Arsenal duo Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino are not in Arsenal's squad for their Premier League clash at West Ham.
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West Ham host ArsenalPartey & Merino not in squadArteta explains their absenceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
When the Gunners' matchday squad for the Hammers clash was announced on Saturday afternoon, neither Partey nor Merino were in the 20-man group. The important duo would have certainly been included but now manager Mikel Arteta has explained their absence.
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Arteta revealed that the two midfielders have been ruled out through injury but didn't reveal what those injuries are or the severity.
He told Sky Sports: "Unfortunately, they both picked up an injury and the game too early and they couldn't be part of the squad."
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Arsenal keenly felt the injury absence of captain Martin Odegaard and their results suffered during his time on the sidelines. Before the West Ham encounter at London Stadium, they were nine points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, and having more players out injured will not help in their title bid.
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It remains to be seen how long both Partey, who has been playing at right-back of late in the absence of the injured Ben White, and Merino will be sidelined for. After this match, Arsenal host Manchester United in the league on Wednesday.
The coach admitted reports of unrest over his coaching style in recent months hurt him
Reuters and ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jul-20213:48
Justin Langer talks up Dan Christian’s return to the Australian side
Australia coach Justin Langer said he was hurt and confused by some of the things he read about his style of working but remains keen to lead the side and get an extension when his current contract runs out next year.Reports of dressing-room unrest and discontent over his coaching style surfaced after Australia were beaten 2-1 in the Test series at home by an injury-ravaged India in January.The players took part in an end-of-season review with leadership consultant Tim Ford, and Australia’s limited-overs captain Aaron Finch said last week that Langer had cleared the air at a gathering on the Gold Coast before flying with the team to West Indies.”I haven’t changed much in twenty-odd years of being involved in Australian cricket,” Langer said on the eve of Australia’s T20 series opener against West Indies in St Lucia. “Some of the things I was reading were a bit confusing actually. If I’m completely honest I was really hurt by some of it. Maybe I’m being a sook but in three years…I hadn’t heard from any of the people I work with and I certainly hadn’t heard from any of the players which had been so widely reported.”The feedback I’ve been given for three years has been overwhelmingly positive of the role that I’ve been able to play as a coach.”Related
Steven Smith: Langer seeking improvement just as I am
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Langer addressed 'confronting' team review with squad ahead of tour
For Langer the pre-tour gathering, which also included Test captain Tim Paine, was the first time he had been with the squad since the end of the India series due to the postponement of the South Africa tour and he emerged feeling energised about the challenge ahead.”We addressed some of those issues. Honestly, I left the camp feeling like Superman,” he said. “It was such a great few days for us. It was good to get everyone back together again. Everyone’s absolutely flying at the moment, there’s a great spirit over here, we’ve just appointed our two new senior assistant coaches, which I’m delighted about and I think everything is moving in the right direction.”Cricket Australia appointed Langer as the head coach on a four-year contract in 2018 after Darren Lehmann stepped down in the wake of the damaging ball-tampering scandal in South Africa and he said he would want to continue in his role.”If the board and the CEO and high performance manager believe I’m the right person to keep leading us forward, absolutely. I absolutely love my job,” Langer said. “I didn’t like losing to India in the amazing series, no one likes losing. I’m absolutely committed, I love my job, I love the Australian cricket team, I love the players and I love Australian cricket.”They’re the things I value most in my life. Hopefully I’ve done a really good job the last three years, that’s been the feedback. Long may that continue.”Langer and his team will be keen to perform well at the T20 World Cup in the UAE – the one major limited-overs trophy they have never won – and the home Ashes series against England starting December.”We’re not a great team yet and that’s what we’re all aspiring to. Like I’m aspiring to be a great coach,” he added. “I’m not a great coach yet, I’m aspiring to be a great coach. I’m working towards it and I hope all the players are doing the same thing.”
This year, Arsenal have been uncharacteristically quiet in the summer transfer window.
Two seasons ago, they brought in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko; last year, they signed Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, and at the moment, Riccardo Calafiori is the only significant addition to the first team.
Now, Mikel Arteta's side does appear close to securing the services of Mikel Merino, but that's been the case for weeks, and while they have been linked with several strikers, including Dominic Solanke, nothing has materialised.
Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke.
In fact, the Bournemouth man now looks like he's on his way to the white side of North London. However, the good news is that recent reports have touted another star striker for a move to the Emirates, and this number nine would be a better signing than the Cherries ace.
