أعلن المدير الفني لفريق آينتراخت فرانكفورت، دينو توبمولر، عن تشكيل اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة فرايبورج في الجولة الـ22 من الدوري الألماني.

وتنطلق مباراة فرانكفورت وفرايبورج في تمام الساعة الرابعة والنصف عصرًا بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “يوروبابارك”.

وشهد تشكيل آينتراخت فرانكفورت تواجد جناح منتخب مصر، عمر مرموش، بعد التسجيل في مباراة بوخوم الماضية في الدوري.

عاد مرموش مرة أخرى إلى التشكيل الأساسي لـ فرانكفورت منذ المباراة الماضية، بعد الخروج من دور الـ16 في كأس أمم إفريقيا مع منتخب مصر وحصوله على بعض الأيام للراحة.

طالع أيضًا.. تقييم عمر مرموش بعد مباراة آينتراخت فرانكفورت وسانت جيلواز في دوري المؤتمر الأوروبي تشكيل آينتراخت فرانكفورت اليوم أمام فرايبورج في الدوري الألماني

حراسة المرمى: كيفين تراب.

خط الدفاع: توتا، هاسيبي، باتشو.

وسط الملعب: بوتا، إلياس سخيري، ماريو جوتزه، ماكس، فراس شايبي.

الهجوم: عمر مرموش، كالاديتش.

البدلاء: ايكيتي، رودي، شيندير، فان دي بيك، ايبيمبا، نكونكو، جراهل، كناوف، سوموليتشيتش.

All of India’s bowlers combined together perfectly at Eden Gardens to deliver the hosts a 178-run victory over New Zealand

The Report by Alagappan Muthu03-Oct-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:49

Agarkar: New Zealand going backwards instead of getting better

At the historic Eden Gardens, in front of 12,068 people, India became the No. 1 team in the world with a 178-run victory over New Zealand and captured their fourth series trophy on the trot.It isn’t groundbreaking for a team to dominate in their own conditions. And granted, the heat and the pitches left New Zealand feeling out of place – picture Mr Bean in an MI6 facility – but when you watch R Ashwin conjuring wickets, or Mohammed Shami demolishing stumps; when you watch M Vijay leaving the ball or Cheteshwar Pujara attacking the spinners; when you watch Virat Kohli raising his game, it is difficult not to wonder whether India have found themselves an XI capable of becoming something special.New Zealand did the best they could in the absence of their regular captain and best batsman Kane Williamson. He had finally recovered from a fever to come out of his hotel room and watch the match from the ground. He would have felt proud of Tom Latham’s polished 74. He would have enjoyed Matt Henry’s big-hearted performance. He would have wanted to run out to the field when the ninth wicket fell and do his little bit for his men. But 376 was too big a target in the final innings.The coin was in love with Kohli, doing as he bid for a sixth time in a row, in Kolkata. The weather too wanted to be on his good side, giving him the perfect conditions to ambush New Zealand late on the second day. In Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he also had the ideal weapon to exploit a pitch that offered seam, swing and variable bounce. On the fourth day, when conditions had become better for batting, India remained tenacious. They remained patient. They were a little petulant too, putting the umpire under needless pressure every time the ball hit pad or beat bat. India often get on rolls like these. But it isn’t often that they make it last. Someone gives it away. A ball down leg. A wicket thrown away. This XI, though, may just be learning to shed those bad habits.Take Ashwin for example. He had seen that Latham had changed his technique; that he was taking a shorter front stride so that he could be in a better position to play the ball that doesn’t turn and avoid being lbw. It paid off beautifully. He survived the first few minutes. His footwork grew assured. A good cover drive off a half-volley got him going. A delectable flick shot later in the innings exemplified that he was reading the length early and well. He went to tea unbeaten on 74.Ashwin got him in his first over after tea. The ball was looped up. It was bowled wide. It was a tease. Like the smell of chocolate to a man who has never eaten anything other than salad. Latham went for that sinful cover drive and the outside edge was taken by Wriddhiman Saha, moving smoothly to his left.Henry Nicholls nicked a catch to Ajinkya Rahane•BCCI

