Jhon Duran could leave Al-Nassr on loan this summer after just a few months at the club due to problems with his "mental state and technical ability".
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Duran could leave Al-Nassr on loanOnly signed in January"Mental state and technical ability" issuesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Arriyadiyah report that Duran has suffered with personal issues since signing for the Saudi Pro League club in January, which have affected both his mental wellbeing and his ability on the field. There are various clubs willing to take the striker on loan should Al-Nassr be willing to strike a deal.
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Duran has performed decently for Al-Nassr since signing in January, scoring 12 goals in 18 appearances for the club. It is issues off the field that are causing the problems, however.
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Duran hit the headlines in April after he was caught riding a motorbike with no helmet on in Colombia. It is not the first time his behaviour has been questioned.
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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?
The news about Duran's future only adds to the feeling of uncertainty at Al-Nassr. The club are yet to tie Cristiano Ronaldo down to a new deal, with his current contract ending at the end of June.
Tottenham Hotspur "really like" Graham Potter, having gone in for him during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion, according to journalist Paul Brown.
What's the latest Tottenham manager news?
There are multiple people still in the running for the Tottenham job, with Burnley boss Vincent Kompany now said to be "ready to listen" to offers, having now emerged as the club's preferred choice to replace Antonio Conte.
Kompany may have replaced Julian Nagelsmann as Spurs' top target, as BILD claim the former Bayern Munich boss has declined the opportunity to engage in talks, instead preferring to speak with Chelsea.
Alasdair Gold has recently claimed he would be shocked if the Lilywhites do not consider appointing Potter, as they did in 2021, with the journalist also adding that Arne Slot and Ruben Amorim will be options this summer.
In an interview with GiveMeSport, Brown confirmed the Tottenham hierarchy are still big fans of the former Chelsea boss, who would be available without compensation, indicating they could make a move for him this summer.
The journalist said: "They really like Potter and they went for him in quite a big way when he was at Brighton. But, he basically turned them down and felt he could do better.
"He felt if he was to leave Brighton, he and his staff would only go to a top tier club that could spend money and compete in the Champions League every year."
Should Tottenham appoint Graham Potter?
Interestingly, the former Chelsea boss reportedly wanted to sign Harry Kane last year, so he will certainly like the idea of joining up with him potentially at Spurs.
It is fair to say the 47-year-old did not reach the heights he would've wanted to during his time at Stamford Bridge, averaging just 1.42 points-per game, leaving the Blues 11th in the Premier League table upon his departure.
However, the Solihull-born manager has a proven aptitude for being able to build teams, having taken Brighton from a 15th-place finish in his first season in charge, up to ninth in his final full campaign with the club.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter looks dejected after the match
Hailed as a "brilliant coach" by members of the media, the former Brighton boss now has experience managing a 'big six' club, which could stand him in good stead upon his return to management, whenever that may be.
That said, it would not be a wise decision for Spurs to appoint a manager with a poor track record at the top level, and they should focus on targets who have won major honours, including Nagelsmann, despite the recent setback, as he has won three trophies and is considered a "progressive" young manager.
