The 25-year-old has now turned out on 22 occasions for Newcastle United but is still waiting to find the back of the net, or register an assist for that matter.
Almiron showed at his previous club that he knew how to score – netting 22 times in 70 outings for Atlanta United before moving to the Premier League.
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The Paraguay international fired another blank against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, but Newcastle still managed to collect all three points courtesy of goals from DeAndre Yedlin and Ciaran Clark.
And many of the club’s supporters have taken to social media to lavish praise on the 5 ft 9 attacker for his performance, even if it did not bring a goal.
According to WhoScored, Almiron had two shots, completed one dribble and boasted a pass success rate of 84% during an energetic display.
And the Newcastle fans have taken to social media to praise the January arrival, as shown by the tweets below:
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
As quoted by the club’s official website, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hailed Marcos Rojo after his impressive display against Partizan Belgrade.
What did he say?
The Argentina international was poised to leave Old Trafford in the summer, with fellow Premier League side Everton said to be in talks over a possible move. However, a deal for the defender failed to materialise by the end of the deadline, and Rojo was forced to remain put.
Now, the 29-year-old has seemingly forced his way into Solskjaer’s first-team plans, already making eight appearances across all competitions this season. And, after a display in which he made two interceptions, two clearances and one blocked shot in the Europa League on Thursday night, the Red Devils boss paid a glowing tribute to the forming Sporting CP man.
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He said: “I thought he was excellent tonight. He’s been excellent since he started in pre-season. He’s played more than he, maybe, expected. That’s why he’s still here and he’s a top-quality footballer.
“He’s a winner, with a good mentality, he can pass and he can defend. It’s now about keeping him fit and he’s been fit for a long time. You can see his qualities. He’s got such a big heart and such a passion for football. He’s a winner. To have him around when he’s fit and in a good mood, it’s been great for us. The boys love him and he sometimes spreads fear in training because he tackles properly. He’s one of the ones who really cares about the game.”
Renaissance
For a man who was rumoured to be heading for the exit for two summers in a row, it is quite remarkable how Rojo appears to have turned things around. The Argentine now appears to be battling Victor Lindelof for the chance to partner Harry Maguire in central defence for United, although playing in a back-three, Solskjaer could accommodate all three too.
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His robust approach to defending – he has a career average of 1.9 tackles per game – can give United a bit of ruggedness at the back to compliment the likes of Lindelof and Maguire. Reports in recent weeks have even suggested that Solskjaer has been left so impressed with what he has seen so far, that he will block a potential exit for Rojo in January. And after the 6 foot 2 man’s performance against Partizan in particular, it is easy to see why.
Over the last couple of seasons, Everton have had a real issue with finding the back of the net, with the club producing some measly figures in front of goal.
During the 2023/24 campaign, Sean Dyche’s side only managed 40 Premier League goals over the course of the 38 games – averaging just 1.05 per game – with only bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United scoring fewer.
However, their poor run has continued into the new season, scoring just two goals in the opening three matches – falling to a defeat on every occasion despite leading 2-0 with just three minutes plus stoppage time remaining against Bournemouth last weekend.
The Toffees have attempted to end their poor run with the signing of striker Armando Broja, with the hope that the Albanian can score some crucial goals and help Dyche’s side improve their woeful start to the 2024/25 season.
However, despite the lack of form in the attacking third, one player did enjoy a solid campaign last time around, with his goals helping the club climb clear of any relegation battle.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s stats in 2023/24
After numerous years of injury issues, striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin managed to have a great run in the first-team for Everton – providing that focal point for Dyche’s side.
The 27-year-old made 32 appearances over the course of the league season, scoring seven goals – finishing as the club’s joint-top scorer alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure.
He popped up with some vital strikes, including the second goal over local rivals Liverpool, securing a rare Merseyside derby victory for the Toffees.
His subsequent form saw him linked with the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle United during the transfer window, but Calvert-Lewin stayed put at Goodison with his input in the final third potentially crucial to Dyche’s side this season.
However, the club may have made an error in allowing one player to leave, with the former Toffee starring away from the club over the last 12 months.
The one talent that Everton sold too soon
Given the recent financial issues off the field on Merseyside, Everton have had to offload players to try and raise funds to avoid a PSR breach.
Everton striker Ellis Simms.
However, they were hit with a combined eight points deducted last season, with their attempts at selling players unsuccessful in raising the funds needed.
The club sold Ellis Simms to Coventry City for £8m – a deal which at the time seemed like a good one given the fact he’d only made 12 first-team appearances for the Toffees.