And then there was Shami and his sexy reverse swing. BJ Watling read that a fuller delivery was tailing into him. Appropriately, he brought his front pad down the line and made sure the bat came down close to it. A second later, he was watching his off stump cartwheeling all over the place. The ball had moved one way in the air and then promptly the other way off the pitch to beat the outside edge. Shami can’t possibly have intended for that to happen; it would just be scary if he did.Twelve out of the 20 wickets India took in Kolkata went to the seamers. Admittedly, the pitch suited them better in the early stages, but not often have India made use of that advantage. On the fourth day, when conventional swing went AWOL along with the uneven pace and bounce, they used what was given to them – scoreboard pressure and reverse swing – brilliantly. This is why India should feel upbeat about their chances. Their fast bowlers aren’t place-holders for the spinners anymore.But it is India, it was a spinner who got things going. Ashwin mystifies batsmen with his flight and Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor were the latest scratching their heads all the way to the pavilion. One was lbw because the ball dipped, the other was lbw again because it drifted away and as a result the Kolkata Test claimed the record for the most lbws in a Test in India. The count finished at 15.Ravindra Jadeja went around the wicket to the left-handed Henry Nicholls in the 36th over. From the amount of work he puts into his action, a batsman expects the ball to turn. He often plays for that turn, or at the very least, worries about it so much that it brings uncertainty into his game. Nicholls was put through this harrowing sequence of events and sent on his way to the pavilion as a good length ball, holding its line just outside off stump, took the edge and was taken superbly by Ajinkya Rahane at slip.Only six times has a team ever made 376 or more to win a Test. Never has it been done at Eden Gardens, where the highest successful chase took place more than a decade ago and finished at 120 for 2. The contribution from Saha to put his team in such a strong position should not be underestimated. He became only the fourth Indian wicketkeeper to hit two fifities in a Test.On the West Indies tour, Saha was demoted one spot from No. 6 with the team management saying they wanted to reduce the pressure on him when they went in a batsman short. India have not opted for that combination at home against New Zealand but Saha stayed in the lower order. On his home ground, he produced an innings that may well become something of a signature. He was happy to take blows to his body from the fast bowlers. He used their pace, nudging them behind point or towards backward square leg. And having blunted them, he gorged on spin. Five of his six fours and 28 of his unbeaten 58 came off the bowling of Mitchell Santner. It was only the fifth time in Test history that a batsman from No. 8 had made two fifties in a Test.There were two Indian wickets standing on the fourth morning, when the pitch showed signs that it had slowed down. Neil Wagner picked up one of them to move his career tally to 99. Playing his 25th Test, he could have tied with Richard Hadlee’s record for the fastest New Zealander to 100 Test wickets but the final wicket went to Trent Boult.

Newcastle United have been heavily linked with a move for Kieran Tierney this summer and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of the player.

What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Kieran Tierney?

According to iNews northern football correspondent Mark Douglas, Newcastle have laid the groundwork to sign the Arsenal defender this summer.

As per a report for the publication, Douglas claims that Aston Villa are also interested in securing the services of Tierney during the transfer window, but Newcastle remain keen to sign him alongside Leicester City attacker James Maddison.

Who would Tierney replace in the Newcastle team?

Eddie Howe boasts an impressive squad at St James' Park with the side showing incredible resilience and quality to achieve a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League next season.

Whilst many of Newcastle's first-team talent will likely retain their roles going into next season there will be no room for sentiment when it comes to bolstering key positions and adding higher-quality players into the fold to ensure the side can compete comfortably on the domestic and European stages.

As a result, the signing of Tierney could be a great opportunity to add some great depth to the left-back role to present competition to Dan Burn and Matt Targett over next season whilst also obtaining a player who has strong Premier League and European experience.

