Tag Futebol

Following his arrival at Atlanta United prior to the start of the 2017 MLS season, Miguel Almiron lit the league up. He was one of the main stars of the side, along with Josef Martinez, as they won the MLS Cup in 2018 with the Paraguayan scoring 12 goals and assisting 13 more during the campaign. Although it was amidst the lower quality of US football, Almiron stood out, and it seemed only a matter of time before a European side snapped him up.

It therefore came as no shock when he got his move in January of this year. What was surprising, however, was that Newcastle United won the race to sign him, especially considering they parted with £20m to bring him to the Premier League according to the Panini Tabloid.

For a lot of clubs, that sum would represent pocket change, but not for the Toon as it set a new club-record transfer fee. It had previously been set by the capture of Michael Owen in 2005 from Real Madrid, for whom they had paid £17m and therefore taken them over 13 years to break their highest fee, but for some clubs such a milestone is a near-annual occurrence. The fee paid for Owen is lower than the highest paid by all but two of last year’s 20 Premier League clubs.

As such, it was a big deal for Newcastle, and a lot was expected of the attacking midfielder. But, whilst he impressed with his performances, he flattered to deceive from a numbers point of view. In his 10 games in the Premier League following his arrival, he failed to register a single goal or assist. Next season, he will need to do a lot more to prove he has what it takes to make it in the Premier League.

The transfer record may soon be broken again, of course. Recent reports suggest that the Bin Zayed group may soon purchase the club from Mike Ashley and while there is no guarantee they will spend lavishly, if the example set by fellow Sheikh owners at Manchester City is anything to go by, Newcastle fans shouldn’t be waiting another 13 years to see a record purchase.

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Tottenham Hotspur have pulled out of the race to sign Youri Tielemans from AS Monaco, per Football Insider.

What’s the word?

Spurs are attempting to secure their first deal since January 2018 this summer, and have been linked with a number of midfielders.

Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele, of Real Betis and Lyon respectively, are both targets, per the report, but an attempt to sign Tielemans has now been all but ruled out.

The central midfielder spent the second half of the season on loan at Leicester City and the Foxes are said to be interested in signing him permanently.

Spurs, though, have been put off by the prospect of paying over £40m for the Belgium international, with Monaco keen to receive a major fee for his services.

Indeed, Football Insider claim that Lo Celso and Ndombele are regarded as higher-quality acquisitions in this transfer window.

Recruitment is right

Tottenham are making the correct decisions here.

Tielemans made an impact during his time at the King Power Stadium – he scored three goals and registered five assists in 13 Premier League games – but his sample size may be too small to convince top clubs.

Ndombele, by comparison, is perhaps the best young midfielder in Europe while Lo Celso is a goalscoring No.10 – netting 16 times last season – who can either replace or provide competition to Christian Eriksen.

Tielemans should be nothing more than a back-up at this stage, should those two deals fall through.

That Spurs aren’t willing to shell out £40m for a sub-par recruit should encourage fans ahead of what is likely to be a busy summer.

وجه سيد عبد الحفيظ مدير الكرة بفريق النادي الأهلي رسالة إلى الإعلامي عمرو أديب بعد التتويج ببطولة كأس مصر.

وكان الأهلي قد نجح في تحقيق فوز صعب على نظيره طلائع الجيش في مباراة نهائي المسابقة بركلات الحظ الترجيحية بعد انتهاء المباراة بالتعادل الايجابي ليحقق الثلاثية التاريخية.

وقال سيد في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “إم بي سي مصر” عبر برنامج “الحكاية”: “ينتظرنا عمل كثير جدًا، والأهلي في الانتصارات يعلم جيدًا وجود أخطاء يجب أن نعالجها، خاصةً وأن الموسم المقبل سيكون عنيفًا”.

