The Herons are re-shaping their roster ahead of a 2025 title push, and it started Monday with their year-end roster decisions
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A European side are looking into signing a senior Wolverhampton Wanderers player in the January transfer window, according to a new report, and he wants to go.
The Midlands side have just come off the back of an extremely busy and frustrating transfer window, as Gary O’Neil hopes he now has enough to tackle the first six months of the Premier League campaign.
Imagine him & Forbs: Wolves make deadline day offer for "unbelievable" ace
The club are desperately trying to bolster their attacking ranks.
ByEthan Lamb Aug 30, 2024 Wolves’ transfer window
Wolves were very busy during the summer transfer window, especially towards the end, as they brought in eight new players. The club’s biggest arrival was midfielder Andre, who joined them on transfer deadline day.
Wolves' summer signings
Andre
Fluminense
Rodrigo Gomes
SC Braga
Sam Johnstone
Crystal Palace
Pedro Lima
Sport Recife
Tommy Doyle
Man City
Bastien Meupiyou
FC Nantes
Jorgen Strand Larsen (Loan)
Celta de Vigo
Carlos Forbs (Loan)
Ajax
As well as improving the squad, Wolves were unable to get through the transfer window without losing key players, as they saw Pedro Neto and Max Kilman leave Molineaux for big money to Premier League rivals.
While losing these two players, the window could have got better for Wolves were they able to complete a couple of transfers. One player the Premier League side had their eye on was Sassuolo winger Armand Lauriente, with Wolves making an offer for the player.
The attacker enjoyed a successful 2023/24 season with the Italian side despite them being relegated, and those in the Midlands were keen to bring him to Molineux. However, a deal was unable to get over the line before the window slammed shut.
Another player Wolves had their eye on was West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd, as they were interested in a deal before the window closed. The defender fell out of favour with the Hammers, and Wolves were reportedly interested, but he joined Real Sociedad on loan.
The transfer window is now closed for the English teams, but it has emerged that a Wolves player is already being eyed by a European side ahead of the January transfer window.
Wolves player wants to leave and could be sold for pennies
According to Vamos Mi Sevilla, relayed by Sport Witness, La Liga side Sevilla are weighing up a move for Wolves forward Pablo Sarabia, with the player keen to leave the Premier League side.
The report states that Sarabia is not considered a key player for Wolves, and that has given Sevilla hope of landing the player in January, as he also “wants to return to Spain." The 32-year-old has played for the Spanish side before, and they are interested in re-signing him, as they believe he would bring goals and creativity, something they state they are missing now.
Sevilla consider this potential transfer to be a “low-cost operation” given the fact that he is now 32, and he is in the final year of his contract with the Premier League side, meaning by January Wolves would have little negotiating power, especially with the player's stance.
Sarabia joined Wolves in January 2023 from PSG, and since joining the club, he has played 52 times in all competitions, scoring five goals and recording 10 assists. The Spaniard has featured three times for Wolves this season, twice in the league and once in the EFL Cup, but only playing a total of 90 minutes of football spread across the three games.
We are up and running. The Premier League season is finally here but Arsenal haven't quite raced into pole position just yet.
Their 2-0 win on the opening weekend against Wolves was commanding but not really spectacular. Kai Havertz opened the scoring with a tremendous first-half header before Bukayo Saka's second-half sizzler from inside the area settled the points.
It's difficult to take too much from an opening-day victory, particularly when the scoreline was as it was, but Arsenal got the job done on home soil, immediately putting pressure on expected title rivals Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta's men certainly weren't at their free-flowing best but it was a solid display that can be built upon over the forthcoming weeks.
So, who stood out for those in red and white on Saturday afternoon?
The spotlight this summer has been on Havertz. Can he replicate the form he showed at the back end of last season? Do Arsenal need to sign another striker?
Well, he answered both of those questions very well this weekend. It took the German 20 games to score his first goal of the season in 2023/24 but on this occasion it took him just 28 minutes.
The ball from Saka was a peach, as the winger curled a delicious cross right onto the head of the former Chelsea man who couldn't miss.
