AC Milan have explained the “problem” that led to USMNT star Christian Pulisic being benched for their Serie A clash with Juventus.
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American forward nursing a knockNo risks being taken on his fitnessHas become key man for RossoneriFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
United States international Pulisic has become an integral part of the Rossonseri’s plans, with seven goals and four assists being registered this season. With that output taken into account, it was a surprise to see him named among the substitutes for a home date with Juve.
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Pulisic did get onto the field in a game that fellow countrymen Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie and Tim Weah also graced, but was restricted to a 20-minute cameo role. He was unable to make a match-winning contribution at San Siro as the game in question finished goalless.
WHAT FONSECA SAID
Milan boss Paulo Fonseca was quizzed afterwards on why Pulisic was left out of his starting XI, with the Portuguese tactician telling reporters: “He came from the national team with a problem, yesterday and today we tried but he wasn’t well. I couldn’t let him play more. I took the risk. It didn’t seem like the right time to change players on the fly, we made some substitutions that didn’t have an impact.”
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Pulisic played 160 minutes for the United States across the two legs of their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final win over Jamaica. No unnecessary gambles are being taken on his fitness, with Milan set to be back in Champions League action on Tuesday when taking in a trip to Slovan Bratislava.
GOAL takes a look at the biggest storylines to follow among Americans abroad, led by USMNT stars in Juventus vs AC Milan
AC Milan vs. Juventus is always a massive game. This iteration, at least from an U.S. men's national team perspective, feels even bigger. It will feature an in-form Christian Pulisic, who at times has kept struggling manager Paulo Fonseca in a job this season, square off against Tim Weah and Weston McKennie. Neither side is playing particularly scintillating football, with Milan at seventh and Juventus at sixth, but a strong showing from Milan could see them force themselves back into the race for a Champions League spot.
The isn't the only big story for USMNT players abroad. Tanner Tessmann enjoyed an excellent international break for the USMNT, and is quickly becoming a favorite of Mauricio Pochettino. His minutes at Lyon have been inconsistent, but his strong performances for the U.S. during the international break could provide momentum in his club form and push him into the starting XI soon. It would also seem to be an important week for Brenden Aaronson, who was limited to a brief cameo against Jamaica. He could do with a good run out.
Ricardo Pepi, whose name has cropped up in transfer talk of late, will also look to impress off the bench. The same goes for the likes of Mark McKenzie and Antonee Robinson. It should all make for interesting watching. GOAL US looks ahead at some of the biggest storylines to follow among Americans Abroad this weekend.
Getty Images SportPulisic, Pulisic and more Pulisic
Pulisic is not a Ballon d'Or contender. But he is, arguably, the best winger in Serie A at the minute. He is, perhaps, the only reason that the oft-maligned Fonseca is still in the job, such is the impact of his big game heroics. That only continued for the USMNT over the most recent international break. Pulisic set up the U.S.'s only goal of the first leg against Jamaica, scored twice in the second, and was instrumental throughout. He is, at this point, playing the best football of his career.
He will need to continue that trend on Saturday. Milan hosts Juventus in what will certainly be an early test of its ability to fight for a Champions League spot. They come into the game six points behind Thiago Motta's side, but with a game in hand. Three points could go a long way towards turning their season around. If that happens, it will be on the back of another Puli masterclass.
AdvertisementGettyCan Weston McKennie and Tim Weah spoil the party?
And on the other side lies a far more organized Juventus unit, but one that struggles on attack. Motta hasn't really gotten a tune out of his side going forward, but the are fiercely disciplined, and haven't lost yet (although they do have six draws.) Their seven goals conceded is the best in the league, and while they possess plenty of attacking talent, this isn't quite a fluid thing yet.
Ironically, though, two Americans have brought some of the sorely lacking attacking thrust. McKennie is up to his usual tricks in central midfield, putting out fires everywhere while also providing some quality in the final third – something he has proven with a couple of timely assists. Weah, too, has popped with four important Serie A goals. Juve are looking for difference makers in attack. The two Americans might just be able to step up.
GettyBrenden Aaronson to find form?
Aaronson was largely unfortunate to go down with the flu just before the first leg of the Nations League tie. And although he recovered in time to play a part in the return fixture, the attacking midfielder really could have done with using the opportunity to impress the manager. He did, admittedly, offer some interesting attacking ideas off the bench in St. Louis. But a full start might have been far more valuable.