Arsenal transfer news
According to a recent report from the Boot Room, Arsenal have maintained their interest in Brentford's star striker, Ivan Toney.
There has been a general belief that the Gunners had ended their pursuit of the Englishman this summer, but the report claims that, alongside Tottenham Hotspur, the Premier League runners-up are still targeting the striker this summer.
The story claims that the 28-year-old would cost about £40m, a price likely mandated by his contract expiring next summer.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney
Thanks to Spurs' interest, it could be a complicated deal to get over the line, but if Toeny really is available for £40m, Arsenal should do what they can to secure his services this summer. His ability to find the back of the net could push them over the line next summer, and he'd be a far better option than Solanke.
How Toney compares to Solanke
So, if there was a point in which Arsenal were genuinely looking at both Toney and Solanke before the Lilywhites moved in on the latter, who would have been a better signing? Which striker would help Arteta and Co finally get over the line next season?
Brentford's Ivan Toney
Well, when it comes to the most important metric for centre-forwards, output, it's a little complicated. We cannot compare the two players based solely on their performances last season, as the former Newcastle United ace missed most of it due to his eight-month betting-related football ban.
However, if we use their previous two campaigns to give us a wider set of data to examine, it becomes quite clear that the Brentford star is superior in terms of goals and assists.
For example, over the last two years, the "remarkable" number nine, as manager Thomas Frank dubbed him, has scored 25 goals and provided seven assists in 52 appearances.
This means he has averaged a goal involvement every 1.62 games for two seasons running, and that is all the more impressive when you factor in that he started playing halfway through the 23/24 campaign with little to no genuine preparation.
Appearances
35
35
Goals
21
7
Assists
5
7
Goal Involvements per Match
0.74
0.40
Appearances
17
42
Goals
4
21
Assists
2
4
Goal Involvements per Match
0.35
0.59
In contrast, the former Liverpool forward has found the back of the net on 28 occasions in 77 appearances while providing 11 assists, which equates to a goal involvement on average every 1.97 games.
Now, the 26-year-old has had more impressive goalscoring seasons in the past few years, such as in 21/22 when he scored 30 goals and provided seven assists in 48 games, but as this was in the Championship, it's hard to directly compare with Toney's tally of 14 goals and six assists in the same campaign, as Brentford were playing in the top-tier.
Ultimately, while the Bournemouth ace looks to be a talented striker who will likely go on to have a strong career in the Premier League, Toney has already proven that when playing a full season, he can reach levels that few others can, and in a side such as Arsenal, he could be genuinely unreal.
Therefore, Edu Gaspar and Co must do what they can to ensure they bring the England international to the Emirates this summer.
Fabrizio Romano says Arteta pushed Arsenal hard to sign star before Merino
The Spaniard is having a big say on their transfer plans this year.
‘The situation we find ourselves in, we have to take up this challenge and get a good result in Sri Lanka’
Mohammad Isam11-Apr-2021Bangladesh are expecting a ‘competitive’ series when they travel to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, and the captain Mominul Haque is hoping the team rises up to the challenge to get out of their current rut.Bangladesh will be off to Colombo on Monday to play their last matches in the World Test Championship, where they find themselves in the bottom of the points table. They will play both Tests in Pallekele, before which they have a two-day practice match in Katunayake from April 16. Having lost their last eight international matches, Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka comes amid growing calls at home for vast improvements in their performance.Related
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Tamim: 'If we continue to play like this, we are going nowhere'
Haque, who has won one out of six Tests he has led since 2019, said that their situation can only improve with a positive result in Sri Lanka.”Sri Lanka are a great team at home,” Haque said. “It will be challenging for us. It won’t be easy for us. But the situation we find ourselves in, we have to take up this challenge and get a good result. I think it will be a competitive series. Both teams have good pace bowlers. Batting is going to be very important. We haven’t been batting up to everyone’s expectations off late.”Bangladesh will not have Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman on this tour, both playing in the IPL. Shakib had opted out of the tour while the selectors left out Rahman after he didn’t do well in the Chattogram Test against West Indies in February.Haque said that he is not too worried about the missing stars, and more focused on bringing the best out of his squad.”I am not of the thinking that we won’t get results if Shakib bhai and Mustafiz aren’t in the XI. They are good players but they don’t have 10 or 12 hands. I think we are not getting results because we aren’t playing as a team.”Bangladesh will go to Sri Lanka with their 21-member preliminary squad so that they can choose the Test squad after the practice match. Haque said that when a team is losing, selecting the playing XI becomes easier as those out of form keep making way for others.”Forming a best XI is difficult when your team is getting good results. When there are two or three players vying for one spot. When you are not playing well, you can try someone or give someone a chance. Those not playing well creates those opportunities.”Young players always want to contribute to the team. I think most of them are ready but we need to support the players.”
