Harry Maguire has explained how he is able to handle the terrace taunts aimed in his direction and why he is still on the books at Manchester United.
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Stripped of captaincy at Old TraffordTumbled down domestic pecking orderJeered when representing Three LionsWHAT HAPPENED?
The 30-year-old defender has endured a testing few months, with the club captaincy taken off him at Old Trafford. He has seen just 23 minutes of game time at club level through the opening weeks of the 2023-24 campaign and was jeered relentlessly when in England friendly action against Scotland before scoring an own goal at Hampden Park.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT THEY SAID
Maguire has told reporters of turning a deaf ear to his detractors: “I would not say I am a person who struggles with pressure mentally. I have been through a lot in the last couple of years and I have been Manchester United captain for nearly four years. You take a huge lot of responsibility and everything that comes with it – and that is a lot of bad as well as good. (At Hampden) they piled pressure on myself. I would not say I am used to it but I can deal with it. I am disappointed with the own goal but that is football. You are a centre-back and you put yourselves in those positions. I am really pleased with how I performed in the second half and how I dealt with it.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Maguire had opportunities to leave Old Trafford during the summer transfer window, but no deal was done despite slipping down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag. He added on sticking around in Manchester, with his contract due to run until 2025 and there a desire on his part to play his way back into the team: “I think it was a bit of both. How can I put this? We just didn’t come to an agreement and they were happy for me to stay and I was happy to fight for my place. I want to do that and every time I train or play I will give everything. I know, at the moment, when I have not started a game in the first four games of the season, the story comes to me. So, I need to keep performing when I get chosen. Listen, at club football, I want to play games. The first four weeks were hard because it was one game a week and the manager didn’t select me but we have lots of games coming up now and I am sure I will play lots of games.”
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Erik ten Hag took the armband off Maguire, handing it to Bruno Fernandes instead, and has been favouring the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof when it comes to filling centre-half berths for United at the start of the new season.
Rob Andrew, the former England rugby union fly-half and long-term professional rugby director at the RFU, has been unveiled as the new chief executive of Sussex
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Nov-2016Rob Andrew, the former England rugby union fly-half and long-term professional rugby director at the RFU, has been unveiled as the new chief executive of Sussex.Andrew, 53, played first-class cricket for Cambridge University between 1982 and 1985, and also turned out for Yorkshire’s 2nd XI as a batsman and offspinner.His rugby career included 71 caps for England and five for the British and Irish Lions. He played in three World Cups between 1987 and 1995, before spending ten years at the RFU, eventually leaving at the end of last season.He succeeds Zac Toumazi as Sussex’s chief executive at a tricky period in the club’s long history. The club was relegated at the end of 2015, bringing to an end a period of unprecedented success including three County Championships between 2003 and 2007, and with the ECB turning its attention towards the new city-based league scheduled to be launched in 2020, Andrew’s high-profile appointment is intriguingly timed.He will take over at Sussex in January 2017, with a brief to build on Toumazi’s work in overseeing the integration of the professional club with the recreational board and its 245 affiliated league clubs.Commenting on the appointment, Jim May, chairman of Sussex said: “I am extremely pleased about the appointment of Rob Andrew. He has exceptional experience, both playing and administering sport which will be of great help to our cricket management delivering success.””I am thrilled and really excited to be joining Sussex,” Andrew said. “The structures that have been put in place under the Sussex Cricket Limited umbrella have laid a very strong foundation for the future.”I am looking forward to working with everyone connected with Sussex to help create success in professional cricket, recreational cricket and community programmes and ensuring that Hove remains a very special cricket ground.”I will be focusing on driving forward the strategy over the next few years and helping write the next chapter in the rich history of cricket in Sussex. These are exciting times for Sussex Cricket and cricket in general and I can’t wait to get started.”
