Glenn Whelan has been a consistent and reliable figure in recent months for Aston Villa. So for the Irish international to allow Dwight Gayle in to score last weekend was hugely uncharacteristic.
The midfielder failed to control the ball from a pass towards him and then West Brom’s prolific frontman did the rest, rifling an arrow of a shot into the back of the net. It gave Villa the worst possible start to their play-off hopes.
Dean Smith’s side ultimately went onto win the first leg but it’s still a goal that could have a large say going into the return fixture at the Hawthorns this week.
It’s extremely likely the Villans will have to score again. However, they’ll also have to ensure defensive solidity.
On the chalkboard
It would be harsh to drop Whelan after some of his performances towards the back end of the season but if Smith is looking for someone who can come in and solidify the midfield then Mile Jedinak could be the answer.
The Australian has played most of his football in defence this term. Initially, under Steve Bruce he was selected at centre-half but it was a decision that proved disastrous. But under the current manager, his performances have improved significantly, particularly at the back.
Therefore, a return to the starting XI and in his more natural midfield position could be extremely beneficial for the Villans.
He knows how to look after the ball and his defensive discipline is arguably better than ever.
Conor Hourihane not starting in the first leg indicated that Villa needed a little more protection. Going into the away clash, that will be even more important.
Jedinak, therefore, could be a candidate to replace Whelan and standing at 6 ft 2, he’d certainly offer a more robust nature to the midfield.
It could also give Villa more flexibility. In defensive phases, he could shift into a three-man defence, but going forward he could then move forward to anchor the midfield. After Whelan’s mistake, it’s something that should be considered.
Everton’s Under-23 side is littered with potential stars of the future.
David Unsworth has just led his young guns to the Premier League 2 title, where a number of his key players will be knocking on Marco Silva’s door in hope of a first-team place in the near future.
One man, or boy, who will perhaps have a better chance than most of getting such an opportunity is 19-year-old goalkeeper Joao Virginia.
The Portuguese glovesman was signed from Arsenal last summer, whom he joined after breaking through the ranks at Benfica’s academy – facilities that have housed the likes of Jan Oblak, Ederson and Julio Cesar in years gone by.
In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…
Why he was allowed to leave the Emirates Stadium in the first place should concern fans of the Gunners, but their loss is the Toffees’ gain.
Silva has already said that the teenager is too good for the Under-23 side, claiming that Virginia is ‘at another level’ despite his youthful age; the former Hull boss is yet to make a decision on whether the shot-stopper will leave on loan or challenge Jordan Pickford.
Virginia’s impact in Unsworth’s Under-23 side was so instantaneously impressive that it merited a standing ovation from his teammates in the dressing room after his debut against Leicester.
After that match, Unsworth said: “Outstanding, absolutely outstanding.
“He’s a great lad, got great English, he’s commanding and what he’s done tonight is set a standard I’ve not seen at this level from a goalkeeper.”
With Maarten Stekelenburg’s name amongst a list of players expected to leave Goodison Park this summer, Virginia should definitely be considered as a replacement for the experienced Dutchman in the first-team ranks.
A loan would give him some invaluable experience, but whilst currently being trained under former Benfica goalkeeping coach Hugo Olivera and training with the first-team, this precocious talent should be kept on Merseyside.
انفجر النجم الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي، قائد برشلونة الإسباني من جديد، في تصريح مقتضب أدلى به عقب عودته للنادي الكتالوني بعد خوض مواجهتين مع منتخب بلده في تصفيات أمريكا الجنوبية المؤهلة لمونديال قطر 2022.
ووفقًا لصحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، فور وصوله إلى صالة الرحلات الجوية الخاصة في مطار إلبرات، انفجر ميسي أثناء سؤاله عن تصريحات الممثل السابق لأنطوان جريزمان، وجاء تصريح ميسي المختصر: “لقد سئمت من أن أكون دائمًا مشكلة كل شيء في النادي”.
واتهم إريك أولهاتس، وكيل الفرنسي السابق، ميسي الأسبوع الماضي على قناة فرانس فوتبول، مشيرًا إلى أن جريزمان وصل إلى ناد يعاني من مشاكل خطيرة حيث يتحكم ميسي في كل شيء.