“I have digested the fact that I am the captain, so I think I can handle the pressure. I think it is a positive type of pressure”Mominul Haque
Haque however believed that his red-ball players will be particularly better prepared as most of them played the NCL’s first two rounds before it was postponed.”Within all the limitations we have had over the last 12 months, I think we have done well in terms of preparations. I think the Test regulars have had better preparations than the one-day players. We have played two first-class games recently, and practiced with the red ball,” he said.Haque was under fire after Bangladesh’s 2-0 loss to West Indies but he now believes he is equipped to take on the pressure of leading the side.”Representing the team at the international level has some pressure with it. You have to take that much pressure especially when results are not going your way.”It depends how you take it. I have digested the fact that I am the captain, so I think I can handle the pressure. I think it is a positive type of pressure.”
Glasgow Rangers are already out of the Champions League prior to the playoff round following their defeat on Tuesday evening.
The 2-0 loss to Dynamo Kyiv, while expected given the state of the current squad – piles the pressure on Philippe Clement to try and strengthen his team before the window closes at the end of the month.
Phillipe Clement
Several positions lack the depth required to challenge across all competitions this season. At this current moment in time, there are gaps all over the squad.
Injuries were a big factor in the lack of success during 2023/24 and considering the season is already two weeks old, Oscar Cortes and Ridvan Yilmaz may be set for spells on the sidelines.
The latter hasn’t enjoyed the best of times at Ibrox with regard to injuries. Might his latest one rule him out for a prolonged period?
Ridvan Yilmaz suffered an injury against Dynamo Kiev
The Turkish defender has been the number-one choice at left-back so far this season, emerging from the Borna Barisic shadow which had been cast over him since joining the club in 2022.
There is no doubt that he has potential, but Yilmaz needed consistent minutes to build up some confidence, precisely what he managed at times last year.
Indeed, across all competitions, he made 33 appearances. This would likely have been more had an injury sustained on international duty in March ruled him out for a few weeks.
Metric
2022/23
2023/24
Key passes per game
0.7
1.5
Successful dribbles per game
0.7
1.3
Total duels won per game
2.8
3.4
Assists
0
1
Big chances created
1
6
Via Sofascore
He has since begun the current campaign having started each of the club’s opening four games, yet disaster struck against Kyiv in midweek.
Just minutes after taking a shot at goal, Yilmaz was stretched off in obvious pain, and it didn’t look good for the young defender.
Clement has since revealed that the Turkey international is set to be on the sidelines for between four and six weeks, which leaves the Gers short in that position in the interim.
Might this force Clement’s hand in the transfer window? As he now only has Jefte and Robbie Fraser as options at left-back, both fairly inexperienced at this level, despite their potential.
An update on the Gers transfer activity could potentially see them make a move for a former Manchester United starlet…
Rangers eye move for former Man United defender
According to the Daily Record, the Belgian may dip into the transfer market in order to seek cover for Yilmaz.
This could see him turn to Brandon Williams, the once Man United talent, as a potential saviour to his problems on the left side of the defence.
It states that the former England youth international has been on the club's list of targets throughout the summer and that this latest twist could see them move for him, as they line up a possible swoop.
brandon-williams-championship-leeds-transfers
The Englishman was released by the Old Trafford side at the end of last season. Therefore, he is available on a free transfer, which could be very tempting for Clement considering his lack of funds.
This could give the club another option in this area of the pitch, allowing Jefte the chance to push into a more advanced role on the left wing.
He might not be the marquee signing that the Ibrox faithful are craving right about now, but Williams could be an interesting addition to the first-team squad as a dream replacement for Yilmaz.
Brandon Williams’ Manchester United statistics
The defender broke through into the United first team during the 2019/20 campaign, which was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first full season in charge of the club.
He ended up making 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring once and grabbing an assist, looking like he could be the next academy graduate to become a regular fixture in the first team.