Willey plays allround role on return to Headingley to seal emphatic victory
ECB Reporters Network20-Jun-2023Former Yorkshire T20 captain David Willey made a winning return to Headingley as his Northamptonshire side dented the Vikings’ Vitality Blast quarter-final hopes by comfortably defending a 181 target thanks to fellow pacer Tom Taylor’s stunning career best five for 28 from four overs.Willey hit a breezy 28 and claimed two wickets with left-arm swing as the Steelbacks posted 180 for six and bowled Yorkshire out for just 102 inside 16 overs. But 28-year-old Taylor was the main man in a 78-run win.This came after the Vikings had slumped to a record low 68 all out in defeat to Derbyshire at Chesterfield on Sunday.Willey’s former team dropped out of the top four quarter-final qualifying places following their fifth defeat in 11 North Group games, while his current charges won for the fifth time to keep their hopes alive with three games remaining.After Willey elected to bat, Germany international Justin Broad’s inventive unbeaten 47 off 32 balls with six fours was the best of a quartet of useful contributions in a Northamptonshire innings which stopped and started.Fledgling leg-spinner Jafer Chohan shone with a career best one for 13 from four overs for the Vikings, who then slumped to 22 for four in reply and couldn’t recover.Ricardo Vasconcelos underpinned an excellent visiting powerplay at 55 for one with 37, though he was the only man to fall when Dawid Malan took a well judged catch at cover off Jordan Thompson.And his wicket with the penultimate ball of the sixth over started a Steelbacks’ stumble.Chohan, 20-years-old and in his 11th T20 game, was at the heart of things having not bowled at Chesterfield when Yorkshire conceded 212 for four against Derbyshire in that aforementioned Sunday loss.He removed Chris Lynn for three off a top-edged sweep, with Adam Lyth taking a well judged catch like Malan’s running around from short fine-leg – 70 for two in the ninth.And more damage followed as Emilio Gay miscued a high catch off Thompson to mid-off for 40 and Saif Zaib was run out by a striker’s end direct hit from Shan Masood at short third – 94 for four in the 13th.That was the first of three run outs in an innings revived by South African-born Broad, aged 22 and in only his third county appearance, and Willey.They shared 60 inside five overs before Willey was run out at the striker’s end coming for a third for 28 off 18 balls following good work at deep midwicket by Bess and thrower Mike.AJ Tye hit two sixes in 12 before falling short thanks to a direct hit from Thompson in his follow through.Northamptonshire’s good end to their innings, including Broad hitting two of the last three balls to the boundary, was then carried forwards with the ball as they reduced the Vikings to seven for two inside 15 balls.Ben Sanderson had Lyth skying to short third, where Zaib took a good catch on the run over his shoulder, and then Willey had James Wharton caught behind.This was not the pitch for a 200 plus total as is the norm at Headingley, and Yorkshire already looked in trouble.Any doubt surrounding that theory was soon removed.Willey bowled Masood as he gave himself room to play through the off-side before Matthew Revis was bowled by Sanderson, another ex-Tyke, in the next over as the score fell to 22 for four in the sixth.Not even in-form Malan’s presence at the crease could revive Yorkshire.Seamer Taylor struck twice in two balls in the ninth over, with Jonny Tattersall caught at third and David Wiese bowled for a golden duck as the score fell to 49 for six.Taylor later returned to bowl Mike and Malan, for 34, and get Thompson caught at wide mid-off. Australian Tye finished things off by bowling Chohan.
Whilst Leeds United’s recent history has often seen them flirt with promotion up to the Premier League, there was once a time at Elland Road where the Whites were top-flight regulars and succeeding at that.
The 1999/2000 season would see then Leeds boss David O’Leary guide his team to an unbelievable third place finish in England’s elite division, with multiple finishes in and around this position becoming commonplace soon after courtesy of Mark Viduka and Co regularly terrorising defences.
Viduka wasn’t the only Australian menace during this top period in Leeds’ Premier League stay, however, with Harry Kewell also regularly popping up with strikes down the left wing to complement the magic of the clinical centre-forward.
Harry Kewell's heroics at Leeds
The Sydney-born winger and the Melbourne-based striker would cause top-flight defenders all sorts of bother when donning Leeds white together, with Viduka going on to boast a sensational 72 goals and 17 assists from 166 appearances.
Kewell would go on to make a heftier 240 appearances for the West Yorkshire Titans, and whilst his goal haul sat at a lower total of 68, his bumper record of 28 assists from down the left flank would make him a firm fan’s favourite whenever he strutted his stuff.
That made his subsequent move to Liverpool in 2003 sting, considering Kewell was beloved at Elland Road for electric goals like this one hammered home versus Aston Villa, with the 58-time Australia international often utilising his sublime left foot.
Whilst Farke’s current crop will want to make a name for themselves away from the club’s illustrious past, it could be said regardless that the German has his own version of Kewell in 2025.
Leeds' modern-day Harry Kewell is driving them to promotion
Much like Kewell before him, this Whites superstar is a regular for his international side too, with a goal even coming his way during the recent break from Championship action.
