وصلت بعثة منتخب مصر للناشئين مواليد 2008 بقيادة أحمد الكاس، منذ قليل إلى المغرب من أجل المشاركة في تصفيات شمال إفريقيا.
ومن المقرر أن تنطلق تصفيات شمال إفريقيا للناشئين تحت 17 سنة بدولة المغرب في الفترة من 11 إلى 23 نوفمبر المقبلين.
ويلتقي منتخب مصر مع المغرب، ثم يواجه الجزائر، ويخوض ثالث مبارياته أمام تونس، ثم يختتم التصفيات بمواجهة ليبيا.
طالع.. خاص | اتحاد الكرة يكشف تفاصيل أزمة التسنين في منتخب مصر 2008
ويترأس البعثة إيهاب الكومي عضو مجلس إدارة الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، ويضم الجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر 2008 كلا من أحمد الكاس مديرا فنيا، ووليد مهدي مديرا للمنتخب، ومحمد إبراهيم مدربا عاما، ورامي عادل مدربا مساعدا، وأحمد فوزي مدربا للحراس، والدكتور علاء الجوهري مدربا للأحمال.
يذكر أن الآونة الأخيرة، شهدت أزمة في منتخب مصر مواليد 2008 مع مواليد 2009 أيضًا، في توزير بعض أعمار اللاعبين، قرر اتحاد الكرة إيقاف اللاعبين الذين ثبت ضدهم التوزير في إعمارهم.
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has showcased his willingness to trust and develop academy talents in his debut season with the Yorkshire-based side.
The German boss worked the likes of James Maddison, Ben Godfrey, Max Aarons, and Emiliano Buendia during his time with Norwich City, and has now provided Mateo Joseph and Archie Gray with opportunities to shine this season.
Gray, who was 17 at the start of the campaign, made his senior debut under the Whites manager this term and has racked up 36 appearances in the Championship so far.
Archie Gray
The England U21 international is the first-choice option for Farke at right-back, whilst Joseph is currently the back-up to Patrick Bamford in the number nine position, and this shows that the tactician is prepared to bring academy gems into the team if they are good enough and ready to feature.
This bodes well for the array of talent currently occupying the U21 and U18 teams at Thorp Arch, as they know that the club have a manager who will not ignore them if they perform to a high level, in matches and in training.
Current U18s star Josh McDonald is one player who could have his eyes on a future place in the first-team, and Farke could eventually unearth him as a homegrown heir to Dan James, who has had somewhat of a revival at Elland Road this season.
Dan James' initial struggles at Leeds
In the summer of 2021, former Leeds duo Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta swooped to sign the Wales international from Manchester United for a reported fee of £25m.
The forward started regularly throughout the 2021/22 campaign for Bielsa, and then his replacement Jesse Marsch, but failed to deliver goals and assists at an impressive rate.
He produced four goals, with eight 'big chances' missed, and assisted four for his teammates, with 0.8 key passes per game, over 31 Premier League starts.
His less-than-impressive form at the top end of the pitch, after a big £25m move to Elland Road, led to a loan to league rivals Fulham for the 2022/23 campaign.
22/23 Premier League
Dan James
Appearances
24
Starts
7
Goals
2
Assists
1
Key passes per game
0.4
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, James also struggled during his time with the Cottagers as he only racked up three direct goal contributions in 24 matches.
His lack of end product on the wing in the Premier League may have contributed to Fulham's decision to send him back to Elland Road last summer, instead of attempting to sign him on a permanent basis.
That did, however, provide Leeds and Farke with an opportunity to help him regain his confidence by playing regular football in the Championship this season.
Dan James' impressive form this season
The 26-year-old speedster has started 24 of his 34 appearances in the second tier for the Whites so far this season, and has showcased his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals.
James has plundered an eye-catching 12 goals and seven assists in those 24 starts – a return of one goal or assist every 1.26 starts on average in the league.