It was an excellent all-round performance from Havertz who also picked up an assist. It was Saka who turned goalscorer for the second, picking the ball up inside the area and lashing it past Jose Sa.
The England international has evidently picked up where he left off before the Euros.
There was also an impressive display from goalkeeper David Raya who made one notably important save in the first half and then also kept Arsenal's clean sheet intact when he was forced to deny an effort late in the second period.
Despite the win, there were one or two players who need to improve immediately.
The Gunners enter the 2024/25 campaign with more depth. Jurrien Timber has overcome his injury, Riccardo Calafiori has been signed and Thomas Partey is sufficiently fit again.
Then, you have the battle of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli on the left-hand side. Like last term, it's likely the pair will share that spot on the flanks as the season goes on.
However, at the moment, it's the Brazilian who looks to be Arteta's preferred choice. Trossard may well have scored 16 times last term but Arsenal's no.11 has now started the final pre-season clash with Lyon and now on the opening weekend against Wolves.
Did Martinelli perform? Well, he arguably wasn't as bad as Partey who was guilty of giving the ball away in dangerous areas on a regular basis. He got into promising zones, was direct and eager to get at his man but that lack of end product continues to be a problem.
That was something Football.London's Kaya Kaynak highlighted in his post-match player ratings, handing the Brazil international a 6/10 rating, while suggesting 'his end product remains a bit of an issue despite all his good work to get in the good positions.'
|
Martinelli vs Wolves |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes played |
90 |
|
Touches |
35 |
|
Accurate passes |
17/20 (85%) |
|
Key passes |
3 |
|
Crosses |
1/2 |
|
Dribbles |
2/4 |
|
Shots |
1 |
|
Ground duels won |
7/12 |
|
Aerial duels won |
2/3 |
|
Possession lost |
8x |
|
Stats via Sofascore. |
|
There was a particular occasion in the first half where the 23-year-old rather selfishly had a shot from a tight angle despite Declan Rice screaming for the ball in acres of space inside the penalty area. It's safe to say the club's record signing was not best impressed when Martinelli didn't score.
So, what do the numbers tell us? Well, his 35 touches of the ball were actually fewer than Raya's 41. That wasn't due to a lack of service or lack of trying. It felt like the attacker had opportunities to influence the game.
He did not do that on a regular enough basis, though. Martinelli had just one shot that was blocked, failed with 50% of his dribbles and ceded possession eight times.
They aren't shocking numbers by any means. After all, Saka gave away the ball 11 times during the match.
With Trossard breathing down his neck, however, he will need to improve quickly if he is to keep his place. On this evidence, it should be the Belgian who starts against Aston Villa next weekend.
Arsenal can reach new level by signing "unstoppable" £84m Martinelli rival
The incredible attacker would be a game-changer for the Gunners.
By
Jack Salveson Holmes
Aug 7, 2024
Marcus Rashford's time at Manchester United could be nearing its end as the Red Devils welcome offers for the 'distracted' forward.
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Red Devils open to selling RashfordUnited started welcoming bids last summerSaudi Arabia an 'option' for forwardFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to the Telegraph, United started welcoming bids for the 27-year-old last summer following a drastic loss of form. After the highs of a 30-goal season in 2022-23, Rashford managed only eight in all competitions last term, and he appears increasingly affected by off-field issues.
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Rashford was fined two weeks' wages in January after being spotted on a drink-fuelled night out in Belfast, just two days before calling in sick for United training. That followed his benching for a game against Wolves on Boxing Day in 2022 for "internal disciplinary" reasons. These issues have led to concerns at the club about Rashford's focus and desire, with the forward apparently dealing with a number of off-field distractions – as adds.
DID YOU KNOW?
United remain open to selling Rashford but his £325,000-a-week wages make finding a suitor difficult. claims that Saudi Arabia and Paris Saint-Germain are both 'options' should a change of country be deemed the best decision.
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INEOS have been on a serious cost-cutting mission since their arrival at Old Trafford and the sale of Rashford, an academy graduate who would represent pure profit under Profit and Sustainability Rules, would appeal to the club's hierarchy.