الأهلي عن دعوة الزمالك لحضور احتفالية التتويج بالثلاثية: نرحب بمشاركة الجميع

ووجه عبد الحفيظ رسالة لـ الإعلامي عمرو أديب قائلا: “بعد كل هذه السنوات والخبرات والمواقف يجب أن يُراجع الشخص نفسه، ألن تراجع نفسك؟”(يقصد تشجيعه للزمالك)، ليرد أديب قائلًا: “لا وسنظل أوفياء!”.

وأضاف: “الأرقام التي حققناها هذا الموسم لم تكن سهلة، أكبر عدد نقاط في تاريخ الدوري 89 نقطة، فزنا بالدوري والكأس للمرة الـ15 في تاريخنا، وهذا رقم كبير على المستوى العالمي وليس على المستوى المصري، حققنا ثلاثية لثالث مرة أرقام كبيرة جدًا”.

وأردف: “يوم الثلاثاء أول تدريب لنا وسنستعد بقوة، إذا أردنا تحقيق انتصارات أخرى لابد أن نجتهد”.

وتابع: “بعد إهدار أيمن أشرف لركلة الترجيح قلت صعب أن يهدر الركلتان الرابعة والخامسة وتخسر الكأس، ثم تذكرت أننا في مباراة السوبر أمام الزمالك بالإمارات أضعنا الركلة الرابعة والخامسة وخسرنا اللقب”.

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With the Champions League final edging ever closer, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool head into the showpiece game against Tottenham as favourites.

And, in an added boost for the Reds before the clash, it was confirmed via the club’s official website that Roberto Firmino has now returned to first-team training this week.

The Brazilian has spearheaded an electric attacking trio alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane this season, but after suffering a groin injury, was ruled out of the side’s last three games.

Despite the prospect of his imminent return ahead of the side’s biggest game since last year’s Champions League final against Real Madrid, some Liverpool fans on social media questioned whether Firmino should even be put straight into the starting line-up.

They felt that the 27-year-old’s presence off the substitute’s bench could be a game-changer for the Reds, and would add some serious firepower in the closing stages of the game.

Some Liverpool supporters appeared to clamour for Klopp to choose the same starting line-up that produced that miraculous 4-0 comeback against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final at Anfield.

With Divock Origi proving himself to be an unsung hero in the Reds’ end to the campaign, check out the reaction of Liverpool fans contemplating whether Firmino should be included from the get go next week.

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.

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…

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Spanish forward Rafa Mir has commented on his future, claiming he’s currently happy at his loan side Las Palmas but his parent club Wolves will decide his future.

Mir barely played for Nuno Santo’s side after arriving in January 2018, making just two substitute appearances in the Championship. As a consequence, he was loaned out to the Segunda Division last summer.

Discussion over his future took place as a result of the comments he made and it appears the Molineux faithful want him to play a part next season.

Two fans made comparisons to him and their new record signing Raul Jimenez, saying he is similar in style and build to the Mexican. Of course, if they’re comparing him to their top goal scorer then that can only be good news for Mir.

One fan said he’d have given him a chance over Leo Bonatini this season whilst another individual bet there was a plan in place for the 21-year-old.

Raul Jimenez is turning it on for Wolves and Mexico right now! He definitely deserves the song in the video below…

The Spaniard has featured 26 times in the Spanish Second Division this term, scoring seven goals which included a deft flicked strike against Mallorca last month.

Here’s the best of the debate on the Spanish youth international.

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Tottenham Hotspur need to break a run of poor form as they take on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

After a lengthy international break, Spurs have the perfect opportunity to bounce back from four disappointing results in a row.

Prior to the Euro 2020 qualifiers, Spurs lost to Burnley, Chelsea and Southampton and eked out a 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Wembley.

With the new stadium now open, and Premier League football back at Tottenham, there are plenty of reasons for optimism in north London.

But their record against Liverpool at Anfield is patchy at best and there are five key facts that should worry every Spurs fan ahead of Sunday’s showdown…

Football FanCast breaks them down below!

A woeful history

Spurs last won at Anfield in 2011.