Indeed, Daniel James fired home Wales’ opener against Kazakhstan to gift Craig Bellamy a 3-1 win in the Red Dragons hot seat, continuing his fine campaign for both club and country.
The ex-Manchester United forward has collected a sizeable ten goals and nine assists for himself in the second tier this season, with the Welshman – much like Kewell – becoming known for his entertaining, speedy displays down his trusty right flank.
Off the back of his ability to open up a defence in a moment’s notice either through devastating pace or via a decisive goal, the 27-year-old has managed to cement himself as a regular, with 27 goals and 21 assists now next to his name from 119 total clashes.
To be considered in a similar bracket to Kewell even more, it will be up to James to confidently provide goals and assists for his side if they make the leap up to the Premier League, having struggled at the higher level before.
The Whites number seven has been burnt by the allure of the top-flight in the past with a switch to Manchester United early into his playing days not working, despite former Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once heralding James as “exceptional.”
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32
10
9
23/24
Championship
43
13
7
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0
0
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He will want to live up to Solskjaer’s glowing appraisal by finally proving himself as a worthy Premier League talent, with the Welshman undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the second tier.
Kewell was also a joy to watch before souring his long-term Leeds legacy when Anfield came calling, with James unlikely to want to move away anytime soon, knowing the grass is greener for him situated at Elland Road.
Their new Viduka: Leeds want to sign "clinical" £9m Piroe upgrade
Leeds United appear to have their sights set on a new talisman for Daniel Farke.
The UNAM side is off FIFA’s “blacklist” and free to add new players after settling their fine.
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Moreno is expected to be the first signingPumas had been under a FIFA transfer sanctionEfraín Juárez enters his second season as head coachGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Pumas UNAM can now look ahead to the Apertura 2025 with more flexibility, as FIFA has reportedly lifted the transfer ban that had prevented the club from registering new players. The decision comes after the University-backed team resolved an administrative issue and paid the required fine.
Media Tempo was first to report the news of Pumas' ban being lifted.
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The club had been listed among sanctioned teams due to delays in submitting documentation to FIFA. However, the matter has since been resolved, and the team no longer appears on the governing body's list of clubs under transfer restrictions. With the ban lifted, Pumas is now free to reinforce its squad ahead of the upcoming season.
Efraín Juárez is entering his second campaign in charge of Pumas, and his first full season at the helm. He took over midway through the Clausura 2025 following the departure of Gustavo Lema, guiding the team to a balanced record of five wins, four draws, and five losses in 14 matches.
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Veteran defender Héctor Moreno is reportedly set to become the club’s first signing of the summer. Juárez has personally requested the return of the former international, who has expressed his desire to finish his career at the club where he made his professional debut.
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The squad returned to medical testing on June 2 to begin preseason preparations. Several roster changes are expected, with Lisandro Magallán, Ricardo Galindo, Alí Ávila, and Michelle Rodríguez confirmed as departures.
A new diet could be on the cards for Harry Kane after Bayern Munich hired a new nutritionist, who will join Vincent Kompany's backroom staff.
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Bayern hire new nutritionist, Melf CarstensenHe was working for Borussia DortmundCarstensen has a long history with Bayern chiefFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Bavaria-based outlet the reported on Wednesday that Bayern have snapped up a new nutritionist named Melf Carstensen, who was working for Borussia Dortmund. The report stated that Cartsensen boarded the plane with the Bayern squad from Munich on Tuesday, as the Bundesliga champions departed for Orlando ahead of the Club World Cup.
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Carstensen was under contract with Dortmund, who will also be participating in the Club World Cup, until June 30, 2025. However, sporting director Max Eberl acquired his services just in time for the Club World Cup. Eberl knows the nutritionist from their time together at Borussia Monchengladbach.
At Gladbach, he earned the nickname 'Miraculix' — a nod to the wise druid from the Asterix & Obelix comics who concocts the magical potion that gives the Gauls their superhuman strength. Much like his cartoon counterpart, Carstensen believes in the power of the right formula. After training sessions, he turns to specially prepared recovery shakes, rich in carbohydrates and protein, to quickly replenish energy and support muscle repair.
