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Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has not enjoyed the best of luck in the Champions League so far this season as his side sit bottom of their group after four games.

The Hoops have lost three of their four matches, drawing the other one, as the Australian has been unable to muster up a win in the competition.

He is not the first manager of the Glasgow giants to struggle in Europe, though, and one man who failed to achieve success on the continent was Ronny Delia.

The Norweigan manager was knocked out of the Champions League in the qualifying rounds in both of his seasons at Celtic Park, whilst also failing to make it to the last 16 of the Europa League in those campaigns.

He struggled badly in European competitions and was also no stranger to a big blunder in the transfer market during his time in Glasgow.

The most expensive purchase in his four windows in charge was Croatian central defender Jozo Simunovic in the summer of 2015 from Dinamo Zagreb for a fee reported to be in the region of £5.5m.

Former Hoops full-back Tosh McKinlay showered the centre-back with praise at the time of the move, saying:

“Simunovic will be top drawer. He’s different class. This is a guy who has already played over 50 times for Dinamo Zagreb, has captained Croatia’s Under-21s and has great pedigree.

“I have seen a lot of footage of him, he’s a fantastic footballer. Simunovic is Rolls Royce material. He will make a big impact in the Scottish game.”

However, he only made 11 Premiership appearances in his debut campaign with the club as he missed a whopping 42 matches due to injury that term.

This ended up being a recurring theme of his time in Glasgow as he only played more than 18 top-flight games in one of his five seasons, which came in 2016/17 as he featured in 25 matches.

In total, he was injured for 108 competitive games for Celtic in his five years at the club, whilst making 126 competitive outings in all competitions in that time.

TheCelticBlog previously described him as ‘error prone’ and claimed that he had made ‘calamitous’ mistakes, whilst former Hoops shot-stopper Pat Bonner once stated that the club had seen big errors from the defender “so many times”.

Celtic eventually decided to part ways with the centre-back at the end of his contract in the summer of 2020, allowing him to leave on a free transfer.

This meant that the Hoops did not recoup a single penny of the significant £5.5m they paid for him in 2015 and were not rewarded with a great deal on pitch, as he struggled with injuries and became too prone to making mistakes when he was available to feature.

Therefore, Delia dropped a clanger by splashing out to sign the flop in the summer of 2015 and it is not a transfer that should be looked back on as a success.

Aston Villa have reportedly targeted an exciting young European coach as their next manager…

What’s the latest?

According to The Telegraph, sporting director Johan Lange has already begun talks with Ruben Amorim to bring him from Sporting CP to Villa Park.

The report claimed that despite a big offer having been tabled, Mauricio Pochettino remains unlikely to join due to his aspirations being set at a much higher level.

The Portuguese boss is said to be willing to listen to the club’s offers, but he does have a big buy-out clause in his current contract.

It would be a smart appointment

Instantly, it is worth noting that with the vast wealth of the Villans owners, there will be few financial hurdles they cannot overcome to get who they want.

The fact that Amorim seems initially receptive to their interest should instantly outline him as an outstanding candidate, as he clearly would like to join the club despite what he has built at Sporting.

Having earned his managerial start at Braga, it only took 13 matches for one of the giants within the league to snap him up.

He only lost two of those games, both of which were to Rangers on their route to the Europa League final. The 37-year-old boasted 2.38 points per match.

Once he had moved to Lisbon, he began setting about a new identity that the club had been sorely lacking. Despite a fourth-placed finish in his debut year, the foundations were in place for the success that was to come.

During the 2020/21 campaign, the club’s faith paid off, as Amorimreturned their first league title in 19 years.

He was crazy about his 3-4-3 system which had the ability to revert to a diamond in midfield. This would benefit a Villa side that Steven Gerrard often switched between a narrow 4-3-1-2 formation and 4-3-3, which caused confusion. Finally, it could bear fruit.

Having featured in Europe and won numerous pieces of silverware, the exciting young manager shows a clear identity and a track record for developing a struggling squad into something really special.

It is a move that The Athletic journalist Jack Collins thinks would be a “smart appointment”.

With a Villa side inundated with talent that has lost its way, perhaps Amorim could be the man to turn it around and get them where they will feel they belong.

Manchester United star Harry Maguire enjoyed an interview with a difference as he was interrupted mid-sentence by a wandering cat.

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• Maguire preparing for Euros with England
• Defender conducts interview with Man Utd
• Interrupted mid-sentence by wandering cat

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  On Wednesday, United posted a snippet of an interview with centre-back Maguire, who was asked what motivates him. As the 31-year-old pondered his response, a cat came into shot, causing hysterics on set. The England man was thrown off his strikes but immensely enjoyed the interaction.

