Juventus lack 'courage' and have 'attitude issues' as coach Luciano Spalletti highlights problems despite Champions League win against Bodo/Glimt

Newly-appointed Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti has criticised the team's lack of courage and revealed major problems inside the camp after their tight win over Bodo/Glimt. After taking charge last month, the ex-Italy boss guided the Turin club to their first Champions League win of the season and is eager to see his side continue their improvement.

  • Spalletti still unbeaten at Juventus

    Juventus managed their second victory in five games under Spalletti as Jonathan David's injury-time winner helped them return from Aspmyra Stadion with all three points, though it was by no means a stroll in the park for the Italian side. It was the Norwegian hosts who drew first blood in the 27th minute through Ole Didrik Blomberg. Three minutes into the second half, their lead was cancelled out by Belgian forward Lois Openda. While Weston McKennie gave the away side a lead in the 59th minute, an 87th-minute spot kick from Sondre Brunstad Fet helped Bodo/Glimt restore parity. Finally, it was David who bailed Juventus out in the 91st minute. 

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    Juventus lack courage – Spalletti

    Spalletti was vocal after the game, and furious too, as he claimed his team lacked the zeal and courage needed to win an encounter. He said: "It would have been a shame to let it go in the second half. We struggled in every sense of the word, because the team doesn't take responsibility, lacks courage, and takes a bit of heat from what's being said. It'll be hard on them; here too, there were attitude issues that hung in the balance. We need to grow and make a mental step. We need to find solutions, because the team has a bit of horsepower in its engine."

    The 66-year-old was also annoyed by his team not taking their chances in the first half. "It was crucial to have the appearance of a team that plays openly, even if it struggles at times. They have great speed in tight spaces on this pitch, but in the first half we did our part, failing to capitalise on certain situations. It's an important victory, which the players deserved. We dedicate it to ourselves and to those who came all the way here to see us."

  • Openda happy after securing first goal

    Openda is one of the new joiners at Juventus this season. On the final day of the transfer window, he was sent out on loan to the Bianconeri by his parent club, RB Leipzig. He has featured 12 times for the Italian club and finally got his maiden Juventus goal despite the extreme Norwegian weather. He said after the game: "I’m happy to have scored my first goal, but the win was the most important thing. We were able to take the three points at home and we did it together. I’ve always had everybody’s support here, I know what I need to do and how I can help my team. Today I was able to score thanks to everybody’s help. I’ll always try to be ready whenever I’m called upon."

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    Tight schedule ahead for Juventus

    The win leaves Juventus 21st in the Champions League table with six points, putting them on track for a place in the knockout play-offs with three games left. The Bianconeri will not enjoy any cooling break after their first win at the continental showpiece, with three games coming up in eight days. On Saturday, they will host Cagliari in Serie A before facing Udinese in the Coppa Italia on December 2. However, the following game will be their toughest among the three as they will take on defending champions Napoli on the road on December 7. They are currently seated seventh on the Serie A table with 20 points from 12 games, and winning against Antonio Conte's side will enable them to escalate their status on the table, with mid-season complications looming overhead.

Healy: 'It hasn't been my day of late, but it was my day today'

“If you’ve been watching me in the nets, it’s been a frustrating experience because I feel like I’ve had no rhythm whatsoever,” Alyssa Healy says of her patchy form of late

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Oct-2025

Alyssa Healy compiled an 84-ball century•Getty Images

Chasing 331 to win. In a World Cup game. With the stands full of noisy opposition supporters. Not the easiest job, unless you are Alyssa Healy. Or Ellyse Perry, for that matter. It required a record-breaking effort with the bat, and Australia did it with a whole over in hand. “That’s a really cool stat”, Healy said afterwards, and will give the batters “a heap of confidence” for the rest of the tournament.The innings Healy played – 142 in 107 balls – was the bedrock of that chase. Her sixth ODI century, but her first since April 2022. She has missed a fair bit of cricket in the interim period but it’s still a gap of 25 innings between centuries, and only her second fifty-plus score of the calendar year. Talk about good timing.”I think I was just trying to contribute. I think it needed somebody to make a hundred to chase down that total. Obviously you’d probably like two to make hundreds just to make it easy, but somebody needed to, if they got set, to cash in and have a good day,” Healy said at the press conference afterwards. “So, yeah, it was probably… it was my day in the end. It hasn’t been my day of late, but it was my day today, which was really cool.Related

