Category Sports News

Senne Lammens’ will-he, won’t-he move to Manchester United was one of the more intriguing deals on transfer deadline day.

Lammens had been identified as a goalkeeper of interest by United early in the window and although their interest intensified in the final week, it was not until deadline day itself the Premier League club made their move.

By that time, the 23-year-old Royal Antwerp player was on his way to England anyway, making sure he was in the right place ‘just in case’ an agreement was reached.

The deal was eventually announced at 10pm, five hours after the window closed and long after Aston Villa’s World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez had given up on his own dreams of securing a move to Old Trafford, having also been put on red alert by United’s renewed interest in him.

Lammens described his £18.1m switch as “a dream come true”. He also said he hoped it would be the “beginning of something special”.

Firstly, there is no sense Lammens has done anything wrong.

Sources say the Belgium Under-21 international has impressed in training and the overall view of him is a positive one.

Lammens is described as having a calm presence, as being mature for his age and is taking his new surroundings in his stride. He has already got somewhere to live, so has stepped out of hotel life, which in itself can be disruptive.

This view is backed up by United’s number three goalkeeper Tom Heaton in an interview with the Training Ground Guru podcast: “He has a strong personality.

“His goalkeeping fundamentals are very impressive. I said that to him after a couple of days’ training. He’s been very impressive so far.”

Around his signing in preference to Martinez, United sources were keen to stress he had been bought with an eye on the future.

His stats were good. Last season, Lammens made 30 appearances in the Belgian Pro League, keeping seven clean sheets and making 173 saves, which was 20 more than any other goalkeeper in Europe’s top-10 leagues, while no player saved more penalties than his four.

Data analysts Opta said Lammens had a save percentage of 77.4% and a passing accuracy of 71.5%. They also said his ‘goals prevented’ total was 18.4.

“Senne is young and has a big frame,” said former Belgium and Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld. “He’ll be a perfect fit in England.”

There was uncertainty over whether Lammens, with just a single full season as a number one goalkeeper and 57 senior appearances behind him, would be pitched straight into the United first team in the white-hot atmosphere of a Manchester derby on 14 September.

He wasn’t, with Amorim explaining why in his news conference a couple of days earlier.

“He has a lot of potential but we also have to look at the present and we are in a moment that the goalkeeper needs to be really strong and have a lot of experience,” he said.

“It is a different league, different country, different ball.”

Turkey international Altay Bayindir, who had started six of the previous seven Premier League games and all three this season, retained his place at the Etihad Stadium, a 3-0 defeat, and kept it for the victory over Chelsea on 20 September, when the visitors had just one effort on target, Trevoh Chalobah’s 80th-minute header into the corner that gave the keeper no chance.

Although Amorim has said Bayindir and Lammens will compete for the number one spot, few think the former Fenerbahce man, who cost United £4.3m in 2023, is capable of filling the role on a full-time basis.

According to Opta, of the goalkeepers with more than two Premier League appearances this season, Bayindir ranks 16th in terms of save percentage (50%). His mistakes in the home games against Arsenal and Burnley mean he has conceded eight goals this season, more than his expected goals conceded figure of 7.14, putting him 17th in the list and a long way behind the leader in that metric, Fulham’s Bernd Leno, who has conceded 2.15 goals fewer than he should.

Bayindir is 17th in terms of passing accuracy and 18th for long pass accuracy.

All of these numbers very much lead towards the theory it is a question of when, not if, Lammens gets his chance.

Yet, having elected to keep his new arrival out of the firing line so far, Amorim has to be careful when choosing the right day as a poor performance could set Lammens back.

The selection issue has been made more tricky by United’s elimination from the EFL Cup at League Two Grimsby before Lammens had even arrived.

It means there is no ‘soft landing’ available in a lesser competition, when the consequences for immediate mistakes in the assimilation period would not be quite so great.

United opted against naming Lammens as an overage player in the Premier League International Cup game at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

While it would be unusual for someone bedded into the first-team squad to feature in a game primarily for Travis Binnion’s Under-21 squad, it would at least have given Lammens a taste of playing under floodlights at the main stadium.

Although the attendance of 1,600 was a fraction of what the first team get, it is not far off the crowd of 6,456 who saw Lammens’ last senior game, in the Belgian Pro-League for Royal Antwerp at Charleroi.

So, unless he is made to wait until United begin their FA Cup campaign in January, it now seems Lammens will make his next competitive appearance in the Premier League, when the opposition manager will need little invitation to target a rookie.

Former United goalkeeper Roy Carroll has cautioned against expecting too much too soon.

“He’s only 23, please, please give him time and let him grow as a Manchester United goalkeeper,” the Northern Irishman told BBC Sport.

