Latest news with #playmaker
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
What position needs improving next?
After completing the signing of Adam Aznou, we asked you to tell us what position Everton should look to improve next in the transfer are some of your comments:Billy: We are absolutely desperate for a first-team quality winger. With Dwight McNeil's poor injury record in mind and our explicit lack of goalscoring threat, a prolific winger would give us much more threat out It seems our search for a right-back is getting as prolonged as it was with getting a striker. Years and years. Thats the first priority for Everton need a playmaker and sharp forward passer in central midfield .Geoff: Same old story - we cant put the ball in the net. We need a forward who can regularly score 15-20 goals a season. We haven't had that since Lukaku was sold to Man Right-wing. The problem seems to be there is a lot of demand for that position but the supply and quality are Desperately need two centre-backs. That is the biggest priority for Right-back and right-winger are a must - if we don't get either then we are doomed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool's underrated star proves his worth to Arne Slot
Szoboszlai rarely gets the credit he's due Last season, the Hungarian midfielder played as Liverpool's No. 10 and he 'failed to deliver' the expectations placed on him - the number of goal contributions a typical playmaker would produce. Comparisons were made to Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United, Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City and Martin Odegaard at Arsenal, to name a few. In reality, Szoboszlai is nothing like any of them. But that isn't a slant on him. He was misclassified by most onlookers. Szoboszlai is more of a No. 8 with an added goal threat, just as Alexis Mac Allister is, except the Argentinian plays a lot deeper. The reason Szoboszlai is placed so far forward is actually in order to get the most out of his off the ball work, which involves a lot of high pressing. He empties his energy tank each time he plays for us.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Who will be Frank's number 10?
One of Thomas Frank's most reliable performers last season at Brentford was his elegant playmaker Mikkel 25-year-old was largely deployed as a number 10 in Frank's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and contributed 10 assists in 34 top-flight the Dane's work-rate - something Frank demands from his creative players - also caught the eye and he won possession 35 times in the final third last term, more than any other Premier League can anybody replicate Damsgaard's output for Frank in this Tottenham team?The obvious choice is James Maddison, who possesses the necessary creativity and passing ability - he scored nine goals and provided seven assists for Spurs in the league in 20024-25. However, he ran an average of 10.7km per game, which is the lowest of any of Tottenham's recognised Kulusevski was used centrally by Ange Postecoglou and is one of the side's most imaginative and industrious midfielders. The Sweden international chipped in with seven goals and four assists and covered an average of 12.4km per 90 minutes - only compatriot Lucas Bergvall ran further in a Spurs shirt last option is Mohammed Kudus, who played alongside Damsgaard at FC Nordsjaelland in 2019-20. The Ghana international mostly featured on the right at West Ham but has repeatedly said his preferred position is through the middle. He is a superb dribbler but created an average of just one chance per game from open play in 2024-25. Kulusevski is nursing a knee injury and had surgery in May, meaning it is likely to be a straight shootout between Kudus and Maddison - who has just recovered from his own knee problem – to fulfil that role in the short to medium Tottenham could still sign Nottingham Forest's number 10 and creator-in-chief Morgan Gibbs-White, who they made an approach for earlier this course, Spurs could always try to sign Damsgaard to join his former manager and play the role himself, but he did only extend his contract with the Bees until 2030 in up for news alerts on your Premier League team
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inter Milan, Parma & Eintracht Frankfurt Stars Top List Of Midfield Targets For Pioli's Fiorentina
Kristjan Asllani, Adrian Bernabe, Simon Sohm, and Hugo Larsson are on Stefano Pioli's midfield shortlist at FIorentina. This according to today's print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. Stefano Pioli has returned as Fiorentina coach. And one of the first orders of business for the veteran coach will be to shore up La Viola's midfield. Above all, the Tuscan club need a holding midfielder. And Pioli's preference is for a deep-lying playmaker. That would be important for him to implement his style of play at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Asllani, Bernabe, Sohm & Larsson On Pioli Midfield Shortlist According to the Corriere dello Sport, Fiorentina's top target in midfield would be Parma's Adrian Bernabe. However, the Gialloblu are seeking a fee of €25 million for the Spaniard. Similarly, Inter want €18-20 million for Kristjan Asllani, another top target for Pioli. Then, another Parma midfielder, Simon Sohm, is also a target for Fiorentina. The Emilian club would demand a fee of around €12 million for Sohm. That is within reach for Fiorentina. However, Sohm is more of a purely defensive midfielder. Lastly, an ambitious target for La Viola would be Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Larsson. The 21-year-old Swedish international would cost €25 million, but would add qualities both defensively and in possession.
New York Times
15-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Arsenal in final stages of Ethan Nwaneri talks over new contract
Arsenal are in the final stages of talks with Ethan Nwaneri over a new contract, which will end any prospect of the playmaker leaving and secure his services for the long-term future. Nwaneri has entered the final 12 months of his existing deal, with major interest from suitors in the Premier League and abroad. Advertisement But the England Under-21 international's priority was always to stay at the club he joined aged eight, which will come as a significant boost to Arsenal and their supporters. Arsenal were not allowed to propose fresh terms until Nwaneri turned 18 in late March and since last season ended, he has been away representing his national team and on holiday. Upon returning, discussions have ramped up and the academy graduate is ready to commit to his boyhood team. Nwaneri enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2024-25 — contributing nine goals and two assists across 37 appearances for Mikel Arteta's men. That represented a substantial amount of minutes for such a young talent and explains why there were no demands about game time during negotiations. He was deployed mainly on the right side of Arsenal's attack and featured prominently when Bukayo Saka was out injured. It is expected he will soon occupy a more central role, providing competition and back-up for captain Martin Odegaard. Analysis by Art de Roche Ethan Nwaneri's ambition has been clear for all to see during his rise from Arsenal's pre-academy to the first team. Despite scoring an impressive nine goals last season, he was not shy in admitting he was aiming for 10 at a media session before helping England retain the Under-21s European Championship this summer. Asked for his personal standout moment from his breakout season, Nwaneri said: 'The goal against Man City. I knew I'd do something if I got the ball. Then Declan (Rice) luckily saw me. You don't really think, you just do it. You think about it afterwards.' That goal bookended a 5-1 win for Arsenal, but Nwaneri was not short of impressive moments last term. He became the youngest player to score in successive Champions League games with goals against Girona and PSV Eindhoven, and is now the third-youngest scorer in a Champions League knockout game behind Jude Bellingham and Bojan. The midfielder also set himself apart with trademark finishes into the top left corner, which Arsenal fans will no doubt enjoy seeing more of in the coming seasons. ()
