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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele has admitted that a major motivating factor behind his move to China was the money on offer, per BBC Sport.

What’s the word?

The 32-year-old left Spurs in January to join Guangzhou R&F.

Of course, Mauricio Pochettino’s side went on to reach the Champions League final following the Belgian’s departure.

And, in a week that has been dominated by reports that Gareth Bale could earn over £1m-per-week in the Chinese Super League, Dembele has now confirmed that the wages on offer in the country had a considerable influence on his decision to move.

He said: “Money is a thing in moving here, of course.

“People who come here earn good money but it depends. If you come here only for the money and you don’t enjoy the experience and lock yourself away in your hotel then it’s bad.

“If you earn good money and you enjoy the culture then it’s a good experience.”

Refreshing honesty

It’s about time a player was honest about their motivations.

Very few players move to the Chinese Super League for the quality of the football.

After all, it is not comparable to the Premier League, the Bundesliga or Serie A in terms of the overall ability of the playing squads.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

But Dembele, at the age of 32, has moved to a league where the pace is slower, where he has fewer demands placed upon him by the intensity of the game, and he appears to have earned himself a pay rise.

When he was at Spurs, he was an important cog in the machine, making 249 appearances.

But he is now winding down his career and his honesty is really rather refreshing. One imagines that few Spurs fans will begrudge him the move.

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سجل أحمد سيد زيزو لاعب الزمالك، هدف التقدم لفريقه أمام الاتحاد السكندري، في المباراة المقامة الآن على استاد القاهرة.

الزمالك يواجه الاتحاد السكندري، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية عشر من عمر بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

طالع | مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة الزمالك والاتحاد السكندري في الدوري

وأحرز زيزو هدف الزمالك الأول من ركلة جزاء في الدقيقة 59، وذلك بعدما تحصل عليها سيف الدين الجزيري إثر عرقلته داخل منقطة الجزاء من مدافع الفريق السكندري. هدف الزمالك الأول أمام الاتحاد

وكانت المباراة شهدت حالة طرد للاعب الاتحاد رزاق سيسيه في الشوط الأول بعد تدخل قوي مع طارق حامد.

ويتصدر الزمالك جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 23 نقطة.

قال كلاوديو رانييري، المدير الفني لفريق سامبدوريا، إنه كان يتطلع للعب بشكل مختلف أمام يوفنتوس، متحدثًا عقب الهزيمة بثنائية دون رد، في منافسات الدوري الإيطالي.

وقال رانييري لشبكة “سكاي سبورت إيطاليا”: “بصراحة كنا نريد مباراة مختلفة، لقد فقدنا الكرة في كثير من الأحيان وواجهنا الكثير من المشاكل مع تمريراتهم غير المرئية، لكن في الغالب جعلنا الأمر سهلاً على يوفنتوس”.

وأضاف: “في الشوط الثاني فعلنا شيئًا أكثر من ذلك، ولكن حتى ذلك الحين كانت مجرد تسديدتين من كوالياريلا وأشياء قليلة أخرى”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. بيرلو: فشل رونالدو في التسجيل؟ ما يهم فوز يوفنتوس.. ولا نحتاج صفقة هجومية

وتابع رانييري: “لم نتمكن من فعل ما اعتقدنا أننا سنفعله، إميل أوديرو لم يكن مضطرًا حقًا لإنقاذ الكرة، فقط عندما فقدنا الكرة أو بهذه التمريرات غير المرغوبة، كنت منزعجًا أكثر من قلة فرص التهديف التي خلقناها”.

وأشاد رانييري بالتحكيم مواصلاً: “كما أود أن أهنئ الحكم، خسرنا اليوم، لكنه قدم مباراة جيدة حقًا”.

سامبدوريا سبق وتمكن من الفوز على إنتر ميلان قبل أسابيع، وبسؤال رانييري عما كان مختلفًا بين الفوز أمامهم والهزيمة من يوفنتوس، أجاب: “ضد إنتر أعتقد أننا كنا أكثر تصميما من اليوم”.

وأوضح: “كنا قلقين عندما حصلنا على الكرة، لقد قلت للاعبين يمكننا أن نخسر أمام يوفنتوس لكن على الأقل نلعب المباراة ونبذل قصارى جهدنا”.

وأتم رانييري: “قلنا طوال الموسم إن الخطة يجب ألا تكون في نفس الوضع الذي كنا عليه العام الماضي، في الوقت الحالي، نحن في وضع أكثر راحة  لكننا نتطلع إلى الأمام وننظر خلفنا أيضًا!”.

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Leicester City defender Filip Benkovic posted a goodbye message to Celtic fans on Instagram on Wednesday, suggesting he won’t be returning on loan during the summer transfer window.

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The Croatian enjoyed a successful 2018/19 season on loan at the Scottish champions, making 27 appearances and helping the club lift their third successive treble of domestic trophies.