Despite falling out of favour at the Emirates due to the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko, the £110k-per-week ace boasts unrivalled experience in his position with 60 appearances tallied up in the Europe League and Champions League so far, as well as 91 English top-flight appearances too.

When comparing Tierney to his positional peer Targett this season, it is clear that the Gunners man has outperformed in many attributes including goal contributions (1 v 0), tackles and interceptions won (31 v 22), percentage of dribblers tackled (75% v 37.5%) and progressive carries (25 v 3), despite averaging six minutes less per appearance.

The Scotland international has been the recipient of high praise over his impressive career so far, with legendary England full-back Ashley Cole complimenting Tierney's impact on Arsenal when fit and available selection:

"When he’s in the team, they are a different team, he’s willing to defend, he’s that kind of leader and warrior they need in this team.

"He’s got those leadership qualities which are needed along with the younger players in there. When he doesn’t play they miss him on he left."

With that being said, the signing of Tierney – who was dubbed an "upgrade" on Howe's current left-back options – at the right price would be a big coup for Newcastle to provide them with a quality left-back who can push his positional competitors next season.

From a creative standpoint, the likes of Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold must have felt like Atlas, the Greek titan tasked with holding the world on his shoulders, at times during their respective Liverpool careers.

While Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino both boast more assists with Jurgen Klopp in the dugout, Alexander-Arnold's assist rate of 0.26 per 90 and his Scottish counterpart's rate of 0.24 per 90 are bettered – marginally – only by the world-class Egyptian's rate of 0.27 per 90, and Salah is one of the the most prolific in the business.

Auxillary support from the central midfield has been in short supply for Liverpool over the past several years, as Klopp's system is steeped on industrious midfielders churning the engine at full throttle while the wide players assume creative responsibility, with Robertson and Alexander-Arnold indeed taking precedence in this regard with their unceasing output.

And according to 90min, RB Leipzig midfielder Dani Olmo could rewrite this narrative, with Merseyside scouts – alongside those of Arsenal and Newcastle United – observing the Spaniard during a recent victory over Bayern Munich; a sum of €30m (£26m) could be enough to prise him away from Germany with just one year left on his contract.

How good is Dani Olmo?

Liverpool's failure to qualify for the Champions League illuminates the need for change, and Klopp might be inclined to revisit the early success of Philippe Coutinho, who was sold to Barcelona for £146m to catalyse the ensuing illustrious exploits at Anfield.

Coutinho's assist rate of 0.25 per 90 under Klopp demonstrates how effective he was as the German's dynasty took flight, also scoring 37 goals from his 89 outings, hailed as a "genius" by his manager before departing for La Blaugrana.

Olmo, who has now racked up 122 appearances for Leipzig, has been in fine form this season and plundered five goals and ten assists from 17 starts across all competitions during an injury-hit campaign.

The 30-cap maestro ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of assists, the top 24% for progressive passes and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, described as a "magic" midfielder by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

The 24-year-old possesses a similarly natural grace, an elegance on the pitch that complements an intellect that ensures he picks out the right pass at the right time, while also knowing the opportune moment to strike the ball himself.

Once dubbed an "outstanding footballer" by Julian Nagelsmann, Olmo is yet to quite reach the crest of the wave but has already exhibited highly promising facets to his game, and would be an exemplary signing for Klopp and co.

When Coutinho plied his trade under the German, Liverpool were chaotic and enthralling, but unbalanced, and while the 22/23 season has been a detrimental setback for the club, requisite moves will be made this summer to steady the ship.

And if the equilibrium can be reinstated before swooping for Olmo and injecting fresh potency into the Anfield centre, the Reds could unearth the formula for an incredible new wave of success.

Chelsea are considering submitting a bid to sign Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia this summer, according to reports.

Is Romeo Lavia leaving Southampton?

Lavia only arrived on the south coast last summer from Premier League rivals Manchester City, but having impressed during 34 appearances in his debut season, where he established himself as Ruben Selles’ second best-performing defensive player, he’s bound to attract interest now that they have been relegated to the Championship.

