Tag Futebol

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Southampton played out a 3-3 thriller with Bournemouth at the weekend and could have taken all three points had they managed to hold on in the final ten minutes but, given that they had already forfeited their 1-0 lead, the result against an attacking Cherries side was impressive nonetheless.

The point meant that the Saints are mathematically safe with two games remaining and so much credit has to go to Ralph Hasenhuttl, who has completely turned their season around since taking over back in December.

A number of players have benefitted greatly under the Austrian’s guidance but none more so than Yan Valery, who has blossomed into one of the brightest, young defensive talents since.

When Cedric Soares departed on loan to Inter Milan in January, huge pressure to hold down the right-back spot was placed on 20-year-old Valery’s shoulders, but he has coped with it remarkably well and his performance at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday was the latest in a number of impressive showings.

Completing five tackles – more than Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse put together – the Frenchman was a rock at the back for Southampton but was equally important on the front foot, as he teed up Matt Targett for his side’s third of the afternoon.

From last minute penalties to being taken apart by local rivals, fans pick the moments that defined their clubs’ seasons in the video below…

Only Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (86) took more touches than Valery (67) while the number 49’s seven crosses were bested only by Ward-Prowse – Saints’ creative hub.

With a performance like that far from a fluke, Southampton will be extremely thankful that they managed to tie the starlet down until 2023 just over a month ago – there would surely have been a number of suitors in the summer otherwise, with Valery’s previous deal set to expire imminently. Certainly, the decision was Ralph Krueger’s last great contribution to the south coast outfit before his departure was announced earlier this month.

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Kemar Roofe has been passed fit for Leeds United as the Whites head to Birmingham City in the Championship this weekend.

The forward has been on the sidelines since picking up a knee injury against Swansea City in the middle of February.

However, ahead of the trip to Birmingham, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa revealed that the 26-year-old was available once again.

Roofe has scored 14 Championship goals for the Whites this season and his return is absolutely vital at a key period of the season.

Indeed, Bielsa’s side currently sit second in the Championship having won four of their last five matches, including a 3-2 success over Millwall last time out.

It is a huge few days for Leeds as they travel to Birmingham this weekend before making the trip to Preston North End on Tuesday night.

And Roofe is now ready to play his part.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the club’s supporters can be seen below:

Tony Pulis faced the media today, ahead of their massive game against Swansea tomorrow, and was defiant in the face of mounting criticism from Boro’s fans.

He acknowledged fans’ feelings, and agreed that, as paying customers, they have every right to criticise, insisting “they can say what they want”.

But he also pleaded for unity, expressing a need for “everyone to be together”, in a bid to end their horrible run of form, and regain their footing in the play-off race.

The Hartlepool Mail report Pulis said: “I don’t have a problem with it. If people want to criticise I understand that. I understand the job. I understand my responsibilities.

“People pay their money and they have a right to criticise. They can say what they want.. “But we need everyone to be together right now. And the most important people in that are the players. They have to stay together and they have that belief.

Boro’s loyal fans have a dilemma on their hands. While they are fed up with how things have gone recently, they do need to be behind their side in the remaining games — starting at Swansea tomorrow.

That said, they cannot be expected to watch a team go six games without a win — which has seen them lose their last five in succession — without venting their frustrations.

To say nothing, is to send a message that they are accepting what they are being served up, and that is simply not right.

It is a balancing act.

The fans will, as ever, be 100 per cent behind their team when they walk onto the pitch at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow, but for how long, is up to the manager an players.

If they start well, and get their noses in front, then Pulis’s rallying call will be followed.

But should they continue to struggle to find the net, and see their manager seemingly unable to switch to an effective plan B, then the fans will hold him, and the players, to account.

The supporters can definitely do their part to help tomorrow, but it is certainly not their job to motivate the players before a game — they should not have to.

That is the manager’s job, and if he cannot get every one of his players up for a game, in which nothing other than a win will suffice, then the only outcome is for him to leave his post.

Pulis, apparently, has support in the boardroom — at least publicly anyway — but how long that lasts, only time will tell.

What are your thoughts and predictions before tomorrow’s game? Will you listen to Pulis’s calls for unity? Let us know your thoughts…

اتخذ لاعب ليون حسام عوار قرارًا حاسمًا بشأن مستقبله في النادي الفرنسي، بعد ارتباطه بأكثر من نادِ في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الحالي.

ويتواجد اللاعب الجزائري على رادار آرسنال ومانشستر سيتي ويوفنتوس وباريس سان جيرمان.