“We did it for David de Gea when he came in. He was a very young goalkeeper and a successful one even before he came to Manchester United as well.

Over the past seven days, there have been many things going on, including Scottish hat-tricks in the Bundesliga, World Athletics Championship ceremonies, and Ballon d’Or ceremonies.

When the visiting Manchester City fans at Huddersfield sang the names of Yaya and Kolo Toure among their regular repertoire of songs for former players, they might not have anticipated a second pair of brothers playing on the same pitch in Yorkshire soon afterwards.

However, the manager turned his back on the bench and beckoned forward brothers Reigan and Jaden Heskey, both of whom were the sons of ex-England striker Emile, after their League One opponents in the Carabao Cup went 2-0 up.

Fans got to see his sons making their first-team debuts for the club after being given their instructions from a bench that included Kolo Toure, who is now a member of City’s backroom staff, and 10 years after dad Emile’s final EFL Cup appearance.

Guardiola stated that the academy made six starting XI players today.

The Heskey brothers “come on two more times.” I believe their parents will be incredibly proud of their children. That is really cool.

Reigan is referred to as a “tricky, clinical winger” on the City website, and at age 17 he is the younger brother, Jaden being viewed as a “mature, hard-working” box-to-box midfielder.

Both of City’s academy teams have a regular roster, with Jaden frequently sporting the captain’s armband during Premier League 2 contests. He scored in the City City 4-0 win over Leeds to win the FA Youth Cup in 2024.

Heskey claimed in August that “they’re similar to me.” They both have excellent athleticism.

The youngster moves very quickly. The more senior one is a little bit like me.

They both share similar characteristics, according to the statement.

Phil Foden, perhaps City’s most decorated young graduate of recent years, was the one who once more caught the eye.

The midfielder claimed last year that his struggles stemmed from an injury and off-field issues, which caused him to play 20 games without scoring.

However, the 25-year-old appears to be returning to the form he did in 2024 when he won the Player of the Year and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year awards.

Foden played a key role in Wednesday’s win at Accu Stadium, contributing two goals and two assists in five games this season.

Guardiola claimed that “we have already seen Phil in our recent games against Arsenal, Napoli, and [Manchester United], he was really good.

Every player realizes their potential when a team plays better, but not just today.

He perfectly plays in the pockets, but he also gives you something special when he plays a little free.

Foden looked unmatched on the field despite being League One opponent.

He exchanged passes with another debutant, Divine Mukasa, and drilled in an unerring finish that matched his trademarks against the Terriers.

The 25-year-old was determined to showcase his talents by conducting the play by spraying the ball around team-mates as he played his fourth game in 11 days.

Savinho scored the winning goal in the second half to advance to the fourth round of the competition, where City will face Swansea in the championship. He demonstrated excellent awareness when he laid the ball off.

Former England international Sue Smith remarked on BBC Radio 5 Live that “Phil Foden was instrumental in everything Manchester City did.”

“It’s great to see him playing this level again. He had a difficult last season due to injuries and other issues, but when he was at his best, he was unstoppable.

Rico Lewis, a teammate, claimed Foden’s success on the pitch is being attributed to his happiness.

“Everyone has seen how talented he is,” Lewis said. He has his confidence back, and the goals come along with it, he says.

He simply needs to keep doing what he is doing, and that includes being happy because he does so well.

Before the international break, Foden will be hoping to impress more and earn a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad by hosting Burnley on Saturday, followed by trips to Monaco and Brentford.

Foden has 45 caps for the Three Lions, with the final one coming against Latvia in March.

For the first time since December 19th, 2023, England midfielder Kalvin Phillips was wearing a City shirt for the first time at the Club World Cup, which Guardiola described as a “good moment.”

On Wednesday, Phillips became the second-generation father of Ari, taking the family on a trip to Huddersfield from London.

“We are where we are. This is a good point for this group of players.”

Brendan Rodgers’ immediate post-match reaction to Celtic’s Europa League opening draw away to Red Star Belgrade is arguably a sign of their new norm.

Twelve months ago, on the eve of their Champions League curtain raiser against Slovan Bratislava, the manager said he was “in the best place I’ve been” at the club.

After a painful play-off defeat to Kairat Almaty ended hopes of participating in the elite competition again this season, the Scottish champions – after much criticism – were consigned to the Europa League.

Their return to the second-tier competition was initially an impotent one, but the introduction of goalscorer Kelechi Iheanacho ignited their play and provided what Rodgers called “a great platform” of a first point.

Had this draw in the raucous Marakana been in the Champions League, the praise may have been piling in.

