O Cruzeiro já começou a se planejar para a sequência da temporada. Após sondar Kaio Jorge e Matheus Henrique, a bola da vez na Toca da Raposa é o zagueiro Yerry Mina, que jogou a última temporada pelo Cagliari.
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Na Itália, ajudou o time se salvar do rebaixamento. Até o fim de semana, o clube terá uma reunião com o atleta. Aos 29 anos, Mina ainda tem mercado na Europa e tem desejo de permanecer no Velho Continente.
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Boa relação com Mattos pode ser diferencial para o Cruzeiro
Com a concorrência do futebol europeu e de mais de cinco clubes brasileiros, o Cruzeiro tem em Alexandre Mattos um trunfo. Atual CEO do clube, o dirigente foi o responsável pela contratação de Mina para o Palmeiras, em 2016.
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Mesmo se não for Mina, a Raposa irá contratar mais um zagueiro, com condições de ser titular da equipe, que tem Zé Ivaldo e João Marcelo como titulares. No futebol europeu, o zagueiro ainda atuou por Barcelona, Fiorentina, Everton e, agora, no Cagliari.
A four-day defeat loomed until Greaves and Hope dug in to give West Indies some hope against New Zealand’s tired attack
Shashank Kishore05-Dec-2025
Shai Hope scored his fourth Test hundred•Getty Images
A depleted New Zealand attack – effectively reduced to just two-and-a-half frontline bowlers – was made to toil as a defiant West Indies rearguard stretched the contest into a fifth day on an increasingly docile Hagley Oval surface.Forced off the field on day three by an eye infection, Shai Hope returned with sunglasses under his helmet to compile an unbeaten 116. It followed his first-innings 56 and marked his second century in three innings, a seamless extension of the defiance he showed while stonewalling India for long periods in New Delhi in October.If Hope was the fulcrum, Justin Greaves was the anchor beside him. He reined in his instincts to play a composed, almost uncharacteristically restrained hand to finish 55 not out off 143 balls. His unbroken fifth-wicket partnership with Hope was worth 140 as New Zealand’s attack toiled under the blazing Christchurch sun.Related
Blundell, Smith, Henry sustain injuries in Christchurch; Jamieson returns to Plunket Shield
Nathan Smith did not come out to bat and spent the entire innings off the field with a side strain. When Matt Henry left the field after the 35th over – later heading to hospital next door for scans – with West Indies 92 for 4, New Zealand may have hoped to finish off the game quickly.But with his bowling resources rapidly thinning, Tom Latham – already standing in with the gloves due to Tom Blundell’s torn hamstring that ruled him out of not just this Test but the next – was left to lean heavily on Rachin Ravindra and Michael Bracewell’s part-time spin around pacer Jacob Duffy. On a surface that only got easier to bat on against the old ball, Hope and Greaves settled in and applied themselves admirably.Having begun with positive intent, Hope was tested periodically with the short ball, Duffy setting a square leg halfway to the rope along with a short leg and fine leg for the pull. Hope mostly swayed and ducked out of harm’s way, and on the rare occasions he was tempted into the shot, he did well to keep it down. He brought up his fourth Test century off 139 deliveries.Duffy employed a similar plan to Greaves, whose natural game is far more instinctive. But to his credit, Greaves appeared to take a cue from Hope, choosing restraint instead. He played only when the ball was at his body, using his height to ride the bounce and fend safely. While he was a lot more enterprising against spin, the fundamental of his knock was crease occupation.Justin Greaves played a composed knock of 55 not out off 143 balls•Getty Images
Hope and Greaves laid down the template for those who perished prior to their arrival. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and John Campbell were put through a stern new ball test by Foulkes and Henry as they repeatedly tested both their edges in an engaging first spell. Chanderpaul’s propensity to shuffle across got him into trouble more often than not, and was out to a short ball that he inside-edged to the keeper for 6 off 45 balls.Campbell – out an over earlier – was taken out by Foulkes as he jabbed at an away-swinger with no feet movement as Bracewell took a superb low catch at second slip. In the overs prior to his dismissal, Campbell wore a blow on his boot as he smashed one back off an inside-edge, making him groan in discomfort. This may have eventually had a hand in his dismissal.Alick Athanaze never got going, and the frustration of being unable to score had him attempt a pull, only to be rushed into the stroke by Bracewell. He only managed to toe-end a pull to mid-on. And when Roston Chase fell in eerily similar fashion to his dismissal in the first innings – nibbling at a Henry away-swinger while being rooted to the crease – West Indies were collapsing swiftly and were 72 for 4.A four-day defeat loomed until Greaves and Hope dug in to give West Indies some hope even as New Zealand’s tired attack wheeled away in the hope of a mistake. That wasn’t to come, as West Indies took the fight into the final day even though hopes of scaling down the 531-run target they were set seem just a pipe dream for now.Earlier in the morning, New Zealand surprised many by choosing to bat on. Perhaps this was to give their bowlers more rest on a placid surface, considering the slew of injuries. Kemar Roach picked up three of the four wickets to fall, finishing with figures of 5 for 78 to take his wickets tally to 290.