Games played
46
Goals scored
13
Assists
1
Shots taken
84
Aerials won
51
Pass accuracy
67%
Touches in opposition box
149
However, over 12 months on, the 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength under Mark Robins, registering 13 league goals last season – nearly double the tally produced by Calvert-Lewin during the same campaign.
In total, the promising marksman has scored 20 times in just 58 games for his current side in all competitions, while Everton's current number nine has netted just nine goals since the start of 2023/24.
His subsequent transfer value has also increased, with Simms now valued at £8.8m as per Football Transfers, further showcasing the mistake the club made in offloading the talent.
With the club’s current poor form in front of goal, many would’ve wished that they had kept hold of the clinical ace.
With Simms being only 23, he still has huge potential to improve further, potentially becoming a quality Premier League striker in the years ahead – but unfortunately for Dyche’s side, it’s a case of what could have been with the Englishman.
Everton rejected chance to sign phenom for just £5m, now he's worth £215m
One of Leeds United’s summer signings has already caused a dispute in the football club, according to a recent report.
The Whites were a busy side during the summer, as they made several changes in personnel to put together a squad that is capable of returning to the Premier League. As things stand, the additions have made a good impact, as they are unbeaten in their first four Championship games.
Player sold by Leeds for £8m struggling at new club, hooked in 2-1 defeat
One former Leeds player is already under fire at his new club.
Leeds added eight players to their squad over the course of the summer transfer window, with players like Joe Rodon, Jayden Bogle, and Manor Solomon all arriving. As well as the incomings, the Yorkshire side also shipped out 19 players, some of whom included big-name departures.
Joe Rodon
Tottenham
Largie Ramazani
UD Almeria
Jayden Bogle
Sheff Utd
Ao Tanaka
F. Düsseldorf
Isaac Schmidt
FC St. Gallen
Alex Cairns
Salford City
Manor Solomon (Loan)
Tottenham
Joe Rothwell (Loan)
Bournemouth
But while the window is now closed in England, it was reported on Monday that the Whites have agreed an early post-window transfer, one in which they will see them sign Leonard Ngenge on a pre-contract agreement. The defender is 16 years old and has already been spending time at Leeds’ training ground, as he’s been on trial recently.
Ngenge is said to have caught the eye while on trial, and Leeds have decided to offer him a contract, but he can’t join the club until he turns 18, due to FIFA rules. Once he turns 18, the defender will join Leeds’ youth team, and he will hope he can do enough to get a chance in the first team one day.
Leeds’ new signing causes dispute
According to Rheinische Post, related by Sport Witness, Ao Tanaka, who joined Leeds towards the end of the transfer window, was never “the first choice” for the club. The report claims that the Yorkshire hierarchy decided to go for the player after they missed out on other targets, and that hasn’t pleased manager Daniel Farke, with a disagreement emerging between the manager and Leeds' higher ups over the deal.
Tanaka had less than a year left to run on his contract at Fortuna Düsseldorf, and with him refusing to sign a new contract, the German side decided to cash in on him when Leeds came calling, signing a four-year deal.
The 25-year-old joined Fortuna Düsseldorf in July 2022, and during his time with the club, he scored 10 goals and recorded eight assists in 95 appearances. The midfielder, who can operate in a defensive midfield role as well as an attacking one, was a key figure as the German side reached the Bundesliga 2 play-offs last season, but it sounds like he has some work to do to get himself in Farke's good books at Elland Road.
After a long summer of international football, preseason friendlies and non-stop rumours, the transfer window finally comes to a close tomorrow night.
Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed a relatively successful window thus far, with youngsters like Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert giving fans a reason to be hopeful about the future and statement signings like Dominic Solanke giving them a reason to be excited about the here and now.
However, while the North Londoners might have put their feet up at this point in the past, content with the business they'd already completed, reports suggest Daniel Levy and Co could be set to make at least one more surprise signing.
Ange Postecoglou and Daniel Levy.
In fact, the latest star touted for a move to N17 has won comparisons to an incredibly talented but rather disliked player among the Spurs faithful, Gabriel Magalhães.
Tottenham Hotspur transfer news
According to a recent report from transfers expert Ben Jacobs on the Last Word on Spurs Podcast, Tottenham have been interested in Bayer Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah in the past.
jonathan-tah-tottenham-transfer-premier-league
Jacobs explains that the German defender was discussed at the club under former managing director Fabio Paratici and that while nothing has materialised for the player yet this summer, he could still move.
