Wrexham are being linked with a host of players after their promotion to the Championship but some of the rumours have not gone down well.
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Essex became the first team through to 2023 Vitality Blast Finals Day after beating Birmingham Bears by two wickets in a thrilling quarter-final at Edgbaston.The Bears charged through the group stage with 11 wins out of 14 but bowed out at the quarter-final stage for the third successive year in the face of a commanding display from Simon Harmer’s side.Disciplined Essex bowling, backed up by excellent fielding, restricted the Bears to 167 for 6. Sam Hain struck a typically polished 52 (26 balls) but, tied down by Harmer (4-0-20-1) and Sam Cook (4-0-24-2), the home side needed some late flailing from Chris Benjamin and Dominic Drakes to at least approach par.Essex then reach 171 for 8 with two balls to spare. Dan Lawrence underpinned the chase with a high-class 62 (41 balls) and Paul Walter’s violent 15-ball 27 retained his side’s control at a vital time mid-innings. The Bears fought hard in the closing overs and Essex needed three from the last two balls before Shane Snater hit the first of them for six.Essex chose to field and started brilliantly as Daniel Sams delivered a wicket maiden. Rob Yates skied the third ball of the innings to third man and it was not until the eighth that the Bears opened their account with a top-edged two. 5 for 1 from 14 balls was not a start to excite the 10,812 crowd.Glenn Maxwell pulled the 15th ball for six but Alex Davies fell in the next over, adjudged, after an interminable review, to have gloved a pull at Aaron Beard.Maxwell added five fours to his six in a punchy 32 but then pulled Walter to deep mid-wicket where Sams took a calm catch and celebrated with a fist-pump to the raucous Hollies Stand. When, 17 balls later, the Aussie accepted another catch to oust Dan Mousley, this time he turned and shushed the Hollies… it had gone rather quiet.Harmer increased the pressure by conceding just three in his first over and bowling Jake Bethell in his second. Hain posted his 25th T20 half-century, from 33 balls, but then sliced Cook to short third.With Hain went the Bears’ hopes of a really imposing total and it was left to Benjamin and Drakes to eke 34 from the last 21 balls to heave the total over 150.The Bears needed to strike early but Adam Rossington clouted 21 from 11 balls to make immediate inroads into the modest target.Related
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Rossington was run out by smart work from Davies but Essex thundered to 77 for 1 from 41 balls before a wobble arrived with two wickets in three balls, Michael Pepper slicing to short third man and Feroze Khushi socking a Jake Lintott full toss to deep midwicket.Successive sixes by Walter off Maxwell reasserted the visitors’ control and Lawrence continued to work the ball round with consummate skill before his departure set up a tense finish.With seven needed from two overs, Lawrence lifted the next ball, from Drakes, to mid on. A superb over from the West Indian cost just a single and saw Harmer run out from the last ball, leaving six still to find from the last over, bowled by Olly Hannon-Dalby.That came down to three from the last two balls, the first of which Snater socked for a straight six to end Essex’s quarter-final hoodoo against the Bears who won both their previous meetings in the last eight.Having squeezed through the group stage by the skin of their teeth, and now survived a tight quarter-final, Essex will return to Edgbaston for Finals Day on July 15 believing this may well be their year.
