Enzo Fernández and Sandro Tonali had big-money summer moves, but can they hold a candle to past greats?Perhaps the only thing you really need to know about the modern midfield role is that Enzo Maresca reckons that Marc Guéhi can play it better than Mateo Kovacic. Guéhi, in reality a centre-back, started the season in midfield for Manchester City, ahead of Kovacic, the now-departed Nico González, and Matheus Nunes. In this context City’s purchase of Enzo Fernández for a club record £125m can be seen in one of two ways: either an enormous statement of intent, or a hell of a lot of money to pay for Guéhi’s understudy.We jest, of course. Fernández is in fact a very different kind of midfielder to Guéhi, largely on the basis that he actually is a midfielder. Versatile, able to receive deep from the goalkeeper or the centre-halves; capable of recycling or progressing the ball in tight spots, driving into final-third positions as a No 8, ghosting into the penalty area and offering an advanced goal threat. Like Elliot Anderson, signed from Nottingham Forest for £116m but so long ago that in transfer window time it no longer counts, Fernández is one of the new breed of Premier League central midfielders who seems to offer everything; albeit in modest qualities, and whose primary attribute appears to be the absence of exposed risk he represents. Continue reading...
Folarin Balogun's £40 million ($54 million) move to Everton from Monaco collapsed hours before the transfer window closed because the USMNT striker pulled out over his "treatment" by the Premier League side, Monaco managing director Thiago Scuro said. The post Balogun’s Everton allegation: ‘I’m not feeling well by the way the club treated me’ appeared first on Soccer America.
Celtic can expect a powerful box to box midfielder in new signing Joel van den Berg. The 19-year-old put pen to paper on a four-year deal from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven and watched on as his new club beat Aberdeen 3-0 in the Scottish Premiership. Van den Berg joins Mika Baur and Oliver Sorensen as summer arrivals to Celtic's midfield, but what can fans expect from their latest addition?
Christian Pulisic and Fikayo Tomori are once again preparing to fight for trophies together after the English defender’s dramatic return to the first-team setup, but there remains one unresolved issue that continues to divide opinion around the club. The summer transfer window has closed, and Milan enters the new season with a refreshed squad, renewed ambitions, and an unexpected reunion. Christian Pulisic and Fikayo Tomori are once again preparing to fight for trophies together after the English defender’s dramatic return to the first-team setup, but there remains one unresolved issue that continues to divide opinion around the club. Milan invested heavily during the summer transfer window, bringing in Goncalo Ramos, Mario Gila, Diego Moreira, Omari Hutchinson and promising youngster Sankhoun Diawara, while also securing young striker Andrej Kostic before sending him on loan. The Rossoneri strengthened several areas of the pitch, spending significant sums to back Ruben Amorim’s project ahead of a campaign that includes Serie A, the Europa League and the Coppa Italia. Few expected Tomori to remain at San Siro after a summer in which he was repeatedly linked with Fulham, Newcastle, Aston Villa and other Premier League clubs. The defender even travelled to London on deadline day, but talks with Fulham collapsed, opening the door to a remarkable turnaround. According to multiple Italian reports, such as La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sky Italia, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Amorim personally called the 28-year-old to inform him that he would be reintegrated into the squad. Tomori, who has consistently rejected offers in recent years, was pleased with the decision, having always preferred to continue his journey at the San Siro. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates with teammate Fikayo Tomori The former Chelsea defender remains one of the last survivors of Milan’s 2021-22 Scudetto-winning team. His loyalty to the club, combined with injuries and transfer complications, ultimately convinced the Rossoneri hierarchy to bring him back into the fold. The key concern emerges in the middle of the story Despite making several additions, Milan finished the transfer window without signing another experienced central defender. Defence remains the area where many supporters believe the squad is still short, especially with a demanding season ahead. The club explored options such as Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio, Tiago Gabriel of Lecce, and Morato of Nottingham Forest, but none convinced the management enough to complete a deal. Fabrizio Romano eventually suggested that owner Gerry Cardinale, Amorim and the recruitment team agreed that no available player would significantly improve the department. “We have young defenders who need to play; we won’t solve everything in the first transfer window of my Milan life. Perhaps you’ll be surprised by some players. Everyone wants everything immediately now, but I’m old school; I have patience,” Amorim explained. Gonçalo Inacio of Sporting CP Milan place trust in youth and experience The Portuguese coach believes Milan already has enough options to rotate. Mario Gila, Koni De Winter, Strahinja Pavlovic, Matteo Gabbia, Tomori, Diawara and teenage prospect Vladimirov are expected to share responsibilities throughout the season. Diawara, who arrived from Troyes, is viewed as one of the club’s most promising talents. Vladimirov, born in 2008, is another player highly rated by Amorim, although neither has extensive senior experience. That strategy comes with risks. Injuries to key players such as Gabbia have already highlighted how thin the depth can become, particularly with European football returning to San Siro.
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