تمكن منتخب تونس من تحقيق الفوز على قطر، في إطار منافسات دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس العرب.
وواجه منتخب تونس نظيره القطري، في السابعة مساء بتوقيت القاهرة، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس العرب.
ويقع منتخب تونس في المجموعة الأولى في كأس العرب، رفقة منتخبات قطر وسوريا وفلسطين.
طالع.. ترتيب المجموعة الأولى من كأس العرب 2025
وحقق منتخب تونس الفوز على قطر، بثلاثية نظيفة، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما اليوم الأحد.
تقدم منتخب تونس بالهدف الأول في مرمى قطر، في الدقيقة 16 من عمر الشوط الأول، عن طريق محمد علي بن رمضان لاعب الأهلي.
وفي الدقيقة 62 من عمر الشوط الثاني، عزز منتخب تونس تقدمه بالهدف الثاني في مرمى قطر عن طريق اللاعب ياسين مرياح، قبل أن يضيف محمد علي بن رمضان ثالث أهداف تونس في الدقيقة 94 من عمر المباراة.
وبهذه النتيجة رفع منتخب تونس رصيده إلى 4 نقاط في المركز الثالث في جدول ترتيب المجموعة، بينما تجمد رصيد قطر عند نقطة وحيدة في المركز الأخير.
وبتلك النتيجة تأكد خروج تونس وقطر من بطولة كأس العرب، بينما تأهلت سوريا وفلسطين إلى دور الثمانية من البطولة. أهداف مباراة تونس وقطر في كأس العرب
O Corinthians venceu o Nacional-PAR por 4 a 0 em partida válida pela segunda rodada da fase de grupos da Copa Sul-Americana. Romero (2x), Yuri Alberto e Pedro Raul marcaram os gols do Timão na Neo Química Arena. O paraguaio se tornou o maior artilheiro de Itaquera e o estrangeiro com mais gols pelo clube.
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Com o resultado, o Corinthians chega a quatro pontos e assume a liderança do Grupo F da Sul-Americana. A equipe paraguaia amarga a lanterna do grupo, com zero pontos.
⚽COMO FOI A PARTIDA?
Após 15 minutos sonolentos, o Corinthians conseguiu encontrar espaços e conseguiu impor sua dominância sobre o Nacional-PAR. Após algumas chances, Romero abriu o placar no primeiro tempo. O Timão aproveitou a expulsão de Arévalo na etapa final, foi mais incisivo no ataque e ampliou a vantagem com Yuri Alberto, Romero e Pedro Raul.
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➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!
O que vem por aí?
O próximo compromisso do Corinthians será no domingo (14), contra o Atlético-MG, pela primeira rodada do Brasileirão, na Neo Química Arena. No sábado, o Nacional enfrenta o General Caballero pelo Campeonato Paraguaio.
