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Window ends with a 'weaker and more imbalanced squad'

Window ends with a 'weaker and more imbalanced squad'

BBC News04-02-2025
Questioning recruitment or how well Brighton are run is not really the done thing. Some would even call it sacrilege. Yet their January transfer business has been almost as strange as when David Icke went on Wogan and claimed to be the son of God.Evan Ferguson joins West Ham on loan, leaving Danny Welbeck as the club's only number nine just nine days after Fabian Hurzeler was so short of strikers he played fourth-choice centre back Adam Webster up front against Everton.Neither Joao Pedro or Georginio Rutter have looked comfortable playing at centre forward this season. Good luck if/when Welbeck picks up another injury.Brighton have paid £22m for Greek striker Stefanos Tzimas. He though won't be any use to Hurzeler yet as despite this glaring hole in the squad, Tzimas will spend the rest of the season on loan with FC Nurnberg.Another glaring hole is left back, where Pervis Estupinan is the only natural option thanks to season-ending injuries to Ferdi Kadioglu and Igor. Tariq Lamptey has been forced to do a job on his weaker side with Estupinan also currently injured.That did not stop Valentin Barco being moved onto Strasbourg, just 12 months after Tony Bloom's algorithms were hailed for finding another South American wonderkid.Still, Brighton did spend deadline day trying to add to their squad, pursuing winger Tommy Watson from Sunderland. He would have given Hurzeler just the six wide players to compete for two positions alongside Kaoru Mitoma, Simon Adingra, Yankubu Minteh, Brajan Gruda and Solly March.Other transfer business included adding midfielder Diego Gomez and centre back Eiran Cashin. But despite spending approaching £50m, Brighton have somehow come out of January with what looks a weaker, more imbalanced squad than they started.Interesting times ahead for Hurzeler and the Albion.Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external
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Insiders reveal what Andy Carroll's family REALLY think about ex Lou Teasdale after pair's holiday drama & ‘toxic' split
Insiders reveal what Andy Carroll's family REALLY think about ex Lou Teasdale after pair's holiday drama & ‘toxic' split

Scottish Sun

time20 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Insiders reveal what Andy Carroll's family REALLY think about ex Lou Teasdale after pair's holiday drama & ‘toxic' split

The former England ace's ex-girlfriend broke her silence on claims her friends 'hate' Andy after bubbling tension behind closed doors NOT A KEEPER Insiders reveal what Andy Carroll's family REALLY think about ex Lou Teasdale after pair's holiday drama & 'toxic' split Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN Andy Carroll's turbulent relationship with Lou Teasdale finally ended, there were more sighs of relief than shocked gasps from the footballer's loved ones. Ever since the breakdown of his two-year marriage to long-term partner Billi Mucklow, those close to the dad-of-five have secretly worried behind the scenes. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Andy Carroll with his ex Lou Teasdale Credit: instagram 5 Andy with his parents, ex Billi Mucklow and their three kids Credit: Instagram The couple's 'toxic' romance, pals say, took its toll on the ex Premier League striker - who's gone through one of the toughest years of his life yet. Despite the painful break-up, it's hoped this - and his recent return to England playing for Dagenham & Redbridge - will be the fresh start Andy needs to get back to being himself. An insider told The Sun: 'Behind all the glitz and glamour on social media, Andy's been really going through it. 'He was recently on a family holiday with Lou and his parents, talking about the future now he's back home in England. 'It's undeniable that Andy misses parts of how his life once was. "He's become dependent on Lou who has undoubtedly been there for him, but everyone can see they don't bring out the best in each other. 'It's been very toxic for a long time, which Andy's loved ones have seen first-hand. 'They've been worried about the dynamics of their relationship. They like Lou, but little things would often turn into big arguments. 'It came from a place of passionate, intense love, as there's so much deep feeling there between them, but ultimately it just doesn't work. 'Their fallouts in public would cause a scene. So much so, the police were even called out in Mykonos. 'Everyone who loves Andy just wants him to get back to himself, in a happy and more stable place.' Ex-England star Andy Carroll DUMPS Lou Teasdale after police quiz over boozy rows as he tells pals he's 'sick' of her Holiday drama The ex-couple got together weeks after he split from Towie star Billi, mum to three of his five kids, in summer 2024. But they called it quits two months after Andy was twice-quizzed by cops over drunken bust-ups with Lou on the Greek party island of Mykonos. He was warned after their first argument at a beachside restaurant, then taken to the police station after a second row at their hotel that evening. Andy was not arrested, and it is understood that no further action was taken. Yesterday, we told of their fiery break-up after their clashing lifestyles reached boiling point. Sources said teetotal Lou would prefer Andy to quit drinking - and hoped to work through their issues. 5 Andy poses with Lou Teasdale at his signing on a free transfer for non-league side Dagenham & Redbridge in July Credit: Ian Whittaker 5 The footballer is back playing in England after leaving France Credit: Getty She slapped down reports that her friends 'hated' Andy - insisting they had nothing but love for the former Newcastle footballer. 'Nasty and not true', said Lou - who counts pop star Harry Styles as a close pal - in a post on Instagram. The celebrity make-up artist was wiped off Andy's social media before news of their split broke. But she has kept loved-up snaps of them together on Instagram - even though he unfollowed her. Our source added: "Andy has been adamant that he just wants to focus on football and his kids. "But he still has so much love for Lou, so friends are worried they'll both be dragged back into the toxic relationship. "They're both taking time to work out their next steps. Andy needs to find what makes him truly content and happy."