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• WHAT HARRY MAGUIRE SAID ABOUT THE CAT

  In an interview with the Red Devils, the former Leicester City star said: "What motivates me… we're joined here by a cat, look. That's good for the socials. Yeah, the cat motivates me."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Maguire is gearing up for this summer's European Championship, however, his build up to the tournament has been hampered by a muscle injury that forced him to miss the end of the season. He and England will hope he is fit for their tournament opener against Serbia on June 16.

Erik ten Hag oversaw something of a summer revolution at Manchester United upon arriving at the club.

Out went players such as Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata, while the 52-year-old managed to sign the likes of Antony, Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia to put his own stamp on the team.

However, it was a move for former Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez which appears to have been his shrewdest signing of the summer transfer window.

The Argentine signed for United for a fee of £57m – reuniting with his former boss Ten Hag – and it looks like it has been money well spent.

His performances in the Europa League have been particularly pleasing, with the 24-year-old taking 84.2 touches and making 2.6 tackles per match, while also displaying his physicality by winning 72% of his total duels.

Martinez is a forward-thinking defender, ranking in the 94th percentile for progressive passes per match (4.13) compared to positional peers in Europe’s big five leagues, and this ball-playing ability allows United to begin attacks from the defensive third of the pitch.

Having conceded 57 goals in the Premier League last season, the same as the number they scored, improving the defence was one of the Dutchman’s main objectives ahead of the new campaign. Despite heavy defeats to Brentford and Manchester City, United gradually appear to be getting to grips with the manager’s way of doing things.

Football writer Karan Tejwani lavished praise on Martinez last week, saying: “Lisandro Martínez is a great talent. Played against the league’s best teams and mostly done well this season. That he was written off because of his height before he even kicked a ball for Manchester United was silly. Ajax’s best last season, Man Utd’s best so far in this one.”

Indeed, the Argentine won Ajax’s Player of the Year award in 2021/22, and given his undoubted potential, a move to England seemed the next logical step for him to continue his development.

The £120k-per-week talent hasn’t let the added pressure of playing at Old Trafford affect him so far and Ten Hag looks to have hit the jackpot with the 24-year-old, who will surely become a regular in the United backline for the next few years if he continues his promising early form throughout his career in Manchester.

Several pundits have criticised Antony’s showboating antics in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday night.

The Lowdown: Antony’s moment of showboating

The Red Devils cruised to victory at Old Trafford, with Cristiano Ronaldo among the goalscorers, but the match will be remembered for one specific moment.

Antony received the ball during the first half with nobody around him and produced a bizarre piece of skill, swivelling twice with the ball stuck to his feet.

He then attempted a pass which was overhit for a goal-kick, with his antics ultimately killing a potentially dangerous attack.

The Latest: Antony criticised

Speaking on commentary for BT Sport, Robbie Savage fumed at what he saw from the 22-year-old, saying “if I was a manager, I’d drag him off”:

Meanwhile, United legend Paul Scholes called it a ‘ridiculous’ moment, while BT commentator Ian Darke said it was ‘out of Strictly Come Dancing’, showing that they were similarly unimpressed.

The Verdict: Uncalled for

Producing entertaining moments as a footballer is all well and good, as long as it is done in the right moment and isn’t seen as either unsporting or pointless.

Antony’s behaviour against Sheriff fell into the latter category, with his attempted skill ultimately achieving nothing when he simply could have moved the ball quicker.

Erik ten Hag wasn’t exactly enamoured by that moment either, judging by his post-match comments, and it is something that the Brazilian should cut out of his game, unless it is going actually benefit the team in tight spaces and open up an opposition defence.

Leeds United will have to pay £43.5m in order to sign Martin Terrier in the January transfer window.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who revealed in a recent article for CaughtOffside that, following a recent report linking Victor Orta with a move for the Stade Rennais centre-forward this winter, the Whites will have to pay a figure of around €50m (£43.5m) in order to prise the 25-year-old away from the Ligue 1 side.

Regarding the future of the Frenchman, the Italian transfer insider said: “He’s doing fantastic, and so there are always scouts following him from English clubs and also Serie A clubs.

“Sources close to Rennes guarantee they’d ask for €45-50m for Terrier, but nothing is happening yet. I think he’ll have a fair few options, but it’s too early to say anything concrete on his future right now.”

Forget Gakpo

While Leeds have also been linked with a move for PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo this January, considering Terrier’s remarkable returns over the last year, the French hitman would appear to be just as impressive a coup for Orta this winter.