On that day, goals from Rafael van der Vaart, now retired, and Luka Modric, now a Ballon d’Or winner and Real Madrid star, gave Harry Redknapp’s side a deserved 2-0 win over Kenny Dalglish’s side.

Since then, Spurs have failed to win any of their last seven trips, drawing three and losing four.

With the Reds in imperious form this season and top of the league, having suffered just one defeat all campaign, the signs do not point to a Spurs win.

Atkinson and Liverpool

Liverpool tend not to lose when Martin Atkinson is in charge.

In the Premier League, they last tasted defeat with Atkinson in the middle in the 2014-15 season, when they fell to a 2-1 loss to Manchester United.

Since then, Liverpool have won eight and drawn six of the 14 games he has been assigned to.

Spurs, by comparison, lost to Chelsea in the most recent match they played with Atkinson in charge, as they bowed out of the Carabao Cup on penalties in the semi-final.

This is exactly the wrong referee for Spurs to have as they look to overturn a nine-year drought.

Mother’s Day omen

Spurs will face Liverpool on Mothering Sunday.

That quirk of the calendar has happened before, in the 2013-14 season. Liverpool won 4-0.

Under the management of Tim Sherwood, Spurs fell behind to a ridiculous Younes Kaboul own goal in the second minute and promptly collapsed. Luis Suarez doubled his side’s lead before half-time and Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson rounded off a decisive victory.

With Sherwood deciding to watch the game from the stands, he was the subject of chants asking: “Where is our manager?”

The result left Spurs sixth, eight points behind Arsenal. It is not a good omen.

Mane’s form and Firmino’s return

Sadio Mane has been in electric form in recent weeks. Since January, Mane has scored nine goals in as many games, and scored one and assisted one against Fulham last time out.

Roberto Firmino, too, was in exceptional form while on international duty with Brazil, scoring a superb goal in the 3-1 win over the Czech Republic.

With Mohamed Salah surely due to hit form again soon – he has not scored in five games – Spurs’ defence had better watch out.

Pochettino’s record against Klopp

Mauricio Pochettino has won one game against Jurgen Klopp in eight meetings.

That victory came in October 2017, when Spurs won 4-1 at Wembley.

Four of the games have been drawn, while three have been lost.

At Anfield this weekend, he has a chance to chalk up his second ever victory as Spurs boss over Klopp – his record against the German is his worst against any manager he has faced seven or more times.

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Newcastle United fans on Twitter took the mick as their players were left without a post-match hot shower at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night.

The showery news was announced by The Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder after the game and was met by a series of hilarious replies from members of the Toon Army.

Rafa Benitez’s men were rendered hot water-less by a malfunction in the stadium shower system at Arsenal which would have added insult to injury after a 2-0 defeat – despite the problem being the same for the Gunners stars on the night.

On the pitch, the Magpies put up little fight as Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette ensured that the three points stayed in north London, leading many supporters to show a lack of sympathy for their players.

Some believed that the squad wasn’t deserving of a hot shower, while others suggested that they didn’t think a shower to be necessary after the lack of effort in the performance and one mused “try playing Sunday league.”

Check out a list of the best Newcastle reactive Tweets to Ryder’s post, below…

[ad_pod ]Celtic hero John Hartson has described the timing of Brendan Rodgers’ potential move to Leicester City as woeful.Claude Puel was sacked on Sunday morning but on MondayÂHartson was still discounting the prospect of Rodgers leaving Celtic for the English side.At breakfast time on Tuesday the situation changed dramatically. By 10am Celtic issued a statement confirming that Rodgers was in talks with Leicester.

Celtic cancelled their planned lunchtime media conference, with first team coach John Kennedy taking training on Tuesday.

Leicester face Brighton on Tuesday and an update will be expected from the club on their managerial vacancy.

Celtic’s statement made it clear that Rodgers wanted to speak to Leicester which would make it almost impossible for the Irishman to return to the dugout.

Neil Lennon has been tipped to be appointed as caretaker manager of Celtic, with the former Hibs boss cancelling his plans to fly to the Middle East for media work.