Novo reforço do Santos, Dodô está regularizado para estrear com a camisa alvinegra em sua nova passagem pelo clube. Isso porque o lateral-esquerdo teve seu registro publicado no Boletim Informativo Diário (BID) da CBF nesta quinta-feira (13) e pode jogar contra o São Paulo.
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O defensor foi anunciado pelo Peixe na última segunda-feira (10). Ele estava no Atlético-MG, que não impôs grandes dificuldades na negociação com o Alvinegro, pois conta com Guilherme Arana e Rubens para a posição. Os dois estavam à frente de Dodô na concorrência.
O lateral de 31 anos, único contratado oficialmente nesta janela, jogará na equipe da Vila Belmiro pela segunda vez. Ele atuou no time em 2018, emprestado junto à Sampdoria, da Itália.
Na época, Dodô se destacou e disputou 50 partidas, marcou um gol e distribuiu quatro assistências pelo Santos. Agora, ele chega para brigar por posição com Kevyson e Gabriel Inocêncio, mas é o provável titular do Peixe para a sequência da temporada. Felipe Jonatan está lesionado e deve retornar somente em 2024, e Lucas Pires está afastado por indisciplina.
A reestreia do lateral-esquerdo, então, pode acontecer neste domingo (16), às 16h, no clássico contra o São Paulo. A partida será disputada no Morumbi, pela 15ª rodada do Brasileirão.
A maneira como o Fluminense atuou no empate em 2 a 2 diante do Goiás no último domingo (11), no Estádio da Serrinha, deixou nítido o quanto a pausa da Data Fifa se tornou urgente para os comandados de Fernando Diniz. Por mais que os tricolores tenham engrenado em campo, o forte cansaço, aliado à sucessão de desfalques voltaram a ficar evidentes nos pés dos jogadores.
O confronto válido pela décima rodada do Brasileirão deu a Diniz um panorama do potencial do Tricolor das Laranjeiras e do que precisará ajustar neste período de descanso.
FIM DE SECA E MOMENTOS DE PODERIO OFENSIVO
Depois de um mês de idas e vindas, o setor ofensivo trouxe momentos promissores. Germán Cano voltou a marcar, encerrando um jejum de sete jogos. Lançado como titular, Lelê não se omitiu do jogo, ao tentar jogadas com Arias ou apostar em investidas com Cano.
A dupla entre Arias e Lelê também teve bons momentos em investidas por via aérea, em especial no primeiro tempo. O colombiano também mostrou abnegação em momentos desafiadores dos tricolores no segundo tempo.
IMPROVISOS E SACRIFÍCIOS
Dos seis desfalques que o Fluminense teve no Serrinha, ficou mais nítido o problema da lateral esquerda. Além dos laterais de ofício Marcelo e Jorge, o técnico Fernando Diniz teve a baixa de Alexsander, meia deslocado com frequência para o setor.
Outro jogador deslocado para este lado, Guga teve de retornar à sua posição de origem, pois o lateral-direito Samuel Xavier estava improvisado. O meia Gabriel Pirani atuou improvisado e, por mais que tenha se empenhado para ir à frente, sofreu com as investidas do Goiás na reta final de cada tempo. A trapalhada de Martinelli no fim da etapa inicial deu margem para a finalização de Morelli e, na sobra da defesa de Fábio, Pirani cometeu pênalti sobre Apodi. Matheus Peixoto converteu a cobrança.
No segundo tempo, o meia-atacante Alexandre Jesus também ocupou o setor e teve de se desdobrar. Além do jovem Esquerdinha ser opção, o Fluminense tem Diogo Barbosa na mira para a sequência do ano.
BONS MOMENTOS SE ESVAEM
Os tricolores se mostraram aguerridos ao tentarem propor o jogo e viram a dedicação da equipe culminar no gol de Lima no início do segundo tempo. O camisa 45 assumiu bem o desafio de substituir Paulo Henrique Ganso e ainda deixou o seu no dia do seu aniversário.
No entanto, a série de desfalques do Tricolor das Laranjeiras foi pesando à medida que o jogo transcorreu. Com as substituições, o Fluminense não manteve sua força e viu o Goiás ganhar força principalmente na reta final. Sinal de que o elenco curto começa a causar problemas para a equipe.
NOVA DOR DE CABEÇA?
Outro reflexo da sequência de jogos do Tricolor das Laranjeiras aconteceu aos 21 minutos do segundo tempo. Nino caiu no gramado chorando e se queixando de dores no músculo adutor da coxa direita. O zagueiro deixou o campo, foi substituído e sua situação pode custar a convocação para os amistosos da Seleção Brasileira.
Enquanto isso, na Serrinha, a equipe de Fernando Diniz se ressentia ainda mais de entrosamento. Por mais que David Braz lutasse, seu entrosamento com Manoel não funcionava e a equipe corria riscos.
