The MLS club have added the former Dortmund attacking midfielder on a free transfer.
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A bizarre transfer twist has taken place regarding Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn's pursuit of Orlando City striker Duncan McGuire, as they battle Blackburn Rovers for his signature.
The Owls are desperate for some incoming business to be done in the current transfer window, with Danny Rohl's side still in the Championship relegation zone and only managing to draw 0-0 at home to Watford on Wednesday evening.
There is one player who has stood out as a primary target in recent days, with McGuire a wanted man after impressing in the MLS for Orlando City. However, Blackburn looked to have positioned themselves as favourites to sign the 22-year-old, reportedly hijacking the move and agreeing a deal for McGuire to join Rovers earlier this week.
The striker then flew across the Atlantic without yet sealing a move to either club, leaving his future very much up in the air, with Ewood Park looking his most likely destination. Now, with time running out to get some late January business over the line, yet another twist has emerged in this bizarre saga over the USA international.
According to journalist Alan Nixon on Patreon [via Sheffield Wednesday News], Sheffield Wednesday still have a chance of signing McGuire, after his move to Blackburn Rovers fell through.
The attacker's proposed switch to Ewood Park "has turned into a farce", and due to this, he now "hopes" that Wednesday will snap him up on a permanent deal as he waits in a hotel for something to happen. However, the Owls would prefer a loan move until the end of the season, leaving Dejphon Chansiri with a decision to make on just how badly he wants to steal the player back after Blackburn's initial hijack.
This is becoming quite the story surrounding McGuire, whose head must be spinning after looking nailed on to join Blackburn over Wednesday at one point, and is now looking nailed on to be this deadline day's famous Peter Odemwingie story.
*Update* at 18:16 on February 1 – McGuire is now heading back to Blackburn for a medical, according to Alex Miller – what a saga!
|
Sheff Wed's top goalscorers this season |
Total |
|---|---|
|
Anthony Musaba |
5 |
|
Josh Windass |
4 |
|
Marvin Johnson |
3 |
|
Bailey Cadamarteri |
3 |
|
Michael Smith |
3 |
McGuire could be a brilliant late signing for Rohl if a transfer does go through, with his quality talked up by USMNT outlet Stars and Stripes, who have described him as an attacking player who "likes to be a nuisance" to opponents. He has even been spoken of as Orlando's answer to Lionel Messi, who is now at Inter Miami, although that one may be a tad far-fetched.
USMNT striker Duncan McGuire rejects contract in Sheffield Wednesday update
An offer has been submitted for the player in question.
By
Henry Jackson
Jan 29, 2024
McGuire only has one cap to his name for the USA to date, but being in the spotlight of the English game could help him increase that tally. He will surely want to be a key man by the time the 2026 World Cup arrives, a lot of which is hosted in his homeland, and a total of 15 goals in 37 appearances for Orlando shows that he is a striker who knows where the net is.
The Australia side that India beat in 2018-19 was without Steven Smith and David Warner
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Dec-2019Last year, India completed a historic 2-1 triumph in Australia, their first-ever Test series victory in the country. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly believes India will face an even bigger challenge when they go back down under in 2020-21 for a four-Test series against a “full-strength” Australia side.Back in 2018-19, the hosts were without two key batsmen in Steven Smith and David Warner, who were serving year-long bans for their role in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal. With both Smith and Warner back in action, a “different Australia”, according to Ganguly, awaits India next year.Following the end of the 2019-21 World Test Championship cycle, India are also set to tour England (2021) and South Africa (2021-22). Ganguly wants India to win Test series on those tours as well.”They beat Australia in 2018. But I will still expect to win in South Africa and England,” Ganguly told . “And I think, they are going back to Australia next year. That’s going to be a bigger challenge and I am sure with the standards that Virat [Kohli] sets for himself and the others, he will know at the back of his mind that the 2018 Australia team was not the best Australian team of this generation. And what he is going to face next year, which is not very far away, is going to be a different Australia.”The enormity of the challenge notwithstanding, Ganguly was confident Indian have the ability to beat Australia in their backyard once more.”The full-strength Australia are a strong Australia,” Ganguly said. “They (India) have the team to beat them. They will just have to believe and get everything right to beat them. That’s what I am looking for.”When I became a captain, one of our aims was to compete with the best. And I remember, 2003 in Australia against that Australia, we were outstanding. And this team has the potential to do it. They have proper fast bowlers, they have spinners, they have a champion in Virat Kohli as a batsman.”Members of the Indian team celebrate after winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy•Getty Images
