Tag Futebol

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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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Loads of Leeds United fans on Twitter are excited at the prospect of signing Helder Costa this summer after Phil Hay wrote an article linking the Whites to the Portuguese winger.

The 25-year-old was electric for Wolves when they were in the Championship, but now the Midlands club seem content to let him go out on loan after a lacklustre first season in the top flight.

The winger scored just once last term while adding only two assists. A significant decrease on the 15 goals he scored over two seasons in the Championship where he also crafted 14 assists.

Hay has previously reported that Marcelo Bielsa’s side want to strengthen out wide this summer, and this signing would certainly help towards that.

It remains to be seen whether Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta can negotiate this signing successfully, but if they do, it will undoubtedly be a very popular move.

Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on Twitter…

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Caglar Soyuncu has been a man left in the shadows after arriving at Leicester City last summer. He struggled to get into the side and even a change of manager from Claude Puel to Brendan Rodgers failed to help his cause.

The Turk arrived at the club as a hugely promising centre-back but his stock has decreased since he moved to the Premier League. He’s currently rated at £16.2m per Transfermarkt after an initial £19m move last year.

Le10 Sport claimed last month that Monaco had shown an interest in the player and now with the transfer window open, Leicester fans have been debating the future of the 22-year-old.

On Twitter, a poll was posted which saw 47% of people voting to see him remain as a squad player.

Below the post, supporters gave a mixed verdict on the 22 cap defender as one individual claimed he clearly had the talent. Another hinted that Soyuncu needed a period of games to bed in.

A further fan urged the Foxes to use him in a deal to bring Youri Tielemans back to the King Power permanently. The Belgian has only just recently returned to Monaco following his loan spell.

Soyuncu only played in six Premier League matches this term, appearing four times from the start.

Here’s the best of the debate.

كشف أحمد كابوريا لاعب الزمالك المعار إلى صفوف فريق طلائع الجيش حقيقة تواصل مسؤولو القلعة البيضاء للعودة في الموسم الجديد.

وقال كابوريا خلال تصريحات لبرنامج “جمهور التالتة” عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورت”: “عقدي مع الزمالك مدته 4 سنوات، ويتبقى لي سنة في عقدي”.

وتابع: “أمير مرتضي المشرف على فريق الكرة، تواصل معي منذ شهرين وقال لي إنه احتمال أن أعود، وأنا أنتظر قرار الزمالك وتحت أمرهم”.

وأكمل: “لدي أكثر من عرض جيد، ولكن أنتظر قرار الزمالك، وبالتأكيد أتمنى العودة لصفوف الأبيض”.

طالع | ميدو يوجة رسالة إلى مرتضى منصور قبل مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في نهائي إفريقيا

وأردف: “لعبت في الاتحاد 6 أشهر وأحرزت 7 أهداف، وعدت بعدها إلى الزمالك ثم خرجت إعارة مرة أخرى لطلائع الجيش ولعبت سنتين وأشكرهم على هذه الفترة، وكنت أشتغل على نفسي لكي أعود للزمالك وهذا الأهم بالنسبة لي”.

وواصل: “لدي عروض من المقاولون وسموحة وسيراميكا والبنك الأهلي، وأنتظر موقفي النهائي من الزمالك لأحدد اختياري”.

وأتم: “لم أحصل على فرصتي في الزمالك، لم ألعب سوى 60 دقيقة فقط، وأنتظر رد الزمالك النهائي قبل يوم 11 نوفمبر”.

I think we can all agree, more attacking creativity is needed at Rangers. Nick Powell would be a bargain and could be just the man to get Ibrox back on its feet.

The Sun’s Alan Nixon (sourced by Football Insider 247) said the Gers are ‘very’ interested in the Man United academy graduate, so the club could see what we’re seeing in terms of his potential.

He’ll leave Wigan on a free at the end of the season as it stands, and the 25-year-old will be a bargain for whoever picks him up. He’s scored six goals and made seven assists from 26 appearances in midfield this season, all for a team in 19thplace.

Wigan is a rugby league town at heart and we’re sure he’d love to make the step up from the DW Stadium to Ibrox where football is a religion. He’s played under the weight of expectation ever since his days at United, so he’ll be used to the pressure that comes with playing for the Gers.