READ MORE: Aaronson: "I'm not just a runner"
Still, he seems to have recovered enough to play. And for Leeds, he could be vital once again. Manager Daniel Farke heaped praised on Aaronson in a recent press conference, hailing the American's resilience to fight for his spot in the side after an unsuccessful Union Berlin loan last year. And deservedly so. Leeds are in third, two points back of first place, and well in contention for automatic promotion. A good showing against mid-table Swansea this weekend, and friendly results elsewhere, could see them go top.
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GettyWhat to do about Ricardo Pepi?
Something has to be made clear here: Pepi, in all likelihood, is unlikely to be a Liverpool player – despite recent rumors. If he cannot get into the PSV side after playing the best football of his career, a Premier League move would seem unlikely. What he has shown, in recent weeks, though, is that he can really be an impact striker. With six goals in just over 400 minutes for PSV, and two more for the USMNT this break, Pepi has silenced some doubters here.
Luuk de Jong, a stalwart in PSV's front line, suddenly sees his spot under threat. All Pepi has to do is keep scoring – which hasn't been a problem in recent weeks. Another clinical performance, whether starting or off the bench, would do a long way to giving PSV manager Peter Bosz an excellent problem to have.
One of Burnley's shining lights from last season could be on his way out this summer after he asked for a move away, according to the latest reports.
Burnley chasing new boss
Following the shock departure of Vincent Kompany to Bayern Munich after failing to secure survival in the Premier League, Burnley remain on the hunt for a new manager. The Clarets have been linked with the likes of Frank Lampard and Ruud Van Nistelrooy, but the latter now seems set to snub a managerial role to join the coaching staff at Manchester United.
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It leaves Burnley still searching for a fresh face in the dugout, and now any new manager may have to make do without a key man.
Exit pending in blow for Bellamy
Now, it has emerged that Aro Muric has asked to leave Burnley this summer. Muric only arrived at Turf Moor in 2022, arriving from Manchester City in a move that saw him sign a four year deal worth £25,000 a week.
However, after being first choice for Kompany during their Championship success, he was relegated to the substitutes bench following the arrival of James Trafford, who endured a tough first campaign at Turf Moore.
As a result, Muric was recalled for the final stretch of the season, starting each of the final 10 games of the campaign and impressing despite a calamitous own goal, racking up by far the highest performance rating in the Burnley squad.
Following that gaffe, assistant manager Craig Bellamy was quick to jump to Muric's defence.
"I’ve no issue with it. Aro is top. Get the ball again, look for the pass again. You see the save he makes in the last minute. Top. That to me is a goalkeeper. We all make mistakes, it’s how you respond from it. So I’ve got nothing but praise for him, even more.”
In fact, of goalkeepers to appear more than once, no one performed better than the Kosovan shot-stopper last term, with post shot expected goals figures revealing that Burnley conceded six fewer than they should have with him between the posts, compared to six more than they should have with Trafford as their no.1.
23/24 Premier League goalkeepers ranked by post shot xG per 90
1.
Arijanet Muric
+0.67
2.
Stefan Ortega
+0.28
3.
Jose Sa
+0.26
4.
Emiliano Martinez
+0.20
5.
Caoimhin Kelleher
+0.13
However, he is unlikely to be at Burnley next season if he gets his way, with the Daily Mail revealing that the 25-year-old has asked to leave the club this summer following their return to the Championship.
He is not short of suitors either; it is claimed that "several Premier League clubs" and "teams abroad" have registered an interest in the shot-stopper, and Muric is keen to find a spot as a no.1 away from Turf Moor despite the possibility that Trafford could also depart this summer.
He won't face too much opposition to his departure, with the report adding that the Lancashire outfit will "respect his desire to play elsewhere", and it is added that a deal could come in "the next few weeks".
Though it would come as a blow to lose the talents of Muric, and more so should Trafford also depart, his form has likely earned him a top flight stay.
Erling Haaland was guilty of a dreadful miss with the goal gaping early in the second half of Manchester City's Premier League clash with Southampton.
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Haaland misses open goalMan City forward couldn't believe itBernardo reaction hilariousFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Having scored the early goal to put City into the lead at Etihad Stadium, Haaland left fans and team-mates stunned when he fired wide when presented with a glorious chance to double the advantage. He couldn't believe it either when the net didn't bulge.