As for the shorter formats, Ganguly said he would discuss with Kohli, head coach Ravi Shastri, and the other players, the potential causes – mental or otherwise – for India’s defeats in crunch matches of world tournaments in the recent past. Under Kohli, India’s defeat to Pakistan in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy was bookended by eliminations in the semi-finals of the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2019 ODI World Cup.”As I said, it’s a very strong team. But then you have to get past the semi-final,” Ganguly said. “Like in this World Cup, they played so well but lost to New Zealand one day. This is something that they will have to address. At some stage, we will speak to Virat, Ravi and then the players. You need to find a way to get past that hurdle in the big game. Whether it’s a mental hurdle or whatever, they will do that. I still expect them to win in England and South Africa in Test matches, which they need to do to be a good side.”Ganguly rated Kohli’s leadership skills highly, but wasn’t willing to compare him with past India captains.”Very good (Kohli’s captaincy is),” Ganguly said. “But I don’t think you can judge captains because the teams were different, the strengths were different. I don’t think you can compare captains of any era with the captains of other eras. He is a fantastic cricketer, a fantastic person. Yes, he may make mistakes, he may say something, everybody does.”I believe, as a human being, you carry what you do off the field to the field. He is a very solid person off the field. A lot of things rest on his shoulders in India.”When India travel to Australia, it won’t be easy. It will not be as easy as in 2018. I don’t know whether I will still be board president then but I will be looking forward to Virat beating this Australian team in 2020 when they get there after the T20 World Cup.”
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has reportedly been given just three games to save his job after a dismal start to the new season. The Portuguese has overseen the Red Devils' worst start to a Premier League campaign for 33 years and now he is under increasing pressure to keep his role. There was much excitement when he joined the club 10 months ago, but that optimism is fading fast.
The January transfer window has been open for business for over three weeks and Celtic have, so far, made one addition to their first-team squad.
German winger Nicolas Kuhn has been brought in from Austrian side Rapid Wien on a permanent deal on a five-and-a-half-year contract to bolster Brendan Rodgers' options at the top end of the pitch.
|
23/24 Bundesliga |
Nicolas Kuhn (via Sofascore) |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
16 |
|
Goals |
Two |
|
Assists |
Five |
|
Big chances created |
11 |
|
Key passes per game |
1.8 |
The 24-year-old wizard, who caught the eye in the Bundesliga earlier this season as you can see in the table above, may not be the only signing made by the Scottish giants this month.
Football Insider previously reported that the Hoops head coach would also like to add a left-back, a goalkeeper, and a new centre-forward to his squad before the window slams shut.
Celtic may also need to replace one of their current first-team performer as Liel Abada has been linked with a transfer away from Parkhead this month.
According to The Mail, the Israel international is a target for a number of clubs outside of Scotland ahead of a potential loan exit from Glasgow before February's deadline.
English Championship sides West Bromwich Albion, Southampton, and Watford are all interested in a loan swoop for the exciting young winger as they look to bolster their respective attacks ahead of the second half of the campaign.
Clubs in Germany and France are also keen on a deal to sign the 22-year-old wizard, who has only started three Scottish Premiership matches so far this season.
His campaign has been severely disrupted by a torn thigh muscle that caused him to miss a staggering 22 competitive games for Celtic between September and December of 2023.
The Hoops could need to find a replacement for the forward if they allow him to depart on loan to one of the many interested clubs before the deadline, and they may already know who could step up to fill that void.
Instead of dipping into the market to sign another attacking midfielder, Rodgers could unearth Rocco Vata from the B team as the club look to tie him down to a new contract.
Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph has revealed that the Bhoys have opened talks with the 18-year-old prospect over an extension at Parkhead.
His current deal is due to expire at the end of the 2023/24 campaign and the Scottish giants are now scrambling to ensure that his future remains in Glasgow.
The reporter claims that Vata is keen to stay at Celtic if the right pathway is there for him to make a breakthrough at senior level, which Abada's potential exit could provide him with.
Rodgers could offer the Irish youngster more first-team minutes, that would otherwise have gone to the 22-year-old winger, and convince him to commit his future to the club.
The right-footed forward joined the Hoops in the summer of 2021 and quickly established himself as a reliable and impressive option at the top end of the pitch.
Abada has racked up 29 goals and 22 assists in 109 appearances for the club in all competitions over the last three-and-a-half-years, which includes 21 goals in 67 Premiership outings.
During the 2021/22 campaign, the exciting whiz caught the eye under Ange Postecoglou with a return of ten goals and six assists in 36 league matches.