The Norwegian coach even lavished praise on the left-back after he won a penalty to help United prevail against Partizan Belgrade back in 2019.
He said: "And, for me, Brandon was man of the match. He's been fantastic the few games he's played. The boy has no fear, he is as brave as a lion and he got us the win.”
brandon-williams-championship-leeds-transfers
Unfortunately, he couldn’t really kick on from here, making just 15 appearances for the Red Devils over the next three seasons, which included a loan spell at Norwich City in the Premier League.
Another loan spell last term, this time at Ipswich Town, was the final straw in order to convince Erik ten Hag that he had a future at United, but despite two goals in 15 games for the East Anglian side, he was released at the end of the season.
What could Brandon Williams offer Rangers
The defender made a total of 47 appearances in the Premier League for both United and Norwich, which proves he has the mentality to perform in one of the best leagues on the planet.
During his loan spell with Ipswich in the first six months of last season, Williams did showcase his defensive skills in the Championship.
Indeed, he won 4.7 total duels per game – a success rate of 58% – while also making 1.9 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and being dribbled past just 0.7 times per game.
When compared to his positional peers in the men’s next 14 competitions, Williams ranked in the top 5% for tackles per 90 (3.14) and in the top 10% for interceptions per 90 (1.57), yet more evidence of his defensive abilities shining through, this time on a much grander scale.
Yilmaz won 3.4 total duels last term while making only one tackle per game and 0.7 interceptions per game, showing the difference between the two defenders.
Bringing a player like Williams to Ibrox, who is still only 23, could be a wise move by Clement, especially with his frailties on the left side of the defence.
Ridvan Yilmaz
It represents a move with little risk for a big reward. If the move doesn’t work out, Williams could be sold down the line for a profit.
If it does, then Clement has signed a former Premier League defender for nothing who becomes a solid member of the first-team squad.
Over to you now Clement and Co.
Rangers can finally replace Davis in swoop for "gifted" £5m starlet
The Light Blues are reportedly interested in signing the talented young midfielder.
American investors are supposedly asking “how do we get to be Kim Kardashian or The Rock’s English football team?” after witnessing Wrexham’s success.
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Hollywood co-owners at SToK RacecourseNFL greats with Birmingham & BurnleyU.S. investment trend expected to continueFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have enjoyed quite the adventure in North Wales, with an award-winning documentary allowing them to open up a window to the world and build a global fan base. They have stepped out of a Hollywood comfort zone and found success in a surprising sporting venture.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
NFL legend Tom Brady is now an investor at Birmingham City, while Will Ferrell has linked up with Leeds United and Michael B Jordan boasts ties to Bournemouth. JJ Watt is another American football great with links to the EFL, alongside his former USWNT star wife Kealia at Burnley, while there has been talk of rapper A$AP Rocky – the partner of music icon Rihanna – forming part of a takeover bid at Tranmere Rovers.
THE GOSSIP
More funding from North America is expected to flood into the English game, with investors able to take moderate financial risks in pursuit of potentially lucrative gain – while building on the relationships that they already have in place with famous celebrities.
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@GOALWHAT INVESTMENT BROKER SAID
Adam Sommerfeld of Certus Capital, a firm that brokers the sales of English sports teams, has told of the growing EFL trend: “Investors can afford to have a go without it being significant for them and their capital. Potential investors will be trying to figure out ‘How do we get to be Kim Kardashian or The Rock’s English football team?’”
Southampton have now tabled a new bid to complete the signing of an attacking star with "huge potential", according to a fresh update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Southampton running out of time for new signings
Perhaps predictably, it has been a sobering start to life back in the Premier League for Saints, with zero points coming their way in their first couple of matches. A 1-0 defeat away to 10-man Newcastle United was followed up with a disappointing loss at home to Nottingham Forest by the same scoreline last Saturday, with Russell Martin's side already under an element of pressure.
While there is no need to panic, with both defeats by a narrow scoreline, it has shown that more new signings would be ideal this week, in order to ensure that there is a sufficient amount of depth for Southampton to at least get by until the January transfer window.
Saints have been looking at goalkeeping options all summer long, and they are reported to have an agreement in place to sign Feyenoord stopper Justin Bijlow. Competition for Alex McCarthy is required, and perhaps even an upgrade on the Englishman, and the 26-year-old could be the ideal man to come in after being an important figure under new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during their time together in the Netherlands.
