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He’s given many sweet memories at the London Stadium, but Marko Arnautovic’s departure from West Ham United only seems like a matter of time.

Obviously, it was almost sealed in January, before a few issues stopped him from making his destined move to the Chinese Super League and a new contract was signed. There was also that weird video of him announcing his intention to remain in East London. Very strange.

However, the Hammers have surely realised by now that an unhappy Arnautovic is the worst thing to have. The team is in dire need over a severe striker overhaul this summer, but replacing a talented striker like Aranautovic is difficult. Granted, he might be extremely controversial but his excellent goal-scoring ability is unmatched at the Hammers.

That being said, Pellegrini is seemingly looking at options to replace the Austrian international. According to reports (via The Express), West Ham are interested in Fulham star Aleksandr Mitrovic as a potential option to lead the line and, while he’s barely free from controversy himself, the Serbian might just be a strong addition.

If the Hammers want an appropriate replacement to Arnautovic, the former Newcastle United star is the man to go for. In spite of having to play for an inefficient, lacklustre Fulham side, the Serbian international shined through with some excellent performances. Indeed, he scored 11 goals from 36 appearances, bullying defenders with his physical prowess and predatorial instincts.

Alongside a better quality of player and a team that can defend (well, kind of) the ex-Anderlecht ace could finally prove he’s worth the hype on these shores.

Like Arnautovic, Mitrovic is quite the moody striker with that potential brilliance in him. Granted, even he gets into troubles at times, but the Serbian’s looked an awful lot different over the last season or so. All in all, Mitrovic can thrive amid West Ham’s sleek attacking system, being their ruthless hitman up front and soon making fans forget about Arnautovic.

West Ham fans, would you be happy with Mitrovic as Arnautovic’s potential successor? Join the discussion by commenting below…

رفض رونالد كومان المدير الفني لفريق برشلونة الإسباني، الحديث مجددًا عن التحكيم بعد تعادل برشلونة إيجابيًا أمام ديبورتيفو ألافيس بهدف لمثله، كما رفض انتقاده بسبب رد فعله على مقاعد البدلاء.

وشهدت المباراة إلغاء هدف ثانٍ لـ أنطوان جريزمان بسبب التسلل، وكان هناك شكوك حول احتساب ركلة جزاء لـ فرينكي دي يونج.

وتحدث كومان في مؤتمر صحفي عقب المباراة، ونشرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية تصريحاته.

وبشأن صورته على مقاعد البدلاء، حيث بدا مستاءً ومنفعلاً، علّق كومان: إذا كنت ستنتقدني بسبب ذلك، فمن الأفضل أن نتوقف عند هذا الحد”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. جريزمان: أهدرت الكثير من الفرص وبرشلونة يحتاج لأهدافي

وأضاف: “أعتقد أننا فعلنا كل شيء اليوم من أجل الفوز بالمباراة، لقد لعبنا بالطريقة التي علينا اللعب بها”.

وعن ركلة الجزاء المحتملة لدي يونج، استرسل كومان: “أفضل عدم التعليق على الجزاء، لقد سبق لي أن قلت قبل أيام ما أشعر به”.

وأتم الهولندي: “لا أريد أن أتحدث عن هذا الموضوع مرة أخرى (انتقاد التحكيم والفار)، لقد قلته بالفعل وليس من الضروري تكراره”. هل حرم الحكم برشلونة من ركلة جزاء أمام ديبورتيفو ألافيس

حقق فريق الكرة الأول بنادي الزمالك فوزًا مستحقًا على نظيره الاسماعيلي في مباراة اليوم بثلاثية مقابل هدف.

اللقاء أقيم على أرضية ميدان استاد القاهرة الدولي، في خضم منافسات الجولة الأخيرة من عمر الدوري المصري الممتاز.

فوز الزمالك اليوم منحه رسميًا وصافة ترتيب بطولة الدوري الممتاز، على حساب ملاحقه بيراميدز، ليحجز مقعدًا في بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا الموسم المقبل. 

