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A reason has been revealed as to why Wolves did not end up signing Duje Caleta-Car during the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Bid made

As per L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), the Midlands club were keen to sign Caleta-Car on Transfer Deadline Day, and put in a bid of €18m (£15.5m) to Marseille for his signature.

However, a deal never materialised in the end, and the central defender has ended up staying at the Ligue 1 side.

The Latest: No deal

According to L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), Caleta-Car was not excited by a move to England, as his partner had given birth to their first child just last week.

Marseille president Pablo Longoria tried to find a way to sell the Croatia international, and received another offer from Valencia, but he was not interested in a move to Spain either.

The Verdict: Shame

It is a shame that the Molineux faithful missed out on signing Caleta-Car, as he would have given them that extra bit of quality in their backline.

Described as a ‘quality’ player by his centre-back partner Alvaro Gonzalez back in November, the £22.5m-rated ace was such a key player for his side in Ligue 1 in the 2020/21 season, winning no fewer than 3.7 of his duels per game, while he also averaged 3.9 clearances and 1.3 interceptions per match, keeping five clean sheets in the process (Sofascore).

Standing at a mammoth six-foot-four-inches tall, the 24-year-old would have certainly given Bruno Lage’s team a threat in both boxes, but now they may have to wait until January before they can try to sign him again.

In other news, find out what confirmed news has Wanderers fuming here!

Steven Gerrard has issued an update on Connor Goldson after he missed Rangers’ 2-1 win over St Johnstone. 

What’s the latest?

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has confirmed that centre-back Connor Goldson missed the 2-1 win over Livingston as he is currently self-isolating.

Gerrard refused to put a timeline on his return , opting instead to simply say that he would love to have him available for selection.

He told the Glasgow Times:

“He is self-isolating. Time will tell (how big a blow it is).

“He has been an important player for us. He has been very crucial since day one for me.

“We would love to have him available.”

Concern

Rangers fans will be concerned by this update from Gerrard as he left out a couple of key details. Firstly, we don’t know if he contracted Covid-19 or is he isolating because he was in close contact with someone who did?

Gerrard is well within his rights to keep that information private, but it does keep fans in the dark.

If he has Covid-19 then it could cause him to be out for a longer period of time, especially if he is suffering with symptoms and takes time to recover.

This leads on to the second piece of missing information, as Gerrard refused to give a timeline on when he will be able to return.

Therefore, Rangers fans will be concerned about exactly how many games the £27k-per-week beast could miss. The centre-back is a key player for the club, as the above quotes from the manager confirm, and his absence against Lyon could be a blow for Gers.

Earlier this year, Gerrard lauded Goldson as a mountain and hailed what he offers on and off the pitch. He told The Scotsman:

“Connor has been an absolute mountain for this team, a warrior.

“I can’t describe to you how well he has done for this team, not just in terms of what you have seen on the pitch but also his leadership on the inside of the club and his availability every single day.”

Rangers face Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday and now look set to be without Goldson, and Filip Helander, for the match.

The ex-Brighton defender, Goldson, was named in the Scottish Premiership Team of the Year last term, highlighting how important he is to the side, which is why his absence will hurt Rangers’ chances of picking up a positive result.

AND in other news, 82% duels won: Rangers beast with 73 touches stole the show for Steven Gerrard…

Netherlands women have followed in the footsteps of their counterparts in Ireland and will participate in England’s domestic county championship in 2009

Cricinfo staff29-Jan-2009Netherlands women have followed in the footsteps of their counterparts in Ireland and will participate in England’s domestic county championship in 2009. With Scotland having been part of the fixtures since 2007, the tournament will now feature three of Europe’s leading sides.Netherlands and Ireland have been placed in the newly created fifth division though they will be competing in separate sub-divisions. Scotland are higher up in the third division.The 50-over competition format for 2009 will run from May to September and have more home and away matches for the 24 teams in the top four divisions.Clare Connor, the head of England’s women’s cricket, was confident the ECB’s structure would help Ireland and Netherlands enhance their performance. “I want to support our European neighbours to enable them to climb the ODI rankings and it seems to me that with more regular, competitive opportunities we can genuinely help them do this. I do not want to see Irish and Dutch women’s cricket get left behind in the global rankings by the growing Asian nations who are playing more and more cricket.”Richard Hobsworth, the ICC regional development manager, said the two teams’ inclusion in English domestic cricket was a boost to the women’s game in Europe. “This will allow each team to participate in regular competitive fixtures outside of their own countries; an environment which will progress their development enormously.”

