Moise Kean was stretchered off and taken to hospital after sustaining a head injury during Fiorentina's Serie A clash against Verona.
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Kean suffered a serious head injuryHad to be stretchered off the pitch after he collapsedVerona beat Fiorentina 1-0Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Former Everton and Juventus forward Kean collapsed on the pitch just after the hour mark after sustaining a head injury following a collision with Pawel Dawidowicz and Diego Coppola. The player was initially allowed to return to the pitch after suffering the knock but he soon fell on the ground near the centre circle and was then stretchered off the pitch with a neck brace.
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The visuals from the pitch were scary as players from both teams rushed towards the player after the incident. The club's medical staff quickly attended the Fiorentina star before he was taken off the ground on a stretcher. Fiorentina have since confirmed Kean has been taken to hospital.
FIORENTINA ISSUE STATEMENT
A club statement read: "ACF Fiorentina announces that the footballer Moise Kean, during the match against Verona, suffered a head trauma. The footballer is in hospital for tests.
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WHAT FIORENTINA SAID
Manager Raffaele Palladino also spoke of his concern for his player: "I was very worried on the touchline and hope it is nothing serious. Health is the most important thing."
The “wonderful” Omar Marmoush has reportedly made it his “dream” to seal a move to Liverpool, following a stunning start to the season in Germany.
Liverpool transfer news
Transfer rumours regarding the Reds are coming thick and fast currently, with exciting young Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado the latest to be linked with a move to Anfield. It has been claimed that Liverpool scouts think the 21-year-old could be perfect for Arne Slot’s controlled style of play, bringing poise and technical quality in the middle of the park, completing 91.2% of his passes in La Liga this season.
Another player who the Reds have reportedly scouted is Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, who has been one of the Premier League’s standout attacking players in 2024/25 so far. The Cameroon international could be considered an ideal long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, as doubts persist over the Egyptian King’s future.
The lack of a new midfield signing irritated some Liverpool fans during the summer transfer window, and while a move for Martin Zubimendi may now be out of the question, Real Madrid ace Aurelien Tchouameni is a rumoured target for the Merseysiders.
"Wonderful" player dreams of Liverpool move
According to a new update from Bild [via Sport Witness], Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Omar Marmoush has made it his “dream” to join Liverpool and eventually replace Salah.
The report claims that “things look different” regarding the 25-year-old’s current suitors, with the Reds seen as “above all” in pole position in the race to acquire his signature. Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are all thought to be eyeing him up.
With every report that emerges regarding Marmoush, the more it looks as though the Egyptian is a primary transfer target for Liverpool moving forward. The Frankfurt star is enjoying an incredible start to the season, registering a remarkable 16 goal contributions (10 goals and six assists) in just nine Bundesliga appearances, outlining his relentless end product.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Schubert has said of him: “I think that what Omar Marmoush has done in the German League since last season deserves greater praise and attention. Marmoush confirms day after day that he is a distinguished talent and a wonderful player. There is no doubt that his move to one of the big clubs in Europe is very close.”
The future of Salah is such a major talking point at the moment, but even if the 32-year-old ends up signing a new deal at Liverpool, long-term planning is essential, in terms of ensuring the Reds have the perfect successor lined up.
Hopefully, the Anfield legend extends his stay and remains at his highest level for several more years, but he will need to be managed more carefully and a player of Marmoush’s ilk could be perfect to gradually usurp him as time passes.
Fabrizio Romano: £36m Liverpool star on the brink of signing new contract
Fabrizio Romano has dropped a big update from Anfield this week.
ByHenry Jackson Nov 4, 2024
If his form this season is anything to go by, Liverpool would be signing a future superstar who delivers goals and assists consistently, with his peak years still ahead of him.