He followed that up with ten goals and five assists in 34 Premiership games throughout the 2022/23 season under the Australian head coach, although only 13 of those appearances came as a starter.
His thigh injury has halted his progress under Rodgers this season as Abada has only contributed with one goal and one assist in six league games.
The young dynamo has previously proven his quality in the Premiership, under Postecoglou, but his injury has been a huge setback and going out on loan for the second half of the campaign could be ideal for him.
It would allow Abada to go and play regular first-team football to regain his fitness and form ahead of a possible return to Celtic for the 2024/25 campaign, whilst it would also open the door for Vata to be provided with a pathway to senior minutes.
Rodgers could replace the current first-team winger by bringing the 18-year-old starlet up to the senior squad on a regular basis over the next few months.
The Ireland U21 international has already shown glimpses of his quality for Celtic in a smattering of appearances since the start of last season, the latest of which came against Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup on Sunday.
Vata, who talent scout Jacek Kulig once claimed has an "exciting" future ahead, found the back of the net from close range as he displayed his fantastic positioning within the six-yard box to score his first goal for the club, as you can see in the video below.
His goalscoring potential has been on display throughout his time with the B team in Glasgow as the Ireland U21 international has scored a whopping 23 goals in 34 appearances for the young Hoops.
Abada hit double figures for goals in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Premiership campaigns and these statistics suggest that Vata could provide a similar threat when it comes to scoring goals from an attacking midfield or wide position, as he can play out wide or through the middle.
|
22/23 Premiership |
Rocco Vata (via Sofascore) |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
Four |
|
Minutes played |
44 |
|
Key passes |
Four |
|
Big chances created |
Two |
|
Pass accuracy |
88% |
As you can see in the table above, the teenage dynamo was provided with a chance to impress in the Premiership last term and took his chance with an outstanding creative output in just 44 minutes of action.
He created two 'big chances' in those 44 minutes, and it has taken Abada 288 minutes of league action this season to create two for his teammates.
Therefore, Vata could also offer creativity for Celtic in the final third if he can translate that form over a prolonged spell of matches in the first-team.
So, whilst allowing Abada to depart on loan could be seen as a blow, it could also be viewed as an opportunity for the club to keep hold of Vata by offering him first-team minutes as the forward's replacement during the second half of the campaign.
Peter Siddle and James Pattinson shared five wickets as Queensland were bowled out for 183
ESPNcricinfo staff12-Nov-2019Victoria bowled themselves into a strong position on the opening day at the MCG by dismantling Queensland for 183.The wickets were shared around as Peter Siddle, still hoping to keep his name in the Test frame, and Jon Holland claimed three apiece while James Pattinson and debutant Will Sutherland claimed a brace each. Charlie Hemphrey’s half-century kept Queensland in the contest.It was Sutherland, with his third delivery on first-class debut, who made the opening incision in the 19th over, after sustained pressure from the Victoria quicks, when Bryce Street drove to point where fellow debutant Jake Fraser-McGurk took the catch – combined age for the wicket: 37.Sutherland’s second came when he found Matt Renshaw’s edge from around the wicket and Victoria’s morning became even better with the last ball of the session as Siddle had Marnus Labuschagne well caught at first slip for a 28-ball duck to leave Queensland 3 for 32 from 28 overs.Siddle struck again after the break when Nathan McSweeney was caught behind and the innings slipped to the depths of 7 for 99 as Pattinson and Holland claimed their first wickets.The ship was steadied somewhat by a 55-run stand between Hemphrey and Mark Steketee with Hemphrey compiling 64 from 130 deliveries before he was Pattinson’s second wicket.Holland wrapped up the innings as Steketee chopped on and Blake Edwards was caught at slip, but the final three wickets added 84 useful runs.On a day that was interrupted by showers, Victoria’s openers got through 6.4 overs before play was ended for the final time.
The straight-talking Australian has replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in the City Ground dugout, but he must change his ways to survive
After a brief stay of execution, the axe has come down on Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest just three games into the new season. The Portuguese has paid the ultimate price for a behind-the-scenes feud with recently-appointed global head of football, Edu, speaking candidly about his frustrations in the transfer window and the deterioration of his relationship with notoriously ruthless club owner, Angelos Marinakis.
Bizarrely, the decision to sack Nuno was confirmed shortly after midnight on Tuesday. Thirteen hours later, his replacement was already in situ; after brief links with a clutch of Premier League managers and the out-of-work Jose Mourinho, former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is Forest's new head coach.
