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Gio Reyna could face competition for his role as playmaker in the USMNT side, with Malik Tillman admitting that “real No.10” is his favoured position.

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Bayern-owned star impressing at PSVSees himself as a central playmaker2024 will be big year for the USMNTWHAT HAPPENED?

Two 21-year-old prospects have their eyes on that spot in Gregg Berhalter’s plans, but only one of them can fill it. Reyna, who is currently on loan at Premier League side Nottingham Forest, continues to struggle for minutes in 2023-24 and that could influence selection plans heading forward as Bayern Munich-owned Tillman impresses in the Netherlands with PSV.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT TILLMAN SAID

Tillman has told : “I’d prefer to play as a real No.10. But obviously we also have Gio, who is a great player. We have a good squad with strong competition in every area.”

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Both men will be taking inspiration from eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi when it comes to mastering the No.10 post, with Tillman’s brother, Timothy, currently competing against the iconic Argentine in MLS with the LA Galaxy. Malik added: “He said you can’t get close to Messi. He’s amazing. Even if you get close, he always has an idea or knows what he’s going to do. It’s always a good move. For me, he’s the best. I’m not surprised he did well [at Inter Miami], but I’ve never played MLS.”

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GettyDID YOU KNOW?

For now, Tillman is focused on proving his worth in Eindhoven, with a dose of tough love passed his way back in September 2023 when poor time-keeping resulted in him being dropped at PSV. Explaining that episode, Tillman said: “I overslept. I didn’t make it to the training ground and when I knew I wouldn’t get there in time I called the team manager and told him. At first, he said OK come straight to the hotel but then he called again and said he’s spoken to the coach (Peter Bosz) and I should stay home. So, yeah, I stayed home. I apologised to the team and afterwards I showed I have learned from it. I need to show it will never happen again. I guess I can laugh about it now. Or the team can. The worst was coming in the next day and everyone knew what happened and they’re going to look at you. It’s part of it.”

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Since arriving at Crystal Palace from West Ham back in the summer (BBC), Cheikhou Kouyate has been a key figure in the Eagles’ midfield alongside James McArthur and Luka Milivojevic.

The Selhurst Park faithful have warmed to the Senegalese international, as he always gives 100 per cent and is an extremely likeable figure around the club with his positive nature and energy.

Big boots to fill

They may, however, have overlooked just how big an impact he has made in south London, as his arrival came almost immediately after French international Yohan Cabaye departed the club at the expiry of his contract.

Cabaye offered composure, calmness and authority in the middle of the park alongside Milivojevic last season, but his contract was not renewed – this may have been down to his fitness, as the former Lille man rarely managed to complete 90 minutes last season as he hit 33 years of age.

Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…

In stark contrast, Kouyate offers a robust, pragmatic approach alongside two midfielders in McArthur and Milivojevic who are also quite industrial, although perhaps slightly better on the ball.

Having said all of that, it is unfair to judge Kouyate on circumstances out of his control, so let’s take a look at his first six months in SE25 in isolation.

How has he fared?

The former Anderlecht man has impressed the fans with his tireless running, and knack of always being in the right place at the right time to nick the ball away from the opposition either with his head or his feet.

Kouyate has kept things tidy in the middle of the park, averaging a pass success rate of 82 per cent (per Whoscored) throughout his 20 Premier League appearances so far this season, whilst also picking up an assist along the way.

His aerial duel success rate of 2.5 won per game only further emphasises just how important he is from a defensive aspect, often snuffing out danger and being there to head clear time and time again.

His 1.9 tackles per game also demonstrate his selflessness in doing the dirty work for his teammates, winning possession back for them almost twice a game.

The Verdict

Overall, Kouyate has to be regarded as a good bit of business. At 29-years-old, he is perhaps in his peak as a ball-winning midfielder, and as N’Golo Kante and Fernandinho have proved time and time again, that position on the field is pivotal to any side’s chances of success.

Additionally, for an initial fee of £9.5m (as per the Guardian), you can’t really argue with the fact that the former Hammer has been exceptional value for money in the modern day market.

Atletico Madrid president, Enrique Cerezo, has revealed that Joao Felix will return to Atletico should Barcelona not sign the player permanently.

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Felix is on loan at Barcelona from AtleticoForm at Barcelona is hit or missFormer wonderkid not able to live up to early-career hypeGetty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?

Joao Felix's parent club's president gave little away regarding Felix's future in the Spanish capital. Evidently out of Diego Simeone and Ateltico's plans, Felix earned his 'dream' move to Barcelona. Yet the likelihood of making that dream permanent appears in doubt.