ويُعد آرسنال أكثر الأندية رغبة في ضم عوار هذا الصيف، حيث قدم أكثر من عرض ولكن تم رفضه من قِبل مسؤولي ليون.

وحسب شبكة “rmc” الفرنسية، فإن حسام عوار اجتمع مع إدارة ليون لبحث مستقبله قبل يومين من انتهاء فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية.

وأشارت إلى أن الطرفين اتفقا خلال الاجتماع على بقاء اللاعب في ليون خلال موسم 2020/2021.

وأفادت أن عوار لا يمانع فكرة البقاء مع ليون، خاصة أنه يشعر بحالة جيدة في صفوف الفريق.

من جانبه، قال رئيس نادي ليون جان ميشيل أولاس في تصريحات لشبكة “Get French Football News” العالمية منذ قليل: “حسام عوار سيظل معنا لموسم آخر”.

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West Bromwich Albion outclassed their bitter rivals Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday. First half strikes from Jay Rodriguez and Hal Robson-Kanu secured a 2-0 victory for the Baggies.

Robson-Kanu came into Darren Moore’s starting XI in place of the suspended Dwight Gayle, and had a terrific impact. The 29-year-old Welshman produced a fine headed finish in the 41st minute to put the visitors ahead.

The 44-cap former Wales international also provided some great hold up play, and used his strength and physicality well, throughout the match.

The forward has had his critics at the Hawthorns, but he showed against the Villans that he has the quality to contribute positively for Moore’s side when called upon. With Gayle set to be suspended for Tuesday’s clash with QPR too, Robson-Kanu ought to retain his place in the starting XI if he’s fit to start.

After the game, plenty of West Brom fans took to Twitter to discuss Robson-Kanu’s display…

استقرت اللجنة الخماسية التي تُدير اتحاد الكرة، برئاسة عمرو الجنايني، على سفر “شيف” خاص مع بعثة منتخب مصر، في مباراتها أمام توجو، في الجولة الرابعة من التصفيات المؤهلة لبطولة كأس الأمم الإفريقية، بالكاميرون.

ويتواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة السابعة التي تضم إلى جواره جزر القمر وكينيا وتوجو، ويحتل الفراعنة المركز الثالث برصيد نقطتين، بعد التعادل في أول مباراتين بالتصفيات طالع ترتيب مجموعة مصر.

علم بطولات، أن الشيف الخاص سيكون مع منتخب مصر ومهمته إعداد وجبات الطعام لأفراد البعثة، دون أي تدخل من فندق الإقامة بتوجو.

وتم تحديد يوم 12 نوفمبر المقبل موعدًا لمباراة الفراعنة أمام توجو، بالجولة الثالثة بالتصفيات المؤهلة لبطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا، حيث وعلم “بطولات” أن اتحاد الكرة نسق مع الجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر بقيادة حسام البدري، وتم الاتفاق على يوم 12 نوفمبر المقبل كميعاد مبدئي للمباراة، التي ستكون في مصر وسيُخطر اتحاد الكرة الكاف خلال الأيام المقبلة.

Tottenham Hotspur have joined Sheffield United in the chase to sign Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, per Turkish Football.

What’s the word?

Spurs are said to have approached the Turkish club over a possible deal, as have their Premier League rivals and a number of Bundesliga sides.

The report states that both Spurs and the Blades made an enquiry when Damien Comolli was still the Sporting Director, before he left the club at the end of January.

Comolli, of course, worked with Spurs earlier in his career, beginning in 2005, helping the club sign the likes of Dimitar Berbatov and Luka Modric during his tenure at White Hart Lane, which ended in 2008.

Money talks: How much did Levy pay for each of these Spurs stars?

Rapid growth

Bayindir has some impressive statistics at the age of 21.

That is practically an infant for a goalkeeper, but he is already playing regularly for Fener.

He has made 22 appearances in total for the club, having joined them from Ankaragucu in the summer, and has also been called up to the senior Turkey squad, sitting on the bench for the 2-0 win over Andorra in Euro 2020 qualifying.

This would be an investment in potential, then, with Transfermarkt valuing him at £5.4m.

Spurs do have Hugo Lloris as their current No.1, with Paulo Gazzaniga as his back-up; bringing in a youthful presence behind that pair would be a shrewd move, particularly if Bayindir can keep growing and improving at his current rate.

Meanwhile, Spurs have missed out on an absolute baller!