PERDA DE FÔLEGO DIANTE DO GOIÁS
Nos dois tempos, o Tricolor das Laranjeiras viu o desgaste acarretar em gols sofridos. A situação ficou ainda mais nítida nos últimos minutos do confronto. O Goiás avançou com perigo com frequência em contra-ataques, obrigando os defensores a correrem além da conta para evitarem investidas.
Além disso, não faltaram chances em jogadas aéreas, nas quais Fábio se desdobrou para evitar. Até que Alesson aproveitou um momento de hesitação e definiu o empate na Serrinha. O momento não é só de se recuperar na classificação do Brasileiro e da Libertadores, mas de repor as forças de seus jogadores e comprovar que o grupo tem forças para se impor.
It is set to be a season-defining week and a half for Rangers, both on and off the park.
Back on Tuesday, the Light Blues’ Champions League dreams went up in flames very quickly, 3-0 down at home to Club Brugge inside 20 minutes at a mutinous Ibrox, with Danilo’s goal shortly after half time unable to spark a full-scale comeback.
Thus, baring a miracle at Jan Breydelstadion next Wednesday, Russell Martin’s team will have to settle for the consolation prize of a spot in the Europa League.
Just four days after their visit to West Flanders, the first Glasgow derby of the season takes place in Govan and, with Rangers already four points below fierce rivals Celtic, after just two matches, this Old Firm fixture feels must win already.
The transfer window will then slam shut the following day, and expect Rangers to be busy in the market between now and then, so could they land a “powerful” new centre-forward reminiscent of their best striker of the post-liquidation era?
Rangers searching for a new striker
Rangers do have three strikers on their books, namely Danilo, Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane, but none of the trio, thus far, have come close to making the impact that Alfredo Morelos managed during his time in Glasgow.
The Colombian international played an instrumental role in their recent success, winning the Premiership title in 2021 and reaching the Europa League Final the following season, so could they be set to sign a striker with similar characteristics?
Alfredo Morelos
Well, according to a report by AfricaFoot, Rangers are in talks to sign striker Karl Etta Eyong from Villarreal on a permanent deal to bolster their attack.
They add that ‘negotiations are continuing’ between the two clubs for a player whose estimated transfer value is around £5.6m, after the Gers had a loan offer turned down for the forward.
The Light Blues have already signed ten new players this summer, so could that tally soon rise to 11?
What Karl Etta Eyong would bring to Rangers
Etta Eyong has certainly enjoyed a rapid rise in recent months.
After joining Villarreal from Cádiz last summer, he starred for the Yellow Submarine’s B team, scoring 18 goals in 30 Primera Federación appearances, impressing all onlookers of Spain’s third-tier.
This earned him his senior debut towards the end of last season and, mere seconds into only his second appearance, he headed home a last-gasp winner against Girona at Montilivi, a key moment in securing Champions League qualification for Villarreal.
Now, following the sale of Thierno Barry to Everton, Etta Eyong started in La Liga for the very first time on the opening day last Friday night, again breaking the deadlock with a towering header during a 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo at Estadio de la Cerámica.
Writer Kai Watson labels the 21-year-old a “powerful penalty box striker”, praising his “determination…. anticipation and aggression”, adding that Villarreal “are willing to let him go” for the right price.
Etta Eyong’s characteristics certainly sound similar to those of Morelos, but would he be able to replicate the Colombian’s success?
When Morelos arrived in Glasgow, he was also very much a lesser-known talent, joining from HJK Helsinki, having featured just 62 times for the Veikkausliiga side.
Rangers timeless
Known as el Buffalo, the Colombian would go on to score 124 goals in 269 appearances for Rangers, of which 29 were scored in UEFA competition, becoming the club’s all-time record scorer in Europe, breaking Ally McCoist’s long-standing record by netting against Benfica at Estádio da Luz in 2020.
In fact, when qualifiers are included, only three players have scored more goals in the history of the UEFA Cup/Europa League than Morelos’ tally of 32; Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (34), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (37) and Henrik Larsson (40).
So, given that Etta Eyong is unproven, signing him comes with an element of risk, but this could ultimately pay off spectacularly.
Often left frustrated by Dessers and Danilo, the Ibrox faithful are craving a talismanic centre-forward to get behind, and the 21-year-old Cameroonian appears to have the skillset to fulfill that role.
Rangers can forget Vardy by signing £7m CF who was the "best" in the SPFL
As Rangers search for a new centre-forward, Russell Martin could forget all about Jamie Vardy by signing the “best striker in the league” worth £6.8m.
Could this game, one that offered some semblance of momentum, be a defining moment for Pochettino and the USMNT?
COLUMBUS, Ohio – If Mauricio Pochettino could have designed the perfect response in his head, this would have been it. A 2-0 win over a good, but admittedly rotated, Japan team on Tuesday night was exactly what the U.S. men's national team required.