اقرأ أيضًا.. فابريجاس: هناك من حاولوا إيذاء ميسي في برشلونة
وأشار أولهاتس إلى إن ميسي يتعامل كإمبراطور وملك في آن واحد ولم ير وصول أنطوان بعيون طيبة، وأضاف: “موقف ميسي كان مؤسفًا، لقد جعله يشعر به، لطالما سمعت أنطوان يقول إنه ليس لديه مشاكل مع ميسي، لكن ليس العكس، إنه نظام الإرهاب، إما أن تكون معه أو أنت ضده”.
كان ميسي غاضبًا بشكل واضح، فقد جاء من دفع رسوم جمركية بعد هبوطه على متن رحلة خاصة من بيرو، حيث فاز الأرجنتين (0-2) في مرحلة التصفيات المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2022.
وعقب ميسي: “بعد 15 ساعة من الطيران، وجدت نفسي عند الخزانة إنه جنون”، قال ذلك قبل ركوب السيارة التي تقودها زوجته أنتونيلا روكوزو.
لم يتحدث ليو ميسي في برشلونة منذ 4 سبتمبر حين أعلن استمراره في الفريق الكتالوني على الرغم من رغبته في المغادرة، ودخوله في أزمات مع رئيس برشلونة آنذاك جوزيب ماريا بارتوميو.
West Ham United certainly appear to be favouring experience in the transfer window this summer.
Experience is not necessarily a bad thing, however, it can’t help but feel as though that particular quality in a player is being looked at rather more seriously than ambition with some of their reported targets.
David Martin (South London Press), Fernando Llorente (The Sun) and Fabian Delph (Football Insider) have all recently been linked with moves to the London Stadium.
All three men are approaching the stages of their career where serious questions must be asked about what they can actually offer the club in the long-term future.
Now, we’re not saying that they would be bad signings, in fact, they might actually be sensible ones for Manuel Pellegrini’s side as they could fill in holes within his squad and provide them with a little lift.
However, surely the question that will be on everyone’s minds is regarding the ambitions of the club? Signing the likes of Martin, Llorente and Delph do not really signify their intent.
When you compare the aforementioned trio to the likes of Felipe Anderson, Issa Diop and Andriy Yarmolenko, this summer looks set to pale in comparison to the exciting one they had last year.
Obviously, we have only just entered the transfer market and a number of names are going to be churned out of the rumour mill right up until Deadline Day.
However, if West Ham want to build on their solid campaign and challenge for European football next season, the club are going to have to be more ambitious with their recruitment.
As we mentioned, experienced footballers are good but that does not always mean it is the right way forward for clubs.
West Ham fans, what do you make of the club’s rumoured transfer targets? Would you like to see more ambition? Let us know below!
عبر لاعب وسط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، كاسيميرو، عن رغبة نجوم الملكي في الفوز على إنتر ميلان وتصدر جدول ترتيب المجموعة في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على إنتر ميلان يوم غدًا، الأربعاء، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “جوسيبي مياتزا” بقيادة الحكم الإنجليزي، أنتوني تايلور.
اقرأ أيضًا.. زيدان يستقر على بديل لوكا مودريتش من الدوري الإيطالي
وتحدث كاسيميرو عن المنافسة في المجموعة الثانية من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا في تصريحات خاصة لموقع “يويفا” الرسمي، وقال: “نعلم أننا في مجموعة صعبة، شاختار يملك لاعبين برازيليين رائعين، كذلك قدم بوروسيا مونشنجلادباخ مستوى رائع في ألمانيا، إنتر ميلان فريق مميز هو الآخر ولديه تاريخ كبير ومدرب صاحب رؤية واضحة”.
وعن الفوز على إنتر ميلان في إسبانيا: “كنا نعلم أن المباراة لن تكون سهلة ولكننا من الناحية الذهنية كنا أقوياء للغاية وركزنا على حصد النقاط الثلاث وهو ما فعلناه بهدف رودريجو، لكن مازال أمامنا مشوار طويل لنقطعه في تلك البطولة والتأهل في إيدي لاعبي ريال مدريد”.
وغياب راموس: “سيرجيو قائد في غرفة اللاعبين وعلى أرض الملعب، فخور لكوني أشاركه فريقًا واحدًا على مدار السنوات الماضية، فهو لا يستسلم بسهولة ويقاتل على كل شيء ويريد الفوز دائمًا ويزيد من طموحات اللاعبين، ولا أستغرب ما حققه على مدار مسيرته أبدًا لأنه رغم كل الخبرة التي يمتلكها مازال يتعلم ويطور من مستواه”.