AdvertisementWHAT CEREZO SAID

On Felix's future, Cerezo said: "João has joined Barça on loan, he's playing there and he's one of the best players in Europe.

“If next year Barça don't want to keep him, he will be back at Atléti. It's very easy, no?"

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Felix's form at Barcelona, whilst showing glimmers of promise, has failed to find consistency and has to do more to save his career at Camp Nou. Symbollic of his career since joining Atletico in a €126 million fee from Benfica, the forward has shown moments of brilliance but seemingly cannot grab a game and pull his side to victory on a regular basis. This is Felix's second loan spell away from Atletico, having endured an underwhelming spell in west London with Chelsea.

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WHAT NEXT FOR FELIX?

Should Barcelona not sign the Portuguese star on a permanent deal, there appears little option but for him to return to Atletico. Whether Felix can break back into Simeone's plans remains to be seen, but given the lack of suitors for his signature last summer, options appear to be running out.

Sofyan Amrabat is reluctant to speculate at this stage on whether his loan deal at Manchester United will be turned into a permanent transfer.

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Red Devils pushed hard to get deal doneFended off interest from rivals LiverpoolExpected to stay at Old Trafford in 2024WHAT HAPPENED?

Having spent much of the summer pursuing the Morocco international midfielder, the Red Devils finally put a season-long loan agreement in place with Fiorentina towards the end of the window. Amrabat will spend the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign at Old Trafford.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

He has already endeared himself to the Red Devils fan base, with a lively full debut taken in against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, and he told reporters after that contest when quizzed on his future plans: “I don’t think about that. For me, today, I am a Manchester United player. The only thing I can do is every day to give everything that I have, to do my best, to try to help the team. I hope we have a fantastic season, I hope we can win something and then later we will see what will happen. Of course, I would love to stay here, but that’s not important for me. I don’t look too far into the future.”

WHAT THEY SAID

United were not the only side to express interest in Amrabat, as he was heavily linked with Liverpool at one stage, but he insists that Manchester was always his preferred destination. The 27-year-old added when asked if it had been a difficult summer for him amid so much uncertainty: “Yes, of course. After the last game with the club, it was the Conference League final with West Ham and from that moment, the window started for me. A lot of clubs, a lot of speaking, talking, but for me it was clear I wanted Manchester United. It was long, long months for me, difficult months for me, but at the end it’s nice on the last day that I signed here and that I’m here is now the most important.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Amrabat made his Premier League debut for United against Burnley, but was an 89th-minute substitute in that contest, and will be hoping to make a top-flight starting XI for the first time in English football when the Red Devils face Palace again on Saturday.

Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami to their first trophy in 2023, but he has made a “negative impact” of sorts and some fans “expected more” from him.

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Argentine icon made immediate impact in the StatesHas already changed the game in AmericaPositives and negatives to be taken from his presence

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Argentine icon captured the imagination of an American audience when completing a stunning move to the United States. He delivered Leagues Cup glory within weeks of his arrival in Florida, but sat out the U.S. Open Cup final through injury and was unable to claim a play-off spot in the MLS Eastern Conference.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT WAS SAID ABOUT MESSI

Messi’s presence in Miami has also meant that the club are no longer as connected with an ever-growing fan base as they once were, with Mike Longin of the Green Lot Gang supporters’ group telling : “What made Inter Miami special early on was we had a great supporter group and ownership was really close with the fans. My son has thrown an American football back and forth with [co-owner] Jorge Mas. I’ve drunk a beer with David Beckham. The club did a lot to build outreach. It’s different now. It’s gone from a family atmosphere to a professional atmosphere, which you’d expect. We were a young club and we grew up overnight.”

He added: “[Messi’s arrival] has had a somewhat negative impact on the match experience, because so many people are only there to see Messi; they don’t care about the rest of the team. When he’s not playing and he’s in his box in the stand, people are jumping over chairs to try and see him. We knew things would change. But we weren’t prepared for how much it would change and how much it would feel different. Messi didn’t play our last home game, and it was kind of nice to feel like this was the old stadium, this was the old tailgate. It kind of felt normal, and then Messi walked into his box, and it was, ‘OK, Messi is here. This is the new normal.’”

