Category: Sport
What went wrong for Garnacho at Old Trafford?
Alejandro Garnacho could well make his first Premier League start for Chelsea this weekend. The Blues signed the Argentina winger for £40m late in the transfer window. The 21-year-old, who has 16 goals in 93 Premier League appearances, signed a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge that runs through to 2032. Enzo Maresca’s side travel to Brentford on Saturday night (20:00 BST). Right, although Senne Lammens could well make his Manchester Untied debut this weekend, it’s time to look at some of the other new signings who could be turning out for their new clubs. Whichever keeper United select for the Manchester Derby, there is a problem. Lammens has no experience of Premier League football, and its physicality is going to take some getting used to for a Belgian keeper. Bayindir’s flapping at corners is already legendary. Lose Lose.
Which deadline day signing will make the biggest impact?
Simons was linked with many European clubs this summer and represents a coup for Frank – but where will he play at Spurs? Frank is known for his tactical flexibility and has employed two different formations in his first three games in charge – a 5-3-2 in the Super Cup final against Paris St-Germain and his more familiar 4-3-3 in the Premier League. Simons is best suited to the latter, where he would most likely play on the left of Frank’s front three so he can cut inside to use his favoured right foot. The attacker was predominantly used on the left in the Bundesliga last season with 75% of his time on that side of the pitch. He can also play centrally or on the right if needed. However, RB Leipzig’s former boss Marco Rose often asked Simons to play either deeper in a traditional 4-4-2 or more narrowly in a 4-2-2-2 – in a ‘box midfield’ formation which encouraged full-backs to get forward – which suggests he’ll need time to adapt to Frank’s methods. Will Simons star on Saturday? Xavi Simons could be another player who makes his Premier League debut this weekend after he signed for Tottenham from RB Leipzig for £51.8m (60m euros) late in the summer window. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who has been chased by several European clubs this summer, said he had “been dreaming of this for a long time” after completing his Spurs medical. Simons scored 22 goals and assisted 24 others in 78 appearances for Leipzig, who he joined on loan from Paris St-Germain in 2023 before signing permanently in January of this year. He has also scored five goals in 28 appearances for the Netherlands, having made his debut at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Spurs are away to West Ham on Saturday (17:30 BST).