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Savinho's in-swinging cross from the right evaded the Southampton defenders on the edge of the six-yard box and made its way to Haaland at the far post. Aaron Ramsdale was there, but the goal was at Haaland's mercy, with more than enough space to find the net if only he'd put it on target. Yet he hit the ball at too wide of an angle and it flashed past the post.
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The moment it went wide, Bernardo Silva could be seen raising his hands and then putting his head between his legs in pure shock. The Portuguese's reaction to Haaland's Champions League stunner against Sparta Prague in midweek went viral for totally different reasons.
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Haaland has never been one to let misses affect his confidence or mentality. He is the only Premier League player so far this season to reach double figures and is the nailed on favourite to win a third consecutive Golden Boot come May. That has only previously been achieved by Alan Shearer (1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97) and Thierry Henry (2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06).
Success is seldom round the corner in football. While the jubilation of winning matches against arch-rivals provides ephemeral injections of endorphins, scorn at rivals' expense, how often does it actually count toward something lined in silver?
This is especially pertinent for the lion's share of the Premier League, living in the shadowed wake of Manchester City's domination under Pep Guardiola.
Liverpool? Liverpool have suffered, pulled and pained and pricked by the buffeting blows of near misses and 'what-ifs?', reaching illustrious heights under the lionised Jurgen Klopp but still yielding perpetual sporting glory to the all-conquering Citizens.
Liverpool players celebrate
Still, Liverpool have enjoyed more than most, winning the whole gamut under Klopp, who has now departed after nearly nine years. Arne Slot is his successor and will be hoping to lead Liverpool toward new, shiny heights, looking to upgrade Anfield's first team with some well-placed signings.
Where, exactly, is that primary position of concern? Liverpool are good at keeping their innermost transfer thoughts under wraps, with information gleaned so far suggesting that signing a central defender and wide forward is of the greatest importance.
A winger, in particular, has dominated Liverpool-focused transfer headlines over the past week.
Liverpool eyeing new wide forward
Last weekend, Liverpool rejected Newcastle United's proposal to exchange Jarell Quansah plus cash for winger Anthony Gordon, who was awarded the Magpies' Player of the Season award for 2023/24.
Gordon is a player that Liverpool admire, formerly of Everton and but a boyhood Red, but FSG believe they are well-stocked at left wing, and indeed, Liverpool aren't exactly short of options.
Liverpool: Left Wing Options
Player
Age
Apps (23/24)
G/A (23/24)
Luis Diaz
27
51
18
Cody Gakpo
25
53
22
Diogo Jota
27
32
19
Darwin Nunez
25
54
31
Stats via Transfermarkt
Fans might feel that to take a step forward under Slot, and claim some of that fleeting success mentioned above, an upgrade is needed somewhere in the attacking department, with Liverpool having toiled toward the end of Klopp's reign, spent of energy and lacking a killer instinct in the final third.
Diaz, in particular, is likely considered expendable in the minds of most of the Reds faithful; having been linked with a move to Barcelona in recent months, Liverpool would only entertain the indefatigable Colombian's sale if his £50m price tag is met.
Gordon, meanwhile, would only leave St. James' Park if Liverpool played to their £75m tune, having swerved PSR concerns – the ball, so to speak, is in Tyneside's court with that one.
This is a significant sum, but it wouldn't quite make him Liverpool's most expensive forward addition in history. That, instead, lies with Darwin Nunez.
Darwin Nunez's Liverpool career
He arrived with quite the glowing repute from his days in Portugal, off the back of a 34-goal campaign with SL Benfica that confirmed his status as one of Europe's most promising young forwards, scoring five goals in the Champions League against Bayern Munich, Barcelona and… Liverpool.
Darwin Nunez for Liverpool
And despite sealing the Community Shield off the bench on his debut with a last-gasp strike against Manchester City, Nunez only bagged 15 goals across all competitions and looked both threatening and toothless throughout a polarising term.
Still, having earned the moniker of Liverpool's "agent of chaos" – as relayed by writer Leanne Prescott – the Uruguay international has so much to bring to the table.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 5% of centre-forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 13% for shot-creating actions, the top 15% for progressive carries and the top 20% for tackles per 90.
While Nunez missed a staggering 27 big chances in the Premier League last season, scoring just 11 goals, he was excellent when taking the whole year into account, clinching 18 goals, 13 assists and playing an important part in the club's resurgence.
