All posts by n8rngtd.top

The feeling around Manchester United over the last decade has been that the build-up to a transfer has often been more exciting than the player’s actual performances on the field.

However, the fans' first impression of a player is often a telltale sign as to how long they’ll last at the club.

Starting off with a bang is vital, especially at a club like United, where expectations and demands are often far higher than what a new signing has previously experienced.

Therefore, let’s take a look at an Erik ten Hag signing who shone on his debut, but has struggled ever since.

Antony’s start to life in Manchester

It is reasonable to presume that if former Ajax boss Ten Hag was never appointed as Man United manager, the chances of Antony signing for the club would have decreased significantly.

Prior to his £86m move to the Premier League, the Brazilian winger was lighting up the Eredivisie and the Champions League with his dazzling dribbling, skilful nature, and extreme confidence, which caused Brazil’s national team coach Tite to say he “has Neymar characteristics.”

On his debut for United against Arsenal in a 3-1 win at Old Trafford, Antony opened the scoring via a composed finish, with his dramatic celebration making him an instant favourite.

The winger would then go on to become the first United player to score in his first three Premier League matches, netting against Manchester City and Everton. After achieving that feat, United icon Wes Brown even went on to claim that “he’s like Messi and Maradona” in terms of his “wand” of a left foot.

Antony’s 2023/34 campaign

Throughout the remainder of that previous season, Antony went on to score five more goals and pick up three assists, with his form falling off as the season progressed.

During pre-season, Antony looked fresh and sharp, particularly impressing against Borussia Dortmund and Lens with two goals and an assist. However, he has been unable to carry those promising performances into the Premier League.

The Brazilian has now played 19 games in the league this season, and he has absolutely zero output to show for it, with his performances being extremely frustrating for both the boss and the fans.

Even United legend Andy Cole said “he would drive me absolutely mad,” further adding:

“He doesn’t score enough goals for me or create enough chances for his team-mates.”

As you can see, Cole’s analysis is rather spot on, with his only goal contribution in 25 games being against League Two side Newport County in the FA Cup, where he had to tap into an open net for the goal.

Antony’s last start was that game, and he has started on the bench for all of United’s last three. However, what will concern the 23-year-old the most is just how well Alejandro Garnacho is playing in his role, scoring twice against West Ham United and offering much more of a threat.

It’s fair to say that it’s difficult seeing Antony turn his career around at Old Trafford, especially with United now reportedly looking to sign a new right-winger in the summer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe open to letting him leave at the end of the season.

Unfortunately, that dream start to life at United will most likely be the peak of his career with a Red Devils badge on his chest.

Mary Earps has sent a touching message of thanks to Manchester United goalkeeping coach Ian Willcock after her exit from Old Trafford was confirmed.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Earps to leave when contract expires
• PSG move looming
• Earps sends heartfelt goodbye

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  United confirmed on Saturday that Earps will leave the club upon the expiration of her contract, amid links with PSG. Having sent a touching farewell to the club's fans, she has now taken time to praise the club's goalkeeping coach, Ian Willcock.

Advertisement

• WHAT EARPS WROTE

  Earps wrote: "Thank you a million times @iwillcogkc for your incredible support and guidance over these last five years. All your selfless blood, sweat and tears. Thank you for believing in me. You are one of a kind."

  Instagram @maryearps

• WHAT WILLCOCK SAID

  Willcock also posted a message of support for Earps on his own Instagram.

  He said: "What a journey. The lows, the highs. Your resilience and Bouncebackability. Your drive and determination to keep pushing your limits, driving standards everyday. No stone left unturned. Relentless. You’ve taken on the big hitters and won. Be very very proud of everything you have achieved. And thank you for being an amazing human when times were tough for me and my family (and yes you and baggers got me) Keep being an inspiration for everyone around the world, including my daughter. 'Work hard in silence let success make the noise'. 'If you’re great you’ll get it if you’re consistent you’ll keep it.'

  Earps replied: "Great coach and an even better person, the dream team."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Earps is likely to complete a move to PSG this summer after her United exit was confirmed. The Lionesses goalkeeper will next be in action when England play the Republic of Ireland in a Euro 2025 qualifier on July 12.

Tottenham Hotspur have plateaued of late and it is a concern that Ange Postecoglou will be desperate to solve as he targets Champions League qualification this season.

Aston Villa's advantage in fourth place is slender, only two points, but last weekend's home defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers has sparked worry in north London.

Inconsistency has long been an issue at Tottenham and while progress has been made under Postecoglou's leadership this term, there is a long way to go before the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are matched at the summit of English football.

Still, Postecoglou wields a talented crop of players, with summer signings such as James Maddison and Micky van de Ven joining the likes of Cristian Romero and Heung-min Son.

The younger stars are also among the finest across Europe, with Pape Matar Sarr, 21 years old, looking like one of the finest rising talents in England.

The fee Spurs paid for Pape Sarr

Back in the summer of 2021, Tottenham were at a crossroads, with Jose Mourinho's project proving to be a bitter failure. Nuno Espirito Santo, perhaps slightly disappointingly, was appointed.

He, too, flattered to deceive down N17 and was relieved of his duties just 17 matches into his tenure, but one of his greatest successes in this snapshot period was the £15m signing of talented teenager Sarr from French side Metz.

Sarr, 18 at the time, was recognised for his multi-functionality but he wasn't ready for Premier League football and so returned to Metz on a season-long loan.

That much he was prepared for, and while he ebbed and flowed from form in Ligue 1, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano had been coloured impressed and revealed that he had been informed of the player's Paul Pogba-esque attributes.

Pape Sarr's market value in 2024

Now, Sarr is fast-rising as one of Tottenham's most valuable squad members, having already eclipsed that £15m fee paid for his services back in 2021.

Indeed, according to CIES Football Observatory's valuation model, the 18-cap Senegal international has been appraised at around £43m, though, in truth, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would likely demand an even greater fee to grant his departure from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, just that £43m figure marks a 187% increase in value, and barring any unforeseen external factors, this will continue to burgeon over the coming years.

Last year, Sarr was an unknown, if promising commodity, but his market value has skyrocketed in such a short time after his exploits throughout the current campaign.

Pape Sarr's season by numbers

Sarr truly has the making of a first-rate midfield machine at the top of the game. Sarr is crisp. He is cultured; he is combative.

Above all, Sarr is calm. Equanimity sits at the centre of his skill set, allowing him to read the game expertly, perusing it as if a compelling novel, identifying chinks in the opposition's armour and marrying this trait with an intelligence that allows him to strike at the perfect moment.

Last season, Tottenham struggled to mesh the cogs together but the Senegalese talent was a bright spark, only used sporadically but showcasing his skills and notably impressing when forced into a starting berth at the San Siro during the Champions League last-16, winning five tackles and nine duels against AC Milan.

The framework had been settled. Perhaps there was some uncertainty about how well Sarr would take to life under Postecoglou's influence, but this was swiftly wiped away as he thrived when entrusted with a big role in the system.

Across his 21 Premier League outings this season, the 6 foot midfielder has posted three goals and two assists, completed 89% of his passes and averaged 0.9 key passes, 1.1 tackles, 4.9 ball recoveries and 3.2 successful duels per match, as per Sofascore.

He also ranks among the top 10% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 11% for assists, the top 20% for pass completion, the top 13% for progressive passes and the top 28% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

His selfsame style as Rodri, midfield linchpin at Manchester City, is possibly the most glowing endorsement that can be attributed to his potential, with energy, composure and all-action brilliance staples of Rodri's approach with the Premier League champions.

It would be a brave person to argue against Rodri's title as the best holding midfielder in the business, with his manager, Pep Guardiola, stating that "he's the best midfield player in the current world by far" – he's probably not wrong.

In the English top-flight this year, the 27-year-old has played 21 times, scoring six goals and placing three assists for his peers, also completing 93% of his passes, averaging 2.2 tackles and 7.1 ball recoveries per clash while succeeding with 78% of his dribbles and 61% of his duels.

The £220k-per-week monster also ranks among the top 7% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 11% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for pass completion, passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 10% for progressive carries and the top 16% for successful take-ons per 90.

There's no such thing as infallible in football, but the Spaniard's patently been performing to a standard that will leave his signature hung in the halls of the Premier League's all-time greats.

Sarr is possibly not quite as innately solid in his defensive duties but he is sharpening a deadly attacking instinct to complement his core clutch of qualities that make him one of the most exciting midfielders across the continent, already noted for his "top-class" efforts in English football by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

The road ahead is long and tiring, but it is the path that Sarr must walk if he is to emulate Rodri and take the qualities that have already drawn comparisons and shape them into some unquestionably world-class.

Still, there are worse players to be compared to; it's a testament to Sarr's captivating ability and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Tottenham have been told Weston McKennie would be “worth a punt” at £15 million ($19m), with the USMNT star ready to shine for a “bigger team”.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Endured forgettable stint at Elland Road
• Into final year of contract at Juventus
• Has been linked with clubs across Europe

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 25-year-old midfielder briefly spent time in the Premier League when taking in a loan spell at Leeds in the 2022-23 campaign. Said stint at Elland Road ended in the frustration and disappointment of relegation, with questions asked of McKennie’s ability to perform in the English top flight.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  He silenced any doubters, while winning plenty of new supporters, when returning to Juventus and starring for them in 2023-24. McKennie is now on international duty at the Copa America and is being linked with clubs across Europe and in MLS after reaching the final year of his contract in Turin.

• Getty
  

  WHAT HUTTON SAID

  McKennie was heavily linked with Aston Villa at one stage, but former Spurs defender Alan Hutton has told of the American potentially ending up in north London: “He’s possibly worth a punt. I know I wasn’t really buzzing about it when he looked like he would possibly go to Aston Villa but I think what happened with myself was that I remembered what he was like when he was at Leeds. I know it was a struggling team, I know they got relegated and under Jesse Marsch, it didn’t quite work for him but he has in fairness gone back to Juventus and had a really good season.

  “He went back to Juventus and played a decent amount of games so it could possibly be something they look at. I think he suits a bigger team where he can get on the ball, drive about, he can make tackles, start attacks and different things like that. When you’ve got the better players, with no disrespect to Leeds, around him he becomes a better player. So that sort of price tag, it could be something that they look at.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT NEXT?

  McKennie took in 38 appearances for Juve last season – the most that he has ever managed across a single campaign – with his work rate and versatility being put to good use. Tottenham are in the market for reinforcements as they look to strengthen a squad that also has Europa League football on the agenda for 2024-25.

Despite spending over £125m during the summer transfer window, Newcastle United failed to sign any new players in January due to concerns over their FFP.

Newcastle's chief executive Darren Eales suggested earlier this year that the club must sell players before making any major signings, with the club on the limit of the Premier League's FFP rules.

Players such as Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes joined the Magpies during the summer, as the board looked to back manager Eddie Howe as they entered their first Champions League campaign in 20 years.

Howe's side failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition and have struggled in the Premier League due to injuries to key players throughout the campaign. Joelinton and Sven Botman have both had extended spells on the sidelines with injuries – with the club's Premier League performance suffering as a result.

The focus will now likely be on improving the club's fortunes next season, with the return of one exciting loanee potentially set to bolster a forward line that already includes club-record capture, Alexander Isak.

Newcastle may have a dream Isak partner

Yankuba Minteh joined the club for around £5.8m on July 1st 2023 from Danish side Odense BK, before immediately joining Feyenoord on loan for the rest of the 2023/24 campaign.

The 19-year-old, who is "frightening for defenders" – according to journalist Antonio Mango – has a big future ahead of him after impressing in Denmark, prior to his move to Tyneside earlier this year.

The Gambian winger may only have featured 17 times for Odense, but it didn't take him long to make an immediate impact on their first team despite his tender age.

In what was his first season as a professional footballer, the youngster scored four times and assisted six times for his teammates in a campaign that saw Odense finish ninth in the Danish Superliga.

The winger has continued his brilliant form from last season during his current loan spell in the Netherlands under the guidance of talented manager, Arne Slot.

Yankuba Minteh's stats this season

The teenage whiz has scored three times in his 16 appearances in the Eredivisie, as he looks to gain experience ahead of a potential first-team spot for Newcastle next season.

His goal contributions this season may not seem overly impressive, but when delving into his stats per 90 this season, the youngster has excelled in a season of development. The forward averages 9.6 progressive carries per game – a figure that ranks him within the top 1% of players in the Eredivisie.

Minteh has been a real threat for Feyenoord this season, completing 4.7 successful take-ons per 90 and averaging 10.5 touches per game in the opposition's 18-yard box.

It's not just in attacking areas where young Minteh excels, he also ranks highly defensively – averaging 2.7 tackles per 90 – a remarkable figure for an attacker, but also a player of his young age.

Although the youngster is yet to make an appearance for Newcastle, his loan spell at Feyenoord is proving that he has huge potential to be a hit at St James' Park, potentially forming an exciting long-term partnership with Isak in the forward line.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

The latter man has endured his fair share of injury woes since arriving in England, although the towering Swede does still boast 14 goals in just 25 games in all competitions thus far, indicating just what a clinical talent he is.

With Minteh – who has recorded two assists and created three 'big chances' in Holland in 2023/24 – able to supply quality service to the former Real Sociedad man, it could prove to be a mouthwatering pairing indeed.

It was a mediocre send-off, but USWNT boss Emma Hayes will have learned plenty as the real games inch closer

With the final whistle on Monday night, playtime officially ended. The time for adjusting or experimenting is now over. The Olympics have effectively arrived, and the U.S. women's national team is marching right on towards them.

Well, maybe not marching. It could be argued that they're limping a bit after two tough games: a cagey 1-0 win over Mexico and a frustrating 0-0 draw with Costa Rica. In an ideal world, these would be games where the USWNT would love to build confidence by running up the score. Not this time.

Instead, new coach Emma Hayes got some good insight and information. She changed things around a little bit while continuing to get this team adjusted to her style of management. Despite the looming tournament, this USWNT is still very much a work in progress. The Hayes era has only just gotten started.

It's clear that there are some kinks to work out, and the question is now this: can they get worked out over the next few weeks? This is still an imperfect, but supremely talented, USWNT group; can it be one that goes for gold?

We'll find out in a few weeks, but these send-off matches showed that there's still so much work to do. There isn't much time left to do it, though. France is calling, and the USWNT will be there soon enough.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the USWNT's friendlies…

• Getty Images
  

  WINNER: Sophia Smith

  She got the only goal of the weekend, so that's enough to put Smith on the winner list.

  The attacker's second-half finish against Mexico was fantastic, an example of what she can do with confidence. Against Costa Rica, she had her moments, too, although it felt like the ball was always just a yard away from where she needed it to be.

  Her chemistry with her attacking teammates is easy to see, even if the goals are a bit dry for that unit now. Even so, Smith should feel pretty good heading to France with this lone goal in her back pocket as she'll look to bag plenty more at the Olympics this summer.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  LOSER: Rose Lavelle

  Tough to see Rose Lavelle sitting out this close to the Olympics. Lavelle was a last-minute pull from the starting XI on Tuesday night, with what the USWNT called "leg tightness."

  Lavelle was limited on minutes at the 2023 Women's World Cup, and the midfield missed her creativity and vision. In the USWNT's final friendly before the Paris Olympics, it was clear the midfield was missing Lavelle's involvement once again. With Lavelle, the USWNT have more chances, and, although Korbin Albert got pulled into the action, there were little to no chances to show for it.

  The hope is that the leg tightness is managed, and Lavelle will be in good form for the USWNT's first group stage match.

• Getty
  

  WINNER: Jaedyn Shaw

  In some ways, she's both a winner and a loser here. Shaw didn't play nearly as much as many would have wanted her to, but her absence will only further cries for her to play a big role this summer.

  Shaw was a substitute in both matches, with Hayes opting to use her as a bench option for the time being. That could very well change, particularly if the U.S. continues to struggle scoring goals. That's because Shaw, at her core, is a difference-maker, and it's easy to see.

  The youngster brings life to this U.S. team whenever she's on the field. She's been doing it since her debut and, even in her cameos this week, you saw flashes of that fact. Will the U.S. use her as a supersub in France? Can they afford to? Ultimately, the answer might be no as this team looks better with Shaw on the field.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Patrick McDermott
  

  LOSER: Audi Field

  As if the humidity wasn't enough to be felt from all over, the field also didn't appear to be doing any favors either.

  Although USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said the temperatures were "perfect conditions" ahead of the Olympics, the turf appeared beat up and patchy.

  This field is familiar to USWNT star forward Trinity Rodman, who's NWSL team the Washington Spirit play at Audi Field for all home games. The ball carried throughout the game with decent pace, despite the sticky and humid weather. Audi Field first opened its doors in 2018, and we think it's safe to say it doesn't hold 100+ degree weather too well.

Everything you need to know about the new Aston Villa kits for the 2024-25 season.

Aston Villa announced a new long-term multi-million-pound kit deal with adidas, ending their ties with UK-based sportswear brand Castore.

Shop Aston Villa 2024-25 kits at adidasBuy now

The partnership with Castore which was reportedly worth £3 million ($3.8 million), per year from the 2022-24 season, allegedly fell through after players complained about the jerseys retaining sweat and affecting their performance.

So, while moving away from the "wet look" shirts, the Villans are to celebrate their 150th anniversary in a new skin. The club's Egyptian co-owner Nassef Sawiris owning around seven per cent of adidas also helped implement the trade.

GOAL takes a look at what the likes of Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and co. will be wearing in the upcoming season.

• adidas
  

  Aston Villa 2024-25 home kit, release date & price

  Shop Aston Villa 2024-25 kits at adidasBuy now

  Aston Villa's new adidas home kit for the 2024-25 season was unveiled on July 23, 2024, marking the first collaboration between the German kit manufacturer and the club.

  It will be in the usual maroon colour with sky-blue sleeves, but with the special 'AV 150' symbol behind the neck in elegant calligraphy to commemorate the club's landmark 150th anniversary and the new club crest with an '1874' inscription on it.

  The new Aston Villa home kit will cost £80 ($100) for the adult version, with the authentic strip prized at £100 ($140).

Advertisement

• Aston Villa 2024-25 away kit, release date & price

  With Aston Villa reportedly entering into a new main shirt sponsor deal worth around £20 million ($24.6 million) per year with another betting partner in Betano, there are several images of the Villa 2024-25 away shirt mocked up.

  While one of the mocked-up designs clearly displays the Betano logo on the front, another concept features the AV 150 mark, while there are also indications that it may only be a '150' mark on the shirt instead of 'AV 150'.

  One may also get to notice alterations of gold used on the club's crest and/or other logos.

  The Aston Villa 2024-25 away kit is expected to cost around £80 ($100) for the adult version.

• Aston Villa 2024-25 third kit, release date & price

  It is the same story with the possible Aston Villa 2024-25 third kit.

  Apart from the main shirt sponsor, Adidas is likely to use the Trefoil logo for Villa's third kit as well – just as the German kit manufacturer has done with several elite third kits of other clubs.

  There are various colour schemes also touted with the emergence of the new shirt sponsor, while other sources also show the possibility of Villa's crest displayed as just the lion.

  Meanwhile, time will tell which 150 mark will be used for the final kits, but the club's official website would hint at the 'AV 150' mark.

  The Adidas Aston Villa 2024-25 third kit is likely to cost around £80 ($100) for the adult version.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Aston Villa 2024-25 150th anniversary kit release date & price

  Shop Aston Villa 2024-25 kits at adidasBuy now

  According to , Adidas is also likely to launch a special kit to celebrate the club's 150th anniversary for the 2024-25 season.

  From the maroon border line to the tilde signs beside the club's crest and the distinctive brick graphics, the colour scheme and design language of the kit are set to be directly inspired by the club's home ground, Villa Park.

  The pricing for the Villa 2024-25 150th anniversary kit could also be priced around £80 ($100) for the adult version.

West Ham United and chairman David Sullivan have been told they could sign a "bargain" replacement for Lucas Paqueta, and he may be available for "next to nothing".

Lucas Paqueta exit fears surround West Ham

Supporters reluctantly waved goodbye to former club captain and fan favourite Declan Rice last summer, and if recent reports are to be believed, Paqueta may well follow the England international to pastures new.

Journalist has "heard" West Ham are eyeing "underrated" Moyes replacement

The Hammers boss’ future remains up in the air.

By
Emilio Galantini

Mar 1, 2024

Paqueta is attracting interest from Man City, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham ahead of the summer window, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano lifting the lid on an £85 million buy-out clause which becomes active in June.

The 26-year-old has started 20 league matches, scoring two goals and assisting five others, and has been one of West Ham's star players alongside winger Jarrod Bowen.

“Lucas was terrific,” Moyes said on Paqueta. “He drives me mad sometimes but everybody who watched him would have said: ‘This player has got incredible talent’.

“There is a word that goes around, a maverick. He is that for us. It is really important we get him in and adapt to him and accept some of his things. He may not do things which are what I would say conventional but we are really enjoying him at the moment and he is terrific at taking the ball under pressure. But also there are moments when I say: ‘What are you doing?’”

Paqueta attracted real interest from Man City last summer, and were attempting to get a deal done, but their move was put on ice following investigations into the South American's alleged gambling breaches.

West Ham have "world-class" Dybala opportunity

He's set to be a hot topic of discussion again this year, and journalist Robin Bairner has claimed in a piece for Football Transfers that West Ham have a "world-class" opportunity to sign Paulo Dybala as a replacement.

Even though they play different positions, Bairner says that Paqueta's level of excitement could be replicated by Dybala, who's scored 12 goals and assisted seven others in 19 league appearances this season.

Dybala's contract also contains a pretty tantalising £12 million release clause, which Roma are working "hard" to eradicate right now. This sort of fee, as per Bairner, is a potential "bargain" with the World Cup winner also bringing plenty of pedigree to the table.

