Leeds United fans have been handed an injury update on one of their players as they look to continue their promotion push under Daniel Farke.
Leeds move back to top of the Championship after 3-0 win vs Luton
A comfortable 3-0 win over freshly-relegated Luton Town moved the whites back to the top of the Championship, ahead of Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United on goal difference at the summit.
An early scissor-kick from Sam Byram, just his 13th career league goal, set the tone before Joel Piroe added a second on the stroke of half-time and Dan James completed the win 10 minutes from time to pick up a valuable three points for the Elland Road side.
The win, Leeds’ fourth in their last five games, continued their early promotion push but manager Farke was still keen to stress that his side could improve further yet.
“To show such a dominant performance, to create many chances, to score three goals and score more or less in the perfect moments, I’m pretty happy with our performance.
“At the moment we’re showing great consistency in performances and also results, but efficiency to convert the chances – we’ve had this problem also in one or two away games where we haven’t come home with three points.
“And although we were that dominant we allowed them a few chances. Three or four times, Illan (Meslier) had to be there switched on and Pascal (Struijk) was also there with a great clearance so there’s always something to improve. But I don’t want to be too critical because it was very close to a big performance.”
However, there was one moment that put a dampener on the occasion.
Journalist provides Leeds update on Byram injury
That moment came in the second half as Byram, who opened the scoring in astonishing fashion, was forced off through what appeared to be a hamstring injury. The fullback was replaced just before the hour mark by Max Wober, and an update has now been provided on his fitness.
As per journalist Adam Pope, who relayed Elland Road comments from Farke post Luton, the defender was bought off as a “precaution” and “hopefully will be ok for Saturday”, when Leeds face playoff chasing Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
Sam Byram’s 24/25 campaign
Appearances
14
Starts
5
Goals
1
Yellow Cards
2
Since then, Pope has relayed a further update on Byram from Farke’s pre-Blackburn press conference, with the manager saying: “Had a scan. We’re waiting for results. Late call tomorrow if he travels. We have to wait and be patient.”
Byram has stepped into the void in recent weeks after Junior Firpo’s suspension, and was dubbed “superb” by fan site The Leeds Press on X, who said that “players like Sam Byram get you promoted”.
With Firpo’s suspension now over, Bryam’s injury has come at a good time for Leeds, with the defender no longer the only option at fullback should Farke want to take a cautious approach with his recovery.
Elsewhere, Manor Solomon is also expected to be “fine” despite the Israel forward holding his left leg during the game, which could leave Farke with an almost full-strength squad to choose from for the trip to Lancashire.
The U.S. will take on their historic rivals in two matches four days apart in St. Paul and St. Louis
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
USWNT to face China PR in pair of matches
Matches at Allianz Field and Energizer Park
Legend Becky Sauerbrunn will be honored in game two
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
The U.S. women's national team will face China PR in two friendly matches, playing at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 31 at 5:30 p.m. ET and at Energizer Park in St. Louis on June 3 at 8 p.m. ET.
It will be the first meeting between the two nations since the end of 2023. China is currently in preparation for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup that will serve as qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the the USWNT is preparing for CONCACAF World Cup qualifying that begins in fall 2026.
The two countries are historic rivals, as they met in two world finals in the 1990s and have since been competitive foes on the international stage.
Advertisement
Getty Images Sport
THE BIGGER PICTURE
“I love these games because they combine some rich women’s soccer history with the present, with both countries going through transitions in preparation for ’27 World Cup qualifying,” said U.S. coach Emma Hayes. “But our process continues and it’s a patient and comprehensive one. It’s up to our coaching staff to give players opportunities – opportunities they have earned – and it’s up to the players to show us they can perform at the highest levels. We are looking forward to seeing the players show their talents against an excellent team in two fantastic soccer venues.”
