Latest news with #goalscorer
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Liverpool GIFTED surprise second chance to sign 117-goal striker
Liverpool have a chance to grab one of Europe's top goalscorers. It's a chance that looked to have disappeared. Liverpool are after a striker this summer - even with all the other signings. It always felt as though a no.9 to replace Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota was the priority, though Florian Wirtz and the full-back roles have taken precedence. Advertisement Or at least, they've moved faster. Part of the reason for that is the options available up top. Alexander Isak is off the market after Newcastle United qualified for the UEFA Champions League and he was unquestionably the dream arrival. Hugo Ekitiké, a fine alternative, will likely cost €100m. Benjamin Sesko the same. So how do Liverpool actually find value for money? Both of the latter are enormous gambles, withe the Reds needing to bet on potential rather than immediate quality. They don't like doing that and we imagine it will put them off. There is, though, a different option and Liverpool could actually take a different kind of risk. Advertisement A free one. Jonathan David is available Jonathan David's contract at Lille expires at the end of next month and he's yet to find a new club. That's largely because a proposed move to Napoli is now off. David was heavily linked with a move to the Italian champions. That was back when Antonio Conte was expected to depart the club, however - that's no longer the case. Alfredo Pedulla reports that Napoli are now looking for different strikers as David doesn't fit the profile Conte wants. It changes everything for the Canadian, who's suddenly left looking for a different club.
New York Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What's next for Jonathan David?
Buying a high-quality striker usually costs a lot of money, so when one becomes available as a free agent, naturally there is plenty of interest. This summer, Jonathan David will be available for no transfer fee after announcing last week he will leave French top-flight side Lille at the end of his contract. Advertisement 'I wanted to tell you myself that, after so many years at the club, it's time for me to say goodbye,' David said in his announcement video. 'I've spent five wonderful seasons here. I know it hasn't always been easy, but I hope that with my goals and celebrations, I've managed to bring you some joy, especially with the French championship title and the Champions Trophy.' The 25-year-old will not officially be able to sign for his new club until July 1 — unless somebody playing in the upcoming Club World Cup strikes a deal with Lille that allows him to join them during the early transfer window — but the race for his services has been underway for a while already. At a time when the No 9 market is not bursting with viable elite options, due to either availability or cost, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand why there has been so much interest in David. The 61-time Canada international scored 25 goals and provided 12 assists in 49 club appearances in all competitions this season, continuing his excellent goalscoring form over recent campaigns — it is the third consecutive season he has finished with at least 25 club goals. David started out playing amateur football in Canada, after his family moved there from Haiti when he was a boy, before he came to Europe with Belgium's Gent, making his senior debut for them aged 18 in August 2018. Two seasons later, he sealed a €30million (£25.3m/$33.8m at current exchange rates) switch to Lille, who he helped win the French title in his first year in Ligue 1. Now, after 109 goals in 232 appearances, he is ready for a new challenge. His biggest strength is his consistency in front of goal. As the shot map below illustrates, since the start of the 2022-23 season, a large portion of his goals have been scored from in and around the six-yard box. David's high expected goal (xG) per shot figure (0.17) over such a large sample size tells us he is repeatedly able to get into positions which generate good-quality chances. Lille are not such a force in Ligue 1 that they annually rival Paris Saint-Germain's dominant status as serial title winners but have mostly been involved in the fight for Champions League qualification during David's time with them. Comparing his non-penalty expected goals figure to the amount he's actually scored reflects that, as the number of chances falling his way can vary. During 2024-25, he struggled for consistent opportunities. But looking across several seasons, he consistently finished with a total above expectation and did not often go through dry spells where he wasn't finding the net. There is more to David than just goals, too. He is an effective and willing presser, showcased most during that first season in France, when he partnered Turkish veteran Burak Yilmaz in Christophe Galtier's 4-4-2 system. His role changed when Paulo Fonseca took over in summer 2022, with the Portuguese turning him into an all-action No 9 tasked with providing more penalty-box presence and carrying greater goalscoring responsibility. What hasn't changed is David's impressive ability to drop deeper and link with his midfielders to help move Lille up the pitch. That is emphasised by the number of touches he has per shot (14.4) compared to a lot of his striking peers. While there will be no transfer fee required to secure his services, the subsequent impact on signing bonuses and agents' payments (they normally go up) means these free-agent deals are not cheap. The potential cost of the overall package is thought to be the sticking point for several of the clubs who have monitored the talented forward in recent years. Advertisement 'Knowing Johnny, he is going to want to play (wherever he goes),' Canada coach Jesse Marsch told reporters on Monday afternoon during the Concacaf Gold Cup's media day. 