Brazil head coach Dorival Junior has backed Endrick to perform for his country despite not getting many minutes with Real Madrid so far this season.
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Endrick recalled to Brazil squadStruggling for minutes at Real MadridExpected to play in World Cup qualifiersWHAT HAPPENED?
Endrick has only played a total of nine minutes for Real Madrid this season, although he did net his first Los Blancos goal in a four-minute cameo during the recent 3-0 win against Real Valladolid. Despite his lack of time on the pitch, Brazil boss Dorival Junior had no problems recalling the 18-year-old to the international squad and offered him some words of encouragement as well.
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Speaking to the media ahead of Brazil's match against Ecuador, Dorival Junior said: "Endrick, despite not being a starter in one of the best teams in world football, has the credentials to be in the squad and play 90 minutes. He has tremendous potential and a lot is expected from him. We need to remain calm. The players come from their clubs and arrive at the national team with a great responsibility due to the current situation in the standings."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The young Brazilian may be unhappy spending most matchdays on the bench, but his time will come. At 18, he is doing well to even be in the same crop as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. He has already proven his worth by netting off the bench and if he can continue proving himself for his country, Carlo Ancelotti will have no choice but to force him into the team.
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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ENDRICK AND BRAZIL?
Endrick is expected to line-up alongside Real Madrid team-mates Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo in the World Cup qualifier against Ecuador. Following that match, the Selecao will travel to Paraguay for their next match on September 11.
West Bromwich Albion will know that the gameplan for their second leg away at Southampton on Friday night will have to be different, with a focus more on being gung-ho than just defensively solid.
The 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Championship playoffs arguably plays into the hands of the Saints at St. Mary's, who will look to use their home advantage to secure progress through to a nervy final at Wembley.
Carlos Corberan will just pray misfiring attackers such as Grady Diangana and Brandon Thomas-Asante from the first clash can find their shooting boots again on the South Coast, with Thomas-Asante having a torrid afternoon in particular at the Hawthorns by failing to register a single on-target effort.
The Spaniard will be less worried about his defenders in such a huge contest, knowing that he can rely on the likes of Conor Townsend at the back to come good after delivering consistent top displays during the regular campaign.
Conor Townsend's time at West Brom
The decision to take a punt on Townsend back in 2018 from Scunthorpe United continues to look like a shrewd buy from a Baggies perspective, with the 31-year-old a key first-team figure over many seasons now.
Notching up a staggering 212 appearances for the West Midlands outfit to date, his importance to the West Brom cause hasn't waned at all this campaign.
Picking up four assists down the left-hand side from 42 games, with his last assist coming on the final day to help his side secure a playoff spot, Townsend has also been crucial in ensuring the Baggies' reputation for having a staunch and stern defence has remained in-tact all season long.
Once described as being "industrious" by football journalist Chris Lepkowski on the Liquidator Podcast, Townsend has lived up to that billing with 3.8 duels won on average per game this season helping West Brom pick up a respectable 11 clean sheets whenever he's featured.
Corberan could well even hope Townsend can deliver a moment of magic like the above goal versus Norwich City against Russell Martin's men, but knows he will put in a commendable shift at the back either way.
It's seen Townsend's value go up and up ever since his arrival to the Hawthorns five years ago, with his valuation now higher than that of Diangana's according to Football Transfers.
Townsend's transfer value in 2024
As of this year, the esteemed Baggies servant's value has rose to a very high £3m even as Townsend begins to wind down his career a bit at the age of 31.
Diangana's worth has crashed all the way down to a meagre £1.8m in contrast, a startling drop-off when you consider the Congolese attacker once cost Corberan's side a reported bumper fee of £12m back in 2020.
West Brom's most valuable assets – 23/24
1. Jed Wallace
£3.5m
2. Okay Yokuslu
£3.1m
3. Darnell Furlong
£3.09m
4. Conor Townsend
£3m
5. Brandon Thomas-Asante
£2.9m
Sourced by Football Transfers
Away from Diangana ripping West Brom off, Townsend continues to look like a smart acquisition with his current value putting him in the top five most valuable assets at the club with his full-back partner down the right flank in Darnell Furlong also boasting an increased worth.
Diangana will just aim to get back to his dazzling best for the Baggies in the second leg to come, writing his name into the history books potentially as the star that got West Brom to Wembley.
West Brom winger Grady Diangana.