The second match, in St. Louis, will feature a pre-game celebration to honor retired legend Becky Sauerbrunn. The greatest female player in St. Louis history, she played 219 times for the USWNT – 10th all-time for the program. She featured in three Olympics, three women's FIFA World Cups and would have played in a fourth, but a foot injury prevented her from participating in 2023.
A former USWNT captain, Sauerbrunn will also be a part of the TNT broadcast team for the match.
DID YOU KNOW?
The U.S. and China have met 60 times, with China claiming victory nine times. Their last victory over the USWNT came in 2015.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Imagn
WHAT NEXT FOR THE USWNT?
The USWNT take on Brazil in April on April 5 and again on April 8.
Pair recruited by former team-mate Darren Gough, who recently took over as the club’s managing director
ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jan-2022Steve Harmison and Ryan Sidebottom, the former England fast bowlers, have joined Yorkshire’s coaching staff on an interim basis.Recruited by former team-mate Darren Gough, who recently took over as managing director in the wake of the club’s racism scandal, the pair will support Tim Boon, the former England assistant coach who will lead training during pre-season preparations.Fielding specialist Cookie Patel, Thunder head coach Paul Shaw, former Durham and Sussex wicketkeeper-batter Martin Speight and Northern Diamonds performance coach Richard Waite will provide additional coaching support.”I am delighted that we have been able to secure interim support of the highest quality, all of whom have many years of experience between them, and our players will hugely benefit from their vast knowledge and expertise,” Gough said.Related
Tom Harrison believes 'earthquake' can accelerate change as ECB unveil plan to tackle racism
Darren Gough named as Yorkshire's director of cricket
Yorkshire agree Lahore Qalandars partnership in bid to 'reduce barriers to entry'
A Yorkshire club statement added that “all the individuals offering support are not applicants for any of the permanent coaching vacancies currently being recruited”. The application deadline for the head coach role has now closed with the club set to review applications in the coming days.Yorkshire appointed Gough last month, filling the role vacated by Martyn Moxon, one of 16 members of the back-room staff axed following the allegations of institutional racism made against the club by Azeem Rafiq. Gough’s initial appointment is set to run to the end of the 2022 season, overseeing strategy, planning, recruitment and development.It is Harmison’s first foray into coaching with a county side since he retired as a player in 2013, having managed Ashington football club and worked in the media, including on BT Sport’s Ashes coverage and with Gough on talkSPORT radio. He spent a brief stint on loan at Yorkshire from Durham during his playing days.Ryan Sidebottom has experience as a bowling coach•PA Images via Getty ImagesSidebottom ended his playing career at Yorkshire, where he won three County Championship titles. He retired in 2017 and spent a year as a bowling coach with Surrey.Boon was part of Duncan Fletcher’s staff when England won the 2005 Ashes and also coached Leicestershire before becoming an an ECB cricket liaison officer and match referee.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says it is a "nightmare" preparing to face a Pep Guardiola team ahead of their crunch clash with Manchester City.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Real Madrid face Man City in UCL
Ancelotti heaps praise on Guardiola
Calls him a "nightmare" to face
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
Ahead of Madrid's trip to City for the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie, manager Ancelotti has called Guardiola the best coach in the business and that his innovations have contributed so much to football.
Advertisement
Getty Images Sport
WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID
He told reporters: "What I can say is that I think he [Guardiola] is a coach who has contributed a lot to football: possession, attacking play, pressing, and coming out from behind. He is an innovator in football and I have a lot of respect for him. He is one of the best, if not the best. Every time we face each other, it is a nightmare to prepare the matches, because he always has ideas that make you think."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
This is a heavyweight clash between, arguably, two of the game's greatest managers and the two most recent Champions League winners. Madrid will be favourites to progress due to City's troubles this season but Ancelotti will be wary of what Guardiola could pull out of the hat for this one.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFP
WHAT NEXT?
City host Madrid on Tuesday in the first play-off tie, before travelling to Spain for the return game the following Wednesday.
