Latest news with #MiguelAlmiron
Canada News.Net
3 days ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
Atlanta United looking to solve road woes at Colorado
(Photo credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images) Atlanta United haven't won on the road this season, leaving the club well on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff mix. Atlanta will hope that the 13th time is the charm as the club goes into battle against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night at Commerce City, Colo. Atlanta (4-11-10, 22 points) is 0-7-5 on enemy soil and 14 points below the playoff line entering the team's last nine matches. Forward Miguel Almiron knows the odds of a postseason berth are slim, but he wants to see the entire team make a push down the stretch. 'We have to have ambition,' Almiron said through an interpreter after Thursday's practice. 'We're playing (for) Atlanta; it's a big club. Everyone on the team has to have the ambition that we want to fight for the playoffs. ... Mathematically, we're not eliminated yet, so there's still a chance.' Atlanta badly needs to get three points against the Rapids, as it hasn't prevailed since a 3-2 home win over Orlando City on May 28. The Five Stripes are just 0-4-5 in their last nine matches after last week's 1-1 road draw with CF Montreal. The Rapids (9-11-6, 33 points) are in eighth place in the West, one point behind Austin FC, one ahead of the San Jose Earthquakes and two in front of Real Salt Lake. Colorado is 2-1-1 over its last four matches after producing a 2-1 road win over Minnesota United last week. The victory came just days after the Rapids traded star midfielder Djordje Mihailovic (nine goals, seven assists) to Toronto FC for $8 million, plus potentially up to another $1 million in performance-based metrics. The move opened the door for Darren Yapi to take a bigger role. The 20-year-old midfielder responded with a brace against Minnesota. Yapi scored on a solid right-footed shot in the 60th minute and added a right-footer into the left corner of the net 10 minutes later to give Colorado a 2-0 lead. Yapi has six goals and two assists in 22 matches (13 starts) this season. 'Every time I start or even come off the bench, I ask myself the same question, which is, 'How can I help the team?'' Yapi said after the 2-1 victory. 'How can I help the team win? 'In any way, whether it's defensively or offensively, just finding ways I can help the team is huge for me. It's huge for the team, and it showed (Sunday night).' Atlanta has won four of the five all-time meetings with Colorado. In the most recent clash, the Five Stripes rolled to a 4-0 home victory May 17, 2023.
Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Newcastle sign Anthony Elanga – a three-year search to fill problem position now over
It has taken weeks for Newcastle United to secure the services of Anthony Elanga, a deal that has veered between completion and collapse for a month, but it is a successful end to a three-year search for a right winger. Eddie Howe has been considering an upgrade on the right side of his attack since the summer of 2022, recognising Miguel Almiron's limitations long before the Paraguay international eventually departed for Atlanta back in January. Almiron was superb in the season Newcastle qualified for the Champions League back 2023, just as Jacob Murphy was a revelation last season, when the club unexpectedly repeated the feat and won their first domestic trophy for 70 years. But it is a position Newcastle have wanted to strengthen for so long, but did not have the wriggle room under profit and sustainability rules to do so. Having finally rid themselves of those financial constraints this summer, the thought of missing out on Elanga – having already been forced to drop their interest in Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo – was causing Howe and the rest of the Newcastle recruitment team plenty of stress. There will be a sense of huge relief that the deal has now been done, especially as it looked over the weekend as though the move could break down. Elanga's desire to change the agency representing him caused a standoff that threatened to derail the move entirely. Things were pulled back from the brink following frantic talks on Sunday and Monday to resolve the issue. A financial compromise was eventually reached that enabled completion. Newcastle had first expressed an interest in Elanga during the talks that preceded Elliot Anderson's move to Forest 12 months ago. That interest only strengthened as the Sweden international enjoyed his most productive Premier League campaign. The ex-Manchester United prospect had 17 goal involvements last season, while his former club will pocket a slice of the £55 million fee as they inserted a sell on clause in his deal when he left for Forest in 2023. Newcastle believe there is still much room for improvement and at the age of 23, Elanga has both the technical and physical attributes to thrive in this Newcastle team. He is also Premier League ready and with a Champions League campaign to look forward to, Howe did not want to sign a winger