ودوري أبطال أوروبا: “بطولة خاصة بالنسبة لنا في ريال مدريد، الجميع يتنفس أجواءها لذلك لا استغرب أيضًا فوز الفريق بالعديد من الألقاب لأننا نستعد لها بشكل مختلف بالكامل”.
واللعب في ملاعب فارغة من الجماهير: “أمر غريب حقًا، نفتقدهم لأنهم يمثلون جمال كرة القدم ولكنني واثق في دعم جماهير ريال مدريد للفريق، ورغم الوضع الغير مستقر في الفترة الحالية بسبب فيروس كورونا إلا أننا نتفهم الأمر جيدًا وتكيفنا قليلًا لكن بالتأكيد نفضل عودتهم في أقرب وقت ممكن”.
وعن مدرب زيدان: “كان مثلي الأعلى لأنه لعب في وسط الملعب رغم اختلاف المراكز، لكنني أقدر أسلوبه وما يفعله لصالح ريال مدريد كمدرب مع إنجازاته الكبيرة في دوري أبطال أوروبا وفوزنا في الموسم الماضي ببطولة الدوري والسوبر الإسباني وسيتذكر التاريخ دائمًا ما حققه كلاعب وكمدرب”.
وانتقل كاسيميرو للحديث عن مركزه في الملعب: “كلاعب كرة القدم دائمًا ما تتعلم على مدار مسيرتك، رغم اختلاف الواجبات الدفاعية والهجومية قبل سنوات والآن، اختفى مركز الوسط الدفاعي أو رقم 5 كما نطلق في البرازيل لفترة لكنه عاد الآن ونحن نتميز في البرازيل باللاعبين في ذلك المكان مثل جليبرتو سيلفا، دونجا وماورو سيلفا، فهو مركز يمنح الفريق التوازن بين الدفاع والهجوم”.
وتحدث البرازيلي عن شعوره بالمشاركة في نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا وتسجيل هدفًا في شباك يوفنتوس: “أقسم لك أنني لم أتخيل أبدًا التواجد في النهائي أو أسجل هدفًا وعندما فعلت ذلك قبل 3 سنوات لم أكن أعرف ماذا أفعل وكيف احتفل ولكنني نظرت للسماء وشكرت الله لأنني كنت أعيش حلمًا”.
Clearly, Arsenal fans are hoping for a very productive summer transfer window to ensure Unai Emery has the best possible chance of success next season. As hard as that might be right now…
So, after enjoying a decent start to life in the Premier League (Baku aside), Emery will be keen to kick-on and show what he is really capable of.
Obviously, this Arsenal squad right now is a real mix. A mix because they have some top-class players but others are desperately below-par and that needs to be amended this summer. Frankly, it’s a real mess at the Emirates.
One player the Gunners have been linked (French outlet 10 Sport on May 26th) with is young French defender William Saliba and, judging by his performances this season, he looks to be a real star in the making.
Saliba, (who is valued at £2.7 million on Transfermarkt) is just 18-years-old but has already been trusted as part of Saint Etienne’s back-line. You may think that the Ligue 1 side must be struggling then, right? They shouldn’t trust a youngster, especially in defence, eh?
Well, the French side finished in fourth place this season and Saliba played an integral part in helping them achieve that feat, with the 19 total appearances he made. Given the defensive fragilities Arsenal have suffered this season as well, a move for the youngster makes complete sense.
With Arsenal’s rich history of developing youngsters, William Saliba could be the next one to shine through and make a real name for himself in the Gunners first team.
He is strong, tall and a good ballplayer – attributes that are key for a young player hoping to make it in today’s game and those are exactly the traits William Saliba possesses.
Should Arsenal take a punt on the exciting youngster? Surely it can’t get much worse anyway, right? Discuss in the comments below!
أعلن رونالد كومان المدير الفني لنادي برشلونة، قائمة الفريق لمواجهة أوساسونا، ضمن الجولة 11 من الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى 2020/2021.
وشهدت القائمة عودة ليونيل ميسي بعد غيابه عن مواجهة دينامو كييف في دوري أبطال أوروبا، منتصف الأسبوع الماضي، بالإضافة لـ سيرجيو بوسكيتس الذي غاب عن المباراتين الماضيتين بسبب إصابته في مواجهة إسيانيا وألمانيا.