Townsend will just be content staying put at the Hawthorns whether promotion comes about or not, knowing that he's still performing to the peak of his powers so late into his playing days.
Corberan must consider selling West Brom ace who's worth more than Johnston
Carlos Corberan will think long and hard about offloading this West Bromwich Albion man.
It's getting closer, the red ribbon of the finish line is on the horizon, at the mountain's crest. Liverpool and its fanbase will be heading to this weekend's final Premier League match with a sharp sense of tenderness as Jurgen Klopp prepares to say goodbye.
As A-lister Tom Hanks observed from the Directors' Box at Villa Park, Liverpool and Aston Villa put on a fitting contest of box-office standard, with the thrilling 3-3 draw in the Premier League ensuring the hosts' quest for the Champions League enters the final day in a commanding position.
But for the Reds, who had already confirmed a third-place finish, this was the penultimate opportunity to show off the style and skill of Klopp's historic brand of football, and indeed the bouncing, barrelling nature of the German's tactics were on show.
However, so too were the defensive vulnerabilities that derailed Liverpool's bid for silverware across all four fronts – in many ways, the draw at Villa Park was emblematic of the Anfield side's struggles and ultimate failure this season.
Liverpool always seemed to be punching above their weight as they kept pace with Arsenal and Manchester City for so long in this gruelling title challenge, but a team in its early phase, as a unit, understandably faltered late on.
One man has been an elite, inspiring character throughout but now appears to have run out of gas. That man is Alexis Mac Allister, who might need to be dropped on Sunday after his performance against Unai Emery's team.
Alexis Mac Allister's performance vs Villa
Mac Allister is in with a good shout for Liverpool's Player of the Season after transferring from Brighton & Hove Albion for a £35m fee last summer, but he's playing a bit like a man who has been worn to the ground – he needs a break.
Against Villa, much of the 25-year-old's ball-playing ability and command in the centre of the park was on display but he toiled when anchorman Wataru Endo was substituted and he was required to hold it all together from deep.
Alexis Mac Allister: Stats vs Aston Villa
Stat
#
Minutes played
90'
Touches
82
Accurate passes
60/68 (88%)
Blocked shots
2
Key passes
1
Possession lost
12x
Dribble attempts
0/0
Duels won
3/10
Tackles
2
Dribbled past
4
Error leading to goal
1
Stats via Sofascore
His statistics from the evening do not make for good reading, with the £150k-per-week midfielder failing to create, attack on goal, progress the play and come out on top in the duel.
Moreover, to compound his woes, he was dribbled past four times and it was his wandering ball that kickstarted John Duran's equalising strike.
GOAL journalist Mark Doyle certainly wasn't impressed by the Argentina international's display, branding him with a lowly 3/10 match rating to emphasise his failed attempt in Klopp's engine room.
The reporter said: 'Came as a huge surprise to see him stay on the field, given the loose pass which led to Villa's equaliser was a sign of his obvious tiredness. The mistake that led to the hosts' second goal, thus, felt inevitable.'
Perhaps Mac Allister shouldn't have started with other players available. He's put in quite the shift this season.
Alexis Mac Allister's season in numbers
Mac Allister has completed 45 matches for Liverpool in all competitions this season – starting 39 times – scoring six goals, supplying seven assists and being hailed as a "superstar" by pundit Joe Cole, discussing his quality and versatility, often required to operate in an unnatural No. 6 position for the Reds.
In the Premier League this season, as per Sofascore, he has contributed toward nine goals from 30 starting appearances, completing 88% of his passes and averaging 1.4 key passes, three tackles, six ball recoveries and 5.8 successful duels per game.
As per FBref, the Argentine ranks among the top 9% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists and tackles, the top 13% for shot-creating actions and passes attempted, the top 15% for progressive passes and the top 1% for interceptions per 90.
He's an all-encompassing midfielder with astounding technical control, but the real locus of his power in the engine room is derived from an inborn match intelligence that has seen him cement a place at the centre, figuratively and literally, of Liverpool's first team.
Let's not forget, were it not for Mac Allister's almighty run of form from February through to early April – when he unleashed a scorcher to secure victory against Sheffield United – Liverpool would have dipped much earlier.
He's carried the heavy weight of a prestigious football club on his shoulders for much of his maiden year on Merseyside. Perhaps he needs a break.