His unceasing output, unflappable mentality and unique approach to the centre-forward game have made the £140k-per-week talent an exciting commodity that still seems to hold the finest days within. In other words, Nunez has yet to tap into the full scope of his potential and he could veritably explode under Slot's tutelage next season.
His importance is reflected in his rising market value, despite his lofty signing fee and the continuing narrative that he's yet to reach his peak on Merseyside.
Darwin Nunez's market value in 2024
Gordon could bloom into one of the Premier League's leading forwards, especially if making the move back to his home city and plying his trade at Liverpool.
The England international scored 12 goals and added 11 assists across all competitions last term, earning praise for his "unbelievable" campaign from teammate Bruno Guimaraes.
£75m would make him one of Liverpool's most expensive players, but not the most expensive. That tag lies with Nunez, who joined in the summer of 2022 from Benfica, completing a transfer rising to a club-record £85m fee.
Despite the ebb and flow that has dictated the South American's first few years on English shores, his exploits have still seen him skyrocket into one of the most marketable and highly-valued players in the Premier League, with CIES Football Observatory's valuation model recording his current price at £95m, some £20m more than the mooted fee to sign Gordon.
Darwin Nunez against Atalanta
Sure, Nunez has been faced with his share of criticism since alighting in Liverpool for the first time (as a Liverpool player, that is) but he remains one of the most talented and influential forwards on the continent.
His exploits under Marcelo Bielsa at CONMEBOL Copa America denote his high-level quality, playing in a 4-2-3-1 system that bears a semblance to that of Slot's soon-to-be-inculcated brand.
Darwin Nunez scores for Liverpool
Notching 31 goal contributions across the 2023/24 campaign is hardly the mark of a poor striker. Can we, the Liverpool flock, not afford this superstar his foibles?
He's dipped his toes into the ascendancy over his first few years, now, under new management, he must take the plunge and live up to his mountainous potential.
His value has risen 1438%: Liverpool must axe £1m ace instead of Quansah
Arne Slot does not need this talent despite his value rising by 400%.
Haroon Lorgat, Omphile Ramela and Andre Odendaal are part of a nine-person interim Cricket South Africa (CSA) board, which will be chaired by Judge Zak Yacoob. The names of the members and the functions of the interim board were announced on Friday by South Africa’s sports minister Nathi Mthethwa, who heralded it as a “new dawn” for cricket in the country.The interim board will include, apart from the ones named earlier, Stavros Nicolaou, Judith February, Andile Dawn Mbatha, Xolani Vonya, and Nkeko Caroline Mampuru. The members were nominated by the sports ministry, CSA’s members’ council – the highest-decision making body in the game, made up of the 14 provincial affiliate presidents – and the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA). They are expected to be in place for an initial period of three months, which could be extended, and have the overarching task of “stabilising cricket in this country”, according to Mthethwa.To that end, the selected members have been identified as “men and women with a range of skills in the areas of law, governance, business and international relations,” Mthethwa said.Among them, Lorgat is the best known in the cricket world, having held senior positions in the ICC and the CSA in the past. He left CSA in 2017, following a fallout over the defunct Global T20 League, and was replaced by Thabang Moroe, under whom the loss-making Mzansi Super League was launched. Lorgat is also working with the T10 league in Abu Dhabi.Others directly connected with cricket are Ramela, the former left-hand batsman who is the president of the SACA, Odendaal, a former CEO of Western Province Cricket, and Vonya, former president of Easterns Cricket. Ramela will have to step down from his role as SACA president to avoid a conflict of interest.The rest of the board consists of experts from outside the game. Yacoob is a former justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. February is a lawyer, governance specialist and columnist, Mbatha is a chief financial officer of the Independent Electoral Commission, Mampuru is the deputy head of the special investigation unit, a forensic investigation and litigation agency, and Nicolaou is a senior executive in the pharmaceutical industry. By that count, five of the nine members could be considered independent.That distance from the game is necessary as CSA looks to work its way out of an administrative crisis that has hung over it for the last year. The trouble began when Moroe, who was hired as CEO despite not meeting minimum requirements, lost the confidence of key stakeholders in the game including SACA (which has been in legal battles with CSA over a proposed domestic restructure and non-payment of images rights) and sponsors (Test backer Standard Bank and ODI partner Momentum have both walked away). The now-resigned board suspended Moroe in December last year and fired him in August, but in that time, CSA has descended into more strife particularly around transformation. All those factors convinced Mthethwa to step in.Nathi Mthethwa. South Africa’s minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, speaks at an event•Gallo Images/Getty Images
