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As Aston Villa players celebrated triumphantly on the Wembley pitch on Monday, those associated with West Brom could only wonder what may have been.

Both teams had their ups and downs this season and following heartbreak last term only one of them could make up for it in 2018/19.

Villa, of course, tasted defeat in the play-off final last term, but Albion were relegated from the Premier League. It’s a division that feels miles away from them at the moment.

This summer will be a huge rebuilding job for the Baggies. A number of players have departed and countless more look as though they’ll leave. Express & Star hinted that first team defenders Ahmed Hegazi, Craig Dawson and Kieran Gibbs among others could be those who are first through the exit door.

However, there are more pressing concerns before any of that happens. To start with, they need a new manager.

It would be typical West Brom if they went into the new season with another member of their backroom staff in charge. This time, they must take a risk and in doing so, follow the example set by their Midlands rivals who defeated them in the play-off semi-final.

In short, Albion must find someone like Dean Smith. That’s easier said than done but he has a number of qualities Luke Dowling must be searching for when he holds talks with managers the club are interested in.

This week, he will meet with Wolfsburg’s Bruno Labaddia, a man who, like the Villa boss, led his side out of trouble to a more than respectable league finish.

Would he be the man to rebuild Albion? Only time will tell, but he certainly has the qualities to do so. The question, though, is whether the German would have the funds.

The Baggies face a monumental task to patch up their squad over the window and at the same time, they also need to reduce their wage bill which currently stands at £38m.

Consequently, they need a boss who can work on a tight budget. Smith is famed for doing this, first at Brentford and now with the Villans. After the failings under Steve Bruce which almost rinsed the club of all their financial resources, they’ve undertaken a new model. It’s one which West Brom must now follow.

If they can find a manager capable of working on the slim budget that’s likely to be given, then they can strike gold. In some regards, Albion do need to play safe, but they must balance this with the right amount of risk.

The future of the football club is on the line here. If Mark Jenkins and Dowling get things wrong, a third season in the Championship beckons.

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Just three days after winning the Champions League, Liverpool officially confirmed they’ll be parting ways with both Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno. And shortly after that, reports from Italy emerged linking the latter to Unai Emery’s Arsenal.

Now without a club, north London might indeed be suitable destination for the left-back from his perspective. From Arsenal’s point of view, though, if the claims from LazioNews24 are to be trusted on the matter, it would really make for bad business. With that in mind, here are two main reasons why Moreno is simply not the right choice for the Gunners, and should certainly not be on their radar…

Not an upgrade

It’s not really a secret that Arsenal have had their respective fair share of defensive woes over the last season, and even stretching further back. In the 2018/19 campaign, they conceded 51 goals, which is 29 more than Liverpool. So the Gunners do need reinforcements for the backline. Moreno himself, however, did not contribute much to the aforementioned stability of the Reds. The 26-year-old was rarely ever picked by Jurgen Klopp, managing only two meagre appearances last season and having no real impact whatsoever.

Just the fact that he was constantly sidelined and Andrew Robertson firmly took hold of the left-back position means that he simply did not have the quality for the Reds’ starting XI. Klopp needed a well-rounded outlet, and while Robertson could provide that, Moreno clearly lacked something. His three goals and 11 assists in a total of 141 games for the Merseyside club can attest to that. Emery’s options in the ageing Nacho Monreal and sometimes underwhelming Sead Kolašinac are not really ideal, but Moreno is hardly an upgrade either.

Arsenal shouldn’t be collecting other clubs’ outcasts

This one is more of a pride thing than anything else but Arsenal should really not revert to collecting players who were thrown away by their former clubs in the first place. A team with such rich history, a huge legacy and a name to uphold should be making strides for players who are more representative of their own image. Sure, it’s normal that they have certain dips in form every now and then but transfers like the reported Moreno one are only making them look even more desperate.

And yes, you could argue that desperate times call for desperate measures but not if it arguably makes the club’s situation even worse than it originally was. Emery should, for that reason, look into the market and try to find better targets who look ready to make the step up, not ones who are essentially looking to move down the rungs of the Premier League.

They are certainly out there, you just have to dig deep to find them.

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After Leeds failed in their bid for promotion last season, some of their star men have garnered interest from the top flight.

It’s been widely reported that Tottenham want to sign Jack Clarke, while Bournemouth and Norwich are reportedly interested in Kalvin Phillips.