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“And to get ourselves, obviously I would have liked to be there a little bit longer and probably see it home a little bit more, but I think to get ourselves in a winning position at that point in time was really cool, and I’ll probably reflect on that a little bit later and be a little bit happy.”N Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma returned excellent economy rates of 4.10 and 5.20 respectively, but the other three frontline bowlers – Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud and Sneh Rana – were expensive. Particularly impressive was Healy’s takedown of the quicks, Amanjot and Gaud, each time she faced them.”It wasn’t a distinct plan as such. Charani was getting actually quite a bit of spin; she was kind of the pick of the bowlers today,” Healy said. “We identified that really well and thought if we can capitalise on some of the pace bowlers, that would be handy knowing that they really have [only] five bowlers in their attack. So, yeah, we thought if we could attack that it’d be great. But it wasn’t really a plan as such, it just panned out that way on the day and I think with the wicket sliding on it probably enabled us to do that.”Coming into the game with scores of 19 (against New Zealand) and 20 (against Pakistan), Healy wasn’t in rhythm, as she confessed. But where rhythm was missing, competitive instincts did the job, especially against Gaud, who had Healy’s number in each of the three ODIs in the bilateral series prior to the World Cup.2:24

Healy: ‘It was my day today’

“If you’ve been watching me in the nets, it’s been a frustrating experience because I feel like I’ve had no rhythm whatsoever, been struggling to find it, and I didn’t really know where it went before I came into the World Cup,” she said. “But I think once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you kind of just lock-in to getting in the contest. Obviously aware that Kranti had got me out a fair bit throughout the ODI series, so an opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just sort of, I don’t know, have a bit of fun in that regard, I think sort of got me going and that was really a really enjoyable experience. And like I said, it was my day today, and hopefully it continues but if not, I’m sure it’ll be someone else’s, which is cool.”That Australia were chasing 331, “just” 331, was thanks in large measure to Annabel Sutherland, whose 5 for 40 from 9.5 overs took out the middle order and stopped India slightly short of where they might have been after being 192 after 30 overs.”Bellsy’s spell, I think, we got our length right in that department. We bowled a little bit poorly at times and probably gave India an opportunity to cash in whether that be at the start of the over or the end of the over, and I think we couldn’t really create a lot of pressure,” Healy said. “But Alana King and Annabel Sutherland actually created a little bit of a partnership there, created some pressure, created some opportunities. And then Bellsy sort of cashed in at her end. So that was really cool.”And I thought the bowling unit as a whole really hung in there, hung tough and created a whole heap [of pressure] in that back ten to, like I said, restrict them in a way to 330, which is a little bit daunting, but I think did a great job at the back end, which was cool.”

Brook's stunning century can't deny New Zealand after Foulkes runs riot

New Zealand 224 for 6 (Mitchell 78*, Bracewell 51, Carse 3-45) beat England 223 (Brook 135, Overton 46, Foulkes 4-41, Duffy 3-66) by four wickets There was a strong westerly wind blowing across the Bay Oval on Sunday afternoon. If you happened to cock your ear to the breeze during the first hour of play, you would have heard – clear as day – the sound of mocking laughter, floating across the Tasman Sea and down through the shires of Hobbiton.In a contest billed as the official start of the Ashes phoney war, England’s Australia-bound top-order produced a stunning false start. Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root and Jacob Bethell – Ashes bankers, bolters and, as the Aussies might now contend, bottlers – all found themselves caught up in a catastrophic collapse of 10 for 4 in 5.1 overs that was precisely as serious as the discourse that it will generate.Related

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  • 135/223 – Harry Brook rewrites record books with one-man show