Arne Slot has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will not feature in Liverpool's Carabao Cup showdown with Tottenham on Thursday night.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Alexander-Arnold got injured vs BournemouthMedical scans showed the muscle strain is not seriousHowever, Tottenham clash comes too soon for the defenderFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Alexander-Arnold sustained a thigh injury during Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, with young right-back Conor Bradley replacing him in the 70th minute. However, initial medical tests ruled out any serious damage, per , and Liverpool remain hopeful that he will not face a long spell on the sidelines.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT ARNE SLOT SAID
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s League Cup semi-final second-leg clash with Tottenham, which will see Liverpool try to overturn a 1-0 aggregate deficit, Slot confirmed Alexander-Arnold's absence, but left the door open for him to return for an FA Cup fourth round tie against Plymouth this weekend.
"He is going to miss tomorrow and we have to see if he can play Sunday but he is not available tomorrow," Slot told reporters.
"I think you saw he left the pitch with a bit of a pain in his leg, so that is why he misses tomorrow. He is already on the pitch with the rehab coach, let's see how long it takes."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
With Alexander-Arnold sidelined, Bradley will continue to deputise for him in Liverpool’s starting XI. The 21-year-old has already stepped up in high-profile matches, having featured in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven and the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham. Slot now has backed him to handle the challenge again against Spurs, but has also outlined areas he can improve.
"He [Bradley] played against Spurs [in the first leg] back then too. Every game and session there is something to learn and if not, it wasn't a good session from me," Slot said.
"I think we played PSV a good game with the team who hardly ever played and we did concede three goals. It's something on the feedback we gave. He wasn't involved in every goal but he was in one [of them] in my opinion. He wasn't aggressive enough which led to the third goal."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
Liverpool will need a strong performance against Tottenham at Anfield to overturn the first-leg result and advance to the League Cup final. After Sunday's FA Cup clash with Plymouth, the Reds will start preparing for a Premier League derby encounter against Everton on February 12 as the fixture list continues to pile up.
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s attacking linchpin, having risen from the lower levels of Hale End to establish himself as one of football’s biggest talents.
Mikel Arteta deserves so much praise for resurrecting the Emirates Stadium and putting Arsenal back in contention for the biggest prizes in the game, though you can’t help but feel that had Saka not emerged, things wouldn’t have fallen into place just so.
Hailed as “one of the best players in the Premier League” by Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney, the England star has already scored a goal and posted four assists from as many matches in the Premier League this season as the Gunners aim to topple Manchester City on the throne.
Saka, aged 23, is one of the finest players to emerge from Arsenal’s academy, but he’s not the only one to make his mark under Arteta’s wing.
Premier League
174
48
39
Europa League
25
5
9
FA Cup
11
1
1
Champions League
10
4
4
Carabao Cup
9
1
2
Community Shield
2
0
2
Indeed, there was a fellow north Londoner who, not too long ago, carried the same prodigious potential as his friend, but Emile Smith Rowe no longer plays for Arsenal and dreams of becoming a superstar under Arteta’s guidance have faded away.
What was once said about Emile Smith Rowe
Smith Rowe, 24, made his senior debut for Arsenal at home in the Europa League against Vorskla Poltava in September 2018, scarcely one month into his 18th year. Incidentally, Saka also made his debut against the Ukrainian side, though his debut arrived two months later in the away fixture of the group phase.
kalvin-phillips-emile-smith-rowe-west-ham-opinion
A versatile, creative and cultured attacking midfielder, Smith Rowe has featured across a range of roles but is at his multi-talented best when deployed as a roaming number ten.
Blessed with crisp technical qualities and sharp intelligence, the Englishman was regarded as a playmaker who could have bloomed into the focal creative role in north London, even being praised by pundit Jamie Carragher in the past as the “best player in the league running with the ball at his feet”.
Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe.