The Belgium U21 international still has another four years remaining on his contract at St. Mary’s, though the Sky Blues reportedly have a £40m buy-back clause available to them which they could trigger should they want him to return or to sell him on for a higher fee.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that the Blues and Mauricio Pochettino do “really appreciate” the 19-year-old but made it clear that nothing was “advanced or imminent”, though it sounds like they are now thinking about testing the waters in an attempt to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

Are Chelsea signing Lavia?

According to Football.London, Chelsea have Lavia firmly on their "radar" and are "considering making a move" as a cheaper alternative to Moises Caicedo. Todd Boehly and his recruitment team have conducted "extensive scouting sessions" on the midfielder and clearly must have been impressed with what they have seen in order to be weighing up an offer. Southampton are "likely" to demand a fee of £50m to ponder parting ways with their prized asset in the weeks and months ahead.

Should Boehly cash out on Lavia?

Chelsea are reportedly targeting other defensive midfield candidates in the form of Brighton and Hove Albion’s Caicedo, but should they not be successful in their attempts to land Roberto De Zerbi’s star, Lavia would be an excellent alternative having been dubbed a “monster” at the base of midfield by journalist Benjy Nurick.

The Elite Project Group Ltd client ranks in the 96th percentile for blocks and won 35 out of his 60 tackles made throughout the course of the previous term, which was the second-highest success rate out of all of his fellow teammates, as per FBRef, highlighting how strong he is at protecting the backline.

The Adidas-sponsored gem, who has the versatility to operate slightly higher up in central midfield alongside his natural role in front of the defence, can also get involved at the opposite end of the pitch having scored one goal and provided the same number of assists in his opening campaign at Southampton, and he would only excel further under the guidance of Pochettino.

SA squad for Australia Tests

Faf du Plessis (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Stephen Cook, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Dane Vilas
IN: Morne Morkel, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rilee Rossouw, Dane Vilas
OUT: Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Dane Piedt, Stiaan van Zyl

Two uncapped spinners will form part of South Africa’s attack on their three Test tour to Australia in November. Chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi, who has enjoyed early success in ODIs, and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj have been included in the 16-man squad. They come in at the expense of offspinner Dane Piedt, who had played both home Tests against New Zealand and three of the four Tests against England last summer, and seemed to be establishing himself as first choice.The pace pack has fewer surprises with Morne Morkel returning, subject to coming through a first-class match starting on Tuesday. Morkel sat out the New Zealand Tests and Australia ODIs with a back problem and has since made a come back in club cricket. He forms part of a five-man seam attack with Kyle Abbott, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander.Faf du Plessis will captain in place of the injured AB de Villiers while in-form Rilee Rossouw – who is yet to win a Test cap – has been added as batting cover in place of Stiaan van Zyl. Dane Vilas will travel as the reserve gloveman. Dean Elgar, who sustained an ankle injury ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, has been in action for the Titans and will take his place at the top of the order. With allrounders Chris Morris and Wayne Parnell nursing knee and rib injuries respectively, South Africa are without an allrounder apart from JP Duminy, who has been earmarked to play a role with the ball as well.”Basically, we are following a horses for courses policy as we feel that spinners who turn the ball away from the right-hander are going to be particularly useful in Australian conditions and against the Test batsmen we are likely to face,” Linda Zondi, South Africa’s convener of selectors, said. “I am excited about the cover we have in this area with a wrist spinner and a left-arm orthodox spinner, with JP Duminy able to offer the right-arm variety as well.”Still, the inclusion of two rookie spinners is a bold move from South Africa, and seems to come as a consequence of Piedt’s wickets costing too much. He was South Africa’s third-highest wicket-taker in the England series, with 10 scalps at 45.50, and he was South Africa A’s joint-highest wicket-taker in their two unofficial Tests against Australia A but his six wickets came at an average of 43.66. Piedt had a good first-class run last summer, finishing third on the overall wicket-takers’ list, behind Shamsi and in front of Maharaj.Shamsi was joint-second with 41 wickets at 16.07 while Maharaj was joint-fifth, with 36 wickets at 32.00. While Shamsi has not played a first-class match since April, and his time with the South African ODI squad means he will not feature for the Titans before the Australia tour, Maharaj has started this season with great success. He took a career-best 13 for 157 to bowl the Dolphins to victory over the Warriors in the opening round of the first-class competition.Half of South Africa’s Test squad will not have had long-format game time ahead of the tour as they finish the ODI series but Cook, Elgar, Temba Bavuma, Vernon Philander, Vilas, Dean Elgar, Morkel and Maharaj will all have at least one domestic match under their belts before the squad travels. Cook and Bavuma scored an unbeaten 97 and 76 respectively for the Lions in their win over the Cobras. Vilas and Philander played in the same match, without much success. Elgar scored 33 and 1 for the Titans against the Knights and Morkel will play for the Titans in their fixture this week.South Africa will also have two warm-up matches in Australia – one ahead of the series and another between the second and third Tests. The final fixture is a day-night match at the Adelaide Oval, in which de Villiers is holding out faint hope of being able to participate in.

