JULY 12, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Rey Manaj: Watford's new striker who developed at Barcelona and played under Italian greats The 25-year-old striker has become Watford's second signing of the summer - his route to Vicarage Road is littered with stellar names
Barcelona's Manaj set for Watford medical Watford are in advanced discussions with Barcelona over the signing of striker Rey Manaj, The Athletic understands.It is understood that a d...
JULY 8, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Bids farewell to Spezia Manaj will return to Barcelona as Spezia did not activate their option to sign him outright, La Nazione reports.
Impact Manaj confirmed that he is leaving with an Instagram post. He won the starting job last season, and, while the club intended to redeem him, they could not reportedly come to terms with him on his wages. He will most likely be on the move again later in the summer.
JUNE 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Takes four shots against Napoli Manaj created one scoring chance, won two duels and one tackle and took four off-target shots in Sunday's 0-3 loss to Napoli.
Impact Manaj paced his team in shots in the season finale, but he never managed to find the target. He eventually won the starting job in 2021/2022 and scored five goals in 54 shots (16 on target), adding 13 chances, six crosses (two accurate) and 19 tackles.
MAY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Three shots against Udinese Manaj had three shots in a 3-2 win against Udinese on Saturday.
Impact Manaj had an average outing for the winning team. The 25-year-old had three shots but none was on target. Other than that, Manaj also provided a key pass.
MAY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Draws four fouls versus Lazio Manaj took one off-target shot, drew four fouls, won 12 duels and was dispossessed three times in Saturday's 3-4 loss to Lazio.
Impact Manaj had a very physical showing, but he was not really a factor in the final third. He has scored once and added 11 shots (six on target) and one inaccurate cross in the last five matches. Spezia will host Atalanta next Sunday.
MAY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Scores against Torino Manaj scored a goal in a 2-1 defeat to Torino on Saturday.
Impact Manaj had a good game for the visitors. The 25-year-old scored the team's only goal in the match which was his fifth in the league campaign. Other than that, Manaj had four shots and two were on target.
APRIL 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Fires two shots against Venezia Manaj took two shots (both on target), drew three fouls, won five duels and was dispossessed twice in 23 minutes in Saturday's 1-0 win over Venezia.
Impact Manaj was used off the bench after international duties, but he still managed to co-lead his side in shots and had okay volume overall. He will have to split time with Kevin Agudelo the rest of the way, but he can be effective as a sub. He has scored once and added four shots and one interception in the last five appearances. Spezia will face Empoli away Saturday.
APRIL 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Scores off bench in win Manaj scored a goal off his lone shot, drew three fouls and was shown a yellow card during Saturday's 2-0 win over Cagliari.
Impact Manaj was brought in the 68th minute as part of a double substitution and needed only six minutes to show what he's capable of from inside the box, picking up a ball that came from the left and doing a great job between two defenders to double his side's lead. This was the third goal over the last five appearances for the striker and it will probably help his case to be a starter for Friday's visit to Sassuolo.
MARCH 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Available against Juventus Manaj served his one-game suspension in Sunday's 0-1 loss to Roma.
Impact Manaj was replaced by M'Bala Nzola, who did not take advantage of the opportunity to start. Manaj has scored twice in the last three matches, adding seven shots and one chance. He has three goals in the season, though.
MARCH 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Finds target in Bologna game Manaj took two shots (one on target), created chance, scored a goal and picked up his fifth yellow card in Monday's 1-2 loss to Bologna.
Impact Manaj found his second goal in the past three matches with a good-looking header in the first half. However, he will have to sit out one game due to yellow card accumulation. M'Bala Nzola and Kevin Agudelo will be the top candidates to replace him in Sunday's home match against Roma.
FEBRUARY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Scores against Salernitana Manaj took five shots (one on target), drew two fouls, won seven duels and converted a PK in Monday's 2-2 draw with Salernitana.
Impact Manaj led his team in shots and, while he was not precise in his other attempts, he made no mistake from the penalty spot. It was just his second goal of the season, but he has a stranglehold on the starting job. He has logged 14 shots and one chance in the last five matches. Spezia will host Fiorentina Monday.
FEBRUARY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Takes three shots in win Manaj took three shots (two on target) and created a chance in Sunday's 1-0 victory against Genoa. He also won one of one tackles in the match.