طالع | ملعبان مرشحان.. اتحاد الكرة ينتظر رد الأمن لتحديد ملعب نهائي دوري إبطال إفريقيا ترتيب الدوري المصري بعد فوز الزمالك على الإسماعيلي

1- الأهلي، المركز الأول، 86 نقطة.

2- الزمالك، المركز الثاني، 71 نقطة.

3- بيراميدز، المركز الثالث، 64 نقطة.

4- المقاولون العرب، المركز الرابع، 53 نقطة.

5- سموحة، المركز الخامس، 48 نقطة.

6- إنبي، المركز السادس، 48 نقطة.

7- المصري البورسعيدي، المركز السابع، 45 نقطة.

8- الإنتاج الحربي، المركز الثامن، 43 نقطة

9-. الإسماعيلي، المركز التاسع، 41 نقطة.

10- طلائع الجيش، المركز العاشر، 41 نقطة.

11- مصر للمقاصة، المركز الحادي عشر،41 نقطة.

12- الاتحاد السكندري، المركز الثاني عشر، 39 نقطة.

13- الجونة، المركز الثالث عشر، 37 نقطة

14- نادي أسوان، المركز الرابع عشر، 37 نقطة.

15- وادي دجلة، المركز الرابع عشر، 35 نقطة.

16- حرس الحدود، المركز السادس عشر، 30 نقطة.

17- نادي مصر، المركز السابع عشر، 21 نقطة.

18- طنطا، المركز الثامن عشر، 19 نقطة.

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Charlton extended their impressive unbeaten run to nine games with a 2-0 victory over Plymouth at the weekend, although the Home Park faithful will undoubtedly be disappointed with the result given the way much of the first half of the game went.

The Pilgrims dominated for the first half an hour and had the opportunity to take the lead when Krystian Bielik brought down Ruben Lameiras, although Addicks goalkeeper Dillon Phillips denied Graham Carey with his right boot to keep the scores level.

It was this moment that, according to goalscorer Lyle Taylor, changed the game completely and was a platform for Lee Bowyer’s side to win the three points. Here’s what the 29-year-old had to say:

“It galvanises the team, a save like that. I don’t think we’ve saved a penalty this year – I don’t think we have faced many – but the fact that Dill has pulled us out of the proverbial was brilliant.

“We’ve got Dill to thank for the three points because it could’ve been so different going 1-0 down, while being dominated still. Now we will go again Tuesday [against Wycombe].”

Indeed, after the 23-year-old shot-stopper made that save, the Addicks seized control and never looked likely to give it up, with goals either side of the half enough to see them return to The Valley with all three points.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed…

Phillips hasn’t been that solid all season, though, and he will surely be delighted to have been so crucial to his side’s fourth win in the last five games. Next is a trip to Wycombe on Tuesday night, where the Addicks will have the chance to all but confirm their place in the promotion play-offs.

Will they look back on that Phillips save as a crucial moment in their return to the Championship should they go all the way to Wembley Stadium and beyond?

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Celtic fans are desperate to find out who will be in charge at Parkhead come the beginning of next season, and Chris Sutton thinks they should give the job to Neil Lennon.

It’s been a couple weeks now since Lennon replaced Brendan Rodgers at Celtic, and the dust has finally settled.

The Bhoys look a dead cert to win yet another league title as they chase ten in a row, and Lennon has proven that he was the perfect choice to take over at such short notice.

Looking ahead to next season though, there are plenty of discussions over who should take the helm, as Lennon is technically only at the club on an interim basis.

Sutton shared his view on the matter prior to Rangers’ match against Hibernian on Friday night.

What did he say?

“I actually think that he’s been there before, he knows the club well, they should appoint Neil as manager,” Sutton told BT Sport.

“If they don’t, it’s all going to be up in the air, Champions League qualifiers round again, big overhaul needed, and they have to start planning now. You have to start planning now.

“If they’re not going to appoint him now, they bring someone else in in the summer, it’s a mess.”

