#PLStories- Goalkeeper Willy Caballero reveals Southampton summer signings Valentino Livramento and Armando Broja were on Chelsea’s youth academy radar #SAINTSFC
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Goalkeeper Willy Caballero reveals Southampton summer signings Valentino Livramento and Armando Broja were on Chelsea’s youth academy radar #SAINTSFC

March 17, 2022
GOALKEEPER Willy Caballero revealed he and other experienced players at Chelsea “commented on a lot of positive things about Valentino” Livramento, while he was just an academy starlet. The 19-year-old former Cobham defender has enjoyed a breakout Premier League season following his permanent move to Saints last summer. With 23 matches of experience in the country’s top-flight has already come an England under-21 debut, of which he could be called up again when the squad for this month is announced on Friday. This time last year, Livramento was just another promising youngster – on the finishing stretch of a strong season that saw him crowned the Blues’ academy player of the year. Tino Livramento could be set to return to the squad to face Willy Caballero's former side, Manchester City, this Sunday (Pic: PA) Although not yet known to most of the St Mary’s faithful, he was already on the radar of future Saints teammate Caballero. "No, not really. I had met Oriol Romeu once,” the 40-year-old responded, when asked if he had any friends in the Saints squad before joining as emergency cover in December. “And I knew Valentino Livramento and Armando Broja from Chelsea,” he continued. “Because they were in the academy but with the COVID situation, we couldn't train together." Caballero was on the books at the London side between 2017-2021, after joining from Manchester City. Armando Broja played for Chelsea throughout pre-season (Pic: PA) “But I knew about them. Unbelievable. When I was at Chelsea, we commented on a lot of positive things about Valentino, with his potential and projection. And he did really well since the first game (here at Saints).” Although Livramento made an immediate impact with a Premier League start on the opening weekend of the season, after just 45 minutes of pre-season action, Broja’s introduction was a slower burn. The Albanian international had to cut his teeth in the EFL Cup on his debut, while manager Ralph Hasenhuttl called on the youngster to improve his physical outputs for a Premier League start – which first came in October. "With Broja, we - and when I say we - I mean experienced players, because we sometimes spoke about some of the academy players and there were some doubts, but he is unbelievable and he is doing really well,” Caballero added. Goalkeeper Willy Caballero has featured in the FA Cup for Saints this season (Pic: Stuart Martin) “He is scoring goals and helping the team here and he believes in himself that he can be a good striker (in the Premier League), so that is fantastic." Broja was named on the same bench as Caballero by Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, when the striker was handed a Premier League debut with a five-minute cameo in a 4-0 win over Everton, in March 2020. That was the attacker’s only appearance for the Blues’ senior side, although that could change if the six-goal Premier League forward returns to his parent club at the end of this season.
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Dan Ashworth speaks about decision to leave Brighton #BHAFC

February 12, 2022
Dan Ashworth looks forward to seeing Albion go from strength to strength after stepping down as technical director. Ashworth has spoken to the club’s website about his decision to resign. He said he leaves with a heavy heart but hopes to see Albion maintain their “outstanding progress” under chairman Tony Bloom. Ashworth’s resignation was announced on Monday. He told brightonandhovealbion.com: “I have been lucky that the club have allowed me two days to have a handover, to speak to all the staff, to say goodbye. “I was allowed a moment with the team yesterday and genuinely said to them that this is probably the best group of players I have had the privilege of working with in terms of culture and togetherness. They’re a joy to work with. “That’s pretty much the same message for the staff as well, the phrase I have used quite regularly is, ‘if you don’t want to do a day’s work in your life, get a job you enjoy’ and that’s been me, that’s been me for the last three-and-a-half years at Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club. “It’s been absolutely brilliant, I have loved every minute of it. I leave with a heavy heart, I genuinely do and I will be watching the progress of the club, hoping the club go from strength-to-strength and continue the outstanding progress the club has made with Tony as chairman. “So a huge thank you to everyone, players, staff, supporters and the city, I have had a wonderful time.” Ashworth said David Weir, now acting technical director, is a strong candidate to take over on a more permanent basis. He added: “What hasn’t changed is Tony Bloom and Paul Barber were here before me and they still are, that hasn’t changed. “Paul Winstanley, from a recruitment point of view, and John Morling, in the academy, were both here before me and are still here. “It’s not about wholesale changes and a load of new staff coming in. Those systems and principals were in place. “I was the first technical director at Brighton so what I hope I have done is sit as the hub in the wheel and just bring it together and I have no doubt David will do the same.”
Brighton & Hove Albion
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Brighton confirm about their technical director Dan Ashworth ‘s request to leave #BHAFC #NUFC

February 8, 2022
DAN ASHWORTH has resigned as Albion's technical director. Ashworth has held talks with Newcastle United in recent weeks. Albion confirmed today he "will take a similar role at another Premier League club." But that will not happen until be has served an "extended" period of gardening leave. Former Everton and Rangers player and Scotland international David Weir becomes the Seagulls' acting technical director with immediate effect. He was recently promoted to assistant technical director. In a club statement, Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber said: “We are sorry to learn of Dan’s decision. He’s been an important part of the club’s senior management team since joining us from The FA, and has made a significant contribution to our club’s progress in the Premier League and Women’s Super League. “On a personal level, I will be sad to see Dan leave as we’d developed a close day to day working relationship. Dan’s been an excellent colleague and has become a good friend as well. I wish Dan and his family well for the future. “However, as is the case with all top quality people in any industry, we are always conscious of the risk of losing key staff to a rival. With that in mind, we always put in place contingencies and succession plans that are designed to minimise the impact on our club. “As such, our assistant technical director, David Weir, will now step up and assume the role of acting technical director. He is someone with an excellent knowledge of the role and of our club’s culture from working side-by-side with Dan. “As previously, we will conduct a search process for the role of technical director, as it is only right to do so. We anticipate a lot of high calibre applicants but we also fully expect and hope David will be a candidate in this process.” Chairman Tony Bloom added: “We are extremely disappointed that Dan will no longer be our technical director. He leaves a significant legacy in place and for that we are greatly appreciative. “Dan’s done an outstanding job and helped build on the progress the club had already made across all of our technical areas. I wish Dan and his family well for the future.”
Graham Potter Brighton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Graham Potter reveals conversations with Yves Bissouma and his improvement with Brighton #BHAFC

February 8, 2022
The midfielder scored and shone as the Seagulls went out of the FA Cup. His deflected strike capped a storming individual second-half display and fleetingly put his side back in the contest before they lost 3-1. Bissouma was subject of transfer interest last month and Graham Potter is only too aware that will increase in the summer. He is ready for it – and looking forward to seeing what Bissouma can produce before then. Albion’s head coach said: “I’ve spoken about this quite often, especially in transfer windows, because there is always speculation about good players and you have to deal with that. “As a club we are quite strong. “We don’t have to sell anybody but we also know it helps improve and develop a club. BRIGHTON PLAYER RATINGS FROM DEFEAT AT TOTTENHAM “We understand where we are in the pyramid. “Now it’s just a case of being competitive, trying to develop a team and a club who our supporters are proud of.” He added: “It isn’t never say never but it’s important Yves is with us. “He is enjoying his football. “While he is doing that I think it’s great for us and good for him.”