Why Alexis Mac Allister should be dropped
Mac Allister is Liverpool's finest central midfielder: no peer within the Anfield ranks can operate with the poise and power and tactical understanding as he.
But he's been used relentlessly this season and it's understandable that his energy levels would have dropped following such a ferocious effort at winning Liverpool the Premier League, the Europa League, the FA Cup, only to fall at late-stage hurdles in each competition.
Alexis Mac Allister for Liverpool
He's tired, beset by the enervating weight of a protracted campaign with the added burden of performing for Klopp before he steps down from his legendary position as Liverpool manager.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are Liverpool's final opponents in the Premier League, the final adversaries of the Klopp point in Liverpool's long and proud history.
The fight is finished; Liverpool must play with freedom and pride and creativity, an encore to treat the fans and the Premier League to one final display of Klopp-infused brilliance on Merseyside. But Mac Allister should start from the bench, surely, after proving himself withered from a campaign of high-stake substance, where he has played a leading role.
Most Dribbled Past PL Players 23/24
#
Player
Club
Dribbled past
/90
1.
Mathias Jensen
Brentford
69
2.88
2.
Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool
66
2.34
3.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool
58
2.5
4.
Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United
57
1.73
5.
Antonee Robinson
Fulham
56
1.58
Stats via Odd Alerts
The fact that he has been dribbled past so often this term is in some part down to his requirement to fill in as Klopp's defensive midfielder. Endo is a fine player but FSG's CEO of Football, Michael Edwards, may well be seeking a more high-calibre star to play this part over the coming years.
Last year, with Brighton, Mac Allister was only dribbled past once per match in the Premier League – given that he's ostensibly improved as a player since his transfer, it's safe to say that his flaw boils down to a positional deficit, more than a matter of commitment or athleticism.
Alexis Mac Allister vs Aston Villa
Furthermore, it's exactly as if Liverpool do not have an abundance of talented midfielders who could play in his stead, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajcetic all waiting in the wings on Monday night.
Liverpool are nailed-on for a third-place finish and if they avoid defeat against Wolves at Klopp's final hour they will secure an 80-point Premier League finish. Not bad, that.
Last term, lest we forget, the Merseysiders fell off a proverbial cliff, scraping themselves back from the death to record a fifth-place finish and salvage Europa League football, though just 67 points was a dreary tally for a squad of such glittering success.
Liverpool star who lost possession 16x had a howler vs Villa
Klopp’s penultimate game was blemished by his side’s latest defensive blunders.
ByAngus Sinclair May 14, 2024
Regroup, recalibrate, go again. Klopp won't be there come August, taken his deserved leave to kick up his feet and soak up the balmy sunshine of (permanent?) retirement.
But he leaves a wonderful squad, bursting with quality, and Mac Allister will continue to serve as the centrepiece. But he's done all he can this term. He needs a rest.
There are many players for whom the last season did not go to plan, and they will be desperate to make amends
A new Premier League season is, quite incredibly, almost upon us – a time for renewal, revitalisation and second chances. After a drama-filled 2023-24 campaign, players across the division will be relishing a fresh start, but some more than others.
There are plenty of big names for whom, for one reason or another, things did not go to plan last time around. Some were culpable, while others were simply unlucky, but all of them have been forced to spend the best part of a year out of the spotlight as things went badly, badly wrong.
Below, GOAL runs through the nine forgotten Premier League stars who will be desperate to make up for lost time and make a big impact in the 2024-25 season…
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Romeo Lavia (Chelsea)
Signed from Southampton for a cool £58 million ($74m) last summer, the 2023-24 season was about as frustrating as it gets for Chelsea's Romeo Lavia. The midfielder saw just of action across the campaign, all of which came in his debut against Crystal Palace, which was delayed until December after he arrived with a muscle issue before injuring ankle ligaments in training in September last year. In a cruel twist, he suffered a serious, complex thigh injury in his debut cameo, and in March, Chelsea revealed his season was over after a setback in his recovery.
Fast-forward five months and Lavia is finally back, and he has looked sharp as a tack in pre-season, emerging as a key player on the Blues' tour of the United States under Enzo Maresca, who knows just how good he can be after coaching Lavia in Manchester City's Under-23s. The 20-year-old looks set for a big season, and will be desperate to make up for lost time.
