According to The Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to secure the signing of West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone during the upcoming transfer window.
The Lowdown: Spurs no longer facing competition
The 29-year-old first joined the Baggies in a £6.5m move from Manchester United in 2018, but his current contract is set to expire at the end of the season and it’s expected that the Albion hierarchy will allow him to leave.
The three-time England international has already received plenty of interest from multiple Premier League clubs, including the Red Devils, who were rumoured to have considered bringing Johnstone back to Old Trafford. However, it now appears that the Lilywhites are in pole position to win the race for his signature.
In a new report published by The Mirror, it’s claimed that Antonio Conte’s outfit are now ‘favourites’ to land the £18k-per-week goalkeeper and look set to ‘win the race’ for his services as a result of United deciding ‘not to press ahead’ with their pursuit.
The source added that Johnstone is a very ‘attractive’ prospect to Daniel Levy and the Tottenham recruitment team, who are said to view the shot-stopper as ‘genuine competition’ and a ‘solid alternative’ to Spurs’ current number one Hugo Lloris.
The Verdict: An absolute bargain
The Preston-born talent has a very impressive record between the sticks, having kept a staggering 102 clean sheets in 319 senior club appearances since the start of his playing career.
Johnstone, who was once dubbed a “sensational” player by Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, will become a free agent in the summer due to the expiry of his West Brom contract, which would make him an absolute bargain for any potential suitors.
Should Spurs be successful in bringing the 29-year-old through the door in north London in the coming months, he would be able to keep Lloris on his toes and certainly has the potential to go on and take the number one spot from the France veteran further down the line.
In other news… a source has confirmed that Tottenham are eyeing up a potential move for this defender
Memphis Depay hit out at criticism over his new look as he claimed his girlfriend adores his appearance.
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Depay hits out at criticsSporting a new look on the fieldNetherlands beat Iceland 4-0WHAT HAPPENED?
The former Manchester United and Barcelona forward played an important role in the Netherlands' 4-0 win over Iceland in their final international friendly on Monday ahead of Euro 2024. Depay had found the back of the net in the game but his goal was ruled out due to a handball.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The 30-year-old's new on-field look, where he was seen sporting a headband, has been a subject of criticism among a section of fans in the Netherlands. On Monday, however, he defended his new appearance while speaking to the press after the game.
WHAT MEMPHIS DEPAY SAID
Speaking to reporters, Depay said: "The previous match I made twenty minutes of time for the press in the mixed zone. And I haven't had any questions about it. Who cares? Who cares? It looks great on me and helps me sweat.
"My girlfriend likes that sweatband. Amazing, right? It's a new look and I feel good about it. I'm already thinking about what colour I'm going to wear in Germany."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR NETHERLANDS?
After registering back-to-back thumping wins over Canada and Iceland respectively, Ronald Koeman's side will begin their Euro 2024 journey in Germany on Sunday against Poland.
Casemiro has revealed how Carlo Ancelotti's emotional response to the news that he was joining Manchester United almost made him back out of the move.
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Casemiro completed United move in 2022
Ancelotti's reaction created some doubts
Initially made big impact but form has dropped off
WHAT HAPPENED?
Casemiro moved to United in summer 2022 and instantly bolstered Ten Hag's midfield, but he recently revealed that there was a moment where he doubted his decision to switch allegiances. Speaking to Spanish TV show El Chiringuito de Jugones, Casemiro has opened up about how Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti's emotional reaction to his departure had a big impact.
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WHAT CASEMIRO SAID
"I only doubted my move to Manchester once," Casemiro said. "I went to speak with Ancelotti. I went into his office and he already knew. I opened the door and when I turned [towards him], Ancelotti was crying. I told him: 'You can't be crying. Anyone but you.' He told me: 'Case, I don't know why I'm crying, but I'm very fond of you and I don't want you to leave.' That was the moment [I doubted]… I realised how many people loved me there. But I had already given my word, and my word is more important than anything else."