Despite still waiting to name a new permanent head coach, Tottenham Hotspur appear to be already cracking on with their summer transfer dealings, with chairman Daniel Levy seemingly eyeing up potential targets in a bid to improve upon their recent, eighth-place finish in the Premier League.

Among those who the Lilywhites are reportedly keeping tabs on is Leeds United sensation, Jack Harrison, with the wing wizard potentially set to be up for grabs following the Yorkshire side's recent relegation.

According to Football Insider, the 26-year-old – who was the subject of a £20m offer from Leicester City in January – is one of a handful of Elland Road stars that Levy and co are looking at, with the Englishman set to be available on a cut-price deal due to the presence of a relegation clause in his existing deal.

Despite Leeds' collective woes, the "incredible" talent – as hailed by former boss Jesse Marsch – still managed to rack up a respectable haul of five goals and seven assists in the top flight, having been described as "one of the best wingers in the Premier League" by his ex-New York City FC teammate, Frank Lampard, back in August.

Although there may be concern among Spurs supporters at the prospect of signing a player who has only recently been relegated, the hope will be that a move for Harrison could prove yet another masterclass for Levy, in the mould of the signing of Moussa Sissoko.

How good was Moussa Sissoko for Tottenham?

Much like the Leeds asset, Sissoko was signed from Newcastle United in the summer of 2016 following the Magpies' drop into the Championship, with the north London outfit forking out £30m in order to prise the Frenchman from St James' Park.

Despite the 71-cap international's initial struggles in his new home – having made just eight league starts during his debut season at the club – the 6 foot 2 menace ultimately established himself as a vital figure in Mauricio Pochettino's squad.

The one-time Toulouse man memorably played a key role in the club's surge to the Champions League final in 2019 after featuring in ten of Tottenham's 13 games in the competition that season, impressively averaging two tackles and one interception per game en route to the showpiece.

As pundit Noel Whelan stated in October 2019, Sissoko looked to have been "transformed" following his initial woes at N17, with the towering asset emerging as a "massive player" for both Pochettino and the club, prior to his departure for Watford in 2021.

The signing of the versatile midfielder – who racked up 202 appearances for the Lilywhites and featured in a variety of positions during his five-year stay – has showcased the benefits of acquiring a player from a recently-relegated outfit, hence why it could prove a real masterstroke if Harrison was to follow suit this summer.

Newcastle United are closing on their first signing of the summer after qualifying for the Champions League and could unearth a real prodigy in Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga.

What's the latest on Gabri Veiga to Newcastle?

According to Spanish outlet Marca (via the Express), the Magpies are now 'very close' to signing the 21-year-old midfielder, who has enjoyed an exemplary breakout campaign with the Sky Blues.