MS Dhoni has stepped down as captain of India’s limited-overs teams ahead of the ODIs and T20Is against England in January. He will still be available for selection as a wicketkeeper-batsman for the series, though, the BCCI said on Wednesday evening.The selectors are meeting to pick the ODI and T20I squads on January 6 in Mumbai. The BCCI did not immediately name a successor for the matches against England, though Virat Kohli, who leads India in Test cricket, is the frontrunner for the job.It is understood Dhoni, 35, communicated his decision to chairman of selectors MSK Prasad in Nagpur, where the Jharkhand side that is being mentored by Dhoni was playing Gujarat in the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy. Dhoni was seen having a long conversation with Prasad during the tea break. “We all know his sense of integrity and patriotism, and he has got high clarity in thinking,” Prasad told ESPNcricinfo. “Probably he felt that is the best decision, so let us respect it.”Dhoni’s manager Arun Pandey said the decision had not been impulsive. “You don’t take a decision like this overnight. It was well thought out. Dhoni thought this was the right time to step aside and continuing playing as wicketkeeper-batsman,” Pandey told PTI. “His thinking was that he has built the crux of the team now and it is the right time to give up captaincy. He is not someone who would cling on to something. For him, the team’s interests are first and foremost.”Dhoni had given up the Test captaincy in December 2014, when he retired from the format after the Melbourne Test. However, he stayed on as ODI and T20 international captain after having taken on those roles in 2007.
Tendulkar pays tribute
“Congratulations to MSD on a wonderful career as a captain, leading India to success in both T20 and ODI World Cups. Have seen him emerge from an aggressive player to a steady and decisive captain. It’s a day to celebrate his successful captaincy and respect his decision. Wish MSD the very best as he continues entertaining us on the field with his exploits.”
He was India’s most successful captain, leading the team to victory in the 2007 World T20 in South Africa, the 2011 World Cup in India, and the 2013 Champions Trophy in England. Dhoni captained India in 199 ODIs, of which he won 110 and lost 74. He was captain in 72 T20Is, of which India won 41 and lost 28. He was also India’s most successful Test captain, with 27 wins, 18 defeats and 15 draws.Dhoni is also the only captain to have led India to ODI and T20I series wins in Australia, and an ODI series win in New Zealand.He made 6633 ODI runs as captain at an average of 54 and a strike rate of 86. As captain in T20Is, Dhoni scored 1112 runs at a strike rate of 122.60. In Test cricket, he made 3454 runs at an average of 40.63.”On the behalf of every Indian cricket fan and the BCCI, I would like to thank MS Dhoni for his outstanding contribution as the captain of the Indian team across all formats,” BCCI chief executive Rahul Johri said. “Under his leadership, Indian team has touched new heights and his achievements will remain etched forever in the annals of Indian cricket.”
Aberdeen have enjoyed a stunning resurgence under Barry Robson during the final few months of the Scottish Premiership campaign.
Jim Goodwin was sacked following a woeful 6-0 defeat by Hibernian in January and Robson was placed in interim charge before finally securing the job on a full-time basis at the start of May following a run which included nine wins from their final 15 games to finish in third place and secure European football next term.
Much of their good form has come down to the performances of on-loan Liverpool youngster Leighton Clarkson, who is attracting the attention of both Rangers and Celtic, however, might his future be with the Dons in 2023/24?
The 21-year-old dropped a major hint following their 3-0 win over St Mirren, in which he scored a free kick that secured third place in the table, as a video appeared of him indicating he’d see the fans in Europe.
He said: "Thank you for your support this season. It's been incredible. I’ll see you in Europe."
Could Aberdeen sign Leighton Clarkson ahead of next season?
Nothing should be ruled out, especially with the video hinting that Clarkson could be playing European football for the club next term.
Jurgen Klopp may feel that the midfielder requires another campaign with regular first-team football and with added continental exposure on the table, it could have benefits for all parties that’s for sure.
The Englishman has been outstanding this term for the Dons, scoring six times and grabbing nine assists across all competitions, while a Sofascore rating of 7.14/10 ranks him as the second-best performer for the club in the Premiership.
He also further underlined just how important he was for Aberdeen by ranking first for big chances created (nine), free kick goals (two), key passes per game (1.6) and second for tackles per game (2.2), suggesting that not only can he score, but his ability to set up plenty of chances for his teammates, while being able to provide defensive support when required, are key strengths of his.
Indeed, he was lauded by Liverpool’s assistant manager Pep Ljinders when the player was just 17, claiming that he could “dictate play” and “speed up the tempo of the positional play”, certainly proving that he is well thought of among the staff at the Anfield side.
Another season in the North East would do his game wonders and with the added experience of already playing in Scotland for a year, imagine how good he can be throughout 2023/24.
West Ham United are ending the season in a much better way than they started it. A recent victory over Manchester United has virtually secured Premier League survival, while their 2-1 first-leg win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League has put them in the driving seat ahead of the return fixture.
David Moyes will be desperate to claim European glory and ensure he remains in the hotseat next season, and it seems he is keen on improving his squad over the summer.