✅ FICHA TÉCNICA CORINTHIANS 4 X 0 NACIONAL-PAR COPA SUL AMERICANA – FASE DE GRUPOS – SEGUNDA RODADA Data e horário: terça-feira, 9 de abril de 2024, às 19h (de Brasília); Local: Neo Química Arena, em São Paulo, no Brasil Árbitro: Jhon Ospina (COL)
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GOLS: Romero (2x), Yuri Alberto e Pedro Raul
➡️ Veja tabela com datas, horários dos jogos da Libertadores
⚽ ESCALAÇÕES CORINTHIANS (Técnico: António Oliveira) Cássio; Fagner, Félix Torres, Gustavo Henrique e Hugo; Raniele, Fausto Vera e Rodrigo Garro; Wesley, Romero e Yuri Alberto
NACIONAL-PAR (Técnico: Victor Bernay) Antony Silva; Blasi, Claudio Nuñez, Ojeda e Rivas; Juan Alfaro, Cáceres e Santacruz; Gaona, Arévalo e Tiago Caballero.
O Vasco publicou uma nota oficial na tarde desta quarta-feira (13) repudiando o fato de não poder atuar no Maracanã, contra o Nova Iguaçu, pala partida de volta da semifinal do Campeonato Carioca.
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➡️ Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Vasco
Na publicação, a diretoria do cruz-maltino manda um recado direto à Flamengo e Fluminense, dupla que administra o consórcio do Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho.
– Esses poucos nobres, encastelados, não percebem o dano que causam ao campeonato e ao espetáculo, afastando o torcedor de um dos maiores palcos do esporte – diz trecho do comunicado.
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Mandante da partida, o Nova Iguaçu solicitou à administradora para que a partida fosse disputada no Maracanã, mas não recebeu uma resposta – positiva ou negativa. Em razão de questões operacionais, a FERJ (Federação de Futebol do Estado do Rio de Janeiro) definiu a sede do confronto e anunciou que a partida será disputada no Raulino de Oliveira.
CONFIRA O COMUNICADO DO VASCO
“Um Maracanã de poucos faz mal ao futebol. É, no mínimo, lamentável a dificuldade em se jogar no estádio.
Esses poucos nobres, encastelados, não percebem o dano que causam ao campeonato e ao espetáculo, afastando o torcedor de um dos maiores palcos do esporte.
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Por que não, então, uma gestão compartilhada? Por que não? Estamos dispostos a administrar com todos e para todos.
علق نور الدين زايد، حارس مرمى منتخب الأردن، على الفوز على منتخب مصر، بثلاثية نظيفة، في الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات ببطولة كأس العرب 2025.
وخسر منتخب مصر أمام الأردن بثلاثة أهداف نظيفة، اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات، ليودع كأس العرب، بينما تصدر النشامى الترتيب بتسع نقاط.
وقال نور الدين زايد في لقاء مع قناة الكأس: “نبارك للأمة الأردنية كاملة، فريق الأردن بمن حضر، اللاعبون البدلاء لم يقصروا وكانوا على قدر المسؤولية، ونعد الجماهير أن البطولة تكون في عمان”.
طالع| فيديو | بهزيمة وتعادلين.. منتخب مصر يودع كأس العرب بالخسارة بثلاثية أمام الأردن
من جانبه، قال أبو زريق شرارة، لاعب الأردن: “مبارك لجماهيرنا الفوز، وهارد لك للمنتخب المصري، نحن بمن حضر داخل الملعب، ولدينا ثقة في أنفسنا، حصدنا في ثلاث مباريات انتصارات بالعلامة الكاملة”.
وتابع: “يجب أن ننسى كل ما مضى ونركز في الدور المقبل، مواجهات صعبة وتحتاج تركيز أكثر، لدينا عناصر كبيرة قادرة على تقديم مستويات جيدة، نعمل على قلب واحد ويد واحدة، ندعم أي لاعب في الميدان”.
واختتم: “نعد الجماهير الأردنية أن نقدم مستويات جيدة ونحقق نتائج إيجابية ونصل لبعيد في هذه البطولة”.
