- Today 20/10, Gakpo joins PSV as Arsenal’s guest in the second leg of Group A Europa League.
- Midfielder Paul Pogba returns from surgery
The match was scheduled for 9/15, but was postponed due to insufficient police forces on security duty.
Arsenal currently lead by nine points, two points ahead of PSV.
PSV Eindhoven Dutch striker Cody Gakpo has repeatedly spoken to coach Erik ten Hag and almost joined Man Utd at the end of summer 2022.
“I almost left PSV after talking to Ten Hag a few times at Man Utd,” Gakpo told The Times on October 18.
“But the deal didn’t work out, and that’s unfortunate for my career momentum.
Man Utd is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and a player joining Man Utd is also a good thing for PSV.”
In the summer of 2022, Man Utd targeted Gakpo – a striker valued at $ 42 million by PSV – to strengthen the attack.
Ten Hag is said to understand Gakpo’s abilities very well after his time in the Netherlands.
Man Utd coach sees him as a long-term solution to the lack of quality options in the forward position.
According to Gakpo, Man Utd only negotiated with PSV after recruiting Antony from Ajax for a fee of $ 100 million. At that time, the transfer market was only one week old and the two sides could not close the deal.
Gakpo, then, refused to join two other Premier League clubs to stay at PSV. “In the last week of the transfer window, I had to decide whether to join Leeds or Southampton. I ended up staying, but it was a stressful period,” Gakpo said.
Happy to continue with the club in his childhood, but the 23-year-old striker still wants to go to the Premier League to play in the future. “PSV was my childhood club, playing here is not a punishment,” Gakpo stressed.
“I love being here, competing for trophies and devoting myself to the club.
But if I have the opportunity to go to the Premier League or another league, of course I will have to consider it.”
In September, Gakpo revealed that the deal to join Man Utd was not approved because of urgency. He said: “Last week, I thought I was going to Manchester.
Then I had to choose another club, and that was not good for PSV and me, because I felt the deal was too urgent. I sit in the office with my family and agent for the night, and then make a decision.”
Growing up in the PSV training camp, Gakpo improved greatly last season when he scored 21 and assisted 15 goals to help the home team finish second in the Dutch league, two points behind champions Ajax.
This season, Gakpo maintained an impressive form with 13 goals and 11 assists through 18 matches in all competitions, including nine goals in the Dutch league and three goals through three Europa League group stage matches.
On the international stage, Gakpo has played for the Netherlands U18, U19, U20, U21 teams and made his debut for the national team at Euro 2021.
Over the past year, Gakpo has three goals in nine games for the Netherlands.
The 23-year-old striker is likely to be called up by coach Louis van Gaal for the 2022 World Cup.
- Midfielder Paul Pogba returns from surgery
Pogba was a mainstay in helping France win the 2018 World Cup. In the final four years ago, the former Man Utd player scored to make it 2-1 creating a turning point that led to a 4-2 victory over Croatia.
Midfielder Paul Pogba returns from surgery, and has a month left to contend for a place in the 2022 World Cup with France.
Yesterday 18/10, Pogba had his first training session after knee meniscus surgery.
According to Juventus, the 30-year-old midfielder is participating in a partial training session with the whole team to regain the feeling of the ball. He will compete after full training.
Fans expect Pogba to play again against Benfica on September 25. However, according to medical experts, the two matches against PSG on 2/11 and Inter on 6/11 are more realistic goals.
Pogba’s return is a positive sign for France. The defending World Cup champions’ midfield is in trouble due to the loss of N’Golo Kante.
The Chelsea star has just had surgery and a four-month break, which means he cannot attend the 2022 World Cup.
Pogba returned to Juventus on 11/7 on a free transfer. He has not played for the club this season, due to a meniscus injury.
Pogba’s initial choice was for conservative treatment, but then had surgery on 5/9 on the advice of doctors at the club and the national team.
“Paul will not return until January 2023, if he goes to the World Cup,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said in early September.
“I never said he wouldn’t play in the World Cup, but I don’t know if he’ll recover in time.”
The 2022 World Cup takes place from 20/11 to 18/12.
France will play three matches in Group D against Australia on November 22, Denmark on November 26 and Tunisia on November 30.