The Hammers have scouted Lens midfielder Seko Fofana recently according to 90min, and with Declan Rice’s exit appearing inevitable this summer, it could be an ideal opportunity to secure an excellent replacement for the Englishman.
His price tag before Christmas was believed to be around €40m (£35m), and if the club could secure his signature for this type of fee, it may well turn into a fantastic bargain.
Could Seko Fofana join West Ham United this summer?
Moyes will certainly be targeting a midfielder or two and Fofana fits the bill perfectly, especially as he is considered statistically similar to Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, according to FBref.
The analysis site notes Fofana as the second-most comparable player to the Germany international, and with his impact at City, where he has won 11 major honours (so far), it isn’t a bad comparison to have.
Indeed, this season, Fofana and Gundogan have registered similar statistics with regard to goals and assists (nine apiece), pass success rate (87.5% to 86.8%), shot-creating actions (88 to 87) and interceptions (19 to 18), suggesting that not only do they offer a reliable attacking threat from the midfield, but their passing ability is also excellent.
In making a move for Fofana, Moyes could sign one of the finest midfielders on the continent, as FBref ranks him in the top 5% over the past year for progressive carries, successful take-ons, touches in the attacking penalty area and total shots per 90 across Europe’s big five leagues, and it could be a major coup in landing him this summer.
Lens midfielder Seko Fofana.
Journalist Said Amdaa lavished praise on Fofana in 2022, saying: “Unplayable in midfield with monster activity. Recoverer/scorer. Very reliable, the captain did not miss any match with Lens.” And he has led Lens to a remarkable title challenge this term, as they currently sit six points off Paris Saint-Germain with four games left.
Moyes may send more scouts to watch him before the end of the season, though he will need to make a move sooner rather than later or he could get snapped up by a bigger side.
A batting promotion worked wonders for Moeen Ali as he scored his second Test century, and the fourth-highest score by an England No. 7, to build an imposing total of 498 for 9 before Alastair Cook declared before tea
The Report by Andrew McGlashan28-May-2016 Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsTwo men of the day: Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali share a high five•Getty ImagesPowered by Moeen Ali’s career-best 155 and three wickets on recall for Chris Woakes, England put themselves in position to push for another innings victory as Sri Lanka produced an insipid display on the second day at Chester-le-Street. The visiting batting subsided to 90 for 8 in reply to England’s 498 for 9, the follow-on surely set to be enforced in the morning, although they at least avoided being sent back in during the evening session, which looked a possibility at one stage.Moeen’s second Test century – his first also came against Sri Lanka, at Headingley in 2014 – allowed England to plunder 188 runs off 42 overs, of which Moeen provided 127, before Alastair Cook declared 40 minutes before tea. One down at the break was a passable start given what happened in Leeds, but things quickly unravelled in the final session, Woakes backing up the early incisions of James Anderson and Stuart Broad by quickly locating a challenging length with some late nip allied to eye-catching pace in the high 80s mph. Broad then returned in the final moments of the day to strike two more blows against the lower order.Regardless of the defences that can be given to Sri Lanka about the challenges of the conditions and the rebuilding phase the side is going through it was woeful performance from them. The tone was set early when, in stark contrast to their excellent catching on the opening day, they spilled two crucial chances in the first session: Moeen was dropped on 36 and Woakes on 8 inside the first four overs of the day, and from then on Sri Lanka were listless in the field.The second of those two chances, a regulation outside edge, was spilled by Dinesh Chandimal who was struggling with a thumb injury and at morning drinks was replaced by Kusal Mendis behind the stumps. It begged the question, given that Graham Ford had admitted the injury concern the night before, why the change hadn’t been made at the start of the day.Given a total of 298 at Headingley overwhelmed the Sri Lankans, 498 must have looked a fearful number looming from the scoreboard even as the sun shone brightly during the evening session. Mendis was again the best of an out-classed batting order, although Lahiru Thirimanne showed some pluck to see out the day, but their desperate state was summed up by Angelo Mathews’ review when he was given caught behind (having declined to review last week when he would have been saved from his lbw dismissal).Anderson picked up where he left off at Headingley when he found Dimuth Karunaratne’s leg stump in the third over when the left hander moved too far across to try and protect his outside edge. Anderson’s first spell, split either side of tea as Cook’s declaration allowed his new-ball pair