C’mon the Hoops’ Keith remembers the late Phil O’Donnell in the video below…

There had been speculation he could return for a second season on loan at the Hoops, a door opened by former manager Brendan Rodgers back in May.

However, his latest Instagram post would suggest that won’t be the case given he has wished the club well in their quest for ‘ten-in-a-row’.

He had formed a partnership in defence with Dedryck Boyata and the duo’s departure has prompted the club to make a big move for Christopher Jullien since the end of last season.

Benkovic was a popular figure with supporters, as demonstrated by the reaction to his latest message, with many fans taking to social media to lament the fact he won’t be playing in Celtic colours next term…

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BBC Sport journalist David Ornstein revealed on Wednesday that a deal had been agreed between Crystal Palace and Manchester United for the transfer of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but Eagles fans were left far from happy with chairman and owner Steve Parish at the details involved.

The Guardian reported on Monday that the south London outfit were keen to not only get a guaranteed £50m up front for the 21-year-old, but to also cancel or at least reduce the 25% sell-on clause in Wilfried Zaha’s contract.

However, Ornstein confirmed on Wednesday that the initial deal is worth £45m – which could rise to £50m with add-ons – while the Red Devils will retain their clause for the Ivory Coast international.

While it has to be seen as a decent agreement for Palace seeing as the player has only made 42 first-team appearances for them, many obviously feel that Parish should have stuck to his guns in negotiations.

Supporters have been quick to show their unhappiness with the 53-year-old on Twitter, with one saying “Parish has bottled it”, and another saying “Parish caved in and we lost”.

If Palace sell Wan Bissaka and Zaha, will they be in another relegation battle? One fan gives his opinion in the video below…

The pressure – perhaps at least from these fans – will now be on the hierarchy to ensure that the club spend the Wan-Bissaka money wisely in the remainder of the window.

Here is just a selection of the reaction from the popular social media platform…

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According to French news outlet Le10Sport, Everton will reportedly demand £65m from Paris Saint-Germain for Richarlison should the French champions decide to make their interest in the forward concrete.

The Brazilian international has starred in his maiden season at Goodison Park, scoring 14 goals in all competitions since his £35m move from Watford last summer.

At just 22 years of age, the former Fluminense star is a real prospect in the game and could be worth an absolute fortune in a few years should he keep up his good form.

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…

So, in that respect, should the Toffees cash in on the attacker if the Parisiens meet their asking price? Football FanCast’s writers have their say on the matter…

Jack Saville

“This is a really tough one to call. The major problem for Brands is that he will be held to ransom by clubs in the transfer market if they acquire £65 million for Richarlison and that could ruin Everton’s summer window. Richarlison, despite his inconsistencies, can blossom into a phenomenal Premier League player and his value is only likely to rise with another promising season. It’s a ridiculously tempting figure but on balance Everton should snub PSG’s advances.”

Matt Dawson

“Everton would be crazy to turn down that sort of money for Richarlison. The Brazilian had an outstanding start to the season but then fell away somewhat, so on that evidence he’s someone they can afford to lose. The concern is whether Everton would then reinvest the funds properly. They’ve thrown away money in the past on the likes of Theo Walcott so providing they have a replacement lined up, the Toffees should be cashing in.”

Harry Sherlock

“Richarlison is worth more to Everton than £65m. He’s a player that they can build around, nurture and improve. Sure, he seems destined to one day light up the Champions League but he’s 22 and there can be no rush. If he continues to produce for Everton, he could be worth almost double in 12 months’ time. It would be prudent for the Toffees to hold on to him and hope he continues to shine; there will only be more bids coming in if they do.”

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Tottenham Hotspur fans want to sign Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon instead of Real Betis’ Giovani Lo Celso.

The club have identified both players as targets, per the London Evening Standard.

Ndombele is valued at €80m (£70.7m) by Lyon, per Le10Sport, while Lo Celso has a release clause in his contract in excess of £80m.

Neither player, then, is likely to come cheap as Spurs look to secure their first signing since January 2018, when Lucas Moura arrived from PSG.

Fans, obviously, have been sent into something approaching a frenzy by the continued speculation, with the club finally set to break their transfer duck.

And they have been left debating the possibility of only signing one midfield player this summer, with a question posed on Twitter; would supporters prefer Ndombele or Lo Celso?

The majority of respondents have answered with the former, who has emerged as a truly elite talent at Lyon in recent seasons.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

كشفت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية أن ويليان لاعب آرسنال سيحتاج إلى إجراء فحص قبل انضمامه إلى تدريبات الجانرز، حيث لابد من سلبية الاختبار المتعلق بفيروس كورونا.

وتوجه ويليان خلال فترة التوقف الدولي الحالي إلى الإمارات لقضاء عطلة قصيرة.