'He's going to want to go to the best club he can be at. The most important thing for him is, it's not good if he goes somewhere and then he has to play on the bench a lot and not get minutes to keep himself sharp and fit and ready to go, especially with the World Cup being a year away.' So, where could David end up? Given that the man himself has kept his desire to one day play for Barcelona no secret, we may as well start with the newly-crowned La Liga champions. Robert Lewandowski continues to be a constant source of goals, but he turns 37 early next season, while Ferran Torres has been a different proposition for opponents when selected. As The Athletic has explored, the Catalan side would offer a pretty seamless stylistic transition as they play in a similar way to how Lille have this season. Frankly, anybody playing up front in between Lamine Yamal and Raphinha should not be struggling for goalscoring opportunities. Barca are far from the only European club to have tracked David as his contract in France entered the final months. Juventus, Inter, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich are all known admirers on the continent, and in England, new champions Liverpool and Aston Villa are known to rate him. David's agents have been spotted in Italy, and of the clubs in Serie A, this season's would-be champions Napoli have shown the most interest, with reports suggesting they have already made an offer. Napoli could use additional striker depth as they prepare to return to European football next season after missing out this time. If Antonio Conte stays on as coach and they play 3-5-2 again, which Conte has alternated with 4-3-3, an extra layer of support for Romelu Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori would be required. That might suit David's desire for a role which allows him freedom to roam — operating as a second striker, for example. Advertisement Napoli's title rivals and next weekend's Champions League finalists Inter have been heavily linked with him in recent weeks too. With Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez, they also operate with two strikers and David would provide quality competition in a system that again would be suited to his wishes. Milan have long been linked with David due to their past dealings with Lille, signing Mike Maignan and Rafael Leao from them previously. Fellow striker Alvaro Morata was bought last summer, but then got loaned out in the winter window. Santiago Gimenez, who arrived at mid-season, is the current first choice up front, with Tammy Abraham and Luka Jovic in reserve. Juventus do not have an option to sign January loanee Randal Kolo Muani permanently from Paris Saint-Germain, and though sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli would have liked a reunion with Victor Osimhen following his season out on loan at Galatasaray – the pair worked together at Napoli – the former has said publicly that it's not happening. Tottenham Hotspur invested significantly in Dominic Solanke last summer to lead their forward line. Their £65million ($86.9m at the current rate) club-record signing has scored 15 goals in 43 appearances so far in his debut season and is also integral to the way head coach Ange Postecoglou's side press their opponents. Richarlison has been Solanke's backup but has now gone through two injury-plagued seasons, so there is a question mark surrounding his future. Interest from Spurs in David makes sense, but he would have to usurp Solanke to be considered their first-choice striker — for Postecoglou or any new manager who might be in the dugout come August. Across north London, it is well-documented that Arsenal are gearing up to add a striker in the summer due to the problems they have encountered in front of goal and with injuries this season. David is a player their manager Mikel Arteta is aware of but he is not thought to be high on their list, with the likes of Sporting CP's Victor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig more likely additions. Chelsea have also monitored his situation and are in the market for a striker to compete with Nicolas Jackson. As with London rivals Arsenal, David is on their shortlist but not at the top of it. A new No 9 is viewed as a priority, and they want someone with a skill set similar to Jackson's — good hold-up and link play and the ability to stretch defences — but ideally with more goals to their game. Chelsea did speak to David's camp last summer. Graham Potter's first summer as West Ham United coach will give him the chance to shape the squad he inherited in January more in his image and they have also been linked with David. The Canadian's comments about wanting to play Champions League football immediately make the east London club a trickier sell, as they won't be able to offer him any form of European action in his debut season. However, David's representatives held talks with West Ham's hierarchy earlier this year and their interest has been long-standing, dating back to January 2021. Advertisement There will be plenty for David to consider over the coming months as a string of clubs look to persuade him that they are the best destination for him. Whoever wins that race, and can meet his financial demands, will be getting themselves a proven goalscorer who can do plenty more besides sticking the ball in the net.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ross County 1-1 Motherwell: Key stats
Ross County have failed to win in their last nine games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 9 December 2023 to 17 February 2024, a run of 10 games. Ross County have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of eight games from 14 December 2024 to 25 January 2025. Ronan Hale attempted six shots in this game, the joint-highest total for a Ross County player in the Premiership this season. Hale has scored 12 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Ross County player.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ross County 1-1 Motherwell: Key stats
Ross County have failed to win in their last nine games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 9 December 2023 to 17 February 2024, a run of 10 County have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of eight games from 14 December 2024 to 25 January Hale attempted six shots in this game, the joint-highest total for a Ross County player in the Premiership this has scored 12 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Ross County player.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Meet the FA Cup top scorer you've never heard of: Project manager and dad-of-four Gary Lockyer gets his glory after years of sacrifice - and reveals the secrets to his prolific form
