Latest news with #KaiHavertz
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ballon d'Or winner's Florian Wirtz prediction is about to come TRUE
Ballon d'Or winner's Florian Wirtz prediction is about to come TRUE German legend knew Wirtz was destined for greatness At just 22 Wirtz has the potential to go on to be the very best in the game, but his potential has been clear for a while. Legendary German midfielder and Ballon d'Or winner Lothar Matthaus spoke on the Leverkusen star's ability back in 2021, when Wirtz was only 17-years-old. Advertisement 'He's 17-years-old and he's a talented midfield player. You have to watch him. He will be the second Kai Havertz,' Matthaus told the Bundesliga website. 'He will go the same way as Havertz. In a few years, we will see him play for the German national team and we'll see him play for a big, big team in Europe." Just how right Matthaus was. Wirtz appears to be on the cusp of a move to Liverpool, the most successful club in England and undoubtedly one of the biggest teams in Europe. The attacking midfielder has also played 29 times for the German national team. How good can Wirtz be? It is worth baring in mind that this comparison to Havertz came just months before the German scored in the Champions League final to secure Chelsea's second European Cup. Advertisement Although Havertz has plateaued since then, and Wirtz may have already eclipsed his compatriot, Liverpool supporters will no doubt be excited at the prospect of signing a player who has been so highly rated since such a young age. Matthaus' predictions were spot on, and since then Wirtz has won back to back Bundesliga Player of the Season awards, delivered Bayer Leverkusen their first German league title and been involved in 69 goals over the past two seasons. It will be a truly terrifying prospect for rival supporters if Wirtz does complete the move to Anfield. Lothar Matthaus has already been proven right over Wirtz, but a move to Liverpool would truly complete the World Cup winner's prediction.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Which Striker Should Arsenal Add To Its Forward Line This Summer?
The 2024/25 season was an underwhelming one for Arsenal. While the Gunners finished second in the Premier League and made a run to the semi-finals of the Champions League, Mikel Arteta and his players wanted much more. This summer will therefore be pivotal for the development of the team at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal's flaws were there for all to see. First and foremost, the Gunners require a new centre forward to lead the line. Kai Havertz has adapted to the role remarkably well over the last two seasons, but the German's injury in the second half of the season exposed how light for options Arsenal is in his position. And so Arsenal faces a big decision over who to target in the summer transfer window. Alexander Isak has been linked with a move to North London in the past. The Swede would certainly fit the bill as one of the best goalscorers in the Premier League. However, Newcastle United surely isn't prepared to let him leave. Benjamin Sesko is a more realistic target. The Slovenian has established himself as one of the best young strikers in Europe at RB Leipzig and is reportedly of interest to Arsenal. However, Sesko has frequently played as one half of a front two and Arsenal doesn't use this system. It needs a lone frontman. Viktor Gyökeres has played as a lone frontman for Sporting CP, scoring an incredible 62 goals in all competitions this season. The Swedish international is also believed to be on Arsenal's radar. Gyökeres would give the Gunners the sort of cutting edge they need, but at 26 he is older than some of the other alternatives. Arsenal has also been linked with Nico Williams who would give Arteta another attacker to deploy on the left side of his forward line. Martin Zubimendi is expected to join from Real Sociedad to strengthen the Gunners in the centre of the pitch, but the real focus this summer is on the final third and how Arsenal can become sharper in and around the penalty box. Arteta has given Arsenal a platform to build on. The Gunners have finished close to the top of the Premier League table in each of the last three seasons. Arsenal boasts one of the youngest squads in the English top division and it is growing year-on-year. However, it needs a different dimension to elevate the standard. This is where finding the right striker will be so crucial.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal's big striker dilemma answered as they pick between Gyokeres and Sesko
