Latest news with #ThierryHenry
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
It's happening: Liverpool will sign Thierry Henry 2.0
Liverpool are about to sign their new no.9. And they're getting the modern Thierry Henry. It's now all but certain that Hugo Ekitike will join Liverpool. The striker, who appeared destined for Newcastle United a week ago, has permission to seal a transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Athletic is among many reporting that a deal has been agreed and it could climb to £79m. Liverpool have wanted a new striker all summer - it was their priority heading into the window, even if a deal for Florian Wirtz quickly usurped it. They're now getting that player in Ekitike. Now, it's no secret that Alexander Isak was the dream addition but the French forward is absolutely a major coup here. He's an incredible talent and one who could become a major superstar if all goes to plan. Thierry Henry 2.0, even. From Thierry Henry to Hugo Ekitike There are easy comparisons to make between Henry and Ekitike. They're both French forwards who initially broke into the senior game as wingers, earned a move to a major European club but failed to deliver, mainly because of factors that had nothing to do with their ability, before heading to England. The only real difference in stories there is that Henry won a World Cup before joining Arsenal, while Ekitike had a stopover between his major European club and the Premier League. Though we should say that, on paper, they are different types of player. Henry was blessed with sensational pace that Ekitike certainly doesn't have, even if he's not exactly slow. On the other hand, Ekitike is a much taller, more physical threat than Henry was. And that's why it's easy to call him a more modern striker than his compatriot. Strikers are tall, all-action threats. That wasn't the case in Henry's time, where centre-forwards typically had strike partners or were either target-man-style lone strikers or someone who played off the shoulder with electric pace. The game has changed and virtually no one plays with two-man striker partnerships anymore. It's meant the centre-forward role has become far stricter in what makes it at the top level. You've got to have pace, you've got to have ability with the ball at your feet, and you've got to have a physical presence. That's the modern elite striker and Ekitike is exactly that. But there is a similarity between Ekitike and Henry, even with that massive difference. They're both left-wingers converted into central players who retain their desire to play in the left channel. Ekitike wants to drift into that space, cutting inside and isolating defenders. That's his natural game, rather than operating within the confines of the box. Above is Ekitike's 'expected threat' heatmap (courtesy of xfb Analytics). It essentially shows his most threatening positions with the ball - those from which he creates the best opportunities for himself and teammates. So essentially, he wants the ball in that inside left channel. He'll drift to the wing, he'll drift to the very middle - but he wants the ball between the centre-back and full-back. That's the Thierry Henry role. It's the one he popularised at Arsenal and became a world-beater with. Ekitike wants to do the same thing, though in a more modern way as a focal-point through the middle. No, he's not got the same pace to create out of nothing but he's much more of a target for crosses and hold-up play. That's what Liverpool hope for, certainly. The next great French forward in England? The Reds have banked on it and it's easy to see why. **👉 **Liverpool set to increase transfer budget by £200m 🔗
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Which jersey number will Marcus Rashford wear at Barcelona?