Short-sighted from Sutton?

Sutton’s final point is a poignant warning to Celtic, as the summer transfer window could be a complete and utter disaster if they take too long deciding on a new manager.

However, the club is always looking to go forward, as they were when they brought Rodgers to the club in the first place, and appointing a former manager like Lennon simply won’t allow them to do that.

Lennon was the right choice to take over on an interim basis, but the Bhoys should not settle for domestic dominance, and hiring Lennon would be to do just that.

As long as they sort the switch quickly at the start of the summer, allowing the new boss plenty of time to work with and transform his squad, the Hoops should ignore Sutton’s verdict on this one.

West Ham United have frustrated their fans this year with another disappointing season that has come to nothing, and we’re beginning to wonder if there’s some players in the squad who have lost faith in the club’s future.

Manuel Pellegrini’s arrival should have indicated the start of a new era for West Ham, with all his experience of Premier League success as Manchester City manager, but he’s had relatively little of it.

Yes, it’s been an improvement on a bitterly disappointing season under ineffective David Moyes, but just about anything would have beaten the misery of his rule.

Fans could probably let slip inconsistencies in the Premier League whilst Pellegrini figures out the formula; but their whimpering and pathetic performances in the domestic cups are unforgivable, and it is blatantly obvious that some of those resulted from the efforts of certain individuals.

So, who are these wantaway players?

Pedro Obiang

Whether he likes it or not Pedro Obiang could be one of those heading out of the door come summer.

With Declan Rice tied down to the club, West Ham will be keen on finding a solid partner to help create a formidable midfield partnership, and Obiang simply does not make the cut.

Obiang was already close to leaving with Fiorentina reportedly interested in taking the player back to Italy this January, but West Ham rejected the bid as they couldn’t find a replacement, so it is only a matter of time before he is moved on (source: Sky Sports).

Andy Carroll

The big forward’s time at West Ham is surely coming to an end now with a far more accomplished array of strikers ahead of him in the selection.

According to Chronicle Live, the club made his services available for the cut price of £2m in January in the hopes of tempting bids from fellow Premier League sides. To no avail.

There comes a point when footballers have to reflect on the time they have left in the game, and Carroll, 30, will certainly be weighing up his future options.

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After the apathetic end to Arsene Wenger’s reign, this season has been one of progress for Arsenal. For starters, they have a genuine chance of finishing in this season’s top four, but performances as well as results have seen an uplift – Unai Emery has insisted upon a more energetic, aggressive and tactically versatile mantra since taking the reins in the summer.

While Arsenal have impressed as a collective though, our writers have sought to answer one key question – which individual has shown the most improvement? Read their verdicts below…

Harry Sherlock – Alex Iwobi

“Alex Iwobi is perhaps the most improved player at Arsenal this season. He is not the most technically gifted player at the club but he has the work rate and the tenacity to ensure he becomes a major star. Across the next couple of seasons, Emery would be wise to build around him – Iwobi has a very particular skillset and is only likely to get better.”

Billy Meyers – Granit Xhaka

“Granit Xhaka has matured a fair bit this season, and is starting to become a more reliable presence in the middle of the park rather than the liability he has been in previous campaigns, and even the start of the current season to be honest. The Swiss international is starting to cut out silly errors in his game, and has shown his willingness to work for the team by playing in a number of positions this season, including left-back.”

The North London Derby of 2008 may never be matched for drama. Lewis from Norwich City Central explains why it’s his all time favourite derby in the video below…

Will Jones – Sead Kolasinac

“Honourable mentions for Iwobi, Alexandre Lacazette and Rob Holding, but Sead Kolasinac deserves this recognition. The Bosnian powerhouse was an absolute liability this season. This time around, though, he’s come on leaps and bounds defensively, whilst retaining his threat in the final third. Many, including myself, had written him off somewhat, but he is now central to Emery’s plans and may even legitimately represent a better option ahead of Mr. Consistent, Nacho Monreal.”

