Everton have found goals hard to come by from their strikers under David Moyes this season, and they could now be set to target a clinical forward in January.

After a run of frustrating results, the Toffees knew that their clash against Fulham came with added pressure to claim three points in front of an expectant home crowd at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Cottagers had their fair share of chances, though Everton prevailed comfortably against Marco Silva’s men courtesy of goals from Idrissa Gana Gueye and Michael Keane.

Speaking post-match, Moyes made it clear that his side are keen to become more clinical to improve their Premier League position as they seek to add high-calibre stars similar to Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as part of their long-term strategy.

“We don’t want to lose what we’ve had – desire, heart, commitment – but I think we had to try to find a way of getting a little bit better at certain things, and I think we have to build. Look, I trust the owners will help us in all the windows as we go forward and we’ll try to make things better as we go along.

“We need to get people believing in Everton like we do, like the supporters here do, and what we want us to be in the future. To do that we need to keep picking up the wins and attracting top players like Kiernan and Jack Grealish and players of that ilk. We need to keep attracting that level of players to come to the club.”

Still, their profligacy in the final third is a concern. Beto has netted just twice this campaign, while £27 million summer signing Thierno Barry has yet to score since arriving on Merseyside.

There is a feeling that Everton could be further up the table than their current mid-table predicament with a little more luck in front of goal, and they may now have identified a potent answer to their scoring problem.

Everton eyeing move for FC Midtjylland striker Franculino Dju

According to Football Insider, Everton are keen on FC Midtjylland striker Franculino Dju after his haul of 18 goals this term for the impressive Danish outfit.

Adding further context, Toffees officials were present to watch the Guinea-Bissau international against Celtic last week, where he expertly beat Kasper Schmeichel with a curled strike to seal a 3-1 victory for the hosts in the Europa League league phase, where they sit at the summit.

Clearly, there is a vast difference between Franculino and both of Everton’s current forwards when it comes to the sole measure of goals. Iliman Ndiaye leads the way for the Toffees with four strikes this season, though the fact that Michael Keane is their joint-second top scorer tells a story in itself.

Intriguingly, Moyes is reportedly keen to offload Beto in January and Barry may not be far behind him if his poor form continues, creating room for new reinforcements in mid-season.

Everton have also entered the race for a renowned European forward

Undoubtedly, the Toffees’ boss has made comments on Everton’s ambition at a telling time, and Franculino could well be an excellent solution amid his return of 51 goals in 98 appearances for his current employers.

Both players were off the field for large portions of the second innings against Sri Lanka

Shashank Kishore26-Sep-20252:05

Is captaincy affecting SKY’s form?

Morne Morkel, India’s bowling coach, has allayed concerns around the fitness of Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma leading into Sunday’s Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai.Hardik held his left hamstring and walked off the field after bowling the first over of Sri Lanka’s innings on Friday, in which he dismissed Kusal Mendis for a first-ball duck. Hardik didn’t return to take the field for the remainder of the innings.”Hardik had cramps, he will be assessed tonight and tomorrow morning, we’ll then take a call on that,” Morkel said at the post-match press conference. India’s bowling coach was merely reiterating what India captain Suryakumar Yadav said at the post-match presentation.Meanwhile, Abhishek too spent the entire second half of Sri Lanka’s innings off the field. Abhishek showed signs of discomfort in the ninth over, when he clutched onto his right thigh while running. He eventually left the field in the 10th over, just before a Pathum Nissanka six was signalled dead ball because he hadn’t left the field before Varun Chakravarthy began to run in to bowl.Like Hardik, Abhishek too spent the rest of the innings being iced and treated with pickle juice to ease cramps. Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharma came on as substitute fielders at different points. At one point, even Tilak Varma was briefly off the field, but he soon returned after a hydration break.With the Sri Lanka game stretching way beyond its scheduled close due to the Super Over finish, India are left with an even shorter turnaround time before they take the field on Sunday. Morkel stressed on the need for the players to recover, and stay away from training on Saturday.”The key for the boys is to rest,” he said. “They’re in an ice bath already. The recovery started straight after the match. The best way to recover is sleep and stay off your feet. Hopefully they can get a good night’s sleep.”There will be individual pool sessions for the guys organised. Then some massages before they get mentally ready for the big battle on Sunday. It’s a quick turnaround, and playing smart is going to be the key. There will certainly be no training.”‘Arshdeep, Harshit are X-factors’Morkel also touched upon the challenges players like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana face when being called upon to deliver at a crucial stage in the competition. On Friday against Sri Lanka, the pair returned combined figures of 2 for 100 of eight overs in India’s defence of 202, before a nerveless Arshdeep delivered in the Super Over to seal victory.”In our environment we want to move away from an excuse culture,” he said. “The effort they put in at training, we expect them to go out there and deliver. Yes, sometimes lack of game time is a factor. You can bowl as many overs as you like in the nets, but nothing beats game time.”The quality of work we put in, we expect the guys to deliver. At the moment, things aren’t happening for them but the team is winning, they’re all X-factor players and real match winners.”