Jos Buttler soon joined the procession at 33 for 5, and it was a measure of the nonsensical scenario that – when Sam Curran nicked off at 56 for 6, to become the fourth wicket of Zak Foulkes’ remarkable maiden spell in ODI cricket – the time back home in the UK, thanks to the peculiarities of daylight-saving, was 1.59am: in other words, one minute prior to the contest’s original start-time.New Zealand duly wrapped up victory with time to spare as well, by four wickets and with 80 balls left unused, thanks to Michael Bracewell’s run-a-ball 51 and a 91-ball 78 from Daryl Mitchell that had to surmount its own dicey circumstances at 24 for 3, courtesy of Luke Wood and Brydon Carse’s new-ball breakthroughs – including a first-baller on his return to action for the great Kane Williamson, his first in 15 years of ODIs.Harry Brook carried England’s innings on his shoulders•Getty Images

And yet, the game would scarcely have outlasted one of last week’s rained-off T20Is had it not been for Harry Brook – England’s white-ball captain, Test vice-captain-elect, and a man in no mood to let circumstance dictate his game-plan. His response to his team’s extreme adversity was a startling lone-wolf innings of 135 from 101 balls that turned an impending humiliation into an almost serviceable total of 223 in 35.2 overs.It was Brook’s fourth century in the country, following his three hundreds across two previous Test tours, and – given the circumstances – it was more extraordinary even than his 186 at Wellington in 2023 which, for those who witnessed that onslaught, is saying something.Brook scored each of his first 36 runs in boundaries, en route to a total of nine fours and 11 sixes. The latter included three in a row off Jacob Duffy to reach his hundred from 82 balls, and four more thereafter, as he juiced 80 runs from England’s final two wickets in an innings in which just one other batter scored more than 6.That man was Jamie Overton, who contributed 46 from 54 balls in a seventh-wicket stand of 87 that wrested the momentum back from New Zealand, after Foulkes and Matt Henry had rumbled their way through 15 new-ball overs in a row. His performance had distinct echoes of a previous tussle with New Zealand – on Test debut in 2022, when he had arrived at a near-identical 55 for 6 and partnered Jonny Bairstow with a career-best 97.Once again, Overton fell short of a milestone in this innings, as he chipped a Duffy slower ball to cover, whereupon Carse joined the procession of Ashes-bound players by cutting his first ball straight to the returning Williamson at point. Brook, by then, had had one key let-off on 63, when Rachin Ravindra dropped a fast-travelling slog-sweep at square leg, but the power and clarity of his subsequent onslaught took the breath away.And to think Mitchell Santner hadn’t even been sure whether bowling first was the sensible option. Henry’s first ball of the match immediately laid any doubts to rest as he wrecked Smith’s first outing of the winter with a perfect stump-rattling inducker, one that deserved to rouse a few memories of Rory Burns’ catastrophic start to the 2021-22 Ashes proper.Brydon Carse removed Kane Williamson for his first golden duck in ODIs•Getty Images

Foulkes then ripped into the contest with the first-over wickets of Duckett, caught flinching outside off for 2, and Root, who stepped into a wild drive and was also bowled by lavish seam movement. Two Foulkes overs later, Bethell too had his off stump plucked out by a jaffa, and there seemed no earthly way for England’s innings to pull out of its death spiral.Brook, though, had other ideas. His 135 out of 223 comprised 60.53% of England’s innings, a new record that outdid Robin Smith’s legendary 167 not out against Australia in 1993 – which, coincidentally was another mighty knock that was unable to stave off ultimate defeat.England gave it a good crack, mind you. Carse, a star of last year’s Test-series win in New Zealand, matched Foulkes with two wickets in his opening over as Will Young was bowled by an inswinging yorker for 5 before Williamson snicked a first-ball snorter through to Buttler behind the stumps.Luke Wood then did for a free-flowing Ravindra, well caught by Overton at second slip as the bowler – remarkably – claimed his first List A wicket since 2019. And when Carse fired a wobble-seam delivery into Tom Latham’s shin for 24, New Zealand were 66 for 4 and in clear danger of frittering away their unbelievable start.Bracewell and Mitchell turned the tide in a fifth-wicket stand of 92, though they needed some luck along the way. Bracewell was dropped at slip on 2 by Root, in Overton’s opening over, while Mitchell had an even more glaring let-off on 33, when Wood at backward point dropped a sitter of a reverse-sweep off the legspin of Adil Rashid.With the requirement under control, however, New Zealand were able to play well within themselves – at least until Bracewell needlessly ran himself out with 66 still needed, whereupon Mitchell ramped New Zealand’s first six over fine leg to signal the final charge. Santner added two more in quick succession off Rashid before holing out to long-on for 27, but Mitchell launched the winning hit over backward square.The fireworks, and the talking points, however, had long since been and gone.