Getty
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Casemiro bossed Madrid's midfield for almost a decade, so it's no surprise that moving away was such a big deal. So far, his time in Manchester has been mixed; he played a pivotal role in securing Champions League qualification and a League Cup win in 2022/23, but his form during the 2023/24 campaign has been poor and there has been speculation about a potential move to Saudi Arabia.
Getty
WHAT NEXT FOR CASEMIRO?
Last weekend, Casemiro attracted plenty of criticism for his performance in United's 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, with former Red Devils goalkeeper Ben Foster calling his display a "disgrace". It's the latest in a long line of disappointing showings that have led many people to think that United should cut their losses on the Brazilian this summer.
Sony продолжит бесплатные раздачи игр в рамках программы Play at Home. В начале марта компания уже подарила Ratchet & Clank, а сегодня объявила еще десять проектов, которые смогут забрать владельцы консолей PlayStation.
Главной участницей раздачи станет полное издание Horizon Zero Dawn с дополнением The Frozen Wilds — забрать игру можно будет с 12 апреля 06:00 МСК по 20 апреля 06:00 МСК.
Остальные девять тайтлов — их список ниже — будут раздавать с 26 марта 06:00 МСК до 23 апреля 06:00 МСК.
Abzu;
Enter the Gungeon;
Rez Infinite;
Subnautica;
The Witness;
Astro Bot Rescue Mission;
Moss;
Thumper;
Paper Beast.
Напомним, что сейчас в Epic Games Store можно забрать градостроительный сим Surviving Mars. Кстати, следить за актуальной халявой и скидками можно не только на сайте, но и в нашем специальном Telegram-канале.
😳 «Роблокс заблокировали из-за бездействия модерации» — считает депутат Госдумы Горелкин
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Coach played key role in developing Stokes as a teenager, along with other future England stars
ESPNcricinfo staff04-Oct-2025John Windows, the long-standing director of Durham Men’s academy, is stepping down from his role for health reasons, after a 27-year stint in which he helped to develop the careers of a range of the club’s greatest players, including Ben Stokes, Mark Wood and Liam Plunkett.Windows, 49, started out as a batter in Durham’s second XI, but with the club still relatively new to the first-class scene, the focus on developing home-grown players became a means to fast-track the team’s long-term viability. He became an academy coach in 1999, under the leadership of Geoff Cook, and progressed to the role of academy Director in 2007.On his watch, the academy became one of the most prolific pathways for young talent in the country. Steve Harmison, Paul Collingwood and Graham Onions were among the first graduates to forge successful international careers, while more recent successes include Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts and Ben McKinney, the former England Under-19 captain.Windows himself was instrumental in recruiting Stokes as a raw 17-year-old, utilising the strong relationships that he had helped to build with neighbouring counties, including Cumbria, where Stokes’ family had lived after arriving from New Zealand in 2003.In a statement, however, he revealed that a recent medical diagnosis had left him needing to step away from his hands-on role at the academy. He will remain involved with the club in a mentorship capacity.”It is with great sadness and regret that I am having to stand down from my role as men’s academy director,” Windows said. “I have enjoyed every day of my coaching career at Durham, it has been a privilege to work with such a great club and contribute to its success.”Unfortunately, I no longer have the physical capacity to support our young talent. The role is multi-faceted but to do it successfully I have always felt you need to be active on the shop floor as well as working strategically behind the scenes.”Stepping back from a full-time role will give me more time to recharge my batteries and look after myself. I feel this is essential if I am going to maintain any sort of ‘normal life’.”Marcus North, Durham’s director of cricket, said: “John has decided that now is the right time to step away from his role as men’s academy director, due to his ongoing medical condition.”Over the course of nearly 30 years with the club, John has played an extraordinary role in shaping the journeys of hundreds of young cricketers, many of whom have become professional and international players.”His vision, passion, dedication, and care for developing players have left a lasting mark on our pathway and on the club as a whole.”Although he will no longer be leading the academy, we are delighted that John will continue to be part of the club and share the wisdom and experience that have inspired so many.”I would like to personally thank John for everything he has given to the club, and for the remarkable commitment and energy he has put into making our men’s academy the best in the country, a legacy that will live strong for future generations.”
da lvbet： Anthony Gordon starred over both legs as Newcastle United, frankly, took Arsenal to the cleaners in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
da brwin： He’s shaped into one of the best wingers in English football, winning Newcastle’s Player of the Year award in 2023/24, his first full season at the club.