Arsenal’s resurgence of the past several years was swept forward by a tide of improvements. The transfer strategy was streamlined and the Spanish manager’s tactics dovetailed into the overarching vision. Now, Arsenal have finished second across the past two Premier League campaigns and pushed Pep Guardiola’s City to the brink on both occasions.
Smith Rowe, sadly, played nothing more than a bit-part role, with his glittering beginnings dulled by injuries and Arteta’s stylistic preferences, this latter issue had arisen from his fitness struggles, in fairness, precluding him from building the form and fluency to play a starring part.
23/24
13 (3)
0
2
22/23
12 (0)
0
2
21/22
33 (21)
10
2
20/21
20 (18)
2
4
19/20*
2 (1)
0
0
18/19*
0 (0)
0
0
The 2021/22 campaign was a year of significant strides for Arsenal. It ended in misery as a late-season slump pulled the club away from a top-four finish and handed Champions League football to arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, but it was clear that something was being built.
Smith Rowe was instrumental, scoring ten top-flight goals and leading Danny Cowley, who coached him while on loan at Huddersfield Town, to remark that he “has potential to be world-class” and is “like Dennis Bergkamp but with pace”.
Having earned the nickname ‘the Croydon [Kevin] De Bruyne’ in his home borough, you’d have a decent understanding of the player’s quality without actually watching him play. But you must. It’s an artistic pleasure.
He plays with a sort of footballing poetic license, not stuck in one role but performing with unfettered freedom, gliding past defenders and wreaking chaos with sharp shooting and silky passing.
He carried the No. 10 embossed on the back of his shirt, like Bergkamp, one of his heroes. The retired Dutch maestro is one of the Premier League’s finest-ever forwards. A dignified and elegant player, Bergkamp’s close control and dribbling were truly first-class, capable of conjuring magical things at Highbury.
Smith Rowe will probably watch back at these past two years ruefully. He’s an immense talent and beloved by the Arsenal faithful, but he’s gained little from staying on the periphery of Arteta’s high-flying squad.
As hard as it was, selling him this summer was probably the right decision.
Smith Rowe is reborn at Fulham
The best things in life are the most difficult to let go. But Fulham paid Arsenal an initial fee of £27m, rising to £34m with add-ons, for the one-cap England international. The Gunners’ club-record sale – ever – is the £35m transfer of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in 2017.
And now he’s flying. Smith Rowe has only played five matches for the Cottagers in the Premier League so far but he’s scored twice and assisted another.
As per Sofascore, he’s completed 91% of his passes in the Premier League this term, also averaging 0.8 interceptions and 1.8 tackles per game, emphasising that technical skill and tenacity.
Will Arsenal ever see their former prospect playing at the Emirates in red once again? Who knows, but he has been promising throughout the opening weeks of the 2024/25 campaign and will only improve as the matches go by, building form and fluidness under Marco Silva.
Given that the club recouped some £27m for his sale despite having scarcely enjoyed his ability over the past few years, it can only be regarded as a successful move.
But Bergkamp 2.0 once promised so much, looked to be the future superstar at the nucleus of Arteta’s project. Given the regard Arsenal fans hold him in, there will be plenty of hope from north London that he reaches that lofty level, even if it’s not on the grass that the outfit had hoped for.
Arteta must axe 4/10 Arsenal ace earning as much as Raya & Gabriel combined
A “game-changer” of a project involving Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Wrexham, which provides a route into Europe, appears to be back on.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Welsh League Cup revamp being discussedFAW eager for proposals to be pushed throughOnly waiting on confirmation from English FAFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Plans regarding the reintroduction of Wrexham, Cardiff, Swansea and Newport into the Welsh League Cup have been met with opposition by some. With approval needed from UEFA, the FA, English Football League and the Football Association of Wales, a spanner was expected to be thrown into the works somewhere.
AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Doubts have been cast over whether the likes of Wrexham will ever get the chance to compete for Europa Conference League qualification through a tournament hosted by the country in which they reside. Proposals entitled 'Prosiect Cymru' (Project Wales) have, however, been put to the relevant authorities, with the scheme's vision being mapped out.
DID YOU KNOW?
It is claimed that the new Welsh League Cup format would generate at least £3m each season to be invested in "grassroots infrastructure projects, women's football, Cymru Premier clubs and FAW Tier Two clubs". The EFL clubs involved are "totally committed to playing in the English system" and would not jeopardise their status in the English league pyramid, with a League Cup review set to be held after four years.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
GettyWHAT FAW CHIEF SAID
FAW chief executive Noel Mooney hopes common sense will prevail, telling as a green light from the English FA is waited on: "It's a game-changer for Welsh football. This really does change the revenues of Welsh football. This is about improving Wales and improving Welsh football. I have to thank the four top-ranked clubs in the English system for understanding that we need resources. We need better grassroots facilities, investments into the women's game.
"If people object to this idea, I really think they're holding back Wales. And why would you want to hold back Wales? What would be someone's motivation to hold back Wales as a country trying to stand on its own two feet as a football nation?"
West Bromwich Albion are still unbeaten in the Championship during the early stages of the season, with three wins and one draw picked up from their opening four second-tier clashes.
Convincingly putting Queens Park Rangers to the sword on the opening day 3-1, the style of win that got Carlos Corberan's men over the line versus Swansea City last time out was a little more defensive in approach however, as a Jayson Molumby strike in first-half stoppage time secured a 1-0 victory.
Only shippingtwo goals across this unbeaten patch of fixtures, it's clear to see that Corberan's men excel when games turn into a backs-against-the-wall type of affair, with the Baggies only boosted at the back further by the surprise deadline day addition of Mason Holgate.
Holgate's transfer to West Brom
This will actually be Holgate's second time pulling on a West Brom strip, having starred at the Hawthorns on loan during the 2018/19 season in the Championship, which ended in the West Midlands side missing out on promotion via the play-offs.
Corberan and Co will hope the 6-foot defender coming back for another spell can see promotion happen this time around after finding his minutes had significantly dried up at Goodison Park under Sean Dyche of late, with only 16 minutes gifted to him for the Toffees this campaign during the disastrous opener versus Brighton and Hove Albion.
The 27-year-old is fondly remembered for playing his part in West Brom sealing a play-off spot, with a mightily impressive total of 7.6 duels won per match during that very season, as the former Baggies number 68 put his neck on the line time after time for his loan side.
With Cedric Kipre no longer at Corberan's disposal, Holgate will be able to offer the Championship promotion candidates another body unafraid to roll his sleeves up for the cause at the back, alongside the already imperious set of defenders at the Hawthorns in Kyle Bartley, Semi Ajayi and more.
Still, although he has 137 Premier League appearances under his belt, Holgate's transfer value – as per Football Transfers – has taken a gigantic hit owing to his lesser ranking now in the Toffees pecking order, with the former England U21 international once worth a staggering £19m back in October of 2022.
Now, he's worth just £1.5m, as he aims to get back to his previous best moving down a division, next to established West Brom first-team face Darnell Furlong, who is actually worth more than the once exciting Toffees youngster.
Furlong's transfer value in 2024
The former Queens Park Rangers ace showed how pivotal he is to Corberan's men versus Luke Williams' Swans, with this last-ditch tackle denying what could have been a game-changing goal in favour of the Welsh visitors.
Market Movers
Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?
The 28-year-old right-back's value stands at a hefty £2.3m as a result of his concrete spot in the West Brom first-team, with Furlong ever-present in his side's last 52 second-tier games on the trot.
Minutes played
90
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
62
Accurate passes
31/34 (91%)
Key passes
2
Clearances
2
Interceptions
2
Tackles
1
Duels won
7/10
It's clear from his top-drawer display against Swansea why Corberan continues to pick Furlong week in week out, with a 91% pass accuracy managed and two key passes tallied up as a bright presence going forward, as much as he can also be dogged defensively.