South-coast club handed reprieve by Durham after Rahul Chahar takes ten in the match
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay27-Sep-2025
Rahul Chahar claimed a 10-wicket match haul•Philip Brown/Getty Images
Surrey 147 (Washington 3-5, Abbott 3-27, Fuller 3-46) and 281 (Albert 63, Abbott 5-72) beat Hampshire 248 (Washington 56) and 160 (Orr 48, Chahar 8-51) by 20 runsHampshire were given an unlikely reprieve from relegation to Rothesay County Championship Division Two after Durham fell apart at Yorkshire.The south-coast county were resigned to the drop after losing to Surrey by 20 runs, which left Durham only requiring a draw at Headingley. But they sensationally slumped to 85 all out to allow Hampshire to stay in Division One for the 2026 season.Ironically, Hampshire’s last brush with the drop, in 2016, saw them finish in the relegation places but be reinstated after Durham were sent down over financial issues.Surrey only needed one wicket on the final day, which Rahul Chahar managed with the 42nd delivery of the day when he had James Fuller caught behind. In doing so, the India spinner claimed a career-best 8 for 51 – Surrey’s third best bowling figures of the 21st century – and ten wickets in the match.The defeat, with relegation seemingly nailed on, looked like it would compound Hampshire’s horror September. The county had been deducted eight points in the Championship for breaching the ECB’s pitch regulations, before losing in two men’s finals and a women’s final.They also saw popular head coach Adi Birrell announce he would leave the club after seven years at the helm. The South African was gifted a bull for his farm back in his homeland by the players on the final morning of the Surrey match.Instead of Hampshire, Durham will now join Worcestershire in playing in Division Two next season.Ben Brown, who took over the four-day captaincy at short notice after James Vince stepped away from red-ball cricket before the start of the season, said it had been “a really challenging year”, topped off by the Cricket Discipline Panel’s decision to dock points for a poor Utilita Bowl pitch in May – described by Brown as “unjust”.”It has been a really challenging year, off the field as well as on it,” Brown said. “There has been a lot to manage.”Then there is the points deduction on the wicket, which I stand by that it was unjust. That I feel difficult to cope with as a player. People work hard in professional sport and to have essentially clipboard stuff take eight points off us… You want sport to be decided as sport not someone deciding whether grass is right or wrong.”We have been playing under pressure for the last month with no time to think or train, and it has ended up with us losing two finals and looks like we will be going down. Everyone will need time to get their head around it before making a plan to make things better.”Requiring 33 runs to beat Surrey, 32 runs – ie. a tie – would likely have been enough to see Hampshire them remain in Division One on their own steam.Fuller and Brad Wheal were the only Hampshire batters left – the former had shaken off the collapse and dealt with Chahar carefully for 29, while Wheal had stoically blocked 22 balls before bad light brought an unsatisfactory end to the third day, and left plenty with a sleepless night.Chahar bowled the first over of the day and Fuller almost edged the first ball. A swept four eased the nerves, before Wheal nicked his first delivery to first slip – but it narrowly fell short.Fuller and Wheal looked at ease, albeit turning down a bounty of singles, until Fuller attempted to cut Chahar and edged behind to Ben Foakes.Only Kemar Roach’s 8 for 40, and Martin Bicknell’s 9 for 45 were better since the turn of the Millennium. Chahar, on Championship debut, also took ten wickets in the match.”A lot of the disappointment was last night and then today there was just a small chance in a tough situation for Fuller. It was more runs than it looked and was a tall order today,” Brown said. “We should have made a better fist of it. The new hard ball spun quite a lot and we didn’t deal with it. We were a lot of pressure in the run chase and we couldn’t stem the tide of wickets in the middle of the innings.”
Who is going to be the new Celtic manager? Well, who knows!
Martin O’Neill remains in caretaker charge for now, having been parachuted in following Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation, winning three of four matches in charge to date, that Europa League hammering at the hands of Midtjylland the only blot on his copybook.
With no obvious front-runner for the job, and given that we’re in the middle of the season, could a left-field appointment be required?
Well, this was the case back in the summer of 2021 when, after seeing their Premiership streak of nine in a row come to an end, Ange Postecoglou was appointed completely out of nowhere, having only ever worked in his native Australia and Japan beforehand.
Despite this, and the widespread ridicule when he arrived in Glasgow, Postecoglou would go on to win five trophies across his two seasons in charge, thereby remaining, possibly, the most popular Celtic manager of modern times.