a breather, also included Chandimal whose forgettable day continued when he edged to first slip with hard hands. Broad claimed Kaushal Silva when Jonny Bairstow took a sharp low catch which was referred to the TV umpire, Rod Tucker, although the on-field officials had given the soft signal as out.Woakes, who had played confidently for his 39 after the early life, was given the ball ahead of Steven Finn and in his second over found Mathews’ outside edge. A bowler who has recently taken 9 for 36 probably does not need much of a confidence boost, but when your Test average was upward of 60 removing the opposition’s best player is a perfect way to start.He then added Mendis, exaggerated lift finding the splice of the bat, and Milinda Siriwardana who edged a delivery that kept down – a pair of dismissals which further highlighted why Cook was happy to bat first. Still, it was not a 67 for 6 surface. Thirimanne and Rangana Herath resisted until the penultimate over of the day when Herath sparred to gully. Shaminda Eranga was then taken on the rebound by Joe Root at second slip after James Vince had done well to palm up a fast nick above his head.England resumed on 310 for 6, talking positively of 450 but probably willing to accept 400. By the time Cook declared, the last four wickets had added 271 runs with Moeen finishing with the fourth-highest score by an England No. 7. He received good support from the lower order, adding 92 for the seventh wicket with Woakes and 98 for the last two wickets combined, reaching three figures from 109 balls with a lofted drive down the ground. His next fifty took just another 43 deliveries, as he cut loose with Finn and Anderson for company, with the 150 being raised by a crunching six over deep midwicket off Suranga Lakmal.Although he made a half-century two Tests ago, against South Africa at Centurion, it has been a largely lean time with the bat for Moeen since last year’s Ashes series where his brisk lower-order contributions were vital at Cardiff and Edgbaston. He has not made any secret that he would prefer to bat higher in the order and in the absence of Ben Stokes he has, temporarily at least, moved up a spot. While not a chanceless innings, he appeared more focused than when he is lumped down with the bowlers.The only high point of the day for Sri Lanka was Herath’s 300th Test which finally came his way in his 28th over when Finn top-edged a slog sweep – Herath was not going to leave the catching to any of his team-mates. He became the third Sri Lankan bowler after Muttiah Muralitharan (light years ahead on 800 wickets) and Chaminda Vass (355) to cross the milestone. He was warmly applauded by the crowd and he raised the ball in acknowledgement, although a touch of reality soon dawned when No. 11 Anderson reverse swept him for four. The fact he had batted, and with more defiance than some, by the end of the day further summed up Sri Lanka’s plight.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is ‘already looking’ for a new club beyond Spurs, according to a report.
The Lowdown: Kane future uncertain…
The 29-year-old is set to be one of the hottest topics discussed in north London this summer, especially with his contract set to expire in 2024.
Kane could leave Spurs on a Bosman deal next year as things stand with Premier League rivals Man United among the sides showing an interest in the player.
The England international, who become the Three Lions’ all time top goal scorer after his penalty against Italy on Thursday evening, is a key asset for Antonio Conte and whoever replaces him thereafter.
Reports have previously suggested that new deal talks have been opened with Kane, but according to a new report, the forward is now seriously considering his options.
The Latest: Kane ‘already looking’ for new club…
According to Spanish news outlet Libertad Digital, and journalist David Lacruz, Kane is ‘already looking for a destination’ beyond Tottenham.
The Lilywhites are apparently worrying about his ‘no-renewal’ as the attacker himself has now ‘gotten tired’ with the situation at Spurs.
Kane is believed to be ‘fed up’ with chairman Daniel Levy’s ‘broken promises’ and the ‘endless projects’ that have been failing.
He apparently doesn’t plan to extend his deal, coming after he nearly joined league champions Man City in the summer of 2021.
The Verdict: Blow for Spurs…
The homegrown ace has starred for Tottenham yet again, scoring a brilliant 21 goals and two assists in 28 league starts this campaign.
He also become Spurs’ all-time top scorer this season, surpassing the legendary Jimmy Greaves and proving to the world that he is one of England’s best ever centre-forwards.
Gareth Southgate, speaking after Kane also broke Wayne Rooney’s international goalscoring record this week, stated:
“He is a brilliant professional and to do it as quickly as he has with still a lot of his career to come is an incredible achievement.
“Huge credit to him. The players gave him a brilliant reception afterwards and I think that was a response to both the record and what he’s just had to recover from as well.”
Losing such a player would come as a major, major blow to Spurs and supporters will be hoping this report isn’t backed up by more mainstream media outlets.