Goals from two players, Alejandro Zendejas and Folarin Balogun, seemingly fighting for more? Check. A tactical switch that might just be an answer, both in the short- and long-term? Check. And a strong performance from Christian Pulisic, who finally put the summer drama in the rearview mirror with an important assist? Another big check.
This week, so much talk has centered around the USMNT's trajectory. Pochettino admitted it partly began in March, in losses in the Nation's League that served as a wakeup call. Could this game, one that offered some semblance of momentum, be a shift in the other direction? Could this be the start of a new path, one that looks a lot better than the one the U.S. has been on since the spring?
"This game and life, it's all about sliding doors," USMNT veteran Tim Ream said postgame. "It's about either stepping through them or not. You take moments and experiences on board and you move on. I think for us, it's just a process to go through. It's a process to get to a World Cup. There are moments. There are ups and downs. I've been playing a long time and it's never smooth sailing.
"There are times when things don't go your way and times when you can do no wrong. That's the way the game is. Maybe you look back on it and say 'OK, that was a defining moment' and some may look at this as a defining moment."
That answer will come down the line but, for now, it's, at the very least, a step. It was one that the U.S. needed. It was one Pochettino and Pulisic and plenty of others needed.
"Things happen as they're supposed to happen," said Pulisic, who spoke to reporters for the first time since returning to the USMNT from his controversial summer, which included skipping the Gold Cup. "This is where we are now. It's important for us to take this game and feel good about it. But also look back and see a lot of things we can still improve on."
GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Lower.com Field.
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WINNER: Christian Pulisic
The South Korea game last weekend, a 2-0 loss, was Pulisic's long-awaited return to the USMNT after a chaotic summer. Tuesday felt like his proper re-emergence. This was Pulisic near his best and, and that makes the USMNT a much different team.
The stuff from the summer? It may not be totally behind everyone, but it feels backburner. That's what good soccer can do. Good soccer can cure things, remind everyone that, at its core, that this is supposed to be fun.
"I love this team. It's everything to me," Pulisic said postgame. "I've been here for quite a long time, getting to see some new guys, getting to bond with some old players, even seeing [Cristian] Roldan again, like it's so cool for me.I thought he was great today as well. For me personally, I don't feel like a step was lost. I love being around the team. I had a great time."
Bygones are bygones? Time will tell, but still, Pulisic needed this performance to drive that message home and, perhaps remind a few people why he's so important for this team. This performance was nearly complete. The only thing missing was a much-deserved goal. Those will come if Pulisic is in this kind of form, and the U.S. will need that more and more down the stretch.
"It's been a tough go recently," Pulisic said, "and we wanted to walk away with some confidence, with some good feelings going into the next camp and, obviously, leading into a World Cup here."
For all the mud-slinging between Pulisic and critics, including many former USMNT players, and his back-and-forth with his manager over the Gold Cup and pre-tournament friendlies, he said his relationship with Pochettino and his teammates is healthy.
"We have good conversations," Pulisic said. "Honestly, what you guys experience and what the media sees is not exactly what we experienced. Things are good. We spoke, we had a normal camp. Everything is good between us and good between the team. There's probably not as much drama as you guys think."
That drama dominated headlines and podcasts and social posts all summer. Pulisic insisted the focus now is entirely on the team, and its ultimate mission – the pathway to the 2026 World Cup.
"It's been good," he said. "Obviously, the national team can be tough because you don't spend your day-to-day together. I think in the camps we've come in and gotten to know each other. We're starting to really learn each other, learn the team and how we can both help each other as best we can to go forward and try and win."
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LOSER: Pochettino's critics
Before concluding his post-match news conference after the win against Japan, Pochettino issued an apology. He was sorry for cursing in Monday's prematch media availability.
He was responding Mondy to numerous critics, including a number of former USMNT players-turned-pundits, saying, "People sometimes create debate and talk with no sense. You cannot compare because this national team and this country is qualified for the World Cup, so the important thing is to apply common sense. If people want to talk bullsh*t, we can talk bull sh*t. We feel the responsibility to provide for the group of players that we think can be important for the future of this country in a World Cup."
Pochettino said his wife was upset at his language, but stressed that the point remains: criticize him all you want for his tactics, decisions and planning. All he asks is that the critics stick to that.
On Tuesday, there was little to criticize. Tactically, Pochettino was spot on, nailing the switch to the three-centerback system. It seems certain to be the one going forward, particularly after this performance. As the game wore on, he nailed the substitutions, too, injecting the right sort of life to not just keep the foot on the pedal, but get minutes for several players who had earned it.
"It's about the process," he said. "It's about the players. I really believe in what we are doing and how they respect us and how we respect them. We are capable of building this relationship, for sure. We are going to have the best players and players that maybe aren't here today will have the possibility to come. We are very open people, but it's time for the process – and the process is going to work, for sure. I don't have any doubts."
Was it perfect? No. There were still decisions to nitpick and a number of areas in which the USMNT can improve. The critics will likely get more ammo over the coming months, even if Pochettino does keep his promise to tone down his tinkering and experimentation beginning in the October camp.