So, could another lesser-known name become the next Postecoglou, emphasising that he is the outstanding candidate for the vacancy, as opposed to the other front-runners?
Kieran McKenna to Celtic latest
Ever since Rodgers resigned, Kieran McKenna has been one of the names most frequently mentioned in terms of becoming the new Celtic manager.
As reported by Ewan Murray of the Guardian, he is a ‘leading candidate’ with the Ipswich Town boss boasting ‘longtime admirers’ on the Celtic board, while Sky Sports add that he is one of the names near the top of the club’s shortlist.
However, any approach would not be straightforward.
The 39-year-old is under contract in Suffolk until 2028 and Ipswich would surely demand a sizable compensation fee if they’re going to allow their most prized asset to depart.
Manager Focus
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McKenna, in his first-ever head coach role, worked miracles at Portman Road, guiding the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions, going from EFL League One to the Premier League in double quick time, the first time Ipswich had competed in England’s top-tier since 2002.
However, his team did really struggle to compete at the top level, winning just four Premier League matches all season, relegated with a whimper.
Right now, Ipswich are seventh in the EFL Championship, hammering Swansea 4-1 on Saturday, thereby sat just outside the play-off positions,
Before moving to Suffolk, McKenna worked as an assistant manager to José Mourinho and then Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Manchester United, so has some experience at an elite level, but many supporters remain unconvinced, so should the Celtic hierarchy target a more left-field coach who could be their new Postecoglou?
Celtic should appoint the new Postecoglou
According to a report by TEAMtalk on Wednesday evening, Wilfried Nancy, a man supporters may be very unfamiliar with, has been ‘officially invited’ for talks with the Hoops over the Parkhead vacancy.
It’s further reported that the Celtic board are ‘very keen’ to interview Nancy and could complete a deal by January should compensation be agreed, with the season in America, where he manages Columbus Crew, set to end this month.
So, who is he? Well, the Frenchman was named 2024 MLS coach of the year, but that does not begin to tell his story.
His first head coach role was with CF Montréal, staying in Québec for two seasons, before spending the last three years at Columbus Crew, enjoyed huge success in charge of both, as the table below documents.
Wilfried Nancy MLS coaching record
Year
League finish
Trophies
CF Montréal
2021
18th
Canadian Champ
2022
3rd
Columbus Crew
2023
3rd
MLS Cup
2024
2nd
Leagues Cup
2025
7th
All info via Transfermarkt
First and foremost, if you’re not dialled into MLS, we’re guessing you’re probably not, it’s really difficult to properly put into words how impressive an achievement it is to finish 3rd in the overall standings, and second in the Eastern Conference, with Club de Foot Montréal.
Owner Joey Saputo essentially does not care about the team, meaning Montréal have one of the lowest budgets in Major League Soccer, finishing 28th, out of 30, this year, showing that Nancy can seriously elevate an underperforming side.
In Canada, Nancy succeeded Thierry Henry, after he resigned, and the Arsenal legend spoke glowingly about his former assistant during CBS’ Champions League coverage.
Nevertheless, Nancy’s true success has come since moving to Columbus Crew, winning MLS Cup at the end of his first year and then Leagues Cup last season, also leading the Black and Gold to the club’s first-ever CONCACAF Champions Cup Final, ousting two Mexican heavyweights along the way, before defeat to Pachuca.
The Crew’s 2025 season is now over, dumped out of the MLS play-offs by local rivals FC Cincinnati at the weekend, which may make him available, so could he soon swap Ohio for Glasgow?
Well, he has certainly earned rave reviews, with Joe Lowery praising his “patient possession” style of play which he believes is “so much fun to watch”, while Tom Bogert describes the Crew as “attractive” to watch and “courageous” on the ball.
Meantime, former USA striker Herculez Gomez notes that Nancy is “immensely respected”, adding that his style of play is “so pleasing to the eye”, boasting a clear philosophy featuring both possession and high pressing, comparing him to Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique.
Well, another high-profile manager that sounds reminiscent of is, well, Postecoglou and his now infamous, certainly in Premier League circles, Ange-ball.