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Mason Mount (Man Utd)
Is it already make or break time for Mason Mount at Manchester United?! The midfielder will be absolutely desperate to have an impact in the new season after what descended into a nightmarish debut campaign at Old Trafford.
The former Chelsea man struggled for form and fitness, with a long-term calf injury seeing him sidelined for months and effectively ending his chances of having a productive first season under Erik ten Hag.
It has been a while since we have seen the England international at his best, as he also struggled towards the end of his Chelsea career, but his manager is confident he will be a different beast in 2024-25: "We know he's a high class player," Ten Hag said. "Last season, he had a very bad season, a very tough season for him because of all injuries and now we are very pleased he had a good pre-season. I'm sure from this point on he will contribute to the team if he stays fit."
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Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)
Sandro Tonali's time at Newcastle could hardly have got off to a worse start, but he only had himself to blame for his extended absence last season. In October last year, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) found the 24-year-old guilty of breaking gambling regulations, and he was banned from all football-related activities for 10 months after betting on matches he played in for AC Milan. That ruled him out of the entire season, as well as Italy's Euro 2024 campaign.
Tonali will still miss the start of the new season, but he will be eligible to return at the end of August and will feel like a new signing in midfield for a Newcastle side that was depleted for long stretches of 2023-24.
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Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
There must be few things worse in football than getting injured on your debut for a new club, let alone seriously, but that is the fate that befell Jurrien Timber a year ago. After sealing a £55m ($66m) switch from Ajax to Arsenal, Timber started at left-back in the Gunner's opening Premier League game at home to Nottingham Forest. However, disaster struck early in the second half as the versatile defender suffered a dreaded anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Remarkably, that opening-day injury would keep him out of first-team action until the final game of the season as Arsenal hosted Everton, but he has been involved in pre-season and could be a ready-made solution to the problem left full-back position for Mikel Arteta.
Manchester United are reportedly considering Burnley midfielder Sander Berge if they fail to sign Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain.
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Man Utd trying to get UgartePSG remain firm on €60m valuationRed Devils plotting move for BergeWHAT HAPPENED?
According to the Red Devils are diligently planning for various scenarios to bolster their midfield options this summer. Berge, 26, is open to a transfer following Burnley's relegation. Whereas, the Lancashire club are also eager to offload players to stabilise their financial situation.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Nonetheless, Ugarte remains United's top choice. The Parisians are on the verge of signing Joao Neves for an initial fee of €60 million (£51m/$65m) from Benfica, with potential add-ons pushing the total to €70m (£59m/$76m). Renato Sanches is set to return to Benfica on a one-year loan with PSG covering his wages as part of the Neves deal. This transfer activity at PSG could facilitate Ugarte's departure, although negotiations remain complex.
DID YOU KNOW?
PSG have set a firm price of €60m for Ugarte, reflecting the amount they paid Sporting CP for him last summer. Despite United's €50m (£42m/$54m) offer, PSG are unwilling to sell at a discount. This steadfast position complicates United's efforts, even as they have reportedly agreed on personal terms with Ugarte.
However, United's quest for Ugarte is not without challenges. Bayern Munich have expressed interest in the midfielder, as have two Italian clubs and another Premier League team. This heightened competition reinforces PSG's valuation and further complicates United's negotiations.
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(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT?
Given the potential hurdles in acquiring Ugarte, United's consideration of Berge represents a pragmatic approach. Moreover, his physicality and Premier League experience could further offer the stability United seek in their midfield.
Newcastle United have had their fair share of players who have failed to make an impact during their time at St James' Park but have gone on to have a successful career elsewhere.
During the 2010s, the club only really signed players for relatively small transfer fees, in the hope they would impress at the Magpies before making the club a profit should they leave the club.
Andy Carroll
The club also had relative success with players coming through the academy at the club, with players such as Andy Carroll impressing for the club before leaving for £35m – a great deal given his record of 11 goals in 58 games at Anfield.
Despite the Magpies' success with Carroll, the club made a mistake by letting a youngster leave the club back in 2014, with the player excelling since his departure from the club.
James Tavernier's stats at Newcastle United
After joining the club from Leeds United, defender James Tavernier joined the Magpies back in 2008, signing his professional contract at St James' Park.
He made his Magpies debut in the 2-0 League Cup defeat against Peterborough United, before multiple loan spells away from the club at sides such as Gateshead, Carlisle United, Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons.