DID YOU KNOW?
Carstensen is a big believer in evidence-based solutions, placing emphasis on unprocessed foods to conjure maximum recovery. His arrival at Bayern is certainly set to improve the physical endurance of the players, with dietary changes set to follow.
"The goal is to delay fatigue as much as possible. Ideally, farther than the opponent. 20 percent more mileage is possible with the right nutrition – that's exactly what we need and want," Carstensen said in an interview in 2022. "You can't do without it. If the rice pudding is crap, you lose. Food is a pleasure. It should taste good. Especially for the players, who also know good food, it's not like they only get rice with tomato sauce. We try to make it as interesting, tasty, and varied as possible."
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adidas/FC BayernWHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN MUNICH?
Die Roten will play their first game of the Club World Cup on Sunday, June 15, when they take on Auckland City.
The Oval is known to assist spinners from time to time, and Ponting wants India to field both Ashwin and Jadeja, with Jadeja batting at No. 6
Ashish Pant29-May-2023Ricky Ponting wants India to play as many X-factor players as possible if they want to have an edge over Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Like Ishan Kishan, who, Ponting feels, is a stronger bet than KS Bharat to play as the wicketkeeper-batter in the absence of Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav.Speaking on the latest episode of the ICC Review podcast, Ponting said his India XI at the WTC final would also include both R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, with Jadeja playing primarily as a batter at No. 6, with Suryakumar above Jadeja in the middle order.”If I was them [India], knowing the importance of this game – and you have to win this Test match – I’d be going with Ishan Kishan in this game,” Ponting said. “He provides that little bit of X-factor that you need when you might be pushing for a win in a Test match. Obviously, if Rishabh Pant is fit, he is playing, and he provides that X-factor for India. But with him not being there, and this is no blot on Bharat whatsoever, but I think Kishan just provides that little bit more X-factor, who’d do a good job with the gloves but can provide that really high-scoring run rate that is required in a one-off Test match to push for a win.Related
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Hazlewood included in Australia's WTC final squad
“I’d be going with as many X-factor players as I could and put some real pressure back on Australia.”Neither Kishan nor Suryakumar are Test regulars. Kishan is yet to make his Test debut, though he was in the squad for the home Test series against Australia earlier this year, while Suryakumar played his only Test in that same series, making eight runs the only time India batted in Nagpur, where they won by an innings and 132 runs on their way to a 2-1 series win.Both players, however, have decent first-class records.While Suryakumar has scored 5557 runs in 80 first class games at an average of 44.45, Kishan has 2985 in 48 matches, averaging 38.76. They have both, however, made their names mainly as explosive short-format batters.While Ponting did not elaborate on why he wanted Suryakumar to bat at No.5, he did say he was happy to see Ajinkya Rahane back in the Test fold.Rahane, India’s No. 5 until he was dropped in early 2022, had a good domestic season (2022-23) where he finished as Mumbai’s highest run-getter in the Ranji Trophy with 634 runs in seven matches at 57.63. Rahane also surprised many watchers with his aggressive stroke play as a top-order impact batter for Chennai Super Kings in the latest IPL.”Jinks (Rahane) has had an incredible IPL as well. It’s funny, isn’t it, how IPL runs can now get you picked back into a Test match squad,” Ponting said. “Jinks has been on the outer for the last couple of years in Test cricket, but everyone saw how confident he looked and how well he played in the IPL and that was enough to get him back in.”I think they will pick Jadeja and Ashwin because Jadeja can hold that No. 6 batting spot”•BCCI”He has been there and done it before in Test cricket. It was probably a bigger hurdle for him to climb to get back into playing really good T20 cricket than it is for him to go back and play good Test cricket. His make-up is much more suited to the Test game than it is to T20 cricket. He has rediscovered some confidence and if he does get picked, I won’t be surprised to see him get runs in that Test match.”He has always been a really high-quality player and we saw him even with his leadership qualities here in Australia, in that last series to turn things around.”The 15-man India squad has three frontline spinners – all of them spin-bowling allrounders – in Ashwin, Jadeja and Axar Patel. While Axar has showed consistency across formats in recent months, Ponting expects India to opt for Ashwin and Jadeja purely because of the nature of the pitch at The Oval, where the Test will be played from June 7 to 11.”I think they will pick Jadeja and Ashwin because Jadeja can hold that No. 6 batting spot,” Ponting said. “His batting has improved that much that they can pick him as a batter now that might just bowl a few overs if required. There is no doubt that Ashwin is a more skilled and better Test bowler than what Jadeja is, but if Jadeja can hold down that batting spot and then as the game goes on, getting into the fourth and fifth day, if it does start to turn, then you have got that really high-class second spin bowling option if required.”Historically, the Oval pitch has been a very good batting wicket. It’s generally offered something for the fast bowlers on day one, not a lot. But I have also played some games there where it has turned a lot. If it starts a little bit dry, it can turn a lot.”