As already mentioned, Postecoglou was a lesser-known name in British and European football prior to his arrival in Glasgow but, as he likes to remind everyone, he wins everywhere he goes, joining with a J League, multiple A-League titles and an AFC Asia Cup to his name, among other honours.
Well, the same can be said of Nancy, who created something of a dynasty in MLS, something that is so tough to do in a league that is so parity-focused.
Thus, just like Postecoglou, Nancy has the personality, the playing style and the will to win to succeed at Celtic, seemingly making him the ideal candidate to come in and lead the Hoops to a fifth successive Premiership title.
Upgrade on Nancy: Celtic considering move for "unbeatable" 4-2-3-1 manager
Celtic are considering a move for this 4-2-3-1 manager who would be an upgrade on Wilfried Nancy.
نجح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول في تحقيق فوز مهم على حساب وست هام يونايتد، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
وواجه الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، نظيره وست هام يونايتد، اليوم الأحد، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب “ويمبلي”.
ونجح الريدز في تحقيق فوز ثمين على حساب وست هام يونايتد، بنتيجة 2/0، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات البريميرليج.
واضطر وست هام إلى اللعب منقوصًا، منذ الدقيقة 83 بعدما طُرد اللاعب لوكاس باكيتا لحصوله على بطاقة حمراء، حيث كان الأمر في البداية مقتصرًا على بطاقة صفراء بسبب اعتراضه على الحكم نتيجة تدخل نيكلاس فولكروج على دومينيك سوبوسلاي.
اقرأ أيضًا | نونو سانتو: الخسارة أمام ليفربول ليست خطوة للوراء.. ويجب أن أتحدث مع باكيتا
وحاول لاعبو وست هام تهدئة باكيتا والذي استمر في معارضته للحكم، الذي أشهر البطاقة الصفراء الثانية ثم الحمراء، ثم صفق له اللاعب ساخرًا وهو يغادر الملعب.
وعلق محللو “سكاي سبورتس” على سلوك باكيتا ووصفوه بأنه “عنيف” وهو ما رفضه اللاعب البرازيلي، وكتب عبر حسابه على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إكس”: “من السخيف أن تتأثر حياتك ومسيرتك المهنية لمدة عامين دون أي دعم نفسي من الاتحاد”.
وأكمل: “ربما يكون هذا السلوك السخيف مجرد انعكاس لكل ما تحملته، ويبدو أنني مضطر للاستمرار في تحمله! أنا آسف إن لم أكن مثاليًا”.
وأضاف: “أتفهم أنني مضطر الآن لأداء دور الشرير، من الصعب عليّ التعايش مع كل ما حدث في حياتي وصحتي النفسية، سأواصل محاولة تجنب التأثر أكثر، هذا لا يبرر طردي وأعتذر للجماهير وزملائي في الفريق عن ذلك”.
وتلقى باكيتا 36 بطاقة صفراء وبطاقة حمراء واحدة في 133 مباراة خاضها منذ انضمامه إلى وست هام، كما سجل 22 هدفًا وقدم 14 تمريرة حاسمة.
Eu entendo que agora eu tenha q parecer o vilão, é difícil conviver com tudo oq foi causado na minha vida e no meu psicológico! Seguirei tentando com que eles não me afetem ainda mais Isso não justifica a minha expulsão e por isso peço desculpas aos fans e meus companheiros! 🏝️🎉 https://t.co/12t071CxT1 — Lucas Paquetá (@LucasPaqueta97) November 30, 2025
Newcastle United are nothing if not persistent. And it is this perseverance that will see Eddie Howe’s side reclaim their finest, most fluent form in the Premier League.
In the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, the Magpies are flying high, well worth their money on each account. But, sitting 13th in the league standings and with three away defeats in a row, it’s clear that improvements are needed.
The forwards need to pull it together because, at the moment, it’s all feeling a bit Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron-esque.
Newcastle sold Almiron with the view toward reshaping the frontline and making it sharper, after all.
How Howe reshaped Newcastle's frontline
When Howe arrived at Newcastle, he found a frontline led by Dwight Gayle and Callum Wilson, flanks operated by St. Maximin and Almiron.
All have been moved on now, and Almiron marks an interesting case of the ruthlessness the manager has shown since taking the hot seat in 2021.