MatériaMais Notícias
A ótima fase de Michael, artilheiro do Campeonato Brasileiro, acentuou um debate em relação à possível titularidade na final da Libertadores, dia 27, quando Arrascaeta tende a estar 100% recuperado e à disposição do Flamengo. E Zico deu o seu pitaco acerca da concorrência na equipe rubro-negra.
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Para o maior ídolo da história do Fla, Michael é quem deve ir para o banco quando Arrascaeta retornar de lesão, priorizando o entrosamento do quarteto formado pelo uruguaio, Everton Ribeiro, Bruno Henrique e Gabigol, campeão do torneio continental em 2019.
– Se voltar o Arrascaeta, eu acho que não. Ele (Michael) é uma grande opção hoje pela confiança e segurança. Ele e Pedro. Mas, ainda tendo Everton Ribeiro, Bruno Henrique, Gabigol e o Arrascaeta, eu acho que ainda tem que se dar um grande crédito a esses caras pelo que eles têm feito nesses últimos dois anos pelo Flamengo – justificou Zico, em entrevista ao canal “ESPN Brasil”.
> Veja e simule a tabela do Brasileirão
Com Arrascaeta provavelmente ainda como desfalque, o Flamengo tem o Corinthians como próximo desafio. O jogo será realizado às 21h30 desta quarta-feira, no Maracanã, pela 33ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
All the updates, news and stats from day two of the second Test at Edgbaston
Valkerie Baynes11-Jun-2021* Most recent entry will appear at the top, please refresh your page for the latest updates. All times are local6.35pm: Young out last ballNew Zealand boasted an embarrassment of riches for a second day running as Devon Conway and Will Young frustrated England’s bowlers and moved to within 74 runs of the hosts’ first-innings 303 with seven wickets in hand at Edgbaston.Conway, who put his place in the side beyond doubt with 200 on debut in the first Test at Lord’s, produced another valuable, though not chance-less, innings of 80. And, while he would have been disappointed not to press on to triple figures again, a gutsy 82 from Young – in the side as a replacement for injured captain Kane Williamson – mitigated the damage.Stuart Broad bowled superbly for his 2 for 22 from 15 overs, including six maidens, but he was the only England bowler to reap any reward for his considerable efforts – until Young’s dismissal by part-time off-spinner Dan Lawrence on the last ball of the day.Will Young got to his maiden Test fifty•PA Images via Getty Images6.05pm: NZ bring up 200
200 up for New Zealand!
Can England make a vital breakthrough before stumps?https://t.co/qQc1V6pQCg | #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/jHXOMSQ7Dh
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 11, 2021
5.20pm: Broad works over TaylorBy Matt RollerStuart Broad has just finished an eight-over spell which spread across the tea interval, conceding only 12 runs and taking the wicket of Devon Conway, caught at deep backward square leg. It was his working-over of Ross Taylor – a man he has dismissed ten times in Test cricket – that was particularly impressive, with James Anderson providing support at the other end.Broad’s plan was to set him up with a number of outswingers, dragging him across the crease before angling one back in, and he beat the bat a number of times, putting his hands on his head in frustration after missing the top of off stump by a hair’s breadth. With the crowd urging him on, he hit 87mph/140kph at times and was consistently operating in the mid-80s – according to a Sky Sports graphic, his average speed this summer has been higher than in any of the last three years.Agonisingly, he couldn’t get his man, and while Anderson had him given out lbw shortly after the end of Broad’s spell, the decision was overturned on review with the ball clearly missing leg. Taylor is a notoriously poor starter and has looked out of nick on this tour. With Will Young gritting his way to a half-century, Taylor could do with a score here: Kane Williamson will return to the side in the WTC final next week and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Taylor could be the man to miss out.Stuart Broad appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Ross Taylor in the first Test•Getty Images5.00pm: He goes alrightDevon Conway has scored more runs in his first three Test innings than any other NZ batsman•ESPNcricinfo4.40pm: Have your say
