Latest news with #MalickYalcouye
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
'One of the greatest talents' - new Swansea City signing's reviews are off the scale
'One of the greatest talents' - new Swansea City signing's reviews are off the scale The youngster already has a hugely impressive CV, but could already be faced with a sky-high level of expectation Malick Yalcouye arrives with a big reputation (Image: Swansea City) For all the noise, it's easy to forget that Malick Yalcouye's career is still largely in its infancy. Indeed, it feels like wherever the 19-year-old has been, he's left a trail of rave reviews and awe-inspired gawping in his wake, a trail that has now led to Swansea City. Given the midfielder was posing with a Player of the Match accolade in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund last season, this unquestionably feels like a coup for the Swans, and perhaps makes a big statement about the pull of the club. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. It also feels like a ringing endorsement from Brighton, who would surely have a strong claim to the title of the best run club in the country. Albion's recruitment has been at the foundation of their recent success, with the club creating what feels like a perpetual conveyor belt of hidden gems. These players are polished, sold on for enormous sums, and swiftly replaced by another leftfield talent—often just as good, or even better. It's a system Swans director of football Richard Montague would probably like to replicate, and that synergy in outlooks might well go some way to explaining why City were seen as the best fit for Yalcouye's next step. Article continues below Following in the footsteps of Emmanuel Eboue, Gervinho and the Toure brothers, the midfielder came through the ranks of Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas, before making the move to Sweden in January 2024. The Ivorian made just 11 senior appearances for previous side Goteburg before Brighton made the decision to swoop in, but he more than made his mark on the Allsvenskan as Daniel Kristoffersson of Swedish publication Sportbladet explained. 'He is one of the greatest talents we've ever seen in the Swedish league's history," he told Albion's official website shortly after his move to Sussex. "Swedish clubs have a history of signing African players from ASEC Mimosas but no one has made such a big impact in such a short time as Malick did. 'He adapted very quickly at Goteborg. He reads the game so well, is quick off the mark, is very energetic, can go box-to-box, is an effective presser, has good close control, likes to take on his opponent, and has good technique. 'His time there [Goteborg] has been excellent. Nobody would have expected him to have such a big impact on the team and the league so fast. Sometimes when a player arrives from Africa, they take time to adapt, sometimes half a year or a year. But with Malick, it was just four or five games. 'He can be very creative and adapt quickly to how his team wants him to play. He may not be ready to start for Brighton right now, as the Premier League is a very physically demanding league so I think he will need to add more muscle, but I think he can be great for the club with time and patience.' Sheehan himself has backed Yalcouye for the Premier League, and the fact Brighton handed him a five-year deal when he signed last summer is indicative of the faith Albion have in him. Charismatic Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler clearly believes he has a bright future. 'I'm a big, big fan of him," he told The Athletic back in January. "Because I experienced (in Japan) a young player who comes from a different culture, who was not speaking the language perfectly, and understands the game in a really special way. 'Especially for his very young age. He is so competitive, has such a good understanding of game situations, and that is something special for such a young player. He always gives 100 per cent. 'When he was here, he trained as if it was his last session. That is exactly what a young player needs to do: use every game, every training, every minute that he can be outside on the pitch. He is a role model for that, which is why I am a big fan.' There was certainly plenty of adoration for the teenager on the terraces in Graz, where Yalcouye more than played his part in the club's second consecutive Bundesliga title. With his courageous performances, he quickly won the hearts of the Black and White fans," raved local outlet Kleine Zeitung. "Hardly any defender could match the lively African, and he repeatedly showed flashes of his class last season. It's quite possible that Yalcouye will also make a splash in the Premier League." Earlier in the season, the same outlet claimed he played "as if he were a 30-year-old veteran with 400 professional games under his belt. "In short: Yalcouye is actually too good for Austria's Bundesliga as he stands out from the best domestic team.' High praise indeed, but with high praise comes a certain level of expectation. Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone. Managing that expectation could well be the main challenge when it comes to his time in SA1. Article continues below "He's a player that's trained with us and fitted in really well," head coach Alan Sheehan said this week when quizzed on that point. "It's just how we decide to use him. I have my ideas in the games and how we see him being effective for us." Nevertheless, if he can make the same sort of mark on Swansea as he has elsewhere, there's every reason for Swans fans to get very, very excited.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Swansea City closing in on sensational move for highly-rated Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder
Swansea City are on the brink of completing a loan move for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Malick Yalcouye. WalesOnline understands an agreement has been reached to take the 19-year-old on loan for the upcoming season, with the player set to undergo a medical set to take place on Wednesday. The Ivorian is in attendance to watch his new side take on League Two side Crawley Town on Tuesday night, with the club hoping to have his international clearance through before Saturday's clash at home to Sheffield United. READ MORE: Pleasing Swansea City player ratings as summer signing shines bright in Crawley win READ MORE: Swansea City boss Alan Sheehan delivers Malick Yalcouye transfer update as loan deal draws near Yalcouye, who can play either out wide or as a number eight, is seen as one of the most exciting youngsters on Brighton's books right now, and there had previously been suggestions he might in the first team picture this season. But despite some impressive performances for Albion in pre-season, another loan spell has been viewed as the best next step in his development. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. Toulouse and FC Copenhagen had previously been credited with an interest in recent weeks, but Swansea appear to have won the race for his signature. The midfielder spent last season on loan at Austrian champions Sturm Graz, and even played eight times in their Champions League campaign, a run that also saw him named Player of the Match against Borussia Dortmund. He signed a five-year deal with the Seagulls last summer, and there's a growing feeling on the English south coast that he has the skillset to one day shine in the Premier League following a meteoric rise. Eligible to represent Ivory Coast and Mali, he signed for Albion after making just 14 outings for previous club IFK Goteburg having previously come through the ranks of Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas, where the likes of Emmanuel Eboue, Gervinho and the Toure brothers all began their careers. His time in Sweden even saw him compared to Ngolo Kante by some onlookers. Yalcouye made 36 appearances in all competitions last term, netting four goals and earning two assists as Graz won the Austrian Bundesliga title, and his capture will come as a huge boost to Alan Sheehan as he bids to add further depth to his squad. He's poised to become Swansea's eighth signing of the summer, with Bobby Wales, Zeidane Inoussa, Ricardo Santos, Cameron Burgess, Ethan Galbraith and Paul Farman all joining on permanent deals. West Ham United youngster Kaelan Casey has also come on board, after arriving on a season-long loan. Meanwhile, the club remain keen on adding more firepower to their ranks before the close of the window, having cooled their interest in QPR-bound Richard Kone. Jusef Erabi is another name to have been considered recently, while reports in France have linked the Swans with Schalke's Moussa Sylla.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Swansea City medical booked as target caught up in bizarre scandal
Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City news for Wednesday August 13. Swans inch closer to Yalcouye deal Swansea City are hoping to unveil Malick Yalcouye within the next 24 hours after reaching an agreement to take the highly-rated midfielder on a season-long loan. Yalcouye was in attendance at the Stadium to watch his new side ease their way past Crawley Town in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, and was at Fairwood earlier today to complete a medical and other formalities. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. READ MORE: Cardiff City star in talks to leave club as Barry-Murphy 'confident' on signings READ MORE: Swansea City boss Alan Sheehan delivers Malick Yalcouye transfer update as loan deal draws near It seems he could well be through the door in time to face Sheffield United this weekend as suggested by boss Alan Sheehan after the win over the Red Devils. "He's been involved with Brighton in pre-season, and we'll have to see in training where he's at," Sheehan said. "We might have to integrate him into it. "But I imagine he could come into the squad on Saturday." Kone joins QPR Former Swansea City transfer target Richard Kone has completed a move to Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee. Sources close to negotiations claimed the 22-year-old was the subject of two failed bids from the Swans earlier in the summer, while Preston North End and Toulouse were also believed to have had bids knocked back. Swansea were initially expected to return with a third bid, but substantially cooled their interest in search of other targets. Leicester City were another side to admire the Ivorian, but failed to firm up their interest with a bid, opening the door for a move to Loftus Road. "It's an amazing feeling, I'm really glad to join an amazing team, a great club. I can't wait to get started," Kone told the club's website. "I made my mind when the opportunity comes, I'll be ready. I'll be ready to take it. By God's grace, it took the time that it took, four years, and when the time was right, I did take my chances and here I am." 'No offer' for Sylla amid bizarre scandal Swansea City are reportedly yet to make a concrete offer for alleged target Moussa Sylla. Reports in France claim Swansea, Sevilla, Valencia, and Angers have all expressed an interest in the Schalke forward, but German publication Bild says there's currently nothing on the table. The same publication is also tracking a bizarre scandal involving the 25-year-old and his dog. It's claimed Sylla left his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, 'Ghost', with a dog-sitter at the Albert Schweitzer Animal Shelter in Essen earlier this month, and has since refused to take the dog back, allegedly stating he "unfortunately no longer had any use" for it. Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone. Sylla has vehemently denied those allegations, and hit back with a statement through French lawyer Dylan Bourkab. "For several days, Mr. Moussa Sylla and his family have been the target of a media campaign based on false, distorted and out-of-context information," the statement read. It all comes amid growing uncertainty around the player's future in Germany, French publication L'Equipe stating Sevilla, Valencia and Angers are among the other clubs linked with a move.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Swansea City medical booked as target caught up in bizarre scandal
Swansea City medical booked as target caught up in bizarre scandal The latest news from the Stadium Malick Yalcouye (left) is close to completing a move to Swansea City (Image: Andre Weening/) Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City news for Wednesday August 13. Swans inch closer to Yalcouye deal Swansea City are hoping to unveil Malick Yalcouye within the next 24 hours after reaching an agreement to take the highly-rated midfielder on a season-long loan. Yalcouye was in attendance at the Stadium to watch his new side ease their way past Crawley Town in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, and was at Fairwood earlier today to complete a medical and other formalities. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. It seems he could well be through the door in time to face Sheffield United this weekend as suggested by boss Alan Sheehan after the win over the Red Devils. "He's been involved with Brighton in pre-season, and we'll have to see in training where he's at," Sheehan said. "We might have to integrate him into it. "But I imagine he could come into the squad on Saturday." Article continues below Kone joins QPR Former Swansea City transfer target Richard Kone has completed a move to Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee. Sources close to negotiations claimed the 22-year-old was the subject of two failed bids from the Swans earlier in the summer, while Preston North End and Toulouse were also believed to have had bids knocked back. Swansea were initially expected to return with a third bid, but substantially cooled their interest in search of other targets. Leicester City were another side to admire the Ivorian, but failed to firm up their interest with a bid, opening the door for a move to Loftus Road. "It's an amazing feeling, I'm really glad to join an amazing team, a great club. I can't wait to get started," Kone told the club's website. "I made my mind when the opportunity comes, I'll be ready. I'll be ready to take it. By God's grace, it took the time that it took, four years, and when the time was right, I did take my chances and here I am." 'No offer' for Sylla amid bizarre scandal Swansea City are reportedly yet to make a concrete offer for alleged target Moussa Sylla. Reports in France claim Swansea, Sevilla, Valencia, and Angers have all expressed an interest in the Schalke forward, but German publication Bild says there's currently nothing on the table. The same publication is also tracking a bizarre scandal involving the 25-year-old and his dog. It's claimed Sylla left his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, 'Ghost', with a dog-sitter at the Albert Schweitzer Animal Shelter in Essen earlier this month, and has since refused to take the dog back, allegedly stating he "unfortunately no longer had any use" for it. Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone. Sylla has vehemently denied those allegations, and hit back with a statement through French lawyer Dylan Bourkab. "For several days, Mr. Moussa Sylla and his family have been the target of a media campaign based on false, distorted and out-of-context information," the statement read. Article continues below It all comes amid growing uncertainty around the player's future in Germany, French publication L'Equipe stating Sevilla, Valencia and Angers are among the other clubs linked with a move.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Swansea City closing in on sensational move for highly-rated Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder
Swansea City closing in on sensational move for highly-rated Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder The midfielder looks set to become Swansea's latest signing of the summer Malick Yalcouye was on loan at SK Sturm Graz last season and now looks set to join Swansea City (Image: Getty Images) Swansea City are on the brink of completing a loan move for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Malick Yalcouye. WalesOnline understands an agreement has been reached to take the 19-year-old on loan for the upcoming season, with the player set to undergo a medical set to take place on Wednesday. The Ivorian is in attendance to watch his new side take on League Two side Crawley Town on Tuesday night, with the club hoping to have his international clearance through before Saturday's clash at home to Sheffield United. Yalcouye, who can play either out wide or as a number eight, is seen as one of the most exciting youngsters on Brighton's books right now, and there had previously been suggestions he might in the first team picture this season. But despite some impressive performances for Albion in pre-season, another loan spell has been viewed as the best next step in his development. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. Toulouse and FC Copenhagen had previously been credited with an interest in recent weeks, but Swansea appear to have won the race for his signature. Article continues below The midfielder spent last season on loan at Austrian champions Sturm Graz, and even played eight times in their Champions League campaign, a run that also saw him named Player of the Match against Borussia Dortmund. He signed a five-year deal with the Seagulls last summer, and there's a growing feeling on the English south coast that he has the skillset to one day shine in the Premier League following a meteoric rise. Eligible to represent Ivory Coast and Mali, he signed for Albion after making just 14 outings for previous club IFK Goteburg having previously come through the ranks of Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas, where the likes of Emmanuel Eboue, Gervinho and the Toure brothers all began their careers. His time in Sweden even saw him compared to Ngolo Kante by some onlookers. Yalcouye made 36 appearances in all competitions last term, netting four goals and earning two assists as Graz won the Austrian Bundesliga title, and his capture will come as a huge boost to Alan Sheehan as he bids to add further depth to his squad. He's poised to become Swansea's eighth signing of the summer, with Bobby Wales, Zeidane Inoussa, Ricardo Santos, Cameron Burgess, Ethan Galbraith and Paul Farman all joining on permanent deals. Article continues below West Ham United youngster Kaelan Casey has also come on board, after arriving on a season-long loan. Meanwhile, the club remain keen on adding more firepower to their ranks before the close of the window, having cooled their interest in QPR-bound Richard Kone. Jusef Erabi is another name to have been considered recently, while reports in France have linked the Swans with Schalke's Moussa Sylla.