ويواصل سيرجي روبيرتو الغياب، بعد إصابته أمام أتلتيكو مدريد، بالإضافة لـ جيرارد بيكيه الذي سيبغيب لفترة طويلة عن برشلونة. قائمة برشلونة لمباراة أوساسونا
تحدث مرتضى منصور رئيس نادي الزمالك الموقوف عن خروج الفريق الكروي الأول من بطولة كأس مصر، وذلك بالخسارة أمام طلائع الجيش بثلاثية مقابل هدف.
وقال منصور في تصريحات صحفية عقب المباراة: “هزيمة اليوم وخروج الزمالك من بطولة الكأس كانت بسبب شعور اللاعبين بالاحباط وعدم الأمان، بعد حل مجلس الادارة الذي كان يوفر لهم كل احتياجتهم، والفريق انهار بعد رحيل أحمد وأمير مرتضى”.
وأضاف: “الزمالك وافق علي إعارة رزاق سيسيه للاتحاد لأن النادي يضم 4 أجانب حاليًا، وهم أشرف بن شرقي، وفرجاني ساسي، ومحمد أوناجم، وحمزة المثلوثي الوافد الجديد”.
وتابع: “كان أمامنا خيارين إما أن نسترجع سيسيه، وعندها يصبح حميد أحداد يحق له الرحيل بدون مقابل وفي تعاقده مكتوب أن قيمة بيعه تساوي مليون ونصف دولار، بما يساوي 26 مليون جنيه”.
وأردف: “وكيل حميد أحداد يماطل حتى تمتلئ قائمة الأجانب برزاق سيسيه ويضيع علي النادي لاعب بموهبة حميد هداف الدوري المغربي الموسم الماضي، أو يضيع مبلغ 26 مليون جنيه ونُتهَم بإهدار المال العام كإدارة مسؤولة”.
خالد الغندور: استمتعت بمشاهدة مباراة الزمالك والطلائع.. التحكيم متألق والإخراج “رائع”
وأكد: “كان الحل هو إعارة سيسية إلى الاتحاد بـ4 ملايين جنيه في الموسم ومد تعاقده مع نادي الزمالك، ليصبح 4 مواسم، ويعود الموسم المقبل ونسترد حميد كمهاجم مميز”.
واستطرد: “أما أحمد رفعت فكان يلعب في مكان أشرف بن شرقي وأحمد سيد زيزو”.
وأتم: “الزمالك يحتاج لاعب خط وسط بجانب طارق حامد، ومساك مع محمود الونش ومحمود علاء ومحمد عبد الغني، المجلس المحترم ترك للجنة 3 عقود موقعة 4 نسخ ورغبة لأحرف لاعب خط وسط في مصر وهو نبيل عماد دونجا من بيراميدز الذي وقع على عقد 4 سنوات”.
واختتم: “بالإضافة إلى عبدالله بكري أحد أفضل المساكين في مصر ورجب بكار اللذان وقعا عقدًا لمدة 4 سنوات مع المجلس السابق”.
After years of building, Liverpool are finally back among Europe’s elite with Jurgen Klopp at the helm.
The Reds 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Champions League final brought the Merseyside club their sixth European Cup and showed the world the Liverpool are back stronger than ever, but that doesn’t mean there is no room for improvement.
Regularly making slight tweaks to the starting XI with a new player or two is how teams build dynasties and, for Liverpool, they should be aiming to do the same this summer transfer market. So who are the five main targets for the club heading into the window, and will they actually improve the side going into next season?
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Soccer Football – Euro 2020 Qualifier – Group C – Netherlands v Belarus – De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands – March 21, 2019 Netherlands’ Memphis Depay celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
It’s one of those rumours that will never seem to go away, but here we are in the year 2019, and Memphis Depay is still being linked with a move to Liverpool by the likes of the Express.
The former Manchester United flop has been a revelation since his move to Lyon, leading the club to the Champions League final in two seasons and forming a reputation as one of the most dangerous attackers in Ligue 1. But a move to Liverpool would be a step in the wrong direction for Depay.
Unless Jurgen Klopp has plans to ship off talisman Roberto Firmino, the Dutch international would be a luxury substitute player at best on Merseyside, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane proving this season to be some of the best wingers in world football, leaving no room for Depay in the squad.