It’s a recipe for stalemate. Take two struggling bowling attacks, add in a sprinkle of in-form batsmen and finish off with a deadly flat pitch. Bake for a few days, but don’t expect the excitement level to rise too much. It leaves a bland taste in the mou

Andrew McGlashan in Barbados01-Mar-2009
After declaring on 600 for 6, would Andrew Strauss have envisaged his side being the team under pressure going into the fifth day? © Getty Images
It’s a recipe for stalemate. Take two struggling bowling attacks, add in a sprinkle of in-form batsmen and finish off with a deadly flat pitch. Bake for a few days, but don’t expect the excitement level to rise too much. It leaves a bland taste in the mouth and the thought of further helpings isn’t very tempting. Yet there could still be a spicy finish.Remarkably, despite scoring 600 in their first innings England are now the team under pressure to save this Test. They came here favourites to take the series but, after chasing leather for more than two days, that hope has been ground into the Barbados dust. And there is still work to do to keep the series alive. Their batting has imploded once already and West Indies haven’t forgotten.”Anything is possible. We all saw what happened in the first Test in Jamaica and the lead we have is very valuable to us,” said Ramnaresh Sarwan. “I don’t know if it will play on their minds, but certainly it will be in our minds. If we can put them under some pressure hopefully we can take the initiative in the first hour or so.”Looking back a little further into the past, a certain day in Adelaide springs to mind. In that game England declared on 551 for 6, Australia were almost level then Shane Warne worked his magic. There is no Warne in this match, but the series has thrown up plenty of the unexpected. But, still, it will take some extraordinary to conjure a result from this one.Following hot on the heels of the Karachi run-feast where Younis Khan indulged himself with a triple century, along with doubles for Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera, the Kensington Oval has produced something to match. Sarwan was within nine away from joining Younis in the triple-century club while Denesh Ramdin made a career-best 166 and West Indies racked up their third highest total. Is this another surface that is too good for Test cricket?Perhaps the answer lies in what Michael Holding told Cricinfo Talk. “I think it is too good when you look at the bowlers who are and will be bowling on it…everyone will say that the pitch is too flat but I think it depends on who you have got in your attack.”Both sides have toiled for very little reward, however West Indies have the one bowler who has risen above conditions. Fidel Edwards showed that with the ability to send it down at 90mph, bowlers can get something out of the surface, and with better help from his fielders he might have returned more flattering figures than 3 for 153. Edwards could yet be the man to add a twist to this game. The quicks almost need to take the surface out of the equation which is why his yorkers can be a threat.None of the England bowlers came close to showing that sort of venom. There have been questions asked over the omission of Steve Harmison, but his standing has suddenly increased by not playing here. It would have been a selection of hope rather than expectation, although right now that isn’t looking too bad a criteria.With Andrew Flintoff absent through injury, England’s attack has resembled a pop-gun line-up, none more so than Ryan Sidebottom who has been a shadow of the bowler who collected 70 wickets in 15 Tests after his recall in 2007. He has looked creaky while his pace has hovered from the high 70s to low 80mph mark. Coupled with the ball not swinging much he didn’t pose a threat.It was a surprise when he was selected in the first place given that, in the aftermath of the last Test, Andy Flower spoke about a “chronic” Achilles problem. England were always going to face a tough task taking 20 wickets with a four-man attack, but it was a corner they were backed into when Matt Prior flew home. He would have been an option to bat at No. 6, but putting Tim Ambrose in that position was thought to be a step to far. After seeing how comfortable conditions have been they may have got away with it, but there is no point sounding wise after the event.Is there anybody else who could do a better job? A look at the Lions tour that is currently taking place in New Zealand throws up the names Liam Plunkett, Sajid Mahmood, Mark Davies and Robbie Joseph. All are solid county performers, while Plunkett and Mahmood have already been tried at the top level, but it’s difficult to believe any would have enjoyed more success on this pitch.Before the match the promises of pace and bounce from Lennie Yearwood, the groundsman, got people excited that there may be a flavour of the Caribbean of yesteryear. However, it didn’t take long to show this was very much a modern West Indies surface and even now it is offering little pace or spin.A total of 1355 runs and 15 wickets in four days suggests it should be a comfortable final day for England, but even on the dullest of pitches the charm of Test cricket means nothing is ever emphatically certain. This isn’t a nailed-on draw just yet.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has dropped a big Leeds United update on Kalvin Phillips which will have Marcelo Bielsa delighted.