But while Celtic were enduring their calamity in Almaty, Red Star were left red-faced by Cypriot champions Pafos in the play-off.

Both sets of supporters had been were sick at their respective sides’ exits, and the disgruntled fans of former European champions Red Star made it known with the swathes of empty seats around the ground.

Still, though, signs outside the stadium read ‘Welcome to Hellgrade’. And it’s far from said in jest.

However, teenage right-back Colby Donovan was not daunted, while winger Sebastian Tounekti still pulled out his tricks on his European bow for the Scottish champions.

Those two were the only fresh faces from the side who were knocked out in Kazakhstan, and though they were in different competitions, a strong case could be made this was the trickier trip.

A notable difference from Almaty was Rodgers’ ability to call on natural number nine in Iheanacho.

There was little fanfare from the stands when the free agent arrived at Parkhead, but he proved his worth in Belgrade by offering Celtic a focal point and Rodgers an option.

Rodgers said he “could have made a couple of changes” but ultimately, he only opted to call on one.

A further four from the bench followed throughout the second half, but none matched the impact of the Nigeria international.

Rodgers can only play the cards he’s dealt, which don’t include replacements for stars of Champions League campaigns gone by in Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn and Jota.

The former left in January, the latter is a long-term injury lay-off after returning to Celtic, while Kuhn was destined to depart – in no small part due to his star rising on the biggest of stages – yet still Celtic failed to fill the gaps.

Which is why Rodgers said he was left feeling “empty” after a scant summer of transfer activity and why supporters have been protesting in recent weeks.

There’s plenty heat swirling around the club from the stands, and that was before they touched down in the Serbian capital.

Hence Rodgers’ call for “realism” when analysing the result against the backdrop of a spell of three years in the Champions League now at an end.

“I think that we are where we are and I think that tonight is a good point,” the Northern Irishman told TNT Sports.

“You’re probably not going to go win all eight games, so I think there’s a bit of realism needed to it.

“This is a good point for this squad of players and for us coming here.

Walter: Good result away in a difficult place. Celtic can build on this.

Bez: Fantastic point away from home against a very well organised team.

Joe: The squad is stale and weak in ideas. They are devoid of energy and confidence.

Mark: Would have taken the draw beforehand but the chances we had were gilt-edged. Iheanacho could have had a hat-trick.

Jim: Fair result. Good contest but both sides lacked quality.

Robbie: Embarrassing for Celtic and Scottish football as a whole. If Celtic are the best we have, we’re way off the pace. Can’t believe people thought they gave account of themselves tonight.

Johnny: Same old Celtic and same old European campaign. Advancing beyond the group stage seems unlikely.

Eyebrows were raised when Nottingham Forest’s teamsheet dropped for their first European game in 29 years – and Chris Wood was on the bench.

After all, it was the New Zealand forward’s 20 Premier League goals last season that helped propel Forest back into Europe.

Instead, head coach Ange Postecoglou put his trust in Igor Jesus, the 24-year-old who cost £10m from Botafogo in July.

And in Forest’s Europa League opener, it did not take long for the Brazil striker to show why he could prove to be one of the Premier League’s most exciting additions.

With his side trailing 1-0 to Real Betis in Seville, Igor Jesus levelled with a tap-in before heading Forest into a 2-1 lead from a corner less than five minutes later.

But former Manchester United forward Antony levelled in the 85th minute to deny Forest a victory in the first of eight league phase games.

But what now for Wood, who was an unused substitute? And will Igor Jesus keep his place in the starting XI?

Igor Jesus celebrated both goals against Betis by dropping to his knees and pointing to the sky.

In an action-packed performance, he had six of Forest’s 16 attempts, of which three were on target.

Full of energy and running, he could have had a first-half hat-trick but his goalbound attempt – after Elliot Anderson’s brilliant jinking run – was blocked before Postecoglou decided to replace him in the 64th minute.

The 5,000 travelling Forest fans, in Seville to see their team’s first competitive European match since 1996, gave Igor Jesus a standing ovation when he came off.

“He definitely looks like a real threat,” added Antonio.

“He even had a couple of other opportunities, half opportunities he took quite well as well. His movement, his hold-up play… he seems big, he seems strong.”

Igor Jesus made his Brazil debut last October, scoring in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win in difficult conditions in Chile.

In June, he scored Botafogo’s winner against European champions Paris St-Germain at the Club World Cup, with his performance in that game prompting South American football expert Tim Vickery to label him the modern-day version of former Ivory Coast and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

“For Ange tonight – what a shout,” said former Forest and England midfielder Steve Hodge on BBC Radio Nottingham about Postecoglou’s decision to start with Igor Jesus and put Wood on the bench.