أعلن الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم عن الخطوات الرسمية المعتمدة لشراء تذاكر مباريات بطولة كأس العالم 2026، وذلك بعد إجراء قرعة البطولة يوم 5 ديسمبر المقبل وتحديد مباريات منتخب مصر.

وتأهل منتخب مصر إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026، بعدما حسم صدارة مجموعته في تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة للمونديال.

ومن المقرر أن تقام قرعة كأس العالم 2026، يوم الجمعة 5 ديسمبر 2025، قبل ستة أشهر تقريبًا من انطلاق البطولة في يونيو 2026.

وستقام بطولة كأس العالم 2026، بمشاركة 48 منتخباً، وستستضيفها كل من كندا والمكسيك والولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، خلال الفترة من 11 يونيو وحتى 19 يوليو 2026.

طالع.. “محترفان وربع”.. شوبير يفسر تصريحات حسام حسن بشأن مصطفى محمد

ويستعد منتخب مصر في الوقت الحالي، للمشاركة في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025 بالمغرب والتي تنطلق مع نهاية شهر ديسمبر المقبل. خطوات شراء تذاكر مباريات منتخب مصر في كأس العالم

وأكد الدكتور مصطفى عزام، المدير التنفيذي للاتحاد، أن عملية شراء التذاكر ستتم عبر بوابة التذاكر الرسمية التابعة للاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم (فيفا)، محددًا الخطوات على النحو التالي:

أولاً: إنشاء حساب على منصة تذاكر فيفا

يشترط الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم إنشاء حساب شخصي على منصة تذاكر فيفا (FIFA TICKETING ACCOUNT) قبل التقديم على التذاكر، حيث لن يُسمح بتقديم الطلب أو استلام التذاكر دون وجود حساب مفعّل.

ثانياً: فترة التقديم

يُفتح باب التقديم للحصول على التذاكر خلال الفترة من 1 ديسمبر 2025 وحتى 13 يناير 2026، وذلك حصريًا عبر بوابة التذاكر الرسمية لفيفا.

ثالثاً: السحب العشوائي لتخصيص التذاكر

بعد انتهاء فترة التقديم، ستقوم فيفا بإجراء سحب عشوائي (RANDOM SELECTION DRAW) على التذاكر المخصصة لجماهير مصر ضمن حصة EGYPT PMA SUPPORTERS’ ALLOCATION، وذلك خلال الفترة من يناير إلى فبراير 2026.

رابعاً: مرحلة السداد

عقب إعلان نتائج السحب، يبدأ سداد قيمة التذاكر مباشرة خلال الفترة من يناير إلى فبراير 2026، ويُعد السداد شرطًا إلزاميًا لتأكيد الحجز.

خامساً: استلام التذاكر

سيتم إرسال جميع التذاكر المقبولة للجماهير في صورة رقمية عبر البريد الإلكتروني، باستخدام رمز QR CODE معتمد للدخول إلى الملاعب.

سادساً: إعادة بيع التذاكر

أوضح الدكتور مصطفى عزام أنه تقدم رسميًا إلى فيفا بطلب تفعيل خدمة إعادة بيع التذاكر (RESALE) للجماهير غير القادرة على الحضور، وذلك حصريًا عبر منصة فيفا حتى يتمكن استعادة قيمة التذاكر لمن لم يتمكن من السفر أو الحضور.

سابعاً: الحد الأقصى للشراء

الحد الأقصى المسموح به للشراء (وفق لوائح فيفا) هو عدد 4 تذاكر لكل مباراة، وعدد 40 تذكرة كحد أقصى للبطولة بالكامل لكل أسرة.

وناشد الاتحاد الجماهير الالتزام بالشراء عبر القنوات الرسمية فقط، محذرًا من الحصول على التأشيرة مبكرًا للراغبين في حضور الحدث العالمي.