Anthony Gordon
There’s no love lost between Everton and their former starboy, who rose through the Finch Farm ranks before becoming a regular feature for the Blues during the 2021/22 campaign,
Pundit and one-time Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson’s verdict was that the young Toffee was “not enough of a goal threat” and failed to “hit the heights” of his breakout campaign, with Everton struggling and Gordon tempted by mounting interest in his services.
He got his wish and left in acrimonious circumstances. Everton banked a pretty penny for his sale, with Newcastle forking out £45m after Gordon’s transfer request, but Everton lost one of their finest youngsters before he could truly hit his stride on Merseyside.
It would be nice if David Moyes could bring another top talent through to the senior squad.
Everton's best current youth prospects
Gordon completed 78 senior appearances for Everton after graduating from Finch Farm but only scratched the surface of his lofty potential, scoring only seven goals.
Anthony Gordon
The fact remains that he is one of the club’s finest prospects over the past decade, however, Moyes will be delighted to note that there is an abundance of quality pushing through to the fore right now.
Within the U21 set-up, right-back Roman Dixon, 20, has already made three senior appearances due to injury issues earlier in the campaign, while 19-year-old midfielder Jack Patterson will be looking to feature under Moyes after making headway over the past few years.
Up top, forward Omari Benjamin, poached from Arsenal’s Hale End, is pushing to make his senior debut before the end of the season, comfortably leading the club’s scoring charts with six goals to his name this term, notably scoring both as Everton beat Liverpool 2-0 before Christmas.
Benjamin was hailed for his ‘explosive finishing ability’ by The Guardian before joining Everton’s youth system and will be confident that he can emerge as the club’s finest prospect since Gordon.
However, that’s easier said than done when he’s competing with Braiden Graham.
Everton's most exciting star since Gordon
Sometimes, an up-and-coming forward emerges with a natural ball-striking ability that bespeaks top-level success. Graham might only be 17 years old but he has that knack for finding the back of the net.
Linfield boss David Healy once hailed Graham as a “deadly finisher” before his Everton transfer and he’s yet to let his former gaffer down in England. Graham scored twice for Linfield’s first team before leaving Northern Ireland and signing for the Toffees last summer.
He’s yet to be promoted to the U21s, but Graham is hardly failing to impress in the U18 Premier League, firing seven goals home across 11 matches, also racking up two assists.
Graham’s positional flexibility further suggests that he could be Moyes’ own version of the above-discussed Gordon, for he has been placed across a variety of roles this term.
Braiden Graham – Everton Stats by Position (24/25)
Position
Apps
Goals
Assists
Attacking midfield
4
3
1
Centre-forward
3
2
0
Right winger
2
1
0
Left winger
1
1
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
Perhaps more curiously, Graham seems to retain his clinical value wherever Leighton Baines, U18s manager, places him. The Northern Irish prospect is endowed with natural speed and an athletic ability that allows him to confuse defenders and link up with teammates before finding space and rifling well-struck shots into the inside netting.
Such transferrable skills are perfectly evidenced through his goals across every area of the frontline this term, and a larger sample pool would be needed to reach conclusive data.
His grace and balance do suggest that he would be well suited to a permanent role on the flanks or behind the centre-forward, dropping off opponents’ shoulders, bursting away and causing chaos.
