Sports
Forgotten Liverpool Ace Under Jurgen Klopp Became Better Under Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola’s appointment at Liverpool has many fans hoping to see a return to the type of football Jurgen Klopp embedded at Anfield during his nine-year reign.
Arne Slot’s more controlled style of play ended up being unsuccessful in his second campaign at the club, and ultimately led to his sacking. Iraola has impressed at Bournemouth, taking them from relegation favourites to European football in just three years.
While he has an incredibly difficult task getting anywhere near Klopp’s legacy on Merseyside, he may even excel more than the popular German in some areas. According to one man who has played under both managers, at least.
Andoni Iraola Elevated Former Liverpool Star
England international Dominic Solanke spent two years under Klopp at Liverpool after joining from Chelsea in 2017. The striker was expected to go on to big things, but only managed 27 appearances for the Reds, playing second fiddle to Roberto Firmino.
He was still young when Bournemouth came knocking in 2019, signing him for £19 million. While that was still four years before Iraola would even appear at the Vitality Stadium, the Spanish coach took him to a new level.
Liverpool Next Manager: Jurgen Klopp Already Gave His Opinion on Andoni Iraola
Doubts have emerged once again over Arne Slot’s position at Liverpool manager heading into the summer.
Solanke had two very good goalscoring seasons in the Championship following the Cherries’ relegation. However, there was still a question mark over whether he could translate that to the top-flight. His first season back in the Premier League saw the Englishman only net six times.
Iraola then joined the next summer (2023) and immediately turned Solanke into a prolific goalscorer. He found the net 19 times in the league in the Spaniard’s first term and earned a £65 million move to Tottenham.
Dominic Solanke Raved About Iraola at Bournemouth
In a December 2023 interview with The Times, Solanke credited Iraola’s style of play for his upturn in form. He did admit the players struggled to take his approach on board at first, saying: “We couldn’t take in all the information at first.”
He explained how it took time to adjust, before everything became second-nature: “For me, I’m pressing with a No.10 behind me and, at first, our timing was off. We didn’t know when to press or to drop, but now it’s second nature as the manager has gone through it many times and it’s embedded in our heads and we are all on the same wavelength. It’s natural now.”
⚽
England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
The five-cap England international spoke glowingly about his old boss’ man-management: “Iraola’s really good with the players. We all get on really well with him. He’s easy to talk to. He’s very detailed in his tactics so we have a lot of meetings. He’s always willing to speak separately to make sure everyone’s on board.”
The part that will now excite Liverpool fans the most is how Solanke credited Iraola’s high-pressing tactics as a big factor in his success at Bournemouth. The forward explained:
“Part of my success is because the manager loves pressing high. I’m high up the pitch, in the centre of the goal much of the time, and not having to drop back too much and am finding myself in good positions, more than last season probably.
“The manager’s style definitely suits me.”
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 05-06-26.
Sports
Arsenal Set Record-Breaking Transfer Price Tag For Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal have set a club-record transfer price tag for one of their stars, as the Gunners prepare for a summer window filled with business moving in and out of the club.
The North London side enjoyed a successful campaign, which saw them crowned as Premier League champions, while they were a penalty shootout away from landing a first-ever Champions League trophy too.
Mikel Arteta and the hierarchy aren’t happy with just that, however, as it appears as though the appetite is there to continue competing at the highest possible level.
That means Arsenal are facing a busy few months ahead, with both signings and exits on the cards, the latter of which could result in some difficult decisions being made.
Arsenal Stance On Gabriel Martinelli
One of the players who could leave this summer is Gabriel Martinelli, as Christian Falk claims that Arsenal are open to a move, with a price tag already set on the winger.
The report states that £38.9 million will be enough to tempt the Gunners into allowing a deal to proceed, with Bayern Munich among those most heavily linked.
The Bundesliga champions have been rumoured with interest in the Brazilian for some time now, and following their failed move for Anthony Gordon, there is still the need to land a left-winger in the market.
That said, it’s claimed that Bayern are looking at other options who may feature more as squad players, a role that wouldn’t suit Martinelli as he searches for more game time.
Martinelli featured 53 times across all competitions for Arsenal over the past season, scoring 11 goals and assisting seven times, with his main quality being his “rapid” pace and ability to disrupt defences.
That said, he has been relied on a lot less than others, with fewer than half of his Premier League appearances coming as a starter in the side.
With the Gunners on the search for a left-wing option, an exit for Martinelli appears more likely, along with the possibility of his teammate Leandro Trossard also leaving.
It remains to be seen whether that £38.9 million price tag would tempt some other clubs to come in with an offer, though it would prove a decent return on investment for Arsenal.
Arsenal Need Sales
One of the huge tasks that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has this summer is finding a way to make the club capable of selling in a similar way to their rivals.
The Gunners have often struggled to recoup considerable funds for their players, making it tougher to reinvest in the market with stronger transfer fees as a result.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains the club-record sale to Liverpool, worth just £35 million, something that would be beaten if Martinelli manages to go for the proposed £38.9 million price tag.
AI Predicts Three Summer Signings For Every 26/27 Premier League Club
Arsenal are predicted to spend big this summer in order to build on their first title win in 22 years.
That would result in a huge profit on the £6 million paid to Ituano back in 2019, and would underline the huge effort to help develop him to that point.
Arsenal would land money that goes back into the transfer fund, and it starts a self-sustaining cycle that must continue if the club want to stay competitive at the very top.
Martinelli’s potential sale would be the start of an era for Arsenal, one where they need to find better ways to sell to keep competitive.