4.20pm: Conway departsStuart Broad finally strikes again with the valuable wicket of Devon Conway, who picks out Zak Crawley at deep square leg for 80. New Zealand are 137 for 2 and Broad is trying to get the crowd more involved as he looks to boost his impressive figures of 2 for 19 from 12 overs.Devon Conway fell on 80•Getty ImagesWhipped away with that Conway flourish that we are used to by now, but he has found deep square leg with it. That is that idiosyncratic flair-filled shot. Most people flick this length ball off the pads into the ground, but Conway likes to give it a Humpty. This time he has hit this straight down the throat of deep square leg. Just the break England needed3.50pm: Tea timeOlly Stone rues a dropped catch by Joe Root•Getty ImagesEngland rue a couple of missed opportunities, one they couldn’t do anything about with Zak Crawley not awarded a slips catch to dismiss Devon Conway for 22 when the soft signal was not out (bump ball) and the hosts’ review couldn’t unearth enough evidence to show the ball hadn’t, in fact, touched earth. And then Joe Root shelled a slips catch that would have sent Will Young packing for just 7.As it stands, Conway and Young have put on an unbroken stand of 115 for the second wicket.3.35pm: Tourists ticking alongNew Zealand are ticking along nicely here with England in need of a breakthrough. Conway and Young have pushed their partnership up to an unbroken 111 with Conway 78* and Young 36*. They’ve just changed the ball, Stuart Broad will look to see what he can do with this one. He beats the bat with his first delivery since the change, seaming away from Conway’s attempted defence, and ends with a maiden.Will Young tucks into the off side•Getty Images2.50pm: Root spins inJoe Root is into the attack as England’s spinner with the home side seeking to break up this partnership between Devon Conway and Will Young, worth 73*.Sampath Bandarupalli, our statstician, pointed out: “Between 2004 and 2020, England played just one home Test without a front-line spinner in the XI (vs SA in 2012 at Leeds).” Now they’ve done it twice in as many matches this summer.Conway is 55 not out and Young is on 21. Root has 0 for 3 heading into his third over.Joe Root is England’s sole spin option – again•PA Images via Getty Images2.35pm: Fifty up for ConwayDevon Conway flicks one away•Getty ImagesDevon Conway, who made such a remarkable debut at Lord’s with 200 in the first innings, brings up his fifty with a drive off a Joe Root half-volley just past deep cover, running two as Stuart Broad fields.Having survived on 22 when Zak Crawley’s slips catch off Broad’s bowling wasn’t given amid doubt over whether the ball touched the ground, Conway is now 51 not out and Will Young unbeaten with 21, their partnership worth 69*.2.00pm: Oh no, Joe!Joe Root, the England skipper has just juggled – and dropped – a catch that would have dismissed Will Young on 7. A lovely ball from Olly Stone found the outside edge and the ball sailed to Root at first slip. He had a couple of goes at grabbing it as he went to ground but couldn’t hold on! It looked a pretty standard chance too. New Zealand were 52 for 1 at the time.Olly Stone coulda, woulda, shoulda had had a wicket•Getty Images1.50pm: Heart-warmerRegardless of your team loyalties, this celebration of fans returning to the stands at Edgbaston is pretty enjoyable to watch. Yes, he’s understandably biased, but it warmed the cockles of Chris Woakes’ heart.
This is so good to see it’s actually quite emotional!
I really hope this is the norm again going forward @TheBarmyArmy @edgbaston
What a combo! @englandcricket https://t.co/lCWDp2CEQ3— Chris Woakes (@chriswoakes) June 11, 2021
1.10pm: NZ 260 in arrears at lunchDevon Conway steers New Zealand to lunch at 43 for 1 in the face of an excellent spell from Stuart Broad, which netted him the wicket of Tom Latham for 6 and gave him figures of 1 for 10 so far. Conway is 27 not out and Will Young – in the side for Kane Wiliamson, who has sore elbow – is unbeaten on 6.Stuart Broad bowled a strong opening spell•PA Photos/Getty Images12.50pm: Another close call for ConwayDevon Conway, the double centurion on debut at Lord’s, has had another escape. Conway edged Stuart Broad to Zak Crawley at third slip and it was one of those where it was difficult to tell whether the ball hit the ground as Crawley was taking the catch. He definitely got his fingers under it but the key was that the soft signal given by the on-field umpire was not-out. Broad was incensed but, on review, there was just enough doubt for the decision to stand. Broad. Not. Happy.Devon Conway is hanging in there•PA Photos/Getty Images12.30pm: Broad breaks through
New Zealand's stand-in skipper is the first to fall!
