Latest news with #wingbacks
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Man Utd won't get top four with their wing backs'
On BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the panel discuss the problems in Ruben Amorim's Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin said: "Every time I have ever seen a team that plays three at the back, the wing-backs are the most important players to some degree. They end up being your creators. "The wide players are alright for Manchester United but that is not good enough. They need to be absolutely fantastic. They need to create and defend to a high level. Before they get that, they won't get top four."Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report – How Cristian Chivu Plans To Use Poland & Brazilian Wingbacks In New Inter Milan Set-Up
Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu has big plans for Luis Henrique and Nicola Zalewski ahead of the new season. According to Corriere dello Sport via FCInterNews, the Romanian coach considers the wingback duo strong candidates for the starting XI. Luis Henrique has joined the Nerazzurri from Olympique Marseille for a reported fee of €25 million. Despite playing as a winger at the Stade Velodrome, the Brazilian could have a more conservative role at San Siro. Meanwhile, Inter have made Nicola Zalewski's transfer from Roma permanent for as low as €6 million. Inter Milan Boss Cristian Chivu Has Big Plans for Luis Henrique & Nicola Zalewski MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Nicola Zalewski of FC Internazionale is challenged by Marin Pongracic of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 10, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by) Both players are capable of beating their markers in one-on-one situations and boast impressive crossing abilities. With Inter set to rely on wingbacks heavily again next term, Chivu needs strength in depth on the flanks. Meanwhile, Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries remain the first-choice options on the wings. However, Zalewski and Henrique have the quality to compete for a place in the starting XI. Moreover, Chivu plans to introduce constant rotation to maintain high intensity throughout the season.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The major Middlesbrough decision Rob Edwards is still weighing up
ROB Edwards hasn't yet made a definitive decision on the formation his Middlesbrough side will play this coming season. Edwards' Luton Town side played with wing-backs, so the natural assumption when he was unveiled as Boro's head coach was that he'd adopt a similar approach at the Riverside. Indeed, Edwards' Boro side lined up with a back three and wing-backs at Mansfield Town on Saturday in what was their first domestic friendly of the summer. And it worked well. Boro raced into a three-goal first half lead at Field Mill, and impressed, before the League One side fought back in the second period after Edwards had made a raft of changes, which led to a shift to a back four. With Boro still chasing a transfer breakthrough this summer, Edwards felt a back three and wing-backs best suited the options he had at his disposal on Saturday and the starting XI that he selected. And for now it's something he will continue to assess game by game as Boro run through their series of pre-season friendlies in the next fortnight. Rather than be glued to one specific system, Edwards will remain open minded and judge what formation and approach best suits the squad and players he has available. RECOMMENDED READING: Rob Edwards outlines Hayden Hackney transfer position amid Middlesbrough uncertainty Callum Brittain Middlesbrough transfer latest as Ismael sets out Blackburn stance Rob Edwards 'needs to stress' Middlesbrough transfer point as signings 'close' 'We're still looking at it at the moment, looking at what might fit the group," said Edwards, who revealed on Saturday that a couple of signings are "close". "I think it fitted the XI that we put out there in the first half. Obviously we then changed to a back four later on when we made some changes. "I'm still fairly open. Depending on what we're able to get in recruitment wise, it might be that we are able to flip between a few things. "My main focus will be on principles and the way we go about things. I want us to be aggressive and I want us to press high. I want us to have control, and have that control as far away from our goal as possible. Try and attack quickly. "Whether that's with a three, a two or a four, it doesn't matter too much. "We'll probably make slight tweaks tactically within every game anywhere because every opposition offers you something different to have to work out. I wouldn't read too much into using a back three today. I just felt it suited the group that we had out there at the start." Edwards liked a lot of what he saw in the first half on Saturday, and is pleased with how the players have taken the coaching team's messages on board, but there's plenty he still wants to work on in the remaining friendlies and on the Rockliffe training pitches. 'I'd still like loads more," he said. "We're two and a half weeks in, so it's not going to be perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But we're seeing a desire to win the ball back quickly. "I think there were a lot of instances of that [at Mansfield], particularly in the first half. I saw some really good pressing which forced them to go long and meant we were able to take control. "I saw some really good pressing and some really good regains as soon as we lost it. I want us to be a little bit quicker in some of our attacking and a little bit more dynamic in our forward runs in that final third. "But that will come in time. I'm pleased with the progress, but we still want lots more."
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Juventus Eye Lazio and Fiorentina Aces to Bolster Wings
Igor Tudor made do with the players he had at his disposal in his schematic change after replacing Thiago Motta, but he asked the Juventus front office to bring in one or two new wing-backs to better exploit his 3-4-2-1 tactic and have more depth. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Tuttomercatoweb), the Bianconeri have set their sights on Nuno Tavares. Lazio just redeemed him from Arsenal for about €5M. They ask for €30/40M, as they owe about half of the income to the Gunners. It's never easy to haggle with president Claudio Lotito. The Portuguese international had a strong season under the Croatian coach at Olympique Marseille. Advertisement In the meantime, Andrea Cambiaso dismissed the chatter about his exit in an interview, stating he's happy at Juventus, never asked to leave, and that he perceived the team's trust in him. He's been linked to Milan lately. The Old Lady has also shortlisted Dodo and Girona's Miguel Gutierrez, Corriere dello Sport informs (via Tribuna). The renewal talks between the former and Fiorentina are stalling. The Rossoneri and Barcelona are keeping tabs on him too. The Spaniard has a €35M release clause. Napoli are very keen as well. Our Take on the Juventus Wing-Backs If Cambiaso isn't leaving as he stated, one elite addition would suffice, considering his versatility, provided Nicolò Savona grows into the role and the coach trusts Timothy Weah more. He was one of the few bright spots under Thiago Motta, even as a fullback, while he wasn't used regularly after the coaching change. Weston McKennie is serviceable everywhere, but having two weapons wide takes the formation to another level. Adding either Tavares or Dodo is a swell idea, but they are challenging targets.
The South African
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
'Kaizer Chiefs are under pressure': Junior Khanye makes BOLD Nedbank Cup final prediction
Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has made his prediction ahead of the Nedbank Cup final. Amakhosi play Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon. This is the first time the two Soweto giants have played each other in a final since 2014. Chiefs emerged 1-0 victors in the MTN8 under Stuart Baxter that year. In recent years, the Buccaneers have claimed the title of 'SA's Trophy Kings', having won their last five finals. Kaizer Chiefs, on the other hand, have not won any silverware in 10 years. Speaking on iDiski TV , Khanye expected Amakhosi's drought to continue after Saturday's Nedbank Cup final. 'The coach is under pressure, and I don't think he trusts his players. He keeps chopping and changing his team, there is no consistency, no combination play. You hardly see Kaizer Chiefs playing with the same eleven for three consecutive games because they are not winning; they are losing,' he said. 'Nabi will approach the game defensively. I don't see an open game, Pirates will start with Tito (Patrick Maswanganyi), Nkota (Mohau) and Mofokeng (Relebohile), forcing Chiefs to play in their own half,' he said. 'I don't think Pirates will attack with their wingbacks in the first half. Jose Riveiro won't do that, he wants this trophy after being eliminated in the CAF Champions League. If Pirates were still in the Champions League, I was going to give this win to Kaizer Chiefs. 'I see Orlando Pirates winning 3-1; this time I won't mention who's going to score because last week I said Mofokeng,' he said. Orlando Pirates have claimed five consecutive wins over Kaizer Chiefs and are favourites to win on Saturday. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