Before leaving his news conference Tuesday night, Pochettino had one last message: "Guys, I'm looking forward to October."
It's easy to see why after what seemed a statement win.
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WINNER: Alejandro Zendejas
To his credit, Alex Zendejas has been patient. He didn't ruffle any feathers when he was left out of multiple squads despite a good run of form with Club America. Then, when given his chance on Tuesday, he made the most of it, scoring in the 30th minute to stake the USMNT to a 1-0 lead. What else could you ask for?
The goal was Zendejas' second with the USMNT, but it's no doubt much bigger than the first. As he fights for a potential World Cup role, Zendejas was able to impact the game, getting on the ball plenty even before his decisive volley in the first half.
"Thankfully it landed on my left foot since I'm a lefty, " Zendejas said of his goal. "It happened so fast. I knew he was going to do a one-on-one play on the wing, so it was the right timing. Right place, right time."
Zendejas is one of the few in this player pool that regularly has to be "the guy" for his club team. The No. 10 shirt he's inherited with Club America carries weight and, so far, he's handled it all very well. The confidence that comes from that will have to translate to the USMNT if he's to make a push for a World Cup role.
On Tuesday, he showed that that might just happen.
"We are so pleased," Pochettino said. "Now, with this type of performance, he's in the race for the roster of the World Cup."
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LOSER: Japan
Pochettino spoke earlier this week about having a plan, and altering that plan as a team already bound for the World Cup. Japan entered this international break with a similar scenario. Having already qualified, there was room for experimenting.
And experiment Hajime Moriyasu did. The manager made mass changes, benching many of his regular stars for a look at several young options. Japan started and entirely different XI from the one that settled for a scoreless draw with Mexico over the weekend.
"As a national team coach, I always play to get a win, and that will not change in any game we play," Moriyasu said. "I was confident that my young players, my inexperienced players, could keep the same standards as the experienced ones. That's why I chose to play a younger team than usual because we are aiming to win at the World Cup, so I can't just rely on players who have played for the national team.
"I need my young players to step up and get experience to heighten the standard. We cannot just rely on 11 players. I think we need two, maybe three teams that can play at the same level. I will continue to aim to do that."
A lesson, then, for Moriyasu and some of those young players as they continue their own preparation for the World Cup.
Pakistan captain relieved after change in tactics helps bring end to barren home run
Danyal Rasool18-Oct-2024
Shan Masood greets the fans across the railings after Pakistan’s win•Getty Images
Not quite vindication just yet, but certainly relief. That was the tone Pakistan captain Shan Masood tried to strike after Pakistan had skittled England out for 144 in Multan. It gave them their first home win in four years, and on a personal note, Masood his first Test win as captain.”This was a very important win for Pakistan cricket,” he said. “The recent results were unacceptable. There is relief. This is a long process and journey. It won’t be fixed overnight. It’s been three years and 10 months since we last won a Test at home. That’s not acceptable for Pakistan cricket. We pride ourselves on how well we play this game and how we see ourselves as a team. For us to get a result and hopefully start something here in our own conditions is exciting. Going through that adverse situation for years and still getting a result: that’s the character you want from your players, staff and cricket board. Everyone’s responded well after the [first Test] loss which is very heartening.”Following an innings defeat that intensified focus on Masood’s captaincy and a seemingly endless losing streak, the newly established selection committee overhauled Pakistan’s template overnight. Fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were dispatched from the squad, and Zahid Mahmood, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali were brought in from the cold – none of them having played any first-class cricket since January. The same pitch as the first Test was recycled and reused.Masood, though, said Pakistan had not changed their line of thinking on the one subject that really mattered. “I said that in defeat, and I’ll say it in victory: 20 wickets is non-negotiable in Test matches,” he said. “Conditions in the 4th innings are only batting-friendly about 10% of the time. We have to understand our conditions and think first about what combinations get us 20 wickets. We need big first innings with the bat and then the bowlers to back us up to give us a lead. The lead took the third-innings pressure off us, and the 75-run lead helped us because where we scored 220-odd [that] resulted in a nearly 300-run target.”Sajid Khan and Noman Ali took all of the 20 wickets in the Test•Getty Images