Ruben Amorim could not hide his frustration after Manchester United were beaten 1-0 at home by 10-man Everton on Monday. The Portuguese said his team were nowhere near good enough to be competing for the places towards the top of the Premier League. He even declared that he wished his players had showed the same fighting spirit as Everton which led to Idrissa Gueye's red card.

• United fail to take advantage of red card

  Gueye was sent off in the 13th minute for raising his hands to team-mate Michael Keane's face in frustration after Casemiro had whistled a shot wide following passive defending from Everton. The Toffees had dominated the early stages of the game and they became emboldened by the red card, taking the lead through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's piledriver and then defending it astutely throughout the second half even as the Red Devils had 75 percent possession.

  Amorim said he did not agree with the decision to send off Gueye and he was happy to admit that Everton fully deserved to win. It was the first time the Toffees had won at Old Trafford since 2013, when David Moyes was in charge of United. It was also Moyes' first victory at Old Trafford as an opposing manager in 18 attempts.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Amorim: We deserved to lose

  Amorim told a press conference: "I think they were a better team with 11. They then worked really well with 10 men for 70 minutes. So I think we deserved to lose. We didn't play well. We didn't play with the right intensity. I know which point we are in the moment. So we are not there, not even near the point that we should be to fight for the best positions in the league. We have a lot to do, and we need to be perfect to win games. We were not perfect.

  "I feel afraid of returning of this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern. So we need to work together. We are going to work together. I'm not going. The players are trying, but we need to be better so we have training tomorrow, and we are going to prepare the next one."

• Amorim: Fighting is not a bad thing

  Amorim admitted he was envious of Everton's determination to win the game and their desire, even though it led to a sending off. He explained: "Fighting is not a bad thing. Fighting doesn't mean that they don't like each other. Fighting is that if you lose the ball, I will fight you, because we will suffer a goal. That was my feeling. And I don't agree with that sending off. We can fight with team-mates. I know it's violent conduct, and the referee explained but I don't agree with that. I hope my players, when they lose the ball, they fight each other. Now they cannot get sent off a sent off, but that [players fighting with each other] is a good feeling, not a bad feeling."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  United 'not ready' to capitalise on Liverpool & City defeats

  United had the opportunity to go up to fifth in the Premier League after Bournemouth dropped points against West Ham, Tottenham were thrashed by Arsenal and arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester City were beaten by Nottingham Forest and Newcastle respectively.  Instead they are 10th in the table after 12 matches, level on 18 points with Everton and 11 points off leaders Arsenal.

  The Red Devils visit fifth-placed Crystal Palace next Sunday but Amorim was disappointed that they were not energised by the other results on the weekend and performed so sluggishly against Everton.

  "It is my responsibility to explain the game, and today, it was not one mistake of one individual, it was the team," said the United boss. "The way we saw the results of the weekend. We should get inside the pitch with a different level of excitement, that is, that is my feeling. It doesn't matter if you are playing well, making good passes, but the feeling and Old Trafford was there, saying we are all here to give a big step up, and I felt that we were not ready again."

Newcastle United need some fresh ideas. This much is clear after a turbulent start to the season that has left Eddie Howe searching for answers, his side 14th in the Premier League after 11 matches.

There are internal solutions available to the esteemed English coach, but there’s no question that he views St. James’ Park academy graduate Elliot Anderson as being the missing cog in the machine.

The Magpies reluctantly sold Anderson to Nottingham Forest for around £35m in 2024 to avoid PSR ramifications falling on their head. But now, the 23-year-old is flying, and his boyhood club want him back.

The latest on Newcastle's interest in Elliot Anderson

It is understood that Newcastle and Manchester United are the most likely clubs to do battle for Anderson’s signature next summer. Word on the street, however, is that Forest are set to demand a figure in excess of £100m.

Elliot Anderson – PL record for Forest

Stats (*per game)

24/25

25/26

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%)

Data via Sofascore

That might be an exorbitant asking price, but we can see why the City Ground side would be so reluctant to part with their man. Anderson has grown into a world-beater of a midfielder, and he is emerging as the most likely candidate to partner Declan Rice in England’s midfield at the 2026 World Cup over the pond.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed, but with the Tricky Trees likely to prove difficult negotiators, don’t hold your breath.

However, it might be pleasing to note that PIF have been busy at the academy level, reinforcing the youth team with top talents capable of finding a way into Howe’s outfit.

And there’s one who might actually prove a bigger talent than Anderson, once given an opportunity to make his mark.