Another update has suggested that Southampton have submitted a proposal to Benfica veteran Joao Mario, who tasted Euro 2016 glory with Portugal eight years ago. They could see him as an experienced midfield option to bolster the depth and top-level know-how at Martin's disposal.
Southampton submit new offer for 23-year-old attacker
According to Romano on X, Southampton have submitted a new offer for Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto, with negotiations believed to be "underway".
Alberto has the potential to be an eye-catching summer signing for Saints. His former teammate Edinilson's praise tells the story of a player who could skyrocket under the right set-up: “Since (Alberto) arrived, I have seen huge potential in him. I know that, soon, we won’t have him here anymore because he has really huge potential."
He has registered an impressive tally of 57 goal contributions (43 goals and 14 assists) in 129 appearances for Corinthians, and he has even been capped once by Brazil to date. In total, he has 83 goals and 24 assists at club level across 253 appearances for some huge clubs in South America, as well as a brief spell in Russia with Zenit.
The idea of Southampton signing a player who has appeared for arguably international football's most famous and glamorous nation would immediately be an exciting prospect for many supporters, and he is still young enough to improve significantly as a footballer, too.
Fabrizio Romano: Southampton now have "agreement in place" to sign 26 y/o
This could be a crucial piece of business for Russell Martin.
ByHenry Jackson Aug 25, 2024
Additional firepower feels essential for Martin this week, with no league goals in their opening two matches highlighting a lack of threat in the final third, and Alberto coming in would give them an injection of quality there.
David Hancko has become a cornerstone of Feyenoord, and his performances have caught the attention of Juventus.
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Juventus keeping tabs on HanckoWant to sign him in JanuaryFeyenoord demanding €30m Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Juventus continue to search for a defender and have identified Feyenoord's David Hancko as a potential transfer target in the upcoming January transfer window, according to Calciomercato. The Slovakia international has become one of the most important players for the Eredivisie giants and has 44 caps to his name with the national team.
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Juventus have not had the best of campaigns under new boss Thiago Motta, and that could perhaps be attributed to the fact that he has had to deal with long-term injuries to Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal in defence, both of whom were regulars in the starting XI.
As such, their quest for a centre-back has led them to target the 27-year-old Hancko, who has not only been a defensive leader, but has also shown a hunger to score goals. Case in point, his 89th minute strike against Manchester City at the Etihad to level the game 3-3. His contract with expires in 2026, and the club are reportedly demanding a fee in the region of €30 million to let him go in January.
DID YOU KNOW?
Over the past few months, Juventus have been linked with a number of names to plug the holes in defence, such as Milan Skriniar, Jakob Kiwior, Nicolas Tagliafico, and more recently, Benfica sensation Antonio Silva. Both Bremer and Cabal will miss the remainder of the season due to ACL injuries, significantly increasing the Bianconeri's urgency to secure defensive reinforcements.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR JUVENTUS?
Motta's troops will be keen to revive their Serie A title charge when they take on Monza on Sunday, December 22. They are currently in sixth position in the table with 28 points from 16 games, although they are yet to taste defeat.