Both players were brilliant last season, so it should come as no surprise that they are being looked at by Premier League clubs.

Another player who has been linked with a move away from Elland Road is Pontus Jansson. Years of good performances from the Swedish centre-back has led to many speculating that his time at the club is up.

The Whites will certainly struggle to hold onto all three of these players, but it’s hard to choose which individual would be the most important to keep.

Football FanCast’s writers have had their say as to which player of the trio should the men in charge at Elland Road be focused on keeping.

Billy Meyers

“The young prospect should always be prioritised, in my opinion, as they are the future of the club. Of course, Tottenham look likely to offer a fair chunk of cash for Clarke, but his value could more than double with another good season next year – the teenager should be Leeds’ main priority to keep hold of this summer.”

Luke Glanville

“If they can, Leeds United will want to keep all three as it’s hard to choose which one out of the trio is the most important to them. However, keeping the youngest in Clarke undoubtedly makes the most sense. As well as promotion back to the Premier League next season, the Whites need to be thinking about the future and can’t get too sucked in looking at the short-term. Clarke is one of the brightest prospects in English football and he is vital to Leeds’ lofty ambitions.”

Matt Dawson

“Out of the three men in question then Jansson should be the choice to depart Elland Road this summer. He’s one of the most enigmatic members of the Leeds squad and if an offer comes in they’d be doing the right thing by accepting it. However, Clarke is clearly the priority here. He is someone that the club can build their future around and simply has to be kept at all costs.”

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Rangers announced their fifth signing of the summer on Tuesday evening, with Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo making the switch to Ibrox on a season-long loan.

The move comes after the permanent capture of Steven Davis and arrivals of Jordan Jones, Jake Hastie and Greg Stewart.

Clearly manager Steven Gerrard has prioritised the wing and attacking positions, perhaps feeling his team lacked a little bit of creativity in the final third last term.

The team heavily relied on Alfredo Morelos and James Tavernier to produce the goals, scoring 47 between them, so diversifying his attack may allow the side to find more consistency and win matches even when players are suspended or injured.

Now Ojo has arrived though there are definite other priorities in the squad that need addressing and with European qualifying matches due to start in just a few weeks time, the club need to get bodies in the door quickly.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week…

What do Rangers need most?

The centre-back situation at Ibrox is most urgent right now, with just two recognised first-team picks in the position available this pre-season.

From last season’s pool, Joe Worrall returned to parent club Nottingham Forest while Gareth MacAuley’s short-term deal has expired.

Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic remain, who are both good enough to be considered starters after their debut seasons at Ibrox, but with no cover available Gerrard is just a training injury or an in-game knock away from having to field a real makeshift defence in crucial UEFA Europa League matches over the next two months.

The lack of defensive signings so far is curious and while the club have reportedly been locked in an extended tussle to try and sign George Edmundson, ultimately their efforts have come up short and they need to move on to other targets if it can’t be done.

Even if the Oldham man does arrive, another will be needed to give the squad the depth they’ll need over the next 12 months.

Anything else urgent?

There are issues at left-back too, with Borna Barisic currently the only naturally left-footed player available.

Given he fell out of favour from the Ibrox boss’ plans last term, that’s not ideal.

Jon Flanagan played in place of the Croatian for extended spells but he’s essentially a right-back being played out of position and his performances for the most part have been less than convincing.

If the Gers can complete this defensive business over the next week or two then they’ll be in good shape early on in the window, allowing them to compete properly in qualifiers and giving them time to pursue the quality that can be added in other more advanced positions.

For now though, Gerrard must shift his focus from attack to defence.

Sell up Mike Ashley: Newcastle fans are in dreamland as the club is lined up for sensational £350m takeover by Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Well, it’s happening (apparently) the Sheikhs are back with a taste for Premier League football and this time it could be Newcastle United who are set to benefit, according to The Sun.

If the rumours are true (the report also states that the new regime would want the Spaniard to stick around), what a moment this will be for the club and manager Rafael Benitez, who have long since suffered the reign of their current department store tycoon.

Since making his arrival in March 2016, the Newcastle boss has understandably grown more and more frustrated with Mike Ashley’s blatant lack of ambition and investment. It says it all that only recently have they broken their transfer record, which – by the way – was set by Michael Owen all the way back in 2005.