Spanish sources first reported Newcastle's interest several months ago, who had sent scouts out to observe the Spaniard in action, evidently leaving enamoured with his skill set.

Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed that the prodigy's release clause stands at €40m (£34m), and while the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid are also vying for his signature, it is indeed Eddie Howe's burgeoning outfit who look set to win the race.

How good is Gabri Veiga?

Newcastle have held a vested interest in Leicester City's James Maddison for a considerable amount of time now, failing with a £50m bid last summer, probing again in winter and now eyeing a £40m move for the England international following the Foxes' relegation.

The playmaking whiz has been one of the Premier League's most prolific midfielders over the past several seasons, and has indeed illustrated his aptitude with ten goals and nine assists this term despite his outfit's plummet into the second tier.

The argument that he would bolster Newcastle's offensive potency is unequivocal, but with Veiga closing on a move to Tyneside, he's arguably the perfect alternative for the 26-year-old, potentially even eclipsing Maddison's prospective feats at St. James' Park.

Last season, the "Spanish gem" – as dubbed by Romano – plied his trade in the Spanish third division before making seven late league appearances for Celta Vigo's first team after captivating with his exploits; this term, he has plundered nine goals and four assists in LaLiga, his first full season at top-flight level.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 21% for rate of assists, the top 13% for progressive carries, the top 11% for successful take-ons and the top 10% for touches in the attacking box per 90, which underscored just how much of a driving force he would be for Howe's thriving squad, who now offer the allure of Champions League football after finishing fourth.

While the Magpies have indeed been in stellar showing this term, the onus will now be on cementing this newfound stature and crafting a dynasty set to last, and Veiga, who is dazzling at the maiden stage of his career, could be the eventual centrepiece of the Toon's feats.

He has recently been heralded as "Baby Kaka" by one journalist, with the legendary Brazilian and former Ballon d'Or, World Cup and Champions League winner one of the most graceful and technically gifted players to ever take to the pitch.

Having enjoyed an illustrious career, notably with Real Madrid and AC Milan, Kaka has been heralded as a "magician" by his compatriot and all-time phenomenon Pele, and if Veiga can harness the prestigious former star's aura, he could bring an unprecedented slice of sorcery to Newcastle, who begin a chapter tantalising greatness.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Manchester City centre-half Aymeric Laporte this summer, with the French-born Spain international reportedly "available" for transfer this summer.

That's courtesy of a recent report from 90min, which claims that while there are other clubs in the running for his signature, Spurs could look to tie up a deal to solve their defensive quandary.

The north London side shipped 63 goals in the Premier League this season, a tally bettered by every team in the top 14, which illustrates exactly where new manager Ange Postecoglou needs to prioritise as he looks to manufacture a winning mentality to return to European competition and end a 15-year trophy drought.

Laporte is valued at around £40m by the Citizens, and while he still has two years remaining on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium, limited game time has left the general consensus that he will leave for new pastures when the transfer window swings its door wide open, and Tottenham could benefit.

How good is Aymeric Laporte?

Having signed for the Sky Blues from Athletic Bilbao for £57m in 2018 – then a club-record acquisition – Laporte has chalked up 179 appearances, winning five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four Carabao Cups, with the Champions League final but a day away.

He would bring experience and aptitude to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as a defender for one of the best teams in world football for half a decade, perhaps instilling his winning mentality into an outfit desperate to clinch a slice of silverware after an interminable period without silver-laden success.

While Tottenham's backline hasn't been at the races this term, star centre-back Cristian Romero remains a formidable rock, albeit somewhat haphazard in his approach at times, branded "emotional" by Rio Ferdinand and "reckless" by Chris Sutton.

The robust Argentinian only featured 27 times in the Premier League this season but recorded an average Sofascore rating of 6.97 – the highest of any Spurs central defender – and completed 88% of his passes, also averaging 2.5 tackles, 3.6 clearances and 1.6 interceptions per game.

