Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce recently warned fans that Jonathan Kodjia could be out of action for a lengthy period of time.
Now, it has been revealed that the forward will undergo surgery later this week on an injured ankle.
While speaking to the media about Kodjia’s condition, Bruce described it as the “worst possible news”.
The former Birmingham City manager also claimed that the Ivory Coast international, who was struck down after aggravating the same injury that he suffered at the end of the 2016-17 campaign, may not play again this season.
Given that Kodjia spent five months on the treatment table the first time around, the forward might be able to work his way back to fitness for the closing stages of the season.
It could prove to be a massive boost at that time if Villa are challenging for promotion.
Before the former Bristol City player suffered injury, he had scored once and provided two assists in eight Championship outings.
Villa fans took to Twitter after learning of the devastating blow.
It was last February when Manchester City finally started to turn a corner.
They looked untouchable for the opening six games of last season, winning all their games, scoring 18 goals and just generally looking like a threatening force under Pep Guardiola, who was beginning to make English football sit up and take notice.
Only, they were taking notice: and Spurs were the first team to find a formula to beat the league leaders, who had won all their games up until that point.
That point was October 2nd, and between then and the end of January, City would lose five times in a rocky period. But it was this period that Guardiola seemed to finally learn about English football.
Last season, City’s performances can probably quite neatly be categorised as before the Everton game at Goodison Park, where Guardiola’s side lost humiliatingly, and after it. The very next game was at home to Tottenham.
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Looking back, you might think the turning point started sometime just after the darkest moment, the 4-0 loss in Liverpool. In reality, it was the Spurs game.
The context going into the game was one of intense pressure on the team and the new manager. By this point, it was clear that City’s squad was in need of a severe overhaul, and one that came in the summer. But Guardiola wasn’t getting off lightly himself. The tide had started to turn somewhat, and many were wondering if the Catalan’s attacking ethos, filled with short, sharp passes and small, jinky players could really compete in England, with its physicality and demanding winter schedule.
But that’s when the best dig in.
That afternoon, the midfield three of Yaya Toure, David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne selected by Guardiola seemed almost suicidal on the back of a 4-0 defeat away at Everton and up against the form team in the league. But it proved to be a master stroke, as City blitzed their visitors and took a two goal lead.
They let Spurs back into the game, of course. Or rather, Mauricio Pochettino’s side dug deep and found enough within themselves to nick two goals back. But with the score at 2-1, and with Raheem Sterling clean through on goal, Kyle Walker pushed his soon-to-be teammate and should have conceded a penalty and seen red. That would have changed the game and City surely would have won from that position. But no matter the result, the performance changed things for Guardiola’s City.
If it weren’t for that performance, if it weren’t for the proof that the manager’s attacking principles weren’t obsolete in the Premier League, we might not be enjoying the privilege of witnessing a record-breaking team this season. But whereas City lost five league games between October and mid-January last season, they’ve lost only one game since then.
But although City did indeed dig in and go even deeper into the Guardiola philosophy, it would be wrong to suggest that the manager hasn’t adapted his style this season, and to stunning effect. The Blues may well have had the lion’s share of possession in all of their games, but there’s still something more direct about their approach with so much pace on the counter-attack. And they can score scrappy goals, too, just like we saw in the Manchester derby last weekend.
The addition of Ederson has also been of vital importance, not just because of his ability on the ball, positioning himself towards the centre circle and cutting off the opposition’s ability to play balls over the top of City’s pushed-up defence, but also because of his kicking ability. Ederson’s incredible accuracy on long kicks, both out of his hands and from the ground, has given City the option of going long when under pressure even without a target man to hit.
Last season, City tried to play out from the back even when they were marked man for man from goal kicks. This season, if the opposition do that, they’ll leave space further up the pitch, and Ederson can find it.
So City have adapted this season and seem to have found the magic formula at present. But it all started with the last time Tottenham came to the Etihad.
This time, it’ll be a different game, between a team two teams who are on form. It’s just that City are on the best form of any team English football has ever produced. But if Spurs were the start of City’s decline a year ago, and the start of their revival at the start of this calendar year, would it really be all that surprising if they were the start of their descent back to mortality again?
According to reports in Italian media outlet La Stampa, via Tuttomercatoweb, Liverpool have been told they must pay €60m (approximately £53m) if they want to sign Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa in the summer.
What’s the word, then?