Only Wilfried Gnonto (2.72) has outscored his Expected Goals by more than James (1.8) within the Leeds squad, as the electric winger has found the back of the net 12 times from an xG of 10.2.
Dan James
This shows that the former Manchester United forward has been efficient in front of goal, and not wasted many opportunities to get his name on the scoresheet.
The Welsh wizard has also showcased his creativity with 12 'big chances' created and 1.5 key passes per game across his 34 league matches for Leeds this term. He ranks within the top 5% of Championship attacking midfielders and wingers for Expected Assisted Goals (0.29) per 90, and the top 8% for assists (0.30) per 90.
These statistics show that the Whites star has been an excellent operator as both a scorer and a creator of goals, whilst having the quality to operate on either the right or the left wing for Farke.
In total, James has racked up 16 goals and 12 assists in 77 appearances in all competitions since he made the move to Leeds in the summer of 2021, which is a return of 2.75 matches per game on average.
Josh McDonald's Leeds potential
Leeds swooped to sign McDonald from Scottish side Hamilton Academical in the summer of 2023, at the age of 16, amid interest from Premiership giants Glasgow Rangers.
Football Insider quoted an unnamed Scotland U18 coach as describing the talented teenager as an "exceptional" young gem, which is why he played for his country at U18 level despite being just 16 at the time.
The outlet noted the club's desire to bolster the quality of their youth teams across the board, which is why they were keen to sign the 16-year-old to add him to their U18 group.
McDonald has been playing for Leeds at that level so far this season and has caught the eye with his contributions at the top end of the pitch.
Like James, the Scottish wizard has the ability to play on either the left or the right side of the attack, rather than being restricted to one or the other, and that could help his first-team chances as he could fill in for multiple positions.
As you can see in the table below, McDonald has featured regularly for the club in the league and the cup during his debut campaign in English football.
23/24 season
Josh McDonald
FA Youth Cup
U18 Premier League
Appearances
4
17
Minutes played
344
1,028
Goals
0
5
Assists
1
3
Stats via Transfermarkt
He has racked up eight direct goal contributions in 17 appearances for the U18s this season, which is a return of one goal or assist every 2.13 outings on average – better than James' Leeds career average of one every 2.75 games.
These statistics show that McDonald, like the Wales international, can both score and create goals at a decent rate from either the right or left wing.
At the age of 17, the Scottish maestro also has plenty of time left to develop and progress over the years to come, and could be a player Farke keeps an eye on for the future as a possible long-term homegrown heir to James, who is nine years older than him.
It would be a dream scenario for Leeds and the German boss as the club would not need to splash out millions on a replacement for the Welshman, should McDonald continue to progress and emerge as a senior option.
Unfortunately for fans of other Premier League teams, Manchester City are showing little sign of slowing down as the champions look set for another big summer spending spree.
Pep eager to bolster City's midfield
Part of what has made the Man City winning machine unstoppable in recent years is that they are rarely content with what they have. Pep Guardiola and co are always on the lookout for where they can upgrade on the pitch, rarely afraid of opening the chequebook to get a deal over the line.
David Ornstein: Man City have offer "accepted" to sign French-born "talent"
He’s been attracting plenty of interest.
ByCharlie Smith Mar 16, 2024
The top City's in-tray for the summer window appears to be midfield reinforcements, with the treble winners linked to both West Ham's Lucas Paqueta and Germany star Jamal Musiala.
A player who can perform to the heights of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bryune appears to be the target for City as the champions begin to set out what life after the trio may look like. Whilst there are a number of names on City's shortlist, it appears that the side have made an approach for one who they view as the future of their midfield.
Man City make approach for Guimaraes
As first reported by journalist Rudy Galetti on X, Man City have made an approach in their pursuit of Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian has been a long-term target for the Manchester outfit and Guardiola's men are working to close the deal before the summer window opens.