Stuart Broad pins Tom Latham lbw for 6, 15/1https://t.co/qQc1V6pQCg | #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/hL9FewbuuE
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 11, 2021
12.20pm: That was close!A hearts-in-mouths moment for New Zealand fans there, but Devon Conway keeps his cool. Tom Latham strikes the ball straight back down the pitch and Stuart Broad, in his follow-through, manages to get his fingers to it before it crashes into the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Conway, who was advancing, was watching the ball like a hawk as well though, and managed to turn and stretch his arm out, getting his bat back inside his crease in time.Stuart Broad looks on•AFP/Getty Images12.00pm: England all out for 303Innings break England 303 (Lawrence 81*, Burns 81, Boult 4-85) vs New ZealandNeil Wagner congratulates Trent Boult after the fall of Stuart Broad’s wicket•Clive Mason/Getty Images A Dan Lawrence-led recovery has pushed England’s first-innigs total to 303. Lawrence was unbeaten in matching Rory Burns’ top score for England of 81 while Mark Wood produced some entertainment – and valuable runs – with a knock of 41 before he was bowled by Matt Henry.Trent Boult, who took two wickets yesterday, cleaned up the tail, Stuart Broad caught behind for a duck and James Anderson lbw for four. Anderson was initially given not-out by umpire Richard Kettleborough but that decision was overturned on review, which showed Boult had beaten the inside edge with the ball tracking to hit leg stump.Now, with New Zealand getting the ball to swing nicely, home fans will eagerly anticipate seeing Anderson, playing an England-record 162nd Test, do the same.11.25am: Wood gives it some wellyI could tell you how Mark Wood came rollicking out of the blocks this morning, cutting, pulling, driving and dinking like an Ashington Sehwag, but Sid Monga said it better on the ball-by-ball commentary. Matt Henry ended the fun with a full ball, inside-edged onto the timbers, but it’s given England the leg-up they needed, even if Stuart Broad has just nicked off to Trent Boult for a duck. Dan Lawrence has the record-breaking James Anderson for company at 289 for 9, and the onus is on him now to push England past 300.ESPNcricinfo LtdHere’s Matt Roller with a more considered take on the morning’s tonkings:”Joe Root highlighted the “added responsibility” that England’s bowlers have with the bat on the eve of this series. “If we’re going to grow as a team, if we’re going to become more consistent, we’ll have to add lower-order runs,” he said.While opting to pick Olly Stone – who has batted at No. 10 for most of his first-class career – as a No. 8 might seem to fly in the face of those comments, England’s tail has taken on the additional responsibility.Out of England’s six 50+ partnerships in this series, three have involved lower-order contributions: 52 between James Anderson and Rory Burns and 63 between Burns at Ollie Robinson at Lord’s, plus 66 between Dan Lawrence and Mark Wood here. Stone also added 47 alongside Lawrence last night, helping England towards 300 after they had slipped to 175 for 6.”10.45am: Looking backRory Burns celebrates his half-century•Getty ImagesRory Burns has reflected on his knock of 81 yesterday and he spoke to Sky Sports at the close about his form, which includes a first-innings 132 in the first Test at Lord’s and seven fifties in 10 Championship innings this season. That came after he lost his place in the Test side on England’s recent tour of India. Here’s what he had to say:”It’s been quite a quite a tough day of Test cricket, it’s been pretty even there by the end, I think Dan [Lawrence] has played really well there and in that latter part of the day, probably got us back to scrapping away quite nicely so there’s a there’s something in that surface for everyone.”It’s probably swung a little bit more for them after lunch, and whether that’s conditions over top or on the surface we’ll see.”I felt good, my rhythm’s felt good coming from county cricket and into this environment. I’ve felt in a good place in summer, which is pleasing. It’s nice to be able to get in there and get in amongst it.”10.00am: Dan’s the manDan Lawrence drives down the ground•Getty ImagesWelcome back to the our coverage of the second Test at Edgbaston and all eyes will be on Dan Lawrence, England’s No. 7 playing his seventh Test and unbeaten on 67. From a home perspective, England want to see how many more he can add to their score of 258 for for 7 with Mark Wood not out 16 and Stuart Broad and James Anderson to come. Lawrence will be the main wicket New Zealand are focused on prising out on this second morning before getting stuck into the tail.Higher up the order, England have some concerns, as explained by George Dobell while Matt Roller writes that New Zealand showed their impressive strength in depth in making six changes to the side which drew at Lord’s and three of the bowlers who came in – Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel – claiming two wickets apiece so far.