Everton manager David Moyes andBetoafter the match
Everton and Moyes like to play with a physical and focal number nine, and while Graham’s finishing ability suggests he could play such a role, the teenager may actually benefit from creating a dynamic partnership with a profile such as Beto or Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
There’s also the matter of Wayne Rooney, who was prodigiously promoted to the Everton senior set-up way back in 2002 by a certain Scottish manager.
Graham obviously won’t be expected to hit the same heights in the maiden stage of his career, but there’s little question that Moyes is the right type of manager to equip him with with confidence needed to earn opportunities among more senior teammates.
Where the Irish talent’s best position lies remains open to question, but with such an exciting and prolific start to life at Everton, there’s every chance that he will emulate Gordon and emerge as a talented and high-value member.
Let’s just hope that this time, the prospect in question won’t seek a future away from Merseyside while still developing their quality.
Moyes is looking to build a dynasty at the outfit for the second time, and if his start to life is anything to go by, he’ll steer Everton away from the dysfunction that has dominated the recent years.
In The Pipeline
It all needs to come together, with academy players like Graham as part of the process.
After Alcaraz signing: Everton can now finally axe Dyche's "shining light"
Everton’s new signing might get a start at the weekend
da realbet： Southampton have now submitted a “formal bid” to sign a defender on a loan deal, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Glimmer of hope for Saints after Portman Road victory
da 888casino： In truth, it is going to be extremely difficult for the Saints to dig themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone between now and the end of the season, as they still remain 10 points from safety.
However, there is a glimmer of hope that survival could be achievable after a maiden victory away from home this weekend, with Ivan Juric’s side prevailing 2-1 away at fellow strugglers Ipswich Town.
Southampton's Paul Onuachu celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates
The task at hand remains daunting, however, and if Southampton are to stand any chance of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship, they must improve their defensive record, having shipped 54 goals, the highest amount of any side in the league.
Southampton now plotting last-minute deal to sign "clinical" young forward
The Saints desperately need fresh faces…
ByTom Cunningham Feb 1, 2025
With that in mind, an approach has now been made to sign a new defender, as reported by Romano, who claims the bottom-placed side have submitted a “formal bid” to sign Abakar Sylla on loan from Strasbourg.
Southampton’s upcoming Premier League fixtures
Date
AFC Bournemouth (h)
February 15th
Brighton & Hove Albion (h)
February 22nd
Chelsea (a)
February 25th
Liverpool (a)
March 8th
Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)
March 15th
There is no buy option included in the proposal, with it likely to be a straight loan deal until the end of the season, but there may be competition for Sylla’s signature, as Serie A side Lazio have been interested in his signature since last week.
What Sylla could offer Southampton
The 22-year-old is a very impressive tackler, ranking in the 88th percentile for tackles per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers, while he is also a threat at the opposite end of the pitch, placing in the 93rd percentile for non-penalty goals.
During his time with Club Brugge, the Ivorian received praise for his ability to win back possession, as well as his passing, being hailed as a “powerhouse” in the media.
As such, there are clear signs the Strasbourg ace could make a real difference for the Saints in a defensive sense, having seriously struggled to keep the opposition at bay so far this season.
The only slight concern over the signing of the centre-back will be the fact he has slipped down the pecking order at Strasbourg since the end of November, featuring for just two minutes in Ligue 1 since the turn of the year.
That said, Southampton’s options are likely to be limited, in light of their perilous league position, so it may be worth taking a risk on Sylla to try and resolve their defensive issues.
Ruben Amorim has revealed whether or not he will pick Andre Onana in Manchester United's Europa League quarter-final second leg with Lyon.
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Coach reveals GK choice for LyonOnana in spotlight after first leg errorsZirkzee ruled out for seasonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Amorim left Onana out of his squad for United's last Premier League match at Newcastle following his two massive errors in the first leg against Lyon. However, back-up 'keeper Altay Bayindir made a huge blunder in the 4-1 thrashing at St James' Park, leaving the coach to choose between two unconvincing shot-stoppers for the biggest game of the season.