The right-back made his Newcastle European debut in the Europa League qualification tie against Atromitos back in August 2012, before once again being sent on loan, this time to Shrewsbury Town and Rotherham United with the defender winning promotion to the Championship with the latter.
Tavernier's successful spell of five goals and six assists with the Millers saw Championship side Wigan Athletic permanently sign the right-back, ending his six-year stay at St James', with the club doing the right thing in offloading him.
However, ten years on from his departure from the club, the defender has excelled, turning into one of Europe's most influential defenders when it comes to goal contributions, with the Magpies potentially living to regret his departure.
James Tavernier's stats at Rangers
After his time at Wigan, the right-back decided to swap England for Scotland, joining Rangers in the summer of 2015 – in a move that would transform Tavernier's career.
He made an immediate impact at Ibrox, with the full-back reaching 28 goal contributions in his 36 games for the club, the right-back settling straight into life north of the border.
Glasgow Rangers defender James Tavernier.
His brilliant career with the Gers hasn't slowed down, with Tavernier taking the armband at the club, and being an instrumental success in the club's first Scottish league title in over a decade, with the defender scoring 11 and assisting ten times throughout the 2020/21 season.
Tavernier has been superb again in 2023/24, with his tally of 14 league goals even higher than that of current Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, with the Swede bagging 12 times in the Premier League under Eddie Howe this season.
His record at Rangers is nothing short of astonishing, especially for a defender. He's featured 449 times for the Scottish side, with the 32-year-old scoring 122 goals and creating 137 assists for his teammates.
Given his remarkable record since his departure from Newcastle, the club potentially missed a trick in not keeping hold of Tavernier during their turbulent time under former owner Mike Ashley.
He's gone on to achieve unthinkable things, with the Magpies making a huge mistake in allowing him to leave on the cheap back in 2014.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.
There’s no two ways about it: the 2023/24 campaign has been an extremely difficult season to be a Chelsea fan.
Without the distraction of European football, the development of an approach should be clear to see under Mauricio Pochettino by now, but unfortunately, that’s not been the case.
The Blues' 11th position in the Premier League highlights their struggle to perform, while their defeat to Liverpool in the EFL Cup final was the latest kick in the teeth.
However, there have been a handful of positives to take so far, with one new signing proving to be a bargain after his value soared to double the worth of Christopher Nkunku.
Christopher Nkunku’s estimated worth
Over the last two seasons, Nkunku has been one of the most in-form attackers in Europe for RB Leipzig, scoring 20 goals and providing 15 assists in the 2021/22 Bundesliga campaign, and scoring 16 times in 20 starts last season.
Therefore, it was no surprise to see Chelsea express their interest in the forward last summer, and they eventually got their man in a deal worth £52m.
However, Nkunku has been unable to match that unbelievable form in a Chelsea shirt this season, with the number 18 missing a huge 30 games already courtesy of various injuries.
This has inevitably seen the French ace’s value take a hit, with the 25-year-old now estimated to be worth £34m by CIES Football Observatory, which is half that of a certain Chelsea star.
Chelsea must rue selling a "leader" who's outscoring Gallagher this season
The talented international just couldn’t make it work in West London.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 14, 2024 Nicolas Jackson’s value in 2024
Just like Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson was brought to the Premier League this summer in a complete attacking rebuild, joining from Villarreal for just £32m.
The “extraordinary” striker, as dubbed by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, instantly proved to be a threat in pre-season, notably scoring and picking up two assists in a 4-3 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, Jackson only scored once in his first eight Premier League games, missing three big chances on his debut against Liverpool.
But since then, the number 15 has been much improved, netting 12 times and picking up three assists in 31 starts across all competitions, becoming an attacker that the Argentine can rely on to perform.
His quick adaption to the Premier League has seen Jackson’s estimated value soar in less than a year, to the point where he is now one of Chelsea’s most valuable players.
Chelsea's Most Valuable Players
Player
Value
Fernandez, Palmer
£85m
Jackson, Caicedo
£68m
Mudryk, Disasi, Colwill, Sterling
£51m
Madueke
£43m
Nkunku
£34m
Via CIES Football Observatory
As you can see, only Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer are worth more than the Senegal star, while also being worth double Knunku. At just 22 years of age, Jackson still has plenty of development and growth to go, with his potential being one reason why he’s valued so highly.