Impact Manaj played well in his return from COVID-19 on Sunday as his side's win over Genoa was more comfortable than what the scoreboard says. He will want to have a similar performance next week against second-placed Milan, which have conceded 23 goals in 21 Serie A matches this season.
JANUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Clears COVID-19 protocol Manaj was allowed to return to practice Friday after testing negative for COVID-19, Spezia announced.
Impact Manaj was one of the four Spezia players that contacted Coronavirus during the break. He had started five matches in a row before the infection, tallying one goal, 16 shots, two chances and two crosses. Spezia will face Genoa away Sunday.
JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Tests positive for COVID-19 Manaj has contracted Coronavirus while on vacation, Il Secolo XIX informs.
Impact Manaj posted a positive swab before the team resumed practicing. While he could technically clear the protocol before January 6th's match with Verona, the lack of training might force him to miss the match. Fellow striker M'Bala Nzola is in the same situation, therefore Spezia might have to lean other other offensive options.
DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Misfires against Napoli Manaj took six shots (zero on target), sent in one inaccurate cross, drew three fouls and won seven duels in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Napoli.
Impact Manaj basically took all the shots for his side in this one, but he also had terrible aim. He appears to have unseated M'Bala Nzola as the top striker. He has hit the net once and logged 16 shots, two chances and two crosses in the last five games. Spezia will host Verona on January 6th.
DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Fires two shots in Roma clash Manaj took two shots (one on target), created one scoring chance, had three successful take-ons and son six duels in Monday's 0-2 loss to Roma.
Impact Manaj had the biggest chances for his side, but he did not manage to punch one in. He could become the main striker if the coach continued to discipline M'Bala Nzola as it happened in this one. He recently scored his first goal of the season. He has posted 16 shots, nine chances crated and four crosses in 11 appearances (four starts). Spezia will host Empoli Sunday.
DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Scores against Sassuolo Manaj scored a goal in a 2-2 stalemate against Sassuolo on Sunday.
Impact Manaj had a good game for the home team. The 24-year-old scored the side's first goal in the match which was his second in the league campaign. Other than that, Manaj had four shots and two were on target.
DECEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Wins host of duels versus Inter Manaj won 14 duels, drew six fouls, took two shots (one on target) and was dispossessed six times in Wednesday's 0-2 loss to Inter.
Impact Manaj filled in for M'Bala Nzola in this one and often went to war with opposing defenders, with mixed results. The starter will likely be back in the XI for Sunday's home game versus Sassuolo. He has tallied ten shots, seven chances created and three crosses in nine games (two starts). Spezia will host Sassuolo Sunday.
DECEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Named to match-day squad Manaj (undisclosed) will be available as a substitute option versus Genoa on Tuesday, per SkySports.
Impact Manaj has made just one start in five appearances this year and was an unused substitute for another four contests. As such, the forward should be expected to have a huge impact on the starting XI moving forward, making him a relative non-factor in fantasy contests.
OCTOBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Called up for Genoa match Manaj (undisclosed) has been named in Spezia's squad list to face Genoa Tuesday.
Impact Manaj quickly returns among the call-ups after sitting out one game due to undisclosed reasons. He will be in contention with Eddie Salcedo and the other attackers. He has posted seven shots, six chances created and one cross in five games (one start).
OCTOBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Unavailable against Sampdoria Manaj was omitted from the squad list to face Sampdoria Friday due to a technical choice, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
Impact Manaj was left home as Spezia have a few alternatives up front, differently from other roles. Either M'Bala Nzola or Eddie Salcedo will lead the frontline in this one.
OCTOBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Heads back to Italy Manaj has joined Spezia on a season-long loan from Barcelona, the club announced.
Impact Manaj spent the last few years in Barcelona B, while he previously played at Pescara and Inter. He netted 14 goals in 22 appearances in the most recent campaigns. Spezia brought in a plethora of strikers during the summer, including Samuel Mraz, Janis Antitest and David Strelec.
AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Barça CB Piqué Takes Big Pay Cut to Clear Way for Transfers Gerard Piqué took a substantial decrease in pay in order to clear the way for the registrations of Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Rey Manaj...
AUGUST 15, 2021 • SI.COM