Newcastle have a bigger talent than Anderson

There has been a concerted effort toward raising Newcastle’s youth system over the past few years. And it is working, with prospects such as Vakhtang Salia added to the fold.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all fancied Dinamo Tbilisi’s talented forward this year, but it is a testament to Newcastle’s development that they won the race, enticing the youngster with a clear pathway toward the first team.

A versatile forward, Salia can play on either flank or in a central striking berth. In Ukraine, he scored eight goals and provided four assists across 57 matches for Dinamo’s seniors.

Salia only turned 18 in August, and it was then that his move to Tyneside was green-lit. However, it’s been a rocky start on English shores for the man who has been likened to Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal. He hasn’t played for United yet, injured early in his new start.

Journalist Graeme Bailey has described him as “one of the best teenage prospects in the world”, and with the right care and attention over the coming years, there is every reason that Salia could be fashioned into a superstar, so naturally gifted and with a physicality on the ball that suggests he could adapt to the brutality of the Premier League.

It is frustrating that Salia should have been disrupted in this way so early into his Newcastle career, but this will teach him about adversity, and in this, he could rival Anderson, who has weathered storms of his own before emerging as a superstar at the City Ground.

Related Woltemade will love him: Newcastle targeting a "top 5 manager in the world"

Newcastle are in dire straits in the Premier League at the moment.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Nov 19, 2025

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat against Afghanistan in their Asia Cup clash in Abu Dhabi.Bangladesh captain Litton Das said the pitch looked a bit on the slow side, despite the Abu Dhabi surface having been better for batting recently. Rashid Khan said Afghanistan would have liked to bat first as well.Bangladesh made four changes with Saif Hassan, Nurul Hasan, Taskin Ahmed and Nasum Ahmed coming in. Mahedi Hasan, Pervez Hossain Emon, Shoriful Islam and Mahedi Hasan missed out. Afghanistan, meanwhile, named an unchanged XI.Related

• Why are Sri Lanka and Bangladesh so poor at T20I batting?

• For AM Ghazanfar, the future is now

• 'Belief is key' – Mushtaq rallies Bangladesh

A win for Afghanistan On Tuesday will take them to the top of the Group B points table.Bangladesh: 1 Tanzid Hasan Tamim, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Litton Das (capt & wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Nurul Hasan, 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Shamim Hossain, 8 Nasum Ahmed, 9 Rishad Hossain, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Taskin AhmedAfghanistan: 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Sediqullah Atal, 3 Ibrahim Zadran, 4 Gulbadin Naib, 5 Karim Janat, 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan (capt), 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 AM Ghazanfar, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi

Aston Villa are now prepared to make an offer for FC Barcelona forward Ansu Fati following a request from manager Unai Emery, but a clause in his loan deal at Monaco may complicate matters.

Villa’s interest in a new forward comes amid Ollie Watkins & co flattering to deceive, with the striker scoring just one Premier League goal in ten matches so far this season, having fallen way short of his usual lofty standards.

Despite Liverpool struggling from a defensive point of view this season, having already conceded 14 goals, Emery’s forward line barely caused the Reds any issues at the weekend, failing to create a single big chance in the 2-0 defeat.

Some of the manager’s summer signings are yet to hit the ground running too, with Jeff Stelling ripping into the Spaniard for his decision to substitute Jadon Sancho against Manchester City, having only been brought on himself in the first half.

With Harvey Elliott being omitted from the squad entirely for the victory against City, Emery clearly has doubts over some of his summer signings, and he has now made a plea to the board…

Aston Villa prepared to make offer for Ansu Fati in 2026

According to a report from Spain, Aston Villa are now prepared to make an offer for Barcelona forward Fati, who is currently on loan at AS Monaco, in light of the fantastic start to the season he has made in Ligue 1, but there could be competition for his signature.

Sunderland are also willing to make a move for the Monaco loanee, while the French club retain a clause to make his stay permanent for a fee of just €11m (£10m), which is viewed as an affordable fee, given the form he’s in.

Emery has personally requested the signing of a top-level forward, in order to compete for the European places, and Villa are now poised to make a move for the 23-year-old, should he not join Monaco permanently.

Once hailed as “extraordinary” by former Barcelona manager Xavi, the Spaniard was ultimately unable to make the grade at the Camp Nou, but he is still young, and the start the left-winger has made to the season has been very impressive.

Fati at Monaco

Appearances

Goals

Ligue 1

7

5

Champions League

3

1

Indeed, the Guinea-Bissau-born attacker has put in a number of eye-catching performances already this season, showcasing that he could still be capable of reaching the very top, if he steers clear of injuries, having spent too much on the treatment table at Barcelona.