Furthermore, Pochettino will hope that his star striker can become the focal point of Chelsea for years to come and, in the short term, continue his excellent run of form that’s seen him score in his last three matches.
The January transfer window for Celtic slammed shut at the start of last month and the Scottish giants were relatively busy in the market right up to the deadline.
Nicolas Kuhn arrived on a permanent deal from Austrian outfit Rapid Wien before Adam Idah was snapped up on loan from English side Norwich City, with no option to buy at the end of the season.
Brendan Rodgers also allowed David Turnbull to depart on a permanent basis as he completed a move to Cardiff City in the Championship. Meanwhile, Hyeok-kyu Kwon, Marco Tilio, and Mikey Johnson all had loan exits sanctioned by the Northern Irish tactician.
Appearances
Seven
Starts
Four
Goals
Three
Big chances created
One
Sofascore rating
7.06
They were prepared to let all three of those players depart and, as you can see in the table above, Johnson, in particular, has thrived in England with West Bromwich Albion.
The window is not closed in all countries and another Celtic player is now reportedly set for a move away from Parkhead, for a fee that is millions lower than what he has been touted for in the past.
Latest Celtic transfer news
According to Football Insider, Hoops forward Liel Abada is poised to complete a transfer to the MLS to end his almost-three-year stint in Glasgow.
The report claims that the Israel international has reached a full agreement with Charlotte FC, who are managed by former Norwich and Aston Villa head coach Dean Smith, to join them 'imminently'.
It states that the Scottish giants have accepted an offer from the MLS side that is said to be worth in excess of £8m to become one of their designated players, and have since published an update that claims the deal could reach £10m with add-ons.
Celtic winger Liel Abada.
Football Insider claim that Abada was unsettled at Parkhead due to 'major personal issues' over the situation in his home country, and he is now set to move on from the club.
Last month, Rodgers revealed that Abada was not in the right state of mind to take to the field for the Hoops due to the problems off the pitch, which made it a difficult situation for the player.
He is now going to put that behind him by making the move to America to link-up with Charlotte, who have won one and drawn one in their opening two matches of the 2024 MLS campaign.
It is an unfortunate situation, given Abada's issues have not been primarily down to his performances on the pitch, and that is why it is hard to criticise Celtic for how it has played out.
However, with the benefit of hindsight, the Hoops may regret not having cashed in on him in a previous transfer window when his value was higher, as they have potentially missed out on millions as a result.
How much Celtic once valued Abada at
The winger was signed from Maccabi Petah Tikva for a reported fee of £3.5m during Ange Postecoglou's first summer transfer window in charge of the club.
By September of his second season, in 2022, Football Insider reported that the Hoops believed that Abada would be worth in excess of £15m in the next two transfer windows in 2023.
Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish reacted to that valuation and claimed that it was "mind-boggling" and very difficult for Celtic to turn down if any offers came in at that price.
Celtic winger Liel Abada.
Football Insider then claimed in April 2023 that Premier League sides Crystal Palace and Southampton – who were then relegated to the Championship – were interested in a swoop for the forward.
The Saints were also linked with Abada ahead of the January transfer window last year. However, they went on to splash a whopping £22m on forward Kamaldeen Sulemana from Ligue 1 side Rennes.
This suggests that the English outfit had the money available to spend £15m+, that Celtic believed he could be worth just a few months prior, on a new winger.
It remains unknown as to whether or not Southampton would have been prepared to spend that money on Abada, or if they were only willing to pay less than that, though.
The Bhoys may look back with a tinge of regret as they could have pushed to sell him that window amid the Premier League interest in his services.
There was not predicting the way things would turn out over the subsequent 12 months, however, and that is why they should not be heavily criticised for not opting to go down that route, even if it now appears that they missed out on millions as a result.
Liel Abada's Premiership statistics
The 22-year-old wizard hit the ground running during his first season at the club under Postecoglou with quality as a scorer and a creator from the wing.
Abada made 36 appearances in the Scottish Premiership during the 2021/22 campaign and started 24 times as Celtic won the league title under the Australian head coach.
The young gem caught the eye with his contributions at the top end of the pitch as he racked up ten goals, six assists, and 13 'big chances' created in those 36 outings in the top-flight.
Only Kyogo Furuhashi (12) and Giorgos Giakoumakis (13) scored more goals in the division for Celtic than the winger, whilst Jota (ten) was the only attacking midfielder to provide more assists for the club.