Sports
Man Utd Offered Chance to Sign Dusan Vlahovic on Free Transfer
Manchester United are eyeing up potential market opportunities to bolster their attack this summer, and they may have stumbled upon a big deal.
The Red Devils have completed an agreement to sign Brazil midfielder Ederson from Atalanta as they look to strengthen their midfield, and several other deals are expected to be completed too, with several midfielders also being targeted, as well as a new left-back.
But with Joshua Zirkzee’s future at Old Trafford looking bleak, new manager Michael Carrick is keen to ensure he isn’t left short of options in attack, and there are chances for a new striker to come in.
Man Utd Offered Top Striker Deal
According to TEAMtalk, Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has been offered to a number of clubs for a transfer this summer, including Manchester United.
The Serbia international, who has been described as ‘one of the best strikers in the world’, is set to leave the Serie A giants following a break down in talks over a new contract, with his deal set to expire at the end of the month.
Juventus have been unwilling to match his wage demands, and now the player’s representatives are targeting a move to England as the next step in his career.
It’s understood that Man Utd are assessing their options and looking to see whether a deal is possible, with the 26-year-old reportedly demanding £266,000-a-week to put pen-to-paper on any deal, plus a significant signing on fee.
Vlahovic is also attracting interest from Saudi Arabia and clubs in Europe, but he is believed to want to continue to play in Europe in the top leagues. Atletico Madrid are understood to be interested, should Julian Alvarez leave, while Chelsea are said to be showing the most interest in England.
⚽
England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Vlahovic and Sesko Could be Fearsome Duo
Man Utd spent big to strengthen their attack last summer, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, with all of them hitting double figures for goals in their debut campaign.
While Vlahovic has had his issues with form in recent seasons, his ability is undeniable, and contract issues have overshadowed his time at Juventus for the most recent years. A fresh start could be the kickstart that he needs to get back to his lethal self.
On a free transfer, United could do with someone who has his goal record, and stylistically he and Sesko are similar, which could help the team tactically. It’s an interesting deal to watch over the coming weeks, but whoever lands Vlahovic would be getting a bargain of a deal.
As good as Zirkzee is technically, it hasn’t worked out for him at Old Trafford. An exit looks inevitable, and Vlahovic would be a major upgrade on the Netherlands international, so it’s a deal that should be strongly considered.
Update Emerges on Man Utd Signing Newcastle Defender Lewis Hall
Man Utd are reportedly interested in signing Lewis Hall.
Sports
Juventus Make Contact with Crystal Palace to Sign Jean-Philippe Mateta
Juventus have made contact with Crystal Palace over a deal to sign striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer in recent hours, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The Serie A giants are looking to bolster their squad this summer after missing out on Champions League football, while the Eagles are set to enter a new era at Selhurst Park after winning the Conference League, with manager Oliver Glasner departing after his contract expired.
Palace are expecting big interest in several of their top stars as a result, despite qualifying for the Europa League as a result of their third trophy in 12 months, and now Juventus have made their first move for one of the key players responsible for their recent success.
Juventus Make Move to Sign Mateta
According to a report, Juventus are stepping up their interest in signing a new striker after it was confirmed that Dusan Vlahovic will depart when his contract expires at the end of the month.
Mateta, who has been described as ‘unbelievable’, was expected to leave the club in the January transfer window but saw a move to AC Milan collapse on deadline day after he failed a medical with a knee injury.
But the 28-year-old battled back to fitness and enjoyed a fine end of the season with Palace, scoring the winning goal in the Conference League final and earning a place in France’s World Cup squad under Didier Deschamps.
Palace are now set to hire Pierre Sage as Glasner’s replacement, but he may be forced to plan for his new season without their top forward, as Juventus make their move to sign Mateta this summer.
It’s expected that Mateta will be sold, as he enters the final 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park, with GIVEMESPORT sources previously revealing that he would be very open to a move to Serie A.
You scored
out of 20
Crystal Palace Already Planning for Life After Mateta
Mateta has been a revelation at Palace in recent seasons, and replacing him will be unbelievably difficult for the club because he has been such a reliable source of goals.
The club looked to solve the issue in January by bringing in all of Jorgen Strand Larsen, Evann Guessand, and Brennan Johnson to strengthen the attack, and it may mean that Sage has plenty of options already.
But Guessand’s move wasn’t made permanent, Johnson scored just once since his arrival, and Larsen didn’t have a great season either. With Mateta on the move, Sage has the chance to make an impact by bringing in a top number nine that he trusts to fill the void, and that would immediately get fans on side going forward.
Romano: Crystal Palace Close to Agreement to Bring ‘Genius’ to Selhurst Park
The Eagles look set to appoint their new manager in the coming days
-
Sports9 hours agoIbrahima Konate to Earn Crazy Amount at Real Madrid as Liverpool Wage Compared
-
Sports2 days agoGilberto Silva Ranked Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes From Worst to Best
-
Sports1 day agoThe 10 Players Sheikh Jassim Wanted to Sign For Man United
-
Sports7 hours agoNewcastle Agree £25m Deal to Sign Ewen Jaouen
-
Sports1 day agoMichael Carrick Wants Man Utd to Sign 5 Players
-
Sports2 days agoLiverpool Working on ‘Fast’ Deal for Diomande, He’s Iraola’s Next Semenyo
-
Metro1 day agoSeveral killed as fresh militia attacks hit Taraba communities
-
Politics2 days agoKebbi Assembly elects Dangoje as speaker two months after Zuru’s death




