Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be key to Manchester United's chances in the New Year's Day clash with Aston Villa, as he will likely be at least partly responsible for keeping Jack Grealish shackled.
Grealish has been a standout player in the Premier League this season, with their exceptional start to the 2020-21 campaign in no small part down to the attacking midfielder's influence.
Only five teams have scored more than Villa's 28 goals this term, though four have played two more matches than them. The other, United, have played one game extra.
Grealish has scored five and set up six, excelling in his free-roaming role from the left as he has also created 51 chances in the Premier League – Hakan Calhanoglu (53) of Milan is the only player to have played more key passes across Europe's top five leagues.
Of those 51 chances created, 23 have come following a carry, defined by Opta as a movement of the ball that is greater than five metres from where it was received. No other player in the Premier League has produced more than 13 key passes from comparable situations.
Grealish impressed against United at Old Trafford last term, scoring a gorgeous goal in a 2-2 draw, and Wan-Bissaka is primed for a potentially decisive tussle with the England international, as the right-back delved into the data with United Review.
"I know he is always up there with getting the most fouls," Wan-Bissaka said of Grealish, whose 65 free-kicks won is comfortably the most in the Premier League. "We all know he’s a tricky player when he's out there on the pitch.
"He is a great player. He's unpredictable and can go inside or outside with the ball. I played against him last season and just have to be ready to take it as it comes.
"It is another challenge I am more than ready to take on, but he's not the only player we need to be paying attention to – they have lots of other good players like John McGinn, Ross Barkley, Trezeguet and others. We know it will be a tough game."
While Wan-Bissaka expects a testing encounter, Grealish surely will not be predicting an easy ride either – Opta revealed on Thursday that the United right-back made the most tackles (96) in the Premier League for a third successive calendar year in 2020.
On top of that, Wan-Bissaka's 50 blocks is a league-high for 2020-21, highlighting the full-back's defensive nous.
"I reckon it's probably down to there being situations where I've needed to tackle but, in that moment, there have been more situations I have had when I have had to block shots and crosses," he continued.
"I know there have been times in football where, if you don't block a shot, it can go in. So, the best thing to do is simply to attempt to block every shot and every cross.
"I know you cannot just dive into any tackle. You've got to make sure you time it right. It is a case of always concentrating and making sure you are timing them right as well.
"It's very good to hear, that I have had no bookings against me this season."
Despite his obvious defensive strengths, there remain plenty of United fans unconvinced by Wan-Bissaka's suitability as the club's first choice at right-back due to his limited attacking output.
He had seemingly improved as an attacking outlet in his first season at United from his days at Crystal Palace, with chance creation up to 0.7 per 90 minutes from 0.4 and open play crosses increasing to three per game from 1.6.
But he is yet to record an assist this season and his 0.3 expected assists (xA) figure further highlights how little impact he has in the final third.
Barcelona's new era without Lionel Messi does not need to begin immediately but a clear plan must be laid out for life after the Argentine great, says presidential candidate Victor Font.
Messi will forever be a legend at Camp Nou given his sensational career that has seen him become both Barca and LaLiga's all-time leading goalscorer.
But the 33-year-old was part of a well-documented transfer saga in the close season, in part due to a fractious relationship with departing president Josep Maria Bartomeu, and although a move away eventually did not materialise speculation continue to link Messi with an exit when his contract expires in June.
Asked by AS the objectives for life after Messi, Font replied: "Maintain the ownership model and keep winning titles.
"That is, to be competitive by having the club owned by the members when this winning generation no longer exists."
But Font did not agree with the suggestion that now is already the time to usher in a new dawn without Messi.
"Not at all. In fact, our goal is for Leo to continue to be and continue to lead the team on the field as long as he wants to continue playing," Font added.
"When we were talking about Barca post-Messi, surely the best way to define it is Barca post-unique generation of footballers. And that does not happen from one day to the next.
"There were Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, [Carles] Puyol, [Gerard] Pique, [Sergio] Busquets…and this transition is not from one day to the next, it happens in time.
"That is why it is essential to have a project and be clear about how to do it. This is what Messi told us in August, there is no project here, they are lurching, patches are put on. That was his frustration."
Messi caused quite the stir when, in the aftermath of Barca's humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in last season's Champions League, he revealed his desire to move on.
Another recent interview conducted with Messi saw him air his frustrations from that time and did not categorically affirm his commitment beyond this season.
But Font was encouraged by what he heard, adding: "[I took it] positively, because it is consistent with what we have explained.
"In the short term, it confirms that if there is a high-level sports project, it can continue. And another, that he openly expresses the desire to make what is so strategic for us a reality. And that the Messi-Barca alliance becomes long in time."
Barca's financial situation has been under scrutiny given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Font did not specifically say Messi would have to take a pay cut if he stays at Barca, but said some high earners will have to be sold on and other contracts renegotiated to help their money issues.
"We know that the economic situation is very critical and that is why a shock plan has been prepared as part of the government plan that includes both refinancing the short-term debt because there is no money to pay, and restructuring expenses and the wage bill," he said.
"In other words, next year we will not have enough income to pay the current staff.