There may be some concern over the fact the 10-time Spain international didn’t set the world alight during his previous stint in the Premier League, registering just two goals and zero assists in 19 top-flight outings for Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, Fati’s recent performances have been much-improved, and if he continues to perform at this level, Aston Villa should undoubtedly make a move.

Aston Villa now join race for "insane" former Bayern Munich striker Aston Villa now join race to sign "insane" £35m former Bayern Munich striker

The Villans are looking to sign a centre-forward, with Unai Emery keen on greater strength in depth in attack.

ByDominic Lund Oct 28, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Romário assumiu a presidência do América-RJ, de forma oficial, na tarde deste sábado (6). O ex-jogador era o único candidato ao pleito, e o mandato vai até o final de 2026. O evento para tomada de posse aconteceu no Clube Municipal, na zona norte do Rio de Janeiro.

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O tetracampeão mundial com a Seleção Brasileira volta a ser dirigente do clube pela segunda vez após sua aposentadoria, em 2009 – quando jogava pelo próprio América-RJ. Naquele ano, era gerente de futebol do time e entrou em campo na campanha do acesso à elite do Campeonato Carioca.

A relação com a instituição é herança de família. Romário já contou diversas vezes que é torcedor do time e que herdou o carinho de seu pai, Edevair, também torcedor do Mecão. Apesar do apreço, o ex-jogador não terá uma missão fácil no América-RJ, principalmente se consideradas as dívidas, que giram em torno de R$ 80 milhões.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Mesmo com as dificuldades, Romário se mostrou confiante em realizar um bom trabalho e traçou metas ousadas para o clube.

– Vamos trabalhar muito para montar um time capaz de vencer o campeonato carioca da segunda divisão e garantirmos o acesso à elite em 2025. Além disso, teremos também a Copa Rio, no segundo semestre, e vamos entrar pra ganhar, e quem sabe disputar a série D nacional ou a Copa do Brasil no próximo ano – escreveu, o atual presidente nas redes sociais.

Além de presidente do América-RJ, Romário também é senador da república. Após a aposentadoria, o ex-jogador se dedicou à vida parlamentar e chegou a se candidatar ao governo do Rio de Janeiro, em 2018.

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Romário

Arsenal star Eberechi Eze has revealed that Marcus Rashford was the one player who stood out most to him during his first England training session. Speaking exclusively with Adebayo Akinfenwa on the latest episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast, Eze praised the way the versatile forward strikes and runs with the ball and explained how Thomas Tuchel has England set up to "achieve something incredible" at the World Cup.

Getty Images SportEze wowed by Man Utd loanee Rashford

In the latest edition of GOAL's Beast Mode On podcast, Eze opened up on his journey to becoming an Arsenal and England star with former team-mate Adebayo Akinfenwa. Having lavished praise on former Chelsea star Eden Hazard as the player who impressed Eze most as a youngster, the former Crystal Palace man also spoke highly of Rashford as the one who stood out the most in his first training session with the national team.

The 27-year-old is now a regular in the England setup, having made his debut in 2023. Eze replaced Rashford midway through the second half in England's 2-0 World Cup qualification over Serbia last week, and wrapped up the victory for the Three Lions with a fine first-time strike at Wembley.

Rather than England captain Harry Kane or Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka, it's Rashford who caught Eze's eye when he first linked up with the national team. The 28-year-old left Manchester United for Spanish giants Barcelona on loan over the summer, and has shone in Spain, providing six assists and two goals as the Blaugrana look to defend their La Liga crown.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'He's an incredible, incredible player'

Speaking exclusively on GOAL's Beast Mode On podcast with Akinfenwa, Eze said: "I’d say in my first session [it was] was Rashy [Marcus Rashford].

"So I've known him, or known of him, because he's played in a similar age group across the country, when you go to tournaments, you see him and stuff like that. And so I've always known he's a good player, but for that first camp, I remember going away like, ‘OK, this guy's on some other stuff’.

"The way he’s striking the ball, the way he's running with the ball, how he operates… He's an incredible, incredible player. I enjoy watching him play."

Getty Images SportEze enjoying working under Tuchel

Eze has become a mainstay in the England setup and the Arsenal star is expected to make the World Cup squad for football's showpiece next summer. Thomas Tuchel oversaw a 100% qualification record as the Three Lions booked their 2026 flight with ease and many feel England have a great chance of lifting the World Cup for the first time since 1966 in North America.

When asked what it's like to work under Tuchel, Eze replied: "It’s fun working with him because he’s got good energy. He’s a positive character, always giving a good feeling to players around the camp.