Silva on 'passive' transfer window, Muniz's future and Brighton
Silva on 'passive' transfer window, Muniz's future and Brighton

BBC News

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Silva on 'passive' transfer window, Muniz's future and Brighton

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Rio Ferdinand urges Man Utd star to accept transfer and backs £120m signing
Rio Ferdinand urges Man Utd star to accept transfer and backs £120m signing

Metro

timean hour ago

  • Metro

Rio Ferdinand urges Man Utd star to accept transfer and backs £120m signing

Rio Ferdinand has urged Rasmus Hojlund to accept an offer to leave Manchester United and backed Ruben Amorim's audacious move for Brighton star Carlos Baleba. Hojlund has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford since United completed a £74m deal for Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko. Sesko, who became Amorim's third summer signing following Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, is set to be United's first-choice striker this season. Speaking from United's pre-season tour last month, Hojlund insisted he intended to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place in the team. That appears to still be his preference despite the arrival of Sesko and concrete interest from Serie A giants AC Milan. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. Milan are keen to sign the Denmark international on loan but Hojlund is yet to agree to the move and his apparent reservation threatens to force the Italians to pull out and look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements. Ferdinand believes Hojlund should accept the offer, however, and says he would benefit to a return to Italy, where he spent a season before moving to Manchester. 'The reports are that Hojlund is talking to Milan about a loan move,' Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. 'They're covering all of his wages and a loan fee, which will help United's financial situation. I think Rasmus Hojlund has to go out on loan. 'I think if I was him, I'd definitely want to go out on loan, minimum – for a fresh start. Italy, he knows the place and did well out there. 'I think it would be a good move for him. Milan would be good for him and who knows what could happen when he comes back to United?' Ferdinand has also backed Manchester United's audacious move to sign Baleba from Brighton. Brighton's staggering asking price for the midfielder was expected to put United off a deal but it was reported on Wednesday that the Red Devils were looking into ways to make the deal work. 'They're going to have to work some magic here,' Ferdinand said of United's pursuit of Baleba. 'It will be some window if they get Baleba to cap it off because they would have signed four machines physically. That's been a massive weakness in this squad for too long. 'Baleba is a young kid but he's a wonderful talent with a high ceiling. I'm not saying you buy him and he's the answer straight away and the key to the team, I'm not saying that. 'He will need to be developed and integrated into the system. But he is something different to everything we've got and that difference is what's needed to push this squad on. 'If he comes in I think he will be a breath of fresh air. My biggest fear is if United don't get him this window, other teams will be at the table next summer with their chequebooks out and Brighton will be demanding even more money.' More Trending Manchester United have spent almost £200m so far this summer on Sesko, Cunha and Mbeumo. The Red Devils finished just 15th in the Premier League last season and begin their 2025-26 campaign on Sunday against Arsenal. Sesko is expected to start for the hosts despite only recently joining, while Andre Onana is believed to be fit after missing the entirety of pre-season through injury. Arsenal finished second last season and have been strengthened by the signings of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Sekou Kone update after Man Utd starlet suffers horror head injury MORE: Tony Adams says Arsenal should have signed Premier League striker over Viktor Gyokeres MORE: Gary Neville claims Ruben Amorim is not 'fully on board' with one Man Utd star

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