If you were with us for the majority of the summer transfer window, you’ll know all about Sergi Canós long, drawn out and pretty boring move from Brentford to Valencia.
When the deal was done, and everything was signed off, we expected it to be the last we heard of the player, but it appears that is not the case as Mundo Deportivo provide us with something new today.
The newspaper explains that last Saturday, Canós enjoyed a ‘dream debut’ as a starter for Valencia when he started the clash against Atletico Madrid.
That was a big moment for a player who was born a Valencia fan, and it became even better when he played a big role in the opening goal of the eventual 3-0 win.
The former Brentford man was getting what he waited all summer for but that was soon to come crashing down as he felt a twinge, with tests later confirming he had a hamstring injury.
That’s set to keep him out of the clash with Almería, at least, but could see him spend a more extended spell on the sidelines if things don’t go well.
It’s a major blow for the winger, who spent all summer pushing for his move away from Brentford to Valencia, finally got it and has now been denied his chance to shine early on.
Hopefully, he’s not suffered anything too drastic but it’s still frustrating, particularly for those of us who had hoped they’d heard the last of Canós for a while.
Brentford clash: Newcastle hits with fresh to key players
Newcastle United are waiting to see if Miguel Almiron is fit to feature for Paraguay in Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier versus Venezuela (kick-off 11pm).
Almiron pulled up in the closing stages of his country’s 0-0 draw with Peru on Thursday. The 29-year-old appeared to be in some discomfort and as a result limped off with his teammates forced to play out the game with 10 men.
The Paraguayan Football Association issued a statement after the fixture confirming Almiron had “sustained muscular contracture” and is “subjected to further auxiliary studies.”
Guillermo Barros Schelotto said Almiron “doesn’t have an injury” and put the issue down to cramp. All eyes are on tomorrow evening to see if Almiron has recovered in time.
“He’s fine, very tired, cramped,” Schelotto told reporters the night before the Paraguay FA’s statement. “It’s his first game, he had a long trip, he didn’t have much recovery time and the commitment they have forces them to give everything.
“He doesn’t have an injury. I hope he can recover and play against Venezuela.”
Almiron isn’t the only Newcastle player to suffer an injury scare during the international break.
Alex Murphy withdrew from the Republic of Ireland under-21s squad, while Elliot Anderson returned to Tyneside for treatment last week after picking up an injury in training with Scotland.
Eddie Howe’s side host Brentford at St James’ Park on Saturday evening (kick-off 5:30pm) looking to end a run of three straight defeats.
Brentford £80m striker taught me defensive lesson last season – Chelsea defender confessed
Chelsea’s Levi Colwill has explained that he was given a really tough lesson last season when he came up against Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Levi Colwill, who’s just 20, is a young defender learning on the job at Premier League level over the past year.
The ball-playing centre-back is currently part of the senior Chelsea and England squad, with last season’s loan spell at Brighton working wonders for his development.
It’s very interesting to hear that Brentford’s Ivan Toney is the one opponent so far to teach the youngster a bit of a lesson.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Brentford FC – Premier League
Photo by David Horton – CameraSport via Getty Images
Chelsea’s talented centre-half admits he walked away from last season’s battle against Toney scratching his head a little.
“Was there a moment when you were really given a lesson?”, Colwill was asked, as quoted by The Express. “Yeah, I think Ivan Toney last season,” he quickly responded. “I was playing decent football last season and I came up against him and it was a lot different and I had to learn from it quickly. I had to give myself a little chat and say, ‘You’ve got something to prove now.’
Toney is currently unavailable for Brentford until the New Year as he serves a ban for breaking betting regulations, but he’s looked one of the most formidable centre-forwards in England during the past couple of years.
The Evening Standard recently claimed that Chelsea are already considering a potential move to try sign Toney from Brentford when the January transfer window comes around.
The Independent reported last month that Brentford wanted £80million to sell Toney in the summer. Will that still be the case mid-season after he’s spent half a year watching from the stands, though?
Toney is a very strong frontman who looks a nightmare to play against.
We see real logic to suggest he’d be a great option at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea have got to draw a line at the crazy spending some time soon.
Our preference would be to take a rain check on the striker targets until the New Year. For now, let’s see if Nicolas Jackson or Armando Broja can come good as Chelsea’s No 9.