“I made several attempts in meeting with their board and members council, to encourage Cricket SA to pre-empt any action on my part by demonstrating that they have capacity, will and desire to self-correct,” Mtethwa said. “But it dawned on me that no matter how long we nudge cricket, no matter how long we delay the inevitable, we will be faced with it because quite clearly, there was no way that Cricket South Africa was in a position to self-correct. When I decided to intervene, I decided as a matter of courtesy to inform the ICC. I also thought I would give Cricket South Africa another opportunity to make representations to me as to why I should not intervene. In the interim, I heard that the board has resigned as Cricket South Africa, particularly the Members’ Council, managed to present me with constructive proposals to which I applied my mind and agreed to engage with them on a collaborative path that would see the replacement of the board.”Mthethwa confirmed that ICC CEO Manu Sawhney had responded to him, supporting “a collaboration between government and cricket in South Africa” and putting CSA out of danger of breaching the ICC’s code of conduct, which forbids government interference in its members. “I decided to inform ICC because I thought it is important that there is proper alignment in what we do and that we are understood. We have no business as government to run cricket,” Mthethwa said.He said he expected the interim board to work without “fear, favour or prejudice”, and hoped they would produce a way forward within their three-month tenure. “The board is going to have no holy cows. It’s not going to be bound by decisions which may not be in the best interest of cricket,” Mthethwa said. “We are emphasising that it is an interim board. We think that within three months, they would have delivered, especially because this is a group of people who would know what to do.”CSA’s annual general meeting falls within that period after it was rescheduled from September 5 to December 5, but Mthethwa indicated it would be delayed further to allow the interim board to conclude its work. “In all practicalities, there is no way that that date will remain as the AGM,” he said. “We will have to deal with these problems, the root causes of these problems, which could have been avoided had people listened and did what they were supposed to do.”
A Celtic player who Callum McGregor has called “outstanding” is being targeted by a European giant this summer, it has been revealed.
Celtic transfer rumours
The Hoops recently wrapped up the Scottish Premiership title, with Brendan Rodgers’ side looking to win the double with a Cup final victory over Rangers this weekend.
After that, though, attention will be firmly on the transfer window, making preparations for the 2024/25 season. It is believed that the club want to sign a new goalkeeper, winger and striker, with a replacement for the retiring Joe Hart at the top of the agenda.
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By
Ben Browning
May 21, 2024
Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, Trabzonspor star Ugurcan Cakir, Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson and Werder Bremen colossus Michael Zetterer have all been linked to replace Hart, whereas a permanent bid for loanee Adam Idah is also being prepared, with Norwich City valuing the striker at £5m.
However, alongside possible incomings, Celtic will also need to be ready for interest in some of their own, and it looks as if one big club are working on a move for a Parkhead gem.
Bayer Leverkusen looking to sign Celtic playmaker
Football Scotland and reporter Mark Hendry provided a Celtic update regarding young playmaker Daniel Kelly on Wednesday, revealing that Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen have made a transfer approach.
Xabi Alonso’s side have been in contact wanting to know the finances of any potential transfer and are hoping to strike a deal, with sources in Germany telling FS that Kelly is considered a serious talent for his age group.
However, it is added that Celtic will sit down for more contract discussions with the 18-year-old this week and those at Parkhead ‘believe they can have successful talks and convince Kelly to pledge his future to Parkhead’, with the club desperate to keep old of their academy graduate.
Rocco Vata is also another player Rodgers and co want to keep hold of alongside Kelly, so it could be an important few weeks for the teenage duo. Kelly has made six senior appearances for the Hoops, four of which have come during the 2023/24 campaign. He’s also come in for praise from McGregor this season, with the skipper saying:
"It's brilliant. Over the time I have been here we keep trying to add the young players from getting them into the first team from the academy. This guy has been outstanding.
"He has personality, brilliant quality, great kid, wants to learn, work as hard as they can, all these attributes. It's so important if you want to have a career here. "The group really love him and the way that he plays and the way that he trains. So we just need more of that from him."
A move to Germany to follow in the footsteps of right-back Jeremie Frimpong could be one to watch for Kelly, with the midfielder potentially having a decision to make soon.
