atlético-MG, dono dos direitos econômicos do atleta. São duas as possibilidades: um empréstimo sem custos ao Corinthians até o fim do ano, com o clube paulista arcando com os vencimentos, e a possibilidade de os mineiros ficarem com um percentual de venda futura ou a rescisão amigável com o Galo para ficar livre no mercado.
Acontece que essa segunda opção seria acertada em troca de o equatoriano abrir mão de valores devidos pelo clube mineiro. O Timão, assim, só observa e aguarda, já que não pretende gastar qualquer valor com essa negociação que não seja com salários. É o estafe do jogador que conduz as tratativas.
Nos bastidores do clube, há correntes que desconfiam da contratação por conta da fama de Cazares em atividades extracampo, problemas que foram responsáveis por deixar turbulenta sua passagem promissora pelo Atlético-MG. Segundo fontes consultadas pelo LANCE!, o Corinthians pretende se “proteger” em relação a isso, mas confia no potencial do meia dentro de campo.
Um desfecho é esperado para acontecer nos próximos dias, mas é possível dizer que somente o acerto com o Atlético-MG é que separa Cazares de vestir a camisa do Corinthians pelas próximas temporadas. Em 2020, o equatoriano entrou em campo em apenas uma partida oficial saindo do banco de reservas.
Manchester United have highlighted Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi as an alternative to Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard, as a reliable journalist has revealed that a deal for the latter is not yet at an advanced stage.
How much did Chelsea sell Marc Guehi for?
Back in 2021, Guehi made the move to Selhurst Park from Stamford Bridge for a reported £18m and during his two years at the club so far, he’s become a regular feature and integral member of Roy Hodgson’s squad having started 37 out of 38 matches last season in the Premier League.
The Eagles centre-back still has another three years remaining on his contract in SE25, but his impressive performances at the heart of the backline have already attracted summer interest from the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Read The Latest Man United Transfer News HERE…
Harry Maguire looks like he could be on his way out before the end of the ongoing transfer window having agreed a £30m deal to join West Ham United, so should he depart, Erik ten Hag will need to enter the market to find a suitable replacement.
Pavard appears to be the preferred candidate having already been the subject of a rejected approach from the Red Devils, and despite the player being keen to join, there’s no sign yet of an incoming second proposal which means the boss has to assess other options, which is where the 23-year-old comes into play.
Are Man United signing Marc Guehi?
Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Man United have placed Guehi on a shortlist of centre-backs that they could look to swoop for should a deal for Pavard fail to materialise. He said:
“I’m told that Man United could get Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich for less than the reported €35m (£30m). This is the feeling at the Manchester club as everybody is waiting for the clubs to discuss a fee. At the moment, the deal is not at that stage yet. Pavard would be a replacement for Harry Maguire but we are still waiting for Maguire to agree personal terms with West Ham.
“As for other targets wanted by Man United, I can tell you that Jean-Clair Todibo remains on the list; and then other than the two just mentioned, Tapsoba and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.”
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
How tall is Marc Guehi?
Standing at 6 foot exactly, Guehi isn’t that tall for a centre-back but he’s still been dubbed an “absolute tank” by England U21s goalkeeper Josef Bursik, and there’s no doubt that he could be a real rock in Ten Hag’s defence should he end up completing a move to Man United.
The Three Lions international last season averaged 3.6 clearances and 1.5 aerial wins per top-flight game, via WhoScored, highlighting the physical presence he provides, and he is also a versatile operator with his ability to play out wide at both left-back and right-back alongside his usual position.
Guehi, whose price tag is £60m, additionally shares the same agent, Unique Sports Group, as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, so this existing connection that his representative already has to the club could give chiefs a small advantage should they decide to pursue a deal in the final weeks of the window.
Chelsea's pursuit of Moises Caicedo is still "absolutely on", and the Ecuadorian superstar is now "sending clear messages" with his absences from training in recent days, claims transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.
Is Moises Caicedo joining Chelsea?