Reports last week suggested that City were considering exercising the £100million release clause in the Newcastle man's contract with this new development indicating a more concrete interest in getting the deal over the line. It is clear that the champions are eager to strengthen in the middle of the park and may view Guimaraes as their number one target.
kalvin-phillips-bruno-guimaraes-newcastle-opinion
The 26-year-old has been electric since arriving on Tyneside in June 2022, acting as the catalyst for Newcastle's surge towards Champions League football last season. As the Toon crash back down to earth and look set for mid-table obscurity this campaign, a player of Guimaraes' quality may well be out of the door this summer.
Bruno Guimaraes' Newcastle Stats
Total
Games Played
97
Goals
13
Assists
13
In signing Guimaraes Man City could boast a creative midfielder that rarely shies away from doing the dirty work in the middle of the park. His profile could make him a near-perfect match for De Bruyne who has struggled with injury throughout the course of this season.
The Brazilian's time on Tyneside has seen him become a fan favourite at St James' Park with manager Eddie Howe heaping praise on the midfielder after a brace against Nottingham Forest back in February, telling the press:
"I think [Guimaraes] is [world class]. I think he has unbelievable qualities that we see on a daily basis. He is versatile, fundamentally he has a great attitude to life and football, he can produce moments of magic like he did against Nottingham Forest."
With proven quality in the Premier League and room to get even better, there are arguably few better options for Man City to pursue this summer than Guimaraes.
Com o duelo cada vez mais próximo, o treinador do Verdão, Marquinhos Santos, pede para a equipe ter, acima de tudo, controle emocional e saber competir contra a equipe Colorada.
“Nós temos que ter controle emocional do jogo e saber competir contra o Internacional, que o é favorito, pelo orçamento que tem, e pela manutenção de equipe da temporada passada. Mas estamos trabalhando bem a semana e esperamos fazer um jogo estratégico, um joguinho de xadrez dentro de um tabuleiro, onde as peças serão importantes para serem mexidas, para que possamos sair com uma com uma possibilidade no segundo jogo, onde tudo se define. Nenhum resultado que se tenha nesse primeiro jogo será determinante, é uma decisão de 180 minutos”, afirmou o técnico.
Portanto, o treinador espera sair com um resultado positivo do Beira-RIo e saber decidir em Caxias.
Ambas as equipes já se enfrentaram neste ano, pela primeira rodada. No entanto, em uma fase diferente para cada clube. Aliás, será a primeira vez que duelaram com sua força máxima. Porém, o treinador não acredita que será uma prévia dos duelos pelo brasileirão.
“Acho que um início, até porque atletas que chegaram nas últimas semanas não puderam ser inscritos, por conta do período do Campeonato Gaúcho, e que vão, com certeza, estar integrando esta equipe na Série A. Então, acho que é um começo, não dá para se tirar parâmetro em relação, nesses dois jogos, para a Série A. O Brasileiro é uma constante, são 38 rodadas”, finalizou o técnico do Papo.
Juventude e Internacional se enfrentam neste domingo às 16h, na primeira partida da semifinal do Gauchão.
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Glasgow Rangers currently find themselves in uncharted territory as they sit at the summit of the Scottish Premiership table.
Following a 3-0 win over St Johnstone a couple of weeks ago, the Light Blues claimed top spot from Celtic and it marked the first time since August 2022 that the club had sat atop the table.
A 5-0 rout of Hearts at the weekend – as well as Wednesday's hard-fought win over Kilmarnock – has maintained their two-point advantage and every Premiership clash is now a cup final as the Gers aim for their first league title since 2021.
Philippe Clement’s January transfer business could potentially be the catalyst in the club’s pursuit of glory as all three signings have made a positive impact thus far.
Mohammed Diomande
It marks a stark change from just a few months ago when growing resentment was setting in during the dying embers of Michael Beale’s reign, as several poor transfers looked like setting the Glasgow side back.
He was not the first manager to sign talented players who have failed to live up to the hype since joining the Ibrox side, as a succession of bosses before him all made similar mistakes.