Despite the fact that Arsenal sit second in the Premier League table and are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, this has been one of the hardest seasons of Mikel Arteta’s managerial career to date.
It all started with the bizarre red card for Declan Rice against Brighton in the early stages of the campaign, sent off for kicking the ball away.
From that moment, not a lot has gone Arsenal’s way. The Gunners saw Leandro Trossard also sent off for kicking the ball away against Man City, William Saliba give away a penalty for grazing heads with Joao Pedro in the return fixture against Brighton and a whole host of injuries.
Bukayo Saka has been missing since December, Martin Odegaard endured a few months out with an ankle problem, while Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz – the club’s only centre forwards – are out for the season.
How’s ya luck, Mikel? Not very good apparently.
Still, there has been one positive, and that’s that Arsenal may have found their answer to the Granit Xhaka question.
How Arsenal can fill their Granit Xhaka void
After the Switzerland international left the Emirates Stadium behind in 2023 after a career-best season in the final third, there weren’t too many worries about the future of his position.
Granit Xhaka
Kai Havertz – a £65m signing from Chelsea – was initially bought to fill the midfield vacancy but has become a striker – while Declan Rice, the mega £105m addition, has been moved further forward into the left 8 role in 2024/25. The trouble with Rice is that his right-footedness brings him inside more than you’d like from that role.
The other solution has been Mikel Merino who was also signed with the goal of improving their play on the left side of the pitch. Left-footed and a duel-winning machine, the signs looked bright before he’d taken to the field but the Spaniard hasn’t truly kicked on in his debut campaign. In fact, like Havertz, he’s looked more vibrant when playing as the central striker.
Then you have Oleksandr Zinchenko, who let’s be honest, hasn’t been given a fair chance in his natural midfield position.
The Ukrainian showed against PSV in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie that he’s still a cracking central midfielder, scoring the opening goal in beautiful fashion.
While Rice is intelligent enough and has the mentality to keep improving in the left 8 role, perhaps it’s Myles Lewis-Skelly who could fill that role in due course.
Arsenal's new Granit Xhaka and Jack Wilshere hybrid
Arsenal spent the best part of £200m on the trio of Rice, Havertz and Merino. It’s rather typical, therefore, that the solution may come from the academy, thus not costing Arteta and Co a single penny.
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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
That’s because 18-year-old superstar, Lewis-Skelly, a young individual described as “fearless” by Rice, looks like he could be the future of Arsenal’s midfield.
The teenager has broken through as a left-back this term and has done seriously well, notably scoring against Manchester City and then finding the back of the net on his England debut against Albania last Friday too.
However, despite being so impressive in that role, his future should lie in midfield. He’s a midfielder by trade and it’s helped him play that inverted left-back position to perfection.
He comes into central pockets, can evade the press and he’s also got a pass in his locker too. In short, the youngster pretty much has everything you want from a player looking to fill the Xhaka void. Crucially, he’s left-footed and forward-thinking too.
Like Xhaka, he’s a particularly progressive passer, notably making 4.38 progressive passes per 90 in the top flight this term. For context, the Swiss midfielder made 5.89 during his final season in the Premier League. The caveat for Lewis-Skelly is that he’s playing further back, meaning his numbers should rise if given more license in the final third.
