Africa’s Ligue 1 Team of the Season
Who have been the continent’s star performers in the French top flight this year?
Who have been the continent’s star performers in the French top flight this year?
Only one player from outside Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund makes the top 20, but who are the best options for your Ultimate Team this year?
The star trio lead the line after another productive weekend, with the Manchester City and Liverpool forwards closing in on the league scoring lead
Charly Musonda was such a valuable signing to Celtic that the Bhoys tried to bring him to Parkhead twice.
In the summer of 2017, he nearly joined the Hoops on loan before his parent club decided to keep him at the club instead.
He became part of Chelsea’s Premier League squad and played nine times in all competitions for the Blues that term. In the process, he picked up an assist in Europe and also in the top-flight.
Though, after a lack of first-team opportunities Celtic ultimately got their man in January 2018.
After penning temporary terms, Musonda said: “I feel really good. Massive club, really looking forward to it. I’m very lucky to be here and I’m very happy to be here. It’s going to be unreal to play at Celtic Park. Hopefully I can do well for the team.”
Unfortunately, despite Brendan Rodgers’ desire to see him thrive, it was an unsuccessful stint in Glasgow for the Belgian.
Upon signing for an initial 18 months, the former Celtic boss cited Musonda’s “wonderful ability.”
Rodgers added: “I’ve known him for a few years. A big thank you must go to Chelsea. He’s a shining light in their academy.”
Musonda would eventually play just eight times for the Bhoys, being recalled in May after Chelsea lost their patience. He failed to score during his time in Scotland and it was unsurprising they recalled him; he wasn’t even in the squad during the end of his stay.
Since he departed Paradise, his career has fallen off the wagon in one of the worst ways possible.
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The attacking midfielder headed to Vitesse in the Netherlands but after making four appearances early in the 2018/19 season on loan, he’s not been seen on the field of play since.
Musonda has been through his very own version of hell and he’s not in the clear yet either. He picked a cruciate ligament injury in his knee and hasn’t played for the best part of 19 months.
Speaking in December he said: “It’s been four years since I played back to back professional games, three years since I last played for my club, two of those last four years, I’ve been injured with the post cruciate ligament of my knee.”
The midfielder continued: “Doctors told me going through surgery after being out for so long would be the end, an impossible mountain to climb, were the exact words. This is my story and how I keep training and staying ready, despite the odds, one day I’ll be back.”
Now 24, Musonda has returned to light training with Chelsea and has hired his own personal fitness and conditioning strength. He is still yet to appear for the Blues since resuming light ball work in what has been a nightmare two years.
Is the end in sight for the midfielder? Time will tell. Described as a “big talent” by Rodgers, the £42k-per-week earner once had the world at his feet.
Another prodigy off the Chelsea production line, his lack of opportunities has been through complete misfortune, rather than some of the other reasons academy graduates have been handed throughout the years.
Just as his career was beginning to take off, it was effectively ripped away from him. Musonda undoubtedly deserves a second chance.
The Barcelona icon tops a list based on effectiveness through the season, but Neymar is completely absent, and the Liverpool star outside the top five
The CIES Football Observatory ranks players who have played 1,800 minutes of football (1,440 for Germany), or 20 matches, on their efficiency and performance level. The rating is out of 100, and there are a fair few surprises…
(NB: Neymar only played 1,797 minutes for PSG in Ligue 1 this season, so just missed out on being ranked.)
Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to join the European Super League could have some seriously dangerous consequences, especially when it comes their chances of keeping hold of Harry Kane.
This bombshell was revealed on Monday as Spurs became one of the ESL’s 12 founding clubs, something that has understandably gone down like a lead balloon across the footballing world.
Not only have supporters voiced their concerns but governing bodies like FIFA, UEFA and the Premier League among others have condemned the plans and are set to do all they can to stop the breakaway league from becoming a reality.
UEFA released a statement suggesting that they could pursue legal action over the proposals and insisted that those players involved in the new league would be banned from domestic, European and international competitions, whilst the rebel clubs could be booted out of these competitions too.
In addition to that, Spurs have also withdrawn from the European Club Association (ECA), which will only increase the prospect of them being unable to qualify for the Champions League or Europa League any longer.
The Lilywhites have been involved in one of the two European competitions for 11 straight seasons, and they made the UCL final in 2019. Daniel Levy’s decision to join the ESL takes away this privilege and two potential competitions that they could qualify for, and potentially win.
Kane’s future was already in doubt prior to this announcement, and will surely be in grave danger now, especially as he’s the England national team captain too.
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The 27-year-old continues to break goalscoring records in England but ultimately, he has no silverware to back up what should’ve been an illustrious career so by limiting the competitions that Spurs play in, and potentially even risking their expulsion from the Premier League, Levy is playing a dangerous game if he wants the 219-goal striker to stay in north London.
In addition to that, if Kane stays and plays in the ESL, then his England career could well be over and that’s certainly something he will not want to lose as he has the potential of becoming the first Three Lions skipper to lift a trophy since Bobby Moore in 1966.
Gareth Southgate’s side have a chance to win the European Championships this summer, and barring any qualification issues, they could make a run at winning the World Cup in 2022 too, after reaching the semi-finals in 2018.
“I am looking forward to a really special couple of years with the Euros in the summer and then the World Cup in 2022,” revealed Kane back in October.
So Levy may well have just dealt Spurs a huge hammer blow in more ways than one, this news surely has Kane reeling in fury and that’s not a good thing when considering his long-term future in north London.
Of course, in any scenario where he chooses to leave in order to maintain his place in the England set-up, Kane wouldn’t be able to move to another Super League club as they too could see their players banned from representing their national teams.
However, there are still some huge clubs such as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain who are not part of the breakaway and who could, in theory, still have the finances to purchase a player as good as Harry Kane. PSG have been linked with a move for Kane in the past too so a move to the French capital isn’t something that is beyond the realms of possibility.
If UEFA and co. get their way, Spurs will only have the ESL to play for and the fact that Spurs are one of the weaker sides of the Super League Founder Members makes it highly unlikely that they can win that competition either, so Kane is looking at a trophyless future, one where he can’t captain his country. Those factors will surely anger the Tottenham superstar and as a result, will put his future with the club in even more doubt.
AND in other news, here’s how Spurs could look under Ryan Mason with three forgotten stars returning…
Newcastle must look to sign Joe Willock on a permanent basis after Steve Bruce’s update on his situation.
The Arsenal loanee has been a revelation since joining the Magpies on loan until the end of the season, popping up with some vital match-saving goals for the Tyneside club in recent weeks against the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Premier League clash against the Gunners on Sunday, Bruce once again confirmed his intentions to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis.
He said: “He doesn’t like being called super sub by the way, and – if we can get him for next year, he won’t be a super sub, he’ll be playing. I’m pleased for Joe, he has the football world talking about him. We’d love to keep him if we can.”
After seeing him score on his Newcastle debut against Southampton earlier in the season, Bruce admitted that Willock has a the style of play from which the Magpies could really benefit.
He said: “It was a classic midfield player’s goal from the ability to arrive in the box, and that’s what he’s brought us. He can go box-to-box, he’s a terrific athlete, the kid, a typical modern-day midfield player who has the ability to get up and down the pitch quickly and has that added ability to score a goal.”
When you look at the rest of the Magpies’ midfield, Willock really does solve a major Bruce nightmare. The 21-year-old’s four goals from midfield is already more than what the rest of Newcastle’s midfield options have scored this season, with Jeff Hendrick the next closest with two in the league.
That ability to get into the box at the right time to finish things off is something about which Arsenal legend Martin Keown has waxed lyrical, too, hailing him after his goal-scoring display against Dundalk in the Europa League earlier this season.
The ex-Gunners defender said: “The point is, he can do so much, he gets in the box in the right place at the right time. He wants it to feet, he’s always on the half-turn, which is nice to see. Today I saw a bit more athleticism rather than just coasting in there. His overall game is really good.”
The £26m-rated Willock is the man Newcastle need to sign this summer.
Meanwhile, Steve Bruce could finally wave goodbye to this Newcastle liability…
Brandon Barker is struggling to impress on loan at Oxford United following his winter transfer window loan move and Steven Gerrard should consider getting rid of the winger in the summer, as it seems clear that he isn’t good enough to be a regular for Rangers at Ibrox next season, particularly in the Champions League.
The 24-year-old joined Rangers from Manchester City in the summer of 2019 and has gone on to make 26 appearances for the Light Blues, in which he has managed three goals and no assists.
Although he contributed two goals in 10 Premiership appearances in Gerrard’s side this season, also featuring twice in the Europa League, Gerrard clearly felt it was best for his development if he were to get regular football out on loan. However, considering he has played in the English Championship before, the decision for him to join mid-table League One side Oxford seemed a strange one.
Unfortunately, the Englishman has struggled to have much impact in Karl Robinson’s team this season, managing just two goals and two assists in 14 league appearances thus far.
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It seems likely that Gerrard will be adding to his attacking options ahead of next season, and considering he already has the likes of Ryan Kent, Ianis Hagi and Joe Aribo available on the wings, it seems unlikely that Barker will be able to return to Ibrox and establish himself as a first team regular.
Certainly, it seems fair to suggest that, whilst he is a decent player, Barker is nowhere near Champions League level; and if Gerrard wants his side to give a good account of themselves in that competition next season, then he can’t afford to keep players such as the 24-year-old around his squad.
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He reportedly earns £7,500 per week at Rangers, and if the Light Blues can find themselves a buyer for Barker this summer, then it would not be a surprise if they were to cash in on him and bring in someone else, as unfortunately his performances with both Rangers and Oxford in the past two seasons have emphasised that he doesn’t have a promising future at Ibrox.
In other news… Rangers should reignite interest in 27 y/o gem who’s got “all the attributes”.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Sport, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur superstar Harry Kane allegedly ‘wants to leave’ north London – with this update coming as a potential blow for Spurs as he enters the Barcelona ‘agenda’.
Indeed, as explained by Sport, Kane believes his ‘cycle has ended’ at Tottenham as La Liga giants Barca eye a move for the Lilywhites mainstay.
Ronald Koeman’s side allegedly see the 27-year-old as a realistic alternative to Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland – who is currently being watched by several top European clubs and commands a large price tag for this summer.
As a result, Kane has entered the ‘agenda’ of Barca despite Haaland being their priority target – and if a move for him fails, the Catalans could well turn to Spurs’ most important player.
The Lilywhites striker’s name has emerged in Spain due to his apparent desire to leave Tottenham – but it remains to be seen whether this report does in fact bare danger for Spurs.
Manager Jose Mourinho losing his most crucial asset this summer does come as a potential worry, but it may depend on how Spurs finish the season.
If his side fail to clinch silverware, or indeed a place in Europe, more reports could emerge similar to this one that Kane will be seriously considering his future.
Having scored a wonderful 17 goals whilst providing 13 assists in the Premier League alone (WhoScored), the prospect of him leaving Tottenham is definitely a worrying one.
In other news: Tottenham want this 6 foot 4 ‘leader’, find out more here.
Carlo Ancelotti must stop Marcel Brands from wasting millions of pounds with a summer swoop for Everton to sign AS Roma defender Gianluca Mancini.
According to Calciomercato, Mancini is earning widespread admirers with his performance at the Stadio Olimpico, to see that Everton are not the only side keen.
Ancelotti’s Toffees are said to be big admirers of the Giallorossi enforcer, but face having to contend with Chelsea for his signature as they eye a potential heir for Thiago Silva.
Ligue 1 and Bundesliga giants Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are on the scene, as well, with the Parc des Princes natives long-term admirers and approached Roma for further information on his availability during the recent winter market.
Scouts from Italian powerhouse duo Inter Milan and Juventus are also keeping an eye on developments, with the latter aware of the need to reinforce the guard currently occupied by 36-year-old Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, who turns 34 in May.
But the number of admirers Mancini has gained has also seen Roma up their valuation of the £33,000-per-week talent they paid a combined €24m (£20.5m) for, between a loan spell and his purchase, with the defender now worth at least €10-€15m (£8.5-£13m) more.
An asking price of between €34m (£29m) and €39m (£33.5m) is not expected to scare off the Premier League sides said to be interested, while Mancini intends to evaluate his options in the summer.
Mancini’s former side, Atalanta BC, would also be owed 10% of any fee Roma receive for the 24-year-old, who has started all 23 of his Serie A appearances this season after missing two games with a muscular injury and one through an accumulation of yellow cards.
Qualification for next season’s edition of the Champions League is expected to be crucial for any side wishing to land Mancini’s services in the off-season, as the four-cap Italy international is anticipated to put the sporting project above a potential pay rise.
Everton are in the mix for a top-four finish to the Premier League season, with a four-point gap but a game in hand all that separates them from Chelsea in the last of the qualifying spots.
Yet Ancelotti must block Brands from using a UEFA campaign as a reason to spend a vast sum to sign Mancini, as it would be questionable of the 6 ft 3 enforcer establishing himself as an upgrade on those already at Goodison Park.
Ancelotti already considers Ben Godfrey to be the best of his current centre-halves, despite Mason Holgate offering a unit-high 2.5 successful tackles from 3.2 duels per game when fielded in the heart of the Everton backline for Premier League fixtures, per WhoScored.
Mancini offers Roma 1.7 successful tackles from 2.2 attempts per game in the Serie A this season, along with winning possession back for Paulo Fonseca’s side with 2.1 clearances.
Holgate currently offers the fewest clearances by one of the Toffees’ centre-halves with 3.5 a game, while Mancini would rank last on Merseyside for aerial duels won with 1.8 from three – Holgate offers the least with two from 2.7 at present.
If Brands is to spend a significant sum – more than Everton paid for Allan (£21m), Abdoulaye Doucoure (£20m) or Godfrey (£20m) last summer – on a new centre-back, he will surely have to be a distinct upgrade.
AND in other news, Everton will listen to offers for a £16m-rated ace who has failed to live up to his price tag…