Arsenal's need for a new striker was one of the stories of the 2024-25 season, even before the man doing the job was ruled out for several months. Kai Havertz is not a natural number nine - even if he was doing a decent job of it - while Gabriel Jesus' second significant knee injury has only accelerated the need for investment in the area. Mikel Arteta's team scored 22 fewer goals this season than last. The idea that they're fine without a new striker was far easier to defend during the 2023-24 campaign, but now there appears to be a consensus that a new face is needed - and at significant cost. Whoever moves to Arsenal this summer will be a starting striker not just for this season but for the next few on top of that. And now we've got two names at the front of the queue: Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko. There's arguably no such thing as a 'sure thing' at number nine - at least not for clubs without a bottomless chequebook. Alexander Isak might be the closest there is to such a thing, but it would have been a tall order to convince Newcastle to sell the Swede even before they secured Champions League qualification and the extra funds that brings. And so, we move on to two men with significant upsides, but questions as well. Here, Mirror Football more closely examines which of Gyokeres would suit Arsenal the best. Gyokeres looks to be the better fit for a club after a player who can hit the ground running. The Sporting striker didn't just score goals in the Primeira Liga during his club's title defence - he left the rest of the competition in his dust. His 39 goals in the league were more than double his nearest challenger, and would put him in the top half of the entire league on his own. Even if you take out penalties - and his tally of 12 isn't insignificant - no one else got within 12 of the Sweden frontman. We can also acknowledge Gyokeres' form for Coventry before moving to Portugal. While the numbers aren't quite as eye-catching - 40 goals in all competitions across two seasons is fewer than in either of his individual campaigns with Sporting - it might offer some reassurances that he's unlikely to have issues settling back in England at the very least. If we want to look at Europe, where the opposition is stronger, you can appreciate why some still have questions. Yes, there was the stunning hat-trick against Manchester City, but that masks what has otherwise been a simply okay season. With six goals in the Champions League, he's the 13th highest scorer - not too shabby for a player in a team not considered one of the pre-tournament favourites. Still, the underlying numbers per 90 minutes are also worth analysing in a competition where players can play an unequal number of games. According to data from FBRef, he sneaks into the top 10 for expected goals per 90 minutes among players with 500 minutes or more, while he's outside that group for non-penalty expected goals. Among those ahead of him in the latter list, as it happens, is none other than Benjamin Sesko. Sesko, like Gyokeres, wasn't playing for a team expected to go too far in the competition. In fact, it ended up being an absolute nightmare campaign for his RB Leipzig team, who lost seven of their eight league phase games The Slovenia frontman has a return of 0.48 non-penalty xG per 90 - just a fraction above Gyokeres and the same as Inter Milan frontman Lautaro Martinez. All three men have scored goals at a better rate than those underlying numbers would suggest, with Martinez showing the most dramatic uptick of the three. It's too early in Sesko's career to predict whether he will consistently be able to outperform those numbers - something he's done with no trouble so far in the Bundesliga. What we do know, though, is he's been able to get good quality chances against decent opposition and managed to put them away at a pretty good rate. Arsenal's links with Sesko grew very loud at the end of the 2023-24 season, where he finished the campaign strongly in Leipzig colours. He has scored fewer goals from more minutes this term, from a slightly lower xG per 90 in the Bundesliga, but has improved his creation to the point that there are signs he could yet replace that aspect of Havertz's game. And therein lies the other big factor: potential. While Gyokeres' late bloomer status suggests he can still deliver for a while, he turns 27 in the summer and there will be questions of how much better he can become. Sesko, in contrast, is five years younger than the alternative and already putting up solid numbers in a top European league. Sure, it might not be the kind of numbers Erling Haaland was posting in the Bundesliga at the same age, but only eight players scored more than him in the competition this year - including Hugo Ekitike, who is being touted for a similar big-money Premier League move. In the end, it may come down to Arsenal's own priorities. If they see the upcoming season as win-or-bust in the league, it's hard to look past the 53 goals Gyokeres scored in all competitions and see it as their best chance of blowing the competition out of the water. Sesko may well feel like the better long-term option, but not only because of his age. There are plenty who have suggested he has a bigger upside than near enough any striker of his age, and there's a reason he had so many admirers even before leaving Red Bull Salzburg for his current club. Trusting potential is always more of a risk, especially when it involves looking at some very big Gyokeres numbers and convincing yourself they're not the be all and end all. Without the riches of their rivals, though, Arsenal have recognised the need to prioritise younger players as their marquee signings. The investment under Mikel Arteta in Arsenal's last couple of seasons has followed a pattern of big money on younger stars and speculative, cheaper moves for those in their late 20s or 30s. It's served them well, too, with Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber showing indications they can form the spine of the team for years to come. If Arsenal regard themselves as having the same needs they did in 2023, Sesko might be the answer. However, it's hard to look at Gyokeres and think "no, this is absolutely the wrong guy for a title push". Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read ourPrivacy Notice. Sky has slashed the price of its bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more. Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Premier League giants 'rival Arsenal in race for Viktor Gyokeres' - with one other European side 'ready to jump in for £70m Sporting Lisbon man'
Chelsea reportedly hope to ruin Arsenal 's search for a striker by going after one of their top targets: Viktor Gyokeres. The Blues have reportedly made contact with the Portuguese club over the blazing-hot forward while Juventus are also said to be stepping up their pursuit. Gyokeres has been in scintillating form this season, smashing in 54 goals in 52 games to help Sporting retain their league title - and making last campaign's haul of 43 look paltry in comparison. Sporting will only let go of their man for a fee between £55million and £70m, depending on which reports you believe, but that is a goodwill reduction on his £85m release clause. Now Chelsea and Juventus want a piece of the action, according to Portuguese outlet Record. That will concern Arsenal, because Mikel Arteta has admitted that one of their priorities for this summer must be a 'goal threat'. Injuries have hampered them significantly but no individual scored more than Kai Havertz's total of 15 this campaign. Arsenal would hope that Gyokeres, who impressed at Coventry in the Championship before joining Sporting, could spearhead a serious title challenge. Crucially, he is used to playing a lot of games - the 26-year-old has made 50 appearances or more in each of his last three seasons. A clean injury record and eye for goal will be crucial whichever club he picks, with Chelsea and Juventus also set for demanding seasons in the Champions League. Arsenal are realists and have cast their eyes across multiple options in case their pursuit of Gyokeres falls on deaf ears. RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko has been cited as an option and, according to Marca, they are leading the race to sign Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, though the Spaniard do not want to lose him. Alvarez joined Atletico last summer after spending two seasons at the Etihad Stadium and has produced stunning numbers: 29 goals and seven assists. During those two seasons in England, Alvarez scored 36 goals in 103 appearances and won six trophies with City, including two Premier League titles and one Champions League. Alvarez penned a six-year contract with Atletico when he arrived from City in a transfer deal worth £81million last August. His value has likely increased since then, meaning he could well be costlier to acquire than Gyokeres or Sesko. Despite maintaining their position as the second best team in England for a third year in a row, Arsenal scored significantly fewer goals during the season just ended. Arteta's men netted 69 times in their 38 league games (1.81 goals per game), having hit 88 (2.32 per game) and 91 (2.39 per game) in the previous two campaigns. No Arsenal player reached double figures for Premier League goals in 2024-25, with Havertz leading the way with just nine. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard notched eight each, while makeshift striker Mikel Merino ended the season with seven.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Where season went wrong for Arsenal from no No9 and injury crisis to Edu exit – after Saka claimed ‘this is the year'
YET again, Arsenal fans have been left cursing what might have been this season and dreaming of what may be next season. Another second-placed Prem finish. Another agonising European exit. 11 Boss Mikel Arteta must pick up the pieces from another nearly campaign, ruing costly injuries, failed transfer windows and controversial red cards. Work is already underway in North London to ensure next term is the one that ends their 21-year Prem title drought. Will it finally be their time? Painful lessons have to be learned. In October, Bukayo Saka reportedly told friends at his birthday party in Mayfair: 'I really believe we are going to win the league.' But the reality was the Gunners were constantly on the back foot last campaign, and it began in the summer with a botched attempt to sign an elite No9. Despite having Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as central attacking options, there had been progressive talks with RB Leipzig over Benjamin Sesko -- a striker who 12 months on is now merely a back-up option to first-choice target Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. Arsenal