Step aside, Erling Haaland. There's a new goalscoring sensation in town. That's because Gary Lockyer, who plies his trade for eighth-tier Ashford United, has the unlikely honour of being this season's FA Cup top scorer. The father-of-four, 32, works for a telecoms company in his day job but has still found the time to score 10 goals in England's historic competition this season. Through five preliminary and qualifying rounds, the fairytale ending with a third qualifying round exit to Chertsey Town, Lockyer filled his boots with enough goals to put himself on the brink of history. Unless James McAtee, Nico O'Reilly, Eberechi Eze, or Ismaila Sarr score eight in Saturday's final between Manchester City and Crystal Palace, Lockyer will be officially crowned as the standalone Golden Ball Award winner in partnership with Mitre. The FA Cup's top scorer. It's the stuff of non-league dreams. 'It's a very proud moment. Surreal, really,' Lockyer tells Mail Sport from Thomas Tuchel 's seat at Wembley. 'It's something I've been joking around about with my friends. You grow up wanting to play in this competition, the oldest and most magic of competitions. We just dream of getting to the first round. 'We started back in August (against Egham Town, a 3-0 win). I started to take notice of what we could really achieve when I scored four against Three Bridges, which we won 6-1. My aim from there was to get to 10, because that felt a figure no one could really get to.' Ten indeed seemed an optimistic but proven number to aim for - last season's winner, JJ Lacey of Biggleswade Town, also reached that total and was presented with his prize by Dion Dublin at the home of football last season. Lockyer will be at Wembley on Saturday with his wife and two of his boys and will be presented with his award. His daughter would've loved to have been there but is actually playing in a tournament with Brighton's Under-12s. It's a football-mad family (Lockyer's a Manchester United fan), but it didn't start off that way. Lockyer was a late bloomer with this manic game, only getting into it at 10 years old when a friend invited him to watch a game in Kennington, South London. Little did he know that day would birth such a devotion for a sport which can demand so much. The forward had trials at Charlton and Aldershot but never went through the academy system and has instead hardened his spirit with hundreds of non-league games - and all the boggy pitches, squalid changing rooms, and rough play it entails. Lockyer's commitment to his craft has been balanced alongside night shifts and often missing out on a special rite of fatherhood: watching his kids play. 'It's a lot of commitment,' he admits. 'But I want to keep pushing myself and be the best version of myself in terms of football. 'It can be quite tough. I used to go to work at night. I'd train on a Tuesday, work, drive home and get there at six o'clock in the morning, get four hours of sleep, then I'd have to get up. A golden tribute to the top goal-scorers of the 2024/25 @AdobeWFACup and @EmiratesFACup Forged by the hands at @ThomasLyte, each Trophy, is an exact replica of the @MitreSports Ultimax Pro match ball. So we went behind the scenes to find out how these are made.... — Mitre Sports (@MitreSports) May 13, 2025 Can anyone surpass him in the final between Man City and Crystal Palace? 'I don't think so!' 'Credit to my wife, she drives my daughter to Brighton and Hove on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. She's been supportive since day one. I kiss my wedding ring before I take it off to go out and play. 'She followed me home and away right up until she started taking my daughter to football. It's going to be a great day Saturday for her to be here.' Ashford United, in Kent, all the way down in the Isthmian League Division One South East, play in front of an average audience of 389 fans. That's 231 times less than Wembley's capacity. But speaking to Lockyer, a project manager in daily life, his professionalism shines through. There are thousands of players at his level - ones who slipped through the net, ones who the net never caught, ones working every day to catch the eye of a club higher in the pyramid - and you'd be a fool to underestimate their dedication or talent. Declan Howe of Gainsborough Trinity and Harvey Sayer of Lowestoft Town deserve shout-outs; they've scored eight in this season's FA Cup, giving Lockyer a run for his money. The beauty of the FA Cup is that it allows these nearlymen to dream. And to test themselves. To live, for a day, the life of a professional footballer when they get a big away tie. A life they very much live in spirit with how they eat, how they train, how they think about the game. The Golden Ball Award in Partnership with Mitre shines a light on these local heroes and gives them a chance to share the stage with the modern greats. Lockyer only lives a mile or two from Ashford's Homelands Stadium. There, he's an icon. 'You need that psychology of being the best,' Lockyer insists. 'You have to grow up very quick in non-league because it's obviously a bit of a difference to under-23s, under-18s football. The academy people do come out and struggle sometimes. 'You've got you've got fully grown guys that are going to work and give you a bit of stick and you've got to be able to take that. 'You have to have that mindset of, let's get the stats up and try to get a move. Being the best you can.' Someone is clearly having a lot of fun with the sound system at Wembley because our chat keeps being interrupted with motivational music blasting across the stands. On Saturday, as that music plays out, Lockyer will look across the turf and feel a small part of the story. The FA Cup is for everyone. Haaland will be aiming for an eighth trophy at City in three seasons. He'll knock over records like dominoes in the years to come. But will he be able to say that he knocked Gary Lockyer of Ashford United off his perch in the 2024-25 FA Cup campaign? Our striker smiles and his eyes light up. 'I don't think so.'