Appearances
34
Starts
13
Goals
Ten
Assists
Five
Big chances created
Ten
As you can see in the table above, the Hoops speedster struggled to maintain his place in the starting line-up but still made a big contribution in the final third with 15 goals and assists combined in 34 matches, despite starting just 13 times.
In total, Abada fired in 29 goals and assisted a further 22 in 112 appearances for the Scottish giants in less than three full seasons at Parkhead before his imminent move to Charlotte.
Overall, his time in Glasgow should be viewed as a success as the forward provided plenty of goals and assists throughout Postecoglou's two title-winning Premiership seasons at the club.
Celtic's Liel Abada.
Celtic: Ange Postecoglou hit jackpot with Liel Abada
The forward has been exceptional since arriving in Scotland in the summer of 2021.
ByDan Emery May 5, 2023
He is also now set to be sold for a profit on the £3.5m that was paid for his services back in 2021, even if it could have been for millions more had things worked out differently.
Nash replaces Joe Clarke and joins Alex Hales in unbroken first-wicket stand to reach Finals Day
Jon Culley05-Sep-2019
Chris Nash hits out•Getty Images
A bleak season at Trent Bridge might yet have something to redeem it. Seemingly doomed to relegation in the County Championship, thrashed here at the semi-final stage in the One-Day Cup, Nottinghamshire inflicted a humbling on Middlesex that no one could have anticipated to reach a third Vitality Blast Finals Day in four years.Middlesex, after such an impressive start, may have only just scraped into the quarter-finals, but with AB de Villiers and Mujeeb Ur Rahman back in tandem and Eoin Morgan threatening to cap off his own outstanding year, this was a moment in which they gave themselves a real chance. And 160, to which Morgan contributed 53 off 31 balls, did not seem a terrible score.Yet they were utterly demolished. Alex Hales, taking another step towards redemption, smashed 83 off 47 balls, sending seven sixes soaring into the night sky. Chris Nash, given his first outing of the season after being surprisingly preferred to Joe Clarke, hit 74 from 53.Middlesex dropped key catches, putting Nash down on 31 on, Hales on 47 and 56, but after they had been 76 without loss in six overs, a target of 161 that looked likely to be a challenge to a Nottinghamshire side with no reputation for fortitude this summer suddenly seemed rather modest. At the same stage – or rather, just one over later – Middlesex had been four down for 44, with de Villiers already gone.”We had talked all year about trying to play the perfect game,” the Nottinghamshire captain, Dan Christian, said. “About trying to take early wickets, restrict them in the middle, have a good death period, get off to a good start with the bat and try to cash in and, well, it was just about perfect.”Hales smote three of his sixes in that dramatic opening passage, which began with Nash clipping Mujeeb’s opening ball for four and continued with boundary after boundary, a dozen in total. Mujeeb, normally so hard to get away at the top of an innings, went for 31 in his first two overs.The first dropped catch, which should have been so easy for Steven Finn at mid-off, allowed Nash off the hook on 31. The others, by Toby Roland-Jones at deep midwicket and Steve Eskinazi at deep backward square, should have been held as well but whether they influenced the outcome was doubtful. With plenty of batting to come and the target already within reach, Middlesex’s fate was probably irreversible.Hales and Nash were past 100 by the ninth over, with the luxury of coasting through the middle overs before launching another assault that saw Hales demonstrating the full range of destructive shots that make him such a formidable opponent in this form of cricket when the force is with him. Fittingly, his seventh six, a howitzer blow deep into the crowd at deep midwicket, ended the match.With Morgan, the man who seemingly was central to dashing Hales’s World Cup dreams in such a brutal manner earlier in the year, standing just a few yards away, it must have felt a sweet moment.”I think that was him back to his best,” Christian said. “He has played some really important innings for us this year but that was the best. We saw him hitting top-of-the-stumps balls back over the bowler’s head, which is what he can do.”Five of the six completed group matches on this ground this season were won by the team batting first, yet Nottinghamshire this time decided it suited them to chase and as Middlesex stumbled to 43 for 4 in the seventh over they appeared to have made a good decision.Spin was the effective weapon as Nottinghamshire made these early incisions. Matt Carter, the tall offspinner, took two wickets in his second over, Paul Stirling picking out deep midwicket before Dawid Malan, taking a big stride down the pitch, was bowled.Imad Wasim, left-armer, did likewise in his second, dealing the visitors a major setback when de Villiers, looking in ominously good touch when he strong-armed Harry Gurney to the boundary in the previous over, launched a muscular slog-sweep directly into the hands