A traumatic couple of days for Leicestershire predictably ended on another low note as the Foxes concluded their home fixtures in the Vitality Blast with a crushing 92-run defeat at the hands of neighbours Northamptonshire Steelbacks.Chris Lynn, who has hit Blast centuries against Foxes in each of the last two seasons, continued his assault with 62 from 35 balls, Saif Zaib hitting 55 off 25 as the two piled on 114 off 50 balls for the third wicket in a total of 210 for seven from their 20 overs. Mike Finan took two for 30 as the best of some modest bowling figures.Rehan Ahmed made a spirited 49 off 32 balls but the Foxes were bowled out for 118 in 16.4 overs in reply, Ben Sanderson taking three for 20, with two wickets each for David Willey, Andrew Tye and Justin Broad, with wicketkeeper Lewis McManus involved in a county record five dismissals.Related
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With Leicestershire’s head coach Paul Nixon placed “on leave” by the club on Thursday, bowling coach Alfonso Thomas and batting consultant James Taylor were in charge of the Foxes.The circumstances behind the decision to relieve Nixon of his duties after six years in the job remain shrouded in mystery. The club’s website belatedly carried a statement from chairman John Thorpe essentially explaining that he could say nothing for legal reasons.Chief executive Sean Jarvis was a little more forthcoming in an interview with BBC Radio Leicester, speaking of “comments” and “allegations” as he alluded to events over a period of months, suggesting Nixon’s departure was unrelated to the announcement – also made on Thursday – that senior players Colin Ackermann, Callum Parkinson and Chris Wright would be leaving at the end of the season.Ackermann and Parkinson were both selected to face the Steelbacks, although Ackermann handed captaincy duties to overseas player Peter Handscomb.The Australian won his first toss in the role, asking Northamptonshire to bat first. Steelbacks openers Ricardo Vasconcelos and Emilio Gay needed a couple of overs to get the measure of a slow pitch but still managed to rack up 49 runs in the powerplay.Checked by a tight over by Rehan, they were parted in an excellent over by Callum Parkinson, the eighth of the innings, when a top-edged pull by Vasconcelos dropped safely into the hands of Mike Finan behind square. Aussie Lynn signalled his intent with three boundaries from his first six balls but Gay (30 from 27 balls) holed out to long-on as the Steelbacks reached halfway at 77 for 2.The remainder of the innings was one of increasing carnage for the home bowlers, Lynn and Zaib taking the total to 129 for 2 after 15 overs, Lynn getting lucky on 37 when he was caught off a Finan no-ball, before the final five overs piled on another 81.The third-wicket pair took turns to clear the ropes as Tom Scriven and Matt Salisbury took the brunt of their assault, the former conceding 22 in one Salisbury’s worst over costing 23, including back-to-back sixes by Zaib, who followed his partner in being caught off a no-ball, on 54.After they were parted two balls into the 19th over as Lynn picked out long-on, four more wickets followed, Finan dismissing Tye with his next ball, before Zaib was caught on the boundary. Willey was run out and Broad found the fielder on the cover point boundary to give Scriven some consolation in the 20th, although Broad’s 10 off four balls had taken the total past 200.The Foxes had twice chased more than 211 to win in the Blast, including 219 against the Steelbacks in 2018, but on this season’s form it looked a tall order, more so after Handscomb was comprehensively bowled by Willey for three in the opening over.By the end of the powerplay, the home side were 30 for 4, Rishi Patel caught behind attempting to ramp Sanderson, who then bowled Ackermann first ball and had Wiaan Mulder edging behind. They might have been five down had a Sanderson direct hit been reviewed after Rehan, on six, was judged to have made his ground by the on-field umpire.Rehan, sent in to open the innings with Handscomb, made the most of his reprieve, clubbing Freddie Heldreich for three sixes in an over, but with Nick Welch also caught behind, at the halfway stage in the chase the Foxes at 74 for 5 were scoring at barely half the required rate of 13.4 runs per over.The young England allrounder – about to joins up with Ben Stokes’s squad ahead of the second Ashes Test – looked set to celebrate with a half-century only for his luck to run out on 49 as he miscued Broad to cover, the South Africa-born German international following up by bowling Scriven in the same over.Swindells, who had helped Rehan add 66 for the sixth wicket as the sole highlight in the Foxes innings, perished on 20 when he helped one into the gloves of McManus. Finan belted Heldreich for six but was stumped next ball as the ninth wicket fell in the 16th over before Salisbury was caught at midwicket to put the home crowd out of their misery in the 17th.
Tottenham Hotspur will hope to end the campaign on a high note, which may breed optimism for what Ange Postecoglou hopes is a strong transfer window in N17.
Tottenham Hotspur's potential summer transfer activity
Despite mixed feelings from supporters towards Daniel Levy, there hasn’t been a total lack of spending under Ange Postecoglou. Yet, the durability of his fragmented squad has been repeatedly called into question amid a lengthy injury crisis.
After spending much of the campaign without key stars, the Premier League outfit’s season now essentially relies on winning the Europa League. Domestically, Spurs have been knocked out of both cup competitions and appear destined to record a bottom-half finish in the top flight for the first time since 2008.