Spurs return to action against Everton on April 3 and Kane will be set to showcase just how important he is yet again.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte will likely be chomping at the bit to back in the dugout amid his recent layoff, with the serial-winning Italian having watched from afar as his side wilted on the road for the second game running in all competitions.
After suffering a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Sheffield United in midweek, the Lilywhites – under the stewardship of Cristian Stellini – again came undone away against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, with Adama Traore’s late strike sealing the win for the battling hosts at Molineux.
Having clinched two successive Premier League wins against both West Ham United and Chelsea heading into today’s encounter, the north Londoners were dealt a dose of reality after suffering a further setback in their top-four bid, with only Newcastle United’s earlier loss to Manchester City likely to have softened the blow.
Amid a frustrating day for the visitors, one standout figure was arguably that of January arrival, Pedro Porro, with the dynamic wing-back having come close to breaking the deadlock with a stunning free-kick on the stroke of half-time.
The 23-year-old had seemingly deserved to get on the scoresheet having been a real threat down the right flank, with the relentless Spaniard having laid on two key passes in his 81-minute outing, as well as enjoying a solid 81% pass accuracy rate.
The on-loan asset was not alone in having impressed in the Midlands, however, with influential defender Cristian Romero having also been something of a shining light on the day.
How did Romero play against Wolves?
The World Cup-winning Argentine – who has previously been lauded as “street-wise” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher – went into the match off the back of his rock-solid display against the Blues last week, having been “utterly impeccable” in that 2-0 triumph in the words of The Athletic’s Tim Spiers.
The 24-year-old was able to follow up that dominant performance with another dogged display this time around, despite ending up on the losing side, with the aggressive centre-back having won five duels in total, as well as making three clearances.
That destructive quality – which saw the centre-back commit two fouls – was also mirrored by Romero’s brilliance in possession as he achieved a standout 93% pass accuracy rate from his 80 touches, losing possession on just seven occasions.
As the Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick noted, the former Atalanta man had initially been in ‘total control’ for the first hour or so prior to Wolves’ late onslaught, with the 6 foot 1 ace undoubtedly not to blame for the home side being able to eventually make the breakthrough in the closing stages.
As 90min’s Sean Walsh also noted, the at-times erratic brute was ‘Tottenham’s most alert defender and easily their most reliable distributor from the back’, having seemingly done all he could to try and keep Stellini’s men in the game.
With the battle for Champions League qualification likely to hot up in the coming weeks and months, there are few players better suited to such a fight than that of Romero.
أشاد نادر السيد حارس مرمى الزمالك السابق، بالسويسري كريستيان جروس المدير للفريق الأول لكرة القدم، وذلك بعد توليه مهمة تدريب الفارس الأبيض خلفاً للبرتعالي جوزيه جوميز.
وأعلن الزمالك عن تعيين جروس مديرًا فنيًا للفريق خلفًا للبرتغالي جوزيه جوميز الذي رحل عن صفوف الفريق وتولى مهمة تدريب نادي الفتح السعودي.
وقال نادر السيد في تصريحات عبر قناة “الزمالك”: “جروس مدرب كبير وخبرة كبيرة جدًا، جوميز أوصل الفريق لشكل جيد جدًا وأصبح هناك تجانس”.
طالع أيضاً.. مواعيد مباريات الزمالك في البطولة العربية للكرة الطائرة
وتابع: “جروس اختيار موفق لمجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك، ومتفائل جدًا بوجوده، ويقدر يعمل شيء كبير مع القلعة البيضاء”.
وأكمل: “التحدي الأكبر لجروس أنه يستمر على نفس النهج، ويعرف طبيعية النادي وجماهيره، واختيار أمير عزمي موفق جدًا لأنه عمل معه من قبل وإضافة للجهاز الفني”.
وأتم: “نحن نتعامل بشكل عاطفي ولكن في النهاية جوميز هو مدير فني محترف، عمل مع الفريق بقائمة قليلة جدًا وحقق بطولتين، كون أنه يختار عرض مادي أكبر وأكثر استقرارًا لا يعيبه، ويحسب لمجلس الإدارة سرعة التعاقد مع جروس”.
Newcastle United will travel to Bramall Lane on Sunday to face Sheffield United in the Premier League before welcoming Burnley to Tyneside the following weekend.
Forthcoming fixtures against newly-promoted opposition; a chance – with victory clinched against Brentford last time out – to put together a three-match winning streak to fully restore the feel-good factor on Tyneside after a challenging start to the campaign that left Eddie Howe's side nursing three successive defeats after a 5-1 win over Aston Villa hinted at such promise.