Well, La Stampa, via Tuttomercatoweb, says that the Serie A outfit view the attacker as the jewel in their crown, and Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, Juventus, Napoli, Roma and Paris Saint-Germain are all monitoring the 20-year-old.
However La Stampa, via Tuttomercatoweb, says that because the forward has only recently extended his stay with the Viola until 2022, it will take at least £53m to prise him away.
How has Chiesa done this season?
Despite only turning 20 years of age in October, the winger is already a regular in the Fiorentina side.
In 15 Serie A appearances this term, the versatile attacker has scored four goals and provided a further three assists.
Chiesa has shown his attacking abilities and threat in the final third and according to Squawka he has created 16 chances, winning 25 fouls and successfully completing 18 of the 33 take-ons he has attempted.
Would he be a good signing for Liverpool?
He certainly could be in the future, yes.
The 20-year-old looks to have plenty of potential and quality, but you would have to question whether the Reds need him considering the wealth of attacking options they already have.
With Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain just some of the options available to Jurgen Klopp right now, you wouldn’t think that they need Chiesa – especially for what would be a club-record fee.
If he is to cost more than £50m, you would expect the Merseyside outfit to steer clear and expect to concentrate on strengthening their backline next summer.
Uruguay international striker Edinson Cavani has been made available for transfer by Paris Saint-Germain, according to Sport.
What’s the story, then?
The report claims that PSG talisman Neymar would prefer that Cavani left the club this summer as their relationship suffered irreparable damage when they fell out last season.
It goes on to say that as a result, the French champions have made the striker available for transfer as his days at the club are numbered without the approval of Neymar.
They also report that they want Luis Suarez – Cavani’s international strike partner and Neymar’s former Barcelona team-mate – to replace Cavani.
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Man United should pounce
Manchester United have been linked with a summer move for another target man in Mario Mandzukic but Cavani is another two or three levels up from the Juventus man.
His speed, work-rate and finishing are all on another level to the ponderous Croatian, and valued at £54m by Transfermarkt, Cavani could provide genuine competition for Romelu Lukaku at Old Trafford.
Mandzukic would be little more than an uninspiring backup option, brought in to maintain Jose Mourinho’s ability to get his side to play direct football when Lukaku is out, but Cavani would spark off the entire attack.
Now that he’s on the market, United simply must be right at the front of the queue.
Judging by the transfer gossip surrounding Newcastle United this summer, Rafael Benitez is in the market for a winger.
Matt Ritchie has been heavily linked with a move to Stoke City, and if a deal came to pass, the Magpies would need a replacement.
Crystal Palace star Andros Townsend has been frequently mentioned as a target, but manager Roy Hodgson recently told football.london that he has no interest in selling the winger.
Last week, Sky Sports News reported that West Ham United were willing to listen to offers for Michail Antonio.
The versatile winger has been a Hammer since 2015, but last season he had limited appearances on the pitch, mainly due to injuries.
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In fact, Antonio made just 21 Premier League outings, and in that time he scored three goals and created a single assist.
While Townsend’s pace would certainly be an asset at Newcastle, Antonio can play in a number of different roles, including right-back and up front.
We asked you if the North-East outfit should swoop for the unity man, and the majority are keen on the idea.
Manchester United fans are furious with the latest transfer news, as reliable reports claim the club will not meet the asking price for Alex Sandro.
According to The Times, Manchester United have agreed personal terms with the Juventus left back, but have refused to meet the asking price.
Fans are growing increasingly impatient over the lack of transfer activity to bolster the defence, and left back has been a problem for quite some time now.
Ashley Young performed well in the role last season, but the 33 year-old is not a viable option there long term.
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Luke Shaw has been told he can leave the club according to the Times report, although the former Southampton star has rejected the chance to revive his career at Everton.
The 27 year-old Sandro grabbed four goals and five assists for the Italian champions last season, and his ability to play either as a traditional full back or a wing back would be a huge boost for the Red Devils.
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Fans are furious the club have once again stalled on a major transfer target, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Thierry Henry is loved by the Arsenal fanbase, but some would not be hugely supportive if he ended up taking over at Aston Villa.
On Saturday, The Mirror reported that the Championship outfit are considering swooping for Henry as a replacement for Steve Bruce.
At the moment, no managerial shifts have been made, but a recent financial injection may cause a change.
Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris has sought to end Villa’s woes in the boardroom by taking a controlling stake from chairman Tony Xia.