He is the favourite to join Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje in the Test squad to face India in December
Firdose Moonda29-Nov-2021Duanne Olivier has made himself available for an international comeback but is not allowing himself to think too far ahead. Olivier, who returned to South African cricket following the end of the Kolpak system earlier this year, is the leading wicket-taker in the domestic first-class competition and has had contact from the national selectors but wants to focus on the Lions, who are the top of the points table.”I am open to everything but I am trying to think of the present and not the future at the moment. Victor Mpitsang (convener of selectors) phoned me and asked me if I was open to playing for South Africa again and I said of course I am. It’s up to the selectors if they want to include me,” Olivier told ESPNcricinfo.Olivier’s eight wickets in their match against the Knights included his second five-for of the season and second in successive matches as he bowled the Lions to a big win after a brave declaration. After knocking the Knights out for 124, the Lions declared on 193 for 3, 69 runs ahead and then dismissed the Knights for 103, leaving themselves a small target of 35 to win. “There was loads of rain around in this match and we thought it was going to be quite difficult to get a result. We made a risky declaration and luckily it paid off,” Olivier said.The Lions, led by Olivier, are the only team to have dismissed all their opposition twice so far, taking 80 wickets from four matches. Although he credited the whole attack for their efforts, he also indicated his time in the county circuit had made him a more skilful seamer. Specifically, Olivier has adjusted his length in order to challenge batters more. “I am bowling a bit fuller here in South Africa, which is something I worked on in the UK. At the Wanderers, you can easily bowl a touch shorter, that normal South African length but that may not be that effective and I really believe you should make the new ball count,” he said. “It’s a bit of a risk and reward playoff. If you bowl a bit fuller you might get hit for a few boundaries but you’re testing the batter’s technique. You’re not just allowing him to leave and get himself in.”Olivier has also had the opportunity to perfect the fuller length on his new home ground, the Wanderers, where, if all goes well, India will play the first of their three Tests from mid-December. With Lungi Ngidi severely lacking match practice after missing the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka for personal reasons, not playing during the T20 World Cup and contracting Covid-19 ahead of the matches against the Netherlands, Olivier is the favourite to join Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje in the Test squad.But at the moment, he is not setting his sights that far. “For now, I am enjoying being back, enjoying the warmer weather and playing cricket in South Africa again. The quality and standard of the cricket has been very good and it’s nice to be back.” In other resultsThe Warriors beat Western Province inside two days to remain in second place on the points table and leave the Cape Town based side winless after four matches. Matthew Breetzke scored a century and Rudi Second 76 as Warriors totalled 366. Then, they bowled Western Province out for 79 to force the follow-on and bowled them out again for 173. Left-arm spinner Tsepo Ndwandwa finished with 5 for 46.
With the third day lost to rain in Potchefstroom, the Dolphins and North West played out a draw. Honours were shared between several players. Marques Ackerman scored 123 and Delano Potgieter took 5 for 85 in the first innings, which the Dolphins declared closed on 400 for 9. In response, North West had a second-wicket stand of 169 with Lesego Senokwane scoring 91 and Shaylen Pillay an unbeaten 156. They were 313 for 2 when no further play was possible. The big runs allowed North West to sneak above Western Province on the table, with a 0.78 point advantage.
An exciting clash between Boland and the Titans was also curtailed early, with no play on the fourth day. The Titans were well placed after captain Neil Brand’s 111 helped them to 308 in their first innings and he was unbeaten on 32 as they reached 96 for 3 in their second. That gave them a 170-run lead after they bowled Boland out for 234 with Isma-eel Gafieldien top-scoring with 97. Simon Harmer and Ayabulela Gqamane claimed three wickets each. The match also marked a return for allrounder Chris Morris to the domestic set up. He played his first red-ball match for the Titans since October 2019, scored 36 in the first innings and bowled 17 overs with a return of 0 for 40.
Wasim Jaffer drew close to registering a second first-class triple ton as he batted through the entire second day to make 285 at stumps
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Mar-2018 Scorecard Wasim Jaffer opens his bat face to play square on the off side•PTI Wasim Jaffer took centre stage again in Nagpur. The 40-year old made a mammoth 285 off 425 balls as Vidarbha continued dominating the Rest of India bowling attack. If the Karun Nair-led side thought they’d had it tough on the first day, when they picked up only two wickets, the 90 overs of play on Thursday were even more unforgiving. They could dismiss only one batsman, Ganesh Satish, after he had eased to a 12th first-class century. Medium-pacer Siddharth Kaul eventually dismissed him for 120 to break a monstrous 289-run partnership for the third wicket. Satish and Jaffer had ticked along at 3.2 runs an over, scoring 47 boundaries between them. With Jaffer still at the crease, chasing a triple-hundred, the count is likely to rise for Vidarbha.There was a decided increase in pace from Jaffer, who began the day on 113. The veteran extended his 53rd first-class ton in rapid fashion as he tackled Rest of India’s three spinners – R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav and Shahbaz Nadeem – with considerable ease, and was hardly bothered by the seamers. Satish, who had offered chances yesterday and was even caught off a no-ball, was more watchful, with a strike rate that hovered just above 40 for most the innings in contrast to Jaffer’s 67.Ashwin, who replaced the injured Ravindra Jadeja in the team, was true to his recent theme of not being predictable when he switched to legspin in the lead-up to the lunch interval. It proved to be just as ineffective as the offbreaks, however, on a flat Nagpur pitch with a bit of sheen that has offered nothing to the bowlers over two days. As many as 122 overs were bowled by spinners, but none of them came close to applying sustained pressure on Vidarbha.With the match appearing like it will go into the fifth day, and a first-innings lead enough to snap up the trophy, Vidarbha look set to pile on some more runs to bat ROI out of the game.
Barbados suffered a collapse that restricted them to 232 for 9, which Windward Islands chased down with three balls to spare
ESPNcricinfo staff25-Feb-2018Roland Cato’s fifty helped Windward Islands chase down 233 to defeat Barbados by thee wickets to clinch the Super50 Cup title.Cato came in at 72 for 3 and had a stand of 80 with Kavem Hodge (39) to set up a chase that would require a few contributions from the lower order. In the end, Kyle Mayers (32) and Alick Athanaze (23*) hit run-a-ball knocks to help them chase the target down in the last over. Dominic Drakes was Barbados’ most successful bowler, taking 3 for 38 in his ten overs.Earlier, Barbados had suffered a collapse, falling from 187 for 4 to 195 for 8. Jonathan Carter (80) put on 69 for the second wicket with captain Kraigg Brathwaite (30) and 68 for the third with Roston Chase (44) after Omar Phillips had fallen in the second over. But the combination of Shane Shillingford (2 for 44), Obed McCoy (2 for 29) and Larry Edwards (2 for 41) chipped away to bring Windward Islands back into the game.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are heading into the international break off the back of a defeat after their 3-2 loss to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
How did Wolves lose to Palace?
The home side took the lead in the 56th minute after a relatively quiet first half as Tyrick Mitchell's low cross into the front post area was prodded into the back of the net by French centre-forward Odsonne Edouard.
Hwang Hee-chan soon levelled the scores less than ten minutes later as Pedro Neto's corner was diverted into the far corner by the South Korea international.
However, Gary O'Neil's side failed to push on to go and win the match as Palace took control and made it 3-1 by the 84th minute thanks to two superb goals from Eberechi Eze and Edouard, who both found room within the box to slot the ball past Jose Sa.
A 96th-minute consolation goal from Matheus Cunha had no bearing on the match as it came far too late for the away side to mount a comeback in the closing stages.
How did Fabio Silva perform against Palace?
One player who should be in danger of losing their place in the starting line-up is Fabio Silva after his disappointing performance at the top end of the pitch.
Wolves striker Fabio Silva.
The 21-year-old marksman struggled, once again, to prove that he is ready to lead the line and offer a goal threat for Wolves. As a result, he must be ditched from the starting team in favour of Hwang, who has proven he is able to chip in with goals at this level.
Silva played 74 minutes of the game and offered very little in and out of possession. His lack of presence through the middle was evident as he lost four of his six ground duels and his only aerial battles throughout the clash.
The youngster also failed to register a single effort on target and accumulated a woeful 0.04 xG and 0.07 xA, showing that the Portuguese striker did not get into strong goalscoring positions or provide his teammates with opportunities in front of goal.
The former Porto starlet has started three of Wolves' four Premier League matches so far this season and has so far contributed with zero goals and has also failed to create any big chances for teammates.
His lack of strength has been on display throughout the campaign so far as the former PSV loanee has lost 100% of his aerial duels and 55% of his battles in total, whilst he has been unable to make up for that with his play in possession having missed two 'big chances'.
This underwhelming start to the season comes after Silva managed four goals and one assist in 14 Eredivisie matches for PSV last term, in which time he lost 65% of his physical contests and spurned four 'big chances' for the Dutch outfit.
Consequently, O'Neil should drop the talent from the XI after the international break as they host Liverpool at the Molineux. Instead, Hwang should be unleashed from the start.
How good is Hwang Hee-chan?
The £30k-per-week hotshot is far from a prolific number nine but his form at the start of this season suggests that he has the quality to offer considerably more than Silva at the top end of the pitch.
Wolves striker Hee-chan Hwang.
Goals have been hard to come by for Wolves in recent times as they only hit the back of the net 31 times in 38 Premier League matches last term and they have only managed four in four so far during the 2023/24 campaign, with two of those coming from the South Korean.
Hwang has showcased his qualities off the bench with two goals and one 'big chance' created for a teammate in three substitute outings, alongside a start in the only league win so far against Everton.
He has averaged an excellent Sofascore rating of 7.13 for the club with only two players – Jose Sa and Pedro Neto – having averaged higher ratings within the squad. It shows that the former RB Leipzig man has been one of the team's outstanding performers in spite of his limited time on the pitch.
The 27-year-old produced three goals and one assist in 12 top-flight starts during the 2022/23 campaign and five goals alongside one assist in 20 starts throughout the previous term. Again, hardly outstanding but there is untapped potential just waiting to be unleashed.
Over the last 365 days, Hwang ranks in the top 9% of his positional peers throughout Europe's top five leagues for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.41), showing that the talented frontman has been an efficient scorer compared to the minutes he has played against other strikers in Europe.
His superb level of production off the bench in recent weeks suggests that the versatile star, who can play on either flank or through the middle as a centre-forward, is able to offer far more than Silva, both as a scorer and a creator.
Hwang could also be a big upgrade on the young forward when it comes to putting in the hard yards for the team to do his defensive work against the ball.
During the 2022/23 campaign, the South Korean ranked within the top 11% or higher of his Premier League positional peers for tackles (1.59) and blocks (1.43) per 90, whilst he also made 0.40 interceptions per 90, as per FBref.
For context, Silva ranked within the bottom 38% or lower of his Eredivisie positional peers during his loan spell with PSV for tackles (0.44), blocks (0.59), and interceptions (0.15) per 90.
Evidently, the former RB Salzburg man offers far more than the 21-year-old striker out of possession to cut out opposition attacks at source. This is no doubt a valuable trait as it helps to prevent the other team from creating regular chances.
Therefore, O'Neil must unleash Hwang, who was once described as a "dangerous" forward by ex-Arsenal ace Kevin Campbell, from the start after the international break.
He'd certainly improve Wolves' attack to give them the best possible chance of scoring enough goals to pick up the points that they will ultimately need to beat the drop.
Martin Guptill’s 13th ODI century and Matt Henry’s four-wicket haul led the way as New Zealand endured a late attack from Pakistan’s lower order to seal the series
The Report by Danyal Rasool18-Jan-2018 by 15 runs Getty ImagesAt five matches, this ODI series may have seemed excessively lengthy, but only because it appeared to have been one interminable match stretched out over a fortnight. It didn’t need five games for anyone to find out that Pakistan have serious trouble facing the new ball in conditions that New Zealand offers. But the home side hammered that point home ad nauseam, sealing it with a 15-run win that was more comprehensive than the scorecard suggests, and delivering just their second whitewash in a five-match series.The chase, as on every other occasion, was effectively over before it began. Matt Henry, coming in for the rested Trent Boult, made full use of his opportunity, taking three wickets in his first four overs. Fakhar Zaman was harassed, hit on the helmet, dropped and finally caught at extra cover. With no movement on offer, Henry bowled a steady off stump line, cleverly waiting for Pakistan’s batsmen to make their own mistakes. Ever the gentlemen, they didn’t keep him waiting long. Umar Amin and Babar Azam edged behind and Pakistan were reduced to 31 for 3. Azam may still average over 50, but his dismissal on Friday was an act of mercy, releasing him from a series in which he scored 31 runs at 6.20.Three wickets soon became five, thanks to a pair of sharp catches in the infield, and it was left to Haris Sohail and Shadab Khan to do the face-saving again. They showed the fight they have demonstrated whenever given the chance, putting on a century-partnership without ever really threatening a result. That wasn’t their fault – it merely illustrated the extent to which the top order has let the visitors down all series.Both fell after scoring half-centuries, looking to pick up the scoring rate to meet an ever-rising asking rate. Mohammad Nawaz and Aamer Yamin put on an entertaining little partnership that briefly called the result into question, riding their luck as Pakistan took the game to thepenultimate over. However, New Zealand had just enough runs, and had inflicted just enough damage at the top of the innings, to ensure their winning streak – now eight ODIs – remained intact.Earlier, a 112-run partnership between Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor guided New Zealand through the middle overs and steered them to 271 on a tricky surface. Guptill scored a hundred – the 13th of his ODI career – while Taylor recorded his 58th 50-plus score, surpassing the record for a New Zealand batsman. Run-scoring through the middle overs was harder work than it had seemed in the first ODI at the Basin Reserve, but that could at least partially be put down to a solid bowling performance by Pakistan, complemented by their best day in the field this series. A late implosion from New Zealand, combined by fabulous end-overs bowling, meant the innings fell away after flattering to deceive for most of the first 40 overs.For a series involving Pakistan, it was surprisingly predictable in some respects. To nobody’s surprise, New Zealand, batting first, set about taking advantage of the opening Powerplay. As usual, it was Colin Munro doing the early damage, complemented by the occasional destructively elegant shot from Guptill – a straight six off Rumman Raees the pick of the bunch. Yamin bore the brunt of the aggression but neither opening bowler was spared the heat as New Zealand brought up fifty inside six overs. Munro perished as he had thrived, top-edging Raees while looking to slog across the line, but the platform had been set. Kane Williamson and Guptill built on it, the early onslaught giving them the space and time to construct the partnership at their own pace. Pakistan began to come back into the contest, too, with Shadab and Nawaz bowling tight lines to choke the batsmen.It might have accounted for the second wicket. With the partnership on 49, the New Zealand captain lifted Yamin into the leg side, looking to clear deep midwicket. Amin took the catch to dismiss Williamson in the strangest of ways. Pakistan took control through the middle overs, the bowlers varying their pace and length adeptly as Taylor and Guptill struggled for timing. The ground fielding improved too, as New Zealand were starved of the singles they usually take for granted, and the run rate dipped below five at the 30-over mark. However, what Pakistan didn’t manage was more wickets, and with the duo getting their eye in, New Zealand were gearing up for a big finish.It didn’t quite materialise that way as they fell within a few overs of each other. Colin de Grandhomme couldn’t get going with the fluency withwhich he had devastated Pakistan in Hamilton. Other wickets fell as Pakistan began to strangle the New Zealand middle and lower order; Henry Nicholls was caught in the deep trying to get Raees away, while Faheem Ashraf got rid of Tom Latham as he attempted a scoop.The innings turned sloppy – Mitchell Santner was run out off the first ball he faced, and a total that had looked to push past 300 fizzled out.As it turned out, though, the ineptitude of Pakistan’s top order ensured they wouldn’t have to pay for their profligacy.
Everton are hoping to make another signing before the summer transfer window closes on Friday after securing a new talisman in Beto.
The striker joined from Serie A side Udinese for £30m this week following concerns over Dominic Calvert-Lewin's ever-unreliable fitness and Neal Maupay's woeful efforts in front of goal, with the Frenchman scoring just once for the Toffees and now linked with a move away.
Sean Dyche has been focussing on restoring the offence after finishing last season as the Premier League's second-lowest scorers, but the club need to make a defensive acquisition and might've now identified their man.
What's the latest on Nico Elvedi to Everton?
According to German outlet Sport Bild, Borussia Monchengladbach defender Nico Elvedi could be available for just €5m (£4m), with the Swiss international now in the final year of his contract and previously believed to hold a price tag of £8m.
Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…
Gianluca Di Marzio reported last weekend that the Merseyside outfit had opened talks for Elvedi, but will now need to act fast with top-flight rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers also pursuing a deal.
How good is Nico Elvedi?
All of the attention has been on bolstering the attack at Goodison Park this summer, and perhaps the fact that Yerry Mina, Conor Coady (who was on loan) and Mason Holgate have all left the club has gone under the radar.
Dyche has not touched the central defence with just two days of the market remaining, and while Jarrad Branthwaite has returned after an impressive loan spell with PSV Eindhoven, an acquisition surely needs to be made.
Elvedi could be the perfect solution to this problem, with the exiguous fee for an established international sure to stamp some authority and control into the Toffees' backline.
Having been hailed as "incredible” by former Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl, Elvedi has made 270 appearances for Gladbach, scoring 14 goals and serving nine assists, competent both in central defence and out wide.
nico-elvedi-wolves-borussia-monchengladbach
Given that the 26-year-old titan ranks among the top 6% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 10% for clearances and the top 17% for goals scored per 90, as per FBref, Dyche would be wise to consider completing a swoop for a player who could serve in Michael Keane's stead.
Dyche has wielded Keane at both Everton and his former club Burnley, and while the 30-year-old central defender reclaimed his starting berth at Goodison Park following Dyche's appointment in January, despite this return to regular match action, must now be ditched if the club are to ascend from their lowly position.
Indeed, having been signed for £30m back in 2017, Keane has failed to live up to the potential and prove to be the fulcrum of a backline that was supposed to lead the club to Premier League prominence, not desperate scraps for survival.
Described as a "genuine defensive liability" by journalist Richard Buxton, the inconsistent £80k-per-week defender ranks among the bottom 2% of positional peers for pass completion and the bottom 5% for tackles per 90, illuminating the lack of robustness that Everton need as they look to stop the issues.
With this in mind, Elvedi would be a perfect fit to upgrade on Keane, bringing a ball-playing ability to instil assurance and composure and a defensive work rate to build a foundation for a successful season.
Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag has made tracks to try and bring in some competition for Andre Onana between the sticks and bolster numbers in the goalkeeping department at Old Trafford, according to reports.
Who is the goalkeeper target?
According to The Daily Mail, Manchester United have already made an approach to Benfica about goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos as they look to secure a speedy replacement between the sticks amid news that Dean Henderson is in talks with Crystal Palace over a move to Selhurst Park.
Matej Kovar has been sold to Bayer Leverkusen and Nathan Bishop has moved on to Sunderland, creating a void to be filled in the goalkeeping department at the Premier League giants.
Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has issued a further update on the permutations surrounding Vlachodimos potentially heading to Manchester United, stating on X: "Manchester United are informed on the conditions of Odysseas Vlachodimos deal, as revealed yesterday. He wasn’t in Benfica squad last week as he’s expected to leave the club by the end of the window. Deal with Man Utd could only advance if Dean Henderson leaves the club."
Benfica youngster Samuel Soares has been given the nod ahead of Vlachodimos recently, and his boss, Roger Schmidt, has admitted that he is happy to introduce some 'new energy in the goalkeeper position' at the club.
Would Vlachodimos be a good signing for Manchester United?
Manchester United definitely need to get someone into the building at Old Trafford to help with available numbers in the goalkeeping position, which has been depleted further due to veteran Tom Heaton's calf injury, as per The Manchester Evening News.
Vlachodimos is an experienced stopper with a distinguished pedigree and would help provide some calm as an alternative to Onana at the club, and could actually be a better option to having behind the Cameroon star than Henderson.