وذكرت صحيفة “تليجراف” الإنجليزية أن ويليان لن يستطيع المشاركة في تدريبات آرسنال بعد عودته من الإمارات، ما لم تأتِ نتيجة فحص كورونا الخاص به سلبية.

وأوضحت أن ويليان لم يكن في حاجة إلى الدخول في عزل صحي في إنجلترا بعد عودته، ولكن يجب أن يكون فحصه سلبيًا حتى ينضم إلى تدريبات مايكل أرتيتا.

وأشارت إلى أن إنجلترا لم تضع الإمارات ضمن الدول المحظور السفر إليها حسب بروتوكول فيروس كورونا، كما إنها سمحت للعائدين من الدولة بعدم عزل أنفسهم بداية من 14 نوفمبر الجاري.

وأكدت أنه رغم كل هذا، فإن مشاركة ويليان في تدريبات آرسنال مرهونة بنتيجة الفحص الذي سيخضع له في الأيام القليلة المقبلة.

ويخوض آرسنال مباراة أمام ليدز يونايتد يوم الأحد المقبل في الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإنجليزي.

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Giving his analysis on BBC’s Match of the Day 2 (28/04, 10.30pm), Danny Murphy has lambasted Leicester’s James Maddison for his actions which saw Ainsley Maitland-Niles sent off during the Foxes’ 3-0 win over Arsenal.

What’s he said?

Leicester were absolutely sensational against the Gunners on Sunday and their return to form under Brendan Rodgers has been fantastic to watch.

Maddison was one of the stand-out players for the Midlands club once again, claiming a stunning assist for Youri Tieleman’s opening goal in the second half. His contribution from the left flank, rather than in the centre, was outstanding and his role there has surely given Rodgers plenty to think about.

However, he was involved at the centre of some controversy. Already on a yellow card, right-back Maitland-Niles lunged in on Maddison. The result of which was a second booking for the youngster who was given his marching orders.

But Murphy wasn’t happy with the decision and as such, launched a scathing attack on Maddison. He told MOTD2:

“Maddison has stitched him up. He can say what he likes. He is a wonderfully gifted player, Maddison, I like him a lot and I think he is destined for a big future – the stitching up of another player is something I didn’t do, it never came to my mind.

“He didn’t touch him. Earlier in the season, he apologised and said he learned from it, but he hasn’t. I think that’s out of order, I don’t like seeing it and I can’t defend him.”

Maddison still has a lot to learn

The creative midfielder was exceptional last Sunday but his involvement in the red card shows he still has a long way to go before he matures into a complete footballer.

The former Norwich man has impressed with the ball at his feet on numerous occasions throughout the 2018/19 campaign but this is the second time he’s been at the centre of controversy.

Back in November, the Leicester man was sent off for diving after going over without being touched against Brighton. This was a similar occurrence but it appears Murphy still hasn’t forgiven him for that incident a number of months ago.

The 22-year-old will have to be careful going forward. If he finds himself involved in these types of situations on a regular basis then it could hinder both his image and ability to reach his full potential.

However, with Rodgers at the helm, Maddison has a manager that’ll be perfectly suited to helping him develop over the next couple of years.

It has been a rough week for everyone involved with Sheffield United, hasn’t it?

After dropping points in the away fixture with Birmingham City last Wednesday, Chris Wilder’s Blades were just seconds away from securing a vital victory against Millwall at the weekend when disaster struck.

Following referee David Webb’s controversial decision not to give a foul for Ryan Leonard’s tackle on United forward David McGoldrick, the Lions recycled the play before Jake Cooper headed in a dramatic equaliser at Bramall Lane. As a result of this draw, the Yorkshire-based outfit handed over the initiative to promotion rivals Leeds United who took advantage of their misfortune by defeating Sheffield Wednesday 1-0, thus extending the gap between them and third-place to three points.

Although it would be naive to suggest that Saturday’s result has ended the Blades’ hopes of automatic promotion this season, it is clear that they simply cannot afford to slip-up in any of their final four fixtures. With their next two clashes occurring over the Easter weekend, Wilder’s side will need to show that they are capable of bouncing back from adversity at what is a pivotal period of the year in English football.

A convincing victory over Nottingham Forest on Good Friday would not only put United back on track but it could also pile the pressure on Leeds, who play later in the day. However, anything other than three points will provide the incentive needed for Marcelo Bielsa’s side to land a decisive blow in the race for the top-two ahead of Monday’s fixtures.

Whereas it is unlikely that promotion will be won by the Whites at the weekend, it can quite easily be lost by the Blades if they cannot show the resilience required to get over their recent mini-slump in form. If they fail to produce, United may have to settle for the play-offs, a competition which they have had a miserable relationship in recent times.

What do you think Blades fans? Can your side bounce back over the Easter weekend from their recent results? Or have you consigned yourselves to the lottery of the play-offs already? Let us know below…