For as busy as the Blues have been this summer, and for as much effort that has been spent on clearing out a raft of players from the side to allow new boss Mauricio Pochettino to mould his team, a lot of the attention has been focused on the transfer saga of Caicedo.
At this point, the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder is unquestionably Chelsea's number one transfer target, a fact only made more apparent following their four failed bids to sign him – the latest being worth £80m.
The Pensioners will have to significantly up their fifth offer, however, as the Seagulls have made it incredibly clear that they will not take anything less than £100m for their dynamic lynchpin, a price that they consider fair following the £105m sale of the positionally similar Declan Rice to Arsenal earlier in the window.
Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…
In stalemate situations like this, a player can sometimes help the buying club by weakening his own side's selling position, either by handing in a transfer request, making a public statement, or refusing to turn up to training, and it looks like La Joya might've opted for that last option.
According to the south coast club (via The Argus), the Santo Domingo-born gem missed their last pre-season game against La Liga side Rayo Vallecano due to 'hamstring tightness' with boss Roberto De Zerbi saying:
"Moises felt pain in the hamstring and I don't know much time he needs to come in again."
However, it seems that's not the complete picture, as transfers expert Fabrizio Romano explained that this situation was not as simple as it first appeared, and instead, Caicedo is "pushing" for the move and "sending clear messages by not being with the squad."
He explained the situation on his YouTube channel, saying:
"It's going to be a very important week to understand what's going to happen with Caicedo. I know we say that many times, but it's going to be crucial for Chelsea if they want to sign Caicedo to raise the bid and to advance with Brighton because the player is now pushing, the player is sending clear messages by not being with the squad.
"Again, Brighton say about injury but from player's side the message is very clear about his intention to leave, so let's follow this story, but, [the] Caicedo and Chelsea deal is absolutely on."
Who else have Chelsea been linked to this summer?
While the Blues clearly have their focus on the Brighton star this summer, there have still been a slew of other exciting names touted for a move to Stamford Bridge before the window slams shut on September 1.
One of those names is Crystal Palace's Michale Olise, with French outlet RMC Sport reporting that the West Londoners have made a verbal offer of €30m (£26m) for the exciting young Frenchman.
Crystal Palace midfielder Michael Olise.
The 21-year-old has also attracted interest from Premier League champions Manchester City, but at this point in time, it looks as if the Pensioners have the slight edge, holding an 'agreement in principle' with the player, also per RMC Sport.
With 11 assists and two goals in just 31 league starts for a goal-shy Palace side last season, Pochettino could have a genuinely exciting wideman on his hands for his first campaign at the Bridge should this deal be completed.
Despite enduring an abysmal season last year, Chelsea fans might just have something exciting to look forward to under their new boss.
An update has emerged on reported Aston Villa transfer target Marcos Leonardo ahead of the start of the 2023/24 campaign…
What's the latest Aston Villa transfer news?
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Roma have been unable to agree a fee with Santos for the Brazilian forward and their deal for him is on 'standby' for now.
The report claims that the Serie A side will continue to negotiate with them in order to find a solution to sign the talented number nine before the end of the summer transfer window.
Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…
Leonardo, who has reportedly been valued at €15m (£13m) by his club, has also attracted interest from Premier League sides Nottingham Forest and Villa, although he is said to prefer a move to Italy at this moment in time.
It now remains to be seen whether or not the Villans will go in with an official offer in an attempt to beat off competition from the other two teams.
How good is Marcos Leonardo?
The 20-year-old striker is an outstanding young talent who could be the dream heir to Ollie Watkins at Villa Park if Unai Emery and Monchi are able to usurp Roma in the race for his signature.
Leonardo, who only turned 20 in May, has already scored 47 first-team goals for Santos, and his statistics since the start of last year suggest that he has the potential to eventually replace the England international as the Spanish head coach's first-choice striker.
