Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson/HANDOUTDo you think Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson is an upgrade over Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins? Villa coach Unai Emery does, and has told his club that Jackson is a better bet for the coming season based on his knowledge of the player. He helped build the Senegal international’s career at the Spanish club Villarreal.
Emery believes Jackson can do better than his performances for Chelsea and there is motivation for the striker to move clubs following the arrival of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro at Stamford Bridge.
This has demoted Jackson to third choice. It is also possible that Xavi Simons will join from RB Leipzig, which would exacerbate Jackson’s situation. He will struggle for minutes at Stamford Bridge, whereas Emery would likely spend one-on-one time with him and promote him into the Villa forward line quickly.
Chelsea would want £80m for Jackson, who is on an eight-year contract but that is likely too high for Villa and the other interested club, Newcastle.
Watkins has been unsettled this summer amid all the possible transfer talk and both he and Villa think a move could be beneficial to both.
Amorim points the way forward in United’s trophy win?
Bruno Fernandes rejected a transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and stepped onto the field as Manchester United captain in a pre-season match against Everton, which ended 2-2.
This is interesting because Bruno scored and was man-of-the-match despite being critical of his teammates for not trying hard enough and demanding that the club bring in more top-quality recruits.
It doesn’t make him a favourite in the dressing room at present but he does have a point. He knows that if Ruben Amorim doesn’t get off to a flying start in the new season, he could be shown the exit door.
Fernandes does not want that for his fellow Portuguese. It’s a tough challenge when Arsenal are your opponents next weekend.
New signing Bryan Mbeumo was on the pitch for 45 minutes and helped the Red Devils secure the Premier League Summer Series, beating West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton to the trophy.
United’s starting team, which points the way that Amorim is thinking for the opening Premier League game against Arsenal on August 17, was Bayindir, Amad Diallo, Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Fernandes, Mathues Cunha and Mbeumo.
Chelsea’s new look for the coming season
Chelsea will be interesting to watch this season with Enzo Maresca’s Blues much strengthened from last year. Maresca made 419 changes to his starting line-ups last season, which is more than any other elite European club. After the current transfer period, he has seven centre-backs in his squad. He wanted to give Levi Colwell cover plus competition and also team regular Marc Cucurella and has signed Jorrel Hato, who played mainly at Ajax last season and although only 18, he can play on both the left and right.
The young Dutchman has joined for £37m and signed a seven-year deal. Amazingly, he captained Ajax when he was only 17 and made 111 appearances. He has six international caps.
Chelsea will take some of their new squad signings into their first home game against Crystal Palace, which includes Hato, Joao Pedro (£60m), Jamie Gittens (£51.1m), Liam Delap (£30m), Estevao Willian (£29.1m) and Dario Essugo (£18.5m). Mamadou Sarr (£12m) and Kendry Paez (£17.3m) are going out on loan at Strasbourg.
Chelsea have spent £250m during the transfer window, second to Liverpool’s £295.5m.
Chelsea and Everton have signed a £28m deal to take Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Stamford Bridge and to the Hill-Dickinson Stadium on a five-year contract.
Palhinha delighted about Premier League return
Tottenham coach Thomas Frank is delighted to welcome ex-Fulham Portuguese international Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich. The deal, concluded last Sunday, includes the opportunity to sign the defensive midfielder permanently. Palhinha never settled at Bayern under coach Vincent Kompany. If he joins at the end of the season, the fee will be £27m. In the meantime, Spurs will pay his full salary. In good news for Tottenham fans, after Palhinha had in-depth conversations with Frank, he said: “It is amazing to return to the Premier League and to return to London, which is what my family and I wanted. We love London and as I have always said, the Premier League is the best in the world.”
Frank identified that the team needed a number six even before he arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He commented that although Rodri Bentacur can cover this position, the team would be stronger if they played together. Frank admires Palhinha because he commands the centre of the pitch, has disciplined distribution and makes short, sharp forward passes after breaking up play. His value in stopping counterattacks will feature this season and he is a valuable player in set-pieces at both ends of the field.
Newcastle pinpoint FC Porto striker
Newcastle United have admitted they might not land Benjamin Sesko and FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa is being tracked as an option. The Spaniard is valued at £70m, which Newcastle can afford. Manchester United are determined to land Sesko. They are his preferred club. I am told he has agreed on personal terms. Newcastle are going to be weaker up front if no further deals are done. Players they wanted to sign have chosen to go elsewhere instead of St James’ Park. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro chose Chelsea and they wanted to sign both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumbo but both have gone to Man United. Liverpool beat Newcastle to Hugo Ekitike, all of which has left coach Eddie Howe frustrated and looking at his recruitment team. They do have Champions League football next season but besides Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale, they are short of new quality and there is, of course, the ongoing situation with Alexander Isak.
Why Son chose American MLS
For nearly 10 years, the partnership of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min excited Tottenham supporters. Kane moved on to Bayern Munich and ‘Sonny’ took over as club captain. He, too, has decided to move on. Offers came in from the Saudi Pro League but he has chosen to play at Los Angeles FC in the American MLS, linking up with his friend and ex-Spurs goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris. It is not surprising to me that he favours America. In all my years interviewing players, I can tell you that he is one of the most charming, friendly and helpful people I have encountered. Sonny is a nice young man and when he speaks of his homeland in South Korea, it is obvious to tell of the American influence in that country, which houses thousands of United States army and navy personnel. This made an impression on him during his younger years. Los Angeles has the largest Korean population outside of their homeland.
As club captain, Sonny united the dressing room in a way not seen since the days of Mauricio Pochettino. He put a friendly, supportive arm around players, experienced and young alike and talked and talked, which many people do not realise is part of his character. And when he talks, players listen.
Sonny was at Spurs for 10 years, scored 173 goals and made 101 assists – a record any player would be proud of.
His best friend at Tottenham is Ben Davies. He is godfather to the Welshman’s son, Ralph. The two discussed Son’s best move before any decisions were made.
Sonny could not go to Inter Miami because there are strict salary budgets in the MLS and the club has used all their allocation, paying high wages to Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
One thing is for sure. There will always be a VIP seat for Son at Tottenham and he will be remembered as one of the club’s best players.
Isak chooses to train in Spain
The Alexander Isak saga goes on…Eddie Howe was subdued when asked what was happening with his Newcastle striker. The Swedish international linked up with his teammates after missing the club’s Far East tour.
Interestingly, and what was keeping Howe quiet, was Isak’s decision to travel to Spain recently and train at Real Sociedad’s ground instead of working with his Newcastle’s fitness team at home in Benton. Backroom staff who did not travel east are perfectly qualified to take training sessions. Isak took along his fitness team to Spain. The amazing thing is that Howe said he knew where Isak was after reading it in the media.
Liverpool tabled a bid of over £100m for the striker, which Newcastle rejected.
A statement sent out from Anfield said they would not be going back with a higher bid. However, I doubt this is over yet. Isak has made no secret of wanting to leave the north east of England for the north west. He could put in a transfer request but that is always a last resort since it tends to alienate players from their teammates and club officials.
Liverpool are yet to throw in the towel. I am putting two and two together after talking to several informed Liverpool sources and the club is waiting to see how the Isak v Newcastle situation works itself out. If the forward insists on leaving, they will be ready with an open chequebook. Only one player has ever been sold for more money than Liverpool is offering for Isak: PSG’s Kylian Mbappe.
Isak has now been told to train alone, away from other players, so he doesn’t distract them. He and his family were not invited to a club get-together with entertainment and a barbecue.
Saints say no to Everton’s bid for Dibling
Despite having to raise funds to drive their promotion bid this coming season, relegated Southampton have rejected Everton’s £27million offer for England Under-21 winger Tyler Dibling. He is also being tracked by Tottenham, RB Leipzig, Manchester United and Chelsea. Dibling made a big impression last season and several clubs regularly sent scouts to watch him.
The Saints have said they will not sell for anything less than their valuation of £40m. During this transfer window, the Saints have sold Ghanaian left winger and forward Kamaldeen Sulemana to Serie ‘A’ club Atalanta, Nigerian Paul Onuachu to Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor and Pole Jan Bednarek to Portugese Primeira Liga club Porto. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is on his way to Newcastle — on loan.
Forest seize a chance to sign Luiz
Since his transfer from Aston Villa to Juventus a year ago, things have not gone to plan for midfielder Douglas Luiz.
The Brazilian has endured a difficult time with injuries and inconsistent performances. He featured in only 27 games across all competitions. He missed a training session last week and is going to be fined by the club and put up for sale. Enter Nottingham Forest... The ambitious midland club has opened up discussions with Juventus about signing Luiz but there are two problems. First, they have to convince him to join one of the ambitious but less glamorous clubs in the Premier League and second, they have to negotiate a price they can afford.
Luiz is open to a move but only Forest have shown interest. Due to the Premier League financial restrictions, Forest are looking at a possible loan deal, which could become permanent at the end of next season. They can offer Luiz European football next season — their first time in 30 years — which will be attractive to him. I am hearing they will offer him £5m-a-year in a deal until 2030.
Talking long throw tactics
The long throw has featured more significantly this past season than ever before. Team coaches are spending more time working with their strong-bodied players who can deliver a ball from the touchline into the penalty area for the big strikers and attacking centre-backs.
A long throw is classed as the ball travelling 32 metres or 35 yards. In the Pep Guardiola era, when players moved the ball out from the back with tight control at their feet, the long throw went out of fashion with only eight per cent being directed at the penalty area.
This went up to 17 per cent last season with Brentford — under previous coach Thomas Frank — aiming 63 per cent of their throws towards their opponents’ box. Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are also long throw specialists. On the other hand, Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, Liverpool’s Arne Slot and Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca are not fans of the strategy.