Arsenal are potentially just one game away from being crowned Premier League champions, which is an incredible achievement considering where they were just a few years ago.
When Mikel Arteta was appointed manager in December 2019, the Gunners were down in tenth place and miles off the top four, let alone top spot.
However, over the next few years, the Spaniard totally overhauled the squad and turned them into one of the best teams in Europe.
While the majority of the players at the club in 2019 are now gone, there are a few leftovers, including one who is now worth considerably less money than Eddie Nketiah and, as a result, should be moved on this summer.
Kieran Tierney's Arsenal career
The player in question is former fan favourite and Scotland international Kieran Tierney, who joined the club in the summer of 2019 for around £25m from Scottish giants Celtic.
Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney.
In his first campaign in London, the hardworking full-back made 24 appearances for Unai Emery and Arteta, in which he scored one goal and provided four assists, but in just his 11th game of the season against West Ham United, he dislocated his shoulder, which saw him miss 19 games, before coming back and starting in the club's FA Cup triumph against Chelsea.
Overall, while the team fared poorly in the league, winning the FA Cup in his first season in North London represented a successful debut campaign for the club, but his time-out injured was a dire sign of things to come.
The following year, the Douglas-born "baller", as he was described by scout Jacek Kulig, made 38 appearances across all competitions but again missed 19 games through injury before missing another 17 matches the following year due to ankle problems and knee surgery.
Last year was the first season during his time at the club in which the 26-year-old didn't suffer a single injury that would have caused him to miss a game. Yet out of his 36 appearances, only 15 were starts, as the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko saw Arteta change the way he wanted his team to play.
Kieran Tierney's recent record
Season
Appearances (Starts)
Games Missed Through Injury
2019/20
25 (21)
19
2020/21
38 (32)
19
2021/22
25 (24)
17
2022/23
36 (15)
0
2023/24 (Loan)
23 (14)
25 (Ongoing)
All stats and injury information via Transfermarkt
With it clear the Scot wasn't going to get many starts in 2023/24, he joined La Liga side Real Sociedad in the summer, and while the 5 foot 11 ace has been able to make 22 appearances for the Basque outfit, in which he's provided two assists, he has once again been plagued with injury, missing 25 games and counting.
So, with injuries still a significant problem and his route to the first team no clearer, it feels like it's time to sell the left-back this summer before his value plummets any further.
According to CIES Football Observatory, Tierney is worth just £9m, or a whopping £16m less than the Gunners paid for him five years ago.
Valuation of Arsenal's Full-Backs
Place
Player
Valuation
Signed For
1
Ben White
£34m
£50m
2
Jakub Kiwior
£26m
£20m
3
Oleksandr Zinchenko
£17m
£32m
4
Jurrien Timber
£13m
£34m
4
Takehiro Tomiyasu
£13m
£20m
5
Kieran Tierney
£9m
£25m
6
Cedric Soares
£4m
Free
All Data via the CIES Football Observatory
His current valuation will also mean he's only the fifth most valuable full-back at the Emirates when he returns from his loan in the summer.
If that wasn't damning enough, he's also worth considerably less than the out-of-favour Eddie Nketiah, who CIES currently value at around £34m, or a massive £25m more than the Scotsman.
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah
Now, this rather large valuation on the Englishman's head may leave some of you scratching your own, but it is likely because his £100k-per-week contract is set to run until June 2027 and the fact that he's a homegrown player, which is always a bonus for Premier League sides.
Additionally, while he certainly isn't a prolific striker, his record of 45 goal involvements in 168 appearances isn't terrible, and with regular starts for a mid-table or below team, he could be a productive top-flight striker.
Nketiah's Arsenal record
Appearances
168
Goals
38
Assists
7
Goal Involvements per Match
0.26
All Stats via Transfermarkt
With all that said, it's still not a great look that Tierney is valued so much less than the club's third choice – at best – striker, and with no signs of his injury problems going away, Arteta and Co should cut their losses and move him on in the summer, which based on recent murmurings, could be precisely what they do.
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Pep Guardiola has insisted that the Manchester City squad are not concerned by the club's looming court battle with the Premier League.
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City squad not affected by imminent hearing
Champions face court battle from Monday
Guardiola keen for case to be over soon
WHAT HAPPENED?
City's hearing over the 115 charges for allegedly breaking the Premier League's financial rules is set to take place on Monday, September 16, more than 18 months after the case was first made public. Guardiola is keen for proceedings to finally be resolved but he said he and the squad were not discussing it internally.