Holgate can operate in a similar fashion too, with the reserve Everton figure capable of slotting in at full-back if needed, which could prove to be useful to the Baggies as the season progresses.
Darnell Furlong
Still, Furlong continues to prove his worth away from any new recruits joining, more than justifying the £1.5m spent on his services back in 2019, by now being worth nearly £1m more.
West Brom hit gold on Hawthorns ace who's now worth more than Thomas-Asante
West Bromwich Albion fans will hope this star can deliver week in week out this season.
Over the past few seasons, Wolverhampton Wanderers have sold some crucial players for big fees. The Old Gold have had some big-name stars since their promotion ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, although many of those have left for pastures anew, with the Midlands side cashing in on a healthy amount of profit.
Three of these major sales for the Molineux club were players who all hail from the same nation, Portugal. The first of that trio to depart was club captain Ruben Neves. He left the club last summer for what was a club record sale of £47m, joining Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal.
Former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves.
The record sale for the Old Gold was smashed just weeks later, following the departure of another midfielder. Manchester City signed the six-foot-tall Portugal international Matheus Nunes. He made the move from the Midlands to Manchester for a fee in the region of £53m, a last-gasp deal on deadline day.
Just over a year later, another key player departed in the 2024 window. Chelsea signed Pero Neto in a deal worth an initial £51.4m, with a further £2.6m in add-ons taking a potential deal up to £54m.
However, these three players are not the only Portugal internationals to depart Molineux in the past few seasons. The club also sold another prominent star a few seasons prior.
Diogo Jota’s record for Liverpool
The player in question here is Liverpool forward Diogo Jota. The 27-year-old made the move to Merseyside from Molineux in September 2021, for a fee of £41m up front, which had the chance to rise to £45m with potential add-ons.
Diogo Jota warming up for Liverpool
It was certainly a big sale for the Old Gold. They originally signed Jota on loan from Atletico Madrid, when they were in the Championship. He was a crucial part of their promotion charge in 2018 and took to the Premier League like a duck to water, where his performances earned him a big move to the English giants.
During his time in the Midlands, the Portugal star played 131 times, scoring an impressive 44 goals and registering 19 assists. That included a stellar Championship campaign in 2017/18, where he scored 17 goals and registered six assists in 44 appearances.
It is fair to say that the Liverpool number 20 has thrived at Anfield since making the move. He is two appearances shy of 150 and could reach such a milestone in their Champions League clash against AC Milan at the San Siro.
In his 148 appearances wearing that famous red shirt, the 27-year-old has scored 57 times and grabbed 20 assists. He has shown brilliant versatility and adaptability, playing right across the front line, on either wing and at centre-forward.
Liverpool star Diogo Jota.
The Portugal international, who has 44 caps and 14 goals for his country so far, has played a part in winning two Carabao Cups and an FA Cup for the Reds. Sadly, he missed the 2023/24 Carabao Cup final due to injury.
Last season in the Premier League, the versatile attacker played 21 times, scoring ten goals and registering three assists. He missed 21 games in total last term, due to two separate injuries including a ligament tear in his knee.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota
Despite the quality he has shown for both Wolves and more recently Liverpool, the 27-year-old was outscored by one star at Molineux last campaign, who could end up following in Jota's footsteps. That player is Matheus Cunha.
Matheus Cunha’s value in 2024
The Brazil international has been a crucial player for the Old Gold since he signed for the club for a fee of £43m in 2023. Like Jota, he made the move from Spanish giants Atleti on a loan deal initially, before his move turned permanent the following summer.
Matheus Cunha
The 25-year-old attacker has been a crucial player for Gary O’Neil’s side over the past 12 months in particular. In 59 games for the Midlands outfit so far, the attacker has 17 goals and nine assists.