He’s known for his long-range strikes and exciting creativity, and that’s just what Steven Gerrard’s side needs as they look to challenge Celtic for the title next season. They’ve really lacked a playmaker this term, so this is exactly the signing the fans would love.

They can expect fireworks if Powell makes the switch to Glasgow, with him having the confidence to thrive in front of such a large crowd. The size of which Sir Alex Ferguson predicted he’d play in front of all those years ago. Now’s the time for Rangers to allow him to fulfil that potential.

Rangers fans, how do you think Nick Powell would fit into your team next season? Join the discussion by commenting below…

كشف حسام البدري المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر موقفه من ضم محمد النني لاعب آرسنال والفراعنة إلى معسكر الفريق المقبل.

ويدخل منتخب مصر معسكرًا مفتوحًا من بداية نوفمبر المقبل استعدادًا لمواجهة توجو في السابع عشر من نوفمبر المقبل، في ثالث جولات التصفيات المؤهلة لنهائيات أمم إفريقيا الكاميرون 2021.

طالع أيضًا.. حسام البدري يعلن موقفه من ضم رمضان صبحي.. وموعد معسكر منتخب مصر

وقال البدري في تصريحات خاصة لـ”بطولات”: “بداية أنا سعيد بأداء المحترفين في الخارج، ومن بينهم بالطبع محمد النني”.

وأكمل: “محمد النني استبعاده خلال الفترة الماضية فنيًا وليس لأي سبب شخص”.

وبسؤاله هل اشترط محمد النني اللعب أساسيًا مع منتخب مصر؟، أجاب: “ليس هناك أي لاعب يشترط على منتخب مصر اللعب أساسيًا، ومحمد النني من بين المرشحين لمعسكر المنتخب”.

جدير بالذكر أن منتخب مصر يتواجد في المجموعة السابعة بتصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا رفقة توجو وكينيا وجزر القمر.

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Reports in Turkey claim Newcastle are interested in signing the new Ozil – Mainz 05 wonderkid Erkan Eyibil.

What’s the story?

According to Turkish Football, Eyibil is attracting interest from “a growing number of clubs” with Newcastle and West Ham both keeping tabs on the teenager.

At 17, he is yet to make an appearance for Mainz’s senior side, but has scored nine goals and added four assists this season for the Under-19 side.

The report says the Turkish press have dubbed the diminutive playmaker as the “new Ozil” due to his vision and guile, but should the Magpies make a summer swoop?

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

Savvy business

Newcastle have been heavily criticised for their transfer business under Mike Ashley, and rightly so, but signing Eyibil before the big clubs jump in would be a sign of improvement.

The Mainz starlet scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win last weekend, taking his total tally across all Mainz youth teams to 38 goals, as well as a remarkable 31 assists.

He has shot through the youth ranks of the German national team, making appearances for the Under-15s, Under-16s, Under-17s and Under-18s in the last few years, racking up three goals along the way.

Even if the youngster does not feature in the first team immediately, penning such a talented player to a long-term deal would be a stroke of genius from Ashley and the club, and could eventually land them a huge profit if he moves on to the bigger and better things that he seems destined for.

Of course, fans have their different opinions on Brendan Rodgers’ departure but one thing that supporters can agree on is the fact that Neil Lennon has already done a solid job.

Although, Lennon’s long-term future at Parkhead remains uncertain as the Daily Mail reported that Alex Neil was being considered for the managerial vacancy after Brendan Rodgers’ departure.

But, The Sun have now reported that Alex Neil has ruled out becoming Celtic’s next manager.

Here’s what the Preston North End boss had to say:

“I have no thoughts about moving club or anything like that.

“I am the Preston manager and I am enjoying my time here and we have a lot of scope to improve. Being the boss here has my full focus.”

So, with Celtic already facing rejection in their pursuit of Brendan Rodgers’ long-term successor, here are the potential consequences…

CELTIC FACE MANAGERIAL DILEMMA

Celtic supporters would never have imagined that Alex Neil would reject the chance to take charge at Celtic, but they’ll now have to face the harsh reality as the managerial hunt goes on.