of Ben Duckett, a foot in front of the boundary at square leg. Eskinazi, attempting to scoop the next delivery down the leg side, made poor contact and was caught behind. John Simpson kept out the hat-trick ball.Much now rested on Morgan to reproduce some of his heroics of Taunton last week as Middlesex, their form having faltered after a blistering start in the South Group, pulled off that astonishing record run chase to qualify for the last eight.With the scoreboard showing 66 for 4 at the halfway stage, he went on the attack, going inside out to send Samit Patel six rows back into the seats at extra cover before pulling the same bowler high over midwicket in the next over. Simpson found Hales at long-on a couple of balls later but he and England’s World Cup-winning captain had added 47 in six overs.Simpson’s replacement with Roland-Jones brought no loss of momentum and for the first time Middlesex looked capable of posting a score they might defend, not least when Hales, at long-off to Gurney, could only palm the ball over the rope with Morgan ready to turn towards the pavilion.Morgan profited from the reprieve, but not heavily, completing a 30-ball half-century by taking another maximum off the next ball, but slicing the one that followed to be caught at wide third man. Only a couple of overs remained in the innings but it may have cost Middlesex 20 runs.As it was, on a ground which has seen lower scores this season than have been customary, 161 to win looked much more of a test than it proved to be, thanks to the brutality of Hales and Nash.”I think pretty much everything that could have gone wrong for us did,” Middlesex skipper Malan said. “We lost wickets at crucial times and to be 40-odd for four was not good enough. Getting 160 on the board, we thought we had a slight sniff if we bowled well enough at the top but they batted so well we were behind it from the first six.”
The search for a new bowling spearhead following Lasith Malinga’s retirement, however, could make the team sweat
Andrew Fidel Fernando in Colombo31-Jul-2019
Dasun Shanaka plays a flick•Getty Images
In many ways, this was a low-octane bilateral series. It came on the heels of the World Cup. There was no major hype around it beyond Lasith Malinga’s retirement. There was a sense of fatigue around Bangladesh’s performance, and they were missing their best player in any case. But, despite all that, could the 3-0 result be a new dawn for Sri Lanka in ODIs?There is no clear answer to that, because they have had false dawns, of course, and there is increasingly no such thing as linear progression in Sri Lankan cricket. But their new captain, at least, believes the team’s ODI stocks to be in decent health as he contemplates building a team into the next World Cup cycle. The third ODI, in particular, featured encouraging performances from relatively young players who had not featured in Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad. Dimuth Karunaratne thinks this is reason to be hopeful.”The young players grabbed their chances really well – the four players whom we put in the team today put up their hands and did a great job,” he said. Those four were allrounder Dasun Shanaka (30 runs off 14 balls, and 3 for 27), seamer Kasun Rajitha (2 for 17), allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga (12 not out off five balls, and 1 for 16) and Shehan Jayasuriya (13 off seven balls at the death).”If there’s a lot of competition and there’s a strong bench, if a player is injured I can easily bring another player,” Karunaratne said. “I think this is the way we have to build a good line-up. This is the time we have to bring some youngsters for the next couple of years. We’ve had an issue recently where we didn’t have that strong bench. But players are now ready, and they’ll grab the chances that come their way.”Apart from the pool of players that performed well during this whitewash, there are others, who could play an important role in the next World Cup cycle, Karunaratne said. “Beyond this team, there are others around as well, who are unable to break into this side at the moment – players like Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka.”You need a lot of players to build up that competition within a team, so that players are constantly putting pressure on each other to perform. If you have a strong bench, the players who are in the team have to take that responsibility. There are a lot of players trying to get that chance, so there’s pressure on the XI. I have a team I can work with. The youngsters have a great energy about them as well.”Despite his optimism, he did point out an area of particular concern – the bowling. With the retirement of Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka have lost their most penetrative ODI operator, and will now seek a new spearhead. “We need to find bowlers who can get us wickets,” Karunaratne said. “We have to find those players who deliver in tough situations. Today, pretty much everyone had a bowl, and they came up with wickets. That’s what I expect when I make a bowling change – that whoever comes on will build pressure and make those breakthroughs.”