Odysseas Vlachodimos in action against France for Greece in EURO 2024 qualifying.
In his time at Benfica, the 29-year-old has become a fan favourite as the last line of defence, keeping 94 clean sheets in 225 appearances across all competitions for the Primeira Liga holders, as per Transfermarkt, an impressive rate.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was quick to praise Vlachodimos in 2022 following the Reds' 3-1 victory in the Champions League over Benfica away from home at the quarter-final stage, as per BT Sport cited via Reuters, stating: "We should have scored much more. I think, mainly because of their goalkeeper, credit to him. Their goalkeeper was probably the game's best player. We played well, but he made a couple of really good saves."
Compared to his positional peers in Europe's next eight divisions below the top five leagues on the continent, Vlachodimos ranks highly with his clean sheet percentage, with 56.3% of his last 90 minutes across the previous 365 days resulting in a shut-out, as per FBRef, ranking him in the 99th percentile for that figure.
Now looking unfancied at Benfica, it looks like the chance has emerged for Manchester United to bring the Greece goalkeeper to Old Trafford before the end of the window, in what could be a shrewd if unspectacular move.
Tottenham Hotspur will step up their pursuit of one of Europe's most exciting young prospects this week and talks between the player and club are 'expected to progress', according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
What's the latest Tottenham Hotspur transfer news?
Spurs have enjoyed a productive transfer window in N17 regarding incomings, with Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Alejo Veliz, Manor Solomon and Ashley Phillips pitching up in north London so far, as per Transfermarkt.
Of course, star man Harry Kane has departed Tottenham for a fee in the region of £100 million to seek a new challenge at Bayern Munich, as per The Guardian, leaving Richarlison and Argentine youngster Veliz as viable forward options for Ange Postecoglou.
Kane stated that he hasn't closed the door on a potential return to Tottenham somewhere down the line on social media, stating: "It’s not a goodbye because you never know how things pan out in the future, but it’s a thank you and I’ll see you soon."
Identifying his replacement will now be of paramount importance to Spurs boss Postecoglou and Nottingham Forest striker Brennan Johnson has emerged as a serious target to succeed the England international; however, he may cost in the region of £45 million to prize away from the Tricky Trees, according to Telegraph Sport.
One other name who has been mentioned in connection with Tottenham quite heavily this window is Gent striker Gift Orban and they are said to be readying a bid for the Nigerian youngster, as per The Evening Standard.
Football Insider claim that Orban has left Tottenham scouts 'blown away' due to his exploits in Belgium and his 'huge potential' has given club chiefs belief that he could fill the huge shoes of Kane for many years to come.
Orban has enjoyed a fruitful career in front of goal so far, registering 44 goals and nine assists in 50 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Jones has revealed that Orban's proposed move to Spurs is 'expected to progress' in the coming days.
Jones stated: "I expect them to make three signings. I don't think that has changed in the past week.
"A move for Orban is still alive and that is expected to progress by the middle of this week. That is what I was told over the weekend.
"Obviously, Richarlison is going to get more chances this season and, in front of goal, Postecoglou is hopeful that he can start to deliver. That will be interesting."
What now for Tottenham Hotspur?
Cited by The Evening Standard, Postecoglou has indicated that shifting players off the wage bill will be a big part of his plans for the rest of the window, stating: “Over the next three weeks the priority is to trim the squad down and see where we're at and then fill the gaps where we need to fill the gaps.”
According to 90min, Eric Dier could become a casualty of Postecoglou's first window in charge amid interest in his services from several clubs around Europe and further afield, including Crystal Palace, Celtic, AS Monaco, Sporting Clube de Portugal and Al Nassr.
Spurs defender Eric Dier.
Gianluca Di Marzio via The Sun claim that Tottenham veteran Hugo Lloris could be on his way to Serie A giants Lazio as a potential replacement for Luis Maximiano.
Tanguy Ndombele is on a list of unwanted players at Spurs and Turkish clubs Fenerbache and Galatasaray are keen to offer him an escape route from his current circumstances, as per The Sun.