Mark Warburton was arguably one of the worst culprits, with one of his signings for the club even being compared to former Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
Jordan Rossiter's record at Liverpool
Jordan Rossiter began making waves through the Liverpool academy as a youngster and his talent was clearly obvious to all who watched him play.
The Englishman played 35 times for the U21, U18 and Youth League teams as he was building his reputation, scoring four times and grabbing four assists and this promise meant he was given his debut by Brendan Rodgers in a League Cup clash against Middlesbrough in September 2014.
Rossiter made an immediate impression, scoring the only Liverpool goal of the game, although that was his only senior appearance for the Anfield side that term, making the matchday squad in the Premier League only once before an ankle injury ended his campaign.
Jordan Rossiter
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler had previously delivered high praise for the talented midfielder, hailing him as “potentially a young Stevie G” back in 2013, but the truth is, he failed to hit such heights at the Reds.
The following season saw Rossiter make four senior appearances for the club, but more injury issues meant he failed to really show Jürgen Klopp his talents on a consistent basis, and it would prove to be his final season on Merseyside.
Jordan Rossiter's time at Rangers in numbers
Following four years in the lower leagues, Rangers romped to the Championship title during the 2015/16 season under Warburton, also claiming the Challenge Cup and reaching the Scottish Cup final.
Towards the end of the season, it was announced that Rossiter had signed a pre-contract agreement with the Gers to join that summer ahead of the 2016/17 season, and it looked like a wonderful investment.
They only had to pay a compensation fee of £250k to Liverpool and while injury problems had blighted his young career up until that point, Warburton clearly saw plenty of potential that he could move on from there and establish himself in Glasgow.
It did not take long for his poor injury record to rear its head, however. After making six appearances during the first few weeks of the season, the former Anfield starlet suffered a serious calf injury which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
Things got worse, rather than better, as the youngster made just five appearances the following campaign, again being hampered by a calf injury, while his appearances were limited to just five again under the player he was compared to during his academy days – Gerrard.
Loan spells at Bury and Fleetwood Town between January 2019 and May 2020 saw him make 36 appearances, and he finally looked injury-free, but Gerrard had bolstered his side by that point and Rossiter was always going to struggle to secure a regular place in the team.
What Jordan Rossiter has done since leaving Rangers
The former teenage sensation moved to Fleetwood permanently on a one-year deal in the summer of 2020, before joining his current side, Bristol Rovers, in 2022.
The 26-year-old made 21 appearances in his debut season for the club, before he suffered yet more injury problems.
Throughout his spell at Rangers, Rossiter missed a staggering 94 matches across just three seasons due to the aforementioned calf injuries, and he has failed to feature for Bristol Rovers so far during the 2023/24 campaign.
Rovers currently play in League One and judging by his statistics from last term, moving him on in 2020 looked like a decent bit of business.
The midfielder only averaged a 72% pass success rate per game in the third tier last season, while creating zero big chances, making 0.5 key passes per game and losing possession 9.6 times per match, indicating that he was hardly impressing despite dropping a couple of levels.
First Impressions
What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.
It is always a shame to see a hugely talented player lose their way after plenty of buildup regarding their abilities, even worse so when it is factors out of their control, such as injury problems.
Who knows how good Rossiter might have been if he had stayed fit between 2014 and 2020? Could he have played a key part in Gerrard’s Rangers side which went on to secure their first league title in a decade during 2020/21?
Jordan Rossiter's career statistics
Games
Goals
2022/23
21
0
2021/22
10
0
2020/21
36
1
2019/20
19
0
2018/19
22
1
2017/18
5
1
2016/17
6
0
2015/16
4
0
Via Transfermarkt
He certainly had the required qualities to be a success at Ibrox, yet failing to secure a consistent run of matches proved to be his ultimate downfall, and now he is currently struggling to adapt to League One football.