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Understandably, the focus in North London has veered towards potential new arrivals. Koni de Winter is said to be on Tottenham’s radar after a stellar season at Genoa, potentially providing versatility in defence or holding midfield.
Further up, Leroy Sane’s availability on a free transfer has been floated to Postecoglou. Rather than biting at the first inkling that he could be on the move, his situation is being monitored ahead of the summer window.
Tottenham Hotspur’s next five fixtures
Fulham (A)
Premier League
Chelsea (A)
Premier League
Southampton (H)
Premier League
Eintracht Frankfurt (H)
Europa League
Wolverhampton Wanderers (A)
Premier League
Much of the frustration at Spurs hasn’t come at the level of expenditure distributed on incomings. More than anything, it is at how those resources have been utilised. Buying into potential is a long process, and you may have to be patient to reap the rewards. Nevertheless, supporters will be intrigued by Tottenham’s latest target, as Postecoglou looks set to play a key role in convincing the talent to join his project.
Ange wants to convince Angel Gomes to join Tottenham
Per Football Insider, Tottenham boss Postecoglou is ‘very interested’ in Lille midfielder Angel Gomes amid his availability on a free transfer this summer.
The England international is set to court attention from several clubs, leaving Spurs with work to do in convincing the Manchester United youth product to move to North London. West Ham United are mooted to be circling alongside their divisional rivals.
Labelled “sublime” by Matthew Upson, Gomes has scored twice and laid on a solitary assist in 20 appearances this campaign. Stepping up their hunt for midfield reinforcements, Tottenham also retain an interest in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton with the window drawing closer.
In spite of his slight frame, the 24-year-old Gomes has won 31 duels on league duty for Lille and created 14 chances, illustrating his capacity to thrive no matter the capacity in the engine room.
Behind the scenes, Postecoglou and company will need to devise a plan to make sure they don’t miss out on a bargain. Can they pull off that feat? It remains to be seen once the summer rolls around.
He was struck on the helmet by Mohammed Siraj on the opening day and, through a different blow, also suffered a small hairline fracture in his left elbow
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Feb-2023David Warner has been subbed out of the second Test against India in Delhi due to concussion and has also suffered a small hairline fracture in his left elbow after copping multiple blows while batting on the opening day.Warner has been replaced in the Delhi Test by Matt Renshaw under the concussion substitute rule but he is set to remain on tour for now as he was likely to bat again in the match despite the small fracture had he not been ruled out with concussion.Warner was struck on the helmet by Mohammed Siraj at the end of the 10th over having previously taken a painful blow on the left elbow in the eighth over. Both times he was struck he had tried to pull a Siraj bouncer but was beaten for pace. The first blow hit the forearm near the left elbow. The second time, he got a top edge flush into the grille of the helmet and his left jaw as he turned his head to the leg side.Warner received prolonged treatment from the Australia team doctor and physio for the blow on the elbow and was in quite a lot of discomfort. He had the elbow strapped before continuing to bat. But after the second blow on the helmet he did not undergo a concussion test or get his helmet changed. Warner changed his gloves at the end of the 10th over and the team doctor came out to check on him. The doctor had a brief discussion with Warner about where the ball hit the helmet but went back to the dugout without closely examining Warner or the helmet itself.Related
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He continued to bat on before edging Mohammed Shami to the wicketkeeper for a laboured 15 and didn’t field late in the day when Australia began bowling.At the time he was described as not feeling “100%” and after further assessment during the evening, he failed a concussion test and has been withdrawn from the match.”Warner will now follow the graduated return to sport protocols ahead of the third Test in Indore in line with Cricket Australia guidelines,” a CA statement said.Warner also had a scan on his arm which revealed he had a small, stable hairline fracture in his left elbow. It is understood he was going to bat again in the game but would not have fielded. He would have been able to open without fielding given he suffered an external blow and there were no concerns about further damage to the elbow. But the concussion made that a moot point.It is understood a small, stable hairline fracture of the elbow would normally take a minimum of six weeks to heal properly meaning Warner would not be at 100% fitness and would