Indeed, according to FBref, the £41m-rated talent ranks in the top 4% of forwards in Europe’s big five leagues and European competitions for non-penalty goals per 90, as well as the top 27% for non-penalty xG, the top 27% for shots, the top 29% for assists and the top 13% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days.

The £22k-per-week attacker also impresses with the ball at his feet, with FBref also ranking the Frenchman in the top 8% for passes attempted per 90, in addition to the top 14% for passes completed, the top 7% for progressive passes and the top 21% for progressive passes received over the past 12 months.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old also clearly works hard in a defensive capacity – something that would appear to suit Marsch’s high-pressing system down to the ground – with FBref ranking Terrier in the top 1% for tackles per 90, as well as the top 1% for interceptions, the top 13% for blocks and the top 30% for aerials won over the last year.

And, while Gakpo’s ridiculous return of 13 goals and 16 assists in 22 appearances this season would very much look to make him an exceptional addition to the Leeds side, with reports revealing that the Netherlands international is no longer interested in a move to Elland Road this winter, Orta must focus his attention in January elsewhere.

As such, considering just how well-rounded the Frenchman who Gaëtan Laborde dubbed “gifted” appears to be, in addition to Terrier having bagged a similarly spectacular 11 goals and four assists across 18 appearances this season, the 25-year-old would very much look to be something of a dream alternative to Gakpo for the Whites.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in a deal to bring Marcus Edwards back to north London in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Portuguese publication Record, who claim that Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte are keeping a very close eye on the situation of the Sporting Lisbon forward ahead of launching a potential move for the 23-year-old this winter.

And, in an interview with the Evening Standard back in October, the former Spurs academy starlet revealed that he would be open to a return to the Premier League in the future, something that could tempt Paratici into activating the winger’s reported £52m release clause in January.

However, with Daniel Levy forgoing the 50% sell-on fee he negotiated in the attacker’s move to Vitória de Guimarães when Edwards joined Sporting in a £9m move this summer, Spurs would only be required to pay the Liga Portugal side £26m in order to activate his release clause.

Paratici must move

Considering just how impressive Edwards has been for Sporting this season, particularly against Tottenham in the Champions League, it is easy to see why Paratici would be interested in a move to bring the 23-year-old back to north London this winter.

Indeed, over his 12 Liga Portugal appearances this season – only eight of which have come as starts – the £22m-rated talent has been in astonishing attacking form, scoring five goals, registering three assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.5 shots, making 1.8 key passes and completing 2.0 dribbles per game.

These returns have seen the winger who Jeffry Fortes claimed is of a “bizarre level” average a simply sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.28, not only ranking him as Rúben Amorim’s third-best performer in the league but also as the joint 12th-best performer in the Portuguese top flight as a whole.

The £22k-per-week starlet also caught the eye over his six outings in the Champions League, bagging two goals – one of which was a spectacular solo strike against Spurs –  providing two assists and creating two big chances, as well as taking an average of 1.2 shots, making one key pass and completing 1.7 dribbles per match.

These returns saw the player who Jay Jaffa claimed made Eric Dier “look very stupid” in that aforementioned clash with his former employers, average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.02, ranking him as Sporting’s second-best player to feature in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

As such, considering how exciting a talent Edwards undoubtedly is, Paratici simply must amend Levy’s initial mistake of letting the 23-year-old go by sanctioning a swoop for the playmaker this winter – especially as Tottenham can essentially land the attacker in a half-price deal.

Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw is attracting plenty of interest from several Championship clubs, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: Drameh attracting interest

The Whites could be set for a busy January transfer window, with Forshaw not the only potential departure. According to Fabrizio Romano, young right-back Cody Drameh is of interest to Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Newcastle, who are all keen on securing his services in 2023.

Drameh has made just one appearance in the Premier League this season and hasn’t been in a top-flight matchday squad since September, so it’s perhaps no surprise that he may be allowed to leave Elland Road.

The Latest: Forshaw also in demand

Football Insider shared a story regarding Forshaw shortly after Romano’s update on Drameh. They revealed that ‘multiple Championship clubs are interested’ in the 31-year-old, with one of the interested suitors pushing for promotion. No club is mentioned explicitly in the report.

Leeds are set to entertain offers for the midfielder in January, with his contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign.

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The Verdict: Exit inevitable?

Forshaw has struggled to remain fully fit over the last four years and, like Drameh, hasn’t featured in a matchday squad since September.

Therefore, the 31-year-old leaving in January could make sense for all involved, and a drop back down to the Championship could be just what he needs.

You’d expect that Forshaw will want to play regular first-team football next year, something which looks unlikely at Elland Road, so his situation will be one to watch over the coming months as Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta potentially weigh up a farewell to a loyal servant of nearly five years.

