Latest news with #leftback
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool defender closer to agreement over new deal
The arrival of Milos Kerkez is going to have a knock-on effect for several Liverpool players. Having paid around £45m to Bournemouth for the left-back, the Reds will plan to utilise the Hungarian as their first-choice in the position for the long term. That will have an impact on Andy Robertson, who has been with the club since 2017, as well as Kostas Tsimikas. The club isn't big enough for three left-backs - and the deposed duo are not short of transfer interest. Advertisement It appears certain that one or both will leave this summer, thereby allowing Kerkez to take his place in the team. But there is another Liverpool left-back to consider here. It's Owen Beck. The 22-year-old enjoyed a productive season out on loan at Blackburn last term - and returns to the club under considerable scrutiny. Owen Beck linked with Rangers The Welshman has got plenty of clubs interested in signing him - a list that reportedly includes Sheffield United and Wrexham. Most recently it was reported that Rangers had plans to add Beck this summer - although it wasn't specified if it was a loan move or a permanent deal. Advertisement But now the picture is becoming a little clearer with the news that the club are talking to the left-back over a new deal. Under contract only until 2026, it would be pointless if the Reds let him out on loan only to lose him for free next summer. But Football Insider now suggests that the club will seek to tie him down to a new contract before sanctioning a loan deal. Liverpool talking to Owen Beck over new deal 'Liverpool have opened talks with defender Owen Beck over a new contract,' the report reads. 'The Reds and will look to tie him down to a new deal before sanctioning a loan move away this summer. Advertisement 'Beck is likely to leave Anfield on loan with the 22-year-old pushed further down the pecking order in Arne Slot's plans following the arrival of Milos Kerkez. 'Rangers, Derby and Wrexham are all interested in loan moves for Beck before the summer window shuts.' © IMAGO Could Beck replace Robbo and Tsimikas? A new contract plus a loan move will protect Liverpool from a transfer fee perspective. If Beck goes on to enjoy a good season at Rangers or elsewhere then Liverpool can formulate a plan for a permanent deal. Alternatively Beck may well have the option of returning to Anfield as a Kerkez back-up. Robertson, 31, will leave next summer when his contract ends if he doesn't get a move away this year. And Tsimikas has rarely convinced in a Liverpool shirt - with the club surely willing to cash in. That would leave a spot free for Beck to challenge Kerkez - and save the Reds plenty of money on a potential left-back replacement.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Relentless, expressive and full of fire'
Milos Kerkez does not so much play left-back as explode into the 21, he has already redefined it for Bournemouth - and now he is set to do the same for as Andy Robertson's heir-apparent, Kerkez arrives not as a promising project, but a ready-made menace, forged in the Premier League and sharpened in Andoni Iraola's press-heavy two players made more overlapping runs than Kerkez's 237 last season, he ranked top three for open-play crosses, and covered more ground than nearly every full-back in the this is not just a story of engine and enterprise. It is one of decision-making, discipline and timing. For instance, his 'true tackle' success rate (61.3%) outperformed Robertson, fellow new boy Jeremie Frimpong and ex-Reds full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold's last he is elite. Positionally, he is aggressive without being exposed. And crucially, in an evolving Liverpool set-up, Kerkez balances out the equation with bite and balance on the is also very Liverpool in spirit - relentless, expressive and full of fire. He does not wait for space, he makes it. He does not defer to experience, he defines may have grown up in a Manchester United-supporting family, but one gets the sense Kerkez was built for Liverpool want full-backs to be full-throttle again, they have just signed the fastest gun in the west.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'A once in a generation talent' - fans on Lewis-Skelly
We asked for your views on just how good Myles Lewis-Skelly could be for Arsenal after he penned a new five-year deal with the are some of your comments:Ali: Lewis-Skelly was a real shining light for Arsenal last season. Injury gave him a chance to push in above Calafiori, Zinchencko, Tierney, Tomiyasu and Timber as the go to left back and there was no looking back. His power and drive are undeniable. Looking forward to seeing what he brings next year. The next Ashley Cole for England and Arsenal? And at least this bumper contract delays any chance of him following those footsteps to This kid is special. A once in a generation talent who has skill, is intellignent with and without the ball, and seems grounded and ready to put in the hard yards to improve. That kind of combo is rare in top sport. Excited to see how far he will Really good. Lewis-Skelly is one of the best left backs in I know the big chat is about which striker Arsenal are buying, but it is impossible to underestimate how important this signing is for Arsenal. I have watched Arsenal for over 50 years and in that time, I have seen lots of great left backs and, at his age, Lewis-Skelly is the best of them all. If he learns to control his aggression a little, he could be even I recall Saka in his even younger days flitting in and out of the team and I wondered if he would ever be given a chance. He was and the rest is history. I felt exactly like that watching Lewis-Skelly in the first half of the season and he took less than a season to be, so far, the first-choice left back not just at Arsenal but England as well. How could this contract be anything but good news?Simon: He showed up in big games last season. I'm pleased for him and he deserves the opportunity. But I do worry that his current over reliance on shielding in dangerous areas will get exposed. As quality opposition get accustomed to his style this might prove costly, as was the case in that big PSG game last year.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atletico Madrid add Arsenal man to shortlist of options