who would need weeks, if not months, to adjust to English football. Newcastle are already a devastatingly effective attacking side in transitions, pouring forward with speed on the counter and exposing the gaps left when they win possession. Elanga's arrival will give them arguably the fastest attacking trio in the Premier League, with Elanga on the right side, Anthony Gordon on the left and Alexander Isak through the middle. It is a trio that should frighten the rest of the division. Elanga blossomed in Forest's counter attacking system under Nuno Espirito Santo last season and could do even more damage in Newcastle's side, where the passing range of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield will make him even harder to contain. When Newcastle also unleash their 'swarm' press, Elanga's speed over the ground will be crucial, helping them win the ball high up the pitch, while his familiarity with Isak from the Sweden national team means there is already a strong connection there that will not need as much time to hone. Indeed, Elanga is a close friend of Isak, as well as another Newcastle player, William Osula, and there is no harm in signing a player their star striker knows well when you are about to open talks about a new contract. Elanga ticks all the boxes for Howe. Young, quick, direct, skillful and hard working. He will track back to help the team defend, as well as launch the rapid, incisive attacks that are Newcastle's trademark. It is why they have worked so hard to sign him and were willing to wait for so long to do so. Having not signed a first team player to improve the first team for two years, Elanga's arrival is a huge statement. It fills a priority position and offers a clear upgrade on the hardworking Murphy, who will ensure there is both cover and competition for places on the right side of the attack. Signing a right-sided forward was Newcastle's main objective this summer and the capture of Elanga will allow them to focus on their other areas of need. Finding a right-sided centre back, a goalkeeper – who is still expected to be England international James Trafford despite slow progress being made in agreeing a fee – and a versatile forward who can play out wide and through the middle are the remaining positions to fill. It has been a difficult and testing summer behind the scenes at St James' Park following the departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell, but this breakthrough is a welcome one. As one source told Telegraph Sport: 'If you were looking for the perfect Eddie Howe player, Anthony Elanga is it.'
New York Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Why Newcastle want Anthony Elanga: Rapid dribbling, decision-making at pace, and crossing with either foot
This piece has been updated to reflect Newcastle United's latest bid for Anthony Elanga. An important question asked during recruitment is how the profile of the player fits the team. Quality and output aren't the only measurements. How the player fits the team's style and principles is as important. Even when targeting a set of players who play in the same position, understanding their profile is vital because one player could be totally different from another. Advertisement For the past year, Newcastle United have been searching for a right-winger and that search has continued this summer, even after Jacob Murphy's excellent displays. Eddie Howe already wanted another option on the right flank following Miguel Almiron's departure in January. The additional Champions League fixtures coming next season mean a right-winger has become a necessity. This week, Newcastle have made a fresh bid worth more than £50million plus bonuses for Nottingham Forest forward Anthony Elanga, and are pushing to complete a deal. He is a logical target, registering six goals and 11 assists to help Forest finish seventh in the Premier League and reach Europe for the first time in 30 years. The 23-year-old's output and impressive displays encouraged Newcastle to return for the Sweden winger after a failed move last summer. Elanga's profile is interesting because of how it could translate to this version of Newcastle. The right-winger can play on either flank, has shown defensive discipline under Nuno Espirito Santo at Forest, and has the pace and ball-carrying ability to be a menace on attacking transitions. Under Howe, Newcastle have been a team that thrives on the transition, with the physicality of their midfielders and the speed of their front line essential. The data illustrates their focus on getting the ball forward. 'Direct attacks' are defined as possessions that start in a team's own half and result in a shot or a touch inside the opposition penalty area within 15 seconds — in other words, a counter-attack. Newcastle's rate of 3.9 direct attacks per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season was only second to Liverpool, and was the team's highest rate under Howe. Newcastle's tendency to attack quickly on the transition plays to Elanga's strengths. The right-winger's ability to dribble at a high speed while making wise decisions means he is a threat when his team wins the ball and attacks an unstructured defence. Elanga's prowess on the transition was visible in Forest's winner against Manchester United in April, when he collected Ryan Yates' clearance and carried the ball forward from his own half and scored past Andre Onana. Anthony Elanga's goal against Manchester United has been voted Sweetest Strike for April! 