Arsenal fan favourite and makeshift striker Kai Havertz has heaped praise on a £30 million member of Mikel Arteta's squad, explaining how he stuns everybody at London Colney with his ability.
Arsenal held to 1-1 draw at home to Brighton on Saturday
Much to the disappointment of Arteta and the Emirates Stadium home crowd, Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton on Saturday, while fellow Premier League title contenders Man City secured victory at West Ham.
Edu was planning shock late Arsenal bid to sign once-£100m star pre-deadline
Chelsea were after him too.
ByEmilio Galantini Aug 31, 2024
With a tough run looming after the international break, Saturday lunchtime was an opportunity for Arsenal to seal another crucial three points as they look to win their first league title in 21 years and loosen City's stranglehold on domestic dominance.
In what was a thoroughly entertaining draw in north London, star midfielder Declan Rice got sent off after receiving two yellow cards, with Brighton star Joao Pedro cancelling out Havertz's excellent lobbed finish in the first half.
After their draw to Brighton, Arsenal face very tough back-to-back Premier League contests, with a crunch north London derby clash away to Tottenham on September 15 and an all-important trip to City one week later, as well as the start of the Champions League being sandwiched in between.
Tottenham Hotspur (away)
September 15
Man City (away)
September 22
Leicester City (home)
September 28
Southampton (home)
October 5
Bournemouth (away)
October 20
"It was a very emotional afternoon, for sure," said Arteta on Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Brighton.
"We started the game really well, created three or four chances that we didn’t convert. After that, we had a period with some issues, particularly with the ball and we lacked some dominance in that period.
"We then score a really good goal in a moment when we take advantage of the opponent. Then we go in at half-time, come back and we were really strong. Then the referee makes a decision that changes the course of the game. With 10 men, the team reacted unbelievably well, the stadium reacts unbelievably well and we should have won the game."
Raheem Sterling signed in a last-minute transfer to Arsenal from Chelsea after talks, but couldn't contribute yesterday as he missed the squad registration deadline.
Havertz, as evident by his terrific finish against the Seagulls, looks set to play a crucial role this season, as does club captain Martin Odegaard.
Havertz says Odegaard blows everyone away in training at Arsenal
Speaking on TNT Sports in an interview with pundit Rio Ferdinand, Havertz made a training revelation in regard to the Norwegian, who cost Arsenal just £30 million to sign from Real Madrid.
Havertz revealed that Odegaard is "ridiculous" in Arsenal training, via TBR, and often leaves those around him completely flabbergasted at the player's ability.
"I think the connection with him was there from the first second, to be honest," said Havertz.
"I loved him always as a player, I used to watch him a lot, especially the season before I came to Arsenal, when we played them.
"He’s ridiculous in what he does, not only in the game but in training, it’s crazy, like, I don’t know, you follow him and he has the ball in front of you and he just does those movements and I’m like 'where do I go now?'
"Everyone is thinking like 'how is he doing that?' He plays so simple, he plays so easy but he always, like, plays so dangerous as well."
أثارت تصريحات خالد الغندور، نجم الزمالك السابق، جدلاً واسعاً، بعد أن علق على تصريح أيمن الشريعي، رئيس نادي إنبي، الذي أشار إلى استفادة ناديه من انتقال زياد كمال إلى القلعة البيضاء بمبلغ 20 مليون جنيه.