The Brazil U20 international has scored 35 goals in 87 appearances in 2022 and 2023 combined for his club, which works out as a strike every 2.49 matches on average. He has also scored once every other outing for Santos in the Serie A this year with six in 12 clashes.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
Watkins, meanwhile, is coming off the back of 15 goals in 37 Premier League games for the Villans last season, which is one every 2.47 appearances on average. That came after the former Brentford man racked up 11 strikes in 35 for Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard during the 2021/22 campaign.
This suggests that the Brazilian dynamo, who scored five goals in five U20 World Cup appearances this year, could offer a similar level of production in front of goal if he is able to translate his form over the last 18 months for Santos over to English football this season, or in the future.
U23 scout Antonio Manga claimed Leonardo has "frightening" pace and "plays without fear", which could also make him an ideal heir to Watkins due to the current Villa man's knack for using his pace to make runs in behind to stretch defences and to creates for himself.
There is no guarantee that he will be able to replicate his success in his home country in the Premier League but his superb statistics for Santos are eye-catching and the £13m-rated gem appears to be a worthwhile gamble for the club to make.
If Leonardo can adapt to football in England and chip in with goals on a regular basis then he could be the dream long-term heir to Watkins, who is seven years older than him.
Chelsea have now joined the race to sign Real Betis defender Luiz Felipe, who could be brought in to replace Wesley Fofana, though he is also a target for West Ham United, according to reports from Spain.
What's the latest Chelsea transfer news?
Fofana is at risk of missing the majority of the upcoming season due to a serious knee injury, and Mauricio Pochettino has now confirmed that he could enter the market for a new defender to replace the Frenchman, saying:
We feel all so sad. All we can do is help him. After that, because he is a player that is important for the team and the squad. "Of course we now need to think and see if we keep as we are, or if we need to work to maybe add some players.”
The Blues have previously identified a number of centre-back targets, who they could now decide to make a move for, with Sporting CP's Goncalo Inacio being named as a potential option at the beginning of this month.
Juventus' Gleison Bremer could also be a target, though there may be competition for his signature from rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with Ange Postecoglou keen on signing the Brazilian.
According to reports from Spain (via Sport Witness), Chelsea have now joined the race to sign Felipe, who could be brought in as a replacement for Fofana, with Pochettino including the Italian's name in his list of targets.
West Ham have already held talks with the 26-year-old's agent, and the La Liga side are waiting for them to make an official offer, however, the Hammers have delayed making their first move, allowing the Blues to enter the race for his signature.
Reports from earlier this month stated that the defender is valued at around €20m (£17m), meaning he would be an affordable option for Pochettino this summer.
How good is Luiz Felipe?
With Fofana suffering a long-term injury, it is clear that Pochettino will need to bring in a replacement, and the Real Betis star could be a good replacement, given the level of some of his performances over the past year.
The Brazil-born centre-back has averaged 2.39 blocks per 90, placing him in the 99th percentile compared to his positional peers, while he also ranks in the 95th percentile for clearances per 90, having averaged 5.40 during the same time period.
Lauded as "excellent" by members of the media, the Italy international also ranks in the 76th percentile for interceptions, but some of his other attributes leave a lot to be desired, particularly his ability in the air, as well as his passing.
Luiz Felipe West Ham target
The former Lazio man also has problems with his discipline, receiving three red cards over the course of seven matches last season, which will be a concern for Pochettino.
That said, at the price of just £17m, Felipe would still be a worthwhile signing for Chelsea, and they should now move swiftly to secure his signature ahead of the new campaign before West Ham re-enter the race.
West Ham United could make a move for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, according to ExWHUEmployee.
The club would make the move if the other reported moves from the Belgian don't materialise.
What is the latest Romeo Lavia transfer news?
It looks increasingly likely that Lavia is going to depart Southampton in the coming days.
In recent hours, reports have emerged stating that Liverpool have had an opening bid of £37m rejected by the Saints for Lavia, with the South Coast side holding out for a fee closer to £50m due to the buyback clause inserted into the deal as well as the 20% sell on clause.
The Merseyside outfit are not the only side interested in the 19-year-old, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City all registering an interest in the player following a fine first season in the Premier League.
Romeo-Lavia-Southampton-Manchester-United
The 19-year-old midfielder made 29 league appearances for Southampton last season and scored one goal, earning many plaudits from those in the media, with The Athletic journalist Jacob Tanswell naming the midfielder as his Southampton Player of the Year, whilst describing Lavia by saying "If Romeo Lavia walked under a bucket of water, he would emerge without a splash on his clothes."
The midfielder is also highly thought of by fellow Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne, who stated in an interview last year: "He [Lavia] is very good. He's been training with us since the end of last year. If he continues his development, I think he'll be a top player."
Speaking on The West Ham Way podcast, ExWHUEmployee stated that due to the club's willingness to pay £50m for Palhinha, should none of the aforementioned clubs sign Lavia, the Hammers could swoop in: "The situation with Romeo Lavia at Southampton is interesting. Now Liverpool didn’t bid £50m for him because they saw that as too much, but £50m is what we were prepared to pay for Palhinha, so it shows that we would be prepared to pay that for a defensive midfielder. He’s been linked with Chelsea and Manchester City and Liverpool, so he’s got a whole host of top clubs in for him however if none of those moves materialise he’s definitely someone we like, but someone we haven’t moved for because we thought he would go elsewhere, so it’s definitely one to keep an eye on."
Would Romeo Lavia be a good Declan Rice replacement?
Lavia, who has been hailed as a "monster", shares a number of similarities to the former West Ham captain that would make him an interesting replacement.
Both have very similar passing completion percentages at 86%, whilst also sharing a quality when it comes to tackling, however where Rice excels at interceptions, Lavia instead excels at blocks. The England international is also statistically a much bigger threat in the final third whilst also being a better progresser of the ball in all phases of the game. However, this data is skewed due to the situations both players found themselves in, with Lavia playing in a much more defensive and lower quality side compared to West Ham.
West Ham United'sDeclanRicecelebrates with the trophy after winning the Europa Conference League
Diving into the more advanced stats, you can see the similarities between the two and why the Belgian could be the ideal replacement. @SawkurGod on Twitter posted a graph showcasing the best duel winners under the age of 24 in the Premier League last year and Lavia was the closest competitor to Rice in that category, with Brighton and Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo joining them in the elite tier. This shows that the quality is there and a better situation would allow the 19-year-old to truly kick on and showcase his talents consistently
أعلنت هنا جودة لاعبة منتخب مصر والنادي الأهلي لتنس الطاولة، حصولها على وسام الرياضة من الطبقة الأولي مقدم من فخامة رئيس الجمهورية عبد الفتاح السيسي، اليوم الإثنين.
ونشرت جودة على صفحته الخاصة بموقع التواصل الاجتماعي “فيس بوك”: “من فخامة الرئيس عبد الفتاح السيسي رئيس جمهورية مصر العربية إلي اللاعبة هنا أيمن حسين جودة تقديرًا لحميد صفاتكم وجليل خدماتكم للرياضة قد منحناكم وسام الرياضة من الطبقة الأولى”.
طالع.. فيديو | هنا جودة لـ بطولات: أسعى لحصد ميدالية في الأولمبياد.. وذهبية إفريقيا شرف كبير
وكانت هنا جودة نجحت مؤخراً في التتويج بالميدالية الذهبية في دورة الألعاب الإفريقية التي أقيمت في غانا خلال شهر مارس الماضي.
وفي سبتمبر لعام 2023، استطاعت أن تحرز لقب بطولة إفريقيا للفردي سيدات بعد فوزها على مواطنتها دينا مشرف في المباراة النهائية التي أقيمت في تونس.
وبتتويجها ببطولة إفريقيا، نجحت هنا جودة في خطف بطاقة التأهل للمشاركة في أولمبياد باريس 2024 القادمة.