Marcus Rashford's move to Barcelona appears imminent, with the forward expected to land in the city soon to complete his move. Rashford will join Barcelona on a loan deal, with the Catalans having an option to make the deal permanent next summer for a figure of around €30-35 million. The Englishman is expected to become a key part of Barcelona's attacking setup, even though he might not necessarily be a starting choice. Which jersey number will Rashford wear? Nevertheless, a recent report from Mundo Deportivo has detailed three potential jersey numbers Rashford can inherit upon his arrival at Barcelona. The first option is the number 14 jersey, which is vacant following the departure of Pablo Torre, who joined Mallorca on a permanent deal. Will Marcus Rashford wear the iconic number 14 shirt next season? (Photo by) It's one of the most symbolic numbers at Barcelona, made legendary by Johan Cruyff and later worn by Thierry Henry – a player Rashford has openly admired. Another option is number 19, which carries personal significance for Rashford. It was his first official squad number at Manchester United during the 2016–2018 seasons. It was also worn by Lionel Messi in his early first-team days. This shirt became available recently after Lamine Yamal switched to the iconic number 10. Finally, Rashford also has the option of wearing the number 22 jersey, which represents Rashford's breakthrough on the international stage. He debuted for England wearing 22 and scored his first international goal against Australia, becoming one of the youngest ever to do so. Most recently, the number was worn at Barça by Ilkay Gundogan and before that by Raphinha.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Thierry Henry's private Hugo Ekitike verdict after being compared to Liverpool target
Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, who is heavily linked with Liverpool, has drawn comparisons with Thierry Henry in the past and the Arsenal icon has given his thoughts on the striker Thierry Henry believes that Liverpool target Hugo Ekitike has a "very high ceiling" but concedes he sometimes "doesn't do the basics very well". The Frenchman is looking set for a move to the Premier League provided a club meets his valuation with Frankfurt wanting to maximise their profits. Ekitike scored more than 22 times last season in all competitions, capturing the attention of Liverpool and Newcastle. The Magpies had a £70million offer turned down by Frankfurt, and Liverpool - who are Ekitike's preferred destination - have now come to the table. They have indicted their desire to bid and could meet the figure that the Bundesliga outfit want. Ekitike is yet to be capped by France, instead playing for their U21s, but a Les Bleus icon in Henry has seen parts of the attacker's game that he particularly likes whilst citing clear areas of improvement. Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast last month, Micah Richards, who works with Henry at CBS, admits the Arsenal icon was not totally convinced by Ekitike despite acknowledging that, if he gets it right, he could become an incredibly impactful player. The former Manchester City defender said: "In terms of Ekitike, I've spoken to Thierry about him a lot. He says he's not [necessarily] a frustrating player, but one minute he looks amazing and the next minute he does not do the basics very well. He said if he gets it right and improves then his ceiling could be very, very high." Ekitike looked set to join Newcastle from Reims three years ago and back then the talk was of them signing the 'next Thierry Henry'. Comparisons have been drawn between the Frankfurt man and the ex-Arsenal man given their physical attributes and a desire to drift wide before coming back centrally. Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche has admitted Ekitiké's future could likely be away from Deutsche Bank Park as he conceded the club attempt not to stand in the way of players if they cannot match their personal development, previously letting Omar Marmoush leave for Manchester City. "He's one of the most interesting strikers on the European market. Hugo has to decide that," he told Sport 1. "I'm glad we have him. If he decides otherwise, that's our motto: If a player develops faster than us, we let him go." Liverpool are looking to further bolster their frontline with Darwin Nunez expected to move on from Anfield this summer. The team, at times, have been over reliant on Mohamed Salah and want more firepower.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Why Liverpool and Newcastle have gone to war for £85m Hugo Ekitike: The 'next Thierry Henry', a natural goalscorer and big-game player - but with one catch
When Hugo Ekitike looked for all the world like he had joined Newcastle from Stade Reims three years ago, all the chatter among those in the North East was that they were signing the 'next Thierry Henry '. Football is famously reticent to overhype raw, unproven talents, but here was another premature comparison at least framed by what the eye could see.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gérald Baticle extends as France U-21 manager
France U-21 manager Gérald Baticle has penned a two-year contract extension, the French FA has announced on Friday. The former Angers SCO head coach was Thierry Henry's assistant coach when the former Arsenal legend was in charge of Les Bleuets. Henry's resignation on the back of France's run to the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games paved the way for Baticle to be given the reins. Baticle has overseen nine games for France's U-21 team, logging four wins, four draws and one loss. Les Bleuets are currently in Slovakia to take part in the 2025 Euros. France have qualified for the quarter-finals. Les Bleuets have been held to a stalemate against Portugal before defeating Georgia and Poland. Castello Lukeba's teammates will lock horns with Denmark in the quarter-finals on Sunday. 'I am very proud and honored to carry on my mission as France U21 manager', Baticle said. 'I thank the Federation and its President for this vote of confidence, and it is with great enthusiasm and determination that we will approach these next two years.' Advertisement GFFN | Bastien Cheval