Prominent advocate of county game leaves to return to roots in South West
George Dobell14-May-2021Richard Gould, the chief executive of Surrey, is to leave the game to take up a similar position at Bristol City football club.Gould, who was previously chief executive at Somerset, has spent 10 years at The Kia Oval. In that time the club has undergone an extensive redevelopment, consolidated its position as a financial powerhouse of the game and enjoyed years of record financial success.From a cricketing perspective, the club has also won the County Championship, almost doubled its membership and produced numerous England players. Surrey have also consistently set the standard in terms of ticket sales for both domestic and international games.”It has been an absolute honour to lead Surrey County Cricket Club for the past decade,” Gould said. “It will always be a part of my life and I would like to thank our staff, players and members for their hard work, wonderful support and good humour throughout.”As the world of sport continues to evolve, Surrey CCC and The Kia Oval represent something very special indeed and I very much look forward to watching the Club’s continued growth over years to come.”Richard Thompson, Surrey County Cricket Club Chair, added: “Richard has been an exceptional CEO of Surrey CCC over a ten-year period, always prepared to speak his mind, with great clarity, honesty and always integrity. Richard should be proud of his legacy and know that he will always be a valued friend to the club that he has contributed so much to in so many ways.”Perhaps Gould’s true legacy will be as a champion of the county game. Unafraid of questioning the policies of the ECB executive, he has been a vocal critic of the Hundred and was a key figure in the founding of the Professional Game Group (PGG) which has given the county game more power and independence. As a result, he has sometimes clashed with the hierarchy at the ECB.Indeed, his departure robs the county game of one of its most prominent defenders. While there are other administrators with similar views, none of them have the heft earned by Gould for his success at both a Test-hosting and a non-Test hosting county. Without the PGG, for example, it is highly likely there would have been no Bob Willis Trophy in 2020.He is expected to leave Surrey in a month. Charlie Hodgson, who is currently Managing Director of The Kia Oval, will take over from Gould on an interim basis.Related
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Gould’s family links with football are extensive. His dad, Bobby Gould, led Wimbledon to the FA Cup and managed Wales, while his brother, Jonathan, played for Celtic (among others) and has also enjoyed a successful career as a coach. Richard Gould’s first job after leaving the army – he was a Tank Commander in the 1st Royal Tank Regiment – was as commercial director of Bristol City. He was also schooled in the city and has two children at university there at present. He has continued to live in Somerset while working at Surrey.Whether this spells the end of Gould’s involvement in cricket remains to be seen. He is only 51 and, with the ECB CEO’s job expected to become available again in the relatively near future – Tom Harrison is likely to be among the front-runners for the vacant role of ICC chief executive – it is not impossible he could be in the running. He narrowly missed out on the position in 2014 when he made it to the final two, but Harrison was appointed instead. A position as a non-executive director on the ECB board might also be a possibility at some stage.His preparedness to call out the ECB for their errors has rocked boats, however. And while there are many lovers of the county game who owe him much, he has probably accumulated a couple of enemies along the way. Appointing him to the ECB role now, given his antipathy for the Hundred, in particular, might be perceived as a significant U-turn.
An influential Birmingham City figure who Tom Wagner brought to the club is now set to leave, according to an update from reliable journalist David Ornstein.
Birmingham face crunch clash with Wrexham
The Blues went into the 2024/25 season as one of the favourites to seal promotion from League One to the Championship, having suffered relegation from the second tier last time around.
Birmingham have made a positive start to the campaign, sitting fourth in the table after four matches and only dropping two points in that time. Wins have been picked up against Wycombe Wanderers, Leyton Orient and Wigan Athletic, with the only draw coming at home to Reading on the opening weekend.
Next up for Chris Davies' side is a crucial clash with current league leaders Wrexham, who continue to impress during a memorable spell for the club, with their recent exploits under Hollywood owners making them one of the most talked-about teams in the Football League.
Birmingham supporters will be hoping to silence the Welsh outfit on Monday night, however, showing that they are the team to beat in League One this season, but they have received a blow in the lead-up to the game.
Birmingham dealt off-field exit blow with Cole set to leave
According to The Athletic's Ornstein, Ashley Cole is now set to leave Birmingham and join the FA as a full-time coach, having been a part of Lee Carsley's coaching team for England's recent UEFA Nations League clashes with the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
The 43-year-old was brought to St Andrew's by owner Wagner last year when Wayne Rooney came in as manager, but it looks as though his time at the club has reached its conclusion after this latest development.
Losing Cole could be considered a blow for Birmingham, considering the wealth of experience he possesses in the game, arguably standing out as England's greatest left-back of all time, enjoying superb spells with Arsenal and Chelsea, prior to impressing in a coaching capacity.
Davies may well be losing a key figure in the dugout, which could have a negative impact on the Blues' promotion hopes, with former interim manager Gary Rowett praising his training expertise last season, saying:
"I’m pleased for Ash because Ash and the lads do a lot of work on set pieces but we’re not the biggest team in the world and they don’t get many rewards from it. It’s a second phase set piece that Ivan smashes in so it was nice for them – I think Ash celebrated it with a little dance."
From Cole's perspective, it is understandable why his head has been turned by the prospect of being involved with England, though, in what represents a huge opportunity to prove himself.
Man Utd academy graduate: 3 realistic free agent signings for Birmingham
They could be the final pieces needed for promotion.
1 ByBen Browning Sep 4, 2024
It looks increasingly as though Carsley could replace Gareth Southgate as the Three Lions' next boss, and Cole could be viewing this as a wonderful chance to be heavily involved heading towards the 2026 World Cup.