The good news is that the fee required to secure the player's services likely wouldn't be an issue for the North Londoners, as Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg confirmed yesterday that Leverkusen are looking for about €30m, which converts to about £25m.
West Ham target Jonathan Tah
However, according to plenty of reports, the bad news is that German behemoths Bayern Munich are also incredibly keen on the player, meaning it could take a lot of convincing from Ange Postecoglou and Co to get Tah to move to N17 before 11pm tomorrow.
That said, the 28-year-old is an incredibly gifted centre-back who is well worth fighting for, and the fact that he's been compared to Gabriel can only be a good thing, despite how the fans may feel about the Brazilian.
German centre-back Jonathan Tah.
How Tah compares to Gabriel
Okay, so before we get into some of the reasons why Tah would be an excellent signing for Tottenham before the window closes, let's examine this comparison to Gabriel and where it comes from.
Bayer Leverkusen'sJonathanTahin action with Atalanta's Luis Muriel
So, it primarily stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions across Europe's top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one and, in this case, has concluded that the Brazilian is the seventh most similar centre-back to the German.
Now, there are obviously some aesthetic similarities between the pair due to them both being tall defenders known for their ability to bully smaller opponents. But to understand why FBref considers them to be so similar, you have to take a look at the underlying numbers in which they rack closely, such as progressive carries, shots and shots on target, short and medium passing accuracy, shot-creating actions, and aerial duels won, all per 90.
Progressive Carries
0.58
0.38
Shots
0.89
0.92
Shots on Target
0.34
0.30
Short Passing Accuracy
97.0%
95.0%
Medium Passing Accuracy
94.4%
93.0%
Shot-Creating Actions
0.65
0.68
Aerial Duels Won
2.12
2.28
However, while the comparison to a player who made it into the most recent PFA Team of the Season should certainly encourage Spurs that the Leverkusen ace is the right defender to go after, there is another reason he'd be an incredible signing: his experience.
Last season, the 6 foot 5 "battleship", as dubbed by former teammate Christoph Kramer, made 48 appearances for Die Werkself – 45 of which were starts – as they won their first-ever Bundesliga title and the DFB Pokal without losing a single domestic game all year. In fact, the only game they lost last season was the Europa League final.
Moreover, the Hamburg-born veteran has won 29 senior caps for the German national team, so he clearly has the ability and mentality to play at the very highest level, and while there is plenty of competition at centre-back in the Spurs squad, he'd help raise the floor massively.
Therefore, while it might be challenging to pull off so late in the window, Tottenham should act on their longstanding interest in Tah and bring him to North London before the clock strikes 11pm tomorrow.
Spurs target "sensational" £40m ace who'd help Maddison reach another level
The talented midfielder would be an astute signing.
Tottenham Hotspur star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s future is “uncertain” and he could leave this summer, according to journalist Tom Barclay.
Who will leave Tottenham?
The arrival of former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou also marks the dawn of a brand new era at Spurs, and one which could see certain players either resurrect their careers or find themselves surplus-to-requirements.
Hugo Lloris, Ivan Perisic, Davinson Sanchez, Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier and Ben Davies’ futures all hang in the balance, while Spurs could also attempt to sell Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks (The Telegraph).
The latter trio are returning from their various loan spells, alongside club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele, and it will be interesting to see whether they can impress Postecoglou and become successes at Tottenham.
Reports have also suggested in the last few days that Dejan Kulusevski, who remains only on loan at Spurs, is yet to convince Tottenham’s new manager while talks have stalled over a new deal for Eric Dier.
It appears a major overhaul could be on the cards this summer, with the north Londoners targeting major additions like Leicester City star James Maddison, a new goalkeeper and star centre-backs.
Players will need to make way, but perhaps surprisingly, another name who could now depart Spurs is Hojbjerg – despite him being a mainstay for the last two seasons.
Hojbjerg’s future at Spurs is uncertain, according to Barclay of The Sun, who took to Twitter with an update on his situation.
In a piece for The Sun, Barclay puts this down to a Postecoglou stylistic clash, with Hojbjerg more suited to the counter-attacking philosophies of his predecessors Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Conte.
Who is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg?
The 27-year-old has experience both in the top flight and internationally with Denmark, with Spurs pundits like Paul Robinson claiming last October that he was playing his best football for Tottenham.
“I’ve been surprised by how much he has stepped up this year,” said Robinson to Football Insider.