AdvertisementWHAT AMORIM SAID
"Andre will play tomorrow," Amorim told a press conference. "I think as a former coach and a player, I try to do things that can help a player in this situation. We talk about managing players physically, but we also have to manage them mentally. This week, my thinking was to put Onana to play."
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Amorim confirmed that Joshua Zirkzee will miss the rest of the season after injuring his hamstring against Newcastle. The coach also revealed that Matthijs de Ligt is not available for the second leg against Lyon but will return before the end of the campaign, while the same was true for Ayden Heaven, Jonny Evans and Amad Diallo.
DID YOU KNOW?
Harry Maguire defended Onana as "an excellent goalkeeper" but said his confidence must be low after his twin errors in the first leg. "I think first and foremost, Andre has proved in the past that he is an excellent goalkeeper. He has won numerous trophies. But you always have spells in your career where you have ups and downs," the defender said. "At the moment, he is probably feeling that everything is going against him. Playing in front of Andre is great; I have confidence in Andre. We all know he is an excellent goalkeeper."
Everton showed great fight and fortitude as they battled through a gruelling December run, avoiding defeat against some top-class opposition. They were, however, dismal in the culminating fixture against Nottingham Forest.
The Tricky Trees have been exceptional in the Premier League this season, behind only Liverpool and Arsenal, but Sean Dyche didn’t hold back as he rebuked his squad for failing to deal with danger.
Having avoided defeat across their previous four, Everton will now look to put that blip behind them and start the new year with a bang as they travel to the south coast to take on Bournemouth.
Evanilson for Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola’s side have been impressive this term, showcasing their attacking style and avoiding defeat across their past seven top-flight outings. Everton will need to display every ounce of their grit and strike on the counter as the hosts look to stretch forward.
Everton team news
Everton have failed to win on all seven of their Premier League trips to the Vitality Stadium and will have to change that without chief playmaker Dwight McNeil, who remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Seamus Coleman is still out, as are James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam, though the latter pair are “back on the grass” and approaching a much-needed comeback as Everton look to steer away from relegation danger.
Further up the field, Armando Broja will want to reprise his role at number nine but Dominic Calvert-Lewin will fancy his chances despite his abject form this season.
Armando Broja for Everton
There are a couple of further areas that Dyche will be keen on changing up, however, with Jack Harrison among the worst performers last time out.
Why Dyche must drop Jack Harrison
Harrison has flattered to deceive this season, failing to register a single goal contribution across 17 Premier League appearances. The 28-year-old is entering the final phase of a two-year loan at Goodison Park and you can’t imagine Everton’s new owners will be desperate to tie him down permanently.
Everton's loan forward Jack Harrison.
Reliable sources such as The Athletic have already confirmed that Everton are set to scour the market for new wingers, and after another dismal display against Forest last time out, Harrison will know that not only are his days as a Toffee numbered but so too are his days as a starting member.
The Liverpool Echo’s Chris Beesley didn’t hold back in his assessment, branding Harrison with a 4/10 match rating after his lifeless effort. His replacement, Jesper Lindstrom, was ‘much more of a threat’ and should start against Bournemouth.
Minutes played
45′
45′
Goals
0
0
Assists
0
0
Touches
25
35
Pass completion
9/17
13/13 (100%)
Key passes
1
1
Dribbles (completed)
0 (0)
3 (2)
Tackles
0
1
Total duels (won)
4 (1)
9 (3)
Harrison isn’t the only man who needs to watch from the sidelines this afternoon, with Vitalii Mykolenko also culpable for a woeful performance last time out.
Why Dyche should drop Vitalii Mykolenko
But wait, Everton’s supply of left-backs isn’t exactly deep. However, Ashley Young has featured in the position twice this term, keeping a clean sheet against Newcastle United and claiming an assist versus Leicester City; both results were draws.