Warburton clearly saw plenty of future potential in the 5 foot 10 starlet eight years ago, but four years later, his failure to establish himself in the first team meant the Light Blues had fumbled with the transfer.
The Englishman has arguably yet to hit his peak, but will his constant injury battles mean this may never happen? Only time will tell.
خطف النجم المصري عمر مرموش نقطة من فم الأسد لصالح آينتراخت فرانكفورت، عندما فرض التعادل على بايرن ميونخ، ضمن مباريات الجولة السابعة من بطولة الدوري الألماني.
وانطلقت مباراة فرانكفورت وبايرن ميونخ في تمام الساعة السادسة والنصف بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب دويتشه بانك بقيادة الحكم، بنجامين براند.
تقدم العملاق البافاري بهدف المدافع كيم مين جاي في الدقيقة 15، وواصل الفريق الضيف السيطرة من أجل تسجيل الهدف الثاني.
من مرتدة مثالية، استلم مرموش تمريرة كناوف ووضع المدافع في ظهره، ليطلق صاروخية في شباك مانويل نوير، الذي لم يتمكن من التصدي لها عند الدقيقة 22.
طالع أيضًا.. لا يتوقف عن الإبهار.. فيديو | عمر مرموش يسجل هدف تعادل فرانكفورت أمام بايرن ميونخ
بعد أقل من ربع ساعة، وفي الدقيقة 35، انطلق الصاروخ المصري وتغلب على أوباميكانو، ليمر منه ويمرر الكرة للفرنسي إيكيتيكي على طبق من ذهب، ويضع الأخير الكرة في المرمى بنفس طريقة مرموش.
الرد جاء سريعًا ليخمد ريمونتادا أصحاب الأرض، ويسجل بايرن ميونخ الهدف الثاني ويتعادل في الدقيقة 38، عن طريق المدافع أوباميكانو.
انتهى الشوط الأول بالتعادل 2-2، وفي الشوط الثاني خرج إلياس سخيري ودخل محمود داوود، لتنشيط وسط الملعب بالسوري بدلًا من التونسي في صفوف فرانكفورت.
وعند الدقيقة 53، صنع هاري كين الهدف الثالث والذي سجله مايكل أوليس لصالح بايرن ميونخ بطريقة رائعة في شباك الحارس كاوا سانتوس.
في الدقيقة 66 خرج إيكيتيكي ودخل إيبيمبا، وسط سيطرة مطلقة من العملاق البافاري وفرص متتالية مهدرة من الضيوف.
في الدقيقة 69 توقفت المباراة لعلاج هاري كين بسبب الإصابة، قبل أن تُستأنف بعد خروج الإنجليزي متأثرًا بآلام في وجه القدم، ودخل بدلًا منه ماتياس تيل.
استمر توبمولير في الدفع بالبدلاء، باقحام ماريو جوتزه وباهويا بدلًا من أكنوف ولارسون، ثم دفع بـ أوزون التركي مكان فراس شايبي.
على الجانب الآخر، دفع كومباني بالثنائي لايمر وداير مكان أوباميكانو وأوليس، ولكن تأتي الرياح بما لا تشتهي سفن البطل التاريخي لألمانيا، بفضل النجم الأول للدوري الألماني، عمر مرموش.
مرموش ينطلق نحو المرمى كالسهم، بتمريرة البديل إيبيمبي، ويؤكد بأن بايرن ميونخ ضحيته المفضلة، بصاروخية في مرمى مانويل نوير، ليصل لمساهمته السادسة في 8 مباريات ضد العملاق البافاري.
انتهى اللقاء بتعادل هام لأصحاب الأرض، وحصل عمر مرموش على جائزة رجل المواجهة.