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One name who has been mentioned a lot in recent weeks with a move to Liverpool is Ajax captain and wonderkid Matthijs de Ligt, with the Express recently reporting that agent Mino Raiola would prefer his teenage client move to the interested Merseysiders over the likes of Barcelona.
De Ligt is without question one of the best centre-backs in world football a player who will solidify Liverpool’s status within the elite for years to come. Partnered alongside international teammate Virgil van Dijk, the duo can form one of the best defensive pairings in European football.
The 19-year-old would be an exceptional coup for Liverpool, and it won’t be surprising to see Klopp put De Ligt at the top of his transfer list this summer.
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One thing Liverpool have been exceptional at in the past few seasons under Klopp is finding value in the market, with the likes of Andy Robertson and Joe Matip just a few of the Germans exceptional finds.
The latest name to be added to that list could be Max Kruse, who according to the Daily Star is in talks with the Champions League winners for a move.
The veteran striker who has spent his entire career in the Bundesliga would act as a backup for main striker Firmino, but if there’s one thing Liverpool could do with this summer, it’s quality options on the bench, and Kruse more than fits the bill.
Although Divock Origi has firmly placed himself amongst the greats at Liverpool after his Champions League heroics, Kruse would be a more reliable option off the bench next season having scored 11 and assisted nine this season alone for Werder Bremen in the league.
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Keeping up the theme with better options off the bench, Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze is a name that has also been linked heavily with a move to Liverpool, per Goal, and just like Kruse, the attacker would be an ideal signing for Klopp.
The Nigerian attacker had a breakout year in Spain with the Yellow Submarine, and at just 20-years-old Chukwueze would certainly be a signing for the future, but that doesn’t mean he will be immediately shipped out on loan.
Able to play on both wings, Chukwueze will provide excellent cover for both Salah and Mane in midweek matches and cup competitions, giving Liverpool’s star men valuable rest whilst giving the promising youngster first-team football.
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Soccer Football – Europa League – Round of 32 Second Leg – Villarreal v Sporting CP – Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal, Spain – February 21, 2019 Sporting’s Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Heino Kalis
“I like Liverpool a lot more [than Man City]. It’s a more direct [style of play], more offensive, maybe less organised, but more intense football.”
Those were the words of Sporting Lisbon star Bruno Fernandes to Portuguese publication Record via the Liverpool Echo, who has been a reported Liverpool target, per Record (via Daily Mirror), for some time, and just like Depay, would be an ideal fit for the club.
The attacking midfielder will not only add a slew of goals from either central midfield in a 4-3-3 or behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1, but also a burst of creativity that has been lacking since Philippe Coutinho left nearly 18 months ago. Fernandes is also an expert of scoring from distance, with 5 goals scored from outside the box in all-competitions last season, making the Lisbon star a near-like-for-like replacement for the now Barcelona man.
Right now, not much is really going on at Crystal Palace on the transfer front.
It is, of course, still very early in the transfer window though. Clearly, the south London club have plenty of time to dip into the market to strengthen their squad.
With there obviously being a need for a new striker, hopefully we can expect Roy Hodgson to do just that sooner or later. And when he does, one former Crystal Palace man is urging the former England manager to snap up a certain European champion.
“I’d love my old club Palace to get him [Daniel Sturridge] because I think, in front of goal, he is one of the most natural. For me, I think he’d be a great addition for most Premier League teams outside top three or four. I don’t think he’s money-orientated. He never looks happy on the bench,” Clinton Morrison told talkSPORT (via News Shopper)
Recently released from Liverpool, on a free transfer, Sturridge could be a really clever piece of business for Crystal Palace. You would have to say Morrison is onto something here.
Given his injury record, naturally, there will be some concerns. But after a season where he was regularly available for selection and managed to come up with some big goals for Jurgen Klopp’s side, the 29-year-old may have finally turned a corner.
And when fit, he is simply better than anything the Eagles currently have in this moment of time. Christian Benteke, for example, looks like a shadow of his former self, managing just one goal in all competitions in the now completed 2018/19 campaign.
With his pace, movement and finishing ability, a fit Sturridge getting regular game time in any starting XI does not drop such a disappointing record in front of goal in any universe, surely?
If Crystal Palace cannot keep hold of Michy Batshuayi, Hodgson undoubtedly needs to bring in a new No.9. And in Sturridge, a great opportunity has been presented to him or any other Premier League side looking to strengthen their attack this summer.