Wieffer targets Europe - as he explains plan which tamed Wolves
Mats Wieffer is eyeing a return to European competition – after helping keep Albion firmly in the hunt.
The Holland midfielder stood out in a tailor-made right-back role as his side won 2-0 at Wolves.
They made the most of defeats for Bournemouth and Fulham in the race for an eight-place finish which could secure a UEFA ticket.
Wieffer said: 'It is not in our own hands. We have two tough games.
'Of course, it is really motivating.
'The other guys played there with Brighton and said it is amazing to play for this club in European football.
'I also played European football before.
MATS WIEFFER TOPS OUR PLAYER RATINGS
'It is always nice to play in Europe against different clubs so everyone is motivated to reach it again.'
Wieffer did an effective marking job on Wolves threat Matheus Cunha while, ahead of him, recalled Tariq Lamptey kept a close eye on Rayan Ait-Nouri.
He added: 'I think especially in the first half that worked well.
'The penalty was also one moment when it worked well.
'Ait Nouri and Cunha are a threat. The left side is a good side for them, they always like to make one-twos and they are dangerous.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Associated Press
25 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Sinner bids for his first French Open title against defending champion Alcaraz
PARIS (AP) — Top-ranked Jannik Sinner has not yet dropped a set in his bid to win the French Open for the first time. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, his opponent in Sunday's final, has dropped four sets along the way. Sinner has only been pushed to one tiebreaker — in Friday's semifinal win against Novak Djokovic — and is on a 20-match winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments, after winning the U.S. Open and the Australian Open. 'Jannik, he's the best tennis player right now,' the No. 2-ranked Alcaraz said. 'I mean, he's destroying every opponent through the semifinal.' But Alcaraz has considerable factors in his favor. He has a 21-1 record on clay this year, winning titles on the dirt in Rome — beating Sinner in the final after the Italian returned from his doping ban — and Monte Carlo. Alcaraz also has won the past four matches against Sinner, leads him 7-4 overall, and has won more majors — 4-3 — despite being one year younger at 22. He has also played in a French Open final before, which Sinner has not. Djokovic, who owns a men's-record 24 major titles and 100 in total, has faced and beaten the greatest players of his era. But he felt the relentless aggression of Sinner's forehand and booming power of his serve during his straight-set defeat on Friday — his fourth straight loss to Sinner. Djokovic has also lost in two Wimbledon finals to Alcaraz, who displays shot-making wizardry from anywhere on the court, and sometimes hits even harder than Sinner does. So Djokovic knows just how difficult it is to cope against both players, saying 'these kind of guys, like Sinner and Alcaraz, they're constantly on you and basically increase the pressure as the match progresses.' Djokovic added: 'When the opportunities are presented, they're very rare, so it makes you a little more anxious.' Big picture for Sinner Sinner said the key to his victory against Djokovic, who pushed him hard in the third set on Friday, was staying calm and, somehow, managing to have enough focus amid the onslaught of Djokovic's attacks to still see the big picture. 'It's important to take your time. It's important to understand the moments of the match, which I think I made very good,' he said. 'The mental part was in a good spot.' That's where he maybe has the edge over Alcaraz. The jovial Spaniard, who loves to entertain the crowd, has looked the more nervous player at Roland-Garros so far. At times he struggled against eighth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti in their semifinal, which Alcaraz won in four sets after the Italian retired with a leg injury. But he's 'not worried' about dropping a few sets. 'Because I know that I have time and I'm strong mentally enough to come back,' Alcaraz said. Alcaraz proved that in last year's French Open final, when he came back from 2-1 down in sets to beat Alexander Zverev, another big server like Sinner. The hallmarks of his comeback in that match were down-the-line, forehand winners mixed with remarkable drop shots launched from anywhere. Big win for tennis fans Sinner is serving better than Alcaraz, however, and also showed his deft touch with a majestic flick-of-the-wrist drop shot that mesmerized even Djokovic. 'It's going to be a really great Sunday,' Alcaraz said. 'For the fans of tennis.' The result will see either Alcaraz pulling away to a 5-3 lead in major titles, or Sinner equalizing on 4-4. A new tennis rivalry to match the glorious three-way battle for supremacy between Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal? 'At the moment, that's kind of hard, because they need to play against each for at least 10-plus years nonstop in order to be part of the same discussion,' the 38-year-old Djokovic said Friday, laughing. 'But they're definitely great for tennis, both of them. I think their rivalry is something that our sport needs, no doubt. I'm sure that we're going to see them lifting the big trophies quite often.' ___ AP tennis:
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Napoli Push To Beat Inter Milan To The Signing Of Bologna Star