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WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID
"I'm not a lawyer. There are many lawyers in this country but I wait. We're going to wait and see. Erling is not a lawyer so we didn't talk about it," Guardiola told a press conference. "What is going to happen is with the independent panel and we will accept the sentence. I don't talk about it."
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Guardiola has been repeatedly asked about the league's case against City and at times has grown frustrated that the investigation has overshadowed the team's achievements on the pitch. He is keen for the case to be closed once and for all. The City coach added: "I'm happy it starts on Monday and there will be more rumours and we're going to see. I know what people are looking for because I have read it for many years but I've said everyone is innocent until guilt is proven."
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Guardiola also expressed his disappointment that City will have just two days to rest between their Premier League fixture against Arsenal on September 22 and their Carabao Cup tie against Watford, which has been scheduled for September 24. "It’s going to happen in many cases, it’s going to happen many times for teams that play in all competitions," he said. "They gave an alternative, to play on Thursday away in London to have more days but then we had a Saturday game in Newcastle and we prioritise of course to have more rest for Newcastle. So we’re going to play on Tuesday because we could not play on Wednesday when it should be because United play in the Europa League and the police won’t accept it. When someone creates more a new competition, it’s going to be even worse."
Everton made it five Premier League games unbeaten yesterday when they beat Chris Wilder's Sheffield United side 1-0 at Goodison Park.
Sean Dyche's side secured all three points after Abdoulaye Doucoure's first goal in 2024 was enough to edge past the already relegated side, with the Toffees able to claim a fourth win in their last five matches.
The win sees the club occupy 15th place in the Premier League, 14 points clear of Luton Town despite suffering an eight-point deduction for multiple PSR breaches this campaign.
Everton's home stadium, Goodison Park.
Had the club not received any sanctions during the current season, the Toffees would sit in 12th place, level on points with Brighton and Hove Albion, who sit within the top half of the division.
Despite already securing survival, Dyche's side produced an excellent display, with one player in particular showcasing his rapid development under the boss at Goodison.
Jarrad Branthwaite's stats against Sheff Utd
In what has been his breakthrough campaign at the club, centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite has impressed for the Toffees, starting all but three of the club's Premier League matches.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
The youngster featured for the entirety of the outing, starring alongside fellow defender James Tarkowski as he has done on each occasion he's started in the Premier League during 2023/24.
During the victory, Branthwaite won 100% of the aerial duels he contested, whilst also completing 46 passes at a competition rate of 87%.
He also managed to complete two long passes, managing to find a teammate on every occasion, with the 21-year-old demonstrating his ability to play out from the back.
Minutes played
90
Passes completed
46/53 (87%)
Long passes completed
2/2 (100%)
Clearances
3
Tackles
4
Aerials won
3/3 (100%)
However, Branthwaite also showcased his talents defensively, winning four tackles – the second-most of any Everton player behind Amadou Onana – whilst making three clearances and contributing to the club's 13th clean sheet in the league.
The defender also received an 8/10 match rating for his display from Liverpool Echo journalist Chris Beesley, with the sky being the limit for the former Carlisle United youngster.
Why Branthwaite is becoming Everton's best player
There's no denying Jordan Pickford has been a pivotal part of the club's recent form, with the goalkeeper part of the defence that has kept the second-most clean sheets in the Premier League this campaign.
Dyche's side have also conceded just 49 times this campaign, with only the top three of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool boasting better records in 2023/24.
However, when taking into consideration that this is Branthwaite's first full season of top-flight football in England, he's excelled and taken the league by storm at Goodison.
Within the Toffees squad. the 21-year ranks second for interceptions, clearances and blocks – with only experienced defender Tarkowski getting the better of the youngster.
He's also proved to be a threat at the opposite end of the pitch, scoring on three occasions, including a crucial goal in the win over local rivals just a couple of weeks ago.
After such an impressive season, it's no surprise to see his name being linked with big clubs such as Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag's sold holding a keen interest in the defender ahead of the summer.
Whilst any deal for the youngster would see the club make a huge profit on his £1m transfer, they must do everything to keep hold of the centre-back with Branthwaite undoubtedly set for big things.
He's been a real key to the Toffees' excellent defensive record, with the club unlikely to be able to reinvest a huge fee on a replacement given their recent struggles with PSR.