Astros Pitcher Ronel Blanco Heading to IL With Elbow Inflammation

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco is heading to the injured list with elbow inflammation, manager Joe Espada told the media on Thursday.

"He's going on the IL, and he's also going to get a second opinion next week," Espada said Thursday.

Blanco is going to get a second opinion on his sore right elbow, which he reported to Houston's medical staff after his start last Saturday. He went six innings, giving up three earned runs on five hits while tabbing five strikeouts. Blanco is just over a week removed from his best start of the season against the Cincinnati Reds, going eight innings and giving up just two hits while striking out 11.

The 31-year-old is 3-4 on the season with a 4.10 ERA in nine starts.

MLB Announcers Loved Umpire’s Gymnastics Move to Narrowly Avoid Collision

MLB umpires catch a lot of heat when they miss calls or make egregious mistakes during games. It's just part of the job. But they should also be applauded when they do something awesome during a game.

Chris Guccione did just that in Saturday's Colorado Rockies-San Francisco Giants game when he found a very athletic way to avoid what could have been a painful collision at first base.

This all happened in the top of the eighth inning with Colorado's Ryan McMahon had his bunt fielded by the first baseman. He was then tagged out and fell to the ground in foul territory. Guccione was able to jump over him and make the call with style.

Check this out:

The Rockies' announcers loved it, too, saying: "That's a gold medal in the Umpire Gymnastics."

Well played, Chris Guccione.

Anderson upgrade: Man Utd set to bid for "the best English CM since Scholes"

Manchester United’s hunt for a new central midfielder became apparent in the summer transfer window, after the hierarchy stated their desire to land Brighton star Carlos Baleba.

The Cameroonian international was a key target for INEOS, but they were evidently put off by the Seagulls’ £100m asking price, which led to the Red Devils pulling out of a deal.

Ruben Amorim has since had to rely upon the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro at the heart of the side, with the aforementioned duo being the most consistent partnership at present.

The likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte have both struggled to break into the side in the Premier League, which could lead to either of the pair being offloaded in the winter window.

Such funds could certainly be directed towards a new addition in the coming months, which has led to numerous players being touted as potential options for the upcoming market.

United’s hunt for a new deep-lying midfielder this January

Over recent weeks, rumours have gathered huge momentum after United reportedly held talks with Nottingham Forest over a possible deal to land Elliot Anderson.

The 23-year-old has been in tremendous form for the Reds during the 2025/26 campaign, which has led to the youngster becoming a mainstay in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

However, any deal could likely be a club-record one for Amorim’s men, after his current employers placed a £100m price tag on his head ahead of the upcoming window.

He’s not the only player currently in their sights, with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton another option being considered by INEOS before the opening of the window.

According to one Spanish outlet, the Red Devils are set to make a £70m bid for the 21-year-old, but the Eagles are currently reluctant to offload him in the near future, with some sources saying it may take £100m to prise him away from Selhurst Park.

The report also states that the player himself would be open for a switch to Old Trafford this window, but it it could hinge on the club’s ability to secure European football come the end of the season.

How Adam Wharton compares to Elliot Anderson

In 2025/26 alone, there’s little debate that Forest star Anderson has been one of the leading stars in the division – with his figures this campaign nothing short of remarkable.

The United fans have had the chance to witness the Englishman’s talents first hand, with the youngster thriving in the meeting at the City Ground at the start of November.

The 23-year-old featured for the entire contest and created three chances and completed 100% of the dribbles he attempted – subsequently showcasing his talents in possession.

Without the ball, he was just as impressive, as seen by his 100% tackle success rate and 14 recoveries made – with the latter the highest of any player on the pitch.

The £100m asking price would certainly be an excellent investment, but ultimately, it could be outside of the hierarchy’s budget in the upcoming window.