likely have to play through pain if he were to play again in the Test series or the ODI series that follows. The IPL also starts in exactly six weeks’ time. But speaking after play on day two, teammate Nathan Lyon believed Warner could still play a part in the final two Tests of the series.”Talking to the medical staff, it’s one of those ones where you could potentially play if you rest it over the next few days and we’ve got a decent break after this Test match,” Lyon said.”If he’s recovered well, I wouldn’t be surprised if you see him out there again.”Warner’s withdrawal continues a difficult start to the tour for him after twin failures in Nagpur which have thrown the spotlight on his future in Test cricket. He now averages 21.78 in Tests in India, the lowest of any opener to play 10 Tests in the country.Renshaw will open the batting in the second innings but ICC match referee Andy Pycroft confirmed he will not be allowed to bowl as Warner’s replacement. Renshaw played in the first Test in Nagpur but was left out following the innings defeat to accommodate the return of Travis Head.”There’s no slight on him,” selector Tony Dodemaide had said on Renshaw’s exclusion. “He’s very much a valued player in our team planning moving forward. He was quite stiff, particularly in the first innings [in Nagpur]. So he hasn’t been dropped for those performances.”Although Renshaw made his comeback into the Test side this season via the middle order, he has experience at the top – he opened throughout the first phase of his career from 2016-17.Australia have had a number of injury problems on this tour. Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc did not recover from their broken fingers in time to make the team in Delhi while Josh Hazlewood has also missed the first two matches.
Enzo Maresca labelled Chelsea’s 3-0 thrashing at Brighton & Hove Albion last month the “worst performance” of his tenure to date.
Goalkeeping misery, more so, gave Aston Villa an in one week later, but Chelsea have since defeated Southampton – and comfortably at that. Obviously, tougher tests await, but the Blues are fifth in the Premier League and just two points away from third-placed Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, it’s patent Chelsea need to strengthen across a number of areas this summer, with the goalkeeping department, central defence and centre-forward spots all in need of facelifts.
That said, Chelsea need to rally, overcome their tactical and injury issues and make headway over the coming months, finishing in a position that can plant seeds of success for next season.
Maresca doesn’t want the west Londoners to be branded a ‘one-man team’, but Cole Palmer is clearly a cut above most attacking players in English football, and when he’s off the boil, it’s going to be keenly felt.
Cole Palmer's recent form
The sun will shine again for Palmer, one of England’s most awe-inspiring and mercurial talents in a generation.
However, there’s no question he’s in a rut right now, dejected after the final whistle screeched at Stamford Bridge in midweek. Chelsea’s 4-0 win against Southampton made it seven matches without a goal contribution for the 22-year-old.
Cole Palmer stats v Southampton
Match Stats
#
Minutes played
90
Goals
0
Assists
0
Expected goals (xG)
1.35
Shots (on target)
7 (3)
Accurate passes
39/47 (83%)
Key passes
1
Dribbles
2/3
Duels won
3/7
Stats via Sofascore
Palmer has the mindset of a champion, though, and his missed chances rankled some, for he has been the architect and arbiter of attacking success since joining the Blues from Manchester City in a deal worth £42.5m in August 2023.
He’s still rather good, of course. The Three Lions star has racked up 14 goals and 6 assists from 27 top-flight fixtures this term, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher even calling him “the best player in the Premier League” at the beginning of October.
Around the same time, former Chelsea superstar Cesc Fabregas hailed Palmer as a “gamechanger,” similar yet different to his own stomping days at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer is his own player, and though he’s a playmaking genius, he operates a different realm to the Spaniard. However, another member of Maresca’s squad is stepping up right now, and might prove to be the club’s next version of their one-time midfield maestro.
Chelsea's next Cesc Fabregas
Fabregas earned his stripes at Arsenal before leaving for Barcelona in a deal worth £35m in 2011. He was 24 years old.
Chalkboard
A deep-seated connection with London and the Premier League saw him move to Chelsea in 2014, then aged 27 and cultured as one of Europe’s most talented and intelligent deep-lying playmakers.
Since stats-led site WhoScored began collecting data in 2009/10, Fabregas has been recorded as having played out his career with an 85% pass success rate across various clubs and for his country.
Moreover, the 2010 World Cup winner averaged 2.1 key passes per game, serving as an accurate barometer for his gifts on the ball.