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While things are changing off the pitch for Inter Miami, on it they are becoming more competitive. Longin is delighted to have a historic piece of silverware in the cabinet, but admits that others have unrealistic expectations of Messi. He said: “I got to see my team win our first trophy in person. We’re four years old and we’ve got a trophy now. I am very happy with where we are. I have friends who are not. They expected more. They expected him to play every game and go destroy the league. The big hope is that Inter Miami gets a lot of fans out of this; that people come for Messi and stay. I’m not seeing a ton of it yet. A lot of it is pure Messi. In his first game, when he left the field and people left with him, I was heartbroken. It really bothered me. You’re still seeing that.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Fans will flood back to Inter Miami games, home and away, in 2024 as Tata Martino’s side take aim at MLS glory. Prices are rocketing when it comes to watching Messi in action, but that is doing little to put off excited supporters and A-list guests as they clamour to catch a glimpse of the all-time great.

Erik ten Hag believes Sir Jim Ratcliffe can "accelerate" Manchester United's comeback by improving the club culture, which has "fallen" recently.

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Ten Hag feels Man Utd have 'fallen down'Believes INEOS takeover will help clubDutchman's job uncertain after issuesYoutube/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?

The Dutchman, whose future at Old Trafford is uncertain, has stated that, in the two months after the Glazers approved INEOS's entrance, he has already witnessed how the club has changed direction. Ratcliffe has already named Manchester City chief Omar Berrada as the next CEO of United, and he is scheduled to have discussions about a sporting director position with Dan Ashworth.

AdvertisementWHAT TEN HAG SAID

Speaking to the media, Ten Hag said [via The Daily Mail]: "The club has fallen down in the standards, but now we are back. I have already seen some examples of how (INEOS) can support us to really set that right standard. We know when performances are not right we have to look in the mirror, tell each other the truth and get things right. There are always many fans away and home standing behind us, but it starts with us; we have to put energy into the stands and then it comes back."

(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Following Ten Hag's appointment as manager in 2022, United's fortunes began to turn around. The Dutch coach ended the team's six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup and leading them back into the Champions League. However, United's second season under charge has not been particularly impressive. After being eliminated from Europe before Christmas, the team is presently sixth in the Premier League standings. Off the pitch, fans of the club now feel optimistic that United will once again be contending for league and European titles thanks to the INEOS group's minority control of the team.

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WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

The Red Devils will be back in action in the Premier League when the club take on defending champions and city rivals, Manchester City on Sunday, March 3. A win could see ten Hag's side leapfrog Tottenham into fifth place.

Manchester United are attempting to lure Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox to Old Trafford as they continue their backroom shakeup.

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Man Utd target Southampton's WilcoxDirector worked previously at Man CityRed Devils yet to make an approachWHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Devils have not yet made an approach to the Saints director, reports, but he is aware that they want to bring him to Old Trafford. Their aim is to have him work under a sporting director, with Newcastle's Dan Ashworth hoping to take on the role.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Wilcox is the latest figure United are pursuing as new partial owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group prepare to shake up the club's hierarchy to help improve Erik ten Hag's team. They have already persuaded Omar Berrada to leave Manchester City to take over as CEO at Old Trafford and are confident of bringing Ashworth from Newcastle. It has also been reported that they are interested in bringing in Brighton's head of recruitment, though Chelsea are also eyeing him.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Wilcox, who won the Premier League title with Blackburn as a player, previously worked as academy director at Manchester City but stepped down in January last year despite the club's efforts to convince him to stay. The likes of Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb and Cole Palmer, now at Chelsea, developed during his time at the Premier League title holders.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

United will continue to attempt to strengthen their backroom staff while the Red Devils look to compete for a place in the top four of the Champions League. The Old Trafford team are in action on Sunday when they take on Luton.

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal will be handled like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona were in their younger years, says Spain boss Luis de la Fuente.

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Teenager has enjoyed meteoric riseHas made history along the wayStill has potential to be unlockedWHAT HAPPENED?

At just 16 years of age, Yamal is already an established performer at club level with La Liga giants Barca and a senior international with two caps to his name. The talented teenager has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence, but he is far from being the finished article.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Rather than look to rein him in as ever greater demands are lumped onto young shoulders, De la Fuente says Yamal will be given license to flourish and learn at his own pace – with a similar approach having allowed Argentine icons Messi and Maradona to become global superstars.

WHAT THEY SAID

Spain boss De la Fuente has said of helping Yamal down a career path that could lead to the very top of the game: “He has fantastic potential and conditions. We have to take care of him, he is young. But, do you remember when Messi or Maradona were 16 years old? We should not put limits on these good footballers. We must let them develop all their potential. That's what we're trying to do with this player here and at his club.”

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Yamal has been a regular under Xavi at Camp Nou this season, as he waits on a first senior goal for the Blaugrana, and is back in the Spain squad – having already made history when opening his account for them – ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Scotland and Norway.