“I thought he was the one who would make way for Yves Bissouma. The club spent a lot of money on Bissouma. I think Hojbjerg recognised that and stepped up.
“He is playing to a level that we have never seen before. He is playing his best football in a Spurs shirt.”
Called “sensational” at times by members of the press, we believe there are other players more deserving of the axe than Hojbjerg, but the question is whether Postecoglou can fit him into his system.
Arsenal are battling Tottenham Hotspur and multiple other clubs in the race for Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson, according to journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.
What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?
With reports indicating that Ben White is poised to switch back to a central role next season, Arsenal have set their sights on bringing in a new right-back, and they have reportedly already made an offer for Galatasaray's Sacha Boey.
The Gunners have tabled a bid worth £12m for Boey after meeting with Galatasaray vice-president Erden Timur in London, however the Turkish side are holding out for £17m, which means the offer may need to be increased.
Another option being considered by Mikel Arteta is Manchester City's Joao Cancelo, who the Spaniard knows well from their time working together at the Etihad Stadium, and a bid of around £35m may be launched in the coming days.
Not only is a move for a new right-back in the offing, the Gunners have also identified Galatsaray centre-back Nelsson as a potential target, with Sports Digitale's Sabuncuohlu taking to Twitter to confirm they are in the race for his signature.
The journalist claims that a whole host of teams are battling it out for the Denmark international, including Arsenal, Tottenham, Sevilla, Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund.
However, the English clubs may hold a major advantage, as the centre-back's "first choice" is a move to the Premier League.
Who is Victor Nelsson?
The Dane does not have any experience in one of Europe's "big five" leagues, having spent the majority of his career in his home country, during spells with FC Nordsjaelland and FC Copenhagen, before moving to Galatasaray.
However, the Hornbaek-born defender has played a vital role for his current club en-route to winning the Turkish Super Lig title, which is now mathematically confirmed, recording 35 appearances in all competitions this season.
It is fair to say the £20k-per-week ace has done enough to impress the Galatasaray hierarchy, with board member Resit Omer Kukner branding him a "Danish lion", while praising him for his "attitude on and off the pitch".
Soccer Football – Europa League – Round of 16 First Leg – FC Barcelona v Galatasaray – Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain – March 10, 2022 Galatasaray’s Victor Nelsson during the match REUTERS/Albert Gea
Football scout Jacek Kulig has also highlighted Nelsson's leadership skills, and claims that he is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, showcasing his versatility.
That said, if White is switching to a central role next season, Arsenal would be better off bringing in a new right-back, and they should instead focus on signing Cancelo, who has proven himself in the Premier League over a number of years.
Everton have been linked to a winger ahead of the summer transfer window, as Sean Dyche looks to make significant improvements in the break.
The Toffees confirmed their stay in the Premier League on the final day, as relief poured from Goodison Park after a challenging season both on and off the pitch.
The club have many things to improve on this summer, however, Dyche could add attacking strength to his inherited squad by signing a player already known on Merseyside.
What’s the latest on Ryan Kent to Everton?
Last week, it was reported that Rangers winger Ryan Kent could be on the move to Everton this summer, as a host of clubs around Europe keep their eyes peeled on the Englishman’s next move.
As reported by Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, Kent is of interest to the Toffees, who alongside Bologna, Fenerbahce and Udinese could battle for the free agent this window.
The Liverpool academy ace spent five years at Ibrox, with his contract expiring this summer and opting against extending his stay.
What could Ryan Kent bring to Everton?
The Oldham-born forward could be a strong option for Dyche in a bid to improve Everton’s goal-scoring form, with the club being the league’s second-lowest scorers this season.
Hailed as “dangerous” by former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, the 26-year-old is an explosive outlet to have on the left flank, as told by his colourful career in Glasgow.
As per Transfermarkt, in a five-year stay the Englishman contributed to 90 goals, scoring 33 himself and assisting 57, showcasing his abilities in the final third whether it be as the finisher or creator.
Operating primarily as a left-forward, the experienced attacker has a playing style bearing many similarities to Dwight McNeil and could challenge or even provide an upgrade for the Blues forward.
While McNeil possesses a dazzling left foot, Kent is a right-footed wide player who enjoys to cut inside, posing a threat on both flanks.
Dwight McNeil
As per FBref, the Rangers ace comes out on top of the Everton man in a range of attributes key to playing as a threatening forward, as highlighted by their statistics over the past year.
