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Everton have been advised to let Dele Alli join Cesc Fabregas's Como instead of re-signing the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder at Goodison Park.

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• Dele looking for a new club
• Training with Como amid links
• Everton told to stay away from Dele

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Dele's career has not reached the peaks it promised during his illustrious career at Tottenham Hotspur as the former England international has struggled with form, injuries and mental constraints. The former Spurs man has not played since February 2023 and has since seen his Everton contract run out. He remains a free agent for the time being.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As Dele plans his return to football, he has been training with Serie A side Como and has been linked with a potential move to the Fabregas-coached club. However, the 28-year-old has also been linked with a potential return to Everton amid their struggles this season. Nevertheless, former Toffees scout Bryan King believes Dele Alli would be better off signing for Como.

• WHAT KING SAID

  Speaking to Goodison News, King said: “There doesn’t seem to be high competition for his signature. Therefore, there likely wouldn’t be too much money involved in a deal. However, I think Alli joining Como would be a move which suits everybody. He needs to get back playing, and I can’t see him returning to the Everton first team anytime soon.

  “If he is fit enough, and he can play, I think Como would be a good place for Alli to rebuild his football career. Therefore, I think at this moment in time it would be best for Everton not to sign him.”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR DELE?

  The former Everton midfielder is nearing his return to full fitness and has been training with Como. It remains to be seen whether he actually signs with the Italian side or remains in England.

Fulham have so far been busy over the summer transfer window, making five signings. They are hoping to improve on last season’s 13th-place finish, in which they were just two points behind Crystal Palace in tenth. The Cottagers have certainly spent their money wisely after losing some crucial players, such as Joao Palhinha, over the summer.

With the transfer window open for around 24 hours, there is still time to see one more incoming at Craven Cottage. Marco Silva’s side have recently been linked with one attacker who could add quality in forward areas.

Fulham target Ligue 1 winger

The player in question here is exciting Lyon and Ghanaian international winger Ernest Nuamah. According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, the Cottagers have ‘approached’ Lyon over a move for the 20-year-old this summer.

However, they are not the only Premier League side who want to sign Nuamah before tomorrow’s deadline, with Everton also showing an interest in acquiring his services. Romano confirmed that ‘negotiations took place with both clubs’ within the last 24 hours over a potential move.

Why Nuamah would be a good signing

Despite being just 20 years of age, Nuamah is already quite experienced. He is already into his fourth season as a professional footballer and has 12 caps and three goals for the Black Stars at international level.

Last term, the enterprising winger played 39 games in all competitions, getting himself on the score sheet seven times and registering three assists. That included four goals and an assist in four outings for his previous club, Danish side Nordsjaelland, and three goals and two assists in 35 games for Lyon after he made the move to France last summer.

One of the Ghanian’s biggest strengths is his dribbling ability. He loves to get into one-vs-one situations with a defender and look to take them on. This is certainly reflected in his FBref stats. Per 90 minutes, the youngster attempts an average of 5.74 take-ons and completes 2.38 of those, on average, which ranks him in the top 16% and 19% of wingers across Europe.

The 20-year-old, who stands at around 5’8, has quick feet and natural pace and likes to cut inside on his left foot to find a shot or pass. However, he is not a one-trick pony, and has been known to beat a defender on the outside and get to the byline, finding a cross for a teammate. Per 90 minutes, the youngster plays 3.55 crosses on average.

This is certainly where Nuamah could become a dream winger for Fulham’s first-choice centre-forward, Muniz. The 23-year-old Brazilian is excellent in the air, averaging 4.28 aerial duels won per game as per FBref.

This is something that would certainly blend well with the number of crosses the Lyon winger gets into the box each game, and it could become a big method of finding the back of the net for the Cottagers. Last term, he scored two headers, so adding the crossing of Nuamah into the mix could make it an even more profitable way of scoring.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig described the Lyon attacker as “outrageous”, and adding such a deadly and dynamic footballer to their squad could well elevate the Cottagers this season.

Should they get a deal for the Ghanaian over the line, it could be a catalyst for climbing the table this season.

Smith Rowe repeat: Fulham plot late raid for "dangerous" £20m sensation

He is available for around £20m

By
Joe Nuttall

Aug 28, 2024

Leeds United are looking to make it successive wins in the Championship when they play host to Hull City at Elland Road in their fourth league game of the season on Saturday.