That said, there’s also a bit of Jack Wilshere to the Arsenal teen, and that’s not just because they’ve both come through the Hale End academy.
Matches played
14
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9
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55
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1
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0
Accurate passes
94%
Tackles per game
1.4
Ball recoveries per game
2.2
Errors leading to shot/goal
0
Duels won per game
3.9
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2
Wilshere – like Lewis-Skelly – is left-footed and they both move in a very similar way. The former had the ability to change speed in an instant to burst past a player and his close control was exquisite, making it incredibly hard for anyone to get the ball from him.
As a result, he was fouled more times per 90 minutes (3.6) than any other Premier League player in the 2017/18 campaign. The Englishman’s career average was at 1.7 times per game. Compare that to Lewis-Skelly; he has been fouled 1.6 times per game, the second-highest rate at Arsenal behind only Bukayo Saka (2 times per game) throughout 2024/25.
They possess that difficult-to-teach art of inviting a foul and manipulating their body to initiate contact and drag the ball away from their opponent before they can nip in and win it.
Already boasting 26 first-team appearances to his name this term, the future is certainly bright for Lewis-Skelly, a player who boasts the best traits of both Xhaka and Wilshere.
Of anyone in this squad, he looks like the most natural successor to the left 8 role. Make it happen, Arteta.
Arsenal starlet was ahead of Nwaneri & Lewis-Skelly, then he left for £1m
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are two of the finest talents to emerge from the Arsenal academy.
Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez has officially stepped down as the manager of the club's Castilla side after six years at the helm.
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Raul to leave Real Madrid CastillaSpent six seasons with reserve teamHas attracted interest from Bundesliga clubsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Real Madrid have officially announced the departure of club legend Raul from his post as manager of Real Madrid Castilla, the reserve side, on Tuesday, bringing an end to the former Spain international's six-year stint as the head coach of the B team.
Raul will depart Madrid after six seasons at the helm of the reserve team, where he delivered a consistently commendable performance. Under his leadership, Castilla came heartbreakingly close to promotion to the Segunda Division, narrowly losing in the playoffs to Eldense during the 2022–23 campaign. Although this season began on a disappointing note, with many tipping the team for relegation to the fourth tier, Raul once again proved his managerial mettle. He steered Castilla to a strong sixth-place finish, just shy of a playoff spot, defying expectations and reinforcing his credentials as a promising manager.
WHAT REAL MADRID SAID
In their official statement, Los Blancos thanked Raul for his services, stating: "Real Madrid C.F. announces that Raul has informed the club of his decision to end his time as a coach at our youth academy. Real Madrid is proud to have had one of the greatest legends in our history and world football as a coach and trainer at our youth academy. Raul also exemplifies all the values of Real Madrid. Values that he has also passed on as a coach: he coached Cadete B (U15s) and Juvenil B (U18s) in the 2018-2019 season. Since then, he has coached Castilla. In August 2020, he also coached Juvenil A (U19s), the team that won the Youth League. Raul will always be in the hearts of all madridistas, and Real Madrid will always be his home. Real Madrid wishes Raul and his family all the best in this new stage of his life."
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DID YOU KNOW?
Raul is one of the biggest names in the history of Real Madrid. Having come through the ranks at La Fabrica, Raul made his first team debut at the age of 17 in 1994 and was an instant hit at the Santiago Bernabeu. Before leaving for Schalke in 2010, the Spaniard scored 323 goals, a club record until Cristiano Ronaldo surpassed him, and made 741 appearances, which is a club record that stands to this day.
Everton are moving forward, but all the same, David Moyes’ return has created a nostalgic feel to this Goodison Park, who are poignantly and perhaps fittingly preparing to depart for Bramley Moore.
A new era begins with an old dog, but Moyes is proven on Merseyside and indeed elsewhere, leading West Ham United through three successive campaigns on the continent and indeed winning the Conference League in 2022/23.
Everton manager DavidMoyes on the touchline before the match
Can he lead the Toffees back to a rich and lasting period? Moyes has already got to work shaping Sean Dyche’s squad to his design, with one member in particular carrying the qualities to become the Scot’s next version of Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta under Moyes' wing
Younger Premier League fans will exclusively recognise Arteta for his time in the Arsenal dugout, taking a meandering outfit back to the forefront of domestic and European football.