It’s a glorious time for all those involved, it really is. Benitez has long since waited for the moment his shackles would be lifted and it seems like that day is finally on the horizon. And best news of all, he will apparently remain in charge under the potential new owner for the foreseeable.

Indeed, contract negotiations had been stalling between Benitez and the club until the news had emerged that Ashley was willing to sell up for a sizeable £350million. Now, with the prospect of some real investment and financial clout in the transfer market, there is every chance that he will extend his tenure, so he can continue his quest in the long-term.

This will come as promising news to the Magpie faithful, we’re sure.

During what will surely be a rapid and turbulent period of transition, we’d argue that it will benefit the club to no end having a manager who appreciates the culture and history surrounding Newcastle United and the plight of its fans, as opposed to some mercenary who’s hired because of their botched history with “big” European teams.

Newcastle fans, are you happy with the idea that Benitez would stay? How likely do you think the takeover is? Let us know in the comments below…

حسم فريق برشلونة الإسباني تأهله لدور الـ16 بمنافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا، كثانٍ مجموعة، بعد هزيمته أمام يوفنتوس الإيطالي بثلاثية دون رد على ملعب “كامب نو”.

وينتظر البارسا مواجهات نارية محتملة في دور الـ16 بدوري الأبطال، بعد التأهل كثانٍ مجموعة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. الفرق المتأهلة إلى دور الـ16 من دوري أبطال أوروبا 2021 خصوم برشلونة المحتملين في دور الـ16 حتى الآن:

ليفربول.

بايرن ميونخ.

مانشستر سيتي.

تشيلسي. 

بوروسيا دورتموند.

باريس سان جيرمان.

ريال مدريد تأهل كأول مجموعة لكن لن يواجه برشلونة، وفقًا لقواعد اليويفا، نظرًا لأن الفريقان من إسبانيا.

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Isaac Hayden has been identified as a possible West Ham United target after the club missed out on the signing of Andre Gomes, per ClaretandHugh.

Hayden is a solid if unspectacular midfield player and the report claims that he would cost £15m in this transfer window, but would he improve the Hammers’ midfield?

On the chalkboard

The club currently have Mark Noble, Declan Rice, Pedro Obiang and Jack Wilshere as their main options in the centre of the pitch.

Per WhoScored, Hayden averages 2.9 tackles per game in the Premier League, 1.6 interceptions, 1.1 clearances and is dribbled past 0.7 times. He also has 0.9 key passes in each game, along with a pass completion rate of 79.4%.

By comparison, Noble makes 1.5 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 0.4 clearances and is dribbled by 1.2 times each game. His key passes rate is 0.7, while his pass completion rate is 85.3%.

Rice, a far more defensive talent than Noble, averages the same number of tackles as Hayden per game, 1.5 interceptions, 1.6 clearances and is dribbled past 1.5 times each game. His key pass stat is 0.6 while his pass completion rate is 86.4%.

Obiang fares even worse: 1.7 tackles, 0.5 interceptions, 0.6 clearances and being dribbled by once mean that he is worse than Hayden in every conceivable defensive area. His key passes number is a mere 0.3 but his pass success rate is 80%.

Wilshere, who has barely played any football for the Hammers, averages 0.9 tackles and interceptions while he does not even have a clearance stat. He is dribbled by 0.5 times per game, makes 0.6 key passes and has a completion rate of 89.8%.

Hayden, then, may well be the man to improve Manuel Pellegrini’s midfield.

Sort out his radar

Hayden needs to be more accurate with his distribution.

Other than that, he has a higher tackle rate than every other West Ham player including England international Rice and is only bettered in one area: clearances, by the former Chelsea youngster.

This is a player who would come in and instantly improve the Hammers but he simply has to learn how to pass the ball more successfully.

It is all very well winning it back but if he is merely going to give it away again, there isn’t much point.

If he does rock up in east London, he will need some accuracy training; other than that, he appears to be Pellegrini’s ideal midfield player.

He will add steel and assiduity and could even be Mark Noble’s long-term replacement.

At £15m, he’s an absolute snip.

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According to The Sun, Manchester United may be forced to pay £350k-a-week to Marcus Rashford in order to keep him at the club and away from the clutches of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the England international reportedly wants to stay put at Old Trafford and play for United – where he spent years in the academy – but would not find it a hardship to go and play for one of the big boys in Spain.