Masood acknowledged the central gamble at the heart of Pakistan’s winning tactic this week though. Perhaps the most important act of the game was the flip of the coin before the first ball was bowled. Ben Stokes called tails, as he always does, and when the coin pointed the other way, the gambit had paid off.The rest was taken care of by two of the spinners they brought in, with Sajid and Noman splitting all 20 wickets between them – the first time two players have been responsible for all opposition wickets since 1972, and just the second time in Pakistan’s history. In the second innings, no other bowler even turned their arm over as England were wrapped up in 33.3 overs.”Today, we were solely focused on how to take eight wickets,” Masood said. “Since I’ve come in, we’ve had no issue taking risks. We’ve tried to play cricket that brings results, and we’ve lost a lot of matches doing that, too. When the selection committee came in, all of us had one concern: to take 20 wickets. We’d only taken 20 wickets once in my tenure. We looked at conditions and realised playing on a used surface and giving spinners an advantage [could work]. We thought why not try something different.”You’ll have to give credit to Noman and Sajid, the way they came back. It looked like two seasoned campaigners were bowling for Pakistan. These risks need to be taken to try and take 20 wickets, no matter what kind of pitch we do it on.”It’s been a familiar refrain for Masood this series, one where the result has justified the somewhat extreme methods Pakistan adopted. This is, as he pointed out, just the second time in seven Test matches under his captaincy that Pakistan have managed to take 20 wickets. He said Pakistan would be guided by the most efficient route from hereon, no matter how.It is a subtle departure from the message of belligerent positivity that Masood has preached for the best part of his stint, but at some point, idealism had to be abandoned at the altar of pragmatism. It leaves the question of what Pakistan do in Rawalpindi, a surface that has never been amenable to prodigious turn. And though Masood did say Pakistan would need to understand conditions at each specific venue, there was little attempt to conceal what Pakistan really wanted from the pitch for the third Test.”I would [like it to spin]. I don’t know if I’ve seen it turn in Rawalpindi, so that’s an issue. We’re hoping the sun can play its part and the wicket can be on the drier side. But it remains to be seen. We’ll go there on [Sunday] and have a look. The groundsmen are already there and working on a Test match pitch. We’ll try to create a good Test wicket where both teams can pick up 20 wickets.”
For the first time this transfer window, the transfer activity in through the door at Birmingham City seems to have slowed down.
After all, in the space of just a week recently, Birmingham had managed to welcome in the likes of Demarai Gray, Tommy Doyle, Kyogo Furuhashi, and many other star names to the camp, with some calm perhaps now needed to balance the books appropriately.
Still, when it comes to Chris Davies and Co., there might well be another sublime addition just waiting around the corner at any moment, with Birmingham not giving up all hope just yet that they can resign this midfield ace very soon, among other targets being chased after.
Birmingham still pursuing move for EFL ace
Reports do seem to suggest that the Blues will have to move on some bodies to be able to finance some more high-profile captures, especially if they want to be successful in landing Hwang Hee-Chan up top.
It was recently revealed that Birmingham had their eye on the Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker, but the £14m fee required to win his services – on top of his potential steep wage costs – has rendered this a deal that will be difficult to get over the line right now.
Kieran Dowell
There are more unwelcome obstacles in Birmingham’s way with other targets, too, with Kieran Dowell, who was expected to be surplus to requirements on his return to Rangers, now being utilised in pre-season under a fresh set of managerial ideas from Russell Martin.
A recent updated report from Birmingham Live does suggest that a permanent move could still be on the cards, with Davies once stating it would be “something we will have to look into” over arranging for the £16k-per-week star to come back to St. Andrew’s for good.
Whilst this has gone cold for the moment, Birmingham do have plenty of time on their hands to try and work out a deal, with Dowell perhaps a dream teammate for Kyogo to bounce off of as he grows accustomed to leading the line in the Championship.
Why Dowell could be a dream for Kyogo
Whilst the Japanese ace has proven himself to be a reliable goal machine in Scotland – as seen in his ridiculous tally of 85 strikes leading the line with venom for Celtic – he has never tested himself before in the challenging terrain of the EFL’s elite league.
Therefore, he could well be daunted by the prospect of having to be the Blues’ leading man here, particularly as he’s coming into Davies’ camp off the back of a barren spell in France with Rennes and the fact that he’s been purchased for a fee around the excessive £10m mark.
Games played
123
Goals scored
26
Assists
12
Big chances created
25
Those nerves would surely be quelled knowing he has the likes of such a reliable Championship playmaker in the form of Dowell by his side, with the second-tier veteran notching up a hefty 26 goals and 12 assists across his last 123 outings in the division. On top of that, 25 big chances have also been created, which will be music to the ears of a poacher-like forward in Kyogo.
At the height of his goalscoring powers at Celtic during the 2022/23 season, which saw him net a blistering 27 Scottish Premiership strikes, the potent 30-year-old would only need to average a mere 13.3 touches per league game to cause said widespread damage, meaning he should become even more prolific if he latches onto plenty of Dowell’s defence-splitting passes to come.
Rangers midfielder Kieran Dowell.
Whilst they used to be divided across enemy lines in Glasgow, both Dowell and Kyogo might well form a dream partnership in the West Midlands very soon, with Davies even going as far as to describe the 27-year-old as “high quality” last campaign when he popped up with four assists from just 17 League One starts.
He might well have only scratched the surface of what he’s capable of at St. Andrew’s with his promising loan stint, with the Championship more his bread and butter, as Birmingham aim to potentially bring him back to take their new division by storm.
