Latest news with #rightback
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: Barcelona full-back could head out on loan this summer
Hector Fort's future at Barcelona is up in the air, with journalist Víctor Navarro (via FCB World) reporting that the young right-back could be heading out on loan this summer. Despite being seen as a promising option for the new season, Fort's absence from the pitch during Barcelona's 3-1 win over Vissel Kobe has raised questions about his role under Hansi Flick. The pre-season opener in Japan saw goals from Eric Garcia, Roony Bardghji and Pedro 'Dro' Fernandez, but Fort remained on the bench throughout the match. Instead, Flick chose to start Garcia at right-back and brought on Jules Kounde in the second half. This tactical decision has cast doubt over Fort's standing in the squad. Garcia's rise pushes Fort further down Last season, Fort featured in 20 games for the first team and was viewed as Kounde's natural understudy. However, Eric Garcia's strong finish to the campaign at right-back has shifted things in his favour. Hector Fort could leave Barcelona on loan this summer. (Photo by) It is telling that while three left-backs, Alejandro Balde, Jofre Torrents and Gerard Martin, all got playing time against Vissel Kobe, Fort didn't get a single minute. What makes the situation more surprising is Fort's commitment during the off-season. The defender returned to training earlier than most and even worked on his fitness during the holidays with the help of a personal trainer. Despite his efforts, Flick seems to prefer other options for now. With competition building in defence and limited chances on the horizon, a loan move appears to be the most logical step for Fort. A temporary switch would allow him to get regular game time and continue his development away from the pressure. For now, all signs point towards a summer exit, though only on a short-term basis.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Roma await Flamengo's response for Wesley
Gian Piero Gasperini has identified Wesley as Roma's top right-back target. Discussions between Flamengo and the Giallorossi have been ongoing for several weeks now, and negotiations are now entering a crucial phase. As reported by the club has recently presented the Brazilians with an offer closer to their demands. The proposed price is €25 million, and in the next few hours, the Rio de Janeiro club will have to decide whether to accept or request a further offer. The 2003-born player is pushing for a move to Italy, and all parties involved are working to finalize the agreement.
New York Times
18-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Everton need to make signings: Should right-back be a priority?
It is possible to make the case that Everton have needed a new right-back since Carlo Ancelotti's 18-month stint at the club between 2019 and 2021. Even then, a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman felt like a top priority. While the Irishman continued to play a role in the first team, conventional wisdom suggested that a younger option would be needed to share the burden and eventually take the reins. Advertisement Coleman's longevity has surprised many, himself included. Half a decade on, the 36-year-old is primed for a 17th straight season at the club. Despite fitness issues and major injuries, he has twice decided to extend his playing career, having been persuaded of his enduring value in the dressing room. Before a summer of upheaval, manager David Moyes wanted his captain around for at least one more season. Nobody seems quite ready to cut the cord yet and it seems wise given the changing of the squad. But four years on from Ancelotti's tenure, it is hard to escape the conclusion that succession planning at right-back has largely gone awry. Everton may have two options, including Coleman, in that area for next season — three, in reality, with the versatile Jake O'Brien — but the identity of his long-term successor remains unclear. Nathan Patterson is about to embark on a make-or-break season on Merseyside. The Scotland international, an £11million signing from Rangers in January 2022, was earmarked as Coleman's heir apparent, but he has not yet nailed down the role. Patterson's arrival came at a curious juncture in Everton's modern history, with the deal pushed through by then-manager Rafa Benitez and the club's hierarchy shortly after the departures of director of football Marcel Brands and head of recruitment Gretar Steinsson. The young full-back had not been Brands' top target. The Dutchman had pushed instead to bring in Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries from PSV and Tino Livramento from Chelsea, only for Benitez to rule out both moves. Patterson's name had appeared on shortlists as a promising player who could be developed over time, but the recruitment team explored a deal the previous summer for a fee less than half of the amount Everton ended up paying. There had been little expectation that he could take over Coleman's mantle straight away. Advertisement Two weeks after his arrival, sanctioned by Benitez, the Spaniard was sacked. Patterson's luck has not changed much, if at all, in the