It is a divisive appointment that is certain to ruffle some feathers after the Australian led Spurs to both a Europa League crown a dismal 17th-place Premier League finish in a bewildering 2024-25 campaign that was plagued by injuries. The 60-year-old is seemingly charged with delivering more silverware at the City Ground, but he must learn from past mistakes to be a long-term success.
Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Sunderland star Jack Clarke this month, and there has now been a Selhurst Park development.
The Eagles have struggled for goals under Roy Hodgson so far this season, scoring just 22 times with only Burnley (20) and Sheffield United (15) netting fewer in 20 Premier League games.
As a result, the club, and by extension chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman, appear to be on the hunt for a new attacking addition during the January transfer window.
All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024
With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.
By
Luke Randall
Feb 1, 2024
Names with Premier League experience have been floated around in West Ham’ Danny Ings and Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah. The Hammers are currently reluctant to let Ings go due to injuries to Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowe, whereas Arsenal have turned down a loan-to-buy offer from Palace for Nketiah.
Clarke, primarily a winger, is another name who has been linked with a move to London, and it appears as if Palace have made their first move for the Championship star.
According to a new report by Football Insider, Crystal Palace have made contact with Sunderland by registering their interest in a move for Clarke.
However, the Eagles aren’t the only side to have done so, with rivals Brentford and West Ham also doing the same. The report adds that the Black Cats value Clarke up to £20m and the player himself is concerned about joining a Premier League club in the capital following his wretched spell at Tottenham.
Things didn’t work out for Clarke at Spurs previously after moving from Leeds United back in 2019, with the winger making just four senior appearances for the club before being sold to Sunderland in 2022.
The 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength at The Stadium of Light, though, and has already enjoyed a career-best season in front of goal in 2023/24.
|
Jack Clarke Championship stats in 2023/24 |
|
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
26 |
|
Goals |
12 |
|
Assists |
2 |
As a result, he has been praised heavily in the media, including by former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray, who called Clarke a “super talent” earlier this season following a win over Blackburn Rovers.
“He was amazing tonight. Scored two great goals, earned the penalty, he stuck it away, which shows the confidence level he’s got to stand up and take the penalty, and the composure for his second goal.
“But not just the goal. The more the game went on, the more this team knows to give it to Clarke who can run it 40 yards up the pitch, he can cut inside, pass it to people in the box, he can shoot. He’s a super talent, he’s a great kid and I don’t apologise for shouting at him and telling him he has to work hard because all the best players work harder than anybody else and their talent shines through.”
Maroof, Sohail and Amin play crucial hands as hosts take 1-0 lead in three-match series
ESPNcricinfo staff26-Oct-2019
Bangladesh women’s senior seamer Jahanara Alam took four wickets and allrounder Rumana Ahmed struck her maiden T20I fifty, but it couldn’t stop Pakistan women from securing victory in their first T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. It was also Pakistan women’s fourth win in six T20Is at home.ALSO READ – Strong arms: the story of Pakistan women’s cricketNo Nida Dar (who is playing in the WBBL)? No problem for Pakistan women. Thirties from captain Bismah Maroof and No. 4 Umaima Sohail hauled the hosts to 126 despite the regular fall of wickets. They then used six bowlers in their defence and each picked up at least one wicket to restrict Bangladesh women to 112 for 7. This, despite Rumana’s 30-ball 50 that included six fours and two sixes. Rumana’s strike rate of 166.66 stood out in a chase where no other Bangladesh batter struck at over 80.In pursuit of 127, Bangladesh women had lost both their openers inside the third over and slumped further to 47 for 4 in 12 overs. Rumana counterattacked and was particularly severe on Maroof, taking 23 off a mere seven balls from the Pakistan women captain. Rumana took the chase to the last over, leaving her side needing 18 with four wickets in hand.However, she was bowled by Aliya Riaz off the third ball, as Bangladesh women eventually lost by 14 runs. Riaz ended with economical figures of 4-0-12-1. Left-arm fingerspinner Sadia Iqbal returned figures of similar impact on T20I debut: 1 for 16.Having opted to bat, Pakistan women lost both their openers cheaply to Alam, but Maroof and Sohail put on 60 off 59 balls to revive the innings. Although both batsmen fell in successive overs, lower-order contributions from Iram Javed (21 off 17 balls) and wicketkeeper Sidra Nawaz (16* off 4 balls) took the hosts closer to 130. It proved to be enough as Pakistan women claimed a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank has admitted that even he was taken aback by the sudden departure of Daniel Levy as Spurs chairman. Levy, who had been in the role for nearly a quarter of a century, was asked to step down last week by ENIC, the Lewis family-owned group that controls the club.