'Coasting towards season's end' not an option
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The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
Premier League clubs copying RUGBY tactics after PSG success with bizarre new kick-off routine
PREMIER LEAGUE football clubs have been spotted copying a rugby tactic in the latest stunning move to allow teams to get the upper hand over their opponents. English football saw Pep-ball sweep across the country after the arrival of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. 5 5 5 Gone were the more traditional and direct methods of scoring goals, and in came the fluid passing and positional acuity needed to interpret space and the half spaces. However, at the top level, football is, if nothing else, an arms race of multi-million pound signings and tactical tweaks to gain leverage over rivals. And one trend which has crept back into the Premier League has been the return of massive physical monsters to accommodate a more direct style. Even Guardiola himself has not been immune to this, adapting his football to at times use five centre-backs in his teams to ensure physical domination over a rival. However, the latest tactical trend that teams have picked up does not come from football, but rather rugby. European Champions Paris Saint-Germain used this tactic against Tottenham in the Uefa Super Cup last week. During their kick-off for the game, PSG midfielder Vitinha left commentators baffled as he booted the ball towards the corner flag and out for a goal kick. One commentator said: "Not one we've seen before. Not one you'll see again, I wouldn't have thought." Yet just three days later, the same tactic was used by numerous clubs in the Premier League, with Newcastle and Crystal Palace both using it against Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively. But rather than these long balls going out for a goal kick, they went out for throw-ins by the corner flag, and this is where the method behind the madness was revealed. How Arsenal survived Man Utd's attacks with 'forcefield defence' As soon as the throw-in taker was positioned, the teams immediately squeezed up the pitch to press the ball in an attempt to win it high in the opposition's half. PSG boss Enrique revealed he had borrowed the idea from Lyon as a way of putting pressure on opponents immediately. Indeed, the commentators for the Super Cup had remarked: "I think Vitinha thought he was playing the wrong sport there because that was more of a rugby union restart." And as revealed by the Daily Mail, this long ball tactic was used a staggering 31 times out of 44 restarts, or 70 per cent of the time, over the opening weekend. This included Arsenal, Manchester United and Man City all deploying it, while only four teams - Chelsea, Aston Villa, Wolves and Leeds - did not lump the ball forwards at a kick-off at all. But even when the ball was passed back to goalkeepers or defenders on a restart, it was then thumped out high up and wide to a flying winger or bombing full-back. Going back just two seasons, the number of long balls at the start of play - which in years gone by was always customary - was down at just 55 per cent. Last season, Brentford were the masters of it as they managed to score goals in the opening 40 seconds three matches in a row. Yet the principles behind it are frighteningly simple: gain territory and hope to catch your opponent sleeping early on as you swarm all over them in a high-intensity press - which Prem sides are better than ever at now - and if they hoof it clear, you win possession back anyway. We can only guess at how long this trend will stay around, but one thing to be sure of is that the tactical masterminds in every Premier League dressing room are drawing up moves and counter-moves to gain an advantage like a very complicated game of chess. With that in mind, Arsenal may have pulled a double blinder by hijacking the transfer of chess guru Eberechi Eze, who is now set to join the Gunners in a £68million move. 5
Rhyl Journal
40 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Ethan Ampadu injury blow for Leeds
Head coach Daniel Farke confirmed Ampadu has damaged a medial collateral ligament in a knee and will miss Saturday's Premier League game at Arsenal and the following two matches. Ampadu was outstanding in Leeds' opening win against Everton at Elland Road on Monday before being hurt in a second-half challenge from Tim Iroegbunam, which later forced the Wales midfielder off. Farke said: 'It's bad news with him sadly. The next (few) games we have to play without him. 'MCL injury, he will definitely be out until at least the international break. I hope to have him back the other side of the international break. He's pretty quick after injury back on the training pitch. 'He's a tough boy. It's a blow for us, we will miss him in the upcoming games at least and the two upcoming Premier League games and the cup game.' After this weekend's trip to the capital, Leeds play at Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and then face Newcastle at Elland Road a week on Saturday. 🔥 Noah Okafor is Leeds! — Leeds United (@LUFC) August 21, 2025 Farke said Switzerland winger Noah Okafor is in contention for his Leeds debut at the Emirates Stadium after completing his move from AC Milan earlier on Thursday for a fee which could rise to £18million. Okafor, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Serie A champions Napoli, is Leeds' ninth summer signing following promotion to the Premier League. Farke added: 'He has really good pace, he's a really good dribbler, really good on the offensive one-on-one. 'A strong player as well. I don't want to pressure him too much because he's not played one game, so I'll let him deliver before, but from his skills, he has more or less everything to impress, and it's up to him.' Okafor's arrival is expected to end Leeds' interest in Tottenham winger Manor Solomon, who played a starring role for Daniel Farke's Championship-winning side on loan last season. Leeds have now spent around £92million in total on new players since ending their two-year top-flight absence. Farke, who also wants to add a full-back to his squad, said he was still hoping to further boost his attacking options before the transfer window closes on September 1. Okafor, who began his professional career at Basel, scored 34 goals and made 23 assists in 110 appearances for Salzburg before joining AC Milan in a £13.4m deal in July 2023. He scored seven goals and made five assists in two seasons at the Serie A club, which included his four-month loan spell at Napoli, and has 24 caps for Switzerland.
Rhyl Journal
41 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Arne Slot insists Liverpool will only sign the right player for the right price
Since a £110million bid was rejected earlier this month, the club have not returned to negotiations although they have never formally walked away from pursuing a deal. Isak's decision to go public on Tuesday, accusing Newcastle of breaking promises and saying he 'can't continue' and 'change is in the best interests of everyone', has intensified speculation about the striker's future. Newcastle's response was to stress: 'We have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired. We do not foresee those conditions being met.' It adds extra spice for when the two teams meet at St James' Park on Monday, with Isak expected to absent again as he continues to train away from the squad. 'I am happy with the squad but if we think there is a player who can really make us better then this club has always shown they can bring them in,' said Slot, who has already benefited from a £300million-plus spending spree this summer, offset by more than £200m of sales. 'But it needs to be everything we want: right transfer fee, right position and the player wants to come to us. 'I don't think (it will be a busy end to the window) because (that would mean) I would be unhappy with the squad and I am happy with the squad. 'I say two players for each positions is ideal, but sometimes less is more so you are not disappointing players.' Slot rejected the suggestion their trip to the north east would be made easier by Isak's absence and the turmoil surrounding the club. 'I don't think they are a club with troubles,' he added. 'I assume Isak is not playin but they still have Anthony Gordon as a nine, they have Anthony Elanga as a right winger and Harvey Barnes from the left – and Jacob Murphy is not even playing. 'This is the Premier League, we all have a lot of options and Newcastle have them as well.' However, Slot's options have been reduced at right-back with new signing Jeremie Frimpong ruled out until after next month's international break with a hamstring injury sustained in their opening victory over Bournemouth. 'The medical team were completely right about Jeremie to tell me that I had to take him off because he is out until the end of the international break and that happened during the game,' he said. 'I think I got criticised a bit for taking him off, didn't I?' Joe Gomez was pressed into action for 18 minutes despite having had just two training sessions after three weeks out with injury and as a result was not able to train three days in a row afterwards. He could still be in contention at Newcastle, with Conor Bradley, named in Northern Ireland's squad for next month's games, only returning to training himself on Thursday. 'At the moment we only have two injuries, but unfortunately it is two in the same position,' said Slot. 'The good thing is we have other players that can play there. Wataru Endo played there for a few minutes, Dominik Szoboszlai has already played there. There are other options we can explore.'