Kent averages 2.84 progressive carries per 90, with McNeil recording just shy of the 26-year-old with 2.74 per 90, with results similar in terms of successful take-ons, with the Everton ace coming just behind with 1.95 to the £18k-per-week gem’s 2.13 per 90.
The former Liverpool youngster is a more competent passer of the ball than McNeil, as revealed by Sofascore, with Kent averaging a pass accuracy of 89% this season to the Goodison forward's 76%.
Whether Dyche opts to deploy the winger as competition or as a partner in an attacking reshuffle this summer, it will be interesting to see how the future of the Englishman plays out, with a potential return to Merseyside on the cards.
Newcastle United are interested in a deal to bring Leeds United star Tyler Adams back to the Premier League, according to reports.
Who is Tyler Adams?
Adams is naturally a defensive midfielder who first arrived at Elland Road last summer from RB Leipzig, and during his debut season in the top flight, he made a total of 26 appearances. The Whites talisman was a regular feature up until the point he sustained a hamstring injury which meant he missed the last 12 games of the campaign, therefore not being able to contribute or help Sam Allardyce’s side maintain their league status.
However, regardless of the fact that the 24-year-old has had a lengthy spell on the sidelines, he still established himself as the Yorkshire outfit’s both overall and defensive top-performing player with a WhoScored match rating of 6.73, so this alongside the fact that his club are likely to cash in on some of their prized assets following relegation means he’s been attracting interest from Eddie Howe and owners PIF at St. James’ Park.
Are Newcastle signing Adams?
According to 90min, Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have all identified Adams as a serious “option” for the upcoming transfer window. The Leeds midfielder is also being monitored by clubs in Germany, Italy and Spain, but at this stage, it’s more “likely” that he will remain in England.
The Whites have “accepted” that they are set to lose him, alongside Brenden Aaronson, with the duo both expected to leave in the months ahead.
Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams.
Would Adams be a good signing for Newcastle?
Newcastle will know that Adams being a defensive midfielder means that he’s not a threat going forward having recorded zero goals or assists during his time at Leeds, but having been lauded “top class” in the natural aspect of his game by journalist Josh Bunting, he could be a solid acquisition for PIF.
The World Cup participant, who earns £55k-per-week, ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles having registered 89 last season which was higher than any other member of Allardyce’s squad, as per FBRef, and the 97th percentile for number of blocks, showing how much he gets stuck in and isn’t afraid to put his body on the line.
Finally, Adams, who actually share the same agency as Newcastle assistant Graeme Jones, is a versatile operator having experienced playing in seven various positions over the pitch since the start of his career, including four in the midfield and everywhere across the backline, so he may prove to be the ideal candidate to walk through the doors at St. James' Park.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Joao Cancelo will be allowed to leave this summer and Arsenal have a genuine "interest" in a transfer.
What's the latest on Arsenal and their transfer targets?
While the Gunners ultimately fell short in trying to win the Premier League, they still overachieved by even getting that close to Manchester City.
No doubt, what helped them improve this season was the double transfer swoop for Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko with the duo used to life at the top of the table.
And it seems as though another City player is on Arsenal's radar this summer with Cancelo – who has been on loan at Bayern Munich since January – supposedly on the market.
Indeed, while speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano first said (1:18): "From what I understand, Manchester City are prepared to let Joao Cancelo leave the club this summer. "
Before adding (1:57): “From what I understand, also Arsenal have an interest in Joao Cancelo. He is one of the players they appreciate.
"At the moment it is not the negotiation yet, we have to see how these discussions between Arsenal and Manchester City could be after the Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus.
"So let's see how the relationship between the two clubs will be. But, for sure, Arsenal appreciate Cancelo – he is one of the players they like, this is true."
Who do Arsenal want to sign at right-back?
There may have been an expectation that Caneclo would complete a move to Bayern this summer as they had an option within the loan to make it a permanent transfer at the end of the season for around £61m (€70m).
However, it appears that this won't be happening. Indeed, Romano previously has revealed: "From what I understand the old [Bayern] board had no concrete plans, no concrete talks, to negotiate for Cancelo. So it was a big opportunity for Cancelo to go elsewhere.
And so the £255k-p/w right-back will be heading back to Manchester before a final decision is made on his future.
And with the Gunners seemingly in the market for a new right-back – with Galatasaray's Sacha Boey also linked of late – perhaps they could look to steal yet another City player.
What's more, they'll be back in the Champions League next term and in need of great squad depth. Seeing as Cancelo has 49 appearances in that competition, he could provide the experience and quality required to aid the next step in Mikel Arteta's project.