Latest news with #midfielder
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Huddersfield Town sign midfielder Ledson
Huddersfield Town have signed Preston North End midfielder Ryan Ledson on a three-year 27-year-old will join the Terriers on 1 July when his contract with the Championship club made 191 league appearances in seven seasons with the Lancashire former Everton trainee is Town's first signing since appointing Lee Grant as manager on Wednesday."He has all of the qualities on and off the pitch that we want in our players - ambitious, competitive, aggressive, energetic and a natural leader," Grant told the club website., external"Our intention is to build a team that allows us to play and compete at a high level, while giving our supporters a team they identify with and are excited to watch. Ryan is the perfect start to that process."
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Sprangler signs two-year contract extension
Sven Sprangler says "Perth is like home" after the Austrian midfielder signed a two-year contract extension to stay at St Johnstone until summer 30-year-old, who joined in 2023, made 38 appearances last season as Saints were relegated from the top flight."I am absolutely delighted to be staying here for the next two seasons. Perth is like home for me," said Sprangler."I am grateful to the gaffer and the club for this opportunity. Like every game, I will give everything for this club."I am looking forward to the new season and hopefully it is a successful campaign for us. It is a new challenge. We need to try and create a winning culture."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Why Arsenal want Zubimendi
Since treading the well-worn path from Sociedad's famed academy to the club's first team, Martin Zubimendi has become one of the most sought-after midfielders in has been linked with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool in recent has largely played as a deep-lying midfielder since making his Sociedad debut in 2019, although he is capable of playing in a more advanced were heavily reliant on defensive midfielder Thomas Partey this season. While Arteta wants the Ghana international to sign a new contract, signing Zubimendi would bolster Arsenal's options proved his ability on the international stage last summer when he starred off the bench in Spain's 2-1 victory over England in the final of Euro 2024 after replacing the injured addition to Zubimendi's imminent arrival, the Gunners want to sign a new centre-forward, with Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres among their preferred over new contracts for Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri are also ongoing.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Premier League 2024-25 review: young players of the season
It was tempting to exclude Bergvall from consideration for this list simply because he played in Spurs' 4-0 League Cup semi-final defeat at Anfield, as cowardly a display as could possibly exist. Overall, though, he's enjoyed a fine debut season, especially as, when he joined Spurs from Djurgården, there was little sense he'd establish himself so soon. But with a little help from injuries and incompetence, he forced his way into consideration and is now a fixture in Ange Postecoglou's starting XI – with good reason. In this era of attacking and defensive prefixes, Bergvall is that rarity: a midfielder who plays in the middle of the field. Clever enough to create, calm enough to score, physical enough to tackle and athletic enough to harry, perhaps his best quality is his decision-making, especially notable for a player of his age. If he continues improving, this will not be the last time his name makes a list of this ilk. These days, every footballer has feet – even the big lads and the goalies. But to find a centre-back with feet and fundamentals is as rare as it ever was, all the more so in one so young. There's a reason players in Huijsen's position take longer to break through: more than any other, it needs to be learned, because attackers are unpredictable and working in a unit is difficult, with intellect as important as instinct. Huijsen, though, is not only big and quick but a front-foot defender who supports the press and reads the game well enough to nick the ball off opposing attackers. It is a shame but no great surprise that he has attracted the attention of richer clubs than Bournemouth, nor that he has plumped for Real Madrid and Real Madrid have plumped for him: his style of play looks an ideal fit for the style newly-arrived Xabi Alonso will seek to inculcate. A red-meat, iron-rich cuboid, Kerkez is nails in defence and enterprising in attack. Playing for Andoni Iraola is not easily done, and he is one of the players who makes a demanding method work: when the opposition are in possession, Bournemouth like to surround them on the ball-side even if they leave the big switch open, and Kerkez is a big reason why, a one-man left flank able – both mentally and physically – to deal with being left alone. Though Iraola is wedded to a system, within it there is scope for improvisation with 'drive the ball' one of his favourite phrases to describe what he wants from his players. And this is another area in which Kerkez excels: he is fast and strong but also skilful and intelligent, able to cover ground then produce something worthwhile at the end of the, er, action. No aspect of facing him looks pleasant. Anyone who knows anything about age-group football knew Lewis-Skelly was coming and yet, assessing his debut season as a first-teamer, he has confounded expectations nevertheless. Young players breaking through are often forced into positions that are not their favourite and Lewis-Skelly is one such, excelling at left-back while also inverting into his more natural midfield role. Like Bukayo Saka, who broke into the Arsenal team in the same role, Lewis-Skelly has a football brain of fearsome agility, his confidence in it and in himself equal parts inspiring and affirming. Because he knows exactly how good he is and that the game is as fun as it is serious, he oozes confidence and attitude, regardless of who he's playing with or against – just ask Manchester City or Real Madrid. And, in the meantime, his mother, through her organisation is helping other parents safely navigate football's shark-infested waters. Lewis-Skelly is a potential superstar. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Even before joining Manchester United, Yoro had a reputation as the best young centre-back in world football, but looked anything but when ravaged by Southampton's Kamaldeen Sulemana in January. Yoro, though – who arrived at Old Trafford with his own personal coach – studied his performance, learned from his mistakes, and hasn't been caught like that since. His physical qualities are obvious – an obelisk on skates, he is strong, tall and fast with seemingly extendable legs – so too his mental attributes and he has the composure to make correct decisions in difficult circumstances and the calmness to not to get caught up in the maelstrom of elite-level sport. But what sets him apart is his timing, particularly when tackling in the penalty area: he doesn't just win the ball, he confiscates it. In recent weeks, this sense has been put to increasing offensive use: Yoro is now exploiting the playmaking freedom Ruben Amorim gives his outside centre-backs. Starting by fizzing low, line-breaking, Roy Keane passes – there are few higher compliments – as his confidence grew he began driving forward with the ball, beating men and creating openings. Of course, it is impossible to rule out the possibility United ruin him, but for now, he is every bit as good as everyone said he was.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ryan Gravenberch wants MORE: He's not satisfied
Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation and he has rightfully been named the Premier League's young player of the season for his efforts in Liverpool's title winning campaign. At the start of the season, the Reds didn't really know what to do with him, but Arne Slot's vision has allowed the midfielder to flourish in a new system. He's one of our most important players now. Advertisement The traditional No. 6 role has been adapted this season at Liverpool, with the defensive workload spread across the entire midfield, allowing Gravenberch to focus on his strengths - carrying the ball forward and picking out clever passes to the wingers from deep while sitting alongside the defence. His efforts have been paramount to Liverpool's success, finally plugging the hole left by Fabinho. © IMAGO Becoming a levelled-up defensive midfielder next season Speaking to James Pearce at The Athletic, the Dutchman expressed his desire to not sit on his laurels and make improvements next season to become a more complete midfield option for Arne Slot. Advertisement He said: "During a phone call in the first conversation I had with Arne, he said to me: 'I see you as a No. 8 [central midfielder] but I want to try you as a No. 6 [holding midfielder]'. From that moment, I only played as a No. 6. I didn't play a lot in that position before but this season, that position has made me who I am now. "[But] I can still improve in goals and assists, and in demanding the ball more during a game. Sometimes, in a game, there's like five minutes when I don't touch the ball. In that position, you have to make the play happen." As such, despite performing admirably in the role that Slot wanted him in, he's desperate to contribute even more to Liverpool's success as a team, with an attacking output.