That's not to say the Magpies are in the mud, far from it. A minor blip does not erase the remarkable feats of the past 18 months or so, with Howe lifting the club away from relegation danger and now fighting for silver-laden success, having defied expectations with a top-four finish last term, despite the lucrative PIF club takeover.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
AC Milan presented United with their first continental test of the season, with the Premier League outfit emerging from the San Siro with a point to start off their group phase.
It was an impressive result, all things considered, but the performance itself left little to be admired from an attacking standpoint, with £63m club-record signing Alexander Isak flattering to deceive.
How did Alexander Isak play against AC Milan?
Newcastle, frankly, got battered for large portions of the affair in Italy earlier this week. Despite demonstrating their quality on the ball and definitely proving to be the more energetic and high-octane team, Milan unleashed 25 shots on Nick Pope's goal compared to just six strikes from Howe's men.
Isak led the line for all of 89 minutes but was not among those to test Mike Maignan between the sticks, nullified by a resolute and solid home defence, who left him "knackered" by the time of his withdrawal, according to presenter Kev Lawson.
Isak game vs AC Milan by numbers
Statistic (Sofascore)
Match score
6.5
Goals
0
Assists
0
Total shots taken
0
Key passes
1
Pass completion
89% (17/19)
Dribble success rate
20% (1/5)
Duels won
42% (5/12)
As clearly delineated by the 24-year-old's listed metrics on the night, he endured a forgettable affair and found very little success, effectively marshalled.
While he did drop deep and look to influence the play from the centre of the pitch, he failed to do anything of note with his possession – which is why his pass success rate, which looks impressive on face value, actually doesn't work in his favour given that he failed to carry the ball into positive openings and didn't strike on goal himself.
Should Eddie Howe start Alexander Isak?
Isak was impressive last season and tantalised a future of prolific success on Tyneside, and that's despite suffering an injury-hit campaign.
Indeed, the £120k-per-week phenom posted ten goals and two assists in the Premier League despite only starting 17 times, heralded for his "complete" attacking abilities by former Willem II coach Adrie Koster.
Blighted by issues that sidelined him for 16 matches, the 6 foot 3 machine looks to have found his full fitness this season, and while he scored twice on the opening day of the term, against Unai Emery's Villa, he has yet to net again, starting four times since.
Undoubtedly, the goals will come sooner rather than later, but it might be wise for Howe to remove him from the starting line-up and offer someone else a chance to impress.
The same could be said for £55m summer signing Sandro Tonali, with the Italian midfielder – who was signed from AC Milan – "struggling to impact" the contest against his former side in the Champions League, according to Craig Hope.
A talented playmaker – who ranks among the top 12% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues for assists per 90 – he has not quite hit the ground running despite scoring on his debut, and might also receive a relegation to the bench in the short-term.
Who could replace Alexander Isak?
Clearly, if Isak doesn't start as Newcastle's focal point up top then there is only one man tailor-made to lead the line and do so with a flourish.
Callum Wilson has been superb since joining Newcastle from Bournemouth for £20m in the summer of 2020, scoring 41 goals and supplying ten assists from just 81 matches since his arrival.
Last season, he scored no less than 18 goals from just 21 starting appearances in the Premier League, also registering five assists and earning praise for his "clinical edge" by editor Andrew Musgrove.
And after bagging three times in the Premier League already this term – despite only starting the recent win over Brentford, where his penalty proved decisive – the 31-year-old does indeed appear to have that sharpness to propel the Toon back into form.
As per FBref, Wilson – who just recently signed a contract extension with the St. James' Park side – ranks among the top 6% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals and the top 9% for assists per 90.
When comparing that with Isak, who ranks among the top 25% of forwards for goals and the bottom 21% for assists per 90, it's clear to see who offers the more clinical attacking edge.
Of course, the Swede is far more dynamic and boasts a higher ceiling, not just because of his youth but the range of his talents – also ranking among the top 16% for progressive passes, the top 11% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90.
callum-wilson-newcastle-united
But given that Wilson has yet to receive successive starts in the Premier League this season and boasts an impressive record against both Burnley and the Blades – with eight goals and an assist from 16 matches against the two teams combined – Howe might be wise to offer him a shot as the star man up front.
Isak might be a formidable force but he has not quite clicked into gear this season, and with Wilson possessing that Midas touch in attack under Howe's stewardship, he must be provided with a starting berth going forward.