What’s the story?

The England international missed the opening game of the Premier League season, with the Whites being thrashed by rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in his absence.

However, Hay has claimed that Phillips is getting set for an immediate return to action.

Writing on Twitter, the journalist said: “Phillips is getting closer to starting. Llorente likely to be back next week. Bielsa says the responsibility for the defeat at Old Trafford was his. Too much of what he asked for from the players went wrong. #lufc”

Bielsa will be relieved

Such is the importance Phillips has on this Leeds side, former Whites man Andrew Hughes said: “The only way to get someone who can cover and do the same job perfectly is to spend £50m, at least. That’s what a player like him costs. Rather than talking about how other players match up, you just have to accept he’s very special.”

While it would be far too easy to suggest that the Whites got hammered against Manchester United mainly down to Phillips being out, the midfielder’s absence did play a large role in that defeat, not least because it meant Bielsa fielded a centre-back in Robin Koch in the anchor man role.

The German struggled immensely both in and out of possession, and let his manager down with a woeful display, and Bielsa would no doubt have been desperately hoping all through this week that Phillips would be back.

With Everton next up at Elland Road, the news from Hay that Leeds’ talisman is “getting closer to starting” is sure to have Bielsa absolutely delighted.

Meanwhile, Leeds United have made an approach for this ace…

Signing injury-prone midfielder Corentin Tolisso is a risk worth taking for West Ham United, according to Get French Football News’ Adam White.

David Moyes has been keen to bolster his Hammers squad after leading the east Londoners into the Europa League thanks to registering a club-record Premier League points tally last season.

According to German media outlet Sport 1, Bayern Munich central midfielder Tolisso is among Moyes’ transfer targets ahead of next week’s transfer deadline. The report suggests Italian giants Juventus are also keeping tabs on Tolisso, who won the 2018 World Cup with France.

Bild has claimed Tolisso could be signed for as little as £8.4million, with the 27-year-old’s Bayern contract expiring in less than 12 months.

Tolisso has been made to contend with a host of injury problems in recent years and was restricted to just 24 appearances as Bayern retained the Bundesliga title last season.

But French football expert White believes it is a no-brainer for West Ham to follow up their interest in the midfielder.

He told Football FanCast: “For West Ham, I think it would absolutely be a risk worth taking.

“He is an experienced player regardless of those injuries. I think he would be a fantastic signing, although it is slightly caveated by his fitness.”

Cricinfo previews the fourth one-day international between India and England in Indore on November 22, 2008