وقال الغندور في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورت”: “(إحنا هنا بنعمل من الحبة قبة).. يعني مثلًا زياد كمال انضم على سبيل الإعارة بـ 4 مليون، ولو شارك بنسبة 50% يحصل على 6 مليون، ولو حصل على بطولة إنبي يحصل على 2 مليون”.
وأشار: “وفي النهاية لاعب آخر بدون ذكر أسماء انضم لنادٍ معين 6 أشهر ورحل ولم يستفد منه”.
طالع أيضًا | شوبير يحسم موقف الأهلي من ضم زيزو ويوجه سؤالا للجماهير بشأن علي معلول
وأضاف: “الزمالك كانت الأمور تتوقف بالنسبة له على الماديات، لكن النادي الآخر ضم لاعب إعارة 6 أشهر وقطع إعارته ورحل، وعندي مثالين: عمر فرج لاعب الزمالك انضم على سبيل الإعارة بمليون ورحل، على الجانب الآخر يوسف أيمن لاعب الأهلي انضم ورحل للدحيل بعد أن دفع النادي الأهلي أكثر من 30 مليوناً ولم يستفد منه.. لماذا لا نتكلم في هذا الأمر؟”.
واختتم خالد الغندور حديثه: “زياد كمال لاعب جيد، لكن ليس في مستوى الزمالك، لا يليق على القلعة البيضاء”.
Despite the addition of Iliman Ndiaye and the re-signing of winger Jack Harrison, Everton still look to be struggling in the final third.
In the 3-0 opening day defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion at Goodison Park last weekend, Sean Dyche’s side only managed to register nine shots, only putting one on target – whilst failing to create any big chances.
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin could only manage 20 touches in his 76-minute display, failing to register a single effort on goal – further highlighting the need for added reinforcements.
The Toffees have previously targeted moves for Eddie Nketiah and Armando Broja, but they appear to have missed out on both options, with the pair looking likely to move to Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town, respectively.
As a result, the club will have to target alternative options in attacking areas, including one youngster who’s recently caught the eye.
According to GOAL, Everton are one of multiple sides in the race to sign Atletico-MG’s Brazilian forward Alisson Santana this summer.
The 18-year-old, who has a €60m (£51m) release clause in his current deal, could be allowed to leave this summer, with Everton needing to offer €10m (£8.5m) to open negotiations, as Goodison is just one potential destination.
Whilst it’s unknown who else is interested in a move for the youngster, the club may have to act quickly to avoid missing out on a deal for the talent.
In the Brazilian Serie A in 2024, he’s failed to find the back of the net, but often only deployed as a substitute, only making four starts for Atletico.
He could follow in the footsteps of another Brazilian who made a huge impact during his time for the Toffees on Merseyside.
Back in the summer of 2018, Everton forked out £40m to sign Brazilian striker Richarlison from Watford – in a move that raised eyebrows of the majority of supporters.
However, the deal proved to be a sensational piece of business, with the now 27-year-old registering 45 goals and 12 assists in his 135 Premier League appearances for the Toffees.
He also made the club a hefty profit when he departed Goodison for Tottenham Hotspur for £60m back in 2022 – helping the club’s finances in the process.
|
Richarlison's Premier League stats for Everton |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2018/19 |
35 |
15 |
1 |
|
2019/20 |
36 |
13 |
3 |
|
2020/21 |
34 |
7 |
3 |
|
2021/22 |
30 |
10 |
5 |
|
Stats via Transfermarkt |
|||
Two years on, Dyche and Co have the opportunity to sign another talented Brazilian forward in the form of Alisson, with the winger having all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League should a move come to fruition.
The attacking “difference maker” as described by analyst Ben Mattinson, has averaged three shots per 90, alongside 3.5 shot-creating actions per 90 in 2024, demonstrating his eye for goal in the final third – something which Everton desperately lack.
|
Alisson Santana's stats for Atletico-MG in 2024 |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
10 |
|
Shots taken |
3 |
|
Shot-creating actions |
3.5 |
|
Progressive carries |
4.4 |
|
Successful take-ons |
2.9 |
|
Touches in opposition area |
4.2 |
|
Stats via FBref |
|
Alisson has also averaged 4.4 progressive carries and 2.9 successful take-ons with both figures ranking him within the top 1% of all attackers in the Copa Libertadores.