بهذه النتيجة يصبح رصيد بايرن ميونخ 14 نقطة في الصدارة، بينما آينتراخت فرانكفورت ثالثًا برصيد 13 نقطة، بفارق الأهداف عن الثاني لايبزيج. أهداف مباراة بايرن ميونخ وآينتراخت فرانكفورت في الدوري الألماني
Fifties from Williams and Burl kept Zimbabwe in the hunt in a chase of 243, but Murtagh picked up wickets at key moments to bowl his side to a narrow victory
Liam Brickhill04-Jul-2019
Tim Murtagh celebrates a wicket•Getty Images
Tim Murtagh’s first international five-for helped Ireland to a five-run win over Zimbabwe in the second ODI in Belfast. After Ireland had been made to scrap for their total of 242 for 9, Murtagh, a month shy of his 38th birthday and playing his 57th ODI for Ireland, tore through Zimbabwe’s top order with the new ball, returned to nip out the vital wicket of Sean Williams for 58, and then closed out the game with a nerveless over at the death to finish with 5 for 21. Zimbabwe’s pursuit ended at 237 for 9 despite Ryan Burl keeping them in the hunt with a maiden ODI fifty.Murtagh’s second ball of the game was clubbed to the midwicket fence by Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza, but the visitors managed just one further boundary off him as the veteran seamer perfectly exploited helpful conditions at the Civil Service Cricket Club ground in Stormont. Before his first over was up, he had exacted his revenge by removing Masakadza’s off bail, but it was in his third over that he really dented Zimbabwe’s chase.Solomon Mire poked at one outside off to be caught behind for 4, and then came the key dismissal of Brendan Taylor, pinned in front of his stumps for a golden duck. Williams survived the hat-trick ball, but from the depths of 14 for 3 it seemed Zimbabwe’s chase had been terminally derailed.But Williams had Craig Ervine, fresh from a century in the last match and in the midst of a rich vein of form, for company. Ervine took the lead in a 56-run stand before he was caught behind for 43 off Shane Getkate’s medium pace, wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker quick to make amends for an earlier lapse, having dropped a regulation chance in Getkate’s previous over.With the match in the balance, Sikandar Raza tried to seize the initiative with a counter-attacking innings, thumping 15 runs off Getkate in the 21st over to push Zimbabwe’s score beyond 100. But one shot too many meant his effort was to be a cameo rather than a match-turning knock, and when he fell to a catch in the deep for 31, when the required rate was less than five an over, parity was restored.Williams whipped Andy McBrine to the midwicket fence to bring up an unusually patient 76-ball fifty, but as the match wore on a pitch that had worn a greenish tinge all day started to become increasingly two-paced, and it was quickly apparent that Zimbabwe’s chase would not be a straightforward one.Ryan Burl flicks behind square for a single•Peter Della Penna
Murtagh returned, probing with a wicket-to-wicket line as the odd delivery kept low while others kicked off the track, and soon had a pulling Williams well caught by Andy Balbirnie, close in at midwicket. Richmond Mutumbami was undone by a delivery from Getkate that shot through low, kissing the edge, and Zimbabwe were wobbling 160 for 7 with a further 83 needed, and only the tail to keep Burl company.He found an able ally in Donald Tiripano, and together they inched Zimbabwe back into contention. With Tiripano battling cramps, the pair took the requirement down to 15 from 12 before Ireland captain William Porterfield turned back to the talismanic Murtagh to bowl his final over, and the penultimate over of the innings. After three dots and a single, Tiripano played over the top of one to be bowled for 33, giving Murtagh his fifth wicket and snapping a 69-run stand.Zimbabwe needed 14 from the final over, but Mark Adair held his nerve and targeted the blockhole to deny them. Burl reached his fifty, but was run out attempting an unlikely second run off the fifth delivery, leaving Tendai Chatara needing to hit a six just to level the scores. He managed just a single to long-off, and Ireland wrapped up a victory that also gave them an unassailable 2-0 series lead.Murtagh’s wickets helped his team to defend a total that had been built around fifties from Paul Stirling, James McCollum and Tucker. Ireland’s was an innings of two halves: the top order dominated the opening salvo, and Zimbabwe’s frontline seamers struggled to make any inroads despite their captain’s decision to bowl first on a track that had a healthy covering of grass.Eleven boundaries – including three in a row for Stirling off Chatara – flowed in the first Powerplay, and both Irish openers raised their fifties in the same over, the 23rd. But Masakadza then turned to Mire’s rarely-used seamers, heralding a Zimbabwean fightback in the second half of the innings, before Zimbabwe’s spinners put the squeeze on at the death.Mire picked up 4 for 43, while Masakadza deployed Raza and Williams to put the brakes on Ireland’s charge at the death. The two spinners took a combined 4 for 71 from 16 overs to hold Ireland back, but Murtagh’s career-best bowling effort ensured that the hosts’ total was justenough to secure the win, and the series.