were confident they had laid the groundwork to get Sesko over the line, only for the player to sign a new contract on June 12. SunSport understands this left the club slightly shaken. It is why it made sense to prioritise other areas towards the end of the window, bringing in midfielder Mikel Merino, defender Riccardo Calafiori and keeper David Raya. Others had their doubts, but SunSport understands that the push for Merino was one led by Arteta, and his instinct was proven right, scoring seven goals in 18 games as a heroic makeshift striker in the new year. Arsenal were determined not to panic-buy to solve their issues – something that had been done in the past at the club with little success. There was also a growing confidence that Jesus had shaken off his fitness issues, with Arteta claiming that the Brazilian looked a 'different person' in pre-season. Yet that faith proved to be costly. By August 20, Jesus had been ruled out with a groin injury, not able to start successive games until mid-December. By mid-January, he was out until the end of 2025 with an ACL rupture, lumping Arteta with an unsellable, unusable, expensive asset. Arteta then rushed back England stars Declan Rice and Saka from the Euros, despite only having 24 days of rest. In hindsight, this was a mistake, and perhaps a factor in Saka's three-month absence from December with a torn hamstring. On August 24, following Arsenal's 2-0 win at Aston Villa, Arteta admitted they were 'short' up top. It was at this point Arsenal began to scramble, with some at the club accepting there would be no Deadline Day miracle. On August 29, sporting director Edu was due to be in Monaco for the Champions League draw, but made a late u-turn to stay in North London. 11 The next day, there were murmurings, and SunSport understands that barely anyone knew Raheem Sterling was close to joining on loan from Chelsea until hours before the deadline. At this stage, as far as the Arsenal board were concerned, Edu remained committed, despite whispers in Brazil over the summer of interested suitors. But after his resignation on November 4, Arsenal were forced to come to terms with losing an integral part of their successful machine. SunSport understands that senior figures were genuinely shocked by the news, with some even emotional, having grown incredibly close over the past few years. There was never going to be a rush to hire a replacement, such was the trust in Edu's assistant Jason Ayto, and SunSport understands seven candidates were considered before finally appointing Andrea Berta on March 30. In his first few days, Berta asked for patience in public, but behind the scenes was impatient to get going, and is hoping to have two or three major signings signed and delivered early this window, including Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi [£51m] and Gyokeres [£60m]. Despite fluffing their lines in January without a permanent sporting director in place, Arsenal are indignant that it was the right decision to be patient in finding Edu's successor, even if it meant missing out on mid-season incomings, and that the short-term pain of conceding the title to Liverpool will be worth it with the club currently in a strong financial position this summer. Arteta insisted that Edu's exit would not derail their plans on and off the pitch, but in truth, it was another setback in an already demoralising and frustrating season. 11 Less than 24 hours after signing, Sterling was at the Emirates to watch Arsenal's 2-2 at Brighton, and went down into the dressing room to meet his new teammates for the first time. But SunSport understands the mood was rather despondent following Rice's controversial red card, and a genuine feeling that those dropped points would prove pivotal. Arteta cut an immensely frustrated figure behind the scenes as results continued to tumble, and described dealing with injuries to the likes of Martin Odegaard as a 'nightmare' – an apt description of the January window. Up until January 12 – before Jesus' ACL rupture – Arteta was not actively in the market, especially thanks to the surprise form of academy grads Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. But when that changed, the execution was lacking. Too much time was spent on trying to convince Sesko to reconsider, and when that failed, a £40m Ollie Watkins bid was made without anticipating Aston Villa's scuppering sale of Jhan Duran to Saudi days later. It turned into a real mess, and then an embarrassing catastrophe as Arsenal were left without a recognised striker with Havertz out for months following a hamstring operation. SunSport understands that Berta gave the Arsenal board special red ties to wear for the quarter-final against Real Madrid, and they were subsequently worn again for the semi-final against PSG, only for the luck to have worn off by then. Arsenal cannot rely on lucky charms next season. As Arteta told the owners on the final day: 'They know what they have to do.' For once, they need to start on the front foot on the pitch and in the boardroom and keep it that way. Only then will trophies follow. 11 11 11
