The Irishman is renowned for his controversial comments, but it's been obvious for some time that the Norwegian No.9 is far from complete
Roy Keane has never just courted controversy; they've been inseparable for more than 30 years. During a playing career littered with rows and red cards, he always insisted he'd never become a pundit – but it was absolutely inevitable given his fearless and forthright nature.
Keane says whatever he wants and revels in representing the old school. He has little time for discussing the complexities of the modern game; as far as he is concerned, it's still all about the basics. Forget about double-pivots and counter-pressing; it's pride and passion that still make the difference at the very highest level.
Keane plays this 'grumpy old man' role to perfection. Indeed, with amusing smirks and pithy put-downs, Keane has become must-watch TV. His reactions to poor performances – particularly those of Manchester United – invariably go viral, sparking debate and generating memes all across the football world.
Sunday was just another case in point.
'General play is so poor'
During ' coverage of the massive Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal, Keane went from displaying his contempt for a mid-programme promo for the new series of House of the Dragon, to eviscerating Erling Haaland after the Norwegian contributed nothing but an atrocious miss to the dreadful 0-0 draw.
"The level of his general play is so poor," the Irishman said. "And not just today. I think his laying stuff off, headers, whatever it might be – in front of goal he's the best in the world – but for his general play for such a player it is so poor… He has to improve that. He's almost like a League Two player."
Keane knew what he was doing – just like colleague Gary Neville when he labelled Chelsea "billion-pound bottle-jobs" during coverage of the Carabao Cup final. They are acutely aware that their job as pundits is to not only educate viewers – but entertain them. They want to get people talking, and Keane certainly did with his Haaland appraisal.
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'His whole game is finishing'
Chris Sutton called the League Two comparison "ridiculous" in his column for – while Rio Ferdinand described it as "a bit far-fetched" on official YouTube channel. It was telling, though, that neither man issued a staunch defence of Haaland's all-round game.
Sutton even acknowledged that the Norwegian No.9's "link-up play could be cleaner" and his main counter-argument seemed to be that Haaland's only responsibility at City is scoring goals. Contributing in any other way is a bonus – but not part of his job.
Ferdinand also pointed out that it has ever been thus with Haaland. "His all-round game has never been something anyone’s marvelled at," the former Manchester United defender said. "I've never, ever sat there and thought, 'Wow, his hold-up play is immense! He gets it in and brings other people in the game.'
"His whole game is finishing, in and around the six-yard box and penalty box or running onto things when he runs onto stuff from the halfway line. That’s it. [The other parts of his] game always needed work. How many times did we watch him earlier last season when he was on his goalscoring run, he had eight, 10, 12 touches in a game?"
Ferdinand's right, too: Haaland's lack of involvement has been obvious since his early days at the Etihad.
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Fewer goals, greater scrutiny
In the 4-0 rout of Bournemouth on August 13, 2022, Haaland touched the ball eight times – equalling the previous Premier League low set by Romelu Lukaku while toiling up front for Chelsea the year before.
In the grand scheme of things, it didn't matter, of course. City finally had the goalscorer they needed to finish off their brilliant build-up play and Haaland struck 52 times during their treble-winning campaign. Questions over his overall contribution were, thus, rendered moot.
However, Haaland hasn't been quite as prolific this season. He still has 29 goals in all competitions, but his shot conversion rate has dropped to 20 percent and he's missed far more 'big chances' than other player across Europe's 'Big Five leagues'.
It was inevitable, then, that fewer goals would mean greater scrutiny of Haaland's game, because if you take away the sensational strike-rate he's had since he was a teenager, you're not left with many truly outstanding attributes.
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Not making the most of his physical advantages
Haaland is lightning-quick but doesn't move particularly well with the ball at his feet, as underlined by the fact that he has completed just 13 dribbles in all competitions this season – that's one more than a rapidly deteriorating 34-year-old Ciro Immobile.
Haaland's also an impressive physical specimen and yet, as former City defender Micah Richards acknowledged while sitting alongside Keane in the studio on Sunday, Haaland is not a great target man.
Ivan Toney only started playing again in the middle of January after suspension, but the Brentford striker has won more headers this season than Haaland (43), who has also only managed six flick-ons (Olivier Giroud has 70).
Keane was also spot on about Haaland's inability to hold the ball up well. He has just 22 successful lay-offs in all competitions. To put that in context, Romelu Lukaku, who is widely ridiculed for his poor first touch, has 66.
Haaland is not a very modern No.9 either, in the sense that he offers next-to-nothing from a defensive perspective. He has won just two tackles all season long, and recovered possession for his side on just 44 occasions (for context, Joshua Zirkzee has won the ball back 88 times for Bologna).
Of course, what really stands out is just how little Haaland sees of the ball. He has had as many touches of the ball this season (777) as Manchester United flop Wout Weghorst, who is now playing for Hoffenheim.
Of course, Sutton has argued that none of this matters; that Haaland is still serving his primary purpose: scoring goals. But questions do need to be asked.
Liverpool return to action this evening to face Bournemouth on the south coast in the Carabao Cup, with Jurgen Klopp's seasonal revival starting to take shape.
Despite a contentious blip against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League last month, the Reds are striving for a silver-laden finish to the term after falling by the wayside last year.
While the League Cup is not considered the most prestigious of tournaments, it is a chance to issue healthy squad rotation and compete for silverware.
Liverpool team news vs Bournemouth
Liverpool will again be without Spanish duo Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara, who both remain in recovery following injuries; likewise, Andy Robertson continues his rehabilitation following a shoulder injury sustained on international duty with Scotland.
Teenage talent Ben Doak, however, is nearing a return from his setback and trained for the first time this week – he could be involved against the Cherries.
Ben Doak for Liverpool.
Cody Gakpo will be aiming for his first start in a month following a knee injury sustained against Tottenham, having made substitute appearances across both of Liverpool's fixtures last week.
On a more sombre note, Luis Diaz is not expected to be involved amid an ongoing family situation, with his father's whereabouts still unknown following a kidnapping in his native Colombia last week.
Luke Chambers' stats vs Toulouse
One player who could be handed a second professional starting berth is 19-year-old full-back Luke Chambers, with Kostas Tsimikas deputising after Robertson's injury.
Chambers earned his first start against Toulouse on Thursday night last week, and while Liverpool enjoyed a comfortable 5-1 victory, the “gifted” youngster – as he has been called by reporter Neil Jones – will be hoping for more influential displays going forward.
Liverpool defender Luke Chambers.
As per Sofascore, Chambers played 67 minutes and took 44 touches, completing 77% of his passes, though he will need to work on his defensive work and physicality after losing all five of his duels.
Despite a lack of positional awareness contributing toward the visitors' goal, This Is Anfield handed the starlet a 7/10 match rating, claiming: 'While he wasn’t necessarily great for Toulouse’s goal, failing to make the high line work, he didn’t look out of place and got forward to support the attack.'
Why Luke Chambers should start vs Bournemouth
Chambers has been entrusted with an increased role in Klopp's first-team following Robertson's injury, and while he is inexperienced he boasts the raw attributes to play a part, and a test against Premier League opposition in Bournemouth would be an excellent step in his development.
Having made 72 appearances for the Anfield side's development squads, posting 13 goals and eight assists, he is a distinguished youth member and could cement a bit-part spot in the team with a promising showing at the Vitality Stadium.
During his time on loan with Scottish side Kilmarnock last term, Chambers demonstrated a rounded game, creating one key pass per game and 1.7 tackles and 1.4 clearances, as per Sofascore, but what is most impressive is the 62% win rate in ground duels, highlighting a crispness and precision that will serve him well.
Not the only precocious member of the Reds' team, Jarell Qaunsah will also be hoping to be unleashed from the outset after rising to prominence in the early phase of the campaign, having now chalked up six displays this term under Klopp's wing and playing the full 90 against Leicester City in the previous round in the cup, earning a late assist.
The 20-year-old centre-back's rise has come at a time when the club was yearning for some added mettle at the back, and Chambers could now follow in his footsteps on the left side of the defence.
Robertson's loss could be Chambers' gain, and while no sane Liverpool supporter will be happy with the Scotland captain's setback, the teenage talent could now prove his worth over the coming months.
Bayern Munich players are reportedly upset that their wives and partners will not be able to attend the Champions League clash against Arsenal.
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Bayern players' wives will miss out on Arsenal clash
UEFA imposed ban on Bundesliga giants
Bayern face Arsenal in Champions League quarter-final
WHAT HAPPENED?
The wives and girlfriends of Bayern Munich players will not be able to travel to London to watch the first leg of the Champions League fixture between the Bundesliga giants and Arsenal on Tuesday, according to . The players travelled to London on Monday ahead of the match.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The match on Tuesday will see only the home fans being allowed at Emirates Stadium due to a sanction imposed on the German side by UEFA. Europe's governing body handed a punishment to the club due to multiple cases of unruly fan behaviour as they were guilty of setting off fireworks in the stands most recently against Lazio in the Champions League round of 16.
Due to their suspension, limited tickets will be issued to the Bundesliga club which will be allocated on a priority basis to club officials, executives and members of Thomas Tuchel's support staff.
DID YOU KNOW?
The wives of Joshua Kimmich and Tottenham Hotspur loanee Eric Dier have already travelled to London but the partners of the remaining Bayern players are expected to stay at home and enjoy the game in Munich.
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WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN MUNICH?
After their European outing in England, Thomas Tuchel's side will be back in action in the Bundesliga on Saturday as they take on FC Koln.
Tottenham Hotspur are going through somewhat of an injury crisis, with six members of the first-team squad currently out with a host of different issues. However, the biggest absentee from the team is undoubtedly summer signing James Maddison.
The former Leicester City attacking midfielder moved to the London outfit during the summer for £40m after the Foxes were relegated down to the Championship in unprecedented fashion.
Maddison has had a wonderful impact on the team since arriving, scoring three goals and recording five assists in 11 appearances before picking up a significant ankle injury which will keep him sidelined until after Christmas.
Nevertheless, head coach Ange Postecoglou is not wasting any time and has already identified the perfect player to sign in January to add more depth and quality to the number '10' position.
Spurs could make £60m signing
According to The Sun, Postecoglou is looking to bolster his squad after an excellent start to the 2023/24 campaign by bringing Sporting Clube de Portugal's attacking star Pedro Goncalves to the club. The 25-year-old has a release clause of £60m that Spurs will look to activate in January to ease the creative pressure off Maddison for the rest of the season.
Furthermore, the outlet are claiming that Tottenham have sent scouts to watch the Portugal international numerous times this term, including Sunday's derby against Benfica.
Goncalves is well-known to one fanbase in north London, having scored a sensational 46-yard strike against Spurs' bitter rivals Arsenal last season as Sporting knocked Mikel Arteta's side out of the Europa League.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers academy star has had a fine season so far under Ruben Amorim at Sporting, bagging five goals and three assists in 15 appearances as the Portuguese giants sit joint-top of the Primeira Liga.
Pedro Goncalves' stats this season
Goncalves moved to Sporting just six months after club captain Bruno Fernandes joined Manchester United, who scored 63 goals and registered 50 assists in 137 games for the club.
It seemed impossible to replace Fernandes' numbers over the course of his two-and-a-half-year spell in Lisbon. However, in 225 matches, Goncalves has accumulated 129 goal contributions, including 79 goals and 50 assists.
Former Wolves assistant manager Rui Pedro even claimed that Goncalves "used to stand out" in training during the player's time at Molineux and tipped him to move to a big club in the near future.
That time could come soon as the playmaker is being linked with Premier League side Spurs. However, it's unlikely that Goncalves will be willing to play second-fiddle to Maddison given that the former is performing close, if not better than the the England international in a number of key metrics.
James Maddison vs Pedro Goncalves
Per 90 Metrics
James Maddison
Pedro Goncalves
Key Passes
3.16
2.19
Crosses to Penalty Area
0.10
0.38
Assists
0.51
0.1
Expected assists
0.33
0.25
Goals
0.29
0.31
Expected Goals
0.29
0.42
Stats via FBref.
As the table dictates, Maddison is the better creative threat but if it's more goals the Lilywhites are craving, then Goncalves is certainly the better and brighter option, particularly when you consider he posted 20 goals in 51 outings last season.
Regardless, Postecoglou will find a way to put the duo on the same team. Goncalves is highly versatile and has played a number of different positions this season at Sporting, including on the left and right wing as well as in the number '10' position, but has also had minutes in central midfield.
In fact, Goncalves has had higher-rated displays in a deeper role in the middle of the park than as an attacking midfielder, according to WhoScored.
The Spurs coach could potentially deploy Goncalves off the right, with Maddison through the middle, or else utilise the duo as double '8s' with a more defensive-minded midfielder such as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg behind them in a 4-3-3 which would terrorise even the lowest of low blocks.
West Ham fans vented their frustration at David Moyes after the club conceded four goals against Crystal Palace within first 31 minutes.
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Fans left frustrated with Moyes
Wanted the manager to get sacked
West Ham conceded four goals in 31 minutes against Palace
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Hammers crashed out of the Europa League after going down 3-1 on aggregate against Bayer Leverkusen in the quarter-final in midweek. Then on Sunday, they conceded four goals against Crystal Palace within the first 31 minutes of their Premier League clash which left the fans furious and they demanded the sacking of manager David Moyes immediately.
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WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
A fan took to X and urged the club to sack the manager at half-time in anger.
This fan was left flabbergasted by Moyes' decision to bring in two defenders – Aaron Cresswell and Ben Johnson at a time when the team was trailing.
With the team no longer having a chance of making it to the Europa Conference League next season, this fan wanted to see the manager leave the club soon.
This user wanted to see Moyes out of the club so that he can enjoyed the club's performances again.
This user demanded a statement from the Hammers by sacking the head coach.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
After conceding four goals within the first 31 minutes of the match, the Hammers did pull one back through Michail Antonio's strike in the 40th minute. However, The Eagles further piled on their misery in the second half as Jean-Philippe Mateta netted a fifth for his side.
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WHAT NEXT FOR WEST HAM?
The East London club will be next seen in action in the Premier League on Saturday as they host title aspirants Liverpool.
Minnesota United captain Michael Boxall has hit out at Emanuel Reynoso for going AWOL from the club for a second time.
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Reynoso is AWOL in Argentina – again
Loons captain Boxall sounds off on club's star
MNUFC have to make decision on 2x All-Star
WHAT HAPPENED?
In March, Reynoso left during the FIFA international break for Argentina on a club-issued trip to obtain his green card. The Argentine, however, skipped the appointment and has since been AWOL.
In 2023, he missed the first 40% of the season for a similar issue, as he went AWOL in the country for over three months.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Loons Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad spoke on the incident earlier in April, declaring that the club is focusing on the players who are with the team at the moment.
“Emanuel Reynoso did not attend his recent green card appointment, and he remains in Argentina,” MNUFC Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad said in a statement Tuesday. “We do not have an updated timeline for his return and have no additional comment at this time. Our entire focus is on the players and staff who are here.”
Boxall, meanwhile, has been the Loons captain since 2018 and is their longest-serving active player. The New Zealand international now appears to have had enough of Reynoso's antics, with his latest statement delivering a harsh blow to the Argentine.
WHAT BOXALL SAID
“I think we’ve all kind of moved on,” Boxall told the Pioneer Press. “I don’t even know if anyone actually knows what the situation is. I think he’s made decisions that kind of shows everyone around here that he doesn’t care too much about the club."
“So, at some point, you have to take him at face value,” Boxall added. “I know the owners have invested a lot into the guy, so they need to do what is in their best interest, but in terms of us on the playing field, we just got to move on as if he’s not here — because he hasn’t been for a long time.”
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WHAT NEXT FOR MNUFC?
The Loons will be without their superstar for the foreseeable future, that is unless he somehow turns up unexpectedly in the U.S. soon. With that, MNUFC are back on the pitch this weekend, when they take on Charlotte FC Sunday evening in a cross-conference clash.
Amidst an injury crisis at the club, Newcastle United's midfield looks bare, with Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali out with an injury and a suspension, while academy product Elliot Anderson is set to be absent for the remainder of the year.
Significant injuries within the squad have impacted the Magpies' performances on the pitch, with Eddie Howe's side picking up just two victories from their previous six games in all competitions.
Head coach Howe has already begun the process of looking for quality players to bolster his midfield department this January and could even make a move for an England international
Newcastle's plan to strengthen the midfield
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Geordie club are keen to bring Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves back to English football, having signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal during the summer after six years with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, the Italian transfer expert has also revealed that Newcastle are keeping tabs on Kalvin Phillips' situation at Manchester City.
It has previously been reported that any deal for Neves would be a loan until the summer but a transfer between the two clubs is increasingly unlikely as Premier League sides have rushed to vote on a ban on multi-club loans, preventing the Magpies from completing any deals with the four teams in Saudi Arabia in which the PIF holds a 75% stake.
With a deal for Neves unlikely to come to fruition, Newcastle could make a move for Manchester City's Phillips, who was once described by former Crystal Palace and Everton winger Yannick Bolasia as a "monster" for England during EURO 2020 when Gareth Southgate's men reached the final of the competition.
How Kalvin Phillips compares to Ruben Neves
Phillips was a star at Leeds United under legendary coach Marcelo Bielsa before earning a £42m move to Premier League champions Man City in 2022. Despite winning a treble in his debut season at the Etihad Stadium, Phillips' game-time has been massively diminished, with the Englishman making merely 29 appearances in all competitions at City, including 16 in the top flight.
This season, the Leeds-born midfielder has featured just four times in the league under Pep Guardiola and the Catalan coach has publicly admitted that the door will be left open for Phillips to leave if the right offer comes in, paving the way for Newcastle to sign him.
Despite his limited game-time over the past calendar year, Phillips is still in the top 2% for passes attempted per 90 compared to others in his position across Europe's top-five leagues, according to FBref.
Furthermore, the 27-year-old is in the top 4% for shots per 90 and the top 4% for clearances per 90, proving his box-to-box presence for City. Additionally, Phillips outperformed Ruben Neves in a number of key metrics last season when both men were plying their trade in the Premier League.
Per 90 Metrics
Kalvin Phillips
Ruben Neves
Progressive Passes
7.33
6.51
Pass Completion
90.4%
82.1
Passes to Final Third
10
6.03
Expected Assists
0.07
0.04
Progressive Carries
4.67
0.84
Dispossessed
2
0.39
Tackles Won
1.2
1.24
Stats via FBref
Both players have strengths and weaknesses but Phillips' stats are still quite impressive despite his lack of minutes on the pitch.
The midfielder is hungry to explode and show the quality he possessed at Leeds, so Howe could be making a smart acquisition by bringing the European champion to St. James' Park.
Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a swap deal which could see them sign a new forward whilst sending Joe Rodon in the opposite direction, according to reports.
Latest on Joe Rodon's future
Over the summer, Rodon joined Leeds United on a season-long loan and it’s fair to say that he’s been a regular feature of their squad this season having made 12 starts out of the 16 Championship games so far (WhoScored – Rodon stats), although there is no option to buy in the agreement that the two parties reached.
However, Ben Davies recently admitted that the defender is loving life at his new home, so he could try to leave for good by making his move permanent next summer, and Ange Postecoglou could receive a player from the second tier in return.
The Elland Road outfit’s left-winger Wilfried Gnonto was a player who chiefs were keeping an eye on during the last transfer window, and whilst a deal failed to come to fruition before the deadline, they might have the opportunity to take a second bite of the cherry.
The Italy international previously handed in a transfer request and was refusing to play for Daniel Farke amid links to rivals Everton in the Premier League, so with an exit looking likely next year, the 20-year-old could be on his way to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs considering move for Wilfried Gnonto
According to reports (via CaughtOffside), Tottenham are contemplating a swoop for Gnonto next year. The Lilywhites are keen to strike a deal for the attacker who is believed to want out in January, and it's claimed that the hierarchy could look to finalise a move with Leeds that would see them secure the permanent services of Rodon, something which they would surely be tempted to look at.
Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto.
Gnonto is a real "nightmare" to play against
Whilst Tottenham may not appreciate Gnonto’s recent behaviour off the pitch, there’s no doubt that he is capable of performing to a high standard on it having clocked up 10 goal involvements, five goals and the same number of assists, in 39 senior appearances since putting pen to paper at Leeds (Transfermarkt – Gnonto stats).