Medium-pace bowlers Ruaidhri Smith and Adrian Neill as well as left-arm spinner Hamza Tahir and legspinner Chris Greaves, meanwhile, have all been omitted
ESPNcricinfo staff05-May-2019
Brad Wheal’s early strikes pushed Ireland back•ICC/Getty Images
Offspinner Tom Sole and pace bowler Brad Wheal are in line to make their first appearances for Scotland since the 2018 World Cup Qualifier after being named in a 14-man squad to take on Afghanistan in a two-ODI series, beginning on Wednesday in Edinburgh.The 22-year-old Sole was part of the Northamptonshire line-up that took on the touring Pakistan side in a 50-over match on April 29, scoring 22 at No. 8 and returning figures of 0 for 28 in six overs. He was a key member of the World Cup Qualifying campaign last year, taking career-best figures of 4 for 15 against Hong Kong in just his second ODI.Wheal was similarly instrumental for Scotland in Zimbabwe, taking a career-best 3 for 34 in the controversial five-run loss, on DLS method, to West Indies that eliminated Scotland from a place in England for 2019. However, he hasn’t played for Scotland since due to commitments with Hampshire.The Durham-based pair of Michael Jones and Gavin Main have also been recalled into Scotland’s squad for the pair of matches. Like Wheal and Sole, the 21-year-old batsman Jones has not appeared for Scotland since last year’s World Cup Qualifier.Medium pacer Main has spent a bit longer out of the side, having not appeared in an official match for Scotland since the 2016 T20 World Cup in India when he was in the XI for Scotland’s win over Hong Kong. However, he did play for Scotland in an unofficial 50-over match against Sri Lanka ahead of the 2017 Champions Trophy in which Scotland lost by nine wickets.Four bowlers have been left out from the Scotland side that defeated Oman 2-1 in a three-match 50-over series as well as won the T20I Quadrangular series in February, featuring Oman, Netherlands and Ireland, in Muscat. Medium-pace bowlers Ruaidhri Smith and Adrian Neill as well as left-arm spinner Hamza Tahir and legspinner Chris Greaves have all been omitted.Smith took career-best List A figures of 4 for 7 in a historic rout of Oman in which Scotland bowled them out for 24, in Muscat. But he only bowled three overs in the following match after sustaining a pectoral-muscle strain and has not bowled thus far in 2019 for Glamorgan in the County Championship. Neill, similarly, took 4 for 7 on that occasion against Oman but suffered a lower-back injury later in the tour and is continuing his rehabilitation with the Gloucestershire second XI.Tahir played only one match on tour in Oman and is yet to play any ODIs for Scotland after making his T20I debut last summer, against Pakistan. Greaves is yet to play for Scotland in any format.The two ODIs are Afghanistan’s first visit to Edinburgh since claiming a rain-affected 1-0 series win in the summer of 2016. The fixtures are also Scotland’s first ODIs since defeating England last June at the Grange.On the management side, Wednesday’s series-opener will be the first assignment of new head coach Shane Burger. The Afghanistan series are his first ODIs in charge of Scotland since arriving from South Africa in March, having taken over from interim coach Toby Bailey following Scotland’s tour of Oman.Scotland squad: Kyle Coetzer (capt.), Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross (wk), Alasdair Evans, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Calum MacLeod, Gavin Main, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Tom Sole, Craig Wallace, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal.