The Mirror claims that Henry could be a potential candidate to replace Bruce after he quit his punditry duties with Sky Sports to embark on a career in management.
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The Frenchman, who is Arsenal’s leading goalscorer, caught the bug while assisting Roberto Martinez during Belgium’s World Cup campaign in Russia.
While Arsenal fans are keen for their club legend to take on his first management job, some have concerns about Villa.
Comment from discussion Aston Villa look to hire Thierry Henry as their new manager after financial bailout.Comment from discussion Aston Villa look to hire Thierry Henry as their new manager after financial bailout.Comment from discussion Aston Villa look to hire Thierry Henry as their new manager after financial bailout.Comment from discussion Aston Villa look to hire Thierry Henry as their new manager after financial bailout.Comment from discussion Aston Villa look to hire Thierry Henry as their new manager after financial bailout.Comment from discussion Aston Villa look to hire Thierry Henry as their new manager after financial bailout.Comment from discussion Aston Villa look to hire Thierry Henry as their new manager after financial bailout.Comment from discussion Aston Villa look to hire Thierry Henry as their new manager after financial bailout.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that Matteo Darmian wants to leave Old Trafford this summer, and that he is willing to sell the defender if the price is right, as quoted by Goal.
Since his arrival from Torino in 2015, Darmian has failed to convince in the Premier League that he is capable of performing consistently at the high standard expected by Manchester United.
The 28-year-old only made 8 appearances last season in the English top flight, and, at this stage of his career, a move to secure more game time makes perfect sense.
His departure would however leave the Red Devils thin on the ground in terms of right-back options.
According to Mourinho, neither new signing Diogo Dalot or the veteran Antonio Valencia will be fit in time for the start of the Premier League campaign. In any case, they are aged 19 and 32 respectively, which raises questions about either of them being suitable first choice candidates this season.
If Darmian departs this summer, expect to see a new first choice right-back arrive at Old Trafford before the transfer window shuts.
Mourinho might want to consider making Santiago Arias that new signing.
The Breakdown
Santiago Arias enjoyed a fine campaign with PSV in the Eredivisie last season. 3 goals and 6 assists from the right-back position are impressive figures, and defensively the 26-year-old was consistently solid.
This should come as no surprise, as the Colombian international has been reliably excellent for the Dutch giants since joining them in 2013.
Bigger things await for Arias though, and a switch to Old Trafford this summer would afford him the opportunity to prove that he has what it takes to make it at the highest level.
Transfermarkt value Arias at £16.2 million, but with the player entering the final year of his contract with PSV, he could be available at a bargain price.
Importing from the Eredivisie into the Premier League has proved a risky strategy in recent years, with more misses than hits in terms of players being able to make the step up. In this case though, this is a gamble worth taking for United.
Adama Traore continues to be linked with a move away from Middlesbrough, with Wolverhampton Wanderers believed to be prepared to pay £18m for the attacker.
There is no question that Traore can be frustrating, but the former Barcelona winger is also capable of excellence, and he can be a real threat if it all comes together.
The 22-year-old scored five times and registered 10 assists in 34 Championship appearances for Boro last term, which has led to a host of interest.
Traore will actually miss the start of next season with a dislocated shoulder, but it is understood that Wolves still want to get the deal done, as reported by journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The Northern Echo have claimed that Boro could actually offer Traore a new contract in a bid to keep him, and that is exactly what the club’s supporters want to happen.
Well, that or add a buy-back or sell-on clause into any deal that goes through this summer.
Traore’s current release clause would be activated with a bid of £18m, and it is going to be very interesting to see how this one plays out.
A selection of the best Twitter reaction from the Boro fans can be seen below:
Loads of Rangers fans have been giving their verdict on Sunday’s win, and it looks like Borna Barisic could be one of the steals of the summer.
Looking at Gerrard’s transfer business this summer, it’s pretty clear he identified the defence as the number one issue at Ibrox.
The Liverpool legend has completely transformed the Gers’ backline, bringing in bargain after bargain to increase both the depth and the quality of the starting XI.
Nikola Katic and Connor Goldson have formed a dominant partnership at the heart of the defence, but it’s already looking like Barisic could be an even better coup.
The Croatian can play as a left back or further up the pitch as a wing back, and his dangerous deliveries caused loads of problems for St Mirren on Sunday.
The 25 year-old was signed for a fee of around £2.2m according to Sky Sports, and even after one match fans are starting to feel this is another genius move from the gaffer.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…