He'd be Kyogo 2.0: Birmingham looking at incredible deal to sign £14m star
Birmingham City could seal another ambitious deal very soon.
Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin may have to deal with some of his top performers moving on from Ibrox before the end of the summer transfer window.
One club have reportedly made a bid of up to £10m to sign Mohamed Diomande from the Scottish Premiership giants, and his future in Glasgow remains uncertain.
Mohamed Diomande
Belgium international Nicolas Raskin, meanwhile, is a reported target for Premier League teams in England this summer.
This shows that the Rangers boss has to be concerned about whether or not he will have his key midfielders available when the real action gets underway later this month.
However, there will also be players whom Martin and the club more broadly will want to see leave before the summer transfer window slams shut at the start of September.
One such player the Gers may want to sell could be central defender Robin Propper, who has been linked with a move away from Ibrox in recent weeks.
Why Rangers should sell Robin Propper
Rangers only signed the Dutch centre-back from FC Twente last summer, as Philippe Clement brought him to Glasgow to bolster his defensive options, but they should move on from him already.
FC Twente have already reportedly held talks with the veteran central defender over a potential return to the Netherlands, and the Light Blues should take advantage of their interest.
Robin Propper
The Eredivisie outfit being keen to bring Propper back to the club means that the Gers have an opportunity to recoup some of the money that they spent on him, and save money on his wages for the upcoming campaign.
Rangers should be looking to cash in on the 31-year-old flop before the end of the summer transfer window because he simply did not adjust to the physicality required at Ibrox.
In the 2024/25 Europa League, for example, the centre-back lost 55% of his ground duels and 56% of his aerial battles, which shows that opposition players found it far too easy to get the better of him on the deck and in the air in physical contests.
Fenerbahce
Unused substitute
Celtic
34 mins
Dundee
Unused substitute
Hibernian
Unused substitute
Athletic Club
13 mins
Aberdeen
90 mins
St Mirren
90 mins
Aberdeen
Unused substitute
Dundee United
Unused substitute
Hibernian
80 mins
As you can see in the table above, Propper became a bit-part player by the end of the season, starting just three of his last ten appearances in the matchday squad.
Therefore, the Dutch flop, despite managing a goal against Celtic, should be dispensable this summer and allowed to return to FC Twente.
English club bid for Rangers flop
As well as selling Propper, the Scottish Premiership giants may be able to cash in on another flop before the summer transfer window slams shut, amid interest in one of their midfielders.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to GIVEMESPORT, Birmingham are eyeing up a move to sign attacking midfielder Kieran Dowell on a permanent deal from the Light Blues.
The report claims that the Championship side, who won the League One title last season, have tabled an offer to bring the £16k-per-week earner back to St. Andrew’s for the 2025/26 campaign.
Rangers midfielder Kieran Dowell.
It states that the Blues are waiting on a decision from Rangers after submitting their bid, as it remains to be seen whether or not Martin will want Dowell to be a part of his plans next term.
Why Rangers should sell Kieran Dowell
The former Scotland international must decide that the attacking midfielder is not a part of his plans for next season and tell Kevin Thelwell to agree a deal with Birmingham after the English side submitted a bid for his services.
Rangers midfielder Kieran Dowell.
Dowell should be viewed as being as dispensable as Propper at Ibrox this summer, given what he has produced in a Rangers shirt up to this point.
The 27-year-old dud arrived in Glasgow on a free transfer from Norwich City in the summer of 2023 and has only produced two goals and two assists in 32 appearances for the club in all competitions to date.
These statistics show that Dowell has not delivered anywhere near enough quality in front of goal for a player who is tasked with making an impact as a scorer and a creator in a number ten or wide position.
His performances in the Premiership during the first half of the 2024/25 Premiership campaign for Clement led to him being moved out on loan to Birmingham in January.
Appearances
12
Starts
2
Goals
0
Key passes per game
0.7
Assists
0
Ground duel success rate
46%
Aerial duel success rate
43%
As you can see in the table above, Dowell did not earn a place in the starting XI on a regular basis, and failed to contribute a single goal or assist, before his temporary exit.
Rangers must now, therefore, make his exit a permanent one by accepting Birmingham’s offer to sign him this summer, as he has failed to prove that he has what it takes to deliver consistent quality for the Light Blues at Ibrox.
Kieran Dowell
The former Canaries star does not appear to have the potential to be a key player for Martin moving form, given what he has shown in Scotland so far, which is why the midfielder should be as dispensable as Propper.
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Chelsea have already made their first signing of the summer transfer window as Liam Delap joins from Ipswich Town.
Enzo Maresca was keen on getting this deal done as swiftly as possible, and it sets the club up nicely for the Club World Cup this month.
While improving his attacking options is key, adding another defender or two is certainly on his list.