FC Cincinnati's Argentine midfielder Lucho Acosta has been awarded the 2023 Landon Donovan MLS MVP award after a stellar campaign.

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Lucho Acosta named MLS MVPArgentine netted 17 goals, 14 assists during regular seasonFC Cincinnati Supporters' Shield winnersGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

MLS announced on Monday that Acosta, who racked up 17 goals and 14 assists during the regular season, was selected as the best player of the 2023 season. Receiving 60.37percent of the votes, the Argentine was the clear front-runner from the start. The voting is made up of three equal parts, between current active players in the league, selected media members and Front office/Technical staff of the respective teams.

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On top of his 31 goal contributions in 2023, Acosta was a 2x MLS Player of the Month and Matchday. He had 10 games with 2+ goals or assists – the most in MLS – and is the sixth player in league history to record three or more seasons with at least 10 goals and 10 assists.

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Acosta led FC Cincinnati to their first-ever MLS Supporters' Shield in 2023, as well as a semifinal appearance in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. They qualified for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 MLS playoffs, too. For the Argentine, though, his goals and aspirations extend beyond just MLS – he is working on a path towards U.S. Citizenship, with hopes of representing the USMNT on the international stage. However, in the meantime, his primary focus is all-in on the playoffs after helping see the Orange and Blue through to the Eastern Conference finals.

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USA Today Sports WHAT NEXT FOR ACOSTA

It's a date with the Columbus Crew, for a chance to play in MLS Cup. It's an Ohio affair and the derby will take center-stage in the Eastern Conference finals on December 2. The victor advances to play the winner of the Western Conference final between LAFC and Seattle Sounders.

An early injury to OL Reign and USWNT superstar Megan Rapinoe doomed Seattle in the NWSL final vs Gotham as Rose Lavelle couldn't manage on her own.

Rapinoe falling to injury in the third minute, which saw her removed from her final career game, was the turning point for Seattle – even if it was just minutes in.

Their attack struggled to click after, and Canadian international Jordyn Huitema struggled to link up with USWNT star Rose Lavelle – who scored the lone Reign goal in their 2-1 loss to Gotham.

A pair of assists from Midge Purce and a game-winning header from 2023 World Cup winner Esther Gonzalez sealed a first-ever NWSL title for Gotham.

GOAL rates OL Reign's players from Snapdragon Stadium…

USA Today Sports Goalkeeper & Defence

Claudia Dickey (6/10):

Nothing impressive from the 23-year-old, who stepped in midway through the season after the departure of Phallon Tullis-Joyce—but her defense let her down on both goals.

Alana Cook (5/10):

A tough night for the USWNT defender, who gave the ball away cheaply multiple times.

Lauren Barnes(5/10):

Overcommitted in her challenge against Midge Purce as the winger set up the opening goal.

Sofia Huerta (X/10):

Seattle’s crossing specialist had a few good services into the box, but didn’t end up impacting the game much.

Phoebe McClernon(6/10):

A middling performance for McClernon, who gave the ball away just as often as she won it back.

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Emily Sonnett (7/10):

The Emily Sonnett experience: the converted center back was by turns ruthlessly effective and reckless in controlling the midfield, both combining with the Reign attacking corps and coughing up the ball needlessly.

Megan Rapinoe (N/A):

The USWNT legend, who was playing her final career game, exited the match just three minutes in due to injury.

Jess Fishlock (7/10):

A similarly mixed performance to Sonnett. The Welsh international was fairly effective as a ball-winner, but had a number of uncharacteristically careless giveaways.

Veronica Latsko (6/10):

The goalscorer in Reign’s two previous playoff matches failed to impress in the championship, missing several scoring opportunities.

USA Today Sports Attack

Rose Lavelle (9/10):

Lavelle has been the missing ingredient for Reign all season, and her creative wizardry in the final was her team’s best hope.

Jordyn Huitema (6/10):

Largely quiet on the attack and lost an aerial duel to the shorter Esther when she scored Gotham’s go-ahead goal.

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USA Today Sports Subs & Manager

Bethany Balcer (6/10):

Balcer came on for the injured Rapinoe and put forth a valiant effort, but not enough attacking prowess came with it.

Quinn (6/10):

Arrive with 15 minutes to spare, didn't make much of an impact.

Elyse Bennett: (NA):

Subbed on with minutes to spare.

Laura Harvey (6/10):

The longtime Reign manager suffered another gutting championship loss. Her second-half adjustments were too little, too late.