center-back

Spurs Starlet Wows Fans with ‘Sexy’ Flick Goal for Stoke City – Pundits Predict a Bright Future

30/10/2024 Raymond 0

Center-back Ashley Phillips celebrated his first career goal in style with a remarkable backheel flick for Stoke City against Southampton. In only his second appearance under new head coach Narcis Pelach, Phillips seized a quick opportunity late in the first half, converting a deflected header into an unexpected strike past Aaron Ramsdale. The clever move, which a Spurs fan account called a “sexy flick goal,” brought Stoke back into the game, setting the stage for an intense second half. Although the match ultimately ended in Southampton’s favor, Phillips’ impressive performance made an impact, earning Pelach’s praise and hinting at a promising future for the young defender.

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

07/08/2024 Raymond 0

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.

Cannon in: These 4 things happening at Stoke City will have supporters in August dreamland

04/08/2024 Raymond 0

Stoke City have already signed Ben Gibson as a center-back this summer but are looking to add another defender following Michael Rose’s injury, which is expected to sideline him for up to ten weeks. Currently, Stoke’s senior center-back options include Gibson, Rose, and Ben Wilmot, with promising youngsters Jaden Dixon and Freddie Anderson also in the mix. However, these young players are not expected to play regularly in the Championship.

Rose’s ankle injury during a friendly against Crewe Alexandra on July 23 has prompted head coach Steven Schumacher to prioritize signing a new center-back before the transfer window closes on August 30. While The Telegraph’s John Percy suggested that Leicester City center-back Harry Souttar could return to the bet365 Stadium on loan, this seems unlikely, leading Stoke to consider other targets such as Scott McKenna from Nottingham Forest or Michal Helik from Huddersfield Town.

Stoke fans will appreciate the addition of defensive reinforcements, given the current weaknesses compared to previous seasons. Gibson is a solid acquisition but is over 30 and has a history of injuries, while Wilmot has struggled to regain his form after consecutive back and knee injuries last year. Therefore, a new defender would be a welcome addition for the Potters.

Sheffield Wednesday could miss out on defender with Championship rivals ‘one step ahead’

14/07/2024 Raymond 0

Sheffield Wednesday has had a successful summer, nearing ten new signings. However, they might miss out on one potential addition, Mickaël Nadé. Reports surfaced that Nadé has become a target for the club to strengthen their defense. The 25-year-old center-back, whose contract with Saint-Étienne recently expired, is also being pursued by West Bromwich Albion. Le Progrès indicated that West Brom is ‘one step ahead’ and hopes to finalize the deal by early next week. Despite having defenders like Dominic Iorfa and Michael Ihiekwe, Wednesday could benefit from Nadé’s natural left-footedness, which adds balance to their current options. However, if West Brom succeeds in securing Nadé, it won’t matter for the Owls.

Sheffield Wednesday rivalling West Brom for free agent centre-back signing

13/07/2024 Raymond 0

Sheffield Wednesday’s search for a center-back is intensifying, with Danny Röhl yet to bolster this critical position. Currently, his options are Michael Ihiekwe, Bambo Diaby, and Dominic Iorfa, while Di’Shon Bernard remains out of contract. The interest in Mickael Nade suggests that the club is preparing for the possibility of missing out on Bernard, whose future is still uncertain amid interest from other Championship teams and clubs across Europe. Re-signing Bernard would be a major coup, but the club’s ongoing strong summer transfer window might improve their chances of tempting him back to S6.

Report: Leicester and Wolves Pushing to Sign €12m Defender who “Nearly Joined” Liverpool

13/06/2024 Raymond 0

David Carmo, a 24-year-old center-back, has made significant progress in his football career, particularly highlighted by a successful loan spell at Olympiacos. His performance in Greece was more than just a temporary boost; it was a clear demonstration of his capabilities, attracting attention from several top clubs. Initially not seen as a long-term option for Porto, Carmo’s impressive displays have made him a highly sought-after player in the competitive transfer market. SC Braga president Antonio Salvador noted, “David Carmo had a foot and a half at Liverpool,” in an interview with Marca, underscoring Carmo’s quality and his high regard across Europe.

For Leicester City and Wolves, acquiring a player of Carmo’s caliber could be transformative. His ability to adapt and perform at a high level would provide much-needed solidity to their defenses. Additionally, his recent international experience with Angola adds an extra dimension to his profile, enhancing his appeal.

QPR concern not over despite £1m-a-year Stoke City deal: View

13/06/2024 Raymond 0

With two years remaining on his contract, securing him with QPR until the end of the 2025/26 season, it’s suggested that the club would demand a fee of £5-7 million for Jake Clarke-Salter’s services this summer. Despite Stoke City’s recent acquisition of center-back Ben Gibson, QPR should still be concerned about the Potters’ interest in Clarke-Salter.

Given the rigors of a full season, it would be a significant challenge for any club to manage with just three center-backs. Stoke often plays with two center-backs, leaving them with only one player to cover both positions. Considering the likelihood of injuries and suspensions throughout the season, this situation would put them at a high risk of selection issues. Hence, it would be prudent for the club to bring in another central defender to alleviate the pressure on their current options, providing more flexibility for rotation and reducing the risk of unwanted absences.