Chelsea’s search for a defender
Marc Guehi has been linked previously, but it doesn’t look like there is any progress on that deal. Marc Gila is another who has been linked, but it appears as though Maresca is after just one man at the moment – Jorrel Hato.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, journalist Ben Jacobs has stated that the Dutchman “remains a player of interest to Chelsea”, with the Blues said to be “exploring” potential targets – having seemingly ruled out a move for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
A fee of around £46m could be enough to secure the services of the versatile defender, which may well turn into a bargain.
If he does make the move to Stamford Bridge, Hato could prove to be even better than Marc Cucurella, especially given his impressive attacking abilities.
Why Chelsea must now sign Jorrel Hato
Cucurella played all but two Premier League matches for the Blues last season, establishing himself as the first-choice left-back.
He contributed with six goals and assists and created three big chances for the club as they secured Champions League football for the first time since 2022/23.
Playing in the same position, Hato was also a regular for Ajax last season. Across 31 Eredivisie matches, the Dutchman scored twice and grabbed six assists, while also creating six big chances for his teammates.
At seven years younger than the Spaniard, Hato would be an ideal long-term option on the left side of the defence for Maresca, that’s for sure.
That is evidenced by the fact that when comparing the pair and their respective statistics, via Sofascore, Hato betters Cucurella across a range of statistics.
Metric (per 90)
Cucurella
Hato
Accurate passes
40.3
45.2
Key passes
0.5
0.6
Tackles
1.9
1.9
Total duels won
3.9
4.1
Balls recovered
3.6
4.2
Possession lost
7.8
8.3
Indeed, the youngster registered more goal-creating actions per 90 (0.34 vs 0.18), a higher percentage of successful take-ons (35% vs 23.5%) per 90, more progressive carries (53 vs 43) and won a higher percentage of aerial duels per 90 (55.6% vs 39.2%) than the Chelsea defender last season.
Hato has gone from strength to strength since making his debut for Ajax, and his 2024/25 campaign was widely praised, especially by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who said he has “immense quality” while possessing a “huge future ahead”.
If Maresca can secure his signature, it would represent a major coup for the Blues. Cucurella would certainly be an able deputy for the youngster, but Hato should be the starting left-back for the Blues next term.
His ability to also play centre-back will come in useful for the manager, especially as the club will be fighting across several fronts next season.
Ajax Amsterdam's JorrelHatocelebrates after the match
For ‘just’ £46m, a move makes perfect sense indeed.
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It is no understatement to say that Glasgow Rangers require a major overhaul this summer.
Not just in the playing squad or staff members, but in mentality. Since the Ibrox side won the Premiership title in 2021, the Gers have won only two trophies since.
In comparison, Celtic have won every available league title on offer and have clinched a domestic double this season, although they did lose to Aberdeen in the SFA Cup final.
Rangers interim managerBarryFergusonbefore the match
Things have to change at Ibrox, and fast. The 49ers’ involvement should give those at the club a boost, but the priority is a new manager.
The likes of Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti have been linked with a move to Glasgow, while several other candidates have been touted for the vacant role.
Whoever becomes the next permanent manager will have work to do in order to improve the first-team squad this summer.
There are various positions that need urgent improvement, no doubt about that. Furthermore, several players could be sold to raise funds and help reduce the wage bill.
Cyriel Dessers may finish the season as the top scorer in the Premiership, but if a reasonable offer comes in this summer, the club should cash in.
Why Rangers must sell Cyriel Dessers
Never has a Rangers player exuded more Jekyll and Hyde-like qualities than Dessers. One minute, he is simply unplayable, causing chaos for opposition defenders domestically and in Europe.
Next, he struggles with the easiest of chances and offers next to nothing in the final third.
There is no doubt about his record in front of goal for the Light Blues since he joined in a deal worth £4.5m from Cremonese in the summer of 2023. Indeed, the Nigerian striker has scored 51 goals and grabbed 16 assists across 109 games for the club during his first two seasons.
On the surface, this is an impressive record in front of goal. He has shone in Europe, with his display against Fenerbahce one of the finest by a Gers forward in quite a while.
Unfortunately, these performances are few and far between. Throughout the 2023/24 league season, Dessers missed a staggering 27 big chances across 35 matches.
Over the same number of games in 2024/25, he missed 21 big chances, a slight improvement, but still not great.
Cyriel Dessers’ league stats for Rangers
Metric
2023/24
2024/25
Goals
16
18
Assists
4
2
Shots per game
2.9
2.4
Big chances missed
27
21
Goal conversion percentage
16%
22%
Via Sofascore
During the winter transfer window, several clubs were linked with making a move for Dessers. Saint-Étienne, Cagliari, and Empoli were all showing interest in securing a move for the 30-year-old.
Much to the disappointment of large sections of the support, the centre-forward remained in Glasgow until the end of the season at least.
He has two years left on his current contract, which suggests now would be the ideal time to cash in and secure a decent fee for the player.
This could be used to fund future signings, especially a couple of younger players with a higher ceiling for growth.