Alexis Sanchez’s £505k-a-week earnings have skewered the wage structure at United, and Rashford knows that all too well – he is asking for £350k-a-week due to his importance in being Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s main striker.

Could United be in the hunt for an £85m blockbuster signing this summer? Check out the video below…

Madrid reportedly invited Rashford’s brothers – who are his advisers – to a game, whilst Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is a big fan of the 21-year-old.

He should be made an example out of

21 years of age. 13 goals last season. And on current earnings of £45k-a-week.

Rashford is still a baby in the footballing world and a club of United’s stature should not stand for being held to ransom by a footballing child.

Some of the club’s supporters have already grown tired of Rashford’s ineffective performances out on the pitch – he ended the campaign in miserable form with no goals in his final eight games.

Other than Sanchez’s huge earnings, there is no valid argument for Rashford to earn that much – it would place him on £150k more per week than Mohamed Salah earns in comparison.

£150k-a-week, coincidentally, is just £30k less than what PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk earns. How on earth can Rashford justify asking for so much?

With just 12 months left on his deal, United shouldn’t pander to the youngster’s demands and should make an example out of him by allowing him to leave the club.

He could easily be replaced, and is simply pushing his luck in asking for so much money. He may be a local lad, but United can’t be pushed around by sentiment either.

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon is keen on Mikael Lustig staying at the club next season, despite his contract expiring shortly, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

What’s the story?

Lustig, who was signed by Lennon back in his first spell as Hoops boss, is one of the longest serving members of the Celtic squad but to date there’s been little sign of movement when it comes to extending his stay at Celtic Park beyond another treble winning season.

Lennon though has confirmed talks have taken place regarding an extension, explaining to The Scottish Sun:

“I have spoken to him, but not to his representatives. I had good feedback from Mika.

“I would like him to stay. I think he still has a year or two in him.

“He has been a fantastic player for the club. He has been pivotal on and off the field.”

With a notable decline in his playing performances over the last 18 months, is a renewal of Lustig’s contract wise, especially if it’d be a potential two-year deal?

Keith from C’mon the Hoops throws back to the ‘Battle of Britain’ from the 2003 UEFA Cup quarter-finals in the video below…

Should Celtic keep Lustig?

The argument for keeping the veteran Swedish international is strong, but with certain caveats.

With Cristian Gamboa and Jeremy Toljan leaving the club this summer, there’s little chance of Celtic entering the market and signing two quality right-backs, so keeping Lustig for another year makes some amount of sense.

There’s no doubt he is a leader on and off the pitch, but he is also a critical weak link in the team on a consistent basis, with opposition often directly targeting Celtic’s right flank when he is playing.

In bigger matches and against better teams that could prove costly.

Signing him up to a new deal then should come with the promise to supporters that the club are seeking a new first-choice right-back to play regularly and Lustig should be informed his role would be strictly as back-up or as relief against lesser teams.

No sentiment

A two-year deal, as hinted at by Lennon, seems excessive and is surely capitulating to sentiment that dictates the long-serving player should be here for a potential 10-in-a-row winning season.

The evidence he can play at the top level for another two seasons is not there and if Celtic are to maintain the incredible success they have enjoyed over the last few years then there is no room for such sentiment or complacency.

The Hoops need the best players available in all positions and can’t afford to carry Lustig for too long beyond his use by date.

يواجه فريق الأهلي نظيره البنك الأهلي مساء اليوم الأحد، في إطار منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز.

الأهلي يتصدر ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 16 نقطة، فيما يتواجد البنك الأهلي الصاعد حديثاً للدوري الممتاز في المركز العاشر بـ7 نقاط.

طالع | تشكيل الأهلي أمام البنك الأهلي.. وليد سليمان في الهجوم وعودة محمد هاني

طالع أيضًا.. مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الأهلي والبنك الأهلي في الدوري.. إعلان التشكيلين موعد مباراة الأهلي والبنك الأهلي

تنطلق مباراة الأهلي والبنك الأهلي اليوم الأحد في تمام الساعة الخامسة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 6 بتوقيت السعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الأهلي والبنك الأهلي

تُذاع مباراة الأهلي والبنك الأهلي عبر قناة أون تايم سبورت 1.

يمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنا.