Latest news with #ChrisSutton
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Mbeumo 'proven quality' - but Man Utd still have striker dilemma
One of Manchester United's key priorities this summer was a search for season was United's worst in the Premier League era, and a key reason was the paltry 44 goals they scored - the average of 1.15 per game their lowest in a top-flight season since Mbeumo's expected £65m move will take their guaranteed spending on attacking talent this summer to £127.5m, following the signing of Matheus Cunha from with both players expected to play in number 10 positions, do the club need a new central striker, or will Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee benefit from added firepower around them?Chris Sutton, who won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, said: "United's attack is clearly an area they need to improve. That's why they have gone for Mbeumo, because I think he is someone they feel they can trust in all areas, in possession and out of it, with the work-rate and energy - and goals too."Mbeumo is absolutely not cheap, but that is the going rate for a proven Premier League player."They want to bring in signings who are not development players but players who have been there and done it. Mbeumo is one of those. Cunha too."The question is do United still need another number nine? Because Rasmus Hojlund did not score enough last season." The end for Hojlund? Or a new opportunity? By common consent, when United's troublesome Premier League campaign came to an end in May, the key failing that had to be addressed was their lack of assumed that meant a new number nine would be United made a big play for Liam Delap - available for £30m from Ipswich - before he signed for Chelsea indicated key figures at Old Trafford felt the now, more than £120m later and with two new additions more at home behind a main forward rather than as one, questions are being asked about whether they will bring in a number nine or if - despite huge reservations - they stick with reasoning for the latter would be order to fund more expensive recruitment, they need to generate more finance and - aside from sell-on clauses for Anthony Elanga and Alvaro Carreras - they have not managed a big offer for Aston Villa's England international Ollie Watkins is unlikely and, of the players available for nothing, the injury-hit Dominic Calvert-Lewin and veteran Jamie Vardy represent significant many thought they overpaid at the time, the recruitment team behind then manager Erik ten Hag felt it was worth signing off a £72m fee to sign Hojlund from Italian club the time, Ten Hag said Hojlund had "huge potential" but he had "to prove it". So far, he has not done so. He scored just four league goals all season, with understudy Zirkzee only managing has to be said, Hojlund's goals came from chances worth a measly 5.2 expected goals, showing the lack of opportunities he was being provided with - or making for said: "Have United been providing him with the chances and the opportunities? The answer to that is no."But also, you have to consider whether he has done well enough. Has he ever been a prolific goalscorer? That would be the nagging doubt and is something I have debated with United fans. "It is not to say he doesn't have time on his side, and his attitude is good too."But in a summer during which Carreras joined Real Madrid - fulfilling the promise many in the club's academy felt he had before they were overruled by Ten Hag and others who believed the full-back was not quick enough to excel at the highest level - are they ready to give up on Hojlund just yet?The 22-year-old's contract does not expire until 2028. If they sold now, United wouldn't receive close to the sum they paid for are many unanswered questions at Old Trafford as the Premier League opener against Arsenal they should sign another number nine or stick with Hojlund and hope he flourishes alongside the likes of Cunha and Mbeumo is one of the most significant. 'Mbeumo will be expected to perform straight away' Whatever the decision on United's striker dilemma, there can be little argument the addition of Mbeumo - alongside Cunha - strengthens their Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, Newcastle's Alexander Isak and Manchester City's Erling Haaland scored more than his 20 Premier League goals last was, though, the first time he has reached double figures for a top-flight club, and his expected goals (xG) statistic of 12.3 - which he outperformed by 7.7 goals - is something that would be difficult to the past five Premier League seasons, just 14 players have overperformed their xG by five goals or said: "He has done well at Brentford but playing for Manchester United is very different. With respect to Brentford, there is no great expectation there. At United, he will be expected to perform straight away."He has experience, he is a good finisher and his versatility is a big positive - he can play as a central striker as well as on the wing, cutting inside off the right on to his left foot."But he has had one very good season where his numbers were very good, so the question is whether he can repeat that."The Cameroon international is not being bought just for his goals, prefers to play on the right behind a striker - with Cunha expected to feature on the left - but also has the versatility to play centrally, offering another solution to the striker topped the list for touches per 90 minutes for players who scored more than 15 goals last season - showing his involvement in play - and ranks as one of the best ball carriers in the league, consistently with an effective end was 17th on the list of top assisters - with seven - but in expected assists he led the way in the Premier League with 9.3 Cunha's creativity, that can only be good news for whoever is chosen to play the central striker role."Consistency in those forward positions is what United are striving for, because they have not had it with, say, Alejandro Garnacho or Antony," said Sutton."They are maybe thinking an older, more experienced player, who is more reliable, is what they need. That's Mbeumo - he fits into Ruben Amorim's system and he fits the bill as proven Premier League quality too."Amorim wants a harmonious camp as well as a consistent performer, not someone who is a 3/10 one week and a 9/10 the next."That's what Manchester United have really been lacking and the numbers Mbeumo provided could be really important. That is the part of the jigsaw they have got to really solve if they want to be challenging at the top end of the table."
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nicolas Kuhn watches dithering RB Leipzig go tame as transfer truth comes to boil over Celtic star
RB Leipzig's pursuit of Celtic star Nicolas Kuhn is set to be turned down a notch - according to a report. Despite dropping off in the second half of last season, the German winger finished the campaign with an impressive 21 goals and 15 assists in 51 matches in all competitions. Advertisement Last week, it was reported that the former Bayern Munich kid is a summer target for Bundesliga side Leipzig, who missed out on European football altogether next season with a disappointing seventh place finish in Germany's top tier. READ MORE: Shin Yamada draws Celtic scouts directly to him as Japan transfer double is on amid striker signing mission READ MORE: Evan Ferguson sees Celtic murmur come with a unwavering transfer guarantee as agent makes a big time claim Kuhn has also been touted for a big money switch to Newcastle but Hoops hero and Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton has warned that the wide man is not ready for the step-up and needs another year until his belt at Parkhead first. Advertisement However, a move from Leipzig for Kuhn - or any player for that matter - will reportedly be on hold until a decision on just who will be in the dugout at the Red Bull Arena next season is made. Die Roten Bullen have been without a permanent boss since March 30 when Marco Rose got the boot after a very underwhelming showing on home soil and in Europe. Former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain number two Zsolt Low was appointed as interim manager for the remainder of the campaign but is not expected to be in contention to land the job on a permanent basis. And while Ole Werner - who stepped down from Werder Bremen last month after leading them to a eight place finish in the Bundesliga - is the favourite to replace Low, German outlet Merkur state that getting the managerial situation sorted will take preference over improving the squad. Advertisement Leipzig have already snapped up the signing of talented Dutch youngster OH Leuven ahead of the new season but that deal was completed back in April. Ole Werner is the frontrunner for the job -Credit:AP The report also states that a potential swoop for Valencia's Spain U21 star Cristhian Mosquera has also cooled until a new man in the hot seat is in place. They claim that Mosquera has gone as far as giving Leizpig a verbal agreement that he wants to move to Germany but won't officially put pen to paper until he knows just who he will be playing under. Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. Advertisement You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kris Boyd on what happens after Rangers rows with Celtic hero Chris Sutton once Sky Sports cameras stop rolling
The pair have regularly sparred on air over the Glasgow giants - but things off screen appear to be very different Kris Boyd insists that Celtic hero Chris Sutton knows how to exploit his "vulnerability" when the pair clash on Sky Sports. But the Rangers fan favourite reckons he gives as good as he gets - with the duo remaining pals off screen despite the Glasgow divide separating their allegiances. Last season the sparring between the two ranged from 'dead rubber' derby claims to promises of cuddles in car parks as temperatures boiled over in the Sky Sports studio. But Boyd has revealed that the pair will often have a beer after the on-screen exchanges. And he insists the back and forth only proves that the duo are not "bluffers" as they appear alongside James McFadden and host Eilidh Barbour for Scottish Premiership clashes. He told the Sunday Post: "I believe there is a real good chemistry with everyone in the studio, up in the gantry and behind the scenes. Eilidh Barbour anchors it well. " Chris Sutton is excellent at his job and isn't afraid to give his opinion. James McFadden is diligent, respected and likeable. "Ian Crocker is one of the best in the business and has been leading Scottish football commentary for almost 30 years. Luke Shanley gets some great interviews. "We all work really hard to do our jobs to the best of our ability. We are not bluffers. Nobody would last if they tried to cut corners. "People might think it's easy but live television is far from a walk in the park. "When managers aren't doing their jobs well enough you need to call them out and criticise. I know many of the guys but I will not try to cover up for them. "That said, it's not easy to criticise. Some people just can't do it and I've seen pundits crumble when they are put on the spot and asked for an honest assessment of a player or manager. "You also need to be ready to take on your fellow pundit. If any vulnerability is sensed, then it will be quickly pounced upon. "I'll do it to Chris and he will do it to me. We have frank exchanges but we are always fine afterwards. "We'll have a beer or two together. We get on well.* You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. here and our Celtic community here.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
High street empty shops action needed, expert says
The challenge posed by empty shops in Wales is "too big for the tools we are using", a property expert has Sutton, a chartered surveyor, said a lack of coordinated action meant cities such as Newport - which in 2021 was found to have more empty shops than any other city in the UK - had Sutton said the Welsh government and councils needed to be "heavily involved" in solving the problem, pointing to towns like Caernarfon which had found ways to Welsh government said it was working with trade bodies and trade unions to find solutions, while Newport council said footfall in the city was rising. Despite millions of pounds of public funding and a number of reports into the issue over the years, many Welsh high streets have continued to decline.A recent study found most small businesses wanted to be in town centres, but many were looking for office or workshop space rather than Street, Newport's main shopping street, remains a patchwork of boarded up premises and vacant despite calls for action, many visibly empty shops are not available for are tied up with long leases or are held by