"You have to change, renew templates. We will have to sell players with high salaries, bring in players who charge less, renegotiate contracts. It is part of this 100-day government plan."
As part of his plan, Font outlined his desire to bring in club great Xavi as general manager and Jordi Cruyff as director of sport.
With Xavi, Font said the aim must be to avoid a situation like with Pep Guardiola, who eventually sought challenges away from Camp Nou.
"We believe that, in the case of Xavi, Barca has a unique asset. A person who has a talent, unique abilities," he said.
"We have to create the conditions to prevent us from having another Pep Guardiola case with Xavi, who trains, empties, and leaves because he wants to continue being a coach elsewhere.
"We have to ensure that in the next ten or fifteen years, to say the least, Xavi is part of the club's sporting project. And in this role as general manager, he may have that responsibility."
Bobo has returned to Sydney FC, joining the A-League club for a second stint.
The Brazilian striker enjoyed a successful spell at the club between 2016 and 2018, winning two premierships, a championship and an FFA Cup.
Bobo, who turns 36 on January 9, won the A-League Golden Boot in 2017-18.
The former Besiktas and Gremio striker has had spells at Alanyaspor, Hyderabad FC and Oeste since leaving Sydney, but his return for the 2020-21 campaign was confirmed on Friday.
"I enjoyed every moment of my time at Sydney FC, we had a hugely successful two seasons and I want that again," Bobo said.
"The club has hardly missed a beat since, winning both A-League titles and the Premiers' Plate and I can't wait to go for three in a row.
"My family and I still feel like members of the Sky Blue family and for us this is like a journey home.
"We are looking forward to seeing everyone, particularly all of our members again, and to get going on another exciting ride."
Bobo scored 42 goals in 57 A-League games during his previous stint. Besart Berisha (35) was the next best over the same period.
Of Bobo's goals, 10 were headers, while all 42 came from inside the box. It included 11 penalties.
Sydney begin their A-League campaign against Wellington Phoenix on Saturday, but Bobo is set to complete quarantine and be available for the derby against the Western Sydney Wanderers on January 16.
John Wall enjoyed his Houston Rockets debut, saying his job was to make James Harden's life a little easier.
In his first regular-season appearance since December 2018, Wall helped the Rockets past the Sacramento Kings 122-119 on Thursday.
Wall finished with 22 points, nine assists and six rebounds, while Harden had 33 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
After his debut for the Rockets, Wall said he enjoyed his connection with Harden.
"I think it was cool. I missed some easy shots, trying to get some rust off, no matter how much I practice and play in preseason it's a bit different when you get in real games," the guard told a news conference.
Wall added: "My job here is to help James as much as possible, make it a little easier for him.
"You know when we need a bucket and get to crunch-time situation, you know what he's capable of."
Harden scored 16 fourth-quarter points for the Rockets, who claimed their first win of the season.
The eight-time All-Star was pleased with the win, while praising Wall's performance.
"He was extremely aggressive, making plays, defensively getting after it, he looked really, really good, especially not playing in almost two years," Harden said.
"Once we get a rhythm and guys get into their roles and find their best fit for the team, we'll be even better.
"But I'm happy in the last six minutes when it was time to get stops we did and offensively we executed."
John Wall impressed on his Houston Rockets debut, while the Philadelphia 76ers' fine start to the NBA season continued.
In his first regular-season appearance since December 2018, Wall helped the Rockets to their first win of the season with a 122-119 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.
Wall posted 22 points, nine assists and six rebounds on his Rockets debut after being traded from the Washington Wizards at the start of December.
James Harden again starred, finishing with 33 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
The 76ers improved to 4-1 and handed Orlando their first loss of the season, beating the Magic 116-92.
Joel Embiid was seven-of-11 from the field for 21 points, while he also pulled down nine rebounds.
Westbrook's Wizards fall again as Booker shines
Russell Westbrook posted another triple-double with 22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, but the Washington Wizards dropped to 0-5 after a 133-130 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Westbrook joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to open a season with four triple-doubles in their first four games.
Thomas Bryant had 28 points for the Wizards after going 10-of-11 from the field.
Devin Booker's game-high 25 points helped the Phoenix Suns past the Utah Jazz 106-95. The Suns are 4-1.
Domantas Sabonis had a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds in the Indiana Pacers' 119-99 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sabonis has posted at least a double-double in all five of his games this season.
Terrible Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder shot at just 37.5 per cent from the field in a 113-80 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Harden, Wall power Rockets
Harden and Wall finished with 55 points and 17 assists between them against the Kings.
Thursday's results
Indiana Pacers 119-99 Cleveland Cavaliers
Chicago Bulls 133-130 Washington Wizards
Philadelphia 76ers 116-92 Orlando Magic
Houston Rockets 122-119 Sacramento Kings
Toronto Raptors 100-83 New York Knicks
New Orleans Pelicans 113-80 Oklahoma City Thunder
Phoenix Suns 106-95 Utah Jazz
Lakers at Spurs
The Los Angeles Lakers (3-2) and San Antonio Spurs (2-2) will meet again on Friday. LeBron James powered the Lakers to a win over San Antonio on Wednesday.
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