Pundit Paddy Kenny, speaking to Football Insider on Tottenham's links to Dybala in 2021, called him a would-be "statement" signing.

“But you look at the players Tottenham did sign, two of them from Juventus," said Kenny. “Conte was at Juve as well so if he stays at Tottenham then maybe he can convince Dybala to join. What a statement that would be, by the way, he’s a brilliant player and one Tottenham would love to have.”

Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus has suggested Jonathan Tah might be better served resisting a summer transfer to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Matthaus questions Tah pursuit
• Leverkusen defender may not start
• Transfer yet to materialise

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Tah has been urged to consider how much playing time he might get at Bayern and whether he is even the right fit for the Bavarian giants if a transfer from Leverkusen is to go ahead in the summer transfer window.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Tah has been linked with Bayern throughout the summer and he was seemingly pushing from the inside by refusing to extend his Leverkusen contract. But things haven't progressed, with Bayern spending heavily on players in other positions instead – including winger Michael Olise and midfielder Joao Palhinha.

• WHAT LOTHAR MATTHAUS SAID

  Matthaus said in a column for : "If you really wanted Jonathan Tah, you would pay €25 million (£21m/$27m) for him. It's a game of poker, that's part of it, but if I were Tah, I would ask myself: 'Why are they buying other players for a total of €125m and not me, even though they want me?'

  "Tah, in the form he had in Leverkusen's championship season, would certainly be a reinforcement. But it is not known whether he would be guaranteed a place in Munich. He also doesn't seem to be very comfortable with the back four that Munich prefers. At the European Championship, he had some wobbles in his game in this system, but in Leverkusen he was more stable.

  "There is also the question of whether he would get the same support in Munich – from everyone – that he got in Leverkusen from [Xabi] Alonso, [Simon] Rolfes and [Fernando] Carro. Tah has to think about whether he wants to leave the club with which he has built something really big and grown and matured as a person."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Bayern need to decide how they will react to new €30m (£25m/$33m) signing Hiroki Ito being ruled out for the foreseeable future with a broken foot. The Japanese centre-back was only recruited in June.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' 3-2 defeat to Coventry City on the weekend was not their only piece of bad news, as Pedro Neto looks set to miss the rest of the season due to injury.

This comes as a significant blow for Gary O’Neil as he aims to secure a top-half Premier League finish for the Old Gold this season.

The former Bournemouth manager may have to rejig his team for the rest of the season in his absence, yet he could have an ideal heir to the Portuguese winger with a teenage academy talent ready to explode – Leo Lopes.

Leo Lopes’ youth statistics

Like Neto, Lopes also hails from Portugal, and he enjoyed a wonderful spell at Swiss side GC Zurich, particularly as a member of their U21 squad.

Starting in the lower U18 age group, the talented winger scored three goals in 15 appearances before making the next step up to the older age group.

Another six goals followed in 24 matches for the club and his future looked fairly bright. Wolves pounced to secure his signature last summer, and it looked like a wise investment by the Molineux side.

“Leo is an exciting attack-minded player who can operate on either wing,” said head of UK academy recruitment, Harry Hooman, upon his arrival.

“He makes things happen with his ability and athleticism in one v one situations. He is also prepared to do the other side of the game and shows good intensity and desire to defend out of possession.”

These attributes could see the youngster become a logical heir to Neto in the coming years, and he could form a wonder duo alongside fellow teen talent – Nathan Fraser.

Leo Lopes could follow in Nathan Fraser’s footsteps

Fraser made his senior bow for the Old Gold earlier this season, scoring and grabbing an assist against Blackpool in the EFL Cup. Not a bad way to announce yourself on the big stage,

Due to injuries to Matheus Cunha and Hwang-Hee-Chan in recent weeks, the Irishman has found opportunities in the Premier League easier to come by.

While he has yet to score in the top flight, Fraser – who has been dubbed "incredibly hard working" by his manager – is a considerable talent and one that Lopes could thrive alongside in the coming years.

The Portuguese sensation could be a wonderful attacking threat on either wing for the Old Gold, using his creativity and pace to generate plenty of chances for Fraser.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Wolves have enjoyed a resurgence with their frontline this season, already scoring 11 more goals this term than they did during the entirety of the 2022/23 campaign.

While Lopes may have to wait a while to gain an opportunity in the senior squad, his talent is limitless and O’Neil will certainly have one eye on his performances for the U21 side this season.

Neto won't be at the club forever and should they decide to cash in, either this summer or next, the Midlands side have an ideal replacement waiting in the wings.

Leo Lopes. Remember the name.