Young might be 39 years old, but he’s still been one of Everton’s most dependable performers this season, averaging 2.6 tackles and 1.1 tackles per game while winning 59% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.
Mykolenko, conversely, has lacked composure and conviction, and this was perfectly illustrated by The Toffees Blues, who cried that he was costing the Merseysiders and “giving goals away.”
His languidness in closing down Abdoulaye Doucoure’s loose pass demonstrated a lack of awareness that is simply unforgivable in Everton’s current circumstances.
Moreover, the 25-year-old lost the ball 17 times, as per Sofascore, as he sought to pump creativity through to the frontline but also squandered promising possessional phases on several occasions. There’s no question that Young is the superior ball player, even on his ostensibly weaker side.
Ultimately, the Ukrainian is a talented player, but Everton will be up against it today and must not afford the hosts any space to work with. Young is competent at left-back, one of the most versatile players in the Premier League, and with Nathan Patterson returning last week, it might be a rotation that could bear fruit.
TFG must axe 4/10 Everton flop who’s earning over 2x more than Branthwaite
He needs to be out the door in 2025 as Everton begin an exciting transition.
After disappointing displays in the ODIs, Sri Lanka finally found form in first T20I in Auckland
Madushka Balasuriya02-Apr-2023
Kusal Perera got a half-century in his first competitive game in over a year•Getty Images
Sri Lanka’s top order hasn’t had the best time on tour so far, but in Auckland on Sunday, they finally clicked into gear. Pathum Nissanka may have fallen first-ball, but Kusal Mendis scored 25 in just nine balls, Dhananjaya de Silva 15 in 10, and then Charith Asalanka and Kusal Perera raced at nearly 10-an-over during a century-plus stand.It helped Sri Lanka tie the game and then score their first win of the tour in the Super Over. For Perera, playing his first competitive match for some 15 months, the intent shown by all those batters should be the blueprint going forward for success in the format.”It’s hard to play a T20 without momentum, and to win in T20 cricket you need a batter to provide that momentum,” Perera said after the game.Related
Asalanka, Theekshana star in Sri Lanka's Super Over win against New Zealand
Mitchell puts emphasis on 'winning little moments' with young team after Super Over thriller
“I went ahead with a positive mindset, I wasn’t thinking about how long I had been out. Likewise, all the other batters also went out with a positive mindset, and that’s how we managed to capitalise on the conditions.”As for his own game, while he wasn’t completely at his destructive best, Perera was hopeful that with more consistent game time a more familar “match rhythm” would return.”Of course being out there in the middle and playing, I’m very happy with my performance. More than that I’m happy that the team won. That said I know there’s room for improvement and that will only come as I improve my match rhythm.”Charith Asalanka made a 41-ball 67•AFP/Getty Images
Now 32, Perera is one of the seniors in the squad, and his 45-ball 53 where he batted through the innings highlighted his evolving role in the side. Whereas once he was the player the side looked to for impetus, now he’s seemingly content to bat deep and allow the likes of Mendis and Asalanka to take on the bowling. In this game, Asalanka scored 67 off 41 in their 103-run partnership.”A lot of the batters showed good initiative, but batting with him [Asalanka] was easy as he took the strike and took on the bowling. That took the pressure off me, and what I tried to do from that point was turn over the strike and bat deep. When you have an innings like that [of Asalanka’s], more often than not you’re going to be nearing 200.”The action now moves to Dunedin and Queenstown thereafter, where the weather is expected to be much colder. Perera believes overseas tours such as these, in unfamiliar situations and conditions, will provide invaluable experience to younger members of the squad.”We know that the next venue is going to have different conditions, we just need to figure out how to be as competitive as we were today.”For me, experience means knowing how to handle certain situations. There are a lot of young players in the squad, and what I’ve told them is you have start learning now how to handle uncomfortable situations. Bowlers aren’t going to bowl how you like, they’re going to analyse you and be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. We need to be smart in those situations.”