The £165k-per-week has been heralded as a "Rolls-Royce" by Martin Keown this season and is undoubtedly a sparkling prospect.

With Laporte beside him, the 25-year-old World Cup champion could finally demonstrate his full might for his club side, already ranking among the top 5% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for tackles, the top 20% for interceptions and the top 17% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

An unyielding colossus with a "street-wise" attitude – as remarked by Jamie Carragher – Romero could benefit from the composure of Laporte, who has been hailed as the "best left-central defender in the world" by City manager Pep Guardiola.

Indeed, the 20-cap international ranks among the 3% of positional peers for pass completion, the top 1% for attempted passes, progressive passes and progressive carries, and the top 4% for shot-creating actions per 90, which could provide Postecoglou, who favours a "positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play" – according to chairman Daniel Levy – with the perfect orchestrator from the heart of the defence.

Romero's tenacious grit and Laporte's "exceptional" talents, as praised again by Guardiola, could work seamlessly upon the City ace's integration, and Spurs must now tie up a deal for Laporte, unleashing a dynamic new backline to cast aside the cobwebs of the 2022/23 campaign and chart a course for success unseen in what feels like a perpetual cycle of near-misses and years mired in obscurity.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are weighing up their options this summer, as the transfer window officially opens today.

It’s expected to be a busy but tough break for Julen Lopetegui, who will hope to bolster his squad while adhering to Wolves’ Financial Fair Play (FFP) boundaries.

Despite the uncertainty over what the Spaniard will be able to spend this summer, links to players remain frequent, with one of Europe’s brightest talents emerging as a possible candidate.

What’s the latest on Joao Felix to Wolves?

As reported by Spanish outlet Marca yesterday, Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix could consider Wolves as a suitable club to continue his career at in what would be an ambitious statement from Fosun and co.

The report claims that the 23-year-old may have to consider taking a step back from the ‘glamour of big clubs’ in order to exploit his talent, where the Midlands club are mentioned.

Meanwhile, his agent Jorge Mendes is raised as a key factor that could aid the Portuguese ace's potential move to Molineux, where he has a significant influence.

According to FootballTransfers, the Atletico forward is valued around the £40m mark.

What could Joao Felix offer to Wolves?

Once hailed as “special” by former teammate Alvaro Morata, Felix has a host of experience in playing at the top level, despite only being 23 years old.

As per Transfermarkt, the forward has contributed to a total of 107 goals in 238 career appearances representing Benfica, Atletico and more recently, Chelsea.

After reportedly falling out with Diego Simeone, the Portugal whiz finds himself in a situation this summer where his future is up in the air after the west London club denied the option to sign him permanently.

Taking a step away from the ‘top clubs’ could be the best option for Felix to get his career back on track in a consistent nature, which is where Lopetegui’s side could play host to his development.

There are plenty of areas that the forward could improve at Molineux and could end their woes in front of goal for starters, with Wolves ending the 2022/23 season as the English top-flight's lowest scorers.

The introduction of a high-profile name could also naturally bolster the performance of those on the side, with one name in particular that could form a dangerous partnership with the former Chelsea loanee.

Having been lauded in the past as a “superstar” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher (as relayed by Molineux News), Pedro Neto has shown spells of the player he could become in his four seasons so far at Molineux, however, he could thrive playing alongside his compatriot Felix.

The young winger shows promise in averaging 1.2 key passes per game, however with underperforming attacking outlets at Wolves this campaign, it’s been a dreary season in the final third.

Neto could have a strong partner in attack in Felix, who ranks in the top 4% of forwards in Europe over the past year in terms of total shots, averaging 4.04 per 90, showing the lively threat he could inject to Lopetegui’s system, via FBref.

With no confirmed interest submitted, only time will tell if Wolves could provide a realistic option for the Portugal international to flourish, however, there is little to deny the impact he could have at Molineux, given the evidence above.