There have been very few positives for Erik ten Hag to focus on this season.
The campaign can be summed up by the fact that Manchester United are currently seventh in the Premier League after 21 dreary games.
Therefore, the boss will be desperate to strengthen his squad after a campaign that has been rather arduous to say the least.
Man Utd’s midfielder search
Man United have been on the lookout for a midfielder recently, and according to The Mirror, they’re interested in signing Joao Neves.
The Benfica star has a £103m release clause in his contract at Benfica, with United set to begin talks with the club soon.
Joao-Neves-Benfica
However, due to the huge fee attached, a move is much more likely to occur in the summer than this month.
How Neves could benefit Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo has burst onto the scene this season, excelling in a poor United midfield. Despite playing just ten matches overall in 2023/24, his quality has even led to Athletic reporter Adam Crafton saying he could make the England squad for this year’s European Championship.
Neves has had a similar path to first-team football as Mainoo, as this season he has become a key player for Benfica. The Portuguese star is only 19 years old himself, but he has played every Liga Portugal match this season.
Although the 18-year-old has been a game-changer for the Red Devils, the entire function of the midfield relies on him, therefore, the potential signing of Neves could allow Mainoo to flourish even further.
Neves' supreme passing statistics (seen below) outline him as the very definition of a controller who takes on heaps of responsibility on the ball. The teenager sets the tempo for his side, but his vision allows him to progress the play with ease, which makes him like Luka Modric, as per Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig.
Joao Neves: Liga Nos 2023/24
Stats (per 90)
Neves
Ranking in Portugal among CMs
Passes completed
69.59
Top 4%
Progressive passes
6.38
Top 16%
Passes into final third
6.38
Top 9%
Touches
92.39
Top 2%
Successful take-ons
1.83
Top 8%
Tackles (Att third)
3.04 (0.80)
Top 6% (Top 1%)
Ball recoveries
0.61
Top 1%
Stats via FBref
Mainoo is also similar to this, as shown by his 86 touches and 90% pass completion against Wigan in the FA Cup. A midfield two of Neves and the United number 37 would retain the ball extremely well while also providing progression and bravery, therefore taking the pressure off the Englishman to do all of the above himself.
The Benfica youth star is press-resistant and has the ability to evade opponents due to his small stature, however, he is also a tenacious tackler who loves to get stuck in. The very fact he ranks within the top 1% of midfield players in Portugal for tackles in the final third says it all. He’s an extremely proactive player who leads the press, and his out-of-possession security would enable Mainoo to showcase his attacking creativity, which he has yet to fully show.
It's clear just how the potential signing of Neves could unlock Mainoo’s full potential. This may well be an extremely exciting young duo stepping foot at Old Trafford soon.
James Rodriguez could return to Everton after apparently confirming he is unhappy at Sau Paulo.
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Rodriguez unhappy at Sao PauloHas featured in only eight matches this season Colombian could return to Everton for 'last dance'WHAT HAPPENED?
Last week, GOALreported that the former Real Madrid star is unhappy at Sao Paulo due to lack of game time and is considering moving out of the Brazilian club after just one year this summer. The Colombia international has appeared in eight matches for his club in the current season where he has scored once and provided as many assists.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Amid rumours of leaving Brazil, the 32-year-old teased the idea of returning to Everton on social media. On an Instagram post shared by Everton Hub – which talked about the player's current situation in the Brazilian Serie A – Rodriguez left a comment.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
In the caption of their Instagram post, Everton Hub wrote, "Come home @jamesrodriguez10". In response, the player commented, "Last dance?"
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR EVERTON?
The Toffees will play their final game of the season on Sunday as they take on title aspirants Arsenal in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium.