Inter Miami benched Lionel Messi for a home MLS clash with Montreal, with questions asked of whether there were “business” reasons for that decision.
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All-time great left out of meeting with Montreal
Martino's side suffered narrow defeat
South American is huge draw in away fixtures
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Argentine superstar is, at 36 years of age, going to sit out the odd game in 2024. He cannot be expected to play every minute across four competitions. He suffered an injury in pre-season and has already been rested by Tata Martino as Inter Miami seek to manage a gruelling schedule.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Herons insist that sporting factors are driving their selection calls, but there is no escaping the fact that Messi is the biggest draw in MLS and the greatest driver of revenue on and off the field. With that in mind, it has been suggested that he was left out of a match at Chase Stadium in order to ensure that he is ready for games on the road.
WHAT LALAS SAID ABOUT MESSI
Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas has told his podcast: “He is going to – Messi, and Luis Suarez for that matter – be used sporadically. This gets into a bigger conversation about what should be the priority when it comes to any MLS player, but in particular here with what Inter Miami is looking at. They both played in the CONCACAF Champions Cup midweek game, they did not play at the weekend in an actual MLS game. I guess this a subjective view, Messi was hired to play in Major League Soccer and to play in Major League Soccer games. He’s not playing in this game. He’s also not playing at home, in front of fans that have come out – whether it is celebrities or anybody else – to actually see this team, maybe for the only time, specifically because of Messi playing on the field. And he doesn’t play. That’s not a judgement – Tata Martino and that organisation have to do what they feel is best for the long-term success and survival of this team. Obviously it didn’t work from a result standpoint and maybe no league in the world is more forgiving of losing a game like this than Major League Soccer – without relegation and with the amount of teams that ultimate make the playoffs, so that’s the bar that they have to reach.
“But it is still a little bit weird in terms of the prioritisation of CONCACAF Champions Cup. Although international exposure and international success for the Inter Miami brand – and I guess the MLS brand – can certainly be important. They also chose a home game to sit him out, and we know that when it comes to away games this makes it more possible that Messi could play in an away game, and many times we are looking at away games that are being moved to bigger stadiums and therefore from a revenue standpoint and a business standpoint and an exposure standpoint, MLS as a whole might get the benefit of the decision from Tata Martino. But, ultimately, this is a team that without Messi, lost.”
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WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?
Messi continues to attract A-list guests and sell-out crowds to every fixture he graces, with the expectation being that he will be back in Inter Miami’s starting XI for the second leg of a Champions Cup last-16 encounter with Nashville on Wednesday that is currently locked at 2-2 on aggregate.
Despite being one of the best players in the Premier League this season, the Luton star is facing an uphill battle to return to the international fold
There has always been a special aura about Ross Barkley, right from the moment he was handed his full senior debut at Everton as a fresh-faced 17-year-old. On that occasion in August 2011, QPR left Goodison Park with a 1-0 victory, but Barkley grabbed the headlines as the standout performer on the pitch after being trusted to start ahead of Mikel Arteta and Marouane Fellaini.
Comparisons with Toffees cult hero Wayne Rooney inevitably followed, while former England and Arsenal defender Martin Keown predicted he would go on to become "one of the best players we'll ever see in this country". For a while, Barkley looked on track to live up to that billing, as he became a vital cog at Everton and a regular for the Three Lions, notably playing in all three group games at the 2014 World Cup.
Four years later, he secured a £15 million ($19m) transfer to Chelsea, which should have been the ideal place for him to reach the next level. Alas, it didn't work out, and he left the club as a free agent in 2022 with just 100 appearances in all competitions to his name.
It appeared that Barkley would never fulfil his potential, especially after an underwhelming spell at Nice last season, but Luton Town offered him a fresh start after gaining promotion to the Premier League, and the gamble has paid off. The Hatters have real hope of staving off immediate relegation with 10 games of the campaign to go, and much of the credit must go to Barkley, who has sparked talk of an England recall with his dazzling performances.
Unfortunately, his path is likely to be blocked by a certain former Liverpool midfielder who is way past his best. That's right, Jordan Henderson remains one of the first names on Gareth Southgate's list, and England fans could be in for another summer of pain as a result, with Barkley's heroics at Kenilworth Road destined to go unrewarded.
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Adapting to a new role
Barkley only made nine Ligue 1 starts for Nice, who are owned by Manchester United's new minority shareholders INEOS, and unsurprisingly, was not offered the chance to extend his contract at the Allianz Riviera. It wasn't a completely wasted year for Barkley, though, as he told earlier this month: "I learned a lot off the ball. In France, they work hard on the defensive side of the game, really aggressive pressing."
That experience has helped Barkley adapt to a new deep-lying role at Luton. The 30-year-old has embraced extra responsibility in defence, and the Hatters also rely on him to build their attacks, with his progressive passing ensuring that they carry a threat on the break against any opponent.
During his time at Chelsea, an apparent lack of confidence led to Barkley taking the easy option on the ball, but with Luton he looks like a player reborn, and drives forward at every opportunity. Despite his new status as a holding midfielder, Barkley has also managed to chip in with nine goal contributions for Rob Edwards' side this season, linking up with Elijah Adebayo and Carlton Morris to great effect.
"I got moved further forward into more attacking positions because my decision-making when I was younger wasn't as good as it is now. That comes with experience," he said when quizzed on his revival at Kenilworth Road. "I believe the lower midfield role for me, it's perfect for me now. I have a better understanding of the game. I can take risks, create assists and defensively I'm much more disciplined now."
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'I back myself for England'
Barkley's resurgence has been one of the feel-good stories of the 2023-24 campaign, and even if Luton end up falling short in their bid to beat the drop, there will be plenty of other Premier League clubs now considering a swoop for his services. He looks fitter than ever before, too, having played more league minutes this season than in any of the past seven, and the very best years of his career may still be ahead of him.
The prospect of adding to his haul of 33 England caps is a big motivational factor for Barkley, with his last appearance under Southgate coming back in 2019. "I'm not going to lie, it's in the back of my mind, but I know there's a lot of competition for places in the England squad," he added to . "I do back myself. I believe I can add something to the squad."
To say there is a "lot of competition" in midfield in Southgate's ranks right now is an understatement. England have more quality in the centre of the pitch than any other nation in the world, with Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden among those vying for starting spots.
The likes of James Maddison, Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Kalvin Phillips will also be at the forefront of Southgate's thinking, but Barkley can offer England something different. He's playing with real purpose at Luton and making a decisive impact at both ends of the pitch, in spite of the Hatters' limitations as a collective.
Being a big fish in a small pond seems to suit Barkley, but it would be fascinating to see him working alongside world-class operators again. If he were able to replicate his form at Luton for England, he'd be a real weapon for Southgate, and perhaps the ideal man to provide Harry Kane with the service he needs to cause maximum damage in the final third.
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Southgate's favourite
The problem is, Southgate has always had his favourites, and despite a turbulent campaign that has seen his reputation suffer irreparable damage, Henderson is still one of them. No one would be surprised if the Ajax midfielder starts alongside Rice and Bellingham in England's opening group game against Serbia on June 24.
Barkley could put himself ahead of everyone else, but dislodging Henderson will be practically impossible, because Southgate is such a risk-averse manager. He won't sacrifice defensive discipline for more penetration in attack, with Henderson having long been his go-to man for keeping things neat and tidy in the middle of the pitch.
Abandoning his morals and chasing riches in Saudi Arabia after leaving Liverpool last summer didn't have a negative impact on Henderson's England status, either. The 33-year-old was booed by fans during the Three Lions' clash with Australia in October, on a night when he filled in for Kane as captain, but Southgate leapt to his defence after the game.
"I really don’t understand it," said Southgate. "His commitment and what he has delivered for England is exceptional. His role in the group on and off the pitch is phenomenally important – he’s the one that has taken the likes of Jude Bellingham under his wing since he came into the squad. He’s a brilliant role model for all of the group in his professionalism and his approach."
That stance ensures that Henderson will be on the plane to the Euros, regardless of whether or not he finishes the season strongly at Ajax, who he joined in January after realising that he'd made a mistake signing up for a two-year deal with Al-Ettifaq in the Middle East. He's one of Southgate's untouchables, as evidenced by his presence in the Three Lions' latest squad for March friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, and it won't bother him that he's standing in the way of Barkley and the other midfielders who have far more to offer in terms of genuine quality.
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Henderson no longer a role model
Henderson will turn 34 the day after England kick-off their European Championship campaign, and he's played like a man whose body is starting to betray him this season. There were signs of rust in his final year at Liverpool, which is why Jurgen Klopp was happy to facilitate his departure, and his six-month spell at Al-Ettifaq was nothing short of a disaster.
Despite reuniting with Reds legend Steven Gerrard, Henderson never settled in Saudi Arabia, and failed to record a single goal or assist in his final eight appearances for Al-Ettifaq, none of which ended in victory. Henderson was able to manufacture an escape in the January transfer window, terminating his contract by mutual consent before signing for Eredivisie giants Ajax, but his fortunes haven't improved much in the Netherlands.
Ajax have won only one of the six league games Henderson has played so far, sliding to fifth in the table, and the veteran midfielder has been regularly criticised for his lack of influence. Southgate attended his debut against PSV, though, and later admitted “it’s easier to assess somebody playing in a European league", much to Henderson's delight.
"It was good for him to come and watch to see that he's keeping an eye on me," he said to the Dutch media last week. "It's always a privilege for me to play for my country and I want to do that for as long as possible. I've got to focus on my job here and if I'm doing that well and performing well then that gives me the best possible opportunity to get in the England squad. I feel I can help the squad and the team going forward in the next camp and hopefully in the summer."
There has been no evidence over the past eight months to suggest Henderson is right. Putting aside the decline in his footballing ability, he's also lost his standing as a role model for younger players and a champion for the LGBT+ community after the Saudi saga, and will likely be the target of jeers from supporters again when he puts the England shirt back on.
If there were concerns over Newcastle United's form after Brighton & Hove Albion consigned Eddie Howe's side to a third successive Premier League defeat last month, they have been decimated following an incredible run of form.
The Magpies defeated Sheffield United with a jaw-dropping eight-goal haul before defeating Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and Burnley in the league; the cream of the crop, though, is surely the 4-1 drubbing of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Newcastle now face a trip to east London in the top flight to take on West Ham United, with both sides eyeing a route into the top four.
What's the latest Newcastle team news?
The Magpies are emboldened by the recent contract extension of Bruno Guimaraes, who will serve as the flourishing midfield centrepiece as usual.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
On the injury front, Joelinton and Callum Wilson are both believed to be edging toward a return from respective hamstring injuries, though Sven Botman, Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes will not be in contention to play as they continue their rehabilitation from various setbacks.
Anthony Gordon will also miss that match at the London Stadium as he serves a one-match suspension after picking up a yellow card against Burnley, which could lead to a starting berth for Jacob Murphy.
Will Jacob Murphy start vs West Ham?
Murphy has only started twice this season, and neither time in the Premier League, but given the absence of both Gordon and Barnes, it might be high time for him to make his mark from the opening whistle.
The 5 foot 9 speedster has previously been hailed as "so important" to Howe's system by reporter Chris Waugh, who has also praised his “relentless" energy, which are attributes that could be a good fit to take apart a resolute Hammers backline.
To evidence this, the 28-year-old ranks among the top 12% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists per 90, and within the top 25% for goals, progressive carries, touches in the attacking box and blocks per 90, as per FBref.
The £35k-per-week machine is dynamic and versatile, and it might be worth deploying him down the left, combatting the in-form Jarrod Bowen down West Ham's attacking right side, having scored five goals from seven appearances in the Premier League this season.
Bowen, who has been described as "unbelievable" by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, will find a tough time finding and holding space in promising positions with an insistent thorn in his side such as Murphy.
While there is the option of playing Wilson – who is among the most prolific goalscorers across Europe right now, ranking among the top 6% of forwards for goals and the top 9% for assists per 90 – the former Bournemouth man has scored four times in the Premier League already this season, despite only starting two times, which suggests he would be well-placed to enter after the break.
This is due to his starting berth resulting in Alexander Isak being shifted out onto the left, and while the Swede can find success in the role, he is in form and flourishing himself and must be allowed to continue his exploits as the focal frontman.
Murphy's involvement from the start could prove to be a neat trick for Howe to perform this term, and one that could pay dividends as Newcastle seek yet another victory to continue this vibrant purple patch.
Chelsea are now seriously interested in signing an “unbelievable” £62m star, and they have now been in contact ahead of a possible summer move, according to a report.
Maresca's striker search
Christopher Nkunku could be on the move this summer, while there is also growing interest in Nicolas Jackson, which may intensify the need for Enzo Maresca to bring in at least one new striker at the end of the season.
Aston Villa are named as one of the clubs that could make a move for Jackson in the summer, joining the race alongside Newcastle United, who are believed to have made the 23-year-old their priority target, amid fears Alexander Isak could move on.
However, with both Nkunku and Jackson struggling to find the back of the net on a regular basis, Maresca may decide to make a move for a new striker this summer, regardless of whether the duo move on.
Nkunku & Jackson upgrade: Chelsea may rue selling Eghbali's world-class CF
As Chelsea struggles in front of goal continue, do the Blues regret selling a “world-class” striker currently outperforming Christopher Nkunku?
By
Ben Gray
Feb 23, 2025
During the January transfer window, the Blues were linked with a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha, and there has now been a new update on their pursuit of the forward.
According to a report from Spain, Chelsea have been in contact with Cunha ahead of a potential summer move, alongside Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, with the three London clubs seriously considering activating the £62m release clause.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' MatheusCunhareacts
The Brazil international’s performances for Wolves this season have attracted the attention of some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, and the release clause included in his new contract means the door could be open for a deal.
The Blues are said to view the Wolves star as a key signing for their project, indicating he could be among their main striker targets for the summer.
"Unbelievable" Cunha could upgrade Chelsea's frontline
With Jackson sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Nkunku has been given the nod at striker recently, but the Frenchman has struggled to make his mark, finding the back of the net just twice in the Premier League this season.
Jackson’s form has also been on a downward trend after a positive start to the campaign, failing to score in 2025, so it would make sense for Maresca to bring in a top striker in the summer.
Cunha’s performances in the Premier League over the past two seasons indicate he could be a real upgrade for Maresca in attack, having bagged 25 goals in 57 games for Wolves during his first two full campaigns, while also picking up 11 assists.
The 25-year-old even bagged a hat-trick against the Blues last season, and he received high praise for his performance from journalist Alex Richards.
Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested in replacing Kylian Mbappe with Luis Diaz – but Liverpool may want as much as €145 million for him.
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PSG linked with Liverpool's Diaz
Seeking Mbappe replacement
Could cost French side up to €145m
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WHAT HAPPENED?
With Mbappe expected to join Real Madrid this summer, PSG have turned their attentions to Reds winger Diaz, according to El Pais Colombia. The report says with manager Jurgen Klopp leaving Anfield at the end of the season, there are question marks over the 27-year-old's future. However, it has been claimed that the Colombia international could cost between €120-€145m (£102m-£123m/$131m-$164m).
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Mbappe's lengthy transfer saga and the impending departure of Klopp are two of the biggest footballing stories at present and both PSG and Liverpool are facing a new, uncertain era without two iconic figures. Maintaining success at the top is key, therefore finding ideal replacements as soon as possible will be vital in ensuring a seamless handover for next season.
DID YOU KNOW?
Diaz, whose contract at Liverpool runs until 2027 after signing from FC Porto in 2022 for £40 million ($51.3m/€47m), is also a reported target for Barcelona and AC Milan. He has scored 11 goals and bagged five assists so far this season.
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WHAT NEXT?
Diaz and Liverpool are due back in action on Thursday in the second leg of their round of 16 Europa League tie against Sparta Prague. The Reds, who will face Manchester United in the last eight of the FA Cup three days later, won the first leg 5-1.
Nottingham Forest manager, Steven Reid, has been banned and fined for using expletives at referee Paul Tierney following the defeat to Liverpool.
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Reid hit out at Tierney after losing to Liverpool
Has been banned for two games
Will also need to pay a fine of £75,000
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Football Association has slapped a two-match ban and a fine of £5,000 on Reid for his misconduct towards Tierney after Darwin Nunez bagged the winner deep inside stoppage time at City ground on March 2. Forest have also been asked to pay £75,000 as they failed to restrain their players and staff from behaving "in an improper way after the final whistle."
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The altercation stemmed from a controversial decision by Tierney to hand possession back to Liverpool via a drop-ball, even though the hosts had possession before play was stopped due to a head injury to Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.
Mark Clattenburg, a former Premier League referee and currently working as Forest's referee analyst, criticised the decision and told BBC Radio 5: "If the referee stops the game, he has to give the ball back to the team in possession. That was Forest."
Tierney mentioned about the incident in his match report and wrote: "Following the final whistle I was surrounded by members of Nottingham Forest's substitutes and backroom staff on the field of play. One of those who approached me was Steven Reid, who was not listed on the teamsheet. He asked me about a decision and I said to him that I would speak to him inside and not outside on the field of play. He then continued to question me and I repeated that I would speak to him inside. He then said, 'It's the same every week, you [expletive]'."
DID YOU KNOW?
Tierney eventually showed Reid a red card for his comments. Despite Reid's admission of the initial abusive language, he denied continuing to use such language after being sent off. However, Tierney and the assistant referees reported Reid's repeated swearing and confrontational behaviour as they left the field, leading to the substantiation of the charges. Forest also admitted that owner Evangelos Marinakis did walk up to Tierney after the match but squashed reports of any altercation that required restraint.
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WHAT NEXT?
This is not the first time Forest have faced sanctions for misconduct towards match officials. In the past 18 months, the club has been involved in similar incidents on three previous occasions, leading to concerns about their disciplinary conduct. In conclusion, the regulatory commission has warned Forest that "future breaches of the rules may be treated more severely".
Manchester United are thought to be eyeing up a possible 2024 move for a teenage midfielder, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.
Man Utd transfer news…
The Red Devils haven’t had the best of starts to the new season under Erik ten Hag despite bringing in eight new players over the summer. Four defeats from eight in the Premier League alongside back-to-back losses in the Champions League have seen pressure building on the manager. However, in recent updates on Ten Hag’s future at Man Utd, the Red Devils aren’t yet considering parting ways with the Dutchman following a successful first year at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, the Man Utd takeover saga looks set to come to an end soon, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to invest in the club after Sheikh Jassim withdrew his offer over the weekend. Ratcliffe and INEOS are on course to pay £1.3bn for a 25% stake in the club and are expected to run the football operations as part of the deal.
Therefore, they look set to be in control of signings in the New Year, with one possible addition being Benfica’s Joao Neves. The midfielder, who has a £100m+ release clause, has recently been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and a Man Utd transfer update has been shared by Sky Sports’ Plettenberg, who said:
“João Neves is a potential transfer target for Man Utd! Not in winter, but for summer – confirmed. The 19 y/o midfielder is on the list of MUFC for a long time. More top clubs are monitoring the top talent from SL Benfica!”
Benfica's Joao Neves
Joao Neves profiled
Neves could well be a possible signing next summer then, by which time he will be approaching his 20th birthday. He can play as a defensive, central or attacking midfielder and has enjoyed a brilliant rise over the past 12 months, with Neves’ transfer value going from €400,000 to €20m, as per Transfermarkt.
Already a Portugal international, Neves has been labelled as a “warrior” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig and has progressed through Benfica’s youth system, making 31 senior appearances in all competitions. (Joao Neves stats – Transfermarkt)
Former trainer Luis Castro has also praised Neves recently, describing him as a “complete” player who could shine in the Premier League, should a move materialise.
“(He can) play in any championship in the world. (He’s) a complete and very intelligent player. The Premier League is the best league in the world, and not only would he be able to adapt, but he would also play and shine.
“Knowing João, I think he is not worried about the next step but about the next game. He had good training at Benfica, but at family level he also had a lot of support. He is very focused. I believe that if and when he takes the leap he will be prepared. He started training with the A team around the time of the World Cup because they needed him, and I told my technical team that we probably wouldn’t see him again. I knew his quality and his way of working.”
Therefore, it looks as if a move will be one to keep an eye on over the next six months or so, where United may be hoping to be in a good position to get a deal over the line.
Leeds United return to action in the Championship this evening with a chance to make it four wins in succession after their clash with Norwich City at the weekend.
Daniel Farke secured a thrilling 3-2 win over his former side, after being 2-0 down at half-time, and that came after victories over Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers.
They are now set to travel to face Stoke City away from Elland Road tonight in search of another three points on the road to, hopefully, promotion back to the Premier League.
What's the latest Leeds team news?
The head coach has confirmed that there are no fresh injuries to deal with after the win over the Canaries, which means that Wilfried Gnonto came through his return without any setbacks.
Leeds forward Wilfried Gnonto.
However, Djed Spence, Junior Firpo, and Stuart Dallas remain unavailable for selection with their respective issues, and will not be in the matchday squad tonight.
This update, essentially, means that Farke could name an unchanged XI from the 3-2 win over Norwich. However, the manager is expecting an intense performance from the Potters and, because of this, must finally unleash Ilia Gruev from the start.
The central midfielder is yet to start a game for Leeds since his move from Werder Bremen and Glen Kamara should be moved aside to accommodate him.
How did Kamara perform against Norwich?
The Finland international did not step up to the mark defensively to help out his team against the Canaries as he only made one tackle, along with zero blocks, interceptions, or clearances, in 70 minutes on the pitch.
Finland international Glen Kamara.
Kamara's lack of strength and defensive nous was on full display for the home side's second goal. He was goalside of Gabriel Sara, who had his back to goal, in the box and allowed the Brazilian ace to turn him with ease before firing into the back of the net.
Gruev's performances in Germany, however, suggest that he has the potential to offer more solidity in the middle of the park to deal with Stoke's intense play.
How did Gruev perform for Bremen?
The 23-year-old battler, whom his former coach Ole Werner hailed as "clever", made 31 Bundesliga appearances, which included 18 starts, for Bremen last season and showcased his defensive instincts.
He ranked within the top 26% of his positional peers at that level for tackles (2.50) and interceptions (1.25) per 90 respectively. The talented youngster also ranked within the top 48% for blocks (1.31) and clearances (1.19) per 90 for his side.
Former Werder Bremen midfielder Ilia Gruev.
That came after Gruev placed in the top 12% of players in his position at 2. Bundesliga level for tackles (2.64) and interceptions (1.58) per 90 during the 2021/22 campaign as his team won promotion to the top-flight.
These statistics suggest that the Bulgaria international has more to offer out of possession than Kamara, who has made 1.3 tackles and interceptions combined per match in the Championship this season, if he can translate that form over to English football.