"You feel very comfortable, you feel very relaxed. It helps you to be yourself on the pitch as well. Very clear in what he wants from players… specific positions and how he wants to play.

"I feel like we’ve got a good idea idea, a good foundation, a good base to achieve something incredible. That structure that he’s put in place is key to that, for sure."

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Will Celtic appoint a new manager during this international break?

Following Sunday’s 4-0 Premiership victory over Kilmarnock, interim manager Martin O’Neill honestly admitted that he does not know whether or not he will still be in charge when the Hoops are next in action against St Mirren in Paisley a week on Saturday.

Reports this week suggest the board are intensifying their search for Brendan Rodgers’ long-term replacement, currently in London holding talks with candidates, with a leading target having now emerged.

Whoever takes charge, considering Celtic will play 11 matches, including a League Cup Final, before the transfer window opens, will need to get the best out of the Hoops’ current squad, so could landing their dream target be good news for the club’s best attacker?

The 'frontrunner' to become Celtic manager

As has been widely reported, Kieran McKenna, Wilfried Nancy, Craig Bellamy and Robbie Keane are among the candidates to become Celtic manager.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

However, their dream candidate all along has been Bodø/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen, who, according to a report by TEAMtalk, ‘remains a frontrunner’.

They claim that a move to Glasgow is viewed as the ‘perfect next step’ for the 57-year-old, who is out of contract in the Arctic Circle later this year, having worked miracles with Bodø/Glimt since being appointed in 2018.

His team demolished Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic 5-1 on aggregate in a Conference League tie back in February 2022, so could he soon be returning to Parkhead, only this time in the home dugout?

And would his arrival help to get the best out of Daizen Maeda?

Why a change of manager could revive Maeda

Earlier this season, Maeda revealed that he had asked to leave Celtic this summer to take the next step in his career, but was not allowed to do so, following the sales of Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah, while no replacements for them were even brought in until the final hours of the window.

Well, after scoring 33 goals last season, the Japanese forward has not been at his scintillating best this time round, scoring only four goals so far, most notably nodding home the stoppage time winner against Motherwell, also on target against Killie last weekend.

Overall, most of Maeda’s statistics have decreased this season, as the table below highlights.

Goals

0.6

0.5

Assists

0.4

0.3

Shots

1.8

2

Conversion rate %

32.65%

21.43%

Big chances missed

0.6

0.83

Chances created

1.5

1.2

Big chances created

0.35

0.28

Forward passes

3.6

2.1

Touches

43.2

44.8

Touches in the box

6.6

6.6

Average rating

7.31

6.87

As the table documents, the majority of Maeda’s numbers have endured a downturn this season, including goals, shooting accuracy and chance creation, missing more big chances on a per-90 basis too.

When the Japanese international is at his best, he is able to ferociously close down defenders and burst into space, as this goal in last season’s League Cup Final highlights, something he has not been allowed to do very often this season, hindered by the Celts’ stodgy style of play.

However, could that all be about to change, allowing Maeda to rediscover his best form?

The reason Knutsen is the outstanding candidate is that he has completely transformed Bodø/Glimt.

When he was appointed manager in 2018, the Yellow Horde were still in the Norwegian second tier, but they have now won four of the last five Eliteserien titles, chasing another with two games to go of this campaign.

Having said that, Bodø/Glimt have really made a name for themselves in Europe, reaching the Conference League quarter-finals in 2022 and last season’s Europa League semi-finals, qualifying for the Champions League group stages for the very first time earlier this year.

Michael Stewart believes Knutsen has done an “incredible” job in the Arctic Circle, while Jan Åge Fjørtoft praised Knutsen’s “clear philosophy” and “attractive” style of play.

Across his 351 matches in charge, Bodø/Glimt have always used a fluid 4-3-3 formation which, as outlined by Total Football Analysis, features attacking full-backs, thereby allowing the wide-attackers to drift inside and score goals.

Meantime, as documented by the Coaches’ Voice, Knutsen’s team consistently rank highly in terms of ‘most dribbles and 1v1 moments’, favouring quick interplay and direct attacks.

Well, all of this sounds like it would suit Maeda’s skillset, whether the Japanese forward was to be deployed centrally or out wide.

Concerningly, Maeda may still harbour hopes of a move away in January, with a World Cup on the horizon, but Knutsen, should he arrive, surely would not sanction the sale of Celtic’s best attacker, while his appointment may represent such a coup that the forward is convinced that the Celts are heading in the right direction once again.

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