However, he once roamed Premier League pitches at the heart of Arsene Wenger’s Gunners midfield, and before that, Moyes’ Everton.
Intelligent, silky and dynamic, Arteta bridged gaps between central- and attacking-midfield berths, with Moyes hailing him as a “complete” and “conscientious” player during the duo’s marriage.
Across 209 Everton appearances (all with Moyes at the helm), Arteta proved himself to be one of the most technically gifted footballers in the top flight from the offing, making the move to north London in August 2011 for a £10m fee after informing the Blues he wanted out and was willing to take a pay cut to make it happen.
It’s perhaps a testament to Moyes’ adoration of Arteta’s style during his playing days that he instantly moved to sign his next version of the Spanish maestro when arriving at Everton back in January.
Everton's new Arteta
Everton’s recruitment has been generally shoddy over the past decade, but Dyche and departing Director of Football Kevin Thelwell did make one or two good moves before leaving.
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It means Moyes has got players such as Iliman Ndiaye, Beto and Jake O’Brien to fashion into shape, all showing positive signs in recent months. However, the 61-year-old did need to dip into the winter market to sign Charly Alcaraz on loan from Brasileiro Serie A club Flamengo.
Everton midfielder Charly Alcaraz
Everton have the option to sign the attacking midfielder permanently for a shrewd £12m fee at the end of the season, and on the basis of the early evidence, the 22-year-old has talent in spades and could become a high-class player in Moyes’ system.
Positionally, Alcaraz has been around the block.
Although, saying that, the Argentina youth international has also partaken in a nomadic journey across the opening years of his career, Everton being his fifth club as a professional.
He even joined Juventus on loan last season, with the Serie A giants deciding against activating the £40m clause to land his signature for good. Even so, it denotes the high regard Alcaraz is held in.
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10
5
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19
4
2
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4
2
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10
2
2
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1
0
Left winger
7
1
2
Right-back
1
0
0
Journalist Antonio Mango described him as a “special talent” in the past and it’s clear to see why. Alcaraz has the qualities to become a multi-functional general in the same vein as Arteta, especially when looking at his athletic ability through the lens of FBref’s data.
Though he hasn’t yet played enough in England for his metrics to be recorded, FBref record that Alcaraz ranks among the top 7% of midfielders in the Brazilian first tier in 2024 for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90.
He’s got a range of attack-focused skills to damage Everton’s opponents, but also a combative and hard-working side that will see him find true success in Moyes’ system.
Charly Alcaraz celebrates for Everton
Arteta was renowned for his passing, but he also played out on the right wing and later shifted into a deeper-lying midfield berth. Alcaraz has natural-born creativity and an energetic approach besides, but he’s actually begun to showcase maturity in defensive phases, making an impression at Goodison Park.
Let’s examine that in closer detail.
Alcaraz has played five times in the Premier League so far for Everton, enjoying a goal-and-assist performance against Crystal Palace during a February win at Selhurst Park.
But he’s played his role and played it well over the past several weeks, with Sofascore noting the South American has won 52% of his ground duels at Everton having completed 82% of his passes and created four big chances along the way.
This bodes well indeed. The £20k-per-week star is proving he can grow as a player and contribute across different phases of any particular contest.
In 2022/23, when he plied his trade with imperilled Southampton, Alcaraz won only 36% of his duels and created just one big chance across 18 Premier League outings. There was a player in there to be sure, but he was unrefined and could hardly have been expected to offer more than he did – scoring four goals – for a wayward outfit spinning toward relegation.
Charly Alcaraz for Southampton
Moyes has only welcomed one player to the Everton first team so far, and in Alcaraz, he might just find a long-term star, especially with Abdoulaye Doucoure reaching the end of his contract this summer.
He’s already shifted between attacking and more central midfield roles for Everton this season, and indeed has all the trappings of a budding maestro in the middle of the field, one who could see Moyes restore the spirit of Arteta to his new-look Everton team.
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