Therefore, a deal for Wharton could certainly be more feasible in January, but that’s not to say the club would be getting a lower quality player in the process.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats in the current campaign, the Palace star has managed to better him in numerous key areas – showcasing why he would be a better addition.

Aptly described hailed as “the best English midfielder since Paul Scholes” by one CONCACAF B certified coach earlier this year, Wharton is certainly Scholes like in his ability to evade the press and battle hard from the middle of the park.

For a United side needing a bit more spark, Wharton crucially has completed more key passes per 90 – arguably being a more threatening option when in possession and living up to that Scholes comparison.

However, despite his talents in such an area, his ability in possession is where he’s struggled compared to Anderson, with his ball-winning ability more impressive to date. Like Scholes, he’s got a bit of extra bite present in his game.

How Wharton & Anderson compare in the PL (2025/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Wharton

Anderson

Games played

11

13

Minutes played

861

1170

Key passes

1.8

1.7

Tackles made

1.7

1.6

Interceptions made

1.2

1.1

Clearances made

1.5

1.1

Take-on success

55%

50%

Miscontrols

1.2

2.2

Stats via FBref

He’s made more tackles and interceptions per 90 than the Forest star, which could make him the perfect number six that Amorim has been craving in recent months.

Wharton has also made more clearances per 90, whilst also miscontrolling the ball on fewer occasions – subsequently making him a more reliable option than his compatriot.

£70m for a player of Wharton’s quality is an excellent piece of business for United, with the sky truly being the limit for the 21-year-old England international.

Whilst many fans may favour Anderson at present, the Eagles star certainly has a higher ceiling, with the youngster having bags of potential that he could fulfil at Old Trafford.

Better than Dorgu: Man Utd plot move to sign 'the world's most coveted LB'

Manchester United look set to make yet another big-money move in the defensive department.

By
Ethan Lamb

Dec 2, 2025

ليفربول يخطط لتوجيه ضربة لـ مانشستر سيتي لحل أزمة خط وسط الفريق

كشفت تقارير صحفية بريطانية عن دخول ليفربول في صراع مع مانشستر سيتي للتعاقد مع أحد اللاعبين المتألقين في الدوري الانجليزي هذا الموسم.

وكان لاعب خط وسط نوتينجهام فورست إليوت أندرسون قد أظهر براعته خلال الفوز على ليفربول بثلاثية نظيفة في ملعب آنفيلد.

ووفقاً لصحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية فقد أصبح مانشستر سيتي يواجه منافسة من ليفربول من أجل الحصول على خدمات إليوت أندرسون صاحب الـ23 عاماً.

أقرأ أيضاً.. هيسكي: أهداف محمد صلاح كانت تخفي الكثير من المشاكل في ليفربول

وقدم أندرسون مستويات جيدة مع فورست ومنتخب إنجلترا مما أثار التكهنات حول مستقبله واحتمالية انضمامه لأحد كبار أندية إنجلترا في الموسم المقبل.

وشكل خط وسط ليفربول مشكلة هذا الموسم، على الرغم من أنه ظهر متماسكاً وساعد الفريق على التتويج بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز العام الماضي وقد أصبح يثير الشكوك بشكل حقيقي.

وقد يحتاج ليفربول لضم تدعيمات جديدة في خط الوسط، ويبحث النادي عن لاعب خط وسط قادر على السيطرة ولذلك لا يثير اهتمامهم بضم أندرسون أي دهشة.

Tottenham & Lange now pushing hard to sign "powerful" £30m Rodri-esque maestro

Tottenham Hotspur are now pushing hard to sign a “powerful” midfielder who has been likened to Manchester City star Rodri, and his current employers could be willing to sanction a move for £30m…

Tottenham looking to strengthen in midfield after Fulham setback

Tottenham remain without a home win since the opening day of the season in the Premier League, having succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Fulham on Saturday afternoon, and Danny Murphy has since criticised the lack of creativity in the middle of the park.

As such, Spurs may need to enter the market for some new signings in the January transfer window, and bringing in a new forward may be of key significance, given that Thomas Frank has decided he no longer wants Richarlison.