Fabregas played the full gamut of midfield roles throughout his playing career, thriving in a deep-lying playmaker’s role when Chelsea stormed to the Premier League title under Antonio Conte in 2016/17.
Previously, he’d been more advanced in his maiden year for the Blues, winning the Premier League for the first time for the legendary Jose Mourinho.
What never faltered was his creativity and willingness to make things happen. Anyway, what does all this pertain to? Well, Chelsea have found their new version of the Spain star in Enzo Fernandez.
Most Assists in Premier League History
Rank
Player
Apps
Assists
1.
Ryan Giggs
632
162
2.
Kevin De Bruyne
278
118
3.
Cesc Fabregas
350
111
4.
Wayne Rooney
491
103
5.
Frank Lampard
609
102
Stats via Premier League
Like Cesc, Fernandez had earned himself a World Cup winner’s badge before moving to Stamford Bridge, leaving Benfica for Chelsea in a whopping £107m deal in February 2023.
He was the talk of the town to be sure, with talent scout Jacek Kulig even hailing him a “phenomenon” in the overtures of his transfer to England.
There’s no doubting the Argentina international’s struggles throughout his two years at the club, himself acknowledging back in December it was “very difficult” to begin with.
He’s starting to come into his own this season. The 24-year-old has notched four goals and eight assists from 31 appearances – many of which coming in a flurry from November through to December – but the overall influence of his performances are shown through impressive progression metrics.
As per FBref, Fernandez ranks among the top 17% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 16% for assists, the top 5% for shot-creating actions and the top 14% for both passes attempted and progressive passes per 90.
Further, he’s averaging 2.1 tackles and 4.4 ball recoveries per Premier League match, as per Sofascore, bespeaking his tenacity and willingness to get stuck in across the park.
His skill as a dictator of play could hold the key for Chelsea’s lasting success as a European superpower. The club’s form is temporary, and Maresca has shown through early-season promise that he’s got the nous and wherewithal to lead this outfit to success.
Back in December, The Athletic’s Liam Twomey noted Fernandez’s role in Maresca’s system may be somewhat nebulous, but that he’s “too valuable not to include”.
When at the top of his game, Chelsea’s stars such as Palmer will go from strength to strength, feeding off the South American’s impetus, technique and intelligence.
Forget Fernandez: Chelsea's 20y/o "superstar" could be their next Lampard
Chelsea appear to have a star who could dislodge Enzo Fernandez and emulate Frank Lampard.
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A new transfer update suggests that West Brom are eyeing a loan move for a “phenomenal” Premier League youngster in the January transfer window.
Latest West Brom news
The Baggies return to Championship action on Saturday lunchtime, making the trip to struggling Plymouth Argyle, looking to kick on under Tony Mowbray after the excellent 5-1 win at home to Portsmouth last time around.
The new boss would love new signings to arrive in the remaining days of the window, in order to give side the best possible chance of promotion this season, and they have been linked with a move for Chelsea striker Marc Guiu. A loan switch for the 19-year-old has been mooted.
Meanwhile, the Baggies have reportedly been pushing to complete the signing of Stuart Armstrong from Vancouver Whitecaps, but the 32-year-old now looks set to join Sheffield Wednesday instead, acting as a blow.
St. Gallen striker Willem Geubbels has also emerged as a rumoured transfer target for West Brom, but rivals Sunderland are also believed to be in the race to snap up the Frenchman.
West Brom eyeing "phenomenal" ace on loan
West Brom are also interested in signing Tottenham youngster Will Lankshear on loan before the end of the current window. The 19-year-old is “set to head out on loan now” and the Baggies are right in the mix to sign a new target for them, along with Championship rivals Burnley, Middlesbrough, Cardiff City and Luton Town. Foreign clubs are keen, too, but a move to an English team is seen as more preferable by Spurs.
Signing a Premier League player always has an element of excitement about it for any Championship club, so Lankshear could be an intriguing temporary addition to Mowbray’s squad.
The Englishman has scored once in the Europa League this season, coming in a 3-2 defeat away to Galatasaray that also saw him receive a red card, and Spurs pundit John Wenham has lauded his ability.
“If in time we can see him improve his passing levels then maybe we can look at him as a Harry Kane-lite or something like that. At the moment though, he looks like a complete out-and-out finisher and he had made a phenomenal start to his life at Tottenham.”
That is high praise for Lankshear, outlining why West Brom signing him on loan could be a masterstroke for the second half of the season.
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The Spurs youngster has been capped for both England’s Under-19s and Under-20s, and the fact that his current club may like the idea of giving him more minutes elsewhere makes it an ideal situation for all parties.
Liverpool have been riding the crest of a wave this season but supporters fear that it will all come crashing down at some point.
While, in football, it’s important not to look too far into the future, the Anfield supporters are aware that Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah could sign a pre-contract agreement with a club from overseas at any given moment.
While FSG remain sanguine in the face of a staggering quandary, losing any of these players would be a detrimental blow.
Salah, for example, is one of the greatest forwards that Merseyside has ever seen, posting 22 goals and 17 assists so far this season. Saudi suitors are growing in confidence, and Liverpool are beginning to look at a success plan.
Liverpool looking at Salah replacement in Spain
As per Spanish reports, Liverpool are growing increasingly confident of signing Takefusa Kubo at the end of the season as Slot begins to prepare for a potential future without Salah at the club.
Kubo has a €60m (£51m) release clause in his contract but according to the report, Liverpool are prepared to offer €50m (£42m) plus Federico Chiesa – a bid they believe will be accepted.
While sporting director Richard Hughes will still be pushing to tie the Egyptian king down to a bumper new deal at Liverpool, it feels like time is running out for a harmonic conclusion, and Kubo could be the answer to the problem.
Why Takefusa Kubo could replace Mo Salah
Kubo is only 23 but he’s emerged as a major player on the Spanish scene over the past few years, notching 38 goal contributions across 112 appearances for Real Sociedad.
As per FBref, the fleet-footed winger ranks among the top 2% of positional peers in La Liga this season for progressive carries, the top 1% for successful take-ons and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90.
The Japan international would bring far fleeter athleticism to Slot’s team than the 32-year-old Salah, who is one of the most potent attacking forces in world football but less mobile than he once was.
Matches (starts)
20 (14)
21 (21)
Goals
4
18
Assists
0
13
Shots taken*
1.4 (.)
4.0 (2.0)
Big chances missed
0
14
Pass completion
77%
73%
Big chances created
3
17
Key passes*
1.2
2.3
Ball recoveries*
3.2
2.5
Tackles + interceptions*
1.4
0.7
Dribbles*
1.9
1.6
Total duels (won)*
4.8 (49%)
3.4 (43%)
No winger in Europe (barring maybe Barcelona’s Raphinha) can hold a candle to Salah this season, and there’s no doubt that Kubo has much to work on before he is performing at a satisfactory level for a team like Liverpool, but the ingredients for success are there.
He’s combative and creative, sure, but perhaps most curiously, Kubo hasn’t missed a single big chance in La Liga this season, suggesting that his ball-striking ability is good, but he just isn’t getting into enough goalscoring positions.
Spanish-based journalist Kiyan Sobhani has echoed this argument, saying last year: “Kubo is dusting defenders this season and has been an unrelenting offensive menace. Constantly in attack mode.”
In Liverpool’s system, this can be improved, especially when taught to apply some of Salah’s tricks to his craft, which Liverpool coaches will no doubt be able to implement into his game.
The left-footer does need to hone his sharpness in front of goal but there’s no doubting the quality. With a complete skillset and a ferocious energy about him, Kubo could be the perfect Salah heir.
Look, Liverpool would be foolish to try and replace Salah with a winger of striking likeness – they just wouldn’t live up to the plate. Instead, Kubo can add his own flair to the role, and make it his own.
Their next Xabi Alonso: Liverpool fighting to sign "world-class" midfielder
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MatériaMais Notícias
O Palmeiras anunciou, na última quarta-feira (18), a contratação do centroavante Miguel Merentiel, vindo do Defensa y Justicia, da Argentina. Com o novo reforço e a promoção de Endrick para o time profissional, Abel ganha duas novas opções no setor a partir de julho.
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O uruguaio recém-contratado pelo Alviverde só pode estrear pela equipe no dia 18 de julho, data de abertura da janela de transferências internacionais.