intervening period. Injuries have deprived him of opportunities at key moments and vital development minutes. An April 2022 ankle issue, sustained in the final training session before he was set to make his Premier League debut away at West Ham United, saw him ruled out for the remainder of that season. He returned to play a prominent role under Benitez's successor, Frank Lampard, at the start of the next campaign, starring in a 0-0 home Merseyside derby draw, but then suffered a recurrence of the injury. Recent seasons have been similarly stop-start. Game time was fleeting under Sean Dyche, while there is still a sense he is yet to convince under Moyes. It was telling that Ashley Young started two of the final three games of last season and came on for Coleman in the last game at Goodison Park against Southampton, ahead of Patterson, despite the veteran's contract being up. What the Scot has needed most has been an injury-free season and regular games, but that has eluded him. It is not unusual for clubs to assess their options in all positions, including those where there is no immediate need, but Everton made a January bid for Flamengo's Wesley Franca that was deemed significantly below the Brazilian club's lofty valuation, and have continued to track him. That move is further complicated by interest in the player from Roma, part of the Friedkin Group's stable of clubs. Alternatives such as Sevilla's Juanlu Sanchez were tracked, while there was initial confidence over a summer move for Kenny Tete before Fulham came back to the negotiating table and offered improved terms. The mood music now is that right-back is some way down the list of priorities. While a signing there has not been completely ruled out, the predominant focus is improving options in central midfield and on the right wing. Alongside Coleman and Patterson, O'Brien is still seen as a viable option at full-back, even if shifting the Ireland defender inside would eat into their central defensive reserves. At the very least, Jarrad Branthwaite's contract extension removes the immediate need for O'Brien to move into the centre, with the latter in a decent position to start the season on the right flank. Some fans have questioned why Everton have seemingly prioritised other areas over the right wing and central midfield. The reality is that it has been easier and less expensive to get a deal over the line for, say, new No 2 goalkeeper Mark Travers than to secure a key target on the right wing. Work continues behind the scenes on the latter, but it is proving to be a challenging market for clubs like Everton, and one potential option, Johan Bakayoko, opted to move to Germany's RB Leipzig from PSV. As much as Everton would like to secure players for their priority positions, and are working to do so, there is an element of taking what you can get. Advertisement The volume of numbers needed this summer means they run the risk of being thin in some areas, even just temporarily. Young's departure, for example, removes cover on both sides of the defence. While they have two cover options to fill in for O'Brien on the right, Vitalii Mykolenko remains the only genuine left-back in the squad. At least one more option will be needed there, too. Everton arguably still need to find Coleman's successor, whether this summer or next, but with enough options to get by there for the time being, most of their effort is likely to be spent on improving other areas of the squad first.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Juventus ready to rival Milan for Pubill
Milan are not the only club interested in Marc Pubill, as Sportitalia reports that the Spanish right-back is Juventus' first option in that position. Almeria right-back Pubill has emerged as Juventus and Milan's first choice for the right-back position. Advertisement Juventus vs Milan for Pubill Sky Sport Italia reported on Tuesday that the 22-year-old defender was the first name on Milan's agenda, but according to Sportitalia, the same is true of Juventus. Pubill is under contract with Almeria until June 2029 and has made 34 appearances in La Liga playing for Almeria and Levante. Pubill affordable for Juventus and Milan TRNAVA, SLOVAKIA – JUNE 21: Jonathan Rowe of U21 England in action against Marc Pubill of U21 Spain during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 Quarter-Final match between Spain and England at A. Malatinsky Stadium on June 21, 2025 in Trnava, Slovakia. (Photo by) According to Gazzetta, Pubill's current club, Almeria, are open to discussing a possible deal for €15m plus add-ons, and the salary of the 22-year-old right-back is affordable for both Serie A sides. Juventus have already signed Jonathan David to strengthen their attack and will soon announce Francisco Conceiçao's permanent move to the club. Milan, on the other hand, signed Samuele Ricci and Luka Modric in central midfield, but need new full-backs, having parted ways with Theo Hernandez (left flank) and Kyle Walker (right flank).
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Then and now...
It was a right-back as captain who lifted the 2021 Club World Cup trophy... And it is a right-back as captain who lifts the trophy in 2025!