Leeds United are keeping a close eye on Boulaye Dia at the World Cup ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to Dean Jones, with the transfer insider revealing in his recent column for GIVEMESPORT that the Whites, as well as the likes of West Ham United and Everton, will be closely monitoring the Senegal centre-forward in Qatar ahead of potentially launching a move for the 26-year-old this winter.

In his article, the journalist said: “There is nothing more exciting than a new goalscorer bursting onto the scene and in Boulaye Dia we might be about to witness a breakout. The loss of Sadio Mane to injury, for now, is a big loss to this team – but they have a man ready to step into his boots.

“Dia, 26, is a striker ready to make the most of his chance. Defenders are going to find him a handful and there’s potential here for him to become one of the star names to earn a transfer if things go well. He’s having a solid season on loan at Salernitana from Villarreal and his ability to play off the shoulder and finish one-on-ones means he has real goal potential.

“He’s got great goal awareness and will really see this as an opportunity to shine. Senegal take on the Netherlands on Monday and if Dia does well we can expect links with the likes of West Ham, Leeds and Everton to emerge.”

Orta must move

While it is true that Dia endured a frustrating time of it in Senegal’s 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands earlier today – enjoying just 18 touches of the ball, completing a mere 10 passes and only managing to hit the target with one shot – considering the “great form” the forward has been in Italy this season, it is easy to see why Orta would be keen on the striker.

Indeed, over his 14 Serie A appearances – only 10 of which have come as starts – for Salernitana, the £17.5m-rated talent has been deadly in the final third, hitting the back of the net six times, registering two assists and creating one big chance, as well as taking an average of 1.1 shots, making 0.9 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per game.

These returns have seen the £30k-per-week forward average an impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.88, ranking him as Davide Nicola’s joint fourth-best performer in the top flight of Italian football.

The 26-year-old also impressed over his 25 LaLiga fixtures – only 13 of which came as starts – for Villarreal last season, bagging five goals, providing five assists and creating three big chances, in addition to taking an average of 1.5 shots, making 0.7 key passes and completing 0.4 dribbles per game.

These metrics saw the 19-cap international average an eye-catching SofaScore match rating of 6.89, ranking him as El Submarino Amarillo’s joint 12th-best performer in the top flight of Spanish football last time out.

As such, with the player who Marlon Harwood dubbed “absolutely fantastic” having more than demonstrated that he is capable of finding the back of the net in whichever league he plays, should the Senegal sensation go on to star against Qatar and Ecuador in his country’s remaining Group A fixtures, it would appear extremely wise for Orta to launch a move for the striker in January.

Indeed, with Patrick Bamford struggling to get over injuries that have plagued the Englishman over the last year, Jesse Marsch could very much do with some added firepower in his attacking arsenal at Elland Road, with the €17m (£15m) valued forward appearing to possess the goalscoring nous that would make him a dream replacement the 29-year-old in LS11.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head into the World Cup break having won just two of their opening 15 Premier League matches and find themselves rooted at the bottom of the league table.

Julen Lopetegui has officially taken charge of the Old Gold this week and he will need to bring all his experience and managerial nous to keep the club in the top flight.

Thoughts will turn to who he can bring to Molineux that can improve his squad ahead of a crucial second half of the season.

With the club scoring just eight league goals this season, adding some firepower would appear a priority and something that Bruno Lage should have done in the summer.

Indeed, Wolves were linked with a move for Goncalo Ramos earlier this year, however, his current form suggests that boat may now have sailed and Lopetegui might have to focus on an alternative.

Although operating in a deeper role, Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus could be the perfect alternative for Ramos, while at a fraction of the price.

The club were linked back in the summer, and the 56-year-old should move again in January, with the 22-year-old available for as little as €10m (£8.7m), which represents a fantastic bargain.

In 21 matches this season, Kudus has scored ten goals and registered two assists, which four goals coming in the Champions League, proving he can shine at the highest level.

As well as his four goals in Europe, Kudus averages 0.8 key passes per match, has completed 79% of his attempted dribbles and takes 1.3 shots per game, showing that despite his young age, he isn’t shy of confidence when it comes to taking players on.

He has been called up to the Ghana World Cup squad and with his current club form, plus a group that the African side have a solid chance to qualify from, hopes are high that he can explode on the grandest stage of all.

Opta analyst Owuraku Ampofo labelled him a “superstar” following his performance against Glasgow Rangers in the Champions League and he has gone from strength to strength recently.

Lopetegui’s only fear will be if Kudus does shine in Qatar, his value and the volume of potential suitors will only increase.

It could be an exciting few weeks for the 22-year-old, and Wolves should do their utmost to sign him after the World Cup.