The Verbania native, who is sponsored by Puma, also currently ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive carries so he appears to love to hold onto the ball and push his team as high up the pitch as possible (FBRef – Gnonto stats), an attribute that could suit Postecoglou’s style of play in terms of pressing the opposition's backline.
Farke’s £20k-per-week earner (Leeds salaries), is even a versatile operator having been deployed in seven different positions over the grass since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and even three roles in the midfield, making him a useful option to have in the building.
With Rodon not receiving game time at Spurs, Daniel Levy and Johan Lange sanctioning his sale could be the right decision to make, and if they can recruit Gnonto, who is a “nightmare” for defenders, in return, as hailed by football scout Jacek Kulig, it may well be a smart coup.
Denzel Dumfries has dmitted that it was "not smart" to hold up an "inappropriate" Theo Hernandez banner during Inter's Serie A title parade.
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Inter crowned Serie A champions after beating Milan
Dumfries held up controversial banner during title parade
Under investigation by Italian FA prosecutors
WHAT HAPPENED?
During the Serie A title celebratory parade from the San Siro to Piazza Duomo, Dumfries held up a banner featuring an edited image from the 'Grand Theft Auto' game which depicted the Dutch wing-back holding Hernandez on a chain leash, with the AC Milan defender's head morphed onto the body of a dog. The gesture was a taunt aimed at Hernandez after the pair clashed during the derby with Milan, where Inter secured the title with a 2-1 win over their city rivals.
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WHAT DUMFRIES SAID
Reflecting on his actions, Dumfries put out a lengthy Instagram post which read: "Yesterday was the most beautiful day for me, all the players, and everyone at the club. Thank you so much to the fans who turned out in their thousands at the parade. It was a great feeling to celebrate with all of you, it meant so much to the team. During the parade, I held up a banner that displayed an inappropriate image. I am a player who loves rivalry in football, it is a crucial part of any game. I realise that holding up the banner was an error of judgement on my part and not smart at all. Let’s move on to focusing on what has been the most amazing season for Inter Milan. Thank you once again for all your support this season, and for the celebrations yesterday, I will never forget them."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Despite Inter president Steven Zhang's call for celebrating respectfully, Dumfries succumbed to the temptation of targeting Hernandez, and is now reportedly under investigation by Italian FA prosecutors, according to
This incident is not unprecedented during celebratory parades. It must be noted that Hernandez himself was involved in a similar controversy during AC Milan's previous title celebrations in 2022 along with a few of his team-mates, including Rade Krunic, Sandro Tonali, and Mike Maignan. On that occasion, they were handed a fine by the Italian FA as their actions violated Article 4 of the Code of Sporting Justice which deals with “fairness and sportsmanship” in sport.
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WHAT NEXT?
Dumfries might also escape by paying a fine to the authorities. However, the defender is expected to appeal the ruling if found guilty of wrongdoing. Meanwhile, he will return to action with Inter against Sassuolo on Saturday in an inconsequential league fixture, having already won the championship. Hernandez and Milan, meanwhile, are due to face Genoa a day later.
Glasgow Rangers made the decision to change their head coach at the start of October as English tactician Michael Beale was sent on his way.
The former Gers assistant, who previously worked under Steven Gerrard at Ibrox, failed to win a single trophy during his time as the main man in charge.
He lost three of his opening seven Scottish Premiership matches at the start of this season and that was enough for the board to take action, after the manager had been allowed to make nine signings during the summer transfer window.
Former Rangers boss Michael Beale.
Jack Butland, Kieran Dowell, Jose Cifuentes, Leon Balogun, Dujon Sterling, Danilo, Cyriel Dessers, and Sam Lammers were all brought in on permanent deals, along with Abdallah Sima on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, a number of those players have not hit the ground running in Scottish football and new head coach Philippe Clement, who was brought in to replace Beale, must deal with the aftermath of that window.
The Belgian boss will be hoping for better luck with his own transfers at Ibrox and is set to receive help from Nils Koppen, who is poised to arrive from PSV as the club's new director of football recruitment in January.
At the time of the announcement, the 38-year-old told Rangers' official website that the board have made it clear to him that the player trading model "has to function better", and the January window is his first opportunity to make an impact on the squad.
Rangers transfer news – Darius Olaru
He will have to strike a balance between moving the right players on and bringing the right ones in to replace them and, with this in mind, Koppen could land a first blinder at Ibrox by reigniting the club's interest in Darius Olaru.
It was reported during the summer that the Gers had the FCSB star on their radar for 'some time' as they wanted a left-footed midfielder who could bolster their attacking options.
The creative maestro has a release clause in his contract with the Romanian side that allows him to depart if a club comes in with an offer of €5m (£4.3m) and their president – Mihai Stoica – stated that he would not accept a penny below that figure.
The report, however, added that Rangers opted against a move for Olaru as they were able to sign left-footed midfielder Dowell on a free transfer from Norwich City instead.
Rangers midfielder Kieran Dowell.
That move has not worked out for the Light Blues, though, and it was recently stated by Heart & Hand podcaster David Edgar that the English whiz is one of the three players, alongside Dessers and Ridvan Yilmaz, who have been told that they need to find a new club.
Of course, there is no guarantee that Rangers will be able to find a buyer for Dowell but his exit could open the door for Koppen to secure his first masterclass by selling the ex-Everton prospect to free up the space for a swoop for Olaru.
Dowell's season in numbers
The 26-year-old flop has endured a difficult first half of the season as he struggled for minutes at the start of the campaign before suffering from injury issues.
Dowell came in from Norwich and featured in six matchday squads throughout August. However, Beale only handed him a start in two of those games.
The English gem did show a glimpse of what he could be capable of with a terrific cameo against Livingston in the Premiership as the left-footed talent came off the bench to rifle a fantastic finish into the far corner.
However, that is the only goal contribution the former Canaries star, who has not created a single chance for his teammates in three league outings, has made at the top end of the pitch in seven clashes for Rangers this season.
Beale claimed that Dowell, who suffered a knock at the end of August, was set to return from injury at the end of September but his next appearance came on the 1st of November and he has not played any matches for the first-team since then.
Statistic
Dowell vs Dundee
Minutes played
Eight
Sofascore rating
6.4
Touches
Three
Duel success rate
0%
Cross success rate
0%
Passes completed
Zero
Dowell's last senior appearance for Rangers (via Sofascore)
Clement has not provided a recent update on the attacking midfielder's fitness and it, therefore, remains to be seen when he will next be available for selection.
Koppen must now ruthlessly ditch Dowell, who has already been told that he can leave, upon his arrival at the start of next month and replace him with Olaru, who would come in as an upgrade.
The statistics that show Olaru would be an upgrade on Dowell
The 25-year-old magician's impressive statistics for FCSB since the start of last season suggest that he would come in and offer far more to the team.
For starters, the Romania international has also missed three matches – due to a head injury – over the last 18 months and this shows that he could be significantly more reliable than Dowell in terms of his fitness and availability.
Olaru has played 54 league matches since the start of the 2022/23 campaign – whereas the current Rangers man has managed 26 – for the Gers and Norwich combined – in that time.
Summer Rangers target Darius Olaru.
The left-footed wizard has contributed with seven goals, ten 'big chances' created, and 2.1 key passes per match in 17 Superliga appearances for his club so far this season.
Last term, the £4.3m-rated sensation scored one goal, provided seven assists, created 19 'big chances', and made 2.2 key passes per clash across 37 league outings.
This means that Olaru has racked up eight goals and 29 'big chances' created since the start of last season for FCSB. Whereas, Dowell has scored six goals and created six 'big chances' in that time.
The talented whiz was once hailed as an "inexhaustible" playmaker by Alex Scout on X, who focuses on Romanian prospects, and the statistics back that up.
He is able to create huge opportunities for his teammates on a regular basis and has the quality to chip in with goals of his own, whilst remaining fit and available for selection.
Therefore, Olaru could be a fantastic signing by Koppen to bolster Clement's midfield options as a big upgrade on Dowell, whose time in Glasgow has been disappointing so far.