The Preview by George Binoy22-Nov-2008Match factsNov 23, 2008
Start time 1430 (0900 GMT)
Sachin Tendulkar will return to open the innings as India aim to win the series in Bangalore © AFP
Big Picture England were thrashed in Rajkot and comprehensively beaten in Indore but improved their performance in Kanpur. The gap between the teams has narrowed with every game but, at 3-0 to India, the series has reached a stage where England have to win in Bangalore to keep it alive.Should the toss go Kevin Pietersen’s way, there are a couple of extraneous factors that could aid England. Sunday’s encounter is the first day-night match of the series and, if England’s batsmen post a competitive total, England’s bowlers could use the conditions under floodlights to put the Indian batting line-up under pressure, as they did in Kanpur. The other variable is the weather in Bangalore which at the moment is typically Manchester – wet and overcast. England’s chances of victory are greater in a low-scoring contest – their batsmen are more adept at nudging difficult runs and the conditions could aid their fast bowlers.Sunday’s match is an opportunity for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to win another limited-overs trophy but to achieve that he will need to forget the controversy that arose on the eve of the match and focus on the game. The Indian selectors changed a winning combination when they picked the squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs and Dhoni reportedly expressed his displeasure at RP Singh’s axeing. He was certainly angry when the issue was raised at Saturday’s press conference.The other change to the squad, however, will boost a team already high on confidence. Sachin Tendulkar, who had asked to be rested for the first three ODIs, will return to the team and is likely open the innings with Virender Sehwag. His inclusion, however, will split the Sehwag-Gautam Gambhir partnership that has given India outstanding starts in 2008 and could give England a tiny window of opportunity.Form guide (last 5 completed ODIs, most recent first)India WWWLW
England LLLWWWatch out for:Tendulkar hasn’t played an ODI since March but he was in fluent form in the recent Tests against Australia, against whom he scored 396 runs at 56.57. His return to the top of the order will add experience to a batting line-up full of dashing stroke-players.Andrew Flintoff was a force with the ball in Kanpur. He hurried Yuvraj Singh with a bouncer after which he had a long, hard stare at the batsman. The next ball was a bouncer off which Yuvraj holed out in the deep. Flintoff is beginning to get into his stride and needs his team-mates to back him up.Indian spin: England’s batsmen have struggled to build momentum during the overs when Dhoni uses the spinners. Harbhajan Singh was the Man of the Match in Kanpur for his 3 for 31 and even Yuvraj has bowled long spells and contained the England batsmen.Team newsTendulkar’s return is a certainty but what is less clear is whom he is going to replace. Rohit Sharma’s scores in this series are 11 not out, 3 and 28 and it’s likely that he will make way for Tendulkar. Gambhir will drop down to No. 3, giving India’s top order the look it had when winning the tri-series in Australia earlier this year. Ishant had a poor game in Kanpur, conceding 12 of India’s 17 extras, but India are unlikely to change their bowling attack.India (probable): 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Gautam Gambhir, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Suresh Raina, 6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Yusuf Pathan, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Munaf Patel.England made several changes to their batting order in the last game in Kanpur, promoting Ravi Bopara to open, Pietersen to No. 3, and dropping Owais Shah and Matt Prior to Nos 6 and 8. They are likely to persist with that plan after the Bopara-Ian Bell combination produced 79 runs in quick time. They could make a change to the bowling attack, however, replacing the out-of-form James Anderson with Steve Harmison.England (probable): 1 Ravi Bopara, 2 Ian Bell, 3 Kevin Pietersen (capt), 4 Paul Collingwood, 5 Andrew Flintoff, 6 Owais Shah, 7 Samit Patel, 8 Matt Prior (wk), 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Graeme Swann, 11 Steve Harmison.Pitch and conditionsBangalore has had daily showers in the run-up to the match and the meteorological department has predicted moderate to heavy rain over the weekend. The pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, however, is expected to be full of runs. “It’s a sporting wicket, and should assist the batsmen more than the bowlers,” the curator Narayan Raju said. “The ball will come on to the bat nicely.” In the last ODI at this venue, in September 2007, Australia scored 307 for 7 before rain interrupted play shortly into the Indian innings and forced the match to be abandoned.Stats & Trivia Gambhir isn’t unfamiliar with batting at No 3. He’s played 18 innings in that position and scored 697 runs at an average of 46.46 with two hundreds. England batsmen have scored only seven hundreds in 43 ODIs in India, compared to Australia’s 19 centuries in 63 ODIs, and West Indies’ 17 in 62 matches. England had a dot-ball percentage of nearly 58 in Kanpur, while India’s percentage was almost 60. The dot-ball percentages for England in Rajkot and Indore were 51 and 62 compared to India’s 45 and 52. Anderson’s been in poor bowling form in 2008. In 19 matches this year, he has taken only 10 wickets at an average of 71 in 19 ODIs, compared to a career average of 31.Quotes”If you lose this game, you lose the series. It’s a big game. We have got to do it here in Bangalore. From now on, every game is a final game.”
“We want him [Tendulkar] to play as long as possible and whenever he is available he should play. He has played his part in Indian cricket and it’s up to the upcomingplayers to get the most out of him. The more he plays, the more it benefits the youngsters.”

Andrew Strauss followed up his first-innings century with a composed, unbeaten 73 on the third day in Chennai as England built a strong lead of 247

