Sports
Max Dowman Compared to Messi as he Makes Arsenal History v Mansfield
It was a more difficult afternoon than Arsenal would have anticipated as they played Mansfield Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup and came away with a 2-1 win. That said, Mikel Arteta did field a heavily rotated team.
The League One side had more than their fair share of chances throughout but went behind in the 41st minute with Noni Madueke curling in the opener for the Premier League leaders. Will Evans made it 1-1 not long after the break though, thanks to some poor defending from the Gunners.
In truth, it could have gone either way from here, but substitute Eberechi Eze – who scored the winning goal in last year’s FA Cup final – came up with the goods again. This time, he blasted the ball into the top corner as Arteta’s men moved into the next round with a 2-1 win.
Journalist Compares Dowman to Messi
With a number of senior stars rested, the cup game was 16-year-old Max Dowman offered a rare start. He actually made history, becoming the youngest Arsenal player to ever play for Arsenal in the FA Cup. What’s more, the Gunners are now the first-ever Premier League side to start a game with two players aged 16 or under in any competition, with Marli Salmon also starting.
While Arsenal weren’t at their best, Dowman outshone a number of senior stars –perhaps most notably Gabriel Jesus– as the young Englishman constatnly looked to make things happen. He forced a good save from the Mansfield goalkeeper earlier on, and regularly dribbled past his marker.
His 7.4 SofaScore rating was the third-best of all Arsenal players on the day, as he finished the game with the most dribbles completed (4/6), and the most shots (three). He also created one big chance, and provided two key passes.
Still only 16, it’s not hard to see why many are so excited by Dowman. Daily Mirror journalist Ryan Taylor, for instance, heaped on the praise with a very interesting comparison. He wrote:
“Ridiculous & absurd thing to say about a 16-year-old but there are shades of Lionel Messi in Max Dowman’s dribbling style (touches, jinks, nutmegs, low centre of gravity).”
Dowman’s Highlights vs Mansfield
Taylor wasn’t the only one to feel this way about Dowman, either. Indeed, a number of Arsenal fans were left saying the same thing after the game. One said:
“Purely on ability and playing style, Dowman is Messi’s understudy. I want Arteta’s head on a pike if he turns him into a width-holding bot.”
Another added: “I think Messi was a unicorn and that no player will repeat his feats. But there is no denying Dowman’s dribbling is similar and exceptional.” A third said:
“Purely on ability and playing style, Dowman is Messi’s understudy. I want Arteta’s head on a pike if he turns him into a width-holding bot.”
After seeing his highlights, another concluded: “This kid is literally Messi.” While anothet simply called him: “Messi Dowman.”
Manchester United look set to miss out on a potential new signing as he’s now agreed a deal to join another club in a record-breaking move.
The Red Devils have been incredibly busy in the summer market already, looking to strengthen their squad ahead of a season in the Champions League.
United showed they have a squad capable of finishing in the top four last season, but they were without the distraction of European football.
They are heading in a new direction under manager Michael Carrick, who was appointed as permanent boss earlier this year.
There’s no doubt they’ll need new additions in order to compete on all fronts next season, and they are working on multiple deals at the moment.
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Man Utd Miss Out on ‘Elite’ Star
Manchester United look set to miss out on one of their summer transfer window targets as he’s now agreed to join a different club.
According to a report from Team Talk, AC Milan have agreed a club record deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos.
Manchester United held talks with intermediaries representing Ramos earlier in the transfer window, and he was firmly on the radar of the Premier League club.
United didn’t make a formal offer for Ramos, who has been described as ‘elite’, and he is now set to join AC Milan for a fee in the region of £60m, eclipsing their previous record when they signed Rafael Leao for around £43m.
United were among a number of Premier League clubs to have held talks with Ramos, but it’s no surprise that PSG have accepted such a big offer from AC Milan.
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Man Utd in Market for New Striker
Manchester United do appear to be in the market for a new striker in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are looking to bring in an experienced forward to help develop and provide cover and competition for Benjamin Sesko.
Reports have suggested that their dream target for this position is Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, but a deal could be difficult due to the finances involved.
United need to ensure that they do not ruin the pathway of development for Sesko. They also need to ensure he has strong competition and cover, especially as they prepare to compete in the Champions League.
Tottenham have reportedly made a £100m offer to secure a new signing in the summer transfer window as they continue their big spending.
It’s already been a hectic window for the North London club, confirming three new additions with plenty of other deals being worked on.
Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi have all signed on the dotted line at Tottenham so far.
They certainly won’t be the only additions to arrive through the door in the coming weeks, with Spurs in talks to sign a number of players.
It’s no surprise that Tottenham are incredibly busy after such a disappointing season in the Premier League, finishing 17th for the second campaign in a row.
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Tottenham Make £100m Offer
According to reports, Tottenham have taken a big step towards securing their fourth signing of the summer transfer window.
Tottenham have submitted a £100m offer to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, and the Italian international wants to make the move to Spurs this summer to play under Roberto De Zerbi.
A few details are missing before Spurs can complete a deal, but Tonali, who has ‘incredible pace’ according to the Premier League, remains Tottenham’s number one target for the midfield position.
Tottenham are heavily prioritising signing new midfielders after strengthening their defence earlier in the window. Tonali does appear to be the priority target, with Spurs willing to pay a hefty amount of money to secure his signature.
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Tottenham Working on Fernandes Deal
Tottenham are also working on a deal to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the summer transfer window.
The north London club face competition from Manchester United for his signature, but Spurs are actively pushing to bring him to the club in the coming weeks.
The Portuguese midfielder could cost in the region of £85m to prise him away from West Ham, and it’s a competitive race to secure his signature.
Tottenham are clearly prioritising a move to sign a midfielder or two this summer, and it will be interesting to see if they try to bring in both Fernandes and Tonali.
Liverpool could be set to miss out on one of their summer transfer window targets, with PSG now leading the race, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Reds are preparing for a big summer window after a disappointing season in the Premier League.
Liverpool are also entering a new era after it was confirmed that Andoni Iraola would take over from Arne Slot ahead of the new season.
The Merseyside club will be looking to back the new manager with reinforcements, especially with the former Bournemouth boss having a unique style of play.
Iraola style is more high-pressing and energetic than Slot, which could require different profiles of players.
It looks set to be a busy summer transfer window for Liverpool, but they already appear to be missing out on targets.
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Liverpool Behind in Race for Star
According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Paris Saint-Germain are now leading the race ahead of two Premier League clubs for Monaco talent Maghnes Akliouche.
Reports claimed earlier this year that Liverpool were showing strong interest in signing the French star in a deal worth around £60 million.
Akliouche, described as ‘insane’, is expected to move this summer, with ‘talks and approaches intensifying’, according to Romano.
Monaco expect bids for Akliouche soon, and it remains to be seen where he will end up.
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Liverpool May Have Other Priorities Now
Liverpool appear to have other priorities in the summer transfer window ahead of the likes of Akliouche.
The Reds are pushing to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who also has interest from PSG, and he has already agreed personal terms to join the club.
Liverpool have already seen an offer in the region of €100 million rejected for Diomande. The offer was €80 million plus €20 million in add-ons, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.
The Reds are looking to find a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is leaving the club on a free transfer this summer. Diomande has been identified as the ideal option.
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