Dessers shouldn’t be the only player to be moved on this summer by the new manager. Nedim Bajrami is reportedly attracting interest from afar, and now might be a good time to part ways with the Albanian.
Nedim Bajrami has offers on the table
According to reports in Albania (as relayed by Glasgow Times), Bajrami has two options on the table with regard to a summer exit away from the Light Blues.
One comes from the Italian top flight, while the other is from the Bundesliga, and the report states that the midfielder is likely to leave Glasgow when the transfer window finally opens.
Much will depend on the price, however, as the 49ers will be keen on recouping much of the £3.4m that was spent on the Albanian last summer.
It’s safe to say he hasn’t exactly enjoyed the most productive of campaigns in Scotland, despite arriving with plenty of hype.
What exactly went wrong with Bajrami?
Why Rangers must sell Nedim Bajrami this summer
The 26-year-old had impressed for his country at Euro 2024, scoring an incredible opener against Italy after just 23 seconds.
A move to Ibrox in the final days of the summer transfer window looked like a real coup for Philippe Clement.
What looked like a potentially transformative signing for the club eventually turned into a waste of money. Across 44 games for Rangers, he only scored five goals and chipped in with four assists, showing that he has rarely made a big impact at the top end of the pitch.
Considering the sum of money the club had paid, this was hardly the best of returns, especially following a decent start to life in Glasgow.
The midfielder only started 15 Premiership matches, creating only four big chances, averaging one key pass and succeeding with just one dribble per game in the top flight.
In Europe, Bajrami didn’t fare much better. Indeed, he could only muster a single goal from 11 appearances, winning less than half of his total duels per game and averaging 1.3 key passes per game, which shows how ineffective he has been on the European stage since his move to Ibrox.
Bajrami
The nadir came against Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup back in February. Rangers suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat – arguably one of their worst domestic losses – but Bajrami was subbed at half-time following a dismal display.
Stevie Clifford, who runs Four Lads Had a Dream, criticised the Albanian a month before, saying:
“I’ll highlight it again, it’s not singling him out, but Nedim Bajrami is not offering enough at all.
“We need him to influence games & be involved, largely anonymous so far, again.
“£4m is big money to do it in these type of games & he’s miles off it so far.”
All of these points point towards a likely summer exit when the window opens next month. Should Rangers receive a bid that is deemed acceptable, then they must be ready to cash in.
He didn’t live up to initial expectations, and regardless of who the new manager is, Bajrami’s future already looks settled with the offers that are on the table from other clubs.
Hopefully, he can make better signings this summer.
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The 49ers agreed a deal in principle to take over in Glasgow earlier this year and are hoping to have completed all the relative paperwork by the summer. One of their first tasks looks set to be to find a new permanent manager, with Barry Ferguson currently doing a solid but unspectacular job in temporary charge.
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Whoever gets the job on a full-time basis could be backed by the 49ers in the transfer market, with claims Rangers could spend up to £25m this summer under the new owners.
One of the 49ers’ first signings could be to make Vaclav Cerny’s Rangers loan move from VfL Wolfsburg permanent. Asked if he wants to stay in Scotland with Rangers, Cerny said: “I definitely do. But there are so many aspects that I can’t control. All I can do is be the best I can and keep up my form and numbers.”
However, there could also be a plethora of departures, with midfielder Jose Cifuentes, currently on loan at Greek side Aris Thessaloniki, looking certain to be sold. Now, there has been a fresh update on the future of club captain James Tavernier.
James Tavernier could leave Rangers after internal talks
According to TEAMtalk, the 49ers could axe Tavernier from Rangers in one of their first major decisions in control at Ibrox. A ‘huge rebuild’ is on the cards in Glasgow, and internal discussions are underway over rebuilding the Rangers squad.
Tavernier, thought to be on £30,000-a-week and under contract until 2026, could be sold by the Gers and he is being eyed up by clubs in Italy and the United States.
The 33-year-old has been a regular under Ferguson, who kept the full-back as Rangers captain after taking over from Philippe Clement.
“I don’t feel the need to change that [captaincy]. He [Tavernier] came in last night, and we had a really good chat. I’ve looked him in the eyes, he’s ready to give 100%”, said Ferguson on the right-back.
James Tavernier’s Rangers stats
Games
505
Goals
130
Assists
141
Minutes played
44,596
Trophies
5
Ferguson went on to praise Tavernier again as he approached 500 appearances for Rangers. “We’ve had a few good chats and he’s an important player for me. He deserves a lot of credit for 500 games. It’s part of playing at Rangers. When you suffer defeats or don’t play well, it’s generally the captain who gets it in the neck.
“He’s big enough to handle those situations. I’ve been through it as well, and it’s not nice at times, but I’m afraid that’s the nature of the beast.”
However, by the looks of things, Tavernier’s days at Rangers could be numbered after 10 years in Scotland, making this one to keep an eye on.