The Paraguayan was a tenacious and dynamic attacking option for Newcastle on the right wing, but he was frustratingly inconsistent, and this was hampering the club in their fight to sustain a place at the top of the English ladder.
Of course, it was Almiron’s remarkable purple patch in 2022/23 that helped the Toon in their bid to qualify for the Champions League. This they achieved, and Almiron played his part.
Reporter Jordan Cronin perhaps summed it up best, saying as the winger prepared to return to Atlanta United in January that “you can question his ability, but never his heart.”
Miguel Almiron in the Premier League
Season
Apps
Goals (assists)
24/25
9
0 (0)
23/24
33
3 (1)
22/23
34
11 (2)
21/22
30
1 (0)
20/21
34
4 (1)
19/20
36
4 (2)
18/19
10
0 (0)
Stats via Transfermarkt
It was clear that he needed to leave when he did, but United needed to get it right when landing a successor. But have they potentially landed themselves a repeat of the South American star?
Newcastle's new version of Almiron
Almiron endeared himself to the Newcastle fanbase from the off and played a crucial role in transitioning from the bleak Mike Ashley era to the brighter fortunes of today.
But Howe knew his team needed more quality on the attacking flanks, and so Anthony Elanga was signed from Nottingham Forest this summer for a £55m fee.
The 23-year-old is a fleet-footed and creative winger, but he’s blanked across 16 matches in all competitions for Newcastle this season, and that price tag is starting to look rather steep.
Analyst Raj Chohan thought as much from the outset, commenting that Elanga was a “massive overpay” on the Tyneside outfit’s part.
However, there’s no question that there is a player in there, dangerous on the counter and effective in his playmaking.
As per data-driven platform FBref, the Sweden international actually ranks among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists per 90. Clearly, given that none of his assists have come since the summer, there is a player in there.
But, with Anthony Gordon also yet to score or assist in the Premier League this season, it’s not difficult to highlight the cracks in Newcastle’s attacking arsenal.
Solace will be taken from all parties in that patience is needed when signing up-and-coming talents. And Newcastle are nothing if not patient, of course, having enjoyed the highs and battled through the lows of Howe’s successful and progressive reign.
What needs to happen now is for Elanga to make headway and shake off any concerns relating to his efficiency in front of goal, or indeed supplying the scorer.
As per Sofascore, he hasn’t yet created a big chance in the top flight this term, averaging just 0.4 shots and 0.2 dribbles per game. On top of this, Elanga has lost 63% of his duels, and so it’s clear that he’s not yet even matching Almiron’s unalterable attitude and commitment on the flank.
Elanga in the Premier League for Forest
Stats (* per game)
23/24
24/25
Matches (starts)
36 (25)
38 (31)
Goals
5
6
Assists
9
11
Shots (on target)*
1.5 (0.6)
1.1 (0.6)
Pass completion
75%
78%
Key passes*
0.9
1.3
Big chances created
14
9
Dribbles*
0.8
0.7
Tackles + interceptions*
1.1
0.7
Duels (won)*
2.9 (44%)
3.0 (45%)
Data via Sofascore
As you can see, these are two successful Premier League campaigns from the talent, who has yet to find his feet after joining Newcastle this summer for a big fee and with a £100k-per-week salary.
He’s fast, and at times, ferocious, yet Elanga runs the risk of crumbling away under Howe’s wing, and while he’s a committed and hard-working player, if he cannot find a measure of form in the final third, comparisons concerning Almiron will only rise in volume and intensity.
Scoring goals is not Elanga’s forte, not in bucketloads. But there’s no denying his performances have been below the expected quality so far this season, and his two terms at the City Ground underline a creative quality that, while proven in the English top flight, has not yet surfaced at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle know they have a talented winger in their mix, and with a bit more work, he might just provide the club with the creative support they desire over the coming years.
However, Elanga has yet to show he can maintain clinical levels in black and white, and until that duck is broken, fears that PIF have replaced Almiron with Almiron will persist.
Newcastle star was set to be sold, now he's one of their "standout" players
This Newcastle star is still performing for Eddie Howe’s side.