Whilst it may be a risk to fork out a chunk of money on a youngster who’s unproven in Europe, it is an opportunity worth taking, with Nottingham Forest just one side who have enjoyed success with the likes of Danilo and Murillo.
Given Everton’s woeful run in front of goal in recent times, new additions are needed and, as demonstrated by his stats, Alisson has the raw ability that could transform the fortunes of Dyche’s side in attacking areas.
Everton could land a bigger talent than McTominay in move for £13m star
The Toffees are still targeting reinforcements before next Friday’s deadline.
By
Ethan Lamb
Aug 22, 2024
Ben Stokes is set to play his first T20 Blast game for nearly three years next week when he makes his comeback from the finger injury he suffered in the IPL.The early stages of the Blast, which begins on Wednesday, will see a number of England players including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid make their first appearances in the competition for several years, and Stokes – who last played in Durham’s quarter-final defeat to Sussex in 2018 – is among them.Stokes’ injury had initially been expected to keep him out of action for up to 12 weeks, or early July, but his recovery from surgery has been smooth. “I’m able to bowl, I’m able to get in the gym and I’m able to hit some balls again,” Stokes wrote in his column last week. “I’m at an exciting point of my recovery where full-on training is not that far away and then I can start thinking about playing in a match again.”Details of Stokes’ comeback are yet to be confirmed by the ECB and he could target one of the back-to-back 2nd XI T20s against Lancashire on June 14, but Durham have four fixtures in the Blast from June 15-20 and he is likely to return in one of them.England are due to name a squad for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka later this week, with the group scheduled to meet up on June 19 ahead of the first T20I in Cardiff on June 23. Eoin Morgan suggested in March that he was expecting to be without England’s multi-format players during this summer’s white-ball series, but their unavailability for the ongoing New Zealand Tests following the IPL could yet see them named in this squad.Players selected for the white-ball squads and not involved in the squad for the second New Zealand Test will be available to appear in up to six rounds of the Blast, depending on their respective teams’ fixture lists. That means Buttler and Stokes are both likely to play more games in the Blast than in the Hundred this summer, with England’s Test players set to play a maximum of three group games and the knockout stages in the new 100-ball competition.Related
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Buttler – whose last appearance for Lancashire in any format was on Finals Day in 2018 – is set to play the first of his six games on Wednesday afternoon against Derbyshire, in a strong Lancashire side that will also feature Liam Livingstone, Matt Parkinson, Saqib Mahmood and New Zealand’s Finn Allen.Bairstow and Rashid will play their first T20s for Yorkshire since 2016 and 2018 respectively and are set to be available for up to five fixtures, while Dawid Malan and Joe Root will also be partially available. “It’s been a while since I’ve played for Yorkshire because of injury, availability, Covid, all that sort of stuff,” Rashid said. “But I’m definitely looking forward to it: it’s always a privilege to play for Yorkshire, where I was born and bred.”Chris Woakes, whose last Blast match was in 2018, is also due to appear for Birmingham Bears after he gets through games for the 2nd XI on Monday and Wednesday. Moeen Ali’s last match in the Blast was the 2019 final: he missed the whole of Worcestershire’s 2020 season while on England duty, but has been warming up for the Blast by playing for their 2nd XI.Chris Jordan has returned to the UK from Barbados and will play for Sussex this week, but the group stages are likely to come too soon for Jofra Archer as he continues a period of “intensive rehabilitation” following elbow surgery. Morgan himself is due to be available to captain Middlesex in the early stages of their season following a break from the game after the IPL.Jason Roy, Sam Curran and Tom Curran will all be available for Surrey’s opening fixtures. Roy made five Blast appearances last summer, but the Currans have not played since 2019. They were due to play their first unofficial games since the IPL’s postponement on Friday, but rain washed out a planned intra-squad friendly at The Oval.