Indeed, the Hoops now face a dilemma as they’ll have to weigh up their options and consider a different target, which isn’t exactly convenient as Alex Neil had everything that Celtic want in a manager, with experience in Scotland, a record of developing players and constant progression at Deepdale.

NEIL LENNON OVER THE MOON

Interim boss Neil Lennon will have his sights set on becoming Celtic’s permanent manager in the summer after enjoying a strong start at Parkhead, so hearing news of Alex Neil’s snub will delight the former Hibernian boss.

Neil’s snub will come as a big boost to Lennon and things could get even better if he continues to secure positive results and silverware in the current campaign, with fans surely calling for him to be appointed if that’s the case.

Celtic fans, do you think the club should appoint Lennon on a permanent basis? Surely there’re better managerial options out there… 

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Aston Villa manager Dean Smith could be tempted to stick with the same starting XI that beat arch-rivals Birmingham City 1-0 in the second city derby at St Andrew’s on Sunday, but one player is really pushing for a start.

On the chalkboard

Following a two-game absence through suspension, key midfielder John McGinn was only named among the substitutes against the Blues with Smith choosing to stick with the trio of Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane and Jack Grealish in the centre after the 4-0 win against Derby County previously.

The scoreline was 0-0 when McGinn entered the fray as a 62nd minute substitute against Garry Monk’s men, and he made a clear difference in the final third as the visitors eventually ran out 1-0 victors to boost their play-off hopes.

Their trip to Nottingham Forest – whom they are two points adrift of in the Championship standings – on Wednesday night will be another key test of their promotion credentials and they need their best players on the pitch.

McGinn to start?

In a word, yes.

The 24-year-old has been a revelation following his summer arrival at Villa Park, and while the Midlands outfit impressed without the Scot when they thrashed the Rams, he is the sort of player you want in your ranks – on the road especially.

He has that grit, determination and willingness to put his foot in that will be needed against Martin O’Neill’s hosts in midweek, and the only thing Smith needs to decide is who drops out of the XI to accommodate him.

Grealish looks to be a certain starter given the magnitude of the game, and the easy option would probably be to leave the ageing Whelan on the sidelines.

However, the 35-year-old’s experience could be key against Forest, and therefore it is Hourihane who should drop out.

The former Barnsley man may have got on the score-sheet twice against Derby, but he was far more subdued at the weekend even if he was unlucky to hit the woodwork with a fine effort from just outside the penalty area.

Liverpool are looking to add Napoli marksman Lorenzo Insigne to their already frightening attack according to La Republica, but buying more forward men shouldn’t just be seen as a luxury.

Liverpool already have what is regarded as one of the deadliest forward lines in Europe, so many Reds fans will turn their nose up at the prospect of spending what will be a very large amount of money on another forward with four years left on his contract. Yes, they do still need to focus on improving in the centre of the park, but they must not stagnate up front.

The introduction of Xherdan Shaqiri and the return of injury-prone Daniel Sturridge have added some depth to Liverpool’s attack but they have been incredibly lucky, both this season and last, on the injury front. Besides that, the form of their existing three will not always be as prolific as they have been, and we’re seeing that now.

In the existing system he has Roberto Firmino, Mohammad Salah and Sadio Mane in a fluid three. They have the ability to drift across the front line to create space and counter-attack quickly, and this adaptability and speed is key in transition from winning the ball to attacking the opposition’s box.

Since his arrival Mohammad Salah has been so effective at finding his way between the full-back and the centre-half, making him a nightmare to mark down the right wing. Insigne has the same capabilities down the opposite flank and the two could be deadly as they cut in to link up with each other or their other attacking talents.

The right-footed 27-year-old is known for his wing play down the left and has the ability to play as a striker. As Liverpool saw in the Champions League group stage earlier this season, Insigne would be the perfect fit for Klopp’s attack.

Look across to Manchester and they have Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Bernando Silva, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero all capable of playing right across the front three. Yes, they’re playing in all four competitions still, while Liverpool are focusing on the league and Champions League, but isn’t four trophies what Liverpool should be aiming for?

The Reds broke the bank to acquire Virgil Van Dijk last January and Allison in the summer, now they must keep improving their squad right up the pitch, even their front three.