The Whites beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 last week, thanks to goals from Brenden Aaronson and Dan James, and are now preparing to take on the Tigers in West Yorkshire.

Before that game, however, there is the small matter of the last two days of the summer transfer window for Daniel Farke and his recruitment team to contend with.

Leeds have been dealt many blows in recent months as key players have moved on, with Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville, and Archie Gray all snapped up by Premier League clubs, whilst Glen Kamara completed a switch to Ligue 1 with Rennes.

Farke has been able to dip into the market to add to his squad, though, with the signings of Alex Cairns, Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Largie Ramazani, Joe Rothwell, and Manor Solomon.

The Whites are not done there and look set to make further moves before the summer transfer window slams shut on Friday night, with a central midfielder said to be on their wishlist.

Leeds set to sign midfield star

According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Leeds United are set to complete a last-gasp deal to sign Fortuna Dusseldorf central midfielder Ao Tanaka, who he described as a "top" player.

The reporter claims that a fee of €4m (£3.4m) has been agreed between the two clubs and the Whites are now due to bolster their midfield ranks with this late swoop.

Plettenberg adds that the Japan international is set to sign a contract with the English side through to the end of the 2027/28 campaign, committing to four years with the club.

The German journalist also reveals that the 25-year-old maestro will undergo a medical in Leeds on Thursday ahead of his official unveiling as Farke's new signing.

It was, though, reported by the Daily Mail recently that the Fortuna midfielder has a release clause in his contract, which means that he could have been signed for £2.65m.

However, this latest update suggests that the Whites are due to pay a little bit more than that, potentially as it would allow them to stagger the payments over multiple years, instead of it all being upfront.

The Daily Mail added that the West Yorkshire outfit have been looking to add to their midfield ranks since Kamara's move to Rennes, and Tanaka could now come in as an upgrade on the Ligue 1 ace.

Glen Kamara's performances for Leeds

Leeds swooped to sign the central midfielder from Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers at the start of the 2023/24 campaign, and he enjoyed a fine year with the club.

The Finland international worked his way into the starting XI and became a key player for Farke in the team's run to the Championship play-off final.

His athleticism and reliability in possession made him an ideal fit for the German's possession-based side, as he turned into a metronomic figure in midfield for the Whites.

As you can see in the table above, Kamara used his athleticism and strength to win the majority of his physical duels across the pitch last season.

However, the 28-year-old dynamo only contributed with three direct goal involvements, and failed to score a single goal, in 37 appearances in the division, which shows that he did not make a big impact in the final third.

Kamara was impressive in possession in deeper positions, however, as he ranked within the top 2% of midfielders in the Championship for pass accuracy (92.7%) and the top 6% for progressive passes (6.87) per 90.

This shows that he was a reliable passer, who rarely gave the ball away, and a midfielder who could progress play by passing between the lines to find teammates in dangerous positions.

Overall, Kamara provided a calming and progressive presence in the middle of the park but let himself down by not making a greater impact in the final third as either a scorer or a creator of goals, and that is where Tanaka could come in as an upgrade for the Whites.

Why Ao Tanaka would be a Glen Kamara upgrade

Firstly, a fee of £2.65m – if they activate his release clause – could be a bargain for Leeds, when you consider that Rennes reportedly paid £8.4m to sign the Finnish maestro.

The Japanese ace could come in as a relatively cheap, in comparison to Kamara's sale, signing for the Whites, as well as being an excellent signing if he can translate his form from the 2. Bundesliga over to the Championship.

In the 2023/24 campaign, Tanaka ranked within the top 14% of midfielders in the second division in Germany for progressive passes (5.66) per 90 – 1.21 fewer per 90 than Kamara, who attempted 11.19 more passes per 90.

This suggests that the Fortuna star could provide a similar number of progressive passes each game in a Leeds team that offers him more chances to get on the ball and play passes forward for his teammates.

Whilst being similar in that regard, Tanaka could come in as an upgrade on Kamara because of his ability to make things happen in the final third.

As you can see in the table above, the Fortuna maestro was directly involved in ten goals in 30 matches in the 2. Bundesliga last season, which shows that he can provide quality as a scorer and a creator of goals.

His return of three assists from six 'big chances' created also suggests that his teammates let him down at times with their wasteful finishing.

Tanaka, who journalist Bence Bocsák described as "underrated", could come in and offer a similar defensive and progressive presence in midfield, whilst offering far more in the final third.

Perfect Piroe upgrade: Leeds chasing late move for £45k-p/w PL ace

Leeds United will try to sign this Joel Piroe upgrade before the transfer window slams shut.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 29, 2024

This is why he could be a "top" – per Plettenberg – upgrade on Kamara this season once Leeds get him through the door after his medical today.

Barcelona are facing the prospect of losing Dani Olmo for free in January, with the Spaniard's agent in Manchester on Boxing Day.

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• Olmo at risk of not getting registered
• Spaniard could leave the club for free
• Player's agent spotted in Manchester

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Olmo was Barcelona's marquee signing in the summer as they failed to entice Nico Williams to leave Athletic Club. However, the Blaugrana's ongoing financial issues have stressed them to the point of potentially being unable to register the 26-year-old to their La Liga squad for the second half of the season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Barcelona are attempting to find a solution to the issue or make sales, so that Olmo does not leave the club on a free transfer in January. The Spaniard reportedly wants to stay at the club this season but will be eager to avoid being left in no man's land, with his entourage likely reaching out to several clubs.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  As per the Daily Mail, Olmo's agent Andy Bara is currently in Manchester amid potential links with Manchester City. However, the agent confirmed that he is in Manchester on holiday, with a trip to the Etihad Stadium to watch City's draw against Everton planned.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR OLMO?

  The Spaniard started the season off with a bang for Barcelona, but injuries and an overall lack of fitness have resulted in Fermin Lopez becoming Hansi Flick's preferred option. Regardless, the German coach will be keen to avoid losing the midfielder this January and neither will the Barcelona top brass.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly plotting a brand-new role for fan favourite Kai Havertz ahead of their north London derby clash against Tottenham, and the tactical tweak will also impact deadline day summer signing Raheem Sterling.

Arsenal without key players ahead of crucial derby against Spurs

The north Londoners go into this all-important match against Spurs off the back of their first dropped points of the new Premier League campaign, with Brighton holding Arteta's side to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

Fabrizio Romano: Arteta backs £21m Arsenal ace for "really important" role

He’s also extremely popular in the dressing room.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 3, 2024

Joao Pedro's second-half strike cancelled out a stunning lobbed finish from Havertz, but the game also had disastrous consequences for star midfielder Declan Rice, who was perhaps unfairly sent off for two bookable offences against the Seagulls.

Rice will now miss Arsenal's trip to Tottenham, with summer signing Mikel Merino also sidelined for nearly two months after fracturing his shoulder in training at London Colney.

Merino could be their fourth potential absentee, as both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are also very unlikely to feature in Arsenal's next game, with no return date confirmed yet for the pair.

Rice and Merino's absence in particular will leave Arteta pretty short in midfield, but there is some good news, as Sterling could well make his Arsenal debut against Spurs following his arrival at the eleventh hour on deadline day.

The 29-year-old, who worked under Arteta at Man City, is a proven Premier League player who boasts plenty of both goals and assists from stints at every high-profile English club he's been with.

Sterling also possesses big-game and trophy-winning experience, which will be invaluable for Arteta, as he seeks to make it third-time-lucky and finally beat his old mentor Pep Guardiola to a domestic league crown.

Arteta plotting new Havertz role which will impact Sterling at Arsenal

The Chelsea loanee, according to GiveMeSport this week, is set to have a big say on Arsenal's starting eleven and tactical plans for their face-off against Spurs.

It is believed that Arteta is planning to drop Havertz deeper and play Sterling in a false-nine role against Tottenham, as both Merino and Rice's unavailibility requires the Gunners to make significant changes in that area of the park.

The tactical gamble would remove Havertz from a position where he has been starring for Arsenal since he signed from Chelsea in the summer of 2023, with the German already scoring two goals and registering an assist in their opening three matches.

"He’s so intelligent; he ghosts through," said Arsenal legend Martin Keown on the 25-year-old's displays lately.

"As a centre-half, you want someone to mark, but when he keeps disappearing into midfield all the time you get a bit nervous, and suddenly he’s there with two or three other players, so he can be really effective and that’s working for Arsenal."

Hayes called in squad for U.S. women's national team Futures Camp, which will run alongside senior camp

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• Hayes calls in 24 for Futures Camp
• Set to run alongside USWNT training
• Aim is to bridge gap between U23, senior team

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  USWNT coach Emma Hayes will hold a training camp with both the senior team and a youth-based squad, which features 14 professional players and 10 college players. In total, 17 members of the squad have youth national team experience at World Cups, with Georgia Bulldogs goalkeeper Jordan Brown the only player in the squad that doesn't have any youth national team experience.

  The squad, announced Wednesday, features Angel City FC defender Gisele Thompson, sister of USWNT rising star Alyssa, as well as Texas star Lexi Missimo and 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy winner Kate Kasse from North Carolina, the 2024 NCAA champions. All players in the team are age-eligible for the U.S. U23 Women's National Team, with 17-year-old Ainsley McCammon the youngest player in the squad.

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  SQUAD IN FULL

  GOALKEEPERS: Jordan Brown (Georgia), Mia Justus (Utah Royals), Neeku Purcell (Brooklyn FC

  DEFENDERS: Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC), Heather Gilchrist (Florida State), Savy King (Bay FC), Emily Mason (Rutgers), Makenna Morris (Washington Spirit.), Lilly Reale (NJ/NY Gotham FC.), Gisele Thompson, (Angel City FC)

  MIDFIELDERS: Taylor Huff (Florida State), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Riley Jackson (North Carolina Courage), Ainsley McCammon (Seattle Reign FC), Yuna McCormack (Florida State), Lexi Missimo (Texas)

  FORWARDS: Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Maddie Dahlien (UNC), Jordynn Dudley (Florida State), Kate Faasse (UNC), Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Pietra Tordin (Princeton), Reilyn Turner (Portland Thorns FC)

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  WHAT HAYES SAID

  "This is an exciting group of young players who have shown their talents on various levels in the United States and there were certainly others deserving of a call-up to this camp," said Hayes. "To bring them all together to compete in our first Futures Camp is an exciting step for the evolution of the U.S. women’s national team program and a great opportunity for them to show they have the qualities to play for the senior team.

  "It’s a significant jump from college to the pro game and an even bigger jump to the elite international level, but we will be patient with all these players as we understand the process and want to help all of them reach their maximum potential."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After naming her NWSL-heavy senior squad for January camp on Tuesday, Hayes stressed the importance of developing a new generation of players, pointing to a statistic describing the lack of opportunities given to young players in the USWNT pool.

  "I learned something the other day, that in the U.S., that we would probably have the lowest number of under-23s playing senior football on a regular basis," Hayes said. "That does cause some concern for me, because ideally, we have all of those players playing on a regular basis."

  This Futures Camp is designed to begin solving that issue. This 24-player squad will run concurrently with senior camp, allowing Hayes to work to develop this group of young stars. During her time at Chelsea, Hayes had a reputation for working with younger players and, with three years between the USWNT and their next World Cup run, the coach believes it's imperative to start integrating and planning for a new generation as soon as possible.

  "I love developing," Hayes said. "I think when you consider how little programming some players have actually had, I almost feel like we've had a little bit of a lost generation that might not have had some of the exposures that, as I said, some of the top nations [have had]. So I'm desperate to look at ways to bridge that gap, because we can't whole-heartedly just rely on domestic play to do that."

Pep Guardiola has been handed a huge boost as Ruben Dias has reportedly returned to Manchester City training after a month on the sidelines.

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• Dias picked up a muscle injury against Man Utd
• His recovery has been on schedule
• Was spotted training with his teammates

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Dias suffered a muscle injury during the latter stages of City’s match against Manchester United. This setback marked his second injury spell of the season, having previously missed five matches in November due to a calf issue.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  When Dias sustained his injury, Guardiola initially estimated that the defender would be sidelined for up to a month. The manager highlighted the circumstances of the injury, explaining: “Ruben is out for a long time. It will be three to four weeks for Dias. In the 75th minute against United, he felt something muscular. He’s incredibly strong and wanted to continue playing, but now he’s out.”

• DID YOU KNOW?

  According to journalist Jack Gaughan, Dias has resumed training with the rest of the Manchester City squad. His presence on the pitch signals that his recovery is progressing as planned, offering hope that the influential defender could soon return to competitive action.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR DIAS?

  The timing of Dias’ return aligns well with City’s packed schedule, as the team remains active in multiple competitions including the Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions League. Guardiola's troops are set to face Ipswich Town on Sunday next, but it remains unclear whether Dias will be match-fit in time to feature in the game as the medical staff will be cautious about rushing him back into action.

Despite picking up seven out of a possible nine points in the Premier League this season, Arsenal are not in the best shape heading into this weekend's North London Derby.

Declan Rice is suspended following his sending off against Brighton & Hove Albion; Mikel Merino is still out due to a shoulder injury sustained in training, and Martin Odegaard is set to miss at least three weeks of action due to an ankle injury he picked up on international duty, leaving Mikel Arteta with limited options for his midfield.

While there is undeniably an element of misfortune in the Gunners' current predicament, some fans believe the club left themselves short by not signing another midfielder in the summer and selling too many squad players.

However, while the former may be true, Edu Gaspar and Co did well to get the money they did for the players they sold this summer, although perhaps the best sale the club have made under the Brazilian came earlier in his tenure.

Arsenal's summer departures

So, while Arsenal brought in Riccardo Calafiori, Raheem Sterling, and Merino this summer, most of their business was seemingly focused on shipping out the players deemed surplus to requirements.

While this might have left the team vulnerable, the sales brought in a lot of money, which could prove useful next summer.

For example, fan favourite Emile Smith Rowe, who had firmly fallen out of favour last season, was moved on to Fulham for an initial fee of £27m that could rise to £34m, and considering the Hale Ender has started brilliantly in West London, we wouldn't be surprised to see that happen.

A month later, the club secured an exit for Eddie Nketiah, who joined Crystal Palace for a fee in the region of £30m.

The talented striker looked like a promising talent just a couple of years ago, but with Gabriel Jesus in the team and Kai Havertz ahead of both of them in the pecking order, it was crystal clear that the 25-year-old was no longer in the manager's plans, so a sale once again suited all parties.

Lastly, despite playing a hugely significant role in the team's first title challenge in 22/23 and being a firm fan favourite, Aaron Ramsdale secured a move to Southampton on deadline day for a fee that could reach £25m, including add-ons.

However, while these three deals should hopefully allow the club to splash the cash once again next summer, Edu's best sale occurred last season.

Folarin Balogun's valuation in 2024

The player in question is former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, who burst onto the scene in the 22/23 season while on loan with Ligue 1 side Stade Reims.

In 39 appearances for the French side, the "unbelievable" American marksman, as dubbed by sports presenter Jules Breach, scored a whopping 22 goals and provided three assists, maintaining an average of a goal involvement every 1.56 games.

However, it was clear that he did not want to return to North London to sit on the bench, so when the summer rolled around, the club sold him to AS Monaco for £35m, which is a brilliant fee for a striker from the academy who had made just ten appearances for the club in total.

Moreover, Edu and Co made the sale at the perfect time, as while he wasn't terrible for Monaco, he was only able to score eight goals and provide seven assists in 32 matches, which means his average fell to a goal involvement every 2.13 games in the same season that Alexandre Lacazette produced 27 goals and assists in 35 games.

This dip in form has also seen his valuation come down dramatically, with Football Transfers now pricing him at just €17m, which is just £14m, or £21m less than Arsenal got for him last year.

Ultimately, Balogun is a talented forward who could still go on to have a brilliant career, but considering he didn't want to sit on the bench at the Emirates and has seen his valuation collapse, Edu and Co struck gold when they got £35m for him.

Arsenal sold their new Ramsey for £25m, now he's being outscored by Gabriel

The Brazillian has become an unlikely source of goals.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Sep 12, 2024

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has heaped praise on a player who’s been an “enormous help” to him behind-the-scenes, as his presence elevates those around him and encourages members of the squad to perform at a higher level.

Tottenham 3-0 Qarabag – 10-man Spurs seal first Europa League win

Spurs’ task of defeating the Azerbaijani champions was made all the more tricky when defender Radu Dragusin was sent off just seven minutes into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium clash on Thursday evening, but Postecoglou’s men performed very well, despite the disadvantage.

Tottenham can't afford "big blow" as £22m "mainstay" faces 12 games out

It would be a real dampener for Ange.

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 26, 2024

Qarabag had their opportunities to get on the scoresheet – some gaping ones at that – but it was the Premier League side who came out on top, courtesy of goals from the on-fire Brennan Johnson, midfielder Pape Matar Sarr and summer signing Dominic Solanke.

Postecoglou wants to give Solanke a significant confidence boost – which reportedly motivated his decision to start Solanke against the European minnows – and it was a call that paid dividends as the Englishman adds to his Lilywhites goal tally this week.

Johnson was also subject to online abuse after his performance in the North London Derby against Arsenal nearly two weeks ago, with the Wales international deleting all of his social media channels as a result.

The 23-year-old has now responded in fine fashion with three goals in his last three games, which we can all agree is a testament to Johnson’s elite mentality as an athlete under pressure to perform at the highest level.

The victory over Qarabag means Tottenham have also won their last three consecutive games on the spin in all competitions, and Postecoglou apparently has an esteemed member of his squad in particular to thank.

Winger Son Heung-min – signed from Bayer Leverkusen for just £22 million by chairman Daniel Levy nearly 10 years ago – has gone on to become a superstar for the club, but his importance stretches far beyond his performances on the field.

Postecoglou says Son "constantly pushes" the Tottenham squad

Speaking in an interview with TNT Sports before their win over Qarabag, Postecoglou revealed that Son “constantly pushes” his Tottenham teammates, and the South Korea international is an “enormous help” to his manager.

“Pretty much what you see is what you get with Sonny,” Postecoglou told TNT.

“Anyone who’s had any sort of interaction with him or watched him from afar will know he’s a really positive guy.

“He’s very competitive, he’s constantly pushing himself and others around him. He’s got a real positive energy and been an enormous help for me since I’ve been here, because he’s been at the club for quite a while now. He knows the ins and outs of it. Having a guy like him, particularly with his positive nature works well with the environment I want to create. So, it’s great to have him as part of the group.

“He’s no different to what you see behind the scenes compared to on the football pitch. He’s ultra-competitive, but always positive with everything he does, his interactions with people and the way he engages with people is always with a positive backdrop.

“He can’t do enough for anybody that he comes across, but always in the back of his mind he’s a winner and wants to be the best that he can be. He’s an ideal person to have as a leader.”

The 32-year-old is out of contract next summer as things stand, but reports claim that Tottenham are set to trigger Son’s one-year extension clause to keep him at N17 for another year. This will come as music to the ears of supporters, as a player of Son’s calibre is extremely hard to replace in this market.

With January camp complete, GOAL projects which players could be on the USMNT roster for Nations League in March

The door has only just closed on the U.S. men's national team's January camp, but the next door is already starting to squeak open. It never ends. The moment one gathering ends, preparation begins for the next, and, in the USMNT's case, that next gathering comes with a trophy opportunity.

The USMNT will turn its focus to March's CONCACAF Nations League finals, a far more significant event than this January camp. Mauricio Pochettino's team will play Panama in a semifinal on March 20. The U.S. has excelled in this competition since its inception, and it will offer Pochettino his first shot at silverware.

Previous coaches Gregg Berhalter and interim boss B.J. Callaghan both secured trophies, and Pochettino will be expected to follow suit.

In terms of roster, most of it picks itself, although that does depend on availability. Several USMNT regulars face fights against time to be fit for this competition, while others will need to turn their club situations around to be in contention. Transfers could still impact this in a major way, too.

Pochettino said after Wednesday's victory over Costa Rica that he and his staff would be immediately traveling to Europe to watch Americans abroad in advance of the Nations League semifinal in March.

“We're going to see different clubs that are in Europe, players who can be involved in March,” he said. “Then come back here and do things here. Open plan, because there could be circumstances that change. Go to Europe and then back again here to prepare for the next competition – that is going to be nice and really important for us.”

So who could be in the March Nations League squad? Which players are on the outside looking in? Which January camp stars will feel like they could and should be in the mix for Pochettino's next team? GOAL takes a look.

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  Goalkeepers

  GOAL's picks: Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen, Matt Turner

  In the mix:Matt Freese, Ethan Horvath, Diego Kochen

  The three goalkeepers involved seem pretty clear. The big question centers around who will start.

  Turner is still the favorite, despite his lack of minutes at the club level. Pochettino backed him when asked about his status at Crystal Palace during January camp, praising him for the performances he has put in when given the chance. Even so, that situation can't last forever, particularly with two club-level starters in the squad.