sometimes anonymous landlords who are unwilling to rent them out. Mr Sutton said the problem was not a lack of ideas but a lack of coordinated action."We don't need another report," he said. "We need implementation."Mr Sutton, the former chair of Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Wales, said the sometimes confused ownership of empty shops also restricted options."Our retail centres are probably the location with the most mixed ownerships," he said."Trying to masterplan regeneration is incredibly difficult when ownership is so fragmented."He said larger empty stores needed to be refurbished "and perhaps subdivided down to smaller units" to attract new tenants. Away from Commercial Street, independent businesses who have revitalised one of the city's arcades said Newport should not be judged on the state of its main shopping street."I think it's kind of like one big family in this arcade. It feels a community, as opposed to a bunch of just separate shops," said Jax Jones, who co-owns the Mythos tattoo training at another shop, he opened his own studio in the city centre but felt frustrated that the wider strategy in Newport appeared to be on enticing the big brands."Newport, at least for the last 10 years or so, has really put that focus on big business to the detriment of independents," he said the decline of stores like Debenhams provided an opportunity to support smaller local businesses."Given the chance, we can really see that independent business can thrive," he added, with "even a taxidermy shop" doing well in the arcade. 'Look beyond the empty shops' Newport City Council disputed the 2021 Centre for Cities data that showed the city had the UK's worst empty shops problem and said it was working to reduce vacancies and support independent businesses."Transforming the city centre's fortunes is not something that can happen overnight or by the council on its own," said councillor James council said footfall was rising - up 2.6% in 2024 - and nearly two thirds of city centre units were now occupied by independents. It also pointed to successful regeneration projects like Newport Market, and urged people to "look beyond the empty shops" to see the progress being made. Caernarfon, in Gwynedd, is among the town centres which are thriving despite the setbacks elsewhere."It's a small town with huge character," said Sue Kirk, whose souvenir and toy shop is in the centre of said the ease of buying online meant she had needed to "find things that are not readily available on the internet"."And if you can fill that gap and appeal to your customer base, you have a winning formula," she local Business Improvement District (BID) in Caernarfon works to keep shopkeepers informed of events and address problems Ms Kirk, it comes down to a simple idea: "Collaboration.""[There is a] strong connection between business owners, so that if we have a problem or if we have an idea, we can move together," she Strain, manager of the BID, said the lack of a shopping centre in Caernarfon had allowed the high street to thrive."We don't have a shopping centre. People might think it's a bad thing, but I think it's a very good thing," said Mr Strain."We've got a lot of commercial properties that are smaller, easier to fill and ideal for the many independent businesses that we've got here in town."Mr Sutton said other towns across Wales would need support in order to achieve similar results."We need local leadership," he said, "but also the local authority and Welsh government need to be heavily involved in this, and they really need to drive it forward."He said there was also the opportunity for "regeneration companies and development corporations" to coordinate and tackle empty added a change in how businesses were taxed could make a difference."We should be incentivising private sector development through wider use classes and property taxation reform," Mr Sutton Welsh government said in May that it was considering cutting business rates for smaller retail shops to help them compete with online retailers and to create "more vibrant high streets".A Welsh government spokesperson said retail was "experiencing a period of challenge and change"."Our retail action plan, developed in partnership with sector representatives, sets out the actions we are taking to ensure a successful, innovative, sustainable and resilient retail presence in Wales that offers fair, secure and rewarding work."The spokesperson also said the government's transforming towns programme would provide £40m for 2025 and 2026 to develop town centres and "breathe new life" into spaces.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'That sums up modern football, doesn't it?'
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton on Tottenham's decision to dismiss manager Ange Postecoglou:"I'm not a Tottenham fan but, from the outside, the reason Postecoglou was employed was because they wanted to win a trophy and, if they couldn't do that, they wanted to watch an entertaining team - and I think he has ticked both boxes."I am not saying it has been brilliant this season because I understand the Premier League has been a disappointment - but he has won a major European trophy and that is a huge achievement - their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup and their first European trophy since the Uefa Cup in 1984. He has done something no other manager has done there in 41 years, since Keith Burkinshaw."To get someone in who wins them silverware, then straightaway get rid of him, that sums up modern football, doesn't it? It's absolute bonkers."You only have to look at the other side of north London, where Mikel Arteta has won one trophy in five years - the FA Cup in 2020 - and he is still in a job, and Arsenal are still building."Ange has had to sell Harry Kane in the process too. In many ways, when something like this happens to a manager then I just always think he is better off out of it."He was largely ridiculed when he came out and said he always wins a trophy in his second season, but if you looked at his track record he was right. He showed a bit of belief, then he went and did what he said he would - and Tottenham fans will remember that night for a long time."Have your say on Postecoglou's departure