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan13-Dec-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Andrew Strauss continued his outstanding Test with an unbeaten 73 © Getty Images
This Test series only consists of two matches, but Andrew Strauss has already batted for longer than some players manage in full-length contests. He followed up his first-innings century with a composed, unbeaten 73 on the third day in Chennai as England built a strong lead of 247, leaving them superbly placed to push for one of their unlikeliest Test victories. Paul Collingwood helped him add 129 for the fourth wicket and by the close India were walking around without much energy or purpose.The home side face a huge challenge to try and salvage the game. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh added 75 to limit the first-innings deficit, before the last four wickets fell for 29. Even though the equation was evened up when England slipped to 43 for 3, the crucial moment came in the over after Kevin Pietersen had fallen to Yuvraj Singh’s first ball. Strauss, on 15 at the time, went to cut Amit Mishra, a shot that has brought him so many runs in this match, and a thin edge was spilled by Dhoni. It would have made the score 43 for 4 with the Indian spinners bounding in.Apart from that blemish, Strauss was again in complete control at the crease, playing himself in against the early pace and then playing to his strengths against the spin. He has barely produced a shot down the ground during more than 10 hours at the crease, scoring most of his runs with well-controlled sweeps and his favourite cut. Batting in the subcontinent is a draining experience, both mentally and physically, so to back up a first-innings century puts Strauss on course for his finest Test. If he converts this start into a second hundred it will surpass Port Elizabeth in 2004-05 when he scored 126 and an unbeaten 94.After Ishant Sharma, who struggled with no-balls and overstepped seven times, removed Alastair Cook with a thin outside edge it was the spinners who provided the major threat, although Harbhajan was a disappointment. The pitch offered encouragement, but it also looked worse that it played. As in the first innings Mishra was introduced in the ninth over and produced one that bounced more from a length to take Ian Bell’s glove to short leg.Then came the latest Dhoni masterstroke. As soon as Pietersen walked in Yuvraj was brought into the attack. All of England’s batsmen have struggled with Yuvraj, both in the one-dayers and this Test, but as much against his sliders as his spin. His first delivery angled in with the arm, trapping Pietersen in front and the England captain knew his fate before the finger went up.Smart StatsIndia will almost certainly need to break the record for the highest chase in India to win this Test. The current record is 276, by West Indies in Delhi in 1987. The highest chase in Chennai is 155, by India against Australia in 2001.England scored 30.23% of their runs in boundaries in their second innings, and 34.17% in the first – the figure is the third-lowest in a completed innings in India since 2000. In India’s first innings, nearly 49% of their runs came in boundaries.The 129-run fourth-wicket stand between Strauss and Collingwood is the first century partnership between the two. In ten previous partnerships, the pair had scored 208. They kept the scoreboard ticking constantly – their maximum dot-ball streak was 11.The post-tea session today was a departure from the wicket-filled final sessions on the first two days. England lost four wickets for 65 on the first and took three Indian wickets on the second, but Strauss and Collingwood added an unbroken 104 on the third.Collingwood was the perfect man to walk into a dicey situation which needed some grafting. He was the ideal partner for Strauss, someone to work the gaps and run hard between the wickets. India’s fielding has improved out of sight in recent times, but they still carry a few passengers and the England pair harried them on occasions.Mishra became a touch expensive as Strauss put him off his line and Collingwood came down the pitch. It was pleasing to see an England batsman advance, and although Collingwood didn’t always convince – he lofted one narrowly over Yuvraj at mid-off – it was a statement that some of the first-innings batting lacked.Alongside spin, reverse swing was the other trump card Dhoni would have banked on. However, Sharma was struggling for rhythm and Zaheer couldn’t replicate his first-innings threat. It was noticeable that the two Indian players to show most frustration as the partnership grew were the strike-bowling pair of Zaheer and Harbhajan.Harbhajan had been much more feisty during the morning session as he and Dhonirattled up 75 in 17 overs and it appeared India would make a decent fist of getting level with England. Dhoni played a very mature innings and the more flamboyant shots came from Harbhajan, who has an individual style to his batting. When Monty Panesar went over the wicket, Harbhajan brought out the reverse sweep which left the bowler with a rather bemused smile.Panesar provided the breakthrough when Harbhajan got an inside edge to short leg. It was a confidence-boosting strike for Panesar, who had again seemed at odds with his game. Pietersen sensed the opening and almost immediately returned to Andrew Flintoff. Once again he was rewarded with a first-over breakthrough as Zaheer was trapped on the back foot by one that shaped in.Dhoni played within himself and brought up a half-century off 77 balls despite the pain of a twisted ankle which he picked up while running a three. However, with the final two tailenders in, he felt it was down to him to reduce the deficit and attacked Panesar, only to find Pietersen stationed two-thirds of the way back at mid-off. Panesar’s trademark smile was returning and his spirit will be vital when England defend their fourth-innings target. Thanks to the remarkable efforts of Strauss he should have plenty of runs to work with.

Liverpool are looking to beat a huge British club to the signing of a highly-rated young player hailed as a “machine”, according to a new transfer update.

Latest Liverpool news

The Reds return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, making the trip to Southampton looking to stay at least five points clear at the top of the table. It has been a wonderful start to life at Anfield for Arne Slot, and it is now a case of kicking on further, starting with a win against the bottom-placed team in the division.

There are injury problems for Liverpool to contend with ahead of the game, however, with the likes of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota all out. There is some hope that Harvey Elliott could make the matchday squad, though, having not played since fracturing his foot on England Under-21 duty back in September.

After a quiet summer transfer window, there is hope that more signings will be made in the near future, with January additions not out of the question. Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo has been linked with a move to Anfield, potentially being seen as Mohamed Salah’s long-term replacement, should he leave at the end of this season.

With Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool future also still up in the air, having not yet signed a contract extension, Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro has been mentioned as a possible successor to him.

Liverpool eyeing move for highly-rated "machine"

According to a fresh claim from Football Insider, Liverpool are interested in completing the signing of young Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller.

In fact, the Reds “could blow Celtic out of the water” when it comes to snapping up the 18-year-old, with fellow Scottish Premiership giants Rangers also thought to be keen on acquiring his signature.

Miller wouldn’t be joining Liverpool as a key player from the off, given his lack of experience, but he is a huge talent who could prove to be a great long-term addition for the Reds.

The Scot has already made 56 appearances for Motherwell – a hugely impressive tally, given his age – with five goals and seven assists also coming his way in that time. Meanwhile, Tam McManus has lauded him amid Celtic’s interest, saying:

“I think they’ve got the money to go in and buy him. Even if they loan him back to Motherwell for a season, I think he’s a fantastic young player. His attitude, everything about him screams quality, and I think if you’re Celtic, you go in and ask how much do you want for him.”

Liverpool thought they had the next Alonso, but then he left for £0

Before Bajcetic, Liverpool sold a flop who was supposed to be the next Xabi Alonso.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 23, 2024

Planning for the future is such an important thing at Liverpool, ensuring that there are huge talents lined up for the future, and Miller – who has also been described as a “real midfield machine” by talent scout Jacek Kulig – would fall into that category if he made the move to Anfield.

He and compatriot Ben Doak could provide a strong British nucleus there for many more years to come, and his head will surely be turned by a move.

Former Arsenal midfielder Miguel Azeez opened up on his time at Emirates Stadium as he accused the club of unfairly tagging him 'aloof'.

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Azeez accused Arsenal coaching staff of unfairly treating himLeft Arsenal in January 2024 Gunners coaching staff misjudged himFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Azeez, who graduated from the Gunners' youth system, made his first and only appearance for the club in December 2020 in the Europa League. In the next three seasons, he was sent out on loan to Portsmouth, Ibiza and Wigan Athletic before he left the club permanently in January 2024. Recalling his time at the North London club, the 22-year-old felt that he was 'misjudged' by the coaching staff.

AdvertisementWHAT MIGUEL AZEEZ SAID

Speaking to , the English player said: "I definitely felt, not adversity, but being misjudged. Ask anyone at Arsenal — I was always first into training and last to leave. If I looked like a quintessential footballer they would not have thought anything of it but because of how I looked, the hairstyles, the face, jewellery, whatever it was, they would say, ‘He is trying to be aloof by coming in early to be by himself’.

"I was just trying to improve. “That word ‘aloof’ was used against me at Arsenal. My team-mates were in the changing room on their phones on Snapchat when I was in the gym working, but they would just see me by myself and put two and two together. The players seemed to take to it, which was nice. It was from the coaching side of things. I don’t know if it was an upbringing thing or a hierarchy thing. I took it as people thinking, ‘Who does he think he is? Does he think he is better than me?’. Nah, I’m just being myself."

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Azeez added: "I’m not causing any harm by wearing a pair of heels. There was always this thing representing the badge. I get that, but I think they wanted a different image to what I was giving. I guess there’s a lot of people who would change their personalities just to get to where they felt they needed to be. I’ve always said I’m a person who plays football. When people start to think they are a footballer before they’re a person, that’s when they start to change who they are."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

The Gunners, who are currently seven points behind league leaders Liverpool, will be back in action in the Premier League on Saturday as they host West Ham at Emirates Stadium.