However, signing another midfielder could also be a savvy move, given the lack of creativity, and there has now been a new update on the north Londoners’ pursuit of Anderlecht maestro Nathan De Cat.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange is now pushing hard to sign De Cat, who has impressed scouts from across Europe, with Aston Villa, Brighton and Bayern Munich also keen.

The Belgian club had been hoping to keep hold of the 17-year-old until 2027, but they could now be willing to cash-in on the youngster, who has been compared to Manchester City star Rodri, for £30m.

"Powerful" De Cat could be future star

Likened to Rodri due to being a deep-lying playmaker, the teenager has been praised for his creativity by scout Ben Mattinson, who said he is able to unlock defences “from deep or as creator in the final third”, while also describing the starlet as “powerful.”

Fellow scout Jacek Kulig also clearly believes the Anderlecht ace could be destined for big things, having praised his performances at youth level back in July.

Since then, the Belgian has gone on to become a key player for the Anderlecht first team, making 20 appearances in all competitions this season, which is an impressive feat as such a young age.

Tottenham hold talks with Arsenal target as Frank 'craves his progressive passing'

Spurs need more creativity.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 28, 2025

At just 17, De Cat is likely to need more time to develop before being able to slot into Tottenham’s starting XI, but he clearly has a lot of potential, and £30m could end up being a bargain in the long run.

Better deal than Woltemade: Newcastle among favourites to sign £100m star

Although Newcastle United’s start to the new campaign has left much to be desired, Magpie fans can take solace in the fact that Eddie Howe has pieced together an elite-level outfit over the past four years.

There have been some bumps in the road, with the latest wobble being keenly felt on Tyneside, but there have also been staggering heights, United having lifted last season’s Carabao Cup trophy and sealed a place in the Champions League for the second time in three years.

Howe must be given time to turn things around, bedding the new signings in and moulding this new variation of his tactical set-up. It should all come together, especially with the form in the Champions League and Carabao Cup suggesting the best is yet to come.

And with Nick Woltemade having replaced Alexander Isak so confidently at number nine, there’s plenty of reason for optimism.

However, other areas of the field still need some work, and it’s starting to look like reinforcing the midfield is among Howe’s priorities.

Newcastle planning to sign midfielder

For so long, Joelinton has been a pillar of strength in the middle of the park for Newcastle. However, the Brazil international has been run into the ground over so many years of tireless service, and he needs to be replaced.

The 29-year-old has been a chief proponent of Howe’s fast-running and aggressive brand of football. Now he is, at times, looking like a duck out of water, and that’s why an exciting replacement has been earmarked.

As per The Telegraph, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is emerging as a top target for Newcastle next summer, a little over one year after the Magpies sold him to the City Ground, forced as they were by Premier League financial pressure.

Anderson has risen to prominence this year, and the Tricky Trees are expected to demand in excess of £100m for the England international, with Manchester United also showing a vested interest in his signature.

This is an exorbitant figure, but it’s a testament to the former Toon talent’s rising stock that it would be a move welcomed by those on Tyneside, and one that could spearhead the club up to new heights.

What Elliot Anderson would offer Newcastle

Last week, Thomas Tuchel placed Anderson at a high-ranking table. “He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.”

Music to the Forest star’s ears, of course, though it’s got to be a bitter pill to swallow for Newcastle, whose interest in their academy graduate continues to grow.

It’s not hard to see why. Anderson is among the most mobile and complete centre-midfielders out there. He is tenacious and balanced and making continual improvements. His call-up to the Three Lions squad this year has paid dividends, and it is Anderson who is developing as Declan Rice’s starting midfield partner.

PSR left PIF with little choice, but there must be such regret around the decision to cash in on Anderson over a year ago, with the 23-year-old performing so well and in a role that would be perfect alongside Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in the Newcastle engine room.

Matches (starts)

37 (33)

11 (11)

Goals

2

1

Assists

6

1

Touches*

54.2

94.4

Accurate passes*

28.7 (82%)

62.1 (87%)

Chances created*

1.0

1.4

Dribbles*

1.0

1.3

Ball recoveries*

5.6

8.4

Tackles + interceptions*

2.5

3.5

Duels (won)*

6.5 (52%)

7.5 (55%)

Anderson’s statistical output since signing for Forest in a £35m deal last year has been quite the thing. He is a monstrous dueller, and his sheer volume of recoveries tells of an athleticism that Howe’s system needs to fire on all cylinders.