Harry Elnaugh – Alexandre Lacazette

“Lacazette has been brilliant this season and, if he can get into the positions Aubameyang does a little more regularly, he will surely be a fixture up front. The former Lyon man is a far better footballer than Aubameyang and looks set to exceed his tally of 14 goals from last season – he currently has 12 to his name with nine games to go. Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Holding have also come on leaps and bounds but the former has only done so in recent weeks while the latter has been set back frequently by injuries.”

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Leicester have completed the signing of Youri Tielemans from Monaco, with the midfielder joining on a loan deal until the end of the season as reported by the club’s official Twitter account.

What’s the word, then?

The Belgian international arrives at the King Power Stadium, with the out-of-favour Adrien Silva moving to Ligue 1 as part of the deal. Tielemans has scored five goals in 20 Ligue 1 appearances for 19th-placed Monaco this season, proving to be one of the few bright lights in what has been an otherwise uninspiring season for the French club.

The 21-year-old was very highly-rated at Anderlecht, so his arrival at the King Power Stadium could be viewed as somewhat of a coup for Claude Puel and Leicester, and he should offer a lot more than Silva ever did for the club.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Tielemans was also linked with Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham, so the Midlands-based club have done well to fight off the competition to get him into a Blue shirt.

Who could be under threat from his arrival?

Well, the young Belgian can play in a centre-attacking midfield role, or slightly deeper as a centre-midfielder, so he could realistically threaten any of the Foxes’ current midfield options.

James Maddison and Demarai Gray have started the last couple of games on the wing,  with Marc Albrighton also in the attacking trio behind Jamie Vardy. One would assume that Albrighton would be the one to drop out, given the significance of having Maddison and Gray in the side behind Vardy.

Tielemans has an impressive long-shot and a fantastic eye for goal, so it would be wise of Puel to drop the slightly limited Albrighton in favour of a more exciting option that would keep defenders on their toes.

The Belgian international, sat behind Vardy, with the aforementioned duo of Maddison and Gray either side of them would arguably be one of the best quartets outside the top six.

Ibrox, the home of Glasgow Rangers, is one of football’s oldest and most historic stadiums.

The Gers have played there since they were founded in 1872, although it hasn’t always looked as it is now. Whilst it may not be as big as either Celtic Park or Hampden Park, it is still one of the grounds that is known across the world as being the home of the 54-time Scottish champions.

With the current pandemic, there is plenty of time for supporters of all clubs to fill, and that gap has led to Twitter page RangersHistory sharing photos of the Argyle House. In 1990, it was added to Govan Stand after eight months of work to get it completed.

It hasn’t taken long for the club’s supporters to react to the images – but they don’t appear to be fans of the stand in its current form. They have taken to the social media platform to share their thoughts, and you can see some of the best comments below.

Let us know what you think!

Celtic extended their lead at the top of the SPFL to seven points on Sunday afternoon with a 4-1 victory over Hamilton.

The hosts were penned into their own half during the second 45 minutes as the Hoops pressed and probed for a breakthrough, and they eventually got the goal they were deeply craving courtesy of a fine finish from Christopher Jullien.

The towering central defender temporarily assumed the role of an auxiliary striker and opened up his body to caress a volley into the far corner following a low cross from Ryan Christie.

It was a devilish finish at a perfect time but concerns over his defensive prowess manifested during the course of the game.

Indeed, fans on Twitter were eager to point out his difficulty in dealing with Marios Ogboe’s physicality and made that point clear on social media.

This supporter was left so frustrated by the 26-year-old’s struggle to deal with his opposite number that he went as far to suggest that Celtic overpaid with their £7m deal.

Elsewhere supporters expressed similar complaints in their droves.

He may well have scored the vital breakthrough goal to put the visitors in front but it seems he will need to improve his ability to deal with powerful centre-forwards in order to fully win over the entirety of the fanbase.

Finally, one fan incorporated Rangers into his analysis by suggesting the signing of Florian Kamberi on deadline day was made to expose Jullien’s key weakness.