🍬 — Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 2, 2025 If you watch the goal again, you can spot Elanga using both feet to dribble forward. When he is near the opponent's penalty area, Elanga pushes the ball with his right foot… … and because he is proficient in using his left, he can quickly strike the ball into the bottom corner without needing to adjust his body shape. In another example, from the 7-0 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion in February, Forest are attacking on the transition and Elanga uses his left foot to dribble past Lewis Dunk… … before using his right on the next action. This allows Elanga to carry the ball faster — using the same foot twice would have delayed him for a fraction of a second. Elanga's pace and comfort with both feet allow him to speed past Dunk… … and set up Chris Wood for another Forest goal. Elanga's other valuable asset on counter-attacks is his decision-making at high speed, usually taking the right amount of time to choose the best option. In this example, against Tottenham Hotspur in December, Forest are attacking on the transition when Morgan Gibbs-White puts Elanga through on goal. Elanga doesn't rush and shoot with his right foot. Instead, he waits until goalkeeper Fraser Forster commits and curls the ball into the far bottom corner with his left. A different example is his assist to Callum Hudson-Odoi in the 1-0 victory against Liverpool in September. Here, Elanga is carrying the ball forward on the counter, and there's space to test himself against Virgil van Dijk. However, Elanga sees that Hudson-Odoi is in a better position and switches the play towards the other side… … putting his team-mate in a position to dribble inside and curl the ball into the back of the net. Another part of Elanga's game that fits Newcastle's attack is his crossing ability. In the past couple of seasons, Howe's side has focused on attacking the wide areas. Having a winger who can cross with either foot is an advantage. Even if Elanga is playing on the right side, he can cut inside and deliver an in-swinging cross using his left foot. 'It's important to be able to go both ways,' Elanga told the BBC in April. 'During lockdown, I trained a lot on my left foot.' Advertisement His proficiency with either foot allows him to open up different crossing angles and become more unpredictable. In Forest's FA Cup tie against Ipswich Town in March, Elanga realised that the crossing angle was narrow and shifted the ball to his left foot to curl an in-swinging cross onto Yates' head in the penalty area (cued up in the video below). Elanga's ability to dribble with one foot and strike with the other also allows him to capitalise on the small crossing angle that opens up before the defender closes down. Alternating his moves between his right and left feet speeds up his second action, as illustrated below in the 2-2 draw against Leicester City in May. Last season, Elanga had the most assists from crosses (six) in the Premier League, and he only drops to second place when the stats are adjusted to a per-game basis for players who played at least 900 minutes. Meanwhile, his expected assists (xA) from crosses per 90 (0.12) was the 12th highest in the league in 2024-25, suggesting he overperformed his data slightly, but that he was still one of the league's leading threats. Those numbers are influenced by set pieces, which are usually disregarded when measuring creativity. In our context, they are important to include because they showcase Elanga's excellent delivery from dead-ball situations, another area where his skills align with Newcastle's strengths. In the wide areas, Newcastle's passing combinations have been a staple of their attack in recent seasons, and despite Forest not using it as frequently, Elanga has a profile that fits this attacking method. His pace and off-ball runs are transferable to Newcastle's wide combinations, especially with Bruno Guimaraes operating as the right-sided midfielder. Elanga's rapid acceleration in one-two passes, illustrated below from Tottenham Hotspur's 3-1 win against Forest in April 2024, suits Newcastle's wide combinations. Defensively, Elanga showed discipline and understanding of his positioning when Forest defended in medium and low blocks. However, the unanswered question is about how he will fare in the high-press phase. His pace and acceleration will help, but adapting to Newcastle's front-line pressing also requires an understanding of the timing and angles of the runs. All in all, it's understandable why Newcastle want to sign Elanga. His profile suits the team's style and his strengths are transferable to Newcastle's principles.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
How will Newcastle approach this transfer window?
After ending their domestic trophy drought with the Carabao Cup in March, and securing Champions League qualification with a fifth-place Premier League finish, Newcastle United will be hoping to build on their most successful season in modern with no major first-team signing in two years and having to sell players to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) in 2024, how will the Saudi-backed Magpies operate in this transfer window? BBC Sport takes a look. 'Speed is key' - Howe offers stark warning Not only will fans expect new arrivals this summer, manager Eddie Howe will too. In his final news conference of the season on 25 May, he was explicit in his demands for quick movement in the market, while also confirming the club is not fearing PSR summer, Newcastle signed young striker William Osula but failed in a public chase of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. Lloyd Kelly arrived on a free transfer from Bournemouth but the defender left for Juventus after half a the permanent signing of Lewis Hall could be deemed a first-team success, but he had already spent a year on loan at the club. The need for better results is clear. "Speed is key and I have reiterated that many times internally," Howe said."We have to be dynamic, we have to be ready to conclude things quickly because good players don't hang around for long. That's always been my thought and my message on recruitment."The sales of Kelly and Miguel Almiron for a combined £28m have increased the headroom for Newcastle to spend and there is anticipation that the club will lay out more than £100m, with further exits expected to increase the budget teenage Spanish winger Antonio Cordero arrived from Malaga, he is expected to depart on loan. Newcastle did make enquiries for a number of targets inside the first 'mini' window, which closed on 10 June, but are not close to a breakthrough as things stand. What positions are Newcastle looking to strengthen? There are four key positions Newcastle want to improve: right wing, centre-back, striker and goalkeeper. Their top targets are mostly Premier League-based, with Howe wanting to minimise the acclimatisation period for new signings, but this works against his desire for a quick start to the Bryan Mbeumo was earmarked as the main target out wide, but links to Manchester United and Tottenham have forced a re-think; similarly Ipswich striker Liam Delap and Bournemtouh centre-back Dean Huijsen, who the club also spoke to, joined Chelsea and Real a late bid last summer, Newcastle have again enquired about Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga, as well as Brighton forward Joao Pedro. West Ham's Mohammed Kudus and Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo are also of interest. Talks with Burnley over a deal for 22-year-old England goalkeeper James Trafford are restarting after failed bids a year ago, but nothing appears close. Guehi remains high on the list in defence. Should Newcastle look abroad for signings? Newcastle, who are majority owned by Saudi Arabia's wealthy Public Investment Fund, do not want to be held to ransom over fees, which is causing transfer progress to slow down. The wage structure in place is strict too, and the club are being careful not to break it for a new recruit, while hoping star striker Alexander Isak signs an improved is a sense in the fanbase that Newcastle should look abroad for better value signings, having had previous success with Isak and midfielders Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali."We just can't afford to shop domestically all the time," Adam Widdrington, from the Newcastle United fan podcast True Faith, told BBC Sport."Even though the market abroad feels a little inflated, generally speaking there is better value overseas when buying players willing to make a move to England. In particular, those players going slightly under the radar but with impressive form over the past couple of seasons."Newcastle have cast their net further afield, with soon to be free-agent striker Jonathan David admired. But a deal for the Canadian looks unlikely, despite sources telling BBC Sport that his wage demands have cooled the possibility of a move to Serie A champions exits are also possible, with midfielder Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff linked with moves away. The latter's future may hinge on Newcastle needing to meet a 'homegrown' quota for their Champions League squad. Veteran striker Callum Wilson, 33, is in talks over a new contract with his deal set to expire this month. Does Paul Mitchell's exit change anything? The news of sporting director Paul Mitchell's imminent exit was a surprise only in terms of timing, emerging two days after the end of the suggested the fact that chief executive Darren Eales was also set to leave, having announced last year he is suffering from cancer, was a key reason for his hired Mitchell to oversee recruitment which created tension with Howe, who let his frustration be known in July last year. The pair worked together amicably, but it is believed they were never particularly close. There was a clear power shift over the season; Howe was not consulted about Mitchell's arrival, and there were fears before Christmas that poor form may result in a managerial change. But the success of the team in the second half of the season strengthened Howe's position the hunt for Mitchell's replacement is under way, it is likely to be tied to that of Eales. There may be a consideration to change the focus of that appointment and move away from setting transfer policy, with Howe, nephew Andy and Steve Nickson (head of recruitment) taking charge of player were already identified prior to the boardroom shift, but after previous sporting director Dan Ashworth left last year, there is a need for stability are crucial and Howe would like to see new faces in by the start of pre-season in club has the means to spend and a desire to give the manager the best tools possible. Despite some early setbacks, an exciting summer could still await.
Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Newcastle fury at ‘Saudi tax' on transfers
Newcastle are growing increasingly frustrated at rival clubs putting a 'Saudi tax' on transfers and refuse to be held to ransom over key targets. Telegraph Sport has been given a unique insight into Newcastle 's negotiations for players amid warnings there is not enough money to spend large amounts on each of the four players they want to sign. Senior club sources believe a so-called 'Saudi tax' has plagued the club since the takeover by the Kingdom Public Investment Fund back in October 2021 and that it remains an issue. As a result, they are trying to explain to rival clubs – with limited success so far – there is a warped perception of their spending power. They remain heavily restrained by Premier League's Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules. With a new contract for star striker Alexander Isak also in the pipeline – talks are expected to start in July – Newcastle cannot spend upwards of £60 million on players when wages are also a consideration. Although the sales of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly in January brought in around £25m and has given Newcastle the flexibility to invest in new players, there is not a lot of headroom in which to manoeuvre. Newcastle are targeting a goalkeeper – Burnley's James Trafford is a long-standing priority – as well as a centre-back, a right-sided forward and a striker to offer support and competition to Isak. Depending on player sales, another midfielder could arrive, especially as Sean Longstaff is expected to depart. Newcastle have identified the players in whom they are interested, but have a valuation on each of them, both in terms of fee and wages, and cannot move away from that if they are going to fill all the positions of need in Eddie Howe's squad. A good example is what has happened with Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo. As revealed by Telegraph Sport last week, the Cameroon international was identified as a leading target by Newcastle's recruitment team weeks ago. But their attempts to sign a player universally liked by all the main power brokers at St James' Park was thwarted. Mbeumo's wage demands as well as a transfer fee of more than £60m proved to be too expensive a deal to pursue. The player has since intimated to his representatives he wants to play for Manchester United. Mbeumo would have likely been Newcastle's highest earner if he had signed. That would have inevitably prompted others at the club to ask for parity, sending the wage bill soaring or risk carrying disgruntled players moving forward who resent not being paid the same as new arrivals. The negotiations with Isak will be difficult but the intention will be to make him the highest earner to reward him for his excellence on Tyneside. Bringing in new players on significantly more money than that before those talks begin is fraught with danger. It is thought there will be movement on incomings at St James' Park later this month with the intention to sign at least two players before the start of pre-season training in July. On the right side of attack, Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo and Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga have been discussed extensively, but as things stand the asking prices are too high for meaningful progress to be made. That could change swiftly but there is currently frustration. Brighton forward Joao Pedro is another player who has been scouted extensively and is seen as a strong potential signing, but there are also concerns about the asking price and the player's willingness to compete with Isak for a central role. Pedro's versatility and his ability to play across the front three is one of the main attractions, but a fee of up to £70m has been circulated and that would blow a huge chunk of Newcastle's budget on one player. It has caused pause for thought internally. Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike has been tracked for years but the £80m asking price is putting Newcastle off for now. James McAtee is a player liked by manager Eddie Howe and could be available for around £25m. The England Under-21 international is expected to leave this summer as he is not getting enough first team football under Pep Guardiola. West Ham's Mohammed Kudus is another player the manager and scouting staff are interested in and he is expected to be on the move this summer, but a suitable fee would need to be negotiated. In defence, the only name in the public domain at the moment is Marc Guehi. Newcastle are still interested in signing the Crystal Palace defender, but are waiting for the asking price to fall for a player who is entering the final year of his contract. Newcastle value the 25-year-old at around £40m and are prepared to keep their powder dry to see what happens over the summer and there are likely to be other suitors. As Telegraph Sport reported, Crystal Palace have explored an ambitious deal for Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande – one of the most highly-rated centre-backs in Europe – as a potential successor if Guehi does go. As ever, there will be other names who are not in the public domain that Newcastle are keeping secret. 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.