Therefore, Farke must finally unleash Gruev from the start and allow the 6 foot 1 enforcer to go about his business off the ball in order to allow the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Joel Piroe, and Georginio Rutter to push on and punish teams when they win possession back.
Alessia Russo has added "another element" to Arsenal, believes skipper Kim Little, who has been impressed with plenty in the England striker's game.
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Russo joined Arsenal from Man Utd last summer
Gunners skipper Little praises her impact
Highlights new 'element' England star has added
WHAT HAPPENED?
Russo joined the Gunners on a free transfer from Manchester United in the summer, just a few months after the London club had tabled a world-record bid for her in the January window. It was clear that Arsenal rated her highly, then, and the squad Russo has joined this season has been impressed with her ability, too.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
It has been a difficult campaign at times for the England star, and she herself has even opened up on the challenge of adapting to a new team, but there have been some memorable moments, too. A star performance against Chelsea in the Women's Super League just before Christmas was a particular highlight, as well as the decisive goal she scored in the north London derby in March.
WHAT LITTLE SAID
Asked what Russo has brought to the Arsenal team, captain Little said: "Less is one of the best technical players to receive the ball and her touch, I think she is one of the hardest players to get the ball off, I think you can all see that when any kind of speed or type of ball is hit up to her. She's also got one of the cleanest strikes I've seen as well, when you're watching her in training every day.
"I think she adds yet another element to the team and has brought that this year, which is fun for all of us. I think we have such a kind of dynamic team and versatile team, we have Stina [Blackstenius] who has such great attributes in lengthening the game for us and making the channel runs, being really explosive and powerful, and then Less complements that in a way with her technical ability and close control. I think both of them have performed and scored in really key moments this year."
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DID YOU KNOW?
Little has often played in a more advanced midfield role this season, which means she has had to work closely with both Russo and Blackstenius, the Gunners' Swedish striker.
Speaking about the relationships she is building with both on the pitch as a result, Little said: "With Less coming in, she's an incredible player and likewise with Stina. I've played a number of times with Stina as the No.9 as well and I think that's a challenge. It's part of the game to be able to build these connections with different players and bring out their strengths.
"Stina and Less are very different players and my role is, what can I do to bring out their strengths most and then also allow me to do what I'm capable of? I've enjoyed it. I enjoy playing football and the challenge of trying to win a game, whether that's in a 10 position or an 8 or whatever I'm asked, it's how can I do that as best as I can to get the win."
Kevin De Bruyne admitted he is under pressure to perform after Phil Foden's 'amazing' performance this season.
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Foden keeping De Bruyne on his toes
Netted a brace and provided an assist
Man City beat Crystal Palace 4-2
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Manchester City talisman netted a brace and provided the assist for Erling Haaland's goal in the 4-2 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday. After a scintillating performance at Selhurst Park, De Bruyne admitted that Foden has kept him on his toes after consistently performing for the club in the current campaign.
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WHAT KEVIN DE BRUYNE SAID
When asked if he felt pressure to perform after Foden's hat-trick against Aston Villa in the midweek, the Belgian said to: "Yeah I do because these guys keep me on my toes. I don't expect to just be given my place. If I don't perform well, I won't play. Phil Foden has been amazing this season so deserves it but it keeps me on my toes. I think it's possible. When I started at 16 or 17 nobody thought it was possible with David Silva.
"It will be a little bit vice versa but I don't see why not. We have not done it that much. I just try to be more of an example with the way I am on the pitch. I won't be the person to tell others how to live their lives but I try to show on the pitch. I have played with Phil [Foden] for seven or eight years now so I don't feel like he is a youngster anymore. He is an established superstar in our team. He is just amazing."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
With a treble against Villa in their previous match, Foden joined an exclusive list of players who have 20 or more goals and at least 10 assists playing in Europe's top five leagues. He has already netted 14 times in the Premier League, the most he has scored in a single league campaign.
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WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?
Having scored eight goals in their last two games, City will now shift focus to Europe as they gear up to take on Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash on April 9.