Newcastle are yet to make a signing in the January transfer window with less than two weeks until deadline day.

Rafael Benitez must be desperate to strengthen his squad in early January after little investment from owner Mike Ashley in the summer. The Spaniard stated it would be a miracle if he saved the club from relegation to the Championship and their lack of signings will no doubt be concerning for supporters. Defeat to Chelsea last week meant the Magpies slipped into the bottom three of the Premier League.

Reports in the Chronicle suggest that Benitez has no idea how much money is available this month with takeover rumours still persisting. In order to keep the Spaniard at the club, Newcastle simply must back him financially. Adding to his forward line could be vital to avoiding the drop.

One man he could target is Liverpool outcast – Daniel Sturridge. Valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, the 29-year-old has been largely underused during Jurgen Klopp’s spell as manager with injuries hampering his progress. Sturridge was unsuccessfully loaned to West Brom last season but impressed enough in pre-season to earn a place on the Liverpool bench for the majority of the campaign.

Despite scoring some important goals this season, reports from the Liverpool Echo suggest Sturridge is expected to leave the club with his contract expiring in the summer. While he may not be the player he once was, Sturridge remains one of the top forwards in the division. With expert finishing ability and expert movement, his influence in the final third could help Newcastle win vital points to steer them away from danger.

Liverpool are surely unlikely to command a large fee for the former England international though wages could be a stumbling block. However, regular first-team football at St. James Park would be difficult to reject.

Newcastle fans, thoughts?

Everton supporters have been in high spirits in recent times after seeing their side record a fifth Premier League victory of the season at the weekend.

Marco Silva’s men went into their encounter with Brighton on Saturday off the back of losing 2-1 at Manchester United in their previous league outing, and thus seeking to bounce back at Goodison Park against Chris Hughton’s Seagulls. And they did just that as a brace from Richarlison alongside a Seamus Coleman strike inspired the hosts to a 3-1 success on Merseyside, a result which kept them in ninth place in the Premier League table, although they are now just a point behind eighth place Watford.

Thus, there have been many thrilled Evertonians up and down the country in recent times, several of whom have been singing the praises of defender Kurt Zouma, who has slowly but surely become a vital member of Silva’s starting eleven at Goodison Park.

And after another commanding display on Saturday, director of football Marcel Brands must seek to pull off another transfer masterstroke by luring the £18 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) to Everton on a permanent basis.

Ultimately, the 24-year-old made the move to the Toffees during the summer transfer window on loan from Premier League giants Chelsea, what with first team football likely to be a problem for defender under Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

Yet he has been a regular under Silva at Everton in starting each of their last eight games in the Premier League, in which time Zouma has helped the club to two clean sheets as well as four victories to underline just how integral he has become in the Toffees team.

And the centre back, who can also play at right back, further emphasised his quality with another dominant display alongside Michael Keane in the heart of the Everton defence on Saturday, as although a 3-1 scoreline suggests a comfortable afternoon for Silva’s side, it was anything but.

Hughton’s Brighton got back to level terms 12 minutes before half time and proceeded to give Everton something to worry about going forward, but messrs Zouma and Keane were more than equal to the task, be it dominating aerially or on the floor.

And with Zouma very composed with the ball at his feet as well, the 24-year-old has all the traits to go on and become a seriously accomplished centre back in the Premier League – one that Everton must try and sign on a permanent deal.

Yes, luring him away from Chelsea is likely to prove troublesome for the Toffees, but Brands was able to convince the likes of Bernard, Yerry Mina, and Andre Gomes, the latter two from Barcelona, to join Silva’s project at Goodison Park – the same could well happen with Zouma.

And given how impressive the France international has already been at Goodison Park, it’s a move they must seek to make in the near future.

Everton fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Wolves are set to grace the top flight of English football today for the first time since their relegation from the Premier League in 2012.

6 years on from their relegation and the wolf pack are back in the big time and looking to take the top division by storm this season. 

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Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo has spent big over the course of the summer to bring some exciting names to Molineux. The likes of Rui Patricio, Joao Moutinho and Adama Traore could all make their club debuts today.

Having taken the Championship title at a relative canter last time out, big things are expected of the new boys in gold this season. The likes of Ruben Neves and Helder Costa will be hoping to replicate their stunning second tier form in the top flight.

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Wolves fans are ecstatic about the state of their club at the moment and can’t wait for their campaign to kick off. Many have already taken to Twitter to express their excitement and wish the team well for the Premier League journey ahead…