Football

Ipswich and Leicester eye ‘fabulous’ player Daniel Farke wanted to replace Glen Kamara at Leeds

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The Telegraph reports that all three newly-promoted Premier League clubs—Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton—are vying to sign Oliver Skipp. Skipp, praised as “fabulous” by Glenn Hoddle, is expected to leave Tottenham before the transfer window closes, with a loan move being the most likely scenario. It seems Skipp will only depart from his boyhood club for another Premier League team, rather than dropping down to the Championship to reunite with Farke.

“Don’t get me wrong” – Sunderland striker concern played down amid Alexandre Mendy talk

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Mason Cotcher, a standout in Sunderland’s youth ranks and attracting Premier League attention, is precisely the type of player the club wants in their first team. However, Sunderland has failed to promote Cotcher, and now he is set to leave without ever making a first-team appearance. This situation mirrors that of Chris Rigg, who also excelled in the academy and attracted Premier League interest. Unlike Cotcher, Rigg got a chance to play for the first team and is now poised to become a valuable asset for Sunderland. Kristjaan Speakman might regret losing Cotcher to Aston Villa, but this should serve as a valuable lesson for him and the club.

“Got a lot of quality” – Stoke City player tipped for temporary summer exit

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Despite scoring just once in every five games during his loan spell last season in Buckinghamshire, Emre Tezgel is likely to improve significantly over the next year with regular minutes. In 2021, when he was just 16, Tezgel attracted interest from Premier League giants Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United. This early attention underscores the promise and talent of the young forward, suggesting his potential has been evident for several years.

‘Wonderful’ player ‘wants’ to take Sunderland to Premier League despite rejecting new contract

07/08/2024 Raymond 0

Dan Neil’s decision to turn down the club’s initial offer does not necessarily mean he won’t agree to a new deal, and there are strong predictions that he will remain at Sunderland beyond this summer. The midfielder is a pivotal figure for the Black Cats, and they are unlikely to entertain any offers for him unless they are exceedingly high. Neil’s role is crucial, and if he is allowed more freedom on the field this season, he could emerge as one of the standout players in the Championship. His presence in the starting lineup under Regis Le Bris is expected to be a given, with competition for other spots from players like Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg, and Alan Browne. Keeping Neil, alongside recent re-signings like Dan Ballard and Rigg, would be a major statement and could greatly enhance Sunderland’s prospects for the upcoming campaign.

Transfer news and rumours: Souttar to Sheffield United, Sanchez to Udinese

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Leicester City, newly promoted to the Premier League, have announced that towering defender Harry Souttar will be loaned to Sheffield United for the 2024-25 season. The Australian international, who has struggled for playing time at Leicester, will join the Blades without an option for a permanent transfer. Last season, Souttar made just four appearances for Leicester, and with strong competition in the defensive lineup, he has been deemed surplus to requirements. Excited about the move, Souttar stated, “As soon as I found out I was available and the club was looking at me, it was a no-brainer to come here.” Despite being under contract with Leicester until 2028, Souttar has played only 16 games for the Foxes since his January 2023 transfer from Stoke City.

Sheffield Wednesday appear set to end interest in forward target as complication now emerges

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Sheffield Wednesday’s recent activities indicate that losing Jeremy Livolant isn’t a major setback for Danny Rohl’s squad, considering they’ve already signed Olaf Kobacki and Jamal Lowe. With a robust roster of wide players, the club arguably doesn’t need further reinforcements in that position.

Instead, priorities should shift toward acquiring a striker, a central midfielder, and a center-back, and they must act swiftly to secure these new signings before too many matches have been played. The potential return of Ike Ugbo is promising, but there’s been little discussion about reinforcing other areas of the pitch.

Rohl has expressed a desire for a new midfielder and defender, though he doesn’t seem to be in a rush. The coach must hope Nathaniel Chalobah and Barry Bannan remain fit, given the squad’s lack of depth, particularly since Chalobah only started seven games last season.

Sheffield Wednesday hope to avoid Birmingham City, Wayne Rooney repeat v Plymouth Argyle: View

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Wayne Rooney made an unexpected return to management with Plymouth in May and will take charge of the Pilgrims for the first time on Sunday. Sheffield Wednesday, however, are determined not to allow him to secure his first win in his new role.

The Owls have struggled against teams managed by Rooney, including a painful relegation to League One after a 3-3 draw against his Derby County side at Pride Park in May 2021. This history could provide additional motivation for Wednesday this weekend. Plymouth narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last season, and with doubts surrounding Rooney’s appointment, they are considered among the relegation favorites in the Championship this year. This scenario presents an excellent opportunity for Wednesday to start their season positively with a win against Argyle. Given the optimistic atmosphere at Hillsborough, Rohl’s team enters the game as strong favorites.

Nevertheless, the match won’t be easy, and Plymouth should not be underestimated. Still, the Owls will be disappointed with anything less than a victory.

Key man believes Stoke City have found ‘something we really needed last season’

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Million Manhoef is eager to return to playing in front of Stoke City fans at the bet365 Stadium, emphasizing the importance of winning individual and team battles to succeed in the Championship. Reflecting on his initial months at the club since his transfer from Vitesse Arnhem, Manhoef acknowledges the steep learning curve and the necessity of hard work and teamwork. “If you win your duels and work hard together, then the football comes out,” he notes.

Manhoef is expected to bring flair and threat on the right wing this season, highlighting the importance of unpredictability and effective runs. As Stoke prepares for their first league match against Coventry City, Manhoef praises new signing Ben Gibson’s leadership and defensive prowess, stating, “He’s a big personality in the team and keeps everyone sharp at the back. That’s something we really needed.”

At 22, Manhoef is excited about the upcoming season and aims to break Stoke’s cycle of bottom-half finishes. He hopes to help the team climb the table, contributing with goals and assists, while also improving as a player. Reflecting on the previous season, he feels confident about the team’s potential. “If we can win the duels every game, I think we can have a great season,” he asserts.

Manhoef has set personal targets for goals and assists, having scored four and set up one in his first 14 appearances. His love for playing at the bet365 Stadium and the energy from the fans motivates him to excel. “When you can hear the fans, it gives you more motivation,” he says, underscoring the importance of fan support for the team’s success.

Warriors not budging on stance amid Lauri Markkanen trade pursuit

05/08/2024 Raymond 0

With the NBA season just a couple of months away, players are at varying stages of readiness. While some are working hard to get back into game shape, others are still on vacation. For Lauri Markkanen, it seems he’s experiencing the best of both worlds. Recent reports indicate that the Utah Jazz have sent a team of coaches to work with Markkanen in his home country, suggesting they are serious about keeping him. This move casts doubt on the rumors linking him to the Golden State Warriors and implies that Markkanen is likely to remain in Utah, barring an offer that meets Jazz CEO Danny Ainge’s asking price. For the Warriors, this situation might prompt them to reassess their strategy and look for a player who fits their playstyle without parting with key assets, especially with Klay Thompson out.