Já Endrick completa 16 anos no dia 21 do mês em questão e, portanto, poderá jogar pelo profissional somente a partir desta data. Além disso, o contrato de três anos com a principal joia da base do clube já está apalavrado com uma multa rescisória de 60 milhões de euros para o exterior.
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TABELA: Clique e confira a tabela completa e simulador do Brasileirão!
Vale lembrar que, segundo apurou a reportagem do LANCE!, o departamento de futebol quer mais um atacante para brigar pela “9” do Verdão. O nome, porém, é tratado com sigilo.
Rafael Navarro é o único jogador atuando pela posição atualmente, já que Deyverson, em fim de contrato, sequer é relacionado para os jogos do clube. Além disso, Rony é um ponta de origem e só joga como centroavante em caso de improviso de Abel.
MatériaMais Notícias
O estatuto para a criação da Libra (Liga de Futebol Brasileiro) foi assinado por oito clubes – seis da Série A e dois da Série B. Neste primeiro momento, 14 equipes da primeira divisão não fecharam questão. Na noite desta terça, o grupo publicou carta para explicar as razões disso.
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No texto, os clubes ressaltam a importância de criar a liga, mas consideram insuficiente a redução na diferença de receitas na proposta inicial – liderada pela empresa Codajas com o banco BTG Pontual. Segundo o documento, a diminuição na disparidade apresentada está “aquém do ideal, o que pode ser facilmente atingido por meio do diálogo”.
Os oito clubes que assinaram o estatuto da liga são: Corinthians, Palmeiras, Santos, São Paulo, Red Bull Bragantino, Flamengo (Série A), Cruzeiro e Ponte Preta (Série B).
Confira abaixo a íntegra da carta:
“Os clubes signatários receberam, na última sexta-feira, a convocação para a reunião realizada nesta terça-feira (03/05/2022) em São Paulo, com o objetivo de discutir os termos da criação da Liga de futebol profissional brasileira.
Os clubes prontamente se dispuseram a comparecer ao encontro, a despeito da convocação emergencial, demonstrando, com isso, que estão absolutamente cientes e engajados na formalização da entidade, com ampla adesão das Séries A e B.
Entre as muitas razões para a formação da liga está a premente necessidade de se elevar o nível de qualidade do futebol brasileiro, resgatando seu protagonismo no cenário mundial. O caminho para alcançar este objetivo é, sim, a construção de um campeonato forte, com clubes revitalizados e um padrão de equanimidade nas condições de disputa.
A ideia da liga tem o mérito de prever maiores receitas para os clubes, que poderiam conviver em um ambiente mais equilibrado financeiramente. Porém, as condições apresentadas para a incorporação das agremiações à Liga ainda não permitem exatamente o cumprimento do objetivo principal, que é a busca de uma equanimidade entre os clubes.
O documento apresentado e por ora assinado apenas por alguns Clubes apresenta regras de distribuição de receitas que pouco reduzem a atual disparidade de divisão de receitas. Há sim ali uma redução da diferença, mas ainda aquém do ideal, o que pode ser facilmente atingido por meio do diálogo.
Entre as várias questões a serem discutidas, os aspectos principais são o percentual previamente definido para a distribuição de receita igualitária, o limite a ser estabelecido como diferença de receita entre o primeiro e o último clube da competição. Há, ainda, outros pontos a serem debatidos, sobretudo no que tange ao critério de engajamento, mas que podem ser objeto de aprofundamento após o efetivo ingresso dos Clubes signatários na Liga.
Os clubes signatários desta carta se dispõem a assinar a formação da Liga tão logo seja possível uma análise aprofundada sobre os critérios mencionados, além de outros, de menor impacto e que podem ser analisados no momento oportuno, mas igualmente importantes, razão pela qual confiam que, até a próxima reunião, com possíveis avanços no entendimento de solucionar tais pontos será possível chegarmos a uma adesão de Clubes em maior número e com isso a formalização da Liga com muita força e unidade.
América-MG, Atlético-MG, Athletico-PR, Atletico-GO, Avai, Botafogo, Ceará, Coritiba, Cuiabá, Fluminense, Fortaleza, Goiás, Internacional, Juventude”.