Atletico Madrid are looking to address left-back as one of their priorities this summer. With Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras, their first option for the position, pushing for a move to rivals Real Madrid, Los Colchoneros are looking to England for alternatives. A number of names have been linked with Atletico, with Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson supposedly atop their shortlist. In recent days Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell and Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne have also been cited as potential options at the position. Atletico Madrid interested in Oleksandr Zinchenko The latest name that Atletico are looking at as an option is Arsenal man Oleksandr Zinchenko report Caught Offside. The Ukraine star looks to be surplus to requirements these days for Mikel Arteta, and Arsenal are willing to part with him for a fee around €15m. Zinchenko's camp have held 'positive' initial conversations with Atletico, although there has been no contact between Los Rojiblancos and Arsenal as of yet. Image via David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images AC Milan could rival Atletico for Zinchenko However Zinchenko has attracted interest from elsewhere in Europe though. AC Milan are interested in Zinchenko too, but they may have to resolve the future of Theo Hernandez first before a move is made – the French international was of course linked to Atletico as well last week, but it seems they will go in a different direction. If Atletico do pursue Zinchenko, that could give them a headstart. Does Zinchenko fit Atletico Madrid? The is vastly experienced at international level with Ukraine, having earned 74 caps, and has played at the top level for Manchester City and Arsenal over much of the last decade. There is little doubt he has fallen out of favour in London though, playing just 789 minutes this season. Diego Simeone does generally like his defenders to be solid without the ball first and forward-thinking second, and in that regard Zinchenko wouldn't be the most obvious fit. On the other hand, if Simeone does use wing-backs next season, Zinchenko could be an interesting option.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
England U21 star tipped to become future captain of senior team as youngster is earmarked to solve age-old problem for the Three Lions
England's left back spot has long been a puzzle that managers have had a hard time finding the solution for. Working back from defeat to Senegal, the starting left backs read as follows: Myles Lewis-Skelly, Reece James, Lewis-Skelly twice, Lewis Hall, Rico Lewis, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rico Lewis twice, Levi Colwill, Luke Shaw, Kieran Trippier, playing as a wing-back, and then three in a row for Trippier. Cast minds even further back and you see Kyle Walker playing a few minutes at left back against Slovenia at Euro 2024; you see Eberechi Eze come on as a left wing-back against Switzerland at the Euros; there were calls from Ian Wright to have Bukayo Saka play at left wing-back or even left back in that same Switzerland game. Crystal Palace 's Tyrick Mitchell can also count himself among the carousel of left backs, albeit one that hasn't featured since 2022 for England. So, when Thomas Tuchel sat down for a one-to-one with Tino Livramento to explain why he wanted him to go away with the Under-21s this summer - rather than link up with the seniors - and take on more responsibility in a camp, it was made crystal clear that left back is there for the taking going forward. 'I see it as a privilege,' Livramento said. 'Thomas spoke to me about the senior squad and I spoke to Lee [Carsley] as well about the role coming here. 'I haven't played at a tournament for England at any age group, I've always missed it through injury, so I think that's a big thing for me.' Livramento was the stand-out player in the Under-21s opening group game against the Czech Republic showcasing a level that was head-and-shoulders ahead of many of his peers. Carsley wasn't surprised and neither was assistant coach Ashley Cole, widely viewed as England's greatest left back, who has put time into Chelsea fan Livramento with one-to-one tips. 'As coach, you stand on the sideline and see how much information he takes on and takes on board,' Cole explained. 'And I keep saying it, but the willingness to want to learn and be the best, I think is always a great trait to have. 'Whatever level he wants to get to, he can get to because he's got that personality and desire. 'I think he's got a beautiful future, a bright future. Long may it continue that he keeps playing for Newcastle, keeps gaining experience and keeps his levels up.' As for Cole getting involved in training sessions, can he still mix it with Livramento and Co? 'I can't move anymore, my ankle is gone! I was probably the worst player last week when I joined in. 'But it's good to just see these young guys. I'm trying to give them little nuggets of my experience, and it's great to see them level up.' Livramento has just one senior England cap to his name from when he played right back against the Republic of Ireland during Carsley's interim spell in charge. But it is at left back where Theo Walcott, who played with Livramento at Southampton, works best, even if it's not the 22-year-old's favourite position. 'I like him on left,' Walcott told Mail Sport. 'He's kind of a right-footed Gareth Bale in stature and the way he runs and I feel like he'd be the perfect wing-back for me. 'He is a potential [England] future captain, just because of his presence and how he is around the place. 'As a player he's got the potential to be that leader and they just want more of that because they can see it in him, I can see it in him. You need a little bit more out of him and this tournament can bring a side out of him that he's not used to.' Livramento has heeded the advice of Tuchel by involving himself in the leadership group out here in Slovakia alongside centre back Charlie Cresswell, midfielder Harvey Elliott and team captain James McAtee. His style is more understated, a quiet character but one who is emerging in real time as a star that others are looking to raise there level to match. 'He's kept going,' Carsley said. 'It's his first tournament for England and we believe that if we can have success in these tournaments with these experiences, it's going to help the seniors in the long term. 'But that's got to be his goal - playing in the senior team. He's definitely got the capabilities to do.' With the guidance of a left back legend in Cole and the unwavering backing from Carsley and Tuchel behind the scenes, maybe the missing puzzle piece is now finally ready to slot into place.