Joelinton has provided that presence so robustly over the years, but he is indeed waning, and Anderson would undoubtedly be an upgrade.

It would be a worthwhile investment, even if Forest would demand a premium. Just imagine Anderson playing his football for Man United next season. He would raise their level, and that would directly hinder Newcastle in their own ambitions of becoming Champions League regulars.

Anderson might even prove to be a more influential signing than Woltemade has been. The German striker has scored six goals in black and white since the summer, but he plays in a drop-deep kind of way, and Newcastle have been drained of Isak’s pace and dynamism. Here is one of the biggest tactical inhibitors Howe is contending with.

Anderson would be a far greater fit. He would lift Newcastle and reshape the midfield, bouncing off the superstars beside him and playing with the kind of gusto that only those wearing their boyhood club’s shirt can muster.

After all, having been hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson as a “do-it-all midfield warrior” and a “powerhouse carrier with a bit of passing range”, it’s understandable that Howe should have such a personal desire to bring him back to the club, having been quizzed on the topic in October.

“I don’t know [if he will come back] but certainly from my perspective I would love him to. It [his sale] didn’t sit right with me then, doesn’t sit right with me today that we, as a football club, were forced to make a decision that we didn’t want to make.

“And a player that had given everything to rise through the ranks here to try to play for Newcastle, that was ended by financial restrictions…”

If Newcastle truly get the green light from PIF down the line and have the resources and freedom to launch a record-breaking bid at Anderson, they must ensure they bring him back to St. James’ Park, thus beating off a direct rival and restoring the equilibrium.

Newcastle already have the new Anderson & he's "England's next superstar"

Eddie Howe could unearth Newcastle United’s next Elliot Anderson by starting this promising star more often.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 18, 2025

Wolves now in exit talks over another "incredible" player alongside Joao Gomes

Wolverhampton Wanderers have now held exit talks over another key player as well as Joao Gomes, who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United.

Wolves could be set to lose Joao Gomes in January

Gomes has recently emerged as a transfer target for United, with Ruben Amorim’s side keen to bring in the Portuguese midfielder this winter, and a €50m (£44m) fee has been touted.

It would certainly be a risk for the Old Gold to sell one of their key players, considering their Premier League status is already under major threat, having taken just two points from their opening 12 matches.

However, given that the central midfielder’s value will decrease if Rob Edwards’ side are unable to avoid the drop, it could make sense to cash-in and re-invest the money into other areas of the squad.

Gomes is not the only Wolves player who could be moving on in January either, as revealed by the Tenias Que Haber Tirado podcast on X, who state that Celta Vigo are now “considering the return” of former player Fer Lopez, who only arrived at Molineux in June.

The La Liga club have held talks over a loan move in the upcoming transfer window, which could make sense for all parties, given that Lopez hasn’t exactly made a flying start to life in the Premier League…

"Incredible" Lopez yet to prove himself in England

Wolves would’ve had high hopes after signing the attacking midfielder in the summer, considering the rave reviews from former coach Paul Grainger, who said: “I have seen some of the best players in the world play football. I have never seen a footballer like him. He was literally incredible. From the first day, I knew he was going to be a superstar.”

However, the 21-year-old is yet to reach those lofty heights, having started just one Premier League game this season, which was the 3-1 home defeat against Leeds United, and the youngster hasn’t received any minutes since the 2-0 defeat against Sunderland last month.

Wolves star says 'yes' to joining Manchester United, INEOS working on deal

What a great signing he would be.

ByHenry Jackson Nov 25, 2025

In fairness, the Spaniard was one of very few players who impressed against Leeds, setting up the Wanderers’ only goal in style, and he is still young and adapting to life in the Premier League, so it would be way too early to sanction a permanent move.

However, if Lopez isn’t a part of Edwards’ plans, there is little reason to keep him around, and a loan move could make sense for all parties in the January transfer window.

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