“Igor Jesus has made his mark tonight.”

Having scored twice against Swansea City in the Carabao Cup last week, Igor Jesus now has four goals in two starts for his new club.

Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who impressed against Betis, believes the Brazilian could be a key figure for the team this season.

“He’s always in the right position, which is obviously a big thing for a striker,” he told TNT Sports. “He’s done well and got two goals and two goals the other week, so he’s doing really well and we see it in training. I’m really happy for Igor.”

Wood has been phenomenal for Forest since turning his loan from Newcastle into a permanent move in 2023.

Only Mohamed Salah (29), Alexander Isak (23) and Erling Haaland (22) scored more goals in the Premier League than Wood last season.

He started this season from where he left off last term with two goals in the 3-1 opening weekend win over Brentford under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Wood, 33, has also started both Premier League games since Postecoglou replaced Nuno – the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal and the 1-1 draw at Burnley.

But it remains to be seen whether he will return to side for the visit of Sunderland on Saturday (17:30 BST) – Postecoglou’s first in charge of Forest at the City Ground.

“From Chris’ point of view, he won’t be happy tonight – he will be want to be out there in big games like this,” added Hodge on BBC Radio Nottingham.

Meanwhile, Postecoglou remains without a win after four games in charge despite Wednesday’s largely positive performance.

After defeats by Arsenal in the league and Swansea City in the EFL Cup, followed by a draw at Burnley, Wednesday’s performance was much more upbeat and Forest were set to mark their return to Europe with a win until Antony’s late equaliser.

“I thought our football was outstanding at times in the first half,” said Postecoglou.

“The thing I could fault is we didn’t put the game to bed. I’m just disappointed that the players and supporters don’t get the rewards for our efforts.

Bradford City manager Graham Alexander could not help but smile as he reflected on his side’s 4-1 Carabao Cup loss at Newcastle United.

“You see the starting team that they put out,” he said.

“As soon as we exchanged the teamsheets and we saw Bruno [Guimaraes] bring out the teamsheet, I thought, ‘Right, OK, they’re taking it properly. Real serious’.”

Understandably so.

The holders were not about to underestimate the League One leaders – and did not want their defence of the trophy to end at the third-round stage. Not after a 70-year wait to win major domestic silverware.

Interestingly, Brazilians Guimaraes and Joelinton were the only starters on Wednesday night who also lined up when Newcastle beat Liverpool at Wembley to end that drought back in March.

However, such are the options now at head coach Eddie Howe’s disposal, it proved a comfortable night, despite Bradford’s efforts.

Newcastle have not always had such depth.

It was a different competition, of course, but they were knocked out by League One opposition in the FA Cup third round in both 2022 and 2023.

Yet Newcastle are a different side these days as defender Dan Burn knows only too well.

“Nothing changes whether we’re playing Bradford or Barcelona,” he wrote in his programme notes. “It’s the exact same preparation and the same mentality.

“Top teams can rotate without too much changing and we’ve invested quite heavily in the squad now to hopefully enable us to do the same….whether that’s the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup – whatever competition we’re playing in, we’re here to win.”

Howe had the luxury of making seven changes from the weekend goalless Premier League draw at Bournemouth, yet Lewis Hall, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman Joelinton, Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga started against Alexander’s side.

That is even before mentioning William Osula, who scored two goals, or debutant keeper Aaron Ramsdale, who made a couple of important saves with the game at 0-0.

Newcastle ended up scoring as many goals in 90 minutes against Bradford as they did in their previous five games in all competitions combined.

It was the first time since April – a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace – they had bagged four goals in a single game and it could have been more as the dominant hosts had 27 shots, 11 efforts on target and 66 touches in the opposition box.

Newcastle face sterner tests ahead yet it still felt a noteworthy night to rebuild confidence in front of goal.

For context, a blunt attack mustered just a single shot on target against Bournemouth and the black-and-whites have only scored three times in their opening five league fixtures.

When it comes to shot conversion (5.6%) and big chance conversion (28.6%), Newcastle have posted some of the worst top-flight returns, while only Aston Villa have scored fewer goals (one).

But Joelinton and Danish forward Osula scored timely doubles here.

With three goals, the 22-year-old Osula is now the club’s top scorer this term, having also found the net against champions Liverpool last month.

Given Yoane Wissa’s absence with a knee injury, and record signing Nick Woltemade needing time to adjust to the physicality of the Premier League, it was a welcome performance from Osula, who attracted interest from Eintracht Frankfurt last month.

“He’s very driven,” said boss Howe. “Will has got great attitude to his work and his career. He’s very ambitious, he wants to play as all players do, but he is now justifying that by his training performances and when he plays on the pitch.