  Schulte didn't have much to do last week in the USMNT's 3-1 win against Venezuela, which certainly doesn't hurt his case. Steffen, meanwhile, erased some doubts with a very good performance in Wednesday's 3-0 blanking of Costa Rica. Both should be in the squad, and both will feel they'll have a chance to win a starting spot at some point down the line.

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  Defenders

  GOAL's picks: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Richy Ledezma, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally

  In the mix:Sergino Dest, Marlon Fossey, Kristoffer Lund, Miles Robinson, John Tolkin, Auston Trusty, Walker Zimmerman

  The fullback situation largely comes down to one big question: is Dest ready to go? He seems to be nearing a return with PSV, but will he actually be fit enough to play at the international level by March? Even if he is, it may make sense to just skip this one and let him continue to build himself back up at PSV as he recovers from his year-long absence due to that ACL tear.

  If he can't go, Scally has more than held down that spot, so no worries there. No worries on the left, either, with Antonee Robinson in the form of his life. The likes of Weston McKennie and Tim Weah can provide cover out there, so no need to waste too many roster spots on backup fullbacks. Pochettino should bring one, though, in either Ledezma, Lund, or Tolkin. Dealer's choice there.

  As for center backs, it's wildly competitive, and no one should feel particularly good or bad about missing this squad. There are six or seven with a legitimate argument, but only four can make it. For this exercise, we'll go with Ream's experience, to start, but that also depends on how well he begins the next MLS season.

  McKenzie and Richards have done well under Pochettino before, while Carter-Vickers is the wild card. He hasn't played under the new boss yet, but knows him from Tottenham. For that, we'll give him the slightest of edges over Trusty and Miles Robinson, who could also easily make this squad.

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  Midfielders

  GOAL's picks: Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso,Weston McKennie, Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna

  In the mix: Gianluca Busio, Luca de la Torre, Diego Luna, Jack McGlynn, Malik Tillman, Tanner Tessmann

  A tough list to shake out, but you can write a few names in Sharpie.

  That starts with the traditional MMA midfield of McKennie, Musah, and Adams. McKennie has been fantastic for Juve in just about every position. Musah has looked great under Pochettino in different spots as well. Adams, meanwhile, is finally back to his best after a series of injuries and is running the show for Bournemouth. That's almost certainly your starting midfield right there.

  One of the big questions comes in the attacking midfield spots. More accurately, that big question centers around Gio Reyna. So much can change between now and then, and that change could include a transfer or loan. On just talent, has Reyna done enough to justify a place in this squad? His playing time doesn't show it, but will that stop Pochettino?

  Aaronson and Tillman have earned their spots as attacking options who could both play centrally or out wide. However, there are questions about Tillman's fitness after a recent ankle injury. Like Dest, it may make sense to just leave Tillman at PSV depending on where he is in that recovery process, which, right now, looks like it could take a bit of time.

  If that keeps him out, Pochettino knows he can trust Luna, who just made one hell of an impression in January camp. Ultimately, there could end up being a decision of Luna vs Reyna. It would be hard to imagine saying this a year ago, but that might just be a tough call.

  Meanwhile, as deeper cover, you have Morris and Cardoso to help see out games should the U.S. be in that position. McGlynn is certainly in the mix based on his own January showing, as is Busio, who continues to be one of the few bright spots for Venezia. As for Tessmann, things can change quickly with him if he can find a way to get more minutes at Lyon.

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  Forwards

  GOAL's picks: Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas, Patrick Agyemang

  In the mix:Folarin Balogun, Cade Cowell, Brandon Vazquez, Haji Wright

  Starting with the strikers, the current timetable has Balogun returning in April, which leaves him out of this mix. That opens up a spot, and the question is if it falls to Agyemang or Vazquez. Again, MLS stars will play a part in this but, given his January performance – two goals in two games – Agyemang might just have enough to make that previously unfathomable leap into this team.

  Don't write off Vazquez, though, as he'll be THE guy in Austin. Either way, Ricardo Pepi should be the starter, particularly if he keeps scoring for PSV.

  Out wide, Pulisic is Pulisic and Weah is Weah, so no doubts there. There are questions about backups, though. Zendejas was fantastic for Club America to close out a title-winning 2024, so he should be involved. Cowell has a legitimate argument, as does Wright, if he can get back healthy and firing for Coventry.

  Spots in the attack often come down to who is scoring at a particular moment, making this group the most volatile heading toward March's roster selection.