Last term, he was superb, and comfortably outscored Wolves’ former attacker Jota in the top-flight. Cunha, who won an Olympic Gold medal at Tokyo 2020, played 32 top-flight games last term, scoring 12 times and registering an impressive seven assists.
Cunha
One of the biggest strengths of Cunha is the fact he fits O’Neil’s system down to a tee. The English manager sets his side up in a transitional style, looking to play vertical football and get forward as quickly as possible after soaking up pressure.
The Brazilian international is a wonderful ball carrier, perfect for the system O’Neil deploys at Molineux. He was even described as “Henry-esque” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig. Indeed, his ball-carrying numbers are amongst some of the very best in Europe, according to FBref.
The 27-year-old attacker averages 4.12 progressive carries and 2.24 successful take-ons per 90 minutes. Compared to the rest of the attackers in Europe’s big five leagues, that ranks the Brazilian in the top 4% and top 2% respectively.
Cunha dribbling stats over last 365 days
Stat (per 90)
Number
Percentile among big 5 European Leagues
Progressive carries
4.12
96th
Carries into final third
2.91
98th
Carries into penalty box
1.57
93rd
Take-ons attempted
5.19
98th
Take-ons completed
2.24
98th
Stats from FBref
It seems fair to say that the attacker is Wolves' most important player. Not only is he so good on the ball, but he is mightily effective in front of goal. His 19 combined goals and assists were more than any other Wolves player in the Premier League last term, as per Sofascore. The next-highest player was Hwang Hee-chan, with 15 goal involvements.
With all that in mind, it is perhaps unsurprising that Cunha’s value has spiked since making the move to Molineux. The 27-year-old is now worth a whooping £63.3m, according to a summer report from CaughtOffisde, with that value the price tag Wolves slapped on him if he was to leave Molineux – representing a £20m increase from his initial £43m transfer fee.
Wolves forward Matheus Cunha.
It certainly represents a great piece of business from the Old Gold. Not only do they have a superb player on their hands, but would be in for more great profit if they sold him on at some point in the near future – much like in the case of Jota.
For now, though, O’Neil and Wolves will no doubt be desperate for Cunha to maintain the sparkling form he has shown over the past 18 months.
Wolves flop who left in 2021 is now worth £76m & better than Neves
Wolves missing midfield spark which ex star could have provided
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has aimed at savage dig at Jose Mourinho after being compared to the Portuguese tactician for his latest gesture.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Guardiola gestured at Liverpool fans at AnfieldEarned comparisons with MourinhoCity boss hits back with savage digFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Guardiola was spotted raising six fingers at Liverpool fans after being mocked by supporters during Manchester City's 2-0 defeat to the Reds at Anfield. The gesture was in reference to City's six Premier League titles won under Guardiola after the City boss had been told he was "getting sacked in the morning". The defeat ensured City's dismal run of form continued, with Guardiola's men winless in their last seven games across all competitions.
AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The 53-year-old's antics have drawn comparisons with Mourinho, who has made a habit of using gestures throughout his managerial career. Mourinho famously held up three fingers towards the end of his stint at Manchester United, and it has been put to Guardiola that his recent actions, coupled with the team's poor form, could be compared to the Portuguese's situation at Old Trafford.
WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID
He told reporters: "I hope not in my case… He won three, I won six.. but we are the same like that. We are together in the those situations. To make our fans know that we are much, much better than the people that sing that [Liverpool fans singing sacked in the morning]. It [the gesture] was just to make our fans feel that what we have done is extraordinary. I want to prove that we are an incredible football club. Sooner or later it’s going to be the end but I will try to extend as much as possible for the best of my club.”
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR GUARDIOLA
Guardiola's chances of adding another Premier League title to his collection at City this season now look slim, with his team 11 points behind leaders Liverpool. The Cityzens return to action on Wednesday against Nottingham Forest.