Napoli Push To Beat Inter Milan To The Signing Of Bologna Star Napoli are pushing to beat Inter Milan to the signing of Bologna defender Sam Beukema this summer transfer window. This according to Sky Sport Italia transfer market Gianluca Di Marzio. He reports, via FCInterNews, that the Partenopei have made the 26-year-old their main alternative to Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini. Advertisement Sam Beukema has emerged as a big name on the transfer market this summer. The Dutchman joined Bologna in the summer of 2023 from AZ Alkmaar. And he has had two outstanding seasons with the Rossoblu. Therefore, it is looking like Bologna will not be able to keep hold of Beukema this summer. Napoli Pushing To Be Inter To Signing Of Sam Beukema LISBON, PORTUGAL – DECEMBER 11: Sam Beukema of Bologna FC 1909 during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between SL Benfica and Bologna FC 1909 at Estadio da Luz on December 11, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by) Inter Milan have long shown an interest in Sam Beukema. The Nerazzurri reportedly see the 26-year-old as one of their main targets as a long-term replacement for Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij. However, Inter are far from the only club keen on Beukema's signature. Advertisement According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli are really pushing to sign the Dutchman. The Italian champions have made reinforcing their defense a priority for the summer transfer market. There are a few names on Napoli's list. One had been Federico Gatti, but Juventus have no intention of selling him. Then, Napoli are also interested in Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini. However, reports Di Marzio, Sam Beukema is the player Napoli are currently pushing to sign.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Newcastle Hit Back at ‘Saudi Tax' Transfer Demands
Summer Strategy Built on Realism, Not Riches There's a perception Newcastle United are flush with cash, a perception the club believes is both outdated and damaging. As Luke Edwards revealed in his excellent report for Telegraph Sport, Newcastle are 'growing increasingly frustrated by rival clubs putting a 'Saudi tax' on transfers and refuse to be held to ransom over key targets.' Advertisement It's an accusation that's been hanging in the air since the PIF-led takeover in 2021. The expectation is that Newcastle will, and should, spend extravagantly – but the club is pushing back, constrained by the Premier League's strict profit and sustainability rules (PSR). Edwards was given rare insight into the club's negotiating table, and what's clear is that Newcastle are walking a tightrope. They are attempting to add quality to Eddie Howe's squad without blowing apart the financial structure that's slowly, carefully, been built. Value Takes Priority Over Vanity Newcastle's business so far has been quiet, but deliberate. There's clarity in their strategy. They want to recruit in four key positions – goalkeeper, centre-back, right-sided forward, and striker – but they 'cannot spend upwards of £60 million on players when wages are also a consideration.' That's where the Bryan Mbeumo situation becomes telling. As Edwards explains, Mbeumo was 'a leading target by Newcastle's recruitment team' but wage demands and a hefty transfer fee forced the club to walk away. Signing the Brentford man could have meant making him the top earner at the club. Doing so before star striker Alexander Isak is rewarded with a new contract – talks for which are set to begin in July – would be a recipe for dressing room unrest. Advertisement And so, Newcastle hold firm. No player, however talented, is worth tearing up the wage structure for. 'Mbeumo would have likely been Newcastle's highest earner if he had signed,' Edwards wrote. 'That would have inevitably prompted others at the club to ask for parity.' Photo: IMAGO Talent Targets Still in Sight – But on Newcastle's Terms The ambition hasn't waned, but the method is clear. Newcastle have eyes on several exciting players. Burnley's James Trafford remains a top goalkeeping target, while Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo and Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga are being considered for that right-sided role. However, progress is limited – so far – by inflated price tags. Advertisement Brighton's Joao Pedro fits the mould of what Newcastle are after: young, versatile, and Premier League-proven. Yet his price – reportedly up to £70 million – risks consuming a huge chunk of the budget. It's a fee Newcastle could theoretically pay, but not if they want to fill all four positions. As Edwards reports, 'it has caused pause for thought internally.' Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike has long been admired, but the £80 million fee means any move is unlikely unless things change. Likewise, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi remains of interest in central defence, but Newcastle will wait for his value to drop, knowing his contract is entering its final year. Contract Talks with Isak Key to Summer Stability Everything this summer revolves around Alexander Isak. Newcastle are planning to make him the club's highest earner – a just reward for his performances and potential. But the negotiations won't be easy, and the club knows that bringing in players on higher wages before that deal is done could be destabilising. Advertisement 'Bringing in new players on significantly more money than that before those talks begin is fraught with danger,' Edwards warns. It's a point of sensitivity at St James' Park – one that highlights Newcastle's desire to build a sustainable elite club rather than simply buy one. The Magpies are still shopping in the upper tiers of the market, but they're doing so with calculation, not chaos. Other potential names include James McAtee, liked by Howe and potentially available at £25 million. West Ham's Mohammed Kudus is another admired target, though his future may hinge on finding the right financial compromise. As ever, there will be quiet moves, too. 'Some of their biggest transfers, like Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon and Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, were only known about 48 hours before they signed,' Edwards notes. Newcastle haven't stopped moving – they've just learned to move smartly.